Urban Magnate » Contributors

Magnate Compromise: Hood Golfing

Magnate — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:28:42 +0000

Times are changing and clever alternatives will eventually start springing up. I haven’t had a chance to blog as much as I wanted to because I don’t want to contribute to the speculation that is causing this meltdown. So I have decided to come up with alternative ways to enjoy rich amenities and exclusive luxuries. To start this new tradition, Magnate Compromise starts with “Urban Golfing.” This series covers the new league and introduce you too the fun you can have golfing right on the street. No longer do you have to play basketball with a crate. See, for most who have been privileged to play golf, even before Tiger Woods know, its up to $150 – $300 a day for an 18 hole course. For some, they never even got a chance to locate thier local course or “been” allowed, this is a good way to start.

Hit up Ebay or your local Thirft Store for a club or more between $5 – $50. A can of tennis balls and you got yourself a party. If you get good you can scap up some cash on some local competitions, “White Men Can’t Jump” Style. Check out this video for more information.

GOOD: Urban Golf @ Yahoo! Video

Damn It Feels Good To Be a Banksta, by Tatsuya Ishida

Magnate — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:27:41 +0000

ILLUSTRATED COMIC BY Tatsuya Ishida | SINFEST

State of Music: Clive Davis Edition

Magnate — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:53:48 +0000

Clive Davis sits down with Billboard to discuss the state of music. Straight from the source, mentioning the strength of the business minded team; the benefit of a strong A&R crew, and other things keeps labels successful during these times. This guy is like the Warren Buffet of music.

A good read on the mind of Clive Davis:
Clive Inside the Record Business

Hip Hop Ain’t Dead, Just The Marketing

Magnate — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:44:29 +0000

While I was in New York the other week, getting lost of the 2 & 3 shut downs, I had the opportunity to really “listen” to Erykah Badu’s latest album, “…4th world order.” If anyone knows about Erykah’s albums, she makes them like a thick magazine, you hear something new every time and understand something deeper per listen. The new album might go over a lot of “neo experts” because she basically puts them on blast too. No grease but, in “The Healer” she puts in words, what I’ve been feeling since really getting into the Hip Hop culture. Besides shouting out to Dilla (tear shed).

After the third listen, I caught something. She mentions Hip Hop Ain’t Dead Yet. Having a lot of time contemplating that, I would “see” the culture on the trains and around me. I realized, Hip Hop can’t go anywhere because its as embeded in urban culture as islam is in Palestine. As Christianity is in Texas. It has its down moments but, it cant leave. Indie hip hop, is probably at its highest point ever. The marketing of “what your suppose to like,” on the other hand, not the same. For the longest I hated those, “This is garbage, that is garbage” type of fan. I’d look at all of them and think, just because you wear a blazer and rap, don’t mean you don’t fall into a cupla of a pimp cup artist either. I actually like artists that are proud of who they are and not “pose.” Speaking of the sorta, while in NY I was proud to hear more down south music on the radio in NY…shocking actually.

When you look at artists like Clipse and the Stone Throw crew, Sa-Ra Creative. These are people who without question, stay true to themselves, creating a lifestyle…that can only be branded..them.

Yes, there are one hit wonders but, most of the deep rooted culture artists, stay relevant because the is a message behind their meaning, far from a fad. Yes, some artists get more awards, more radio spins but, most don’t have concert go-ers after 5 years. We see how week the Hip Hop response is for Lollapaloop de loop. I’m talking about the kinds of artists that teens are afraid to like, in fear of being different, sorta liking the norm, only be proud about their taste in their 20′s. The list, will have you believing that Hip Hop’s best are not influenced by the same company that owns…everyone. Those decisions are marketing at its best but, the culture has taken back its stance. Hell, look at the Beastie Boys. They stayed true and because an art-house themed culture that helped plateau hip hip via punk, they are icons til this day.

Is Hip Hop dead? Erykah might be right, its a trick question. Its too big and deep in to many hearts to die. “I Used To Love Her”, “The Message”, “Imaginary Player”, “The Healer” truthful anthems that I will always think about when my belief in the culture waivers.