and tell us your favorite Beanie Sigel lyric of all time to have a chance to win free tickets to see Beanie Sigel at SOBs. So get on Facebook and post for your tickets NOW.
Editor’s Note: AllHipHop.com is all about the Wild, Wild West! This month, we’re profiling the prolific impact that the country’s left-hand side has had on Hip-Hop music and culture. There’s something distinctly different and wonderful about West Coast rap and the characters who have held it down over the years.
First, we ponder The Pharcyde, a decidedly eclectic clique that emerged in the early ’90s with a look and sound that was light-years from what their gangster peers were pushing at the time. Dopeness.
Before there were hipsters in Hip-Hop and non-gangster rappers on the West Coast – there was The Pharcyde. Comprised of rappers Fatlip, Slimkid3, Bootee Brown, and Imani along with producers J-Swift and L.A. Jay, the Los Angeles collective brought a fresh and unique style and perspective to Hip-Hop during a time when the genre was ruled by gun-toting gangsters. Led by the strength of their single “Passing Me By”, The Pharcyde’s 1992 release, Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde, on Delicious Vinyl Records is considered by many to be a classic Hip-Hop album.
Over the years, the group has had well-documented struggles, such as in-fighting and drug habits, and they have gone through several breakups. Nowadays, B##### Brown and Imani travel on their own performing as a duo, while Fatlip, Slimkid3, J-Swift, and L.A. Jay are back working with their longtime label, Delicious Vinyl (Yes, they are still around).
In a fun and bizarre interview, AllHipHop.com caught up with Fatlip, J-Swift, and L.A. Jay at the Delicious Vinyl offices in Hollywood, California, to talk about the group being an influence on today’s style of MCs on the West Coast and lots of other things. Don’t let this video feature “pass you by”!
Follow on Twitter (@whatsupfatlip), (@slimkid3), (@DeliciousVinyl), and check their website!
Come back for more ‘Caaaaaalifornia Love’ this month on AllHipHop.com!
Raekwon decided to work with Akomplice, due to his affinity for the brand.
“It’s a tough belt, I like the metal part, I felt like it was different and authentic,” Raekwon said. “I got together doing it with my peoples at Akomplice and I said, ‘yo I’m a fan of clothing and apparel,’ all that type of stuff. I felt like that would be hot, to see somebody walking around with a Raekwon/Akomplice belt on, you know, something different. And that’s what I liked about the belt, ‘cause it’s not your average okay-put-it-on, it’s a got a method to it.”
The “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” belts, which will only see 25 manufactured, use premium black and brown leather, with an intricate brass fastening system.
Additionally, fans who scoop up the first 25 belts will also receive a limited edition Raekwon/Akomplice cigar box.
“We ended up using a maroon brown leather for the waist band and brass for the buckle,” explained Akomplice’s Co-CEO, Mikey Akomplice, who runs the brand with his brother Patrick.
“We added some subtle detail using laser on the band, and the entire belt is packaged in a cigar box, paying tribute to the Cuban Linx series. End product came out beautiful,” Mike McCarney said.
This is utterly stupid. Just stupid. But, we have to go through this process of healing, don’t we? Anyway, this is moving along pretty fast. As you know, in a Twitter exchange, writer dream hampton said that Nas used ghostwriters Stic.Man of dead prez and Jay Electronica to get him by on his album “Untitled” aka the N-Word album. Well, Nas dispelled the assertion. And Stic.Man partially did, saying that he worked with Nas. And now Jay Electronica has come to the rescue of one of the all time greats.
On twitter, Jay-E said the following:
“Nas is one of the Greatest Ever. never has and never will need a ghostwriter. that man’s pen and legacy is without question.”
And, so there it is.
Do we really need to say anything else on this topic? I hope not. While the truth is important, its also important to keep our icon just that. ICONS.
Nas has been in the game some 20 years or something crazy. He deserves more than these people are giving him. All hail. Or at least, most hail.
LMAO! First of all, Miley Cyrus is not Hip-Hop, but she unwittingly finds her way to this page because she has a beef with a member of Odd Future! Yeah, its silly and yeah, its stupid, but that’s just about everything on this Rumors Page.
So, this is why the internet was dissing Miss Cyrus.
I don’t think she looks bad at all. Just edgier.
But that didn’t stop Tyler and his groupthink diss or her lash back I scooped off Complex.com.
And in other Twitter madness…Azealia Banks cracks me UP! A part of me loves the brashness of this young nut! LOL!!!!! She went in on Flex after Flex apparently went in on her for going in on Jim Jones, who went in on her. Well…she got the last laugh after Flex attempted to pull her in to his show. LMAO…the tweeting was CLASSIC IGNORANCE! Excuse the language and thanks IFWT! LOL!
(AllHipHop News) California rap legend Tone Loc suffered a seizure during a comedy show at the Laugh Factory last night, sources said.
The rapper was attending a charity event to benefit “My Friend’s House,” an organization that helps homeless. Suddenly, he began to “flail around in his seat,” according to sources with TMZ.
The rapper reportedly struggled to breath and was sweating profusely. He was cooled down with cold water.
An ambulance was called, but the 46-year-old rapper recovered and didn’t need the paramedics.
Loc left the venue immediately and was home resting at press time.
In the past, the rapper has told authorities that he suffers from seizures. A rep for the rapper says he did not have a seizure at the Laugh Factory and that some food made him ill.
(AllHipHop News) Atlanta rapper CeeLo Green and his sister Shedonna Alexander have teamed up to create The GreenHouse Foundation, a new non-profit organization.
CeeLo Green and his sister’s new non-profit will focus on making green education more accessible to students in underserved areas around the country.
The siblings will launch The GreenHouse Foundation on August 17 at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, also a GreenHouse School Partner, where CeeLo attended elementary school.
The first initiative is the “Green Garden Education Program,” which allows schools to become “GreenHouse School Partners.”
“The Green Garden program will use outdoor gardening as an innovative tool to teach math and science. It will allow students to experience a new approach to “green education,” stated co-founder Shedonna Alexander. “We are committed to the mission to empower children with the knowledge, attitude and desire to positively influence their futures, their communities and the long-term sustainability of their planet.”
The GreenHouse Foundation is scheduled to launch on August 17 in Atlanta, Georgia, during a ceremony dedicated their late mother Sheila J. Callaway Tyler.
Confirmed guests include CeeLo Green, Shedonna Alexander, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed Goodie Mob and a performance by legendary Jazz singer Kathleen Bertrand.
Weird. I was just talking to a kid about Bobby Brown in a story where his music was playing. The kid, familiar with the song, called Brown “that man with the funny jaw” to let me know he knew who the New Edition singer was. Welp! The kid was very on point since Brown is now in rehab, according to RadarOnline.com. His wife confirmed the rumors and let them know that he’s “doing great.” How is doing great in rehab talk? He’s not driving drunk, me thinks. Anyway, he was arrested for DUI in March and had to get help for his addiction.
Rick Ross Hops On The Wrong Side Of History!
What’s going on with Rozay? I guess he feels a certain way because he has been through so much in his career with his baby moms and beef. With Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson seemingly losing it all right now (job, TV show, wife), Rick Ross lended him an encouraging word on twitter. Its a little too hot for that right now, me thinks.
Anyway, here:
I’m just going to assume that Rozay doesn’t think its cool to headbutt your wife so hard that you give her stitches.
Dead prez’s Stic.Man was named in a tweet by writer Dream Hampton for ghostwriting Nas’s last album. Well, that didn’t take long and now Stic.Man has spoken up and when so far as to call her a “hater.”[READ: Nas Denies Using Ghostwriters!]He later took that back, but he didn’t mince words about the assertion that he and Jay Electronica ghostwrote Nas’s last album. I think that in the interest of being objective, it is clear that he worked with Nas in some way and form. But that’s with ANY artist you can name in the game. OK, maybe not Canibus, but he’s not exactly in the game either. Anyway, Dreamy H. has her share of old rumors swirling too. Some stuff is better left unsaid, especially on twitter.
R&B singer Ray Lavender has released The RNB Hustler, the culmination of his two summer singles “Tequila” and “We Love”.
After releasing three singles back in 2007, Lavender shelved his debut album with Akon’s Konvict Music, switched teams, and went back into the studio to find his best musical self. Today, he’s an independent artist signed to Global Artist Group, an imprint in which he co-owns.
Editor’s Note: “Feel Rich” is our partnership with QD3, the talented son of music legend Quincy Jones. “Feel Rich” is all about creating a healthy lifestyle for Hip-Hop culture – both the artists and the fans. Enjoy!
When was the last time you made a commitment to change your workout or diet status? What was the end result? Did you make a lasting change? Are you doing it today?
The problem is not in the intention. It’s not in your desire to change. It’s in your preparation. And the preparation MUST begin in your head. Changing habits (for better or for worse) always begins in the way you think.
Talk to any professional involved in major life changes (from addiction counselors to doctors to personal trainers), and you’ll find they preach the same message: “If you can’t envision it, you’ll never achieve it.”
With that, here are the biggest hurdles to progress:
1. Justifying cheating. “It’s okay to have McDonald’s today. I’ve been good all week, and I even did a few extra minutes on the treadmill yesterday!” This kind of thinking will only get yourself into trouble. Doing a little extra is great and will help you reach your goal faster. However, it doesn’t justify getting off track with your diet and workout plan. Cheating feels good in the short-term, and it’s easy to have one skipped workout or one cheat meal lead to many more.
2. Not setting yourself up for success. Having bags of potato chips lying around and watching movies all weekend is a surefire way to make sure you fail. Let’s be realistic here. Even the most disciplined, motivated person is going to mess up if they are surrounded by temptation constantly. Clear out all that fatty food and make it harder for you to cheat. If you know you’ll be tempted to cheat at a certain time of the day, have a healthy snack ready for just that reason.
3. Not getting a support group. You need people who believe in you and will keep you honest. People who support and encourage you. If you surround yourself with positive people who challenge you to grow as a person, it’s hard to go back to bad habits. Before you make a lifestyle change, talk with those closest to you. Once you let them know how important this is to you, they can keep you on track and cheer you on along the way.
4. Not doing damage control when you slip. I know you don’t want to hear this, so brace yourself: You will mess up on your workout and/or diet! It might not be a big slip-up, but it will happen. Something will get in the way, you’ll be tempted by your favorite food, or your schedule will stop you from getting in your workout one day. When this happens, DON’T FREAK OUT! Brush it off and continue on your plan. You messed up, but it’s okay. Just don’t let it be an excuse to sabotage your plan. Eating one bowl of ice cream is okay. Eating the whole container “because you already cheated” is not!
5. Not allowing yourself to enjoy the process. Take note of the changes you make! These small victories will fuel your fire to keep it up. Take a picture before you begin anything. When you look back at it in three months, you will hardly recognize the person in the picture, even though you didn’t think you were making much progress.
So before you set your next goal, remember to put in the mental work to set yourself up for success. It might seem like a hassle now, but how many times have you started to make this type of change and ended up failing? Take a few minutes to set yourself up for success and you will it will be so much easier to stick with long-term.
(AllHipHop News) A group of legendary DJ’s are banding together to launch a new grassroots organization aimed at helping with the re-election of President Barack Obama.
DJ Cassidy, DJ Rashida and D-Nice are launching The DJ’s for Obama initiative, which aims to engage DJ’s to help encourage voter registration, in addition to organizing events in support of the President.
“DJ’s are about motivation, inspiration and celebration,” said DJ Cassidy. That’s why I think it makes perfect sense. Not only celebrate and plan, but to motivate people to re-elect him. To everyone out there thinking this election doesn’t effect, you, it effects you.”
A press release for the DJ’s for Obama said that each member has his or her own reason for joining the campaign, which will officially launch today at 4:00PM.
In addition to DJ Cassidy, Rashida and D-Nice, DJ’s like Steve Aoki, Adam 12, DJ Irie and others are on board.
“From ensuring families have access to affordable health care to doubling the number of Pell Grant scholarships, President Obama is standing up for the middle class every day,” a rep for the organization said in a press release today (August 14). “That’s why he is committed to building an economy where hard work pays off, responsibility is rewarded, and everyone has a fair shot.”
More information about the DJ’s for Obama initiative will be released over the coming weeks.
[Editor’s Note: This video was recorded days before the scandal broke with Nas and the ghostwriters issue.]
I knew this was some BS! Nas is one of the gods of Hip-Hop! He may be the best EVER! That’s an argument we can have right now, but I think Nas is one of the Top 4 or all times. Now, I will let you decide who they are. Anyway, Sydney posted this earlier: READ: Hip-Hop Rumors: Is Jay Electronica Nas’ Ghost Writer?
But Nas spoke to Big Boy today and put the KIBOSH on those rumors!
Some people do anything for a lil’ attention, huh?
UPDATE: Rumor has it Timbaland will contribute two songs to the new Aaliyah album.
Things change, but damn. I think some things just have to be, just because. And no, Missy and Tim ain’t the hottest in the hood these days. But still. No Missy or Timbaland on a new Aaliyah just ain’t right. Now, I think they should mix it up a bit and have some Drake in there. I don’t think they need to pretend like its the 90’s or 2000’s but they should respect A’s fans…current and past. That said, Missy and manager Mona Scott issued as statement about it all.
Mona:
“Although Missy and Timbaland always strive to keep the memory of their close friend alive, we have not been contacted about the project nor are there any plans at this time to participate. We’ve seen the reports surfacing that they have been confirmed to participate but that is not the case. Both Missy and Timbaland are very sensitive to the loss still being felt by the family so we wanted to clear up any misinformation being circulated.”
Missy:
“Tim and I carry Aaliyah with us everyday, like so many of the people who love her. She will always live in our hearts. We have nothing but love and respect for her memory and for her loved ones left behind still grieving her loss. They are always in our prayers.”
Chicago native Jeremih is no stranger to the R&B scene. Since “Birthday Sex”, from his first self-titled album, dropped in early 2009, the ears of the music industry have been keeping a close listen on the 25-year-old singer.
In the years since “Birthday Sex”, Jeremih has released two albums, had a #1 hit single with his 50 Cent-assisted “Put It Down”, and appeared on the hooks of countless records by the likes of Meek Mill, R. Kelly, Diggy Simmons, Travis Porter, and Wale. He also released one of the most well-rounded R&B mixtapes – in the form of the DJ Drama and DJ Pharris-presented Late Nights – since Drake’s So Far Gone changed the game in the Fall 2009.
The go-to hook voice of 2012 spoke to AllHipHop.com about his recently released mixtape, his ties to MMG and its artists, what fans can expect on his next release, and when we’ll hear a new record with 50 Cent. Check out a pure exclusive interview with Jeremih below:
AllHipHop.com: Congratulations on all of your success as of late. You’ve been doing your thing since you came onto the scene a few years ago, but in the past year, you really turned things up.
Jeremih: For sure, man. I appreciate it.
AllHipHop.com: Of course, mixtapes have been around forever, but I feel like, and I’m sure a lot of people would agree, that no R&B cats or singers were really doing projects like this prior to Drake’s So Far Gone. As a singer, how did you approach putting together your Late Nights mixtape?
Jeremih: One thing I can say is that I feel in R&B, you can over saturate yourself with quantity over quality, so I really wanted to take my time doing it, and just ask people that have only heard two albums from me to know that what you’re going to get on the third one will be just as solid from me.
I just thought it was time, with the climate of R&B that both the fans and people in music love, in general, free music – there’s nothing like it. At least I do, so I wanted to give something back to my fans. It’s been two years since I released All About You, and it feels good to know that “Put It Down” really did last two years, so I was able to take my time with this mixtape. And hopefully, my fans enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it.
AllHipHop.com: I saw that you also produced two of the tracks on the Late Nights mixtape. Is that something that you just started doing, or has that been a talent up your sleeve from the beginning?
Jeremih: Before I actually started singing or even rapping, I was in tune with production. I’m a musician before it all, and when I finally learned how to do sequences off of Fruity Loops and then Reason and then Logic, that’s when I began to produce.
Before I actually met the producer from both of my albums, Mick Schultz, I was producing, and it was an adjustment for me working with him because I knew the production side but I was brought into a new realm. He was also a writer, and just strictly being a singer after even rapping, is how I started off. Eventually, when I started picking up the keys and other instruments, I started putting melodies to a lot of my raps.
AllHipHop.com: So, you’re essentially a producer turned rapper turned singer?
Jeremih: Yeah, I would almost say that, because when I first started producing, I would chop a lot of samples like Kanye West and No I.D. and a lot of people that were making Hip-Hop records off samples. I didn’t have much of a choice but to rap on the things I had, because I didn’t really know how to come at a record singing. So I was rapping and making a whole bunch of old school Hip-Hop battle type of records, and then when I met Mick, I started singing because I was no longer sampling, and I had more options because I had more melodies to follow.
AllHipHop.com: In addition to your own DJ Drama-presented mixtape that just dropped, you’re also on his new single, “My Moment”, with 2 Chainz and Meek Mill. How did the whole relationship with DJ Drama begin?
Jeremih: I’ve been a fan of Drama for the longest time, from all the mixtapes and all the Gangsta Grillz, and you know, honestly, I think I bumped into him in Atlanta one time and I’ll never forget the conversation. When I originally linked up with Drama, I was on a record with Diggy Simmons, and Drama was saying, “You giving out hits; I want a piece of that.”
He said it in a joking way, but I was laughing in a serious type of way, and ever since then, I always link with him in Atlanta. And I wanted to play him some of the new records that I had in the vault, and I actually played the beat and for “My Moment”, which was done by T-Minus – it wasn’t much of a song because I just laid a hook down which was like all freestyle, and regardless, he said, “I want that!” Ever since that original day in Atlanta, we been cool.
AllHipHop.com: You’ve been on more MMG records in the past few months than Omarion has, so I have to ask, has there been any talk, or is there any possibility that you’re going to be joining that team?
Jeremih: You know, if someone had reached out to me – which no one did – and they were looking for an R&B cat, I couldn’t’ see why [not], being that I’ve had a couple records with a couple of the members, then who knows? I mean if they give Omarion the boot, then who knows? If they with it, then you never know.
AllHipHop.com: I think you know more than you’re letting me in on, but I’ll accept that answer for the time being.
Jeremih: [Laughs] I’ll say this, if they cool with Omarion and his presence over there, then I can’t hate on that, and it’s cool with me.
AllHipHop.com: I want to ask you real quick about 50 Cent. You two did big things with your “Down On Me” record, then you hopped on his “Girls Gone Wild” track. Is there something else in the works that the fans should be looking forward to from you two?
Jeremih: Yeah, that’s my dude. Actually, we just dropped another record on his last project called “Planet 50”, and I love that joint. I definitely want to save 50 for my album, and you can look forward to him being on there and vice versa, if he feels the same way. Definitely look forward to more hits, man.
AllHipHop.com: It’s been two years since All About You dropped, which is why you wanted to get Late Nights out there for the fans. How far along in the recording process are you for your third album?
Jeremih: Well, it’s a lot of things beyond music that I wouldn’t have reached this third album without having, and I just feel like when I look at my competition, this third album is definitely going to be something that stands out and that could really separate me from the rest.
All the time I get the “he sounds like” and “he’s trying to be like” this person or that person, but honestly, I sound like me, and I’ve really just been me. I’m hoping that people get the gist of that with this new tape, but I can definitely say that a lot of records didn’t get on this tape, because I knew that they were much bigger records than just something I could give out for free like that.
I can say that I definitely have more than half of my third album done. I’ve been collecting a lot of these records over the past couple of months, like I’ve got Busta [Rhymes] on deck for one record for sure. I’ve got production from Da Internz to Mick Schultz and a little bit of everybody. Right now, it’s just about digging deeper for the next couple of months and making sure that I have at least four or five number ones on there that will make a bigger impact on this R&B community.
AllHipHop.com: In the overall scheme of things, how crucial is the third album to you now that you have a number of things working in your favor?
Jeremih: A lot of people say that your first and second album is the “make it or break it,” but to me this third album is the most important in my career because I made it to a third album, you know? I kind of want to make sure that people get to know me more, get to know how to say my name right, get to know my face, and get to know my voice. That’s my goal for the third album.
AllHipHop.com: Well, Jeremih, I hope I’ve been saying that right…
Jeremih: [Laughs] Yeah, you good.
AllHipHop.com: Best of luck on the next album, man, and thanks for taking the time to talk to me.
L. Boogie gets the award for worse mug shot from a female rapper.
Dag on! This is crazy! I am not feeling the fact that Lauryn Hill should have gone to the stylist before her mug shot date. Anyway, she’s definitely still one of the greatest ever, but I really want her to reconsider her fashion choices. Not to call her ugly, but she is basically in need of consultation. This was the result of a conviction on tax evasion. She faces 3 years in the bing and will find her fate in November. I bet you she gets no time.
Bizzy Bone Needs To Join DeBarge!
This is what I do know, Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs could very well be a lost member of DeBarge! Check out this video!
The Mobb Deep Saga Deepens….
Havoc released a video for the Prodigy diss song “Separated.” I don’t see any way this group can get back together. But, why isn’t P saying anything?
Big Meech Thinks Young Jeezy Should Ride For Him More!
Did you read the AHH Exclusive with Big Meech? I read the whole thing and in it, Meech reveals a lot. But, he talks extensively about Young Jeezy and his feelings on the rap star/ trap star. Check out the quotes below and links to both parts are below!
AllHipHop.com: Do you still talk to Young Jeezy? Big Meech: I haven’t been able to talk to anyone on the phone for the last five months. The last time I spoke to him was near the end of last year.
AllHipHop.com: How do you feel about his success? Big Meech: Being the person largely responsible for his success, I’ve always and always will be proud of his success. I would never wish or hope or his downfall for any reasons. I just personally feel that he could do more abut helping me to regain my freedom in a timely fashion, with his success and the position he is in right now in life. For example, [he could say] ‘I could not rest knowing he has a 30-year sentence for a first-time, nonviolent offender. I’m meeting with every reputable attorney in America until I can find one that can at least get him a sentence reduction, if not bring him home…’ …but that’s me and the love I have for him and the majority of people in my B.M.F. family. To be honest, I get ask so many questions about him – from C.O.’s to convicts to random people in the mail – some of which I have no answers for, ’cause for me to have the answers to most of the questions, I would have to have an excuse which there is “NO EXCUSE.”
We all know that Jay Electronica worked on Nas’ Untitled (N-word) album and they created some phenomenal work together, but what if I told you that Jay Elect was Nas’ ghost writer on that project? WMJ’s from Rappers I Know wrote an editorial called “Nas Lost (Ghostwriters)”, where he flashes back to 2007 and recalls a phone call he got from Jay Elect claiming to be Nas’ ghost writer. Check out an excerpt from his editorial below:
Is Nas just lazy? When it’s public knowledge that the ‘greatest lyricist’ of our era, has ghost writers, what does that mean? Like, he has the ability to write crazy raps, but it’s like doping in the Olympics, how can we ever trust the good results again? This ain’t pop music, so it matters if you write your own raps or not. For at least 6 albums, that was the only currency Nas had; his lyrics. How long has he been using ghost writers?
That was deep. You can read the rest of the article here. Hip-Hop journalist Dream Hampton also confirmed Nas’ use of Jay Electronica rhymes in a tweet below:
Is this a letdown for you? Does this change how you feel about Nas as an MC?
Editor’s Note: It’s 2012 Election season, folks! Get ready for the editorials, cartoons, and mudslinging commercials to fly!
This little ditty comes from well-known Hip-Hop cartoonist and illustrator, Andre LeRoy Davis and, well, you get the picture. It’s the “Circle of Life”… political style!
News broke today that Michael Jackson’s estate has put in a request to pay a portion of Janet Jackson’s mortgage on her Las Vegas condo. So is Janet Jackson broke or what? Sources have confirmed to TMZ that Katherine Jackson is claiming that she stays at the condo and wants the estate to pay a pro-rate share of Janet’s mortgage. There sounds like there’s some funny business going on with Michael’s money. But not sure if this means that Janet is broke or not. She’s had a more than 30-year career for Pete’s sake!
Janet’s image has taken a huge hit lately. Just a few weeks ago, she was accused of allegedly conspiring with her brothers and sisters to “kidnap” their mother, Katherine. Around the same time, Janet was also accused of being an evil aunt by Michael’s daughter, Paris Jackson, and was seen on video snatching the cell phone out of the little girl’s hand.
What’s going on with Janet Jackson?
Sidenote – I’m sure Jermaine Dupri has tons of insight on that. J.D., holla at us!
Bobby Brown is in rehab.
L. Boogie gets the award for worse mug shot from a female rapper.
