According to President Obama, it is time for America to “do some soul-searching” after seeing the way Black people have been killed by police as well as the response to the violence against people of color.
The president made it clear that Americans will need to address the root causes of violent uprisings.
“This is not new. It’s been going on for decades,” Obama said from the White House.
The violence in Baltimore is the result of Freddie Gray’s death. Gray was killed after suffering a spinal cord injury after being arrested by Baltimore PD.
“We have seen too many instances of what appears to be police officers interacting with individuals, primarily African-American, often poor, in ways that raise troubling questions. It comes up, it seems like, once a week now,” Obama said. “We shouldn’t pretend that it’s new.”
Obama did call to task looters that have caused wide-spread property damage, even to police vehicles.
“There’s no excuse for the kind of violence that we saw yesterday,” Obama said. “It is counterproductive. When individuals get crowbars and start prying open doors to loot, they’re not protesting, they’re not making a statement, they’re stealing.”
There is a need to address the root of the matters, Obama said.
“I’m under no illusion that out of this Congress we’re going to get massive investments in urban communities,” Obama said.
He noted job training, education, criminal justice reform and other matters that need to be addressed before things change.
Tha Alumni Music’s Vee Tha Rula releases his new anticipated mixtape RULA 2, which is a follow up to 2014’s debut RULA mixtape. RULA 2 includes features from Ace Hood, Kevin Gates, Kid Ink as well as production from The Runners, Jahlil Beats, SAP, Konshis Pilot & more!
Baltimore has been the mecca of violence, and rioting in the streets of the city after the death of Freddie Gray. Ray Lewis speaks his mind about the future of Baltimore and the hard work that has been put in to build Baltimore the city he loves!
The four-man faction known as Clear Soul Forces has banded together with fellow musically minded Michigan native Nameless for the group’s third studio album Fab Five. While the producer from Flint, MI handled the tracks on the new LP, Detroit emcees Ilajide, E-Fav, Noveliss, and L.A.Z. of CSF took care of the rhymes.
Fab Five is a 16-track collection of tunes that represent Clear Soul Forces’ ability to attract listeners focused on lyrics as well as drivers wanting a soundtrack for their time behind the wheel. That crossover Hip Hop style is embodied in the album’s lead single “BPSWR” (Backpack Subwoofer Rap).
Three of the members of Clear Soul Forces spoke with AllHipHop.com about their latest LP named after the famous 1991 recruits to the University of Michigan basketball team. E-Fav, Noveliss, and L.A.Z. also discuss the current Detroit Hip Hop scene, rapping about police profiling, and why they deserve a shot on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
How have your lives changed since the last time we spoke?
Noveliss: I had a daughter. I already had my son. So that happened. Then we went on tour. We went to Europe twice. We headlined our own tour. That was crazy. We’ve just enjoyed being well-known rappers.
L.A.Z.: It’s like life has changed a lot, but not really. We’re still grinding this out as far as the music. Sh*t is the same, but it’s different. Like he said, we’ve had the opportunity to go to Europe. My life has not changed, but my mind state on how I go about things I guess has changed in that time period. I’m pretty much on the same tip. I’m still chilling and rapping. I’m just a little bit more focused about it. We’re still grinding out the same though.
You’ve titled your new album Fab Five which is really fitting since you’re from Michigan. What are your thoughts about the Hip Hop coming out of Michigan. In particular, the “Detriot vs. Everybody” movement?
Noveliss: I think Detroit Hip Hop is straight right now. Royce did PRhyme with Premo, and I feel like that was one of the best Hip Hop projects to come out in the last few years.
E-Fav: Detroit Hip Hop is kind of in a place I feel like it’s always been. It’s always kind of been “Detroit vs Everybody.” But we partially get overlooked by most of the industry. People f*ck with us, they give us our props, but we don’t really have a lot of industry here. But in terms of Hip Hop as a whole, it’s doing well.
L.A.Z.: I feel like we’re smashing the Hip Hop game right now. On all levels. We got people on the radio like Dej Loaf and Big Sean. You got n*ggas running the Internet like Danny Brown. He can drop whenever he wants and smash the game. Then you got the Hip Hop scene – Red Pill, us. With PHryme, Royce is on top of his game right now. From top to bottom, Detroit is back right now – mainstream, underground. We’re killing it right now. Even producers.
Speaking of producers, you’re previous projects included production from Ilajide and others. Why did you decide to have Nameless produce all of Fab Five?
Noveliss: It’s something we’ve been talking about doing for a while. We always used to talk about doing a whole album.
L.A.Z.: It’s been in the works for a long time. He’s our dude. We’re in between projects and before we hop into our next thing this is more of a raw project. [We said,] “F*ck it. Let’s do it.” It was one of those kind of things more than anything else.
E-Fav: Yeah, it was one of those things where we had a rapport already with Nameless and wanted to make some more music with him. Initially, it was supposed to be an EP, but it turned into something more than that once we got to working on it. I feel like artists do projects with one producer all the time. It’s one of those situations where an artist teams up with one producer. That’s what Fab Five is.
On the album, there are several times where relevant social topics like police profiling and Trayvon Martin were mentioned. Did you guys feel like those were issues you had to touch on with this project?
Noveliss: The crazy thing is we made the songs before a lot of that sh*t started happening like Trayvon and Michael Brown. We always deal with that sh*t everyday.
E-Fav: A lot of that content was train of thought. Like Noveliss said, we deal with that sh*t everyday. It’s almost like it’s too common these days. It was at one point where we were all having run-ins with cops. Almost every other week it seemed one of us was having complications with police officers.
L.A.Z.: My whip got impounded. All of this s### was happening back-to-back-to-back.
E-Fav: It was like “Damn, what the f*ck?”
On the lead single “BPSR”, the hook says, “combination of backpack and subwoofer rap.” What inspired that concept?
L.A.Z.: That is a term I always used that personified our music. I always felt like that was the key. Sh*t that would slap that you would ride in your car and listen to, but yet you’re still really rapping with substance. The Hip Hop music you can bang. I always felt like that’s what our music was. I had been saying it, but Noveliss came up with that hook. He actually took the term and put in the lyrics.
Some emcees don’t like being called a “backpack rapper.” You guys don’t mind that label?
E-Fav: People are going to label you no matter what. I think it’s more important for us to make music that comes from an honest place. And for us to make music that sounds like what we want it to be. I don’t know if we necessarily pay too much attention to labels. That’s more for other people to identify us with.
Noveliss: The term “backpack rapper” doesn’t bother me, because I’m a f*cking rapper and I use backpacks. I don’t really care. People got to put a label on sh*t, so people can understand it. That’s just how the world is.
Your website is forceswithyou.com. That’s a clear play on Star Wars. Are you fans of the franchise?
Noveliss: I’m a big ass Star Wars fan, but I can’t speak for everybody else.
E-Fav: I’m a moderate Star Wars fan. I think I’ve seen all of them, but I can’t name characters and sh*t. [laughs] Just the main ones.
I saw a Tweet from the Clear Soul Forces Twitter account saying the group wanted to get on Jimmy Fallon. If someone connected to the Fallon show happens to see this interview, what would be your pitch for why you guys deserve to be on The Tonight Show?
L.A.Z.: Look, that sh*t would be legendary. I watch that sh*t like every time somebody goes on there. People I f*ck with. From the Kid Cudi performance to Dej Loaf. I always watch it, and I feel like we would rock it. I like what the Jimmy Fallon show stands for. It’s fresh as f*ck having The Roots on there. I think we would shut it down. The Roots make pure music, and I feel like we make pure music. And we need a break. I want the whole world to see us.
E-Fav: I would second that. He’s got a good show. And like L.A.Z. was saying, with The Roots on there it would be epic. We would do it with no fear in our hearts, only excitement.
Footage has emerged from climbers on Mount Everest, showing the moment an avalanche shot towards them when Saturday’s earthquake struck in Nepal. At least 18 people have been killed on the mountain and more than 60 have been reported injured.
The earthquake has killed more than 4,000 people across Nepal.
From Youtube:
“The ground was shaking from the earthquake and as soon as we saw people running we were running ourselves to save our lives”
Today Detroit MC Chuck Inglish unleashes the MP3 to his track “Damage” that he recently released a video for. DJ Izzo on the cut, as always. Sit tight and jam to ‘Damage.’ More material from Chuck Inglish is on the way!
Trinidad James has been taking things slow ever since he was dropped from Def Jam and claimed that he was broke two years after signing with them. He has decided to branch out from hip-hop and explore another venture. The former Def Jam signee has announced that he is releasing a photography book, Trips To Trinidad.
“This book is basically a coffee table piece showing you the culture of Trinidad from a raw and ghetto perspective,” the 27-year-old told XXL. “The book is all photography work and it took about two weeks to put together. I intend on never stopping when it comes to making books. Just wanna keep getting even more creative with them.”
The book bares the same name as his recent four track EP, which was released Apr. 18th.
Trips To Trinidad is available for pre-order here.
I Am Action idolizes lyrics and Hip Hop bringing lyrics to the table with an authentic style and vibe on the track! Check out his Twitter: https://twitter.com/i_am_action.
Producers Jonathan Hay and Mike Smith had an idea to do an interpolation of ’90s alternative rock staple “Far Behind” by Candlebox and that’s how “I Didn’t Mean To Treat You Bad” was born. Slaughterhouse’s KXNG Crooked and Shalé did all the vocals for the official single from SMH RecordsWhen Music Worlds Collide compilation (featuring CyHi the Prynce, Royce Da 5’9”, INS Deck, Kool G Rap, Troy Ave, Horseshoe Gang, Dizzy Wright, Skyzoo & many others)—which is available today on Spotify.
A little over a year ago, fans were bestowed with am image that seemingly foreshadowed a great moment in Hip-Hop. Raekwon and Jay Z posed, a picture was taken by Lenny S and the internets went berserk with anticipation. Nothing happened though. In this exclusive interview, Raekwon reveals exactly what happened to the song, which was to include Ghostface Killah, to AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur. Rae just released his new album, F.I.L.A., so he also addresses Jay’s streaming service Tidal.
Click here to purchase Raekwon’s F.I.L.A.
While you’re at it, check out Senior Executive Vania Schlogel talk about why Jay Z removed Reasonable Doubt from Spotify and what its like to work with the legend.
Jodeci has finally released their long awaited fourth album The Past, The Present, The Future and it looks like fans won’t have to wait another 20 years for more music from the trio.
During a chat with Complex, K-Ci and Mr. Dalvin spoke about their work with the late Tupac Shakur and revealed that “How Do You Want It” and Toss It Up” are not the only Jodeci and ‘Pac collaborations that were done.
“There’s a few tracks out there that we did with him that nobody’s ever heard,” K-Ci said.
He revealed that they were shooting the “Toss It Up” video the day before Tupac was fatally shot in Las Vegas, so the video was never released. He said there were plans for more music to be done together but his untimely death shattered them.
K-Ci and Mr. Dalvin also spoke on possibly working with Drake, who K-Ci knows is a big Jodeci fan.
“I’ve heard the stuff he’s done and I like it,” Mr. Dalvin said. “I’m pretty sure in the future we’ll collaborate on something.”
Watch the sit down to hear how they reconnected with Timbaland, working with B.o.B and more.
Kendrick Lamar threw the first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers game yesterday (Apr. 27), but don’t worry, it was nothing like 50 Cent’s pitch at the New York Mets game last year. The throw was pretty exceptional considering that K. Dot doesn’t play baseball. It landed pretty low, but it got to the catcher.
Rico Love returns with new verses from Usher and Wiz Khalifa on the official remix to his latest single Somebody Else. Rico’s new album Turn The Lights On is set to drop May 19th.
After recently dropping his new mixtape, 10 Bullets, Young Buck is continuing to work his pen. He has announced that he is writing a book about his experience in prison. Appropriately titled, Behind The Wall, the Nashville, TN spitter will reportedly paint a vivid picture of what it is like for a celebrity to be locked down.
“Buck’s tale is a modern day version of the redemption of a powerful hip-hop celebrity who fell off course but was able to learn from his mistakes enough to change the path of his future, while also learning how to help others in his unfortunate situation to do the same,” read the press release.
The G-Unit rep spent 18 months in a Mississippi federal prison after being convicted of gun charges and tax evasion in 2012.
Behind The Wall will be published by Resource Printing. A release date has not been announced, but the book is sure to arrive “soon.”
Migos has announced that their North American tour, the “Yung Rich Nation” Tour has been postponed to July due to one of their members being behind bars.
“Due to circumstances beyond our control we are postponing this tour until July,” they said in a statement. “We want to be at our best and make sure that we give 100% during the Yung Rich Nation tour. We would also like to say ‘Thank You’ to all of our fans for their love and support.”
The tour was supposed to begin on May 1st and feature OG Maco.
After cocaine and a gun were found in their van during their performance at Georgia Southern University, the three amigos were arrested, with only Quavo and Takeoff being released on bail. Since Offset is a convicted felon he was not granted bail and remains in prison.
Their debut album, YRN Tha Album, is still set to drop on June 16th via Quality Control Music.
Nelly’s manager, J. Erving, spilled the beans about his client’s upcoming projects during a sit down with Billboard. Erving, who also manages John Legend and Miguel, revealed that Nelly and his longtime record label Universal Records parted ways last year and that now he is working as an independent artist. He is working on new music, but his new material is giving country grammar a whole new meaning.
“He’s a free agent on the label side now, and is working on a country-based Heartland EP, which should be really interesting,” Erving said. “He may be one of the first hip-hop artists to jump into that space in an authentic way with Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw, so we think he has an opportunity to grow that base even more.”
A release date has not been announced.
Nelly is no stranger to country music though. He collaborated with Tim McGraw on “Over & Over” for his 2005 album Sweat/Suit.
Donald Trump recently had some choice remarks about President Obama, basically trying to blame him for the Baltimore riots. Meek Mill quickly responded, saying it’s clear that Trump has been a racist. He also stated that most white men Trump’s age come from a racist era and are still racist. While Meek said he doesn’t condone what’s going on in Baltimore, he said our people have been through so much pain, so it’s hard to controls one’s emotions. Meek also shared some of his experiences with the police. Meek Mill was responding to Trump’s tweet that said:
“Our great African American President hasn’t exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore!”
Legendary singer Bessie Smith, who captivated audiences during the 20s and 30s, is set the get the royal treatment as Queen Latifah prepares the singer in HBO’s “Bessie.” Scheduled to debut on May 16, the biopic follows the story of Smith, once regarded as the best blues songstress of her time.
In honor of the project, HBO has announced the launch of Bessie’s 81 Theater Tour, a private workshop that will utilize top songwriters and producers in order to offer to provide invaluable industry insight as well as mimic how Smith and her peers created their own community of musicians prior to the invention of Social Media.
The brainchild of producer Bryan Michael Cox and songwriter Stacy Barthe, each showcase will feature local artists handpicked by industry vets, with showcases to be held in New York (April 28th and 30th) and in Los Angeles. Each event will feature a dinner and a private concert that boasts a special performance at the end.
For more information, please visit www.bessiethemovie.com. Join in the conversation about the series via the the tour’s official hashtag, #Bessie81Tour
Just when we thought Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose could possibly get back together, it seems like Amber Rose may be out having fun until they do. Amber Rose’s new boo may be Machine Gun Kelly. The two were spotted holding hands leaving the airport (after being hugged up inside). Amber Rose sure reels them in.
![Raekwon Finally Addresses Mystery Jay Z Collabo, Reveals Possible Reason Behind Delay [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/sohh.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/jay-z-raekwon-2013-05-15-300x300.png?resize=300%2C300 "Raekwon Finally Addresses Mystery Jay Z Collabo, Reveals Possible Reason Behind Delay [Video]")
