The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place - lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good - so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email [email protected].
This Week's Rapper: Shostoppa
This Week's Prompts: Reader Mailbag
Ask A Rapper: We're plumbing submissions from readers this week. Let's get it moving.
Question: Big Sean or J. Cole?
Shostoppa: Even though J. Cole is a more lyrical artist, I personally would have to go with Big Sean because I feel as if we have similar personalities. I mean, I'm serious about my music but at the same time I'm here to have fun doing what I love to do.
AAR: Is Drake's cover of Juvenile's "Back Dat Azz Up" the worst cover ever? Or is the best?
S: I wouldn't say it's the best cover ever, but it was pretty damn good. I thought it was very creative how he paid homage by taking a Cash Money/Juvenile song that's over 10 years old and putting his own feel to it which brought that record back to life.
But what caught my attention the most was that even though he used half of Juve's verse, it still felt like I was hearing a brand new song even though I already knew the words. Only Drake can do something like this i mean look at what he did with June 27 ("November 18").
AAR: It looks like the NBA will be cancelling the season. How many players become temporary rappers? And who's got the best chance at being any good at it?
S: Being that I'm a huge NBA fan, I hate the fact that the players and owners can't reach an agreement. But aside from that, I'm betting that over half of the players will have a record label started before the end of the year.
Nah, but I really think Lou Williams for the Philadelphia 76'ers is pretty good. Heard him on a record with Meek Millz called "I Want It All" which was dope. Lets just hope Kobe and Shaq don't start back rapping. [laughs]
AAR: The best rap song of 2011 thus far has been? Why?
S: This is a tough question because 2011 had some great songs, like "Monster" by Kayne West and "6'7" by Weezy. But i think the best song of this year has to be "I'm on One" by Drake, Wayne, Rick Ross, and DJ khaled because when it dropped it really had people feeling like they was on one. I mean, I liked the song so much that I was writing to it before i even got my hands on the instrumental.
AAR: The worst rap song of 2011 thus far has been? Why?
S: As far as the worst rap song of 2011, I honestly don't have an answer because if the song made it, to me that means someone liked or believed in it enough to put the funds behind it and try to bring it mainstream. But I can say that I'm feeling some records more than I am feeling others. V-Nasty's freestyle at Andy Milonakis' house was one of the worst and most disrespectful things Ive ever heard. [laughs]
AAR: The one guy that just needs to stop rapping forever is...
S: [laughs] Wow. I really can't think of a rapper that needs to stop rapping because regardless of how good a certain rapper is or isn't, they all serve their purpose in this industry. And the crazy thing is, currently personality has more to do with music then the actually music does. Good thing I have both. Jussayin'. Swag.
