I’ve never taken leaks so seriously, they’re usually pretty benign affairs. It happens so often nowadays, that even the Eminem album leak was barely a controversy in tha biz. But this new Dr Dre track titled “Under Pressure” is supposedly a leaked track off of the highly anticipated Detox album. The track is tagged with “New Music Cartel” shout outs (the leakers), and is overall a pretty horrendous track, certainly not a tasty appetizer. Though, for the record, Dre is claiming this was an “incomplete track”, not yet “finished”. Sheesh, let’s hope not, talk about an underwhelming leak! Barely a drizzle…
I recall a few different moments when I came across Drake’s material early in his career, certainly pre-Weezy. First of all, it was difficult to put aside the fact that I recognized him from Canadian TV, his now infamous role on Degrassi, as I found out, many people down in the States also peeped Degrassi, and thus, shared the same preconceived notions I had. However, Drake seemed to be on some different shit, certainly a different sound from the stable of T-Dot rappers that had the rap game on lock in Toronto. But more impressive than his sound, was his visible awareness of the industry and what it takes to entertain. When he linked up with Lil Wayne and Young Money I figured that was the end of what could have been a reasonable Toronto MC making it. Boy, was I wrong about that one eh?
What I like about Drake is his ability to absolutely murder 16 bars when he’s not being finagled by the YM camp. Have you heard his verses on Scriptures? Anyways, this new shit is some dope ass stank. Check it.
This week Lupe Fiasco had one of his new tracks leaked by an unknown party. The track is called “I’m Beaming” and it’s a Neptunes joint. You can peep the track (below), but the intriguing part of this story is not sonic. Lupe is extremely irked at this “unknown source” and is threatening to sue the wraithlike culprit. How ridiculous is that Lupe endorsed notion? First of all, why are you this surprised/pissed that one of your tracks got released?
“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.”
Oh…I suppose that’s a reasonable point, though he’s still clueless when it comes to the practicality of leaked tracks, both in their restriction and their beneficial qualities. Secondly, how are you going to sue this unknown source? Especially when you find out the dude came from inside your camp? Guy, get over it, the track isn’t even that hot, the instrumental is clean, but your flow isn’t beaming.
Lupe Fiasco – I’m Beaming (Produced by The Neptunes)
You know what’s really psycho? The entire upcoming 50 Cent album has been leaked on the information super highway! I understand perfectly well how it is hard for mid-level artists to prevent album leaks, especially ones with no pull when it comes to matters such as marketing and distribution. And, I’m also empathetic to musicians who are harangued by extraneous people during recording sessions, god knows what kind of scum leave the lab with pirated leaks. But what I simply fail to comprehend is how 50 Cent, a man with his own label and full creative influence over his music and projects, can allow, yes, allow, his entire album to leak a month before its drop date. Get your shit together Fif, seriously, shot 9 times bla bla bla, cover your album’s ass, shoot haters later.
Okay, so the same week Cassie’s leaked photos are released to the public, Rihanna also is big news in the pop media scene with multiple nude photos of her in a hotel w/ Chris Brown. Now, I know something is wrong when my MOM sees these photos and asks, “(GASP!!) Who are these girls?? Why would they take these pictures?”. LoL. She was SO confused, it was hilarious. I was not surprised when I saw Rihanna’s naked pictures posted online. I’m sure she saw how much media attention it brought Cassie and how many more “followers” she got after her nude photos were leaked (Cassie’s Followers almost doubled on Twitter after her boobies were revealed to the world). Rihanna’s photos are a bit raunchier than Cassie’s. Truly a “Good Girl Gone Bad”. The funniest pic to me was of Chris Brown wearing what appeared to be Rihanna’s pink panties wrapped around his head covering his eyes like a mask. I don’t know the story behind Rihann’a leaked photos, other than it may be a desperate attempt to get Followers on Twitter, more media attention, and prove to the world that she really has become a Bad Girl and there’s no turning back. I’m a fan of both these women in the industry. Why? Maybe because they embody the type of women I come across everyday, and I also see small aspects of myself in them. It’s actually entertaining to talk about these women’s sexual explorations and witness them expressing masculine and feminine qualities. Cassie’s 1/4shaved head and leaked photos, and Rihanna’s recent appearance at the NYC Costume Institute Gala dressed in a Dolce & Gabbana suit/tie and leaked photos are related to some aspect of them coming into their womanhood, exploring their sexuality, and re-defining themselves. But, I have to question why we all are so enthralled with these stories and leaked photos? Is it the actual ‘nakedness’ that we are excited about? Or, that we secretly have all gone through this kind of sexual expression and openness at some point in our adult lives and get intrigued when we are visually stimulated by others going through the same? It just so happens that while these women are going through this natural form of development and exploration at this time in their lives, everyone has an opinion because of their exposed celebrity status. What a burden to bear. I hope that they can move forward from these experiences and continue to find out who they truly are as women and how they will use this type of exposure (however negative or positive) to change themselves and/or influence others. I’m curious to know though, which one do you think has the nicer piercings? Cassie or Rihanna? LoL (Oh yeah, and the link to the sinner edition is right here!!!)
