Agreed… the guy’s critical thinking is pretty limited. So it’s harmful his microphone is that big & loud. Glad I’m in a generation where the only thing I see from him is quotations.
@@TheCompanyMan I like your vids but it seems like you have fun gaslighting your audience about Kanye. And then don't see any issie with Kyrie's treatment. Its clear your care about black people is a bit less than you do youtube dollars and your brand. Its hypocritical and sad
I think Drake’s grifting of his female fanbase is going to need a similar video to the Kanye pain is profitable video. Since his debut, Drake has always uniquely been able to straddle being a sensitive heartthrob (Marvin’s Room) with being an OVO mafia boss (Headlines). But I think his female audience has always kept his career growing, but then he’s ALWAYS used women as a weapon in his beefs. The first time it backfired was the Pusha T beef, but Drake has used women to boost his ego and sales. And in recent years, he’s shown himself to being increasingly more antagonistic towards women culminating with these Megan subs. This is the first time I’m really seeing black women condemn Drake’s actions (on twitter).
Drake strikes me as one of those dudes who feels the need to try to be cool for “the guys.” But it’s easier for him to get sympathy/attention/support from “girls” because they don’t care about him being soft. I could be wrong, but the Megan diss seems like both for attention and bandwagoning.
Justin, you’re really the only voice I wanted to hear on these things at this point. To think that Hop-Hop will be 50 years old next year and it already feels like the party is definitively over. I think Jazz is the only other genre that has a similar rise and fall narrative. Common needs to do an update of I Use to Love H.E.R. at this point. On another note, I hope things are doing alright for you and your family after your loss.
Thank you KMO. Me and Dad are getting through it day by day. But just imagine if there was a new I USED TO LOVE HER. SUch perfect timing. Great analysis. Do you think that Rock has followed a similar trajectory?
@@TheCompanyMan I been commenting on the videos since I heard the news, but because I work on Saturdays now, I don’t see the videos until a few hours later and I know you ain’t looking that far in😆 About the comparison with Rock…it’s a bit different. I like to use geopolitics as a good comp: Rock was like the British Empire while Hip-Hop is like the Roman or likely the American Empire. With the British Empire the fall-off was so gradual, but sustained that folks just looked up one day during the Cild War and were like, “shit, what happened?!” While with Rome there was no illusion that things were going to hell fast and the only question was who was going to put them out of their misery (the answer was Odoacer for Western Rome and The Ottomans for Eastern Rome/Byzantium-your boy loves his historical analogies). I say all that to say that we are now in no doubt of Hip-Hop’s decline, at this point it is about slowing it down as much as possible. I remember looking up at around 2015 and thinking, “damn, Rock is dead!” Rock artists are still around, but what made the genre grow and “innovate” is as dead as Kurt Cobain. Taylor Hawkins (drummer for the Foo Fighters) over dosing this year in South America seems to be the death nail. Hip-Hop is certainly going from the decadent decline stage to the terminal, nasty decline. I’d be afraid to be a new rapper, like wearing a “shoot me” sign at this point. And the toxic paranoia over Megan Thee Stallion (and female rappers in-general) is another sad chapter in-itself.
@@KMO325 the Roman empire is a better example for the slow decline, both east and west. Both were already on the decline before 476 and 1453. I think the Roman Empire is one of the best examples for slow declining empires, it’s just that the climax especially in the Eastern/Byzantine case was very explosive. With the west you could make the argument that it didn’t even really end yet.
@@TheCompanyMan To kinda add my own little sauce I’ve started listening to more rock/metal music in the last 2 years because of how stale Hip-Hop/Hip-Pop and rap have become. I feel like rock (albeit i’m still new) focuses more on just the music rather than the “character” or the image you portray for the music.
@@iDenosis and rock is still something we as black folks created as well. The issue is that we allow our shit to become wattered down and dont gatekeep our culture.
This is getting tiring. As black men how can we claim we want black women to support us, yet we are constantly making them our enemy number one? The line wasn’t even clever nor warranted plus he _had_ to crossfire Serena for no damn reason. We can’t want better for our community when those who get to forecast our directions in this society have no goddamn sense. Black men, you can’t be a victim and a victor at the same time and for damn sure at the demise of our sisters. There’s way to much work to be done than this foolishness
@@Aries16603 what we’re not gonna do is this tomfoolery of who’s black or not. Black doesn’t exist arguably it’s a placeholder as a reminder of the transatlantic slave trade and the erasure of our connection to the colonized countries of Africa. This is a dumbass tool of white supremacy that too many of our own are partaking in that has nothing to do with how they treat us. Argue if the man has done anything for the community, but stop this idiotic discrimination. The world is burning. We got bigger issues to handle than skin color
@@theklr what we aren’t going to do is get borderline “retardish”. Let’s not act like we don’t know what black is. Drake isn’t black. It’s not just about skin color, it’s about what he actually is. Bring it back Professor Alain Locke and understand what I’m saying.
@@theklr we get so stupid when identifying black people Vs. Biracial black people. I swear this community is a joke. On that note. I’m exiting stage left because I’m not about to get into a “stupid debate” with you about blackness.
This was it. This was it. This was it. I literally teared up watching this because you summarized the nuances and the frustrations of it all. Thank you.
Great breakdown as usual, Justin. The way you tied these stories together is excellent. Some of the people featured in this vid could learn a lot from watching it.
"If we cant check this then what are we even talking about?" this is the profoundly simple starting point... Community will build around this sentiment, around real, grounded, principled love, not icons of material success, not the loudest ones who talk Black power only as an aside after mocking Black death and suffering and only when they have a deal gon wrong or are mad at their ex spouse.
3 years ago, I decided that never again shall I partake in the public lynching of my people no matter what. The world already has a lot of harshness for black folk. I, as a black man, will not add to it. That being said, we need to do better. Takeoff bothered nobody, he didn't deserve this. Rest in Power brethren!
Well I hope you do it behind closed doors bc these brothers need to get it together and no amount of hate towards each other or another group of historically oppressed peoples will heal our wounds. Communication and putting an end to the madness is the only way to end these cycles
@@shinebabyshine. I do agree, we can scold each other behind closed doors, no more throwing our own to the wolves. I also agree that we as community, have a long way to go. We owe it to ourselves to do better. It starts with the family structure, a kid that is raised right is less likely to fall into this self-destructive behaviours.
The fracturedness of black communities seems to be a global problem. I see it in many African countries, including my own. We may say that it's a generational ripple effect of colonialism and slavery. It's a point of weakness that's so easy to exploit and yet overlooked that many times other races point it out as the source of all our problems (which it isn't lol). But my point is ......we need unity. The day we gain unity, we will be unstoppable.
Great analysis, Ben. And I'm sorry to hear it's prevalent on the continent. I've been thinking about Uganda all the time and the atrocities we're gonna see happen there in the next 18 months. Which country are you from?
i also found it interesting this week to see people use the language of literal violence ("lynching", "taking him out", etc.) to describe the social and financial ramifications of Ye and Kyrie's actions to advocate full throatedly for them, but then when the conversation moved to Megan actually being shot, those same people (in my world at least) had NOTHING supportive to say about Megan (or people who share her experience) or admonishing to say about Drake (or people who support his ho assery). all this happening in the shock of losing Takeoff this way made it all the more disheartening. like walking around in a Black female body, these antics were both infuriating and really hurtful and triggering this week.
Very packed breakdown, great job, sir 🫡 For me the craziest part about Takeoff death actually stems from Stephen Glover interview for Variety about recent (at the time of the interview) episode of Atlanta in which Paper Boi got into gunfight in the middle of the mall. So Stephen said that this idea of constant danger of being a famous rapper in your hometown is something that they intentionally put in the show from the very first episode. That every altercation might take a tragic turn. And hearing the news about Takeoff after this was just insane. Like Atlanta been on TV for a minute and the things that this show covered years ago are still relevant and it's all very very sad and depressing. And to top it all off Migos had a cameo on the show. I don't know. I still can't fully process Takeoff's death tbh.
YOOOOOOO I forgot about that. That's a wild reference. Thanks for bringing that up. My heart sank reading your comment. Life is wild. We gotta cherish it. I'm actually glad that people are finally pushing back on the concept that hip hop is the problem, I must say. It's so much more layered than that.
@@TheCompanyMan I feel like hip hop is partially to blame. But in the sense that there's exist an audience for all that gang violent people killing part of hip hop and consequently there's a pressure on an artist to maintain this look. "Keeping it real" and whatnot. But it's definitely bigger than hip hop and way more layered, 100%
Right now as a black men i have whip lash. I hate waking up and looking at my phone. Too much bad news. And Drake does not understand black american culture. He saw it on bet and if you think about it that way his moves make sense. I can tell he stayed up for uncut hah. But justin you did it again. Love it.
It's scary to see the number of people who co sign Kanye and Kyrie ... tomorrow the same people while protest about racism .. but co sign "mr slavery was a choice"
Takeoff’s passing hit hard. He was my favorite member and i could relate to his quiet demeanor. Ive lost some friends and family the past few years in similar ways. Where they’re killed because they were innocent bystanders to stupid situations. Im so tired of the gun violence. No ones life should be taken over words.
It’s been a great year for hip hop albums but man, the community is going through it. Takeoff was the most underrated member and it hurts cause the recent album with Q was great. I thought Take was older then me but he was only 28 and I’m 25! It’s sad most artists don’t make it to 30, it’s heartbreaking
@@selmamyspace and drakes hoe ass is only adding insult to injury (no pun intended). And these dusties and mammies that pacify this behavior are the same dumbass people talking about "stop the violence" yall crucify the black woman and deify the black man simply for existing even though most of yall didnt have a father at home or had a really shitty one at best. its weird out here.
Been a fan since your time on HipHopDX. The way you touched on all of the craziness of the last week and pulled it together is masterful. Another great breakdown. Keep doing what you do! 💜
Appreciate the commentary with so much going on. Also appreciate all the work you do even though there's a lot going on in your family too. Wishing the best for you.
The music reflects the world the artists are in, not the other way around... these are systemic issues that the "invisible hand", as Justin calls it, have created and kept these communities stuck in for centuries. Change the conditions and the music will reflect that.
RIP Takeoff. So many key things said here. Idk where to even start, man. Just gotta continue to drive change in our respective communities and hope a commitment to compassionate conduct is the result.
Made himself not have a 'Plan B' so he could put all of his energy in 'Plan A' . That has worked throughout history so I can't fault the man for having dedication. A friend told me "you can either do your best or you can do whatever it takes". #RIPTakeoff
Keep it up man. You always provide the best breakdowns. I think what our community and hip hop needs is a code to function by. We let our past and current mistreatment push us to the point where we only care about ourselves. We need some set of code or beliefs that prioritize our lives and collective success over anything else. Until that happens it’s gonna be more of the same.
A real problem is that we have gotten to a point where DJ Academiks is considered the “one of the biggest voices of the community” especially in relation to individuals such as Marc Lamont Hill. Having a platform doesn’t automatically qualify you for leadership. Other than that, loved the video! 💯
I was sad when X passed, he was a troubled soul and was murdered before being able to redeem himself or make a life for himself....but when Juice passed, I was crushed. It really sat heavy on my soul. It was too much. I remember getting into Pop Smoke bc of my sister, and then he was taken out too. Too much trauma with this genre. PnB Rock getting taken out while having a meal w/his family is crazy and unnecessary. Takeoff being at the wrong place at the wrong time is ridiculous. Something's gotta change.
Lupe said it best: Rappers die too much And the thing about Drake is the fans were checking for his work without the unnecessary Megan bars. Same with the Serena bit too. Just my two cents though
Glad to see you Justin and great breakdown. So appreciative of the hypocrisy pointed out. Popularized hip hop and their players continue to prove they love p*ssy but not women. I wonder how hip hop and the community at large woulda responded if Megan’s fate was the fate of Takeoffs. Shout to Marc Lamont for his position as well. Black women are hoping for their friends, brothers, cousins, fathers and uncles to protect them like we protect them and they protect each other. Ashanti made mention of this in her Angie interview about JaRules lack of back bone in addressing Irvs antics.
Another great video my man!!!!! This video is well thought out and packed full of amazing content and information. Keep showing them why you’re the best!!!!!!!!
So let me get this straight Drake was told to not release the “great career ending PusherT diss track” cuz he needs to be the bigger man. But it’s ok to release a sneak diss that pushing the BS story that Meg is lying about gettin shot. like 4 real Drake. I just don’t get it. 🤦🏾♂️ make it make sense.
@@TheCompanyMan I kno that. its Nonsense & she shouldn’t have to deal with is. Meg is the realist one out all these clowns. I don’t understand how no one in Drake or 21 camp heard that verse & cleared it. Like this all around bad.
I don’t particularly care for rap/hip hop(although I do have my preferences) but I wouldn’t say it alone is responsible for our community. I wouldn’t even say it’s the direct cause. But what irritates me is some folk who act like it has no affect and effect on us. It might not be the cause but it’s not making our community any better the perpetual excuses are insane.
And saying slavery was a choice shouldn't be taken so literally. It's a parallel to "Give me liberty or give me death." Or "If you are afraid to die for it, take the word 'freedom' out of your vocabulary." If we're captive to one ruler for so long, we are in a state of fear, stagnation... acceptance.
This whole thing we used to call community has been twisted long ago. The way things were in the 60’s & 70’s in the black community were so different smh
We had better leaders and the black church was a stronger force back then. The black leaders back then were focused on black pride and collective prosperity. Political equality was only 1 part of their focus. The ones today are not, they're only in it for their own prosperity. The Civil rights leaders and the black panthers were all assassinated or imprisoned, now all that's left are the grifters.
This is exactly why I can't stand when other Black people idolize non-Black communities. Because #1) It's never a fair comparison and #2) There are very real situations in which the Black community remains divided in response. Jewish people are not a monolith and they too have the same internal rifts amongst themselves as other groups of people. Especially in terms of various political ethnic/national and religious identities. For example: The government leaders of Israel have no problem inflicting pain and harm on the same people they used to be in community with I.e. Palestinian Jewish people. Some Jewish people were able to protect some of their interests in America by participating and assimilating in anti-black ideologies. Whatever things Kanye West and others think are honorable in some Jewish communities clearly are not well versed enough to know the historical anti-black foundation of that community that ensured some of its success. I would rather our community look to each other to figure out the best way forward for us rather than trying to assimilate within this idealized version of Jewish identity or trying to target them as our enemies.
Fantastic breakdown. Soooo damn good. Many topics covered but all seamlessly and brilliantly correlated. Awesome. I also find it interesting that hip hop is being blamed for violence when most times the shooters were not rappers anyway. I think Ye and Kyrie are climbing a hill with no prize at the top for the black community. Loving the reparations rally today though!!!! Peace bro!!
I’m nearly begging the entire black community to go listen to that Kendrick album ONE more time… The Heart Pt. 5 too… We need that shit. Not the latest Drake project or Lil Durk. Just being brutally honest.
1. What do the killers of those rappers have in common? 2. Religions can have rules that can unify the behaviors of it's followers toward a common goal. Prosperity, reproduction, etc. 3. Our Black community rules are - Don't Snitch. That may be why so many crimes go unsolved in them.
This is what happens when you have a community thats highly uneducated as a whole and huge sense of entitlement. We spend too much time blaming everything but ourselves and do nothing to change. Thats the reality of it. Those of us who did make it are laughed at when we don’t subscribe to the nonsense of the streets. Its a joke all around.
the thing is its not just Black Americans with a fractured community, I'm in South Africa and the amount of black on black hate is honestly disgusting. you would think Africans in Africa would be united but nahh
Thanks for this piece Justin. It's sort of a sad topic where everyone can't help but talk ourselves in circle trying to avoid blame as much as cast it. More than that thanks for taking quotes from the Piers Morgan interview so I don't have to actually hear that arse talk.
We need to stop giving significance for the arts as a placeholder for progress in our community. Voting, community activism, local government has a greater probability of changing our livelihoods than the thought processes and divides that come from a black celebrity saying the wrong thing. The effects of capitalism are greater on a already fragmented population. To routinely try re-articulate ourselves through social media, and a capitalist industry that props up certain resources of our community (bodies for sport and entertainment) and not for our (conscience and capital) it will only further exasperate the lack of community that is needed to raise ourselves out of this impoverishment.
Our words hold us back in our own community. We talk about killing our brothers, selling to each other the same poison the the government shipped into our communities in the 70’s & 80’s & having future generations dancing to our sins in song. And we wonder why rap artists die younger and younger. LOOK AT WHAT WE PROMOTE!!! The younger generation is paying the price with their life for our words as adults. Our priorities are not on essential qualities of life. Nobody should be listening to gangsta/drill music because it DOES effect people negatively because there is a demonic spirit behind it.
Martyrs of the community whilst denouncing black women? How does that work? Those communities love and uphold their women. Ours doesn’t and that’s why we can’t get ahead
The fact that people like Akademiks is one of the biggest voices in the coommunity is a huge problem in itself.
Agreed… the guy’s critical thinking is pretty limited. So it’s harmful his microphone is that big & loud. Glad I’m in a generation where the only thing I see from him is quotations.
Take that chipmunk’s mic away
You ain't know he da prize?! 😂
@@irresponsibleparent3 😂😭💀
hes such a toxic jerk lmao who let this man have a say in rap
You are the king of this ish, man. This is essentially the type of thoughtful op-ed that our community need more of.
Thank you GJ!
@@TheCompanyMan 100% agree you are the journalism we need, thoughtful and inspiring conversation, big love from the UK Nottingham
Facts
Op-eds wont make any difference lol you think migos fans read?
@@TheCompanyMan I like your vids but it seems like you have fun gaslighting your audience about Kanye. And then don't see any issie with Kyrie's treatment. Its clear your care about black people is a bit less than you do youtube dollars and your brand. Its hypocritical and sad
I think Drake’s grifting of his female fanbase is going to need a similar video to the Kanye pain is profitable video. Since his debut, Drake has always uniquely been able to straddle being a sensitive heartthrob (Marvin’s Room) with being an OVO mafia boss (Headlines). But I think his female audience has always kept his career growing, but then he’s ALWAYS used women as a weapon in his beefs. The first time it backfired was the Pusha T beef, but Drake has used women to boost his ego and sales. And in recent years, he’s shown himself to being increasingly more antagonistic towards women culminating with these Megan subs. This is the first time I’m really seeing black women condemn Drake’s actions (on twitter).
GREAT ANALYSIS! Would definitely make for a great piece
This is true, but drake has a huge white female teen audience now, he would be alright
Drake abuses black women, they disposable diapers and condoms to him.
@@jaimerodriguez1550 wtf lol..is he forcing women to have sex with him?
Drake strikes me as one of those dudes who feels the need to try to be cool for “the guys.” But it’s easier for him to get sympathy/attention/support from “girls” because they don’t care about him being soft.
I could be wrong, but the Megan diss seems like both for attention and bandwagoning.
I love hearing your perspective Justin, your words are always enlightening and insightful. One of the most important voices in the culture
Thank you and likewise brother. Inspired by your work everyday.
Oh shit Blacky watches Justin!? My favsssss
Love seeing this 👊🏾
Justin, you’re really the only voice I wanted to hear on these things at this point. To think that Hop-Hop will be 50 years old next year and it already feels like the party is definitively over. I think Jazz is the only other genre that has a similar rise and fall narrative. Common needs to do an update of I Use to Love H.E.R. at this point.
On another note, I hope things are doing alright for you and your family after your loss.
Thank you KMO. Me and Dad are getting through it day by day.
But just imagine if there was a new I USED TO LOVE HER. SUch perfect timing. Great analysis. Do you think that Rock has followed a similar trajectory?
@@TheCompanyMan I been commenting on the videos since I heard the news, but because I work on Saturdays now, I don’t see the videos until a few hours later and I know you ain’t looking that far in😆
About the comparison with Rock…it’s a bit different. I like to use geopolitics as a good comp: Rock was like the British Empire while Hip-Hop is like the Roman or likely the American Empire. With the British Empire the fall-off was so gradual, but sustained that folks just looked up one day during the Cild War and were like, “shit, what happened?!” While with Rome there was no illusion that things were going to hell fast and the only question was who was going to put them out of their misery (the answer was Odoacer for Western Rome and The Ottomans for Eastern Rome/Byzantium-your boy loves his historical analogies). I say all that to say that we are now in no doubt of Hip-Hop’s decline, at this point it is about slowing it down as much as possible. I remember looking up at around 2015 and thinking, “damn, Rock is dead!” Rock artists are still around, but what made the genre grow and “innovate” is as dead as Kurt Cobain. Taylor Hawkins (drummer for the Foo Fighters) over dosing this year in South America seems to be the death nail.
Hip-Hop is certainly going from the decadent decline stage to the terminal, nasty decline. I’d be afraid to be a new rapper, like wearing a “shoot me” sign at this point. And the toxic paranoia over Megan Thee Stallion (and female rappers in-general) is another sad chapter in-itself.
@@KMO325 the Roman empire is a better example for the slow decline, both east and west. Both were already on the decline before 476 and 1453. I think the Roman Empire is one of the best examples for slow declining empires, it’s just that the climax especially in the Eastern/Byzantine case was very explosive. With the west you could make the argument that it didn’t even really end yet.
@@TheCompanyMan To kinda add my own little sauce
I’ve started listening to more rock/metal music in the last 2 years because of how stale Hip-Hop/Hip-Pop and rap have become. I feel like rock (albeit i’m still new) focuses more on just the music rather than the “character” or the image you portray for the music.
@@iDenosis and rock is still something we as black folks created as well. The issue is that we allow our shit to become wattered down and dont gatekeep our culture.
This is getting tiring. As black men how can we claim we want black women to support us, yet we are constantly making them our enemy number one? The line wasn’t even clever nor warranted plus he _had_ to crossfire Serena for no damn reason. We can’t want better for our community when those who get to forecast our directions in this society have no goddamn sense. Black men, you can’t be a victim and a victor at the same time and for damn sure at the demise of our sisters. There’s way to much work to be done than this foolishness
BIGFAX Kevin. Thanks for the on point analysis
Let’s just point out Drake isn’t black.
@@Aries16603 what we’re not gonna do is this tomfoolery of who’s black or not. Black doesn’t exist arguably it’s a placeholder as a reminder of the transatlantic slave trade and the erasure of our connection to the colonized countries of Africa. This is a dumbass tool of white supremacy that too many of our own are partaking in that has nothing to do with how they treat us. Argue if the man has done anything for the community, but stop this idiotic discrimination. The world is burning. We got bigger issues to handle than skin color
@@theklr what we aren’t going to do is get borderline “retardish”. Let’s not act like we don’t know what black is. Drake isn’t black. It’s not just about skin color, it’s about what he actually is. Bring it back Professor Alain Locke and understand what I’m saying.
@@theklr we get so stupid when identifying black people Vs. Biracial black people. I swear this community is a joke. On that note. I’m exiting stage left because I’m not about to get into a “stupid debate” with you about blackness.
justin really said "drake who had a bar mitzvah and gets to say n****", was literally the funniest shit i heard all year
And it aged like fine 🍷
So glad I happened to stumble upon your channel. I love it!!!
This was it. This was it. This was it.
I literally teared up watching this because you summarized the nuances and the frustrations of it all.
Thank you.
Thank you for watching Rolande. I appreciate the comment and kind words 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Great breakdown as usual, Justin. The way you tied these stories together is excellent. Some of the people featured in this vid could learn a lot from watching it.
That's Love Jim! Thank you! How's your week going? How's the family?
"If we cant check this then what are we even talking about?" this is the profoundly simple starting point... Community will build around this sentiment, around real, grounded, principled love, not icons of material success, not the loudest ones who talk Black power only as an aside after mocking Black death and suffering and only when they have a deal gon wrong or are mad at their ex spouse.
Thank you, Erika. Great analysis.
I wish everyone would hear this. Thank you for your thoughts, heart, and courage Justin 🙏
Thank you, Parker. Feel free to share everywhere!
3 years ago, I decided that never again shall I partake in the public lynching of my people no matter what. The world already has a lot of harshness for black folk. I, as a black man, will not add to it. That being said, we need to do better. Takeoff bothered nobody, he didn't deserve this. Rest in Power brethren!
Well I hope you do it behind closed doors bc these brothers need to get it together and no amount of hate towards each other or another group of historically oppressed peoples will heal our wounds. Communication and putting an end to the madness is the only way to end these cycles
@@shinebabyshine. I do agree, we can scold each other behind closed doors, no more throwing our own to the wolves. I also agree that we as community, have a long way to go. We owe it to ourselves to do better. It starts with the family structure, a kid that is raised right is less likely to fall into this self-destructive behaviours.
The fracturedness of black communities seems to be a global problem. I see it in many African countries, including my own. We may say that it's a generational ripple effect of colonialism and slavery. It's a point of weakness that's so easy to exploit and yet overlooked that many times other races point it out as the source of all our problems (which it isn't lol). But my point is ......we need unity. The day we gain unity, we will be unstoppable.
Great analysis, Ben. And I'm sorry to hear it's prevalent on the continent. I've been thinking about Uganda all the time and the atrocities we're gonna see happen there in the next 18 months. Which country are you from?
@@TheCompanyMan I'm from Zambia. It's in Southern Africa.
When you can, please do a piece (or pieces) on the hip hop scenes on the African continent.
Same in the Caribbean. And Oh to have that unity!! But just what do we unify around???
@@MichaelMarkky345 Our difference and the chance to learn from each other for collective empowerment.
@@benmwaba2735 where should I start?
on point as always. I didn't know that part about Takeoff having a studio first
Thank you.
i also found it interesting this week to see people use the language of literal violence ("lynching", "taking him out", etc.) to describe the social and financial ramifications of Ye and Kyrie's actions to advocate full throatedly for them, but then when the conversation moved to Megan actually being shot, those same people (in my world at least) had NOTHING supportive to say about Megan (or people who share her experience) or admonishing to say about Drake (or people who support his ho assery). all this happening in the shock of losing Takeoff this way made it all the more disheartening. like walking around in a Black female body, these antics were both infuriating and really hurtful and triggering this week.
Agreed
So have you not though about the possibility that meg could have actually lied about the situation?
“Some things will never change.” -2Pac
Very packed breakdown, great job, sir 🫡
For me the craziest part about Takeoff death actually stems from Stephen Glover interview for Variety about recent (at the time of the interview) episode of Atlanta in which Paper Boi got into gunfight in the middle of the mall. So Stephen said that this idea of constant danger of being a famous rapper in your hometown is something that they intentionally put in the show from the very first episode. That every altercation might take a tragic turn.
And hearing the news about Takeoff after this was just insane. Like Atlanta been on TV for a minute and the things that this show covered years ago are still relevant and it's all very very sad and depressing. And to top it all off Migos had a cameo on the show. I don't know. I still can't fully process Takeoff's death tbh.
YOOOOOOO I forgot about that. That's a wild reference. Thanks for bringing that up. My heart sank reading your comment. Life is wild. We gotta cherish it. I'm actually glad that people are finally pushing back on the concept that hip hop is the problem, I must say. It's so much more layered than that.
I didn't even notice that layer of the show and Al's character. Good connection
@@TheCompanyMan I feel like hip hop is partially to blame. But in the sense that there's exist an audience for all that gang violent people killing part of hip hop and consequently there's a pressure on an artist to maintain this look. "Keeping it real" and whatnot.
But it's definitely bigger than hip hop and way more layered, 100%
@@rackett8655 yeah but this is why Atlanta so great. There's always another layer to the story
Atlanta is the goat show!
Right now as a black men i have whip lash. I hate waking up and looking at my phone. Too much bad news. And Drake does not understand black american culture. He saw it on bet and if you think about it that way his moves make sense. I can tell he stayed up for uncut hah. But justin you did it again. Love it.
It's scary to see the number of people who co sign Kanye and Kyrie ... tomorrow the same people while protest about racism .. but co sign "mr slavery was a choice"
Takeoff’s passing hit hard. He was my favorite member and i could relate to his quiet demeanor. Ive lost some friends and family the past few years in similar ways. Where they’re killed because they were innocent bystanders to stupid situations. Im so tired of the gun violence. No ones life should be taken over words.
Keep up the good work the culture needs people like you..
THanks SBK. Love that username.
It’s been a great year for hip hop albums but man, the community is going through it. Takeoff was the most underrated member and it hurts cause the recent album with Q was great. I thought Take was older then me but he was only 28 and I’m 25! It’s sad most artists don’t make it to 30, it’s heartbreaking
I liked his solo album a whole lot too. He was the one I listened most closely for.
This is genius style journalism! Thank you for what you do!
By far one of my favorite hip hop voices. It’s all happening
Excellent video you are one of the most important voices in the culture
Great points all around. My heart breaks over this division and tearing each other down. We’re better when we find ways to unite and uplift.
The Megan line really hurt. Now I get why our sisters feel we don’t protect them.
you're making a thing out of nothing. no one should be exempt from criticism because of their color. nobody's special.
@@selmamyspace you read my comment right? Your response is confusing.
You’re just now getting it?
@@selmamyspace and drakes hoe ass is only adding insult to injury (no pun intended). And these dusties and mammies that pacify this behavior are the same dumbass people talking about "stop the violence" yall crucify the black woman and deify the black man simply for existing even though most of yall didnt have a father at home or had a really shitty one at best. its weird out here.
@@Aries16603 at least he IS getting it
Justin, been here for over 5 years. Your videos always put the greatest issues into perspective, which I always wholly appreciate. Keep being great!
first time watching this. my new favourite hip-hop news show
killed it again man these videos are such great pieces on culture and how people will twist it to fit their own narrative
Lack of community is it! We are fractured. Glad I found your channel
Been a fan since your time on HipHopDX. The way you touched on all of the craziness of the last week and pulled it together is masterful. Another great breakdown. Keep doing what you do! 💜
Appreciate the commentary with so much going on. Also appreciate all the work you do even though there's a lot going on in your family too. Wishing the best for you.
this was quite comprehensive. with gems as always 💎
Thank you Jevon! I appreciate you. I'ma hit you this week for some things.
First time here
.💯 on everything you said
The music reflects the world the artists are in, not the other way around... these are systemic issues that the "invisible hand", as Justin calls it, have created and kept these communities stuck in for centuries. Change the conditions and the music will reflect that.
BIGFAX
RIP Takeoff. So many key things said here. Idk where to even start, man. Just gotta continue to drive change in our respective communities and hope a commitment to compassionate conduct is the result.
THat's the best place for all of us to start. I follow the same principle.
I absolutely appreciate all of your content and dedication to Hip Hop and the bigger picture. Bless you good brother
This is so needed. I want everyone to see this.
Share away!
Another great vid Justin
Amazing as always.
Made himself not have a 'Plan B' so he could put all of his energy in 'Plan A' . That has worked throughout history so I can't fault the man for having dedication. A friend told me "you can either do your best or you can do whatever it takes". #RIPTakeoff
BIGFAX. Plan B distracts from plan A. Well said, KA.
Keep it up man. You always provide the best breakdowns.
I think what our community and hip hop needs is a code to function by. We let our past and current mistreatment push us to the point where we only care about ourselves. We need some set of code or beliefs that prioritize our lives and collective success over anything else. Until that happens it’s gonna be more of the same.
A real problem is that we have gotten to a point where DJ Academiks is considered the “one of the biggest voices of the community” especially in relation to individuals such as Marc Lamont Hill. Having a platform doesn’t automatically qualify you for leadership. Other than that, loved the video! 💯
I was sad when X passed, he was a troubled soul and was murdered before being able to redeem himself or make a life for himself....but when Juice passed, I was crushed. It really sat heavy on my soul. It was too much. I remember getting into Pop Smoke bc of my sister, and then he was taken out too. Too much trauma with this genre.
PnB Rock getting taken out while having a meal w/his family is crazy and unnecessary. Takeoff being at the wrong place at the wrong time is ridiculous. Something's gotta change.
Once I again I applaud you and I thank you for sharing your voice and saying things that need to be said.
Ya boxden brethren class of 04' is here and you are incredibly gifted and a huge fan of your work!
BX ALWAYS FIRST! Thanks for checking the video and the compliment. I appreciate that! Class of '15 Represent. 🙅🏿♂
you never miss and always on time
Thanks Takunda!
As always a super dope video and I’m always following to get your insight on these subjects. Keep it up, homie!
Thanks for posting this. Your platform has the credibility to have this hit differently.
This video popped up and I had to subscribe. This was a great analysis of the past few weeks.
Thank you Beatrice 🙏🏿
Great coverage on this. Top journalistic integrity
With clear and concise news makes this the best reporting on the culture.
“Had a bar mitzvah, also gets to say Nigga”
Well done sir. Outstanding work with this video
Fantastic video man. You and your family are in my prayers. Much love!
Lupe said it best: Rappers die too much
And the thing about Drake is the fans were checking for his work without the unnecessary Megan bars. Same with the Serena bit too. Just my two cents though
Great to see you back at it, man. Brilliant piece as always.
one of your most important videos
Thank you Theno 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Glad to see you Justin and great breakdown. So appreciative of the hypocrisy pointed out. Popularized hip hop and their players continue to prove they love p*ssy but not women. I wonder how hip hop and the community at large woulda responded if Megan’s fate was the fate of Takeoffs. Shout to Marc Lamont for his position as well. Black women are hoping for their friends, brothers, cousins, fathers and uncles to protect them like we protect them and they protect each other. Ashanti made mention of this in her Angie interview about JaRules lack of back bone in addressing Irvs antics.
Another great video my man!!!!! This video is well thought out and packed full of amazing content and information. Keep showing them why you’re the best!!!!!!!!
My brother thank you! This one was emotionally draining for obvious reasons but I’m glad you rock with it. Thank you for everything 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Great watch, Boxden 💪🏽💪🏽
BX Always First 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿
I like your voice and agreed with pretty much everything, new sub here thanks for the content :)
Thank you Nakis!
Brilliant commentary
So let me get this straight Drake was told to not release the “great career ending PusherT diss track” cuz he needs to be the bigger man. But it’s ok to release a sneak diss that pushing the BS story that Meg is lying about gettin shot. like 4 real Drake. I just don’t get it.
🤦🏾♂️ make it make sense.
Why would Meg lie about getting shot when she protected Tory first? Also, you can look at the police report. It's googleable.
@@TheCompanyMan I kno that. its Nonsense & she shouldn’t have to deal with is. Meg is the realist one out all these clowns.
I don’t understand how no one in Drake or 21 camp heard that verse & cleared it.
Like this all around bad.
Great video 💪🏾
I don’t particularly care for rap/hip hop(although I do have my preferences) but I wouldn’t say it alone is responsible for our community. I wouldn’t even say it’s the direct cause. But what irritates me is some folk who act like it has no affect and effect on us. It might not be the cause but it’s not making our community any better the perpetual excuses are insane.
And saying slavery was a choice shouldn't be taken so literally. It's a parallel to "Give me liberty or give me death." Or "If you are afraid to die for it, take the word 'freedom' out of your vocabulary." If we're captive to one ruler for so long, we are in a state of fear, stagnation... acceptance.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 keep doin them mental gymnastics bro 🤡 🤡 🤡
True
@@maxsmart9116 that's a good joke but offers no counterpoint or substance. Make a point.
Your voice matters, too! Don’t ever sleep on yourself! Keep speaking facts!😤
Thank you AC! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
This whole thing we used to call community has been twisted long ago. The way things were in the 60’s & 70’s in the black community were so different smh
Faith is at an all time low. Whether someone is faith based or otherwise, that bound those communities in the 60s 70s.
Things started changing for the worst in the 70s 😔 and it's been a steady decline for some of our communities
We had better leaders and the black church was a stronger force back then. The black leaders back then were focused on black pride and collective prosperity. Political equality was only 1 part of their focus. The ones today are not, they're only in it for their own prosperity. The Civil rights leaders and the black panthers were all assassinated or imprisoned, now all that's left are the grifters.
Keep doing this man. Pointing out the hypocrisy in a fair way
Rename your channel to Philosophy of Hip-Hop or Philosophy in Hip-Hop and it will blow up I swear. Always great content!
This is exactly why I can't stand when other Black people idolize non-Black communities.
Because #1) It's never a fair comparison and #2) There are very real situations in which the Black community remains divided in response.
Jewish people are not a monolith and they too have the same internal rifts amongst themselves as other groups of people. Especially in terms of various political ethnic/national and religious identities.
For example: The government leaders of Israel have no problem inflicting pain and harm on the same people they used to be in community with I.e. Palestinian Jewish people.
Some Jewish people were able to protect some of their interests in America by participating and assimilating in anti-black ideologies.
Whatever things Kanye West and others think are honorable in some Jewish communities clearly are not well versed enough to know the historical anti-black foundation of that community that ensured some of its success.
I would rather our community look to each other to figure out the best way forward for us rather than trying to assimilate within this idealized version of Jewish identity or trying to target them as our enemies.
Thanks for the analysis, Brittany.
Your content is some of the most nuanced and thoughtful on TH-cam.
Thanks Alex 🙏🏿
Another thoughtsful, informative, and compassionate look into a subject we love that can too often lack all those qualities. Great vid. RIP Takeoff
Always the realest takes.
EXCELLENT VIDEO!!! THANK YOU FOR CALLING THIS OUT. 💯💯💯💯💯
This is some 60 Minutes Hip Hop shit f'real... Thanks again Company Man!
Fantastic breakdown. Soooo damn good. Many topics covered but all seamlessly and brilliantly correlated. Awesome. I also find it interesting that hip hop is being blamed for violence when most times the shooters were not rappers anyway. I think Ye and Kyrie are climbing a hill with no prize at the top for the black community. Loving the reparations rally today though!!!! Peace bro!!
Great upload. Can’t wait to hear more from you.
I’m nearly begging the entire black community to go listen to that Kendrick album ONE more time… The Heart Pt. 5 too… We need that shit. Not the latest Drake project or Lil Durk. Just being brutally honest.
Ah finally. I was waiting for your video to be released because it's always insightful and entertaining to listen to. Thanks 🙏🏼
1. What do the killers of those rappers have in common?
2. Religions can have rules that can unify the behaviors of it's followers toward a common goal. Prosperity, reproduction, etc.
3. Our Black community rules are - Don't Snitch. That may be why so many crimes go unsolved in them.
You always come correct...
This was excellent
This is why I listen to Christian rap. You never hear about those guys getting shot.
This is what happens when you have a community thats highly uneducated as a whole and huge sense of entitlement. We spend too much time blaming everything but ourselves and do nothing to change. Thats the reality of it. Those of us who did make it are laughed at when we don’t subscribe to the nonsense of the streets. Its a joke all around.
the thing is its not just Black Americans with a fractured community, I'm in South Africa and the amount of black on black hate is honestly disgusting. you would think Africans in Africa would be united but nahh
Truly one of the most refreshing videos I’ve watched. Earned a subscriber. Thank you❤
Always appreciate your insight
Thanks for this piece Justin. It's sort of a sad topic where everyone can't help but talk ourselves in circle trying to avoid blame as much as cast it.
More than that thanks for taking quotes from the Piers Morgan interview so I don't have to actually hear that arse talk.
Man it’s good to have you back.
We need to stop giving significance for the arts as a placeholder for progress in our community. Voting, community activism, local government has a greater probability of changing our livelihoods than the thought processes and divides that come from a black celebrity saying the wrong thing.
The effects of capitalism are greater on a already fragmented population. To routinely try re-articulate ourselves through social media, and a capitalist industry that props up certain resources of our community (bodies for sport and entertainment) and not for our (conscience and capital) it will only further exasperate the lack of community that is needed to raise ourselves out of this impoverishment.
New subscriber!
LOVE! Thank you!
Our words hold us back in our own community. We talk about killing our brothers, selling to each other the same poison the the government shipped into our communities in the 70’s & 80’s & having future generations dancing to our sins in song. And we wonder why rap artists die younger and younger. LOOK AT WHAT WE PROMOTE!!! The younger generation is paying the price with their life for our words as adults. Our priorities are not on essential qualities of life. Nobody should be listening to gangsta/drill music because it DOES effect people negatively because there is a demonic spirit behind it.
Not only he diss Megan but he also took shots at Serena Williams husband. Smh
Martyrs of the community whilst denouncing black women? How does that work? Those communities love and uphold their women. Ours doesn’t and that’s why we can’t get ahead
Best breakdown in years! Awesome job!
Your videos make me feel better knowing people do think like this still…
your the best hiphop journalist of all time! what u do is art
Damn Justin, as on point as ever. Especially with the lowest hanging fruit analogy. What the hell is wrong with people man.
This is the easiest possible thing. If we can't do that, we ain't real.