The Hamiltonization Falsification
I really hate when labels try to use these manipulative musical soap operas for promotion. It would be one thing if these artificial beefs were clever and at the end of the day those involved looked at the camera like “Gotcha!”, unfortunately we’re not dealing with good writers here in the hip-hop industry.
This week two unlikely foes have engaged in another case of beef 2.0 by exchanging unpleasantries through blog posts, videos and Myspace bulletins. In one corner, you have a new artist by the name of Charles Hamilton (see Sonic the Hamilton is a Reminder of Why Hipster Rap Sucks). In the other corner, you have Soulja Boy, a Green Beret when it comes to online warfare.
So here’s their story in a nutshell. Hamilton goes on the radio and gets agitated (as many artists do) when confronted with the topic of Soulja Boy. He proceeds to throw a few jabs at the youngster and blames him for many of his own struggles, mostly his trouble being taken seriously by the music industry. Soulja Boy was quick to take notice of the statements made by Hamilton and on Tuesday afternoon the rapper released a video responding to Hamilton’s attack.
Soulja Boy Responds to Charles Hamilton (VIDEO):
I’ve done a little bit of research and decided to unravel the horribly executed online marketing campaign Interscope Records attempted to pull off to spark the career of Charles Hamilton, while prostituting the names of two of the label’s biggest acts in the process.
1) The disappearing mixtape.
Called The Hamiltization Process, Charles Hamilton recently released a series of mixtapes- each in conjunction with a separate hip-hop blog with the final release in the series, titled The Pink Lavalamp, scheduled to be released with OnSmash.com on Monday Dec.8.
Charles Hamilton's Website
For reasons unknown, the mixtape never reached OnSmash.com, but miraculously found a new home the very same day on 50 Cent’s Social Network, ThisIs50.com, where Hamilton received a warm reception that included a complete Charles Hamilton site makeover featuring ads that covered the site promoting the release of Hamilton’s mixtape and prime real estate on the homepage for a video interview, which featured the now infamous remarks he made about Soulja Boy.
Hamilton Feature on This is 50
Hamilton offered the following explanation for the change on his blog:
Thanks to thisis50.com, onsmash.com…. from what I hear there’s a lil controversy as to what website got what. That was an administrative decision, and I was not behind the scenes on that. Then again, if bloggers aren’t political, I shouldn’t feel any kind of backlash at all.
According to Quantcast (a web traffic monitor), OnSmash.com pulls in over 250K unique visitors each month while ThisIs50.com is said to reach roughly 413K people each month. While the increased exposure is attractive, it’s hard to believe that any rationale “administrative decision” could warrant alienating the high traffic blogs like OnSmash that have been vital to promoting Hamilton’s career.
2) Soulja Boy Responds!
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing at first. Was Soulja Boy really upset about the comments from Hamilton? Out of all the bad things people have said publicly about the kid; was it really possible that Hamilton blaming him for his hedgehog getting no respect warranted Soulja Boy taking the (online) gloves off again?
As I watched the video, I began thinking- this video is actually pretty good…a little too good. I started noticing things that weren’t typical for Soulja Boy’s video masterpieces like editing and adequate lighting.
Here’s what I’m used to seeing:
It wasn’t just the quality of the video that seemed uncharacteristic, but Soulja Boy’s entire demeanor during the video. While he was no Barack Obama, Soulja Boy was surprisingly articulate and charismatic when speaking to Hamilton. This obviously was not the same Soulja Boy who made the nine minute dis video aimed at Ice-T, which featured about 30 seconds of relevancy surrounded by eight and a half minutes of name calling. If one didn’t know any better, they might just say that this seemed rehearsed…
3) The Marketing
Soulja Boy's Response on World Star Hip-Hop
The irregularities of Soulja Boy’s new video continued when instead of debuting the video on his Youtube channel, which makes him money on every click and comment according to the latest issue of Billboard, he opted to host the video on WorldStarHipHop.com.
The video went live on World Star Hip-Hop at approximately 3:40pm on Tuesday. Within the hour, the video was receiving a push from both Soulja Boy and Charles Hamilton.
First Comment- World Star Hip-Hop 3:42 pm
Soulja Boy MySpace Bulletin (4:03 pm)
Charles Hamilton's Blog (4:38 pm)
4) Anti-Viral Video
The Soulja Boy video racked up over 500K views on World Star Hip-Hop during it’s first 24 hours of release, but all press hasn’t proven to be good press for Hamilton, as almost all reviews have favored Soulja Boy. Hamilton has already started waiving the white flag and claims his words were taken out of context.
Hamilton has even proposed a collaboration between himself and the artist he blames for:
…ruining the opportunity of people such as Cory Gunz, Mickey Factz, Kid Cudi to be accepted in the mainstream.
5. How It Failed
It’s very simple to figure out why this marketing plan blew up in Interscope’s face. They got greedy.
This plan could have worked and caused the sort of controversy they were seeking, but they let the entire story unfold in a day. We all know things move quickly on the internet, but this was too quick. They ran through the introduction, built the story, climaxed and then concluded the saga within twenty four hours.
It also may have worked better if all the players involved weren’t signed to the same label.
Interscope was trying to establish Hamilton as an anti-hero. He was their answer for all the hip-hop fans who reject Soulja Boy’s music. They assumed his online presence was strong enough to compete with that of Soulja Boy and attempted to instigate a fight between the two respective fan bases. Nice try.
The problem I have with all of this nonsense is exactly what I said when I reviewed Hamilton’s mixtape a few weeks ago; I’m sick of major labels diluting the talent pool of hard-working artists by trying to buy their way in. Say what you will about Charles Hamilton’s work ethic. All credibility he had was lost when he sold his soul to the suits and allowed them to turn his career into this cheap marketing campaign. In the end he disrespected the blog sites that he owes his career to, embarrassed himself and insulted the intelligence of his fans by expecting them to buy into the gimmick.
Like I said before, hip-hop fans are too smart for this stuff. Someday you’ll learn…
DandyID
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12/11/2008
Wow…. great read.
12/11/2008
You know wat it is kid!!!! When a major label tries to do marketing instead of leaving it to the pro's like me
12/11/2008
You couldn't be any more wrong. Cute theory, but you can't plan dumb shit like this. Interscope had nothing to do with this. Once again, you're an idiot and don't seem to know half as much as you think you do
12/11/2008
Ditto. Really good read.
12/11/2008
What a coincidence that the "Brooklyn Girls" video dropped today….
12/11/2008
why does it seem like you just hate on charles hamilton for no reason? don't get me wrong, I feel what u sayin to a certain extent but it seems like you just hate on him no matter what he does…c'mon. Soulja Boy? Seriously? Winning against ANYONE?
12/11/2008
it's crazy when conspiracy theorists dibble and dabble in hip hop internet "beefs"….hahaha what has this world come to
12/11/2008
"All credibility he had was lost when he sold his soul to the suits and allowed them to turn his career into this cheap marketing campaign. In the end he disrespected the blog sites that he owes his career to, embarrassed himself and insulted the intelligence of his fans by expecting them to buy into the gimmick.
Like I said before, hip-hop fans are too smart for this stuff. Someday you’ll learn…"
Like what? What was learned that no name blogger, seem to be offended by anything, tend to get their panties in a bunch over nothing, and dont realize that the blogospheres is a soon to be dwarfed echo chamber.
I checked a few other blogs and no one is really biting this pretend story. It has absolutely nothing to do with actual music. Just another "gotcha" moment from a no name blogger.
12/11/2008
the fact is, "beefs" and stupid stuff like this is all PLANNED out by labels nowadays to raise awareness and promote material and/or artists. He may be wrong about a particular situation, but the fact is that he's not wrong about the label being behind planned incidents
12/11/2008
Yo this is the dumbest conspiracy theory I have read!!!! You should work on finding where big foot is also. LMAO!!!!! I graduated college with a degree in journalism and the first thing they teach you in school is to write the facts and leave opinions at the door. If you do write an opinionated piece then you have to make sure you that your readers know that what you are writing is not fact. Please don't write the article like you know exactly what you are talking about. This is how readers get fooled and the pool of good online journalism gets ruined. Most bloggers suck at writing anyway and that's why I chose to stay away from the blogging fad.
As for the so called "beef" This is coming from someone that knows Charles Hamilton and his team. THIS WAS NOT FABRICATED. Soulja girl started it. This won't be the last time Charles will be in "beef" as well since he does not hold his tongue for no one. All New York dudes are like that so don't balme the man for stating his opinion. That's two southern rappers that have caught feelings when Charles shitted on them. LMAO
12/11/2008
thats a good thought.. it could be true. he might of sold his soul to the suits but he is at the position where as a fan i hope the best for him. i cant wait for him to blow up and watch everybody hop on the charles hamilton bandwagon!! its about time people get off that solja boy shit anyway
-i am not charles hamilton
12/11/2008
THIS WAS NOT FABRICATED. The Pink Chipmunk started it. He came out of the blue and said Soulja Boy was holding his, MIckey Factz, Kid Cudi's and Corey Gunz career back.
So Soulja Boy had no choice but to Black on him because it was a lie.
12/11/2008
Excellent post.
12/11/2008
I KNEW THIS WAS A SET UP!!!
Interscope paid off xplosive to fabricate the story that the dispute between Sonic and Superman was fabricated. That's double fabrication. I'll tell you what this amounts to:
a lot of fabric.
12/11/2008
LMAO!!!! Good shit Papa Bear.
12/11/2008
Although I can agree with a lot of what you said, musicians, their opinions and the way they present themselves to the public has never mattered to me. It's all about the quality of music they make, and when you put Charles Hamilton against Soulja Boy.. well, I'm pretty sure Charles' talent surpasses that of our beloved Soulja Boy.
At the end of the day people shouldn't judge a musician off their actions, because if people did that would the musicians people love world wide such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan really be given so much respect and love? Each of them has done things that have been negative to their fans, both of them have had their problems with drugs, their problems with labels and indecent exposure. Sure, I disagree with a lot of their actions, but that doesn't change my opinion on the great music they make.
I know I didn't stop watching Seinfeld when Michael Richards said the N word.
That being said, whatever, this is all internet bullshit, just like you said.. but people are taking it way too seriously. We need love, people.
LOVE
12/11/2008
damn son!
12/11/2008
There's no way you can call this dumb.. there is always that possibilty.. dont be so Naive.
But…
At the end of the day, major labels are only worried about makin money so… the only way to clear this shit up is to ask Mr.hamilton himself.. From what i've seen and read, he seems like an honest dude BUT you never know…
I'm a fan of Charles and his music, been following since "Outside Lookin In". And the music he makes isn't what you call "mainstream" music … Which makes your theory very logical. Only time will tell.
Either way, ima still have charles in rotation… Peace.
12/11/2008
WHY ARE U HATING XPLOSIVE??? THIS IS GOOD ENTERTAINMENT
The Hedgehog PMSing like a woman, priceless. Doing the KANYE diva dance and doesn't even have an album out. By the way, check out the latest tracks on the player on Charles Hamilton's player on his blog. They are the best yet. They are from the Pink Lavalamp. But I know you won't. You're afraid to. Because there's no denying how good they are if you hear them. That would be a problem for you because then you would have to go back on what you said. And you aren't man enough to handle that. So just keep doing the Soulja Boy.
12/11/2008
You have no life…For even trying to do a "conspiracy theory" between to upcoming artist that you probably don't listen to…Go read a book nigga
12/11/2008
People who don't know what the fuck they're talking about should stay out of grown folks' business. This shit is all wrong.
12/11/2008
All of this is hearsay and SMH at those of you who think this blog post is fact.
12/11/2008
xplosive, don't be a killjoy, most people enjoy the free entertainment, let them have their fun even if it's a puppet show
12/11/2008
well done, there are a few other things that stood out to me:
- this beef could have eventually gotten Soulja Boy's face + release date (glimpse of tour bus) all across the "real" hip hop blogs that wouldn't otherwise mention SB, if it wasn't because he was talking about an artist they would post regularly. (more interscope fuckery)
- i also noticed he wasn't using his webcam to film this like he did in this shit
youtube.com/watch?v=BavAi2p9UG0
(look at how uncomfortable they are just to all appear in the shot)
- why would thisis50 upload Soulja Boy's statement, when they're pushing CH so hard on their front page?
youtube.com/watch?v=TOxfPmAcS-A
!? (notice that they didn't lift it off WSHH, it has a thisis50 tag and no mention of "worldstar")
12/11/2008
Yeah, this whole thing was obviously a work. But who gives a fuck? On one end you have Soulja Boy and on the other you've got Hamilton. Other than the free e-ntertainment you get from having them throw shots at each, does anyone really care about this? I'm a fan of Hamilton's music but him coming out of the wood work and blaming Soulja Boy of all people as the reason why people don't listen to his music sounded crazy as hell to begin with. I just think the whole thing was silly. Even if it was genuine.
12/11/2008
Oh and nice post, i linked to it on my blog.
12/11/2008
Actually, this worked. We're still talking about it.
12/11/2008
you realize how much a tool you come off as when you are always riding charles' dick right? you mad a young brother came up on his own not affiliated to the unit or the roc or whatever and is making waves? get a life homeboy nobody knows you or your blog, you're like a wack ass gossip reporter, grow up homeboy
12/11/2008
LMAO wooooooww. went in on them with the exposure.
12/11/2008
Lots of name calling, but none of the haters offering counter points. Hamilton fans must be prone to watching The O'Reilly Factor.
12/11/2008
a counter point would be:
1st – why the hell would they waste the time on orchestrating this? you clearly have no insight on what goes on so you make up conspiracies theories that you rationalize anyway you can, do you really think that interscope thinks that having charles get into a youtube "beef" with soulja boy is a good look for either of them, not to mention they are doing this to promote a album/mixtape that they have nothing to do with?
2nd – did it ever cross your mind that maybe thisis50 might have gotten the clip of charles and let SB here it and in an attempt to drive more traffic to their site, to increase ad revenue, baited him into replying with a video that they would release? that doesn't cross your mind at all, that maybe neither of them are behind it becoming such a public thing but in fact other people are?
3rd – when will you realize that your obsession with bashing charles is borderline homoerotic, absolutely childish, and last but not least makes you look worse than anybody else in the situation. appealing to the percentage of ignorant people who read blogs on a daily basis is what you need to do to go boost your ego? you're the reason why the whole concept of blogging is fucked up, because nobody likes you, you choose to tear down people on the come up in an attempt to boost your own self esteem, get a life homeboy
12/11/2008
you also forgot to mention that he dropped a joint on hiphopgame.com today responding to Soulja Boy…
12/11/2008
[...] about posting anything mildly referring to the Hamilton v. Soulja Boy stuff but once I fully read this article it did have me [...]
12/11/2008
Yo my dude – Great breakdown here on the whole “Fake War” but the interesting thing I noticed is you saying u don’t respect this C Ham dude but yet the way I came cross this blog of yours was BECAUSE OF A EMAIL BLAST YOU SENT LOL. PLUS, on the top of the email was a promo link to buy C Ham’s album which u already done stated is way hipster rap sux in one of ur past articles. THEREFORE this leads me to believe you in on the fake promo too – GOOD JOB! – I’m not one to knock nobody’s hustle, LOL… Shameless promo is the key to alot of this “Music Game” so @ the end of the day, all a label or rapper one might overly criticize cares bout is stacking that paper to support his family n lifestyle since were ALL a lil gullible when it comes to music/artists we like!
*BTW – Download/Buy my 2 “PURPLE CHROME” albums off ITunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, eMusic, Amiestreet, Youtube, Napster, etc… LMAO
*Album 1 “Purple Chrome: Diverge”
*Album 2 “Purple Chrome: Super Collabos Vol. 1″
- Seneca Malcolm A.K.A. “Purple Chrome” -> Bronx, NY Underground Ghost Producer, Singer-Songwriter, & Pro Tools Engineer.
12/11/2008
[...] The Hamiltonization Falsification Share and Enjoy: [...]
12/12/2008
People can argue all they want about if this is true or not. One thing for sure, Charlie boy fucked up…his video got NO love from a lot of big blogs when it got released. Xplosive definitely right about homie having no support without the NMC pushing him. Karma a bitch, ya dig!!!
12/12/2008
i been workin close w/a interscope artist for years and will say this seams like the type of shit they pull…no joke…they always trying to ride coattails of the successful artists and try to make em push no names ESPECIALLY ONLINE SHIT!!! i really thought this was a dis-gruntled former member of interscope staff but he prolly wouldnt be posting this up cuz they'd be sueing 4 giving away trade secrets. this on point though.
12/12/2008
These innanet street teams who are paying bloggers off for their positive promotion beeen killing me. I have very open ears. When I first heard Eminem I couldn't front on the skill. Now these cats like Hamilton,Roth and Cool Kids have all these "tastemakers" saying that they are the new shit and I just don't hear it. I mean I've been listening to HipHop since the mid 80's and have seeen it all. 1 thing you had to have above anything else was talent….Nowadays they push the least talent and try to get you to buy it without having anything real to back it up. Glad I'm not alone wit how I think.
12/12/2008
lol this is the best post of all time.
12/12/2008
If Charles Hamilton's fan base was derived from how ill his music is, other then how many times people have seen/hear the brotha's name, then he should have nothing to worry about. Sadly, I don't think that's the case, I have yet to hear a classic track from the kid, and i just don't see longevity in his future.
12/12/2008
very wrong…u said it urself that charles was confronted and got agitated about the SB topic….so how then was this planned to get charles exposure and shit? Its sites like this bullshit that make it into a beef and all that shit. get over it. talk about FUCKIN MUSIC…and THEN take shit abou Charles….his music is 10x better than more than 90% in the game right now….hip hop fans are too smart for this???? u fuckin kiddin…whys soulja boy rich then???? goddamn i hate hip hop fans…
12/12/2008
http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/07/24/2dope-questions-w...
1. With all the madness that recently involved Ice-T and Soulja Boy, what is your take on the thoughts that his kind of music is proving to be more detrimental than beneficial to hip-hop?
Charles Hamilton: I’ve said this in my blog, and I’ll say it again: Soulja Boy is the best rapper alive because if you diss him you will automatically lose, just because if Soulja Boy responds, niggas is gonna pay more attention to what he has to say than you. Not only did Ice-T come at him wrong, he came at a kid wrong, and Soulja Boy came back and said exactly what a little kid would say: “You old-ass nigga, I had respect for you because you were a forefather. Now you can kiss my ass.” And as far as detriment to music, people need to look at Shawty Lo and these cats that come out and do exactly what everyone else is doing, but worse. Shawty Lo is a really bad impersonation of Jeezy… I can’t sit still knowing that that hot ass beat (”Dey Know”) went to a cat like that, and it took a remix for me to really pay attention to him. There are rappers out there who are bodying hip-hop, like murdering it. As much as Fat Joe has a legendary career, he’s not doing anything for the progression for it. You were part of Diggin’ In The Crates with Big L; how do you go from that to “I Won’t Tell?”There has to be some kind of balance. And if this comes across as disrespect my fault; it’s just there’s more people besides Soulja Boy that are responsible for what’s happening in hip-hop, and they won’t take responsibility because they call themselves “legends.”
2. Who’s your favorite Sonic character and why? Mine was Knuckles because he was the token Black guy in the series.
Charles Hamilton:Well I am Sonic, so I guess my favorite character would be [his girlfriend] Amy Rose, because my girlfriend’s right next to me.
12/12/2008
OFFICIAL CHARLES HAMILTON DISS SONG AGAINST SOULJA BOY "DUMMY"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZHLZ1GDdpY&eu...
12/12/2008
WTF?? This just gets more bizarre. I wonder why there's no promotion going on…hope I didn't mess up a "plan".
I almost want to assume Charles was drunk when he made this…really the only excuse one can have for completely ignoring the beat…
http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=tracks...
12/12/2008
hedgehog admitted this shit was FAKE!
he says thanks 50 for the art of war!
get the fuck outta here!
Sonic been Dead
12/12/2008
[...] Hamilton & Soulja Boy beef STAGED The Hamiltonization Falsification | Xplosive World CHarles lost it this time [...]
12/12/2008
[...] Oddly the fact that these two are on the same label, Interscope Records, and Hamilton happens to be Jimmy Iovine’s latest pet project, caused some to speculate that the beef was fixed. [Read This] [...]
12/13/2008
Round 2
CH made another diss track using T-Pain Auto Tuner and Beat.
http://uheardthatnew.blogspot.com/2008/12/respons...
12/12/2008
[...] word has begun to trickle out, summed up quite well by DJ Xplosive. Since no one else loosely related to the blogger side of [...]
12/13/2008
the fact that you studied this situation between two bullshit rappers with the dedication of a grad student is a lil' scary!
12/14/2008
[...] music on site all music shared on this web site is for promotional use only. if you like what you hear please go support your favorite artist. i do – . December 14, 2008, 12:12 am Filed under: news http://www.xplosiveworld.com/2008/12/11/the-hamiltonization-falsification/ [...]
12/14/2008
xplosive saved hip-hop. thank you sir.
12/14/2008
I'm shocked at how many people think this isn't true. I mean really. How many other rap battles could've happened but didn't because both parties were on the same label?
12/14/2008
Papa Bear — Best comment hands down. I'm done lol
12/15/2008
Good read, I miss hip hop for a day and this happens wow
12/16/2008
who ever wrote this deserves a dam award
12/16/2008
Charles, just stick to making good music. That’s what you do. Stay out of this soap opera bullshit.
12/17/2008
[...] His music’s not to bad. he got some skills on the mic, but at the same time hes kinda left field which is good. Push the bounds all for that. But the soulja boy beef? WAAACK The Hamiltonization Falsification | Xplosive World [...]
03/29/2009
[...] lemme know. FULL STORY: Check the full e-mail from Black Spade after the jump SUGGESTED READING: Xplosive World’s “The Hamiltonization Falsification” FURTHER READING: Karen Civil’s “Tough Love” and Rhymefest speaks out Part 1 [...]
03/29/2009
Wow.
04/20/2009
"hip-hop fans are too smart for this stuff."
if there ever was a hyperbole…
05/30/2009
I JUST WANT TO SAY SOULJA BOY IS BECOMING VERY ARTICULATE I WATCHED HIM ON THE VIEW AINT NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT
11/19/2009
we from da south so there is no dout we sick together music wise and wil every body mad at us thats time that they could be working on crafted. because new york and cally to me ya'll just need to grow in your mind and stop being behind the times because music will never stay the same so you always got to follow the game ya feel me. jook da ratchet crook shreveport la. hustla nation see no evil,hear no evil, stay no evil da stop snicthin movement.