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Album Review: Mobb Deep’s “Black Cocaine”
Rating: 7/10
When Prodigy of Mobb Deep was incarcerated on gun possession charges, it seemed as though the legendary group was all about done. After a classic entry into the game in the 90’s, the Queensbridge duo had since been on the decline, commercially and critically. And after a brief and failed stint with G-Unit, this prison sentence seemed like the final blow to the tired collective. However, upon release earlier this year, Prodigy and Mobb Deep went right back to work, business as usual. The Black Cocaine EP quickly gained buzz and questions from listeners wondering if the two could still, for lack of a better term, bring it.
It was a fair question, as Havoc has been the only one of the two continuing to make music (scarcely) and thus, stay sharp. Not to mention the fact of not having a label, not having worked with each other professionally in a couple of years, and possibly, not having the age. Things are looking quite dark for Mobb Deep. But that’s what has brought them success over the years; dark music. The EP starts off with “Dead Man’s Shoes,” a dark, murky introduction. While the beat brings back familiar tones, the lyrics are average and neither the two, nor guest Bounty Killa, seems to find their appropriate place on the track.
Still though, the mood is set. Which serves as a bridge to the second, and better, song, “Black Cocaine.” Produced by long-time collaborator The Alchemist, the Mobb sounds comfortable over the usual cerebral sounds matched by their low buzz of intense rhymes. On the first cut, the duo sounds incredibly aged and partially out of touch with the art. But it’s almost as if that was nothing more than a ‘warm-up shot’, as the EP begins to take its form after.
As if they knew this was the case, the triumphant “Conquer” plays next. Behind stirring horns, you can hear their confidence building on the record, proclaiming they “Overpower and crush” any and all competition. But truthfully, they have not done so yet. With three songs that have so far totaled a passing grade, Mobb Deep has yet to be exceptional here. A flash of this is shown on the fourth record, “Get It Forever,” boasting another Alchemist instrumental, and Nas feature. The angry clashing of drums and groaning sample in the backdrop bring out the best of Havoc and P, (“Beat so ugly gotta put a f*cking mask on it”) and allow Nas to bob & weave with a deadly flow (“But you know this already/ My hood the coldest and deadly”).
The best showing for Mobb Deep fans happened in the above mentioned track. The final song on the EP is appropriately titled, “Last Days”. Though sometimes more than others, the group sounds their age, something that’s inevitable, and it’s clear that the upcoming LP may be the last hurrah for the infamous duo. But this is nothing to be criticized for. After seeing many fan favorites limp out of the game, it’s refreshing to see Mobb Deep still able to maintain in their lane. I’m not sure if we’ll get another Infamous or Murda Muzik, but we’ll get a couple of highlights. Something that’ll make the older heads happy, and maybe even impress some of the little “duns.”
M.O.P. Releases New Album “Sparta” with Celeb-Packed Concert in NYC
Last night (November 21) at Santos Party House in New York City, iconic rap duo, M.O.P., put on a star-studded concert to celebrate the release of their new album Sparta. Running through hit after hit, the show, which was billed as “featuring surprise guests,” soared to new heights with each “surprise.”
Not only did the night include a short but special set by DJ Premier himself on the 1’s and 2’s before the Mash Out Posse took the stage, once they touched down, they brought out some amazing guests including Black Sheep’s Dres, Pharoahe Monch, Styles P., and more to rock their own hits alongside the M.O.P. boys, Billy Danze and Lil Fame.
AllHipHop.com was on hand at the show and captured some footage for your viewing pleasure. Check it out below:
M.O.P.’s New Album “Sparta” is Available Now!
Somehow This Rap Thing Reminds Me Of The Frat Thing…
I’m the best hypocrite I know. Perhaps this is so because I intimately know the intentions of my heart and the stances my mind better than anyone else. As such, when I have a change of heart about a particular subject matter, this knowledge jumps to the forefront of my mind once I’ve countered a position I once held.
Cases in point: I had a thing against Rap and Black fraternities going into college. Yet coming out of college, I’d become an advocate of both. Coming out of college, I’d become an adamant spokesperson for rap as an aspiring poet or, in some respects and as stated by the CEO of www.allhiphop.com, a closet rapper and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.:
An Adamant Advocate
Advocating for
Both, I was Rap’s and frat’s
Adamant spokesperson.
One of my line names, in fact, would’ve served as a dope rap name had I chosen to go that route: Adamantium. Not that I ever toyed with the idea of being a rapper; but it is obvious by the poetry that I write, chocked with internally disciplined rhyme schemes, that I have been influenced by the culture of Hip-Hop; a culture that I decried in my adolescent years for some of its darkening messages and images:
Hip-Hop’s Coming and Going of Ages
As its messaged image
darkened, Hip-Hop’s age changed
from Golden to Dark.
In like manner, during my teenage years, I can recall scoffing at my peers chanting and doing steps during Spirit Week. ‘Why are they stepping when they’re not even members of any of the black fraternities or sororities? Why would anyone subject themselves to such a crazy initiation process? Why should a person all of a sudden be best friends/brothers/sisters with someone just because of three Greek letters? It was literally Greek to me in my comprehension, understanding and translation of its importance at that time in my life.
But much like Hip-Hop, as I came of age, things changed. As I entered into college and began writing poetry, I began to “listen” and look past the message of rap to focus on its construction – one that I began to covet as I attempted to master this craft myself. In college, I continued a weight lifting regiment I’d began in the ninth grade to rebuild a poor self-image I had. This self-image stemmed from and fueled low self-confidence as well which barred me from participating in sports. In short, I’d never physically challenged myself. So when an associate of mine came to me asking to join him in becoming an Alpha, I actually began to weigh it differently than I’d done before. “This could be my physical test that I’ve failed and avoided in my childhood,” I thought. “This could be a validation of my weight training – a make-up test, of sorts, for my youth.”
I would later research the organization on my own and discover that manly deeds and scholastic aptitude were principled tenets of Alpha Phi Alpha which aligned with my own goals and overshadowed the perceived images I had in my mind. Images of fraternities posing as clubs chocked full of social experimentation riddled with boys obsessed with false projections of man/brotherhood, drinking and partying. I would later come to respect its members such as Paul Robeson, Thurgood Marshall, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Owens who were pillars of Black society. Thus, my mind become rife with hypocrisy as I went on to become the HYPEST Alpha you’d ever want to meet!
Later in life, I would move to a church that had a drill team: young men who performed steps inspired by Black Greek step shows as a form of praise and worship to God. And despite my previous scoffs at my high school friends and a lack of proficiency when it came to stepping, my experience with Greek Life would be called upon and used by God to minister to these young men as I taught them steps superimposed with Christian themes and Biblical scripture.
In like manner, despite my previous position against the craft and makeup of late 90’s rap, I could be called upon and used by God to minister to young people as I began writing rhymes superimposed with Christian themes and Biblical scripture. What an awesome God I serve for He has made me into a forsaken hypocrite for the sake of His glory!:
For the Sake of Forsaken Hypocrisy
For the sake of
Christian wit, God’s made me a
forsaken hypocrite!
So, indeed, my call to hypocrisy has become “Somehow this rap thing reminds me of this frat thing” – inspired, ironically and fittingly, by Nas’ line made more famous by Jay-Z’s sample: “Somehow the rap game/ Reminds me of the crack game.”
Kidz In the Hall Celebrate A Very Special “Occasion”
Today (November 22), Chicago’s own Naledge and Double-O, more commonly known and referred to as Kidz in the Hall, will release their fourth studio album Occasion to the public via Braniac and Duck Down Records. The 16-track album features a wide range of eclectic guests including David Banner, Tabi Bonney, Bun B, Freddie Gibbs, Marsha Ambrosius, Curren$y, and many more.
In Naledge and O’s eyes, making music isn’t always about trying to top what you did the last time around, it’s about creating a unique sound that is fresh, maturing, and overall, feel-good. With the release of Occasion, they successfully managed to do all of the above, yet still provide fans and listeners alike with something truly worthy of being a Kidz in the Hall album.
AllHipHop.com spoke to both of the Kidz before the release of Occasion and got the guys to talk about the creation and recording process of the album, what is was like working with artists like Bun B and David Banner, their personal highlights from Occasion, the loss of Heavy D, who needs to buy this album, and much more:
AllHipHop.com: First off, I want to congratulate both of you guys on the release of Occasion, which is going to be your third album with Duck Down Records. What about your business relationship with Duck Down works so well for you guys and allows you to create the music that you want to?
Double-O: I think they just let us make the music that we want to make. We’ve never had to compromise ourselves at all and they’ve never asked us too.
AllHipHop.com: Last week, a few of us actually came to visit your video shoot in Brooklyn for “Pour It Up” with Bun B and David Banner. Can you guys explain the robbery concept we witnessed?
Kidz In The Hall: (Laughing)
Double-O: It’s about someone listening to my f*cking idea, that’s what happened. It’s basically like our version of Clerks, if you’re familiar with the original Clerks. You know that mundane kind of job but with that Kidz twist on it and some crazy sh*t goes down.
AllHipHop.com: Is there a specific reason why you guys chose to shoot the video in New York as opposed to your hometown of Chicago?
Double-O: We go to Europe on Monday, so it made more sense for Naledge to come here, cause I was already here, and then go off to Europe from New York, cause that’s where we’re leaving from. So really it was just a logistical thing.
AllHipHop.com: And what are you guys about to be doing in Europe?
Double-O: Shooting the second season of our reality show.
AllHipHop.com: Can’t wait to see that! We did get to speak to Bun B at the video shoot, and he was talking about the song being an homage to Pimp C. What can you guys tell me about your relationship with Bun, and how did you all link up for “Pour It Up”?
Naledge: Bun made a concerted effort as somebody who is more of a pioneer in the game to reach out to younger artists who are doing their thing and really make relationships with us and really network, and it’s crazy cause when you see someone who has accomplished so much and be willing to really put in their own groundwork. In our eyes, he’s giving us a blueprint. Bun is like family man, he’s like your uncle and lets you know in a cool way what’s going on; if you’re doing something right or you’re doing something wrong. He’s somebody who’s been there and done that and will always lend a hand and lend an ear. It’s just one of those things.
AllHipHop.com: So if Bun B is your uncle, what would that make David Banner?
Naledge: He’s like the crazy cousin. He’s the nicest dude you’ll ever meet, until you get on his bad side [laughter].
AllHipHop.com: I hear that. When do you plan on releasing the visual for “Pour It Up”?
Double-O: Whenever it gets done. I know that there’s going to be a little bit of a delay, but hopefully not too much.
AllHipHop.com: I’m not sure if it was two or three weeks ago, but you guys did something very creative and unique for your album listening session’s where you had party buses pick up passengers around the city to hear the album, party, and kick it with you guys. Whose idea was that, and overall, how did the experience go?
Double-O: Logistically, it’s always been about getting it to work, but we had actually been throwing that idea around from the time we had our first meeting with Duck Down back in 2007. So it was really just one of those things where this was the right time. There’s a very certain idea that we wanted to convey with the party bus.
AllHipHop.com: Well I think it was pretty genius to approach the listening like that and from what I’ve heard of the album, it certainly sounds like some of, if not your, best work to date, and definitely has a more up-beat sound to it. Would you agree or disagree?
Double-O: I mean, we always like what we just did, you know. We always like that newest thing that we made. So for a record like Occasion, that most people haven’t heard, and we’re like “this is the greatest sh*t ever!” I think that we try to improve with every album whether people think we need to or not. Sometimes, people get introduced to us in a variety of ways. There’s people who say that Attention is the best thing we’ve ever did and that was a mixtape that we put out such a long time ago but then, you know, there’s some people that really love School Was My Hustle and then there’s some people that love The In Crowd, and some who love Land of Make Believe. So we are always just trying to do something that is better than what we did last time but hopefully gain new fans also, and I think that’s what we’re doing.
Naledge: I think it’s one of those things where, at least me being the MC, I’m just talking about what’s going on in my life and I’m telling people where I’m at in my life. So some of out older material, it was like an older time, so I don’t really look back and I realized that somebody might be a fan of something that I don’t feel like making right now, so it’s like that’s cool, but there’s fans for what we’re doing right now, and right now everything is more me. It’s more of a place where I don’t feel like I have to prove certain things that I felt like I had to prove on our first couple of albums. I’m more interested in song structure than I ever was. I’m less interested in trying to prove to somebody that I’m dope. I know I’m dope. I don’t need to give you the most intricate rhyme pattern anymore to let you know that I’m dope. I play around with cadences more and I find nuances playing with the English language and playing with melodies, and just trying to create a feeling, and I think that’s what this album is about. It’s creating a feeling of an occasion and that’s how it came together.
AllHipHop.com: What was the actual process like?
Naledge: We went to L.A., we rented a house, and we made music that felt good to us with no qualms. We weren’t reading no blogs, we wasn’t checking no websites, wasn’t listening to nobody else’s stuff in the Rap world, and just made what we fell like making, and this is the result. That’s what I love about this album is that it wasn’t contaminated by what’s going on on the radio, or BET, or MTV Jams, or none of that, so I love this record. I think it’s our best work. I think it’s our most palatable album period. I think it stands up to anything we’ve done before.
AllHipHop.com: Is it safe to say that you guys are less concerned with trying to top yourselves and the work you’ve done in the past and more focused on just creating the best music you can possibly make right now?
Double-O: Yeah, I mean, I think that’s definitely it. We just kind of realized, that with this reality show and the other branding opportunities that we’ve been getting, we can make new fans everyday and just be appreciative of the fact that we can do this for a living and just vibe off of that and make everything an “occasion.”
AllHipHop.com: So what is so significant about the album title, Occasion and the cover art as well?
Double-O: I mean honestly, like, calling the album Occasion, it was a little bit of a marketing thing because it was kind of like, we had a song called “Occasion,” that we felt a lot of what the album is, is really based around and we knew that it was one of those important records that we really wanted to push. You know, it’s really me that gets caught up in it sometimes I try to be a little too subversive, where there’s like a billion different layers. Like people were like “Land of Make Believe has all these different meanings,” and it’s supposed to be meaningful and all that and with Occasion its just an occasion. The song, the vibe, everything, is very simple but on the flip side, I got to be a little subversive with the artwork, I mean the artwork is essentially confetti falling. It was just a really dope picture that I found. One of the photographers we work with a lot in Chicago, he had it on his website and I was just like “this is what it needs to be. This picture represents everything about the celebration of this type of album. The occasion.” That’s really how the title and art came to be.
AllHipHop.com: That’s awesome. As far as the actual recording process, I know you guys said earlier that you got the house in L.A. and were recording there. You’ve got a wide list of eclectic features on Occasion, did any of the artists actually come to the house with you guys and record?
Double-O: I mean, some of them were around. Some songs were done a little earlier then when we were in L.A. You know, we had a lot of ideas prior to recording and we were just fleshing them all out and so what ends up happening is, you can listen to a song a billion times, but before you can complete it, you’re like “aw, this is who I need on it!” Or even saying, “this is what I need to make this song complete.” There were a lot of those kind of brainstorming sessions that we had alongside the demos that we had done that led to a lot of the features.
AllHipHop.com: Looking back, is there anything that sticks out as a crazy moment during the making of the album?
Naledge: We had a lot of hoes around man during the making of this album. The album talks about the life or a real person that gets hoes. Not like, “I’m a player or I’m out here pimping, etc. I go to the club, I walk right in and I got like 80 girls.” No, man, not at all. I fight with women, argue with them, but at the same time, I love women and I talk to them and have meaningful conversations with them; I invite them to the studio. I drink with them and sometimes they smoke me out, I smoke weed with them. That’s really what this is about; it’s an occasion! It’s not an occasion if bad women – bad meaning good – if you don’t have great women around the environment than you can’t create that type of music. It might be a laughing moment or a laughing matter, but it’s the truth. I don’t know any heterosexual dudes that can hang out and have a great time with music without women involved. That’s just real.
AllHipHop.com: So for someone who goes out and picks up a copy or two of the album, where would you say is the perfect place or environment to hear the album?
Naledge: Anywhere that bad b*tches reside at. You know what I’m saying?
Double-O: [laughter]
Naledge: Car, strip club, party. You could be at your job right now and a bad b*tch could be at a cubicle next to you, and you might just be playing our song and that might get you in the mood to go rap to it like “let’s go hit this happy hour real quick.” (laughs) That’s who we are. That’s who Kidz In the Hall are. We understand that nine to five, office mentality. We’re those guys, who although we were pegged to be that if you look at our resume, we took it and made it to rap music. So I still hang out with people that graduated college and work that nine to five, but I’m like the coolest motherf*cker to them. We have always been – when people go right, Kidz In the Hall go left – so the music reflects that; it’s a fun time and we’re fun people and we found a way to mesh our wittiness and tongue-in-cheek humor into having fun and also attacking real issues. Did I mention that bad b*tches should buy the album?
AllHipHop.com: At least twice [laughter].
Naledge: For real. Attention all bad b*tches, buy Kidz in the Hall’s album. We are the leaders of the bad b*tch movement!
Double-O: (Laughs).
AllHipHop.com: Do each of you guys individually have a song on Occasion that is a personal favorite?
Double-O: For me, I love the way the whole album kind of rocks. I think what we did with this album was rather than try to tell a story or connect dots, we just picked our 14 favorite records and just put it on there.
AllHipHop.com: Ok.
Double-O: So I think that kind of like, this is the best of our life, right now. I think that’s why it maintains a certain amount of energy throughout the whole thing cause we just did the reverse of what people kind of tell you to do.
AllHipHop.com: Naledge?
Naledge: “Pour It Up” to me is the jewel of the album, only because, like, the way it came together, not necessarily because of Bun being on it or because of David Banner being on it, it celebrates the life of legends that passed away, but in a way that’s a little bit different. I was talking to Bun about the fact that down South, when people pass, you don’t get sad, people have a party for them, so that’s kind of what the idea of pouring out a little liquor for the homie or pour it up and toasting to the homie. That’s what we’re doing is toasting to the homies that we lost and toasting to the legends that we lost and we found a way to integrate that into a lifestyle. If they were alive, they’d be in the club and pouring it up and having fun. That was the energy that they exuded when they were here. So Pimp C, Biggie, and Tupac were the three legends that came to mind immediately but I really wanted to shed light on the memory of Chad Butler, specifically because I feel that Pimp C, you know, everything aside, the large character that he had, like he was a very, very talented individual.
AllHipHop.com: Absolutely.
Naledge: It just permeated really deeply in the Rap industry and I think it largely went unnoticed when he was alive.
AllHipHop.com: Well, even more recently the world lost Heavy D, and it is just amazing to see how iconic these people were and the legacies that they leave for people to hold onto for years and years after they pass away.
Double-O: It’s unfortunate and this goes even outside of Rap, I mean, we don’t celebrate people, unfortunately, until they’re gone a lot of the times because we’re forced to reflect on how important they really were in our life or just in the world. So with Heavy D, it’s just crazy. It’s wild sometimes how you can just go to sleep and wake up the next morning and look on Twitter and you find out somebody is gone. And the way that we look at death now, I think is about to evolve in such a wild way over the next couple of years.
AllHipHop.com: How so?
Double-O: You have kids growing up in an era where if someone passes away, there’s still a digital footprint of them. How many people were retweeting Heavy D’s last tweets you know? It’s a wild thing and just a very interesting concept of what death is nowadays.
AllHipHop.com: That’s very true. Just to finish up, looking ahead to next year, what do you guys have planned and in store for the fans and the industry in general?
Double-O: We’re definitely going to be working on solo stuff. There’s going to be the second season of the reality show and I think that with that, we’re going to have some new music. It’s funny too cause originally Occasion was going to be an EP and then it turned to an album, which seems to always happen, so I can say right now that I know we have a couple of songs that we’re going to attach to the show’s new season. Whether or not it will be an album, I don’t know, but it could be.
AllHipHop.com: Looking forward to hearing the new stuff, and congratulations again on the album’s release.
Kidz in the Hall: Thank you!
Kidz In The Hall’s “Occasion” Is Available Now!
CHARTWATCH: A Big Week in Ongoing Hip-Hop Sales
(Week Ending November 25)
Drake’s sophomore offering, Take Care (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Rep.), debuted at the #1 spot, taking over Mac Miller’s one-week reign by selling 659,190 units in the first week. As expected, Drake put up big numbers that outdid his debut Thank Me Later‘s first-week sales by over 200,000 copies. Earlier this week, Lil Wayne expressed his lack of concern for sales to MTV, “Pardon me for sounding, however, I sound with this statement, but we rich as sh*t so numbers and record sales that doesn’t matter to none of us.” Drake and Lil Wayne will shoot the video next week for “The Motto,” which is the next single from Take Care.
Childish Gambino’s commercial debut, Camp (Glassnote Music), opened at the #11 spot, selling 51,070 copies in its first week. Read AllHipHop.com’a review of Camp here.
After making history last week by becoming the first indie act since Tha Dogg Pound to reach the #1 spot on the charts in their first week (148,915 units), Mac Miller’s Blue Slide Park sold 24,786 units in its second week on the charts, an 83% decrease compared to his first week numbers. The Rostrum Records act is currently on his “Blue Slide Park Tour” which runs through the end of December.
Wale’s Ambition (Warner Bros.) dropped 3 spots to #18, selling 29,847 copies in its third week after a strong debut.
Webbie’s Savage Life 3 (Trill) debuted at the #22 spot, selling 26,220 units in the first week.
Lil Wayne’s, Tha Carter IV (Cash Money/Universal Rep.) experienced a 3% increase in sales selling 25,424 copies at spot 23.
Kanye West & Jay-Z’s Watch The Throne (Roc-A-Fella/Roc Nation) took the 28th spot selling 19,743 units, an 8% increase from the week prior.
Continuing the trend of sales increases, J. Cole, who is currently on tour overseas, saw the sales of his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, increase by 13% at the 35 spot, selling 18,788 copies this past week.
Dropping This Week: (Week Ending on 11/25/11)
Yelawolf released his first album on Shady Records, Radioactive, yesterday. Features include Eminem, Kid Rock, Lil Jon, Killer Mike, and Mystikal. The album has production from WillPower, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, and Jim Jonsin.
On Black Friday, Mobb Deep will release their first project together in over six years, entitled Black Cocaine. The EP will be self-released and include a five-song digital version as well as a seven-song physical limited edition release. AllHipHop.com is co-sponsoring their album release party tonight (November 22) at BB Kings in New York City.
Kidz In The Hall’s, Occasion, drops today on Brainiac / Duck Down Music. Notable features include Bun B, Curren$y, and Freddie Gibbs.
Action Bronson and Statik Selektah’s collabo album, Well Done, drops today as well.
Dropping Next Week: (Week Ending on 11/29/11)
Curren$y’s Jet Life compilation album, Jet World Order (Jets International/iHipHop Distribution), drops next Tuesday. The album features Jet members: Curren$y, Trademark Da Skydiver, Young Roddy, Smoke DZA, Mikey Rocks, Fiend, Nesby Phips, Corner Boy P, and Street Wiz.
Exclusive: LL Cool J In The Studio Working On New Music
(AllHipHop News) LL Cool J may have semi-retired after 2008’s album Exit 13, but the Queen’s rapper has by no means put down the microphone.
LL is currently enjoying airplay with the new song “No More,” featuring R&B superstar Ne-Yo.
The track is taken from an episode of CBS’s#### series “NCIS: Los Angeles” which stars LL Cool J.
While LL stopped short of announcing a full-fledged comeback, the pioneering rapper told AllHipHop.com that he is in the studio, recording new material.
“I been doing some music, but I’ve been really focusing on ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ quite frankly,” LL Cool J told AllHipHop.com, before admitting he was actually still recording.
“I did work on some new music, with Ne-Yo. I been working with Jim Jonsin in the studio and doing some music,” LL Cool J told AllHipHop.com. “I got real crazy music, but I’m just taking my time.”
Jim Jonsin is a multiple platinum producer who has churned out hits for a who’s-who in the music industry, ranging from artists like Beyonce Knowles and Lil Wayne, to Pitbull and Eminem.
LL Cool J’s last official full-length release was Exit 13, which was released in 2008.
The album was LL’s final release for the label, after a 20-plus year association.
In related news, LL Cool J will host “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live,” which is taking place November 30.
Announced performers include Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Jason Aldean Rihanna, Sugarland, Ludacris and others.
In addition to serving as host, LL is also producing the one-hour special, which airs on CBS live, from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles.
Queen Latifah Talks Motherhood, Wants To Adopt Baby
(AllHipHop News) Queen Latifah may be busy building out her Miami film studio and producing her upcoming talk show, but the rapper/actress is also making time to become a mother.
Latifah, born Dana Owens, made the revelations during an upcoming interview with More Magazine that features her on the cover.
“I’m definitely going to adopt – or have – a child,” Queen Latifah said. “I’ve wanted to adopt since I was 17 or 18-years-old.”
During the candid interview, Queen Latifah explained the impact that the death of her brother had early on in her career.
Lance Owens died almost 20 years ago, in 1992, after an accident on a motorcycle that Queen Latifah had purchased for him.
In her autobiography “Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman,” Latifah revealed that Lance’s death lead to drug abuse and depression.
In her new interview with More Magazine, Latifah explained that since her brother’s untimely death, she has learned valuable life lessons.
“As my Aunt Elaine says, ‘You never get over it, but you get through it’,” Queen Latifah said. “I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to not stop living. I know for a fact that my brother would not want me to stay right there, stuck in that misery.”
<a href="http://“I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to not stop living,” says the Chicago actress who often wears her late brother’s motorcycle keys around her neck. “As my Aunt Elaine says, ‘You never get over it, but you get through it’. I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to not stop living. I know for a fact that my brother would not want me to stay right there, stuck in that misery.”
Additionally, she is slated to star in the flick “Joyful Noise” with Dolly Parton and KeKe Palmer this January.
Daily Word: Be Content!! (You Have Everything You Need)
Happy Tuesday, my Warriors of Light! Today's Daily Word is dedicated to being content! Sometimes we are so busy searching for things that are outside of ourselves, that we don't realize that what we really need is already in our possession! We dream of this distant place where all our dreams come true, not knowing that if we just appreciated all the abundance we already have, that life would reveal more. Think of life as an all you can eat buffet! The only way that you can get more food is to finish what you already have on your plate! Why would the universe give you more if you don't know what to do with what you have already? Be content!! Appreciate all that you currently have and maximize that to its fullest potential!! Doing this will not only bring you immediate happiness, but will also bring you future abundance! Life is what you make it! Make it great right now because you already have it all!! The World is Yours, and Nothing Can Stop You!!! -Ash'Cash “When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, you will understand true happiness.” -Lao Tzu “Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have.” -Doris Mortman “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” -Epicurus “Each moment in time we have it all, even when we think we don't.” -Melody Beattie “We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” -Frederick Keonig “Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels.” -Bertolt Brecht “Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” -Ashley Smith ***BONUS*** “He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” -Socrates
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.
“Letter To My Son” MC, Don Trip, Makes a Proper Introduction to the Spotlight
Straight out of Memphis, Tennessee, comes a promising talent by the name of Don Trip, whose been making a name for himself on the Hip-Hop scene as of late. The new Interscope Records signee is making waves with his current sober-taled single, “Letter To My Son,” which features the soulmaster, Cee-Lo Green. And, after listening to a few of his songs, the rap audience may catapult Don Trip into the next rising star. However, before co-signing him, there’s still much to learn about Don Trip. AllHipHop.com caught up with the Memphis MC to ask him a few questions and give him an introduction in this brief interview:
AllHipHop.com: Welcome to AllHipHop.com, Mr. Don Trip. Please tell us about yourself.
Don Trip: I’m probably one of the most honest musicians you’ll ever meet. I’ve been writing since I was 11 and recording since I was 16. I started releasing mixtapes throughout my city, and when the Internet era started, I jumped on YouTube and started putting up videos every other day. The song, “Letter To My Son,” was one of the most popular ones, and Interscope grabbed on to it.
AllHipHop.com: When did you sign to Interscope? And, what are you working on right now?
Don Trip: Back in February of this year. I have a Gangsta Grillz project with DJ Drama coming out, and then the album will be ready by the 1st or 2nd quarter of next year.
AllHipHop.com: You mentioned “Letter To My Son.” Cee-Lo jumped on the remix to that song. How did that come about?
Don Trip: The record got so big, and we felt like we needed something to make it complete. When the label asked me about adding a hook to it, I told them that it had to be someone with some soul like Cee-Lo. Once I said that, they went and made it happen. Once I heard the record, I knew he was the one to go with.
AllHipHop.com: Did you have any prior dealings with Cee-Lo?
Don Trip: No. The first time that I met him was at the video shoot, but he’s cool people. I was proud to meet him. It was an honor. I feel like I’m getting somewhere. There’s plenty of more work to be done, but I feel like I have accomplished something with the work I’ve already done.
AllHipHop.com: Some Southern artists are lyrical, and others just make music for the club. What’s your approach?
Don Trip: I paint the whole picture. The ones that have club music can’t spit, and the ones that can’t spit have club music. I want to be able to do all of it. I want to be the Michael Jordan of rap, and I’m going to keep going until I achieve it.
AllHipHop.com: Can you make a good club record with lyricism? One usually has to sacrifice one for the other.
Don Trip: Naw, it’s just untried. I prefer the road less traveled. It’s a challenge, but I’ve got no problem with that.
AllHipHop.com: Name some of your musical influences.
Don Trip: Andre 3000 is one of the biggest ones. Of course, there’s Jay-Z. I started off listening to Kriss Kross as a child. N.W.A. – I’m a big Ice Cube fan. I’m also an LL Cool J fan, too. There’s a lot of music. I live in Memphis, and it’s considered the South and the Midwest at the same time. We’re privileged to a lot of different styles of music. I’ve learned from everybody.
AllHipHop.com: Who else out of Memphis, aside from yourself, should we be on the look out for?
Don Trip: Young Dolph. He’s got his grind together, so I’m pretty sure you’re going to be hearing from him soon.
AllHipHop.com: You’re touring with Game right now. How did that come about?
Don Trip: Somebody made some magic happen. I don’t know who did it, but I appreciate it! I’m also on BET’s Black College Tour. I’ll be dropping the Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama soon, so be sure to follow me on Twitter at @mrdontrip.
Ludacris, Big Boi Skate To Raise Money For Atlanta Homeless Shelter
(AllHipHop News) Atlanta rappers Ludacris and Big Boi will you song writer/producer DeVyne Stephens at the “Roll Over Hunger” skate party tomorrow (November 23).
The “Roll Over Hunger” skating party will benefit the Hosea Feed the Hungry Foundation, which operates in Atlanta and feeds over 200,000 meals to homeless people during the holiday seasons.
The rappers will donate 100% of the proceeds directly to the foundation to benefit the foundation’s holiday dinner program.
In addition to Luda and Big Boi, Ciara, Josh Smith, Polow da Don, Demetria McKinney and DJ Toomp will lace up their skates to support the cause.
The “Roll Over Hunger” skate party takes place tomorrow at the Cascade Family Skate Center in Atlanta.
Earlier in the week, stopped by and donated $10,000 to Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless.
He challenged other rappers to donate some of their incline to charitable causes as well.
Master P Feeds Hundreds With Free Turkeys In Baton Rouge For Thanksgiving
This is a teaser from “The Next 48 Hours With Master P,” a 2 part web series which goes behind the scenes during the relaunch of No Limit Forever. In this clip Master P is giving away Turkeys for Thanksgiving in his hometown Baton Rouge.
The Next 48 Hours is an original AllHipHop, JumpOff.TV & Tantrum Production.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBMKA_FU7Lo
T.I. “Pyro”
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Future [BGA] “Go Harder”
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KRS-ONE P###. By Mad Lion “Just Like That”
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HEATER OF THE DAY: Benz Ft. Slim Thug and Lil Webbie “My City Street”
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Lil Boosie Ft. BG “B.R. To Da N.O.”
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Gangrene (Alchemist & Oh No) Ft. Prodigy “Dump Truck”
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FloRida Ft. Christina Aguilera “Good Feeling Off”
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FRESH HEAT: Fiend Ft. Smoke DZA “That’s How I Feel”
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