Not even a few years ago, Bad Boy/MMG artist French Montana was in the middle of a bidding war with several labels. It was rumored that Kanye West would sign French, Rick Ross was interested, Diddy was looking for a new member of the Ciroc Boys – things couldn’t get any better.
Now with his buzz as high as it’s ever been, and with the new “Pop That” single owning the radio and strip club circuits, French Montana is starting to make a real name for himself. With countless features with Ross, Drake, Wayne, Wale, Meek Mill and others on deck French has no shortage of music. His Mac & Cheese 3 mixtape and his album, Excuse My French, sit on the horizon, just weeks and months away respectively.
Take a look at AllHipHop.com’s sit down with French Montana, as we discuss his upcoming album, his hopes for a Jay-Z feature, and his thoughts on Max B recently being denied parole:
Don’t believe the hype; Big Sean can rap. Being included with the whirlwind of talent that is G.O.O.D. Music, Sean has become one of the favorite picks as the possible weak link in the crew. Perhaps acting with something to prove, the now mainstream-successful artist returns to his roots to drop Detroit, a mixtape with all original music. With major releases on the horizon, this project was solely for his fans- and naysayers too.
Contrary to what the basic black and white cover may lead you to believe, Detroit is filled with flossy, ambitious anthems; some more abrasive than others. “24K of Gold” featuring J. Cole is one of the project’s standouts, with an aspiring chorus and instrumental. Following this theme even further, “I’m Gonna Be” has Sean and TDE-favorite Jhene Aiko trading inspirational sing-alongs. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Big Sean is the most comfortable when he’s speaking on the fruits of his labor; showcased in the starry “How It Feel”, intoxicating “Experimental” featuring King Chip and hilarious Juicy J, and club slapper “Do What I Got To Do” (appropriately featuring Tyga), which is an ode to the ladies, an ode to substance abuse, and an ode to the ladies, again.
There are more serious moments though, such as “100” with Royce Da 5’9 and KendrickLamar, where ambitions are spoken on with more gravity than earlier. “Sellin Dreams” tackles relationship problems over cinematic production and a Chris Brown hook; the two rekindling the chemistry of “My Last” past. Maybe the best example of veracity, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” appears at the end. With rising star Hit-Boy backing him, Sean proclaims, “There’s no turning back now”. Indeed, the Detroit emcee has established himself, but is still growing as an artist. Stepping further out of his flashy comfort zone to the shadows of truly resonating material, Big Sean is still searching for the right strings to pull- and he’s not too far off.
The gray area here is the raunchy, brash records that neither impress nor disgust; “Mula”, “FFOE”, “RWT” are all expendable. Though this is a mixtape, and the routine seems to be for rappers to give sub-par material for the sake of giving it, let’s hope these are mere sketches of the final product that will appear on future projects. Despite these, Detroitdoes seem to be more sincere than the overflow of free releases nowadays, and that could be due to a number of things. The three “Story” interludes with Common, Young Jeezy, and Snoop Dogg Lion are a nice personal touch, as well as the roster of big names featured that give the mixtape a ‘not-so-mixtape’ feel.
But maybe it’s just because Big Sean is really that good. Or at least he’s getting there.
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(AllHipHop News) Sean “Diddy” Combs was one of the 71,530 spectators who showed up for the Rose Bowl on Saturday (September 8), which featured the UCLA Bruins vs The Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Diddy was there to root on his son Justin Combs, who received a full football scholarship to UCLA.
On Sunday, Justin made his debut as a linebacker for the Bruins, who upset Nebraska in a 36-30 victory.
Diddy was overcome with emotion, as he watched the game with Justin’s mother, celebrity stylist Misa-Hylton Brim.
“We’re here and this feeling that you feel of your child accomplishing something that they worked hard for, that you instill in them as parents, can’t be expressed in words,” Diddy said as he cheered the team.
Diddy and Justin Combs initially received some flack for accepting the full scholarship to UCLA, since Diddy’s worth almost a half-a-billion dollars. Critics claimed that money could have went to a student who couldn’t afford to pay the tuition.
But the mogul defend his son and said that he earned the right to accept the scholarship to UCLA.
“I didn’t even know he was doing it. I didn’t know he was doing it until I started seeing letters, he did it on his own. I didn’t make one call from my son,” Diddy said.
Because it’s his first year with the team, Justin Combs did not see any playing action during the game, even though he was suited up on the field.
“He’s learning the system but he gets to put on his uniform in case of an emergency,” Diddy said.
Last week when Lil’ Wayne released his new mixtape Dedication 4, the internet was in an uproar about a Nicki Minaj line where she raps that she is endorsing Republican candidate, Mitt Romney. In her verse for “Mercy” Nicki rapped “I’m a Republican voting for Mitt Romney, you lazy b****es is f****ng up the economy.” She caught tons of backlash from the public and even received death threats. You can read the full story by clicking on the links below:
Well, the news got all the way to the President, and in an interview with Power 95.3 in Orlando, Fl this morning, Obama addresses the line. Check out what he said below:
“She likes to play different characters,” he said. “So I don’t know what’s going on there.” President Obama was also asked if his daughters, Sasha and Malia, listen to Nicki Minaj to which he responded “I don’t think they really listen to Nicki Minaj that much.”
Check out the President in his own words responding to the line below:
Do you think he let Nicki Minaj off too easy? He called Kanye West a “jackass” for his MTV stunt, I wonder what he really thinks about Nicki Minaj now?
Over the weekend, Rihanna added new ink to her collection of body art. Ri Ri posted a photo of her new tatt on her instagram and declared that it was in tribute to her late grandmother, Clara “Dolly” Brathwaite, who lost her battle with cancer in July.
Continuing with the Egyptian theme of her last tattoo, Rihanna inked a tattoo of a Goddess, tattooed around her rib cage and beneath her breasts. Rihanna instagram’ed a photo of her tattoo along with the caption, “Goddess Isis-Complete Woman-Model for future generations- #GRANGRANDOLLY- always in and on my heart #1love. Check out the skin art below:
Although the tattoo is to pay homage to her grandmother, I can’t help but notice that the tattoo is very similar in position and theme as one that Chris Brown recently got inked onto his chest. Check out a side by side photos of their tattoo’s below:
This wouldn’t be the first time that the two ex-lovers have gotten matching tattoo’s. Back when they were dating, the two got matching stars inked onto the back of their necks.
Rihanna has accumulated over 15 tattoos. Most of them are tiny is size but big in meaning. Her latest tatt is the largest tattoo that she has gotten thus far. What do you think of Ri Ri’s latest tattoo? Do you think she was “inspired” by Breezy’s tatt?
(AllHipHop News) Controversial Chicago rapper Chief Keef remains in the headlines, after a rap rival was gunned down on September 5 in Chicago.
Police are investigating the murder of 18-year-old rapper Lil JoJo an alleged member of the Gangster Disciples, who was shot and killed in Chicago.
Lil JoJo, who claimed “Brick Squad,” was murdered in the midst of a rap feud with Chief Keef’s affiliates, Lil Reese and Lil Durk.
While police investigate a possible connection between warring factions of the Gangster Disciples and the Black Disciples, Chief Keef’s grandmother weighed in on the subject, as well as her grandson’s image.
According to Margaret “Granny” Carter, Chiefs Keef’s biggest issues are his music and the ladies.
“Let’s be real, I’m always saying ‘Cut that down, turn that off, that’s too loud’ when he’s doing all that music,” Granny Carter told the Chicago Sun-Times. “And girls is his thing. Girls, girls, girls. I get sick of all them girls.”
Police, however, are investigating if Chief Keef and affiliates of his #300 Squad are involved in the feud, claiming that the group is also a faction of the Black Disciples.
Mrs. Carter labeled Chief Keef’s involvement in Chicago gangs “bull.”
“How can he be doing all that gang stuff when he’s always home and when he’s not at home he’s out of town with me or his uncle,” Granny Carter said. “And where’s this gang at? In my kitchen? In my basement? Where they at? In my refrigerator where he go all the time?”
Over the weekend, Chief Keef issued an apology via his Twitter account, for making light of Lil Jo Jo’s death, earlier in the week.
“Lmao I Kno Gucci WAka Frenchie Wooh #Goofies” Chief Keef tweeted shortly after Lil JoJo’s death on September 5. Lil JoJo claimed “Brick Squad,” as an alleged faction of the Gangster Disciples.
“Man, been thinkin bout this chicago street s**t a lot. My prayers go out 2 Jojo’s family on their loss,” Chief Keef tweeted on September 8. “i didn’t know him but he young jus like me. i can assure everyone that i had nothin 2 do with this tragedy tho. my twitter acct was hacked. since i was put in a messed up spot i think that i finna sign off this twitter s**t for awhile or at least til my album drops on 11/27!”
Chief Keef then posted pictures of himself with Brick Squad 1017 rappers, Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame.
And now, another rapper has announced that he will be delving into the sex trade business as well. MMG rapper Gunplay has recently announced that he will be launching an escort service. The alleged drug loving rapper will be hiring “exotic” video vixens for his H.U.S.H. escort service. H.U.S.H. stands for “Have U Seen Her” and the company will be based out of Los Angeles. Check out what he told Future Off Florida about his new business venture below:
“P*ssy is never out of season, that sh*t just goes. There’s never a drought, there’s never a decline in sales. It’s just how you gonna get more. P*ssy been selling before. That was the first thing that was selling. It was church and p*ssy. That’s the only thing that was getting money back in the day, and it still is to this day. Church and p*ssy.”
“So with my escort service, I’m changing the name because of some legal issues, but it’s gonna be called H.U.S.H. — Have U Seen Her. It’s trademarked, I already got that. We starting in January. We launching. It’s based outta L.A. We tryna get the best of the best. Exotic b*tches. We have to keep it civilized, so it’ll be H.U.S.H. video vixens and so forth and so forth.”
It looks like the sex industry is becoming another revenue of income for Hip-Hop. But wait a second, is this even legal?
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Nicki Minaj has announced the release of her debut fragrance Pink Friday, which is being launched in partnership with Elizabeth Arden.
The new fragrance mixes a hint of fruit, with vanilla to create “an exhilarating scent that ignites beyond the senses.”
Elizabeth Arden will launch a global marketing campaign around the Pink Friday scent, which will land in department stores nationwide this month.
“Pink Friday is a celebration of my life at this moment; it is a reflection of me as a creator, and an expression of me as a woman,” Nicki Minaj explained. “I know my Barbz will connect with and appreciate each aspect – from the name, to the outrageous bottle design, to the vibrant colors that create their own song. Pink Friday shows off my personality and style; it’s exciting to express my voice through another dimension. I was involved in every aspect of the decision-making process – it seems easy because I always get this feeling inside: I know if something is right or wrong. Each detail needs to ‘wow’ me or it is not an option; that’s my way of composing perfection.”
The Pink Friday fragrance comes in a unique bottle, with Nicki Minaj’s facial features, pink lips and pink hair.
The bottle was designed by Lance McGregor of Paul Myers and Friends.
“We are very pleased to partner with Nicki Minaj as she introduces her debut fragrance, Pink Friday,” said Kathy Widmer, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Elizabeth Arden. “We believe this fragrance beautifully reflects her innovative and creative spirit, and we look forward to a long and rewarding partnership with her.”
The Pink Friday fragrance is reasonably priced as well, starting at $22 and topping out at $59.
The Grammy-winning R&B superstar is prepping the release of her fifth album, Girl on Fire, and as she puts it, it will be her most “empowering” work.
On “Not Even The King”, a beat never drops. Instead, we hear Keys croon over the keys in this 3-minute track.
The singer performed the title track on the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards this past Sunday, with a special appearance from Nicki Minaj and Olympic gold medalist, Gabby Douglass.
Alicia Keys’ Girl on Fire hits stores this November.
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