California rapper-producer David Cash released his latest project L.A.D.I.L.A. (Live And Die In L.A.) right before the end of 2014. The 18-track mixtape was filled with plenty of heat, but one track that stood out was the Scotty ATL-featured “Flowerz” and Cash has decided to push it as an official single.
David’s upcoming project California C.A.S.H. is scheduled to be released this year and it will come with appearances from the likes of of Metro Boomin, Jay 305, Eric Bellinger, Young Thug, Scotty ATL, Alley Boy, and more.
Just when you didn’t expect it, DMX is back with another album. The Dark Man X is dropping his eighth studio album, Redemption of the Beast, next Tuesday, Jan. 13th.
This time around X is taking the independent route and releasing the album on Seven Arts Entertainment. The 16-track effort is slight on features but Rampage, Freeway and Jannyce do make appearances. As far as production, Swizz Beatz is expected to have laced some tracks for the album after posting a slew of pics of him and X in the studio back in September.
Pre-order it here and peep the tracklisting below.
1. Spit That S###
2. Built Like A B####
3. On and On
4. Get Up and Try Again
5. Solid Ft. Rampage
6. I’m Gonna Win
7. It’s A Problem
8. It’s Goin’ Down
9. Shout It
10. One More Night
11. 56 Bars
12. Where You Been Ft. Freeway
13. Right or Wrong Ft. Jannyce
14. Gonna Get Mine
15. We Gonna Make It
16. Love That B#### Ft. Jannyce
With the help of director Casey McPerry, MGK shows major hometown pride in the video for “Til I Die”. From the city attractions to the hood, Machine Gun Kelly rides down the streets of Cleveland in 4-wheelers and motor bikes, taking us on a grand tour of the place he calls home. With the entire state of Ohio on his back, Machine Gun Kelly rips this Justice League produced beat. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself.
Mike WiLL Made It’s protege’s Rae Sremmurd made The Breakfast Club their first stop to chop it up about their debut album SremmLife, which drops today (Jan.6).
The Mississippi natives came baring gifts, handing Angela Yee, DJ Envy and Charlamagne copies of the “All-New Captain America” issue that features them standing with the first ever black Captain America. When asked how they ended up on the cover, they were light on details.
“There was just some crazy stuff that happened and they put us on there,” Swae Lee said. “We changed the game so I guess they felt they needed to put us on there, like we needed to protect Captain America.”
If you plan on copping SremmLife today, Slim Jimmy promises that fans will not be disappointed.
“You’re not gonna be able to turn it off,” said the 24-year-old. “I already know. It’s live. It’s good energy. It’s not just party music.”
Watch the interview to hear the clarify the meaning of not having a type, how they met Mike WiLL Made It and see them teach Charlamagne their signature dance.
Ken Rebel follows up “Rebel Anthem” with a new video from his 2014 Rebelution mixtape. “2-12” was produced by Brandun DeShay with the video being directed by DMF Films.
On Eminem’s ShadyXV track “Fine Line” he shouts out his friend and fellow rapper Young Zee for always showing him love and acceptance, but Zee felt some kind of way.
On “Fine Line” Em raps, “Put a thousands lighters in the sky for the Outsidaz….Zee, you always supported me / You vouched/I will never forget that and / How you guys accepted me for me and Pace / I love you too, you slept on my couch.”
Young Zee responded with a track of his own, but instead of showing gratitude the New Jersey rep called his friend out on a song called “Dear Shady” for not adding him to Slaughterhouse and not being there when he needed him the most.
“Let me ask you / Why you ain’t come to my avenue / When you grabbed dudes for your rap crew / I paid mad dues,” he spits.
The Outsidaz rep went on to question Eminem’s whereabouts when times got rough.
“Anyhow, my house burnt down/ I’m in Jersey now / You ain’t care, you ain’t even come around / I got locked up for selling quarter pounds down Bordentown / You could have looked out/you could have came and bailed me out,” he rhymed.
At the end of the track though, Zee decides to let bygones be bygones.
“And since you laid on my floor like you said before/You’re welcome to come still knock on my door.”
When it comes to music, many of the taste makers and game changers are young and ahead of their time. Some break records before reaching 25 while other make their first million at the age of 21. Forbes has recognized these movers and shakers on their annual 30 Under 30 list. For their music list, almost half of the 20-somethings listed are hip-hop representatives.
Chance the Rapper reigns as the youngest in charge on the list with Forbes recognizing him for his critically acclaimed mixtape Acid Rap and work with his band The Social Experiment. They also tipped their hat to 23-year-old Azealia Banks for maintaining her connection with her fans during the wait for her debut album, Broke With Expensive Taste.
Others on the list include Big Sean, Jhene Aiko,FKA Twigs Iggy Azalea and producers Hit Boy and Mike WiLL Made It.
The other top 30 Under 30 lists recognize professionals in sports, policy, finance, science, media and more.
In part 2 of AllHipHop.com’s exclusive interview with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, the Brooklyn-bred artist discusses two upcoming celebratory career moments. This year will mark the 25th anniversary of A Tribe Called Quest’s debut studio album People’s Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm, and 2015 will also be the 15 year anniversary for the release of his other supergroup Lucy Pearl’s self-titled LP.
The legacy of ATCQ also includes Ali, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Jarobi’s connection to the Universal Zulu Nation. The organization has been a big topic of discussion in Hip Hop over the last several months. Tip announcing that Nas, Big Boi, Joey Bada$$, and Freddie Gibbs as the newest Zulu brothers came as a surprise to some, but it was the inclusion of Young Money’s Lil Wayne that had more than a few observers scratching their heads.
Ali shares his thoughts on the new-found interest in the Universal Zulu Nation among Hip Hop stars and the controversy surrounding some of the new members. According to the “CPR” performer, more big names could be on the way.
2015 is the 25th anniversary of A Tribe Called Quest’s first album. Are you guys planning on doing anything to celebrate that milestone?
We’re trying to figure that out. The funny thing is we talked about that 5 years ago, and then the next thing you know you turn around and it’s like, “Oh shoot, that’s tomorrow?”
In that “oh shoot, that’s tomorrow” moment, you’re so not prepared. We’re looking at it though.
What about Lucy Pearl? This would be the 15th anniversary for that project.
I don’t know about that. [laughs] I can’t really speak to that. I feel like we made such a really good album, and I don’t know if it was ahead of its time.
Actually with D’Angelo dropping his new Black Messiah record, maybe this is a good time. Maybe people are a bit more open to it. You never know.
I wanted to ask you about D’Angelo. He was originally supposed to be part of Lucy Pearl?
It was a group called Linwood Rose that was supposed to be me, D’Angelo, and Raphael Saadiq. D’Angelo was working on Voodoo at the time, and Raphael really pushed the button for us to go in. That never happened with D, but we did it anyway with Dawn Robinson.
It’s just the scheduling never happened. I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me, I’ve been on the road traveling and recording heavy. At the time I was supposed to go over there I had to move the date. So I never made it to his crib. I wound up moving and leaving New York in between that time. I know he’s still working on it, so anything is possible.
There has been a lot of talk about the Zulu Nation over the last few weeks. Q-Tip and others have been in the center of adding new members. What are your thoughts about some of the new high-profile members like Lil Wayne, Nas, and Big Boi?
I think each of those brothers are very iconic, and they command a lot of attention and are able to unite a mass of people. So them coming into the fold of the Universal Zulu Nation, understanding what the foundation is, being able to absorb that into their own souls and skin, and to let that emanate in their art, brands, and businesses, I think is a very positive thing.
It’s planting the seeds of really uniting humanity at a point in time where clearly – when looking at what’s been happening over the past year – leaders are needed. Hopefully with them joining the ranks and with the ability to pull people together, it can be done under leadership that will present solutions for society, to help advance it in the spirit of love and unity.
There’s obviously been some controversy to a couple of the brothers you mentioned. There’s a “Why?” But why not? We have to stop using these divisive tools to prevent us from understanding we all come from the same place.
There may be a difference of opinions. There may be some areas of criticism that’s necessary to help align us a little better so it’s more harmonious, but you have to start somewhere. You can’t do it by having people in different corners of the world not talking to each other.
If you look at certain actions – like for example the move that America and Cuba made – there wasn’t any advancement in 50 years based off of the sanctions and separation with no discussion. Sometimes you have to do something different, bring people to the table, and align.
I’m hoping that a whole lot more people that you wouldn’t think being associated with the Zulu Nation will come in and sit down, because there are a lot of powerful brands that can help change things from a political perspective.
Do you think we will see more high-profile artists make the decision to join the Universal Zulu Nation? Do you see that movement growing to include even more individuals from the Hip Hop community?
Absolutely, I think 9th Wonder and Q-Tip have been very active in bringing people into the fold. When you get to the position of – and I’ll use the phrase in a positive way – “elder statesman,” that’s what is supposed to happen. Especially in a state where that’s not happening.
Now that those brothers are taking the steps to bring people in and organize, absolutely. There will be a lot more that will come in. It’s only a matter of time that people will understand. They look around and see what’s not working within their life. They’re seeing all the success and all the things that come with it, and there’s still something missing from a human spirit perspective.
The principles of the Zulu Nation is built on – it answers a lot of those questions from a spiritual perspective that unites humanity, not just Hip Hop. Different genres meld together under the Universal Zulu Nation. So not only will you see more people from Hip Hop – and I won’t put any names out there – but also abstract personas you would not see as part of it. I definitely think you’re going to see more of that. People from other genres as well.
A few weeks back, Keyshia Cole mentioned that she had a few videos from her Point of No Return album, tucked away in her arsenal. It looks like the Oakland bred singer is finally ready to let them free. Keyshia Cole kicks off 2015 with the release of the new visuals for “Do That For (B.A.B.),” in which she represents for all of her boss chicks who found love.
Check out “Do That For (B.A.B)” off Keyshia’s 2014 Point of No Return below.
After venting on Instagram about their marriage, it is reported that reality star Toya Wright and her husband, producer Memphitz, have separated. Memphitz has allegedly moved to Los Angeles, leaving Toya behind in Atlanta.
Last week, Memphitz wrote bluntly about his marriage to Wright, saying being married in the public eye is harder than people know.
Toya then responded with her own cryptic message, which made it seem that the two were headed for spiltsville.
A source told TMZ that reconciliation between the two is not likely and that Memphitz will allow Wright to file the divorce papers. The two have been married since 2011.
A couple days back a few celebs found themselves in a sticky situation when some of their tweets were dug up and came back to haunt them.
One celeb in particular was Basketball Wives reality star Draya.
In Janurary of 2010 she tweeted, “Bey your wack cause u never kiss ur husband and u have on them hip pads AGAIN.” Needless to say the BeyHive held nothing back and drug her a** through the mud and back, thus forcing her delete all of her tweets…
Draya’s response on why she deleted all of her tweets:
These two have been spotted hanging out and spotted getting cozy with one another for a minute now, but Sevyn Streeter took to Instgram to stake claim on whats hers:
Well there you have it ladies, B.o.B.’s eggplant is off the market. What do you guys think? Cute couple?
(AllHipHop News) Raymond “Raydio G” Jones is suing Eminem for what he believes is the illegal use of his group’s song “Lookin Boy.” According to TMZ, the Hotstylz member claims Em’s “Rap God” samples the Chicago natives’ 2008 single without permission. Raydio is reportedly seeking $8 million from Eminem and his label.
During a portion of “Rap God,” Eminem performs the exact same flow and bar set-up Raydio and his partners Krazee and Meatball used for “Lookin Boy.” At that point of the song, the beat even changes to resemble the one from “Lookin Boy.”
The similarities led to Hotstylz releasing the diss track “Rap Fraud” in 2013. “Rap Fraud” includes the line, “Hey, my name’s Marshall and I’m an addict. I steal people s**t without giving them credit.”
(AllHipHop News) Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Freekey Zekey are officially back together, and the Dipset crew stopped by Funkmaster Flex’s Hot 97 show to spit a few rhymes.
Freekey opened up the session. He was followed by Jones, and Juelz later added an a cappella rap. But it was Cam’s pre-written verse mentioning Jay Z and his sister-in-law Solange Knowles that stood out.
Jay said he made me millions – had to think about it / I’m thinking like ‘why he still thinking about it?’ / On the Drake record for the world to view / Seen Solange, she said, ‘what means the world to you?’ / And gave me dap. I swear to God, that’s word to Hudd / I specialize in two things – birds and bud
This was not the first time Killa Cam referred to Jay’s “made them millions” lines from “Pound Cake” off Drake’s Nothing Was The Same album. On his own version of “We Made It,” the Harlemite also addressed Hov’s “made them millions” bars. At the time, Cam claimed his “We Made It” verse was not meant to be a diss.
Cam has spoken about the infamous Solange elevator attack against Jay in the past as well. He felt no matter how the Brooklyn legend would have reacted in that situation, Jay would come off looking like a “sucka” to some people.
(AllHipHop News) Louisiana rapper Kevin Gates has partially made a name for himself by openly proclaiming his love for performing a### oral sex on women. It was Gates’ attempt to use his mouth in another way that earned him a slap to the face by a fan at a concert.
The 2014 XXL Freshmen Class member was performing on stage when he decided to bend down and kiss one of the women in the audience. It appears the young lady was actually at the concert with her significant other, and his immediate reaction to Gates attempting to kiss his girl was a hand to the performer’s face.
(AllHipHop News) Who says this entire generation of rap stars don’t pay homage to those emcees that came before them? After Kendrick Lamar paid tribute to Method Man during his Saturday Night Live performance in November, Big K.R.I.T. showed love to OutKast’s Andre 3000 on The Tonight Show last night.
The Cadillactica album creator appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s late night program to perform his song “Soul Food” with Raphael Saadiq. Krit stepped on stage wearing a shirt that read “across cultures, darker people suffer most. why? – 3000.” The statement was also one of the sayings that appeared on Andre’s highly publicized OutKast reunion tour jumpsuits.
(AllHipHop News) KRS-One is respectfully called “The Teacha” by many Hip Hop fans, but one Arizona Republican believes the emcee’s content used in an educational setting promotes resentment towards a particular race.
John Huppenthal is the outgoing superintendent of public instruction for the state. As he prepared to leave his position, he penned a letter to the Tucson school district complaining that the city’s “culturally relevant courses” were illegal.
The curriculum was mandated by a federal court decision as a means to resolve a desegregation lawsuit. But Huppenthal argued specific courses like “Culturally Relevant African-American Perspective” – which used KRS-One’s essay “An Introduction To Hip Hop” – violate a 2010 Arizona law that banned classes that “advocate ethnic solidarity instead of being individuals.”
Huppenthal also complained about the course “Culturally Relevant Mexican American Perspective” and the use of Rage Against The Machine’s “Take the Power Back.” He alleged the song promotes the overthrow of the U.S. government.
“They pulled out these inflammatory quotes to scare people,” said Curtis Acosta, a Tucson educator about a dismantled Mexican-American studies program he used to teach. “The same thing’s happening here, where you’re seeing a picking apart of novels or books or unit plans to build a case rather than to see it in its holistic environment.”
Tucson was ordered by the state education department to remove the material from the curriculum by March 4 or face losing 10% of its state funding. However, administrators are not caving to the demands at the moment.
“This threatened enforcement proceeding is nothing more than an attempt to circumvent the federal court orders denying the state’s intervention,” stated Tucson Superintendent H.T. Sanchez.
