Philly street rapper Quilly (formerly known as Quilly Millz) drops a new banger titled “Letter to Haines Street” from his recently released mixtape “Haines Street Hustler Six”. On most of Quilly’s projects, he usually makes a song strictly for his neighborhood and the people he grew up with. “Letter to Haines Street” is that song on his latest mixtape – a real and heartfelt ode to the place that shaped him into the artist he is today.
In part two of AllHipHop.com’s exclusive interview with Hip Hop legend Masta Killa, the Wu-Tang Clan representative reflects back on making the group’s classic 1993 debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). [Read part one here]
The Wu’s initial LP is considered to be one of the standout musical accomplishments of the genre and widely held as the collective’s magnum opus. Two decades after its release, 36 Chambers still draws substantial attention from music fans and journalists from around the world.
Masta Killa provided the closing verse to the album’s “Da Mystery Of Chessboxin’,” and he explains to AllHipHop how crafting those lyrics was a landmark moment for his rap career. The man also known as Jamel Arief shares his thoughts on Hip Hop music at the moment and the controversial remix to Drake’s “Wu-Tang Forever.”
I wanted to ask you something. I heard you started off as a breakdancer…
[laughs] No, I didn’t start as a breakdancer. Growing up as a teenager, I used to do the pop lock and the moonwalk [laughs]. I wasn’t dancing for Father MC starting out in this Hip Hop industry or nothing like that. I’ve always been a fan of Hip Hop, from the dancing part of it to the music part. But I didn’t actually get my start in this industry being a dancer [laughs].
I was going to ask if we were going to see you popping on stage.
I don’t know. I might do a little T-Pain [laughs]. When Wu established itself, our music spoke for itself. We never had to do too much dancing. It’s the music and the vibe that makes you do what you want to do. That’s what Hip Hop is. It’s an expression of how you see it.
Speaking of expressing yourself, your verse on “Da Mystery Of Chessboxin’” was the first verse you ever wrote out?
That was the first verse I actually sat down and wrote out. I wasn’t really sure about it, because it was the first time I actually did it. I just had thoughts on paper. I went to GZA, gave him the paper, and asked, “What do you think about this?”
He read it and said, “You wrote this?” I said, “Yeah, I wrote that.” He was like, “Wow. You just need to learn how to say this s**t. It might be some ill s**t, if you can say it. We might have something here.” [laughs] The rest was history.
At the time 36 Chambers was being recorded, did you or any of the other members realize you were creating something so groundbreaking?
I can’t speak of the next man’s vision. For me, I can’t say how groundbreaking I thought it was, but I knew the first time I heard “Protect Ya Neck” – and it wasn’t even finished yet – just being a fan of Hip Hop, I was like “G#######!” I just wanted it on tape to be able to take it back to the neighborhood.
When you first heard any impressionable Hip Hop record, it was like “Oh s**t!” It made you say, “What the f**k?!” The first time I heard [Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s] “La Di Da Di”, the first time I heard [Run-D.M.C.’s] “Sucker M.C.’s” – I had to sit down and analyze it.
So I knew the first time anybody heard [Enter The Wu-Tang] they would appreciate it. Especially if they were a Hip Hop fan. When we started going city-to-city, state-to-state, I had no idea it was going to become what it is. But I knew the music was definitely good.
Are there any artists or songs out now that have given you that “oh s**t” feeling?
Artists that are out now have their own style of doing things, but I love what they’re doing. Their world is a different style of hustling, but it’s dope. I like Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne’s chemistry and how they do their thing.
Jay Z is a vet of course. There’s certain people – Kanye. It’s a lot of people out there that have found their space and are comfortable as far as what they’re contributing to this art. I appreciate it as well.
At the time when I got to know Hip Hop, things were so rare that it actually had you stuck, even when we put our first album together. Making an album at that time was still kind of mystical to people. Now you can run into the average [rapper], and he has about ten albums in his backpack.
It’s just a different time, and Hip Hop has grown so globally. It’s everything. The President is Hip Hop. When Hip Hop has reached politics, it’s a different thing.
You mentioned Drake. Do you think we’ll ever get to hear the remix of “Wu-Tang Forever” featuring members of the Wu?
I can’t even tell you. I think I’m one of the members who recorded on that remix, but I haven’t heard it since I recorded it. Sometimes the best thing to do is do it and keep it moving. I would love to hear it, but who knows.
Follow Masta Killa on Twitter @RealMastaKilla and like his page on Facebook.
Check out Masta Killa’s performance at the 2015 B&E Invitational in Les Arcs, France below.
Photos via Chingy & Common’s Instagram
Atlanta radio station Streetz 94.5 was doing their weekly tournament asking fans to decide who was the best rapper from the midwest region, putting Common and Chingy against each other. The vast majority in the comment section picked Common. Chingy decided to chime in saying he would give it to Common also because he’s a veteran that has brought more of a broad message to the industry. He also said everyone is great in their own ways. The radio station then said he threw the towel in, causing Chingy to reply saying that he didn’t throw in the towel, he just respects an industry elder, and there are probably people that are fans of each separately.
Emilio Rojas drops the official video for “Nada,” Ft. Joell Ortiz. The video was directed by A New Vision.
When someone hears the word Empire, thanks to FOX we automatically think of thier new hit series starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. But a record label of the same name claims the name was theirs first and wants the network to pay them for using it.
TMZ reports that Empire Distribution says that the show Empire has tainted their image because it is ran by a “homophobic drug dealer who is prone to murdering his friends.” The company says they will accept that and the show if FOX pays them $8 million. The price can be lowered to $5 million if they agree to give their artists some shine on the show.
FOX has reportedly fired back with a lawsuit of their own in hopes that a judge will deem these claims bogus. In their defense, the network says Empire Distribution is not very well known and that they appear on page seven of a Google search.
Photos via Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug’s Instagram
Once upon a time Young Thug called Rich Homie Quan his hubby, and the Atlanta rappers were seen together at various promotional events. Lately it seems like the two couldn’t get along with Young Thug even referring to Rich Homie as B*tch Homie Quan at one of his shows. It appears that the two may have made up as Young Thug posted on his Instagram that he isn’t beefing with Rich Homie, and RHQ followed Young Thug again on Instagram. RHQ also said he wishes Young Thug the best. Hmmmmm.
Photo via Amber Rose’s Instagram
In between Amber Rose’s thirst trapping photos on social media and the organization of her “womens’ empowerment” “S### Walk” (Smh) she has taken time out to defend her bestie Blacc Chyna (who was also left for a member of the Kardashian Klan lol). Blacc Chyna was criticized for some of her sexy club attire, and Amber Rose took to her Instagram to say:
“Chyna, a mom can wear whatever the f*ck she wants. We are moms 24/7/365 even if we’re at the club having a good time or when we wanna dress sexy….. but moms are also sexual beings too duh how do you think u got here?…
Her whole rant can be found below:
To celebrate the release of his major label debut album, Mr, Wonderful, Action Bronson stopped by Hot 97 to chop it up with the Ebro in the Morning crew. During their chat, the “Baby Blue” rapper dished on his plans to drop a cookbook inspired by his album.
“I have a visual cookbook coming out for the album,” Bam Bam told Peter Rosenberg. “So it’s going to be three of the most incredible chefs, not just in the country but in the world, making dishes inspired by the music.”
[ALSO READ: Action Bronson’s ‘F–k That’s Delicious’ Webseries Is Coming To Cable]
The three chefs include Mario Batali, Michael White, who Bronson called an “Italian food mogul” and Michael Voltaggio, who won Top Chef against his brother. It may be titled F###, That’s Delicious Presents Cooking with Mr. Wonderful: Dishes Inspired by the Music.
Watch the interview below.
Photo via Diddy’s Instagram
Even with a crazy busy schedule Diddy finds times to check people or kill them with kindness on his Instagram page.
Diddy recently replied to some Instagram comments with some comical responses. Diddy told one fan that he would never Drake him, and why was he acting like a peasant on a Sunday. He told another don’t forget to refer to him as Doctor Combs as the fan asked did he even graduate. He replied to another saying how was he ugly if the person who was commenting had their face blurred in their pic. Lol Diddy clearly gets entertainment from your silly comments. After all why do people follow people to talk bad about them?
For the release of his next album, Wale has changed things up and decided to have three different album covers that are loaded with a message. A week before he drops his fourth album, The Album About Nothing, the DC spitter has unveiled the third cover for the project.
[ALSO READ: Wale Reveals One Of The Three Album Covers For ‘The Album About Nothing’]
On the cover, Folarin sits alone in a booth at the Seinfield-famous coffee shop and seems to be in a deep train of thought as he sits across from an empty space.
[ALSO READ: Wale Reveals ‘The Album About Nothing’ Tracklist]
TAAN drops Mar. 31st with features from Jeremih, Usher and TDE’s resident songstress SZA.
T.I spilled the beans about his upcoming album, Traps Open, which he says is apart of a trilogy that started with his album Paperwork.
“So the first installment, the motion picture, was supposed to be cinematic, it was supposed to be nostalgic,” Tip told HHS1987. “This next one is going to be unapologetically gangsta. It’s trap music.”
[ALSO READ: ‘ATL’ Sequel Confirmed By T.I]
Besides working on a new album, the actor/reality star is also working on the sequel to his coming-of-age tale ATL. While making new music and new films, the “No Mediocre” rapper is trying to dodge drama being brought his way by Marvin Gaye’s family due to his involvement in the controversial “Blurred Lines” track. The family was awarded over $7 million after Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were found guilty of infringement of Gaye’s song “Got To Give It Up” but T.I was not, and they are trying to change that.
Watch his interview below.
Rich Homie Quan allegedly got violent when he was denied entry into Miami’s Club Liv at the Fontainebleau.
According to TMZ, the Atlanta native became livid when a security guard told him he could not enter through the VIP entrance because the club was full and that he had to wait in line with the regular folks. The “Walk Thru” rapper reportedly went on a cocky tangent yelling, “I’m Rich Homie Quan and I’m a rich millionaire, b####. I’m coming through these doors. I’m with Flo Rida!”
A Miami Beach Police report says that Quan then punched the security guard twice, which broke his nose and busted his lip. The guard also said he was bashed in the back of his head by one of the rapper’s entourage members.
After the attack, Quan and his crew escaped in a speedboat. Police are looking for him.
(AllHipHop News) Jay Z’s bid to purchase Aspiro was approved earlier this month, and the company’s streaming service, now known as TidalHifi, is set to launch. The current Tidal website includes a counter that indicates listeners will be able to use the app in 5 days.
A message on the site reads:
Introducing the first music streaming service that combines the best High Fidelity sound quality, High Definition music videos and expertly Curated Editorial.
The hi-fi service is said to offer 25 million tracks for streaming with lossless audio quality. Recommendations, playlists, interviews, and other features are also part of the Tidal experience. Music fans can try out the service with a 7-day free trial. The monthly rate is listed at $19.99.
There have been reports that Jay met with several high-profile entertainers including Beyoncé, Madonna, Rihanna, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Daft Punk, Chris Martin, and Jack Black to discuss his vision for Aspiro/Tidal. The meeting supposedly focused on artists’ rights and the performers’ ability to profit from the streaming of their music.
Revenues from streaming surpassed CDs for the first time in 2014. Subscription streaming from services such as Spotify and Rhapsody totaled $1.87 billion as compared to $1.85 billion for CD sales. Streaming’s revenue rose 29% from 2013 while CDs fell 12.7%
Some artists have complained the profit sharing from streaming is too heavily tilted toward the music labels and the streaming services. Taylor Swift pulled her music from Spotify last year, because the pop superstar felt her art was not being properly valued through the free service. Swift’s music is included on Tidal.
(AllHipHop News) Damon Dash is not done calling out individuals in the industry that he sees as hurting the culture. The veteran mogul announced he was declaring war on Complex during a recent interview with Hip Hop Motivation, and Dame continued his take down of the company’s founder Marc Ecko on Instagram.
The Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder posted a picture of Ecko on IG with a caption which referred to the fashion designer as a “culture vulture.” The creator of the Eckō Unltd joins Lyor Cohen, Steve Stoute, and Joie Manda on Dash’s list of executives he has marked as stealing from Hip Hop for their own gain. Dame’s message also takes issue with DJ Vlad of VladTV.
Dame wrote on IG:
This is Marc Ecko to me he is the fashion version of Lyor Cohen his Buisness [sic] model is make money of urban people… He did it in fashion but Ecko got corny fast now he thinks he’s gonna do it again with content…when @complex plays artist videos on there sights and all of the artist content on@complex and @vladtv how come they get paid and the artist don’t?….there are commercials… I asked@vladtv and he said he was doing us a favor promoting our stuff while they got paid… Please don’t try to play the millennial generation I’m gonna at least give my culture the information so they don’t get robbed early and he doesn’t own @complex a hedge fund does he’s a nerd with a hedge fund who’s Buisness [sic] model is Rob our culture#culturevulture no disrespected to complex staff yall always been cool wit me but your man is out of line and he’s a lame and I’m not just gonna talk about it im going to make a move on you and your whole company watch.. I walk it like I talk it… This is a fight a lot won’t understand but trust me you will thank me later business is war everyday I’m just gonna let yall see it first hand
Dash previously worked with Ecko during Kevin Powell’s Congressional campaign. The two co-hosted a fundraiser for the noted Hip Hop journalist at Dash’s art gallery in 2010.
(AllHipHop News) A disagreement turned physical at the “Hustlepalooza” showcase in Austin over the weekend. The SXSW Festival event’s host, Hustle Simmons, got into a fight with members of Bleu DaVinci’s entourage on stage.
The brawl reportedly started when Simmons refused to allow DaVinci to perform alongside MMG’s Tracy T. The members of DaVinci’s BMF crew then attacked Simmons.
“I put this sh*t on for y’all. $100,000 over the last six years,” Simmons told the crowd after the melee. “I don’t give a f**k about a BMF, none of that motherf**king s**t. I’m a grown ass f**king man. I don’t disrespect them, you don’t disrespect me. I’ll fight every n***a on this motherf**ker. I ain’t never no b***h. So when you come to s**t like this, respect this f**king stage.”
Watch footage of the incident below.
(AllHipHop News) Beanie Sigel and Young Chris were surprise guests at Meek Mill’s “Welcome Back” concert. The celebration of Meek’s return from jail took place in their hometown of Philadelphia on Saturday.
After Beans and Chris hit the stage at the event, the two Roc-A-Fella Records alum spoke with Revolt about the Broad Street Bully’s first public performance since his release from prison last August and being shot in December.
“They can’t kill me. Them n***as can’t kill me,” stated Beanie.
After shouting out Meek, Beans then added, “You know what The Joker told Batman in Gotham City right? Wait until you get a load of me.”
Watch Beanie Sigel and Young Chris’ interview below.
(AllHipHop News) According to multiple reports, rapper Asa “Yung Gleesh” Asuncion has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Austin. Yung Gleesh was in the city to perform several shows at the SXSW Festival.
The Washington, DC native had performances on Thursday, March 19 at the Rio Rooftop, The Roosevelt Room and the Gypsy Lounge. The alleged victim told police she and a friend went to another friend’s home that night. She admits to getting intoxicated and passing out around 2:30 am Friday morning.
Supposedly, an hour later Yung Gleesh and his entourage arrived at the location. The victim’s friend says she woke up around 6 am to find Gleesh on top of the victim with parts of their clothes off. The friend claims she pulled him off the victim and then an argument began. The victim was taken to a local hospital.
When police arrived at the home, Gleesh had already left. His manager told investigators the 25-year-old rapper had several more shows in Austin, then he was scheduled to perform in Dallas before flying back to D.C. The later performances were apparently canceled.
An arrest warrant was issued for Gleesh. He is currently not in custody. Gleesh’s most recent Instagram post is from March 20, and his most recent original tweet from his certified Twitter account was on March 19.
Watch KXAN’s report on Yung Gleesh below.
New music video for One Time by Migos directed by Ninian Doff off ‘YRN Tha Album’ presented by the 2015 YouTube Music Awards #YTMA
Ludacris drops his latest leak produced by Illmind “Charge It To The Rap Game”, from his album “Ludaversal” due out March 31st. Pre-order now on iTunes. Stream “Charge It To The Rap Game” below.
After releasing 3 mixtapes “Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner” last week, Gucci Mane is back with a new 3 track mixtape “Dessert” to finish off the series. Production by Honorable C-Note, Purps & Mike Will Made It.
http://www.audiomack.com/album/traps-n-trunks/dessert