Editorial: JESUS IS KING IS NOT A GOSPEL ALBUM (written by @RamseySaidWHAT)

Growing up, my father always told me to be careful who you hear the word from because not everyone preaching the word is spiritually correct. It doesn't matter if they are a pastor, deacon, or even my parents themselves. My father wanted me to know the word for myself. He made more of an emphasis on spirituality than religion because religion is just politics and man-made. The old folks say no one knows the word more than the devil. He is God's fallen angel and heavenly choir director after all. I'm not calling Kanye West Lucifer. He loves Jesus, but "he don' learned a lot from Satan."

The only way to effectively break down this project is to take a page out of Kanye's book and talk about myself. Perhaps a little less arrogant but to truly understand this take, you must understand my perspective. I didn't want to write a thought piece on Kanye, but someone told me because of my background I'd be the perfect person for it.

JESUS IS KING by Kanye West was released on my 28th birthday. I am a lifelong God-fearer and a Millennial Christian man. A liberal Christian man who just so happens to be in love with hip-hop culture. When initially asked if I would listen to this project I replied no. Considering he's been probably the biggest influence on my adolescent and now adult life it's safe to say Ye has left a bad taste in my mouth in the past few years.

Just finished Kanye West’s new album.

What does Christianity mean if you support a man who locks kids in cages, grabs women by the pussy, calls racists “very fine people,” lies about a black man’s birth certificate and won’t apologize to the wrongly accused Central Park Five?

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) October 25, 2019

All my life I've been a churchgoer who loves music, gospel, and R&B as well. Being a heterosexual black man, I've been almost every kind of man who attends church. I've been the church drummer and sang solos in the youth choir. I've ushered, been an acolyte, ministered sermonettes as served as a mentor to the youth in my community. I've even entertained the idea of seminary and the ministry. Black men in church are unicorns, we garner a lot of attention because there aren't many of us. Because there is such a gap in ages between one generation in church to another, for me, the church was the place I learned responsibility to the next generation. A responsibility that Kanye feels free from exercising.

This piece is a warning to those who are more easily influenced and less informed than I. This is for the people whose first exposure to the church outside of grandma's funeral was Sister Act 2. Now that you have a gist of who I am, let's begin. I haven't listened to a new Kanye project since The Life of Pablo. In my review, I said something that three years later I still stand by:

"Listening to Kanye makes me feel like a kid in the choir back when we used to get in trouble for singing secular music during rehearsal."

That's what JESUS IS KING is. I hate to burst Kanye's bubble, but this is not a gospel album. If you go into this project with the expectation of it being gospel you'll leave just as misinformed as he. Just because music has gospel elements and features from my favorite Gospel act ever in Fred Hammond, does not make it gospel. Freudian by Daniel Caesar had gospel elements but it was an R&B project. 

Another issue is he doesn't credit some of the classic gospel songs he remixes to the public. Songs by LWSC choir, Hezekiah Walker, and more go unnoticed and ripped to those who don't traditionally listen to gospel. Ye knows what he's doing. His ear is matched by few. Who else samples Steeley Dan and Daft Punk and makes it hip-hop?

This album is entertaining and takes choral elements and messaging about Jesus. When you listen to Kanye speak you can tell he has ignorance of what being a Christian really is. Ignorance is not bad in this case. In the good book, Jesus says to "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." Yeezus is a new believer in Christ, a child. In his interview with Beats One's Zane Lowe he explains his experience as a new born again believer. There is absolutely nothing wrong with not knowing something so long as you seek the truth. That has been my issue with Kanye for the past few years. He considers himself an authority on things he doesn't fully understand. Whether it's his own narcissism or laziness, he hasn't taken time to self reflect when someone corrects him. He doesn't feel the need to fully explain his opinions he claims to be factual. For context, check out his interview on David Letterman's Netflix series, "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction."

There was a moment in the Apple Music interview that stuck out to me. He's competitive and takes everything as a challenge. The challenge this time was defending his idea of church because at the time he didn't have a pastor. He explained why his daughter, North West wants to "Do church to dance with her friends." He said that church wasn't the most positive memory of an adult's childhood was church the way it is for his daughter.

"Tell me someone that you know that's in our age group, that their most positive memory of their childhood, one of them equally was going to church. Where people are like, I want to go to church."(Kanye West on Beats One)

He blames sitting in those physical pews and traditional church settings versus his circular, outdoor Sunday Service. I don't think his statement is necessarily false, but simply his own experience. Growing up, church was a place where I learned tradition and that those four walls of the Lord's house are sacred; however, the reason church WAS the most positive memory of my childhood is because church left the actual building. The people that grew up in that environment with me would say the same. We had church at 1001 Springwood Avenue in Asbury Park, but we also had church at the bowling alley, the roller rink, Six Flags, or a barbeque in Shark River Park. We worshipped and fellowshipped everywhere we went, and do to this day for that very reason.

More than anything, it seems Kanye wants to feel like he's profound in his deep thought rather than actually taking the time to seek wisdom. JESUS IS KING isn't a gospel album, it's hip-hop. That isn't an insult. That's the nature of hip-hop music. In a book I'm working on, I explain that when you bend genre's with rap, it's still hip-hop. My favorite examples are Walk this Way by Run DMC and Aerosmith or Cool Like That by Digable Planets. Sure, there is a rock guitar playing or big band jazz bassist strumming, but it's still hip-hop. A choir singing about the glory of the Lord over Kanye raps is still hip-hop. Kanye isn't by himself. That's how I feel about Lecrae, Andy Mineo, and Trip Lee as well. They just rap about how Jesus set them free, which is their own testimony over trap percussion.

JESUS IS KING is just an ode to the Great Commission. It's the idea that spreading the Christian faith has to leave the four walls of the sanctuary and go out and meet the people where they're at. See Mathew 28:16 for context. That's the same way I look at Sunday Service. A place where he profits and tiptoes the line of a cult. The problem is Sunday Service isn't church as it is a gathering is for the rich, famous, and elitists. Per Kris Jenner, her California Community Church is invite-only and has a $1,000 a month membership fee after signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement at pre-worship brunch. Church is supposed to be in Jesus' name, but Sunday Service is if you're invited. Granted the word says if two or more gather the Lord is also there. That is what I wish for Kanye. His influence reaches further than most ministers and gospel artists. I just pray he's responsible with his voice in a way he hasn't been yet. He's not that far removed from getting bleach on his T-Shirt after all. He still swearing, "On God." I'm hesitant in listening to the messaging because it's draped in 808s and sex chakra percussion. He explains that with Letterman on a section about light healing and how sonic frequencies work. With that knowledge, he still takes a page out of South Park character Eric Cartman's book by changing sex lyrics to Jesus over Genuwine's Pony. It's as contradictory as religion versus spirituality.

Jesus is King is trending on Twitter except no one is talking about Jesus of Nazareth, the savior of the world & son of the living God who created heaven and earth.

They're talking about the self-proclaimed god Kanye West who is a mere man.

— Aaron (@Aaronofthewild) September 27, 2019

Kanye is capable of becoming a new man, but excuse me if I pump fake on listening to a man with diagnosed and unaddressed issues. I don't think that just because I know more about the Lord than Ye, doesn't mean I can't still learn from him. I'm a firm believer in change. People are not required to be the same person forever. After all, I've been influenced by him since Polos and backpacks too. Lauryn Hill's heart wasn't in rhyming so it was Ye that I listened to. I just recognize ignorance much faster because of the emphasis my father taught me to seek the truth. Although it's difficult, it's not impossible to love the Lord and Kanye West. I just hope Ye loves Jesus more than Ye loves Ye.

The Ransom Report: Human Being Review: Nipsey Hussle (words by Charles Ransom Polk)

“A Los angles area gang member was shot and killed March 31st, 2019."

When I heard the news I was speechless. He’s my favorite artist in the game. I was floored. I was angry. I was deeply saddened. I was confused. If you read that headline above, without knowing who it was, what would you immediately think? The public at large probably thought “Of course, he was just another gangster rapper;" however this wasn’t the case with the man born Ermias Joseph Asghedom, better known by another name: Nipsey Hussle. This is a very special Ransom Review. Here, I'd like to review a man’s deeds.

"Never let a hard time humble us."  

Double Up - Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle for PUMA

First things first: YES, he was a gang member, and NO, that’s not all he was. As a matter of fact, that’s the LEAST important thing he was. He was so much more than that. He was a proud Black man. A father. A loyal brother. A loving companion. A self-made millionaire (by legal means). A philanthropist. A social justice warrior. An astute business owner. A burgeoning real-estate entrepreneur. An up-lifter of his community. An investor, and yes, a Grammy-nominated rapper. All of these things did Nipsey represent, including being a gang member. But he did NOT let himself be defined by that alone, and we would be doing a grave disservice to him to label him as a “Gangster rapper." He was a pillar of his community, a shining, living monument of black-owned pride, and a model for respect and admiration to those around him in his community and the industry he blessed with his Music. He was a King, a young African-American King that wasn’t killed in a drive-by but rather assassinated by a vile coward in front of the store and strip mall he owned on a Sunday afternoon. He was only there at that moment because he was trying to help a friend who had just completed a lengthy prison sentence get some new clothes before he went to see his friends and family. THAT is the man we lost. THAT is who was taken from us. 

A word on his gang affiliation: Nipsey once rapped “Never let a hard time humble us,” and he spoke from experience. He has witnessed numerous friends and family killed or imprisoned. Growing up in the Crenshaw neighborhood of South LA was rough. Several of his friends were dead or in jail before he turned 21. He joined the Rolling 60’s set of the Crips in his teens, partially, according to him, “For survival." There are many who would read that and be supremely confused, but to understand Nipsey’s youth and the situation of so many young ethnic kids is unrealistic unless you’ve actually lived it yourself. This is the existence for millions of inner city children with no direction, and seemingly no hope. Sometimes in a sad, twisted way, joining a gang was the only way for these young Kings like Nipsey to have any solidarity and comfort at all.

I personally started listing to Nipsey in 2009-'10. He had already been signed to a major label (Epic), but he wanted out. He wanted to own his own destiny, to control his own fate. He wanted to make music his way, on his terms, and become famous and wealthy from it. He accomplished all of that, and so much more. I’ll never forget the first interview of him I saw. It was on the Breakfast club in 2013. He was on his newest mixtape, Crenshaw, and was debuting his “Proud 2 Pay” movement. He had just sold 1,000 copies for $100 a piece. They sold out within a day, with Jay-Z wiring money for 100 copies, impressed by the young man’s ambition and savy (they would remain friends and business partners until Nipsey’s untimely demise). There he was, blue Crenshaw beanie on with his hoodie up tight around his face, talking about black owned business and investing. When asked where he got the idea to charge $100 for his mixtape, he said he got the idea from reading a marketing strategy/investment book a mentor of his had given him. Let that sink in; here’s a man dressed in gang colors, rocking an iced-out Malcom X piece, talking about that.

As I said before, SO much more than meets the eye with Nipsey. Look up the Breakfast club interview from 2018, and go to the 38:00 mark, when he’s asked about the subject of “reparations.” I strongly encourage anyone who has never listened to the man outside of rap songs to immediately go to that mark in that interview and simply listen. Don’t judge what he LOOKS like or what he WEARING. Listen to the man’s WORDS (ALSO: type in “Nipsey Hussle Vector 90 LA Times”-matter fact millennials are lazy, I’ll make it easy on you: CLICK HERE the article is self-explanatory. Go read and respect. Seriously).

You’ll notice I haven’t spoken much about his music. That’s by design, not accidental. You know his music. You probably didn’t know that music provided him with the means to give back to his community. He’s funded countless after school study programs for area schools, bought shoes for students, repaved basketball courts, renovated playgrounds, and provided jobs for homeless and convicted felons from his neighborhood (the majority of workers in his Clothing store, The Marathon clothing company, are ex-cons). At the time of his death, along with Roc Nation, he was slated to attend a meeting with the LA police commissioner to go over plans and ideas to help find ways to quell gang violence in the City of Angels. There is a video circulating that shows the Commissioner reading the email Nipsey sent him outlining the meeting, sent days before his death.

Be clear: I’m NOT out to deify Nipsey; he was an imperfect person who famously rapped he was “Just another flawed human tryna get this s**t right." He wasn’t perfect. He used vulgar, violent and at times abrasive lyrics in his music. At one point in his life he's probably committed numerous crimes. He never hid affiliations. Ever. He was no stranger to controversy. He made mistakes, but he also tried to better himself and those around him. Furthermore, a man cannot be judged solely by his early life and past. What if we judged the late, great Malcom X when he was known as “Detroit Red” on the streets of Harlem, and not who he grew into? Take it easy, I’m NOT comparing the two people, but the situational analogy is valid. I went back on forth on whether to touch on the circumstances and details of his death, who allegedly killed him and why. I decided not to. That’s not what this piece is about. You’ve definitely heard it and seen it all over the news. I don’t need to spin the theories and/or motives. Nor do I need to elaborate on the fact that beneath it all, this is yet another example of the ongoing epidemic that is “Black-on-Black crime.” That deserves a whole write-up on its own.

Nipsey & Lauren for GQ

I’ll conclude with this: the man is gone, but his music is eternal. His life should be celebrated. I pray for his companion Lauren, his Brother Blac Sam, his two children, his family and friends. I pray for his parents. I pray for peace. Finally, to the man himself: You started your marathon here, but you finished your victory lap in heaven. See you at the winners circle one day sir. #RipKingNip

1Love,

Mr. Ransom

Editorial: Not "Country" Enough (an Op-Ed by @RamseySaidWHAT)

April 6, 2019 Old Town Road would have peaked at number one on Billboard Hop Country Songs charts if it had not been removed. It was history in the making for new Country Trap star, Lil Nas X. To this point, no song in history has ever simultaneously chart on Billboard's Hot 100, Hip-Hop/R&B, and Hot Country Songs. When asked if its removal from the charts had racial undertones they responded "It doesn't embrace enough elements of today's country music." Obviously, this is problematic, but I'll spare you a podcast and use my pen.

"I believe whenever you're trying something new, it's always going to get some kind of bad reception." Lil Nas X

Since the dawn of the millennia, every new genre is unacceptable and left with a bad stigma until popularity from the masses say otherwise. Especially the music created by black people. Rock & Roll, Jazz, and Hip-Hop have all been considered the music of neanderthals, lacking structure and will not stand the test of time because it breaks the rules that don't even exist. The very word Jazz originated as a derogatory slang term meaning race records and sexual immorality. I touched base on this in an old Op-Ed, Black Music: Emulated and Underappreciated.

Between the platforms and award shows, I think everyone confused about what genre is what and which is deemed acceptable crossover. Really think about this. There is a award for Urban Contemporary Record of the Year for the Recording Academy. Year by year the winner will range in genre from Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, and more. These artists range in genres of music. Urban means from the city and there's no way listeners from rural areas aren't exposed to these stars. Besides the point. When you don't know how to categorize things it's best to leave them alone and that is half of the issue here.

At WTM, we talk all the time about musical sub-genres in contemporary times, but frankly it's always been around forever. Yes, forever. I know my fellow music theory classmates are cringing but I'm sure Romantic composers were shunned by those that enjoyed classical or Baroque compositions too. Today, Billboard and country as a genre say there's no racial undertone but I think it's foolish to not hold this particular case under a microscope. I think we are allowed to be authorities on this subject because history has seen this before. An example we could flashback to is Ray Charles and his start as a songwriter creating reference tracks for country artists to perform themselves under their own moniker. Aside from jazz, he didn't see any country success of his own until his classic, Georgia on My Mind. Rock and Roll's theft of Chuck Berry saw his hit Sweet Little Sixteen hijacked by The Beach Boys' famous Surfin' USA and Fun, Fun, Fun. The Beach Boys aren't alone as The Rolling Stones and The Beatles have songs that sound similar if not identical to Chuck Berry hits.

Honestly we don't have to look that far back. Only three years ago, Queen Bey herself battled the country genre when they said her 2016 Lemonade hit, Daddy Lessons wasn't "Country" enough. At least until The Dixie Chicks came through on the remix. Imagine that, Beyoncé, a woman from Houston, Texas wasn't "Country" enough. That raises my eyebrows but I digress. We're watching it all happen again in real time with Billy Ray Cyrus on the remix to Lil Nas X's new record. He's cited Young Thug, Lil Tracy, and Lil Uzi Vert as influences and pioneers to the trap country game. I mean, Like a Farmer remix was a bop right? My questions to those of you still reading: Why does it take the Great White Hope to receive acknowledgement? Why do we value validation from the powers that be that history has shown us to shun us time and time again? When do we draw the line and protect ourselves from those that monetize on our culture?

These are just questions. I'm not telling you to deny Justin Timberlake collabs with Pharell and Timbaland. I'm not telling you to stop listening to Eminem and make the Elvis comparisons. I'm just curious if Billy Ray has the same intentions as his daughter when infiltrating our culture. Is it a money grab and run back to home cleansing themselves of a culture that made them "dirty" money or is it a love of crossover music? Okay, Juicy J probably sounds weird on Dark Horse with Katy Perry but I'm sure he's benefited from her fanbase as she has hip-hop listeners right? After all, she does have the biggest twitter following ever. I'm still scratching my head on Wrecking Ball with Hanna Montana but it is what it is. Let's just pay more attention. We're not the sheep here, we're the shepherds.

4 Reasons @MsLaurynHill needs to Release a Sequel of The Miseducation by: @RamseySaidWHAT

What's the Movement main goal is to platform artists of all kinds in New Jersey and then outward. Occasionally we'll pull some opinions on the mainstream and outside of the area bringing you the dope music you may have never heard yet. This piece kind of gets to be a loophole. I mean Lauryn Hill is from New Jersey right? Right. I previously did write a piece on the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as a tribute and Throwback Thursday deal a few years back. I have mentioned this idea a couple of times and never put it to pen so this is it. Remember I said it first because I'm sure another music journalist/blogger/A&R or even artist themselves are going to take credit for this. You've seen it on WTM by Ramsey first. Here are four reasons a new Lauryn Hill album needs to happen.

The Re-Education of Lauryn Hill...nice ring to it right? Let's face it, The Miseducation is probably one of my generation's greatest complete projects of any genre. Whether you want to admit it or not it's not a big reach to say that. Still questioning my judgment, how about you question the recording academy and the five Grammy's they awarded her in 1999. The project is eight times platinum. Well in this country at least. These numbers are long before the streaming era my friend.

Pre-Y2K was probably the renaissance of neo-soul as a genre and Miseducation was right at the forefront of it. The way R&B has grown and the collection of subgenres that have been birthed from it, it'd be awesome to see how the production evolves. Lauryn Hill is a hell of a musician. Combined with synths and modern percussion I think she could really flourish in today's age. Let's be honest, the same hi-hat, kick, and snare combination is a little redundant. Maybe it's rude but really go back and listen to the percussion of Everything is Everything, Can't Take My Eyes off You, and Doo Wop (That Thing). Sounds the same. All Classics but repetitive.

Another reason she needs to drop a sequel is the monetary benefits. I could see it now. Imagine how Lauryn Hill would do on the charts. The Miseducation was timeless. The music branched across the world through many generations. This would do crazy numbers on billboard and all the streaming platforms. If her tax situation is how it suggests an album and tour would do wonders for her career and reputation of missing shows.

Unplugged is to Lauryn Hill as Blonde is to Frank Ocean. Both of these artists follow ups to classics seemed to be a collection of good songs but far from a great albums in comparison to their latter projects. They both are hermits when it comes to their time away from limelight and to focus on their craft.

"The challenge is aligning my energy with the time. I am at my best when I am open, rested, sensitive and liberated to express myself as truthfully as possible." Lauryn Hill

If this is as true as her letter expressed the time away from the industry limelight should have been more than enough to muster up another classic. No easy feat sure, but she's the only one who's capable and the people believe in her. The Re-Education needs to happen for real. The Miseducation explores a 24 year old Lauryn and her experience with love thusfar. She's 42 now, how has love changed and grown with age for her? I think we'd all love to hear. Does it still feel good when it hurts so bad in 2018? I talked about how the original rang across the generations but is there something she'd like to tell her 20 something year old self?  The project dropped when I was 8 years old. I didn't really analyze it until I was in high school. The world is much different now. My world is too. I'm 26 and the way I look at love is different than when I was 24 let alone in 1999 you know? Imagine her contrast at 42. My friend Taye says this generation needs a project like that, and Ms. Hill is the only one who could deliver.

"There's a difference between loving someone and being in love with somebody."

I hope the kids from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill found love.

— Nana Kwame (@NK_Adjei) March 13, 2018

It's not just her perspective we want to hear though. The skits and intro that featured the children in class talking about love. I'd love to hear them go back and grab those same kids and see how their perspectives changed. They aren't the same little girls and boys that said they weren't too young to be in love. Their grown up skits would be wonderful in the sequel (I came up with this first remember. I should patent this or A&R this thing). 

On Saturday, the Miseducation will be 20 years old. I've talked about how time and production could change the sound of this imaginary project. I wonder who she could collaborate with. D'Angelo and Mary J. Blige were wonderful on the original. I'd love to see a new version which would feature the likes of Andre 3000, Frank Ocean, Sabrina Claudio, Syd, John Legend, or even fellow Jersey songstress SZA. The ideas are endless. There's more pros than cons Ms. Hill. I don't want to sound like another angsty fan about missing out on a Afropunk set. We know how experimental her sounds are live. I think I speak for the entire world when I say we would love to hear it on wax. 

What are your thoughts? Think I'm crazy? I might be, tell us in the comment section below.

5 Reasons Your Local Rapper's Album Flopped by @RamseySaidWHAT

This topic has been on my mind for a bit now. Often times people ask me for my opinion on their music, I'm still trying to figure out why. Anyways I get mixed reviews of my review. I've found people are sensitive, it's okay I'm an artist too when it comes to this What's the Movement stuff. With that being said I made a pledge that WTM will always remain honest and positive. I don't sugar coat, I don't do favors. If your music is subpar there is no room for you here. WTM only features what's dope, period. Like every mom everywhere says "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." To make this easy this will be the only ounce of negative mention I'll make here. I'll explain as simply as I can on why your music didn't meet your expectations and flat out flopped.

1. Promotion - or lack thereof. This is half the battle. Let's take it back to freshman philosophy:If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? You could drop Good Kid Maad City or Illmatic quality work but if you're the only one who heard it...welp you guessed it, it doesn't matter. WTM Staff Issah says it best, "Snapchat or it didn't happen." Or more simply put:

Limiting yourself to local shit is how you remain in the local mix. You really have to branch out and level yourself up.

— Yan Snead (@YANBLAZE) November 29, 2017

Get from behind that laptop. Actually go out to shows and meet people in real life. When you do, don't just leave after you (or your favorite artist) set is over. You never know what you'll hear or who's there. You might need that link or email from someone. Get their business card, ask for a feature. Everyone knows someone you don't know. Oh and buying followers is trash. Those fake follows and robot plays on your soundcloud don't mean nothing if no one knows the words to your songs at a show. Just saying.

2. Your album was too long. - Since starting Pass The Aux Radio with my friend Bre from ThaGreyMatter.com this was a recurring theme. I've heard really really good sounding albums but twenty tracks is a lot to sift through. I know you really like that one song that was a two parter on a Timbaland type feel, but do you really need a 7 minute track? Can you hold the audience attention for an entire hour plus. While you're still breaking out consider EPs over LPs. Save the LP when you're signed. Concepts are great when you get the point across and entertain quickly. We are a microwave generation unfortunately. If you got it like that, ignore this rule, do you but reconsider.

3. The project wasn't visually appealing. - Like I just said, we are a microwave gen. We want things fast in a hurry and visually appealing. My friend Brian taught me something the other day. The most effective method of learning is by absorbing information in multiple senses. That means seeing, hearing, and saying aloud. Now all of those college lectures and PowerPoint presentations are making sense. That means you have to put some vision behind your audio. Music Videos, Photos shoots are more necessary than an accessory. Plus some behind the scenes stuff is always dope. "The Making of..." videos are a guilty pleasure of mine and it's a great means of promotion (<--- hint hint, reason 1).

4. You sound just like everyone else. - No one wants to hear the next Drake. He copies everyone anyway (oops). We get it. You're inspired by Meek Mill. Your music spirit animal is Lil Yatchy. That's dope (if you're into that). You wanna know the real reason we don't care? If I want to listen to Future's sound I'll listen to Future, not Earl from down the block. I'm all for supporting local artists but if you can't find your own lane to drive in I gotta merge or we're going to get in an accident. Besides, it's not just you that sounds like Future. It's everyone in your graduating class too.



5. You're a jerk. - Let's face it, you're hard to work with. You won't make it in this industry with this take and not give attitude. Sure this advice might come from an angsty place but it's an honest one. You won't make it in any industry without allies. If you are an artist of any facet you will face hate. "He's a hater, she's a hater." Sure point the finger because it may or may not be true but self reflect just a little bit. You can't please everyone regardless but you definitely do not need to create enemies for no reason. They don't want to see you win. You can up and buy a helicopter and there will still be people on four wheels saying: "You didn't get that new chopper though." They don't matter. The people that celebrate your accomplishments are the ones you keep on your side. Don't burn bridges without reason. You'll always need someone. Everyone wants to eat. You want a slice of the pie so bad but you missed out on the person willing to give you the recipe. Don't be twitter fingers either, no one respects that guy that doesn't exist in real life. Go back to rule one.

I made it to the end without telling anyone their music is garbage. You should be proud of me. It's hard. I have some gems in the vault and most times I don't reveal them. I mean there are two rules to success: 1. Never reveal everything you know...... This is my service to all the guys recording in their bedrooms using the foam from their mattress as a pop filter. I wanna see you win. I can't guarantee if you avoid  these mistakes you'll pop. This music industry stuff changes all the time but you'll make it just a little bit further than you are right now, I promise. If you have any questions or flat out don't agree with me, tell me in the comment section below. It's time we all had the conversation.

Are You Even Listening? (Why Kingdom Come isn't Jay-Z's Worst) words by: Kyle Gill

The project was Grammy nominated for best rap album in 2008, and still outsells more than half his discography to date. Dr. Dre produced four tracks and mixed it in it's entirety. It reached 680,000 sold his first week, and peaking number one on Top 200 billboards. This album was an actual success. In fact, Mr. Carter hadn’t dropped an album in three years and was able to accomplish so much. If you ever listened to this album I’m pretty sure you can relate it to so much while nodding your head to jazzy instruments with a mix of current and new vibrations. So, with all this success surrounding this musical publication, why do people plague this in-depth description of Jay-Z’s mental with the inscription of being the King of Hip-Hop’s worst album? If you really listened to this album I think you can understand why I’m here to telling you the truth. It’s not.

Here's our first argument: The platinum success of Jay-Z’s The Black Album had been three years removed from his return. When someone steps down there is always a shift in what should be and what shouldn’t. With that things tend to change. The sound had gone in a different direction. Around this time the main airwaves were being controlled more by Rock, Pop, and R&B. At a time where High School Musical, and American Idol were thriving and a panic of written sins not tragedies mixed with a chemical romance that had everyone talking about a black parade (did you catch that?) what was hip-hop doing? 

Looking back to 2006 Jigga Man battled other hip-hop successes such as T.I.’s King, P. Diddy’s Press Play Ludacris’s Release Therapy AND still achieved platinum status. Not to mention the airwaves were controlled by Timbaland Productions including Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado both selling over 8 million copies each. We have said all of this without mentioning Lil’ Wayne at the helm of it all with a mixture of hip-hop but more of a pop sound. While Tip coming into his own, S.Carter decides he’s going to drop an album. Unlike everyone else he took it in a different route and changed the setting with soulful instruments and heartfelt lyrics of his mental state. 

No one cared. People bought the album sure, I mean it's Jay-Z but…did you hear the album? 

I mean the format was perfect. This was the hip-hop era of dance, dumbed down music and it was consistent. Jay responds, Hmm...maybe I’ll bring something honest and legit to the table and push the culture this way. I'll drop real music with lyrics that show me in a vulnerable state. The music you don’t hear every day and will leave a mark on hip-hop. No, That’s not going to work? Grammy nomination and platinum displays later it’s still the worst album out of his discography really? It’s a dud? No one will remember anything other than Bleacher Report due to relevance?

Right, that’s why exactly ten years later hip-hop is in the same state. Mumble rap is the new pop with a lack of creativity, and J.Cole can do exactly the same thing as Jay-Z (yeah I said it!). Cole uses the same sound and drops an album in the middle of the musical chaos, and now he can be legendary. He’s one of the best ever right? This shows that Kingdom Come the album wasn’t his worst album of his catalog it really was just before its time.

So I got daughters on the way

If the prophecy's correct

Then the child should have to pay

For the sins of a father (Beach Chair)

And if my children knew, I don't even know what I would do

If they ain't look at me the same

I would prob'ly die with all the shame

"You did what with who?"

"You risked that for Blue?" (4:44)

Blue Ivy was born in 2012. Jay-Z is no fortune teller. With our sound today, if he dropped the ninth studio album it would flourish. It'd probably double its success and I think people argue that it is one of his best. He let you inside a place where no one knows how or what Sean Carter really feels. This album is a rarity. In fact, he’s done this a complete three times: Where he’s from Reasonable Doubt, where he is going which is Kingdom Come, and where he is at his most recent 4:44. Each one of those albums were down played except the latter. Everyone says his first was legendary and arguably his best. Shawn Carter was vulnerable long before this year, and I think most of us just missed it because we weren't clever enough to catch it. It doesn't make sense to name Kingdom Come his worst. Go back and listen. When you do you'll see 4:44 is a clone of Kingdom Come. The only difference is topic and setting but, essentially it is the same. Would you say 4:44 is his worst album?

If Kingdom Come isn't his worst then what is? I would have to argue In My Lifetime Vol. 1 easily. There are only five songs of 14 that are worth it. Honestly, it was definitely lacking after his debut album but Kingdom Come is definitely top five. If you made it this far go back and check it out for yourself. There is a lot you missed on that album and you will see what I’m talking about. When you’re done after the numbers and arguments about if it is or is not the worst album he put out, I just have one question….Are you even listening?

Editorial: For or Against the Culture, You Choose by @RamseySaidWHAT

     I always enjoy the opportunity to write creative and freely without being restricted to news, entertainment, or even a music review. Before I begin I stress that the purpose of WTM was to be an outlet for the artists of all kinds to gain exposure and to be the platform for those that deserve it. So this piece here is for you. The title asks a question. Are you for the culture or against it? The culture and the people that fund it are two different monsters. So are you for art or for profit? Once upon a time a couple of artists got in the booth, rapped and sang....

"I want the money, money and the cars, cars and the clothes..." (Trey Songz in Successful)

     You know the rest of the words. It seems like that's become the only thing to talk about in today's industry. An artist will pop at first. It's either because their music is either popular for the times, they have some serious skills, or something about you stands out. If they're lucky they have all the above or at least a combination of some. So after they pop what's next? Sophomore and third projects tend to vary depending on pressure from a label or their own pursuit of money or whatever the public defines as success. If you ever read my short Twitter rants, I always thought success was finding your own level of true artistry and doing what you can to make your sound transcend the generations. Let me paint a small example. I'll use Wale for this because he is someone I hold in high esteem and feel free to be critical on. Like him you can either take two routes:

     One, drop Attention Deficit signed to Atlantic and Roc Nation. It's a great album as far as musical content is concerned. To this point it is Wale's biggest commercial failure as it didn't sell well at all. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with promotion because at the time I hadn't even heard of Wale. Then the More About Nothing mixtape drops after that. At this point I'm a freshman in college listening to this in my dorm speakers wondering who this is so I can explore further and visit AD. I also discovered J. Cole around the same time and see the Roc pushing him heavy. Now at this stage you can either stick to the route you're on. That route could be continue with Atlantic and an "About Nothing" series and Roc Nation hoping you and Cole's cross promotion doesn't go bad and maintain your identity as an artist first. Or two, you can sign to MMG, sell out, and become more successful (at least how this generation defines it) than you've ever been in your career. From a business aspect it was the smartest move at the time. Ross was the hottest thing out after BMF, and the roster was carrying a crazy buzz (this was before Meek's recent public nonsense). Funny enough he still battled promotion issues as far as the label goes on top of the fact he didn't fit. This is no diss to Wale. It's just an example and everyone has to do what they have to do to put money in your wallet and food on the table. I touched a small part of this in my Open Letter to Wale.

     In hindsight, it's relatively easy to come out and pop for the very first time. The real pressure is doing it again especially when people, corporations, and labels are putting money in your wallet they expect you do deliver. Not only deliver for your fans but for the labels best interests too. It's no easy task to appease everyone and you can ask Wale, he'll tell you from experience. Wale is just an example, but he's not the only one who's done it. I think Drake and Cole are part time offenders in that area too. Cole's Let Nas Down tells the story for itself. As for Drake, let's go back to 30 for 30 Freestyle. 

"Just listened to Closer To My Dreams. Wide eyed and uneducated at 19. I can't rap like that all young and naive. Not after all the shit I've seen and the things I believe."

     I'm sure I'm not the only one who misses the way Drake used to sound in the Comeback Season & So Far Gone days. Maybe I interpreted it wrong but what it sounds like he's saying is that kind of rap doesn't sell anymore. I'd be lying to say he isn't right. However I think Drake is at a point in his career where anything he puts out will sell. So going back to what got you where you are is no crime and won't hurt. plus it'll appease his fans by attending to his artistry. 

The kind of music changes with the times and trends and your ability to transcend the times makes you a legend.

— Jay Cee Arr. (@RamseySaidWHAT) October 22, 2015

     Being an artist is difficult. You let someone into your world and allow them to be judgmental. The goal of an artist should be to retain that value and do what you can to still be important in ten years. Music changes with the times. What's popular now isn't what was popular a few years ago, just ask Trinidad James. Your ability to transcend and adapt with the times is what makes you legendary. Since Drizzy has already done what he needed to do to sell it'd be refreshing to hear a story of life aside from the bottles and bitches. So please, feel free to Say What's Real again... This wasn't an attack on the new school and their methods, but to see a change it's going to take them and the rest of us to be the change that needs to take place. The culture can't grow and change unless we do everything we can to change it.

“The true goal of an artist is to create the definitive work that cannot be surpassed. It's about reaching your level not theirs" Darius Lovehall (Lorenz Tate in Love Jones)

Editorial Opinion: State of Jersey Culture Scene

It's safe to say that I've always listened to music. I've only been listening to music passionately for about five years now. Off topic but it's taken me months to finish this long read. Question is, is this the chance for Jersey to get on the map?

Enter the emergence of Fetty Wap. It's great to see national recognition for an emcee from Jersey but it's love hate for core hip-hop fans. We've waited so long to be noticed. Should he be the spokesperson for our region? Fetty is an artist who sounds like he could be from the south and specializes in fun Chicago drill sounding music. Should he be the spokesperson for our region?

Jersey doesn't really have it's own sound we're known for. Emcees from the north, south, central, and the shore all sound different. I don't know if it's because they follow what's popular nowadays (which restricts the quality) rather than their own personal sound. or if they follow the region. Myself and Issah concluded that Jersey lacks an original sound to our region. After our sitdown with Joe College I remember him saying the same thing and an idea he had to change that. Some unsigned acts like him have a classic beast coast hip hop style sound then you listen to mike zombie who sounds like he's a cross between Philly and Toronto. The closest thing to Jersey having a sound would be club or house music in my opinion. Okay I get it, it's derived from Baltimore club, but Baltimore club is derived from classic house music our folks listened to. I say this time and time again with Dougie F as an example. He raps on club beats and trap sounds, and not the southern trap. I'm talking dub step trap. I think in two, three years it's going to trend and become more popular than you think. If you don't believe me listen to Goldlink. Another name buzzing as far as club music goes is Uniiqu3. This year and last she's shared the Afropunk stage with huge successful artists. This year she gets to share with Jersey's own Ms. Lauryn Hill. Some other acts shaking the national scale areFeli Fame, Moruf, and Zewdy.

Newark has lowkey turned itself into the epicenter of our music and art scene. This summer they've held free concerts in Military Park and NJPAC has also hosted free shows showcasing the talent of major names like Slick Rick, Africa Bambatta, and Kurtis Blow to name a few. It's nice to be able to go to a show that myself and the likes of an older generation to enjoy together. The best part is that free 99 price doing wonders for your wallet. Center Stage Cuts has also hosted a lot of dope events from organizations, to showcases, or even concerts. It's nice to see the people having positive interaction with their city and prayerfully the state.

What I do hope to see in the future is more unity. We've all been saying it for years but it's about time we stopped talking and do. The separation of the state is enough. Frankly, you can go somewhere in north jersey and name an artist from south or central and they'd have no idea who they were. Even vice versa to be perfectly honest. We wouldn't even be able to point on a map where Lumberton is or that Central Jersey even exists (don't even get me started there)(if you're asking to yourself what Lumberton is my point has been proven).  To be frank, central jersey and the shore lack the quality acts to carry that part of the state. Of course there are exceptions to that rule but in the near future I'd like to know who's going to join the likes of Joe College, Ja Money, King Ramses, and Jay Encore in the 732? There's a bright spot in Most Dope according to Niles as he reviewed his newest project P.O.M.E. Perhaps The League or NJ Rebels Society could even make more noise. What can we expect from south jersey? The point of the matter is being against each other isn't working. Nothing wrong with picky collaborations for the sake of quality but support is much needed.

From the mouth of a blogger and music personality: We need Artists, and Artists need us too. Since we need each other lets loose the ego and move forward. This time next year I know for certain I'll have a better report. Til then, keep listening my friends. Back to the drawing board.

Editorial: (Im)Mortal Men - @KendrickLamar by @RamseySaidWHAT

It's tough when the whole world sees you as Pac reincarnated....

In a world where Kendrick Lamar has been seen as "New Black" for some of his opinions on world matters, I think it's interesting. What makes K. Dot real is what he really wants for you. When most people give their opinion they are trying to enlighten you to their way of thinking and persuade you to be like them. In today's age people lean towards different rappers for different reasons, at least in this generation. Some listen to J. Cole because he has this amazing ability to make people relate to him. Between College life, Significant others, struggles with his mom, family, father or lack thereof you can really feel him. However Kendrick does the opposite and to me, that's amazing (to you that's a quick check with all disrespect..okay weak pun alert). "I've spent 23 years searching the world for answers til one day I realized I had to come up with my own (Ab Soul's Outro)."

You wanna know what makes Kendrick so great? He has this amazing ability to provoke ppl to create their own original thoughts. Not his.
— Jonathan from #WTM (@RamseySaidWHAT) March 19, 2015

I do not think To Pimp A Butterfly was the best album ever. I don't even think it was even better than GKMC. I think it was what was needed for what's going on in today's trying times. I chopped it up with some friends in the industry and lowkey I predicted that much for the album. I actually took it a little deeper. I explained that I thought he was gonna drop an album so deep it would kinda be like his eulogy.

Yes, I said Eulogy. Let me explain. We were seeing Kendrick so rough in between albums. He wasn't doing much press. He was only in studio, and not seen in the public eye too often. I imagine that has an effect on a young blogger like myself. He looked stressed, and not just for the album. I could see the pain in his eyes. It was the same pain I felt everyday watching the news or reading about another young black kid unjustly murdered by the police. Almost becoming a regular thing. The album was coming and people weren't exactly happy with Kendrick's comments regarding Ferguson and what's happening there. He then reminds us how important loving ourselves is when he recorded I. The messages conveyed kind of had a Dr. King essence. I compared it to how Martin gave his last speech I've Been to the Mountaintop. Visions of Martin Luther staring huh? Perhaps I was a little dramatic but that's just how I took it. Thank God I was wrong in that sense. I guess I'm too deep for the intro (If you've read this far I applaud you. I'm getting to the point soon.).



Kendrick once said Pac visited him in a dream urging K. Dot to never let his music die. That alone is the inspiration to the end of Mortal Man. Let's break it down. Kendrick is known for really deep Outros on his project with Hiiipower and Sing About Me respectively. Mortal Man is the same if not deeper. I think he took parts of both to complete an interview with Makaveli himself, Tupac Shakur. It was incredibly clever the way he took bits from past interviews and his own responses and questions to the immortal man. He starts by reading a poem to Pac then asks him about metaphors he once spoke. Kendrick asked about how he came up, his battles with stress, and his opinion on what's going on today. The part of the interview that stood out to me was the last bit about music being the only thing important thing we have left. Pac responds:

"Because it's spirits, we ain't really rappin' we just letting our dead homies tell stories for us."

The background music stops. Kendrick and myself both stunned only say one thing. "Damn." That kinda flashes back to Sing About Me on GKMC. "And if I die before your album drops POP! POP! POP! (gunfire*)...promise that you will sing about me." After the initial shocks wears off Kendrick reads another poem to Pac. This poem uses metaphors and analogies concerning a caterpillar and the journey to become a Butterfly like the title of the album. The poem generally sums up Kendrick's messages throughout. He pauses, and asks for his mentor's opinion. Sensei grew quiet.

"What's your perspective on that? Pac? Pac? Pac?"

No answer, like his friend in sing about me. Perhaps opinionated but that takes me to the before-mentioned quote in Ab Soul's Outro from Section 80 about coming up with your own answers.

Mortal Man seems to be a promise to 2Pac that his music will live on. His message will be conveyed if by no one else, Kendrick will do it himself. The two have outrageous similarities and mentors in Dr. Dre. I remember an old interview 2Pac once said "I'm not saying I'm going to change the world. But I guarantee I will spark the brain that will change the world..."  Maybe that brain is Kendrick, maybe it's not.  Hell maybe it's you and Kendrick is simply the channel to convey this communication. There's my opinion. It's time for yours' to be heard, that's what these Immortal Men want from you. I guess only time will tell. Keep that in mind and keep a lookout on the review of the entire album from one of our staff members soon.

P.S. Kendrick when your time is up we'll sing about you too. We owe you that much. Thank You.

Editor's Opinion: Reading List

Most bloggers don't do this but uhh....

What's the Movement was a sparkle in my eye about three years ago. Two years ago I sparked the blog via tumblr (featuring the #AOTY lists), a year ago the radio show was formatted, and a little longer than a month ago the site launched. I guess most blog authors have the same real goal. Popularity with readers and develop a brand with advertising support. Generally, they stray away from each other (speaking from experience). There is a lot of professionalism between us and general respect for one another (especially if we have worked together). Anyways with the same goal and interests it seems we are in competition with one another. Perhaps I am foolish for feeling this way but I see otherwise.

WTM was created for others to showcase their work. It was founded on the basis of support; support not just for artists, singers, photographers, producers, models, but for everyone. WTM is not just about music and I don't want to blackball myself and create a brand based on only that (don't get me wrong, we do seem to have a specialty there). I keep saying WTM is going to expand to sports, fashion, style, politics, culture and also continuing an art standpoint. With all of that said, below is a list of blogs and websites I read on a Daily Basis because their work is great. (Along with other publications and twitter pages I follow) They have spent the time to filter out whatever the media is trying to feed you and only give you what I like to call "That Raw." I hope you enjoy the way I have and will continue to do as a viewer.

Reading List
1. The Come Up Radio
2. Artistic Manifesto
3. Scoob Daily
4. Penthouse Radio
5. Garden State Hip Hop
6. The Joe V Show (Sir M00re*)
7. Olawumi Art (Olawumi*)
8. Michael Medium
9. Brave New Radio
10. Black Fashion
11. Hip-Hop Today

Your Editor,