May 3, 2023
Episode 4: We Need a Board
PLAYLIST
- “I’m A Boss” – Meek Mill feat. Rick Ross (2012)
- Two Dope Boyz (in a Cadillac) – OutKast (2003)
- Throw Some D’s – Kanye West (2007)
- “Made” – Big Sean feat. Drake (2010)
- “Trap or Die” – Jeezy (2003)
- “From Tha G” – Freddie Gibbs (2009)
- “How We Do” (’93 Til Infinity) – Freddie Gibbs (2009)
SHOW NOTES
In 2008, bloggers – who discover, post and leak records with impunity – build momentum. There’s success, copy-cats and egos. Eskay aligns with the best of his competition and starts the New Music Cartel, seizing power from the labels. But there’s a reality: blogs aren’t making money. Eskay takes a big gamble, leaving a dream job at XXL to focus exclusively on NahRight. Just when everyone thinks they’ve got things figured out, the bottom falls out of the economy.
SOURCES
- Hot 97’s Turf Wars – The New Yorker
- Jay-Z Puts a Cap on Cristal – The New York Times
- Eskay thinks up Cristal Boycott
- Drake, a Rapper With Celebrity but No Label – The New York Times
- Minya Oh: ‘I Was Never Gonna Not Want To Listen To This’
- Want the scoop? Check out blogs on black celebs – Baltimore Sun
- “In His Opinion” –- RESPECT. Interviews John Gotty of The Smoking Section