According to Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli, comments fellow artist Trinidad James made about New York rap were very similar to remarks he made on Twitter about New York radio and New York music. While speaking with SOHH.com, Talib says it was just a little while ago when he came under fire on the social networking site for sharing his belief that New York radio doesn’t always support local artists.
The Brooklyn wordsmith, who recently launched his own radio station on Radionomy, further went on to explain that James’ comments were misunderstood and the Atlanta rapper was unable to successfully make his point.
“I think that with the Trinidad James thing, more than anything, it was a misunderstanding,” said Talib. “I think he was trying to make a point and he didn’t quite make it successfully. I got in trouble on Twitter a little while ago for saying damn near the same point and I’m from New York. Trinidad James is right, when you listen to New York radio, New York radio does not support New York music. That’s what he was speaking to.”
Shortly after Talib’s SOHH.com piece was published, he was met with words from HOT 97 program director Ebro Darden via Twitter. Darden suggested that Talib was “trolling” since he chose to make comments about New York radio days before the release of his Gravitas album, which is scheduled for release next week. In response, Talib suggested that both he and Darden further discuss the topic either on-air or on Twitter.
Talib also addressed the phone conversation, which took place between Trinidad James and New York rapper Maino, an artist who has remained vocal in his disapproval of James’ opinion on New York rap. He says he understood Maino’s point of view, but also commented on Maino making “down South” music, a point James’ briefly brought up as he spoke on New York rappers sounding like Atlanta artists.
“Trinidad’s my man and Maino’s my man,” said Talib. “I heard their conversation. If Maino is correct in his interpretation of what Trinidad James said, then I get what he was saying. If people know Maino, they know that he doesn’t just do New York music. Maino does music down South too.”
Talib’s comments made in regards to New York radio comes weeks after Trinidad James’ proclaimed that the South runs New York musically during his Converse Rubber Tracks show in New York City in November.
“I remember when New York ran this shit, dog,” said Trinidad. “When Dipset was fuckin turned the fuck up. Oh my God. I gotta wear my bandana on tilt like Juelz. What the fuck happened, dog? What happened? I remember when New York rap was the shit. And us in the South, us bammas, we was like ‘what the fuck’ and we just did our own thing. But now we run y’all musically…And now every nigga that’s really poppin’ out of New York, you might as well tell they from Atlanta.”
The Atlanta rapper’s thoughts on New York rap have since been criticized from artists including Maino, Hopsin, and N.O.R.E. The latter of which referred to James as “a smart idiot.”
RELATED: Talib Kweli Speaks On How “Underground Emcee” Is A Misused Term
this is not news
No shit ..
Sad but true, you switch on any Hip-Hop station in NY you’d think you were in Houston or Atalanta. NY Hip-Hop artist rarely support each other and the radio stations do it even less, if you want any hint of diversity you gotta pay for satellite radio and even that is kind of getting bad too.
^^ Satelitte radio been bad for maybe the past 2 years? Started going downhill around 2009? Now it’s practically all trash (except for a few throwback playlists)
Not actually true, but ok.
Who cares Drake’s not from NY
No station supports their artists. I think NY was one of the last few cities to play their own music. Most of the country has already been stuck listening to pop music.
something we’ve known for the last 8 years or so.
Not true they support Nas and Jay Z!
-_-
they say 50 killed ny hiphop but it was the radio
50 helped destroy NY HipHop but I believe that was his intention from jump.
When 50 was on top of the world and the biggest artists in HipHop he chose to beef with all the other NY artists instead of making songs and helping NY have a powerful movement like ATL, NO, Compton, Miami, Philly and other cities who have had a strong movement.
But 50 was signed to a Midwest rapper who was signed to a West Coast rapper so in addition to him being a crab he was also being ran by non NYers.
Ruff Ryder’s, D&D, D Block, Dipset, WuTang, Juice Crew, BDP, DITC, Terror Squad, Bad Boy those were genuine NY music movements that bigger up the city, G unit never had that feel, they had
Dr Dre on the beats Eminem in the background and beef with all the popular NY rappers so it was a destructive phase for NY HipHop.
A$AP Mob are making some waves for the city and French didn’t do too bad but the phase of HipHop music we are in right now is all about the Hipsters so NY street rap may be dead in the mainstream forever.
1) NY radio doesn’t support NY hip hop.
2) NY radio, particularly Hot 97, tries to pretend they do, but it’s smoke and mirrors.
3) Talib is right, but Trinidad was wrong. They’re actually not saying the same things.
4) It’s more complex a situation than can be explained over Twitter, or by bullshit soundbite journalism.
5) Atlanta’s not running NY hip hop radio either.
6) No CITY will ever RUN hip hop again.
7) NY hip hop has a shitload of dope artists and talent. If people keep waiting for the radio to play them, they will probably die waiting. That doesn’t mean that the off-radio scene isn’t incredibly worthy of attention, because it is.
8) Anyone wants to have a real discussion about this, come talk to the experts.
Ebro is such a fucking clown. They’re in denial over there. Nobody listens to that bullshit station anymore. The whole city is fed up and they’re still telling the city that they’re right and the city is wrong… FOH! Hot97 will die if they keep that clown and all them old ass DJ’s up there that get paid on the low to play the bullshit they play all day! Shit is ridiculous already!
GIVE ME A CHANCE
Youtube is all about finding new artist, & though I been rapping for a while im still consider a new artist. I just want my music heard thats all, im not looking for no record deal, getting famous ‘r anything like that.! so please just spare a few sec. to check me out, & if you like what you heard please SUBSCRIBE so ill know you actually listen & support
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaSNK0pm4eY
I think its more NY listeners don’t fuck with NY hip hop rather than NY radio. Also, Kweli has to realize radio doesn’t break artists anymore.
Im a fan and as much as I appreciate his music he not mainstream lowkey irrelevant. Even if his statement is true he wouldn’t get no radio spins either way.
He’s right. I’m born, raised, and live in NY and YESSSS! NY radio does not support NY hip hop at all. I turn on the radio and all I hear is the south, unless it’s Jay. I don’t hear anything new from NY being played on these NY stations. Ghostface had probably one of the best albums of the year, and i never heard one song off that album on the radio. You gotta be a serious hip hop head to even know the album was even out. NO SUPPORT!!! Sean Price another one, ROC marciano, so on and so on.
depends what type but neither does detroit radio
Talib Kweli lies. radio plays Nicki Minaj (YMCMB), Asap Ricky and Busta Rhymes (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires)… Asap Ricky will sign to YMCMB… so New York hip hop is good but good artists are signed to YMCMB. swag
NYC rap just sucks. A lot of NYC cats nowadays rhyme over southren beats and keep sucking dirty south dick.
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facts
Trinidad James is right but only on a commercial level… NY underground still has plenty of dope mc’s and good production…NY has fallen off even in the underground because other places got strong……..Detroit has the best mc’s and production… DC and Cali still put in wk as well……..
It’s true. Ebro can skate around al lhe wants. They play the same lame garbage all day. And most of it is the southern nonsense that is trash music. Times have changed. This stuff today would be laughed at big time prior to 2007. Things changed and the idiot music is being forced at us by the corporations that have killed real hip hop. All of it is the same bass driven crap with a chant catch slogan. Bubblegum music with minimal content to keep the masses stuck on ignorance and stupidity. Ebro and Flex are paid to play what their “bosses” tell them to. And this is the same across the country. Same lame garbage on every station.
I live in NY and i can’t think of one NY artists that doesn’t get played on the radio but deserves it
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good synth/production work but some of those synths are way over used. Jay was boss mobbin but Cam is still better