Wait, you don't have a favorite MC of all time. . . the fuck?: Consumer X

1. Who the fuck are you? (Alias, oldness factor, place I should avoid if I never want to see you, etc. . .)

Tek the intern (@tektheintern). Producer, writer, and avid thinker. 26, Born in the Bahamas, grew up between Philly and New York, currently living in Orlando.

2. Describe hip hop in one word, then explain your word choice.

Influential: Everyone knows at least one rap song, can you say that about any other genre of music? Simply put, everyone wants to be in it or apart of it.

3. Favorite MC (current vs. all time)

Right now definitely between Royce Da 5'9” and Lupe Fiasco. As far as all time I’ll never have one because growing up a really followed producers more than rappers.

4. Why the fuck do I care? What qualifies your opinion on the subject?

You really shouldn't care, that's why "your taste in music sucks". I'm only qualified for what I put in my head... and its usually the best stuff out there.

5. If you had to boil what hip hop truly is down to three albums, what would they be? Explain.

I only need one. Ready to Die - Notorious B.I.G
This is one of the most complete albums of all time. Not only do you get great beats and lyrics, you get what most rappers lack these days, and that's story telling. It also gives every emotion all the way down to suicide, everything is just simply relatable. It’s an album you can listen to on any given day

6. You may not be Dave New York, but I still wanna know. . . How do you feel about radio hip hop?

I stopped listening to the radio in 2002... seriously.

7. In your opinion, are hip hop and rap the same? Are the words interchangeable? Why or why not.

No it's not. Plain and simple, Hip Hop is the culture. Break-dancing, graffiti, etc. Rap is a bi-product of the culture (or the soul of it more less).

8. Best producer in the game?

This is a very tough one but I'm gonna have to give it up to NOTTZ & Black Milk. They’re always underdogs, but they both have some seriously dope shit out there.

9. What's your guilty pleasure in terms of music? The stuff you wouldn't want ANYONE to catch you listening to.

I don't have any, if you see a black man rollin' around skipping from Incubus, to Coldplay, to Kev Brown, to Slum Village, that's who I am. I love music.

10. Do you like Jay-z? If so, for the love of god, explain why.

Jay-z is honestly one of the only rappers who can choose to be either a rapper or an emcee. But the reason I respect his craft is because he does both pretty well. He's not making "Exhibit C", but he's also not making, or even featuring himself, on songs like "Swag Surfin”.

11. Who is the one rapper out right now that you feel does not deserve the success they have? Why.

I honestly used to have a book full of people, but then I realized no matter how stupid the lyrics, or the entire song, those people are putting in there share of work, no matter how you look at it. Even if its bullshit (and a lot of it is), denying their success doesn't make them go away, but ignoring their entire existence might just do it (in my opinion).

12. Who is the one rapper out right now that deserves more success than they have currently? Why.

This kid from LA by the name of "Tiron". His music is just dope and very relatable. It’s that kind of music you wish you heard everyday. Look him up if you don't know about him.

13. "I'm tryin' to be one of the best, period. Not just one of the best with breasts and a period. . ." -Invincible - How do you feel about the fact that you are being interviewed by a girl that thinks she knows more about hip hop than you ever will?

I think its great. Hip hop has kind of a one-sided rep, so it good to see females standing out saying, ‘hey I'm a hip hop head too’… and I may know more than you.


Blogger commentary: Some of these answers were a little sus... but, whatever. 

So... what, you think you're better than me? Fuck outta here!: Consumer X

1. Who the fuck are you? (Alias, oldness factor, place I should avoid if I never want to see you, etc. . .)

Yohance' aka M.E.R.C.U.R.Y. aka Merc80
Los Angeles, CA
27
Artist, Cultural Anthropologist, Urban Renaissance Man, Taste-maker, Interviewer, Intellect, and Lover of all things positive. 

2. Describe hip hop in one word, then explain your word choice. . .

Integrity.  
I think that has been a strong basis of Hip Hop and it's formation out of the disco era.  Something from the soul, rooted in 4 elements, "keeping it real", all have to do with integrity and being true to oneself and overall spirit.  I think integrity is what is severely lacking in Hip Hop now also. 

3. Favorite MC (current vs. all time)?

Yikes....it's a stalemate between Andre 3000 and Rakim.

4. Why the fuck do I care? What qualifies your opinion on the subject?

My father is a drummer and played African and Caribbean music.  He had my hands on the drum when I was a baby.  By the time I was 3 I was on stage with his band.  I wrote stories as a kid.  I had my first Hip Hop CD out with a group when I was 15, performed on the same stages as Aceyalone, Little Brother, Cee-Lo, Black Moon, Raekwon, the Alkaholiks, and The Roots.  I was also in the high school Jazz band from 8th-12th grade.  Made another CD in college, and 2 EPs as a solo artist in my mid 20s.  I love and live music.  It's not a game

5. If you had to boil what hip hop truly is down to three albums, what would they be? Explain.

1. In The Jungle Groove - James Brown
2. Any album from Parliament.

3. Any album by The Meters.
That's about 80% of Hip Hops existence right there.

6. You may not be Dave New York, but I still wanna know. . . How do you feel about radio hip hop?

I don't know what "radio Hip Hop" is.  I am familiar with the stuff called "Hip Hop" that's being played on the radio though.  It sucks.

7. In your opinion, are hip hop and rap the same? Are the words interchangeable? Why or why not?

Hip Hop and Rap are like Bill Withers and Trey Songz.  
They both sing, they both are doing the same job.  
But Bill Withers sings with soul, aims for the heart, and will last you a lifetime.  Trey does not.
Hip Hop= Soul.  Rap= Pop

8. Best producer in the game?

Alive: Timbaland.  For all time: Dilla. 

9. What's your guilty pleasure in terms of music? The stuff you wouldn't want ANYONE to catch you listening to.

If you can't accept whatever the hell I'm listening to in my car or home, then fuck you.
(I don't play my cheesy 80s stuff around the homies though) 

10. Do you like Jay-z? If so, for the love of god, explain why. . .

See #11 

11. Who is the one rapper out right now that you feel does not deserve the success they have? Why?

Jay Z.  I have seen his rise to current fame and LOT of it has been on the coattails of Notorious B.IG.  He's very talented, very smart, but when it comes down to it, I have seen his aims and ambitions be more toward fame than furthering the art.  Some may call it hating, I just don't think money and power should always be central to creating lasting art, and that's where I've seen Jay going for a long time. 

12. Who is the one rapper out right now that deserves more success than they have currently? Why?

If I have to choose one, I'd say Black Thought.  He's too slept on.  He's gangsta and thought provoking.  And really, those two traits are not mutually exclusive. 

13. "I'm tryin' to be one of the best, period. Not just one of the best with breasts and a period. . ." -Invincible . . . How do you feel about the fact that you are being interviewed by a girl that thinks she knows more about hip hop than you ever will?

Haha!  We'll see about that. ;-)

Blogger commentary: Let it be known, my music taste is 16.59% better than this fools... if for no other reason than because he said Timbo was his favorite living producer... don't make me body check you.

Awww shit nigga, that's me!: Consumer X

So, I interviewed someone for the Consumer X segment a while back, and when they were done, they asked if they could interview me for their blog (biter. I'm just sayin'). . . Anywhos © DOOM, they decided to take the interview questions I used for them, and basically chopped and screwed them. This was the result:

1. Who are you? (Name, age, loc, what you do, etc)

Last name: Ever. First name: Bitchiest. Like a girl on her period, boy, I ain’t nothin’ to play with. . . Also, I just recently turned 24, and I domiciliate (dictionary.com it punk) in the Bay. I currently have two jobs, attended grad school full time, and I run a blog, http://www.yourtasteinmusicsucks.com/ - that is all.

2. When did you first fall in love w/ Hip Hop? Describe what happened.

Ummm, Hip Hop was sort of put on me by my brother. He is 6 years older than me, and so, when I was of that ‘starting to do your own thing’ age in terms of music, I saw what he was listening to, and just fed off of it. He was a HUGE 2pac fan. . . still is, and thus, so am I. Our mom would let us listen to KMEL and all that, so I came up on more mainstream rap/Hip Hop. But then, when I was coming up, what was being played on the radio was actually good music. But that’s more of how I started listening to Hip Hop, not when I fell in love with Hip Hop. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Pac, the Geto Boys, Tribe, Digital Underground, Biggie (yeah, I said it. . . as much shit as I talk about Biggie, I love fat ass Frank White), the Wu-Tang Clan, etc, but I don’t think I actually fell in love with Hip Hop until I heard them sounds comin’ out of Detroit. That J Dilla shit. After I heard Slum Village, I thought I was done. . . then I heard Ruff Draft, and it was REALLY over. . . Hip Hop has had my heart ever since. . . and I don’t think any one else will really ever get it because of that. . . it’s like Jay Dee said: “I can’t get in a relationship because I’m still with my first love, which is music. . .”

3. Describe Hip Hop in one word, then explain your word choice.

Love. Hip Hop, in it’s truest, purest, and greatest form is what, if love had a sound, it would sound like. Like. . . how you can see love in the interaction between a parent and child, or how you can feel love when someone you are mad crazy about touches you in that way that makes you feel like you could die right then and be cool with it. . . Hip Hop is what love sounds like. . . The early lyrics that Nas delivered. . . J Dilla instrumentals. . . crazy ass DOOM rhymes. . . 14KT’s whole sound. . . It’s the audible expression of love. . .

4. Favorite MC (Current vs. All Time)?

I just want you to know, I HATE answering these questions. It serves me right because I ask them to others all the time.

All time: Pac, Black Thought, T3, Nas, Dilla
Current: Blu, DOOM, Guilty Simpson, Invincible, Jay Electronica

That was so unfair to even ask me. And DOOM and Guilty and Electrolysis should have gone on the ‘all time’ list. . . fail.

5. What made you start this blog?

I started this blog because. . . well. . . I don’t really know. I guess I just felt like writing about music that particular night, and I had some free time. . . which is rare. . . so I wrote about Blu and Exile’s ‘Below The Heavens’ because that’s just such a great album, and I felt like writing about it. It was really not that. . . exciting. . . or inventive. . . I didn’t have this moment that was like, ‘Hey! I’m gonna start a blog and try and do something with it!’. . . I kinda figured I’d do the one post, and that would be it. . . The next day though, I took like three hours and did a written review of this artist’s, Ro Spit, new project. . . I did a totally honest review, which at times was not exactly complimentary, but overall, I loved the project, and I just wrote everything I felt about it. No holds barred. I sent the review to him via twitter the next day. I honestly halfway thought I was gonna get cussed out, but, not the case. He said he liked the review, and put it out there for other people to read. I thought that was awesome, so, I just kept going with it.

6. Why should your readers care, what qualifies your opinion on music?

Honestly, my readers shouldn’t care, and I don’t know why they do. I’m just one person giving my opinion on music. . . that’s it. If you should happen to agree with it, or think it’s funny, or think it’s vile but just can’t stop reading, cool. But should you care? No. Hopefully you have more important shit to care about. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read what I have to say, especially is you enjoy it and/or relate to it. Or. . . you know. . . if you want to stay on my good side.

7. If you had to define Hip Hop in just three albums, what would they be? Explain.

Wu-Tang Clan – Enter The Wu (36 Chambers): This album was an introduction to Hip Hop, and/or ‘hardcore’ Hip Hop for a lot of people. The 9 man killing squad known as the Wu-Tang Clan came to work on this album, and people recognized it. This album is an example of what I used to love about Hip Hop. . . when GOOD music was recognized and went mainstream. This album exposed a lot of people to this whole new genre of music (to them), not to mention that fact that it’s just a great fucking album. It has hit after hit on it, and it’s still legitimate. I guess that was a 90’s thing. I dare you to find one person that doesn’t love this album. I fucking dare you.

N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton: This album was the birth of gangsta rap. Some say that’s only the case for the mainstream, but who cares, in my opinion, which clearly means. . . the truth, this album gave birth to gangsta rap. N.W.A. came out with some shit that a lot of people had never seen or heard before. . . shit, a lot of people didn’t WANT to see it or hear it, but they came with it anyway, knowing full well that it wasn’t going to be received well by many people. This album also snatched attention away from the East coast in terms of Hip Hop, and gave the West a voice. . . and a fucking loud one at that. Also, and I don’t know how the fuck they pulled this off, but the shit blew up with no real mainstream support. . . the album went double platinum. . . all while the radio wasn’t really playing N.W.A. and their videos were getting’ yanked shortly after being put out. . . not to mention the fact that they were banned from playing at several locations because of their ‘dangerous content’. N.W.A. put the nation on it’s ass, changed Hip Hop, took the spotlight away from what was popular at the time, and did it all with one great, solidly produced, well rapped on album.

J Dilla – Ruff Draft: Perhaps this album didn’t ‘change the game’ as much as my other two choices, but it’s just a down right amazing piece of mastery, and unlike anything else anyone has ever done. This album is a Hip Hop lovers album. . . That’s the thing I love about it. . . it’s not made for everyone. This isn’t an album you can just throw at the average person walking down the street and expect for them to understand it, and love it. . . this is an album for Hip Hop. . . for people who live, love, and are Hip Hop. Let me try to clarify. We have all heard people say things like ‘he was a producers producer’ or ‘she is a writers writer’, meaning, the shit that person creates is for people in the know, people who understand and love and create (whatever they are being compared to) themselves. . . so much like Dilla was a ‘producers producer’, Ruff Draft was an album for Hip Hop. . . it WAS Hip Hop, but it was FOR Hip Hop (and it's conglomerates) as well. . . I hope that makes sense.

8. How do you feel about radio Hip Hop?

I love this question. I ask people this question, A. because I legitimately want to know the answer, and B. because I want to see if they will pick up on the reference. So far no winners. Anywhos © DOOM, I have mixed feelings about radio Hip Hop. There is a rather large part of me that feels like its total garbage, and everyone should throw their radios out the window and into a pit of fire. . . I can’t say that I am a huge fan of hearing the same 6 Trey Songz tracks in rotation for 12 hours straight. . . cause I would be lying. . . or very stupid. . . or both. . . that being said, I occasionally turn on the radio, and hear something I like. . . and those moments are amazing. . . granted, it’s usually from the 90’s. . . you know those throwback hours or whatever, but still, I love that shit. So I can’t just say all radio Hip Hop is bad. A lot of it is. Most of the new shit REALLY is. But, it serves a purpose, and you never know. . . it might improve some day. . . soon. . . hopefully. . .

9. Press play on your iPod/Zune/MP3 Player and list the first 10 artists/songs

DOOM – Vomitspit
Hi-Tek – Music For Life
Invincible – Sledgehammer!
Guilty Simpson – Get Bitches
The White Stripes – We’re Going To Be Friends
Jay Electronica – Exhibit A
Drake – Think Good Thoughts (DON’T JUDGE ME)
Lifesavas – No Surprise
Slum Village – Dirty
Weezer – My Name Is Jonas

10. Favorite Producer (Current vs. All Time)?

Current: 14KT
All time: J Dilla

(easiest question to answer so far)

11. What's your guilty pleasure in terms of music? The stuff you wouldn't want ANYONE to hear you listening to.

I don’t have anything that I really don’t want people to know I am listening to. . . I mean, I may hate on a lot of artists, but even the worst of the worst probably have a song or two that get’s some play from me. . . maybe. . . sometimes. . . But I would say the shit that probably baffles me the most that I like. . . hmmm, Pink. I LOVE Pink. Part of me feels like it makes sense that I love Pink, because she is just a chick that don’t give a fuck. . . kinda like someone else I know. . . not gonna mention any names. . . Anywhos © DOOM, for that reason, it makes sense that I like her and vibe with her music, but on the other hand, her music can be very feminine. . . not really in how it sounds, but more so what it actually is. I am none for my more ‘male interests, like sports, video games, Hip Hop, etc. . . She come from the perspective of a female in every sense of the way. . . sometimes it’s from the perspective of a damaged female, a jilted female, a lovelorn female, a sad, inescapably pained female, an empowered female, a sexual female, etc. . . This seems odd because many people are under the strange impression that I have no feelings. . . which is why I am such a bitch. Little do they know, it’s quite the opposite. I feel EVERYTHING. Which. . . is why I am such a bitch. I’m just sayin’. I love Pink. I love her music, I love her attitude, I love the fact that she is not afraid to be herself, even when it makes her look less than ideal. I love how real she is, and she is my favorite none Hip Hop artist. Granted. . . songs like ‘Get The Party Started’ annoy me, because it’s too. . . well, I just don’t like it, and a lot of people who don’t listen to Pink think of that song when I mention her. . . but songs like ‘Like A Pill’, ‘Sober’, and ‘Please Don’t Leave’ are so. . . amazingly well written, sung, and. . . shit, they’re just good. Perhaps I love her so because I relate so much, but I really do feel like she is an amazing artist.

“I can be so mean when I want to be. . . I am capable of really anything. . . I can cut you into pieces. . . when my heart is. . . broken. . .” –Pink

12. Who is the one rapper out right now that you feel does not deserve the success they have? Why.

Man. . . I could give 30 answers to this question. But I am gonna narrow it down to one. . . I think I am going to go with Gucci Mane. I just feel like. . . what the fuck do you people see in him? I mean. . . honestly. He raps like he is literally retarded. The shit he says just. . . it doesn’t make sense. I really honestly feel like people like it because it’s mindless. Which I think is really sad. One of the things I love most about Hip Hop is the lyrical content, so when someone is just. . . lyrically irrelevant, I am annoyed when people like them. . . ESPECIALLY if they ain’t got beats. . . you HAVE to have beats or rhymes. . . both is ideal, but neither is unacceptable.

13. Who is the one rapper out right now that deserves more success than they have currently? Why.

Jay Electronica. There is nan a rapper that I find quite as interesting as him. When I talk to people about him I always get the same response. “Oh, yeah. . . the weird guy?”. Honestly, that response makes me like him even more. He is weird. And I like that. A lot of people don’t know this (even those who claim to be fans), but he is from the South, and he is doing something TOTALLY different than any other Southern rapper. Shit, he is doing something totally different than any other rapper, period. He is dark, verbose, and. . . well, not what people are used to, which is why I think a lot of people don’t listen to him, but those are the things I love about him. He is someone that is truly a better rapper, no bullshit, than 90% of cats out right now. He just raps well. No games, no gimmicks, just talent. He deserves more popularity than he has. . . I am just not entirely sure he even wants it though. . . Runner up in this category is Invincible. That girl single handedly changed my opinion about female MCs. Fuck a Barbie bitch, Invincible is a real bitch and deserves x10,000 the recognition.

14. It seems lately that everyone is saying Hip Hop is dead or dying. What's your opinion on this?

I think to say that Hip Hop is dead or dying is just plain silly. I think what they mean is MAINSTREAM Hip Hop is dead or dying. . . but as long as there are artists out there that are coming with real shit, then Hip Hop is not dead. Not even close. Disco is dead. Because no one makes disco anymore. . . EVERYONE makes Hip Hop. Or what they think is Hip Hop. Hip Hop is not dead, it’s just sick. . . it’s got gangrene, and we need to cut the infected shit off so that the rest of it can live and be healthy. . . but it’s still alive. . . and you’re a hater, punk, mothafuckin’ bitch if you honestly believe Hip Hop is dead. . . even if you’re Nas. . . and I love Nas. I’m just sayin’.

15. What makes your taste in music better than everyone else?

Ha. Cause I said so. . . and if you like Jay-z, you can’t disagree with the logic on that one.

Blogger commentary: You can find this post also floating around the net at http://blog.okizoo.com

You had me at Sweet Pea. . . and by 'had me' I meant made me seriously question you: Consumer X

1. Who the fuck are you? (Alias, oldness factor, place I should avoid if I never want to see you, etc. . .)

My Mama call me Sweet Pea, but I’m EL3G to the world. I'm one of many in the Hip Hop Collective OkiZoo (http://blog.okizoo.com/) & I'm a Host and DJ on http://www.gtownradio.com/ Wed 8-10pm EST. Currently in Philadelphia, 28 years old and life's a blessing.

2. Describe hip hop in one word, then explain your word choice. . .

Freedom. Hip Hop is an artistic commitment to seize freedom. Its origins began as an outlet to express oneself, and in doing so you become free. Free from the bullshit of your daily life, just free in the music. That feeling you get from Hip Hop is freedom.

3. Favorite MC (current vs. all time)?

Current: Elzhi (of Slum Village)
All Time: Black Thought (of The Roots)

4. Why the fuck do I care? What qualifies your opinion on the subject?

I have a great ear for music. Born in 81, Hip Hop has been a part of my life since the beginning. I live, breathe, eat, shit, hip hop so I think that makes my opinion on it valid.

5. If you had to boil what hip hop truly is down to three albums, what would they be? Explain.

Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back
The Roots - Things Fall Apart
NWA - Straight Outta Compton

Those three albums kinda cover the bases when it comes to hip hop.

You got your East Coast Rap w/ PE.

You got your Conscious, thought provoking, Underground Rap w/ The Roots.
You got your West Coast, Gangsta Rap w/ NWA.

Honorable Mention goes to Outkast - Aquemini. They hold it down for the South.

6. You may not be Dave New York, but I still wanna know. . . How do you feel about radio hip hop?

I don't fuck w/ it. Only radio I like is Internet Radio & College Radio. At least w/ those mediums you won't hear the same wack ass song over and over again.

7. In your opinion, are hip hop and rap the same? Are the words interchangeable? Why or why not?

Rap is rhyming on a beat. Hip Hop is the culture and the 4 elements Rap, DJing, Graffiti, Bboying. They're really not interchangeable, since Rap is just one part of Hip Hop.

8. Best producer in the game?

Madlib. His catalog is crazy, he really focuses on the music and he's a crate digga for real. If Dilla was still around he'd hold the crown tho.

9. What's your guilty pleasure in terms of music? The stuff you wouldn't want ANYONE to catch you listening to.

Honestly I don't think I have one. If the music is suspect or wack to me I don't listen to it. Everything I do listen to I bump that shit loud in an attempt to get someone to ask me what I'm listening to. I can't call it.

10. Do you like Jay-z? If so, for the love of god, explain why. . .

I can't knock the hustle. I don't like him as a person tho. Reasonable Doubt was dope, and still gets play in my rotation, but he just kind of rubs me the wrong way. Plus that nigga fell off as a lyricist. He should have retired the first time he said it.

11. Who is the one rapper out right now that you feel does not deserve the success they have? Why?

Gucci Mane... how the fuck did this dude get on? I mean do I really have to even explain why, he's terrible, just terrible. I can't knock the hustle tho, I'm not a hater.

12. Who is the one rapper out right now that deserves more success than they have currently? Why?

Blu, that guy is dope. He made a classic album w/ his debut but he gets little shine from the mainstream. Even you mentioned how dope his album w/ Exile, 'Below The Heavens' is. I just wish MTV or BET would take notice to some of his videos.

If you never heard of Blu, "Judge This Shit For Yourself" --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia0VxX1y-1M

13. "I'm tryin' to be one of the best, period. Not just one of the best with breasts and a period. . ." -Invincible . . . How do you feel about the fact that you are being interviewed by a girl that thinks she knows more about hip hop than you ever will?

Well I doubt you know more than me, but I know that you are a fly woman w/ a good ear for music. So I feel real good about it.

Blogger commentary: I'm gonna need for your answers to not be so similar to what mine would be. You're like a non-asshole version of me. Which makes you automatically less cool. . . so I win. That is all.

Are you stalking me?: Consumer X

1. Who the fuck are you? (Alias, oldness factor, place I should avoid if I never want to see you, etc. . .)

Alex, 26, Bay Area. You don't need to know any more than that.

2. Describe hip hop in one word, then explain your word choice. . .

Hip-Hop is... Hip-Hop. You can describe the genre/culture by using the word itself. Hip-Hop is.

3. Favorite MC (current vs. all time)?

Current: Canibus, Immortal Tech
All time: Nas or Del

4. Why the fuck do I care? What qualifies your opinion on the subject?

Because I touch you in ways only you and I can speak about.

5. If you had to boil what hip hop truly is down to three albums, what would they be? Explain.

Paid in Full - The Illmatic before... Illmatic. Ra took it to another level lyrically, and Eric dropped the hot beats.

Illmatic - One of the most lyrically impressive albums, ever. A hungry young Nasir tore this album up, and Prem, Pete, Xtra P, plus others provided the backdrop for the amazing lyrics, and despite being different producers, they created a coherent sound for the album.

Endtroducing... - One of the foundations of the culture has always been sampling, and DJ Shadow creates an amazing album solely based off samples. One of my favorite albums to sit back and vibe to, especially in the winter and summer times.

6. You may not be Dave New York, but I still wanna know. . . How do you feel about radio hip hop?

It serves its purpose. I don't listen to the radio much, but I just see it as another outlet for an artist to spread their music.

7. In your opinion, are hip hop and rap the same? Are the words interchangeable? Why or why not?

Whenever I'm asked this, I quote the Teacha: "Rap is something you do, Hip-Hop is something you live." Hip-Hop encompasses rap, as well as graf, bboying, DJing, and other aspects. When talking deeply about the subject, I wouldn't say they're the same per se, as mentioned previously, Hip-Hop is the culture, and rap is something you do within the culture. However, when discussing the genre of music, I'd say "Hip-Hop" over the word "Rap." But in that sense, they are interchangeable.

8. Best producer in the game?

Prem or Stoupe

9. What's your guilty pleasure in terms of music? The stuff you wouldn't want ANYONE to catch you listening to.

None, I don't care what people know what I listen to. I gotta mix CD right now that has Nas, Hilary Duff, Canibus, and some other random stuff.

10. Do you like Jay-z? If so, for the love of god, explain why. . .

Yeah, I do. Despite accusations of "bigging up his brother" a little too much, Jay does have skill. Not even taking into account his business side/personal side... there's a reason there's a lot of Jay clones out there. Jay can rhyme his ass off. If you don't recognize he has skill, you're a hater. He's good at what he does.

11. Who is the one rapper out right now that you feel does not deserve the success they have? Why?

This is gonna sound cliché, but Weezy... he lucked out. Without the south explosion, I don't think he'd be as big as he is now. I always felt he was one of the weaker members of Cash Money... the events that transpired to his success was all based on the current environment, and luck.

12. Who is the one rapper out right now that deserves more success than they have currently? Why?

Bubba Sparxxx, especially when the south blew... Bubba dropped an underrated sophomore album, with some of Tim's best work, and it went unheard... Bubba then switched it up to be more appealing, when he shouldn't have had to do that.

13. "I'm tryin' to be one of the best, period. Not just one of the best with breasts and a period. . ." -Invincible . . . How do you feel about the fact that you are being interviewed by a girl that thinks she knows more about hip hop than you ever will?

It's quite a turn on... we should do like my man Diddy say... "play fight under covers"

Blogger commentary: For the record, this idiot has not touched me in ways only him and I can speak about. He hasn't touched me at all. He is a stalkery Hov loving weirdo. But his opinion still counts. . . sort of. . . That is all.

You might not be totally tasteless after all: Consumer X

1. Who the fuck are you? (Alias, oldness factor, place I should avoid if I never want to see you, etc. . .)

Rasheed Malek, 24, The Bay. The head writer/editor over at WarrriorsWorld.net and Director/Producer at WarriorsWorld TV, also puttin' in work as a Youth Worker and grad student. The grind never stops.

2. Describe hip hop in one word, then explain your word choice. . .

Universal. Hip Hop is universal as it brings people from all races, religions, cultures and other groups together to share a passion for a genre of music which evokes excitement and energy through everyone. While a dude from the hood is downloading a Lil Wayne album there is someone in the middle of Russia doing the same, all for the love of Hip Hop.

3. Favorite MC (current vs. all time)?

Fav. current MC is Royce da 5'9 and all time fav. MC is Pac.

4. Why the fuck do I care? What qualifies your opinion on the subject?

Hip Hop Baby and 80's Baby which means I grew up on Hip Hop and was always around it in one way or another. Student of the art form, from b-boying to battles to the history of it all, its embedded with me.

5. If you had to boil what hip hop truly is down to three albums, what would they be? Explain.

Eric B. & Rakim- Paid in Full -- Didn't appreciate this till years after it dropped
Nas- Illmatic- Genius
Pac-All Eyez on Me- Greatest Pac album ever

6. You may not be Dave New York, but I still wanna know. . . How do you feel about radio hip hop?

Don't listen to the radio much but I think it has a place in music because the people they're targeting are the younger demographic and those who prefer style over substance. Nothing wrong with radio hip hip once in a while just can't bump it constantly.

7. In your opinion, are hip hop and rap the same? Are the words interchangeable? Why or why not?

Rapping is something anybody can do and doesn't require much talent or skill. Hip Hop is the ability to be an MC, not everyone can be an MC. Takes a special person who can flow, write, deliver and put it all together.

8. Best producer in the game?

Just Blaze

9. What's your guilty pleasure in terms of music? The stuff you wouldn't want ANYONE to catch you listening to.

50 gets a lot of hate but his products have always been consistent and entertaining.

10. Do you like Jay-z? If so, for the love of god, explain why. . .

Ether, need I say more?

11. Who is the one rapper out right now that you feel does not deserve the success they have? Why?

Dr. Dre because he's gotten lazy. Beats have fallen off and become mediocre and the excitement for Detox is gone.

12. Who is the one rapper out right now that deserves more success than they have currently? Why?

Locksmith of the Frontline. Dude can spit bar for bar with ANYONE in Hip Hop but is not only slept on nationally but in his own local market people shit on him just because he doesn't conform or give into the crap bay music.

13. "I'm tryin' to be one of the best, period. Not just one of the best with breasts and a period. . ." -Invincible . . . How do you feel about the fact that you are being interviewed by a girl that thinks she knows more about hip hop than you ever will?

To each its own, if you don't think you're the illest on the block than how can you expect someone else to? Self esteem game is mean and on-point.

Segment: Consumer X

So, since this is a brand spankin' new blog, shit is going to be added to it all the time. . . some of that shit is going to be segments. . . the first segment I am gonna hit ya'll assholes with is called 'Consumer X'. Basically, 'Consumer X' is an interview segment where I interview people that I feel have valid opinions (I know. . . me? Thinking someone besides myself has a valid opinion? Who the fuck knew!), even though they aren't really in the music business. . . It's my opinion that, even though you wouldn't know this by talking to people on Twitter, not EVERYONE is a rapper, or a producer, etc. . . those people, though clearly lesser beings than their musically oriented counterparts, have opinions too. . . and perhaps every once in a while they should be heard. . . thus, 'Consumer X'. . . Enjoy fucktards!