Murs Gets on Rick Ross

We (Planet Zoron)had the privilege of opening up for Mur's last year in Tallahassee, Florida. Some of the other performers were Chaun Don, Big Pooh, and Kidz in the Hall. What was supposed to be an hour set turned into a 20 minute set since Murs wanted us off the stage. I personally felt he was intimidated by a hip-hop band.

At anyrate, apparently Rick Ross 1)jacked one of Murs beats and 2)called his name out at the beginning of the song. Murs didn't take it to lightly. But how does that happen? Both artists are signed to major labels. How does Rick end up jacking Murs beat. Copywright infringement? I doubted. In addition, I heard another one of Murs beats on Beanie Siegel's last release. What concerns me is when Murs says "How did he find it?" (in reference to the track). What do you mean-How did he find it? It's your 1st single off your latest album ("Can it Be"on the Murs for President Album). Here's some footage of him rocking his lead single live:

Here is the track Rick did called Gang Related:


Okay-the Moral of the story is when you have a hard working team of music business managers, you shouldn't have to worry about a top 20 billboard act releasing a single with your lead singles beat. Notice on the Gang Related song in the beginning a voice saying: "This is a coast to coast instrumental." What this probably means is that a producer sold Murs a beat for little of nothing. The producer probably took a cut for the exposure (well worthed). However, the producer probably didn't designate on the contract that the track was exclusively for Murs. If he did, he could be in legal trouble. If he didn't, that was silly on Mur's business manager's behalf. I wouldn't get mad at the artist-get mad at the producer who leaked it or your manager that failed to execute and exclusive contract with the producer. Tighten up Murs.
And for bonus footage, this is Mur's disc song in response to Rick Ross: Enjoy.

Joaquin Phoenix and Hip-Hop? I Smell Trouble!

Just when you thought hip-hop had revealed all its demons, possibly another one is on its way out the closet. Joaquin Phoenix, a premier hollywood actor (Gladiator, Walk the Line), was spotted on January 19th rocking the mic at club Lavo in Vegas. He apparently dropped three tracks, and I had the honor of listening to the first track. If you know how sensitive my ears are, you would know that it was no need to continue to listen to Phoenix.







In addition, yes, we do have Times Online.com admitting that Phoenix is working on a hip-hop project, and this is coming out of the horses mouth:

“My experience afterward was I had a lot of dudes come up and say, `We really respect you for doing it, putting yourself out there, and going with it.' Because I think true hip-hop heads know that it's hard, it's going to be a hard transition, and people are going to be lining up just to make fun of me."

My discrepancy is that the YouTube video clearly shows that Phoenix is not a rapper. In fact after his performance, he tripped and fell off the stage. And as much as I like to admit that I love Phoenix as an actor, so far, his music sucks.

Meanwhile, I'm more curious with why so many people want to rap and feel that they are competent to represent the art form. Aren't there enough rappers out there already? I meet young and grown folks alike that swear they have the hot skillz. Phoenix exemplifies my point. However, people that aren't passionate or are simply incompetent only bring degradation to any art form.

In the Times Online.com article, Phoenix admits that most people will not take him seriously. In fact, the article's main thesis is that Phoenix is serious though many will ridicule him. I personally think that Phoenix's album at your local music dealer goes to show how far hip-hop has deviated from it's original theme. With our luck (true hip-hop fans), Phoenix's album may take off, go gold, and then we'll see Russell Crowe, Ben Afleck, Denzel Washington, and Al Pacino all release albums (give me a break).

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5659301.ece

A Few Things About the Hip-Hop Industry.

1)It seems that newbies to the industry have no respect for the men/women who have been doing it while they were in middle school. Even lately, I meet cats that are my age but started rhyming, managing, producing...since 05. They don't realize that experience does count. For me, it's cool to be able to observe it go down in this fashion. Sometimes you have to just see it to believe it.

2) In the end, your product is all you have. If you have flash, have money, have women, and all the other b.s...you BETTER have a dope cd. Why? Because it may look good, but it doesn't sound good. I get tons of demo disc-every year. The problem-1) no brand...random music with no swag 2) "heard it all before" 3) you have literally just wrote your name on a blank disc with a sharpie...and put it in a slim case?

3) To much 8 mile! Is it not clashing of the titans to a degree? Huge egos meeting for the overall betterment of hip-hop. Yet, all these individuals are grown men/women. Just because one disagrees doesn't make it beef or a war.

Business will always be business and great business men are the weirdos whose crazy plan actually worked. Can't you just feel the haters when Russell signed RUN DMC, and LL COOL J, BEASTIE BOYS..etc.? Bottom line, I bet he had major haters, yet he saw past there folly. He stayed focused, and now his business is sought after by citizens and companies alike all around the world.

If we were more unified in thought, all of us could eat off hip-hop, but what are the chances?