(AllHipHop New) Jay Z’s Roc Nation has added another Hip-Hop star to his burgeoning roster with Big Sean.
The announcement was made on the management company’s twitter page with a picture of the Detroit rapper.
Big Sean, Kanye West and Jay Z collaborated on “Clique,” a song from G.O.O.D. Music’s 2012.
Welcome to the Roc Nation family @BigSean pic.twitter.com/zuUrjCdxqx
— Roc Nation (@RocNation) September 12, 2014
(AllHipHop News) VIBE – the magazine – officially ceases to exist.
The long-standing magazine will now completely shift its efforts to the intent and no print version will be published anymore. Additionally, 19 people were laid off in a “reduction of force,” according to Capital New York.
The company continues to employ over 100 people. VIBE was purchased by Spin Media in 2013 and quickly moved from a monthly mag to a quarterly publication.
The will continue to focus on the internet.
The brand will focus on their online property according to Spin Media Group C.E.O. Stephen Blackwell. ‘When I look at what was going on here prior to my tenure, I think that some of the resources…if we’re directing resources toward print, that intrinsically means that we’re directing resources away from digital. I’m here to commit to directing all of our resources toward the digital side of Vibe,’ he said.
Vibe magazine was founded in 1993 by the legendary Quincy Jones. Treach of Naughty By Nature was on the very first cover.
For the 13th installment of Raekwon’s Throwback Thursday series, he add some bars to Faith Evans’ “You Used To Love Me”.
(AllHipHop News) Color coordination almost had Nicki Minaj full frontal. During her recent interview on The Ellen Degeneres Show, the Young Money rapper explains what caused her near wardrobe malfunction at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.
On August 24th, Nicki Minaj almost sent viewers of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards back to Super Bowl XXXVIII as she clung to a black dress while performing “Bang Bang” with Ariana Grande and Jessie J. Minaj explained to Degeneres she changed her original outfit backstage at the last second to match the black and white theme Jessie J and Ariana Grande displayed. Before stating that rushed wardrobe change led to her being “butt a*s naked” under the black dress, Minaj explains:
It was pitch black, I couldn’t see anything and right before it was time for me to walk out they went to zip it up and … nothing. And right there I thought I died.
Check out Nicki Minaj explain her wardrobe malfunction below:
(AllHipHop News) Stevie Wonder sees exactly what is up. During a recent interview, Wonder bemoaned about the Ferguson mayor’s oversight of the city in the wake of the Mike Brown shooting.
In late August, Ferguson Mayor James Knowles stated “there’s not a racial divide in the city of Ferguson” in an MSNBC interview. Wonder questioned if the mayor was seeing straight:
I don’t know if the mayor has blinders on. But to say that he didn’t know that there was a racial or cultural problem in the city is unfortunat
Wonder is set to embark on the “Songs In The Key Of Life Performance” tour where he will perform the entire Songs in The Key of Life album. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Wonder explained that the set list will not mirror the original tracklist:
The only difference to the actual layout of Songs in the Key of Life is, as opposed to ending with the songs ‘All Day Sucker’ and ‘My Mama’s Call,’ I’m going to end it with ‘Another Star,’ because I feel that song is the right one to do. Now, we’re going to put the other two songs that were on the EP in the presentation as well, so they’ll be probably the first two extra songs after the first part of Songs in the Key of Life, which are ‘Saturn’ and ‘Ebony Eyes’
He’ll also performing new songs from his upcoming album Through The Eyes Of Wonder.
The stars of VH1’s highly anticipated new reality show edition Love & Hip-Hop Hollywood (LHHH) celebrated the series’ exclusive premiere with a star-studded after party Tuesday night at Supper Club in Hollywood. LHHH star and prominent LA nightclub promoter Sincere Show hosted the late night soiree with fellow show star Yung Berg and his beau Masika Kalysha in tow. The show’s Executive Producer Mona Scott-Young, industry executive Debra Antney(“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta”), Somaya Reece (“Love & Hip Hop”), NBA star Matt Barnes, model Jacky Oh, Vlad (Vlad TV) and more were also in attendance to support the cast.
While keeping “The Show” going all night long along with DJ BAD, Sincere took a moment to acknowledge his participation in the much-buzzed about LHHH show and thanked Mona Scott-Young for her leadership as the show’s Executive Producer and jokingly admitted that she was his love interest in the show. The cast members were then presented with a massive LHHH themed cake to top off the night!
The after party at Supper Club followed a successful exclusive premiere screening of the first episode of the new Love & Hip-Hop Hollywood edition which will officially air on VH1 starting Monday, Sept. 15th. In addition to Sincere, Yung Berg and Masika Kalysha, the show’s cast includes Soulja Boy, Omarion, Tearria Marie, Hazel E, Yesi Ortiz, Lil Fizz, Nikki Murdaris, Morgan Hardman, Apryl Jones, and Amanda Secor.
DMV’s trio Black Coal links up with Visionary Music Group and Logic affiliate C Dot Castro for a brand new hard hitting single titled ‘Gold Gated Villa’. This is set to be on their new project “THR-O-NE” dropping soon.
Parisian streetwear brand Pigalle partied in style last night with Travis Scott, Mack Wilds & A$AP Ferg to celebrate the unveiling of their newest Nike collaboration.
Brainchild of ex-professional basketball player Stephane Ashpool, the Pigalle x Nike Air Raid is the brand’s second collaboration this year.
Presented in two subdued shades of oxblood and white, the high-top design blurs the line between sport and fashion.
Its sleek form includes subtle Pigalle branding on the back heel tab, and Nike text on each side.
Available exclusively at NYC’s 21 Mercer & Dover Street Market, you have until 7:00 pm today to cop your in-store raffle ticket.
The store will announce the winners shortly after the contest closes.
Do you plan on picking up a pair?
As a fan of Hip-Hop music, in the early 2000’s there were certain mixtapes you waited for, because it was a big friggin deal. Mixtapes on your radar were always; Flex, Clue Big Mike, Kay Slay, Green Lantern, Whoo Kid and a kid from Boston named Clinton Sparks with his branded Get Familiar tag line, was one of the mixtapes you waited for and couldn’t wait to pop into your CD player.
Clinton’s tapes are no joke. Exclusive songs, cuts and scrathes, production, Sparks had it all with the biggest names in the game. Fast forward to 2014 and Clinton Sparks is ranked #7 on USA Today’s top DJ list. Clinton was a correspondent for E TV Network. Clinton Sparks produces mixtapes for Rock groups like Fall Out Boys. Yes, Sparks does Rock mixtapes! Only an out-of-the-box mind approach can accomplish the feats Clinton Sparks has compiled. He is one of the few people that can get a shout out from a Steve Aoki, Tommy Lee or Rick Ross concert and each audience will show him love.
Clinton’s mind doesn’t work in just Hip-Hop, it works in music, Hip-Hop is one of many tools used to create ICONoClast, his latest EP. Sparks not only lends his creative genius to acquire the likes of Snoop Dogg, T.I., 2 Chainz, Macklemore and Ty Dolla $ign, sparks lends his vocals on the EP to really give his fans all of Clinton Sparks.
Clinton musical mind seems to be on level 10 at all times, with a drive second only to possibly Diddy, Sparks is proud to produce something that music lovers will appreciate. AllHipHop speaks with Clinton about his album and his mixtape. Take a look at our interviews and enjoy an stream of ICONoClast below while you tale a look into the mind of a musical entrepreneur and genius behind the mic. Get more Familiar with Clinton Sparks and his smokin’ new EP, ICONoClast!
Clinton speaks on Digital Detox mixtape
ICONoClast Stream
Will EQ drops his track “Can I Borrow Your Lighter” a coming out track of sorts from his Social Insecurity project on DatPiff. The track is produced by The Psychonautz, who gave Will EQ a low key banger with somber horns that repeat in that background over gritty drums. Pay attention to the lyrics because Will EQ is observing his surroundings in an introspective way thats sure to draw attention.
Virginia native New Regime decides to liberate his new “Material Life” single featuring Megan Marie.
Brooklyn rap group Flatbush Zombies and Sacramento punk band Trash Talk join forces again for the fourth single off Converse’s CONS EP VOL. 2.
[ALSO CHECK OUT: Flatbush Zombies x Trash Talk — “97.92”]
(AllHipHop News) “There will always be an N.E.R.D,” Pharrell Williams told a London crowd. “I’m happy to be a nerd; the bullies lost, the nerds win.”
NME reports Pharrell could be reconnecting with his band mates Chad Hugo and Shay Haley for another run as N.E.R.D.
[ALSO READ: Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” Breaks U.K. Download Record]
Pharrell brought out Haley during his set at the iTunes festival, and the group’s “silent member” revealed to the audience that N.E.R.D has been working on music.
“It feels good to be back in London. When we released our first album back in 2001 and first crossed the Atlantic, this was the first place to embrace us,” said Haley. “You’re gonna like this s**t we’re gonna release.”
N.E.R.D has dropped four albums. Their last LP was 2010’s Nothing. The trio’s most well-known song is perhaps “Everyone Nose (All The Girls Standing In The Line For The Bathroom)” from the Seeing Sounds album. The track’s remix featured Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Pusha T.
[ALSO READ: Kanye West Responds To Comedian Jay Pharoah’s VMA Impersonation (VIDEO)]
Watch the video for N.E.R.D’s “Everybody Nose (Remix)” below.
(AllHipHop News) Back in July, Childish Gambino called out rappers Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Schoolboy Q during a concert in Sydney, Australia. The Atlanta native declared himself the best rapper and said he would lyrically decapitate Drizzy, K. Dot, and Q.
[ALSO READ: Childish Gambino Calls Out Drake, Kendrick Lamar & Schoolboy Q (VIDEO)]
Gambino was asked about his onstage challenge to his peers during an interview on The Breakfast Club, and the rapper/actor explained why he puts himself above those specific emcees.
“I feel that way. That’s my truth. I said those rappers in particular because I feel like they’re the best,” said Gambino. “I’m sure they’re fine with it… Kendrick is fine with it… Drake is probably not taking it great, but I know the TDE guys. They’d understand. They’re one of the realest dudes in Hip Hop. They understand it. We’re in competition.”
The “3005” performer was involved in another moment of controversy this summer when he sent out a series of tweets about wanting to be a white rapper.
[ALSO READ: Childish Gambino Goes On Twitter Rant About Social Media Activism & Wanting To Be A White Rapper]
The “poem” featured Gambino offering his take on why even though some people call him a “white rapper” he does not receive the benefits of actually belonging to that demographic.
“It was a poem about freedom. I’m not going to explain my art, because that’s not what art’s supposed to do. It’s supposed to be a conversation,” stated Gambino. “When was the last time somebody was mad about a poem? I did that. That poem’s about freedom. I do want to be big and white. Will Smith is big and white.”
[ALSO READ: Childish Gambino Tapped To Voice Spider-Man]
Watch Childish Gambino’s full interview below.
Although it’s quite unfortunate that the new Aresenio Hall Show was cancelled only after one season, we cannot forget what the original Arsenio Hall Show did for Hip Hop and R&B during its original run from 1989 to 1994. One episode in particular, the farewell show, was produced by Queen Latifah. Queen Latifah called 20 rappers together to create a live cypher on the show called the Rap All-Stars. A few emcees included in the cypher were YoYo, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Das EFX, KRS-One, Naughty By Nature and many more. Among others were some of the acts who performed on the show. Arsenio Hall told VLAD TV it was the coolest thing anyone had done for him as the cypher included numerous prestigious emcees and groups from the 1990s. Enjoy the classic video below.
(AllHipHop News) The video of then Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice hitting his fiancée (now wife) Janay Palmer in a hotel elevator shocked most of the country, and many wondered why the NFL pro-bowler struck the woman so hard she was knocked unconscious.
[ALSO READ: Baltimore Ravens Terminate Ray Rice After Assault Video Surfaces (VIDEO)]
Sources are telling TMZ, that Rice is now blaming being intoxicated for the incident. Reportedly, both Rice and Palmer were drinking heavily that night at the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.
The site also reports Rice has been telling friends he is a different person when he is under the influence and has since stopped drinking hard liquor. The couple has also apparently turned their lives over to Jesus Christ and were baptized a month after the altercation.
Rice issued a statement that included him saying the couple are “in good spirits” and there are “a lot of people praying” for them. Rice and Palmer are said to be undergoing religious mentoring with other couples.
[ALSO READ: Ray Rice Makes First Public Statement Since Assault Video Release]
(AllHipHop News) Multi-talented artist/actress/TV personality Queen Latifah stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live, and she spoke about her past as an artist manager for acts like OutKast, Naughty By Nature, FU-Schnickens, Monica, SWV, Faith, and many others.
[ALSO READ: Queen Latifah Talk Show Picked Up For Second Season]
Latifah discussed how she and business partner Shakim Compere connected with artists to join Flavor Unit Management.
“Sometimes we would just sit together and we would spot some really cool talent like OutKast,” said Latifah. “They would just kind of blow us away, and we would say ‘We should go manage them, see if we can help them grow’.”
Kimmel also asked the “U.N.I.T.Y” rapper about the rumors she gave the Hip Hop group Naughty By Nature their name. According to the Queen, she did play a role in the New Jersey trio’s moniker.
“We basically were on 18th Street in East Orange, New Jersey chilling in Treach’s house or KG’s. We were all sitting around in the room, and they were doing something mischievous I’m sure. Once again we were all young and wild.” explains Latifah. “I was like, ‘Y’all just naughty by nature.’ They used to be called The New Style… [I said,] ‘You know what you should be called Naughty By Nature.’ They liked the name. Shakim liked the name, so they became Naughty By Nature. You’re welcome.”
[ALSO READ: Treach of Naughty By Nature To Appear On “Couples Therapy”]
Watch Queen Latifah’s interview below.
(AllHipHop News) There have been hints all year that Nas was working on the follow-up to his Grammy-nominated 2012 Life Is Good album. Now God’s Son has confirmed the project is almost complete, and the world should be hearing its first single in the near future.
[ALSO READ: Nas: When 2Pac and Biggie Died, I Thought It Was The End Of Rap]
Nas jumped on the remix to Schoolboy Q’s#### record “Studio” also featuring BJ The Chicago Kid. On the track, the Queens legend opens his verse by commenting on his upcoming 12th studio album.
“Finished up my new album, single bout to be dropping,” raps Nas. “Last album on Def Jam, and I got so many options.”
The Illmatic creator famously signed to Def Jam during Jay Z’s presidency in 2006. He has released three solo albums on the label and the joint LP Distant Relatives with reggae artist Damian Marley. Nas was previously signed to Columbia Records.
[ALSO READ: Nas & Kendrick Lamar To Headline ONE Musicfest 2014 In ATL]
Listen to Schoolboy Q’s “Studio (Remix)” featuring Nas and BJ The Chicago Kid below.
(AllHipHop News) Kanye West was apparently rushed to an Australian hospital on Wednesday. According to Woman’s Day, Kanye was given an emergency MRI after suffering a migraine.
[ALSO READ: Ralph Lauren Responds To Kanye West’s “It Ain’t Ralph” Rant]
The site also reports West’s wife Kim Kardashian was in the country but was not seen at the hospital. The facility apparently cleared out the MRI waiting room so the Hip Hop superstar could get private treatment.
“Next thing we knew, Kanye was stretchered in surrounded by security. He had one side of his face covered with something white,” said a witness at the location. “We both knew it was him because we had seen his photo in the paper everyday and we were shocked because it looked so serious.”
There have been other reports that Kanye had a seizure, but those claims have not been confirmed or denied by the artist’s team or the hospital. TMZ is also reporting that Ye was hospitalized for an “intense migraine” after playing basketball, and doctors released him because the condition was not seen as serious.
Kanye did make it to perform at his “Yeezus Tour” stop at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne that same night. The Chicago emcee was originally scheduled to hit the Australia back in May, but he postponed the trip to work on his next album.
[ALSO READ: Kanye West Postpones Tour To Finish Next Album Coming In 2014]