Just a pro-tip for any of my artist readers — I read everything you send. I don’t always respond, but I check it. I also follow-up on suggestions, especially Twitter ones. One that I recently came across was an up and coming R&B acts from France named Yo Trane. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of dude, but get to your Google machine instantly and look him up.
We’re in the age of the music video, and few video directors have been as trusted by real heads as Myster DL. Creeping up on his 250th video, he’s worked with acts like Redman, Sean Price, Styles P, Chuck D, Cormega, and more. That’s on top of film/TV, and commercial work that’s helped make ILL Mannered Films such a bankable brand in the game.
Perhaps part of growing up is coming to terms with the fact that beef — while potentially culturally exciting — can be bad for business. Artists like the now virtually disenfranchised Ja Rule learned that the hard way when beef left his credibility on life support. For this reason, we’ve seen many squabbling artists reconcile over the past decade, including The Game and 50 Cent, and of course, Jay Z and Dipset Capo Jim Jones.
Acts like the late Prince B, who KRS-One infamously threw off stage before grabbing the mic and performing “South Bronx,” was spared lasting embarrassment hidden thanks to a lack of modern cell phone videos, but many newer acts haven’t been so fortunate.
In a brief but searing Twitter rant, young artist Russ, who — let me be clear — is incredibly dope, had some less than flattering things to say about Hip Hop blogs. After being what he perceived as stonewalled on his epic come up by “pompous” writers, he now is vehemently spreading a simple message: blogs don’t matter.
Considering LL’s history in the game and the groundwork he’s laid for many millennial rap acts, it’s hard to believe people wouldn’t stand in his corner. So, what gives him such authority in the game?