AllHipHop

homepage

R.I.P. To Dr. King’s Dream (1963-2012)?

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Uncategorized
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

I don’t really think Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would hardly care about a monument being erected in his honor on the Washington Mall.

He probably would have rather that money be spent helping the poor. And now, an insignificant debate is forcing the statue to undergo alterations, after critics complained that the abbreviated “drum major” quote changed the meaning and made Dr. King sound egotistical. Who really cares, right? Shouldn’t the focus be on who is carrying out the meaning of that “drum major” quote?  Are we no longer focused on doing the works of Dr. King, but rather on being skilled quotologists arguing over an inscription? Dr. King wouldn’t approve of this.

He was assassinated 10 years before I was born. As an elementary, middle, and high school student, I learned about him once a year through plays, books, lectures, and his ever-quoted “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington. However, like many of my classmates at that time, I did not truly understand Dr. King because all we heard was that he was the dreamer, the dreamer, the dreamer.

When I got to college, I discovered that we had been robbed of the true essence of this man and his evolution that took place before his last days among us. I learned more about a wide-awake Dr. King that rallied against the Vietnam War to call on America to take care of its poor at home. Do you think Dr. King would have joined Occupy Wall Street and supported the Arab Spring?

I learned about a Dr. King that delivered an anti-war speech titled “Breaking the Silence” in 1967; a Dr. King that said, “I’m tired of marching for something that should have been mine at birth;” a Dr. King that was spied on and plotted against by J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI COINTELPRO from 1961 to 1968; the Dr. King that was lied on by the government; the Dr. King that met one-on-one with the Honorable Elijah Muhammad of the Nation of Islam in 1966; and the Dr. King that many in America did not like, yet his face has adorned a U.S. postal stamp.

My eyes came open to a different Dr. King than the one my teachers gave to me. This disturbed me, because I wondered why we were not taught these things about Dr. King early on in school. Unfortunately, this cycle continues in 2012, with schools force-feeding our young people a watered-down Dr. King by omitting his post-”I Have a Dream” years. This man wanted an end to what he called the “triple evils of racism, economic exploitation, and militarism.” Are our children being robbed?

“Celebrating” Dr. King’s birthday has even become a lucrative business for corporations, ahem The 1%, and for those today that so-call “praise” him, but never would have been with him post-”I Have a Dream.”

The Dr. King of 1963 was not the same man in 1968. His life was cut short just as he was evolving. We all evolve as human beings, but it seems as if we want to only minimize his impact to one speech, one march, one moment. This is not to say I don’t think the speech was and is powerful—because I do.

Yes, Dr. King cared about the condition of Black people and called on us to do something for self, get better organized, build economically, and grow in political power. Read this and more in his 1967 speech “The Black Power Defined.” I’m sure some will be quick to call this “separatism”, “Black nationalism” or “racism.”

In 1968, Dr. King and the SCLC organized the “Poor People’s Campaign” to address issues of economic justice and take a stand for the poor of all races in America. How much more could you and I do for the poor in our communities, cities, states and country?

If Dr. King were here today, I believe he would still be beating the drum of the anti-war movement and would not be silent. I believe he would oppose the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and any moves being made to go to war with Iran. I believe he would oppose what is being done by Israel and the billions of dollars in aid being given to them by America. Furthermore, I can’t honestly think he would be encouraging our young people to join the military to go and fight unjust wars. Matter of fact, Dr. King would be a conscientious objector.

Dr. King would be condemning the death penalty and would have been protesting the murder of Troy Davis alongside his family. As for President Barack Obama, I think Dr. King would be one of those whom he would have to get off of the streets and detain in the name of the National Defense Authorization Act. Could you imagine President Obama arresting a man who paved the way for him? I could.

Dr. King would want us to honor him – not with just parades, floats, songs, dance, plays, speeches, t-shirts, street signs, statues or even a national day off from work. How about we teach more than the “safe version” of Dr. King? How about we fight for the poor? How about we accept responsibility to build our own communities?

If we’re not doing the works of Dr. King, then the dream is dead. Isn’t it time to move pass just dreaming? It takes more than dreaming. It takes action by all of us.

Follow Brother Jesse Muhammad on Twitter (@BrotherJesse).

 

Hip-Hop Rumors: Diddy Creepin’ with Cameron Diaz at the Golden Globes??!!!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Diddy and Cameron Diaz continued to fuel rumors that they are getting it in with each other. Last night, the two sat at a corner table together at a Golden Globes party and refused to take any photos together. When a photographer came over to get a group shot, Cameron bent down to get out of the shot.

The two arrived and departed the event together, although they coordinated it so that Cameron arrived and left the party about 45 seconds before Diddy. He was caught following her out of the back door, and The YBF.com has the photos to prove it!!! Check the photos out below.

CAUGHT! You’re not sneaky, Diddy!!! Cassie, come get your man!

50 Cent’s Artist, Governor: The Best Singer You’ve Likely Never Heard Of (‘Til Now)

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta) Updated Category: Alternatives
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Virginia has produced some of the culture’s biggest and most iconic artists and personalities like Timabland, Tha Clipse, Missy Elliott, and Pharrell Williams. Next up to bat is Charles City, VA native, Governor.

The crooning son of a preacher signed to T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint early in his career, and this move produced one stellar album, Son Of Pain, that went almost unnoticed by listeners. Not to be kept down, Governor immediately picked himself up and got his career back on track, becoming the first singer signed to 50 Cent’s new G-Note Records imprint.

AllHipHop.com spent some time with Governor, discovering more about his past industry struggles, his relationship – both personally and professionally – with 50 Cent, and what he has in store for his G-Note debut:

AllHipHop.com: How are you, Governor?

Governor: Alright, man. Thanks.

AllHipHop.com: I know that you’re from Virginia, and you’ve been a part of the music industry for about a decade, so who were and are some of your influences?

Governor: Some of my influences were, of course, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, that whole Soul era. Elton John, Teena Marie, a lot of people that came up and just had timeless music, so my ear was kind of well-rounded.

AllHipHop.com: You were signed to Grand Hustle a few years ago, and your current situation is at G-Note, but what came before that? What was your first introduction to the music industry?

Governor: Well, before that I was writing for The Trackmasters, and I think that was one of my first official affiliations.

AllHipHop.com: Tell me a little about the album you released on T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint, Son of Pain.

Governor: Well, Son of Pain was very personal to me. It was a project that I put my all into, and a lot of people consider it a classic album that was never really heard. They say it’s a classic album that never really got the chance to reach the light of day, and I kind of agree with that.

There was a lot of different things on Son of Pain. It was an edgy album done in a classic R&B type vibe. Some songs even incorporated a Hip-Hop style because of how I write and because of my affiliations and how I came up. So I really, to this day, have a soft spot for Son of Pain, and it still kind of breaks my heart that that album didn’t really get the chance to receive the recognition that it was supposed to. It was one of the most depressing things to see something that had so much potential never get a shot.

AllHipHop.com: So, based on what you just said, how are you doing things differently with your upcoming album? Obviously, the label situation and who you’re working with now has changed, but what are you personally doing differently now that you weren’t doing in 2006?

Governor: Well, I tried to just pick up from there and really reinvent myself. You know, I was signed to Atlantic in 2006, and now I’m working with G-Note, so a lot of things are different because I’m working with 50 [Cent], and 50’s a Hip-Hop artist and he basically brings me to his audience, which is not my core audience, but it’s a hell of an audience to be brought to. That’s different, and with the way I dress and people perceive me, that’s a little different now, but I respect it totally ‘cause it allowed me to broaden my scope on who wouldn’t normally hear or listen to my music.

AllHipHop.com: From what I’ve heard, G-Note is a Hip-Hop based label with a primary focus dedicated to Pop, R&B, and Dance music. You were the first singer signed to the label in ’09, so what does a platform like G-Note offer you as an artist? What was so appealing about signing with this new, independent “machine”?

Governor: It’s just a great opportunity for me. 50 is as much a business man as he is a rapper, and working with him and his brand allows me to touch a lot of different people, more than just trying to introduce myself as an R&B artist. Because of all of the boundaries and borders that he breaks down within the landscape of his brand, it allows me to be seen by those same people. It’s a good thing for me.

AllHipHop.com: And you’re currently working on your third album, A Touch of Magic, which will be your first under G-Note. Is there currently a tentative release date for that sometime this year?

Governor: I really don’t have an idea about when it’s going to be released as of yet. We’re still putting some pieces together, and it’s a different climate right now so things move a little slower, but the album is coming.  We’re just working on it and working on it and working on it, and we’ve got a lot of nice pieces. G-Note is a record company, so I’m basically waiting to get schedules and times and ideas from them that will kind of lend a true answer to that, which I don’t have right now.

AllHipHop.com: What about the album’s title, A Touch of Magic, is so significant to you?

Governor: Well, I’m actually going to change that, but I haven’t decided to what yet because there isn’t a release date so I do want to change that. That was kind of 50’s idea, and he spun it off of the whole Black Magic project that we were supposed to put out.

Since then he wanted me to focus on my solo project and I haven’t actually given it a name myself as of yet. But it’s something that I think will just pop out of nowhere. This is a project that I don’t want to think about too much. I want it to be organic; I want it to be magical.

AllHipHop.com: Absolutely. Just from looking at your track record, I know that you’ve already worked with the likes of Wyclef Jean, Just Blaze, Santana, all of these amazing people. So, now that you’ve been in the game for a little while, is there anyone else that you’ve been able to work with or that you’re planning to work with this time around that you had not been able to get with before?

Governor: No, not really. I mean I love Adele; right now she’s really really hot. There are a few other people that I think I would like to work with. I don’t know how it would look, but I would love to work with some of my Virginia homies in the industry – Trey Songz and some other people – since Virginia is hot right now.

AllHipHop.com: Get some Timbaland, Missy [Elliott], and some Pusha T on there, too!

Governor: Oh yeah! It would be nice to finally be able to work with these guys being that I am from Virginia. It would be nice to connect with some people who are from the same geographic area as myself.

AllHipHop.com: You did just mention Adele, but what are your current thoughts being that we’re in 2012 now, of the R&B scene in music?

Governor: I think that the R&B landscape of music right now is wide open, especially for a grown *ss man. A lot of the guys are younger than me, and I don’t really see anybody right now that’s really taking over that lane of where R. Kelly left off. I just don’t see it, and I just think that’s a huge opportunity for me to fly right into that lane and say ‘Okay, we know that with urban music, demographics are normally younger; they’re really like 17-19.

Who’s to say that a 25-year-old or 30-year-old person would not buy the music if it was something for them, available, and that they really love?’ So, I think we can actually bring more demographics around.

AllHipHop.com: As a music lover, fan, and also an artist, do you find yourself listening to more music from the likes of people like Anthony Hamilton and John Legend, or are you just as keen on listening to brand new artists like Frank Ocean and The Weeknd?

Governor: I definitely listen to both, and I respect Frank Ocean’s music. I think a lot of the other music now though is much more blatantly done. There’s no color, there’s no imagination. Everything is just so blatant like, ‘I wanna f*ck you.’ I think, me, personally, we can say the same thing just like music did back in the day. Yeah, they were talking about sex and all of these things that we as humans go through every day, and the emotions that we feel. But we need to have a more classier way of displaying it, and I think something like that would really pop through nowadays, just because everything is so blatant and kind of tasteless. 

AllHipHop.com: I can definitely appreciate and respect that response. Moving on, are there currently any plans to release a G-Note compilation album with Hot Rod, Lea, Genasis, Pauly D, and yourself, much like 50 [Cent] did with Beg For Mercy and the Get Rich or Die Trying soundtrack?

Governor: I really have no idea, and it would be kind of out of bounds for me to speak on it, ‘cause I really don’t know. I’m not the record company, I’ve got my own side stuff and working on my own project. I’m just trying to get those things done. I’m just filled with what’s going on in my own life right now and my own stuff, and I really don’t know how “the office” wants to put things together as far as collaborations inside the label.

AllHipHop.com: I totally understand. I know you had a couple of records on 50’s Things Fall Apart soundtrack. Other than that, what have you and 50 been working on?

Governor: I mean I worked on a track for his album, and I believe it’s still planned to be on the album. Other than that, I’ve just been popping in and out of appearances whenever he requests my presence, so that’s really where I am with it right now.

I’m really just excited about this interview, and hoping that this will turn into other things to help me as an artist function outside of the label. This is huge for me.

AllHipHop.com: Is there anything else you want the readers to know?

Governor: Not really, man. Just check out my Twitter page, and check me out on Facebook. I’m just trying to connect, and I’m hoping that this year is the year, and I’m just trying to find ways to keep myself relevant.

AllHipHop.com: Thanks for your time, Governor. It was a pleasure speaking with you, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store musically for the upcoming year.

Governor: Thank you!

Follow Governor On Twitter: @GovernorMusic

Hip-Hop Rumors: T.I.’s Probation Kept Him From Starring In Some Major Movies!!

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta) Updated Category: Rumors
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Clifford “Tip” Harris Jr. is no stranger to the world of acting. The Grammy Award-winning rapper has transitioned to “actor” over the past few years, with roles in some high profile movies like American Gangster, ATL, Takers and even appearing on the hit HBO show, Entourage.

In a recent interview with Sister 2 Sister magazine, it was revealed that the Rubberband Man could have elevated his “star” to enormous heights in 2012 had he not violated his probation with that infamous traffic stop. The run-in with the cops put Tip back in the slammer for 11 months, while he was out promoting Takers and his new album at the time, No Mercy.

“I was supposed to be in the film Tower Heist with Ben Stiller. The Eddie Murphy movie. I was supposed to be in that. And I wasn’t able, obviously, to be there. G.I. Joe II (G.I. Joe: Retaliation), they called me for that. World War Z with Brad Pitt. They called me for that. The Joel Silver movie (Bullet to the Head) – I would have been co-starring with Sylvester Stallone. They called me for that too.“

DAMN, Tip!! There’s always next year!

The “Stringer Bell for James Bond” Talk Keeps Going!

The rumors have been around for awhile, and last night at the Golden Globes, Stringer Bell himself won Best Actor for his role on Luther, and was asked about the James Bond talk that’s been going on the past year or two (Check the :40 second mark)…

“There was a huge rumour that once Daniel Craig finishes playing Bond that they were looking for someone different and my name was in that mix. And I answered a bunch and of questions and the bottom line is of course, I’d be honoured to play the part if it comes my way.”

Black Bond? BRING HIM ON!

Hip-Hop Rumors: Rihanna Caught Puffin’ on that Ganja?!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Little miss “good girl gone bad” is really trying to live up to that album title, isn’t she? Rihanna was caught smoking a big fat blunt while on vacation in Hawaii, and from the looks of the photos, she was taking it to the head!!! La reb’l fleur was not even trying to deny it… check out her Drake inspired tweet below:

“Kush rolled, glass full…I prefer the beter things.”

Check out more photos below of Rihanna getting her “Cheech and Chong” on!

Hip-Hop Rumors: Eminem Considering a Career Change to Sports Commentating??!

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Rumors
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

We know Detroit rap giant Eminem has been going through some changes over the past few years…getting off those pills and whatnot, developing a new rap group called Slaughterhouse, still making good music, and doing a decent job of staying out of the negative paparazzi gleam.

And now it seems that the mostly private Em has taken on a new challenge – doling out public opinions about and advice to pro sports teams! In a recent interview with GQ magazine, the rapper offered his thoughts on the seemingly, kinda, well, always iffy Dallas team:

“Just for the record — I am a Lions fan first and foremost,” Eminem said. “But growing up as a kid, the Lions were so bad for so long, that I picked up another team in the Cowboys.

“I hate to sound f*cking cliché, but I truly believe that Romo gives them the best chance to win,” Eminem said.

Joking about using the sports commentary in an upcoming track, Slim Shady pondered: “Who knows? A lot of things rhyme with Tebow, though, right?” Hmmm. Yeah.

GQ also asked him for his predictions for the Super Bowl – which at press time were New England and New Orleans. One outta two ain’t bad!

He has dropped lines in songs about sports before, so maybe this is no big deal, but Ol’ Emsy doesn’t say much, so like Kanye West, it’s always worth a listen! Maybe he was inspired by Slaughterhouse member, Joe Budden’s, appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” a few weeks ago. We gotta admit…Joey B held his own in the sports department!!

Santana’s Trumpet Player Goes Hip-Hop For MLK Day

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

(AllHipHop News) Bay area rap veterans The Grouch and Zumbi will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with a new collaborative EP with Santana’s trumpet player, Bill Ortiz.

The Grouch and Zumbi by are among the artists who have teamed with Bill Ortiz to release the album Winter in America, which is the predecessor to his forthcoming album, Highest Wish.

Bill Ortiz has played with Santana for over 12 years, but he has also been connected to the Hip-Hop world as well.

Bill Ortiz has played trumpet on a variety of Hip-Hop artists’ tracks, including “93 til Infinity,” which was a hit for the Souls of Mischief, as well as songs by Tony Toni Tone, Destiny’s Child, TLC, and others.

“Carlos has always used music to inspire and bring people together,” Ortiz explained. “I follow in that tradition. I’ve been really encouraged by some of the Bay Area Hip-Hop artists like Zumbi and the Grouch who make music with enlightened lyrics.”

In addition to the rappers on the album, Winter in America also features guest appearances by Santana member Tony Lindsay and poet Linda Tillery, who delivers a spoken word performance with Dr. Martin Luther King’s Nobel Peace Prize winning speech.

“We often celebrate ignorance in our society, so I wanted to celebrate consciousness,” Ortiz said of the album, which also features a cover of Gil Scott Heron’s 1973 track, “Winter in America,” in honor of Gil Scott’s honor.

Winter in America the EP drops on Martin Luther King Day, January 16, 2012, direct to fans, while the worldwide digital/physical release is scheduled for January 31st.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Iggy Azalea Signing to Def Jam???!!!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Nicki Minaj better watch her back! 21-year-old Australian rap sensation Iggy Azalea is coming for her #1 spot as the top female in Hip-Hop, and has allegedly teamed up with a label that can help take her to the top.

The Aussie cutie, who became an overnight star when she dropped her mixtape, Ignorant Art, is dropping hints left and right that she has signed a deal with the legendary Def Jam Records.

Iggy was spotted in Los Angeles last week having dinner with top Def Jam exec Bu Thiam and Def Jam’s golden egg, Rihanna. It looks like the meeting went well…check out the tweets below.

Iggy tweeted – “Had the pleasure of meeting rihanna at dinner tonight,” “Had a really fun dinner with all the def jam staff!!! #rolexcrew.”

Bu also tweeted about the meeting writing:

“Just spoke to the homie @IGGYAZALEA and all ima say is #History,”

Adding more fuel to the fire a Def Jam A&R staffer tweeted, “@IGGYAZALEA dope meeting you tonight.. Cant wait til your officially part of the team” – to which Iggy replied, “Yup!!!”

This looks like it’s going down! I would definitely love to see another female rapper getting some shine. While we wait for an official announcement, check out Iggy’s video for “My World” below.

Daily Word: Happy Birthday Aaliyah (You Are One In A Million!!)

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Lifestyle
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Happy Martin Luther King Day, my Great People!!

If you missed our special Birthday Tribute to Dr. King, please click here. Today, we are celebrating the birthday of one of our other fallen family members. Aaliyah Dana Haughton, born January 16, 1979, was a talented songwriter, performer, actress, who lost her life tragically on August 25, 2001, in a plane crash.

Even though Aaliyah is gone, she will never be forgotten. Her accomplishments at such an early age were astonishing, and she gave us inspiration. She told us that “if at first we don’t succeed, we must pick ourselves up and try again,” as well as how much we were “one in a million.” In commemoration of her birthday, we are dedicating today’s Daily Word to being One in A Million!

In life, you will be confronted with many situations where you don’t totally fit in. You will look around and feel like the odd one out. You will question yourself and wonder what is it about you that you don’t have that everyone else does…. That’s wrong!!! The question you should be asking yourself is what is it about you that everyone else doesn’t have!!

Always remember that you are one in a million! No one on this planet can be you or do what you can do! You were put on this earth to do some extraordinary things, and as long as you keep trying to be like everyone else, you will never accomplish them! You were born to stand out!!! With that in mind, accept that fact that you will never fit it!! You were put here to be the best you that you can possibly be, so never question or take that privilege for granted!! You are One in A Million!!! Stop waiting, and Make your life Great!!!
-Ash’Cash

“You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost.” -Martha Graham

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain way. Be unique. Be what you feel.” -Melissa Etheridge

“You were born an original. Don’t become a copy.” -Unknown

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” -Judy Garland

“If you were meant to be otherwise, Then you would have been created otherwise.” -Johann von Goethe

“They can call me crazy if I fail, all the chance that I need, is one-in-a-million and they can call me brilliant when I succeed.” -Ani Difranco

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” -Dr. Seuss

“If you want to be truly successful invest in yourself to get the knowledge you need to find your unique factor. When you find it and focus on it and persevere your success will blossom.” -Sidney Madwed

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.