No More Gucci Please

Do you remember two years when the radio was being dominated by Lil Wayne? Every time you turned on the television there was Lil Wayne, every new up and coming artist had a feature from Lil Wayne…well now the cycle continues, except now it’s with a less talented artist in Gucci Mane. For the past two months, I’ve been avoiding the fact that Gucci Mane’s music has been popping up everywhere, but now it has come to the point where people are labeling this guy as great rapper, and so the madness begins. Is it me or am I the only one on planet earth that thinks Gucci Mane is a horrible rapper?

Gucci Mane has been on the national radar since ’05 with his song “So Icy” (featuring Young Jeezy), then he made more headlines when he got arrested for killing someone, but his music has never made a profound impact until recently. Now all media outlets are bumping Gucci, and for what reason? I’ve tried giving this man’s music a fair shot, and I couldn’t make it past one verse on any of his songs. He has never said any significant, his rap style is unoriginal, and voice is more unbearable than Magoo’s. (The dude with the high pitch voice that use to rock with Timbaland). Yet and still Gucci is the most popular dude in Hip-Hop today.

In fact Gucci is so popular that even Mariah Carey, the pop artist that she is put Gucci Mane on her on a record. He is also making noise with Mario’s new song “Breakup”, but I ask the question where is the talent in this guy? The sole problem that I have as that we are taking a steps back by continuing to allow talentless people gain notoriety, when there are more deserving artists that have actualy earned a chance to shine. And I use to think that Gucci’s popularity was only a down south and Midwest thing, but I was fooled. I went down to California for 2 weeks, and Gucci Mane was playing out of everyone’s trunk…and the radio seemed to love Gucci Mane as well. I will admit that I do have a guilty pleasure whenever I ever "Freaky Girl" but thats because I enjoy the song in the club... I got into a discussion with someone not too long, and all he kept saying was, “Gucci Mane is the Truth”…I okay I responded by asking, What makes Gucci so great? His reply, “cuz he just dope, and his music is timeless!”

I clearly ended that conversation once that was said, but my point is that Gucci is on the come up for no good reason. It could be best that I am so dumb that I just don't understand the hype around this man, or it could be that I am the only smart person in the world, I think I will take the latter! Please America no more Gucci Mane....I'm begging you!

The "Artistic Integrity?"

For the record, I DID NOT want to write this post. I do not take any pleasure in spreading negativity or writing scathing indictments of anyone, especially not an artist of whom I am a huge fan (some would even say fanatic). BUT as a lover of hip-hop and a person who demands that people stand by the statements that they make, I have to do this. Even if it hurts.

Yesterday at about 5:45pm, Rapradar.com leaked the official album version of Wale's "Pretty Girls" (previously posted on this blog's Dope Track Alert). This remixed version features (drumroll please)..... GUCCI MANE?????

Few words can describe the way my blood boiled upon receiving this news. Quite frankly, I had a full-blown meltdown on Twitter. I simply could not wrap my mind around how/why this idea was co-signed and then executed. Many people said that I overreacted. That the song was not that bad. I heard how this was a "good move" because it would bring him "more exposure to a new audience." And it all sounded like bullshit to me. In an emergency text conversation with the homey Dessex, I ranted "What about The Artistic Integrity??? This is bullshit." For a new fan or one not familiar with Wale's catalog, my reaction was unwarranted. But let me cite specific quotes/instances that prove this Gucci feature is a major sellout move.

On April 17, 2009 I atteneded a Wale show in Cleveland where he did a brief "speech" if you will about the Green Movement. This movement, he stated, was a strategy to "flood the industry with quality music that would wash away disposable music" and "trash." Sooo perhaps someone can explain how placing the current KING of Disposable Music on his album fits in with this strategy? It's cool. I'll wait.

"Listen up/I ain't never kissin' up/Every single single/aint a single/just to hit the club/I am not involved/nor do I indulge/in the harvesting/of poor artistry" (c) Wale "DC Gorillaz" 2007.

"We need us a plan/Respect has grown inferior to f--- Soundscan/If that don't sound bad you should ban me/I don't give a damn 'bout grands/See my mind's on a Grammy" (c) Wale "The Perfect Plan" 2008.

Let's examine two skits: "Tasty Skit" and "The Skit" (found on 100 Miles & Running and Mixtape About Nothing respectively) which finds then unsigned Wale being courted by an A&R from the fictional Cliche Records. In the first exchange, the A&R wants to rebrand Wale as "Young Wale" or "Lil Wale" to fit in with the "black people running around putting Lil in front of their names" trend. In the second exchange, the label has penned a dance track called "Crank Dat Flying Squirrel" (a play on "Crank Dat Souljaboy") that they'd like Wale to record. When considering the Gucci feature I cannot help but wonder if a similar scenario played out in the offices of Interscope after Wale signed the dotted line. Or maybe this is part two of "The Cliche,"(the original "The Cliche Lil Wayne Feature (It's the Remix Baby!)" appeared on Mixtape About Nothing).

In closing, I want to say that I am still a Wale fan. At some point, your favorite artist will disappoint you and you have to forgive them (Lord knows I forgave Jay-Z for that Best of Both Worlds 2 album). But I also want to be clear, that this is indeed a mistake. There is no explanation that anyone can provide that will convince me otherwise. Perhaps this will earn Wale more spins (I know this will work in Cleveland for sure), but it is a huge compromise to the fanbase that he's built over the last four years, a fan base that's probably scratching their heads like I am and wondering "What happened to The Artistic Integrity?"

Don Cannon & Young Chris - The Network Mixtape Review

2009 has been the year of the dope mixtape, with hip-hop's Freshman Class dropping heaters in anticipation of their major label releases. While Young Chris has been in the game since 2001, he's jump started his career as a solo artist and has been making noise as of late. Last night, he dropped "The Network," a solid mixtape hosted by Don Cannon.

The good news first. I've been following Young Chris since he was a member of State Property and it's refreshing to see how he's matured as an artist and he feels no pressure to fit the mold of the hard-voiced Philly spitter. Chris wants you to know that he's smooth and he balances this cool demeanor with just enough aggression to occasionally lay some fire on a track. Chris is at his best when rhyming alongside his State Prop brethren on "The Network." Stand out tracks include "Free Peedi," "Last 2" and "Hot Shyt" (which also appeared on Wale's "Back to the Feature"), all featuring guest slots from Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crack and up and coming Philly representer Tu Phace.

The bad news is that many of the tracks where Chris goes for dolo are forgettable. It's almost as if he needs talented counterparts to push his pen. Another negative of this mixtape is the amount of lackluster "chick songs." Chris makes three attempts to woo the ladies on "The Network," and despite a few lines that appealed to my carnal feminine instincts, none of them really get the job done. The most effective of these songs being the Raheem Devaughn assisted "Want to Love You," where Raheem steals the show.

Overall, "The Network" is a pretty solid release. Due to the high quality of recent mixtapes, I fear this one may get lost in the summer shuffle. Nonetheless, it's definitely worth a download.

Download Young Chris - "The Network" Here.

Robin Monique a.k.a. Mrs. Hip-Hop

Dope Track Alert: Wale - "Pretty Girls"

Word on the street is this is a leaked version and that the official version will appear on his Attention Deficit Album (scheduled for release on September 22). Nonetheless this version is a bit of a banger. Enjoy.



Like it? Download here.

BET Gets It Right... For Once

I won't speak on the many epic FAILS of BET. For one, there are too many. Secondly, I don't have the time. Finally, we advocate here at Hip-Hop Connoisseurs. We're a diss-free zone (Unless an artist we really like needs a stern talking to. See my previous letter to Drake.)

But I digress. Because I'm supposed to be telling you what BET did correctly. Last week, BET.com released its list of 13 Must Have Mixtapes of 2009 thus far. And I have to say that the list was muy bueno. Of the thirteen recommendations, I was happy that eight of them had been in my consistent rotation. I was even happier that they inspired me to download (and then recommend) Joell Ortiz Covers the Classics. So I'm using this post as everyone's official late pass. If you have yet to add any of the following mixtapes to your collection, it's time to fix that. ASAP.

So Far Gone - Drake - Really. You're BEYOND wrong if you haven't downloaded this yet. Get your life together.

UKNOWBIGSEAN - Big Sean - Kanye's newest protege and Midwest representer teams up with Mick Boogie. While the tape is a tad lengthy, Sean's wit will remind you of an early 'Ye. Definitely worth a listen or two.

B.o.B. vs. Bobby Ray - B.o.B - 22 tracks with T.I.'s Grand Hustle signee repping his dual personalities. The rapper B.o.B. and the guitar strumming alternative hip-hopper Bobby Ray. While I stick with the rap portion mostly, the diversity of the tape is dope.

Gone Fishing - The Cool Kids - This is a personal favorite of mine because Chuck of the Cool Kids is easily one of my favorite new producers. His 80s-era bass heavy beats make me spontaneously break into the Wop whenever I hear them. This one will go hard in your whip without insulting your intelligence.

The Warm Up - J. Cole - You already know how we feel about this one. In case you don't, check it out here.

Joel Ortiz Covers the Classics - Joell Ortiz - Dee already told you why you need this in your life. Fire.

Dat Kid from Cleveland - Kid Cudi - Excuse me but I must say CLEVELAND STAND THE EFF UP!!! Okay, now that I'm done repping my city, I'll admit that while it took a minute for me to truly appreciate Cudi, I am now officially sold. Underneath his sometimes sing song delivery lie lyrics that are equally witty and soul searching. The homey is officially STAMPED.

Anticipation - Trey Songz - Trey, Trey, Trey. Whew! If you miss R. Kelly circa 2001, you will LOVE this mixtape. Certified panty dropper. Do not download unless you have condoms on deck. Real talk.

Back to the Feature - Wale - What more can we say about the homey Wale??

There you have it. Brought to you by the good folks at BET and the Hip-Hop Connoisseurs, summer listening fun. Let the downloading commence now.

Robin Monique a.k.a. Mrs Hip-Hop

Joell Ortiz: Covers The Classics

I am one of the biggest advocates of old school Hip-Hop and at this stage of the genre anything that brings me back to those days when Hip-Hop music was actually good, then I’m all for it. You see the contributors of this blog are always quick to inform each other of quality music. I put Ms. Hip-Hop onto Wale and Lupe, and she schooled me to J. Cole and Drake. Last week, Robin hit me on the text and told me that I needed to check out Joell Ortiz’s new mixtape titled “Cover the Classic” (mixtapes have suddenly become a good thing again).


Now I will admit, Joell Ortiz didn’t’ really do anything for me when I first heard him rhyme but after this dope ass mixtape I will now officially declare that I am a fan. Although it’s a bit of stretch to say that his verses on some of these tracks are better than the original, I would say that he does every track justice. Dope rhymes, with classic beats…it’s really hard to go wrong with that formula. Joints to check out: “Renee’s Revenge”, “Treat Them Right” , “Primo Tribute” and “Rican Ebonics” . We only advocate dope Hip-Hop music on this blog, and you will not be disappointed when Joell Ortiz covers the classics.

Download the mixtape HERE

Dope Track Alert

Young Chris is getting busy....I'm not the biggest Young Gunz fan in the world but Young Chris has been impressing me lately. Check out this track called "Last Two". Kinda makes you think of the glory days of State Property. Also produced by 9th Wonder. Hip-Hop is on the come up!