DEAD PREZ DECLINES 2 Sign w/ JAY-Z's ROC NATION
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DarcSkies
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Whoa. I put this in the rumors on November 16 and lookie here. Dead prez said "NO" to Jay-Z. Now that's a stand if one was ever taken. Shout out to VIBE.com for the alley oop.
Jay-Z has already snatched up Jay Electronica, J. Cole and WIllow Smith for his Roc Nation imprint. But one of the more intriguing names recently attached to the burgeoning roster is veteran political hip-hop duo dead prez.
In the past few months, rumors of a deal between Hov and the outspoken act (consisting of stic.man and M-1) began to pick up steam on the hip-hop message boards. But M-1 says that while there is some credence to early talks with Roc Nation, dead prez is staying independent.
“We respect Jay, but we are not signing to Roc Nation,” M-1 tells VIBE. “I’m a fan of what Roc Nation has been doing. I’m a fan of Jay-Z’s music and more than that I’m a fan of his mind…the way that he has positioned himself to make great moves in this business. I’m not one to think that our independence can be usurped by this great hype and potentially great machine that Jay is putting together.”
I dont know how I feel about this.
Thoughts?
Comments
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I think this is a Reason thread inexplicably sitting in the Social Lounge.
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Its here because in the Reason it'll turn into, an "album sales," "Jay-z's a camel," "NAS Lost," discussion instead of a, is this good or bad for either of them as far as what message each artist wants to put out there.
I was more asking was this a good move for them as far as Dead Prez possibly connecting themselves with a "materialist" in hopes to reach more people. Etc. -
lol at dead prez and their legions of white internet nerd fans
lol at that byron crawford article about how dead prez are ? and you cant get ? with croutons
lol at any artist that signs with ja-z thinking they'll actually get to release a promoted album, tho -
id becomes a country singer before ever calling willow smith my 'label-mate'
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well...I dont know how I feel about this.
Thoughts?
first off, i'm not even convinced that Jay-Z tried to sign these guys. i'm not sure why he would do such a thing.
second, it's absolutely true that none of these artists are having an album come out on that label. well, maybe Willow Smith, since that's closer to pop music.
third, meh, dead prez, whatever
it's not really a loss for Jay-Z unless he literally wants them because he wants to give some money to a non-marketable act he likes (which would be fine) or has some other use for them (like, dead prez ghostwriting for Willow Smith? this needs to happen)
it's not really a loss for dead prez because they'd never have an album come out, they'd inevitably get called sell-outs... although it's got to be a loss of money on SOME level
i'll be voting "loss for dead prez" because money is, of course, the most important thing in life
eh, it'll be fine if we take it seriouslyshootemwon wrote: »I think this is a Reason thread inexplicably sitting in the Social Lounge. -
MEH if true,but no one can say that Jay does not help anybody.He always gave Dead Prez. their props.People are dumb who complain about underground rappers not getting their due and props,but yet ? when/if they sign with a major which means more exposure.People always have a close mind to indie rappers going mainstream which does not mean they will "Sellout".Even if they do,so what.That smart ? rap ? ain't paying the bills and ? got families to feed.Rather they put out an album or not they would make more money then they ever have in their career.If it was me,I'd sign with the quickness and say ? them back rap fans like Common and Kweli did.
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Good for dead prez. Being on Roc Nation wouldn't be in their best interest anyway because Jay's main focus is himself...and Willow Smith.
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I think it was a smart move for Dead Prez. They would have gotten a few dollars for signing but they would really had to have dealt with censorship in upcoming tracks and as good as Jay has been on a personal business level, he's terrible at marketing his artists, especially being Dame isn't around no more. Like Janklow said really only Willow Smith is likely to actually release an album, J.Cole might release a digital album but his fan base isn't near big enough to drop an album and do numbers.
The reason people like Dead Prez and Immortal Technique have the fans they do is because of their material, like I state they will deal with censorship signing with Jay which will lead to losing more fans than gaining. Nobody wants to hear a dumbed down political rap duo, but there those who will support an anything goes rap duo. I voted MEH, because this outcome is a win-win for both. D.P. still makes their money staying independent, retains their fans, and keep their credibility and free speech. Jay saves a good amount of money and with it can now try to sign an act that will gain a fan base on a national level and will generate a large source of income. -
Lotta dumb ish being said in this thread
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I would not call people who listen to either a FANBASE.If it was not for the internet,then the backpackers would not know either existed.I agree with the second paragraph you said though,but I really don't get the hype for dead Prez or IT.Neither is saying anything that has not been said by bigger artist (Nas,Pac,Chuck D,KRS) and neither are relevant enough to sign with a major.Political Rap is pointless anyway.Racism still alive and ? still being ? so their message falls on def ears.Oh well.ThaChozenWun wrote: »I think it was a smart move for Dead Prez. They would have gotten a few dollars for signing but they would really had to have dealt with censorship in upcoming tracks and as good as Jay has been on a personal business level, he's terrible at marketing his artists, especially being Dame isn't around no more. Like Janklow said really only Willow Smith is likely to actually release an album, J.Cole might release a digital album but his fan base isn't near big enough to drop an album and do numbers.
The reason people like Dead Prez and Immortal Technique have the fans they do is because of their material, like I state they will deal with censorship signing with Jay which will lead to losing more fans than gaining. Nobody wants to hear a dumbed down political rap duo, but there those who will support an anything goes rap duo. I voted MEH, because this outcome is a win-win for both. D.P. still makes their money staying independent, retains their fans, and keep their credibility and free speech. Jay saves a good amount of money and with it can now try to sign an act that will gain a fan base on a national level and will generate a large source of income. -
lmao Dead Prez aint selling out... gtfoh Jay Z. What's next, JayZ gonna try to sign Immortal Technique? lmao
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Dead Prez fell off a long time ago. With that being said, I think it's a win for both...but Jay could have helped them get better producers...because they have definitely been lacking with the beat selection for awhile. Just my opinion.
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A 1 (ONE!) album deal could've worked out well and gotten them some good exposure.
Anything more than that would be "M.O.P just signed to a new label!" all over again.
lol @ self-righteous dead prez fans forgetting that they already collab'd w/ Black Illuminati Satan on the "Hell Yeah" remix
lol @ "Jay won't let them drop a album" when stic-man & M-1 haven't dropped a studio LP in almost 7 ? years
lol @ "Jay won't promote them properly", as if dead prez got a chance in hell of makin a radio hit and going gold
lol @ Ktulu killing his brain cells with the intellectual malt liquor that is Byron Crawford
lol @ 2012 bringing his anti-semetic conspiracy theories into every IC thread imaginable, including PS3 vs. 360 beef threads and the Powerful Porno Movement
lol @ The Reason turning this thread into another ? argument between KillaCham & Friends about the merits of Nicki Minaj
lol @ dead prez ghostwriting for Willow Smith, YES THIS NEEDS TO HAPPENoliverlang wrote: »Dead Prez fell off a long time ago.
that gangsta grillz was ILL, cuz
*leaves thread bumping "Soul Power"* -
Swiffness! wrote: »
that gangsta grillz was ILL, cuz
*leaves thread bumping "Soul Power"*
The last album i bought of theirs was Revolutionary but Gangsta and their solo projects were just horrible. -
I bump gangsta grillz all the time.
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oliverlang wrote: »their solo projects were just horrible.
......what the f-
(please tell me that a evil white man with a giant office on top of a skyscraper made him do that album cover) -
Swiffness! wrote: »
......what the f-
(please tell me that a evil white man with a giant office on top of a skyscraper made him do that album cover)
lol...how can you even put that cover next to Let's Get Free. It's the Samson syndrome, I think the strength was in their hair. -
earth two superman wrote: »id becomes a country singer before ever calling willow smith my 'label-mate'
lol word..................... that little girl need to sit down somewhere. -
well, dead prez once had a single get a little attention, but yes, without the internet, no one would give a ? about Immortal Technique.I would not call people who listen to either a FANBASE.If it was not for the internet,then the backpackers would not know either existed.
unless you didn't put out an album at all (which would happen) and then you're probably not getting much more exposure than you would just throwing a mixtape out on the internet.Swiffness! wrote: »A 1 (ONE!) album deal could've worked out well and gotten them some good exposure.
Anything more than that would be "M.O.P just signed to a new label!" all over again.
also, don't remind me about everyone signing M.O.P. and then releasing nothing, i always fall for it and then end up sad.
let me tell you, i will be the first person in line on Tuesday to buy that albumSwiffness! wrote: »lol @ dead prez ghostwriting for Willow Smith, YES THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN -
CO-SIgn............Swiffness! wrote: »A 1 (ONE!) album deal could've worked out well and gotten them some good exposure.
Anything more than that would be "M.O.P just signed to a new label!" all over again.
lol @ self-righteous dead prez fans forgetting that they already collab'd w/ Black Illuminati Satan on the "Hell Yeah" remix
lol @ "Jay won't let them drop a album" when stic-man & M-1 haven't dropped a studio LP in almost 7 ? years
lol @ "Jay won't promote them properly", as if dead prez got a chance in hell of makin a radio hit and going gold
lol @ Ktulu killing his brain cells with the intellectual malt liquor that is Byron Crawford
lol @ 2012 bringing his anti-semetic conspiracy theories into every IC thread imaginable, including PS3 vs. 360 beef threads and the Powerful Porno Movement
lol @ The Reason turning this thread into another ? argument between KillaCham & Friends about the merits of Nicki Minaj
lol @ dead prez ghostwriting for Willow Smith, YES THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN
that gangsta grillz was ILL, cuz
*leaves thread bumping "Soul Power"* -
ether-i-am wrote: »Is dead prez really got something to ? say why not try to say it on the biggest ? stage possible? You ? underground supporters are so damn dumb. You wish your favorite artist unsuccess. Mainstream or pop only means more acceptance. It means more people agree with you about what you hear and like about this group. Public Enemy was pop, mainstream and underground all at the same time.
If dead prez turn down an opportunity to expand their message than shame on them. Must not have nothing to say. If they can make more money then they'll have more to give back. Guess that's not their plan either.
Are you being serious? You really think they're going to put Dead Prez's real message on mainstream radio? You're the ? imbecile if you think signing a deal with the devil is the way to reach more people. ? damn, ether, you're not that stupid.
Oh and yes, Dead Prez and Jay Z collab'd before, but it was on Dead Prez's terms, not Rockafella. -
its over: 2012! wrote: »Once again, you post in ways which show you have no cognizance for how The Music Industry works...IOW...it makes no sense, for you to present any comparisons from pre-1993, whatsoever.
Since that is when our Great Jewish Brothers who own The Music Industry and it's Big4 Record Labels said, "No more conscious rap allowed, for Soundscan aspirations!! Period. It's a verified-fact, that music effects the Human Mind. So we need niggz who are ONLY interested in rapping a self-destructive message for young Black males, to aspire to!"
So, fortunately dead prez has made an unprecedented move, here.
Thanks to their vision, for seeing the forest thru the trees with those high-up branches/posing as dusty shelves in Live Nation's archive-vaults, where their musical projects would sit...each time they record them
This is very, very, very true. And people wonder why there isn't any balance in Hip Hop... -
ether-i-am wrote: »public enemy came way harder than dead prez and they was on a major and they was not watered down! Many many rappers drop knowledge and had mainstream succcess.
this got a lot of play on MTv back in the day, as a matter of fact a clip from this video was played in the intro to yo mtv raps.
know did krs one hold back on this? He even change the last verse from the album that dropped more knowledge than the original.
You're one hilarious dude. and lol @ you thinking PE came harder than DP.... that's just... wow... -
I swear ? just love to hate everything about Jay. Practically every Roc Nation artist has artistic freedom. Why would these cats be different? Because they wouldn't be accepted by the mainstream? lol in a sense neither would Jay E. and Cole, but somehow they've made it on the roster
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earth two superman wrote: »id becomes a country singer before ever calling willow smith my 'label-mate'
word to hootie..............
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDd7UbJmdmw