First, I want to thank Milah.B for bringing this video to my attention. I don't pay too much attention to MTV so when I saw this, it sparked my interest - ya know, me being a Hip Hop head and all.

**DISCLAIMER** These are all my opinions and you don't have to like them. And if you have strong Hip Hop views, it may be best if you didn't read this post. Also, the words are all my own, I actually didn't complete the video until I finished the post.

Now. Let's get down to bidness.

No. 10
T.I. vs Soulja Boy
I can understand why these two pose a problem in the Hip Hop community. On the one hand, T.I. is a monster behind the mic. On another note, Soulja Boy has def outsold him lately with Crank That. Even though many would throw Soulja Boy by the wayside and immediately give TI the number 10 spot (like I would), the best question raised was, "What has T.I. contributed to Hip Hop lately?" However, just a few bars from T.I. is better than an entire album by Soulja Boy - hands down! Although T.I. spent the better portion of the year in an Atlanta prison, he still carries more respect in the Hip Hop community than Soulja Boy and it's what this list is all about... RESPECT? And that goes to T.I.

No. 9
Andre 3000
As much as I would have liked to see him higher on the list, I will agree that he is DOPE in every sense of the word but his lack of album volume makes it hard to compare his work to the work of others. I think with a solid individual album from Andre 3000 (not Speakerboxx/Love Below) he has what it takes to make it further on the list this time next year, but right now I don't think it was a good time for him. However, I'm glad that he got a nod.

No. 8
Young Jezzy
Personally, I've never been a fan but because this list isn't about me.... Jezzy has earned his spot on this list. He has been a force to be reckoned with since his time with Akon. Behind the mic, he sets a tone for his music that everyone listening can feel and understand. When he speaks, you listen. You understand. You can damn-near place yourself in the moment. When a track plays and his voice is heard, you pay attention. Ironically quoting the Boost Mobile commercial, nobody gave him respect his first time around... so he took it.

No. 7
Lupe Fiasco
Without a doubt, I believe that Lupe should be higher on the list! Period. With the release of The Cool, Lupe should have dominated the top 5. Although on the business side of Hip Hop (sales and marketing) The Cool was a career flop but on the substances side of things (lyrical delivery and concept), the album was a classic. There are so many people that still underestimate Lupe as an artist but time and time again, he has proven them wrong. Lupe doesn't need a million and one "well known" artists to co-sign on his albums; hell The Cool didn't feature any and Food & Liquor had one Jay verse. Lupe has done it on his own and for that..... he shouldn't be number 7.

No. 6
Snoop Dogg
What, over Lupe!?! In my opinion, "Sexual Eruption" was the biggest lack of Hip Hop next to T Pain! I will agree that Snoop is one of the great MCs of his time but, right now.... I think not. Had he have released some 2008 new-wave Death Row-type shit (that was niggerish, I know) than yes, I would give him number seven. But singing and a vocador gets you number seven over Lupe Fiasco?!? I quit.

No. 5
50 Cent
Fiddy has been making a slow crawl back into his spot but, at least he is trying. Get Rich or Die Trying was most def a Hip Hop classic, however somewhere along the way Mr. Cent lost his momentum. Although Curtis could not hold a candle to Kanye's Graduation (and we all knew that) he effort for that album was seemingly lost. I admit that he is one of the best but I think he needs to revisit his GRODT days and try to channel whatever it was that made that album great. Maybe he needs to visit Emenim and Dr. Dre.

No. 4
Rick Ross
Rick Ross has def made a name for himself lately. I have nothing really to touch on him because I haven't really been following his volume of music. Port of Miami is really all I have to go off of and I will say that, Rick Ross brought back an old feeling that Hip Hop used to have back with guys like Scarface and 8 Ball & MJG.

No. 3
Lil Wayne
From number one to number three in 13 months, says something about the evolution of Hip Hop. However, Lil Wayne has kept his place at the top and he is def a reigning legend seeing as how he's been rapping since he was 14! Wayne refuses to stop and that will prove to be his greatest asset in the game. He also has evolved well with the times and no matter how many tracks he leaks or how many mix-tapes he releases, it will always be what the people what. Unlike his counterparts on this list (ie. Kanye, Lupe, Andre...) Wayne is the People's Champ. He puts out what they want, when they want it, and how they want it. That quality will allow him to go far because people will always want to hear what he has to say.

No. 2
Jay Z
Shawn Carter redeemed himself (with American Gangster) from that upsetting album Kingdom Come but I think the fans were anticipating something greater than what it was. Yes, American Gangster was a great album in its own right but was it really what the people wanted from Jay? Or was it what Jay wanted? Yes, we were anxiously waiting for another Jay album after he knowingly said that he had "retired" - but what his comeback rushed? Was it not well thought out? When speaking of Kingdom Come and American Gangster, my mind always goes back to when Jordan left at the top of his game and then he returned only for his fans to wonder why? Has Shawn Carter gone too far? I'm thinking that he was given number two just because he is beyond respected in the Hip Hop community but am I the only one questioning his latest work?

No. 1
Kanye West
Maybe he got this so he would cry about MTV anymore (just kidding). Actually, when speaking about 2007/2008, Kanye deserved every bit of NUMBER ONE. Graduation was a complete and utter CLASSIC by every definition of the word. His performances (and his tour) are over-the-top and out of this world. When West walks onto a stage, he makes sure to leave everything the came with right there for all to see. He doesn't hide his emotions. He doesn't rap about being something he's not. If anything Kanye is his biggest critic and his biggest competition. Kanye doesn't make a record for the masses, he makes records for himself. He knows his potential behind the mic, he knows what he can accomplish and with every album he is studying himself; to make himself better. Wayne may be the People's Champ, but Kanye is the Heavyweight Champion of the World. His music stems further than Hip Hop, further than rap, further than pop. Mr. West is upfront and there is no one on the horizon, so I'm sure that he will reign at the top for a while or until Hip Hop takes that drastic plunge into the abyss of the unknown. Kanye is well deserving of number one; temper tantrums and all.

Like, someone explain to me who does it better than Raven-Symone?? Sheesh. That Disney money has done her RIGHT!

Oh, yeah. She had her premiere for College Roadtrip this past weekend.


Haven't checked out the movie... but maybe I'll pick it up when I head over to the hair salon on Friday.

:-)

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Yea so. You already know that I'm a complete America's Best Dance Crew nut, so yeah I watched last night.

Live in Color went home and I'm still sticking to my thought that, THEY WERE ROBBED. How in the hell do those judges think that Fysh n Chicks was better than them! I mean their name alone should have sent them home! FYSH N CHICKS - thats gross! Be gone... They should have left a long damn time ago! Sheesh, guess they can't get rid of the all girl crew or else someone will write a letter to Viacom about some sexist shit.

Nonetheless, I will keep watching just because my life has no meaning and tuning in every Thursday gives me some sort of purpose, ya diggg????

Ohhhh. Making the Band 4 almost slipped my mind (probably because last nights episode was weak). But I'll give you the full recap anyway::

Sooooooooo Aubrey and Donnie have now professed their lust for one another and Donnie takes it upon himself to ask that heffer out on a date! BIG MISTAKE. First of all, that heffer paints on too much damn make up, throws a dress and some 4in hooker heels on and proceeds to walk her ass to where ever they went. [hint] Ladies if you know that your gonna have to walk to and from this date, be comfortable & class...... NOT Aubrey!

I bring you exhibit A::

Anywhoo. It date reminds me of an open sore; its just there and it hurts like a sum-bi*ch! So once they realize that their both pretty much corny and BORING, the date is over and there is an even more confusing and awkward kiss! Ewwww **throws up in mouth**

Aubrey returns to her respected home and Donnie returns to his pad (yes, I used that word). Welp, the guys then decide that they want to go out and hang with some chicks that they had met when they first got to New York... Ya know, have some drinks, pretty much just a good time. Well all is good in the hood while Donnie in sandwiched in between two of the ugliest chicks I've ever seen and the rest of the guys are just chillin.

Here is where the drama begins!

Q is bored so he calls Dawn and asks her to come to the restaurant to kick it with him. She agrees and none to the surprise of the viewers, in walks Aubrey as well. So Aubrey huffs and puffs and tries to blow Donnie's house down because he is talking to some girl. Well the moral of the story is.... HE IS NOT YOUR MAN. HE IS FREE TO TALK TO WHOM EVER HE WANTS.

So as that story progressed, the team ends up in Miami to find out that they'll all be living together (probably staged by Diddly so that more drama and fuckery can continue). Sheesh!

By the way! I'm tired of always posting about what Aubrey said or did or wore - I really want her to sit the eff down. Where is Shannon?? What does Aundrea do?? I don't understand why Aubrey (aka Aubrella, as she calls herself) must always be in some shit. UGH! Hoe sit down.

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Well let the force be with you. And check out Making the Band 4 on Mondays @ 10 on MTV (duh!)......... and if you miss it, you know they gonna run a messload of re-runs!

Stay black. <-that was my 'Black History Month' nod

.....BUT

Yes. I have the Making the Band 4 re-cap (sorry it's late)! I took a Tylenol PM and hit the mattress H-A-R-D.

Nonetheless, I didn't miss MTB4, maybe I should have, but then I would've missed out on Dr. Diddly's diagnosis of BITCHASSNESS. Apparently it is very contagious and it is going around[1] and he just needed to prescribe some form of medication for it. WHAT-the fu*k-EVER is what I say to that.

Even tho, Robert was acting like his panties were too tight, they still didn't have to gang up on him in front of Diddly. AND what really tickled my fancy was Q - he said his beef and then hit the cut, straight leaning [2] and didn't say a word after that. He was just like; this is how it is, I said it, now what?!

And ya'll know.. Yet again I wanted to reach thru my 20in LCD and shake the sh*t out of Aubrey! FIRST OF ALL, she instigated the whole damn argument between Robert and D Woods and then she wanna complain about it being a 'drama house' - Bit*h you the reason they arguing in the first damn place.

So to you Aubrey, don't jump off of something high - better yet blindfold yourself, count to 200 while spinning around, and then walk into on-coming traffic [3]!
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This morning MTV.com had the full episode, I guess Dr. Diddly pulled that too. But you know MTV will show a million and one re-runs until the next episode airs.


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endnote::
[1] I think he developed it as well, just before he decided to write a letter and pull A Hot Mess Blog [2] I apologize for the niggradum language, but it's what I wanna say [3] NOT SERIOUS, at all

I take it that half of the 12-25 generation watched the premiere of Making The Band 4 last night?!? Well, even if you didn't I have the FULL recap (not to mention you can go watch the entire episode over at MTV.com)

ALRIGHT! Of course the show starts off picking up where the last season ended, with the guys. They reunite, the band and Donnie, they move their ish into the New York apartment and then head to their meetings with Diddly. Blah. Blah. Blah. The same ish happens when the girls arrive and then there is 5 whole minutes devoted to watching the guys and girls walk to Bad Boy for their meeting - WHO CARES?!? Bring on the drama.

So Diddly lets them go out and play for the weekend, but not before putting Aubry in her place, watch here:

So it was brought to my attention that some foolish man let the name of the new Making the Band 4 boys slip, but what is really foolish is their name!

I thought that Chris Brown knew how to get down (check the rhyme) but I was sadly mistaken when I accidentally turned on MTV and this is what I was a witness too::