^don’t front like you didn’t see babyface making bedroom eyes at you…
See, this how I was introduced to L.A. Reid. A part of a group called The Deele, looking like 6 vampire pall bearers in all black. He didn’t even hum a note as far as I know and it didn’t take long for the group to be overshadowed by Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, who was already a blazing song writer giving a lot of his hits to Bobby Brown. No one seemed to truly care about anyone else, yet when LAFACE was formed, it seemed to be a logical choice. TLC, OUTKAST came through with a firestorm and made a name for themselves but we all knew this was a R&B flavored label.
Def Jam was Hip Hop’s Motown. The grassroots of what made our legends who they are. We seen all of them blossom throughout the decades and become Icons. There was so many changes of the guard within the castle that we all knew one day the new king would be someone with just a name and no real connection to Hip Hop. That’s where Mr. Reid comes in. I had a look of someone blatantly opening up my Arizona Tea and drinking it right in front of me when the news hit that LA was the new chief !! When I heard Jay-Z was coming to the team also, I knew this shit was even worse since he never did any real CEO work at Rocafella. More so the labels “cash cow” who had no choice to drop every year because who else was gonna hold it down – Amil ? Yet in still, I felt at least there would be a balance, hoping to GOD that Shawn Carter would hold it down not only for the Vets but for the new talent of Hip Hop coming thru. At least I was half right.
Def Jam turned from the longest running Hip Hop label (Damn Right Y’all) to a regular pop station club. Wack ass Artists like The Dream started taking Exec spots while the likes of R&B acts are getting the most exposure. The only 2 Hip Hop acts that thrived was Rick Ross and Young Jeezy !! Even The Roots and Nas who were supposedly signed by Shawn Carter before he left didn’t get much press, let alone videos !!
“Why did one straw break the camel’s back? Here’s the secret: the million other straws underneath it – it’s all mathematics.” – MOS DEF
I guess that happened when LA Reid thinking Shyne was a 2PAC figure signed him to a crazy deal while he was banished to Belize. This one hit wonder (No Hit, if you ask me) who did a 10 year Bid, came out of Prison sounding like he was on his knees for 9 of them or suffering from a bad case of Bronchitis was a getting a deal while the likes of Redman was nowhere to be found and Method Man was doing guest spots on CSI – New York. Rhianna cd flopped even when it’s sold for pennies but of course, the budget needs to be recouped. Pardon me if I cried tears ofJoy when this rumor hit. It’s the only logical choice. We barely have label support as is and it’s fucked up when the flagship artist gets no push while having a very good project. Maybe the changing of the guard needs to go back to the 1st two. Some people who did it for the love of music, not with lining their pockets. Kick these incoherent asses out and start fresh…We can only dream
-Written By Curtis75Black
Def J has had a rough bit of it lately. Star power behind the helm doesn’t necessarily translate to hit albums. I’m glad those bums are gone. The (bad) Dream is über-whack to me, and his ascension to an exec position made NO sense to me.
DefJam died when Lyor and Kevin left. Jay-Z tried (didnt do to bad if you ask me) but I always felt he had a selfish agenda when he took that spot. His talent got him to this level not his business acumen. To me Dame Dash built the brand Rocafella wasnt just Jay because Rocafella hasnt been shit since Jay took it over.
oh yeah and i never understood LA Reid running DJ unless they where planning on making it a R&B label (wait a minute….) oh well. Glad hes gone. Hope whoever is next can restore the luster, shine and respectability the DefJam label commanded.
Seems like everyone read my shit. Nas and now Shyne is talking about getting off the label !