Mac Miller wants to go Platinum on Indie Level, talks Big L, and "Blue Slide Park"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Years ago, it was uncool to be an independent artist. 50 Cent made fun of the independent hip hop game, in 2007. His negative comments led to a feud with Cam'ron. However, two years later, 50 Cent considered taking his label independent.

In the time since then, the independent scene has helped two rappers from Pittsburgh. Wiz Khalifa spent for years making underground hits. Mac Miller has also greatly benefitted from being independent and now is working on his debut album.

Mac Miller said he is doing things no other independent artist has done before. Wanting to see how far he can take things, the new goal from Mac Miller is to go platinum. While numerous artists have gone platinum, none have on the independent level.

If one of his independent albums were to go platinum, Mac Miller said he would not only make history, but he would also be "hella cakin." At the age of fourteen, Mac Miller started freestyling and he began listening to the Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous from Big L a year later. While listening to that album, Mac Miller was truly inspired to become an emcee, becoming more than a rhymer, but becoming skilled with wordplay.

Mac Miller's goal is to use his Blue Slide Park album to educate his younger fans about Big L and other legends, such as A Tribe Called Quest.

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Jim Jones talks Dr. Dre, Diplomats reunion, and New Music

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Following the way Jim Jones and Cam'ron treated each other for nearly two years, it shocked fans when they reunited. Early in 2007, a feud erupted between Cam'ron and 50 Cent. Cam'ron's crew, which includes Jim Jones and Juelz Santana, ended up taking sides and they sided with 50 Cent.

Cam'ron spent one year away from the spotlight while Jim Jones began dissing Cam'ron. Late in 2008, Cam'ron returned with a new outlook on life. His tone changed, now focusing solely on making more money. Cam'ron even reached out to Jay-Z, understanding where he comes from and respecting his hustle.

Reunited, the Diplomats raised more eyebrows when they landed a distribution deal with Interscope Records. Their move comes right after 50 Cent left Interscope on bad terms. Now, Cam'ron reaps the benefits of trading lyrics with Eminem over Dr. Dre beats. Jim Jones recently discussed working with the rejuvenated doctor.

Jones said he, along with Cam'ron and Juelz Santana, have recorded several songs produced by Dr. Dre. He joked of how Dre does not trust him with their beats. After recording the songs, Dr. Dre has taken the songs and is keeping them to himself until the albums are ready. Jones said Dr. Dre is a teacher in the studio, helping him pronounce his words better to perfect the rhyme. Jim Jones said they were immediately linked up with Dr. Dre and Eminem when the contracts were signed.

Speaking on Cam'ron, Jones announced he would appear on "Getting to the Money," a single off his upcoming Capo album. The Capo release will be Jim Jones' final independent release. His Interscope debut will be released on the 4th of July. Jones said he returned to E1 because if his deal with Sony did not turn out right, he was contractually obligated to record his next album with E1. Plus, Jim Jones did better numbers with then-Koch Records, than he did on Columbia Records.

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Will Cam'ron replace 50 Cent at Interscope?

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

50 Cent landed the biggest break of his career when he was picked up by Eminem. Quickly, Eminem sent him to Dr. Dre, who sent him to Jimmy Iovine, who signed him to Interscope Records. Dr. Dre, in turn would sign 50 Cent to Aftermath Entertainment. Eminem would also sign him to Shady Records.

Take away all of the joint ventures and 50 Cent was just a man who hit the jackpot. Together, Eminem and Dr. Dre molded 50 Cent into the ultimate tough guy in hip hop. Making matters better, 50 Cent gained points by taking Ja Rule out of the game. As the ultimate underdog, everyone loved 50 Cent.

However, as the years went on, the power got to 50 Cent and he made the classic mistake. Cam'ron has always been in the shadow of bigger names. Emerging in the late 1990s, Cam was under the shadow of Mase and Jay-Z. When his big break came in 2002, he was signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella label and Ja Rule was the biggest star on the planet.

Even in the New York hip hop scene, Cam'ron and his crew lived in the shadow of G-Unit. When he got into a radio argument with 50 Cent, his anger came out. The two rappers battled it out during the summer of 2007 through YouTube and other media outlets. 50 Cent called Koch Records a graveyard because most of the has-beens of rap were signed to the label. Cam'ron had several of his Diplomat Records artists signed to the label and he took offense.

In 2009, Cam'ron and 50 Cent ended their feud, but 50 Cent has continued to be on a decline. Right after he began his feud with Cam, in 2007, 50 had a falling out with Interscope Records. Three years later, Cam has signed with Interscope Records and 50 Cent is a memory. The entire G-Unit crew is gone and replaced with their former rivals. Many of 50 Cent's critics said the only reason he was hot was because 50 Cent had been working with Eminem and Dr. Dre.

With 50 Cent moving to EMI Records, he no longer has access to Eminem and Dr. Dre the way he once did. Cam'ron does, however, and has already worked with Dr. Dre. Is there a chance of Eminem and Dr. Dre teaming up to help Cam'ron put together an album along the lines of Get Rich or Die Tryin.'

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