Puff Daddy and IR Theory of Rap: Residual Power of The Fallen Empire Posted by Adam Blickstein

Marc Lynch continues to pioneer the burgeoning Rap Feud Theory of International Relations movement with a brilliant interview on NPR delving into the implications of hegemonic imbalance between hip hop's heavyweights. But while his focus is on the battle between Jay-Z's current hegemony and The Game's attempts to  create a counter-hegemonic movement to, at best, replace Hov's control over the genre, or at worst, increase his own credibility and stature, there's another aspect of this debate being sorely under-explored: the status of the former hegemon that, while still powerful, is no longer producing anything original (original in the broadest sense of the word) or commercially viable yet still maintains wealth, power, and to a degree stealth control over at least a portion of the system. Yes, I'm talking about Sean Combs. 

It's clear that Diddy's own ascension within rap as an artist was predicated on a symbiosis between he and Biggie, but he also was fairly meticulous about building an empire in his own right where he operated within the system but not as the De facto "face" of the system. Thus you saw him in the early 90's building up his power base with Faith Evans, Biggie, producing for Usher, Lil Kim, TLC, and amassing a fairly prominent roster which in turn made his Bad Boy records the East Coast superpower to the West Coast's Death Row superpower. But with the deaths of both Biggie and Tupac, the walls of the system was for the most part shattered, and Diddy emerged as a superpower in his own right during the East Coast/West Coast thaw. Though not possessing singularly raw talent on stage or in the recording studio in his own right, Puffy's business savvy, marketing skills and wanton sampling of previous hits allowed him to, for the better part of a decade, become raps biggest star, talent aside. In fact, one could argue that the controversy over his sampling of Zeppelin, The Police and Diana Ross, amongst others, which created sharp hooks set over mediocre but rap, somewhat mirrors the current Autotune controversy that colors the Jay-Z/The Game battle.

Nonetheless, by 2002, his rise to solo power was for the most part coming to an end, and surely his 2004 Vote or Die campaign killed any further ability for him to be a viable commercial recording artist. But by 2006, even as he descended into the bowels of reality TV, Diddy was still a powerhouse in the broader hip hop/entertainment world, though no longer on the foreground of the rap landscape. With ventures in clothing, liquor, the music industry and other products, Combs still has a huge net worth of over $400 million, not quite at Jay-Z level, but he shouldn't be displeased with his status within the system.

So who is Combs in international relations? Britain of course. The marginal power and former empire, who might no longer dictate the progress of international relations, but one which still holds great wealth and influence over its direction. While no longer the dominating force, though indeed still retaining the status as head of state for a broad commonwealth of diverse holdings across the globe, Britain is fairly well situated near the top of the system, but no longer its hegemon. This allows it to act as both a proxy of the hegemon, but also independent of the hegemon while remaining a power in its own spheres of influence. In fact, this might be an enviable place for any nation to be in.

And of course, since Combs is an ally of Jay-Z, he may get drawn into the battle with The Game, just as the special relationship dictates Britain to reluctantly act in accord with America even when it might be counter to its own interests, which is what ostensibly occurred with Iraq. Even if you are no longer on top, the game is the game.

Comments

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[cheap coach purses]

Yes, that's cool. The device is amazing! Waiting for your next one!

[SesliChat]

Congress should create seslisohbet an independent Video Klip panel or similar body to investigate a host of previously Sesli Chat unreviewable activities of the Bush sesli sohbet administration, including its detention, interrogation and surveillance programs.

[TıkLa-SohbeT]

SesLiSohbeT siteleri arasında ekol bir adres SesTonum hemen sohbette başlamak icin SesTonum 'tıklayınız..! SesLiSohbeT Ve SesLichaT adreslerinin gözdesi hemen tıklayarak SesLiSohbeT yapmaya başlaya bilirsiniz..!

SesTonum
SesLichaT
SesLiSohbeT

[sesli sohbet]

This allows it to act as both a proxy of the hegemon, but also independent of the hegemon while remaining a power in its own spheres of influence. In fact, this might be an enviable place for any nation to be in.
seslisohbet
seslichat

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
Buy aika gold
Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service!

Cheap aika gold
In the 2 years we are in this field , AIKA Goldbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(GM MMO)

[knockoff handbags]

i am glad to study your opinion. m41414 Keepall 55, m41416 Keepall 50, m41522 Speedy 40, m41528 Speedy 25, 219704, m40249 artsy mm, m40259 artsy gm, M45257 Messenger Bag, M40156 Neverfull MM, m40144 Tivoli GM