Also, DC is GREAT at producing national talent. It unites behind one artist cause people understand that it's all for one and one for all. It's such a tight knit community!

And Jason, I can't think of ONE WAY in which the guys behind Dischord records are in any different then the young rappers of today. Not even one. That's a direct parallel as far as I'm concerned! Great point!

And Andrew, my hat is off to you for considering being positive about Wale. That's sweet that someone of your position would consider it! I'm really glad you thought better of it though. I know that it's important for people of your stature not to appear tobe in bed with popular trends. I hear the guys at PGC and WKYS were thinking along the same lines as you. Great minds think alike right?

And finally, I am sure that Wale has never done anything positiv for the district. Like when he performed with a GoGo band for the last year on national and international tours and on gigantic awards shows. I know that didn't help anybody but Wale! What a selfish guy for shouting out his hometown as much as he does too. I'm sure that's just a calculated ploy to make sure people know where he's from. So they can send him presents probably. What a jerk!

Thank again City Paper, now I know why you guys have broken so many artists over the years.

Much Love,
Dr. S.

Now if you're ok with being a big fish in a small pond (DC), cool. However, if you plan to be the big fish in the big pond (DC and far beyond) and maintain that status, you have to give people a reason to continually support you. Another solution to this would be pride, much of which the area has been stripped. Not to mention, the great migration of residents not native to the region throughout the years. A lot of us don't know who we are anymore. I know many will debate that, however it's hard to create a scene that could truly stand up to any other when we are guilty of two things:

1. The infamous "crabs in a barrel" mentality (if you're Black and grew up here from age 2 it's in you. Acknowledge it, embrace it and then let it go)

2. Lack of pride (due to a diminished working class) for what has already existed here and what we've produced throughout the decades. Most of DC's indigenous population lives in the burbs now and we have now become a city of trend following and copycats. With all that going on, it's become harder for the prideful natives to be heard and respected. Likewise, those who have the true talent skip town because they don't want to be bothered with a place that isn't conducive to their work.

Regardless of what you think about it musically, members of that community worked to build the scene. They released records to document the music that they and their friends were making. They were willing to stay in the community and build the local music scene, and in some cases worked hard to create a career in the community.

In contrast, "putting the DMV on" has little to do with "the DMV". It's about local rappers using community support to further their own careers and leaving town as soon as they get a modicum of success, then expecting the community to support them again after the star has faded.