How many people recognize the artist in this photo? Not many.

Underground(adj.) - sunken, buried. (ii)done or acting in secrecy; (iii) pertaining to anything that is experimental,…unconventional[Webster]. Whoa! Is the so-called underground movement in Hip Hop really buried in a style so experimental that it has to be carried out secretly? Hell no! Why then have we chosen such an ugly word to describe their unique contributions to the world? Much more important than “why” is what this tag , underground, often attracts to those who choose to go by it. While preparing for this article, I looked up synonyms of the word “underground”. The results stamped a look of concern on my face: secret covert, under wraps, hush-hush, surreptitious, undercover, concealed, below ground. Rap fanatics will be quick to argue that it’s only a word which may not necessarily reflect the typical features of underground Hip Hop. Valid argument, but I highly disagree. Why? Elite members of the underground movement such as KRS-One, Common, and Masta Ace for instance, have all failed to get across to the wider audience(below ground) even though they’ve had decades to do so. In most cases, their retail material is not easily available (concealed), and most importantly they alienate themselves from the media(surreptitious). (You’ll come across 1000 2Pac albums before you find one by Masta Ace, O.C. or K-OS).
Yet when you get acquainted with this “undercover” music genre, you’ll readily admit they’re the most creative, passionate, and skillfully endowed individuals in the history of Hip Hop (unless your uncle is Bill O‘Reilly). The “underground” artists, most of whom also qualify as “back-packers“(that’s another story) always back up their music with a message. If such substantial lyrical enlightenment, be it political or philosophical, fail to reach as many people as targeted, then the purpose is ultimately defeated. That’s another reason why underground is such an ugly word. Every now and then, you’ll stumble across an “underground” MC who spews mediocre songs with production that screams “nobody’s going to buy it anyway”, but the vast majority of under-appreciated artists even in other genres are possibly the most talented lovers of the art. By eliminating the word “underground” from the Hip Hop Dictionary, they’ll be able to receive the much-deserved appreciation.

Extras:
Listen to KRS-One's latest album "Keep Right"

“Bring it back,” “Old school is better than new school...” “They don’t do it like they used to…." Those are the expressions of depression that saturate the tongues of Rap fans these days. Hip Hop heads are stuck in what I call the “back-in-the-days-mentality”. An artist’s 1st two albums are automatically the only ones worth buying as far music-listeners are concerned. In fact, this assertion is even a legitimate viewpoint. Artists in general tend to slack off after the first hard-earned effort on their projects. But, that’s not always the case. The few outstanding ones that strive to attain the much elusive consistent form, sometimes go unappreciated. OutKast, for instance, has never released any underwhelming CD in my humble opinion. Yet, I’ve heard people clamoring for the "old OutKast" (even on this site!).
How could we forget the dynamic influences on music and art in general- substance, modern issues, lifestyles, culture and society. Artists evolve in accordance with these vicissitudes of life. Public Enemy was the shit when the KKK was a humongous force to reckon with. We were in desperate need of that music - that message. These days, cultural integration is almost at par with the continual racial polarization. Times have changed. So, dropping another “Fear of A Black Planet” would be easily perceived as stale by the so-called old-school heads. Even the staunchiest fan would be quick to profess that the artist who makes such music is stuck in the 80’s. So why do we applaud the oldest records and despise everything else?
Maybe, it’s the fact that after 1 album, or in rare cases 2 albums, rappers only talk about money, rims, and hoes. Not necessarily. A rapper’s personal growth is easily misconceived as depreciation. Soon after Illmatic dropped in 94, it became the yardstick for measuring all NaS albums. The street tales, and poetry exhibited on Illmatic were reminiscent of the state of society at that time. The disparate I Am…and God’s Son, on the other hand showcased the artist’s maturity; good or bad.
When such endeavors are greeted by feelings of disappointment, pop-rap and anything else that brings in revenue becomes the code of the day. Fans almost always exhume misconception towards experimental efforts even when it’s not mainstream(Phrenology, Electric Circus,The New Danger.,etc). As a result, money-hungry labels engrave their feet on the blaxploitation process to make up where real music falls short. They win, we lose. Appreciation or lack of it would only force the powers that be to continue to steer us in the path of degradation.


Extras:
In Rotation: Curtis Mayfield - Superfly for all you old school heads! Enjoy.

Rhyme of The Day:

"I'm so ahead of time my parents haven't met yet" - Big L

Phat 5 Joints of The Week - 15/05/05

5. Diamonds - Kanye West: This track would have been long gone by now but my weblog tracking device tells me y'all fell in love with it already.

4. Dear Summer - Jay-Z : Young Hov pickin' up where Big K left off.

3. Night Riders - Boot Camp Click(9th Wonder Rmx)

2. The G Code(Chopped&Screwed) - Geto Boys : This is what it sounds like on the southern airwaves.

1. Temperature - Zion I ft Talib Kweli : As the name implies, this joint packs more heat than the oven door.

Ol Skool' Joint of The Day:
I Got 5 On It(Rmx) - Luniz f/ Dru Down, Richie Rich, E-40, Shock G & Spice 1


Albums In Rotation:
-Capital Punishment - Big Pun
-Sleepers - Rapper Big Pooh
-Connected - Foreign Exchange
-The Foundation - Geto Boys
-The Big Picture - Big L


Rhyme of The Day:

Mo' money, mo' problems, but it's worse when you're
broke -
Jadakiss ("What Up", The
LOX)

In this booty-rap era where Hip Hop has made an ugly transition into disposable arts, going to the record shop has become a pain in the ass for many reasons. No wonder bootlegging is at an all time high. Good albums are rare to find, much more excellent ones. You'll find a new breed of dinosaurs before you find a flawless CD with a very high 'replayability' value. That's why I've delved into a stack of records spanning over a period of 30-plus years to bring you the best of the best. Take a cue from my friend Jason who often refers to a print-out copy of this list, especially when deciding what albums to purchase.

50.The Listening - Little Brother
49.Long Live The Kane - Big Daddy Kane
48.Mecca & the Soul Brother - Pete Rock & CL Smooth
47.The Sun Rises In The East - Jeru the Damaja
46.Run-DMC - Run DMC
45.40 Dayz and 40 Nightz - Xzibit
44.De La Soul Is Dead - De La Soul
43.AZiatic - AZ
42.It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot - DMX
41.Things Fall Apart - The Roots
40.Licensed To Ill - Beastie Boys
39.No One Can Do It Better - D.O.C.
38.ATLiens - OutKast
37.Quality - Talib Kweli
36.2001 - Dr. Dre
35.Capital Punishment - Big Punisher
34.Do You Want More?!!!??! - The Roots
33.Black on Both Sides - Mos Def
32.The Infamous - Mobb Deep
31.Radio - LL Cool J
30.The Slim Shady LP - Eminem
29.Mos Def & Talib Kweli are BlackStar - Black Star
28.Straight Outta Compton - N.W.A.
27.Doe or Die - AZ
26.Aquemini - OutKast
25.Liquid Swords - GZA/Genius
24.The 18th Letter - Rakim
23.The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill
22.Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg
21.By All Means Necessary - Boogie Down Productions
20.Strictly Business-EPMD
19.Stillmatic-NaS
18.The Fix-Scarface
17.Criminal Minded - BDP
16.Midnight Marauders - ATCQ
15.The Chronic - Dr. Dre
14.Daily Operation - GangStarr
13.The Great Adventures of Slick Rick - Slick Rick
12.The Score - Fugees
11.Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z
10.Death Certificate - Ice Cube
09.It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back - Public Enemy
08.36 Chambers(Enter The Wu-Tang)
07.The Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest
06.Ready To Die - The Notorious B.I.G.
05.Me Against The World - 2Pac
04.The Diary - Scarface
03.Paid In Full - Eric B. & Rakim
02.Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - Raekwon
01.Illmatic - NaS

NEWS:


A 2nd Black Star album might be in the works shortly, according to sources. The two ill lyricists incinerated their mics on Bright as the Stars which surfaced in underground circles recently. A collective record is just what the Hip Hop community needs in order to forgive Mos and Kweli for their mediocre individual performances on Beautiful Struggle & The New Danger respectively.

This next piece of news started as a rumor based on a DVD. But, it has been confirmed through a press release that one of the best mixtape DJ’s in the game has been ejected from his label. Green Lantern was forced to walk away from Shady Records for intimating Jadakiss with information regarding his brouhaha with 50 Cent. The Evil Genius is now said to be a free agent, but, Interscope will still release his upcoming album The Invasion. Read the exclusive interview here for more details.
Good news for conscious Rap fanatics - your #1 politically charged crew, Public Enemy is back. Their brand new entry, Rebirth of A Nation is due out as early as this August. Rebirth boasts appearances by dead.prez, MC Ren, and one of my favorites, Immortal Technique.

The LOX and their D-Block affiliates have inked a deal with Koch Records. This new marriage with the underground label will give birth to a D-Block compilation album, and Sheek’s sophomore LP, After Taxes. But that’s not the news; After Taxes promises a surprise line-up that includes Redman, Cam’ron, Lil’ Scrappy, and wait for it….P. Diddy!


T.R.U. RAP CHOICE CONTEST
The essence of this contest is to appreciate the readership on this blog. The rules are simple:
List your 10 favorite Hip Hop acts: 5 solo artists, 5 groups. That's not all; I've compiled a list of 10 artists as well which is safely hidden from all ye hackers in my closet. The list that turns out to be most similar to mine will win this contest. Now, since you've ran your eyes all the way to the bottom of the page in search of a prize, I'll gladly end your quest - the winner will receive a free Rap Essential mix CD put together by yours truly. Simply reply in the comment box of this post to qualify. This contest will end on May 12th, 2005. Please be sure to include your email in your entry. Good Luck!

MIXTAPES (MP3)
Speaking of free music, enjoy this rare and unique package courtesy of Soul On Ice.
Hip Hop Mixtape 1
Hip Hop Mixtape 2

5. Introduction 2 Tha Illest - Custom Made: Let's hope Pillow Talk is cooler than the rest of the west.
4. Night Riders - Boot Camp Click(9th Wonder Rmx) : A taste of delicious Hip Hop. Teaser to the upcoming triplle threat.
3. Politics - Royce da 5'9" ft Cee-Lo : Royce is back! Nuff said.("Everybody wanna fill Jay-Z's shoes")
2. The G Code - Geto Boys : Mr. Scarface breaks it down for those who forgot the code-No snitching;"We don't talk to Police..."
1. Diamonds - Kanye West ("The Roc is still alive everytime I rhyme")

Old Skool Joint of The Day: I Can't Get With That - Jay-Z (his first ever record)

According to Jadakiss, “dead rappers are selling more” than the ones living. True indeed. Listening to “Still Dreaming”, a song that blends old vocals of past gone artists like ODB, 2Pac, B.I.G., Eazy-E, Big L, etc, I’m constantly reminded of the exaggerated relevance of deceased rappers in today’s popular culture. As my interest in the song piques, I observe a baffling source of appeal - it's not Big L’s impetuous flow, not Pac’s incisive lyrics, not Biggie’ s intimidating voice; it’s the common factor that they’ve all kicked the bucket. Imagine the effect an entire album by a deceased artist has on the average music fan.
Eight posthumous ‘Pac albums later, and millions of copies of Biggie’ s classics sold, Hip Hop seems to be enforcing the same advice to the next generation - to forever appreciate those we’ve lost, regardless of quality. Many Rap websites refer to Big Pun as the Greatest of All Time. Pun is definitely a top 10 'lyricist' but I refuse to rank him far above Rakim in any way. Tons of Rap forums have crowned the talented Notorious B.I.G. the King of NY and Hip Hop in general with no respect whatsoever to NaS,Kool G. Rap or KRS-One. Eazy-E is a household name in the U.S and there‘s no arguing that people in Soweto are familiar with Tupac Shakur, but I doubt that many Hip Hop loyalists here in America have even heard of Gift of Gab - who is easily one of the most creative artists that hails from the West Coast. If we toss Lauryn Hill as much props as we do Left-Eye, maybe L’ Boogie will return to the game very soon with some gems for our listening pleasure.
Nay-Sayers will be quick to profess that I’m all for disregarding the significance of our fallen heroes, but, my argument is a very comprehensible one - marketing appeal should be more about recognizing good music , than appreciating the artist behind the music, dead or alive. Paying homage to those we’ve lost in the game will forever be a part of the culture. In fact, it’s an essential part of history meant to enlighten the younger listeners. However , it should never be the sole priority etched in stone, while living and equally proficient artists compete with ready-made material from our deceased soldiers. There’s no right way to do the wrong thing.

“They say they never really miss you till you either dead or you’re gone” -
Jay-Z (December 4th)

Kanye West - Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
Guest List: John Mayer, GLC, Consequence John Legend, Keyshia Cole
Release Date : Late June
Reason 2 Anticipate: We get to watch Kanye argue his way to the top for a second time. Plus, there’ll be another dime in one of those videos that follow. Oh and the gold chain that accompany every major release these days.

Little Brother - The Minstrel Show (Atlantic)
Guest List: Joe Scudda, Yazarah, Elzhi(Slum Village)
Release Date: Quarter 3 or 2005
Reason 2 Anticipate: Big Pooh promises to awaken us like a spring mattress. 9th Wonder has been labeled the Pete Rock of our generation, and Phonte’s “tailor-made” flow is still intact.

Custom Made - Pillow Talk (Custom Made)
Guest List: Mobb Deep, Jedi Mind Tricks, Inspectah Deck
Reason 2 Anticipate: There’s always a mystique factor about a relatively unknown group with sparkling prospects. Every West Coast MC has been on the same mission for the past 8 years - to resurrect the West. This lyrical powerhouse is doing it with a unique approach - they strip their sound off the conventional heavy bass line, and focus on catchy hooks and dazzling lyrical content, laid over jazzy beats.

Common - BE (Geffen)
Guest List: John Legend, Bilal, Kanye West(as if you didn’t know that already)
Release Date: Late May
Reason 2 Anticipate: Comm is supposed to tell us how and why he fell in love with Erykah on this record. And since he calls it 'feel-good music', it's supposed to help relieve symptoms of depression.

Styles P - Time Is Money (Ruff Ryders/Interscope)
Guest List: Talib Kweli, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch,(the usual suspects), Mario Winans, JE
Release Date: May 24
Reason 2 Listen: D-Block is set to unleash their 125th official 50 Cent diss song on SP’s album. The Ghost is expected to float all over the record in what’s possibly the more versatile of his two solo efforts.

Saigon - The Greatest Story Never Told(Fort Nox/Atlantic)
Guest List: Saigon, Saigon, & Saigon
Reason 2 Anticipate: Sai got “the bowtie flow; he’ll bring it to your neck” Although, Alchemist and Scram Jones are slated to bless Saigon’s project, it’ll be interesting to see how he can maintain his razor sharp lyrical edge over club-ready Just Blaze production.

Sean Price - Monkey Barz (Boot Camp)
Guest List: 9th Wonder, Buckshot, Steele, Ruste Juxx, Flood.
Release Date: May 26

Reason 2 Anticipate: “'l'll send your ass to heaven, muthafucka ask about ‘Pac” His combination of wit and lyricism make the craft look so easy. His style is like a manual “Hip Hop 4 Dummies”



Buckshot & 9th Wonder - Chemistry (Boot Camp)
Guest List: MC Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Joe Scuddah
Release Date: May 24
Reason 2 Listen: We can’t get enough of these 100% 9th Wonder records; So far, they’ve all successfully gone plastic. But those collabos are diamond to Hip Hop heads. Monkey Barz and Chemistry are the 2/3 of the Duck Down tripple threat this year. Hi-Tek and Steele complete the cypher with Smif 'n' Wessun Reloaded slated for a late June release.


Fat Joe - All or Nothing or Things of That Nature(Atlantic) or whatever he decides to go with next
Guest List: Nelly, Mashonda, Mase and Eminem, All Terror Squad affiliates, dead or alive.
Release Date: May 24
Reason 2 Listen: To find out what the final album title will be. Also, Joey will attempt to protect his NY Crown - the one he won last year for “Most Improved Rapper”

AZ - Final Call (Universal)
Guest List: Tony Sunshine, CL Smooth, Rell, Ron G
Release Date: Never
Reason 2 Listen: AZ’s non-stop flow, “Magic Hour”, another “Quiet Money” song, and the fact that fans will discover new ways to sleep on him again.

Other Highly Anticipated Albums of 2005
The Roots - The Game Theory (Geffen)
Canibus - Mind Control (Babygrande)
Canibus - Hip Hop 4 Sale (Babygrande)
Crooked I - Mama's Boy Got A Gun (Treacherous)
OutKast - 10 The Hard Way(Arista)
Stat Quo - Statlanta(Shady/Aftermath)
Obie Trice - Murder City(Shady/Interscope)
Cassidy - Personality Change(Full Surface)
Joe Budden - The Growth(Def Jam)
Afu-Ra - State of The Arts

#5. My Control - Canibus
Fresh off the shores of the military, Bis is back! "My control" chronicles the master lyricists's fluctuation in the game since God first threw him at us in the late 90's. His insatiable hunger is unmistakable here. The only thing that'll keep heads wondering on this song is the bouncy 80's production and Canibus' crispy delivery.

#4. Introduction 2 Tha Illest Function - Custom Made
What this CA group refers to as an Introduction...is actually the summary of dopeness. A sparsely orchestral instrumental serves as the background for unadulterated lyrical exercise. This single from Custom Made's upcoming Pillow Talk CD which will include appearances by Mobb Deep and Jedi Mind Tricks, is nothing short of a teaser.

#3. Cold War - Joe Budden
On "Cold War" Joey spits enough heat to give the listener a tan, unleashing his conscious side over a flagrant beat. If all the material on his sophomore album are on this pedestal or higher, then we have a solid CD in the making.

#2. Sunshine to The Rain - Miri Ben Ari ft Scarface & Anthony Hamilton
Miri's euphonic sound is the reason real heads have been awaiting the Hip Hop Violinist album since 2004. Kanye's protege not only has an irresistible appeal in the Good Music department, she also has a knack for recognizing talent, both new and established; Scarface dissects this song lyrically, while Anthony Hamilton flexes his vocal muscles.

#1. Diamonds - Kanye West
Remember when Kanyeezy went to 106 & Parks and said he saves the best beats for himself? Well, he wasn't frontin'. Mr. College Dropout is back with the most infectious song on the Hip Hop continent. Diamonds touches on Kanye's landmark debut and the Roc-a-fella split. He couldn't have chosen a more appropriate title.

In Rap’s crowded field of play, a breath of fresh is as elusive as the winning lottery numbers. Then comes a familiar name, Common, parading a paradigm of excellence via an unfamiliar route. BE is not his defense against those who argue that he went ‘soft’ because of Erykah Badu, it’s his insightful teachings on inconceivable love (Faithful). He’s not refuting those who claim the windy city has nothing special to offer, he’s clinching the place of “Chi-City” on the map(“They ask me where Hip Hop is going, It’s Chica-going”). BE is not Comm’s come-back LP, it’s the assertion of his legendary status.
“Be“, the track-opener is like the thesis of an essential term paper, paving the path for the rest of the album, and offering lyrical purity on the way: “The chosen one from the land of the frozen one/Where drunk nights get remembered more than sober ones//”. The rapper formerly known as Common Sense then perches on “The Corner” with the Last Poets on his side, where he observes and documents street eccentricities over Kanye West’s hard-hitting percussions. One of the reasons Common still commands respect in the Hip Hop community is that he understands the fundamentals of the game. Testify”, the storytelling track needed to make BE the complete package, is a palpable case of a hustler who pays a steep price for his woman.
Common arrays his musical growth throughout BE, combining accessibility with lyrical prowess, without a scintilla of commercial compromise. The airwave-admissible “Go” is a carnal discussion blessed by Kanye’s unconventional melodic tinge. Jay Dee‘s riveting guitar licks are gently kissed by the humble insight on “Love Is”. The up-tempo jazzy horns on “Real People” signals a brand new Kanye sound and a nonchalant broadcast personality on Comm’s part (“I be showing niggas lives like UPN”).
Not since College Dropout has Hip Hop witnessed feasibility, coherence, and rawness in a single bundle. BE is impeccable by all standards. According to Comm, "BE means to do without trying hard. BE is about being natural". Common is not only teaching this concept, he’s practicing exactly how to BE.

After watching frivolous rap battles unfold randomly like the flu virus, I've resorted to viewing diss records differently. Moreso, I've noticed a trend that only kicked off in the late 90's. Something Rap fans are aware of, but barely ask questions about. Even when we ask, the answer is always a mystery. Is it right to inherit beef from another rapper simply because you represent the same crew or label? Why? Why not?
First, let me clarify the term "inherit". There are mainly three forms of inheritance: you inherit a battle in the line of attack(Chino XL, Mobb Deep, and the entire East Coast came under fire because 'Pac said so), as an act of self-defense(Busta Rhymes got involved in his first and only rap war because Ja Rule called him out on "Loose Change"), and finally, the most common form of inheritance is what I call a 'declaration of loyalty'. Listen to "Doe Ray Me" and "Like Toy Soldiers" off Eminem's "Encore" CD if you still don't understand this last form.
Speaking of Em, his involvement in the Irv/Ja saga may be deemed as utterly legitimate because The Inc's Prince of R&B (Rap&Blues) hauled a bulky insult at Eminem's 2-yr old daughter. Wrong! Just one painless research and you'll discover how Slim actually brought the battle upon himself. Remember that awful soundtrack to an equally mediocre DMX movie, Cradle to The Grave? Now, recall Em's lyrics on "Go To Sleep" I figured most of you sold the CD on ebay so I went the extra mile: "I'm ridding you, all of you, Ja, you'll get it too!" Sounds like first strike to me. Keep that in mind everytime you listen to "Like Toy Soldiers" where Slim claims that he inserted his head in 50's boiling pot of soup because JaRule said "Hailie's name on a song". The song Em was referring to(Loose Change) was preceeded by "Go To Sleep" back in '02.
Fast forward... 2005;
Battleground: New York City
Opponents: 50 vs Fat Joe,Jada, NaS, and everyone else that's better than his entire click put together. Notice that Jadakiss, and only Jadakiss replied to Fifty...at first. Only when the G-Unit Chief attacked Jada's affiliates in later songs and interviews did D-Block reply as a team. Styles P's promise of a diss record on his upcoming Time Is Money album, and Sheek Louch's stabbing solo reverb "Clickety Clank" - the direct opposite of G-Unit's zombie-like display of loyalty.
I don't remember 1000 label-mates getting involved with the battle between Kool Moe Dee and LL Cool J or even Common vs WestSide Connection. Nowadays, rap artists desperately seek publicity under the tired pretext of beef. D-Block's approach is indicative of legitimacy and dignity, while the G-Unit/Shady/Aftermath camp reminds me of battery-packing robots moving in accordance with the demands of a remote control. Please, pause that!

In case you're still living in Rap's stone age, the Rocafella trio of CEO's Dame "Loud Mouth" Dash, Kareem "Invisible Biggs" Burke, and Shawn "BIG Biter" Carter have officially parted ways. The Reason? Pesos, of course. The purpose of this article is not to straddle any of the aforementioned young Black entrepreneurs. I intend to do what many analysts, and writers alike have failed to accomplish - throw some neon light on the situation. I invite you to be the judge of this sad case of betrayal, mistrust, and believe it or not, irreparable insult.
Why do I even bother? Why does Riz, the great gospeller of Underground Hip Hop take such riveting interest in a mainstream label like Roc-a-fella? My answer to that question is as obvious as Freeway's goatie: In the last ten years, The Roc has made exceedingly positive contributions to Real Hip Hop. Not only did they arrest our ears to sizzling rhyme-slingers like Beanie Sigel and Kanye West, they also introduced the world to the propane-flow of a young Jay-Z, who will forever be remembered for creating a landmark Hip Hop album, Reasonable Doubt.
That's the good side. Unfortunately, Jay-Z will also be remembered as the man who abandoned his friends in pursuit of diamonds. But, the question Rap fans are either too forgetful or just blatantly lazy to ask is the same one Jadakiss has been asking since 2004 - WHY? What's the motive? A friendship of over a decade arrived at a dead end because all three parties contributed both positively and negatively.
Dame might have thrown his 300-and something pounds weight behind most of R.O.C.'s rap stars, but he also spit in Jay's face when he appointed a VP(Cam'ron) behind his co-CEO's back. Regardless of what the identity of that VP may be, the usual code of conduct demands that you have a bit of professionalism left inside your brain, enough to at least co-sign with other CEO's.
However, code of conduct is something that The Roc Family have distanced themselves from, as if it were leprosy. Take for instance Jigga's selfish dealings: allegedly refusing to feature on singles to help promote other artists, pushing his own line of sneakers and film production, and eventually yanking the name "Roc-a-fella" away from the other two who helped build the so-called dynasty.
As for Biggs', I don't know any Rap fan with the faintest recollection of his contribution to Roc-a-fella or even Hip Hop in general. Fancy that for an eulogy! Do not confuse my honest disposition for cruelty. Biggs' life is a strong affirmation of my lifelong theory - inactivity is the twin sister of failure. He might have made inputs in aspects of logics and A&R projects, but when it came down to decision making, he was always considered the "me, too" personality, a legacy he's carried into his recent partnership with Dame as the co-CEO of DAME DASH MUSIC GROUP.
Roc-a-fella's split is deeper than it looks on the surface. It only takes understanding to know why huge partnerships, like a major river, starts off smooth but winds up in disparate estuaries.

"Understanding is seeing things for what they really are, not what they
present themselves to be" - AZ