Ypulse Best And Worst Of 2008: Hip-Hop Moments
Posted by gynae on 12-30-2008
Hip-hop sure had its moments in 2008, making it very difficult to narrow down my choices for both these categories. Not making the cut for worst: there was Rick Ross’ corrections officer controversy; Suge Knight’s K.O.; Ice-T’s insulting remarks to Soulja Boy; and the resurgence of Auto-Tune (which apparently many listeners are SICK of!)
The Best
Nuttin’ But Stringz. You may have seen these amazing young brothers as finalists on NBC’s America’s Got Talent earlier this year. As much as I really wanted them to win, the reality-talent show has helped push their career further, which will hopefully spread the spotlight onto other extraordinary hip hop violinists in this unique genre.
‘Translating’ for corporate America. Rapper and hip-hop entrepreneur Jay-Z was named Chairman of Translation Advertising. Instead of cheesy commercials with even cheesier rapping and breakdancers thrown into the background, Jay-Z’s creative input will help companies better understand the multicultural and hip hop markets.
The Hip Hop Chess Federation. The HHCF reaches youth nationwide to promote unity, life strategies, and non-violence through chess, martial arts, and hip hop music. The non-profit organization launched a Life Strategies pilot program at John O’Connell High School in San Francisco. Past HHCF participants include DJ Qbert, Hieroglyphics, members from the Wu-Tang Clan, and many more.
The Worst
Baggy pants. Early September in Riviera Beach, FL, a 29-year-old man was arrested for “exposure of undergarments in public.” It should be a crime to leave nothing to the imagination with men’s boxers and the equally tacky trend of girls wearing thongs above their pants. As much as young people would like to believe extreme baggy pants are essential to completing the hip hop “look,” it’s not. They are called UNDERwear for a reason.
Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em. Regarded by some as The Worst Person in The World, this Grammy-nominated 18 year-old rapper made a statement that brings new meaning to the phrase, “Don’t be a fool, stay in school.” During an interview with BET host Touré, Soulja Boy answered a question with, “Shout out to the slave masters! Without them we’d still be in Africa. We wouldn’t be here to get this ice and tattoos.” Yes, he actually said this. Then apologized and promised to set a “better example” for kids after his second album was released.
Lil Wayne. From felony possession of narcotics to copyright infringement lawsuits, Lil Wayne somehow still managed to grab 8 Grammy nominations this year. I guess any publicity really is good publicity because the media can’t get enough of him; even with lyrics like, “Got money and you know it/Take it out your pocket and show it/Then throw it like/This a way, that a way/This a way, that a way.” I’m also guessing Lil Wayne is not in a recession like the rest of America.
The many entertainers we’ve lost. BET has compiled a photo gallery with brief information on entertainers that have passed away in ’08, with the exception of the recent deaths of actress Eartha Kitt and musician Freddie Hubbard.
About Gynae Davalos
Gynae is Ypulse’s new Urban editor. She currently works with The Cypher Project in Austin. She’s also been involved in Better Hip Hop Bureau Austin and is currently in training to be a Lonestar Rollergirl, which has a program for young girls called Austin Derby Brats.
Categorized under: Urban
December 30th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I guess you didn’t see Nuttin’ But Strings on their Holiday Tour in 2006. It didn’t get much exposure and they were with this group nobody has probably ever heard of… the Jonas Brothers.