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Top 5 Dead or Alive: Dish Nation Star Headkrack Picks His Fav Storytellers
AllHipHop.com caught up with the Dish Nation TV show star and Bodga Brova’s Hip Hop artist Headkrack to get his thoughts on AllHipHop.com’s new series “Top 5 Dead Or Alive”. Headkrack shifted it from more conventional expected picks and went down the road less traveled with one that may be seen as a little more controversial! See if your personal Top Five artist choices would match up with his faves and then check out the “Science Behind The List”. Feel free to leave us a comment and join in the conversation! Check out Krack’s “Top 5 Dead Or Alive” picks for Best Story Tellers in Hip Hop!
The Science: Best Storytellers> North East Region (But only by a hair,this is clearly up for debate as Rick is technically from England!) > 90’s
Now, most people would try to take the obvious road and describe how these artists are similar, but per the usual, I’ll make it more difficult for myself and discuss how they all do the same thing well, but completely different from one another! I feel your frustration welling up, but indulge me for a second, I think we might be on to something here
1. Slick Rick
OK. so when I asked Headkrack about his first pick Slick Rick, he was quick to point to songs like; “The Moment I Fear”, “Mona Lisa”, and “I shouldn’t have Done It”. Let’s be real, Slick Rick mastered the art of storytelling before a lot of you reading this were even thought of! He set the stage for the rest of Hip Hop by developing a brand of flow that simply used nouns and verbs as water colors to paint a vivid picture for the imagination. The listener is easily able to follow along with the story because the songs aren’t just gibberish words that happen to rhyme, they tell a complete story.
2. Nas
With Nas, Headkrack brought up; “Rewind’,”I Gave You Power”, and “Undying Love” to name a but a few. Nas took the art of storytelling to another level by using prose and spoken word and setting them to Hip Hop baselines and beats. His lyrics are pure poetry and while some of them are extremely easy to decipher, many of them are not. The best part of Nas to a good portion of his fans is that you must bring something of yourself to a Nas song. You have to listen, the story demands your attention. And you can listen to a Nas joint time and time again, and continuously discover something new, yet still feel like you have a grasp on the message from the first listen.
3. B.I.G.
Notorious B.I.G. is simply one of the greatest to ever speak on his own surroundings. He rhymed about what he knew best and the words flowed like an endless stream of lava from an active volcano. The flows were hot to death and they just could not be stopped right up until the end. In current days where Hip Hop artists seem to rhyme about everything except what they actually live, it makes you wonder would Hip Hop have ever even taken this turn had the truthful testimonials of Christopher Wallace not been eternally silenced.
4. Andre 3000
With Andre 3000 Headkrack said,”Anytime Andre opens his mouth a story falls out.” We are in agreement here. Andre 3000 is magnificent at using elements that most would consider too eclectic and taking them to the next level, all in the name of storytelling genius. Whether it’s an open letter to a mother in law, describing what goes down in the ATL for those not familiar, love stories of different types, or stuck up girls from growing up, he’s been able to make indelible marks on the Hip Hop psyche with his vivid depictions of things that seem so far out there at first, but are eventually revealed to be something all listeners can relate to. The very line “Shake It Like A Polaroid Picture” was more description than many Hip Hop novices ever completely knew what to do with.
5. Kendrick Lamar
Lastly with Kendrick Lamar, this young man has drawn comparisons to many of the artists on the list, however his debut album is comprised of something none of these artists have ever truly done. That would be to create an entire album pretty much based on the telling of a continuing story throughout. That on it’s face sets him apart from the iconic artists he is listed with and makes him an understandable pick.
Be sure to catch Headkrack every weekday morning on “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show” and every weekday evening on the “Dish Nation” TV show! *Check your local listings for times in your area.
*Special Thanks to AllHipHop.com writer Deshair for helping me out with the structure of this list! The flu almost stopped me from being able to write this week, and without his ear I wouldn’t have made it! (Skyyhook)
Follow Skyyhook on Twitter @SkyyhookRadio
Oh No Ft. Souls of Mischief “Controlled Riots”
3 Questions With: Trinidad James' Label Mate Rich Homie Quan
It’s not often that a young artist gets their time to shine. For Rich Homie Quan he is finding his spot, and planing on keeping the lights on him. As he prepares to tour with Trinidad James, he shared with AllHipHop.com some of his thoughts on what the industry has shown him, and more. Check it out.
AllHipHop: What’s one thing your fans don’t know about you that may surprise them?
Rich Homie Quan: I think it may be the fact that I don’t fabricate any of my raps. If I say I did 15 months in jail, I did. If I say I get it back, then I got it back. The realest part about me is I still live at home, despite the fame. I’ve came a long way but I got a long way to go, and I want to be smart.
What impact do you see your movement having on Hip – Hop?
Personally, I see myself as being a real voice in the music industry. I rap about things that I know and have lived, not what someone has told me. I’m bringing back real Hip – Hop, Hip – Hop with a heart beat. “The Rich Homie Movement” is taking the music game to a place it hasn’t been in a minute, by creating new and vibrant energy, without all of the normal negativity. Let me add this too, “The Rich Homie Movement” brings with it loyalty, peace, positive energy, and unity. Our movement is one of the strongest amongst the younger generation, and I feel it can and will change how the world views organizations like ours in the Hip – Hop community.
[LISTEN: @RichHomieQuan “Differences”]
What has the industry shown or taught you as a new artist?
You have to have your business affairs in order. You have to make sure that your team is seeing eye to eye on everything, if not it could come back to haunt you later. I understand that as a new artist I have to be smart about what I do and say, and who I move around with.
Tawni Fears is a freelance writer and contributor to AllHipHop.com. Follow her on Twitter: @brwnsugaT.
Chris Brown Makes Instagram Profile Private, Rhianna Opens Up
(AllHipHop News) Chris Brown felt like Jesus on Monday and went ghost from Instagram on Tuesday. January 29th may be a day that lives in digital infamy for the 2 million+ followers of Brown’s Instagram profile. Pointing to the intrusive nature of social media and an insular approach to new recordings, the rumor mill magnet posted this picture before making his profile private:
In a sitcom-ish twist of fate, just as Chris shields the world from his, Rhianna sheds new light on their private life in an upcoming cover story for Rolling Stone. In the article (entitled “Crazy In love) Brown’s -off-and-on-and-something love interest tells Rolling Stone contributing editor Josh Eells her reconciliation with her once abusive ex-boyfriend stemmed on an unshakable desire for personal happiness:
“I wasn’t going to let anybody’s opinion get in the way of that. Even if it’s a mistake, it’s my mistake. After being tormented for so many years, being angry and dark, I’d rather just live my truth and take the backlash. I can handle it.”
Rhianna also reveals that love is not the only factor that made her comfortable with making this reunion possible.
“He doesn’t have the luxury of f###### up again. That’s just not an option. I can’t say that nothing else will ever go wrong. But I’m pretty solid in the knowing that he’s disgusted by that. And I wouldn’t have gone this far if I ever thought that was a possibility.”
[Also Read: Frank Ocean Wants To Press Charges Against Chris Brown]
She also chalks people’s fears of a return of the past to misconceptions and the lovebirds no longer have the arguments which enraged Chris Brown into striking her back in 2009. “We value each other. We know exactly what we have now, and we don’t want to lose that,” she says in the cover story. Those “types of arguments” she refers to could be types involving 3 page text messages of infidelity Rhianna attributed to police as the cause for Brown’s physical tirade. No word on if they have disucssed Rhianna’s recently reported showdown with Brown’s ex, Karrueche.
The issue hits stands tomorrow (Jan 31st). No one needs this weekend more than Chris Brown.
Hip-Hop Rumors: 24 Armed Security For Rick Ross?
YOOOOOOO! TMZ is reporting that Rick Ross now has 24-hour armed security now. But, it was always my understanding the he was already doing that. They sort of say that before, but I believe Rozay has been using this method before the GD’s, before 50 Cent beef…WAY BACK!
But, there may be a fundamental difference in this approach, these new dudes are likely some sort of former military or off duty cops – dudes with gun skills. Before, I had always heard that Ross was surrounded by people from his camp that were strapped down.
Seems the drive by shooting attempt made him do this.
OR…
Somebody emailed me and suggest that this whole thing was staged so that Ross could actually justify shoring up security in the wake of the GD threats (and others) without looking crazy. Hey, even Scarface had mad security! Also, now the coppers are really looking HARD at the GD’s based on motive.
Ross might be playing:
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.
Illseed, Out.
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@HollywoodFLOSS Ft. STS & Rob Jay "Break It Down"
Fabolous Says 'Loso's Way 2' is Almost Done, Assures It Won't Be 'Ratchet'
(AllHipHop News) Ten year rap veteran Fabolous is still working on the sequel to his number 1 album, 2009’s Loso’s Way. Fab tells billboard.com that Loso’s Way 2 is nearly finished except for some last-minute adjustments.
“I’d say it’s 80-85% done. I’d even give some of that 15% to working daily until I’ve got to turn it in. You may come with a record that’s urgent, that has to be on that project, the day before you turn in,” shared Fabolous with Billboard.
Fab revealed that he has some high-profile features set up for the new LP. He has already recorded with Chris Brown, Rick Ross, John Legend, Future, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Young Jeezy, and Chrisette Michelle, but he’s still not sure which songs will appear on the final tracklist. He also hinted that a Brooklyn-Queens collaboration featuring “God’s Son” could be in the works.
“I’m still working on piecing it together and making it sonically fit. I even got a text today and was speaking to Nas about doing something as well.”
While Fab is still unsure exactly which collabs will be on Loso’s Way 2, he does feel confident to say that his new album will not reflect what he calls the “ratchet era.”
“It’s the ratchet era right now. Ratchet is really mainstream,” says Fabolous. Speaking on the upcoming video for the single “Ready” featuring Chris Brown, he adds, “I want to bring back the illusion and sense of fantasy, not just do the ratchet s### that everybody else is doing.”
Loso’s Way 2 will be Fabolous’s 6th studio album. It’s currently scheduled for release in April 2013. Last November Fabolous dropped The S.O.U.L. Tape 2 mixtape which features songs with J. Cole, Pusha T, Trey Songz, Cassie, Wale, Joe Budden, and Teyana Taylor.
To read the full interview visit billboard.com
Rev. Jesse Jackson Examines The Business Of Hip-Hop
(AllHipHop News) Rev. Jesse Jackson will examine the in’s and out’s Hip-Hop and business in panel of executives as the Civil Rights leader kicks off his Rainbow Push Wall Street Economic Summit today in New York City.
The forum will examine the impact that Hip-Hop has had in business and also how many opportunities are overlooked by young people. It takes place at the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan.
A statement says, “The Hip Hop business demographic is the one of the most coveted in the business industry and crosses all races, creeds, colors, and genders and is one of the most financially equitable markets in existence today. It has become ubiquitous and covers everything from food service, to the front end of blue chip, and high tech corporations worldwide, yet still remains a valuable tool for the small business entrepreneur.”
There will also be a supplementary event where participants can network and explore other opportunities in business.
Panelists include Londell McMillan of The Source Magazine, Harvey Butler of Butler Management Group, Martha Diaz of The Hip-Hop Education Center, Deborah A. Williams of Her Game 2, Craig Wilson, Founder National Museum of Hip Hop and others. The conversation will be hosted by Jineea Butler of the Hip Hop Union.
The rest of the Rainbow Push Wall Street Economic Summit carries on through Friday February 1 and touts appearances from President Bill Clinton, Motown founder Berry Gordy, Rev. Al Sharpton, Michael A, N#####, Mayor of Philadelphia, Jamie Foxx, Roberta Flack, Dionne Warwick and other “surprise guests.”
For more information, go to wallstreetproject2013.org.
Lil B and Joey Bada$$ Trade Diss Tracks Toward Each Other
Last night, Lil B, former member of The Pack, and Pro Era frontman Joey Bada$$ went from sending shots at each other on Twitter, to quickly jumping in the booth and recording diss records.
The issues between the two rappers started after Joey sent the following tweet on January 28:
Tell the @lilbthebasedgod dont quit his day job!!
— oG $w###. (@joeyBADASS_) January 28, 2013
Joey’s tweet is a reference to his late friend, rapper Capital STEEZ, who spit that line in their collaboration “Survival Tactics“, but Lil B clearly took the mention of his Twitter handle as a diss.
The Berkeley California rapper, also known as “The Based God,” sent out a series of tweets (later deleted) aimed at Joey.
Lil B also responded by releasing a track called “I’m The Badass” where he addresses Joey with the line, “and if you really think you a badass/I’ll turn you into trash/you little b**ch.”
Joey did eventual decide to take the dispute to wax. The Brooklyn native uploaded a track called “”Don’t Quit Your Day Job” to his Soundcloud page.
The record features a sample of Janet Jackson’s “That’s The Way Love Goes” and opens with the lines, “I got an issue with this little b#### Shih Tzu/I’m a pit bull with lyrical missiles that won’t miss you.”
Joey also uses the new record to show his respect to Bay Area hip hop by shouting out North California legends Too Short, E-40, Mac Dre, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Hieroglyphics at the end of the song.
He also ends the track by jokingly sending a shout out to Lil B as well before adding “f### your b####.”
Lil B has yet to respond to “Don’t Quit Your Day Job” with a new track or tweet.
Who do you think had the better diss record Lil B or Joey Bada$$?
Daily Word: Stay High!!
TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD **CLICK HERE
-Ash’Cash
“As long as you have an imagination and the will to work hard, you’ll be great! Take a deep breathe, go for a walk, just get out of the current mindset you’re in and watch as things fall into place.”
-Unknown
“A great flame follows a little spark.”
-Dante Alighieri
“What you want to do, and what you can do, is limited only by what you can dream.”
-Mike Melville
“As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big.”
-Donald Trump
“If you do things well, do them better. Be daring, be first, be different, be just.”
-Anita Roddick
“Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I’ll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I’ll give you a stock clerk.”
-J.C. Penney
“One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.”
-Michael Korda
“When you reach the top, keep climbing.”
-Proverb
—
Ash’Cash is a Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Financial Expert and the author of Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom. For more information, please visit his website, www.IamAshCash.com
Hip-Hop Rumors: Another Love And Hip-Hop Person Arrested On Drug Charges?
DUDE FROM LOVE AND HIP-HOP ARRESTED?
YO! This dude is soft as baby food on the show Love & Hip-Hop, but maybe he is some kinda psycho thug in real life? Mendeecees, the male friend of Yandy Smith, is already accused of child molestation. If that wasn’t enough, he’s reportedly caught a case in the drug arena. He turned himself in the other day. Peep what they are saying over at http://tattletailzz.com!
Mendeecees Harris allegedly turned himself in for outstanding drug charges. Mendeecees Harris is also facing separate charges up to 20 years in jail for sexual assault with a minor, that trial begins tomorrow January 29, 2013.
Mendeecees Harris was arrested in 2001 in Hagerstown, Maryland for distributing cocaine and was sentenced to four years in prison, three years probation. —–Not sure if Mr. Harris served any time in jail, and not sure if the current outstanding charges are related.
Attached are some documents from his previous case, and it looks like some of his documents are sealed.
Previously it was alleged Mendeecees Harris was working with the federal government. Take a look for yourself. I am not an attorney, nor do I know what having an open active contract case means??
I am not sure what an open/active contract case mean?? Can someone fill me in.
Order to seal the indictment????
This looks the opposite of good.
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.
Illseed, Out.
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EXCLUSIVE: YG Announces "Welcome to Bompton" Title for Def Jam Debut; Young Jeezy to Executive Produce
(AllHipHop News) On Sunday night (January 27), Def Jam signee YG announced the title of his long-awaited debut album, Welcome to Bompton.
On the heels of the release of his most recent mixtape, Just Re’d Up 2, YG also told AllHipHop.com that Young Jeezy will be executive producing the effort, after the two developed a chemistry in the studio working on the Cardo produced song “We Playin” featuring Wiz Khalifa and Jeezy himself.
“I’m gonna be on some YG, turnt up street sh*t. I’m gonna do the ‘Welcome to Bompton’ theme, that’d be dope. I’m turning the C to a B, so n*ggas gonna be talking, like oooooooh.. that sh*t gonna be hard, yea that’s gonna be hard. And its my first album, it’s like an introduction at the same time, its my first album, like my introduction to the whole world.” YG told AllHipHop.com.
The 22-year-old rapper also explained to AllHipHop.com that he believes it’s time for his debut album, agreeing with some notions that his in-house sound may have been ahead the curve as he waited for the so-called “Def Jam push.”
But YG really didn’t feel it was time for his album, until he saw the support from the streets and the clubs thanks to songs made by his in-house producer DJ Mustard.
Over the past few years DJ Mustard has produced songs like 2 Chainz “I’m Different,” Young Jeezy’s R.I.P. ft 2 Chainz and Tyga’s#### song “Rack City,” and Drake’s “The Motto” ft Lil Wayne and Tyga.
“It feels good for the sound to be expanding how it’s expanded. Shout out to 2 Chainz and Tyga for having those big records, and Jeezy for the “R.I.P.” record” YG told AllHipHop.com.
“That has helped the sound, like 2 Chainz and Jeezy they the south, and Tyga got the Young Money look, they put the bread behind sh*t to make it crack. Drake helped out with ‘The Motto,’ so that’s good man, its less work I gotta do, and it’s gonna make my sh*t crack off faster. It’s time for the real. Its time to bring it back to were the sh*t really came from,” YG said of the DJ Mustard produced tracks.
For more info on YG. Check out his website, YG400.net where you can check out his blog, music and his clothing/street apparel line 4Hunnid°.
Check below for photos from our from our full in-studio interview, and check back soon for the full interview and exclusive in-studio performance.
Rich Homie Quan Ft. J Money "All I Wanted"
Hip-Hop Rumors: What Old School Rapper Is Ripping Off Young Artists?
Do you even know who Father MC is? I barely do so I know you probably don’t. But, Father MC is one of the first people to put Mary J. Blige in the game back in the day. He had a hit record called “Treat Them Like They Wanna Be Treated” but rumors have it, he is not living by this creed.
Peep what HSK has on deck!
“Maybe it’s true that I set myself up.” ~Father MC, ‘Treat Them Like They Wanna Be Treated’
HSK Exclusive – Father MC seems to be working hard at cashing in over an illusion he’s said to be painting for rookie recording artists.
We’re told the “Treat Them Like They Wanna Be Treated” lyricist is scamming thousands of dollars out of each of the aspiring vocalists he bags — charging them seven-hundred dollars a recording session, while providing each of his alleged victims with the same musical production to lay their vocals on.
Sources tell us it all goes down at Killer Rabbit Studios in Studio City, California. But, before Father MC – whose real name is Timothy Brown – secures the scam, we’re told he claims to be living in Eddie Van Halen’s former Studio City home; says his Armenian girlfriend – Amy – is Kim Kardashian’s cousin; and keeps a quartet of designer toy dogs – for show – while exposing the animals to cruel and inhumane conditions.
Here’s the drop:“Father MC is still ripping off them new jacks, selling the same music to his clients. He’s charging them seven-hundred bucks a session, and they’re not allowed to leave the studio with the finish song.
Father tells the new jacks he’s shopping their song for a record deal, and that he’ll get back to them. He never does. He’s pulling a fast one on these kids, with the help of his partner in crime, James Callahan.”
Is Father MC lacking a driver’s license over failing to provide child support — leading the reported rapper-turned scam artist to enlist an intern to drive him around LA in a black truck? Of course! Don’t believe me.. Ask Chris…We suspect aspiring singer Margaret Ann Garza to be one of Father MC’s victims. Here is a YouTube video – described as being produced by Father MC at Rabbits Studios – Garza uploaded in September 2012. Take a listen…
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.
Illseed, Out.
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Mac Miller Named Complex's "Man Of Next Year"; Speaks On Drug Use
(AllHipHop News) Nearly two weeks after Mac Miller settled his $10 million lawsuit with Lord Finesse, Complex has named the Pittsburgh native their “Man of Next Year.”
In the issue where Mac speaks on his many successes over the past two years, Rostrum Records’ flagship artist also revealed his battle with promethazine following the negative critical reception by some reviewers of his debut album, Blue Slide Park.
“There’s no way the album was as bad as that [Pitchfork reviewer] made it out to be,” says E. Dan of ID Labs, one of the main producers on Blue Slide Park. “It felt personal. It wasn’t like, ‘Here’s why I don’t like it musically,’ it was more like, ‘Here’s why I don’t like Mac Miller.’”
Reactions like those to his work drove Mac to use lean heavily following the album’s release in late 2011. “I love lean; it’s great,” Mac told Complex. “I was not happy and I was on lean very heavy. I was so f##### up all the time it was bad. My friends couldn’t even look at me the same. I was lost.”
Childhood friend Jimmy Murton told Complex about Mac’s battle with certain vices, “I’ve never really been worried about Mac except during that lean period. I saw him in that mentality I remember being in—you’re getting f##### up because you feel like you need to. You’re trying to get away from everything.”
It wasn’t until this past November that Mac officially quit for good as he was gearing up to film the first season of his MTV2 reality show, “Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family.”
“For how much he was drinking,” says Jimmy, “it’s unbelievable that he stopped. It’s definitely one of the most impressive things he’s ever done.”
Mac, who is currently hard at work on his sophomore release titled Watching Movies With the Sound Off, will next be seen starring in MTV2’s, “Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family,” which premieres on February 26th at 11:30 pm.
@Currensy_Spitta Ft. @WizKhalifa and @RickyRozay "Choosin'"
Hip-Hop Rumors: Another Rapper Male Groupie Rapist?
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!!!!!!
These fools have gone left! Now, there are rumors that a member of Wu Tang is about to be exposed as a gay male groupie rapist! Now, let me be CLEAR, I do know who the “original” male rapper than rapes his fans is.
Hip-Hop Rumors: What Rapper Rapes His Male Fans?
PLEASE BE CLEAR – I am not even remotely suggesting that there is a member of The Wu that fits this criteria! If there is, this is unknown to me. One cat had a lil’ gay rumor to follow him, but I don’t know a things about other than is common rumor.
So, who could it be?
Well, rumor has it somebody is going to step up to the front really soon with the info and expose the guy. They suggested that the rapper used to wear a mask and there is only one person that did that. Not sure that is a good idea. Wu Tang Clan still ain’t nuttin to f**k with. Oh, I don’t believe it at all. Its quite absurd to be honest.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Follow Up To The Male Rapper That Rapes Male Fans!
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.
Illseed, Out.
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@RickyRozay "Dont Kill My Vibe (Remix)"
@Cyhi Da Prynce Ft. @TraeABN "Round Da Corner"