Time to say something. Talib Kweli and 9th Wonder convene their Indie 500 team for “These Waters,” a song that features K’Valentine, Chris Rob, NIKO IS and poet jessica Care moore. The song is not the only way for folks to express themselves, but it certain is the preferred way to creatively fight bigotry, racism and oppression. Check out the video.
With a new book set to hit shelves, Rev Run and Tyrese took time out to speak with the Breakfast Club. In the interview we get an idea of what their lives are like now and how they became connected. From going to Home Depot to performing in front of legions of fans and winning Grammy’s, these guys are just trying to live normal. What’s wild is that Rev Run doesn’t see Tyrese as a little brother, he more so see’s him as a pseudo-Diggy in his life. They speak roughly 12 times a day and they both know what each other are trying to achieve. How did this friendship come to be? Check it here:
(AllHipHop Music News) Young Thug is back with more intelligible flames. Even if you hate the androgynous rapper, the beat by Issac Flames will sway listeners to the ways of the Thugger. On the song, Thug professes his heterosexuality: “I dress like a prince not a fag, mother f#####,” “No I’m not gay” and “I f**k hoes all over the world.”
We all know about Canadian Hip-Hop star Tory Lanez, but his new song with fellow Canadian Konfiident called “What You Know About Love” is a smacker that introduces you to a few new talents! The track is produced by DHam Beatz who we are DEF checking for in the future and its the first song off of KonFiDent’s untitled mixtape dropping early second quarter.
R. Kelly really does not like taking about anything related to his past improprieties. In a recent interview with GQ magazine, the Bump-N-Grinder stated that he has never heard of Dave Chappelle. Perhaps, Kellz forces his memory to block Dave’s humor based on the skits that Dave has done.
Here is a part of the conversation:
GQ: Given that a lot of people believe that the video shows you, some of the behaviors on the video have become associated with you, particularly urination as part of sex. Pissing on people. You must have seen that Dave Chappelle skit.
Kelly: “No, I haven’t.”
GQ: He did several clips on his show.
Kelly: “David Chappelle? [as though trying to place the name] David Chappelle? I don’t…”
GQ: Chappelle’s Show. Very famous.
Kelly: “Okay…comedian?”
GQ: Really famous comedian.
Kelly: “Okay, a comedian. Okay…go on.”
GQ: And acting as you, he did a parody of “Ignition (Remix)” called “P### on You.”
Kelly: “Mmmm.”
R. Kelly agreed to do the interview “without restriction.” He may regret that choice.
(AllHipHop News) Jamie Foxx is a hero. The Oscar winner rescued a man that who’s car caught afire in a blaze after the vehicle crashed outside of the Foxx’s mansion.
Brett Kyle, 32, was allegedly driving under the influence in Ventura County, California, when his pickup truck left the road, crashed in a drainage ditch and then rolled over several times, according to authorities.
The crash caused the car to burst into flames.
“As I’m getting him out, I said, ‘You’ve got to help me get you out because I don’t want to have to leave you,’ ” Foxx told KCAL. “I said, ‘You’ve angels around you.'”
The report said Foxx and an off-duty EMT managed to cut Kyle out of his seat belt and then removed him from the truck.
With Kyle’s father in tow, Foxx spoke to the media.
“I don’t look at it as heroic. I just look at it as … you just had to do something. It all worked out,” he said.
On Instagram, Foxx said,”Met the father of the young man from last night today. This is all that matters. That a man, a son, a brother’s life was spared last night. God had his arms wrapped around all of us…No heroes…Just happy fathers.”
SEG Music Group presents Kayla Brianna on her new song “Do You Remember” featuring Rich Homie Quan. Join Kenny Smith’s daughter the Think Its A Game rappers laces a Kayla’s track like Kenny did layups back in the day. Its a banger and she’s got the look so we had to post it. Where do things go from here? Press play to find out.
West Coast Hip Hop is experiencing a cultural renaissance. Veterans like Dr. Dre and The Game are still releasing critically acclaimed albums. While a new school featuring artists such as Kendrick Lamar, YG, and Ty Dolla Sign are making waves on a national level. Even the legendary 1980’s rap group N.W.A is currently being immortalized in record breaking movies and the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
The next performer accepting the responsibility of putting on for the West is emcee/songwriter Devin “King Pen” Jordan. Late last year, the Long Beach native joined with his business partner DJ Wellz to drop the 14-track album Momentum. The LP is a collection of lyrics-based cuts which draw on inspiration from 90’s era rhymers.
In particular, the single “Clubbin’” is an homage to Los Angeles representative/Hip Hop G.O.A.T. contender – Ice Cube. Pen also tapped his Cali peer Casey Veggies, his “little brother” Lit Fuse, and others for contributions to Momentum.
Prior to embarking on his current tour with Gunplay of Maybach Music Group, AllHipHop.com sat down with King Pen to discuss his latest project. He also touched on his region’s prevailing run in Hip Hop and his pushback against “soft rap.”
I started rapping at 14. I started taking it seriously in my early 20s. It was really because I was tired of hearing everything I was hearing. There wasn’t anything that was good. So I felt like I should create my own music, and it will be better.
How did you first connect with DJ Wellz?
I connected with him through one of our close friends, Lit Fuse. Wellz is a young cat. He’s like 22. He’s like a young genius. He and I are partners. We have CDC Entertainment together. Essentially, when I’m on the road doing all the groundwork, he handles all of the things behind the scenes and the day-to-day operations. I’ve been rocking with him for about five years now.
When I was listening to your album, I definitely heard influences from a lot of the older artists. Who did you listen to growing up?
2Pac was probably the reason I picked up a microphone in the first place. But I grew up listening to Ice Cube. That’s probably my biggest influence outside of Pac. I also grew up listening to The Lox, Biggie, Jay Z, and Nas – the best to ever do it lyrically.
And DJ Quik, Snoop, Dre – I’m biased because I’m from LA. I mostly listened to West Coast artists growing up, but I transitioned to a lot of East Coast emcees. That’s kind of what I gravitated towards more – bars and clever wordplay.
I can tell you even studied battle rappers.
Yeah, Hitman Holla is probably my favorite battle rapper. He combines all the elements I put into my music. He has the performance, the energy, and the delivery. He brings that to the battle rap scene, and I think I gravitate towards that because that’s what I do in my music.
Would you ever step into that arena?
Hell yeah! With the whole Hollow and Joe Budden battle, I think people didn’t really give it the type of credit it deserves. I think Joe Budden stepping into that arena was brilliant. It really wasn’t a bad battle to me. I enjoyed it.
[Budden] was very clever with it. I just don’t think he came with the tenacity and aggression. He kind of approached it like a “this is beneath me” type deal. But I think it was good for Hip Hop, and I hope we continue to see more top-notch rappers step into that arena. I think it makes it better for the culture.
There was a line on “Tax Season” where you were talking about how a lot of the rappers now are soft. You referenced “Truffle Butter.” My mind jumped to Drake. Was that a slight jab?
Clearly it is. I mentioned the song, so you know who I’m talking about. [laughs] I think that was a real soft rap record. I’m sure it served it’s purpose. It wasn’t supposed to be hard or for cats like me that like lyrics.
It was a Nicki Minaj record, so it was geared more towards a different demographic. I’m used to hearing bars. I do a mixture of everything, so I understand it. But that particular record was extremely soft to me. [laughs]
You gotta be honest. Music is a platform to talk about what’s really going on in your life and what you observe. If you’re not speaking honestly, it’s a waste of time. It’s an art form, so I feel like you gotta speak from the heart at all times.
Are there any topics that you may be hesitant to talk about? You talked about your family and your dad on the album. Is there anything that you feel like you want to keep to yourself?
Not really. Because to me, before music is a business or a means to provide for yourself or your family, it’s a way to release. I don’t know if everybody approaches it like that, but to me it’s more than just an art form.
Rather than go beat up a n*gga, pick up a strap, or do something crazy, I like to just talk about whatever it is that might be on my mind at the time. I wear my heart on my sleeve. Anything that I say in my music is 100% true. I talk about everything. I don’t think there’s no limits to what I would discuss.
What are your thoughts about West Coast Hip Hop? It seems to be on a pretty good run.
Absolutely, I think it’s been revived. You got Dom Kennedy, who’s one of my favorite artists. Nipsey also – Kendrick, Schoolboy, and Ty Dolla also. I look up to people like Nipsey and Dom, because they’re doing what I’m trying to do on the independent route. I look to them for inspiration. I study a lot of cats. Nipsey’s following the Jay Z blueprint.
Exactly, it’s good to see some people from your own region doing it. It kind of reaffirms the moves I’m out here making. It lets me know I’m doing the right thing, taking the right steps. West Coast Hip Hop is very much alive.
Even Game’s last project was crazy. He always comes with it, but to me, that was up there with The Documentary. He did it justice by calling it The Documentary 2 and 2.5. Both discs were crazy. Shout out to Game. That’s all I’ve been listening to lately.
Skeme is another cat out West I got a lot of respect for. Casey Veggies too. He’s on my album. Shout out to Casey Veggies. We’re taking advantage of this resurgence that we’re experiencing out West. Everybody’s just trying to get their weight up, so that’s what I’m out here doing.
One of the things I like about what’s happening on the West Coast is that they give you so many different styles. Casey doesn’t sound like YG. Dom doesn’t sound like Game. Everybody’s kind of doing their own thing.
YG kind of single-handedly revived the banging on wax movement. Before he came out and he was doing it like that again, you hadn’t really heard it like that in several years. Shout out to him.
You don’t even have to leave California to get any type of genre or style of rap music that you want to hear. Everybody does something different. That’s why I favor Dom a lot. He reminds me of the 90’s. He’s got that laid back type of vibe, live instrumentation – elements of music that I love the most.
Before you mentioned being an indie artist. What are your interests as far as potentially signing with a bigger label?
It would have to be the right situation for me. I hear about these 360 deals cats are signing and getting screwed. They’re stuck in contracts for years from not being able to meet the demands of what’s on the paper.
Honestly, it would have to be a situation like Wiz Khalifa. Wiz created his own thing, and then Atlantic had no choice but to partner with him. They couldn’t put in one of those type of deals. I think that’s what you have to do. You have to make yourself an asset to the point where if they want something from you it has to be equally beneficial.
I wouldn’t shoot anything down. When they come knocking, it will have to be beneficial for me. And I would have to make sure I keep all my masters. None of that’s going down over here. [laughs]
(AllHipHop News) Recently, 2 Chainz has received some criticism from C-Murder. The Georgia native is staying focused and continues to invest his time into worthy causes. Last week, Mr. 4 Bracelets announced the upcoming Watch Out tour. In addition to his music, the altruistic rapper is sharing his blessing through his charity, the TRU Foundation. Yesterday (Jan. 19), in a video posted to YouTube, the “I’m Different” rapper announced that he donated a home to an Atlanta family of 11.
Previously, the family in question was facing eviction from their prior home. That grateful father described his angst, “We ain’t know where we was gonna go.” He went on and spoke on his surprise, “We was not looking forward to nothing like this. It is way over our head, but we gonna learn how to deal with it. But we thank God for it. Now we don’t have to cry no more. We don’t have to worry nothin’ no more.”
After visiting a fundraising page set up by the Atlanta’s Progression Church 2 Chainz discovered information about the family’s precarious plight. “This right here ain’t gonna save me taxes; it’s in the beginning of the year. I’m looking forward to seeing their smiles,” he stated before adding, “I’m looking forward to the kids growing up knowing that Uncle 2 Chainz came through. Keep praying. You gotta have faith. You gotta believe.”
The TRU Foundation worked to bless the family with a two story home. It boasts five bedrooms. Check out the full video to find out how the family reacted.
Will 2 Chainz’ actions inspire other MCs to go beyond the bars and give back to their communities?
(AllHipHop News) The conversation surrounding the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences routinely not recognizing people of color for their awards is once again playing out in the public. O’Shea Jackson Jr., star of Straight Outta Compton, was among the African-Americans passed over for an Oscar nod this year. The 24-year-old actor has now shared his thoughts about the controversy.
“Just back to the drawing board,” Jackson told E! about the lack of non-white acting nominees. “They’ll be there for years to come and let’s make sure we are, too.”
Straight Outta Compton has become a central point for critics blasting the Academy’s lack of diversity. None of the film’s actors earned nods nor did the director F. Gary Gray. But the white screenwriters for the N.W.A biopicdid get recognized with a Best Original Screenplay nomination.
Some black entertainers have announced they will be boycotting the Oscars event, but Jackson revealed he will be at the ceremony on February 28.
“The voters, they’re entitled to their own opinions, just like you and I. That doesn’t mean Straight Outta Compton is not being celebrated,” added Jackson. “We are still up for an award for original screenplay, and I will be there to represent Straight Outta Compton.”
Jackson’s father and Straight Outta Compton producer Ice Cube recently gave his own subtle critique of the Academy’s tendency to only nominate African-Americans for playing subservient roles. While he made it clear recognition from the film industry does not define his success, Cube stated, “Maybe we should have put a slave in Straight Outta Compton. I think that’s where we messed up.”
(AllHipHop News) It is official! Fetty Wap, in conjunction with Monster Energy and Idol Roc Entertainment, are set to kick off the, “Welcome To The Zoo” tour. This 24-city endeavor will also feature music from frequent Fetty Wap, collaborator, Monty, and Post Malone as the confirmed opener.
The New Jersey native will commence the traveling concert in his home state. On Feb. 4, supporters in Montclair will be treated to many tracks from the Grammy-nominated rapper. “It feels great to do my first headlining tour with Monster. They’ve been a big supporter of my music, and hip-hop in general,” Fetty Wap says of the tour. “I’m so excited to be back on stage and connect with my fans… It’s my favorite part of being an artist,” reflects the “Trap Queen” connoisseur.
After traversing the continental United States the tour is set to culminate on March 23 in Cincinnati, OH. Cities such as Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, and New York City will host venues for this anticipated excursion. Interested fans may visit Ticketmaster to purchase show tickets.
Monster Energy Outbreak Tour 2016 Featuring Fetty Wap:
2.04.16 MONTCLAIR, NJ THE WELLMONT THEATRE
2.05.16 SILVER SPRING, MD THE FILLMORE
2.06.16 WALLINGFORD, CT THE DOME
2.08.16 BOSTON, MA HOUSE OF BLUES
2.09.16 NEW YORK, NY IRVING PLAZA
2.10.16 NEW YORK, NY IRVING PLAZA
2.11.16 PHILADELPHIA, PA THE FILLMORE
2.13.16 STATE COLLEGE, PA BRYCE JORDAN CENTER
2.17.16 CHICAGO, IL HOUSE OF BLUES
2.18.16 INDIANAPOLIS, IN EGYPTIAN ROOM
2.19.16 DETROIT, MI THE FILLMORE
2.20.16 MADISON, WI ORPHEUM THEATRE
2.24.16 DENVER, CO FILLMORE AUDITORIUM
2.29.16 SAN DIEGO, CA HOUSE OF BLUES
3.04.16 SAN JOSE, CA CITY NATIONAL CIVIC
3.08.16 DALLAS, TX HOUSE OF BLUES
3.09.16 HOUSTON, TX HOUSE OF BLUES
3.12.16 SAN ANTONIO, TX AZTEC THEATRE
3.15.16 ATLANTA, GA TABERNACLE
3.17.16 RALEIGH, NC THE RITZ
3.18.16 CHARLOTTE, NC THE FILLMORE
3.19.16 MYRTLE BEACH, SC HOUSE OF BLUES
3.24.16 CLEVELAND, OH HOUSE OF BLUES
3.25.16 CINCINNATI, OH BOGART’S
Is your bank account set up in a way to support Fetty Wap’s first solo tour?
(AllHipHop News) At one point Lil Wayne referred to himself as “the best rapper alive.” The Young Money leader is now being called the most profane artist of all time. A study conducted by Varun Jewalikar and Federica Fragapane for Musixmatch determined Wayne has the highest count of swear words in his lyrics.
According to the report, Wayne used 3960 profanities throughout his 12 albums analyzed. His most popular obscenity is “n*gga,” followed by “b*tch” and “f*ck.” Number 2 on the list was 2Pac (3724 profanities). Snoop Dogg (3535), Busta Rhymes (3474), and T.I. (2932) rounded out the top 5.
Obviously, the fact the top five artists listed in the study had a combined 55 albums and 940 tracks analyzed would affect the total number of profanities used in comparison to other artists with fewer releases. So Musixmatch also looked at the most frequent use of swear words in songs.
Among the 361 artists studied, Chief Keef used profanities most frequently. The Chicago rapper has 1 profanity for every 20 words in his lyrics. “B*tch,” “sh*t,” and “n*gga” were Keef’s leading three curse words. Dr. Dre (1 profanity/21 words), N.W.A. (1/22), A$AP Rocky (1/23), and Young Thug (1/25) were also high on the most frequent use of swear words list.
The most googled artists for each genre of music were selected for the study. Only the lyrics from studio albums were analyzed. Hip Hop led both the “highest swear word count” and “most frequent use of swear words” lists by far over other genres. However, another Musixmatch study conducted in 2015 showed Hip Hop artists dominated the list of music acts with the largest vocabulary.
(AllHipHop News) Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def) was arrested in South Africa last week for allegedly trying to exit the country with a “fraudulent passport.” The Brooklyn born emcee has now issued a statement about the matter through his longtime friend and musical partner Kanye West.
Kanye posted “A message from Yasiin Bey” on his Twitter page with a link to audio of Bey both rhyming and talking about the situation in South Africa. He opened by referring to Kanye’s latest single “No More Parties In L.A.”
“No more parties in S.A.,” said Bey.
He continued, “This is not an expression of fear. This is just to make things clear. My intentions are pure in coming here. And that’s on everything I love or hold dear.”
Bey denied committing any crimes, and he believes government officials are making false claims against him. According to Bey, his world passport has been an accepted document in South Africa for years.
“I have reason to believe or suspect that there are political motivations behind the way that I’m being treated, because this is following no reasonable train of logic,” stated Bey. “It’s curious. I haven’t broken any law, and I’m being treated like a criminal.”
Bey added he just wants to leave South Africa. He and his family are ready to exit the country and not return. In addition, the 42-year-old creator of the Black on Both Sides LP announced he will be releasing his final album later this year before walking away from the entertainment business for good.
(AllHipHop News) After Aaliyah Haughton and Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton is the next R&B star to have her life told through a movie on the Lifetime network. While Houston and Aaliyah passed well before their respective biopics were aired, Braxton was able to be directly involved in the making of Unbreak My Heart.
The 7-time Grammy winner served as executive producer on the film. Braxton played a role in selecting the actors and costumes, and she assisted in post-production duties. According to the “Un-Break My Heart” vocalist, the movie will be an authentic portrayal of her.
“People read the headlines and see the big captions, but no one reads the story. I’m hoping this will give them the back story,” Braxton told Billboard. “It’s therapeutic for me as well. There were some stories that I wanted to talk about and I wanted people to see my side of it. It’s a very honest movie for me.”
In 2014, Braxton collaborated with music legend Babyface for the #1 R&B album Love, Marriage & Divorce. She expects the partnership will continue, but fans can also expect an official follow-up to her 2010 LP Pulse.
“I’ll have something solo coming out this year,” revealed Braxton. “But Babyface and I are definitely going to do something else together again. We’re like Peaches & Herb, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. We’re just taking a little break.”
Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart starring Lex Scott Davis is scheduled to premiere on Saturday, January 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime.
Preparing the release of her upcoming album Joyride, Tinashe shares new Mike Will Made It produced track “Energy” featuring Juicy J. Catch Tinashe on her upcoming Joyride World Tour starting February 28th. Purchase tickets here.
(AllHipHop News) The news the Academy Awards failed to nominated a single person of color in any of the acting categories for the second straight year has led to industry veterans such as Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee to announce they will be boycotting the ceremony. Rapper/actor 50 Cent is taking it a step further by calling on Chris Rock to step down as host of the Oscars this year.
50 posted a message for Rock on Instagram. The star of the movies Get Rich or Die Tryin’, All Things Fall Apart, and Southpaw wrote, “Chris please do not do the Oscars awards. You mean a lot man, don’t do it. Please.”
Besides the lack of nominations for non-white actors and actresses, the Academy has also faced criticism for not giving nods to any of the African-Americans involved in Creed or Straight Outta Compton. Both films featured black actors in the main roles and were directed by black filmmakers.
Creed’s only nomination was for Sylvester Stallone in the Best Supporting Actor category. Straight Outta Compton’s only nomination was for the white screenwriters in the Best Original Screenplay category. There were also questions as to why Idris Elba did not get nominated for Beasts of No Nation and Will Smith did not get nominated for Concussion.
Opening nationwide on April 15th, Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and New Line Cinema is coming out with the third installment of the beloved “Barbershop” movies with “Barbershop: The Next Cut.” In this continuation of the story that we have come to know and love, the streets may have changed for the worse, but Calvin and his shop are still solid as a rock when it comes to keeping folks together with the perfect mix of on fleek style, hard won wisdom and some much needed comic relief. When the elected officials downtown just aren’t protecting the community the way that they should, Calvin and the shop take the matter into their own hands in signature style. Protecting friends, family and the girls and guys just around the way with a safe place to sit, get a cut and style, along with a healthy dose of the dozens, the hashtag #barbershopsavestheneighborhood says everything and more when it comes to this “Next Cut”. Starring Ice Cube, Cedric The Entertainer, Regina Hall, Anthony Anderson, Eve, JB Smoove, LaMorne Morris, Sean Patrick Thomas, Deon Cole, Common and Nicki Minaj, just the cast alone hints that the day you see this movie could indeed be a very good day.
(AllHipHop Reviews) Curren$y is back with The Owners Manual, a 6-song free EP produced by the dynamic duo of Cool & Dre. The EP was ceremoniously released for free today and is full of smooth, laid back and melodic tracks that compliment Curren$y’s flow. The EP comes right after Canal Street Confidential in December 2015.
The Owners Manual starts with “Sorry For The Wraith,” the first full song. Definitely a nod to the smokers, Curren$y kicks lyrics boldly proclaiming “we been winning every day.” And win, he does. The subsequent songs also follow the mellow motif of “Wraith.” On “Rain Stunts,” Curren$y talks about how he has not changed even though his friends have. “Came Up” is a similar song, where you can envision you and a partner riding around a mountainside or somewhere deep in nature. The audio intensifies a bit on “Forecast,” where the N.O. rep rides a sparse beat and then comes back down down again on “Mallory Knox.”
Overall, Curren$y’s The Owners Manual is consistent with Curren$y’s inebriated brand, smoked out music to ride to. His work ethic is on point, as are his bars. The EP could get a little tiresome depending on your tastes. There is very little diversity, even though Cool & Dre are more than ample on the beats. Curren$y’ style at times resembles a Jazz player’s improv act. He’s doing what he wants in the moment, allowing his creative genius take the lead. The Owners Manual is a case study in style and consistency.
As Oscar season rolls around tensions are high with zero African American or Black actors being nominated for awards. Things are tough in Hollywood for Black actors and actresses from what we are hearing and seeing in some of the biggest films, like Star Wars. In a recent interview with Jimmy Kimmel Tracy Morgan shared his feelings about the new Star Ward flick among other things as he went on a rant about what he missed out on during his coma. Check it out below!:
Lately, Wale dabbling int eh worlds of music, fashion and politics as part of his whole movement. Last week we saw Wale open for President Obama’s State of the Union Address, this week the DC native appears on screen with Akomplice co-owners, Mike and Patrick Liberty. The video documents a recent visit the Akomplice co-founders made to Wale’s home in the Hollywood Hills. There, the three wax poetic about their latest collaboration, the Wale x Akomplice ski suit and mask. In addition to shooting the collab’s lookbook, the three reflect on the significance of their collaboration and detail the diligence with which they approach the creative process. Push play to learn more about the project and check out some pics of the photo shoot below.