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A$AP Rocky Discovered “At.Long.Last.A$AP” Beat From Random Internet Search (VIDEO)

(AllHipHop News) For any up-and-coming producers looking to get placement with a major artist, you may want to start (or continue) posting your beats to YouTube with a famous name attached. Especially if you’re looking to get A$AP Rocky to possibly rap on one of your tracks.

[ALSO READ: A$AP Rocky Leads The Sales Pack]

The Harlem rhymer revealed in an interview with Hot 97 that he discovered one of the tracks from his latest album At.Long.Last.A$AP through that method. Rocky appeared on the Ebro In The Morning Show with collaborator Joe Fox to talk about the project.

“‘Fine Whine’ was something that I typed on the Internet. I typed my name, ‘A$AP Rocky type beat,'” stated the A$AP Mob frontman. “We left the studio, went to the hotel in the morning. I typed that in, found it, and I said, ‘This beat is crazy.’ Took it to the studio, recorded it.”

Rocky does not remember what the beat was named at the time he unearthed it, but once he found the track he had THC co-produce the final version. The album cut also features appearances by Fox, M.I.A., and Future.

[ALSO READ: A$AP Rocky Features Former Homeless Performer Joe Fox On “A.L.L.A.” Album Five Times]

Watch A$AP Rocky’s interview  and listen to “Fine Whine” below.

Lil B Curse Real? James Harden Sets NBA Record For Turnovers In Playoff Loss!

Lil B showed up to game 5 of the Western Conference Finals and cooked up a curse for James Harden.  Harden set a playoff record for turnovers in a game with 13. That’s also his jersey number. Unrelated? Maybe..

https://youtu.be/X0bGHA-LO30

Kendrick Lamar Lands His First #1 Single

(AllHipHop News) For many Hip Hop fans Kendrick Lamar has already released back-to-back classic albums with good kid, m.A.A.d. city and To Pimp A Butterfly. The latter LP was also his first #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, and K. Dot has now scored his first #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as well.

[ALSO READ: Kendrick Lamar Has Six Songs From “To Pimp A Butterfly” Debut On The Hot 100]

Kendrick appears as a guest feature on the single version of Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood.” The track landed in the pole position on the Hot 100, making it the first time the TDE rapper is credited on the top record in the country.

Previously, Kendrick peaked at #8 as part of the posse cut “F*ckin’ Problems” by A$AP Rocky. “Swimming Pools (Drank)” holds the record for Kendrick’s best showing on the Hot 100 as a lead artist. The song reached as high as 17.

[ALSO READ: Kendrick Lamar & Taylor Swift Shout Out Each Other’s Songs (AUDIO/VIDEO)]

Watch Taylor Swift’s video for “Bad Blood” featuring Kendrick Lamar below.

EXCLUSIVE: Skyzoo Releases Statement After Being Stopped By NYPD Following Chinx’s Funeral

Photo By Robert Adam Mayer

(AllHipHop News) Brooklyn resident Skyzoo was one of the attendees at Lionel “Chinx” Pickens’ funeral services on Tuesday. According to the “Luxury” rapper, the evening ended with a harassing encounter with New York City police officers.

[ALSO READ: Chinx Laid To Rest In Queens; French Montana & Other Rappers In Attendance (VIDEO)]

Sky first addressed the incident on his Instagram page, but he followed that with a full statement released to AllHipHop.com. Check out Skyzoo’s IG post and read his full statement on the matter below.

Stay woke out here y'all. Smh. #NeverWasComfortableAroundCops #NeverWillBe

A photo posted by Skyzoo (@skyzoothewriter) on

Knowing where we are in this country nowadays, it didn’t surprise me, but still trapped me in emotions as I was pulled over and harassed by plainclothes cops, around the corner from a funeral procession mind you.

As I left my man Chinx’ funeral in Queens, I got in my car and proceeded to pull off of the block, and within seconds, I was boxed in by three trucks, all hitting their lights and sirens at the same time. Officers resembling Jimmy McNulty hopped out of each truck, yanked open the driver and passenger side doors (never mind that I was alone, no passenger in sight), demanding my driver’s license and asking where I was coming from and what I was doing in the neighborhood, while looking inside the doors and under the seats of the car.

I obliged and answered all their questions, biting my tongue and keeping my responses PC throughout the duration of the ordeal. They grilled me, grilled my license, grilled me, grilled my license, repeatedly. Asked where I lived and I responded “I live where it says on my license, Brooklyn.”

I then thought to myself, “F*ck, was that response too snappy? Is duke gonna pull out and aim at me for responding the way I did? Are they gonna cuff me on some sort of bullsh*t insubordination?”

Luckily, they either ignored or made light of the comment and said, “You look like someone we’re searching for. It’s not you though. You’re free. Get out of here.” I drove off without thinking twice.

I dwelled on the fact that he said “you’re free,” when clearly I’m not. Clearly, dressed in a button down and tie, coming from a funeral, around the corner from the church, I looked like whomever they’re looking for.

Nah, I’m just brown, and that’s all that matters in 2015. Same as 2005, same as 1995, and so on. So clearly, I’m not free. And if you resemble me in race and gender, you sadly aren’t either. Stay woke out here. They’re making it a wasteland for us indeed. No typo.

[ALSO READ: Skyzoo Names His Top 5 Brooklyn Rap Albums, Jazz LPs, and Basketball Players]

Profiles In Battle Rap: Prep

Battle rap has gone through an evolutionary process. What started out as face-offs on the street corner or in the barbershop has transformed into million-viewed YouTube videos and sold out pay-per-view events. To paraphrase Biggie: Who ever thought that Hip Hop would take it this far?

One rising battler is looking to push the culture to yet another level. With his signature bow ties mixed with intricate bars, Mid-Atlantic rhymer Prep is literally changing the image of modern battle rap.

His movement to shift the game toward a more GQ friendly style is just the beginning. Prep’s focus is not just aimed at his wardrobe, he also sees himself as part of a new crop of emcees that are implanting lyrical content back in the veins of battling and forcing the established stars to step their pen game up.

Prep took a huge step in his career when he recently competed against John John Da Don at URL’s Rookies Vs Vets card. The DMV native believes he – along with T-Top, Brizz Rawsteen, Chess, Th3 Saga, Mr. Wavy, & Sno – proved the rooks deserved to stand on the same grounds as the vets.

In the latest installment in “Profiles In Battle Rap”, Prep spoke with AllHipHop.com about his P.G. class leaving a mark on battle culture, wanting to step in the ring with two of the top females in the sport, and some competitors’ acceptance of selling out. The avid reader of the Bible, Greek mythology, American conspiracy stories, and African royal history also declares he helped produce one of the best battles of 2015 so far.

[ALSO READ: Profiles In Battle Rap: Brizz Rawsteen]

Hometown

Baltimore, Maryland. The city. Not the county, not the outskirts, not the suburbs – no. When you look at The Wire, then you’ve seen my city.

Years Experience

Professionally, about a year and some change. We’re approaching two years as far as battling on camera. As far as URL, we’re approaching a year.

I walked into [my first URL battle] thinking that Dot would not be on my level. I was thinking, “Dot is not good.” But the thing about him is, he’s a star. He’s very entertaining. He demands your attention.

When I got off stage, Norbes was like, “Give him some room. Give him some room.” I was thinking, “What did I walk into in?” Dot was like a one-man show. He’s a circus.

Style Known For (aggression, wordplay, punchlines, freestyle)

Wordplay. DNA got on an interview and said that he would like to see me [battle] Chilla [Jones], because I remind him of Chilla. With that being said, I’m not long. I’m not drawn out. I’m not boring.

No disrespect to Chilla. He’s one of my top 5 and an inspiration in my writing, but I think if I had to compare myself to anyone it would have to be Chilla. I’m a shorter, more to the point Chilla. The exact same bar Chilla would use 20 words to accomplish, I would use nine to get there.

Crew

DMV Boys. We’re separate from a lot of entities you see coming from DMV, but we’re still affiliated. We still show love to each other. There’s no hate there.

The whole DMV area – I feel like it’s going to be our year. I just did Rookies Vs Vets against John John Da Don. Ty Law and Magic got locked in. Then you got Danja Zone. He’s been on a killing spree lately. This year is the year of the pen. If you can’t rap this year, it’s gonna be shown.

Slogan

I don’t think I have a slogan yet. I think the worse thing I ever tried to do was try to make up a slogan. I think slogans have to come natural. Like when Charlie [Clips] said, “Sike, I lied n*gga.” That wasn’t meant to be a slogan. He said that in a battle to avoid choking, and it caught on.

I think as I’m rapping something is gonna stick. And the fans will say, “I want to hear that again.” And that’s gonna be the slogan, but for now I don’t have a slogan. For now, I just say “DMV Boys” at the end of my rounds. Will see which one is the one.

Leagues Competed In

Pit Fights was my first. We Go Hard was my second. Then URL. I battled on BET as well.

Favorite Battle (Participant)

It would probably have to be the Dot battle. It was my first one [on URL]. My butterflies were going crazy. I finally got to stand in front of Smack, an idol of mine. This is the guy that kind of raise me from watching his DVDs. Me watching them, made me who I am.

So that’s my favorite. And then Saga. Me and Saga brought that essence. Being in that store was like Loaded Lux versus Miles, Lux vs Mook. That was the essence, so that one is up there. Yeah, those two are my favorites.

Favorite Battle (Non-Participant)

The first battle that comes to mind was Kid ‘N Play [in House Party]. That’s the battle that started me off, but I wouldn’t choose that.

But JC/Chilla, Big T/Tsu Surf, and Aye Verb/Hitman Holla come to mind. I would probably have to choose JC and Chilla, just because of the lyrical aspect. There was so much wordplay [from that battle] that’s still being used today.

One Of Your All Time Hottest Lines

“Whatever my palm is on will swiss cheese him.” People are tweeting that like crazy.

Your Battle Rap Mount Rushmore

First of all, Smack. He’s going up there. Then the other three are very easy – Mook, Lux, and Rex.

One Mainstream Rapper You’d Like To Battle

King Los. He’s amazing. He’s incredible. That would be the highest I’ve pushed my pen. If I could choose three – King Los, Mickey Factz, and Fabolous.

Which New Battler Is The Most Serious Threat When They’re On Their A-Game

From my class, I think we’re all a problem. Brizz is very dangerous when he’s barking on you, when he’s just going total torture. Then T Top is a threat when he’s talking about that thug theme. When you look at him, you just see Young Jeezy, Gotti, a young Scarface, Beanie Sigel.

Then Wavy has so much swag with his sh*t. Then Chess is young, but he’s not to be thought of as a son. He gets on stage with grown men and makes them look little. We look as Saga like he’s the church guy, but when you get in front of him none of that plays any part. He wilds on you as if he was talking about guns.

So far, me and Saga probably have the classic of the year that’s been released on URL. I don’t think URL has dropped a battle better than me and Saga right now. There are people that say that, so it’s not me just being arrogant.

I think my A-game was the third round of that battle. It was a mixture of everything. I was performing. My projection was perfect. I am probably the best writer out of my class. Not saying the best battler, but I am the best writer.

At Rookies Vs Vets, we brought the A-game out of the vets. You hadn’t seen the vets like that until they battled us. For years, they’ve been slacking.

What Two Battlers Would You Most Like To See Face Off

I want to see Murda Mook against 40 Cal. I’m an old school kind of guy. I like the classic era of battle rap. I want to see the old school come back. I want to see 40 Cal versus Nemesis.

If I had to choose right now, it seems like everybody has battled everybody. Then people are slacking so much that I don’t really want to see anything. But judging from Rookies Vs Vets, I want to see Wavy versus Brizz. Yeah, I’m gonna use this platform to promote my class. Forget them old n*ggas, I want to see Wavy versus Brizz.

Your Battle Rap Hit List

Conceited. Con got me into this. He was the one who started this punchline sh*t. Con would be the finishing move. Other than that, I want to jump in the ring with Rum Nitty. I want to jump in there with Chilla. I want to jump in there with B Magic. I want to jump in there with Bricks.

Oddly enough – this is gonna sound really crazy – but I want to jump in there with Official and Jazz The Rapper. People don’t like to give the women any credit.

Top 5 Emcees DOA

I’m not gonna choose Biggie, Pac, or Nas. That’s so cliché. I’m gonna choose Joe Budden, Mickey Factz, King Los, Fabolous, and I want to say Wayne. Wayne was so influential, but he’s not consistent. Drake is very dope. Drake doesn’t display how dope he actually is.

With battle rap, I don’t have a top 5 that includes anybody who’s top tier. I really don’t like those guys. They’re really not that good to me anymore. So just like my battle rap top 5 consists of the newer guys, my top 5 rappers includes more underground rappers.

If I had to choose [mainstream rappers], Kanye and Drake – they’re really creative. I don’t want to choose Jay, Nas, Big, or Pac, because those four are on everybody’s list forever. So Kanye, Drake and Fab as far as established superstar, industry rappers. Then King Los and Joe Budden.

Do You Prefer To Participate In A Debatable Battle Or A Clear Victory?

I want a debatable. I want people to talk about it forever. People still talk about Mook and Lux in the barbershop. They don’t know who won. Like JC and Chilla, nobody knows who won that battle. But it’s such a good battle, you don’t care who won.

Like me and Saga, some people say I edged it. Some people say we both won. It’s a battle that goes back and forth. The only thing that’s consistent is they’ll give me [rounds] one and two if I won, and they’ll give him [rounds] one and three if he won.

What Has Been The Hardest Part Of Succeeding In Battle Rap?

The hardest part of succeeding is relevance. You have to remain relevant, and sometimes to remain relevant you have to sell your soul. That’s the hardest part. Then you have people that refused to do that. They’re so gung-ho on “real Hip Hop” and the “real essence,” the five elements. They’re so gung-ho on the purity of Hip Hop they refused to do stuff.

Like Daylyt obviously doesn’t care. You see what he’s done. If you’re willing to take that Daylyt route to stay relevant, then you’re gonna be here for a long time. But you also have to be dope. Daylyt is actually dope when he wants to be.

To stay relevant, you also need money. You have to pay this cameraman. You have to pay this radio station. You do these things and do features so you can stay relevant. That’s why I had to build up my own dynasty, my own empire.

You have to have the mind to stay relevant. I know what fans want to see. You can’t just settle. They want to hear music. They want to see music videos. They want a mini-document of your life. They want freestyles from you every week. The fans need current visuals.

Where Do You See Your Career Five Years From Now?

Before five years – by next Summer Madness, people are going to be saying, “Prep is going to be that guy.” I think I’m gonna change the game in some approach. The first approach you’re gonna see is a lot of people dressing better. You’re gonna have gangs of people showing up to battles with GQ attire on. They’re gonna point to me like, “Prep started that.”

Outside of that, you’re gonna say, “He’s one of the ones who’s keeping lyricism alive.” Me, Rum Nitty, Danja Zone, Ty Law – we’re keeping being lyrical alive. It’s not about antics. It’s not about slogans. It’s not about status.

My plan? When you mention legends – Mook, Lux, Rex – I want to be mentioned in that conversation. I don’t care if it’s in the second hour of that conversation. I want to be mentioned in that conversation by the end of my career.

 [ALSO READ: Profiles In Battle Rap: T-Top]

Prep

Follow Prep on Twitter @GQPrep.

Read other “Profiles In Battle Rap” articles here.

Kanye West’s Trainer Recalls His Near ‘Brush With Death’

Kanye West’s workout plan is more dangerous than you would think. His personal trainer Harley Pasternak recalled one time when he and West were almost blown away while on a hiking trip.

While hiking trip in Hawaii, Pasternak said that he and ‘Ye accidentally came across a military minefield. He said they were almost blown to smithereens but they noticed the hazard signs and were able to get back to safety.

Pasternak, 41, also keeps Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys in shape as well.

Lauryn Hill To Receive ASCAP Rhythm & Soul’s Golden Note Award

Lauryn Hill will be honored at ASCAP’s 28th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, according to Billboard. The “Doo Wop (That Thing)” singer will be presented with the Golden Note Award at the invite-only ceremony on June 25th.

ASCAP President Paul Williams  praised Hill for her “ability to push boundaries and capture the humanity that surrounds us.”

“Ms. Hill’s talent as a songwriter is undeniable and reflects her singular take on the world we live in,”he said in a statement.

Not only will Hill perform at the ceremony, which will be at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in L.A,  but Jazmine Sullivan will also hit the stage as well. Other artists who have been honored with this award include Stevie Wonder, Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys and Pharrell Williams.

A$AP Rocky On Rita Ora: ‘She Got Me Into A Lot Of Trouble’ (VIDEO)

A$AP Rocky cleared up why he called out singer Rita Ora on his latest album, A.L.L.A, during a trip to Hot 97.

On his track “Better Things” he turned heads when he said “I swear that b—h Rita Ora got a big mouth/next time I see her might curse the b—h out/kicked the b—h out once ’cause she b—ched out/spit my kids out/j##### up all in her mouth and made the b—h bounce.”

During his chat with Nessa Nitty, he said the song is old and that he was in a relationship at the time, most likely with Chanel Iman, and Ora had said some things that got him in a bit of trouble. Rocky said he wishes she didn’t kiss and tell, but now he regrets not scrapping that part of his verse.

“I kind of feel bad because I look like a womanizer,” said the 26-year-old. “The thing is I’m young. I can’t justify it. I said. There’s no excuses. It happened.”

Watch his interview below where he also chats about why he never dated Rihanna.

Kanye West Settles ‘Bound 2’ Sample Lawsuit

Kanye West has settled the lawsuit regarding the sample he used on his Yeezus track “Bound 2,” Billboard reports. The paperwork was filed to the courts on May 11th that brought the suit to an end.

Ricky Spicer, the former soul singer of The Ponderosa Twins Plus One, has sued West, Universal Music Group, Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records in 2013 for using his vocals on the chorus of the song without his permission. Spicer said he was also not given any compensation.

On the track, Spicer can be heard singing “Bound, bound / Bound to fall in love.”

 

Natasha Mosley – “Anything”

After singing hooks for Jeremih, Lil Wayne, Tyga, YG, and Gucci Mane, Atlanta-born R&B vocalist Natasha Mosley has stepped to the forefront. The singer-songwriter recently dropped the visuals for her single “Anything” off the Rose Hall album. Mosley is next set to release the collaborative project Naytoven with ATL producer Zaytoven.

M.O.P Announces ‘Street Certified Tour’

The Mash Out Posse is heading out on the road in support of their last album, Street Certified. The “Street Certified” Tour kicks off in June in Toronto and then passes through M.O.P’s hometown of New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle, Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles and then comes to an end in Fresno, CA in July. More dates are expected to be added to the 18-city trek soon.

Peep the tour dates below.

June 11  Tattoo Queen West     Toronto, ON

June 12  The Middle East          Cambridge, MA

June 14  S.O.B.’s                       New York, NY

June 15  Voltage Lounge           Philadelphia, PA

June 16  Simon’s 677                Providence, RI

June 17  California Brew Haus  Rochester, NY

June 20  Mr. Small’s Theatre     Millvale, PA

June 21  Bleu                             Detroit, MI

June 23  Agora Ballroom           Cleveland, OH

June 24  The Shrine                  Chicago, IL

June 25  Firebird                       St. Louis, MO

June 26  VEGA                          Lincoln, NE

June 27  Cervante’s Otherside  Denver, CO

June 29  Palace Lounge            Missoula, MT

June 30  Nectar Lounge            Seattle, WA

July 2     The New Parish          Oakland, CA

July 3     Los Globos                  Los Angeles, CA

July 5     Fulton 55                     Fresno, CA

Photo Of Chicago Officers Posing With A Black Man With Antlers On Surfaces

 

A photo of two white Chicago officers posing with a black man in antlers has been discovered.  The Chicago tried to hide the photo from the masses but after a Cook County judge denied a request that the photo stay private, it was published by the Chicago Sun Times.

The photo was given to the Chicago PD by federal prosecutors in 2013, which led to officer Jerome Finnigan, on the right, being fired. Timothy McDermott, on the left, had been incarcerated after being sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2011 after being convicted of being the ring leader of a crooked cop crew that committed a slew of robberies, home invasions and other crimes.

In a statement, Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said the photo is “disgusting.”

“The despicable actions of these two former officers have no place in our police department or in our society,” he said. “As the superintendent of this department, and as a resident of our city, I will not tolerate this kind of behavior, and that is why neither of these officers works for CPD today. I fired one of the officers and would have fired the other if he hadn’t already been fired by the time I found out about the picture. Our residents deserve better than this, as do the thousands of good men and women in this department.”

Finnigan claimed that the black man in the picture, taken between 1999 and 2003, has been brought in for carrying “20 bags of weed” but he didn’t arrest him due to him not having a criminal background. He said snapping the disgraceful picture was a “spur of the moment” thing after the man gave them the rifles.

“Appearing to treat an African-American man not as a human being but as a hunted animal is disgraceful and shocks the conscience,” wrote the police board when they voted to terminate Finnigan.

Finnigan is now appealing this decision in court.

“I am embarrassed by my participation in this photograph,” said McDermott when interviewed about the photo in 2013. “I made a mistake as a young, impressionable police officer who was trying to fit in.”

Young Scooter & Zaytoven – “Juggathon” (MIXTAPE)

Young Scooter teams with producer Zaytoven for his new DJ Bigga Rankin hosted mixtape titled “Juggathon”. This mixtape contains 11 new records and features from Future, Kid Ink & E-40. Stream “Juggathon” below.

Chris Vance Ft. Chill Moody & Jacqueline Constance – “Every Single Day”

One of the more heralded records from Chris Vance’s 2014 mixtape, “Doom City: Last of The Best”, the video for this song is LONG overdue. Unfortunately, production of it was halted when Vance was injured in December 2014.

That injury wound up being a blessing in disguise, as the visual is a 100% true representation of the injury and how Vance has had to operate for the last five months while awaiting bi-lateral quadricep surgery. Enlisting Philly’s top independent hip-hop artist in Chill Moody and soul songstress Jacqueline Constance, Vance illustrates, with a nod to Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice”, how life goes in the midst of struggle… You still have to show up, EVERY SINGLE DAY.

RIP: Tyler The Creator Says Odd Future Is “No More”

Tyler The Creator unceremoniously put Odd Future to rest tonight.

On Twitter, the one-time leader of the motley collective said, “Although its no more, those 7 letters are forever.”
RIP odd future

The crew that included Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean and others was paradigm shift stylistically and musically.

In the 5 years since their rise, Odd Future as a unit has released one album and two mixtapes.

Below are more of the tweets Tyler sent out about the group.

RIP odd Future

Rick Ross Responds To 50 Cent’s Lawsuit

Rick Ross, through his legal counsel, has fired back at 50 Cent over a recent lawsuit that attempts to shift blame over a sex tape.

The 2010 Lestonia Leviston, 36, of Florida sued 50 Cent in Manhattan court for posting and promoting a sex tape with herself and her former boyfriend Maurice Murray in 2009.

Ross lawyer Xavier Donaldson fired back on behalf of the rapper.

“The recent lawsuit filed by Curtis Jackson against Mr. William Roberts is clearly another attempt to draw attention to his descending entertainment career and one of several desperate, last minute attempts he’s made to avoid and deflect legal and financial responsibility for his own actions related to the pending New York City civil trial in which he’s a defendant,” said Donaldson.

50 Cent was successful in having the Leviston suit dismissed by filing for bankruptcy for his SMS promotions, which is reportedly in 500k in debt. He was supposed to appear in court Tuesday to answer to the sex tape case.

Donaldson took exception to the new direction the case has taken. 50 Cent now charges that he obtained the video from Rozay and that he was merely reposting what was already in existence.

Donaldson: “The New York City lawsuit was filed against Curtis Jackson five years ago. Mr. Roberts was neither named as a defendant nor legally joined by Mr. Jackson in that suit. If and/or when Mr. Jackson properly serves Mr. Roberts, we will aggressively address and defend against these frivolous and futile claims.”    

50 Cent has not responded to this new twist in the case.

Woman Gives Stepson ‘George Jefferson Haircut’ For Smoking Weed, Failing School!

Did this parent go too far?

When her 12-year-old stepson came home from getting a haircut, she says he was high on weed. To make matters worse, she says he’s failing every class, including GYM CLASS!?! His punishment came in the form of another haircut, a pretty famous one at that..

https://youtu.be/MSwSBS6WjbU