Self-proclaimed
gangster Styles P. of The Lox plans to exhibit a gentler, more conscious side
by expanding his lyrical material for his upcoming sophomore album Time
Is Money, the Yonkers-bred rapper announced. "This album, I didn’t
want to be as street as I usually am," Styles told MTV.com. "Before,
I was more wild. I’m trying to be more grown, I’m trying to go deeper. I don’t
want to be classified for the same thing all the time." Styles’ tentative
first single is the Alchemist-produced "I’m Black," which Styles said
examines the often neglected experience of being black in society. "Sometimes
people forget about who they are and where they came from," Styles said.
"Whatever happens, I’m black. I’m being conscious nowadays, being in the
position I’m in to give consciousness to the kids." That said, Styles collaborates
with the ever-conscious Talib Kweli on a song that speaks to "the first
generation of crack babies," according to Styles. Havoc and Scott Storch
also lend production to the album, expected to release in March 2005.
Mos Def, recognized
by many hip-hop heads as a promising actor, is getting nods from the Golden
Globe Awards, which honors achievements in
film and television. The lyricist is nominated for "Best Performance
by an Actor in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television"
for his role in the HBO series, "Something the Lord Made."
Mos Def played a black carpenter-turned-lab technician who along with a white
surgeon, disregarded the racially segregated Jim Crow Laws of the South. Both
also made vast innovations in the field of heart surgery. The
Golden Globes, to air January 16, 2005, are often seen as a measure of the leading
nominees for Hollywood’s prestigious Academy Awards.
Eminem’s
studio will go on sale for 30 days via the Internet auction site EBAY Wednesday
(Dec. 15). The multi-platinum rapper recorded his
1997 hit single, "My Name Is" off his debut album, The Slim Shady
LP in the 700-square-foot studio located in Ferndale, Detroit. "The
recording studio is still intact, but the equipment is not part of the sale,"
said David Giltner, senior vice president of the real estate company Grubb &
Ellis, listing the property for sale. "It’s in great shape and was recently
renovated." Producer A.J. Abdullah, who owns the building (The Bassment)
where the studio is located, helped Eminem record The Slim Shady LP and is reportedly
selling the space because he doesn’t spend much time there.
The minimum bid is $215,000 on EBAY.
Hip-hop stars were
honored in a highly unusual fashion, as the popular video game "Grand Theft
Auto: San9 Andreas" picked up four awards, including "Game of the Year,"
at Spike TV’s second annual Video Game Awards Tuesday (Dec. 14). The game features
the voices of some of hip-hop’s finest. West Coast rapper MC Eiht plays the
lead character Ryder in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," and the soundtrack
includes Eiht’s group Compton’s Most Wanted, Tupac, and Eric B and Rakim. Eiht
previously commented that the success of the "Grand Theft Auto" video
game would be significant for hip-hop by introducing the culture to a wider
audience. "It’s another experience that people get to indulge in, especially
[since] it incorporates hip-hop and one of their favorite rappers who represents
the "hood,’" Eiht said. "It will help open the door of hip-hop
to expand to a whole new era." The gaming industry is increasingly becoming
the fourth major entertainment business next to movies, music and TV. Atlanta-based
rapper Ludacris also performed at the awards.
