Getting ‘The Hustle’ on for the top spot
LIFE is often unpredictable and in our confusion we have all heard those well-meaning aphorisms such as “there is a plan for everyone” or “when life gives you lemons makes lemonade” and so on, and so forth. Normally I don’t prescribe to these cutesy Instagram one liners as any consolation when events just purely suck, but occasionally they pop into my head during certain circumstances when there is no other way to explain the unbelievable.
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been watching Vuzu Amp’s reruns of the Missy Elliot Road To Stardom competition. The series features a diverse group of writers and rappers, ranging in ages, who live together on the road in a tour bus for a few weeks while they compete against each other for the opportunity to become the next big rap superstar. The show pits 13 wannabe MCS against each other in various daily battles where they either write or perform lyrics that are judged, with the loser being thrown off the proverbial tour bus.
Other than Missy Elliot herself, the judging panel consists of music industry leaders including R&B singer and producer Teena Marie, Grammy Awardwinning producer Dallas Austin, who’s responsible for writing hits for the likes of TLC, Madonna, Pink, and Gwen Stefani as well as the president of Violator Management, Mona Scott, who manages hip hop luminaries such as Busta Rhymes and 50 Cent.
The show is old, having run in 2005 and most MCS involved, including the winner, have never been heard of again, that is, bar one. Having been thrown off in the third episode, Alabama rapper, Yelawolf, went on to sign with Eminem’s Shady Records five years later.
Yelawolf, real name, Michael Wayne Atha, had an absolute stellar career post Road To Stardom, releasing three major albums, numerous mix tapes as well as building up a mini-business empire centring around his Southern cool lifestyle with tattoo parlours, gentlemen’s clubs, leather furniture and clothing.
Silver lining much? I would agree. I wonder what the future holds for contestants on our very own local version of Road To Stardom, The Hustle, also on Vuzu Amp which will enjoy its second season starting this week, Monday April 17.
The first season was a success story, garnering a hungry fan base who duked out their opinions on their best and worst loved competitors via social media. The ultimate crown went to Bigstar Johnson, a firm favourite from the get go, who won himself a R250 000 cash prize, a record and management deal, and a music video. This season’s prizes still include a R250 000 cash prize and record deal but also an Opel Corsa Sport, thrown into the mix. The judges this season include Khuli Chana, AKA and newcomer Stogie T with Siyabonga “Scoop” Ngwekazi presenting. Bigstar has been touring the country as well as recording a track, Way Up, with fellow contestant Shane Eagle, landing himself a presenting gig with Vuzu after the show.
The rest of the top 10 are out there somewhere, still hustling I suppose but hopefully with aspirational stories like that of Yelawolf, who independently released four mix tapes after the show, got signed and then dropped by Columbia Records, got signed then dropped again by Interscope Records and then finally got picked up by Slim Shady and his vagabond menagerie of respected rappers such as the acclaimed Slaughterhouse crew, they will overcome.
I mean, you always have to look on the bright side of life, you just gotta keep on keeping on, it never hurts to keep looking for sunshine, when it rains look for rainbows, when it’s dark look for stars, all good things come to those who wait and my personal favourite: better late than never.