When the initial news about this year’s TIME 100 most influential people came out, I think it only included a limited number which is why I only mentioned Sean John. However, both Daddy Yankee and Will Smith were included.
I feel particularly remiss about leaving out Daddy Yankee because I’m very interested in Latino rap news and the rise of reggaeton is pretty fascinating so far. Besides his many other accomplishments, Daddy Yankee seems to have won the war of "firsts" being waged with Tego Calderon, reggaeton’s other top superstar.
Over the last year there were a whole series of press releases from both of these artists’ pr folks stating that they were the first reggaeton artist to do this or to do that. Since reggaeton is new, that means a lot of firsts are possible. But Daddy Yankee seems to have won the day, in part, by embracing members of the North American rap establishment from whom Tego has insisted on displaying his independence. All power to Tego but Daddy Yankee seems to be working the States much more effectively.
Will Smith I don’t feel so bad about missing since I regularly forget that he’s a rapper. I’ve enjoyed some of what he’s done in music and the movies but his influence on rap seems to be minimal these days. Nevertheless, he’s done ok for himself.
On a side note, I do have to admit surprise at seeing Matt "I’m obsessed with Clinton’s blowjobs" Drudge included just as his influence is waning radically. That’s not to say that his site isn’t doing well but, really, his obsession with Clinton lying about getting his dick sucked (as any married man would do), seemed to be all he had to offer the world.
Clyde–
What’s really incredible is that JAY-Z is not on that list! Diddy puts himself out there WAY more than Jay now, but Sean Carter is hands down the most influential hip hopper alive…even as the president of Def Jam. Every rapper breathing on the charts has a piece of Jay-Z in his style someway, from either his name (“Young…”), his flow (Lil’ Wayne), or owning a record label, film company, clothing line, etc….People want Puffy’s money but they really wanna be Jay. He’s got Beyonce on his arm! He’s got 664,589 classic songs that you could throw on right now and people would know the words! Peace to Will Smith. Peace to Puffy. Hail President Carter!
I understand your response but he did make it on the list as a Builder and Titan last year:
http://www.time.com/time/2005/time100/
And they do like to shuffle them up. But, I agree, Jay-Z has special status in hip hop that now seems to be going beyond his status as a rapper. I’m sure we’ll see him on there again.
It’s sad that Will’s impact on the rap game is minimal, I’m tired of all these studio gangstas out now, it takes a lot of balls for Will not to cave in to criticism and remain himself when he makes his music, “Summertime” alone shits on 99% of today’s crap on the radio….
I love your songs. I hear all the songs of Daddy yankee. I want to meet you in person.Wawawawawawaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!