The “Where I’m From” series continues with Clifford Smith aka Method Man. Meth recalls his move from Hempstead, Long Island to Brooklyn and Staten Island, his first encounters with the Clan, various rap battles and biting rhymes.
Monthly Archives: February 2011
XXL 2011 Freshmen Cover
The cover leaked early. I ain’t mad @ this list. All these cats been puttin’ that work in. There are a few more out there that are missing but for the most part this works.
Clockwise from bottom left: Diggy Simmons, Meek Mill, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., CyHi Da Prynce, Lil Twist, Yelawolf, Fred The Godson, Mac Miller, YG and Lil B.
Steve Stoute barks on the Grammys…”Tell ’em Y U Mad Steve”
In the Style section of today’s New York Times, “The Commissioner” Steve Stoute took out a full page ad and critiqued the National Arts of Recording and Sciences for this year’s Grammys Awards. Below is a transcription of the note courtesy of the life files.
Over the course of my 20-year history as an executive in the music business and as the owner of a firm that specializes in in-culture advertising, I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture. My being a music fan has left me with an even greater and deeper sense of dismay — so much so that I feel compelled to write this letter. Where I think that the Grammys fail stems from two key sources: (1) over-zealousness to produce a popular show that is at odds with its own system of voting and (2) fundamental disrespect of cultural shifts as being viable and artistic.
As an institution that celebrates artistic works of musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and technical specialists, we have come to expect that the Grammys upholds all of the values that reflect the very best in music that is born from our culture. Unfortunately, the awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate. How is it possible that in 2001 The Marshall Mathers LP — an album by Eminem that ushered in the Bob Dylan of our time — was beaten out by Steely Dan (no disrespect) for Album Of The Year? While we cannot solely utilize album sales as the barometer, this was certainly not the case. Not only is Eminem the best-selling artist of the last decade, but The Marshall Mathers LP was a critical and commercial success that sold over 10 million albums in the United States (19 million worldwide), while Steely Dan sold less than 10% of that amount and came and went as quietly as a church mouse. Or consider even that in 2008 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, after going into the night as the most-nominated artist, Kanye West’s Graduation was beaten out for Album Of The Year by Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters. (This was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album won this category.) While there is no doubt in my mind of the artistic talents of Steely Dan or Herbie Hancock, we must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation. It is this same cultural impact that acknowledged the commercial and critical success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in 1984.
Just so that I’m not showing partiality to hip-hop artists (although it would be an entirely different letter as to how hip-hop music has been totally diminished as an art form by this organization), how is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win Best New Artist? Again, his cultural impact and success are even more quantifiable if you factor in his YouTube and Vevo viewership — the fact that he was a talent born entirely of the digital age whose story was crafted in the most humble method of being “discovered” purely for his singing ability (and it should be noted that Justin Bieber plays piano and guitar, as evidenced on his early viral videos).
So while these very artists that the public acknowledges as being worthy of their money and fandom are snubbed year after year at the Grammys, the awards show has absolutely no qualms in inviting these same artists to perform. At first I thought that you were not paying attention to the fact that the mental complexion of the world is becoming tanned, that multiculturalism and poly-ethnicity are driving new meaning as to what is culturally relevant. Interesting that the Grammys understands cultural relevance when it comes to using Eminem’s, Kanye West’s or Justin Bieber’s name in the billing to ensure viewership and to deliver the all-too-important ratings for its advertisers.
What truly inspired the writing of this letter was that this most recent show fed my suspicions. As the show was coming to a close and just prior to presenting the award for Album Of The Year, the band Arcade Fire performed “Month of May” — only to… surprise… win the category and, in a moment of sheer coincidence, happened to be prepared to perform “Ready to Start.”
Does the Grammys intentionally use artists for their celebrity, popularity and cultural appeal when they already know the winners and then program a show against this expectation? Meanwhile the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences hides behind the “peer” voting system to escape culpability for not even rethinking its approach.
And I imagine that next year there will be another televised super-close-up of an astonished front-runner as they come to the realization before a national audience… that he or she was used.
You are being called to task at this very moment, NARAS.
And to all of the artists that attend the Grammys: Stop accepting the invitation to be the upset of the year and demand that this body upholds its mission for advocacy and support of artistry as culture evolves.
Demand that they change this system and truly reflect and truly acknowledge your art.
Steve Stoute
Nancy Grace says Lindsay Lohan is not in jail because she’s WHITE
Nancy Grace, the ‘Swift Justice’ host, and in-your-grill prosecutor, tells Popeater’s Rob Shuter that she knows why Lindsay Lohan isn’t in jail for habitual shoplifting.
Grace said what we already know: that there is a different justice system for wealthy, privileged Caucasians, and overindulged celebrities:
“I believe celebrities get into so much trouble because they think the rules don’t apply to them,” Nancy said. “I think it becomes instinct that they can do, say whatever they want, and there’s no repercussions.”
The troubled 24-year-old actress is facing felony grand theft charges for allegedly swiping a $2,500 necklace from a jewelry store last month.
“She’s on video! She goes in the store without the necklace. She comes out with the necklace,” said an infuriated Grace.
Grace said the reason Lohan wasn’t immediately “thrown down on the asphalt” and arrested was due to her race and celebrity status.
“Let’s just say you send a black girl into that same jewelry store, or an uneducated person or a poor person, they come away with a $2,500 necklace, honey, they would be thrown down on the asphalt and dragged by their feet back into the store and prosecuted!
Snoop drops some knowledge on Producers and his love for the Game
Prince kicks Kim Kardashian off stage @ Madison Square Garden Concert
Damn shame! The icon that is Prince was trying to get the party started by bringing ladies on stage to dance with him last night @ his concert @ Madison Square Garden. He bought Kim Kardashian on stage and she stayed still and stiff. Prince proceeded to kick her off the stage and waved his hand @ her telling the crowd, “I need a dance partner, welcome to America.” Lmao… Prince is still a pimp…
Funkmaster Flex arrested….AGAIN!
This pic says: (***Bitch I’ll smack the shit out of you***)….Lmao…
The Funkster was arrested this morning for allegedly assaulting a woman at his Westchester home. Police charged the Kingpin with harassment, aggravated harassment and criminal mischief. He was arraigned at Greenburgh Town Court after posting $500.00 bail. He was told to stay away from the woman until the next court hearing later this month. Damn son, smoke some weed or get a punching bag or something…this sound like a problem…counseling???
Desean Jackson and his teammates surprise a guest on The View
Desean Jackson and some of his Philadelphia Eagles teammates surprised a young man on The View that was bullied in school. The young man showed bravery by surviving a serious altercation with the bullies. Big up Desean and his teammates. Grown man bizness…Much appreciated fellas. We all need big brothers
Raekwon, D-Dot, Sean C & LV and DJ Absolut in the Lab
The Chef, Papa Dot and Sean C & LV talk about beats and records. Rae tells Sean C & LV about a track I gave him years ago that he just couldn’t get right. Lmao…#Wu-Tang