(AllHipHop News) Rapper-turned-actor Will Smith has another number one movie. His latest motion picture to top the box office is the Glenn Ficarra and John Requa directed Focus.
The opening weekend North American gross for Focus came in around $19.1 million. That total was enough to beat out Kingsman: The Secret Service ($11.8 million), The SpongeBob Movie ($11.2 million), and Fifty Shades of Grey ($10.9 million), but it was less than what the film was projected to make.
Forecasters expected Smith’s con-man tale to reach $22 million. Warner Bros executive vice president Jeff Goldstein believes bad weather on the East Coast halted the film from crossing the $20 million mark, but with a budget of $50 million Goldstein sees $19 million as a triumph.
“Given the mid-range budget, the film’s result is right on target,” Goldstein told the L.A. Times.
Focus features Will Smith’s first major movie role since the unsuccessful reunion with his son Jaden in 2013’s After Earth. Smith is next set to star in the sports drama Concussion. He is also working on new music with Kanye West.
(AllHipHop News) Charmayne “Maxee” Maxwell, a member of the 1990’s R&B group Brownstone, passed away on Friday night, according to TMZ.
The site reports Maxwell’s husband Carsten Soulshock came home and discovered the singer unconscious and bleeding. Paramedics were called to the home, and Maxwell was rushed to Cedars Sinai Hospital. Unfortunately, she died from loss of blood on the way to the facility.
Authorities believe the fatal gash on Maxwell’s neck was the result of a broken wine glass. It is believed she fell and cut herself on the shattered glass. Police do not suspect foul play.
There are conflicting reports regarding Maxwell’s death. BET is reporting she died in Denmark. There were also sites posting rumors Maxwell was suicidal before the incident. According to The Grio, her brother Brandon refuted the suicide claims on Twitter.
Brownstone is perhaps best well known for their 1995 Grammy nominated single “If You Love Me.” Other R&B chart hits include “Grapevyne” and “I Can’t Tell You Why.” The group’s debut album From the Bottom Up was certified platinum.
Watch the video for Brownstone’s “If You Love Me Below.”
(AllHipHop News) For some reason Drake rubbed a member of South African “Zef” act Die Antwoord the wrong way. Vocalist Yo-Landi Visser posted a picture of the Young Money rapper on Instagram with the caption, “F##. Drake was kak [s**t].”
Die Antwoord also includes rapper Ninja and DJ Hi-Tek (Justin de Nobrega). The rave-rap group released their first LP, $O$, in 2009. Their latest work was 2014’s Donker Mag. Visser and Ninja appear in the new Neill Blomkamp movie Chappie as well.
Both Die Antwoord and Drake are currently playing the Future Music Festival in Australia. The traveling event began in Sydney on Saturday. The trek continues in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide this weekend. Drizzy was tapped to co-headline the festival along with Avicii and The Prodigy.
The word on the street is that Diddy is suing Empire because he thinks the show is based on his life. Ok Puffy well we have several questions. Would this mean that one of his sons is gay and that he killed BIG? Was Bad Boy founded by drug money? Who went to jail for almost two decades for him? Did he ban Quincy from appearing for more reasons than him not being the music producer? But wait wasn’t Empire loosely based on Jay-Z’s life? Diddy does throw some nice white parties though. We must say this is all comical.
Welcome to another edition of The Odd Side, a column that explores the effects of Hip Hop’s transformation through new sounds.
Ever since the beginning of this year, the popular radio show Soulection has been in rotation constantly. The show has prospered off of finding musical artists, producers, and DJ’s that make music that is both unique and innovative to the sound of soul. What makes the show better is the fact that they have always been open about who’s music is actually playing in order to get listeners hip to the new wave of sound. It’s a beautiful phenomena going on at Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles, the creation of a radio show all about the music more than anything. To salute its fourth year being active, we will give you 3 dope artists we have heard on Soulection. With the radio show having a 4-year span, and a ton of artists playing a role to what the show is today, it was hard to initially come up with only 3 artists. We recommend you give their show a listen to name your own 3. But for now, check out the artists we think are dope.
Sango
Sango’s already been mentioned as one of our Punishing New Age Producers, but Soulection is the show where he really gets nasty. Not only has the Seattle producer performed live on the show, his music is regularly played on a plethora of episodes. Now that several artists have been making tracks inspired by Sango’s signature production, we’ve been hearing the influence of this young producer on Soulection‘s latest episodes.
Sam Gellaitry
This young 18 year old from Scotland was one of the reason’s why Soulection has been in our constant rotation. Signed to the show’s record label of the same name, Sam Gellaitry’s sound is as complex as it is cool. He uses the influence of technology to craft groovy beats. Gellaitry is definitely what Soulection means by its phrase “The Sound Of Tomorrow”. Check out his latest EP Short Stories.
Chris McClenney
If you were looking for something outside of dope producers on Soulection, then you have Chris McClenny. This DMV native has multiple talents on both the singing and instrumental fields, and really gives off a sound similar to D’Angelo without being too familiar with the legendary soul singer. The most interesting thing about this kid is that I didn’t find out about McClenny through the radio show. His project White Label recently released on Soundcloud, and I loved his music ever since. McClenney is also sick in the production realm as well
Though this list seems very brief, this is only a pinch of what Soulection has to offer. If you have anytime to check out their show, give it a listen! There’s so much to this show that one listen can’t fully give you. Check back soon for more dope music by The Odd Side.
It is hard to put in words what Harry Belafonte aka Mr. B means to us all. He’s an international treasure that turned 88 years young today. Still very active on the front lines, his roots and influence runs deep. We love him over here, but we aren’t the only ones. Here are a few facts about Mr. B. However, to really gain some understanding, google him or talk to somebody of age.
He was the first artist – of any race, gender or genre – to ever sell 1 million copies of an album.
A few years ago, gold album sales were just selling 500,000 units and platinum sales meant 1,000,000 units peddled. These days, album streams are factored into those numbers…its weird. Back in 1956 though, Mr. B moved 1 million copies of his album Calypso which included the smash “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song).” In 2011, Lil Wayne and producer Bangladesh sampled “The Banana Song” and turned it into the hit record 2010 “6 Foot 7 Foot.”
He marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and still helps activists and Social Justice movements.
“Mr B has proven himself to be a man of the people and a champion for social justice. He has never gotten stuck in doing it his way or his generation’s way. He is truly invested in inter-generational work and providing space and platforms for young people. He has showed it time and time again – from seeing the power in Hip-Hop to seeing the need to stomp out the Prison Industrial Complex. Many people meet him ready to praise him but he is humble, ready to work and learn as well. It is beautifully humbling to see the legacy he is still creating even as an elder to connect us as young people, elders, activists, artists and those most impacted.”
– Autumn Marie, community activist and organizer
Martin Luther King, Jr. Was A Close Friend
It is pretty well known that Mr. B didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk. He was already an entertainment phenomenon when he put his good looks and talents to good use, backing the Civil Rights Movement. He often put his money where his mouth was, and many other cliches. He was great friends with the luminous likes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Harry Belafonte was one of the producers of the seminal Hip-Hop movie “Beat Street”
Crazy Legs of the world famous Rock Steady Crew was one of the young dancers that powered the most authentic scenes movie. He tells a story about Mr. B that stayed with him since the 80’s. “When we were filming Beat Street, he had a ring with the initials “L.M.,” Crazy Legs tells AllHipHop. “Being the ignorant person that I was, I said [to Harry that means] ‘Love Money.’ And he told me ‘No, Love Many.’ It always stuck with me.”
Here is Mr. B with a bunch of Hip-Hop legends celebrating “Beat Street” – 30 years in 2014.
And here is Crazy Legs and The Rock Steady Crew duke it out with the New York City Breakers in an epic battle.
Mr. B is still helping rappers like Tef Poe (activist rap artist from St. Louis) and Jasiri X (activist rapper from Pittsburgh).
“Mr. Belafonte is a shining example of what every entertainer of his caliber should aspire to be . He is committed to his people and has showed up many of times when no one else was bold enough to defend us. Through legacy we are able to view the power of his power moves and mistakes and utilize them both to take the movement to the next level. He will indubitably go down in history as a challenger of the status quo.“
-Tef Poe
Here is Jasiri X’s “Don’t Let Them Get Away With Murder,” which was produced by Mr. B’s Sankofa Organization. Yours truly is also featured in the Susanne Rostock-directed video with Tef, Hakim of Channel Live, Tory Russell, and a bunch of others committed to change.
He was a heart throb back in the day. Man. He could have been called LL Cool B.
My Mom Likes Mr. B!
I have talked to my mother about Harry, mostly after I first met him in 2012. She went on and on at that time. Here is what she said this year.
“He certainly has been a positive role model for Black people and I’ve always enjoyed his music. I used to love the calypso type music. I like all music. In his later years, I’ve always been encouraged by his fight in Civil Rights. He’s one of the pioneers for Black people in theater – he and Sidney Poitier (. They are two renown Black stars that have a huge legacy…the two of them and Diahann Carroll. He’s very gifted.”
Happy Birthday, Mr. B! What a remarkable man. I teach my daughter about Harry Belafonte, listen to my mom talk about him and study his life. He’s steadily been a rock from Hollywood to Hip-Hop, from MLK to rapper Jasiri X and beyond. To this day, he’s still fighting for Equal Rights and Justice to this very day – at the ripe age of 88! One of the last of a living breed. I cannot remember what he said as this pic was being snapped but it was a hilarious quip about Hip-Hop. #salute#live#love#honor#March1
Usually, ATL rapper Rich Homie Quan is known for his raps being over bass-hitting cuts like “Lifestyle” and “Type Of Way”. However, on his new track “Swear”, things seem to be a bit different. Quan rhymes over a soft guitar and a more simple beat. This switch up doesn’t take away from the original style that many fans love. Check out “Swear” below.
Are you tired of blasting Rich N*gga Timeline out of your ride? Don’t worry, because Migos is dropping a new mixtape this week. Earlier today, the Atlanta trio announced that their new mixtape, Migo Lingo will be dropping this week.
According to Complex, Migo Lingos will be Migos’ first project to drop in 2015, and will also serve to hold us all up until their debut album, YRN2, release this week.
You know Jay Z doesn’t give a lot of energy to just anybody. I am not trying to suggest this comes from Jay Z’s camp or anything like this. But, a lot of people are thinking that Jay Z may just a come out and diss Kid Rock for his disparaging words against Beyonce. If you didn’t know here is what happened when the BeyHive attacked:
Anyway…this is all speculation, but I am thinking Jay may get at him when he drops another album. We can’t let this dude get away with talking about Queen Bey! FOH, redneck! Pick a side, Yelawolf!
My, my, my the Bridges family keeps growing. As we know Ludacris now has a one year old “break” baby with Tamika Fuller, but it seems as if the Bridges will have another baby running around as it looks like wife Eudoxiee is now pregnant. Both Ludacris and Eudoxiee took to their Instagram pages to post the same picture of Ludacris kissing Eudoxiee’s stomach with the caption “Beautiful day on the beach.” In the picture it is very evident that Eudoxiee has a new baby bump. There has been speculation that she was pregnant over the last few weeks as she’s been wearing only baggy clothing and posting less full body shots than usual. Hey, Hip Hop siblings being born close in age by different women is nothing new. Look at Lil’ Wayne and Diddy LOL.
The city of Cleveland will publicly and legally assert that 12-year-old Tamir Rice caused his own death.
The boy was playing with a toy gun that police thought was real. Cleveland rookie cop Timothy Loehmann pulled up to him as he played and shot Tamir dead in about two second upon arriving on the scene with his partner, Frank Garmback.
Tamir Rice’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city in the aftermath of his murder and the city outlined their defense strategy. CBS News wrote:
In a court document filed Friday, the city offers 20 defenses, one of which states that the family’s injuries, losses and damages … were directly and proximately caused by the acts of the Plaintiff’s decedent (Rice), not this Defendant.
The city also argues that Tamir failed to exercise due care to avoid injury.
The family was also cited in the court documents as responsible for Rice’s death, along with unspecified individuals or entities” other than the city.
In December, Tamir’s slaying was ruled a homicide by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Tamir’s family claim Garmback and Loehmann did nothing to help save Tamir after the was shot and also used excessive force on the 12-year-old to begin with. The family also maintains they prevented Tamir’s sister from tending to the boy my tackling her to the ground. They also maintain the city of Cleveland is withholding evidence in the case. The city denied this, citing they are in full cooperation with the investigation.
It has been under promoted that Officer Timothy Loehmann has had mental issues on the job.
Loehmann was specifically cited for being emotionally ill-equipped to handle a live gun. On report said he was “distracted and weepy” at a training exercise at a firing range. “His handgun performance was dismal,” relayed deputy chief Jim Polak in an internal police department memo. He was to be fired from employment from the City of Independence in 2012, but he resigned instead.
Right after Kanye West performed “Only One” on the Swedish show Skavlan, he’s back in London for The Jonathan Ross Show to perform. Kanye also released the title for his highly anticipated album “So Help Me God” last night via Twitter. Check out Kanye’s performance on The Jonathan Ross Show below.
With several rappers from Lil Durk to Ab Soul digging her, Detroit’s own Dej Loaf has been known for more than just her bangin’ hits. However, the “Try Me” star keeps putting out dope music, whether people feeling her or not. Recently, Loaf’s new single “Hands Down” dropped, and the song doesn’t shy away from her signature style of hood rhymes and soft vocals. Check out “Hands Down” below. Loaf’s IBGM mixtape is out as well.
Hack The Mack releases his second album entitled “Dial 1800 Pay Hack” co-staring his alter ego TrapMan. “Dial 1800 Pay Hack” is a independent campaign based on the impression that has yet to be solidified. This album consist of 14 tracks and variety of features such as J. Diggs, D.Lo, Pooh Hefner, X of KWG and more.
The name of Kanye West’s upcoming album is So Help Me God, the rapper has revealed on Twitter.
The rapper has dropped a lot of new music with controversy to match. Songs like ”All Day,” “Only One,” “Wolves,” with rapper Vic Mensa and singer Sia, and “FourFiveSeconds” with Paul McMcartney and Rihanna.
The art he pumped out is the 13th Century monastic symbol for the Virgin Mary, according to the researchers at Complex.
Kanye dropped the album titled and potential art in the midnight hour.
Even though many don’t know what the acronym C.I.A.A. stands for (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) they know to head down to Charlotte, N.C. to party every year. Everyone in Hip-Hop, R&B, and beyond is booked for events surrounding the college basketball games. CIAA is filled with day parties and club turn ups by night. They say we can’t ever have anything so to no surprise it has been reported that shots just rang out at a CIAA day party hosted by Young Jeezy, T.I., and Yo Gotti. Cops were called immediately to the scene. Some in attendance are saying two people may have been hit, however no official report has been made.
Whether you like it or not, Kanye West’s track “Only One” will be one of the many songs that’ll get a lot of play everywhere. Recently, Ye performed the single on one of Scandinavia’s most popular shows, Skavlan. Once again, Yeezy’s performing over a small light. What’s the difference? Its a square this time! Check out the performance below.
B.o.B has been known to make music for audiences from the suburbs and from where he’s from, Decatur, Georgia. Recently, B.o.B releases a video for “Candler Road Sh*t”, which takes him back to his old neck of the woods. The song has that southern bounce that T.I. used to have back in the day, and show B.o.B’s talent in a more hood persona. Check out the video and tell us what you think.
If there’s any group of artists that collaborate frequently, its ASAP Mob and Flatbush Zombies. Recently, Zombies member Meech released a new single titled “Half Time” with ASAP Twelvy. The song has that real East Coast feel to the track, but with a twist of coolness to vibe out with. Check out “Half Time” below.
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Ab-Soul. Ever since his last project These Days, the Black-Lip Bastard has been pretty quiet. Well, that’s until this morning. Solo dropped a new song titled “47-Bars” on an unknown Soundcloud profile. Though there may be a risk of TDE dropping him, the Carson, Cali rapper didn’t really care. The beat’s also produced by Alchemist, which only makes the track m0re interesting. Check out “47 Bars” below.
