homepage

Capital Steez’s Posthumous Video For “Apex” Released

(AllHipHop News) On Christmas Eve last year the Hip-Hop community lost one of its rising stars in Capital STEEZ of the Progressive Era crew. The young emcee took his own life after tweeting “The end” on December 23rd.

[ALSO READ: Joey Bada$$ Confirms Capital STEEZ Death Was ‘Self-inflicted’]

Even though the Brooklynite is no longer with us, his music and visuals live on. Over the weekend mtvU premiered STEEZ’s video for the track “Apex”. The song appeared on his 2012 mixtape AmeriKKKan Korruption. 

Check out the video below.

The Bronx To Be Honored At The Smithsonian As “Place of Invention” For Hip-Hop Legacy

(AllHipHop News) “Manhattan keeps on making it, Brooklyn keeps on taking it, Bronx keeps creating it,” rapped KRS-One on Boogie Down Production’s classic 1987 song “The Bridge Is Over.”

That line from the scathing diss track aimed at Marley Marl and the Juice Crew was a reminder that The Bronx is the New York City Borough credited as the place Hip-Hop was created.

Now 30+ years after the birth of the culture, The Bronx’s role in originating Hip-Hop is headed to the nation’s premier museum complex.

Daily News reports that the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will host artifacts that represent Hip-Hop’s technological contributions as part of The Lemelson Center for the Invention & Innovation’s “Place of Invention” exhibit.

A boombox, vinyl records, flyers, and videos will all be included as part of the exhibit. As recognition to the first Hip-Hop DJ’s need to fleece electricity to power their equipment, a lamppost capable of providing energy for the exhibition’s music systems will also be on display.

Visitors can actually step into the role of a Bronx disc jockey by participating in the interactive mixing and scratching portion of the show.

“Modern mixers and a lot of the speakers and sound systems came out of what (early DJs) created,” Laurel Fritzsch, curator of the Bronx section of  “Place of Invention,” told the Daily News.

The Bronx will be joined by Massachusetts’ MIT and California’s Hollywood and Silicon Valley at The Lemelson Center. While the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a world renown research institution, Hollywood is where the film industry’s movie magic was founded, and Silicon Valley is the base for tech companies like Apple, eBay, Google, and Yahoo, The BX’s role in transforming technology is notable as well.

“The Bronx (in the 1970s) is an interesting contrast to Silicon Valley, which is kind of the stereotypical example,” said Fritzsch. “Inventors in the Bronx had a lot of hands-on skills and were able to apply that in ways that led to the creation of these innovative sound systems.”

What started as a cutting edge style of DJing by the legendary DJ Kool Herc four decades ago has gone on to revolutionize all forms of contemporary music from Pop to Rock to Jazz.

The Bronx’s part in transporting Hip-Hop across the globe will now get its due.

“We wanted to show that it’s not just a single inventor who creates something, but really a community that creates the right recipe for an invention,” said Fritzsch.

“The Places of Invention” is scheduled to open in spring 2015. For more information visit www.invention.smithsonian.org.

[ALSO READ: Nas To Perform As Part Of Kennedy Center Hip-Hop Festival in 2014]

[ALSO READ: Houston Hip-Hop Is Getting Its Proper Respect In New Photo Exhibit]

Florida Republicans Call For Feds To Investigate Jay-Z and Beyonce’s Trip To Cuba

(AllHipHop News) Two Republicans from South Florida are calling for an investigation into Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s recent trip to Cuba.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé were photographed in Cuba during a trip to the island nation last week, to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary in Havana.

Republican representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of the 27th Congressional District and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart of the 25th Congressional District, are calling on the US Office of Foreign Assets Control to investigate the trip.

Cuba is currently the subject of an economic embargo by the United States, and its citizens are only allowed to travel to the country with special permission.

The pair sent a letter to Adam Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Treasury Department, requesting information on the type of license that Jay-Z and Beyoncé received to travel to Cuba.

“Despite the clear prohibition against tourism in Cuba, numerous press reports described the couple’s trip as tourism, and the Castro regime touted it as such in its propaganda ” the pair said in the letter to Adam Szubin. “We represent a community of many who have been deeply and personally harmed by the Castro regime’s atrocities, including former political prisoners and the families of murdered innocents.”

Check out the full copy of the letter below:

The Honorable Adam J. Szubin
Director
Office of Foreign Assets Control
Department of Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220

Dear Director Szubin:

We write to express concern and to request information regarding the highly publicized trip by U.S. musicians Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Beyoncé) and Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) to Cuba. We would like to respectfully request, within all applicable rules and guidelines, information regarding the type of license that Beyoncé and Jay-Z received, for what purpose, and who approved such travel.

As you know, U.S. law expressly prohibits the licensing of financial transactions for “tourist activities” in Cuba (Section 910(b)(1) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act). If these individuals were given people-to-people licenses, we would like to bring to your attention the Cuba Travel Advisory issued by OFAC on July 25, 2011 which states, “OFAC only licenses People-to-People Groups that certify that all participants will have a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the travelers and individuals in Cuba.” These restrictions are in place because the Cuban dictatorship is one of four U.S.-designated state sponsors of terrorism with one of the world’s most egregious human rights records. Cuba’s tourism industry is wholly state-controlled; therefore, U.S. dollars spent on Cuban tourism directly fund the machinery of oppression that brutally represses the Cuban people.

Despite the clear prohibition against tourism in Cuba, numerous press reports described the couple’s trip as tourism, and the Castro regime touted it as such in its propaganda. We represent a community of many who have been deeply and personally harmed by the Castro regime’s atrocities, including former political prisoners and the families of murdered innocents. The restrictions on tourism travel are common-sense measures meant to prevent U.S. dollars from supporting a murderous regime that opposes U.S. security interests at every turn and which ruthlessly suppresses the most basic liberties of speech, assembly, and belief. We support the Cuban people by refusing to sustain their jailers.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Lil Twist Lashes Back Over Justin Beiber Critics!

Mannnnnn – I don’t give a flying f**k about this BS right here. But, If I must do my job, I’m going to add a bit of my own point of view. I’m past the demo of record of who gives a s**t about Lil Twist or The Beebz. But this lil blurb that Twist wrote just smells like pure, unfiltered BS. That’s on everything. Dudes wanna live the rock star life? WELL LIVE IT! Don’t cop pleas and curse people out! That means you care! That’s why I like Rihanna and real cats living the life…they live it! If you ain’t about it, get a life coach, listen to somebody with some sense and get on track. I mean this is me, seed. I’m speakin’ from my f**kin’ self.


Attention. Only addressing this once. Alright here we go. “I’m no influence, and I’m not running round claiming to be this role model… I live life, I’m a young adult who makes mistakes, f## ups, #baddecisions , whatever u wanna call them like the rest of the fukin civilians in America.. ..But it makes u more of a bad person to sit home and judge someone u haven’t took the time to learn about.. So with that being said f## u and f## off lol…. To the b######## media, the people on the teams that smiles in your face then “try” to bash your name when u walk off.. u know the people that I don’t give 1 f### about… I’m disgusted by your actions lmao… U know what Im gonna clean up my act.” #wildkidz #baddecisions

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.]

Illseed, Out.

GET INTERACTIVE WITH ALLHIPHOP.COM!

Follow us on Twitter! Like us on Facebook!

Email illseed rumors: ki*********@***il.com

Goodie Mob Gets Album Release Date

(AllHipHop News) It has been over 10 years, but fans finally will be blessed with a new album from a whole Goodie Mob.
The Atlanta-based crew will drop a new, much-delayed album, Age Against The Machine, on June 18.

“I think that we’ve grown a great deal in the last 10 years … Age Against the Machine is symbolic of wisdom being a weapon of choice,” Cee-Lo said, adding that the effort was like “Public Enemy on acid.”

The group’s manager told Fuse TV the good news and informed the network that the group is in the final stages of the projects completion.

“It’s future-sounding,” Cee Lo’s manager Larry Mestel told Fuse. “It’s not really what you would think Goodie Mob would be. I think people will be surprised in a positive way when they hear it.”

Nine years ago, the group recorded One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, an album without front man Cee-Lo. Their last album with a complete group was in 1999 with World Party.

Cee-Lo’s solo success and subsequent commitments have been the primary reason for the delays with the album.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Kanye Livid Over Ray-J’s New Song?

Kanye West has not publicly commented on the new Ray-J song yet. But, the word is out and the word is that Kanye is furious over “I Hit It First,” a new song that clearly has Ray talking about Kanyeezy’s Kim Kardashian. Everybody can tell this is a ploy for attention and the source over there Hollywoodlife says Kanye won’t fall into that trap. Here is what hey are saying over at HollywoodLife.com – you know how these sources can be.

REALATED: First Listen: Ray-J’s “I Hit It First” Disses Kimye And Appeals For New Sex Tape


Kanye West is not pleased at all with the new song, a source close to Yeezy tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY.

“Ray J is crazy” for releasing a song that overtly disses Kanye and Kim, a source close to the rapper tells HollywoodLife.com. Kanye is very upset over “I Hit It First,” which contains lyrics like, “Hit it from north/Brought her head down south/Now that I’m finished/She’s on to Mr. West.” He’s infuriated that Ray J would trudge up his and Kim’s sex tape from 2007 just to get a little attention.

But the source assures us that Kanye sees the song for what it truly is — a publicity stunt. ”Kanye don’t condone broke ass, jealous [guys] who be trying to bite off he and Kim’s fame just to stay, wait, just to become relevant.”

Even though Kanye’s fuming, the source states that Yeezy won’t be giving Ray J the attention he wants. So we should probably stop hoping for Kanye to release a diss track of his own (that battle wouldn’t even be fair). Instead, don’t expect much of a response from Kim and Kanye, as Ray J fades back into obscurity.
“Tell him to call Ye when he gets to the $100-million mark,” our source concludes. “Cause guess what — Ye ‘hit that’ first.”

[ALSO READ: What Ray J’s “I Put Her On” Album Will Sound Like]


They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.]

Illseed, Out.

GET INTERACTIVE WITH ALLHIPHOP.COM!

Follow us on Twitter! Like us on Facebook!

Email illseed rumors: ki*********@***il.com

Hip-Hop Rumors: Kool G Rap Making A Comeback?

Kool G Rap is one of the illest and definitely one of the best of all times. But, the last few years he’s just been hard to find. Well, more recently, he’s been coming out a bit more. Well, I heard that the Queens General is about to set it off in the new era. Why? rumor has it, he had a lot of legal woes that were preventing him from touring and venturing out into certain parts of this fine land. I hear this included his hometown of New York City. That said, he’s rumored to be mounting a major comeback starting with a tour of the Eastern region. After that, I’m hearing there will be recorded work and collaborations that take things to the next level. I don’t have a lot more info, but it may be time to check in with the homey producer Domingo.

Good year for coming back!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.]

Illseed, Out.

GET INTERACTIVE WITH ALLHIPHOP.COM!

Follow us on Twitter! Like us on Facebook!

Email illseed rumors: ki*********@***il.com

Snoop Lion: Singers Can Be Gay But Not Rappers

(AllHipHop News) There’s been a lot of talk about folks coming out of the closet lately. Football players, Magic Johnson’s son…and now rappers. Well, that last one wouldn’t be a good idea if you ask Snoop Dogg Lion.

During a recent run in with TMZ, the rap legend explained his theory on homosexuals in Hip-Hop. When asked whether Frank Ocean’s coming out had any impact in the game Snoop shed some light:

“Frank Ocean ain’t no rapper. He’s a singer. It’s acceptable in the singing world, but in the rap world I don’t know if it will ever be acceptable because rap is so masculine.”

He continues, “It’s like a football team. You can’t be in a locker room full of motherf—-g tough-ass dudes, then all of a sudden say, ‘Hey, man, I like you.’ You know, that’s going to be tough.”

Can Hip-Hop get over its homophobia? Or do you agree with Snoop?

 

Exclusive: The Interesting Hip-Hop Tastes Of Bernard Hopkins

(AllHipHop News) Bernard Hopkins has accomplished just about every obstacle thrown his way, but when he’s getting ready to fight, guess what he rocks to.

2 Chaiiiinnzzzzzzzzz?

“I’m different, I’m different,” Bernard, 48, says over dinner, between media stops. “I like 2 Chainz. I came in [the ring] on to “I’m Different” (The song by 2 Chainz). I like two of his songs.”

Being different is an understatement. The fighting legend is a walking, fighting miracle. Last month, Bernard Hopkins became the oldest boxing champion in history, in a crushing defeat of 30-year-old Tavoris Cloud for the IBF light heavyweight championship. He beat the record he set two years ago.

But, when he gets down to fight, the man known as The Executioner also appreciates a more familiar and viscous MC.

“I like DMX. I am a DMX fan,” he continued. “Philly has some up-and-coming talent I like. I like a certain type of rap. I’m not into the poppin’ glitter rap and the [materialism” in rap.”

Ultimately, B-Hop revealed that his true love lies in Hip-Hop’s roots.

“I’m close to 50. I’m more of a Gil Scott Heron guy,” the future Boxing Hall of Famer said. Gil Scott Heron, an acclaimed soul musician and poet, is widely regarded as one of the precursors to what would eventually spawn Hip-Hop.

At the days end, Bernard explained that he prefers music that nourishes the soul, even though he enjoys songs that hypes him up for the big fight.

“You gotta get the [Gil Scott Heron] stuff off eBay. I like a message. I like message in my music. I like music with a message that’s going to motivate me. The struggle still goes on. Its just different. Its just packaged different,” the Philly natives explained. “I’m glad that I have enough insight to understand that it exists. I tell people all the time. ‘I’m not from the Republican party. I’m not from the Democrat party. I’m from the party of Common Sense. Common sense is something that not everybody has.”

Who Bernard Hopkins fights next has yet to be determined, but the boxing world knows who he won’t fight.

That’s Andre Ward, the super middleweight champ. He said he’s heard the talk and he won’t fight his former protégée no matter how much money.

“Even if he says that he wants to fight me, I won’t fight him, because they are pushing him to say that,” Bernard told AllHipHop.com. Bernard says that he’s got a history of walking away from money like he did when he infamously refused to fight Roy Jones Jr over money. “I wound up giving him a pay day, because he needed me.”

At press time, Bernard was enjoying time with his fiancee, but also plotting his business moves as a managing partner of Golden Boy Promotions East Coast operations.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Did Kelly Rowland Throw Shade On Beyonce?

My girl Kelly Rowland said a little comment that got the people talking.

She did an interview with DJ Drama on Shade 45, and made mention of Beyonce’s “Bow Down” that wasn’t so favorable.

 

“I actually have a record that I wanted Bun B or Slim Thug or Scarface on, but I can’t do it now.”

 

Sounds like a shade comment to me on Shade 45. But, I don’t know the full context. She can get another pair of H-Town legends! There are plenty out there! How about K-Rino and Chamillionaire?

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.]

Illseed, Out.

GET INTERACTIVE WITH ALLHIPHOP.COM!

Follow us on Twitter! Like us on Facebook!

Email illseed rumors: ki*********@***il.com

Rebel Leader Launches Bid For Presidency During Rick Ross Show In Suriname

(AllHipHop News) Miami rapper Rick Ross hosted a controversial performance in Paramaribo, Suriname last night (April 6).

Local pastors in the South American country attempted to organize a boycott of the show, claiming that Rick Ross worship’s Satan, in addition to promoting violence against women.

The pastors also attempted, unsuccessfully, to have Rick Ross’ visa revoked.

But Rick Ross apparently has friends in high places in Suriname, where a former rebel leader in the country announced he would run for President during the rap star’s concert.

Ronnie Brunswijk will run for President in 2015, according to local reports.

Brunswijk is a local politician, who rebelled against a military-controlled government in the 1980’s.

Brunswijk, who has been in politics since the late 90s, also owns a goldmine and several local sports teams, in addition to the promotional company that marketed the Rick Ross show last night at the Andre Kamperveen football stadium.

But Brunswijk’s a controversial figure who is allegedly prone to violent outbursts, and assaults.

Brunswijk was also sentenced, in absentia, for his role in a drug trafficking ring in the Netherlands.

After Ronnie Brunswijk through a fistful of $100 bills into the crowd, Rick Ross co-signed the politician and urged fans to vote for him in the 2015 elections.

First Listen: Ray-J’s “I Hit It First” Disses Kimye And Appeals For New Sex Tape

(AllHipHop News) It would seem that Ray-J is trying to get under Kim Kardashian or Kanye West’s skin with his new song, “I Hit First.”

The song was slated for release on April 9th, but leaked to the internet today. The lyrics are highly suggestive.

“She might move on to rappers and ball players, but we all know I hit it first,” the singer croon, “No matter where she goes or who she knows / She still belongs in my bed.”

There are also lyrics that reference Kim Kardashian’s past and her present relationship with Kanye West, which whom she is having a baby with.

“I had her head going North and her ass going South /But now baby chose to go West,” Ray-J continues in the song.

The video for the song reportedly has a look alike Kim Kardashian character. The song is below.

Ray-J and Kim Kardashian starred in a p#### movie together called “Kim K Superstar.” By the end of the song, he’s appealing for Kim Kardashian to “make another movie” with him.

Neither Kim Kardashian or Kanye West have not spoken on the song at press time.

POLL: Is Ray-J being disrespectful?

Too Short Gets Charged In DUI Case

(AllHipHop News) Too Short has been charged in his recent DUI arrest, in which he tried to run from the police.

The OG rapper has been charged with four misdemeanors stemming from the March 20 arrest in Los Angeles.

The rapper was sent to jail after the police found meth in the car that that rapper traveled in.

The rapper was spared the felony drug possession charge, but, according to TMZ, now looks at a date in court for two counts of DUI, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of Marijuana or an open container while driving.

RELATED: Too Short Won’t Catch A Felony On Recent Arrest

EXCLUSIVE: Katt Williams Explains Relationship with Suge Knight; Still Cool with Dipset and Freekey Zekey

(AllHipHop News) This week embattled and controversial comedian, Katt Williams spoke with AllHipHop.com in what’s proved to be his comeback interview after all the drama with the Target employee, the guns and his legal troubles.

During the brief but informative interview, Katt was seemingly in better spirits than all of his previous interviews with the media over the past few months and he actually opened up about his relationship with Suge Knight among other things.

In the interview Katt explained that he is friends with Suge and that he is in business with Suge, confirming rumors that Suge may have a role in managing or financing Katt.

“Well you know I didn’t realize that me knowing him  was going to be taken in all the different directions that it has been taken to.  We have business together, and number one I respect what he thinks musically first and foremost. I know from the things that I have been through and the entities that are mad at me, that your team is sometimes judged by your team,” Katt Williams explained to AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview.  “I know that he has never done anything wrong to me, and he actually came through for me at a time when I didn’t think that anybody was going to step up and he did.”

While Katt recognized Suge’s similar controversial past, he said that his faith did not allow him to judge Suge Knight’s past, and thus led to their friendship and business dealings.

[ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Katt Williams Returns with “Scary Movie 5″; Says, “I Want My Crown Back!”]

“I’m not able to cover for anyone outside of myself. He’s a friend of mine because he is. If there is business to be discussed, then there will be business discussed. But I generally don’t put people under those ramifications, that’s not what my Christianity is about. I go right up to the devil and I go right up to our people, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see me with anybody.”

In addition to his relationship Suge, AllHipHop also spoke with Katt about his friendship and affiliation with Harlem based rap group Dipset, of which Katt is a known affiliate.

When asked if he was still cool with Dipset, Katt explained that he will always be cool with Dipset based on his brotherhood with Freekey Zekey, biological cousin of Cam’ron and founding member of Dipset.

“As far as I’m concerned, Freekey Zekey is my brother so between Freekey and Cam and Juelz, I support anything that they do good or bad, better or worse,” Katt said.

Katt is expected to hit the road again this summer and can be seen in this summer’s blockbuster flick, Scary Movie 5, which releases on April 12th and also features appearances from Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg, Lil Duval, Mac Miller, Usher, Bow Wow and many others.

NEW MUSIC: Ray J – “I Hit It First” (feat./ Bobby Brackins)

(AllHipHop News) “And if  And if you were to come back to me, girl we’ll make another movie.”-Ray J

Ray J let the haymakers fly on his unabashed R&B record “I Hit It First”. Making obvious allusions to his ex Kim Kardashian, Brandy’s little brother is preparing to release the record April 9th on iTunes through his Knockout Entertainment label.

The single is scheduled to appear on his upcoming album, tentatively entitled I Put Her On.

Check out the song below:

[ALSO READ: What Ray J’s “I Put Her On” Album Will Sound Like]