I am taking my love for music to another level. I want the world to know my views and educate others on different aspects of the industry. There is more to the music world than what we see on tv and I am making it my duty to let that be known.
So with the sudden burst of "Vanilla Vixens" or white girls that "rap", I've been more than hesitant to write on this subject. I ask myself is it even worth it but the more I come across this "Vanilla Rap" the more I have to give my two cents. First of all, in NO way am I saying that white girls CAN'T rap. This blog is not to bash white girls in any way, hell I'm half white, so let's make that clear now. What I am doing is giving my opinion on what I believe is KILLING the music business.
Photo courtesy of Google Images
Photo courtesy of Google Images
I'm taking DJ Traci Steele's "popcorn" catch phrase and relating it to "Vanilla Vixens". If you are white, hispanic, asian, indian or whatever and you CAN write your own music, rap without auto tune and make sense, then I encourage you to get in the booth and make it happen, but for so many of these "new age rappers" it's becoming a mockery of what Rap and Hip Hop once stood for. I KNOW there are talented white rappers, look at Eminem, he's killing it right now, but these chicks that are backed by major hip hop labels but come out sounding like pre-school rhymers kills me. V-Nasty, Lil' Debbie & Kreayshawn for example..... RAPPERS? NO SIR, entertainment? Could be for some but for me I think its garbage.
Amber Glass courtesy of www.facebook.com/amber.e.glass
Now there is a well known "Vanilla Vixen" from my hometown of Oklahoma City by the name of Amber Glass. Now I'm not knocking her hustle by any means, I support my hometown hustle and all it stands for, but in my opinion Amber Glass is eye candy. I can't stand firm and say her raps are original, self-written or that she sounds different from the rest, and that is the reason I can't get into her music. I respect her drive and effort, but when you have the credibility of those behind you to amp your product, climbing the charts on YouTube is effortless. After a long debate on FaceBook on the validity of these "white girls that rap", I wanted to see how many others there were, so I dug, listened to track after track, "mixtape" after "mixtape" and realized that this Vanilla Vixen movement is either a "wake-up" call to show real rappers/emcees/lyricists that Hip Hop is dead or everyone that believes that this shit is music is deaf, bottom line.
Chanel West Coast via Google Images
Gucci Mane backs V-Nasty, who in turns beefs with Soulja Boy? For real? White Girl Mob (V-Nasty, Lil' Debbie & Kreayshawn) are beefing because Lil' Debbie was kicked out.....but the music is wack, repetitive and everyone's voice sounds the same. Is that these chicks are really doing with themselves? I really wanna know if this is the style of music they prefer or are they simply being used as promos to bring in new fan bases and create a cross over for rappers. If you have ever watched Ridiculousness on MTV then I am sure you have heard of Chanel West Coast, I did not know this chick was a "rapper" that was signed to YMCMB until I seen an episode where she was asked to freestyle, which of course she couldn't do. So I looked her up as well and sure enough, she's a Vanilla Vixen Rapper.... but what I find myself asking, is who really listens to this music?
V-Nasty courtesy of Google Images
These chicks are no where near the female rappers/femcees that I grew up on, MC Lyte, Lady of Rage, Da Brat and with the exception of Riff Raff, they aren't touching Vanilla Ice or Eminem either. I mean I get it, music should have no boundaries, everyone is entitled to make the music of their choice and more power to them, but I don't think that's the case. I'm sure they feel like they're living it up, endless weed, all the lean you can drink, money (if they even really make any), celebrities and all that, but are they in it to make good music that people are going to remember? Is it for the fast life or because music is within them? I've said it plenty of times and I will take this to the grave, IF YOU ARE NOT PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING MUSIC, STOP MAKING A JOKE OUT OF MUSIC!!!!!! And that goes for "rappers" of ALL colors, races, nationalities, etc....
V-Nasty courtesy of Google Images
Rap/Hip Hop has become a joke, from the Love & Hip Hop series, to the Vanilla movement, to the lame drama that surrounds local artists. It seems that music is more so about what looks good versus what sounds good and for that reason, I rather pick up what kids these days call "old school" rap a.k.a Tupac, and put it on repeat before buying anything that is available today. At the end of the day, this is just my opinion but I've stood firm that my passion is MUSIC. For those who say I'm hating, not in the least. I chose to stop recording music because the industry has created a gimmick and that is one I choose not to follow. My first love has been writing, I WRITE MY OWN material, so at the end of the day, I'll end my life with what I started it with, writing.
Below are links to all of the females I mentioned above and if nothing else, I just gave them all FREE promo....
Chanel West Coast
Amber Glass
V-Nasty w/ Gucci Mane
Til' next time, this is O-City's Own, Misses S.A.M, Signing OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YMCMB rapper Mack Maine (Jermaine Preyan) surrendered to Oklahoma City Police today to face the charges of Aggravated Assault and Battery and Sexual Assault. According to court records, Mack Maine's attorney, Oklahoman, Tony Coleman, filed a not guilty plea on behalf of the rapper on Friday, September 16, 2013. The rapper then turned himself into the Oklahoma County Jail where he was held on a $9000 bond until some time in the late afternoon.
As of now, a court date nor any other motions have been filed on behalf of Mack Maine, his attorney or the State of Oklahoma. Mack Maine is now free on bail. I will be sure to keep you posted the most recent information regarding this case.......... Check out my earlier blogs for more information on the details of the alleged attack that took place following the America's Most Wanted tour here in Oklahoma City, on August 21, 2013.
'Til next time, this is Misses S.A.M.....signing out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 Chainz, in a recent interview with Sway on RapFlix, apologized to Oklahoma City after explaining his side of events that took place on August 22, 2013 following the AMW tour performance. While he does acknowledge what OkcPD are saying were found on the bus, "paraphernalia, prescription drugs and firearms", and does not deny they were found, he is stating that none of the arrested individuals have yet been charged with any of the items found. He further went on to explain why he is so frustrated with not only being continuously pulled over by police, but for the lack of privacy entertainers have period.
Photo courtsy of NewsOk.com
2 Chainz did admit that he probably did not go about the ordeal the best way when telling the police to get a warrant instead of letting them on board when he knew they wouldn't find anything, however...he chose to stand his ground and as a citizen, he has every right and I agree after the robbery and attempt on his life in New York, not too long ago, he should have the right to carry firearms for his protection I feel this was the first sincere attempt that he has made at commenting on the whole situation. The response he gave leaving the Ok County Jail and the tweets were obviously in the heat of the moment and very understandable at that. At the end of the day, what all entertainers, not just rappers and not just 2 Chainz, have to realize is that once you decide to get into this business, regardless of how much you are entitled to your privacy, that just isn't going to happen anymore.
Photo courtesy of Google Images
At first I didn't feel sorry for the whole ordeal just because everyone around this city was trying to make it a racial thing but in all honesty, these people in the limelight are no longer regular people, they can't live regular lives, do regular things and while it is true that's the life they chose, I don't believe they all realize exactly what or who is against them. He stated he's on his A game when he gets pulled over but truth of the matter is, if they really want you to go down you will and as a top runner in the music game everything you say and do will be on public display.
Photo courtesy of www.mtv.com
During his interview with Sway, I seen a side of 2 Chainz that looked familiar. He looked like a hard working black man that is tired of being messed with. Not to say that he was pulled over by Okc police for being black, just saying even us average, day to day, non famous folks get tired. Check out his interview with Sway for yourself and I'll keep you posted on any new details as they come in.
Just when it appeared Hip Hop was dying, straight from the streets of Oklahoma City comes, "Da Message Pt. 2" Ft. CB Dub, Bones, Dik Dasz, & Al Jihad. This track is released from the upcoming "CB Dub Mix Show Radio Vol #2" Presents.. (RBG Da Movement) and it is definitely a banger. This track has Hip Hop written all over it and for you new age music fans that are stuck in the era of every rap song having a gimmick or dance ( you know, crank that soulja boy, spider man, batman, and so on), this is the type of music you should be listening to. Real music with a real message.
This track reminds me of everything Hip Hop circa 1990's, except for one thing, It's message is current. As I listen to the track my head has a constant bob as the words create flashes of current events that we are currently plagued with in today's society. Touching topics such as the very controversial murder of Trayvon Martin, the over-use of social media and government "tapping" to the personal tragedies of one's everyday life. "Da Message Pt. 2" is on a level as great as Wu-Tang Clan and Public Enemy. What makes this collaboration even better? It's a representation of Oklahoma's own. It gives us a look at the talent and motivation that comes from and lives in Oklahoma City. It show's what Oklahoma Hip Hop sounds like. Oklahoma is often looked over as a factor in the music industry but with the direction CB Dub is going, Oklahoma won't be behind for long.
Photo courtesy of T-Major & I.M.E (It's Major Entertainment)
I vowed to make a weekly feature dedicated to the up and coming artists from Oklahoma. This week my feature focuses on 28 year young, T-Major, an Oklahoma City native who many call a triple threat artist. T-Major not only raps, he also sings and dances. If you are from Oklahoma and familiar with the infamous "dance cliques/clicks", you should remember T-Major as a member of one of the most widely known and ever popular, Sex Mobb (Sex Whaattttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!). Sex Mobb not only performed locally during talent shows and dance battles, but the group also toured to different cities, opening for artists, such as J-Shin, Tyrese and Ginuwine. T-Major recalls performing at Jam Fest alongside his Sex Mobb family and states, that is where his love for the spotlight came from. I personally remember attending many battles and while my closest friends and family were apart of competing dance cliques, I vividly remember Sex Mobb being one of the most successful of them all.
T-Major states that while he has only been in the music game about 3 years now, he grew up singing in his church choir and started writing songs about his life shortly after turning 20. He gives credit to the studio as being a second home to him, in which he started working on singles of his own and mixtapes with his friends. Quoting great artists such as Michael Jackson, Ronald Isley and R.Kelly as his musical inspirations, T-Major also gives props to Chamillionaire for giving him an inspiration to do music. Giving them this recognition for their abilities to capture their audiences attention by relating to them on a deeper level. T-Major is one artist that you can see is very humble, but with an inspiration such as Michael Jackson, that comes as no surprise.
In addition to being a rapper/singer/dancer, T-Major is the C.E.O. of I.M.E short for It's Major Entertainment. T-Major describes I.M.E. as a label that "consists of 5 highly motivated individuals who works hard and does a Major job at it." I rap and sing, but the team involves several artist known as Doedi Dizzle, K Lotto, Money Folks, Mr.Herrod, Mank Stone, and G Duke Stone. They're all rap artist doing whatever it takes to get to the top and make a name for themselves as well as I.M.E. Unlike many of the mainstream self made C.E.O's, whenever you see T-Major on a track, you are sure to see other I.M.E. artists as well. When asked if there was a track T-Major would like to submit along with this feature he could have easily suggested one that focused on him, however he chose a single that features other known Oklahoma City artists as well. For this feature however I am posting the video to T-Major's "Super Star Anthem", further down you will find a link to the "Super Star Anthem-Remix".
When asked who he would compare himself to musically that is topping the charts in the game right now, T-Major relates himself to Drake and R.Kelly and being that both of the artists have given acting a shot, the similarities are understandable. For his future, T-Major doesn't count out acting as a skill to add his track record. However, his main goal is to become a independent entertainment label through a distribution deal and it is openly evident in his music where he hails from and as he states, "as far as my hometown I'll never forget where I came from and I'm apart of O City so it'll be on the map automatically."
I asked T-Major his opinion on beef between local artists, and being a member of Sex Mobb, who seen their share of beefs between dance cliques as well, in a big but small city like Oklahoma City, it's easy to come across jealousy and hate. T-Major's view however, "For one no local artist should have any beef due to the fact that it will not do either of the artist any good, just a bad reputation for the both of them. Who wants to do business with someone who has a bad name in this game." In a industry that has seen the drama unfold between rap greats, Tupac and Notorious B.I.G, Nas and Jay Z and 50 Cent & Ja Rule, it is refreshing to see someone that understands, success doesn't have to come with drama.
I am very appreciative to have the chance to feature an artist such as T-Major on my blog. He's a talented individual that is making a way for himself as well as others while remaining humble and true to his roots. I look forward to seeing what the future holds in store for the entire I.M.E. camp and I encourage you to take the time to check them out as well. In closing, I leave you with T-Major's advice for others looking to get a start in the music industry, "Don’t jump into the industry, become your own individual artist who is independent and an entrepreneur. You'll go further doing what you truly want to do, and not what somebody wants you do. Think bigger than big, think MAJOR."
As the world found out on August 22nd, 2013, 2 Chainz a.k.a Tauheed Epps (or the tour bus on which the rapper was a passenger) was pulled over about midnight by the Oklahoma City Police Department. OKC PD have stated the tour bus had a "broken" taillight and was the reason for the bus being pulled over. First let me say, that just because the word "broken" was used to describe the faulty equipment does not mean that the physical appearance of the tail light was busted and shattered, etc. Broken can mean anything from a burnt out bulb to missing the cover itself. Now as a resident of Oklahoma City, I am very familiar with the OKC PD and the way they work.
I will not say that I support the actions of the Oklahoma City Police Department, nor do I support the fact that 2 Chainz and his entourage are upset at OKC for doing what any officers would do when someone refuses to abide by their orders. Am I saying the police were justified no, do I believe 2 Chainz and his crew are riding on a bus without a any form of what the government calls "illegal substances", helllll no, but these two issues aren't mine concern. My issue surrounding this whole 'act' is that immediately after the news broke, its made to be a racial issue. I can assure you that unless the bus these dudes were riding in had 2 Chainz written across the side, there is no way you can see who is inside a "million dollar bus" as one of the rappers fans stated. I understand that we as a people feel the need to take up for those we idolize, especially here in Oklahoma, where we are so far behind when it comes to entertainment, that we often forget the reality of whats in front of us. I'm hearing people say that they were targeted for being rich and black and that OKC just wanted to mess with him. Really? 2 Chainz..... he is so rich that he is targeted by OKC police and yet the only thing he is charged with is obstruction of justice? Have we not had even larger rappers in this city that could have easily been the same type of target?
Let me break it down like this, I have 2 opinions on the matter. The whole thing was staged (by both the police and 2 Chainz) for publicity or his tour bus had a faulty tail light, the bus was full of weed smoke, the driver got off the bus, the others locked the doors, a warrant was obtained and they went to jail. For the people of this city to say it is because of his race, makes Oklahoma look worse than what we probably already did before. This city is small and for what it is worth, the 2 Chainz incident created more buzz in this city in 9 hours than James Harden did leaving the Thunder for the Rockets the entire 2013 season. OKC will now forever be known for locking up one of the most popular rappers of 2013, that's a given, but to say it was because he was black is down right stupid. Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg (or Snoop Lion) and several other highly publicized weed smoking rappers have come into and gotten out of OKC without so much as a second look.
Moral of the story is this, OKC is a great place for entertainers to come and leave with a profit. We're loyal fans and we go hard for those we love, but don't forget that at the end of the day, you're still a person before a celebrity and that doesn't exempt you from the law, whether the outcome is good or bad. With that being said, 2 Chainz should look up to his peers (or down since he is 6'5") T.I. and Lil' Wayne (also notorious for having their buses pulled over) and start traveling by private jet #TRUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
This is my opinion and I'm sticking to it - Misses S.A.M. - signing out
