DJ Enuff “Why Am I Not Spinning Jay Electronica?”
First of all I owe @DJEnuff an apology for this but that was my initial reaction to the thought of a DJ trying to come up with a reason or even justifying not playing Jay Electronica on any radio station. So first and foremost, let that be a warning to the rest of you industry DJ’s, I WILL SPIT ON YOU.
Secondly, it’s sad times when DJ’s can’t just PLAY what they want anymore. They have to look over their shoulder at the Tall Israeli clutching the sack with a dollar sign on it (or in BET’s case the light skinned bitch) in regards to what songs get rotation.
I’ve had this conversation, TIME AND TIME again with my fellow Hip-Hop Livers (Livers, Not Supporters) of why blogs get more attention, credibility and generally have more influence on what the consumer listens to and spends their money on. The reasons for that being, DJs aren’t respected or held in high esteem and quite frankly not trusted anymore. Also, 9 times out of 10, someone who runs a hip-hop website or any music blog, media outlet etc. is an average joe like myself. Using their web property to share ideas, feelings, spread culture and give people an ALTERNATIVE to the bullshit we’re fed through Time Warner, Radio One and Major Labels. Blogs and Online Music Websites are suppose to be that Brita filter from the tap water of nonsense in the music industry and mainstream society in general.
Think about it, do you really think Wale, Mickey Factz, Asher Roth, B.o.B and others would have had a chance to be on XXFail’s cover in 2008 had the blogsphere not have any pull or influence? I mean, really think about who was on that cover, what they rap about, content wise and ask yourself..WHEN do you hear these type of guys on the radio consistently?
There needs to be a change, some of you pseudo hip-hop back pack revolutionaries are the MAIN ones to blame on why there even HAS to be a post of “why Jay Electronica isn’t in rotation”. You’ve spent your time trying to distance yourself in a business and social sense from the people in position to support your movement, that they don’t even care anymore. It’s about to be 2010 people..something has got to give.
When someone as high profile and polar opposite of Jay Electronica, as Diddy endorses a song and it still has trouble getting spins on the radio, something is terribly wrong.
*Steps down from soapboax*
- The [DMV] Blog Bully
Popularity: 8% [?]
well written yo, I think we really do need to organize and show this industry that we do support our artists, but what’s the first step? I think there needs to be some leadership to organize people
You’re right, but I don’t have all the answers and I’m far too rogue to be a leader.
Funny enough, I was just having this same conversation with somebody who manages a few notable artist. He still insist on leaking songs to the DJ’s a few days before he sends to to the blogs. I tried to explain to him that DJ’s no longer dictate what is hot or who is next on the come up, the blogs decide that. DJ’s did not make Drake or J. Cole hot last year. They heard about the buzz from the internet and decided to give these guys a listen. some were still late on giving the co-sign like Funk Flex who used to be known for breaking new artist.
No disresect DJ’s, but even you have to come to our sites for new music these days.
[...] HERE to read their [...]
[...] @DJEnuff made this post about @JayElectronica and all of hip-hop (including Quest Love) throwing their 2 cents in about the [...]
I feel where you are coming from. I also agree with The Black Sunn that if anything is to be done, there is going to HAVE to be a plan in place.
In a semi-related story, where I live (Charleston, SC) there is only ONE hip-hop station and because there is no competition they play what they want, when they want and NO local artist. So we are creating a “watchdog” group comprised of bloggers, artist, and DJ to get OUR clubs bumping music by OUR artist in an effort to eventually sway the powers that be (Z93 Jamz) behind the grassroots movement we created. Especially with the DJs because they feel powerless when in reality THEY ARE THE GATE KEEPERS. Ro’Shine is right: How many DJs, outside of Cali or ATL, actually “break” records anymore? This too must change in order for a Jay Electronica to get some play.
I feel it will take efforts like before real changes get made. If you can effort the money, then you’ll effect change. History has proven this time and time again.
Wouldn’t Payola have a lot to do with why a DJ plays garbage.
But as a side:
A local D.J. expressed her concern over the airwaves. I’m going to loosely quote:
“When I see people on the street they ask me ‘Hey Jane, why don’t you play any real hip-hop? You guys seem to play the same type of thing over and over.’
Well it’s because it’s what the people who give us feedback want to hear. I mean, there’s things that I want to play that I can’t because they don’t make the play list. People don’t realize how important those [feedback forms] are.
When I go around with them asking what people want to hear that’s we base our playlist off of, and what you’re hearing is what people say they want to hear.”
You hit the nail on the head with:
“You’ve spent your time trying to distance yourself in a business and social sense from the people in position to support your movement, that they don’t even care anymore”
The loudest will be heard, but only if they speak.
It is truly refreshing to know that DJs haven’t completely turned into mush minded imbeciles ( well some of them). It’s about time that the question was asked. I’ve only started listening to jay electronica in da past 3-4 mo but son is ill. It’s unfortunate that DJs and radio stations play what their bosses tell them is necessary. What happened tothe rebellious Mister Cee’s who played music because he loved it and it was good. Money is ruining hip hop so much. No longer does a rapper need lyrical skills and a story to tell. All he needs now is a beat with the bass turned up 5 decibels too loud a retarded dance to go with it and a pair of gold fronts to top it off ( southern rap killed hip hop reference. A whole different convo). I long for the old days…
Myspace.com/ageneralfarrockchild