Young Forever in Hip-Hop

--- Michael A. Gonzales (Vibe; Fall/Winter Issue 2009; pg. 106; Vibe.com; *The New Vibe Magazine)

... Brooklyn's Prospect Park, Big Daddy Kane, 41, headlined an old-school rap concert that drew close to 7,000 fans ...

B. Brown's Thoughts: How many current hip-hop artist's can headline any kind of show & draw 7,000 fans. I can only name about 5-10 myself. How many can you name? It's very clear that our 30+ year old rappers are the gate keepers of hip-hop right now.


Jay-Z celebrates his 40th birthday this December 4th having marked yet another career milestone. His latest release, THE BLUEPRINT 3, was his 11th No. 1 album-surpassing Elvis Presley as the solo artist with the most chart-topping albums. Respected as a shrewd executive as well as a rapper, Jay-Z has steadily built a rap empire since his debut album REASONABLE DOUBT.

B. Brown's Thoughts: Jay-Z has been a beast at every step of his legendary development and growth becoming the greatest rapper of all-time. Up to two (2) years ago, LL Cool J was my choice as the G.O.A.T. (pun intended), but Jay-Z has now topped my list and he earned it! The records he has set, the trends that he has started & his overall impact on hip-hop is non-debatable. Let me put it like this, at 40 years of age, Jay-Z still runs lyrical circles around these youngsters like it isn't funny, but it is crazy funny because he's 40! And guess what, the contenders for his crown are pushing thirty (30) themselves - T.I. & LUDA. The only real young cat that I can give props to right now for lyrical content is DRAKE.


"These days, the industry is ready to dismiss you at 30-give me a break," says Alicia Keys, 28, who collaborated on "Empire State of Mind" with Jay. "That is the bullshit game to pull the wool over our eyes. When we get older, we should be wiser and better at our craft. We see things in a different light and the music changes for the better, hopefully."


"I don't thing age should have anything to do with quitting rap music," says 36-year-old Bun B. "The only way I would say a person should retire is if the audience is tired of hearing you. If people stop buying your records or going to the shows, then quit. Obviously, Jay-Z doesn't have that problem. He still has the passion for the music and works on his art constantly."


"If I was as successful as Jay-Z and people still appreciated my work, I'd rap until I was in my late 50's," laughs 24-year-old Young Capone. "Personally, I think people should rap as long as they want."


B. Brown's Thoughts: Here it is, create great music and a hip-hop artist can continue to be very relevant at any age. Yeah I agree that hip-hop is a young person's occupation, but I also believe that hip-hop's elder statesmen are better and have proven to have more staying power than the younger crop of hip-hop artists attempting to have long careers. Only time will tell!

One Love!

Learn something from Gucci Mane!

By: B. Brown (BREG)


Let me be honest with everyone off the rip. I actually like some of Gucci Mane's music! He has created some club banga's for sure!

The part of Gucci that I do not like is the fact that he has not been able to (for whatever reason) fulfill his probation obligations is back in jail.

For a young man to actually work hard, make strategic business moves and have his career move him from regional star to national star in 2009 is almost unbelievable, but he is falling prey to the same ignorance that plagues so many young people, and that is that he refuses or for some reason cannot do what he is supposed to do to move forward in life and in his career, and that is a shame.

You see, when you go to jail, rehab or both, that means you cannot make appearances and do concerts which means that a significant amount of your income has been cut-off. It also means that your team is not eating either.

Now there is a terrible rumor out there that is saying that Gucci's booking, management & label team has been receiving deposits for shows & concerts that they knew Gucci was not going to be able available for due to his pending jail time and/or rehab confinement. As a booking agent and/or manager, the 1st thing that has to be confirmed is the availability of your artist to perform on the date specified. If these rumors are true, I hope Gucci will still be able to command major money for appearances and concerts when he gets out. If not, his rise and fall will be tragic.

The lesson to learn here is to 1st and foremost stay clear of any and all activity they may lead to you serving any type of jail time. 2nd, to the very best of your ability, make sure that you have people of integrity around you conducting business on your behalf. Doing business can be difficult at times, but at least we can all strive to do righteous business and treat each other the way we would like to be treated.

Let's respect each others' time, money and efforts.

One Love!