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It may not seem very long until 2008, but for an artist with a single on the radio, and another one that's trying to climb the charts, it may seeem like an eternity. That is the case for former Rough Rider Eve. Eve's next album, "Here I am" was initally set to release in August (as stated by Eve on BET's Access Granted for Tambourine), and has been pushed back every month since. Sorry for all of those tambourine shakers that were ready to pull them out and shake away, looks like you'll have to hold them until 08.

Saturday was a very busy day for BRiSON & the rest of the A. We couldn't make Big Tigger's events, nor could we get tothe finale party for the infamous Club 112, but we were on deck for Boost Mobile Rock Corps' 2nd annual Gotta Give 2 Get concert series at the Fox Theater. This concert isn't the only concert where American currency isn't even good enough to buy a ticket, but it is the only concert that still makes you earn the right to attend. In order to step foot in the door you must first offer four hours of your time completing community service at one of the many projects held by BMRC around the city; projects include painting, gardening, and other duties that are always needed at various shelters, food pantries, and community centers around the US. Participants had to log on to www.boostmobilerockcorps.com and select the service project of their choice, once the service was complete each participant recieved one ticket to one of the only concerts that who's purpose is way bigger than mere entertainment. Performers included Rich Boy featuring Keri Hilson (of The Clutch), Rick Ross, Huey, Eve, Lil' Wayne, and Busta Rhymes; headlining the show for the 2nd year was Atlanta's own Young Jeezy. If you missed the opportunity to get out there and lend a hand, log onto the BMRC website and get involved in a surrounding state; it's well worth the experience!

Stay posted to BRiSON throughout the week for interviews and footage from the BMRC media room!!!

POSER OR NOT?

One artist wasn't named on A-Town's BMRC concert's roster, I'm not even sure he was confirmed to perform...it was very obvious he wasn't there for any positive publicity, as he was a little camera shy before the show. Can you guess the face behind (or really in front) of the faceless rapper??? Maybe all of the recent Atlanta features gave it away...POSER

I have a problem with people hating on others success.

We see people doing things that we want to do but may not know how or just fear reprocussions for our actions. When we see others do it, we like to compare ourselves to them in a way that makes us look better. Though I have always supported Eve as I am from Philly and watched her rise to promenance, she has fallen victim to hating.

When interviewed in the newest issue of Giant Magazine, she gives this critique on the current state of hip hop:

"For me it all started with [D4L’s] ‘Laffy Taffy.’ When I first heard that song on the radio, I just knew it was a joke, but then I kept hearing it. Every artist has the right to do what they want, but I don’t believe in making that kind of music. It’s disposable.”

She goes on to state “... it’s not that I’m so profound, rhyming about when Jesus came down or anything, but I take the time to sit down and make sure my words come together so they sound right and flow with the track."

I really have an issue with people that use this logic. D4L' s "Laffy Taffy," does not claim to be anything other than what it is: a party track. Hip Hop has historically been a genre that has had a sense of humor. Music that makes you want to dance or introduces new dances have never had to be lyrically verbose or complex because the message being communicated is simple. Not simple in the sense of diminished value, but rather in the sense that often less is more.

We cannot judge an artists' route to success, and Eve's trashing of D4L's musical efforts is unnecessary and certainly reveals her current disdain for the music industry, which becomes evident in the tone of her comments throughout the article. How can you be upset at how Laffy Taffy was a smash success breaking records for downloads and ringtone sales?

Is it because you are on Aftermath with the legendary Dr. Dre behind you and you still cannot seem to generate the buzz you would like?

Just a thought, because Eve has never been known as a great lyricist herself. I'm not knocking her skills. It's just that her statements about lyrical creativity would carry more weight with me if an artist like MC Lyte said them. Feel me?

This underlying tension about the south and southern rap artists current hip hop success oozing from certain artists certainly feels like some cannot accept that they no longer are on the pulse of what's hot. That's not to say that they don't have the power to evolve their own sound and regain the prominence they once held. They certainly do, and artists that are smart will realize that, regardless of the speak that hip hop is dead and the unfounded arguments that artists today make cheap music, the fans pick what is hot.

If I see someone obtaining the success that I crave, instead of critiquing them to find where I can make myself look better while making them look worse, I would humble myself and learn from them. There are reasons that D4L is hot and Snap Music, though often unclaimed and denied by even by some southern rappers, should be appreciated for what it brings to the current hip-hop scene. Personally, with all the tragedies and crises our world is currently facing, there is nothing wrong with making music that makes you want to dance.

I thank you, D4L for your contribution to music and I stand up as fan.