(AllHipHop News)Deadline is reporting that rapper T.I., who is no stranger to the acting world, has been cast as a bounty hunter in director Seth Gordon’s new Universal Pictures film, Identity Theft.
Identity Theft, which stars comedians Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses) and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), is the story of a man, played by Bateman, who has his identity stolen.
T.I. will play a bounty hunter who is after both Bateman and McCarthy, who eventually become allies on the run, despite McCarthy’s character being the culprit behind Bateman’s stolen identity.
Currently, T.I. can be seen on the second season of his VH1 reality show, “T.I. and Tiny’s Family Hustle,” as well as in a guest role on the Starz original series, “Boss.” His previous film roles include Takers, American Gangster, and ATL.
Identity Theft also stars Jon Favreau (Swingers), Jon Cho (Harold and Kumar) and Clark Duke (Kick-Ass).
MTV2 will premiere its first episode of “Hip-Hop Squares” at 11 pm tonight (May 22), the network’s reinvented take on one of the most iconic game shows of all time, “Hollywood Squares.”
AllHipHop.com visited the set of “Hip-Hop Squares” and chopped it up with a number of talents from MTV2’s brand new game show, which will feature artists, actors, comedians, and personalities such as Ghostface Killah, Kat Graham, Fat Joe, Childish Gambino, Common, Machine Gun Kelly, Method Man, Damien Lemon, and many, many more.
Hip-Hop icon and Strange Music founder, Tech N9ne, spoke with AllHipHop.com about his involvement with the show, saying, “I think it’s beautiful that they would call on independent artists like myself and Mac Miller to come be seen ’cause my movement is underground. It’s bubbling into the mainstream but it’s an underground movement so to be a part of something like this is a wonderful thing.”
Comedian Donnell Rawlings, most famously known for his role as “Ashy Larry” on “Chappelle’s Show” and a current star of MTV2’s “Guy Code”, was ecstastic to tell AllHipHop.com about what he saw as the big draw: “They paying me motherf*cker! I think they’re putting a lot of money behind getting everybody to know about it, and it’s a funny show.
“Everybody knows “Hollywood Squares” with Whoopi Goldberg as the center square, but now to flip it and have the Hip-Hop version of it is very cool, and I think it’s a good way to introduce some of the younger kids to a show that’s been so iconic for years,” Rawlings noted.
We asked a number of the new “Squares,” including DJ Khaled, Method Man, Biz Markie, Vinny from “Jersey Shore”, and LaMarr Woodley from the Pittsburgh Steelers, about their favorite game-show memories. They also filled us in on why they’re excited to be a part of “Hip-Hop Squares“, and what show they think deserves to be “Hip-Hopified.”
Check out our exclusive behind-the-scenes video below:
MTV2’s Hip-Hop Squares premieres tonight (May 22) at 11 PM EST.
Editor’s Note: “Feel Rich” is our partnership with QD3, the talented son of music legend Quincy Jones. “Feel Rich” is all about creating a healthy lifestyle for Hip-Hop culture – both the artists and the fans. Enjoy!
Charli Baltimore, Grammy nominated rapper and Hip-Hop diva, sat down with her daughter, Sianni, to talk to Feel Rich about eating healthy and what an impact it has had on her career.
Sianni and Charli give us their real opinions and ideas about eating healthy and how hard it can be to make good choices. Charli tells it like it is and gives us her no-nonsense approach to parenting.
Here are 11 fast foods that will keep you looking like Taye Diggs instead of Cee Lo. The best news of all– none of these is a salad.
McDonald’s – Go for grilled food and skip the fries.
Chicken McGrill – This will build some serious muscle if you’re also working out right. Mess with this one after working out, but drop the mayo.
Hamburger – This is a smaller meal you can eat on the cheap. If you’re really hungry, make it a double, but make sure to toss the bread.
KFC – Chicken is supposed to be healthy, but when it gets battered, fried, and dipped in sauce, it makes Aunt Jemima’s maple syrup look like Slim Fast.
Original Recipe Sandwich – It ain’t a big bucket of greasy chicken, and it still fills you up. It’s cheaper, too. Hard to argue with that. Get it without sauce.
Honey BBQ Sandwich – Another healthier alternative to the finger-lickin’ madness of batter-fried, heart-attack-in-a-bucket.
Grilled Chicken– With fewer calories and fat grams than other options, this is your best bet for a quick meal that won’t undo all your hard work.
Subway – Choose wheat or oat bread. They’re both better for you than white bread, and they’ll fill you up quickly. Skip the mayo and ranch, and go for oil and vinegar.
5. 6″ Roasted Chicken Breast – It has a ton of protein and can really fill you up. To add more flavor to your sandwich, throw on tons of vegetables on top and add a little oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
6. 6” Roast Beef – If you can’t do plain chicken, here’s some meat for ya. Grab as much roast beef as you want. It’s healthy without tasting anything like cardboard.
7. 6” Turkey Breast – One of the lowest calorie foods that still has meat, so stock up.
Taco Bell
Grilled Chicken Burrito – When you’re sick of burgers, this may be one of the best. Tons of meat and not a lot of fat.
Carl’s Jr.
Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich – Less fat AND more protein. That means more for your guns and less for your gut.
In N Out – If you gotta have some meat, this is the place to go. With tons of choices and less fat than the rest, this is a top pick.
Double Hamburger without mayo – The burgers here aren’t as fatty, so you can get away with a double every once in a while– just watch the sauce. Even better: order it protein style – ditch the bread and top it with grilled onions and vegetables.
All of the above meal choices are high in protein and lower in fat and carbs. This means they’re better for your muscles, and won’t end up on your belly. Skip the extra oils, dressings, and sauces. A little won’t kill you, but too much might.
It is always better to stick to the sandwich, and skip the meals. The soda and fries will turn a healthy meal bad real fast. Go for water, milk, or a Diet Coke instead of soda, and fruit or salad instead of fries. If you must have it, SMALL is the way to go.
(AllHipHop News) David Banner has taken to the Internet to release his new album, Sex, Drugs & Video Games for free, with hopes that those that download the album will also donate $1 to his 2M1 Movement.
In Banner’s own words, “The 2M1 Movement is to start controlling our own music, movies, and content…period! We are not simply characters in a video game being controlled by the invisible hand. Once the goal is met, I’m going to shoot a movie that will drop May 22nd, 2012, and a portion will go to charity.”
Banner assembled a well-known array of guest features for his new 20-track independent album, some of which include Big K.R.I.T., A$AP Rocky, Chris Brown, Bun B, Don Trip, Snoop Dogg, Game, Nipsey Hussle, Ras Kass, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, and more.
Production on Sex, Drugs & Video Games comes from David Banner himself, as well as Mr. Lee, M Phazes, Swiff D, THX, and Hector Delgado.
AllHipHop.com spoke with David Banner today (May 22) as he traveled across New York City to promote the album’s debut, where he noted that he hopes people – especially naysayers – will grasp the concept behind his unique fundraising, album-selling venture. He says his mission is to spotlight world-class artists over his production, raise $1 per album for charity and an upcoming movie project, and have an army of two million people who will work together on social issues when called upon.
“Part of the problem – before we address the movement – is how we feel about ourselves. And that’s part of Sex, Drugs, and Video Games. For the amount of quality I’m giving? All those beats from a Grammy Award-winning producer, all those features, all those videos? Just on the concept alone, they should support,” said Banner.
About his continued goal of creating music that he can be proud of, he said, “I’m just being honest with you. I make the beats for a lot of the hits that people like. I know what to say. It just don’t sit right in my soul no more. It don’t. Even if I’m one of the people that has done the stuff they’re talking about, it don’t feel right. It just don’t feel right.
“The [album] interludes are very important – that’s what really tied this album together. At the end of the album, I said, ‘If I’m the only one that does this, then that’s fine,” he added.
“The goal of Sex, Drugs & Video Games is to show the world urban music is still valuable. And how am I going to do that? Well, I’m glad you asked. I need two million of you to download this free independent album, then I need the same two million of you to donate at least $1 to the movement, but feel free to donate more! There is no maximum donation, and you can even donate now,” he encouraged on his website.
Visit David Banner’s official website, or click the button below to support the 2M1 Movement.
(AllHipHop News) Recently-signed G.O.O.D. Music rapper 2 Chainz, famed for his T.R.U. Realigion mixtape and the song “Spend It”, was arrested today (May 22) at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
According to TMZ, 2 Chainz was detained at approximately 1:45PM for allegedly carrying a set of brass knuckles. The rapper, born Tauheed Epps, was entering the Delta terminal for a flight to North Carolina when TSA found the weapon in his bag.
Upon finding the brass knuckles, police were called and Chainz was taken into custody for misdemeanor possession of a criminal weapon.
At press time, 2 Chainz was still in custody with the New York police.
(AllHipHop News) The Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual and Transexual community is seeking answers from rapper Action Bronson after a series of controversial Tweets centered around an Instagram photo he posted this week.
While Action has since clarified his comments on the photo and its caption, several outspoken members of the LGBT community have expressed their displeasure with Action Bronson’s words.
“Close up of Drunk Mexican Tranny after Bes poured a Bottle of water on its head,” Action Bronson said in his caption via his Instagram account, ActionBronson.
Now, in response to an outpouring of comments on the photo, Bronson has defended himself, asserting that he is not “anti-LGBT.”
“I don’t hate anyone. I like to laugh. He/She should be ashamed of He/She Self for giving y’all a bad wrap.ind u it was laying on the floor,” Bronson proclaimed. “In front of the Train Station. I’m only a documentarian of this event.”
Action Bronson is not the first rapper to ruffle a few feathers throughout the LGBT community over the past few years, as several rappers have faced scrutiny in the media for their remarks about those choosing an alternative lifestyle or sexual preference.
However, Action Bronson isn’t sorry for having posted the picture saying, “It’s simple. U don’t like what I say then don’t pay attention.
“If u DONT wanna get p##### on spit on and put on Instagram DONT GET DRUNK TO THE POINT U CANT STAND OR TALK,” he continued via Twitter.
Action Bronson summed up his thoughts on the situation by posting a candid photo for all those detractors unhappy with his comments, saying, “F**K YOU HATER.”
(Rumors) Wow. In a weird, morbid way, its refreshing to hear rumors that Drake has cancelled two dates on his Club Paradise tour. The sad part is that, I am hearing that is grand mother is very sick and that the super star rapper has gone to take care of her. The dates in North Carolina and Virgina have been deaded so that he can be with the family. I don’t really know much more. In fact, this is still the stuff of rumors. Hoping his family is strong in this time of need. Respect for Drake for not being sucked up in the evil music matrix…all the way.
This is a good rumors, whether it should happen to be real or not. A Rapper MAY care about something other than money. Good money!
ACL 2012, which expects to attract over 70,000 attendees each day and is headlined by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young, and the Black Keys, will also include performances from the legendary Roots crew, Childish Gambino, Big K.R.I.T., A-Trak, Barrington Levy, and 2011 Grammy Award-winner for Best New Artist, Esperanza Spalding, who last played the festival in 2009.
Spalding and A-Trak will be performing on Friday, October 12, while Big K.R.I.T. and The Roots are slated to appear on Saturday, October 13. Childish Gambino and Barrington Levy will help close out ACL 2012 on the festival’s last day, Sunday, October 14.
Other acts that will play at ACL 2012 include Jack White, Florence + the Machine, The Avett Brothers, Weezer, Bassnectar, Dev, M83, and over 70 other performers from around the world. View the entire lineup over at ACLFestival.com.
Past ACL performers have included Jay-Z, Gnarls Barkley, Mos Def, Kanye West, K’Naan, Nas, Theophilus London, and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. All three-day passes for this year’s ACL have already sold out. Individual day tickets can still be purchased for $99 at ACLFestival.com.
Multi-platinum rap producer, Drumma Boy has announced that he is making an attempt at unifying the city of Memphis with his latest mixtape, Welcome to My City 2.
With the rapid rise of artists like Three 6 Mafia, Yo Gotti, Don Trip, and others, Drumma Boy looks to shine light on a city he feel’s was overshadowed in the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors last year.
“Welcome to My City, first and foremost, is the unification process of Memphis. It’s like bringing the city together. Welcome To My City was inspired by Memphis being left out of and not being mentioned at VH1 Hip Hop Honors… I was like damn… How can Hip Hop Honors overlook Memphis?” Drumma Boy told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview.
“Many say it’s no unity here in Memephis, so I took it upon myself to create that unity through this Mixtape. By getting the hottest artist Memphis has to offer, new and established. I wanted to musically Welcome the world to my city,” he added.
Drumma attributes a lack of knowledge as a reason why many in the industry haven’t given Memphis its due credit in his eyes.
“A lack of knowledge, many not knowing Memphis history, lack of indie artists from the M not traveling and repping the city worldwide, is the reason Memphis has gone unnoticed,” Drumma Boy continued.
Drumma Boy is currently working on a new mixtape with DJ Paul titled Clash Of Da Titans, T.I.’s new album, 2Chainz’ new album, and Chris Brown’s album, along with new Jeezy projects in the works as well.
For more information on Drumma Boy’s Memphis unity project, visit Live Mixtapes.com to check it out.
The spirits industry has invaded and profited from what we listen to on the way to work, as well as on our way out for good times. It’s an ingenious plan to invade lyrics with withy, catchy, marketing phrases describing what should fill your cups or glass. After all, it works with clothing, shoes, and even makeup right? On the flip side one has to wonder if the Hip- Hop community is well read, or just well versed from verses, when it comes to their drink choices.
Will you only sip on something because your favorite artist is, too?
Let’s look at Moscato, for instance. This sweet wine has made its way into upbeat hits, making it an instant hit with some who never would partake in wine before. A dessert wine with dinner, or at any time for that matter – that seems to be all that matters now. Just recently, Nelly’s crew, The St. Lunatics, announced their plans to market “Freaky Muscato.” Can Hip-Hop make anything cool, even if it’s out of its usual context? Some may the answer to that is a resounding YES.
Then, as we look at the various popular liquors, Diddy’s Ciroc, Luda’s Conjure, Grey Goose, and Patron, if they say drink it… millions are running to their local liquor stores and V.I.P. club sections to do just that. Maybe you just so happen to love vodka, tequila, or cognac, or maybe you believe in the celebrities’ brands so much you have to try whatever they put out. It could be a mix of both, just as you might mix Ciroc with orange juice, Grey Goose with pineapple, or Conjure with Coke, to get your favorite drink.
Making money in music is about marketing. How else doers a rapper end up with millions of fans, or millions of dollars in endorsements? Yet and still, some may not take the time to learn about what they hear about in their favorite songs. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, more so of an example of the power the music industry holds, even outside of music.
What’s your favorite drink? Is it musically inspired?
Tawni Fears is a freelance writer and contributor to AllHipHop.com. Follow her on Twitter (@brwnsugaT).
(AllHipHop News) The sixth day of testimony continued in the Federal drug trial of James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond, in Brooklyn, New York today (May 22).
Rosemond is accused of masterminding a $10 million-per-year cocaine operation, that imported hundreds of kilos of cocaine per week into New York.
Prosecutors claim that millions in cash was laundered through various companies controlled by Rosemond.
Today in court, testimony continued from a variety of prosecution witnesses.
The case agent assigned to the Rosemond investigation, Marc Van Driessche, testified today.
Agent Van Driessche investigated Rosemond starting in 2008, until his arrest in June 21, 2011, at a W Hotel after a month-long, nationwide manhunt.
Since then, Rosemond has met with authorities nine different times in an attempt to reach a cooperation agreement with the government.
After his arrest, Rosemond’s first meeting with prosecutors took place on October 4, 2011.
Agent Van Driessche said he attended a meeting with two prosecutors, agents, and an attorney representing Rosemond.
It was during this session that Rosemond admitted that he was a co-conspirator in the cocaine case.
During his first meeting with authorities, Rosemond admitted that he e-mailed an associate named Jason Williams on an encrypted Blackberry, so the pair could pick up “one of them things.”
Later, the two men went to an auto body shop in Newark, New Jersey, where an illegal trap was being fitted on to a black Dodge charger.
Rosemond picked up the charger and went to the LeFrak Housing Projects in Queens, where he received up a kilo of cocaine.
He then met with an associate named Winston “Winnie” Harris, who had already began cooperating with the DEA and was wearing a wire, with agents listening in.
“He was surprised Winston didn’t have the money, but he instructed Jason to handover a kilo of cocaine anyway,” agent Van Driessche testified.
Rosemond said that when he returned, he noticed police entering into his building, so he fled.
In the Proffer Agreement, Rosemond said he later he received a call from someone in Jamaica, who revealed that Winston Harris had been cooperating with authorities.
Rosemond put “two and two together” and fled Brooklyn for the Gowanus Housing Projects, where he spent the night in a staircase hiding from authorities.
Rosemond then made it to a hotel in Brooklyn, borrowed a white BMW from a family member, and traveled to Virginia, where he met up with Jason Williams.
Later in the evening, Rosemond said he traveled to Miami alone by train, where he had his housekeeper to remove $25,000 in cash.
“We didn’t know what happened to the defendant after police entered his apartment in New York,” agent Van Driessche testified.
In the Proffer Agreement, Rosemond also acknowledged he was aware of the $1.2 million stashed in a music crate at Smash Studios, which was going to be delivered to criminal associates in California.
According to agent Van Driessche, Rosemond admitted that in 2010 alone, two associates in the conspiracy provided him almost 500 kilos of cocaine.
He also admitted that he gave a connect named Lamont Bennett $300,000 in cash to settle a cocaine debt.
Van Driessche testified that Rosemond complained that he was going to be forced to sell one kilo at a time, until his money was back up, since he lost hundreds-of-thousands due to seizures of packages.
Rosemond’s publicist issued an official statement to AllHipHop.com about the testimony today:
“As an official publicist for Jimmy for many years, I’ve been listening in on the trial,” Rosemond’s publicist, Sabrina Stowe de Fernandez, told AllHipHop.com. “Since day one, his defense attorney admitted that Jimmy apparently lied during proffering sessions. The prosecutors took the deal off the table and is basically trying to bring those lies into the case as evidence.”
(AllHipHop News) The recent backlash surrounding Grammy Award-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco’s new single, “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)”, may have been unexpected when his first offering from Food & Liquor 2 was released last night (May 21).
Pete Rock, who produced “T.R.O.Y.” in 1992 as a dedication to Troy “Trouble” Dixon of Heavy D and the Boyz, has taken to Twitter to lash out at the label and producers who were behind the sampling done on “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free).”
Pete Rock took to Twitter last night (May 21) to air out all those involved: “No disrespect to lupe fiasco and i like him alot but TROY should be left alone. Feel so violated,the beat is next to my heart and was made. Outta anguish and pain. When it’s like that it should not be touched by no one! It’s so hard for folks to make original music, I possess that, but these dudes are scared of that and this is supposed to be HIP HOP?
He continued, “Man I’m a lupe fan and everything but TROY was my homie man. I think about him and Hev every f*cking day!!!! Smh. Who ever Re-created that didn’t do a good job @ all. #nohate.This business can be so lame, sometimes I make beats blindfolded with one hand tied behind my back and still these cats can’t be original to. So untalented and unoriginal. Makes me feel like I’m truly the best that ever did it. Yo hev and t-Roy I love and miss da s### outta y’all. U guys have been violated with no Vaseline. So f*cked up this business smmfh!!! And I don’t care who got something to say about it, kiss my entire black *ss. #violationtodafullest.
“Lame Ducks with absolutely no talent if u can’t make ur own hit. FOH. I’m not flattered @ all. Dat sh*t is wack, and the producer should be ashamed of his f*ckin self. Smh. That record is dear to me yo f*ck deez n*ggas!!!! I’m still Dat n*gga out here believe it or don’t. Ur ignorance not mine, lame duck bullsh*t. I think lupe is a great artist, I’m that angry with him but it’s a major label idea. I can feel it. And y’all need to stop the childish games, I’m a fan of lupe and he is a great artist and a great person.
“And let me be clear cuz a lot of y’all don’t know this. But Tom Scott himself gave me an approval for TROY, told me I did a great job!! As did Luther vandross as well spoke to me about how I covered “don’t u know that” and approved!! #official.”
The sentiments Pete Rock has shared on Twitter have mostly been aimed at producers and Lupe’s home of Atlantic Records, who he believes is behind the “violation.”
Lupe Fiasco may have a chance to clear things up during his appearance on this week’s edition of MTV’s “RapFix Live” which will air this Wednesday, May 23 at 4 pm EST.
Listen to Lupe Fiasco’s new single, “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free),” below:
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Young Buck will be serving 18 months in prison after pleading guilty on gun possession charges, according to published reports.
The rapper agreed to serve jail time after a raid on his home by the IRS in 2010, TMZ reports.
The embattled rapper agreed to plead guilty to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon after federal agents located a .40 caliber Glock 22 and rounds in his mansion. This is the same mansion that the rapper has been evicted from. The rapper is a convicted felon, and he’s not permitted to own a firearm.
(ALlHipHop News) Ubisoft has announced that Kendrick Lamar will be the final member of Team Ghost in “Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier” video game.
Joining a select group of celebrity gamers as a Ghost, Kendrick Lamar joins the ranks with the most elite soldiers and represents a complete range of skills on the battlefield.
In the game, Lamar and his team members are a team of highly trained, spec ops soldiers. Armed with combat technology and cutting-edge military hardware, Ghost Recon takes gamers through deadly warzones to hunt down the highest value targets.
Kendrick joins NBA All-Star Kevin Love, NFL rookie Justin Blackmon, and reality star Coco as the fourth and final member of the team.
“I’m obviously a vocal guy, so I’m going to pave the way to victory for Team Ghost, and make sure you hear about it the entire time,” said Kendrick Lamar. “Playing Ghost Recon is no different from being a rapper, really going full force against the competition and breaking through the enemy lines, just like I do with my bars.”
In addition to his role in the video game, Kendrick Lamar is giving fans a new song inspired by Ghost Recon: Future Soldier entitled “War Is My Love,” which was released yesterday (May 21).
“Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier” will be available Today (May 22) for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. It will be also be made available to fans on PC on June 12, 2012.
Editor’s Note: It’s May 22, and David Banner’s new album, “Sex, Drugs, and Video Games”, drops today. The album is available nearly for free on www.DavidBanner.com with a donation of at least $1, and features Chris Brown, Nipsey Hussle, The Game, Snoop Dogg, Tank, Bun B, A$AP Rocky, Big KRIT, and more.
In this two-part interview, AllHipHop.com was happy to talk to David Banner about his new album, the 2M1 Movement, and why he’s excited to be launching a whole new model for the music industry.
Banner also did AllHipHop.com a colossal favor by making a surprise visit to a group of Atlanta’s most determined young people to share his special brand of street wisdom. Read the interview and watch the video below:
One of rap music’s most noted rapper/actor/producers, David Banner is quickly become well-known as the culture’s most influential public speaker. Fresh off his appearance as a special guest lecturer at The L.A. Riots: Twenty Years Later, a symposium at Harvard University, Banner continues to tour the country doing press and public speaking in support of his 2M1 Movement.
Banner stopped by the Atlanta site of Year Up, a youth workforce development program that helps 18-to-24 year-olds learn the technical and professional skills that will prepare them for entry-level jobs in corporate America. The 10-year-old program, founded in Boston, boasts an 85 percent success rate in getting its graduates employed in jobs that pay a livable wage. The Atlanta students were surprised by the celebrity appearance and quickly learned that there is more to a rap star than just their music. Banner spoke bluntly on the trials that the urban young adults will face when entering the corporate landscape. Banner, a graduate of Southern University, also spoke about the importance of reading and self-education. The emerging activist also talked about the death of Trayvon Martin, a subject that he has been far from silent on.
AllHipHop.com: Recently, you were at Harvard University lecturing on the 20th Anniversary of the L.A. riots. So having come from Mississippi, did it occur to you while you were up there, “I’m at Harvard University?”
David Banner: Well, it really did, but what I will say is what God revealed to me afterwards is that if we prepare, there is no reason for you to fear anything. So I prepared myself. It’s crazy because that’s one thing they try to do to our people in general. When I say our people I mean people from urban situations. They try to keep us encased in fear. Honestly, if you truly have your spirit together and you truly have prepared and taking those man hours to do whatever it is in life, it don’t matter what question they ask you. It don’t matter what they do, what they say. Whether it’s Harvard or a street corner, if you are truly prepared it doesn’t matter.
AllHipHop.com: So Year Up, the organization that is hosting us here is about “Closing the Opportunity Divide,” a term coined to really represent the systematic things that keep urban young adults from being successful, with jobs and further college education. So what advice would you give our students in the hip-hop generation about systems change? What is Hip-Hop’s responsibility when it comes to systems change?
David Banner: Ok. When you say systems change tell me exactly what you mean.
AllHipHop.com: Changing the institutions like the educational systems and the prison industrial system.
David Banner: I got it. Alright, first of all, (faces students) I wanna tell y’all something, I’m proud of y’all. I’m proud of everybody that’s sitting in these chairs right now. ‘Cause each and every one of you guys could’ve been somewhere else. One of the problems with our people is that we don’t congratulate each other enough.
But about systems change. I created a movement called 2M1. What 2M1 is…I started looking at not just urban music but movies, television, all of that. We have been degraded to nothing. No movies that depict us, you know, all of our music is so negative. The name of my album is called Sex, Drugs & Videogames. And everybody was like “Sex, Drugs, Videogames? What does he mean by that?” What I meant is if all you ever give our children is sex, drugs and videogames what do you think they’re gonna regurgitate? And that’s all we ever see on television.
System changes also come in the way that we think about ourselves. The American system only teaches us in most cases, they don’t teach us before slavery. They never tell us that we kings and queens. They never tell us that the Pythagorean Theorem comes off the walls of Egypt. And imagine me figuring out all this n the middle of “ay yo, see the Chevy with the butterfly doors,” and I was like wow. That’s why I took off, if y’all were wondering why I disappeared for a while.
I disappeared for a while because I got an opportunity to go overseas. And I got an opportunity to see how they looked at our people, and I was embarrassed. I was really, really, really embarrassed and it messed with me mentally because not only am I a rapper, I’m a producer too. I’m an actor, too. So I was like, man, I had a lot to do with that, but then God revealed to me that it’s nothing wrong with what I do. I just have to bring some balance. We can do what we do in the club. That’s all a part of us, but we need some balance. So to answer your question about the systems changes, the only way the systems are gonna change is when you guys get into power and we start opening up our own situations.
AllHipHop.com: So what are some of the ways that we start changing our situations?
David Banner: That is what 2M1 is for me. I wanna get two million people to donate at least one dollar, and everybody thinks it’s about the dollar. It’s not about the dollar. That’s why I did 2M1. I’mma implement this system, and I’mma teach people how to make money. Instead of begging record companies to come and help us we start our own situations and provide and feed our own people.
AllHipHop.com: In a room full of young people who in about two/three months will earn the opportunity to go on internship in Corporate America. Now being that they come from Atlanta urban environments and are going into corporate America, and we know some of the challenges that they will experience, it’s somewhere that they need to go. They need that opportunity to be able to get into entry level jobs, to be able to work their way up through corporate America. How do we prepare them knowing some of the systems that they’re going into?
David Banner: There’s this double consciousness theory that says that Black people to be three or four people. Like you are one person in the ‘hood, you’re one person when you come to school, another person at the job. What I’ll tell you guys going into the corporate system, just be prepared to have to adjust for a little while. Because again I truly believe that you guys are the future and I feel like I’m not just saying this. That you have the power to create.
So, you go into these corporate structures to learn. To be a sponge. Not to be an employee all your life. But what I will ask you guys is that in whatever you do be the best. Literally be the best. You’re gonna have to be the best anyway. But be the best. Articulate yourself as well as you possibly can and as much as you can and I know it’s hard. Keep as much of you as you can in the inside and talk to somebody, but be the best.
Check out Part 2 of our exclusive interview with David Banner tomorrow, where he talks about Trayvon Martin, the biggest risk he ever took, and how he has diversified his music industry career and set himself up for longevity.
“We didn’t know what happened to the defendant after police entered his apartment in New York,” agent Van Driessche testified.