EricaVainWeekly Issue 10 | The Hip Hop Issue by Erica Vain

THE HIP HOP ISSUE

WEEKLY

Kendrick Lamar Wale, J.Cole, Nicki Minaj & More

Hip-Hop : Lyricism is BACK Issue #10 June 3, 2013

C.E.O Erica Vain COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Mariama Gregory EDITOR Erica Vain EDITOR-AT-LARGE Travis Vance MANAGING EDITOR Tyfani McDowell CREATIVE DIRECTOR Terrell Anderson

Editor’s Letter It was 1994 and I was sitting in my room, which I shared with my older brother at the time. He had just came home from the music store, “Me Against the World” in hand. I listened, as he bumped this album in our room. In this moment, my love and appreciation for Hip-Hop began. This week’s issue of EricaVain Weekly is dedicated to Hip-Hop. It’s officially summer time and that means three 3 things: good music, freshly detailed whip, and windows down. If you live in an urban area like most of us, you can’t wait ‘til the DJ gets his weekend mix on or breaks an exclusive hot record while you are in your car. So, to get you in a Hip-Hop state of mind, we thought it would be only right to dive into expressing our love and how VAIN we are for Hip-Hop.

GRAPHIC DESIGN Katlyn Kinsey Yuan Liao

CHIEF INTERNS

Zakiya Harris Franchesa Renfroe

JOURNALISM

Nyasia Almestica Naja Brown Aramis Harmon Kristen Mack Malaika Nicholas Janiel Thomas Travis Wood

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Ivanti Bush CONTACT US Subscription Service: Sign-Up with http://EricaVain.com/Magazine OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER: Erica Vain P.O. Box 340 Perry Hall, MD 21128 410-343-9668 or Staff@EricaVain.com

Travis Vance Editor-at-Large

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS: mail@ericavain.com PERMISSIONS: permissions@vainllc.com

What’s Inside June 4th, 2013

Content

7Publisher’s Letter Editor’s Letter

Features 12 Kendrick Lamar

Breakdown of Lyrics in Hip-Hop

Gossip with The Hip-Hop Socialite How Hip-Hop has Affected American Culture: A Look at the Impact of one of Music’s Most Dynamic Genre

Don’t Put These Rappers in a Box: Future, 2 Chainz, B.o.B

Contact Subscription Service: Sign-Up with http://EricaVain.com/ Magazine

BET’s Best Female Hip-Hop Artists

A Lesson in “Swank” Hotties of Hip-Hop and their Beauty Trends

Where you at? – Female Rappers

Publishers Letter H

ip-Hop O Hip-Hop. How I love thee, let me count the ways... Ok, so it really is not that deep, but I have an immense amount of respect for the art and culture that is Hip-Hop. Everything from it’s lyrics, fashion, and personality has impacted my life and the lives of many. That’s RIDIC! Even with the crazy Trinidad James and other seemingly gimmicky rappers, you have no choice but to love it. Hip-Hop provides you with not just music, but an essence to move your mind, spirit and soul no matter what your circumstance or situation. Nicki Minaj is highly diversified in her music and delivery; in one cd I can go from fist pumping to shedding and tear and realizing how far I have come in my life. THAT is amazing to me. Currently, my Hip-Hop loves are Future, Drake, Nicki, Tyga, 2 Chainz, Kendrick, Wale and Hip-Hop Kings like Kanye and Jay-Z. Now don’t get it twisted, even though one of my favs in Hip-Hop right now is Nicki Minaj, I still rock with Kimmy Blanco aka Lil’ Kim. Stay tuned for our highlights of the up and coming ladies in HipHop. I love me some Iggy Azalea!; not to exclude Azealia Banks, Honey Cocaine, and Angel Haze. I truly hope you all love this “Hip-Hop” Issue of EricaVain Weekly, as we wanted to spotlight a lifestyle, culture, and art form that is borderline unquantifiable. Enjoy!

t u P t ’ n Do s r e p p a R e s e h t x o B a in at-Large

, Editore c n a V is v a r by T

he Hip-Hop Industry wants to label rappers; gangsta rappers, singer rappers, pop rappers, back packers, etc. Despite the Hip-Hop industry’s efforts to tag an artist, there are a few rappers who cannot really be placed in any category. These rappers each have a unique style and talent. Today’s out-of-the-box performers include Future, B.o.B., and 2 Chainz.

Future

Future has paved his way in the industry by doing something for which T-Pain was famous, buuuut slightly different. Future raps. Teddy-Pen-Her-Ass-Down is a singer. Future is a monster when it comes to creating the best hooks in the game right now. Couple his hooks with Mike Will Made It beats and you have a winning combination. A lot of people did not believe that Future was going make it because no one knew what to think of him. Although, he was good enough for us to listen to and now we’re hooked. Jay Z killed auto tune on The Blueprint 3 album, but that was almost 3 years ago. And lets be real, we all really like auto-tuned songs. But since Jay said no, everyone was like “Ok, fine. No more auto tune.” Just when the auto-tune phase faded, Future pops up with “Tony Montana”, a tuff beat, Drake on the remix, and… the rest is history. Lets see how the Future Hendrix album shakes out.

B.o.B. The first time I heard B.o.B was on “Haters Everywhere” single. It was straight Hip-Hop featuring Rich Boy, who was one of the best new rappers out at the time. I liked the song and thought this rapper [B.oB] is headed for success, but not particularly crossover success. It was revealed that B.o.B played the guitar. The last rapper that played the guitar and rapped was Wyclef; and this guy was no Wyclef. Then B.o.B dropped “Nothing on You” and “Airplanes”. These songs were Hip-Hop, but with a crossover spin that never compromised lyrics. His material was so good, that both Top 40 and urban radio stations were forced to play his records. Next thing we know, B.o.B was signed to Grand Hustle, a straight up tuff Hip-Hop label headed by T.I. So for some of B.o.B.’s fans they know him as a pop rapper. To other fans he’s known as a straight Hip-Hop rapper. Regardless of how you refer to him, you know this dude is talented. He is saying something and is better than the majority of rappers out here now. You don’t have to shoot n*ggaz, sell dope, and gang bang, to be a good rapper. B.o.B is living proof.

2 Chainz He says he just swag talks. And his “swag talk” is what has captivated the ears of many for a few years now. During my first introduction to 2 Chainz, I didn’t know what the hell I was listening to! It reminded me of old school rap, when MC’s would just try to one up each other by saying how fly they were or how good their rhymes were in the loudest, most expressive way possible. Then I listened a little more and thought, “Man, this ish kind of makes sense, in a weird way.” He’s like Atlanta’s version of Camron (Harlem) just more swagged out. We all knew Tity Boi, but when Tity Boi re-introduced himself on the 2011 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher, the Hip-Hop world got a chance to hear what 2 Chainz was saying. No rapper has take swag-rapping to this level. Because 2 Chainz has such an organic swag-rap, the rap industry and Hip-Hop fans said, “I don’t know wtf is going on, but lets get this guy on records because his swag laced lyrics is undeniably are good for business.”

Kendrick Lamar: Best Male Hip-Hop Artist? By: Franchesca Renfroe

The BET Awards are jammed packed with talent

ranging from music to movies to sports with the most popular award category being The Best Male and Female Hip-Hop Artist. Who will be this year’s winner? Who is EVEN up for an award this year?

Nominees for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist are: – 2 Chainz – A$AP Rocky – Drake – Future – Kendrick Lamar

With these nominees, making a decision as to who is THE BEST is tough. These nominees have shown some true passion for the Hip-Hop game at some point in their career. Each artist works hard to hone his craft and be the ultimate Hip-Hop artist, especially Hip-Hop’s recent contender, Kendrick Lamar. Why is Kendrick Lamar the likely winner? Right now, Kendrick is the new leading male in Hip-Hop. When people compare the Hip-Hop music of today to the Hip-Hop music produced by some of the old Hip-Hop contenders, Kendrick Lamar definitely measures up. His bars speak truth. He leaves his heart in his music. These days, some Hip-Hop artists seem to be lacking these key rap elements. Some artists, despite their first-round energy and hunger that made them seem as though they could become one of the “Greats”, are creating music for the sake of the industry, not for the art form that is Hip-Hop. If Kendrick Lamar does not lose the passion he has for lyrical significance and he does not get blind-sided by “superficial Hip-Hop”, his name will continue to be on the lips of Hip-Hop fans for generations like these “Greats”- Tupac, Slick Rick, Biz Markie, and Kool Moe Dee. When interviewed by Out Da Box TV in 2011, Kendrick Lamar explains what motivates him and who inspired him to become a rapper. He says: “I was raised around music my whole life, from gangsta rap to oldies. My pops, my moms, they played it all, you dig that? So it was inevitable, truthfully. I really was a big ‘Pac’ fan. When ‘Pac’ passed, there really was a void that was missing in Hip Hop. DMX came out, It’s Dark and Hell is Hot, that inspired me to start writing my own bars. I just love the technique, I love the art. I went back and studied all the legends and developed my craft, and it made Kendrick Lamar.” What is his strategy when making his music? “Just looking at the fact why everybody called these certain individual people legends,” he explains. “It wasn’t just the rhymes. They drew people in with their lifestyle and made people relate to them. Made music people can relate to rather than rapping 100 bars on the track. That’s Hip Hop, that’s art, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to be able move people with your music, and that’s what they did. And that’s something that I started to do.” Lamar’s newest album (second album, but first major label album), good kid, m.A.A.d city has definitely made people turn up their music volume. And if you did not know who Kendrick was before this album, you definitely know now.

When asked about his motivation for the album, he stated: “I knew that someday I would be in this position and I wanted to tell different stories of coming from the inner city, especially about young kids trying their best to stay away from the gang experience.” GKMC follows a story of K. Dot, who is portrayed by Lamar, as he goes through a series of struggles in Compton. The story is similar to a classic version of an old West Coast gangbanging movie, with the “good kid” trying to make it out the hood unscathed. This album brought back the true feeling of HipHop to mainstream music. Most of the rappers who still bring this type of genuineness are still underground staking their claim. These days, there is a shortage of authenticity in the industry, but Kendrick Lamar definitely brings his A-game, which is ultimately why he should win the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at this year’s BET awards. It is also the reason why he is one of the leading artist with 8 nominations. When interviewed at the BET Awards Nomination Press conference Kendrick stated: “It feels great. You know, I put a lot of hard work and dedication into it. You know, for it to finally work out and you know, and manifest into what it needs to be. I’m very excited about it.”

To see if Kendrick dominates the awards show, check out the 2013 BET Awards airing Sunday, June 30th at 8pm!

Gossip w/@Hip-Hop Socialite Recaps the hottest celebrity news and gossip of the last week, and drops a few exclusives… My New Guilty Pleasure, Hit The Floor, Premieres in Impressive Numbers. VH1 just keeps pulling me back in!! On Monday night, the network best known for its ratchet reality shows premiered its latest offering, Hit The Floor. The scripted series explores the sexy world of professional basketball and the dancers who make the fans (and players) go wild with the fictitious squad, The Los Angeles Devils. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this show, but since it came on after Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta, and I was too lazy to get up and look for my remote, I went ahead and gave it a chance. Surprisingly, I instantly became a fan, and I’m not the only one. Hit the Floor averaged a 1.8 in the Women 18-34 demo, a 1.5 in the Women 18-49 demo, a 1.0 in the Adult 18-49 demo and a 1.1 in the Adult 18-34 demo. The series premiere episode at 9:00pm drew in 1.5 million total viewers to VH1. When combined with the 11:00pm encore episode, over 2.5 million total viewers tuned in to check out the show. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I know I’ll definitely be tuning in every week to find out how things play out for the Devil girls. Hit The Floor airs Monday nights at 9pm on VH1.

Controversial Alternate Cover To Kanye West’s New Album Leaked.

It seems that Kanye West has found himself at the center of controversy (again). Recently hitting the net is a rumored alternative cover to Kanye West’s upcoming album, Yeezus. The controversial cover features a cartoonized Kanye hanging from a cross in the same way the Bible describes Jesus was nailed to the cross. The image has incited outrage among members of the Christian faith and has been called a “disgrace” and “blasphemous” by religious groups, and even the hip-hop star’s fans. No word yet from Kanye’s camp where the alleged alternative cover came from, but on Friday it was revealed that Yeezus actually wouldn’t have any artwork or an accompanying insert booklet. Very different, but what else do you expect from a man who once performed wearing an all white bird mask with a straight jacket?? Anyway, the album is set for release on June 18.

Abuse, Child Support Deals, And Diamond: Momma Dee TELLS ALL!!! Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining if it wasn’t for Momma Dee. The self-proclaimed “Queen of the South” never hesitates to speak her mind, and she doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks. Her relationship with her son Lil Scrappy has been both criticized and praised by fans of the show, and her battles with Scrappy’s baby mama, Erica Dixon, have been epic!! Last week, I got the chance to talk to Momma Dee for the first time since season one of the show, and there was never a dull moment during our nearly 45-minute conversation. We talked about everything from her crowning Shay “Buckeey” Johnson the “honorary Princess of the South” to Erica’s recent Black Men’s Magazine spread, and the abuse she claims Scrappy suffered at the hands of Erica. Check out the highlights below:

Why Did Benzino Cast a Joseline Hernandez Look-a-like in his New Video? On a recent episode of Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta, viewers witnessed what may have been the end of the friendship between Stevie J and Benzino after Stevie’s girlfriend, Joseline Hernandez, accused Benzino of saying he slept with her. Instead of shying away from the drama, Benzino made it the focal point of his new song, “Animal/Smashed The Homie”, by casting a Joseline look-a-like for the video, which was shot over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. A member of Benzino’s camp told me exclusively, “They [Benzino and Stevie J] haven’t made up yet, and because Joseline believes that Benzino really said he slept with her, then he’s going to make it true. So he made a song called ‘Smashed The Homie.’” Despite the rough patch in their friendship, my source told me that Benzino “still has love” for Stevie.

1.Chicken Wing Necklace

Ok. I understand the statement “be different”, but a chicken wing necklace? Really? When this photo surfaced, why would my Twitter and Facebook timeline ever follow this lead?! Who wants a chicken wing around their neck? Boy, I tell you! This needs to stay in the past and never resurface!

2.Jordan Sneaker Heels

I actually understand the marketing strategy for this fad. Jordan wanted to please everyone, right? Wanted the girly girls to match their boyfriends? Well… No. Bad idea!

3.Bamboo Jewelry

So, someone please explain to me why we need HUGE adjectives and nicknames hanging from our ears and neck to describe ourselves? Seriously, do you want to split your earlobe? I’m just mad this “Fad” keeps coming back. At least it’s not considered a classic like the little black dress.

Ten Fad s that sho been in

6.False Eye Brows

This cant be life!! This fad had to go and should never again be allowed to have any media presence. I know America is a free country, but this right here…is a no.

7. Black Lip Liner

No explanation needed. Make up artists… Is this how you guys and gals lead by example?!

8.Banner “Mom” Tattoo

What a cliché! This is a tattoo that bikers get on their arm and butt. This fad once was on every man’s arm and is now on every tattoo artist’s wall. Why? Guess I’ll have to ask the next mama’s boy I meet…

4.Claw Nails

The name should be enough for you. Leave the claws for cats and beasts of the wild! You could definitely claw your own eyes out with these things. Not to mention, the expense to get these nails re-sharpened. These nails should be deemed as some form of weapon. This fad cannot die fast enough.

5.Braides and Weave- Quick Weave

This, my friends, is glued on braids and a quick weave. Do you need an explanation on why this is so tragic and lazy? I’m getting mad all over again just looking at it! This is a “Fad” that better not come back or I’m declaring nuclear war!

ould have NEVER n Style!

9.Planking

This sensation is really something else. Sure, lay on a pole, the refrigerator, and other random things with no other purpose than to take and picture and feature it on social media. What a childish and stupid fad!

10.Candy Quick weaves

If you’re rocking this “do” for a hair battle show, then this would be acceptable. But for those people who have the audacity to wear THIS as a hairstyle, done on purpose, YOU should be arrested. This is just an affront to hair stylists everywhere!

The Baddest In The Game: BET’s Best Female Hip Hop Artist Nominees by Malaika Nicholas

Azealia Banks “Yung Rapunxel” rapper, singer, and songwriter Azealia Banks may be the mean girl of rap, but you can’t ignore her talent. Banks has been making headlines this year for getting into some feuds with the likes of Nicki Minaj, Rita Ora, T.I., Iggy Azalea, Shystie, Lil Kim, Funkmaster Flex and Perez Hilton. Are these beefs getting in the way of growing her fanbase? Perhaps. Banks definitely has the full package: the look, the voice, the bars. She’s definitely an artist that pushes boundaries and we’d love to see if she can top Nicki Minaj as best female hip-hop artist. Check out her singles “212” and ““Yung Rapunxel”.

Eve E-V-E is back and reminding us why she’s still one of the hottest female MCs in the game! She’s back with a brand-new look and her first album since 2002's Eve-Olution.Her first singles from the new album “Lip Lock” are nothing short of amazing. With her singles "Eve" and "Make It Out This Town," Eve proves that she’s a true and genuine hip-hop lyricist. Let’s see if she can take home the title this year!

Rasheeda This reality star and hip-hop artist is a certified hot chick! We all got to know a new side of Rasheeda from “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” as it chronicles her life, her music, and her struggle to preserve her marriage to her unfaithful husband Kirk Frost. Regardless, Rasheeda has always put out music that reflects her roots in the Dirty South and makes us all feel like a boss b*tch! She may not take the title this year, but we know Rasheeda will continue to give female MCs a run for their money. Check out her most recent album “Boss Chick Music” and her newest single “Hit It From The Back”.

Rye Rye Could this triple threat take home BET’s Best Female Hip Hop Artist award? Rye Rye, a singer, actress, and dancer, is definitely talented! She was recognized by Billboard in 2011 as one of their "21 Under 21." She is also the first artist signed to M.I.A.'s record label N.E.E.T., To top it off, Rye Rye appeared in the film “21 Jump Street” featuring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill and recorded the film’s theme song! This up-andcoming artist will definitely be a force to be reckoned with!

Nicki Minaj Young Money’s front lady Nicki Minaj has had another phenomenal year! The “Pink Friday” artist has sold over 5 million albums, served on the judging panel of American Idol season 12 (and had a long beef with Mariah Carey, also on the judging panel), and she even started filming her first big screen debut as Cameron Diaz’s assistant in “The Other Woman.” If that wasn’t enough, Minaj also made history, becoming the most-charted female rapper in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, with forty-four appearances this April. With six BET awards already under her belt, Nicki Minaj is the favorite to win this year’s Best Female 25 Hip Hop Artist.

How Hip Hop Has Affected American Culture: A Look At The Impact Of One Of Music's Most Dynamic Genre By: Nyasia Almestica

Music is hands down one of the

most artistic forms of expression in the world. It is a reﬂection of our thoughts, hopes, dreams, and our lives. Hip-Hop continues to impact American culture by exploring the boundaries within social change. Picture the South Bronx in the 1970s. 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, right from his high rise apartment, DJ Kool Herc, known for incorporating wordplay (i.e. poetry and speech) over clever beats, started the “Cowboy” Wiggins, a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

African American. The use of provocative lyrics, hand gestures, and body movements created a new approach of communication amongst the urban youth. Many Hip-Hop artists were looked upon as role models to struggling African Americans by preaching about black civil rights, unemployment, poverty, crime, government, and police brutality.

Because of its pursuance of

ideological boundaries that surpassed race, social class, stereotypes, and destruction, Hip-Hop has been a great inﬂuence on the culture of Americans. Many people grew to love Hip-Hop music, which is the reason Hip-Hop is the fastest growing genre in the United States. Unfortunately, due to its inappropriate language and inﬂuential notions of sex, drugs, gang violence, gambling, and alcohol, Hip-Hop was more widely accepted for its impact on the fashion world. Musicians such as Salt n’ Pepa, Eric B. and Rakim, Run DMC, and LL Cool J donned big gold chains and funky hats. In the 90s, baggy clothes, huge hoops earrings, and wacky shoes added a playful, yet urban twist to Hip-Hop fashion.

Fashion was not the only factor that was

changed by Hip-Hop. The English language has also been aﬀected by this multifaceted genre. Hip-Hop music enlisted the use of broken English to illustrate stories that stimulate the mind and body. An abundance of people walk, talk, and behave in a rather sensational manner because of the profoundness the lyrics oﬀered by Hip-Hop artists.

Although constantly criticized, the Hip-Hop

genre of music has managed to rise above false judgment and migrate from the ghettos of the Bronx to suburban areas and into business organizations. The Hip-Hop culture’s greatest feat is its capability to help bring people of all races, beliefs, and lifestyles together in a unique way that somehow generates harmony amongstchaos. It combines elements of rapping, graffiti, dancing, and deejaying to demonstrate a phenomenon of emotion within society’s center.