Apple founder, Steve Jobs, dead at 56

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The name, Steve Jobs, may not ring bells, but his inventions should. Steve Jobs was the visionary behind the Apple company. Through his inventions, Jobs helped revolutionize the hip hop industry, without trying. Earlier this year, Hip Hop Vibe wrote an article about Jobs.

At the time, Steve Jobs had stepped down as CEO of Apple, to focus on his cancer treatment. For some time, Jobs has battle pancreatic cancer. Jay-Z rapped about Steve Jobs on his 2006 comeback album, Kingdom Come. During this time, the original iPod was still rising in popularity.

In the five years since then, the world is preparing for the iPhone 5, the iPad 2, new Mac computers, and several new systems. This is all because of Steve Jobs. Now, when an artist releases an album, they are focused on topping iTunes, as opposed to the Billboard Hot 100. This shift has happened here in recent years.

Sadly, the mastermind behind all of this, Steve Jobs, is dead at the age of 56. In 1976, Steve Jobs founded the Apple company, with childhood friend Steve Wozniak. Wozniak spoke on Jobs' death, saying: "I'm shocked and disturbed." Steve Jobs had beaten the pancreatic cancer, back in 2004. It was following that bout, when the wave of new inventions came. In his 2011 letter of resignation, Steve Jobs wrote: "I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know, unfortunately that day has come."

Steve Jobs has lived an incredible life, starting his company at 21 and reaching billionaire status before he turned 30. Apple had this to say about their founder: "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," read a statement by Apple's board of directors. "Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

Steve Jobs lived from 1955 until 2011 and he will truly be missed by all.

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The Impact Steve Jobs left on Hip Hop

By Insightful Guru
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The name 'Steve Jobs' is not too familiar within the hip hop circle, but his products are. Steve Jobs single-handedly changed the hip hop game. Jay-Z rapped about him on his Kingdom Come album, but the album was considered a flop by most.

Among the products Steve Jobs created was the ever-successful iPod. Due to his ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer, Jobs recently gave up with CEO role with Apple. The company was founded by Steve Jobs in 1976.

Apple is currently seen as the alternative to Windows, but it has provided so much more. Rappers who decide to record on their own usually decide to purchase a Mac over a PC. The Mac computer was also an invention from Steve Jobs.

It was during Steve Jobs' most-recent stint as the head of Apple when things really took off and his company became a major competitor. While already competing, the influx of products helped boost Apple and landed them much media attention. Most people who hold a position of importance have an iPhone. Again, Jay-Z rapped about this and Rick Ross raps of "sellin' dope straight through the iPhone."

With Steve Jobs stepping down from his role as the CEO of Apple, due to his bout with cancer, remember all of the products he has brought to hip hop. The list is ongoing, as Steve Jobs has become one of the biggest names in hip hop, despite not being directly known by most.

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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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