When it was all said and done, the audience was screaming frantically from the stands. And they were frantic for Adrien Broner, the Cincinnati native knocked out Antonio DeMarco in the eighth round over the weekend “Move out of the way Floyd! A new champion is here,” screamed fans from the audience. It wasn’t hard to understand their enthusiasm. Broner stepped up to to his toughest challenge yet, and dominated DeMarco from the onset of the fight. But, there was more.
The 23-year-old Broner entered the center of Boardwalk Hall with rap phenomenon Kendrick Lamar spitting to his “Backseat Freestyle”. The lyrics of the song were customized to say “Broner had a dream” instead of “Martin [Luther King] had a dream,” and it set a tone for big things to happen. Broner clad in glittering pink honored Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the most flamboyant way imaginable.
And when the fight hit 1:49 of the round eight, DeMarco was on one knee, the result of a decimating uppercut. But, the victory was truly the accumulation of punishment that began when the opening round commenced. Broner’s speed, defense and swagger make him a highlight reel. The dream came true as Adrien Broner was deemed the WBC lightweight champ and likely heir to the throne presently occupied by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. “I’ll fight anybody. I’m going to be running this city and sport for a long time to come,” Broner said in the post fight press conference. “What can I say after a performance like that? I am elite. Like I said coming into this fight, I’m an elite fighter that can make a great fighter look like an amateur and I think that’s what I did tonight.”
Earlier in the night, Johnathon Banks, the last student of the late, great trainer Emanuel Steward, fought with the vigor of a man with divine purpose. Banks squared off in a heavyweight bout with Seth Mitchell, who was touted as the next big thing in the faltering division. Mitchell’s ascension changed trajectory abruptly in the second round. Banks, a Detroit native, dropped Mitchell three times in the round, causing the referee to end the fight. The crowd was stunned. Perhaps, Banks had some help, even if only in spirit. “Emanuel was with me in spirit. He was in my ear telling me to keep moving and keep boxing,” Banks said in the press conference. “He was with me the whole time. I dedicate this victory to Emanuel.”
Below are photos from the event.
“Shadow boxin’ when I heard you on the radio” – “Mama Said Knock You Out”, LL Cool J
Recently, on the top rated “Chicken and Waffles Morning Show”, something happened that shook up the rap world. The hosts were kickin’ it with militant Hip-Hop artist “Songhai”, when he started name checkin’ rappers who he claimed were part of a diabolical conspiracy to destroy the youth. Songhai threatened to pimp slap the top five commercial Hip-Hop artists if they didn’t change their wicked ways, ASAP. Strangely enough, he issued a retraction the next day , claiming that what he said was that he was gonna give the rappers a “hand clap.” But the damage had already been done. The seeds of revolution had already been planted in the minds of the people…
Last week, Hip-Hop artist Saigon created a controversy when, during a visit to NYC’s “Breakfast Club Morning Show,” he announced to the rap world that he was gonna punch rap’s top dogs, 2 Chainz and Rick Ross, in the grill if they didn’t stop making songs that were detrimental to the children. Immediately, the Twitter-verse was flooded with people who were proclaimin’ him Hip-Hop’s new Savior. Then a few days later, in a whirlwind change of events, he announced on his Facebook page that some of his words were “ignorant” and part of a “strategy.”
I have always wondered why, when real Hip-Hop artists keep it real about one of the cashin’ out rappers, within 48 hours they release an apology or some sort of “clarification.” A few years ago, OG rapper Ice T apologized to Soulja Boy, and more recently, Lupe Fiasco issued an apology to upstart Chief Keef regarding comments they made that were based on nothing but the pure, unadulterated truth.
So what gives?Although Saigon has said that he didn’t want to single out anybody in particular for the ratchet state of Hip-Hop, since you can count all the rappers who are gettin’ heavy radio play on one hand and still have a couple of fingers left, how can you not name the names ? Also, since we agree that someone has committed grand larceny on the culture, how can you have a crime without having a criminal?It must be noted that when artists like The Game actually punch rappers, they never apologize. They just say, ‘Yeah, and if I see him in the streets, I’m probably gonna punch him again!
But “conscious” rappers go from Malcolm X to Martin Luther King in 2.5 seconds.
While some people may believe that the remarks of Maybach Music Group affiliate Gunplay may have had a little something to do with Saigon’s sudden change of heart, I doubt that’s the case. I’m sure that the rapper risks gettin’ snuffed out by 10 Gunplay look-alikes everyday on the NYC subway. So it’s probably not the street thugs, but the Wall Street thugs that make rappers nervous. They are more scared of Morty Schiester, corporate attorney, than they are of some rapper.
And who can blame them ?
If the rumor is true that 50 Cent has the power to shut down projects at rival record companies, how much power do you think his boss, Jimmy Iovine, has ? That is why there is this code of silence between industry rappers, whether conscious or commercial.
When Saigon, called out 2 Chainz and Rick Ross, he was not messin’ with individuals. He was messin’ with brands that people have invested a lot of cash creating, and they weren’t gonna let some rap revolutionist cancel their meal ticket. Contrary to popular belief, industry beefs are not handled by the rappers but their image consultants. So, the same ” Pierre Escargot” that picks out your favorite ratchet rapper’s outfit for the BET Awards is the same cat who handles his beefs.
When Saigon went on his rant, he committed an unforgivable industry sin. He made people start to think. Also, as an industry insider, he co-signed something that we already knew. The masses are p##### off at the current state of Hip-Hop, and they were just waiting for an industry cat who was as p##### as them to articulate their frustrations in a large forum.
And it’s not only the brainiacs that are outraged. It’s the thugs, too. Although rappers like Rick Rozay are flashin’ their jewels, the streets are just tryin’ to eat. While members of the Hip-Hop Millionaire Boys Club are ridin’ around in Maybachs with heated seats, the boyz in the ‘hood are out in the cold, rappin’ that line from Freeway’s “What We Do”.
“Then my heat starts workin’/Ima rob me a person…”
Already, there are videos on YouTube of Rick Ross catching heat from members of the Gangster Disciples in various states. And, America’s greatest fear is that the gangstas get politicized and stop stockin’ bullets and start pickin’ up some books. That’s why politically educated artists pose such a potential threat.
We may never know how many brain cells were sparked by the power of the Saigon interview. Even with the retraction, once words come outta your mouth, you can’t call them back.
As omniscient as the heads of the multinational corporations that control Hip-Hop claim to be, they will never be able to discern where rap ends and revolution begins. But that doesn’t stop them from trying. Many people have had their lives destroyed or ended for daring to wake up the masses.
J. Edgar Hoover’s COINTELPRO “fear of a Black messiah who could electrify the youth” is still in effect, and the rap industry is part of the program. So I don’t fault rappers like Saigon for being guarded with their words.
I blame us.
The blood of the martyrs is on hands of those who claim to want sociopolitical change but have not formed a Hip-Hop United Front to make artists, writers, and activists with a message feel secure in speaking truth to power
Remember during the ’60s, it was the student movements on college campuses that held Muhammad Ali down with speaking engagements after he was banned from boxing for speaking out on the war in Vietnam. Unfortunately, we don’t have that structure any more.
We must rebuild it.
Also, as powerful as the music industry executives appear, they are not gonna put guns to our heads and force us to buy our children Chief Keef CDs this holiday season. So, we must join the “Take Back Hip-Hop Black Friday Campaign,” and only spend our money on music from artists with a message this holiday season.
And I’m not talking about those artists that are just using conscious Hip-Hop as a marketing scheme or an entry level way into the industry. I’m talking about those who are actually involved in our physical and mental liberation.
This way we can honor those artists and activists, past, present, and future, who sacrificed their lives for speakin’ the truth and were either blacklisted, put in jail, or, like Saigon said on his latest video, “Blown Away”.
(AllHipHop News) The last living member of legendary West Coast Hip-Hop group RBL Posse is celebrating the group’s 20th anniversary with a new release.
Rapper Black C is releasing a new solo album titled Still Ruthless, which will feature a number of Bay Area veterans.
The RBL Posse once consisted of group members Black C, Hitman and Mr. Cee.
Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnn I SUCK! Guess what happened over the weekend!? First, let me tell you. Delaware is the second smallest state in the USA. So, over the weekend guess who popped up at the local BOWL-A-RAMA in my state? Kanye West! The northern part of the state was on fire! Here is what some people said:
@CinnaBUNGY (rynae.) – Wait, what was Kanye doing in Delaware & why did he stop at Bowlerama of ALL places?
RT @im_kwalker: So Kanye West was at bowlerama in Delaware and I ain’t kno about it…I woulda gassed up the Honda and went right up there
RT @banganobreaks: Kanye west in Delaware ! #saynomore
Anyway, I was definitely one of the late ones. I went and got there too damn late. Anyway, you know Kanye has family in the First State. He also attended graduation at the University of Delaware a couple years ago to see one of his fam walk.
Pretty cool.
From what I understand, Yeezy did a good deed that I cannot speak on. But a good deed is just that, whether or not we talk about it.
Shout out to YEEZY!
Shout out to Delaware! GET INTERACTIVE WITH ALLHIPHOP.COM!
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Curren$y and his Jet Life crew will celebrate the release of Jet World Order 2 with a highly anticipated release party/performance in New York.
On Tuesday (November 20), the same day Jet World Order 2 lands in stores, Curren$y and company will be performing at the Highline Ballroom.
Members of the Jet Life crew, including Curren$y, Curren$y, Trademark Da Skydiver, Young Roddy and Smoke DZA are slated to hit the stage during the performance.
In addition to the Jet Life crew, special guests OCD: Moosh & Twist and Blizz are also slated to perform.
Last year, Curren$y took over the Highline Ballroom for the release of the inaugural Jet World Order album.
Tickets for the event are priced at $15 in advance, and doors open at 6:30 PM.
Major League Music Group Presents CMAjoR. He’s an artist, producer, writer and Radio DJ at KISS 103.1. The dynamic MC took 1st prize at the illustrious 2011 A&R Power Summit competition which was judged by many top music executives. He beat out 12 other artists to come in first place. “CMAjoR’s Showmanship and stage presence are incredible. He’s a true MC (Master of Ceremony),” raves Jesse Atkinson, founder of The A&R Power Summit.
Background: When some people think about Kansas, they think of Dorothy, Toto and the Wizard of OZ. But there is a new force putting Kansas on the map. Rapper CMAjoR is making an impact on the independent music scene and shining the spotlight on his hometown of Kansas. CMAjoR is a Hip Hop Tour De Force. The explosive rapper is a “Hip Hop Wizard” and he’s being hailed for his creativity and versatility.
AllHipHop.com: Firstly, give us some background info as to who you are.
CMAjoR My name is Chad Carson, but I go by the name CMAjoR. I’m an artist, producer, writer and Radio DJ at KISS 103.1 and I was born and raised in Emporia Ks, it’s like an hour south of Kansas City.
AllHipHop.com: What is the significance of your name?
CMAjoR Well first and foremost I’m a producer, and back in the day this dude was listening to some of my beats and he was like, “man, those sound like Major league beats right there…”basically sayin that they sound like industry beats ya know? Then of course my first name starts with a C, and on top of that C Major was the first chord my Pops taught me how to play on the piano so, I guess it all just kinda fit.
AllHipHop.com: Who would you say is your target market?
CMAjoR I guess all artists like to say their music is for everybody and I’d be lying if I didn’t feel the same way, but if I had to narrow it down I’d say that the young people have taken to my music and my movement the most. I feel like older folks are more set in there beliefs and opinions on what they like and are more hesitant to try something new whereas young people are more accepting and willing to try something different. But it’s crazy, cause at the same time, I ‘ll be rockin’ out a show at an all ages venue and see a lil 10-12 year old girl jammin’ out and two feet away a woman that looks like she could be her mother doing the same thing singing all the words!
AllHipHop.com: What is your USP? (Unique Selling Proposition) and what sets you apart from other Hip Hop artists?
CMAjoR I think what sets me apart first and foremost are my influences. I didn’t even start listening to hip hop real heavy till I was almost a teenager. I grew up listening to blues and classic rock. My Pops was a blues and rock musician so I grew up listening to BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, Lynrd Skynrd, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, guys like that ya know? Then I got into hip hop real heavy at like 11-12 but fell out of favor with it around early 2000. That’s when I got into producing Electronic music. That’s what really sets me apart I think from a producing standpoint. The electronic stuff guys are doing now, I was doing 10-12 years ago. I believe another big thing that sets me apart is where I’m from. The East Coast, West Coast, and the South all have a definitive sound, like u can always tell where those guys are from by listening to their music. But being from the Midwest, not only that, from Kansas, there were no guidelines for me to follow, no precedent, so I drew inspiration from everything around me, everything I heard, everything I saw on TV, it all helped mold me into the artist that I am today.
AllHipHop.com: What single or project are you currently pushing?
CMAjoR Right now I have a new single out called “Losin Control.” The song is bananas! Also, I’m currently pushing my Mixtape/EP 2012 End of Days. It’s crazy, it’s like a rapid fire lyrical flex goin in over some Dubstep joints. I’m really proud of the level of lyricism that I achieved on that project. It’s also kind of a concept project in that it’s a play on the whole Mayan prediction of the Apocalypse. Some people think that the Mayans were predicting a literal end to the world, but to me it’s more like the end to the world as we know it, like it’s the beginning of a new era. So in essence it’s like I feel like I’m helping to usher in a new age in music. Plus there’s some hella crazy indian chants in the opening track that I did myself that sound pretty cool, haha! I also got a single out right now called Rock n Roll produced by my man Johnny B, super dope, super hype, download it right now for free from my soundcloud account at soundcloud.com/therealcmajor.
