Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Music news You betta recognize: Ludacris rolls deep
Posted by Rodney Carmichael @Rappin_Rodney on Tue, Aug 28, 2007 at 3:00 PM
Although I couldn't find anybody to go to the show with me last week, I know there are plenty of Ludacris fans out there because they almost filled Center Stage for his free Samsung/AT&T-sponsored show last Tuesday.
Here's a shot of Luda (far left) and Lil' Fate working the crowd:
Don't look for me in the shot, though. I was way at the top in the very last row. The view was actually much better up there — three seats down from me a couple was grinding on each other the whole time. It was almost better than going to the strip club and spying other people's lap dances for free. Almost.
Oh, and Ludacris' show wasn't too shabby, either. He had his Disturbing Tha Peace crew in tow. By the way, Ludacris drops the DTP compilation today, Aug. 28. Here's the cover:
Notice anything?
Lotta damn rappers, right? Now, besides Ludacris (front row, center), Chingy (next to Luda on the left), Bobby Valentino (to his right) and Shawnna (directly behind him), I'd be willing to bet most people have no idea who those other cats are. Every rapper has a crew — Ludacris has one of the biggest — but like most crews, most of the members of DTP have had a hard time distinguishing themselves. Putting all their faces on the cover is an attempt at doing so.
It's also kinda ironic that the name of the album is Strength in Numbers since the success of rap releases has everything to do with the numbers posted in first-week sales. Unfortunately, the lead single, "Duffle Bag Boy," shines the light on guest MC Lil' Wayne more than the two DTP members on the track, who go by the group name Playaz Circle. But it could still pay off for them. Surely, you can't go wrong by putting Lil' Wayne, the "best rapper alive," on your track, right?
Well.
As long as no one is confused about whose track it really is. And in this case, that's almost as confusing as the faces on album cover.
Much luck Luda and crew.
Comments (12)
Showing 1-12 of 12
heyyyy, where is the other member of field mob on this cover? am i over looking him? (see, i know some random rapper from the crew, does that make a true hip hopper?)
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Good eye, I think. Shawn Jay definitely made the cover (front row, far right). I've been trying to figure out if Smoke, the other Field Mob member, is the guy standing 2nd from right on the back row. Kinda hard to tell if that's supposed to be him or not. Both Shawn and Smoke are featured on the album, but only once apiece. And both appear on different songs, which is kinda odd. It's possible that there's trouble in paradise — especially considering Shawnna, who makes an appearance on the album, is no longer a DTP artists. She split on her own accord earlier this year, according to the label. Usually labels aren't in the business of letting artists out of contracts, so her departure pretty much signifies that neither party was happy. Another interesting fact: Her biggest hit during her time with the label, "Getting Some" wasn't originally pegged as a single by DTP. It was only after her management company begin pushing the song in the streets that DTP saw the potential. Can't blame DTP totally, though. It's hard out here for a female rapper. Shawnna's got skills. But even she had to stoop to a song full of sexual innuendo to get a hit. Here's the tracklisting for Strength in Numbers: 1. "Celebrity Chick" – by Chingy, Steph Jones, and Small World 2. "Hot Tamales" by Small World, Chingy, and Serius Jones 3. "Jealous Of Me" by Small World, Shawn Jay, and Tity Boi 4. "Don’t Check Me" by Ludacris, Playaz Circle, and I-20 5. "Windy City" by Block Xchange, Shawnna, and Ludacris 6. "The Game" by Shareefa, Serius Jones, Chingy, and Small World 7. "DTP" by Willy Northpole and I-20 9. "Speakers In the Trunk" by Brolic D and Tity Boi 10. "Let’s Go"(Remix) by Bobby Valentino featuring Lil’ Fate 11. "Duffle Bag Boy" by Playaz Circle featuring Lil’ Wayne 12. "Live On Stage" by DTP Family (including Small World, Brolic D, Playaz Circle, Smoke, Willy Northpole, and Ludacris) 13. "Act Like Us" by Playaz Circle, Serius Jones, and Willy Northpole 14. "We Ain’t Worried ‘Bout U" by Ludacris
Correction: The lone female on the cover behind Ludacris is Shareefa, the R&B singer signed to the label in 2005. On a bit of a side note, I've always wondered what the crew members of rappers like Ludacris do to make a living. How do all those guys signed to DTP really make money? They certainly aren't feeding themselves off of these compilation appearances. Besides Chingy, Bobby V and Field Mob none of these crew members have proven to have viable solo careers. The first DTP compilation, Golden Grain, came out in 2002. The second, Ludacris Presents... Disturbing Tha Peace, came out in 2005. Strength in Numbers drops today. That's a once every few years average. So what do these guys do in the meantime? Do they have day jobs? If so, what kind of day job can you really hold down as a sometimes-rapper? Let's see, there's rapper-slash-waiter...rapper-slash-bodyguard...rapper-slash-real estate agent? Hey, it's possible in Atlanta. Just ask Ronnie Devoe (formerly of New Edition and Bell Biv Devoe), who recently opened his independent real estate firm, Devoe Broker Associates, LLC.
Ok, last thing about the cover. That photo proves the ratio of men to women in hip-hop really is 15-to-1. Oprah's probably gonna run with that.
ok, so it looks like we have found the biggest DTP fan/supporter...aaaaand the award goes to...... you, mr. music editor!!! thanx for the uhh..education about the DTP crew! Nope, that is not smoke on the back row, he's smaller than that. And thanx for pointing out the difference between Shawnna and Shareefa...I never really knew the difference...it would be nice to have real female emcee's today, some that talk about more than just "givin' some..givin' givin' some.."
Believe it or not, I'm not much of a DTP/Ludacris fan at all. I did buy Luda's first album, and I think he's one of the greatest punchline rapper's ever. But when it comes to rap crews, I'd probably rate DTP near the bottom of the barrel. Shawnna and Field Mob were the best thing DTP had going for itself. And what, besides getting and giving head, would you prefer female MCs talk about nowadays?
1st,... thanks for correcting your error that is Shareefa NOT Shawnna... Miss her though! Next, that is not Smoke in the 2nd row that is I-20. Clearly your not a big fan...lol
now, now, mr. music editor...i hope you are not insinuating that women can only rap about things such as "giving and getting head"... i'd love to hear a female rapper spit about the strengths and struggles that we endure and how we can overcome with the use of our minds and the expereinces that we have encountered throughout our lives. i'd love to hear a female emcee talk about her feelings regarding the injustices of the world, the love that she has to give and recieve and how she so freely does, or hey, if she has issues with doing so,that would be cool to hear. i'd just love to hear a female emcee use her mouth piece for more than the obvious! i guess that is why i have a love for soul music, those ladies talk about some real stuff that i can relate too! ~and hey, ludafan1, thanx for identifying that guy who is obviously not smoke!
Glad to hear from a Ludacris fan. Hate to blow Smoke (get it?), but I've gotta correct your correction. I-20 is actually the dude standing to the left of Shareefa. So, Smoke's identity in the pic remains a mystery.
well, since you obviously take such a deep interest in the DTP family and you know all of their information...i'm sure you'll find out where he (smoke)is, now wont you? why dont you go do some research on the next real female emcee that uses her mind , instead of her body, to make a statement while you're out in search of the mystery of the missing smoke!
woah, jaytee... Actually, I'd love to hear females rap about the topics you mentioned, too. Definitely wasn't insinuating otherwise. I was sincerely asking to get your opinion, since the opinions of women are so rarely heard in rap music today. When I have one-on-one conversations with women, I often hear the same refrain. But it does make me wonder whether you ever support the female MCs that do talk about something other than getting/giving head. Have you ever listened to Jean Grae or bought one of her CDs? There are female MCs who rap about other stuff. But if you're expecting to hear them on V-103 or 107.9, you're going to be disappointed. Commercial radio is only going to play music that sells, so in this case your purse speaks louder than words.
My bad... you guys did say right! lol sorry! But trust me I know who they are! I could name them for you but your the one with the pay check not me! And Smoke is NOT in the picture for obvious reasons. As an music editor you should already know why! But, if you don't...I wont be the one to annonce it to the world... or at least to the people who read from this site. The albumn is good! If you don't got it.... get it!!!
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