True Indeed Hip Hop is everybody. And if you break it down into acronym HISTORY IS POWER HELPING OUR PEOPLE. This culture saved my life and people like yourself are difinitely a great inspiration. At first I thought it was all about the fame getting signed, but over the years I realized you have to build yourself into a commodity to become priority. You've been a great example Chris keep doing what your doing.

It's good to see some positivity for a change. Keep it up. What was the "debate" with 50 about?

one suggestion: have you considered left-justifying your paragraphs?

also, might want to have comments in descending order, meaning earlier comments on top.

Lighty it seems that you have also fallen for the hype that all 50 is good for is writeing hooks.50 is an ill lyricist.I know you heard power of the dollar.50 is a lyrical mc...since when is writeing songs not considered a talent in hiphop?I have been a die hard hiphop fan since 78 and I am only 33 and I am a native new yorker so I have heard it all from an NYC perspective.50 in my opinion is on the same level as Jay and nas(I know you disagree but it my humble opinion)

50 cent is hip hop? Are you on crack, we all know damn well if that white boy didn't put him on he'd be stripping naked for dollars, he aint nothing but a hoe and a sell out, hip-hop aint hip hop no more, sure its all about money, but i mean shit you idiots out there with 500,000 chains on and people in africa etc are starving like crazy..it just aint hip hop no more bro.
peace

What every talent manager in the music biz should know (hip hop or otherwise):

Music Talent & Industry 101

While some Hip Hop artists have "sold out" and yes I am tired of the current state of Hip Hop....you cannot say that 50 Cent is NOT Hip Hop (Well you CAN because it's your opinion...). Hip Hop is like the automobile and you have different types of makes & models. I'm not the biggest fan of G-Unit but I'll be damned if I lie and say that I haven't liked at least ONE song by each of their artists. Has Hip Hop changed...definitely....but seeing as how while the afrocentric era of Hip Hop was going on you had artist that WEREN'T afro-centric, your comment about cats having gold chains while people starve in Africa doesn't really make sense. Everyone wasn't kicking it like Jungle Brothers, P.E., or PRT. 50 is most DEFINITELY Hip Hop....maybe just not the make and model you prefer. And just because they went mainstream doesn't mean they sold out.....in some cases they bought in. Peace and Love

eric i absolutely know 50 is ill i just dont want to seem over the top on my team. he played me a song about queens that is going to set you back for the next album its ill...and so is he. trust me you have to be ill to write those hooks and songs. jay is ill,50 is ill, banks,we have some great mc's out here right now that do it differently!

Chris,

I just linked to your blog from a SOHH article and wanted to say I'll be here checkin daily for your new shit bro. I'm 26 and have been breathin this shit since I can remember. Keep this alive and congrats on the 20 years. I'm still tryin to get the door open! Peace and Happy New Year. Oh and yeah 50 is hot now but "That Ain't Gangsta,"How to Rob," that's the 50 I LOVE! It sucks that a huge percentage of his fanbase haven't been exposed to that hungry ass 50 from 99. Alright I'm ramblin now. Peace.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OPCM64LS

This is hip-hop: the real hip-hop

click on this link and see what up with the real

http://www.RiotSound.com

What's Chris Lighty if he wasn't such a baby?
What is a woman if she didn't say maybe?
Baby laid down, I removed the frown
What would be my penal cord if it wasn't brown?
"What", ATCQ (my little flashback)

Anway, on another note, you're right, Hip Hop is most def is an enterprise as democratic as oxygen. A money maker for Gen X and beyond.

Chris, I appreciate your opinions and I respect what you have done for HIP HOP. You are basically my idol, for doing such great things for some of the illest artists the RAP game has ever seen. I have been hooked on this blog since it started. Thank you for stepping up the game, so we can ALL rise to the occasion and contribute something positive. I am looking forward to what you have coming out in '06. I know you will be able to exceed your past achievements. Peace.

Some of you cat out there think the know hip-hop. you don't know! hip-hop you have to feel, you have to breath hip-hop not think hip-hop. this was a quote from Prince Messiah 98.7 kiss! (R.I.P)
50 is hip-hop because he feels and breaths hip-hop

So when we hear the new single's from Mobb Deep I ahve been a fan since the beginning...

CHRIS WHEN DO U HAVE THE TIME TO BLOG! HAHA, WE GOT WORK TO DO! 2 ALBUMS 1 DAY, 2 WORLDS! LETS GO ! GET RICH 06'

The upcoming year in hiphop is very interesting to me.There is a growing belief on the internet that this is the last year of G units popularity(i disagree 100 percent)What concerns me is the fact that 50 seems to be the most hated MC in hiphop history based on the fact that he does not show humility.I am a huge mobb deep fan.I think mobb deep has 3 certified classic LPs..the infamous,Hell on earth and Murder musik.I really want them to get platinum success with blood money and I hope Chris that you and 50 pick some gerat singles with cross over appeal for them.Have a party was banging at the 40/40 club this weekend,I was happy that it got agreat crowd response from the fickle NYC crowd.Chris for the life of me I cant understand why Dr Dre or jimmy Iovine cannot control games actions.He is more than a torn in your most famous client and that G unot clothing line is pathetic....what is your take on the whole game situation and please dont be diplomatic talk to a brother from bed sty and just keep it real like you kept it real concerning your feelings for that accomplice to murder IRV GOTTI

I am kinda interested as what the exact debate was about. You are right about Hip Hop opening up the doors that it has for people to get into the music game. All other music forms that young black youth created we were never able to take advantage of all the opportunities that was available to us. Now with Hip Hop from NYC to the Dirty South we are all able to eat off of this big multi billion dollar plate. Its not all about the money when it comes to this music but its also not about being a starving artist either.

What's popping to make a comment about Game I think he is a dick head(NO HOMO) to be honest its crazy how he is beefing with his brother all over ther media that shit is wack. Hey they say the truth always come to the light. As far as 50 is concerned like a stated before ya are on top right now but like all empires you will fall but while you on top get paper. I don't agree with 50 cent being a a crazzy Mc hell no he is not crazy lyrical he is a great hook writer that's it and his crossover appeal is the shit as far as BDS and is concerned. I just can't wait for that new sound from New york to come out that what we need right now.. REAL TALK. On another note. That Lyor Cohen not answering the phone shit was madd funny.... Its crazzy how the indusrty is .... ITS MONDAY MORNING HUSTLERS NEVA SLEEP FAM...

OZONE MAGAZINE
WWW.KEEPLOCKENT.COM
YOUNGHARELM ENT.
TVT RECORDS

That Comment you made about interning is bullshit what's so funny is that I was creating an article discussing the problems of internships kevin was one out of a million its real hard for many interns to acheive the sucess that he has because a lot of people that are in power at their company are afraid to let their doors open for a person to advance. Many key ranking officals in the music business be little interns sone intern go through a lot of degrading shit just to get on. FUCK that shit HIPHOP is more then sweeping and holding a deejays brief case FUCK that their is other way a mother fucker can pay his or her dues I started off as an intern and believe me I been through the fire but I REfuse to be some ones BITCH

REAL NIGGAZ DO REAL THINGZ
GOOD MORNING CHRIS

True indeed, Chris. Everybody has their own opinions about their feelings on what Hip-Hop is, used to be, or how it really was and should be. THAT is Hip-Hop! I can remember spending hours at a time in arguments with other friends about who the nicest mc was/is, who the sickest dj was/is, what b-boys/b-girls had the freshest moves, who the illest graff artists are/were, even which borough was the livest?? lol! That is also an amazing thing about Hip-Hop! It's so diverse that EVERYONE can have their own different opinion about this wonderful and positive force in all of our lives. Many of us are now living our dreams of making a living off what we love, HIP-HOP!

B-Ward
VP, Marketing
www.theoriginators.com
http://www.myspace.com/40953108

Much love to you Chris for all you've done with, through, and for hip-hop. You're so right that we're blessed as community for what hip-hop has done to empower and inspire us all with identities that provide us with prosperous futures. But I have to agree with some of these posters in that I am tired of hearing about obscene amounts of money coming out of communities that need it and going to fund lavish lifestyles of the few that made it to the top. Why is it that only afro-centric styles can care about sharing wealth among communities? Money is only as valuable as what you can buy with it. I'd like to hear more about the opportunities, improvements, and changes that hip-hop money is going to create. That, to me, is what hip-hop is all about.

Build yourself into a commodity to become priority...now that is a Jewel.

I just wanted to chime in.. I LOVE HIP-HOP, I've been it for the past 30 years, I've lived thru the GOLDED years 85,88, 92-95. (these were the years where u could have a RUNDMC,JB's, PRT, De-La, Red Head Kingpin, BDK, BDP, YZ, Heavy D & tha Boyz, Kool G Rap, PE, King Just, Just Ice) after 95 Hip-Hop went Hollywood. But in a good way, Platinum was the new Gold, before 97 the biggest sellers sold 500,000 units and were happy with that.

My PROBLEM with HIP-HOP now is these people who run these labels, forgot what it meant to find talent, and not find copy cat artist, they don't get there hands dirty, they are out of touch or should i say untouchable.

We as BLACK people who are in high Ex positions need to groom the next generation, we need our own version of the "Good Old Boy System" people think its hard to get a deal, try to get a job at one of these labels, it's harder. That intern shit is for the birds.. how many people in the history of the music biz have made it up the ladder as far as K. Liles, I tried that shit, but I wasn't a dick rider or wanted to be someone's bitch or door mat. I was one of the many lucky ones.. I had a family member who was a marketing VP at Universal, she help me get a job.

Greetings from the docks of Rotterdam, It's funny American's can be so ignorant .
and 4 chris I hope 2006 becomes a greater year 4 you and you're family. Get that paper while there is paper 2 get!!!

Are you someone who thinks that there are two schools of emcees...or that there is a difference between rap and hip hop...hip hop being the more conscious/done for the love, lyrically driven and rap being more beat/money oriented and carefree? Or do you think that hip hop is the umbrella which rap falls under? If hip hop is the culture, what in your opinion falls under that? Filmmaking, sitcoms, clothing lines, shoes, liquor companies, break dancing, deejaying, grafitti art, lecture cirtuits, energy drinks?

Just a question. Or two. Or three. OK four. For now...

Spoken like a true veteran. I'm publishing the official PUBLIC ENEMY comic book as well as co-writing and drawing it. You should check it out. See some samples at www.publicenemy.com, www.americanmule.com or http://www.myspace.com/americanmuleentertainment in the picture section. Also producing the soundtrack.
PEACE!

ILLUS

Chris I hear you on the concept of what is hip-Hop , Now let's see the maturity of hip hop rise our li' children are not seeing the whole picture and the images they see (which are way to difficult for the parents to monitor in the new media world) are one of step-n-Fetchen type (Hear Me)
We are Hip Hop.. we are older... we are wiser..we are powerful...-Please help our children rise
peace

CHRIS MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT ON YOUR SUCCESS. I KNOW YOU HEARD IT ALL, AND IM FAR FROM A DICK-RIDER, SO I WONT TELL YOU HOW MUCH YOU INSPIRED ME.

I'LL TELL YOU THIS THOUGH, IM ONE OF THE BIGGEST EX-DRUG DEALERS COMING OUT OF THE BRONX, WHO CAME HOME FROM FEDERAL PRISON THREE YEARS AGO. I STARTED THE GANGSTER DOCUMENTARY MOVEMENT WITH A CHILDHOOD PARTNER IN 2002 AND SINCE THEN, STARTED A NATIONWIDE DVD DISTRIBUTION CO.

BECAUSE OF HIPHOP, I GO BACK AS ROAD MANAGING SHOW&AG, I FOUND A WAY TO MAKE A LIVING, USING MY STREETSMARTS, AND USING THEM ENRON-TYPE NIGGAS IN PRISON TO FORM AN ENTITY THATS GROWING AS FAST AS MY DRUG-TRADE DID IN THE STREETS OF NY. (GO CHECK OUT THE KARLTON HINES STORY FOR A GLIMPSE).

BOTTOM LINE IS THERE ARE A FEW OF US IN LINE WHO WILL BE THE NEXT CHRIS LIGHTYS, LYORS, AND STEVE STOUTS. AND YOU'LL MOST DEFINETLY WILL BE WHERE JIMMY IOVINE,DOUG MORRIS AND THEM ARE AT NOW. SO BE READY FOR ME TO HELP YOU GET THERE, FASTER.

WE CAN START WITH AN INTERVIEW FOR MY NEXT DVD. WOULD BE AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU ON IT. IT"S CALLED THROUGH THE EYES OF A HUSTLA. TRUST ME, IT'S HIPHOP.

TO THE VP OF INTERSCOPE, YOUR WORDS WERE FELT. GET AT A BROTHER.
WWW.STREETCERTIFIEDNYC.COM

"...but I'll be damned if you can't carry a DJ's record case, sweep up around the office, or intern until you are blue in the face."

C'mon, Chris... you can't be serious. You WANTS to do any of that?

Hip hop can also take you from riches to rags if u don't stay on your grind, which I see that you are. What am I excited about? I am excited about still having a luv for hip hop after all the ups and downs, after all the bull shit, after all is said and done, I still love it! And please people lets not turn this into a 50 discussion board. Respect the mans hustle.

i cant wait for that new todd smith album.we need that ny hiphop back.we need that 80's era of music were everybody had they own style no bitting allowed.peace

Hip Hop is also beating on the tables in the lunchroom of Gompers High School, killing every emcee that ever challenged me without a pen or pad!
P.S. check for that new book Hip Hop Decoded@matrixofhiphop.com

"HIP HOP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, RAP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE."

THEIR IS SO MUCH THINGS THAT ARE TAKEN FOR GRANTED IN THIS MUSIC OF BUSINESS AND BUSINESS OF MUSIC. IS THAT HIP HOP?

THEIR IS NO STANDARD OF GIVING BACK OR PASSING OF THE TORCH. IT'S NO LONGER A CRAFT OR DONE FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC, THE CULTURE OR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THAT WAS HIP HOP.

IT'S PHENOMENAL TO SEE COLORED PEOPLE COME UP IN A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS BUT NO ONE GIVES BACK. BUT OUR FAMILIES ARE STILL LIVING IN POVERTY AND LOW INFRASTRUCTURE. ALL WE GOT TO GIVE BACK TO THEM IS AN EPISODE OF CRIBS OR THE GENERIC SHOUTOUT.THAT'S HIP HOP.

WE ARE ALL ROBOTS, WHERE RADIO, TELEVISION AND NOW THE INTERNET DICTATE EVERYTHING. THEIR IS NO MORE GENUINESS. SECURITY, ENTOURAGES, AND "YESMEN". IS THAT HIP HOP?

TO BE OPTIMISTIC, THERE IS ALWAYS A POSITIVE AND FORMER CRATEBOYS,B-BOYS,AND BOMBERS ARE NOW EXECUTIVES. WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT WE HAVE ALL FALLEN INTO THIS MATRIX. THE LACK OF ORIGINALITY AND CREATIVITY WITHIN THE MUSIC IS GONE.

NO ONE CARES ANYMORE ABOUT THE DMC, ZULU NATION, MIXSHOW POWER SUMMIT, "YO MTV RAPS", "FUTURE FLAVAS", "THE ORIGINAL RAPCITY" AND SO FORTH.

CAN WE JUST BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES, ANALYZE EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING AND HAVE DONE? ARE WE ABLE TO STOP DOING IT?

SO TAKE EVERYTHING LIKE A GRAIN OF SALT AND DONT LIVE LIFE. LET LIFE LIVE YOU.

I don't believe that the real CHRIS LIGHTY dropped this weak azz post.

I don't believe that the real CHRIS LIGHTY would be a generic, name dropping, umbrella holder to anybody.

I refuse to believe that the real CHRIS LIGHTY would act like some old azz man and reminisce about the good ol' days when he should have his eyes fixed on what is in front of him.

I will never believe that the real CHRIS LIGHTY would not have already installed KOOL DJ RED ALERT within his burgeoning empire as a creative consultant or whatever, because of RED's importance to Hip-Hop in general, and CHRIS' career specifically.

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe all those years ago at those loft parties on lower Broadway and those parties at PowerHouse(the Building) were just part of CHRIS LIGHTY's dream to go Hollywood and write a bullshit blog about leaving LYOR COHEN a voicemail?!?

Too bad for us because I could have sworn that the real CHRIS LIGHTY was Hip-Hop. I know Hip-Hop and this blog sir is definitely NOT Hip-Hop.

Whoa Sunday! What did Chris do to you? I see how Chris opened up a discussion for everyone to share THIER opinion on OUR music/culture (Hip Hop). How do we know or not if Red Alert has a say in advising how Chris runs his empire or if he wants to be involved. looking at the above pic it looks like they still have a healthy relationship and its not for us to judge how they should conduct their freindship. Thats whats wrong with Hip Hop today, WE sit back and judge instead of making stuff happen. WE criticize what we feel is wrong instead of trying to fix it or create our own lane, thats what Hip Hop use to be CREATIVITY, now its 80% copycating 10% creativity. when the 10% shine through it gets criticized more than embraced, but this is just MY OPINION.

These comments from Mr. Sunday are ill advised. As one of the Original Violators I have to say this. From when Chris first got Violator off the ground up until today, They say I should be right there with him. But that is not the case. I am happy with what I am doing today and I am Very very proud of Chris! His hunger for Hip hop has made jobs for other people and put basically alot of unknown people on the map. I am sure If Red wanted a office position in Violator, the doors are wide open. DJ Red Alert is a Hip Hop Legend and I am sure Chris would jump at having Red By his side if Red wanted to be there. Now for Chris dropping a weak post, this is not weak because this is something that happens everyday in the life of Hip Hop. Reminiscing about the "Good Ol Days" let us know how you can go from carrying crates for a DJ into a club to owning A Million Dollar Company. I know. I was there.

i'm w/you chris when u say "hip-hop is our generations DREAM and we should live it to the max..that is hip hop, & that is u!" AND for those who feel differently then i think reggie c dennis put it the best..."The current hip-hop generation has so much more to work with..and if they can't seem to find the handle, then it's really on them, isn't it? Everyone has a 24-hour rap station available. There is saturation coverage on tv. You can't walk by a newstand and see a dozen glossy magazine speaking to whatever hip-hop experience you may be a part of. The fact that hip-hop is a legitamate lifestyle is an undisputed fact; everyone wants a piece of it and everyone wants to go along for the ride. But if you don't like the way things are unfolding, then all you have to do to correct things is get back to essense. Hip-hop is all about bending the world to your will. So change this stuff into something that you want it to be."

P.S. - 50 needs to produce and/or star in a movie 'bout Jack Johnson "the struggles of the pioneer of boxing" imo.

i would like to know how i can get started in the rap business, because i was told that you have to know somebody to publish my own rap lyrics.

i write rap lyrics, how can i get my work published? i have been writing for many years and i just decided to do something about it now!

can you please give me some type of guidance with a numberand or an adressthank you you have been very helpful