(Be sure to check out my earlier work, like Alicia Keys makes Sidechick Music, Anthony Hamilton makes Manumission Music, and much more)

(Download Rafter Music. I’m almost out)

(Oh, and search #BigSeanIsLike on twitter. You’re welcome) 

Look at him

This is the rapper uber-talented Kanye West put his hard earned money and respect behind. 

This is the rapper who said that “you’re like a tree, I’m your avatar”

This is the rapper who said “saw me on the web like I had an extra six legs”

This is the rapper who said “I rise more than juries, this is my story”

This is the rapper who said “then do it like Beyonce, and put it on Sean” 

This is the rapper who said “You bordo like Enrique, I’m toupee, I’m threepay” 

And there are niggas who actually defend that shit 

Big Sean, Big Yawn, Extra-Medium Sean, or whatever the fuck you want to call him just disturbs my spirit. 

Nothing is worse in my book than a music artist who’s talent doesn’t match or exceed his ego. And Sean is the epitome of that fallacy. Big Sean makes Overdraft Fees music. 

What in the fuck does that mean Lee? 

Taking into account that he’s on Kanye’s “Good Music only from me tho” label, he’s EVERYWHERE, and such a cornball its hard to believe he’s from Detroit, Big Sean’s lyrical ability, ego, and bravado does not remotely match his production budget. He raps like he’s overcompensating for something.

I get it. Its hip-hop. The only genre where 98% of the rappers embellish about what they have nowadays. But Big Sean raps like he’s always in the red. (hit me up and I’ll explain that if you don’t know what that means)

You can’t be rapping like you aren’t floating a check by writing it on Saturday and hoping it hits Tuesday and shit. 

You can’t be rapping like you run your debit card as a credit card hoping you can pay for gas for your new Benz

You can’t be rapping like you have auto-bill pay, but you call to cancel it the day before just to make sure you have the funds in your account. 

(.__. ) 

Big Sean’s false sense of confidence can’t afford to pay for his marginal ass talent. That’s the nicest way I can put that.  

Its one thing to be like Kanye and have a massive ego, but at least Kanye to this point has dropped nothing but stellar music. What has Big Sean done? 

Well….

Um….

WHOA DERE WHOA DERE WHOA DERE ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS 

Everytime I hear him rhyme, I picture him trying to pay for a chain only to have his card decline. Trust me, I’ve been there before (hell, last week), but I’m not going around trying to prove to others that “I’m 100 proof and you’re a margarita” and shit. Nope

I’m sure Big Sean in real life is probably a cool dude. I won’t lie. I would send him a track if he paid me 25K……….make that 50K. 

But Big Sean isn’t being himself. A co-sign from a major artist can mask a lot of shit man. If you have the fortunate to be on Kanye’s label, have Pharrell, John Legend, Lupe, No ID, and The Dream on your first album, show some humility once in a while and stop trying to fuck my wife. 

Big Sean, be yourself bro. I’m nothing but hater who wants you to do better. 

So I’ma go ahead and pop this Cardonnay and play some Marvin Gaye. 

*goes to pay………card declines……………..*

*plays My Last…………cries*

Let Lee Cook

(except Tacos) 

Let the church say Amen

If you can’t say Amen, say Ouch. 

OK 

Quick disclaimer, I am not going to make this blog a theological discourse on how or what people should do or say about how to express their love for their savior. I don’t do online religious discussions, but I am a proponent of style and substance when it comes to music. To each their own

When it comes to gospel music, its safe to say that Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin are at the forefront of the gospel industry. And throughout their careers, they have both struggled with undeniable acception from both secular and christian folks alike? I always say Mary Mary is a dougie away from being Destiny’s Child. And Kirk Franklin is simply Plies on Sunday. But I can’t blame them for choosing that path. I think the gospel industry is the bigger problem. 

Why? 

Let’s delve a bit…

Its because out of all the musical genres out, gospel music is the most reactive genre in music. Its one of the few genres that constantly recycles the same artists and the same trends. Its also an industry dominated by choirs and ensembles rather than individuals. And truthfully, there is little innovation and over-saturation in that field as well. There is little room for new and upcoming gospel artists to break into that industry. Don’t believe me? 

Name a gospel artist under 30. 

Fred Hammond? Nope, he’s 50. Tye Tribbett is 36 (and ugly) 

Kirk Franklin is 41. Mary Mary is 39 years old each. Donnie McClurkin is 52. 

Still can’t do it? 

Cool. Me too. 

With gospel, the majority of your fanbase caters to people who associate “gospel” music with “church” music. If it doesn’t sound like you can back it up with a Hammond B3, its not considered “holy” nor “gospel”, but secular. Churches determine how trends and music are broken to the masses. Pastors, in an effort to keep that tithe money coming, have to discern what’s appropriate for a church setting. It may prove counter-productive for most musical artists. 

And truthfully, because the whole notion that most Christian entities put religion over relationships, a lot of talented artists feel that the stigma of being a Christian artist will hurt their popularity and platform. 

Ledisi, Chrisette Michelle, Donell Jones, Fantasia, and many more singers once considered a gospel career before going secular. Sam Cooke had that problem. Andre Crouch and the Hawkins brothers were HATED in the 70s because of their brand of music. Aretha Franklin did too. Heck, check out PJ Morton, who is a dope independent artist (the black guy in Maroon 5) who went on CNN to defend singing love songs in church 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxwqDp7KBXQ

Like I stated earlier, you can have style and substance in any form of music. Whether you want to save souls or promote the gospel message is your prerogative. 9 times out of 10, I just want to hear good, positive, dope sounding music. 

So with everything I discussed above, what happens when the industry doesn’t take a candor to promoting/developing new talent? 

You get these below…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a6-CAKUmR8

And this…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsQH1BO5ooA&feature=related

And this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC-1zalgT_I&feature=related

When you recycle WELL-KNOWN secular songs/fads/styles with a gospel message, 9 times out of 10 it comes off as corny and forced.

I can’t be getting racks on racks on racks if I have to pay 10% of my wages every Sunday

I can’t Knuck and Bankhead Bounce for Christ. 

I can’t be trying to dougie thinking about Christ on the cross. 

But that’s just me.

There are some great gospel artists out there that I dig. Lecrae is the best gospel rapper out. I met and had a long talk with Canton Jones last year, who’s music sounds VERY secular, but he’s all about the message and it sounds dope. James Fortune is criminally underrated. 

But as long as the gospel music industry takes on a fad mentality in a corporate religious world, it will never prosper. 

Jesus isn’t my homeboy. He’s my savior. But I digress

Lee 

I dig Anthony Hamiton yo

The modern-day Bill Withers, Hamilton’s voice will change an entire atmosphere like a Eddie Long praise and worship service. 

Wait.

But seriously, when God has a point to get across to his people, he uses Anthony Hamilton’s vocals off of “The Point Of It All’ b. 

With his struggle half-beard, uncanny lyrics, and undeniable soul, Anthony Hamilton is slander-proof in my book. 

BUT

Let’s remember Anthony Hamilton’s contributions to society real quick 

Anthony Hamilton will have you doing testimony service in the cubicle 

Anthony Hamilton will have you thinking of Big Mama and the way she used to give you peppermints in church

Anthony Hamilton embodies the struggle, plight, and strife of Black Struggle. He was providing background vocals at Abe Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and shit

When the Dred Scott decision was made, Anthony Hamilton’s “Coming Where I’m From” was manifested in its glory

Anthony Hamilton made most of his earnings during the Great Depression. He was the only singer who got consistent work b 

Anthony Hamilton’s vocals were used when Ida B Wells was campaigning against lynching

Anthony Hamilton was the slave who simply sang while all the other slaves did work. And the slaves didn’t get mad or nuffin. House slaves would want to work in the field just to hear his voice

They played Anthony Hamilton’s voice to prevent the KKK from spreading to the North and the West man. 

Anthony Hamilton will have you picking your own cotton of your t-shirts and Jordans yo

When Anthony Hamilton sings, your ancestors rejoice by playing spades in heaven yo

When Anthony Hamilton sings, Fantasia can read a full paragraph without pausing and shit

When Anthony Hamilton sings, angels take tequila shots in amazement man

And DON’T get me started on the wimminz ladies. 

Anthony Hamilton will have your drawls drop and repenting with a mere stanza of “Lucille” and shit man 

Anthony Hamilton will have Jazmine Sullivan changing tires on a car she busted the windows on and shit

Long story short, Anthony Hamilton makes Manumission Music. 

Next blog: Beyonce Makes “Music She Can’t Relate To” Music. 

Let Me COOK 

OUT 

*takes nervous deep breath*

Before I start, I recognize that this list is incredibly subjective. Its sorely my opinion and I ask that you read, review, and provide feedback if you agree or disagree. Think critically, and not just what MTV tells you, and I’m sure you will see where I am coming from. Dictated not read

Dr. Dre is a polarizing figure in hip-hop. From the days of G-funk NWA days, to the Chronic series, I believe is fair to say that it is universally accepted that Dr. Dre is the greatest hip-hop producer of all-time.  As a student of hip-hop, and an aspiring producer, I am reluctant to fully endorse that claim. 

Dr. Dre is a lot like Phil Jackson to me. Its easy to make the argument that he’s the greatest because he has the most rings and access to the best talent in the prime of their years. I wish I can say that and end the argument, but their more to producing than just hit records. Hell, Swizz Beats has hit records. Doesn’t make him a great producer. 

In terms of stature, Dr. Dre is untouchable. (And no am I not talking about his steroid-driven physique as of late).  Dr. Dre has had access to great hip-hop artists at the most pivotal part of their lives ala the NBA Draft years of 84, 96, and 03. Snoop would be 84, Eninem is 96, and 50 cent is 03. But as far as a producer? 

Snoop fell off after Dre, but to this day is still relevant, for better or worse. Eninem just needed a co-sign, his stuff stands alone at this point.  Dre only had 4 tracks on 50’s debut album. Granted he had “In The Club”, but even 50 was saying that Dre was getting way too much credit for the success of his album. 

He doesn’t write. He owes P-Funk (Parliament Funkadelic) and The Isley Brothers   He’s known to have ghost-producers galore (ask Tupac), He doesn’t consistently produce. He relies on the same formula, and for better or worse, it works. Formula however, is a dirty word for “playing it safe.” And don’t give me the “he has the highest selling records” argument. Its the “he’s got rings” argument of hip-hop. 

Last week, I went on a twitter rant about how Dr. Dre is overrated and how I can name 10 producers better than him. Now when I talk about producing, I am speaking from a producers’ standpoint.

For the sake of argument, I will use these 5 attributes to support my claim

Sound, Longevity, Creativity, Consistency, Experimentation, and Impact. 

The list below are producers who combine those attributes BETTER than Dr. Dre. 

Here goes: In no order, top 10 hip-hop producers BETTER than Dre among these attributes. 

1. Rick Rubin - A figure who transcends Hip-Hop culture. An icon, and a legend in his own right. Def Jam owes their entire existence to his contributions. He’s better than Dre. 

2. Organized Noise - The sound of the south. Revolutionary sound galore. Organized Noise is mainly responsible for crafting the Outkast sound among a plethora of Southern artists. Outkast is the best hip-hop duo of all-time. Andre 3000 arguably is thee transcendent artist of hip-hop. Credit Organized Noise for that. 

3. Bomb Squad - Public Enemy, possibly the most important hip-hop group of all time, wouldn’t have had nearly as an aggressive impact and stamp if it weren’t for The Bomb Squad’s aggressive drum patterns and such. Not to mention Ice Cube hooking up with them for his first two solo albums catapulted him into the premier MC of the early 1990s. What they lacked in longevity they made up in impact and stature. 

4. The Neptunes - Pharell and Chad Hugo stretch the sound of hip-hop to barriers not even Dre could do. Sonically, the most revolutionizing hip-hop duo of all-time. What makes The Neptunes define out the box. From all genres abroad, The Neptunes’s sound is so distinct you have to put your ear to the record to see where they take it. I don’t get that so much with Dre. You give the Neptunes 3 sounds, and they will make a breakout hit. Dre has relied on the same formula for the past 20 years. Does it work? Yes. Is he better than the Neptunes? NO

5. J. Dilla- J. Dilla is the mad scientist of hip-hop. From ATCQ to Slum Village, J. Dilla’s impact on hip-hop is going beyond downloading a loop, dragging it 8 bars and calling it a beat. J. Dilla is your producer’s favorite producer. I could go on all-day about Dilla, but just agree with me and move on. 

6. RZA - One of the originators of the sped-up sample, and responsible for crafting the sound of the most recognizable hip-hop forces of all-time with Wu-Tang. RZA’s ear for samples and soundtracks are second to none. His scope, experimentation, and affinity for Asian culture is unmatched. Without RZA, you don’t have….

7.  Kanye West- Yes, he’s better. He would tell you that, but he’s not that arrogant. 5 albums. All produced and under his direction. All sound COMPLETELY different.  All multi-platinum. The most transcendent hip=hop figure of our generation.  Dr. Dre albums are most compilations as opposed to featuring himself as an artist. Kanye relies mostly on himself to make a great record. 

8.  DJ Quik- A multi-instrumentalist who’s has worked with many of the same artists that Dr. Dre has worked with. Also from the same ilk of Kanye, and also has a more distinct sound than Dre. Its a worthy debate, but check Quik’s catalog before you dismiss this claim. 

9. DJ Premier - This is popular debate. Critics and scholars argue if DJ Premier worked with better talent, would he be better than Dr. Dre. Truthfully, as far as an icon, crafting the East Coast sound, DJ Premier is the long-standing pillar. He is the ultimate rite-of-passage producer. As far as stature, he’s in the same class. Everywhere else, its all up for debate. 

10. Mannie Fresh - You hear of all this 808 snare rattlings and light crisp snares in hip-hop/R&B? Credit Mannie Fresh. From 97 - 02, no one had the game on lock like Cash Money/No Limit Records. And Mannie Fresh, deservedly doesn’t get enough credit for its sound. He popularized the use of multiple snares. The most underrated producer on this list. And better. 

Disagree? Tell me what collectively makes Dr. Dre a better producer than the 10 I named, and I’ll listen. Think critically before you offer a rebuttal. 

My mentions are going to be done. 

She’s the self-appointed bi-racial angel of urban R&B music. That’s neither here nor there.

She’s a talented pianist who smokes cigarettes. That’s neither here nor there.

She’s an honorary AKA. That’s neither here nor there. 

She also stole a Chocobo from Mashonda. But that’s neither here nor there. 

Alicia Keys makes sidechick music

Oh, God Lee, here you go again. Why are you so angry all the time? Are you not getting attention at home? Are you bored? Do you have no life? 

A and C only

Look. I’m not here to judge or analyze what happened in the Swizz/Mashonda debacle. We don’t know what really happened between Swizz and Mashonda, and Swizz deserves some blame as well.

But the nigga ain’t making songs about leaving his wife and shit. 

You wanna know why Alicia Keys hasn’t had a breakout hit since her marriage to that Chocobo Swizz Beatz? (Empire State of Mind is a Jay-Z song). 

Its because she excels at making side-chick music. She had homewrecker tendencies from the start of her music career. Her biggest hits are all side-chick anthems. 

So here’s a collective of Alicia Keys songs in chronological order, and the sidechick music she makes

How Come You Don’t Call Me: (Originally a Prince song, but you know where I’m going with this)

Fallin: (In and Out, because you already got a man)

A Woman’s Worth: (Because I feel I’m worth more than your woman)

If I Was Your Woman: (Self-explanatory)

You Don’t Know My Name: (Because you don’t have my number saved in my phone so your main chick won’t find out)

If I Ain’t Got You: (I will die, so I will hang on to you until you leave your wife)

The Diary: (I won’t tell, your secret is safe with me. If that doesn’t scream SIDE-CHICK)

No One: (Not even Jesus will keep me away from what I feel for you)

Like You’ll Never See Me Again: (Because I’m going on tour, so let me see what dat mouf does before you try to patch things up with your wife)

Teenage Love Affair: (Because I’m a girl)

*marries Swizz Beats a year later*

And I’m sure there is many more. But I digress 

Descriptors aside, you have to look beyond music at face value to identify the undertones. Its why her last album sucked. No compelling sidechick angle to articulate about anymore. She’s the main chick now, and quite frankly, her music doesn’t have that same edge and passion anymore. 

I’m glad you are letting me bring this to your attention. 

You care. 

I’d still smash Alicia Keys tho. 

Let Lee Cook