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- » Location: Brooklyn, NY
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- » Fuck This Game, I'm Done!
- » The Definition of a "Smart Hater"
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Blessed to Be Where I'm Headed
Why does Hip Hop suck? Politics as Usual
This is the time where every four years the average citizen suddenly gets involved with politics. Healthcare, foreign interest, the economy, etc. have become a topic of discussion anywhere from your average Joe's lunch break to the locker room of your little cousin's gym class. (believe it or not) I'm not going to bore my Hip Hop fans with too much political talk 'cause I know you're getting that from everybody else's blog. However, I will say this: I think the voting process in this country is a fraud. I think Obama is the best candidate left but it isn't the best candidate for the job. I think he's great but Ron Paul would have fit better in the White House and he's a Republican. I know my Democratic pals will say, "Nino ,cut it out." Well, I don't care for that shit either, it's about the right man for the job.
Before I get into how this relates to Hip Hop, let me just continue for one more paragraph please, follow me. Ron Paul was the only man who made sense in the debates. He's the only dude who said we need to get the fuck out of Iraq, immediately. Not in those words but he might as well have. You see forget the gas prices. We're in Iraq for what reason? 'Cause of contracts we have with certain folks over there? We haven't even found oil! We're in Iraq patrolling the perimeters for national security? What the fuck does Iraq have to do with our national security? People are fucked financially over here, losing jobs, and are stitching themselves up in their house with Home Depot products rather than going to the doctor. For stitches, man! Dudes is scared to go to the doctor to get a cut fixed 'cause it might cost them an actual limb. So fuck Iraq! The war costs us four billion dollars a week. Who is that shit hurting the most? Canada's dollar is higher than ours and so is Cuba's. In a few months I wouldn't doubt if the Mexican dollar will be equal to ours. That's not to offend any of my Mexican folks but this is just a sign of how bad shit is here. We went to Korea 50 years ago and we're still dealing with a mess over there. Obama is a smart dude, but if he applied his intellect and stood up for what needs to be said, rather than not be afraid to offend some of his financial backers he'd say, "Lets get out of Iraq now." It's not doing us any good right now and its only going to get worse. We just borrowed money from China that we're in no position to pay back any time soon.
I just spoke to a friend of mine who happens to be a Hip Hop editor and her response was this: "You can't just say get out of Iraq; that's not how the US works and they have to work it out." Why does it seem like in life the most logical shit to do is always the thing that just can't be done. Labels for instance aren't selling ANY fucking records. Why? 'Cause as I mentioned a while ago, their formula which they are so comfortable with isn't working. Does it matter to them? The singles are getting mass exposure, ringtone deals are off the hook and all, but you aren't selling any fucking records. They all went bankrupt and starting partnering up with each other cause they were making no MONEY! You'd think they get the point and try something different. Great artists will sell records because people will buy their product for more than just a single. Nas, The Nortorious B.I.G., Tupac, Big Pun, Snoop and etc didn't get deals because they were popping on Myspace. They didn't get deals because they had BDS spins or a killer street team. They got situations because companies believed that they can build a fanbase if they had the right machine behind them. Well somewhere that all changed when Hip Hop was all about its business. Funny when you focus too much on the business the things you sacrifice right? Good Music! Who cares about how good your music is. Now its all politics. DJ's have artist now and they are scared to put on a new artist who's hot because that artist might get hotter than their artist. They have a production team or produce themselves so they have to play the records they make on their show rather than expose new talent. This is how this works. What is this doing to Hip Hop? The same thing US political interest is doing... It's affecting the PEOPLE.
Now the people have to listen to this mess. The true talented artist who don't have any money behind them to afford features, radio promo, a publicist and etc, can't be heard. So like Joe Budden said on "Dumb Out"; "Let me find out Hip Hop's turning Republican." Yes Joe, let you find out. People care more about when Jay-Z is getting married than listening to a great song. Does anybody care about the quality of music anymore? Shit whats the point? Sure this dudes music is good, but his bio isn't professional. He doesn't have quality press pics or a DJ Premier track on his resume. Why give him any light? Fans expect all rappers to rap the same. They think the popular one's are the best one's when that's far from the case and I ain't just talking on a commercial level either. Some of these "real Hip Hop artists" are wack lyrically themselves. They don't spit from gut, have no presence, and if this was 99 they would be an afterthought. So you can be the dopest dude out right now but good luck getting somebody to push you on any level if it doesn't benefit them. Hip Hop has turned into George W. Bush. Incompetent, senseless, and having zero consideration for the interest of the people. Politics always manages to fuck shit up. With Hip Hop its no different. The economic interest fucked this culture up and has pushed the quality so far back that not even its most loyal purist whether (writers, artist, DJ's,) consider the quality first. Its not quality first its about branding, business, identity, marketing, name value, dick-riding, rims, facials, muscles, fashion, nice video, who did the beat, how much do you make, how fly your girl looks, and "did you hear what happened with such and such."
To the industry in a whole:
We as the people demand quality music. We as the people demand results immediately. We as Hip Hop followers demand that you separate the good from the useless one's. Put the waste in a different section. We love the news and all but we demand that quality music be pushed heavily in this overly saturated industry. There's more horrible shit than good shit, oh we understand. Create a different section for them. The people have spoken. Look at their comments. They let you know who they like and who they think is a waste of time. Don't you get it when nobody is even listening to this person's shit or supporting it. This artist can't sell out a show, get any listens on HipHopDX, sell a CD, or build a loyal fanbase. STOP PUSHING HIM! You are wasting our time and yours. More yours cause you are actually putting money behind this buffoon. Damn similar to how the US is puttin' money into shit that doesn't benefit the people. We as the people demand that rappers step up their presence, rhyme schemes, word play, punchlines, creativity, beat selection, work ethic, mental stamina, and stop saying predictable shit. Stop talking about how gangster you are. Go be a full time gangster then cause that shit is old in Hip Hop. Stop talking about how much money you make, we get it baller you got cake. Stop talking about how real your music is none of you are fake we understand that. Its getting old and tired. Dudes who can't rap for shit are rapping and we are tired of them being heavily exposed to us. We as the people demand a change, immediately.
www.myspace.com/ninobless
"Untold Scriptures" May 20th.
Let's Ride
Man it’s been a while with this blog and I been slacking. I guess that means I'm close to making it right?
Nah that actually means I'm close to faking it LOL. I'm frontin big time man. Nah actually to be real I been wrappin up my first mixtape. To be real I been done with my 1st project but there were some records I wanted to hold back for my 2nd mixtape and hold back for my album. I didn't want to show my entire hand too soon. I think I've done enough. I've put out 4 street singles off this project and they have all done well. Recap in late December "4 In The Clip" ft Styles P, G Rap & Joell Ortiz. Then "Times R Hard" ft Joe Budden & J Life, "Urban Legends", and now recently "3rd Degree" w/ Saigon, Crooked I & Scram Jones.
So now I'm on the verge of leaking "Da Livest" which should come out any day now (Shake sidebar: It’s out now, I’m slow posting the blog). So far so good I'm just hitting 2nd gear and making sure I make all my moves count. The tape is done it'll be up within a week or 2 right here. I'm glad "3rd Degree" has been received so well. I been so tied up lacing shit for my 2nd mixtape even though my first one ain't even done but I'm doing that and at the same time writing shit for a album I want to drop at the end of the year. "3rd Degree" like "4 In Clip" was special to be apart of. Lyricist coming together and doing what we doing is needed and I think the fans agree. That’s the response my peoples are telling me that’s out there for the most part and I'm glad. Crooked and I actually got up through my dude Shake from this site. Crooked heard my joints on here and Shake made the plug. I got at son and said "we need to knock something out" and we did just that. Shout out to Crooked for being a real Hip Hop dude. He actually just asked me to be on his new mixtape he's working on so you know I couldn't say no. So we about to go right in and get it poppin again.
For those who have read my blog from jump you guys know the journey I've taken. This shit has been a grind. I have kept you guys up to date on all my ideas and moves about to be executed. You see my mindstate and how I get down. I'm trying to bring back that feeling to this game that I used to get when I was inspired. Hopefully you cats feel what I'm doing."Da Livest" is out now. It’s a true New York record sorry for the dickheads who will say "oh another New York record" or "damn it’s too New York." Yeah sorry that’s what you do when you from NY. Within the next few weeks I got some surprises again for my loyal readers (yeah they exist). Alot of folks asking if I got at Lil Wayne. I wouldn't basically say I got at him but I mean I made a reference that made sense. A Lot of people are gun ho about Lil Wayne right now like he's the illest lyricist. Well the majority of hardcore Hip Hop and underground fans respect the dude for his grind and all that but they know what it is. There's a lot of cats running around like they the lyrical king and best rappers but they don't even rap from the gut, no presence, far from clever, and they word play is novice.
It’s time to step ya shit up real talk. There's too much mediocrity in this rap game. On all levels and there's no room for that shit in this saturated ass market. I'm talking beats, rhymes, and many other things. Mixtapes even are getting watered down and boring you see the same ol rappers on every Mixtape.
I mean I love Jadakiss, Cassidy and I don't hate Lil Wayne at all. But damn man ever heard of progression? Canibus in 98 rocked the Mixtape scene cause Clue gave him light. Same shit with Mase, Cam, LOX, Nature, Nore and all of em. These DJ's these days don't have the power they used to have on the Mixtape circuit cause cats like Crooked I, Saigon and Joe Budden can just give it straight to the fans with the intenet now. You would think the fans have spoken and made their voice be heard. Not really, I see Mixtapes drop all the time and I hardly see Crooked getting shine on any of em. Saigon here and there nothing crazy and Budden does his own thing. These DJ's are A&R's now and they have their own artist now so that in a sense is fucking shit up cause they have other things they trying to spread out there which is a conflict of interest. It’s lame yeah but with the internet we don't need some of these clowns we can just go straight to the fans and hand you a record like "3rd Degree." Stay supporting cause without ya'll we don't have much outlets with the way the politics are currently. Let’s keep this shit alive.
Til next week, yurp!
get at me
Hittin 2nd Gear
What up ya'll. I've been slacking with the blogs. I have to apologize for those who thought I went Hollywood. I got a few myspace messages I didn't respond to. Hip Hop fans tend to get bold which I love. One guy said "dog you're going Hollywood you falling off with the blogs and ain't leaking records, you probably got a deal and you’re gonna end up like every other rapper you criticized in your blog, I wish you well." I'm far from sensitive I took that with a grain of salt but if that’s wishing me well then Roger Clemens is 100% innocent. I leaked 3 major records that did a lot for me. Four in the Clip ft Styles P, G Rap, Ortiz; Times Are Hard ft Joe Budden, prod by Focus; and a 5 minute street joint Urban Legends all within a month's span. I know I ain't drop the mixtape yet but I was entertaining some offers give me a break.
Right now I'm about to leak another major collabo and then a solo single and then the Mixtape will drop. We're doing the tape a bit different then we planned on doing. Things picked up. I didn't plan on getting radio spins from Hot 97and Power 105 in New York. I didn't expect to get spins on BBC 1xtra in the UK, major radio in France, and the Sirius/XM radio love the way I been getting. So I got offers from a few people I wanted to listen to before I dropped the Mixtape since they wanted to be "involved" in my process. Shit Joe Budden pushed MM3 back 5 times if I push my shit back a month and a half it ain't a big deal you’re not Hip Hop unless you push something back [laughing].So where we at now is we about to hit 2nd gear with this. Leak another big record or 2, go hard with a press run, do some video's, drop the mixtape, and wait for everything to come together. Most of the offers and people who were interested that got at me were bullshit I have to tell you.
What I like about DX is that some kids on here actually know the fucking game. They support artist who actually go hard with the grind and put our quality music but aren't necessarily getting MTV or radio spins. Kids are on here cause they digging for real shit. I read the comments. Some kids are clown shoes without a clue and don't know what they are talking about at all. Opinions count but some shit is just plain illogical. Other kids understand the game and are real intricate with their opinions, etc. I'm going to tell ya'll about a situation. Recently I was plugged with one company which I was interested in doing a JOINT venture with. That means you do something TOGETHER. We work in conjunction with each other. These dudes basically said my music was tight it was getting good feedback but they wanted to help me grow. They said "your shit is like Nas and Budden your doing good in that realm but where is your Fat Joe record." Apparently they wanted me to go a little bit more pop with mine. They wanted to overlook all my songs, beats, and LYRICS. The funny thing is this was set up for an independent project! They were willing to put up good money though for it. Nino of course said "sorry." I'm winning right now why the fuck would I change a formula that is working pretty good. Me and my team have done a good job at what we're doing and no disrespect to anyone but I don't want a Fat Joe record right now. I didn't try and put out a single that would get major radio play or anything. I'm just putting some shit out for the core Hip Hop fans and showing them that I can make good music and showing off how I put words together.
It’s funny cause I put out 3 records and if you google around, call up any of your friends that heard them as well, talk to any DJ's who are up on it and etc... the records got great feedback all around. With the exception of some "oh man that sample was used" or "I heard somebody else do this." With the exception of some insignificant responses like that it’s pretty much been "this shit is crack" or "this is what the game is missing blah blah." Why would I change what I'm doing? You know to REAL artist out there who want to make a strong impact on the game. Never give up your creative control cause essentially that means you’re giving up on yourself. If somebody doesn't believe in your product enough or the direction you’re headed; don't try to cater to what they think you should have them come around to you. I give that advice because I've turned down 2 situations where I could have gotten at least 60 grand in my pockets and a good size of money put towards my shit. I rather stick with what I'm doing. As long as the cats checking for the music ain't complaining and I stop raising eyebrows or grabbing some ears there's no point to give up with what I'm trying to do. It sucks for artist like Joell Ortiz who builds a huge buzz for himself, a core following, and makes an impact on the rap scene but his own company that signed him wants to alter his vision. I love Focus of Aftermath that’s my dude. In a recent interview though he said he wasn't surprised Joell got dropped because Joell's music is and I quote "too New York." That shit is silly to me. I guess being too New York which worked for Wu Tang, Nas, Biggie, Jay Z, etc just isn't good enough anymore. If I have that same issue then you guys won't ever see my sign with a major label. Obviously the game has changed from what it was we all know that. I don't mind doing what I'm doing and just grinding it out Indie with CREATIVE CONTROL. To the companies that wanted me to budge all I have to say is this.... read my blog where I talk about record labels with their criteria and formula. Good luck with that!
Fuck This Game, I'm Done!
What up ya'll week 2 of this year with the blog. The past couple of years we've heard from more rappers than we should about "retirement." Anybody who believes anyone of these brothers is naive or simple minded. Fact is Jay-Z tends to start trends without even knowing. That whole retirement shit sounds good for rappers to say but fact is this ain't nothing like sports. In sports the stats will just show you when it’s time to quit or your knees will blow out. This rap shit ain't like that at all. If your knee's go out on stage then you don't need to retire from Hip Hop, you just need to upgrade your body with calcium. Real is real it seems corny with all these MC's talking about retirement especially when some of them ain't even been in the game a decade strong. With Saigon I don't think it was a cry for attention. I think he truly meant that shit and that’s how he felt at the time. He was frustrated. With these other dudes, I think it’s a ploy like when a female wants to hear dudes say "you’re so pretty" even though it’s obvious that they are. They just trying to hear "no please we need you don't go." Dudes is all of a sudden retiring from rap. What the fuck is this? In the words of Killa Priest ... "What part of the game is that."
I'm a move on now cause "Urban Legends" (http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.4044) has caused some controversy. For the record I was not getting at Nas or 50. I don't understand why cats don't listen. Right after the 50 line I said "that’s stricly bullshit." One blogger that I found on google said I claimed to have known who killed Jam Master Jay. LOL What the fuck? When did I claim to have any information on that case? I said "he got clapped for some shit that I can't really say." Shit who said I knew any information? Then there's the Nas line. "know mad niggaz who if they see you bling it’s a fact/ in public, like Nas ... they don't know how to act." I'm referring to the fact that I know people who if they see jewels shining even in public they don't know how to act ... like NAS. I'm not saying my boys robbed Nas at all. I'm saying my boys don't know how to act ... like NAS. Ever seen Belly? Nas is one of my top 3 favorite rappers so this ain't a diss on dude. He's one of my top 3 favorite rappers but on the same token he's one of the 5 worst lead actors I've ever seen as well. Who cares if Nas is an actor though? He's an MC and that I will NEVER discredit him for. Sorry if that line went a bit over your heads.
Also, there's no dry snitching on that record as some lame or misunderstood fans said. Nobody is going to jail because of that song. Everything I spoke about cats either said it in print, have said it on a DVD, or on wax. If there was something fresh you never heard on the record before which there was a few things, trust me it wasn't dry snitching. No street dudes is trying to chase me down cause they can catch a case cause of it. Anybody who thinks that doesn't understand what it is. Just cause you watch "Street Smarts" on TV doesn't mean you know what’s going down in the hood. Fact is when you watch you probably get some of the answers wrong. It’s ok I understand. Now with all this misunderstanding of my record I'm feeling like I want to retire. So please post comments and tell me how I shouldn't cause I will feel so much better about my day if ya'll did that. You know nobody gets "Urban Legends." They thought I snitched, they thought it was a publicity stunt, they got my words misconstrued. Fuck this I'm done with rap. Thank god my boy manages Best Buy. I'm going over there and fuck this rap game. Ok hope some you understand I'm not serious. Don't sit here and put me in that box and respond like "no name rapper quits before he started"......Hey you never know! I know a few people who don't catch on to basic sarcasm. They Hip Hop fans too!
Hopefully that cleared a few things for you nincompoops who said silly ass comments. If it didn't then think as you wish. You can take my words and interpret them as you please. As long as you’re listening that’s fine by me. Grafh (of Black Hand) who's affiliated with so many respected OG's across the globe put it best. "Bless ain't snitch he's just describing niggaz strengths and weakness points. Too bad for them they shouldn't get mad. They should just get stronger." Real OG's in NY I have spoken to from the Black Hand fam (do your research) to cats affiliated with some of the things I said on the song. They all know what it is. One person I know was there for like 3 of the situations I spoke about in the song. He knew what it was. For all you cats that thought I was just a knuckle head kid who did that not knowing what I was doing, sorry but you were wrong! I choose my words very carefully at all times. I knew when I was writing it what the difference between my song was versus somebody who put shit out there that will have his door being knocked on by the smurfs. I don't talk much about me personally. I don't claim to be no gangster or no superthug. I'm not a featherweight though when it comes to street shit. It is what it is, I'm no slouch. If you thought I was then that sucks for you. I meant everything I said on the record if cats got mad. Even if you’re an artist. If you got offended then don't worry we'll eventually talk or whatever. I won't get caught sleeping not knowing that I can be accountable for my words. My show dates will appear online or whatever so I ain't hard to get at in person. Not hard to contact either you can myspace me and I will respond personally right back to you we can build on the phone, meet up or whatever you want. For now, it’s a dead issue cause I got more music to release.
www.myspace.com/ninobless
Til next week .................YURP!
Get ready for the "Untold Scriptures" mixtape!
The Definition of a "Smart Hater"
First blog of the New Year. We switched the days up on ya'll. No more TGIF's for me. It’s Wednesday from now on for the slow pokes. So right off the bat I started off the New Year with some momentum and now people are actually recognizing me. Well not in public. It ain't that serious. In general people know I exist more so now cause of "Four In The Clip" and "Times Are Hard." Let me explain how the record "Times Are Hard" came out. I was actually supposed to get Budden on "Four In The Clip." I sent him that record and he fucked with it. He heard all the verses. He was down to do it but he was taking care of his own shit with MM3. Once we missed the boat with Budden we decided to go with Ortiz who showed love and it ended up making more sense anyway. 2 strong veterans and 2 up and comers. I still wanted to do something with Joe so I basically got at him and sent him "Times Are Hard" which is a Focus & Jay Life song.
I had that record for 2 years and I loved that song. I had an idea for that song when I first heard it and me and my partner told Focus about it. He was down to let us rock with it. Later on Focus ended up using it on a mixtape for something. I wasn't mad at all, I never claimed it. A little later I was pushing hard to put this project together and I got at Focus and said "dog let me rock that joint." He said "you can have it but we leaked it on a mixtape a while ago." That shit didn't alter my plans one bit as I still ran with the record. I love the song and I'm getting love from all over cause of the song. I appreciate Focus for lettting me rock to the joint. He even went as far as to say he'd let me use it on a LP cause nobody pushed that record seriously. I did and I believed in it a lot. Joey and I did what we did on that record and its helped me get a decent buzz online; which essentially is important since everybody and they moms literally is online. Thats important. Some people are like "hey I heard that before." Calm down Jada & Styles used Ras Kass joint "We Goin Make It." Doesn't take away from a good song so cut it out. It’s Hip Hop, that’s what happens. It’s not like I didn't get Focus' clearance for that. The singer Jay Life did his thing. There's an extended version dropping on my mixtape. The retail version you can cop off my site. Me and Joe added another verse to it. Joe loves the record and he's getting crazy feedback from it personally. Joe; when he heard it said "dog I could've spit 4 verses to this." Same here cause I love that song and how we put it together. Little did I know that record is now getting me several major radio station spins. Major spins and we ain't talking about rims, booty clappin, gummy bears or tic tacs on that record. There are DJ's out there who appreciate good quality music, believe that. It’s caught me off guard… the love that song is getting all around. Good looks Joe for hopppin on that record and supporting (I'll keep ya'll posted, the stations that play it and etc).
I ain't trying to be that dude who just spits battle verses all day and slick punchlines all the time. I got quality joints and conceptual records in the stash you will hear sooner than later. Mixtape is right around the corner you'll hear soon enough. It ain't all about kicking slick punchlines man, sometimes it’s about making a good song and writing a verse that fits right with the music. I had to rep my Boricua side as well spittin in spanish. For those that caught that you already know. There's a huge stigma about dudes who can do mixtape shit or kick battle rhymes but can't make songs. I don't have that problem. We'll be showing you that more and more weeks to come. I play 3 instruments, wrote joints that have gotten mad spins and even wrote for some singers. I know how to construct a piece. I like going against the norm a bit though and not doing the typical 16, hook and repeat with a bridge thrown in. I do different shit all the time and I like pushing the envelope as you'll see on this song "Urban Legends" I'm leaking real soon.
I'm going to leave this and end this with the difference between "hate" and "opinion." The word hate in a sense has fucked up Hip Hop. People who said how they felt in a negative way and just didn't like shit were considered "haters" all of a sudden. It completely discredited people’s opinions right away. If I don't like something that don't make me a "hater" get over it you clown sock. That shit ain't my flavor stop trying to convince me I'm "hating." There's some niggaz that do "hate" and those are the cats who go out of their way to hate and you can spot that from a mile away.
Note: make sure when you are "hating" you try not to make it obvious because THAT in itself completely discredits your opinion. The key is being a "smart hater." Those are the tricky ones. Follow, if you need lessons on being a smart hater. Holla at me all day and I'll school you. It’s pretty ill cause you can then convince people rather than make them just discredit you or just keep arguing with you which just makes you look like an asshat. "Smart hating" has gotten me very far in life, I promise. I made my girl stop liking Kanye cause off of it (hey Ashley babe).. pause. That was not gangster but I had to throw that in cause it’s the truest shit ever spoken. Real talk if you wanna "smart hate" holla at me I can make you convince people that certain people suck. I'm so good at that it’s scary. You can't convince people that someone is good though. That’s not "smart hating." See negative influence is so much easier. I don't know if it has something to do with the devil being the only angel who ever stepped foot on this earth or what but who knows. You can't convince somebody all day that somebody's good. Only overexposure and money can do that. Hence ... Hip Hop today.
holla at ya smart hater
myspace.com/ninobless
Being Lyrical Still Counts!!
Week 8 with the blogs (damn 2 months already?). The response to "Four In A Clip" was absolutely crazy. I had this idea when I put the record together and I got all the artists to contribute about how I thought it would come out. I knew it would get a good response ‘cause that’s what Hip Hop fans wanted to hear; but little did I think the word "classic" would get thrown around. The response on my verse has been insane as well. My people's hitting me up on the jack going on google then showing me dudes responses and it’s crazy. My name is growing the more that record gets out there. I'm glad dudes out there still respect raw lyrics and taking it back to the essence. This rap shit is getting boring in a way and I feel that part of the reason is because cats look at lyrics like it ain't as important anymore. EVERYTHING is about "swagger." Look ya'll, swagger is cool and you have to come with it that goes without saying but dog there IS such thing as going overboard with "swag." Trust me I hear it too often where cats OD with the swag sounding like their crying in their verse and not saying anything lyrically potent. Step it up lyrically and tone down ya swagger a bit rather than the other way around.
I hate to sound like I'm giving anybody advice. It ain't like that at all it’s just a matter of preference for me personally. I personally can't be the only kid who wants to hear somebody say some dope shit more often than he says something with "swag." What’s the point of being an MC if you can say wack lines but deliver ‘em like you in the middle of a high pitch yawn and kids would be like "oh he killed it with that swag." Come on man it’s a balance. Say some hot shit and say it like you mean it and you'll be good. I can't even begin to thank all of ya'll who checked for my verse and actually analyzed the shit and etc. I'm going to say this real quick cause for some reason people think I dissed 50. I did not diss Fif at all! The line is "like 50 Cent hooks, I'm what The Game's been missing." That is not dissing 50. If you don't get that line then I'm sorry but just read it like 5 times and you'll catch it. I didn't throw no subliminal disses on "Four In The Clip" to any other rapper either. I was just spittin trying to be clever and be “swaggerish” for the swag lovers. Oh man, can't let that go.
I gotta shout out my homey Joe Budden. We chopped it up and he gave me dap for my verse on "Four In the Clip." That shit meant a lot to me ‘cause I'm a fan of dude and for him to give me love like "you bodied that shit." Joe's one of the few cats pushing the pen now out of the new breed that motivates me. I usually bump my golden era catalog but these days few cats got me pushing the pen and Jump Off is one of them. G Rap definitely got me pushing the pen. That nigga does not stop! If you holla at G in another 20 years he'd jump in the booth and destroy the new young nigga then too. Shout outs to the father G Rap. I can't say enough of how amazing this dude is to be relevant in the mid 80's and still hang/and outshine the young kids today. Who else is doing that? Better than G? To think Jay Z said "hearing me rap is like hearing G Rap in his prime." Dog G Rap's prime never ended sorry Jay got love for you but mmmmm yeah those are the facts.
I want to leave ya'll with some suspense now but I'm dropping the single for the Mixtape "Untold Scriptures" on Jan 7th. This record isn't another "Four In The Clip" but it is something just as good. It’s me (Nino Bless) and another MC (you'll find out soon) who's on top of his game right now and very relevant with a buzz right now. I don't want to give it away but check for it on the 7th sorry if you feel it’s too long to wait but I'm setting up my pieces correctly. I'll drop another record about a week after that and then the mixtape will be available for free download. Right now we're looking at 18 or 19 tracks but that can change quickly who knows. I'm trying to build the buzz right now and get things cracking for the New Year and then finally make some type of stamp on this game. Now that 07 has come to an end I leave you with 5 joints that had me pushing the pen and some stand out moments.
Joints this year that were hard (which inspired the kid) in no specific order…
1. Scarface "Never" (Don't have to say too much, Face went in point blank. Another legend that still got it.)
2. Joe Budden "Hiatus" (The way he flowed on this beat with certain schemes...crazy. Mad replay value.)
3. Pharoahe Monch "Gun Draws" (He recycled the "Stray Bullet" concept but his flow (NOT SWAG) on this was flawless!)
4. Jay-Z "No Hook" (I still don't know what it is about this song that made me listen to it 40 times in a row.)
5. Various Artist (I don’t hate cause you on radio but most of you are wack and that inspires me to not be, thanks!)
Five Stand out moments of the year…
1. Lupe Fiasco getting scorched by every purist ‘cause he didn't know Tribe lyrics and him responding with "do you know 8 Ball & MJG lyrics." (Loved it!)
2. Jadakiss telling Green Lantern the crowd don't want to hear some of his biggest hits. Next time just put any instrumental on and let Kiss freestyle bastard!
3. Joe Budden on Green Lantern show spazzing hardbody. No matter what Green said to him he was pissed and then killed it in front of The R.O.C crew before bouncing right away. ("don't ask me no questions I ain't come here for that … nah fuck all that") YES!
4. Kanye vs 50. This shit was hysterical ‘cause I actually gave a fuck like everybody else. Great marketing ... (understatement of the year)
5. Saigon snuffin Prodigy on stage. The best thing about this was the video (Mobb's version) that says Saigon is under the table. When ya'll do shit like that at least digitally insert Sai under the table don't just put an arrow near a table. All I saw was a book bag, a North Face vest, and some Reeces Peanut Butter wraps under there.
Get at me: myspace.com/ninobless
til next week … I mean ... til next year … yurp!
Drive home safe ya'll and make sure ya'll pack them rubbers before the ball drops. 1
Getting Things in Motion
Week 7 with the blogs. Finally got this posse cut done! Peep the joint (http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.3876) properly titled "Four In The Clip." 4 bullets in the clip and each one goes off and that’s what Hip Hop is about to me at least. I missed the days when I just heard dudes spit some raw shit over a beat. This one doesn't need a hook or a bridge you got 4 and a half minutes of lyrical gunfire. Shout outs to Styles P who came off, Joell Ortiz as well and the legend who stole the show (again) Kool G Rap. How many times has Kool G Rap outshined cats on records man? This shit is starting to get too fucking old. In the late 80's he outshined Kane in my opinion where he rapped til the tape popped. Some say he hung with Kane and others think he outshined him, I'm one of those. Mobb Deep caught it hard on "The Realest" on Murda Muzik. As much as I like Saigon's "Letter P" verse I thought G Rap did him in too. That’s 3 different decades! Now that defines longevity! How the fuck does G get overlooked? G Rap to me is the most consistent MC of all time and that to me makes him top 5 ‘cause he did it in every era. Never did the times pass him by and what rapper doesn't have G Rap in them? Talk street shit, hustling, trying to make it big from the ghetto, kick word play with intricate rhyme schemes? Well whether you know it or not G Rap fathered you.
It’s crazy to me though cause on this particular record it wasn't about 4 cats battling to get the best verse. Too often Hip Hop heads want to make us compete with each other. Why can't rappers just do music together rather than always be compared? I can't front sometimes it’s just obvious and blatant but other times I just like to hear a song without comparing the MC's to each other. On this song I hope people acknowledge how sharp everybody came across. As of me I was just trying to hang with these lyrical flame throwers. As for my first line "you know I'm sick of what these lames be spittin/ like 50 Cent hooks I'm what The Game's been missing" ... no it’s not a diss. Everybody who's heard it says "ahh you getting at Game." No I'm seriously not. It’s a slick double meaning punchline. I'm just stating the obvious as well. Then again, aren't we all missing 50 Cent hooks? Shit a 50 hook won't hurt nobody, I don't care what ya'll cats say about the man’s flow, rhymes, or image. That dude could write the shit out of a hook. Hate it or love it... no pun intended. So I'm excited that we got one of the big joints out the way. There are a few others coming real soon. I'm dropping the single off the mixtape. Mick Boogie has just agreed to be a part of my mixtape which is called "Untold Scriptures". Which if all the chips fall into place like they should, comes out in January. Mick is obviously very credible and he's on top of his shit so this should make this a bigger project now that he's involved.
I had to keep this short man peep "Four In The Clip" if you still care about lyricism and raw shit in this Hip Hop shit the joint is for you and there's more where that came from. Gotta get to work and wrap up this mixtape in time. Get at me…
myspace.com/ninobless
til next.... yurp!
Industry Rule Number 4080...
Week 6 with the blogs! About last week I knew I would draw some critics and I'm glad some of you expressed what you thought. If you listen to my new freestyle (hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.3824) there's a part where I say:
most can't relate none, it ain't impossible...... try!
they say rappers need to be responsible.... why?
this is our life we ain't doing your chores
we got our own kids why dont you raise yours
all along, I thought we had freedom of speech
I was wrong now all they want is us to start preaching and teach
and reach the youth but truth is some do it to eat
if u bought what u was askin for that'd be their newest release
either way all we do is speak the view of the streets
but all you wanna disect is when we shootin police
I hope cats understand I wasn't trying to say that we are innocent but too much is expected from us rappers and it’s like we're given this responsibility we didn't ask for A. and B. it’s not our job to handle these issues. I'm a firm believer that people are responsible for their own actions and if all you want to do is sit here and dissect the negative aspects of what Hip Hop represents, I don't even want to hear you. You can voice your opinion elsewhere. I'm going to respect it but I'm not going to sit and vibe with you on the subject.
I'm going to keep it funky with ya'll cats. The more you in this game the more you realize there are zero friends in this game. Everybody is out for self. I don't know if it should be like that or if that’s just how it is but there are many cats who are asshats all spread out through this bullshit. I wrote for a few of them and I've worked with others. This is a bit different but I was involved with a situation one time that was abstruse. I had a producer who I placed a beat for on Chamillionaire's album. His name is Twinz check my dude out he produced a track for Chamillionaire called "Void of my life." The kid Termanology one time got at Twinz about using that beat and Twinz told him the beat was taken by an artist that he can't use it. Some how it still wound up on a Termanology mixtape as well as a major website. Which is crazy cause if Cham or his peoples found out they could have been like "dog what are ya'll doing." Reason being I helped pitch Termanology's mixtape to Universal before so they know I had a relationship with this artist somehow.
We called up the kid and his manager on 2 separate phone calls and both of them sounded prepared for it. They both replied with the response "that’s Hip Hop, it happens all the time." I can't front maybe it’s just ironic or maybe not who knows. I was thrown off though and the funny shit is the beat they rocked to wasn't by my dude Twinz at all nah they had a producer who ironically made a beat with the same sample. That’s very possible I can't front. What threw us off was how they never reached out to Twinz at all about that knowing Twinz gave dudes free beats in the past to work with and all that and he already placed a beat with the same sample they wanted. The shit is, with this situation nothing happened. We got at the site and told them to take the song down and they did. Actually the manager got at the site as well and he's cool for that. He could have been a dick about it but he wasn't. This entire situation could have gone sour had Chamillionaire's peoples thought we shopped the same beat to dude and didn't respect the fact he purchased the beat and was putting it on his debut album which wasn't released yet. If it was released then shit ain't no issue man, now "THATS HIP HOP" and then it’s all fair game. The situation went down funny style and there's no beef towards those cats at all. Certain situations get blown up bigger than what they should. If anything I feel like it was miscommunication. This is no knock on those dudes cause I know they’re about their business and handle it well cause I know those cats and they are very professional. Let’s say they didn't mean to do that shit at all and had no foul intentions at all look how it could have been interpreted? I know initially I was pissed and so was the producer but sometimes shit can be perceived differently.
These cats weren't blatantly doing some foul shit though looking back. They went about it as best they could and since then have been doing what they doing and I give em props for all that hustle. Shout outs to Termanology and his entire camp. There are other cats though who blatantly come out and disrespect, not give a fuck, and are very unprofessional. If you’re coming up in this game watch yourself seriously and tuck in ya chin. Dudes don't play here at all. I want to big up my dude Sha Stimuli who's writing a blog here too. He's been grinding for the longest and he and I know each other very well as we're from the same hood in Flatbush Brooklyn. I TOLD YOU FUCK THESE MAJORS DOG!! I wish my nigga just dropped an independent album and didn't go major. He could have shut a lot of shit down. Its all good my nigga just keep grinding you'll get ya shine. A kid that nice and well rounded shouldn't try and fit with a major's formula they should adjust to him. We went over this already though in blog 4 lol. So yeah vibe with the new freestyle I did which is like a lil soundtrack for blog # 5. Shake good looking on waiting for that I'm sorry but I shouted you out my dude! Shout out to my dog "I See On" who's from my hood in BK and I just got back in contact with through the world of myspace. Shout outs to RNS, most OG cats in NYC know about RNS and Charlie Hustle. Its dope to see cats I knew coming up from the hood doing their thing in this music shit. Its good to see cats grinding and trying to do something positive rather than just still posted up on the corner or fucking with the wrong niggaz and not doing nothing productive with themselves.
www.myspace.com/ninobless
til next week... Yurp!
Something Bad Happens, Blame Hip Hop. Why?
Week 5 with the blog… but first off RIP to Pimp C. I know his family and close one's are hit hard by this unexpected situation. Bun B man hold ya head I spoke to you a few times and you a real good dude. That dude was as loyal and ride or die for Pimp as you would see anybody else be with anybody. Sad shit and a huge loss for Hip Hop. UGK set a trend that’s still relevant today if you don't see just listen to anything dirty south and grimey hard hitting 808's and bassy talking that gutter shit and that’s all influenced by UGK. Geto Boys were out before UGK but they didn't do southern shit the way UGK did they did different type shit that even New Yorkers knew what time it was. UGK was the first of its kind and at first wasn't accepted like that cause they shit was so different but set off a trend and it’s the reason why every south artist paid respects to Bun and helped dude out and eventually he made himself so hot he established a name for himself as a solo artist. Bun kept the buzz alive for UGK and they got some of the respect they deserved recently. Hate him or love him, Agree or Disagree with him but Pimp C said what was on his mind and didn't sugar coat and for that I always respected the man. We need more cats like that in the game.
Now let me get to my blog if I can. So Don Imus is back on radio. The funniest shit about this dude is he's like the White OJ yo. This guy blatantly does some foul shit and then rubs it in your face a lil bit later like "ha ha I got away with it." He goes on radio with 2 black comedians and says "I got my black buddies here and they are going to let me know when I say something wrong." Are you fucking serious? Whats funny is how he said Hip Hop influenced him to say that and he's like "they say that themselves, I thought it was ok to say that." Word, I remember that song "nappy headed hoe" went to the top charts this past year. That definitely influenced him I must say. It gave some right wing dickheads in the media the space they needed to sit back and say "oh Hip Hop is at fault here lets attack them." Man they are so fucking stupid if they think Don Imus is bumping Jay Z, 50, and 36 Mafia in the whip. Is he serious? "I thought it was ok to say that Hip Hop said so." Forget the GZA. He's the GENIUS! I never knew what he looked like but when I seen him I wasn't surprised to see he looked like Robert Redford aged 16 years and dressed up to host a redneck raffle right after he volunteered to go to Citizens Border Patrol. No disrespect to Robert Redford, dudes a great actor shout outs to "The Natural."
So now Hip Hop is to blame for all the violence? For all the negative shit going on in the world and to the young generation of today's fucked up mindstate. Isn't the young generation always fucked up? What about the Hippy era where they tried any drug they could find. Before Hip Hop the young generation was always influenced and there's always something to blame it on. What bothers me and seriously saddens me is when Hip Hop Media themselves target artists as well. When they sit here and say "rappers need to be more responsible." I was listening to Peter Rosenberg's show, the clip with him and Joe Budden. Now this is no disrespect to Pete cause he's a true Hip Hop head and is stating how he feels but why the fuck do rappers need to be responsible with what they say? We make our music and that’s that. We aren't raising your kids, you are! Why do we have that responsibility to teach your kids how to do right? This shit is silly. Music is a reflection of what rappers have seen and etc. It ain't always about what they've done. Is it too negative at times? I'll admit it, yes it is. This is entertainment though. Try doing a movie or a show without negativity like drugs, domestic abuse, death, suicide, and etc. Let’s see how interesting that’s going to be.
So all this bullshit had me pushing the pen and I just did a freestyle. Shake should have it up by Sunday night or Monday the latest. This is wack to me, you have artists like Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Black Thought and more who don't talk about how they're killing, hustling, pimping, and running the streets. They talk about reality as well and how these things go down but overall they don't "promote" the negativity. Who sold the most records in Hip Hop this year? Kanye West! So what’s the issue here? Hip Hop isn't just limited to one form of music. You have artist who talk about negative shit but you know what? If it wasn't for that, some people in the mid to late 80's and early 90's wouldn't be aware about some of the problems that exist in the ghetto believe it or not. We educated many people and pointed out what was really going on. It was rappers who talked about police brutality, how shit is set up for us and many other issues. We utilized the mindset of men like Mumia, Marcus Garvey, Malcom X as well as others who have our struggles. We had a huge outlet too; millions of people across the board were listening. We made people aware as much as anything. Media wasn't covering most of the shit we were broadcasting on our music. They were distracted with "bigger things." Hip Hop woke people up with all the "negative" talk. "I'm hungry nigga, I gotta rob somebody to eat." Oh wow and some people related; even in the ‘burbs they were like "oh I would rob somebody too if I had no other way to eat." They had a question though "Why do you have to rob though?" AHHHH. This is where we've influenced and educated more young minds than anything else since the late 80's. Don't try and sit here and blame us for all the fucked up shit going on in society. This was going on long before Hip Hop came along. Cut it out people.
You don't want to listen to the negative shit in Hip Hop then don't. Go turn on something else. It’s not for you then and if you’re a Hip Hop fan bitching then go bump some Common, Talib Kweli, Kanye West, Black Thought, Lupe Fiasco, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Beastie Boys, Biz Markie, Slum Village, Dilated Peoples, Little Brother and stay away from that horrible negative thug, killing MUSIC!. Here's a list of a few other heads on a lower scale if you want to try: Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Gift Of Gab, Supastition, Murs, Atmosphere, Tonedeff, Blackalicious, Solilaquist of Sound, Brother Ali, and many others. These men all make music without killing people in it 24/7 and promoting constant negativity. You see Hip Hop isn't limited at all. We have all different forms of music. What these labels decide to broadcast or what fans tend to support more is beyond our control but Hip Hop has MANY MANY different forms of music. Fans all over have their own taste and what they tend to like. Some people like hearing about murder just like people like action movies with shooting scenes. Some people want to hear conceptual and well thought our music just like people like watching suspense and thriller flicks. Some people like hearing spirited and uplifting music and others don't want to hear cursing. You have all of that in Hip Hop and if you don't like Hip Hop there's many other genre's out there go listen to what you want that’s why God gave mankind freewill. You all have a choice. One thing I tell you folks though. Don't criticize something you don't understand. Whether you care or not, you look and sound more ignorant than you care to do so. Understand what you are criticizing before you get into details. As for me I don't give a fuck. I was just listening to Outkast, Talib and now I'm bumping some Mobb Deep street shit. BLAM BLAM MURDER DEATH KILL! GRRRRRR. I'm about to go outside and clam me a nigga for fun!
www.myspace.com/ninobless
P.S Dude who said last week if I blow up don't stop with the blogs. Never that! Let’s hope DX keeps me on board ya heard! Freestyle Sunday night or Monday. It’s a good one I promise; it’s like the soundtrack to what I just wrote. Posse cut next week!
Til next week, Yurp!
Record Labels and Their "Criteria" ... Shit Makes No Sense
What up y'all Week 4 with the blog. It's funny how when you make a comment there's always one person that can misinterpret what the fuck you said. I ain't even mad if you do so, but it's funny how I said "Hip Hop needs Joe Budden and Saigon to release an album and receive mainstream success," and there's that one person who suggest I meant they should sell out in the process. I can't get mad at anybody, 'cause misinterpretations happen all the time but this is what Hip Hop I guess has turned into. Mainstream means selling out and nothing else? You know it ain't just that one reader its many people who feel like that. "Oh don't go commercial you don't need to do a snap song." Damn man this is what Hip Hop has turned into? I can't make a album and drop it on a major label and be on BET or MTV without being a sell-out?
Something that bothers me with this game and why I feel it has taken a turn for the worse is when I see people stretch and try and find reasons as to why lyrics aren't important anymore. It's funny when cats say "it ain't being lyrical its about blah blah." I grew up in an era where "The World Is Yours", "Dead Presidents", and "Warning" were singles. You could spit some shit and still get radio play. Shit even "Quiet Storm" was a single and was bumped heavy in the clubs and that was real hard Hip Hop record. Now the whole idea of what a single is has changed. It has nothing to do with the fans or even artist. Nah, one day these suits woke up and decided what type of records were going to circulate on rotation. Their idea of what that shit is fucking corny to me. Labels have tried to limit us as artists. I heard Beyonce tried to drop "Crazy In Love" as a single and Sony wasn't haven't it 'cause there were too many horns and shit. B's team had to get Jay on it to convince the suits it was a strong enough single to push and next thing you know that shit won like 5 Grammy's. Rest assured, Jay wasn't the main reason that happened. That record was a smash! Jay obviously added on to it but that record was a smash. It goes to show what these cats really fucking know.
I'm gonna finish this off without really promoting my shit or anything. I don't understand how Joe Budden, Grafh, Saigon, and Joell Ortiz could be signed to majors and get no type of push from their labels. All these fucking artists who come out within this time span and none of these cats could see the light of day? Not even get a real shot? You know if a true artist can't get a shot 'cause what he's doing doesn't fit with your formula then I think you need to adjust your formula. Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Big Pun and Nas didn't have to get some type of BDS spins and "buzz" or anything before a label proceeded to push they product. They were talented enough so the label put everything in motion and eventually set them up. Next thing you know "boom" dudes sell records and everyone is happy. Talent never ever fails. Record sales suck but I mean its obvious that people ain't supporting these artist past a single anymore. I know there's many different variables but part of it is cause they don't have quality music beyond one lil' radio hit. The dudes who did have quality shit beyond their singles back in the days prospered and established strong careers. The dudes that didn't came and went. Now these days we have too many of these type of dudes. You wanna know why? 'Cause an artist like Joe Budden, whose "Mood Musik 2" was better than 90% of the albums that have dropped in the past three years, Saigon who's "Yard Father 1 and 2," ditto, Grafh's "Oracle" as well, and Joell Ortiz who fucking moved 50,000 units alone with Koch and built a huge buzz by himself; can't cut a fucking break 'cause they don't fit the "criteria" labels need to push. What the fuck is this "criteria" doing to the game? I'll tell you ...making it worse! Now you got Joell Ortiz saying "get me out of here if you ain't doing shit with me."
Suggestion labels: I know you need some tax write off's and shit but if you want those why don't you waste them on those rappers who have those singles and nothing more. Try and push an artist who overall has quality music. You can get the spins, you have the money and the connections and where there's a will, there's a way. Stop being lazy and only try and push artist who have set you up 'cause they generated most of the BDS spins and following on their own. You'll be surprised what can happen if you actually go hard at it. You might end up finding the next Biggie, Nas, or Jay Z even. You're not going to find that type of artist if you aren't willing to believe in talent but rather numbers on a fucking paper or screen that shows this artist has value. Maybe they don't want to find that artist, who the fuck knows. Shout out to Joell 'cause I respect that dude's grind. I seen it firsthand and that cat was everywhere and doing everything he could to be known. Another rapper suffering from this lame ass "criteria" and not getting his proper shot. Real talk who knows if its just "here say" but honestly Joell has built a stronger buzz for himself than most these labels have done for their own artist. I believe if this "criteria" was all that mattered 15 years ago or so a lot of great emcees would have never came about. Fix this fucking formula or whatever it is, 'cause it damn sure ain't working.
Get at the kid myspace.com/ninobless
Til Next Week Yurp!