(AllHipHop News) Flavor Unit’s Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere are set to present their new show The Best Place To Be.
The Travel Channel mini-series will premiere next month with the first episode presenting Latifah’s journey through Rio de Janeiro.
The Best Place To Be will feature four one-hour episodes where entertainers share favorite places to eat, drink, shop and sightsee in different locales.
Besides Latifah’s Brazil expedition, Black-ish actor Anthony Anderson visits Barcelona, Spain.
In addition, Jason Biggs (Orange Is the New Black) and Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) travel to Hong Kong and Kenya, respectively.
“This is a fun show that gives a true glimpse into how to really escape and explore,” says executive producer Shakim Compere. “Actors and performers are fortunate enough to travel around the globe for work and fun. But there’s always places that stay with them – these are the cities they keep going back to.”
The Best Place To Be is scheduled to debut with “Rio, Fit for a Queen” on Sunday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m. ET/PT on the Travel Channel.
(AllHipHop News)Billboard magazine claims that Chris Brown’s career is out of control and that he is a cocaine snorting bully.
The magazine published an expose on Chris Brown, his legal and personal troubles, and his career trajectory since a 2009 incident when he beat up R&B songstress Rihanna.
According to Billboard, Chris Brown still suffers from anger issues, especially when he fails to take his bipolar medication.
But his mental issues are constantly compounded by binges on hard drugs, which include Xanax, Molly, and cocaine.
The drug use is what drove Chris Brown’s ex-girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, to seek a restraining order against the troubled singer last month.
“You didn’t know how he was going to wake up. Were you going to get cool Chris? Or depressed or artsy and focused Chris, who would be very productive? Or the happy-go-lucky Chris, who would just joke around and have fun? It was a different person every day,” said a former security guard for Chris Brown.
As a result of his temper and drug issues, Chris has chased away his entire inner circle and replaced them with mostly Bloods gang members.
Chris’ former manager Mike Guirguis did not comment on Billboard’s story, but he did file a lawsuit against the singer after a brutal attack last year.
Mike G. says he was assaulted in Chris’ mansion, over poor sales of the singer’s album Royalty.
“He’s got no security, no management…You can talk to any drug addict or chemically imbalanced person — it doesn’t just go away,” a former member of Chris Brown’s inner circle said. “It’s something you have to work on. You have to change your lifestyle. And he’s not doing the things he needs to do to get well, so he’s never going to be well. The kid is going to hit rock bottom.”
(AllHipHop Rumors) Uh oh! It looks like Meek Mill is still being petty!
As far as public opinion goes, most have been giving their feelings of disapproval about how Meek Mill has been responding to Nicki Minaj getting ethered by Remy Ma’s “ShETHER” diss (see The Game’s response).
For a man to be thoroughly entertained about a woman/their exe’s downfall and allegedly gossiping to another female rapper seems like a feminine trait, but I digress.
Anyway word on the street is that Meek Mill is allegedly being egged on heavy by his crew to ruin Nicki’s life. Word on the curb is that he may even try to shop around a sex tape or leak some naked pictures of her. I honestly don’t think this will do much damage because Nicki is always naked.
If at all true, it does make Meek childish AF though. See women you can’t date down, or date the immature because when you break up, all hell breaks loose and the person knows everything about you.
Meek wasn’t the only person getting a laugh off of Nicki’s recent drama. Celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Miami also joined in to poke fun.
In 2015 someone told Nicki that Dr. Miami had a photo of her on his Snap Chat seemingly insinuating that Nicki Minaj had had work done to her body, and that it possibly had been done by Dr. Miami.
Nick took to Twitter to ask Miami if he posted a photo of her on his Snap. She also asked him what he was insinuating as she’s unfamiliar with what he does.
Well since Remy Ma claims that Meek Mill told her that Nicki’s azz dropped and he couldn’t have sex with her for 3 months because of it, Dr. Miami decided to troll Nicki saying that unfortunately he couldn’t help her today because he’s booked til 2019.
Let’s not forget that Meek liked a meme and caption of a fan saying “ass dropped” under a photoshopped photo of Nicki Minaj and Future from their video shoot.
(AllHipHop News) Rico Love was a recent guest on the Friend Or Foe podcast, and the award-winning producer had a lot to say about various topics.
Part of the interview included Love discussing rap stars having a responsibility as leaders.
“That’s why [2Pac] died for that reason. Nobody gets murdered on the Vegas strip and nobody seen nothing. They killed him for that reason because they knew he had a voice,” said Love.
He added, “Kodak Black, he’s so doped up. 21 Savage – all these artists. People can get mad if they wanna get mad, but it’s the truth. These are young guys. They’re the same age Pac was, and they’re not speaking up. They’re so doped up.”
Tupac Shakur, one of the most celebrated emcees of all time, was 25 years old when he was killed in 1996.
Atlanta rapper 21 Savage is currently 24 while Florida’s Kodak Black is only 19.
The “There Goes My Baby” songwriter continued making his point that entertainers are influential to society by mentioning veteran rapper Lupe Fiasco.
“If Lupe would have just not got so weird on us, he could have led a whole movement,” said Love. “But what happened was: he went so left to where n-ggas he was really trying to reach looked at him like a weirdo.”
Love praised J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Chance The Rapper for what he sees as their ability to address social issues without being viewed as corny or crazy.
However, Love expressed his belief that those particular acts are not enough to reach certain audiences.
“I think it’s going to take for a ghetto-hood rapper to speak up,” stated Love. “I’m not talking about the Coles, the Kendricks or the Chances. I’m talking about a n-gga on the caliber of a Kodak, 21 Savage, Future. One of those guys who the streets love,” said the New Orleans-born artist.
In addition, Love discussed working with Gucci Mane, Remy Ma’s “ShETHER,” Rihanna being a savage, and more.
New York emcees RRose RRome and Jadakiss link up for the visual “Ziploc.” The video takes place in the stripclub, but that doesn’t take away from the bars. Peep the video below.
(AllHipHop Rumors) These days people don’t know what to believe when it comes to singer Chris Brown, and the controversy that continuously seems to plague his life and career.
News hit recently that Brown’s ex-girlfriend, Karrueche, had filed for a restraining order against Brown, claiming the singer had previously abused her and threatened to kill her. To make matters worse, Brown had previously posted a video on social media saying that he stalks girls that he used to date, and if he can’t have them, then no one can.
Welp Karrueche’s best friend has now stepped up, and is claiming that Karrueche’s claims of violence from Chris Brown are true!
Karrueche’s friend, Joseph Ryan La Cour, has been at the receiving end of Brown’s rage, as he stands up for Karrueche.
According to documents obtained by TMZ, Joseph claims that Breezy says that no matter where Joseph and Karrueche go, he will find them and shoot the place up!
Joseph says that Chris even got in his face at Diddy’s Super Bowl party threatening to f-ck him up every time he sees him.
Joseph also claims that Chris threw a drink at one of his friends calling her a b-tch and telling the woman that they weren’t friends. He also says that Breezy sent gang members after him. Brown is even laughing at the man’s claims.
If that wasn’t enough, apparently Brown’s own friends are snitching on the singer. Apparently Chris’ crew revealed the singers struggle to Billboard. Allegedly Chris’ drugs of choice are molly or coke. He’s also recently started sipping lean, and is said to be bipolar. Apparently he’s been kicked out of rehab twice also.
Chris is allegedly loving when he’s sober, and evil when he’s high. How much worse does it have to get before it gets better for this man?!
(AllHipHop Rumors) Well at least Nicki Minaj has two people in her corner. She’s going to need a lot more, perhaps some crazy battle rap ghostwriters though, if she doesn’t have the “time” to reply.
I can’t decide if I believe The Game wants to date Nicki Minaj/ get in her panties, or if he’s literally just being a friend.
Either way, Game and Boosie BadAzz are sticking up for Minaj as the internet has pronounced Nicki dead after Remy Ma slaughtered the woman on her “ShETHER” diss track.
A TMZ camera man was stopped mid sentence by The Game when he brought up the “ShETHER” track.
“If you about to say something disrespectful about Nicki Minaj, I’ma f-ck you up. If you say something disrespectful about Nicki, I’m taking the camera, the beanie, the glasses, I’m taking your Yeezys…everything,” said Game.
Game is out her campaigning for Nicki’s p—y. LMAO. We ain’t mad at you Game. We see you.
Anyway Boosie gave his two cents on the Nicki/ Remy situation on the gram. Boosie says that while he isn’t taking sides, he still feels that it’s ridiculous that all of a sudden everyone hates Nicki so much when they were the same folks saying she was harder than all male rappers.
“Everywhere I would go I would here ‘Nobody ain’t f-cking with Nikki’ now most of the same hoes told me that have completely turned on this girl/ People r so f-cking fake. This post go make u think like dam I am a fake a-s b-tch,” said Boosie.
I personally feel that only bandwagoners would turn their back on Nicki. Even as a Nicki fan, I can’t sit here and say Remy didn’t kill that girl on that track, but I also have to give Nicki her props. The girl has been nice with it for some time, and she’s done a lot with her career. What are your thoughts?
(AllHipHop News) Brooklyn rap legend Foxy Brown is now a mother.
According to Wendy Williams, Foxy Brown gave birth to a baby girl earlier this morning (February March 2).
Wendy said she received the news just as she was preparing for “The Wendy Williams Show.”
“No word on exactly who the baby’s father is but allegedly is a reggae star and I’m not going to say his name because I think that me and Foxy have some sort of relationship,” Wendy Williams said during her hot topics segment.
A name for the child has yet to be revealed.
Foxy Brown is working on her latest album, King Soon Come.
(AllHipHop Rumors) G-Unit fans and individual fans of The Game, and 50 Cent are always hoping for a new G-Unit reunion that includes The Game.
As you know the two had a longstanding rivalry. 50 felt Game was disloyal as he befriended enemies of G-Unit, and the two went at it for a while.
Last year Game and 50 were spotted in the same club, where Game shouted 50 out, and depending on who you asked, the two were said to have been cordial to each other.
Remember, 50 was hosting a party at Ace Of Diamonds L.A., and Game took the mic to say that he and 50 had ended their longtime beef.
“I f-ck with 50. What happened – that sh-t was 12 years ago. N-ggas ain’t on that sh-t. You know what it is. Drink your motherf-cking Effen,” said The Game.
Game had even posted a “Throwback Thursday” picture of him and 50 last year on the gram. With a caption that said,
“When nobody would dare f-ck wit us. #TheUnit #Aftermath.”
A groupie woman also took to social media the day after claiming that 50 Cent wasn’t trying to embrace Game at the club, so we were left trying to figure out if the two were really cool again after all.
Well, I don’t know what’s going on because apparently the two followed each on Instagram only to unfollow each other. The Game is back to only following Nicki Minaj, and 50 is no longer following The Game, so this is interesting. There had even been a few screen grabs floating around that showed Game having #TheUnit in his bio.
Do you think these two have something up their sleeves? Hell everyone is reuniting these days.
(AllHipHop News) Former KISS rockstar Gene Simmons continues to rail against the genre of hip-hop music, just as the legendary rapper Tupac Shakur stands to be inducted this year.
Tupac will go in with a class that includes ELO, Joan Baez, Pearl Jam, Yes, Joan Baez, and Journey.
It’s a milestone for the genre of hip-hop, since Pac is the first solo rapper to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
But Gene Simmons continued to remain adamant that the genre of music does not belong in the Rock Hall.
“There’s disco and rap and all kinds of stuff. And I highly respect rap, but on the day Led Zeppelin gets put into the hip hop Hall of Fame, is the day I will personally accept rap artists as being brought into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Gene Simmons said. “It just ain’t the same thing.”
He continued: “You go to Apple Music, and you go to different genres and you type in ‘rock,’ you’re not gonna find a single rap band in that category. Likewise, if you look at hip hop or rap, you’re not gonna see AC/DC or Kiss in the list in there.”
Gene Simmons also discussed the state of rock ‘n’ roll, and was equally as harsh on that genre of music too.
According to Gene, Rock music is not “evolving at all” because there are not really any “record companies” left to nurture new artists and their talents.
“They have to go work for a living and live in their mother’s basement and give away their music for free. It’s very sad,” Simmons said.
The 32nd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Friday April 7, at the Berkeley Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Take a look at Gene Simmons is full interview here.
This installment features records from Rae Sremmurd, Method Man, Frank Ocean, Tupac, RZA, and Masters of Ceremony.
Other performers who have been featured in the “Hip-Hop Variants” collection includes Nas, Missy Elliott, The Alchemist, LL Cool J, Chance the Rapper and Kevin Gates.
Thuy-An Julienis a Grammy award-winning entertainment and technology executive, with more than 20 years experience at the intersection of music and technology. She has worked at numerous Fortune 500 Companies including Apple Inc., Time Inc., Sports Illustrated, and other major companies.
Currently, Julien is CEO of Hartman’s House, LLC, a management and digital consulting company. She and her team set artists free to be creative while managing all other aspects of their careers and assist companies to bridge the gap between entertainment and technology. Her clients include Grammy Award winner Timothy Bloom, and former American Idol contestant Shevonne Philidor.
Previously, she worked at Apple Inc. for 15 years and headed up original content brands in North America for iTunes and was “low-key” one of the most important figures bringing Hip-Hop and urban acts to the mammoth corporate entity. She played an integral role in the success of iTunes Store in multiple market segments. Some she created, while significantly expanding others. She also created the Urban Marketing department—the first ever targeted marketing group at iTunes—to address missed opportunities in the focus of the original iTunes platform, originally designed only for mainstream music.
She is also currently responsible for market and growth development at Dash Radio. She successfully builds audiences, brands, and profits for the largest digital radio network in the world. She is also a Partner at Creator’s Capital, a business incubator/fund that was created to help creative- both entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs create their visions.
We talked to Thuy-An about her business and other matters of extreme importance.
AllHipHop: Explain what your job entails: Thuy-An Julien: I run a company that does a few several things. We do artist management, creative incubation and marketing consulting. I manage some amazing artists to get their music out in the world and steer their careers towards what we have determined is their goal, be it songwriting, producing, performing, etc. As for the incubation, I partner with Creators Capital to help music, film, TV and digital media entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs make their ideas for projects and companies investable, and then we give them access to sources of capital.
AllHipHop: What’s the most enjoyable part of the job and your duties:
Thuy-An Julien: I love helping people achieve their goals. I believe people need to realize that every short-term goal that is achieved takes you one step closer to your long-term goal.
I love being around the creative. Hearing the music being created, attending the live shows, watching the vision turn into a business and knowing that I helped in some way make it successful.
AllHipHop: What is the hardest part: Thuy-An Julien: I think there are two things that are the hardest.
1. The doors that get slammed in your face when you know an artist or a project deserves that shot hurts. It is hard, but I never give up.
Getting underestimated as a woman when you walk into the room. I used to record live sessions for iTunes. I just remember numerous times having someone ask the sound engineer something and they would have to remind them that I was the producer. As a woman, you have to be assertive and yet walk the fine line between being too nice and being too “b#####.” When I negotiated deals at iTunes, often people would want to speak to my boss or a colleague who was a man because they didn’t think I had the power to execute. This is a foolish mistake on their part but just made me more determined.
AllHipHop: What advice do you have to offer people that want to be where you are or aspire to make it in the business?
Thuy-An Julien: My advice to everyone is to follow your dream. Don’t just hear that and not do it. Regardless of what you do with your life, it will be difficult. So you might as well pursue that which you truly want to do. But be smart about it. Get the tools you need- be it higher education, internship, get a mentor- whatever it takes so you are dressed for battle and have everything you need. I never thought I would use half the things I learned at the University of Delaware but you’d be surprised when random knowledge you learned comes into play.
For young ladies, my additional advice would be to learn how to win in a man’s world, because it is still a man’s world, as we saw with the last Presidential election. We still get paid less than men for doing the same job. But show and prove yourself. Less complaining and more doing. I’m not saying take any abuse or discrimination that comes your way. I am saying know that the deck is stacked against you and know you will have to work harder and smarter — but show them your value.
AllHipHop: Can you describe a moment of adversity personal and in your career? Thuy-An Julien: This thing we call life is full of experiences both good and bad. There are a few moments that come to mind but here’s one that people in the industry can relate to.
Before I started my company, I was at iTunes for a very long time, Pretty much since their launch. Most people in the industry associated me with iTunes. It became so prevalent that I felt like my name was “Thuy-An From iTunes.” When I left iTunes, it was very interesting and a bit hurtful when people I had helped for years didn’t answer my emails or calls. It really played with my self-value and made me think that I was a less valuable person overall because of it. But we all know this industry is about what you can do for me and that’s why there are the term industry friends but I never thought it would happen to me. But two good friends said something to me that I will always remember. David Banner was quick to remind me that I was not defined by the company I worked for, but who I was, and that I had always helped people because of my big heart. And the OG Herbie Hancock just turned to me when I told him about this and said: “Good Riddance to fake friends.” My circle is definitely smaller but it’s also real.
So remember do not value yourself by who you know or who says they are your friend or what events you can and can’t get into, but value yourself for who you are.
AllHipHop: What keeps you from giving up working within a male dominated industry? Thuy-An Julien: I believe it’s a calling. Music is a gift from God that needs to be protected. Ask yourself where are all the great painters today? They are graphic designers. Unless we want all the great musicians to become jingle writers for commercials, we need to protect the art and those who create it. There needs to be heart associated with it because the musicians are pouring their hearts into what they are creating for us.
There may be people who say I care too much, that I lead with my heart in a ruthless industry. I have found a balance that works for me. I have helped hundreds of artists, both super famous and unknown. I never treat anyone differently because to me, every artist is someone with a dream. Yes, sometimes I have to be strong and forceful but I never lose sight of the fact that there are real people with real hopes and dreams attached to every song.
I believe the music industry needs a woman’s touch. And there are now a lot of great women making sure that happens.
AllHipHop: Who inspired you to become a leader or boss? Thuy-An Julien: I don’t think anyone inspired me directly but it evolved. I was always encouraged by my parents who think I’m meant for great things, but most parents think that. I started being a leader when I saw things that were not right in the companies where I worked inside and no one was saying anything or doing anything. I was definitely born with a leader’s personality but there is always the choice of leading or stepping back into the safety of the crowd. I was always able to muster up the courage to step out. And standing on the edge of the nest when everyone is standing behind you in safety afraid to step out is lonely and terrifying that the moment you take flight, you know you did the right thing. Don’t get me wrong, there were times I splatted on the ground, but as my father would say “you can lay down and die or you can get up, evaluate where you went wrong and keep going.” I’ve never had the quitting spirit in me.
AllHipHop: How do you balance work and personal life? Thuy-An Julien: That’s always a challenge. I make it a point to go see my parents at least once a month. Luckily my entire family lives within a 20-mile radius so I can see them all in one visit.
I make sure I take time for myself every day. I usually work out in the morning to get my head clear and get my goals for the day. There are days that the hamster on the wheel in my head has caused me to have crazy thoughts or dreams during the night so a good workout is my way of shaking that off and getting ready for the day. One of my clients will yell at me because after I run for 30 minutes I start doing emails while lifting weights. If I text him while at the gym I will get the response of “WORK OUT!”
That brings me to one of the most important parts of balance. Have people around you who get you. They understand your goals, they understand who you are and how you operate and will kindly remind you to take care of yourself.
As for that elusive life partner, I had one once and it didn’t fit.
My ex-husband would claim our marriage was a casualty of my career. I prefer to think I have yet to meet the man who can understand the demands, the joys and the sorrows of this business and know that a powerful woman is no less a woman at the end of the day.
AllHipHop: What do you do for fun? Thuy-An Julien: My sister would tell you I sit on the couch and watch ratchet TV. I confess I do watch but since a few folks on those shows are my friends I like to see how TV has edited their behaviors down to things.
I love music so I go to shows and clubs and concerts that I am not working and just become a fan.
One of my favorite things to do when I am out on the road either with an artist or for a client is to wander whatever city I am in by foot without music and just experience the soul of a city.
AllHipHop: What are some things you’ve had to deal with that a man wouldn’t? Thuy-An Julien: Where does the list begin…
Walking into a meeting and having everyone think you’re an assistant.
Going up to security at the venue and telling them you know the artists and having them think you are a groupie.
Being backstage with an artist and having their GF/Wife/Friends wonder “Who is this b#### and what does she want with my man”
Getting hit on by managers, artists, band members, roadies.
Having to convince someone that you actually do know about production and technology.
Having to worry that if you wear a dress and your hair down you’ll look too sexy for the meeting and no one will take you seriously.
Having people think you slept your way to the top.
Having people think you’ve slept with a ton of artists.
Having people think you are sleeping with the artists you manage.
Having people judge your bag and shoes to see if you are successful.
Having people worry you will get in a relationship and lose focus.
Having people worry you will get pregnant and quit.
AllHipHop: Final words? Thuy-An Julien: Business is about money. Not about what’s fair but about what will make a company money. If you want to move a company in a direction of fairness, show them how they are losing money by not having fair practices. No one cared about Urban Marketing at iTunes until I showed them how much money they were losing. Money. That’s what runs companies. If you know the secret, you can move mountains.
(AllHipHop News) One hit wonder rapper Silento is having a hard time getting back to the United States, and it has nothing to do with Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Unfortunately for “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” rapper, a business deal that went awry has left him stranded in the United Arab Emirates, where his passport has been seized.
A court in Abu Dhabi issued a ruling on February 20, confiscated his passport and barred the rapper from leaving UAE.
Silento is accused of being a no-show at several events, prompting a lawsuit of almost $80,000.
A judge in Abu Dhabi court ruled that the 19-year-old, Alabama-born rapper, must stay in the country until the full amount of the signed contract is fulfilled, or the conflict is settled.
Reps for Silento claimed that he never received his performance, prompting the whole dispute.
To push back, Silento has started a crowdfunding page, where he’s seeking $100,000, under the #FreeSilento campaign.
Silento is already apparently getting to work to pay off the debt, since he performed at XL Beach Club in Abu Dhabi last night.
(AllHipHop Features) Many artists step into the music industry with hopes of leaving a lasting impression by collecting accolades like golden trophies and chart toppers. Holding hardware on stage at an award show or seeing a project hit #1 can be seen as reaching the pinnacle of the business.
Lecrae Moore’s music career already consists of those very kudos. With 2014’s Anomaly, the Houston-bred rapper became the first act to hit number one on the Gospel Albums and Billboard 200 charts simultaneously.
A year earlier, Gravityearned Lecrae a Grammy for Best Gospel Album, and he later took home another Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. The co-founder of Reach Records has proven he can be both a commercial and critical force.
For his next LP, Lecrae has expressed he’s done trying to prove his creative worth or where he belongs on the genre spectrum. Listeners often ask: Is it Gospel? Is it Hip Hop? Is it both? Lecrae does not seem to be concerned about the answers to those questions. He’s just looking to make relatable music.
The latest example of his mission came in the form of “Blessings” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, and it appears Lecrae has again been successful in the goal of creating widely accessible music. The lyric video for “Blessings” quickly collected 1 million plays on YouTube. Plus, a Twitter search of #Blessings along with #Lecrae yields countless messages of appreciation for the uplifting tune.
I connected with Lecrae to discuss his new single. We also chatted about his forthcoming 8th studio album, Chance The Rapper’s faith-filled moment at the 2017 Grammy Awards, working with Soul singer Lalah Hathaway, and more.
AllHipHop: You’ve always provided uplifting content whether it’s in your music or on social media. But I’m sure a lot of people are appreciative of this particular record right now. What has been the response for “Blessings”?
Lecrae: It’s been one hundred percent positive. People have been rocking with it and are grateful for this type of music in this season. It’s been so much depressing news broadcast over the last year. So people are appreciative of this. It’s just something to say it’s not all bad all the time. Plus, people love the song. Outside of the content, they love the sound of it and the feel of it. I’m really grateful for people loving it.
AllHipHop: It was produced by Apluss.
Lecrae: Yeah, Apluss from Ear Drummers.
AllHipHop: Did you guys do any other tracks together? Or did you work with anyone else from that camp?
Lecrae: We worked on quite a few tracks. I’ve been in there with Apluss. I’ve been in there with Ear Drummers, Metro [Boomin], Zaytoven. Just living in Atlanta, you have access to a lot of different people, so you’re able to get it in. So we’ve been really working and making some great music.
AllHipHop: You released a lyric video. Are there any plans to do a live action version with Ty?
Lecrae: Me and Ty shot the video not too long ago, out in LA. The video ought to be popping up at the end of the month or early next month. Calmatic directed it. He killed it on Kendrick and Jhené Aiko. He’s a beast with it. The video is going to be a movie. It’s awesome. I think the video compliments the song.
AllHipHop: I saw you posted a clip on Instagram where you were revealing the cover art to your mom. We got to experience that with you. But for you, what was that moment like?
Lecrae: It was dope. It’s something special, especially for my mom. You have to realize she never imagined any of this. Her biggest fear was that I was going to spend my life in the penitentiary. It’s a lot of men in my family that didn’t make it. It was either drugs or jail.
For her, all of this is – no cliché or pun intended – it’s all a blessing to see this happening. For me highlighting her raising me and putting her on there, it made her feel like she’s part of something that’s bigger. The best thing you can do is to show love to somebody and let them know how much you appreciate their investment.
AllHipHop: You also put up clips featuring 2Pac, Lauryn Hill, KD, Steph Curry, and Allen Iverson. In another interview, you said part of the reason you did that was to show the song could be relatable to a wide range of people.
AllHipHop: Do you think the greater public has become more open to your music as compared to when you first started? I know you don’t really like being called a “Christian rapper,” but there’s definitely a faith-based approach to it.
Lecrae: I know it does because people curse me out in the street all the time with praise. When somebody curses you out with praise… you know you’re connecting with people from different backgrounds and different perspectives.
I’ve seen a dude leaning against the wall in LA. He was enjoying his legal product. As I walked by him, he was like, “Lecrae, what’s up man? I’m listening to you right now.” That’s when you know you’re not in a box, you’re all over the place.
Similarly, with the clips I posted, everybody needs to hear that they matter, that they have a purpose, that they have worth, life is not drab, and it don’t have to be over. That’s just my role in music. I don’t mind being the person to give you some hope and paint that picture for you.
AllHipHop: For some people, they would see what you just said and realize they might not be able to handle that burden. Sometimes having to put out that positive energy all the time can be draining. How do you balance that?
Lecrae: Yeah. Part of it is just going through stuff. It’s like, “I got scars too, and if I survived then I got a story to tell you.” Then the other part of it is that I do concerts everywhere.
I did a prison tour. I’ll never forget. I was at a prison in Angola in Louisiana. I met a dude on death row. He made me a necklace. I still got it til this day. When I met him, I had this somber perspective like, “I feel bad for him.”
But when I got in there, he was all smiles. He was like, “This is dope getting to meet you.” I said, “Bro, you’re on death row.” He was like, “It’s all good. I’m going to be with God. I’m chilling. My family writes me. I’m just grateful for this day and them letting me do this.” He was just so appreciative of these little things.
I said, “If this dude can smile, I don’t got no excuse.” It’s that type of stuff that keeps me on the up-and-up and say, “Keep your head up, man. Keep focus. It’s people out here in way worse situations. They’re able to smile and make it through, so let me try to encourage somebody else.”
Lecrae: Yeah, I did. I’m all for him. I know people have mixed perspectives on it. But artists are some of the most marginalized people in the world. People don’t think that. Athletes and artists are really marginalized, because in people’s minds you’ve “made it,” so you can withstand all the criticism and scrutiny. But they’re just people.
He’s a young dude articulating his perspective on life and faith. Just because he’s on that big stage doesn’t mean he has it all figured out. But let him have his moment. Let him be excited. Let him share his joy, his faith. He’s figuring it out.
In ten years, he’s going to be 33, and he’ll still have a lot of learning to do at 33. You got to give people space and room to grow. I always say – and I’m not calling him a one-year-old – but just in general, when you see a one-year-old take his first step and then they fall, you don’t say, “Man, that was wack. Look at you falling.” You say, “That was dope. You took a step. Take another one. Take another one. Take another one.”
I think that’s how we should be with people. Let them learn how to walk. Let them learn how to fall, get up, and walk further than they did the first time. And cheer them on instead of always criticizing them and wondering about how authentic they are.
AllHipHop: You’re working on an album. How has that process been so far?
Lecrae: I’m finally in a place as an artist where I’m very, very comfortable in my own skin. I came up under Hip Hop. I mean like the classic Hip Hop. My cousins were older than me, so they cared about lyricism and the authenticity of it. That’s how they raised me to appreciate Hip Hop music.
So I went from being this kid who wanted to prove I can battle anybody and destroy them to coming into my own, as far as faith is concerned and trying to prove to people I really was serious about my faith to trying to prove to the Hip Hop community that even though I’m serious about my faith, I do this, to trying to prove to the faith community that just because I’m doing songs with Big K.R.I.T. or B.o.B. doesn’t mean I’m insecure about my faith.
Now I’m like, “I’m done.” I’m just comfortable in my skin. I’m making music. If you rock with me, come on, let’s go. If you don’t, it’s alright. It’s a million other artists out there. But I believe in what I’m doing and I’m going to keep killing it.
AllHipHop: You did a new song with Lalah Hathaway. You’ve worked together before. What is it like working with her?
Lecrae: She’s like a big sister. She’s smart, witty, funny. She’s a phenomenal artist. She has so many layers to her. For me, it was like brother-sister stuff. I wasn’t like, “Hey, let’s try to figure out a song.” It was like, “You got an idea? Let’s do it.” She wanted to put something out on that tip of encouraging people. I was like, “I’m with it. Let’s do it.”
Plus, my mom is a big Lalah fan. She was a fan of her father [Donny Hathaway]. My mom met her, and I feel like my mom was always trying to make something happen – “Do something with Lalah. Where’s Lalah? What’s going on?” So of course, it was a no-brainer.
AllHipHop: Mom was working as an A&R, huh?
Lecrae: Yeah, big time. [laughs]
AllHipHop: What else do you have in the works?
Lecrae: The album. That’s really what I’m focused on. Letting “Blessings” gain some steam and then come with the album. The album is full of great music. It’s socially conscious stuff on there. It’s stuff for Sunday night, stuff for Saturday night. Every night of the week – we got music for you. Some stuff will challenge you. Some stuff will just make you have a good time. It’s all good music. That’s what’s on the way.
(AllHipHop News) Police in Charlotte, North Carolina released a few details about a wild shootout that took place downtown last Saturday, during CIAA weekend.
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, over 100 rounds of gunfire were exchanged between two parties during the incident, which exploded on a commercial street in downtown Charlotte, about 30 minutes before the tip off of the championship game.
Authorities seized a minivan which crashed at the scene and retrieved a cache of weapons from the vehicle.
“I would just say it was more than… there was some high-powered – at least one we believe was used and an assortment of others,” said Deputy Chief Jeff Estes.
Deputy Estes said that the issues involved two groups of men who are connected “to the entertainment industry.”
“We are exploring the possibility that this involved some sort of groups related to the entertainment industry,” Deputy Chief Estes said.
While police remained tight-lipped due to the ongoing investigation, Estes said the case was on its way to being solved.
“There’s some evidence that we’ve collected – of course, shell casings and other evidence that I won’t specifically mention,” Estes said. “But we are well on our way to some sort of resolution.”
Shortly after the shooting erupted, reports begin to circulate that the intended mark was rapper Young Dolph, who was purportedly in a bulletproof minivan when the gunfire occurred.
Dolph and fellow Memphis rapper Yo Gotti have issued vicious diss tracks against one another, and they were both in town during CIAA weekend, prompting speculation that it was their crews involved in the gunbattle.
(AllHipHop News) Last year, Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman announced a new documentary about the successful label was in the works.
Birdman took to Instagram this week to share the release date for Before Anything: The Story Behind The Cash Money Records Empire.
The doc will be available for viewing on May 12 and accompanied by a soundtrack.
It was previously reported Birdman’s film will stream exclusively on Apple Music.
According to another IG post, the man born Bryan Williams is also officially reconnecting with his “Lifestyle” collaborator Young Thug as the group Rich Gang.
“April 14 @birdman5star @thuggerthugger1 #lifestyle #YSLRG,” wrote Birdman in the photo’s caption.
The two southern rappers, along with Rich Homie Quan, united for the Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1 mixtape in 2014.
Birdman and Young Thug appear together in the recently released “Bit Bak” video as well.
(AllHipHop News) Raekwon’s next studio album, The Wild, is scheduled to arrive on March 24.
The project will include contributions from CeeLo Green, G-Eazy, Andra Day, and newcomer P.U.R.E.
Young Money head Lil Wayne is also featured on a track titled “My Corner.”
The musical union of Weezy and Raekwon is a rare collaboration between two of the most successful rap stars of the last three decades.
“We were on records with other people that meshed us together. But me and him never had an opportunity to work with each other like, ‘This is going to be a record for me and you,'” Rae tells AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview.
Besides explaining the correspondence that set up the creation of the track, Raekwon also praised Wayne for his appreciation for and contribution to Hip Hop culture.
“He’s clever. He always pays homage. He’s a legend in my eyes. I just wanted to call him and just say, ‘I need you to get on this. I found something that I think you would rip. I think the world is going to be like, “Wow. The Chef and Wayne?”‘” said the Wu-Tang Clan member.
Raekwon continued, “It sounds almost impossible to create, but that’s only to the eyes of those who don’t understand. But to me it was like, ‘Yo, it’s time. I just gotta give him something he would really appreciate.’ The record I gave him – he went in on it. He smashed it like I knew he would.”
(AllHipHop News) For many Hip Hop followers, Kendrick Lamar has dropped back-to-back classic albums.
Both 2012’s good kid, m.A.A.d city and 2015’s To Pimp a Butterfly have been certified platinum, and the LPs earned Lamar multiple Grammy nods, including nominations for Album of the Year.
The Compton spitter is back to work on his follow-up project to TPAB.
“This is what goes on in my mind as a writer. One day, I may have a little girl. And it’s a girl in particular — funny you said that. She’s gonna grow up. She’s gonna be a child I adore, I’m gonna always love her, but she’s gonna reach that one point where she’s gonna start experiencing things. And she’s gonna say things or do things that you may not condone, but it’s the reality of it and you know she was always gonna get to that place. And it’s disturbing. But you have to accept it. You have to accept it and you have to have your own solutions to figure out how to handle the action and take action for it.
“When I say ‘the little girl,’ it’s the analogy of accepting the moment when she grows up. We love women, we enjoy their company. At one point in time I may have a little girl who grows up and tells me about her engagements with a male figure — things that most men don’t want to hear. Learning to accept it, and not run away from it, that’s how I want this album to feel.”
(AllHipHop News) Joey Bada$$ is not backing down from comments he made about Tupac Shakur.
During an interview with Genius, Joey stated, “I already know I’m a better rapper than 2Pac is. That’s just facts. One-on-one battle, I’ll flame Pac.”
The Brooklyn rhymer took to social media to defend his stance on the late Hip Hop star.
“When I said I was better than PAC (my favorite rapper of all time) I was refering [sic] to rap skill. Bar for bar. Not accolades or influence,” wrote Bada$$ on Twitter. “And I back myself 1000 times to that fact… media like twisting up the words but that’s I meant when I said it for all you butt hurt bozos.”
Who do you think would win in a one-on-one rap battle between 2Pac and Joey Bada$$? Take our poll below.
When I said I was better than PAC (my favorite rapper of all time) I was refering to rap skill. Bar for bar. Not accolades or influence.
(AllHipHop Rumors) Well at least Nicki Minaj has two people in her corner. She’s going to need a lot more, perhaps some crazy battle rap ghostwriters though, if she doesn’t have the “time” to reply.
Thuy-An Julien is a Grammy award-winning entertainment and technology executive, with more than 20 years experience at the intersection of music and technology. She has worked at numerous Fortune 500 Companies including Apple Inc., Time Inc., Sports Illustrated, and other major companies.
Currently, Julien is CEO of