Blerd-Hop: Dr. Dre and Grand Theft Auto Change The Music Landscape.

Hip-Hop is everywhere and the culture innovates the world into the progression of not only sound but technology as well. Rockstar Games and Dr. Dre have worked together to debut new music from one of the G.O.A.Ts. People have been waiting for new music from the Doctor since the 2015 soundtrack Compton was released. With a new EP composed of 6 new songs, Dr. Dre brings something to the GTA franchise that has never been done before. A Video Game could be the place to release new projects exclusively and that could be the new norm in the age of technology that we are currently in.

Music is everywhere and video games are no different. Music can help make a game go to the next level with an audio experience that can make the average gamer pause the game to absorb the music, or change the levels in their game to highlight the music and turn down the games audio to vibe to the score of the game while being brought into a "new" world. This is an innovation I have been looking for since Jay Electronica made Exhibit A and it was the song that made Fight Night Champion more than just a boxing game. It had the hottest new song out and all of my friends bought the game to get the song because they could not find the song anywhere. GTA Online wins where so many other games fail.

The win comes not only from people that play the game getting new content to play the game but it merges the interest of people that want games with people that want music as well. Imagine if Drake comes out with a new project and a video game is the only place it can be streamed or heard for a time. That revolutionizes how music can be distributed and used in the video game market. The real genius is how Dr. Dre is in the game as well and a music video was made using his character from the game to produce something we do not see in the music industry too often which is digital partnerships to push product. In the age of NFTs this can be the new norm and Dr. Dre and Rockstar games are well ahead of the curb.

Check out the music video below and think will video games now be used to move exclusive music? Can this marriage bring forth a new genre in music and push the Hip-Hop culture forward? Dr. Dre has been in front of the innovative culture with Beats Speakers, Headphones and now with music videos in games that connect to the story that promotes new music to have as well. Hip-Hop and technology is walking into the future hand in hand with Dr. Dre as the artist and innovator making bold changes to the music landscape. You never know the next big independent artist may premiere in a song and in game video in your next generation video game console or online gaming very soon. Tune in for the change and be sure to play GTA Online: The Contract today for more.

And Then There Was...X...RIP DMX

All heroes do not wear capes. All heroes did not get their power from spider bites, magic rocks or something that does not relate to our lives. In Hip-Hop culture our heroes are the people that came from the bottom and made it out to a place where they could influence others with their voices and talents. DMX is a hero when it comes to Hip-Hop and life because he looks like us, he suffered like us and ultimately he died leaving us to remember the man and the myth called DMX.

For me DMX is more than a rapper/MC. DMX was a statement the world was not ready for. The hardcore street bred rapper that talked to his demons in his music but prayed for forgiveness and salvation on record and with the people. Whether he was making us dance, recognizing the harshness of the street life, bringing the most beautiful women to the party, or being the family we all have that deals with demons of their own, DMX is our hero.

Transcending Hip-Hop is hard to do but this man went from music, to movies, to video games and ultimately into our everyday lives by dealing with his demons and trauma head on when on Television. Iyanla may not have fixed his life, and the documentaries may have never fully told us his story but the tales of the adventures of Earl Simmons tells us of more than music. There are the prayers, the sitting with the homeless, giving money and charity, and all for what? Ultimately he did what so many people fail to do when they make it "big". He stayed grounded and connected to the people while keeping God first.

We will remember DMX for the music, his rendition of Rudolph the Red Nose Rain Deer, and the Drink Champs interview he did. Even while the mainstream media wants to keep a negative stigma on his name by talking about what he lost or his "troubles", DMX will be our light and inspiration whenever he asks "Where the hood at?" He will forever be a voice that will be remembered for standing out in the crowd and making the song where people had to keep up with his energy and presence on the track. DMX is a G.O.A.T talent that we may never see again. They say heroes never die. If that is true then it is up to us to forever keep his memory and influence alive. Through all the good and tough times DMX held us down and now it is our turn to honor our hero by remembering the man, the pain and the music that changed our lives. #RIPDMX