GRANDGOOD

Earlier today 50 Cent laid claim to shutting down video aggregator Worldstar Hip-Hop. What that means exactly we can’t be sure although it isn’t that far fetched if you consider how egregiously illegal Worldstar’s content is in copyright terms and how easily a lawyer-drafted letter to the RIAA (or Homeland Security) could be procured by a wealthy rapper. That being said, Worldstar’s Q responded quickly with denial of 50’s involvement. All this brings back memories of another successfully marketed video ripper, namely, eBaum’s world, and all of the lawsuits and copyright issues that surrounded it’s existence. And much like that site, whether or not Worldstar was shut down by a regulatory body, with or without the assistance of 50, the site’s success is undeniable. Offering some perspective, compete.com, a 3rd part stat site, measures Worldstar’s December 2010 unique visitor count @ 3.9 million whereas another popular rap aggregator like nahright is closer to 200 thousand. That is almost a multiple of twenty. Now, a unique visitor number has its issues since it tends not to be indicative of what online marketers like to refer to as “engagement”, but something tells me that that difference is difficult to ignore. Granted, stat sites aren’t exactly known for accuracy, but for argument’s sake, if we continue to 50 Cent’s toned down video and news aggregator ThisIs50.com, even when combined with sister site booboo.tv, apparently generates approximately one fifth the number of unique visits Worldstar can claim. With big numbers comes long money, like $20 million buyout offers, so I don’t doubt that something is being cooked up behind the scenes. It’ll be interesting to see who ends up being big homie on the interwebs. Also notable in 50’s rant today was what appeared to be him catching feelings about Worldstar’s “representation” of black people. That is an issue that has found its way into almost any discussion about WSHH and may ultimately be its lasting legacy. A while back during a live Q&A I attended with the original, pre-internet, video aggregator Ralph McDaniels, when asked about his thoughts on internet sites like WSHH and Vlad.Tv he respectfully took issue with the quality of their content and even noted a conversation he had with DJ Vlad, if I remember correctly, wherein he basically suggested he reconsider his approach. In any case, WSHH is popular for a reason, whether or not that reason relates to our most basic interests.