Rapper Real Estate: "Arts & Leisure's" New Listings

Future Rap Pad for Tonight's Grammy Winner?

In case you had any lingering doubts about whether the NY Times arts pages are doing a good job covering the celebrity gossip beat, click the lead story in today's "Arts & Leisure" section about hip-hop on the hilltop. I think it's safe to say that this landmark piece marks the debut of real estate agents in the Times culture pages.

I lived for 22 years in the town just south of Alpine, N.J., so I know that its monied denizens are eagerly awaiting the influx of inquiring culture lovers, cruising the neighborhood in quest of insights about places where sensitive rappers retreat to "have quiet as an artist to hear your inner voice."

Wouldn't this report on rappers' lifestyles have been a better fit for the Real Estate section? Or better yet, the gossip magazines?

Maybe CultureGrrl should learn how to play this game: Here is the listing (complete with many clickable photos) for the house, pictured in the Times, which is near D.J. Eddie Farrell's abode and is now on the market. Better hurry, though: "Several hip-hop artists are said to be interested," Douglas Century reports.

Is the grand piano (above) included in the $6.5-million pricetag? But why settle for that modest Alpine abode? For only about twice the price, music moguls can purchase this palace.

But first, you need to win one of tonight's Grammys!

UPDATE: Who needs hip-hop? Looks like the Dixie Chicks belong in the palace. With 21 rooms, it's big enough for all of them!