What To Expect In 2012: Crews
Crews, crews, crews. Ever since Young Money burst into the scene back in 2009 with We Are Young Money, rap groups have been popping up everywhere. For a good reason too. Marketing a group is much easier. For one, you kill three birds with one stone. When you market the group, you individually market each member at the same time as well. Artists develop their images while in the group, then when they’re ready, they step out into the scene a complete artist. Marketability is everything. “Brainwashing” (a.k.a. convincing people that you’re awesome) people is much easier when you have a group, because anyone can be part of the group, including fans! You can’t be Wiz Khalifa, but you can be Taylor Gang. You see? Money! 3 birds, 1 stone. I’m not surprised album sales went up in 2011. Groups can easily cultivate “cult” followings, “cult” followers buy albums. It’s a genius scheme all around. Being a record executive and seeing this is definitely fun, but being an observer isn’t that boring either. Crews will keep dominating the industry in 2012. Well, at least some crews.
Young Money
I credit YM for re-introducing crews back into mainstream Hip Hop. Say what whatever you want to say. YMCMB is getting it. Wayne, Drake, and Nicki are all incredibly successful, and every executives dream artist. They say a triad is the strongest kind of teams. Young Money’s Wayne, Drake, and Nicki support that theory. In 2011 they had two #1 albums, and their singles were topping charts all over the place. They’re easily the most successful group out there right now. Topping the success of 2011 is going to be a difficult task. I expect Young Money to stay cruising in 2012. If you have stock in Young Money they’ve peaked, sell immediately, and buy MMG stock.
Maybach Music Group
Yea I know you’re supposed to buy stock when it’s low, and sell when it’s high. But believe me MMG is nowhere near it’s peak. They still have Ross’ God Forgives, I Don’t dropping, and Meek Mill’s solo album in 2012. Wale will just continue being Wale. Stalley still hasn’t had his time in the sun either. I’ve also heard of another Maybach Music collaborative album titled MMG Uncut. WOOP. So buy that MMG stock while it’s low. Sell at the end of the year, and you’ll be Rich Forever. Plus, French Montana has that joint deal with MMG.
Bad Boy
Is Diddy done creating stars? We’ll see, we’ll see. I shouldn’t even talk about rappers on the roster, ’cause it’s all up to Diddy if you ask me. If Diddy isn’t Puffy from back in the 90′s, MGK, French Montana, and Red Cafe aren’t going anywhere. A collabo project between the roster is improbable. MGK and French Montana on the same tracks? Ehh sorry, but I don’t know about Bad Boy. I can’t picture them at a Young Money level type of success. Be careful about buying stock into Bad Boy in 2012. Sure, the roster looks loaded in some regards. Be careful is all I have to say.
Shady 2.0 Boyz
The Shady 2.0 Boyz are the most complicated group in Hip Hop right now. They’re the most talented from A-to-Z. Sadly, they have no star power besides Eminem. I can’t imagine a Shady-less 2.0 Boyz track taking over the airwaves. I can’t see them ever getting as big as a Young Money or a G-Unit. Although, the Shady Boyz can lyrically outplay ANY group you name right now. Mainstream Hip Hop is a whole nother ball game. As far as commercial groups go, be careful about buying stock into the 2.0 Boyz. Forgetting the commercial crap, they’re the best crew in Hip-Hop. I told you they were complicated. But bottom line is, BUY.
Roc Nation
Buy anything Jay is around. Dude is a business, man. Cole topping the charts without a hit single all in your face, surprised me to say the least. Big ups to all the people at Roc Nation. 2012 will be just as good of a year for the Roc Nation crew. Telling from how long it took to release Cole World, we’ll probably not see a project from J. Cole, but he’ll stay relevant. Plus, they have K Koke out in the U.K., and Bridget Kelly holding it down with the singing. Jay Elec’ also has that album coming out soon. I don’t know if we’re going to see a collaboration album from Roc Nation, either way, buy Roc Nation stock. Jay won’t let his crew fall off.
G.O.O.D. Music
Ahh G.O.O.D. Music. Not buying stock will probably be a G.O.O.D. idea if you ask me. Just too risky. 2011 wasn’t all that loud. Big Sean, and Kanye were the only ones doin’ in B-I-G boii. Cudi is doing some type of rock, and Pusha T can’t manage to bang out a hit. Consequence just left, and Common is just “affiliated” now. Yea, that G.O.O.D Music album is dropping, but are you listening to anyone else besides Kanye? Don’t buy into the G.O.O.D. stock, it’s too risky. So far, Big Sean hasn’t showed any growth since Finally Famous, too risky.
OFWGKTA
Wolf Haley, and his crew will continue building the future with their odd personalities. Tyler has been musically quiet, but he’s manged to nab headlines, and stay relevant. With Wolf possibly dropping in May, and Frank Ocean working on an album, 2012 looks promising. Plus, be on the lookout for dudes like Earl Sweatshirt, and Domo Genesis. Buy stock into Odd Future.
Taylor Gang
Definitely sell. Wiz Khalifa can’t stop talking about weed, and thanks to Tebow the Steelers are not going to the Super Bowl this year. So there’s no chance to sneak in a “Black N Yellow Pt. 2″ this year. I’m not a big believer of Chevy Woods or Juicy J. We’ll see what Wiz brings in Taylor Allderdice. Until then, sell or die.
A$AP
A$AP’s stock is definitely low right now. Buying wouldn’t be too bad of an idea. Rocky still hasn’t reached his peak, and they have a big project budget. In 2012, buy into A$AP. Even if they flop, there’s still a chance you’ll win. They might surprise us.
Funk Volume
2012 will be Funk Volume’s year. Hopsin is finally getting the attention he deserves, and up is the only way for him. I’d say that besides the Shady crew, these guys are the best in Hip Hop. Hospin will lead off, with SwizZz, and Dizzy Wright bringing him home. Although no collaborative project will come from them, Funk Volume will make big moves in 2012. Pay attention, and buy, buy, buy!
Quez is on point with his predictions. Buy or buy? haaa.
Written by @QuezKHH, like me on facebook.
Comments
42 Responses to “What To Expect In 2012: Crews”
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[Reply]
Listen to Charlie Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
@RS,
SHADY 2.0
[Reply]
How dare you not put BLACK HIPPY up there
TDE we got the belt !!!!
[Reply]
G2dX Reply:
January 12th, 2012 at 5:44 am
@Boom, of course Jay Rock my man, K dot its to bring back the west TDE !
for those that don’t know what up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRY1k6aSE0g
[Reply]
African King Reply:
January 15th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
@Boom, real shit…this site is lacking
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No Bricksquad?! No SODMG?! G-Unit?! (Does that still exist?) If you’re gonna play ball, cover the bases!!! lol jk the groups I just listed should have their stock shorted. I’m impressed with what was covered … Whoever signs 2Chainz is gonna get huge bang for buck. If it’s a good fit of course. He’d be tight on them A$AP productions and they could use some veteran leadership. Dam good coverage on this article. Here I was thinking KHH was going mainstream on me … kudos …
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#TDE is gonna make a dent in 2012..Promise
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Black Hippy!
Kendrick Lamar!
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Funk Volume Gonna make a great move as soon as ,, up make them sooooo high ,,
but dude u forget one group ,, what about Tech N9ne’s Group ?? Strange Music ???
it’s amazing group too
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Y’all act like TDE don’t run L.A.
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MosDef Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
@Its_Q, They run shit around here
[Reply]
MMG is untouchable,no doubt.
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review is spot on man
funk volume should get better producers though… beat(s) on Raw were kind of annoying.
and Shady2.0 should pay more attention to their marketing, YMCMB gets half their through hype-brainwashing 17-year olds, but I guess Shady2.0 ain’t aiming at that kind of audience
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RawTalent is dropping that joint mixtape too, that “Heir To The Throne” should be dope.
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No TDE or Strange music? Wow.. TDE >>>> Shady lyrically.
[Reply]
No TDE or Strange music? Wow.. TDE > Shady lyrically.
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seriously no strange music? They did release a collab album and it was… dope as hell. Not one of the other groups has actually done that. Sooo what the hell man??
[Reply]
No Grand Hustle? what bout bobby ray’s album or new albums from TIP?
[Reply]
Listen to Charlie Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
@Chris,
I was about to ask the same..
[Reply]
Kendrick Lamar, Roc Nation, and Shady 2.0 guna run 2012.. straight up.. the talent level in those crews is simply off the charts.. But its sad to see what hip hop has come out, People bumping Young Money.. Real Hip Hop fans knowss whats gud and are gonna buy the good albums coming out..
[Reply]
Listen to Charlie Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
@siddiqi3,
Word.
[Reply]
Grand Hustle!?
[Reply]
Great article. Can someone please enlightened me. Who’s TDE and Strange Music? I’m interested. Maybe I just don’t get the acronym. Thanks
[Reply]
Bush Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
@Marcos,
TDE stands for TopDawgEntertainment. Black Hippy=Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamr, Ab-Soul and School Boy Q are all on TDE. sorry don’t know who stange music is either.
[Reply]
peanut Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
@Marcos, strange music is tech n9ne’s group and lable..not relly sure who else is in it but tech is pretty dope
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Shady Records is gonna be like 90s Chicago Bulls. Why root for the other teams if the 90s Bulls is the best team ever?
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You forgot one …. Will be a massive hit in 2012 … OVOXO
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Your G.O.O.D Music section was terrible
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Feels like high school with all these crew talks. Just a bunch of mainstream BS. TDE does run LA. Ill take TDE and shady ain’t nobody better. Fuck the record sales if we’re going to talk about best crews there the best. Might fuck with strange as well
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Where’s Black Hippy???
Goddamn, 2012 is the year 4 them…
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FUNK VOLUME!!
Good review!
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wheres d12? G-unit?
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TDE we got the belt
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5 lettaz…. #YMCMB!
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Shady2.0, GOOD, Roc, MMG and TDE are gonna run shit Twenty12
and i have a question for Quez. is it really needed for a collab album? i understand the stardom itll bring, but still. Cole got big without ANY shoutouts or features on his album.
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Wow no jets??? Wtf but give me the shady 2.0 or mmg for this yr young money done n where’s grand hustle n black hippy fa real?
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i agree with you for the most part mah dood….
alright my buys:
1- TDE
2- A$AP
3- Roc Nation
4- Shady
5- OVOXO (this is The Weeknd’s year)
sell:
1-YMCMB (Drake’s carrying)
2- Taylor Gang (Wiz is carrying)
3- MMG (Meek and Wale are carrying)
4- Odd Future (Tyler’s sophomore will disappoint, Earl won’t be back, and Frank will continue to hover above the childish image)
5- G.O.O.D. (Ye will be on point, compilation won’t live up to the standard the media will set)
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no Reply:
January 12th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@Dfinity,
that’s not a sophomore album lol
tyler is dropping his third album
but it may dissapoint the way he’s talking bout it
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You forgot that there’s gonna be a G.O.O.D Music Album this year
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ovo and xo gang/mmg
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step ya’ll game up. no Black Hippy/HiiiPower/TDE
[Reply]
I’ts always been Team Shady.
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