Show Them the Money

Five signs you're not the only one feeling the recession pinch

http://www.vibe.com/news/...the_money/

Sing it with us: “It’s hard out here for a…” well, everybody. Cars suck. Banks suck. Your job, if you’re one of the lucky few who still has one, probably sucks. For real, it’s like Puff is running the economy these days – “Take that! Take that!” And it looks like the people, as in, you know, all of us, aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch. The past few weeks have been marked with a series of star-studded comebacks, reunions, and resurrections. And while our inner optimist could look at it like, hey, these folks just love making art for art’s sake, our inner pessimist—and inner accountant—knows it always all about the Benjamins. So, in honor of VIBE’s new four-day work week (don’t worry, the web never sleeps!), we present this Thursday-is-the-new Friday edition of the “Buy My New Shit, Please! I Got Bills To Pay” list that proves you aren’t the only one going broke. Misery loves company, right?

5. Eminem announces plans to release not one, but TWO albums in 2009

Yep, you heard it here, first. Or at least you shoulda if you’d been checking VIBE.com with any frequency. (We’re hot, people! Consider yourself warned.) After going five years without a solo album, the biggest selling rap star of all time announced today that he would be releasing two albums this year, Relapse (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope) on May 19, and Relapse 2 (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope) at a date still to be announced, but theoretically before the end of the calendar year. Alright, so it’s hard to imagine that Marshall Mathers is particularly hard up, despite the hiatus (he lives in Detroit, after all), but it’s no secret that it’s been a minute since Interscope’s scored a blockbuster hit. The parent label just laid off a grip of employees, 50 Cent’s star is rapidly falling to Earth, Detox has become an adjective (the Dallas Mavericks’ elusive championship ring is the Detox of the NBA season), and Jimmy Iovine’s probably losing his mind, if not his job, any day now. So, can Superman save the day?

4. Michael Jackson goes on tour… sort of

In a move that smacks of pay me, somebody, please, the King of Pop held a press conference today in London announcing plans to play up to 20-25 dates at London’s O2 arena this summer, with a run of 10 dates starting July 9. There was a Twitter feed of the news conference, which you can see here, and just proves that this Twitter thing has gone too far (and that if you’re not already on it, you’re sleeping. Holler!). This announcement comes on the heels of the 25th anniversary of Thriller (Sony, 1982), which probably netted dude a lil bit of coin, and at least got him this. And then there’s talk about that never materializing album featuring contributions from will.i.am, Akon, and Ne-Yo, among others. But then again, dude was supposed to appear at the Grammy’s and… well, he’s Michael. He’s bananas. And he’s constantly rich as all hell and broke as all hell at the same time. We still have a soft spot for the dude, despite it all (he made Off the Wall, people!), so here’s hoping this helps get him through the hard times. Or… yeah.


Watch Jacko's Press Conference





3. Prince strikes a deal with Target for an exclusive three-disc release

When we were little, our mothers jokingly called Target, Tar-jhay. It was a way of up-scaling of the place, to make us feel better about being forced to wear Lee Jeans or something (yeah, we come from the hood, we’re used to it). Of course, the crazy thing that’s happened since back in the day is that Target has somehow managed to actually pull off the image upgrade with all sorts of designers contributing home collections, and clothes, and what not. Now the Purple One has gotten in the mix following AC/DC’s recent Wal-Mart move with a deal of his own. Hey, at least when you take our mother’s advice, the place sounds French instead of white trash. Head to your local bargain bulls eye on March 29 to cop. If enough of you do, maybe there will be another symbol in Prince’s future: $.

2. MC Hammer shills for Cash 4 Gold
Alright, alright. So we all saw this one during the SuperBowl. But still. It’s amazing. You know times are tough when you’re selling that gold sledgehammer!


Watch the Cash4Gold Commercial­


1. Phish reunites!

You know times are tough when the hippies are getting back together! After announcing that they were done for good in 2004, the jam band is back, gearing up for more tours and a new album. The reunion, which was announced today, also coincided with the band asking the government to start cracking down on bootleggers of merchandise and music. All of which goes to show: there’s no time for idealism when the recession boogeyman is beating down your door.

Tar-jhay I like it.

Why are some artists people releasing double albums all of a sudden,at a time when it's hard enough to sell one new album?

SoulAlive said:

I think the keep it at single disc price so it only adds value (apparently) to have more songs.

And what's wrong with Lee jeans? They are still the only jeans I know the fit a black women's tush perfectly.

Cinnie said:

Although now that I read it, I think it just means more albums more frequently but not sold together.

Wake me when it's 2010