Thursday, June 30, 2011
Ray Don - Cant Let Her Go
G Sound Films presents The 3rd video from Ray Don "Cant Let Her Go". Ray Don takes it to Manhattan to show his lady a good time. If your in NYC for video inquiries email me at contactgsound@yahoo.com
Monday, June 27, 2011
Common, DOOM & Killah Priest Added To Rock The Bells 2011
by Steven J. Horowitz
Common, DOOM & Killah Priest Added To Rock The Bells 2011
UPDATE: Erykah Badu will perform "Baduizm" in its entirety, while additional artists include Common, DOOM, Killah Priest and more.
The star-studded lineup has been announced for the Rock the Bells 2011 Festival Series. Presnted by Boost Mobile in association with Guerilla Union, the BlackBerry-powered event will feature Ms. Lauryn Hill, Nas, Cypress Hill, Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah and more.
Similar to last year, headlining acts will perform their classic albums in their entirety. Ms. Lauryn Hill will perform The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, while Cypress Hill will take on Black Sunday, Black Star will perform Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star, Raekwon & Ghostface will team up for Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Mobb Deep will tackle The Infamous, The GZA will revisit Liquid Swords, Souls of Mischief will recap 93 ‘Til Infinity and Masta Killa will cover No Said Date.
Additionally, Nas will perform his classic 1994 debut Illmatic alongside AZ, DJ Premier and Pete Rock. “For years people have been asking me to do Illmatic in so many ways, from stage plays to movies to books, but the time wasn't right. Where music is going now, the time is right,” said Nas in a statement. "This will be my biggest production and it only makes sense to do it on the best rap tour which also happens to be a brand I've built and am a partner in. Can't wait to kill it with my comrades AZ, Premo & Pete Rock!"
The 8th annual RTB festival will also feature the Paid Dues Stage, curated by Murs. “I am excited that I once again have the privilege of hosting the Paid Dues Stage,” he said. “We will have the honor of showcasing some of the best talent in independent hip hop as part of the worlds largest and longest running hip hop festival... the Paid Dues stage is gonna be the one to watch this year.”
A new addition to the event is the 36 Chambers Stage, which will feature members of the Wu-Tang Clan and RZA-approved artists. The Grindtime Now Stage will also make its debut, hosting battle-style performances.
Rock the Bells 2011, hosted by The RZA, Murs 3:16 and Supernatural, will take over four different cities. Check below to see tour dates and the full list of artists.
Tour Dates:
08.20 San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheater
08.27 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
09.03 New York, NY – Governor’s Island
09.10 Boston, MA
Confirmed Performers:
Ms. Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill +
Nas – Illmatic +
Cypress Hill - Black Sunday +
Erykah Badu*
Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star +
Raekwon & Ghostface - Only Built for Cuban Linx +
Mobb Deep - The Infamous +
The GZA - Liquid Swords +
Immortal Technique
Slaughterhouse
Mac Miller*
Curren$y*
Souls of Mischief - 93 ‘til Infinity +
Black Moon
Childish Gambino
Blu & Exile
Fashawn
Random Axe*
Masta Killah - No Said Date +
Evidence*
Macklemore*
Freddie Gibbs
Roc Marciano
+ notes full-album sets
* notes performance on select dates only
[May 24]
UPDATE: Common, DOOM, Killah Priest and Boy Jones have been added to the lineup for this year's Rock the Bells. Additionally, Erykah Badu will perform her debut Baduizm in its entirety, while Common will perform Be in select markets and Killah Priest will perform his 1998 release Heavy Mental.
Big K.R.I.T. Speaks On Def Jam Debut, David Banner, Andre 3000 & Rock The Bells
by Andres Vasquez
Big K.R.I.T. Speaks On Def Jam Debut, David Banner, Andre 3000 & Rock The Bells
K.R.I.T. explains why he is looking forward to Rock the Bells, talks about wanting to work with OutKast and the Dungeon Family and says he's producing his Def Jam debut.
Mississippi's Big K.R.I.T. has been crafting his Def Jam debut while bubbling in the underground with critically acclaimed mixtapes. The emcee, who is also a part of this year's Rock the Bells Festival, spoke with Bootleg Kev about his upcoming debut, his production, working with David Banner and his hopes to work with Andre 3000 and others.
In the interview, the DXNext alum explained that he is finalizing his new album and working on more material.
"I'm also in the studio right now working on new material, so be on the look out for something new from me this year," he said.
When asked for his debut's title, K.R.I.T. was adamant about keeping that a secret for now, explaining that he wants to keep a "mystique" around his work.
"Everybody will know [the title] pretty soon," he said. "It's important that I put the project together and then keep a mystique about it all. It kind of helps with the buzz."
Fans of his production can be pleased to hear that he wants to man the boards on the entire project, something that has kept his occupied. When asked if he would be making beats for several other artists, he said he wants to wait to finish his own before he shares his instrumentals.
"I'm actually going to produce my whole album. It's definitely difficult because every beat I make, I want to rap on it."
While fans may be hoping for a K.R.I.T. collaboration with OutKast, he says he has only heard from Big Boi and hopes to collab with him. He also said he would want to work with Andre 3000, though he has not heard from him and that he has hopes to work with the Dungeon Family.
One person he has worked with is David Banner. He shed light on the Mississippi connection he shares with Banner, a fellow emcee/producer, who has become his mentor.
"Banner's the big homie to me, a mentor, somebody I can call to get advice about the game and about the industry...He's doing a lot right now and he jumped on [the song "Sookie Now"]. It just worked out. Lord willing, we're going to shoot a video for it."
As for this year's Rock the Bells Festival, K.R.I.T. said he's excited to join the bill and looking forward to the atmosphere.
"That's pretty major right there," he said. "It's a different environment [when you do festivals], so to be out in the open, everybody having fun, and different fan bases all blending together, I want to see how everybody do."
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Jamie Foxx on Amber Rose's Radio Future
Amber Rose is still heading to Jamie Foxx’s satellite radio station. Speaking with BET.com, last year’s BET Awards host explained how Kanye West’s ex-girlfriend came to become The Foxxhole’s latest radio personality. Foxx said how impressed he was with the way Amber conducted herself in an interview on the network noting, “you know how hard we go, we go pretty hard.”
He added, “She was able to really stand her ground. She had a great story, she said, 'Listen you guys have to understand that I used to sleep in a car, I used to be homeless, I used to be a stripper.' So she said that she is happy to be where she is.” Foxx said we should expect Rose to deliver a fresh view for men and women in her new radio segment, although it may be perceived as “controversial.”
Foxx was also asked about comedian Kevin Hart, who will be succeeding him as host of the BET Awards this weekend. The Oscar winner was quite complimentary towards Hart, quipping, “I am such a Kevin Hart fan.” He also stressed, “I can’t wait to see what he does.”
THE 2011 BET AWARDS REVIEW
Chris Brown wins a leading 4 BET Awards
By SANDY COHEN
Amid awards for the top artists, actors and athletes, Steve Harvey was recognized for his humanitarian work at the BET Awards.
BET Chairman and Chief Executive Debra Lee called the 54-year-old entertainer "a true gentleman who acts like a comedian but thinks like a citizen of the world" as she presented him with the Humanitarian Award.
Harvey thanked God and his fellow philanthropists as he accepted the honor.
Patti LaBelle also accepted a special honor at Sunday's ceremony; Gladys Knight presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
"I plan to hold myself up higher because I've gotten this wonderful award," the 67-year-old singer said, and then she grabbed a microphone and sang a pair of hits, including the breakthrough hit "Lady Marmalade."
(See: Bieber, Minaj, Mars added to BET Awards lineup)
Harvey and LaBelle were among dozens of artists recognized at the BET Awards, which were presented at the Shrine Auditorium.
The night's leading nominee, Chris Brown, collected four awards in all. The 21-year-old singer won a pair of prizes early in the show and two fan-voted awards at the end of the ceremony.
Brown was named best male R&B artist and won best collaboration for his song "Look At Me Now" with Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes.
Brown accepted the collaboration award after performing a medley that including the winning track.
"Public-speaking is not my strong suit," he said, thanking BET and his fans before passing the microphone to Wayne, who expressed gratitude to Brown for including him on the track. Busta Rhymes rapped his acceptance.
(See: VWilliams overcomes Date-Krumm in 3-set thriller)
Earlier in the ceremony, Brown also thanked his fans and the network: "I appreciate all the support. I know it's been a long road, so I appreciate every blessing in front of me."
Lil Wayne also came on stage when Nicki Minaj accepted her award for best female hip-hop artist.
"I can't believe for the first time I get to share a moment like this with the person who saw me rapping on a staircase," she said of the rapper and producer, who was incarcerated when she won the same prize last year. "Lil Wayne, I love you."
Minaj was joined by Justin Bieber to present the male hip-hop artist award later in the show. Kanye West won but wasn't on hand to accept the trophy.
Instead of traditional awards-show winners' envelopes, winners were revealed on a tablet device provided by Sprint. But the tablet proved tricky when it was time to announce the winner of the Viewers' Choice award.
A fan was brought on stage to announce the winner, and she initially said Brown won. Then she corrected herself to say Rihanna won, and Drake came on stage to claim the trophy. After a commercial break, host Kevin Hart clarified that "there was a mistake," and Brown had indeed been the viewers' choice.
Other winners included Diddy Dirty Money, named best group, and Jaden Smith and Willow Smith, who tied as winners of the Young Stars award.
But the show was really about the performances, which were plentiful. Mary J. Blige opened the ceremony, performing her hits "All Night Long" and "Real Love" before being joined by Anita Baker. The divas performed a duet of "Caught Up in the Rapture."
Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled and Ace Hood shared the stage for "Hustle Hard." Alicia Keys unveiled a new song, before lapsing into "A Woman's Worth," for which she was joined by Bruno Mars, and her hit, "Fallin'."
Jill Scott sang in a speakeasy setting. Trey Songz took off his shirt during his performance, even after host Kevin Hart said the young singer looks "like a beige greyhound" shirtless.
Donnie McClurkin kicked off a gospel celebration, with Mary Mary and Deitrick Haddon joining in to sing "Thank You."
Beyonce performed from across the pond: Her headlining set at the Glastonbury Music Festival was beamed into the Shrine from
FREE MAKES A GRAND ENTRANCE "BACK" TO BET
While most people have been trying to decide their most memorable moment of the 2011 BET Awards. Former 106 and park co host free has had twitter goin nutz in her after party apperance in a firm fitting gold sequence dress.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Killer Mike Brings “Ric Flair” To The Apple Store
Black Music Month continues and the Apple Store proceeded with the performances by bringing Killer Mike to the Lennox Mall location in Atlanta. CS was there to film Bigga’s set. PL3DGE in stores now
Buju Banton Sentenced To 10 Years
Reggae star Buju Banton has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in setting up a cocaine deal in 2009, according to BBC News.
Banton was convicted of conspiracy to possess five or more kilogrammes of cocaine with the intent to distribute by the Sam M Gibbons US Federal Courthouse in Tampa, Florida in February of this year.
He was also found guilty of possession of a firearm and of another drug trafficking offence.
Banton could have faced up to potentially 15 years in prison, but Judge James S Moody of the Tampa Federal Court in Florida sentenced him to 10 years – the most lenient sentence possible.
He also decided to throw out the gun charges after accepting that Banton had not been carrying a firearm, and could not have been aware that any of his confederates were doing so, either.
Banton said in a statement: "The man is not dead. Don't call him a ghost. The days that lie ahead are filled with despair, but I have courage and grace and I'm hopeful, and that is sufficient to carry me through."
His attorney David Markus, meanwhile, added: "This fight is not over. We will keep fighting for him. [Banton] is my brother, and I'm going to keep fighting until they tell me to stop."
Banton’s last album, ‘Before The Dawn’, won Best Reggae Album at the Grammy Awards earlier this year.
Snoop Dogg To Be Named 'BMI Icon' At 2011 BMI Urban Awards
Snoop Dogg, whose new Dogg Town Music Group label is presenting Block Starz Music's upcoming West Coast Block Starz II compilation, will be saluted as a "BMI Icon" at the BMI Urban Awards, slated for Friday, August 26 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.
BMI President & CEO Del Bryant will share hosting duties with Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, as the entertainment community gathers to celebrate the most-performed urban songs, songwriters and producers of the previous year.
The evening will include an all-star musical tribute to Snoop Dogg, as well as the presentation of the "Urban Songwriter", "Song", "Producer" and "Publisher Of The Year" crystals.
BMI Icons are selected because of their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." As a BMI Icon, Snoop Dogg will join ranks that include George Clinton, The Jacksons, James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Bee Gees, Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana, to name a few.
To learn more about Block Starz Music, visit www.blockstarzmusic.com
- By Bayer Mack
Alicia Keys: I Was 'Built' To Be A Mommy
By Rebecca Thomas
'I feel like I'm definitely more creative,' singer says of her music and motherhood.
If Alicia Keys was a little tired this week, it would be understandable. The wife of Swizz Beatz and new mommy to 8-month-old Egypt has been on a non-stop promo run to celebrate the 10th-anniversary re-release of her seminal, multi-Grammy-Award-winning debut, Songs in A Minor, that includes a transatlantic mini-tour, a live performance at this Sunday's 2011 BET Awards and a spate of sit-downs with outlets like MTV News.
But are you even surprised that the woman who penned a song called "Superwoman" wasn't the least bit tired when MTV News caught up with her on Wednesday? In fact, the resplendent Keys (sporting some sun-kissed tan lines when we saw her) said she's feeling "amazing."
"I never was one to get a lot of sleep anyway, because of the nature of what I do and how much we fly and how much we work," Keys told us. "So honestly, I'll tell Egypt, 'That's all you got?! You only got waking up every three hours, that's it? C'mon!' " she joked about her unbreakable stamina.
"I guess in a way, I was built for it," she added of motherhood.
Because whereas new moms often lament the onset of "brain mush" brought about by relentless nighttime feedings and a dearth of zzz's, A.Keys said the changes in her life have only stirred up her creative juices.
"The past year has been incredible; just so many blessings, being able to be a mommy, being able to be a wife and just really finding my center and my place of comfort. ... Being a mom is like, spectacular. It's the most fun I've ever had, period. I feel like I'm having more fun that I've ever had in my whole life," she said. "I feel like I'm definitely more creative. I'm more thoughtful about my plans and the things that I do, so overall everything is like a hundred times better."
The Songs in A Minor 10th-anniversary edition is set to drop on June 28, and Keys' intimate, piano-only show hits New York's Beacon Theatre on June 30.
Missy Elliott Reveals Battle With Graves' Disease Rapper has been undergoing radiation to treat the thyroid condition.
By Gil Kaufman
For a while, Missy Elliott was everywhere you looked. The rapper/producer released a string of offbeat smash hits and landmark music videos in the late 1990s and early 2000s that stretched from her breakthrough single "The Rain" in 1997 to 2001's "Get Ur Freak On" and 2002's "Work It." But after a couple of softer-selling efforts in the mid 2000s, Elliott seemed to fall off the radar.
Now the increasingly reclusive MC has explained why her long-promised comeback album, Block Party, has been so long in coming and where she's been for the past three years. The 39-year-old Grammy winner told People magazine that she's battling the autoimmune disorder Graves' disease. "You live with it for the rest of your life," Elliott said.
Elliott was diagnosed with the disease in 2008, and she's suffered from a litany of effects, including a loss of some motor skills, dizzy spells, lumps in her throat, mood swings, hair loss, a fast heart rate and bulging eyes. She underwent radiation treatment, has been taking medication and said she's now feeling better.
The disease affects the thyroid gland, whose hormones regulate the body's metabolism and affect mood, weight and energy. It causes hyperthyroidism, which produces an excess of the thyroid hormone, causing the symptoms Elliott discussed, as well as anxiety, double vision and muscle weakness. Though the symptoms are uncomfortable, when caught early and treated, long-term health effects can be avoided.
The weakness was so bad, Elliott said, that she nearly crashed her car because she couldn't press down on the brake, and she could hardly even hold a pen in her hand.
"I'm 30 pounds lighter because I've been exercising," said Elliott, who will be the first subject of the upcoming season of VH1's "Behind the Music" biography series on June 29. "My thyroid is functioning, so I haven't had to take medication in about nine months."
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Big Sean Gets Mobbed At Adidas Store NYC
Looks like Big Sean’s living up to his album’s namesake. This afternoon, he held a meet and greet at the SoHo Adidas Store in NYC. Before making his way into the store, he was engulfed by his fans. Crazy scene. If you’re in the NY area make your way to Wooster St. and check it out until 7PM. Finally Famous June 28th.
Jay-Z & Will Smith On Men In Black 3 Set
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones have been in NY over the last several weeks working on the third installment of their film, Men In Black. Yesterday, Big Willie got a visit from business partner Jay-Z on the set in Battery Park.
Fabolous Announces September 13th Release For "Loso's Way 2: The Rise To Power"
by Steven J. Horowitz
Fabolous Announces September 13th Release For
Loso reveals that the sequel to his 2009 release will drop in the fall.
Fabolous has revealed that his upcoming album Loso’s Way 2: The Rise to Power will be released on September 13th. Chosen in honor of his debut’s release on September 11, 2001, the date is contingent on Fab wanting to create a 10th anniversary feel.
“That’s coming in September, man. We lookin’ to do that around September 13th, actually, because September 11th is when my first album dropped 10 years ago,” he told Hot 106's Rise & Grind Morning Show. “That was also the tragic day of 9/11, so my album dropped that same day and we kind of want to do a 10-year anniversary kind of feel.”
He remained mum on guest stars, but hinted that he wanted to work with a few new characters. “I’m working with a lot of guys right now. It’s still in the baby stages, so I don’t want to give too much of the info right now, but it’s soon to come. Everything will be out there,” he said, running down his wish list. “Nas, Eminem, Fergie - I think Fergie’s voice is really dope. A lot of people, man. Jadakiss, Rick Ross. We got a lot of people to look out for on this album coming, man.”
The Brooklyn, New York native just released The S.O.U.L. Tape, a DJ-free mixtape featuring Fab rhyming over soul-sampled beats.
Sean Price On Why He Doesn't Like Female Rappers Except MC Lyte & Rah Digga
Sean Mandela elaborates on why he isn't feeling lady lyricists.
Sean Price isn't one to mince words. The Random Axe member recently spoke on why he hasn't purchased an album by a female rapper since copping MC Lyte's 1988 debut Lyte as a Rock and that Rah Digga is the only other lady lyricist who gets his stamp of approval.
"I like no female rappers. Not like I don’t like them personally; they don’t hold my interest. Except MC Lyte," he told Vlad TV. "I haven’t bought a female rap album since MC Lyte, Lyte as a Rock. That album? I haven’t bought one since, straight up. I like none of ‘em."
P was quick to clarify, explaining that he holds a soft spot for Digga. "Let me take t hat back. Rah Digga. She get busy too. But other than that, none of ‘em. I’m not buying none of they albums. All of ‘em. That’s just me. I be fooled. You have a nice single. If the single is good, I’ll buy the album. I got a fooled a few times. Who did I get fooled by? I was so pissed. Boss. Remember Boss? I was so pissed, b. I fell for a few, but I like no female rappers. None."
by Steven J. Horowitz
Remy Ma Up For Parole In January 2015
The "Whuteva" rapstress will go before a judge during a hearing in September 2014 to determine an early release from prison.
Remy Ma is currently serving an eight-year sentence stemming from 2008 convictions on assault, weapons possession and coercion charges. After losing her appeal earlier this year, the rapstress, whose real name is Reminisce Smith, will have a parole hearing in September 2014 with an eligibility date set for January 31, 2015, according to court documents.
If parole is denied, the 30-year-old, who began serving time on May 21, 2008, may remain in New York’s Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women until March 23, 2016 - her sentence’s maximum expiration date.
The “Whuteva” spitter was originally charged with shooting Makeda Barnes-Joseph during an altercation over $3,000.
D-Dot Lashes Out At Kanye West For Slandering His Name
The Mad Rapper chooses some dicey words for his former protege.
Kanye West supposedly ghost-produced for Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie at the onset of his career, but turned on his mentor since his career found legs of its own. Talking with XXLMag.com, Papa Dot, also known by his rapping alias The Mad Rapper, explained that the two are on speaking terms, but he still feels like Yeezy did him wrong.
“When we see each other we shake each other hands and say what’s up, but he didn’t do right by his O.G.,” he said. “I didn’t do nothing to him. I didn’t rob him. All that ghost production shit he started and had the world makin’ ‘em think that he did everything."
In the past, ‘Ye claimed that D-Dot wrongfully took credit for producing tracks that he helmed. D-Dot, who co-produced with Kanye on Nas’ “Poppa Was a Playa” and his track “Ghetto” featuring Raekwon and Carl Thomas, claims that the G.O.O.D. Music honcho is slandering his name.
“He’s doin’ it right now and been doin’ for the last 5 or 6 years,” D-Dot said, “so all that shit he had people believing is actually disrespectful by believing that somebody like myself would actually take his music and rob him and put my name on it like he didn’t get credit.”
The Pharcyde, Digable Planets & More To Play Fire In The Canyon Festival
Additional performers at the Oregon festival include Busdriver, DJ Rob Swift, The Lifesavas and more.
The Pharcyde, Digable Planets and Del the Funky Homosapien are just a few of the artists tapped to headline the Fire in the Canyon festival, taking place at Horning’s Hideout outside of Portland, Oregon from August 5-7.
Additional performers for the Northwest event include DJ Rob Swift, The Lifesavas, Busdriver, Solillaquists of Sound, DJ Swamp and several other local acts.
Tickets for the festival go on sale on June 15th, with three-day passes offered for $110 and individual day passes available for $50. A portion of the event’s proceeds will be donated to Mercy Corps, an organization that “works to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.”
Saturday, June 18, 2011
The Name Ray Don (Dope Version)
G Sound Films presents The Name Ray Don. For video inquiries emaill gsound films : contactgsound@gmail.com
Friday, June 17, 2011
G Sound Radio Every Weekend
TUNE IN TO G SOUND RADIO FRI, SAT, SUN 8PM TO 12AM EST!!!!!!!
http://www.wix.com/gsoundmusik/home/videos#!__g-sound-radio
Lauren London Almost Became Mrs. Lauren Carter
Author: Zenn (@ZennNation)
Lauren London exploded onto the scene with her impressive role opposite T.I. in ATL. After that, America fell in love her, including the fellas and of course Mr, Dwayne Carter. However, little do we know, Lil Wayne and Ms. London have been friends/lovers for a long time, even before London hit the big screen. As a matter of fact, according to London they were once engaged, so aside from the love child they have together now, they once had a history before her fame and fortune came into play.
Checkout the excerpt from the interview between Ms. Lauren London and Kathleen Cross in 'Under My Skin:'
KC: What is the biggest misperception people have of you? What misperception bothers you most?
LL: That my son is the result of some kind of one night stand or groupie encounter with his father. I struggle with deciding when to answer or ignore the constant speculation about my private life, because I feel like that doesn’t belong to anybody but me.
KC: Do you want to go on to the next question, or clear up the speculation now?
LL: I met Dwayne when I was 15 years old. I’ve known him a very long time, and we were in a relationship that didn’t make it. We tried more than once to revive it, and we were engaged briefly years ago, but we eventually parted ways. People see the “Lil’ Wayne” persona and think they know who he really is. My son’s father is an intelligent, loving and lovable person who will always be a dear friend. That is all.
Source: Under My Skin
Mad props to Ms. Lauren for keeping her past love life with Wayne a secret for this long. Either way, it is real good to know that they're still women out there who will defend the father of their child.
Rick Ross Praises Tupac At 40th Celebration, Mike Epps Gives $10k
Author: CQPosted on 2011-06-17
Rapper Rick Ross expressed his affinity for Tupac Shakur at a birthday celebration in Stone Mountain, GA, stating the rapper was a unique role model for a generation that looked up to the deceased icon.
The event, held at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) acted as a 40th birthday celebration for Tupac, which featured Meek Mill, Bun B, Warren G, Too Short, jazz singer/producer Roy Ayers and Erykah Badu.
"For a lot of lil' dudes in a single parent home [like me] with my mother, Tupac played father for a lot of dudes like me," Rick Ross said to the crowd at the event. "Tupac was the first one that showed me how to be fully committed. I took [aspect of him like] his [loyalty], to his hard work, his ethic, his family with me."
The Miami rapper also stressed the impact Tupac has had on the youth growing up.
Ross continued, "When we talk about his record sales, let's not forget the role he played to all the little Black boys around the world."
Erykah Badu also commented on Tupac at the gala.
"My first reaction to Tupac was he's not a rapper, he's not an actor, he's a savior of sorts. But he came at a time when people weren't looking for a savior, they were looking for someone who looked like them," she said. "But saviors, sometimes are just doing the work, they are just doing their job."
Then, the eccentric singer proceeded to speak, then sing a song, "Soldier," in dedication to Afeni Shakur.
During her performance, Badu's microphone audio was cut, for reason unknown, causing some confusion. "I want this to end the way it was meant, with peace," Badu concluded with a raised fist.
Comedian Mike Epps served as the Master of Ceremonies and he also presented Afeni Shakur with a $10,000 check for TASF. About 500 people attended the celebration.
News: Lil B Explains 'Gay' Artwork, "The Hip-Hop Community Is Being Very Close-Minded"
Written by Rosario Harper
After raising eye brows with his I'm Gay album title earlier this year, West Coast rapper Lil B has now come out to confirm and explain the project's new cover art.
Rather than use a standard image, Lil B said his I'm Gay cover art is embedded with a deep message.
"Pretty much the album cover, you see it's the three sides of the slavery, mental slavery and mental freedom at the ending where everybody is happy," B explained in an interview. "The reason why I did the I'm Gay album, I really seen that the hip-hop community is being very close-minded and very hateful, very violent...People use evil words, money, separation, stuff like that. I just wanted to make this to show words don't mean anything." (MTV)
The project's cover art landed across the Internet Thursday (June 16).
Several months and several death threats after announcing that his upcoming album would be called I'm Gay, weirdo rapper Lil B has backed off a bit, or clarified a bit, or something with the cover art. So yes, there's that "I'm Happy" parenthetical right below the title, which kind of sounds like an elementary-school joke but, to be fair, is the same rationale Lil B's been giving ever since the announcement. Again, he wants the world to know "words don't mean anything"-which anyone who's ever used the words "I'm gay" to say that, in fact, they are actually gay might disagree with, but which certainly isn't inconsistent with B's stream-of-consciousness style. (Pop Dust)
The cover is also inspired by late music great Marvin Gaye.
Today, B revealed the cover exclusively to RapFix Live and while many fans anticipated a controversial piece of work, the album's cover could be possibly be considered tame by many stretches of the imagination. The I'm Gay album artwork was inspired by Marvin Gaye's I Want You album cover drawn by late African American painter Ernie Barnes; Barnes also drew a similar piece for the opening credits of 70s sitcom "Good Times." Lil B's version is decidedly similar, much like Camp Lo's debut album Uptown Saturday Night and its cover, but highlighting a message of the contrast between slavery and freedom. (Rapfix)
Last April, Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs publicly taunted Lil B's album title during a Brooklyn, New York concert.
"No f*ck sh*t. This ain't no Lil B Based God or no f*cking f*ggot sh*t like that up here," Freddie told fans at a Southpaw Brooklyn show April 27th. "What the f*ck you thought this was? N*gga this is real rap. N*gga. Based God get the f*ck outta here n*gga." (YouTube)
As of now, there is no definite release date.
Pusha T Speaks On His G.O.O.D. Music Debut & Kanye West's Mentorship
by Steven J. Horowitz
Pusha Ton explains how Kanye serving as executive producer on the album is helping his beat selection improve.
With the success of his first solo mixtape Fear of God , Pusha T is working on his G.O.O.D. Music debut (due November 25th) with executive producer Kanye West. Speaking with Blackbook Mag, the Clipse member spoke on how the tracks recorded so far are “extreme” and why Kanye’s perfection is a blessing.
“That’s just Ye’s personality. He’s such a fan. He’s such a fan, and there’s a certain level of artistry that he wants to get to complement his music,” he said. “What we’ve been putting together as of late, for the new album, is really extreme. The music has been really extreme, so of course the vocals have been really extreme to complement it. We haven’t bumped heads on what he thinks it should be vs. what I put out. We’re really in sync as far as that goes right now. I’m happy with the records we’ve done and I can’t wait to get back in.”
Compared to Fear of God, the Virginia Beach, Virginia native said his debut will show a new side of him. “I have to say it’s on another level, because Kanye is the executive producer of the album. And I’m glad he’s taken on this role, because you have to understand that all rap artists have a weakness. Mine happens to be that musically, if something strikes me—whether it’s good or bad—I can write a very prolific verse. I can put together a verse whichever way the music hits me, but sometimes the music isn’t that good. [...] I come from the production house of the Neptunes, I come from that house, so it’s sort of hard for me to have under-produced music. Something that sounds mixtape-esque that I might love, my fans may be like—‘ahh man, damn it, it’s still not the caliber of the Neptunes’—and that’s a strike against me.”
Kanye’s involvement is helping his beat selection. “It’s tough because I like a bunch of dark, hollow, demon beats that are not too musical, and if you let me do a mixtape—a rapper’s rapper would love to hear me over that all day, because I’m gonna say all the shit they want to hear. But a person who’s been into my body of work and the stuff that I’ve done since I’ve been in the game, they might be like—‘ah man, the music was lackluster or underwhelming.’ And I’m saying that because I actually hear this. So Ye being the executive producer of my project balances that and helps me out in a major way.”
Big Sean and Chris Brown's "My Last" Causes Legal Controversey
by Sean Ryon
The lyrics Chris Brown and Big Sean's "My Last" recently led to a lawsuit at Molloy College.
Without even releasing his debut album Finally Famous: The Album, G.O.O.D. Music rapper Big Sean finds himself in a legal controversey. He and Chris Brown have been wrangled into a lawsuit at Molloy College over the lyrics to their hit single "My Last."
According to MTV, 19-year-old student Caitlin Ortiz posted a lyric from "My Last" on a picture on Facebook. The line "And I'm put this drink upp like it's my last" was posted under a picture of Ortiz drinking an alcoholic beverage.
After the picture was posted, the school's coach and athletic director Susan Cassidy-Lyke referred to the Facebook posting as, "thug-like," which Ortiz contends prompted Molloy College to revoke her softball scholarship.
"Cassidy-Lyke referred Ortiz to a printout of Ortiz's Facebook page and stated Ortiz should not have posted the typo-filled song lyric [including] 'and imm put this drink upp like its my last' - because she did not want recruiters to think Molloys' softball team was 'full of thugs," read an official complaint.
Ortiz has since responded with a lawsuit against the school. Another of her Facebook postings, one that was reportedly a threat made by Ortiz against a house mate, is also mentioned in the complaint.
DMX Reveals Rick Ross Wants Him To Join Maybach Music Group
by Steven J. Horowitz
In an interview with VIBE.com from behind bars, X explains that Rawse reached out to make him part of the MMG family.
DMX has revealed that Rick Ross reached out to him while behind bars showing interest in signing the gruff MC to his Maybach Music Group imprint. Speaking with VIBE.com, Dark Man X explained that Rawse’s people sent a letter to him in prison with the intention of getting him on the label.
“Rick Ross’ peoples wrote me a letter while I was in here,” he said. “Yeah like ‘Yo we got a home for you. We’ll pick you up in a limo. Just come to Miami. Just come, we got you.’”
X is considering their offer, but is afraid of getting tangled up in Ross’ Illuminati affiliation. “I’m thinking about it. It was a good feeling. I respect him as an artist, and I would like to work with him. But he got the whole Illuminati thing going on. I got fans who write me like ‘I’m glad you’re not a part of that.’ And I don’t know what it’s really about entirely. So it might be like a good thing.”
As of now, he’s up for a collaboration with Ross, but is lukewarm on the MMG deal. “Yeah. I have respect for him and he expressed interest that he wanted to work with me while I was out. So I definitely want do a song with him, but I don’t know about the record label thing. I would have to see what his camp is like and feel people out. I’m not the average artist.”
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Travis Porter - Proud To Be A Problem
Strap of Atlanta Hip-Hop group Travis Porter and I have a couple things in common. We like to eat a late breakfast. We both drawl our words like we committed too many sins last night. And we both bonk strippers on the head with a stack of ones... Or was that Quez? Regardless... I’m here now at magic hour on the patio of Helen’s Fish & Chips, trying to mount some change on the typer and punch in on the cats from Travis Porter. So let’s take a look at what Strap, Quez, and Ali, the three founding members of the collective, have in the way of credentials.
According to the Wikipages, Travis Porter’s biggest hits to date are Go Shorty Go, Bananas, Make It Rain, and Bring It Back, which are all vaguely reminiscent of the snap music trend that swept through Atlanta back in the mid-2000’s. But they’re also indicative of Atlanta’s new moniker as Hip-Hop party capital of the red, white and blue, along with the tunes of Don Cannon, DJ Drama, Young Jeezy, and co. Personally though, I’m in no rush to get back to the A, ever since I got ambushed at the Marta terminal as a young teen. I never quite recovered from that episode. So now when I leave the penthouse, I’m certain to have a pocket full of trouble in my jeans. Just in case.
Can you give us a small intro, Strap?
Travis Porter, we’re from the East Side of Decatur, Atlanta. We’re ready to grow. We were underage performing our songs in the stripclubs. Quez and I are stepbrothers. All of us grew up together. We started kicking it in the 6th grade. We’ve been doing music together since, shit, like 7th grade.
You got the new mixtape Music Money Magnums, and Porter Land is not the name of the debut album. Tell us about the album, and what we can expect?
Naw, I don’t know where that name Porter Land came from. A couple people said that, but that’s not the name. The album is in the works right now, working with a lot of producers, like DJ pin, we brought some people together and made like a super producer team. The beats are going to be crazy, because we put all the producers together and made one beat. So, we’re trying a lot of new stuff. The album’s going to show a lot of growth. You know, we usually treat every mixtape like an album, and they said the album’s going to be even better than the mixtapes.
One of the latest singles is Bring It Back. Tell us about that one.
What mixtape was that on? I think it was on... was it on I Am Travis Porter? Bring It Back came from just me playing around. I think that was supposed to be a line in my verse, and then we started playing with it. It was about 3 or 4 in the morning. We had had a long day, and I just ended up playing. And my engineer just started playing with it, and that’s how it came out. Actually the name of the song was something different at first, and we changed it to Bring It Back and put an extra part on it, and it just took off, and we put it on the mixtape. But that’s how things sometimes come about, just playing around and you come up with something.
You got Juicy J on Durr She Go. The line, “Gotta stay high til I die” made a big impact on Wiz Khalifa. What about you guys?
Yeah, we got a couple of records with Juicy J actually. Yeah, I mean, everybody gets high. But Juicy J is a legend, man, so he’s good to work with. Every time we work with him it’s great.
You signed with Jive at the end of last year. What’s the difference been since you signed?
A lot more people are looking at us right now, to see what we’re going to do next. So my main thing is just to keep the same grind. We get more TV time now, on 106 & Park. The label’s doing its job!
And now you’ve got the ads before your videos on YouTube.
Yeah.
You could say you guys follow the Atlanta trend in Hip-Hop of making primarily dance/club music -- along with Jeezy, Don Cannon, and DJ Drama. How would you guys describe your style?
I try to describe a lot of it, but you really can’t describe it. When our music drops, it gives people a feeling that some other music doesn’t give them. That’s why they love our music. That’s the best I can explain it.
You have a lot of party tracks, but some slower ones also, right?
We still do all kinds of music. But, I mean, if you curse too much, they might take a while to play it on the radio, but it’s already playing in the club. That’s what people need. They need club music, so we feed it to them.
Has your style evolved from the underground records to the new music videos? Like more polished maybe?
Actually somebody asked me that yesterday. What they said, “Do you ever feel like your music has changed?” And I said when I go back and listen to our music from a couple years ago, I don’t feel like the label made anything different.
Just a natural progression.
Yeah. It’s a progression. The label exposed our music so much, that we do a lot of traveling now. We get to see so much. So as the scenery changes, we’re going to start rapping about different stuff.
In your short bio film, Proud To Be A Problem, you guys are eating sausage and egg biscuit sandwiches at Waffle House. I love Waffle House, but why not bacon instead of sausage?
[Laughs] I don’t know, man. That whole experience at Waffle House was crazy. It was real life. In fact, that Waffle House was in South Carolina, and after our show, we got wasted and went to Waffle House. We got what came on the sausage dish, you know what I mean? [Laughs] But speaking about that Waffle House, they got us a lot of fans too. It was real funny. It was all spontaneous.
You don’t go to Chick-fil-A?
Yeah, we eat Chick-fil-A.
How’s the Atlanta music scene these days?
Terrific. I really like Atlanta music from ten years ago though. I like the old T.I., the Hot Boys. Today, a dude that calls himself a rapper is not even like a rapper. He just imitates something that’s hot. People do that. I ain’t gonna say any names. Some dudes just imitate what’s hot. And a lot of dudes from Atlanta do that, like ride on the waves. Like a lot of people rhyming about lean. But it’s just a fad man. A lot of people from Atlanta like to go with the fads. That’s what separates us.
You think Atlanta’s kind of eclipsed Los Angeles as the new party Hip-Hop capital? The new guys like Kendrick Lamar and Odd Future are a little different than let’s say DJ Quik.
Yeah, you could say that.
What’s next for Travis Porter?
Just working on the album, reaching out with more artists, taking it worldwide. Staying in touch with fans on our websites. Traveling, living life.
And you said, or I believe it was Quez, said he hit a stripper in the head with a stack of bills...
[Laughs] Yeah. It caused an altercation. It was a dancer. He hit her with like a stack of ones, and her people got mad. Got us into a fight about it. [Laughs]
Where can fans get the latest Travis Porter news?
We’re on Twitter, @IAmTravisPorter. Our website, www.wearetravisporter.com, and we got another website for the chicks. Chicks submit their videos doing the Bring It Back dance, or whatever. Twerk 2 Travy I think it’s called.
- By Peter Marrack
News:Happy 40th Birthday Tupac!
Author: CQ
Posted on 2011-06-16
June 16, 2011 marks what would have been the 40th birthday of rap’s late, great fallen son, Tupac Amaru Shakur. His short but polarizing life – mixed with brilliant music and acting, personal triumphs and tragedies, and mysteries yet to be unraveled – is still fodder for media hounds and fans across the globe even today. Tupac can be compared to the Elvis of our time. On June 15, 2011, a Jimmy Henchman associate named Dexter Isaac made the iconic Tupac a global headliner again when he gave his alleged confession to AllHipHop.com about committing the first Tupac shooting in 1994. Some speculate that the ensuing rumors and beefs may have led to both Tupac’s Vegas murder in September 1996 and Notorious B.I.G.’s L.A. murder the following March. Truth is, we may never know the full story. Tupac is a real-life persona who lived his life to the fullest. His name is nearly always listed among the Top Rappers Dead or Alive by just about everyone, and he left behind a catalog of thoughtful, controversial, raunchy, and political albums that will live on for generations to come.
Black Sheep's Dres "Very Happy” With "The Choice Is Yours” Use In Kia Ad
The hip-hop veteran changes his attitude towards the commercial after Black Sheep benefitted from its usage.
Last year, Black Sheep’s Dres explained that the group wasn’t contacted or paid after its song “The Choice is Yours” was used in a Kia commercial. Now, he’s singing a different tune. The rap veteran recently spoke to HipHopSite.com about the song’s use in the ad, claiming that he’s pleased with how the situation was handled.
“I’m very happy with it,” he said. “I’ve heard all kinds of different people’s assessments of it. The rats, they made it racial... Ultimately, 20 years after I made a record, Kia ultimately built a commercial around it, not only introducing it to the younger generation that might not have been checking on it because of the DJs of my generation not playing it, but there’s much more to Black Sheep than ‘The Choice is Yours,’ number one, and secondly, it’s giving an opportunity to show the power of real hip-hop.”
The song ended up getting a 27 percent increase in sales since the commercial began airing, with the younger generation getting put on to the group’s music. “There’s a whole generation of kids now running around talking about ‘doo dah dippity’ and wondering where this came from. They’re being introduced to a catalog,” he continued. “Sometimes, it’s not necessarily the messenger. I’m not really looking at Kia sideways. Kia did what they were supposed to do, which was reach out to Universal. Universal didn’t necessarily hold me down as far as the negotiations of it. So anything that was heard, that might have been my qualm. But it was a fair deal, it wasn’t like it wasn’t a fair deal.”
As far as how he will handle the licensing of his songs in the future, Dres will take a more hands-on approach. “Sometimes when someone’s representing you unbeknownst to you, you can think of things of how you would have handled it. If anything, that’s really where I stood with it. And things have been done since then so that next time something like this happens, that I would be involved or that Lawnge and I would be involved. But ultimately, very happy and it aligned itself perfectly with the new album. Sometimes, things happen and it’s not always going to be someone else’s assessment of it that validates you.”
by Steven J. Horowitz
Black Sheep On The Kia Commerical & "Be Faithful" from HipHopSite.Com on Vimeo.
Dexter Isaac Confesses To 1994 Robbery/Shooting Of 2Pac
Dexter Isaac calls Jimmy Henchmen a government informant and takes responsibility for robbing and shooting Tupac Shakur in 1994.
In 1994, Tupac Shakur was shot during a robbery while entering New York’s Quad Studios. After sustaining five gunshot wounds, Shakur would check himself out of the hospital and attend the sexual abuse trial that would send him to jail one year later. Until his death, ‘Pac maintained that Notorious B.I.G. and Sean Combs were somehow connected to the shooting. He named former B.I.G. associate James “Henchmen” Rosemond in the song “Against All Odds.”
On Wednesday, Dexter Isaac told AllHipHop.com that Rosemond paid him $2,500 to rob Shakur. In addition to claiming Rosemond was a government informant, Isaac also cast doubt on Sean Combs. Rosemond the onetime manager of Game, Shyne and Gucci Mane, is currently wanted by the DEA.
“In 1994, James Rosemond hired me to rob 2Pac Shakur at the Quad Studio,” Isaac said via written statement. “He gave me $2500 plus all the jewelry I took, except for one ring, which he wanted for himself. It was the biggest of the two diamond rings that we took. He said he wanted to put the stone in a new setting for his girlfriend at the time, Cynthia Ried. I still have as proof the chain that we took that night in the robbery.”
Chuck Phillips named both Combs and Rosemond in conjunction with the 2Pac shooting in a 2008 Los Angeles Times report. Both Combs and Rosemond would vehemently deny any involvement, and the report was later retracted. While authorities have not named either man in the Shakur shooting, Rosemond faces up to 20 years in prison on drug distribution charges.
by Rashad Phillips
L.A. Reid To Become Chairman Of Epic Records
Reid is set to take the chairman role of a restructured Epic Records, where he will reunite with Usher, Pink and possibly OutKast.
One of the music industry's most well-known executives, Antonio "L.A." Reid, is going to Sony Music, where he will be the chairman of the restructured Epic Label Group, a group that will include Jive Records. Reid is expected to take this new position after the 4th of July holiday weekend, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Reid will be taking the reins after Amanda Ghost's tumultuous year of work. Epic will be moving forward with new signees including YouTube sensation Karmin, a duo that became famous for covering songs like "Look At Me Now" by Chris Brown and Lil Wayne. Epic is also set to absorb other more established artists including Pink and Usher, acts that Reid originally broke with LaFace.
The most interesting Hip Hop related artists that may be affected are OutKast. The duo won six Grammys under Reid with Arista Records in the early 2000s. Some feel that reuniting with Reid may be a sign of new music to come from the ATLiens but a reunion is not certain.
While Reid has worked with several Hip Hop artists including Nas and Jay-Z, Reid was once criticized by G.O.O.D. Music emcee Big Sean who said Reid doesn't understand Hip Hop.
by Andres Vasquez
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Rico Love Accepts SESAC Songwriter Of The Year Award
SESAC awarded Rico Love with top honors at the “15th Annual SESAC New York Music Awards” when he was named Songwriter of the Year at the event which was held at Manhattan’s IAC Building .
Love has enjoyed an extraordinary year by anyone’s estimation. One of pop music’s most prolific and diverse creative talents, Love has hit the top of the charts in 2010 with “There Goes My Baby” and “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” by Usher (featuring Plies) as well as “Just A Dream” by Nelly and “Hello Good Morning” (co-written with fellow SESAC hit-maker Nate “Danja” Hills) and recorded by Diddy-Dirty Money (featuring T.I. and Rick Ross) and “Sweet Dreams” by Beyonce. The busy entrepreneur added yet another credential to his resume as he recently launched Division1 Records, a joint venture with Universal Music Group.
The 2011 awards celebration drew more than 400 songwriters, publishers and industry professionals. The star-studded attendees including Love, Hillary Scott, Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean, Bryan-Michael Cox, Nate “Danja” Hills, Chrisette Michele and Traci Hale among many others. There were more than 40 songwriter and publisher award recipients in the categories of Pop, R&B/Hip-Hop, and Rock.
59-Year-Old Grandmother Could Get Evicted from Her Aparment for Being a Drug-Dealing Gang Banger
Does this sweet 59-year-old grandma (and great grandma) look like a drug-selling, gun-shooting, gang-banger at all to you? Well, she does to the police, and supposedly, they have the reports to prove it all.
Jeannetta Holden, who has 12 grandkids and 5 great grandkids, has been leading a fairly quiet life in the same apartment for over 30 years, and her hobbies include taking care of her houseplants and cooking. But according to allegations listed in an eviction notice from her landlords, she is violating her lease by being a … “gang member.”
Neighbors say she’s innocent and an online search of police records appears to support her claims. Jeannetta Holden, 59, could be evicted anyway.
News:Raven-Symone Shows Off Her Figure In VIBE Sexy Issue
Author: CQ
Raven Symone turns up the heat in a sexy black dress for her feature in Vibe Magazine’s Sexy Issue, on new stands now. She looks A-mazing! In the interview, she discusses the reaction to her recent weight loss, why she keeps it PG 13 and having to wear body pads for her new role in the new ABC Family series “State of Georgia”
On reactions to her weight loss
I find it funny that people now come up to me and say, ‘Wow, you are absolutely gorgeous’. I’m like, ‘I was beautiful before I lost weight. Egotistically speaking, I thought I was amazing’
On why she keeps it PG 13
It’s not so much about showing my sexy side because of the kids, I have to answer to my mama and brother, my dad and my grandparents, the ones I have to look in the eyes every day when I take my weave and eyelashes out.
On her new character
Ironically, my character is supposed to be the size that I was before. So I have to wear thicker body pads on the show.
Raven’s new show, “State of Georgia” follows the money strapped adventures of a woman who moves from New York to Georgia in hopes of becoming a famous actress. The show premieres Wednesday, June 23rd @ 8:30pm.
Reference
News:Raven-Symone Shows Off Her Figure In VIBE Sexy Issue
Cee Lo Green, Mary J. Blige & More To Appear At 2011 BET Awards
Recently announced performers include MJB, Kelly Rowland and Trey Songz, while Cee Lo will make a "special appearance."
After BET announced that Drake and Lil Wayne will be hitting the stage together at the upcoming 2011 BET Awards, the network has revealed several more performers. Mary J. Blige, Kelly Rowland and Trey Songz have been tapped to perform at the ceremony, while Cee Lo Green will make a “special appearance” at the show.
Already announced performers for the event include Chris Brown, Jill Scott and Alicia Keys. Comedian Kevin Hart is hosting the fete, while Patti LaBell will accept the Lifetime Achievement Award and Steve Harvey will be honored with the Humanitarian Award.
The 2011 BET Awards are scheduled to take air live from Los Angeles, California’s Shrine Auditorium on June 26th.
Joell Ortiz Addresses "Big Pun's Back" Controversy
by Steven J. Horowitz
After Pun's widow Liza Rios, Tony Sunshine and Cuban Link disapproved of his tribute, the Slaughterhouse member sets the record straight.
Not only has Big Pun’s widow Liza Rios deemed Joell Ortiz’s “Big Pun’s Back” as “disrespectful,” but Pun affiliates Cuban Link and Tony Sunshine echoed her sentiments yesterday. Speaking with Funkmaster Flex, the Slaughterhouse rapper explained that he “don’t gotta check in with anybody about anything.”
He first addressed how he was puzzled as to why Rios, who previously told him Pun “would have been so proud of [you],” would take her stance, given the history they have together.
“To be honest with you, I was really confused because I’ve been bigging up her late husband since the beginning of my career. This is not the first time I’ve ever done a tribute,” he said. “To my knowledge, I thought everything was smooth between us. I thought we was peoples. And I kind of feel like we’re still peoples! I’m still confused. This is the same woman who asked me to perform for her husband on stage with his urn next to me. I didn’t understand the tweet and where it was coming from. Since I haven’t spoken to her, I’m still a little confused. I can’t even say I’m mad. I just don’t know what’s going on.”
The Brooklyn, New York rapper also felt the same way about Tony Sunshine and Cuban Link’s reaction to the song.
“Once again, I was confused. When I speak on them, I speak a little different, because Cuban knows me. I had met Tony Sunshine before. It was a tribute, and it was a freestyle and it was in memory of a great rapper,” he continued. “Flex, I’m from Brooklyn. I don’t have to check in with anyone about anything. I did it for Big Pun to keep his legacy alive. That’s it. to be honest with you, I’m in September in my mind already. ‘Big Pun’s Back’ was recorded late April, early May, knowing that the Puerto Rican Day parade was coming up and knowing that his tribute and his legacy needed to stay alive. Who else but me? That’s how I felt. But I don’t gotta check in with anybody. About anything.”
Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/12/2011
Tech N9ne is a market giant, selling over 50,000 first-week units for his highest debut week to date. Wiz Khalifa approaches gold, and Waka Flocka Flame and Kid Cudi fight for chart survival.
As predicted, Kansas City, Missouri emcee Tech N9ne scored a Top 5 debut with his latest studio album, All 6's & 7's. The Strange Music release is Tech's highest charting to date, selling over 55,000 first-week units. This project features a number of high-profile guests, including Yelawolf, B.o.B. and Lil Wayne.
Bruno Mars' Doo-Wops & Holligans, now a platinum release, fell a mere three spots to #17. Mars has been an urban Pop sensation for Atlantic Records' roster renovation and new-found success.
Twenty five years after releasing their first album, New York Hip Hop/Punk trio the Beastie Boys crossed the 200,000 mark with their eighth studio album, Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2. The EMI Records release, which dropped before Part One, features artists that Adrock, MCA and Mike D have influenced, including Nas and Santigold. The climbed a spot to #24.
While Chris Brown climbed a spot with F.A.M.E., Wiz Khalifa's major label debut Rolling Papers is headed towards gold status. The Rostrum/Atlantic Records release features Chevy Woods, Curren$y and Too Short.
Rick Ross' re-vamped Maybach Music Group roster fell 20 spots with their new compilation, Self-Made, Volume 1. Now backed by Warner Brothers, the trio of Wale, Pill and Meek Mill sold another 12,000 units, backed by their Def Jam star leader. MMG's Teedra Moses, Stalley and veteran Gunplay of Triple C's also appear on the project.
Odd Future's leader, Tyler, the Creator's Goblin sold another 4,500 units, landing it the #100 spot. A follow-up to 2009's self-released Bastard, Goblin features band-mates Hodgy Beats, Domo Genesis and Frank Ocean.
Jadakiss' retail mixtape, I Love You (A Dedication To My Fans) fell 32 more spots to #138. Releases as a free project earlier in the month, the D-Block/L.O.X. lyricist and Def Jam Records opted to release the fan-inspired project as a physical and digital retail project. The work sold 18,000 units to date.
Cleveland, Ohio rapper/singer Kid Cudi and Atlanta, Georgia rapper Waka Flocka Flame are likely to exit the Top 200 after 30 and 36 weeks there, respectively. Cudi's Universal Motown sophomore album, Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager features appearances by Cee-Lo Green and former Nighthawks emcee, Cage. Meanwhile, Flocka's Warner Brothers-backed debut, Flockaveli, featured Wale, French Montana and Pastor Troy.
Young Tweezy Ft Milwaukee's Finest - Poppin Rose
On a relaxed sunny day in Wisconsin, self proclaimed & hood certified, Mayor of Milwaukee Young Tweezy got together with producer Jay G of G Sound Musik and collaborated with some of the cities hottest rappers. During a time when crimes and muder are high in this midwestern city. In one of the cities main urban neighborhoods a day of peace was honored by all to show that when everyone can come together great things are born. On this monumental day a great video was shot by Rubin Whitmore,Stan Perry, & Jay Roll of Groundhawg Films. 8 emcess from all over Milwaukee came together and enjoyed the parade like atmosphere. And here it is..Poppin Rose
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Ciara Sucks On A Lollipop And Rocks Perfect Abs In Vegas (PHOTOS)
Ciara was looking good enough to eat during her appearance at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas on Friday night (June 10). The R&B hottie held a lollipop while showing off her toned body in a midriff-baring top and cropped leather jacket on the carpet. She later went inside the nightclub and danced the night away. She performed some of her songs while working up a serious sweat. She gave the crowd some eye candy as she performed atop the DJ booth, shaking her ass like only she can and occasionally grabbing on her crotch. Yum!
Exclusive: Chris Lighty Talks New Site; Gives Details On 50's New Album
Music mogul Chris Lighty of Violator Management recently sat down with AllHipHop.com to discuss PleaseListentoMyDemo.com, a new website aimed at cultivating emerging talent, as well as 50 Cent's upcoming album Black Magic.
The veteran manager, who has handled the careers of artists like LL Cool J, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, Twista and others, is launching a new website aimed at discovering talent.
Lighty's new venture PleaseListentoMyDemo.com was named after EPMD's 1989 hit single of the same name.
"In my travels I was constantly receiving demos when I was in awkward positions and I wasn't able to contact them, because something was always missing, in terms of contacting people," Chris Lighty told AllHipHop.com. "And just in the world of the Internet, I felt like we didn't capitalize on the changes that technology has brought us."
According to Lighty, his 25-plus years in the game and his extensive rolodex makes PleaseListentoMyDemo.com a valuable tool for an artist seeking to be discovered.
"We're going to offer not only an opportunity to be heard, but also my company's prowess in the business to get you heard and to get you in front of the right A&R's," Chris Lighty explained. "[With] the 25 years in the business, we are able to reach any one and everyone that makes sense to get a record heard."
Chris Lighty said he was developing out the website to act as an aggregator of talent, to discover the top emerging artists from around the world, in all genres of music.
"The record companies actually tell you not to solicit material, so how do you find artists? You have to hope the A&R is lucky enough to come across them," Lighty said. "So why not create an area where we can aggregate as many demos as possible to find the next Kanye West, Q-Tip, Justin Bieber, 50 Cent, who knows?"
In related news, Chris Lighty gave AllHipHop.com an update regarding 50 Cent's upcoming album Black Magic.
According to Chris Lighty 50 is almost finished his fifth album, which is "sounding great."
"We're rolling out the marketing partners and everything now," Chris Lighty told AllHipHop.com. "Once we put the stake in the ground on a date, we're gonna try and stick to it so we can use our marketing dollars around that date."
According to Chris Lighty, 50 Cent's album Black Magic will hit stores this Fall.
By Grandmaster Grouchy Greg
Lil Wayne Sued For $1 Milion Over 'Tha Carter III' In Second Lawsuit This Week
The lawsuits continue to roll in over Lil Wayne's hit album Tha Carter III, as the rapper has been sued again for the second time this week relating to unpaid royalties claims.
Well known Dallas producers Play-N-Skillz filed a lawsuit against Lil Wayne in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
At the heart of the new lawsuit is the hit single "Got Money" featuring T-Pain, taken from Tha Carter III.
The production duo claims Lil Wayne owes them at least $1 million dollars in unpaid royalties for "Got Money," which they produced.
"Got Money" was a huge hit for Lil Wayne when it was released in May of 2008.
The song was so popular, a rock version was created by Korn's lead vocalist, Jonathan Davis.
"Got Money," which was the third single from Tha Carter III, has sold over 2 million copies since its original release date.
Earlier this week, producer David Kirkwood filed a lawsuit against Young Money entertainment and Cash Money Records, claiming that the labels have failed to pay him over $1.5 million in royalties and production services for his work on Tha Carter III.
In March, Lil Wayne was sued for $20 million dollars by producer Darius "Deezle" Harrison over unpaid royalties on the release, while producer Bangladesh sued the rapper in May of 2010 as well.
Play-N-Skillz had threatened legal action over nonpayment of royalties for "Got Money" in May of 2009, but opted to see how the situation played out.
"We haven't gotten any compensation. We really didn't want to speak on anything like that, just because of our relationship with Pain and Wayne. We're more thankful for the opportunity to be on Tha Carter III, but business is business at the end of the day," Skillz told AllHipHop.com in May of 2009.
By Nolan Strong
Win A Date With Mya
Fans of R&B singer Mya and Janelle Monae have a chance to meet the ladies as part of CharityBuzz.com's latest auction. Grammy Award-winning artist Mya has partnered with CharityBuzz.com to auction off a one-on-one dinner valued at $2500. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the North Shore Animal League America, which is one of the largest no kill animal rescue and adoption organizations in the world. Janelle Monae has teamed with CharityBuzz.com to auction off a chance to meet her backstage at a concert of their choice. Proceeds from Janelle Monae's auction will benefit the I'm Still Here Foundation, which supports and inspires people living with Alzheimers. For more information visit www.charitybuzz.com. Bidding on the auctions are currently open until Wednesday, June 15th.
By Ace Cannon
Jay Rock Explains Rick Ross Collaboration, Dr. Dre's Guidance
The Strange Music rapper entails how the collaboration came to be and how Dr. Dre has an inspirational hand in his upcoming debut, "Follow Me Home."
Jay Rock collaborated with Rick Ross on the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League-produced track “Finest Hour,” of which an unfinished version leaked a few months ago. Speaking with The Sermon’s Domain, the Watts, California native explained why he decided to keep the record for his upcoming debut Follow Me Home and how the song came to be.
“Basically, I had recorded that record in Atlanta, shout out to J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. I was at the studio, they came through, shot me some beats and we got it in,” he said. “I just wrote the record out there in Atlanta and I hollered at Rick Ross when I was in Miami with Birdman, and we was up in the studio, Cash Money Studios, and I hollered at him. Said I’ve got a record I’d like you to jump on, and he said I got you. That was the record.”
Jay was recently spotted in the studio with Terrace Martin and Dr. Dre, who doesn’t contribute production to Follow Me Home but helped provide guidance. “They came through and brought that good energy for me. Shout out to DJ Quik. He mixed ‘All My Life,’ my first single, back then. He also mixed my new single ‘Hood Gon’ Love It,’ be on the lookout for that,” he continued. “I was up in Dre’s studio mixing the record, so we had him come in and listen. That was a big thing for me. [...] He was basically just in there and came through for me and brought that energy.”
Follow Me Home is slated for release on July 26th, and features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Rick Ross and will.i.am.
by Steven J. Horowitz
The "Watch the Throne" duo teamed up to entertain guests at a lavish affair in the Big Apple.
Jay-Z was missing in action from Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music showcase last week in Brooklyn, New York, but he joined forces with ‘Ye a few nights later. The pair joined forces to perform at a teenage girl’s Sweet 16 party this past Saturday at the Carlton Hotel in New York.
The party was in honor of Leslie Taylor, daughter of one of Hov’s business associates. The fete was themed like the Oscar-winning Black Swan film, featuring ballerinas who danced to Yeezy’s “Runaway.”
Ryan Leslie was also in attendance to sing “Happy Birthday” to the woman of the hour at the end of the evening. Jay and Kanye then took the stage and later posed with the birthday girl
by Steven J. Horowitz
Monday, June 13, 2011
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