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Red Cafe’ On “Shakedown,” The Fall of NY Rap & Being a Bad Boy

By: seandrasimsCategory: FeaturesDecember 1, 2011

Red Café is in the midst of an industry “Shakedown,” the title of his forthcoming album to be released around Valentine’s Day 2012. The Guyanese born, New York bred rapper is signed to Bad Boy/Interscope now, after short-lived recording stints under Arista, Capitol, and RCA over the years. Still, in person, he possesses the swagger of a man with a long, successful trail of solo and collaborative hits.

His forthcoming project – which he says has something for both the ladies and the fellas – finds Red Café hoping to bring respect and fan support back heavily to The Big Apple’s scene, where rap began some 30 years ago but had languished until recently. In this video clip, flanked by paintings of the late, great Notorious B.I.G., he discusses having no hesitation with signing to Bad Boy under the sometimes-controversial Diddy, along with what he thinks is essential for putting NYC back on the map:

If you’ve listened to any Urban/Hip-Hop radio station in the past month, there’s a good chance you’ve been hypnotized by Red Café’s ballerific anthem, “Fly Together,” with Rick Ross and the track’s producer, singer/rapper Ryan Leslie. The current single off “Shakedown” is steadily climbing the charts, and it may signify how powerful collaborations are almost always necessary to score a hit these days. Here, Red Café discusses the guest stars on his album, why collabos are killing the game, and what else he’s been up:

Red Café’s “Shakedown” is set for release in February 2012 on Bad Boy Records. Follow him on Twitter at @RedCafe.

Sha Stimuli To Release First Book, “The Toilette Papers”

By: ShabazzCategory: NewsDecember 1, 2011

(AllHipHop News) Brooklyn rapper Sha Stimuli has announced the release of his first book, The Toilette Papers: The #1 Number 2 Book.

The Toilette Papers is described as “a compilation of several of his blogging escapades as well as new and original thought, that has been developed specifically for those toilet trips in which one may need to relax and contemplate life.”

Published by Read Head, the book will be the rapper’s first attempt at becoming a print author.

“Some of us find inner peace and solitude when we’re actually on the commode releasing solids,” expressed Sha in a press release. “It is at these times that the purging of waste should be accompanied by the relief of tension. Whether it’s a short stay or a long visit, good reading material assists the process.”

The Toilette Papers: The #1 Number 2 Book will be available as a limited holiday edition, with only 100 copies being produced.

The book will be available on ShaStimuli.com from December 10-20, or until copies are sold out.

Electronic copies and additional print copies will be available on Amazon, iBook, and other retail outlets on January 1.

Sha’s mixtape, The Calling, will be released January 12 via Coast 2 Coast mixtapes.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Maino To Star On “Love & Hip-Hop”

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur)Category: RumorsDecember 1, 2011

IS MAINO THE NEXT RAPPER ON LOVE AND HIP-HOP?

I have been instructed to be mostly silent on this full rumor. But I have been told that Maino is going to be the next big Hip-Hop reality star in due time. Remember this?

Well, I have been informed…or is has highly suggested that Maino will be introduced to the show in some form or fashion. Well, as you know, the show has not had a lot of rappers on it, ‘cept Jim Jones. I believe we can assume that Maino will be introduced as the ying to Olivia’s yang.

Stay tuned!
SPEAKING OF LOVE AND HIP-HOP!

I am hearing Somaya Reece is quitting rap and Hip-Hop altogether. Yep. I could be wrong, but rumor has it she is more interested in the Latino market now. There have been a few people that have done that, like Pitbull, and had tremendous success. I wonder if Ms. Reece will too? I didn’t work for Nore so much, but you never know. Will she be doing Love and Salsa next? I don’t know! Sheesh!

Comedian Affion Crockett’s Hilarious Spoof of Drake’s “Headlines” Video

By: ShabazzCategory: FeaturesDecember 1, 2011

Doing what he does best, comedian Affion Crockett takes a stab at Drake’s “Headlines” video, for pure spoof fun. This isn’t the first time Crockett has taken a funny jab at Drake, as he took on Drake’s mannerisms during the Tim Westwood freestyle spoof.

You can find this video along with others on “The Affion Crockett” app on iTunes, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

WORLD AIDS DAY: Getting To Zero

By: seandrasimsCategory: UncategorizedDecember 1, 2011

The 2011 theme for World AIDS Day is “Getting To Zero.” The goal is to have Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination, and Zero AIDS-Related Deaths.

So how do we get to zero?

I have decided to dedicate my life to getting to zero new infections.

One very important factor in getting to zero new infections has to do with changing the image we have of a person who is infected with HIV/AIDS.

When it comes to HIV/AIDS, we should assume that everyone we encounter may be infected. When will we realize that HIV doesn’t have a particular look? I know our minds have been stuck with the image from the late 1980s of those who were infected being White, gay men. We also remember seeing people with AIDS who looked like death. We remember seeing these early victims of AIDS wasting away to the point we could see bones showing through their skin. They had dry lips and open sores.

Well, in 2011, AIDS is a short 4’8’’ young woman with a thick wrist and a pretty face.

The sooner people realize that AIDS does not discriminate and that it is not a gay disease, the sooner the number of new infections will decrease. It is important to point to the data.

Thirty years after the AIDS epidemic burst onto the scene, Blacks rank highest among racial groups in the U.S. infected with the HIV virus. In 2009, African-Americans made up 14 percent of the total U.S. population but accounted for 44 percent of all new HIV infections. Of the total number of new HIV infections in the US among women, 57 percent occurred in Blacks, 21 percent were in whites, and 16 percent were in Hispanics/Latinas.

One in five Americans are HIV positive but do not know it. Could you be that one? Could you have had unprotected sex with that one in five?

A person can have HIV up to 10 years without showing any symptoms, so please do not think you can look at someone and tell that they are HIV positive. While you can be in a safe and loving relationship with a person who is HIV positive, you cannot go into a situation blind.

In 2012, it is important to talk to your sexual partner about HIV and STD testing.

Also, it is important to stress that AIDS does not have to equal a death sentence, but early detection is key in prolonging ones life with HIV/AIDS. This means people have to get tested; HIV testing is the only way you can tell if a person is infected and the only way you can know if treatment is needed.

While there is hope for life after a positive HIV test result, please know this is a costly disease. Many cannot afford the treatment and must depend on government assistance for help with paying for life-saving medications. However, with the recession and so many cutbacks, it is very difficult to obtain the medications you need to survive.

Yes, there is hope but do not use advancements in medication as an excuse to be reckless and take part in risky sexual behavior. As much as I love my life, I would not wish AIDS on my worst enemy. Please take my testimony as a warning of what you do not want to happen to you, and please remember the person who doesn’t believe they are at risk for HIV is the one most at risk.

This World AIDS Day. You can do your part by getting an HIV test and asking your sexual partner to get one as well.

For more information or links to HIV Testing Centers near you, visit www.hydeiabroadbent.com.