(AllHipHop News) Just four years ago rapper John Forte was pardoned from a 14-year federal prison sentence, after getting caught trafficking $1.4 million dollars in liquid cocaine through Newark International Airport in New Jersey.
After seven years served, the rapper was pardoned by former President George W. Bush in 2008, with the help of Carly Simon and Utah Senator, Phillips Exeter.
Since then, Forte has spent the last several years piecing his life back together.
The 37-year-old musician recently dropped his new documentary “The Russian Winter,” which premiered in New York.
Over the weekend, John Forte gave fans an introspective look inside his life, as he debuted the new film at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The Russian Winter focuses on a nine-week trip that Forte took across Russia in 2011.
While there, the former Fugees associate performed at select dates across the country with Russian musicians, raising money for local charities.
“I think the knee-jerk reaction of coming home was to make a documentary about my life preceding prison, and what took place in prison, leading up to me coming home. But something about it just didn’t feel right. It felt exploitative,” Forté explained to the New York Times.
“You know, I went to prep school. When I came back to the ‘hood, it wasn’t like people slapped me on the back and said, ‘Wow, you got your stripes now.’ But there were so many guys that went [to prison] for a year, went away for two years, went away for five years. And when they came back, it was almost like they were praised. And that’s the last message I wanted to send. There was nothing cool about my time away.”
Meet THEESatisfaction, Stasia Irons and Catherine Harris-White, a duo straight out of Tacoma, Washington. They recently dropped a tight visual for their latest song “QueenS”.
Promo photos feature the two in ’90s-like clothing. Pictured above is a pose and photo, that looks very similar to a popular photo technique popularized in the early ’90’s. While it brings back a feeling of nostalgia, for future’s sake, we hope THEESatisfaction can figure out a way to marry their genre-bending music, with an innovative look. They’re almost there, the nail is in the wood, they just need a hammer to make it stick.
As writers and producers, they both compose their material, and describe their genre-bending sounds as “funk-psychedelic feminista sci-fi epics”. Signed to Sub Pop Records, this duo provides quite an interesting listen, and you can only do nothing but wait to see what’s next up their really long sleeves.
The Bodega Brovas, a.k.a. Headkrack, Travii, and Keynote, show why they are often tagged as “The Beastie Boys for a new millennium” during their recent, zany discussion with AllHipHop.com. We checked in with them about their new video, the tour they just wrapped up, and their SXSW escapades!:
AllHipHop.com: Alright you guys, the last time we spoke with you, you were about to embark on a European Tour. Did you bring back any stories that you care to share with our readers?
HeadKrack: Yo, straight out the gate, Europe has some of the most love for Hip-Hop, hands down! Even spots that we thought weren’t gonna be popping were insane. All the Ireland dates were a smash, the UK dates were phenomenal. And Germany, though we loved it, needs to change their laws on indoor smoking. I think I have lung cancer now!
Travii: Sleep is overrated. Nandos is awesome, even for a vegetarian. Amsterdam, oh, Amsterdam. That is all.
Keynote: I had a blast the whole tour until the last two days in Germany when I came down with what felt like a bad case of death. Was mad sick, but still rocked Germany. All the UK and Ireland dates where amazing. It was dope getting to chop it up with them Souls of Mischief boys. And it’s always fun causing mass destruction with the Tanya Morgan Pose.
AllHipHop.com: We know you were at SXSW tearing down the stage! What was your favorite part of the festival this year?
Travii: The Redbull stages were incredible, so many dope shows,can’t even name…but I do think SXSW is way too corporate now…over-saturated. It’s no longer about the Indie artist; it’s about what brand can the biggest mainstream act. But with that being said, I will still be there every year.
Keynote: For me, it was rockin’ the show, kickin’ it with everyone at the Red Bull party, and getting in an all out total brawl with a gang of hot, young Thai hookers. I held my ground, damn whatever else you hear. Travii started it with them broads in the first place. Evidently, some cultures frown on jokes about necrophilia.
AllHipHop.com: Umm, not sure what to say about that! [laughter]
Headkrack: I agree with Travii. My thing with SXSW is a love and hate one. Yeah, we rocked the stages we were on, but the overall experience is just so corporate now. It’s less about discovering new bands, and more about who can throw the biggest party. In that respec,t I guess it very much mirrors the music industry.
AllHipHop.com: So, the new video dropped this week. Tell us about it. What was the concept of the video, and who produced it?
Travii: The video was produced by Headkrack himself…a.k.a. “Leanardo Dikrackio!” And it’s just about how the music game has changed so much, as far as getting your product to the listener, and how music is basically free now.
AllHipHop.com: Wow, Interesting idea!
Travii: Personally, I love downloading music, too, but there is so much trash out there. Now, everyone has the ability to set up studios in their bedrooms, which means gone are the days of having to pay for studio blocks, mix-downs, mastering, etc. In my opinion, having to do those things made you get your stuff together, because if you didn’t, you’d get into the studio, the engineer would push the button on the clock, and you would waste a four-hour block on just one track! [laughter] So, to me, go ahead and download it, but if you like it, then support, and go pay for it!
AllHipHop.com: Gotcha! What is the next song to drop from the new project?
Keynote: We might leak this party joint that is different than what you heard from us before. We also have a freebee for the fans coming soon.
AllHipHop.com: What can we expect to see in the upcoming weeks from The Bodega Brovas?
Headkrack: On deck next, we have a new freebie for the fans called Super Future Retro Let’s Go. It’s a musical collage of the music we grew up on with a brand new twist. Not just Hip-Hop but R&B and Rock as well.
We are also about to embark on our “American Graffiti Tour” with Tanya Morgan, Playdough of Deep Space 5, and Koncept of the Brown Bag Allstars. In addition to that we also have our debut LP, L.G.A. (Loaded Guns and Alcohol), in the mix and mastering phase. We about to drop more hot sh*t than a clumsy waiter. #Bodega
Be on the lookout for the new Bodega Brovas projects this summer!
Miguel made the rounds at last month’s South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival, leaving die-hard fans wanting more of his “hook-tacular” sound and stage appeal.
AllHipHop.com dug up some more video from SXSW 2012. Watch a high-quality, live performance of Miguel’s “That I Do”, a single from his Art Dealer Chic Vol.1 EP:
“Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms.” –Angela Carter
“Sometimes the rap game/ reminds me of the crack game.” –Nas
Book Editor’s Note: Recently, I won a Kindle Fire in a brief essay contest from TVOne. The Fire is a totally awesome tablet, and it has opened me, an analog girl in a digital world, up to the world of digital publishing. Online outlets such as Kindle Direct Publishing helps hundreds of people a year fulfill their dreams of becoming published authors, while sites like CreateSpace.com allow authors to prepare their books in digital and hard copy formats. These alternatives and countless others are important to self-publication, because the “book game,” can be as hard to break into as the “rap game.” Major publishing houses are few, and securing that coveted “deal” is especially challenging for urban authors.
With that in mind, this month, AllHipHop.com salutes some of the newest and hottest independent fiction authors, doing their own thing, their own way:
“Guestlist” by Jay Fingers
A freelance writer, blogger, and journalist, Jay Fingers has contributed to Billboard, soulhead, and Skin & Ink, as well as other publications. A self-professed “dandy, alcoholic, and playboy,” he recently completed his debut independent novel, “Guestlist”.
The standout debut is at the top of this list, and soon to be at the top of many others. The book is a funny and intriguing behind-the-scenes glimpse into inner workings of New York City nightlife among the Black, upwardly mobile crowd with lots of new money to burn. “Guestlist” is a page-turner from beginning to end, and one of the best independent books I’ve read in a long time.
“A Hood Chick’s Story Parts 1, 2, 3” by LaShonda DeVaughn
Most “’hood” books, especially those written by women, have a strong female character at their center. This woman is usually one who has survived any number of adversities and is now working to accomplish a goal, which usually to amass a large amount of money. Tiara is a girl from the ‘hood of Boston who struggles through all three parts of her story to find love and money. Tiara dates drug dealers and basketball players on her quest, and while the story sounds superficial on its surface, the “A Hood Chick’s Story” series is actually pretty good and well-worth its inexpensive download from Amazon.
“Swag & Floss” by Monica Marie Jones
The author of six books, Monica Marie Jones is making a healthy living as an Amazon author. Jones has also contributed to “Chicken Soup for the Girls Soul”, and “44th”, a coffeetable book about President Barack Obama. She is also a freelance columnist and hosts a radio show, “Marketing and Motivation Mondays with Monica Marie Jones”, in her hometown of Detroit. Many of Jones’ fiction titles are less than $5 in the digital format.
“The Leak” by K’wan
A well-known name in the area of urban fiction, K’wan utilized Amazon’s digital distribution channel the way many artists use mixtapes. He released a book, “The Leak,” for free as a prequel to his upcoming novel, “Welfare Wifeys”. An Essence Magazine best-selling author, K’wan Foye is the author of over a dozen books and is now distributed by a major publisher after years of independent success.
There are hundreds of other urban fiction titles available in digital format, and as this technology grows, so will the authors and aspiring authors who create it. Visit your favorite online bookstore for the latest in urban fiction… and keep reading!
Biba Adams is a Senior Staff Writer for AllHipHop.com, and is currently working on her first novel, with a free, short story, “All So Simple Then”, available now on Amazon.com. Follow her on Twitter (@BibatheDiva).
Well, well, well, it looks like Ma$e may be making another comeback to music after all. Earlier this week, we reported that Ma$e was in the studio with Omarion working on some new music. According to several sources, it was Rick Ross who brought the two together in an effort to sign Ma$e to his MMG label.
An insider within Maybach Music Group told The Source the following information:
“Yes, I think its safe to say Omarion is MMG.” As the Maybach Music empire continues to evolve, it may not end there. Seems as if there is another offer on the table, I don’t want to let no cats out the bag but we’ll see what’s good with Ma$e.”
When pressed about what the roster may look like in the upcoming months, “As far as newest members Omarion and shout out to Ma$e if he wants to get down with this movement then we’ll see what happens.”
With Kanye West using two Ma$e lines in his new smash “Way Too Cold” (“TheraFlu”), it’s pretty safe to say that Ma$e is a hot commodity right now. He IS your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper, after all. Well, at least he’s Kanye’s self-proclaimed favorite rapper.
According to Star Magazine, Jay-Z and Beyonce are eager to give Blue Ivy a sibling, and are already working on Baby #2. The couple allegedly wants their children to be close in age, and began working on creating another million dollar baby while on vacation last week in St. Barts. Check out a few excerpts from the magazine below:
“They see no reason to wait.”
“Beyonce has said giving birth and dropping the baby weight was far easier than she thought.”
“It took them a while to conceive Blue Ivy, so they don’t want to waste another second.”
“Beyonce and Jay-Z adore being parents, and they’re as hands-on as they possibly can be. Beyonce has found a passion other than music, and it’s being a mom.”
Well, they sure can afford to have another child, and Jay-Z isn’t getting any younger. Good luck to the Carters!
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Maino has linked with New York Giants’ star Kareem McKenzie and Lisa Evers’ of Hot 97 to host the second annual “Push 4 Peace” festival.
“Our Hot 97 ‘Street Soldiers’ listeners are always asking us for ways to move towards safe, productive lives and away from the random gun violence and negativity of the streets,” Lisa Evers said.
The “Push 4 Peace” festival, which will take place in the Bronx, is aimed at keeping youth off the streets and offering alternatives to street violence.
The “Push 4 Peace” festival will feature panel discussions, free GED classes, free giveaways and more.
Other guests appearing during the festival include Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Webstar, New York Giants’ Brandon Bing and others.
“This event will not only offer great music and entertainment but also guidance to so many of our young adults who day by day are faced with tough decisions. The purpose of this event is to reinforce them that there are adults in their communities who care and will stand by them and help steer them away from street violence,” added Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
The “Push 4 Peace” festival will take place on Saturday April 28 at The Hostos Arts Center at the Hostos Community College from 1pm-5pm.
Steve Harvey started something a few years back with his bestselling book, “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man”. With his hilarious comedic wit and grown man sensibilities, Harvey seemingly “gave up the goods” on the secrets that men don’t want women to figure out in dealing with them in relationships.
This weekend, the film adaptation of the book – Think Like A Man – hits theaters everywhere, starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, and more. With its star-packed cast, there are sure to be some laughs, with a few good lessons in between.
Before we hit the theaters to check the flick out for ourselves this weekend, we got to thinking…Who in Hip-Hop can flip the gender script with ease, and knows what the fellas are thinking, but can turn on the feminine charm, too?
Ahh, yes. Nicki Minaj.
It takes quite a bit of bravado to bang with the best of the boys in the booth. Nicki has proven that time and time again, she’s both ballsy and flamboyantly fabulous, a hard combination to conjure in Hip-Hop. AllHipHop.com considers Nicki Minaj’s Top 5 “Think Like A Man” moments:
5. Wearing the Pants in Her Relationship with Safaree
We keep hearing about their notorious fights, where she wrestles with him and kicks him off video sets and photo shoots. Then, seemingly days later, he’s back again. There are photos of her kissing Drake, Weezy, well, heck, everyone in YMCMB. Still, Safaree is widely believed to be her steady man and former (or possibly current?) fiance.’
We’re not sure what’s up with them. But he keeps coming back, and when she leaves the room, “he’ll be talking again.” Dang, Safaree, but that’s real pimpish of Nicki.
“I am the female Weezy/ This sh*t is easy…”
4. Recklessly Calling The Queen Bee a “Stupid Hoe”, “Bubbles”, “Baby Bop”…
The hook to “Stupid Hoe” is so Pop, it almost gives you cavities to listen to it. But if you’re truthful, Nicki keeps taking jabs at a certain Brooklyn Babe, and her nemesis hasn’t take many successful shots back. Like a skillful boxer in the ring, Ms. Minaj has been strategic with her Kim-knockouts, randomly throwing punches on radio shows and diss tracks whenever she feels like it, and not taking a defensive posture.
“These b*tches is my sons/ And I don’t want custody…”
There’s no ripped shirts, snatched-off weaves, or claws-a-scratching in this girlfight. Nicki’s jock strap is on tight, and the judge’s decision is that Kim should either “man up” or make friends.
3. Roman’s Always Reloaded
Then there’s that strange “guy” she turns into – mostly when she’s about to rip some male MC to shreds on a collaboration. She goes particularly boy-crazy on “Roman’s Revenge” featuring Enimem, and even conjures up the spirit of old Busta Rhymes (“Rah, rah/ like a dungeon dragon”).
She “holds her own” easily on the track, anchored by Slim Shady’s ever-intense lyricism and flow. Roman definitely acts like a lady but thinks like a man. Is it “his/her” fault that all of you b*tches is gone?
2. The 2012 Grammys/Catholic Church Fiasco
There was nothing particularly ladylike about the blood, gore, and Satanic ratchetness of Nicki Minaj’s Grammy-capping performance this year. Though she was dressed as a fair maiden and Little Red Riding Hood in portions, only a man (say, like Yeezy) would have the cajones to create such a stir at the classy and coveted awards show.
Before the spectacle, Drake introduces her as “beautiful, intelligent, and driven,” but a testosterone-filled Nicki was too busy performing a seance, cavorting with a priest, and offending the heck out of everyone to care about that.
1. The Big Sean “Azz” Video
Even if you stripped her of her sexy ‘fits and protruding posterior, you still have to admit. Nicki Minaj man-handled Detroit’s Big Sean on his own track.
“Big-Big-Big Sean/ boy, how big is you?/ Give me all your money/ And give me all your residuals/ And slap it on my azz, azz, azz, azz, azz…”
Oh, and somebody point her to “the best a** eater?” Enough said. Watch the video:
Think Like A Man is in theaters now. Watch the official trailer below:
Drake has admitted in a recent interview that he has filmed several adult tapes with numerous women. But the YMCMB rapper isn’t trying to become a p### star in his spare time; he shoots the video for his personal viewing pleasure ,and is 100% sure that those tapes will never leak – because he owns every single one! Check out his comment below:
“If I’m drunk, I’mma go out the back door. I ain’t gonna walk out the front so you see me stumbling and dropping my keys. I’m not that guy, I’m not that dumb. I wanna be in this position as long as I possibly can. I mean, I will be honest, any tape I’ve ever made, I own it.”
Drake has dated several famous women, including Rihanna, Serena Williams, and a bunch of video models, including Maliah Michel and Dollcia Bryant. I wonder which one of those women were foolish enough to let him keep the tape?
Kanye West is dropping some winners lately, and “Theraflu”…oops, “Way Too Cold”, has already garnered more online hits than spins for its name-changing news.
The man behind the DJ Khaled-assisted track has recently revealed the miniature star-in-the-making who serves as the lead in the visual.
Watch the video below of “Young Yeezy” serving up plenty of sizzurp to a lady far beyond his years:
