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Arrest Warrant Issued For Azealia Banks As She Parties In Paris

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Azealia Banks is facing serious legal issues.

Banks was accused of punching and biting a female security guard at a New York nightclub in 2015.

She is facing charges of misdemeanor assault, attempted assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment.

According to reports, Banks failed to appear in Manhattan Criminal Court this week for a hearing related to the case.

The judge then issued a bench warrant for the controversial performer’s arrest.

“Azealia Banks mistakenly believed she had a court appearance on March 8th instead of March 6th,” said the Harlem native’s entertainment lawyer in a statement to Pitchfork. “She was in France for Fashion week due to meetings and other social gatherings and was not able to arrange her flight in time to appear today.”

The attorney continued, “She apologizes and will apologize in person to the Court for missing her scheduled hearing. In addition, she attempted to appear via a New York Attorney and through a close family member. Ms. Banks will go to the department to remedy the situation as soon as possible.”

Hoss Gotti “Be A Boss” remix featuring Rich The Kid

By: Mike WinslowCategory: Music

Hoss Gotti has been making his press rounds in recent days, and his latest musical efforts have not gone unnoticed. Back in the summer he dropped “Be A Boss” to great reviews.

He returns with the explosive remix “Be A Boss” featuring Rich The Kid.

“Be A Boss”  promotes a lifestyle of being a young boss.

The remix will be the new club anthem with its hypnotizing, repetitive hook and infectious beat that Hoss murders with his clever wordplay.

The energy on this record is explosive and Rich The Kid bodies the track with his witty lyrics. With an insanely catchy hook, both artists rap about money, clothes, cars and women.

The buzzing rapper’s latest project promises to build upon the existing excitement surrounding his developing career, while showcasing his quality music and abilities as a rapper.

#AHHPowerfulWomen: From Music Executive to TV Producer, Rhonda Cowan Talks Lessons of Resilience and Restraint

By: Antonice J. - @MsJalene_Category: Features

#AHHPowefulWomen

It takes a certain type of focus and drive to make it in the music industry. Then, it takes even more determination to survive. Rhonda Cowan is a seasoned music industry veteran who has mastered the art of survival. Spending the last 18 years successfully climbing the corporate ladder, Cowan has worn many hats throughout her career. Her diverse experience and dedication to the music industry has built her a long-lasting career in an industry known for breeding a short life span for most executives. She has lent her talents to Def Jam, BET, Bad Boy, Motown, Phat Farm, and Rush Communications, working closely with the renowned hip-hop music mogul Russell Simmons.

In late 2016, in pursuance of her new dreams outside of music, Cowan relocated to LA to work in scripted television with her friend and mentor Suzanne dePasse. The journey continues…

We caught up with Rhonda Cowan to learn more about her extensive career and transition into a new one:

AllHipHop: Explain what you’re job entails:

Rhonda Cowan: After a 20-year career in the music industry and 9 more at BET, I decided to follow another dream and transitioned to producing television. Right now my job is to learn all I can about scripted television and film. Currently, I’m working on a TV movie about Michael Jackson with my good friend and mentor the legendary Suzanne dePasse.

AllHipHop: What’s the most enjoyable part of the job and your duties:

Rhonda Cowan: The most enjoyable part of this job is working in an environment where people are respectful to one another, and the craft. Where questions are encouraged and welcomed. Also, working with some of the most respected (brown) faces in TV and film is definitely a plus. My duties include keeping abreast of matters concerning production both creative and administrative. I’m here to absorb everything!

AllHipHop: What is the hardest part:

Rhonda Cowan: The hardest part of the job is the downtime between scenes and staying away from the crafty table.

AllHipHop: What advice do you have to offer people that want to be where you are or aspire to make it in the business.

Rhonda Cowan: Lose your ego and don’t be too proud to accept a lesser position if you learn something while getting paid, and it takes you where you need to be – it’s a win! Remember, no task is too small. While working at BET I attended NYU, interned for a television producer on a reality show and established my own production company, Life’s a Beach Media. Under this banner, I developed and cast a show about entertainment attorneys. In 2015 I sold my first show Money. Power. Respect to WeTV. I never lost sight of my goals, nor did I care what people thought about my choices. Mute the distractors.

AllHipHop: Can you describe a moment of adversity personal and in your career?

Rhonda Cowan: The biggest moment of adversity in my career came after I left BET in 2013 to pursue my career as a TV producer. I began by getting what I thought was an amazing opportunity to produce a reality TV show. Instead, I was met with hostility by my colleagues. It became my greatest lesson of resilience and restraint in the face of adversity.

AllHipHop: What keeps you from giving up working within a male dominated industry

Rhonda Cowan: When I began working at Def Jam in the early 90’s, Carmen Ashurst-Watson was the President and every major position at the label was occupied by a woman. Russell Simmons strategically surrounded himself with strong, intelligent women of integrity who led by example on how to survive in the male-dominated music industry without compromising your femininity or reputation. These indelible lessons are part of my DNA.

AllHipHop: Who inspired you to become a leader or boss

Rhonda Cowan: There’s a real distinction between a leader and a boss; anyone can be a boss, being a leader requires qualities that allow you to put your ego aside and help others grow without fear of being out-shined. The people who inspired me to become a leader is Russell Simmons, Suzanne dePasse and Sean Puffy Combs.

Russell, Suzanne and Puff all hire people who are smarter than them in their respective areas of expertise. They realized early, being the smartest in the room was detrimental to building their brand and businesses. Russell would push his team to the forefront and encourage us to be fearless always telling us to “do what you love and the money will come” – this taught me to follow my dreams and to never put money before my own happiness. Puffy used to say, “I pay for your opinion” which gave me the courage to express myself in any room. Having survived white male dominated Hollywood, Suzanne dePasse is a born leader who is the queen of politics and has mastered the art of the deal. She has an eye for talent and is always dropping gems for me to grasp. Understanding my journey Suzanne once said, “She stoops to conquer.” (Editor’s note: She Stoops to Conquer is an 18th-century stage play by Oliver Goldsmith)

I was fortunate to be raised by leaders instead of by wolves, which is common in entertainment.

AllHipHop: How do you balance work and personal life?

Rhonda Cowan: I make sure to hit a beach as often as possible for my sanity.

AllHipHop: What do you do for fun?

Rhonda Cowan: Hit a beach, read scripts, swim laps, drink Rose, rinse repeat.

AllHipHop: Final words?

Enjoy the journey!  Oh and –  Life’s a Beach

Tyga Ordered To Pay $65,000 To Las Vegas Promoter

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Micheal Ray “Tyga” Stevenson will soon be out of $65,000.

Tyga must pay Las Vegas promotion company Z Entertainment for breach of contract.

The promoter was seeking $100,000 after the rapper was accused of performing at other local clubs during the time he was under contract with Z Entertainment.

TMZ reports Tyga did not show up in court, giving the plaintiff an easy victory.

Over the last several years, the “Rack City” rhymer has also been hit with lawsuits over a clothing line and an alleged assault.

Michelle Obama Praises Chance The Rapper For His Donations To Chicago Schools

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Chance The Rapper received widespread praise for his decision to donate $1 million to the Chicago Public Schools.

One of the biggest supporters of his contribution is fellow Chicago native Michelle Obama.

The former First Lady wrote on Twitter, “Thanks [Chance The Rapper] for giving back to the Chicago community, which gave us so much. You are an example of the power of arts education.”

The tweet has since been retweeted over 47,000 times and collected over 180,000 likes.

Chance made the announcement about his donation on Monday afternoon at Westcott Elementary.

He also pledged to give an additional $10,000 to individual Chicago schools for every $100,000 raised on the CPS Social Works website.

Chance has a long history with the Obama family.

The Coloring Book creator’s father once worked for Barack Obama when the former President was a state senator in Illinois.

 

 

Look up Kensli, say cheese!

A post shared by Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) on

Cops Want To Talk To Young Thug For Smacking A Woman In The Face

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

Young Thug

(AllHipHop News) Young Thug wanted for questioning over nightclub clash.

Police in Atlanta, Georgia are eager to speak to rapper Young Thug after he was accused of slapping a woman in a nightclub dispute early on Sunday (March 5).

Valerie Raven, also known as Akbar V, claims she had been arguing with Young Thug’s fiancee, Jerrika Karlae, outside the city’s Palace club when the MC, real name Jeffery Williams, allegedly approached her and smacked her in the face.

Cops were called to the scene, but the hip-hop star and his lady had already left by the time officers arrived to investigate the altercation, which was reportedly witnessed by a number of bystanders.

Raven, 27, alleges she used to work with the rapper and she has filed a police report for battery.

Authorities are now keen to question Young Thug about the incident and hear his side of the story, although sources tell TMZ.com surveillance video footage of the fall out does not show the 25-year-old making physical contact with Raven.

Young Thug has yet to comment on the reports.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFenirYRhG8

Chance The Rapper Puts Up $1 Million For Chicago Public Schools; Disappointed By Illinois’ Governor

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Chance the Rapper is keeping his pledge to the Chicago Public School system, with a generous, seven-figure donation.

The rapper held a press conference earlier today (March 6), and declared he was donating $1 million to help fund the Chicago Public School system.

On Friday (March 3), Chance met with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and said after the meeting he was “flustered” by Rauner’s stance on education.

“While I’m frustrated and disappointed in the Governor’s inaction, that will not stop me from doing all I can to support Chicago’s most valuable resource: its children,” Chance said during an Instagram live session from Westcott Elementary School.

Chance is also urging corporations to match his donation, to help put a dent in the $215 million that will be needed for the next two years.

Wack 100 Finally “Clears Up” His “Disrespectful” Comments On Tupac

By: ClassicOneCategory: Rumors

(AllHipHop Rumors) I don’t think I’ve ever heard Wack 100 say a thing that is popular opinion, or that sits right with fans.

As you know, The Game’s manager, Wack 100 had come under fire in the last few weeks because of him saying that Tupac wasn’t a real gangster.

Wack said that every time a gun was involved, Tupac was on the wrong side of the barrel. Wack said that he’s a fan of Pac’s music, but fans need to stop confusing what Pac rapped about with what he really did.

According to Wack, Pac couldn’t pass his gangsta grade or the test of being a true foot soldier.

Pac fans weren’t buying Wack’s claims and they turned relentless with the Wack disses, bashing him on social media for being “disrespectful” to the late rapper.

Wack has finally recorded a video to “clear up” his previous claims about Pac.

“Yo listen, everybody upset because I said Tupac wasn’t a gangsta. Let me repeat myself. I’m a Tupac fan; I bought all of his music. Know half of his music bar-for-bar. Tupac won’t no gangsta. He had ganstas around him. Pac was a revolutionary type guy. On some real sh-t I don’t know why yall mad talking bout I’m disrespecting him. It is what it is……He wasn’t a gangsta. He didn’t shoot two police. He shot at two white people who he later learned were off-duty police………I stand by what I say. He wasn’t a gangsta; he was a revolutionary. Piru,” said Wack.

Welp, and there you have it folks: Pac according to Wack. What are your thoughts? Do you think Wack was wrong?!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRO5p_5hAwP/

Hurricane Chris Threatens To Expose A Louisiana Rapper For Being Gay

By: ClassicOneCategory: Rumors

(AllHipHop Rumors) They should’ve never given you ninjas the internet.

A tragic looking Hurricane Chris finds his way back into Hip Hop controversy every other week it seems. I mean the guy was never one of the most handsome rappers to begin with, but now it makes me wonder have we drug tested HC yet?

Anyway Hurricane Chris inserted himself in the one-sided beef that Kodak Black had with Lil Wayne by issuing all kinds of threats to Kodak Black in Wayne’s defense.

Wayne never really completely responded to either, and I still think Kodak Black was big mad and big hurt over the fact that Lil Wayne doesn’t even know who he is.

Anyway, Hurricane Chris is now claiming that he is about to expose a Louisiana rapper for being gay. He says that the rapper he is going to expose is obviously not him, and he clears Boosie’s name also.

This lead many to wonder who on earth could Hurricane Chris be referring to?! Some even wondered if he was talking about Lil Wayne, and maybe had gotten upset by Lil Wayne not possibly thanking him for him defending him.

“Say bruh, a n-gga really won’t gon’ do this sh-t. I’m about to gon’ head expose one of these n-ggas that y’all f-ck with. A n-gga said something down bad about me, so I’ma gon’ head and expose the n-gga. This one of y’all most listened to rappers right now. I like the n-gga music. But what you don’t know about this n-gga is dis n-gga is the most vicious fag that it is. Talk a whole lot of gansta sh-t man. One of your favorite Louisiana rappers. This n-gga is a straight f#####,” said Hurricane.

Who is Chris talking about? One of the Hot Boys? Kevin Gates? Who?! Who do you think he is talking about? To be honest Chris needs to sit down somewhere and get his image and rap career back before worrying about anyone else’s lifestyle.

Future Becomes 9th Music Act In History To Have The #1 And #2 Albums Simultaneously

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Future’s back-to-back weekly album releases have cemented the Atlanta rapper in the history books.

Besides being the first artist to ever debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 in consecutive weeks, Future also joined eight other acts on the list of performers to hold the #1 and #2 spots on the album chart simultaneously.

According to Billboard, the creator of the FUTURE and HNDRXX albums is the first person to achieve that feat since Prince dominated the top two spots with The Very Best of Prince and Purple Rain after his death last year.

Prior to The Purple One, it was another rapper, Nelly, that was the last act to have the #1 and #2 albums in the country with Suit and Sweat in 2004.

Future is also the first act to replace himself at #1 since Simon & Garfunkel in 1968 (non-debuts), and he is the first solo artist to ever knock himself out of the pole position.

HNDRXX is the current leader on the Billboard 200 with 121,000 equivalent album units earned.

FUTURE dropped to second place following a first-week opening of 140,000 equivalent album units.

The Freebandz frontman now has five number ones in his career – DS2, EVOL, What a Time to Be Alive, FUTURE, and HNDRXX.

Young Thug Allegedly Smacked Former Female Associate

By: ClassicOneCategory: Rumors

(AllHipHop Rumors) Ahhhhh man word on the street and on the video is that Young Thug allegedly smacked the shhhhh out of female rapper AKbar V.

If you can remember, AKbar V and Young Thug were once close associates, and she and Thugger’s fiancee, Jerrika Karlae have had a longstanding beef apparently since AK and Thugger fell out.

Somehow a video of a recent altercation in Atlanta between Jerrika Karlae, Thug, and AKbar is just now hitting the gram.

You can’t truly see Young Thug smack AKbar in the video, or you can’t see anyone get smacked for that matter, but those talking in the video seem to suggest that someone had in fact been smacked, and the victim now would have a chance to cash out.

You know how petty people like to be. People will provoke you, play the victim, then sue you and cash out. I’m not saying that this is what happened here, but we all know that that’s how that goes.

Now the remarks in the video will now help AKbar V as she is now claiming that Young Thug came outside of club Palace to Jerrika’s defense, and he allegedly eventually ended up putting his hands on her.

“Lame as f-ck @thuggerthugger1 @thejerrikakarlae u talking all that sh-t threw the f-cking car call thug to come save u h-e u lame,” said AKbar.

She went on to explicitly explain that Thugger did indeed hit her. She even called out Palace’s security staff, accusing them of watching and allowing the rapper to hit her and failing to do anything about it.

“@thejerrikakarlae started with me u wrong I need yall to witness this palace security letting him slap me,” she said.

Jerrika Karlae has since spoke out about the incident in an attempt to clear her fiancee’s name. She claims that Thugger did no such thing, but even if he did, the girl claims she’s such a gangsta anyway.

Most people are believing that no matter what went sour betweek AKbar and Thug, at this point it looks like she may just be trying to use controversy with the rapper to build a buzz. What are your thoughts?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRRWudchGG3/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRRV_oBBvck/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRRCgJrBxHf/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRQUbJnBCxF/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRTYE0gBrZ9/

After Party Following Ja Rule Concert Breaks Out When Almost 1,000 People Show Up

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) An after party following a show featuring rapper Ja Rule broke out in chaos over the weekend (March 4) in Upstate, New York.

Ja was in town to play at the Upstate Concert Hall, in Clifton New York.

The main show at the Upstate went off without a hitch, but an after party at a nearby bowling alley turned into pandemonium after almost a thousand people showed up.

According to the Times-Union, the private party at a bowling alley called Spare Time Lanes spiraled out of control.

Police received a 911 call stating that several fights were happening inside of the bowling alley.

Officers from across 16 different jurisdictions in upstate New York replied to the call and were met with an unruly crowd which started “damaging property” inside of the bowling alley.

Police ultimately dispersed the crowd and arrested two men for misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest.

Ja Rule was not present at the party, and cops are still trying to determine if the two events were related.

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http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Raucous-crowd-shuts-down-Halfmoon-bowling-alley-10978573.php

Lil Kim Confirms Whether Or Not She Believes Nicki Minaj Jacked Her Style

By: ClassicOneCategory: Rumors

(AllHipHop Rumors) Nicki Minaj is doing everything but delivering dem bars!

To call yourself the Queen of Rap, you have to rap babe.

Everyone feels like Nicki Minaj is doing everything she can to distract folks from the fact that she got bodied by Remy Ma on “ShETHER”. You would think the female emcee would’ve responded on a track, but instead she chose to try to thirst trap over on Instagram.

Nicki has been pretty thirsty for attention though as she wore a breast-exposing emsemble during Paris Fashion week.

The outfit was reminiscent of that worn by Lil Kim at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.

Nicki Minaj knew exactly what she was doing when she decided to wear this mess! She knew it would get fans talking, and she knew it would only take seconds for them to do a side by side on social media of both rapper’s outfits.

Despite the fact that Nicki has been accused of jacking multiple things from Lil Kim over the years and their previous never-settled beef, people would’ve still compared the two. When you think of one breast out with a pasty over the nipple, you think of Lil Kim.

Nicki tried to insult our intelligence by claiming that she wasn’t inspired by Lil Kim as she was inspired by a painting created by Pablo Picasso.

Nicki cut the BS girl!

Too bad the rest of the world especially Lil Kim fans called BS and began commenting going in on the fact that Nicki had “once again” jacked Kim’s style.

Kim seemed to reveal that she was in agreeance with the fans as she liked several of their post on IG.

What are your thoughts? Tell me you believe that it was obvious what Nicki did here?!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRPUwE3lVPV/

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50 Cent Again Suggests Diddy Is Gay Over Photo With Lee Daniels

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is back to taking shots at his fellow Hip Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Three years ago, 50 posted an Instagram photo insinuating Diddy, Rick Ross, and Steve Stoute were gay.

“I ain’t saying nothing, but something ain’t right. Lmao,” wrote the native New Yorker in the caption of the since deleted IG post.

Early this morning, 50 threw another social media jab at Diddy by using homosexual jokes.

The “I’m The Man” rapper uploaded a pic of openly gay Empire creator Lee Daniels embracing Diddy.

He wrote in the caption:

Lee: So you want the role or not puffy?
Puff: yes ok, I’m coming over later. Lee: we have to wait till later? ?LMAO POWER COMING SOON!!!

50 Cent has also been feuding with the Empire team after he accused the Fox show of copying the marketing strategy of his Starz series Power.

In addition, there were reports 50 blamed the dip in Empire season two ratings – through a re-posted Instagram caption – to “gay stuff.”

A spokesperson for the G-Unit representative later stated the IG content was not “a reflection of [50 Cent’s] views at all.”

Lee:So you want the role or not puffy? Puff: yes ok, I’m coming over later. Lee: we have to wait till later? ?LMAO POWER COMING SOON!!! #effenvodka

A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent) on

Rapper Interrupts Live News Broadcast In A Hockey Mask and Ends Up In A Fight With Reporter

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) A rapper from New York is brushing off criticism, after being accused of assaulting a TV news host live on air.

Rapper Majesty Da Rebel came up with the idea of to wear a hockey mask and stand behind a live news television reporter, to promote his rap career.

He approached ABC-7’s CeFaan Kim and threw his arm around the reporter who was in the middle of a live broadcast.

The rapper, who was wearing a hockey mask, began to shout out his latest mixtape and video.

But things took a turn for the worst when a shoving match began, that ended with Majesty Da Rebel striking Kim and knocking him to the pavement.

Majesty claims he was just promoting himself and claimed he was being treated differently than other people who bomb TV news personalities while they are live on air.

“The reason I did it was because I knew I’d get negative feedback from it,” Majesty Da Rebel told The New York Post. “I can always flip that. I saw an opportunity and took the opportunity to promote my video and mixtape. From the beginning, it was friendly, I put my arm around him, and then he pushed me, grabbed me.”

CeFaan Kim for his part was not amused with the stunt and has filed a police report over the incident.

However, Majesty Da Rebel remains undeterred and adamant that he would promote his rap career anyway possible.

“I’m not scared to deal with the consequences,” Majesty Da Rebel said. “They’ll probably interrogate me, ask me what happened. White guys bomb video reporters all the time. A black man tries to get air time and then gets beat up by the reporter. I’m gonna do what I gotta do and seize an opportunity.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA9z1xwl72U

A$AP Rocky Is The Star Of Mercedes-Benz Biggest Content Campaign Ever

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz is launching the largest content creation campaign in the history of the brand, and it will star Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky.

Benz is launching a campaign to market five vehicles in the company’s compact car family.

The new “Grow up.” campaign is aimed at attracting a younger audience to Mercedes-Benz and focuses on “people caught between the coolness of adolescence and the squareness of adulthood who embody the attitude to life of the new compacts.”

The company teamed with award-winning Director Gustav Johannsen, to create a hub on Mercedes’ website, showcasing real stories of young people, including the highs and lows of their lives.

A$AP Rocky is featured in a spot promoting Mercedes’ CLA class, and tells a previously untold story of how he rose to fame in the music industry.

“‘Grow up.’ is much more than a major campaign about model series. It is a further move forward by the brand as a whole towards more modernity, progressivism and dynamism across the entire brand identity of Mercedes-Benz,” said Dr. Jens Thiemer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, outlining the goal of the campaign.

“With ‘Grow up.’, we are reinterpreting traditional values and attitudes towards Mercedes while showcasing their modern-day interpretation and relevance within generations x and y,” Dr. Thiemer said.

Mercedes-Benz compact-car campaign: “Grow up.” –stories of a new generation

Chicago Rapper G Herbo To Take Over As Principal Of A Chicago High School

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Chicago rapper G Herbo will put down his microphone this Wednesday, to be an honorary principal at the South Shore International College Preparatory High School.

The rapper will be the honorary principal for a day at South Shore, which will bestow the rapper with an award and student tribute.

G Herbo will address the students and host a music business – related Q&A session.

The rapper received the honor, because he is “a hero in the community from the South Side of Chicago,” according to reps for South Shore High School.

“G Herbo embodies class, heart, grit, hope, brilliance, grace, leadership, integrity, elegance, intelligence, kindness, compassion, spirit, courage, strength, determination, dedication, resiliency & fight that has successfully mobilized our youth from the South Side of Chicago to know that their voice can make the difference in the World of Empowerment/Artistic Integrity/Music & Education,” said Stanley Coleman, Jr., Program Manager, South Shore High School.

Later in the evening, G Herbo and Lil Bibby will headline the Red Bull Sound Select concert series at the Metro.

G Herbo’s big day will be covered by Revolt for a special that will air later this year.

UMG, Usher, Steve Stoute & More Pump $6 Million Into Mass Appeal

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) New York-based content brand Mass Appeal has announced a funding round financed by Universal Music Group.

Mass Appeal, whose early investors hip-hop star Nas and White Owl capital, have raised an extra $6 million.

The money was procured through additional investors, who now include Universal Music Group, which was the lead investor, as well as Usher, Steve Stoute, Charles King, Evolution Media and others.

According to Mass Appeal’s CEO Peter Bittenbender, the new deal with Universal Music Group will help the brand expand its footprint beyond the web.

“Universal’s reach and influence is unparalleled in music and beyond. To have a partner that owns some of the world’s most compelling IP is an amazing step for our business. Together, UMG and Mass Appeal will create iconic, globally impactful content, and we couldn’t be more excited to get to work,” said Bittenbender.

The cash infusion will help Mass Appeal launch a number of projects that will start hitting the air later this year.

Read Chance The Rapper’s Foreword For ‘A People’s History of Chicago” Book Of Poetry

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) The Windy City’s own Chance The Rapper was picked to pen the foreword for Kevin Coval’s book of poetry titled A People’s History Of Chicago.

Inspired by Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States, Coval’s latest tome consists of seventy-seven poems representing the city’s seventy-seven neighborhoods.

Coval is also the founder of the Louder Than a Bomb poetry festival, the artistic director for Young Chicago Authors, and a professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

A People’s History Of Chicago is scheduled for release on April 11 via Haymarket books.

Read Chance The Rapper’s foreword below.

We got the cheat codes. There’s no other place on earth where you can go to a centralized space and see thirteen-, fourteen-, fifteen-, sixteen-, seventeen-, and eighteen-year-olds who want to conquer art and music. I left Chicago for a little and went to LA. But have you ever seen a raw-ass tree or a raw-ass plant that’s beautiful, that’s fully bloomed and growing? It can’t fully bloom if you uproot it. If you take it somewhere else, out of its natural environment, it’s not gonna grow the same way. If you take a tree out of the dirt, a Christmas tree, and move it into your crib, it’ll stay that exact same tree for a little while before it starts to wilt, but it won’t grow anymore. You can’t uproot a plant. You have to let it grow. If I were to have grown in LA, I might’ve grown into some s### I’m not supposed to be or just not grown at all, or just peaked. I can reach my peak in Chicago cuz that’s where I was planted and where I can continue to grow. I had planned on living in LA, but when I was out there going to parties and feeling that vibe, I thought it was ungodly, it wasn’t true to who I was born to be or what I was supposed to grow to be. Being there made me realize this is not where I’m supposed to get my biggest experiences. As sad as I ever was in LA, the lowest I’ve ever been, it’s not where my lowest was supposed to be. The highest I’ve been, the happiest I’ve been in Los Angeles, was not where my life’s happiest moments were supposed to be. Being happy means doing what you are supposed to do, being exactly who you are supposed to be. My god, my inner understanding, whatever it is that guides me, had me recognizing that I’m not supposed to be there. We have a head start. If you’ve been in that building once, in the Harold Washington Library, one time, you know. Harold Washington. The first Black mayor of Chicago. A very powerful man. A very connected man. A very humble and grounded man. A household name who died in office while at work. His library is in the center of downtown, in the center of the Loop, where all the trains meet. For us to walk into that building is astounding. My dad volunteered for Harold Washington. That’s how he got his record expunged. That’s how he dodged the system. Years later, he has a library named after him and I could walk in from the cold and experience this temple. From the age of fourteen, I was trying to go against the grain, to grow into a time and period where it’s dope to be anti-establishment, where it’s dope to not just accept all the answers that are given to you but to look for your own answers. I am trying to push that. I’m trying to push that to other people who didn’t get taught that. As kids that grew up in the’90s and early 2000s, we are able to ask questions like What’s going on? Who are the people leading us? Who are those people teaching us? What are they telling us? How are they able to tell us that? Who are they and where are they coming from and is it the truth? I’ve been taught to be a critical thinker, and I was able to say this doesn’t feel right. Having the understanding I’ve been blessed with, I’ve been able to discern that that s### is not right, that it doesn’t feel right, that it doesn’t seem right. I met Kevin Coval at an orientation at Jones College Prep, the first time I ever went into my high school cuz I didn’t check it out beforehand. I just signed up for it and applied. So my first time going up to the school was for the Louder Than A Bomb team orientation and Kevin was doing a writing workshop. Though I didn’t make my slam team or to Louder Than A Bomb, Kevin ended up being very instrumental to me. Kevin Coval is my artistic father. He mentored my friends Malcolm London and Dimress Dunnigan and Fatimah Warner and got me shows, and those shows got me a little bit of bread and the confidence to continue and take the craft seriously. In a lot of ways he was the other side of Brother Mike for me, and anybody from Chicago knows what that means and how big a statement that is. He was that for me and for a lot of people. Kevin made art a job to me. He made me feel like it was real. He made me feel like the competition was real. He made me feel that the money was real. He made me feel that the love and the fans were real. And if I didn’t have him in my life I would’ve been complacent. He took me out of that space and made me understand what it is to be a poet, what it is to be an artist, and what it is to serve the people.

Chance the Rapper

Chance the Chicagoan

#AHHPowerfulWomen: Gwendolyn Quinn Shares Why Balance is a Key to Being Powerful

By: Antonice J. - @MsJalene_Category: Features

AHH Poweful Women/Females

Gwendolyn Quinn an Award-winning media strategist, publicist, writer, and producer. She is currently the founder of one of the nation’s leading independent publicity and public relations firms. Founded in 2002, GQ Media & Public Relations, Inc. (now Gwendolyn Quinn Public Relations) which is a full-service publicity and marketing firm that specializes in developing media strategies, coordinating special events and brand development for clients who span the worlds of music, theater, corporate, not-for-profit, faith-based, publishing, and the visual/fine arts. Quinn’s roster has included a wide range of clients including Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Isaac Hayes, Kirk Franklin, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Andraé Crouch, Deborah Cox, Johnny Gill, Fred Hammond, Fred Hammond, Karen Clark Sheard, Smokie Norful, Regina Belle, Keke Wyatt, Terri Lyne Carrington, T. S. Monk (Thelonious Sphere Monk, III), Coca-Cola (Nu Classic Soul Campaign), the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, Mandela Day Concert in New York City, the Museum of Moving Image Salutes Will Smith, Radio One’s 25th Anniversary Gala, the Living Legends Foundation, Odyssey Network: The Ultimate Business Retreat, and numerous others.

Quinn career encompasses stints as vice president of publicity at Capitol Records (two tenures at the label), senior director of publicity at Arista Records during legendary executive Clive Davis’ tenure, and senior director of publicity at Island Records under the regime of Rock and Rock Hall of Famer Chris Blackwell. She has also held positions at Mercury/PolyGram Records, Flavor Unit Entertainment and ASCAP. Her work has paired her with some of the industry’s brightest stars, including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, the Isley Brothers, Monica, CeCe Winans, Rachelle Ferrell, Lisa Stansfield, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., Vanessa Williams, Oleta Adams, Brian McKnight, Tony! Toni, Toné and countless others.

In addition to her publicity and public relations work, Quinn founded the African-American Public Relations Collective (AAPRC), a national and international group of more than 1,000 public relations and communications specialists that provide professional support to their peers in the communications industry.

Quinn is the recipient of numerous awards including the Media Award by the Living Legends Foundation, Inspired In Music Series, the International Black Broadcaster Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2014 Stellar Women of Gospel Awards. She was named one of the Top 20 Power Players in Roots magazine’s Annual Industry Stellar Gospel Music Awards Edition (2013), Black Enterprise magazine named her one of the Women In Black Music’s Top Women Executives Behind the Scene (2011), the Atlanta Post named her one of the nation’s top African-American Public Relations Agents (2011), and Madamenoire.com named her one of the Top African-Americans Public Relations Agents in the country (2011). In 2010, Quinn was honored by the Talladega College Alumni Association of Greater New York on behalf of the African American Public Relations Collective. She is the recipient of the National Black Public Relations Society Network Award (2007). She has been honored by then Council Member Yvette D. Clarke (Brooklyn, New York), and the Council of the City of New York (2006), and on Capitol Hill by Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (2004) for her professional work and community service.

Quinn is a contributor to Souls Revealed (Souls of My Sisters/Kensington) and featured in Handle Your Entertainment Business (Grand Central/Warner Publishing). She is a freelance writer with Huffington Post, BlackEnteprise.com, BE Pulse, and EURWEB.com. She is also the curator of The Living Legends Foundation’s “The State of Black Music and Beyond” series published in the Huffington Post.

With a resume of this MAGNITUDE, Ms. Quinn’s proves her measure of influence and prowess, not only in music and entertainment but in the ever-evolving field of public relations. AllHipHop quickly gained some details on her extensive career:

AllHip-Hop: What’s the most enjoyable part about working in Public Relations in the Entertainment Industry?

Gwendolyn Quinn: I love and enjoy my work. I get to travel, work and meet some great people. As a publicist, I get to positively impact and influence the careers of many of my clients. I am part of a team that builds and develop their brand and image.

AllHipHop: What is the hardest part? 

Gwendolyn Quinn: One of the most challenging aspects of my job now is that I am trying to transition into other areas of entertainment. So, I’m doing double duty; trying to stay focus on my current career, while pursuing new goals and making inroads in other areas. Also with that shift comes many sacrifices and financial challenges to consider. Also, I am one of the caregivers for my elderly parents. I’m fortunate and blessed to still have both parents. A few years ago, I had to move back home to help care for them. I have one sister and brother, so we try our best to provide the best care for our parents.

AllHipHop: Who inspires you and why? 

Gwendolyn Quinn: First and foremost, I am inspired by the gifts that God gave me, and I feel it’s my responsibility to make good use of those gifts. I am inspired by positive people who are doing great things; especially many of my former publicist friends and industry colleagues who have transitioned to other careers. More recently, there are a few people that inspired me: Ava DuVernay, and one of my clients, Terri Lyne Carrington.

AllHipHop: What does it mean to you to be a powerful woman and a boss in the urban music and hip-hop industry?

 Gwendolyn Quinn: I’ve been in the music and entertainment business for over 25 years. To be named as a powerful woman in urban and hip-hop music simply means that I have put in my time and I have done the work. During the journey, I have made mistakes and learned from the mistakes. It also means that I have gained significant knowledge and access and that I have used that power to move artists, clients, and the genre forward.

AllHipHop: Any advice you would like to give on growing into a powerful person in your career?

Gwendolyn Quinn: My advice to young people would be to incorporate more balance in their lives and always spend time and make time for your family because, in the end, they are often the main people who will be around. For so many years, I spent a lot of time working, not having the balance that I now know is necessary. I’ve always traveled, and would take extra days on the front end or back end of a trip; that was one wise thing that I did. Looking back, I wish I had put more energy into developing a romantic relationship. I did date, but I wasn’t focused on getting married in the early part of my career; and as you get older, it’s not always easy.

Also, what touches my spirit is when people come back and tell me that I impacted their life in a positive way and that they learned a lot from me. Sometimes, they would tell me that they thought I was hard on them, but now they understand and get it. I often hear those stories and always say to myself “job well done.”