Feature: The Death of Hip Hop?

Many critics and fans argue about the demise of hip hop music. Actually it was the rapper Nas who kick-started this controversial notion with his album Hip Hop is Dead in 2006.

It is safe to say the good old days of beatboxing and rhyming on street corners for fun or to prove your talent is over.

Hip-hop is now a business. This means that like a business, a product has to sell in order to become successful.

Originating in the streets of New York during the 1970's, hip-hop music today enjoys its new abode in the southern parts of America.

Here is an example of two rappers from the 'south' to prove that hip-hop is still alive and kicking.

With Lil Wayne's music dominating the hip-hop industry as proven by his incredible catalogue for the last couple years, it's no surprise that he is also dominating the Billboard and Soundscan charts this year where records were broken

Some say when you're in pole position, you don't care who is trailing, which im sure the Lollipop hit single assured Mr Wayne to not give a shit.

His long anticipated album, Tha Carter III, shocked many with its first week sales, selling just over a million copies. A rarity in hip-hop, and only done once before by 50 Cent 's Massacre album in 2005

Another heavy hitter was the self-proclaimed King of the South, T.I's Paper Trail album which just sold over half a million records in its first week, and being certified platinum shortly after with 1,389,100 sold copies.

Hip-hop music's downfall can also be blaimed on the internet, which allows anybody to post up their music leaving us with an influx of talentless individuals at times. Congrats to those who can actually rap and use the web as promo!

Also with the web making everything so easy, users can download music instead of the conventional way of going to a record store and purchasing an album.

Downloading for free is now a common thing for many, (including myself) which sees artists sell less and less albums every year.

People tend to buy music aimed at commerical audiences, and those less commercial hip-hop albums always get heavily downloaded and leaked on the internet before its release date.

A thought to those sore losers: stop crying because your album is like frozen food that just chills on a self!

However an album does not have to possess good quality music because it is high selling- perhaps a lot of people are just stupid for buying it.


image source: photo bucket

The Hunger for More

It feels like I've come across a new hobby. Instead of pursuing endless activities to keep myself busy and entertained, I've found one which operates from the comfort of my home.

No its not sewing, or cooking, but blogging and getting lost in the world of the web. I better be on some excercise websites as well, as i give up my leisure time for the web.

I was a bit critical of blogging at first, however it grew on me, like a song does, and its kind of stuck in my head now.

Although the amount of posts I made can determine my laziness, I actually enjoy writing on my blog, and thinking of ideas, which creep up in my mind at the funniest times.

As the Online Project module ended, I dont think my blog will be neglected and catch cyber dust.

I will try to update it regularly, keeping in mind the advice from online media specialist Neil McIntosh, who said that blogs are important for student journalists who want to make a name for themselves online, in his recent talk at the University of Westminster.


image source: Ian Chadwich

Social Media and Journalism

In class recently we had a presentation from Kathryn Corrick, who is working with McCann Ericsson on digital strategy.

She talked about what's new in social media, the latest social networking websites and tools, and how we can use the internet and technology to our advantage in journalism.

The major trends highlighted were to do with mobile phones, and social media websites that enable you to send information from your mobile to the site with one click.

This super fast and easy methodology is a great boost for journalism, because in todays constant race against time, with so many incidents and events occuring globally, the internet along with the right technology allows us to keep posting new information and updates.

In my opinion, it certainly promotes citizen journalism, because everyone, in most established countries have mobile phones, and it doesn't take a genius to record or take a photograph of a newsworthy event which can end up on prominent websites like the BBC's.




image source: quick blogcast

Federated Media : Brief analysis

It is interesting to see the rise of blogs and interactivity in todays digital and information era. More specifcally the importance of blogs today, where previously its usage was so little.

Blogging could not have been simply used like a diary or for sharing information. Its commerical purposes were explored by the likes of Nick Denton (of Gawker Media), and John Batelle (of Federated Media), as looked at blogs from a business prespective.

With Federated Media for instance, it works really straightforward. FM support blogs that are successful by 'connecting them to marketers in an ongoing and robust conversation that feeds everyone involved', and intend to capitalise on advertising income.

Some of the blogs in Federated Media's network are more sucessful then established websites of print magazines, as blogs demand their deserved respect in the world of media.

For instance, take a look at Boing Boing. It is a tech blog that receives 3 million unique visitors every month, which has gained praise from the CNN

This definatly shows that people are considering blogs as commercial businesses and that blogs are slowly beginning to dominate the web.



image source: crunch base

Feature: My Hip Hop Bookmarks

Amongst the many hip-hop websites, who provide users and fans with information like new songs and 'whats hot', I decided to list my favourites, which arent many! (Sorry if I left you out)

The Godfather of them all, the Big Daddy, the Head Honcho has to be World Star Hip Hop.
The self-acclaimed 'CNN of urban media'.

With its simple layout, it only featues the latest hip hop videos, ranging from interviews, music video's, and videos of popular culture and general interest. Quite surprisingly, it was where I seen the incident with George Bush, and the flying shoes.


With that being said, I thought to myself the Steinbrenner of a hip hop website should be the best in multimedia, engaging in social networking , as well as delivering the best music. After more thought, I came to the conclusion that when simplicity works well, it works well for a reason.

Secondly, and finally there is Sohh, which I've slightly mentioned in one of my other posts. It stands for Support Online Hip Hop. It is more multimedia based then my #1 choice, thus probably full of geeks.

Categorised in many sections, Sohh caters for hip hop fans with great variety, from news, to blogs, and has its own Twitter update. The forum on Sohh is also one of its great attributes, and a personal favourite of mine where I can almosts spend hours on a boring day.



image sources: my camera phone: World Star Hip Hop, Sohh

Feature: Online Hip-Hop Awards

Some brief dialogue between me and my friend:

James: 'Music awards are online now?'

Myself: 'Yes indeed'.

All it takes is some votes from the fans, with no telephone calls where we all experienced being placed on hold, and charged ridiculous prices. This is done simply by a click of a mouse.

Operated from the The Online Hip Hop Award's website, 30 categories are available to chose from whereby fans, artists and record labels select the best.

Categories include the usual titles like Best Music Video, however merging the internet with hip-hop, categories like Artist Website of the Year Award have been introduced, and awards for the best music blogs.

The Online Hip Hop awards is sponsored by hip-hop's finest online community Sohh, which brings the latest news in the hip hop world, with exclusive interviews, and blogs.

Other sponsors include Buzznet, a highly innovative social networking website which offers users the latest in music and popular culture with some great multi-media tools.




image source : my camera phone: Online Hip Hop Awards

Feature: Hip Hop music in a digital age

The wonders of the web seem to be making everything digital and making old media fight a tough battle, and music is no exception. Historically speaking, records were replaced by cassette, casstette was replaced by CD, and CD replaced by MP3s, and other digital formats.

I don't want to get into such technological innovations as there could well be an MP8 for all I know.

Hip Hop music, amongst others is also following a digital trend in order to be a leading force in the music industry. Contemporay rapper Mr Ozwald highlights this quite wonderfully, and paves a digital way for other artists to take advantage of the web like he did.

"With album sales dropping every year, I've decided to focus on digital distribution and release new music every month via iTunes and other online stores."

Elshwere in hip-hop, rapper Flo-Rida set a digital sales record with his smash single 'Low' last year selling nearly half a million copies in its first week of release making digital hip-hop sales at an all time high according to Billboard.

This trend is being supported by indie record labels like Amalgam Digital, which is an online hip-hop label who sell "exclusive digital-only albums."

Very effective strategies are being deployed by these digital labels.
They probably target lazy gits like myself as I dont really go out to shops like HMV to buy albums, and i buy or download music from the comfort of my home.

In the near future, record labels will probably be replaced by online labels as the need for record labels are decreasing, and the web is allowing more and more flexability.

For rappers or any artists to be recognised, they dont need to wait long hours in front of record label offices with demo CDs. They can put their music online easily, or put songs on Myspace which has seen the young American hip-hop phenom Soulja Boy being signed to a major record label.

In the UK, hip-hop radio 1Xtra has been the most successfull station out of the four new digital stations by the BBC with 313, 000 listeners per week. Not bad at all, as I am one of those listeners!

image source dopetracks

Feature: Hip Hop music does influence positivly

No I dont sell crack or carry guns!

Hip Hop music has always been under scrutiny for its use of explicit lyrcism which is brought to realilty even more with its explicit videos.

Many people begin to question the infuluence of such music on teengers perhaps. Or many ignore the unavoidable parentel advisory logo on most hip hop albums which warns of explicit lyrics.

Lyrics that revolve around selling drugs, violence and living harsh lifestyles are common within hip hop music, and if those lyrics are taken away, then the artists image would be taken away as well making him/her fraudulent.

Being a fan of this genre, I can certainly highlight the positives that hip hop music brings, focusing on critically acclaimed rapper Nas' song and video I Can, the second single from his 2002 album God's Son.

The song starts with a drum pattern mixed with Beethoven's classic Fur Elise medoly, which represents class and sophistication, as Nas decides to take a different route in terms of style.

The video portarys a young girl on a piano playing this melody surrounded by flats in a deprived area which shows that talent is hidden and not always on the forefront.

The chorus of the song is what turned it into an inspirational anthem for young children who are not fed with silver spoons, which is sung by children who tell each other that after hardship, sucess will follow.

"I know I can, be what I wanna be".....if I work hard at it, I'll be where i wanna be".

As a rapper, Nas proved to be a clear role model for African American youth who dont always grow up with luxuries, and a smooth childhood.

If only more songs like this were produced, then hip hop music would not be getting ignorant remarks from critics.

For instance an unsatisfied David Cameron who states: "Do you realise that some of the stuff you play on Saturday nights encourages people to carry guns and knives?" He should have mentioned heavy metal music as well with lyrics of a sadistic and sexual nature.

What am I doing?

Many repace old media with the latest. In this case replacing your diary notebook with a blog account.

Then i ask myself this question: who really wants to know our daily activities, and what everybody gets up to? Because I for one dont.

However if the activities are important or effect me, then it will create an instant interest like something newsworthy for instance or something personal.

Ordinary bloggers cannot interest me with their day to day lives, and reading their daily accounts would surely mean that I am bored beyond imaginition.

Staying in touch with friends and family however and what they get up to sounds more appealing. This is where I introduce Twitter, a service which is similar to Facebook's status updater and tells you what others are doing.

It seems to be an effective tool, which is heavily used in the media, from journalism to entertainment. In the recent Mumbai attacks, Twitter users were almost writing the news with posts like "Firing happening at the Oberoi hotel where my sister works", as well as every minute updates.

Its effect on journalism is incredible, because journalists and reporters are not always in the right moment, in the right time, and this is where citizens come in and perhaps do their duty for the (global) community by informing others.


image source: google images

Feature Intro

As Christmas is soon approaching, and the module being in its ending stages we have been given a task of writing a series of posts for a feature.

This can be of our choice or subject matter, which left me thining the whole weekend because there is so much to write about, yet it was still not easy to decide.

Too be honest quite frankly I have had enough of writing about news for now or politics which is the reason my feature will lean into a more entertainment based area focusing on music mainly.

At first I felt like continuing with a similar format like our group blog where i would cover international news stories however with the amount of freedom with content and subject matter available for this feature, I decided to write about muscic; a passion of mine.

Music itself is a huge and popular market, with many genres and niches. I dont aim to write about every single genre and imitate Wikipedia, instead I shall cover Hip Hop music, which has endless blogs.

It is difficult to be creative in a field that is so broad, like music. Instead of simply writing about my favourite rappers for instance, I will be writing about hip-hop music and its relationship with the internet.

As far as getting other people involved, I will use the main marketing tool for bloggers. Being a member of a couple Hip Hop forums, I shall comment there with links to my feature, and offer interaction.


image source: cheese-on-bread blog

Evaluation of Group Blog

In our group blog, we aimed to analyise foreign news coverage, and divided the work load equally with every individual choosing one continent to cover.

A problem that arose was realizing the fact that we did not use a blog website like Blogger or Word press, which enables us to edit posts at all times.

Instead we used a website whereby only the editor can publish posts, and we have to send an email every time we want to update or post a story. The layout of the website was a little all over the place; however nobody was expecting a top of the range website.

The problem when using a website is that the front page stays the same, whereas with Blogger, every new post goes on the front page, until a new one comes along.

The websites URL stayed the same when accessing different parts of the site, which prevented some of us from not leaving comments on other blogs as it would lead back to the main website not the specific part

Overall, I am pleased with the outcome of our group blog, especially the content which is of good quality, and the topic that was international news. Personally I experienced a delay in posting on one of the five days for a good reason obviously, and apart from that everything went well. I enjoyed writing for the group blog, however I enjoy writing for my individual blog more as there are less restrictions.

It was a good experience to be posting five days, as a group, and it would be interesting to see how it succeeds into the real world, once changed are made to it.

Pirates of the Red Sea

Dumping of waste in shores and seas has always been a problem for environmentalists, and continues to be a problem today.

In Somalia however, this problem is being taken care of well with self-proclaimed ‘coast-guards’, equipped heavily like in the Black Hawk Down film.

They are young men who patrol the coast of Somali in speedboats armed with machine guns. Hijacking ships, asking for incredibly high ransom fees and keeping all the money to themselves.

Inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean perhaps, who vigorously sail the oceans of the world for riches, these Somali fishermen, turned pirates are the modern day Jack Sparrows, driven by huge lump-sums and don’t intend to stop anytime soon.

In reality however, they are men who live in a war-torn and lawless nation and survive by any means necessary. When large ships sail through the Somali coast, and dump tons of waste, they can’t expect to get away with it. Matter of fact, they can’t get away without some altercation or confrontation.

Condemned by the media and global leaders, the pirates are laughing off such displeasure as they cash in sums that Hollywood stars would get after a few Grammy awards.

What these ‘pirates’ are doing is not entirely pleasant. Causing havoc within the oil market due to the hijacking of a Saudi oil tanker recently, as well as ‘threatening one of the world’s busiest shipping routes’.

While Somali pirates own modern technology and weapons, commercial ships are virtually unarmed, which make them easy targets.

What people fail to understand is that these coastguards behaviour is a consequence of ships dumping and fishing illegally in Somalia’s waters. These men are not outlaws; they do not kill innocent people.

The rise of piracy on the coast of Somali and the Indian Ocean has increased since Somalia's civil war in 1991, where fishermen turned in their fishing nets for machine guns, as they began losing their livelihoods.

"Illegal fishing is the root cause of the piracy problem", claims a Garowe resident, where the pirates "call themselves coastguards." Surely this cannot continue for long as a global message has been sent out by recent actions of the pirates.

Whoever continues to dump waste illegally will simply have to pay the price. Being ungovernable, in the north east region of the country, these pirates are practically the law, acting as regulators.

Fashioning a multi-million dollar business, these pirates have found their new livelihood. "Somalia's fishing industry has collapsed in the last 15 years and its waters are being heavily fished by European, Asian and African ships".

How ironic as Somalia’s coast sees less traffic now and ships are advised to stay 200 miles away. I wonder for how long, before this will end up in some sort of battle to make the coast of Somalia and nearby safer.

Very entertaining for audiences to see these men who go out action-packed and armed patrolling such a massive area of sea in little speedboats, abducting ships who can be spotted from the country side, and making money out of this.

The zealous atmosphere of the pirates in their pursuit or moment of attack definatly brings laughter to me. A Hollywood remake of the Pirates of the Caribbeans to the Somali version would be hysterical.

Well since Barack Obama became the new-elect President of the United States, anything is possible!

Pirates seize oil tanker

Guardian editor praises the web

Neil McIntosh, head of editorial development at the Guardian online recently spoke at the University of Westminster about the future of journalism both print and web-based.

'Online journalism can be serious if it wants to be', states an optimistic McIntosh who has seen large success over his nine-year period with the Guardian.

"We're in a position, where in the next two years, we are able to redefine what journalism is".

The best platforms and methods of work within journalism will be established. Instead of print journalism working against online journalism, they will aim to work synonymously to provide their audiences with quality and variety.

This is illustrated by The Guardian's recent move to a new multimedia building in Kings Cross, whereby online and print journalists will be working together on the same floor as to previously in different segments.

As online journalism is under constant scrutiny by perhaps traditional journalists, they cannot deny the success of its innovations and usage. Exemplified perfectly by blogging, a user generated phenomenon which McIntosh claims to be the 'root to market your voice'.
The ability to reach out to audiences globally through your work can be done online proficiently and easily.

BBC's Pete Clifton seems very welcoming of the bloggers and citizen journalists. "We have another arm of news gathering operation- it can ultimately add to the richness of what we do".

Professor of media and communication James Curran states that 'the internet has made some aspects of journalism worse'.

This is certainly true with citizen journalism whereby ordianry individuals report or cover issues and news stories.

Personal opinion tends to be the leading factor in such reportage and facts are less covered. The citizen mainly re-cover stories with their opinion, as it is difficult to break stories without Reuters or other news agencies beating you to it.

So with the infiltration of citizen journalists with bias coverage, does this make us turn to good old fashion newspapers?

Research on elderly and internet usage for news feature

LINKS:

Elderly internet usage in America- statistics

Computer eduction for elderly 

Channel 4 News- 'Internet sharpens elderly brain'

Elderly couple married through internet

An interesting blog by a Dr. (elderly), on the generation divide in internet usage

POLITICIANS PLAN STRICT WEB REGULATION RULES

Due to the web's arsenal of information, and unlimited capacity of it, regulating its content can be tricky.

Regulators face tough tasks keeping the web running smoothy, against cyber geeks who always find ways into cracking codes. If there is a will, there's always a way, as shown by Tim Berners Lee when he ceated the web.

However the dangers of the internet in conjuction with children is a serious issue. Culture minister, Barbara Follett speaks out on this matter who feels that regulation is not strong enough and material 'leaks'.

For any teenager, having access to the internet is a must. With most teenagers it all starts of with MSN Messenger, where chatting to friends from school takes place.

This is not entertaining enough, and the need for something different and more pleasurable begins. This results in a searchbox getting heavily searched with keywords like 'chat', or 'girls', in the case of boys and vice verca.

A scary concept to face for parents, however that is the reality we live in today. Who knows who is at the other side of the computer screen? However what do these gullable children know?

Therefore something needs to be done quick. As the web continues to change and evolve, so will its content, and so will the need for more exploration.

Is this not the perfect time to regulate?
Follett warned: "We must teach children of the dangers of the internet. It is sad to make children more scared than interested, but fortunately the internet is so interesting that children tend to overcome their fear."

With so many external forces corrupting the internet, a simple search task can be unsafe for children. As Follett urges the fact that it is time for service providers to act up, and try to find ways of ensuring online safety and regulation.

Follets, name and shame campaign for web providers might not be a stretegical move as it can backfire. Her child-like idea contrasts with the importance of this matter, and silly threats should be replaced by serious action.

ANGER MANAGEMENT FOR KANYE WEST?

No stopping Kanye West this time! The Grammy-award winning rapper headlines the papers again for his untamed behaviour to those we love to hate.

The infamous paparazzi. As he is preparing his fourth album titled 808's & Heartbreak, slated for release in November, Kanye West allegedly got into a pyscial confrontation outside a night club in Newcastle during his stay in the UK.

We all know he is still grieving for his mothers loss, but no need for the caveman antics. As annoying and blood hounding the press are, they just do what they are paid to do, and cleary Kanye West does not get paid to fight.

How ironic. An artist harressing the paparazi. Thats a day we have all been looking forward to. What happend to the teddy bear loving Kanye West we used to like? Or are emotions at an all time high?

A recent split up with his long time girlfriend and fiance means the beginning of a new era as a tough guy for Kanye; lashing out to those who put you on the map with fame.

Now i understand the role of the 'heart-break' concept of his new album where the sad yet angry rapper states, 'how could you be so heartless', to his former lover who left him.

Im sure many of you have seen the video of Kanye West raging like a bull as paparazzi approach him in an airport before his incident in Britain. If not, have a look here.

Furious bloggers and commenters on YouTube for instance stated their opinion.

One individual quotes, 'Kanye West is just ridicolous. he wanted the fame and so he has to live with the paparazzi'. Interesting. He is lucky he is talented or else he would have been history by now, on billboard charts in his fantasy world




video source: YouTube

Online Journalism, and Politics.

After an intriguing lecture on Online Journalism by my course leader Jim McClellan, i try to make sense of everything i have learned or more specifically remembered and put it into practice.

Although I am not much of a blogger, I am aware of its usage and popularity over the last couple of years.

Critically speaking, the thought of writing about my everyday life for an online audience which is larger than i can imagine seems rather futile. I am sure nobody is interested in my daily activities, and I am certainly not interested in the lives of people I do not know.

However as a means of information and getting matters across, and interacting with others in debate sounds more appealing.

At the end of the day, people need to understand the difference with cyberspace and reality. When their are celebrities who do not get as much light as they wish, why would ordinary people or 'average Joe's get attention.

Maybe with the influence of the reality television phenomenon Big Brother people think it is 'cool' to inform others about how they live their lives. This can also involve posting videos, and recording an ordinary day.

Before I get too deep into the reasons why online diaries (which is a part of blogging), is useless, I shall commence with my first task and post of the day, about a news story of interest.

This will be about a Hillary Clinton being a potential member of Barack Obama's administration.

HILLARY CLINTON LINKED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE JOB

Defeat in the American election campaign does not seem to hinder Hillary Clinton's career as she is speculated to become secretary of state in an Obama administration.

Intriguing as the two were in heavy rivalry in the early stages of the presidency election. Seriously what is Obama thinking?

Is this a publicity stunt, or is he being sympathetic towards old Hillary. Perhaps Obama is emulating similar tactics by George Bush who appointed his rival Colin Powell as secretary of state in 2000.

As Mrs Clinton awaits the opportunity by former senator of Illinois, thinking 'yes I can' be your secretary, I wonder what Bill Clinton thinks of this. Luring in the political affairs of his wife? Surely he wont be able to resist.

Lets just hope she does not get caught up into any of her husbands past activities.