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BREAKING: “Love & Hip-Hop” Star Mandeecees Harris ACQUITTED Of Sexual Assault Against Teen

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Headlines
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(AllHipHop News) VH1 “Love & Hip Hop” star Mandeecees Harris was acquitted of sexually assaulting a teenager earlier today (February 8).

The Cliffview Pilot reports that jurors returned the verdict just after 4:00 PM, causing an outburst of cheers in court.

Mandeecees Harris was charged with having a sexual relationship with the daughter of his live-in girlfriend, in Lodi, New Jersey.

Prosecutors claimed that Harris received oral sex from the girl in September 2009 and April 2010.

Harris was arrested in 2010 and charged with aggravated sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and child endangerment.

Earlier this week, Harris took this stand to defend himself.

“I never had a relationship with her, she never extended herself,” Harris claimed. “She didn’t play basketball, she didn’t play PlayStation, didn’t want to go to the movies. She always walked around the house like she had an attitude. I never committed none of them asked to that girl in my life.”

Not all those were in agreement with the verdict.

The teenaged victim’s grandmother and aunt left the courtroom as the verdict was being read and promised that the “truth” would eventually come out.

Mandeecees Harris is not out his legal quandary just yet.

Harris is facing drug charges in Rochester New York, over claims that he trafficked $2.5 million worth of heroin and with cocaine between 2005 and 2012.

Mandeecees Harris, is the boyfriend of Yandy Smith, who also stars in “Love & Hip Hop” and used to manage rapper Jim Jones.

Harris also manages Vado and Webstar.

The Pharcyde’s Bizarre Ride Continues

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Features
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Washington, DC’s beautifully remodeled Howard Theater hosted a Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde, Live! Near freezing temperatures and a light dusting of snow did not prevent their loyal fans from filing into the venue. After about thirty minutes of their DJ playing some classic old school joints, it was time for the main event. The headliners were urged onstage by a brief chant, “Pharcyde! Pharcyde! Pharcyde!”

The members of Pharcyde, Slimkid3 (Trevant Hardson) and Fatlip (Derrick Stewart)
opened with the group’s callout classic, “Oh S**t” to a fan-filled audience hungry to keep
the party going. Pharcyde music videos played simultaneously giving the audience
a visual of the other two original members, Imani (Emandu Wilcox) and B##### Brown
(Romye Robinson), who also continue to perform as Pharcyde. Original Pharcyde
producer J-Swift, L.A. Jay and K-Natural lent their vocals onstage to provide the
richness of sound for which the group is known. The atmosphere ascended to another
level on “Passing Me By”, followed by “Running” produced by legend, the late J-Dilla.
Before leaving the stage – as if to answer a burning question – Fatlip shouted, “We are
still here. Y’all are still here. Hip-Hop is still here!” After the show, the group discussed
cohesion between the group, new projects, the other original group members and the
loyal fans that continue to support them.

“What’s Happening Right Is A Blessing”

The group seemed at peace and to revel in the bond they share for music and
performing together. “What’s happening right here is a blessing with J-Swift, with L.A.
Jay, with Fatlip. It is that synergy that created Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. Everybody’s
having fun, there’s new music floating around, song ideas, beats. It has nothing to do
with anybody’s ego, [there’s] occasional divaness,” Slimkid3 said to agreement and
laughs. “It’s easy to forget that as a unit we accomplish our dreams…not so much on our
own”, Fatlip said. “Everybody got to take a break from all that ‘90s madness. Here we
are on the second go around.”

I Don’t Wish Them Anything

Slimkid3’s view of Imani and B##### Brown could be classified as neutral. He said, “I
don’t wish them anything. There were times when I was really wishing this could work.
They really didn’t want to see it that way. We are all entitled to do this…to connect with
the fans.”

The Fans

“I think we have loyal fans. We have fans that are truly hurt that all this is happening.
They can’t really understand.” Slimkid3 asks Pharcyde fans to forgive them for the split.
“I definitely don’t want what is happening to be happening as far as us being separated
like this. I think the universe is the painter and we are the paintbrushes and paint.”
Pharcyde maintains its fun and energetic vibe that propelled them to the music scene
twenty years ago. The group is now heading to Europe for 17-city tour. They are due
back in the states late February.

New Projects

The group is currently working on a Bizarre Ride 3 album. They recently released a
record for Japan called “The Love Album” that is due out in the states soon. J-Swift is
finishing his solo album, “The Adventures of Negro Knievel.” Slimkid3 is finishing up two
albums that he is working on with DJ Nu-Mark from Jarassic 5 and a Portland-based
group called Doo Doo Funk.

Pharcyde Howard theatre Pharcyde Howard theatre2

Detroit’s Top 5 Dilla Day Destinations

By: TeamDeSymber Updated Category: Features
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Headed to The D this weekend for Dilla Day? You’re not alone. There are reports of people from as many as a dozen different cities converging on Detroit for the celebration of the life of legendary music producer, James “J. Dilla” Yancey.  In fact, a vanload of artists and supporters will depart from Atlanta for the 12-hour trek to the Motor City on Friday (2/8) to return on Sunday.

Celebrations have been taking place across the globe but the flagship event is the 2nd Annual Dilla Day will take place on Saturday, February 9 at The Filmore in Detroit. Featuring perfomances by Talib Kweli and Royce Da 5’9″, as well as DJ sets by DJ Houseshoes, DJ Sicari, and DJ Spinna, a portion of the $20-$50 ticket proceeds will benefit The J. Dilla Foundation.

Read: Detroit Prepping for Second Annual Dilla Day Tribute Concert

While Detroit gets a bad rap, there are actually a lot of great things to do in Motown. So, if you are headed to Detroit for Dilla Day, consider this your travel guide.

Best Eats:

American Coney Island 114 W. Lafayette St. Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 961-7758.

The Coney Dog is the official food of Detroit. A hot dog topped with chili, onions, and mustard is the only way to enjoy the staple. With 24-hour availability, don’t be surprised if an impromptu afterparty jumps off here following the show. Featured on the Travel Channel, American Coney Island was founded in 1917 after an argument between the Keros brothers resulted in them opening rival restaurants, for the the Detroit Coney Experience, try both American and, the original, Lafayette Coney Island, located right next door.

Best Kicks

Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique 202 W. 4th St. Royal Oak, MI 48067 (248) 543-3000

Have you checked out the cool new Eminem-produced web reality series, Detroit Rubber? The series provides a funny glimpse into this popular sneaker boutique, featuring the owners, Rick Williams and Roland “RoSpit” Coit. If you like the series, you’ll love the store. Stop by Burn Rubber during Dilla Day weekend and see if you can stump the guys with your own sneaker search.

Best Historic Landmark

Hitsville USA 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208 (313) 875-2264

While Dilla Day is all about the celebration of hip-hop, especially Detroit Hip-Hop, no trip to Detroit is complete without visiting Hitsville USA. The building where Motown Records made music for a generation is now a historic landmark, and a phenomenal museum. The current exhibit, Girl Groups: The Grit, The Glamour, The Glory celebrates the First Ladies of Motown Records.

Best Public Park

Belle Isle Park, Downtown Detroit

Considered the “Jewel of the City,” Belle Isle is the jewel in heart of most Detroiters, the 982-acre park is the largest public park in the United States. A heavily debated asset of the financially-strapped city, an effort to make the park a State park was recently defeated. While “The Island,” has attractions that are in need of repair, the view from the third-largest island in the Detroit River is beautiful with views of both Detroit and Canada.

Best Hip-Hop Stop

St. Andrews Hall and The Shelter 431 E. Congress St., Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 961-6923

For hip-hop heads, a trip and photo-op in front of St. Andrews Hall is a must. The venue was featured in 8 Mile and was the site of some of Detroit’s biggest and best rap battles. St. Andrews is best known for a hip-hop party known as Three Floors of Fun on Friday nights, but on the night prior to Dilla day (2/8), head around the corner to L!V Resto Lounge for performances from some of Atlanta’s best artists in town for the event.

Stay connected to Dilla Day on Twitter: #DillaDayDetroit

Just Blaze Set To Headline 7th Annual J Dilla Fundraiser “Donuts Are Forever”

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Just Blaze is officially set to headline the 7th Annual “Donuts Are Forever” fundraiser in New York City next week.

Brooklyn Vegan reports that Just will be headlining this years James “J Dilla” Yancey tribute event and fundraiser in New York City which is set to take place at SRB Brooklyn on February 17th.

Proceeds go to benefit the Donuts are Forever Scholarship Fund, an initiative in partnership with the Groundwork for Success Program (run by Good Shepherd Services) that sends high school kids in Brooklyn to Scratch Academy to learn how to DJ/produce.

“The DAF Scholarship was created in 2011 and by summer of 2013,” says Derreck Johnson, a member of Rare Form, which produces the event. “We will have sent 40 kids to these classes.”

Other guests include DJ’s like Shawn Dub, Tara, Center, Parler, Stylus and host Fresh Daily. It was previously headlined in 2011 by The Roots’ Questlove.

In addition to “Donuts Are Forever,” Dilla’s hometown of Detroit will be celebrating his life and works at the Fillmore  as part of Dilla Days which kicks off tonight and lasts throughout the weekend.

J Dilla, who would have turned 39 yesterday, died in February 2006 at the age of 32 of 2006 from complications due to his fight with Lupus.

For more information visit DonutsAreForever.com.

2nd Annual ‘Dilla Day’ Kicks Off This Weekend

By: TeamDeSymber Updated Category: Headlines
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(Allhiphop News) On Saturday February 9th, 2013 Detroit Yancey Media Group will host the second installment of Dilla Day Detroit, a worldwide celebration of the life and music of the late James ‘J Dilla’ Yancey, live from his hometown.

This now two-day event will feature live performances from internationally acclaimed artists and musicians, as well as an open youth music expo on Sunday, February 10th, offering beat-making and other music workshops for youth taught by local and international artists and producers who worked closely with J Dilla over the course of his career.

A significant portion of the proceeds from Dilla Day Detroit will be directly donated to the re-formed J Dilla Foundation, resuming programming in late 2013.

A native of Detroit’s Conant Gardens, James ‘J Dilla’ Yancey succumbed to Lupus in the year 2006 at the age of 32. After his unfortunate passing, the Detroit Free Press, MTV.com, Source Magazine, Los Angeles Times and countless others published articles which hailed his short career of 12 years as one of the most prolific in the history of Hip-Hop.

20130208-142322.jpgFrom his work on chart topping singles for Common, The Roots, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest, Janet Jackson and more to his own genre-redefining solo releases, J Dilla’s work touched all.

This year’s Dilla Day Detroit performers will showcase J Dilla’s influences in Hip-Hop (Royce Da 5’9″, Talib Kweli, Frank & Dank, Illa J) neo-soul (B. Williams Experiment) to classical orchestral arrangements (Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – Suite for Ma Dukes).

Representing J Dilla’s influence on the DJ community, American Hip-Hop & dance music legend, DJ Spinna will perform alongside the foremost advocates for Detroit Hip-Hop, DJ House Shoes and 5E Gallery founder, DJ Sicari. Renowned Beat Junkie and Stones Throw Records artist, J-Rocc will also be performing a special guest DJ set. The concert will be hosted by Yo-Yo and Grap Luva. Special guests from , Fuse TV’s Crate Diggers, Bread-Breakers TV and more will be in attendance.

In celebration of Dilla Day 2013, an exciting partnership has been formed between Yancey Media Group / Ruff Draft Records and Delicious Vinyl Records. This partnership brings J Dilla recordings from lost rough draft tapes now in the hands of Mrs. Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey and YMG Catalog Curator, Frank Nitt, to your fingertips with the release of these never before heard recordings as “The Lost Scrolls” series. “The Lost Scrolls” v.1 will be released on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 [NOW AVAILABLE] via FatBeats.com.

Please visit www.dilladaydetroit.com to stream samplings from these new releases and learn more about Dilla Day Detroit 2013. Official, limited edition J Dilla merchandise, from music to Tshirts will be for sale, some at discount prices, on-site.

The Yancey Media Group is an authorized and registered music publishing, licensing and merchandising entity built to honor J Dilla within his family’s image and likeness. A portion of all Yancey Media Group proceeds are donated to the Michigan-based 501[c]3 non-profit works of the J Dilla Foundation, including a significant portion of the ticket sales proceeds from Dilla Day Detroit.

For more information, please visit: www.officialjdilla.com and www.jdillafoundation.org

 

David Massey Appointed New President of Island Records

By: Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) Updated Category: MOBILE
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(AllHipHop News) Island Def Jam Music Group’s recent structural changes continue with its CEO & Chairman, Barry Weiss announcing David Massey as the new President of Island Records in a press release from Universal Music Group.

Weiss attributed Massey’s ear for music, people skills and more to reasons on him as the choice for Island Def Jam president:

“David has had great successes since joining the company six years ago,” said Mr. Weiss, “and it is a track record that he now takes with him to Island, as we put even more resources into our vital creative areas.  David’s musical instincts for spotting talent are second to none, and his relationships with the artists and his proven leadership skills are the perfect fit to drive Island Records into the future.”

David Massey’s track record is quite extensive starting with a decade tenure with  Sony Music Label Group US as Vice President of A&R in 1991, Executive Vice President/General Manager in 1997 and finally Executive Vice President/General Manager in 2001. He also has a long history with the Island Def Jam imprint as he assumed A&R duties for Fall Out Boy, Bon Jovi and The Killers. Massey recently spent six years as president of Mercury Records, an imprint under Island Def Jam.

Massey shared his joy and plans for the future:

“The extraordinarily talented artists and executives I have worked with at Mercury and Island have been an inspiration, and no one could ask for any more experienced and astute leadership than Barry Weiss and Steve Bartels .  I hope to bring even greater success to Island Def Jam in the years ahead.”

The Island Records artists includes Justin Beiber, Jennifer Lopez, FeFe Dobson, Mariah Carey and an assortment of other hitmakers. Massey will work closely with Steve Bartels, Island Def Jam Music Group’s Chief Operating Officer/President. The A&R team at Mercury Records will still report to Massey.

[ALSO READ: Joie Manda Appointed President of Def Jam Records]

Meaningful Music: A Benefit Concert For Newton EMTs

By: Skyy Hook Updated Category: Uncategorized
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Last Friday, February 2, 2013, I was making plans to attend an event in Harlem, when I heard about a benefit in Danbury, CT that caught my attention. There was a hip hop chick named Jass Bianchi that was putting on a show to benefit the EMT’s and first responders from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in December of 2012. I was unaware of the problems that were being suffered by these noble men and women.  PTSD has been an issue acquired from the abhorrent sights that they were witness to on that horrific day.  So, Jass Bianchi decided to get involved and create a benefit to both support these workers and to raise awareness about their plight. After hearing about the wonderful thing Miss Bianchi was doing with her platform, I felt it was only right to use mine to bring the same type of awareness and to attend the event.

The artists she had lined up were all there to share in the sentiment of the evening, which was doing something good for those who do amazing things for the rest of us in society. The show was eclectic with all genre’s of hip hop represented including Ms. Bianchi’s own dope group HOli MOli who took the stage later on in the evening. My personal favorites were Blacastan and Political Animals. I was truly impressed with all three acts as their flows were sick and the music was on point.

But that wasn’t all, there were also break dancers and graph artists, and the principals of Hip Hop were all represented thoroughly! The food upstairs was great and bottom line it was a good time for everyone in attendance.

Connecticut School Shootings
Sandy Hook Fire Fighters

I got a chance to speak with Jass Bianchi and ask what her motivation was for putting the event together and she said, “I went to Sandy Hook Elementary School, and was raised 3 minutes up the street. Their nurse came over to family parties, my father spoke to the father of the only child who survived the day after, my childhood best friend’s brother was the one falsely arrested as the second gunman and my high school friend is a teacher there. As you can see, the tragedy literally hit home for me. I needed to do something! I truly felt specifically for the first responder EMT’s and my mom served on their board when I was younger. Not only that but they volunteer to help others on a daily basis! To throw this event was an honor. I’d also like to thank Pam Janutolo of Asbestos Records, Mark Minnock and Mark Boisvert of MEB Cinema for all of their generous time and effort!”

I asked Jass what she thought about the way the night came together and she said she thought, “The overall feeling was beautiful! I was surrounded by positive energy the whole night. Classmates I haven’t seen in a mad long time were there supporting for the cause. I went from discussing stage time and recording details to reminiscing about girl’s nights and the good times we had growing up. The Chief and assistant Chief of Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corp were there supporting us all along and laughing with my mom on the side.”

Personally, I’m glad that I attended the event and if you are interested in helping, they are selling the CD/DVD performance of the concert online or you can make a donation at  so check it out!

Hip-Hop Rumors: Rapper Is In Grave Danger For Continuously Talking About Ice-T & Coco

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Headlines
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Let me state that I don’t know AP.9 and I never met Ice-T. But I am hear to issue a warning, because the hammer is about to drop. My sources are telling me that AP.9, the rapper that nobody knows a song from, has just gone too far. The latest f**kery is that AP just revealed to the Star magazine that he had unprotected sex with Coco.

Here is the problem. Whether or not AP is scared or not, he’s in jeopardy. I’ve BEEN getting emails from people, but most recently some of the real OG’s have steeped up and these are shot callers. I wouldn’t want to be AP.9 on a good day, and this a bad one.

Here is everything that he told the Star magazine.

“I first met Coco at Surrender Nightclub. She invited me to her table; I had a couple of drinks; we exchanged numbers. I could tell we had a physical attraction. She asked me, ‘What are you doing after the club?’ I said, ‘I’m probably just going to get a room and stay right here.’ She said, ‘Well, I’m going with you.’

We had sex. I don’t know who made the first move. It wasn’t making love; it was just sex. We had sex unprotected. I really hope she isn’t pregnant!

She did an interview and said, ‘Oh, he was a superfan, everywhere I went he showed up and ran up to me talking pictures. She threw me under the bus like I was some groupie stalking her.

Ice-T called me and said, ‘My wife wouldn’t f**k with you. You need to tell the truth because my wife wouldn’t do that.’ So I told Ice-T: ‘You want the truth? OK. Me and your wife had sex!’ I got respect for Ice, and I’m not mad at her. But don’t lie about me. Everyone is looking at me like I’m the bad guy.

I don’t have a reason to lie. But she has a reason to lie. She’s the one who’s married.”



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

Illseed, Out.

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