BOOTLEG CD's- The New Underground Radio by Java Bomani

From the May 2004 Issue of
POLITRICX E-MAGAZINE

BOOTLEG CD's- The New Underground Radio
by Java Bomani

I know the Big Willies up in their plush pads and penthouse offices can't bear the
thought, but… the $2.00 bootleg CD spot is actually assisting them in work they used to
do. The corner store Blackbusters are basically acting as a street team for the fat cats who
earn all the money. They used to work, but now the only GRIND they know of is what
their man - servant does to their personally picked and imported coffee beans for their
morning Latte. The only time they are induced to sweat is when they cash their paycheck.
Stress triggered anxiety attacks are bought on when they wonder whether the bank will
have enough loot in the Safe to cover their paycheck. It used to be a time when dinosaurs
walked the earth. There was also a time when record companies supported and built up
the careers of their artist through grass root marketing, going to clubs, airplay and more,
but that doesn't happen anymore. There was also a time when radio stations played more
than the top 30 records of the day. I know some of ya’ll are too young to remember… but,
back in the day a artist or two actually had their careers take off when their records hit
the air waves. I know it's hard to believe. They also used to play more than the same 12
songs, 12 times a day. I have a personal policy as a broke ass brother in America; if an
artist wants me to buy their CD, I need to hear at least 2 classics or 3 that I really like. I’
m tired of buying the CD’s of artist who only got into the business for the money and the
backstage sex sessions. Cool… do that, yeah… true, I’m jealous, but at least have some
pride in your craft. Look on the back of the CD and there’s 20 song and skits. When you
hear it, 2 of em are hot. I feel like I just got jacked, ‘don’t you?’

So few of the artist X*%X#@X wait. Let me call them what they are, they earned it.

So few of these rappers work on their craft. They bring their boys in and put them on, or
they put a woman in the game cause she looks good, or has a big ass. None of that is going
to make a hot CD; which is what I want from you. Maybe it’s wrong, but most of ya’ll don’
t get the benefit of the doubt no more. You could’ve at least used grease when ya’ll did
my wallet OZ style. I’ve been forced to go the new underground radio – the $2.00 man.
Now let me say this; I support all the artist I like and I can’t stress enough to hip hop
fans how important it is for you to do that, go to the store (or online store, download) and
buy their records. If you don’t, they won’t generate the sales numbers the record
companies need to keep them on the roster, leaving us with only the pop u lar. As a
writer, I am very sensitive to copyright infringement, but you rappers can’t expect people
to just buy your crap because you put it out. There’s only a few artist who you can trust to
go out and buy their work as soon as it comes out. You don’t even have to hear it – you
know they’re gonna bring it. It’s not a homerun every time, but you know they we’re
trying.

Here’s how some of the artist benefit by having their CD’s bootlegged.

It gets heard. Mixtapes also help out with this problem. You don’t hear it on the radio. I
just got a $2.00 CD of a group I never would’ve bought because their image and sound is
in the popular vein, and found out that I actually liked it more than I would’ve ever
thought. That’s good for them, because now I respect them as a group and as artist. Did I
go to the store and buy the legit copy? No… but they got my respect. Next time I won’t
need to be convinced that they are real before I make a decision.

Java 'Tha Ancient' Bomani

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