In a an industry filled with coastal bias, it's about time someone from the West Coast, more importantly the Bay Area, was given the opportunity to shed light on our side of things. Welcome to a West Coast State of Mind, where I'm only bias sometimes, but at least I'll admit it. - ill Will (ill.will@hiphopdx.com)


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‘I see,' I said. ‘Jealously,' I said. ‘Got the whole industry mad at me,' I said. - Jay-Z

Well 2002 was an eventful year. Let's recap: Nas kicked it off with Stillmatic, which was good, but The Source got caught up in the "classic" hype and prematurely gave it a five mics. I wonder what Nas gave Benzino, because though he was able to pull off rationalizing The Flavor Unit being in The Power 30 -and they bounced checks this past year-the jig would for surely be up if Ill Will Records even made the "Look Out for Next Year" list, because yes Nas might be one the greatest artists of our time, he's the worst business man. It's like him and Master P are complete opposites.

F*#& that, a play by play for 2002 could go on for-F*#&ing-ever so let me provide "The Year In Rap For Dummies."

The Rap Industry resembled World Wrestling Entertainment more than anything in 2002. The Battle went from one the most exciting things to happen in years to the most pathetic excuse for attention. It went from "Takeover" vs. "Ether" to Ja Rule and ecstasy vs. DMX and crack, and recently hit rock bottom with The Source Presents... Benzino Die Another Day Eminem Diss Mixtape (I'm not finished with this).

Since we're on the subject of controversy, anybody heard Murder Inc.'s response to the years of being smashed on by 50 Cent? Does anybody care? Here's the thing, they could be telling the truth and 50 might be a snitch, but the cold part about is 99.9999999% OF THE HIP-HOP COMMUNITY WANTS THEM TO DIE HORRIFIC DEATHS AS PUNISHMENT FOR THE TRAUMA THEIR BITCH-MADE MUSIC HAS CAUSED. Everyone must understand that when people proclaim Hip-Hop to be dead, they're only referring to Ja Rule's contribution to the rap game. Need further reason to hate him (I know you don't), he's down with Benzino (I'm still not finished).

Lets see, what else happened? Hmmm, oh yeah, Ray Benzino decided to jeopardize everything The Source has worked to accomplish since 1988 for one last shot at his rap career. I wonder how it's working out? (I'm done... I think).

Note To Reader: I sincerely apologize for being unable to refrain from touching on the Benzino subject. My plan is to prove that even with all the press he's received, plus a hit song, plus with The Source behind him-he'll still brick because RAY BENZINO COULDN'T RAP HIS WAY OUT OF LIL ROMEO'S LUNCHBOX!

hehe funny, sad but true