In the absence of new Lauryn Hill songs I got to thinking about what makes me crave something new from her. I concluded that it’s the fact that her old stuff was so multifaceted. In my opinion, many female mc’s have not come close to the depth of Lauryn Hill’s verses. Here are the 3 verses that I think were the best Lauryn Hill verses of all time (so far). These are not necessarily her best songs. This article contains my opinions.

#3 Guantanamera (Album: The Carnival)

Although it’s from Wyclef’s album, this verse is, in my view, one of the best representations of Lauryn’s story-telling abilities. This verse tells the story of a woman who gets what she wants from the world and plays by her own rules. She says:

She was a rose in Spanish Harlem,

Mamacita, beg your pardon

Made stakes at a faster rate than she fornicates

Pure traits of genius,

Goddess of Black Venus

Crab ni**s angry cause they can’t get between us

to no selex-ion, smooth complex-ion

The lexicon of Lexington, parents came from Cuba, part-Mexican,

pure sweet, dimes fell to her feet

She liked Movado, and shook her hips like Delgado

And broke ni**s down from the Grounds to Apollo

and then some, she took her act sent it to Dim Sum

And waited patiently while the businessmen come

Call late on purpose, got even politicians nervous

And made plans to infiltrate the street secret service

This gentle flower, fertility was her power

Sweet persona, Venus Flytrap primadonna

Que sera que sera she turned dinero to dinera

Here, Hill’s use of cadence (selex-ion as opposed to selection), imagery (shook her hips like Delgado), and word-play (Dim-Sum… businessmen come) is what makes this verse so special. This one is self-explanatory so let’s move on.

#2 ‘Final Hour’ (Verse 2)

In the second verse of ‘Final Hour’ Lauryn gives us insight into her goals for her music. If we pay attention we catch a glimpse of her early aspirations. She says:

I’m about to change the focus from the richest to the brokest

I wrote this opus to reverse the hypnosis

Whoever’s closest

To the line’s gonna win it

You gonna fall tryin to ball

While my team win the pennant

I’m about to be in it

For a minute

Then run for senate

Make a slum lord be the tenant

Give his money to kids to spend it

And then amend it

Every law that ever prevented

Our survival since our arrival

Documented in the bible

Like Moses and Aaron

Things gon change, it’s apparent

And all the transparent gonna be seen through

Let God redeem you

Keep your deen true

You can get the green too

Watch out what you cling to

Observe how a queen do

And I remain calm readin’ the 73 Psalm

Cause with all that’s goin on I got The Word in palm

The entire Final Hour song is obviously about “the last days”. That’s not what makes it one of the best Lauryn Hill songs or verses. This is one of Lauryn’s best verses because it encourages us to examine our lives with a view toward later having to answer to a Higher Power–something rarely seen in hip hop. Here Lauryn seeks to shine the light on the righteous whether they be poor or not. She wants to ‘change the focus from the richest to the brokest’ but later says ‘you can get the green too..watch out what you cling to’. She also seeks to ‘reverse the hypnosis’ that music undoubtedly has on people by making her music meaningful enough to wake people up.

Her reference to the 73rd Psalm is particularly interesting because that scripture discusses shunning worldly things in favor of a closer walk with God. This is what she means when she says ‘you gonna fall tryna ball” and proclaims to have “The Word” in her palm. Also, Lauryn’s declaration that she’s going to run for senate is particularly telling. It makes me speculate as to whether she still has any political aspirations.

#1 ‘Ready Or Not’ (Remix)

Now for the best Lauryn Hill verse of all time– Hill’s verse on the Ready or Not Remix. It goes:

If I could change the times, make rhymes, raise the babies

Give all the pigs rabies

Send biting n*as to Hades

Clothe young ladies

Chase the rainbow, find the pot

Free the third time offender once he learns to make Selaat

Lose the fame, take the money

Play boys–just like they done me

Find a man with a plan

Slap a chicken if she act funny

Break the bank, own tank

Stop n**as from acting stank

Take over, give out free Rovers

Teach a man to find Jehovah

Own the stores, own the tours

Watch the record pimps and whores

Make love, stop the wars

Cop the land, like the Moors

Make the last be the first

Make the god respect the earth

Change the murder rate to the birth!

This is almost like Lauryn Hill’s own version of ‘If I Ruled The World’ (the Nas song that she sang the hook on). It’s almost as if she wrote this verse for that song. In any case, here we see Ms. Hill being political, vulnerable, smart, human, and clever all at once. From the proclamations indicating that she is a Christian (“teach a man to find Jehovah”) to the respect for other religions (“make Selaat”, “Cop the land like the Moors”, and “make the god respect the earth”–a 5-percenter reference) she demonstrates supreme depth while revealing her humanity.

Her references to the murder rates, and stopping the wars indicate that she is a peace-loving person (at least when she’s not ‘slapping a chicken’). Her references to owning stores, giving out free Rovers, and ‘taking the money’ show an acknowledgment of the capitalist system, but in the context of the rest of the verse, the listener understands that this is not the typical materialism usually witnessed in hip hop. Furthermore, her reference to giving ‘pigs’ rabies shows that she shares the widespread disdain for the police within the hip hop community–an interesting way to make an oft-referenced point.

Another aspect of this verse that makes it so wonderful is Lauryn Hill’s proclamation that she wishes she could ‘lose the fame’. This gives us insight into the fact that even back when the Fugees recorded The Score, Lauryn Hill was uncomfortable with the limelight. This could provide insight and could have even served as foreshadowing of Lauryn Hill’s eventual retreat from the public eye. All of this is what makes this the best Lauryn Hill verse of all time.

Lauryn Hill’s impact on hip hop is undeniable. Hopefully she will return to hip hop and give us some more great verses.

In 1994, Mecca USA burst onto the fashion market while rap music was also making its own stand. The timing proved to be fortuitous for both. Mecca Clothing quickly became a wardrobe staple of hip hop rappers and the urban youth who were looking to these artists as inspiration. Instead, of trying to create clothing to suit office, evening or other areas; the brand has firmly established itself as the line representing sporty, casual and street wear.

The driving force behind Mecca USA was Mike Alesko and Tony Shellman. Mike Alesko is well known in the fashion industry, creating not only the Mecca Clothing brand but International News, the Seattle based company that would later spawn Mecca. Tony Shellman is a hip-hop fashion innovator who also cofounded Encye and the Parish Nation clothing line. Their clothing line took design inspiration from the birthplace of hip-hop, New York City.

With New York City serving as their fashion muse, the line took on a rugged and raw edge, giving wearers an instant statement making look. The line quickly evolved into the “uniform” for inner city youth. By the end of the decade, Mecca USA’s appeal was not limited to a city audience. Instead, increasing numbers of suburban youth were looking to Mecca USA as a way to express themselves and identify with the rap musicians they wanted to emulate.

The brand made its way into malls and major department stores, getting the attention of those who had previously only been buying mainstream labels such as Tommy Hilfiger and Polo Ralph Lauren. Over the years, numerous celebrities have worn the line including. The Mecca clothing expanded its base, making its way into Europe, Asia and all around the globe.

Mecca USA has always focused on denim wear. Originally only offering designs for men, such as baggy unique-pocket designer denim jeans, trendy foil printed tees and high-quality hoodies. Reversible jackets, airbrushed tees and polo shirts were also popular. Today Mecca USA has further extended its audience with clothing suited to girls and women. The line for girls is called Mecca Girls and features sequins, rhinestones, skirts, tops, pants, and outerwear among other items. The most successful extension of the company however, has been Mecca Femme.

Introduced in 2002, Mecca Femme is about cutting edge innovation. A mixture of urban street wear with high-fashion looks and European inspiration, creating a unique look that female fans of urban wear have flocked too. Mecca jeans is popular with men and Mecca Femme has similarly staked a claim in this arena with women.

The Mecca Femme brand jeans feature a blend of cotton and spandex to create a figure hugging and pleasing silhouette. The jeans have quickly become a favorite among urban women because it is fitted to curvier body types. Female celebrities have also quickly flocked to buy them.

Unlike other hip hop clothing lines that rely on high prices in order to show their “quality” Mecca USA has always been affordably priced. Making their clothing accessible to everyone and keeping consumers loyal and coming back for more. Though the prices are low, quality has always been a major part of the brands identity. High-quality materials are used to showcase screen printing, prints, special stitch treatments, foiled logos and other signature looks.

Mecca Clothing has paved the way for other hip hop related brands such as Sean John, Rocawear, Akademiks, Phat Farm and Ecko. Since the beginning, Mecca has been firmly rooted in the hip hop industry and there is still a cult following for Mecca USA among those seeking attention getting street wear.

What types of DJ songs are you looking for? Are you looking for songs to please a bunch of your friends at a house party? Are you looking for songs to DJ an extravagant wedding? Are you a DJ looking to spin songs at a packed dance club? In this series, DJ Songs, I will be addressing questions any type of DJ may have regarding how to find songs for their specific event. If you are looking to be a club DJ, the world is your playground (as long as the “world” has a good beat). There are millions of songs from all around the world and of different genres composed for different types of Clubs. Club DJ’s have the flexibility to be whoever they want to be and create a beat-mixing style that is unique by combining songs they love with creative DJ’ing techniques.

As a club DJ, the songs you choose to play will determine what type of club you want to play in. You can be a TOP 40 DJ (playing the dance songs that are most popular on the radio), you can play hip-hop, rap, house, and trance songs, or you can even be creative and record your own beats and spin your own beats at the clubs. What type of club do you see yourself playing in? Go and visit different clubs in your area and see which styles of music you like best. Some of the BEST club DJs combine all different types of songs, including their own beats. I can’t tell you what to play. What I like, you may not like. I personally don’t like mixing rap songs or trance songs, so I don’t search in the genre of rap or trance when looking for songs. My advice is to go to iTunes (or where ever you find your music) and look up certain genres of music that you like.

Once you have your songs, experiment with them and listen to which songs mix well together. Once you get yourself set, you may want to learn how to create your own beats using computer software like Reason, Ableton Live, Frooty Loops, and even Garageband. Stay tuned for more great DJ tips and techniques! To recap, becoming a successful club DJ is all about finding the right songs that you love and your audience will respond to. first, think about what type of club you want to DJ at. When you decide that, search for songs and begin your journey as a successful club DJ.

Warning: This article is an analysis of the movie Magnolia and contains many spoilers.

Everyone who has watched the much-praised film “Magnolia” undoubtedly walked out of the theater with maybe a feeling of awe, but most likely an overwhelming confusion over its ending, especially the scene with the shower of frogs.

A key aspect to interpreting the true meaning of this film lies in its many references of Exodus 8:2 from the bible. The most obvious reference was in the scene right before the start of the Quiz show. A woman is seen holding a sign that clearly has the words “Exodus 8:2” written on it, but is promptly escorted out of the audience by security.

Below are other examples of references to the numbers 8 and 2 in the movie, as listed in the trivia section of imdb.com

o weather forecast: 82% chance of rain

o a gambler needs a 2 in blackjack but gets an 8

o the coil of rope when the boy commits suicide

o the first temperature reading

o the movie poster at the bus stop on Magnolia Blvd

o the placard on the hanged convicts

o Jim Kurring’s box number at the date hotline

o Sydney Barringer’s mother and father’s apartment number is 682

o the forensic science convention starts at 8:20

o Delmer Darion flips over a stack of cards to reveal the 8 through 2 of diamonds

o right after Jim Kurring sees Donnie Smith climbing up the building, you can see a flash of a sign on the side of the road that says “Exodus 8:2″ (it’s visible again when the frogs fall and hit Kurring’s car)

o the number on the firefighter’s plane.

o in Marcy’s mugshots, her criminal record number is 82082082082

o in the bar scene there is a chalkboard with two teams, the frog and the clouds, the score is 8 to 2

o spray painted on the cement as graffiti next to the boy.

o member of the game show crowd holds a placard with Exodus 8:2 written on it

o the kids were two days away from entering their eighth week as champions.

o Quiz Kid Donnie Smith won his 100 000 dollars on 28 April 1968

o The first two numbers of the Seduce and Destroy Hotline (1-877-TAME-HER) are 82.

o one of the hanged men has the 82 on his clothes

o Jim says he gets off work at 8:00, and Claudia suggests they meet 2 hours later for a date

And here is Exodus 8:2 –

And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs.

Another important piece of the puzzle comes from Dixon, the young boy who raps to Jim after his discovery of the murders. The following is an excerpt from Dixon’s rap:

Check that ego, come off it, I’m the Prophet,

You’re living to get older with a chip on your shoulder.

He’s running from the devil, but the debt is always gaining,

When the sunshine don’t work, the good Lord bring the rain in.

Dixon calls himself the “Prophet” but he could be interpreted an extension of god. He takes Jim’s gun after it was lost, yet during the frog shower, the gun falls from the sky along with the frogs – a sign that the boy had some control over the events.

The second and third lines of the rap are warning Jim that he’s living to move higher (“to get older”) yet there is something burdening him. Dixon is telling Jim that what he is doing isn’t right and warning him to stop. However, Jim doesn’t listen to the rapper just like how the Pharaoh of Egypt did not listen to Moses. This message is not only meant for Jim, but it also symbolizes the wrongness in the lives of all the other characters. The last line warns that if God is ignored, he will bring on the rain.

An important key note is that the characters all admit their wrongs but can’t seem to get past them. Claudia, for example, is addicted to cocaine but can do nothing to stop, Linda feels terrible guilt for cheating on Earl and attempts to take her name off his will but can’t, and even Earl uses his final breaths to admit his mistreatment of his son and wife and pleads for forgiveness from Frank but he does not receive one.

The rain of frogs signifies God’s wake-up call to everyone. The rain of frogs – the extremely strange, almost absurd situation – was a way for God to tell everyone that they have done wrong and sinned. However, the shower is his message that he is always watching over the world and can intervene to help when help is needed. After the rain of frogs, the characters appear to either make peace with their problems and have succeeded or, in the example of Jimmy Gator’s death, failed. This shows that although god is there to help, not everything always works out perfectly and there are always the ones who are punished instead of saved.

Please note that this is not an official interpretation and the scene of the frog shower is among the most debated topic in the movie world. Accept my interpretation at your own discretion and form your own opinions on the matter, which is most likely what the writer P. T. Anderson had intended.

Many people say that breakfast is your most important meal. And it’s probably true because you need to have a good start after sleeping all night. Breakfast helps get you going for the day.

But it’s essential not only to make sure you eat breakfast but also to eat the best breakfast possible. So here is a list of, in my opinion, the seven best things to have for breakfast.

1. Fruit. For example, bananas, grapefruit, oranges, apples, even watermelons. Fruits contain lots of fiber and help with weight loss.

2. Vegetables. Though most people don’t think of veggies as a true breakfast food, they are really very nutritious and contain lots of fiber. Veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and beets can be made into smoothies to have for breakfast.

3. Eggs. Over the years, eggs have gotten a bad rap about cholesterol issues. But really, eggs are very healthy for you. They contain the “good” kind of cholesterol that doesn’t raise people’s cholesterol as feared by many. They have protein and are pretty filling. Plus, there are many ways to prepare eggs, as you probably know.

4. Yogurt. Yogurt is easy to eat because it comes in those little cups you can purchase at the store. Greek yogurt is quite nourishing, as it contains protein and helps with weight loss. Many Greek yogurts contain fruit mixed in, but make sure the yogurt contains live cultures, which it should say on the label.

5. Oatmeal. Another breakfast relatively straightforward to make, and there are many different kinds to choose from. Oatmeal contains fiber, which can help give you that full feeling for much of the day. It is also helpful in lowering your cholesterol.

6. Whole-grain pancakes. Waffles are also good, even French Toast. Another very easy to make breakfast, as many brands come frozen and can be cooked in a microwave or toaster oven. But try to avoid sugary syrup; you can top waffles or pancakes with fruit, yogurt, or preserves.

7. Sandwiches. Yes, sandwiches can be part of a nutritious breakfast. But the bread should not be that cheap white bread; it should be a brand that says 100% whole grain. The sandwich can be peanut butter and jelly, but in both cases, please read the labels. Peanut butter should have only nuts and either salt or oil as their ingredient, nothing else; they are more expensive, but they are worth it. Jellies or preserves should also only contain fruit.

Bonus item: Coffee! There has been much discussion these days about whether coffee is healthy or not. Generally speaking, it’s OK to have a cup for breakfast, but no more. And make sure you have a food item to go with it, as mentioned above. Finally, be careful with adding too much cream or sugar to your coffee; try fat-free milk with it and very little sugar.

Starting your day with a healthy breakfast that does not include foods like bagels, doughnuts, and the like can give you a significant boost to your morning, as well as the rest of the day.

For Eminem 8 Mile is a fictionalized autobiography with some killer freestyle rap battles. I’d like to take a few minutes and highlight my favorite punchlines that occur during the various battles and explain why those lyrics are so powerful in the movie.

Outside the lunch truck: “Your style is doo doo… You’ve worked here longer than me I make more than you do!”  followed by “Check this out yo yo, He cashed his whole check and bought 1 ho ho!”

“I’ll crack your shoulder blade and hit you so hard Elvis’ll turn in his grave…”

“So sue me… This is a horror flick, but the black guy doesn’t die in this movie”

“Is that a new bra? Look, Snoop Dogg got a boob job!”

These lines bring a smile to my face every time I watch 8 Mile. So what is it that makes these lines especially powerful, and how can battle rappers improve their punchlines? As you’ll notice, every punchline mentioned here has a few elements in common:

They’re specific. Whether it’s making fun of someone who’s broke or whose shirt is too tight, these punchlines only work on the person they’re thrown at. This is why they work so well; we all have heard a million “Yo Mama” jokes, but as we’ve seen Eminem (aka B. Rabbit) and .other rappers in the film do time and time again, specifics are what win the day.

The punchlines are also well delivered. They each have a pause between the set up and the punchline. Like a heavyweight boxer, it’s important to combine a strong one-two punch to knock out opponents. Eminem is a well known freestyler, who took second place at the Freestyle Olympics (which got the attention of Dr. Dre), and most of the actors in 8 Mile freestyle as well. Their smooth delivery is no accident; for maximum effect, they pause so the audience can really understand where they’re taking the lyrics.

For Eminem 8 Mile as a film is a chance to demonstrate his artistic skills, rically and on screen. For those who have seen the bonus DVD battles, you can certainly attest that he can freestyle battle with anyone on 8 Mile! He was able topple random MC’s who were chosen to be extras on the film because they beat everyone else. If you haven’t seen the DVD bonus, I highly recommend it.

As for rappers in movies, which do you prefer? Eminem 8 Mile or 50 Cent: Get Rich Or Die Trying?

OJ da Juiceman (born Otis Williams Jr.) is a man who fulfills many roles. At the age of 26, he is a rapper, member of the rap group 1017 Brick Squad, and founder of vanity label 32 Entertainment, which he has used as an outlet to release several mixtapes. Growing up in Atlanta, GA and parented by a single mother at first, mixtapes were far from his mind. OJ da Juiceman was shot eight times as a result of an unsuccessful drug deal before his music career could even begin. However, he lived in the same apartment building as rapper Gucci Mane. Eventually, their relationship would result in musical partnership. It wouldn’t be long before his mixtapes gained recognition, but such an event was still a few years away. After graduating from high school, he became a successful member of the United States Naval Academy. However, Williams strongly desired to combine his philosophical musings with musical ability and begin his career as a rappr. Ultimately, he shared his artistic vision through musical collaboration and mixtape alike.

OJ’s credits grew steadily until he had accumulated over 15 mixtape contributions with various rappers in the industry. With such a solid list of work to his name, surely many aspiring rap artists count OJ Da Juiceman Mixtapes among their own music collection!OJ da Juiceman worked hard at his craft until he had released over a dozen mixtapes. Many of these were partnerships between famous DJ’s such as DJ Drama and DJ Smallz, just to name a few. Once it seemed certain that his mixtape had reached the hands and ears of his target audience, OJ da Juiceman made an effort to further establish himself in the rapping world. 2009 was a particularly busy year for him as he not only signed to the Asylum Records label, but also founded his own record company, a vanity label known as 32 Entertainment. His debut album, “The Otha Side Of The Trap” was released under Asylum Records and contained both new, and previously released mixtape tracks. It also featured a collaboration with OJ da Juiceman’s former apartment neighbor, Gucci Mane. OJ da Juiceman further solidified his reputation in the music industry when offered his talents to tracks featuring R. Kelly and Jadakiss.

Through 27 years of being an avid hip hop fan, I decided to compile a list of the 50 baddest white boys to every hold the microphone. I know sometimes the white rappers gets a bad rap! This article and list is my personal opinion, but I think it’s a pretty spot on list. This is in no particular order and I couldn’t put EVERYONE on here, so I used my best judgment from mainstream music to the underground.

Again this is in NO PARTICULAR ORDER! Just a list of 50.

1 Eminem – hate him or love him, he’s insane lyrically and one of the greatest rappers ever!

2 Slug – again…hate him or love him he’s insane lyrically and one of the greatest white MCs ever!

3 EL-P – tremendous MC. End of story…NO wait! Maybe top 3 white mc’s of all time!

4 Cage – started out as a dope MC, now he’s even better than that.

5 Copywrite – anyone need a dope punch line? Ohio’s shining son!

6 MC Chris – nerd? Yes! Skills? Yes and he’s also pretty entertaining

7 Necro -The Devil with a mic! Necro took Horrorcore to another level!

8 Adeem – From mc battles to albums, Glue is the man. Great live performances also.

9 3rd Bass – lest not forget our history people! The first to put Vanilla Ice on Blast! Pop pop goes the…

10 Aesop Rock – In the conversation for top 3 best white boy’s ever!

11 Diabolic -Complete arrogance, can back up every word he spits! Battles or Wax!

12 Sage Francis – The John Lennon of Hip Hop. Dynamic, creative and one of the best ever!

13 Vinnie Paz – Yes he has mad skills and may actually possess the mind control of a JEDI!

14 Okwerdz -Battle rappers can’t make music? He is starting to change that tide & help bring Cali back!

15 Apathy – Wizard on the mic,. Witty, Rugged, whatever needs done. It gets done!

16 Ill Bill – Necro’s brother, what do you expect besides sick wicked rhymes on the mic!

17 DZK – Mr. internet earned his fans 1 at a time, the old fashion way! When he’s on, it’s beast mode!

18 Haystak – Earned all of his stripes the hard way. Many years & many albums. Also MANY Fans!

19 Eyedea – Wow! From the humble beginnings of Scribble Jam to pristine albums! Eye is the man!

20 Beastie Boys – once again lest not forget our past! Some true classic albums under their belts!

21 Mac Lethal – They rap in Kansas City? Brilliant delivery and song writing! Not to shabby at battling either!

22 Jamie Madrox -The illest lyricist on Psychopathic records! He’s no gimmick! He’s got skills for days!

23 Esoteric – Creative, witty, true lyricist.

24 The Saurus – Battle raps galore. Some good songs also. Helping pave the fresh coast’s comeback!

25 Lil Wyte – Selling over 250,000 indie, of his debut album without marketing! Game over!

26 Dirtball – Now officially a member of KMK, he will continue to dazzle fans with solid material.

27 Ra The Rugged Man – This man is always underrated! He is a true beast!

28 Grayskul – Maybe unknown to some of you, very skilled MC.

29 Ryu – Demigodz- He and the rest of his crew just simply murder microphones

30 Mini Thin – What are they putting in the moonshine in West Virginia? This hillbilly rapper melts mics!

31 Celph Titled – Often overlooked & underrated, He’s a complete package of pen & delivery. A credit to FL.

32 JoJo Pellingrino -Haven’t heard from Joey in awhile, but he’s put out a lot of solid material in NYC.

33 Alchemist – Producer extraordinaire and blazes the mic with heat also.

34 Blaze Ya Dead Homie – another solid artist from psychopathic. Never sleep on this guy!

35 Remedy – White boy in the Wu Tang Clan? Nuff said!

36 Big B – Great MC who has carved a very nice lane for himself. Truly talented! A left coast gem!

37 Illmaculate – One of the sickest battle MC’s to ever live and his songs keep getting stronger!

38 YelaWolf – The only guy in Alabama making noise and it’s LOUD! He’s got skills & wit for days!

39 Prozak – Strange Music! How can you argue with any of the skills coming from that camp!

40 Kno – Cunninlynguists- Versatility, Humor, Stage Presence and kills the mic!

41 Evidence – Dialated Peoples- Impressive Skills all the way around. Solid resume & rep!

42 Bubba Sparxxx – Haven’t heard much from him lately, He did have is day though. Truly talented.

43 Asher Roth – Please don’t judge this guy on his first album. His freestyles are better than that!

44 Iron Solomon – NY Battle Don! Some solid tracks and commanding presence!

45 Non Phixion – If you don’t know, then you have you been hiding under a rock!

46 The Streets – The only non- U.S. member of the list. (UK) Some people don’t get it, I Do!

47 Boondox – The Scarecrow of Georgia, When he’s on, the track gets murdered & it’s psychopathic!

48 Yak Ballz – Terrific delivery, punches, and comedic flow. Great MC.

49 Paul Wall – Mr. bling grill put out some solid material, Haven’t heard a lot in awhile, had his time though!

50 Kottonmouth Kings -The West Coasts Version of ICP but hey rap a lot better & get a lot higher!

So that’s my list of the top 50 white MC’s. Some you assuredly know, some you might be sleeping on, I promise everyone on this is top notch and deserves a listen or an album purchase. I’d appreciate comments and anyone else’s insight on who you would add to the list.

Please stay tuned for some future articles of mine, the worst rappers of all time! The top 10 lyricists of all time, The biggest flops albums of all time and the top 10 female MC’s of all time!

Marketing your instrumentals is a very important strategy for any hip hop producer. Unless you are related to a platinum artist, then it is very difficult to get your music heard by the right people. Luckily for you, with technology where it’s at….marketing your beats to the world could not be cheaper or easier.

Local & Social Networking

Sign up for the big sites such Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Use these tools to connect with other producers and rappers to build your business network. Connections will get you the opportunities you need, but you have to network with the right people. Tweet about your new beats, post download links on your MySpace and create a Fan Page with Facebook. “Viral” marketing is a strong force online so makes sure you use all the tools available.

Locally, let your friends and family know that you produce beats and are looking to sell some. People gossip, we all know that, and this gossip can work in your favor.

Hot Blonde: “Did you know that Ed makes beats?”

Hot Blondes Friend “Really, well my brother works for a major record label…”

BOOM – opportunity knocks. Success is all about creating and capitalizing on opportunities.

Music Profiles

Build your brand! Once you have your brand then promote this by participating in hip hop forums, commenting on blogs linking back to your websites and most importantly create your music profiles on websites like SoundClick, DMusic etc. there are hundreds so I would suggest to save some time and focus on SoundClick to start. Put together a demo of your favorite tracks you’ve made and upload them online.

I actually want to talk about Soundclick specifically for a minute because this is one of the best sites to upload and sell your music online. It’s free, full of your target market (rappers looking for beats) and believe it or not – some big name MCs surf Soundclick looking for their next hit. You have to make yourself assessable, that is a key component to marketing your beats. Wherever you advertise your music – have a contact reference. You don’t want to miss an opportunity because a rapper who likes your beats can’t find your email.

So often some types of businesses get a bad rap. We all know how the neighborhood water hole can get a bad rap from a fight in the parking lot turned totally bad. But this can happen to a relatively simple family business as well. Take a bowling alley for instance where the late night skateboarders and loitering teenagers turn it into a graffiti menus, parking lot drug sales area and a business associated with troubled youth.

It does not take much for this to happen, soon the leagues are weary and the families stop coming or allowing their children to go bowling and then sales drop. To overcome such potential eventualities it maybe necessary to really work extra hard on creating some excellent community goodwill and promoting a robust public relations campaign.

Perhaps a bowl-a-thon to help a local youth raise money for a bone marrow transplant or raise money for a very popular in town non-profit groups. Bowling alleys can help generate money for youth organizations, by donating 20% of the sales for one night and allow the group to help spread the word, invite more people and generate huge amounts of word of mouth advertising. Public Relations for Bowling Alleys is possible in the community and the opposite of good PR could drive them out of business. Consider this in 2006.