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THE INCENTIVE TO CREATE MORE – THE LUPE FIASCO EFFECT
By VERSE
There is a pandemic phenomenon that is cancerous to the creative process here in North America and across the world to a smaller extent. We are inebriated and swollen, drunk off the newest heist we have pulled off; the theft of creative property. I know, this is not new and is by no means a topic in need of further exploration as a whole but there is a slow death occurring and its not just affecting Hip Hop. When I read Lupe’s heartfelt response to the theft and illegal release of his new single ‘I’m Beaming’ and then read the various comments in response to his outcry I was appalled at the general response he received. In short, Lupe was told by his fans and detractors to “get over it”. A small part of your creative spirit dies when you are exploited, even more so when the wrong is not acknowledged.
Fast forward to the conversation I just had with my promotions officer Trevor Fernandez, former head of promotions at KOCH/E1, where we discussed the bleak state of the Canadian urban scene and the harsh realities of the methods needed to turn a profit. The discouraging, self defeating sinking feeling began to set in. The conundrum; how to sell a product that few are willing to buy but deeply desire? As artists we create out of love of the art and for self expression but the reality is that on a commercial level there is a cost attached to the process. If I want to rap I can freestyle or rhyme over free beats but if I want to create a song, collaborate with a producer as skilled at his/her craft as I am at mine, then I must pay and often pay a lot. Production, studio time, engineering, photo shoots, clothes, advertising time, wining and dining, promotional product, etc. – the bill racks up quickly.
I say all of this to illustrate one point, we are in a time where more than any other time the quantity of art and entertainment, especially music, has far out-paced the quality of it. Radio is repetitive and seems as a whole only to entertain the casual listener. In life, if you appreciate quality, you are accustomed to paying for it; there is a price difference between a Bentley and a Cavalier but even the Cavalier is not free.
Beware, the more the artists are pimped and raped for their creative works the more the entertainment business will see its biggest and brightest potential stars turn their backs to the audience and walk off stage in pursuit of happiness elsewhere.
P.S.
It should be noted that I say this while marveling at the quality of pirated movies that can be purchased at Pacific Mall at a price of 7 DVDs for $20. It is an uphill battle.
LUPE FIASCO SPEAKS OUT ABOUT LEAKED MUSIC
Rapper Lupe Fiasco recently expressed his outrage in regards to a song being released to the public without his permission.
The track ”I’m Beaming” was leaked on Christmas Eve night by a unknown party. The rapper says that he has planned to pursue legal action to find out who leaked the track and to press charges against the individual(s) responsible, as the rapper has claimed the track to be stolen property.
About the track being unintentionally released, Fiasco wrote this message to his fans on his blog.
“A lot of time and energy goes into the creation of this music, not to mention large sums of money, money provided by my record company as well as from my own personal finances,” he explained. “My music is the product of my life. It means so much to me. I take pride in it and I also take pride in how it changes peoples lives and gives them hope. So to see it treated in this manner really numbs the soul. So many of my family and friends rely on me for their well-being and I rely on my music to give me the opportunities that allow me to provide for them.”
He also made a plea to his fans not to purchase, distribute, or endorse any illegally released material of his.
Fiasco also went on to state that he takes the situation very personal in regards to the fact that he believes his first album was massively pirated and illegally downloaded prior to its official release.
He then compared the situation to the kidnapping of a family member, or a house robbery.
“And for those of you unsympathetic enough not to understand I can only compare it to someone breaking into your house and stealing everything not tied down or someone kidnapping your sister or brother and ransoming them back to you,” Fiasco aruged. “A deep sense of helplessness. I hope you never have to feel this and I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.
So far no one has been found responsible for the leak.
DRAKE HAS A SONG READY FOR JAY-Z PRODUCED BY TONE MASONS
When I saw this clip I thought it was dope and a perfect way to pay real homage to one’s home city by putting on other local talent. Here Drake confirms he has a song prepared to feature Jay-Z and it is produced by Tone Masons.
NEW MUSIC: DRAKE – IT’S BEEN A PLEASURE
Drake drops some more fire, this new single is called ‘It’s Been A Pleasure’. Check it out and zone out below:
CASH MONEY AND WARNER ARE RUMOURED TO MERGE!
Baby has been flexing that corporate muscle as of late and we have been taking notice. It seems Jay-Z and Diddy may have a Southern competitor for the mogul crown. Here is what BET has reproted:
Details are extremely sketchy at this point, but an EXTREMELY reliable source confirmed with me that a “secret secret hush hush* meeting occurred with several major big wigs from both parties (Oh hai Lyor Cohen & Brian Williams).
While nothing’s been solidified in regards to logistics to this ground breaking venture, possibilities of future collaborations and ish of that nature are hatching as we speak. A merger of the sort could combine the forces of every conglomerate under the respective umbrellas of WMG and Cash Money Records.
This includes Atlantic Records Group (Lupe’s 1st & 15th Entertainment, T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records, Maino’s Hustle Hard imprint) Warner Brothers Records Inc (Asylum Records- Gucci Mane lives here, Warner Bros. Records, Blacksmith Records) and a bevy of other imprints.
VIDEO PROOF OF MARY J BLIGE SLAPPING HER HUSBAND!
As reports hit yesterday that Mary J Blige gave a seasonal slap to her husband Kendu at her album release party Tuesday night, video has surfaced showing the tiff. MJB told the Daily News that she was just trying to diffuse a fight between her brother and Kendu. Originally she denied the whole incident all together. Hmmmm.
You can also catch Beyonce trying to hide from the cameras with her drink in her hand and Jay-Z partying it up as well. Once Mary delivered the slap (around the 1:00 mark), her people came over to try to diffuse the situation.
REMEMBER TO LEAVE SANTA SOMETHING THIS CHRISTMAS!!!!
This year we at LIFE Records would like to thank you for all the tremendous support you have given us in the past year. We stress that all our supporters remember that Christmas is the season of giving, so after all the yuletide cheer, find someone to get close to and remind them how rewarding giving can be. HAVE A MERRY SEXY CHRISTMAS; Live LIFE!
NEW VIDEO: AMERIE – MORE THAN LOVE FT. FABOLOUS
My bi-racial wifey and exotic dream come to life, Amerie, has released her new video for her single ‘More Than Love’ featuring Fabolous. Enjoy the concept video below as much as you enjoy the picture above 
P.S.
Fabolous giving the finger at the end is priceless LOL
NEW MUSIC: BEYONCE – WAITING
Beyonce has decided to give a new song as an exclusive Christmas gift to the online world. Below is ‘Waiting’ her new song/single. In other news it seems that Jay-Z in attempt to appease the Knowles family’s desire to keep the name alive is willing to change his name to Sean Knowles-Carter which will be followed by Beyonce Knowles-Carter.
MARY J BLIGE DENIES FIST FIGHT WITH HER HURBAND
By: Ismael AbduSalaam
Multi-platinum songstress Mary J. Blige is rebuking reports that she punched her husband Kendu Isaacs in the face Tuesday night at her NYC album release party.
According to initial reports from anonymous “sources,” the fight occurred when Isaacs was seen flirting with several female waitresses, causing Blige to strike and taunt him.
“She turned to him and was screaming, ‘You’re not going to ruin my night,’ ” an alleged witness told the NY Post. “They got up in each other’s faces before someone tried to separate them, at which point she shoved the guy aside, pulled back and popped [Isaacs] in the face. She was yelling at him, ‘What are you gonna do, Chris Brown me?’”
From there, Blige’s bodyguards were said to have escorted Isaacs from the M2 Ultra Lounge venue.
Blige’s publicist Kerynne Tencer released a statement denying the incident, and proclaimed the couple’s relationship is on steady ground.
“People lie and don’t know what they’re talking about,” Tencer explained. “They’re as happy as can be. They’re spending the holidays together with their three children. Everything’s great.”
Blige and Isaacs, who also serves as her manager, have been married since 2003.
On Tuesday (December 21), Blige released Stronger with Each Tear, her 9th studio LP after a 2-year hiatus. To date, Blige has maintained a streak of every album since 1992’s What’s the 411? going platinum or multi-platinum.
The album features guest spots from Drake, T.I., and Trey Songz. Production credits include Ryan Leslie, The Runners, Polow Da Don, The Dream, Stargate, and Tricky Stewart.
