(AllHipHop News) John Legend, Yahoo and Live Nation will help millions know What’s Going On? Today (July 11th) reports surfaced of the full list of concerts to be live streamed by Yahoo and Live Nation, with John Legend’s upcoming performance of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On album included.
Back in April, Live Nation announced a partnership with Yahoo to live stream a concert every day for a year. The full list was announced and included artists such as Common, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jurassic 5 and many others. John Legend’s scheduled performance of Gaye’s What’s Going On at the Hollywood Bowl was included on that list.
The performance is set for August 20th at 8 P.M.
On the 40th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s Whats Going On performance at The Kennedy Center, John Legend performed Gaye’s album in its entirety at The Kennedy Center back in 2012. Months before that performance he surprised students at the Kennedy Center Program with a performance of Gaye’s “What’s Going On”
Check out John Legend perform “What’s Going On” at The Kennedy Center below:
Only 6 months after the biggest battle rap event of all time (UW’s High Stakes), Eminem and Slaughterhouse up the ante with an even larger scale event “Total Slaughter” going down this Saturday at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC.
Last month Shady Films premiered their new reality show on FuseTv “Road To Total Slaughter” , based on 8 of the biggest names in the sport matched up against each other tournament style, with a chance to land a spot on the undercard of the upcoming “Total Slaughter” PPV event. Revealed earlier this week in the last episode the last 2 battlers standing and set to face each other at the “Total Slaughter” event were the always entertaining and controversial battle rapper from Cali “Daylyt” and the legendary battle rapper from Harlem NY “T-Rex”.
One of the co- main events is a rematch of the classic “Smack DVD” battle Loaded Lux vs Murda Mook. Since their legendary battle in 2007 Loaded Lux has gone on to become in most peoples eyes The Greatest Battle Rapper of All time. Mook went on to pursue a rap career with the Ruff Ryders and eventually made his comeback to battle rap in 2012 at URL/Smack’s “Summer Madness 2” event against Iron Solomon. Though most feel he was victorious, his performance received more hate than praise. Many Including myself feel this battle wasn’t necessary and will be a let down compared to their first encounter. With that being said, we’re still interested in seeing how both MCs approach this battle.
The other main event and battle with the most anticipation is Hollow Da Don from Queens NY and the New Jersey Rap Legend Joe Budden. This may very well be the biggest battle of all time. With Hollow being one of the greatest and most popular battle rappers of all time and Joe Budden being one of the best lyricist in the game. We’ve seen a mainstream artist battle a battle rapper before with Canibus vs Dizaster , but we’ve never seen a relevant mainstream rapper who hasn’t passed his prime battle in the ring before. Many fans even casual feel that Joe is out of his league being that he’s never been on this kind of stage before and the fact that he’s facing one of the greatest to ever do it. But Joe isn’t new to this, even though they weren’t recorded he’s battle Jersey legends and even known mainstream artist such as DMX. For the first time this Saturday the industry and the battle rap world will face off, don’t miss your chance to witness history…
Tickets and PPV info is available at totalslaughter.tv
Article by YoungGoldie of the IC, feel free to contact him in the Ill Community, join the debate on Total Slaughter:
(AllHipHop Features) Detroit emcee Kid Vishis is ready to officially carry on the family tradition. After years of honing his craft with mixtapes like the Sick Em series and sharing tour bills with rap heavyweights like Rakim, Ghostface, and Talib Kweli, the younger brother of Royce da 5’9’’ is set to drop his debut studio album.
Vishis’ Timing Is Everything is a rarity among Hip Hop releases. Out of 11 tracks on the project only one includes the voice of another artist. The one exception is the track “Coward” which features his big bro Royce.
Even with a Slaughterhouse member as a sibling, don’t think nepotism is the sole reason a buzz is growing around Vishis. Songs like “Message To The MC’s,” “The Juice,” and “Heaven” reveal the rhyme spitter from “The D” has a striking flow.
Get familiar with the Kid in AllHipHop.com’s latest installment of the “5 & Done” Breeding Ground series.
It’s kind of rare for a rapper to have virtually a feature free album. Especially when it’s their debut. Why did you decide to have Timing Is Everything be mostly just you?
I just wanted to show my independence. I didn’t want to take somebody else’s blueprint. I didn’t want to do what everybody else usually does. I just wanted to show people that I could stand on my own two.
Plus, I’m working on another project right now as well. That has more features on it. I feel features will be there, but I want to prove a point with this first album.
You worked with a core group of producers for the album. Did you go into the process saying, “These are the guys I want to work with,” or did it just end up those were the tracks you picked?
I put the word out about my album. Chase Moore, Nemisis, and Nick Zervos got right on it and started sending stuff. Chase Moore did the bulk of the album. He sent some heat, and I was just vibing to the beat. Then Mr. Porter heard some of the stuff I was working on, and he said, “I got to throw you a few.” So he threw me two bangers, and I went right in and recorded them.
I got a history with all these guys. They’ve been on my mixtapes before. I basically wanted to do a project with people I already got a chemistry with. Later on, I can reach out to different producers I haven’t been able to vibe with yet.
You started building your buzz on the local Detroit rap scene. I read that at one point you had to test your skills for Royce in person before he started putting you on his mixtapes. What was that experience like? Did you feel any pressure having to basically audition for your brother?
Hell yeah. I was nervous. I did it kind of sneaky though. I was rapping on purpose for all of Royce’s friends that he was hanging around. They would go back and tell him, “You better listen to your brother. That boy’s nice.” Everybody was calling me vicious before I even created a rap name. That’s how they described my style, so that’s how the name came about.
Royce kept hearing it from his friends. Until one day he surprised me. He said, “Yo, go in the booth.” I’ll never forget it. He put on Juelz Santana’s “Dipset Anthem” beat, and said, “Let me hear what you got.”
I didn’t know exactly what to rap. I was nervous. I just stepped in the booth, closed my eyes, and just – rapid fire. Then when I walked out he was impressed. I went to another level after that. After he told me I was nice, it was like, “Well, if you say it, I know it’s true.”
Royce + Vishis (via Instagram)
You’re in New York for the Total Slaughter event this weekend. Who would you put as your top 5 battle rappers at the moment?
Charlie Clips is probably the most dangerous. I say that because he can do everything. He brings the bars. He brings the comedy. He can freestyle. He’s got the performance. T-Rex, he came in that house guns blazing. I’ve never seen T-Rex slip up. He’s always super polished. It’s like a machine going off once he starts.
I like Hitman Holla. He has the all around aggressive style that I like. Loaded Lux brings a whole other level to it. He’s not a gun bar rapper, but he can still break people down. My last one, I would say is Hollow Da Don. You always feel the bars that he wrote, but he can switch it up and freestyle. He’ll come with rebuttals too. He’s a hard puzzle to figure out.
You have your album dropping in a few weeks. What else can fans expect from you in 2014?
More music. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I have another album worth of material that I’m thinking about putting out and calling it a “mixalbum.” I have a U.K. and Canadian tour being set-up right now for August. A lot more visuals. Kid Vishis in general. You’re going to see the name. You’re going to see the visuals. And you’re going see the work.
Kid Vishis’ Timing Is Everything is scheduled for release on July 22.
Pre-order a digital copy at iTunes. Pre-order a signed physical copy at seven13ent.
Check out the tracklist for Timing Is Everything below.
1. T.I.E. Timing Is Everything Intro (Produced by Nick Zervos)
2. Message to the MC’s (Produced by Mr. Porter)
3. Look At All My $**T (Produced by Chase Moore)
4. Beautiful Day (Produced by Chase Moore)
5. Big Brothers (Produced by Chase Moore)
6. Talk Behind My Back (Produced by Chase Moore)
7. The Juice (Produced by Mr. Porter)
8. In Yo Face (Produced by Nemesis)
9. Heaven (Produced by Nemesis)
10. Birds Eye View (Produced by Chase Moore)
11. Coward (featuring Royce da 5’9″) (Produced by Chase Moore)
Lil Keke recently celebrated the upcoming release of his 5th studio album Money Don’t Sleep at Houston’s Bambou Lounge. Some of H-Town’s Hip Hop elite and Keke supporters came out for the private listening experience.
Bun B, DJ Michael 5000 Watts, Boston George, Brian Angel (of Day 26), Love Dominique, Kirko Bangz, Troublesum, GT Garza, Miss Mykie, Slim Thug, Yung Redd, Willie D, Just Brittany, Lil O and video director Dr. Teeth were all on hand for the event.
The “Money Don’t Sleep Listening Suite” was sponsored by Hennessy V.S, 7Thirteen, and Swisha House Records.
Lil Keke’s Money Don’t Sleep album is scheduled for digital release July 13 and physical release July 15th.
Check out pictures from the event in the gallery below.
(AllHipHop Features) When Mass Appeal Records dropped “Old English” as the lead single from their upcoming compilation album, the line-up for the song came as a surprised to many. Three different regions and three distinct styles came together as Atlanta’s Young Thug, Indiana’s Freddie Gibbs, and New York’s A$AP Ferg traded verses over an energetic, electronic track.
The two producers responsible for fusing the song’s unlikely grouping represent different parts of the nation as well. L.A. resident Paul Salva (professionally known as Salva) hooked up with NYC native Nick Hook, and the two friends pushed out a banger that has already collected over half a million Soundcloud plays in just 10 days.
Salva and Hook first met at the Red Bull Academy in Madrid, Spain in 2011. Three years later, both board maestro have added numerous big names to their production credits. Salva’s resume includes songs with Schoolboy Q and Kurupt. Hook has already worked with Azealia Banks and El-P. The next few months are set-up to be an even bigger season for the two.
AllHipHop.com chatted with Nick Hook and Salva to get some insight into exactly how “Old English” was formed, what else they have coming around the corner, and more.
How did the “Old English” track come together?
Nick Hook: This is the first time I’ve really talked to anyone about it besides our friends. Salva and I made the beat around January 2013. I was working with Azealia Banks and we didn’t work one day, so I went over to Paul’s house and we worked on a bunch of music.
Then last August I went to Atlanta. We were working on making “The World’s Longest Rap Song.” We were at Stankonia [Studios], and my buddy said, “You gotta check out this new Young Thug.” He cancelled on us one day – I feel like I’ve spent the last three years of my life waiting on rappers – and we were actually like “f**k this dude” [laughs].
My boy Rob, said, “Nah, you gotta come through.” So he came through the next day, and he recorded his part for “The World’s Longest Rap Song”. Then my buddy was like, “Nick’s gotta beat.” Thug listened to the beat, was just staring at the speakers, and kept going, “This s**t’s hard.” He walked right into the booth. He did his verse and chorus within maybe 15 minutes. That was chapter one.
Then I sent it to Paul, and he got really excited. One day I looked at my email and Paul sent me this message that just said “I got Gibbs on this s**t.” I didn’t realize it was for our song for like two days. Then I opened the email like, “Holy s**t! Gibbs is on our song!” That was chapter two.
Chapter three was after Thug had started to get big. I worked with Ferg a bunch of times, and Ferg heard it and said, “I gotta be on this song.” It was kind of like this organic, growing flower of rap. I think the reason it’s cohesive is because it’s all based on friendship and art. I think a lot of people think “they must have paid these fools for their verses.” But it wasn’t like that.
El-P + Killer Mike + Big Boi + Nick Hook (via Instagram)
I have to be honest when I saw who was on the track I was kind of thrown back a bit, because those three guy’s styles are so different, but when I heard the song it meshed well together. What has been the feedback that you’ve heard about the track?
Salva: I think that’s kind of the consensus. A lot of the media picked it up liked, “What the f**k? What is this s**t?” We make dope s**t. I don’t care if the track is called “F**king A-Hole.” Whatever it’s called or who’s on it, at the end of the day this s**t’s hard, and I know that. I knew that people were going to like it. Me and Nick would talk about if it’s a radio hit or not. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.
I was presently surprised that a lot of people gravitated to Gibb’s verse, because I work with him a lot, and I really stand behind him. I think he’s dope. You got these two pretty flamboyant styles with Thug and Ferg, and Gibbs kind of set it off. Even speaking on the sound of their voice, delivery, and cadence – it was just a good juxtaposition.
It was a melting pot for sure. You got the two white boy producers from New York and L.A. with three dudes from all over the country. So it probably shouldn’t have worked, but it wasn’t like, “Yo, get on this track, because this person is on it.” Or it wasn’t like, “I need a feature because Interscope or Atlantic needs it for the record.” It was just like, “If you like it, put some s**t down.” So it was just some real dope s**t to come from it.
The track will be on the Mass Appeal compilation. Did you guys do any other tracks for that project?
Salva: We might have another one. I’m just really pleased to be part of that, because it’s going to be dope. It’s something that Nas is behind. It’s a lot of guys from different labels and media outlets. It seems like everybody over there [at Mass Appeals Records] is really working hard to make the launch dope. I’m honored to be part of the first single from it. It’s going to be really dope for sure.
Nick: Actually the “Old English” beat was sitting in Nas’ hands for a good six months as well.
Salva: I wanted Meek Mill and Nas on that s**t.
Nick: Nas wanted it. Danny Brown wanted it.
You guys have played a role in blending the EDM sound and Hip Hop sound together. Why do you think those two musical styles work so well together?
Salva: Electronic music was at the core of Hip Hop at its inception if you look at Soulsonic Force and Sugarhill Gang. Hip Hop is blending styles and reappropriating styles. It kind of went the other direction, and a lot of folks are reappropriating rap. But I think that’s only fair for a music style that borrowed other music for 30 years.
The “electronic trap movement” got big in certain cities. They love it. Trap music and dance music meshing makes total sense. It’s something that everybody can get into. I think that was partially responsible for electronic music getting so big in the States the past couple of years.
What else are you two working on? Nick, you talked about how you did a lot of work with Azealia Banks. Do you have any information about her project?
Nick: I know the album’s suppose to be done, but once you get in these big business situations sometimes everything gets a little complicated. I actually don’t really know, so I don’t want to say I know.
But right now me and Salva’s got some more music. I’m executive producing Baauer’s album. I’m working on making “The World’s Longest Rap Song” with Hudson Mohawke. I just did some music with Bodega Bamz. I’m making my album. Me and Salva got some tricks under our sleeves that no one knows about yet either.
You want to give some hints about that?
Salva: We just recorded with Bodega Bamz in the studio a few weeks ago. We recorded a New York anthem with a throwback Mobb Deep beat. I think the New York heads are really gonna love it.
I’m over on the West Coast, and I’m really trying to make my mark here in L.A. I have Problem’s next single for his album. I have a mixtape/free album coming out in September. “Old English” will be on there as well as some stuff with Freddie Gibbs, Problem, E-40 – some of the OGs, some of the new jacks. MPA Shitro is on there and the kid Paul Fisher from San Antonio. I try to basically get some unknowns to do some s**t, then get some OGs. For me that’s what I have going through the fall.
Nick: It’s going to be dope. I’ve heard it.
Kurupt + Salva (via Instagram)
Salva, you mentioned working with West Coast artists. You released the “Drop That B***h” single. That was huge for West Coast Hip Hop. Can we expect some more tracks like that on your project?
Salva: My new label and the project is called “Peacemaker.” The idea behind that is kind of like how “Old English” came together – how we work and what we do. I like juxtaposing different styles and different people on the tracks. I know that a lot of times it can make for sloppy music, but that’s when a real producer will come in – not just a beat maker – and be able to make it work.
I had a little bit of writing credit on Schoolboy’s Oxymoron. I was in the studio with him on that. My endgame is to get in with Dre to do Kendrick Lamar’s album. Just do good music with grade-A rappers that are unknown or hyped. Just dudes that are f**king sick.
Purchase “Old English” with Young Thug, Freddie Gibbs, and A$AP Ferg on iTunes.
Mass Appeal Compilation Vol. 1 will also feature Pusha T, Juicy J, Pimp C, YG, Mac Miller, Boldy James, Fashawn, Bishop Nehru and more. The full album will be released September 2.
Follow Salva on Twitter @salva and Nick Hook on Twitter @nickhook.
(AllHipHop News) Q-Tip may have found a new career as a sports journalist. Less than two hours after Lebron James announced his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Q-Tip claimed that James will own part of the Cavaliers as a condition of his new deal.
On July 3rd, reports surfaced that Lebron James’ agent Rich Paul met with the Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets. Less than a day later, Q-Tip claimed on his personal Twitter account that James was returning to the Cavs:
I’m hearing from inside sources that lebron is heading back to Cleveland ….
Following James’ announcement of his return to the Cavs, The Abstract dug up more information from his “sources”. Q-Tip flexed his clairvoyant muscle and claimed that James’ return was contingent on the superstar having a future ownership stake in the team:
Man all y’all who was acting like I didn’t know what it was w lebron check my timeline
Lebron’s whole thing is to have a piece (4 now) of the team. That was DEFINITELY discussed btwn Gilbert and his agent — QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) July 11, 2014
Last month, Phil Jackson hired Derek Fisher as the New York Knicks’ head coach, weeks after Fisher ended his final season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. As a devoted New York Knicks fan, Q-Tip speculated on Carmelo Anthony’s impending free agency decision and how the Knicks’ newest coach could help the team sign the NBA’s reigning MVP:
Kevin Durant is under contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder until the end of the 2015-2016 season after signing a five year extension back in July 2010.
Franc Grams takes on the 1993, Souls of Mischief classic “93 Til Infinity”, originally produced by A-Plus. Grams’ latest album Lets Start Over is available now on iTunes. The Premonition coming this summer.
(AllHipHop News) This is not Hip Hop, but Lebron James is the biggest star in the world right now. Earlier today (July 11th), Lebron James posted an essay on Sports Illustrated explaining his decision to leave the Miami Heat and return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James, born and raised in Akron, Ohio joined the Miami Heat in 2010 after seven seasons with the Cavaliers. Lebron debunked any rumors of his departure from the Miami Heat as a result of the Heat’s inability to sign role players and attributed his decision to a desire to bring his hometown a championship:
When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.
Following Lebron’s televised announcement on “The Decision” back in 2010, Cavs owners Dan Gilbert posted an angry letter on the team’s official site bashing James for his decision and promising the Cavs would win a championship before James. According to Lebron, he has forgiven Gilbert but does admit that due to the team’s youth, a championship soon should not be expected:
I’m not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010.
(AllHipHop News) Racism? No. Pressures of stardom? Not quite. Dave Chappelle apparently ended one of the most promising TV shows of all time in its prime for familial reasons.
Chappelle has stated on numerous occasions that he left The Chappelle Show in 2005 due to creative differences with Comedy Central. However, in a recent interview with People Magazine backstage at the 20th Annual Essence Festival he reveals that the pressure of fame was the most conducive to his departure:
I never stopped being on stage. What I did was step off of the main stage, Because those lights were hot, and I was trying to do other things with my life.
Adding to that Chappelle stated “that kind of attention wouldn’t have been conducive to raising a family”. Chappelle has three sons Sulayman and Ibrahim, and daughter Sonal with his wife Elaine. While he loves his family, Chappelle explains that his comedic relationship with the audience is a “healing process” and kept him coming back to the stage for stand-up gigs:
The audience-comedian relationship is one of the more consistent relationships in my life
(AllHipHop News) The blood, sweat and alcohol from Chris Brown and Drake’s 2012 club brawl have seem to wash away. Earlier this morning (July 11th), Drake and Chris Brown were photographed in the studio together listening to new music frmo Brown.
Drake’s official fansite, WordOnRd posted the photo of the pair in a Los Angeles studio on their Instagram account. The photo (unsurprisingly) garnered nearly 10,000 likes in the first four hours:
No word on if this will lead to a collaboration,. However, according to witnesses the pair were in the studio until the wee hours of the morning:
MMG’s Fat Trel already has a s***load of baby momma drama. His newest bm decided to air his dirty laundry, including that he allegedly slept with Tyga’s wifey, former stripper Blacc Chyna, while their son napped in another room…
Blac Chyna did respond and shut all the rumors down, but what do you think? It sounds like Trel’s baby momma is coming across bitter and decided to pour a little salt…#butthatsnoneofourbusiness
(AllHipHop News) A$AP Rocky once said “a weirdo, but I’m rare though” on his song “Trilla” and Jim Jones seems to agree. In a recent interview, the Vamp Life captain explains how The Diplomats movement is the most influential since N.W.A., how A$AP Mob were not from the streets and more.
Ten years ago, The Diplomats released their second and (so far) final album Diplomatic Immunity 2. Since then, A$AP Rocky and the A$AP Mob has taken the reigns as Harlem’s trendsetters in Hip Hop, something Jim Jones does not necessarily disagree with but does point out key differences between the two Harlem factions in his XXL interview:
I’m not trying to disrespect them—A$AP Mob is doing it, they got their numbers and they’re doing what they like to do—but they’re nothing like the Diplomats. They didn’t come up hanging and banging and hustling and really touching the pavement, ya dig? It’s a big difference. We don’t wear kilts and we don’t wear tight sweatpants and funny sneakers. That’s not our style.
At one point The Diplomats had a stake in their own liquor, clothing line and Cam’ron was even on the verge of getting his own color from Crayola. Before Jones touts the Diplomats being the most influential rap group in terms of fashion, he does say there is one other group that could match them in overall audience influence:
Maybe the most influential—besides N.W.A—when it comes to everything. When it comes to style, we’re probably the most influential. I don’t recall no other group giving it to the world the way we was giving it to them
