(AllHipHop News) Rick Ross claimed self defense in court earlier this week, as the trial began for an alleged kidnapping and assault that was executed by Ross and his bodyguard on his Fayette County property last year.
The rapper is accused of beating and holding two service workers in his home hostage for hours, even reportedly pistol whipping one of the individuals.
Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II and his bodyguard are now facing charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery.
Investigators state that the two men threw a party on the rapper’s property without his permission prompting the attacks in a guest house.
According to reports from CBS 46, Ross is claiming self defense in hopes of receiving immunity and having all criminal charges dropped as he felt the need to protect himself and his property.
The pretrial for the incident saw witness testimonies and visual evidence presented, which included Ross’s bodyguard and co-defendant Nadrian James echoing claims of self defense in his testimony.
The MMG boss is currently on house arrest for the incident, but the is allowed to leave the house to work and perform as long as he gives the court his itinerary.
Ross’s attorney Steve Sadow is quite confident in his ability to prove his client’s innocence
“I think they’ll be a lot of doubt created as things are uncovered in the weeks and months to happen,” Steve Sadow said.
There is no word yet on when the judge will make a final decision.
(AllHipHop News) T.I. is considering changing his rap moniker because the stage name means nothing to him.
The “Live Your Life” star began his early career using his childhood nickname Tip, but he was forced to ditch the moniker when he launched his mainstream career amid label officials’ fears he would get mixed up with A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip.
“Early on in my career when I was kind of asked, or it was suggested that I should change my name, you know, it was very difficult to find something else to call myself short notice just for the purpose of rap,” he tells the Huffington Post. “Because my music was just an extension of me, so to have to create another label or name for myself was very difficult and I wasn’t very successful at it.”
LaFace Records executive Kawan Prather suggested he simply drop the ‘p’, but the rapper wasn’t convinced: “I was like, ‘Wh-wh-what (sic) the hell is a T.I.?'”
T.I., real name Clifford Harris, was reportedly told he wouldn’t be able to move forward and make music until a moniker was chosen.
“So I said, ‘Go ahead, put T.I. on there, no problem,’ and it just happened to have stuck,” he continued.
However, the hip-hop star is now eager to switch up his professional name and go back to using Tip, after releasing his 2015 EP Da’ Nic under the nickname.
It is not yet known if T.I. will use Tip again for his next album, The Dime Trap, but he is hopeful it’ll be greenlighted by label bosses.
“Now, I think just as many people know me as Tip as T.I.,” he says. “So, I guess I wanted to have people call me my actual name.”
“We made a conscious decision to have a lot more faith in the (label) operations of our art early on,” he adds. “But right now, just to be able to (go by Tip) and have it be significant and have people still care about the music being released, it’s incredibly flattering. I’m humbled, I appreciate all the love.”
Nipsey Hussle got knocked by the cops! Nobody knows why though! The homie was taken in, but he managed to take a selfie from jail and post it on Instagram. Dude really did that. It SEEMS that maybe the coppers took exception to him giving the coppers the middle finger on Facebook. Nobody knows, really. I guess he’s not on board with Snoop and Game’s little truce with the LAPD.
(AllHipHop News) DTTX of the classic Mexican American Hip-Hop group Lighter Shade of Brown has died after being taken off life support today, AllHipHop has learned.
DTTX, whose real name is Bobby Ramirez, was on life support and rumored to be dead after multiple stations actually reported his death previously.
DTTX’s health plummeted on July 7 when he was found unresponsive and taken to the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center Las Vegas hospital and he fell into an “alcoholic coma.”
Lighter Shade of Brown is a Hip-Hop group from Riverside, CA and are known for helping to break down barriers for Hispanics in rap with 90s hits such as “On A Sunday Afternoon” and “Latin Active.”
(AllHipHop News) Rihanna has canceled her scheduled concert in Nice, France, on Friday night.
The 28-year-old singer had been due to perform tonight (July 15) at the Allianz Stadium as part of her Anti World Tour, but made the decision to axe the gig following a horrific terror attack in the French Riviera’s capital on Thursday night.
While revelers were out celebrating the country’s national Bastille Day holiday in Nice, a crazed driver plowed into pedestrians on the sidewalk, driving over the bodies of civilians for about a mile ahead.
At least 80 people were killed and 100 injured in the attack, with Nice regional president Christian Estrosi telling French network BFM TV the person behind the wheel of the vehicle appeared to exhibit “completely premeditated behavior,” adding that authorities found the truck was “loaded” with arms and grenades.
The driver was shot and killed by authorities.
Rihanna was in Nice at the time of the attacks but a representative for the pop star later confirmed she was “safe.”
The singer took to Instagram later in the evening to share news of her show’s cancellation, writing alongside a picture of a French flag inside a heart: “Due to the tragic events in #Nice, my concert scheduled for tomorrow July 15 at Allianz Stadium will not be going ahead as planned. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
Rihanna’s next scheduled performance is at Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday night.
Estrosi, who is also president of the PACA region of France, added that the Nice Jazz Festival has also been canceled.
Other stars who were in Nice at the time of the terror attack included Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, who are currently shooting scenes for Fifty Shades Freed, the third installment in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise.
Producer Dana Brunetti insisted that everyone involved in the movie is safe.
“Production has confirmed that everyone working on location in the south of France is okay. Everyone has been accounted for and is safe and sound,” he wrote. “Thanks for everyone’s messages and concerns. Another sad day for France and the world.”
The Secret Service will certainly go pretty far to keep the first family safe.
In interesting news, according to the NYPost, rapper Joey Badass became a person of interest by the Secret Service after Malia Obama wore a Pro Era T-shirt.
Apparently a mutual friend of Malia and the collective leaked the picture causing the president’s team to zoom in on him.
Joey says after the photo leaked his phones were tapped and a tree outside of his yard was mysteriously cut down.
He even joked that the Secret Service must’ve needed to be able to get clearer photos of him.
Well, Badass doesn’t seemed to be too worried about the extra surveillance as he says he’s only doing positive things and focusing on his music and acting.
We’re sure the Malia endorsement didn’t hurt too much either, but it has to be weird to be investigated around the clock.
(AllHipHop News) Friday’s funeral in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for police brutality victim Alton Sterling saw hundreds in attendance, including guest speakers such as Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton.
Sterling, 37 was brutally murdered June 5 after he was shot in the back and chest by police at a store, where he regularly sold CDs.
According to The Huffington Post, the heartfelt service honoring Sterling’s life featured powerful speeches, songs and poems, addressing the issue of black lives being loss at the hands of law enforcement across the nation.
“We’re not trying to convince you we matter. We know we matter,” Sharpton lamented in a rousing speech. “We have an inferior judicial system that does not protect all of it’s citizens equally.”
“There is no substitute for justice,” Jackson addsed on the subject. “Not a check, not legal settlement, not a proclamation, not a street sign. Only justice will do.”
Sterling’s character was praised at the service, in which he was fondly remembered by family and friends alike contrary to the negativity portrayed by the media.
“He liked to laugh and make others laugh. He was always the life of the party,” said Sister Sateria Tate-Alexander. “He was loved by everyone.”
Abdullah Muflahi, the owner of Triple S store where Sterling was shot, remembers: “Alton wasn’t just a CD man in front of my store. He was also a good friend of mine.”
“He showed me a lot of love. He was friendly, welcoming, he was truly the meaning of Southern hospitality,” he continued. “He was a big-hearted, sweet kind, selfless person. He made himself a place in everyone’s heart.”
Sterling was the 558th person to be shot and killed by police this year.
(AllHipHop News) Innovation Live (www.InnovationLive.us) has revealed that DJ and The Roots’ bandleader Questlove will partake in their events at the 2016 Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
Questlove, the multi-faceted percussionist, record producer and DJ, will headline The Innovation Live Kickoff Party at the RNC this Sunday night at 10pm at Cleveland’s historic Tequila Ranch.
Innovation Live unites the worlds of technology and politics, by creating a series of events, concerts, and panel conversation that convene “the brightest minds in America’s startup community” as well as governmental policy makers.
Furthermore, Innovation Live host 3-days of panels and conversations centered on innovation and public policy Tuesday July 21 at Cleveland’s Drop Bar from 12pm to 6pm. Another panel at the DNC goes down at The Annenberg School of Communication at The University of Pennsylvania on July 26 and 28 from 12pm to 6pm
Per a press statement, “Innovation Live is committed to providing startups with access to the resources and networks they need to succeed, while creating more jobs for Americans by stimulating and cultivating a growing American startup economy.”
Launching a comprehensive series of entertaining and informative events at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, Innovation Live combines targeted, programmed events by day and brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, celebrities, and VIPs to network, enjoy great music, and cultivate valuable relationships by night.
(AllHipHop News) St. Louis Hip-Hop icon Nelly’s music received the orchestral treatment after the artist performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra last night (July 14).
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the performance featured tracks such as “Country Grammar” and “Hot in Herre” with a positive response from the crowd.
“To be honest, I’m sure there are a lot of people scratchin’ their heads, thinking Nelly? Symphony?” the rapper said. “But it all meshes so perfectly with an orchestra behind me.”
This was certainly not something the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra was used to either, as it was the group’s first foray into the Hip-Hop realm.
“This is completely new for me, and I’ve done a fair number of the pop shows,” said PSO assistant conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong.
“Honestly, I’ve been listening to his music. It’s more melodic than you would think. I think that’s kind of his trademark is that he has these kind of catchy melodies that go with his lyrics,” Lecce-Chong continued. “So I think in many ways it won’t be too different than your typical weaving the orchestra into these kinds of songs. I think it could actually be quite fantastic.”
Despite the rarity of a collaborative performance with an orchestra and an MC, Nelly is certainly not the first artist to do so as Nas has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and Sir Mix-A-Lot has done the same with the Seattle Symphony.
Tray Chaney (The Wire, Saints And Sinners) teamed with Devlon Paris for the new short film The Stranger.
The boutique lifestyle brand’s “Renatus Collection” appears in the opening moments of the clip, before Chaney dives into his “I Want To” single.
The song can be found on the Maryland raised rapper/actor’s Open & Honest EP. The 6-track collection was released in October 2015.
“I felt as an artist it was time to step my game up in music. I enjoy having success seeing my music videos run on MTV, BET and REVOLT. But now it was time to show folks what time it was and remind them what I’m known for which is acting!” Chaney tells AllHipHop.com. “My single ‘I Want To’ is the first short film out of plenty more that I will be shooting.”
Chaney, Kyle McNeely, and Talia Stone star in The Stranger. The 11-minute music video/suspense movie was written and directed by Tim O. (Tim O Productions/Devlon Paris). Camera work and editing were handled by Champion Studios.
Tray Chaney is scheduled to open for Hip Hop legend Rakim on Saturday, July 16 at Washington D.C.’s The Howard Theatre. For more information visit thehowardtheatre.com.
(AllHipHop News) Public Enemy, Ice-T and other classic Hip-Hop artists were slated to play at the Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas on Saturday. However, the Art of Rap festival for that date has been cancelled by authorities.
“It was the perfect storm,” Chuck D in a statement. “The worst thing that ever could happen happened after the worst thing that ever could happen happened after the worst thing that ever could happen happened.”
Last week, the several people were killed by the police and then several police were killed by a lone gunman at an otherwise peaceful protest rally.
The Public Enemy front man did not object to the cancellation.
“It’s understandable,” said Chuck D on the group’s site, publicenemy.com. “There’s nothing can be said here. We have to let it rest for a while. It’s beyond music and a concert. To go in there Saturday? It would be inappropriate.”
Police have denied that they had anything to do with the cancellation, which includes a bevy of other Hip-Hop legends like Mobb Deep, Naughty By Nature, MC Lyte, and more.
The Art of Rap Lineup 2016
Ice-T
Public Enemy
Naughty by Nature
Mobb Deep
Sugarhill Gang
EPMD
Kurtis Blow
MC Lyte
Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio
(*Lineup will vary by date)
The Art of Rap Festival 2016 Tour Dates
07/16 – Dallas, TX @ Gexa Pavilion
07/17 – Austin, TX @ Austin 360 Amphitheater
07/22 – Hollywood, CA @ Palladium
07/23 – Las Vegas, NV @ Downtown Las Vegas
07/29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Coney Island Amphitheater
07/31 – Atlanta, GA @ Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
08/05 – Chicago, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
08/6 – Detroit, MI @ Freedom Hill Amph
(AllHipHop News) After jokingly calling out 50 Cent in May for not yet appearing on his podcast, N.O.R.E. was finally able to sit down with the G-Unit leader this week for the Drink Champs show.
The conversation covered numerous topics, and of course, the two New Yorkers touched on beefing in Hip Hop.
50 has a long history of feuding with several other Hip Hop stars such as Ja Rule, The Game, Rick Ross, and Diddy. However, the Queens native also spoke on another much talked about verbal quarrel – Drake vs Meek Mill.
Drake’s “Back To Back” diss directed at Meek was a Top 40 hit and went on to earn a Grammy nomination for “Best Rap Performance.”
According to 50, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences’ recognition of “Back To Back” was a turning point for rap beef being associated with artistry.
“When you see them give Drake an award for the record, it means they viewed it as if it was art for the first time,” said 50. “The competitive nature of our culture in Hip Hop – they viewed it as art and they honored it. Because they didn’t see the threat level in what he was saying. Whenever I’m competing, they think it’s going to spill out on the street, some sh-t is going to happen.”
50 also had issues with Meek Mill. When N.O.R.E. asked if he was willing to forgive the Philadelphia rhymer, 50 responded, “I’m not even talking to that n-gga.”
Biggie fans and real Hip Hop fans in general have drug Rich Homie Quan to the pits of hell and back for forgetting the late and great Notorious B.I.G.’s verse on the Junior Mafia classic, “Get Money.”
Although Quan gave a sorry apology that Lil’ Kim seemed to accept, there really is no excuse for it. Whether you grew up on Big or not, once you agree to do any performance, especially with one of the G.O.A.T’s verses, you practice, practice, practice! And who doesn’t know those lyrics!?!
Well Biggie fans haven’t let up. They still are at RHQ’s throat as they have started a petition to get him banned from Hip Hop!!!
The petition reads,
“On behalf of every B.I.G. fan across the world, I declare rapper Rich Homie Quan banned from Hip-Hop until he releases a video of him correctly reciting every Biggie line in Juicy and Get Money. We will not purchase his music or acknowledge any of his excuses for disrespecting Frank White at VH1’s #HipHopHonors 2016.”
(AllHipHop News) Kanye West has won a legal battle against Latin band Loisaidas over the name of the rapper’s 2015 film.
In April, 2015, singer Michael Medina, one half of New York-based duo Loisaidas, hit the “Stronger” hitmaker and rap mogul Damon Dash with an infringement lawsuit over their movie “Loisaidas” – a nickname for New York City’s Lower East Side neighborhood.
Medina claimed West and Dash were infringing on and devaluing his act’s name due to the violence and drug dealing themes in the movie, but on yesterday (July 14), U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest sided with the Hip-Hop heavyweights and dismissed Medina’s complaint, citing artistic relevance.
According to documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Forrest ruled Medina’s suit is “devoid of concrete allegations” West and Dash suggested the Latin duo produced the film, since the movie clearly and prominently promoted the project with “Executive Producers Damon Dash and Kanye West.”
She added Medina is “entitled to protect his duo’s trademark, but not by staking his claim to a pre-existing term and then attempting to remove all expressive, non-explicitly-misleading uses from public circulation.”
With his Premier Boxing Champions matchup against heavyweight veteran Chris Arreola (36-4-1, 31KOs) set to be televised live on FOX 8pm ET/ 5pm PT on July 16, 2016 from Legacy Arena in his hometown of Birmingham Alabama, undefeated WBC World Champion Heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35KOs) still finds himself defending the merits of the battle.
Through no fault of his own, Wilder’s more highly anticipated battle between himself and Russian fighter Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22KOs) was cancelled when the former Olympic gold medalist from the Soviet Union tested positive for the banned drug meldonium.
Eager to stay busy and get paid this time around, Wilder’s team quickly secured a way back into the ring via a WBC title defense versus heavyweight veteran Chris Arreola, of Los Angeles, California.
Due to Arreola’s veteran status, as well as his less than consistent history when it comes to coming into fights optimally conditioned and trained for battle, many – including Arreola himself – have openly questioned whether Arreola actually deserves a fight of this caliber in a division that is full of A-list competitors like the recently vanquished Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53KOs), WBA Super World Heavyweight title holder Tyson Fury (25-0, 18KOs), and the undefeated Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17KOs).
Nevertheless, Deontay Wilder feels confident that given Arreola’s fighting spirit combined with his own, Saturday’s bout will not disappoint.
“People look for the knockouts and I deliver. What separates me from other heavyweights is the fashion in which I knock guys out. I don’t just knock you out, I really put you out,” stated Wilder. “Arreola definitely has a style prone to a knockout. He’s a pressure fighter who will come forward all night. That plays to my style.”
See our interviews below with Deontay Wilder on exactly how he plans to deliver on fight night, as well as the mental hardship he suffered over the aftermath of the failed Povetkin drug test:
Apparently, there’s still some bad blood between actress and singer Naturi Naughton and Lil Kim after the ‘Notorious’ film, and because of it Naturi doesn’t have time for Kimberly Jones’ petty behavior.
During a press run for hit show ‘Power,’ Naturi said a lot while saying fairly little as she revealed the state of her and Lil’ Kim’s relationship on The Wendy Williams Show. Apparently Naturi revealed off air that Kim tried to keep her away from herself during VH1’s Hip Hop Honors special. Wendy reminded Naturi that Kim wasn’t a fan of her portrayal in the ‘Notorious’ film, then she proceeded to ask her has she run into Kim since the movie came out. Naturi replied by saying,
“You know what? It’s not even worth my energy. No words. No words.”
If Faith Evans and Lil’ Kim can put aside their differences, we certainly hope that Kim and Naturi can. After all Naturi wasn’t that bad in ‘Notorious’ or was she? LOL. Perhaps Kim is more upset with the script than the actual portrayal.
It was a huge night for the top athletes in the United States last night (July 14) during Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Sports 2016 event, which was taped at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
Sports stars like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Alex Morgan, Cam Newton, Ronda Rousey, Odell Beckham Jr., Rob Gronkowski, Leticia Bufoni, Usain Bolt, Simone Biles were big winners during the event, which was hosted by Russell Wilson.
Kobe Bryant was honored with the gold-mohawked Kids’ Choice Sports Legend Award by Zendaya, in recognition of his record-breaking achievements. When he received the award, Kobe was doused from head to toe in gold slime.
There were also five, massive sports-themed challenges.
Tony Hawke and Jagger Eaton competed on a 65-foot long ramp with slime filled Zorb balls as part of the “Human Bowling Challenge,” while the “Competitive Eating Slime Pie” challenge with Victor Espinoza, Emanuel Sanders, Nikki and Brie Bella to the sport to a whole new level.
NBA player Chris Bosh (L) attends the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2016
(Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images)
Host Russell Wilson, NFL player Emmanuel Sanders and WWE personality Nikki Bella participate in a pie-eating contest onstage during the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2016
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Pro skateboarders Jagger Eaton (L) and Tony Hawk pose in the green room during the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2016
(Photo by Charley Gallay/KCSports2016/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
Host Russell Wilson (L) and recording artist Ciara pose backstage during the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 201
(Photo by Kevin Mazur/KCSports2016/WireImage)
Host Cam Newton runs offstage during the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2016
(Photo by Kevin Mazur/KCSports2016/WireImage)
Actress Zendaya attends the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2016
(Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Honoree Kobe Bryant reacts after being slimed while accepting the Legend award onstage during the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards
(Photo by Mike Windle/KCSports2016/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
Nickelodeon’s Kids’s Choice Sports 2016
Stephen Curry, wife Ayesha Curry
Where: Los Angeles, California, United States
When: 14 Jul 2016
Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com
(AllHipHop Features) Fostering “Unity Through Music” is the mission of the ONE Musicfest. For the past six years, the Atlanta-based live performance event has personified that goal by bringing together both new faces and iconic stars that represent the best of progressive urban music.
It’s not just the collective of talent hitting the stage that highlights ONE Musicfest’s appreciation for diversity.
Every year, the crowd is made up of a medley of many different rap, R&B and alternative lovers, who all come together in the spirit of celebrating artistic expression.
As the festival’s founder Jason Carter explains: take a glance at any audience attending the One Musicfest and you’re very likely to see a 30-year-old Hip Hop head sandwiched between a 20-year-old Georgia Tech student and a 45-year-old politician.
I spoke with Carter about this year’s amazing lineup which features a reunion of A-Town’s own Dungeon Family as well as Ice Cube, Erykah Badu, A$AP Ferg, Anderson .Paak, and more.
In addition, we touched on Hip-Hop culture embracing our veterans, and the award-winning brand marketing expert shares some of his favorite moments from past ONE Musicfests.
The Dungeon Family are icons in this city. Whenever they get a chance to get back together, people are going to be excited. How did you manage to put that together?
Honestly, it was all timing. Ever since looking at the actual OutKast show they did a couple of years ago, this has been something we’ve always wanted to do. It’s just so many moving pieces to that family. There was no way we could put that together without 100% buy-in from those guys.
Then when Netflix dropped the documentary on Organized Noize, that’s when we really said we got to reach out and see what’s going on in their camp. Lo and behold, they came back and said, “You know what? We were talking about you guys as well.”
They were thinking about trying to put on a festival themselves. They said why recreate the wheel and it makes more sense for us to do this with something that was born and bred out of Atlanta. A couple of key players brought it back to the team. Everyone was excited and said, “This makes perfect sense. Let’s make it happen.”
It’s not too often we get to see all these guys on stage together. I think the next obvious question people have is: You got Big Boi. You got Goodie Mob. You got Killer Mike. You got Organized Noize. But is there any talk about Andre 3000 being a part?
We kind of have to leave it out there. Let me just say this, if you were to ask The Dungeon Family and Organized Noize, they would say, “You just got to show up. You got to be there. You don’t want to miss it.”
That’s a great way to sell it. [laughs] But it’s always good to leave something as a surprise.
And it will be. You know how people play “Six Degrees of Separation” with Kevin Bacon? You can literally do that with The Dungeon Family and connect them with almost every A-list artist.
Even beyond the nucleus of Dungeon Family and Organized Noize, there’s a lot of other folks that are excited about this happening that may show up. They have a lot of production underneath their belts, so it’s going to be a few surprises. I’m having a hard time keeping it under wraps.
That has to be tough, knowing all the stuff that’s going on behind the scenes.
It’s a lot man. Definitely, have your phone charged up and camera ready. It’s going to be some moments. Honestly, I don’t know if you’ll ever be able to duplicate this. Everybody says, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the ONE Musicfest.
Ice Cube is the co-headliner. Cube has been around for three decades now. There’s always been this perception that Hip Hop is anti-aging and a “young person’s genre.” But Cube has proven after 30 years in, he can still sell tickets. In your opinion, do you think Hip Hop has finally started to embrace the idea of valuing and celebrating our stars as they get older?
I think they have to. It’s a different time for Hip Hop and music, but I don’t think the younger generation, artists, and Hip Hop lovers can overlook some of the bridge builders before them.
So many times they would listen to the music and think that it’s new, not realizing it’s a remake from a 90’s Hip Hop song. I think some of these folks in the younger generation of music lovers – as they discover new music – they’re also discovering the roots of some of the music they appreciate today.
That’s also the importance of ONE Musicfest. We always try to connect the new to the classics. Last year, it went from The Internet to someone like The Roots and Lauryn Hill. This year we have legends like The Dungeon Family, Erykah Badu, and Ice Cube. But we still have newcomers like Anderson .Paak, BJ The Chicago Kid, Andra Day, and A$AP Ferg.
You get some of this young energy and you combine it with some of the legends, icons, and classics. It helps bridge that gap and create that conversation between multi-generations of music lovers.
Besides being multi-generational, ONE Musicfest also has multi-genres. You put on R&B acts like Anderson .Paak, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Andra Day. Also, someone like Gary Clark Jr. who is straight Soul music. Can you expound on the idea of why it was so important to make sure R&B is highlighted as well as Hip Hop?
It goes back to the backlash that happened with Justin Timberlake tweeting about the BET Awards. Don’t let me say that there’re folks out here appropriating our culture, but I do think, to a degree, that progressive urban music is being segmented and watered down.
You have festivals that are just all the way turnt up Hip Hop. You have another festival that’s EDM and Trap music. Then you have your Old School festivals. But there’s a common bond between all that music. And the question is why isn’t it just celebrated together?
I think when you have the ability to bring these different artists and fans together something amazing can happen. Two years ago, we had Kendrick Lamar and Bilal on the bill. Those guys never met, but they were fans of each other. There had never been a moment where their paths intersected until ONE Musicfest. Those guys ended up walking away and producing five songs together.
Why is it when we’re going to see Kendrick Lamar we have to see him at a Coachella? Or he’s on a bill with 500 Rock bands with a sprinkle of Hip Hop. Or why is Gary Clark Jr. never at any urban festivals? He’s probably one of the baddest guitarist and musicians out here, but we don’t get to celebrate him.
What happens when you get a Gary Clark Jr in a green room with OutKast? What does that conversation look like? What kind of music can come out of that situation? Or and Andra Day and a Jazmine Sullivan?
We don’t get to not only celebrate as fans from our seats and the lawn, but a lot of the artists don’t get to celebrate each other behind the scenes as well. I think it’s important to keep that bond between urban music together.
When we started the festival, we didn’t see anyone doing it or caring to do it. That was our mission to unite all aspects of urban culture and music.
Do you have a particular moment or performance from the last six years that has stood out for you?
There were a few. Three years ago, we did the Goodie Mob reunion. They brought out Erykah Badu and Joi for “Liberation.” That was a moment. We may get a bigger moment this year because the full team will be present.
I’m definitely looking at Lauryn’s full performance. She gets a bad rap for showing up late or not giving a great performance. But in my eyes, she gave one of her best performances at the ONE Musicfest last year. She stayed around for about 90 minutes to 2 hours afterward, just hanging out and taking photos with fans.
I think the day Kendrick performed at ONE Musicfest is when people said this dude is a certified rock star. He killed that year. He had a full band and everything.
I have a bunch of moments. Nas is my favorite Hip Hop artist of all time. So when he celebrated the [Illmatic] 20 year anniversary with us two years ago, that was a blessing. Those four were definitely my moments.
I feel like ONE Musicfest has a distinct culture to it. What would you say the festival represents for you?
Last year felt like a true representation of urban culture. It was creative. It was artistic. It was professional. It was students, mothers, fathers, and business people.
But the energy and vibe that you felt at ONE Musicfest was harmonious. It was no issues. If somebody stepped on your shoe, they would turn around, give you a high five, and try to buy you a beer. It just felt like the ultimate harmonious moment, and it was done through the power of music and the arts.
So many times you turn on the news, and Hip Hop is getting a bad rap. But when you walk onto the field of ONE Musicfest, it gives you what you know about your culture, your music, and your people. It’s a great representation of our culture and the way we should be presented.
(AllHipHop News) The phrase “All Lives Matter” may seem to be a benign statement about respecting and valuing all people regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
However, in many cases, #AllLivesMatter has become a flippant response used to marginalized and mock the Black Lives Matter movement.
The hashtag is also controversial because many of the conservatives that state “All Lives Matter” do not regularly speak out against deadly police violence against African-Americans. They also tend to be supporters of warfare overseas and the death penalty which allows critics to claim the “All Lives Matter” statement is hypocritical and insincere.
Several celebrities have found themselves catching backlash for posting #AllLivesMatter on social media. One of the most recent receivers of negative reactions online was singer/actress Jennifer Lopez.
Apparently, a portion of the proceeds from the concert are going to benefit the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, but that did not stop Twitter users from questioning Gucci’s supposed decision to participate in an event with the title “All Lives Matter.”
Read some of the tweets below.
Gucci headlining the “all lives matter concert”….
talk to him before I do cause Ima hurt his feelings pic.twitter.com/F15o7GaxKH
Do you need something to sum up the way you are feeling right now? Are you craving an anthem of sorts to address that horribly gross feeling in your stomach that has been acquired from everything that is flashing by your eyes on your TV screens and filling up your social media feeds?
Well, Bishop Lamont and his friends; Mopreme Shakur, Sick Jacken, B-Real and The D.O.C. needed something too…and boy did they find it. With powerful production by Nick Speed, this track is a poignant piece to say the very least.
Take a listen to the new song that was just released to address the chaos rippling through the culture and greater society at large as of recent.
Simply put…it goes in.
Click here for more information about Bishop Lamont’s soon to be released new album “The Reformation”.
