Once upon a time in a universe far, far away, HipHopDX used to host blogs. Through Meka, Brillyance, Aliya Ewing and others, readers got unfiltered opinions on the most current topics in and beyond Hip Hop. After a few years, a couple redesigns and the collective vision of three different Editors-In-Chief, blogs are back. Sort of. Since our blog section went the way of two-way pagers and physical mixtapes, Twitter, Instagram and Ustream have further accelerated the pace of current events in Hip Hop. Rappers beef with each other 140 characters at a time, entire mixtapes (and their associated artwork) can be released via Instagram, and sometimes these events require a rapid reaction.
As such, we’re reserving this space for a weekly reaction to Hip Hop’s current events. Or whatever else we deem worthy. And the “we” in question is myself, Andre Grant and Ural Garrett. Collectively we serve as HipHopDX’s Features Staff. Aside from tackling stray topics, we may invite artists and other personalities in Hip Hop to join the conversation. Without further delay, here’s this week’s “Stray Shots.”
Guess Who’s Commenting On Your Instagram?
Andre: If you look up Young Zee without prejudice you’ll eventually come to a Wikipedia page. That thing was written by a foregone conclusion, but that’s not the point. The point is that Young Zee is kind of an OG. There’s two ways to be an OG. Either you last a long time or you’re a master of something. Zee has been around a while.
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Zee’s also been in his feelings. “Dear Shady,” is kind of a shot, and kind of not. It’s more like a barb. Like when family members come over for the holidays and act like the reason you didn’t speak the whole year was your doing. And all you can think about is — this is why I’ve been avoiding you. Now, Eminem does think about Zee. He shouted out Zee on “Fireline” off his Shady XV rap-therapy session. And this ain’t a knock, the former Outsidaz member has been lurking since he got his shot on The Fugees’ “Cowboys” back when groups were the best of everything.
Since, he’s faced all sorts of ups and downs. Some of which he details in the song. Like needing Em’ to bail him out and put him in Slaughterhouse. Sarcastically (or not?) he trolls, “Then my records would be selling now.” And If you dig deep into the Internet miasma far enough you’ll find folks that theorize Em’ stole his style from the rapper, and while one got fame and fortune, the other got shout outs on a record or 10 over the passing of time. This is where Fif’ comes in — we think? In the Instagram the only thing you see if 50 shout him out with an “oh yeah.” Now take that comment and think about how that led to an epic crying fit with lines like, “I just feel so good right now.” And an Instagram caption that used the words, “I can’t breathe” while not referencing Eric Garner? Fandom is a hell of a drug.
Ural: The same guy who counts ghostwriting for Pras as a career highlight kicked off last week with “Dear Shady,” a track that had Young Zee simply in his feelings. According to the former Outsidaz, Slim Shady’s relationship with him isn’t exactly ideal. Zee alleges that Em neglected to help him in times of need and felt slighted when he didn’t membership in Slaughterhouse. It must be difficult to watch someone sore with similar career beginnings while the man more notable for a single feature on Fugee’s classic sophomore LP relatively remained stuck in limbo.
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While Em came off as an aged, wiser man looking back at former comrades and the “good ol’ times,” Zee simultaneously looked biter and thirsty. The two individuals hadn’t really interacted with one another for years and probably grew apart. This is what’s probably going to take place at my ten year high-school reunion reaching around the corner. There are going to be people I considered dear friends during a time where my only concern involved how many pirated CDs I could sell between class periods. Now, I probably won’t care too much about them outside of replaying old memories. Naturally, things change or evolve with time. This is probably elevated to another level with Em and Zee. Most importantly, can Zee honestly go toe-to-toe with Royce, KXNG Crooked, Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz? Proceed to the video below:
Never one to miss an opportunity, 50 Cent of course had to be an instigator via Instagram. Responding to a post from Zee, Fiddy decided to be the sly businessman and hyper troll he is. Not only did the G-Unit front-man shout him out but also promoted his latest deal with luxury underwear company Frigo and his equally crappy Beats By Dre equivalent SMS Audio through hashtags. Playing right into it, Zee was found shedding tears of joy; not from verbal acknowledgement, guest feature potential or anything substantially benefiting. That’s not fandom, it’s opportunity.
Can Lupe´Really Just Stop Tweeting and Leave Us Sick Like That?
Ural: Just when we thought Lupe Fiasco was nearing Azealia Banks levels of Twitter ridiculousness and amusement, he just ups and leaves. He will be missed, until sometime down the line when he’s pumping a new project since he’s pulled this stunt before several years back. The real reason why many are detached from the notion? Twitter has been absolutely too good to Lupe. The Chicago emcee has shown every human angle of himself on the micro-blog. From flaws to triumphs, the guy who created Food and Liquor has been thoroughly unfiltered thanks to technology.
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Remember that time when Lupe started writing the still unreleased novel? How about the moment news pundit and ascot connoisseur Roland Martin poked glaring holes in his anti-voting stance? Hell, hacktivist group Anonymous is the single reason Atlantic will be releasing Tetsuo and the Youth after Twitter threats. Cornel Westside managed to also ironically find short spats with Banks, Kid Cudi, Freddie Gibbs and even Chief Keef among others. Some warranted, some unwarranted but watching Lupe win and lose on the social media outlet has been interesting. Twitter has been the place where Lupe actually felt less like the socially conscious “Kick, Push” skateboarder who had difficulties defeating Blanka and more like the tortured soul he truly is considering his alleged drug enterprise background with incarcerated former manager Charles “Chilly” Patton.
Meanwhile, with Tetsuo and the Youth around the corner and deal with Atlantic officially nearing a close, maybe Chi Town Revera is officially done with the industry. Did the years of running through the major label machine break him? Has he given up? Only time can tell. Right now, there are few Twitter accounts in Hip Hop as popcorn worthy as LUPEND’s.
Andre: Lupe Fiasco is finally out of his contract with Atlantic (apparently) and he’s also out of his contract with the public on Twitter. What can I say except, don’t go Lupe! The man has had an epic run. Over the past few months he’s been airing out in cryptic fashion some large percent of his thoughts no filter and it’s been amazing to watch. Not only because Anonymous forced his release date at Atlantic. But because he’s been calling out sub-tweeters, Kid Cudi, Azealia Banks, and just good-old Internet citizens he’s been upset at. The memes! The epic takedown of Banks by reminding her of how she used to jack his style. The KKK garbs and the airing out of that random guy that drew an Eagle/Elephant thing into existence.
There was the recent Daylyte Rap battle that took place, and the spat with Grande Marshalle over the beat for “Adoration Of The Magi.”
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You know what, here’s my Top 5 Lupe Fiasco Twitter moments:
- Lupe Fiasco calls Barack Obama the “biggest terrorist.”
- Lupe ghostwrites Drake, Rick Ross, and Jay Z’s response to “Control.”
- Lupin The III get’s into it with Talib Kweli over misogynistic Rap lyrics.
- That time Lupe called out HipHopDX! I actually have this tweet framed.
- Just existing on Twitter to begin with. See you next time, Lupe.
Andre Grant is an NYC native turned L.A. transplant that has contributed to a few different properties on the web and is now the Features Editor for HipHopDX. He’s also trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Follow him on Twitter @drejones.
Ural Garrett is an Los Angeles-based journalist and HipHopDX’s Senior Features Writer. When not covering music, video games, films and the community at large, he’s in the kitchen baking like Anita. Follow him on Twitter @Uralg.
