For some reason, I’ve held back from saying anything about the use at Hip Hop Ruckus of the term "exclusive" for all sorts of things they link to elsewhere, maybe because I’ve run into some cool things there first.
But it was really just a matter of time before something like this post caught me on the wrong day:
Exclusive Video
Yo we may not be the most well known hip hop site out there but on the real, we do get the exclusive stuff for ya. Hey, heard about that new movie that Fox is trying to do on the life of Biggie? Well, Searchlight (which is affiliated with Fox) is doing casting calls for the part of Biggie. I got the exclusive videos of the cats from across the country who are tried out for the part. Here they are.
This statement is followed by four links to videos at foxsearchlight.com. If anybody’s got an exclusive here it’s Fox Searchlight, not Hip Hop Ruckus, and HHR does this kind of thing all the time. They’ve even posted YouTube videos and proclaimed them exclusive.
It’s kind of sad because there are definitely things I see first at Hip Hop Ruckus and they have a strong style so why don’t they just present what they actually do rather than claiming these bogus exclusives?
This is Corey F, the editor N Chief of Hip Hop Ruckus. The reason we use “Exclusive” in our writeups is to put emphasis on the article and because we usually are the first to have that particular piece of information before any other hip hop blog or site like yours has it. If you had an issue with what we do, u should have just wrote any of the writers or me personally at [email protected] with your comments instead of breaking down our material and criticizing it in an article such as this. I and the crew pride ourselves on promoting all Hip Hop sites like yours, independent artists, cool news, and whomever is looking at getting free promotion for their work. It would probably be cool if we said negative towards u guys but that’s not us. If u have any issues, feel free to contact me at [email protected] anytime. And thanks for coming to the site.
Let’s break this down and I’ll take everything you say at face value.
I could contact people but my experience has been that most will ignore you. Beyond that, you put something out in public, I critiqued it in public. That’s a big part of what I do.
I don’t write about insignificant sites, so that’s a backhanded compliment, for what it’s worth.
The problem may be that you’re using the term exclusive in a nonstandard manner unrelated to definitions that average readers will use. Of course, I could be wrong about common usage and the reality is that most people probably wouldn’t care about such details anyway.
You say:
“The reason we use “Exclusive” in our writeups is to put emphasis on the article and because we usually are the first to have that particular piece of information before any other hip hop blog or site like yours has it.”
If you mean the writing that you write is exclusively yours then we’re all doing exclusives and why brag?
If you got it first, you got it first and that’s what I said in the post. You undermine that by shouting Exclusive as if you had an exclusive, i.e., something that no one else has or can get access to other than through you, which is what I think would be the most common definition.
You don’t see Nah Right going “Exclusive” but you do see him getting his props for being first. Maybe you’d get more if you didn’t unknowingly practice false advertising.
But lots of people may agree with you and AllHipHop.com has done just fine with some related tactics.
I think you guys have a great blog. It’s not my style but I can appreciate the fact that you have a strong style. And I just think that using Exclusive makes you look a bit shady, in a negative way, not the, “I’m wearing a bandanna over my face and look really cool” way.
Thanks for the critique. We’re going to continue to do our thang, and I respect your opinion. Hey if you ever want any promo for your projects on the site, just let us know. And yo if we look a bit shady, then so be it. The object of our site is for people to be entertained, listen to good music, and feel what we have to say. We’re definitely not the authority on the news…we’re just a motley group of individuals who work hard at the craft of delivering what…Hip Hop in a fun form…! We’re not reporters, we’re just regualar people that believe in the grass roots movement of extending the proverbial olive branch out to everyone for free. That’s right, and we’re going to try and be as unique as possible so that we stand apart…that’s the hope. Holla at me anytime, my email is [email protected]. Have a good day!
Corey F
EdNChief
HipHopRuckus
Oh in regards to your comment about Nahright, We’re not “Nahright” or “The RapUp” or anything like them…We are”HipHopRuckus”. Our style is unique. Our swag is one of kind.
Fair enough and thanks for coming back in a positive manner. It’s something I need to do more often myself.
“And yo if we look a bit shady, then so be it.”
I don’t really think you look shady I just think that’s the kind of thing that can make you look shady.
Much respect my sihi, and yo if you ever need any promo from the HHR crew, holla at us anytime.
Thanks. I know you’ve got a whole crew over there and some might not be so happy from at least one post I read but that’s all good.
People have to honestly express themselves or what would be the point of blogging?