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March 12, 2006

Where are the hip hop rolling stones?

I am back. I have a question since we all have been consumed with the bad news in hip hop lets take a station break from that and talk about where is "hip hop" going with it's veteran artists? The Rolling Stones can come out every year and gross a 100 million plus tour and go and hang out where ever it is rockers hang out for the rest of the year and sip on their pina coladas. We have grown up as a culture and as adults but we have few main stays from the "golden era" of "hip hop" that can go out and tour. As this generation grows older we are coming to a cross roads of what concerts we will be going to see in the next decade. Will we who have hip hop children,neices and nephews,etc. think its cool to be going to concerts with our youngsters? I know my daughter wants to see the 50 cent or Jay z concert just as much as I do but I am the exception not the rule. I want to see Big Daddy Kane but the demand is slowly evolving for these kind of concerts of the dare i say it "old school artists" but its an absolutely far and in between event. We have to remember that we owe alot to the artists that have paved the way and we should support any show that revels in the glory of hip hop from the pioneers. I listen to Basckspin on Sirius as much as Hot 97 because I enjoy the music. Who will the first hip hop act to play vegas like the other icons in the business? I know this isn't the exciting dirt of the industry but its definitely something we have to think about because hip hop is the game of the young but if we don't solidify the base from the past we aren't going to have a strong future. Let's not go the way of the Jazz musicians of the past.

Also I want to say i do see and read your notes and I thank you for the positive and negative. I dont jump back into the discussions as if I did it would become a free for all and we can't have that!!!
One!

Posted by chrislighty at March 12, 2006 07:12 PM

Comments

Wassup Chris I really think its going to be real hard for hip hop veterans to break into that form of entertainment like doing Vegas and other main attractions. I think we kind of messed that up because we don't honor or give props to our past like others do. The youth of today don't have any respect for the grandmaster flash,Slick Rick, or even Big daddy kane. In order for us to take it to the next level we should correct or mistakes we have made

OZONE MAGAZINE
TVT RECORDS
YOUNG HARLEM ENT.

Posted by: YOUNG HARLEM at March 12, 2006 09:02 PM

I think Hip Hop will always be there, like jazz music. I believe music goes with generation and every generations has his specialty! just like 50cent now. We have to focus on the future of our community and believe in ourselfs, as long as we do this we can achieve and create history.

Monique Mijnals
Dancer/Singer/Actres

Posted by: Monique at March 13, 2006 08:39 AM

Man, what was that Vh1 I think it was...They aired it on All Star weekend and man, Big Daddy Kane was on there dancin like he used to almost 20 years ago and I couldn't believe it! I thought he was going to be rusty...but he broke it down like James Brown. They did a nice tribute to him. And I liked that they had Salt-n-Pepa and Spinderella of course...along with EnVogue performing. Queen Latifah introduced them and gave them their props...THE WORLD IS READY I don't know what the charts say, but the PEOPLE want to honor our Run Dmc's and other pioneers...I could make a crazy list that you'd laugh at...but some of the people behind the scenes are still doin the damn thang and we just don't realize. Like Easy Moe Bee is a prime example. I had never heard of him until about 2 years ago when I met him & that brotha is holdin it down. He even knew where D Nice was when I asked him;) So we need to hear about the behind the scenes cats who's still doin it and doin it well, and we need to pay tribute to the icons.

So call me when you are ready to do the full documentary. I will be on the FIRST THANG SMOKIN'! I ain't going to keep soliciting my skills LOL...but check the resume, www.raineydayprodz.com. I'm on a hiatus right now, but I ain't goin' nowhere, just waiting for my time to shine.

Posted by: Jacqueline at March 13, 2006 09:23 AM

Chris Lighty posted this? The same Chris Lighty of "Violator" that used to run around tha LQ back in tha day? Chris Lighty, who got on with tha "JB's" but doesn't book them? let me ask you a question.

How many "old school" artists does your company book for dates a year?

It seems like the trend for those in the Hip Hop industry who have directly contributed to the downfall of the artform is to seek absolution through decrying the very monster that they helped to create. Maybe its guilt that brings this about, I don't know I do know it is some funny @#%$ to watch though.

Chris, you know good and god.damned well why there are no "Rolling Stones" in Hip Hop, furthermore, how you gonna front like you aint part of the reason why?

Can we start with those questions brother? I mean if you are serious about having a dialouge then let's do it. Otherwise, spare me tha B.S.

Priest

Posted by: Priest at March 13, 2006 11:47 AM

Chris, the reality is that the majority of hip hop artists of the past, most artists of today and unfortunately many artists of tomorrow all lack one essential element….”A thorough understanding of business”. All of us aspire to be successful but in hip hop culture success is measured by diamonds, cars, girls and other material things. When a rapper writes a rhyme or creates a song, their thinking about all the money, attention and cars they are going to get when they make it big. “Making it big” is always the goal….but what happens when you make it big? Or how do you event know when you’ve made it big? Rappers don’t have business plans or managers that help to create business plans. That’s where they go wrong.

These company exects don’t give a shit how slick, gangsta or uplifting your songs are…bottom line is they are looking to make a profit. And the minute you are deemed as profitable, your out of here. Rappers don’t realize “the game” is business until its too late. As far as Jungle Brothers touring…like the Rolling Stones..Im sure if they had a business plan and a tight team, they would be getting that tour money.

One

Contact me

Posted by: Armageddon at March 13, 2006 08:11 PM

as transparent as glass....these "grown and sexy" label heads are tired of scouring for new talent and are now itchin' to sit back and profit off a rolling stones type hiphop artist...watch for the new push "OLD SCHOOL IS THE NEW SCHOOL" or some b.s. like that...

remember these rappers aren't the only ones gettin old and worryin about sustained demand...these industry cats are toooo!!...and whats easier than wanting to push and sell a rehashed/recycled product...u formula fiend...i personally wouldnt miss a beat if LL went away forever...just me

Posted by: SANGANO at March 13, 2006 08:11 PM

The world will be ready soon, we have to wait a little while cos the circle aint round yet..but all in due time..like Rakim said "..let the others go first so the brothers dont miss..."


.......also sending u my respect from amsterdam,netherlands.
we met back in 1989 bronx river pojects, i was ther with bambaataa and LG,u will know when u see me..whever u decide to touch down here in amsterdam let me know..just drop me a mail..One!

Posted by: Deams at March 14, 2006 08:21 AM

For 1 Hip Hop just became this Big Big Business, so now we have the audience that will follow big name artist through there careers, and as our music change or get worse, that audience will be nostalgic of the music of the past. Saying that I think Jay Z is the only one that has the presense of a rolling stones to pull something off like that in the next 10-20 years.

Me myself i'm little older so i'll love/rather go to a concert that'll feature artist such as Big Daddy Kane, Eric B & Rakim, LL, Slick Rick, Biz Markie, etc.. Also in hip hop, new hip hop artist give the kids the impression when other rappers reach certain age their irrelevant, that their old, and they shouldnt be rapping anymore. for example when camron just went at jay, part of his diss was that jay is close to 40 and washed upped. if they kids have that impression of jay z, how are they going to respect g rap, rakim, or kane? that turns the younger generation off the older artist, they just label them "ol school"

And chris if you are not going to at least once in a while provide feedback to your blogs, whats the point of starting one? you are an industry icon, so its interesting to get your feedback on discussions, just to see how executives like your self think. We know you cant answer every single post, you are a busy man, but it would be nice if you could atleast once in awhile answer in general.

Posted by: Tha Watcher at March 14, 2006 09:56 AM

Chris Lighty, who got on with tha "JB's" but doesn't book them?
A year or two ago the Jungle Brothers were touring in Europe, opening for Violator artist Missy Elliott. I don't know if Chris Lighty had anything to do with this though.
Besides I don't know why you have this obsession to compare rap and rock. Rap is too mainstream already.

Posted by: SLurg at March 14, 2006 10:00 AM

Chris, I'm 38 years old. I'm from that era of Cold Krush brothers mixtapes and Flash, Grand Wizard Theodore.... Kool Herc. Funky Four. We have to start honoring them and giving them Movie deals like they do Rock artist. Or Great documentaries. We have to let the youth know where it started. Not just by saying a name or a verse.... but long form Filmography as well. They Just did "RAY CHARLES" Great Film. The whole World knows about this mans work now. They Just did "JOHNNY CASH" Great film. The whole World knows about this mans work. The List goes on. There's a movie called "Almost Famous" about a band from the 70's that was great. Why can't you guys Finance the Rise of Sugar Hill Gang. Or the RISE of Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five movie. The KOOL HERC and GRAND WIZARD THEODORE DEBATE movie. Who was the first to Scratch a turntable. Flicks like these will help the world know who these Great me are. Even a Scott La Roc Story with KRS one. Then the public would be aware of the beginnings. But we keep on with the "Get Rich or Die trying" movies. And the Youth will only have 50 cent to realte to. I'M A WRITER....you get me a budget and Word to my ADIDAS.... I will WRITE you a movie in 2 months about anyone of your veteran artist. Including an anniversay documetary on the "SELF DESTRUCTION" video and how it came about. It starts with us man.... the public only excepts what we give them. Holla at me if you want a script Chris. Im Serious... for little $$$$ I will write it for you with no attachment.... just a writer credit to share with you. It will be work for Hire project for you to Produce. I'll hand it in and be gone. I just want to see our Legends honored on the Silver Screen like the rest of them. Peace.
SAIR
WRATHANDFURY8685@AOL.COM or SAIR@NEXTEL.BLACKBERRY.NET

Posted by: Sair at March 14, 2006 10:25 AM

Chris--
I'll keep it brief, as everyone seems to be going on and on about this.
Historically, hip hop has mainly existed in the music industry to make money for record labels. It was treated like a fad, it was marketed like a fad and exploited like a fad. But then the records kept selling and selling and selling. SO, now it's big business. The problem is labels now only want disposable income from teens and young kids. They don't want adult contemporary money as far as hip hop. WHY THE HELL ELSE IS THERE NO CLASSIC HIP HOP RADIO FORMAT ON REGULAR, FREE RADIO? In Philadelphia alone, there are 3 classic rock stations. Rock is treated like a marathon (i.e. catalouge hits, reunion tours, merchandise, side projects) while hip hop is treated like a sprint (2 hot singles, clothing line deals, mixtapes, movie roles--i.e. instant gratification). It's that simple. CASH NOW, HIP HOP!!

Posted by: Zilla at March 14, 2006 04:59 PM

Chris,
You used to be at the LQ? Maybe the RoofTop and definitely Skate Key, or somewhere on Gun Hill, but the LQ? Never seent you.

Anyhoo,
What was the qestion that you posited? I thought that you were rambling a bit and it was unclear what your idea was. If the question is what Hip-Hop act can translate to the spectacle of Las Vegas headlining it would have to be MISSY. She likes elaborate outfits and her music lends to large scale productions like she has performed on awards shows. Plus white folks like MISSY and white folks are in the overwhelming majority when you look at people doing the vacay in Vegas.

I don't think Hip-Hop will end up like jazz since Hip-Hop has really been a form of pop music since the SugarHill Gang stole Grandmaster Caz' lyrics however many years ago. Hip-Hop is disposable and as soon as Reggaeton gets its shit together it will push Hip-Hop off to the side. Latin kids will bump that music because it will represent their truth greater than any music from that jewish kid from Houston, whatshisname?!? PAUL WAHL.

This is something that I can't even blame on you Chris. This is something that I did along with all the other people that loved Hip-Hop as the soundtrack to our lives. We thought that we would be young forever and we dismised Herc and Bam as 'old school'. Now that we have become 'old' ourselves we realize that the term 'old school' is a perjorative for something that is outdated and subsequently irrelevant.

I dont blame acts like 50CENT and Tony Yayo for claimimng to be in their mid twenties when they are really in their mid to late 30's(ain't 50 in some old Onyx videos?). To remain commercially viable these dudes have to act like their still in their teens. The shelf life for a Hip-Hop star is shorter than an NFL running back.

There won't be any Hip-Hop Rolling Stones although the ROOTS Crew might be the only people able to keep Hip-Hop alive after the Reggaeton takeover.

Posted by: Billy Sunday at March 15, 2006 02:56 AM

For the record, Chris was at the LO back in tha day. You might not recognize him because he was about 25 pounds lighter then, but he was there. It seemed like everytime I saw this brother he was in there fighting, but that was tha LQ then. It was kinda like club Speed on steroids.

Anyway, I just wanted to say if Chris is really about reading this board for feedback, he might wanna read tha board over at www.Daveyd.com. Its getting kinda interesting...

Posted by: Priest at March 15, 2006 12:53 PM

Trying to reach Chris Lighty, I have a booking for 50 Cent in Romania. Tony tone of The Cold Crush Brothers, 646-996-3960

Posted by: Tony Crush at March 15, 2006 02:11 PM

YO LIGHTY,

STOP PEDDLING BULLSHIT MIND NUMBING MUSIC AND START PUSHING ARTISTS THAT MAKE TIMELESS MUSIC AND THEN YOU'LL HAVE YOUR PROVERBIAL HIP HOP ROLLING STONES. THERE'S NO INTERGITY IN THE MUSIC AND THAT’S WHY IT’S SO DAMN DISPOSABLE. THINK FURTHER THAN YOUR FUCKING GREEDY NOSES. STOP JUMPING AS SOON AS SOMEBODY WAVES A DOLLAR BILL IN FRONT OF YOU. RESPECT THE MUSIC AND STOP WHORING IT OUT. HIP HOP TODAY IS LIKE THE HAIR METAL THAT RULED THE 80'S. ONE BIG FUCKING COMMERCIAL JOKE. FUCK THE ROLLING STONES AND LIGHTY'S OBVIOUSLY GREEDY INTENTIONS. WHERE THE FUCK IS THE HIP HOP NIRVANA TO SAVE US ALL FROM THIS SELL OUT BULLSHIT. HIPHOP NEEDS AN OVERHAUL. I SAY OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW. THESE FUCKS IN THE GAME HAD THERE TIME TO SHINE, ITS TIME FOR A NEW GENERATION TO STEP UP, TURNS THINGS AROUND AND SET THINGS RIGHT ONCE AND FOR ALL. I CHALLENGE YOU. SAY WORD.

Posted by: 13 at March 15, 2006 08:32 PM

Chris... not sure if you are even reading these Blogs. Especially over there on DAVEYD.COM. It's real over there. I don't even know what to say to a RICH GUY like you anymore. You got too much money and too much power to change now. The Illuminati has got you working the system. So unless you stop and do an about-face... you trapped. The Lord says drop your riches and follow after him (Jesus). Thats a start, Bro. Peace.

Posted by: SAIR at March 16, 2006 12:11 AM

For the record...
Priest may be on the Violator lunchtime expense budget because Chris Lighty is not one of the brawlick dudes from the L.Q. or U.S.(the friday nite pop).

No disrespect to Chris who had PayDay on smash and Mars and PowerHouse and $100,000 Bar, but NEVER L.Q. or U.S. That was my dudes from Ralph Ave and the fools from Harold Pink Houses.

That my friends is real talk for the record.

Posted by: Billy Sunday at March 16, 2006 03:07 AM

The demand for the old school artist is there. I am not saying they can play the Garden or Staples right away, however, I know people will pay to see them. I shoot pics in Atlanta at the largest event in the country for Old School Music; www.oldschoolsaturday.com and we pull 2000 plus every month. We play hip-hop from 1980-1995 and people lose their mind! If you don't think there is a market for this go to the site; trust me, this is not a plug. We don't need it!!

Posted by: Black Gold Photos at March 16, 2006 06:23 PM

To prove my point. Here' an excerpt from a 50 cent interview on MTV.com

50's got an album's worth of material in the can but expects none of it will make his next record when it's finally released.

50 Said,

"By the time the summer passes, the music that I planned to release will be dated to me and I'll have so many new ideas that I wanna write something else,"
--------------------------------------------------

Dude is admitting he only makes music for the moment and is not focused on creating anything that will stand the tests of time. So lighty if you see longevity in 50's music your barking up the wrong tree. Find an artist who wrote a song 5 years ago that could drop it today and its still the illest shit.
--------------------------------------------------

BRING BACK THAT REAL BOOM BAP!!!

Posted by: 13 at March 17, 2006 11:30 AM

50's right to a certain degree in this next excerpt taken from his MTV.com interview but coming from him of all people this is fucking hilarious. The most entertainment I've ever gotten out of 50 came when he said.

"A lot of the music that comes out of the South is kind of simplified and I think it's kinda 'cause they just wanna have a good time," he explained. "They don't wanna think about what [they] just said. ... They really didn't make sense, but they made sense in a way and they just wanna hear something while they're actually partying and it works for them. But when they don't take the time to make it the highest quality possible, it hurts the actual hip-hop [genre]. People wanna make music they can get away with as opposed to the best possible music they can make.

"They'll lower the grade of music," he continued. "It changes the range you can go and then it causes confusion amongst artists that don't have their own direction at that point and they all start making music that is similar. Like if the record comes out and it's a hit and it's the simplest thing on the planet, all of a sudden the new artists start writing records that are similar to that hit. Their motivation is to have a project that's successful and that will allow them to move out of the financial situations that they're in when you're in the 'hood or in the ghetto. They make it sound like the record that they hear playin' on the radio as opposed to just creating their own lane."
--------------------------------------------------
All this coming from the same dude that put Ja on Blast for singing on all his tracks. Look who singing now bitch, They should throw your lame ass in Guantanemo Bay for that shit. That Girlfriend track with Olivia is Wack. 50 Cent aka Chump Change.

Posted by: 13 at March 17, 2006 01:34 PM

Hello,
I've just read your updated input on hip-hop from the past. I love old school rap. It helps me to remember certain events of my childhood, especially since the eighties was the best time of my life. I would love to see old school artist do a concert. I must say at first, I didn't believe that there will ever be a time when hip-hop would elevate to the recognition like the rolling stones. However, 3-6Mafia won an oscar, there was the VH1 HIP-HOP HONORS, and Jay-Z was the firs hip-hop artist to have a show on showtime. Also, look at the hip-hop artist recording with musicians from other music genres. Mr. Lighty, you and your team at your company have done alot of impossible things in your careers. For instance, look at where you took 50 cent. No one wanted to deal with him, but you helped him become one of the most successful people in hip-hop. As well as AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL-EVA. Did you realize that she is the most successful winner from that show. Do you see what I'm trying to say. You have the power,experience, and the intelligence to help hip-hop go further, as-well-as getting more recognition to old school rappers.

Posted by: Mia Glitteratti at March 17, 2006 08:43 PM

Just hitting you guys up here in the blog to let you know that we have the new fire interviews coming out. Some with some violator clients. We have an ill feature with Nore that we filmed... if y'all want to catch a clip of it go to www.showandprovedvd.com and go to "DVD CLIPS". Click on the Nore joints... just a sample. I'll be putting up other clips of artsts we interviewed in a minute. remember, www.showandprovedvd.com

oh yeah, what's good chris?

I'm out

Show & prove DVD... it's Major

Posted by: G.Bent at March 20, 2006 03:09 PM

Jay-Z is that dude. He can perform tomorrow or ten years from now and fill MSG. His songs are classics AND they are huge radio hits. The man doesn't always put on a good show (Grammy's anyone?), but he is consistently good onstage. He is Hip Hop's "Rolling Stone" in the making.

Hip Hop is still too young (relatively compared to Rock) to truly have a Rolling Stones, but my bets are on Jay-Z to be that dude. Man, I'd fly out to Vegas to see the legend right now if he did a show there!

-KINGMIN
HTTP://KINGMINSTEEL.COM
HIP HOP BEATS WORLDWIDE.

Posted by: Kingmin at March 21, 2006 02:43 PM

Right now old school Hip Hop acts are touring all over Europe and making a ton of money. Here in the UK, where I am from, and in places like France, Germany, even Poland, old school hip hop acts to this day, are revered and respected. So much so that artists like Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, Slick Rick and Public Enemy can perform in the UK and will be paid close to 100k, just for doing a couple of shows. Many of you probably don't even know this but right now the the British pound is worth a hell of a lot more then the US dollar, so these artists are far from starving and still make a decent living. Also dates for their concerts sell out in minutes once announced in these countries. Fans who live outside America treat these artists as if they never went away, and the "golden era" of "hip hop" is still very much alive on these shores.

Posted by: Janice at March 22, 2006 03:20 PM

50 Cent: Money Machine
By Elliot Choueka
BBC Money Programme


Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is one of the biggest names in music today.

Arguably at the very top of his artistic game, 50 Cent (or Fiddy to you and me) isn't content with simply topping the charts.

His goals are much bigger. He wants business success in everything from footwear and clothing to condoms and sex toys.

"I don't see a limit. I feel like I can make billions and billions of dollars," 50 Cent tells the Money Programme.

Through his G-Unit business, 50 Cent is a brand in his own right.

The world's big brands are desperate to tap into the youth market, and today, that means getting close to some dangerous stars.

With 50 Cent on top of the pile, he's an obvious partner.

He now has his own gun-based video game, Bulletproof, and his deal with multi-national sports brand Reebok created a stir when their first TV advert with him was pulled, because of claims it glorified violence.

Backfiring business risk

Reebok declined to talk to the Money Programme about its partnership with 50 Cent, but his business manager, Chris Lighty, is more than aware of the dangers for the company.


50 Cent's 'bad boy' image predated his endorsement. So why did Reebok choose him in the first place?

"Of course the corporations have to look at it as a business risk, because they don't know if they will revert backwards," he says.

As it turned out, Reebok was right to be nervous.

They got 50 Cent to front their international campaign.

The television advertisement focused on the fact that he was shot nine times.

But complaints in the UK that it glorified violence forced them to pull the commercial.

But it's not just Reebok.

Hip-hop culture is full of expensive designer brands from Mercedes to Louis Vuitton to Courvoisier. You name it, they'll rap about it.

For the companies involved, that can lead to a big sales boost or it can lead to some very unwelcome publicity.

Brand plugging

For Cristal Champagne, it was a bit of a surprise when they became the rappers' champagne of choice.


Cristal's managing director, Frederic Rouzaud, says he was a little taken aback when he heard his brand mentioned in rap songs.

And how did he feel when he saw 50 Cent pour expensive Cristal over a dancer's backside in one of his videos?

"I would prefer to drink it," he says diplomatically.

"They should drink it."

Not one for doing things the standard way, 50 Cent takes brand plugging to a whole new height.

In his videos, as well as the big brands, you'll get a face full of G-Unit, the brand that is Fiddy himself and thus the key to his multi-million dollar business.

Watch his music videos or play his shoot 'em up computer game and see G-Unit plastered over anything that moves - clothes, shoes, jewellery, women. You name it, it's branded.

Big flop

In his music, 50 revels in his violent past as a drug dealer.

The presence of guns and violence are not far from many of his music videos.

But for industry watcher, Lucian James from the San Francisco-based Agenda, 50 Cent and his fellow hip-hop stars have been extremely canny.


"What people like 50 Cent have been able to do is to kind of repackage their early lives in a way that is a lot more brand-friendly, so there's an edge that's associated with it, but it's not something that the brands perceive as a real risk to them."

For some big brands, trying to buy cool has failed.

McDonald's, the world's biggest fast food chain, is desperate to keep in with the youth market and saw hip hop as the key to a piece of the action.

Last year, they offered to pay artists to rap about Big Macs.

The deal was cash per airplay for any song featuring a Big Mac.

Not surprisingly, the idea never flew, as not a single band would take up the offer from McDonald's.

DJ Semtex, hip-hop DJ for the BBC's 1Xtra radio station, says artists don't want to be seen to be bought.

"I think the problem with McDonalds is they were too blatant with their aims of what they wanted to do within hip hop.

The way that they came up the scene was like 'yeah, we're going to get into this culture and we're going to exploit and make some money and you're going to buy our food'."

But if companies are desperate to get on with 50 Cent, the same cannot be said for parents, who are upset by the language used in songs like I'm Supposed to Die Tonight, Gunz Come Out, P.I.M.P. and Wanksta.

We spoke to Wendy Payne and Wendy Rose whose daughters Chanice, Charlotte and Emma are huge 50 Cent fans.

"When he says motherf*****, I don't like that at all," says Ms Rose.

"It's not always necessary, the constant swearing," adds Ms Payne.

Gangsta mobile

Not one to sit still, 50 Cent is pressing on with another new business plan, namely a push into the world of mobile phones with the creation of the G-Mobile brand.

His people won't tell us which mobile phone company they're hoping to work with, but for any big corporation seeking to cash in on the 50 Cent brand, the risks remain.

"Hip hop is such a huge global diverse thing that really references the whole of youth culture," says Mr James.

"There's a relevance in hip hop for all brands.

"But that said, it's a pretty snaky medium for brands to get involved in and bigger, slower moving traditional companies have a lot of trouble.

"It's essentially the same struggle that a lot of brands have being cool. Cool travels very quickly and you risk... chasing it and always being a step behind."

So for the big companies, tying in with 50 Cent remains a gamble.

But for the man himself, it's a win-win situation.

As well as more music, he's now planning another videogame, more films and lots of new G-Unit gear. He thinks his career as a money making machine is only just beginning.

"My lifestyle has changed so dramatically in a three-year period," says 50 Cent.

"Now it would be extremely difficult for you to make me believe I can't do something that I put my mind to.

The Money Programme: 50 Cent: Money Machine. BBC Two at 7pm on Friday 17 March.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/business/4813912.stm

Posted by: Wendy Day at March 23, 2006 12:43 PM

Chris,

Check out my comment, I'm on the grind looking for entry-level work in artist management. I've worked with the camp in Miami (Barry, David [street elements])


Kyle Weston Allen
2193 E. Village Rd * Southampton, PA 18966 * 267-237-5959 * kyle215@verizon.net

WORK EXPERIENCE
Production Advisors, New York, NY November 2005 - Present
Personal Assistant to CEO:
?Assisting the president with daily administrative and personal projects.
?Administrative duties include data entry, filing, faxing, phones and business arrangements.
?Assisting Music Supervisor with music searches and placement for national televised ad campaigns.
?Corresponding daily with performing rights organizations (BMI, ASCAP) music publishing companies, (Warner Chappell, Sony, EMI) and with the world's top ad agencies such as JWT and BBDO Detroit.

Truth® / GTM Marketing / And1 May 2005-September 2005
Truth® Spokesperson & Brand Ambassador
?2005 And1 Mixtape Tour / TheTruth.com; anti-tobacco campaign. (30 city national tour.)
?Facilitated interactive programs targeting inner city youth.
?Served as mentor and role model together with And1 athletes to promote informed decisions through education about the harmful effects of smoking
?Interfaced with Television/Radio/Print Media as a spokesperson for the Truth® campaign.


Universal Records, New York, New York January 2005-May 2005
Internship: Top 40 Radio/Video Promotions Department.
?Responsible for assisting the Coordinators, National Director and VP of Pop Promotion.
?Duties included the highlighting and searching of Universal artists on many tracking reports such as Mediabase, BDS, R&R, and Neilson Soundscan.
?Assisted with the shipping and packaging of promotional items to radio/video stations throughout the country.
?Responsible for distributing daily updated reports to the Directors and VP's in the Top40 Radio/Video Department.


Vencer Corporation, Miami, FL January 2003-December 2004
Marketing/PR Assistant
?Administrative duties: filing, faxing, travel arrangements and data entry.
?Assistant to the CEO responsible for the marketing and promotion of clients that included: Universal Records, Jive Records, VP Records, BadBoy Entertainment, PMI (Vote or Die 2004 Presidential Election Campaign) and Violator Management.
?Project Manager/Street Team Coordinator for the promotion of Missy Elliot's clothing line (Respect M.E.) during VMA weekend in Miami, FL 2004.


WIXQ 91.7 FM, College Radio, Millersville University Fall Semester 2002
CO-Host Urban Music Show
?Responsible for logging songs that reached airways.
?Managed and operated music sound board for the duration of the program.
?Assisted in the creation of promotional drops for local night clubs that aired on our show.
?Helped organize talent showcases held by WIXQ.

EDUCATION

Miami Dade College, Miami, FL.
Associate of Science, December 2004
Major: Music Business / Business Management
Cumulative GPA: 3.64 out of 4.00

Millersville University, Millersville, PA
Business Management Major 2002-2003


ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Computer Skills: Working knowledge of the following programs: Windows and Macintosh OS; MS Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); WordPerfect.


References available upon request.

Posted by: Kyle Allen at March 24, 2006 04:10 PM

nah the consumers of today dont have no loyalty to artist, why you think the youth of today have made "snitches" a household name. plus artist have no conception of what a corporation in terms of being a spider company in the business game. when a artist get signed they should go pick up "titan: an autobiography of John Rockefeller" to see how to really roll a company in to a 50 year plus franchise like the Rolling Stones.

Posted by: mark "doughboy" hicks at March 29, 2006 01:43 PM

Whats up cuzzo. the hip hop industry is evolving so fast 50 Cent and Jay-Z are Rolling Stones... Every time u turn around its a new Fad, Texas had there time last year with Mike Jones, and the chopped in screwed sound, Now we have the snap movement with D4L, Dem Franchise boys and other various southern Artist. The Fads are good and they sell for a short period of tyme. What it all boils down to is if you make good music you can last for ever. You can have a concert when ever you want. Once you start being a follower you loose your orginality or what made people like you in the first place.

Larry

Posted by: Larry P at March 30, 2006 01:02 PM

I have a classic collection in my PC and IPOD. Hearing old-school hip-hop brings memories and emotions. I'm not sure if the problem rests in demand, it appears people want to see these shows, but you also have to ask how many of these "old-school" artists would want to participate (would they be acknowledging themselves as has-beens). There needs to be an adequate venue and promotion...there is a need for additional outlets and I am surprised you don't have more successful artists focusing on this area as opposed to let's say, a clothing line.

You raise a good point about the Rolling Stones booking tours but there are young active hip-hop artists that cannot book tours. There are WAY more opportunities for artists in the Rock genre. They can live as independent artists while rap artists have doors closed and have no choice in some cases but to pimp their talent in exchange for exposure. Some people have this mentality where if you don't have a song currently on the charts, you shouldn't do shows and if you don't have a recording contract you should get paid for performance...both in my opinion are dead wrong.

Old-School artists will have a tough time booking gigs, as do indie/unsigned/DIY hip-hop artists (unless you're all-ages, non-threatening type of artist (unlike 50 Cent). Don't get me wrong, there are opportunities to perform...but they are dubbed "showcases" and un-comped (despite ridiculous draw and sub-promotion requirements). That's an example of the modern day pimping going on in this industry and THAT is much more disturbing. I'm a hip-hop artist from NY and when I perform on home turf where I have to rent out venues and throw shows personally to ensure I make money. I don't know about Vegas or how receptive they would be, personally I'm headed to Europe and plan to start my tour in Germany - the mentality and culture is different. I respect what you are saying Chris, ultimately it appears this isn't about shows it's about public perception...which is extremely difficult to change.

Posted by: SHEE at March 31, 2006 11:54 AM

50 Cent Takes Shots @ Kanye, Again

In what is starting to become a trend here at Palms Out Sounds, 50 Cent has once again said some hypocritical junk that borders on clinical insanity to the press. According to sohh.com, 50 made an appearance on New York's Hot 97 morning show and told Miss Jones:

"They like Kanye West cause he's a safe n**ga," 50 offered. "It's better for your kid to wanna dress weird and just have a whole other vibe," Fiddy mocked before adding, "He said something in an interview one time that made me think about it. He said cause he was raised by his mother, he has feminine ways. That right there is who Kanye West is to me. That statement is stuck in my head. He said it like he meant it."

Now let's get one thing straight, Fiddy, since we're talking about "safe" here. "Safe" is dissing Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Gangstalicious or any other so called mic wielding thugster in the game. "Safe" is not poppin sh*t with the g**damn President of the United States (and I quote- "George Bush doesn't care about black people" -Kanye West, MSNBC 2005).

That's not rap, homie, that's beef.

That's the kind of beef that got MLK murked and Assata Shakur ducking in Cuba. That's the kind of beef that started COINTELPRO (a program designed by the government itself to undermine and destroy the leaders of the black power movement- this is not conspiracy, this is FACT), and led to the sudden and widespread dissemination of crack cocaine in the inner cities. Pardon the slight ramble, but my point is that this here government in this here fine country has historically cut down any educated, outspoken black man in a position of influence. Harris tweed rocking, sweater vest toting, Kanye West is such a black man, and aint a muthaf**kin thing safe about that.

Lest I remind you, Fiddy, that you're the very same individual that deliberately and admittedly removed any possible revolutionary potential out of your crew, label and clothing company name by changing it from "Guerrilla Unit" to "Gorilla Unit." Besides the offensive connotations that this name change has in relating yourself and your completely African-American crew to apes, a ridiculous correlation white supremacists have made regarding blacks on a whole historically, it also unmistakably exposes the profound levels of cowardice that inhabits your persona, and your disturbing aversion to openly bucking a system that has a vested interest in keeping the masses, but most particularly, black people, ignorant.

Now I ask you 50, with your shiny spinning Gorilla Unit chain, whom of Kanye and yourself is really, "safe"?


http://palmsout.blogspot.com/

Posted by: FUK50 at April 4, 2006 11:20 PM

Ok so I am hella late on the post, but man it just hit me last week listening to Donuts over and over that I took seeing slum vill for granted when they came to nyc. I never knew Dilla, but I damn shall wanted to meet him see him perform...which brings me to my point, I'm 24 and my intro to hip hop was Ladies Love Cool James, Run DMC, MC Lyte and Salt N Pepa, that's who I heard on the radio as a little kid, by the time I really got into it and started buying CD's the folks I was buying was Big, Pac west coast asrtist and definetly my Yay Area folks, like 40 Water. Anywho, I don't know all of my history in hip hop an don't claim too, but I know what I know from the point that I was introduced, and I know that when I'm 34 the artists that I would still wanna see aren't even alive, mainly Tupac, Biggie, J Dilla, Big L. If you can live to be as old as the rolling stones great, but music and access to it is different, where ever I am around the globe the latest release is only a download away, maybe as my peers get older, hip hop gets older well see artists doing there thing. Me personally I'm putting my money on Snoop and Friends live from Vegas in like 20 years, I betcha he would be the first to set that off, and hell yea I'd be the first in line to buy that ticket.

As a lil sidebar though,
As I am still so young in the game, I have to shout out folks I look up to that teach me about what hip hop was/is can be. So big up to my favorite hip hop griot Fab 5, man yall know the rest...

Another side bar,
LL is pretty close to the that rolling stones ideal, I remember being 4 and jumping around to that man's beats, fast forward 20 years I'm in da club jumping around to that man's latest single. Don't you worry Chris there's always hope.

Posted by: dJafricA81 at April 12, 2006 08:04 PM

Chris,

In terms of Rolling Stones of Hiphop it seems that is has to do with the relationship of the brand to the fan. The Rolling Stones of hiphop are dead. If Biggie and TUpac were still here imagine what they're concerts would be like...

Hiphop despite many nay sayers continues to grow and engulf the planet more and more on the daily. As we enter this next culture shift into a remix culture (seeing Jay Z on stage with A Beatle and Linkin Park) I think that hiphop has a different legacy that infiltrates our society at every level... as this continues and expands certain brands which achieve cross over commercialism, Jay Z is a great example of this as I could see where his unplugged and madison square garden events were firsts in touching the vision your question addresses in the first place.... The hiphop space is no different than hollywood or the trl generation in terms of relevance and attention span of the audiences... but the rolling stones, the beatles, U2, etc are exceptions who have had that following. If you scale this hasn't public enemy had that effect? Jay Z could do Vegas, Snoop could do vegas... he has been killing africa and new zealand etc.... you probably will be able to have the same effect with 50 as he begins to slaughter hollywood with all of these news roles... Tupac and Biggie would have been the Rolling Stones I think you are seeking thought Jay and Nas Emniem 50 and Smoop are not at that same level in terms of Iconographic Legend but still doing there own thing.... Eminem's concerts have felt quite Rolling Stone or rather Elvisish...

Hope tha tyou are well Chris... We met in Cannes at the Majestic Hotel in January...

Posted by: Joey P at April 12, 2006 10:38 PM

Chris whut up,my name is prince,i used to intern with violator back when simone was there,
I just wanted to send my condolences to The family of Proof,we lost another soldier in the war (R.I.P)

Posted by: Prince at April 14, 2006 07:22 PM

This wild because I'm gonna be 40 next year and I was saying to my wife we should do an eighties party and book an act or two from our past because I know they can't be getting no money. Like if we put on somebody like Roxanne Shante or UTFO that would be hot!. Then I thought its not right we don't have a hip hop rolling stones. We got too much vanity about us to rhyme at 59. I know KRS would feel no way.

Posted by: CoknI at April 18, 2006 09:02 PM

Maybe if guys like you stood behind acts like A Tribe Called Quest there would be some rolling stone action...instead of dissin and dismissin em as soon as their # dropped

Posted by: SANGANO at April 19, 2006 01:58 PM

Hi Chris its mourad from cannes, i was the guy taking care of you this january for the musics award in france.
I know that you are planning to do something with michael jackson, and planning to come in monaco for the GP in may. I thought that we can make something together that will be more than U2 or the rolling stones why don t we do a show case with 50 and michael in cannes the week of the film festival ? i got allready the budget and the autorisations. contact me

Posted by: Mourad at April 25, 2006 09:11 AM

CL, you've been in the game too long not to realize that hip hop is a young man/woman's sport. Yes Big Daddy Kane, KRS etc can rock a show and get a crowd but peep this.. Hopefully some of us grow up (it doesn't seem like it from watching your 30something rappers, Ghostface comes to mind) and when we are 45, got a mortgage etc like you posted a few months back, listening to songs about bitches and hoes in a smoke filled room does not quite appeal to you that much. It's music that targets young people. Hopefully, every rapper who makes it is smart about their money, so that when the well does run dry, they're stil set for life, and if they rock shows, its course they want to not have to.

Posted by: Hip Hop Love at May 1, 2006 09:50 AM

let stop talking Bs and get this popping. We need our "old school", we need to go out to these venues and support them if we start now they can become as big or even bigger the some of those rockers also. We have the power to do so! let make it happen.

Secondly, for those who are not sure if chris was at LQ or union sq. back in the days on Friday and Saturday night just remember all the fight and shit and Red Alert calling out the violators to come to the booth. Further more Pig, Dog, hulk and some of the Dcep can tell you. Chris was called baby chris anyway! Peace

If there is any old school artists that is reading this blog send me your information and lets start networking! Lets get it popping!
send to:
chrisali555@verizon.net

Fatherhood Summit June 17,2006 for information checkout realdadsnews.com

chrisali555@verzion.net
Psychologist/occupational coach/Family & Youth therapit

Posted by: chrisali Original Violators at May 23, 2006 09:31 PM

THE HIP HOP ROLLING STONES ARE EASILY NEW JERSEY'S OWN A.L.P. a.k.a. THE MAGNUM BOYS. THEY ARE RADICAL, SEXY, REBELLIOUS, VIBRANT, YOUTHFUL...
WWW.MPACTWORLDMEDIA.COM
WWW.INDIE911.COM/BILLY-CASH-A-L-P-
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/BILLYCASHAKAHOLLYWOOD
Mr. Lighty I commend you on years of excellence. It is people like yourself that inspire and motivate the youth of today to be great leaders in the future. I just wanted to bring to your attention a very serious issue. NJ has undergone many changes within the past five years due to gang activity and violence. However, there is one group of artists that actually have combined old school rap with positive/ influential messages while simultaneously adopting mainstream flows and production to bring to the public the closest thing to Tupac since his death. They perform at rallies and marches of self awareness and non violence while still managing to get the utmost respect in many of the worst areas in NJ. These guys are able to talk about real life and real things so that real people can relate. if you visit www.myspace.com/allloyalpeople you will be able to hear some outsanding positive tracks about 'World Peace' 'Mother's Day' and 'Black History Month'. Billy Cash and A.L.P. are focused on making music and not just rapping to a beat. Visit www.myspace.com/alpakathemagnumboys to get a sample of the group's activities.

Posted by: Corey Dishmen at July 3, 2006 02:19 PM

Chris,
When hip-hop artists use the full potential of the record MAKING procedure, like the rock groups did...( i.e. songwriter, producer, engineer, musicians, a&r, runners, PLAN ) then we will have long lasting rich hip hop artists. When the musical genre gets the respect, budgets and attention that those groups used to get then we will have longevity.
thanks,
Jesus
(aka E.danger aka Erick Coomes)
Producer/Bassist/Songwriter
P.S. it will also take the artist(m.c.) becoming somewhat humble, at least when in the studio with someone that deserves respect.

Posted by: Erick Coomes at October 5, 2006 10:17 PM