Thoughts on music, and recognition
Peace,
As far as the Hip Hop "industry" goes, one of the more interesting and downplayed stories to come around in the last few months is the breakup of Rocafella Records as we previously knew it. Being that hindsight is often 20/20, I can now see that the split between Dame Dash, Biggs, and Jay Z was years in the making, and underscores a reality that seems to be pervasive in Hip Hop: Business (and other) breakups. Hip Hop is a ever changing animal, and that can beget the lack of commitment on a variety of levels. It's to the point that I can't imagine a Hip Hop group or crew together for 15 years or more. This is not to say that it doesn't happen in other musical genres, it is just more obvious in ours (I am not "Hip Hop", buy Hip Hop is mine).
Anyway, the directions they've taken since the announcement are indicative of where both of them have been for quite some while. Jay Z went right into the corporate world and accepted the job as the president of Def Jam, while Dash went the rugged entrepreneurial route and created the Damon Dash Music Group, which he will run with Biggs, and will be distributed by Universal. The wrinkle that peaked my interest the most is that fact that Jay Z will retain the name Rocafella for Def Jam, and will soon release albums by Memphis Bleek and Foxy Brown (All of this "CEO" talk didn't dissuade Jay from becoming involved in yet another controversy with The Game last week though). One thing that stands out with Jay Z's deal is that he owns all of his masters from his recording career. So in one sense, he put his money where his mouth is by attaining ownership of his work. The question must be asked however: Wasn't the Roc slightly more than just Jay? Seems a mite cutthroat to take the name and the masters and not offer everybody on your former label a deal.
Dash on the other hand is continuing with the entrepreneurial tradition they started by forming DDMG and giving labels to RZA, M.O.P., N.O.R.E. and Beans. Another subtle however noticeable twist is the old team yelling "Roc4Life" now just like they yelled Rocafella before. If I could play the reductionist and simplify the moves over the past few months, it would look like this:
Jay Z - Corporate Ownership
Dash & Biggs - Entrepreneurship through partnerships
In business, the above differences alone are enough to drive a wedge between two people, to say nothing of different personalities. The result of this may well create a new model for others to emulate in the industry.
Finally, My brother Saladin Quannah Allah was profiled in the Niagara Gazette for Black History Month. Check it out at www.niagara-gazette.com/story.asp?=1160 . Much respect goes to the brother for showing and proving who we are, and why we're here (To save the babies, of course!)
Peace,
I Majestic Allah
As far as the Hip Hop "industry" goes, one of the more interesting and downplayed stories to come around in the last few months is the breakup of Rocafella Records as we previously knew it. Being that hindsight is often 20/20, I can now see that the split between Dame Dash, Biggs, and Jay Z was years in the making, and underscores a reality that seems to be pervasive in Hip Hop: Business (and other) breakups. Hip Hop is a ever changing animal, and that can beget the lack of commitment on a variety of levels. It's to the point that I can't imagine a Hip Hop group or crew together for 15 years or more. This is not to say that it doesn't happen in other musical genres, it is just more obvious in ours (I am not "Hip Hop", buy Hip Hop is mine).
Anyway, the directions they've taken since the announcement are indicative of where both of them have been for quite some while. Jay Z went right into the corporate world and accepted the job as the president of Def Jam, while Dash went the rugged entrepreneurial route and created the Damon Dash Music Group, which he will run with Biggs, and will be distributed by Universal. The wrinkle that peaked my interest the most is that fact that Jay Z will retain the name Rocafella for Def Jam, and will soon release albums by Memphis Bleek and Foxy Brown (All of this "CEO" talk didn't dissuade Jay from becoming involved in yet another controversy with The Game last week though). One thing that stands out with Jay Z's deal is that he owns all of his masters from his recording career. So in one sense, he put his money where his mouth is by attaining ownership of his work. The question must be asked however: Wasn't the Roc slightly more than just Jay? Seems a mite cutthroat to take the name and the masters and not offer everybody on your former label a deal.
Dash on the other hand is continuing with the entrepreneurial tradition they started by forming DDMG and giving labels to RZA, M.O.P., N.O.R.E. and Beans. Another subtle however noticeable twist is the old team yelling "Roc4Life" now just like they yelled Rocafella before. If I could play the reductionist and simplify the moves over the past few months, it would look like this:
Jay Z - Corporate Ownership
Dash & Biggs - Entrepreneurship through partnerships
In business, the above differences alone are enough to drive a wedge between two people, to say nothing of different personalities. The result of this may well create a new model for others to emulate in the industry.
Finally, My brother Saladin Quannah Allah was profiled in the Niagara Gazette for Black History Month. Check it out at www.niagara-gazette.com/story.asp?=1160 . Much respect goes to the brother for showing and proving who we are, and why we're here (To save the babies, of course!)
Peace,
I Majestic Allah
posted by I Majestic at 6:14 PM
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