Sure, many of us are weary of the East Coast/West Coast battle. Some of us think that it just was taken to a ridiculous level, causing the focus to shift from quality hip-hop work to cheap shots, from one rapper to the next. However, this concept was one of the most relevant to hip-hop in 1996 and therefore, it must be included in any wrap up that deals with hip hop.
This issue goes hand-in-hand with the death of Tupac Shakur. Whether he is dead or alive, as many seem to believe, he was indeed a leading artist in the hip-hop community across the country and to simply mention his two albums and their monetary achievement disrespects him, his fans and the rest of the hip-hop community. And this point is coming from someone who was never a big fan of the guy.
Third, how can you wrap up the year in hip-hop without mentioning the rapper / R&B artist collaborations that seemed to have grown exponentially? 1996 has definitely been a year of a plethora of collaborations including the Da Brat with Xscape and Mariah Carey; the Lost Boyz, Biggie and Mase with 112; Nas with Lauryn Hill and R. Kelly; Missy and L.L. Cool J with everyone else and, of course, the queen of these collaborations, Miss Foxy Brown herself. Wouldn't you say that this phenomena was even worthy of a sentence in your article?
Finally, I take you back to Foxy Brown. She is only one of the many female artists that were in the limelight this year. Where it appeared yet again to be the year of the woman in the mainstream popular culture; a similar thing occurred in the world of R&B and hip-hop. You take note of the movie "Space Jam," but what is your take on the actresses and artists who featured in the films and soundtracks of "Waiting to Exhale" and "Set It Off?" And I would have to argue that female rap was one of the most noteworthy stories of 1996, but all you mention in your article was Lauryn, and you do so only in terms of the Fugees. Sure, she may arguably be the most worthy of mention of the female rap artists, but we must acknowledge the re-emergence of Queen Latifah, Yo-yo and MC Lyte as well as welcome the newcomers, Foxy, Kim and Missy. They have all created a trend unknown to rap ever before, and therefore, should have been included in your article. A big fan of hip-hop, I only wish to give props and attention where I know it is due. Yes, you made many good decisions in what to include, but perhaps, you could have been a little more open minded and included a little more, for as many points that you did note, there were that many more that may have deserved more notice.
Christine Buendia
School of Art and Design
Thank you, skilled Hatcher staff, for helping me to complete a satisfying project and for expanding the scope of what I can accomplish in the future.
Joshua Davidson
Rackham
Recently, I was engaged in a conversation with several faculty and staff co-workers regarding the accuracy and analytical content of articles written by Daily staff. Time and time again there are articles printed in which no facts are backed up and no research done by the reporter first-hand. The Daily is notorious for misquotes, quotes taken out of context and not covering all angles of the story. During our discussion, one of the staff members assigned the Daily's errors due to the lack of experience and age of its staff.
I was offended that University faculty and staff were discounting the ability of (undergraduate) students to perform and publish accurate and respectable work. Sadly, I could do nothing but nod in agreement. Doesn't your Daily staff want the credibility, recognition and respect of its readers? Where does your staff demonstrate the attempt to investigate and report stories and events remotely close to the truth? Unfortunately, most of your staff will graduate, taking these careless and unprofessional practices condoned by the Daily to hold jobs in print and broadcast media to further destroy the credibility of the news. Why was Bowen's article, which made an assessment of why music group New Edition released an album, based on incorrect information and facts? He clearly did no research on the group. So, my question to the Daily is how can a true reporter in good conscience criticize and bash anyone for their work when your staff doesn't hold the same standards?
As an avid R&B music lover and huge New Edition fan, I must correct the many blatantly incorrect statements written by Bowen in the article. First, New Edition never broke up. Several times Bowen stated that the group broke up since several members of the group recorded solo albums. Johnny Gill and Bobby Brown didn't leave the group where the four remaining members did a great job with the 1988 release of "Heartbreak," making it five members who recorded the album, not four. A trip to Tower Records would help if Bowen needs to count the number of members on the "Heartbreak" album cover!
Ralph Tresvant never left the group either; he merely recorded two albums while the other group members were recording other albums (such as BBD's two albums and Johnny Gill's two of his three solo albums since "Heartbreak"). Bowen said the group never planned to make a reunion album. Wrong! Since the early 1990s, New Edition, the group that never broke up, said they would be coming out with the reunion album and tour in 1995. So they are a year late. To answer Bowen's question, did they record their latest album for money or music? Duh, the answer is both. New Edition never claimed to be a charity group. Did New Edition ever state they were opposed to making money? How many music groups are in the business for the hell of it? The music industry is a business, a money making business for all involved. I don't blame New Edition for trying to get paid off of this album because they deserve it.
Denise McFarland
LSA senior