The Rebirth of Hip-Hop? Right...

I know I should be writing about the delayed G-Phone or on the funding of a new Twitter clone, but I've been distracted by the above cringe-worthy video blog. IT Gangsta features an IT-savvy Asian American version of Stefan Urquelle (that would be Steve Urkel's cooler alter ego).

Watching the above video makes me feel uncomfortable. It's as if I'm being courted by a 150lb high school senior. IT Gangsta's thug accent switches to an Elvis-like drawl by the end of most segments. Perhaps because Elvis was the ultimate pimp? I find IT Gangsta extremely painful despite this informative tutorial on producing the T-Pain voice effect.

My hunch is that as long as the tutorials continue, IT Gangsta will continue to gain traffic. However, in order to gain popularity instead of infamy, the dude needs to lose the accent. After all isn't "keeping it gangster" just about being true to yourself and not selling out? The IT shorties hate it when you front like a punk.

HIP-HOP FUN AND GAMES
Amateur rappers have been free-styling on YouTube ever since the site launched. There's nothing new about hip-hop memes, but there is something new about hip-hop-themed sites. WuChess, a site for chess / hip-hop enthusiasts launched early this week and it's already received a few scathing reviews.

Created by Wu-Tang Clan's RZA and Chesspark, the site allows chess and hip-hop enthusiasts to play against celebrity guests and listen to exclusive MP3 releases. A portion of the revenue will benefit the Hip Hop Chess Federation's scholarship fund.

I know what you're thinking. I'd never heard of the Hip Hop Chess Federation either. But it's totally legitimate. In October 2007, the Federation held a benefit and donated over $10,000 in scholarships to Oakland's Unity High, Youth Uprising, San Francisco's O'Connell High and Muhammad University of Islam. With WuChess set to charge a $40 subscription rate per year, beneficiary organizations may see the resources they need to make a difference in educating today's youth.

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[ READER COMMENTS ]

1. 1

   S. said:

   "isn't "keeping it gangster" just about being true to yourself and not selling out? The IT shorties hate it when you front like a punk"

   You're mixing your metaphors. Underground hip-hop lagged behind punk rock's DIY attitude by a couple of...generations.

   Posted at 02:12 PM, on December 12 2008

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