And you were brought in to turn around the state of hip hop to appeal to a few markets. You were allowed to sign any 5 rappers off their label and be the creative mind behind an albums concept. Your task is to appeal to the commercial market, the underground market and to unite both and create a modern day classic what would you guys do and why?

ARTISTS OFF LIMIT FOR TOPIC
Because they are all proven stars. Use creativity.

Jay-Z
Eminem
50 Cent
Kanye West


I would use my signing ability to bring in first a young talent with a credible street following such as a Wale or Kid Cudi. I would settle for Wale because I feel with the right producers behind the boards he could help inject some PROPER youth into the hip hop scene. I would bring in a local DC producer who he is comfortable with and who's sound had not been overplayed. I would also bring in a guy like Ryan Leslie to over see the production value and put his input in at times. Someone who is fresh and would keep the album creative and refreshing. I would limit features to showcase his talent but maybe throw a big name on their like Nas or Bun B to get notority for the album.

I'll finish my choices in a bit.

MF DOOM
Pharoahe Monch
Cage
Swollen Members
Cee-lo

I would throw money at them like Floyd Mayweather and let them do whatever they want to. It could easily produce radio-friendly music and top notch underground ****.

black milk would be my first choice, skilled beatmaker and rapper...

sean price would be up next, i think he could have some crossover appeal... he and black milk could make some great ****.

my mainstream guy would be nas, always sells well, one of the greatest of all time


id sign edo g and masta ace as a group.... if you didnt know, they are releasing album together called "a and e" song on youtube for you *****es...

last up id sign saigon and finally release his ****....

Black Milk

People Under The Stairs

Cee-Lo

Kweli

One Be Lo

Enough talent there to satisfy all areas.

See I agree with you guys but it's harder than not to get a radio friendly MC. You need to have a talent behind the boards who not only can produce but understand the proper direction for the artist. Timbo does this very well. I think you would have to devlop a marketing ploy to spring one of them such as 50's GRODT story line or Waynes takeover in the internet prior to Carter 3.

Z-RO - he can rap or sing hooks

Wale - he's got a new style

Sean Price - for the underground fans

Mitchy Slick - for the gangsta rap fans

Dre (from Cool & Dre) - he's already produced some hits and he can sing some decent hooks

Aloe Blacc - Sick rapper with a way legit singing voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sy7WeJVPA4

Guilty Simpson - Grime-time. easily one of my current favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei1ARl0T_IQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iurEZgZF-nA
"That's why i got hoes like firemen!"

MC Shad - Unique in every possible way. absolutely refreshing. one of the best live performances i've ever seen. he also plays the acoustic guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH8SDiPPjoc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQZ2g1s8e4s
"Go ahead call me lazy. I just retired real young y'all, call me Jay Z!"
"But what y'all gotta mock for? What's wrong with my Mach3? I gotta be macho and mock more?"

Lauryn Hill - this is in a perfect world in which she would start recording again. She's mainstream enough.

Madlib - diverse producer who could compliment all of the above artists. plus he can rap. and with Lib i'd be signing 2 artists in one. (Quasimoto)

Simple

Nas
Mos Def
Common
Talib
and Possibly Jay Z

Nas
Alchemist
Lloyd Banks
Camron
Lupe