Written by: BlaqKharma
The reign of the South’s, Field Mob is one that’s INCREDIBLE. It’s crazy because in recent times, i’ve mentioned the name, “field mob” to a few friends, and everyone responds like, “yooooo, what happened to them boys?!” Field Mob made their debut onto the hip hop scene with their classic first album, “613: Ashy to Classy”. This album was a triumph for so many reasons, The New south (New to the world that is) was finally emerging more strongly than ever. Ashy to Classy was also the first Southern Hip hop album to be release from a New York Based Label (MCA/geffen)
their style is one that is identifiable. they talk about real shit vs. a bunch of craziness that the average REAL WORLD MF can’t identify with. They made you laugh with their wild punchlines and silly videos. One thing that Smoke and Shawn Jay did consistently that I loved was, they showed that they were battle rappers, never afraid to sensor themselves or hold back their talents. Even when they were rappin’ silly, they went IN.
Field Mob put Albany, Georgia on the map. Outside of being the Pecan Capital and home to Albany State University(HBCU), many people only knew just the name of this city. Albany is all of this in addition to being the genesis of the movement that is: Field Mob. In songs like: Georgia, they gave you a glimpse of what life was like in the deep south, while paying homage to “the field”, the essence in which they came from. You hear pieces of that very essence in their voices, delivery. and tones. Their style further diversified hip hop, giving the culture another side. A more gritty, southern, soulful side.
Shawn Jay and Smoke both grew up in Albany. They became brothers after continuously out rhyming each other in rap battles at school. Under the name, Field Mob, they got their first deal in 1999. They have been in and out of the public eye ever since switching several record companies. In 2005, it seemed like the duo found a fitting home for them on Ludacris’s, Disturbing The Peace (DTP) Label. They released only one project on the label: Light Poles and Pine Trees in 2006. The project proved to be the most successful project that the duo has produced to date. The album ranked #7 on the US Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top RnB/Hip hop album charts.
Shawn Jay and Smoke split from DTP in 2008. Since then, it seems like these two were on hiatus until In 2010. they released a mixtape in February of that year called, “brotha to brotha”. The mixtape featured some silly songs like: “Shaneka Applebum” and “Keyshia Cole”. It also featured a song called: Stack a Million. In the song, they state how former labelmate and CEO of DTP, Ludacris was doing some shady business dealings, mainly not breaking bread for Jamster ringtones that Field Mob was selling.
Ludacris fired shots back on his Mixtape 1.21 Gigawatts, released in November of 2011. In his song , “Say it to my face” Ludacris basically admitts to rippin them off. He says:
“You know where I be, you know where I stay I ain’t that hard to find/All up on my D, when the DTP boy you sweeter than a valen…tine How can you call yourself a man boy (man boy) You’s ludacris number one fan boy (fan boy)/Then you left and you’re gone “goodbye” lazy eye dont miss you/Then you signed to a n*gga, who signed to a n*gga, who signed to another n*gga (what the f*ck?)/Smart move, boy you dumb as h*ll/You should take your soul and have a end of the summer sale/But all your records are my theme song (why?) ‘cos am still shopping off your ringtone“
ugh, that’s UGLY…
The beef doesn’t stop there, Shawn Jay literally ETHERED THE FUKK outta Ludacris in his response track, “Pussy Boy” Nearly every line was a lyrical ass whippin….
the reason behind this beef is kinda fukked up. However, in today’s current malnourished state of hip hop, BEEF IS NECESSARY. No one puts their talents to the test anymore. Throughout the years there have been rumors that Shawn Jay and Smoke split up. I can’t confirm that. However, I can say that: HIP HOP ISN’T A VEGETARIAN SPORT… PERIOD. And if they did split up (Which I doubt) then they need to get some counseling and work it out. These two are needed. With all that being said, I hope to see one more Field Mob album.
They are now signed to Nappy Boy Entertainment (T-pain’s label)
Sources:
http://www.sohh.com/2011/11/field_mobs_shawn_j_bombs_ludacris_w_pssy.html
