Music
Cam’ron Sparks Controversy, Chicago and Louisiana Have the Best Rap Lyricists, Not New York
Cam’ron, hailing from the birthplace of hip-hop in Harlem, has ignited a heated debate with his recent comments on rap lyricism. Despite his New York roots and significant influence in the early 2000s, Cam’ron surprised fans by naming Chicago and Louisiana as the top regions for rap lyricists during a recent episode of It Is What It Is.
While discussing the Windy City’s rap scene with co-host Mase, Cam’ron praised its artists, stating, “They may have the best lyricists. Them and Louisiana. I’m talking about, like as far as lyricism.” This bold statement was backed by Cam’ron’s reflections on the historical elitism of New York’s rap scene in the ’80s and ’90s. “New York used to call people country,” he noted, using Lil Wayne as a prime example. “Even thinking about Lil Wayne. You get on a record with Lil Wayne, you gotta be careful. You get on a record with Eminem, you gotta be careful.”
Though Eminem, hailing from Detroit, only partially supports Cam’ron’s thesis, the rapper remained steadfast. “These n**gas are really lyricists,” he asserted. Cam’ron’s admiration for Weezy and Chicago artists isn’t without precedent. Dipset, his group, recognized Lil Wayne’s talent early on, collaborating with him multiple times before Tha Carter III. Additionally, Cam’ron worked with Kanye West during his early days as a rapper, featuring on West’s second album and having West produce tracks on 2004’s Purple Haze.
Cam’ron’s critical stance towards New York hasn’t been limited to its music scene. Recently relocating to Las Vegas, he cited the city’s rat problem as a major reason for his move. “I just left New York. That sht was disgusting,” he shared on Instagram Live. “I can’t do this sht… I’m not apologizing for it neither. I ain’t even gonna act like I’m sorry for it a little bit.” Now enjoying life in the desert, Cam’ron made headlines again by dressing up as his former podcast guest, OJ Simpson, at a Vegas Fourth of July party.
Cam’ron’s controversial opinions have undoubtedly stirred the pot, leaving fans and critics alike debating whether Chicago and Louisiana truly outshine New York in the realm of rap lyricism.
Artist Spotlight
Lana Crow turns challenges into a celebration with “Laugh With You”
“Laugh With You,” the latest single from Lana Crow, is a sincere rallying cry to embrace life in all its messy, beautiful mess. In the song, indie pop and alt-pop combine to deliver an emotional blow that feels both personal and universal.
“Laugh With You” feels like an instant connection, and Crow is telling you stories of hard times with a cozy, knowing smile. This song is as much about struggle as it is about how strong you are. It serves as a reminder that these struggles are simply what give us the strength to keep going, even when life is tough.
Crow encourages people to welcome them, create happiness in the cracks, and laugh even as the world gets heavy. The result is a song that delicately nudges you to love and embrace yourself. It is an anthem for anyone experiencing tough times who refuses to give up hope. Lana Crow continues to demonstrate her songwriting skills, both musically pleasing and emotionally rich, with “Laugh With You.”
It’s a reminder that it’s how we respond to tough times, rather than how they affect us, that’s key. With this song, not only does Crow provide us with music, but she also lets us know that sometimes a laugh is what we need to remember that there is always something to smile about and that, even when it feels like life has waged war against you, laughter can still be found.
Artist Spotlight
Lisa Boostani creates a mesmerizing tidal realm in “Ocean”
Lisa Boostani’s “Ocean” takes you deep into a sensory world where body, spirit, and myth come together, beyond the surface of genre. Boostani makes a soundscape that is both ethereal and deeply human by combining the broad essence of psychedelic pop with the strong appeal of alternative rock.
Her voice rises as if it is coming from deep within her, shaped by emotion rather than action. She intentionally channels the intangible, turning weakness into strength rather than a source of pain, and “Ocean” tells people to get involved in this inner world, not just watch it. This release is an integral part of her first EP, “One,” which will come out in March 2026 and is based on love, sensuality, and unity.
If “Ocean” is any indication, the EP will show sensuality not as something pretty, but as a kind of spiritual intelligence, a way to know yourself by connecting with others. The song’s textures and structure have an aquatic quality, moving between clarity and delirium, rhythm and freedom. Its emotional focus is on immersion instead of resolution.
The striking quality of “Ocean” is the blend of the mystical worlds. Boostani understands that strength often shows up as gentleness and that deep feelings are better expressed through frequencies than words. She wants people to see consciousness as immediacy, sensation as truth, and openness as an undeniable strength.
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoHope Easton channels tropical mischief and charm in new single “SexyReady”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoSweetCandy! declares self-love and defiance on “UGLY”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoBluntBrad Jr. finds calm ambition in the laid-back shine of “It’s All Good”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoLavien drops a heartfelt Afrofusion plea that sticks to the soul with “Nobody”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoLana Crow turns challenges into a celebration with “Laugh With You”
-
Artist Spotlight3 days agoCircleKSK ignites an anime-metal collision on “UnBreakable Turn” ft. Anya J
-
Artist Spotlight3 days agoRecc explores nostalgia and inner freedom in “Where the Wild thYngs Are”
-
Artist Spotlight3 days agoAnnaBelle Swift delivers gentle hope and gratitude with new single “Heaven Sent”