(AllHipHop News) Season2 of Love & Hip Hop Hollywood sparked a lot of discussion about homosexuality and homophobia in Hip Hop. The VH1 series featured the first two openly gay male cast members – Miles “Siir” Brock and Milan Christopher.
Milan recently did an interview with VladTV where he was asked to respond to previous comments made by Lord Jamar. The Brand Nubian emcee suggested homosexuals where not allowed in Hip Hop culture and individuals that identify as gay have a mental disease.
“It’s ironic, because if you follow the Hip Hop culture, where it comes from, and why it sprouted – for an oppressed person to try to oppress another person is kind of crazy to actually hear him say those things,” Milan replied.
He continued, “One of the things that was interesting about what [Jamar] was saying is the mental disease [comment]. That’s where I’m just… It’s hate. It’s a thin line between having an opinion about something and basically saying things that will make another person feel less than who you are.”
He went on to compare saying gay people have no place in Hip Hop is the same as saying people of other races or women have no place in Hip Hop. While he did not state he believes Drake is gay, Milan also offered the Toronto rhymer’s non-street approach to rapping as an example that a gay person could succeed in the genre. In addition, the reality star claimed he personally knows gay male rappers that choose to present themselves as straight to the public.
(AllHipHop News) Clifford “Tip” Harris (ATL, American Gangster) is once again pursuing his other gig as an actor. The Atlanta rapper has been named as a cast member for A+E Networks’ remake of Roots.
Tip (aka T.I.) will play the role of Cyrus. The character is described as a headstrong slave that joined the Union Army during the Civil War.
Veteran actor Mekhi Phifer (8 Mile, Divergent)has been cast as a mute slave named Jerusalem. Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Anika Noni Rose, Chad L. Coleman, Derek Luke, and others have already signed on for the four-part miniseries.
Will Packer (Ride Along, Straight Outta Compton) is listed as one of the executive producers. LeVar Burton – a lead star of the original 1976 Roots miniseries – is a co-executive producer.
The four episodes will be directed by Mario Van Peebles, Bruce Beresford, Phillip Noyce, and Thomas Carter, respectively. Grammy winner Questlove of The Roots has been hired to oversee the music.
The new adaptation of Roots is scheduled to premiere on A+E in 2016.
(AllHipHop News) According to reports, Nicki Minaj’s older brother has been arrested for raping a 12-year-old child. Jelani Maraj was arraigned in Long Island on first-degree rape and first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child. The 37-year-old’s bail was set at $100,000, and he was released from the Nassau County jail.
Nicki (born Onika Maraj)has yet to comment publicly about the arrest. The hit maker wrote about her brother on Instagram a few months ago when she posted about Jelani’s recent marriage. Minaj wrote:
I would cross the ocean for u. I would go & bring u the moon. Promise u. For u I will. I love my brother so much man. Can’t believe I cried during his wedding and his first dance like a punk. May God bless him and his union. Tonight has been one of my favorite nights of all time. I do anything to see my brothers smile.
(AllHipHop News) The sixth time was not the charm for Brooklyn’s Bobby Shmurda. The “Hot N*gga” performer’s bail application was denied once again by a Manhattan Supreme Court judge.
It was reported Shmurda (born Ackquille Pollard) was supposed to have a good chance of being released on $2 million bail after a bond package was presented that included his aunt’s four New York real estate properties and other family members working closely with a bondsman.
Shmurda has now spent over 350 days in jail since his arrest in December 2014. The now 21-year-old New Yorker was hit with conspiracy, drugs and weapons possession charges. Fellow GS9 rapper Rowdy Rebel and 13 other people were taken into custody as well. Shmurda’s next court date is scheduled for January 11.
(AllHipHop News) J. Cole is set to launch 2016 off with a special presentation on HBO. The North Carolina bred emcee’s Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming will air on the cable network on Saturday, January 9.
The showcase is being described as part concert film, part backstage pass. Viewers will get to see Cole perform all 13 songs from his platinum-selling album 2014 Forest Hills Drive. In addition, Roc Nation boss Jay Z and OVO rhymer Drake will make guest appearances.
After his performance piece debuts on HBO in January, Cole’s fans can then possibly expect another big reveal the following month. The Dreamville leader hinted on his recent release “Black Friday” that another project could be arriving in February.
J. Cole Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming was directed by Scott Lazer. Subscribers can watch the show on HBO, HBO GO, and HBO NOW.
(AllHipHop News) Bang Em Smurf is finally breaking down why his business relationship with Rick Ross fell through. According to the Queens native, he tried to connect an artist with Maybach Music Group, but for some reason communication between Smurf and Rozay broke down. Mikey T The Movie Star spoke with Smurf about his issues with the MMG boss.
“It was supposed to be a few things that were supposed to get done that didn’t get done. Ross gave me his word to do certain sh*t that didn’t get done,” said Smurf. “He might not have liked the little homie’s work ethic or whatever the situation might have been. It ain’t work out, but it’s like he broke ties with n*ggas after that.”
Smurf also claimed he did not receive any compensation for his contribution to Ross’ 2009 Gold album Deeper Than Rap. When they two crossed paths in Trinidad, Ross allegedly walked past Smurf without speaking.
“His word is no good,” added Smurf. “We ain’t mad. I’m doing excellent on my side. You see me shining.”
After many push backs and leaks, Jeremih finally treats fans with a stream of his long awaited “Late Nights” album. Features include Migos, Twista, Ty Dolla $ign, Future, Big Sean, YG, J Cole & Jhene Aiko. Purchase the album now on iTunes!
Listen below.
Check out Jeremih’s documentary series with Complex titled “F1RST” here.
The Holidays are here, and seeing as we are the Original Gangstas when it comes to the biggest, baddest and most glamorous trends in Hip Hop, an EMPIRE Holiday Gift Guide was a must do. Add to this that the folks at EMPIRE have been doing some bananas fashion and lifestyle collaborations, and it’s only right that we are letting you know what you need to get your EMPIRE Holiday on.
Whether your budget is too big to quit or small but seriously on point, these EMPIRE inspired holiday gifts are undeniably on fleek when it comes to holiday giving and receiving this December.
Starting high end like any Lyon should, Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the most traditional retailers of style couture has a startling array of gifts that are not only directly inspired by EMPIRE as a whole but on a character by character basis. Whether you are feeling some of that Cookie vibe or more of that Lucious swagger, ranging in prices starting at $72 all the way up to just under $4000, Saks has got you covered.
Saks Fifth Avenue Empire Gift Guide $72 – $3945
Going counterclockwise from the upper left hand side, the offerings are as follows:
Cookie: Jimmy Choo Lyonise Printed Calf Hair Knee High Boots at $1895. MCM Diamond Disco Small Leather Crossbody Bag for $965. Jewerly from Alexis Bittar. Clothing by Cushnie et Ochs.
Hakeem: Jimmy Choo Origami Leather and Embossed Suede High Top Sneakers for $477 down from 795. MCM Munich Lion Backpack for $792. Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette 3.4 oz for $72-$89. Clothing by Marcelo Burlon.
Andre: Bond No, 9 New York Wall Street for $220-$300. Jimmy Choo Embossed Star Leather Lace-Up Shoes at $895. Clothing by Hugo Boss.
Jamal: Jimmy Choo textured sneakers for $390 down from $650. MCM Visetos Round Reversible Belt for $295. Diptyque Tam Dao Eau de Parfum 2.5 oz at $145. Clothing by Vince.
Lucious: Jimmy Choo Patent Leather Monk-Strap Shoes for $825.00, Clive Christian No. 1 for men perfume spray for $856.00, clothing is an Isaia Double Breasted Check Italian Wool Suit for $3, 945.00
If Saks Fifth Avenue’s gifts have your heart but not your bank account, there is always Deborah Lippmann to the rescue with her limited edition Empire Gift Set of three striking nail colors with just the right amount of sexy shimmer and shine:
Deborah Lippmann Limited Edition Empire Gift Set $24
Available for $24.00 at both Sephora and Nordstrom’s this trio has just the right kind of bling to carry over into the New Year and beyond.
Finally if you want to take a freestyle walk on the wild side, the sky’s the limit with it comes to avant fashion brand HOOD BY AIR and their specially dedicated EMPIRE line. Last winter, HBA designer Shayne Oliver fell so hard for EMPIRE and actress Taraji P. Henson that he used a loop of Cookie’s vocals as the music for his February fashion show. News of the tribute got back to EMPIRE’s powers that be and a cutting edge fashion collaboration was born…. just in time for the holidays.
Hood By Air News Dress $120
Hood By Air Snitchin Tee $100
Hood By Air Victory M### $200
Hood By Air Mother LS Tee $120
With all of these goodies and more available on Hood By Air’s Website https://www.hoodbyair.com/, here at AHH as an added bonus we’re giving away two specially crafted Hood By Air EMPIRE yuletide gift bags for two lucky AHH readers. Details to come shortly on how to win that extra AHH/Hood By Air/EMPIRE Xmas booty.
On Twitter, Chief Keef said the following and then deleted it.
“We need to kill all Law Enforcement!” Y’all down? F*** it! Time to make the world end.”
“Why did they shoot that little boy down like that? On the side walk! I couldn’t even watch it.”
“Aye @BarackObama Man What U Gonna Do About This Man? For real I don’t like it I didn’t say anything about anything else but this isn’t right.”
The fact that he deleted the tweets, suggests that he is not ready to end the world or ride on cops. But, it is pretty cool that he is really set to FEEL SOMETHING about what is going on in the world. Peep the tweets below.
By now I’m entirely convinced that the various hospitals of Atlanta are in total cahoots with each other in their practices in the dark arts. Obviously Atlanta is a populous place with a lively culture, but that still doesn’t seem to account ridiculous amount of talent the city seems to produce on a steady basis. I’ve never really cared for Illuminati-esque conspiracy talk, and honestly feel that if you are willing to spend hours and hours of your time rewinding music video clips in the attempt to prove that some rapper’s random hand gesture is evidence of evil, then you should be sent required to play for the 76ers in eternal damnation. But not even I can deny that doctors in Hotlanta are clearly giving newborns some illegal antidote…no Travis Scott.
The latest talent to join the never-ending ATLien galaxy Killer Mike-Cyhi the Prynce-Soulja Boy-Jeezy-Future-Outkast-B.o.B-Gucci Mane-Rae Sremmurd-Young Dro-Cee Lo Green-K Camp-Rich Homie Quan-Migos-T.I.-2 Chainz-Bubba Sparxxx (ok I’ll stop) is Atlanta’s own Apollo. If your interweb game is strong, you may already know that Apollo is one half of superHERO, a crew I wrote about a few months ago in this very column upon the release of their surprisingly solid The Middle album. I originally wrote:
Beyond the pizzazz effect (after all, what really is pizzazz?) superHero are brashly pushing the boundaries on what hip hop can be by ushering in an extra level of aggression to make their beats all the more engaging, and furthermore, inspiring. With The Middle, essentially, superHero have optimized their lyrical content and implementation of hooks to put together a package the world has yet to witness. There is something strangely gravitational about what superHero do on The Middle, making for some of the most enjoyable hip hop I’ve heard this year.
(I’m posting this video again because this was my jam for a cool second, and also, it’s my column and I can do whatever the f### I want).
Historically, the problem with duos that never really blow up is that the crew itself is identifiable, but the members themselves are not. Outkast is a perfect example of a group with two charismatic members who everyone knows. Like a tried, true, and wise ATLien, Apollo is avoiding that common pitfall by really giving the world an introduction to himself with The Otherside: An Art Exhibit a solo dolo expenditure…no Cudi, and especially not the wack ass version with Kendrick. But I digress.
By far my favorite component of the Apollo experience is just how evident it is that he is a true student of the game. At times he pulls from his bigger brothers Andre 3000 and Big Boi, and at other times he elects for a Kanye feel. Of course the ignorant will disagree, but the artist who truly studies the craft and pulls from so many disparate directions ultimately ends up creating something wholly original. And just superHERO’s The Middle pushed the boundaries of hip hop to ingenious places at times, Apollo is once again not only that his artistry cannot be handcuffed to genre-labels but even in the immensely crowded talent pool of ATL, the 21 year old is demanding attention.
Let’s face it, deep down everyone wants at least one time to tell their homies “MC ____ is about to blow!” and then finally watch it happen. Something tells me you would be making a wise bet with Apollo. I don’t always use the phrase “this s### goes” but…well, just play track 6 “Rolling” and decide for yourself.
And lucky for us, Apollo isn’t stingy. You can stream and download the entire record below.
Still fresh off the release his recent solo project Flexin’ On Purpose, and even fresher off the Thanksgiving release of his collaborative EP with iLoveMakoneen, Rich The Kid has linked up with Audiomack to unload some fresh new heat for the holiday season.
Stopping by #AudiomackStudios, the buzzmaking Atlanta artist, Quality Control affiliate and DAB professional asks where the mack is over some whip-ready production from producers T-GUT and Electric Bodega. You can catch Rich The Kid at the top of next year as part of 300 Entertainment’s Young Hustle Tour, which kicks off January 15th Houston.
Kanye West allegedly has a sex tape with a Kim Kardashian lookalike. Rumor has it that Ye paid millions to keep it a secret. According to Radar Online: West used part of his $130 million fortune to prevent the release of a pretty raunchy sex tape of him and a Kim K stunt double.
A source told Radar,
“A Hollywood businessman who brokered other sex tapes with celebrities successfully negotiated the deal. Kanye was very relieved! It would have been a disaster had it ever been released. ”
Apparently the video is 20 minutes long and shows West with an unidentified 18-year-old woman having intercourse. The video was allegedly shot shortly before West and Kardashian started dating. There have been rumors also that a second 40-minute tape could be exposed. Uh oh Yeezy.
After the release of “Royalty” featuring Big Sean and Future and most recently a smoker’s anthem titled “Pass Dat,” we still continue to wait for an official release date for Late Nights: The Album. With that said, more music continues to hit the e-streets as the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted single off his impending project surfaces.
(AllHipHop News) Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs reunited with his “Bad Boy Family” at the 2015 BET Awards. The event featured Puffy bringing out Ma$e, Faith Evans, Lil Kim, 112, The Lox, and others for a melody of the record label’s biggest hits. According to one of the artists to hit the stage that night, Puff & The Family will head out on tour in early 2016.
“We’re actually leaving on tour with Puff. I think [it starts] the end of February for two months. It’s going to be dope,” The Lox’s Sheek Louch tells AllHipHop.com. “[Puff Daddy is] putting it together. I think he’s making the announcement soon – the ‘No Way Out Tour.'”
Sheek did not reveal which specific acts will be part of the trek. However, more information about the tour is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Puff Daddy is planning to drop a sequel to his 1997 debut album No Way Out next year. The Harlem mogul released his MMM mixtape in November. The project included appearances by The Family members Lil Kim, Jadakiss, and Styles P.
While his Lox comrades were featured on MMM, Sheek was not able to contribute to the free digital download. The “What’s On Your Mind” rapper explained why his voice was left off Puffy’s lead-up project to No Way Out 2.
“We talked about that. Puff said, ‘I called you first.’ Every time he called, he said, ‘Louch, I need you to come out here and get on this album.’ I said, ‘Damn Puff, I leave for Canada for two months tomorrow morning,'” Sheek states. “He called me again. I said, ‘Damn, I’ll be in Australia, then New Zealand, then Hong Kong.’ I’ve been touring like crazy. But he damn sure called me several times. Salute to Puff. I wish I could have been part of that joint.”
Sheek Louch’s own album Silverback Gorilla 2 is set for release on Friday, December 4. Read AllHipHop’s full interview with Sheek here.
Adding to the cannon of popularized dismissal, Ziico Niico taps Bigg Base for “Go Home Roger.” These Bronx natives team up and successfully deliver a catchy tune and fun video. Riding the respect earned from their respective mixtapes I’m With Heem and Live & Learn, they strive to ensure that FlossCityHD will stand the test of time.
AllHipHop.com has partnered with tastemaker Mali Hunter and Fancy.com to bring you a curated evening of music, holiday spirit and fun. We invite bloggers, tastemakers, DJs and you a night open bar, food, music, VIP gifting suite and a unique holiday shopping event like no other. The Holiday House will be presenting the best goods across fashion, gadgets, interiors, art, jewelry. The night will present exclusive product launches. special events and performances and a special appearance by Caribbean Pop star Barbee .
There will also be an exclusive unveiling of the new Tesla Powerwall Home Battery and check out the newest Tesla Model S!
(AllHipHop News) Duck Down Music is celebrating its 20 year anniversary tonight (December 3) at New York City’s B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. The event will feature interviews and performances by the indie label’s roster of artists including Boot Camp Clik, Buckshot, Smif N Wessun, Black Moon, Da Beatminerz, O.G.C, and Rock of Heltah Skeltah.
The Juan Epstein podcast hosts Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds are serving as narrators for the evening. Guest appearances from Pharoahe Monch, 9th Wonder, Skyzoo, Torae, Marco Polo, Ruste Juxx, Chelsea Reject, Raz Fresco, and more are expected to take place. There will also be a tribute to the late Sean Price.
Tickets for the Duck Down Music 20 Year Anniversary event are available at Ticketmaster. Fans in attendance will receive an exclusive commemorative poster designed by Tanboy Arte.
Lil’ Wayne’s ex-wife and side chicks aren’t the only ones clowning Christina Milian. One of Lil’ Wayne’s baby mamas, Sarah Vivan, told Charlamagne Tha God that she feels like Milian is delusional. She says she’s confused about why Christina is so surprised, because she didn’t know that Wayne’s on and off fiancee’, Dhea, was an ex. Charlamange sends a message to Christina. He told her,
“Christina if you want in, you have to have a baby by Lil’ Wayne.”
It really seems as if no one took Christina or their relationship serious including Lil’ Wayne (and his cheating). Lil’ Tunechi has all of the women. Lil’ Wayne’s ex wife Toya Wright had a lot to say about Milian on social media also, alluding to the fact that she is delusional. Everyone has been letting ‘Tina have it about crying over Lil’ Wayne on television. Toya called their “relationship” a hot mess last year as, Milian has a child with The-Dream who also has children with Nivea. Wayne and Nivea have a child together as well.
Louisiana bred R&B singer Damar Jackson returned to his home state to film the new visuals for his remix of “Understand Me.” The music video for Jackson’s version of Johnny Cinco’s hit was shot in New Orleans by Cinemadona. Listeners can be on the lookout for more tunes from the K Camp associate in the near future.
Watch AllHipHop.com’s premiere of Damar Jackson’s “Understand Me Remix” below.
