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#FreshHeat: Tree Ft. Roc Marciano “Trynawin”
Zilla Rocca & The Shadowboxers Ft. The Kid Daytona & Has-Lo “Stormy Monday”
Jon Connor #BGA “Epiphany II”
Emilio Rojas #BGA “I Need Some Sleep”
Qualmes “Get It”
St. Laz #BGA Ft. Chuck Burns “Help Me Jesus” Produced by Dr. G
Local San Antonio Label Head Convicted of Killing Roommate/Business Partner
(AllHipHop News) Aspiring music mogul Anthony Johnson claimed the he killed his roommate and So Fly Entertainment business partner with a close range shot from a AK-47 in self-defense. After 6 and half hours of deliberations a San Antonio jury decided they weren’t buying Johnson’s claim and convicted the 23-year-old of murder.
Johnson was accused of shooting music producer Romuald Rodrique Ngande (aka Romey Rome Beatz) on November 15, 2011. The day before Ngande’s death the two argued on Facebook from separate rooms in the same apartment.
The defense claimed that the fight continued the next morning when Ngande threatened Johnson and then broke into his locked room.
Johnson testified that he thought Ngande was holding a knife at the time. Believing his life was in danger, the defendant said he shot his roommate to protect himself.
It was later discovered that the only thing Ngande had in his possession was a cigarette lighter, and there was no physical evidence that proved that Ngande entered Johnson’s room.
The prosecution in the case also countered Johnson’s argument of self-defense saying even though Ngande did provoke and insult the defendant after Johnson refused to give the victim a ride to work, Ngande’s actions did not justify using lethal force against him.
Prosecutors also provided evidence that showed that after the shooting Johnson updated his Facebook status to read, “One shot kill. Call me John Wayne.”
The defendant also apparently wrote letters bragging about the shooting and even mentioned that his jail time was making him a better lyricist. He also ignored officer’s questions during his police interview, and refused to hang up his cell phone after repeatedly being asked to do so while at the station.
Johnson’s attorney, Michael Hoyle, argued that the excessive bravado was just a fake persona that the defendant started to get confused with real life.
“We’re talking about a bunch of guys who think they’re Hip-Hop stars in San Antonio. They’re not living the dream. They’re living in a dream,” Hoyle told the court. “They started to believe in their own image … when in fact it wasn’t [real].”
According to the prosecution what was real was Johnson’s anger about his own failings, and Ngande was just the target of his rage.
“[Johnson] spent all his money. He lost his job and [believed] that was Rome’s fault, too,” said prosecutor Wendi Wilson-Ortiz. “He was mad at the world and he took it out on Rome.”
The state district judge in the case ordered the jury to return today to begin the punishment phase of the trial. Johnson now faces up to life in prison.
[ALSO READ: DJ Megaton’s Killer Gets 21 Years In Jail]
[ALSO READ: Rapper Allegedly Tried To Sacrifice Friend To Join The Illuminati]
Check out a photo of Johnson’s rap lyrics that was presented as prosecution evidence during the trial.
Photo by John Davenport, San Antonion Express-News
source: MySanAntonio
Chris Brown’s Bodyguard Sues Drake and W.I.P. for Club Brawl
(AllHipHop News) “Bad press during the summer over allegations”-Drake on “5AM In Toronto”
That June 14th bottle-throwing brawl at New York nightclub W.I.P. continues to bring Drake bad press. Chris Brown’s bodyguard, Patrick Strickland has filed a suit against Drake and W.I.P. after suffering a severe head injury due to the melee.
Strickland was hit in the head with a bottle and suffered “severe and disfiguring injuries to his face, head and eyes,” according to the suit.
The 43 year old Strickland believes the club’s culpability lies in the way it arranged the seating of the two rival crews. According to the lawsuit, the two crews being so close in the VIP section created “a substantial and unjustifiable risk that a mass altercation would occur.”
[ALSO READ: Hip-Hop Rumors: Chris Brown Turns The Heat Up In Drake Beef]
The lawsuit also states that the scuffle occurred after Chris Brown received a note from Drake which read “I am f*cking the love of your life” in reference to Drake’s on-again-off-again relationship with Rihanna. The note led to an verbal altercation between members of the disagreeing crews and mayhem ensued shortly thereafter.
Strickland is suing Drake and W.I.P. for an unspecified amount of damages.
Over the last 8 months it has been hard to properly gauge its momentum. In August of 2012, three months following the brawl, sources from Brown’s camp reportedly stated Brown has moved on from the issue. However, on a recent remix of Young Jeezy’s “R.I.P.” Brown seemingly reignited the feud by stating “If you started from the bottom, why don’t you come out the closet?”
[ALSO CHECK OUT: DJ Skee Ft.Young Jeezy, Riff Raff, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown & YG “R.I.P Remix”]
He’s Not For Kids! AllHipHop.com Chops It Up With Playdough
What do you get when you mix a few down home, Texas style guitar riffs with sick nice beats and a dope lyricist? You get an eclectic artist out of of Dallas that we checked for all last year and put on our Top 50 Underground List of 2012! Playdough is nothing that you expect and everything that you don’t.
To say he created a lane for himself is an understatement, and if the last year has been any indication, you will be hearing a whole lot more from him this year. He’s creating his own sound and has become a staple of the Dallas, TX Hip Hop Scene. Please take a minute to get to know Playdough:
AllHipHop.com: This is our first time getting to speak with you since you made the AllHipHop.com Top 50 Underground Of 2012 list! It’s been a long time coming! For those who aren’t familiar with your work, can you please share with us how you got started.
My pleasure! I started taking music really serious in college. My demo made it to MTV for a show called “The Cut” where you compete against other bands and have celebs in the music industry judge your performance. My band (ill harmonics) made the show, won 3 or 4 episodes and made it to the finals. From there we got signed to an indie label and put out a couple albums, I started working with a crew called Deepspace5. We put out an album in 2001 and in 2002 I put out my first solo album. Since then I’ve been continually putting out new music and touring the world,blessed.
AllHipHop.com: Who would you say your biggest musical influences have been thus far and how or what does their influence contribute to your music?
De La Soul and The Roots are probably my biggest influences. Listening to De La is when it really clicked for me that you can use melody in your rhymes but still rap the lyrics. All the outside the box stuff they did just helped me realize that there doesn’t have to be a tired formula to making Hip-Hop music. The Roots’ chance taking, instrumentation and of course Black Thought on the mic are heavily influential in my music. Taking a nice rock guitar or something not necessarily associated with rap, but still make it Hip-Hop.
AllHipHop.com: Very nice! What do you hope that your music reflects to the listener?
I think there are different levels to that answer. It may be hard to convey what you’d like to reflect based on someone hearing one single, if they listen to a whole album or your entire body of work they’d get the vision and really see what you’re on. In that regard each single probably has a unique vibe, but overall I’d like to leave people hungry for Knowledge, encourage thinking for ourselves and seeking Truth. I want my music to be fun and about having a good time, but if I have someone’s attention for the duration of a song I’d like to leave them with something lasting, hopefully eternal.
AllHipHop.com: What is one thing the fans don’t know about you that you wish they did?
That when a song means something to them, it’s totally cool if they tell the artist that made the song. A lot of fans seem worried about being considered a fanatic or jock riding if they express how much a song or an artist means to them. As artists who pour our lives into out music, we love hearing what it means to you. It’s really encouraging hearing your fans tell you what you wrote that meant something unique to them. I love my fans, though. They’re my family, my Road Dogs!
AllHipHop.com: Can you give us five words that describes you as a performer?
Wild Style: Busy Bee scene.
AllHipHop.com: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment? Who are you working with and what can we expect?
I’m finishing up a new album with my DJ, Sean Patrick. It’s called “Gold Tips” and is based around what it’s like to kick it with us, go on the road and roll with our crew. It’s all songs about thrifting, chopping records, doing shows, cashing checks and everyday suburban emcee stuff. So far the features are Koncept from Brown Bag Allstars, Jabee from OKC and Manchild of Mars iLL.
AllHipHop.com: Please tell the people how they can keep up with you!
Twitter is the most direct to me personally, @iamPLAYDOUGH. All of my music, videos, shows and everything is on my website www.iamPLAYDOUGH.com. Holler at me, if you think I’m dope then tell a friend to get on your level and check me out. Thanks a lot for the interview, One LOVE!
Thanks again to Playdough for taking the time out and be looking for his new project dropping soon!
Set Times For Wu-Tang Clan, Earl Sweatshirt & Other Acts At Coachella 2013 Announced
(AllHipHop News) Those music fans heading to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California this weekend can now plan out their schedule for which acts to catch at what times.The official set listing for the three-day event was revealed on the festival’s website.
Three of the rap representatives at the 14th annual festivities will be Earl Sweatshirt on the Gobi Stage Friday at midnight, 2 Chainz appearing on Saturday at 4 p.m. on the Mojave Stage, and Wu-Tang Clan hitting the Outdoor Theatre Sunday night around 9.
[ALSO READ: New York City Schools Hire The GZA of The Wu-Tang Clan to Teach Science]
Other Hip-Hop performers scheduled to appear include Aesop Rock, Theophilus London, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Pusha T, El-P, and Raider Klan.
This year’s festival will be headlined by rock bands Blur, The Stone Roses, Phoenix, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
While Coachella is mostly known for its rock performances, Hip-Hop has played a big role at the festival as well. Coachella 2012 had one very memorable Hip-Hop moment. That was the site of the resurrection of rap legend 2Pac as a hologram during Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg’s headling set.
[ALSO READ: Tupac Hologram Performs Alongside Dr. Dre And Snoop Dogg At Coachella 2012]
Jay-Z and Kanye West have also closed out a night at the festival in past years. Jay headlined in 2010, and Kanye headlined in 2011.
The first weekend of the Coachella Festival 2013 will take place April 12-14. Weekend 2 will take place April 19-21.
Check out the full set times for Weekend 1 below.
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Singer Luke James Talks Competition in R&B, Calls Himself ‘2013’s Sammie Davis Jr’
With his highly anticipated debut album on the way, singer Luke James declares that 2013 belongs to him.
The buzz is big for R&B singer Luke James. The crooner is prepping his debut album Made to Love, and with the latest single “I.O.U”, James isn’t making it any easier for us to take a breath.
In 2012, the singer burst onto the scene with “I Want You”, a slow jam that celebrates the act of confessing your love to the woman you desire. In 2013, for that song, James earned his first Grammy nomination.
Last week, AllHipHop.com had the opportunity to chat with Luke James where the New Orleans-bred singer details his newly formed collective with Miguel, competition in today’s R&B and why he calls himself the 2013 Sammy Davis, Jr.
AllHipHop.com: You’re in New York City right now because you performed at Spotlight Live, where you kind of headlined before The Dream. I felt like you were the headliner.
Luke James: All I need is a mic and a light, man. That brother was happy to have me. He could’ve said something different because Dream is a shot-caller. It felt good to perform in New York. It’s always great, that crowd was weird for specific reasons. But, I let them have it. I don’t play no games.
AHH: It seems like you’re a seasoned performer even though you’re just now coming out. How long have you been singing?
James: Professionally, I’ve been doing it for six years. I started out singing background for Tyrese, Tank and Mario. I’m a sponge. I learn. I’ve been around so many people, I’ve just learned a lot. And people I see on TV, my idols, I just project that. Also, I got great management. I’m managed by one of the best who has ever done it, Frank Gatson. He’s really taught me about stage presence and how to be.
AHH: Did you study guys, like Tank, who’s more of a traditional R&B artist?
James: Yeah, I definitely studied those guys! If you ask them, they’ll probably say “Oh no, he got that from me!”. They can pick some things out. You gotta get it from somewhere. I studied them, and then I studied who they studied. Then, I studied who those people studied. I’m a sponge, forever learning.
AHH: You came out with “I Want You”, which was the biggest buzz single for any R&B artist that wasn’t necessarily mainstream yet. Do you think that should’ve been on the debut album?
James: “I Want You” will be on my debut album. The song was written as something to grab a woman’s attention and I guess it grabbed everyone’s attention. It did exactly what it was supposed to do. I honestly feel like it’s going to rise up again. It wasn’t worked as a mainstream record but the people chose and I think it will always be a song that I have to perform and I love it.
AHH: You’ve partnered with Miguel, Stacy Barthe and Elle Varner to create the collective, Nouveau Noir. Do you think that was a smart move?
James: Of course. I believe in music. I believe in creativity and learning all aspects of music and giving people a choice. I alone can’t do it by myself. It takes an army. We all are like-minded and we all believe in something. And we all want something more. If we’re going to keep this thing going, we got to join together and create a great buzz together. Saying it at the same time.
AHH: It’s like what Erykah Badu, Common…
LJ: D’Angelo, Maxwell…
AHH: Yeah, what that whole ’90s neo-soul crew did. And now you’ve all come together who are now today’s artists to create that collective. Can we see a collaboration any time soon?
James: Definitely. We’re looking to do some shows together. We already do music together. Just promoting solid music, music people can feel. It’s a feeling.
AHH: You’ve got Frank Ocean, who’s from New Orleans. August Alsina, who performed with you the other night, who’s from New Orleans. And you’re from New Orleans. How does that effect your music? What’s it like being from N.O?
James: It’s evident. You can see the creativity. I’m assuming they’re the same way. In New Orleans, you hear everything. You hear all different types of music. So many choices.
I don’t want to sound so cliche, but it’s like gumbo, you just pile it all up together and you get Frank Ocean, August and you get myself. New Orleans has jazz, blues, folk, zydeco, bounce music, Hip Hop, R&B, soul, alternative. Just the city alone, you can get a feeling of something.
AHH: You’re more a traditional R&B artist, in the sense of you haven’t announced a huge publicity stunts. How do you feel like you fit in today’s R&B?
James: I look at myself as an artist. An artiste. I don’t know what tomorrow may hold, whether I’ll be getting arrested or something crazy. I’m going to live my life. I try to keep things as private as I can and give people a little something more to vibe off of me. So that when they hear the music they can say “Oh wow! I think I read that tweet!” from this song. Or “I can relate to it.”.
Right now, it’s about me as an artist, singer and I think it’s getting to Who is Luke James as a person. What does he have to say? I’m putting on the actor hat. I just wrapped up my first movie two weeks ago Black Nativity, which will be in theaters November 27th, Thanksgiving weekend. Take your family out, it’s gonna be fun. I’m an entertainer. I think I fit in very well. I’m not trying to fit in, I think I’m just trying to be me and I think the most awesome thing you can do is be you.
AHH: Is that the thought process that led to “I.O.U”.
James: Yes. Well, “I.O.U” is written by a brother of mine, Kevin Cossom. It just felt right and felt like a good song to do. The label loved it and they wanted to put it out. The people have spoken. They’re starting to love it. It’s one of my most deep traditional R&B sounding songs. It’s a good feel, and gives you another look at Luke James.
AHH: As far as your debut album, Made to Love, what can people expect from it?
James: A whole lot of feeling.
AHH: We won’t cry, will we?
James: I mean, it’s not my intentions to make you cry but I love music that makes me cry. I love music that makes you feel. That’s what music is. It’s supposed to unlock some things. It’s therapy. It’s when you’re in the shower, alone, in the dark, and that song is playing and you’re letting it pour out. So that when you walk out, you’re fresh and brand new. You’re renewed. Music should break you out of your shell and help you be exactly who you want to be.
AHH: You’ve reminded of your recent mixtape, Whispers in the Dark, and when I saw the title it reminded me of something from the quiet storm or an album title from back in the day. What made you call it that?
James: The title came from a lyric in a song titled “Whispers in the Dark (Found by You)”. It’s that voice in your head, some of us try to deny it. It’s a voice that we all eventually will have to answer to. Whether it comes to us in the day, or in the dark, and mine mostly comes to me in the dark. It’s my demons. It’s just that connection you have with God. That’s where it came from. Being vulnerable, and I think that’s what the complimentary album states.
AHH: One thing we’ve been focusing on is the health movement in the entertainment world. As far as, entertainers having the voice to inspire people to live a healthy lifestyle. I’ve been on the R&B diet. I’m trying to get my shirt really tight.
James: [Laughs] Some people will take the bread out the oven before it’s finished baking. You gotta let it bake. Hide. I learned a thing, hide yourself. Give yourself a mark. As far as work out, and eating well, you don’t want to defeat yourself. It’s more mental than physical.
Once you get your mind in the habit of “I cannot leave this house without brushing my teeth!”, and once you make it that kind of thing, then it becomes a lifestyle and you can’t live without it. It’s good for you to work out and to eat well, and to care about what you’re putting into your body.
At the end of the day, you want to live past 70. Plus, that stuff goes into your children. You got to think about things like that. You want to live and see your children grow and live a happy life. Working out is very good and a good tip: Hide yourself. Try not to look in the mirror until you have clothes on.
Give yourself a week, then two weeks and three weeks, and you’ll see the change. You want to be a stranger to yourself. I think that’ll help you see the results.
AHH: What do you think 2013 will say about the Luke James movement?
James: Here he comes. He’s here. I feel like 2013 is my year. Thirteen is a very mysterious number. I believe it’s the number of the unknown. I think it calls people to have faith and just walk out on it. Faith is having belief in something that you can’t see. People who are very eccentric, going into the whole “It’s 2013! It’s about to be chaos!”, but I think it’s a time to step out on faith. Know your limits and ignore them.
You did 2012 and 2011. 2013 is a different world. It’s a different life. It’s time for acceptance. It’s time for complete love and understanding who you are and basking in it. That’s what I’m gone do, and I’m gone show the world how to do it. I’m here, man. More music to come, more artistry, more art.
AHH: Anything else the people should know?
James: The movie, Black Nativity, November 27th. After you finished feeding your face, take the family out to go see a great movie. A movie that’s going to stand the test of time.
AHH: Are you the star in that?
James: I’m one of the stars! Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Nas, Tyrese, Jacob Lattimore, Grace Gibson. Directed by Kasi Lemons and put on by Fox Searchlight. It’s a big deal. Black Nativity, Langston Hughes.
AHH: Now, if they say Luke James, the actor, you think they’re going to forget about the music?
James: They’ll never forget about the music. The music comes first. It’s just another part of me. I’m your 2013 Sammie Davis Jr., baby. Oh yeah! [laughs]
Luke James’ Whispers in the Dark is available now. “I.O.U.” is available now on iTunes.
Listen to Our FULL Interview with Luke James:
Killer Mike and El-P Working On Joint LP As New Group ‘Run The Jewels’
(AllHipHop News) The rapper-producer combo that brought you R.A.P. Music, one of the most critically acclaimed Hip-Hop albums of 2012, is officially joining forces as the new rap duo Run The Jewels.
The group’s name was inspired by lyrics from LL Cool J’s song “Cheesy Rat Blues” from his 1990 album Mama Said Knock You Out.
“It’s kind of a nod to our age,” El-P tells Spin Magazine. “Basically it’s just some tough sounding s### that can mean a lot. It encapsulates what Mike and I bond over, the era we love.”
“It’s that bad guy s###,” adds Mike.
Run The Jewels is currently recording new tracks in Brooklyn and plans to have a full album ready for release on June 19th also known as Juneteenth. Unlike like their first collaboration, both the Atlanta-based Killer Mike and the New York-based El-P will be rhyming throughout the project.
This will be the fourth studio album for El-P following his previous solo LPs Fantastic Damage, I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead, and Cancer 4 Cure. He also has several instrumental albums including the jazz/Hip-Hop fusion project High Water.
For Mike this will be LP number seven in his catalogue. His previous works include Monster, Underground Atlanta, and the I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind series. The Dungeon Family alum is also said to be working on part four to Pledge and a sequel to R.A.P. Music.
Listen to a snippet of Run The Jewel’s “Banana Clipper” below.
Bilal: Taking Hip-Hop “Back to Love.”
It’s the age-old question, how do you top a legendary debut album? When 1st Born Second was released in 2001, it was an instant classic. Songs like, “Soul Sista,” and “Love It,” put Black love in a spotlight. The album also featured the introspective, “Sometimes,” which asked soul-searching questions that everyone in the generation could understand, and in fact, it remains Bilal’s signature song.
A member of the memorable soul collective, The Soulquarians, whom he states would have made an “amazing” album if they had ever recorded one together, Bilal has long been viewed as an intergral part of the neo-soul sound/movement. A label that most of the artists who are relegated to that category reject. However, it is undisputed that the music of the early 2000’s featured a feel unlike any time since and that experience was captured in the music of Erykah Badu, India. Arie, The Roots, and Common. The former neo-soul sound has morphed back into what it always was Black music, and idea that sits well with Bilal.
“The genre never really existed for me. I never really put myself in a box. I came out at a time where a lot of people were using a lot of retro instruments and stuff like that,” he states, “But I never looked at as ‘neo-soul,’ I always thought it was a hybrid of hip-hop. The people that I worked with on my first album from The Roots, to Dr. Dre were hip-hop. I didn’t see it then as neo-soul.”
After his debut, emerging file-sharing technology would soon force the crooner into a career dilemma that would last nearly a decade. His sophmore debut, Love for Sale, was shelved by Interscope after the highly-anticipated follow up leaked online and fans would go NINE years before he released another studio album, 2010’s Airtight’s Revenge.
The album featured his signature sound, heavy synth rhythms and insightful songwriting. “Little One,” a thought-provoking song about his eldest son, who is autistic, was nominated for a Grammy. Written with the idea of an audible film or short story, the album is full of dark themes about self-reflection. Some from his life, some from his imagination. Either way, the album, which was well-received by critics but not as much by fans. However, it fueled his newest recording, A Love Surreal. “I learn from each project,” Bilal states, “Every time I make a record, I am taking notes for the next record. This album took me the shortest time to make; honestly, it was like it just flowed.” And flow it does.
From the intro, A Love Surreal transplants the listener into a world where nothing exists but love. It isn’t all perfect love. Released just over a month ago, the new album features thoughts on new love, long-distance love, and lost love. “The inspiration behind the record is art. Visual art. I wanted to make a world that you could lose yourself inside of,” Bilal to AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview, “I try to make the music, when we record it, so that when we actually play it live; it will sound better.” Bilal has been touring the US in support of the album, with an incredible one-hour set featuring him, his band, and his many hits.
Despite only being on his third album, Bilal has a career that has spanned almost fifteen years and his imprint is all over the current sound of R&B. His inspiration is evident in younger artists like Frank Ocean and Miguel, whose spacey-sounding love songs have defined the sound in recent years. A fact that Bilal barely acknowledges, “I like what Miguel is doing. I like what Frank is doing. I think that the brothers are doing a good job.” He adds, “But, I couldn’t really give you a statement on the state of soul music. I’m in my own little bubble, my own little world. I think we’re in a really space right now, with all the TV shows, that everybody is a judge of music. What’s great, what’s dope. I kind of just stay in my own little world and make sure my s**t is dope.”
Bilal has always made dope music from his own recordings, to his most recent collaborations with the Grammy-winning Robert Glasper Experiment, to his many collaborations with hip-hop artists. He credits his work-ethic and his love for hip-hop,”What I’m doing now I see it as a hybrid. But, that’s pretty much what hip-hop does, it takes other styles of music and creates a sound. That’s my approach to music. Nowadays, my music has taken a sort of jazz tone, I guess that’s because I’ve aged. I don’t really put what I do in a box by giving it a name.”
Visit www.BilalMusic.com for tour dates and more information and follow him on Twitter @Bilal.
Meek Mill Rides Hard For Rick Ross Over “Rape Lyrics” – “Its Hip-Hop”
(AllHipHop News) Meek Mill makes it clear where his allegiance lie and that’s with his boss, Rick Ross – despite a controversy that appears to keep growing.
In an interview with Urban Informer, Meek made his stance known.
“I don’t even care about nobody criticizing no lyrics,” Meek said in a candid interview. “People rap about killing stuff all day. Biggie said, ‘Rape your kid. Throw her over the bridge.’ It was nothing, it was just hip-hop.”
Meek also lashed out at blogs and websites that have been critical of his Ross, who heads up Maybach Music.
“Now you got all these weirdos on these social sites voicing their opinion about something anybody say,” he continued. “I don’t care. I’m from the ‘hood. I never really cared about what nobody say in no rap. Rap’s always been talking about killing, drugs, all types of stuff.”
RELATED: Ace Hood Defends Rick Ross
He also said that hip-hop is just entertainment and not a reflection of reality.
“It’s imaginary visual. If a writer write about somebody getting raped in a movie, that mean he a rapist or he want girls to get raped? No, he just wrote about that in a movie,” Meek said.
Protesters continue to request that Reebok, Rick Ross’ sponsor, drop him, even though the rapper has apologized before.
Meek Mill’s Dreamchasers 3 drops May 6.
RELATED: Rick Ross Concert Cancelled in Canada
Gucci Mane Indicted for Aggravated Assault
(AllHipHop News) Atlanta bred rapper, Gucci Mane, was indicted on Tuesday afternoon on one count of aggravated assault according to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
The Zone 6 rapper, born Radric Davis, is accused of striking a soldier over the head with a bottle of champagne at Atlanta night club, Harlem Nights.
This indictment is not the only potential legal trouble Gucci is facing in the foreseeable future, as a second victim has come forward in recent weeks saying Gucci assaulted him two nights later in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia man said he approached Gucci Mane after the show when he was suddenly punched in the face.
“I haven’t ever been so humiliated in my life and disrespected,” the Philadelphia victim told Atlanta’s WSBTV.
In the first victim’s case, the victim said that he preemptively asked security if he could take a picture with the Brick Squad 1017 leader before he was assaulted.
“I’m in the military. I wanted to get a picture with Gucci Mane, is it OK?” the soldier is said to have asked the guard.
According to reports the first victim in Atlanta was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and received 10 stitches.
More news as details emerge.
Jay-Z Wants To Sell Ownership Stake In The Nets
(AllHipHop News) Jay-Z is looking to sell his share of the Brooklyn Nets in order to extend his Roc Nation Sports business, according to sources.
Apparently, Jigga Man sees more more money in his new venture than the worth of his investment in The Nets.
RELATED: Hip-Hop Rumors: Who’s Next In Jay-Z’s Athletic Arsenal?
The mogul’s move is necessary if he is to obtain certification as an agent in the National Basketball Players Association. Right now, Jay-Z owns less than a percentage of the team, but has been central to the public promotion of the business effort. Jay was also a cornerstone of the team’s move from New Jersey to Brooklyn. Still, he cannot represent individual players and an NBA team at the same time.
According to yahoo, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports hopes to enter into the June NBA Draft, a move contingent on the equity sale. One source said. “This isn’t about one draft, but taking the long view of the business.”
RELATED: Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Inks Partnership with Universal Music Group
Mazzi Ft. Smoke DZA & NORE “Weight” (P###. By Harry Fraud)
Russell Simmons Writes Letter To Obama Urging Him To End “The War On Drugs”
[Editor’s Note: Russell Simmons and Dr. Boyce Watkins have delivered a letter to President Obama urging him to address the damage that has been caused by increased incarceration rates and the “War on Drugs.” The letter is below and the entire plea is posted at Global Grind.]
Dear President Obama,
Your hard work and leadership on issues affecting the unrepresented classes of people in our nation have served as an inspiration to many of us who hope for brighter futures for all Americans. In that spirit, we believe the time is right to revise our national policies on the criminal justice system and move from a suppression-based model to one that focuses on intervention and rehabilitation.
Mr. President, you have demonstrated a commitment to pursue alternatives to the enforcement-only “War on Drugs” approach and address the increased incarceration rates for non-violent crimes. Your administration has moved in the right direction by committing increased funds to drug prevention and treatment programs and supporting state and local re-entry grants. I encourage you to continue your efforts to revamp the policies of the last 30 years that have seen the prison population skyrocket.
The greatest victims of the prison industrial complex are our nation’s children. Hundreds of thousands of children have lost a parent to long prison sentences for non-violent drug offenses, leaving these children to fend for themselves. Many of these children end up in the criminal justice system, which comes as no surprise as studies have shown the link between incarceration and broken families, juvenile delinquency, violence and poverty.
Mr. President, we are a coalition of concerned advocates that is ready to support you in innovative criminal justice reform and implementing alternatives to incarceration. As you set in motion research and policy to combat this societal crisis, this coalition is poised to help you make the transition successful. Some of the initial policies we recommend are to apply the Fair Sentencing Act retroactively so that those sentenced under the 100-to-1 crack-to-powder disparity receive sentences that are more consistent with the magnitude of the offense.
Click here to read the entire letter, and outline of the movement at Global Grind.
Sincerely,
Russell Simmons
Dr. Boyce Watkins
with
Sean “Diddy” Combs
Rosario Dawson
John Forte
Tyrese Gibson
Sanaa Lathan
John Legend
Ryan Leslie
Angie Martinez
Q-Tip
Samantha Ronson
Teyana Taylor
Denise Vasi
Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Hip-Hop Caucus
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, AllHipHop.com
Click here to read the whole 200+ list of supporters
Rick Ross Concert Cancelled in Canada
(AllHipHop News) The saga surrounding Rick Ross’ lyrics on “U.O.E.N.O.” continues today (April 9) as sources are reporting that a Rick Ross concert was cancelled in Ottawa, Canada due to protests from college students at the University of Ottawa.
While Ross is still is under contract with Reebok, the Miami, Florida based rapper has been the subject of protests across the United States at Reebok stores and now his concerts.
Despite the fact that Ross has publicly denounced the lyrics in interview and in song, his Tuesday night show in Ottawa at the Ernst & Young Centre was cancelled.
According to O.Canada.com, due to “security concerns” from the show’s promoter, Urban Jamz Ent., the show will no longer take place.
[ALSO READ: Hip-Hop Rumors: Will White Women Take Down Rick Ross?]
[ALSO READ:Protests Scheduled Outside Reebok Store in NYC; Petition Demands Reebok Fire Ross]
“Put molly all in the champagne / you don’t even know it /Took her home and I enjoyed that / she aint even know it,” Ross famously said in the song.
Part of the reason the show was cancelled had to do with a Student Federation at the University of Ottawa, who pulled out of the annual festival, dropping support to bring Ross to the show.
“He wasn’t an artist the SFUO could support,” said Ethan Plato, the federation’s president.
Ross was rumored to be paid between $100,000 and $250,000 for the show.
More news as details emerge.