"Don't worry if I write rhymes I write checks"
-P. Diddy in "Bad Boy 4 Life"

Ghostwriting is such an epidemic in the [hip-hop] game these days. I can't believe that Gillie da Kid is the Ghost Writer for Lil'Wayne. Well apparently, that is what he is telling any media that is willing to expose it (or him). That's sad, Wayne is supposed to be the "truth", a "beast" quoted by B.G. This is embarrassing to say the least. I hope this is a publicity stunt to give Gillie his "10 minutes" [of fame].

Ghostwriting is the biggest taboo in hip-hop. Right next to "down-low" rappers.(but that's for another day). There are teams of people that just write for folks like Shaquille O' Neal, Trina, [Lil'] Kim, Foxy [Brown], LL [Cool J], Will Smith, Diddy, Ja [Rule], Charlie Baltimore, [Dr.] Dre and the list is crazy long.

I can't knock anyone's hustle (the writer). If that is the way you make a living. By all means, Get that gwap!!! But be intelligent. Get credit!! If you own your publishing you are one step ahead of the game. If you get credit for it you're two steps ahead. I usually read the inserts on the CD to get an idea of sample sources, publishing, engineers, studios, producers, and writers. Unfortunately only a select few get credit. The rest get hush money. But what draws the line of value. What if your verse is on the hottest song out. Bottom line: get credit.

For example, Diamond (of Diggin in the Crates aka DITC) produced a song for The Fugees Score and was credited for it. He continues to recieve royalty checks for each CD sold till this day. Anyone credited for writing or producing on that CD gets royalties Rah Digga, Young Zee including unknowns like Omega. Jay-Z wrote the last song on the Space Jam CD which sold well over 9 million copies. Cee-lo Green cakes off on Santana's Supernatural.

What does Styles P, Skillz or Sauce Money get for writing for Diddy? The Shaft!! (no brokeback!!) (BTW Black Thought of the Roots is writing for Diddy's next release.) Eventally they got paid but no royalties. (Diddy, the Paper gangsta.)
Smitty got paid for writing for Will Smith. Rhymefest shared a Grammy award for "Jesus Walks" but no info on the "moula". At the same time both don't receive the noriety as their check writers.

It is infuriating when there are artist/ghost writers that have 10 times more skills, end up selling 10 times less than the artists that they wrote for. I once heard a version of "Queen B#$$#" with Notorious BIG spitting the entire song with all the tones and variations. Apparently he wanted Lil' Kim to repeat all of rhymes exactly as he did it. Best believe that is the exact song on Kim's 1st release,

Honestly, I'm disgusted by the idea of ghost writing only because hip-hop is supposed to be about authenticity. I am listening to YOUR interpretation of street life, YOUR accounts or stories. I want to hear YOUR talent. Delivery and presentation does maka a huge difference in sales but #$#@@.

"Keep it Real" they all say however most the artists in the industry wear cubic zirconia-laced jewlery. Its all about the Benjamin, baby. With that said. all Ghost writers all over the world get your paper, right. Get your credit that way u receive residual income and not that one time $50K that you spent on a watch.

Peace to all real writers those mentioned and those that will never get credit ever in this lifetime.
Shawn Pen, Skillz, Blake C, BT, Cam'ron, 50 cent, Common, Killa Mike, Ice Cube, Big L, Trick Daddy, Chamillionaire, Peter Gunz & Lord Tariq.