Speak On It: "F*ck RapRadar"

So much hate. Ever since Elliott Wilson, B.Dot and their team stepped on the scene, the hate and screams of "f*ck RapRadar" have reigned supreme. So where does all the hate come from? Is it because YN and friends didn't start from scratch and already had a powerful business partner in Pauly Rosenberg and years of experience behind them? Is it because YN and B.Dot are afforded opportunities other journalists aren't? Let's remember a few things here:

- Elliott Wilson has been doing this Hip-Hop thing since '92 when he was the Music Editor of Beat Down Magazine. Shit, I've been doing this a long time (since '96) but nineteen ninety got damn two?!?! I mean Hip-Hop was only in its teens then. There is no substitute for experience and time.

- As YN, his editorial in XXL Magazine was more anticipated than the bloody artist interviews and he made XXL a true Hip-Hop authority as The Sauce fell off. Argue with me.

-...Not to mention the fact that he, along with his Ego Trip collective, wrote two of my favorite books of all-time "Book of Rap Lists" and "Big Book of Racism."

One of the biggest complaints about RapRadar is that it caters to certain artists or labels in order to gain advertising dollars. Actually, this was a frequent complaint when YN was EIC of XXL Magazine as well. Here's the reality people: XXL Magazine and RapRadar are BUSINESSES. And like any business, it needs to make money. Do you know why it needs to make money? SO IT DOESN'T GO OUT OF BUSINESS. So if YN was putting Interscope artist after Interscope artist on the cover of XXL issue to issue and the issues were selling, would you not keep doing it? I never had an issue with that because the cover features were always dope and the rest of the magazine was creative and an engaging read. And looking at RapRadar, is it heavy on MMG content? Are there a lot of DJ Khaled posts? Is the "hot" artist of the moment always on the site? Yeah, but if you look at Alexa (I know YN, "fuck yo Alexa") and the comments section of RR, they are doing numbers and engaging visitors. Is everything they post my cup of tea? No, but isn't that what we're always asking for in the Hip-Hop blog world? Differentiation? I see plenty of posts on a daily basis at RapRadar that I don't see anywhere else (or very few other places). Not to mention that YN and his team have completely shaped Twitter and instagram for Hip-Hop. RapRadar not your thing? Go to The Smoking Section or DJBooth. Totally different web spots that have carved out their own space and created and engaged their own audience.

The hate has been pouring in for RapRadar this week as they unveiled their 2012 year-end lists. I won't get into specifics other than to say that for a site so demonized by "real Hip-Hop heads", these lists have been pretty solid. I especially agreed with B.Dot putting Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' "The Heist" album as the #1 Most Underrated Album of 2012. If you don't think it took balls (press play don't press pause) to do that, then listen to "Same Love" and tell me that being a "head" like B.Dot is and being a fan of this dude and his music ahead of the rest of the crowd wasn't being a thought leader.

I'm also proud to still be the only outside blogger to have written and talked my shit all over RapRadar.

And before the hate comes to me, let me clarify a few things. brokencool.com is not RapRadar. There is no other blog like brokencool.com and just because I'm a fan of RapRadar, it doesn't mean my opinion still doesn't matter the most (ask your friends) and that I still don't deliver some of the hottest original content out. Also, I've never been paid by RapRadar or XXL and never worked (save for a few blog posts) for Elliott Wilson. Shit, I'M NOT EVEN ON THE GOT DAMN BLOGROLL. I do however understand business, creativity and pushing things forward. I would argue that RapRadar handles their business, is creative in their own way and pushes Hip-Hop culture forward.

Comments

[GhostOfBenzino]

Dude, I'm impressed. You got YN's dick so far down your throat and didn't choke on it.

[Brokencool]

@ghostofbenzino do you read posts or do you just skim through it?

[GhostOfBenzino]

I did READ. And it appears that you're endorsing the nepotistic nature of YN's career. Business? Sure. But YN calls himself a journalist. That's not 100% true. He does journalistic stuff but when you're paid to write feature articles and cover stories you're more of a publicist. Also RR is in the position to "push Hip-Hop culture forward" but instead he perpetuates the the degradation of the culture by posting "Hot 97 playlist music". But I understand you're mission... get on the Rap Radar blogroll or die trying.

[Brokencool]

@ghostofbenzino no, he isn't 100% a journalist. No one is 100% of something. Haven't they been part of taking Hot97 to task on their stance about NY artists?

[Nicanor Trinidad]

Good read but there are a few things I so disagree with. Business wise I do Understand why they advertise all over with certain brand, you pay you play is the name of this game. Whatever. However there is a time where things go from advertizing to just straight bias. And I think alot of people myself including can notice that easily. Are we wrong maybe maybe not. But when I see his (Wilson's) Pandering to Rick Ross I kinda of chuckle. B Dot's opinion on hip hop are very similar to mine so no beef there. But in all honesty sometimes they play them selves with the You Played Yourself comments ie. the Pacquio one smh... There are times where they champion all things MMG on basis of being the hot thing out.
Ok they put Macklemore and Killa Mike on that list. But part of the reason they are underrated is because sites like RapRadar and Radio stations DONT GIVE THEM THE ATTENTION. In lieu of MMG's GunPlay or something.

I dont hate on most the post as every "blog" essentially posts the same things. I do take issue with some of the editorial content and general arrogance of Wilson. Yea I get it you been around a long time cool. Thats not pass to make every one have to bow down to an exaggerated greatness based on longevity. Is he one of the best yes with out a doubt, do I think his XXL editorials where that great NO. Nothing will ever touch the Source in its early year that kind of Hip Hop journalism just doesnt exist. But let me not stray into an Elliot bashing session. All I say If you want to Champion for a culture dont turn a blind eye to 50% of it because the ad dollars arent there. and Hot for the moment doesnt mean its dope.

[GhostOfBenzino]

"Everyone" gets on Hot97 about their limited playlist. But how can you be "true" to a cause when you rarely support NY artists yourself? My point is YN is mostly a fraud... a hack writer spinning his wheels. His success is based on Interscopes willingness to "rent" XXL covers and features. Think for a second... if XXL and Interscope never partnered in such a way where would YN be right now? Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating, I'm just calling it like I see it.

[Brokencool]

@ghostofbenzino "My point is YN is mostly a fraud... a hack writer spinning his wheels." this is just so way off base...do you know how much shit this dude has accomplished in this game?

And yes, I do think YN would be where he is had Interscope and XXL not collaborated. He had done tons of shit before that and during it.

[Brokencool]

@nicanor I 100% agree with you on The Source (back in the day)

"Ok they put Macklemore and Killa Mike on that list. But part of the reason they are underrated is because sites like RapRadar and Radio stations DONT GIVE THEM THE ATTENTION."

Actually that's not true, they are one of the few spots TO give them attention...I didn't even give those guys attention

[Nicanor Trinidad]

@brokencool I heard of dude through 2dopeboyz I believe. What I mean by attention is if its so good post more of it. If its so underrated there is no reason Macklemore doesnt deserve as much attention as Gunplay others idk that how it seems. Maybe they will now. I dont think Macklemore or Killer Mike care tho their Lps did what they did really with out RR.

But lets be real I to an extent agree with the statement @ghostofbenzino about XXL. I honestly dont think Wilson would be as big a deal with out that XXL history with interscope. It kinda earned him the spot to get rap radar with Paul Rosenberg. I remember before rap radar he was just kinda silent and showing up on Itsdareal videos every now and then. Its kinda like its become the popular opinion to call him the greatest.

[GhostOfBenzino]

YN (and other bloggers) is in the position to change the course of Hip-Hop and expose artists who are dedicated to the art form. He doesn't do that but calls himself a "hip-Hop journalist". It's not right. He doesn't abide by journalistic ethics. His writing and reporting is usually biased. This makes him a "hack". A contributor the the status quo.

[Leo Larkpor]

HipHopzilla has everything posted by every blog anyway, in real-time. There is no reason to sweat one blog for what they post or don't post. Seeing the diversity of the culture through their content stream is pretty awesome.

[P0is0nedKoolA]

Yawn. I already said the whole "it's a business first" thing in posts but hey you wrote a longer story than I did. Congrats

Rap Radar has the right to do anything they want & hip hop heads react the most there (like myself) because Rap Radar has a lot exclusive content.

However, there is an obligation to show respect to the culture of hip hop with an unbiased perspective. Is Rap Radar on MMG's payroll? I don't think so, but then who hosted MMG's press conference? I recall YN's retort as "I hustled, I called them and asked them for that. They didn't look for me" (I'm paraphrasing but that was the gist of it). "Hustling"? "Grind"?
You're standing on Paul Rosenberg's shoulders, you're not exactly a blogger trying to make a living off just your Alexa stats & ad revenue.

DJ Khaled, MMG are not the hottest in the game. They have their niche and god bless them for creating a space for themselves. HOWEVER, neither Khaled or MMG are a shadow cast over Hip Hop , giving and take light to this culture. They are juts one of many successful stories and not even the most successful, not even close.

Ultimately, YN's legacy will be the guy who made a name for himself via his EIC rants in XXL & his Twitter/Instagram feed constantly updating the going-ons* in hip hop via the social media world.

But seriously, unless a white grandmother in South Dakota knows your name (like Eminem, Jay Z) then you're not that a big deal and Khaled , MMG don't deserve as much space on that site as they get.

But hey, it makes for great laughs in the comments section
find me there
@p0is0nedkoola
Lester Bangs of hip hop
Thanks for taking my sentiments and getting hits off them. Glad I could help

[Brokencool]

@P0is0nedKoolA I'm a bit confused by your argument. Are you mad RapRadar posts so much MMG, Khaled and Rick Ross content? I agree. They do go very heavy on that...but many other blogs don't. You could argue that I posts too much Rick Ross content but it's usually from a more negative point of view. The Internet is a free space in that if you don't like a blog/website, you don't have to go there. Many different flavors...like an ice cream shop.

@Leo Larkpor Agreed!

@GhostOfBenzino Your opinion is so slanted and one-sided...is this actually Benzino?

@Nicanor Trinidad YN has a history before XXL. But yeah, XXL definitely put him on a higher level...for sure.