Pharrell gives Rick Ross props

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The quality of rap artists had been dwindling for some time until Nas ended up coining the "hip hop is dead" phrase. In the time since that statement, a number of rappers have been stepping their skills up. At the same time, many new rappers have emerged and have been met with critical acclaim.

Rick Ross emerged in the months before "hip hop is dead." When he first debuted, many saw Rick Ross as another Southern rapper. But, following the success of Trilla and his feud with 50 Cent, people realized he was the real deal. Five years since the release of his debut album, Rick Ross is one of hip hop's biggest names.

Pharrell has long been one of the most critically-acclaimed producers in the game. The Virginia native is also credited as a decent rapper and a good singer. But, over the past few years, he has been more on the production side of things. While he has been out of the spotlight, Pharrell is still following the game and he says hip hop is in a good place.

Unlike many, Pharrell supports Rick Ross and his movement, he stated music changes over the years and the music has changed. Pharrell said it is rare to have someone come out and dominate the way Rick Ross has over the past few years. While people say what they want to about Rick Ross, Pharrell said his music is authentic.

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Timbo King talks "From Babylon to Timbuktu," Record Labels, Current State of Hip Hop, and Upcoming Projects [Exclusive Interview]

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Eighteen years deep, Timbo King has been around and working with several artists for years. Timbo King has remained relevant through collaborations and compliations. Aside from his solo career, he has been a member of Wu-Tang Clan since its inception.

Timbo King has been signed to major labels in the past. In addition to doing music, Timbo King has been featured in movies. Due to his line of work, Timbo King has been able to travel the world. Having worked with many of the legends, Timbo King is now preparing his solo debut.

For the past two years, Timbo King has been working on his debut album, From Babylon to Timbuktu. Now, in a little over a month, Timbo King will release his debut album. The album will be released on August 30, of thus year.

Hip Hop Vibe contacted Timbo King earlier this week. Following days of discussion, Timbo King sat down for an exclusive interview.

How will From Babylon to Timbuktu separate itself from other albums being released in 2011?
My album has deeper subject matter and material. I am doing God's work as a meek and humble person. I am led by faith and I'm giving people the Word and Gospel. But, this is the street Gospel, so I am giving you the perspective from the people of poverty. Also, From Babylon to Timbuktu is my journey from poverty to paradise, for those who know about Babylon and Timbuktu, Babylon is in poverty and Timbuktu is paradise.

From Babylon to Timbuktu is a book a friend of mine gave to me to read. Timbuktu is actually where the stock market was originated, along with many other things used today. Timbuktu had the first university and was the first city to have a temple with Christianity, Hebrew, and Islam all together. If you were to go to Timbuktu, you would see all of these religions in the same place.

How did you attain this level of spirituality?
Through growth, betterment, family background, and doing research myself. Even though we all sin, I decided to follow the righteous faith.

What do you think about the record labels who try to change the subject matter of rappers' content?
People have limited mind-spans. Times are hard, the economy is in shambles, there are few jobs. Racial tensions, children growing up in single-parent homes. On top of this, there is war in the Middle East. These events are similar to those of the past, but they are under different names now. When people see the world for what it is, they should have the right to tell it.

Is this one reason why you decided to remain an independent artist?
Yeah. I was always selling my products, myself, without a problem, I get my music out, globally. While it was on a smaller scale, I always had quality versus quantity. But, now I have a major independent distribution channel behind me and I am ready to take things to the next level.

Can you explain to us about your label, Real Estate?
Real Estate is my imprint, my first imprint and I am the first artist off the label. The title basically says live off the land, location, do everything for yourself. I deliver all of this in the Real Estate title, street scholars understand the Real Estate movement. Regardless of what you do, you deal with Real Estate?

What was your Fortknox movement about?
Fortknox was a digital imprint. It was a site where artists could post and sell their music. I used the site to post and sell my music.

Is this site still active?
No. The new site is TimboKing.net

Who have you worked with on From Babylon to Timbuktu?
Killah Priest, Hell Razah, RZA, Vinny Idol, Junior Reid, Lil Fame, Ra the Rugged Man, William Cooper, overall a good album.

Are you trying to prove yourself as an individual brand?
Yeah, me, the brand, the logo, the company, the lifestyle.

How does it feel to be the head of your own, successful, movement?
Everything is yours. You create payroll, you pick the staff. The salary cap, the income, the outcome, it's all yours.

Will you be on the next Wu-Tang album?
Not that I know of. Wu-Tang can be pretty unpredictable, so you never know.

Will you be featured on any new releases by other artists?
Yeah, Hell Razah, William Cooper, Tragedy Khadfi, for Black Market Militia Part 2. I will also be featured on Ra the Rugged Man's next release.

Can you tell us more about your personal journey from "Babylon to Timbuktu?"
Finding myself. Separating my negative and positive energy. Everybody has the chi inside of them and you just have to balance it. It's self explanatory, what you do comes back to you. It's a boomerang.

Ever since Nas made the statement, Hip Hop is Dead, many people have given their opinion, how do you feel about the current state of hip hop?
There are different branches of hip hop. We have rebel, pop, underground, concious, military. See, me I'm a rebel, you can label me radical hip hop. Compare me to anyone who has a message. I deliver the word, but there is always rules and ethics. Even a drug dealer has to learn math, whether or not he graduated high school, you still have to learn. Street dudes mastered that, they know how to reload, unload, and clean guns, that's their thing. Everything is science and math. I'm glad I got to see hip hop, from when I came in during the 1993-1994 period to where it is now. Back then, it was all lyrics and there was no boundaries.

Back in the day, everybody was different. Now, it seems like everyone has to be a party rapper to be on the charts and to have hits. It seems as if they are overlooking social concious rap. But, when you're in the club, you only party for a few hours. When the party is over, reality sets back in. However, when the party music keeps playing, people are still in party mode when there are serious things going on.

Do you feel as if your movement will re-establish New York hip hop as the most dominant sub-genre?
My movement is going to do me. I'm coming from the Wu-Tang family base. All I do is respect my style and make music for my listeners. I attract the hustlers and grinders and I will continue to make music for them.

Who are the other artists signed to the Real Estate label?
No artists are signed directly. I am currently looking for young talent to groom and develop. Real Estate will be much more than music. I will also be doing actual real estate and my artists will play a role in this. Through this label, I will be setting up my artists as business figures, as well. If I successfully do this, I will be doing my style.

After your release, who will you be pushing next?
I have some more projects in the works.

Can you tell us about your animated project?
"The Brobots" they are twin robots. They come from the future, which is now. They are making Earth their new planet because Earth is becoming more like their planet with the advance in technology. Just like regular people, they have come to New York City looking for jobs. Like people coming from the South, and other areas, looking for work and to blend into the society. The twin robots are also black and white.

Would you ever make a move from hip hop to Hollywood?
Yeah, why not. I'm a magician. Hollywood is another magical land. Holly is the wood Marilyn the Magician played with. I'm Timbo King, so why not? I use the wood style, I'm from the root up, branches, leaves, I'm family oriented. Holly is a wood, which comes from the tree, which symbolizes life. Timber is wood and my name is Timbo King, so I'm the wood king. A carpenter's specialty is wood. Wood can be used several different ways.

How do you feel about rappers "retiring" from the game?
If you are financially set, why not? If your business is set and you have other revenue outlets, why not? As long as things are lined up, move on. Everything is business, so when you retire, you have an account in that. Many people say they have retired, but paperwork comes behind that and it opens a revenue stream.

Are you a fan of any of the current hip hop superstars?
Yeah. I like everybody. Lil Wayne, Drake, Jay-Z, Nas, Saigon, M.O.P., Fred the Godson, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Jay Electronica. Everybody is saying the same thing, they come from the same cloth, but they are expressing themselves in a different way. My list is endless, there are so many more I did not mention, even many overseas I follow. I have too many to count, this thing is international.

Do you feel sort of awkward about being considered a "new" artist, since From Babylon to Timbuktu is your debut album?
I still see myself as a seasoned veteran. I have been around for years doing features, but I never released an album. I had album deals with Capitol, MCA, Loud Records, Priority Records. Each time I was ready to release an album, the label folded, so I moved on. I was fortunate to receive budget, record songs, and travel the world without even releasing an album.

However, with the 360 deals, where they want a portion of everything, things have changed. I have my own independent distribution and my focus is building Real Estate. I have a book coming out, I will make the move from artist to author, while others go from artist to actor. My realm is CEO, artist, author. Music, novels, my animation series, artists, and my label for now, along with shows tours, and other platforms of media.

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Game says few artists still care about Hip Hop

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Much has been said over the decline in the quality of hip hop music over the past few years. Rappers have been pointing fingers at each other since Hip Hop Is Dead. Game has been viewed as one of the best rappers of the "new generation."

Game promised he would keep hip hop alive, following the release of Nas' controversial album. For the most part, Game has lived up to his promise. Each of the albums he has released have been met with positive reviews.

Positive reviews are not enough for Game, as he wants to bring hip hop back to life each time he takes the mic. Game promised fans his The R.E.D. Album would be the album to finally save hip hop. But, the album has been delayed for nearly two years.

Later this year, Game plans to finally release the album and he has talked about the content as he prepares for the release. Recently, Game discussed the state of hip hop and he agrees with the critics. Game feels he is only one of the few artists who actually care about hip hop. Many of the new rappers are in the game simply to make money, not caring about the quality of their music.

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Throwback Video of the Day: Nas ft. Will.i.am - "Hip Hop Is Dead"

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Big Boi analyzes the game

Yesterday, David Banner gave his diagnosis on the death of hip hop and he has sparked another discussion. After David Banner gave his opinion of what has gone wrong with hip hop, Big Boi plans to deliver his. Much like Banner, Big Boi is trying to prove himself to be one of the best rappers in the game. He wants his debut album to be one of the best of the year.

Big Boi said hip hop has lost its essence because it has become too commercial. In the old days, rappers used to come off of the top of their head and do a freestyle. But, now rappers such as Drake write their freestyles and then recite them. Big Boi said the game is not about that. People are supposed to come with their own styles and come off of the top of their heads.

Like many other rappers, Big Boi has realized the game is changing, but he does not like the direction. His statement was similar to the one made by David Banner, yesterday. While the game is currently lost to him, he feels as if the game can be changed back to its original form. Big Boi plans to begin this change with his album, as does David Banner with Death of a Pop Star.

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David Banner says mixtapes Killed Hip Hop

David Banner has drastically changed his style from what it was when he came into the game. He has had many reasons for the changes he has made. For starters, he lost a lot of weight because of his health and he decided to build muscle. With a new image and a new lease on life, Banner decided to hone his mic skills. Now, he finds himself among some of the best rappers in the game.

However, Banner is unique from most rappers in the game. It has been said that rappers need to step up and take accountability. Many rappers have agreed, but few have stepped up. David Banner has been among those few. One of his first appearances in years was his appearance on BET's "Hip Hop vs. America." On that program, Banner proved how wise he actually was.

The changes he made during his hiatus spread over into his music. His last album, released in 2008, shows multiple differences from the album he released in 2003. Now that he has a wise voice in the game, David Banner often delivers his opinions to hip hop outlets about the state of the game. In 2006, Nas made the delcaration of hip hop being dead. Ever since he released the album named after the death of hip hop, many rappers have given their opinion on the situation.

Recently, David Banner gave his opinion and he said the reason hip hop died was because of mixtapes. The top rappers in the game are focusing more of their energy on the mixtapes as opposed to the albums. In the early days of hip hop, rappers poured all of their emotion into their albums. But, now with the popularity of mixtapes, rappers place their true feelings in the mixtapes. On the albums, rappers are being more contained and as a result, mixtapes are receiving better reviews than the albums.

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