In an industry filled with coastal bias, it’s about time someone from the West Coast, more importantly the Bay Area, was given the opportunity to shed light on our side of things. Welcome to a West Coast State of Mind, where I’m only bias sometimes, but at least I’ll admit it. – ill Will (ill.will@hiphopdx.com)
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Being that I take an hour long BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) ride back and forth to work, I find myself with a decent amount of time to ponder various meaningless things. My latest theory I’ve come up with is this – there is no such thing as a D12 fan. Let me clarify. Yes, both D12 albums have earned multi-platinum plaques, but only because of Eminem – not because actual fans of D12 exist. But just when I thought my theory was proof positive, I found out during a car ride – that I had no business being in, mind you – that I might be wrong.
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I had a little shin-dig at my house last week and while sippin’ some henne and hypno (we call that Bruce Banner out in the Yay), sitting in a lawn chair in my driveway with my boy, a good looking girl pulled up and said she was going to pick up her brother so he can drive and she can stay and drink. Me, being the intelligent guy that I am, saw the vast potential of a good looking girl getting trashed at my house and showed my support of her decision by accompanying her with my boy.
We get to her house, her brother gets in the car and after about thirty seconds excitingly asks my boy if he’s heard the new D12 cd. I wish everyone could’ve heard the pride in his voice when he said it. My boy quickly tells him its garbage and despite my snobbish rule of not discussing music with retards, I even mumble derogatory comments about the joke of a group. The kid is now getting defensive and says “no, not this album. This album is hella tight! All of them come tight.”
In shock I say, “Jesus Christ, I don’t think I’ve ever met a fan of D12 before. Holy shit!” I was dumbfounded and after it sunk in, I thought to myself that there was no possible way that this was true so I ask him to name all 6 members and you know what? He could only name 5. I turned to him and said “And you call yourself a fan? I fuckin’ knew I was right” I shoulda fucked his sister right there in front of him, like “in your face Charlie Murphy.”
I just thought I should share that with you guys.
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Other than that, what’s been good? Me? I’m chillin’, enjoying my two favorite TV channels MTV Hits and FUSE. Video’s non-stop, I’m in heaven. All I want in life is to hang out at a Sean Paul video shoot (Sidney, make it happen!), but I’ll settle for a Petey Pablo one. One of my favorite videos to watch is Lloyd’s “Southside” where Irv Gottti does his worst Bronx tale impression and plays relationship guru with Lloyd- doing an even impression- responds empathically “but Gotti you don’t give nobody the keys to your car! (Notice the movement of his chin- up then down)
With all the recent comebacks it seems like that’d be a fitting starting point for us. Thank God, Mase is back! You gotta love it. The only person in the world who doesn’t is Cam. 2004 just doesn’t seem like it’s his year. His record keeps getting pushed back indefinitely, his conscious radio single was drowned out by Jada’s, and the Jahiem angle dried up when Nelly’s “My Place” took off. But the nail in the coffin was when the Reverend showed up with “Welcome Back.” Just when Cam thought Harlem was his too. Damn those dimples.
Shyne is also back and people are really, really happy about this. Personally I’m more excited about the return of Silkk The Shocker. I guess it’s just that New York shit muthafucka’s are on, along with the “realness” of his situation.
I wonder how Russell really feels about the state of Def Jam. LA Reid, of all people, is running something that’s regarded as a cornerstone of Hip-Hop and Joe Budden is their future, shit looks Bleek (ask anybody at the Roc and they’ll tell you that’s not good). Somebody should tell Def Jam they need to find that West Coast artist to keep them afloat during this current slump, like they did in the mid-nineties with Warren G. (“Seliiiiiiiiiiim, mount up”)
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On another West Coast note, I was wondering if somebody could explain to me what exactly makes Game tight? I’ve said it before, I love West Coast artists blowing up, but I just feel he’s getting waaaaaaaaay too much praise. So if anybody out there could help me with this one, that’d be great (Bonsu, maybe?)
Shout out to T.I., fuck Lil Flip! (“treat you like milk and spoil you” LOL).
Before I go, let me get my industry on and plug a few people and things courtesy of my favorite girl in LA, Echo Hattix: Elise Neal, The Pharcyde and The USA Hip Hop Dance Championship.
Also, a big ass congratulations goes out to my boy Balance for being #3 on XXL’s list of artists to blow next year. It’s well deserved.
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Oh and how could I forget, my extra time has also allowed me to do some soul searching and I’ve got a new plan for my personal life. I wanna have sex with Remy Ma and then marry Alicia Keys. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. ‘Til next time.
Love Everybody.LOL!
Are you that kid in the car with Will? Or maybe just someone who wants to talk some smack, shoot the shit, etc? Do it here.
