Game Builds Basketball Court, Launches Youth Basketball Team

by Danielle Harling

Game dedicates his youth basketball team and practice court to his late friend, Michael Reshard Jr.

TMZ Sports recently caught up with Compton rapper Game during his youth basketball team’s third practice to speak with the emcee about the launch of his AAU team.
Game revealed that his team, the California Frog All-Stars was named after his friend Michael Reshard Jr. who was killed last year. In addition to naming his team after Reshard, who also went by the name Lil Frogg, Game says his team and their basketball court both serve as a memorial to Reshard.
“The reason I put this court here was specifically for this youth team,” he said in a video posted on Vlad TV. “Yeah, this my team, man. It’s California Frog All-Stars. In the middle of the court is my friend’s name who was murdered last year, Lil Frogg. But it’s Michael Reshard Jr. and that’s his real name. And it’s a memorial court for that. So, I started an AAU team in his memorial.”
The West Coast wordsmith later detailed his exact role when it concerns the California Frog All-Stars. According to Game, he only serves as the owner of the team and has recruited others to serve as coaches.
“I’m not a coach. I’m more like the owner. I let the coaches do they thing,” Game said. “I don’t get in the way. I’m not like one of those guys who thinks he can coach and get out there and coach the kids cause my son is on the team. I let the coaches do the coaching and I do the supporting, man.”
In addition to launching the California Frog All-Stars, Game has lent his assistance to other charitable causes over the past few years.
Last year, Game donated $10,000 to the family of a six-year-old girl who was killed in Los Angeles. Additionally, months after making that donation, the rapper donated $10,000 to victims of the Philippines typhoon.

Yasiin Bey F/K/A Mos Def Reportedly Not Allowed To Reenter U.S. Due To Immigration, Legal Issues

by Andres Tardio

The artist formerly known as Mos Def cancels upcoming U.S. tour, according to Together Boston.

Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, is reportedly being stopped from reentering the United States, according to Together Boston.
"We regret to inform you that due to immigration / legal issues Yasiin Bey is unable to enter back into the United States and his upcoming U.S. tour has been canceled, including May 15th, Together Boston’s show at The Wilbur Theatre," the website says. "Individual ticket refunds for this show are available at point of sale."
Yasiin Bey, who was reportedly born in Brooklyn, New York, has not commented on this.
Last year, the rapper relocated to South Africa, a move he addressed in March 2014.
"I lived in Brooklyn 33 years of my life," he said at the time. "I thought I'd be buried in that place. And around seven years ago, I was like, you know, 'I gotta go, I gotta leave.' It's very hard to leave. And I lived in a lot of places. Central America. North America. Europe for a while. And I came to Cape Town in 2009 and it just hit me. I was like, 'Yeah.' I know when a good vibe gets to you. And, you know, I thought about this place every day from when I left.
"For a guy like me, who had five or six generations not just in America but in one town in America to leave America, things gotta be not so good with America," he added. "And I've lived in some beautiful places in America. I've lived in New Orleans; I love New Orleans. I love Brooklyn. Forget about it! New York City needs to thank Brooklyn every day just for existing! It was a hard thing to leave home, but I'm here. And I'm glad that I did it. I don't think it's any accident or coincidence that I'm here... And it's amazing, and it's crazy. South Africa's crazy! Cape Town is crazy! I seen some of the craziest people in my life walkin up and down Long Street, and I'm from New York!"

B Nasty - Bet I Do (Official Video)

Music Flight Ent presents B Nasty
B drops his first video with G Sound Films, clearing any confusion about how he represents for the birthplace of hip hop. B Nasty has bars and delivers his gritty flows with confidence. Living fly and getting money  is how the Music Flight artist gets down.

Report: Beyonce's sister attacked Jay Z in an elevator

TMZ got ahold of this video that purports to show Beyonce's sister, Solange, assaulting Jay Z in an elevator at the Standard Hotel last week — all while Beyonce looks on. The altercation reportedly occurred after the Met Gala, though there is no explanation for what triggered the fight, nor confirmation from reps for any of those involved that it is indeed them in the security camera footage. -- Jon Terbush

Mya Explains 50 Cent Beef

by Jay Balfour

                            

"You have to pray for people that will do anything for numbers, ratings, a song, or popularity," Mya says.

Speaking on a public rift between herself and 50 Cent with VladTV, R&B singer Mya explained refusing an interview with ThisIs50 at a red carpet event last year as a function of 50 Cent’s mention of her name on a 2005 diss song aimed at Game.

Impersonating Game with interjected commentary, 50 released his “Not Rich, Still Lyin’” diss in 2005. “And I get bad bitches now I even fucked Mya / (I fucked her first Game) 50 you a liar,” he raps.

When asked about the red carpet incident, Mya detailed her reasoning behind the refusal.

“Well, yeah,” she said. “I’m not a fan of things that project false things as well as disrespect someone’s character. I don’t get down like that. I don’t appreciate that. You just, you have to pray for people that will do anything for numbers, ratings, a song, or popularity. I don’t support certain things. So, yes I did reject.”

Video of the incident is available for stream below.

Still alluding to 50 Cent, Mya recalled a separate run-in while in a meeting at her then record label Violator.

“Well I didn’t even hear the song,” she said. “I heard about it. So I had to go inspect it. Yeah. My father and I sat in a room at Violater when Chris Lighty was managing a particular artist and that artist interrupted my meeting. My father was in the room. So, we cleared out the air and the confession was made on the other person’s part that yes they lied. But if that will ever come out from the person’s mouth, who knows? Who cares? I’ve addressed it and you have to pray for certain people.”

Juelz Santana Announces New Material With Lil Wayne

by Andres Tardio

                                   

Juelz Santana announces that he is set to work with Lil Wayne, though he doesn't know what he's going to work on.

Juelz Santana says Lil Wayne recently called him with a request.
"Wayne told me to come out to L.A.," Juelz says in an interview with Vibe. "I'm definitely looking forward to going out there and getting some things done. I don't know what those things exactly are going to be yet."
Santana and Wayne have reportedly collaborated on an album, I Can't Feel My Face. However, that album didn't come to fruition.
"Me and Wayne been recording music, when it comes to I Can't Feel My Face, for about five years," Juelz said in May 2012. "We actually have a ton of music that got leaked on the streets. For a couple reasons, it didn't come out at one point. The same way that the T-Wayne [T-Pain and Lil Wayne] album...ain't come out.
"[Lil Wyane] did reach out to me when he came home," Santana added. "He reached out to me like, 'I think we need to capitalize on the album.' At the time, my studio had just gotten raided by the police. It was kind of a real tight situation for me...We gon' get it. I guess at the time, he said he moved on. People were making it seem like he was saying he was never gonna do the album. We spoke about that. We definitely gonna get back into that."
In December 2012, Santana further addressed his relationship with Wayne.
"I went out to Miami to chop it up with Wayne," he said at the time. "I actually asked him to executive produce my album, Born to Lose, [Bult to Win]...Wayne is like my brother. So I knew once I asked him to do it... I'm sure if I woulda went to Cash Money, I coulda went to Cash Money, but that wasn't... The best thing to do is to reach out to him and figure out how we can still make it the best thing possible, and I figured ask him to executive produce my album would be a great thing. He agreed to it."

Apple Reportedly Purchasing Dr. Dre's Beats Electronics For $3.2 Billion

by Soren Baker

                            

Dr. Dre stands to make $1 billion on the proposed sale.

Apple is set to purchase Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion, according to gizmodo. 

The site says that the sale of the company owned by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine would make Dr. Dre approximately $1 billion.

Terms of the deal would result in Apple also owning Beats Music, the Beats Electronics music subscription service launched this year that provides similar services to Apple’s iTunes Radio.

If the deal goes through, it would be the biggest acquisition in Apple’s history. It would also go against the policy of Steve Jobs, the company’s co-founder, who died in 2011 and who CNBC says "was reluctant to pursue high-profile acquisitions."

The deal is still in the negotiations process, according to CNBC, but it could be announced as early as next week, if the final deal points are ultimately agreed-upon.

Dr. Dre: "The First Billionaire In Hip Hop"

by Andres Tardio

                                                                                 

Dr. Dre appears to celebrate Apple's reported acquisition of Beats Electronics with Tyrese and others.

Dr. Dre says he is the "the first billionaire in Hip Hop." The rapper-producer said this while celebrating what appears to be the purchasing of Beats Electronics by Apple.
"The first billionaire in Hip Hop right here from the motherfucking West Coast," Dre says in a clip filmed by singer-actor Tyrese.
In the video, Tyrese discusses Forbes' list of wealthiest Hip Hop acts.
"Oh shit," Tyrese says. "The Forbes list just changed!"
"In a big way," Dr. Dre adds.

As reported yesterday (May 8), Apple was set to purchase Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion, according to gizmodo. The site reported that the sale of the company owned by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine would make Dr. Dre approximately $1 billion. Apple is reportedly set to own Beats Music and it could be the largest acquisition in Apple history. According to CNBC, the purchase also goes against Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' policy. Jobs, who died in 2011, "was reluctant to pursue high-profile acquisitions," according to the news outlet. 

When Forbes released its "Hip Hop's Wealthiest Artists 2014" list this year, Dr. Dre appeared at #2 with a fortune of $550 million. Jay Z was listed at #3 with a $520 million empire. In 2013, Jay Z was #2 and Dre was #3. Recently, Dre was asked about how he felt being #2 ahead of Jay Z. "I don't really care about any of that," Dr. Dre said at the time. "Jay Z is my guy, man. I love him to death."

Dr. Dre -- 'I'M THE 1ST BILLIONAIRE IN HIP HOP' ... Now, Lets Celebrate!!

Papoose Challenges Jay Z To Attend 5 Percent Nation Community Event

by Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) 

(AllHipHop News) Jay Z’s choice of neckwear at a Brooklyn Nets game last month brought the BK rhymer a lot of attention. That’s because the chain he had on is affiliated with Nation of Gods and Earths also known as Five Percenters. The Hip Hop legend had both the media and 5 Percent representatives questioning his association with the group.

[ALSO READ: Jay Z Catching Heat For Five Percent Nation ­Medallion]

Fellow Brooklyn emcee Papoose spoke with VladTV about Jigga rocking the 5% medallion, and The Nacirema Dream creator suggests that if Jay is going to wear the regalia he should attend community-based events sponsored by the organization.

“You know Jay been wearing the flag on his neck. I would like to see him at the annual ‘Show & Prove’ we do every year,” said Pap. “I come out there and represent. Kay Slay comes out. A couple of artists came out in the past. Rakim… the list goes on. But yo, you’re representing that flag; I’d like to see him come out there, and do something positive for the people.”

2 Chainz: I Don’t Give A F*ck What Funkmaster Flex Has To Say About Me (VIDEO)

by Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire)

(AllHipHop News) Another Southern-bred MC is picking a fight with Hot 97, this time Funkmaster Flex specifically. During a recent performance , Chainz responded to Flex calling Chainz’ freestyle on The Funkmaster Flex Show the worst ever on the show.

Two weeks ago, Funkmaster Flex stated on ESPN’S Highly Questionable show that 2 Chainz had the worst freestyle he ever had on his show and stated Chainz “couldn’t handle it”. 2 Chainz freestyled on The Funkmaster Flex Show back in June 2012. In the freestyle Chainz stated “no bus driver, but I take ‘em to school.”

During a recent show Chainz responded to Flex by saying “I don’t give a f*ck what Funkmaster Flex got to say about this motherf*cker from Atlanta.”

Check out 2 Chainz address Funkmaster Flex on stage below:

(Video) DJ Scream Ft. Que, Waka Flocka Flame, Gunplay & Tracy T – “Always”

Georgia Governor Signs Law To Begin Drug Testing Select Welfare Recipients

by Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) 

(April 30th), Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a bill into law that would require certain welfare recipients to undergo a drug test. 

Under the new law, welfare recipients whom state employees have a “reasonable suspicion” has used drugs will  be subjected to a drug test they themselves must pay for, whether positive test or not. Failed drug test will result in temporary suspension of benefits. Govenor Deal understood the complexity and implications of the new law but stressed its pertinence to Georgia:

You’re trying to balance two competing forces. First is the right of the individual if they qualify to be given assistance in terms of food stamps. On the other hand, the right of the taxpayer not to be putting money in the hands of those abusing drugs. So it’s a delicate balance of social issues.

Debbie Seagraves, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, pointed out a possible flaw in the new law. According to Seagraves, state employees are not trained to adequately detect “reasonable suspicion” of drug use. Howvever,M Deal spokesman Brian Robinson illustrated how accountability is what is the foundation of this new law:

If some, however, reject treatment and instead choose a lifestyle that renders them unemployable, taxpayers shouldn’t have to subsidize that. 

Drug use and trafficking has recently been a growing problem in certain areas of Georgia. According to Fox31 Onilne, “10 to 12 drug arrests” have occurred in Warwick, GA on Highway 300 alone, since late January.

Florida passed a similar bill into law back in 2011, but the program ended up costing taxpayers more money than it saved. Two years later in late December 2013, Judge Mary S. Scriven of the United States District Court in Orlando ruled that a similar welfare drug testing program proposed in Florid violated the protection against unreasonable searches. According to Scriven, the Florida law was unconstitutional:

The court finds there is no set of circumstances under which the warrantless, suspicionless drug testing at issue in this case could be constitutionally applied.

XXL Lists "The 20 Best Female Rappers Of All Time" & Greatest Rapper-Producer Duos Of All Time

by SOREN BAKER

"Nicki is arguably the best rapper - female or otherwise - in the game," XXL says of Nicki Minaj in its list of "The 20 Best Females Rappers Of All Time."

XXL published a list of “The 20 Best Female Rappers Of All Time” today (April 30). 

Queen Latifah made the list. "Queen Latifah was one of the first ever to provide a voice for women in Hip Hop,”XXL’s story says. "Her top chart singles like ‘U.N.I.T.Y.'—which won her a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo performance in 1995—allowed her to use Hip Hop as a platform to address the disrespect surrounding women.”

While Queen Latifah emerged in the 1980s, Foxy Brown rose to prominence in the 1990s. "She definitely held it down for females in Hip Hop during the mid-to-late 1990s,” XXL says of the former Def Jam Recordings artist. "Her album Ill Na Na hit strong with sales the moment it dropped, debuting at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 in 1996 and eventually being certified Platinum by the RIAA.”

Nicki Minaj also makes XXL's list. "Nicki is arguably the best rapper—female or otherwise—in the game,” the list says of the YMCMB artist. "Ever since she first stepped onto the scene with Young Money, the Jamaica, Queens rapper has grown into one of the most popular artists on the label."

XXL’s “The 20 Best Females Rappers Of All Time" is as follows:

Queen Latifah

Da Brat

Eve

Foxy Brown

Gangsta Boo

Jean Grae

Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes

Trina

Lil’ Kim

MC Lyte

Missy Elliott

Monie Love

Iggy Azalea

Rapsody

Remy Ma

Roxanne Shante

M.I.A.

The Lady Of Rage

Nicki Minaj

Lauryn Hill 

by ANDRES TARDIO

XXL lists Eric B. & Rakim, Gang Starr, Blackalicious, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and Atmosphere among its 15 greatest rapper-producer duos of all time.

XXL has made a list of its 15 greatest rapper-producer duos of all time.

"From Eric B. & Rakim to Prodigy and Alchemist, these one-two punches offer a different variety, one in which a single rapper has developed such a chemistry with a producer that they became, in a way, synonymous with each other," XXL says of its unranked list.

"For the most part, this means that the duo has worked together for more than one album," XXL continues. "We've made exceptions to include dynamic twosomes such as Marley Marl and Big Daddy Kane, who laid the groundwork for Kane's fantastic solo career, as well as KRS-One and Scott LaRock, who were the minds behind Boogie Down Productions before LaRock's untimely death robbed them of further collaboration. But when it comes to this list, we made one major distinction: the two must have, at one point in their careers, been synonymous with each other. 9th Wonder may be more well-known from his work with Jay Z and Little Brother, but his five albums with Murs can't be ignored, either. Timbaland and Missy Elliott may have gone their separate ways, but without Timbo's beats we would never have had Missy's flair; Snoop and Dr. Dre, for all their collaborations on The Chronic and Doggystyle, always identified as individuals first, rather than partners."

Eric B. & Rakim, Gang Starr, Blackalicious, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Madvillain, KRS-One and Scott La Rock and Atmosphere are among those named in the list. 

Blackmagic's 4K URSA camera features massive 10-inch 1080p display, ships in June for $6,000

BY ZACH HONIG  @ZACHHONIG  

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Consumers may not be familiar with Blackmagic Design, but the firm's cameras are all the rage with filmmakers at NAB, drawing enormous crowds within seconds of the show floor opening up to attendees. This year's flagship is the URSA, a relatively massive 4K camera with an enormous 10-inch 1080p flip-out display. There are also two 5-inch monitors on each side, displaying everything from camera settings to a duplicate preview. Another highlight is the Super 35 image sensor (the same used in Blackmagic's existing 4K cam), which is upgradeable should you wish to swap in a refreshed version down the line. You also get plenty of SDI inputs and outputs, XLR mic jacks and either a Canon EF or PL lens mount.

Blackmagic URSA hands-on

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We spent a few minutes shooting with the EF version with a Canon 85mm f/1.2 lens. The preview looked fantastic -- with such a large, high-res display, it's easy to confirm focus without enlarging, though you'll want to take extra care when capturing in 4K. There's definitely no shortage of readouts, with the secondary LCDs providing all the necessary info. The EF version will retail for $6,000, while the PL flavor is set to ship for $6,500 (though you can swap lens mounts later on if you upgrade the sensor module). Both models are expected in stores this June or July. Check 'em out in our hands-on video.

Sarah Silbert contributed to this report.