“N****s In Poorest” has been floating in audio form for the past few weeks. But yesterday, on the anniversary on Malcolm X’s death, Bey drops a powerful video to complement his heavy, hyper-provocative flip on Jay-Z/Kanye’s “N****s In Paris” . “N.I.P” is heavy on social, political, and economic themes as you expect from the artist formerly known as Mos Def. Check it out closely, lots of quick cuts, so you may miss a few “visual punchlines” in there.
Along with every hip-hop blog-comment section on the planet, I’ve decided to drop my own opinions on MTV Hottest MCs list for this year. Now, for those that know me, indeed I like to flow, probably expect me to come in here and defecate all over this list and b!tch about how all my favorite indie and underground MCs aren’t on the list. (Kendrick Lamar?)
Well, I’m not gonna do that…much.
I’ve loosened up my backpack straps a little. I mean this IS MTV. We can’t expect them have rap nerd-type tastes, so I kinda accept it for what it is. Kinda. Their criteria of hotness is basically an amalgamation of buzz/impact, sales, and lyrics. Based on their criteria, I can accept most of the list, but I still have issues.
10. Wale
Ehhh, okay, he’s constantly on the radio. I mean constantly. Like right now. I bet ‘Lotus Flower Bomb’ is on at least one station in every urban market right NOW. He’s had a big year, I’ll give you that. But I gotta say, no J.Cole? No Lupe Fiasco? Both had a big 2011: strong sales, some big singles w/ radio play, and grammy nods. I think they’ve had bigger years than Wale and next three in line. Not to mention much stronger lyricists.
9. Wiz Khalifa
Black & Yellow was huge and received a grammy nod. The album, Rolling Papers, was really disappointing in my (and some of the MTV panelists) opinions. Wiz tours like crazy and has a strong, dedicated fan base for some reason. But I dunno about this one.
8. Big Sean
I’m with this one, he had a solid album, and few strong radio hits. I feel he’s a stronger lyricist than many people give him credit for.
7. Meek Mill
This was my first WTF. “I’ma Boss” was big. I get it. And he goes strong on the mixtapes, but I don’t think he’s that strong of an MC, even for this list. He’s hungry and has crazy energy, but that’s not enough for me. Funny, the MTV panel was nearly universally on-board with this one. They made good arguments to support their decision, but I think there are a handful of emcees that have had a “hotter” 2011.
6. Jay-Z
Wow. The judges felt Watch the Throne was more Kanye-driven, which may be true, stylistically. But did Kanye write Jay’s verses? Nope. “Murder to Excellence” > most of these cats careers. And he still makes an impact, he’s still hated, he’s still copied, and generates hype and headlines with anything he does. BUT, judging by the rest of the list, I can see why Jay’s in this spot. Personally, I would swap Jay’s position with…
5. Lil Wayne
How dare I? It was the most anticipated AND biggest selling rap album of the year? It sold a mil in the first week? So, what, it was mostly phoned in and you know it. Nobody was talking about C4 after a few weeks. He was not in top form. Even guest appearances on big songs, he seemed to “swag his way through,” relying on charisma.
4. Nicki Minaj
Where am I? I’m sorry, I was just thinking about Big Sean’s “Dance(remix)” video. And the “Super Bass” video when Nicki is on the ice motorcycle. Seriously, I can’t doubt Nicki. Like her or not, she’s a movement.
3. Kanye
2. Drake
1. Ross
Any one of these 3 could justifiably take the top spot. They gave it to Ross, I would have given it to Drake. He was everywhere, like Ross, but Take Care was such a game changing album. It blended genres, or maybe created its own. Some counted that as a negative. I do not see hip-hop as having rigid boundaries, I say push it as far as you can and you may be rewarded. There’s room for everyone and everything.
All in all, given MTV’s mainstream focus, it’s not a horrible list. Best of all, if you watched the show, they made compelling arguments to support their decisions/opinions. You really can’t ask for too much more than that.
charliedigital is guest contributor to MusicandModeling.com. Find his random tweets and re-tweets on hip-hop, black culture, and technology @charliedigital
Rick Ross
MTV has unveiled their list of the Hottest MCs with Rick Ross at number one. Check out the complete list below and give us your thoughts.
1. Rick Ross
2. Drake
3. Kanye West
4. Nicki Minaj
5. Lil Wayne
6. Jay-Z
7. Meek Mill
8. Big Sean
9. Wiz Khalifa
10. Wale
Where’s J. Cole?
Get More: Music News
Feb 182012
Feb 142012
Feb 132012
Adele Sweeps the Grammys
Despite the shadow of Whitney Houston’s death hanging over the evening, it was still a huge night for Adele and others.
Brit soul-pop phenomenon Adele pretty much owned the Grammy Awards last night. She won six awards out of her six nominations, including Album of the Year(“21″), and Song of the Year (“Rolling In The Deep”). Her wins also tied the record for most awards in one night by a female artist.
Another big winner last night was Kanye West, who pick up three, four if you count the Best Rap Performance win for “Otis.” Most were awarded in the non-televised pre-show.
Here a full list of the awards in selected major categories:
Best Rap Performance – Jay-Z & Kanye West, “Otis”
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration – Kanye West, “All of the Lights”
Best Rap Song – Kanye West, “All of the Lights”
Best Rap Album – Kanye West, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”
Best Pop Vocal Album – Adele, “21″
Album of the Year – Adele, “21″
Song of the Year – Adele, “Rolling in the Deep”
Best Pop Solo Performance – Adele, “Rolling in the Deep”
Record of the Year – Adele, “Rolling in the Deep”
Best Short Form Music Video – Adele, “Rolling in the Deep”
Best R&B Album – Chris Brown, “F.A.M.E.”
Best R&B Song – Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona, “Fool for You”
Best Traditional R&B Performance – Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona, “Fool for You”
Best R&B Performance – Corrine Bailey Rae, “Is This Love”
Best New Artist – Bon Iver
Best Alternative Music Album – Bon Iver, “Bon Iver”
Best Rock Performance – Foo Fighters, “Walk”
Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance – Foo Fighters, “Walk”
Best Rock Song – Foo Fighters, “Walk”
Best Rock Album – Foo Fighters, “Wasting Light”
Feb 122012
The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards
Check out a few of the performance from the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards. What were some of your favorite moments from the show?
Nicki Minaj performs “Roman Holiday”
Jennifer Hudson performs a Whitney Houston Tribute
Chris Brown performs “Turn Up The Music” and “Beautiful People”
Bruno Mars performs “Runaway Baby”
Rihanna and Coldplay perform “We Found Love” and “Princess of China”
Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt perform an Etta James Tribute
Feb 112012
Whitney Houston
Pop singer Whitney Houston has died at age 48, according to publicist Kristen Foster. The cause and location of her death was not immediately known.
Whitney Houston was among the A-list performers planning to attend veteran music mogul Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party Saturday at the Beverly Hilton hotel.
RIP to a music legend.
Feb 092012
Phonte drops the second video from arguably the best album of 2011, Charity Starts At Home. Because of the reality and relatability in his music, Phonte often gets labeled the “everyman MC” and the 9th Wonder-produced “The Good Fight” is an “everyday struggle”-type song that showcases this side of him. The mix of middle/working class imagery and current economic conditions in the video compliment the track (and Phonte) perfectly. Check it out.
charliedigital is guest contributor to MusicandModeling.com. Find his random tweets and re-tweets on hip-hop, black culture, and technology @charliedigital
