Journalistic Integrity

I was never a fan of unnecessary friction within music. T.I. has a song on Paper Trail entitled "My Life Your Entertainment", which in Hip-Hop's case, speaks on a broader spectrum than just the trials and tribulations of the embattled Grand Hustle CEO. There is a saying that "No News Is Good News" which I agree with completely, because the media can do more than just ruin an individual's day, it can bring them into the line of fire. When Biggie and 2Pac were at war, it was just between Bad Boy,a few NY rappers and Death Row not East versus West, but the infamous print media ran rampant with half truths about the "beef" between the two which caused even more of a problem. I remember days after Biggie passed, the Philadelphia Daily News cover page said "Rap takes another B.I.G. hit" and even at age 12 I was appalled by that headline. People's real lives are treated as episodes of everyone's favorite Soap Opera, as we eagerly wait to see that happens next. It's foul, and it gets worst.
When 50 and Ja Rule went head to head, 50 went all out and not only defaced his nemesis but he even brought down the image of Murder Inc. There were some Ja Rule fans who switched over to 50's side because they thought it was the "cool" thing to do. Isn't that effed up? Their battle wasn't as violent as Big and Pac or as epic as Jay-Z and Nas but it ushered in an era of WWE style competition. A bunch of fictitionalized characters making larger than life threats on mixtapes an in their interviews. Once the Hip-Hop sites became popular, the name calling reached an all time high of lameness. Rappers started getting on Youtube brandishing guns and showing off expensive jewelry in order to exhibit their "realness" by attempting to fool weak minded fans.

"Bad Boy's move in silence"

The videos served no purpose. If anything, it promoted the detrimental stereotypical image of ignorant black people.

"They should have never gave you n***as money!" Rick James played by Dave Chappelle

And they should have never gave them camcorders or taught them how to use computers either. But without negativity some of these so-called "Journalists" wouldn't have a leg to stand on let alone an audience who would waste 5 to 10 minutes watching their dim witted productions. Does Axl Rose make diss videos? Did Chuck Berry brag about being in jail in his interviews? Does Stevie Wonder brag about his cars?(Joke made in poor taste but still making a valid point) No! and nothing can be said to justify what is seen on sites like WorldStarHipHop. It's a sad sight to see grown men crying out for attention (i.e. anybody who has dissed Jigga via the 'net) and figuring the only medium of appeal is a video?!

Word to the wise, these news outlets could careless, actually they care more when your at the lowest state, once you reach a level of success any scandal or something that appears as an obstacle is all the artillery they need to shoot you down.

Just Ask Hov'....

This is his verse from Coldplay's Lost (Remix)

With the same sword they knight you, they gon' good night you with
Shit, that's only half if they like you
That ain't even the half what they might do
Don't believe me, ask Michael
C. Martin, see Malcolm
See Biggie, see Pac, see success and its outcome
See Jesus, see Judas
See Caesar, see Brutus, see success is like suicide
Suicide, it's a suicide
If you succeed, prepare to be crucified
Media meddles, niggaz sue you, you settle
Every step you take, they remind you you're ghetto
So it's tough being Bobby Brown
To be Bobby then, you have to be Bobby now
And the question is, "Is to have had and lost
Better than not having at all?"

Feel me?