And Still The Undisputed Champion of the World
And Still The Undisputed Champion of the World:
How The South is Still Hip-Hop’s Number 1 Representer
Right now, The South is Hip-Hop’s heartbeat.
Forget the fact that Rap sales are way down, we should be recognizing that Rap albums barely drop anymore. Or rather, Rap albums that have a buzz and get people excited barely drop anymore.
Over the past two years there have only been a handful of releases that have captivated Hip-Hop fans and raised the curiosity of the general public: Jay’s comeback (Kingdom Come); Nas’ controversies (or sales gimmicks—depends on your point of view): Hip-Hop Is Dead and Untitled; Lupe’s second shot (The Cool); the Kanye vs. 50 showdown (Graduation vs. Curtis). There are those albums that mean nothing to the masses, but serve as Christmas for an artist’s devoted fan base (i.e. a Joe Budden’s Mood Muzik 3, or anything that drops from The Roots or Ghostface).
But there are rappers and music that goes against this trend. Artist that have blogs, mixtape DJ’s, and Hip-Hop heads on alert for their first single. People who force the Hip-Hop community to pay attention when they name is said. Rappers who force the whole music industry to be aware of their next release.
Right now, The South is where it’s at.
How long did the public anticipate Wayne dropping Tha Carter 3? Who has more all-star performances on guest appearances than Andre?
How many people brought T.I. vs. T.I.P the first week?
What album has a street presence like when Jeezy’s drops—who has more “trappers” (or wanna-be “trappers”) buy their albums?
Name a rapper beside Ludacris more respected for their constant creativity, wit, and cleverness on the mic? Or remember how good it felt to have the public acknowledge and see Hip-Hop at its best when Luda got with Mary J to make “Runaway Love”?
Are album sales, public opinion, and mainstream media coverage what makes good Hip-Hop—hell no. But does it count for something—hell yeah.
So far this year, there’s been no real buzz aside from Wayne, and maybe Nas’ new album. As we enter Fall, and approach 2008’s 4th quarter, some big things are on the horizon.
Jeezy “Put On” for his city by dropping the hottest joint of the summer, with the assist from Kanye, and “put on” for himself by creating a buzz for his new album The Recession. What had a lot of Hip-Hop folks talking was Jeezy’s substantial improvement on the mic, and the expansion of his content. He didn’t turn into a lyrical beast like Lupe, or Canibus, but Jeezy did show he could go beyond simplistic word play and nursery level rhyme schemes. And what made this more impressive is it’s coupled with new content: who ever thought Jeezy be talking about the economy (at least the legal economy). Or that he could make a song about politics, and at least hold his own with Nas (check out “My President is Black”). That is definitely a sign of growth, and gives the audience the chance to look out for more.
After almost a year’s worth of coverage on his guns, his community service, and his jail sentence, T.I. is finally starting to get us back to talking about his music. By dismissing Shawty Lo, jumping on Mariah’s remix, and candidly opening himself up on his single “No Matter What,” T.I.P. quickly re-focused attention to him as a rapper. He continued the success with one of the biggest collaborations of the year (he got with Kayne, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne on the track “Swagger Like Us”), and a cross-over single (titled “Whatever You Like”) that’s made Billboard Hot 100 history for the biggest one week jump to number 1—from 71 to 1. Clearly, T.I. is trying to assert that he’s still the “King.”
With Jeezy and T.I. dropping this September, and Luda on this way for Fall 2008, there will finally be some Rap albums by some Rap superstars.
There’s no question though that Hip-Hop is lacking Rap superstars; but there’s also no question that The South is holding down some of the biggest ones left. And that’s why right now, the South is still running Hip-Hop.
www.michaelpartis.blogspot.com
http://my.rawkus.com/profile/ForeThought
michaelpartis@gmail.com
Tags: Lil Wayne, Ludacris, T.I., Young Jeezy
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September 10th, 2008 at 8:05 am
LOL .. TRUE .. NY DONE FELL OFF THE FUCKIN BOAT, SOUTH BEEN CONSISTANT FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS SOLID.. DAMN. PROPS TO EVERYONE DOIN THEIR THING THO
September 10th, 2008 at 8:12 am
I think its dropping in the order of the release dates, truly talented with Luda and Tip going in last, Luda or T.I. whichever one u prefer, Jeezy, Then Wayne.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Jeezy- i heard that the new album is hot.
Luda- got a crazy flow
TI-I dont listen to snitches
Wayne- Wack ass nigga that everybody suckin on oh even baby lol.
Give me Jeezy and Luda im str8 jammin on the ipod allday.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:14 am
fuck dat dude…. so THE GAME aint relevant in hiphop or wat d fuck is michael gay-rtis talking bout.. Fuck jeezy and T.I dem faggotz r washed up trst me.. LAX in stores gay-rtis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:15 am
“Who has more all-star performances on guest appearances than Andre?” yea and how often does dre drop a song? get off the south dick
September 10th, 2008 at 8:25 am
man, young buck, bun-b, scarface and luda are kings of the sout. Buck the World bitches!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:25 am
man, young buck, bun-b, scarface and luda are kings of the south. Buck the World bitches!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:26 am
The GAME’s relevence is based on his association with the South, he brought his monkey ass to ATL’s bday bash to perform and his lead single off of LAX features Lil Wayne..
September 10th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Chamillionaire gots to be added to this list
September 10th, 2008 at 8:41 am
T.I. – Talented and versatile, but his last album was not as good as his previous releases. However, Paper Trail could be his best yet. Lyrically, he is head and shoulders above 90% of rappers from the South.
Young Jeezy – Makes music that bumps in your car and at the club, but you can only listen to him every so often before you get bored. There’s no secret that Jeezy is pretty awful lyrically, however, he has improved. The Recession was a let down in my opinion.
Ludacris – Arguably the most consistent rapper in the industry. Very, very talented and a unique rapper that brings humour into game; more so earlier in his career. Every single one of his albums have been fantastic – Theater of the Mind should be no exception.
Lil’ Wayne – Not as talented as Luda or T.I., but the guy DOES have talent, no matter what people say. His last 3 albums have been good and consistent. Carter III is arguably the best release of 2008 alongside LAX. He makes good music, which is most important.
Verdict – I would put Ludacris above Wayne, T.I. and Jeezy, simply because he has been more consistent since the start of his career, and also has a better catalogue of albums under belt. Not to mention how successful he has been in other fields, not just the music industry – I’m talking bout movies, real estate, restaurants etc…
September 10th, 2008 at 8:43 am
new york, what happend to the east coast smh when i think about the majority of ny rappers now i think of 50 cents lyrics on piggy bank when he was gettin at fat joe..
“Yeah they love you in new york, but your ass is local” lol
Even tho iv never brought an eminem album iv hav to say if he released an album right now then he would out sell what wayne sold in his first week easily.. And no1 can denie that
September 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I’m from the East and I’m not too worried.
Every region has it’s shine, it’s a cycle.
Most of the commercial rap is crap anyway…I stay listening to the underground and all. That’s where you’ll find some good NY rappers.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:51 am
hiphop is dead because of the south rappers
September 10th, 2008 at 8:55 am
@micheal partis the artical writer
how can u say listen to jeezys my president, which shows him holdin his own with nas and the growth in his lyrics! If you had listend to the track micheal partis you would of heard jeezy start the track sayin
“b the realest shit i never wrote, i aint write this shit by the way ngga” lol
Your artical lost all credibility with me on that one smh
September 10th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I think the East Coast fell off because of all the beef and drama!! The South artists are making songs together!
Tell niggaz like 50, Jay, Nas, Jada, Fab, Mobb Deep, etc. to stop “da beef” and to bring hip hop back to NY!!!
September 10th, 2008 at 9:34 am
KILLER MIKE I PLEDGE “DOPEST” & Most “SLEPT ON ALBUM” all summer….If niggas wondering if its good….shit check Jeezys Imaging (b&w flags) and Subject matter (streets&politics) He Bit the Niggas Whole Pledge concept. Or Nas He in Atlanta He Borrowed The “Rap is Dead Concept from Mike” and called it Hip Hop is Dead. Luda and Tip well im just disappointed DTP or Grand Hustle Never Showed Him Love with a Big Feature….it aint like The Niggas Wack!!! He wrecked Songs with Niggas be4 the “came up” . Jus some Random thoughts from a Trill Southern Hip Hop Head!!! well i’ll let u faggs and Stans Attack me now But what the fuck do ya’ll know. Ya’ll think wayne is the best rapper alive….LMBAO…..Bang Bang Bang!!!
September 10th, 2008 at 9:45 am
the south does it’s thing…but its success is directly related to the dumbing down of absolutely everything in this country…from news to t.v. shows, our children are dumber than they’ve ever been. The teenage generation today couldn’t handle an illmatic or reasonable doubt.
i’m not hatin cause i love the south but it’s the truth
September 10th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Co Sign #14 “Smoke Sum’n Bitch”
As Good as Ya’ll southern reporting Has Got….Why the FUCK do ya’ll Keep Mike Outta the Spotlight!!!! Is the Nigga Being Black Balled. His song Pressure with Cube Is Better than Any Other Southern rappers So called Political Song Out!!! “My President’s Black My lambo’s blu”? Nigga Your Presidents WHITE and who gives a fuck what color your lambo is Niggas r staving “Snow Man”. Man ya’ll keep Keep Clapping 4 retarded Kids Cuz they can say the ABC’s (”Bitch im the Bomb Like Tic Tic”?” WTF!!!! When Mike is saying “Its hot like hell in the south feels like we in the devils mouth in the south” CLASSIC line!! and its the 1st line on the Song “God In the Building”!!!
All im saying is If ya’ll Gonna Big Up the Niggas ya’ll get paid to Big up..the entire Def Jam and Atlantic Roster Save some of that Pure Umma give a nigga some shine love Ya’ll constantly give NYC undaground niggas Do the same 4 Mike….al he Does is Smash Your Favorite and not so favorite rappers!!
P.S. if any stan wishes to stand against Me Supporting Mike Google “Killer Mike Sunday Morning Massacre” and listen to what he does to every rappers beat!!!
Hip Hop 4ever
Rap is Dead!!
September 10th, 2008 at 9:57 am
nyc doesnt have anything new to offer to hiphop, i see canador uk hiphop corssing over next.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:58 am
I bought that Pledge Album (from Super Sounds at the Briar)….Mike is the only Nigga That I can see Fucking with Tip!!! Real Talk….He is Atlanta!!! To Bad Atnata aint real No More! A real nigga like Mike Out Here Gotta prove himself and Shit like “Marco Polo” is playing on Atlanta Radio. Sorry Mike on behalf of the ral Atlanta Im sorry these fuck niggas will not support a real nigga!!
September 10th, 2008 at 10:24 am
listen…all respect to the south for keeping a pulse in hip hop…some of what this dude said actually did have some relevance to it…but at the end of the day…NY is still the mecca. History repeats itself and believe me…it will in this case…for those who can wipe the similac off their mouth and remember back…the same thing happened in the 90’s when the West Coast took over hip hop…it was so bad that many considered E-40 to be hot…..E-FUCKIN-40??? And today…you have many E-40’s in hip hop (Joc, Dro, souljah boy…the list goes on). Now this is not to take anything away from the south…because the 4 MC’s that were mentioned definitely are hot…(even tho this nigga who wrote this article was a fucking idiot for not putting Andre 3000 up there…he’s better than all those niggas and 90% than all of hip hop)…but at the end of the day some of that koon south music is why hip hop is in the state its in now (and limewire..lol). But NY still holds it down…we got the top three money makers in hip hop all from NY…we have an Emcee who can murder most of the south lyrically (Faboulous….check out his verse on the Hi hater remix)…and at the end of the day…history will repeat itself again!
so im saying all that to say that the south can eat for now…and big up to the niggas who actually mean something to hip hop from the south…but NY is still and will always be the mecca!
September 10th, 2008 at 10:37 am
KILLER MIKE IS ARGUABLY THE MOST SLEPT ON AND UNDERRATED RAPPER IN THE HIP HOP GAME,NOT ONLY IS HE A VISIONARY IN TERMS OF WHERE HIP HOP IS GOING,BUT THE MOTHERFUCKER IS RIDICULOUS WITH THEM RHYMES
September 10th, 2008 at 10:44 am
“Wayne Not as talented as Luda or T.I.,”
you fuckin crazy.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Ludacris albums SUCK. Besides his first one, even a fan will tell you that. Out of all those southern artists, wayne makest he best albums.
Carter 1 – classic
Carter 2 – damn near classic
Carter 3 – very good
Wayne is more consistent than Luda. Why? Its simple. WHo puts out more tracks? Thats all. Luda doesn’t put out enough tracks to be judged on consistensy.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:03 am
In due time NY will get themselves together. NY is the blueprint for cryin out loud. In New York niggaz dont act like they like each other. The south does that. In NY if you got beef you got beef. Its just a whole different vibe up dere. I love it tho… lol
September 10th, 2008 at 11:20 am
It’s Between Luda And TI ..To Me,
September 10th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Yo KIller Mike is dope and its amazing how he’s so slept on but in due time he’ll get his shine. WIllie Da Kid is dope as well. Down south got this rap game on lock! NY has lost it all.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Yo KIller Mike is dope and its amazing how he’s so slept on but in due time he’ll get his shine. WIllie Da Kid is dope as well. Down south got this rap game on lock! NY has lost it all.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Co-sign 22, Luda doesnt put out enough tracks to
be judged on consistensy. I like all 4 of ‘em, they
all got they’re own thing! but for me, its between
T.I and Wayne. Jeezy isn’t fun to listen often (lol?)
And ludacris’s albums suck. IMO
September 10th, 2008 at 11:42 am
$outh$ide allday, Hi Hataz! I listen to all HipHop becuz I’m a fan from when “real fans” existed. Itunes makes it real ez to get a cd & people still download. The ecomony is crazy & a tank of gas>>>>a cd anyday. I got Young Jeezy & probably listen to 2 songs & should have probably downloaded it.
I liked it better when the $outh was not in the front, when we was making it for just the $outh & fuck the world if they not listneing.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:43 am
$outh$ide allday, Hi Hataz! I listen to all HipHop becuz I’m a fan from when “real fans” existed. Itunes makes it real ez to get a cd & people still download. The ecomony is crazy & a tank of gas>>>>a cd anyday. I got Young Jeezy & probably listen to 2 songs & should have probably downloaded it.
I liked it better when the $outh was not in the front, when we was making it for just the $outh & fuck the world if they not listneing.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Yo everybody in these comments that mentioned Killer Mike is right: He spits FIRE and I Pledge was dope. And he never gets mentioned
September 10th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I AGREE with the whole post. Like it or not, Lil Wayne is the number one man in Hip Hop right now, if not the whole damn music industry in general and where’s he from? New Orleans. The South has been doing it big for SO long now.. who in NY creates any real recognized buzz these days apart from Jay/50/Nas? No-one.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am
#7
so because he performed in the south that helped him sell?
lmao u niggaz in the south are stupid as fuck on bompton.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Are some of you guys dumb? Do you actually know what CONSISTENCY means?
Being consistent doesn’t mean releasing mixtapes and freestyles every week filled with rubbish, like Wayne does. Consistency as a whole is albums, record sales and so on…
Quality >>> Quantity
Lil Wayne has only been consistent over the last 3 years. Carter 1, 2 and 3 were good, but his other albums were wack.
I agree @ 8 about Ludacris being arguably ONE of the most consistent rappers around.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Luda >>>>>>>>>> South sorry but its true, people hated of him for so long for making so called girly song but people are finally starting to see and judge him for what he is a great artist and the best and most consistent in the south possibly even Hip Hop aswell. Only people on that list that I listen to Luda and T.I. . Who’s that idiot who said T.I. is a snitch ? Who did he snitch on ? He got set-up dumbass who the fuck did he snitch on ? Dumb nigga. Lil Wayne only being getting better with Dedication and Carter series. People weren’t fucking with him to then so people think his a new artist.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
this autotune thing will just have to be acceptable to music right now… history is indeed repeating itself and the 80’s feel is coming back in music full force.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
But thats the issue itself. The south likes to represent as a whole. But people forget that NY is only one city. 5 boroughs but one city. So in NY the only people really makin noise are Jay Z, 50, Nas, Diddy, and Busta. Just like in Atlanta the only niggaz makin a real buzz right now are Soulja Boy, TI, Jeezy and Ludacris. Just like in Miami the only real rapper from dere makin noise is Rick Ross…
September 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Cuz SOUTH is hot and thats just the way it is
there bringing the heat.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Out of those four Luda is by far my favourite and he has the best raw talent, but T.I. and Wayne put out better albums than him.
Lyrically: Luda > T.I. > Lil Wayne > Young Jeezy. I don’t give a damn, if you disagree.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
It’s strange that Andre 3000 wasn’t mentioned in that article. Hopefully that was just a piece of the article or something and he actually was mentioned. In my opinion, he’s better than Luda, and will basically wipe the floor lyrically with the other 3 dudes spoken about…
It’s crazy… I remember when Outkast was booed at the ‘95 Source Awards, here in NY… Who would have thought that one of the dudes we were booin would turn out to be one of the most underrated mcs in hip hop. Face it, whether you talking about north, south, east or west, he’s one of the best in his generation. If the nigga was from NY, he’d be looked at the same way Big was. But he wasn’t. I think him being from the south is part of what makes him so good..
September 10th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
^I figure it was more about solo success than lyricism. Andre 3000 is lyrically superior to all four of them, no doubt.
September 10th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
How the fuck are you gonna talk about the South and not mention niggas like Z-Ro, K-Rino, Bun, Trae, Lil Keke, 3 Stacks AND Big Boi, Eightball AND MGJ, Devin Tha Dude, Cee-Lo, etc.
-Smh at Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy LOL
Scarface need to drop some NEW shit
Step up Michael Partis.
September 10th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Jeezy – I just dont feel.
Luda – Classic MC
T.I and Lil´Wayne – Neo Classic MC´s
Cham too.
But New York got classic material out now as we speak.
I am talking about the new album from GZA – “Pro Tools”.
Check it out peoples.
Peace.
September 10th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Yo Clipz I agree on this.
Z-Ro, K-Rino, Bun, Trae, Lil Keke, AND Big Boi, Eightball AND MJG, Devin Tha Dude, Cee-Lo, Scarface.
MAN especially Z-Ro, one of the realest MC ever.
Peace.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
it’s a tie between jeezy and luda
September 10th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Chill, it’s clearly on some hottest mc’s shit. You can’t come here expecting there to be praise for conscious, lyrical dudes like that. When people spoke of NY being on top they were talking about 50 Cent and a bunch of commercial rappers running the game, not the lyrical dudes. They never sold shit or “got it poppin’”..
September 10th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
^Not my opinion of what makes someone king or a good mc, just the way the public think.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
i think jeezy got it though
September 10th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Let me end all of this crazy talk..Yea LUDA TI WAYNE AND JEEZY are all nice, but let me just name a few names from PHILLY AND NY: NAS JAYZ JADAKISS FABOLOUS LOX BEANS CASSIDY FREEWAY P CRACK GILLIE JOEY JIHAD YOUNG CHRIS REED DOLLAZ..IF you ask me PHILLY RUNS SHIT..REALTALK
September 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
a MAN THE MOTHAFUCKIN SOUTH IS HERE MAN AND IF ANYBODY GOTTA SAY SUM BAD BOUT DIS SHIT WE DOIN DOWN HERE MAN U FICKIN HATA MAN FUCK NORTH,WEST,MIDWEST,ALL YALL NIGGAS DONT WANNA SEE US SHINE MAN WE JUST GIVIN THE WORLD WAT DEY WANNA HEAR MAN SO FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK ALL YALL HATERS MAN SHIT CANT STAND U FAKE ASS NIGGAS YOU NIGGAS DAT SY U HATE DA SOUTH MAN YALL NIGGAS BE BUY OUR CDS NIGGA COME ON NOW STEP YALL GAME UP MAKE A COME BACK BUT AT DA MOMMENT WE TOP DIS SHIT WE CALL HIP HOP MAN BARACK OBAMA NIGGASSS GET MONEY AND STAY ON YALL GRIND DONT HATE NIGGAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MYSPACE.COM/trey_weez HIT ME UP
September 10th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
WE IN DIS BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GET YA WEIGHT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
September 10th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
the South got anyone lyrical yet besides Andre 3k ??? I mean i aint hatin best in the South to me r Luda and Bun B both legends but besides them 3 who else is lyrical down there ???wayne freestyles crap all day long come on now
September 10th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
they all better than lil wayne
September 10th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
WHERE OFFICER ROSS AT?!????!?!?!?!!!?!!
Oh no.
September 11th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Reggie Kush, you clearly only listen to tha radio LOL
K-Rino has more lyrical ability in his pinky finger then most these cats combined, look him up.
September 12th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Like I said PHILLY RUNS SHIT..Its still about that NORTH, PHILLY AND NY…