Jay Z once rapped that “New York been soft ever since Snoop came through and crushed the buildings.” Well maybe, just maybe, he’s right.
Trinidad Jame$ had no fear last night, when he got on a New York stage and said that the South runs New York. His exact words were, “Every nigga that’s really poppin’ out of New York, he might as well tell you he from Atlanta.”
Rocky? French? Ferg?
Trinidad said this all on a stage in New York and left the building in one piece. Sure I get it, New York’s not the same. Kendrick Lamar is the king. (Guess Jay Z, Nas, and Puffy don’t count, because no one ever talks about THEM when they talk about New York).
That was some trill shit Jame$ pulled off. Tha Dogg Pound tried that once in 1995. They came to New York City and did a video straight disrespecting the city and their trailer got shot up for their antics.
What Trinidad Jame$ did last night was real, and most of what he said was true: but will a New York rapper step to the plate and do something about it?
Since we’re keeping it real, Jame$ is talking about A$AP Rocky and French Montana – because those are the two dudes who are popping right now – and I’m waiting for a reply from them.
But if those dudes are rapping over Down South beats, then that’s what Jay Z, Noreaga, Nas and a bunch of New York rappers have been doing for years!
Trinidad Jame$ might make New York stand up, because they can’t take an insult of this size from “da nigga with the teeth who can’t rap.” But then again, as much as New Yorkers would like to think that NYC is still the Mecca – it’s not.
New York rap is the 2013 New York Knicks, the 2013 New York Giants, the 2013 Iron Mike Tyson.
Sure, we used to be the ferocious champs people were scared of, but now we are just a shadow of our former selves who occasionally do something entertaining just to wake up with a hangover. It’s time to worry about something while we are on the A-Train.
During New York’s reign at the top, Cali fell off and came back. Atlanta fell off and came back. New Orleans fell off and came back. Chicago fell off and came back, and now New York is faced with that same task – but it’s not going to be done by letting people come into your house and tell you you’re slipping.
Now is the time when we need a NY emcee to step up and put out a hit. Not just some hot bars over a grimy beat your boys in the hood think is hot. It’s time to flood the streets like 50 Cent once did, and take the crown! It’s time to do something other than make struggle rap that the masses will never hear.
In the words of the one emcee from New York who I think can bring back New York hip-hop:
“You gotta step in that ring like listen I’ll pound Mike. You gotta step on that court like I can hold down Mike.” – Joell Ortiz
~ Blog Xilla Follow Me On Twitter
Xilla is the Sr. Entertainment Editor for GlobalGrind.com as well as CEO of the number 1 relationship blog BlogXilla.com/M2TB.com. He has been featured in XXL, The Source, Essence, LA Times and is considered one of the premiere bloggers in the industry. Follow him on twitter @BlogXilla
