Take it how you want…..First things first- THANK YOU to VIBE Magazine for sliding the boy in that #6 slot for the Top 50 Rap Blogs, the sentiment was greatly appreciated. I can’t tell any of you how grateful I am to be in the same company as the aforementioned sites on that list, but I can damn sure ignite the notion that my grind has just got that much more difficult. I remember back in August of 2006 when I started UHTN; all I wanted to do was talk shit and play new music- nothing more nothing less.
I wasn’t looking to be the voice of the blogs. I wasn’t starving for attention. I wasn’t striving to be the guy that every label, manager, radio/mixtape DJ hated. And I damn sure wasn’t searching for any type of “blog beef”. UHTN was my place of Zen- a place where I knew I controlled anything and everything surrounding it.
When UHTN was launched, my back was up against the wall. It was either move to MD and start a banking career with my aunt who lived in the middle of nowhere with two childern or breathe one last breath of air into my ” A career in the music industry” balloon which was deflating by the second in front of my very eyes. I figured since I had a couple connects and an outright witty opinion about this conglomerate we call the music business, why not give it one final hail mary.
From that point on, I dedicated endless nights and sacrificed many other important things and people in my life to make sure this project would head in the right direction. Sleepless nights, one MILLION late warnings from the various jobs I possessed during that time, 2 MILLION threats of being fired if I didn’t stop uploading and downloading music from my work stations and even the “why are you writing for free” commentary from the people who you thought would be in your corner wiping the sweat from your forehead because they know you’re to busy grinding to do it yourself.
To be honest, it didn’t matter because during those glory days- creatively not financially- I probably was having the most fun I’ve ever had since playing high school basketball. Day after day my spot was becoming more solidified- my hard work was finally paying off. People in high places were noticing my work and it felt great. I wasn’t starving for the recognition because at the end of the day, it was all a good time for me. I wasn’t worried about ADS or anything of that matter because again- IT WAS ALL FUN.
After several years passed, I became a go to site for new material and the witty commentary that was parallel to it. I had a routine. I became known for certain things. I carved a lane and never looked back. And then, I finally got my big break- BET.com came calling. Which brings us to May 10, 2009…exactly 3 days after VIBE Magazine announced its infamous “Top 50 Rap Blogs” list.
As stated before, I’m extremely grateful for the gesture….BELIEVE ME. Should I have snagged the #6 slot- YES AND NO. As you all know, directly after I snatched the BET.com position, UHTN took a hit as far as the posting was concerned. My time was directed to BET and no longer to the monster I created. And since everyone understood that, it wasn’t a big deal to me. Hell, it’s still taking a hit, but I’m in the middle of recruiting another solider so no worries.
During the past 3 days, a lot of my “blogging buddies” have been very adamant in making their opinions heard in regards to being left off the Top 50 list. Some have just voiced healthy concerns, but yet congratulated their counterparts in a very respectful manner. Others, well others have taken the lowest of the low roads by kicking and screaming their opinions through blog posts and Twitter rants. While I have no problem with people expressing their disdain over something such as this, it’s now becoming extremely annoying.
Over the years, there have been similar lists like VIBE’s and I myself have been left off of ALL OF THEM. Some I should’ve been on, others not so much. Situations such as these don’t bother me to the extent I start taking shots at the people who actually deserve the gestures given. Now we don’t know the criteria in which VIBE Magazine went about using to judge these “Top 50 Rap Blogs”, so I can’t really dive into that pool.
I’ve seen the shots thrown. I’ve read the posts, so I’m aware of your views and opinions. To suggest that some of these sites paid VIBE to be on the list is absolute BLASPHEMY. How low do you some of you TWITS need to go to see attention, approval and recognition? Personally, I don’t give a shit how mad you dip shits get, but all these FOOLISH allegations need to stop. No one is using payola to get recognition. No one cares enough to BLACKBALL you or your website so I or we (NMC) can stay ahead of the pack. We do this because we do this for the love of our culture, not to take money or recognition out of anyone’s pocket.
Whew, I finally got that off my chest. I can’t believe I almost started spazzing on Mother’s Day. In conclusion, I thank you ALL for the 3 years of everlasting support thrown my way. UHTN isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. No matter if you ATTEMPT to shut my site down (Ha, niggaz thought they could really stop my flow) or what job I obtain, UHTN will always win- whether you niggaz like it or not….REAL TALK! I guess Gang Starr was right- niggaz will do ANYTHING Just To Get A Rep
Sincerely
Low “I could give a fuck who you are, SO FUCK WHO YOU ARE” Key
P.S. Probelm with what I’m saying…..YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHERE TO FIND ME…TWITTER.COM/LOWKEYUHTN
calm down… damn
good words my g. i been here to witness the growth of UHTH.
from the first post (that had commentary to the tune of this one lol)
to fighting people off cuz of those loud ass UHTN drops
…dont forget the birth of other sites via your comment box lol
we da bast mayne
cheaa
LOL..well alright-y then…….
Congrats…I don’t whole heartily agree w/ the list COMPLETELY but UHTN has been on my personal and marketing blog for a good lil while, so I co sign w/ you being on there….I would have liked to see Ozone.com on there representin for the South – most of the blogs listed are East Coast based, but hey…People need to STFU questioning why thisis50 isn’t listed; THEY COPY AND PASTE EVERYTHING FROM A SITE AND NEVER CREDIT! No shots or disrespect, but I don’t agree w/ the newest blog in the game being #10…..Maybe I should visit it more or something but even still, their content can’t be THAT good to be #10 and its still “BETA BITCH”….I’m sayin
Congrats again buddy….nice letter!……- CaT
definately respect that..real sh!t!!
I deadass remember when your site got up and running i came through in the summer of 06 ..thinking damn this nigga tlk hella shit, but he do got them exclusives…nah im lyin the shit tlking was just as good…You been doin your thing and keep doing it …its all about getting better and bigger
Been a fan since day one. Glad to see you get to this point. Keep pushing. I look forward to seeing you reach higher heights.
good read….
I felt like our site shoulda made the list too…but at the same time I’m not really offended by it and don’t really feel the need to call out or throw shots at other blogs that did make the list. The thought of payola never even crossed my mind. That is pretty crazy. It’s like when some shit doesn’t go somebodies way or they dont agree they quick to say “oh, they musta paid to ____”, disregarding all the work and accomplishments of the blog and those who run it. (like the whole nahright asher shit)
I felt like some of my other favorite sites should have made the list as well. (illroots, kevin nottingham) But like you said, nobody, besides the VIBE staff knows what the criteria was for the list. I don’t really see the need to pout and kick cause you didn’t make a list derived of opinion. Every list will ALWAYS have a flaw in SOMEONE’S opinion. It wouldn’t be a “top” list without some controversy. Just continue to do your thing and people will notice.
With all that said, congrats Lowkey on making the list as well as the whole NMC making the list, which really is no surprise to me at all.
Who would have thought based on some of your own twitter rants you could actually write some hot shit like this! Opinions are like assholes everyone has one and most of the time shit comes out. As someone who supported the site and even submitted a UHTN application which was later thrown into your BET waste basket I must say you deserved your spot on the list. What you did got you there so either way its a WIN for you and UHTN.
Eff Yo’ Blog!
Congrats on the Vibe rank, the numbers and placement are great, but the recognition of the grind is really whats up.
Well Said!
Get it? Real. Talk.
Congrats Homie!
It is what it is. Hard work pays off. Sometimes sooner, sometimes later.
good to see your blog get the attention it deserves (sorta) and the 100% honesty of this post.
THATS RIDICULOUS. MADDD FUNNYYY. YOU DESERVE THE RECOGNITION FOR YOUR BLOG LOW. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWIN THIS SHIT FOR A MADDD LONG TIME NOW AND IM A WHITE BOY THAT JUST LOVES MUSIC(SHIT IS MY LIFEEEEE). NEVER EVER HATED ON YOU EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN TIMES(YOUR RIGHT) THAT THE POSTS HAVE SLOWED DOWN. BUT NEVER WOULD I HATE BC BESIDES THE FACT YOU PUT ME ON TO A WHOLEEEE LOT OF CRACK SONGSSS THAT OTHER BLOGS DIDNT HAVE, YOU WERE BECOMING SUCCESSFULL WHICH IS SICKK. AND I HAVE DIED FROM LAUGHTER AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF THE RIDICULOUS POSTS YOU HAVE PUT UP. GOODSHITT THO MANN. CONGRATS TO YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUCCESS. I ALWAYS GOT YOUHEARDTHATNEW ON A WIDGET AT THE TOP OF MY FIREFOX. HAHAHAHA. BEEN THAT WAY FOR A LONG TIME AND ISNT GONNA STOP. I IM YOU FROM TIME TO TIME…BIGPUN088 IS THE S/N. MAYBE YOU KNOW IT, MAYBE YOU DONT. GOOD FUCKIN SHIT THO. …..BUTT DONT MIND ALL THOSE SIPPIN THAT HATERADEEEE…AHAHAAAAA. PEACEOUT LOWWW.
shut up !!
I congratulate you as a black man for making your name and your mark in the world in a positive way. For a lot of people who are weak minded, achieving such a feat makes them feel inferior, when in all actuality it should inspire them to do the same. Revel in your moment and your glory. You deserve it.
- Faithful Hip Hop Muzik Head