Is Young Money Falling Apart?

When you think of labels in rap that are at the absolute top, many people's first answer would be Young Money Cash Money Records. At the top of his game Lil Wayne was once considered the best rapper alive, and his upbringing of Drake and Nicki Minaj certified the label's status as one of the most elite in rap. While these 3 are some of the best selling rappers of the last decade, the label doesn't seem to be in the best shape as of late. Is this the beginning of the end for YMCMB?

In case you haven't heard, recently fellow Young Money rappers Drake and Tyga have been getting into some beef (Instagram beef, although that's pretty much what beef in rap has come down to nowadays, unless you're unlucky enough to have a problem with Game... yikes) over an interview Tyga did with Vibe. When asked if any of Young Money is part of the creative process that comes with making an album, he said this:  "Nah. I try to distance myself from them." To stir up the pot even more, he then stated that he doesn't get along with Drake or Nicki very well, then elaborated on why:  "I don't like Drake as a person. He's just fake to me. I like his music; you know what I'm saying?  I think his music is good, but we're all different people. We were forced together and it was kinda like we were forcing relationships together. I think being signed to Young Money, everybody felt like they had to force a relationship 'cause Wayne put us together. At the end of the day, the reason why I signed to Young Money is because of Wayne. Not because of Drake, not because of Nicki. It was because of Wayne and my relationship with him. I try to be cool with everybody but sometimes, everybody just has different personalities, motives, and different characters. When you realize that, you realize that's not a place where you want to continue to grow."

Wow. Couldn't have seen him wanting to go independent, a complete bomb just dropped by Tyga. Although you have to love his honesty, the bigger wonder would be what does this do to the relationships between the artists on the label?  Drake certainly responded to Tyga's interview, apparently liking a couple of Blac Chyna's selfies on Instagram. In case you didn't know, Blac Chyna and Tyga were a thing not too long ago (not entirely sure what Blac Chyna does, if she's a stripper or porn star) so that is certainly going to ruffle some feathers of Tyga's. So the short story is this led to some back and forth with not only Drake and Blac Chyna trading pics and likes on Instagram, but Kylie Jenner even got involved (not sure why, besides the rumors of her and Tyga dating) by liking some of Drake's pics.

So all of the high school, he said she said Instagram jargon aside, that almost makes it a definite answer that Tyga wants out of Young Money. Lil Wayne has yet to comment on the matter, though I can't say for sure if he will even get involved seeing as it's a matter between Drake and Tyga, although this could be a major turning point in Tyga's staying or leaving. Wayne certainly has his own problems to worry about as well, when just under a month ago he was hit with a lawsuit from Signature Group LLC of Miami (who if you don't know is private jet company) accusing Wayne of not paying his private jet fees for rides given to him and the Young Money camp. This could spell bad news for Wayne and Young Money as far as not having any means of transportation to events could mean a huge loss of money (as if the $1 million Signature Group LLC of Miami is slapping Wayne with isn't enough of a loss as it is).

So what happens with Young Money?  Has the rule come to a screeching halt?  If the problems between Drake and Tyga continue, does it slowly lead to the dissolving of relationships on the label?  There could be a lot of problems with Young Money's financial situation that we haven't even heard about yet, is the private jet bill just the beginning?  Knowing Birdman and how he handles his business it seems unlikely, but anything can happen. And with Wayne rumored to be on the verge on retirement, how would they handle being able to carry sales if Drake and Nicki got fed up and left?  Drake and Nicki certainly are powerful enough names by themselves to go off and do their own thing, although there are no rumors that either will leave. It's been reported that Young Money recently signed former YMCMB artist Juvenile. This signing comes at an odd time with all the issues with Tyga, does this mean that Young Money was expecting Tyga to leave the entire time?  Too many questions are up in the air right now to be able to answer them all, but with Tyga's album currently being held by the label and given no release date, it certainly seems his future with Young Money is getting more and more dull. Let me know what you think happens with Young Money as a whole and if they can stay afloat on Twitter (@SuperNovaRover), Google+, or in the comment section below.        







        

Slaughterhouse's House Rules: The Review

In a genre of music which we call a game; a genre of music that others call a fad or "trendy" for the time being; and a genre of music that is judged constantly on its cockiness, flair, and its ways of expression, maybe a change of pace can show people what it's really all about. In the current state of true hip hop, many would argue it's not anywhere near its peak. What some grew up on...the story-telling brand, and the fun, lyrical, bouncy sort of vibe we got listening to it seems to have changed into something so braggadocios. Then along comes this group.....Slaughterhouse.

Maybe I'm a bit biased due to them being my favorites in the game, but it's very hard to argue that any other single rapper or group brings to the table what these guys do. TDE, Young Money, argue who you will, but there aren't many others who can make you feel through music like these guys. They remind you with the introspective "Offshore," in which each member continues the trend of venting in songs like we're so used to hearing. Ortiz discusses the first time meeting Crooked I and the times they've had together, Crooked talks about his grandmother passing and the hardships of coming up in the game, Royce discusses coming up and his family, and Joe goes back to his "mood muzik" self while talking about his drug addiction.

One of the most lyrical, if not the most lyrical rapper out right now, Crooked I says what is on his mind, no matter what it is. He has no problem venting about the passing of his grandmother, label issues, and growing up in the hood of LBC as he continues to show his hunger in every song. In songs like "SayDatThen," "Offshore," and "Struggle," Crook's drive has never been more evident as he is rapping like his life depends on it. And I'm pretty sure if you asked him, he'd say it was.

Royce Da 5'9 raps on this tape like there's no competition visible, and is not afraid to point out those who have shunned him as a serious emcee. In his very own track "Keep It 100," he discusses the industry, and his growth in maturity along with his still keeping it real like attitude. With both being from Detroit, he certainly shows his frustration as he singles out Big Sean as not giving him any love on songs or verses. Royce certainly does "keep it 100" on this whole tape as usual, and my personal favorite verse of his is on the intro track "House Rules," where he just goes off in proper Royce fashion while showing us a hint of a singing voice in the build up, right in the middle of his verse.

Joell Ortiz has definitely stepped up his rapping, in my opinion the difference has been evident since the release of "On The House," the mix tape pre "Welcome To: Our House." In his own choice cut, "Life In The City," Joell goes in over some hard production courtesy of Heatmakerz, discussing exactly that. Guns, drugs, hard acting gangstas in the hood-type rhymes are all accompanied by some confident rhymes and great lines like "just because you write rhymes don't mean you rhyme write, you a light high, don't jump and become a highlight." Ortiz has never always been the stand out of the group, but he's certainly one to watch with sleeper lines like the aforementioned.

 Joe Budden, the mood muzik king of course, is certainly no slouch on this project either. Besides his missing verses on some songs for some odd reason, the man himself never gives us a bad verse. He's back to his reminiscent, venting ways on songs like "I Don't Know," where he talks about growing up in the streets, how to survive, and how he is where he is now. It's hard to determine whether or not he still struggles with drug abuse, as he has in the past, as he has said. From the sounds of this project he might still be overcoming the process. Despite any issues he might have, Budden is always entertaining and I am certainly looking forward to what he has to say on the album.

Are Slaughterhouse just diss heads whose only goals are to point out the real against the fake in hip hop?  That saying may be partially right, depending on your perspective. I believe that Slaughterhouse's true goal is to just continue the culture of real, fun, lyrical hip-hop. Some would argue they still have work to do even coming up on their second major label album. I still wonder why they have so many individual songs aimed for just one member, or why they have so many songs out that exclude one member's verse. A possible aim to release material some time in the future?  Who knows. Their production value has always been a bit of a lack to me, but with one of the greatest to ever do it at the executive spot for this album, Just Blaze, maybe they'll finally get the production they deserve. We shall certainly see, look out for their album "Glass House" set for release before the end of the year.