(AllHipHop News) A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip is one of the many high-profile artists signed on to host a program on Apple’s Beats 1 Radio. The Hip Hop legendjoins Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams, Jaden Smith, Elton John, and others on the internet radio platform.
Q-Tip spoke with Billboard about his new show Abstract Thought. The veteran rapper/producer plans to use his slot to highlight different music genres from around the world.
“I try to treat it like a DJ thing, it’s worldwide so it’s playing in 100 countries, so you have to be conscious of your audience. You’re not just playing in a club anymore,” said Tip. “Rather than just follow any sort of current, what’s popular, you want to try to figure out how to bridge many gaps and bring it all into one singular voice of good music. That’s been my philosophy and ethos.”
In recent years, the music business has been moving toward focusing on consumers streaming rather than purchasing tunes. Apple is competing in a marketplace which includes Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, SoundCloud, Rdio, and others. Q-Tip spoke about the changing structure of the industry.
“The record companies and the people who are in the business are still scratching their heads at how they can monetize [music] and how they can do that. One thing’s for sure is that the appetite for music has never been bigger than it is today,” Q-Tip added. “It’s everywhere. It’s in advertising, it’s in movies, it’s in entertainment, it’s just everywhere. It’s on our phones! Apple being in that field has certainly recognized that in a big way. I think that we’re pregnant with possibilities here. It’s a great thing. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Beats 1 Radio’s Abstract Thought airs Friday at 10 pm ET.
The tragic story of Jazz/Soul singer Amy Winehouse can serve as a cautionary tale on the price of fame. After years of battling drug addiction, depression, bulimia, and an overly invasive media, Winehouse passed away from alcohol poisoning at the young age of 27.
An honest, emotional, and powerful portrait of the British songstress’ life is being presented in the new documentary Amy. Director Asif Kapadia uses video footage, song lyrics, and voice overs from the people close to Winehouse to convey the tale of how – in a relatively short amount of time – a talented, promising artist can rise to a celebrated global superstar and then digress into a broken, lonely individual.
Amy features dialogue by Salaam Remi. The producer of classic Winehouse songs such as “Me & Mr Jones” and “Tears Dry On Their Own” discusses working with the award-winning performer. Brooklyn rapper Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) appears in the film as well.
A significant portion of the movie focuses on Winehouse’s troubled relationship with ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil. Her father, Mitch Winehouse, is also presented as playing a prominent role in the star’s fall.
Even though critics are praising Amy, Mitch Winehouse has since denounced the documentary. He told the Associated Press, “They have selectively edited what I said to suggest that me and my family were against her getting any kind of treatments. We took her dozens of times to detox and rehab over the years.”
Other famous Winehouse associates such as Mark Ronson, Tony Bennett, Pete Doherty, and Tyler James show up in Amy as well. Inner circle members Nick Shymanksy (ex-manager), Lauren Gilbert (childhood friend), and Andrew Morris (bodyguard) help paint the picture of Amy Winehouse the human being, not just Amy Winehouse the disheveled paparazzi target.
Amy Winehouse became an international phenomenon with the success of her second album Back to Black. The project earned Winehouse five Grammy awards including Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. In addition to Remi and Bey, she was also connected to other notable Hip Hop acts like Nas and Questlove.
Amy opens in select theaters in the U.S. and the U.K. on Friday, July 3. It opens nationwide July 10.
Driicky Graham gained notoriety for his widely popular hit “Snapbacks and Tattoos” in 2012. With a few years passing since, Driicky has had time to further himself as an artist and he’s looking to reestablish his footing in the game.
For Graham’s latest release, he tackles Fetty Wap’s buzzing single “My Way” and turns it into his own. As far as Fetty Wap is concerned, Graham had this to say about the New Jersey rapper:
“You know, I was happy for Fetty when his first single blew up. I was on some Jersey pride thing,” Driick explains when asked what inspired his “My Way” remix, “But what he said in that Angie Interview, about not knowing Jay Z or Nas’ music…that ain’t Jersey. Either he’s never listened to a hip-hop station anywhere ever or he was just on some, ‘Im too cool for you ish that day.” (Referring to Fetty Wap’s much criticized interview with Angie Martinez on Power 105.1)
Something has Driicky motivated as of late and it gets transposed to his latest work. Driicky has also been on a feverish writing binge and hitting the studio hard, so expect more content much sooner than later.
The story of the underdog is not one new to rap culture, in-fact it’s one of the fundamental pillars hip-hop was built on. With his latest iTunes liberated body of work, Maryland emcee Brain Rapp sets out to beat the odds and shatter all stereo-types associated with your typical “white rapper”. Backed by production from frequent collaborator and Dope Music Village label mate Nature Boi, the 7 track EP proves to seamlessly outline a well constructed coming of age audio-biography, Elevator Music. Purchase the new project, which features Ezko, Jake Sinatra, Ashley Alexander as well as Nature Boi. Check out one of the highlights from the project “The Sh*t”.
Kid Ink is getting hitched. The “Show Me” rapper has proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Asia Azante. He reportedly popped the question last month while they were vacationing overseas and they made the big reveal via social media this week.
Azante took to her Instagram and Twitter to gush over her future husband.
“I’m the happiest girl in the universe…@kidinkbatgang I love you with all my heart!!! From a 15 year old girl to a 26 year old woman you’ve always had my heart we were always meant to be… I’ll love you like none other ever could FOREVER baby!”
I’ve had a lot of great moments in my life but this month has by far been the best time in my life!!! I’m f###### ELATED!! #BLESSED
In April, Tidal announced it is providing a new outlet for up-and-coming/independent artists to get more exposure. The streaming service’s “Tidal Discovery” program highlights rising acts through curated playlists, video exclusives, and an upcoming tour.
Miami-bred rapper Bizzy Crook was selected as the first performer to be featured on Tidal Discovery. The New Music Seminar’s “Artist on the Verge” shot a “day in the life” video for the Jay Z led platform. The clip included Bizzy meditating at Los Angeles’ Runyon Canyon Park, visiting the office of the Young & Reckless fashion brand, and stopping by the studio to record new tracks.
AllHipHop.com spoke with Bizzy about being featured on Tidal Discovery, growing his brand as an indie performer, and what the future holds for the No Hard Feelings mixtape creator.
How did you get involved in the Tidal Discovery program?
Tidal reached out to my management. I think I was one of the first people to tweet about Tidal when it first launched. Somebody at the office that was familiar with my music passed it on. They heard the music, and they wanted me to do it.
As an indie artist, what do you see are the advantages of working with a company like Tidal?
The fact that it’s such a new company that somebody like Jay Z is still pushing. So a lot of people are going to tune in. It’s a great platform to get your music on. I went up to the Roc Nation office, and that’s where the Tidal office is. You get the best of both worlds. Tidal and the attention of the Roc Nation people too.
Bizzy in Y&R
In your mini-doc, you also visited Young & Reckless. What’s your relationship with that brand?
Drama and Keith, those are my guys. Those guys are hip. They catch a lot of stuff early. They always see the vision. Young & Reckless reached out to me about a year ago during last year’s BET Awards.
They had me model some things. Those guys know the culture, and they are very good at predicting what’s next. They’re with Post Malone now. Yeah, they know what they’re doing over there.
So for the Tidal Discovery documentary, we ran through the office, took some photos, and chopped it up with Drama. We’re definitely looking forward to doing some things.
You’ve done a good job building your brand independently. At this point do you have any interest in signing with a major?
I’m not opposed to it. But as far as signing just because? Nah, I’m not really interested in that. What I am interested in is continuing to build, and eventually finding a partner that sees the level we’re doing already and not change that. They just want to partner up and help us do bigger things.
That I’m all the way with, but right now we’re learning the game. We’re learning how things work. We do have a lot of great relationships with people at labels.
You recently released the new track “John Geiger.” Have you had the chance to meet him?
Me and John haven’t linked yet, but we’re definitely talking about doing a visual. Being an avid sneaker lover, John is somebody that’s important to the culture.
I did the “John Geiger” record initially just referring to the misplaced checks, but then we ended up chopping it up. We had a lot of things in common. It’s almost like what John is doing in the sneaker world, I want to do in the rap game. It’s like we’re underdogs.
I saw an interview where you said you wrote that song right after the XXL Freshman list came out. Some people were surprised you didn’t make it this year. Were you disappointed at the fact you weren’t picked?
I wasn’t disappointed. I felt like I just gotta step it up and go harder. I took that as motivation. I’m not one to get disappointed by not getting things my way. I’m more of the kind of guy to take that, flip it and just go harder.
When I didn’t make the Freshman cover, I said, “Okay.” If the Freshman list is about longevity and the future of Hip Hop that doesn’t change the fact this is my freshman year.
Speaking of the future, do you have plans to release another project anytime soon?
Absolutely, right now I’m working on a very special project. It’s called From Nothing Came Everything. This one right here is going to change everything. It’s going to put my mark on the game and give me the respect I deserve.
I’m planning on doing a lot of things with Tidal. They have a great platform for artists like me – like I said earlier – because of the fact that it’s a new company that Jay Z’s behind it, and he’s still actively pushing it. A lot of artists are behind it – Kanye, Rihanna.
So there’s a lot of attention on Tidal right now. It’s good for indie artists to upload their music on there, and they’ll have a very good chance of being heard. Just like I did. This all started with a tweet.
An alleged Bloods gang member appears to stand up in class and force his teacher to stop writing on an interactive board in blue pen, in a video posted online – apparently because it is the color of their arch-rivals the Crips.
High School Members Of The BLOODS GANG . . . Interrupt MATH TEACHER During Lesson . . . Force Him To ERASE All The BLUE NUMBERS On The BOARD . . . And Change Them To RED!! (SMH)
Meek Mill’s long awaited sophomore project, Dreams Worth More Than Money, is expected to land in the no. 1 spot of the Billboard 200. The album is projected to sell 200,000 equivalent album units its first week out, Billboard reports. His latest single from the LP, “All Eyes On You,” featuring Chris Brown and his bae Nicki Minaj debuted on The Hot 100 chart this week in the no. 81 slot.
This would be the MMG spitter’s first no. 1 album. His debut project, Dreams and Nightmares, debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart with 165,000 sold its first week.
Besides most likely having the no. 1 album, the Dreamchasers general also released his new mobile gaming app “Bike Life” where users can race through the streets of Philadelphia.
Kidd Kidd was arrested earlier this week on allegations that he strangled and assaulted a woman, Maurita Robinson, back in February. Now his lawyer, Scott Leemon, has released a statement saying that Robinson’s claims are bogus.
“The New York allegations are totally baseless,” Leemon said in a statement to XXL. “They were made 4 months later by a woman who has a history of making false allegations against Mr. Stewart. We are confident once the District Attorney’s office investigate the matter, Kidd Kidd will be vindicated.”
Kidd, real name Curtis Stewart, was arrested on June 30th at the Best Buy Theater. The New Orleans native was slated to hit the stage for the 2015 XXL Freshman Class concert but was put in handcuffs before he could hit the stage.
50 Cent uploaded an Instagram video yesterday (July 1) saying he was on his way to bail Kidd out of jail. His next court date is July 6th.
Chris Brown is fed up with the mother of his one-year-daughter, Nia Guzman, is summoning the help of a judge to deal with her. Breezy has filed documents in Houston, TX to establish his paternity over his daughter Royalty so he can have more paternal rights, TMZ reports.
The “Autumn Leaves” singer wants to fight Guzman’s effort to get $15,000 a month in child support. He is currently paying $2, 500 a month in child support and does not want to pay anything higher than that, as he sees the increase that Guzman wants as unreasonable. Brown wants a judge to set the figure. He also claims that she keeps him from seeing Royalty on a regular basis, which he wants a judge to address as well.
Beyonce released a new video, but not for an upcoming single.
Queen Bey remixed her “7/11” video to celebrate the Supreme Court making gay marriage legal in the United States on June 26th. In the 15-second clip, Yonce is decked in colorful wigs and rainbow garbs as a shout out to the gay community as she channels her goofy side once again to celebrate this milestone for same sex couples.
100% female but her flow goes harder than a lot of the fellas. If bars could kill, she feels we would be ordering a lot of coffins for the dead wannabe rappers of this new Hip-Hop generation. We haven’t heard fire like this in a while especially from a female. There are a lot of female rappers surfacing but not many have proved to own their spot. This is a track we feel Lil’ Kim, Nicki Minaj, and even Dej Loaf would appreciate.
The Chicago native, born to Nigerian parents made her way from the studios of the Southside to the red carpets of LA for the BET Awards Weekend 2015. She stunned the media with her bold presence and her thoughts on being a woman in Hip Hop. She is tough and beautiful and we foresee a bright future ahead for this merging lyricist.
“I’m leaving it all on the table, gloves are off. At this point, I don’t have anything to loose. “Lyrically, I am here to empower women who have no voice. I want to be the voice for the girl that feels she is defeated. I have been bullied and called ugly because I don’t fit Hollywood’s typical standards. I’ve been broke, hungry and overlooked. Now it’s my time! I’m taking matters into my own hands and creating the life I am meant to have regardless of what people think. It’s time to eat and I’m not wasting any leftovers.”
When asked her why she penned the line, “I’m a problem right? White man hate that I got my sh*t together.” Ceytra replied saying;
“We’re not the headlines you read in the newspaper or what you see on TV. Society doesn’t want to see black people rise; they want us to become and act like the stereotypes they label us to be.”
What is “The Statement”?
“It’s a movement; it’s whatever you want to tell the world. It’s your elevator pitch. Your ’15 seconds’ to be impactful. You don’t have to measure up to anybody standards but your own. You can’t lead from the sidelines. Now, what’s your statement? What do you want the world to know about you? What do you want to leave behind, your legacy?”
Check out Ceytra’s video for “The Statement” below!
Rachel Roy, Sanaa Lathan , Russell Simmons, John Wall and more attend All Def Comedy Live post BET Awards Weekend. All Def Comedy Live Presented by Celcius and Powered by The Brand Group has been named the hottest comedy show in the country.
Rachel Roy brought along her daughter Ava and sat next to super actress Sanaa Lathan. Also spotted was Sanaa Lathan’s father Stan sitting next to Sanaa enjoying the evening. Singer K. Michelle was in attendance, and is said to be filming her next season of her spin off show “My Life” on VH-1 about her transitioning and moving to Los Angeles. Everyone looked to be having an amazing time including superstar basketball player John Wall who came out to enjoy a few laughs with his friends.
Other celebrities in attendance included Lenny S, Malaysia, Bambi, Jennifer Williams, and Ace Hood.
Check out more photos from the event below. Photo Cred: Kass/Kenn for The Brand Group.
Produkt, the popular Puerto Rican rapper from Bronx releases his new EP “in·con·s###·u·ous”, which is now available for streaming and free download.
The word “S###” is a slur but he is flipping it into a powerful acronym, Spanish, People, In, Control. On the record he addresses the same issues that plague black people including police brutality. The cover conceals the identity of 4 children, which is a reflection of how many hispanics have to live with the lack of identity here in America. In America, hispanics are often referred to as a S###, a highly offensive term referring to a Spanish-speaking person from Mexico, Central or South America, Spain, or Portugal, by other races and ethnicities.
Atlanta rapper and T.R.U./Street Execs member Skooly, sits down with DJ Smallz and addresses the current status of the friction between him and fellow ATL rapper Rich Homie Quan, after dissing each other on records last summer.
(AllHipHop News) William “Rick Ross” Roberts is set to be a free man, according to TMZ. The website is reporting a judge in Fayette County, Georgia granted the Miami rapper a $2 million bond.
Ross paid off the amount by offering $1 million equity from his mansion formerly owned by boxer Evander Holyfield and another Georgia property as well as a $500,000 surety bond and $500,000 in cash.
The Maybach Music Group boss was arrested last week for allegedly assaulting and kidnapping a groundskeeper at his home. Jonathan Zamudio is claiming he suffered neck and mouth injuries from being dragged back into the house, beaten, and pistol whipped by Ross and his bodyguard.
