[ahh_audio src=/6-30-12/WizKhalifaft2Chainz-ItsNothin.mp3]
homepage
Too $hort Ft. 50 Cent, Twista and Devin The Dude “I’m A Stop”
[ahh_audio src=/6-30-12/TooShortft50CentTwistaandDevinTheDude-ImAStop.mp3]
HEATER OF THE DAY: Black Cobain Ft. Chevy Woods “No Love Without You”
[ahh_audio src=/6-30-12/BlackCobainftChevyWoods-NoLoveWithoutYou.mp3]
Sheek Louch and Ghostface Killah “Union Square”
[ahh_audio src=/6-30-12/SheekLouchandGhostfaceKillah-UnionSquare.mp3]
Alternative Pick: Chris Brown “Free Run”
[ahh_audio src=/6-30-12/ChrisBrown-FreeRun.mp3]
Lola Monroe “Fly Away”
[ahh_audio src=/6-30-12/LolaMonroe-FlyAway.mp3]
FRESH HEAT: Chevy Woods [BGA] Ft. Black Cobain “Convo”
[ahh_audio src=/6-30-12/ChevyWoodsftBlackCobain-Convo.mp3]
J Stalin Ft. Young Bari and Philthy Rich “U Already Know”
[ahh_audio src=/6-30-12/JStalinftYoungBariandPhilthyRich-UAlreadyKnow.mp3]
Teairra Mari “I Don’t Like Freestyle”
[ahh_audio src=/6-30-12/TeairraMari-IDontLikeFreestyle.mp3]
Bump Beef. Where’s The Battle???
Generally speaking, commentary on the follies and foibles of rappers is best left for others. Those of us in an editorial position come too close to the subjects at hand and, in my opinion, actually share a mutual need with the artists we profile. To be heard.
But, as of late, I can’t seem to keep my own personal commentary at bay. You see, lately, well, there have been some major mis-steps in the community. Things like:
Bottles thrown during brawls over babes. Bustin’ off bullets at each other. Bangin’ like this is still 1993 in South Central or something. Oh, brother.
And this isn’t in the ‘hood! This is in the rap game!
I’m tired of beef. Actual beef – the meat – I gave up eating in 2000, and it’s been a good, 12-year long, clearer colon sort of ride. I highly suggest not eating it, or at least cutting back. But the other beef? Rap beef? I’m tired of that, too. Especially when it seems fruitless, especially to those of us who would pick beef as the absolute last thing on Earth we’d want if we had adoring fans, millions of dollars, and pretty much whatever toys we desired in life.
Still, in the midst of the opulence and blessings and fame, there’s time for people to reach into their literal “street bags” and possibly pull out literal weapons on one another. The incident in New York a few weeks ago, the strip club shooting in Houston after that, the Yo Gotti concert shooting, and back in March, when I saw more beef than enough as we all converged on SXSW – it was all baffling.
In the words of the Old Negro spiritual, with all of their wealth and impact on pop culture, haven’t rappers already “overcome?” So, what’s the beef about?
Now, let’s not get it twisted. I know men and their testosterone. Shoot, I know some women with too much testosterone. I understand fully that rap, from its very foundation, was built on competition and who’s better-than-who, and I actually love nothing more than a good lyrical lashing from one MC to another.
And, I like it even more when no one gets hurt in the end. Well, except for a bruised ego and a crushed reputation.
So, I ask, where the hell is the battle in rap anymore???
We’re seeing people like Canibus (who I really think a lot of as an artist overall) being pummeled in a Pay-Per-View battle by a relative no-name. We’re witnessing the era of sub-disses on songs and sub-tweets and Facebook arguments between rappers that have to be solved by $100-an-hour PR specialists and gangs of ex-bouncer bodyguards. We’re watching as people get hurt needlessly in the name of crew love and groupie love…and little love for Hip-Hop.
I want the battle back! I want mugs to keep it in the booth, and say recklessly clever and outrightly outlandish stuff back and forth to each other. And, they should fight it out by one-upping each other with wit, wordsmithing, and Wu-like weaponry. And when there is the threat of real trouble, someone like Rev. Al or Rev Run or Chuck D can help work it out.
And we, the listening audience, can be the judge of whose beef is bigger (whoa there). So, seriously, get your battle weight up, guys.
Lastly, to rap up my rant, we were in the AllHipHop offices last week, listening to an oldie-but-greatie from 1991 by Tim Dog (look him up, kiddies) called “F*ck Compton”. With his menacing look and booming voice, he was GOING IN MERCILESSLY on Compton and certain members of N.W.A. We sat in the office listening last week like, “Dayyyyyuuuummm! Now that’s beef.”
By today’s standards, that song could possibly cost him his life. But it didn’t. From what we heard, some people talked to some people who basically told Tim to chill – but no one died, and quite frankly, I think his opponents (who I love to this day) got fried with that song…
…in the booth. Where the battle reigns supreme, and no beef is allowed.
Seandra Sims is AllHipHop.com’s Editor-At-Large. She actually likes beef, but only in the right context. Follow her on Twitter (@SeandraSims).
MIXTAPE DOWNLOAD: Alternative Heat: MarquesAnthony – Frezno
Hip-Hop Rumors: Lil’ Scrappy Says “Let The B*tches Do What They Do” In Regards To Drake/Breezy Bottle Fight
Rapper and “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” star Lil’ Scrappy has decided to give his two cents on the Chris Brown vs. Drake bottle fight. Check out what he told XXL Mag below:
“Wow…a pop artist and R&B artist. What the f*ck? How can ya’ll have any beef? My take is let the b*tches do what they do. We supposed to be n*ggas, tryna get this money. But at the same time, I know how it feels when you’re heart is broke,” Scrap explained in an interview. “I’d just tell ’em to leave it alone. There’s a billion badd b*tches in this b*tch. There’s so many b*tches that look better than my old girlfriend [Laughs].”
Who do you think is next to comment on the bottle fight?
Hip-Hop Rumors: Yelawolf Throws Shots At Machine Gun Kelly, Talks Disappointment With Shady Records
Yelawolf and Machine Gun Kelly have a history of throwing shots at each other. It all started last year when MGK did an interview while he was drunk and did a Yelawolf impression that Yela didn’t appreciate. The misunderstanding was further amplified during the BET Hip-Hop Awards cypher, when people began saying that MGK took a few subliminal shots at Yela.
Well, the two are back at it. During a recent interview with Shade 45, Yelawolf took a shot at MGK when asked about the comparisons between the two. Check out what he said below:
“Who?” “It’s probably the most insulting thing on the planet, to be asked to sign a Machine Gun Kelly autograph. ‘Yo MGK?’ I’m like ‘Yea, motherf***er. Let me sign your Birkenstocks.’”
Yelawolf also took the opportunity to express his frustration for his label for the lack of support for Radioactive.
“I’m all about figuring sh** out, for myself and my art. My last project, Radioactive, was deliberately given to Interscope … and it was on a f***ing silver platter, given to them to work,” he explained to Rude Jude. “It was radio records after radio records, purposely, was my attempt. These motherf***ers have given me one single in 11 months. I don’t really understand where the importance is lined. That’s just me being real, every artist gets frustrated at some point, I imagine.
“I fully comprised, but I let everybody know, even prior to doing Radioactive, what I was doing. I was being honest with my fans,” Yelawolf continued. “I was like ‘Yea, I’m letting people in. We’re gonna so something more melodic.’ The album’s called ‘Radioactive’ — to be ‘active’ on ‘radio’. Like, it was a purposeful shot for me, because I felt like I had a window to use. Like, I could gain … pull some people in with this sh**. I don’t know what the f*** they’re doing up there. Shady’s great, I love Shady Records. I just think there’s some sh** going on upstairs.”
Yelawolf is currently working on a gang of projects. His first project will be a mixtape/free album, titled The Heart Of Dixie with Alabama producer M16, which is due on July 4. It will be followed by a collaborative effort with Travis Barker called Psycho White, released as part of capsule collection with Famous Stars & Straps; and finally, an upcoming installment of his Trunk Muzik series, aptly titled Trunk Musik Returns, is on its way as well. Work!
Hip-Hop’s Go-To Restaurant Guide: ATL Bite Life
Food isn’t just a means of survival, it’s an influence. Pretty often, spots are mentioned in songs, certain dishes have been deemed cool to partake in on numerous verses, and restaurants cash in on happy hours and events hosted by entertainment’s elite. The impact is obvious, and because of that, restaurant tastemaker Nick Love combined his two loves, music and food. The collaboration was given the name ATL Bite Life.
To sum it up, it’s the go-to guide for restaurant reviews from a more urban standpoint.
“Music’s influence has always been seen in the way young adults talk, walk, dress, etc. With eating and dining out, it’s no different. When Jeezy mentions spots in Atlanta, like Spondivits or Chanterelles, fans of his are going to want to know about those places, and they go try them. When Jay Z mentions Mr. Chow, people are going to get curious,” explains Love.
“You can even look at artists like Common or, most recently, Jermaine Dupri, who have emphasized their vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. You are now starting to see young adults in the ‘hood leaning towards that lifestyle, too. Artists aren’t always the direct cause, but they definitely have some influence. Musicians have always been able to make things cool and hip. Dining is no different,” he adds.
The ATL Bite Life website and show travel around the city – usually twice a week – highlighting favorites and trying new eateries. Love shares what he feels ties the two forces together:
“Well, I’m a product of the Hip-Hop generation. I was born in 1980, so I’ve seen and been influenced by everything from the original pioneers to this most recent indie/internet rapper movement. I’m just taking something that I know and I’m passionate about, and applying it to something else that I know just as well, and I’m just as passionate about.
“Plus, food and music are a natural fit because they are two of the least divisive, non-discriminate entities in the world. EVERYBODY has to eat. We may have different tastes and preferences, but it’s absolutely necessary in order to live. It’s the same thing with music. We may have different tastes and preferences, but there’s something about a catchy melody or a familiar tune that ignites something inside of all of us.”
Restaurants from Buckhead to Decatur have made it to the ATL Bite Life spotlight, helping patrons to diversify their tastebuds. This type of venture isn’t new per se, but the Hip-Hop community being included so much is new. The show features various entertainment figures and looks to add well known co-signs to the mix; Young Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Travis Porter, Chili, and others have sat down with Love over fine cuisine.
When certain holidays or events are coming up, ATL Bite Life provides suggestions and resources, making them the authority in the city. And, with features in Creative Loafing, BET.com, Eater.com, and Scoutmob, it’s clear that their opinions are trusted.
For visitors to Atlanta, Love offers these suggestions as must-try places: “There are four spots that I would really recommend for anyone looking to ‘taste’ Atlanta: Busy Bee Cafe (great soul food), Ann’s Snack Bar (that Ghetto Burger is the best burger in the WORLD), Magic City (it’s not just a strip club; they have some of the best wings around), and Fatt Matts (great down home barbecue). Beyond that, they just venture around the city. We’ve got neighborhoods that all have their own distinct flair.”
Ultimately, Love hopes to expand to other cities around the country. After all, the love of food travels across state lines.
Along with a wish list of breakfast, lunch, and dinner stops to make, he has another list of staple names he’d love to have on ATL Bite Life. “At the top of my wish list right now has got to be Big and Dre from OutKast. After that, I’m really a big sports fanatic, too. So, I’d love to get Josh Smith from the Hawks and Julio Jones or Roddy White from the Falcons,” says Love.
What are your favorite Hip-Hop inspired eateries in your city, and why? Tell us in the comment section!
Keep Up With ATL Bite Life on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr.
Tawni Fears is a freelance writer and contributor to AllHipHop.com. Follow her on Twitter (@brwnsugaT).
League Of Young Voters Hit BET Awards For “Ignite LA” Event; Nipsey Hussle and Dee-1 To Speak
(AllHipHop News) With the 2012 Presidential Election on the horizon, the League of Young Voters have teamed up with AllHipHop.com for a one-of-a-kind event to take place in Los Angeles during the BET Awards this weekend.
Following January’s successful “Barack Talk”, organizers say that this weekend’s “Ignite LA: Uprising Remixed” event will be a “live streaming civic engagement event, spotlighting the work of youth organizers, cultural workers and unsung civic heroes in the Los Angeles area. The event will feature musical performances and uncensored panel discussions about the 2012 election and the role Los Angeles plays in influencing national trends.”
The event, which takes place tomorrow (June 30) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST at the Mercado La Paloma in Los Angeles, will be live streamed on YoungVoterLive.com and AllHipHop.com. Event partners, including the League of Young Voters, S.C.O.P.E., and Cashmere Agency will utilize the livestream to engage with the music and political communities before the 2012 Election in November.
RSVP to watch tomorrow’s event, which will feature Nipsey Hussle, Dee-1, AllHipHop.com CEO Chuck Creekmur, Jasiri X, and more, on the event Facebook page.
For more information, visit 99Problems.org and YoungVoterLive.com.
Cee-Lo Cast In New Film “Can A Song Save Your Life?”; Production Begins Next Week In New York
(AllHipHop News) Variety reports that Voice judge and Grammy Award-winning singer and rapper Cee-Lo has been cast in director John Carney’s new musical drama, Can A Song Save Your Life?
Cee-Lo will play the role of Troublegum, a well-known and very successful Hip-Hop star, a familiar notion for the Gnarls Barkley and Goodie Mob member.
The film, produced by Exclusive Media, also stars fellow The Voice judge, Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Keira Knightley (Pirate of the Caribbean), Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers), Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), and Catherine Keener (40 Year Old Virgin).
Production on Can A Song Save Your Life? is set to begin next week in New York City.
Currently, Cee-Lo is working with Goodie Mob on the group’s forthcoming, fifth studio album, Age Against the Machine and despite earlier complaints about the show, he will return as a judge on the third season of NBC’s####, singing competition, “The Voice”, this fall.
He will also call Las Vegas home for the next few months during his Planet Hollywood residency of Cee-Lo Green Presents “Loberace.”
Lauryn Hill Pleads Guilty To Tax Violations; Faces Three Years In Jail
(AllHipHop News) Former Fugee group member Lauryn Hill is facing prison time, after pleading guilty to tax violations today (June 29).
Lauryn Hill pleaded guilty to three counts of failure to file tax returns, from 2005-2007.
The singer admitted that she “intentionally and willingly” failed to report income of more than $1.8 million.
Lauryn Hill is facing three years in prison when she is sentenced in November.
She addressed the issue on a blog posts on her Tumblr blog.
“For the past several years, I have remained what others would consider underground,” she wrote in a post. “I did this in order to build a community of people, like-minded in their desire for freedom and the right to pursue their goals and lives without being manipulated and controlled by a media protected military industrial complex with a completely different agenda.”
According to reports, Lauryn Hill was released on $150,000 bail.
Tito Lopez Prepares For First National Tour
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Tito Lopez has landed a high-profile spot along-side Mississippi native Big K.R.I.T. for a nationwide tour.
Tito Lopez will join his fellow Mississippian on the 26-date tour, which is Lopez’s first national outing.
The tour kicks off July 11 at the legendary St. Andrews Hall in Detroit, Michigan and winds August 12 at The Ritz in Ybor City, Florida.
“I’m extremely excited and proud to be a part of this tour.” Tito Lopez said. “I’m even more proud that Mississippi is being represented so well. K.R.I.T. and myself are looking forward to sharing our music with people throughout the country.”
Check out the dates below:
Wed-Jul-11
DETROIT, MI
ST. ANDREWS HALL
Thu-Jul-12
CINCINNATI, OH
MADISON THEATER
Sat-Jul-14
MADISON, WI
BARRYMOORE THEATER
Sun-Jul-15
IOWA CITY, IA
BLUE MOOSE
Mon-Jul-16
LAWRENCE, KS
GRANADA
Wed-Jul-18
DENVER, CO
BLUEBIRD THEATER
Thu-Jul-19
BOULDER, CO
BOULDER THEATER
Fri-Jul-20
FT. COLLINS, CO
AGGIE THEATER
Sat-Jul-21
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
URBAN LOUNGE
Mon-Jul-23
PORTLAND, OR
HAWTHORNE
Tue-Jul-24
VANCOUVER, BC
Fortune Sound Club
Wed-Jul-25
SEATTLE, WA
NEUMOS
Fri-Jul-27
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
SLIMS
Sat-Jul-28
SANTA CRUZ, CA
THE CATALYST
Sun-Jul-29
SANTA BARBARA, CA
VELVET JONES
Mon-Jul-30
LOS ANGELES, CA
EL REY THEATER
Tue-Jul-31
SANTA ANA, CA
OBSERVATORY
Wed-Aug-01
SAN DIEGO, CA
MOVIE REVIEW: “Ted”
Can a “high” concept comedy starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and a teddy bear voiced by Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane be any good? Hell yes, it can, and it is!
If you’re expecting an hour-and-a-half Family Guy-like episode in Ted – don’t. Sure, there is a lot of the same humor and quickly-worded references that fans of that show and of other McFarlane creations like The Cleveland Show and American Dad are used to, but overall, Ted is something special and unique. This is not because it’s truly hilarious or absolutely ridiculous – which it is – it’s because Ted knows exactly what kind of movie it is from the start, and does nothing over the course of its hour-and-a-half run-time to give viewers anything different than what an R-rated movie with a talking teddy bear should be.
In case you’re unfamiliar, Ted tells the story of an eight-year old boy with no friends, who makes a Christmas Day wish to have his teddy bear come alive. And it does. Fast forward nearly three decades, and a now 35-year-old Mark Wahlberg is found slacking it up in his girlfriend’s apartment, toking up with his “thunder buddy.” Over the course of the film, Walhberg’s character must make the decision about which is more important to him – his lifelong friend or the girl he’s madly in love with. You can pretty much guess how the film plays out from there.
Strippers named Sauvignon Blanc, fart jokes, tons of pot-smoking, debauchery, and a foul-mouthed stuffed animal are just some of the elements that make Ted the year’s best comedy so far. The laughs are non-stop, the story doesn’t drag, and the cameos – which won’t be revealed here – are great.
Overall, Ted, in case you have yet to notice, is one hell of a great comedy, and a damn good debut for first time director, Seth McFarlane. Here’s to hoping that this isn’t the last we see of the the raunchy, foul-mouthed teddy bear, but just in case it is, you will not be disappointed.
Rating: 8/10
Hip-Hop Rumors: Rick Ross Says Meek Mill “Wasn’t Involved” In Bottle Fight
MMG bawse, Rick Ross, has spoken out in defense of Meek Mill and told MTV Rapfix that his protege “wasn’t involved” in the Drake vs. Chris Brown bottle fight in NYC a few weeks back. Check out what he said about the bottle fight below:
“I know Meek. I know the situation he’s in, I know where he comes from. I know that’s something that he won’t get involved in.”
“I wasn’t there so I won’t make a comment other than it was unfortunate for everybody that was in there,” he said. “But I know the homey, we seen each other that night, and that wasn’t his mind-set. He wasn’t involved in that.”
So, if both Chris Brown and Ross are clearing Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj is saying that Drake “did nothing wrong,” who’s to blame for the huge bottle fight that injured several people and got a nightclub shut down?
Self Made, Vol.2. is currently in stores now.