News: Fabolous Strangles DJ Drama Mixtape Release, "He Had To Go Away For The Holidays"
Friday, Dec 25, 2009 11:29PM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Fabolous' upcoming There Is No Competition 2 mixtape with DJ Drama has been scraped for 2009 as a result of scheduling conflicts.
According to F-a-b-o, the tape will drop early next month.
"Sorry my twiggas spoke 2 Dj Drama.. Last minute he had 2 go away 4 the holidays so we couldn't finish the mixtape. But...," he wrote on Christmas via Twitter, "We will now drop it Top of January & now u can start 2010 off right wit Loso! "There is No Competition 2 - The Funeral Service Jan. 2010." (Fabolous' Twitter)
Fab recently spoke on working toward his next album along with the forthcoming DJ Drama mixtape.
"I'm looking to come next summer," Fab said of the album's release date. "I like summer releases. It's good timing. People are out, a lot of people need good music to ride to. I'm looking towards June or July again and come with Loso's Way 2." As of now, the roll-out for the original Loso's Way is still underway. Fab wants to release viral visuals for "Lullaby," "Last Time" and "Makin' Love," while a clip "I'mma Do It" hit the 'net a few weeks ago. Look for Fab to keep heating up cyberspace with a new mixtape on December 25, hosted by DJ Drama. (MTV)
Earlier this week, Fab said he felt the mixtape game initially seemed to be dying out.
"The Drake mixtape of course was a huge success," Fab explained in an interview. "Lil Wayne's tape generated a lot of interest. I saw Wayne and just listening to his tape gave me kinda the feeling that people still accepted the mixtapes and wanted to hear it. I guess it's particular artists that they attach to but I had felt even with the most high-class artists, people were getting so used to getting free music that the mixtape game wasn't that influential anymore. So when I seen what [Wayne's] No Ceilings did, it let me see that there's still definitely potential there, there's still that market there. I think for me it's definitely there because my albums tend to be a little more mainstream than my mixtapes." (Real Talk NY)
While he believes mixtapes are declining in popularity, Fab previously said there were ways to help strengthen them.
"That game is really saturated," Fab said in an interview about the mixtapes. "I feel like you really have to do something special now, but there's not really anything special you can do on a mixtape besides trying different things musically or with the way you distribute it...There's nothing special to me about a mixtape now...There's pretty much one coming out every five minutes. Right now, I think the dopest thing is to have a mixtape online--don't even have a hard disc, because even that's slowed down. When was the last time someone went somewhere and bought a hard copy of a mix CD? So maybe the next step is to release something digitally and tie it in with that." (Hip Hop DX)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/fabolous_strangles_dj_drama_mixtape_rele.html
News: Joe Budden Ponders Slaughterhouse/Eminem Deal, "Let's Show N*ggas How To Rap"
Friday, Dec 25, 2009 11:00PM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Slaughterhouse's Joe Budden recently spoke on the status of his team joining Eminem's Shady Records and expressed the impact it would have on hip-hop.
According to Jump Off, becoming a Shady artist would be strengthened by having Em as a visible sign of support.
"I would like that -- I think if that happens, wrap it up hip-hop," Budden told radio personality Tony Touch. "I'm f*cking great either way. I always said I would stay away from a major. Me, as a soloist. But the group? Let's f*cking go. Let's do it, let's show n*ggas how to rap. Especially having the best f*cking rapper in the world behind us. That's the important part, the [record label] and Interscope, all that's great. Eminem though? That's a different type of, see, that's a different type of rapper. That's like having the big brother that can beat everybody up." ("Toca Tuesdays")
Group member Royce Da 5'9 recently detailed the importance of having their next move by joining a major label.
"Right now, the focus is the group," Royce explained in an interview. "I'm focused on the group in terms of the next move, like with signing. Yeah, Shady is an option, there's a lot of great conversations being had and hopefully something like that could happen. Our goal is to put the group album on a major and get the real machine behind it so we can get that balance back in hip-hop." (Sound Session)
Royce also confirmed plans to drop a follow-up project to the group's self-titled 2009 debut earlier this year.
"It's like, everything is so hypothetical right now," he said in an interview. "See like right now we're talking as if things are a definite...We already agreed that we're gonna do another album. That's our decision. It's our decision on how much music we wanna do. Now, in terms of where it's gon' be at, we can't make that decision 'cause we can't sign ourselves. The only thing we can do is put ourselves in the position to build up some type of interest." (Hip Hop DX)
Earlier this year, Budden explained the significance of rappers coming together.
"I don't know what you mean 'speak on it,' [laughs] I hope it happens!," Budden playfull told radio personality Jessie Maguire in an interview. "I would be happy, happy as could be. [laughs] No man, the rumors have been going around and it seems to be the number one question as far as Slaughterhouse goes, like I said, I'm hopeful that it will happen. I would like for it to happen, uhm, but is it a definite? Is it confirmed? Is it 100 percent in stone? No, not at all. I mean, until that happens, I been in this industry a long time, and I'm sure aspiring artists can attain to this also, a lot of people make promises and a lot of people sell you dreams and often at times, things look extremely hopeful and they turn out to be the exact opposite. So I've learned to prepare for the worst and expect the best. But I certainly hope it takes place. I hope it goes down, I think a move like that would be a monument for hip-hop and not only that, there seems to be a lot of artists getting with that whole unity thing, instead of destroying one another." (Jessie Maguire)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/joe_budden_ponders_slaughterhouseeminem.html
News: Drake Pays Homage To Late R&B Singer Aaliyah, "I Hope You Hear The Words In My Music"
Saturday, Dec 26, 2009 10:00AM
Written by Rosario Harper
Rapper/Singer Drake has paid homage to the memory of late singer Aaliyah and publicly expressed his thoughts on her death nearly a decade ago.
Writing via his popular Twitter page, the Canada-based emcee spoke on Aaliyah.
"I miss Aaliyah...," he wrote this week. "I hope you hear the words in my music and smile knowing you inspired them all." (Drake's Twitter)
Past reports suggested an Aaliyah biopicture film was in the works.
Canadian R&B star Keisha Chante has reportedly been casted to portray Aaliyah in an upcoming biopic about the late R&B superstar. During her career, Aaliyah sold 32 million albums worldwide and was nominated for five Grammys. The biopic is scheduled to open in theaters in 2009. (Music 2 Nite)
The singer passed away from a plane crash in 2001.
A star in the R&B world before she was even out of her teens, Aaliyah's promising career was tragically cut short by her death in a plane crash at age 22. Even with only three albums under her belt, she'd already earned a place as a talented trendsetter among the R&B elite. Following a successful transition to a more mature image, Aaliyah played a major role in popularizing the stuttering, futuristic production style that consumed hip-hop and urban soul in the late '90s. (All Music)
Aside from putting together his Thank Me Later debut, Drake is currently touring with Young Money.
Lil Wayne and Young Money's tour dates, according to their rep: » 12/17 - Hidalgo, TX @ Dodge Arena » 12/18 - Laredo, TX @ Laredo Entertainment Center » 12/20 - Corpus Christi, TX @ American Bank Center » 12/26 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena » 12/28 - New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Arena » 12/31 - San Diego, CA @ San Diego Arena » 1/1 - El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Arena » 1/2 - Tucson, AZ @ Tucson Convention Center » 1/5 - Beaumont, TX @ Ford Park Arena » 1/6 - Austin, TX @ Travis County Expo » 1/7 - Allen, TX @ Allen Events Center » 1/8 - Lafayette, LA @ Cajun Dome » 1/9 - Little Rock, AR @ Alltell Arena » 1/10 - Southaven, MS @ Desoto Civic Center (MTV)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/drake_pays_homage_to_late_rb_singer_aali.html
Eminem To Censor Lyrics To Avoid Anti-Gay Protests In UK
Published Saturday, December 26, 2009 4:47 PM
By Roman Wolfe
Controversial rapper Eminem has agreed to refrain from performing homophobic lyrics during an upcoming festival in the United Kingdom next summer.
Organizers of the popular Wireless Festival 2010 were fearful that various gay rights groups, such an OutRage! would picket the concert.
According to UK’s Evening Standard, OutRage! has agreed to refrain from picketing the concert, as long as Eminem does not use lyrics that encourage or incite hatred against gay people.
Eminem agreed to sign up after he was assured there would be no protests at the show, according to spokesman David Allison.
Eminem also reportedly agreed to both parties demands that he censor his lyrics, to avoid confrontation with the gay rights groups in the country.
OutRage! and other similar groups have actively boycotted singers like Beenie Man and Buju Banton, who have had tours of the country interrupted due to protests over their homophobic lyrics.
At press time confirmed performers for the 2010 Wireless Festival include Pink and The Ting Tings.
The event takes place at London's Hyde Park in July of 2010.
From AllHipHop.com
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/12/26/22076933.aspx
News: Cash Money Records/Warner Music Group Merger Reportedly In Works
Saturday, Dec 26, 2009 9:00AM
Written by Biz Jones
New reports suggest Birdman's Cash Money Records imprint may possibly be joining forces with rap mogul Lyor Cohen's Warner Music Group.
While details are sketchy, meetings have already been placed into motion.
If worked right, this merge could be HUGE! Last week while Baby and Lil Wayne paid a visit to a Manhattan courthouse for Wayne's gun case (he'll be sentenced Feb. 9th), they also paid visit to Warner Music Group's HQ's. Details are extremely sketchy at this point, but an EXTREMELY reliable source confirmed with me that a "secret secret hush hush* meeting occurred with several major big wigs from both parties (Oh hai Lyor Cohen & Brian Williams). A quick note before I get out of here: Gee Roberson (the founder of the management empire, Hip Hop Since 1978) co-manages Lil Wayne and Drake- two actives players under the Cash Money/Young Money umbrella. Gee also still serves as the president under Atlantic Records' Urban Division. Put the pieces together. (BET Sound Off)
Birdman recently spoke on the fire power behind his Cash Money and Young Money rosters.
"Drake is in the studio," Baby said in an interview with DJ Semtex. "We got a tour starting, a Cash Money/Young Money tour starting December 17th and that's with everybody. Kevin Rudolf, Jay Sean, myself, the whole Young Money camp, just the whole squad and Nicki has a new album coming out at the top of the year and Drake's new singles and new album coming out the first quarter. I'm excited about that. And we got Bow Wow coming out, Kevin Rudolf and everything that we doing right now." (DJ Semtex TV)
Young Money President Mack Maine also discussed his company's strength.
"As far as Cash Money, direction is everywhere," Maine said about the company. "Cash Money, Young Money it's [the same.] No feelings on [Wayne's bid.] We've been prepared. We've been prepared for whatever -- I could go back to the Cash Money question and the Jay Sean, Kevin Rudolf, Drake, Nicki Minaj, the top players in the genre, how could you ask for more? You got the NBA, you got your top players. All-Stars. Football All-Stars. We got legends that's gonna be in the Hall of Fame of music. If it's talent, we don't care where you from. It's not like we were looking for [Jay Sean], somebody turned Slim, Baby on, heard some of his music, saw some of his concerts, called him and was like, 'Why you not in the states yet?' because nobody knew him over there. It's like, we helped him and he helped us 'cause now we branching out way over there and getting some of his crowd." (Vlad TV)
Diddy previously acknowledged the talent behind Wayne's Young Money.
"I nod my head to Wayne, I tip my hat to him," Diddy said in an interview. "I told him at the BET Awards. I said, 'You doing the new generation of Bad Boy. You're doing what we did back in '94. That's really creating a movement.' I tip my hat to him, but now I gotta watch him because he's competition. But he's doing his thing. He's gone from artist to label mogul, so you have to give him his respect." (MTV)
No further details have been revealed as of now.
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/cash_money_recordswarner_music_group_mer.html
News: DJ Whoo Kid Hints At Trick Daddy's Anti-Rick Ross Mixtape
Saturday, Dec 26, 2009 2:00AM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
G-Unit's DJ Whoo Kid recently spoke on his upcoming mixtape projects and hinted at Trick Daddy preparing to drop one going at fellow Southern rapper Rick Ross.
While speaking on working with 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks, Whoo Kid said Trick has reached out to him for an anti-Ross project.
"I do like a couple every month," Whoo Kid explained in an interview. "My next joints that I'm doing, I don't even know. I got so many people paying me now, I don't even know these artists, they coming out this month! I know I'm doing Cory Gunz, I'm doing Maino's joint, [Lloyd] Banks, I think 50 [Cent] has one more coming out. I know I ain't doing Jay-Z's mixtape. I don't know, I think [DJ] Clue is gonna do that. A couple of down south artists, I think Trick Daddy got a mixtape going at Ross he wants me to do and I'd be more than happy to do it." (Toronto Rappers)
Earlier this year, Trick Daddy spoke on his past issues with Ross.
"I'd like to apologize to all my fans even the Rick Ross fans for any of this situation coming up because I know it's gonna get bigger now because I've said something about it," Trick said. "I read the blogs and would like to thank everybody for commending me for taking it like a man and knowing that I said the political correct answer and I'd also like to apologize for my kid misbehaving in class and on the radio and in concerts because I raised his a**. What happened, I let Ross start eatin' table food too fast, you know when you don't raise your kid they will throw their hands up at you...I just don't understand it, I was a big Ross fan and if you check all my interviews, you check the web, radio, I never sneak dissed him, I always tell people I like Ross as an artist even when he was Teflon Don. Whatever he wanted to be, I supported him. For him to try and assassinate my character and then what's the sad part about this is when the first corrections officer picture came out about a week later I saw an interview, the interviewer said, 'So Rick Ross, how do you feel about Trick Daddy calling you a prison guard,' time-out. Ain't no way you went for that dumb a** sh*t right there. The sad part is that that interview is three years old." (Shade 45)
Trick's name is heard via Ross' "Valley of Death" record in which he said the Slip-N-Slide rapper had AIDS.
"Caught a little case, buddy had a little cheddar," Ross raps on "Valley of Death." "Pled out to 15, poured his life in a letter/ Very first line he called Trick Daddy stupid/ Said he had AIDS telling people that it's lupus/ Not the one just to jump to conclusions/ I'm getting money, small talk can be a nuisance." ("Valley of Death")
He previously opted out of dissing Ross and discussed his battle with lupus.
"Millions of people are stricken with lupus," Trick said in an interview. "I have stayed out of the bullsh*t, I will continue to stay out of it. Ross had been with Slip-N-Slide Records as long as I have been with Slip-N-Slide Records. He's known I've had lupus for 10 years. I was referred to my doctor by Ted Lucas who is the head of Slip-N-Slide Records. I would like to apologize to everyone suffering with lupus. I would like to apologize for the insults." (MTV)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/dj_whoo_kid_hints_at_trick_daddys_anti-r.html
News: Yung Joc Talks Life After Diddy's Bad Boy Records, "I'm My Own Man"
Friday, Dec 25, 2009 11:00AM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Southern rapper Yung Joc recently spoke on parting ways with Diddy's Bad Boy Records and hinted at now having a new record deal with Jive.
Joc said he is now in charge of his own career.
"I just closed my new deal as an artist I'm very happy of that, I fought a very long time for the last two years of my life to get out of my past experience, just closed my new one, so be looking for the kid, it's time to step it up and do it one more time," he explained in an interview. "There's no feeling, I do. I definitely do, I'm my own man, I'm my own entity, Swag Team Entertainment is the label and hey I'm good. Right now I'm looking forward to 2010, making it a bigger and better year, bigger and better movement. A lot of new artists will be distributed through Jive on Swag Team Entertainment, too many to name right now. You'll know it when you see it, when the time is appropriate to name names then that will be done." (Hip Hop Wired)
Last month, Joc said label talks were already in motion.
"I just got my release and one of the terms of the release was a defamation clause, so honestly, I can't really talk about it too much," Joc revealed in an interview. "I've been released, severed the business ties. May God bless them and their regime, but I'm doing my own thing now. I'm actually in negotiations right now with a few labels. I just choose not to call out the different entities. Things are looking very good, God is very good. When I was going through this whole thing with the Bad Boy/Block situation, I didn't know what the other side was going to be. I didn't know if there was going to be light on the other end. I was hopeful, but it's actually working out for the best. I ain't mad, nobody's mad right now, everything is good." (Baller Status)
The Atlanta rapper updated fans on the status of his release earlier this fall.
"I was seeking a release from the regime that I was a part of and I knew that when I got my release, the streets [and] the fans, they don't really give a sh*t about all the woes and the troubles you going through with a label," Joc said about releasing his free Grind Flu mixtape. "They on to the next thing so that sh*t don't matter to 'em. So you gotta give 'em more than just a story. Give 'em some music and that' what I decided to do...Also,I knew that in the process of me getting released [from Bad Boy], if I get a release, the next label is gonna wanna hear some music... Due to the terms of my release, I can't talk about the brother. God bless him... I got a few offers on the table... Right now, I'm doing what you would call, a lot of negotiating. Not a lot of BS'ing because these people know I'm very serious about my business." (This Is 50)
Prior to being freed, Joc discussed his intent to drop a collection of free mixtapes.
"Honestly, there is no current situation with Bad Boy right now," Joc explained in an interview. "We've been in talks about me being possibly released. I don't think at the present time that that regime is the right outfit for me at the moment considering I work very hard as an artist and I'm still in a position where I'm not able to put out my music because of some conflicts of interest. Currently at the moment, there are definitely some talks between myself and Bad Boy, the attorneys, to push for a release. Why am I even signed if I can't put my music out? Yeah, I'm being held back in a sense. It's no hard feelings and once again it's no regrets...We in lawsuits, I can't release an album commercially and it is what it is..." (Rolling Out TV)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/yung_joc_talks_life_after_diddys_bad_boy.html
News: Cam'ron Credits Jay-Z For Saving NY Rap, "He Just Sold 530,000, So It's Still Looking Good"
Friday, Dec 25, 2009 8:30AM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Dipset leader Cam'ron recently spoke about the state of New York rap and why, despite differences in the past, he maintains a certain level of respect for Jay-Z's music contributions.
Crediting Hov's Blueprint III record sales, Killa said music from the Big Apple is still able to thrive.
"Jay-Z done made it look real good," Cam said in an interview. "Jay-Z just sold 530,000 so it's still looking good. Whenever there's ever anybody out in New York still doing over half a million in a week, it's still available. I don't really f*ck with Jay but I got mad respect for anybody who makes money and anybody who still sells that much records after having a lot of albums out. Jay-Z really definitely did help out New York a lot." (Hip Hop Beef)
Cam previously said he respected Jay's hustle and work ethic as a businessman.
"I ain't got no problems with Jay-Z. On the real, I don't even f*ck with Jay-Z, but I got mad respect for the n*gga. Anybody who make money, got a million dollars to their name, I respect anybody who make money. I respect MC Hammer when Hammer was getting money. Personally? I don't really know the n*gga, I f*cked with Dame [Dash] and Biggs. But I ain't got no problems." (Sub 0 DVD)
Speaking with hip-hop personality Miss Info last winter, the rapper dished out the motivation behind his most publicized rap battles.
"I'm not making up fake, imaginary beefs," Cam said. "I'm not just jumping out for beef for no reason. When I went at Jay-Z, it was a lot of inside stuff that went on at Roc-A-Fella that we don't need to go in to...There's been a lot of times that I been wanting to do something but couldn't because of Dame [Dash]." (Miss Info)
Cam's issues with Jay reportedly began prior to the release of his Roc-A-Fella Records debut after a dispute over a record.
"F*cking Kanye [West] sells us a few beats, we watching the 'BET Awards,'" Jim Jones said in a video. "Jay-Z's about to perform his new single and he gets up there and its the beat we bought from Kanye which would now be 'H to the Izzo.' So now we steaming...Just Blaze blazed the 'Oh Boy' beat. We took that [from Jay-Z], that was ours. Strong arm, good lookin' Just Blaze." (King Mag)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/camron_credits_jay-z_for_saving_ny_rap_h.html
News: Lupe Fiasco's Unreleased Music Stolen, "Actions Are Being Taken & Authorities Have Been Notified"
Friday, Dec 25, 2009 8:00AM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Grammy-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco has taken legal action against the persons responsible for leaking his previously unreleased song, "I'm Beaming."
Writing through his blog, Lupe expressed the seriousness behind stolen music.
"The track 'I'm Beaming' that was leaked last night was NOT authorized or intentionally leaked by myself or my company," he wrote Christmas Eve. "Plain and simple its STOLEN property. And this goes for ANY record or track that leaks or is made available for illegal download from this day forward. Actions are being taken and the authorities have been notified. As a personal plea to all my fans PLEASE DO NOT share, stream, or download any unauthorized or stolen Lupe Fiasco music. A lot of time and energy goes into the creation of this music, not to mention large sums of money, money provided by my record company as well as from my own personal finances...With the history that surrounds the devastating and massive piracy of my first album i'm sure some of you can understand why this very harsh stance that is being taken up. And for those of you unsympathetic enough not to understand i can only compare it to someone breaking into your house and stealing everything not tied down or someone kidnapping you sister or brother and ransoming them back to you." (Lupe Fiasco Blog)
Earlier in the year, Lupe also took to his blog when his "Shining Down" record leaked online.
"I DON'T LEAK MY OWN RECORD!!!!," he wrote in all caps. "I'M NOT A FAN OF LEAKING RECORDS OR OF DOWNLOADING!!!! My entire first album leaked and possibly cost me from going platinum my first time out as the final estimates of how many people actually downloaded that album illegally was well over half a million...Someone hacked my email. I was about to fire my entire staff and cut off relationships over shining down leaking last night. Bun B hit me and was like 'the records dope' and i was like 'what record?' nobody even has it. the only possible explanation is my email chain with the mix studio (which is air tight...the studio that is) was hacked and thats where the record came from. Lastly, the album is f*cking ridiculous. I dont like to brag or sh*t like that but the album is sooo f*cking crazy at this point 95% done." (Lupe Fiasco's Blog)
Kanye West previously expressed his frustration over an online leak of his Rihanna-assisted music video "Paranoid."
"It hurts me to see the old and very wrong version of the paranoid video get leaked all over the net while I was on an 11-hour flight and couldn't do anything about it," Ye wrote unmodified. "It's just frustrating when this stuff happens because I really care about the product and since videos never get played any way you might as well tweak them and make them as special as possible. The version that got leaked from the camera phone last week is at least a little closer to the final product. Thank-you everybody for your support but that video was not up to my standards." (Kanye West's Blog)
Lil Scrappy recently spoke with SOHH about how to battle album leaks.
"You make a lot of music," Scrappy told SOHH, "when you making albums, I think you should do two albums. You should make the same amount of songs on both the first time you hit it hard, bam, then you gotta prepare yourself. Like, it's digital right now so sh*t can happen, get drunk in the car playing CDs and your man got d*mn press the button and be like 'Yo [everybody,] I got that new Scrap.' [laughs] If he's smart, he'll go bootleg it and if it's hot, you gonna bootleg it so my best thang to tell a n*gga is to make two albums, you know what I'm saying? And we do this anyway, so it ain't hard, you feel me?" (SOHH)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/lupe_fiascos_unreleased_music_stolen_act.html
P.Miller, Romeo Give Out Christmas Gifts in Watts
Published Friday, December 25, 2009 11:17 AM
By: Ismael AbduSalaam
Entrepreneur P.Miller and son Romeo made sure thousands of children this year in Watts, California had a good Christmas after dispersing a U-Haul truck full of toys.
In partnership with the non-profits Reachback LA and OneMillionGifts.org, Miller and Romeo supplied the gifts over several hours to a line of recipients that spanned five blocks around the Bradley/Milken Youth and Family Building.
The predominantly African-American and Latino Watts neighborhood has a history of gang warfare, and was hit particularly hard with several deaths this December.
Chico Brown, founder of the at-risk youth organization Reachback LA, praised the Millers for their hands-on community involvement.
“I just left a funeral a couple days ago. These senseless gang related deaths have to stop,” Brown explained to AllHipHop.com. “It definitely helps to have P. Miller and Romeo constantly be a part of these kids lives in our community, it gives them hope. A lot of these kids look up to Romeo who plays basketball and attends USC which is located in South Central LA. The Millers have been participating and funding this program for four years now. We’re without doubt very thankful for all of the toys and clothes but I think the best gift that these kids have received from P. Miller and Romeo is their time spent in the community.”
This year, P.Miller has visited 25 cities with the goal of distributing one million gifts nationwide. According OneMillionGits.org VP Amber Johns, the objective for 2010 is to double their efforts and reach 50 cities.
“There are so many other communities like this one. Together we can make a difference,” John told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “We’ve been able to help so many less fortunate families. We’re so thankful for all of the donations from individuals and organizations. Every dollar counts and every volunteer makes a difference. We especially appreciate Six Flags Friends for being our toy donations depot. After the Christmas holidays, we will continue fundraising and reaching out to individuals and corporations for our 2010 mission to help more families.”
Those interested in volunteering or donating can visit www.OneMillionGifts.org or www.ReachbackLA.org.
From AllHipHop.com
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/12/25/22076515.aspx
Maino Explains Tiger Woods Song
12.25.09 | by Danielle Harling
Following the recent Tiger Woods sex scandal, rapper Maino has decided to create a song comparing himself to Woods and his ways with women.
On the song, which is conveniently titled “Get Em Tiger,” Maino raps about his numerous women and his inability to be with just one of them.
Earlier this week, Maino called in to Sirius Radio’s The Morning After to speak to radio host Angela Yee about the song.
"Whether a person is in the limelight or a person is just a regular dude, sometimes we fall victim...for other women. I like women. I'm sure most other men like women. They crucifyin' him for having extramarital affairs, but I don't think he did anything different than most normal men do," Maino explained on The Morning After.
Just a few months ago Maino released his first studio album If Tomorrow Comes…
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10335/title.maino-explains-tiger-woods-song
Pitbull Gives Christmas Gifts to Miami Kids
12.24.09 | by Andres Tardio
This week, Pitbull donated his time to bring gifts to Miami children. The Floridian emcee worked with 1-800-Need-Help, The City of Miami and others to put together the 2nd Annual Toy Giveaway.
During the event, Pitbull helped give underprivileged youth.
"I'll do anything to help the kids of Miami, and to see the looks on their faces when we came out with the toys made my year," Pitbull said in a statement.
He also added that he'd like to do this more often and not just during this season.
"The work's not done though, and we've got to do whatever we can to keep these kids smiling all year round, and not just at Christmas."
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10334/title.pitbull-gives-christmas-gifts-to-miami-kids
News: Lloyd On Maintaining A Post-Murder Inc. Buzz, "Give Me A Drake Mixtape & It Reminds You Of Who I Am"
Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 11:25AM
Written by Rosario Harper
Former Murder Inc. artist Lloyd recently spoke on maintaining his relevancy since parting ways with Irv Gotti earlier this year.
Lloyd said his recent collaborations with Lil Wayne and Drake have helped him keep his name relevant.
"I mean, it's not hard, you just gotta work," Lloyd explained in an interview. "The way I stay relevant is to make more music. There's so many different avenues to get music out now that it's pretty rare for you to make a song and not be heard one way or another and by working with other artists, that plays a big part. So when I'm not on the scene or I'm going through label problems and you give me a Drake mixtape, it kinda reminds you of who I am." (Rolling Out TV)
Earlier this year, the Southern-based singer spoke on parting ways with Gotti.
"I've made a lot of changes," Lloyd said in an interview. "I'm happy than I've ever been. I'm happy to say I worked out my own release and I am very optimistic about the future. Ever since I was signed, I was dedicated to trying to make good music, something that's worth hearing. And just trying to work with this rubble that I was given and build something out of it -- being the current state of the label when I first arrived. I didn't really have too much to work with...The label itself had no distribution. I was forced to record my own music with my own money with my own friends, while I was still under contract. All I had was me and my management and my friends in Atlanta...It wasn't so much person as it was business. I've learned to separate the two and sometimes in this business there is no friendship, no bottom line. The sad thing is a lot of young guys come into the game very early without knowledge or without a guidance in their lives and they fall victim to the glitz and the glam. I always try to look past that and keep my eyes on the prize which was becoming a great artist and really making music history one way or another." (Lloyd Music TV)
Last June, Irv responded to accusations made by Lloyd about his role on The Inc.
"He is still signed with Murder Inc. and I will make a decision shortly on what I am gonna do with him," Gotti wrote in a statement. "His last record didn't sell well at all. And, once again, he had his CREATIVE freedom to do whatever he wanted to do. But for some reason the people did not respond to the album or to him. But I will decide what I wanna do! As always when it comes to me, it's Murder For Life! And anyone who doesn't wanna be apart of that, I will take into consideration." (Statement)
Aside from The Inc., Lloyd spoke on his relationship with Young Money.
"Ah man. That's easy. I'm just a good friend to Wayne and Baby," Lloyd revealed in an interview. "I respect them. I respect their grind. I respect their minds. So they brought me in to be designating; to be the [designated hitter]. They wanted a hit and they brought me in. We came up with something that was dope in 'Bed Rock.' We'll be performing it for the first few times coming up. We're just doing us. It's good to be around a crew of talented young brothers." (Honey Mag)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/lloyd_on_maintaining_a_post-murder_inc_b.html
Mary J Blige Denies Fistfight With Husband
Published Thursday, December 24, 2009 11:27 AM
By: Ismael AbduSalaam
Multi-platinum songstress Mary J. Blige is rebuking reports that she punched her husband Kendu Isaacs in the face Tuesday night at her NYC album release party.
According to initial reports from anonymous “sources,” the fight occurred when Isaacs was seen flirting with several female waitresses, causing Blige to strike and taunt him.
“She turned to him and was screaming, 'You're not going to ruin my night,' " an alleged witness told the NY Post. “They got up in each other's faces before someone tried to separate them, at which point she shoved the guy aside, pulled back and popped [Isaacs] in the face. She was yelling at him, 'What are you gonna do, Chris Brown me?'”
From there, Blige’s bodyguards were said to have escorted Isaacs from the M2 Ultra Lounge venue.
Blige’s publicist Kerynne Tencer released a statement denying the incident, and proclaimed the couple’s relationship is on steady ground.
“People lie and don’t know what they’re talking about,” Tencer explained. “They’re as happy as can be. They’re spending the holidays together with their three children. Everything’s great.”
Blige and Isaacs, who also serves as her manager, have been married since 2003.
On Tuesday (December 21), Blige released Stronger with Each Tear, her 9th studio LP after a 2-year hiatus. To date, Blige has maintained a streak of every album since 1992’s What’s the 411? going platinum or multi-platinum.
The album features guest spots from Drake, T.I., and Trey Songz. Production credits include Ryan Leslie, The Runners, Polow Da Don, The Dream, Stargate, and Tricky Stewart.
From AllHipHop.com
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/12/24/22075935.aspx
Hurricane Chris Talks "Unleashed," Says He Ghostwrites 12.24.09 | by Jake Paine
Earlier this week, Hurricane Chris released his first album in over two years, Unleashed. Put out by Polo Grounds Music/J Records, the sophomore LP boasts an appearance from Plies, as well as production from Shawty Redd and The Inkredibles. Speaking with HipHopDX this month, a Chris entering his twenties now, explained his evolution since 2007. "I've been grindin', grindin', grindin' - doin' a whole bunch of work on my music. I've been in the studio non-stop, for the past two years. We've just been trying to get [Polo Grounds/J Records] all the way behind us, and put a real engine behind me. Every time I drop my singles, they go #1 on the radio; I make big headline singles."
With other Rap artists such as Rhymefest and Cassidy vacating the J Records imprint this year, Chris explained what he was trying to prove to his three-year backers. "I want [the label and I] to crush our competition and not just be in the middle with it."
Recreating 2007's magic with hit single "Ay Bay Bay" feels organic to Chris, as he said, "[Unleashed] is gonna be a jump from [51/50 Ratchet]." On Unleashed, he has only one track from Ratchet movement hit-maker Phunk Dog. Speaking about "Beat It Out The Frame," Chris said, "Phunk Dawg, that's my dog, that's my go-to producer. Everybody knows. We go into the studio and the first one he cranked out was ['Beat It Out The Frame']. It's a retarded club hook. We have great chemistry. I freestyled [my verse], straight up." Chris did say that given the proper development of Unleashed, the track is a potential single.
A confident rapper, Chris feels as though he's primed to transition from entertainer to businessman. "I'm really in control of this Rap game, ya feel me? So I've been trying to get my game up on the business-side, ya feel me? I've got a record label that I'm coming out with, 51/50." Asked why now is the time to build an imprint, Chris proudly pointed to his track record. "I told Mike Jones to go and do 'Drop And Gimme 50,' I constantly went into the studio and made hits...I did a lot of writing, some writing for other people - I ain't gone say they names, but it's constantly been 'Hurricane season.' Now you can keep your eyes locked on me."
With Shrevport, Louisiana's ratchet movement being introduced to the masses through Chris, the young rapper was asked if the aggressive lifestyle was threatened by recent incarcerations in and out of entertainment. Chris deduced, "We got a lot of rappers, people in music and entertainment period that's goin' to jail right now. We're losing a lot of good people to system. It's because we got people that ain't makin' good decisions and we got haters too, matter of fact, that's steady tryin' to bring our people down. We gotta pray for everybody; everybody seems to find theyself behind the bars these days. That done got my attention in a major way. That ain't the route I'm tryin' to go, and that ain't the route that we promote. Free [Lil] Boosie; that's my dog. He in there now. We hopin' he'll be home real soon."
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10333/title.hurricane-chris-talks-unleashed-says-he-ghostwrites
News: Busta Rhymes Hints At Big Announcement, "The New Flipmode Is In The Studio Right Now!"
Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 11:00AM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
New York rapper Busta Rhymes has publicly hinted at his urge to introduce a new Flipmode Squad beginning next year.
While details are still forming, Busta broke the news via his Twitter.
"THE NEW FLIPMODE IS IN THE STUDIO RIGHT NOW!!!!!, "he wrote Wednesday (December 23) night. "STAY TUNED!!!!!D*MN WHEN I TELL U THE NEW DECADE 2010 IS GONNA B FRIGHTENING, MARK MY WORD!!" (Busta Rhymes' Twitter)
Rah Digga spoke on parting ways with Busta's Flipmode camp earlier this year.
"No, I'm no longer with Flipmode," Rah explained in an interview. "It was an amicable split though. There's no beef, none whatsoever...[Today] I can't try to conform to what the [music] industry thinks I should be doing or records I think should be a single, I should try to run after Akon or T-Pain on the hook, I'm just going to do what I love to do." (Street Heat)
Her association with Busta stemmed from rap icon Q-Tip.
When A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip discovered her at a performance at New York's Lyricist Lounge, he introduced her to Busta Rhymes, who invited her to join the Flipmode Squad. As a part of that hip-hop clique, she appeared on Rhymes' 1997 album When Disaster Strikes and the Flipmode Squad's The Imperial Album from 1998. (All Music)
Aside from Flipmode, Busta is currently prepping his upcoming Chemo album.
"I called the album The Chemo because it seems like the industry and music overall is dying slowly," Busta explained in an interview. "The cancer that's stricken the business is killing the music, not only from a business standpoint, but also the value of the content and the creativity behind it. I just want to start the first stage of chemotherapy treatment that needs to take place and hopefully inspire others to do their part and contribute to different stages of the cure." Still, Busta recognizes those artists who are taking a stand against the "dying industry" by putting out "great music," stating, "Jay-Z put out an incredible album this year and Lil Wayne put out an incredible album last year." (Billboard)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/busta_rhymes_hints_at_big_announcement_t.html
News: Lloyd Banks Reveals New Album Release Date, "I Bust My A** More Than The Average Artist"
Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 10:00AM
Written by Rosario Harper
G-Unit's Lloyd Banks has announced his long-awaited third solo project and Rotten Apple follow-up will be out by next summer.
Although he did not offer information on the project's title, he did say fans should expect to see it hit stores in June 2010.
"For y'all that don't know," Banks told a screaming crowd at New York's BB Kings this week, "y'all can expect my next album second quarter of next year. That's June, in here for the summer time. So y'all out there following my mixtape sh*t, for y'all that been following my mixtape sh*t -- my fifth mixtape of the year, V5, will be out [December] 28th. That's five mixtapes, that's really albums. I bust my a** more than the average artist this year. Y'all better take your a** out to the store. " (Real Talk NY)
50 Cent recently talked about the buzz behind Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo.
"Just the presentation. Just the project, to put an album out," 50 said about re-igniting his camp's buzz. "When you say... Really, how do you fall out of the public eye? Because you don't have any material that's being marketed and promoted. See, they didn't lose their base we initially created, G-Unit; when we go touring, you see the three of us consistently. It's just the relaunch, and to reestablish those albums that don't have no holes in them. We have to work on those projects as hard as we work on the 50 Cent project. Well, no [they're not on Interscope]. And it's a blessing that it's not still yet, because the building has changed. Interscope is a system that's in a different space. A lot of companies are in different spaces, they got rid of 60-percent of their staffs. So you don't know exactly what all those things are. But we'll put their projects together and find a way to put them out." (XXL Magazine)
Searching for a new record deal, Banks recently weighed in on the issues he had with the company responsible for his first two solo projects.
"I was ready to make a move," Banks said about leaving the powerhouse label. "I'm a brand-new engine. If anything, it's their loss. It's been a dark shadow cast upon that. That's why you hear [Funkmaster] Flex on the radio [boycotting Interscope], because it's an aura created around that machine, and the artists automatically get smacked in the head...I felt it's time for me to go somewhere where it's not biased and I get a fair shot. There's a lot of stuff on the table right now. You don't wanna speak about it until it gets ironed out all the way...Everything happened for a reason. I feel like I'm so blessed because of my work ethic and how easy the music is coming to me. It feels so good to be an independent artist with a brand. I have direct deals with iTunes and things of that nature, where it's direct money coming to me. It's 50 percent of me that's not pressed to be on a major." (MTV)
His last two solo projects landed within Billboard's Top 5 in their opening weeks.
In 2004, Banks' debut disc, The Hunger For More, opened at No. 1 on Billboard's albums sales chart, with week-one sales around 433,000 scanned discs and it ended up spending a second-straight week atop its competition, selling close to 164,000 units. In 2006, his sophomore album Rotten Apple, with first-week sales totaling close to 143,000, fell more than 40,000 albums short of a chart-topping repeat and settled instead for the chart's No. 3 position. (Billboard)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/lloyd_banks_reveals_new_album_release_da.html
News: Kanye West On Bathing Ape Photo Shoot, "BAPE Ran The Last Decade & They're Ready For The Next One!"
Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 8:00AM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Kanye West has commented on his new BAPE photo shoot images landing online and described his admiration for the popular high-end clothing company.
Writing on his blog, Yeezy explained his experience as the Spring 2010 cover man.
"THIS SHOOT WAS MAD FUN," he wrote Thursday (December 24). "THIS COLLECTION USES REALLY GREAT FABRICS, EASY TO WEAR CUTS AND STILL THE OCCASIONAL SUPER EXPRESSIVE DECADENT PRINTS. BAPE RAN THE LAST DECADE AND THEY'RE READY FOR THE NEXT ONE!" (Kanye West's Blog)
Ye's shots were photographed by renowned camera man Keiichi Nitta.
Every season, BAPE releases a much sought after look book for its loyal and newly acquired fans to get a closer and more complete look at upcoming collections and items. The book is less so a catalog but more of a magazine chocked with features and stories tailored around the label's upcoming seasonal collection. This time around, BAPE enlisted the rather controversial but nonetheless popular and widely discussed artist/fashion icon, Kanye West, to model the label's Spring 2010 collection items in a photo shoot by Japanese photographer, Keiichi Nitta. (Freshness Mag)
Aside from linking with Louis Vuitton in the past, Ye recently showed his keen fashion sense by working with Nike to release his limited edition Air Yeezy's last spring.
Air Yeezy was developed from a strong relationship between West and Nike. Partnering with Nike Creative Director, Mark Smith, Kanye was taken through the product creation process, the same way athletes have with Nike Design for the past 37 years. This creative partnership of Smith and West's talents as designers yielded a unique Nike Sportswear sneaker. "Kanye could wear and perform in these shoes and really identify how we could make the shoes perform better," Smith said in a statement. (Press Release)
Aside from fashion, Ye hit the stage at a Kid Cudi concert earlier this week to speak on his recent hiatus.
"I had to get up out this motherf*cker for a second," Ye told the crowd. "I love the game so much and I'm so passionate about it that I just can't take this sh*t sometimes. And if they take everything away from me it wouldn't f*cking matter. Artists be too concerned about their well-being sometimes. Artists be too scared to stand up for something. They scared to lose they f*cking house or they scared to lose their record deal. I sold my soul to the devil, I know it's a crappy deal/At least it came with a few toys like a Happy Meal." (Miss Info TV)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/kanye_west_on_bathing_ape_photo_shoot_ba.html
News: Game Leaves X-Mas Records For Snoop Dogg, "I Don't Really Wanna Do No Christmas Songs"
Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 7:30AM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
On the verge of Christmas, Game shared his thoughts on whether he could see himself putting together a holiday album and detailed why Snoop Dogg is the perfect candidate for bringing in St. Nick cheer.
While passing up the opportunity to drop holiday records for 2009, Game playfully took on the idea of what he could call his songs if he did go forward.
"I don't know where to start, man, unless I just call that motherf*cker R.E.D. Riding Hood or something," Game laughingly explained in an interview. "[laughs] I don't know man. But yeah, that's more, Snoop can do that. Snoop's whole thing, like, he can get -- Snoop is colorful. He can go anyway. Game don't really wanna do no Christmas songs." (Rap-Up TV)
Snoop's Christmas In Tha Dogg House was released last December.
Looks like the Doggfather has the holiday spirit and plans on spreading cheer with his upcoming Christmas album, Snoop Dogg Presents Christmas In Tha Dogg House. The digital release will include exclusive holiday tracks from the rap star and his cohorts, Tha Dogg Pound, Soopafly, Bad Lucc, Damani, J. Black and The Hustle Boyz. (The Boom Box)
Jim Jones previously spoke with SOHH about dropping his 2008 X-Mas mixtape, A Tribute To Bad Santa.
"It's got a lot of funny Christmas stories," said Jones. "You know, sh*t that happens when we was coming up and we giving you some real hard Christmas music. Get you a couple of Christmas carols in there, some Christmas struggles in there and put it on the shelves." (SOHH)
Game is currently working on his fourth solo project.
"The R.E.D. Album has presented me the opportunity to make the type of music I've always wanted to make and I'm free," he explained in an interview. "I have no beefs and there's nothing holding me back. I'm just having fun in the studio and I'm just recording man. I'm having the time of my life. Pharrell is my best hip-hop friend to date. Working with him has been nothing short of a catastrophic portion and every day that I can get in with that cat is different." (Metro Mix)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/game_leaves_x-mas_records_for_snoop_dogg.html
News: Lil Wayne & Drake's Mixtapes Inspired Fabolous, "There's Still Definitely Potential There"
Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 7:00AM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
New York rapper Fabolous recently credited the mixtape success of Lil Wayne and Drake over the past year for helping to re-inspire him to launch forward with his own underground movement.
According to Faboloso, the mixtape game initially seemed to be dying out prior to witnessing the Young Money front runners' success with So Far Gone and No Ceilings.
"The Drake mixtape of course was a huge success," Fab explained in an interview. "Lil Wayne's tape generated a lot of interest. I saw Wayne and just listening to his tape gave me kinda the feeling that people still accepted the mixtapes and wanted to hear it. I guess it's particular artists that they attach to but I had felt even with the most high-class artists, people were getting so used to getting free music that the mixtape game wasn't that influential anymore. So when I seen what [Wayne's] No Ceilings did, it let me see that there's still definitely potential there, there's still that market there. I think for me it's definitely there because my albums tend to be a little more mainstream than my mixtapes." (Real Talk NY)
Fab recently spoke on working toward his next album along with a forthcoming DJ Drama mixtape.
"I'm looking to come next summer," Fab said of the album's release date. "I like summer releases. It's good timing. People are out, a lot of people need good music to ride to. I'm looking towards June or July again and come with Loso's Way 2." As of now, the roll-out for the original Loso's Way is still underway. Fab wants to release viral visuals for "Lullaby," "Last Time" and "Makin' Love," while a clip "I'mma Do It" hit the 'net a few weeks ago. Look for Fab to keep heating up cyberspace with a new mixtape on December 25, hosted by DJ Drama. (MTV)
Fabolous has continued his mixtape grind and previously announced plans to drop releases with Drama and DJ Clue earlier this year.
"We're working on [a mixtape] now," Fab revealed in an interview. "We're actually going to be with DJ Drama, it's a double disc with DJ Drama and DJ Clue. It's gonna be a Gangsta Grillz on one side and a DJ Clue mixtape on the other side. For the Gangsta Grillz, it will be a There Is No Competition Part Two and the DJ Clue one, we are calling it That Fabolous Basterd kinda like the name of the Brad Pitt movie, Inglorious Basterds -- It's definitely gonna be Street Fam on there, expect to hear Freck Billionaire, expect to hear Paul Cain, expect to hear Red Cafe -- it's gonna be a lot of our Street Fam on that tape." (iHipHop)
While he believes mixtapes are declining in popularity, Fab previously said there were ways to help strengthen them.
"That game is really saturated," Fab said in an interview about the mixtapes. "I feel like you really have to do something special now, but there's not really anything special you can do on a mixtape besides trying different things musically or with the way you distribute it...There's nothing special to me about a mixtape now...There's pretty much one coming out every five minutes. Right now, I think the dopest thing is to have a mixtape online--don't even have a hard disc, because even that's slowed down. When was the last time someone went somewhere and bought a hard copy of a mix CD? So maybe the next step is to release something digitally and tie it in with that." (Hip Hop DX)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/lil_wayne_drakes_mixtapes_inspired_fabol.html
News: T.I.'s Halfway House Living Conditions Revealed
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 6:38PM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Details on the new living conditions for rapper T.I. have been revealed and show the Grand Hustle head being stationed in an Atlanta facility also accompanied by a share of females.
Based on a conversation blogger Sandra Rose had with Bow Wow associate and current Dismas Charities West inmate Bart Borders, Tip should have no problem fitting in.
Bart, who is out on work pass until 10:30 p.m. on weeknights and 11:30 p.m. on weekends, said the facility holds about 120 male inmates and 20 females. "But they have to stay on their side," said Bart. "The only time we get to interact with (the females) is around meal time." He said the halfway house has two TV rooms and two living rooms, and the food there isn't worth writing home about. "The food ain't worth nothing. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches," he said. "But T.I. has his own money, he can order out." Bart, who manages rapper T. Waters, a So So Def artist, said T.I. probably won't be able to leave on work release until after the New Year. But even then, he's not allowed to work for himself or for his family. So he can't work for Grand Hustle or any company he owns. "If I see him when I get there I'll tell him wherever he work at to make as least money as possible, because they getting 25% of his gross." (Sandra Rose)
Although the "King of the South" is expected to be released in a few months, he will still have commitments attached to his sentence.
Once Harris completes his time in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons in late March, he will still have to finish serving just under 500 hours of community service and about 23 days of home incarceration. (Access Atlanta)
Lawyer Steve Sadow said the rapper returned to his hometown, Atlanta, Georgia yesterday.
"He was released this morning from his place of incarceration in Arkansas," Sadow said in an interview. "As I understand it, he's on his way back to the Atlanta area. He has to report to a halfway house in Atlanta sometime this evening. And he will then spend somewhere between the next two or three months in a halfway house, ending his Buruea of Prison sentence. A halfway house is more along the lines of a residential dormitory. You live within this house that is broken into areas for living, and you are permitted to leave during the day for certain reasons of which would be employment, medical reasons, things of that nature, and you return to the halfway house in the evening. So it's a restriction on your liberty but it's a way for you to reenter into society and not be confined within a jail type institution 24-hours a day." (XXL Mag)
Initial reports show that T.I. was scheduled to return home in May 2010.
Officially, T.I. isn't slated to be released until May 26, 2010, however, due to good behavior and other factors, prison officials are considering releasing him to a halfway home by no later than March 2010. This will be great news for fans of southern hip hop, as many of their favorite artists are either currently in jail or facing lock-up soon. (Dime Wars)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/tis_halfway_house_living_conditions_reve.html
News: Kanye West Explains Post-VMA Hiatus, "I'm So Passionate, I Just Can't Take This Sh*t Sometimes"
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 5:48PM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Kanye West made a surprise appearance at Kid Cudi's California concert and shocked fans with a pre-rap rant hinting at his recent absence from the media spotlight.
At Cudi's request, Yeezy spilled his thoughts onto the microphone for Los Angeles fans.
"I had to get up out this motherf*cker for a second," Ye told the crowd. "I love the game so much and I'm so passionate about it that I just can't take this sh*t sometimes. And if they take everything away from me it wouldn't f*cking matter. Artists be too concerned about their well-being sometimes. Artists be too scared to stand up for something. They scared to lose they f*cking house or they scared to lose their record deal. I sold my soul to the devil, I know it's a crappy deal/At least it came with a few toys like a Happy Meal." (Miss Info TV)
Various sites initially suggested Ye moved to India last month as a result of being ridiculed for his Video Music Awards incident during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech.
Rumor has it Kanye West is off to India to clear his mind. Just last week he canceled his ambitious "Fame Kills" tour with Lady Gaga. Now the troubled rapper has reportedly booked a month at Hindu guru Sri Aurobindo's ashram in Pondicherry, India. (Prefix Mag)
Kid Cudi previously vouched for Ye and denied rehab reports.
"All that's definitely false. I mean ... rehab for what? Being awesome?" Cudi said in an interview. "We talk every once in a while. Like I said, he's like a brother to me, I worry just as much as the next person, but when I say Kanye is cool, believe me, Kanye is OK. He's a strong dude. I mean, we've seen him grow from College Dropout to now...the things he's dealt with, the things he's been through. He's a strong dude...I didn't get his blessing or anything [to join Lady Gaga's tour], I just agreed because it'd be an honor. From what I heard, Kanye backed out from the tour because he wanted to work on something -- maybe a project -- or just wanted to take some time of." (MTV)
Yeezy recently landed a spot on Billboard's top producers over the past decade list.
Hot 100 Producers: 1. The Neptunes 2. Timbaland 3. Kanye West 4. Scott Storch 5. Will.i.am 6. Jonathan "Lil Jon" Smith 7. Stargate 8. Bryant-Michael Cox 9. Jermaine Dupri 10. Dr. Luke (Billboard Biz)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/kanye_west_explains_post-vma_hiatus_im_s.html
News: Trey Songz Takes On R. Kelly Comparisons, "I've Been Compared To Him Since My First Album"
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 5:40PM
Written by Rosario Harper
R&B singer Trey Songz has detailed the R. Kelly comparisons he often finds himself hearing and explained why he would want a collaboration with the soulful veteran.
Songz says he has been a fan of Kelly since his early days.
"Before I was even thinking to pursue music I would only listen to R. Kelly," he explained in an interview. "That comes from me studying his music. Sometimes our tones are similar and sometimes the inflections I make with my voice is something that he would do, just because it's my subconscious. And that's not something that I try to do, it's just something that is just there. To be compared to who I feel is the King of R&B has never been an insult. I've been compared to R. Kelly since my first album...[a collaboration,] most definitely. Now that would be a track worth 12 plays. Not sure if there is enough room for Trey, Kellz, and his mojo, though." (Honey Mag)
The singer recently addressed questions of whether or not he has been trying to beef with Kelly.
"It wasn't a beef," Trey smiled in an interview. "It was me telling R. Kelly to take the d*mn Auto-Tune off his voice, which he did on his album. His album is good. I'm trying to make sure I have an album out ASAP. I ain't gonna tell you how soon, though. It's not gonna be two years. I wanna use the same recipe I've been using. If anybody is added, it'll be for real purpose. I spoke to Pharrell. I told him I'm getting in, Timbaland as well -- both huge Virginian-grown producers. I definitely would love to work with them..." (MTV)
R.Kelly revealed his feelings about Songz's diss, "Death of Kells," last summer.
"When you're a king...I don't get into the challenges anymore," Kells told a panel of journalists. "What is an elephant gonna do when an ant or a fly lands on them? Those guys got some growing up to do. That's something I would have answered 20 years ago." (SOHH On The Scene)
Songz expressed his issues with Kells in a blog posting earlier this summer.
"When I heard Jay-Z's "Death of Autotune" my first thought was when will R. Kelly stop using it," he wrote. "The King of R&B with a autotune filled mixtape (not to mention a auto tuned "Double Up" album) disappoints me. If throwing rocks at the throne wakes up the King, consider them thrown. I just want R. Kelly back.." (SOHH Soulful)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/trey_songz_takes_on_r_kelly_comparisons.html
Exclusive: MTV "Fantasy Factory" Star Drama Preps Mixtape W/ Wale, Snoop & The Clipse, "Everyone Has Been Really Blown Away"
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 5:35PM
Written by Danica Dow
Chris "Drama" Pfaff of MTV's hit show "Fantasy Factory" is ready to make the move from reality TV to the music industry. SOHH caught up with the assistant turned producer to discuss his upcoming, star-studded mixtape.
Though he got his start as pro-skateboarder Rob Dyrdek's cousin/assistant on "Rob and Big," Drama is ready to release his music to the masses.
"Yeah the mixtape right now, at this point, is my main focus because I want to make sure that I get it out February at the latest. Its going to be very similar to how Pharrell did The Neptunes Present... Clones. It'll be all my production with all of these different artists... Right now we have Wale, the New Boyz, Snoop [Dogg]is going to do a record, Chris Brown is probably gonna do a record. We have the Cool Kids, Pac Div, Mike Posner, Big Sean, The Clipse. Those are the people that we have right now." (SOHH)
Drama knows that launching a music career is an uphill battle.
"I've been on TV for three years now calling myself Drama Beats and talking about music but they've never really heard any real music. It's almost like as a "reality TV star" people expect you to be wack. You kinda start with a little bit of an uphill battle. People might know who you are but they're gonna instantly expect you to be corny. It's just kinda that reality TV curse. To be honest, every single [artist] that has been in the studio has been shocked. Music really is my main thing, I spend more time on music than I do on filming the show. So, really everyone has been really blown away." (SOHH)
The young entrepreneur also recently launched a clothing line called "Young & Reckless" which has been worn by artists like 50 Cent.
So what are the kids wearing these days? Something called Young & Reckless, a tee line from Chris "Drama" Pfaff of MTV's "Rob & Big" and "Fantasy Factory" fame. His line may be called Young & Reckless, but the skater, DJ, music producer and entrepreneur is anything but. Ah, the energy of youth. Oh well, at least you can wear the T-shirts, which start at $20. (NBCMiami)
Earlier this year Rob Dyrdek teamed with Ludacris, and basketball player Carmelo Anthony to raise money with their signature TAG scents.
"Whoever's can sell more will go to the charity of their choice," Luda told SOHH. "Of course, you already know who is going to sell the most. There is no competition. I'm sure Carmelo's fragrance compared to mine probably smells like his foot. Rob's fragrance compared to mine probably smells like Big." (SOHH)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/mtv_fantasy_factory_star_drama_preps_mix.html
News: Redman Says Jay-Z Needs To Rep Big L, "Jay Need To Give That Sh*t Up"
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 3:40PM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
New Jersey rap veteran Redman has publicly reached out to Jay-Z and said he should begin paying more homage to the late rapper, Big L.
Redman said Jay should take a moment and inform fans of L's greatness.
"Big L man, y'all n*ggas is f*cking wildin'," Red said in an interview. "Yo Jay man, that n*gga Jay need to give that sh*t up to Big L anytime he's saying anything about man, doing them shows when he have Big Pun in there, he should have Big L up in that b*tch as well. I wanted to do all them on one song and just so happens Eminem gave me track." (Big Pun The Legacy: The Lost Files)
Prior to being fatally shot a decade ago, L was rumored to be signing with Jay's Roc-A-Fella Records.
Big L founded his own label, Flamboyant Entertainment, and released the classic street singles "Ebonics," "Size 'Em Up" and "Flamboyant." The enormous buzz garnered from the songs attracted the attention of Roc-A-Fella Records' Dame Dash and Jay-Z, and were in talks to sign Flamboyant Entertainment to the Def Jam giant. Unfortunately, Lamont was killed February 15th, 1999, just days away from signing the deal to make it official. (Hip Hop DX)
An upcoming documentary based on the rapper's life is reportedly in the works.
Produced by Dangerzone Films, the documentary will chronicle the life of the rapper with his rise in the music scene. It will show his early involvement as part of the group Children of the Corn, which was comprised of Mase, McGruff, Bloodshed and Cam'ron and then as a member of the D.I.T.C. collective. The story of Lamont Coleman will not just be about the rap game as it will feature rare stories and photographs of the fallen rapper which will be told through family, friends and those that associated themselves with him. The documentary will also give exclusive footage of Big L alongside the late Big Pun as they performed together on stage. (Hip Hop Wired)
The film also features multiple cameos and reflections on the rapper by the rapper's mother, close associates and friends.
"He would just battle anybody that came on the block," L's friend E-Cash says in the film's trailer. "I remember when he first started rapping, he was talking about how he was just trying to get in to the music business." (Street Struck)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/redman_says_jay-z_needs_to_rep_big_l_jay.html
News: UPDATE: Ashanti Stalker Convicted In Sex Text Case, Faces 2 Years In Prison
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 2:00PM
Written by Biz Jones
A man accused of stalking R&B singer Ashanti and her family has been convicted and faces two years behind bars.
Devar Hurd was found guilty of stalking in court yesterday (December 22) afternoon.
A would-be rapper was convicted Tuesday of harassing Ashanti's mother, Tina Douglas, with a flurry of dirty photos and lewd text messages about the Grammy Award-winning R&B star. Devar Hurd shook his head as a Manhattan jury delivered its verdict after two days of deliberations, finding him guilty of stalking and aggravated harassment for messages the singer's mother called scary and disgusting. Hurd, a sometime model and car salesman from Griffith, Ind., said he thought the crude messages, photos of his genitals and a picture of the home where Ashanti's family lives were welcome. The 31-year-old is being held without bail until his sentencing, set for Jan. 11. He faces up to two years in prison. His lawyer, Richard Verchick, left court without speaking to reporters and didn't immediately return a phone call afterward. (Associated Press)
According to Hurd, his lewd sex-based text messages and photos were not criminal.
Ashanti's mother, Tina Douglas, testified Hurd was a stranger who bombarded her with disgusting messages, though she told him to stop. She says he didn't. Defense attorney Richard Verchick said Hurd was misunderstood. "Sending pictures and texts is not a crime," he said. "The intent was never to harass Tina or Ashanti...What he wanted was what we all want in life -- love." (CBS News)
The convicted man allegedly sent over 30 inappropriate text messages to Ashanti.
Devar Hurd sent more than thirty lewd messages, in which he described pleasuring himself while thinking of the sultry singer and members of her family, including mom/manager Tina Douglas. Reportedly behind bars in lieu of paying up $50,000 in bail, sources say Devar Hurd is expected to go on trial as early as next week on misdemeanor charges of stalking and aggravated harassment. The lewd messages, which began in May, reached Ashanti's mother on numerous occasions, describing locations where the singer or her sister were present for rehearsals and other events. (Singers Room)
Details on the messages have also been exposed to the public.
In just his third text -- and between references to the superstar's upcoming appearances, and mentions of such Ashanti hits as "Girlfriend" and "So Over You" -- Hurd allegedly zips the mom a picture of a car belonging to her 29-year-old singer-actress daughter. "Shani baby I saw U parked yesterday when I showed up to the Wiz," he allegedly says in that text, from June, going on to graphically describe masturbating to a video of one of the star's concert performances. Cops say he ended that text by typing -- perhaps with just one thumb -- "Oh ashanti ashanti ashanti, yes baby woooo lol." (New York Post)
No further details have been revealed as of now.
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/update_ashanti_stalker_convicted_in_sex.html
Director Tackles Informant Controversy in New Film Five.K.One
Published Wednesday, December 23, 2009 2:00 PM
By: Ismael AbduSalaam
Veteran actor Clifton Powell and Bay Area emcee Yukmouth are among the ensemble cast of Dioncel “Donny” Armstrong’s film Five.K.One, which addresses a controversial informant law.
The movie takes its name from the federal sentencing mandate that gives more lenient sentencing to informants who have committed murder, robbery, or drug conspiracy.
The narrative follows best friends Tiger (rapper Forty Da Great) and Remo (Melvin Jackson, Jr of The Wire), who form the street crew Self Made Bosses (SMB), specializing in drugs, murder, and money.
The organization’s problems begin due to a federal indictment, and Remo’s desire to go legitimate and focus on family life.
Clifton Powell plays the role of a nightclub owner in debt to the SMB, while Yukmouth takes the character of a vicious hitman.
A veteran entertainment entrepreneur who launched his career with the popular independent project Street Life: The Documentary, Armstrong’s inspiration for the film derives from witnessing the federal informant laws effects of urban communities around the country.
“The whole 5K1 snitch [law], nobody ever told it like it is in this movie, how easy it is for a person that’s a snitch to commit all types of crimes and still get off,” Armstrong told AllHipHop.com. “I wanted to tell that side of the story, so this film really tells it without the people pressuring me to change [it]. Soon as I sent it out to distributors and they wanted me to change things like the ending, I decided right then and there to go independent.”
Ironically, the film’s star Forty da Great is in incarcerated due to information provided under the 5K1 law. Armstrong also revealed how he narrowly avoided the same fate before his transition into entertainment.
“My man Forty da Great who is the star of the movie is incarcerated right now because of the same law. Somebody snitched on him and it’s crazy and shows how real it is. This happened before the movie was even shot,” Armstrong detailed. “People need to take responsibility for what they are doing. If 5 people are out there committing crimes together and everyone gets caught, all of them should go to jail. But if only one gets caught, he or she has to understand that they have to go because they got caught. I’m not in the street game, but I’m a product of it. All my family was in it, but I just found something [positive] to do. My years in the street only caused me grief. The person who snitched on me just so happened to not show up in court so I was blessed. I put a little piece of that in the film to show how easy it is for someone to make up a story to the police and have it believed.”
With artists such as Forty da Great and Yukmouth playing significant roles, Five.K.One is a film with direct ties to Hip-Hop music.
Regarding distribution, Armstrong plans to involve overlooked outlets such as barbershops and clothing stores, by allowing them to share profits of the film by advertising at their businesses.
Five.K.One debuts January 19, 2010, and will be accompanied by a soundtrack, and behind the scenes book. For more information, visit www.fivekone.com.
From AllHipHop.com
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/12/23/22075183.aspx
Bizzy Bone & DJ Quik To Bring In New Years, BTNH Album Pushes To March
12.23.09 | by Slav Kandyba
Bone Thugs N Harmony's Bizzy Bone has joined forces with super-producer DJ Quik for a New Year's Eve celebration at the Key Club on Hollywood's Sunset Strip, he told HipHopDX.com Tuesday.
The event, which will be broadcast live via pay-per-view, is sponsored by Los Angeles radio station KDAY. The pay-per-view feed is expected to cost about $2.
"We getting everybody cleared up, and they can look it up on my website. Me in the limo, everybody poppin' bottles, Quik and his family," Bizzy to HipHopDX.
\Quik and Bizzy are celebrating more than the new year: the two have recently went into the lab to create music.
"I went over to Quik's house, to his mansion up on the hill, and we recorded some records together," Bizzy said. "He's a great artist and a personal friend of mine."
At this time, Bizzy is also busy with his Bone brothers. Their new album, Uni5: the World's Enemy, has a new release date of March 2, 2010, according to Bizzy.
Aware of the hiatus of the group as the full-fledged, five-member unit that Eazy E introduced to the world, Bizzy addressed the collective's relevance in the current music marketplace head on.
"Soon as Flesh got out, we recorded 50 songs, some with Interscope, some with Warner Bros. We decided to roll with Warner Bros.," Bizzy said. "It's out of a want to be together and put some music out. It's not a desperation album. It's an album to pattern the people for the next decade."
Confirmed guest appearances include Game, DJ Quik and Chamillionaire.
In addition to Uni5: The World's Enemy, fans of Bizzy's unique vocalized raps can look forward something more avant-garde from the artist: a solo Rock record, which he said will be out April 20.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10330/title.bizzy-bone-dj-quik-to-bring-in-new-years-btnh-album-pushes-to-march
U-N-I To Formally Release A Love Supreme 2.0 in 2010
12.23.09 | by Andres Tardio
With the new year almost upon us, it seems more and more artists are unveiling their plans for the new year. U-N-I is slated to release A Love Supreme 2.0 in early 2010. The group is also set to release a DVD to go with the music, all via London Live.
A Love Supreme was given away for free via download in 2009 but 2.0 will provide five new songs and appearances from Bun B and Evidence. According to a press release "a number of reworked tracks" will also be included.
The DVD will contain six music videos, behind the scenes footage and a documentary following the crew.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10329/title.u-n-i-to-formally-release-a-love-supreme-20-in-2010
News: Kid Cudi's "How To Make It In America" HBO Series Air Date Revealed
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 12:40PM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Details on Kid Cudi's upcoming "How To Make It In America" HBO television series have emerged and show the rapper's cable debut will air in February.
According to reports, rapper-turned-actor Mark Wahlberg is behind the new series.
If you're like me then you've been f*cking with HBO programming since The Corner (remember that) all the way to The Sopranos,The Wire, Oz, Sex & The City (not afraid to admit it one bit), Curb Your Enthusiasm & Entourage. Now Mark Whalberg who created Entourage brings us it's East Coast counterpart How To Make it In America about a group of 20 somethings trying to achieve "the American dream" while living in hipster central Downtown Manhattan and stars none other than racial profiling's recent victim Kid CuDi and one of my favorite actors Luis Guzman along with some white boys. Airs Valentine's Day 2010. Next up on HBO, Irv Gotti's 160 Varrick about the old Def Jam. (Ice Dot Com)
Cudi previously spoke on wanting to place his focus on the upcoming series.
"It was important to me early on to branch away from music and actually do something outside my comfort zone. When we were developing my character with the writers, I was telling them, 'Man, I don't want to be anything that has to do with music,' just because that's not really acting." (The Boom Box)
He also hinted at his character's role in the upcoming series.
"I have a lead role," Cudi said in an interview. "My character's name is Domingo Dean. I actually named my character after both of my brothers - Dean, who lives in Phoenix, being one of them, and Domingo. My character's kind of the comic relief. He's really witty - a hopeless romantic but a player at the same time." (AZ Central)
Details on the show emerged online earlier this year.
Rapper Kid Cudi is launching an acting career - the hip-hip star is teaming up with Mark Wahlberg for a new TV show. Cudi has signed up to appear in the series "How To Make It In America," a new comedy which will be produced by Wahlberg and the team behind his hit show "Entourage." Cudi admits he has always wanted to try acting, but insists he will not be giving up his music any time soon. (Star Pulse)
"How To Make It In America" is set to air Tuesday, February 16th, 2010.
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/kid_cudis_how_to_make_it_in_america_hbo.html
News: Bow Wow Blasts UK Radio Host Over Rented Lambo Questions, "This N*gga Tim Westwood Always Trying Stir Up Sh*t"
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 12:00PM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Cash Money Records' Bow Wow has lashed at radio personality Tim Westwood for recently asking Soulja Boy Tell Em if his Lamborghini was rented.
Writing via Twitter, Bow Wow took a few jabs at the United Kingdom radio veteran.
"I agree with @50cent," Bow Wow wrote. "This n*gga tim westood always try n sturr up sh*t. then when he interview me its gone be a diff story. cm ym FACT: TIM Never question a maf*ka who got money. i been making money since i was in huggies bro. i should be asking you if u rent sh*t." (Bow Wow's Twitter)
Speaking with Soulja Boy, Tim asked the rapper if their past beef was over.
"Will he ever work with Bow Wow again," Tim read from a question sheet to Soulja Boy. "Was his Lamborghinis rented? They looked like leases to me. I'm not saying there's a problem [between you two] but they do look like leases. As opposed to your Lambo which you paid for. Paid cash? Paid cash! Now do you change the color of your Lambo?" (Tim Westwood TV)
Soulja Boy previously went head-to-head with Bow Wow before squashing their beef earlier this year.
First starting over their alleged "Lambos" claiming each others are leased or rented, then later saying they wanted to race. Things went to the next level when Soulja Boy said Bow Wow's album was garbage and he would leak it to which Bow Wow said Soulja Boy is only in rap because of him. Soulja Boy then released a video explaining how the beef went from friendly to disrepectful then later Bow Wow called Soulja Boy and the two young rappers made up. (Rap Basement)
Earlier this month, Bow Wow said fans should not always take his Twitter messages serious.
"Promoters think im stupid? They think ima get on 5 passanger jet? Flyin 6hrs to da a show? F*** outta here. Stop wakn people up wit dumbness," he wrote over the week. "My problem is im too nice to folk in the industry. Im always doing things for others i forget to think "what i wana do" im thinkn bout me! By me not having no dad i will make mistakes When yall see me say stupid sh*t i dont mean it. Understand im teaching my self how 2 be a man Thats the dark cloud dats over me everyday. Be 23 yrs old. No man neva taught me how to treat women, nothing. Ill grow jus takes time 100 zz Wished err body took da chance to really f*ck wit me or get to know me for they wana hate ona young brother tryna get by in this crazy world." (Bow Wow's Twitter)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2009/12/bow_wow_blasts_uk_radio_host_over_lambo.html
Keith Murray Returns From AIDS Africa Mission; Discusses Trip
Published Wednesday, December 23, 2009 12:30 PM
By Grouchy Greg Watkins
Rapper Keith Murray recently returned to the United States after a trip to Mozambique in Africa, where the rapper was raising awareness about the plight of children with HIV/AIDS.
Keith Murray took up the cause of HIV/AIDS awareness after losing his mother to the deadly disease when he was just 20-years-old.
Three years later, he also lost his older sister to the disease. "My trip to Mozambique was a very emotional and inspirational experience," Keith Murray told AllHipHop.com. "This is my third trip to Africa but this journey was much different because of the cause. I wanted to help my kids to appreciate the simple things in life and to be generous to others. We can be so ungrateful here in the states."
The rapper hosted a number of concerts, in addition to making public appearances and engaging in charity work in the country's capital, Maputo.
According to statistics 16 percent of Mozambique's 20 million residents live with HIV/AIDS. Of that number, 510,000 are orphan children who suffer from the disease.
"I met young kids with AIDS that don’t know their parents or their own names that smile and appreciate when you give them a hug and a handshake," Murray continued. "I was the first person with some type of notoriety to visit them and they said I may be the only person that would ever come see them again. It was a humbling experience and it changed my life. I no longer take the simple things in life for granted."
Now that he is stateside again the rapper is hard at work recording his 8th entitled solo album, in addition to promoting a new album The Undergods with rapper Canibus.
From AllHipHop.com
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/12/23/22074931.aspx
