For one week a year VH-1 earnestly goes in and represents for Hip-Hop better than any media outlet evar. They make Black Entertainment Television’s programming look so damn amatuerish and irrelevant. I’m not saying that B.E.T. should be the network that exclusively broadcasts Hip-Hop related content, but B.E.T. shouldn’t get outclassed to the level that VH-1 does it to them.
This year is unfortunately no different for Whack Entertainment Television as VH-1 gears up for their annual broadcast of the Hip-Hop Honors Awards. I could prah’lee go in on why this show needs a shapeup as well, but for what it represents it is still the most important block of programming on television. VH-1 takes over the game this week though by rolling out a string of reality shows and documentaries focusing on Hip-Hop’s past, present and future.
If you work at Whack Entertainment Television and you haven’t given your resume yet to to Viacom’s VH-1 human resource department you better brush up on your gospel music because that is the only thing y’all will be broadcasting come next year. That and videos of ‘Chocolate Rain’ by TAY ZONDAY. B.E.T. please kill yourself.
‘BRIDGING THE GAP’
Ep.1 featuring QUEEN LATIFAH & EVE
Ep.2 featuring SNOOP DOGG & THE GAME
Monday October 1st 11pm
‘Bridging The Gap’ documents what happens when two established artists come together to explore their shared musical passions. In each half-hour episode, two artists who share a mutual admiration and respect for the other will share a day, discussing their lives while creating a new track produced by one of today’s hottest producers. Queen Latifah and Eve are featured in the premiere, while The Game and Snoop Dogg collaborate in the second episode at 11:30pm
Editor’s note: The first episode sounds like some feel good shit for the ladies. Let’s see if Latifah advises Eve on how to get it done in Tinseltown. Speaking of Hollywood Snoop and Gayme are some of Hollyhood’s best cRap-tors. They need someone to teach them how to stay out of prison.
‘VH1 ROCK DOCS: FADE TO BLACK’
Wednesday October 3rd, 8:30pm
Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) has been one of the most influential figures in black American music since the mid-nineties. “Fade To Black” reveals the multiple Grammy Award winning artist as never before, from his background and rise to fame to the recording of his last album. The film chronicles his legendary concert at Madison Square Garden in November 2003 that featured guest performances by Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, R. Kelly, Foxy Brown, Pharrell, and Questlove and The Illadelphonics along with appearances by hip hop icons Damon Dash, Rick Rubin, Slick Rick, P. Diddy and many others. Viewers get the rare glimpse into Jay-Z’s creative process as he searches for inspiration, poetry, and perfection in his songs. Narrated by Jay-Z himself, his account of the night takes on reflections of his entire musical career and his journey that led to this one astounding, fabled evening–rightfully called “Fade To Black.”
Editor’s note: The JiggaMan hype machine is gearing up. Yawwwwwn.
‘CLASSIC ALBUMS: JAY-Z – REASONABLE DOUBT’
Wednesday October 3rd, 11pm
VH1’s latest addition to the “Classic Albums” franchise takes us back through the whole creative process behind Jay-Z’s stunning first release “Reasonable Doubt.” Initially as a performer racking up an incredibly successful string of hit singles and albums and later as an executive, having taken on the presidency of Def Jam Records in 2004. “Reasonable Doubt” is still considered by many to be his finest achievement. A much harder hitting and edgy record than his later more polished and pop orientated releases, it announced to the world that a new rap star had arrived.
Editor’s note: ‘Reasonable Doubt’ is a great album as a piece of entertainment, but when media outlets continue to tout this album as a biblical account of his personal life it only serves to trivialize and further disenfranchise the families who were actually decimated from substance abuse. One day the people inside of the ghetto will file class action lawsuits against all the rappers who claim to have been former drug dealers. Until them I suppose I will have to suffer the veracity of this hustler’s homage.
‘VH1 HIP HOP HONORS’
Monday October 8th, 10pm
Once again, VH-1 honors the hip hop pioneers and legends that have made significant contributions to all aspects of pop culture with the fourth annual ‘VH-1 Hip Hop Honors’. Hosted by Tracy Morgan, this year’s honorees include A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg, WHODINI, Missy Elliott, the film Wild Style and Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell for New Jack Swing. The music and influence of each of the honorees will be recognized through performances by classic artists in collaboration with today’s hottest new talent. The honorees are set to take the stage and showcase their legendary talent, along with Ciara, Eve, Pharrell Williams, T.I., Timbaland, Bow Wow, Busta Rhymes, Common, T-Pain, Keyshia Cole, Nick Cannon, Nelly Furtado, Ne-Yo, KRS-One, Jermaine Dupri, Grandmaster Caz, Nelly, Mos Def, Kool Moe Dee, Grand Wizzard Theodore and The Chief Rocker Busy Bee as well as appearances by Chris Rock, Harvey Keitel, LL Cool J, Salt -N- Pepa, Kerry Washington and Diddy.
Editor’s note: The iNternets Celebrities are trying to score some red carpet access to this event. Stay tuned for more info.
Viacom doesn’t care about black people
^ My sentiments exactly
“…When media outlets continue to tout this album as a biblical account of his personal life it only serves to trivialize and further disenfranchise the families who were actually decimated from substance abuse. One day the people inside of the ghetto will file class action lawsuits against all the rappers who claim to have been former drug dealers…”
TRUTH.
Either this or DAs will start to use rap singles as leads in criminal investigations.
Either is fine with me.
Why does it matter about the name. They chose it and they like it. It is no one elses business. To have all this discussion over a name is riuoculids. Put all that energy into solving world hunger or something beneficial.
I trying so hard to find a decent way of making money because the economy is down, i unable to get a job.i really interested in working online to make money, they are too many fake or phoney making money scams online, that can’t be trusted, i trying to find one that will definitely wont con me! Is there any one in mind that can be trusted that you could start making money for real? or should I go with my hopes that this is not for me? Help Me make a wise decision.
Lucas!I mean look at how heartbroken they were when they had to separate :/ He proved us he can overcome his fear, whereas Derek is even more of an ass licking idiot!
That’s a creative answer to a difficult question
I have in my Ipod some songs such as Dancing In The Rain ,Diamond District and My World, so I have been listening since two years ago.Excellent information.
Hey Jody….I don't rape & kill little old ladies, for one thing.You don't believe in the death penalty? Fine. I'm OK with that.Just so happens, I do, and I would lose a minute of sleep for putting a bullet through this piece of scum's head.
Boy accompanied by a big black pet dog I’ve seen you walking your fam single swingers want who fuckin Schermbeck ily dog around, and In my opinion you’ve seen people too. You appear lonely. You’re adorable, but I’m too shy to suggest anything. 50847
I was just takin to my boy about VH1…I said that 10 years ago, if someone told me that Vh1 would have better hip hop that Bet or Mtv – id probably laugh at em. Well..jokes on me..and the fact that I thought they were lame
Hip-Hop Honors lost some credibility with me by this premature honoring of Missy Elliot and the New Jack Swing.
Don’t get me wrong, Guy’s first album is classic material. Its Harlem Hip-Hop Flyness at its finest. I’d rather see them honor Teddy Riley who’s knocked out more classics than many even realize (“It Takes Two” anyone?). However honoring a style of production that lasted about a year and was subsequently buried by Ice Cube on “Death Certificate” in such an early part of its existance is straight up LAME. If we’re gonna honor “production” can we get something for Marley who basically invented chopping and reprogramming beat looping? Can we get an honoration for Premo? Pete Rock? The Bomb Squad? DJ Quik? 45 King? Rick Rubin? and many more “Hip-Hop” elements of sound that have survived way past the New Jack Swing? FUCK THAT. Whats next? They’re gonna honor Crunk next year? BULLSHIT.
Which is exactly the problem I have with Oprah’s bastard rap child Missy Elliot. I understand the affirmative action female inductee but you mean to tell me that Star Jones’ diet buddy deserves induction before Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens? Once again BULLSHIT. Latifah for what its worth is the female Will Smith who kept her rap nom de plume professionally. Latifah laid the path before female MC’s became synonymous with “Strippers Who Can String Rhyming Words Together”. Plus Latifah has all the formal certifications of plaques, Grammy(ies) and Oscar nominations.
They kept a good chronological order for the inductions for years before but now they just lept forward and are skipping people in the process. Snoop before Scarface? Too Short? Whats next Ying-Yang Twins before EPMD? I’m looking at this shit sideways from here on in. I’ll probably still burn a leaf, tap a quart, and tune in, but the serious historical and academic integrity of the “VH1 Hip-Hop Honors” has been compromised in my bloodshot eyes…
glad to see nick cannon is up in that list
…
wtf?!?
One day the people inside of the ghetto will file class action lawsuits against all the rappers who claim to have been former drug dealers
^^^^^
all the snow on the concrete Peruvian/I flew ’em in, it ruined men, I’m through with them/blame for misguiding their life/so go and sue me then(c) The Clipse
Missy Elliot as a rap pioneer? Uh….no. If it weren’t for Timbaland and Hype Williams…..where would Missy be?
There are so many other acts…has EPMD been given some damn props yet?
I co-sign with 40. How does Missy get on before Queen Latifah? Missy is good but the Queen is dope. I guess next years female inductee will be Trina. Anyway, I went to the VH-1 Hip Hop Honors concert this weekend in DC. The Roots, Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte and Skillz rocked for a good three hours. How can Black Thought not be on any Top Ten Rapper list. This dude is a beast on the mic. I know the Roots don’t sell a bunch of records, but they deserve much props & many thanks for helping to keep Hip Hop alive. BDK destroyed his set, he took everyone back to 88′. What female MC besides Queen Latifah can come close to MC Lyte? Dallas, I hope you catch this show in New York. It was well worth the money. Much props to everyone who rocked at that show. Peace.
Speaking of BET, did anyone catch that Hip Hop VS America last week, it was sorta interesting, if only to finally see TI complete a sentence that I could understand.
The ironic thing though, is that with all of the posturing and BS going on by bet, they are the worst offender when it comes to playing so-called ‘Gangsta’ Rap. I mean, according to the show, I guess Tip-Drill was probably the most damaging Hip Hop video ever, but wasn’t BET amonmg the first stations to play it? I mean they had dude up there(can’t remember his name) yapping on and on about having responsibility in Hip Hop, and how rappers should make moves to produce more conscious music. Meanwhile they dont play the roots, they REFUSED to play Little Brother, and the only Mos Def or Talib they play are the Crossover -like jams. OK, so they play Common(to death), but is that it?
It funny how HipHop catches blame for the messages it promotes, but it’s the money machinf that dictates what the consumer actually gets to see/hear. So how is it Hip Hops fault? There is no balance in Hip Hop simply because the money machine doesn’t want balance, they want profits.
BTW, Nelly, beleive it or not, made some valid arguments cross as pretty inteligent, if not angry as hell. Dude caught attitude with everybody(understandable).
Can’t really be hard on BET though. As a Viacom channel, and coming from someone that has worked and sued MTV for racial discrimination (victoriously I might add), Viacom treats BET with such disdain, keeping a tight grip on it’s purse strings while paying the white production companies that supply MTV and VH1 with more cash for better production quality. BET is at a major disadvantage and Viacom likes to keep it that way. Gotta stay keeping Darkie in their place! Smells like corporate discrimination people. That and the fact that we continue to accept the pork grease that BET keeps churning on the regular. The more things change…
40 speaketh the truth…and BET made BET irrelevant.
VH1 has really stepped it up and BET should be ashamed of it’s damn self. I’m just wondering why MAD groups seem to get stepped over for VH1 Honors? I know Salt N Pepa sold more records but ain’t no way in hell that they should’ve been honored before EPMD, Stetsasonic or Ultramagnetic MC’s…I of course know why they were, though. Where’s Queen Latifah at? What the hell?
One.
I’m going to go clutch my shelltoes in the corner while playing “The Message” and shed tears for the children.
I co-sign 40. Not feeling the honorees and I agree….Missy before Latifah? Paleez. The Queen is still killing them. She’s pretty much stayed true even with the Hollywood crossover.
40 ain’t never lie, but at the end of the day this is still VH-1 here. These are the children of the people who initially called Hip-Hop a fad and they are no more true believers than their parents were.
With that understanding I am enjoying any Hip Hop that receives honors by the performers and the honorees. They hit Big Daddy Kane off before Rakim because the white that runs VH-1 remember BDK from that book Madonna did.
The producers and check signers of this event prah’lee never even listened to Hip-Hop before this event was their assignment. I’m not gonna let them steal my joy. Don’t let them steal yours either. Hell yeah Queen Latifah needs her award, and Shante, and YoYo, and Lil’ Kim and of course, my baby sister Lin Que.
Why don’t you honor these folks by playing their shit in your iPod this week? Stop waiting for these niggers at Viacom to throw you flowers while you can smell them. We have to go out and get our own.
How bout we all get a life and stop over-analizing shit. And BET sucks. And VH1 is actually trying. And you’re all being nitpicking little dipshits. Enjoy the suburbs, dweebs.
I agree with 40. they just skipped over ppl that really Were pioneers. and missy elliot’s career was due to Timbaland basically. In the end…….not impressed with nominees.
Boycotted it… Watched MNF and the YANK-THEEZ LOSE! (HOLLER). Hip-Hop Honors is not gonna take me for granted like the Democratic Party already does. You want me to participate then you’re gonna have to start addressing my issues – thats for both of the aforementioned entities!
Watched it — major disappointment. But The highlite of the night was seeing Phife foin his thing, STILL!! I had heard he was fighting he’s been fighting his diabetes pretty rigorrously, and then seeing him and seeing him still perform, gotta take ya hat off.
Some of these dudes, cough twice and then cancel a show. Phife is literally fighting for his life and he stilled performed, and quite well under the circumstances.
Jah Bless PHIFE, and keep it movin’…..
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