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Here's a question/scenario posted in one of the Music Executive groups I am a part of.

Question: Kelli Ball

"I was in the company of 2 very notable industry figures a couple of weeks ago who were advising me on what musical direction to take my group Damozel. Their advice, although backed with their reasons of validity, somewhat shocked me. “R&B is dead, and no one will ever look your girls way if you release them as an R&B group” It was suggested that I listen to Rhianna, and Beyonce, and Nikki Minaj and create Pop songs like “S&M” and “Bass Boom”. This is after I played songs that were deemed “fire”, “hot”, and a “hit” but countered with “Radio won’t play it”, “the public doesn’t want to hear that”, “a Label won’t touch them sounding like that”. They even added that “Rap has been redefined as an edgier Pop thanks to artists like Drake”, and “You won’t find a Black artist that will claim being an R&B or Rap artist nowadays, not if they want to blow up, with Radio support and endorsements”. The foundation of Damozel is R&B. They were brought up inspired by the Jodeci’s, 112’s, Dru Hill’s, SWV’s, and every other R&B great that you can imagine. How can an entire genre of music that at one time defined and guided other music genres be obsolete? Have Black artists sold out to stay relevant? I ask you all, seriously, Is R&B dead? And if it is, why am I the last person to find out about it?"


Reply: Tawala Sharp (former Music Director @ 100.3 The Beat, Los Angeles CA)
My name is Tawala Sharp; I was the Music Director at 100.3 The Beat in Los Angeles when I first heard of Damozel. I remember hearing your music and thinking how good it was, your group reminded me of Total. I am reaching out because people post so fast and so often in this group that I often don’t get a chance to read what everybody has posted, luckily I get them in my personal e-mail in-box as well so when I get a chance I go back and read some of the older posts and after reading your post just now I had to respond… First off, Its individuals in the game like that that halts the progression of our music. R&B IS FAR FROM DEAD!!! There are several R&B artists that are enjoying great success right now – JILL SCOTT, KEM, LEDISI, CHARLIE WILSON, MARSHA AMBROSIUS, MUSIQ SOULCHILD, KELLY PRICE, ANTHONY DAVID, JENNIFER HUDSON and R. KELLY just to name a few, and there are several more R&B artists signed to Major and Independent Label deals that are in regular rotation on the radio, selling on ITunes, climbing the chart and performing all across the country…I believe the sound of Damozel fits in right along with everyone I’ve named. Understand this, the music industry is plagued by individuals who couldn’t hear a hit if Mike Tyson landed one right on their ear! The people telling you and your group to listen to and be more like Rhiana, Beyonce and Nikki Minaj are the same people who passed on Drake because at the time EVERYBODY was looking for the next Lil’ Wayne…Then Drake’s music blows up…Next Lil’ Wayne signs him…NOW EVERYBODY WANTS THE NEXT DRAKE!!! This business is full of %$#@# riders so please don’t change for them. Because radio was overrun by Hip-Hop sounding R&B at the time Alicia Keys first single was a Hip-Hop influenced cut called “Girlfriend”…This single did nothing on my station or any other station in the country. It was a downright flop...But, Clive Davis believed in her project and so did the entire staff at J records. After quickly rethinking their strategy and going back to the drawing board they decided to push Alicia Keys doing what she does best – Soulful R&B and came back with the second single – The R&B Super Smash “Fallin”! This was a single that cut through all the noise and launched her into the music stratosphere…True; in the current world of Mainstream Urban Radio it is all about Beyonce and Nikki Minaj right now. That doesn’t mean you go into the studio and crank out music that makes you sound like them...Don’t become the “next” – BE THE FIRST! Be the group that cuts through everything and brings the “Girl Group” back to the forefront. Your group’s music is hot. Trust and Believe in it...

As Rolling Stone did with its recent Queen of Pop ranking (where Lady Gaga came out on top, until readers reinstated Madonna to the throne), the publication has now utilized its own formula to anoint the King of Hip-Hop. And unlike on Forbes' recent Cash Kings tally, where Jay-Z runs the rap empire, it's Eminem who rules the mic. Is Rolling Stone going to need a doctor when fans of the lower-ranked MCs get a load of this list?

Bing: Taylor Swift covers Eminem

As with its Queen of Pop ranking, the longstanding music mag took into consideration several factors, including album sales, Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Songs charts and total YouTube video views. But it only went back to 2009 when looking for numbers to crunch.

"Thanks to his two latest chart-topping albums, 2009's "Relapse" and 2010's "Recovery," the man otherwise known as Slim Shady sold more than two-and-a-half times the number of albums as the second-ranked Lil Wayne during our survey period," says Rolling Stone.

One similarity between the Forbes and Rolling Stone lists: Wigged-out Nicki Minaj is the only female MC represented among the rest of the fellas. All hail the ... queen of the kings?

Below is the Rolling Stone master ranking of the Kings of Hip-Hop. We'd love to hear what you have to say about this list in the comments below. Did the magazine get it right with this list?

1. Eminem
2. Lil Wayne
3. Drake
4. Kanye West
5. Jay-Z
6. Nicki Minaj
7. Rick Ross
8. Ludacris
9. Gucci Mane
10. T.I.
11. Snoop Dogg
12. Diddy
13. Pitbull
14. Fabolous
15. Wiz Khalifa
16. B.O.B.
17. Waka Flocka Flame
18. Lupe Fiasco
19. Kid Cudi
20. Big Boi