AllHipHop

homepage

The Ultimate Timothy Bradley Interview: A Matter of Respect

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Headlines
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

“Relaxed confidence” might be the best phrase to describe Timothy Bradley’s mindset headed into his rematch with Manny Pacquiao this Saturday (April 12) on HBO. The anger and depression that characterized Bradley’s life after winning a controversial decision over Pacquiao back in May 2012 has long been erased courtesy of a remarkable 2013. That calendar year saw Bradley engage in one of the more brutal and dramatic fights in recent memory in barely surviving Ruslan Provodnikov via a split decision. Last October, he added Pacquiao-conqueror Juan Manuel Marquez to his ledger, out-boxing one the sport’s elite counter-punchers.

On Saturday, Bradley will go into the ring not as the paper champion many saw him as after the first bout. He now has the wins, skill and self-belief that command the respect, if at times grudging, of the fans. But will that be enough to defeat a Pacquiao vowing to return to his ferocious, merciless roots?

Knockout Nation: The selling point of this fight has been whether Manny Pacquiao can find his killer instinct. But considering that he’s been an active fighter since 1995, how much of the supposed “lack of fire” can be attributed to just aging and not being physically able to maintain that previous frenetic pace?

Timothy Bradley: No, I honestly don’t see any lack in his abilities. He’s a fantastic, dynamic fighter. I came to my conclusion [about his fire] from stuff I was reading from his own fans. I started paying attention to things Freddie and Manny would say as well. Freddie would say how compassionate he was getting and how he didn’t like to beat up his sparring partners. I was like “this is really weird.”

In the Rios fight he would engage, but he wouldn’t engage in a slugfest. In the last round he even stepped back when he was hitting him with every shot in the kitchen. In the HBO Face Off, he couldn’t even say he would knock me out. Are you serious? C’mon, man. Are you still a fighter?

KO Nation: Has this made you feel that you’ve had to carry the promotion?

Bradley: Pacquiao’s not really a talker and neither am I. I just state the facts. That’s all I did – the promotion piggy-backed off it and that’s great.

KO Nation: The one big question a lot of fans have about you is the recent decision to sign an extension with Top Rank. You’ve fought most of the top guys they have to offer; most of what’s left will be rematches. What made you stay with them as opposed to Golden Boy, who has more fighters in your division and also the most lucrative matchup for your weight class in Floyd Mayweather?

Bradley: That’s a really good question, man. First of all, I have a great relationship with Top Rank. I’ve been with them a few years and I’ve grown working with them. We cleared the air [on the first Pacquiao fight controversy].

I could fight a lot of guys from from Golden Boy. But if you look at their cards, they’re all stacked up. These guys are making money, but they’re not making my money [chuckles]. Top Rank pays the most, man. The fact that these cards are stacked all the time, it limits the budget. You gotta spread that love with all the other guys.

RELATED: Has Manny Pacquiao Really Lost His Killer Instinct?

There is no guarantee I would have got to fight Floyd Mayweather – look at Amir Khan. I wasn’t really secure on that when I weighed all my options. I really thought on it. I knew what I could get with Top Rank. I didn’t want to take that gamble [on Golden Boy]. I didn’t want to risk my family’s future. The last two years I’ve made a whole lot of money with Top Rank — A LOT of money. After that Amir Khan thing happened, I knew I made the perfect choice.

Amir held out for a whole year thinking he was fighting Floyd and then Floyd was like “Uh uh, you gotta go beat my little brother. Go do this and this…” Wow, are you serious? That’s the main reason why I made my decision. When you look at the numbers game, I’d have to fight 4-5 guys to make what I’m getting on April 12.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW

Also see the documentary, “The Fire Inside: The Timothy Bradley Story,” seen below.

Has Manny Pacquiao Really Lost His Killer Instinct?

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Headlines
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Director Of “Manny” Documentary Validates Concerns Of Pacquiao’s Lost Killer Instinct

Much has been made about Manny Pacquiao and the perceived loss of his killer instinct. With his upcoming rematch with Timothy Bradley right around the corner, many see this as Pacquiao’s opportunity to prove that he’s just as determined as ever to finish opponents before the final bell. However, with Pacquiao’s last knockout coming against Miguel Cotto back in 2009, there is concern that the Filipino has a little too much compassion for his foes.

Timothy Bradley has been needling at Pacquiao that the man he defeated controversially in 2012 simply doesn’t possess the fire that he once had. Even though Pacquiao insists that he is still the killer he once was, someone close to him believes that the eight-division world champion has definitely changed.

RELATED: Manny Pacquiao Talks About His Upcoming Fight With Timothy Bradley

Ryan Moore, director of the Pacquiao simply titled “Manny,” suggests that there is some truth in that theory. And considering that he’s spent the past five years filming Pacquiao both in and out of the ring, Moore seems like quite the reliable source.

“The first sign of Manny’s killer instinct dissolving was against Shane Mosley,” Moore explained to Knockout Nation. “When we were filming him and Mosley I saw the way they interacted and they are really nice people. So when he knocked Mosley down in the second round, it looked like he was ripe for the kill but he held back. That was a sign of Manny evolving as a human being.”

Moore says the shift is natural for a fighter who has spent 20 years as a professional. But it isn’t necessarily because Pacquiao isn’t as hungry as he once was. Rather, it has more to do with Pacquiao’s evolution from a fighter to a humanitarian who considers himself a servant to the people more than anything else.

“When you consider how blessed he feels, there’s only so much of that intensity in the ring that he can put out. When you become a family man and have kids, you mature emotionally,” Moore continues. “Before it was black and white: go and knock people out. Now you are carrying the hopes and dreams of 100 million people when you fight, and after the final bell rings you are serving them. Emotionally that does a lot to people.”

Moore won’t go as far to say that it has become a hinderance in the ring, but he does seem to agree to a certain degree with the criticism. He also says that the upcoming film actually documents Pacquiao’s shift in personality and will give viewers a better idea of when Pacquiao began to change.

“There was an event that occurred for sure after the third Marquez fight (that changed Manny) but there has been a gradual journey that has changed him from one of the most celebrated boxers to the humanitarian and public servant,” Moore says. “The turning point is included in the movie so you can get a better understanding what the big event was that changed him.”

Will it play a role in Saturday’s fight? Moore isn’t so sure because he believes that Pacquiao truly wants to please the fans more than anything else. And ff that leads to a knockout, so be it. But there is no doubt in Moore’s mind that Pacquiao’s growing responsibility to represent so many people both in and out of the ring has changed him.

“I think his dream of being a public servant took over right and he dove into that. What he didn’t do in the ring was represented by what was going on in his personal life.”

For more, go to KnockoutNation.com.

Manny Pacquiao Talks About His Upcoming Fight With Timothy Bradley

By: Steve Raze (@SteveRaze) Updated Category: Lifestyle
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

With the Manny Pacquiao v Timothy Bradley II fight set to communes on April 12th, AllHipHop.com’s DJ Hustle get some exclusive talk-time with the boxing legend. After Pacquiao experienced a controversial loss back in June 2012 from Bradley, there are a lot of questions that this upcoming fight will answer about Pacquiao.

Odds makers currently have Pacquiao favored but, we ask about his odds on winning the fight, his training methods and plans after boxing.

Check out this AllHiphop.com exclusive interview

Produced by DJ Hustle

Benzino Releases “Walk Away” First Song Addressing His Nephew Allegedly Shooting Him

By: Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) Updated Category: Headlines
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

(AllHipHop News) Benzino is trying to turn blood into art. Less than two weeks after Benzino was allegedly shot by his nephew, he releases the first song addressing the incident, “Walk Away”.

[ALSO CHECK OUT: Benzino’s Nephew Pleads Not Guilty + Claims He Shot His Uncle In Self-Defense]

On the song Benzino addresses the the shooting with his nephew and even uses a snippet from Rick Ross’ lyrics “n*ggas shot up the car, walk away like Benzino” for the song’s chorus. The obviously enraged Benzino implicatively compares his nephew to the devil:

Tried to spill my blood, but couldn’t handle it/speeding to the church, yo keep those candles lit/wake me momma, feel like it’s a fantasy/Sitting with the devil, drinking Hennessy.

Check out the full version of Benzino’s “Walk Away” below:

Chief Keef Speaks on Cousin’s Death, Says He “Saw Him Dead With A Smile On His Face”

By: Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) Updated Category: Headlines
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

(AllHipHop News) Yesterday (April 10th), news surfaced that Chief Keef’s cousin, rapper Blood Money, was murdered on the night of April 9th.

Hours after  news broke, Keef took to his personal Twitter account to recap his last moments with his slain cousin.

According to Keef, his cousin, real name Mario Hess, went out “with a smile on his face”:

Screenshot 2014-04-11 13.37.12

Blood Money was featured on Keef’s single “F*ck Rehab” that was released less than two months ago.

Nas: I Leaked Illmatic Before It Came Out

By: Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) Updated Category: Headlines
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

(AllHipHop News) One of the lesser known facts about Hip Hop is that Illmatic‘s 10 track list was a result of the album being rushed to release due to it leaking. In a recent interview with REVOLT LIVE, Nas admits to leaking his own debut album.

Nas says he did not intend to leak the album, but simply wanted to give his friends sample tapes. However, once the young MC saw the leaked songs reach across the country, he knew he made a mistake:

I heard a lot of stories, but I feel guilty too because I was making tapes for my friends. I didn’t think about it like, ‘My album’s gonna come out,’ but I made a few copies for my boys. Everybody wanted a copy so I just gave them a copy. It was playing in the neighborhood, so I thought it was cool that the neighborhood had the copies first until I heard [that] it was in [Los Angeles], Chicago, and all these different places. I was messed up for a minute. It was dope, too, at the same time because I knew people liked it. It was cool.

Nas’ documentary Time Is Illmatic will debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 16th and will chronicle his Illmatic years.

Marlon Wayans Guffaws Over Man Skirts And Lord Jamar “Beef”

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Features
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Marlon Wayans sure knows how to get people talking.

The most visible member of the revered Wayans Clan and social media guru caused a viral tsunami when he defended his homeboy Omar Epps from the queries of Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian fame. Jamar jump on Epps after he seemingly wore a mini-skirt on “The View,” a mainstream woman’s show. So I – the great Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur – who barely could get a word in – sliced in the middle of a “legends” conversation about Jay Z and Nas and leaped into the “beef” with Lord Jamar. You can hear Marlon take exception to the notion at the beginning of the clip, but he clarifies a few things. Clearly there is no beef, but in this era of sensationalism, its certainly the word that got folks talking. Plus, the conversation dealt with the taboo topic of men in skirts, which has all of Hip-Hop “conversatin’.”

Marlon, while promoting his movie “A Haunted House 2,” let his views known on the topic, Lord Jamar, and his perceived position as the “Defender of Men That Wear Skirts.” Check out in how he responds with his #AHauntedHouse2 co-stars Affion Crockett and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias watching.

For the record, Omar Epps maintains that his clothing is a nod to his Zulu lineage.

“A Haunted House 2” hits theaters nationwide April 18.

Video by Emazing Smith.

Breeding Ground 5 & Done: Foci

By: Steve Raze (@SteveRaze) Updated Category: Breeding Ground
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Background Pasadena, California based artist Foci is making a major impact on the independent music scene. His music has been heard on Pandora Radio, The World Famous Wake Up Show, Shade 45 Sirius/XM, KPFK, and many other outlets. He has shared the stage with many great artists such as Rakim, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Jay Electronica, DJ Premier, Raekwon, and Mobb Deep to name a few. And he rocked out with AllHipHop’s official 2014 SXSW Concert in Austin, TX.

AllHipHop.com: What’s good Foci? Give us some background info as to who you are.

Foci: I am Foci, a former high school educator that has been involved in the music industry for over a decade. I’m somewhat of a “normal” person with an abnormal work ethic. College educated and committed to spreading knowledge. I find it important to motivate others by leading by example and have long made a commitment to do just that. There’s nothing like pushing yourself to succeed, it opens the doors of opportunity for yourself and in turn you are able to do the same for others. I’m as much as a business man as I am a musician.

What is the significance of your name?

Foci: Actually there is no real meaning I just got it out of one of those baby name books. Nah just kidding but seriously Foci is defined as the plural of Focus. I’ve served in many different capacities in music from DJing to marketing, production, engineering, event planning, and developing other artists.

Which artists have inspired you?

Foci: Craig Mack because it’s time for some brand new flava in your ear! But most importantly: Peter Tosh for his conviction, Nas for his wisdom, Mos Def for his sensibility, Jay Z for his business savvy, Tupac for his ability to move people, DMX for his live performance, and Drake for his sensitivity.

What single or project are you currently pushing?

Foci: My freshman effort entitled, The Achievement Gap. The Achievement Gap speaks to a young man’s experiences growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles. It details the discrepancies in the California education system and the tragic loses of friends along the way. This album high the plight of common man but also solutions to many of our problems while addressing various facets of academic success measuring up to the standards of the legends I have shared the stage with. The single we are currently pushing off the project is, Peace Up Produced by Diverse. This song chronicles a situation with a close friend and his struggles with drug addiction, mental illness, and the decision he ultimately made about it.

Any final words for the people

Foci Speak on the music that you love more than the music that you hate. I have a lot of great things in store and would love for each and everyone to reach out to me so we can continue this discussion about education, arts, and progress in our culture. You can keep in touch with me online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook all under the name iamFoci. And log on to www.iamfoci.com. Peace in war Education in music.