BET Hip Hop Awards weekend or any award show weekend kicks off pretty early with events surrounding the event. This year the Peter Thomas Entertainment Group (PTEG), in conjunction with UPTOWN Magazine and Music Executive Debra Antney, presented the first 2014 How Can I Be Down? Salute to Excellence Awards honoring Hip Hop pioneers. Media, tastemakers, music execs, and reality starts gathered at the Intercontinental Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate this year’s honorees: David Banner, Shanti Das, Kenny Burns, Jermaine Dupri, Ryan Glover, Clifford “T.I.” Harris, and Greg Street. Peter also surprised Kandi Burruss with an award for her contributions to American music during the black-tie event.
Celebrity guests included Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kandi Burruss and husband Todd Tucker, Kenya Moore, Cynthia Bailey, Claudia Jordan and Demetria McKinney. Also spotted were Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’s Benzino , Dice (Lala’s Full Court Life), Derek J, and more.
Check out photos of the event below courtesy of Prince Williams of ATLPics.net.
(AllHipHop News) The feud between 50 Cent and Slowbucks began partly because Bucks posted a picture of himself with 50’s son Marquise Jackson and 50’s rival Trav.
That action eventually led to Slowbucks’ chain being snatched on stage at Hot 97’s Summer Jam concert, and disses on tracks and social media being thrown back and forth.
It appears all the drama has not phased Slowbucks’ relationship with Marquise. The fashion mogul once again posted a picture of the teenager on his Instagram page. The caption for the photo reads:
My lil bro @199viq (Marquise Jackson) came threw 2day & kicked it with me .. We stopped in the 50’s & checked my n%a @Meech_TheBoss out & cleared the racks out over @GetSetNYC then went threw Da 90’s 2 check@Bz718 & Da #GSC BOYZ #BQE sh!t F%k all that negative sh!t this is #Family sh!t #LikeDis
Marquise briefly showed love to Slowbucks on IG recently as well. Before removing the pic, he posted an image of the Slowbucks Over Everything mixtape with the caption: “That #SBOE Dropped Today.”
(AllHipHop News) Reality TV stars are known to go at it on screen, but two alumni of the Love and Hip Hop franchise battled on Twitter. Rapper Soulja Boy and singer K. Michelle threw shots at each other overnight on the social media site.
The issues between the two began when Soulja Boy alledgedly said he slept with Michelle. She then went on The Breakfast Club radio program and denied the allegation that she had sex with the “Crank That” performer.
“Let me tell you something, Soulja Boy – cause I know you’re gonna hear this – What you’re not gonna do is lie on my hot pocket. When I do something, I say I did it and that’s what it is. So that giggling,” Michelle said. “We don’t want to giggle about that transgender in Atlanta. Giggle, giggle, now crank that.”
This led to a series of hostile posts from SB, and Michelle responded back in kind.
(AllHipHop News) Kendrick Lamar is back. The TDE rapper dropped his brand new single “i”. As K. Dot works on the follow-up album to his Grammy nominated, platinum selling good kid, m.A.A.d. city, the West Coast representative shares the Rahki-produced cut.
(AllHipHop News) The A3C Festival and iHipHop Distribution are back once again with their annual compilation album. The fourth installment of the A3C LP features songs by Sir Michael Rocks, The Underachievers, Dave East, Chris Rivers, and many more.
In total, A3C Volume 4 will include 50 tracks from some of the rising Hip Hop performers from across the country. Previous editions of the project were springboards for breakout stars like Big K.R.I.T, Ab-Soul, A$AP Rocky, Danny Brown, G-Eazy, Curren$y, Action Bronson, and Freddie Gibbs.
A3C Volume 4 will hit digital stores worldwide on October 7. The A3C Festival is scheduled for October 8-12 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Check out the A3C Volume 4 cover art, tracklist, and videos by G4SHI, Jitta on the Track, and Aziz below.
1. Sir Michael Rocks – Daddy (feat. Shorty K) (produced by Sir Michael Rocks)
2. G-Jet – Richard Pryor (produced by A. Squared Production)
3. SD – No Sleep (feat. Domino) (produced by Philly Beatz)
4. G4SHI – You Want It (produced by Smokie Morrison)
5. Dat Boi T – 2 Jointz (feat. 2RAW) (produced by iLLFaded)
6. Dutch ReBelle – Coolin (produced by Teddy Roxpin)
7. Chris Webby – Live It Up (produced by Ned Cameron)
8. Buddy – I Don’t Think So (produced by Huss)
9. Chris Miles – All My People (produced by Redd Lights)
10. Aziz – Spark One (feat. Ground Up) (produced by Teddy Roxpin)
11. Lotta – HNIC (produced BanksOnTheBeat)
12. Dunson – Back Quiet (produced by Dunson)
13. Mick Jenkins – Free Nation Rebel Soldier 2 (produced by 6thBoro)
14. Blizz – Do It Again (produced by Aleksy Beats)
15. EarthGang – Tokyo Files (produced BlackTopHero)
16. Matt Ford – Quarter (produced by SamLive)
17. Michael Christmas – Salty (produced by Floam God)
18. Really F###### Cool – Leana Horns (feat. Smoke DZA, Al-Doe & Nym-Lo) (produced by Brady Watt)
19. Chuuwee – Crossed Paths (produced by Teddy Roxpin)
20. Shome – Enigma (feat. Jerm9v) (produced by Jerm9v)
21. Sonny Rich – Money Machine (produced by Trouble On Da Beat)
22. Dave East – Stretched Out (produced by Buda & Grandz Muzik)
23. Gee Watts – Symptoms (produced by Mike Hurst)
24. Will Hill – Light One, Roll Two (produced by Mark Byrd)
25. MDuke – Northside (produced by MDuke)
26. SMTH – Blow It (produced by Kadaffi Da God)
27. Lil Champ FWAY – I’m Ready (produced by ShowOffBeats)
28. Stranger Day – A Way to Forget (produced by Wilguts)
29. Niko 4G – Buss It Open (produced by YOG$)
30. MiC Kurb – On & On (feat. Russell Boring) (produced by MiC Kurb & Russell Boring)
31. Ethereal – GoGoGo (feat. Marz Lovejoy) (produced by Ethereal)
32. SpaceGhostPurrp – D.U.R.S. (Hypebeast) (produced by SpaceGhostPurrp)
33. Jitta on the Track – Loud (produced by Mavarick)
34. Robb Bank$ – Ice Cold (produced by Nuri & Posh Dog)
35. Mani Coolin – BackWood$horty (produced by Riko X)
36. Kydd Jones – Who Are You (feat. Cory Kendrix) (produced by Kydd Jones)
37. Azad Right – I Don’t Know (feat. Sophia Enggren) (produced by Jonathan Marquez)
38. Kidd Adamz – Rain Forever (produced by PlayCasso)
39. Prez P – Toast Up (feat. J Nics) (produced by Nuez)
40. Phene – Feeling Good (feat. Naj Murph) (produced by Nick the Quick)
41. blctxt & King I Divine – The Roots (produced by King I Divine)
42. ADD-2 – Frightening (produced by Khrysis)
43. AG Da Coroner – Snakes (feat. JC Money) (produced by Bartenders Music)
44. John Gannon – This Him (produced by Teddy Roxpin)
45. King Author – Not A Nice Guy (produced by Teddy Roxpin)
46. Laelo – Killin Em (produced by Tha Shipmates)
47. Chris Rivers – Clean Up Guys (feat. Whispers) (produced by Khardier Da God)
48. Nolan the Ninja – The Monologue (produced by Kharri)
49. Radamiz – 3 Ways to Respect (feat. King Critical & Madwiz the Bandit) (produced by Double A)
50. The Underachievers – 3hree Kings (feat. Freeway) (produced by Mike Jerz)
(AllHipHop News) As the United Nations is holding the 2014 U.N. Climate Summit in New York today, members of the Hip Hop community are lending their voices to bring awareness to the climate change issue on a new musical project.
Hip Hop Caucus partnered with The Private Plane to create the Home album.
Common, Ne-Yo, Elle Varner, Malik Yusef, Crystal Waters, and Raheem DeVaughn are among the artists to appear on Home. Some of the participating acts will perform at the official album release event being held today in Washington, DC.
1. Spaceship Odyssey 2000 – Malik Yusef feat. Laci Kay, Auggie Del Rey, Mandy Rain, Sirena Legend, Joaquin Evans
2. Mercy Mercy Me – Antonique Smith
3. Trouble in the Water- Common, Malik Yusef, Kumasi
4. One of Us – Candice Glover + Jessica Care Moore
5. Earth Song – Ne-Yo + Sonna Rele
6. Everything- Choklate
7. Big Yellow Taxi – Karmin
8. Which Side Are you On? – Elle Varner
9. Always – Malik Yusef, Ryan McDermott, Hassan Khaffaf, KC Joe
10. Children of the Ghetto – Crystal Waters
11. Outerspaceship – Raheem DeVaughn
(AllHipHop News) Actress/singer KeKe Palmer and Brooklyn Nets player Brook Lopez are taking part in Food Bank For New York City’s Change One Thing Back-to-School Tour. Food Bank’s nutrition education campaign, Change One Thing, encourages kids to share information about healthy eating and how to sustain a healthy diet on a low budget.
Palmer and Lopez will take part in a nutrition education summit at Opportunity Charter School. The host of Just Keke and the NBA All-Star will speak to the teens about sports nutrition, super foods, how to avoid diet-related diseases, and more. Students will also get the chance to take a pledge to live healthier by making one healthy choice at a time.
The Change One Thing Back-to-School Tour featuring Keke Palmer and Brook Lopez is scheduled for today, September 23 at 11 am. For more information visit www.foodbanknyc.org.
Calliko returns with an amazing new record entitled “Show Me” featuring newcomers Keontaie Watson and Legend. With instrumentation provided by Taylor King, these talented artists’ vent there emotions about the people in there lives that use the word “love” but don’t put any effort into displaying the definition of it. From the music industry to personal relationships, this is a universal subject all can relate to. Be on the lookout for more from this midwest MC.
(AllHipHop News) It appears long-running Hip Hop magazine XXL is joining VIBE in transferring from a print publication to digital only. The New York Post is reporting Townsquare Media is buying XXL from Harris Publications, and the October-November issue of the mag will be the final newsstand edition.
The new publishers have suggested printed versions of special issues may be released in the future. Unlike VIBE which is reportedly laying off employees, XXL is said to be looking to add 11 editorial and digital ad sales team jobs.
“We incubated something digitally, but the Townsquare people can take it to the next level with their digital expertise,” said Ben Harris, president of Harris Publications.
XXL‘s most popular issue is the annual Freshmen Class edition where 10-12 rising rappers/singers are chosen to represent the most buzz-worthy newcomers for that year. Past freshmen include Lupe Fiasco, Wale, Kid Cudi, J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa, Big K.R.I.T., Kendrick Lamar, Iggy Azalea, French Montana, Macklemore, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul.
A woman gets a breast ADDED to her already existing two breasts! I don’t know what to say about this other than WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS or THE HOBBIT IS COMING TRUE.
DUBB releases his new song “DEJA VU” produced by C##### P. The rising west coast wordsmith has four upcoming song appearances on The Game’s “Year Of The Wolf” album which drops October 14th. DUBB is also expected to release his own new project “Perfect Timing” later on this year.
The talented Mary J Blige recently announced she has a new album “The London Sessions” in the works. Earlier today, she drops off the first single from the project titled “Whole Damn Year”. The album will have features from Disclosure, Emeli Sande, Sam Smith and many more and you can expect it to hit shelves December 2nd.
As we wait on “NoDoz” to hit the streets soon, Short Dawg lets loose a freebie titled “10 Pints” featuring Ab-Soul and Mac Miller. Yes this will be featured on the upcoming project.
(AllHipHop Features) Luke James has been a force behind the scenes in the music industry for over half a decade. The New Orleans bred singer-songwriter has penned charting songs for superstars Chris Brown (“Crawl”), Justin Bieber (“That Should Be Me”), and Britney Spears (“Kill The Lights”). He was later hand selected by Beyoncé to appear in her “Run The World (Girls)” video and serve as the opening act for her “Mrs. Carter World Tour.”
Much like his animal kindred spirit, the wolf, James has an innate desire to conquer the terrain working with others, but he also has the ability to survive as a loner. The “I Want You” performer is ready to break from the pack with the release of his self-titled studio LP. The Luke James album will present an artist on a mission to share his own personal journey through love and heartache.
“I just felt like this album was the prelude to the Luke James story,” explains the Grammy nominated performer on why he self-titled the project. “It only feels right to name the initial cover of the book ‘Luke James’.”
The crooner further tapped into his lone wolf mentality by limiting the guest features on the album to one appearance by Rick Ross. The Maybach Music Group leader adds a verse to the track “Options,” and he shows up in the song’s video which was actually directed by Luke.
“When considering ‘Options’ as the single, we just wanted to have a rapper on it,” says James. “I figured for that type of song, that type of message, I wanted it to be somebody that definitely had a voice that the people would adhere to. Rick Ross has that. It honestly happened organically. It was awesome.”
The rest of Luke James includes passionate solo tunes including “Exit Wounds,” “Glass House,” and “Dancing In The Dark.” The author insists all the cuts on the commercial project were 100% inspired by real experiences from his life just like his previous mixtapes #Luke and Whispers in the Dark.
Despite his affinity to reference darkness, James suggests the themes of his music are just reflective of his state of mind and mood at the time he put a pen to paper.
“I guess some of the best songs come from a very lonely place where I can really assess what I’m feeling, and I just put it out there,” states James. “I guess it would appear to be dark, but I think it’s more honest.”
It has been thirteen years since James started off a member of a three-man singing group at his N.O. high school. Following stints as a backup singer for Tyrese and being sign to the Underdogs production team as part of another group, Luke is pleased he is officially establishing himself as his own artist for the growing legion of fans supporting the Wolf James movement.
“It’s been a long time coming. I don’t know if excitement is the word. It’s more like ‘ready.’ I’ve been working on this album my whole life,” declares James. “It feels great. I’m glad to finally put it out – an official release. Something that people can really go support, buy, and own.”
Luke James is scheduled for release on Tuesday, September 23. The album is available for pre-order on iTunes.
Lauryn Hill has done it once again: p##### off her loyal fans.
The world has been begging for Miss Hill to come back to the stage a grace us with her natural talent, but since she’s start back performing, all you hear about is really negative reviews of her shows.
Her latest performance took place in London Saturday night at the Brixton Academy. the Guardian reported that there were numerous complications that led to the show being a catastrophe and led to fans walking out and expressing their displeasure via social media.
“The trouble began before Hill had even taken to the stage, with complaints about the warm-up DJ. That Hill kept the crowd waiting, arriving on stage 90 minutes after the advertised starting time, hardly helped matters. Then, when she did begin, many in the crowd were horrified by massively rearranged versions of songs from her only solo album to date, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Not only were there complaints about the manner in which the songs were performed, but also about the sound at the Academy, which was reportedly very loud and lacking clarity. Some fans booed Hill, and others left early. Suggestions that she was booed offstage appear to be incorrect: though booed, she was leaving the stage temporarily,” reported The Guardian.
Poor Lauryn. We hope she gets it together soon if she expects fans to show up to her shows.
(AllHipHop News) Three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies have been reprimanded for taking pictures with 50 Cent while on duty. A local CBS affiliate reports the sheriff’s office disciplined officers for unprofessional behavior.
However, the punishment was not that severe. The deputies received “verbal counseling” for giving “a poor perspective and lack of neutrality” and “neglecting their assigned duties.”
The G-Unit leader was at the county courthouse for a hearing concerning a civil lawsuit with Sleek Audio. 50 (born Curtis Jackson) was ordered to pay the headphone company $16 million for allegedly stealing their product design and confidential private client information.
While 50 was leaving the building, Sgt. Craig Laufer along with deputies Pamela Gibbs and Yvane Moreland were caught on a Palm Beach Post video interacting with the rapper as fans. Laufer can be seen posing for a picture with the Queens native, and the two female deputies can be seen walking with their hands around 50’s waist.
This looks like some weird new beef, but Justin Combs – Diddy’s first born child is calling Bobby Schmurda out! Not in a bad way, but he’s saying “Respect the originator!” And he does the Schmurda dance to to prove it. Diddy definitely used to get his dance on back in the 90’s and it seems like there are some similarities .
(AllHipHop News) For her 13th studio album,Mary J. Blige traveled across the pond to record with some of the leading talent in the British music scene. The Queen of Hip Hop Soul collaborated with artists like Disclosure, Emeli Sandé, Sam Smith, Jimmy Napes, and Naughty Boy for the upcoming London Sessions LP.
Blige recently sat down with The Breakfast Club to give more detail into how the project came together.
“London was the inspiration because of the record we did with Disclosure – the “F For You” record. It exploded in London… and it started trickling over here,” explained Mary. “Before I signed to the new label we met with Steve Barnett, the head of Capitol Records. We told him the idea about doing an EP with Disclosure, and he was like, ‘Forget the EP. Let’s do a whole album and surround you with the culture of all the young upcoming producers, singers, and writers over there’.”
The Yonkers songstress and her husband Kendu Isaacs also discussed how she became involved in a controversial 2012 Burger King commercial. Blige caught backlash for appearing in the “BK Chicken Snack Wrap” ad. Some critics felt the act reinforced negative stereotypes about African-Americans.
“When we signed up to do it, she was singing about a salad. In the last minute they were like, ‘We want to switch it to the sandwich’,” stated Issacs. “My dumb ass, I dropped the ball.”
Isaacs also claims either Burger King or the ad agency edited the footage to include off the cuff statements Blige made that were not intended for the commercial.
“It’s almost like they were doing it on purpose,” he said.
Blige added about the fiasco, “I got real dark for a minute. I wanted to go under my bed…When I felt like I wanted to go under there, something was like, ‘Get up and have the courage to go out there. Yeah, they’re laughing. You’re a soldier. Go do what you need to do’.”
