What is the Problem with Skinny Jeans in Hip Hop?

By The Voice
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In recent years, Jay-Z has been the biggest figurehead in hip hop. But, in 2003, he decided to leave the rap game for the corporate world. In 2006, Jay-Z came back to "save hip hop." During this period of time, several rappers opposed Jay-Z. Lil Wayne also rose to the top of the game, giving way to new artists and a new style.

Hip hop in the post-American Gangster 2007-2008 period, hip hop was dominated by auto-tune and childish rhymes. The style of dress with hip hop artists also changed. No longer were rappers wearing the baggy pants, they had traded them in for the skinny jeans. Jay-Z again returned to the game in 2009, pointing this all out.

On the song, Jay-Z rapped "you boys' jeans too tight.' But, what many tend to forget is the original members of hip hop wore tight jeans. Before his NWA days, Dr. Dre was a member of the World Class Wrecking Crew. During this time, Dr. Dre was not a gangsta rapper dressed in the rough clothes, he was wearing tight jeans.

Grandmaster Flash and many other hip hop figures wore the tight pants and there was no opposition to it and no criticism. During the 1990s, when hip hop truly became commercial, rappers began wearing the baggy pants, as a way to rebel to the older people. Many older people viewed hip hop as negative and the young rap stars fed into this, rebelling against the older generation. Now, hip hop has moved back to the pants that fit, why is this such a major problem when the original figures of hip hop wore the skinny jeans?

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Why Jay-Z will not Respond to Lil Wayne

By The Voice
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The last time Jay-Z openly feuded was 2001, when he fired shots at Nas and Prodigy. Jay-Z's feud with Nas was viewed as one of the best in hip hop. At the end of the day, no blood was shed and hip hop now has a powerful duo. But, since that time, Jay-Z has not called anyone else out.

Two years following the epic Jay-Z vs. Nas feud, Jay-Z was offered the CEO position at Def Jam. At this point, he officially became the president of rap. While he helped build the Roc-A-Fella Records camp, he was taking over an already-established company.

Jay-Z only stepped down from his Def Jam position to take on another position with Live Nation. Through his deal with the promotions company, Jay-Z was granted Roc Nation. It has only been a three year run with Roc Nation and many of the biggest artists in the game are either signed to, or managed by the company.

Now, with a large stake in the overall entertainment industry, Jay-Z only raps for fun. Lil Wayne attempted to diss Jay-Z a few years ago, also. In 2006, Jay-Z claimed he returned to the rap game to save it. Wayne felt the rap game did not need saving and if it did, he would be the one. Teaming up with Jim Jones and Dipset, one of Jay-Z's biggest rivals, Lil Wayne created an anti-Jay-Z wave. As beef was brewing, Jay-Z shockingly invited Lil Wayne to provide the hook and a verse on "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" off American Gangster.

Lil Wayne returned the favor and invited Jay-Z on "Mr. Carter." On the song, Jay-Z passed the torch down to Lil Wayne. Despite mending the fences, Birdman continued to take shots at Jay-Z. When he released his comeback, The Blueprint 3, Birdman said the album was not as good as Tha Carter III. Birdman said the album did not deserve the acclaim it received. It did not stop there, as Birdman called Jay-Z out over money, claiming to have more.

Each time Birdman mentioned Jay-Z, in 2010, he claimed to have more money than him. Jay-Z, having had corporate money for nearly a decade, laughed this off and mentioned "baby money" in "H.A.M." Nearly seven months later, Lil Wayne took the response upon himself and called Jay-Z out. His verse took aim at both Jay-Z and mother-to-be, Beyonce. The timing could not have been much worse, as Beyonce revealed her pregnancy the next day.

There are a number of reasons why Jay-Z will not even entertain Lil Wayne's latest diss. First off, Jay-Z is the head of one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world. Jay-Z left his gangster phase in the 1990s and has not appeared even slightly "urban" since his 2003 "retirement." As the head of several other companies, with stakes in others, Jay-Z now entertains for royalty and he would not jeopardize his good standing for a petty rap war.

The most important reason Jay-Z will not step into a battle with Lil Wayne is because of the child recently announced to the world. While Lil Wayne has several children, he is a young father. At an older age, Jay-Z is expecting his first child and he holds himself in a different manner because of this fact.

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Will Jay-Z remain in the Office?

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2003, Jay-Z "retired" from hip hop because he felt he had done all he could as a rapper. Jay-Z moved on to become the head of Def Jam. Many assumed he had the highest possible position in rap music. When he gave this up in 2007 to return to rap, many questioned his motives.

In 2006, Jay-Z "saved" hip hop with his Kingdom Come album, which was critically panned. A year later, Hov corrected his fumble with American Gangster. Following the release of the album, he stepped down as CEO of Def Jam, later leaving the label entirely.

Early in the spring of 2008, Jay-Z partnered with Live Nation to create Roc Nation. In the process of doing this, he left the label he created, Roc-A-Fella Records. Fast forward two years and Jay-Z has a major company filled with talent. Not only is Roc Nation a record label, but it is also a management company, responsible for some of the most popular artists in the game.

There have been rumors of a new Jay-Z album since last year. When he was on top of the rap game, Jay-Z released a new album each year. Despite becoming the most popular rapper in the game, releasing an abundance of albums, Jay-Z did not want to be a rapper. He was a man who intended to become a force in the corporate world. Jay-Z went from being a rapper with his own record label to becoming one of 2011's big time record executives.

The Roc Nation company manages some of the top artists and producers in the game. Outside of music, the company recently branched out into doing film ventures. At any time, Jay-Z could record a new album and it go platinum and receive positive reviews, but will he choose to? Now over forty years old, Jay-Z is more impressed with investing in businesses than playing with rappers who have "baby money." There has been talk of a new Jay-Z album and he is doing Watch the Throne with Kanye West, but has no solo plans.

Jay-Z now has a big chair in his own office, not Def Jam's. He holds more clout now than he ever did in the past. Jay-Z promotes and manages some of the top rappers in the game. Is he going to step out of the office and back into the game one more time, or will he have the last laugh and count his profits from their small rhymes and cheap shots?

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Will Jay-Z release a New Album in 2011?

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In recent years, Jay-Z has been spending more time running his businesses than making music. Despite being considered one of the best rappers of all-time, Jay-Z said he was a businessman. Coming from the Brooklyn projects, Jay-Z had one of two ways to make a better life for himself.

Jay-Z spent most of his early adult years trying one way to build the life he always wanted. After spending eight years in the "crack game," he decided to enter the rap game. Lucky for Jay-Z, the fans fell in love with him. Many people looked towards Jay-Z for inspiration, as he pulled himself to the top.

From 1996 until 2003, Jay-Z released an album each year. Along the way, he made other stars through Roc-A-Fella Records. During this time, Jay-Z also branched out into clothing and film ventures. Even though he was the biggest face of the entire company, Jay-Z ran things behind the scenes the best that he knew how. But, following the release of his 2003 album, Jay-Z decided to hang the mic up for good.

In 2006, Jay-Z returned to the rap game and it was almost as if he had never left. His flow was a little different and he boasted more about his cash than usual. With the economy heading down in a fast motion, many fans were turned off by some of Jay-Z's lyrics. He would turn things around one year later with the release of American Gangster. After watching the Denzel Washington film, Jay-Z was inspired to record an album based upon his own life in the streets.

Following the release of his critically-acclaimed album, Jay-Z took some time off to reorganize his business ventures. In 2009, he returned with another critically-acclaimed album, The Blueprint 3. Last year, Jay-Z experienced all kinds of success. Jay-Z is mostly behind the scenes with most of his work. Roc Nation is his new company and the label manages and promotes some of the biggest names. Willow Smith, Rihanna, and J. Cole all released music for the label in 2010.

While Roc Nation has been doing well and Rocawear has been a steady brand for years, Jay-Z returns to check in on the rap game every now and again. This year, Jay-Z is already in the studio as he and Kanye West are recording Watch the Throne. Even after reaching the top of the mountain, Jay-Z still feels as if he has something to prove to the people who thinks he has nothing left in the tank.

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