2001 Hip-Hop In A Coma: The True Beef

It was on January 1st, 2001, New Year's Day, that a tragic accident had left father rap dead and his son Hip-Hop in a coma... Starting in 2001 & in years to follow Hip-Hop began to see a resurgence of "Beefs"; But those were just major distractions to what the true beef was - this may be the actual issue behind the Tupac Biggie East Coast West Coast Beef.- mainstream versus underground. Up until the 99 & the 2000's, rappers used the underground scene as a way to get into the record industry in order to achieve mainstream success. In short, the underground scene was a road to the mainstream success. The underground rappers were also looking forward to creating independent record labels like they had began to see mainstream rappers do. During this time period of 1999-2000, what was thought to be mainstream success was rapidly changing & evolving into something undesirable to the underground scene. Over this time period, Hip-Hop music would go from underground & mainstream being seen as a bridge to success, to underground & mainstream being seen as a table that divides Hip-Hop artist by what they define as success.

Artist Highlight: Rachelle Farrell & Will Downing

Originally posted Dec 19th, 2008

Since we no longer get to experience real Rhythm and Blues music any more I'll highlight some artist who can "Sho'nuff Sang". I'm Starting with two artist who have amazing vocal range. First there's Rachelle Farrell, who touts a 6 octive vocal range. If this means nothing to you, let me put it in perspective. There are 88 keys on a piano and she can sing 72 of them, she can sing Barry White and Minnie Ripleton notes.

Y'know what just check out this Live performant by her below.

The Best of 2001 R&B Playlist

In honor of the 20 year anniversary of 2001 R&B music (The Year R&B Died), here is a playlist of hit songs from that year. It is hard to believe so many great some were released in just one year. This is a list of 52 songs that I selected as what best represents the R&B music of 2001. 

There are links for Pandora & Spotify playlist at the bottom of the post, here is the lists of songs.

The New Way to Syphon Money From Black Folks

These people out here hustling reparations!! Actually collection money!! Look at what Dr Umar Johnson & Tariq Nasheed dun started. Now people use a "black cause" to scam people out of money with these phony internet organizations. Wha Tha Fahq!?!?!

2001: The Year R&B DIED

Originally posted Dec 16, 2008

I recently started thinking of the changes that have occured to the music industry. I remember when rapper use to get singers on their songs to make them hot. Now its the other way around, singers look for rappers to get on their songs in order to get radio play and exposure. HOW did this happen? NOT only that, but the music itself has conformed to this. Rappers use to rap over R&B music to broaden thier audience, now that MUSIC is gone. EVERYTHING NOW IS A BEAT... not music and there is a difference. They are even singing over the beats now. Like the Beyonce song "single ladies" there is no music, its just a beat. Is whats out there today really R&B? Why do I say R&B died in 2001? Well thats the last year R&B dominated the charts, so lets look at the Albums of 2001. Most of these albums at least went platinum, a lot were multi-platinum.

Jennifer Lopez, J.Lo, released January 22, 2001 - I know, not the first name that comes to mind when you think of R&B but you can not deny 4 million copies was great for R&B and Pop music. 

Singles:

Love Don't Cost a Thing 

Play

Aint It Funny

I'm Real (both versions)

  Jaheim, Ghetto Love, released February 13, 2001 - A newcommer at the time. He found the spot left by D'angelo - that sapce between R.Kelly and Luther Vandross. 

Singles: 

Could it Be 

Just in Case

  112, Part III, released March 20, 2001 - The groups last album under Bad Boy was another smash and produced one of the biggest singles of 2001. 

Singles: 

Its Over Now

Peaches and Cream

Dance With Me 

Jon B, Pleasures U Like, released March 20, 2001 - I slept on this on, I'm not into Jon B, but it did dropped that year and had decent sales. 

Single: 

Don't Talk

India Arie, Acoustic Soul, released March 27, 2001 - Also was he 1st year on the mainstream music scene and did it without much radio play. I personally like this album the best from 2001. I guess she was widely known for being nominated for the most grammys without winning one. 

Singles: 

Video 

Brown Skin 

Strength, Courage, and Wisdom 

Ready for Love

 

Ginuwine, The Life, released April 3, 2001 - His first album not produced exclusively by Timberland but still was a success and the heels of that song that went, "my whole life has changed, since you came in, I knew back then, you were that special one, I'm so in love, so deep in love." That song is the ish... 

Singles:

There it is Differences 

 

Janet Jackson, All For You, released April 23, 2001 - 

Its Janet so you know what to expect. My memory from this album is the song "Would You Mind" - Janet the answer is NO, I would not mind if you, loved me touched me teased me... 

Singles: 

Doesn't Really Matter 

All For You 

Someone To Call My Lover 

Son of a Gun

Case, Open Letter, released April 24, 2001 - The album, itsself, was not so great but Case did get his biggest hit ever from this project. "Like a cold Summer afternoon,Like the snow coming down in June,Like a wedding without a groom,I'm missing you..." 

Single: 

Missing You

Lil Mo, Based on a True Story, released April 24, 2001 - The original east coast hook singer, who gained most of her fame collaborating on Ja Rule Songs "Put it on Me" and "I Cry", also her collaborations with rapper Fabolous. 

Singles: 

Ta Da 

Superwoman Pt II

  Destiny Child, Survivor, released May 1, 2001 - This is not a personal favorite but it was/is R&B, sort of. I cant deny the success either. 

Singles: 

Survivor 

Independant Women 

Bootylicious 

Emotion 

Nasty Girl

 

 

Tyrese, 2000 Watts, released May 22, 2001 - The numbers for this album was modest but Tyrese has never gotten much radio play, you just have to know him and appreciate him as an artist. He usually only make 1 good radio/video song. 

Singles: 

I Like Them Girls 

What Am I Gonna Do 

Just a Baby Boy

  Alicia Keys, Songs in A minor, released June 5, 2001 - This was arguably the best R&B album of 2001, this was Keys debut and she took the industry by storm. 

Singles: 

Fallin 

A Woman's Worth 

How Come You Don't Call Me

Girlfriend

  Ray J, This Aint a Game, released June 5, 2001 - I was reluctant to add this to the list, seeing that this album was the "new" R&B. I can't hate though, it was/is? R&B still and it was a moderately sucessfull album, from Brandy's Brother. 

Singles: 

Wait a Minute 

Formal Invite 

Luther Vandross, Luther Vandross, released June 19, 2001 - We seen the old school crooner update himself a tad bit on this album - not vintage Luther but he showed he could still hang 

Singles: 

Take You Out 

I'd Rather

Jagged Edge, Jagged Little Thrill, released July 3, 2001 - This album probably did well on the heels of their previous album(J.E. Heartbreak), when it debuted at number 3 on billboard charts. Yet and still it was a great R&B album. 

Singles: 

Where the Party at 

Goodbye

IMx, IMx, released July 3, 2001 - Was not a fan of this group or album but that song "First Time" was the ish, so I'll give them a pass. 

Single: 

First Time 

Aaliyah, Aaliyah, released July 17, 2001 - Sadly the last album she'd ever make; Even sadder he album was doing terrible until she died. 

Singles: 

We Need a Resolution 

Rock the Boat 

More Than a Woman 

I care 4 U

  Usher, 8701, released August 7, 2001 - This was Ushers 3rd album. It was originally to be released earlier in the year but the album was leaked, one of the first to have that happen, and was deemed "wack". The album was previously titled U-turn - this is why all the song titles on the album start with "U". Usher changed the title to 8701, the date it was released, dropped "U Remind Me", then "U Got it Bad" dropped and sales sky-rocketed. 

Singles: 

U Remind Me 

U Got It Bad 

U Don't Have to Call 

U-Turn 

Maxwell, Now, released August 14, 2001 - This was his 3rd album and in my opinion it was far from comparison to the first 2. Thing is, by this time people knew him. This album did produce, arguably his 2 biggest hit ever. 

Singles: 

Get to Know Ya 

Lifetime 

This Womans Work

Mary J. Blige, No More Drama, released August 28, 2001 - Top 5 personal favorite from 2001. The album was pushed back from leaks(one of the 1st to have that happen). This was the transition from the old Mary J to the new Mary J and the rest is history. That song with the "Days of Our life" theme song in it, you know the name. In addition, she was one of the 1st artist to start the "re-release" thing and added new songs.

Singles: 

Family Affair 

No More Drama 

Rainy Dayz

Brian McKnight, Superhero, released September 3, 2001 - McKnights 5th album sold over 150,000 units its first week. The Album was, "more than wonderful, more than amazing.

Singles: 

Love of My Life 

My Kind of Girl

Babyface, Face2Face, released September 11, 2001 - This album was not so sucessful, but we can blame that on 9-11 and Jay-Z. Babyface was vintage on his "What if" Single. 

Singles: 

What If 

There She Goes

Angie Stone, Mahogany Soul, released October 16, 2001 - what can I say about this album? I remember the strong attemps that J Records put into this album, to try and get it accepted by the mainstream. Nonetheless, it was accepted by fans of her 1st album and all grown folk, nahmean. This is another personal top 5, Ms. Stone is gangsta, just check these lyrics... "green grass vapors running through my head, I'm feeling higher than the thunder dome" WHAT! 

Singles: 

Brotha 

Brotha II 

I Wish I Didn't Miss You 

More Than a Woman 

Bottles and Cans 

  Michael Jackson, Invincible, released October 30, 2001 - this was not a typical Michael Jackson album as far as hype is concerned. This was his 1st album in 5 years and did eventually sale 10 million copies but with record label concerns and such, its was pretty much under the radar. It was still a great album and even though he only made 2 official singles other songs also got radio play

Singles: 

You Rock My World 

Cry 

Butterflies 

Heaven Can Wait 

Faith Evans, Faithfully, released November 6, 2001 - another sleeper but this was classic to true R&B fans, this is definitely top 5 on my personal list for the 2001 albums. I love you is probably the last REAL song I heard. y'know having a chorus, verse, bridge and vamp. Those are all missing elements of today. Side Note: I just know she naked under that fur coat on the album cover...

 Keke Wyatt, Soul Sista, released November 13, 2001 - Not a great album ,I can admit, this is only on here for the Hit single "nothing in this world". Keke shole can sang though. 

Singles

Nothing in this World

Jill Scott, Experience: Jill Scott 826+, released November 20, 2001 - Jilly from Philly wasted no time going on tour after her debut album, "Who is Jill Scott". That touring produced this album, which gave us the EXPERIENCE.

Singles:

Gimme

He Loves me

Joe, Better Days, released December 11, 2001 - This was another album that rode the coat tails of previous success by the artist. Joe's previous album(My Name is Joe) was multi-platinum, this one was not so hot but the two singles were. 

Singles

 Lets Stay Home Tonight 

What If a Women

Look Who's Rappin Now

Originally posted Apr 2nd, 2010 Aight yall the beloved and famed Porno Star/Stripper, Pinky XXX is now going to attempt to apply her skills to rappin. That's right RAPPER, and she has a new mixtape out, and on some real shit, it aint bad at all. This definately aint no Lola Luv wack ass type of shit. She definitely makes a lot of money so she could have paid people to write verses for her but she still got to flow it and she be hittin it. Production is FIYAH, like every other mixtape though those drops are annoying but necessary, I guess. I'm actually promoting because you can download the mixtape right here from the embedded widget below. At least listen to the title track "Fuck You Pay Me", I like that one. She snapped a lil bit on the song "Bad Bitch" too. Download Mixtape Free | LiveMixtapes.com Mixtape Player

AinThissaBowda: Obama Ked

Originally Posted Jan 22nd, 2009

WHAT THE $@*&

This is ridiculous. Obama shoes?

And not the equivilent to the Air Jordan

OR an Air Force One

OR a more fitting Steve Maden

OR even better a Stacy Adams type of shoe.

But a Ked? AKA PISS WHIPERS

A $15 - $30 value.

Oh but throw Obama on there and the price MORE THAN DOUBLES to a $60 - $70 value?!?! Who in the hell is going to pay $70 for a shoe you can buy at famill dollar.

I can see it now. Nurses, RN's and LPN's all over the country are going to be rocking Obama Keds

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Whats next?

Payless brings back Prowings or the XJ900

Nah, not even Obama's face can help those shoes

I understand, and appreciate, that we have an Iconic figure for a president but this is teetering between insane and 'We Todd Did'. I know Obama wants to boost the economy, but I'm pretty sure he did NOT mean using his face on boot leg items by inflating prices of generic brands. Then again the official Obama hats and sweaters cost $35 dollars - ALL ABOARD THE OBAMA WAGON!