AllHipHop

homepage

Drake Explains The Connection Between “Hotline Bling” & D.R.A.M.’s “Cha Cha”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Last night Virginia performer D.R.A.M. responded to Twitter talk that Drake’s Top 10 smash “Hotline Bling” was very similar to his own internet hit “Cha Cha.” He even expressed the OVO leader “jacked” his record. It turns out Drake actually admitted that D.R.A.M. was the inspiration for his latest hit single.

[ALSO READ: D.R.A.M. Feels Drake Jacked His “Cha Cha” Song For “Hotline Bling”]

Fader recently ran a cover story on Drake, and the publication has now released an outtake from that interview. The extended excerpt covers Drizzy discussing the connection between “Cha Cha” and “Hotline Bling.”

“You know, like in Jamaica, you’ll have a riddim and it’s like, everyone has to do a song on that,” stated Drake about the similarities between the two songs. “Imagine that in rap, or imagine that in R&B. Imagine if we got one beat and every single person – me, this guy, this guy, all these guys – had to do a song on that one beat. So sometimes I’ll pick a beat that’s a bit, like, sunnier, I guess is the word you used, than usual, and I just try my hand at it. And that’s kind of what ‘Hotline Bling’ was. And I loved it. It’s cool. I’ve been excited by that sort of creative process.”

The article also points out that while both songs have a similar musical feel, Drake’s “Hotline Bling” uses an actual sample from Timmy Thomas’ “Why Can’t We Live Together” and D.R.A.M’s “Cha Cha” beat was recreated using Super Mario World music. At the time Drake originally released “Hotline Bling” in July, the record was labeled the “Cha Cha (Remix).”

[ALSO READ: Will Drake Perform At TidalX?]

R Kelly – “Backyard Party”

By: Jake CratesCategory: Videos

From the shots to the food to the smoke R Kelly says bring it all over in his new video for “Backyard Party.” We got the audio earlier this year and now Kels hits us with the visual for his BBQ friendly track. The video shows R Kelly vibing with family and friends at a BBQ with all the fixins. R Kelly’s aptly titled projectBuffet is out November 20th. Look for the cameos from Snoop and Chance the Rapper.

The REVOLT Music Conference Teaches How To Make A Hit, Visits Silicon Valley, Salutes Music Exec L.A. Reid & More

By: Rea Davis @IamReaDavisCategory: Features

Photo by John Parra Getty Images For Revolt

The second day of the 2015 REVOLT Music Conference was just as action packed as the first! Two of the REVOLT Music Conference’s most anticipated panels were the #AskDiddy II panel and the intimate one-on-one conversation with Scooter Braun and Andre Harrell discussing the industry’s changing landscape. Later in the evening, RMC attendees were treated to performances by Kehlani, Bryson Tiller, and Ear Drummer Presents Mike Will Made-It & Friends inside the Fountainebleu Hotel.

Diddy delivered a rousing address during his “#AskDiddy II panel”. Attendees RAN into the Sparkle Ballroom as soon as the doors were opened to hear Diddy offer invaluable career insight and advice to a packed out crowd. Diddy shared that he believed your dream must be connected to your faith, and he expressed that he was relentless in the pursuit of all of his goals. Puffy took his time to answer each question with humility, humor, compassion and direction.

The music and entertainment industry’s biggest power players also took the stage once again to allow attendees to gain both knowledge and insight, as well as entertainment through musical performances. Some of the top radio personalities, hit-making producers, A&R executives, including Troy Carter, Chairman and CEO of Atom Factory, Mike Will Made It, Producer, Angie Martinez, On Air Talent at Power 105.1, Big Boy, On Air Talent at The Real 92.3; Salaam Remi, Producer, DJ Mustard, Producer, Bryan Michael Cox, Songwriter & Producer, Rico Love, Artist, Producer, Songwriter and more took the stage.

RMC 2015
Photo by Thaddaeus McAdams- Exclusive Access

Actors Michael B. Jordan,Tessa Thompson, and director Ryan Coogler even stopped by this year’s conference to give attendees a special sneak peek look at his upcoming film ‘Creed’ and a conversation about “young black Hollywood.”

RMC artist development
Photo by Thaddaeus McAdams- Exclusive Access

Day 2 of the REVOLT Music Conference weekend ended in an iconic way with Diddy presenting his good friend and iconic industry veteran executive L.A. Reid (Chairman and CEO of Epic Records) with an award for his illustrious long-lived music career. Diddy presented L.A. Reid with the second “Started From The Bottom Now We Here” award. The gala featured a special performance from Grammy-nominated Robin Thicke and BJ the Chicago Kid.

Reid received a standing ovation and used a personal anecdote to demonstrate the importance of the conference. He explained that he met Sickamore last year at the conference, hired him, and this led to him producing Travis Scott’s highly acclaimed album. A video presentation was also shown featuring all of the megastars and A-list artists that Reid played an instrumental part in their careers. The video included Usher, TLC, Pink, OutKast, Justin Bieber, Rihanna and many more. Andre Harrell & Diddy also shared anecdotes about their friendship and business relationships with L.A. Reid over the years. Diddy explained L.A. broke up with Babyface at the same time Andre Harrell had just fired him (Diddy). Diddy laughed and explained that him and L.A. took this time to console and help each other. Harrell explained that he and L.A. had been friends for 30 years, and they would always have a friendly competition with their artists’ records sales. Harrell laughed and explained L.A. always won. Attendees then spilled into the Fontaine Ballroom for a little bit of networking at the RMC ’90s party.

Three more panels that were held on the second day of the conference were:


Behind the Brand: The Women Who Shape Brands in Music, Entertainment and Advertising

Ericka Pittman, Vice President of the Chairman’s Office at Combs Enterprises, Dia Simms, President of Combs Wines & Spirits, Mary Van Alstyne, Founder and CEO of EMVE Management Group, and Erin Harris, Vice President of Marketing at Combs Wines & Spirits.


Artist Development: Image Makers

Mike Bivins, Artist and CEO of Sportyrich Enterprises, Derek Roche, Stylist, Don C., Designer and Entrepreneur, and Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell, SVP of Marketing at RCA.


Silicon Valley: From Start Up to IPO

Troy Carter, Chairman and CEO of Atom Factory, Laurence Toney, Partner at Google Ventures, and Diiashan Imira, Founder of Mayvenn.

Breeding Ground Spotlight: I.B. Classic Breathes Life Into “When All Else Fails”

By: @SimplyCeciliaCategory: Breeding Ground Showcase

When he’s not pulling 10-hour shifts there’s only one other place that I.B. Classic gravitates towards, the studio. After spending the last year teaming up with some of the best in Chicago’s bubbling talent pool, the producer has finally come together to deliver his own full length debut titled When All Else Fails.

Fusing old school vibes with a new age grind, I.B. drew inspiration from a variety of legends like Smokey Robinson, Dr. Dre and even Phil Collins. The result? A smoldering project packed with features from some of Chicago’s best MCs including Saba, Logan, Young Lyxx, MC Tree and more. With an original production style that often incorporates live music, I.B. is gaining traction for bringing individuality back to the Windy City. Salute.

Get familiar. Stream When All Else Fails in full below:

Stay Connected: Twitter @_IBCLASSIC

Gucci Mane Announces ‘The Machine’ Project

By: Tanay Hudson (@NYStateOfMind2)Category: News

Gucci Mane will be releasing another project from prison. After writing an open letter to his fans comparing his consistency as an independent artist to a machine, it was revealed via his Instagram that he will in fact be dropping a mixtape or album titled The Machine. 

#THEMACHINE by @laflare1017 Coming Early 2016 (Art by @kddesignz1)

A photo posted by Gucci Mane (@laflare1017) on

In the open letter, Guwop hinted at the title when he wrote, “I am the machine behind me. The streets signed me and the Trap named me God. I am a machine. They call me Gucci, some call me Guwop, but they should call me The Machine.”

The Machine is expected to drop in early 2016. He dropped his last mixtape, Trapology, in July.

 

 

 

Lamar Odom Discharged From Las Vegas Hospital And Transferred To LA

By: Tanay Hudson (@NYStateOfMind2)Category: News

Lamar Odom has been discharged from Sunrise Hospital today, E! News reports. The former Los Angeles Lakers player was receiving treatment after being found unconscious in a Las Vegas brothel last Tuesday (Oct. 13). Odom had used drugs and alcohol during his stay.

[ALSO READ: Master P Responds To Kobe Bryant With “The Truth Hurts”]

Odom was airlifted to Los Angeles to receive physical therapy. His condition is reportedly improving but he will have to endure months of rehab. The 35-year-old is breathing on his own and can move his arms and legs but will have to learn to walk and talk again. He also may suffer may cognitive difficulties in the

Did Kevin Gates Admit He Uses Heroin?

By: ClassicOneCategory: Rumors

Photo via Kevin Gates Instagram

From sleeping with his cousins, to assaulting women at shows, to social media rants and more, rapper Kevin Gates doesn’t surprise us anymore. Gates seemed to recently openly admit that he uses heroin. Kevin was quoting his popular “I Don’t Get Tired,” when he explained that he might duck every now and then when he’s on the heroin, but he doesn’t get tired. Oh okay Kev…… Congrats to Gates for recently getting married. We wonder how long this relationship will last. One could only hope his wife Dreeka experiences and knows a completely different side if she decided to put all aside to marry Gates.

Did Sauce Walka Take Shots At Drake Again?

By: ClassicOneCategory: Rumors

Photo via Drake’s Instagram

Sauce Walka is coming for Drake again!. Sauce already went at Drake accusing him of being a Houston culture vulture that doesn’t even give back to the city. Now Sauce seems to suggest that Drake has directly taken his entire style. Is he delusional? What are your thoughts?

Sauce had this to say about Drake not too long ago.

“N*gga comes down and uses our culture for lyrical content and ain’t giving sh*t back but a family fun day and some money to some hoes he’s tricking on in the club. You f*cking idiot,” said Walka in a video posted to Instagram. “This b*tch ass n*gga made music with artists from everywhere but Houston.”

sauce walka

A Study Says Def Jam Records Is The Most Successful Hip-Hop Label

By: Tanay Hudson (@NYStateOfMind2)Category: News

Def Jam has been crowned the most successful hip-hop record label of all time, according to a study by  New York consultant Matt Daniels.

Daniels analyzed the chart history of different record labels and determined who was the most successful according to how many hits they had on the Billboard charts. In his study, Def Jam came out on top with a total of 152 songs by 48 artists that altogether spent 1,925 week on the charts. The artists that help Def Jam win this title include DMX, 2 Chainz, Erick Sermon, EPMD and Ja Rule.

[ALSO READ: There May Be A Def Jam Biopic In The Works]

Young Money is the second most successful label in hip-hop with 83 chart-topping tracks that spent 1,322 weeks on the charts. Roc-A-Fella Records came in at the third slot with 86 songs that spent a total of 1293 weeks on the charts thanks to artists like Jay Z, Cam’ron, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Amil and Memphis Bleek. Jive Records artists spent 1,255 weeks on the charts with 106 tracks by artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Chris Brown and Ice Cube. Bad Boy Records rounded out the top five with 56 of their hits spending 1,060 weeks on the charts.

Take a look at the full rundown here.

Is Young Thug’s Baby Mama Selling Drugs On Instagram?

By: ClassicOneCategory: Rumors

Photo via Young Thug’s Instagram

Apparently Young Thug and the women he impregnates aren’t the brightest individuals. Recently a video of one of his baby mamas went viral as it shows his daughter on camera expressing that she’s “Motherf*cking tired.” Now rumor has it that one of Thugger’s baby mamas is selling drugs…. on Instagram at that. Say it ain’t so!

Young Thug baby mama

50 Cent Pokes Fun At ‘Empire’ Again

By: ClassicOneCategory: Rumors

Photo via 50 Cent’s Instagram

The King of petty, 50 Cent, is back at it again. He will never just let ‘Empire’ be. 50 posted a screen shot of an article on his Instagram page that had a headline saying, “Ratings: Empire Slips for Fourth Straight Episode.” 50 poked fun at the show once again by saying,

“Don’t worry Power season 3 is going to blow you away.”

Remember 50 Cent stated that he feels ‘Empire’s’ ratings have declined due to too many gay plots and too many celebrity cameos. 50 Cent isn’t the only person who isn’t feeling Empire this season. Many have said the storyline is corny, and they keep randomly placing celebs into the script. How are you feeling about Empire’s second season?

50 cent instagram

Pharrell Williams Named An Artist-In-Residence At New York University

By: Tanay Hudson (@NYStateOfMind2)Category: News

Pharrell Williams has been chosen to be the artist-in-residence by New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Skateboard P will be giving NYU students, staff and faculty a look into his creative world during an in-depth conversation with NYU professor and NPR radio Host Jason King on Oct. 26th at 7:00 p.m at New York City’s Town Hall.

“We are thrilled to welcome Pharrell Williams as our artist in residence for the 50th anniversary year of the Tisch School of the Arts,” said Allyson Green, the dean of Tisch School of the Arts, in a statement. “Pharrell is just the kind of artist and entrepreneur that many of our students aspire to become. He is remarkably gifted, and he graciously uses his talent for the good of others,” . “Our students and faculty will have the unique opportunity to be in conversation with an artist whose work is an inspiration and widespread. Pharrell has demonstrated a commitment to education in communities across the country. He’s dedicated to raising awareness to climate change, and he has taken ‘happiness’ from the stage and screen to people around the world through his work with the United Nations.”

[ALSO READ: Pharrell Williams Will Be Donating 50,000 Books To Young Readers]

The discussion will cover every aspect of the “Freedom” singer’s career including his fashion endeavors and especially his musical triumphs.

For those who can’t attend, the video of the event will be posted on NPR.org/Music. For a chance to win tickets, follow @NPRMusic, @NPRandB and @NPRHipHop on Twitter for details.

Live Stream The ‘TIDAL X 1020’ Concert Featuring Beyoncé, Jay Z, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne & Many More

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: Events

Entertainment platform Tidal has partnered with smartphone company HTC for the live concert event TIDAL X: 1020. The showcase, taking place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, is set to feature performances by some of the biggest stars in music including Beyoncé, Jay Z, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, T.I., and many more. The exclusive performances will feature collaborations on specially chosen songs to promote the message of unity through music.

TIDAL X: 1020 is the first edition of a series of philanthropic music events curated by Tidal which are aimed at raising awareness, funds, conscious engagement, and dynamic action for transformative and positive social impact worldwide. 100% of the total tickets’ face value proceeds support charities via New World Foundation. Viewers will also be able to donate to the cause while watching the live stream.

Fans can live stream TIDAL X: 1020 right here on AllHipHop.com starting at 7:30 pm ET. Check out the line-up for the concert below (not listed by performance schedule).

  • Beyoncé,
  • JAY Z
  • Usher
  • Nicki Minaj
  • Lil Wayne
  • T.I.
  • Damian Marley
  • Indochine
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Fabolous
  • Nick Jonas
  • French Montana
  • Pusha T
  • Vic Mensa
  • Meek Mill
  • Rick Ross
  • Travi$ Scott
  • DJ Cipha Sounds
  • DJ Reflex
  • Alessia Cara
  • Bas
  • Benjamin Booker
  • Flatbush Zombies
  • HIT-BOY
  • Justine Sky

Fabolous To Release Two Projects Before The End Of 2015

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Fabolous is one of the many stars set to hit the stage tonight (October 20) at the TIDAL X: 1020 concert in Brooklyn. Before Fab performs in his hometown’s Barclays Center, he took over the Tidal Twitter account yesterday to help promote the event.

[ALSO READ: Tidal Streaming Service Reaches One Million Subscribers]

During the social media Q&A, Fabolous was asked when the public can expect another music project from him. The Roc Nation representative announced two new collections are slated to drop before the end of the year.

The Twitter exchanges revealed another S.O.U.L. Tape will not be part of the fourth quarter releases from Fab. But he did not close the door on his long-awaited Loso’s Way 2: Rise to Power LP being the project dropping on December 25.

Fab’s last studio LP The Young OG Project hit the net on Christmas Day 2014. He also let loose the Friday Night Freestyles mixtape in May.

[ALSO READ: Fabolous & DJ Clue? Announce “Friday Night Freestyles” Project]

Tokyo Vanity: The Industry Only Promotes Female Rappers That Look Like Nicki Minaj, Lil Kim & Dej Loaf (VIDEO)

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) History has shown it is difficult for any female artist to make it in the male-dominated Hip Hop industry, and it seems even harder for a full-figured performer to break through in a major way. Tokyo Vanity – the creator of the viral hit “That’s My Best Friend” – talked about gender discrimination in the music business with DJ Smallz Eyes.

[ALSO READ: MC Lyte Talks About The Lack Of Female Rappers In The Mainstream]

“When I saw how shallow the industry is to women – they want you to look a certain way,” expressed Tokyo. “They just feel like if you don’t look like Nicki [Minaj], [Lil] Kim, Dej [Loaf]  – if you don’t look like them, then you’re just not appealing. And b*tch that’s not true, because I always got chose.”

The New Orleans native revealed she was once discouraged by the music industry’s heavy attention on appearance. But Tokyo says God inspired her to keep chasing her dream of becoming a rapper. The social media star now encourages her followers to accept themselves for the skin they are in.

“I just want everybody to know that you’re beautiful. No matter what you look like, you can be whoever you want to be. Despite what people say,” added Tokyo. “What’s beautiful to that n*gga might be hideous to the next. Don’t limit yourself to what other people think about you.”

[ALSO READ: ‘The Daily Show’ Host Trevor Noah Names Lil Kim As His Favorite Female Rapper (VIDEO)]

Watch Tokyo Vanity’s interview below.

Dame Dash Talks Jay Z Pursuing Aaliyah & His Own Relationship With The Singer (VIDEO)

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) At the time of her tragic death in 2001, R&B star Aaliyah was in a serious relationship with music executive Damon Dash. For years, there have been rumors the “One In A Million” singer was also once romantically connected to Dame’s Roc-A-Fella Records partner Jay Z.

[ALSO READ: Timbaland Says He Has More Unreleased Music From Aaliyah On The Way]

Dash sat down with Hip Hop Motivation to discuss the vocalist/actress also known as Baby Girl. The Poppington Academy founder revealed both he and Jay were pursuing Aaliyah.

“I was going at her, but Jay was going at her. He knew her before I did,” stated Dame.

He added, “It was a situation where Aaliyah was the type of girl that would give you a shot. She didn’t care what people thought. So she’ll date you and be your friend. But you might end up in the friend zone… You wasn’t gonna just hit that. At least that was my experience.”

Jay has expressed he was very close to Aaliyah before her passing. The Brooklyn emcee recorded the tribute track “Miss You (Remix)” not long after the 22-year-old died in a plane crash. The song included Hov declaring Baby Girl was “part of the Roc.”

According to Dash, he and Aaliyah started off as just friends and then later grew closer. Dame even compared his relationship with the platinum-selling performer to the relationship of Dipset member Cam’ron and his girlfriend JuJu.

[ALSO READ: Dame Dash Loses Child Custody Ruling To Rachel Roy Over Smoking Weed]

Watch Dame Dash’s interview below.

Jay Z To Appear On ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Jay Z rarely does television show appearances, so Hova fans should set their DVRs for tonight (October 20). The part owner and public face of Tidal is scheduled to appear on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live.

[ALSO READ: Prince Defends Jay Z’s Tidal, Calls Record Contracts Slavery]

Kimmel’s show is being taped from Brooklyn this week, and the late night talk show host tapped Jay for one of his NYC guests. The episode will also featured Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The “music guest” for tonight’s Kimmel will be a presentation from TIDAL X: 1020. The streaming site is hosting a live concert from Barclays Center. Performers for the showcase include Jay, Beyoncé, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, T.I., Fabolous, French Montana, Pusha T, Vic Mensa, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Travi$ Scott, and more.

Jimmy Kimmel Live airs on ABC 11:35/10:35 central.

[ALSO READ: Jay Z, Lil Wayne, T.I And More To Perform At Tidal Charity Concert]

First Week Sales Predictions For The Game, MGK & Joe Budden Albums Are In

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) This week The Game is set to land at #2 on the albums charts with The Documentary 2 as the project opened with 95,000 sales plus streaming units (83,000 pure sales). The Compton emcee came right back with another LP in the form of The Documentary 2.5, and HitsDailyDouble has begun to crunch the sales numbers for that album.

[ALSO READ: The Game’s ‘The Documentary 2’ Opens At Number 2 On The Album Chart]

According to HDD, The Documentary 2.5 is looking to move between 45,000 – 50,000 SPS, 40,000 – 45,000 albums. That puts Game in the same range as Machine Gun Kelly’ new album General Admission (45,000 – 50,000 SPS, 40,000 – 45,000). Fellow rap representative Joe Budden is predicted to push around 15,000 – 18,000 SPS, 14,000 – 17,000.

Both Game and Budden’s albums were released through the independent label eOne. MGK’s project dropped via Bad Boy/Interscope. Pentatonix’s Pentatonix (80 – 85k SPS, 73 – 78k) and Demi Lovato’s Confident (85 – 90k SPS, 68 – 73k) are competing for the #1 spot on the chart.

[ALSO READ: Joe Budden Explains How Open Letter To Eminem Wasn’t A Diss]

D.R.A.M. Feels Drake Jacked His “Cha Cha” Song For “Hotline Bling”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) “Hotline Bling” has become one of the biggest hits of Drake’s career. The single is closing in on the #1 spot on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart, and Drizzy just released the video for the track overnight.

[ALSO READ: Madchild Says Drake Is A Bigger Artist Than Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Eminem & Every Rapper (VIDEO)]

While “Hotline Bling” has become a pop smash, there are some listeners that believe the song is very similar to another record released months ago – D.R.A.M.’s “Cha Cha.” The Hampton, Virginia native took to Twitter to express he is in the camp that feels the two songs are very similar, and not by coincidence.

DRAM6

DRAM1

DRAM3

DRAM2

DRAM4

DRAM5

This is not the first time Drake has been accused of “jacking” another artist’s work. Last month rising singer Abra accused the OVO leader of lifting her “U Kno” for ““Diamonds Dancing.” In April, Two-9 member Jace claimed Drizzy stole the beats for “6 God” and “No Tellin’.” Drake also reportedly had to pay Rappin’ 4-Tay for recycling his lyrics on YG’s “Who Do You Love?”

D.R.A.M. is currently on the “Family Matters Tour” with Chance The Rapper & The Social Experiment, Metro Boomin, and Towkio. His GAHDAMN! EP is scheduled for release on October 23.

UPDATE: 

Soul singer Erykah Badu – who released her own remixed version of “Hotline Bling” – weighed in on the issue as “Cha Cha” became a trending topic on Twitter today. D.R.A.M. then responded to Ms. Badu’s message about underground talents inspiring mainstream artists.

Dram7

UPDATE #2:

Read what Drake had to say about the connection between “Hotline Bling” and D.R.A.M.’s “Cha Cha” here.

[ALSO READ: Drake Reportedly Paid Off Rappin’ 4-Tay For Using His Lyrics]

Watch the videos for D.R.A.M’s “Cha Cha” and Drake’s “Hotline Bling” below.

King Armani- “King & Queen”

By: Rea Davis @IamReaDavisCategory: Music

Coming from S#####, California the Native American entertainer King Armani has the ladies going crazy with his charming smile & articulated lyrics. He created his own wave by stepping outside the box and embracing The Hip Hop culture along with his Native American influences.

Take a listen to his “King & Queen” single below!

#Sponsored