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Mail
Bag
We want you to tell us
what you think about our reviews, ideas, or any thing else that
is on your mind. Just write us and we will be sure to get back to
you.
If your message doesn't
make into this page, it is probably because what you have written
isn't enough for us to post here. Writing in with just "Your
stupid, [insert CD here] is a great CD, you're such a dumb fuck."
isn't enough for us to justify posting it here. Put something into
your message and it should make it in. Whether you write a 5 page
essay or a few sentences we should respond to everyone who writes
in it just might not show up here in the Mail Bag.
We also reserve the write
to refuse to publish submitted content that we deem inappropriate,
please see out Disclaimer for further
information. But don't worry if you slam on us or don't agree with
us that isn't grounds for not posting, just take a look below at
the many message from people who don't agree with some things that
we have stated.
To find out where you
can reach us see our contact list.
Try and send you message
to the right person, check the bottom of the review or editorial
that you are reading and send your message to them. We have got
many message that were sent to the wrong person, or blame one person
for what someone else said. We are not responsible for what other
say, so hit up the right person before writing in that scathing
message.
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From MST3K4ever
When I first arrived
at the 10 Rap Commandments site, the first thing I noticed about
it was the editorial on "Rap reviews: How to do it wrong",
and immediatly I liked your site. I found it very refreshing that
a common fan made such an educated statement that people getting
paid to write reviews don't even realize. I agree 100%. (BTW,
http://www.rapreviews.com
writes some great reviews that adhere well to your principles
of what a review should be, you might want to check it out). Unfortunatly,
the rest of this site did not live up to that first editorial
I read. The "10 Rap Commandments" themselves are a pitiful
excuse for a joke (at least, I HOPE it's a joke), especially "thou
shalt not rap if you are female"... joking or not, you're
totally playing yourselves by throwing in that one. The reviews
are no better (and your mail bag is showing me many others agree
with that), and your top song/album lists are so unvariedthat
I have to question how much you truly know about rap anyway. I
think that may be the main problem with your site... you know
what a good review is, and you know how it's written, but you
lack alot of knowledge of hip-hop that a reviewer needs to make
an educated decision. My advice is go to Amazon.com's
Hip-Hop Essentials list, buy and listen to at least half the
albums on there, and then see if you think Shyne is still the
shit. Not that those are defineatly the guaranteed best albums
ever in order, but at least it would broaden your knowledge of
rap a little beyond the mainstream/gangsta shit that makes up
almost all of your reviews (and all of your favorite albums).
Not that there is anything wrong with the albums you like, but
I'm pretty sure if someone asked you who Organized Konfusion or
De La Soul was you'd be scratching your head. Anyway, good luck
on the site. You know what needs to be done, I just don't think
you're doing it right yet.One love
 After
reading your email I am left with the impression that you would
like straightforward and honest reviews that give your favorite
rappers high marks. The site is not about "being educated".
It is simply about what 3 people think about rap music.
I would also question
the "educated" part of the email. Many members of the
hip hop community seem to fall back on people being "not educated"
or ignorant when they don't like what they see - this is laughable.
We simply don't like the kinds of rap that you do in many cases.
I don't see either of us as being 100% right or wrong, it's just
preference. Certain tastes are not bred by ignorance or intelligence
- its just music.
The 10 Rap Commandments
female thing is a joke, however it's based on the fact that most
female rappers simply can't get it done.
When you speak of negative
e-mails I will say that I get as many emails agreeing as disagreeing
with my reviews, however we feel a greater obligation to post the
negative mails because they're usually longer and more interesting.
(ed note: It is a lot easer to slam on something than to talk
it up)
The reviews are going
to be "mainstream". They will always be that way. I don't
get a charge out of baffling people with my knowledge of the underground
scene. It doesn't really appeal to me.
I stand next to the Shyne
review: I like his rapping style and at times his lyrics are impressive.
I think I presented that balanced critique in the
review. In addition, I was not left "scratching my head"
over the artists you mentioned I am simply lukewarm on them.
Basically, the straightforward
nature of the reviews is something we pride ourselves on, and negative
response comes with the territory. Certainly, you have a right to
your opinion, but I think it's a mistake to dismiss 100+ varied
reviews in one sparse paragraph.
Thanks for checking out
the site.
Great H.
Great H.
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From Ghost
I read a review
about bizzy's album that pissed me tha fuck off. It referred to
his work in a disrespectful manner. For one thing bizzy don't
need no shit from nobody. He can take any instrumental and make
it as tight as hell. His new songs and style prove he aint that
same kid who started this shit. He's still thuggish ruggish but
he refuses to fall into the traps of society. He's grown up now
and he gots bigger shit to deal with. It aint all fun and games.
People need to eat. He has a huge financial problem with ruthless
not paying him right and all so cut him some fuckin slack. I deeply
recomend this album. He gives great advice and he entertains you
as well. He truely has "the gift". Any one who bitches
on bizzy doesn't deserve to live on the same fuckin planet as
him. More or less have the same opportunity to breath the same
air. So fuck any hater, trator, and instigator.
Thug love to them real ass thugstaz out their
sincerely, ghost
While
I love Bizzy as much as the next guy, critical evaluation of any
artist is necessary to truly appreciate them. It is irresponsible
to hero-worship. Every piece of work an artist puts out can't simply
be praised because we like what they've done in the past. I love
Bizzy Bone, and I listen to The Gift a lot myself, but it's
not the best record I've ever heard. Conversely, it's also not the
worst. That's why a mid range score seems fair to me.
Thanks for checking out
the site.
Great H.
Great H.
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From Nickoteen
Let me first tell
you that if nothing else, I did find your article on the Roc La
Familia album hillarious. I enjoy your writing style and the fact
that you leave nothing unsaid, but it's just the fact your review
was so ass backwards from the truth, it almost brought me to tears
(some of them were those tears that you get from laughing too
hard :) ). I know you must have gotten a million and five responses
about this review because it seems everyone in the free world
besides you at least respected, if not lusted this album for it's
sheer beauty, but I must tell you my feelings anyway. I know nothing
in the world will change your mind about this album but let me
put this in perspective for you here. To a level headed person,
this is the equivilent of what you wrote:
The Bible
- Review 0 out of 10
"First off let me start off by saying that I think the bible
was a complete waste of time, energy, and paper... Jesus goes
on and on in a preaching style that is repeadedly ingnored, and
for good reason...I feel sorry for everyone else in the world
who chose to waste their hard earned money on this utterly rediculous
effort to save the world from it's own sins"
Let me
just try to convey to you that that was what your article sounds
like. Please recognize that everyone, hardcore rap fans to MTV
pop/rap fans, all loved this album. Everyone is entitled to their
own opinion but as an editor of a hip-hop page, writting neutral
reviews is your responsability. I use to live in the ghetto but
now live in a small hick town where rap fans are few and far between,
I offen rely on reviews to decide weather or not I want to buy
an album. If that had been the case on this album, I would have
shot you for causing me to miss one of the best albums of the
year. Do me a favor and at least let your other two writters review
this album so your readers can hopefully receive a fair review.
Again, I know you have been hounded about this review but any
comments you have in response would be appreciated, I'm out ~GHOST~
Nickoteen
While
I understand what you are attempting to do here, it doesn't really
work. Compariong rap music (let alone Jay-Z rap music) to the Bible
is a ludicrous idea. I am sure that the Bible has a somewhat greater
readership and approval rating than this average at best Jay-Z record.
I would disagree that
writing nuetral reviews is the responsibility of any review page.
I believe in writing honest and entertaining reviews. If we attempted
to not step on peoeples toes then we would become a very vanilla
site. As I have alluded to in the past having everyone review thier
favorite albums so that all albums get a score from 7-10 would be
a disservice to anyone reading the site. I am sure that there were
at least a couple people that read that review and thought that
finally someone sees Jay-Z the same way I do. I really loathe this
record, and thats the bottom line. I am sure I'm in the minority;
a lot of people like Jay-Z. However, being in the minority doesn't
necessarily mean you're wrong.
When you rely on reviews
you rely on the opinions of others. This is a hard fact. The other
two reviewers are -lazy asses- who give me excuses when I demand
they write reviews. I will put in a word for the record, but you
may not like what they have to say either. You blur the line between
a fair and bad. Because I slam an album doesn't mean the review
wasn't fair, it simply means that I honestly hated the album. While
I may have pushed the score to a 1 unfairly, at best I give the
album a 3. I was in an especially venemous mood the day I suffered
through that record.
Thanks for checking out
the site.
Great H.
Great H.
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From Silly
Great Hart,
First of all I think your website is dope and all of your reviews
are refreshingly different from the typical music critic ramblings.
Generally, I agree with your opinions and feel that your basis
for rating albums is similar to my thinking. Personally, I'm very
basic in my tastes when it comes to hip hop. Good beats, creative
and coherent lyrical expression and smooth flow are pretty much
all I look for. Guys like Common, Mos Def, and The Roots are talented,
socially conscious and intelligent artists, however I just can't
get into them musically. I guess I like my hip hop with a pop
sensibility. My favorites include Dre, Snoop, Biggie, Pac, Cube,
Bone, DJ Quik, Wu-Tang, and Jay Z. Which brings me to my next
comment. I realize and appreciate the fact that Jay Z doesn't
appeal to you. However as a fan of your site, I am asking that
you review Vol. 3: The Life and Times of Shawn Carter. La Roc
Familia is a decent album, but is hardly Jigga's best work. I
can see how Jay Z can irritate you. At first, I thought he was
a talentless, overhyped clown, with a funny sounding weak-ass
voice. After a while he kind of grew on meand I came to appreciate
his clever wordplay, his dry sense of humor and his unique beats.
The Life and Times of Shawn Carter showcases some of Jigga's best
work. In fact, one of the tracks on the album (#10, "Watch
Me", featuring Dr. Dre) is simply off the hook. It features
a classic simmering Dre beat to compliment Jay Z's lyrical flow.
Other standout joints include "So Ghetto", "It's
Hot", "Big Pimpin'" and "S. Carter".
Please check it out and let me know what you think. If you still
don't care for Jigga then I'll let the issue rest.
Peace Out
Silly
Thanks
for your intelligent and well thought out email. I appreciate that
you took the time to write in and give me some constructive feedback.
I'll certainly review The Life and Times as soon as one of
us buys it. :) However, I will make it a priority to get my hands
on it.
Thanks for checking out
the site.
Great H.
Great H.
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From Broderick
I really hate people
who dont know talent when they see it and your one of those people.
How in the hell are you gonna say ludacris cant rap, in that case
you should say the Eastsidaz cant rap or Wu Tang who dosent talk
about anything the normal world can understand except for Meth.
A lot of that New York and California rap is garbage I mean look
at the song "Oochie Wally" what a stupid song especially
the verses for example "Lady's call me horse the booty filler"
str8 shitty rap. The south got some of the best rappers around
you lame for same you hate southern rap, maybe cause they talkin
bout something most folks can really feel. Try picking up Pastor
Troy album 'FaceOff" or some not so big time names like Playa
Fly album "Gettin It On" or 3-6 Mafia. Holla at me when
you can listen to some real rap cause aint nobody try to hear
no ol' save the world, be nice ass rapper. Listen too some real
shit.Atl representative "Aint no play in GA"
Basically, I don't like most of what I've heard. That doesn't mean
that I don't like any of it. It also doesn't mean that I like all
East, West, or Midwest type rap.
I am dumbfounded that
you say that I said that 'Ludacris can't rap'. It makes me
wonder if you read the review. Here are some direct
quotes from the review:
"Ludacris is
young, talented, and funny."
"Ludacris has
the potential to be a really great rapper."
"The rap is
tight if you look past the bullshit."
I also gave the CD an
overall rating of seven out of ten. To put that in perspective we
start inducting records into the Hall of Fame
starting with 8. Basically, I think you might have just read
the first line of the review and taken off on me.
I -like- Ludacris.
Thanks for checking out
the site!
Great H.
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