Gucci Mane To Be Released Next Week
May 07, 2010 11:05:00 AM CDT | by Danielle Harling
A number of sources including Billboard.com have reported that Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane will be released from Atlanta’s Fulton County jail next week, May 12. A release next week means the rapper only served about half of his year long prison sentence.
Gucci was sentenced to a year in prison after violating the terms of his probation late last year.
Aside from the news of Gucci’s release next week it was also revealed that the rapper would be severing ties with management company Mizay Entertainment and booking agency Hitt Afta Hitt Enterprises although Hitt Afta Hitt recently shared with AllHipHop.com that they have not received any official word about Gucci’s departure from the company.
“While it is being widely reported that my booking agency Hitt Afta Hitt is no longer working with Gucci Mane, I have yet to receive any type of correspondence from Gucci, the label or anyone else that supports that,” Hitt Afta Hitt’s Johnnie Cabbell told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “I have known and worked with Gucci for over a decade. I have seen his career grow from being a local phenomenon into a household name and I feel like I helped play a minor role in his success.”
Although Gucci has yet to be released from prison he’s already booked for one the season's biggest music events, HOT97’s Summer Jam. Summer Jam will take place at New Jersey's the Meadowlands Sports Complex on June 6.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11204/title.gucci-mane-to-be-released-next-week
Eminem Receives "Artist Of The Decade" Soundscan Award
May 06, 2010 11:05:00 AM CDT | by Slava Kuperstein
It's no secret that Eminem is one of the top-selling rap acts of all time. But fans might be surprised to know that Slim Shady was, in fact, the top-selling act in all of music in the 2000s - surpassing pop acts like N' Sync, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
Recently, Eminem was awarded the Nielsen SoundScan "Artist of the Decade Award," which recognized him for having sales exceeding 32 million units domestically (worldwide, his sales are approximated to be near 80 million). The award was presented to the multi-platinum rapper by Nielsen Entertainment President Eric Weinberg and Nielsen Entertainment's Retail Relations Vice President Chris Muratore.
2000's The Marshall Mathers LP and 2002's The Eminem Show were each certified diamond, meaning over 10 million records sold domestically. 2004's Encore sold over seven million, while 2005's greatest hits album Curtain Call nearly reached double platinum status. 2009's Relapse managed to hit platinum before the decade ended as well.
In addition, Eminem was part of other high-selling projects which did not count towards his tally as a solo artist, including two platinum D12 albums in 2001's Devil's Night and 2004's D12 World. Other platinum releases included Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture 8 Mile, and Eminem Presents: The Re-Up.
Below is a picture of Eminem receiving the award. Left to right: Jimmy Iovine (Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records), Dr. Dre, Eric Weinberg (President, Nielsen Entertainment), Eminem’s manager Paul Rosenberg (back row), Chris Muratore (VP, Retail Relations, Nielsen Entertainment), Eminem, Steve Berman (Vice Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records). Berman was featured in a number of skits on Eminem albums (Marshall Mathers LP, Devil's Night, Eminem Show, Relapse) as a cantankerous album executive.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11189/title.eminem-receives-artist-of-the-decade-soundscan-award
News: Drake's "Thank Me Later" Cover Art Revealed
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 10:56PM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Young Money rapper Drake's Thank Me Later album cover art has reportedly debuted online tonight.
Drizzy is featured on the album cover with a 3-D-like image of himself.
I just spoke to Oliver and yes, this is the one. Wait until you see the whole album's packaging, it'll make sense. Also, the tracklisting will be published very soon. How soon? Don't ask - but I must say that it is looking very promising though. Thank Me Later drops on Tuesday June 15th 2010. (Team Supreme Music)
Rap veteran Nas recently spoke on Drake's decision to delay his highly-anticipated debut through June.
"I think a lot of things that's messed up is if you come out with a record, brand new, and it blows up too big, that could be the worst thing that ever happens to you," Nas explained in an interview. "I think there's a lot of new cats coming out that's not just blowing up but they're taking their time. Like, we're waiting on the Drake first album, Drake's album still hasn't dropped. It should be dropping any day now but that's a great thing that it probably didn't come out last year. He waited, he got into a zone, I think that was smart. So it's a lot going on that I'm happy about." ("The Los Angeles Leakers")
Hitmaker Timbaland, however, questioned whether Drake should have waited nearly a year to drop his debut.
"I don't know, when all the hype was there, [people] were like 'Oh' but now you know how this world is," Tim told radiohost/actor Nick Cannon explained about the changing popularity of artists. "They get it and then pull you down. I don't know [if delaying the album was good]. Time will tell when he drops, when he do drop his album. We don't know right now. I can't tell you." (92.3 Now)
Last month, Drake talked about remaining relevant in hip-hop.
"I think between myself and Lil Wayne, we make timeless music," Drake explained in an interview. "So I know it'll last for a while and when the time is right, I'll definitely go back into acting, it's a passion of mine...I'm still learning, my vulnerability and my music is key. And that's what's gonna keep me humble and keep me grounded and keep me proud to be here, grateful to be here, proud to be Canadian, all those things. I think it's so important to me...I think my music is very personal, I think I say things in my music that mean a lot to me but to a certain audience, it's not what they want to hear." (Vancouver Observer)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2010/05/drakes_thank_me_later_cover_art_revealed.html
Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 5/3/2010
May 05, 2010 08:05:00 AM CDT | by Allen Jacobs
A new Rap release finally reclaimed the #1 spot last week. Albeit a strongly Pop-influenced album, B.o.B. Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray marks the eclipse of a five-year journey for the Georgia emcee, singer and songwriter. His Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records album features a broad spectrum of influence, genre and guests ranging from Eminem to Lupe Fiasco to Playboy Tre. The 21 year-old's debut sold an impressive 80,000 units, and places the onetime Jim Jonsin protege in the spotlight among his peers.
Further down the charts, Usher, Monica and Ludacris also repped hard for the '90s Atlanta alumni. Respectively, Raymond v. Raymond, Still Standing and Battle of the Sexes ranged between the #6 and #20 spot, as they've done for well over a month.
The Black Eyed Peas and The E.N.D. owned the #16 spot yet again. This week, the group took the crown for all-time single digital sales, with this album's cut, "I Gotta Feeling," a popular 2009 hit.
* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)
Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
1
B.o.B.
The Adventures of Bobby Ray
84,000
85,000
6
Usher
Raymond v. Raymond
48,000
586,000
16
Black Eyed Peas
The E.N.D.
20,000
2,476,000
19
Monica
Still Standing
18,000
374,000
20
Ludacris
Battle of the Sexes
17,000
373,000
Cypress Hill's first group album in six years, Rise Up, fell over 50 places from last week's Top 20 debut. The trio (along with percussionist Eric Bobo) released the album on the revamped Priority Records, boasting collaboration with Pete Rock and Pitbull.
Gucci Mane's retail mixtape, Burrrprint [2] HD cracked 30,000 units sold. The DJ Holiday-hosted, Brick Squad 1017 release made a Top 20 debut last week, and features Nicki Minaj, Yo Gotti, Rocko and OJ Da Juiceman. This release marks Gucci's departure from his former business team and original So Icey Entertainment imprint.
Wu-Tang Clan member trio Ghostface Killah, Method Man & Raekwon's Wu-Massacre slipped to #156. The critically-praised collaboration was released on the Def Jam imprint, and boasts production from Scram Jones and RZA. Another Rap veteran, E-40, still maintained two releases on the Top 200 (at #190 and #191) respectively, with his EMI-released Revenue Retrievin' companion set.
Devin The Dude's first album with E1 Entertainment, Suite #420, hung on at #198, still short of 10,000 units sold. The HipHopDX-acclaimed release features various members of Devin's Odd Squad and Coughee Brothaz, as well as some production from longtime Rap-A-Lot Records-era collaborator Mike Dean.
Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
72
Cypress Hill
Rise Up
6,800
25,000
88
Gucci Mane
Burrrprint [2] HD
5,800
34,000
156
Method Man, Ghostface Killah & Raekwon Wu Massacre 3,400
64,000
190
E-40
Revenue Retrievin: Night Shift
2,600
26,000
198
Devin The Dude
Suite #420
2,500
8,700
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11182/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-5-3-2010
Diddy Hits Rikers To Visit Lil Wayne
Sunday, May 02, 2010 12:53 PM
By Mike Winslow
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs hit Rikers Island earlier in the week to visit jailed rapper Lil Wayne.
According to the New York Daily News, Combs hopped the bus to Rikers to visit Lil Wayne on Wednesday (April 28th) at the Eric M. Taylor correctional facility.
Diddy, who was on a pre-approved list, met with Lil Wayne for about an hour at the prison.
Despite being incarcerated for the next eight months for gun possession, Lil Wayne continues to make headlines in the media.
Last week, Amelia Negron, a prison guard at Rikers Island, announced that she was filing a federal lawsuit against the Department of Corrections, after she was allegedly fired for spying on the rapper, while he was visiting a guest.
From AllHipHop.com
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/05/02/22199745.aspx
Young Jeezy's Thug Motivation 103 Gets June 22 Release Date
May 02, 2010 04:05:00 PM CDT | by Slava Kuperstein
Young Jeezy's long-awaited Thug Motivation 103 finally has a release date.
According to rap-up.com, the spiritual successor to Thug Motivation 102 will join the crowded release date of June 22, which sees releases from Eminem with Recovery, Diddy with Last Train to Paris, and The-Dream's Love King.
In related news, Jeezy's Don Cannon-hosted mixtape Trap or Die II: By Any Means Necessary is expected on Tuesday (May 4).
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11161/title.young-jeezys-thug-motivation-103-gets-june-22-release-date
News: Glasses Malone Addresses Ice Cube Beef Rumors, "As Much As Them Old N*ggas Hate Me, They Respect My Motherf*cking Mind!"
Saturday, May 1, 2010 4:08PM
Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Cash Money Records' Glasses Malone has addressed recent speculation of trying to spark an Ice Cube beef on Twitter today and said he has always paid homage to rap veterans.
From Malone's perspective, Cube has been going after him and West Coast rapper Jay Rock.
"What kills me is how some of the OGS talk sh*t in the press but when the see me face to face.. give me props and say they understand," he wrote. "It aint no beef!!! I see these n*ggas sometimes!! Its all love! yet they slander a n*gga to the blogs! Yet they hate to the DJS Of course they dont wanna see a n*gga like me get it!!! When is the last time they helped a n*gga get it!! Truth is I never asked for Ice Cube's help!!! Not one time!! I never dissed that N*gga either... Get Yo Facts St8!! I'mma REAL ONE ... I heard they said we aint paid dues!! Aint that a b*tch!! I gave up the trap for this sh*t! To have a bunch of n*ggas block me!! ... Ice Cube throws shots at me and Rock in a mag interview!! But I paid homage at the VIP when I met him!!! All these oG n*ggas i see um and pay my respects!!!! yet they get on some bullsh*t with a n*gga!!!! All you other n*ggas who use to push New West can suck OG d*ck all you want!! U aint gon get nuthin, but C*m on your shirt! Cuz as much as them old n*ggas hate me, they respect my muthaf*ckin MIND!!!" (Glasses Malone's Twitter)
Last March, Glasses said he did not have any problems with Ice Cube.
"I've always stated that I've never had personal problems with Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. Snoop Dogg is one of my favorite rappers and Ice Cube influenced my style. You can hear Ice Cube in my style. I don't think it was ever an issue of me not liking or disrespecting them but I am a competitive dude and I come up under their reign of competitive nature. The veterans are very competitive with each other. Naturally I come in to this business as a competitor, especially if that artist is not responsible for my career. I want to be as dope as Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube, damn it. I didn't get in to this business to be below anybody. That competitive nature on the microphone tends to make me an outcast." (All Hip Hop)
Jay Rock also explained taking the defensive approach when reading recent "New West" comments made by Cube.
"I felt without him saying who he was talking about, that was a slap in the face of all the rappers in L.A. that's been grindin' hard and it confused a lot of fans because they don't know who he talking about and what's going on behind the scenes," he explained in an interview. "Let me clear this up for all the IceCube d*ck riders who feelings got hurt... I'm really a Cube fan and I know he paved the way for n*ggas like me. In my comments I never dissed him. I'm not looking for no attention in that way. I'm on the cover of XXL right now and I've been in every other magazine out. I've had videos on BET and MTV so attention is not what I'm looking for from this. To be real, it's the same thing he was on when he was coming up. Sh*t, the name of his group was 'N*ggas With Attitude.' They spoke up on whatever they was feeling. So why is it so wrong when I say something?" (XXL Mag)
Cube, writing via a blog entry, called out the emergence of certain new West Coast emcees earlier this year.
"What's up with these local MC's in L.A. who keep disrespecting me? They're just mad cause I don't f*ck with they wack-a**," he wrote. "They ain't on my level, why should I waste my time. I don't even remember ever meeting these clowns or even being in the same room with any of 'em. They can't make a name for themselves so they need help from the O/G's. I refuse the throw'em a life line. F*ck'em. It ain't my job to make nobody famous. And for the record, I ain't scared of no n*gga. Especially, no rappers....seriously people." (Ice Cube's Blog)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2010/05/glasses_malone_addresses_ice_cube_beef_r.html
