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Rap Is Here To Stay
Update: This was originally posted at 10 PM pst last night. Since then, 65 posts have gone up in an effort to get caught up from the last few days. Here it is up top for those that missed it last evening.
Dear heads,
First off, I want to say thanks for the overwhelming response to my last post, about moving on from the site. I thought about this a lot over the last few days, and am happy to say that HipHopSite.Com is here to stay. And I’m still involved 100%.
No, there’s no big financial backer to come in and save the day, and no, I didn’t change my mind about getting the users more involved. I think it’s just time to rethink a few things about how the site is run, and what we can all do to improve upon it.
My passion for hip-hop has not disappeared, it’s still there – and I know this sounds crazy – but a big part of me wanting to stick around has to do with the Gangrene LP. Listening to this album made me realize that I do still care deeply for this art form (when it’s good!), and judging from your comments, it’s clear that sites like HHS are needed to give albums like Gangrene the proper shine. Keep in mind I wrote that last article after watching Nicki Minaj at The Grammy’s, which was enough to make anyone in the music industry throw their hands up like “fuck it, I quit.” Heh.
In all seriousness, I started this site because I was tired of watching The Source try to sell me what hip-hop was, while my favorite acts were getting shit on month after month. I didn’t care if it made money, but after a while, it did. And then it became a full-fledged business, allowing me to quit my job and take control of my destiny. I kind of got used to that. Now, I make my living as DJ, but in all honesty I’d love it if I could give my full attention to running HHS, and of course be compensated for doing so. But even if I don’t, I know that my feelings for the site are too strong to let it go. And how could we quit 16 years in, without even reaching a full 20 year run?
So, a couple of things we gotta do to make this happen. First, I’m going to look into possibly turning this into a donation based model. That might allow us to get rid of ads completely, and fund the site purely on user donations. I’m not sure if this is a pipe dream or what, but it is something we will look into over the coming weeks.
Secondly, we’re going to keep this thing alive by getting more of you involved. The dream is to get 10+ daily bloggers posting all day long – basically everyone doing a little bit – so that the workload is lightened and we can focus more time and energy on improving the site and building into a strong, unstoppable model. So, step up front, aspiring bloggers. Anyone interested in joining up, email me at mistapizzo@gmail.com.
Finally, we need to increase the numbers. So get out there and starting reposting stuff on Facebook, re-tweeting links, liking our FB fan page, and spreading the word. Because if this does stay as a ad-based business model, we will need the traffic to keep it strong. So the first step is right here.
My next order of business will be to finish that Blog So Hard: The 25 Greatest Mixtape Bangers of 2011 mix for you guys that have been waiting for it, which I hope to have ready by the end of next week. This project almost got cancelled with the dissolution of the site.
But first, I have a few days of blog posts to get caught up on.
Let’s go to work.
P.S. – And I’m still trying to get this damn label off.
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Facebook comments:
Glad to hear it! HHS has been a big part of things for us since the beginning. We’ll do what we can to support.
Mello Music Group
The important thing to take away from this is that Nicki Minaj makes real heads wanna give up on Hip-Hop. She must be stopped at all costs.
great news yo.my prayers where answered.thats whats up.
fuckin awesome!!! and im always down to contribute to this site where ever possible…this is STILL hands down one of my top 5 favorite websites of all time…THANK YOU BASED GOD…whoops i mean PIZZO hahaha
YES! That is all!
We all welcomed back Ma$e with open arms and he became a preacher but there is a special place in our innernet hearts and hip hop would have been a lot less informed without this very unique and special site.
So remember Breathe, Stretch, Shake and lets all get it rolling,
HHS is Numero Uno!!!
I’ve been going to this site since like 2000. I remember lots of little things. Didn’t you guys originally run a Kool Keith site, and even an Eminem one early on? Anyhow, I don’t like much modern hip hop anymore. Every now and then there is something though. I can’t wait for the new Deltron 3030 for example. Good to see the site will still be around. It’s the only place I go on the web for hip hop news.
I feel you Pizzo after that Nicki performance I told my wife I was done, I said I have given 25 of my 30 years on this planet to the culture just to watch it turn into this shit. But the next day on my way to work I turned on my CD player (yes I still but CD’s M.F.’s) and Action Bronson comes on, it was a reminder to me to hang in there because even though we are saturated with bull shit this is still truly a wonderful artform when done right. My computer skills are shit and the majority of my time is consumed by family (wife and kinds) the one thing I can contribute is money. Also I do not have a facebook account but god damned if I am not on the verge of creating one just to help HHS in anyway I can.
Yes! I think it’s good that you are maintaining control, Pizzo, and you want to take the site in a different direction. One thing I never understood is that despite your disdain for mainstream hip-pop acts like Nicki Minaj, you still posted her crap on this site. That’s what started to turn me away in the first place (that and the Drake reviews, which are better off on the Source website, IMO). If the site can get back to the great hip hop, which there is still a lot of out there, I will be back on this and willing to donate. Just my 2 cents (literally and figuratively). LOL.
Good stuff… happy that this place is still around. The culture is definitely at a crossroads right now but there’s still some good shit coming out every now and then.
thank you. Thank You. THANK YOU!!! You know we all got your back Pizz, let us know whatever you need. Yeah that Nikki Minaj performance was a special kind of wack. But you know what? Fuck them!! Who I mean by them is all of those wack ass rappers and wack ass major labels who has continued to milk our music dry and shit on the culture for the sake of making $$$. We all should just ignore them and focus on peeps like Gangrene, Action B, Doom, and all of our beloved Real hip hop heros. Forget the Mainstream!!! What have they done for us? Notta Damn Thing. HHS 4EVER!!!
RIP source & xxl
That’s wassup!!! Count me in. Leave it to Gangrene to save the day! Shout out to Alan the Chemist and OhNo. Big ups to Pizzo as well for staying on board and keeping the fam together. Hopefully you realize that your services are not only needed for our culture, they are much appreciated. It’s refreshing to hear that the only changes to the site will be for the better. Looking forward to the future of HHS. Thanks again Pizzo, I got your back.
This is glorious. Slap up a Donate button, and I will push that button.
I agree with Sir Goodwater. You need to stop posting the crap thats out there and start getting back to what grabbed the majority of us in the 1st place. Keep the site more on the starving UG artists. A ton of new Mcs have surfaced but get no media on this site? I understand that the big labels are were the masses are at but maybe have a section for us that support those that they say the already got!
Good, HHS is apart of my everyday life. Keep it up Pizzo
Wow – guess I gotta check out that Gangrene album –
Great news, I’ve been down for a long time.
I still remember getting my first order in the mail some 12 years ago or so – a box stuffed with records with a hiphopsite.com sticker on it and leading the list of those records was Peanut Butter Wolf’s “my vinyl weighs a ton” which I have to give you and HHS 100% credit for turning me on to. At the time I really had no idea what I was listening to, but as it turns out to this day, that record and many others along the way have really molded my musical mind. And I think I’ve been on the right track the whole time – filled with early recordings of epic, important artists like J-Live, Madlib, MF Doom, Arsonists, All Natural, shit even Eminem and Kanye West at one point – the list goes on , which I wouldn’t have known existed ( at that point) if it weren’t for Hip Hop site.
Not one of my friends or family are anywhere close to the hip hop head that I am, my little part of Massachusetts is not exactly the hip hop capital of the world or anything. But this site and online community filled with hip hoppers who feel the same way I do has become a huge part of my daily routine and sort of my underground hip hop island. This music is a huge part of my life and It’s good to know I’m not alone, and I’m glad to know it’s going to continue for now. Thanks for everything over the past 15+ years..
Anyone else ever wake up in the morning and rap every word to ATCQ’s “The Hop” in the shower? There’s something wrong with me, but it feels so good.
This is good news! Happy to read this.
Hey Pizzo, glad you decided to stick around. I was gonna call you out and tell you that you aren’t allowed to quit until Detox comes out. Glad you’re sticking around.
And yes, that Gangrene album is absurd. I never would have known about and bought it without this site.
glad you changed your mind, i believe hhs has so much potential to still thrive. if i may offer some humble suggestions? if at all possible, i would love to see the layout of the website be revamped. something fresh and futuristic with a minimalistic design. i really enjoy hip hop dx layout, it definitely engages the reader. maybe some readers would want to help re-design it, like a contest ? i think you had something there, with user inputed entries and blogging. personally i would like to be able to search for an artist by name, and see the reviews hhs has done with ability to see youtubes, or hear songs.. with links to their bandcamps for the independent artists. and i would love to see hhs grow in the direction of being more of a urban lifestyle site…. hip hop culture is strong and heads are smart and nerdy, i would love to see more blogging about techie news (computers, gaming, gadgets) to street art and street gear. Also blogging about european, and spanish hip hop like dela and bocafloja etc. anyway.. maybe im asking too much and just dreaming…. but i think hhs could really flourish, getting some dedicated users to help out!
Word! Pizzo I truly appreciate this turn of events, it’s been quite an emotional roller coaster these past few days… HHS I knew would never die… As I read your post, and I’m writing this, I am playing my friend the Gengrene V&A LP. With my limited free time I had already listened to this LP 30x all the way through! It has truly insprired me and damn it feels good to hear a truly “Classic” Hip Hop LP!!! I want to contribute and would welcome the responsibility of helping this site succeed and florish! HHS been down since 1996, perhaps the best year in the Hip Hop, so I will always do my part to keep that energy and times alive… Again a thank you to you Pizzo and everyone involved with HHS!
P.S. I see several typos in my last post. Anything that I would submit for the sake of continuing the integrity of this site I would proof read…
Pizzo…
Happy to hear HHS will still keep going. Also, happy to hear you will still get a record label going. I’d be more than happy to help.
All artists, record labeles, need to rethink what success is now these days. Maybe when you are 14 or 16 success is a platinum plaque. I would think success now is just making music you can be proud of. If you just want the platinum plaque, thats what Nicki Minaj is for. Accessability isn’t always a good thing. Real hiphop will always have a market of cats willing to spend real money on real CD’s and vinyl ( I still buy CD’s too ). Keep that in mind when you pick which albums to review, and which tracks to release.
I ALWAYS knew Nicki Minaj was good for somethin’ else OTHER than screwin’!!! LOL THIS IS GREAT NEWS, PIZZO!!!
all i wanted to say was thank you but the computer said that my comment was too short so ” thank you very much!”
So glad to hear this! I’m the type of person who gets on planes to go see shows, so I understand both your passion and disillusion. This site has been a god send, because there aren’t many places left that discuss actual underground hip hop. Seriously, who else is going to review the new Emanon album when it drops! Make it possible to donate and I’ll be first in line.
Thanks to your recommendation, I bought the original Soundbombing cassette and haven’t looked back
thank
you
Pizzo
Good ISH, this is the only site I know, where cats have intelligent discussions on hiphop
I have been reading your site since day one down here in oz, and you have helped me find so many classic tracks and albums! I am always checking out the New Joints section, which inevitably leads me to the local record store… so you have cost me a lot of money! :) (money well spent of course!!)
I need hiphopsite.com to keep me up on the real hiphop, adding international acts would be sweet, and put up a donate button for sure!
L.
What can I say, best internet news of the year by a long stretch.
HHS has to stay, this is REAL HIPHOP!!!! PROGRESSIVE HIPHOP!! I WILL DO WHAT I CAN AS WELL!!
Been coming here since 2000, I don’t even think about hip-hop mags anymore due to how in formative hhs is, other sites still copy & paste their news from news on the dl, a true testament to the only hiphop site that matters.
Oh, and @ D, dx is a good site, but the level of intelligence in their users is wayyyyyy lower than here, too many derogatory comments for me. Here we can agree to disagree, there’s a comraderie of the commentors here, and I find that special.
The inherent problem here is that now your voice (Pizz) is going to be diluted by what is likely to be inferior bloggers, trying to hit benchmarks just to give the site content and drive people to come to support the ads. Really it’s better if you just keep doing what you are doing, when you have the time. In the end, it’d be better since it’d be your voice and we’d get better quality out of it. You’ve done a great job over the years and it sucks to do something for nothing (essentially) but a bad business move would be to bring others into the fold that sign out as “f8ck yay nI88a, HiP HoP rules H8ters!!”..I think you get my point.