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Tuesday, July 1, 2008

SOHH Exclusive: Benzino Thinks The Internet Is Killing Hip-Hop

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By Cyrus Langhorne

With a recent influx of online rap wars, SOHH caught up with infamous, former Source magazine big wig and current Hip-Hop Weekly publisher Raymond "Benzino" Scott to talk about his thoughts on the Internet's impact on the industry.

Speaking on the net's role in such battles as the YouTube war between Soulja Boy and Ice-T and the 50 Cent and Young Buck taped conversation, Zino believes these actions are hurting the state of hip-hop.

"I think people use it irresponsibly - artists as well as consumers" he said. "Their intention starts getting off the music."

Zino thinks the main problem stems from the anonymous users making controversial statements and not showing their actual image or age.

"The Internet is something that nobody knows who anybody is," he argued. "People that answer blogs [and] people that comment, I mean, nobody really knows who these people are. Everybody can have an opinion, but if you have an opinion, stand by it. Put your face out there. Let it be known who you are."

Yet the ex co-owner of Source did admit the net can offer a positive impact if used properly.

“It’s really about people understanding that [it] can be used to further your career independently, to help promote your career without having to pay all this money to the [record labels],” he added. “If used right, it could be a great tool, but people use it wrong.”

In related news, Benzino, the rapper, is prepping an upcoming album. The Boston native, who is more well known for his skills in the magazine world, feels as if his rap abilities have grown much grown stronger in recent times.

“I stepped my shit up 100 percent, lyrically,” Zino revealed to SOHH. “I feel a lot of motherfuckers out there can’t even fuck with me. I don’t think I’ve ever said that in my life, this might be my first interview—but it’s only because I stepped up my shit. I put in hours in the studio. I’m not one of these niggas that just watch BET and think he can rap. I’m not no battle rapper, I make songs.”

As of press time there is no release date for Zino’s upcoming project.

5 comments:

Scott said...

"The Internet is something that nobody knows who anybody is," he argued. "People that answer blogs [and] people that comment, I mean, nobody really knows who these people are. Everybody can have an opinion, but if you have an opinion, stand by it. Put your face out there. Let it be known who you are."

No. It's not going to happen. Stop asking people like you're a goddamn priest.
Clearly this man is an expert on internet ettiquite, being an editor for a hip-hop magazine. Let's all give him a hand until we realize that the problem is thus:
The technology is here, it's not changing. Deal with it. Take advantage of it. The faster you do it, the more money you make. This is the truth.
Your problem is you don't realize the inherent power of communication, and because of this you'll never be able to use the internet.
What? I'm wrong? Then do yourself a favor and fucking prove it.

myspace.com/mikaeldwp said...

he just upset that he done got into some net wars with some posters and he cant identify them so he can ride down on them lol

well heres my myspace
myspace/mikaeldwp

can i state my opinion now lol

Back 2 Black formerly of Y 360 or simply Nasir said...

Wow, you cats are back up (I mean “kinda”). Anyway, I can see that the new scapegoat for rappers putting out garbage is bloggers. What different does it make if a Blogger shows his or her face or not. If what a blogger says is false, exaggerated or pure hype the rapper should have the truth or intellect to counter act what is said by the blogger. XXLfag.com I mean XXLmag.com will not even post my comments. They have banned me from their site. Even Sohh West Coast and SOHH Ya Heard banned me. Why? Because my post is going to bring light to darkness and call out the blog writer if he is writing some horseshit when the rapper and blog writer prefer the blogger to remain ignorant so they can continue to feed them journalistic and marketing/gimmick slop. This is why I respect Reckless. Reckless takes the criticism and brush it of his/her shoulders and keep it moving. He doesn’t ban people because they may have the truth or once criticized him.

So don’t blame us, the bloggers. Asking for photos are wak. I guess that suppose to be some kind of intimidation ploy. You cats are making these God awful musical products and make silly ass public statements so when react to the stimuli and those of us with a little more intellectual depth break you cats down and pull the covers off you so the fools among us will learn, don’t get heated with us. Stop bullshitting the public and you will not see these responses.

Anyway; wherever the real dudes are at peace to yall!

NotSoft said...

all hate aside Benzino is a standup nikka,he fought against eminem when the rest of these cowards wouldnt...sohh need to do more interviews wit the man he keeps it 1 hunnid every time...check my blog out too by the way

Unknown said...

From article:

“I stepped my shit up 100 percent, lyrically,” Zino revealed to SOHH. “I feel a lot of motherfuckers out there can’t even fuck with me.

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Okay, so lemme do some quick math here...100% of 0 is....oh yeah, fucking zero. Why the fuck are people paying attention to Benzino?