(AllHipHop News) Brooklyn GS9 duo Bobby Shmurda and Rowdy Rebel recently gAbe their first interview since their plea deal.
The pair offered up some insight inot their time spent in prison, future plans for their music careers and much more.
Bobby and Rowdy took plea deal that saw them sentenced the to seven years in prison with two years time served.
This leaves them with five years left to serve plus the option of being released early, due to good behavior.
In the interview with interview Bobby finally gave the reasoning behind his acceptance of the plea deal to have time reduced.
“I did it for Rowdy. They offered me five and offered Rowdy 12. They said the only way they’ll give him seven is if I took seven too. So, you know, I had to take one for the dawgs,” Bobby explained providing some clarity.
During the discussion, the duo also reflected on Epic Record’s failure to post their $2 million bail.
“If we made bail I would’ve beat the case. We look guilty in these orange jumpsuits. If you put Al Sharpton in a orange jumpsuit and accuse him of having a gun, he’s going to be found guilty. They just look at our skin color, and look at where we’re from,” declared Bobby.
Despite the difficulty of their current situation, the duo says they still have more music in store, with Rowdy revealing that they have a few mixtapes ready to go to remain relevant and Bobby saying that he plans on a future in acting.
“I’m rapping, I’m acting, I’m going to have some books out. I want people to hear my story, they’re gonna feel my pain,” replied Bobby.
(AllHipHop News) Hip-Hop icon Future has finally fired back at Rocko amidst allegations that he breached a contract he established with the CEO of A1 Recordings.
TMZ reports that Future says there was never an exclusive agreement put in place to prevent him from doing business with other labels.
Future is countersuing for money he feels he’s due from their relationship.
The rapper says that Rocko shorted him out of money by never covering his recording costs and failing to pay the star his $10,000 advances per album.
Back In June, Rocko filed a suit against Future for over $1oM for breach of contract, with the rapper alleging that Future Hendrix cut an illegitimate side deal with Epic Records.
Furthermore, Rocko claimed that the Freebandz CEO owed him a commission of 25% from the advances he received from Epic in addition to a commission of 20% from revenue Future earned from touring and endorsements among other things.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Tyga has teamed up with hot-ticket streetwear designer Daniel Patrick on a forthcoming capsule collection.
The “Rack City” musician is among the brains behind a new line dubbed the Daniel Patrick x T-Raww collection – an eight-style assortment of clothing that includes a skinny jean, oversized T-shirt, bomber jacket and hoodie.
Namesake style guru Patrick tells Women’s Wear Daily the apparel will be sleek, with prices ranging from $110 to $600 per piece.
“We wanted to do something minimal and clean and maybe not what (Tyga’s) regularly known for,” he explains, “and because my aesthetic is minimal and clean, we wanted to stick to that theme.”
The unlikely business deal came about after Patrick spotted Tyga wearing some of his clothes during New York Fashion Week last year.
The designer took a risk by reaching out to the Hip-Hop star in a direct message on Instagram and asked Kylie Jenner’s boyfriend if he would be interested in collaborating.
Tyga jumped at the chance and the pair created its capsule collection.
The new partners will launch the trendy new collection at a party on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles on September 22, the same day the clothing will be available to purchase.
Pieces from the Daniel Patrick x T-Raww collection will be sold exclusively in the U.S. at the Daniel Patrick flagship store, which is also located on Melrose Avenue in L.A.
International customers will be able to buy the clothes online at the brand’s website as well as on e-commerce site Revolve’s Revolveman.
This week marks 20 years since the passing of the late, great Tupac Shakur, and 20 years later, conspiracy theories that he’s still alive still carry on.
People often wonder what Pac would think of today’s rap game, and TMZ’s Racquel sat down with Kurupt & Daz Dillinger for her Raq Rants to get their opinion on how Pac might feel if he was still alive today.
Raq asked Daz and Kurupt their feelings on rappers wearing skinny jeans, nail polish, and dresses.
Daz and Kurupt said it isn’t exactly for them, but that doesn’t change how they feel about a certain rapper’s music.
Daz & Kurupt say they like Young Thug’s music, but he just can’t come around them with a dress on.
They also gave an example of Frank Ocean’s sexuality not influencing how they felt about him or his music.
While they don’t have any problems with the gay community, they don’t believe that a gay rapper would be accepted today.
The best part of the interview was the two rappers speaking on Tupac’s legacy.
According to Daz Dillinger and Kurupt, Tupac would think today’s Hip Hop is corny. They think Pac would be speaking out against today’s Hip Hop in an aggressive way. They said folks would also be getting beat up! Pac would get these wack rappers together!
It was nice to hear them speak on Tupac improving and influencing their work ethic.
(AllHipHop News) Chance The Rapper is trying to get his followers to become more active in the political process.
The Chicago native announced he partnered with Youth & College Division members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to register concert goers to vote during his “Magnificent Coloring World Tour.”
“Voting and becoming knowledgeable about this year’s upcoming presidential election is imperative. With a great deal of help from the NAACP, I have been able to provide this awesome opportunity for people to sign up and make the pledge to vote at a few of my upcoming shows,” stated Chance. “This is super important to me because I want my fans to know that their voices matter and that their vote counts now more than ever.”
The creator of the critically acclaimed Coloring Book project is set to hit California, Nevada, Colorado, and Missouri in the coming days. NAACP Youth and College Division members will be at each tour stop with an information table to provide civic engagement resources and NAACP membership information.
“Chance the Rapper is a unique artist whose independence is a reflection of our millennial generation, who for the first time match the number of baby Boomers in the electorate,” said Stephen Green, director of the NAACP Youth & College Division. “We’re pleased to join with Chance and the millions of young people who this year to become passionate activists and agents of change this year.”
(AllHipHop News) Jay Z is a former drug dealer, but now the mogul is shedding light on the complexities of the “war on drugs” in a new video
In a piece for the New York Times, Jay Z speaks on his personal experience with the drug trade as well as the vast historical context in government and society.
“A History of the War on Drugs From Prohibition to Gold Rush,” narrated by Jay Z, examines the drug game from Nixon to Reagan to today’s legalization of certain drugs. The purported “war” unfairly targeted Black people as well as put drugs directly in urban communities.
“Young men like me who hustled like me became the sole villain and drug addicts lacked moral fortitude,” Jay Z says in the video. In it he explains how prison populations have grown over 900%, largely comprised of Black and Brown people, while White offenders often get leniency.
Furthermore, many people of color are in jail for marijuana offenses, but now others profit from it as it has been legalized and commercialized.
Check out the video, which was illustrated by Molly Crabapple.
(AllHipHop News) Production master Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley led the music supervision for Empire for the Fox series’ first two seasons.
Timbaland is no longer working with the program, and two other veteran songwriters have been brought in. Billboard reports Grammy-winner Rodney Jerkins and “Rude Boy” co-writer Ester Dean are part of the new team at Empire.
“Rodney is a dynamic, multi-format producer experienced in urban, rhythmic and pop. And Dean excels at writing big songs with catchy hooks,” said Shawn Holiday, senior VP of A&R for Columbia Records.
Ne-Yo and J.R. Rotem are returning after being added for season 2. Johntá Austin, Makeba Riddick, and Jesse St. John will contribute to season 3 as well.
Besides being a hit tv show, Empire has also had success on the music charts. The Hip Hop drama earned a #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart and several Top 20 entries on the Hot R&B Songs chart.
The third season of Empire premieres on September 21.
Newcomer Louie is already making big moves with his new song “Bout It.” The song borrows a well-known sample once used by The Gravediggaz and a phrase from Master P. However, Louie puts his own spin on it and adds Gucci Mane and label mate YCiti. Now, with a distro-deal with Universal Records, expect his highly anticipated mixtape, Guns N Roses 2, to splash down in a similar fashion.
(AllHipHop News) The Revolt Music Conference is lining up heavy hitters for the three-day event in Miami Beach.
Taxstone, Reggie “Combat Jack” Ossé, Meagan Good, Eva Marcille, Lenny S, Karen Civil, and Tahiry are among the industry insiders recently announced to take part in panel discussions at the conference. Previously, Funkmaster Flex, DJ Envy, and Cool & Dre were revealed as panelists.
In addition, DJ Khaled is hosting an #AskKhaled Q&A session with keynotes speakers Philymack CEO/Founder Phil McIntyre, 300 Entertainment founder Lyor Cohen, and Atlantic Records Chairperson Julie Greenwald.
Hip Hop icon Nas is set to be honored at the RMC 2016’s Gala Dinner. The New York-born emcee will be presented with the “Started From The Bottom Now We Here” award.
Several parties and networking sessions are part of the Revolt Music Conference taking place October 13-15 as well. For more information visit revoltmusicconference.com.
(AllHipHop News) On Friday, some of the brightest thinkers in Hip-Hop, media, activism and politics will convene during the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The ALC is the “leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global black community.” Overall, the event attracts those thought leaders, political figures and community leader that help better the world for people of color through economic development, social justice, civic justice public health, education issues and other fronts.
Friday’s event, titled “Hip-Hop and Politics” will be hosted by Congressman André Carson and feature journalist Roland Martin. Panelists include cultural critic and pundit Chuck Creekmur, Tamika Mallory & Carmen Perez of the Justice League NYC, Lennox Yearwood, Jr. President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, Angela Rye from IMPACT Strategies and Troi “Star” Torain.
This year’s forum will explore the strained relations between law enforcement and the Hip Hop community, including the breakdowns in communication and how to better neighborhoods.
André Carson is the U.S. Representative for Indiana’s 7th congressional district. He has been conducting the Hip-Hop and Politics panel discussion for 8 years. MC Lyte, DMC of Run DMC and Rakim have been in some of the past discussions.
More than 9,000 people attend the 70-plus panels of the ALC. The entire conference runs from September 14th – 18th in Washington DC.
Session: Hip Hop and Politics (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM) Friday, September 16, 2016 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Walter E. Washington Convention Center 801 Mt Vernon Pl NW, Washington, DC 20001
Room: 207B
Hip Hop and Politics Congressman Andre Carson Roland S. Martin Tamika Mallory Carmen Perez Lennox Yearwood, Jr. Angela Rye Chuck Creekmur Troi Torain
(AllHipHop News) Mary J. Blige’s divorce has just got messy – her estranged husband is demanding a big cash settlement.
Kendu Isaacs has filed his response to Mary’s divorce petition, and sources tell TMZ he is requesting spousal support.
The “Family Affair” singer asked the court to block him from getting the cash when she first filed earlier this summer.
The former couple also can’t agree on the date of separation – Kendu, who is also Mary’s former manager, insists he and the singer split on July 25, while Blige stated the date is “to be determined” on her petition.
Isaacs also wants his estranged wife to cover his lawyer’s fees as he battles the divorce.
In addition, this is not the first time Rah has taken aim at another female rapper. Two years ago, the New Jersey native called out Iggy Azalea for sounding like she was from the American south, and Digga said the Australian rhymer is not Hip Hop.
John Jaylien Wesley may not be a household name yet, but he is certainly responsible for writing hit records for other artists that millions of listeners have gravitated toward.
Akon’s 2008 single, “Beautiful.” Jaylien wrote and produced it.
The Will.i.am and Britney Spears collaboration, “Scream & Shout.” Jaylien’s helped pen it.
Chris Brown’s “4 Seconds.” Jaylien produced that too.
In addition to those achievements, his diverse skill set has provided him the opportunity to collaborate with artists ranging from country star Brad Paisley to rap icon Snoop Dogg and every artist and style in between.
However, after nearly a decade behind songs for numerous A-Listers, Jaylien branched out on his own recently with his Summer’s Over EP.
The 7-track collection of music, which includes the singles “Hotel Costes” and “We F**k,” shows how he is a multi-talented individual and that undoubtedly sets him apart from his contemporaries. As a producer, writer, and performer, Jaylien not only knows what a hit record sounds like, but how to make one every step of the way.
In this exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, Jaylien discusses, among other things, how he evolved into the artist he is today, the benefits of writing for others, and having Jay Z and Beyonce in the crowd at his very first live performance.
Check it out!
AllHipHop: Have you been pleased with the reception that Summer’s Over has been getting so far?
Jaylien: The reception has been great, so many different people from so many different countries have been reaching out and I respond to everybody. It’s dope hearing how [people] found it and what their favorite song is and what they want to see a video to. I have conversations with everybody if time permits. It has been a dope ride.
Do you get a sense that different parts of the world or different areas respond to certain songs differently than others?
Generally, everybody likes the same songs. I hear either “Summer’s Over,” “Hotel Costes,” or “3 A.M.” Then “We F**k” of course. I wanted to make music that was non-territorial, so that was the goal.
As a new artist in 2016, what do you think the most difficult obstacle to overcome is?
There’s an obstacle that I’m still trying to overcome, and that’s getting “the machine” to see the vision right now rather than when the world sees the vision and then they come late to the party. As a new artist, it’s hard to break through and get people to move and press the green button on you. It’s easy for fans to hear the music and love it and appreciate it, but when you need to make some major plays happen and you know the people that can make it happen and they know you personally, but they still don’t because they want you to grow a little bit more… it’s the most difficult part to get over. They’re scared to take a chance, but that’s fine because it makes you as the artist and your team stronger. I’ll take any challenge that comes my way; we’re tackling them head on.
Who are some of your influences?
I have so many influences for so many different reasons, but I’ll just spotlight a couple of them. I love The Dream because he’s a producer, a songwriter, and an artist. I feel like he’s one of the greatest to do all three. My first ever live show was with The Dream. That was very special to me; he let me open up for him.
What was that experience like?
That was crazy, man. It was my first ever live show performing as an artist. The venue was sold out. Jay Z and Beyonce were there. My mom was there. Kelly Rowland was there. It was really good energy and I felt it.
More influences, I would say Kanye West for sure- for him being a producer and a writer and an artist successfully. Ryan Leslie, I’ve been a fan of him since I was a teenager watching him on YouTube and stuff like that. Frank Ocean to me is super incredible. He’s not slept on at all, so I’m glad people appreciate him the way they should.
When you started out, was the initial goal to become a triple threat?
I’ll take you through the short version [laughs]. The plan for me always, since I was a child, was to be the greatest producer of all-time. If I could be spoken in the same breath as Pharrell, Timbaland, Max Martin, and Dr. Luke, Rodney Jerkins and all the people I looked up to. Then I was happy with that.
I got my first placement at 18. I was content with being a songwriter, but then I needed songwriters to write on my tracks. But I wasn’t a big enough producer for them to take priority on my tracks, so I started writing my stuff. Then I did the “Beautiful” record by Akon and that was one of the first records that I ever wrote and produced.
I was 21 and that song changed my life. Then I was complacent with it, but then was like, “You’re only as big as your last hit” and I got tired of watching a lot of people who I knew I was more talented than, no offense, but I know my skill level.
There were people around me that I knew or was like one degree of separation from that were just rising up to these astronomical levels and they weren’t that talented to me. And every year, I would get more and more frustrated. I’d go to these writing camps for these A-list artists, and think this is my chance to show what I could do, but my songs would never get chosen.
It was always the same people getting picked to write on the albums, and no offense to them, but I’m good too. So as part of my frustration, in 2012, I just started releasing music on my Soundcloud for fun. Then one of my friends (photographer and video director Stephen Garrett) was insisting I was dope, so we shot a video. Then one video led to eight videos. After getting discouraged a few times, I got to a place where I didn’t care if it didn’t have the Frank Ocean effect, or if I didn’t get a co-sign from an A-list celebrity. I’m not gonna stop; no matter how bad the numbers are. I’m good and eventually people will see it, even if they catch on late.
What advantages have writing for other artists given you as a performer?
One advantage I have is that I hear everybody’s stuff before it comes out, so I get an inside look at what’s about to come and then I’m like, “Ohh,I can top that.” The people I work with are all at levels I aspire to be at, so I kind of already know what it’s like to be there. Not personally, but I’m the next man over. I’ve never been “the guy,” but I’ve always been the guy next to “the guy.” I know what a hit-song is; I know what a not hit-song is. I know how to make ringtone music; I know how to make very eclectic music. I’ve worked with a wide-range of artists, from Brad Paisley to T.I., so I know everything between that. Making a song is like breathing to me.
Who is an artist that you haven’t written for or worked with yet that you would like to?
Beyonce. Beyonce! I don’t have to think about it; I don’t have to hesitate. Not if, but when I get a song with Beyonce, I will probably retire from producing and strictly be an artist. As a producer, all I need is a song with Beyonce.
What do you want your legacy to be?
I want people to say that Jaylien was part of the greatest force to hit the entertainment industry and he helped so many people and he changed so many lives. He’s incredible and he dressed really well [laughs].
(AllHipHop News) This week Kid Cudi used his Twitter timeline to call out Kanye West and Drake. One social media post read, “My tweets apply to who they apply. Ye, Drake, whoever. These n-ggas dont give a f-ck about me. And they aint f-ckin with me.”
Kanye addressed his former protegé during his tour, and Drake followed suit by responding to Cudi at his “Summer Sixteen Tour” stop in Oakland.
“Boy, you getting way too high. You need to ‘cuddddd’ it. Real talk,” stated Drake, flipping O.T. Genasis’ “Cut It” song.
The OVO leader has used his nationwide trek to clap back at critics and adversaries in different cities. Previously, Drake had words for Joe Budden, Hot 97, Funkmaster Flex, and Meek Mill.
It looks like the very outspoken Dame Dash will be tapping into the podcast world. Given the hilarious nature of his very popular interview with The Breakfast Club, this will be nothing short of amazing.
Dame recently stopped by N.O.R.E.’s Drink Champs podcast where the two discussed working together through music and films. Dame also discussed his current projects and how he feels about stepping away from the music industry. He also hints at a podcast collaboration with N.O.R.E.
A drunken N.O.R.E wants Dame to say that he is signed to N.O.R.E, but Dash refused to express it by replying with,
“We have a partnership.”
Dame tells N.O.R.E that he is drinking the wrong liquor and he wouldn’t advise someone to sign to N.O.R.E or for him to keep urging Dame to say he’s now signed to him.
(AllHipHop News) Queens rapper 50 Cent’s new Starz series “Tomorrow, Today” may never air, after Starz was threatened with a lawsuit if production of the superhero show is not halted.
According to TMZ, JourStarr Publications fired off a legal letter claiming that the premise of 50’s upcoming show is plagiarized from Anthony Baltimore’s book, Othello Greene: The Story Begins.
50 has already denied the claims through an attorney.
“Mr. Jackson has neither met the author, heard of nor read this book,” said 50 Cent’s attorney when speaking on the matter.
The concept for the superhero series, reported to have been based on a screenplay from Jackson, centers around a veteran from South Side Chicago who is falsely imprisoned and becomes the subject of a deranged prison doctor’s outrageous science experiment.
The imprisoned man then becomes free and has the intentions of using his newfound abilities for good to reach redemption in a world that once ostracized him.
Jourstarr Publications, stated that it will give Starz 10 days to halt production before a lawsuit is filed.
(AllHipHop News) Lil Wayne has formed a legal alliance with Rap-A-Lot CEO, James Prince, as the New Orleans rapper’s feud with Cash Money continues.
James Prince, the founder of what is one of the most important record labels in Hip-Hop history, is backing Wayne in his $51 million lawsuit against the label.
It’s a major move for Wayne, who said he was “defenseless and mentally weak” and threatened to retire, just last week.
“Where [Wayne] is weak, I am strong. He has gained an ally, and together we will get back all money owed to him and my son off the Drake albums.”
Lil Wayne is suing his longtime record label for $51 million, $10 million of which was an advance allocated to be given out after the completion of Tha Carter V.
Apparently, James Prince Jr. is still chasing royalties from Cash Money, after suing the label for $11 million.
In July, James Prince Jr. had reportedly reached a settlement with Young Money, that was for much less than the $11 originally sought for discovering Drake.
“I witnessed the hard work that went into Drake’s career and for Cash Money to try and take something that isn’t theirs to take, does not sit well with me and family around the world.”
(AllHipHop News) In an interview with Rolling Stone rap star Snoop Dogg revealed that the title of his latest release Coolaid was inspired by Beyonce’s#### album Lemonade.
“I watched Lemonade and was like, “damn. The music is dope, and the visuals are fly as f##k. But I don’t drink lemonade; I drink Kool-Aid,” explained Snoop.
“So I decided to call my s##t Coolaid, since I brought so much flavor to the game, and I’m what they consider one of the coolest m#therf##kers in hip-hop and life in general. I made a visual album too,” the rapper continued.
The Doggfather’s latest project Coolaid debuted at number 40 on the Billboard 200, with 11,000 album-equivalent units.
The MC is also executive-producing “Mary + Jane,” a stoner comedy for MTV and filming Martha and “Snoop’s Dinner Party,” in which he and Martha Stewart host various celebrity guests.
(AllHipHop News) Clapback season is here and Kanye West is here for it. The rap mogul has been feuding with his former artist Kid Cudi and he gave an earful at a recent concert.
At the Tampa leg of the Saint Pablo tour, Kanye unleashed a verbal barrage to his former artist.
“Kid Cudi, don’t ever mention ‘Ye name. I birthed you,” Kanye state. “We all dealing with that emo s### all the time; me, Pat, Don C. Don’t ever mention ‘Ye name. Don’t try to say who I can do songs with. You mad ’cause I’m doing songs with Drake. Ain’t nobody telling ‘Ye who to do songs with. Respect the God!”
However, Kanye West saved his most barbed words for later, referencing race, his pioneering fashion sense and artistic freedom.
“You know how many people wish they could be signed to G.O.O.D. Music, get they life changed? Have that opportunity?” he asked in front of thousands. “Never forget that. I’m so hurt. I feel so disrespected. Kid Cudi, we’re two black men in a racist world. I wore skinny jeans first. I got called names before you, bruh. Why y’all got to come at me? This ain’t the end of the Malcolm X movie. I’m out here fighting for y’all: creatives, artists, independent thinkers. Don’t never mention my name in a bad manner. None of y’all!”
Kid Cudi expressed himself over Twitter earlier in the week, bashing Drake and Kanye.
He ranted, “Everyone thinks they’re soooo great. Talkin top 5 and be having 30 people write songs for them […] Ye, Drake, whoever. These nias dont give a fk about me. And they aint f**kin with me.”
Even Lupe Fiasco weighed in. He and Cudi had friction between them last year. See his tweets below.
The wait is finally over. After a long drawn out bidding war M-City J.r has Officially Signed to Atlantic Records. M-City J.r. hit single “Addicted To My Ex” has amassed over 25 Million+ Spotify Streams alone, his first video over 8 mIllion views alone and singles selling. His internet buzz had Musical.ly and Thriller users going crazy all summer. Now he releases his Official Flex Version Video with Atlantic Record x Yacht Club Social Network x COIN Handlers. This video is shot in his hometown of Detroit, MI and chatty by Chad Tennies. Its a surprise at the end and leave you wanting to see the follow up video for “B#### Bye!” his 2nd single produced by Bobby Johnson & Francis Pope.
provided him the opportunity to collaborate with artists ranging from country star Brad Paisley to rap icon Snoop Dogg and every artist and style in between.