(AllHipHop News) Troy Ave is one of the rising stars coming from the new New York City Hip Hop scene. The Brooklyn emcee has even garnered comparisons to fellow NYC rapper 50 Cent.
Hot 97 interviewed 50, and he was asked about Troy working with former G-Unit members Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks. Even though he says it was not a “shot,” 50’s response did come off as a compliment and diss wrapped in one.
“[They sound] good. They actually like his hypemen,” said 50. “Who are you looking to listen to on a Troy Ave record? So those guys are there to just support.”
While, the creator of Get Rich or Die Tryin’ labeled Banks and Yayo as “supporting cast,” 50 does go on to acknowledge Troy and his movement.
“I like the idea of Troy Ave. I would want it to work. You see what I’m saying? Just because I would want something to happen in the city period. But, in reality I see a lot of me in Troy Ave,” added 50.
(AllHipHop News) The week-long 20th anniversary celebration of the release of Nas’ Illmatic continues. Fuse.tv contributed to the festivities with a 3-part video special about the LP.
In the series, Nas reflects on the making of his classic debut album. The New York rap legend is joined by his brother Jungle, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Irv Gotti, Kevin Liles, Miss Info, and others.
Watch 3-part Fuse special Nas: Illmatic At 20 below.
(AllHipHop News) Brooklyn’s own Flatbush Zombies will be performing a free show in their home borough for Converse Rubber Tracks Live. The Beast Coast representatives will be joined by 100s and GrandeMarshall.
The event is taking place at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on April 24th. Concert goers ages 16 and over will need to go online and order tickets today (4/16) starting at 12 pm ET.
Flatbush Zombies are currently working on their It’s All A Matter of Perspective EP slated for release later this year. The group’s previous projects include the D.R.U.G.S. and BetterOffDEAD mixtapes.
To order free tickets for Converse Rubber Tracks Live visit ticketmaster.com.
August Alsina is a new type of dude. He laid out that chick Keisha Chante flat on live TV. She tried to ask him about the beef that he has with Trey Songz. Apparently, they discussed it and he didn’t want to talk about it. And she asked anyway. And this is what he had to say about it.
“So you just gone go against the grain,” said August. “And go against everything I just … I just told you all not to ask me that s— when I got up in here.”
I kinda think it was dope of her to ask anyway, because clearly he had been answering that question on other media. I don’t know any of these people. Why do I feel like Bow Wow is too old for “106 & Park.” I think I’m too old for this rumor.
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
(AllHipHop News) Comcast is currently fighting tooth and nail to get approval for its purchase of Time Warner Cable, but another monopoly could be brewing in Hip Hop this summer. Reports that surfaced today suggest that Hip Hop’s power couple, Beyonce and Jay Z are rumored to be touring this summer.
After completing individual tours recently, New York Daily News’ Page Six reports that sources have informed them that the Carters are planning on a 20 stadium tour this June.
Interestingly enough, the tour would debut a year after Jay Z denied ever doing a Best Of Both Worlds project with Beyonce during an interview with Angie Martinez on Hot 97. When asked about the possibility, Jay flatly answered “No way. You saw how that one ended.”
There is a new couple alert and, uh yeah, its weird. But, seems like Khloe and Frenchy are dating. Peep this ish:
Khloé Kardashian’s spent a few nights on the town with French Montana, but is her close friendship with the rapper turning into a romance? “Khloé adores him,” a source exclusively tells E! News. “She keeps telling everyone what a great guy he is.” However, despite her increasing closeness to the rapper over the past few weeks, those close to the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star “think it’s a rebound,” the source says. Khloé and French, both 29, certainly seem to enjoy spending time together.
They are saying that Lamar Odom is trying to get his wife back, but she’s dissing him for French Montana! How’s French and Kanye going to be brothers-in-Kardashian?
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
The MTV Movie Awards delivered yet another funny and literally explosive show at the Nokia Theater in downtown LA this past weekend. Tapped with A list celebs like Johnny Depp, Jonah Hill, Mila Kunis, Lupita Nyong’o, Jared Leto and Orlando Bloom to name a few, the over the top show featured fan favorites, a special live performance from Eminem and Rihanna and was hosted by Late Night show host Conan O’Brien. The awards show also honored both Channing Tatum and Mark Wahlberg with the Trailblazer Award and the Generation Award respectively.
The MTV Movie Awards aired across MTV’s global network of more than 60 channels and reached more than half a billion households around the world. The show also featured a few sneak peaks at movies like X-Men Days of Future Pastand The Amazing Spider-Man-2, while there was also a tribute to Paul Walker famed for his roles in The Fast and the Furious series and other movies.
Eminem and Rihanna‘s show featured a live band and tons of fire and explosions across the stage, while the Twenty One Pilots performance awed the crowd as the drummer simply stole the show, and Zedd put on an electric show to close out the night. Lets not forget when Rita Ora stripped Zac Efron‘s shirt from him after presenting him his award in the “shirtless” award category
Check clips of the show and pics below:
Eminem and Rihanna Perform “Monster” at MTV Movie Awards
(AllHipHop News) Earlier today (Apirl 15th) Nas participated in Reddit’s Ask Me Anything session During the chat with fans, Nas spoke on It Was Written being better than Illmatic, puts an APB out on Sofia Vergara and more .
Illmatic is widely considered the greatest rap album of all time and in virtue of that truth, the rest of Nas’ discography has been relegated to fighting for second best. A fan stated Nas’ sophomore album It Was Written was better than Illmatic and when he asked Nas his view on the two albums, Nas revealed his thoughts:
I mean, that was my point. I had to grow. So I’m happy you feel that way, because that was my goal, to make a superior record. I felt like at that point, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here now.
Nas has shown love to the current new school of rappers from the New York area, particularly Bishop Nehru. After stating that Nehru is a young artist he wishes to work with Nas explains why a regional movement like New York Hip Hop had in the 90s may never happen again:
It’s harder to have a concentrated area make it happen like that, like it did back then, because it’s so global right now. Who knows, there might be a great Russian rap renaissance, or a Mexican rap movement, who knows what might happen next, because it’s global.
While he did not give any concrete date or details on the illusive The Lost Tapes 2, he did answer a fan’s inquiry on if we will ever hear it with a simple “yes.” Nas also spoke on his favorite T.V. shows and sent out a feeler to Modern Family‘s Sofia Vergara:
Modern Family, that girl, Sofia Vergara, I need her. Walking Dead. House of Cards is my sh*t.
(AllHipHop Interviews) The list of occupations for Quinton “Rampage” Jackson reads like the back story for an action comic book character – mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, actor (The A-Team, Fire with Fire).
As the old adage says, art often imitates life, so the logical next step was to transform the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion into a super hero in Lion Forge’s Rampage Jackson: Street Soldier.
The digital series follows the story of the celebrated fighter after he has gained super abilities from a meteorite. Street Soldier uses his new powers to defeat menacing villains bent on harming everyday citizens and his personal friends.
While the comic version of Jackson battles evildoers like Mr. Walters, the real-life Rampage is prepping to fight competitor-turned-teammate-turned-foe Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal. The highly anticipated event will take place at Bellator 120 in Rampage’s hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. After King Mo, Jackson says he wants to add another line to his resume by switching sports to face heavyweight boxer James Toney.
Rampage Jackson spoke with AllHipHop.com about Street Soldier, training for the King Mo bout, his beef with Toney, and more.
Why did you decide to partner with Lion Forge for your own comic book?
Lion Forge is a great company. They have great titles like Airwolf and Knight Rider. I grew up reading comics, so having the chance to have my own comic book is crazy. My MMA fans love seeing me as a comic book hero.
So the feedback from your fans has been good?
Yeah, they’ve hit me on Twitter to tell me how much they like the comic book.
How involved were you in the creation of the character and storylines?
Even though I grew up as a comic book fan, I’m not an expert. So the writer David Gorden and artist Leonardo Romero really did a good job creating the character. I did sit down with them and gave them ideas.
What Hip Hop artists do you think would make good comic book heroes?
I really like that movie RZA did – The Man With The Iron Fists. I don’t know if that came from a comic book, but RZA would make a great super hero. And Ice Cube. Everything that guy does from music to movies is great. I thought he could have played B. A. Baracus in A-Team. I could definitely see him as a super hero.
Is it possible a Street Soldier movie could be in the future?
I think that it could happen. I would love to see that one day. There’s so much you can do with the character – movies, video games, cartoons.
You have a fight coming up against King Mo. The two of you have a long history including the infamous van argument and that heated press conference. Does that longtime rivalry play a part in your psychological preparation for the fight?
Yeah, definitely. Everybody knows I hate training, but I’m training so hard for this. I’m sore all over. Even though I hate training, I’m pushing so hard for this fight just because Mo talks so much s**t. I just want to shut him up. I’m gonna whoop his ass.
Speaking of talking s**t, I saw you had a back-and-forth online with James Toney. What was that about?
Man, after Mo I want to fight Toney next. Actually, I want to fight him in his own sport. I want to face him in a boxing match, and then come back to MMA. We already saw he sucks at MMA, so I’ll beat him at his own sport to shut his ass up. I don’t think boxers should even be called fighters. Just call them boxers, because they don’t have the skills of real fighters like mixed martial artists.
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James Foney is talking s### again on Instagram @realjamestony after I’m done with Mo @BellatorMMA should let me box him! Bet I sleep him!
The Bleacher Report called your entrance song “You Ain’t Stopping Me” by Al Kapone one of the scariest entrance songs of all time. What other Hip Hop songs would you use as an intimidating song to walk out to?
I always pick songs that connect to something with that fight. One song that I always wanted to walk out to was that song where they say “get on my level” [“Neva Eva” by Trillville]. Livan recorded a new song for me to come out to the ring to in my next fight called “Man Up.” My fans will actually get to buy it off iTunes.
You’ve had a successful career in sports and entertainment. What motivates you to continue crossing over to so many different mediums and art forms?
I just love to entertain people. I always say I see myself as a comedian that pretends to be a fighter. I can’t do stand-up, but I enjoy seeing people laugh. So when my fight career is over I want to continue to entertaining my fans in other areas. I want to do more movies, comic books, video games. People think I’m a violent person. I’m not. I love having fun, telling jokes. That’s what motivates me – entertaining people.
How much longer do you think you’ll keep fighting?
I’m only 35, so I have more years left in my career. But I’m kind of bored with MMA. It used to be so many styles. Everyone’s the same now. I love this sport, and I’ll always give back to this sport. That’s why I started my Rampage Fitness Academy for amateur fighters out here in Mission Viejo. I want to groom the next generation of MMA fighters to keep the sport alive. I will always have love for this sport that gave me so much, so when I’m done I will continue to be involved in MMA in some way.
For more information about the Rampage Jackson: Street Soldier comic book series visit http://lionforge.com.
Rampage and King Mo face off at Bellator 120 in Southaven, Mississippi’s Landers Center on May 17, 2014. For more information visit www.bellator.com.
(AllHipHop News)Rapper Memphis Bleek discussed his new mixtape “The Movement 2,” during an interview with AllHipHop.com at The WareHouse 305 recording studio in Miami.
After a six-year-hiatus from releasing an official project, Bleek’s new mixtape features 14 new tracks, which the rapper described as “album quality.”
“‘The Movement 2,’ it’s justsomething I wanted to do,” Memphis Bleek told AllHipHop.com. “It’s been five, six years since I put out an album. I dropped mixtapes in between, but my whole thing was, I wanted to give the people album quality for free. I didn’t want to just rhyme over ‘such and such’s’ beat because it’s hot. I wanted to create something of my own because its hot, and give it to the people. I have been away for six years. I’ve got a lot to talk about.”
Check out the exclusive interview with Memphis Bleek below and download ‘The Movement 2’ here.
(AllHipHop News) 2 Chainz is set to release a brand new “fan oriented” project next month. The Atlanta rapper is dropping the 5-track EP Freebase in the interim between his full length studio albums.
“It has been a minute since the release of my album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time, and I wanted to give something special to my fans while I record my follow-up album,” states 2 Chainz. “This is a taste of what is to come, and is most importantly, for them.”
As part of the fan connection to the project, Freebase’s cover was chosen from art work suggested by 2 Chainz’s Instagram followers. The winning picture, a photo of comedic legend Richard Pryor wearing two necklaces, was selected from over 10,000 entries.
2 Chainz’s Freebase is scheduled for release on May 5th.
(AllHipHop News) Next week (April 22nd), Future will release the follow up to his 2012 debut album Pluto. Today (April 15th), Future released the free stream of his new album Honest.
The album features guest appearances from Drake (“Never Satisfied”), Kanye West (“I Won”), Andre 3000 (“Benz Friendz (Whatchutola))” and many others. The album was originally slated to be released on November 26th, 2013.
Check out the free stream of Future’s Honest album below:
The Boondocks was a comic strip that never shied away from controversy. As ABC News put it back in 2005; “Fans and critics of The Boondocks loved and hated the strip for the same reasons: its cutting-edge humor and unapologetic, sometimes unpopular, views on various issues, including race, politics, the war on terrorism and the Sept. 11 attacks.”
The animated show, which was based on the strip, has proven to be no different. The show has won a Peabody Award and been nominated for an NAACP Image Award, as well as received criticism from the Reverend Al Sharpton. Topics which the cartoon has explored include, but aren’t limited to, the BET network, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in contemporary times, and Tyler Perry.
After a nearly four year gap since the third season concluded its original run, the show is scheduled to return for its fourth and final season on April 21. And in the time since the last season ended, much has happened for Huey to scrutinize, Riley to imitate, and Granddad to keep up with.
In anticipation for the fourth season to begin airing, AllHipHop.com has come up with a list of ten things that we hope to see The Boondocks address before it comes to an end.
10. Legalization of Marijuana
Pot laws have been a hot button issue in the country for years, but with many states legalizing it as of late -especially with Colorado’s Amendment 64 in 2012, it has reached a heightened level of discussion. The varying opinions on it make the subject a prime candidate for The Boondocks often satirical take on modern society. And while the issue cannabis was addressed in Season 3 (“Mr. Medicinal”), the new laws now in effect could allow for the topic to be re-visited with a new context and therefore new jokes.
9. Kanye West
The Boondocks doesn’t bite its tongue when it comes to Hip-Hop, so it would be remiss for it to not address all the recent outspokenness of Mr. West. Additionally, what affect would his seemingly mixed messages (i.e. the anti-corporate approach of the Yeezus album and his partnership with Adidas) have on Riley?
8. Robin Thicke
Considering Sara Dubois’ interest in Usher that was revealed in Season 2,it would be entertaining to see her take interest in another R&B star. One that quickly comes to mind, due to his rise over that last few years, is Robin Thicke. This could not only bring up an examination of how Caucasian performers are establishing themselves as the premier R&B acts lately (see also Justin Timberlake), but set the stage for Tom to do another sing-along too. Maybe this time to “Blurred Lines”?
7. Occupy Wall Street
Even though OWS began back in 2011, the discussion about income inequity continues to be a consistent talking point. Considering the capitalist character of Ed Wuncler, Sr. and his power within the Woodcrest suburb, it would make for some great moments on the show if he were to be taken to task for his greedy actions via of a peaceful protest by the all the laborers in the community that he severely underpays.
6. Jason Collins
Another controversial topic which The Boondocks has explored in previous seasons is the homosexuality of public figures. Therefore, especially considering NBA player Jason Collins came out in May 2013, the show could again address the issue, except on this go -round instead of approaching it like Gangstalicious , a public figure could be openly gay. Humor and relevant dialogue could then be stirred up as a result of different generations, professions, and religions reaction to the situation.
5. The Second Amendment
CharactersEd Wuncler III and his friend, Gin Rummy, are both former soldiers with a propensity for guns and mischief. However, after the real world horrors of the 2012 Aurora and Sandy Hook shootings, the issue of gun rights and laws are a frequent talking point. Those two characters ability to purchase and carry firearms could very easily serve as a plot to an episode.
4. Government Shutdown
The shutdown of the federal government in October 2013 brought many things up: the new health-care laws, government funding for 2014, and the already clear divide between political parties. They are all things that could affect everyone, residents of Woodcrest too if it were to be introduced as something that people in the show had to deal with. Imagine all that could happen in that suburb in 16-days with no participation from the federal government.
3. The Re-election of President Barack Obama / Hurricane Sandy
In the episode “It’s a Black President, Huey Freeman,” a documentary from Germany captured Woodcrest’s responses to Barack Obama becoming President. For the re-election, it would be interesting if the same film crew did it again. However, there would be other things to bring up this time – most notably Hurricane Sandy and how one of Republican Presidential Candidate Romney’s supporters (Chris Christie) praised President Obama for his response to the devastation that Sandy caused.
2. Nelson Mandela
While Mr. Mandela’s passing has been too recent for him to be brought back like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was in the show’s first season to see how times have changed, Mandela’s admirable ideologies could be used to comment on other current events such as the conflict with Russia. This could be incorporated into the show by bringing up Huey’s constant desire to be socially aware of all the information that is and is not provided by recognized authorities. But, perhaps more importantly, Mandela’s influence could help curb Huey’s often bleak outlook on things.
1. Trayvon Martin / George Zimmerman
With the tragedy of the Trayvon Martin shooting and the disappointing George Zimmerman verdict still very fresh in the public’s mind, it would certainly be interesting to see how that event (or something similar) would play out from the vantage point of this show’s characters. From Uncle Ruckus’ offensive commentary to Huey’s pessimistic view of the legal system and even Tom Dubois’ take on the Stand Your Ground Law, it’s certainly a current event that should be commented on in a way that only this show could.
What do you think of The Boondocks? Are you excited for the new season to start? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
(AllHipHop News) This could be a sign that the mysterious Jay Electronica is finally ready to come out and play. Last night (April 14th) Brooklyn Bodega announced that Jay Electronica will be one of the headliners for this year’s Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival.
Joining Jay Electronica as confirmed headliners are Raekwon, as well as Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era. According to Brooklyn Bodega Executive Director Wes Jackson, Electronica only agreed to perform at the festival main stage if he went on before Raekwon.
The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival will take place from July 9th to July 14th, with the main performances occurring on July 12th.
Raekwon is set to release Fly International Luxurious Art later this year.
