JumpinJack AJ

I can't understand why so many of u are saying that what's "hot" is what Hip-Hop is or must be. Hip-Hop music is based off Hip-Hop culture...off the lifestyle. Not the charts. If u think Ja-Rule and 50 Cent are representing that, that's your thing. If u think Hip-Hop is drugs, ho's, money, and being hard...then maybe u've never been exposed 2 it or educated on it. Sure, some people live that lifestyle...but these cats selling millions of records aren't. And why would an incredible Hip-Hop artist like Mary J. Blige work with lowlifes like 50 Cent. Because the music business is both music and business. Record labels and producers pull that stuff 2gether half the time. That's why many artsits getting interviewed can't say 2 much about the other artists' career...cuz they simply aren't truly fans of their music in the 1st place. Hip-Hop is life...your around the way brother writing rhymes every night in his bedroom isn't anymore or less Hip-Hop then a legend like Rakim. There's a million cats who love this thing called Hip-Hop and who are doing it without the fame or the big money. Joe, u said u've never heard of Arrested Development. U can buy Eminem's and Ja-Rule's albums all u want. But Arrested Development waz on top of the charts and winning Grammies years b4 those 2 even recorded their 1st rhyme. After AD took a break, they desided 2 keep things indie cuz the music business is a joke. By saying u've never heard of Arrested Development, u have just shown your limited knowlege on Hip-Hop. I'm not knocking u at all, but how can u say Ja-Rule is Hip-Hop if u haven't even heard the real thing. I know about real Hip-Hop...i know about old school...and i know about this new commercial trash polluting the airwaves. Take it 4 what it is. But don't defend the trash until u hear the gems or get a taste of Hip-Hop culture yourself. I'm not the only one who feels this way....i'm just the only willing 2 jump in the ring. Those who i've talked 2 outside of the board should step up for what they believe in...but even if they don't, i've done it 4 them. Bigted, i always respect your opinion on Hip-Hop...what happened. I'm not the only one on this board scratching my head. I'm out.

I could never really get in 2 Jay-Z after 1998...and even tho' i respect alot of Nas' stuff, i can't say i follow him that closely. But it is refreshing 2 read something like this. At the same time, am i the only one who is having "The Best of Both Worlds" flashbacks??

I'm sick of these immature, talent-lacking fools who are getting record deals who are shooting, stabbing, and fighting each other. It's time 2 grow up learn some self control. Busta needs 2 start hanging out with people of his caliber.

KELLY CLARKSON - Because of You (live on the Grammies) Breakthrough (2004) This song is amazing. 2 see her put it 2 the stage (while looking beautiful) is great.

MARY J. BLIGE feat. DAVE YOUNG - Alone The Breakthrough (2005) Amazing song off and amazing album!!

Don't tell me 2 sit back and accept the current trash on the radio and label it Hip-Hop. That's just crazy. Hip-Hop hasn't changed over time. The commercial side of things have changed...but that doesn't mean my taste in music will. Just cuz watered down, talent lacking fools like Nelly, Ja-Rule, and 50 Cent are on the charts doesn't mean they are the face of Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop is alive and well thru' the artists who are making real music...quality music from the heart. Nelly, G-Unit, and Lil' Jon make commerical Rap music...period. U can't change the definition of Hip-Hop music 2 fit what's popular. Listen 2 Lifesavas, Arrested Development, The Fugees, Kel Spencer, etc. That's Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop has different styles. That's why there is Run-DMC, then there's OutKast, then there Digable Planets, then there's The Roots, then there's Public Enemy, etc. Notice the different styles...but it's all Hip-Hop. Nelly, 50 Cent, J-Kwon...that's commercial rap. Hip-Hop heads don't respect that or listen 2 it. Ain't nothing wrong with commercial rap...but don't spit on Hip-Hop's name by saying Ja-Rule is Hip-Hop.

We should start another poll. How many people who voted "Big Will" own at least 3 JJ+FP albums b4 they made their opinion.

HaPPy BiRTHDay!!!

Lost + Found my friend...Lost + Found.

BLACK EYED PEAS - My Humps (Lil' Jon Remix) My Humps (Australian Import CD Single / Monkey Business (2005)

Very cool. But where did they get the info that The Score waz their 1st album?!?!?!?!

Props 2 Spike Lee!! I couldn't have said it better.

By no stretch could i ever look at Nelly as a Hip-Hop artist. I'm not saying it's wrong 2 do party joints. After all, everyone of my favorite artists have done it a few times (JJ+FP, LL, Run-DMC, S-N-P, KN'P, EPMD, MC Lyte, Busta Rhymes, etc). But i've heard his albums in their entirety. He has a song or 2 that i can identify with like "Dilemma" and "Over And Over," but by no means does that justify him making an entire library of songs like Hot In Herre, Tilt Ya Head Back, Grillz, Air Force Ones, and dozens of others just like that that rediculous subject matter, wack lyrics, and cookie cutter, light weight beats. I don't see a bit of heart in his music and if his music dose properly represent the person he is...he's a discusting, shallow kind of person. We are talking Hip-Hop here. How can u put someone like Nelly in the same class as Gang Starr.

I actually liked "Hey Ma" for the 1st 3 months. Then it got annoying. The beat waz dope...but the chorus got really annoying really fast. There isn't many songs i hated, and then liked later. Back when Biggie 1st came out...after "Juicy," i couldn't stand when his music got played. I hated his music with a passion. YEARS down the road i actually didn't mind hearing his old stuff on the radio. A few of the late 90's Bad Boy singles are the same way. It's not that i actually think the music is good...it just takes me back 2 a certain time in my life that waz really cool. One other thing i just remembered waz how much i hated Coolio when he 1st came out. But when he dropped his 2nd single "I Remember"...i started liking him. When "Gangsta's Paradise" came out...i waz hooked.

Voted. U know i'm down 4 LL. It's not like he waz up against any talent or anything.

I had 2 go with the original version of the song. Both remixes are good...but they feel like remixes. They don't totally feel like the way the song waz intended 2 be. When comparing the remixes, i have the RnB Remix an 8. It's good, but not quite there. The subject matter and the dance don't seem like they should come off that mellow. I gave the Reggae Remix a 10. It just takes the song 2 the next level. The energy is thru' the roof!! I wish they would have finished up the video 4 the remix cuz that would have held people over and gave "Party Starter" a proper stepping stool 2 be a hit.

I don't think Hip-Hop can truely be defined. No Hip-Hop head would ever look at it the same as another. But that doesn't mean that the opinions of the young, unexperinced, unknowlegeable have any credibility when they call someone like Nelly "Hip-Hop." I think u can truely idenify with the music when u have that experience of being a part of Hip-Hop culture. I'm not saying everyone u loves Hip-Hop has 2 have a 'hood upbrining. But at least a dash of that kinda experience makes the music a reality of the listener. I grew up in 2 different enviornments...and it waz that hood upbringing that makes me embrace the music...which is why i'm so sensitive about the topic. And anyone who thinks that Hip-Hop culture is about guns, drugs, ho's, and jewelery...u don't even know the basics.

I look at it this way. FP hasn't done music 4 the money since the early 90's. He obviously isn't happy with what Interscope has done with the album post-Switch. I think it's a great idea 2 put the video out there. After all, u could only get this performance when u got Hitch at Wal-Mart. It isn't exactly something u can just buy off the shelves. I think someone should make a video clip 4 it and we should promote with it. Mary J. Blige fan sites, Hip-Hop sites. What have we got 2 lose??

HA!! After "Party Starter" didn't do much...Interscope probably already has plans 2 release "Will Smith...The Interscope Year."

Ha ha...i like that joint. They put that song on the CDs we listen 2 at my work. Fun stuff. I love club music...especially the radio friendly stuff. It reminds me of the early/mid 90's.

Damian, why should i have read what everyone else wrote...and why should i care if they agree with me. A few people like Tim, Vipa, Bigted could have opinions that aren't right alongside mine, but i respect what they say. Then, there is a handful of others that i wouldn't even care what they say simply becuz they don't have the history or education of Hip-Hop. And elaborating one what Big Ted said...i wouldn't catagorize Hip-Hop and Rap as 2 different things. I think most Hip-Hop acts go in the Rap category as well, but not many of todays Rap acts could ever be considered Hip-Hop.

Nope

NICK LACHEY - What's Left of Me (2006) Thanx 4 hookin' me up with this song Wes. I owe u big for getting this streamed track 4 me!!

I didn't read what everyone has posted so far...but here's my take on things. Hip-Hop is a culture. It's a way of life...it's what effects the way u live, the way u think, and the way u are. Hip-Hop music is music that is product of Hip-Hop culture. Hip-Hop dosen't actually have 2 have rap in it. Mary J. Blige is a Hip-Hop artists even tho' u can call her an R-N-B singer as well. Hip-Hop music is the ONLY music that has no rules or boundries. U can mix it with any style of music, u can create a new beat or jack someone elses, u can sing off key, u don't have 2 have verse 1, chorus, verse 2, chorus, etc. Hip-Hop didn't come from one music style...it came from all music styles. Since DJing pretty much started the music, they were borrowing from ALL music styles 2 create a totally new sound. A true Hip-Hop artists puts their thought out there...no holds barred. Hip-Hop is about being u and putting your life in the music. It's about being 100 percent real. Example, DJ Jazzy Jeff + Fresh Prince, LL Cool J, Eric B. + Rakim, Heavy D + The Boyz, Public Enemy, MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, EPMD. U can also put artists like Mary J. Blige, TLC, Lauryn Hill (her R-N-B stuff) in that category. Rap is simply someone rapping. Rap music is music with someone rapping on it. Is most of Hip-Hop music also rap...Yes. Is Rap music always Hip-Hop...HECK NO. Rap music has evolved to the crap that it is 2day (on the radio 4 the most part). Nelly, 50 Cent, Paul Wall, J-Kwon, Young Jeezy, G-Unit, Ja-Rule, etc. Those guys are rappers. They aren't being themselves, they are cookie cutter idiots pretending 2 be something they are not. They either never do or rarely put themselves in their music. It's the marketable watered down, fake version of Hip-Hop i guess.

That's awful. Busta is one of my favorite emcees...but i think he makes himself 2 touchable. He needs 2 sit back and look at his friends and their actions. He's a good guy on the top of his game and in a great position 2 represent true Hip-Hop 2 those who know nothing about it. My prayers go out 2 the family of the victim.