Back in the early 2000s, when New York City rapper Saigon was signed to Atlantic Records, he used to spit about the ills of street life.
His songs were on the radio and videos were played on hot cable shows like Rap City.
However, 20 plus years later — as a man with more experience — he is a lot more critical of some people’s (and businesses’) decision to celebrate gun and booty clapping in spaces where young people might hear witness it.
The former “Love & Hip Hop: New York” cast member took to social media to blast people on TikTok for transforming the safe space for kids to a free OnlyFans knock-off.
In the image of the post he wrote, “I’m convinced at this rate, 10 years they’ll be airing p### on PBS.”
“We took Tik Tol(sp) from kids and made it a twerk/@ss clapping application,” Saigon lamented.
He then noted that he felt bad that he had to delete his daughter’s account because she has no clue about the dangers the app promotes. Saigon also claims that as a community we lack the “leadership” and “courage” needed to stop people from making the internet the “New Rome.”
He said, “Everybody ran and seen Cardi run and turn off the WAP song when her young daughter walked in the room, and it’s her song… She gets it…”
“Meanwhile Emmis Communications/Radio One etc pump the songs into millions of listeners on Urban Stations a day,” he continued in his caption. “Not Adult Contemporary s###. The s### the kids are into.”
“This overtly sexual society is like they new Rome… Thats why something as natural as sex, (which is how we all got here) can be manipulated and made to be.”
Saigon’s beef with TikTok’s content comes as rapper Erica Banks’ “Buss It” challenge has gone viral.
Some low down dirty thieves victimized rapper Vic Mensa on New Year’s Eve, and the rap star is not happy about it.
According to Vic, burglars ransacked his non-profit foundation SaveMoneySaveLife and made off with all of the donated inventory.
“We were set up and someone brought a truck to our Southside Chicago location and cleaned us out of over $40,000 worth of brand new shoes,” Vic Mensa revealed in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6qXhYlkY8/
Vic Mensa founded SaveMoneySaveLife in 2018 to help those in need in his hometown of Chicago.
According to Vic, the nonprofit has given out hundreds of thousands of pounds in food, over $50,000 worth of sneakers, and valuable PPE supplies since locked down to start it over the spread of the coronavirus in March of 2020.
But, that goodwill and his charitable efforts meant nothing to the cold-hearted thieves, who had no problem stealing items that were supposed to be for charitable purposes.
So far, no arrests have been made.
Vic is asking his fans to help SaveMoneySaveLife restock its inventory with new donations.
“Ain’t That DJChose over there?!” Once you hear this female voice, you automatically know the record is a banger.
DJ Chose embodies the definition of someone with an ear for good music, having produced endless hits including NBA Youngboy’s “No Smoke,” Kevin Gates “Time 4 That,” PnB Rock’s “Horses,” Megan Thee Stallion’s “Thick” (Remix)”, and more recently Fredo Bang’s “Top.”
Getting his start as a rapper in high school before shifting to making beats, real name Norman Payne hails from a small town outside of Houston called Brookshire, Texas, which inspired his group Brookgang. Speaking on his journey thus far, he states, “It feels good. It took me long enough, so it all paid off.”
While the name DJ Chose may allude to the fact that DJing might be his main passion, he merely views it as a source of income. With his talents and skillsets in the songwriter and producer roles, Chose remains hungry as ever — a role model to anyone with hopes of making it in the music industry.
AllHipHop: How was ringing in the New Year with a sold-out show in Gary, Indiana?
DJ Chose: It was lit. My sh-t been crazy lately, it’s a blessing to actually see how things can change when you work hard.
AllHipHop: How long would you say the grind has been?
DJ Chose: Oowee, I don’t want to tell everybody because if they’ve just now found out about me, then they’re going to try to do the math. But it’s been a while. [laughs]
AllHipHop: I feel like if anything, it would be motivating.
DJ Chose: Nah in 2021, people aren’t like that. They want to hear how you woke up one day and was famous. That’s the most interesting story, for sure. Everybody that’s successful these days, it almost looks like they just became that way or they were born that way. Me and you do, but most people don’t want to hear about the girl who had to workout to get a big booty. They want to see the girl who went and got surgery. I like the girl who works out, you feel me? I like the girl who had pudge and lost weight versus the girl who got abs by surgery. It’s the same way with music and musicians, it’s something about the person who became famous. A lot of the rappers who grinded hard get overlooked anyway. It’s a way to look at it.
AllHipHop: What were your dreams and aspirations coming up?
DJ Chose: I always was a rapper first. I always wanted to be an artist. Not really I wanted to be a rapper, I wanted to be someone who could influence and speak my mind. It was more about me being able to have a voice, not really a rapper in a sense. But rapping was a way I knew I could have a voice.
AllHipHop: Who were you listening to?
DJ Chose: Ja Rule’s my favorite artist, for sure. I’m f-cking with Ja.
AllHipHop: Favorite Ja Rule song?
DJ Chose: Probably “Always On Time,” honestly.
AllHipHop: How often are you playing that in your sets?
DJ Chose: If I’m DJing in the club and I’m going in, I might rarely play it. It’ll be after I know I got ‘em where I want ‘em, but not really. That’s for me in the car with somebody I really like type s###.
AllHipHop: What made you switch from rapping to production?
DJ Chose: I started making beats when I was 17 because I couldn’t afford beats, so I had to make them myself. [I taught myself through] Youtube, I was looking at tutorials. I had a hunger for it, so I had to figure it out.
AllHipHop: Someone asked, how long have you been DJing?
DJ Chose: Since my senior year of high school.
AllHipHop: What do you feel when you DJ?
DJ Chose: DJing to me was always a job. I’m passionate about music, so I love everything within it. DJing to me was always that one thing I knew I could make money off of, I could market and promote myself as well as other people that I got love for. I don’t think DJing was ever one of those things I had to be or I had amazing love for. When I DJ, unless the party’s crazy, sometimes I be ready to go. But I know how to DJ real good, nobody would know I feel that way.
AllHipHop: So it pays the bills?
DJ Chose: Yeah it’s something that paid the bills that I loved, that‘s also helping me get to my other goal. I often tell rappers when they want to be rappers, to find something within rap that you love because you gon’ end up making a lot of money off of that on the way up. For me, I could’ve been a DJ that worked at Kroger. I didn’t want to bag groceries so of course, I’m finna learn how to DJ and learn how to do this.
AllHipHop: Did you used to work at Kroger?
DJ Chose: Yeah, I used to work at Kroger’s. I worked at Kroger from 16 to 17, then I started selling cars. When I used to sell cars, I got good. I’d made my first $10K selling cars. After that, I got fired. America’s economy was f-cked up, it wasn’t no cars selling. They had to lay people off.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
DJ Chose: I feel like God chose me. I don’t say much, but if you really, really pay attention to me, you’ll notice sometimes I’ll pop out and say some real sh-t. I’m getting to the point now where I’m learning to speak my mind. Because I’m DJ Chose, God chose me. Sometimes, I can’t go with the way the world is. The world always be on some hype, some gas. Sometimes I’ve got to pop out and let you know how I really feel. Sometimes the way I feel is the way most people should feel.
AllHipHop: Who’s the female voice on “Ain’t That DJ Chose Over There”?
DJ Chose: That’s this girl I met in college, we got the same last name. I was working on a mixtape called Shakeback, she came to my crib with her friend and they did this drop for us. But we never used it, we used it one time. When my sh-t started popping, man I got to make the drop say “ain’t that DJ Chose over there?” Because at first, it said “ain’t that Brook Gang over there?” which is my old record label’s name. We switched it and ever since then, it’s been a win for me.
AllHipHop: What is Brook Gang & where’d the name come from?
DJ Chose: They’re my bros. Before I was owning that I wanted to be a rapper, I was producing and making songs for them. It was easier to be a crew back then. We didn’t have a lot of money, but when we put it all together, we had a lot of money.
AllHipHop: Fondest memories from the “Pop Dat” days?
DJ Chose: Man, we used to throw the biggest parties. Classic, that was the times. Them days made me who I am. Always. It’s a lot, too much to speak on.
AllHipHop: You can’t give us one crazy night in the club?
DJ Chose: I got some head in the bathroom, while I was DJing. I threw on a song, I went in the restroom and busted in 5 minutes. The song was 7 minutes.
AllHipHop: Favorite song you produced before Megan Thee Stallion’s “Thick”?
DJ Chose: One of my favorite songs right now that I produced is “Top” by Fredo [Bang]. Not going to lie, “Top” has to be one of the beats I’m most proud of. When I hear that beat come on, it does something to me. Damn, I made that beat?
AllHipHop: How did you and Fredo Bang link?
DJ Chose: That ngga Fredo DMed me a while back, he’s a real ngga. When he hit me at first, I was kind of scared to work with him. Forreal because of all of the bullsh-t. He’s tied in the streets heavy, the other people I work with are tied in the streets. None of these n*ggas like each other. I didn’t want to be in a crossfire because I heard Fredo was a real big stepper. I thought he was trying to set me up at the time. I responded to the DM, but it was more a thank you. I didn’t really hit him back with nothing else.
Finally, I realized I was overthinking it. He’s a real nggaa. After that, we started talking. I ended up flying to Miami to work with him. When I pulled up on him, he was still this gangster guy, the street ngga — but he still had that family orientation to him. We didn’t miss no meals, food was catered in the studio, sh-t you don’t expect from a street ngga. Damn, this ngga solid. We had talked and I realized that yeah he’s gangsta, but he’s got two sides. He’s a real n*gga and a real person.
AllHipHop: Did y’all think that song would take off the way it did?
DJ Chose: We’ve got a lot of songs that took off, but yeah. Every time we record something, we know it’s hard. It’s more about how the fans are going to perceive it sometimes, you’ve gotta let it do what it do.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIyn_lilYrm/
AllHipHop: Bring us back to when you were in the living room with Megan The Stallion making beats.
DJ Chose: Megan was family. Before anybody knew Megan, she always had talent. She knew she was a star. I knew she was a star, that’s why I hopped on it so early. Everything she is now, I don’t know this version of Megan like everybody does. I only know the quiet Megan, y’all know Megan as Cognac Queen Megan. I know Megan with no alcohol, sober, but was asking “Chose, could you go get some Hennessy?” At the time, I didn’t have it in the studio because I only drunk on the weekends. I know the sober Megan, I know the Megan that didn’t twerk. I knew Megan before she used to twerk.
AllHipHop: Way before Tina Snow?
DJ Chose: It was even before that, because one thing she and her mom would pride herself on was she didn’t have to twerk. She was the best rapper without having to twerk. I know the Megan that people don’t know today.
AllHipHop: She said whenever you hit her, she got you. How does that loyalty feel?
DJ Chose: It feels good to know all my hard work paid off. Even with artists like Fredo and Kevin Gates, it feels good to know “hey, them beats and that time I spent focusing on your career, now that I got a career, you’ll show me some love from time to time.”
AllHipHop: What did you do for Kevin Gates?
DJ Chose: I did “Time For That”, I did “Face Down,” I did “Money Long,” “Ain’t Too Hard.” My favorite is “Time For That” though. I perform that when I perform because it’s a big part of my life. That song changed my life.
AllHipHop: How did you tap in with these Baton Rouge artists?
DJ Chose: I feel like I’m the BR key. I’m the glue in BR. Them n*ggas aren’t going to ever get along, but as far as some hits, I’m sort of the glue. With what I’ve been through and my energy when I make beats, and what they say on them, it’s almost always going to be a hit.
AllHipHop: Were you always this confident?
DJ Chose: Hell nah, I had to work here. That’s why I say when n*ggas ask “how long you’ve been doing this?” Sh-t, I’ve been doing this since I was shot g########.
AllHipHop: What was the creative process behind remixing Megan Thee Stallion’s “THICK”?
DJ Chose: She called me like, “I’ma send you a verse.” I’m like “whatever, you lying.” [laughs] I said “you’re too busy,” because she’s been busy. She’s so busy that I don’t even ask for sh-t no more, but she did it so I knew it was up.
AllHipHop: What’s the hardest thing to adjust now that you’re gaining more recognition?
DJ Chose: You gotta watch what you say, you gotta watch what you do. We’re in a world where people take anything and turn it into fake news. I gotta watch what I do, watch what I say. You’ve damn near got to watch who you support and how you support them. Motherf-ckers try to tie you in with other people’s personal life. Man, what they’re doing on their own time really doesn’t bother me. I’m cool with who I am and I know who I am, so don’t ever try to confuse me with the next person. It be weird.
AllHipHop: What are the pros?
DJ Chose: All this money. I didn’t used to have no money, I used to be broke. Getting all the money really changed my life and my family’s life, so that’s a pro.
AlHipHop: What do you do for self-care?
DJ Chose: If I didn’t have this interview, I was supposed to go get a massage and a facial today. I need a facial because I’m hating these marks when my face breaks out.
AllHipHop: How was working with “Let Me Find Out” with Tyga? Is there a video coming?
DJ Chose: I sent him some songs and some hooks, he said “I want that.” He put a verse on it, he said “I want to put it out.” Alright bet, just like that. He called me randomly, I’m like “who this?” He said “Tyga.” Damn, that’s lit. Artists don’t do that sh-t. Artists be real Hollywood, so when you find an artist who’s not Hollywood, that sh-t be a blessing.
AllHipHop: That was on his tape right?
DJ Chose: Yeah, I think he’s about to re-put it out top of the year. He should be dropping it soon on all platforms.
AllHipHop: Highlight from working with him?
DJ Chose: Sh-t, nothing really because of COVID. We ain’t really linked up or nothing, i’s been FaceTimes and general conversation.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next music-wise?
DJ Chose: I’ve got a song that’s about to come out on the 22nd, my next single. It’s featuring somebody very, very big. I’ma just say 1017, featuring the legendary. January 22nd, I’ll be back for more.
AllHipHop: For the VERZUZ, you had Gucci or Jeezy?
DJ Chose: Uh, definitely had Jeezy. I like Jeezy. I f-ck with Jeezy. I like Jeezy’s inspiration, he’s very inspirational. I used to love his albums, they used to make me go harder back in the day.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
DJ Chose: Man if I’m having it my way, I need some bad with me. I need some Don Julio or even some Malibu, or even some Crown Apple. They my 3 bottles, but I don’t need them in the studio. I can’t remember the last time I had a drink in the studio. I don’t even really drink like that unless it’s the club. Other than that, I need some good food and some fruit. That’s about all, and some water.
AllHipHop: What kind of food?
DJ Chose: If I’m in LA, I like Love Baked. Whatever that is, that’s good. I be eating that Love Baked. Usually some chicken. I like chicken, like chicken strips because you can’t go wrong with that. Plus, I don’t really eat a lot of pasta because I’m trying to get my abs back. N*gga’s trying to be sexy, ya feel me?
AllHipHop: Are you working out? Who are you bumping when you’re working out?
DJ Chose: Yeah, I’m back working out twice a day. Who am I jamming? I’m jamming ET, the hip hop preacher. Eric Thomas, he’s a motivational speaker.
AllHipHop: Goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?
DJ Chose: I want to see $100 million in the next 3 years.
AllHipHop: One thing you’re excited for for 2021?
DJ Chose: My birthday, February 15th. I’m an Aquarius. They say we’re toxic, but it’s only because we got this thing where when we’re focused on what we’re focused on — if you’re not able to handle that, we could easily forget about you. That’s so serious. If I’m talking to a chick and she’s like “what you doing today?” I say “nothing,” she says “come see me” and she’s 30 minutes away — but today I wanted to sit in the studio and work, I already cancelled that out. I’m not getting the f-ck up to come see you, I’m working today. If you want to involve yourself in my life, then you can come. As far as me coming to you and forgetting about what I need to do for you and your carelessness, nah. I’m not driving 30 minutes away to go out to eat with you. It wasn’t a part of my day, so I’m not f-cking with it.
AllHipHop: Do you have criteria when it comes to girls?
DJ Chose: I like my women beautiful. It’s more about… definitely looks, definitely the inside. Most people think I like these big, humongous a####. I like any. It’s really about who you are to yourself. I done talked to thick women, I done talked to slim women. I done had relationships with bigger women. All of them have got their own perks, I guess it’s all about how well-rounded you are.
AllHipHop: What drives you to be successful?
DJ Chose: I used to think about this trailer house I used to stay in. I always think about the poverty, of course. Now, I still think about that. When I’m working on songs, sometimes I think about being in that cold ass trailer house with no heat. We had a summer where we had no air. A lot of that sh-t crosses my mind, it makes me work harder because it’s bigger than just me now. Now it’s about my kids’ kids, it’s about a couple more generations. I know my kids are good whenever I have them, but I need to make sure that their kids and their kids after that… I need to make sure the sh-t’s generational.
AllHipHop: Anything else you’d like to let us know?
DJ Chose: I’m finna drop an appreciation version of “THICK. I’m finna drop a “THICK” video this week. My last one got shadowbanned, it got 2 million views on Youtube. A lot of people don’t think I’ve got a video to “THICK.” The original had a video, it just got shadow banned because it was real ratchet. They had on clothes, but it was ratchet. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to shoot a cool version of “THICK” that wasn’t so ratchet. I’ma shoot it and drop it, I’m thuggin’.
AllHipHop: How’s the independent grind?
DJ Chose: It feels good, I ain’t got to answer to nobody. I make my own money, spend my own money. I get to see my chicks, so I love it.
Azealia Banks may have pulled her weirdest stunt to date with a bizarre video involving her dead cat.
The video, which has been since deleted, featured Azealia digging up her dead cat Lucifer with her friend. Azealia bought the cat in 2009, and unfortunately, her pet must have died in 2020.
The rapper and her companion pulled a dirt-covered bag out of the ground containing the cat’s dead body. Azealia Banks eventually took the cat to a house where they boiled the carcass, in an attempt to bring the dead kitty back to life.
“Lucifer 2009 – 2020. My Dear kitty. Thank you for everything. A legend. An icon…” she wrote in a since-deleted post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ8r5xZAAkO/
The horrifying video shocked users on Instagram and the posts were immediately deleted from her stories feed after pushback from her followers.
The disturbing video involving her cat is the latest stunt pulled by the “212” rapper.
Mary J. Blige celebrated her 50th birthday on Monday (January 11th) with a virtual party featuring famous friends including Missy Elliott, Common, and Gabrielle Union.
The all-day “surprise birthday bash” also saw gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard sing Happy Birthday, while Blige’s nearest and dearest took the time to leave messages for the birthday girl.
“Happy birthday, dearest darling Mary. I am so glad I get to live in a time and space where you exist… I am beyond thrilled that I have had moments to share the soft side of you and the exuberant side of you as well,” Angela Bassett said.
While Common added: “You’re looking more beautiful, more vibrant, more in your greatness. You’re an inspiration. You’ve always been one of my favorite artists, and people I’ve gotten to connect with, in this whole business. And I always crushed on you when I was younger — when we were younger … You’re the queen.”
Meanwhile, Mary marked her big day by taking to Instagram to share pictures from a recent photoshoot, in which she showed off her incredible figure in a barely-there gold bikini.
“HAPPY BDAY TO THE QUEEN OF ALL QUEENS @therealmaryjblige I LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY ROYAL EMPRESS,” Busta Rhymes commented on the post, while Tamar Braxton added: “I love you with my entire heart. hbd (happy birthday).”
Black Thought is almost assuredly crazy. He may not admit it, but he has operated at the highest zeniths of creative genius more consistently, over time, than most of his peers. Producer Sean C is admittedly in a different space now, owning the fact he has morphed into an another being since his days as a founding member of DJ legends The Executioners. Both otherworldly goats generously give their creative keys in this AllHipHop interview with Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur. The pair talk everything from the benefits of sobriety to Elvis as an unwitting influence.
AllHipHop:You look happy [Black Thought] You got a glow, man.
Black Thought: Thanks, Chuck. I’m about two years sober. I think that makes a difference. Sometimes I forget. I’m like, what are people talking about? For all of 2019 and 2020, no alcohol, no smoke, none. Now, if I could just, you know, knock these cakes and cookies out. My only vice right now is the bakery.
I would go cold turkey at the top of every year for quite a few years now. And it stopped presenting a challenge for me. So just to try and challenge myself a little bit more at the top of 2019… just like let me see if I could go you know, sort of past June. I would go up until May/June every year. So I said “you know, it’s most tricky to make it through the summer. And then through, you know, holiday season everybody’s birthdays. And I did it and then you know, I turned around and in December it will be two years.
AllHipHop: Did the pandemic help?
Black Thought: The pandemic put the pressure on. I was definitely close to folding. My wife she keeps “the good” and she’s not on the same type time.
AllHipHop: Y’all came together for Streams of Thought, this is the third installment. It’s interesting, because you’re in Oregon [Sean C], and you’re in 30 Rock and sober for two years? Every time you talk about rappers, first of all, you got to be in the city. And you got to be smoking or drinking. But this a project. It’s so intense, it’s heavy. How did how did these things factor and what was your creative process, you know, and coming together?
Black Thought: Off the top for me, I’m able to better compartmentalize, whatever it is that I have to do. I can keep more plates in the rotation. Multiple irons in the fire, the more lucid I am.. So being sober has helped for the year so that I was dug in pre COVID. Since the pandemic, I feel like I’m sort of went into into overdrive, creatively. The output it’s been outstanding.
We grew up in a studio, Sean, and myself, and probably you too for our youths, and the formative stage, the developmental stages of our career. For all intents and purposes, the studio was our church. So it took some getting used to, it was like a leap of faith to abandon the brick and mortar. And it was something that I considered for quite some time. But just being forced to make something out of nothing. I wasn’t able to leave the crib, I had to sort of just get my setup going at home.
I just been super productive man since definitely, since February, March. But before then, I’ve been able to sort say this, one particular thing that I’m thinking or working on or writing is for something super specific. And for however, the amount of time that I’m carving out to deal with it, I could deal with it and then in this sort of move on. I’ve been working on a musical, writing a play and composing arranging for that joint for a few years now as well for like the past five years or so. So I think that the some of the conditioning came from that, being able to sort of pivot between disciplines, you know.
AllHipHop: Before I ask Sean, the next question, I got to talk about the play. I’m sure saw the Hamilton success. Did that help at all? In developing this play you are working on?
Black Thought: The success of Hamilton, just the, the possibilities that Hamilton sort of presented, you know to me, as far as the expansion of my horizon and my appreciation for musical theater, and musicals specifically. And, you know, just what that potential was. Had it not been for Hamilton my only point of reference would have been, “West Side Story and Grease.” Those are classics.
But if you get into anything where the dialogue is rap, it’s always been an immediate sort of, turn off for me, and I just shut down. Because I mean, people have attempted and it hasn’t been resonate with me, I’m not gonna say what someone did was bad or good. It had yet to resonate with me, personally, before Hamilton. So the fact that we got to executive produce two albums for Hamilton, one that just went, like, seven times platinum, won awards,, just my association with that project, it was a blessing to watch it sort of come to fruition from this small Off Broadway thing, to history that was made.
That definitely added fuel to the fire. Hamilton is where I sort of set the bar. I set out to create something that was going to be as dope as Hamilton or better. Hamilton became the bar. My show, which is called “Black No More,” were associated with the Hamilton project in some way shape before as well. So it’s been a blessing.
AllHipHop: Do you have a concept for it?
Black Thought: It’s, it’s an afro futurist satire. It’s set in Harlem in 1929, going into 1930. It’s a love story, hilarity and drama and tragedy. Imagine if someone created a machine that for $50, could, turn black people white.That’s what takes place and this during the Harlem Renaissance, with the depression looming. It is based on a novel that was written by George Schuler, and it came out in 1932.
AllHipHop: Sean, give us some history on yourself and also how it is to work with Black Thought on this project in relationship to the other artists and the other greats that you’ve dealt with?
Sean C.: It was really easy, man, we’ve known each other for so long that it wasn’t. The task for me was to just try to figure out how am I going to scope this to make this stand out and make this different? Or make it have its own life. That was more so the tasks that I had in mind, and the responsibility I took. I’ve worked with Jay Z, multiple times, myself and LB producing American Gangster and the songs on that album, I also worked on Jay’s first record as an A&R. I’ve always worked with artists that have had a vision that is different than what you would say the “ordinary” rapper would, would be speaking about, the place that he’s coming from, or had extraordinary skill. So I’ve been blessed with that, as far as throughout throughout my career. So I always look at how the projects could be even more could speak as a as a total thought. From dead prez and making sure that their vision was was translated correctly and it will be palatable to as many people as possible. I think, a lot of artists get pigeonholed and people look at them a certain way.
AllHipHop: Did you set up that Jay-Z / dead prez situation?
Sean C.: I actually didn’t. What’s what’s interesting about that, is before Jay-Z, Nas was supposed to be on that album. Nas was looked at as this forward thinker, pro black positive person. Jay-Z was always looked at as the hustling dude. But for me, I already know everyone’s minds. We all come from similar places. Jay was the one that ended up being on the record and not Nas.
AllHipHop:How did you guys link up? Like, how did this project come to life? Was it in the studio together? Were you sending tracks back and forth? What was the process?
Sean C.: The first one that we did was “Thought Versus Everybody.” That’s the very first song that we did. I called him after I heard the Flex freestyle just to give[love], to show him love. And after that, we got in the studio, We were supposed to start at 3:00. Tariq was there at 2:57. By five 3:15, 3:20, he was in the booth already.
AllHipHop: Tariq, you rap like a man possessed. What’s driving you right now at this point? I mean, this illustrious career and these lyrics.
Black Thought: I am kind of possessed, you know. And for me, the the drive is, is passion. I do it for us. The Chuck Creekmurs, the Sean C.’s, the RZA, GZA, people who are cut from the same cloth, from the same sort of graduating class who appreciate a similar aesthetic, the people who made me want to do what it is that I do. And the people who got in the game around the time that I got in the game. Everybody didn’t stand the test of time. So, for those of us who still here, I feel like it’s a bigger responsibility than ever.
Back in the 90s, early aughts, it was a bunch of people popping, it was a broad spectrum of like to sort of choose from of what we consider Hip-Hop. And that type of artist, that feel of production, and writing and delivery is far, far more few and just further between. So I just feel it my responsibility while it’s still me, while I can still do it. And while I know I’m continuing to just get better. If we still improve, and then we might as well put it out, because this is for us. What I’m looking for, what I’m checking for the music that’s going to move me and resonate with me, it’s not a lot of people putting that out. So if I’m able to set that example, then that what I’m doing. It does inspire some of the younger artists and show them how it’s done. And it’s like a wake up call for a lot of these young cats. It gets them on the deen in a different way, like, over beats, with bars. So that’s why I do it.
AllHipHop: Did you guys ever consider bringing it down a little bit ever? Cause production wise, it’s it’s really complex too.
Sean C.: I mean, that’s not even a thought turning anything down. It’s just what feels right. I do what I do. And Tariq’s the perfect person. We see things like-minded, as far as sonically. We can talk about old Hip-Hop records and the compensation won’t be lost. I don’t think there was ever a thought for myself production wise, that we need to dumb it down. We are not trying to fit in, we’re being creative, what we like and what we feel is pushing it forward more than anything. We’re not trying to fit in. We’re not trying to go back.
Black Thought: Now. Okay, good. Now, I was just gonna say, yeah, everything. It came to be in an organic sort of way. Like it was no, and that’s what I appreciate about the way you know, that Shawn and I work together is some, you know, stuff just comes out. You know, I mean, just supernaturally There’s not a lot of, you know, after thought and, you know, thinking about the way it’s gonna be received or any of that. It’s like, you know, this is a natural representation of, you know, who he and I are, as artists, and you know, as, as, as a, you know, pillars of this this community, this thing that we call Hip-Hop. Um, so, yeah, no, I would never thought about dumbing it down to fit in. And because this, you know, was the perfect fit. This is us. And I think what resonates the most with folks, you know, people can identify with the truth, you know, what I mean, and, you know, it’s easy to smell a fake. So for me to write, I mean, like, Sean could do production, that’s more on par with some of the sparse sounding, you know, music that that’s currently trending, or some of the newest stuff and, and I could rap, you know, and however, but, you know, that’s, that’s, it’s not gonna be me So I think, what is most important, especially at this stage of the game, like when you don’t have anything to prove, man, you just got to remain true to yourself. So it’s something that’s very authentic and organic.
AllHipHop: Okay, what? What do you think about the Hip-Hop landscape in general right now? I don’t actually don’t have a problem with it, you know, what I’m saying? My daughter and I, we have some real dope, Hip-Hop conversations. She likes a Lil Durk. And I just, you know, sometimes I make fun of it. Just jokingly, like, my dad used to do with me, with James Brown and Hip-Hop at the time. But, how are you? And what’s your relationship with your seeds and everything.
Black Thought: You know, me and my daughter have a similar relationship. And, you know, like, I checked for what she’s listening for, what she’s listening to. And often, it’s the same stuff that, you know, sort of cutting through that I appreciate every now and then the sudden that I just don’t get but you know, I realized that I’m I’m not supposed to understand that. When I was a freshman in high school, 49/50 year-old [people] wasn’t on the same type time.
But just this morning, I was dropping her off to school this morning, and asked if she wanted to DJ. And she was like, “nah, nah.” “You don’t wanna hear whatI am listening to [daughter says] Yeah, I’m listening to Kanye’s album.” I said, “Well, you know, play that, like, that’s my guy.” So she put the joint on and I think it was the Ye album. I hadn’t heard it. Yeah. And, um, you know, she, she started going through the joints and certain stuff, I just wasn’t feeling. It was like, I felt like [Kanye] had phoned it in on this joint, or, you know, it didn’t feel super authentic on another joint. But then we got to this one song that I was feeling. It was a joint called “Ghost Town, with a feature in Party Next Door. And when my daughter said, you know, this was the one on the album that. she was checking for this is, when she was gonna play it. So we have a similar aesthetic.
AllHipHop: Sean, how you feel about the game right now?
Sean C: I mean, some of the feelings man it’s, it’s, I don’t I never want to be the “do what my mother did when I was playing” adult. You know, cutting [DJ’ing] in my room and she was like, “What is that [noise]”? You know, if I forgot to do something or I was messing up in school, she would say, ‘If it had something to with that [noisy Hip-Hop], you would know.” The generations after us are supposed to say the generation before them doesn’t know what they’re talking about. You know, that’s part of how culture moves, and especially Hip-Hop. I remember playing Welcome To The Terrordome – which was like one of my favorite records ever from Public Enemy. And I remember playing it for my son in the car. He was like, “Dad, this is trash.” I was broke, broke my heart, you know what I mean? But I realized that, you know, at that time, it didn’t speak to him, you know what I mean? It’s generational.
AllHipHop: By the way, my daughter just met Chuck D the other day last week. Yeah, over Zoom. But yeah, she always knows Chuck. So can each of you name an unlikely influence? Somebody we might not know. That influenced impacted your life.
Black Thought: Hmm. You know, a, some of my earliest influences were I’m James Brown and Elvis Presley. And, you know, the first music that really made me want to create music and go out and sing or form a group get some other kids together and try was Doo Wop music. Yo would see just who was working the hardest on stage. Right? You know, James Brown was the hardest working man in show business. And then, you know, just Elvis Presley. Just his aesthetic, you know, I’m just that down south-ness, the flashiness. You know, what I mean, like the pageantry, Liberace-ness of just how he presented himself. Elvis, for all intent and purposes was a great, great pretender. He took what Black people in Memphis was doing, and [ran with it]. Elvis Presley and James Brown performances, always really just moved me in a certain way. And then when I, you know, started singing, which I did before I rap.
AllHipHop: Sean, what are your unlikely influences?
Sean C: Muhammad Ali would be one just because like, when I was a DJ, I, you know, I’m a pretty laid back dude. Like, you know, as an adult, but as a teenager, I was, you know, we had this we had the crew, the X-men, which eventually turned into The Executioners. I was one of the founding members. And we will battle all through Harlem, and battled people in Queens, but watching Muhammad Ali, I may have just grabbed [his] whole persona of like, “No one’s better than me. No one’s better than us.” And, and just that confidence of talking sh#t. Like, I used to just talk so much sh#t all the time.
Black Thought: Anybody I would want to battle with, I mean, I feel like we’ve already had that sort of meeting of the minds. People that, if I should we shared the stage with, we jump on the on on a joint together. This that unspoken, sometimes unspoken, sometimes..it is more definitive. But it’s always a competition.
I don’t have anything to prove it at this stage of the game, at this point in my career. And you know, you know, quite honestly, just what the Verzuz brand is based on, it’s never been my twist. I never gave a f### about selling records or about having the hit or, you know, popular music or any of that. It’s always been about bars for me and content and, you know, socio-political commentary, the same message, like what I rap about and how I rap how I do it. None of that is new to me.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will not accept the Presidential Medal Of Freedom this week as scheduled. Belichick declined the chance to receive the honor from lame-duck President Donald Trump.
The 6-time Super Bowl champion made the decision after last Wednesday’s failed coup attempt by Trump supporters. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, died as a result of the pro-Trump rioters storming the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers were in the process of certifying President-Elect Joe Biden’s 2020 Electoral College victory.
Recently, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients. Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award. Above all, I am an American citizen with great reverence for our nation’s values, freedom and democracy. I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team. One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through the great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions. Continuing those efforts while remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award.
There is mounting pressure for the U.S. House of Representatives to impeach and the U.S. Senate to convict Trump of inciting an insurrection. Right before the riots, the president gave an incendiary speech to his MAGA crowd that many Americans believe inflamed a mob and put the lives of Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, members of Congress, and law enforcement in danger.
Belichick is a self-professed longtime friend of Donald Trump. In 2016, he said, “Our friendship goes back many years. Anybody who spends more than five minutes with me knows I’m not a political person. My comments are not politically motivated. I have a friendship and loyalty to Donald.”
Several celebrities were able to turn their time on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop into a prosperous entertainment career. Cardi B is likely the standout success story from the LHH franchise as she went from being a relatively unknown internet star to being a global superstar.
Well, it turns out, Cardi’s eventual “WAP” collaborator also tried to be on Love & Hip Hop at one point. VH1 released Megan Thee Stallion’s audition tape for the show as part of the network’s #LHHUnlocked series.
“It’s Megan Thee Stallion, aka Young Tina Snow, aka the H-Town Hottie. I’m from Houston Texas, and I’m just the best female rapper that’s popping right now,” said Meg in the video. “And on top of that, I’m a full-time college student, okay.”
Did y'all know @theestallion was ALMOST a Love and Hip Hop alum?
The southern spitter also predicted her rise to stardom. She forecasted, “Megan is gonna become a household name. When you’re talking about those popping rappers, I’m going to be in that conversation.”
LHH cast members then reacted to the Megan Thee Stallion clip. Sukihana of Love & Hip Hop: Miami, who made a cameo appearance in “WAP” with Meg and Cardi, told VH1, “That is everything. Y’all fumbled the bag. Y’all should’ve put her on the show.”
Meg went on to be one of the hottest rappers of 2020. She earned two #1 singles on the Hot 100 chart (“WAP” and “Savage Remix” featuring Beyoncé) and four Grammy nominations last year. Plus, the 25-year-old Good News album creator has graced the cover of magazines such as Time, GQ, Marie Claire, and Paper.
Before his tragic death in November 2020, Dayvon Daquan Bennett dropped his debut studio album in October. The Chicago rhymer, better known as King Von, captivated an audience with Welcome to O’Block.
Now the opening track from the Welcome to O’Block project has an official music video. King Von’s estate published the visuals for “Armed & Dangerous” on YouTube.
The Jerry Production-directed MV features King Von as he recalls his experiences in prison. “Armed & Dangerous” shows the late 26-year-old rapper reflecting on moments from his life like losing his favorite uncle while he was locked up.
Von’s team plans to continue to roll out additional Welcome To O’Block content. Fans of the Only the Family Entertainment representative can look forward to more unreleased music, videos, and interviews that Von completed during his life.
The 30th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards were held yesterday in New York City. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom star Chadwick Boseman was honored with the Actor Tribute.
Boseman passed away on August 20, 2020, from complications related to colon cancer. The South Carolina native’s widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the Gotham Award on his behalf.
Chadwick Boseman’s widow cries as she accepts a Gotham award in his honor. “Chad, thank you,” says Simone Boseman. “Keep shining your light on us.” pic.twitter.com/jQidx0Yp6c
“It is my honor to receive this award on behalf of my husband. An acknowledgment not only of his profound work but of his impact on this industry and this world,” said Ledward. “Chad, thank you. I love you. I am so proud of you. Keep shining your light on us.”
Boseman was also nominated for Best Actor for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the Independent Filmmaker Project-presented ceremony. Riz Ahmed won that award for his performance in Sound of Metal.
Besides playing Levee in Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Boseman’s filmography contains turns in 42, Draft Day, Get on Up, Captain America: Civil War, Marshall, Black Panther, 21 Bridges, Da 5 Bloods, and other motion pictures. The Howard University graduate also worked on television and in the theater.
Last month, AllHipHop.com reported that a street in New York City was being renamed after Big Pun. The 1990s-era rapper born Christopher Lee Rios is being immortalized in his hometown.
The official location of Big Pun Plaza has been revealed. According to the late emcee’s verified Instagram account, the honorific dedication will be located at Grand Concourse and Fordham Rd in The Bronx.
“It’s a Legendary Moment in our History and EVERYONE is invited! Day of event WILL [BE] CONFIRMED SOON,” reads a caption on the @officialbigpun IG page. A separate @bigpunplaza account was also set up to provide more information in the future.
Big Pun was one of the most celebrated rap stars to emerge on the national stage in the late 90s. He released his Grammy-nominated debut studio album, Capital Punishment, in 1998 to widespread critical acclaim.
Rios passed away on February 7, 2000, at the age of 28. The posthumous Big Pun project, Yeeeah Baby, arrived in April of that year. Both of his studio LPs are certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Many Hip Hop musicians and fans are sending out thoughts and prayers for Andre “Dr. Dre” Young. The legendary music producer was recently hospitalized after suffering a brain aneurysm.
Reports came out yesterday that said Dre was “resting comfortably” at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s ICU as he recovers. Fellow West Coast rap legend Ice-T took to Twitter to give another update.
“I just talked to the homie @drdre. He’s doing good and hopefully he’ll be home soon… But let’s keep him in our prayers. [Folded hands emoji] For a full recovery,” tweeted Ice-T on Monday afternoon.
Last week, Dr. Dre’s Instagram account posted, “Thanks to my family, friends, and fans for their interest and well wishes. I’m doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team. I will be out of the hospital and back home soon.”
I just talked to the homie @drdre He’s doing good and hopefully he’ll be home soon.. But let’s keep him in our prayers. 🙏 For a full recovery. pic.twitter.com/dA5Nhk7rNN
Jackboy, a well-known rapper associated with Kodak Black, just celebrated a pretty big legal victory.
The rapper’s power lawyer Brad Cohen, who also reps Kodak, took to Instagram to celebrate the dismissal of a felony robbery case filed against Jackboy.
According to documents obtained by AllHipHop, the Sniper Gang rapper was accused of living up to his name during an incident inside of the Fort Lauderdale International Airport on September 23rd, 2020.
An unidentified victim said he arrived in Fort Lauderdale on a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, and when he exited the baggage claim area around 9:00 p.m three men were waiting for him.
The males approached, surrounded him, and said “you’re on the wrong side of town.” The three men beat the victim up during the disturbance and broke his finger, busted his lip, and gave him bruises to his head face, and jaw.
One of the men, who was later identified as Jackboy, stole the victim’s black steel suitcase and hopped into a Cadillac Escalade. The victim gave chase, and one of the occupants tossed the suitcase out into the street as the SUV sped off.
Jackboy Beats Felony Case
Jackboy Beats Felony Case
Jackboy Beats Felony Case
The victim revealed Jackboy was one of the perpetrators. The rap star, born Pierre Delince, was eventually arrested and released on a $50,000 bond.
In October of 2020, the cops contacted the victim and gave him a photo lineup in an attempt to identify the attackers. Fortunately for Jackboy, the victim said he could not identify his attacker since the whole altercation happened so fast.
“The victim further explained he had lost consciousness and sustained injuries from the attack,” according to a police report.
Jackboy beat a charge of robbery with no firearm or weapon, and earlier this week his $50,000 was discharged and voided.
Originally hailing from Virginia, moving through New York, and finding his way to Atlanta, the rising rapper paints a vivid picture of his upbringing in the streets, turning a negative into a positive regardless of the circumstances.
Jay5 describes himself as “a youngin’ from Atlanta trying to stay in his own lane. I’m for the people, that’s the best way to put it. I put myself last in all situations.”
Having grown up with the global superstar Lil Baby, Jay5 is directly inspired and motivated by his come up — giving him the reassurance that if Baby could do it, he could too. Mixing his Southern Trap influence with autotune, Jay5 made his mark with his debut project Super Turnt, hailing the fan-favorite “Super Turnt” featuring Rylo Rodriguez.
With his newest offering, the 5 EP, Jay 5 unveils 3 new tracks paying homage to his best friend who was killed last year.
AllHipHop: You say you put yourself last in all situations, why is that?
Jay5: It’s because I got depression problems, so sometimes I don’t really be caring about me. I get a joy out of seeing other people happy, at least the ones I care about. If I don’t know you, f### you. But the people I care about, my happiness can only lie within seeing them happy. If everybody around me is sad, I’m sad. I’ma be sad regardless, but seeing other people, it makes my days a little bit better.
AllHipHop: I struggle with mental health as well. What sparked your depression?
Jay5: My best friend got killed in front of me. I had got out of prison in July, he got killed in September. I was 21, so 5 years ago. S### just gone bad, putting trust in wrong people. That’s the best way to explain it, he had his trust in the wrong people. They killed him, somebody he thought he knew. That’s life though.
AllHipHop: How long were you in prison for?
Jay5: 2 years, I got charged with robbery. I was 19 when I went to prison.
AllHipHop: What did you learn from behind bars?
Jay5: Mind your own business. Don’t get in nobody else’s business. You see people in there… snitching became real big on the internet now. I’m not going to do a crime that I know I can’t spend the time for. That’s how people end up snitching in predicaments, because they do stuff that they might not know what the repercussions are. If I knew doing this crime can get me 2 to 3 years, I know I can go sit down for 2 or 3 years without taking it like a man even if somebody else is with me and I get caught, that’s a chance I take. That’s that. I learned if you can’t be responsible for yourself and for what you do as a man, leave that alone. One thing about it, it’ll catch up with you.
AllHipHop: At what point did you realize you could do music for a living?
Jay5: When I got out of prison, 3.5 to 4 years ago. I had some of the bros, I tried to fake be their manager. I already knew a lot of rappers in Atlanta, a lot of people. I used to hang with QC so I tried to put my face on their body. They used to be lazy so I figured I’d give it a shot myself. I know I’ma put the work ethic in.
AllHipHop: Who or what made you want to rap?
Jay5: I ain’t never want to be no rapper. I still don’t want to be no rapper, to be honest. I told you I got depression so I be anti-social. I ain’t really like people being in your business all the time, I’m not really into that. The money that you can gain is what I’m into chasing. I ain’t really chasing the whole being a rapper, I’m trying to get rich. That’s my only motivation, the money.
AllHipHop: You were getting money in the streets though?
Jay5: Yeah, but it’s a different type of money though. The money that money comes with, it can’t create generational wealth. You can’t create generational wealth out the streets, unless you’re going to depend on your kids being in the streets and I didn’t plan on them ever being in the streets.
AllHipHop: Was it easy for you to pick up?
Jay5: It wasn’t easy. I’m in the studio right now, but I ain’t rap in 2 weeks. I’m like damn man, is this s### really for me? I asked myself that everyday. It definitely ain’t easy for sure.
AllHipHop: Talk about the grind and the work and the time effort that you’re putting into it.
Jay5: Like anything else in the world: if you don’t grind, you don’t eat. Point blank period. There’s 1,000 good rappers out there, there’s millions, you got to find a way to separate yourself. There are millions of people who rap in the world. People think “oh if I make a hit, then I’ma blow up.” You know how many people got hits, but ain’t never blew up? It’s not about that, it’s about doing stuff with the music. The music is 30% of the battle. Making some good music, everybody can do that nowadays. It’s about having a plan with the music, the grind is what’s going to get you going. Music gon’ keep you there. As long as you can constantly produce good music, it’s gon’ keep you in the limelight. But the grind is what’s going to get you where you want to be.
AllHipHop: How does music help you cope mentally?
Jay5: It helps me sometimes. People who have depression might feel like they don’t got nobody to talk to, it’s like I’m talking to somebody without talking to somebody.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
Jay5: Nothing because I don’t be doing no drugs, I don’t drink. I be comfortable. I got to be fly because the type of music I make, I be poppin’ it. I got to have money too, I gotta have money on me so I could feel good about myself. I’ve got to be fly. I might put the money in my hand, I got to feel good about myself. I need something to feel good about me, to be able to make the type of music I want to be able to make.
AllHipHop: You released Super Turnt in November. What’s one thing you want fans to get from that project?
Jay5: Be turnt, whatever you do. When I say turnt, turnt can be in so many different ways. Turnt isn’t just having money because everybody isn’t going to have money. You can be able to lead a group of people with having no money. If you’re an influence and they trust your word, they gon’ believe that we’re all about to get some money. You can have no money and tell them “I have no money,” but if you follow my plan, I’ll lead us to the will. Be super turnt! Be the guy or gal that everybody wants to follow. Don’t try to fall into what you see everybody on the internet doing, be turnt in your own way. It ain’t no definition of turnt. Turnt isn’t having money. If you’re a manager over at the whole Kroger, you still turnt. Your nametag still gonna say Kroger, but I’m manager over there. I tell everybody in the store what to do, I’m still turnt. I’m the only one in the building who could be on their phone on the floor. JBe turnt however which way you are.
AllHipHop: How was working with Rylo on the project?
Jay5: I f### with Rylo, that’s one of Lil Baby’s artists. Lil Baby one of my best friends so that’s how I met Rylo, through Lil Baby. I didn’t even like the song “Super Turnt” at first. I don’t really listen to my own music. I’m not one of them self-built people that get in the car… some rappers say “I only listen to myself.” I ain’t on that. One day we’re at the studio, I told him “I need you to get on something for my tape for me.” He said “alright, play me something.” I played him a couple songs and that’s the one he chose.
AllHipHop: You’ve known Lil Baby for 10 years so you saw him come up from the beginning. How was that?
Jay5: Hell yeah, motivational. In the world, envy be so real. A lot of people will probably feel a certain type of way if they see they mans come up, but it’s motivation to me. Something that can be done.
AllHipHop: How did y’all meet initially?
Jay5: We had another mutual friend named Neil. Free Neil, he locked up right now. We locked in. You know, real nggas f### with real nggas. Since the first day we met, we have been locked up ever since. When the new blue $100 bills came out, I was in prison. The first time I ever seen a blue $100 bill, he showed it to me and gave me one.
AllHipHop: That’s crazy!
Jay5: I’m used to do that stuff. When he went to prison, he had his first child when he was in prison too. I tried to return the favor the best way I could. If his baby mama might need something, I wanted to make sure I could do something to help. I used to look out for his family too when he was in prison and I had got out.
AllHipHop: Did you always think he was gonna be this superstar?
Jay5: Out of us 3… if we’re the Three Amigos, he for sure was the leader at the time. In my eyes, he didn’t sell out to become who he is. That’s the biggest thing I f### with, he ain’t try to go ride nobody else’s wave to become who he was. He wasn’t into all the fake industry s###. He’s just him and lit, let music and the grind work for himself.
AllHipHop: Ya’ll got music?
Jay5: Yeah, we got 2 songs already out: “Fasho” and “PLENTY VIBES.” That’s my friend so we might be in the studio together everyday, but we friends. I’ma have something new coming with him though.
AllHipHop: Best piece of advice he gave you with this music s###?
Jay5: Man, keep grinding. I told you, I never really wanted to be a rapper. A lot of times, I think “man I ain’t stuntin’ this s### man.” He be telling me “keep going, this s### don’t happen overnight.” Stick to your own plan. He tells me all the time, “what works for me might not work for you.” What works for you might not work for this person, you gotta go with your own plan.
AllHipHop: You have the “Black Mamba” intro, what does Kobe mean to you?
Jay5: I used to play basketball when I was younger, Kobe is an inspiration to anybody in my generation. Kobe Bryant is the Michael Jordan of my generation. LeBron is who he is, but Kobe’s the Michael Jordan of my generation.
AllHipHop: Talk about the 5 EP and what that project means to you.
Jay5: I dropped the 5 EP on the same day as my birthday. I wanted to let the world know I could come up with s### any day. I dropped Super Turnt in November. I’m in the studio working it, but I’ll come back and drop 3 more songs in December. Let them know man, I’m really on ya’ll ass. Any given time, y’all make me mad I’ll drop again next month too. All bangers, the same way. I ain’t running out of bangers. That’s really the only message I’m trying to send. I’ll come up with a banger anytime you want.
AllHipHop: How’s the independent grind?
Jay5: It got its pros and cons, it’s not all peaches and cream how people think. It’s great to have people working for you when you’ve got a great situation. My advice wouldn’t be for artists to stay independent, stay independent until you get yourself where you got bargaining power. If you get hot in the streets and every record label calling your phone, you got bargaining power. Everybody wants you and you know why because it’s obviously something. Now you can say “hey, I’m not giving up 100% of my masters. I give y’all 50%, I’ma keep 50%. We can do it like that.”
Independent is good because you can do what you want. Being independent unless you’ve got the right resources because that’s what this game is more about more than anything. It’s about resources. How you gon’ get your music in these certain playlists? How you gon’ get your music in the right hands? How are you gonna get these DJs to f### with your music? Staying independent is good, but it has its cons as well.
AllHipHop: How important is social media for your career?
Jay5: Man I hate social media, but it’s important, especially for upcoming artists. Once you become established, you can shy away from it. As far as upcoming, people who aren’t in your geographic region, there needs to be a way to identify you. I’m from Atlanta, how else can anybody in Cali really get word or get hip to me without social media? There’d be no way. It’s important, but I hate it though man. It comes with a lot.
AllHipHop: Are you anti social? I know you have a song called Anti Social.
Jay5: For sure, if I don’t know you… Drake can walk into the room right now in this studio, I wouldn’t say a word to him. I’m scared of people’s intentions. I don’t know what people’s intentions are. Another thing, I don’t ever want to say the wrong thing. I don’t want to offend nobody so I keep to myself, and I don’t want to get offended.
AllHipHop: Goals you have for yourself at this point?
Jay5: I’m trying to set myself up to set my kids up, that’s my biggest goal. I want my kids to have no worries. The worries I go through and went through, I don’t want them to ever have to have any of them.
AllHipHop: How old are your kids now?
Jay5: My little girl is 7, my little boy is 3, and I got one unborn who’s due in June.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next?
Jay5: I’m working on my next project called Personal. I be going hard, but I ain’t getting the recognition that I deserve. I’m starting to take it personal now, is it me? I know I make good music, is it me? I gotta start taking it Personal now so that’s what I’m going to call it.
TDE’s Isaiah Rashad is one of the fine talents that manages to keep the crew going and moving, until we get another Kendrick album. He’s a bit of an enlightened fellow, but his latest revelation shocked even me.
He said he recorded his latest album completely sober, he didn’t even smoke cigars while recording it. As you know, many rappers continually lean on drugs and alcohol to spark their creativity. However, when they get off of those drugs, we see the same loss of creativity one would expect from a drunk guy that is the life of the party. It ain’t the same.
That’s not always the case, i.e. Black Thought and his new music, but it is the general consensus that rappers that are sober are less interesting. Check out what he said:
everything on the track list so far was made completely sober. which is a first. I quit drinking and recording around 2019. slick quit drinking then too. but ya kno. da wagon
Now, the odd thing is that Isaiah Rashad deleted this tweet! I wonder why? Will he have to pretend to be a druggie in order to continue to peddle such unwellness in our communities? I think of Famous Dix as I type these words! Stop pushing drugs even if you do them, stop telling kids to do it.
Cam’Ron mentions Nore in a freestyle it all hell breaks loose! The trend of rappers turning into a podcasters and talk show host continues. However, you will NOT see Cam’Ron, the Dipset overlord doing it, and in a new freestyle, he makes it clear that he’s not doing Clubhouse, podcasts, or any other media for that matter!
In fact, it has been a while since AllHipHop has interviewed Cam! Come on we are real media, brudda! Cam is one of the few artist that has mastered the balancing act with the media, social media and the ever evolving landscape on the “screens” we hold all day. So, I’m not mad that Cam has not done an interview with AllHipHop, because he hasn’t done any interviews with anybody really.
As far as Noreaga, this will be somewhat interesting but I don’t see any beef sprouting out about it because Nore isn’t on that type of time. Bro is actually still well respected and she’s doing dope stuff in the music world–Just not as an MC. He’s doing his thing! Now I wonder if Cam has the same feelings about other rappers that are now interviewing rappers like Fat Joe and several others.
Legendary producer/rapper Dr. Dre scared everybody when he was admitted to the hospital for an aneurysm in his brain! We all waited and waited, fearful that 2021 was about to be the worst year ever for Hip-Hop fans. Dr. Dre cannot be taken from the culture!
Now, if you know Dr. Dre you also know that he is a specimen of good health even if he’s getting older. So, it raised a few eyebrows when a dude more or less in the prime of his life catches something so crazy like an aneurysm. He’s even opening a high school!
Anyway, there are rumors that his family considers aneurysm in attempt on Dr. Dre’s life. They are suggesting that rat poison, or the ingredients of rat poison, were used to ignite the aneurysm. I don’t have the full details on how this works but they are saying that the workouts combined with inhaling the smell of rat poison and can initiate something like an aneurysm. I was looking at Boxden it said the following:
“Last week, the music world was hit with shocking news to start 2021, when we found out Dr. Dre was sent to the hospital. The iconic music mogul suffered a brain aneurysm, that led to a special doctor being flown to Los Angeles just to make sure his health was secure.
Many are citing stress a divorce causing the scare, considering he’s been in great shape over the last decade. However, information has emerged that his immediate family and friends are suspecting foul play. It’s so serious, that his family is under the belief of someone using anti-coagulants found in rat potion.
One family member went as far as to saying that Dre works out multiple times and goes to the doctor for frequent checkups. So, the smell of rat poison could lead to an aneurism or stroke – then possible death. Considering this botched attempt on his life was stopped, we’re assuming the security of Mr. Young will be beefed up until this thing blows over.
The foul play on his health wasn’t the only thing some believe was an inside job. Even the robbery is being considered done by someone he knows. We’re just unsure who would be that vindictive to do all of these things at once. Let us know below in the comments what you think.”
Last week, the music world was hit with shocking news to start 2021, when we found out Dr. Dre was sent to the hospital. The iconic music mogul suffered a brain aneurysm, that led to a special doctor being flown to Los Angeles just to make sure his health was secure.
Many are citing stress a divorce causing the scare, considering he’s been in great shape over the last decade. However, information has emerged that his immediate family and friends are suspecting foul play. It’s so serious, that his family is under the belief of someone using anti-coagulants found in rat potion.
One family member went as far as to saying that Dre works out multiple times and goes to the doctor for frequent checkups. So, the smell of rat poison could lead to an aneurism or stroke – then possible death. Considering this botched attempt on his life was stopped, we’re assuming the security of Mr. Young will be beefed up until this thing blows over.
The foul play on his health wasn’t the only thing some believe was an inside job. Even the robbery is being considered done by someone he knows. We’re just unsure who would be that vindictive to do all of these things at once. Let us know below in the comments what you think.
By the way, I couldn’t locate the source of this rumor.
Do you think this could be, that Dr. Dre‘s ex-wife could try to take him out? They are in the process of working out the details on the divorce that still looms, but I am not sure that she’s powerful enough to knock him off! I am not sure that she is BOLD enough to do it either! Because if she’s willing to risk all this money that she’s going to receive in a settlement, she’s a natural born fool! On the flipside, I don’t know the particulars about divorce but it’s possible she could get all of his riches if he were to die before the divorce was settled. Right now she stands to make about $2 million per month in spousal support until they finalize the details. Still, that is a lot of money. When you are used to having nearly $1 billion at your disposal, $2 million a month might not be a lot of money.
What is in these girls vaginas?! Lori Harvey has managed to bag Michael B. Jordan. The star of “Creed” and the “Black Panther” has been nabbed by Diddy and Future’s ex girlfriend. I don’t know how it works in the Hollywood zone but this is a startling revelation to everyone I know.
Just the other day, it seem like Lori Harvey was locked in with mogul Diddy and rapper Future and that she was scarred for life. I jest! But Future seems to be the middleman to relationship success because Ciara started with him and went on to marry Russell Wilson and now Lori has found similar success with one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Diddy has catapulted a few great relationships too! Ask Cassie! MBJ just has to put a ring on it! I am here for it!
Future is a mess! I don’t even write about half the things I see about him swirling around the rumors. He continues to have issues with his baby moms, but he’s a Trap God!
I just hope that there’s not some sort of curse surrounding Lori Harvey! That would derail Michael B. Jordan’s opportunities, like resurrecting Killmonger in the next Black Panther movie! All in all, this does not bother me too much and based on the Instagram post he made announcing it, people like it too.
It wasn’t immediately clear what was bothering Kodak, but it could have been the political unrest that has been sweeping the country since white terrorists stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC on January 6th.
The rapper seemed to condemn the actions of tens of thousands of Maga-loving Trump supporters, who overran the Capitol Police and wreaked havoc in the Capitol building for hours.
So far, five people have died in the disturbance.
“We Need To Have Peace, We Need To Have Law And Order,” Kodak Black proclaimed.
There could be an even more simple explanation for Kodak’s series of tweets to his 3 million fans – his prison diet. “Not Enough Hash Browns Today,” Kodak Black complained.
If things go his way, Kodak Black could be eating much better By the end of the month. According to reports, Kodak Black is on President Trump’s list of prisoners he is considering for pardons before he leaves office on January 20th.
“After today, I can confidently add ‘Cardi B’ to the list of people my niece has opened my eyes to. More on this tomorrow…,” tweeted Warwick on January 9. “Cardi B is authentically herself [face with tears of joy emoji, red heart emoji]. I have only seen video clips. No music yet.”
After today, I can confidently add ‘Cardi B’ to the list of people my niece has opened my eyes to. More on this tomorrow…
The Windows of the World album creator went on to mention Cardi’s husband, Offset of the Migos. Warwick jokingly asked her 430,000 followers, “Is there also an Onset walking around somewhere?”
At some point, the tweets apparently turned blatantly negative because Warwick returned to the platform to push a more positive tone. The 80-year-old New Jersey native wrote, “I do not like the mean responses. Cardi B and Offset are human beings with feelings. Keep it kind.”
Cardi B’s initial response showed love to the iconic singer mentioning her on Twitter. The “WAP” hitmaker tweeted, “OMGGGGG I STAN!!!!” When Warwick defended her and her spouse against online trolls, Cardi then added, “It’s ok Miss Dionne I get it all the [time]. This new generation is wicked!”
Cardi B is authentically herself 😂❤️. I have only seen video clips. No music yet. More on this tomorrow…
I did not listen to Cardi B’s music. Brittani sent me a video on the YouTube and a clip from her show where she dances with the very effervescent @msdebbieallen! 😊
