(AllHipHop News) Police have reportedly charged two Croatian men with disorderly conduct for using racial slurs against actor Jamie Foxx.
The “Ray” star was the target of “particularly arrogant and rude” insults while he was dining at a restaurant in in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where he is filming a new “Robin Hood” movie, on Sunday (February 19), according to the Washington Post.
The 49-year-old is not named in the police report, but he addressed the situation in a social media post that has since been deleted.
Police are reportedly investigating whether to pursue additional charges against the men.
Foxx and his pals were enjoying a night out at Catch restaurant when a stranger reportedly approached the group of friends and complained about the noise they were making.
According to TMZ.com, the man lunged at Jamie and pulled him down onto a table.
Foxx subsequently poked fun at the reports, but didn’t confirm or deny them.
(AllHipHop Rumors) I don’t know what is going on, but it seems like The Migos put them paws on Sean Kingston! Now, if it happened, there has to are video of the alleged assault and yet, there is none at the time of this writing. More specifically, its saying “Quavo and the boys” so it may not be the other dudes. Ain’t Offset on parole or something? I don’t think dude can afford to catch a case.
ANYWAY, they are saying that poor Sean really got it bad so hopefully he’s not hurt too bad. The Migos allegedly stomped on Sean Kingston and even pounded out his head. One of Sean’s crew pulled out the hammer and pointed in the air, but not at one of the Migos. Does that make sense? What’s the point? Just go get people off your man!?
The Migos are not wanted at this time. But cops….want to talk to them.
(AllHipHop Rumors) I know we all thought that Chris Brown and Soulja Boy was going to happen. Well it sure seemed like it for a minute there – you know when the boxing guys were doing it. Both Floyd Mayweather and 50 Cent have boxing experience, as boxers and promoters. Then throw Iron Mike Tyson, a one-time boxer and promoter too. BUT…The Game’s manager seemed to introduce a different element to the whole situation. Nobody is naming his name, but that’s what seems.
Check out what “Bhris Brown” said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQyXFjWFprR
People are saying that he was scared but I don’t agree. He did say “pull up, bro.”
(AllHIpHop News) Police in New Orleans, Louisiana have issued a warrant for comedian Mike Epps’ arrest after he skipped a court date relating to a weekend bust up.
The Friday star reportedly became involved in an altercation with a man who recognized the actor at Harrah’s Casino in the early hours of Saturday (February 18).
The alleged victim, who was visiting the city for the NBA All-Star Weekend, claims Epps and his friend, Thomas Cobb, suddenly attacked him for no reason, prompting venue security guards to intervene and call the cops.
Epps and Cobb were arrested for battery and freed on $1,000 bail.
Both men were due to appear in court for arraignment hearings on Tuesday morning (February 21), but they were no shows, and have since become wanted men.
Representatives for Epps have yet to comment on the reports.
The 46-year-old is currently in the middle of a comedy tour, and while he has been promoting his shows on social media, he has made no mention of his arrest online.
His next stand up show is scheduled for Savannah, Georgia on Friday (February 24).
(AllHipHop News) Former Outkast star Andre 3000 has signed on to become creative director of Swedish footwear and outerwear brand Tretorn.
The “Ms. Jackson” singer will also appear in a global brand campaign for the company later this year and design a 2018 capsule collection.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Andre,” Nick Woodhouse, the president and CMO of Authentic Brands Group, says. “His creativity, unconventional personal style and unique point of view, as applied to our fresh and reimagined designs, will be an adventure.”
Authentic Brands Group executives purchased Tretorn last year.
As part of his role as the 126-year-old brand’s new face, the Outkast star, real name Andre Benjamin, will also headline an upcoming concert to mark the 50th anniversary of the classic Tretorn Nylite sneaker.
Woodhouse insists the collaboration was meant to be – because Benjamin is a longtime fan of the brand’s famous tennis sneaker.
“It was very serendipitous,” Woodhouse shares. “We wanted to work with Andre because he resonates with all ages and he’s an OG (original gangster). He’s not a flavor of the month. There are a lot of terrific, young influencers out there, but Andre is established. These young kids are reaching out to him to collaborate. That’s why we did this.
“He came to the meeting with sketches of shoes. He has a very clear point of view on style, the way he dresses and the way he carries himself.”
This isn’t Andre’s first foray into fashion – Outkast had a short-lived clothing line over a decade ago and he launched a menswear collection, named Benjamin Bixby in 2008.
(AllHipHop News) Black Thought is jumping head first into comedy, with the launch of a new live series in Philadelphia.
The frontman for The Roots will debut a new showcase called “Delirious” at Punchline Philly, which is a recognized hotspot for breaking some of the funniest talents in the region.
“Having worked on ‘Late Night’ and ‘The Tonight Show’ for the past eight years, I do comedy every day so I’m always around lots of comedians,” Black Though told Philly Metro. “We’re a few floors down from ‘SNL’ so I get to interact with them. I’ve been doing a recurring bit with Seth Herzog of ‘The Tonight Show’ at a place in New York City called The Slipper Room for the past year or so. I sat in on a couple of Jeff Ross’ comedy ‘Roast’ battles and yeah, it’s something I decided I wanted to do.”
Black Thought is starting the series with Quincy “Q Deezy” Harris, host of “The Q Show,” which airs on Fox.
Q is a well-known host and comedian as well, having done stand-up around the country, in addition to serving as on-air talent for Big Boy’s#### syndicated radio show “Big Boy’s Neighborhood.”
The first of the new series, “Delirious,” will highlight comedians Seth Herzog, Jamar Neighbors, Janelle James and others.
DJ J. Period is slated to spin the music, along with Black Thought himself.
The Dynamic Hip-Hop Artist Officially Releases His 8th Segment Of 52 For #MeanMondays
R-Mean is the first rapper of American – Armenian descent to achieve international and national acclaim. As a result of his mountainous ancestral republic sound the rapper became the chosen one of his cultures expression of Hip-Hop.
“Land Of The Free” is R-Means’ lyrical attack on America’s corrupt political system. The 8th and newest release from R-Mean’s 52-week-long series, “Mean Mondays” features Big K.R.I.T. The two linked in December when they were both a part of Sway’s epic end of the year DoomsDay Cypher. R-Mean was one of the chosen emcees and Big K.R.I.T. along with Pete Rock supplied the beats for the cypher.
The DoomsDay Cypher quickly became the highest rated show on Revolt TV within 6 months and showed viewers R-Mean’s lyrical prowess. His strong and loyal fan base never fails to show how his music touches their lives.
Keep up with R-Mean on social media everywhere @Rmean
It has been a little over a week since the 59th Annual Grammy awards took place, and data is coming in showing a continuous boost for Chance the Rapper. In addition to seeing a 600% increase on Spotify, Nielsen Music has compiled data showing just how much his streams have been positively impacted by winning three Grammy Awards earlier this month. Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book lead all albums with a unit increase of 15,548,000 on-demand streams. Adele’s 25 clocked in at a distant second, with 5,160,500 extra streams. Overall, Chance’s streams across all music platforms saw an 84% boost.
Black Eyed Peas founding group member will.I.am hopes to become the next big mogul in banking. According to reports, will.I.am has become a boardmember of Atom Bank, and also has the obtained rights to purchase up to $3 million worth of stock from the company at rock bottom prices. will.i.am has become a board member of Atom and will help market the company via social media, in addition to helping guide the company’s digital strategy. In return, the rapper can buy up to 3 million shares in the company, valued at $1.15 over the next three years. Atom Bank was started by Anthony Thompson, who is also a founder of Metro Bank.
Rapper Plies has reportedly had his driver’s license suspended for a year following his DUI arrest last month. The “Shawty” hitmaker, real name Algernod Washington, was pulled over by police in Tampa, Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence on January 17. He has yet to face the charge in court, but according to TMZ.com, Plies refused to submit to a breath test or provide a blood or urine sample at the time of his arrest, and under state law, his failure to do so has cost him his driver’s permit. Plies, 40, is currently free on $500 bail. He has yet to comment on the legal trouble.
(AllHipHop Rumors) It looks like Kim Kardashian is trying to do everything she can to prevent her husband Kanye West from having another mental breakdown!
Apparently Kimmy Kakes can’t get Yeezy to settle down, and it’s affecting their marriage.
Although there have been mixed reviews about Ye’s Yeezy Season 5 NYFW show, he still managed to pull it off. Apparently what he views as success in regards to the show has inspired him to want to return to the road.
According to RadarOnline, Kanye allegedly wants to revive his Saint Pablo Tour, that he had to abruptly cancel last year due to a mental breakdown, but Kim is not having it!
“Kim told Kanye to take a step back, but because he feels that he pulled off the fashion show, he is really pushing her to restart his tour where it left off,” claims an insider.
“Everyone around Kanye, especially Kim, thinks that this is a very bad idea but he is not listening to anyone. It is just making the situation that much worse!”
It seems that Kim believes that Kanye needs more rest, and after her robbery in Paris, Kim doesn’t want to return to Europe anytime soon.
I personally think Kanye should still take it easy and get some more rest. What are your thoughts?
(AllHipHop News) Veteran rapper Memphis Bleek has stepped into the role of music executive with Warehouse Music Group.
Bleek has already signed up-and-coming rappers Manolo Rose and Casanova to his imprint.
The Brooklynite explained how his mentor Jay Z helped get Warehouse off the ground.
“When I was telling [Jay] about Manolo and Cas, I was trying to bring them to Roc Nation, just trying to get them a deal,” Bleek told Hot 97’s Nessa. “He’s like, ‘Don’t worry about it, little bro. I’ll give you a label. You sign them.”
According to Bleek, Def Jam and Universal are handling the distribution for Warehouse.
Casanova collected a lot of plays thanks to his single “Don’t Run” and the song’s remix featuring NYC spitters Fabolous, Young M.A, Dave East, and Don Q.
Manolo Rose has the internet-buzzworthy tracks “Run Ricky Run,” “F-ck 12,” and “God Level” in his discography.
Then, he broke the news that he was bowing out of his fight with Soulja Boy.
It was a legit thing on a positive scale. All the wrong people got in the way, the middlemen people got in the way, cause they wanna get a piece of the pie,” Chris Brown said.
“It’s immature. First and foremost. Second of all Aint no n##ga ever gonna hold me up. However everything goes is how we rocking. He gonna see me, he gonna see me.”
(AllHipHop Rumors) It looks like Drake’s next victim lady-of-the-moment is a model!
It’s pretty evident that Drake has moved on from Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, and we all know Drake likes to get around.
It seems like his interaction with model Winnie Harlow has sparked rumors about an alleged romance between the two.
Apparently Harlow quickly left London club Cirque Le Soir to connect with Drake at Libertine where he hosted a private party until 5 a.m. on Sunday morning.
According to a PageSix insider, the 6 God only had his eyes on Harlow despite the other models in the building.
“Jourdan Dunn and Adriana Lima were also at the bash but Drake only had eyes for Winnie. The pair were spotted chatting and dancing together at the party that went on until the early hours. Winnie’s night started at Cirque but she quickly left fellow model Kendall Jenner in the club to meet up with Drake at the nearby venue.
Drake regularly parties at Libertine and had only extended the invite to his closest pals. Winnie and Drake have always had a close friendship, with him even rapping about her on track ‘Know Yourself,’ but they looked particularly intimate on Saturday,” said a party goer!
Harlow even shared a clip of Drake on her IG story with the caption,
“Lol Drake love fi step inna mi video light.”
Drake’s flirtatious behavior with Harlow is also raising eyebrows for another reason! Harlow already has a history with OVO as she was veryyyy close with the 6 God’s producer and best friend, producer Noah “40” Shebib a few years back. 40 & Harlow always claimed they were friends, but their closeness for a few years suggested otherwise. They also made each other their MCMs and WCW so who knows.
Makes you say is Drizzy violating the bro code? Maybe Drizzy was just inviting out an old friend, or maybe anything goes in the industry. Who knows. LOL.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Remy Ma is considering undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) to start a family with her husband Papoose after suffering a miscarriage last month.
Remy has since admitted it was the second time she had struggled to carry a child, after a teenage incident prompted doctors to remove one of her Fallopian tubes, which allows an egg to travel from the ovaries to the uterus.
“Something happened to me when I was 17 where I had to get my Fallopian tube removed,” she explained to NYmag.com. “I was so young, I didn’t want any kids anyway. I was like, no problem, take it out. I literally did not think about it. It was just something that wasn’t important to me then.
“But when it (ectopic pregnancy) happened again as a married woman who loves her husband and wants to give her husband all the children in the world and expand my family, that broke my heart. I was devastated.”
Remy subsequently learned she would still be able to have kids naturally via IVF treatment, and it’s a procedure she is now researching.
She continued, “When I went to see the doctor, he was like, ‘Don’t worry about it, your ovaries are fine, your eggs are fine, your uterus is fine, it’s just your fallopian tubes. You can still have a child if you do in vitro.'”
The hip-hop star recognizes how pricey the medical treatment can be, and she is thankful to be able to afford to pay fertilization experts to help her realize her dream of starting a family.
“I’m like, OK, in vitro is minimum like, $12,000. I’m in a financially stable situation where I can do that, so it wasn’t until I put it out there that I was like, if I didn’t have to money to cover in vitro, I’d never have children (naturally),” she said.
Remy has been married to fellow rapper Papoose since 2008, when she was serving six years behind bars for assault, weapons possession and attempted coercion. She was released from prison in 2014.
(AllHipHop Opinion) This past Sunday (Feb. 18), global sensation, Drake, sat down with BBC’s DJ Semtex for a rare interview. During an in-depth conversation, Drake addressed everything from his feud with Meek Mill to being “fired” by Dr. Dre. The interview provided answers to a lot of questions (like why The Throne didn’t make the final cut of “Pop Style”). However, this candid talk also rekindled the emotions that make Drake one of the most unpopular popular artist in music.
Throughout the evolution of Drake’s career, there has always an idea that he “uses” certain people or places for his own benefit (Migos, Fetty Wap, Houston, Jamaica etc.). This notion creates a disconnect between Hip-Hop fans and Aubrey Graham. Yet despite this, the quality of Drake’s music made people look past this gap, allowing him to Rap himself into superstardom. But in his recent interview, it appears that Drake has taken this parasitic approach to making music and expanded it past the featuring of an artist or city to the manipulation of Rap culture. An act that has widened the already present chasm in his character making it almost impossible to ignore.
This mindset was first exemplified when Drake discussed the construction of his Views album. In a shocking revelation, he told Semtex that he contemplated removing all the Rap from Views in replacement of music and melodies “he enjoys,” only keeping it on the album because for his core fans that got him to this point. This took the listening audience by surprise. It is as though Drake is only rapping out of obligation rather than love for the art form.
He continues to affirm this estrangement from Rap by painting the genre as a potential constraint to his overall success several times during the interview.
“I want to be the biggest artist ever,” Drake described in defense of his choice in creating Pop tunes. “I want to be like Michael Jackson.”
Drake then further paints this confinement by stating that he never truly experienced racism until becoming famous within music. He supports this claim by pointing to his lack of Pop nominations at this year’s Grammy Awards.
“I don’t know why (‘One Dance’) wasn’t nominated,” He said. “I don’t know if it’s because I rapped in the past, or because I’m Black.”
By doing this, not only has Drake limited the potential power of Rap music, he also suggested that being a rapper is just as limiting to one’s career as being Black. An ill-informed projection from a person who admitted to only feeling like an “outsider” because he’s from Canada. (I wonder how his family in Memphis feel about that?)
With blatantly denouncing his stance a Rapper, Drake effectively proved to Black America what the popularity of his music led us to deny. Like almost everything and everybody Drake has encountered in his career, he has used Rap as a stepping stone forgetting about how much it did for him as an artist. At this point of his career with the advancements in both social media and the music business, Drake is in a position to make whatever music he wants while holding his place as the world’s most popular Rapper. Yet, for him, he has taken what he wanted from the genre. He took the benefits of being a Rapper, but not the plight. In a sense, Drake is no better than those corny McDonald’s commercials. He has effectively exploited Rap for his personal benefit, and in return mocked the culture of Black America.
(AllHipHop News) DJ Premier has taken advantage of his studio time with hit singer Miguel, on a new track titled “2 LOVIN U.”
Miguel originally posted a snippet of himself in the studio with DJ Premier featuring a clip of the song they were working on at the time.
By the time Miguel’s Wildheart album dropped their original track had been changed due to project deadlines.
The collaboration ended up appearing under the title “Damned” when Miguel’s Wildheart album was finally released in 2016.
DJ Premier and Miguel decided they didn’t want to leave the original version on the cutting room floor, so they completed the original version and turn it into “2 LOVIN U.”
“The snippet you heard on Miguel’s Instagram, mine is the original” DJ Premier told AllHipHop.com in a statement today (February 21).
“Miguel and I were vibing at a session and just really seeing what we could come up with,” Premo continued. “What we came up with was a dope, but rough version of what you hear today. Miguel and I had deadlines and we never got around to finishing it. We both really believed in this version of the track and we both felt very strongly that it needed to come out and be released as a single.”
Their song “2 LOVIN U” has been promoted on ESPN on First Take and SportsCenter, in the form of :20 second snippets.
“Miguel and I approached the label about releasing it and everyone was on-board,” DJ Premier certified.
The single, is also the first release from DJ Premier’s new label TTT (To The Top).
Miguel and DJ Premier’s “2 LOVIN U” is available now worldwide.
(AllHipHop News) Chris Brown was not playing in an Instagram video, where he said he would never leave his ex-girlfriends alone.
The rapper has been ordered to stay away from his ex, Karrueche Tran, according to TMZ.com.
She claims that the R&B singer has vowed to kill her in the past and she even revealed that the Brown has put hands on her twice before, she said in a sworn statement.
According to Karrueche, she has had a rocky relationship with the rapper, which turned violent several years ago.
In her statement, Karrueche claims Chris “punched me in my stomach twice,” and “pushed me down the stairs.”
According to TMZ.com, the timeframe in which his assaults against Karrueche took place at the same time he was on probation for his assault of superstar singer/former girlfriend, Rihanna.
Karrueche she said that she wasn’t worried about Chris until recently when he threatened to harm her friends and allegedly threw a drink at one of them.
Now, 21 has just announced his own headlining outing, “Issa Tour,” Monster Energy. The young rapper’s first headlining trek will feature guests Young M.A,. Tee Grizzley and Young Nudy.
“I’m the biggest, newest artist to break in the last year – I worked like a real monster and hard work pays off. It’s only right that I team up with The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour for my first headlining run,” 21 Savage said
.
The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour was originally launched in 2011, with the intention of providing the best buzzing new acts, with the biggest tour in their early careers.
Other Outbreak artists have included Kendrick Lamar, Fetty Wap, Logic, Macklemore, Iggy Azalea and others.
21 Savage’s “Issa Tour” kicks off in Houston on March 31, and will stop in New York, LA, Dallas, and Chicago amongst other cities. General ticket sales start on February 24.
(AllHipHop Features) It seems almost like fate that a song titled “Dreams” would be the track that eventually led to Cozz signing with Dreamville Records. The imprint’s founder, J. Cole, heard the cut and inked a deal with the South Central native.
The man born Cody Osagie would go on to drop two solo projects (Cozz & Effect, Nothin’ Personal) and contribute to the Dreamville compilation Revenge of the Dreamers II. Cozz would also take part in Cole’s “Forest Hills Drive Tour” and Bas’ “Too High To Riot Tour.”
Prior to joining Dreamville’s starting line-up and releasing his own full bodies of work, Cozz was just an aspiring rapper who had yet to venture too far outside of Los Angeles. Fast forward a few years, the budding star is now building a fan base around the world. He and his longtime friend/producer Joshua “Meez” Morgan joined forces to launch Tha Committee as well.
“Momma never thought I’d make it this way,” raps Cozz on “Dreams.” Despite the apprehension from others about his pursuit of Hip Hop as a career, Cody Macc is starting to prove why creating art is his calling.
You released Cozz & Effect as a commercial project and then released the Nothin’ Personal mixtape. Rappers usually do the opposite. They release the mixtape first and then they release the commercial project. Were you ever reluctant to take that path? And why did you decide that’s what you wanted to do?
Actually, I didn’t want to do that. I didn’t go into Cozz & Effect like it was an album. Before I put it out, I linked up with Cole. He heard the project. It was pretty much done by the time I got to him, and they wanted to sell it.
I was against it because it was my first project. They said in the long run it would help. They felt like it was so classic it had to be sold. So I was like, “F-ck it. I’m new to the game. If y’all think that’s right, then let’s do it.”
That’s why with Nothin’ Personal I said I got to drop something free. I never dropped nothing free before.
Looking back on it, do you think it was a good idea?
Yeah. I do feel like that project is my very first project to the world, and I feel like it is really, really good. I feel like when I do get bigger later on, people are gonna go back and buy that project. I think it was a good idea. I’m glad I did that.
Whose idea was it to put Cole on the remix to “Knock Tha Hustle”?
It was actually Cole’s. He wanted to get on it. It’s funny. Before he hopped on it, he was going to try and get on “Western Ave. Slaves.” But he hit me like, “I don’t really relate to that. That’s too personal for you.”
He called me like, “I hopped on ‘Knock Tha Hustle.’” Either way was fine with me. Then I heard it, and I was like, “G####### bruh!” [laughs] That sh-t was dope as f-ck. I’m glad he did that because I don’t know how he would have sounded on “Western Ave. Slaves.”
The thing that I felt was interesting about him being on “Knock Tha Hustle”… when I saw that, I thought, “That’s almost like subtly saying we’re passing the baton.” Because [Cole’s Roc Nation label head] Jay Z had “Can’t Knock The Hustle.”
We actually talked about that too. It’s crazy how that happened. That’s just some universe sh-t. I don’t think it was intentional. It was just some connection.
A lot of times when I talk to artists, they talk about how things just happen when they’re really in a groove, the universe just makes things happen, and it’s not always planned out. Do you see that happening with you?
Hell yeah. I’m a strong believer in that. I just kind of go with the flow. I work hard, but I don’t gotta force nothing. I make sure the sh-t comes naturally. I feel like that’s just the best way to go about things.
I want to talk about some stuff, but I can’t. [laughs] But lately, a lot of stuff has been happening like that. Some crazy sh-t actually. When the time’s right, we’ll have a conversation again, and I’ll tell you. But yeah, I’m a firm believer of that.
In the [Too High To Riot] documentary, there’s a segment where you’re talking about how you were surprised that you had all these fans everywhere. Even at this point in your career, does it still shock you that you get that response from making music?
Yeah, depending on where I’m at. In L.A., I’m pretty known. That’s hometown, so for me, it’s dope. But I’m still like, “What the hell?” If somebody notices me at the mall, it’s still kind of trips me out. But what really trips me out is when people stop me while walking around other parts of the state or the country. I know I possibly got fans everywhere, but I’m nowhere near my peak yet.
You’re 23 and signed to one of the biggest artists in the world. When you look back to a few years ago, would you have imagined you’d be where you are now? I ask that because a lot of people have big dreams but sometimes they get discouraged at different points and then walk away. Did you ever have that moment where you felt like “this is not happening” and you didn’t necessarily see you being where you are today?
It’s like a yes and no. Deep down I was like, “I know I can do this. I know it.” At the same time, it’s like there’s always that doubt too. The thing that was pounded into my head growing up was, “Boy, you gotta go to school and get your education. That’s going to be your way out.” So there’s always a doubt like, “Maybe this is some crazy dream.”
It’s different nowadays because we got the internet. So I saw all these kids getting on and putting out music. At the time, I was just writing. I started at 16, but I felt like my bars were crazy. It’s crazy though cause at 16 I thought I was going to be on by 18. At 18, I thought I’d be on by 19. That sh-t didn’t happen.
I was going to community college and failing. I feel like at that point in my life, at 18, I was thinking, “I don’t know if this is going to work.” But at the same time, I was still rapping and ditching classes to record. Luckily, I got signed at 20 and dropped my project at 21. So it did end up working out after 18.
At what point did you meet Meez and when did you realize there was a chemistry there?
I met him at like 17. We were just chilling one day at my homie’s house who I went to high school with. He played me some beats. I was like, “You’re not bad, honestly.” I didn’t know anybody that made beats. I was still getting beats off YouTube.
He would just play me beats and we just worked together from there. I was going through some things where I didn’t have nowhere to stay cause I wasn’t cool with my mom or pops. Both of them wasn’t f-cking with me, and I was staying with him.
So we literally worked every day. He became my boy. We became friends before we really started working. I was there every day and we had nothing else to do but work. So we just kept working. That was that. We live together now. At a new spot of course, not with the moms. [laughs] But we’re still doing the same thing.
I was listening to “All Eyez On Me.” You made a reference to the “Hip Hop savior.” Sometimes artists embrace that term and sometimes they reject it. What are your thoughts about someone saying Cozz is the Hip Hop savior?
I don’t even look at it as I’m the only “savior.” I don’t really think Hip Hop needs saving. But what I’m saying is that I’m one of those dudes who still got the traditional Hip Hop in me but a little mix of the new school too. I got both worlds in me.
I’m young, but I grew up on that real Hip Hop. So I’m just one of those dudes that when you need a story, some type of lyricism, some type of bars, you can always come to me. There are multiple people like that as well. I’m just naming myself as one of them.
You mentioned how you’re a young guy. What is it like being one of the youngest artists on the [Dreamville] roster?
Yeah, everybody is older than me. I didn’t even think about that. [laughs] Nah, it’s cool. Honestly, you can’t really tell. We feel like we’re all the same age, basically. We all party together. We all talk sh-t. They’re older, but they’re still young minded as sh-t too. [laughs]
I feel like I do bring a new energy, a little new “‘93 flavor” or whatever you want to call it. But honestly, you can’t really tell. We all kick it like it’s nothing.
The Insecure situation. Did you know that was happening?
Nah, I didn’t know that. I knew it was possible because my engineer, Enimal, he’s a blood brother – like same mom and dad – with Issa Rae. He would always tell me, “My sister’s working on a show.” I’m thinking like her YouTube show. Then it ended up being Insecure.
He told me, “You might have a shout out on there. She f-cks with your sh-t. I don’t know if you’re gonna have a shout out, but she might shout you out.”
At the time he was telling me I’m thinking it’s not that big of a show. But then when it came out, I was like, “I hope I get that shout out still. Sorry for doubting.” [laughs] So yeah, I had an idea, but I didn’t know for sure it was going to happen. But when it happened I was excited. Sh-t was dope.
I haven’t watched all of them. I don’t watch TV like that. I’ve watched like three or four episodes.
I was going to ask you if you consider yourself a member of the “Lawrence Hive.” But you haven’t gotten to the last episode.
Yeah, I don’t even know what that is. [laughs]
You’re working on a new album. What else do you have in the works right now?
I don’t know if I can speak on one of the things. But I’m working with other people as well now. I can’t really say no names.
Honestly, the album is the main thing right now. I got a lot of songs I plan on putting out that are not on the album. I haven’t put out a project in a while so I have a lot of material. I’m figuring out what I’m doing with certain things.
I’ve been so focused on the album. I haven’t been trying to work with too many people or do too many things. When I’m locked in on a project, I’m pretty much locked in on that. That’s it besides the other thing I can’t talk about. [laughs]
Since you have that connection with HBO and Hollywood, does entering into the acting field ever cross your mind?
Hell yeah. It’s funny I got called in to do three auditions in the past three months. They reached out to me, and I actually took one audition. I took an acting class before I did it. Obviously, I didn’t get the part, but it was dope. It was fun.
It depends on the role. I don’t think I’m one of those guys that can do too much out of my character. [laughs] But it’s something that I want to work on. Even when I did the acting class, it was mad fun to me. So it’s something I’m definitely looking forward to when the time is right. I gotta get the music thing down first.
Finally, has there been any talk about Tha Committee getting together and doing a full body of work?
For sure. Definitely after my album drops. I’m really excited about this album. I feel like it’s super special. So after this album comes out and the ball gets rolling a little more, that’s for sure. We just want to have the right tools and platform to do it. Me and my boys in Tha Committee, we’re always working. So we got a lot of stuff in the stash. We’re just waiting on that right time.
(AllHipHop Features) There have been countless rap stars to rise out of Atlanta. The city seems to constantly present new acts that eventually connect with a wider national, and in some cases international, audience.
Matt Citron is on the verge of being the latest ATLien to leave a mark on the music business. Following his years-long grind from Atlanta to New York City and back to the A, the 22-year-old former acting student took a big step toward creating an unavoidable digital presence with 2016’s Final Moments Of Forever.
The project featured fellow A-town rap representatives Cyhi Da Prynce and Money Makin’ Nique. Citron also saw his work get an influential co-sign from DJ Greg Street, the legendary radio host who has had his finger on the pulse of Atlanta’s music scene for three decades.
“He helped me like a big brother in a lot of ways. I think he helped me mature a lot too,” says Citron about his connection with Street. “That was part of the transition from a kid in college to being a man in the music industry. He was a big piece to that puzzle.”
Street states on his protégé, “Matt has the sound, skill set, and talent to be one of Atlanta’s greatest rap artists. He has a personality and sound that anybody who really loves true Hip Hop will gravitate to. He’s naturally a superstar.”
The self-described music junkie has adopted the smooth, laid back southern style as well as the brash aggression of the East Coast. He runs off names like OutKast, Organized Noize, Goodie Mob, T.I., Ludacris, Jay Z, Nas, Dipset, Busta Rhymes, Buckwild, D.I.T.C., and Just Blaze as influences.
Citron just began releasing music a few years ago, but his musical lineage traces back to a grandfather that played saxophone professionally. Even though Citron never met his gramps, that instrumentalist gene still seeped into the scion.
Rather than playing the sax, Matt is mastering using his voice as an instrument by flipping his flows and diversifying his delivery. He puts those skills on full display throughout Final Moments Of Forever.
Discover more about Matt Citron in AllHipHop.com’s “Three Questions” interview series.
On “Election Day,” you seem to suggest that ghostwriting might be a form a cheating. Do you think a rapper that uses ghostwriters can be considered one of the greatest emcees of all time?
I don’t think so. But I can jump back and forth on that. It’s a tough question because obviously an artist that I always looked up to was Drake. And I think the reason I loved Drake so much was because he was not just a musician or just a rapper. He played the game so well, like chess. We saw that in its best display in the whole interaction with Meek Mill.
One thing, you can’t be out here saying, “I’m the hardest spitter.” It’s like, “Why use a ghostwriter?” I’ve had different theories on why Drake had Quentin Miller and other writers on that project. I thought he was trying to take some pressure off writing songs on If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late so he can keep his mind focused on Views.
But honestly, I feel like rap is the most personal genre of music in terms of vocals. In R&B, Folk, and other genres, it’s more ambiguous. You almost don’t expect the artist to be telling the truth. You can say they’re interpreting someone’s story from their point of view.
In Hip Hop, it’s so personal. When someone said, “I did this.” You expect they did it. If they didn’t do it, then you feel they’re a liar. So when someone in Hip Hop has someone else write their own words, I almost feel like how is that even possible? If you have someone help you with hooks or help expand your writing ability, that’s different. But when you have someone writing the actual words, I just think you’re not really a true lyricist, you’re not a true spitter.
Drake is still, to this day, one of my favorite artists to watch in terms of how he plays the game and manipulates different situations into his favor. But for me, I got to reel it back to a personal level. I said, “If I get to the point in my career where I can no longer write my own lyrics because I feel like I’m not that sharp with the pen, God forbid, I’m just going to step away.” Then I’ve said everything I need to say. I’m not just going to force it.
If you could only listen to three Just Blaze tracks for the rest of your life, what three tracks would it be?
Damn, that’s crazy. Okay. The first one would definitely be “Public Service Announcement” by Jay Z. That’s one of my favorite songs of all time. Maybe “Oh Boy” by Cam’ron and Juelz Santana. And then maybe “Touch The Sky” by Kanye West.
I think those show the three sides of Just Blaze. “TSA” is hard and aggressive. Then you got “Oh Boy” which is real smooth. Then you got “Touch The Sky” which almost has this inspirational bounce that’s very bright and has a positive feel to it.
Atlanta is an epicenter for a lot of rising talent, particularly in Hip Hop. What is it about Matt Citron that makes him stand out from everybody else in the city?
I think the thing that makes me stand out is probably the thing that makes all the artists in Atlanta stand out. It’s really what makes Atlanta stand out from all the other areas in the country and the world.
I get asked a lot if I ever catch flack from Atlanta because I don’t sound like everybody that’s coming out of there right now. To be honest, I think there are a lot of people that try to copycat other people’s style.
But I think the reason the main guys coming out of Atlanta have been so successful and the reason Atlanta continues to stay on top is because the guys in Atlanta are not afraid to sound different, they’re not afraid to separate themselves from the sound people might expect.
OutKast started that trend. It was the Booty Shake music that was popular in Atlanta when they came out. At first, people didn’t take to them because they sounded so different. But they blew up.
Then you got guys like Gucci. He came out and blew everybody away. Then more recently, Future kind of invented that Auto-Tuned, gutter singing-rapping style. Then you keep moving where you have Young Thug, who does these unbelievable runs with his voice. Migos got that real crazy, choppy flow.
Say what you want, but if the kids f-ck with your stuff then you’re doing something right. I appreciate all the music coming out of Atlanta. Look at someone like Lil Yachty who’s getting so much backlash for being different. But he’s being different and people are taking to it.
So what makes me love this city so much and what has made me able to do what I do coming out of the city is that I feel comfortable being different here. I feel comfortable doing my own thing and people from the area support it.
I never heard anybody not show me love because I didn’t sound like this, that, and the other. It was always like, “Yo, you’re making dope music, so we f-ck with you.” I think that’s the mentality everybody in the city has. It’s like, “Oh, they’re making dope music and they’re from Atlanta? We f-ck with them and support them.”
(AllHipHop News) Drake gave a shout out to his ex-girlfriend Rihanna to mark her 29th birthday during his concert in Dublin, Ireland last night (February 20).
“It’s somebody’s birthday today – somebody I have a lot of love for and a lot of respect for,” he told the crowd, according to fan videos posted on social media. “So, instead of singing ‘Happy birthday,’ though, we just going to do this in Dublin. Instead of singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ we’re going to set it off just like this…”
Drake and the Barbadian singer had been linked often in the past few years and he declared his love for her while presenting her with the Video Vanguard honor at the MTV Video Music Awards in August (16).
“She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22-years-old,” he said at the time. “She’s one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life, I’ve looked up to her, even though she’s younger than me. She’s a living, breathing legend in our industry.”
He has since been linked to Jennifer Lopez after she posted a cozy snap of them cuddling up in the recording studio in December (16) but she has played it coy when asked about their romance in interviews.
At the Grammy Awards, she told Ryan Seacrest, “He’s so brilliant, talented, amazing… We made a song together and we hung out… I have so much love for that boy.”
According to Britain’s The Sun, Drake has also been getting close to model Winnie Harlow and the singer “only had eyes for” her during a night out at London club Libertine over the weekend.
