Are hip-hop and corporate America headed for a divorce? (Swipe)

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Hip-hop and corporate America have maintained a relatively healthy marriage over the years, but recent debacles between brands and their musical associates suggest a divorce could be looming in the near future. At the very least, a more restrictive pre-nup is in order.

In the past month, the iron fist of big business struck down on rappers to satisfy public outcry. Rick Ross lost his contract with Reebok over a date rape lyric; Mountain Dew similarly dropped Lil Wayne for a line in one of his songs slandering Emmett Till; and Tyler the Creator’s latest digital advertisement for the soft drink was removed after it caused uproar over offensive messaging.

While theses differences of opinion may not completely dissuade brands from signing endorsement deals with rappers moving forward, some marketing executives feel they will inspire stricter contracts.

“When you’re looking at potentially partnering with an artist, every brand needs to know there is inherent risk,” Patience Ramsey, Vice President and Account Director of Sponsorships at Translation, tells theGrio. “As a brand, you have to know what your trigger points are and what’s acceptable and what’s not. If you haven’t thought about that, and you jump into a relationship with an artist, you may be caught off guard…I don’t think these instances are going to make hip-hop artists untouchable to brands, you just really need to make sure that when you’re looking at the type of artist you want to partner with, there must be some kind of shared values system in place.” Continue reading

Magic City Season 2 Trailer

I don’t watch much tv, so when I stumble upon a program that I like I am all in. This is exactly how I feel about Starz “Magic City”. From the first episode I was hooked, and now we have a look at the second season dropping this summer. And if you look close you will probably catch a glimpse of Rick Ross.

The Real Rick Ross, Says He’s Not Buying It…

 

Freeway said no one within the urban community would suggest a youngster to consider a job in law enforcement over more common employment.

“The answers by Rozay to being a correctional officer in thisRolling Stone article were BS, this is scripted to make it look like he had some struggle. No one tells you to go be a correctional officer before all the other jobs that build our community such as a Carpenter, Mechanic or Preacher. They especially wont say it when their son just got convicted for a long sentence behind unfair drug laws. They tell you get a job , and don’t do crime.” (All Hip Hop)

He also went on to ridicule the “Boss’” claim and questioned his logic.

“They don’t say “William my son is in jail for 20 years for a nonviolent offense, save yourself and go become his guard be a correctional officer.” William never sold drugs, so the whole idea he had to wash his hands is never cleared up,” Freeway added. “Why would you wash your hands for somebody else selling drugs, that you happened to know. Rozay needs to read Michelle Alexander’s book New Jim Crow to understand why that’s the case, and his real place in the crack epidemic. He also never tells us a name for this created friend. This is a disrespect to everyone who actually lived the game, people are serving 20 years all because they had to for survival and this guy is using my life and name this way.” (All Hip Hop)

Earlier this week, Ross’ Rolling Stone cover feature excerpt landed online.

For the first time, Ross talks about his past life as a corrections officer – an opportunity, he says, to “wash my hands” after his best friend was sentenced to 10 years for trafficking cocaine and heroin: “This was my best friend, who I ate peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches with, and pork and beans with, my buddy, my partner, my number-one dude. Suddenly I’m talking to him over federal phone calls. Hearing the way it was building, I knew I couldn’t take nothing for granted,” says Ross. “My homey’s father was a huge influence on my life, too . . . He was the one who was like, ‘Yo, go get a job somewhere, man. Go be a fireman. Or go be a f*cking corrections officer. Just go sit down somewhere.” (Rolling Stone)

Last summer, Philadelphia rapper Beanie Sigel defended Ross in light of corrections officer criticism.

“I just don’t think he should have lied about it,” Sigel said in an interview. “He should have just kept it real. He had a j-o-b. He was gigging. He probably took that job to be in a position where as though he had people in there that he could look out for. My mom was a correctional officer. When I went to jail, there was n*ggas who had the will. Life. Never coming home…” (Forbez DVD)

 

Courtesy SOHH

The Bawse Rick Ross Is Everywhere

Rick Ross, Meek, and Wale covers Vibe’s Power Issue.

Rick Ross and DJ Khaled gets their video shoot on for RESPECT magazine.

And lastly Rick Ross stops in to talk to the Breakfast Club at Power 105 in New York. Yeah the Rick is in full promotional mode this week.

Jay-Z – Made In America Trailer

Budweiser Made In America Festival.
Philadelphia. September 1 & 2. Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
For more info visit www.facebook.com/Budweiser
28 Bands. 3 Stages. 1 Weekend.

How many of y’all got tickets.

Rick Ross Releases Tracklist For God Forgives, I Don’t

Rick Ross has released what looks like a pic of the back of his upcoming album, God Forgives I Don’t. The album is peppered with features including Usher, Drake, Andre 3000 and Jay-Z. GFID drops July 31st.