(AllHipHop News) Geto Boys member Willie D. and Scarface have released a a new track dedicated to slain teenager Trayvon Martin.
Willie and Scarface have teamed with rappers Propain and D.Boi for the song “Hoodiez,” which speaks out against the handling of the case.
“For those who think Hip-Hop is dead, I say no. This song and video is proof that it’s alive and well,” Willie D. said. “This is easily one of the most powerful songs ever. The message is strong, dead on and it needs to be heard.”
The track comes on the heels of news
that George Zimmerman, the man accused of shooting and killing Trayvon, has been charged with second-degree murder.
George Zimmerman, the former neighborhood watch man accused of following the 17-year-old and shooting him during an altercation.
The case drew outrage around the world, because it took over 45-days to bring the charges against Zimmerman, due to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which grants immunity if one uses deadly force, in self-defense.
“Let’s show law enforcement and the powers that be in Congress that we are fed up,” Willie D. added. “Let’s make sure they hear our voices loud and clear by the attention we give to this artistic masterpiece of a song. Again retweet, repost and share, share, share. Thank you.”
(AllHipHop News) Despite having two new albums already in the cards for 2012, Lil Wayne recently revealed to Amanda Diva of MTV’s new show “Hip-Hop POV” that he had recorded a full album of “love songs” while he served time for a prison sentence in 2010 at Rikers Island. “I was recording an album at the same time called ‘Devol,’ spelled D-E-V-O-L, ’cause that’s ‘love’ spelled backwards. “It’s my version of love songs. And what I mean by my version of love songs is they’re not saying I love you.” The full interview with Wayne aired last night during the premier of “Hip-Hop POV” which will be a new weekly news and talk show on MTV. There is currently no release date for Devol however I Am Not A Human Being 2 will be out sometime this summer.
Earlier today (April 12) it was announced that Jay-Z’s clothing company, Rocawear, would be partnering up with the 27-time World Series Champion New York Yankees for a new sponsorship deal that will allow the brand to be promoted within the stadium for the 2012 season. Jameel Spencer, Executive V.P. of Marketing for Iconix Brand Group Inc. had the following to say about the new partnership: “Jay-Z has been a long-time fan of the Yankees, regularly attends games and has even included his favorite team in song lyrics, so this was a natural partnership. Rocawear, along with Jay-Z are very excited to be working with the Yankees for the 2012 season. We feel another championship in ’12!”
The people seem to just not be able to get enough of A$AP Rocky, so it’s only fitting that the Harlem native with the Houston swagger can’t wait to get his debut album as well as his crew’s compilation into fans hands sooner rather than later. Well it appears that Rocky’s debut, LongLiveA$AP, will be hitting store shelves in early July with the A$AP Mob project dropping two months earlier in May. The compilation will feature production from Clams Casino, Hit-Boy, Spaceghostpurrp and many more so be on the lookout for both projects in the coming months.
(AllHipHop News) The Mario Van Peebles movie, We The Party, is having another ticket give away contest on their Facebook page where contestants can submit party tunes to the movie’s Spotify playlist. The best submissions will have a chance to win a We The Party Prize Pack which will include movie tickets and autographed promotional items. The winning submission will also have their song pick added to the playlist which already includes songs by Snoop Dogg, The Rej3Ctz, YG, and The New Boyz and will be shared by the film’s and participating cast members social networks.
(AllHipHop News) Beanie Sigel appeared in a Philadelphia court today (April 12), where his sentencing date for failing to pay taxes was postponed.
Beanie will be sentenced on July 12, so that he will have time to prepare financial documents, in an attempt to clear up a discrepancy in regards to how much owes to the IRS.
Beanie Sigel, born Dwight Grant, is accused of failing to report income to the federal government, from 2003-2005.
Sigel claims he owes over $350,000 to the IRS, on over $1 million worth of income he earned during the years in question.
But the government disputes that amount and says the rapper owes upwards of $750,000 in taxes.
At today’s hearing, the judge gave Beanie Sigel until April 26 to turn in financial documentation for the years in question.
The judge also ordered Beanie Sigel and his legal team to meet with IRS agents on Friday, June 15, to come to a final agreement on the amount the rapper will owe.
The judge also said that the prison sentence is a separate issue from the auditing of Beanie Sigel’s financial records.
The rapper, who was poised and upbeat at today’s hearing, faces up to a total of 36 months behind bars.
Based on federal guidelines, Beanie Sigel may spend time in prison, although probation or other punitive sentencing is also a possibility.
The news comes just days before Beanie Sigel drops a brand new mixtape titled Broad Street Empire Vol. 1: Lost Files.
Beanie is due back in court on Thursday, July 12 at 10:00am.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this news story implied that Beanie Sigel will definitely serve time in prison. Sentencing has not been determined at this time, and as a result the previous statement was inaccurate. The AllHipHop.com editorial staff regrets any confusion or inconvenience that this may have caused.
Say it ain’t so!!! Even though Havoc has denied sending out the disparaging tweets about Prodigy, it’s starting to look more and more like he may have indeed done it.
According to a source who works closely with Mobb Deep, tension has been building between Havoc and Prodigy for some time now. Prodigy was locked up from 2007 through 2011, serving a three-and-a-half-year gun charge sentence, and was determined to stay out of trouble when he came home; he stopped drinking and smoking and hit the gym.
“While he was up there, 50 Cent came to visit a couple times,” the source said. “And 50 had came to him and said, ‘Listen, man, when you come home, I wanna sign you as a solo artist. I’m gonna give you a $500,000 advance check, but I’m not f#####’ with Havoc because Havoc has been dealin’ with alcohol issues for years. Since you’ve been in jail, he’s checked in to rehab a few times.” Mobb Deep had previously been signed to G-Unit from 2005 through 2009. With three months to go in his sentence, Havoc still hadn’t visited Prodigy, and though the G-Unit offer was enticing, P was willing to give Mobb Deep another chance if Hav visited him before he was released.
“A week before [Prodigy] comes home, Havoc finally shows up,” the source continued. “[He says], ‘Yo, listen, I’m sorry, man. I’ve been battlin’ alcohol again. I just came out of rehab. I really wanna work again. Let’s get money.’” Prodigy was open to getting back to work with his longtime comrade. He was released in March 2011, and the next month dropped his autobiography, My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy. P and Hav hit the studio a few times—even releasing the Black Cocaine EP in November—but the two rarely interacted. “The only time Prodigy would see him was before a show—at the airport or however they’re gonna get there,” the source said.
Citing one instance in particular, the source says Havoc spent $20,000 at a casino, but didn’t remember the next day because he had been drinking heavily. “When he went into the account, the money was gone,” the source recalled. “He forgot because he has these little blackout moments when he’s drunk—that he spent all the money gamblin’. He accused Prodigy’s manager [of] stealin’ the money out of his account. So he knocks on Prodigy’s door, he smacks Prodigy across the face, Prodigy wrestles him down, beats him up a little bit. After, he remembers that he was gamblin’, so he comes back to Prodigy and apologizes and all that. But at this point, Prodigy is already tellin’ me and my other friend, ‘Yo, this is the last Mobb Deep tour. When I get back to New York, I’m gonna disappear. I’m not f#####’ with H no more.’”
Havoc referenced an altercation on Twitter earlier this week, writing, “I had to smack P, ask him.”
The Infamous Mobb hit SXSW in Austin for the first time last month, and though they performed multiple times, the tension was continuing to mount. “When he got back to New York, Prodigy kept his word,” the source said. “He stopped takin’ Havoc’s calls. He wanted to be out that whole situation.” The source also denied accusations that Havoc questioned Prodigy’s sexuality, and said it’s highly unlikely that the two will work together again. “To be honest with you, there’s 120 percent certainty that there will never be another Mobb Deep album again,” the source concluded. “How do you come back from that?”
(AllHipHop News)Debuting at #1 on the charts last fall was no small feat for Mac Miller and his independently released debut album, Blue Slide Park, which dropped via Rostrum Records. Mac Miller entered the record books for being the first independent artist since Tha Dogg Pound to debut at #1 in over a decade and this year, he’s planning to top himself with the release of not one, not two, but three full-length projects for his fans.
The Pittsburgh MC, who has big expectations for himself, spoke to Billboardrecently about his slate of new projects that he intends to drop before the end of the calendar year. “I’m doing three collaborative projects before the end of this year. One is coming out soon, I can’t tell you [about them] but they’re all crazy, they’re all really dope,” Mac said. “I think that’s just what I need to do right now, just explore, and expand, and make music with other people.”
“For so long I wanted to do everything myself.” He continued, “I wanted people to know I’m here because of what I did, and not because of a co-sign. Now that I’m here, I’m having so much fun working with people. My mixtape [Macadelic] is filled with ridiculous features, and it’s just fun for me, so I think I gotta do more of that to just expand and grow as an artist.”
After a successful 2011, Mac, who is currently on tour, dropped the well-praised mixtape Macadelic last month which showcased the 20-year-old’s lyrical growth and featured the likes of Juicy J, Lil Wayne, Casey Veggies, Sir Michael Rocks and Kendrick Lamar. “Macadelic is where I’m at right now. I think that’s what’s great about the mixtape game, it’s from the artist. Just from me to you. We made it, we mixed it, and we put it out the next day, so it’s real raw. That’s just how I love my music. If I didn’t have mixtapes, I don’t think people would’ve known who I was.”
Mac also spoke briefly on the follow-up to Blue Slide Park and said, “It’s really just working and figuring not only how I can do that again, but do better than that.”
You can catch Mac Miller at one of 15 remaining cities near you on his currently-running “Macadelic Tour” before he heads overseas for the next leg of his “Blue Slide Park Tour.”
It looks like YMCMB may have signed another veteran emcee to their roster. We are hearing that Chicago rapper Twista may have signed a label deal with YMCMB for his GMG label. Our sources are telling us that there was a major bidding war going on between YMCMB and Def Jam over Twista, but it looks like YMCMB may have won.
Today, Twista added more fuel to the rumor when he tweeted a photo of himself in a YMCMB hoodie, an accessory only given to YMCMB artists. Check out the photo below:
Twista is putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album, The Dark Horse, and we are hearing that it may be his best work yet. Stay tuned for an announcement from YMCMB on their new signee!
(AllHipHop News) South Side Chicago rapper, actor and philanthropist, Common, has a big weekend planned.
The rapper will throw the first pitch at the Chicago White Sox home opener at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday.
But the highlight of the rapper’s weekend will be later that evening, when Common hosts his yearly charity gala at the Ritz Carlton, in Chicago.
The proceeds benefit his Common Ground Foundation, which supports urban youth in need aged 13-15.
This summer, the foundation will host it’s annual Common’s Summer Youth Camp, at Camp Anokijig in Plymouth, WI.
The program at the summer camp is for 8th and 9th grade students from inner city Chicago and has an educational curriculum focused on life development skills and career opportunities in the music industry.
“I started the Common Ground Foundation because I wanted to help. Most of all help people to help themselves. I always believed that if we started with the youth then we would be planting the seeds for our future to blossom. Give the children a sense of hope, self-esteem, and love that will better the world,” Common explained on his website. “I think making a difference in the lives of others is life’s greatest purpose. I walk this path with faith knowing that the Common Ground Foundation will Change the World.”
While tickets for the event are sold out, space remains available for the after-party at the Chicago Illuminating Company.
The party wil feature music by long-time collaborators Twilite Tone and DJ Mark Fullaflava.
In the past few years the Common Ground Foundation has been recognized by CNN Heroes (2011) and the BET Hip Hop Awards (2010) as a philanthropic organization doing great work in urban communities.
To learn more about Common’s programs for his Common Ground Foundation, visit www.commongroundfoundation.org
Fans at Coachella this weekend will be getting a very special visit from deceased rapper/crooner Nate Dogg at this years festival. Technology is allowing for a posthumous guest appearance from Nate Dogg on stage in the form of a HOLOGRAM!
Sources tell TMZ that Dr. Dre didn’t want to leave Nate out of his Sunday performance — so he’s incorporating his old friend using hologram technology … the same technology that broadcast Mariah Carey’s image across Europe last year … at 5 simultaneous concerts.
We hear an image of Nate will be projected onto the Coachella stage — alongside Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Warren G, and Daz Dillinger — to make it appear as though he’s actually performing on stage.
According to sources, Nate will perform several songs.
The singer passed away last March — just weeks before last year’s Coachella festival.
Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to going harder! As I’ve said a million times before and will continue to say a million times over…. It’s always too early to quit! You do not become a failure by not reaching a goal; you become a failure by giving up!
As long as you have breath in your body, it is imperative that you continue to strive everyday to reach all of your goals! Those who give up are those who either don’t want their dream bad enough, or those who don’t believe that they can attain it!
Do not become any of these!! Understand that if you want something, then you have to work harder to get it! And at the moment you think you’ve given it your all…..give it some more! Everything you want in life WILL be yours if you keep going harder!!! As John Lennon once said, “Everything will be OK in the end; so if it’s not OK, then it’s not the end.”
-Ash’Cash
“If you’re not making waves, you’re not kicking hard enough.” -@IAmDiddy
“Chances are, if you have a plan B, you’re not working hard enough on plan A.” -Unknown
“Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.” -Napoleon Hill
“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” -Newt Gingrich
“Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.” -Unknown
“If you work hard enough and assert yourself, and use your mind and imagination, you can shape the world to your desires.” -Malcolm Gladwell
“Stay the course, light a star, Change the world where’er you are.” -Richard Le Gallienne
“If at first you do succeed, try something harder.” -Proverb
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.
(AllHipHop News) President Barack Obama recently shared his opinion on his taste in Hip-Hop music and had some unflattering words for Kanye West.
President Obama was attending a fundraiser at Daniel, an upscale gourmet restaurant on Park Ave. in Manhattan, when a reporter for The Atlantic quizzed him on his Hip-Hop tastes.
According to President Obama, he prefers Jay-Z over Kanye West, “although I like Kanye,” Obama told The Atlantic. “He’s a Chicago guy. Smart. He’s very talented.”
But President Obama refused to backdown from comments he made about Kanye in 2009, while his microphone was live during an interview, without his knowledge.
In the new interview, The Commander-In-Chief has once again branded the Kanye West a jackass.
“He is a jackass,” Obama said in a new interview. “But he’s talented.”
President Obama also labeled the Grammy Award-winning producer/rapper a jackass in 2009, after he infamously interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
A year has gone by since we last caught up with Warren G, after the death of his longtime friend and collaborator, Nate Dogg. Over that period of time, Warren’s been busy laying down tracks and preparing for the release of the Warren G & Nate Dogg EP he spoke about in our last interview.
With the release of the EP nearing, AllHipHop.com caught up with Long Beach’s G-Funk maestro, for an update on all the music projects he’s been involved in, and even those erectile dysfunction pills that he was pushing last year. The G-Funk Era lives on!
AllHipHop.com: We spoke to you around this time last year after Nate Dogg passed away. How has life been for you since then?
Warren G: It’s been cool. I’m still missing my homeboy, but it’s been cool. I’ve been working in the studio doing a lot of production and working on the EP that’s coming. I released a new mixtape called No One Could Do It Better. I wanted people to hear some songs that they may not have heard before. I put together songs that me, Nate and Snoop Dogg did together just to give the new generation an introduction to the good music that we made. This way they are not asking, “Who is Warren G?”
AllHipHop.com: So this is just a collection of old tracks?
Warren G: No, some stuff is exclusive. Overall, I’m just putting it out to let people get that “good feeling” music that you can chill and smoke to.
AllHipHop.com: I can’t recall you ever putting out a mixtape before.
Warren G: Never. Actually, you know what? This is the second time that I have. I didn’t put it out myself, but I did one with a cat who’s name I can’t remember. Things didn’t turn out right so people didn’t really get it, but it was off the chain. I remade some of those records but I haven’t put those out.
AllHipHop.com: Do you have an update on the EP that you’re putting out with Nate Dogg?
Warren G: I’m just about finished. I’m waiting for Young Jeezy to put his 16 bars on. I’m pretty much done after that. The single is already mixed and ready to go. The date I’m looking to drop the EP is April 17.
AllHipHop.com: That soon?
Warren G: Yeah, that soon. I just want everybody to get ready because it’s going down this month, for real.
AllHipHop.com: You mentioned Young Jeezy. Are there any other guests on this EP?
Warren G: There’s Too $hort, E-40, Game, and Bun-B. That’s about it.
AllHipHop.com: That’s a nice little lineup. What’s the EP’s name?
Warren G: It’s called No One Could Do It Better, just like the mixtape. I’m releasing this independently via digital outlets. I may end up doing a physical deal for it also, but it’s going to be digital. People aren’t even going into stores to buy CDs. I know the ones that do love to buy CDs will be upset, but they have to understand that most of the records now are being sold digitally. I’m going to eventually make it possible for the ones that want to get it physically.
Right after that, I’m dropping Regulate – The G-Funk Era Part 2 – The EP. It’s going to be mainly me, but I will have some great appearances on there. I’m just doing the live music like I do it.
AllHipHop.com: G-Funk Era Part 2 is going to be an EP and not an album?
Warren G: It’s an EP, but depending on how well it does, I’ll do a sequel to that which will be a full album. My thing is that I go so hard and put my heart in to what I do. My first dealings as an Independent artist weren’t good. I poured my heart in to a lot of stuff and it didn’t get pushed like it was supposed to. I don’t want to go through that again, even though I’m more knowledgeable of how this goes now.
I’ve also got a bunch of young artists that I’m working with. I’m doing a compilation called The Westside Story. That album is going to be my Chronic. It’s going to be a display of my production with top notch artists and singers. I just want to do some great music. That’s what it’s all about for me. I want the music to make people feel good because that’s what it does for me. It makes me feel good to see an audience of people singing my song. That’s what I get out of it. I love it because they feel me and understand my story.
AllHipHop.com: When you are not producing, what is your life like?
Warren G: When I’m not producing, I’m with my kids. I’ve got three boys and two girls. I try to be with them as much as I can, because I’m out on the road so much. I do try to make every important event that I can. When I don’t, my wife takes care of that. I’m always out on the road too. You’ve got to provide. You can’t just sit at home. This is a job and you’ve got to be able to put food on the table.
AllHipHop.com: Which artists have you produced for lately?
Warren G: I just did Young Jeezy’s first single with Ne-Yo called “Leave You Alone.” I also did one with E-40 called “What Happened To Them Days.” I’ve also made tracks for Styles P and Tone Trump. Actually, I did five hot ones for Tone Trump’s new project. Let’s see, who else? I gave Young Jeezy some more tracks, and I sent some to Game too.
AllHipHop.com: I’m glad to see you so active. I don’t think we hear enough from you. What are you mostly doing? Samples or live music?
Warren G: I do samples and live music. I listen to records for different ideas.
AllHipHop.com: I’ve always enjoyed the basslines that you use. You really have an ear for that.
Warren G: To me, the bassline is the backbone of production. If the bass isn’t right, then something is wrong.
AllHipHop.com: Are you still a spokesperson for those Affirm XL erectile dysfunction pills?
Warren G: I’m still a part of it, although we are going through negotiations right now. The commercials were all comedy and fun, but it is about getting the product to those who need it. I don’t need it, but it works – I’ve tried it. It’s a great product, and I love it. People with diabetes need to use it. It’s safer than Viagra, and I’m not disrespecting Viagra. It’s more of an herb than regular, like, medicine.
AllHipHop.com: It’s sad to read all of the drama about Nate Dogg’s estate and people pointing fingers about his unpaid medical expenses.
Warren G: I don’t even listen to it. I’ve been there for him. I was right there with him! I don’t even know why all of that stuff is being put out there like that. A lot of that stuff isn’t real. It’s messed up because Nate isn’t here to defend himself. I don’t get in to all of that. They try to put me in that, but I’m not in to that stuff.
AllHipHop.com: Do you like any of the new “Ratchet” music that’s coming out of the West Coast?
Warren G: Some of it is cool, and some of it is bullsh*t. I’m not mad at anybody for trying to do what they love. I can’t be mad at them for doing music how they want to do it. Good luck. Keep doing that sh*t. It’s a job. It’s a love, but it’s also a job. You’ve got to feed your babies and your families.
Fans can keep up with Warren G on Twitter (@regulator) and via his official website, www.warreng.com
While her husband JAY-Z boasts about not ever having to write anything down, BEYONCE does the opposite. Last night, Beyonce posted a short but sweet, handwritten letter on her site Beyonce.com, thanking First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA for simply being – GREAT!!
We wonder if Beyonce thought about this idea while on her Easter family vacation in St. Barth. Well, whenever she did it, Beyonce sent her warm regards – in advance – for Mrs. Obama being one of the best role models that her daughter Blue Ivy will witness growing up. And, she also shouted her out and empathized with her having to deal with the spotlight every moment of her life, but continuing to remain level-headed.
Aww!! How cute! We couldn’t agree with Beyonce any more. Props to First Lady Michelle Obama for truly serving as an inspiration.
Take a look at the heartfelt, self-penned letter from Bey below:
Follow AllHipHop contributor Chantal Borgella on Twitter (@chantalborgella).
