What's upper?

Somethings to Ponder: Sleeping w/ Artists and Lap Dances

By Davey D

By now most of us have heard about the drama over at The Source Magazine, with co-founder Benzino resigning and then un-resigning. That in itself has caused folks from coast to coast to talk. Initially Benzino noted that his ongoing beefs with ‘the machine’ (Jimmy Iovine of Interscope records) and Eminem have taken away some focus from Hip Hop’s Bible.

We can discuss the pros and cons and issues surrounding that in another column. However, the thing that caught my attention was the serious allegations of sexual harassment being levied at the Source by two female employees. One of them is former editor and Chief Kim Osorio.

A couple of years back she made history as being the first female to head up a major Hip Hop publication. Her arrival on the scene inspired a lot of folks especially women who felt and hope that she would move the magazine in a direction that would bring critical perspectives and unheard female voices to the forefront.

For many this did not happen to the degree that they had hoped. Kim spoke about this during last weekends Feminism and Hip Hop conference in Chicago. She sat on the industry panel and expressed regret that she didn’t try harder and to a degree got caught up. She was also brutally honest about her limitations at the magazine and that she often found herself having to put desired articles on the back burner or completely scrap them. Her biggest challenge was balancing what she ideally wanted and what she felt some of her readers wanted with the ‘Business” (i.e. what was brought and paid for or favors and relationships that had accrued).

Well, to make a long story short, Osorio upon filing her lawsuit and charges with the EEOC, suddenly found her own character called into question when publisher Dave Mays fired back and accused Osorio of sleeping with several high profile artists while in her position.

That charge immediately got folks talking with many stating that if this was true then homegirl was totally unethical and foul. ‘That’s why I don’t read the Source no more” said one prominent writer (who will go unnamed) during an internet Instant Message IM conversation. He seemed to think that Kim was sleeping with folks and then going around and giving them high album ratings.

I thought about that for a minute and told my boy he was 1- not being realistic and 2-was applying a double standard. On the unrealistic part, I pointed out that we are in a business and profession called the music industry and folks are going to hook up from time to time. That’s only natural and when dating and hollering at folks you are more than likely gonna pull from the circles you travel.

Actors date other actors, politicians hook up with others who are in the political world and music people date music people. We don't trip that Angela Jolie hooks up with her fellow actors or Julia Roberts hooked up with her camera man or Wesley Snipes got down with Hallie... Why are we tripping when music biz people hook up with music biz people?

Don't give me a song and dance about who can do what and for whom... In the entertainment field all relationships can be used for one's benefit if flipped right. Where we draw the line about ethics has always been murky-from day one. Me buying someone a drink that later shows me some sort of love can be construed as unethical.

Me going out to a meet and greet where they ply us with good food and good liquor can be seen as unethical. And yes me dating someone in the industry who later down the road is in a position of power or influence can be seen as unethical. It all depends on how you wanna look at it, cause the music biz is like any other business, its not what you know it's who you know, and all relationships at some point in time get exploited for personal and professional gain.

With that being said let's go back to dating and hooking up within the industry. We’re in a business where it causes havoc on most relationships where your other half doesn’t fully understand because she’s not in the biz. Long nights, constant club hopping, concerts, off the wall hours, and constant travel, can really only be understood by someone who lives in the same world.

Over the years I dated females who worked at labels, fellow journalist, some who worked at other radio stations and on two occasions other deejays. I can cite numerous examples where others have had similar scenarios. What I described is not usual. And too be honest for the most part, the fit has often been good, cause my partners at the time ‘got it’. They understood the business and we didn’t have any of the drama that Guru rapped about in his classic song ‘Lovesick’

The other thing I pointed out was that in the case involving Osorio it’s been made painfully clear to the public at large that nothing is going down in the magazine unless the publishers (Mays and Benzino) approve. Hence let's say that Osorio or any other female slept with a rapper does that mean her ‘biased’ or tainted opinion could be showcased within the magazine’s pages without Benzino or Mays giving it the green light. I think not.

We can take this a step further, how should we read this if an artist with a banging body like Trina walks in and she gets hollered at by Benzino or Mays? Is she is in a catch 22? After all if she gives in to the advances she said to be a 'ho trying to sleep her way to the top'. He she don't give in, can we honestly say her 3 mic rating could've been a 4, but cats don't take rejection well. Do we charge Mays or Benzino or any other cat that approaches with being unethical for merely approaching? Lastly can they ever approach and holler at an artist if you're a journalist or radio person? I tell you this, if I see an artist like Trina on a beach with a bikini editor or no editor, if I think I have a chance I'm gonna holler. Why shouldn't I?

Back in the days when I dated someone who was working at a label or promoting records, it didn’t mean I was on the air the next day playing their artists. Sure I might take a second look or a second listen etc, but at the end of the day you don’t jeopardize your job and there were always people above you who could chin check any impropriety.

At the end of the day all of us our adults and we get to see, date and sleep with whoever we want. If folks find others attractive, they are gonna talk, and they may eventually hook up. It happens in all professions. Let's not let the folks who work in a business where we sell sex all damn day suddenly get high and mighty and bent out of shape when someone engages in the activity we promote 24/7. One should not be judging too harshly unless you don’t having your own hole card pulled.

With that being said, let’s look at the double standard. If an editor sleeps with an artist which in turn implies the inability to be objective and do their job, how is that any different then the dozens of music conferences I attended where the record labels straight up take us to strip clubs, pay for lap dances and on a few occasions when conventions were held in Vegas, cats were taken to brothels like the Mustang Ranch.

If you were higher up the food chain and held a key position like music or program director or mix show coordinator you might find yourself at the Playboy Mansion, the VIP Room of the Hustler’s club or you might find yourself on a special flyaway to one of Uncle Luke of the 2Live Crew’s famous sex parties. If you’re really special you might find yourself in a fancy hotel suite where you get a late night visit from finest felines the city you are in has to offer.

Of course all this is done in the name of entertainment. It’s explained off by many within the industry as us going out for a few drinks and dinner and then more. But the bottom line is this-what I described is standard in the music industry. If it's unethical for an editor like Osorio to sleep with an artist then it’s just as unethical for any of us who play or write about music to be hanging out at industry functions having record labels pay for lap dances and other 'sexual' fun.

Ask anyone who is worth their salt. Ask any mix show deejay etc if he ain’t ever been to a conference and some major label promoter has not taken him and his crew out for some adult entertainment. At the end of the night when all is said and done and the ‘cum stains’ have dried (I don’t mean to be crude-but lets keep it real), what do you think is expected from that label cat?

Ding Ding Ding -You got it right- He wants his record played. He paid for your sorry overweight, no real game having ass to have a lap dance in the hottest strip club in Miami, Atlanta, Puerto Rico or Vegas in exchange for you to bang the new Foxy Brown, 50 Cent, Redman or Lil Kim record. And since were on the subject of keeping it real, let’s be honest and point out that not all lap dances and nights out at the brothel are being paid for by men in the industry.

I have quite few female friends who had to pull out a big wad of crisp 5s and 10s so that popular deejay can get his lap dance. What’s even crazier is that nowadays as more and more female deejays are coming onto the scene, they too wind up having to tag along with their male counterparts to these same strip joints just so they can network and be on the scene and in proximity of some of these key individuals both on the radio and record side of the business. For those who never smelled the coffee, in the music industry, adult entertainment at night is the equivalent to businessmen going to that expense country clubs to play golf on the weekend.

Now back in the days, journalist who wrote for magazines were rarely invited to these decadent industry gathering, but over the past few years that’s changed. Quite a few no-game having writers have gotten a few lap dances...

I mention all this to ask, do you not think their judgment is slightly impaired by such activities. If anything I think there’s more damage done than an editor like Kim Osorio who is dating a rapper. One is a relationship the other is an under the cover exchange for specific favors. In exchange for Record label X paying that J-Lo look alike to give you a 30 minute lap dance where you get to lick her body parts, we would like you to play that new J-Lo record during your next mix show or give her some love in your next magazine column.

I hardly doubt the Editor and Chief of a major magazine like The Source was calling up a popular artists like Method man and saying , Dude come over and hit it and I will put you on the cover. When you consider that cover stories are big business in the publishing world, somebody at that place is gonna be asking for their loot before anyone is on the cover whether he hit it or not is irrelevant in the way business gets done on that level of the game.

Remember we are in an industry that celebrates sex, drugs all in the name of rock-n-roll and today rap... People hook up from time to time cats need to get over it. But the ultimate bottom line to all this is who Kim or anyone else sleeps with has nothing to do with sexual harassment and the serious issues around it...

Illvibe is puttin' on their "Battle Of The Illest" DJ Battle here in Southern Cali, this May 1st. The event takes place at the Venitian Palace (6740 Corbin Ave) from 4pm-9pm (tentative time). It's an all ages event with agrand prize of $500 to the illest dj! Guest judges will be: Still Will (KCAQ-Oxnard), Mega-Man, Nasty-Nes (RapAttackLives.com), King Tech (Wake Up Show), DJ Buddhabong (SolOfHipHop.com) and Truly OdD (Power 106-L.A.). Scheduled to perform are Strange Fruit, The Pharcyde & Chino XL featuring showcases by Presto-One of RockSteady & Malik Yusef. For more info contact Stephanie Ojeda online at: Stephanie@BungaloRecords.com or call: (805) 212. 6157...

As Rap Attack predicted, Reggaeton is blowing up everywhere now. Yo, on that tip, get ready for this HOT reggae jam by Faze featuring Busta Rhymes & Elephant Man "Yipi Yadi O" (DangaZone Ent.). This is an instant radio & club hit & our Rap Attack panel will get serviced with the exclusive vinyl this week. Everyone else stay tuned as we continue to break new Hip-Hop first! Also thanks to our mixtape reporter from da Bay, DJ Icewater, I got hipped to this phat new Hip-Hop banger by Messy Marv "Get On My Hype" (Sumday Ent.). This track brings back some of that old school funk & west coast Hip-Hop flava missing in a bunch of the rhymes that are out these days. I'm really feelin' this Bay Area artist. To get laced, holla at my homegirl, Veronica Mendez over at Sumday Ent. online at: vmendez@agumusic.com or call her at (415) 282-4466... Happy to see Steel City's Frank White back in effect with his new joint "These Streets" (White Cloud Records). Make sure you peep his mix cd "The City Is Mine" as DJ Cadillac cuts his ish up & remixes some of his joints adding some dope Hip-Hop flava to it... North Carolina ain't sleepin' as ethemadassassin gets ready to drop another single right away with "My Nature" (R. Steel Ent.). Lookin' forward to see this kat make more noise for us!... It's good to see Canibus back in effect with his new track "Mind Control" (Gladiator Records). Sounds like Canibus may hit the mainstream radio audience with this tight single. What grabbed my attention was how he flipped the late 80's dance diva Laura Brannigan's classic "Self Control" sample! For copies hit up Double J online at: doublej@trilogyonwax.com or call (718) 349-2328... SRC is makin' lots of noise with my fav track by Akon "Lonely!" Make sure you peep the newly released single by Grandaddy Souf featuring Get Cool "Run It!" This track is catchy & should do some damage on dj's wheels... I'm feeling the new Pack Fm "Stomp" (QN5). The B-Side is the one that I'm really puttin' my stamp of approval on " Complex Simplicity." Peep out more info on this below as we take a "What's Upper" look with Darin Gloe from TheHipHopShow.com... This weeks pick hit is the new Struggle-Pac joint "Twirk Something" (Tavon's Ent). One listen & you'll hear why. Log onto their site for more info at at: www.struggle-pac.com...

Here is our new address for 2005 to send material for review, etc (vinyl & cd's)! Same address, just a new Ste. number:

 RapAttackLives.com

4750 Kester Avenue, Ste. 11

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Attn: Nasty-Nes

Rap Attack takes a "WHAT'S UPPER" look this week with:

Darin Gloe (THHS.com): "The team of Darin Gloe (CEO) and DJ Episode otherwise known as Late Night Promotions are back!!! After a short hiatus from the promotion game, the fellas will be mailing out some very dope projects. First up is the Pack FM "Stomp" b/w "Complex Simplicity" 12". The 12" features Last Emperor and Many Styles and is produced by Tone Deff. This is a limited run, but by now most of the DJs should have the mp3, send feedback on this joint and we'll make sure you get a 12". The second project coming your way is Radix featuring JS-1 and Mr Eon. Radix is part of the Abstrak Recordings camp along with Quite Nyce, who you might remember from the "Nice Like That" 12" a year or so ago. Finally, Biggup and Elijah will be coming at you with an all new 12", you will remember them from the highly positive and well received "United We Stand" 6 months ago. Just when you thought we went away, we are bring you the heat. If you need anything from us or the artists, hit us up at: details@latenightrecordpool.com and thanks for all your support"...
 

Chela (WXDU-NC): "Everybody's buzzing right now about the situation at The Source. After Kim Osario filed for Sexual Harrassment, Dave Mays came back and put Kim on blast for sleeping with a few rappers in the game during her stint at The Source. My opinion on that is, whatever she elects to do with her free time is her business. Whatever she CHOSES to do is up to her, and yes people might talk, but that's her decision. Sexual harassment is always uninvited. Unfortunately in this game and in this society what Dave said holds weight and might change peoples perceptions of her. I see that as extraneous information and a low blow, trying to distract people from the real issue at hand. I feel like she brought a lot to The Source as the first female editor and I hope new opportunities open up for her to continue to make an impact on the game. Big shouts to Sean for hooking up the Clinton Sparks interview this past week. He's definitely one of my favorite DJs in the game right now, and the interview was dope.Congratulations to Spectac on getting married!"...

Nate Abney (WKDU-PA): "Yes Yes Yall. Ya man is back after a typical week of action for yours truly. Of course the squads are winning so that keeps my interest. Pat Burrell is hitting the ball (and I guarantee steroids ain't involved). The Sixers won a game without AI (what)and so on and so forth. A lot of Hip-Hop last week in Philly. DJ Premiere killed it Wedneday at the 5 Spot, playing all classics that he made ofcourse. It was a fun time and most important it was free. Big up to everybody I ran into Wednesday night. If I start naming names it would take too long. Thursday night the Blastmaster rocked Grape Street Pub. Yours truly was there but this was a little different. As many of you know I work at that place Chingy talks about in that song (Holidae Inn). Towards the end of my shift none other than the Blastmaster comes into to the lobby saying Fellas. I asked what time he goes on and he responded by putting me on the guestlist. As i sat and waited for Krs to come back down,his temple of Hip-Hop crew came in to pick him up and asked if I knew how to get to the club. Of course me being the walking roadmap that I am I say ofcourse. I was asked to lead 5 cars to the venu from the hotel. The most unexpected surprise came as we were leaving a knock on my passenger side door and it was none other than Chris Parker himself saying I'll ride with you. The conversation in the car was very much Hip-Hop oriented and more of awe on my part because I told him there are only 5 emcees I will wait in a lobby for (RAKIM, KRS, SLICK RICK, KOOL G RAP, GZA). One of the most memorable quotes from Krs was did I have anything to document the moment, and of course I did not but I said you can tag my insurance papers if you want. He politely declined and referred to the Sound of the Police. I told him about the song my group did with Last Emperor and his was like well where is it, and I said by the end of the night you'll have it (Which he did recieve). Backstage at Grape street was hot, Bootcamp Click and Busy B were in the house and being only one of a few people to stay backstage between sets after securtiy kicked everyone out was cool too. Can You believe they were trying to kick out Dru HA. It was great night and one I won't forget for a long time. So until next week peace"...
 

Edgie Kokoski (WUNH-NH): "I don’t know about where you live, but here in New Hampshire the weather cannot pick a direction to go in. On Saturday I actually sun-burned my face and then today I came out of my office to find it snowing. I need the weather to get warm so that I can get on with my summertime activities like wiffle ball, outdoor drinking, cigar smoking, meat grilling, and ripping the bikini tops off of girls playing volleyball a la the “Nuthin’ But A G Thang” video. Okay, everything except for that last part. The judge makes me stay at least 200 feet away from girls. But I’m appealing it! Bad week for Benzino as he not only resigns from his position at “The Source”, but is also slapped with a sexual harassment lawsuit by several former female staffers. Benzino vows to press on, but creating a new magazine that “has my voice which represents the little guy.” I wonder if it will feature other artists like Benzino that have a 6 month advertising build up of 4 magazine ad pages per issue that result in 10,000 units being moved. Now that’s gangsta! I feel bad for Da Brat as well. First, she lowered herself to appearing on VH1’s “The Surreal Life”. Then, according to allhiphop.com, apparently her birthday party was ruined this past weekend by a brawl. Apparently Jermaine Dupri cut a bunch of kids who were waiting their turn to use the ball pit and the Chuck E. Cheese staff kicked out Da Brat and the rest of the So So Def posse before the robots had a chance to sing Brat “Happy Birthday”. Too bad"...

Lee L'Heureux (WRED-ME): "Max Brown will be taking over my position & reporting status for WMHB effective now. Here's Max's updated contact info:

WMHB / Max Brown

4000 Mayflower Hill Drive

Waterville, ME 04901

Office: 207-872-3686

Cell: 917-647-2915

email: mfbrown@colby.edu

mp3 email: shivwell@hotmail.com. Also, I'll be reporting for WRED which is also a BDS station. We play a lot of indie records so people should continue to service me there. Note: Please remember that after 8 years of doing charts my man Max Brown has taken over at WMHB. He is reporting to both Rap Attack and Rap Network. He's a good guy and excited to get involved. Note 2: As of this week I'll be reporting an independent Top 30 for WRED. WRED is in Portland, Maine and is a commercial BDS station. I do a new music show on Sunday night that, very much sounds like a college show. This is very highly rated in the market and a great outlet for your artists"...

DJ Lazy (WMNF-FL): "SOOO Many Good Records Right Now!!!! The charts are literally bursting with dope stuff competing for space! Get at me if you don't see a record that you sent. Artists and Labels get at me if you wanna come to Florida for a show!!!!!!!! Or do an interview on the air! Here's my info:

 WMNF 88.5

online at www.wmnf.org

Hip-Hop flavors c/o Lazy

13105-A National Drive

Tampa, FL 33617

cell # 813-416-2102

Kazzeo (KHDC-CA): "This biggest thing for me this week was the birth of my "niece" Candace Anoush Taylor Madoyan. She came into the world Friday, April 8th at 9:45 am weighed in at 6lbs. 3 ounces. Can you tell I'm happy? That doesn't happen too often. LOL. She joins her brother Niko and mother Baby C in this world. Shouts out to Lee & Double J at Foundation Media for always bringing the heat. The Kardinal mp3 is real hot. Okay, let's be real here. I'm not knocking the track because it pretty good. But something about Ray Cash having a song called "Sex Appeal" just doesn't do it for me. I mean after hearing the song you know he's for real but if you just saw the cover and the title you'd say "Uh oh. Danger Danger"!! Did anyone see the footage of the guy who led LAPD on the car chase last week. Dude was hanging out the window of the car, driving with his feet, and wearing a purple cape. I thought for a second it was Kool Keith. It was some of the funniest footage I have ever seen. Like many of the dj's today, I reference the quick pix over at thecrusade.net to make sure I have everything covered. This week I was scratching my head and asking "what the hell"? How is that a record which is already top 3 on the charts be going for adds? Did I miss something here? I never got the memo. Sin City was an awesome movie. Props to my baby mama Jessica Alba for having the number movie in the country in it's opening weekend. Now she can afford to call me. On my drive back from Palm Springs and the Urban Network convention, I stopped in Santa Maria and scoped out the Michael Jackson trial. I cannot believe some of these idiots who come out to that shit and have signs about him being innocent and all. I'm sure he'll get off though because, after all, this is California where we allow murderers to run free. I saw one car that had Oregon plates. Don't these people have to work? So Britney Spears is pregnant. Well it's not mine. I am still steadfast in my belief that by age 30, she will be in Playboy"...
 

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SHOUT OUT TIZIME: Happy "belated" Birthday  this week to Ty-C (Delicious Vinyl) & to mi vato loca, DJ Mike Soul in San Diego.  Happy B'day to DJ A-Beats from WGMU in DC celebrating on April 24th!... To my cousin Patrick Almonia & his band Anapolis (you all rocked it last weekend. I really enjoyed your show. Thanks fam)... Jen Jen reppin' Riverside (I really enjoy our talks. You are my #1 MySpace.com pinay)... And finally to my close friend Nick Gonzales, who was & still is like my bigger brother. As a kid he taught me a lot about the streets, how to iron clothes, we worked out together at Bruce Lee's Jun Fan Gung-Fu School back in 1973 & as we got older we had a big falling out. I'm a firm believer of FORGIVING those who hurt you. The other night my close friend Nick found my info online & after nearly 10 years of no communication we talked over the phone & forgave each other for what went down between us years ago. The sad part is my friend is dying of cancer. Please include Nick in your prayers & if it's God's will, a miracle may happen so he can continue to be in his two daughters & wife's life. Thank you...

PEACE, LOVE & HIP-HOP UNITY (God Bless & Isa Mahal),

Nasty-Nes

(Pinoy Pride4Life / John 3:16)