The year Y2K was a profiting market for the controversial music industry . For Hip-Hop, it has been a compelling and turbulent year to date. Solo artists, Groups, Duos, Producers and Directors have reached the pinnacle of mainstream success and stature. The countless chants and propaganda describing Hip Hop music as the flavor of the month or a fad, has gone by waste side and has seen it’s last days in pop culture. The year 2000 has raised the debate of the essence of Hip Hop and are there limitations to it’s on-going popularity.
This year’s revenue of record sales are composed of returning urban music heavyweights and relative new comers of the industry. As what holds truth from past years, all regions of Hip Hop were represented by the finest lyricists of each particular region. In addition, all genres that embodies Urban music were also at the forefront. For example, there is the West Coast Hoo-banging cuts, the abstract conscious tracks, mainstream club joints and the yearly soulful collabos which were the highlights of the year’s collective sound.
This year’s success will commence and end with Urban music’s heavyweights. Dr. Dre remained in the mainstream media with his production on eminem’s sophomore LP, The continuing success of Chronic 2001 and the lingering legal battle with mp3 giants ” Napster “. L.L. Cool J’ s latest release ” G.O.A.T. (Greats of All Time ) ” received positive accolades from his main stay fan base, but received negative criticism from Hip Hop purists. OutKast’s fourth release ” Stankonia ” produced two hot chart toppers, ” Ms. Jackson ” and ” B.O.B. “. The album was certified double platinum within a month.
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WU-Tang Clan hit the stores with third release ” The W “. This release received secondary exposure, due to the recent controversy with one of there notorious members. Ol’ Dirty Bastard escaped from Drug Rehab center, and joined the elite group in a impromptu concert. Busta Rhymes’ release of ” Anarchy” did not live up to build, however the album sparked marginal hits ” Get Out ” and ” Fire “.
Eminem’s sophomore album entitled ” The Marshall Mathers LP ” continued the legacy of his previous success, but not escaping controversy. Eminem’s legal battles with his wife, mother and the gay community, remained in the media focal point throughout the year. Slim Shady’s verbal battle with another cream puff ” Everlast ” have also turned some heads in the urban industry. In addition, DMX released third album within the past couple years, called ” And Then There Was X “. The album sparked two new club anthems ” Party Up ” and ” What’s My Name “. However, the album did not live up to expectations and it was mild disappointment.
Snoop Dogg’s music production and legal masquerades is another exposed story throughout the music industry. Snoop’s legal battles with former Rap mogul Suge Knight and the Death Row label was featured in every radio syndicate and urban magazine. The pending release and Internet leaking of Snoop’s B-sides album, are some of the negative misfortune that has plagued the rap star within the past year. However on the positive tip, Snoop’s label ” Dogghouse records” have produced two groups. ” The Eastsidaz ” and ” Doggy’s Angels “.
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Other notable legends of Hip Hop that have release albums in the past year, is Jay-z ” Roc La Familia: The Dynasty “, Too-Short’s ” Can’t Stay Away “, Master P’s ” Ghetto Postage ” and Krs-One’s ” A Retrospective “. Another similarity to these prestigious group would have to be that they all have previously announced there retirement, in one time or the other.
Well, there was also new stars that have bolstered the hip hop sound in the clubs and on the streets. Starting with Dirty South’s ” Ludacris and Slimm Calhoun “, that had great success with there debut singles. St. Louis’s ” Nelly ” captured mainstream notoriety with his party anthems ” Country Grammar ” and ” E. I. “. Shyne’s represented the East Coast with his Bad Boy release. The Bad Boy incumbent’s verbal battles with Lil’ Kim and legal misfortunes were also in the media spotlight… So So Def’s ” Lil Bow Wow “could be the new comer with the biggest impact, due to this young age and lyrical ability. Cuban Link’s debut release featuring a dedication to this mentor and business partner the late Big Pun, also received minor success.
The obituaries of the year 2000, was headlined by the untimely death of one of Hip Hop brightest star’s Christopher Rios a.k.a ” Big Pun “, due to heart failure and his excessive weight. The tenuous release of his second album ” Yeah Baby ” feature his unlimited lyrical arsenal that he would of propelled him into many peaks and plateaus of the Hip Hop regime. Although slain rapper Big L died last year. The released of his long awaited album in late August received rave reviews. The heads that slept on his previous album, were definitely hitting his latest cuts. Another notable casualty was recent shooting death of WU-Tang’s American Cream Team member named Chip Banks. As like with his predecessors, this tragedy is a true testament to suggest that gun violence has been on-going issue and recurring problem
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The year in review of Hip Hop, will be remembered for the great success of the artists that crafted there art form and brought there talents to the climax of there abilities. The countless legal squabbles and personal misfortunes remained a standard fixture, as it was in the past years. These mishaps does evidently bring this popular genre of music, mainstream exposure. However, not the kind the powers that be, predetermined.
We all gazed at these talented lyrical prophets as messiahs or mentors, but not knowing the haunting reminder that Hip Hop is a livelihood beyond limitations and tragedies. Pay homage to all the headliners and the mainstays of the game.
Peace,
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COMPLEXX
