12Why do you think they say Hip-Hop is Dead?..............................Why do you think Music has taken such a Loss in Sales Recently?

HipHop	I think hip hop is dead as ppl have lost respect for rappers as they see rapping as something anyone can do, are you still actively partaking in the music business or have you found greener pastures ?
Music	Music has lost sales cause of illegal downloading/and the fact that its so easy to duplicate. I don't know anyone here down in South Africa who purchased a retail hip hop cd, the fans wont even support buying the records but they love the music. Shows still sell out though, what happened to the bad boy family from the saga continues album ? I remember the blast off song you featured in that was one of my favorite songs on the album. I'd like to get the book when it comes out, will you ship to South Africa ? I've got a paypal account.
Name	Bondizzo

HipHop	I think people say hiphop is dead because some of these new rappers sound like s**t & should have never been signed. Due to the standard being low and the check writers being clueless, earless & whack people who suck got on because no one had the courage to call a duck a duck. I commend you brother. I worked with G-Dep through my boy Mel Love when Dep was stealing his X-box back from the pawn shop. I was also signed to Kirk Burrowes for 6 months and I heard so many stories about Puffy Hips ego. He is partially responsible for what is being said about hip-hop because he selfishly included himself in the art when we all know he can't rap or produce. I can't wait to buy the book and I look forward to seeing you on the best sellers list. Really books about the game should be required reading for anyone trying to get on because there are no classes in school that warn you about the okey doke known as a record deal. Nobody tells you how dangerous it is to sign to another artist because they will mmost likely do everything but put your album out. I'm a Grammy Nominated Songwriter, still grinding. I'm just got out of my 2nd "deal" and I believe the 3rd time will be the charm. In the meantime I work a regular job. I'm patient persistent and convinced that I will get what my talent merits.
Music	Music has taken a loss because people are not authentically talented. I listen to these songs that these so called writers put together and I can hear how 3 or 4 different people sat up in a room and came up with that bullsh**. The songs don't give me chills and most of these singers can't really sing they just look alright. Tey haven't lived through a real heartbreak or had the emotions they sing about. Music is an emotional garment and peoplea re supposed to feel how you feel or want to be you when they hear your music. WHo wants to be Plies, Souljah Boy, Rhianna etc I could go on but the bottom line is the music is sucking worse and worse. We are in a Long Tail Market. People can purchase whatever they like since everything is available digitally. The platform is leveled now that unknown and known artists have music available in the same place. The bigger star you are the more likely your music is available on a file sharing network so these kids will get it for free. Since the music isn't "change your life good" they feel no connection to the artist so there is no need for album artwork cuz they don't want the whole whack album. The last shall be first though so we will be seeing a shift in sound & awareness once these clowns like Puff get dethroned and kicked out of pop culture. I wish you the best and I can' wait to get the book. Best, Jeanine www.cdbaby.com/jeanine www.babyitaintover.com
Name	Jeanine

HipHop	Congrats Mark.. My name is Tray Chaney I play Poot on The Hbo Series The Wire.(5 year Vet) I cant wait to read your book Homey. I also Have a book out about my life encouraging young people to strive for there dreams..Its talks about how I was casted for my role on The Wire... I am self published so its available on amazon.com and I sell it out the trunk of the car.... We Need to talk I want to do be apart of your book tour.Hiphop is dead because its not real life situations/records anymore that express the artist
Music	One Word = ECONOMY. Thats just my personal thought
Name	TRAY CHANEY

HipHop	Personally, I think hip hop is falling off because the only messages we are recieving is how to cop, measure, and cook dope, how to spend your dope money and how to murder your enemies. Rap used to be so much more than that. Anyway dude, can you send me a covershot of your book or a picture of you so I can post it on my blog Rhymes With Snitch? When I tried to take a picture off your page it wouldn't let me.
Music	digital downloading. I need a picture of you or a cover shot of your book. Thanks
Name	That Bitch

HipHop	Because Hip-Hop has lost its balance. You can't just party all the time and buy expensive clothes and jewelry. yes, people party, but we also struggle, and have real serious socio-economic issues to deal with. Rappers have began to focus too much on material things and only get in the game to make money, not that that's wrong, but what you get is a bunch of poor production, elementary lyrics and no real message at the heart of the community.
Music	It's the digital age, coupled with the fact the art of making a great album has been lost. After Napster everything changed. We no longer needed to buy music and had it at our fingertips. Also, great albums aren't being made anymore. It's all about the single(ringtones). We need albums that are good all the way through, and people have gotten fed up with the singles being the only hot tracks. Albums like "Song's In the Key of Life", to "My Life" by MJB, to "CrazySexCool" By TLC, to "Illmatic". We need classic albums, not just singles. Also artist need to build better relationships with fans to build loyalty. Since I no longer have to buy your album to hear it(I can illegally download it), my only motivation for buying is simply whether or not I like you as a person and if I can identify with you on a personal level. -My name is Mir.I.am and I'm a Producer/Music Director/ and On-Air host for 88.1fm WKNC Raleigh. I'd love to get an interview with you on the staion to talk about the new book. Shoot me and email if you're available. My show airs Saturday Nights from 9-11pm. www.wknc.org
Name	Mir.I.am

HipHop	thank you for the answer, I became A Bad Boy fan Back in 1997 and I still am , I will read the book and read what You have to say. Is hard for me cause I am big Bad Boy fan and still am, is not only alot of artists sayd things about diddy, but slim of 112 sayd they left Bad Boy cause they had problem with The managemend Not diddy or Bad Boy, And faith is back in the studio to work with diddy is hard to believe But I understand like alot of people sayd is music biz. Roc a fella felt of , Murder Inc felt of music aind the same no more. I will get your Book More for the song cause I dying to hear some songs from you dofat promise me song from you but I never get it.
Music	and about the sales I think is not cause rappers are making bad music but is cause of internet pople dont wanna pay for music
Name	jorge Gomes

HipHop	These 2 questions are related..Hip Hop is dying slowly and it's not the only reason but it does play a big part in the declining sales. What's poppin, my name is Mesai, I'm the Editor of RapFanatic Magazine..google us if u ain't heard about us yet. A book like this was long overdue. If you're interested I'd definitely wanna put a feature article on you in our upcoming March issue. Hit me on my email. Even if we can't keep doing ya thing! One
Music
Name	Mesai

HipHop	hip hop is dead because no one makes real music. you have all these karaoke artists who make lil simple records and they tend to make millions over it. not sayin i dont hate it but i feel that hip hop is more then cars, clothes, girls and jewlery. they should make a positive example for todays society. whatever images rappers put up on screen thats what kids will look up to. hip hop is dead because nowdays no one is talking about anything in their records.
Music	i feel like music's records sales are decreasing because the artist isnt promoting their album in the right way it should. and with so much downloading no one really cares to buy an album anymore. recession has takin its toll. dont get me wrong some artist are doing well in sales but it takes forever for some to put out an album and we become less interested in their music or career. but however the record label should always promote it's artist in the best way possible.
Name	Arthur Harris

HipHop	Hip Hop is not dead but just have to make a great since of what every word means which each and every artist is only making a dollar and dishing out what the world is wanting to hear because they go through these life stories each and every day. Rap is a sense of life living and they are only rapping in term of what went on with the situation. I still loves hip and I'm 39 years old and I can still recite song with Jezzy and Jim Jones rap. But the thing is that I'm not going to act my life as a rapper with the word of the songs. Rap is hip hop and hip hop is not dead because you have the youngerster's whom love the rap. Sing rap and not live it.
Music	Music is taking a lost because of new technology and there are new ways in getting music with buying anything. The internet has it all for you, so you don't have to buy anything.
Name	Chevygirl

HipHop	Because its about trivial things now, its all about fantasy and not reality. There's no balance.
Music	Because When you charge $20 for a CD with only 3 good songs on it, its just not worth it! Make good music and people will buy it! Itunes exists because people decided to water down their music and put more "filler than Killer" on the CD, so if i can pick and choose than i will.
Name	Lissa

HipHop	Because the original intent of the music which is basically to entertain has been replaced by commercialisim, artists no longer strive to be the "dopest" or the "nicest" on the mic, they direct thier intrests strictly to being the "most paid" or the most "powerful", which has allowed non-musical personalities such as hustlers, dope dealers and slick business men to have such an impact in the music.
Music	Two entities artist credibility and the internet, have caused lack of respect and intrest amongst fans worldwide. Time and Time again, the music business has peddled subpar artists to the masses, insisting that we purchase thier overpriced albums, in spite of the fact that most of these acts lack direction and most importangly artist development.. so as a reaction the fans are basically rebelling, by going to the internet and weighing thier options of who they are going to support, so that loyal fan base that so many acts have taken for granted now has options i.e (downloading, mixtapes)and don't mine using them for thier own entertainment.
Name	Mr. Street Promotions

HipHop	I didn't understand what they meant by Hip Hop died with Biggie and Pac died, but I do now. Before it was hard to come into the game. You can only make it if you were great, not good. If you were worth spending the money on, and for longevity. And if u weren't great, there were too many great emcees in the game that would shut you down asap, where you were too ashamed to even THINK about coming out with an albulm. After biggie and Pac, it went down hill...People stopped giving a damn about being great b/c the greatest died. Everyone started making money and stopped making music. Laffy Taffy killed Hip Hop. I will never forget the moment I heard that damn song...I knew it was over. We can try to revive real music but the generation today, can't absorb that stuff anymore. Nobody listens to music anymore and is like 'Damn!! Did u heard what he just said???!!'- Unless u dissin someone. And..the real artists are getting old. They want families and kids now, & it ain't like it was (Jay-z,LL,Meth&Red,Nas,Eminem,Dr. Dre,Snoop,The Game even), or they too heavy into having a good time, and fell off (DMX,Lauryn Hill, friggin Bone Thugs even, lol, I'd even include Whitney); or they just tryna make that money now, music is their heart, but they gotta make the money (Eve, Busta, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Diddy,Master P,Common,Queen Latifah,Kim,Luda).They try to grow with the times like LL, but it just ain't happening anymore. Nowadays, They just tryna make a lil paper, floss a lil paper, and keep it moving. 'A hot song could get me a million dollars, that's all I need'- It ain't about the music, or being heard anymore. Therfore, music is alive and in our hearts, but unfortunately Real Hip Hop, The Hip Hop that we grew up on, and meditated on, and lived our life by, and would kick back and daydream to, and reflect on..That Real Hip Hop....:( is Dead.
Music	Why buy an albulm when you can download it for free? Why spend $300 on Gucci, when you can get something that looks JUST LIKE it for $20? Now you looking like a fool for spending money on an albulm when all your friends got it for free. I was raised in the late 80's and 90's, where there was a line @ the store to cop a tape or a CD THE DAY it came out. Like if you didn't have it, in at least the first week, you probably couldn't appreciate music. We use to look back at our stacks and stacks of CD's and tapes, and be proud....now...as long as u got the song is all that matters. Nowadays, ur retarded to be spending $1/song or $15/albulm. That money can go towards gas, or food, or school books. Therefore if I was an artist, doing shows and movies, and appearances, and endorsements, is the way to be making that paper right now. The music game is for people to hear you, feel you, comprehend you, and know where your coming from - but not for the money. lol.
Name	Toni

HipHop	ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW! I'VE SEEN THE PISTOL WHIPPINS, THE HOLES IN WALLS WHERE ENGINEERS AND PRODUCERS GET THROWN THRU, SEEN THE FUCKED UP CONTRACTS AND BROTHAS WALKIN OFF THE VIDEO SET AND ONLY TO SLEEP ON SOMEBODY FLOOR ,TOOK THOSE TRIPS ON I-75 RIDIN DIRTY RISKIN IT JUST TO GET SOME STUDIO EQUIPMENT AVG BROTHAS CANT AFFORD ,BEEN IN THE ROOMS WIT REAL PIMPS,D-BOYZ, GOONS, AND EVERY OTHER FORM OF LOWLIFE THAT LURKS IN AND AROUND THIS GAME! I WAS TOLD BY ONE MUSIC EXECUTIVE MY PROBLEM WAS I DIDN'T WANNA GET FUCKED! (publishing) AND IN THE END THAT WAS TRUE! I STARTED TO FEEL LIKE THE GAME WITHOUT OWNERSHIP WAS PURE FUCKERY..WHEN YOU YOUNG AND TALENTED AND ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHATS IMPORTANT (YOUR CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT/FINANCIAL compensation ETC.) You immediately become a problem to these labels. I remember going to the studio gun tucked under my waist wonderin whats gonna happen in here tonight. I kinda miss that crazy world somedays knowin I was so c! lose to blowin up and seeing everbody I was around get so "big" and other times I think fuck it! WHATS MEANT TO BE IS MEANT TO BE!
Music	ARTIST WITH INFERIOR PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY when was the last time you could play somebodys whole album without wantin to slap somebody for rippin you off?
Name	K-R.A.W

HipHop	Because the essential elements of the artform has been blatently comercialized and oversaturated in the marketplace for corporate stockholders bottom line. To turn a profit as quick as possible. To put in simplier terms. The image of the artist has become more important than actual talent of a artist or ability.The hip hop we grew up on is dead. But not the overall artform
Music	Music has taken a hit as far as domestic sales. International sales are pretty strong.The change in format of how music is delivered to the consumer has changed. The age demographic of people that buy music will buy a ringtone or a digital download faster than a actual CD. So people 35 or older who don't have a Ipod usually listen to the music they already purchased years ago. So therefore they are not buying as many records because they have not fully embraced the new technology causing a lack of overall sales.
Name	Geo Blaine

HipHop	Because it's become too commercial and there aren't any real MCs out there like Biggie and TuPac. You got your Nas and Jay Z but these other artists are just in it for the money and not the love of the game which is true to the heart. Whatever happened to the artists like we had in the 80s and early 90s. Will the real Hip Hop artists please stand up!!!
Music	Easy downloads and music being sold on bootleg. Also, alot of artists only have 3 or 4 songs on their Cds that you like and the rest is garbage.
Name	AYB

HipHop	because of the contents of some of these rappers these days, their songs are all hooks and no lyrics... Im definately gonna check out that book .. keep doing your thang
Music	too much free downloads, and also people need to see something genuine and down to earth about you to go out and purchase your music.
Name	face a.k.a. 2feezy

HipHop	because like Biggie said the game is sour as a pickle be.......simple plus the rap game is like the crack game cut throat and pimped...(the music big time mobiles don't care about your life, family, nor how much u believe in god. all they care about is that money. If people don't buy your records or if u haven't put out a record then its F you. But if u sold millions everyone wants to shake your hand. Sad rite? The music business is also like the book of Revelations in the bible, its all war, politics, and false people who clam they love music ( or say there in the biz for the love of music) but its about pimping. So that's why people say hip hop is dead
Music	because hahaahah its going digital its all about the net now hommie. Man check this is out, for one as of 2009, half of the major record labels arnt doing so well in CD sells such as, capitol(emi), jive records, Sony bmg music group etc. The labels are double minded, they don't have "real" and i mean "real" a&r that have a ear for music to help out label strategy. now days once again like i said in the first question you asked me its all about the money, ( i am not saying money is the root of all evil or its bad but its only bad when u let it make u) people in the game fail to realize that money comes when u are true to people and u are at the love of music. Me personally i just got into the game like 3 months ago on a major and i already see how this game is man. Its wrong......but you kno what, i just make trendsetter music to become different so when people ever ask me again is hip hop dead i tell them no, its sleep because it gave bi! rth to a new trendsetter like me. She will wake up later, so in the mean time i do what i am suppose to do and destine to do. Is to lead and not follow. and that's what u need to do to mark is to lead. Putting out a book is fine and your dropping real stuff in chapter one but do more than that. Drop it in your music from mixtapes to guess appearances on people cds. Do it as if u don't have a deal or u looking for one. Remember its all about the late 80's early 90's era. Thats how i look at things...but imma go and hit me sometimes. God bless you and remain humble my dude one oh now i checked out your site now check out mine once again i am not promoting i want u to be aware of what u are getting ready to hear in the near future on a major label www.myspace.com/theofficialkrok
Name	Rodney

HipHop	Just wanted to show support to your project. The dude puff is the straight up devil. He do people foul. I knew this when he was complaining about the price of my homie's funeral "Wolf" and that was suppose to be his man. Did you know my dude wolf? Anyway good luck on the book and throw this punk under the bus please When does this book come out i need to buy that asap
Music
Name	Shawn K

HipHop	Because when artists get inside the sudio, they have the pressure to come out with a work that is going to sel, whereas letting their soul speak through their lyrics. Puff has inspired me a lot for the past decade.to say the truth, i'm a fan. He is not a good MC, but sometimes spits well: like on the DJ Felli Fell track, or on Swagger like Puff...I like Puff because of his vision and his leadership abilities.But everyone tells me "your boy is a crook, how come nobody stays with him.why do they always leave the label?" And it's the truth, you can't ignore it. I've also learned that all these guys (Jay Z, Puff, ,Kanye West,Nas, even Beyoncé!, u name it... are all Free Masons, Illuminati or member of a secret society.The rituals that they are asked to perform are sometimes "Satanic".This a feedback from a BIG BOSS in France that told me they're in the same loge.It really turned me off to learn that he was an IMPORTANT mason, because he's always talking about GOD "God's the greatest!". How can you worship a force that is not from GOD, and tell people that you made this fa! r thanks to him. There's always a payback from this secret society stuff, and that's the life of one of your love ones.But it's just that you don't know who! For Puff, they said it was BIG.For Jay Z, it was his nephew that died in a car he bought him.For Kanye, it was his mother...My father occupied Highly ranked positions in Europe and in the USA. He warned us to never abide to that crap because it's not needed. He was a millionaire and went by the Bible, so why worship forces?? Jigga says himsel "Lord forgive him, he got those dark forces in him..." These pple rap about shit they see. We the public, just think it's rhyme, but it's something real he's talking about! Like Kanye, "See u in my nightmare.." that's REAL! All that to say that YOUR TITILE IS JUSTIFIED, pple shouldn't sell their souls for Power. I was SO DISAPPOINTED when i realised what closed doors of this lifestyle could hide.Even worse, covering it by preaching GOD??? That's even worse, they're putting curses on themselves and kids! I don't know what to think anymore, but Diddy really, really deceived me. I respected him because he came on the platter on his own, and thought that he wasn't involved in these cultes, like African politicians (i'm from African background). I will order your book, knowing Puff, he will try to compensate somewhere or another, because his Career is based upon his image. And a bomb like this book won't put him KO, but it will hurt. Hope you'll answer, i have so much to say...but i TRIED to keep it short! Later man!
Music	Downloading, and the economy
Name	Franck

HipHop	Know-the-ledge=Knowledge. Any book that details the truth is worth reading, regardless of the subject matter. I will have my girl purchase your book right now. All the best Mark. Peace! DJ Lord Ron
Music
Name	DJ Lord Ron

HipHop	Hip Hop to me isn't dead. It has evolved into another diverse form that, as usual, have its haters and lovers.
Music	Music has declined in sales due to technology. Bottom line. As the universe and all things in it transform and grow, so shall music and how its sold. Major labels are slowly understanding how to move about digitally and on the net. It will take some time to establish and implement new avenues of growth potential. But once it is tested and proved to work, music sales should return to its glory days. Note - I am one of the co-publishers of STACKS Magazine. I just happen to check my spam box and saw this email. It intrigued me enough to come to your site. The first chapter of your book is interesting and I would love to read the rest. But I have one question (that I'm sure you answered in the book)...why write the book? Why now?
Name	Bels
Email	stacksmagblog@gmail.com

HipHop	I am 1 half of the online book radioshow called Urban Literary Review on blogtalkradio.com - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/urbanliteraryreview where we have interviewed such literary giants as: Zane, Omar Tyree, Karen Q. Miller and LA Banks we would love to interview you in Feb? please email me at kulturefirst@yahoo.com you can google me L Martin Johnson Pratt or UrbanLiteraryReview
Music
Name	L Martin Johnson Pratt
Email	kulturefirst@yahoo.com

HipHop	Hello, Allow me to introduce myself and my company, my name is Ella Curry and I am the CEO of EDC Creations Media Group, a marketing and branding firm in Maryland, which specializes in the marketing and promotions of African American literature. As the president and CEO of EDC Creations, I have made it my mission to introduce readers to the best in African American literature. We would love to include you in an upcoming issue! If you would like to speak with me about the interview, my number is: 301-422-1730. I would love to promote you new book on all of our sites and the radio show. The links to view the online magazine are listed below. Today, I write to you, requesting a written interview for our new online magazine and to interview you on our popular Black Authors Network Radio Show, during our 42-day Black History Event Online. Please take a moment and check out the new online magazine and let me know if you would like to be included in the upcoming issue of Black Pearls Magazine. Articles Showcase: http://www.edc-creations.com/EDCCreationsMagazine/heartandsoul.html Thank you in advance for considering a spotlight in the all new EDC Creations Online Magazine. We want our readers to meet the brightest stars in the universe! Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations
Music
Name	Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations Media Group

HipHop	Money, Bad Business, Politics...
Music	Money, Bad Business, Politics... P.S. We would like to do an interview with you about the book. Please feel free to contact us. Thank you!
Name	Bukola Yesufu

 

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