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EXCLUSIVE: Daye Jack Talks Collabing With Killer Mike & Creating A New Sound With Max Martin

(AllHipHop Features) On February 12th, Daye Jack returned to his hometown of Atlanta as part of Pells’ “The Only In Your Dreams” Tour. The 20-year-old rapper/singer was met with a friendly crowd at Center Stage’s Vinyl as Daye ran through songs from his 2015 Soul Glitch EP and a few new cuts.

The showcase also featured fellow ATLien J.I.D. with special guests EarthGang. The DMV’s Chaz French was part of the bill as well. Overall, the night served as a clear illustration of the next crop of Hip Hop talent on the verge of breaking out on a national level.

I got the chance to meet with Daye Jack backstage at Vinyl before his set. The Warner Bros Records artist discussed connecting with Killer Mike for the Black Lives Matter themed single “Hands Up.” In addition, Daye shared some information about his upcoming debut LP featuring production by Grammy-winner Max Martin (Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd).

[ALSO READ: #ATLRiseUp: Daye Jack Is Inserting The Soul Back Into Southern Based Hip Hop]

What does it mean for you to be able to perform for your hometown?

It’s crazy. It’s like everything’s coming full circle. I started making music in my bedroom not too far from this venue. Now I’m performing the music I’ve been making since then. It’s crazy how things start somewhere and keeps growing.

Your career has advanced a lot over the last year. What has that experience been like for you?

It’s dope. When I started making music, I wanted people to listen to it, but I wasn’t sure. I’ve gone through many phases – from this just being a hobby, to it being more serious, to it being the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life. At some of these shows, people come up to me saying, ‘We love your EP.” That’s dope to me. I’ve never experienced that before. I’m meeting so many people like that, and I never thought making my EP or tape that it would get that much traction.

How has the tour been so far?

Every single show has been dope in its own way. Right now the big stand out was Boston. That was the first sold out show. Everyone killed their sets at that show. I think I did really well. Chaz French killed it. Pell slayed. The crowd was really into it. But each city has had its own moment.

Being on tour with these guys, can we expect you to connect musically?

I’d love to. I’ve been homies with Pell for a minute now. I just met Chaz on this tour, but me and Pell have already been in the studio. I think it would be dope to do something with Chaz.

Speaking of collabs, you have “Hands Up” with Killer Mike. Communities have been dealing with [police brutality] for a long time, but it has really been heavily in the public eye the last few years. A lot of artists have stayed away from approaching that subject. What made you decide to address it in your music?

For me, it wasn’t premeditated. I saw the Mike Brown murder go down. I was going to the studio to write – the session had been booked a long time ago. The hook just kept playing in my head, so I laid that down. From there, that whole song became that topic. It’s kind of your job if you want to make music or do any sort of art to paint a picture of what’s going on right now. That’s a real issue.

How did you get Killer Mike on the track?

I’d written the song. I had the demo with just me on it, and it had been sitting there for a while. Killer Mike heard it through Mass Appeal. We talked on the phone about where my head was at and what he thought about the song. He then sent his verse, and it was amazing.

That’s dope. He doesn’t work with just anybody.

It was the ultimate co-sign, because this is someone who’s a hero in Atlanta. I grew up in Atlanta, so it was crazy having an Atlanta OG give me a nod.

You’re working with Max Martin. Does that mean you’re moving toward a more Pop feel with your album?

It’s very different. I think this is literally the best music I’ve made to date. I guess you can call it moving more Pop, but I feel like it’s more layered. Maybe with some of the older songs – not to take anything away from them  – I might try to do the most complex bars and be very direct. I feel like this new stuff is more Pop in the sense that it’s simple, but there are layers underneath.

What you’re describing to me kind of sounds like what The Weeknd did working with Max. His stuff before that was kind of heavy, and then when they got together Max smoothed it out a little bit.

I think that’s the same sort of transition [for me].

Have you thought about what quarter you want to drop the album?

I really want it to come out this year. I hope it comes out in third quarter.

Have you worked with anyone else as far as features?

Right now, the only person I’ve worked with is this Swedish artist Laleh. She’s a genius singer-songwriter and producer. We have something that she produced as well.

I saw a tweet you posted where you said “Beyoncé is queen.”

I was watching the Super Bowl. She came out, and I saw the girls versus boys routine with Bruno Mars. Beyoncé won that. She’s queen. Also, when she appeared on the screen I felt butterflies. Only a queen can get that reaction. [laughs]

[ALSO READ: #ATLRiseUp: 20 Emerging Acts That Prove All Atlanta Artists DON’T Sound The Same]

Daye At Vinyl In ATL
Daye At Vinyl In ATL

For more information about “The Only In Your Dreams” Tour visit www.dayejack.com.

Follow Daye Jack on Twitter @DayeJack and Instagram @itsdayejack.

Stream Daye Jack’s Soul Glitch below. Purchase the EP on iTunes.

PHOTO CREDIT: Diane Abapo, Yohance Kyles

Free The Wave: Kanye Wants To Help Max B Get Out Of Prison?

As of late, Kanye West, has been working to cultivate and maintain his humility. Mr. West, was recently instrumental in breaking up a fight between dueling paps. Now it seems as though he has been using his passionate energy to help free the incarcerated. Yeezus personally reached out to French Montana to inquire as to how he could help Max B, this according to Hot 97.

[ALSO READ: Kanye West Uses Twitter To Blast His “Number One Enemy”]

In the telephone interview the Wave Gods rapper explained the encounter with West. French said, “He’s probably the first one to call me, out of nowhere, when his album just dropped, like an hour after it dropped, and just asked me, ‘What can we do to get Max B out?'” As the conversation continued Yeezy expressed his inherent respect for Max B’s creativity.

Montana mentioned that Kanye then declared, “”Let me use my power to get him out,’That never happened before from nobody. So, I got a lot of respect for him for that, because you know how much Max B means to me and the culture of Hip-Hop.’”

Rihanna And Drake Get Close In “Work” Visual

It’s one of the most popular songs on radio right now and Drake stans are at an all time high after NBA All-Star Weekend – you might must spontaneously combust when you see this. Check the heated full visual below and make sure to go check out Ri Ri’s Anti.

Puff Daddy Debuts New Visual “Auction” Featuring Lil Kim, Styles P & King Los

Continuing with content from his MMM album, Puff Daddy shoots black and white visual for “Auction” featuring Lil Kim, Styles P & King Los. Directed by Hype Williams. Purchase MMM now iTunes.

Watch below.

B.I.G.’s Mom Thinks Diddy & Suge “Had Some Responsibility” In Son’s Murder?!?!

Photo Credit: Instagram

In the past, the retired Los Angeles detective, Greg Kading,  was responsible for investigating the murders of the late Tupac Shakur, and the late, Christopher “The Notorious  B.I.G.” Wallace. Recently, Kading chopped it up with the Murder Master Music Show. During the explosive interview he made a provocative claim.

During the diligent research that was invested into writing his book, Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations, the former LAPD officer paid a visit to Biggie’s mom, Voletta Wallace. In the midst of their in-depth discussion, Kading, alleged that Ms. Wallace acknowledged the individuals culpable with B.I.G.’s untimely passing.

 [ALSO READ: Diddy Stands Accused Of Paying To Have Tupac Murdered!?!]

From their passionate conversation, Kading maintains that Ms. Voletta believes both Diddy and Suge Kninght, “had some responsibility” in the murder of her son. After explaining the sordid details of the respective situations he shared a raw moment with Ms. Wallace.

He explained, “We sat there and it was a very emotional encounter,  because she was, I think, understanding clearly what had happened, and I think she was starting to see that other people were responsible than who she had previously believed…”

Trina Gets Into Altercation!

You know they called Trina the baddest b*tch back in the day? Yeah, they did and now I am wondering why. I thought it was for her looks, but it may be due to her hand skills.

It all went down in Miami – in the club. Don’t people know nothing good happens in the club? Whatever the issue, some dude would not listen to Trina. Apparently, the man had some “beef” and perhaps Trina was looking to dead it. She continually tells him “You wrong, you wrong!” I guess we’ll hear more about this later. Or not. People need to grow up.

I guess this is what she was talking about when she wrote “F**k Boy” last year?

The Young Turks’ Cenk Uygur Talks Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders

The Young Turks may not be considered Hip-Hop, but they do matter when it comes to the issues facing the Hip-Hop generation. As we traverse into another election year, we are faced with some important decisions and matters as a community. The Young Turks’ Cenk Uygur founded the company as an internet-based news show in 2002 and the movement has skyrocketed since then. AllHipHop’s Chuck Creekmur chatted with Cenk at the international Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas in the Monster House. In the video, Cenk talks frankly about a number of issues including social justice, elections and being an “agent of change.”

Check out the full interview below.

DJ Premiere On Tapping KRS-One For Macklemore & Ryan Lewis,’ “Buckshot”

Photo Credit: YouTube

(AllHipHop News) KRS-One and DJ Premier have helped to shape Hip-Hop’s substance and sound. On Friday (Feb. 26), their legacy may impact a different demographic. For on that day, “Buckshot,” from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ LP, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made — which features both Primo and Kris — will be available for public consumption.

According to a press release, DJ Premier’s actions ultimately helped to bring that track to fruition. Both Ben “Macklemore” Haggerty  and DJ Premiere share an appreciation and history of creating graffiti art. “They wanted me to hook up a scratch sequence to tie in the lyrics that Ben wrote,” expressed the veteran beatsmith.

[ALSO READ: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Tap Hip-Hop Legends For New Album, Tracklist]

“Ryan did the track and we got on the phone to discuss the theme about their younger days running the streets and tagging graffiti. I draw as well so it made total sense, ” he revealed. To heighten the track that eventually became “Buckshot,” DJ Premier reached out and eventually secured the Teacha.

“They asked if I knew how to get in touch with Kris,” he explained.  “I reached out to Kris’s wife and since he is a dope graffiti artist as well, he was the perfect choice and he laced the verse overnight, he said before adding, “The whole combination made it a complete jam for the history books.”

Thus far Macklemore and Ryan Lewis appear to have paid homage to acquiring and sharing knowledge, emceeing, deejaying, and creating graffiti. If they find a way to demonstrate breaking they’ll have celebrated all of Hip-Hop’s elements.

OG Maco & Richie Wess Go Hard On New Single “WAR”

Richie Wess & OG Maco team up on a track that honestly compliments both of their styles. This is Richies most recent release since the release of Undefeated featuring Yung Simmie that dropped last month. Also this is the newest OG Maco collab since his project Lord of Rage released last month this track is dope looking forward to more music from both of these dudes.

Listen to War below.

This Little Girl’s Tears Prove We Need Another Obama Term

While President Obama is winding down on his second term and making some last rounds as POTUS, this little girl is just not ready to see him go.

Crying that she’s not ready for a new president, her mom records her epic tears as she reassures her that “it’ll be okay,” and even suggests they write a letter to Obama before he leaves the White House for good.

Think we can get Obama to cheer baby girl up?

DJ Premier Talks Working On Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Buckshot” Track Featuring KRS-One

(AllHipHop News) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are prepping to release their next full length album on February 26. This Unruly Mess I’ve Made will include contributions from several Hip Hop legends. For example, the track “Buckshot” features rap G.O.A.T. contender KRS-One and producing icon DJ Premier.

[ALSO READ: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Tap Hip-Hop Legends For New Album]

“Macklemore’s manager reached out to my manager Ian and told him that they wanted me to hook up a scratch sequence to tie in the lyrics that Ben [Macklemore] wrote,” explains Premier on how the song came together. “Ryan did the track and we got on the phone to discuss the theme about their younger days running the streets and tagging graffiti. I draw as well, so it made total sense!”

He continues, “After I sent my parts back, they asked if I knew how to get in touch with Kris [KRS-One]. I reached out to Kris’s wife and since he is a dope graffiti artist as well, he was the perfect choice and he laced the verse overnight. The whole combination made it a complete jam for the history books.”

Besides working with Macklemore, Lewis and KRS, Premo also produced a recent cut for Yuna’s upcoming album Chapters, due out on May 20. “Places To Go” provides a classic Hip Hop soundbed for the Malaysian singer-songwriter to display her vocals. Fans of the New York based super-producer should be on the lookout for PRhyme 2 with Royce da 5’9″ as well.

[ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Adrian Younge Talks Joint Project With Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Possibility Of ‘PRhyme 2’ Album]

Listen to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Buckshot” featuring KRS-One & DJ Premier and Yuna’s “Places To Go” produced by DJ Premier below. 

Amber Rose Debates S### Shaming & Female Sexuality With Tyrese & Rev Run (VIDEO)

(AllHipHop News) Amber Rose stopped by the new OWN talk show It’s Not You, It’s Men starring Tyrese Gibson and Rev Run. The sit down included Rose disagreeing with the program’s hosts about the idea that what a woman wears plays a role in how she will be treated by men.

[ALSO READ: Amber Rose Talks Kanye West Blasting Her On “No More Parties In L.A.” Song (AUDIO)]

“The comfortablity [sic] some people find in wanting to touch or g#### you – it’s just like the energy that’s being sent out there that creates that type of response,” stated Tyrese.

Amber replied, “No it doesn’t. If I’m laying down with a man butt naked and his condom is on, and I say, ‘You know what? No, I don’t want to do this. I changed my mind.’ That means no. It doesn’t matter how far I take it or what I have on. When I say no, it means no.”

Rev Run then suggested that people should “dress how you want to be addressed.” The author of How to Be a Bad B*tch and “S### Walk” organizer went on to add that a woman dressing sexy does not mean she is necessarily looking to have sex with a man.

It’s Not You. It’s Men airs Saturdays at 9 pm on OWN.

[ALSO READ: Ebro & Amber Rose Debate S### Walk, Sexism & Female Sexuality (AUDIO)]

Watch the It’s Not You, It’s Men segment featuring Amber Rose in the video below.

J. Cole And Trae Tha Truth Get Deep On “Children Of Men”

Trae has always had a connection to the streets because he’s made music that people can relate to in their most difficult times. Likewise, J Cole has had the same appeal with listeners helping them through lifes’ problems, so when the two collaborated on “Children of Men” you knew that the lyrics were going to hit you before you even press play.

“The storyline is about a kid that came from an orphanage, just dealing with life, getting caught up, dealing with the pressure, and at the end the pressure becomes so much that he kills himself,” Trae explained to Complex.

Providing a social critique, J Cole and Trae tha Truth speak on the ills of society today and the obstacles faced when trying to overcome adversity as a youth in America in 2016. Oh yea and the beat and hook on this one is crazy. Singer/songwriter Ink laces the hook for this.

Did The Game Miss A Music Festival In New Zealand Because He Confused The Country For Australia?

(AllHipHop News) According to reports, The Game was set to headline the Raggamuffin Festival in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday, but the Los Angeles native missed the event because he went to the wrong country. The New Zealand Herald writes that Game landed in Australia with the wrong visa and was forced to leave immediately.

[ALSO READ: Due To Visa Issues, The Game Will Not Perform In Australia]

The Game flew into Australia from Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday. The “Hate It Or Love It” rhymer was stopped by the country’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and he was told he must exit the island nation. Game then flew directly back to Los Angeles without stopping in New Zealand for the music festival on Saturday.

Festival organizers announced to the Raggamuffin crowd on Saturday afternoon that Game “missed his flight” from Dubai. The rapper then took to Instagram to post, “I didn’t miss my flight, we were denied entry once we landed at Customs.” However, Game did not mention that he was blocked from entering Australia which left the impression with some fans that he was turned away in New Zealand.

Local media outlets have since ran articles with headlines that read: “Raggamuffin rapper confused Australia for NZ,” “The Game Got Australia And New Zealand Confused And Missed His Appearance At Ragamuffin Festival,” and “Raggamuffin 2016: Rap artist The Game mistakes Australia for New Zealand.”

A promoter for the Raggamuffin Festival released a lengthy statement about the situation involving The Game. Read the Facebook post below.

As promoter of Raggamuffin IX we need to set the record regarding The Game straight:

‘The Game’ was 100% approved to enter New Zealand. His management and I know this as fact.
His entry to Australia was given as ‘intent to refuse’ which is exactly the same letter given to Ghostface Killah from Wu-Tang Clan. On approaching the Immigration Department in Australia, they reviewed Ghostface Killah and approved his visa and he is on his way to Australia tonight with the other members of Wu-Tang. In the case of ‘The Game’ the process to provide additional support information for entry into Australia was going to take longer due to the number of band members needing to be processed so the best decision was for him to come and play at Raggamuffin in New Zealand and then re-schedule Australia.

After making major deposits to his agent ICM and them buying Dubai to Auckland flights, it made perfect sense for The Game to come to Auckland, play Raggamuffin IX and then return at a later date for an Australian tour … which is what ICM and Raggamuffin were negotiating over the past few days. We honestly believed ‘The Game’ would honour his obligations to our festival and it was only when we had our people at the airport on Saturday to pick him up to play Raggamuffin IX did we find out he did not board the plane in Dubai. Statements to the contrary are simply not true.

At no point would we consider trying to swindle our faithful Raggamuffin family. The whole Raggamuffin team and myself personally are deeply disappointed by what happened yesterday and can only promise, if we can sort things out with ‘The Game’ and his management, we will do everything we can to make this up to all of his upset and disappointed fans.

Andrew McManus
Director
Raggamuffin New Zealand

[ALSO READ: The Game Comments On Current “Social Media” Rap Feuds Versus Classic Lyrical Rap Battles]

Vic Mensa And Skrillex Go Crazy In Japan For “No Chill” Visuals

“No Chill” was like the catch phrase of 2015, and its segued into 2016 with a ton of hype behind Vic Mensa and Skrillex’s new song “No Chill.” The track gets the visual treatment in this Collin Tilley directed video as Vic and Skrillex get wild in Japan over the Jahlil Beats co-produced track. Vic’s album, Traffic is still in the works. Look for that real soon.

Yo Gotti Teaches You “The Art of Hustle” In New Visual

Biggie had the “10 Crack Commandments” and Master P taught you how to make “Ghetto Dope” now Yo Gotti teaches you the “The Art of Hustle.” Yea “DMs” is a hot record, but this one right here will make you go press play in Spotify on Gotti’s new project with the same title. Who else could teach you the art of hustle?

G Herbo Warns The Streets About His “Jugg House”

G Herbo is one of a few artists from Chicago that’s making serious noise. If you haven’t been paying attention, Herbo aka Lil Herb has been doing to some big interviews and is earning some big time respect in the streets along side Lil Bibby. While this track is def for the streets, its a telling visual of all that goes down in Chicago. “Don’t try to hit a lick at the Jugg House,” Herbo raps as he gives fair warning to anyone looking to run up on his spot. If you didn’t already know it’s gutter in the Chi, check it out below.

50 Cent Blasts Meek Mill For Feuding With People Connected To Drake (AUDIO)

(AllHipHop News) It was only a matter of time before 50 Cent shared his thoughts about the recent dust-up between DJ Whoo Kid and Meek Mill. During an interview with Shade 45, the G-Unit boss expanded the conversation in order to scold Meek over several recent feuds extending from his conflict with Drake.

[ALSO READ: Meek Mill Blasts DJ Whoo Kid; Waka Flocka Responds (VIDEO)]

50 said:

[Meek’s] really not that bright. That kid is not that bright. The easiest thing you could do is bring other people into the statements that you’re saying while you’re writing music. Not for them to be involved, but just to mention them. Like when he mentioned Ar-Ab from Drake’s perspective, it turned into the kid being on stage saying, ‘F*ck Ar-Ab.”

I didn’t understand when he did that. That’s a special kind of stupid going on over here, because now you just took something that was completely non-threatening with Drake and this one and turned it into something that could potentially turn into you bumping in Philly. I was like maybe he knows something I don’t know.

He does that instinctively. He watches anyone that goes next to the person that he has that passion for, and he attacks that person. You see him say some sh*t about Future. It’s because [Future and Drake] collaborated on an album together, so if you’re with him, you’re against me. You have the least opportunity to beat these guys with the momentum they have at this point.

While Meek did seem to have issues with Future and Ar-Ab at one point, both of those situations have apparently been resolved. Future appeared on Meek’s 4/4 Part 2 mixtape. Ar-Ab said in an interview that he spoke with Meek and the beef is over.

[ALSO READ: New Video Game Features Meek Mill Trying To Avoid Taking “L’s” From Drake & 50 Cent (VIDEO)]

Listen to 50 Cent’s interview below. 

Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp A Butterfly” Sees Over 400% Sales Increase Following Grammys Broadcast

(AllHipHop News) Kendrick Lamar was clearly the big winner of Grammy night 2016. The Compton emcee won 5 awards, and he had the most talked about performance of the ceremony. It looks like K. Dot’s victory in Los Angeles on February 15th pushed more people to buy his latest album To Pimp A Butterfly.

[ALSO READ: Celebrities React To Kendrick Lamar’s Performance At The 2016 Grammys]

According to Hits Daily Double, the LP saw a 411% increase in sales from last week following the Grammy broadcast. That was the third highest boost of the week. Purchases of Alabama Shakes’ Sound & Color rose by 494%, and Tori Kelly’s debut album Unbreakable Smile went up 418% in sales.

Kendrick’s TPAB moved 25,000 copies, making it once again the highest selling rap album of the week. The project opened with 324,000 copies sold in March 2015. It spent 2 weeks at the top of the Billboard 200, R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and Rap Albums charts that year.

The TDE/Aftermath/Interscope release won the Best Rap Album trophy at the 58th annual Grammy Awards last week. In addition, the RIAA recently certified To Pimp A Butterfly as platinum under the new rules for its Platinum and Gold Awards program.

[ALSO READ: Kendrick Lamar & Big Sean Earn Platinum Plaques Under New RIAA Streaming & Track Sale Equivalent Changes]

Ja Rule Calling Rap Quits? Young Buck Got Serious Beef?


Ja Rule has not released an album in quite some time and it seems as if he’s completely finished with the rap game.

It would appear that Ja is is calling it quits with a new album called Coup De Grace (Means Death Blow). I did not know that Ja was out here doing it anyway. Is that retiring or just calling it a day? I don’t care. 50 Cent sure ain’t stopping. Anyway.

Speaking of 50, he may need to hook Young Buck up. It seems as if the homie is in one mess. Check this out.

I peeped Big U’s Instagram and he appears to be conscious. And stuff. I’m thinking they know that the “man” is aways watching. Waiting. Wanting us to murder each other or give them a means to inject their poison in our community. Buck don’t want these issue and neither would I if I were him. He does not need to go back to prison.

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The internet comments can create something outta nothing too. I’m hearing Big U is Buck’s manager anyway. I don’t know but it just seems as if some stuff is getting outta “wack.”