(AllHipHop News) Police are seeking two suspects in the shooting death of 19-year-old rapper Lil Phat, who was killed last night (June 7) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Two black males are being sought who were “seen running from the locations at the time of the shooting,” said police spokesman Captain Steve Rose told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Police said that Lil Phat, born Melvin Vernell, was shot multiple times in a car that was parked on a the parking deck of Hollis Cobb Drive, near the Northside Hospital Women’s Center.
One suspect was wearing all black, while the other man was described as wearing a red shirt.
Lil Phat was signed to Trill Entertainment, which counts artists like Lil Boosie, Webbie, Fox and others.
Greetings and Salutations, my enlightened ones! TGI….Everyday!
Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to turning your light on! In a world that rewards mediocrity and shuns ambition…. A world that says that there’s only but so many spots for success so wait your turn… A world that is so disproportionately one-sided that we become
conditioned to fight for the same piece of the pie…. It’s no wonder why many of us move through life with our lights dimmed, afraid of what people will think and say!
TURN ON YOUR LIGHTS!! What good is a luxury car that is never driven? What good is a diamond that no one sees? And, what good is your gift if you never unwrap it!? You know the famous Marianne Williamson quote that talks about our fear of being inadequate…. but what about the fear of living a mediocre life? What about the fear of struggling when you don’t really have to? By not shining our lights as bright as we can, we are essentially driving at night in the rain without our high beams on! With life’s many twists and turns, you will eventually crash when you could’ve prevented the damage!
Forget what people say and think!! You are a magnificent being who was put here to maximize your full potential!!! Refuse to be regular and vow that no matter the circumstance, you will give your absolute best in everything you do and never hold anything back!! The world is counting on you to create better balance!! Do what you HAVE to do!! NOTHING CAN STOP YOU!!!!!!
-Ash’Cash
“We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.” -Evelyn Dunbar
“Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?” -Maurice Freehill
“Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” -Chinese Proverb
“Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” -Benjamin Franklin
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” -Anthony J. D’Angelo
“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.” -Blaise Pascal
“It isn’t necessary to blow out the other person’s light to let your own shine.” -Unknown
“Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light.” -Norman B. Rice
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.
Harlem rapper Azealia Banks has parted ways with her powerful manager, Troy Carter, who is also Lady GaGa’s manager. According to the NY Daily News, Banks is now mixing business with pleasure and is being repped by Dave Holmes, who is also her rumored boyfriend.
In an interview with the Hundreds magazine in January, she told the publication, “I’m into older guys, I won’t front.”
An insider says that the 21-year-old rapper has been in a relationship with Holmes for months now and has let their romantic situation influence her business dealings, and that’s what ultimately caused her to part ways with Troy Carter. Holmes, who is in his 40s, also manages the band, Coldplay.
In the same magazine interview, Banks recalled being 17 years old and dating a 57-year-old man who frequented the Starbucks where she worked as a barista, so this relationship should come as no surprise to her fans.
Her debut album, 1991, was released digitally on May 29, and comes out on CD and vinyl Tuesday.
R&B singer Luke James, who recently opened up for Beyonce’ during her three-day Memorial Day weekend concerts in Atlantic City, has just released a video for his song “Mo’ Better Blues”.
There’s no doubt about it – Luke James is likely to be the next hot commodity. With a strong, yet soothing voice, this Def Jam-signee might be one event away from becoming a household name.
WATCH: CNN Health and Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Special Coverage of our “Dunk The Junk Atlanta” event on CNN – Saturday, June 16 at 4:30PM EST.
“As much as I used to stay in detention, I never thought I’d have a mural in my honor.”
Killer Mike was beaming as he laughed over his own words outside Emma Hutchinson Elementary School in his hometown of Atlanta. He was being immortalized by “Dunk The Junk’s” graffiti artist, Mike Rich, at the school – for being an outspoken rapper, a community pillar, and a guy who simply cares. The feeling in the air at the school was festive…but the reason for the day was much more serious.
The special guests – including Killer Mike, Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN Health, NBA legend Dominique Wilkins, an Atlanta Hawks exhibition team, NCAA Dunk Champion Jacob Tucker. – were there to save lives by combating childhood obesity.
CNN Health and Dr. Sanjay Gupta were on-hand to chronicle the unique “Dunk The Junk” model for partnering Hoops (the exciting dunking exhibition held at each event) with Hip-Hop (via AllHipHop.com and City for Change) and Health Research (via Black Thought’s GrassROOTS Community Foundation) to educate children about nutrition and dispel some of the myths around sugar and fat.
Dominique Wilkins, Dunk The Junk founder Dr. Kevin Strong and Killer Mike
Partners such as AllHipHop.com/City for Change, and GrassROOTS Community Foundation – aimed at enriching the lives of under-served women and girls in Philadelphia, Newark, NJ, and around the country – have helped to bring much-needed media attention and grassroots support to the nutrition/exercise causes championed by people such as First Lady Michelle Obama.
Killer Mike and his rap lifestyle have added up over the years. He’s a massive man – just the right size to back up the intensity of his lyrics on albums such as the brand-new R.A.P. Music, and his acclaimed PL3DGE series.
Killer Mike and Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN Health
Health-wise, however, Killer Mike knew his size could get the best of him someday. So he committed recently to making a change – and since then, he’s lost 20 pounds and counting. (Go Mike!) He spoke with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta at the event about his own health challenges, and what’s been helping him lose weight lately: “Y’all can thank my girl for that.”
The young students at Emma Hutchinson Elementary School may not have realized all of the star power that had been assembled to help drive home the healthy points. But they knew there were adults who cared, that there was a ton of “catching air” by the stunt dunkers, and that certain everyday, sugary processed foods and drinks will do major damage to them in the short and long runs.
Emma Hutchinson Elem. School Students – Atlanta, GA
As for Killer Mike’s advice to the kids (which included NOT focusing on becoming a rapper): “I didn’t eat right all the time, and I got fat. But I’m working on losing weight now…Do well in school, be smart, be healthy, but most of all…BE RIGHT!”
His “don’t rap” stance fell on deaf ears for a few students, though. A fearsome rap foursome from the school – The Shorties – performed their own lyrics about “dunking the junk,” and elicited squeals from their peers and a few possible rap deals in the future from Killer Mike and AllHipHop.com in the process. In the end, the students were left excited, more educated, and hopefully healthier over time.
Check out the exclusive video of CNN Health’s Dr. Sanja Gupta as he talks to AllHipHop.com about why the Hip-Hop community is so important to the healthy youth fight:
WATCH: CNN Health and Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Special Coverage of our “Dunk The Junk” event on CNN, Saturday, June 16 at 4:30PM EST.
To learn more about “Dunk The Junk,” click HERE. To support Black Thought’s GrassROOTS Community Foundation, click HERE.
(AllHipHop News) Angela Simmons is diversifying her business portfolio, with the launch of a new hair extension company.
Simmons has teamed with Indiqué Hair, to release the “Bikini” line of hair extensions.
Simmons said she named the line “Bikini,” because of the beachy texture of her first product.
“To me, hair is a statement and an extension of your wardrobe and I’ve always been drawn to fashion and being able to change-up my look,” said Angela Simmons, who is the daughter of pioneering Hip-Hop Reverend Run, of Run-DMC.
“This partnership seemed natural, much like the naming of Bikini,” Simmons continued. “A Bikini is the staple piece during the hot summer months or while on vacation, and the name perfectly describes the beachy texture of my first hair-line.”
According to reps for Indiqué Hair, the line of hair extensions created by Angela Simmons has never been created by any hair extension company before.
“We’ve always admired Angela’s fashion sense and ever-changing hairstyles,” added Ericka Dotson, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Indiqué Hair. “But it wasn’t until we worked with her 1-on-1 during the development of the product that we realized just how creative and business savvy she is.”
Angela Simmons’s Bikini line of hair extensions are due in stores on June 21.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to CancerCare.
(AllHipHop News) Analysts are projecting that major label debuts from both Curren$y and Big K.R.I.T., who released their albums this past Tuesday (June 5), will move between 40,000 and 45,000 units. Curren$y’s The Stoned Immaculate and K.R.I.T.’s Live From the Underground have both received stellar reviews however the lack of radio promotion and singles have visibly resulted in the lack of sales for both Warner Bros. Music and Def Jam. Album sales in general were down nine percent from the same week last year according to HDD.
Following a week of non-stop media resulting from her no-show at Hot 97’s Summer Jam concert this past weekend, Young Money artist Nicki Minaj’s sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, has been certified gold with over 508,000 copies sold since its release two months ago. The album has produced the singles “Right By My Side” with Chris Brown, “Beez In the Trap” with 2 Chainz, and “Starships” which has already sold over two million digital singles worldwide.
Following their last album, 2010’s Rise Up, Earlier this week, multi-platinum selling Hip-Hop group Cypress Hill released a new collaborative EP with dubstep producer Rusko titled Cypress x Rusko. AOL Music was tasked with streaming the five-track EP which you can listen to here. Cypress x Rusko features a single guest appearance which comes from Nas’ Distant Relatives partner, Damian Marley. In early March, group member Sen-Dog told Rolling Stone of the genre-bending collaboration, “I think dubstep is a natural progression of Hip-Hop…Especially the way that we formulated it with Rusko. There’s definitely some roughness to it.” The vinyl version of Cypress x Ruskowill be available on July 13.
With his first major label release, The Stoned Immaculate, Curren$y has delivered a well-rounded album that rarely breaks the formula the New Orleans spitter has mastered over his many past projects.
Kicking off with the Wale-featured and Bink!-produced “What It Look Like,” the album’s first single grabs your attention immediately with its harp, strings and piano keys soulfully providing a welcome backdrop for Curren$y and his MMG guest star to do their respective things. “We smoke loud, might have to get your ears checked out, after your hoes leave the Jets hang out,” raps Spitta on the track.
Following The Stoned Immaculate‘s first collaboration are two solid tracks, “Privacy Glass”, and the Monsta Beatz-produced “Armoire” which features fellow Jet Life Recordings members, Young Roddy and Trademark, both holding their own against their “boss”; however, after the first few records, The Stoned Immaculate really kicks into high gear.
Some of the album’s strongest tracks rest within its mid-section with records like the Marsha Ambrosius-assisted “Take You There,” “Showroom” and “Capitol,” which features 2 Chainz, all portraying different sides of Spitta, yet containing the cool, calm and collected rhymes that his fans have come to love him for. “Smoking something as strong as my vivid imagination, I don’t see nothing wrong with love being naked, out this world whips my car a space station, my life is a trip my crib a vacation,” he raps on “Take You There.”
“No Squares,” features a score sample from the Playstation game God Of War, finds Curren$y reuniting with his How Fly partner Wiz Khalifa on one of two collaborations between the two MC’s on The Stoned Immaculate, and is one of the album’s strongest cuts, with both rappers preaching about their success and all the ways they get them: “no square shall enter into the circle of winners.”
The Neptunes-produced “Chasin Paper,” which also features Pharrell, is another standout followed by two of the best songs on The Stoned Immaculate which are also the album’s closing tracks, “Fast Cars” with Daz Dillinger and “Jet Life” with Big K.R.I.T. and Wiz Khalifa.
The production on The Stoned Immaculate is also top-notch despite frequent collaborator Ski Beatz being absent from the project. Ski, who has helped mold and develop the sound that Curren$y has become known for on his past projects, with all of their morphing samples and instrumentation, is “replaced” by such talent as J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Big K.R.I.T., The Futuristiks and a gang of others that help the MC pick up, soundwise, where Ski left off.
Overall, The Stoned Immaculate delivers, and for those that thought Curren$y might lose some of that independent “swag” by signing with Warner Bros., you can breathe a collective sigh of relief. If anything, the major label home, backing, and support may have just provided fans with a more refined-sounding album than they’ve heard from him in the past, and it surely will not disappoint his legion of old fans – or the ones who may be discovering Spitta for the first time with this album.
Excitement, surprises, and camaraderie. Those are three words that describe the energy and essence of the backstage artist area during HOT 97’s annual Summer Jam concert. From G.O.O.D. Music’s Pusha-T having a conversation with Fat Joe, to Rick Ross walking around shirtless, and French Montana patrolling the halls with his massive entourage, you never know what you’re going to witness.
Mix in a little Ma$e posing for photos with Childish Gambino, and Big Sean hanging out with Wale, and that’s just a glimpse of what AllHipHop.com caught on camera behind-the-scenes at Hot 97’s Summer Jam.
Check out the exclusive video below from backstage at Hot 97’s Summer Jam 2012.
To read about the full backstage play-by-play at Summer Jam 2012 – read the story here
Known for his thrilling live performances, guitarist Gary Clark, Jr., recently held a show in New York at The Darby hosted by Q-Tip and ?uestlove and presented by Puma and Grey Goose.
Clark has attracted fans from the likes of Leonardo Dicaprio, Pharell Williams, Swizz Beatz, Mike Kaiser, Andre Harrell, Estelle, Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith, Ali Muhammed of Tribe Called Quest, Ryan Leslie, Andrew Keegan, Zoe Saldana, Maxwell, Gabe Saptora of Cobra Starship, and many more, who were all in attendance at his showcase.
Check the some event video from Gary Clark Jr. in NYC below:
(AllHipHop News) Today (June 7th) the three-day Hip-Hop festival in Atlanta, Georgia, known as A3C, announced its first round of artists, as well as a few showcases that will take place during the festival.
Artists Tech N9ne, Yelawolf, Hopsin, Gunplay, Oddisee, Chris Webby and Skyzoo will be among hundreds of artists who will take the stage along side several artist showcases.
Indie label Funk Volume will feature artists Hopsin, Dizzy Wright, SwizZz and Atlanta’s own Jarren Benton, while the Supahotbeats x DJBooth.net showcase includes Tech N9ne, STS, Emilio Rojas, Smoke (of Field Mob), Nikkiya, Ryatt, Input, Shawty Fatt, Big Page, Jackie Chain, Rittz, Diamond, Chris Webby and a special appearance by Ghet-O-Vision/Shady recording artist Yelawolf.
Mellow Music Group’s showcase features up-and-comer Oddisee accompanied by a live band, Apollo Brown with a special guest, Diamond District, yU and Slimkat78 as The 1978ers and Gensu Dean.
Other confirmed acts include OCD: Moosh & Twist, Boldy James, Soul Khan, Torae and Wordsworth
Over 10 artists have been selected via ReverbNation and Sonicbids submissions, to perform as part of A3C’s dedication to discovering new talent.
The chosen artists include Chaundon, Kepstar, Nova The Rebel, SK4MC, Phene, Nike Nando, Felony Fame, Eric Biddines, Skoolie Escobar and Mani Coolin’.
A3C will continue to accept artists’ submissions through both websites until August 31.
Last year’s festival included artists Big Daddy Kane, Big K.R.I.T., Dead Prez, Action Bronson, Random Axe, Freddie Gibbs, XV, Freeway, Fashawn, G-Eazy, GLC, Murs, 9th Wonder, Ying Yang Twins, Smoke DZA, Saigon, M.O.P., Jean Grae and hundreds of other hungry artists, looking for their break.
Three-day passes for the 2012 A3C Hip Hop Festival are on sale now through the A3C website for $33 until August 1, 2012.
Remember that naked video that Badu supposedly released over the last weekend, by way of the Flaming Lips? Well, we thought she co-signed it, but anything could farther from the facts. She dissed them for a display of tastelessness that confused everybody. We can’t play this video on AHH, but is is definitely mad lewd content, nudity, blood and seemingly even semen. YUCK. Her sister appears completely nude in the whole video.
“You showed me a concept of beautiful tasteful imagery (by way of vid text messages). I trusted that. I was mistaken,” she wrote. “Then u release an unedited, unapproved version within the next few days. That all spells 1 thing, Self Serving. When asked what the concept meant after u explained it, u replied, ‘It doesn’t mean anything, I just want to make a great video that everyone is going to watch.’ I understood, because as an artist we all desire that. But we don’t all do it at another artist’s expense…you begged me to sit in a tub of that other sh*t and I said naw. I refused to sit in any liquid that was not water. But out of RESPECT for you and the artist you ‘appear’ to be, I didn’t wanna kill your concept…sooo, I invited Nayrok, my lil sis and artist, who is much more liberal [than I], to be subject of those other disturbing (to me) scenes. I told u from jump that I believed your concept to be disturbing. But [I] would give your edit a chance. You then said u would take my shots (in clear water/ fully covered parts -seemed harmless enough) and Nayrok’s part (which I was not present for but saw the photos and a sample scene of cornstarch dripping ) and edit them together along with cosmic, green screen images ( which no one saw) then would show me the edit. Instead, u disrespected me by releasing pics and rough vid on the internet without my approval. (Contract breech) That is equivalent to putting out a security camera’s images of me changing in the fitting room.”
“As a human I am disgusted with your what appears to be desperation and poor execution. And disregard for others,” she continued. “As a director I am unimpressed. As a sociologist I understand your type. As your fellow artist I am uninspired. As a woman I feel violated and underestimated…you can KISS MY Glittery A**. O and Nayrok told me to tell u to kiss her a** too.”
AllHipHop.com Breeding Ground artist Chevy Woods recently released a new mixtape, Gangland, which is the follow-up to his last project The Cookout.
The 23-track Taylor Gang presented mixtape features appearances from the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, Tuki Carter, Lola Monroe, Soulja Boy, Trae the Truth, and Young Jerz.
Production on Gangland was handled by Track Sounds, Lex Luger, I.D. Labs, Cardo, Sonny Digital, Harry Fraud, and more.
“Some people follow the blueprint of success better than other people,” 50 Cent says after being asked about a recent press conference with Rick Ross. No big shots were thrown but, 50 made it clear that he’s a pioneer, Hip-Hop’s attention span be damned. The end of the day is not yet here, but at the end of the day 50 Cent has impacted Hip-Hop, culture, music and business in a way that few will ever do. He revolutionized the way mixtapes were received, embraced the internet early and made money at rate that dwarfs his contemporaries. True story.
But what about actual lives? Since he forcibly came in the game, a good part his M.O. was tearing rappers up, whether they are former associates like Young Buck and The Game or adversaries like Ja Rule, Rick Ross and Cam’ron. These days, surprisingly, 50 Cent is looking beyond music and the seeking a higher level of impact. “Nothing [I achieve legacy-wise] is going to be done based on a song. When you achieve enough success, you do a little bit of soul searching. And you’ll start to figure out what’s really important to you. Most people will come up with happiness…after enough thinking.” Social change is on 50 Cent’s mind and he’s spreading this gospel to friends like boxing champ Floyd Mayweather.
Also, DJ Drama – who also listened intently – explains how he’s expanding his monumental brand though outlets like DramaliketheDJ.com and navigating in and out of ever-present Hip-Hop beefs. We’ve got another conversation on deck with Drama, for fans of the Philly King.
A must-hear, must read interview until the very end.
(AllHipHop News) Following this week’s release of Curren$y’s The Stoned Immaculate and with a number of releases from their stable of artists on deck, Warner Bros. Music has released their Occupy Summer compilation for free.
Occupy Summer includes a number of well-known tracks from Warner Bros. recording artists like Wale, Curren$y, Meek Mill, Stalley, Waka Flocka, and Kirko Bangz.
Some of Warner Bros. upcoming releases include Waka Flocka’s Triple F Life: Friends, Fans and Family which hits stores next Tuesday (June 12) and Meek Mill’s debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, on August 28.
Kirko Bangz is currently recording his debut album for Warner while Stalley, who is signed to Maybach Music Group along with Wale and Meek Mill, released his Savage Journey to the American Dream at the end of March 2012.
The free Occupy Summer can be downloaded here. Check out the tracklisting below:
01. Curren$y – What It Look Like ft. Wale
02. Curren$y – Fast Cars Faster Women ft. Daz Dillinger
03. Meek Mill – I’m Rollin’
04. Meek Mill – Lean Wit It
05. Wale – Bag Of Money ft. Rick Ross, Meek Mill & T-Pain
06. Waka Flocka Flame – Round Of Applause ft. Drake
07. Waka Flocka Flame – I Don’t Really Care ft. Trey Songz
08. Kirko Bangz – Drank In My Cup (Remix) ft. 2 Chainz & Juelz Santana
09. Kirko Bangz – That Pole
10. Wale – Slight Work ft. Big Sean
11. Stalley – Party Heart ft. Rick Ross & 2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky was in London at the Camden Electric Ballroom last night (June 6) when the young Harlem rapper decided to stage dive. One of his British fans had a case of the sticky fingers and stole A$AP’s $15,000 Rolex watch right off of his wrist.
When the “Goldie” rapper noticed that his watch was gone, he sent his A$AP Mob into the stands to find the thief.
“Does it look like I’m playing right now?” A$AP asked the crowd as the house lights went on. “We not gon’ end our show just ’cause somebody took a $15,000 watch. F*ck it, man.”
Moments later, the rollie and its thief were discovered, and A$AP began yelling out, “F*ck that ni**a up, f*ck him. Beat his ass!”
That “fan” sure did have some courage to steal Pretty Flocka’s watch right off of his wrist in the middle of a show! Talk about having some balls!
