A$AP Rocky and Wiz Khalifa are joining forces to invade Europe for their 16 Day Trip Tour. Kicking off October 13th, Pretty Flacko and the Taylor Gang captain will be performing in London, Manchester, Amsterdam, Paris and then wrap up in Brussels on Oct. 28th.
The two have toured together before on Wiz’s annual Under the Influence Tour back in 2013.
Peep the tour dates below to see when you can catch them hitting the stage.
The Game made an appearance in court on Monday (June 29) to face charges stemming from the fight he had with an off-duty cop back in March. The Compton rep has been charged with a felony count of making criminal threats and one count misdemeanor count of assault and battery, Page Six reports.
Game, born Jayceon Taylor, pleaded not guilty. He is currently free on $50,000 bail and could face three years in prison if convicted.
While playing a game of basketball at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, Game didn’t agree with a foul call against him. He then allegedly angrily approached a man, not knowing he was an off-duty police officer, and punched him.
Game is due back in court on July 30th.
Our west coast Rep DJ Hustle caught up with DJ Mustard on the Red Carpet at The BET Awards. DJ Mustard is working on music with RJ, Mustard producing YG’s new album. DJ Mustard says we out here working.
Method Man is gearing up to release his fifth solo album, The Meth Lab, and has released the tracklist and the cover art. The 17-track effort is jam packed with features from Wu-Tang brethren Raekwon, Inspectah Deck along with Hanz On, who appears on 10 tracks, Uncle Murda, Cory Gunz and fellow Staten Island rep Mack Wilds. The Meth Lab hits stores Aug. 21st.
Peep the cover and tracklist below.
1. Intro
2. The Meth Lab (feat. Hanz On, Streetlife)
3. Straight Gutta (feat. Redman, Hanz On, Streetlife)
4. Bang Zoom (feat. Hanz On, Streetlife, Eazy Get Rite)
5. 50 Shots (feat. Mack Wilds, Streetlife, Cory Gunz)
6. The Pledge (Hanz On, Streetlife)
7. 2 Minutes of Your Time
8. Worldwide (feat. Hanz On, Uncle Murda, Chedda Bang)
9. Soundcheck (feat. Hanz On, Carlton Fisk)
10. Water (feat. Chedda Bang)
11. Lifestyles (Cardi, Eazy Get Rite, Freaky Marciano)
12. The Purple Tape (feat. Raekwon, Inspectah Deck)
13. Intelligent Meth (feat. Masta Killa, Streetlife, iNTeLL)
14. Symphony (feat. Hanz On, Streetlife, Kash Verrazano, Carlton Fisk, Killa Sin)
15. What You Getting Into (feat. Streetlife, Donny Cash)
16. Another Winter (feat. Hanz On, Streetlife, Carlton Fisk)
17. Rain All Day (feat. Hanz On, Dro Pesci)
18. So Staten (feat. Hanz On, Hue Hef)
19. Outro
Photo credit: Instagram
“My girl @lilkimthequeenbee killed it last night #BadBoyFAMILYtour #ComingtoaCityNearYou #WeLikeHavingFun.” – Diddy
Yesterday (June 29), in a caption accompanying an Instagram post, Diddy alluded to a Bad Boy Reunion tour. A photo was snapped of an upright Diddy as he performed alongside the Queen Bee herself, Lil Kim.
During his performance at the 2015 BET Awards, Diddy, after eventually recovering from falling down the “boobie trapped” stage. Following his minor performance faux pas, Diddy offered his explanation of “getting so loose” for the reason he fell.
How would a Bad Boy Family tour fare in today’s market?
In part two of AllHipHop.com’s exclusive interview with Russell “Block” Spencer, the CEO of Block Entertainment discusses a couple of reality television programs he has in the works. One of which is set to feature a former star of the hit show Scandal.
The cousin of TDE founder Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith also gives his opinion on another breakout TV series. Fox’s Hip Hop drama Empire centers around a successful music executive, so with a résumé that includes jump starting the thriving careers of Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, and Ciara, Block is an ideal person to comment on the authenticity of the smash series.
While television looks to be in Spencer’s future, the Atlanta-based mogul still has his hands in the music business as well. The tides of the industry are rapidly shifting from purchasing CDs/downloading MP3’s to streaming music via platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Pandora. Block addresses how this transition is affecting the artists creating the content.
Rightfully or wrongfully, Atlanta has kind of gotten this reputation for reality shows. With you having so much insight into the business and having so many connections, have you ever thought about doing your own reality show?
We have two reality shows right now that I’m in negotiations with. One of them is with Columbus Short called Coming Up Short. It’s not going to be a lot of bullsh*t drama. It’s going to be showing how Block Ent is rebuilding the brand for music and new artists.
Then I’m doing the Rebuilding Hip-Hop Block By Block reality show. I go around to untapped markets, and I’m doing a talent search/documentary. I’m going to pick new artists to be on my album.
They’ll have a chance to be on a major motion picture soundtrack or in the movie. They’ll have a chance to sign with a major label. I’m going to film all of that.
My mom is from Atlanta, and my dad’s from Watts. Me and Top Dawg at TDE are relatives on my pop’s side. So culturally, I was raised in both [cities]. I went to Washington High in L.A., and I went to Decatur High in Atlanta. I came up around Hosea Williams as well.
Before Hosea died, he came to the studio with me and just talked. I have a whole bunch of stuff with Hosea. I have a whole bunch of stuff with Andrew Young.
So culturally, I don’t get involved with the drama reality shows. My daughter’s mother [former Xscape singer Kandi Burruss] is on Real Housewives of Atlanta. They’ve been trying to get me on there for years. I will not do it.
Why is that?
I’m too real. Anything could pop off with me. [laughs] I’m too real to go through that drama. It’s hard to break old habits. I can’t fake it. I just don’t see the reality of that when it comes to my brand and me personally. I don’t knock it, but me dealing with “drama” reality shows – that will never happen.
Did you follow Empire?
Yes and no. But I love the show.
As a label CEO, what are your thoughts on the “inside industry” theme that was presented on that show?
Coming out of the streets, coming out of raising my kids – that sh*t is 85% real. I don’t think the money’s real. The hundreds of millions of dollars isn’t real, but the chances and the springboards that come along with it is real.
Could you make $100 million in the music business? Yes, but the music business is sick now. I think people use the music to promote what they have going on. So just straight music? Hell no. But having chances to get sponsors or start another company to generate money? Yes.
What do you think about the “streaming wars” between Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, etc? A lot of people feel like that is where the music business is headed, because people don’t buy CDs anymore.
That streaming sh*t is killing us. People really need to understand how artists are being paid. Streaming equals pennies. I guess the logic of it all is okay. People are going to steal anyway, so we would rather have pennies than nothing.
My label deal is with Sony/RCA, but it’s non-exclusive. At first when I was with Atlantic for 12 years, I couldn’t go anywhere. I couldn’t do sh*t. But now, I can go anywhere.
I was in a meeting about six months ago. Some of these artists and labels are not even putting their sh*t on streaming. You can’t stream a lot of albums. So I think streaming is really f*cking us.
Spotify only pays out $0.00225 per stream. How do you make any money off of that?
You can’t. You can’t eat off that. Them cats out of Houston and The Bay kind of started off not needing labels. Too $hort, Spice 1, you come down to Paul Wall and his crew – California and Texas artists don’t need a label. If they can work a single off radio, they got tour money.
Just like the people in the Caribbean. My artist Kris Kelli is Jamaican. She was on the Reggae scene for a while. She told me how Caribbean folk can go on tour and make money all over the world.
So once you get one record to go, f*ck record sales. You’re going to get paid. Artists don’t really make money anyway, because they never recoup. All they need is one good record. You can get your own radio team and work your record.
Now that social media made the world smaller, it’s needed. If you have 10 million people following you and you tell your followers to go buy my single, I guarantee you 10,000 out of 10 million are going to go get your single.
It was the 2000’s when the war started between record labels and artists. Record labels felt like “We’re spending $500,000 -$600,000 to get you up and running, but we can’t make no money because you ain’t selling. You’re making money because you have a single or two and you’re touring.”
So I can see how both sides are looking at it, but record labels don’t have all the control like they used to. They used to have them, but now – we don’t care about no record labels.
You’ve had the opportunity to be in this business a long time, and you’ve been very successful. What do you think are the keys to maintaining that long-term success in the music business?
I’m very spiritual. I’m Muslim. I put God first, because I know that I didn’t get here by myself. There’s people who helped me get where I’m at. I think when people not only think that way, but live that way, you’ll naturally evolve.
Follow Russell “Block” Spencer on Twitter @bigblockesc and Instagram @bigblockesc.
Read part one of AllHipHop.com’s interview with Block here.
(AllHipHop News) Over the last five years, Odd Future’s reach in entertainment has been undeniable. From music and television shows to festivals and radio stations, the California collective cemented an impressive mark on the culture.
Which is why it came as a shock when OFWGKTA frontman Tyler, The Creator suggested in May the crew was “no more.” Tyler went on Ebro In The Morning to address his perceived eulogy of Odd Future. He told the radio show there is no beef. It’s just everyone is now doing their own thing.
AllHipHop.com recently spoke with another act that sprang from OF – The Internet. The band’s co-founder Matt Martians (along with Syd) discussed his comrade’s statements.
“I watched Tyler’s interview with Hot 97. Basically, what he meant is that we don’t hang out everyday,” says Matt. “That’s literally what he means. If Earl [Sweatshirt] saw Tyler today, they would give each other the biggest hug.”
Matt insists there are no hard feelings among the members of OFWGKTA, but the producer does acknowledge Odd Future affiliates have broken off into separate camps.
“It’s a badge. It’s a great thing. Everything has to move on. Everything has to have closure,” Matt states. “I think what rose from that is what really matters. A lot of great careers spawned from that, and a lot of great careers will continue to spawn from that.”
It may be hard for some fans to hear that OF is not moving as a single unit like it may have in the past, but the artists continue to create work. The Internet’s third studio LP Ego Death arrived this week. It appears Frank Ocean is set to drop his next project in the near future. Both Tyler and Earl released albums in 2015 as well.
Matt sees Tyler’s announcement as a vital moment for the group of friends. He also recognizes the Cherry Bomb rhymer is a very calculated person.
“I think it was important for Tyler to say that. I know Tyler. Tyler is very smart. He knew what he was doing. He needed to say it,” adds Matt.
Read The Internet’s full AllHipHop.com interview here.
Photo credit: Instagram
Recently, while in L.A. for the 2015 BET Awards, Tink disclosed which three female MCs that she most respects. The Illinois lyricist explained that Lauryn Hill, MC Lyte, and Salt N Pepa, are the chosen wordsmiths who have earned that distinction, this according to HipHopWired.
Although Tink was included within the 2015 XXL Freshman Class, before she drops her album, Think Tink, which is scheduled for a Fall release, she plans to continue to fortify her brand. “I’m big on timing. I want people to know who I am before I just drop an album out the blue,” she explains.
How will Tink impact Hip-Hop?
(AllHipHop News) Britney Spears’ new song “Pretty Girls” was supposed to be the single that once again established her as a chart topper. The track featured Iggy Azalea, and the duo performed it at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards.
Even with two Pop stars and a national performance, “Pretty Girls” barely cracked the Top 30 on the Hot 100, and the song fell out of the Top 40 in just three weeks. Why did the song perform so poorly? Iggy took to Twitter to give her opinion.
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Those tweets led to numerous media outlets running articles claiming Iggy blamed Britney Spears and her team for “Pretty Girls” not moving up the charts. The Australia native took issue with the press reaction to her statements and returned to social media to address the firestorm.
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Atlanta R&B singer and Noon Time/Love Life member, Malachiae, sits down with DJ Smallz and reveals how he linked with R&B producer Jasper Cameron (August Alsina “Kiss My Tattoos”, Tinashe featuring Future “How Many Times”, Ciara “Body Party”, Lloyd “Girls Around The World”) and discusses his record label situation.
(AllHipHop News) The 2015 Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list is not out yet, but the publication may have given an indication of which rappers will be high on that list. That’s because Forbes has released its “Celebrity 100: The World’s Top-Paid Entertainers” list, and a few Hip Hop representatives are among the elite mentioned.
Diddy (#21, $60 M), Jay Z (#28, $56 M), Drake (#54, $39.5 M), Dr. Dre (#73, $33 M), Pharrell Williams (#78, $32 M), and Eminem (#82, $31 M) made the list of extremely wealthy famous people. Other notable entertainers included Beyoncé at #29 with $54.5 million, Bruno Mars at #52 with $40 million, Kevin Hart at #95 with $28.5 million, and Jennifer Lopez at #95 with $28.5 million.
Floyd Mayweather topped the list. The boxing champion made $300 million. He was followed by his recent opponent Manny Pacquiao at number two with $160 million. Fellow sports stars LeBron James (#18, $65 M), Kevin Durant (#30, $54 M), Tiger Woods (#37, $50.5 M), Ndamukong Suh (#57, $38.5 M), Derrick Rose (#69, $34 M), and Carmelo Anthony (#86, $30.5 M) are part of the tally as well.
To see the full list visit forbes.com.
(AllHipHop News) For a few days, Sean “Diddy” Combs (aka Puff Daddy) managed to change the topic of the news cycle from his arrest at UCLA to his performance at the BET Awards, but the discussion about the alleged assault has not gone away. The Associated Press spoke with Diddy’s son Quincy Brown on the award show’s red carpet, and the actor/singer was asked about the incident at his younger brother’s school.
“Hiccups happen in life. You push that to the side. You worry about that later,” said Brown. “That’s why we’re here right now just enjoying the BET Awards. We come every year. We’re supporting the family, supporting my dad. And my dad’s got a big performance this year.”
Quincy’s birth parents are model Kimberly Porter and R&B singer Al B. Sure!. The now 24-year-old was raised by Combs since a young age and was reportedly adopted by the Bad Boy Records founder.
Diddy was arrested last week on charges of assault and making terrorist threats. The Hip Hop mogul is accused of attacking UCLA’s Sal Alosi after the football team’s strength and conditioning coordinator allegedly singled out Diddy’s other son Justin Combs.
Photo Credit: Instagram
How you gonna have a Best Actor award, and give it to Terrence Howard, and not even mention Omari Hardwick? Motherf*k BET! – 50 Cent
On Sunday night (June 28), Hip-Hop exec turned business entrepreneur, 50 Cent, vehemently vented his frustrations with the 2015 BET Awards. “It’s a damn shame what happened to the BET Awards. Fox bought the whole godd*mn show,” asserts Fif in a recently surfaced YouTube video.
Serving as an executive producer for the Starz series, Power, the Queens rapper has an invested interest in Omari Hardwick, who portrays James “Ghost” St. Patrick on the emerging drama. Fif appeared vexed that Terrence Howard snagged the BET Award for Best Actor. Howard, is a proven thespian who now depicts, Luscious Lyons, on the Fox Network musical drama, Empire.
Check out the quick clip to find out who else was mentioned in the “Hate It Or Love It” rapper’s scathing critique.
Goldsmith samples Obama’s performance of Amazing Grace at Reverend Pinckney’s memorial service. The entire song was built within 24 hours following Reverend Pinckney’s funeral. Found That Grace is produced by a seventeen year-old Nico Fazio and assisted by Grammy award winning producer Don Cheegro, on the keys and bass. Suzanne Sheer is a singer/song-writer from Pittsburgh who went to high school with Goldsmith and lives in the same neighborhood as him in Philadelphia. Let me know if this is something you can support!
(AllHipHop News) The Game tapped a lineup of heavy hitting producers for his upcoming album The Documentary 2. In addition to Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, DJ Premier, Alchemist, and Mike Will Made It, the West Coast rhymer worked with Scott Storch.
Storch has been in the news lately for things other than music. According to reports, the veteran producer filed for bankruptcy. Game was asked about his collaborator’s financial situation during an interview with Hot 97.
“You can’t believe everything you read. You know Scott Storch ain’t broke,” said Game. “They were saying Suge was broke. He’s still out here driving a Bugatti. Sometimes people file for bankruptcy because they don’t want to pay people back. I might file. I owe a few people.”
Watch Game’s interview below.
New York Native, La’Saye Hommes is coming for his. Incorporating dope fashion with art, music, and fly visuals, it’s safe to say his movement is on the rise. As a street-style model, he’s worked creatively and completed editorials for clothing brands such as REPRESENT, ADYN, and was also featured on HYPEBEAST for Oliver New York’s 2014 collection. However, it doesn’t stop there…
La’Saye is also founder and one fourth of a collective group called “WANG”, which stands for “We Are the New Generation.” WANG is a movement consisting of producers,engineers and artists, TheMusic, K$D, and of course, La’Saye Hommes. He has recently debuted and co-directed his first music video titled “Send For You”, which was also featured on Kanyetothe.com, who labeled him “The Prince of New York”.
Watch below.
As Gucci Mane’s new album “Trapology” is set to be released July 1st, Guwop unleashes two new tracks from the vaults with “Parking Lot” featuring Snoop Dogg & “Young N#####” featuring Fetty Wap & Jadakiss. Take a listen below. #FREEGUWOP
(AllHipHop News) It has been a big week for MMG rapper Meek Mill. The DreamChasers Records founder released his sophomore studio album Dreams Worth More Than Money, and he performed at the 2015 BET Awards.
Meek’s successful seven-day run also includes the launch of his new mobile gaming app Bike Life. Mobile gaming development company iM3 partnered with Meek for the dirt bike-themed game.
Bike Life is set in Meek’s hometown of Philadelphia.Users will experience racing through the urban landscapes of the city, while evading and mocking the police. The game also features challenging obstacles such as going through oil slicks and performing extreme bike stunts. Players will have the ability to compete against other mobile users, collect coins and other rewards to enhance their character’s bike gear, wardrobe and more.
“The release of Bike Life with DreamChasers and iM3 Gaming Studios will take all my fans and mobile gamers through my colorful life as a rider while listening to my new album,” said Meek Mill. “Our goal was to incorporate animation and music to enhance the emotional connection of each move within the game, and provide an experience of the street bike life culture.”
Besides having two versions of Meek, Bike Life has famous characters like Nicki Minaj, Omelly, Monster Energy bike rider Chino, and others. iM3 is scheduled to incorporate additional characters from the street riding community along with other celebrities. Every two months the game will program more cities that represent the riding culture and areas that Mill has visited.
“Our team has focused on partnering with influential individuals like Mill to develop mobile gaming concepts that are authentic to their lives and brands,” said Christopher McMillian, CEO of iM3 Gaming Studios. “We learned Meek was an active mobile gamer and enthusiast, so we found it to be a great opportunity to present a concept and platform that combines all of his passions, talents and daily elements for a glimpse of Meek’s world.”
Bike Life is now available through iTunes, Google Play and the Windows Phone Store.
Photo by Vincent Sandoval WireImage/ Getty Images
After Chris Brown climbed into Karrueche’s car a few weeks ago, she decided she wasn’t going to take any chances with craziness as she hired security guards to escort her at the BET Awards. Chris and his antics are a bit much, but it’s still ironic because the reason she’s at the BET Awards is because……. well Chris birthed her “career”.
Photo by Michael Tran FilmMagic/ Getty Images
K. Michelle made up with one fellow R&B singer (at the 2015 BET Awards) only to fall out with another. Unity was being promoted as K. Michelle and Tamar Braxton finally put their differences aside and performed together Saturday night alongside legend Patti LaBelle. All seemed well until K learned that Coko of SWV had retweeted a fan’s tweet that said only she should sing Patti’s songs. K wasted no time pointing out Coko’s flaws and reminding her that this time around she wasn’t asked to sing. What about the unity?! Maybe Coko shouldn’t have retweeted it. Retweeting and reposting is basically agreeing most of the time.