I already know I’m going to hell for photo shopping a dell laptop into a pic with James Baldwin. My mother spent most of my Lutheran grade school existence trying to make me as militant as possible introduce me to black writers, including Baldwin, who were never apart of the intensely conservative curriculum. I even promised myself that I would no longer write in my “serious voice” about the Black Blog Renaissance, a term I coined several months ago that has this really interesting way of soliciting “who the fu!ck does she think she is” link-backs. And even pi!ss off readers. I even promised that I’d only work on the BBR web animation series to spoof other bloggers who take me and themselves way to fyuking seriously.
And then, while multi-tasking (working, drinking coffee with a conference call on mute), I was listening to a podcast where this guy was saying that the internet has created an awakening, a renaissance-changing the way that people work and do business, turning information into currency and leaving the “slow adopters” in their own personal recession. I’m not sure if I FULLY agree with this guy’s assessment regarding the recession. But damm!it if blogging hasn’t changed the way black folks beef communicate, create and even make money. It’s true that the internet removes virtually all barriers to entry and levels the playing field, overnight as fast as you can drive traffic to your site, you’re an internet celebrity a serious blogger.
So that leads me to the “blog beef” between Sandra Rose, Angel (Concreteloop), Natasha Eubanks (YBF), Jia, Necole Bitchie and Fresh. I just found out there was one yesterday. And while it seems really bizarre (and longstanding), I wondered what was REALLY behind it.
I do still frequent Concreteloop once or twice a week; I feel personally invested in that site from when the little paypal button was there for people to donate in its earliest days a few years ago. The servers would crash. And crashing servers mean traffic. And traffic means money-if you’re monetizing. And I donated.
But I believe the problem has always been black bloggers individually and maybe black people GENERALLY being afraid to explore new territory. In my opinion Angel from Concreteloop, is a pioneer in black gossip/entertainment. People began to realize that you could make a lot of money driving traffic and talking about who had a camel toe, whose lace front wig was falling off and who needed lotion on their ashy elbows. So much so, “the game” (as gossip blogging has been quoted to be) has become more of a race of who can slap up the same Sammy Sosa pics than who can try bold new things rather than the formulaic that makes many an easy six figures or more-the beauty and “the secret” of a new economy, that no black blogger is really blogging about-way more fascinating than an Afro-Latino who doesn’t want to be Black in my opinion.
The paradigm shift even in today’s economy is that its possible to even make that kind of money on the internet. The rub is that I PERSONALLY can think of at least 8 other business web models that do just as well if not better. So why JUST black gossip? Why JUST ashy elbows? Why JUST a “cracked out” comedian who allegedly broke in someone’s house to steal jewelry?
The perception may be that its the ONLY way to carve out a living on the net and with the notion of scarcity comes “the beef”. Its equally as sad that the blog beef is among black women-I suppose that black male bloggers either aren’t making the kind of money to hate someone over (income disparity showing up online) or they respond to artistic pressures like these differently.
I wasn’t aware of the beef, but I’m not surprised. I don’t read any gossip/entertainment blogs period because the topic just doesn’t interest me. That said, MissJia is a personal, real-life friend of mine, so I hope her site does exceptionally well.
The bottom line is that these blogs do well because there is an audience for it. I applaud these women for taking advantage of such an audience. I will never understand the appeal of “Usher’s ashy knees,” but if it helps my girl make money, then I’m glad people like it. Anyway, people stare at beef just like they do car accidents. Whether it’s LL and Kool Moe Dee or Booker T. and DuBois, black folks are entertained by beef.
Black male bloggers see less beef because of their topics. Gossip’s (whether in print, online, or TV) consumers are women, so black women are more likely to have an interest in starting up such a site. Black male bloggers are into politics, race, and women… and not in that order. Since there is no money to made in those endeavors, there really is no reason for beef.
“Black male bloggers are into politics, race, and women… and not in that order”
In any order, this is not true. I’ve witnessed “serious black male bloggers” work cite Sandra Rose (even when they make mention of the aesthetic facial challenges)..I think its the biggest misnomer on the net.
When I go to quantcast and look at say Concreteloop’s demog. its a break down of 45%-55% male-female readership. That doesn’t really say to me that men aren’t reading gossip sites.
They are..but usually what they DON’T do is comment. But they DO READ. lets not get it twisted.
I don’t understand. So the majority of “serious black male bloggers” blog about topics other than those three?? Such as what? And what constitutes “serious?”
And I never said black men don’t READ gossip sites, I said they are not the primary CONSUMERS (i.e. spend money on it).
I use “serious” tongue and cheek since “gossip” appears to be “below black men” {insert SARCASIM}. If you look closely black female bloggers blog essentially about the same thing race, politics and women. Most black people gravitate to black blogs ..because they identify with being BLACK. And race issues show up frequently-take Sammy for instance. Politics is also discussed maybe not along the lines of a huffington post (started by a woman).
But women are the reason most women and (MEN) read blogs. Men hate to believe this, but most women DRESS for other women. Nobody woman really buys louboutins or even the flyest nine wests for their men REALLY..its to impress and get attention from other women.
I guess I just totally disagree with what black men read online, what black women read online..and the differences of what they enjoy and consume. And since black blogs/personal blogs/entertainment blogs don’t really have a (“BUY” model)…”consuming” is what we all do when we read. Money is made not just buy clicking ads but through impressions as well- What shows up on the site-when you visit.
Morning, y’all.
“So why JUST black gossip?”
@Comeback: I think that a majority of the celebrity/entertainment gossip bloggers stick with JUST black gossip because there’s definitely an audience for it & this audience isn’t demanding much more. Evidence of the audience not demanding more or showing boredom w/JUST gossip are the crashing servers rather than a huge drop in site hits per day.
I think gossip is easy because you can go with your various readers/commenters as sources. So, regardless of where a celeb is, there is bound to be a fan of the blog around to capture a photo or video since all cell phones now have these capabilities. It seems easier to do gossip blogs because you don’t have to have fact, truth or reliable sources, just a photo & a theory that could be simple, complex or outlandish enough to maybe just maybe be true. I think that as a society we are much more interested (obsessed) w/a celeb’s life than we used to be. I read some of these blogs from time to time & it’s funny how the same photo can have up to 10 different captions/theories/reliable sources. I also read gossipcop.com which purports to bust gossip blog rumors but I’m not even sure it’s on the up & up.
I like both pictures above. You can still repent for photoshopping the laptop in w/James Baldwin before it’s too late.
But women are the reason most women and (MEN) read blogs. Men hate to believe this, but most women DRESS for other women. Nobody woman really buys louboutins or even the flyest nine wests for their men REALLY..its to impress and get attention from other women.
I agree with this. From my experience, if I didn’t have women readers, I would have no readers at all. So, in a sense, I have always blogged “for women.” Good point.
And point taken that readership can amount to consumption in the virtual world. Certainly, off the net, women are the consumers (buyers) of gossip, but on the net, the line is more blurred in readership. Especially for the current 18-29 demographic which seems a bit obsessed with celebrities.
As far as men and gossip goes, they’re not above it. I don’t think they read & discuss it as much or as often as women but they definitely read & discuss it. Some men discuss it to the same degree (or a higher degree) than some women. My husband reads it from time to time. He’s told me about stuff he’s read about on allhiphop.com in the “rumors” section and MediaTakeout.com. Some men discuss it based off of what their significant others have read & told them about. Quick example: After Jay-Z & Alicia performed “Empire State of Mind” at game two of the World Series, men on Twitter were going on & on about what a lucky man Swizz Beatz is to be getting in w/Alicia. So, if they’re not reading it, they’re definitely listening to and keeping up with what’s supposedly going on.
Good Morning.
1) Blog beef is wack, yet entertaining. Sandra Rose probably leads the pack as the biggest hater in “the game”. She says the most outrageous things, and talks about other bloggers like no one else. Yet, she’s one of the 2 gossip sites (ybf being the other) that I peruse from time to time. I actually like that she’s so controversial. I don’t agree with 95% of what she writes, but I like going to the site if for no other reason than to think to myself “This broad is crazy”.
2) Gossip sites got old to me after about a year in. Then I narrowed it down to like 2 that I check a couple of times a week.
3) It’s true, men AND women read gossip sites. Matter of fact there are gossip sites designed for men, although they declare them as “music” sites, it’s really just gossip in disguise. Shawnta’ mentioned allhiphip, there’s nahright and few others I used to read back in the day.
4) This may sound wrong, but the black gossip beef, is somewhat a reflection of real life. And that’s all I’ma say about that.
** Side note: I seriously need glasses. My eyes have been feeling so strained lately…..
“@Comeback: I think that a majority of the celebrity/entertainment gossip bloggers stick with JUST black gossip because there’s definitely an audience for it & this audience isn’t demanding much more”
@ Shawnta..see I sort of believe in the creative chicken and the egg theory. How did anyone every know that black online gossip was a commodity-if there was interest. Its got to be created first. The traffic has to be driven there second. And then you see if its sticky or not.
I think black audiences aren’t demanding more.. because the more they want (or the more they don’t yet know they want) hasn’t yet arrived or been presented to them yet.
“From my experience, if I didn’t have women readers, I would have no readers at all”
@ Nottie..at first I sort of believed this, but you do have silent readers. WuWu is one of your faithful male readers. And its hard to measure men who DON’T comment. But check out quantcast. The demog breakdown is fascinating. And maybe thats a post to explore..why black men don’t comment. The readership IS THERE.
“Matter of fact there are gossip sites designed for men, although they declare them as “music” sites, it’s really just gossip in disguise.”
VROOM..THIS IS DEEP AS HE!LL!!! and so true. LOL.. I never thought of it like that..what about BGOL..thats prolly a trumped up black male gossip site too.
What’s up errrryone? I like this post, cause it’s real. And i like real.
For all anyone knows, Sandra Rose might be a white kid from Wichita, screwing with EVERYONE. Heck, I might be a white kid from Wichita. ( I’m not, really i’m a dashing young man from the streets of the D, but the point is gotten)
The same “gossip”, topics, news is being hashed over. When you have to divide that same content between 4 or 5 or more sites, everyone’s fighting over the same bone. (i’ll put a “pause” in for that) Everyone’s looking for a way to seperate themselves, but with a scarcity mindset, the only way to do that is at someone else’s neck.
If everyone pushed themselves to create their OWN, new, innovative and creative content, there would be no blog beef. Because in the end, it really wouldn’t be any time for it…
“When you have to divide that same content between 4 or 5 or more sites, everyone’s fighting over the same bone. (i’ll put a “pause” in for that) Everyone’s looking for a way to seperate themselves, but with a scarcity mindset, the only way to do that is at someone else’s neck.”
@WhyWhy..this is a great point.
“For all anyone knows, Sandra Rose might be a white kid from Wichita, screwing with EVERYONE. Heck, I might be a white kid from Wichita.”
SR been done outed herself as a “lesbian from Atlanta”…so a white kid from wichita is OUT lol
So I just went and checked out quantcast. Very interesting.
YEah, I just went to that quantcast site too. Pretty interesting, but not sure I believe those stats. lol
Pretty interesting, but not sure I believe those stats. lol .
Stats in general are suspect to me. Ha!
Wait, so who is Fresh beefing with? SMH
I guess I must be a “slow adopter” that guy was talking about because I still don’t take blogging seriously. I know you can make good money and gain an audience that will possibly support you in other ventures, but I’m still like “A blog? That same shit I got that I haven’t written on in a hot minute?” LOL
“Its equally as sad that the blog beef is among black women”
That is the real problem-the distrust that some black women have for each other. I’ve read all the blogs that were listed and the only way that you can be involved in drama is to respond to it. So don’t respond to it. There is always going to be a black woman that is a hater (man I hated to type that but it is true) for various reasons (low self-esteem, just a bytch, past drama) so you just have to keep moving on and ignore them. It’s sad that Angelonfire had to write that post but I’m not surprised.
I’ve had crazy things saidi to me on blogs in the past and I would just laugh because no offense to CBG but I don’t take blogging that seriously. I care just enough so a potential employer won’t rule me out but otherwise whatevah. I’m glad that CBG can rise above that ish and not concern herself.
@VRenee-I co-sign your entire post
@CBG-BTW love the look of the new site…
On another note..since I’ve been on this job hunt game forever, I was curious to see if Pasha found a job. Well I went to her site http://www.hirepasha.com and she said that she hired herself and go to http://www.pr-bar.com for her new site.
No comment but I wish her well.
“I know you can make good money and gain an audience that will possibly support you in other ventures, but I’m still like “A blog? That same shit I got that I haven’t written on in a hot minute?” ”
@ ChiChi..welcome. I think its all about where you’re interests are..you could turn a “blog” into just about anything…i think that potential though is really fascinating to me.
Good afternoon folks…. I’m away from my office serving on in interview panel and I have no privacy whatsoever. I can’t wait to get back to my office..
But blog beef is really NOT that serious to me especially when it’s petty as all get out. But whatever!
In regards to the “black gossip blogs”… I know Gabriel Union used to always speak out about them saying how they were negative and how our own black women are tearing each other apart and their response was that she should be glad that somebody is talking about her…..
Even if it does regards the sheningans they report about her and Dwayne Wade lol“That is the real problem-the distrust that some black women have for each other. I’ve read all the blogs that were listed and the only way that you can be involved in drama is to respond to it….”
@ BMony…i sort of think the way you get past it is to chop the elephant down. Shine a light on it. And call it what it is. Sometimes IT is about competition and in this case its about going after something where you perceive there is only a little or limited access.
” I know Gabriel Union used to always speak out about them saying how they were negative and how our own black women are tearing each other apart and their response was that she should be glad that somebody is talking about her”
@ 80s…i think she was trying to persue some type of libel case against some of them too.
I feel so out of the loop given that I don’t read any of those blogs….
Anyways, how are y’all doing?
“I feel so out of the loop given that I don’t read any of those blogs…. ”
@LP..so you don’t read ANY gossip blog? how do you find out that Sammy Sosa doesn’t want to be a black latino LOL or that Iman has a bunion (sarcasim)…lol
im good.
@LP… If you’ve been to one you’ve been to them all….
@Comeback.. I seen that pic of Sammy Sosa and was like what the heck is this???????? He looked a hot @zz mess!!!!
@CBG,
I don’t read any of them…. I can live without gossip, I guess?
how do you find out that Sammy Sosa doesn’t want to be a black latino LOL or that Iman has a bunion (sarcasim)…lol
I have the treehouse!!!! Yesterday I read people making allusions to the Sammy Sosa thing on VSB and I had no clue what they were talking about until now….
Now I’ve been edumacated by the treehouse.
@Comeback.. I seen that pic of Sammy Sosa and was like what the heck is this???????? He looked a hot @zz mess!!!! .
OBVIOUSLY he has vitiligo. Duh! LMAO
Funny enough, I haven’t found a lot of Black male bloggers talking about Sports… I would think that would have been a natural subject for them… Like I really want to follow College Basketball this year but I won’t have time to follow all the games… I tried looking around to find folks dissecting/talking about it but could only find white reporters or analysts…
I think that’s a niche that’s under-exploited by black bloggers in general…
OBVIOUSLY he has vitiligo. Duh! LMAO
@V… What about the green contacts though? Where those come into play? Thats what I want to know.
I think that’s a niche that’s under-exploited by black bloggers in general… .
You should start one! That would be pretty hot!
@V… What about the green contacts though? Where those come into play? Thats what I want to know. .
Cataracts!
“I think that’s a niche that’s under-exploited by black bloggers in general…”
I happened upon a blog by a woman whose a steeler fan..but i think she only talks about the steelers?? and its not “very technical.”
Like LP..you would want to see a chick draw some X’s and O’s..??
I would really like to see a Sports 101 blog for women. Like the basics. how many points is foul or a touchdown. I actually was gonna take this class..by a redskin’s wife?? or a woman connected to them..but i never took it.
YEAH LP …START ONE!! that would be cool. I actually would read..if a woman could do a 101 tab to go over the fundamentals or like a cheat sheet.
“Cataracts!”
HILARITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@CBG,
I would really like to see a Sports 101 blog for women. Like the basics. how many points is foul or a touchdown
That is actually a good idea… and I can see many directions this could go in.
Like LP..you would want to see a chick draw some X’s and O’s..??
Not necessarily Xs and Os but more like a recap/analysis of certain teams, their strengths peppered with the person’s own opinions etc…etc… A bit like a mix between the NBA/NFL articles with a personal touch on it… and predictions and interactions. I am part of a board where we kinda discuss these things but it would have been neat to have a blog kinda like VSB but talking about sports in general… as it relates to anything (A bit like one of my favorite shows My Boys)..
@V,
so I wouldn’t be able to keep up with a blog talking about sports…
I don’t even have time to watch the games that I want and/or the amount of TV that I want…
@LP…. If you’re interested in starting one I can help you…. I know a lil something something about sports
Cataracts!
@V.. I thought that turned eyes blue…… My daddy love to mention how his grandmother has some Indian in her and how her eyes have blue in them….. Right there is when I want to be like man, that’s cataracts. But I don’t even want to bust his lil bubble…. LOL
but it would have been neat to have a blog kinda like VSB but talking about sports in general… as it relates to anything (A bit like one of my favorite shows My Boys).. .
::nodding::
Yup yup.
Sadly, I don’t think I’m passionate enough about sports to keep up a blog about it… I do better when I talk about me. Ha!
Cataracts!
@V.. I thought that turned eyes blue…… .
Blue/green same thing! LMAO
Okay so I just listened to the Katt Williams 9-1-1 call. Katt may be innocent.
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I’m thinking they may have been doing drugs and participating in “suspect” activities. And by “suspect” I mean “How you doing?”.
I’m thinking they may have been doing drugs and participating in “suspect” activities. And by “suspect” I mean “How you doing?”.
@V… I heard them talking about that situation on the radio this morning. And I think it’s suspect as all get out…… But I would definitely NOT be surprised about the “how you doing” activities.
i had to “investigate the matter” on TMZ..and the boy on the 911 call is 17??? what is going on??
So what’s happening? I gather Katt Williams is being accused of burglary?
@ LP – Some guy called 9-1-1 and said Katt Williams was holding them hostage. That he was 17 and didn’t want to fool with Katt Williams anymore. That Katt wouldn’t let “them” leave. And that he just wanted to go catch his flight. And yeah he was only 17. WHAT THE FUDGE?!?! The whole story sounds crazy as he!l.
I don’t think anyone knows what’s REALLY going on.
Oh and jewelry came up missing.
WOW!!! That is crazy indeed… *smh*
I still think some real crackish behavior was going on on all sides. You couldn’t pay me to be a crackhead!!
Is this the post that is suppose to be so controversial?
I”mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ 80s – All I want to know is if you made it to work on time. Lol
@V….. I sure did….I tried to stop for some breakfast on the way but their line was too long… and then when I got here I was gonna go to the one down the street since I had 15 minutes to spare… But I was like nah, I’m guaranteed to make the shuttle now ain’t not since in pushing it… .Especially just over some hot chocolate…lol
Especially just over some hot chocolate…lol .
I don’t think I’ve have hot chocalate recently. I may have to change that. Yummy in my tummy!
I loooooovvvvvee hot chocolate…
P.S. The ex factor from high school over here texting me now…. I’m gonna work on the other parts of our story tonight….
@v and 80s-let me tell that McDonalds’s hot cocoa is FIRE!!! They use steamed milk. No more Starbucks for me. Now at home, Godiva Hot Cocoa is the business
“P.S. The ex factor from high school over here texting me now”
@80s-lawd don’t get me started
@CBG-Dr Wayne Dyer is on the Bonnie Hunt Show..aren’t you a fan because I thought you posted about him awhile ago.?
Holly Robinson Peete had a book for women explaining football ‘Get Your Own d– Beer, I’m Watching the Game” http://tinyurl.com/yaea8tc
“@CBG-Dr Wayne Dyer is on the Bonnie Hunt Show..aren’t you a fan because I thought you posted about him awhile ago.?”
I’m tryna figure out how i can watch it and fight fires..i heart WD..he was just diagnosed wtih CLL cancer or CML..the one similiar to Kareem Abdul
Does anyone know where I can get my resume redone professionally?
“Does anyone know where I can get my resume redone professionally?”
There’s somebody on my facebook that does it..I’ll see if I can get her email Hummy.