In a story featured in New York City’s the Village Voice, Brooklyn rapper Joell Ortiz touched on a number of topics including gentrification in Brooklyn, his place in today’s Hip Hop market, and more.
For years now Brooklyn has become one of many areas in New York City that have become notorious for its heavy gentrification.
“My area was really drug-infested ’cause across from us was a shelter with a lot of drug addicts—the drugs bring the money, and the money leads to violence,” said Ortiz on his former home of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. “Now, it’s ridiculous. They brought in the hipsters, brought in the yuppies, and built up the big condos that no one in my ‘hood can afford.”
Like the changing terrain of his now vastly gentrified borough of Brooklyn, Ortiz revealed that Hip Hop has also changed tremendously since its pinnacle in the 90’s.
“Back then, you had to be nice. You couldn’t just get by with a catchy chorus and something to fill up the gaps in between,” Ortiz revealed to the Village Voice.
In the Village Voice story, which was written by writer Phillip Mlynar, Ortiz also spoke briefly on his time at Aftermath.
On top of releasing his studio album Free Agent later this year, Joell Ortiz will also release his Yaowa mixtape hosted by DJ Green Lantern and Don Cannon later this month.
I’m against gentrification too. The same shit is happening in Toronto, they’re tearing down old public housing and replacing them with condos.
Much respect to Ortiz. . . . . . . Honestly i tried to find something to hate about this article but found none! I luv ny, i luv brooklyn, i luv the v.v, ortiz is nice, im not hot on gentrification. What mo can i say?
Dude is mad underrated……..
its bout time sumbody bsides nas touch on this shit u gotta respect joell cos hes not a commercial rapper but he talkin real shit not jus for publicity… i cant wait for ortiz free agent but to b honest looks like ima b waitin awhile wiv his label situation so ima get me yaowa blieve tha!
Wowwwwwwwwwww!!!Recently, I came across a hot dating and friends club.
–**Blackmilitaryfriends.com**–
It’s a cool site caters to all men and women in the military or retired from the military seeking love and friendship. There are many single members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force, and Firefighters — as well as civilians, veterans.
Me and my aireforce boyfriend also meet there 1 year ago. We are now happily married. Check it out, you are also destined to meet your Mr or Mrs Right or good friends there.
Joel is nice no doubt, but just like he says you couldn’t just have a catchy chorus and all that, he is not displaying the “full package” either. He spits but doesn’t make songs that appeal to a broad audience, so he will always be in the lane he is now. I think he can break out of it possible but he always seems bitter.
The gentrification doesn’t have to be a bad thing, it potentially can do a lot, if they provide enough affordable housing for the long-time tenants. I’m tired of black neighborhoods always having to be the hood, it’s okay not to be. Smart’s the new cool!
Craziest thing in NY is SoBro- the new South Bronx, right by Third Ave bridge they building that up too. Wow what a difference, you’re gonna tell me nothing positive cam come about from that. The city has to be responsible though, can’t just displace people and let violence and crime (dynamics of poverty) be squeezed into a smaller, concentrated area. That’s what has happened in Boston and many other cities.
Wowwwwwwwwwww!!!Recently, I came across a hot dating and friends club.
–**Blackmilitaryfriends.com**–
It’s a cool site caters to all men and women in the military or retired from the military seeking love and friendship. There are many single members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force, and Firefighters — as well as civilians, veterans.
Me and my aireforce boyfriend also meet there 1 year ago. We are now happily married. Check it out, you are also destined to meet your Mr or Mrs Right or good friends there.
Hello, there is a great dating and friends site –**Blackmilitaryfriends.com**– to you. It’s a cool site caters to all men and women in the military or retired from the military seeking love and friendship. There are many single members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force, and Firefighters — as well as civilians, veterans.
Me and my aireforce boyfriend also meet there 1 year ago. We are now happily married. Check it out, you are also destined to meet your Mr or Mrs Right or good friends there.