THE NEW CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH?

Maybe it’s the recession, maybe it’s all hoopla or maybe it’s higher ups coming to the realization that the plant, cannibis, is a potential cash cow is regulated correctly. Whatever the reason happens to be, the topic of marijuana and its legalization is a topic which has been brewing for years, but seemingly in 2009 it has taken on more steam than ever.

"Jon Famous: Executive Business…"

April 8—Since roughly the turn of the century, the axis of the hip-hop world has found itself rotating around the Mason-Dixon Line. Hip-hop has graduated through various stages and its sphere of influence shift from region to region. With artists such as T.I., Lil Wayne, Outkast, UGK, Rick Ross, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Trick Daddy and a plethora of others, the southern influence in hip-hop, to say the least, has been evident throughout the course of the past decade.

One of the genre’s most successful eras still remains the dominance of the West Coast (primarily California) during the early to mid 1990’s. Aside from the highly controversial type of hip-hop known as “gangsta rap,” the West Coast brought forth some of music’s most influential, controversial and successful albums including: N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton, Ice Cube’s Death Certificate and AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, Warren G’s Regulate…G Funk Era and Tupac’s Me Against The World, All Eyez On Me and The Seven Day Theory.

To add to already astronomical resume’, Suge Knight’s Death Row Records (whose number of horror stories almost equaled the number of albums sold) were responsible for over 55 million records being purchased between the years of 1992 and 1996. Since the fall of Death Row, the only artists from the “left coast” to gain massive national exposure were Dr. Dre with his sophomore LP, The Chronic 2001, and The Game with his trifecta of LP’s, highlighted by his debut, The Documentary.

Recently, new blood has been circulating throughout the West and rumblings of a resurrection have been constant. Although not considered “new,” artists such as Glasses Malone and Crooked I are now beginning to catch the attention of listeners nationwide through features and affiliations. It is the artists like Nipsey Hussle and Jon Famous, however, who have sparked a new interest in West Coast hip-hop.

Trey Songz, "Living The Life" On The Set Of "I Need A Girl"

It’s been awhile since J.D.’s highly popular YouTube series, “Living The Life”, has been seen around these parts, but it looks like I’m going to have to pick them up for a second season…seeing as how Trey Songz is now apart of the cast.

Over the years, I’ve lost count the amount of times I said that if my fellow 804/Petersburg area native, Trey Songz, got with the right people, the result could be astounding. With Johnta Austin working side-by-side with Trey on the development of his third album, Ready, who knows what sort of heat they have planned for the summer.  And Bryan Michael Cox helping Songz with the writing, anything short of a monster album from Trey is going to be disappointing.

And we all know what happens when J.D. takes over R&B projects. Just ask Mariah.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to see the new “Fast and The Furious” movie.

Flashback: Trey Songz–I Need A Girl

"Carlos Santana's Marijuana Message To Obama…"

Don’t look now, but this movement is gaining more and more steam by the day. Even with Obama’s declaration that the legalization of marijuana will go up in smoke (all pun intended), that’s still not stopping some people from continuing to fight the good fight.

In Carlos Santana’s vision, the legalization of marijuana, along with bringing the troops home from the Middle East, would in turn

Nipsey Hu$$le: "Hip-Hop's Next Superstar"

The resemblance between Nipsey Hu$$le and a young Snoop is clearly evident, at least in my eyes. The only difference being Snoop’s flow is  more effortless, but as far as personality is concerned…it’s almost scary. Other than that, he seems primed and ready to be the next be act to emerge from The Terminator’s state.

Courtesy of Nipsey Hussle TV, here’s latest chapter in the journey of “hip-hop’s next susperstar”.

Pac Div–Pac Div

I’m not sure if you’re up on Pac Div (Pacific Division), but just in case you aren’t, now you are.  Really dope group from Cali, who should get some shine in 2009.  Ok, I’m leaving before I get stuck here. Shout out to eskay for the Chris Paul-esque assist.

Look for the Church League Champions mixtape coming soon. Who remembers the church league basketball seasons?

Pac Div–Pac Div

"The Recession: Up In Smoke?"

“So what if I’m smokin’ weed onstage and doing what I gotta do? It’s not me shooting nobody, stabbing nobody, killing nobody. It’s a peaceful gesture and they have to respect that and appreciate that.”–Snoop Dogg

In true veteran blogging fashion, Gotty (of The Smoking Section) obeyed (industry) rule #25: “Never hesitate to make a post because when you do…bad things happen.” I hesitated, he posted. Lesson learned. No need to worry, however, because this is one story that just can’t seem to get enough attention.

The Game: "I'm growing a beard like Rick Ross…I'm sorry 50, I ain't mean that."

While performing at his first concert in Cali in awhile, The Game announces (what I already knew) that he’s coming out of “retirement” and currently in the studio working on his fourth album. So basically he pulled a “Brett Favre”? Oh well, I’ll be looking forward to it.

Marijuana Industry in California Worth BILLIONS

“This is ground zero for marijuana. Nobody grows better marijuana than we do right here.”–Helicopter pilot

Since all this “Smoke-A-Thon” talking is buzzing, I figured why not post this.  This is amazing to say the least.  It may be a recession in the automotive industry and dark days in the banking sector of America top the nightly news, but the weed business in Cali is BOOMING BLAZING right now (ALL pun intended).  I never would’ve imagined a town’s economy would be based mainly off the selling of Snoop’s favorite lady, but some stuff you just have to see to believe.