Thirty Three Jones | Desktop Site
Nico B chose this image of Thomas P. Stafford
Unless you're one of the fortunate few whose financial security is not dependent upon the well being of the U.S. economy, you've probably noticed that things have been on a downward trend lately. Poorly thought out energy policies, over reliance on Chinese imports, inept and often corrupt corporate leadership, a mortgage crisis, a multi-trillion dollar quagmire in Iraq, an impending Web 2.0 Bust, and a drastically weakened U.S. dollar have all contributed to a rather pessimistic prognosis for the future of our economy. While the mainstream media does its best to distract us with their Bread and Circus of tabloid stories in place of real journalism and analysis, lest the plebs begin to get agitated, it's getting harder and harder to ignore the financial crisis we seem to be racing closer towards with each passing day.
It's not just the average man on the street that's been affected by the downturn, however. Even NBA players have begun to migrate as far away as Eastern Europe, eager to have their salaries paid out in Euros instead of Dollars. And we've already seen a few rappers begin to embrace the Euro, flashing wads of blue currency in their videos as the new symbol for real wealth. One has to wonder how much longer a sagging music industry and struggling economy can continue to support the gold- (and platinum-)paved fantasy world that most rappers continue to live in.
With that said, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a new freestyle from my man Nico B, part of the Record Playas crew in Chicago (who we featured earlier this year). Over the beat from Jay-Z's Snoopy, Nico addresses the reality of the situation that we find ourselves in today. This is real talk, and I wish more rappers would follow his lead, because they can't all be living like Jay-Z. Peep:
Nico B - Snoopy freestyle
Though I haven't had many opportunities to feature Nico B on the site, he has let me listen to a couple of unfinished tracks that he's been working on for an upcoming album. They're not yet ready for public consumption, but I will say that what I have heard so far has me looking forward to hearing the final project. For more from Nico B, stop by his MySpace page.
7/23/2007 08:35:01 PM posted by Fresh