Announcing the NewTeeVee Top 10 Breakout Video Stars of 2008
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Jay Smooth
Dubbed the “hardest-blogging man in hip hop” by Wired magazine, Jay Smooth’s Ze Frank-esque videos belie his serious roots in the hip-hop commentary scene. Launching his first hip-hop radio show as a teenager, Smooth has been fiercely blogging since 2002 at hiphopmusic.com, and his video blog Ill Doctrine is just the next evolution of his online presence.
Recently featured on Current TV, Smooth is seen by many as the heir apparent to Ze Frank‘s legacy, despite having been active only since mid-2007. The semi-regular web series continues Smooth’s dedication to raising the level of discourse in the hip-hop scene while still engaging your urge to chair-boogie; the champion of indie artists speaks candidly on politics and pop culture while remaining unafraid to reveal his nerdy cred (in a now-unavailable early video, the lightsaber-battled super-producer Just Blaze). He’s also becoming an increasingly well-known source for intelligent commentary on race — How To Tell People They Sound Racist, released last July, racked up over 100,000 views and triggered interesting discussion on any number of web forums.
Oh, and his fierce championing of the Obama campaign has given him both huge viewcounts and tremendous dominance online. Smooth is becoming a prominent voice, and it’s not hard to understand why. You gotta love a guy who can rock the mike while also making you think.
(L.S.M.)
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Yay!
Thanks guys!
I can’t believe this is the video you posted! Yikes!
I think I may have to give the award back based on this!
HAHAHHAHAHHAHA
See you soon!
Buck
Hey Liz, great choices! Of these breakout video stars, any insights into their business success (e.g. advertising, e-commerce)? Thanks.
Very cool selection – and a few I have yet to see. Quickly going to rectify that!
Have a great day!
Hey Jeff, I think/hope we’ll be hearing a lot more about their business success at the conference on Thursday.
felicia day is amazing but i have to ask– what does buck DOOOOOOOO???!?!?!?!
Felicia Day = Awesome. I can’t wait for the second season of The Guild.
I’m going to check out a few of those that I haven’t heard about before.
Congrats to all!
@Jeff: Actually, Felicia Day and I are gonna talk about our hair, mostly. Styling products, blow driers vs. straighteners, that sort of thing.
I love that Conan towers over Gary. If Conan gets too annoyed, he can just squish Gary under his heel like an angry giant.
Good list, but the real question is…who is most likely to be 2009′s breakout video star?
great list. It seems like the stuff that is taking off is highly focused and concept driven. can’t wait to see who makes the list next year!
“Those seeking to use web video to further their careers could do much worse than to emulate her example — but the most important thing they should take note of is her friendly and open interaction with fans.”
Took the words right outta my mouth…
I watched one of the funniest shows today and this guy will be on the list next year for sure.
Statix.tv
GamerGuru
Cheers,
Steve
thats haken awsome!!!!!
He’s funny. I wsh I had his e-mail.
Watching Vaynerchuk is like a master class in brand building (a very hyperactive master class). The guy sticks to his message, engages with his community and constantly works to promote himself across every new platform available. He even squeezed in a video show during a recent flight on Southwest Airlines. No wonder we named him one of our 2008 Breakout Video Stars.
Nice post, I always make a point of checking your blog, keep up the good work. Barbabra