2008 was by far one of our most troublesome 365 days experienced in a long time. The economy was side swiped, houses we’re being snatched left and right and employment…well you already know the verdict in that lane.

Since we’re about 48 hours and one second left until 2009 relieves us of this treacherous year and I thought it would be dope to compile a list of the Ten Worst Music Moments in 2008.

I might have missed one or two, but this is a list I THOUGHT of so if you disagree, hit that comments section and spill the beans on a moment that should’ve made the list. ENJOY!

10. Angel Lola
Winning Eye Candy of the Year in 2007 does NOT grant you the right to rap. Act, start a business, go back to school……DO NOT RAP. Its bad enough we don’t believe your ASSets are real but what makes you think we’re going to believe you have the ability to write a decent verse? Sorry sweetie….NEXT!
http://candykoatedsuga.blogspot.com/2008/12/angel-lola-luv-serious-about-rapping.html

9. Anything DMX Related
I don’t know what’s worse; DMX releasing a hip hop/gospel album, being arrested 556653653 times in 6 months or being detained at Scott Storch’s residence? Well, at least he didn’t shoot a sequel for Cradle to the Grave.
http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/gee-what-a-coincidence/

8. Brawling @ The 2008 Ozone Awards
Seriously, did we really need to see Trae and Mike Jones duke it out backstage? That’s like watching two trophy girls duke it out to see who presents Shawty Lo the Ringtone of the Year Award; NO ONE CARES!
http://www.bet.com/Music/News/musicnews_jonestalksozone_08.13.08.htm

7. Soulja Boy Vs. Ice T
How in the hell can someone making so much GUAP on a show that airs on NBC give a rat’s ass about a kid who once had a chain made STRICTLY out of rubber bands? Not only that, but the OG prompted SBeezy and his goons-in-training to make a 10 minute vlog (video blog) about how old Ice-T is….*DEAD*.
http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/soulja-boy-vs-ice-t/

6. Brawling @ The Dirty Awards
T.I.+ Shawty Lo + Alfamega + Disgruntled Shawty Lo employees + absurd award show title= Foolery to the 15^th degree. Lesson learned: Wait until T.I.’s incarcerated to invite Shawty Lo to an awards ceremony.
http://www.bet.com/Music/News/musicnews_tiandshawtylofight_11.25.08.htm

5. Usher’s, Here I Stand
Dear Usher, We’re extremely elated you found marital bliss. We’re even happier you now have a tribe of lil Ursher’s running around the palace, but PLEASE, spare us your happiness. Remember that thing called Confessions; I think it sold about 10 MILLION EFFIN COPIES? Well, we want that. So, cheat on Tameka, reveal your love child with Chilli and tell Chris Brown he’ll never be as good as you. Patiently Waiting, LowKey
http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/usher-making-a-return-but-is-it-tooooo-late/

4. Auto Tune
I can’t fault T-Pain for sensationalizing the device; it made him enormously famous. But Ron Browz, Baby, Yung Berg, Baby, Lil Wayne, Shawty Lo, The Dream, R.Kelly, Usher, Swizz Beatz, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and whoever thought it would be a good idea, WHAT HAS IT DONE FOR YOU???? (Is it bad I’m writing this entry in Auto-Tune?).
http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/t-pain-retiring-auto-tune/

3. Kanye and Don C Pouncing On The Paparazzi
I’m assuming Mr. West was just having a bad day. I mean why else would he be wearing a hoody in a PUBLIC airport with his head down signaling the photographer NOT to snap his picture? What’s even more hilarious is the media pegged Don C as Kanye’s security, when clearly, the photographer was bigger than him.
http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/kanye-hates-flashing-lights/

2. Yung Berg’s Physical Altercations
Aside from selling a petite 19,000 albums in seven days, the Chicago native caught the hand of god, TWICE, for aiming disrespectful banter towards Maino and Detroit rappers AND got relieved of some pricey merchandise…that’s DEFINITLEY not sexy (pause).
http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/oh-young-berg/

1. Young Buck Crying To 50 Cent
Really, crying though, homey? He went from being the toughest solider in the click to needing a blanky after a shot of Hennessey. Every man should be granted an occasional occurrence of letting the tears run, but homey should’ve known better to do it over the phone. Dah well, it only cost him his career, dignity and any tough talking in the near future.
http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/you-brought-it-on-yourself/

Honorable Mention
1. Busta Ryhmes’, “Arab Money”

2. T.I. going to jail again.

3. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon getting married.

4. The Game.

5. WorldStarHipHop.

6. K-Ci and Jo Jo’s infamous concert incident.

7. DJ Khaled terminology

8. Damn it Beyonce, I was trying to keep you off this list, but you HAD to go and say THIS!

Sincerely

Low “2009, YOU BETTER NOT LET ME DOWN!” Key

As always, Fif had some interesting words for his usual targets; Kanye West, Nasir Jones, Fat Joe and Young Buck. I haven’t seen these blurbs anywhere else on the net, so scroll down and dissect Fiddy’s latest ramblings….

On not starting beef this album release…

“I didn’t set it up. I didn’t set it up none of those times. You think I asked for the disrespect from Fat Joe on Rap City? That’s what restarted everything. And, later on, I think he acknowledged it. Later on, he said, “Yo, they threw some shit at me that he said a while back.” And he responded aggressively. And me, I’m like, where the f*k is this coming from? I’m not even thinking about him right now.”

On not responding to Nas’s, “Queens Get Money”….

“Man, Nas is cold as ice. Nas is the block of ice that sunk the Titanic…..I didn’t even hear his record. I didn’t even hear the record you’re talking about. I really don’t want to talk about Nas. I think he’s at one of those points to where his career’s finished, to be honest. He’s had some great moments and made good music in the past, but he no longer has the interest of the general public or myself.”

On Kanye’s 808’s and Heartbreak…

“I enjoyed his other records since hearing “Love Lockdown.” He impressed me. “Heartless” and “Coldest Winter.” And he might actually be right; this might be the album that I really like from him. When he said it, he was probably being a little humorous, but he got some balls, man. He’s willing to go head and make and R&B album. That’s a lot. He could not recover from this…..I think that’s cool, if your fans will permit you to be creative in that way. From a business perspective, you gotta offer what performs. The public will tell me that Curtis is a failure. And I sold 700,000 copies the first week. So what do I gotta do? Reach a million, at minimum??”

On why he released the Young Buck conversation

“I already saw who Buck was. And I see that he was gonna continuously be that, and that wasn’t gonna be healthy for either one of us. So its better to destroy him then destroy both of us. They type of person he is- spontaneous and impulsive, and then you add addiction to it- you got someone who is in a real destructive space. So I can’t allow me or my business to be damaged in any way!”

Ahh, it’s always refreshing to rifle through the mind of Curtis Jackson. I’m surprised at his tone towards Kanye’s 808’s & Heartbreak. But, I’m not surprised about his feelings towards Nasir; I guess those two will NEVER get along (tear, lol). As for Young Buck….such a sad case. Anyway, for the complete story, pick up a copy….trust me, it’s WORTH the journey..even though the wind WILL smack you harder than Maino did Yung Berg (ok ok, sorry, sheesh!)

Sincerely

Low “Fiddy must be salty since Nas dissed him in the mathematical sense on “Queens Get The Money” Key

While I hate to ponder the notion of Barack falling to John McCain and that other lady, anything is possible in the world of politricks. With that said, I came up with 10 things our lovely hip hoppers will say or do once that final announcement is made. Though this post is all in good fun, let’s remember that if Obama does happen to fall, we are ALL to conduct ourselves in a professional manner in public. In the privacy of your own home, I EXPECT you to go ape sh*t, but while you’re in the public eye, keep it cool…PLEASE! You already know the authorities are WAITING for us to act a fool, let’s give them an easy night.

Without further ado, I present The Top 10 Things Hip Hop Artists Will Do If Obama Loses…

10. Diddy will have an excuse to yell useless commentary into his MAC book on the 56754435453rd episode of “Diddy TV”….

9. Polow Da Don will yell, on a bullhorn, “Waint A Minute Mothaf*cka”…..

8. Jay-Z will resume charging for his concerts, which will make Memphis Bleek extremely happy since he wasn’t getting paid for all the free shows they were doing over the past 2 months.

7. Foxy Brown will claim she didn’t get to vote because she didn’t HEAR anyone tell her what time her designated polls closed!

6. Kanye West will prepare his impromptu, “John McCain doesn’t care about black people speech” at the January inauguration.

5. Young Buck will call Barack Obama crying apologizing for not supporting him throughout the election. Obama will then sell the recording to 50 thus causing him to use the audio as an intro to his next album.

4. T.I.’s sentence will be extended to 5 years causing McCain and Palin to appear on Saturday Night Live to perform their own rendition of “Whatever You Like” but renaming it to “We Can Do Whatever We Like”.

3. Will. I. Am. will record a new tribute song called, “I Thought We Could”.

2. Yung Berg will come out of hiding thinking everyone’s focused on John McCain, but then bump into Maino, Bow Wow, Trick Trick & Trick Trick’s daughter at a club in Chicago.

1. We ALL wake up and realize it was just a HORRIBLE dream. BARACK OBAMA 08!!!!!

Sincerely

Low “PLEASE TELL ME YOU VOTED…PLEASE?” Key

It’s come to my attention that in the last 24 months, hip hop has become friendly; weird right? Not that I condone hip hop warfare, but it’s mind boggling how all of a sudden one minute two rivals are penning viscous responses and the next they’re recording songs together. Maybe it’s this recession we’re enduring or the fact that Sarah Palin doesn’t have the slightest clue as to what the Bush Doctrine is (so sad).

Regardless, rappers are making amends, and it’s happening at the speed of light. First, Jay and Nas kicked of the “Hip Homey” brigade by ceasing the peace at Power 105’s, I Declare War Concert. The two lyrical prophets graced the stage; hugging, kissing and rapping each other’s songs to the pleasure of 20,000 screaming hip hop advocates. After that, it was all down hill from there (in regards to hip hop beefs). Now, I’m not going to sit here and address each beef that was resolved in the last year and a half (Jada vs. 50 Cent, T.I. Vs. Shawty Lo, Ludacris vs. T.I. to name a few), but I will list the active beefs that still plague our mixtapes, radio shows and hood dvd’s.

Active “Beef” List

B.I.G vs 2Pac (Forever unresolved)

Jay-Z vs. Dame Dash

Dipset vs. Cam’ron

Ja Rule vs. 50 Cent

Fat Joe vs. 50 Cent

The Game vs. G-Unit

Young Buck vs. 50 Cent

Foxy Brown vs. Lil Ki

Remy Ma vs. Foxy Brown

Neyo vs. R.Kelly

R.Kelly vs. Jay-Z

T-Pain vs Unapproved Auto-Tune users

Soulja Boy vs. Ice T

Jermaine Dupri vs. Greg Street

 Alright, that’s all I could conjure up for the moment; however, your job is JUST getting started. If you had the chance to mend any of these “active” hip hop beef’s, which one would it be and why??? Yes, I know it’s Friday, but Summer hours are over, and I know most of you have about 3 hours left till you start your weekend…so get to work, lol!

Sincerely

Low “NO MORE DRAMA” Key

*50 Voice* Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa…..

Sorry, I just love singing that absurd melody lol. Anyway, so I was listening to G-Unit’s newest offering, Terminate On Sight at my desk and I noticed a line on the track, Rider Part 2 (Lol, I’m mad I’m acting like the song is new) in which Young Buck, in a haunting but ironic statement, states “Even if 50 drop me, I still wouldn’t sign”.

Ok, so here goes….

2 Weeks ago, the obvious and hilarious happened, remember? And though Young Buck is still TECHNICALLY signed to G-Unit/Interscope Records, what does the future hold for this man’s recording career. I mean, let’s think about it…Young Buck & 50 obviously won’t be seeing eye to eye anytime soon and we all know when 50 puts his foot down on any issue, that’s usually how the situation goes. Both parties, 50 and Buck, have publicly denounced each other without hesitation so, for the most part, a working relationship between the two of them is walking straight out the front door.

And since we ALL know 50 is pretty big on loyalty, Buck has since blown any chance of reconciliation with the G-Unit bunch since he went and put a verse on the remix to The Game’s current single, “Game’s Pain”, which also features several of 50’s other arch nemesis, Fat Joe and Jadakiss. 

With it being painfully obvious that 50 and Young Buck are no longer BFF, the punchline, “Even If 50 drop me, I still wouldn’t sign” has been brought back to life. So the question I place in your possession is this, since 50 DID in fact drop Young Buck, what label would he fit nice with? Bad Boy? Roc-A-Fella? Cash Money? Derrty Ent (Nelly’s label), Terror Squad? Dipset? D-Block? BlackwallStreet (Game’s label)?, Grand Hustle (T.I.’s label)?

Sincerely

Low “Since 50 DID drop me, I wonder with whom I’m gon sign? (that should’ve been the line)” Key

Well what do you know, good ol Young Buck hopped in the studio faster than 50 kicked him out of G-Unit and recorded this well thought out rebuttal to the tom foolery that occurred late last night. You all know where I stand on this position, and this lil response has only made the situation worse. This lil back and fourth situation is looking oh so familiar. I remember during Game’s fued with 50, he distributed a SLEW of diss records, but then 20 seconds later he wanted to be buddy buddy again.

Ain’t too much you can say to clean up this mess Buck. Hell, this response even made the situation look worse. Take it on the chin, and let this ish ride out. It’s extremely surprising that after all this time spent with 50, you haven’t learned a thing!

Young Buck- The Taped Conversation 

Like it, Love it or Leave it?!?!??!?!

Sincerely

Low “It’s a sad day in hip hop! Sike! Hahhahahahahahah” Key  

*DISCLAIMER* What you’re about to hear is going to make you LAUGH YOUR ASS OFF, BE PREPARED!!

I want you all to know that I, LowKey am not a horrible human being. This side of me only comes out when provoked, so trust and believe when I heard this fiasco of a phone call, I was DEFINITELY provoked to tippty type up this lil post. As we ALL know, Young Buck is the second member to be heave hoed from the G-Unit circle (Game was the first for you lost ones). Usually, I would feel some type of remorse for an individual in this type of situation, but you have to understand one thing, when you get on stage blurting absurdness like screaming “F G-Unit” on stage (the higher ups forced me to remove the link),  all that crying is now OBSOLETE to the cold hearted individual.

Don’t get me wrong, I mess with Young Buck…HEAVY, but I just can’t cosign this type of activity at all. Nope, I’m not mad at 50 either, he knew exactly what was unfolding when Buck started acting out. Why not record it? In fact, he should have video taped the conversation just so we could see the expressions on his face when he heard Buck sobbing uncontrollably. For once, I’m siding with 50’s antics; they were perfectly planned, timed and executed.

I read on a hip hop forum last night that people are actually congratulating Buck for manning up and admitting he was wrong. Again, I’m not a cold hearted individual, but you CAN NOT hop on a microphone yelling “F*CK G-Unit” knowing your former boss has the most incriminating piece of evidence in the stash. Even though you’ve probably heard this already, it definitely can’t hurt to hear it again lol….

Young Buck Hearts 50 Cent Part 1

Young Buck Hearts 50 Cent Part 2

Sincerely

Low “All hail the great Miss Info for putting this out to the public” Key

What’s a Monday afternoon without some insightful commentary from Mr. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson ????? This morning on Hot 97’s Miss Jones In The Morning, 50 Cent decided to call in and clear the air on some of the industry chatter regarding his court case with his baby’s mother, Fat Joe, Floyd Mayweather and Young Buck.

Since 50 decided to air EVERYTHING out and it’s a bit much to transcribe, I’m going to list the highlights from each topic he discussed as well as the interview in it’s entirety.

50 Cent On Young Buck:

“It doesn’t seem Envy, you can look at that and see that’s Game all the way. I was giving him a chance and giving him the benefit of the doubt then, but you can take this as an official notice right here because we’re on the hottest morning show in the world right now; pretty much you can say Young Buck is no longer in the group G-Unit, but signed to G-Unit as a solo artist”

50 Cent On D-Block:

“I don’t really feel that energy towards them. I don’t really hate or have any hatred in my heart for them, it’s more me just being competitive on a hip hop level that’s why I left them alone period. I even leave them out when I start talking about artists that I bodied on record.”

50 Cent On Floyd Mayweather:

“Yea we got into a little thing. You know what it is, we’re both real physical and I’ll put my hands in his face so it’s a reflex for him to throw a punch. We’re back and forth with money….like we gamble a lot with things. (Sarcastically)Man, Floyd’s no longer undefeated. It wasn’t like a fight, it was just a little scuffle.”

50 Cent On His Baby Mother:

“I was giving her 1/2 a million dollars a year and then she thought she was entitled t0 17% because she’s listening to these bum chicks she has around her. (impersonates a female voice) ‘Cause New York State Law says you entitled to 17% girl, you see all that Vitamin Water money go on in’. I was giving her $25,000 a month and she went in thinking she was going to get $50,000.”

50 Cent On Fat Joe:

“You know what he wants to do, he wants to say he wants to fight me. I told him the address to my office on the record(”I’m Leavin” is the track 50 is referring to). It’s not hard to find where I’m at man, I’m out and about! Shooters, they mean (Michael Shawn states 50’s enemies claim he has too many cops around him). They just say it the other way so it doesn’t sound official, but they know not to come around here with that”

50 Cent interview with Miss Jones

What are your views on 50’s interview??? Do you think he’s over the top with each situation or is he just being who he is??? Speak on it…you know you want to!!

Sincerely

Low “I wonder what Young Buck has to say about 50’s remarks…CHECK BACK TOMORROW LOL” Key

P.S. Make sure you check back tomorrow, I should have some a comment or two from Young Buck regarding his new position over at G-Unit

I’ve been an avid reader of XXL Mag for quite some time now, and though each issue provides me with a bit of hip-hop knowledge I may have lacked before reading, this issue was one of the best I’ve read to DATE! 

Since the departure of Elliott Wilson, the magazine’s former Editor In Chief, everyone’s perception of the publication has been clouded with the mindset of ”they wont survive without him.” But with an issue of this stature, it blatantly reminds us of why they’re the #1 publication in the business.

Digging deep into the archives, Vanessa Satten and her team of goons wipe the dust off one of hip hop’s classic CD’s, DMX’s freshmen debut, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot. Dissecting the body of work from front to back, Irv Gotti, Swizz Beatz, Sheek Louch, Styles P, Dame Grease, Dee, Waah and DMX trot down memory lane remembering the good and bad times of It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot. Check out this excerpt from the feature…

“I played the the ‘Ruff Ryders Anthem’ beat, and X was like, ‘I’m not doing no fu*ckin Rock n Roll beat.’ - Swizz Beatz

On the other side of town, Anslem Samuel dug deep into the G-Unit closet of secrets and pulled out a batch of information their core demographic has been dying to know.

Lloyd Banks discussing the lack of visibility during the 50 Cent/Cam’Ron feud:

“I was going through a lot at the time. My pops had just died, like two weeks after Rotten Apple came out. I had a lot of close friends of mine who’ve passed since I got on, but if you’re still in that environment, that’s nothing new…but when it happens to your mother or father, it affects you a certain way.”

Tony Yayo on the accusations of assaulting Jimmy Henchmen’s son:

“Sayin that sh$t was close to child molestation, and everybody had me guilty before they even knew what happened….I didn’t smack him! I’m a fu*ckin millionaire, and I got kids myself….I’m aware that, If I smack somebody, I’ma have a lawsuit. So why would I do it??”

Young Buck on the early friction between him and 50 Cent:

“I tried to call him and didn’t get no answer. Picture you constantly callin’ my phone and I don’t pick up. You gonna stop callin right? Then you look up on TV and you see a video, and everybody there but you. Then what?? So you can start adding it on, my dude and then you’ll see where I was at the time.”

50’s take on Lil Wayne’s reaction to him calling Wayne a whore:

“I don’t dislike Wayne, and I don’t want him to interpret it that way. He had the opportunity to jump out the window when I said he’s a whore, and he didn’t because he’s smarter than the other guys.”

The new issue of XXL is available at all newsstands and bookstores…I advise you to pick your copy up…NOW!

P.S. Congrats to Datwon on the new EIC position. V.Satten sure as hell did her thing though!

-LowKey