Ray J recently began tackling a new business venture when he signed a deal with his business partner David Weintraub and became the face of RSNL Watches last year. Before the jewelry line could get up and running they have been hit with a major blow.
It has been reported that Ray J has been hit with a cease and desist letter from luxury watch company Audemars Piguet because they feel that the RSNL watch is a clone of their Royal Oak watch. They claim that there are too many similarities in between the two lines, like the hexagonal screws on the octagon-shaped face of the watch.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watch RSNL Watch
Audemars Piguet had given the Love and Hip Hop star until Feb. 3rd to put an end to this watch venture but Weintraub told TMZ that they are continuing with the launch, which means a lawsuit is on its way.
Lil’ B has been penning speeches instead of songs for a while now. He has been invited to give food for thought at some of the country’s top schools and he has snagged yet another invitation. The Based God announced on Twitter that he would be taking the stage at Carnegie Mellon University on Feb. 25th.
LIL B NEXT LECTURE WILL BE HELD AT CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY !!! FEB 25th! PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA !! STUDENTS ONLY!!!!! HISTORICAL- Lil B
The global research university is stationed in Pittsburgh, PA and is a world leader in robotics and green power and is one of the top 25 universities in the world. The Wall Street Journal also ranked CMU at number one in computer science, fourth in finance and seventh in business.
The Bay area rep has also given lectures at New York University, UC Riverside, Virginia Tech and Massachusetts Institute Technology.
Bobby Brown has reportedly decided to take his daughter Bobbi Kristina off of life support at the end of this week. She has been in a medically induced coma at Atlanta’a Emory Hospital after being found face down in her bathtub on Jan. 31st.
A source told Radar Online that Brown came to this decision after talking with Whitney Houston’s family and that he is praying that she survives. It was recently reported that the 21-year-old would be taken off of life support on Feb. 11th, which was the anniversary of her mother’s death, but it was later revealed that those reports were false. Last week, Bobby Brown’s sister, Leolah, told FOX Atlanta that Bobbi Kristina was “doing well” and that her condition was “improving.”
How Bobbi Kristina came to be unconscious is currently being investigated.
Virginia rapper Kenn Starr began to build a following back in 2006 with his debut Starr Status. Not long after the album grabbed the attention of Hip Hop fans and media, the Low Budget Crew member’s label folded. The set back halted Starr’s musical progress, but he eventually found a new label home at indie powerhouse Mello Music Group.
Even with a new business situation, the DMV artist’s meticulous approach to crafting a project caused more time to elapse between albums. Before he knew it, 9 years had passed. Fortunately, 2015 finally saw the return of the man also known as Kenneth Cold with the 13-track LP Square One.
Starr teamed back up with his fellow Low Budget comrade Kev Brown to handle half of the production on Square One. For Starr, working with the Maryland maestro again was a no-brainer. He credits Brown with bringing out the best in him like on the previous cuts “Relentless” and “Another Day.”
The new album also features beats by Black Milk, 14KT, Roddy Rod, and Kaimbr. Square One includes guest appearances by Sean Born, Melanie Rutherford, Hassaan Mackey, yU, Wordsworth, and Supastition as well.
AllHipHop.com connected with Kenn Starr for participation in the “Three Questions” series. As part of the interview, Two Nz Two Rz names his picks for the greatest Hip Hop representatives from DC/Maryland/Virginia and shares advice to some rap hopefuls struggling to find their way.
The Wu-Tang Clan’s members have quite the expansive discography, including Raekwon’s ’95 debut ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’ album. This year Raekwon and Ghostface Killah celebrated the 20th anniversary of the album by releasing a documentary that chronicles the historic Hip Hop masterpiece.
AllHipHop caught up with Raekwon to discuss his legacy and why he felt creating the documentary was a necessity.
“It’s important to the game. I feel like every artist doesn’t get the opportunity to have a 20 year expansion in the business, and I’m just doing it for my fans. At the end of the day these are the ones who allowed me to be where I’m at today,” he stated.
The Winners crew united for a new track. Brownsville emcee Marvelous Mag recruited Hus Kingpin and SmooVth for the cut “Fetti.” The song was produced by Camoflauge Monk.
Liberty City representative Yoshi Thompkins pays homage to an Atlanta Hip Hop legend on the first single off his collaborative EP. Thompkins worked with fellow C9 member producer Ronny J on the upcoming project. The 19-year-old rapper decided to drop “Gucci Mane” on the birthday of C9 front man Denzel Curry.
(AllHipHop News) Less than a year ago, Bobby Shmurda was one of the hottest rappers coming out of New York. The success of his YouTube hit “Hot N****a” led the young rhymer to sign a deal with Sha Money XL and Epic Records. According to Bobby, the status of his relationship with his label has changed since his arrest in December.
Billboard interviewed Shmurda over the phone from jail. The 20-year-old Brooklyn native revealed Epic has not been very supportive of him during his ongoing legal troubles.
“No, no. They’re not bailing me out. They’re not standing by me that much. Every time I call them, there’s excuses about [parent company] Sony, this and that,” said Bobby. “So, nah. It’s more people on the streets that’s standing by me more than them. I haven’t gotten a visit from one of them yet. Nah.”
Shmurda’s uncle and manager Debo Wilson claims he warned his nephew certain people would not have his back when he needed them most. Last month, Wilson told VladTV that Bobby has basically been used and abandoned by the industry.
“When we left him, his s**t’s been going down hill,” Wilson stated. “He got all the d**k riding n***as in the industry that runs around behind him. They’re not trying to help him. All they’re trying to do is live off his fame.”
Bobby did tell Billboard he has spoken to Meek Mill, French Montana, Migos, and others during his incarceration. While his mother has also been very supportive, Shmurda is no longer expecting backing from Epic.
“At first I thought it was love. Now everything is all business,” declared Bobby. “I just stopped looking towards them.”
Valentine’s Day may be over and done, but that doesn’t mean the love has to stop anytime soon. As he gears for the Spring 2015 release of his upcoming Simone project, Facts Major (formerly Raw Facts) of Rochester drops a smooth tune for the ladies titled “Get It Right” produced by Jayze.
(AllHipHop News) Kanye West was once again attempting to take over the entertainment world last week. After performing twice at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, the G.O.O.D. Music leader debuted his new Adidas collection in New York City on Thursday.
Mr. West is never short on words, and he gave plenty to Complex in an interview. Ye spoke about his new “Yeezy Season 1” line. He also explained how working with his DONDA creative company and his relationship with wife Kim Kardashian caused him to evaluate his level of respect for women.
Kanye said:
Before, when I drove down the street I would see these brands and think they’re really desirable for a girl who would dream of one day walking in that runway show or something like that. And that’s a, you know, dated view and degrading to women, in a way.
Because when I was a single bachelor rapper, and with the access that I had, I realized that I wasn’t respecting women the way I needed to. God has an amazing way of teaching people, and literally for two years I lived with all alpha females and a daughter, you know? [Laughs] So I had to learn to really do what my mother taught me, and become the man she always knew I could be, and bow as a creative.
While West’s collection has faced some criticism, the “Power” rapper insists he has received positive feedback from his fashion designer friends like Riccardo Tisci, Alexander Wang, and Olivier Rousteing.
They support me one hundred percent. They sent flowers, emails, and just love. They know I’m in that design office. They know I’m there giving an opinion. They know the concept of celebrity designer is so far out the window.
I feel like I’m Eminem, you know? You don’t think “white rapper.” You just think Eminem. You don’t think celebrity designer, straight designer, black designer, all these types of things that kind of held me back conceptually in being accepted as a designer. You just think of those words. But when those moon boots come out, you put them on your feet and just swag out and go somewhere with your friends, those words don’t matter.
There were numerous celebrities in attendance at Kanye’s “Yeezy Season 1” fashion event. Kim K, Jay Z, Beyoncé, Diddy, and Anna Wintour were all seated in the front row. West’s latest song “Wolves,” featuring Vic Mensa and Sia, also premiered at the showcase.
Houston has delivered several iconic MCs. While some have earned global acclaim and others have snatched regional support; lyricism and listeners have enabled both to appreciate longevity. 5th Ward JP –guess which part of Houston he reps– is dedicating his time and creative endeavors to, The Sauce Factory. Sharing realistic sixteens is garnering the burgeoning artist his time to shine.
(AllHipHop News) Several 1990’s beefs were officially let go of this weekend in New York City. Sean “Diddy” Combs and Snoop Dogg united East Coast and West Coast at their “Tip Off” Concert. Then Faith Evans expressed she was ready to bury the hatchet with Lil Kim after acknowledging the “No Time” rapper’s performance at Snoop and Diddy’s event.
Last week also saw another Kim adversary show her love on Instagram. NYC rapper Foxy Brown mentioned the Queen Bee on an IG post. Brown wrote, “(Personal S**t Aside) Music Will Never See Another FOX & KIM Period!”
Foxy and Kim had been involved in a feud going back to the 90’s. Both Brooklyn natives released tracks dissing the other in the past. In recent years, Kim also had issues with Brown becoming close to her other rival Nicki Minaj.
(AllHipHop News) Love was in the air this past weekend as couples around the country celebrated Valentine’s Day. Rappers have a romantic side as well, so Montreailty compiled footage of a few Hip Hop stars sharing stories about times they have had with a special lady.
Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q, Machine Gun Kelly, Freddie Gibbs, Joey Bada$$, Kid Ink, Ty Dolla $ign, and Bun B each reminisce on romance. From literally setting a bed on fire to vacations in Paris, the eight guys reveal memorable lover’s moments.
(AllHipHop News) Is Drake’s new project an album or a mixtape? When it comes to sales, in the end it may not even matter. HitsDailyDouble is reporting the Young Money artists’ If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late is expecting to go gold in less than a week.
According to the site, IYRTITL could top 550,000 units sold first week. The total is remarkable considering Drake released the project without any promotion and the “mixtape” is not available for physical purchase.
There are even predictions If You’re Reading This could sell over 700,000 digital copies out the gate. That means Drake could set a new single week iTunes record, besting Beyoncé’s self-titled album haul of 618,000 in 2013. Beyoncé was also released overnight on iTunes without any promo.
Continuing his streak for creating radio-ready hit records, Bobby Brackins has released his latest single, “My Jam.” Joined by Disney Channel star and Teen Vogue’s February cover girl Zendaya and RnB favorite, Jeremih with production by Dem Jointz. “My Jam” follows the release of Bobby Brackins’ previous single, “Hot Box”, featuring G-Eazy and Mila J, which has amassed nearly 4 million SoundCloud plays and 1 million YouTube views.
New dope tripped up R&B track from Earlly Mac featuring Drey Skonie called “Another Level”, produced by Drey Skonie and Roger Goodman. “Another Level” is on Earlly Mac’s latest mixtape “God Knows”. Stream below.
Vivica Fox made a startling revelation on “The Meredith Vieira Show” in a recent interview that has yet to air.
The 50-year-old actress revealed that 50 Cent “is absolutely the love of my life.”
The pair dated over 10 years ago and had a turbulent relationship that ended in 2003. Viv said that dating 50, now 39, was “difficult.”
“I really, really cared for him and I loved him very, very much and I always will, but he just wasn’t right for me,” Vivica told host Meredith Vieira. “That’s hard when you really, really love a person in your heart, you want to be with them, but you finally have to say, ‘He’s just not right for me.'”
Viv said that she hopes for the best for her former flame.
“I wish him the best, he is amazing and baby, he’s fine, but… sometimes love ain’t always right,” she explained. “The heart wants what it wants, but sometimes it’s just not right. [I learned] to trust in my heart and know to take the time not to settle,” she spilled. “I think as women sometimes we’re afraid to be alone or we think, ‘Oh my god, he’s a great catch.'”
Kendrick Lamar has hit us with a pair of songs that evoke esteem and unity in the ears of his listeners. That was “i” and “The Blacker The Berry The Sweeter The Juice.” What happens after that? Nobody really knows, but there is some chatter going on. Before we carrying on though, I have a theory, which could be wrong. I think the released that ‘i” as a tester. They got all the good looks in the licensing area and made a crapload of money with no album. Now, here comes the album. The album is rumored to be a pro-Black effort that is going to come out from a far more nationalistic state that before. For a minute there folks were thinking that Kendrick was going to try to get really corny. That’s not the case. In fact, the word is trying very hard to straddle that line between commercial and his real artistry. Hey…word is…dude is going to come out pro-Black.
The new Public Enemy?
A lot is on the line here and they know it. We are supporting.
OG Maco is one hard working hombre. The Atlanta native has just released the 15 EP, a new 11-song project. This also marks the fourth project in as many months. 15 features several appearances by Migos, Johnny Cinco, Skippa Da Flippa, and others like Kushy Stash.
As the first single off the Furious 7 original soundtrack, Kid Ink calls upon fellow rappers Wale, Tyga, YG & Rich Homie Quan for “Ride Out”. The Furious 7 soundtrack drops on March 17 and the movie comes out April 3rd. This video full of fast rides and muscle cars, however, is out now. Check it out below.
Vivica Fox made a startling revelation on “The Meredith Vieira Show” in a recent interview that has yet to air.