Just weeks after saying “Today these young people taught me about this ‘rap.’ I was not following what they were saying. Well, I can even give you some rap myself,” the president of Uganda’s words were transformed into a smash hit in the country’s nightclubs and radio stations. Here’s the finished product:
Immediately after making the comments about not understanding today’s musical trend, Yoweri Museveni chanted “Naatema akati” (I cut a stick) and “Mp’enkoni” (Give me the stick) before thousands at an election rally in Western Uganda. He also shouted “you want another rap?” which became the title for the song. Record producers added the hip-hop beats, and mixed in audio from rallies across the country.
Released along with heavily doctored photos of President Museveni, the track exploded and became a huge hit. Word is that Museveni may record a full album of “rap hits” (traditional chants, etc.) after the election. I, for one, can’t wait.
Eminem joined a very select club this past week, though he might not welcome his company. Along with Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, Eminem now has 1 billion views on YouTube. Despite many critics claiming his career was on the decline, the Detroit rapper proved them wrong in 2010.
His latest album Recovery landed 10 Grammy nominations and 2 Grammy awards, and sold more than 741,000 copies in its first week. That album landed him his three most frequently watched YouTube videos: “No Love” (46 million), “Not Afraid” (203 million) and “Love the Way You Lie” (292 million).
The artist has made the transition to the digital age. Three million Twitter followers, 29 million Facebook fans and topping Billboard’s Social 50 in 2010 prove that.
For a while it seemed like third place to one billion views might go to Michael Jackson. When Justin Bieber hit one billion views last year, the King of Pop had 600 million. He’s lagged behind since then though (he’s at 630 million now).
Contending for forth place include artists like Shakira, Britney Spears and Rihanna.
I know I’ve already covered Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” extensively, but I stumbled upon some really bizarre covers and thought I’d enlighten you with them.
1. Lil Wayne— “Green and Yellow”
By far the biggest star on this list, Wayne came out with his tribute to the Packers during the week leading up to the Super Bowl. As always, his lyrics are witty and his rythmes are sick. Also, he live-blogged the game for The Wall Street Journal. You read that right.
2. Lyrikkal— “Pink and Purple”
Remember Will Smith’s daughter and “Whip My Hair?” Well, another 9-year-old has burst onto the music scene with her over of Khalifa’s song. Her name is Lyrikkal and she likes “Pink and Purple.” With messages like “Tryna finish this homework so i can go 2 the studio.. Workin on my first 2 original songs!!” from her own Twitter account, better watch out.
3. Vinny Guadagnino— “Black and Guido”
One of the original members of “Jersey Shore” decided to profit off the waves of videos about this song. In his homemade video, Vinny describes his ideal woman. The lyrics are really stupid and the video looks like something I could have created for a 2nd grade project, but people want Vinny to release the song on iTunes. Also, more than 8 million people watched the season premiere of “Jersey Shore.” That makes it MTV’s most-watched program ever. RIP, America.
4. Chet Haze— “White and Purple”
He calls himself Chet Haze, but he’s actually the son of an extremely famous actor. Who would have a rapper for a son? Tom Hanks is correct. Haze raps about Northwestern University, where he’s currently a student. “Much love to both the fans and the haters for helping me pop off,” he tweeted.
BONUS: “Christian Ladies (Purity Ring On It)”
Well, they missed the trend by about two years, but you have to give these ladies credit for trying to make the topic of purity rings hip and cool. Though they do kind of confuse their message since the video was posted by a YouTube account called “Kissmetranny.”
Singer/Songwriter Amos Lee sold the most albums last week with his Mission Bell, but set a new low for the music industry by only selling 40,000 copies. Unfortunately, Lee’s is the latest in a string of record-breaking albums, in terms of the fewest sold to still top the chart.
Two weeks ago, Cake set the previous low mark when they moved 44,000 copies of Showroom of Compassion to top the chart. Before that, Taylor Swift set the low mark when her chart-topping album Speak Now only sold 52,000 to top the charts (before that, the album had sold well over a million copies). In second place was Iron and Wine’s Kiss Each Other Clean, which sold 39,000 copies. Both Iron and Wine’s and Lee’s albums set individual records for the artists, nearly tripling their previous debuts.
Not Intent on Arriving 