Black Owned, But Not Black Supported

The older I get, the clearer some things become.  Maybe some of these issues that I see are a sign of the times, but as I speak to others not only in my community but in other communities as well, I find that there is a common theme.  "Black folks don't support each other."  Am I wrong for saying this?  I used to think so until I kept hearing it from others.  A recent conversation with producer George "PrettyBoyBeats" Seal solidified that negative statement.

As I spoke with the producer/artist who is currently in Miami promoting his latest single "Rapper Weed"we talked briefly about his music, but we spent the majority of the conversation talking about the lack of support within the African-American community. "Once I started really believing in myself, the hating immediately appeared," Seals said. "It has to be a self hate," stated Seals," It's really sad."  "It's not the white folks holding us back, it's not the police holding us back, it's us!"

The more I spoke with George "PrettyBoyBeats" Seals, the more I had to agree with him.  Yeah, at times it may have seemed like he was just venting, but he was just speaking the truth. The black community is so caught up on the mainstream that we forget about our stream.  We spend money in establishments that don't want us there, we follow the crowd even though we all boasts that we are leaders, and at times we hate to see each other shine.  Let that sink in and really think about it.  We search for excuses to not support our own, but the true reason lies within us.  When something like the Trayvon Martin incident happens, we run to support the cause and together we stand, but why only in times of tragedy do we stand together?  Why does it take Donald Sterling to say he doesn't want black people at his team's games for us to unite?  As an individual I can be good, but together WE can be great.  Other races come together to reach their goals; when are we going to?  Let's think less me and more we.

The conversation I had with PrettyBoyBeats was not the one I was honestly looking for, but it was real and a topic that definitely needs brought to the light.  As far as the music goes…George loves what he does and wouldn't change it for the world.

Listen to his latest single "Rapper Weed" below and check out the official website of George "PrettyBoyBeats" Seals at www.prettyboybeats.com.


Do blacks support each other enough?  Can we do better? Let us know and comment below.

Follow us on Twitter @Roundtable_Emp

[Special Event!] The Mixtape Cypher Talent Contest

The Mixtape Cypher is coming to the Pittsburgh area and looking for talent to compete for a chance at cash and much more.  The Mixtape Cypher is a talent competition & television show, where singers and rappers compete for an opportunity to feature their music in select city(s) of a major celebrity tour, win $10,000 cash, be advertised on television, showcase their talent during BET Hip-Hop Awards Weekend in Atlanta, GA (Fall 2014), and compete for a multimillion dollar recording deal from Capital Production Group. Contestants will display their talent in 2 rounds - 1 local and 1 national until 1 final winner is selected. 

If you win locally in your city, you will automatically receive marketing and promotion for your music during the selected city(s) of the celebrity tour. Then, you will advance to the national round to compete for the grand prizes. They are currently sending their promotions team to the city(s) of the Drake vs Lil Wayne Tour.  

The Mixtape Cypher is also arranged to be featured on its own television show brought to viewers via IMAX TV.  IMAX TV is designed to be the future of television.  This innovative television experience is set to be the global connection between content creators and their fans worldwide. 

If you think you have what it takes and want your deserving opportunity to shine, contact us at The Roundtable Empire for more info and pre-registration details. Email theroundtableempire@gmail.com now!

Are you the best in da Burgh? The Mixtape Cypher is open to male & female rappers, as well as singers & poets.  All ages are welcome.  If you have 16 bars, you can be in the Mixtape Cypher! Contact us today.

Follow us on Twitter @Roundtable_Emp

[Hot New Music!] August Alsina feat. Nicki Minaj – “No Love” Remix

Love him or hate him, either way you have got to respect him.  New Orleans R&B singer August Alsina speaks the truth. His realness along with his undeniable singing skills is what is going to keep this twenty-one year old around for years.  It’s called longevity.  He has already found the balance between love, sex, and the streets; which is pretty impressive.  He brings a new edge to R&B and further blurs the line between R&B and rap.

After finding recent success with his previous singles, August drops a new remix to his “No Love” single now featuring the First Lady of YMCMB, Nicki Minaj. Check out the “No Love” remix featuring Nicki below and stay tuned to The Roundtable Empire for more new Hip Hop music, news, and more.

Follow us on Twitter @Roundtable_Emp

[Hot New Music!] Wiz Khalifa feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Snoop Dogg – “You and Your Friends”

With Wiz Khalifa’s Blacc Hollywood set to drop August 19th, it seems like Wiz is consistently putting his best foot forward and releasing hit after hit.  Wiz’ lead single “We Dem Boyz” is one this year’s top songs and “KK” is certainly leaving its impact as well.  Today the Pittsburgh rapper drops his latest single “You and Your Friends” featuring Taylor Gang rep Ty Dolla $ign and Khalifa’s assumed to be mentor Snoop Dogg.  DJ Mustard produced the new track, so you already know it’s a banger.

Wiz and friends are getting ready to hit the road and get his Under The Influence Tour started; his only question is “Can he leave with you and your friends?”  Check out the new single “You and Your Friends” by Wiz Khalifa featuring Ty Dolla $ign & Snoop Dogg below. 

Let us know what you think.  Are you going to “Pump It or Dump It?”

Follow us on Twitter @Roundtable_Emp

Top 5 Emcees, Dead or Alive

One of the biggest debates in Hip Hop is who is the best emcee.  It’s funny because no matter what rapper you ask, he is always the best. With every rapper boasting that they are the best and with no true criteria established to determine who is the best, we are all left with just our opinions. 

It seems like other everyday someone I know is in a disagreement that quickly turns into an argument over who are the top emcees in the game.  Whether it is a Top 10, Top 5, or even Top 3, the debate is never settled.  Here at The Roundtable Empire, we have our own opinions, but I wanted to take some time to see who my readers thought was the best.  It is always interesting to me to hear other’s perspectives.  I have done lists like these before and these debates usually end with the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and Jay Z, but determining the rest of the emcees is where it gets fascinating.  Some people go old school like Rakim or Big Daddy Kane.  Some folks decide based on their geographical location…people who live in Cali pick West Coast rappers…people who live in the south pick Down South rappers.  And of course you can’t forget about Eminem, he still doesn’t get his due respect from the African-American audience, but like Jay Z said, “Men lie, Women lie, Numbers don’t.”  Eminem has shattered records and has taken Hip Hop to heights that it has never reached before, but is that due to his support from the majority?  What do you think?

We also can’t forget about the underground scene.  In 2014, there are more rappers than there are listeners, but with that being said, there are more emcees that go unnoticed that truly deserve a platform.  Maybe you know of someone that can compete with anyone in the industry.

Today I want to hear from you.  I want to know your “Top 5 Emcees, Dead or Alive”. 

Be sure to comment below and let us know who you're thinking.  

Let the debate begin. 

Follow us on Twitter @Roundtable_Emp

[Hot New Music!] Fabolous - "Sacrifices"

Brooklyn rapper Fabolous is still blessing fans with visuals from his Soul Tape 3 mixtape, which was released last December.  This time around he drops a video for his “Sacrifices” track.  The song is definitely a nice dose of reality. I have always felt like 10% of the world is doing what they want, while 90% of us are doing what we have to do.

Fab is known for killing verses with his punch lines, but this time these punches really hit home.  I am sure a lot of you can relate as I did.  Take some time out of your day and check out the latest video by Fabolous, “Sacrifices”.

Follow us on Twitter @Roundtable_Emp