I remember a couple stages in Nicki Minaj’s entertainment life. A few short years ago, AllHipHop conducted several interviews with Nicki M. It was a glorious period. Then, it stopped. Why? Nobody fully knows, but the rumors at the time was that Nicki’s crew only cared about women and the gays as far as target audiences. And that was THAT. But, recently she has made changes. The crazy wigs are severely diminished. She recently met with a young cancer patient. And there has been a decadently more demure, “around the way” image with Nicki. Her music is about the same though, but Lil Wayne slicked talked that so maybe that’s a possible change too.
ANYWAY, Nicki seems to be creating a new image that’s more natural and loving. Maybe that love will translate into a new interview. LOL! The point of the whole rumor is, I am told this is what they are constructing now. What’s strange to me is EARLY EARLY on, I heard this is the “real” Nicki anyway…and the other character is just that.
RELATED: Nicki Minaj Sued For $30 Million By Wig Designer
Good Job, Nicki. Maybe this is the start of something beautiful.
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
I won’t push this too far, because clearly the situation is serious out there in the Chi. But, the word on the street is that the death of Lil Marc will not be the end. I don’t know if you saw the news report, but Li Marc was slain after he dissed the death of another rapper. Now, the song – “No Competition,” may or may not be the actual reason he was killed. But, right now that’s what the streets are saying. Online, certain message boards, which shall remain nameless are saying that revenge is imminent. These rival factions are going at it in a major way. I’m wondering if the federal government realizes the death toll exceeds recent wars?
New rapper, Noelz Vedere, from Northside of Chicago links up with Freddie Gibbs on his new single, “Out Of Focus.” The track has this eerie, hollowed-out sample and twisted synths for a dope song from Vedere and Gibbs. Check out for Noelz’s upcoming album, Bittersweet Victory, will be released in May.
(AllHipHop News) Tupac was a poet who articulated the plight of the downtrodden, intelligently expressed his anger and he liked to curse a lot. Yesterday (April 1st) Best New Ticket did a study of the frequency of profanity in rap albums from 1985-2013 and 2Pac’s All EyeZ On Me was #1.
The study only took into account 2,296 rap albums from 1985-2013, which were chosen based on “Total sales, artist name recognition, and album hit density” as well as Best New Ticket‘s opinion of what is “popular”. According to the study, Tupac’s first album on Death Row, 1996’s double disc All Eyez On Me contained 901 instances of cursing at a rate of 33.52 curse words per songs. The most frequent curse word was the N-word appearing 404 times (over 44% of the curses on the album).
While All Eyez On Me being a double disc album with 27 songs could explain its high volume of profanity, the Notorious B.I.G.’s 1997 double disc album Life After Death contained 23 songs and only 615 instances of cursing at a rate of 26.73 curses per song.
Other interesting finds from this study is that 2001 is apparently the most profane year since 1985, averaging over 20 curse words per year among the Top 5 most “influential rap albums” as determined by Best New Ticket.
Check out the detailed breakdown of every curse word from every song of the 2,296 rap albums from 1985-2013 surveyed here
(AllHipHop News) Audio of LeBron James rapping over Jay Z and Rick Ross’ “F**kWithMeYouKnowIGotIt” made its way online recently. Hip Hop and sports fans shared their opinion on the NBA superstar’s version on social media and internet forums, and now a professional rapper adds his thoughts on the verse.
West Coast emcee Game spoke with TMZ, and the Jesus Piece creator apparently thinks LBJ is “better than 88% of rappers rapping right now.”
Game goes on to add:
He ain’t as polished as expected — but no one is like the God MC on their first rap. I’ve heard a lot worse from CDs and on iTunes and s**t from real artists… Tell him this for me… tell him to work on staying on pocket a little more.
(AllHipHop News) Another incident of self-incrimination on social media leads to arrests. Several teenagers in the Hampton, Virginia area are in police custody after posting a rap music video online. The “Stain Gang” clip featured several underage boys with guns, alcohol, and suspected stolen property.
The Hampton Police arrested 18-year-old Julius Brown, a 15-year-old boy, and a 17-year-old young man. Officers were able to determine the three suspects were involved in trespassing at a local Boys & Girls Club because images from the video matched the facility.
The video also included a scene where a silver vehicle was used to make donuts in a field. Tire tracks were discovered in the grass near the club, and a car matching the description of the one in the video was reported stolen. Police have not confirmed the vehicle in the video is in fact the missing car.
Brown has been charged with possession of stolen property and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The 15-year-old has been charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, and the 17-year-old is has been charged with trespassing.
Police are still investigating the incident and expect to identify more people in the video. More arrests could be made.
The politically themed late night talk show will feature the Queens rapper as well as Captain Paul Watson, former Virginia representative Tom Davis, journalist Carrie Sheffield and MSNBC host Alex Wagner.
Previous personalities connected to Hip Hop that have appeared on Real Time include Jay Z, Mos Def, Diddy, John Legend, Michael Eric Dyson, Chris Rock, and Aaron McGruder.
(AllHipHop News) Hip Hop is headed to Denmark for the annual Roskilde Festival. OutKast, Drake, Chance The Rapper, and Dilated Peoples are among the acts that will perform across seven stages.
Concert goers will also get to see The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Arctic Monkeys, and over 150 other performers. All proceeds from the Roskilde Festival are donated to humanitarian and cultural work.
Roskilde Festival 2014 is scheduled for June 29 – July 6. For more information visit www.roskilde-festival.com.
(AllHipHopNews) When the Roc Nation website announced that Kanye West postponed dates on his Yeezus Tour to work on his next solo album the speculation began on how the next installment in Ye’s catalogue will sound. According to his DJ, album number seven will not sound like number six.
DJ Million Dollar Mano posted tweets confirming Kanye is working on his next LP and that the Chicago emcee/producer has moved on from the sound of Yeezus.
(AllHipHop News) As Def Jam continues to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the iconic Hip Hop label is undergoing major changes. Universal Music Group has announced that Def Jam, Island, and Motown Records will now operate as stand-alone labels.
Besides the breakup of the Island Def Jam Music Group, other switches have taken place in the front offices as well. Former president and COO Steve Bartels is now the CEO of Def Jam. Longtime rap music insiders Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua and Dion “No I.D.” Wilson were named as executive vice presidents and co-heads of A&R of the company.
“At the heart of these great companies is the vision and creative instincts of a team of passionate professionals,” said UMG chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. “At UMG, our labels are empowered to be entrepreneurial and take creative risks. By re-establishing Def Jam, Island and Motown as stand-alone labels within the UMG family, we’re positioning them to recapture the uniqueness of their brands and serve artists with the singularity of vision, focus and creativity that was at the core of their original success.”
(AllHipHop News) 2014 just got really interesting. Less than two weeks after Jay Z chided Drake over his criticism of Jay Z’s constant art references, Drake sends a subliminally veiled shot back at Jay Z on his new song “Draft Day”.
In the song he references that “they talking crazy, I was out of town”, seeming to reference the Jay Electronica and Jay Z collaboration, over Soulja Boy’s “We Made It” instrumental, which was released while Drake was in Europe on the last leg of his Would You Like A Tour?
I heard they talking crazy, I was out of town/You know they love to pop all that sh*t when I’m not around/But when I’m here, psst, not a sound/That’ll make me snap, jot it down/ get in the booth and lay a body down
The city of Atlanta has produced some of the most recognizable names in Hip-Hop like T.I., Young Jeezy and Outkast. Enter EarthGang – an Atlanta based duo comprised of group members Doctur Dot and Johnny Venus, who’s looking to add their group’s name to this list of Hip-Hop heavyweights with their soulful street sound.
AllHipHop.com recently had the chance to speak with EarthGang – read on as we discussed their latest release Shallow Graves for Toys andthe music coming out of Atlanta.
AllHipHop.com: EarthGang, how did you guys come up with the name? Is there a meaning behind it?
Doctur Dot: Yes. It is the Universe in 2D. To actually try to define EarthGang would be a waste. Back in high school Venus asked Dot and Tonio to form EarthGang. He pulled that name out his ass, literally. Put a buncha names in a bunch of fortune cookies and decided whatever he s#### out first is the name. Best s### ever taken on earth. Now it’s just Dot and Venus = EarthGang and we really just never changed the name because we always thought we were just at the edge of eternal fame…sooo…there.
Being new artist, describe what the day to day grind is like for an up and coming group like yourselves.
Doctur Dot: Day to day is a kind of an obsolete term…everything has felt like one long day since we recorded our first vocals in high school. Perpetual motion baby girl. We move in complete tune with nature and that’s what the industry is recognizing and respecting.
What do you think of the current state of Hip-Hop?
Johnny Venus: I don’t think about the current state of Hip-Hop. Whatever that is on the radio is inundated though. The industry is changing and shifting. Labels no longer have exclusive access to models of business and revenue streams. But power never yields without struggle and fellow artists making strides i.e. Chance The Rapper, Joey Bada$$ [#BGA], Action Bronson [#BGA], Kid Cudi understand the leverage they have.
Where do you see yourselves fitting in?
Johnny Venus: In between De Nyew Testament and the Third Testament. Spillage Village. It can’t fit in if it’s spilling.
As you know sometimes in music, fans tend to get tunnel vision and only support what’s being played on the radio or the artists that’s “hot” right now, making it hard for artists to break in and make an impact with their music. How do you guys plan on changing that?
Doctur Dot: Human nature is to follow what seems safest to digest. We aim not to change human nature. We aim to be so undeniable humans will risk that false sense of safety.
Alright, let’s talk about Shallow Graves for Toys, your latest project.
EarthGang: Cool man I’m so glad you asked. Thanks big fella.
What was the creative process like for the album?
Johnny Venus: It was different than our first projects. We started it out-of-state with a few tracks which we released; very intense, emotions in those two. It was at a point in time when many strong holds were being severed. We took those stories and made fables out of them; returning to Atlanta, a bit like Simba returning home. S### was different. We rounded up with survivors we knew before our pilgrimage and got back to work. The album maybe cost under two grand to make with the bulk of the production coming from associates and other members of Spillage Village. The cover says a lot. More than I’m saying now. Illustrated by John Hairston of Charlotte, NC.
If you could only pick one song on the album to draw a listener in or one song that you want people to pay close attention to, which one would it be?
DocturDot: I really like the whole album of course but my two favorites are “DJESUS IS BLACK” and “Sweet Haste.” A lot of demon expulsion on those records.
Johnny Venus: LOL, “to pay close attention to”, I just pictured people crowding around the speaker like the Jack Johnson fight. Yes.
And on a side note – “The F-Bomb” is my 2014 anthem. Great song.
EarthGang: Thanks Lo
After listening to your music, it almost has a Goodie Mob feel to it. You guys are obviously a lot different with your delivery and artistic vision. But are they one of the groups from Atlanta you looked up to when you first started writing?
Johnny Venus: Yes. The Good Die Mostly Over B#######, their new video for “Amy” is totes hilarious…
B.O.B, a fellow rapper from Atlanta recently gave you a shout out on twitter. Is it big to have another artist respect your music after the work you put in to it?
Doctur Dot: That’s great we didn’t know that happened. Thanks Robert.
The music coming out of Atlanta now, do you feel it’s a true representation of your city?
Johnny Venus: Yes, but it certainly is not the only representation of our city. People think we really live like the TV portrayals on these reality shows and these dance craves. Atlanta is global city as well as a Southern Bell and folks with limited capacities or limited experiences can’t seem to grasp that. That’s where we come in, media imagery man. Places like the West coast, NY, Chicago are seen as artistic communities flourishing with various expressions; cultural hubs influenced by the world. But Atlanta is pigeon-holed, and blanketed with this label of only being a southern, jigging, stripping, rapping mecca for black people, which is but one shade. You wouldn’t believe how many industry non-natives living in the city ask us where we’re from.
What’s next up for EarthGang in 2014, any goals?
EarthGang: FBGM. Tramond and BEYOND.
I think we all are on that one. Again, thanks for speaking with us. We all appreciate it here at Allhiphop.com. Do you want to give any shout outs before we go?
EarthGang: Shout out to that man Eric Burke, Shout out to Sun Chips, Shout out to Quint Green; a real Usher middle school ass ni$$a and that man QJ. Shout out to Willy Wonka and to The Spillage Village. See you at South by n s###. Thank you for this interview man we really appreciate it. Go get SGFT.
For more information on EarthGang or to download Shallow Graves for Toys, follow the below links:
(AllHipHop Interviews) Katlynn Simone is most likely best known for her role as Brittany Pitts on the BET dramedy The Game. While television is the platform that got millions of people familiar with her, the Houston native is making a name for herself as a singer-songwriter as well.
Simone’s singing voice captured the attention of The Game’s audience when one of her songs was featured on an episode. The fan interest led to the recent release of her single “Beautiful Lie” to radio, and the track has already broken onto the Rhythmic charts. “Beautiful Lie” also has an accompanying music video directed by Reza Ghassemi that provides visuals to the love-sick theme expressed in the lyrics.
As the buzzing singer/actress continues her run as “Brit Brat” on the seventh season of The Game, Katlynn is also finalizing her upcoming EP and taking theater and political science courses in college. AllHipHop.com spoke with the multitalented entertainer about how she handles having so much on her plate, her buzzing music career, and The Game.
AllHipHop.com: How long have you been making music?
Katlynn Simone: I’ve been singing since I was about ten years old, but I’ve been in the studio recording for about 2-3 years now.
What inspired the concept for your “Beautiful Lie” video?
A lot of it was what fans wanted to see. I’ve been talking to them through social media, and they all gave their input on what the video should look like. So I went ahead and tried to take all of their pieces and put it together. I feel like everyone was happy with it.
Are you working on a full music project?
Right now I’m working on the EP. I’ve been working with producers in L.A. and producers in Houston. We’re just trying to get the perfect songs together. I really want to be taken seriously as an artist. It’s really a matter of picking the right songs right now, because we have songs done. We want to narrow it down to the right sound.
How would you describe your sound?
I always tell people it’s an alternative urban. I love all types of influences in my music. I like an alternative vibe with a Hip Hop beat. That’s always what I fall in love with.
Growing up in Houston, were you a fan of the H-town Hip Hop scene?
Oh yeah. My dad always had me listening to that since I can remember. Paul Wall, Mike Jones, all those people.
You’re recording an EP. You’re on a very successful TV show. You’re also taking college courses. How do you manage doing all of those things?
It can be kind of stressful to be totally honest. It’s kind of a lot, but time management is just super important. People help me with prioritizing like my manager Danny. My parents are still really big in my life. I might not necessarily live with them anymore, but I still make sure that they’re there with every decision that I make. That’s probably the biggest help. My manager and my parents – they help me with everything.
It’s just basically concentrating on one thing and trying to get that done before I move on to the next thing. I’m a big believer in always putting 110% in everything that I do, so it’s hard to do that if you have to put 110% in 50 things going on at the same time. You have to just sit back and concentrate on one thing at a time.
You sound like you have a really strong support system around you. Does that play a part in you battling against the infamous pitfalls of Hollywood? How have you been able to avoid some of those problems other young stars have had to face?
It is kind of hard, because it’s so easy to get caught up. Especially, when you move to L.A. It’s everywhere. It’s always around you, and sometimes you can’t help but be in the middle of it. I will say that my parents and my family in general, even having a little sister… I always try to make sure I’m a good example for her.
Basically, as a young entertainer, it’s kind of easy for people to find out what you’re doing. So if I’m going to do something and I know that there’s an opportunity for a bunch of people to find out about it, I just want to make sure that if my sister ends up finding out about it that she doesn’t use that as ammunition that she can do the same thing. That’s my main motivation, my sister. She really does help me want to be almost perfect so that she can be perfect.
This has been an interesting season on The Game with the return of your TV mom Brittany Daniel as Kelly Pitts. Can you give any hints about where that storyline is heading?
I can’t give away too much, but of course I’m going to say what everybody already knows – there’s going to be so much drama this season. I think that one thing that is going to be cool for my character about her mom coming back is maybe they’ll get to bond a little bit.
Her mom has been gone for a while now. She’s been living with her dad who’s doing 150 things, Chardonnay who she doesn’t know, trust, or care about at the moment, and her grandparents who are still worried about themselves. Nobody’s trying to help Brittany grow up and become a better person. Hopefully she’ll start to bond with her mom, and her mom can start to become a better mother and help her out.
The Game’s Brittany Daniel, Brandy & Katlynn Simone
Your television stepmom, Chardonnay, is played by Brandy who’s a well-established singer. Have you had to chance to speak with her and get any advice about you building a career in music?
When I first got on set and got to work with Brandy it was absolutely crazy, because I remember watching Cinderella on repeat. Brandy has always been a huge idol in my life. It was almost like a dream. Going to watching her on repeat to actually working with her is crazy. She’s an absolutely humble, amazing person – inside and out.
The first advice that she gave me was just to stay true to yourself and don’t change which means a lot. I really can see that this industry hasn’t changed her. She seems exactly how you would imagine her. She’s just so nice, polite, gentle and caring. It meant a lot coming from her. Especially when she is definitely a follower of her own advice.
Your character kind of comes off as a brat at times. Do you ever get fans of the show that mistake the real Katlynn for the persona they see on TV?
Oh yeah. I hope I’m not anything like Brittany Pitts, and I try so hard not to be like that. There are quite a few people that come up to me and automatically start talking about how rude I am. All I can say is, “I’m sorry, but I’m also very happy at the same time that you feel that way because that’s my job.” If I can make you not like me, then I’m doing something right.
The Game is centered on a football team. Do you follow NFL football?
Yeah. I’m from Houston, Texas. I love some football.
Are you a Texans fan?
No, people assume that, but I’m actually an Oakland Raiders fan.
You’re also a big Beyoncé fan. If you could only listen to three Beyoncé songs for the rest of your life which ones would you have to choose?
I like “Resentment.” “Baby Boy” was probably the first one I really got crazy over. I’m going to say “Resentment,” “Baby Boy,” and “Irreplaceable.”
What else do you have on the horizon?
I’m working on my music right now. I’m trying to concentrate on that. Of course, more film and television will be coming soon, but the music is really my concentration right now. Hopefully, I can get some more songs for y’all as soon as possible.
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