Angela Simmons & Romeo recently interviewed at The Breakfast Club about their new show “Growing Up Hip-Hop.” Angela speaks on the confrontation with Dame Dash in the first episode, and the both Romeo and Angela take the time to adress their dating rumors. Romeo also speaks on his parents getting a divorce and how his new project ‘Fighting Monsters’ addresses his recent family issues.
(AllHipHop News) Kevin “Bandman Kevo” Ford is set to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, according to the Chicago Tribune. The 27-year-old Chicago rapper and fellow defendant Cortez Stevens agreed to plea deals with federal prosecutors for a “credit card cracking” scheme.
Kevo and 28 other people across two states were accused of conspiring to recruit bank customers through social media to share their debit card and personal identification numbers. Authorities say they then deposited counterfeit checks into third party accounts and later withdrew money from ATMs. The banks would not discover the checks were frauds until after the money was secured in bogus accounts.
In a 2014 exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, Kevo denied any involvement in the illegal activity. He said, “They still don’t have no hard evidence. They’re just saying, ‘witnesses said…’ Basically, somebody got in a jam, and I got the most money to them so they must have mentioned my name. Who knows? But it ain’t like they got me doing this or got me doing that.”
At the time, Kevo also accused the FBI of purposely targeting him for non criminal reasons. The creator of the buzzing song “Baller In Me (Remix)” featuring Chief Keef believed he was being pursued by the Feds in order to harm his music career. Kevo insisted he would ultimately beat the case.
“Everything that they have in the paperwork is mixed up. It ain’t even right. They’re just saying and doing anything to file a case,” he stated.
Bandman Kevo and Cortez Stevens agreed to pay $141,919 in restitution which will come from a 2004 Audi and a 2006 Maserati already forfeited to the federal government. Their convictions could lead to a 30 year prison sentence.
Two time hip-hop sensation, Lil Mama, strikes a comeback after years of public ridicule from a stunt and interview that stagnated her career. By now everyone has seen, in some shape or form, the memes of Lil Mama breaking down in tear on The Breakfast Club. Not only have you seen the breakdown but we’ve also laughed at the various memes that have surfaced, including the artist whose “Lip Gloss” was pippin back in 2005 and had the world screaming “Sausage” throughout the summer of 2015.
When asked if she felt disrespected by Charlamagne Tha God and the memes made to mock her, Lil Mama had no response other than, “Im laughing at the jokes but not the person.”
NewScope Live! host, Nasir Ellis, delves in deep into the creation of the EP “Take Me Back” and who she is as a person, not a persona. She silences everyone, fans and critics, with first track “Memes” which quickly addresses her sentiments about public ridicule.
Watch Parts 1 & 2 of the interview below.
(AllHipHop News) It was the tragic killing of Trayvon Martin that initially sparked the Black Lives Matter movement against racial profiling, police brutality, and racial inequality. The 17-year-old Florida native was killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer who believed Martin was dangerous, partially because the teen was wearing a hoodie in the rain.
The idea of black Americans conducting themselves in a certain way in order to not scare white Americans has been a contentious topic for years. Some activists argue “respectability politics” is a form of victim blaming, because the focus should be on questioning the person that performed the violent act and not on the person that was harmed, especially in situations where the victim was unarmed and not committing a crime.
Others believe the actions, appearance, and history of the victim does affect the outcome in situations such as Martin’s death or incidents where police killed black citizens. From Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri to Sandra Bland in Waller County, Texas to Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland, respectability politics has been brought up in nearly every case of law enforcement officers being involved in the death of unarmed African-Americans.
It appears Wu-Tang Clan member RZA is on the side of the argument that says appearance does play a part in white police officers assaulting black youth. RZA told Bloomberg:
When you think about some of the brothers who are being brutalized by the police, you also got to have them take a look, and us take a look, in the mirror, at the image we portray. If I’m a cop and every time I see a young black youth, whether I watch them on TV, movies, or just see them hanging out, and they’re not looking properly dressed, properly refined, you know, carrying himself, conducting himself proper hours of the day—things that a man does, you’re going to have a certain fear and stereotype of them. I tell my sons, I say, if you’re going somewhere, you don’t have to wear a hoodie–we live in New York, so a hoodie and all that is all good. But sometimes, you know, button up your shirt. Clean up. Look like a young man. You’re not a little kid, you know what I mean? I think that’s another big issue we gotta pay attention to. Is the image that we portray that could invoke a fear into a white officer, or any officer.
RZA also added, “Of course black lives matter. All lives matter. I stopped eating meat because their lives matter to me. I don’t think it’s necessary for us to grow a cow to kill it.”
(AllHipHop News) Kanye West once again found himself caught up in controversy when he released his song “Facts.” Besides blatantly calling out Nike, some listeners believed the G.O.O.D. Music founder was also taking shots at basketball star LeBron James on the track.
The record features Kanye rapping, “Nike treating employees just like slaves. Gave LeBron a billie [billion dollars] not to run away.”
Nike signed James to a lifetime contract reportedly worth over $500 million. The 4-time NBA MVP commented about Kanye’s “Facts” in a recent interview saying, “It’s just, it’s family when you talk about Nike, and I’m always on their side no matter what the situation is.”
Kanye has now responded to the chatter he dissed James on his latest song. He tweeted, “The media tried to make it seem like I was downplaying LeBron on my song FACTS which I would never do, LeBron is fam bottom line.”
The media tried to make it seem like I was downplaying LeBron on my song FACTS which I would never do, Lebron is fam bottom line.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) January 8, 2016
Listen to Kanye West’s “Facts” below.
(AllHipHop News) Is the world about to be hit with another round of G.O.O.D. Friday releases from Kanye West? The rapper/producer’s wife Kim Kardashian seemed to suggest that could be the case when she tweeted out “Friiiiiiday!!!! New music!!!! #EveryFriday #Swish #RealFriend” to her 38 million Twitter followers.
??? Friiiiiiday!!!! New music!!!! #EveryFriday #Swish #RealFriends ??? ???
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 8, 2016
SWISH is the name of Kanye’s upcoming 7th studio album. The project has been in the works for over a year, but the Chicago native refused to give a definite release date.
Kim K’s “Every Friday” reference could be a hint that her husband is returning to his highly successful G.O.O.D. Fridays series. The 2010 weekly releases were a run-up to Ye’s critically acclaimed My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album. Some of the G.O.O.D. Fridays songs (“Monster,” “So Appalled,” and “Devil In A New Dress”) were included on the final version of MBDTF.
G.O.O.D. Music president Pusha T mentioned G.O.O.D. Fridays in a recent interview. Last month Push said, “G.O.O.D. Music is known for fan engagement. Even if you go back to the G.O.O.D. Friday [weekly series] and what that started to how people are releasing music and building anticipation.”
(AllHipHop News) Back in 2014, Kendrick Lamar appeared on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, and the TDE emcee performed a song called “Untitled.” Kendrick debuted the sequel to the track on another late night program last night. As the musical guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, K. Dot let loose “Untitled 2.”
Watch Kendrick Lamar performing “Untitled 2” below.
After touring with Joey Bada$$ on his World Domination Tour, Pro Era’s Nyck Caution releases his first official visual for his Slauson Malone produced single “Church”. Directed by Nathan Smith.
Watch below.
(AllHipHop News) Ty Dolla Sign had a breakout year in 2015. Thanks in part to his debut album Free TC which featured production from Ty, DJ Mustard, Metro Boomin, Hit-Boy, and others. But there is one beat that became a hit record for someone else the Los Angeles native wishes he had claimed for himself.
“I think one of those Mustard beats, because I always had the chance to get any of them. It’s been a couple,” Ty told DJ Smallz. “Especially ‘Don’t Tell Em.’ Oh my god, I love that beat. Shout out to Jeremih. That song is a smash. And YG as well.”
The DJ Mustard produced “Don’t Tell Em” was a Top 10 hit on Billboard‘s Hot 100 for Jeremih. The song also featured West Coast representative YG. It went on to sell over 1 million copies.
Watch Ty Dolla Sign’s interview below.
(AllHipHop News) Yesterday (Jan. 6), Percy “Master P” Miller, visited New York City and sat down with Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club. During the in-depth interview the music mogul spoke on an array of topics. People such as Pimp C, Bill Cosby, and Jarren Benton popped up during the informative exchange.
The independent icon also explained his thoughts on the importance of cultivating a positive perspective and sound business acumen. “If we are going to be successful, we have to educate ourselves in business and cut off negative people from our lives,” he said. As the conversation continued the New Orleans native added, “Floyd Mayweather could be making a whole lot more money if he had products that he was marketing and promoting.” More empowering advice was offered when Mr. Miller stressed that securing trusted advice is instrumental to building financial wealth.
While acknowledging that many entertainers are surrounded by “Yes-people” are have easy access to drugs, Master P, expressed his thoughts on some artists’ lack of passion and dismal work-ethics. “Nobody really wanna work no more…Everybody getting high now,” said the self-made entrepreneur. “The syrup is killing the whole—this generation. Sometimes you don’t have to work for the money. If you do what you gotta do and you good at it, the money gon’ come. You gotta love what you’re doing.”
With the focus directed to contemporary rappers P then opened up about his thoughts on the heightened drug with Hip-Hop. “Drugs and syrup are killing this generation of Hip Hop.”
The interview in its entirety:
From better business moves to breaking out the boxing gloves; do you agree with Master P?
(AllHipHop News) Earlier today (Jan. 7), Wale hopped on Twitter and wrote, “Lemme change my trajectory and listen to myself on ESPN Again..” The Grammy-nominated lyricist wrote a new them song for ESPN2’s First Take — it premiered today. The sports -centric show hosted by Molly Qerim features both Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless as respected debaters.
Back in 2013 both Wale and Stalley were tapped to create a theme song for the show. The former collegiate athlete, who “grew up on ESPN” says the opportunity to write the new them song was a “big deal.” The D.C. native expressed his gratitude and expressed, “I was honored when they asked me to write the current one, and jumped at the opportunity when they asked if I’d write the new one. I grew up on ESPN and now I’m writing their theme songs? Man, that’s what this whole EveryBlueMoon movement is about. Plus, Skip, Molly and Stephen A. are family.”
The music director for ESPN, Kevin Wilson, and First Take’s coordinating producer are more than satisfied with Wale’s efforts. Wilson has stated, “Wale’s theme captures the attitude of the show while giving it an edge and a modern vibe that sets it apart from other sports-based theme songs.” In addition to that praise, Lewis has shared, “Wale understood our mission and really took it seriously…”
Here’s Wale’s excited tweet:
https://twitter.com/Wale/status/685121558516338689
Take a listen to the theme song entitled “Every Word Great.”
Over the last several years, played an amazing role in helping to secure exposure for deserving artists who were right at the cusp of their own greatness but, still needed that extra little push and the right set of ears to help get them over on to the next level. We have also been instrumental in helping underground and independent artists gain new listeners and followers for the dope music that they were creating. Our lists have played their part in this task as well.
We have called more than a few winners over the years and were ecstatic to see some of our favorites graduate to that next platform during the last 12 months. We knew they were stars all along, so we’re glad to see them finally get their shine! We look forward to catching up with them in a “Where Are They Now” type of way in the coming months to show you just how far they’ve come.
That said, there are still so many deserving artists with phenomenal music, movements, stage shows and most importantly lyrical ability that we are eager to bring to you and to applaud. As we say every year, there is far too much unsigned, underground and independent talent in the world to be able to recognize them all the way we would like to. However, please don’t let the absence of artists that you are more familiar with, stop you from becoming a fan of someone new this year! And if you have suggestions for artists that we can become fans of too, please let us know in the comments! We’ve actually found some amazing talent from our readers suggestions in the past, so please keep them coming.
The 2015 list got back to the basics. We pared it down and included more music for your listening enjoyment. 2015 took us all around the country and even out of the continental US to check on artists doing their thing! We found a crazy mix of messages in the music that we selected. Whether it be about politics, struggle,encouragement, loss, suffering, enlightenment or just the party, these artists did not disappoint in their respective sectors of the Hip Hop arena. So, whether you’re listening to a song about protest or to our very first entry from a Native American Hip Hop artist, please sit and really think about what went in to the lyrics that are being spit! Hip Hop is back in a big way and we’re glad to share some new ideas about it with you.
With that said, congratulations and job very well done to our 2015 picks. Salute!
In no particular order:
R-Mean Los Angeles, CA
Your Old Droog – Brooklyn, NY
Idasa Tariq – Pittsburgh, PA
Mitch Littlez – Harlem, NY
Jered Sanders – The DMV
Vithym – The Bronx, NY
Lyric Michelle Houston – TX
Lou Charle$ – Ft Worth, TX
Rasheed Chappel – NJ
Yamin Semali – Atlanta, GA
King Critical – Brooklyn, NY
Narcy – Montreal, CA
J. Jon – The Bronx, NY
YP – Chicago, IL
Maffew Ragazino – Brooklyn, NY
Futuristic – AZ
Gyasi Ross Suquamish, WA
Ea$y Money – Lawrence, MA
Sa-Roc – Washington, DC
Deshawn Supreme – The Bronx, NY
Tef Poe St. Louis, MO
SonReal – Vancouver, CA
Eli Black – NYC, NY
Gifted Gab – Seattle, WA
Hate Da Game Ent Presents California rapper Curt Digg teaming up with G-Unit’s New Orleans Ridah Kidd Kidd for his latest music video and single “Real S###” where the two trade tails of getting money and showing us how its spent well. This track is featured on the new mixtape Hate Da Game Vol.3 “Hustlers Ambition” be sure to stop by www.CurtDigg.com and download it for Free. Stay tuned and remember to #HateDaGame.
Watch below.
Photo credit: Prince Williams, ATL Pics
WEtv hosted a red carpet premiere for their upcoming show “Growing Up Hip Hop,” an unscripted series that follows the lives of the children of music legends Rev. Run, Master P, Damon Dash, James DeBarge, Jam Master Jay, Sandy “Pepa” Denton and Treach.
Cast members Angela Simmons, Romeo Miller, Boogie Dash, Kristinia DeBarge, TJ Mizell and Egypt Criss were on hand to enjoy the festivities with over 500 local influencers at SCADShow, where the screening and Q&A, moderated by multimedia personality Ebony Steele took place. Afterwards, guests joined the cast at Whiskey Park for a lively after-party featuring music by DJ Mars and Mizell.
Additional attendees included Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks, Kenya Moore, Mimi Faust, Stevie J, Joseline Hernandez, Mama June (WE tv’s “Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars), Alanna “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson (TLC’s “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”), Erica Dixon, Althea Hart, Demetria McKinney, Gocha Hawkins, Dice Dixon, Toya Wright, Monyetta Shaw, Drea Kelly, the casts of “Selling It: In the ATL” and “Cutting It: In the ATL,” Shanti Das, and many, many more.
“Growing Up Hip Hop” (#GUHH) premieres TONIGHT, Thursday, January 7 at 10pm ET/PT on WE tv!
Texas rap legend Trae Tha Truth teams up with Rick Ross, T.I. and Audio Push on “All Good”, a single from Trae’s forthcoming 8th studio album, Tha Truth 2. Pre-order now on iTunes!
Listen below.
Any time you get Mannie Fresh and Lil Wayne to come together on a track you know that it has to be something special. Check it out below as the homies co-sign Young Juve aka Juvenile’s son. Now you know nobody could get away with that name unless they were official so press play below and get hip! Fans of the track can listen to more on his Soundcloud or via iTunes.
Photo Credit: Instagram
(AllHipHop News) Last year, Lastonia Leviston, won a $7 million award against Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Today (Jan. 7), the Queens wordsmith has reportedly asked the judge for a reduction in that amount, reports TMZ. Leviston successfully reaped that hefty amount after a video depicting her in sexually explicit act was posted to the internet by the “Candy Shop” rapper.
Over the years both 50 Cent and Rick Ross were at odds. Given that Rick Ross and Lastonia share a child, the jury believed that spite motivated Fif to post the tape online. So now, at the most the highest that he’s prepared to pay out is $1.4 M. The business entrepreneur is reportedly battling financial bankruptcy.
With the supposed state of his financial portfolio should the judge be more lenient with 50 Cent?
If you didn’t know Gangsta Boo been in the game for a min getting her start hanging with Three 6 Mafia, including Juicy J and DJ Paul. In this visual Gangsta Boo literally takes you back to 1999 with clips of behind the scenes footage kicking off the video with Juicy J dropping some knowledge with foresight!
FORD has launched its “By Design” Culture Collabs campaign. Culture Collabs is a video series documenting how FORD has joined forces with singer/songwriter Jhené Aiko, DJ Va$htie Kola, music producer The Alchemist, entrepreneur Mike Brown, artist collective The Seventh Letter, and digital artist Naturel. Over the last few months, they came together to connect Ford’s iconic script logo with their respective crafts in Detroit, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The videos in this series will explore how music, art and culture drove the creative process behind this collaboration. The track playing in the video was produced by legendary producer, The Alchemist. “By Design” features a broad range of Ford cars, from the Focus Electric to Ford GT, and highlights the passion and innovation that goes into the company’s entire lineup of cars – by design. Check out the art installations by following the hashtag #FordByDesign and you can watch the video detailing the artistic process below.
Travis Scott kicks off the new year teaming up with DJ Mustard for new single “Whole Lotta Lovin”. I can hear this one killin the clubs and radio. What are your thoughts?
Listen below.