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

At first I was reluctant in releasing such private information to the masses, but then I thought, if I release them through the internets, maybe it’ll end up in the hands of Mr. Claus. So, without further ado, here are three “Dear Santa” letters I found that you might find interesting. MERRY XMAS

Dear Santa

As you can see, it’s been a rough year for me. 19,000 copies in seven days, backhanded by Maino’s hand of god, my favorite piece of jewelry is being paraded through Atlanta like the Olyimpic Torch and every dark skinned female in America hates me. I swear, when I started 2008, I wanted nothing but positive success, a growth spurt and for people to believe I was really a rapper, but nothing of the sort has been achieved. I know you’re a man of many miracles, so please bless me with one tomorrow. Seeing how the damage is done, there’s probably not to much you can do, but at this point I’ll take anything to get me out this hole I’ve dug myself into. I won’t take much more of your time, my plea has been delivered.

Sincerely

Yung “I swear I love dark skinned women, I really DO” Berg

Dear Santa

How in the hell did this happen? 46K in seven days…wait, this is a dream right? This time last year, I was touring the country spewing out the hot fire that is “Crank Dat”. Wasn’t that success supposed to carry over into my sophomore set? I mean I had all the right ingredients; Beef with an established artist, issue an absurd statement and record myself doing incredibly moronic stuff, WHAT HAPPENED? Whatever, the damage is done and I’m not the type to dwell. However, you’re St. Nick, so I know you have a couple tricks up your sleeve. So, this Christmas, can we please tell my fans that iSoulja Boy was a street release and the REAL album is coming in January? I can assure you this will work. I have those kids wrapped around my lil finger, as well as their parents. Let’s be real, do you honestly think I’m ready to be a “Positive Role Model” for the youth??? I’m recording a new episode of “Rich Ni**a Sh*t” right now. Come on big man, work your magic.

Sincerely

Soulja “I think I’ve hit rock bottom…THIS CAN’T BE LIFE” Boy

Dear Santa

Look Fat Boy, this is my 7th letter searching for assistance in regards to my “legal issue” and you have yet to answer me….wait……NOT GUILTY!!! NEVERMIND!

Sincerely

R “THERE REALLY IS A SANTA CLAUS” Kelly

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

Yung Berg picks and chooses his battles, VERY WELL! I swear, I’m not the type to comment on the actions of others, well at least the social actions, but for some peculiar reason, I felt the need to chime in on this particular situation involving Yung Berg and Neyo.

Yung Berg and Neyo you ask? Well, not exactly. See, Neyo appeared on Power 106 Fm out in LA with Big Boi and Luscious Liz Hernandez to talk, you know, industry ish. Big and Liz issued Neyo, “The Hat of Forbidden Questions”, which basically consist of outlandish industry inquiries that make today’s celebrities extremely uncomfortable.

One of the questions posed was, “If you could three finger slap anyone in the industry, who would it be?” Without hesitation, Neyo responded, “Yung Berg”. Ha! For obvious reasons, Berg is probably on alot of peoples “Three Finger Slap” list. Now here’s where it gets interesting….. Berg, who’s fallen victim to one chain snatching occurrence and some “disciplinary action”courtesy of Atlantic Record’s strong arm artist, Maino, has the AUDACITY to chime in on Neyo’s comments when he’s done NOTHING to address the previous aforementioned situations.

What did Berg say??? I’ll get to that in a minute, but what I’m curious to figure out is how and WHY Berg so quick to respond to a R&B artist but won’t DARE go on record to speak out against Trick Trick and his Detroit culprits or Maino, whom he actually approached on some “I heard you were talking bad about me” tough guy ish.

To save face, he could have at LEAST recorded a freestyle addressing all the situations at hand, but instead he hops on video with a vacuum cleaner on his back and starts clowning Neyo for some stuff that was clearly from his past. Oh and the “that’s your girl calling me right now, homey” commentary is far from something that ANYONE would care about at the present moment.

Enough chatter, let’s take a look at Berg’s response……COMEDY!

Now I highly doubt Neyo gives a HOOT about what Berg is babbling about, but it would be extremely entertaining to hear Neyo diss Berg over one of his beats. And to do it better than Berg, that would actually be hysterical. I swear I’m not a troublemaker, and if Berg reads this, he’ll probably diss me with the Auto Tune applied to his vocals, in which I would respond right back with my own scathing diss, lol or confront me the next time he sees me, BUT, this just had to be said.

Iiight, I’m catching a flight to ATL in 6 hours, maybe Berg can redeem himself by laying the smackdown on LowKey at the same spot he received his from Maino? It’s ok, I’ll take one for the team. Anything to get Berg out of this social rut he’s tangled in.

Sincerely

Low “Ahhhhhhhhhhhh sh*t, this is going to be an interesting weekend” Key

The Atlanta Hip Hop Summit will be taking over Clark Atlanta University on Friday, October 17th, for the Atlanta Hip Hop Summit of Financial Empowerment: Get Your Money Right event. The panel’s participants include, Russell Simmons, Atlantic Recording artist, Maino, DJ Drama, DJ Toomp, 106 & Park’s, Terrence & Rocsi, Yung Berg, Gorilla Zoe, Fat Joe, Brian M. Cox, Dr. Ben Chavis, new comer, Asher Roth and Ludacris.

In this time of financial crisis, any commentary on how to improve your current situation is well needed, especially since Congress really doesn’t speak to the youth as it should. For tickets, slide over in this direction and print them out….RIGHT NOW!

People are always willing to complain about the lack of help in regards to their issues, well, here you go……DON’T BLOW IT!
Sincerely

Low “I BETTER see you guys there” Key

Ok, so maybe my job doesn’t ALWAYS embody the dopeness that I speak about, but it damn sure makes for some interesting commentary lol. Last night, of course, I was ripping and running through the big apple, event hopping like I had nothing else to do with my life (I actually didn’t). First, TG (BET.Com’s Director of Music Development & Marketing) and I hit up Karina Pasian’s Dinner Showcase at the STK Lounge in the meatpacking district. And while the alcoholic consumption was free, dinner was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND! As far as Karina performance, superb. TG said she reminds him of a young Alicia and I had to agree. 16 years old with such a seasoned voice, shorty is destined for greatness.

At the conclusion of that event, my homey Imo scooped me up and and we headed to the Yung Berg album listening session. Free alcohol once again, I made my rounds with cups of something toxic in my hand. Yung Berg, who’s finally getting his shot at releasing a product to the masses, seemed kind of unenthusiastic during the playing of his album cuts. I don’t know if he was perturbed with the lack of attention he was receiving or what, but something was iggin him, at least it seemed that way to me. I chopped it up with the homey Shaheem from MTV.Com and a couple other media associates for a couple of minutes and then made my way towards the exit sign.

At the conclusion of THAT event, I made my way down to Cipriani’s for DJ Cassidy’s Birthday party. When I tell you that place was a zoo, I hold that sentiment to the highest of it’s abilities. Though I had no trouble gaining access to the red carpet (gooooood loooks, Vanessa), 20 minutes after I got situated, people started coming from every direction possible attempting to get inside. Usually, the ambiance of “Let me in, do you know who I am?” doesn’t bother me, but last night, people were literally overdosing on the sentiment. I can understand people wanna party and have a good time, but damn, let the doorman and security do their job. Regardless, the turnout was major and I had an incredible time witnessing everyone bargaining their life’s away with the doorman and doorwoman attempting to gain access.

Anyway, I have an ish load of work to get done today, and this is only the first of MANY SoundOff posts. Scroll down for  some visuals and colorful commentary from my industry excurison last night lol.

Sincerely

Low “I’m 2 minutes from falling asleep on this keyboard” Key

The house was sort of packed for Young Berg’s album listening session….

Yung Berg introducing a couple tracks off his new album, Look What You Made.

Look at what New York made Yung Berg…..

Look what Cali made Yung Berg...

As you can see, Berg was ready to hit the road…. 

BET’s, Sharon Carpenter hits the red carpet at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Dr. Ben Chavis looks sort of confused, but ready to party….

The line ouside of Cipriani’s last night was INSANE,  so I took a picture of it lol…..

So So Def’s “Digital Darling”, Dondria smiles for the flashing lights 

Executive VP of Def Jam, Shakir Stewart and VP of A&R, Lenny S were all smiles at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day Party…. 

Hip Hop violinist, Miri-Ben Ari hits the red carpet…..

So adorable! Now if only we can get Cassie to release some music…. 

You KNOW Jermaine Dupri was in attendance…..

Mashonda looking oh so scrumptious at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party….. 

Yung Berg and that DAMN Transformers piece….. 

Kevin Liles gets in on the action at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Swizzy The Monster made a quick appearance….. 

Russell Simmons poses for the cameras at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party….

Terrance J and DJ Envy point out each others coolness during DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Lil X slid through to wish DJ Cassidy a happy birthday….. 

Finally, the birthday boy, DJ Cassidy hit the red carpet with his million dollar smile….. 

Seems like Yung Berg isn’t to fond of Lil’ Bow Wow’s new persona he’s been shoving down everyone’s throat lately. Recently, Yung Berg sat down for an interview with DJ Envy, and like all interviews, Envy was asking the normal questions about his new music, the gossip in the industry…blah blah blah, stuff we hear everyday.

However, things took a turn towards interestingville when DJ Envy asked Yung Berg about his new record “Do Dat Dere” and was he directing any jabs towards the pint-sized Prince in the intro. Berg sarcastically replied “I know Lil’ Bow Wow, but I don’t know who this other guy is”……with that said LET THE GAAAAAAMMMES BEGIN!! Click here to view the interview.

Is Yung Berg just looking for attention or is he right, has Bow Wow gone astray with this new tough guy act???? You know you want to, so go head…..SOUND OFF!!!

Sincerely,

Low “OOOOOO Bow Wow, what you gone do about that?” Key

P.S. You’re right, Berg, Kim K. IS damaged goods..AHAHHAHHAHAH!

Rocko took some time out to point at LowKey before he hit the stage.

Rocsi kept cool while talking with BET.Com

Soulja Boy and Riviera Beach Mayor, Thomas A. Masters.

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BET’s Thembisa Mshaka runs through 50 other different phrases DJ Khaled can use besides “WE THE BEST.”

Jive Recording artist, Dolla, hit us with an absurd and new way of playing Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Ray J and Yung Berg take a couple pictures before they hit the stage to perform their new song, “Sexy Can I.” Akon’s little cousin attempted to partake in the picture taking fiesta, but the oil he used to grease his upper torso was slowing him down.

-LowKey