Did Former Bad Boy Rapper Craig Mack Join a Cult?! What Is Diddy doing to these Black Men??

by Sydney Lace 

Is Diddy really that bad? Rumors are running wild that former Bad Boy rapper Craig Mack, of  “Flava In Ya Ear” fame, has joined a religious cult! The cult is based in South Carolina and is reportedly run by Brother R.G. Stair, an 82-year old preacher who is also allegedly a rapist and convicted sex offender.

MediaTakeout.com has released audio of a man they claim to be Craig Mack speaking with the cult leader about changing his life. Check out the audio below:

Craig Mack’s family is “very upset” by his decision to join the cult.

If this is true, Craig Mack would be the fourth former Bad Boy artist that has turned to religion following their rap career alongside Diddy. That’s all very weird! What is Diddy doing to these guys to make them delve so deep into religion?

As we saw earlier this week, Shyne has become an Orthodox Hasidic Jew. Loon is a devout Muslim, and Mase is a Christian pastor.

Do you think Diddy has anything to do with his artists taking the religious route post rap?

Flo Rida, LMFAO, Bruno Mars Pass 5 Million Sold; B.o.B., Em Certified Platinum

by Grouchy Greg

Three top Hip-Hop/R&B artists were certified five times platinum last month by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Rapper Flo Rida Electronica/Hip-Hop/Electronic group LMFAO and Bruno Mars all received plaques for selling over 5 million downloads of their most popular singles.

Flo Rida’s 2009 song “Right Round,” LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” all received plaques for moving over 5 million copies each.

Hip-Hop continues to power the new digital revolution, with B.o.B checking in with a certification for 4 million singles sold for the hit song “Airplanes,” “Moves Like Jagger,” and “If I Die Young.”

B.o.B’s single” Strange Clouds” also took home a platinum certification for 1 million single sold.

Eminem and Royce Da 5’9 earned a double platinum certification for downloads as Bad Meets Evil.

Their single “Lighters” has sold over 2 million copies, while Eminem’s songs “Space Bound” and “Cinderella Man” have been certified gold.

Adele, whose album 21, was produced in part by Hip-Hop pioneer Rick Rubin, has been certified 8 times platinum.

Modern Day Marvin Gaye? Meet Aloe Blacc

by Kareem "The Dream" Taylor

Really? A modern day Marvin Gaye? With pop-infused R&B dominating the radio waves, Aloe Blacc’s bringing back a sound many have missed. A sound that makes people feel empowered and ready to get up and do something.

“I Need A Dollar”, the theme song for HBO’s big hit (now canceled) “How to Make it in America”, was written and performed by soul crooner Aloe Blacc. Now, he’s got a new video for his Marvin Gaye-inspired track, “You Make Me Smile”.

“My purpose for music is positive social change,” says Orange County, California native. Overseas in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, Blacc’s already a hit, scoring gold status in all three countries.

“You Make Me Smile” appears on Blacc’s 2010 album Good Things.

Tyler, The Creator Thrown Off Stage During Gucci Mane Performance

by SEAN RYON

Tyler, the Creator felt the wrath of Gucci Mane's security team when he bum rushed the stage during a performance.

Tyler, the Creator may be down with Waka Flocka Flames's Brick Squad movement, but that apparently doesn't matter too much to Gucci Mane's security team. This past February 29, the Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All producer/rapper was forcibly removed from the stage during a Gucci Mane performance in Los Angeles.

According to XXL, Wolf Haley attempted to crash the stage during Gucci's set at the G-Shock release party for The Hundreds and Casio's collaborative watch. The Atlanta rapper's security reacted quickly, grabbing Tyler by the throat and shoving him off stage. Later in the performance, the rapper returned to the stage and dove off the stage into the crowd.

Despite the incident, the Golf Wang hooligan did manage to snag a flick with Gucci, as seen above. Footage of Tyler's antics can be seen below, courtesy of PeepSent.

Rush To Judgment: Rush Limbaugh's Use Of Hip Hop In The War On Women

by SLAVA KUPERSTEIN

Should rappers and political pundits be treated equally? Slava Kuperstein looks at Rush Limbaugh's latest attack on Hip Hop for answers.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: a shock jock uses incredibly offensive words to describe women, and justifies it by using Hip Hop as a scapegoat. No, we’re not talking about Don Imus and his “nappy-headed hoes.” Not this time. Instead, conservative talk-show host (and longtime Hip Hop-detractor) has been thrust into the limelight.

Goody.

On February 29, Rush Limbaugh used the words “slut” and “prostitute” to describe Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown law student who testified in front of the Steering and Policy Committee Democratic members regarding private health coverage for contraceptives. The gist of Fluke’s argument: a lack of free contraception from private insurance plans would force many low-income students to be without contraceptives, and creates a demand that could not be met by already overburdened free health clinics. It should be noted that Fluke’s testimony came after she was denied the opportunity to testify in front of Congress about the very same issue, leaving no women witnesses to speak on the panel.

After a public outcry, Limbaugh offered a stock apology to Fluke. Later, after taking one step forward, he took two steps back, offering a foolish excuse for his diction. “Talk about a double standard,” stated Limbaugh. “Rappers can say anything they want about women. It’s called art. And they win awards.”

This isn’t the first time Rush has put Hip Hop on blast. In response to the infamous fight between NBA teams the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons, Limbaugh made his take clear: “[T]hat comes right out of the Hip Hop culture... This is the Hip Hop culture on parade. This is gang behavior on parade minus the guns.” Limbaugh went on to predict he would be pegged as a racist, and at least regarding this matter, he’s right. Much like news stations and talk radio now use the word “urban” as a politically correct euphemism for “black,” Limbaugh uses “Hip Hop.” Never mind that all Hip Hop isn’t violent, or that all Hip Hop culture isn’t all black culture, or that NBA teams aren’t at all representative of Hip Hop culture or black culture. Those are conversations for another day.

Poltical Discussion Versus Entertainment

There’s a point here that Limbaugh is purposefully missing: while he claims to be a source of serious political discourse, rappers–from Boosie to Chuck D–are entertainers. Sure, a Hip Hop record may serve to generate sociopolitical discussions, but any emcee that has ever existed is a music artist. As listeners, we can impute whatever meaning we want to art – that’s the very nature of art. If I throw on a Public Enemy record, it can be because I want to rage against the machine, or because I simply want to get down to some Bomb Squad production. Limbaugh’s role is unmistakable: it’s political discussion from a right-wing perspective. As such, their responsibilities aren’t remotely comparable.

Perhaps the most troubling thing here is that Limbaugh believes that his rhetoric is no more damaging than that of your typical sexist rapper, an assertion that is as absurd as it is shortsighted. Yes, misogyny anywhere (in Hip Hop, politics, or otherwise) is indicative of institutionalized sexism that has been a pillar of every society in recorded history. But the problem is this: Diddy, try as he might, doesn’t have sway over voters. Rush Limbaugh, the most powerful man on talk radio, does. And what Limbaugh is trying to do is codify stripping women of the right to have access to essential healthcare, of the right to free speech, and of the right to be represented in a matter that predominantly affects women.

Limbaugh’s hope is that by using words like “slut,” he can shame brave women like Fluke into either (1) thinking that there’s actually something wrong with enjoying the same sexual carte blanche afforded to their male counterparts; or (2) forcing women to fear for their reputations, careers, and in some cases, safety, just for trying to claim their natural and constitutional rights. While 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.” may be narrow-minded and harmful, it can hardly be said to have such calculated and sinister designs.

The Real Double Standard

Limbaugh is right about one thing: there is a double standard operating here. Namely, the one Limbaugh has developed for Hip Hop music as opposed to any other genre. Rush points to unnamed rappers who “can say anything they want about women.” Sure, Snoop Dogg and Eminem are just as guilty as anyone, but is there a more notorious misogynist in music than Frank Sinatra? Sure, Ol’ Blue Eyes made it sound classy in “Lady is a Tramp,” but let’s call a spade a spade: the reason Limbaugh doesn’t cite the Rolling Stones or Bob Dylan is because his ultra-conservative base would never allow it. Why, the Stones and Dylan are American institutions! In other words, it’s easier for Rush to cry foul at “Bitches Ain’t Shit” rather than at “Just Like a Woman.”

It’s ironic, really. Hip Hop has long been criticized, and rightfully so, for being a source of much negativity in the ever-present struggle for women’s rights. But it seems that, at least in this instance, the battle for women’s rights and Hip Hop’s efforts to become a respected musical art form are in alignment. Hopefully, this unified front will result in more progressive thinking – both about women and Hip Hop’s place amongst more highly-regarded art forms.

Slava Kuperstein is an Ellicott City, Maryland native by way of Odessa, Ukraine who has been writing for HipHopDX since 2007. Follow him on Twitter @SlavaHHDX.

Tupac the Broadway musical, now casting (really!)

By Elizabeth B

The Broadway musical based on the life of Tupac Shakur is actually happening. It's so happening that they're about to start casting the thing. AllHipHop.com found a notice on Playbill.com announcing casting on “Holler If Ya Hear Me” will begin on March 4 in New York. The production is directed by Kenny Leon and is described as an “American musical inspired by and featuring the music of Tupac Shakur.” So, like Mamma Mia! But more gangsta.  Leon is a critically acclaimed Broadway director, whose 2010 revival of August Wilson'sFences was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won three. In November, he helmed the 90-minute Martin Luther King Jr. inspired play The Mountaintop, which starred Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett. “Seeking African American Male and Female rappers ages 18 – 35,” said the post from MelCap Casting. “Additionally seeking one Caucasian actor ages 20 – 25 with a strong facility for rap and terrific guitar skills. Strong legit singing voices a plus for all, but not required.” Theatre experience not required either.  No debut date has been announced. The production has reportedly gotten the thumbs up from Tupac's mom, Afeni Shakur. Kenny Leon said in a November, 2011, PBS interview, “A long time ago, maybe eight or nine years ago, I’ve been talking about that with Tupac’s mother, Afeni, and so we’ve become fans of each other and she sort of entrusted me with her son’s music. The idea was always to make a musical inspired by his music and not to do an autobiographical approach to his life or anything like that. And because I always thought that Tupac was a prophet and I thought if everybody could hear his words and hear his stories, they would see what I see.” But not everyone thinks it's a great idea. Rapper Danny Brown tweeted in reponse to the news (via Spin.com) "a 2pac musical? .... whats next Biggie on Ice?" to which Questlove of the Roots responded "you know that can happen right? i once saw Earth Wind & Fire on ice. #seriously."

Andre 3000 Discusses Solo Album

Posted by: Big Homie 

Bad news and good news for you ‘Kast fans. In an interview with GQ, 3 Stacks says the much-talked about album from the duo is unlikely, but hopes to drop a solo album this year.

Andre 3000: There’s been a lot of talk on the Internet about an OutKast album and I have to say that as of now, there are no plans for another OutKast album. There’s a lot of music on the horizon. I’ve been living off the excitement of new artists. I’ve been privileged to have these new artists kind of reach out and grab back and say, “Hey, Andre, we want you on this song.” So I’ve been taking those calls and for the last two years, I’ve been doing collaborations. So these new artists have kind of been keeping me alive. I’ve just really been feeding off of that and this year I think I’m planning to do a solo project. I don’t know when it will come out, but hopefully it’ll come out this year. As far as OutKast, I really don’t know if or when that will happen.
GQ: What’s the new solo album going to be like?
Andre 3000: The only thing I can really say is I’m going to get back to having fun because that’s what it was all about when I started this in high school—with OutKast—those were like high school dreams. I’m 36 now, so I have grown-man dreams. This album will just be me being myself as normal.