(AllHipHop News) Veteran Hip-Hop group The Artifacts are back together and have released their first official single together in over 15 years.
The group has just dropped their new song “Easter,” featuring original group members El da Sensei, Tame One and DJ Kaos.
The Artifacts’ newest single “Easter” was produced by The Away Team’s Khrysis with cuts by DJ Dutchmaster.
“This is a special day (pop bottles lol) for us as Artifacts,” El da Sensei told AllHipHop.com. “I been waiting for this day and to do it now in this climate, only proves how many people still wanna hear us AND over a Khrysis beat.”
The Newark, New Jersey-based group debuted in 1994 with their album Between a Rock and a Hard Place, which contained their best known single, “Wrong Side of the Tracks.”
The Artifacts circa 1995
By 1997, The Artifacts had split amicably, shortly after the release of their second album That’s Them.
Both rappers in The Artifacts stayed busy in Hip-Hop circles during their 15-year hiatus.
Tame One joined critically acclaimed Hip-Hop group The Weatherman, while El da Sensei released a variety of solo albums and collaborations.
“I appreciate everybody and understand what the mission is and what people want from us as a group,” El da Sensei told AllHipHop.com. “[We are] not a 90’s era or throwback group, just two emcees and a DJ that brings that s**t you love to hear.”
Check out The Artifacts new single “Easter” below.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was on hand in New York City yesterday as Nike unveiled 32 new team uniforms for the upcoming NFL season.
The “fashion show” of sorts was held at a Brooklyn film studio, where uniforms for all 32 NFL teams were on display and were shown off by an individual athlete from each team, such as Victor Cruz from the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions, Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons, and Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens.
Nike is the NFL’s new official partner, taking over gear and uniform design from Reebok who previously handled all of the league’s past athletic gear.
Although there are no substantial changes to the uniform’s’ appearance there are a number of new features to assist players with better movement, mobility, and comfort. ESPN contributor Paul Lukas had the following to say about the new uniforms: “The biggest change I noticed was the collars. A lot of the teams have a two-tone collar which allows for the (Nike) Flywire design. But off the top of my head, the Packers look like the Packers, the Chiefs look like the Chiefs, the Bills look like the Bills, etc.”
When asked about the lack of change in the new uniforms Lukas said, “NFL team owners are some of the most conservative businessmen in America. They call the shots. They don’t just sign off on what somebody else does. They ultimately make the decisions. It’s their property, their teams. The notion that Nike, or any company, could just walk in and change everything unilaterally is (wrong). I think a lot of fans misunderstand how that works. It does not work that way.”
Flywire Technology: eliminates layers, reduces weight, and provides lockdown fit
Zoned Mesh Ventilation: cooling zones for optimal thermoregulation
Zoned Strength: high tenacity, stretch material for light weight lockdown strength
Mobility Cut: 4-way stretch, hydrophobic materials helps increase range of motion, wet or dry
Stretch Twill Numbers: 4-way stretch even on numbering system
Deflex Padding: lightweight, flexible impact protection incorporated directly into the pant
Aluminum D-Ring Belt: aircraft-grade D-ring belt reduces weight
Nike Vapor Game Sock: advanced zonal cushioning system relieves cleat pressure
Hyperstrong 4-Pad Top: provides defense in high-impact areas without sacrificing mobility
Hyperstrong Compression 3/4 Pant: built for speed and engineered for impact protection
Nike Vapor Talon Elite Cleat: forefoot traction for pin-point grip, hyperfuse construction for strength and stability, molded carbon fiber insert delivers lockdown with seamless fit, dual-pod collar and carbon fiber shank plate for explosive first step
All apparel will available for purchase closer to the start of the NFL season at Nike. For more information and additional coverage of yesterday’s event, visit ESPN.com.
West Coast rapper YG is now adding “actor” to his resume’ as he stars in the upcoming Mario Van Peebles film, “We The Party,” as the troubled but misunderstood “C.C.” AllHipHop.com caught up with YG to get a few words from him as he was promoting the movie at a special screening in Burbank, California last night:
AllHipHop.com: I’m digging that new song of yours, “I’m A Thug,” produced by DJ Mustard. I was at the video shoot in Compton for that song where those gunshots were fired. Y’all had me running down the alley for my life! [laughter]
YG: [laughter] You was there?
AllHipHop.com: I was there! I just barely escaped the police who were detaining everybody that they could.
YG: My bad, bro. The police was trippin’.
AllHipHop.com: The music was so loud, that I didn’t even hear the gunshots. Did you?
YG: Yeah, I heard them. They sounded like fire-crackers at first. Everybody’s straight, though, and the video is now out.
AllHipHop.com: You’re in this new movie, “We The Party.” Tell us what role you are playing.
YG: I play this dude named C.C. He’s 20 years old and in high school still. He has a baby, and all that. All of the students at school are afraid of him. He doesn’t talk much, and he’s always showing up with band-aids on his face. Snoop Dogg plays my big brother in the movie. After some situations, my character starts to open up as a person and vibe with other people. It’s basically a story about not judging a book by its cover.
AllHipHop.com: This is your first role ever, right?
YG: Yeah, this is my first role. I’m going to do more movies. I’m working on trying to land some more right now. This one was a little bit of a challenge for me, because it’s my first movie. Once the filming started, and I was able to remember my lines, things got easier for me.
AllHipHop.com: Did Snoop Dogg give you any acting tips or advice?
YG: Not really. Mario Van Peebles was the one that was on me. He wasn’t really on me, but he kept telling me how surprised he was that I was able to come in and do my thing.
AllHipHop.com: Let’s talk about your music. You just released a new mixtape.
YG: It’s called 400 Degreez, and it’s out right now. I’m working on an album right now, but we’ve got the “400 Degreez Tour” that we’re doing all of the way to June. Me and Nipsey Hussle are working on something. I’ll be dropping lots of videos in the meantime. I’m working and grindin’.
AllHipHop.com: To me, your music is like a cross between Gangsta rap and what they are now calling “Ratchet music.”
YG: I’m just doing me, bro. I’m not trying to combine anything. I’m just rapping on DJ Mustard beats – and that’s the outcome. They call it Ratchet, so I guess I’m Ratchet [laughter]. You feel me?
We also sat down with Mario Van Peebles and his son, Mandela, for an in-depth interview that we’ll be bringing you very shortly, as well as a review of the movie. “We The Party” hits theaters on April 6.
By now, you may have heard the news – Beanie Sigel’s back, with new music on the way via an upcoming mixtape and studio album entitled The Classic. Before our interview in the studio in Brooklyn recently, he asks for a few minutes to listen to what his engineer Vince DiLorenzo has mixed down. He’s in work mode, happy to give the interview, but clearly eager to get back to business.
Business for Beanie Sigel has expanded beyond the street hustle and the music these days. For those of us on the outside, it might seem as if a light bulb has finally gone off in the head of the multi-talented “Broad Street Bully.” His skills are marketable. Labels will step to a level-headed, visionary businessman. And most importantly, the fans will support him performing in other mediums – like TV, movies, books, and a cooking show??? Yes.
AllHipHop.com got a lot of exclusive scoop out of Beans during our visit – but he saved some cool, little tidbits for nearly the end. While serving his latest, heavily-publicized prison stint in 2011 for tax evasion, he began crafting a book concept without even realizing he had done it at first. The airy title refers to the way papers float through the air when inmates pass them to one another between floors in the prison cellblock. Pretty clever, Beans.
Fellow inmates started depending on Beanie Sigel to help connect them with their loved ones through his gift for wordsmithing. What resulted just might appear on the bestseller’s list in the near future – watch the video:
Beanie Sigel was in a sharing mood. Come back for even more of our great interview with him later this week. Follow Beanie Sigel on Twitter (@BeanieSigelSP).
AllHipHop and Bizzy Crook are offering readers and tweeters a pair of headsets from Sol Republic as promo on the group’s latest digital release, the Good Luck EP.
Sol Republic offers their Tracks HD Headphones, which featuring the distinctive V10 High-Definition Sound Engine™ speakers, switchable cables and nearly indestructible “Sound Track” headbands made of the company’s proprietary FlexTech™ polymer. Unlike other brands, these headphones offer superior comfort, style and sound.
(AllHipHop News) New Orleans’ “Jet Life” ambassador Curren$y is releasing his newest project The Stoned Immaculate via Warner Bros. Records June 5.
The Stoned Immaculate boasts the lead single track “What it Look Like” featuring Wale, which has an accompanying video that will premiere on MTV2’s Sucker Free on April 8.
The video will then air as MTV Jams’ Jam of the Week, before making its way to iTunes on April 10.
Curren$y has also conjured up a tour called “Jet Life: The Stoned Immaculate Tour,” which kiss off April 19 Houston.
Fans eager to pre-order the album can do so beginning on April 20 at CurrensySpitta.com.
Just last year Curren$y released his critically acclaimed projects Weekend At Burnies’and the Alchemist produced album Covert Coupe.
It has already been a busy 2012 for Spitta, who has released his Verde Terrace mixtape with DJ Drama, a five-song free EP titled Hereand most recently an EP collaboration with Yonkers rapper Styles P titled #The1st28.
(AllHipHop News)THRreports that Anchor Bay Entertainment has acquired the rights to release Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa’s collaborative movie, Mac and Devin Go To High School, which both artists will support on their respective tours.
The Hip-Hop comedy, directed by Dylan Brown, stars Wiz Khalifa as an “academic overachiever struggling to write his valedictorian speech because he realizes he has little life experience.”
Snoop Dogg stars as a “senior now going on his 15th year of high school who has a thing for the new substitute teacher. The two find inspiration in each other and team to achieve their respective goals.”
Mike Epps, Affion Crockett, and Andy Milonakis all have roles in Mac and Devin Go To High School, which also features a cameo by “Like A G6” trio, Far East Movement, and narration from recent YMCMB acquisition, Mystikal.
The deal for Mac and Devin Go To High School includes rights for the United States, New Zealand, and Australia however excludes rights for Video On Demand (VOD) subscription services.
The film soundtrack was released on this past December 13 and included the hit single “Young, Wild and Free” which featured Bruno Mars.
There is currently no official release date for the film, although it is expected to be released this spring.
Nicki Minaj has tons of star-studded features on her new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, but she recently revealed that she was unable to secure Lauryn Hill for the track “Champion”, featuring Nas, Drake, and Young Jeezy. Check out what she said about it below:
“I wanted to get her on ‘Champion’,” she told Funkmaster Flex. “That would have been crazy, right? She was my fave.”
Although Nicki has never met Ms.Hill, she says that Lauryn is a “goddess.”
“I’d love to meet her. I’m pretty sure she’s heard me talk about her a billion times,” Nicki said.
Check out the “Champion” track below. Could you hear Lauryn Hill on this?
In related news, during the interivew, Nicki Minaj gave props to other female rappers, including Remy Ma.
“Remy at one time brought back this energy that was almost palpable,” she said of the incarcerated MC. “When the ‘Ante Up’ verse came out, if you ain’t know her, you knew her then.”
Foxy Brown was another one of her influences. “She was one of my faves. I had connected with her a lot just because she’s Trini and I’m Trini, and I always thought if I meet her, she would understand me. Foxy Brown was my friend in my head.”
Nicki also shouted out MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Left Eye, Missy Elliott, and Da Brat during the interview.
Drink F*ck Sleep is the title of Karrine Steffans new anthology of stories from novice writers. But, we think the title could also allude to how she spent many of her nights with some of your favorite rappers. The former video-vixen turned author is now the owner of her own, Steffans Publishing, a venture that will release books from authors other than Steffans herself.
The first release from Steffans Publishing is Drink F*ck Sleep, described as a collection of essays depicting regrettable sexual experiences wherein alcohol was involved either before, during, or after. With gripping, personal accounts of tragic, heart-wrenching, sexually boundless, ultra-erotic, emotionally numbing, mind-thrilling, and scintillating experiences, the featured writers narrow the divide between what people project and what they protect.
Steffans released the cover and short excerpts from the book on April 1 via her blog, www.Karrineandco.com. The cover features a naked, laughing Steffans lying on what appears to be a hotel room floor. Steffans plans to support Drink F*ck Sleep with a publicity run and a tour.
Steffans Publishing is accepting pre-orders for Drink F*ck Sleep on her website and via Amazon. Orders placed via Steffans’ website will be autographed.
Could it be that Hip-Hop is entering into a new “Golden Age?” It was just a few short years ago that people constantly complained about the lack of creativity and ingenuity in Hip-Hop. But, recent years have seen an influx of creative new artists who have added value to the landscape. One of the crews leading the pack is the G.O.O.D. Music roster led by Kanye West.
With a crew that includes the veteran Clipse MC, Pusha T, actor/rapper/weird guy, Kid Cudi, and newcomer, Detroit heartthrob, Big Sean. Add West, and G.O.O.D Music has more than enough spitters on their team. Sprinkle in production from Hit-Boy, and you have a good start. Then, the industry was surprised and intrigued when West added veteran hitmaker, Mannie Fresh, who compares G.O.O.D. Music to a “hit factory.”
“There are so many talented people that are on G.O.O.D. Music that it’s nuts,” Mannie Fresh glows. “You have so many people that you are working with that it’s unlimited. I can’t say what it’s structured around. It’s more so a music factory.”
Mannie Fresh created classic hits with Cash Money, the parent of the still-hot YMCMB that is serving up music with Drake and Nicki Minaj on its roster. He states that he has known Kanye since his days at Cash Money,” I’ve been knowing dude forever. Kanye knows what I’m about.”
Originally released in 1976, Sparkle became a cult classic, and the trailer for its remake has now been released. The updated version stars the late legend, Whitney Houston, and American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks.
Unlike its 1976 predecessor, which was set in 1950’s Harlem, the new film is set in Detroit, Michigan, in the 1960s Motown era. The film takes inspiration from real life group, The Supremes, which produced the iconic legend we know today as Diana Ross.
With music written by R. Kelly and appearances by Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Cee-Lo, and more, this film is sure to be a classic. Sparkle is scheduled for release this summer. Watch the trailer below:
A couple of days ago, we reported on Diggy Simmons releasing a diss track against J.Cole for subliminally mentioning that he had sexual relations with his big sister, Vanessa. Diggy continued to defend his sister’s honor yesterday during his interview with 99.1 KGGI in California. Check out what he told them in the video below:
“A little over a year ago, my sister told me he (J.Cole) was saying he did this, that, and the third with her ’cause they went to the same college, but they didn’t even really know each other so it wasn’t like that.
“It was just me sticking up for my family.”
As far as his dad Rev. Run, Diggy says,“He already heard the track. He’s like, ‘Family over everything. That’s your sister.’ He wasn’t mad about it at all.”
And if J.Cole should respond?
“I don’t really care,” Diggy adds. “That’s not my focus.”
Rev. Run justified Diggy’s retaliation via his Twitter yesterday and revealed that the diss was actually a leak.
“J Cole.. Puts out 2 records Dissing family & Diggy & nobody cared.. Some1 leaks a old Diggy record & there’s a problem,” Rev. Run tweeted…
…while Vanessa chimed in to tell her side of the story.
“Ok enuff with the fu*#ery on my TL now. Our brothers r protective ova us CUZ guys stay LYING. MORE IMPTLY that ish NEVER HAPPENED,” she said.
(AllHipHop News) Grammy Award-winning rapper Killer Mike a.k.a. Mike Bigga is planning to release his new album R.A.P. Music this May.
Killer Mike teamed up with Brooklyn Hip-Hop legend El-P, who handles all of the production for R.A.P. Music.
R.A.P. Music features Killer Mike touching on a number of issues, including economic discrepancies and racism in America.
According to Killer Mike, R.A.P. Music acronym for “Rebellious African People’s Music.
Killer Mike draws inspiration on ““Don’t Die,” from the recent murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Killer Mike said he recorded “Don’t Die” “so we never forget Fred Hampton, Oscar Grant, Sean Bell and other good men killed unjustly by police in this country. R.I.P. Trayvon.”
R.A.P. Music is due in stores on May 15 on Williams Street Records.
Tracklisting is below:
1. Big Beast (feat. Bun B, T.I. and Trouble)
2. Untitled (feat. Scar)
3. Go!
4. Southern Fried
5. Jo Jo’s Chillin
6. Reagan
7. Don’t Die
8. Ghetto Gospel
9. Butane (Champion’s Anthem) (feat. El-P)
10. Anywhere But Here (feat. Emily Panic)
11. Willie Burke Sherwood
12. R.A.P. Music
Is Soulja Boy expanding into the world of greenery? Well, according to this tweet below, it looks like he may be getting one named in his honor in LA. Check out the tweet below:
Although we don’t know if that’s a confirmation from Soulja Boy or not, we don’t think it’s that far fetched. The guy does allegedly have a vending machine full of different types of ganja at his crib. See the photo below:
In related news, Soulja Boy just released a new video for the track “Nu Religion”. Check it out below:
(AllHipHop News) Maybach Music Group ringleader Rick Ross recently spoke about his plans for his upcoming projectGod Forgives, I Don’t, on his Rich Forever European Tour.
The Miami bred rapper explained that the project will drop this summer.
According to Rick Ross, he attempted to give the project the feel of a Martin Scorsese film.
“God Forgives I Don’t, you know that will be dropping this summer. First and foremost, the title, I wanted to approach it how Scorsese approaches a film,” Rick Ross said. “I wanted it to be a bold statement, a dark statement and have music to tell that story behind it. So it should feel like film or a motion picture when you got through listening to it. That’s the type of detail that I really put into it and that will be dropping this year,” Rick Ross explained to French website Booska-P.com.
The project features a host of highly anticipated collaborations with heavyweights like Jay-Z and Dr. Dre.
“You know, the big homie Jay-Z on the album, I got to to collaborate recently with Dr. Dre, and thats something that I thought would never happen at one point,” Rick Ross said. “So just to see how the tides are changing man, I’m excited for the end result and what people are going to ultimately get.”
When asked about his recipe to staying successful and progressing with every album, Rick Ross explained that it’s about putting in more and more work every time.
“I think it’s just me really – you just spend more time with your craft. No matter what you are doing, I think if you a photographer, or if you edit, if you film, I think the more time you do it, instead of spending four hours to edit, this time you spend 20, I think its going to be huge difference and thats just the way I approach my records,” Rick Ross revealed. “You know, I could put a record together pretty quick, but its also about what coming after that and whats before that and what’s in between that. I just pay attention to the smallest details now.”
Rick Ross’ mixtape Rich Forever is currently available online, while his artist Stalley recently released his project Savage Journey to the American Dream and will be performing at SOB’s tomorrow night in Manhattan, for an album release party.
