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Flo Rida Feat. Trina and Pleasure P “Dumb” Snippet
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FRESH HEAT: Mr. 704 “Fast Car”
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Alternative Pick: Estelle Ft. Busta Rhymes “Thank You Remix”
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Robin Thicke “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” Whitney Houston Tribute
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Big Shane Ft. A. Smith “Super Clean”
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J-Bar Ft. Sammie and Bei Maejor “Sexy Lil Thing”
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R. Kelly “Share My Love”
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Daily Word: Happy Presidents’ Day! (Be Out for Presidents that Represent You!!)
Happy Presidents’ Day, my Wealthy and Abundant!
Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to dead presidents. No!! Not our forefathers, but Money, Cash, dough, scrilla, chicken, greenbacks, and all the other clever names that we have given the almighty dollar.
Often times, we hear that money is the root of all evil, we hear how money doesn’t grow on trees, and that scared money doesn’t make any! While each of these phrases have their origins, it is important to understand that money is not where your power lies! Yes, money can be used as a tool to get you want you want out of life, but everything you NEED is already yours! Who you are and what you represent is and will always be more important than any dollar amount.
When you see people who are living their dreams and making a lot of money doing it, you must understand that the passion came first…. The money was a consequence of their happiness towards their passion! Make sure as you are on your journey through life, that you are out for passion and that your goal is to fulfill your purpose in life! Once you do that everything you want will just fall into place! Know Your Worth and use it to get what you want!!
-Ash’Cash
“In order to live financially free, you must take back the power you have given money.” -Ash’Cash
“He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has.” -Henry Ward Beecher
“Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.” -Ayn Rand
“Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.” -Norman Vincent Peale
“The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.” -Unknown
“Starting out to make money is the greatest mistake in life. Follow your passion, and if you are good enough at it, the money will come.” -Greer Garson
“Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost a part of your life.” -Michael Leboeuf
***BONUS*** “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” -Will Smith
PSA: Join me Tonight at 8pm for a livestream On www.wave45tv.com. I’ll be answering questions on finance and career advice. http://wave45.tv/?p=393
TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD – CLICK HERE.
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.
Nate Dogg Sex Tape Being Shopped
(AllHipHop News) Hip-Hop sex tapes continue to grow in popularity, as a new one featuring singer Nate Dogg is being shopped.
TMZ.com reports that an unknown individual is shopping a five-minute sex tape featuring the deceased singer.
Nate Dogg stars in his video romp with an unidentified female partner.
According to reports, the video is being shopped to p### companies in California, but has yet to be sold.
Earlier this year, a video tape of Nate Dogg’s former Death Row label mate Tupac Shakur surfaced.
Although the 1991 tape had several bidders that made offers as high as $1,000,000.
The Tupac sex tape was ultimately sold to a private collector, despite the fact that the rapper’s estate has vowed to block any release.
Nate Dogg would have celebrated his 42nd birthday on March 15.
VIDEO: The Roots and Their Foundation Move the Crowd in Support of Philly Kids
Photo courtesy of GrassROOTS Community Foundation
Children in Philadelphia are no different from their counterparts in communities across the country. To survive and thrive, they need proper nutrition, adequate educational opportunities, and caring people to ensure their pathways to success.
But, what makes the children of Philadelphia and a few other local cities different from all the rest is that they have the encouragement of the most legendary rap band in history, the Legendary Roots Crew. The Roots, like many Hip-Hop artists, came from humble beginnings – and their lead MC Black Thought, in a rare, candid moment, recently shared how he grew up with the pain of having both of his parents murdered in separate incidents.
These days, Black Thought wants to make a difference in the lives of children – especially girls – so he recruited The Roots along with sociologist Dr. Janice Johnson Dias to form the GrassROOTS Community Foundation and its “Let’s Move It Philly” event. And, by using their famous, crowd-drawing name, this past weekend, The Roots hosted a generous day of community outreach – first with a group of lucky girls via a Roots-judged talent show and fair, and later Saturday night at grown folks’ fundraiser concert at Philadelphia’s legendary Sigma Sound Stage.
AllHipHop.com was there for the special occasion. Check out our interviews with the organizers, along with show footage of The Roots and their guests, DJ/producer Rich Medina, Lady Gaga’s drummer Spanky, Power 99FM’s DJ Diamond Kuts, and the Money Making Jam Boys:
Black Thought, Questlove, Philadelphia Mayor Michael N#####, and GrassROOTS’ Co-Founder Talk “Let’s Move It Philly” and Impacting Kids
Concert Footage: The Roots’ Black Thought, Questlove, and Dice Raw Move The Crowd To Raise Funds for Philly Youth
In the end, across the United States, one thing is still certain – enough children aren’t getting enough of what they need. Childhood obesity is setting the stage for their health problems later in life, and lack of role models will likely mean a lack of exposure to the “good life” that they all deserve a shot at. Thankfully, despite the somewhat bleak outlook, there are people in high places who came from low places (like The Roots) who care.
And you can care to. Consider donating to GrassROOTS, or find a local cause supported by your favorite rapper or nonprofit organization, and help children grow strong.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Questlove Personally Clarifies His Alleged Secret Album With Jay-Z!!
Ahhhh-ha!! Turns out that Questlove’s “secret project” with Jay-Z was really confused by the timing of a recent interview he participated in.
Well, AllHipHop.com was in Philadelphia with Questo over the weekend, and he clarified the rumor once and for all. Check it out below:
So for those who need even more clarification, THERE IS NO SECRET PROJECT BEING WORKED ON WITH JAY-Z!
DRAT!!!!!!
Fat Trel: Meet the DMV’s Breakout Artist of 2011
In 2011, Matrel “Fat Trel” Reeves won “Breakout Artist of the Year” at the 2011 DMV Music Awards. The accolade was a welcome reminder to Trel that, as the saying goes, “If you can believe it then you can achieve it.”
After leaving school at 15 and experiencing the hardships of life in the streets, Trel focused on the one thing he wanted more than anything, to be an MC. It didn’t take long for people to begin noticing his in-your-face rap style as raw and pure talent. Within no time, he began releasing mixtapes like No Secrets and April Foolz and touring so that those outside of his native D.C. area could hear his story.
AllHipHop.com spoke to Fat Trel as he was putting the finishing touches on his new project, Nightmare On E Street, which is set to drop in March. The DMV representative talked about his past, present, and what fans can expect from him musically in the near future:
AllHipHop.com: What’s good, Trel?
Fat Trel: Chillin’, man, just chillin’.
AllHipHop.com: So tell me, when did you first fall in love with Hip-Hop?
Fat Trel: Man, I first fell in love with Hip-Hop from the beginning, for as far back as I can remember. Music is bigger than Hip-Hop, though, and I love all genres, Rock & Roll, R&B, all of that sh*t. I love music period, and I first started in the industry at open mics on all the college universities, high schools, other live performances, and rocking with DJ’s; sh*t like that.
AllHipHop.com: Do you remember the first Hip-Hop album, record, or cassette that you purchased?
Fat Trel: It might have been Scarface, Balls & My Word; I purchased [Nelly’s] Country Grammar. I purchased all the Hot Boys sh*t, man, Guerilla Warfare, Checkmate, all that sh*t and all the Juvenile joints. I can’t remember all the names, but that was around the time when I started copping sh*t.
AllHipHop.com: How would you personally describe your own style of music and Rap?
Fat Trel: I describe my rap style as “n*gga music”; just real “n*gga music,” you know what I’m saying? Just not giving a f*ck and spitting what you know. Honesty is really the only thing I can think of and speaking about what you live.
AllHipHop.com: You won “Breakout Artist of the Year” at the DMV Music Awards last year. This year you’re nominated for “Best Rapper” at the Washington Music Awards alongside Wale, Phil Ade, both of which you’ve worked with. What does it mean to get recognized for what you’re doing by the places you’re doing it in?
Fat Trel: It means a lot, man. You know, I’m overwhelmed by the love. I’m very thankful for the nominations, and it just feels good to know that your work is being admired, knowing that people are actually paying attention. I’m sure the other artists feel the same way.
AllHipHop.com: Now, I want to talk about the music itself. Tell me about your upcoming project, Nightmare On E Street.
Fat Trel: Well, Nightmare On E Street is real epic; I feel real good about it. It’s just one of those bangers. As I drop each project I’m bringing you more and more into the life of a 100 percent real city n*gga or a real n*gga from the District of Columbia. I’m pretty sure the whole world is interested in hearing that story.
AllHipHop.com: And that’s supposed to be dropping soon right?
Fat Trel: Yeah, it’s dropping in March.
AllHipHop.com: What’s the significance of the title?
Fat Trel: It came from of course me being from E Street, a very well known hood in the D.C. area, and I called it a nightmare because basically how I’m feeling right now at this time in my career is that I’ve been going through a lot in the last couple of months. You know, life’s crazy. My whole life has been based on a nightmare before rap. Every day, every night, everywhere I would go is just a nightmare. That’s the story behind the title.
AllHipHop.com: I hear you. You’ve worked with and been on projects people like Phil Ade, Wale, Red Café, and French Montana, so who are some of the other people that the fans can expect to hear rocking with you on Nightmare On E Street?
Fat Trel: Like you said, Red and French. You can expect to hear Young Moe, Chris Bo, those are two artists from the DMV, they on my team and with the company. The Slutty Boyz will be on there, Rich Hil, Big K.R.I.T. is going to be on there too. Yeah man, you know it’s just a really well put together mixtape that came from the heart.
AllHipHop.com: Well I can’t wait to hear that. You mentioned the Slutty Boyz before, I know that’s your group and you guys dropped a project at the end of December last year titled The Results Are In. Tell me about the response you and the group have been getting on that project.
Fat Trel: Oh, man, they loving the Slutty Boyz right now! I mean they are genuinely loving the Slutty Boyz right now. I think people had to spend more time coming to terms with who we really are, besides rappers, for them to understand the music. It’s a lifestyle you know; it’s not a gimmick. I think now they know it’s real, and the Slutty Boyz are winning right now. They still dropping freestyles and working hard so that’s that whole story behind that.
AllHipHop.com: Can you give me any insight into the meetings you’ve been taking with some major labels recently? What do you have in the works?
Fat Trel: I can tell you that we definitely have been meeting and discussing business with the labels; that’s definitely going on. We’re not really geared towards signing right now; that’s not mandatory of something that has to happen as of right now. I’m just going to continue to work hard and do what I do.
AllHipHop.com: Looking ahead past releasing Nightmare On E Street, what comes next for you?
Fat Trel: Just more hard work and more dedication to the game. A lot of videos, of course, and shows, and basically, the next project I’m thinking about is looking out for the company, and that’s going to be a compilation mixtape with me, Young Moe, Chris Bo, Slutty Boyz, it’s going to be a crazy, crazy, crazy tape. I’m pretty sure I can almost say that you will hear the best music from the DMV ever on that tape.
AllHipHop.com: That’s a bold statement, man.
Fat Trel: I stand behind that.
AllHipHop.com: We’ll all be waiting to see for sure. Is there anything else you want the fans and readers to know?
Fat Trel: Nightmare On E Street is dropping in March and February 23, I’ll be shutting down Constitution Hall with the boss Rick Ross and also Jeremih is going to be on that show, too. Just f*ck with me, man, know the kid and know the company. Slutty Boyz forever, and that’s it.
AllHipHop.com: Alright, man, I appreciate your time.
Fat Trel: I appreciate the love, man. Thanks.
Follow Fat Trel On Twitter: @FatTrel
Missing Malcolm X: Are Rappers Scared of Revolution?
Malcolm X photo courtesy of indeliblephotos.com
“How long shall they kill our prophets, while we stand aside and look ?” – “Redemption Song”, Bob Marley
On February 21, 1965 at the Audubon Ballroom in NYC, Malcolm X was gunned down just before he was about to put America on blast for dissin’ Black people. On that same date almost 50 years later, aspiring rapper, Murda U was shot in that same spot for dissin’ another rapper on a YouTube video. Although, there were several witnesses, because of the “no snitchin’ ” code of the streets, the shooter remains at large…
One of the best known icons in African American history is Malcolm X. Although he started off hustlin’ in the streets as “Detroit Red”, while in prison, he accepted the teachings of the Nation of Islam and devoted the rest of his life to the liberation of Black people.
What is most important about Malcolm X was not the man, himself, but his eternal symbol as the epitome of uncompromising, Black manhood. Part of his popularity was being the antithesis of the nonviolence of Dr. Martin Luther King, giving America the old school Hip-Hop duo Black Sheep’s option, “You can get with this/ Or you can get with that.”
Of course, Malcolm was not the first advocate of Black Power. During the 1830s, according to Vincent Harding in There Is a River, Martin Delany was already advocating Black Nationalism. Nor was Malcolm the only one during his time rejecting the idea of nonviolence. In his book, Negroes With Guns, Robert F. Williams said that as early as 1957, he was strappin’ Black people in Monroe, North Carolina, to protect themselves from the Ku Klux Klan. However, Malcolm X still holds a special spot in the Black psyche.
The spirit of Malcolm X has long been present in Hip-Hop. In 1983, Keith LeBlanc sampled his speeches on “No Sell Out” and Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force shouted him out on “Renegades of Funk.” However, it was during the late ’80s when Hip-Hop became infused with the ideology of Malcolm X courtesy of groups like Public Enemy, so much so that by the early ’90s, the X caps had replaced Kangols as the official Hip-Hop head gear.
So the question in 2012 becomes, why is Hip-Hop producing so many Meek Mills and so few Malcolm Xs ?
Back in the 1970s, the forefathers of rap, “The Last Poets,” released “N*ggers Are Scared of Revolution”, a song that proclaimed that some Black folks will do everything under the sun except engage in rebellion against the system. So, in 2012, are rappers scared of revolution, too?
In his 1963, “Message to the Grassroots,” Malcolm said that “revolution is bloody, revolution is hostile, revolution knows no compromise, revolution overturns and destroys everything that gets in its way…”
For many rappers that may sound like a hot lyric but in reality, that ain’t happenin’. Although many of them claim to love the ‘hood, they ain’t givin’ up their Maybachs for none of ya’ll. Despite all the tough talk and street swagga, few are really willing to commit what Huey P Newton would have called career “revolutionary suicide.”
And on some level, who could blame them?
In the mythos of Hip-Hop culture, if you go out in a blaze of glory like ‘Pac and Biggie you wind up in some Ghetto Heaven and the homies in the ‘hood will be forever pourin’ out liquor and sportin’ T-shirts in your memory. But if you go out fighting the power like Lil Bobby Hutton or Fred Hampton, you will be forgotten a week after the funeral.
After all, although members of the Nation of Islam were convicted for the murder of Malcolm, almost 50 years later we are still no closer to solving the mystery of who really gave the order for the hit than we are solving who killed Pac, Biggie, or Lil’ Pookie from down the block. However, we are left with some clues that have been rarely discussed.
In his book, To Kill a Black Man, Louis Lomax points out how, before his death, “Malcolm X was becoming a major threat to American foreign policy.” He alleged that “the American government, particular the CIA was deeply involved in Malcolm’s death.”
Researcher Steve Cokley has long suggested that we reread the often overlooked page 418 of Alex Haley’s Autobiography of Malcolm X, where Haley revealed that an unnamed “close friend” arranged a meeting with the president of a still unnamed “large private foundation” and the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights section, Burke Marshall, shortly before Malcolm’s death. According to Haley, he was grilled over Malcolm’s “finances” and how his recent trip to Africa had been funded.
Of course, there are some underground Hip-Hop artists today who are spittin’ truth to power like Immortal Technique, New Orleans’ Dee-1, and North C’arolina’s Homebase, but they are few and far between.
Some have suggested that the responsibility of Hip-Hop artists is to make music, not lead movements. Perhaps they are right.
Maybe the revolution won’t come from the rappers but from the writers. What good is a “revolution” if there is no one to explain to the masses who they are revolting against and why they need a “revolution” in the first place. This is especially critical when, since the end of the Civil War, the masses have been continually duped into believing that “we have overcome” and “there is nothing left to fight for. ”
After all it was the “militant minded” journalists who were the original Black freedom fighters in this country. Remember early revolutionists such as Martin Delany and David Walker were writers. It has even been rumored that Nat Turner might have been influenced by “David Walker’s Appeal.” Walker posed such a threat to white supremacy that, according to Dr. James Turner, around 1830 there was a $10,000 bounty placed on his head by a group of wealthy white planters.
Whether it be a rapper or a writer, the world needs another Malcolm.
Someone who is not afraid to grab the mic or the pen and tell the world, that we demand Freedom, Justice and Equality, and we intend to bring it into existence…
“By any means necessary.”
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop,” a column for intelligent Hip-Hop headz. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com, on his website at www.NoWarningShotsFired.com, or on Twitter (@truthminista).
Hip-Hop Rumors: WWE Champion CM Punk Engages In Twitter Beef With Chris Brown!!?!
Add WWE Heavyweight Champion CM Punk to the list of people who have engaged in a Twitter war of words with R&B star Chris Brown! Hours after defending his title against Chris Jericho, R-Truth, The Miz, Kofi Kingston, and Dolph Ziggler last night at The Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View, CM Punk still had some fight left him in and took aim at the singer via Twitter with these words:
It didn’t take long for the easily provoked Brown to respond to the wrestler as he launched back with this:
and then followed up with:
If that wasn’t enough to get people talking, Brown then directed a Tweet towards his former flame Rihanna, wishing her a Happy Birthday using her first name Robyn.
CM Punk has yet to respond, but maybe Vince McMahon can get those two in a Wrestlemania no-holds barred match with Rihanna as the special referee? Let’s get ready to ruuuuuuumble!
Exclusive: Slim from 112’s Candid Interview on “Cruisin'” Through Life, Music Beyond His Famous Group
Since his Billboard Top 10 hit “So Fly” off of his 2008 solo debut Loves Crazy, former 112 Member Slim seems to have been laying low. But, he’s actually been busy putting together his new album.
The former Bad Boy signee gives us a candid look into his thoughts on current R&B stars, a possible 112 return, and the playful water fight he once had with late legend Whitney Houston. Read on for more in AllHipHop.com’s exclusive interview with Slim:
AllHipHop.com: What’s up, Slim? Tell us about your latest mixtape, Cruisin’ Da City.
Slim: Actually, it’s a sample of a whole bunch of things. It’s the progression before you get to my next album, Cruise Control. This mixtape, called Cruisin’ Da City, finds me cruising the city wherever you are. I’m not giving away the whole songs, because I’m really trying to see exactly where I’m going to be at once we start Cruise Control.
When you listen to records, you can tell within the first five to 10 seconds whether you like the song or not. When I put the mixtape together originally, it was supposed to be for my crew; we sit and listen to it. A lot of people said, ‘Why are you holding on to these songs?’ I just decided to put it out. And, it’s been a blessing, man. It exploded.
I got some incredible feedback from it. I was like, wow! The reason why I chose to go this route is because, if you look in the mixtape world, sometimes they’re brutally honest. Sometimes artists have to be checked a little bit. As far as music, and your craft. I’ve been in the game for 15 years, so my skin is very tough. I know the difference between constructive criticism and hate. At the end of the day, I can definitely take in the good.
AllHipHop.com: Why did you call your mxitape Cruisin’ Da City Volume 1? That means we’re getting more mixtapes before the album?
Slim: A lot of people want to know what I’ve been doing. I’m really a studio head. I sit in the studio and I work. I’ve been traveling around the world, and I’ve been in studios all around the world. From Atlanta to Austria to Germany. I’ve been everywhere. I said I’m going to call it volume 1. That’s where I was in my life.
What’s crazy about it is after I dropped the mixtape, two days after it people started coming to me with situations, deals, offers and stuff like that. So now I asked myself, do I start preparing for the album or do I continue to drop these albums? I’m trying to get to a situation, I want to show people the progression. Where I was since I dropped Love’s Crazy to Cruise Control. Until I get Cruise Control together, here we go, just a little sample. I don’t know if I’m going to use one of those records to even be on the album. It’s a blessing how it blew up.
AllHipHop.com: Are you one of the cats that are mad at current R&B?
Slim: [laughter] Not at all. I’m sure when we came out, there were artists that were mad at us. I knew that there would be challengest. When you study music, each style of music sounds different. ’90s don’t sound like ’80s, ’70s don’t sound like ’60s. The sound is totally different.
AllHipHop.com: Are you enjoying your solo run?
Slim: It’s been beautiful. Just making sure the business end benefits me at the end. My first album sold six figures. I made $7 off each record sold. Thats probably more than I made record-wise in a year. It’s been a blessing. It’s something I had to adjust to from being in a group, because in this situation, I had to put on more hats. It was challenge, but it was fun. When you hear Cruise Control, you’ll hear I’ve grown musically. I love taking on these projects. It’s been a learning experience. I’m really working on building the brand of my label, M3, and I’m also looking for a young artist.
Since we came in the game early, we definitely had to grow up. We were 15, 16, coming in from the ’90s when Atlanta wasn’t as musically-inclined as we are right now. Outkast definitely paved the way. We grew up musically in New York. We were from the church. We took that soulful feel and brought it back to New York, and we learned the Hip-Hop feel. My equation for music is still the same thing. Music now is changing every three to six months. The different sounds. It’s amazing. I love it, though, because I’m a true musician. I love the challenge of listening to where the sound is going.
AllHipHop.com: Are we ever going to see a 112 return? Back in 2010, Q tweeted he was in the studio with other members.
Slim: At this time, I would probably say no. Where I am right now, and I love those guys to death, I look at it as you want the legacy to always remain where it is. You see athletes that were incredible at that sport, then try to come back, and they’re not the same way. It diminishes their legacy. We probably made more money than any other group. Every album is platinum or better. This is a business. How many groups are out right now? Exactly. If I’m CEO of a record label, would I sign a group at this time? It’s not the time. That chapter is closed. I enjoyed that situation. I thank God for that opportunity. It’s been a blessing.
As far as artists are concerned, I’ve been working with a lot of people. As far as producers, I’ve been working with Drumma Boy, Bangladesh, Tim & Bob – I’ve been all over the place. I’m honing in on the how I’m going to come out. Right now, I’m in Florida working with Pitbull’s producers. Actually, me and Diddy have been talking. I’m trying to create the sound, and they’re helping me pull the sound. Diddy wants to know how I’m coming out.
In Atlanta, I’m in all different places of the world. What’s interesting is what people consider uptempo now. When we came out, we didn’t see the evolution of 128BPM. You would think Britney Spears is the only one that can do it, but now you’re seeing Usher and Chris Brown. I want to put a twist on that. We’re doing this right now, but how do we implement Hip-Hop and R&B?
AllHipHop.com: Did you enjoy this year’s Grammys?
Slim: The performances were incredible. I love Adele, and I loved Chris Brown’s performance. I also love what the Beach Boys did. Touching on Whitney, for me that was very touching. God knows she’s a legend. She’s in a class by herself. I was blessed to be on tour with Whitney, with 112. We really got to know her. We all knew how cool she was. Artists of her magnitude, you would think would be stuck up – she wasn’t. She was cool. She kicked it with us. While on tour, Whitney’s team played a hot trick on us, telling us MTV was about to be at the park. We dressed up and went to the park, got there and her and her dancers came out with water balloons and jumped on us.
That started a water fight. We ran down the street, found super soakers and had a wild water fight. The next couple of days, Whitney was sick. It was summer time in Albany, New York, but it gets really cold at night – the fight lasted that long. It was in situations like that where she would instill knowledge about longevity. Not letting the industry control you, you control the industry. I took a lot of knowledge from her. I’ve accomplished a lot, we’ve got our Grammys. At the end of the day, I’m very down to earth. I know where my blessings come from.
AllHipHop.com: No doubt. It’s Black History Month. Is there anyone that has specifically inspired you?
Slim: I can name the Fredrick Douglass’, all of the athletes and philanthropists. But, you know who inspires me? President Obama. He’s doing something right now, making leaps and bounds, showing people that you can do whatever you want to do. You can work hard and put yourself in that sitaution. We have a Black man that is the leader of the biggest and strongest country in the world. I make my songs; watch the news. They know their history. In creating legacies, you have to have role models. Understand where we come from, and where we are going. The story of where he came from, a small young boy from Hawaii, was on welfare, Now, he’s our president. If he can dream it, so can you.
AllHipHop.com: Can you give us a date on the release of Cruise Control?
Slim: I can say it will be in 2012. More volumes of Cruisin’ Da City. Trust me when I say you’re definitely going to see progression. Cities are all over the world. If you’re in Spain, Austria, you are cruising the city with Slim. I see Slim is in Cruise Control. When you turn the track on, you’ll feel like you’re with me.
AllHipHop.com: Any final words?
Slim: I just want to thank everybody, and especially you all for concentrating on artists that are positive. Keeping it consistent. The game has changed, and now it’s about being consistent. With consistency, that creates a legacy.
Slim’s mixtape, Cruisin’ Da City, is available for download here.
Muhammad Ali’s 70th Birthday Celebrated In Grand Fashion
A number of stars celebrated boxing legend Muhammad Ali last night (February 18) during a party for his 70th birthday.
Rappers like Sean “Diddy” Combs, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Cee Lo and Common performed at Memory Alive’s 16th annual Power of Love Gala on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment celebrated Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday, while raising funds for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Center.
In addition to the rappers, A-listers like Cindy Crawford, Samuel L. Jackson, David Beckham, Larry King, Quincy Jones, Ken Jeong, Buzz Aldrin, Lenny Kravitz, Anthony Hopkins, John Legend, Joe Perry, Slash, Terrence Howard, Kris Kristofferson and others honored Muhammad Ali.
Stevie Wonder serenaded Muhammad Ali with a “Happy Birthday” song, while Snoop Dogg lead the crowd in chanting “Ali” during his performance of “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?”
Famed boxers Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield and Tommy “Hitman” Hearns joined LL Cool J on stage for “Mama Said Knock You Out.”
Sean Combs, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard and David Beckham gave personal remarks and remembrances, while Lenny Kravitz, Cee Lo Green and Kelly Rowland performed for Ali and the sold-out crowd of about 2,000.
The birthday celebration “Ali 70th From Las Vegas,” will air nationally on ESPN2 on Saturday, Februaryn25, at 10 p.m.
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images:
Whitney Houston Was The Greatest…Why Did She Have To Die To Be Recognized?
We come from nothing. Nobody is perfect. But once you become a star, they never truly recognize you until you are dead. Whitney Houston had an amazing funeral. What a supporting cast of stars, politicians, community leaders, and business execs that attended and shared their love. But where were they when she was alive?
I’m asking the world some questions, and I just want you to think about what I’m saying. Maybe some of you asked the same questions.
- If Whitney was alive and had a birthday on February 18, 2012 instead of a funeral, how many celebrities would have showed up?
- Do you think Kevin Costner would have made time and said half of the nice things he said while Whitney was alive?
- With all of the money Whitney made for Arista Records, if she asked for some financial assistance to help put Bobby Kristina through college, do you think they would have helped her?
- With everything Whitney had been through and overcome, if she wanted to do a program to help girls, what TV stations would have aired it as quickly as they aired her funeral?
- Now they call Whitney a Legend, the Greatest, the Voice. How many told her that while she was alive?
- If Whitney were alive, how many of us would be waiting to see and support the upcoming movie, Sparkle?
- If Whitney were alive, would the Grammy’s have paid the same attention to her?
- Radio stations are playing Whitney’s music, her videos are in rotation, people are buying her albums, but who are the ones truly benefiting from it now?
J. Cole to Judge Amateur Dunk Contest With LeBron, Darryl Dawkins
(AllHipHop News) Rap star J. Cole will make a high profile appearance during this year’s NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando, Florida.
The rapper’s serving as a judge in the finals of The Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown, which was a nationwide search for the best amateur dunker.
J. Cole will be assisted in picking the best new dunker, by Miami Heat All -Star LeBron James and NBA Legend Darryl Dawkins.
The rapper will perform before the final competitors compete for the
$10,000 prize and nationwide recognition.
The competition takes place on Friday, February 24 at 4:25 EST and will be streamed live on NBA.com.
J. Cole performs at 4:00.
Check out the finalists in the amateur slam dunk contest:
Kenny “K. Dobbs” Dobbs:
Kendall “Kasper” Boyd-Hill:
Michael “Airdogg” Stewart:
Zach “Jonesy” Jones:
http://youtu.be/IiLRrvKnlrg
Gorilla Zoe Offers Fans a Chance to Rap on Upcoming Mixtape
(AllHipHop News) Gorilla Zoe is offering fans a chance to rap on his upcoming project, Gorilla Zoe World.
Fans will have their chance to shine on the “Gorilla Zoe World” mixtape hosted by Trap-A-Holics, DJ Smallz & DJ Fernando dropping in March, on LiveMixtapes.com.
Zoe is giving one lucky fan a chance to be featured on the song “Is That U,” to show his appreciation.
In order to participate, artists should download the song “Is That U,” a track produced by Sonny Digital, that includes an open second verse for fans to rap on.
Artists can download the track here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/zmzlm7, after which they should record their own verse and email the entry along with the acapella version here: gorillazoeworld@gmail.com.
Gorilla Zoe will place the best verse on his mixtape, that also includes features appearances from Gucci Mane, Juicy J, Future, 2 Chainz, Project Pat and Shawty Lo.
The contest ends Wednesday February 22.