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BET Hip-Hop Awards Preview!: We Remember the Best of the BET Hip-Hop Cyphers

By: Jake Crates Updated Category: Features
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As we lead up to this year’s BET Hip-Hop Awards, for which AllHipHop.com is nominated for Best Hip-Hop website, we take a look back at the BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher over the years.

As most of you know, every year the BET Hip-Hop Awards has a cypher that airs during the show, featuring some of the hottest up and coming talent in the game. Since its inception, BET has been pulling talent from all parts of the world with a varied array of styles, setting a standard across the world for what a cypher should sound like.

Reminiscent of some of the famed cyphers on street corners during Hip-Hop’s early days, the cypher is often one of the most talked about parts of the BET Hip-Hop Awards. Granted everyone on Twitter has something to say about the performances, too, as the cypher truly showcases the true talent raw and uncut. They take it back to the corner with an MC and someone to beat box – unedited like banging on the lunch room table, the cypher is raw lyrics and just the beat. No special effects, just lyrics and the beat. Below is recap of a few cyphers we’ve loved over the years.

2007’s cypher kicked things off with Wyclef, Twista, Lil Mama, Dizzee Rascal, Phonte, Stat Quo, Kardinal Offishall, Joell Ortiz, Flo, and Cassidy. This was all before Lil Mama jumped on stage with Jay-Z…#FAIL. Either way, this was the first cypher and set the standard for what we would see in subsequent years. Wyclef was dope, Phonte, Stat, and Joell definitely had some nice verses as well…

2008’s cypher featured the likes of  Hurricane Chris, K’naan, Bun B, Q-Tip, Willy Northpole, Hime, Blaq Poet, Cory Gunz, Ace Hood, Juelz Santana, Fabolous, and Jadakiss. While the cypher was dope in its own right, Viacom has pulled all links for this cypher, so we were unable to embed the greatness of this lyrical abomination.

In 2009, we witnessed Eminem, Mos Def, Black Thought, Nicki Minaj, Joe Budden, Buckshot, Crown Royyal, KRS-ONE, Wale, Nipsey Hussle, and GSAN with DJ Premier on the tables. Just looking back on this cypher, we can see how Nicki, Wale, Joe Budden, and Nipsey Hussle’s careers grown – and, it was dope to hear KRS, Black Thought, Em, and Buckshot kick some legendary rhymes. This def set the bar for cyphers going forward.

The 2010 cypher featured the young seeds of Ice Cube and Rev Run – OMG, Doughboy, Jo Jo, and Diggy. It’s amazing to see how Diggy’s career has progressed since this point. As you can see, he’s making headlines for his beef with J. Cole as of late, but you can tell the kid has skills even back then. Raekwon introduced Wiz Khalifa, Bones Brigante, and Yelawolf, and Fonzworth Bentley jumped in a cypher with Vado and Reychesta, proving you truly never know what is going to happen in the BET Hip-Hop Awards cypher. Let’s not forget that G.O.O.D. Music had their memorable time in the cypher spotlight, too – one that included Kanye, Pusha T, Big Sean, Cyhi da Prynce, and Common.

2011’s cypher was highly anticipated, and it seems like the cypher is at its greatest point of popularity on the cusp of the 2012 awards show. Straight up, though, the Shady Records cypher with Em, Slaughterhouse, and Yelawolf was one of the most popular over the last five years. Check the cypher behind the scenes in Detroit. This was a CLASSIC!

And, we can’t forget about MCs Gilbere Forte, Chris Sutton (Sprite’s Hot 16 Winner), XV, and Jay Rock trading verses. Then, in another video, Rico Staxx, Wais P, Termanology, Sean Cross, and French Montana go back and forth. The best of the year, however, had to be the Big K.R.I.T., Tech N9ne, Machine Gun Kelly, Kendrick Lamar, and B.o.B. cypher. Ha! Plus, how could we forget Busta Rhymes, Luda, Reek da Villain and 2 Chainz? 2 Chainz said, “You a nobody, anorexic.”

So, who’s on deck for this year? Well, we’ve heard some whispers, but we’re not trying to ruin the show for you! Stay tuned for the airing of the BET Hip-Hop Awards on October 9.

What was your favorite year for the Bet Cypher? Comment and let us know!!!

Hip-Hop Rumors: Jay-Z Says He Wants To be Selfish – He Ain’t Sharing The Stage

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: MOBILE
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Jigga man has been actively getting his 40/40 Club back on the market for high-level events, just recently hosting President Barack Obama for a $40K a head fundraiser. Hov was back at it last night, holding the NBA 2K13 launch party at his establishment. Jay decided to walk the red carpet this time around and spoke with Jeff Rosenthal of Rolling Stone about his upcoming eight-show kickoff at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

If you were hoping to see any special guests, think again. Jigga wants to be selfish this time. Check out what he said about giving special guests the boot below:

“No one’s appearing, no one’s performing. It’s Brooklyn! This is my one chance to be selfish. Can’t I? Can’t I be selfish? Thank you.”

“Just for these eight shows – then I’ll get back to my “Jay-Z & Friends” shows. I get all of these guys to come out for me, so . . .”

Jigga doesn’t really have a good reason for doing 8 shows, but says that anymore and he would “fall over from exhaustion.”

“My stamina,” Hov said frankly “When I got to eight, I felt like I would probably fall over from exhaustion. It was just eight shows. Eight shows for H.O. I should do H.O. merchandise! [Slaps his forehead] What the f*ck is wrong with me?”

Hov kicks off the Barclays Center with a bang, performing his first show tomorrow night. Will you be in the house? Any disappointment regarding Jay’s no special guests announcement?

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AHH Stray News: Rakim Honored, Flo Rida Hit With $1 Million Tax Bill, MC Shan Returns

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: MOBILE
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(AllHipHop News) Hip-Hop legend Rakim Allah will be honored for his contributions to the genre during the annual BET Hip-Hop Awards, which take place this weekend in Atlanta. The rapper has been a professional MC for over 25 years. Rakim, who was nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with his partner Eric B, will be honored with the “I Am Hip-Hop Icon Award” during the show, which will be taped September 29 in Atlanta Georgia. The BET Hip-Hop Awards will be hosted by comedian Mike Epps and will air on October 9 at 8:00 PM.

Miami rapper Flo Rida was recently hit with a $1 million tax bill from the IRS. The Carol City native was hit with a tax lien over the bill earlier this month, according to reports. Reginald Mathis, Flo Rida’s lawyer, said the rapper was in Germany. Mathis said he was prepared for his client to be angry, once the rapper found out there was a lien placed against him.”The accountant s are checking into it,” Reginald Mathis told Gossip Extra. “We know there were some issues with the year 2009, international expenses and the likes. Whatever Flo owes, he will pay. But I’m confident it’s not 1 million!”

Hip-Hop legend MC Shan is making a return to the rap game with a new single titled “Let’s Bring Hip-Hop Back.” The new song by the Queensbridge native is featured on the mixtape “Words Gone Wild: Eargasm 5” by WhizzKid Media.  According to sources, the track is a prelude for a full-length album by MC Shan that is expected to be released next year. To check out the song Let’s Bring Hip-Hop Back from “Words Gone Wild: Eargasm 5,” click here.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Lupe Fiasco Reveals Why He Refuses To Pledge Allegiance To The Flag

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: MOBILE
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Outspoken Chicago MC, Lupe Fiasco knows how to keep his name in the headlines, doesn’t he? Whether it’s admitting that he’s not voting in the upcoming Presidential election, or Twitter beefing with Chief Keef and D.L. Hughley – Lupe makes sure that his opinions are heard.

RELATED: Hip-Hop Rumors: Lupe Fiasco In Another Twitter Beef?

Just two days after his new LP, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1, was released, Lupe is making headlines over a lyric on the track, “Strange Fruition.” On the track, Lupe raps about not pledging allegiance to the flag during the National Anthem. Check out the lyrics below:

“Now I can’t pledge allegiance to your flag,” Fiasco raps. ‘Cause I can’t find no reconciliation with your past/When there was nothing equal for my people in your math/You forced us in the ghetto and then you took our dads.”

Lupe has good reason not to pledge, and has cited the way he was raised and his religious faith as a Muslim that omit him from the American tradition. Check out what he told MTV’s RapFix Live below:

“I don’t know if I should speak on that, to be honest. My moms and my pops told us when we were little kids, ‘You don’t say the pledge of allegiance. More from a religious kind of thing, halfway. You pledge your allegiance to God and that’s it. Being Muslim and things like that, you don’t pledge allegiance to no flag.”

So, do you think it’s a big deal that Lupe doesn’t pledge allegiance to the flag? How many of you out there feel the same way?

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EXCLUSIVE: DMC World Championships Kick Off Today In London; Organizer Sally Mclintock Speaks On Competition

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: MOBILE
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(AllHipHop News) Today (September 27) the world will witness some of the most creative minds in turntablism, at the 28th annual DMC World DJ Championships, which are taking place in London.

The competition is one of the largest DJ tournaments of all time and features DJ’s from over 30 countries.

Contestants over the years have not only won over fans with their turntable wizardry, but their skills have also put them on stage with artists such as Madonna, Beastie Boys and Busta Rhymes. Previous winners of the competition have included DJ Cash Money, Roc Raider and Kanye West’s DJ, A-Trak.

The DMC World DJ Championships have come a long way since its humble beginnings, which was founded by Tony Prince.

The first DMC World Championships took place in the early 80’s at a London nightclub.

“It started out as the first remix service in the industry and still to this day provides the DJ world with a monthly membership of the latest remixes/megamixes/two trackers and promos,” organizer Sally McLintock told AllHipHop.com. “The competition itself began when we started to host annual DJ Conventions in 1984 which included Mixing Competitions and then it naturally progressed into the DMC World Championships. We have always been at the forefront of the music industry and as well as establishing the longest running world DJ competition we were the hub of the club world market and created the biggest selling music magazine, Mixmag which DMC owned for 15 years with monthly sales of over 150,000.”

Since then, the DMC has developed an army of dedicated followers worldwide thanks to the national competitions, which are held in over 25 countries.

“DMC and the competition has been an important part of the culture, especially the DJ culture,” McLintock explained. “We have been here from the start…our passion and love is for the DJ and that’s why we are still here!”

For the second year, the DMC’s are allowing DJ’s to compete using the Serato mixing technology, in addition to traditional vinyl. But the DMC has no plans on ditching wax in the competition.

“Obviously the vinyl purists were not happy, but we have kept one of our competitions vinyl only – The Battle For Supremacy,” McLintock said. “Its been a great addition though allowing Serato and DVS and a decision we are very happy with.”

The DMC World DJ Championships takes place September on 27 and 28 at HMV Forum, Kentish Town, London.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Snoop Defends Smoking That Sticky Icky With His Son

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: MOBILE
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Snoop Dogg Lion has been getting a lot of flack lately over photos that show him and his oldest son Corde (Spank) smoking marijuana together. The photos were posted on Twitter by his son and opened Snoop up to criticism regarding his parenting style. You see, 18-year-old Spank was once a promising football player, who was destined to play college ball and possibly go to the big leagues. Not saying that he still can’t do that – but any scout that has interest in him will probably be turned off by the public photos of him puffing on an illegal substance. I’m just saying!

Well, Snoop has heard the criticism loud and clear, and in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Snoop feels like it brings him closer to his son. Check out an excerpt from the cover story below:

“What better way to [learn] than from the master?”

“My kids can do whatever the hell they want. For me to say otherwise would be hypocritical. A lot of motherf–ers don’t have a relationship with their kids, and that’s when they get on drugs and have suicidal thoughts and drive drunk. Me and my son is mellow. I’m his father, so I wanna show him the proper way because he looks up to me.”

For the record, Snoop, a California resident, is a proud holder of what he calls “a platinum medical maryjane card,” though to be sure, most of his green is gifted. Still, he hopes to see the drug fully — and federally — legalized in his lifetime. What would America look like then? “There would be less high-speed chases, less robberies, less crime,” he says. “Go to Amsterdam or the Netherlands where it is legal and you see that the crime rate is nonexistent, the murder rate is probably under 10 percent, people learn to get along! There are people riding on bicycles being happy and it’s because of the environment that’s provided by the legalization of chronic.”

Do you agree with Snoop Dogg? Does it necessarily mean that he has a better relationship with his son because they smoke weed together? Do you agree with his stance on parenting?

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Hip-Hop Group dead prez Signs New Deal; Preps New Album Information Age

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: MOBILE
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(AllHipHop News) Socially conscious Hip-Hop group dead prez will make a return to the Hip-Hop scene with the release of their new album Information Age.

The group, which consists of members M1 and Stic.Man, have signed a new deal with independent New York label, Krian Music.

Under the new deal, dead prez will drop their first album in over eight years.

“We feel very positive about our joint venture with Krian,” the group told AllHipHop.com in a joint statement released today (September 27).

“We’ve had a great relationship with Royalty network for many years,” the group said. “Dead prez has always prided ourselves on our independence and integrity and we were able to form a partnership with Krian that can appreciate what dead prez’ significance to the culture is and has the capabilities to help us reach bigger goals with the Information Age album around the world. Team work makes the dream work!”

Krian Music launched by Frank  Liwall, the founder of the Royalty Network, an independent publishing company.

Krian Music decided to release a digital version of the album in October, due to the political climate in the country over the upcoming presidential elections.

“After working closely with M-1 and Stic for more than 10 years as their publishing Administrator, we’ve developed a very close and unique bond,” stated Frank Liwall, President of Royalty Network and Krian Music Group. ‘So now being in a position to release their first album in eight years, on our label, is an absolute privilege and honor. One that could only come through the years of working together.”

The digital version of Information Age will be released on October 16, while the physical version of the album will land in stores on January 22.

Check out a copy of the first single “A New Beginning,” From dead prez’ upcoming album Information Age.

Lil Wayne Tops Elvis Presley For Most Entries On Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: MOBILE
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(AllHipHop News) Rapper Lil Wayne has officially topped Elvis Presley as the male artist with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

According to data released by Billboard, Lil Wayne has placed 109 songs on the chart, surpassing Elvis Presley’s record of 108 songs.

Game’s latest track “Celebration” features Lil Wayne, alongside Chris Brown, Tyga and Wiz Khalifa.

The track recently debuted on the charts and Lil Wayne’s appearance allowed him to surpass “the King of Rock & Roll” for most records placed on the chart.

Yesterday (September 26), Lil Wayne was in Louisiana, where he launched his new Trukstop skate park, in New Orleans’ 9th Ward.

“I just want to help out my city, help out the people and the kids, give them something to do, something they haven’t done before,” Lil Wayne told the Associated Press. “It’s always good to learn something new.”

Today (September 27), Lil Wayne is celebrating his 30th birthday.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Nicki Minaj Is Headed To A Reality Show Near You!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: MOBILE
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Dear old Nicki is planning to take over your television sets this fall and earl next year. The rumors of her being a judge on “American Idol” have finally come to fruition, and now we are hearing that Nicki has a reality show in the works. The show is rumored to follow Ms. Minaj around as she goes from the studio to the “American Idol” set, to yelling at Safaree, etc. – you get the idea.

Nicki’s rumored new reality show will allegedly air on E!, the cable home of the Kardashians, and will begin airing in early 2013. If you all saw Nicki’s MTV special a few years ago, you know she puts it all on the table. Are you excited to get an all access pass into the life of Nicki Minaj, or will you be skipping her new reality show altogether?

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