Is Hip-Hop Growing Up?

Is Hip-Hop Growing Up?

Justin McWilson

Feb. 18, 2012

Recently we as fans of this ever-evolving culture were exposed to yet another beef. This time from seasoned Hip Hop veteran Common and pop sensation Drake. While conflicts over vernacular and verbal dexterity are nothing new, method by which these disputes are being handle has begun to grow in maturity with each new case. Naturally in any male driven field testosterone is bound to run ramped. However, we have finally taken a page from the high power boardroom executives and found more civilized ways to handle our complications.

While the turmoil between Tupac and Biggie Smalls (along with their perspective crews) may have been an extreme case, the sentiments from that situation remained consistent throughout the years “when at war nothing is off limits”. This was never more evident, than in the case of “Gucci Mane vs. Young Jeezy”. Both emerging talents at time (2005) allowed something as petty as royalties and song credits divert their focus from the “Industry” to handling their conflict “In-The-Street”.

While serving a six-month jail term for assault in late 2005, Davis (Gucci Mane) was charged with murder, though the charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence. In 2009, he served a year-long county jail sentence for violating probation for his 2005 aggravated assault conviction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gucci_Mane).

Referring back to the case of Common vs. Drake, to serve as an example as to how much the philosophy has changed in just a short period time. In late January 2012 after nearly two months of speculation Aubrey Graham (Drake) finally responded to a dis record aimed at him by Hip-Hopper Lonnie “Common Sense” Rashid. However, rather than taking the skirmish to an unnecessary level involving violence, both emcees elected to keep it on wax. None-the-less emotions took center stage as the two finally came face to face (at the Grammy Awards) for the first time since their quarrel had begun. Read more about the incident here… http://www.sohh.com/2012/02/drake_common_squashed_beef_not_each_othe.html.

While this situation does nothing to stimulate the economy, mend gender relations or create world peace. It does represent a more neutral zone for looking to invest in the culture. As well as those that make a living within it…

Unifying The Unions

Recently, we received an email from AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon and SAG National President Ken Howard. Detailed within the message, was information regarding a possible merger. However, members where told to visit each entities website to get truly informed; as the final vote lies in the hands of the members.

In acknowledgement of this momentous event we here at Music Castings sat down with a number of individuals to get their perspective on the potential merger. While the response was clearly mixed there were three areas that were consistently addressed. Below we have highlighted two of the most talked about sections within the Merger Agreement.

XI. Membership

A. Status and Conversion of Existing Members

1. On the Effective Date, by virtue of this Agreement and without further payment or action, all AFTRA and SAG members not under expulsion or suspension by either SAG or AFTRA shall become members of SAG-AFTRA in their appropriate membership classification (e.g. active, inactive, etc.) provided, however, that any person may elect to become a non-member by written notice to SAG-AFTRA (Merger Agreement).

Many of the current SAG members expressed a great deal of angst regarding this specific area. For years individuals have had to meet rigorous requirements before being given the opportunity to join this union. Members of SAG have also had to pay nearly double the initial fee of those that joined AFTRA. However, AFTRA on the other hand has for years been the alternative to waiting out the initiation process of SAG. Its requirements to join up, until recently have only been financially based. In light of these differences many SAG members are hesitant.

XIV. Collective Bargaining Agreements

C. Contributions to Benefit Funds

During the period after the Effective Date but before any merger or other combination of the Unions’ Taft Hartley benefit plans or cooperative funds, SAG-AFTRA shall use its best efforts to ensure that (1) the members of SAG- AFTRA enjoy the best available terms and conditions for their work; and (2) the amount of contributions to each of the union’s Taft Hartley benefit plans and cooperative funds remains as close as possible to the levels received during the 12-month period prior to the Effective Date (Merger Agreement).

Amongst many of the well-seasoned SAG members this was another hot button issue. However there were a number of positive points as well. To review the document in its entirety refer to

http://aftra.org/documents/Merger_Agreement_Final_Approved_120131a.pdf