People have wanted to know ultimately why did Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin split up. Rusell explains to DJ Vlad that they began working on different projects and focusing on other artists. Simmons says he started pulling away gradually as he began to balance other business ventures. Russell Simmons also says he doesn’t buy in to rap beef, and he’s never had a rap beef. Simmons said artists always get mad but he’s not scared of anyone on this planet. We have to wonder are there some old sealed up stories of Uncle Rush getting popping back in the day. Maybe not as he says he doesn’t believe in violence.
(AllHipHop News) The public has watched Zonnique Pullins grow from being a child star to a young woman. Most of the world first became aware of the now 20-year-old Atlanta resident from her appearances on the unscripted television series Tiny and Toya and T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle.
However, Zonnique also grabbed the attention of a supportive teenage fan base as a member of the R&B/Pop trio The OMG Girlz. With her teen years behind her, the vocalist affectionately known as Nique Nique has parted with her “sisters” to move on as a solo act.
Last year saw the arrival of Zonnique’s first official single “Nun For Free” – a collaboration with buzzing ATL rhymer Young Thug. Nique is back with a new carefree track titled “Worst Friday.” The song plays off of the stoner theme from the Friday movie while also serving as a takedown of a bothersome ex-boyfriend.
Zonnique is currently crafting her debut studio album. With her mother Tameka “Tiny” Harris and stepfather Clifford “T.I.” Harris offering their expert assistance, the starlet is on a journey to join her parents as an award-winning entertainer.
In this interview with AllHipHop.com, Zonnique talks about her music career, teaming up with Thugger, and what else is on the horizon.
What were your thoughts behind your new single “Worst Friday”?
I wanted it to be different from my first single. All of my music has a mix of R&B and Pop, but I wanted it to be a little more Pop driven, a little more kid friendly, but also a little risqué. That’s how we came up with the concept where it sounds like it could be about smoking or about a relationship. We just wanted to make it really fun.
How involved were you with the writing process?
The girl who co-wrote it – her name is Libby [Abrego] – I’ve been working with her forever. We both write together. I’m really comfortable writing with her, so I got to write a lot.
You mentioned your other single. You dropped a song with Young Thug. Were you in the studio with him when he was recording?
I got there right after he finished it. We listened to it, and I was like, “I love it!” He said, “You like it?” I told him, “I love it.” Then he said, “Let me go back in.” So he goes back in and does background vocals behind his verse and the whole song. My mom said, “It sounds like a duet now.” I said, “You hyped it up even more.” We had really great chemistry doing the video. He’s a really nice guy.
Was he originally just supposed to do a verse?
Yeah, he was going to be on the third verse, but I think that my pops said, “We’re going to put the verse right here.” It made it different, because you expect the feature to be at the end of the song. I was really cool with it, because it sounds like a duet.
Are your parents heavily involved in the creative process?
They are – in and out. They usually look for me for all the creative things, and they’ll overlook it. My mom especially. She’s more into the creative process. With my stepdad, I just go to him at the end and get his opinion about it.
Do you feel any sense of pressure? You have two parents who are Grammy winning hit makers.
I feel pressure with a lot of things I do. I always feel pressure, but I get through it. It’s like, “I know they’re going to be expecting this, because my parents are these people.” So I got to put on a show. I feel like I have to do my best at anything, so it’s not too much pressure.
You came up with The OMG Girlz. Now you’re a solo artist. How has that been different for you?
It’s been a lot different with just not having them with me all the time. It would be louder in here. [laughs] I’m just getting into not depending on them for certain things and just doing it all myself. At first, I was really nervous, because I didn’t know if I could tackle it all by myself. My family said, “You can do it. This is what you’ve been doing.” The change has been pretty good.
How far along are you with the album process?
Right now, I’m just really creating. I felt like I finished it awhile ago, but my mom always tells me to go back to the studio. We have really good material, but she’s really into making more and adding and subtracting to the list of songs we can put on the project. We’ve been subtracting songs that we fell in love with months ago and putting on these new songs that we just recorded.
T.I. is a co-owner of Tidal now. Are you going to have some type of association with Tidal as well?
Me and my mom were talking about it, like maybe we should release some things on Tidal now. We’ve been talking about it. I feel like when I get the perfect thing to be on there – because I feel like it’s so many great artists on there – I want whatever I put on there to be perfect.
A lot of people know you from your appearances on TV. Do you feel like that has been a beneficial part of being an artist?
It definitely has been a beneficial part. When you’re an artist, it’s hard to get your stuff out there a lot of times. Being on TV is an outlet for people to get to know you more, so I’ve always been able to showcase what I do on TV. With The OMG Girlz, T.I. & Tiny helped a lot because we were always in rehearsals. Most of the time in the beginning, I was on tour, so it was always that missing kid that wasn’t there, so [the cameras] had to come to a show. That really showed us to the world.
What are your expectations for your career?
I see my music career going really far. I would like for it to branch off into other things. I want to get into acting first. I’ve been in meetings, but I want to get some training so I can perfect it. After I master it or get into a couple of TV shows or movies, I want to pursue modeling. I see my music career taking me to award shows, performing, and really just being a branch for all the other things I want to do also.
Have you thought about having your own reality show?
I have. I’ve really been talking about that lately. I was telling my mom I wanted a show where I grow up. It could be a reality TV show, and I could move. I don’t have to be in Atlanta anymore to try to do my own thing. Just to get away from them. [laughs] I said, ‘Ya’ll can come visit me, but I feel like it should all be on camera.” So we’re talking about that.
You’ve had fans that have followed you since Tiny & Toya. What has been the reaction from your fans?
The reaction has sometimes been surprising, because sometimes I forget I’m on TV. The only thing I stay away from is going to Lenox Mall on a Saturday. Other than that, I’m like, “Let’s go. I’ll be okay.” My friends say, “Do you really feel like dealing with that today?” I say, “Let’s go. I’ll wear shades or something.” I do that with my boyfriend all the time. I’ll put on a wig, and he’s like, “You still look the same.” [laughs] I still do look the same, and people always still know me. It’s always a little surprising.
You’ve managed to handle fame?
Yeah, definitely. I know how to handle it. I’m nice to people. I take pictures. I don’t mind. As long as it’s not overbearing.
(AllHipHop News) Just weeks ago the rider for Ludacris’ University of Georgia performance leaked online as the DTP rapper’s long list of requested amenities drew concern from locals, the media and representatives from the school after the rider included condoms and alcohol.
As agreed, Ludacris performed for 13 min for roughly 92,000 people and earned $65,000.
Now the University of Georgia is again embattled in controversy with a rapper after students were disappointed in Fetty Wap’s delayed arrival for a $100,000 show.
As such, the university is withholding Fetty’s cash according to a University of Georgia spokesman.
According to reports in OnlineAthens, a school publication, the University of Georgia agreed to pay the rapper $100,000 for a show that was to start at 8:45 PM, but Fetty Wap didn’t appear on stage until 10 PM.
“We had concerns with the brevity,” UGA Director of Student Affairs Communications Stan Jackson said about the performance that was less than an hour.
Based on reports, UGA honored Fetty’s rider which was not nearly as extensive as Ludacris’.
No word from Fetty Wap’s camp on this one, but the University is expecting to reach some sort of agreement less than the original $100,000 amount.
Check out the rider Fetty demanded for his 100k show below:
Salmon – grilled or broiled (well done)
One hundred chicken wings (variety of sauces)
Fifty pieces of grilled or fried shrimp
Popeye brand chicken (assorted pieces of 6)
Two pizzas (plain)
Two pizzas (pepperoni)
One bag of Doritos
Six protein Balance bars
Dessert platter including banana pudding and carrot cake
Assorted fruit platter
Variety of cold beverages — water, soda, iced tea, Red Bull
Apparently The University of Georgia paid Fetty Wap $100,000 for a recent concert on campus at their Stegeman Coliseum. Now we know Fetty had some “hits”, and a steady buzz, but is he worth $100K for a 60 minute performance? The students weren’t too happy about Fetty showing up late. The Athens Banner-Herald reported that a payment was to be made via university check mailed the next business day following the performance. Fetty’s call time was around 8:45 PM, but Fetty didn’t appear on stage until after 10 PM, and performed less than an hour.
Check out his said rider list though:
Salmon – grilled or broiled (well done)
One hundred chicken wings (variety of sauces)
Fifty pieces of grilled or fried shrimp
Popeye brand chicken (assorted pieces of 6)
Two pizzas (plain)
Two pizzas (pepperoni)
One bag of Doritos
Six protein Balance bars
Dessert platter including banana pudding and carrot cake
Assorted fruit platter
Variety of cold beverages – water, soda, iced tea, Red Bull
Fetty’s rider caused a Twitter stir as it was revealed condoms and alcohol were items included on the list as well. Who were the condoms for though, because the way Fetty gets a new baby mama every other day, they couldn’t have been for him. LOL. What would be on your rider list?
(AllHipHop News) After reaching the top of the charts and since causing an uproar on social media with the repeated changing of his album titles, Kanye’s T.L.O.P. seems to have reached the goals he personally set for the project.
After taking to the Met Gala red carpet with some much talked about blue-contacts, Kanye spoke in hindsight about his T.L.O.P. project in an interview with Steve Harvey today (May 3).
“You got critics, and then you got artists. I’ll kick a critic out the studio! I ain’t read one review on my fashion show. I ain’t read one review on The Life of Pablo. The only review is somebody waking up in the morning and listening to “Ultralight Beam.” Somebody listening to “Low Lights,” a single mom driving they son to work, like the way my mum used to drive me to school.
In addition to speaking bout the T.L.O.P. critics, Kanye addressed his “KK” issues with Wiz Khalifa and began talking about how he respects parents and is focusing on remaining positive.
If you read the KK , you thought he might have been talking about my wife. And you know how you would feel if someone was talking about your wife. Did I take it too far? You know what, I’m from 79th street Chicago…I can’t say that if someone says “eff you,” I can’t say I’m not gonna say the exact same thing back.
But one thing that I want to really express to the people is everyday I look and I play with my daughter, I’m playing with Saint. I talked to Wiz, Amber talked to Kim, and I really want to stress the amount of respect that I have for parents. There is no concept of anyone beating up on someone else’s child or that type of concept. So everyday I actually feel more deeply, deeply, deeply apologetic about that concept, because I only want to put out positive, positive, positive concepts.
Yeezy also had info for fans of his Adidas sneaks and the pricing of the shoes saying he hopes to make more affordable shoes for those less fortunate.
Man, that first season I wasn’t in charge of none of those prices. Mark my words, please mark my words: I am coming for they neck. I’m bout to drop these prices in the way I can connect to the Kanye that I was when I was 14-years-old and my mum could barely afford it.
(AllHipHop News) The family of a man 50 Cent accused of drug taking have demanded an apology from the rapper
The Hip-Hop star, real name Curtis Jackson, posted a video on Instagram on Sunday (01May16) of 19-year-old airport janitor Andrew Farrell pushing a cart of cleaning supplies through Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
After the airport employee failed to respond to Jackson, the 40-year-old rapper accused him of being on drugs, saying, “Look at him. What kind of s**t do you think he took before he got to work today? He high as a motherf****r right here in the airport. Pupils dilated – the new generation is f***ing crazy.”
However after the video went viral, a former classmate of the teenager identified the airport worker as Andrew and stated that he had difficulties with social interaction.
Andrew’s step-father Ken Kramer told the Cincinnati Enquirer the teen suffered from social anxiety disorder and hearing impairment, saying, “He doesn’t talk to people very often. He’s got a social anxiety disorder. He also has a hearing impairment.”
His mother Amanda demanded the In Da Club rapper apologize to her son, adding, “I want him to apologize to him more than anything and say that he was wrong. He should not have made those snap judgments.”
In response to 50 Cent berating a man w/ Autism, we will be boycotting @effenvodka and challenge others in Cincy to do the same !
(AllHipHop News) R&B/Pop superstar Beyoncé adds another major career milestone to her résumé. The Houston bred singer is now the first female artist tochart 12 or more songs onBillboard‘s Hot 100 at the same time.
The publication revealed Bey accomplished the feat this week when all 12 of her songs from Lemonade earned a spot on the tally. She surpassed Taylor Swift’s 11 tracks on the Hot 100 when 2010’s Speak Now was released. The overall record holder is Justin Bieber with 17 songs from Purpose in 2015.
“Formation” is currently Beyoncé’s highest charting record at #10. “Sorry” (11) and “Hold Up” (13) sit right outside the Top 10. All 12 Lemonade songs appear on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart as well.
Lemonade was released on April 23 exclusively via Tidal before seeing a wide commercial release the following day. The “visual album” opened at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 653,000 equivalent album units.
(AllHipHop News) Singer-songwriter Andra Day has joined with Coca-Cola and McDonald’s for the Rise Up ESSENCE Festival program. Those four parties have also partnered with Shazam for a new visual-recognition technology for content distribution.
As an extension of Coca-Cola’s “Share A Coke And A Song” campaign, 40 million cups at select McDonald’s restaurants across the country will include lyrics from Day’s single “Rise Up.” Each product provides an exclusive digital experience where consumers can scan the specially marked Coca-Cola cups and watch the short film I Rise featuring music by Day.
“I am overjoyed to be a part of this program,” says Andra Day. “The reach of Coke and McDonald’s is undeniable and I’m thrilled these iconic brands are joining forces to inspire local communities through messages of peace and motivation in unique ways. It’s an added bonus that they are using the lyrics to ‘Rise Up’ as a part of those messages.”
The Rise Up ESSENCE Festival program offers people the chance to win prizes and view exclusive digital content that focuses on perseverance, community, and achievement from Andra Day and others. McDonald’s customers that purchase Coke fountain products will learn how to enter the Coca-Cola Rise Up ESSENCE Fest Sweepstakes. Winners will get the chance to see Andra Day perform at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans scheduled for June 30 - July 3.
“Shazam is excited to partner with world-class brands like Coca-Cola and McDonald’s,” states Greg Glenday, Shazam’s Chief Revenue Officer. “We are witnessing more large-scale activations connecting fans with breakout artists like Andra Day. It’s great to see both global brands leverage our proprietary technology to build evangelists within their most desired audiences.”
William Rhodes, Director of Marketing, McDonald’s USA adds, “When we conceived this program, our goal was to develop partnerships that could offer memorable and exclusive experiences to our customers. We are beyond excited to launch this campaign.”
(AllHipHop News) The line between mixtapes and albums have blurred to the point were in many cases it is impossible to differentiate between the two. Rappers release albums for free and put mixtapes on sale. But what are the advantages for artists to give their fans music without having to pay for it?
Killer Mike spoke with VladTV about that subject. As one half of Run The Jewels with El-P, Mike dropped two free official projects over the last three years.
“Why pretend like this is the f-cking Puffy era and you’re gonna sell a million and shine on n-ggas? Get the f-ck out of here,” said Mike. “The truth of it all is if kids really love your stuff, they’re going to find a way to support it.”
The Atlanta rhymer continued, “So why try to trick them into first week sales and sh-t? When we can say, ‘Hear take the album. If you like it, dope. If you like it enough, buy it. If you don’t want to buy an album, buy a t-shirt. If you buy an album and a t-shirt and want to see this crazy sh-t live, come out to a show.’ So the trade-off works for us.”
Killer Mike and El-P’s Run The Jewels 3 is expected to arrive later this year. The duo released the remix album Meow The Jewels in 2015. The proceeds for the project’s sales go to help protesters’ legal fees.
(AllHipHop News) There is more sad news from the world of music. Multiple sources reveal to AllHipHop.com that Afeni Shakur, mother of the late Tupac Shakur, has passed away.The Marin County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed her death, but the cause of her passing have not been made public.
Shakur was honored by 2Pac in the classic 1995 song “Dear Mama.” The activist and businesswoman had been very involved in the forthcoming All Eyez On Me biopic about her son which is scheduled for release later this year.
Afeni Shakur was 69 years old. AllHipHop.com will update this story as more information is made available.
(AllHipHop News) When Drake’s VIEWS landed last week, the early predictions were that the set could sell over 1 million copies in its first week. After a few more days of release, it now appears Drizzy will just miss joining Eminem, 50 Cent, and Lil Wayne on the list of rappers to cross a milli in sales in seven days.
According to HitsDailyDouble, VIEWS is now predicted to move 850,000 – 900,000 in actual sales. Streaming numbers added in could push the equivalent album units total to over 1 million.
That would be enough to give the collection the highest first week sales and sale plus streaming totals of 2016, and the Toronto performer would earn the best sales week of his career. Drake achieved his previous highest week with 2013’s Nothing Was The Same which debuted with 658,000 copies sold.
Drake’s fourth studio LP came out really strong with sales on iTunes and streaming on Apple Music. VIEWS moved over 630,000 equivalent album units in its first day of release.
(AllHipHop News) The annual Met Gala was held last night in New York City. Plenty of celebrities were on hand for the charity fashion event including Kanye West and his wife Kim Kardashian. Ye’s choice to wear blue eye contacts caused a lot of reaction on social media.
While collective Twitter shared its thoughts about Kanye’s faux eyes, the rapper jumped on the platform to accept the honor of being named “best dressed couple” with Kim. He wrote in one tweet, “We just had fun with the ‘future’ theme!!! It was a fun night all together.”
I’m really excited to get our first best dressed at the met … This Gala is like the Grammys of style! pic.twitter.com/POCtXJUGzN
(AllHipHop News) Suge Knight’s communication with the outside world will continue to be limited, as he prepares for a murder and attempted murder trial.
Marion “Suge” Knight has been in and out of Los Angeles Superior Court over the past several months, claiming that his Constitutional rights are being violated as he awaits trial.
Suge Knight and his attorney claim the restrictions are hampering his effort to mount a defense against charges that he intentionally killed a man and seriously wounded another during an argument in Compton, California in January of 2015.
“We’re 100 percent correct on the law,” Knight’s lawyer Thaddeus Culpepper told ABC News. “Mr. Knight’s pretrial constitutional rights continue to be violated without justification and without notice. We’ll continue to do what’s in Suge Knight’s best interests going forward.”
For now, the former CEO of Death Row Records cannot receive mail, phone calls or visits from his family.
Suge Knight is accused of using his Ford F-150 to run over Terry Carter and kill him, and severely wound Cle Sloan during a fight at Tam’s Burgers in Compton on January 29, 2015.
The incident took place as Dr Dre and other members from the cast of “Straight Outta Compton” were filming footage to promote the movie.
Knight, 51, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Dayton Ohio singer, rapper, producer, songwriter Sosay Adonis releases his debut single “SOS” feat Platinum recording artist Akon p### by Dreek & Sosay adonis himself. The record is off his debut mixtape “Bottom Of The 5th” hosted by Adrian Swish dropping in May.
Lil Durk just dropped a new track titled “Shoot Sum.” The song was produced by Chop Squad DJ and is taken from Durk’s new project, LilDurk2x, which has yet to be released.
Although Drake’s ‘Views’ just dropped, he wants you to know he isn’t finished yet. It ain’t over! ‘Views’ has reportedly already sold somewhere around 630K units within the first night of its release. Drake is actually predicted to sell 1 million + albums in his first week. While people are still deciding and figuring out how they feel about ‘Views’ Drake is already informing his fans that new music is on the way. Is it too soon? Could this be a good or bad thing? How are you feeling about ‘Views’?
“I Ain’t Got Time,” is an aptly titled brand-new banger A&R by Bizkit that features Zoey Dollaz, Anoyd, Grafh, and DA The Future. Despite the four rappers from different parts of the East Coast, they complement each other perfectly here with charismatic flows and braggadocios bars that center on the chorus of,
“I be outchea on my grind, ain’t got time for me to think/I ain’t got time to chase, unless I’m chasin’ to the bank.”
The track is also tied together by producer BIRTHDAY, whose instrumental is just as rich with bass as it is hypnotizing and layered.
(AllHipHop News) Sosamann officially signed a deal with the Taylor Gang crew, joining notable artists Juicy J, Ty Dolla $ign, Chevy Woods, Berner, JR Donato, and more.
“Sosaman just signed his deal. It’s TGOD for life,” Wiz Khalifa wrote on Twitter.
As such, after signing with Wiz Khalifa‘s Taylor Gang Ent., Houston, Texas rapper Sosamann has released his acclaimed Sauce Eskobar mixtape, which is now available for purchase on iTunes.
Sauce Eskobar has the Houston rapper and The Sauce Factory mainstay delivering his adrenaline-filled flows over signature Southern beats.
The 15-track project is laced with witty lines, next-level ad-libs and street tales – Hits like “Not the Vine” featuring Wiz Khalifa and “Imma Get It” showcase Sosamann’s captivating energy, cementing him as one of Houston’s most distinguishable artists.
To accompany the tape, Sosamann has been releasing a steady stream of visuals, including “Whoa,” “Imma Get It,” and “Jus Wanna Win.”
In the visual for “Imma Get It” Sosamann is rooftop smoking and sipping, enjoying life as he dances on the roof of a house in the Hollywood Hills.
Sauce Eskobar features Wiz Khalifa, Young Dolph, as well as fellow The Sauce Factory members Sauce Walka and Sancho Saucy.
Production on the project comes from Sledgren, J Rag, Bro Dini, DP, and XO.
After jumping on tour with King Crooked (Crooked-I) and cracking the iTunes Top 100, Joey B is unleashing a new song with Joe Budden on the track. Joey just returned home from the tour where he opened for Crooked-I on eight shows, in eight cities, in eight days and after ripping up the road, the Joe Budden co-sign is perfect timing for the Connecticut upstart. Check it out below.
(AllHipHop News) Recently Diddy spoke about his future plans in entertainment after he drops his final album No Way Out 2 and retires from recording music.
Culminating with an all-star line up for the 25 year Bad Boy Reunion in May, Diddy said the world tour that follows will be a “victory lap,” taking a page out of the Derek Jeter book.
“I want to take a victory lap, to do a world tour and really enjoy it one last time,” he said.
“I’m going to put out my last album and devote 100 percent of my time to doing films,” he added. “I want to stop at a great place. And a final album is a great place to stop.
“When I’m gone, only the songs will survive. I know I’m making music that will live on,” he explained to Cigar Aficionado where he will cover the latest issue.
“Michael Jackson, Tupac, Biggie — part of them lives on in their music, even though they’re not here anymore. That’s really deep, man. The only thing like that is religion.”
For those interested in Diddy’s acting chops, the Hip-Hop mogul has acted in 17 films according to IMDB including Monster’s Ball, Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power, A Raisin In The Sun, CSI, Entourage and The Muppet’s Muppets Most Wanted.
As a producer Diddy helped produce the recent film Dope as well as the TV shows Run’s House and the Making the Band series that were featured on MTV.
More news as Diddy preps for the Bad Boy Reunion on May 20th.
