ITS SILLY SEASON!
50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather aren’t fighting over any money, especially 10 stacks! They were seemingly together when the rumors broke that they were in a fight of some sort over a bet that Floyd lost.
Best friends don’t fist fight!
They have not made any comment, but they took it to the social networks and this is all they said:
Email me your rumors at kingillseed [at] gmail.com!
“They build entertainers to destroy entertainers…for entertainment,” 50 Cent says frankly with the cool demeanor of a warlord that has seen honest time on the battlefield.
“The environment that I grew up in, we were taught to greet aggression with aggression. So if you want a problem, I’ll offer a bigger problem until you decide that might not be a good idea,” he continues. “There’s no need to kiss and make up or shake hands. You forget my name, I’ll forget your name and we move on.”
The truth is, 50 charges, beef will always course though Hip-Hop’s veins and 50 has seen it from all angles, from street conflicts to trivial rap spats.
“Its Hip-Hop. Battling has always been a part of the culture…there was never no altercation that created this issue that you call beef,” he explains of his situation with Lil Wayne. “I didn’t run into him anywhere, [but the boxing match with Floyd Mayweather].” The pair recently had a brief encounter to which 50 details in the audio to this exclusive interview.
AllHipHop.com’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur talked to 50 Cent and DJ Drama in a surprisingly candid interview that yielded many answers and more questions as well. The mogul of Hip-Hop details explains his encounter with Lil Wayne, the method to his mania and other matters.
In addition to theorizing beef, 50 Cent and DJ Drama joined forces to release Gangsta Grillz “The Lost Tape” last week to critical fanfare by fans.
In the obligatory ice breaker, 50 and Drama talk about finally linking up after trying in 2007. 50 maintains he helped get 2 Chainz “Riot” back up the charts, he embraced rapping Southern-style from way back and explained how he continues to served these Hip-Hop fiends.
Listen to the audio of 50 Cent and DJ Drama talking about “The Lost Tape”:
Whoever said the Midwest wasn’t Hip-Hop clearly has never been to Rhymesayer’s Entertainment’s Soundset Festival.
In the festival’s fifth year, over 25,000 eager Hip-Hop fans flocked to Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota and stuck it out through the sweltering 95 degree heat for what can only be described as one of the most organic Hip-Hop festivals that has ever been organized.
While it’s likely that a majority of attendees came to the festival grounds to catch a performance or two by their favorite MCs like Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, or Lupe Fiasco, that didn’t take anything away from the love they showed the slew of other performers that hit the stage, such as Big K.R.I.T., Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, Kendrick Lamar, Evidence, and many, many more.
Soundset, which began at 11:00 a.m. sharp on this past Sunday (May 27), kicked off with a number of DJs – and host Brother Ali – warming up the crowd for what was to come.
The first act seen was Queens, New York’s Action Bronson, who performed a number of tracks backed by producer and DJ Tommy Mas from his past projects like Dr. Lecter, Well Done and the recently-released Blue Chips. A crowd of rabid fans, who despite being located over 1,000 miles away from New York City, knew lyric after lyric of Bronsilino’s material.
After Bronson’s set, Rhymesayers’ artist Prof hit the stage, followed by Detroit MC and Fool’s Gold artist, Danny Brown, who had the entire crowd going nuts in union with his eccentric raps and energetic stage presence.
Brown performed “Radio Song,” “Die Like A Rock Star”, and “Adderall Admiral” from last year’s critically acclaimed project, XXX.
With the temperature rising, Rhymesayers’ artists, Grieves and Budos, hit the stage to massive applause followed by 2012 XXL Freshman Macklemore and his producing partner, Ryan Lewis, backed by a horn player. Surprisingly enough, the Seattle native, wearing a “Legalize Gay Marriage” shirt, got one of the warmest responses from any act to hit the stage up until that point – a feat that became clear when he had over 20,000 clapping in unison to his track, “Can’t Hold Us.”
Macklemore also debuted an untitled song for the first time on the road. He closed out his set by stating that anyone who hasn’t already, needs to go bowling in Soundset’s home of Shakopee, MN, and then he performed his ode to sneakers, “Wings.”
Dilated Peoples member and solo artist, Evidence, also performed, taking a moment to pay his respects to late rapper/producer Guru, who he said “was watching down on us from the clouds.” Moments later DJ Premier, who also performed a two-hour long set at the festival, emerged onstage to back Ev for the track, “You”, off last year’s Cats & Dogs. “Make some noise for any MC who’s got a beat from Premier. This is the best moment of my entire life,” said Evidence. He then exclaimed, “I just got to perform with Premo!”
Big K.R.I.T., who is prepping for the release of his Def Jam debut, Live From the Underground, next week was up next. With Danny Brown who performed earlier in the day looking on from backstage, K.R.I.T. exploded on the mic with his “turned up to 11” set that began with “Return of 4Eva” and hypnotized the crowd. He performed tracks like “Moon & Stars,” “Glass House,” “Temptation”, and a number of others during his 30-minute set.
Ironically enough, K.R.I.T., who is one of the most talked about and heralded emerging MCs in the game, was followed by California’s own Kendrick Lamar, who is equally regarded as one of the best lyricists in Hip-Hop right now. Lamar, who appeared in Minneapolis and the festival for the first time, blew through Section.80 records like “ADHD,” “Rigamortis”, and “Hiiipower”, before going into tracks like “P*ssy and Patron” and “Women, Weed and Weather.”
P.O.S. took to the stage with water gun in hand and enthusiastically asked his hometown crowd if anyone was going to “b### from heatstroke.” P.O.S.’s set quickly turned into an all-out mid-set dance party despite EMTs racing through the crowd to help those who passed out from the heat and dehydration. Yet, the show went on.
Ghostface Killah and Raekwon were next, and as expected they delivered classic song after classic song. The duo performed tracks like “Ice Cream,” “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin To F*ck With,” “Fish,” “Protect Ya Neck,” and a ton of others, before inviting a few faces in the crowd onstage to perform verses from their songs. While the first few attempts did not end well, one local spit out an acapella version of ODB’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” which had the crowd in an uproar. It was never made more clear than at that time that the 20-year legacy of Wu-Tang has impacted lives across the world and will continue to for years to come.
After Aesop Rock rocked new tracks from his forthcoming album, Skelethon, with Rob Sonic and Big Wiz, the first of two Soundset headliners hit the stage, although one, due to weather, would never get to perform.
Lupe Fiasco, backed by a full band, began his set with “Words I Never Said” from last year’s album, L.A.S.E.R.S. He then did a remixed version of N.E.R.D.’s “Everyone Nose” remix which he has a verse on, as well as songs like “Go, Go Gadget Flow,” “Kick, Push”, and “Hip-Hop Saved My Life.” “Pray for those clouds to open up and rain on us,” Lupe shouted, and before long, that’s exactly what happened.
Unfortunately for fans of Atmosphere, who was the festival’s headliner, and who a majority of attendees were there to see, the rain that Lupe had prayed for minutes earlier caused a grounds evacuation approximately an hour and a half before the festival was supposed to end. As disappointed fans left Canterbury Park, the sirens sounded and fans rushed to their cars and buses to avoid the downpour, which didn’t make a ton of sense, since as was mentioned earlier, it was hot as hell throughout the entire day until that point.
If anything is for sure after taking part in the sights, sounds, and wonders of Soundset 2012 it’s that the Midwest can and does put on for Hip-Hop, despite more well-known festivals like Lollapalooza and Rock the Bells making headlines year after year. Regardless of the success that these annually held festivals have had in the past, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to take a look at the truly organic formula of what Rhymesayers has done with Soundset and attempts to reciprocate at their own events.
Closing statement: Minnesota knows how to party and damn sure knows Hip-Hop. Thank you Soundset, and see you in 2013!
Check back later this week for Soundset interviews with Evidence, Macklemore, I Self Divine, and Ghostface Killah and Raekwon.
Images by Mark Vancleave, John Behm and The Minnesota Daily.
Maybach Music Group’s first lady, Teedra Moses, is on the road. In her latest stop, she’s on the way to New York City to perform at City Winery night club tomorrow night (Thursday, May 31).
Definitely notable for the 2004 jam, “Be Your Girl”, off her debut album, Complex Simplicity, Teedra has been hard at work prepping her sophomore effort, with the Rick Ross-headed MMG machine behind her.
AllHipHop.com had the pleasure of speaking with Teedra Moses on her upcoming show in New York City, an update on her album, and life being celibate.
It’s been eight months since the last time Moses came to NYC, and the New Orleans-bred songstress is ready for what she calls her “favorite city to perform in!”.
“The New York crowd is so sincere. I don’t know if it’s because they are just fans of mine. I don’t know! They push me so much, to the point where sometimes, I think they push me too far,” said Moses, “and I get so excited. I get really turnt up when I perform in New York. I can’t explain it. It’s like a whole ‘nother feeling. I love performing everywhere, but I think New York and D.C. are my favorite, because the audience are kind of ratchet a little bit. So, it brings it out of me a little bit, which is always fun.”
Check Teedra in the Philthegod directed visual for “Another LuvR” featuring Wale:
While also performing many of her fan favorites, Ms. Moses is introducing two new songs. One is called “War For Love”, and the other is “Incredible” – the latter hitting close to home, dealing with her current struggle with celibacy:
“It’s more sex, mid-tempo. It’s about my celibacy. I’ve been celibate for an extremely long time, and I’m just waiting for that person to come and blow it away. I’ll know who he is; it will be a connection. I haven’t found that yet, and sometimes I don’t want to wait any longer, like f*ck it, I’m just gon’ go for it. But, I don’t want to do that. Something clicks back into me, because I just want that incredible experience. This song is me singing to this guy. His love is really incredible. It makes me go! It’s everything I’ve been waiting for.
Though she’s celibate, it doesn’t change the fact that she still thinks about it all the time:
“When you’re not having sex, you’re thinking ’bout it a lot. [laughter] You’ve got a lot of motivation. You think about when you were engulfed in someone. You think about when you will be again.”
As an intimate soulstress, Teedra reveals she’s more concerned about making you feel at home during her live show, revealing:
“I want people to feel like they’re in my living room, and I’m like, ‘Hey! Listen to these songs.’ I very rarely just break out and start performing songs for my friends [laughs], but that’s what I want them to feel like when they come to my shows. I want you to feel comfortable. I normally got a glass of something. I want you to have a glass of something.
“I’m gonna drop it when I feel like it’s time to put it on the floor, so hopefully you drop it when it’s time to put it on the floor, too! I just want us to have fun. I want people to come and have fun. I want the sound to be great. No matter what happens, I want you to have fun.”
Moses says her album should be ready this coming September. We hope so!
Check out Teedra Moses in New York City at The Winery on Thursday, May 31. Details below.
(AllHipHop News) AllHipHop.com has teamed up with HOT 97 to give away two (2) tickets for this year’s HOT 97’s Summer Jam concert, taking place on Sunday, June 3 at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The lucky winners will receive two prime location tickets to the show that will include performances from Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Young Jeezy, J. Cole, Wale, DJ Khaled, Waka Flocka, Trey Songz, Maino, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, French Montana, Mavado, Tyga, and according to Hot 97, “a colossal amount of surprise celebrity guests will conquer the main stage.”
For your chance to win tickets to HOT 97’s Summer Jam, leave a comment on AllHipHop’s Twitter page (@AllHipHopCom) with your reply to the question: “Who had the most entertaining Summer Jam performance ever and why?”
The best and most entertaining comment will win the tickets. Must be 16 years or older to enter. Entries close at midnight on Thursday, May 31, 2012.
Tickets for Summer Jam 2012 can be purchased at a number of price points, beginning with $45 and topping out at $175 for floor seats. A limited amount of exclusive HOT 97 Platinum Packages are available for $200.
Tickets for Hot 97’s Summer Jam 2012 are on sale now at www.Ticketmaster.com.
It just keeps getting worse and worse for Rihanna. Meek Mill and Drake can’t seem to stop sub-tweeting that they’ve allegedly been with the Bajan star, and from the outside looking it, it seems as if they are purposely rubbing it in Chris Brown’s face.
In the process, the three are dragging Rihanna’s name through the mud, calling her a “ho” and “eeeasy”. In one tweet, Drake even spells girl “gyal,” which is spelled in a Caribbean accent – leading one to believe that he is, in fact, speaking about Rihanna.
Check out a few of the tweets the three have recently posted.
Breezy also tweeted, “I’d like to send the b*llshit a BiG F*CK YOU from the bottom of my ballz! Lol.. Real n####! Goodnight”.
All this alleged sleeping around is really catching up to Rihanna, isn’t it? She needs to follow the advice written on her shirt above and leave the boy or, in her case, boys alone before her heauxing blows up in her face.
It looks like G-Unit may be on the verge of officially falling apart. 50 Cent has reveled that he and Lloyd Banks have not spoken in nine months, and in the same breath, says that Banks is “a baby.” Check out what 50 said below:
“He goes through these things where there’s no communication, and he goes off and does what he wants. It’s set at that point, because I’ve spent marketing dollars so he can go wherever he wants to go and actually go do shows, make money, and do other things,” 50 told radio host Big Boy.
“At that point, it’s fine for him to move around and go do it by himself. I want them to be individuals and operate on their own away from me, I’m fine with it. … We can get on the phone together, but I haven’t spoken to him. I haven’t spoken to Banks in nine months. But this is not the first time this has happened. He’s a baby. He’s the youngest in the actual G-Unit; he got really rich at 19. Both him and Tony [Yayo] have made over $9 million. With [Young] Buck, it was almost $8 million.”
Does this mark the official end for G-Unit?
(AllHipHop News) After achieving both critical and commercial success with his 2010 solo debut album, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, Big Boi of Outkast has revealed a large deal of information from his forthcoming follow-up, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors.
Big Boi tweeted out the news, along with the revelation that two major names in Southern rap would be featured on a song: “I got a record I just finished with ME @BigKRIT and UGK All on one song #DaddyFatSaxxx.”
He then offered details on the new album’s title immediately after, tweeting: “Breaking News !!!!! Title of My Album is Called ” Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors ” ™ Stay Tuned.”
The news comes two weeks after Big Boi was snapped in a studio working with Kid Cudi. The end product of that collaboration is expected to appear on Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, which Big Boi has stated is “80% complete.”
Fellow Outkast member, Andre 3000, who is currently shooting a film biopic of Jimi Hendrix, is expected to release his debut solo album shortly after Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors drops later this year.
If one thing is for sure, it’s that Mr. MFN eXquire has one hell of a personality, and that’s a good thing. Just about everything that comes out of the Breeding Ground-stamped and recent Universal Music acquisition’s mouth is pure gold, or at the very least, entertaining enough to make you want to hear more.
When AllHipHop.com caught up with eX last weekend at the 2012 Bamboozle Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey, the man who was crowned “the next B.I.G.” by Danny Brown, had plenty to say and we were all ears.
In addition to speaking on his upcoming “Into the Wild Tour” with Killer Mike, El-P and Despot, eX went into detail about why exactly he signed with Universal and whose words helped push him in that direction. He also revealed that he has three projects in the works in addition to his debut album, which is slated for release at the end of this year or early 2013. Along with his group’s upcoming mixtape, Brokest Rich N*ggas, eX is preparing to drop an EP in August, along with his new solo mixtape, Power and Passion, in September.
That’s not all that the man behind “Huzzah” shared though, when asked about his thoughts on the new crop of female MC’s in the game, eX very honestly said that all he cares about is “f*cking every one of them.”
Check out our exclusive interview with eX below:
Follow Mr. MFN eXquire on Twitter: (@eXqomaniaRules)
(AllHipHop News) In preparation for this weekend’s “5th Annual Roots Picnic” in Philadelphia which will feature performances from the legendary Roots crew, De La Soul, Rakim, Kid Cudi, Wale, Flosstradamus, and many more, DJ Low Budget was commissioned to put together a one-of-a-kind mixtape for attendees and all-around fans of Hip-Hop.
“To give you a sampling of the amazing cross-section of the live music that will unfold over the 2-day affair at Penn’s Landing festival pier in Philly–and provide you with picnic jams for Memorial Day Weekend and beyond–we asked Philly’s finest DJ Low Budget AKA Lowbeezy to cut together a mix that showed the range of artists on the bill ,” stated an OkayPlayer press release.
“Lowbeezy–who first came to national prominence as 1/2 of Philly’s Hollertronix crew with partner Diplo–might just be the only DJ alive who could do play such an amazing cross-section of styles and do it justice–beaucoups respect to him for turning it out with creativity and flare. He killt it and this is definitely going to be our soundtrack for the Summer, and we hope yours as well,” said OkayPlayer reps.
Stream the official Roots Picnic mixtape and check out the “tracklisting” below:
Intro
The Lesson Part III/Paid In Full blend – The Roots/Eric B & Rakim
The Next Movement- The Roots
Ego Trippin-De La Soul
Paid In Full b/w Stay cool – Eric B & Rakim
It Ain’t All Good b/w Don’t Look any Further (Low B Blend Up)- De la Soul/Dennis Edwards
Adrenaline (Beanie’s Verse) – The Roots
That Tree (Low Beezy’s Midnight Mona Lisa Mix)- Kid Cudi
I Know You Got Soul b/w Slight Work (Low B Blend Up) – Eric B & Rakim/Wale/Diplo
That’s The Way – Wale & Dorrough
Express Yourself – DIplo Feat. Nicky B
Danger – Major Lazer Feat. The Beastie Boys & Santigold
Gangsta _ The TuneYards
Galactus (Emynd Remix) – Mr MF’n Exsquire
Swerve… The Reeping of All That Is Worthwhile (Noir Not Withstanding) -Shabazz Palaces
My Melody b/w Clones (Low B Blend Up) – Eric B. & Rakim/The Roots
Oooh b/w Sister Wife Star Slinger Remix (Low B Blend Up) – De La Soul feat Redman/ Alex Winston
Freaks N’ Geeks (Star Slinger Remix) – Childish Gambino
Get Free (Why So Not Remix) w/Die Like a Rockstar (Low B Blend Up) -Major Lazer Feat Amber/Danny Brown
Wit It/Harlem Shake (Low B Blendup) – Danny Brown/Baauerr
P### Test – A-Track, Juicy J, &Danny Brown
All Tonight – Chill Moody
City Luuks (Kid Sister x Flosstradamus x Symmetry) – The Hood Internet
Luuk Out Girl – Flosstradamus feat. Kid Sister
Horsey (Diplo) – SwizzyMack (Philly Club remix)
Hood Fantasy – Flosstradamus
Original Don (Major Lazer) – Dj Sliink (Jersey Club Remix)
Yeah (Clap-a-Pella)- LCD Soundsystem
Yeah – LCD Soundsystem
Dr. Pill – WZRD (Kid Cudi)
Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood – St. Vincent
Powa b/w Purple Swag (Low B Blendup) – The Tuneyards/ASAP Rocky
Tickets for this weekend’s Roots Picnic are available now as 2-day passes or single-day passes at Ticketmaster.com.
(AllHipHop News) As Memorial Day weekend festivities came to a close yesterday and partygoers made their way back to their hometowns, news of Diddy announcing DJ Khaled as the newest member to the Ciroc Boyz hit the Internet.
Word spread as over the weekend that, at a party at Mansion 360 featuring Diddy, DJ Khaled, and The Weeknd, Diddy grabbed the mic to introduce DJ Khaled as the newest member to the Ciroc Boyz team.
Recently, Diddy also announced that Hot 97’s Funk Master Flex was a newly-anointed member of the vodka conglomerate, further solidifying Ciroc as the most popular vodka brand among Hip-Hop stars.
While details of the deal were not disclosed, Diddy did confirm that the deal has been finalized.
“Check it out, we finally, finally negotiated a deal and closed a contract with my man DJ Khaled, he is officially now a Ciroc Boy!” Diddy exclaimed.
Check the video below:
This is a true “Signs The World Is Coming To An End!” A 22-year old woman who was 9 months pregnant is lucky to be alive today. The woman was kidnapped, set on fire, and shot once in the back in Warren, Michigan.
Police say she was dropping her ex-boyfriend off early Saturday morning after a movie date, and as the two pulled into the garage, the door closed behind them.
“The next thing she knew she was grabbed by the throat and a gun was put to her head,” Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green told ABC News affiliate WXYZ-TV in Detroit. “She was ordered to the ground.”
Duct tape was placed over her mouth and wrapped around her hands and feet, and she was blindfolded, before being put back into her car and driven to a field in Detroit, Green said.
The woman told police she felt liquid being poured on her, heard a match strike, and then was set on fire.
“She was able to get out of the car and start rolling on the ground, trying to put the fire out,” Green said. “And when that happened, two shots were fired, and she was struck once in the back.”
The woman played dead, and the assailants fled. That’s when she unbound herself, drove to a local gas station and called her mother, who picked her up and took her to the hospital.
Police took the woman’s ex-boyfriend into custody on Saturday and named him a person of interest in the case. He had expressed to several people that he did not want the child, and police say he did not and has not called 911 after she was kidnapped.
The woman went into labor following the attack and gave birth to a baby boy. Both she and the infant are expected to survive.
Check out the news report below:
<iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/gFI_UNUMazQ” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen>
Source: Detroit Free Press
(AllHipHop News) The eighth day of testimony continued today (May 29) in the federal cocaine distribution trial of James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond.
Today, a former Czar Entertainment employee named Tony Martin took the stand to testify for prosecutors.
Tony Martin, who folded his hands to pray during testimony, claimed that Rosemond admitted to various illegal activities during his association with Czar Entertainment.
According to Martin’s testimony, he was sucked into the drug ring, without knowing what was actually inside of the music cases, which contained kilograms of cocaine, in addition to millions in drug money.
“Truthfully, since I didn’t have access to the cases or the keys, I thought nothing would ever happened to me,” Tony Martin told the jurors. “I didn’t think I would be prosecuted.”
Martin claimed that after years of shipping or picking up cases, it wasn’t until August 2010, that he finally saw what was being shipped.
He recounted an alleged meeting at an apartment Rosemond owned in Harlem, where he saw the mogul stuffing large amounts of cash into a backpack.
“There was a bunch of money out. He kept putting money in backpacks. He asked me to take it to the London hotel. I kept my cool and said, ‘Damn, this is a lot of money.’ He told me to drop it off to Khalil [Abdullah], so I did.”
Today, the government focused on Rosemond’s business relationships with the Reverend Al Sharpton, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, and Mike Tyson.
Tony Martin testified that Jimmy Rosemond became close with Rev. Al Sharpton shortly after a 2007 incident in which an associate of 50 Cent and Tony Yayo struck Rosemond’s son.
The incident occurred at the height of Game and Rosemond’s feud with 50 Cent and G-Unit.
“His son was harmed, so Jimmy was a space in his life where he didn’t want to get in trouble. So he took the political route to protect his son,” Tony Martin said.
According to Martin, Rosemond was an executive producer on an unreleased show for Rev. Sharpton that would have featured the political commentator/activist as a judge on his own TV show.
Rosemond allegedly paid for a number of Rev. Sharpton’s expenses, including plane fare, hotel bills and other costs associated with producing the show, which was never released.
Rosemond also invested money into two Fatburgers with Queen Latifah in 2007, the movie “The Cookout 2” and attempted to resolve a civil lawsuit between Mike Tyson and Don King, who Martin said only dealt in cash.
Tony Martin claimed that Rosemond, who allegedly invested hundreds-of-thousands into the projects, lost money on the deals, although he made his $250,000 investment back on “The Cook Out 2,” when it was licensed to BET for $1 million dollars.
Like the other witnesses the prosecution has produced, on cross-examination, Tony Martin admitted to meeting with prosecutors at least 11 times, in preparation for testimony.
Rosemond’s attorney, Gerald Shargel, raised a number of questions about Martin’s credibility, in addition to his motives for testifying against Rosemond.
Despite presenting himself as an innocent, unknowing participant, Martin is facing 20 years in prison for his role in drug distribution operation.
He has also signed a cooperation agreement as well, which could help him get a drastically reduced sentence.
But Shargel noted that Tony Martin was not a credible witness.
Shargel revealed that Tony Martin lied to prosecutors after he signed his Proffer Agreement and gave information to the government.
Gerald Shargel noted that Martin actually lied to a judge while he was under oath and embellished his educational credentials.
Tony Martin also admitted to never seeing any of Czar Entertainment’s books, to speak credibly about the business’ profits or losses.
Despite being caught in a lie under oath as recent as last Thursday, Martin, who managed Game, Trillville, and Mario Winans for Czar Entertainment, still has his agreement in place.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
1982 is made up of Termanology and Statik Selektah; a rapper’s rapper, and a producer’s producer. As a duo, they can be considered an independent party making their name amongst the underground, and are now entering their second term with 2012. Baring the election style artwork, the two are seeking a vote of confidence from the Hip-Hop nation.
Their campaign starts off strong, with “Lights Down” being an immediate front-runner. Shrouded in a dream-esque, cool groove with distant samples and scratches, the track sets the listener in a steady rock. This is followed by “Up Every Night”, a perfect example of Hip-Hop Doo-Wop. The cheery, upbeat production Statik provides is uncanny here – the song puts a smile right on your face. Following the good vibes theme, “Happy Days” jams optimism into four minutes of rap, with features from Mac Miller, Bun B, and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men (I know, right!?). These three tracks are highlights of Statik’s production; when at its very best, sounds like it was crafted in ’96 somewhere between Ironman and Wrath of Math. The main aspect of his beat-making, and this has always been the case, is that it never overwhelms, but rather allows the MC to breathe on it. This can work for and against him.
“Shining” is the first time Term takes the podium and puts his rhymes in the driver’s seat. Over triumphant horns, he lets his flow dominate (“I’m shining light blue and reds like a cop car/ I keep it underground, f*ck being a pop star”). “Too Long” is a definite lyrical standout, as he addresses the public with an intimate message involving his family past. This notes a change in tone for the album, from glossy to gritty. The next song, “Time Travelin’”, is probably the best; it speaks on all the people and situations Term would change if he had the chance, leaving you wondering who he’s going to mention next (“And I know it sounds remorseless/ But I would have made Barbara Bush get an abortion”). What makes the song hit home is the authenticity of it and the substance it holds. Most of the music these two make has purpose, and it shows throughout 2012.
As the album progresses, though, it begins to literally slow at the halfway mark. There is no sound progression; some may see this has a consistent flow, while others will call it a stagnant lull. There is no signature song for the album to revolve around; cuts are good, but not great, and the good songs are not good enough to make up for the lack of greatness. There are no impressive features; all are passing, but the least likeable is “Make It Out Alive” with Freddie Gibbs and Crooked I, spitting uninspired rhymes over tired production. As a whole, I think most listeners will step away from the presidential-themed album as most citizens do with most president’s terms of office – ‘It was fine. He did a pretty good job.’
Oh Rihanna, Rihanna, Rihanna. She is making my head spin with all of these guys that she’s being linked to. Fresh off getting outed by Meek Mill for letting him “watch her throne”, Rihanna was snapped at LIV in Miami over the Memorial Day Weekend, allegedly holding hands with her old flame, Drake. From the looks of the picture, Drake is still very much into her, while Rihanna looks a bit disinterested.
Drake and his gosh darn sweaters. Trey Songz was also in the house.
Bossip has compiled a group of photos that show Drake giving Rihanna the “creepy eye,” and it’s absolutely hilarious. Check out the pictures below.
Drake looks like he wants that CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE CAKE!
(AllHipHop News) Often heralded as one of Detroit’s and Hip-Hop’s best MCs, former Slum Village member eLHzi has announced cities and dates for his upcoming 23-date tour.
The tour kicks off on July 12 in Ottawa, Ontario and will continue to hit cities worldwide, including Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, Warsaw, and London, before coming to a close on August 18 in Biel, Switzerland.
eLHzi will also be performing at the Soundclash Festival in Toronto, Ontario on July 14 and on August 17 at Hip-Hop Kemp Festival in the Czech Republic.
The hailed MC is also prepping his third solo album, The Feed, for a Fall release. He will also be premiering a number of material from The Keep on his upcoming world tour.
Earlier this month, eLHzi spoke about The Feed with HHDX, saying, “I got an infinite amount of pieces; I’m trying to make [The Feed] better than ELmatic. I got music in the vaults but I’m still looking for the right tracks, I still want the right concepts to be able to put together as a collective to call it an album. I’m in like the beginning stages right now.”
Producers for the album have been rumored to include Mad Lib, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, Phonte, and Alchemist. “I know Alchemist is down to put something on the album. I spoke with Phonte, and Phonte said he’s got my back on the feature side, so slowly but surely the album is coming together. But I don’t wanna rush it, I wanna make sure I got all the proper pieces and make sure it’s worthy for the fans to hear,” said eLHzi.
Check out a full list of tour dates below:
July 12 – Ottawa, ON – Ritual
July 13 – Hamilton, ON – Casbah
July 14 – Toronto, ON – Soundclash Festival
July 16 – Philly, PA – Silk City
July 17 – Boston, MA – Middle East
July 18 – Providence, RI – Fete
July 19 – New York, NY – SOB’s
July 20 – Pittsburgh, PA – 720 Café
July 21 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s
July 24 – Kalamazoo, MI – Poppa Pete’s
July 25 – Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
July 26 – Chicago, IL – Sub-T
July 27 – St. Louis, MO – Lola
July 28 – Toledo, OH – Mickey Finn’s
August 1 – Phoenix, AZ – Chaser’s
August 2 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club
August 3 – Oakland, CA – New Parish
August 7 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
August 8 – Vancouver, BC – Republic
August 14 – Warsaw, Poland – Miasto Cypel
August 15 – London, UK – Cargo
August 17 – Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic – Hip-Hop Kemp Festival
August 18 – Biel, Switzerland – Royal Arena Festival
For tickets and more information visit eLHzi.com.
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Photo credit: Asha Belk
When you have a dream – you go for it. That’s what 22-year-old San Diego-bred musician Young Lyxx keeps in mind as he preps his fifth EP, California Dreamin Vol. 1.
Young Lyxx, now based in Atlanta, Georgia, saw his level of notoriety raise when the video for his single “Wow” featuring Rocky Diamonds, produced by GB Hitz, became his biggest viral hit to date, amassing nearly 30,000 views.
The video, while totally simplistic in its treatment, is set on Grammy-winning producer Polow da Don’s couch. So, how does a rapper – who’s not famous (or signed to a major) – end up in Polow’s house? There must be something special about this guy.
AllHipHop.com chopped it up with Lyxx on his upcoming project and his mission to put San Diego on the map, and we get answers to our main question: How did you end up at Polow da Don’s house?
In 1999, at just 10 years old, Lyxx became inspired to write after hearing his big cousin rap. He soon wrote his first set of bars, of which he admits today, weren’t his best. But he got better. It was in 2010, when he landed a meeting with a Def Jam rep that Lyxx says he received advice that catapulted his career:
“He [the Def Jam rep] was telling me, “You got it! It’s just all on building your brand.” They want to see that following from you. At that time, I was new on this Atlanta scene, so I felt him. I took from that meeting and just focused on bettering my craft, and building a brand as well – so I could have a movement behind what I was doing.”
Though he shares his thoughts via lyrics, Lyxx admits, he’s really a quiet person:
“I rap because it’s my way of venting. It allows me to express my inner thoughts, ’cause I’m pretty much a quiet person when it comes to showing how I feel about things. Unless I really know you, I won’t open up to you. With rap, I can open up to everybody, but in a different type of manner. It allows me to go in the studio and be personal with it, by myself, and then I can let people hear it.”
With crews on the rise including YMCMB, A$AP Rocky’s crew, A$AP Mob and Odd Future, Lyxx says his crew is taking a different approach.
“I wanted to come up with some type of unit where it would unbalance the industry by allowing our team to not have to reach out for anything. I was looking for synonyms for unbalance – and Top Heavy came about. I know they use that in corporate America as well. Then, when I moved to Atlanta, it formulated with the people.”
In 2011, Lyxx released his third project, Almost There, which featured the track “Wow” featuring Rocky Diamonds. Diamonds, a member of MDMA, a group signed to Polow Da Don’s Zone 4 imprint, and Lyxx met up in Los Angeles and recorded the song. When it came time for the video, Rocky invited Lyxx over to Polow’s house. As quickly as they could, they grabbed a camera and started shooting, with Lyxx revealing:
“One day, Rocky hit me up saying ‘Yo. I’m at Polo crib!’, and he was like ‘Let’s shoot the video!’. We had like two hours, so we just grabbed a camera and knocked it out.”
Now, on the heels of his latest release California Dreamin Vol. 1, Lyxx says this is his most honest project, revealing:
“This is my first Cali-themed out project, where people can really get a glimpse of who is Young Lyxx, where is he from, what’s San Diego about, what’s Cali about, just get a different glimpse of Cali through my vision. Everybody can tell you what Cali is like, and it’s usually going to be L.A., because that’s where a lot of rappers are from, but I’m from San Diego. There hasn’t been a rapper to really come out and give you that glimpse.
“We’ve had Mitchy Slick, but even Mitchy Slick, he’s known in Cali as a hardcore gangbanger – I’m not. I feel like it’s going to be honest. Even though I’m giving a different glimpse, people in Cali are still going to relate, because it’s still real life at the end of the day. It’s a mixtape to pay homage to California. I picked seven tracks that were classics. After that, I went to the studio and wrote the whole mixtape in one night. It was organic. The project features ’90s tracks from Tupac, Mac Dre, Warren G, Dr. Dre and more. I wanted to take classics, but I wanted to also do underground Cali artists from back in the ’90s.”
With his unique style of dress and near-perfect ability to provide mellow lyrics meshed together with production from some of the best upcoming producers, it’s safe to say, there is something special about Young Lyxx. He’s going for his. Not to be alone, he’s bringing the whole city with him. San Diego has a new hero.
California Dreamin Vol. 1, hosted by DJ Fu and presented by IMKING Clothing, drops June 19. Follow Young Lyxx on Twitter (@YoungLyxx).
I know a lot of people are going to laugh on this one. And I know its funny, but I think there is some truth to it.
First of all, do you know who Tweet is?
She is a pretty singer that had a hit song about masturbation with her muse Missy Elliot a few years ago.
That was actually 10 years ago.
Anyway, you may be aware that Tweets name is now synonymous with Twitter and I am hearing the Tweet wants her paper. I don’t know all the legalities of it. I also don’t know that she “own” the name “tweet” as it relates to technology. But, I am hearing the she is thinking about getting to the money.
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
Lil Wayne and Drake have refused to pay a promoter that has sued them for over $400k. The judge ordered them to pay and they say they aren’t.
I heard Floyd Mayweather and 50 Cent got into a fight in Vegas, but I totally don’t believe it. Still, there seems to be a lot of tweets lingering around on this. Stay tuned.
Also, I am hearing there is some stunning proof that Trey Songz may be batting for the other team. I’m not sure, but the operative word is they have “video.”
J. COLE SONS DIGGY
I know Diggy went and Cole, but Cole wants no part of beefing with a “kid.”
TWEET!
Here is her hit song, “Oh No.”
Hit me up with rumors at kingillseed [at] gmail!
R&B’s Josh Xantus, a classically-trained musician, has just released the follow up to 2009’s “First Time”.
This time, it’s the “Last Time”.
Everyone remembers the kid who came on the scene, singing soulfully at his piano, reminiscing on his first time with a special young lady. Trained at Julliard, performed in front of legends including Stevie Wonder, Josh X has a voice and piano skill-set that shuts down any of today’s top talent.
We just hope, in Josh X’s case, he’s able to find his sound in today’s industry. It seems, since the release of “First Time”, X has struggled to cement his place on the music scene as a mainstay. With hard work and a talk with his team (or an entirely new one), X will rise to the occasion as we know he can.
“First Time”
His latest mixtape, Everybody Hates Josh X, is available here. It features appearances by Jim Jones, Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, with production from Swizz Beatz.
