The rapper’s lawyer, Drew Findling, tells TMZ Gucci was released Thursday morning from an Atlanta prison. We’re told he already has a home just outside the city. Findling says the rapper will be on house arrest for a few months and will then be on probation.
Gucci is out from behind bars after nearly three years in federal prison on gun and drug charges. The 36-year-old Atlanta rapper was able to release several projects – including1017 Mafia: Incarcerated,Meal Ticket, and Tru Colors – during his time being locked up.
(AllHipHop Features) Fat Joe and Remy Ma lit up social media on Tuesday night when the Bronx duo let loose the remix of “All The Way Up” featuring Jay Z.
The new version of the smash hit was received as a New York City anthem which also made an impact worldwide.
In addition, the song was significant because it marked the official public ending of any animosity between Joe and Jay. Rap fans finally got to hear the two legendary East Coast representatives spit lines on the same track.
AllHipHop.com spoke with Fat Joe to get more insight into the creation of the “All The Way Up” remix with Hov.
The Terror Squad leader discussed his support for Tidal, the growing unity among his hometown’s Hip Hop veterans, and what concert goers can expect at this year’s Hot 97 Summer Jam as well.
I’ve always been a big fan of Jay Z and an admirer of his music and what he’s done as a businessman. It was always on my bucket list to work with him. So when I was thinking about what would be the illest remix for New York City and for Hip Hop, of course his name was on the top of the list.
I reached out to N.O.R.E, because he had a serious relationship with Memphis Bleek. He got Bleek on the phone, and I told Bleek about the plans. He called Jay Z, and Jay Z called me back in like five minutes. He said, “Let’s’ do it. I can’t wait.” The rest was history.
Was releasing the song on Tidal part of the conversation as well?
[Jay Z] spent millions and millions of dollars on that platform, and he’s doing it to help the artists. They broke that down to me, and I said let’s release it exclusively on Tidal.
Are you interested in releasing more work on Tidal?
Of course. I love what Tidal’s doing for the artists. The artists really have to get compensated for their music. Whenever you wonder where your favorite artists went, he can’t be an artist because he ain’t making enough money to be an artist.
If you’re going to be a genius and a talented person and don’t get compensated for your contributions to the game, then that’s not a good look. What really got me was the fact Prince fought for his name and masters for 20 years. Then he co-signed Tidal. Him putting all his music on Tidal lets you know the integrity behind Tidal.
Jay mentioned that [about Prince] at the end of his verse. What was your reaction the first time you heard his full verse?
I said, “That n-gga ain’t leave me no crumbs.” He took the whole thing. [laughs] Honestly, when I heard it I was like, “Oh my God. That verse is incredible.”
Being blessed with the skill to drop hot singles every couple years serves as a reminder. Those who don’t call u in between ain’t friends.
You changed your verse from the original. It seems like your new verse had a couple of bars directed at your doubters. I also saw a tweet you posted recently where you were saying how dropping a hot single every couple of years is a reminder of how some people don’t reach out to you in between those times. Have you had a lot of “friends” come out of the woodwork since “All The Way Up” became a hit?
We won’t allow them to come out of the woodwork. Fakeness and fake people – we don’t want to be associated with them, we don’t want to be friends with them. They know who they are. Stay where you’re at. Buy popcorn. Watch the movie from afar.
You have to be happy that it’s a huge hit…
I’m not just happy, I’m ecstatic. It feels like I’m smoking crack or something. I don’t know how to act. [laughs] You gotta understand in 1993 I came out with my first single, “Flow Joe,” and it went #1 in the country. And now 23 years later we got a top 10 song in America. It’s unheard of in Hip Hop music.
I know what this is. I’m really appreciating it. When a lot of people made history or broke a record, they weren’t even aware of what they were doing. I’m aware of what’s going on. Especially since we’re doing this independent.
There’s nobody behind door number one. This is a four/five man team. It comes a time when you’re signed to a major label and they feel like you’re not of use anymore, and they leave you for dead. Most artists never took the time out to learn the business, so they’re left there f-cked up.
Not me. I’m never gonna let somebody predict my destiny. I’m never gonna let somebody dictate to me what the rules are or when I should lie down. That’s not gonna happen.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen you connect with Jay, and you ended your situation with 50 Cent. Cam’ron also showed love to Jay. You talked about N.O.R.E. He settled his issues with Nas. It seems like some of the vets in New York are starting to put aside their differences to come together for the sake of the culture. What do you think has led to these reconciliations?
I don’t know what led to their reconciliations, but definitely the reason we did this sh-t was so the sh-t that happened last night where people got shot in the middle of a concert doesn’t happen. We’re trying to show people you can have your differences but it can actually end peacefully. It doesn’t have to end with death and destruction.
That’s pretty ironic that [shooting happened] while we’re doing this symbol of unity. I hope these young kids see it and follow suit. Cause ain’t nothing really worth it.
You gotta understand most of us grew up in poverty with a dream and all the stripes against us. The fact we’re able to make music, make money, have fans, and make our dreams come true – we really gotta appreciate that.
That doesn’t happen for everybody. So take care of your family, pay your bills, and take care of your health. That’s the most important thing, not getting to a level where you’re going to get in trouble.
As a Hip Hop fan, I really appreciate that message. That’s definitely something we need to hear.
We’re leading by example. We’re not just talking that sh-t. We’re doing what we’re saying people need to do.
(AllHipHop News) The History channel is broadcasting a remake of the classic 1977 miniseries Roots. The new version of the TV program based on Alex Haley’s 1976 novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family sports a cast that includes Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Mekhi Phifer, Derek Luke, Anna Paquin, Anika Noni Rose, and Tip “T.I.” Harris.
T.I. stopped by Sway In The Morning to discuss his role as Cyrus in the 4-night, 8-hour television event. According to the Atlanta-based rapper/actor the part in Roots was the most important work of his career.
“I never saw a [slave] character that was non-subservient or that was rebellious. You know these people had to have existed,” stated Tip. “The fact that there is no Nat Turner story up until now, the fact that there has been no Harriet Tubman story – you know these people existed. You know everybody wasn’t just with it.”‘
He continued, “We never saw that part, and Cyrus to me is that. He wasn’t going for it. I’m honored to be able to bring that character to life.”
Roots begins airing on Monday, May 30 on History at 9/8 C. The series was directed by Phillip Noyce, Mario Van Peebles, Thomas Carter, and Bruce Beresford. Questlove of The Roots is the executive music producer.
“Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America,” said co-executive producer LeVar Burton in a statement. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this new retelling and start the dialogue again, at a time when it is needed more than ever.”
(AllHipHop News) Video of the moment gunfire exploded during a concert in Manhattan featuring Hip Hop star T.I. has surfaced on the Internet.
TMZ.com caught the tense situation backstage at Irving Plaza, just moments before gunshots rang out, causing people scurry for the exits.
In the video, you can see a crowd of men pushing and shoving each other, and then the shooting started. This new video and others that are slowly hitting the Internet are being utilized by the NYPD in an effort to reconstruct how and why the shooting took place.
Sources told The New York Daily News the blasting was the result of beef between Troy Ave and Maino’s crews and that detectives are close to making an arrest.
NYPD’s Police commissioner Bill Bratton placed the blame squarely on “gangster rap music.”
“The investigation is moving forward very rapidly, and we expect to close it quickly,” Bratton told The Len Berman and Todd Schnitt Show. “It’s unfortunate the gangster rap world is still an issue we’re dealing with. The gangster lifestyle if you will.”
According to Commissioner Bratton, many of the witnesses are refusing to talk about what happened. “A lot of them are not talking as is usually the case,” Bratton said.
Other sources verified that it was Troy Ave’s bodyguard, Ronald McPhatter, who was shot in the stomach. McPhatter, 33, died at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital, reportedThe New York Daily News.
One witness criticized the lack of security at Irving Plaza and another seemed shell-shocked after seeing one of the victims get shot in the chest, right in front of her.
Troy Ave, 30, was shot in the leg. He was treated at NYU Langone Medical Center.
(AllHipHop News) The Game is adding his name to the list of rap stars putting their likeness in a video game. The California emcee has partnered with IM3 Gaming Studios to produce the new app Block Wars.
Game stars as the hood boss in his hometown, but there are plans to expand the game to include an East Coast vs. West Coast war.
Game’s game is set to drop sometime this summer and it’ll be free. In-app purchases — for weapons, cars, goons, etc. — will range from 99 cents to $99.
The creator of the critically acclaimed The Documentary 2.5 album has been posting about Block Wars on his Instagram page.
“Proud to announce I am the new [Atari]ambassador and we have big things coming for my fans and Atari fans across the world in 2016!!!!,” wrote Game in one IG post’s caption. “Our first project is our mobile game and app Block Warsin collaboration with the creators [IM3 Gaming Studios].”
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Belly and R&B singer The Weeknd made a political statement last night (May 25), when they canceled their appearances on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” show.
The two Canadian artists took issue with appearing alongside of Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump who was also on the show.
Even though Belly and The Weeknd cannot vote since they are not American citizens, the men wanted to take a stand against Donald Trump and his fiery, racist rhetoric.
The pair canceled a planned taped recording of their performances in Los Angeles that would have aired later in the evening on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
“I feel like the way I was raised was to be able to see through all the titles in this world — from religion to race,” Belly told the AP in a statement. “I just didn’t want to feel like I was a part of a celebration for somebody who has beliefs that majority of us don’t agree with.”
Just yesterday before their planned appearances on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Donald Trump made headlines for hurling insults at Elizabeth Warren (Pocahontas), Hillary Trump (Crooked Hillary) and Bernie Sanders (Crazy Bernie).
The presidential candidate gloated over his insults during his appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and admitted to using aliases over the years and even challenged “Crazy Bernie” to a debate.
Game on. I look forward to debating Donald Trump in California before the June 7 primary.
It appears that K. Michelle has had it with VH1 and “Love & Hip Hop.” K posted a photo on Instagram of herself and the legendary Patti LaBelle of course leading fans to comment on more than what was photographed. A fan commented telling K that she should leave “Love & Hip Hop” as it isn’t a good look for her. In response K said,
“Never going back again. No amount of money in the world!”
As much as people have enjoyed K. Michelle’s ratchet antics, clap backs, and musical success, there comes a time when you have to leave things that aren’t allowing you to grow behind. After all it seems like K is the only one really putting out music, and the only one with a [currently] successful music career. Do you think K should hang on a little longer for the money, or is it time that she moves on!
(AllHipHop News) Last year, Big Boi revealed OutKast was asked to be the talent during halftime for a Super Bowl in the past. However, the Grammy-winning duo was not able to hit the stage at the big game because his musical partner, Andre 3000, was unwilling to shorten the group’s songs.
The NFL recently announced that Super Bowl LIII will be held in OutKast’s hometown of Atlanta, and fans of the ATLiens are hoping Daddy Fat Sacks and 3 Stacks come back together for the halftime show in 2019.
Atlanta’s getting the 2019 #SuperBowl, which means we’re going to need an #OutKast halftime show. This ain’t negotiable.
While Twitter users jumped on the social media app to declare their interest in seeing Kast at SBLIII, one Change.org user named Dustin Spa started a petition to persuade the group and the NFL to make it happen.
The petition page’s description simply reads, “No one represents Atlanta like OutKast. Plus they are the greatest group of all time, no explanation needed.”
Big Boi seemed opened to the idea of making up the missed Super Bowl opportunity at some point. During his 2015 interview with The Dan LeBatard Show, he said, “To this day, [Andre’s] son says, ‘Daddy, you should’ve performed at the Superbowl.’ We look at it now and we laugh. Hopefully, they invite us back.”
This is not the first time followers of the Southern rap legends campaigned for OutKast in a major way. In July 2015, an Atlanta area resident started a petition to get Big Boi and Andre 3000’s images engraved on Stone Mountain.
To sign the”Outkast To Perform At Super Bowl LIII In Atlanta” petition visit change.org.
(AllHipHop News) Legendary reggae artist Stephen “Ragga” Marley is set to release his new album Revelation II – The Fruit of Lifeon July 22.
Fans that pre-order the LP on iTunes this Friday (March 27) will get an instant download of the single “Scars On My Feet” featuring Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flame.
“The Fruit is a fusion of everything I am inspired by – Hip-Hop, Jazz, Blues, and all aspects from songwriting to production, even the way I sing certain parts of a song, must return to that concept, which is different than just making a regular studio album. There are love songs, songs for the core, songs for the clubs, but it remains a positive, conscious party,” Stephen Marley told AllHipHop.com.
Revelation II: The Fruit of Life is the follow-up to 2011’s Grammy-winning Revelation Pt. 1: The Root of Life.
The forthcoming effort also includes appearances by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Rick Ross, Pit Bull, DJ Khaled, Iggy Azalea, Dead Prez, Rakim, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Black Thought, Bounty Killer, and more.
(AllHipHop News) Ghost, Tasha, Angela, Tommy, and the rest of the characters from the hit drama Power will be back on your TV and computer screens this summer. The Starz network has announced the show’s season 3 premiere date.
The third season of Power will include ten hour-long episodes. The “Call Me James” premiere episode is scheduled to air with a triple play beginning at 9 pm ET/PT on Sunday, July 17.
The new season finds James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick) as the owner of new nightclubs, out of the drug game, and in a rekindled relationship with his first love, Angela (Lela Loren).
Power is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Courtney Kemp Agboh. The program also stars 50 Cent, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Lucy Walters, and Rotimi.
In addition, Starz is moving its well received comedy series Survivor’s Remorse to Sundays as well. The LeBron James produced sitcom led by Jessie T. Usher, RonReaco Lee, Tichina Arnold, and Mike Epps returns July 24 at 10 pm ET/PT.
If you like your tales about the future with a good smattering of eerie 1950’s styled dystopia splashed with a healthly dose of evolutionary horror, the first season of Fox television’s “Wayward Pines,” courtesy of producer M. Night Shyamalan and novelist Blake Crouch, must have been right up your alley when it debuted last year.
Of course, this special sort of anti- utopian, hyper apocalyptic landscape takes time to set up, so all of the first season was a slow and creepy reveal that in fact “Wayward Pines” is the hand full of humanity that is left after 2000 years of polluting the planet until it belches up the living and breathing answer to what humans have done to it – terrifyingly violent and seemingly mindless “abbies,” aka aberrant humans that seem hell bent on destroying what is left of what we know and hold dear as “human” today.
Heavy stuff. But that was last season and starting Wednesday, May 25 at 9:00 – 10:00p.m. ET/PT on Fox, a new season of “Wayward Pines” began with more than a few new faces in the mix, including Jason Patric as Dr. Theo Yedlin and then in a pivotal role to the future survival of that last of the ‘normies’ Djimon Hounsou as CJ Mitchum.
While Hounsou’s reveal in season 2 requires a set up that doesn’t truly begin to bear it’s fruit until episode 2, it’s a nice bonus that Terrence Howard makes a brief return as Sheriff Arnold Pope almost immediately in a telling reveal at the outset of this season’s brave new world order.
In addition,to the subject of old characters and old situations versus new, to the show’s credit, if you are coming to “Wayward Pines” season 2 without having watched the first season, it is not a requisite in order to understand what’s going on in regards to what looks to be the makings of an interesting second journey down the rabbit hole into what happens once everybody knows exactly what is needed to survive in this sadly strange town out in the middle of nowhere with wolves who look a lot like us waiting to kill us and burn the whole house down.
“Wayward Pines” Season 2 airs Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT on Fox.
(AllHipHop News) After the Spice Girls break in 2000, current fashion designer Victoria Beckham attempted to continue her music career as a solo artist.
The pop singer even developed an unlikely musical relationship with Roc-A-Fella co-founder Damon Dash, as the two would go on to work on a project entitled Come Together.
The Hip-Hop influence was substantial on this project, but despite the change of pace for Beckham the music would ultimately fail to reach the masses.
“Because Victoria’s record company aren’t happy about the fact that she came over to New York to work with me they are putting out stories. Before anyone’s even heard the album they were making things up, “Damon Dash said. “I heard a story that Victoria was calling herself the female Eminem. That’s just dumb. She never said that.”
Maybe it was this strain on their relationship that led to this 2003 album ultimately being unreleased, however it couldn’t be held back forever, as the 17 track project has hit the public online, surfacing on sites such as Youtube.
Check out her collaboration with M.O.P. – yes that M.O.P. – titled “DAT Simple.”
(AllHipHop News) According to multiple reports, Troy Ave was one of the four people shot during a T.I. headlining concert last night. Troy was hit in the leg and transported to a local hospital.
The shooting took place in a third-floor green room at New York City’s Irving Plaza around 10 pm.
Another victim has been pronounced dead at Beth-Israel Hospital. He was 33 years old.
A 34-year-old man was shot in the chest, and a 26-year-old woman was shot in the left leg. They were both taken to local medical facilities.
Maino and Uncle Murda were said to be performing at the time the gunfire rang out. At the moment, T.I., Maino, and Uncle Murda are not reported to be injured or involved in the shooting.
(AllHipHop News) Kanye West is known to be very high on his own artistic importance. The G.O.O.D. Music leader once referred to himself as the “greatest living rock star on the planet.”
Mr. West is not the only person to believe that he has made a significant cultural impact. Andrew Wyatt of the Swedish band Miike Snow applauded Ye as well in an interview with Billboard.
“Who’s the most relevant artist now? It’s Kanye, he would never do that. I think he is the most important artist of our time. I don’t think there’s any argument,” stated Wyatt.
He added, “Even Kendrick Lamar’s career is basically taken from [Kanye’s] ‘Jesus Walks.’ Listen to ‘Jesus Walks,’ sounds like what Kendrick did on his last album. I love Kendrick, he’s awesome, visionary, but Kanye was kind of there first.”
Frequent Kanye collaborator Chance The Rapper recently praised his fellow Chicago native as well. The “All We Got” performer referred to Ye as the “greatest artist of this generation.”
As you know rapper Kodak Black is back in custody, once again, as he has open warrants on new charges that include armed robbery. Krazy Kodak was apprehended after leading police on a high-speed chase, and the rapper also faces weapons charges as he was caught throwing a firearm into a dumpster. Kodak’s crazy fans are not too happy about him being locked up. One person who supports Kodak is Chris Brown as he posted a video on Instagram saying,
“Free my n-gga Kodak.”
Well Kodak is keeping his spirits high as he is looking for some pen pals. If you are interested in writing Kodak, see the address below. Free Kodak Black….basically free our rapper friend that has recently been involved in some sort of criminal activity. LOL.
(AllHipHop News) Sampling has long been part of the creative process for making rap music. However, most fans are probably unaware of what it takes to integrate a portion of an older song into a new record.
DJBooth spoke with DMG Clearances president Deborah Mannis-Gardner about how she secures samples for her clients.
For three decades, Mannis-Gardner has helped acts such as Nas, Eminem, Diddy, The Roots, Rihanna, Ghostface Killah, Mariah Carey, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, DJ Khaled, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and many more clear samples for their projects.
According to Mannis-Gardner, artists typically set aside $100,000 to $150,000 in upfront fees to clear samples for an album. The performer must then allow the content owner to hear the completed record before sample approval is granted.
“If it’s Marshall or if it’s Drake, Khaled, they’re very protective of their stuff and it gets played over the phone,” explained Mannis-Gardner. “If it’s another artist, we can put stamps on it to protect them. But then you send it to the copyright holder so they can listen to it.”
There have been plenty of stories where a rapper’s album is held back or a particular track is scrapped because of the use of an unapproved sample. Mannis-Gardner insisted her clients rarely get denied because she forewarns them about likely complications.
Mannis-Gardner did offer instances where Kendrick Lamar was unable to use music by Prince and Stevie Wonder for his To Pimp A Butterfly LP.
“When I did Kendrick’s album, To Pimp A Butterfly, they reached out to [Prince] personally and still he very politely declined,” stated Mannis-Gardner.
She added, “[Wonder] doesn’t allow his stuff to be used anymore. It was just a decision he made that he just didn’t want to be sampled anymore. And he too declined Kendrick.”
Earlier this year, Lamar was sued for copyright infringement over a Bill Withers sample used in the TDE rapper’s song “I Do This” off 2009’s Kendrick Lamar EP. The project was originally a free release, but Mannis-Gardner warns mixtapes are not immune to lawsuits over intellectual property.
“I know of cases that I think are in process right now where copyright holders are going after this stuff because the concept of a free mixtape is to promote an artist. Therefore it’s deemed to have a value,” said Mannis-Gardner.
Plot twist! While Chris Brown and his baby mama Nia will share joint custody of their daughter Royalty, Nia is making some interesting claims about their relationship.
As wild, crazy, and disrespectful as Chris Brown often is, people still found it to be a bit surprising that he would be so irresponsible to knock up a random side chick. Since the day fans found out that Chris Brown cheated on Karrueche when he got Nia pregnant, fans haven’t been too kind to Nia at all.
Recently Breezy fans asked her why she decided to have unprotected sex with Chris Brown or why couldn’t she just go get a Plan B pill.
Nia claims that she never let Chris willingly “raw dog” her, but instead Chris lied about using condoms.
Nia also claims that it was Chris Brown’s mom that was leaking information to her about Chris’ alleged drug use. People have to be more responsible. SMH.
(AllHipHop News) Many rappers boast of their greatness, but if few can match the career of Bay Area rap legend E-40.
The rapper, who is almost 30 years into his career, recently received a Gold record for his 2015 hit single “Choices.”
It’s another plaque the 48-year-old rapper can hang on his wall.
Last year, E-40, was on the triple platinum selling song “I Don’t F**k With You” with Big Sean, as well as Yo Gotti’s recent hit “Law” and Ty Dolla $ign’s “Saved.”
E-40 has also served as a mentor and inspiration to a new crop of Bay Area rappers that include G-Eazy, Philthy Rich, Iamsu!, Bobby Brackins, Kamaiyah, Mozzy and others.
“What’s happening at this point in my career defies logic. Name another 48-year-old rapper with one Gold record, let alone three in the same year,” E-40 told AllHipHop.com in a statement today (May 25).
“My fans stretch much further than the Bay Area, further than just the West Coast. I brought so much s### to Hip-Hop,” E-40 continued. “I’ve been relevant in each generation and each decade and I’ve done it as an independent artist.”
E-40’s catalog remains just as hot as ever too. His 2006 song “Tell Me When to Go” with Keak da Sneak is featured in the latest Beats by Dre advertisement featuring the Warriors’ Draymond Green.
Beats by Dre paid respect for the Hyphy hit by shooting the commercial in the same West Oakland location and recreating the original video beat by beat.
“The advertisement demonstrates the symbiotic bond between the Warriors and the Bay Area community–the players feed off the strength and support of the city and the city celebrates the success of the team–and the close knit relationship between the NBA and Hip-Hop.”
Even though the Goldens State Warriors trail the Oklahoma City Thunder 1 to 3 in the Western Conference Finals, E-40 has high hopes the team can pull off an upset.
“Draymond is a very intelligent dude…he’s an all-star and a team spirit. I’m a real fan of Draymond and the team,” E-40 said.
(AllHipHop News) Cam’ron is one of the most entertaining celebrities on Instagram. The wit used in the Dipset general’s music also translates well to the social media app.
Killa Cam’s most recent IG post is a video of the Harlemite addressing a young associate. The clip also includes Cam’ron announcing he is in the process of creating a new album.
“It’s album time. You may see different fabrics around,” Cam says to the camera. “It’s Killa time right now. We’re doing an album, so I got to get in my groove.”
Purple Haze 2 is set to be Cam’ron’s next studio project. His last solo album was 2009’s Crime Pays. He also dropped the 1st of the Month EP series in 2014.
