Your Favorite White Boy

Even though the list was announced a while ago, the hard copy of XXL’s latest issue, featuring the top 100 hip-hop blog sites, hit the racks this week.  Its a pretty good list – much more authentic than the widely dismissed VIBE list from a number of months earlier – and there are a lot of great sites that made it.

I am privileged to have chopped it up with a number of the good people on that list and I wanted to bust a few words on them – given how little XXL said on some of them.

Daily Mathematics

Combat Jack is a consummate hip-hop insider and a practicing attorney, so you know dude is no joke.  Forget the press releases from PR hacks, I love reading about his run-ins with famous rappers and industry honchos.  The best part about CJ is that he’s actually a real dude – never hesitates to drop in here at YFWB and lay down a comment, even though he doesn’t know me from Adam.  He recently got a gig applying his rap hustle at XXL Magazine itself, and for frequent readers of Daily Math, its not  a surprise.

Dallas Penn

Dallas is a hilarious writer/videographer/blogger, and he was kind enough to hit YFWB with a complement that now graces this site.  But behind all the jokes and gags, Dallas is a true hip-hop head who understands his rap history and appreciates those who respect it.  He gave me some great advice about writing on this here blog, which shows the kind of guy he is – building with other bloggers to make a better community.

The Rap Up

Rizoh over at TRU is hands down one of the realest dudes I have ever met since I started blogging.  Even though he is one of the original hip-hop bloggers, Rizoh is the most unassuming and friendly cats I’ve had the privilege of dealing with.  And the man knows his hip-hop, boy.  He also happens to be a social media ninja.  You want to know how to conquer Digg?  He’s the guy to talk to.  Learned much from “The Blogfather”.

Its The Real

The Rosenthal Brothers were kind enough to sit down for one of my first interviews.  I was a fan, I reached out and they were happy to oblige.  Its been dope to watch them take off and go from an ill concept to being known in the industry.  And their videos are still well done.   Still not sure why they never followed me on Twitter, though.  Still sore about that.

The Smoking Section

TSS  is one of the dope group blogs out there.  Each member of  TSS crew are all strong writers in their own right and bring a real love of hip-hop to their craft.  The TSS comment section is one of the strongest I’ve seen – its like Nah Right without the annoying inside jokes.  They’ll been kind to YFWB in the past, posting a number of my posts in their Smoke Break section and even a few posts about the smack I spout on occasion.  I respect Gotty, TC and the others, which is not something I say often when speaking on bloggers.

Kevin Nottingham

I see a common thread of all the people is that they are real cats who know their hip-hop sh*t and operate with integrity.    That’s why it would be criminal not to put award winning blogger Kevin Nottingham in that category.  Kevin forgets more about hip-hop than most will ever know and he’s always willing to lend a hand.  How he puts up so much original content on his site and not get burnt out is beyond me.  He supports underground hip-hop and he recently launched his own label, HipNott Records.   Support this man.  He is hip-hop.

Hip Hop Is Read

Ivan Rott spends a lot of time cooking up new content for you all to enjoy.  HHIR is a rare combination of hip-hop, pop culture and politics – and Ivan knows both.  I always thought that HHIR is one of the more underrated blogger sites, so its nice to see him get some props.  Being on his Blogfam Twitter list is an honor.

Wake Your Daughter Up

I had the privilege of working with Travis over at WYDU on our ill-fated Midnight Marauders project from last year.  I love the fact that WYDU bucks the trends and Travis blogs about what interests him – not what’s trendy.  This is a must read blog for true hip-hop fans.  I hope I’ll get to work with Travis in the future.

DC to BC

Modi is another blogger I worked with on the MM initiative. I’ve always appreciated his viewpoint on hip-hop and pop culture and DC to BC is mad creative.  And its great to see Modi getting props from no less than next-to-blow-up rapper  J. Cole – even if he can’t seem to get his blog working correctly.   As a dude who had his blog deleted by Google, I know what that struggle is like.

Again, peace and congratulations to all those on the list.  And props to all the fine individuals I’ve met and collaborated with in executing my YFWB duties.  Respect.

Tags: Top 100 Websites, XXL