yeah Chris,
I am listening to you but you still keep talking sideways.

You talk about the Hip-Hop industry, which you are knee deep in judging by the ginormous smile that you have on your face when surrounded by Lyor and Jay-Z and a short person that appears to be Macauley Culkin?

You talk about Hip-Hop culture, about preserving an artist's legacy so that they might one day be considered on par with a Rolling Stones and you even post pictures of yourself with the great BAMBAATAA.

And then you tell us that Hip-Hop is a "hit driven sport. Where you always have to have the new and next hit to play in this gladiator arena." You have confused me yet simultaneously awoken me to the truism that you speak.

Hip-Hop is a sport, like wrestling, except that sometimes the fake blood is replaced with... real blood (R.I.P. B.I.G., Tupac, Big L, Proof, etc.).

Hip-Hop is part of the music industry, the popular music industry, like Franky Valle and the Supremes and disco music. It is disposable like all of those items. It is no longer transcendant like jazz or blues because it is based solely on creating a consumable byproduct.

Hip-Hop is not a culture, capitalism is a culture and your Hip-Hop is caught up in the bottomline of a corporations ledger sheet. No one ever said making money was a bad thing, but at what cost around you would you choose to become king? Hip-Hop does not have to be mutually exclusive from success and values. Having values lost its meaning in the capitalistic culture. Value is placed on individual items and not the groups of people that they can be shared with. I agree with you that there isn't a need for "charity" but there should be a better sense of perspective for how art, especially popular art shapes peoples' realities.

I don't admonish you or making money. I once sold drugs hand to hand and I even sold to a dude that was my little league coach. Because I was 16 at the time I did not have the values system of a man. How ridiculous would that be of me now that I am 36? My value system evolved to serve the community that I live in.

With an artist portfolio consisting of the biggest names in rap music today and yesterday, you could be shaping the history of Hip-Hop. For all I know YOU ARE shaping the legacy of Hip-Hop (you look mighty happy in that above flick and that is a beautiful thing).

Chris, I appreciate that fact that you actively engage the anonymous multitudes with your personal thoughts. That's real courage because you never know what people's reactions will be to the things that you write. Just be prepared to have some folks check you when you speak on disimiliar terms. It's all good, you will still be rich and we will still be poor. I saw the folks on 'Good Times' smile every once in awhile.

Without you there wouldn't have been no J.B.'s so you can't be all bad. Funny thing that I just now peeped is that you have adopted the signature signoff phrase "Persistence overcomes resistance" from the 107.5 Mr. Magic show. While you were carrying poo poo juice for Red Alert was your walkman tuned to WBLS? That my dude, would be industry rule #3,080.

Of course the artists want money - it's their job.

But the thing is how big success affect the creativity on certain people. Example: Some rappers goes from talking about real life events on their first album, goes 2x platinum, and then the next album is full of talk about "nothing" if you know what I mean.

Second, the major labels screws up some albums, because they want more pop type of tracks - to get the major mass appeal - then what choices do the artist have if they doesn't fully agree?...

Anyway, feel free to check out the best Flipmode site online:
http://www.geocities.com/bustaunofficial

Peace

my correction to the above - industry rule #4,080

"If knowledge is the key then just show me the lock.
Got the scrawny legs but I move just like Lou Brock,
With speed. I`m agile plus I`m worth your while.
One hundred percent intelligent black child.
My optic presentation sizzles the retina.
How far must I go to gain respect? Um.
Well, it`s kind of simple, just remain your own
Or you`ll be crazy sad and alone.
Industry rule number #4,080,
record company people are shady.
So kids watch your back `cause I think they smoke crack,
I don`t doubt it. Look at how they act.
Off to better things like a hip-hop forum.
Pass me the rock and I`ll score with decorum and ...
Proper. What you say Hammer? Proper.
Rap is not pop, if you call it that then stop."
-Q TIP

Umm Chris I think you meant Billy Sunday not Wendy as she was the one defending you. and for the gentlemen who said forget the old school..you better learn from them so you don't repeat their mistakes. Umm, how many fake millionaires are in the business? Fly ass car but no food in their refrigerator? Dead ass broke with no publishing? Probably about 80% of the artists out the gate. Pimps can't survive without any hoes, stop getting pimped by the system and learn your worth. You can not blame one man for a whole system..if you don't like a job you leave it for another one. What makes music different? Consumers really don't know the extent of their power.

Hey Chris,

I am from germany and i always check your blog. like to learn more about the music business and find it really interesting what you write about.

you didnt say anything about the pic, what did cha do with the boy jay-z?

lyhor is the king

all the best from germany

are you a soccer fan?

danny

Chris, keep doing what u have to get that GWOP. Who cares what these people say on this blog. U shouldnt let these people see you react your Chris Lighty. These people are nobodys maybe even myself in your eyes. Its Ok. Its alright to make money. the culture has really died. Its time for the next generation of music we'll see... the south is like New York in the 80's its a intresting time right now down here, they havent been tanted with all the bullshit as of yet. I understand that this is not a charity its a business there are no handouts...lol

Larry

peace out cuzzo

WWW.GOTCHEDDA.COM

look out for that GOT GWOP? DVD " A Day In Tha A"
Summer 2006

nice picture chris! lol

do you really belive that hip-hop is a rainbow of colors?

Why is hip hop the only musical genre where grown men and women portray themselves to be other than adults?

Why don't you promote artists who are not afraid to be adults?

If you live in a mansion in the Hamptons, are we really to believe that you sell crack?

Are the artists that you manage indicative of the BET mentality, in that artists have to be dumb or dumb down their lyrics because you think Black people are dumb and would not understand intelligent, thought provoking lyrics?

The artists in other genres whose legacies truly live on have substance as well as style. Their lyrical content is timeless. What will be the timeless lyrical contributions offered by your artists?

I was at my daughter's last day of class yesterday. They were having a party and dancing to the radio. It was early afternoon. The songs being played consisted of shaking asses, selling drugs, killing Black men, disrespecting women, etc. Is it only the radio station's responsibility to ensure quality music is presented during daytime hours, or do record companies have a responsibility to market music that is proper for all listening ages?

I loved NWA as a youngster, but they were underground and I had to sneak to listen to them. It seems that today, most music that should be mainstream is relegated to the underground, and most music that should be underground is presented via the mainstream.

What's wrong with adult material being marketed to adults instead of children?

Peace
G

I really think theres is a lot of hate going on with this blog. Then again thats just life and so people will always hate. But haters need to know that you are just making an individual(hustler) work harder when you hate. So while you log on to a blog at your 9-5 with the intent to criticize, the owner of the blog is out there working harder than you will ever work and stacking more paper than you will see in your life.

when people are discussing a topic inside a forum and opening up all the ramifications of that topic why does some ignorant person always say 'hater'?

I love Hip-Hop culture but I despise popular rap music not because of its content but actually for its lack of content.

I don't think Chris loves Hip-Hop culture because his mind seems squarely set on making money and not feeding the culture. Chris isreally a cultural hustler. He is the kind of person that corporations look to when they want to sell something to Black people.

Chris, why are you smiling so hard in that picture above? Is Paul Simon letting you touch his puny manhood?

Chris says: "First I would like to tell Wendy "wake up this is the music business not the playground or park jams."

Wendy says: Please learn how to read your own Blog format. The poster's name goes UNDER the post, not above it. And while I am happy for you to check me ANYTIME on anything I say, please check me over shit that I actually wrote and NOT some hip hop purist taking a dump on you. I think I may have done enough deals in this industry to understand that it's, uh, a business. And to those who emailed me with kudo's for dissing Chris, I didn't--I have his back on this! But thanks for the love as always!

Davey,

Again, I dont get the point in letting Chris post. And I'm not saying you shouldn't ALLOW him the forum, I'm just saying that he doesn't seem to be doing anything other than trying to pimp this forum for his own sake of credibility. None of his posts seem to be about creating a productive dialouge or making a change in the direction of the music, it just seems to be self serving rhetoric about how much he is down. Being that that isn't the walk he walks in this game, it just seems to me like he's full of Shit.

And to Chris lighty:

As for your response to my remark about Lyor (Because it was I who made that comment,) It wasn't about the fact that Lyor is white. I've met with Lyor and respect him for who he is. My point was that you were posting the pics of Bam like you represent that side of the Hip Hop culture when the reality of it is, that you represent the corporate faction of the movement and that would be better represented by you posting a picture of you standing next to Lyor than you standing next to Bam. It had nothing to do with the color of his skin, so I ask that if you are going to respond to a comment that I make Chris, please do not twist my meaning outta context.

And that swipe you took at Wendy was some old bull.shit too because she was one of the few people defending you. Not only that, but I think she is proof that it's not about the color of your skin but your dedication to the artform. She has proven time and time again that she is has that sense of dedication Chris. Can you say that you have? I must say she's done a hell of a lot more than you do so I wouldn't throw stones if I were you. If anything she should be commended for still continuing to show you love.

For the record, my posts are not about trying to be an internet thug, not only that, i've seen how you get down in times of crisis at the LQ back in the days Fam, so let's not go there. All I have ever done is call it like i see it. I didnt create the perception of you that exzists in this industry, you did that yourself. So don't get tight when someone who knows what times it is holds up the mirror for you to look at. If you don't like what you see then change it.

Although, I gotta point out that for you it would be easier to write off my response as me being an internet thug rather than deal with the reality of the fact that I might be speaking the truth when I say that you have become an interloper of the Hip Hop culture who's only true concern is exploiting the art form for your own monetary gain. I'm just saying, if you gonna be sell out, then be that, just dont condescend to those of us who truly represent Hip Hop like you are down with us because based on your track record you not doing that homeboy, you are faking jax.

But i'd bet money that you will continue to be the coward you've been being in this game Chris. Its worked for you this far, why break a perfect record.

Priest

Wow, there are some thought provoking post here.

Chris,

How are you? I'm sure busy as ever...but it's me, NickkiG (grandaughter of the man who married you and you wife).

I will be visiting your site more often, checking up on things.

Keep The Hip-Hop Rainbow alive!!!

Chris, you're so full of shit. Hip Hop is the most destructive genre of music that ever exsisted. Be honest and quit being so defensive. Every other word that comes out of these coons and posers faces is how there gonna kill some other brother. I used to support the "cause" until I realize that the only cause was to get rich and live up in the masters house. Way to go!

so, everyone that supports the hip hop culture, but disapproves of the job chris is doing.. realize that this forum is set up so he can tap the hip hop culture for its truest senses. your feedback keeps chris in touch with trends, influences, and information he needs to make informed decisions to push the hip hop money maker forward. if you disapprove, don't comment. you are feeding the beast.

Baby Chris (You're old school Red Alert Name from Back in The days), you touched on the issue of Black Eyed Peas. I'm not here to defend them at all but you stated some points that really needed to be said. With the BEP They're an alternative in Hip Hop although many may not think that they're not hip hop but they are. Will.I.Am is actually an ill cat on the mic that's being slept on (I think I'm being slept on as a producer!!!!!!!).

Although some of us wish to go back to the park jams of back then Hip Hop has grown. Everyone is making money and that's really the bottom line. There's a few that's given back but there's no need to brag about giving back too. One thing about Hip Hop from when I started listening to it in the early 80s is that we like to brag about alot of things to show off but anything charitable we keep on the hush and its only a few that actually do charity work.

Hip Hop is a culture and a business. I crack up whenever I hear a rapper downplaying another rapper for being overly commercial and being heard and paid. Now I don't really like FM radio much as it is but I don't knock anyone for getting paid because maybe that'll be me with my beats one day but to those underground rappers, Producers, DJs, or just listening Hip Hop critics that isn't getting that cheddar that alot of these cats are getting whether they deserve it or not, you'll get yours too one day too unless you keep hating on others. Haters go nowhere despite having talent in the game.

Gee-O
http://www.myspace.com/nikkigio

Two things come to me when reading this specific entry and its comments...

One is in regards to hip hop as an idea and/or culture and the other is in regards to a specific individual's impact/dedication/responsibility to this said culture.

I'll only give my opinion on the first...
What sticks out sorely to me is the fact that the term "selling out", especially when used in the urban culture, has too much to do with moving out of the projects or gaining a cross over audience. That ain't selling out. Who gives a shit about such matters. "Selling out" should be a term reserved for those who have no premonition to go back to the hood to rebuild what is destroyed yet who continually reap the financial benefits of portraying the lifestyle there and then feeding that protrayal to the masses.

Who cares if 50cent doesn't sell crack anymore yet still raps about it or that Trina ain't stripping or if Beans getting shot was a publicity stunt or not. I mean who really cares? At the end of the day none of us on our daily grind care about the Maybach Jay has or the 100 grand Young Geezy paid for his grill. Cats hustling on street corners or baby mamas doing it on they own don't. Everyday people striving for better circumstances for themselves and their family care only about obtaining needs. And the preservation of foundational ideals (i.e. each one teach one, It takes a village) from which we all can benefit get lost in that grind sometimes. And so it'd be a decidely good thing if some of these practices were endorced and enforced by someone who's been in our shoes or who knows the struggle and who has the resources to extend it and the visibility factor to carry it. Selling out means using Hip Hop to get rich and not giving back to the communities that shape it in the first place. The subjects artists choose to write about is merely a vehicle for their expression. What matters most is the action they place behind those words.

HAHAHHA I LOVE THIS CONVERSATION ITS SO INTERESTING

Someone stole my damn entry. It's says posted by Giovanni (Gee-O) and he know damn well he didn't write that. I wrote that shit. Please tell me this is a genuine mistake cause if niggas stealing comment entries that's a damn shame. Come up with some shit on yo own or learn how to work out the kinks on ya message boards!

Damn. My bad. I was reading that shit wrong...

Rap is like any other form of art it immitates life. And those who are more concerned with others perceptions of life and not their own need to re-evaluate what motavates them, and why they have a need to tell the next man what he should or should not like. Rap is the voice of Black America. It is not perfect and I like it that way. And if you still need to ask what makes rap music so special, I will answer it for you......... The People, the ones who make it, the one who listen too it and the ones who love to write about it like me.

Big Black
Black TV
www.toledorap.com