(AllHipHop News) Ronald “Ra Diggs” Herron testified at his federal trial that the lyrics and images displayed in his music and videos were simply fictional tales, and he is no longer involved in the criminal activities of his past. That was not enough to convince a jury of his innocence.
The New York Times reports Herron was convicted on 21 counts including racketeering, drug trafficking, and the murders of Frederick Brooks, Richard Russo and Victor Zapata. He was previously acquitted in state court for one of the murder cases presented at the federal trial.
Ra Diggs was allegedly the leader of a Bloods gang faction and drug enterprise centered in Brooklyn’s Gowanus Houses projects. He was also a member of the rap group Murda Team with Uncle Murda who testified in court on Herron’s behalf. Ra Diggs was affiliated with Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka as well.
“He styled himself a rap artist, but the jury’s verdict makes clear who Herron really is: a drug dealer and murderer who sought power through fear and intimidation,” stated U.S. Attorney Loretta E. Lynch.
Sentencing for Ronald Herron is set for October 1. He faces a mandatory life sentence in prison.
(AllHipHop News) Veteran music journalist Brian Coleman provided Hip Hop fans an intimate history for 36 of the culture’s artistic works in his 2007 book Check the Technique: Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies. Coleman has decided to revisit some more classic rap albums in a forthcoming sequel.
Check the Technique Volume 2: More Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies is set to hit retailers this October. The new edition will have 25 chapters and include over 350 pictures. More than 80 individuals were interviewed for the book including Ice Cube, Raekwon, Naughty By Nature, Lord Finesse, MF Doom, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), and Talib Kweli.
Mos and Kweli’s Black Star is one of the albums featured in CTT 2. Coleman also presents never-before-told, behind-the-scenes details about other projects like Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted & Kill At Will, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo’s Wanted: Dead Or Alive, and Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. A total of 325 Hip Hop songs are explained by the artists who made them.
“This third edition of my Check the Technique/Rakim Told Me series is the one that I am proudest of, by far,” states Coleman. “The interviews are deeper than ever before, the chapters are longer and more in-depth, and I have spent months gathering the 350-plus images that are included in the pages which really bring the stories of these amazing albums to life.”
Coleman previously authored Rakim Told Me: Hip-Hop Wax Facts, Straight From the Original Artists. He has also contributed to XXL, Scratch, the Boston Herald, and other publications.
Check the Technique Volume 2: is available for pre-sale for a limited time at www.GetOnDown.com. Consumers who pre-order now get an autographed copy of the book and an exclusive 7-inch of Smif-N-Wessun’s “Home Sweet Home.”
Check out the full chapter list for Check the Technique Volume 2: More Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies below.
3rd Bass – The Cactus Album (1989)The Beatnuts – Intoxicated Demons: The EP (1993)Black Sheep – A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing (1991)Company Flow – Funcrusher Plus (1997)The Coup – Steal This Album (1998)Diamond and the Psychotic Neurotics – Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop (1992)DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper (1988)Dr. Octagon – Dr. Octagonecologyst (1996)ED O.G & Da Bulldogs – Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto (1991)Gravediggaz – Niggamortis [aka 6 Feet Deep] (1994)Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted & Kill At Will (1990)Jeru The Damaja – The Sun Rises In The East (1994)KMD – Black Bastards (recorded 1994, released 2000)Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Wanted: Dead Or Alive (1990)Kwamé The Boy Genius – Featuring A New Beginning (1989)Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth – Funky Technician (1990)Mantronix – The Album (1985)Masta Ace Incorporated – SlaughtaHouse (1993)Mos Def & Talib Kweli – Are Black Star (1998)Naughty By Nature – Naughty By Nature (1991)Nice & Smooth – Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed (1991)Chef Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… (1995)Smif-N-Wessun – Dah Shinin’ (1995)Stetsasonic – In Full Gear (1988)Various – Wild Style Breakbeats (recorded 1981)
(AllHipHop News) Over the past year BitTorrent has transformed the way Hip Hop artists presented their music and brand to the public. After working with Curren$y & Jet Life, De La Soul, and Public Enemy, the file sharing service has now linked up with Cam’ron for a new bundle package.
Cam’s First Of The Month interactive EP will include a web series, music videos, film, art, and more. The first bundle will be available for download on July 1 through BitTorrent. A new package will then drop the first of every month.
The company has referred to its innovative approach to delivering artist’s content as “Mixtape 2.0 Culture.” The goal of BitTorrent Bundles is to allow the performer to connect directly and instantly with fans by sharing more than just music.
“Our long-term vision is not to be a content store or another walled garden. Our vision is to create the technology that puts the store into the content and to let the artist decide what the exchange should be,” said Matt Mason, Vice President of Marketing for BitTorrent. “They know best what the value of a fan is and can judge that better than we can. Our job is to create the best possible tools for creative people, and then get out-of-the-way of them and their fans.”
Going by BitTorrent’s track record, Cam’ron’s decision to team with BT could be a very lucrative venture. The partnership between BitTorrent and Jet Life has been a success. The label’s “Jet Life BitTorrent Bundle” featuring the Red Eye mixtape was downloaded over 4 million times, growth of Jet Life apparel on their website increased by 500%, and advanced tickets sales for their tour jumped 30%.
(AllHipHop News) Fans of Busta Rhymes and Eminem can expect a new collaboration between the two Hip Hop legends in the coming days. Busta revealed an upcoming single titled “Calm Down” featuring Slim Shady will be available in time for Independence Day.
“Calm Down” has been described as a six-minute respectful battle between Bust and Em. The track was produced by Scoop Deville and will appear on Busta’s Extinction Level Event 2.
Look for the Busta Rhymes/Eminem collabo to drop on July 1.
One of the most dangerous cities in the United States is Chicago, Illinois. Home to notorious criminals such as Al Capone and Larry Hoover. Illinois is also famous for it’s house music, Harold’s Chicken and the original foundation for many street organized gangs. But there is another side of Illinois and that is the music scene. Illinois has produced some of the most talented musicians in the world. In the 90s, many rappers from Illinois became known for their grimy content and double time flow. Rappers such as Twista, Psychodrama, Do or Die, and Crucial Conflict mastered the art of the speedy flow. This is something that became popular in the midwest as a whole (See Bone Thugs). Female rapper, Da Brat, made history becoming the first female rapper ever to have a platinum selling album. Much like other Illinois rappers Da Brat also used the speedy flow. Other rappers from Illinois that made a significant impact include Common, Rhymefest, Bump J, MC Juice, Snypaz, Triple Darkness, NO ID(producer) and Shawnna. Illinois is also home to arguably the greatest RnB artist of all time, R. Kelly. R. Kelly made a huge impact on the music industry, as a singer, producer, engineer, director and songwriter. He has sold millions of records, and written songs for many musicians, including the late great Michael Jackson. I could write an entire article on R. Kelly, but I’ll leave it at that. Illinois has truly provided us with some great artists over the last 30 years.
Illinois has generated more than just street content in its hip hop. There is definitely a conscious side to Illinois hip hop and the proof is provided through artists such as Common, Kanye West, and Lupe Fiasco. Kanye West is arguably the greatest hip hop artist of our generation. From early beginnings with the Go Getters to producing for Roc a Fella records. He released his debut album College Dropout in 2003 and it was a classic and game changing album, then followed up with a 2nd classic album, Late Registration. His G.O.O.D Music record label is complied with some of the best talent in hip hop. Kanye also put on for a lot of Chicago talent. Artists such as Lupe Fiasco, GLC, Chief Keef, and King L are all Illinois artists that have benefited from the help of Kanye West. Kanye is a true musical genius and will go down as one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time. Lupe Fiasco has also made his name known in the mainstream as a super talented rapper. Much like Kanye, Lupe found a way to bridge the gap between lyrical hip hop and mainstream hip hop during an era where lyrical rappers were not prospering very well in the mainstream. His incredible metaphors and double entendres have been deciphered for years now and he has truly mastered the art of lyricism. His Fahrenheit 1st and 15 mixtapes are classics and attracted the attention of many people. Even Jay-Z wanted to sign Lupe for a long time and served as the executive producer for Lupe’s debut album, Food and Liquor. Lupe’s creativity, content, and song making abilities have earned him the respect of all lovers of music. Lupe will go down as one of the best lyricists of all time. Young rapper Chief Keef enjoyed some success in the mainstream due to his singles such as “Don’t Like” and “Love Sosa”. Chief Keef introduced the mainstream to a movement in Illinois called Drill Music, representing gritty and grimy songs accompanied by trap-influenced beats. RnB singer, Jeremih also has done his part in keeping Illinois relevant in the music industry. His unique voice makes him stand out amongst his peers. He has done his fair share of hooks for several rappers and also has released successful singles such as “Birthday Sex”, “I Like”, and “Down On Me.”
The next generation of Illinois hip hop is filled with very young artists, many in their late teens. The drill movement is spread across almost all of their music. This drill music brings back some of the raw gutter sound of some of the early IIllinois rappers, just without the double time flow. Content varies from gang violence, drug selling, and other things that are happening in Chicago. Sadly, many parts of Illinois have had a high amount of violence and killing amongst young people. Rappers such as Lil Reese, Lil Durk, King L, Fredo Santana, Lil Herb, Lil Bibby and more all make drill music. Other young Illinois rappers such as Vic Mensa, Frenico, Rockie Fresh, and Chance The Rapper represent Illinois in a different kind of way. The young Chicago movement has gained a tremendous amount of notice. Illinois provided this year’s XXL Freshmen list with FOUR rappers: Lil Durk, Lil Bibby, Chance The Rapper, and Vic Mensa. Lil Herb and Lil Bibby first caught the attention of Drake with their “Kill Sh*t” collab. Both Herb and Bibby released great solo mixtapes recently, and Herb’s collab with Nicki Minaj, “Chiraq” has also become very popular. While Herb has a lyrical, aggressive style, Bibby has more of a gritty grimy Beanie Sigel type of flow, but they mesh together to make great collabs. Chance The Rapper brings some eccentric music to the table, with a Wyclef Jean type crooning voice and an unorthodox rap flow. Chance’s music is a break from the norm in hip hop, but it is still so soulful at the same time. His standout mixtape “Acid Rap” received high rated reviews and catapulted his career to new heights. From overseas tours to being booked for the Coachella stage, and even offered the chance to go on tour with Eminem. Chance has created a strong foundation for more success to be in his future. Neo-Soul singer BJ The Chicago Kid has been collaborating with many different rappers over the past few years. Rappers range from Freddie Gibbs, Ab Soul, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Chance The Rapper, Big K.R.I.T, and more. His 2012 album, Pineapples Now-Laters was definitely a standout and one of the best albums from that year. His soulful voice always blends right in with whatever beat he’s singing over. He recently got some mainstream success with Schoolboy Q’s single “Studio.” BJ The Chicago Kid has also written songs for singers such as Musiq Soulchild.
Through all of the years of Illinois hip hop, we have seen it go through many changes. From gritty lyrics about the violence and crime, to conscious lyrics making us aware of the problems in society. One thing’s for certain, Illinois has provided urban culture with many great artists and there are many more to come.
(AllHipHop News) This Saturday (June 28th) Bedstuy may be the answer to the question “Where’s Brooklyn At?” Today (June 26th), it’s announced that Spike Lee will hold a block party to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Do The Right Thing.
Spike Lee’s seminal film was originally released on June 30th, 1989 and yesterday (June 25th) Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams declared that day as “Do the Right Thing Day”. To commemorate the first ever Do The Right Thing Day, Lee will hold a free block party on Stuyvesant Ave between Lexington and Quincy this where the film was mostly shot.
Three weeks ago Spike Lee prematurely announced on his personal Instagram that the film had a Brooklyn street named after it.
The block party will take place this Saturday between 12:00 pm and 6:00pm
Over the last two decades, Pharrell has become a prominent figure in the music realm whether its getting him to produce a hot track or simply him being featured on it. He is often noted for his incredible production skills, unique vocals, artistic eye, and unique creativity.Pharrell has made an indelible mark in the music industry for years. He has produced and collaborated with some of the biggest artists in the industry in addition to penning and producing his own hits. Other stars and legendary producers continue to comment on how Pharrell inspires them, so it was only a matter of time before Pharrell would receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Recent recipients include Babyface and Jennifer Hudson.
The Walk of Fame Selection Committee, announced Thursday that the the “Happy” singer will be amongst a list of 30 honorees chosen to receive their place on the famed strip in 2015. Forthcoming honorees include Pitbull, Kool & The Gang, Will Ferrell, Kelly Ripa and more.
Chair of the Walk of Fame Committee Maureen Schultz stated:
“We know that the new selections represent the best of the entertainment industry and will be a great addition to the Walk of Fame for both the Hollywood community and fans from around the world who visit Hollywood every year.” Pharrell has had an amazing run this year and for the last twenty years!
In today’s tech-frenzied environment, a hot enough app can be quickly acquired by a huge company and app developers are increasing becoming millionaires, almost overnight. We saw when Facebook purchased Instagram for $1 billion, yes a billion dollars for an app! Most recently we saw music moguls Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine take the Beats brand to the 3 billion dollar mark with tech giant Apple.
Well Bedloo.com has a hot app that might peak the interest, if not from tech giants, then from you, the app user. The approach is simple, providing a two-choice voting platform using photos, videos, and music. AllHipHop.com recently sat down with the founders of Bedloo.com, Todd Jones, Vincent Plummer and Daron Destiny and they spoke on how their two-choice apps has works, and how artist like Migos and DJ Khaled have come on to support the app.
(AllHipHop News) As of today (June 26th), Ice Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson is the only relative of from the original N.W.A. group to have a starring role in the upcoming biopic, Straight Outta Compton. According to Dr. Dre’s son, not only did he try out for the role but his father was one of the people who decided against his son acting in the movie.
Dr. Dre’s son, Curtis Young recently appeared in the film My Trip To The Dark Side and will be appearing in a new film entitled Blame It On The Hustle. While Young’s acting career is burgeoning, he informed XXL that his biological father felt it was not enough to portray him in the upcoming N.W.A. biopic:
I actually tried out for the role, ’cause the casting company called me. But my father wanted somebody with more acting experience, and I haven’t been acting for a long time, so I’m happy for the guy that got the role. It’s one of those things where we want what’s best for the movie and for the film. I had a lot of fans that were upset about it, but whatever’s best for the film, that presents it in that light, then I’m for it.
Young was born on December 15, 1981 and first met Dre after a DNA test proved Dre to be Curtis’ biological father. Curtis currently has an album out on iTunes entitled Doctor’s Note and an upcoming album Product Of My DNA that he has been working on since 2010:
It’s a story based on my life, what I’ve been through, and me finding out who my father was in a DNA test. Feel good music at the same time, but it’s gonna be more story tracks, more all-around talking about the struggles and me overcoming them. Really more personal, things I have to get off my chest. Let people understand who I am and know me for Curtis Young and not just as the son of Dr. Dre.
Ahhh..forget Kanye and Kim for a few. This get back to Mr. West. Looks like Kanye is moving steadfastly towards coming out with a new album again We knew this was on the way, but when you are seen coming out of the studio with Rihanna, you know this is really happening. And that’s what apparently happened last night. The homie Kanye – one of my best friends in my head – was seen leaving a studio in Los Angeles. Not a lot more after that. But, yeah…we’ll see.
Image source: tinypic.com
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
(AllHipHop Features) Veteran Hip Hop artist Buckshot has been holding it down for the independent rap scene for two decades. After previously releasing joint albums with KRS-One and 9th Wonder via his own label, Buck is back this week with his latest collaborative effort.
The Duck Down Music co-founder teamed with New Zealand-based producer P-Money for the BackPack Travels LP. The 10-track album features guests appearances from Steele of Smif-N-Wessun, Raz Fresco, Chelsea Reject, David Dallas, T’Nah Apex, and Pro Era’s Joey Bada$$ & CJ Fly.
AllHipHop.com caught up with the Black Moon and Boot Camp Clik member to talk about the project and more. In part 1 of an exclusive interview, Buckshot praises a few of his recent collaborators, offers advice to New York City’s new school of rappers, and addresses the theme behind one of BackPack Travels standout tracks “Killuminati.”
‘Backpack Travels’ Cover Art
How did the BackPack Travels project with P-Money come together?
[Co-CEO of Duck Down Music] Dru Ha has one of the best ears that I’ve ever been around. Dru was the person that introduced me to P. Dru introduced me to half the people we rock with. Except for the people in the beginning.
Dru would hear something dope, and he’ll say, “Buck, what you think about this?” I’d listen to it, and say, “It’s crazy.” Then we all just meet with the minds. Next thing you know it comes together.
I saw you guys dropped the video for “Sweetest Thing” featuring T’Nah Apex.
T’Nah Apex’s one of my favorite all time artists period. When I first got with her, it was just incredible. She’s such a dope emcee and artist. It’s only natural for you to feel like she’s the Lauryn Hill of today.
She’s on the album. You have Pro Era members Joey Bada$$ and CJ Fly on the track “Flute.” It kind of feels like, and correct me if I’m wrong, that you’re sort of passing the baton between the different Brooklyn Hip Hop generations.
That’s the whole point – passing the baton. I felt that happened with me, not really consciously or on purpose, as far with KRS-One passing me the torch. I’m telling people all the time that I’m a proud student of KRS-One. So for me to have an opportunity that I can make music and produce an album with KRS-One – nothing can be better than that.
So when we got that opportunity to work with Pro Era it was only a pleasure. There’s certain things you’re just amazed at, because they are so dope as individuals. And those are the type of people that give props to artists of the 90’s. To me, that’s special because I’ve always given props to the artists before me like the Big Daddy Kanes, the Slick Ricks, and the KRS-Ones. I like people that’s like that. Some people just don’t care, and they’ll tell you.
There are a lot of acts from Brooklyn buzzing right now like Troy Ave. What’s your take on the current state of Brooklyn Hip Hop?
I’ll just say some people deserve to be in that position of acknowledgement, and some people really don’t. I give props to the people that deserve it. I don’t really mention any names.
Some people say they represent New York. Okay you represent New York, but when certain people keep saying “New York, New York, New York” all the time that just becomes a little bit aggravating after a while. You don’t gotta keep saying it all the time. Some people just overdo it.
Do you think constantly saying you’re from New York can have a negative effect on appealing to some audiences?
Of course it can. Why not? Of course it can have a negative effect, because people all over the world could be like, “Alright, I respect New York and respect what New York brings to the table.” But once you keep saying “New York, New York, New York” every three minutes it changes the positivity.
On another track on the album, “Killuminati,” you really go in on secret society conspiracy theorists. Those theories are so ingrained in Internet culture. Do you think people will ever be able to move beyond these alleged connections between Hip Hop and the Illuminati?
It goes so deep. I wish I could say that it was phony. I say that because I don’t know if the Illuminati is a universal thing or if it’s really physically a group of people who sit around and plot what’s about to happen. I don’t know if that’s the case, because if you look at how many people have not been around. A lot of people died. A lot of people won’t make it to even see the Illuminati come true or passage of its vision.
I was just talking about down with the [New York] Daily News. I hate that paper. I always say, “the Daily News brings you the daily blues.” I can’t stand that paper. Yet, it does promote Illuminatism. Why? Because it’s always promoting something about how eventually your freedom is going to be turned into crap. You think freedom is just being able to walk around as much as you please? Even that’s going to stop.
Freedom is not just walking around as much as you please. [Real] freedom is having the freedom of your own person. Freedom of living in your own world. You don’t want somebody watching you all day, every day when you get on the train, off the train. All of these things are real. Right now they have cameras on the trains.
Is that what inspired that track?
I’ve always been in touch and in tune with that whole vibe, that whole phenomenon of the Illuminati. It just means those who are in the light. That’s all Illuminati means. So those who are in the light of a computer before it hit the public were considered the Illuminati. Because those were the people who able to trade stocks, invest.
Those who didn’t know were like, “Nah, get out of here.” Those who knew made millions of dollars. Of course they’re going to be considered the Illuminati, because they made millions and they’re not around for you to see them. The cycle just goes on and on and on.
All the pawns of the Illuminati – the cops, the banks – those are little kids. They’re not in touch with no Illuminati. Hip Hop – we’ve always been in touch with the consciousness. Like I said, ever since KRS-One. That ain’t nothing that’s new to Hip Hop.
Buckshot along with Sean Price and DJ Statik Selektah will be appearing at the BackPack Travels album release show tonight at NYC’s Webster Hall. For more information visit ticketweb.com.
Follow Buckshot on Twitter @Buckshot. Follow P-Money on Twitter @p_money.
Download Buckshot & P-Money’s BackPack Travels on iTunes.
Stream Buckshot & P-Money’s BackPack Travels via Spotify below.
