Mannie Fresh may be better known to the younger generations as the guy who made “Go DJ” but, the OG’s remember the Hot Boys and the mark they made in the game. Mannie is doing a good job of bringing them back on this new single “Hate” ft Lil Wayne, Juvenile & Birdman.
Mannie Fresh, Juvenile, and Lil Wayne recently revealed that they’ve been working on an album together. It comes after the Hot Boys reunited at Wayne’s Lil’ Weezyanna Fest. Mannie states;
I’ve put a lot of effort into making this track happen. I’ve always been the liaison between these guys, they took my word and put their trust in me in bringing everyone together for this hot track. You definitely can expect more from this project I’m about to drop with Mass Appeal Records. This is just the foreplay, you can expect the eargasm later.
Let’s enjoy this track and wait and see what else is next.
(AllHipHop News) Circulating rumors continue to plague Kanye’s personal life. In the midst of the gossip, Mr. West keeps demonstrating his creativity. Yesterday (Feb. 24), Kanye West alerted the world that another album will be released in 2016, this according to Twitter.
As the self-professed “voice of reason” Yeezus challenges himself to use his platform to enrich, to educate, and to empower. The confident MC announced, “New album coming this summer.” As a resounding voice of the have-nots, ‘Ye then wrote, “I represent what people can’t say.”
(AllHipHop Features) James Rosemond is one of the most controversial figures connected to Hip Hop culture, even though the man also known as Jimmy Henchman has never recorded a musical project. At one time, Rosemond helped mold the careers of The Game, Salt-N-Pepa, Sean Kingston, Gucci Mane, and Akon. However, he became a household name for many rap fans as a result of a litany of unfavorable reports and rumors surrounding his alleged connections to 2Pac, 50 Cent, and criminal activities.
The 51-year-old founder of CZAR Entertainment is currently serving a life sentence at West Virginia’s USP Hazelton for supposedly heading the bi-coastal drug trafficking crew referred to as “The Rosemond Organization.” In 2015, Rosemond was also convicted for participating in a murder-for-hire plot that led to the death of G-Unit associate Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher.
A veteran entertainment insider is now on a mission to challenge the validity of those two cases and debunk the tales of Rosemond being involved in the infamous 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur. The violent incident at New York City’s Quad Recording Studios was a pivotal precursor to the so-called “East Coast vs West Coast” rivalry which was highlighted by the well publicized animosity between 2Pac/Death Row Records and The Notorious B.I.G./Bad Boy Records.
Filmmaker Don Sikorski (Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops, BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire) created the new Go To Ground documentary Unjust Justice – The Jimmy Rosemond Tapes. The goal of the 10-part web series is to examine whether “Jimmy Henchman” received a fair trial in the judicial system as well as the court of public opinion.
AllHipHop.com interviewed Sikorski about Unjust Justice. The producer of the television shows American Vice and Black Ink Crew explains why he took on the task of possibly changing the narrative about the life of James Rosemond.
Why did you decide to film a docuseries about Rosemond?
His story was one that I always found fascinating. Personally, I thought with his life sentence that telling it would be extremely hard, and to be honest after I directed a documentary about BMF, I really felt I was done telling stories of the nexus of crime and Hip Hop.
Two things made me change my mind. Jimmy reached out directly and told me he felt he had a story to tell that had not been written. It was a story that was different from the myriad of articles that had been written about his life and his drug and murder cases. The more I listened, the more I felt I needed to investigate.
The second thing was the release of Netflix’s Making A Murderer. I saw that they used recorded phone calls from jail. I started to record calls that I had with Jimmy and realized the stories and information he was giving me was never written in any publication or online.
How did you first connect with Rosemond? And a what point did you pitch the idea of the series to him?
I was put in contact with Jimmy through a third party. The idea for a series was born out of the fact that he went to trial three times. Once on the federal CCE charge, or “kingpin” charge, and twice on the murder-for-hire charges. I felt that to really tell his story you would need a lot of time devoted to these very complex cases. I also realized that I didn’t want to be told how to tell this story. I wanted that freedom. So we immediately went into production on putting the story together.
The title Unjust Justice suggests Rosemond is being presented as the victim in the series. He was convicted in separate trials for drug trafficking and for conducting a murder-for-hire plot. What do you believe was “unjust” about his situation?
Yes, the sentencing that Jimmy received was unjust in many ways. First and foremost, I believe after investigating the court documents, doing my own interviews and due diligence that James Rosemond was not a drug kingpin.
To go further under the sentencing guidelines of the kingpin charge, I don’t think the federal government was able to prove with evidence that Jimmy is a drug kingpin. I have spoken off the record with individuals that were involved in this “so-called” drug organization. It was not a top down organization. There was no pyramid with Jimmy at the top as the government alleges. Jimmy should be serving a small sentence for drugs, not a kingpin charge. I know that for a fact.
Secondly, I have started my investigation into the murder-for-hire case. Again the evidence the government provided at trial is all based on testimony of individuals who had everything to gain by painting Jimmy as the mastermind.
I am reserving my opinion on his sentencing on that charge as I am still in the midst of interviewing the major players and reviewing every piece of evidence. Reading the court transcripts and understanding what went on inside the courtroom, it is hard to see why a jury found him guilty.
G2Greleased a 90-second video clip that covers the 2Pac shooting at Quad Studios in New York. Even though he denies it, there are still many people that believe Rosemond was involved in that incident. Will you present more evidence to prove Rosemond was not behind the 1994 attack?
The whole pilot episode of the series basically rips to shreds the narrative that has been presented in every major media outlet. What I have found fascinating to me as a journalist is that you have articles that are written online and in print about Jimmy that are 80 to 90 percent false.
Whether it was the Los Angeles Times, NY Post, or many, many Hip Hop blogs, people have printed stories not based on real proven and sourced information. You can still read online that Jimmy killed Tupac in Las Vegas.
As far as Dexter Isaac and other individuals who have come forward, their stories are just false and based on personal vendettas. I wanted to approach this story by just using facts and information that is available. The first episode is very interesting as I believe it puts to rest the 2Pac/Quad Studios rumors for good.
2Pac Moments After The 1994 “Quad Studios Attack”
Do you address Dexter Issac’s relationship with Rosemond?
Yes, we will go into the relationship between Dexter and Jimmy. I am pretty sure that Dexter Issac was not at Quad Studios that night, and I know for a fact that he didn’t shoot 2Pac at Quad Studios. Any story stating otherwise is a blatant lie and wrong.
You can watch one episode and see why this is the case. Again, I believe Dexter has a personal vendetta against Jimmy. Second, any articles that say he physically shot Tupac with a gun would be a blatant lie.
A few years ago, James “Jimmy” Sabatino claimed Rosemond orchestrated the creation of fake FBI documents used by L.A. Times reporter Chuck Phillips for his now retracted article about the Quad Studios shooting. Were you able to refute Sabatino with concrete evidence?
James Sabatino, from what I have gathered, is a compulsive liar. The idea that Jimmy would create or orchestrate fake FBI documents is the stupidest theory I have ever heard. Keep in mind one thing, the L.A. Times printed a major story accusing Jimmy based on fake documents. Jimmy filed a lawsuit and the L.A. Times printed a retraction. But the damage to Jimmy’s reputation at that point was done.
Everyone reads the first L.A. Times story. No one really remembers the retraction. James Sabatino and Chuck Phillips served a dual purpose. Sabatino wanted notoriety, or he was put up by someone. Chuck Philips wanted another sensational story about Hip Hop, Jimmy, and Quad Studios.
Chuck Phillips as a writer has completely fallen off the map. I had to hire a private detective to try and track him down to see if he would talk. I am still in the process of doing that. I have found Sabatino laughable at best, and the idea that Jimmy orchestrated all of this is a bigger conspiracy theory than I can imagine.
We have not spoken about that, but I do know this, there was also articles written during the trial that Jimmy confessed to being involved in the shooting of Tupac during the proffer sessions. These articles about these proffer sessions were all inaccurate and wrong.
Again, if you watch episode one, you will see how it would be hard for Jimmy to admit any involvement in the shooting of Tupac. The proffer sessions are one area that we will talk at length about when we get into the drug trial.
I am in the midst of looking at all of the evidence and talking to various individuals surrounding these incidents. I do know the public narrative of this was again sensationalized by the media. I can’t comment further as I am still working on this part of the series, but we will go in depth into these various incidents.
Rosemond + Ex-Client/Former G-Unit Member The Game
Outside of Rosemond, did you speak with any other individuals connected to the so-called “Rosemond Organization”? Or did you speak with anyone connected to 2Pac, G-Unit, or the government officials involved in Rosemond’s cases?
Yes, I have spoken on and off the record to people not only on the drug side but also who were involved in the case. I have one confidential source who actually explained how the drug organization operated.
Again, what is true and what’s the media’s version of the case is polar opposites. The story the government told at trial is so far from the truth that seeing it unfold is comical at times. To go further, you have individuals within the case who went on the stand and perjured themselves the minute they spoke.
The federal government wanted to make Jimmy a drug kingpin. They marched ten people on the stand who told very good fairy tales so that they all could go home. Jimmy is very candid that he was not a boy scout, that he has done wrong in his life.
In my documentaries, I always get both sides and offer the opportunity for all parties to come forth and talk. I have reached out to Henry Butler, a co-defendant in Jimmy’s case, hoping he will go on the record. He is a very interesting part of the case. I hope Henry – now that he is home – will go on the record for the series and talk about his testimony about how the “Rosemond Organization” operated.
I am also going to speak to Todd Kaminsky, the federal prosecutor, and hopefully DEA agents to see some of the evidence presented at trial. I also have every slice of evidence from the case. Surveillance, photographs, wiretaps, traced Blackberry information – anything the government presented at trial. I will let the audience decide if Jimmy is guilty or what he is guilty of. It is a wide grey area that will be explored.
Rosemond is still a very controversial figure in Hip Hop. Do you think this series will be able to change the perception some of his critics have about him?
I am not sure about that. I just want to let the audience see the facts of the case and the facts of the story. I hope that the storytelling is dynamic and puts to rest a lot of gossip, rumors, and stories that are shaky at best. This is not an easy story to tell, and the trials are very, very complex. It spans twenty years.
The one thing I also think is important is that you can hear directly from Jimmy, not via a reporter or a news article. You can hear his perspective and his side of the story. After that, it really is up to the audience to decide. I do know that his story and court case are one of the most interesting tales of crime, Hip Hop celebrity, and our criminal justice system.
(AllHipHop News) You have probably never seen Jim Joe’s face, but you definitely know his work. The elusive Montreal native was commissioned by Kanye West for the Yeezus iTunes page, and he designed the highly memed cover art for Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.
Joe has now teamed with acclaimed photographer/video director Jamie-James Medina to create new artwork in support of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. The poster features a portrait of Sanders captured by Medina while the Vermont senator was on the campaign trail in Iowa. Joe then inscribed the phrase “HUMAN BEING – BERNIE 2016” onto the photo.
Medina stated about the collaboration:
You’re hearing the same speech several times a day from every candidate, but I had a moment where I thought that to not support Senator Sanders and his campaign during this election is to give up on these kids ever having a President that does not represent establishment politics. I quickly made a decision that I’m going to take a photograph of the Senator and make him look presidential. That’s the image I sent to Jim Joe and he very quickly sent me back the final design. Together, we felt that to be able to describe a politician as a ‘human being’, and to believe it, was almost revolutionary.
Jim Joe and Jamie-James Medina’s Bernie Sanders 2016 “Human Being” poster is available as a free download at human-being.co. The duo is also offering full-res print files via BitTorrent Bundle.
(AllHipHop News) Many Hip Hop fans have been waiting for the rumored J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar collaborative project for years. While Cole rapped on his loose record “Black Friday” that the K. Dot joint mixtape would never drop, there is an old song with both emcees that may never see the light of day either.
Washington, DC rapper/producer Oddisee spent time recording with Cole, and one of those tracks eventually featured an appearance by Kendrick as well. The Diamond District member spoke with Tim Westwood about the Oddisee/J. Cole/Kendrick Lamar collaboration that has been confined to the vault for now.
“Everybody keeps talking about that record,” admitted Oddisee. “They’re doing fine without that record. I’m doing fine. It does exist.”
Westwood then jokingly asked if Oddisee felt the two platinum selling artists were “c### blocking” his career. The Mellow Music Group signee explained he first met Cole in London. But after they connected again in DC around 2012, Cole chose not to use Oddisee’s production for the project he was working on.
“[J. Cole] had an interview were he said, ‘I’ve decided to produce the record myself and not use outside production,'” added Oddisee. “I pretty much haven’t heard from him since. That’s it. That’s the truth.”
Oddisee went on to say he understood Cole’s decision to only use self-produced beats. His own discography includes projects such as People Hear What They See and The Good Fight that feature Oddisee’s production. The latter LP was one of the best reviewed Hip Hop albums of 2015.
#FutureHive get ready! Future is known for dropping a number of projects back to back, and he had a pretty good 2015. Future has already released ‘Purple Reign and Evol,’ and he’s informed his fans that even more music is on the way. However, this year, Future may be taking his music in a different direction, the direction of soulful R&B. According to Hot 97’s Ebro, Future has 3 R&B albums sitting in the vault. There isn’t an official release date for the albums, but when he does drop them, we are sure the #FutureHive will be just as supportive as they’ve been with his previous projects. We aren’t sure this is exactly what we want from Mr. Dirty Sprite, however, all of the rappers are “singing” these days, so it comes to no one’s surprise that Future would be releasing these type of projects. To Future’s advantage, no matter how good or bad the music he releases is, he has a crazy fan base that will support it. Most of you like Future’s music to turn up to, but in your opinion, is he that great of an artist? Does he make great music? Will his R&B be better than his rap?
Connecticut is not a place you’d think you’d find the next dancehall star, but it’s not such a stretch. The state just northeast of New York City is home to one of the largest Jamaican expat communities, most notably in the area of Hartford.
Kingston native Alandon calls that city home now (after relocating from Waterhouse, home of the legendary King Tubby’s studio and sound system), and judging by the strength of his debut single, he just might soon put “the Constitution State” on the map for Caribbean music. His “1980”—which was first heard on the radio broadcast of a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game, is a catchy, melodic dancehall tribute to di gyal dem doing old-school bubbling dancing styles.
There’s more than a touch of Vybz Kartel in Alandon’s flow, and a bit of pop-mode Gyptian, as well; Alandon often delivers the multi-layered dancehall music with a touch of Latin flavor. Alandon has now remixed Rihanna & Drake’s hit “Work.” Take a listen below.
(AllHipHop News) Did Drake just sign another record deal? An Instagram post from Champagne Papi seems to suggest the Toronto representative has joined Skepta’s London-based label Boy Better Know.
“The first Canadian signed to BBK,” wrote Drake on IG. “Big up my brudda [Skepta] for life yeah. And my section gunners too.”
Skepta appeared to co-sign the partnership by posting a picture of a BBK/OVO shirt to his own Instagram page. The two brands have been closely associated for years.
Both international stars appeared together on a remix of Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” which premiered on OVO Sound Radio. Skepta performed at Drake’s OVO Fest, and Drizzy even has a BBK tattoo.
Drake’s love for London culture also extends to another art form. Earlier this month, Drizzy hinted he may be involved in the revival of the popular U.K. crime series Top Boy.
Cash Money singer, Jacquees recently tweeted that he is the best R&B singer in the game not including Chris Brown. Tory Lanez wasn’t feeling this claim. Well, for the most part, we are in the era where you don’t even really have to be able to sing to get on and make it. When Tory replied laughing at Jacquees’ claim, Jacquees responded saying,
“Yo pen pretty dope bro but vocal wise Naaaaaa You R NOT f*ckin wit the kid. @toreylanez you tried it bro, keep hustling.”
Hey maybe this is good for R&B. Maybe we need a little bit of healthy competition and ego, because these guys can’t sing for shhhhhh these days. You know your Tory’s and Bryson’s aren’t the strongest vocally. The possession and appreciation of true vocal ability seem to be a thing of the past. It almost feels like R&B is almost a defunct genre with the exception of a few artists. In your opinion, who is the best R&B singer in the game?
Kanye West went on yet another Twitter rant recently. This time much of the rant was directed at the Recording Academy and The Grammys about their lack of support and complete inclusion of Hip Hop. Kanye wants to make The Grammys culturally relevant again as he feels like those in charge are way out of touch. He also says some artists don’t get the chance to perform because The Grammys like their black people a certain way. ‘Ye tweeted,
“First order of business. We the people need to see Future at the Grammys. We need to see Young Thug at the Grammys. Not just me and Jay in a suit.”
“Neil please reach out as soon as possible so we can make the Grammys culturally relevant again.”
“Has anyone at the Grammys ever heard March Madness??? Yes I have a problem with the Grammys.”
“You like your black people a certain way also. You wouldn’t have Future perform and that man owned the clubs last summer.”
It looks like Kanye is going to get that sit down meeting with those behind The Grammys as the President of The Recording Academy, Neil Portnow, tweeted Kanye from The Grammys’ account saying,
(AllHipHop News) A$AP Rocky reportedly got assaulted overseas. TMZ writes the Harlem native was attacked in a hotel elevator during his stop in Auckland, New Zealand.
Rocky was in the country for a show on Thursday night, but he was apparently jumped by three men at the Pullman Hotel. According to reports, Rocky was entering the elevator with a group of women when the men tried to get on as well.
The “L$D” rhymer is said to have told the men it was not enough room on the elevator, and then a fight broke out. Sources claimed the attackers knew who the rapper was because they shouted “F*ck A$AP!” One person was arrested for assault and resisting police.
After the news broke, Rocky addressed the matter on Twitter. The A$AP Mob member made light of the entire ordeal by writing, “Assaulted? N*ggas get shot every day b, ha.”
This was not the first time A$AP Rocky got into a skirmish in another country. Last April, he nearly had a violent encounter in London. Rocky was caught on video asking a man “Should I s#### you right now?” after someone allegedly threw something at his car.
(AllHipHop News) In 2014, Schoolboy Q dropped his first #1 album of his career. Oxymoron went on to sell over 400,000 copies, and helped the Top Dawg Entertainment emcee earn a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. It looks like Q is close to returning with his next musical effort.
TDE CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith revealed on Twitter that the team is preparing to release Q’s next album soon. Tiffith was asked by a fan if the LP will arrive before or after summer, and he simply replied with “B4.” An exact release date was not announced, but with summer being just four months away, an album roll out should begin in the near future.
In addition, Tiffith declared fellow TDE artists Isaiah Rashad and SZA are close to releasing their next respective projects. Rashad’s first EP on the label, Cilvia Demo, arrived in 2014. SZA’s Z EP came out that same year.
Rumor has is that A$AP Rocky is about that life! Apparently he got it popping when a group of men tried to jump him on an elevator at the Pullman Hotel in New Zealand. Allegedly A$AP Rocky wasn’t feeling three other men getting on the elevator with him and a group of women he was with because there was no room. Apparently A$AP told the guys they couldn’t get on the elevator and this is when all hell broke loose. It has been reported that the three men jumped him, repeatedly punching him in the head and in the face. Witnesses say A$AP Rocky was more concerned about the welfare of the women he was with than himself. Sources say this wasn’t a random act of violence as the attackers were heard saying “F*ck A$AP.” One of the attackers ended up getting arrested. A$AP says he had a little scuffle, but he’s all good and is still scheduled to perform today.
After he turned down a deal with Drake to sign with RCA, Bryson Tiller only went further and further up the urban music ladder with his TrapSoul project. Now the Kentucky bred singer is selling out shows nationwide, one being his NYC show at Webster Hall. They don’t have too many Hip-Hop shows at Webster Hall from what we hear, so this was big!
(AllHipHop News) President Barack Obama will attend a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Austin, Texas during the first day of the South By Southwest festival. Roc Nation rapper J. Cole will be on hand to perform at the event.
The fundraiser will be hosted by Will “Whurley” Hurley, founder of the Austin-based startup Honest Dollar, and The Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am. Tickets range from $250 (general ticket guest) to $500 (preferred section guest) to $10,000 (photo line) to $33,400 (co-host).
A description for the reception reads:
Our Party, led by President Obama, is focused on building an economy that lasts—an economy that lifts up all Americans.
That’s why Democrats in all 50 states are working in neighborhoods and communities to advance issues like job creation, education, health care, and clean energy.
The DNC event featuring J. Cole is scheduled for Friday, March 11 at the Austin Music Hall. The South By Southwest festival 2016 runs in Austin from March 11 through March 20. The DNC fundraiser is not directly connected to SXSW.
PnB Rock has the city of Philly on lock, now he’s branching out and getting the rest of the rap game’s attention. PnB takes a stab at exactly that in this new emo track about “Trust Issues” and dealing with the complexities of a relationship.
If you go on Hot 97 and E-Bro asks you to spit, you pretty much got you chance to impress the Hip-Hop world in its entirety, with the exception of the Power 105 crew. Uzi Vert tries his hand at just that in this visual from Hot97 that shows that Uzi Vert might have a chance to hang around for a little bit. Crazy part is that he pretty much refused to freestyle over old beats. Is that the new generation of rappers?
(AllHipHop News) A new movement has begun to push to get Dr. Mutulu Shakur free from prison.
In the past few weeks, there have been rampant rumors that Mutulu Shakur, 65, was already free, but that was not the case. His legal team will be arguing for his release at a hearing on April 4. They will argue – in part – that Dr. Shakur has had no behavioral or legal incidents since being incarcerated in the mid-80’s.
The campaign formally launches on March 1.
MutuluIsWelcomeHere.com has been launched to help free the former Black Liberation Member, who has been in jail for over 30 years. “If you have been influenced or affected by Mutulu in a positive way, put your testimony on there (MutuluIsWelcomeHere.com),” said Zayed Malik, who is an artist and a leader in the organization. These testimonies will be given to Shakur’s legal team as examples of his upstanding impact to the population.
They outlined their agenda on a call. The website says the following:
“There are enemies of our struggle who are intent on proving that Dr. Mutulu Shakur is a threat and danger to the community and society and does not deserve to be let free to come home. It is important that we challenge that narrative with true stories of personal experiences with Dr. Mutulu Shakur and how we have benefited from knowing him. We are asking that you take the time to describe the impact he has had on your life.”
Additionally, supporters of Mutulu are encouraged to use the hashtag #MutuluIsWelcomeHere and to use social media to push the messaging. The movement will also record a music video and accept songs in honor of Shakur. They will be used for radio and internet play so clean versions of the music were encouraged for submission on the organizational call.
“If you got a beautiful singing voice, sing a song for Mutulu,” said Malik.
Mutulu Shakur is well known for aiding in the escape of Assata Shakur in 1979. He was was sentenced to 60 years in prison in 1986 conspiracy to aid in a bank robbery that resulted in the death of two police officers. Shakur was not involved in the actual robbery.
Dr. Shakur is technically Tupac’s step-father, but the rapper regarded him as his father, even if it wasn’t biological.
For those seeking to help financially or offer legal aid should go to MutuluShakur.com.
Rihanna and Drake took to the stage at the Brit Awards for the Billboard chart-topping single, “Work.” Serving even more excitement from the steamy dance moves we witnessed in the video, the two managed to keep it PG-13, yet still fire!