Internet Goes Ham
As expected, Tuesday’s release of “H.A.M.” 
by Jay-Z and Kanye West brought instant critical analysis. A roundup of opinions from many of Hip Hop’s online fixtures including Miss Info, Peter Rosenberg and DX’s Editor In Chief, Jake Paine, is available at Complex.com. In addition to some critical analysis, Zack O’Malley Greenburg of Forbes.com’s “The Beat Report” went behind the numbers and analyzed if Hov’s following bars: “Really you got baby money / Keep it real with niggas / Niggas ain’t got my lady money.” At this point, any commentary about Jay taking subliminal shots at Lil Wayne and Birdman are pure speculation, but the numbers verify his boasts. But as Jay-Z is known for saying, “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.”
Read “Jay-Z Speaks Financial Truth in New Song With Kanye West” here.
They Triplin’, Baby
Fellow Def Jam alum LL Cool J didn’t exactly enjoy a great relationship with Jay-Z, after he accused Jay of promoting his own material more than his artists while serving as Def Jam’s president. But if LL’s expertise with stocks is any indication, he and Jay-Z might just appear on 2011’s list of Hip Hop’s most wealthy emcees. Business Insider recounts an excerpt of Katherine Burton’s book Hedge Hunters. According to Burton, Mr. Smith helped launch Clearview Capital. The $150 million Hedge Fund had a return of 93% in 2009 and 23% during the first nine months of 2010.
Read “Forget 50 Cent, LL Cool J Is The Real King Of Rapper-Investors” here.
Whip Appeal
The man who was once supposed to executive produce LL Cool J’s last album has been making news with his new line of wireless headphones. While talking to Business Enterprise, 50 Cent revealed the ideal market for the Sleek by 50 Cent headphones. 50 is apparently eyeing some type of partnership with Maybach, Audi and other luxury lines that use “Kleer” infrared technology. Mercedes currently has a custom line of Kleer headphones users can use. Such a model would presumably be best for the Maybach 62, which usually requires a chauffeur. It’s not a bad target demographic to aim for, as anyone dropping $430,000 on a car should surely be able to drop a few more hundred on a pair of headphones. Then again, why use headphones at all in a car equipped with a Bose custom sound system?
Read “50 Cent Talks New Headphones & Potential Maybach Deal” here.
Gutta Mix
Lastly, the homie Aaron Lacrate of Milkcrate Athletics and Records shot over a mixtape from his artist, Mz Streamz, the highly-anticipated It’s Alive. This new year mixtape features Fatman Scoop, DJ Class, Lily Allen and Spankrock. Aaron goes back to the Wild Pitch days with his, and is a true leader in bringing that Baltimore flavor to the world. Turn your amps on and check out It’s Alive here.
Business Insider chronicles LL’s hedge fund, Forbes crunches the numbers to support Hov’s financial boasts from “H.A.M.,” and 50 Cent aims for “Maybach Music.”
The business acumen of these men far exceeds the negativity that their music can sometimes spew. Thanks for publishing a brighter side of these smart & talented individuals. ML the Truth of 100 Drums Productions LLC