When Brandon Johnson acquired the moniker “CallMeDrop,” it was because of his ability to drop knowledge. “I’m a writer, a storyteller and I love music and creativity,” he states. “My goal is to recreate the lane of expression in art without being boring or cliché.”
Background: Rapper Drop puts the Drop on the competition. His latest project is a street album/mixtape called “Slideshow – The SetUp.” The mixtape serves as a flashback of his life from 2008-2011. The DMV native’s experimental rhyme scheme and lyricism offers a fresh element to emceeing.
AllHipHop.com: Firstly, give us some background info as to who you are.
Drop: My stage name is Drop. I’m a writer, a story teller and I love music and creativity. My goal is to re-create the lane of expression in art without being boring or cliché. As a child, I wrote stories and plays, participated in the school choir and created beats on tables to entertain friends and classmates. I noticed the types of positive responses and feedback that people gave based on the aggression and passion that I had towards my lyrical delivery and word-play. After high school, I discovered a new passion for hip-hop and music as an art form. Using a culmination of personal life experiences and lessons learned, I began attending open mic circuits and talent shows, and performing in my own shows to gain additional exposure. Although I took my skills for granted in the beginning, the fans continued to support me and keep me focused on this God given ability to tell stories through my music.”
AllHipHop.com: What is the significance of your name?
Drop: After winning some local freestyle competitions, I was given the name “Drop” based on my ability to “Drop knowledge and creativity when on the mic”. As time went on, people started using it on a regular basis so I just ran with it.
AllHipHop.com: What single or project are you currently pushing?
Drop: I have recently released a mix-tape called Slideshow: “The Setup” which serves as a collection of my thoughts from 2008-2011. The intent is to introduce new people to my music and let existing fans know where I have been over the past four years. In the spring, I will be releasing another mix-tape called Slideshow: “The Walk Through” to focus more on who Drop is in 2013. And Lastly, “The Slideshow, LP” will be released in the fall as an actual album.
AllHipHop.com: If you can change one thing about the music industry what would it be and why?
Drop: I know the music industry is a business, so artists have to adapt to changes in order to stay relevant, however if I could change anything about the industry I’d like the labels to sign more authentic artists. Just like pro athletes, it’s a small percentage of people with real talent and ability. A lot of those people are getting overlooked because of trends and ”watered down” writing. It’s a privilege to make music that the world can hear and access. We should recognize the people who really put time and effort into their crafts.
All Hip Hop: Any Final Words?
Drop: I want to thank AllHipHop.com for the opportunity. I want to thank the artists who inspired me: Jay-Z, Nas, Royce 5’9, Eminem (old), The Fugees, Tupac, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Alicia Keys. Also log on to my website www.CallMeDrop.com and follow me on Twitter @callMeDrop. Welcome to the revolution!
Good lord. I though voyeur life was real again, were the masses were into Hip-Hop from afar. Kind of like a zoo. But, apparently not at Harvard. Tyga was supposed to perform at the campus of the school and it seems like a group of people are calling for the YMCMB member to get pulled from the bill. Yardfest is the annual thing there, but actual students are protesting him. Why? It looks like the songs like “Rack City” reek of misogyny to these people. Now, I have to wonder – WHERE YALL BEEN? Most of the protesters seem to be women and they seem to have a strong movement against him…all 1,000 of them. But, the Tyga announcement was just made a couple of days ago so you better believe its going to get more people as the event approaches for spring.
Time will tell if Tyga gets the boot.
Harvard got jokes though. They are saying that Tyra should perform instead.
TMZ SAYS HALLE BERRY IS PREGNANT WITH A BOY?
Mannn…Halle 46 and her guy is 47. They getting up there.
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.]
These are based on emails and comments on this matter. Basically, Ace Hood didn’t say it, but everybody else is. Perhaps Meek Mill was influenced by the young Miami spitter a bit. BUT, here is the catch. I also got quite a few people that told me that Meek has been spitting like he’s spitting for a long time – before Ace Hood. So, maybe its the other way around? I know for a fact that Meek been doing his thing for a long time and bubbled to the top with Rick Ross. But, I remember when Meek was a dirty-looking kid on youtube spitting crazy. As for his style then? I don’t remember. Then he went to T.I. and now Rozay. The rap world is too small for this to pop off as a beef but I guess every has a take on it.Take the poll. There are only three poll answers based on all those people that answered the question.
HYPO-CRITTERS?
You Mad At Ross And Wayne, but Not Biggie and Eminem?
(AllHipHop News) Lil Wayne has recruited his “Pop That” collaborator French Montana for his star studded tour America’s Most Wanted which already includes T.I. and Future.
The Bad Boy/MMG/Interscope golden boy’s long awaited debut album, Excuse My French releases on May 21st. The disc is executive produced by Rick Ross and P. Diddy.
Lil Wayne’s 2009 America’s Most Wanted Music Festival raked in approximately $42 million with over 804,000 people attending.
The tour begins on July 9th at Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Birmingham, AL and ending in Irvine, CA on September 1st. No New York City dates are currently planned.
I haven’t done any pure non Hip-Hop rumors in a minute, but this one is a doozie. Rumor has it Janet Jackson may be quitting the music and entertainment gave for good. The singer is one of the all-time greats. But she recently married a billionaire named Wissam Al Mana
and it seems like that has secured her future til the end. But, quitting the game? I’m not sure where that comes from, but I guess there’s no reason to turn into the Black Madonna when there are others like Minaj and GaGa. The other part of the rumor is that she’s considering a conversion to the Muslim faith as well.
Damn… Janet was the ish. Still is.
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.]
Who is Brotha Lynch Hung? Is he the lurking personality disorder suppressed by the mild-mannered, Mann? Perhaps. Is he the absolute personification of artistry? Yes! While many “rappers” spew See-Dick-Run rhymes, Brotha Lynch Hung, the antithesis of simplicity, continues to challenge Hip-Hop’s ear. Decades invested to his craft, even through his signature restraint-muzzle, he continues to thoroughly masticate then defecate upon the competition.
From familiar Garden Bloccs to a myriad of new places, this underground Sacramento legend is home at Strange Music; here his music attacks new listeners. In this surprising interview, Brotha Lynch Hung discusses everything from his shyness to his Pre-Show Ritual:
AllHipHop.com: Once upon a time there were cassette tapes. Back in ’91 you made your Hip-Hop début as part of the group, Street Talk Crew. From N*ggas in Black to your latest solo release Mannibalector, how have you retained that initial hunger you had to pick up the mic and continue writing?
Brotha Lynch Hung: I wanted to be the best. You know, I’ve always wanted to be the best rapper out there. And I’ll probably continue until I feel like I am.
AllHipHop.com: Recently have you talked to Luni Coleone or X-Raided?
Brotha Lynch Hung: I talked to X; we talked about doing an album together and stuff. He has Psychoactive part 2 coming out. He’s gonna lay down for a while. He’s gonna catch flack for doing it from the penitentiary; so, he gotta lay down. Then we talked about doing another album. But, Luni, I see off and on, he’s going through some problems and stuff, so shouts-out to him. I run into him a little more than X, obviously.
AllHipHop.com: Regarding your work, in what ways to you evaluate creative criticism; when do you know to incorporate a suggestion?
Brotha Lynch Hung: I always do. I love to know what my fans want to hear. When I created this trilogy, of course, obviously, I was going to have to create everything around it. Now my fans are asking for some of the older-school, street-stuff; so, I’m going to give it to them. I always listen to them.
AllHipHop.com: Mannibalector dropped back in February and it completes the Coathanga trilogy. Currently, are you still under contract with Strange Music?
Brotha Lynch Hung: Nine months from now is when I’ll be a semi-free agent. They’ve already offered another contract to me.
AllHipHop.com: Do you anticipate staying there; or, do you plan to work on your label Madesicc Muzicc?
Brotha Lynch Hung: Definitely, I’m still going to work on Madesicc. But I dunno—I haven’t [decided yet]—I’m trying to see what numbers this Mannibalector gets, you know, before I try and make a choice.
AllHipHop.com: So far, what business-related lessons have you learned from your time at Strange that you plan on implementing with Madesicc?
Brotha Lynch Hung: Organization, and not taking no bleep from the artists, always being papered up, and staying on the road.
AllHipHop.com: Sounds like a fool-proof plan. I want to discuss perception versus reality. Folks who are unfamiliar with your work may view you as a demented cannibal who dines upon toddlers.
Brotha Lynch Hung: (chuckles) That ain’t good.
AllHipHop.com:Even the Wiki was lying saying you’re an atheist.
Brotha Lynch Hung: I’m more agnostic.
AllHipHop.com: Do you ever rely upon misinterpreted metaphors or blatant misunderstanding as a defense-mechanism to maintain your privacy?
Brotha Lynch Hung: That’s a good question. Not really, I’m used to just writing what I feel. If I do run into a fan, and he wants to know what’s up with me, I will tell him or her. I don’t really rely on it, or use it as that.
AllHipHop.com: Do you ever feel compelled to dumb-down your lyrics in order to be completely understood?
Brotha Lynch Hung: I don’t believe in that that too much. If I do that I may stop liking it. I’ve been rhyming since 1983. With my stubborn head I just do it my way. My thing is staying different all the time. I always want to create something different. If you listen to my Loaded album verses these three albums from the trilogy, it’s a whole different type of album. So, I like to keep it like that.
AllHipHop.com: So, you’ll try to elevate us to your level as opposed to compromising your art?
Brotha Lynch Hung: That’s probably why I ain’t mainstream.
AllHipHop.com: F*ck mainstream.
Brotha Lynch Hung: For real.
AllHipHop.com:This is so surreal. I can reach out and grab your ass if I wanted to. I’m actually conversing with, you. Thank you for coming on this tour. This is going down as one of my favorite Hip-Hop memories.
Brotha Lynch Hung: Thank you, you’re going to make me blush.
AllHipHop.com: To date you’ve dedicated over twenty years to Hip-Hop. You’ve created a body of work that’s earned you platinum success. You’ve aroused a foundation of unyielding supportive fans. With you being a naturally introverted person, how are you learning to better open up to people?
Brotha Lynch Hung: Just being around more people kinda helps. You know, I grew up as an only child. In school I was very shy. Like me going on the tours that I’ve done in the ‘90’s, and going on these tours with Strange, being around people helps a lot. But, I’m still that guy in the corner. You know, I’m always by myself. Even though I’m with all of Strange right now, I still feel like I’m by myself.
AllHipHop.com: Really?
Brotha Lynch Hung: I just hang out with myself—just thinking about life and all that— I don’t really like to converse.
AllHipHop.com: This is truly how you are? You’re not being ducked off or acting too good?
Brotha Lynch Hung: I want to [interact with more people], but I just don’t get that part of it. Maybe like when I go have a cigarette and someone else is having a cigarette out there I’m like, “I hope they don’t talk to me.”
AllHipHop.com: Damn. (laughs)
Brotha Lynch Hung: I don’t know why I’m like that. I don’t mind talking to them, you know. I just hope they don’t—I really don’t know how to keep conversations that well. I do with women. With men it’s a little different. Men got this thing. I see all these fellas doing it, having fun and stuff, I just don’t know how to do it. I think they’ll say the same thing. They think I’m always in the corner, but I’m definitely not siddity though. I’m too humble to be siddity.
AllHipHop.com: Before shows do you ever get anxious or nervous, or are those feelings something from the past?
Brotha Lynch Hung: Well, I got to take my toothbrush next to the stage, because I always throw up before every show. Then I go on stage and rip it. I don’t know what it is. The only other person that I heard who did that was Barbra Streisand. So, it made me feel better about myself. At first, I thought it was some crazy stuff going on. Once I get that over with I’m ready to go on stage.
AllHipHop.com: How do you pick the tracks that you perform, do you stick to the recent stuff or do you go all the way to 24 Deep?
Brotha Lynch Hung: Obviously, with Strange I have to do more of the album releases that I did with them. But, I’m going back. I have a couple of songs where I’m going back. That’s why I’m loving Oklahoma—Tulsa, because they’re going to love these songs. Strange has a lot of young fans; so, sometimes when I go to those songs I be iffy about if they’re going to know the song or not. For all of my old school fans, it’s going to be fun to go back and get that feeling.
AllHipHop.com: Until the next time, is there anything else you’d like to share?
Brotha Lynch Hung: This is not the end of me yet. Follow me on Twitter @BrothaLynchHung; like the Facebook! Thank you for supporting me over the years; this is the only way that I know how to live.
(AllHipHop News) In an interview with DJ Skee the self-described “King of The South” T.I. shares that he is working with several artists associated with his Grand Hustle imprint on a compilation mixtape titled G.D.O.D: The Introduction.
The tape will feature appearances by T.I., B.O.B, Shad Da God, Trae Tha Truth, Iggy Azalea, Travi$ Scott, Young Dro, and other Hustle Gang affiliates.
“You don’t like T.I., that’s fine. There’s somebody over here [on Grand Hustle] that you gonna like,” says Tip who also announced he plans to drop the project in four weeks.
T.I. started Grand Hustle Records in 2003. Besides the aforementioned artists, the list of performers that have been connected to Grand Hustle include 8Ball and MJG, Killer Mike, Meek Mill, DJ Drama, Ricco Barrino, Chip, Big Kuntry King, Alfamega, and Young L.A.
(AllHipHop News) Sorry DJ Khaled, but you’re no longer the best. At least not when it comes to holding the record for the longest running #1 rap single on Billboard Magazine’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. That distinction now belongs to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis after their mega-hit “Thrift Shop” topped the chart for the 12th consecutive week.
Previously, Khaled’s 2011 summer anthem “I’m On One” featuring Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne held the title with 11 straight weeks in the top spot.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis next hurdle is passing Mary J. Blige’s all time record of 15 weeks at number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Blige achieved that accomplishment in 2006 with her Grammy winning song “Be Without You” from The Breakthrough album.
“Thrift Shop” is also number one on the Hot 100 for the 6th nonconsecutive week. The fifth single from 2012’s The Heist album has sold over 5 million copies to date. The Seattle duo’s “Can’t Hold Us” (which was originally released as a single prior to “Thrift Shop”) is also creeping up the R&B/Hip-Hop chart currently sitting at #5.
The rest of the Top 10 R&B/Hip-Hop songs for the April 13 publication of Billboard are Justin Timberlake’s “Suit & Tie” (2), Drake’s “Started From The Bottom” (3), Lil Wayne’s “Love Me” (4), Rihanna’s “Pour It Up” (6), A$AP Rocky’s “F*ckin Problems” (7), Wale’s “Bad” (8), Ace Hood’s “Bugatti” (9), and Alicia Key’s “Girl On Fire” (10).
Rising songs right outside the top ten includes J. Cole’s new single “Power Trip” featuring Miguel at #12, “Wop” by Flo Rida associate J. Dash at #14, and British songstress Emile Sandé’s “Next To Me” at #17.
