Thedewsperspective

Shawn Cotton from Say Cheese TV just said on the No Jumper Podcast, the reason no Baltimore rap artists will blow is because they sound like they’re from the UK.  He then dragged the word “two” to exemplify what he means.  Tewwwwwww.  Dewwwwwww.  Yewwwwwww.  He was discussing the hardest cities to “blow up” from, and Baltimore was on his list.  The other cities were New Orleans, Miami and Ohio.  I know what you’re thinking, “Ohio isn’t a city.”  Nevertheless, it’s on his list of hardest cities to “blow up” from.  The reasons he gave for Miami artists struggling to get put on are related to their surroundings. Riches, ambiance, and lifestyle are so prevalent to them. They’re not impressed by any of the shiny trinkets dangled in their face to woo them. Now for both New Orleans and Baltimore, he attributed the accents as the reason those artists aren’t reaching the national stage.  He did acknowledge Rob49 being one who recently managed to blow from the city of New Orleans.  But he didn’t suggest a reason why.   

Being from Baltimore, you could imagine that I was taken aback by his comments.  But I’m in no position to say if he’s correct or incorrect in his assumption.  One of the narratives of Baltimoreans is our speech.  The way we enunciate certain words.  People tend to find humor in our speech.  Something I find quite offensive.  I’ve had to personally tell people, “Do not allow my articulation of words to cause you to miss the message in what I’m saying.” 

I was curious to know Shawn Cotton’s reasoning for placing Baltimore artists on his list.  We have a slew of talented rap artists from Baltimore.  It’s been that way for years.  But for whatever reasons, Baltimore artists can’t seemingly break into national stardom.  I used to think it was because they were too real.  Many of them actually rapped about the life they lived.  And even though record executives and companies make millions of dollars promoting said lifestyle.  They don’t want to do business with individuals who are actually living that lifestyle.  Most are too volatile and unpredictable.  That’s what I thought.  But I’m not an A&R, a music executive or anything of the sort.  I’m just an individual who shares his unsolicited opinion about things I find interesting to write about. 

Still, I’m baffled.  Why can’t Baltimore artists capture the national stage of stardom?  Is it really because of the accent?  Is it because they really live the street life that they rap about?  Is it because of the music?  The rhymes?  The beat selections?  What is it that’s preventing the city from blowing?  Is it just a lack of support from one another?  A lack of support from radio stations?  Do you still need the radio stations to blow?  Is Shawn Cotton from Say Cheese TV correct in his assessment of Baltimore artists?  Tell me what’s real.