(AllHipHop News) As Memorial Day weekend festivities came to a close yesterday and partygoers made their way back to their hometowns, news of Diddy announcing DJ Khaled as the newest member to the Ciroc Boyz hit the Internet.
Word spread as over the weekend that, at a party at Mansion 360 featuring Diddy, DJ Khaled, and The Weeknd, Diddy grabbed the mic to introduce DJ Khaled as the newest member to the Ciroc Boyz team.
Recently, Diddy also announced that Hot 97’s Funk Master Flex was a newly-anointed member of the vodka conglomerate, further solidifying Ciroc as the most popular vodka brand among Hip-Hop stars.
While details of the deal were not disclosed, Diddy did confirm that the deal has been finalized.
“Check it out, we finally, finally negotiated a deal and closed a contract with my man DJ Khaled, he is officially now a Ciroc Boy!” Diddy exclaimed.
This is a true “Signs The World Is Coming To An End!” A 22-year old woman who was 9 months pregnant is lucky to be alive today. The woman was kidnapped, set on fire, and shot once in the back in Warren, Michigan.
Police say she was dropping her ex-boyfriend off early Saturday morning after a movie date, and as the two pulled into the garage, the door closed behind them.
“The next thing she knew she was grabbed by the throat and a gun was put to her head,” Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green told ABC News affiliate WXYZ-TV in Detroit. “She was ordered to the ground.”
Duct tape was placed over her mouth and wrapped around her hands and feet, and she was blindfolded, before being put back into her car and driven to a field in Detroit, Green said.
The woman told police she felt liquid being poured on her, heard a match strike, and then was set on fire.
“She was able to get out of the car and start rolling on the ground, trying to put the fire out,” Green said. “And when that happened, two shots were fired, and she was struck once in the back.”
The woman played dead, and the assailants fled. That’s when she unbound herself, drove to a local gas station and called her mother, who picked her up and took her to the hospital.
Police took the woman’s ex-boyfriend into custody on Saturday and named him a person of interest in the case. He had expressed to several people that he did not want the child, and police say he did not and has not called 911 after she was kidnapped.
The woman went into labor following the attack and gave birth to a baby boy. Both she and the infant are expected to survive.
(AllHipHop News) The eighth day of testimony continued today (May 29) in the federal cocaine distribution trial of James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond.
Today, a former Czar Entertainment employee named Tony Martin took the stand to testify for prosecutors.
Tony Martin, who folded his hands to pray during testimony, claimed that Rosemond admitted to various illegal activities during his association with Czar Entertainment.
According to Martin’s testimony, he was sucked into the drug ring, without knowing what was actually inside of the music cases, which contained kilograms of cocaine, in addition to millions in drug money.
“Truthfully, since I didn’t have access to the cases or the keys, I thought nothing would ever happened to me,” Tony Martin told the jurors. “I didn’t think I would be prosecuted.”
Martin claimed that after years of shipping or picking up cases, it wasn’t until August 2010, that he finally saw what was being shipped.
He recounted an alleged meeting at an apartment Rosemond owned in Harlem, where he saw the mogul stuffing large amounts of cash into a backpack.
“There was a bunch of money out. He kept putting money in backpacks. He asked me to take it to the London hotel. I kept my cool and said, ‘Damn, this is a lot of money.’ He told me to drop it off to Khalil [Abdullah], so I did.”
Today, the government focused on Rosemond’s business relationships with the Reverend Al Sharpton, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, and Mike Tyson.
Tony Martin testified that Jimmy Rosemond became close with Rev. Al Sharpton shortly after a 2007 incident in which an associate of 50 Cent and Tony Yayo struck Rosemond’s son.
The incident occurred at the height of Game and Rosemond’s feud with 50 Cent and G-Unit.
“His son was harmed, so Jimmy was a space in his life where he didn’t want to get in trouble. So he took the political route to protect his son,” Tony Martin said.
According to Martin, Rosemond was an executive producer on an unreleased show for Rev. Sharpton that would have featured the political commentator/activist as a judge on his own TV show.
Rosemond allegedly paid for a number of Rev. Sharpton’s expenses, including plane fare, hotel bills and other costs associated with producing the show, which was never released.
Rosemond also invested money into two Fatburgers with Queen Latifah in 2007, the movie “The Cookout 2” and attempted to resolve a civil lawsuit between Mike Tyson and Don King, who Martin said only dealt in cash.
Tony Martin claimed that Rosemond, who allegedly invested hundreds-of-thousands into the projects, lost money on the deals, although he made his $250,000 investment back on “The Cook Out 2,” when it was licensed to BET for $1 million dollars.
Like the other witnesses the prosecution has produced, on cross-examination, Tony Martin admitted to meeting with prosecutors at least 11 times, in preparation for testimony.
Rosemond’s attorney, Gerald Shargel, raised a number of questions about Martin’s credibility, in addition to his motives for testifying against Rosemond.
Despite presenting himself as an innocent, unknowing participant, Martin is facing 20 years in prison for his role in drug distribution operation.
He has also signed a cooperation agreement as well, which could help him get a drastically reduced sentence.
But Shargel noted that Tony Martin was not a credible witness.
Shargel revealed that Tony Martin lied to prosecutors after he signed his Proffer Agreement and gave information to the government.
Gerald Shargel noted that Martin actually lied to a judge while he was under oath and embellished his educational credentials.
Tony Martin also admitted to never seeing any of Czar Entertainment’s books, to speak credibly about the business’ profits or losses.
Despite being caught in a lie under oath as recent as last Thursday, Martin, who managed Game, Trillville, and Mario Winans for Czar Entertainment, still has his agreement in place.
1982 is made up of Termanology and Statik Selektah; a rapper’s rapper, and a producer’s producer. As a duo, they can be considered an independent party making their name amongst the underground, and are now entering their second term with 2012. Baring the election style artwork, the two are seeking a vote of confidence from the Hip-Hop nation.
Their campaign starts off strong, with “Lights Down” being an immediate front-runner. Shrouded in a dream-esque, cool groove with distant samples and scratches, the track sets the listener in a steady rock. This is followed by “Up Every Night”, a perfect example of Hip-Hop Doo-Wop. The cheery, upbeat production Statik provides is uncanny here – the song puts a smile right on your face. Following the good vibes theme, “Happy Days” jams optimism into four minutes of rap, with features from Mac Miller, Bun B, and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men (I know, right!?). These three tracks are highlights of Statik’s production; when at its very best, sounds like it was crafted in ’96 somewhere between Ironman and Wrath of Math. The main aspect of his beat-making, and this has always been the case, is that it never overwhelms, but rather allows the MC to breathe on it. This can work for and against him.
“Shining”is the first time Term takes the podium and puts his rhymes in the driver’s seat. Over triumphant horns, he lets his flow dominate (“I’m shining light blue and reds like a cop car/ I keep it underground, f*ck being a pop star”). “Too Long” is a definite lyrical standout, as he addresses the public with an intimate message involving his family past. This notes a change in tone for the album, from glossy to gritty. The next song, “Time Travelin’”, is probably the best; it speaks on all the people and situations Term would change if he had the chance, leaving you wondering who he’s going to mention next (“And I know it sounds remorseless/ But I would have made Barbara Bush get an abortion”). What makes the song hit home is the authenticity of it and the substance it holds. Most of the music these two make has purpose, and it shows throughout 2012.
As the album progresses, though, it begins to literally slow at the halfway mark. There is no sound progression; some may see this has a consistent flow, while others will call it a stagnant lull. There is no signature song for the album to revolve around; cuts are good, but not great, and the good songs are not good enough to make up for the lack of greatness. There are no impressive features; all are passing, but the least likeable is “Make It Out Alive” with Freddie Gibbs and Crooked I, spitting uninspired rhymes over tired production. As a whole, I think most listeners will step away from the presidential-themed album as most citizens do with most president’s terms of office – ‘It was fine. He did a pretty good job.’
Oh Rihanna, Rihanna, Rihanna. She is making my head spin with all of these guys that she’s being linked to. Fresh off getting outed by Meek Mill for letting him “watch her throne”, Rihanna was snapped at LIV in Miami over the Memorial Day Weekend, allegedly holding hands with her old flame, Drake. From the looks of the picture, Drake is still very much into her, while Rihanna looks a bit disinterested.
Drake and his gosh darn sweaters. Trey Songz was also in the house.
Bossip has compiled a group of photos that show Drake giving Rihanna the “creepy eye,” and it’s absolutely hilarious. Check out the pictures below.
Drake looks like he wants that CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE!
(AllHipHop News) Often heralded as one of Detroit’s and Hip-Hop’s best MCs, former Slum Village member eLHzi has announced cities and dates for his upcoming 23-date tour.
The tour kicks off on July 12 in Ottawa, Ontario and will continue to hit cities worldwide, including Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, Warsaw, and London, before coming to a close on August 18 in Biel, Switzerland.
eLHzi will also be performing at the Soundclash Festival in Toronto, Ontario on July 14 and on August 17 at Hip-Hop Kemp Festival in the Czech Republic.
The hailed MC is also prepping his third solo album, The Feed, for a Fall release. He will also be premiering a number of material from The Keep on his upcoming world tour.
Earlier this month, eLHzi spoke about The Feed with HHDX, saying, “I got an infinite amount of pieces; I’m trying to make [The Feed] better than ELmatic. I got music in the vaults but I’m still looking for the right tracks, I still want the right concepts to be able to put together as a collective to call it an album. I’m in like the beginning stages right now.”
Producers for the album have been rumored to include Mad Lib, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, Phonte, and Alchemist. “I know Alchemist is down to put something on the album. I spoke with Phonte, and Phonte said he’s got my back on the feature side, so slowly but surely the album is coming together. But I don’t wanna rush it, I wanna make sure I got all the proper pieces and make sure it’s worthy for the fans to hear,” said eLHzi.
Check out a full list of tour dates below:
July 12 – Ottawa, ON – Ritual
July 13 – Hamilton, ON – Casbah
July 14 – Toronto, ON – Soundclash Festival
July 16 – Philly, PA – Silk City
July 17 – Boston, MA – Middle East
July 18 – Providence, RI – Fete
July 19 – New York, NY – SOB’s
July 20 – Pittsburgh, PA – 720 Café
July 21 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s
July 24 – Kalamazoo, MI – Poppa Pete’s
July 25 – Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
July 26 – Chicago, IL – Sub-T
July 27 – St. Louis, MO – Lola
July 28 – Toledo, OH – Mickey Finn’s
August 1 – Phoenix, AZ – Chaser’s
August 2 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club
August 3 – Oakland, CA – New Parish
August 7 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
August 8 – Vancouver, BC – Republic
August 14 – Warsaw, Poland – Miasto Cypel
August 15 – London, UK – Cargo
August 17 – Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic – Hip-Hop Kemp Festival
August 18 – Biel, Switzerland – Royal Arena Festival
When you have a dream – you go for it. That’s what 22-year-old San Diego-bred musician Young Lyxx keeps in mind as he preps his fifth EP, California Dreamin Vol. 1.
Young Lyxx, now based in Atlanta, Georgia, saw his level of notoriety raise when the video for his single “Wow” featuring Rocky Diamonds, produced by GB Hitz, became his biggest viral hit to date, amassing nearly 30,000 views.
The video, while totally simplistic in its treatment, is set on Grammy-winning producer Polow da Don’s couch. So, how does a rapper – who’s not famous (or signed to a major) – end up in Polow’s house? There must be something special about this guy.
AllHipHop.com chopped it up with Lyxx on his upcoming project and his mission to put San Diego on the map, and we get answers to our main question: How did you end up at Polow da Don’s house?
In 1999, at just 10 years old, Lyxx became inspired to write after hearing his big cousin rap. He soon wrote his first set of bars, of which he admits today, weren’t his best. But he got better. It was in 2010, when he landed a meeting with a Def Jam rep that Lyxx says he received advice that catapulted his career:
“He [the Def Jam rep] was telling me, “You got it! It’s just all on building your brand.” They want to see that following from you. At that time, I was new on this Atlanta scene, so I felt him. I took from that meeting and just focused on bettering my craft, and building a brand as well – so I could have a movement behind what I was doing.”
Though he shares his thoughts via lyrics, Lyxx admits, he’s really a quiet person:
“I rap because it’s my way of venting. It allows me to express my inner thoughts, ’cause I’m pretty much a quiet person when it comes to showing how I feel about things. Unless I really know you, I won’t open up to you. With rap, I can open up to everybody, but in a different type of manner. It allows me to go in the studio and be personal with it, by myself, and then I can let people hear it.”
With crews on the rise including YMCMB, A$AP Rocky’s crew, A$AP Mob and Odd Future, Lyxx says his crew is taking a different approach.
“I wanted to come up with some type of unit where it would unbalance the industry by allowing our team to not have to reach out for anything. I was looking for synonyms for unbalance – and Top Heavy came about. I know they use that in corporate America as well. Then, when I moved to Atlanta, it formulated with the people.”
In 2011, Lyxx released his third project, Almost There, which featured the track “Wow” featuring Rocky Diamonds. Diamonds, a member of MDMA, a group signed to Polow Da Don’s Zone 4 imprint, and Lyxx met up in Los Angeles and recorded the song. When it came time for the video, Rocky invited Lyxx over to Polow’s house. As quickly as they could, they grabbed a camera and started shooting, with Lyxx revealing:
“One day, Rocky hit me up saying ‘Yo. I’m at Polo crib!’, and he was like ‘Let’s shoot the video!’. We had like two hours, so we just grabbed a camera and knocked it out.”
Now, on the heels of his latest release California Dreamin Vol. 1, Lyxx says this is his most honest project, revealing:
“This is my first Cali-themed out project, where people can really get a glimpse of who is Young Lyxx, where is he from, what’s San Diego about, what’s Cali about, just get a different glimpse of Cali through my vision. Everybody can tell you what Cali is like, and it’s usually going to be L.A., because that’s where a lot of rappers are from, but I’m from San Diego. There hasn’t been a rapper to really come out and give you that glimpse.
“We’ve had Mitchy Slick, but even Mitchy Slick, he’s known in Cali as a hardcore gangbanger – I’m not. I feel like it’s going to be honest. Even though I’m giving a different glimpse, people in Cali are still going to relate, because it’s still real life at the end of the day. It’s a mixtape to pay homage to California. I picked seven tracks that were classics. After that, I went to the studio and wrote the whole mixtape in one night. It was organic. The project features ’90s tracks from Tupac, Mac Dre, Warren G, Dr. Dre and more. I wanted to take classics, but I wanted to also do underground Cali artists from back in the ’90s.”
With his unique style of dress and near-perfect ability to provide mellow lyrics meshed together with production from some of the best upcoming producers, it’s safe to say, there is something special about Young Lyxx. He’s going for his. Not to be alone, he’s bringing the whole city with him. San Diego has a new hero.
California Dreamin Vol. 1, hosted by DJ Fu and presented by IMKING Clothing, drops June 19. Follow Young Lyxx on Twitter (@YoungLyxx).
I know a lot of people are going to laugh on this one. And I know its funny, but I think there is some truth to it.
First of all, do you know who Tweet is?
She is a pretty singer that had a hit song about masturbation with her muse Missy Elliot a few years ago.
That was actually 10 years ago.
Anyway, you may be aware that Tweets name is now synonymous with Twitter and I am hearing the Tweet wants her paper. I don’t know all the legalities of it. I also don’t know that she “own” the name “tweet” as it relates to technology. But, I am hearing the she is thinking about getting to the money.
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
Lil Wayne and Drake have refused to pay a promoter that has sued them for over $400k. The judge ordered them to pay and they say they aren’t.
I heard Floyd Mayweather and 50 Cent got into a fight in Vegas, but I totally don’t believe it. Still, there seems to be a lot of tweets lingering around on this. Stay tuned.
Also, I am hearing there is some stunning proof that Trey Songz may be batting for the other team. I’m not sure, but the operative word is they have “video.”
J. COLE SONS DIGGY
I know Diggy went and Cole, but Cole wants no part of beefing with a “kid.”
R&B’s Josh Xantus, a classically-trained musician, has just released the follow up to 2009’s “First Time”.
This time, it’s the “Last Time”.
Everyone remembers the kid who came on the scene, singing soulfully at his piano, reminiscing on his first time with a special young lady. Trained at Julliard, performed in front of legends including Stevie Wonder, Josh X has a voice and piano skill-set that shuts down any of today’s top talent.
We just hope, in Josh X’s case, he’s able to find his sound in today’s industry. It seems, since the release of “First Time”, X has struggled to cement his place on the music scene as a mainstay. With hard work and a talk with his team (or an entirely new one), X will rise to the occasion as we know he can.
“First Time”
His latest mixtape, Everybody Hates Josh X, is available here. It features appearances by Jim Jones, Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, with production from Swizz Beatz.
(AllHipHop News) “Fail,” an online urban comedy show for youth, will premiere its second season exclusively on AllHipHop.com in a partnership with Hip-Hop legend Christopher “Play” Martin of Kid-N-Play, and acclaimed producers, Vanessa Baden and James Bland.
The college-themed “Fail” will begin this Thursday, May 31 on AllHipHop.com, and continue on every Thursday thereafter.
“We at AllHipHop are pleased to present the “Fail” show to our audience. Hip-Hop, as a culture, is ever expanding and limitless. This is another facet to that culture on another platform,” said Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, co-founder of AllHipHop.com.
The show is geared towards an under-served demographic in Hip-Hop – students in middle, high school, and early college.
“Fail” is a comedy about a group of co-eds who are on the verge of academic probation as a result of the random misadventures they embark on after class.
A press statement about the web series says, “The series focuses on six students who in an attempt to improve their grades form a study group and end up spending more time in each other’s social circles than in their books, proving that college is about finding yourself and your friends for life.”
“Fail,” contrary to the title, is meant to inspire youth to stay in school, a notion that attracted Christopher “Play” Martin.
“I’m very excited to be a part of something so new, and I truly thank AllHipHop.com for the opportunity to do something so groundbreaking in the digital age of Hip-Hop entertainment,” said Martin. “But I’m more humbled to be in a position in life to support and present the talents involved with this series the way others before me believed in Kid, Play, Martin, Tisha, AJ, and Full Force.”
Martin is also known for starring in the hit movie franchise, “House Party,” to which Meek Mill offered a nod to in his song of the same name.
AllHipHop will also release the “The FAIL mixtape” Vol. 1, which includes exclusive material from Diggy Simmons, Jacob Latimore, T-Pain, and others.
Welcome to a new day and a new opportunity to get it right! Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to thinking like a child! Inspiration can come from anywhere! Yesterday, while conversing with my four-year-old daughter she told me the key to life was being happy! So, today, she will be our guest Daily Word contributor… (Click here to listen to her commentary.)
(Taylor’s Transcript) Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to being Happy! Happiness is something that you are born with. When you first come into the world, you are crying, not because you are sad, but because you are excited about what the world can offer. Somewhere along the journey, that optimism becomes cynicism, and instead of being happy for simply being alive, you look for ways to justify it.
Think like a child! Children don’t need a reason to be happy! They just are! Following a child’s lead will give you more to be grateful for, and in turn, will bring more into your life. Next time you feel the urge to be unhappy, think about all the things that are going right in your life and all the things that you were saved from. Many people didn’t make it past yesterday…. Be glad that you did!!!
“The best vitamin to be a happy person is B1.” -Unknown
“The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” -Benjamin Franklin
“Most people would rather be certain they’re miserable, than risk being happy.” -Robert Anthony
“If you search the world for happiness, you may find it in the end, for the world is round and will lead you back to your door.” -Robert Brault
“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.” -James Openheim
“Nobody really cares if you’re miserable, so you might as well be happy.” -Cynthia Nelms
“There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.” -Logan Pearsall Smith
“A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour.” -Unknown
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.
Pusha T has taken the beef with Lil’ Wayne one step further and has released a visual for his Weezy diss record, “Exodus 23:1”. It looks like Pusha got all of the homies from the ‘hood to participate in this video. Check it out below:
Funny how Pusha T was trying to clown YMCMB with the hand signs.
Today, the government focused on Rosemond’s business relationships with the Reverend Al Sharpton, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, and Mike Tyson.
Tony Martin claimed that Rosemond, who allegedly invested hundreds-of-thousands into the projects, lost money on the deals, although he made his $250,000 investment back on “The Cook Out 2,” when it was licensed to BET for $1 million dollars.
