In this thought-provoking episode of The Indie Unplugged, hosts B. Vaughan and Brian Onrea dive into the latest events shaping hip-hop culture and music. They open with the topic of Young Thug’s Release and Lil Durk’s Incarceration, questioning whether this marks a turning point for rappers who try to live out their lyrics. The discussion explores the pressures of authenticity in gangsta and drill rap, the risks of using lyrics in legal cases, and the implications of Young Thug's controversial tweet.
Next, they tackle Ari Lennox’s Desire to Exit Her Record Deal with Dreamville/Interscope, debating the pros and cons of airing label frustrations on social media. B. Vaughan and Brian discuss the challenges of signing to another artist’s label, the public’s view of ongoing complaints about record labels, and whether R&B artists like Ari and SZA are being promoted effectively.
Finally, they address a pressing question: Is Hip Hop Journalism Suffering? Reflecting on Kendrick Lamar’s recent Harper’s Bazaar interview, they consider why major artists are moving away from traditional hip-hop platforms. The episode also covers Punch’s perspective from TDE and the BET Awards' surprising choice of Club Shay Shay as the Best Hip Hop Platform, questioning the role of podcasts, media personalities, and bloggers in shaping hip-hop discourse.
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