[After boasting about their collections of chains or ice, some of the rappers also opened about how they couldn't really afford what they bought, or how they felt pressure from their fans to maintain an image they couldn't keep up. They talked about the jealousy involved, about being threatened, being robbed and being hurt. And their regret is palpable.] If anything, the book shows the good, the bad, the ugly, and then the sad, ... They're chasing these gold dreams, but what happens when you put too much value in your chain? If you spend all your money on your ring and then you go broke? It's not an advertisement for jewelry. |
[Observers feel the magazine's spiraling problems mirror a central struggle within hip hop itself.] The roots of the music are very 'street', ... But that has to get along with its newer role, which is very big business. |
Everyone is jumping on the stop-snitching bandwagon. It's all the rage. Even if you have a conversation with police, you'll be called a snitch. |
For any normal person, that is the stupidest thing you could do. But you can't argue that his strategy didn't work. Everyone talked about it, and no one will forget it. |
He can eat anything, even if it's scalding hot. |
If anything, the book shows the good, the bad, the ugly, and then the sad. |
If anything, the book shows the good, the bad, the ugly, and then the sad. They're chasing these gold dreams, but what happens when you put too much value in your chain? If you spend all your money on your ring and then you go broke? It's not an advertisement for jewelry. |
It was a landmark for the hip-hop generation. |
It's still an important brand in hip hop. I don't know what it will take to fix it. But in show business, there are always second acts. |
There is definitely a sense of Rain-mania washing across the 32nd Street land here in Manhattan. |