Yo! Blah Blah blah

I don’t think it has anything to do with West-Coast bias. Freddie Gibbs is better (and more interesting) than a LOT of rappers ANYWHERE….so Weiss interviewed him…and he has happened to live in LA for the past year or so…

I don’t see the problem here.
At all.

And frankly, your post-space here could have been better served bigging up a west-coast artist instead of opining over this bullshit

Of course, Freddie Gibbs ISN’T the first act to grace the cover of LA Weekly since N.W.A. The Knux graced the cover last year but since nobody bought “Remind Me In 3 Days…” I guess it doesn’t count.

I really don’t get the love for Freddie Gibbs. I been listening to both his albums, sorry, mixtapes all morning…and this is basically GRODT lite.

Gangsta Rap is dead, and if it isn’t we should let it die, not have a revival.

And besides, every time I hear his name I think of the Bee Gees.

I’m guessing fact checker isn’t in the budget? Gibbs is not the first rapper/ rap group to grace the cover since NWA. The Knux and The New Boyz both had covers (within the last two years too) #cmonson

2Pac wasnt FROM LA either. Would you be mad if he was on the cover of LA Weekly? This is dumb…

To be fair, L.A. is Freddie’s second home now and Skee does lots and lots of work with L.A. artists. Not sure how people started to say that he’s the first rapper since nwa on the cover, we said that he’s the first gangsta rapper on the cover since nwa and as far as we know, that’s accurate. LA Weekly even said the same thing. This also did not start out as a cover story, it was just supposed to be a regular piece. But after Weiss spoke with Freddie and started to hear the full story, and then went back and really listened to all of the music, he decided that it deserved to be a bigger story and his editors agreed. Freddie got the cover because he earned it. Weiss wrote a story that was incredible and the pics came out phenominal, so Freddie was lucky enough to get that. If anybody would like to go through what Freddie has gone through to make the music that he makes that earned him the cover, by all means, please do…

Just because you live in L.a now does not make you a L.A artist. The problem is that L.A has a lot of people that are not from L.A is positions of power. Gibbs is a good artist but we have plenty of good artist out the west that where born here & represent our culture. For him to be on the cover of the L.A weekly is not right & disrespectful to all the good artist in L.A. WEST COAST WHEN WILL WE LEARN THAT THEY ARE KEEPING US OUT BY DOING THINGS LIKE THIS!!!!

This was garbage, didn’t say shit about the music just focused on a “regional bias”… If the shit don’t go, it don’t belong on the radio or anywhere else. LA rap died bc they kept reproducing the same images they idolized when they were young, and that is not evolving a genre, it’s trying to keep it alive by cloning. Clones don’t last long in a hard core genre. Say goodbye to the days of getting airplay just cause ur from the area or ur “hard”. Good music will find it’s way regardless. That’s why Gibbs music made it from the Midwest to LA to NY and is gonna make it’s way around the world. trust me

One thing is, Freddie Gibbs is a dope rapper. Who cares if he’s from Gary,which’s right next to Chicago. It’s also one of America’s most depressed cities(also one of the most gangster cities). As far as west coast artists not getting on the radio. It’s not going to happen as long as no one’s making national noise. Snoop and Game have no problem getting on the radio because they have the majors support. In Philly, our artists are only on the radio basically during mixshows. All these stations are owned by the same companies. It’s not just a problem out west. The playlists show little difference throughout the country.

I myself am from l.a. and will be west coast til the day that I die. And I’ve bitched and complained about the same things that you’re talking about, hoping for a day when west coast artists are back out there on the forefront. The fact is that if you’re blaming somebody else for why this and that isn’t happening, then you’ve already lost. It’s nobody’s fault but you’re own. Gibbs on the cover isn’t disrespectful to anybody but the people the told him that he wasn’t shit and would never do anything.

What was the point of the post, I don’t get it. Is it about regional support from DJs, Freddy Gibbs, LA Weekly? Hey I scatterbrain myself soakay.

Gibbs aint the second person to get a cover at LA Weekly. The Knux and The New Boyz also did. Don’t feel bad for getting it wrong, I did too.

Response from DJ Skee…

http://www.djskee.com/blog/djskee.html

Enjoy..

I still can’t help but feel super disappointed that Freddie Gibbs of all people made the cover of LA Weekly. I AM SUPER DISAPPOINTED IN YOUR STORY AS WELL!

I’m not mad at Freddie. Get your shine. I’M GLAD YOU AREN’T MAD BECAUSE IF SO PLAN ON BEING MAD FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE HE IS ONLY ON THE RISE & HE WILL CONTINUE TO GET HIS SHINE ON AS HE DID IN LA WEEKLY!

It was a great story…YES IT WAS!

It was a great story that was reported really well and written eloquently (as usual). YOU SHOULD TRY TO DO THE SAME WITH YOUR STORIES AND REPORTING AS WELL!

It’s just that if it’s true that in LA Weekly’s 29-year history they haven’t put a single rap act on their cover since N.W.A. in 1989…DID YOU NOT HAVE TIME TO FACT CHECK? YOU ARE SAYING IF IT IS TRUE, WHY NOT FIND OUT IF IT IS OR NOT? …

it’s kind of crazy that when they finally do acknowledge the genre again with a cover nod it’s for a dude from Gary, Indiana (not named Jackson). IT IS CRAZY BECAUSE WHY? YOU IMPLY IT WOULD BE OK IF IT WAS 1 OF THE JACKSONS?

Gary, Indiana? Seriously? YES SERIOUSLY!

To add insult to injury, I noticed that the article was listed, naturally, in a section labeled “Los Angeles Music.” WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THAT? HE LIVES IN LA! HE MAKES MUSIC IN LA! PEOPLE IN LA LISTEN TO HIS MUSIC!

My eyes burned a hole in those words for a minute as I thought about the protest in Los Angeles held last week in front of Power 106. Artists picketed in front of their offices on Black Friday to call attention to their lack of support of L.A. artists. LAST TIME I CHECKED PEOPLE SUPPORT WHO THEY CHOOSE & THAT IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE! SHOULD SOMEONE SUPPORT SOMETHING THEY DON’T BELIEVE IN? THAT THEY DON’T LIKE? I GUESS SINCE I AM A WHITE FEMALE I SHOULD HAVE VOTED FOR HILARY CLINTON? THE ARTISTS SHOULD SEEK SUPPORT FROM ELSEWHERE NOT PICKET TO GAIN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO DON’T WANT TO SUPPORT THEM!

Then I thought about the Snoop video I blogged about earlier this week, where he aired out L.A. DJ’s who are usually not from the city and don’t support local artists—like Skee (who happens to be affiliated with Gibbs). WHAT TECHNICALLY MAKES YOU “FROM” SOMEWHERE? PLEASE ADVISE!

Let me tell you why we fell off,” said Snoop. “For one, L.A. radio don’t support us. We got DJs out there that don’t come from L.A., that don’t support our music, that don’t give us love, don’t give us a shot. They’d rather play Drake, Lil Wayne, whoever else is hot. No disrespect. Hey, I love they music. That shit is hot. They bangin. They got hot records. But fuck that, them niggas ain’t from the West Coast. So, nigga, they should be on the back burner.” NOTE TO SNOOP SUPPORT SHOULD BE EARNED AND GIVEN FREELY, NOT FORCED! AGAIN PLEASE DEFINE WHAT IT TAKES TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE? BE BORN THERE? LEGALLY DOMICILED THERE? DJ’S PLAY WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT, IF NOT THEY WON’T BE DJ’ ING FOR LONG! AS SNOOP STATED THE DJ PLAYS WHAT IS HOT! THOSE WHO ARE NOT FROM THE WEST COAST SHOULD BE ON THE BACK BURNER? REALLY? REALLY? HOW ABOUT SNOOP STAY ON THE BACK BURNER WHEN HE IS ON THE EAST COAST WHEN HE IS IN THE MIDWEST WHEN HE IS DOWN SOUTH! SNOOP CANNOT HEAD LINE ANY CONCERTS OTHER THAN CONCERTS ON THE WEST COAST! HOW IGNORANT DOES THAT SOUND? JUST AS IGNORANT AS WHAT HE SAID!

A promise I’ve kept thus far whenever I saw it was merited. STOP RIGHT THERE PLEASE! YOU IMPLY YOU USE A MERIT SYSTEM FOR YOUR STORIES? REALLY? THAT IS WHAT WEISS DID TOO! WEISS SUPPORTED GIBBS WITH THE COVER STORY BECAUSE IT WAS MERITED! BECAUSE HE EARNED IT!

I just wish everyone in the west was doing their best to look out for their own as well. I WISH EVERYONE WOULD STOP LABELING AND CATEGORIZING PEOPLE! SUPPORT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO EARN AND DESERVE IT NOT BECAUSE SOMEONE IS OF A CERTAIN RACE SEX RELIGION OR FROM A PARTICULAR PLACE! HOW BORING AND MESSED UP WOULD THIS WORLD BE IF EVERYONE STAYED IN “THEIR OWN” CATEGORIES OR LOCATIONS?

I normally enjoy your blog post but real talk what was the point of this??? First I’m for Gary, Indiana & why the hate??? I think it was very closed minded of you as a music journalist also. Freddie Gibbs is a great artist with a lot of potential. (not because I’m from Gary trust me)Good Music is good music & he is a LA transplant so just have a open ear for music. Plus the name of the 80 song mixtape is called The Industry’s Trying to Kill Me

DJ Skee’s response on DJSKEE.com :

If you missed it, a lot of people have been talking about the XXL Article (click here to read) and Freddie Gibbs being on the cover of L.A. Weekly. Specifically, I wanted to address this part that was directed at me:

“To add insult to injury, I noticed that the article was listed, naturally, in a section labeled “Los Angeles Music.” My eyes burned a hole in those words for a minute as I thought about the protest in Los Angeles held last week in front of Power 106. Artists picketed in front of their offices on Black Friday to call attention to their lack of support of L.A. artists. Then I thought about the Snoop video I blogged about earlier this week, where he aired out L.A. DJ’s who are usually not from the city and don’t support local artists—like Skee (who happens to be affiliated with Gibbs).

“Let me tell you why we fell off,” said Snoop. “For one, L.A. radio don’t support us. We got DJs out there that don’t come from L.A., that don’t support our music, that don’t give us love, don’t give us a shot. They’d rather play Drake, Lil Wayne, whoever else is hot. No disrespect. Hey, I love they music. That shit is hot. They bangin. They got hot records. But fuck that, them niggas ain’t from the West Coast. So, nigga, they should be on the back burner.””

My reaction:

1) To clarify, I am not on Power, I left that station over a year ago.
2) Snoop is absolutely not addressing me. In fact, I just did another new mixtape with him last week, and have done countless projects and other stuff with him- This article misconstrues it as if he is talking about me, which is not true. In addition, on a side note, I have footage of Snoop & I discussing these specific issues, with him supporting me and mentioning others, if you would like further proof.
3) I support West Coast music as much as anyone, and despite the fact I was born in NYC and lived other places growing up, LA has become my home over the past 8 years and my city. Please refer to my latest radio show that aired on December 1st (you can download the podcast in the podcast section, or by clicking here via BallerStatus.com). In TWO hours, i played no less than 32 songs that were or featured a west coast artist, including Snoop Dogg, The Game, Ice Cube, Pac Div, Nipsey Hussle, Jay Rock, G Malone, Kobe, Strong Arm Steady, Problem, Dubb, Too $hort, E-40, Bishop Lamont, Xzibit, Crooked I, Terrace Martin, DJ Quik, Kurupt, 2Pac, The Cold Flamez, B Legit, Kida, and Rome. Is this considered not supporting the West?!? Please show me one person on commercial or satellite radio playing more right now (where we do have limitations and playlists to follow, and yet I still get these records in!).
4) Furthermore, the author of the article, Brooklyne Gipson, lives in New York. By using the same logic she used in the above article, she isn’t in any place to address these issues by not being here (not that I agree with that logic, but just sayin…)

In my thoughts, good music is good music. I try to support in no matter where its from. Was 2Pac from LA? No. Am i associated with Gibbs? Absolutely. He makes dope music, regardless of where he’s from, and I feel has next- am I not supposed to work with him because he’s not from LA? I have been associated with numerous artists in the past from the early onset of their careers, both from the West and other places, including The Game, Akon, David Banner, G Malone, The New Boyz, etc etc etc. Should LA Weekly not do a cover on him because hes not from LA? I can name tons of other people who weren’t from LA and were also on the cover- a good story is a good story, and relevant outside of just where it was. If that logic played true, no one outside of Gary would know about Freddie, and that would be a true shame.

I feel there are valid points in the article and that work does need to be done to help the west coast music scene, and I am open to helping any and everyone possible. I have built my name, brand, and credibility on authenticity, helping break good new music and new artists, and giving back to my adopted home city. If anyone has any issues, doubts, or anything else to say or address, I am not hard to reach or contact. If there is more I can do, I am totally open to any suggestions and ideas, as I am far from perfect and always respect and take in opinions and ideas from others. Just don’t say I don’t support local artists from my city.

Sincerely,

*SK

i got goon vision. and 80 songs to get blown too.

I’m really happy that Freddie Gibbs got the cover of LA Weekly. Freddie Gibbs is the best rapper period. Who give a damn he’s not originally from LA. Most people in LA aren’t from LA or even born here.

As far as The Knux and The New Boyz are concerned, they’re skinny jeans wearing acts; they are far from gansta. FG did do a song with The Knux, and his was the best part of the song. Also, just because he did a song w/them doesn’t mean he’s a part of them.

FG is the first gansta rapper to grace the cover since NWA and I’m glad it was him. One of the problems with West Coast artists or any talented artist is they don’t want to put in the work that is required. They feel just because they’re from LA or they have some talent they deserve an automatic put on. If they work hard and do quality music like FG has been doing then I will fully support them as well. This day and age you can’t survive on talent alone.

FREDDIE GIBBS HAS THAT HEAT

Agree with damn near all the comments. No more needs to be said expect……….FREDDIE GOES HARD! I been bumpin his shit on my way to & from work. I think Pimp C wouldve f’d with dude heavy.

Gibbs is the best rapper alive!!!

freddie gibbs is the shit anf fuck who dont think so. gary indiana aka murder cap stand the fuck up. g.i. love

I’m confused. So because Gibbs is not from LA he shouldn’t be on the cover?

B. Gip that’s like saying you shouldn’t be working @ XXL, in NY and some NY chick should have your job because she was born & raised there.

If anything the LA scene needs more people like all 3 of you(Skee,Gibbs,U), being in those positions to big it up beyond the normal West representatives.

You B. Gip actually have the more powerful forum, so use it wisely(correspond anyone?). Doesn’t XXL have a video dept? Skee could’ve been throwing you footage, exclusives…but instead y’all have a spat…this is what I’m saying.

Someone put up the best 20 on that mixtape. I’d go crazy listening to 80, real talk…

PEACE

I’ve lived in Van Nuys where Gibbs currently lives. And I caught a few cases there. And I was a rapper in a group called Infinit P’tenchul.

Gibbs is more manufactured than the steel in the city he comes from used to be. Or whatever industry is poppin’ off in Gary (perhaps it’s train-robbin’, but they do that in a lot of places).

FG got outsourced to LA, tried his luck, got his shit pushed back, now Skee and Weiss - who’s the homie and all but he’s music taste is soft - are ridin’ his bozacks.

Ok. With all that said … Let’s see how gangsta the 80 tracks are.

*puts headphones on*

Stop hating “prevail.” You don’t know Freddie Gibbs. Get your underground backpack shit out of here.

Freddie Gibbs is a real dude. He’s been through real shit. You wish you’ve seen half the shit he wishes he hasn’t seen.

And he can rap better than you.

You shoulda known you couldn’t speak on no West Coast unity on this site, cuz none of these east coast cats wanna see that…

Dear Brooklyne,
I am from Gary, Indiana and now reside in East Bay California. I may be a Garyite, but am now a Californian being that I reside here.
A lot of famous and successful people have come form Gary, Indiana and have moved on to reside in and represent other cities, ie. M.Jackson, Avery Brooks, Glen Robinson, Jazze Phas Mother Deniece Williams, is from Gary, Indiana and the list goes on.
Its not about East or West artist its about who has good music.
Of course the west coast should Always support there own artist…if the music is good.
WHo do you know buys music that sounds bad just to support the artist?

Who cares, this isn’t about where you’re from, and it’s not about being biased, pickin people from ehrtr you live. It’s about talent, stop bitchin.