When a crown is passed
No one knows exactly when it happens. But after it does, everybody knows. People can literally feel it. Because its powerful. One reign over. And new one beginning.
It happens not so often on a big platform like music. One can't feel when a drug kingpin in Detroit is taken over by his young rival. The world doesn't feel it when a CEO is forced out. Then replaced by his apprentice.
The stage, and interests for these transfers of power are not big enough. But on a platform as large and universal as music, it makes waves.
When a lion takes over territory from another the lion roars constantly after the fight. This is to let everyone know that a change has come. And that he is in charge now.
And in a competitive genre like hip-hop, the shift is even louder. Fans take note first. Then the artist who takes over, then the artists who's replaced.
Then come the numbers from sells. The number of views on social media. Then questions from the media begin. 'Are you still on top'? 'What do you think about so an so'? And the eternal question, 'do you plan a comeback'?
Then the anger starts. 'After all I've done. After all the records I've sold even broken. After all the good things I've done. After being so nice to my fans. All the charity crap I've done. Inviting people on stave with me'.
Then the one who took your crown is questioned. 'Are you the hottest out right now'? 'Did you expect to sell so many records'? 'Who influenced you'. 'Is there anyone in the game right now that you're feelin'?
'Well what do you think of so an so'? 'What do you think of them doing such and such'?
These questions are unavoidable. And the questions must be answered. One heard the other said this. Or that the other laughed at that. A question is asked. Then misinterpreted. The competitive juices start flowing. A confrontation is inevitable.
The comes the shade. Usually instigated by the old head. While Protecting her crown, or defending her standing. Something is said about the other. Either in an interview, or on an record.
"Never be another me/What, you out your mind?" -Lil Kim to Nicki Minaj
The squad get in their ears. 'Yo you hear that'? The rebuttal is prepared. "Did I kill a queen?" Nicki Minaj to Lil Kim
Fans join in and the comparisons begin. The debates over influence and who better begins.
Points are made. Feelings are hurt. A rivalry begins. A war of words proceeds.
One falls into history. Their time is over.
No One holds the crown forever. And not long after another challenger appears. The new ones are always loud, brash, their team talks too much. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They go hard. They're hungry.
The old head is polished now. Hasn't had competition in ages. She has achieved success beyond her wildest dreams.
"I hear they comin' for me because the top is lonely... I'm the best bitch doing it, doing it," -Nicki Minaj, 2010 debut Pink Friday.
Words that were true at the time. But things change before you know it.
"I've worked to hard and come too far too let anybody f*ck with my success!!!!" -Cardi b to Nikki Minaj, via Instagram
Some lines you cross only once. And at some point, there are no more warning shots. Things finally come to a head.
The feeling of change is back once again. A winner has been chosen. The prize. The crown. The dust settles. And like so many times before. One reign ends. And other, begins.
“I hate this shit, I really, really do. A bitch like me, I was happier when I was macking in the hood. This shit right here is so fake. When I used to be a regular bitch from the Bronx -- a hood bitch -- when somebody used to be fake to me it was cool because I could approach a bitch and punch her right in her closure... Now that I’m in the industry, you don’t work like that, just have to watch shit go, watch shit go. You gotta see people play you and just say nothing like a dick. That shit is so wack my n---a like that shit be breaking my heart because the people, your idols, become rivals.”
-Cardi b, via Instagram
By -jonathan donnell riley
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