It’s official, according to former Black Menace member, Threat: Black Menace is history. While Threat won’t comment on the break up, he willingly gives all the details in a song called “Bustafied” from his new album Drama Az Usual on Strugglin’ & Strivin’ Records. In August, the other half of Black Menace, J. Dawg, released two solo albums. Threat says that although it wasn’t his decision to go solo, he’s enjoying the challenge. “It feels great,” says Threat. “It’s like having a garden: You plant your seeds and watch your flowers grow. That’s what I did with each song. I watched each song blossom into a flower. If the flower didn’t come out great, I didn’t use the song.”

Drama Az Usual includes 14 cuts, featuring the Ghetto Twiinz, Tim Smooth, Rated X, Kongo, Partners-N-Crime and Elate, as well as producers Precise, Mr. Hakeem, Ice Mike, Carlos Stephens, Odell and Tre 8. What’s different about this album compared to previous Black Menace releases is Threat’s vibe and style. “It’s all from within,” he says. “It’s all what I feel, what I see goin’ on and the things that I go through. I’m like a street reporter. I’m tellin’ the news that most people are probably scared to mention. “

The album is dedicated to the late G-Slimm, a local rapper and close friend of Threat, who was murdered last year. “I loved him from the bottom of my heart,” Threat says.

Last month, 10:26 Entertainment hosted the first of what it hopes will be a series of hip-hop nights at Mid-City Lanes Rock-n-Bowl. “Hip Hop Culture Night” kicked off October 19 with deejays spinning hip-hop, R&B and dancehall music; poetry; motivational speaking; and a fashion display. “We wanted to have a night where we break new records, and we want to show a positive side of hip-hop,” says Too Cool, CEO of 10:26 Entertainment. Too Cool believes the New Orleans club scene has become stagnant and that local radio basically dictates what people should listen to and buy. “Our idea is to open up your mind to other things and to also show that there’s a positive side to the youth.” John Blancher, owner of Mid-City Lanes Rock-n-Bowl, says it was the poetry and motivational speaking that caught his attention and convinced him to give hip-hop a chance. “I’m not really familiar with the whole hip-hop movement, but if hip-hop has a positive message for the urban community, then I want to support it,” says Blancher.

If “Hip Hop Culture Night” is successful, Too Cool plans to continue the event once a month. For more info, call (504) 576-9954 or 793-1996. Too Cool is also producing a hip-hop group called Da Art Pharm. The group’s new album on Phusion Records (untitled at press time) will be out by the end of the year.

Based on the fact that they’re identical twins who rap, female rappers Which One are bound to be compared to New Orleans’ own Ghetto Twiinz. But that doesn’t bother “Fire” (Safariah) or “Mo” (Samona). “It’s a good comparison,” says Fire. “Although we’re all different, we’re striving for the same thing—that’s to be on top.” Which One plans to reach the top of the charts with their hip-hop album Introduction to Which One on Eclipse Records. A maxi-single including four songs from the album will be out Nov. 20, and the album is slated for release in ‘98. “The music is basically uptempo, a variety of sounds—west coast, east coast, a little south,” says Fire. Introduction to Which One was produced by Felton Langlois (co-owner of Eclipse Records) and features up and coming artists Ces and Chris Green.

Originally from southside Chicago, Which One moved to New Orleans in 1991 to attend Dillard University on basketball scholarships. For years, rapping was just a hobby, but when they got to New Orleans the girls saw real potential for rap music. They met producer Felton Langlois, and he set them up in the studio. Besides focusing on positive topics like respect and unity in their music, Which One has a message for the kids. “There are many other opportunities than going out there in the streets and robbin’ and killin’,” says Mo. “Keep gettin’ an education. There’s no other way to be successful,” she adds.

When friends call Brian Tillman “BUM”, they’re not disrespecting him. They’re just calling him by his rap name, a nickname he was given as a child. BUM is the first artist to be released on G-Money Records. His EP, Who Can I Really Blame, is filled with reality-based music that BUM calls “visionary rap”—rap that is relatable, controversial and positive. The first single released from the EP is a song called “Tell My Son.” The EP contains six songs written by BUM that deal with everything from domestic violence and incarceration to spirituality and death. It was produced by BUM, Derrick Hudson and Roland and Goldfingers. “My music is cutting edge,” says BUM. “You’re not just gonna dance to it, you’re gonna hear a message.” BUM categorizes a lot of today’s music as “mindless music”—music that has no message—and says he tries to give his audience something more. ‘‘I’m trying to stay positive,” he says. “I give you the negative side of a story and tell you why you shouldn’t do it that way.”

BUM, who is 23 years old, has been rapping since he was 15. He rapped in his neighborhood and at talent shows and got serious about music after purchasing a drum machine. He recorded tapes and got together with his long-time friend Gordon Sanders, President of G-Money Records. Besides completing his first album, BUM is working on a compilation album featuring The Disturbed Young Hustlers, Jr. Mack, Kockdiesel and other G-Money artists. The CD is due out in ‘98.

Street Vibe Entertainment released the first female rapper on its label last month. 20-year old Brown Sugar’s debut album Female Thing is a collection of street, dance and gangsta songs that address female issues and encourage women to be strong. “Female Thing,” for example, tells women not to let men take advantage of them, while “My Baby Daddy” tells men to wake up and take responsibility for their children. “Don’t be fooled by all these men runnin’ weak games,” says Brown Sugar. Brown Sugar co-wrote the album along with Mr. WildStyle (President of Street Vibe Entertainment and member of rap duo Born Suspect). Local artists Born Suspect, D.A.B. and Dragonmaster Showcase appear on the album, and Mr. WildStyle and Born Suspect share production credits.

Last month’s “Street Talk” question of the month: “What’s your opinion of Janet Jackson’s new album Velvet Rope? Do you think it has the potential to put Janet back on top of the pop and R 6- B charts?”

Calvin Rutledge, retailer at Odyssey Records: “I think it’s a good album. It reminds me of her last album. She got a little graphic in this album. I think she’ll go platinum. We get calls about the album all the time.”

This month’s “Street Talk” question is “Cash Money artist the Hot Boys are on fire. Their album Get It How U Live! sold thousands of copies locally and generated some interest from a national label. What is it about their music that makes the Hot Boys hot?” Mail your comments to “Street Talk”, 1216 Edenborn Ave., Metairie, LA 70001. (Letters must be received before Nov. 15).