Raekwon is back with new music. For the 19th installment of his Throwback Thursday series he remixes Carl Thomas and Faith Evans “Cant Believe”.
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HEATER OF THE DAY – DeLorean Ft. Slim Thug Paul Wall, Lil KeKe & Mitchellel – Picture Me Swangin (Remix)
DeLorean recruits Houston legends Slim Thug, Lil Keke & Paul Wall for a remix of Houston’s number one song “Picture Me Swangin.” Find the Cory Mo produced track on Delorean’s current project Look Alive, out now via LiveMixtapes.
Profiles In Battle Rap: MC Jin
Before battle rap was selling out theaters and racking up 1 million plus views on YouTube, one of the most visible platforms for the culture was BET’s 106 & Park. The program’s “Freestyle Friday” competition was the site where many emcees got their first taste of national exposure.
Perhaps no rapper was able to parlay his victories on 106 into a long-lasting music career better than MC Jin. The Chinese-American’s 7-week run as the “Freestyle Friday” champion eventually led to him securing a short-lived deal with Ruff Ryders and working with some of the top personalities in Hip Hop.
Since that initial break, Jin has released numerous solo projects, contributed songs to soundtracks for the Fast & Furious franchise, and landed major endorsements while living in Hong Kong. Even though the 32-year-old rhymer is not quite ready to jump back into battling professionally, he has returned to the music scene with his latest album XIV:LIX (14:59). The 15-track project is the first release on Jin’s own multi-faceted entertainment venture The Great Company.
AllHipHop.com spoke with Jin for part 10 of the“Profiles In Battle Rap” series, and the bilingual businessman reflects back on his days as a lyrical jouster, discusses the inspiration for XIV:LIX, and addresses the impact big money will have on battle rap culture.
[ALSO READ: Profiles In Battle Rap: Hollow Da Don]
Hometown
Miami Beach, Florida
Years Experience
I started getting into it for fun when I was about 15. Then I was actively battling until about six years ago, so for about 10 years.
Style Known For (ie aggression, wordplay, punchlines, freestyle)
If I had to guess what people know me for – I never thought too much about it – but I noticed in recent years people put a lot of emphasis on me going off the top of the head. If I had to put my style in one lane, I guess people do acknowledge me as the freestyle guy.
I personally feel like over the years, the whole nature of freestyle battling has evolved and changed anyway. And if you asked me, “Where you always 100% off of the head back then?” I’ve always said not at all. I was a blender.
Crew
At one point the Ruff Ryders from 2002-2006. I was signed to them, but I look back on it now and I think that was the one misconception – even now when I encounter people they asked, “Do you still kick it with DMX, The Lox and Swizz Beatz?” When I came on board it was around the time everybody was going off to do their own thing, but it was cool with me because I was feeling like I’m not here to sponge off these individuals.
I’m actually a loner. Right now the team that I work with is probably the most I’ve ever felt part of a collective that everybody’s definitely has the same mindset, direction, and core values. The company I’m with now is called The Great Company. It’s not just a company to me. Do I see them as a crew or clique? Nah, it’s definitely a family.
Leagues Competed In
When I was the most active, none of the leagues we’re in the picture. So I wasn’t part of any of these leagues. When I started to fall back from the scene is when these leagues were on the uprise.
Like 106 & Park, I wouldn’t necessarily consider that a league. It was a dope platform to be able to be on, but as far as actual leagues I haven’t been in any of them. I did like one Smack battle, but that was even way before what it is now. This is when Smack was just dropping the Smack DVDs. On every DVD he would have one battle, and I did one of those.
Mixtapes/Albums
The Ruff Ryder album The Rest Is History. That’s perhaps my most high-profile album. That’s the one with production by Kanye West, Swizz, and Just Blaze and features Styles P and Wyclef. Then I released Properganda. If I had to describe it, that’s my “I hate the industry” album. I was coming off a bitter and discouraging experience with the Ruff Ryder album. Not with the Ruff Ryders, just how the album turned out.
After that album I released a couple more albums. I released a couple in Chinese. Then my new album XIV:LIX. People ask, “Is this your best album?” That’s a subjective thing, so I can’t call it my “best album,” but I can say with certainty this is my most authentic album. And definitely my most organic album. It was just me making an album that was most reflective of where my head and heart are right now.
That’s what “14:59” means – What do you do with that last second of fame? Some people will tell you Jin’s “15 minutes” have been up. If feels like that sometimes, like maybe I did blow the opportunity already. But either way with XIV:LIX, if people are still listening and I have a chance to make one last statement, then let it be this XIV:LIX album.
Favorite Battle (Participant)
Me vs Shells
This is for a couple of reasons. Number one, to date it was probably my biggest payout. This was at the Mixshow Power Summit. The winner of the battle won $50,000 which now is not that much.
The other reason why it was memorable was because it was in front of a crowd of people that were influential. I think that was my first time battling in front of the industry. One of the guys in the audience was this new artist by the name of The Game from Compton. Everyone knew he was there. I made sure I made a note of that, and in one of the lines I said something like, “Even my man right here recognizes me/Cause game recognizes game.” The crowd went crazy.
–
Favorite Battle (Non-Participant)
I rewatch a lot of Hollow Da Don’s battles. There’s a few where he just goes nuts in the earlier stages of the URL. Even his Grind Time battles.
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One Of Your All Time Hottest Lines
Here’s the thing. You never know what will make an impact. In context of 2014, the way battle culture has evolved, the line I’m about to reference – I’ll be the first to say isn’t even the most complex, mind-blowing line. But it is a line 12 years later people still come up to me and say, “I remember when you said…”
The line I’m referring to is from “Freestyle Friday” when I said, “You wanna say I’m Chinese/Here’s a reminder/Check your Timbs/They probably say ‘Made In China.’” If you ask me, it’s pretty simple, but it’s effective. I guess that’s the point to make.
Your Battle Rap Hit List
The hit list I would create would be for the ones I think are great, but at the same time these are the ones I wouldn’t jump into the ring with right now. Simply because these are the guys that eat, sleep, and breathe battle rap culture.
If I were to do it, it would be against the guys I think are the best to do it. My favorites are Dizaster, Charlie Clips, DNA. I could go on forever – Conceited, Hollow Da Don. I wouldn’t call that my hit list for clarification.
Top 5 Emcees DOA
I released a song called “Top 5 (Dead Or Alive)” and the concept is there is no top five. Everybody’s Top 5 is different. My Top 5 changes by the season. So my Top 5 at the moment is not necessarily my Top 5 of all time.
These are just five that I believed played a big part in my own growth as an emcee and a fan of the culture. Off top – Nas, Jay Z, Eminem, OutKast as a collective – Andre 3000 & Big Boi.
One that I always feel like is mad underrated, and I wish he was in more people’s Top 5 – Black Thought from The Roots. He’s definitely in my Top 5. Then Big Pun.
Pun was always repping hard for the Boricuas, so that obviously was inspiring to me. Just to see that you can go hard for your culture and people. At the same time, he wasn’t defined by that either. Pound-for-pound, lyrically, Pun was one of the best.
Do You Prefer To Participate In A Debatable Battle Or A Clear Victory?
In the days I was active that wasn’t even a topic. I never thought too much about what people thought as me being in a debatable battle or clear victory. Obviously, I wanted to give the best performance I could give.
If I looked back on all the battles over the years, the ones I actually treasure the most are probably the ones where I clearly lost. For example, no one would imagine that one of my battles I find the most memorable is actually where I got demolished. That was against Serious Jones.
That was a defining moment in my career, because that was the most clear-cut, no debate situation where I got “got.” Initially, it tore me up, because I felt this battling thing is all I have and now I’m losing this too.
Now I look back on it, and I’m glad it happened. In some odd, weird, twisted way, it helped me shake off some of that pressure and baggage that I was carrying for a long time.
Where Do You See Battle Rap Going In The Future?
I don’t know where it will go, but if you were to say where would I like to see it go – I think where it’s going is great already; the fact that you have young dudes that can actually make a living off it.
Once upon a time, the mentality was that “I’m gonna use battle rap as a way to get into the game.” Now you have some dudes where their mentality is “Screw the game, I just want to battle rap for the rest of my life. This is my career. I want to build my empire off battle rap and nothing else.”
If they have the ability to do so, then God bless them. I’m happy for them. However, at the same time, any time money comes into the equation things start to change. Even with battling right now, you notice bigger companies wanting to buy into it. So you have to deal with more problems that wasn’t there in the beginning.
Once upon a time, we were just battling because that was a way to prove that you’re the next dude. That’s how you proved yourself as an emcee. Now when you ask a battler if he wants to battle someone you get, “If the money’s right.” That right there alone is the biggest indication of the different direction this whole thing is going.
[ALSO READ: Profiles In Battle Rap: John John Da Don]
Follow Jin on Twitter @iammcjin and Instagram @iammcjin.
Read other “Profiles In Battle Rap” articles here.
MC Jin’s XIV:LIX is available for purchase at thegreatcompany.com and iTunes. Stream the album below.
Cassow – “RIDE”
After releasing “MAjik”, Cassow returns with his “GODTOBER” series of releases, now he slows it down to take fans on a smooth “Ride”.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Is Drake Getting Ready For Murda Mook?
OHHHH SNAP! I heard a good one here! I heard that Drake is making preparations to deal with Murda Mook! Can you believe this? I didn’t think Drake had it in him, but this source is pretty solid. The one thing that I wasn’t able to a certain was whether or not this was a “just in case move.” I got the impression that it was more of a preparation in the event that he was forced into a battle. Remember what the homey Mook did at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. I don’t think Drake is ready for anything that Mook has to offer, but we shall see.
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M.O.P. Ft. Busta Rhymes – “Broad Daylight” (187 Part 2)
M.O.P. will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a new EP, Street Certified, which will be released on November 18th and is executive produced by DJ Premier.
On the latest leak, “Broad Daylight” (187 Part 2), from Street Certified, A-List Alumni Billy Danze & Lil Fame link up with Busta Rhymes and “off your on switch”!
T.I. Reveals Musical Direction Of Next Albums “The Return” & “Love & Liability”
(AllHipHop News) T.I. just released his latest studio album this week, but the self-proclaimed “King of the South” has already formulated his next projects. While speaking with The Breakfast Club, Tip announced where he is looking to go musically on the follow-ups to Paperwork.
[ALSO READ: First Week Sales Predictions For T.I.’s “Paperwork” Are In]
“I kind of divided them into concepts,” said T.I. referring to the over 200 songs he recorded during the Paperwork sessions. “Conceptually, if you listen to Paperwork all the way down, sonically it’s cohesive. You can tell it goes together. It has a theme, a feel, a vibe. I got a whole album full of the [trap music sound] coming up next called The Return. That album is already done.”
Tip plans to release his version of Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak called Love and Liability as well. The Atlanta-based rapper will not be singing on the album, but he describes the project as “the perspective of a real n***a who gets himself caught up in love.”
The Hustle Gang boss also revealed that the remix to his hit “About The Money” with Young Thug will feature Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy. The original version is climbing Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and the video on YouTube has totaled over 28 million views.
[ALSO READ: T.I. Addresses How He Settled Iggy Azalea/Snoop Dogg Beef]
Watch T.I.’s interview below.
T.E.A.R.S. – “Watch”
Heating up the streets with his latest underground release “Watch”, the lyricist known as T.E.A.R.S. is demanding attention with this thought provoking and honest hood anthem. Proclaiming his inevitable rise as “the leader of the new school”, the anthem also pays homage to Boston street legend Tony Johnson as well as recently fallen victims of police shootings in America (Mike Brown and Charles Smith).
Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch & 9th Wonder To Unite For Indie 500 Collective
(AllHipHop News) Three of the most vital voices in Hip Hop over the last fifteen years are joining together for a music and business collaborative effort. According to OkayPlayer, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and 9th Wonder have announced the new Native Tongues inspired collective Indie 500.
[ALSO READ: Pharoahe Monch: Organized Konfusion To Release 20th Anniversary “Stress” Instrumental]
“We looked at each other and we were like, we should do business together and music together. Not just on the rap side, but on the touring side, the business side and sharing of information,” stated Monch. “It’s empowering, it’s beautiful, and it’s important for that to be known. To inspire younger generations to not only rap, but to start companies and corporations.”
Monch’s W.A.R. Media, Kweli’s Javotti Media, and 9th’s Jamla Records are combining to further support the independent status of the respective imprints. Indie 500 is centered around the brand of Hip Hop that often gets ignored by mainstream radio.
“Indie 500 is a kind of continuation of the Native Tongues sound all the way to the Rawkus sound. Badu, Jill Scott, Slum Village — anywhere that has that texture of sound that feels good with good lyrics — Indie 500 is a continuation of that and a new generation,” said 9th. “We’re trying to continue on the tradition of classic — what they like to call ‘traditional’ — Hip Hop. Grass roots, deep-rooted Hip Hop music.”
The new collective is likely to grow to include other like-minded artists. W.A.R. already works with acts like MERNA, Mystic, and Mela Machinko. Jamla’s roster includes Rapsody, GQ, and Big Remo. Javotti has Res, Niko Is, and CoryMo.
“It’s everybody that we’re down with…anybody that has an independent mind state or spirit is Indie 500,” adds Kweli. “It’s important for us, as artists, that we value the art, and we raise the value of art. So we state that we’re independent, that we’re black owned, we’re stating that we have value and you need to pay attention to us.”
[ALSO READ: Ice Cube, Raekwon, Talib Kweli, & More Dissect Their Classic LPs In “Check The Technique Vol 2″]
Watch Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and 9th Wonder discuss Indie 500 in the video below.
Common Names His Top Five Albums From The Last Five Years
(AllHipHop News) If you ask Hip Hop fans about Common’s career album catalog, many of their answers would likely acknowledge the Chicago emcee has 2-3 classics under his belt. So it seems proper to ask Com which particular recent projects he holds up as some of the standouts from the culture.
[ALSO READ: AHH ALBUM REVIEW: Common “Nobody’s Smiling”]
DJBooth did just that in an interview with Common. The creator of 2014’s Nobody’s Smiling picked works by a couple of fellow Chitown representatives, a leader of the new West Coast, a New York veteran, and a Grammy-winning R&B singer.
Common said:
I would say My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West. I think it had all the elements of hip-hop that you love. It had the dope rhyming, hardcore beats, but he did something that was really new and progressive. He had the perfect subject matter. Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid M.a.a.D. City. That album had a story to it. The songs were unique and fresh. His perspective was fresh. I liked Chance The Rapper’s mixtape Acid Rap. I liked that because anybody sampling Slum Village, you already know that there’s something special there. (Laughs) There was something real about it and true. I loved Nas’ Life is Good. That definitely let you know that some of the classic artists still know how to make music that’s relevant. And talking about subject matter, “Daughters,” was like, ‘Man!..
I think the fifth – I wouldn’t say it’s not a hip-hop album – but the fifth album that I think was under something you would say, ‘Man, you could do innovative music,’ was that Frank Ocean album, Channel Orange. I thought that his writing was real good. And for you to build an impact, be on the Grammys singing songs, and have an Andre 3000 on the album, it was dope, man. Those are the five albums that I feel like gave me hope in hip-hop and what Frank Ocean’s album did, gave me hope for other music as well.
[ALSO READ: Common, Ne-Yo, Elle Varner & More To Appear On Hip Hop Caucus’ “Home” Album]
King Los Talks Current Relationship With Former Bad Boy Boss Diddy
(AllHipHop News) Earlier this year it was revealed that Baltimore emcee King Los split with Diddy’s Bad Boy label. Even after the official business partnership between the two ended, Los states he still has a good working relationship with Diddy including having the Hip Hop mogul’s input on his upcoming album.
[ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: King Los Talks Diddy Being “Very Critical” + Kendrick Praising His “Control” Freestyle (VIDEO)]
“We have my OG – Puff Daddy – who is executive producing,” said Los during an interview with Hot 97’s Ebro. “That’s like big bro. We’re tight, like really, really close… That guy’s around, and he wants to be very instrumental in the shaping and molding of what I do. And make sure it stays legendary.”
The newly signed RCA artist is in the studio working on his next official project. Los dropped the 19-track Zero Gravity 2 mixtape in March. The tape included features by Royce Da 5’9”, Kid Ink, and Jeremih.
[ALSO READ: Diddy Drops New Music Project “1111” With DJ Guy Gerber]
Watch King Los’ interview below.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Maury Povich Wants Omarion On The Show!
This is pretty much one of those ‘LOL’ stories of the day.
Recently there’s been rumors flying that Omarion’s new son with his girlfriend, LHHH star Apryl Jones may not be his, saying he needs to get a DNA test ASAP.
The Maury Povich Show took to Instagram, suggesting that the couple appear on the show to get answers once and for all.
LMAO. Now whoever is over the Maury account is wrong as hell, he’s got drama with his mama and baby mama, he don’t need no more. #theignorance
First Week Sales Predictions For T.I.’s “Paperwork” Are In
(AllHipHop News) T.I. returned to music this week with his 9th studio album Paperwork. Thirteen years after the release of his debut LP I’m Serious, Tip’s latest project is not predicted to move the same big number of units in its first week like earlier works such as King (522,000), T.I. vs. T.I.P. (468,000), and Paper Trail (357,000).
[ALSO READ: T.I. Addresses How He Settled Iggy Azalea/Snoop Dogg Beef]
According to Hits Daily Double, T.I.’s Paperwork is looking to sell around 65,000 – 70,000 units this week. At the moment, that would put him in a close race with Def Jam artist Logic for chart positioning.
The Maryland native’s Under Pressure is also predicted to sell 65,000 – 70,000. Metal band Slipknot is leading the new release pack with predicted sales around 100,000 – 110,000 for .5: The Gray Chapter.
Tip’s last LP Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head opened with 179,000 units sold and went on to sell over 500,000 copies. The Hustle Gang leader’s previous seven albums have all gone at least gold.
[ALSO READ: 2014 Has Not Had A Platinum Album So Far]
Hip-Hop Rumors: Game Knocking Down A Recent High School Grad?
The last few weeks Tyga has been all over the internet for his relationship with 17-year-old Kylie Jenner, well he may not be the only rapper out here who likes the youngins.
The Game is allegedly dating 18-year-old model India Love, who has a few Game references present on her Instagram account.
Now don’t get me wrong, she’s a beautiful YOUNG lady, but that’s just it, she’s a YOUNG lady. SMH.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Drake Claps Back At Tyga The Drake Way!
Drake looking at Tyga like:
But in his brain he’s like:
“Diss me you’ll never hear a reply for it.” -Drake
Drake goes IN on Tyga- in the Drake way. As you know, the boy Tyga recently proclaimed that he doesn’t like “Drake as a person.” I would have preferred he say, “f**k Young Money as a staff, record label and as a motherf**king crew,” but that’s just me. Anyway, he homed in on Drake and Nicki, saying that he really didn’t care for them. Now, as far as I know, Nicki didn’t say much. However, Drake said a little something in his own little Drake way. He went and liked several pictures of Blacc Chyna, Tyga’s baby moms. He knows people are watching so that’s a major diss in the world of Drake. LOL! Earlier this year, he rapped “call up King of Diamonds and tell Chyna it’d be worth the flight.” So, he’s been messing with Lil’ Tyga all year! I think Drake is that type of dude on some LL s**t. Anyway, we’ll see.
Tyga be like:
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Jodeci To Reunite At The 2014 Soul Train Awards + K-Ci Interview
Photo by KMazur/ WireImage/Getty Image
The 1990’s garnered many R&B groups but none quite like Jodeci. It was an era dominated by New Jack Swing where Jodeci married R&B soul and Hip Hop to create a sound that is classic and timeless even today. You can’t talk about R&B, soul, and New Jack Swing without mentioning Jodeci, the Bad Boys of R&B; the Black Guns and Roses.
The Soul Train Awards 2014 is pulling out all kinds of surprises some of which still haven’t been announced. An announcement that has garnered the most excitement is arguably the biggest reunion in R&B/ Hip-Hop history: The best R&B group to do it JODECI. The iconic quartet, hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina achieved much success in the ’90s including five No. 1 R&B hits. R&B fans remember jamming to classics like “Stay,” “Forever My Lady,” and “Come and Talk to Me.” The legendary R&B group will perform during the Soul Train Award show taping in Las Vegas on Nov. 7.
The act will perform a medley of their hits as well as a snippet of the brand-new single, “Nobody Wins.” Jodeci also has a new forthcoming album, their first effort since their platinum The Show, the After-Party, the Hotel album in 1995. When I spoke to K-Ci in 2013, he referred to the group as four country boys from Charlotte, North Carolina who were talented enough to get a record deal in 45 minutes. The group includes two sets of brothers, Cedric “K-Ci” and Joel “JoJo” Hailey, as well as Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” and Donald “DeVante Swing” DeGrate. The quartet hasn’t taken the stage together in the U.S. since 2006 so die hard Jodeci fans and R&B fans alike are in heavenly bliss as they patiently await the Soul Train Awards air date of Nov. 30, 2014.
Check out an interview I did with K-Ci of Jodeci in 2013 below:
“Soul Train was a critical platform in the beginning of our career, so it only makes sense that our return to the stage be during Soul Train Awards 2014,” the group said in an exclusive statement released to Yahoo Music. “We’re humbled by the loyalty of our fans who have asked for a reunion and look forward to giving them a show as only Jodeci can. #JODECIforever.”
Although K-Ci & JoJo reemerged as a duo in 1997, the group has always stated that they never disbanded. The duo released five successful albums including some memorable covers as well as contributing to notable movie soundtracks. Jodeci rose to fame with the release of their triple platinum 1991 debut album Forever My Lady. The album peaked at eighteen on the U.S. Billboard 200 and reached number one on the R&B Albums chart. Thank you Andre Harrell, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Heavy D, and other executives at Uptown Records for bringing Jodeci to fruition. Their double platinum sophomore album Diary of A Mad Band proved to be equally successful peaking at number six on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The Show, the After Party, the Hotel (1995) was the group’s third album and most successful as it charted in the U.S. and outside. It peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It has multi-platinum certification by the RIAA.
Musical genius DeVante Swing discovered a number of iconic artists including Missy Elliott, Timbaland and Ginuwine. He also discovered Playa and Tweet as all listed above were apart of his Swing Mob/ Da Bassment crew. Swing has also produced for 2Pac, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, Flo Rida and many more. In 2011 I asked a shy and humble Swing what did it feel like to traverse the musical landscape and redefine R&B as we knew it? What was it like to bring those church chords to R&B; that gritty soul, and silky vocals? What was it like to write, produce, arrange, and play on such pieces beginning at age 16? He softly replied, “I just wanted to make dope music.” K-Ci stated to me last year that the group is not getting back together because they never broke up. Mr. Dalvin also told me the reason the group is still relevant today and revered as one of the best if not the best R&B group ever is because they put out quality and timeless music. “You can’t rush quality or greatness,” he said. Mr. Dalvin stated to me that when it’s time for Jodeci to hit the scene again they will. Well the stars have aligned and Jodeci is back to show and prove why they are R&B royalty.
Jodeci’s music with its timeless and classic quality continues to impact the artists of today. People have been sampling Jodeci since the early 2000s and lately Drake sampled Jodeci’s “My Heart Belongs to You” on his latest release “How About Now,” and he paid homage to the band with the track “Jodeci Back (Freestyle)” featuring J Cole. Nipsey Hussle also paid homage to the group with his recent release featuring Dom Kennedy titled “Don’t Forget Us” which samples Jodeci’s “What About Us”
The 2014 Soul Train Awards will be hosted by Wendy Williams and will also feature performances by Chris Brown, Jeremih, Aloe Blacc, Nico & Vinz, Lisa Stansfield, Kem, and Liv Warfield. Trey Songz, Boris Kodjoe, Laila Ali, and Wolf Blitzer will present at the ceremony. The Soul Train Awards 2014 will air on Centric and BET Networks on Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Go back in time with us and enjoy Jodeci’s Uptown Unplugged performance below:
EXCLUSIVE: Tha Eastsidaz Talk New Music (VIDEO)
West coast duo Tha Eastsidaz have been gone for a minute but now that member Tray Deee has been released from prison, he and Goldie Loc are looking to come back stronger than ever. After their performance at the How The West Was Won concert, AllHipHop.com’s DJ Hustle chopped it up with the Long Beach reps about their upcoming album with DJ Battlecat. Check it out below.
162: Lazarus Spits Freestyle
While Tim was wrapping up a great interview with the MC and M.D Lazarus, the Detroit lyricist asked if he could bless the rapstation.com audience with a rhyme off the top of the head.
Complete interview with Lazarus will be available soon on Itunes here http://thelibrarywithtimeinenkel.libsyn.com/ and at rapstation.com
Joey BadA$$ Featured In The Adidas 2014 Skateboarding Fall/Winter Lookbook
In photos snapped by photgrapher Brock Fetch, Joey Bada$$ is sporting new threads from the adidas Skateboarding Fall/Winter 2014 Lookbook. With Brooklyn as his background, the Pro Era rep is rocking select hoodies, tees and skate-appropriate adidas footwear from the line to entice the eye of skaters worldwide. Garbs from this line are currently available at PacSun with more exclusive wear to come in November. Peep the gallery below.
Dallas Nurse Amber Vinson Is Now Ebola Free
The second Dallas nurse to become infected with Ebola after treating the first Ebola patient to die on U.S. soil no longer has the virus. According to a statement by her family Amber Vinson is Ebola-free, People reports.
“Amber and our family are ecstatic to receive this latest report on her condition,” said Vinson’s mom, Debra Berry. “We all know that further treatment will be necessary as Amber continues to regain strength, but these latest developments have truly answered prayers and bring our family one step closer to reuniting with her at home.”
The spread of the virus in the U.S. had become a concern when it was found out that Vinson had boarded a round-trip flight from Dallas and Cleveland before she was aware that she had contracted the virus. Though she called the CDC to clarify whether it was safe for her to fly before she boarded the flight, she still received criticism for flying.
“She’s infected for doing something so selfless. We should be applauding her courage,” Vinson’s friend Emilia Sykes told People regarding Vinson volunteering to care for Duncan when he came to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.
Vinson’s colleague, Nina Pham, is still receiving treatment for the virus.