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Bang ‘Em Smurf Prepares New Mixtape “Black Listed”; Speaks On Young Buck/MMG

By: Mikey T The Movie Star Updated Category: News
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Maybach Music’s Bang ‘Em Smurf is preparing for the release of his upcoming mixtape Black Listed, which is due in stores next month.

The mixtape is 80% finished, as Bang ‘Em Smurf awaits vocal tracks from a few artists within the Maybach Music camp.

“Everything their touching [MMG] right now is crack,” Bang ‘Em Smurf told AllHipHop.com. “They started a whole new front line so he has to get his boys poppin. That’s how they get their name out there and the buzz bigger. Ross a smart ni**a I see what he’s doing, [since] I been around the best of them.”

Bang ‘Em Smurf was once a childhood friend and member of 50 Cent’s famed G-Unit brand, but was ostracized from the group around 2003, just as new members like Game and Young Buck joined the camp.

Like both Game and Young Buck, Bang ‘Em Smurf had a nasty, public falling out with 50 Cent and his crew in 2005.

In 2008 after various legal issues, Bang Em’ Smurf was deported to Trinidad, where he eventually established a strong connection with Rick Ross, 50 Cent’s bitter rival.  

Bang ‘Em Smurf addressed rumors floating around that Young Buck might join Maybach Music, after his legal issues with G-Unit are resolved.

“Buck never disrespected me and I havent disrecpected him since I been outta jail,” Bang ‘Em Smurf told AllHipHop.com. “I got love for Buck. Buck a real n#### and I’ll tell you that, cause when I was on the road with G-Unit that’s who I used to f**k with. Me and Buck did alot of things together, I didn’t feel no way cause he didn’t disrespect me.”

Bang ‘Em Smurf recently released two cuts off the Black Listed:  “Fast Lane” and “This Lifetime.”

Black Listed is set for a March 13 release date.

Follow Mikey T The Movie Star on Twitter @MTMovieStar

Hip-Hop Rumors: Did Kanye West Fire His Driver For Being Late?!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
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According to the Sunday Mirror, if you keep Yeezy waiting, be prepared to get fired!  The London-based newspaper is reporting that a driver for Kanye West was dismissed after Yeezy complained about the driver being two hours late!  

The Mirror is reporting that Kanye, who is in London preparing for fashion week, sent his driver out to pick up his lunch, and the driver took two hours getting back with his grub! The driver blamed his lateness on London traffic, but sources said Kanye was so upset that he refused to eat the food after the driver arrived, and later complained to the head of security who had the driver fired.

Is Kanye that “heartless?” Was Yeezy not “honored” by his driver’s lateness?!  Well, according to Perez Hilton, Kanye’s people reached out to him to clear up the rumor. His camp says the story is a “complete fabrication,” and all of “Mr. West’s drivers are happily employed.”

Well, that’s good to hear! Even though, if the driver WAS two hours late, Yeezy would have been well within his rights to complain.

Source: Perez Hilton.com

Ranking Hip-Hop Hotness: The Unthinkable Task?

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Uncategorized
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Holding up a yardstick against Hip-Hop has always been monumentally difficult.

One of the best things about Rap as the relatively youngest, significant musical genre to date has been its organic development into more diverse sounds, flavors, themes, and colors than we ever considered imaginable some 30+ years ago.

Therefore, ranking greatness or hotness among rappers, producers, DJs, and the like is nearly impossible and, perhaps, annoyingly unfair. Especially to people like me, a certified Hip-Hop head who loves the culture and its many brilliant offerings.

Last night (February 19), MTV hosted its sixth installment of the “Hottest MCs In the Game,” where they survey the rap scene and attempt to place rappers in some sort of hierarchy of influence and dopeness. I say impossible. But, Rick Ross topped the list, and while some of you were surprised and some were angry, many of you were likely nodding in sheer agreement.

I learned my lesson about ranking hotness the hard way recently, as I helped to select AllHipHop.com’s Top 40 Albums of 2011 list.

2011 was an above average year for eclecticism among MCs – there was conscience and rebellion and bravado and artistry and some ratchetness, too. And, the field had also evolved beyond our imaginations to include seasoned rappers, newbies, other cultures, and even a former correctional officer such as Ricky Rozay. And, though there was next to no female presence (to my dismay), I thought it was a good list.

Ultimately, we settled on Watch The Throne as album of the year. OK. Cool. But soon after, a super-respected-in-the-industry friend of mine surveyed the list and said, “You know you’ve let down Hip-Hop, right?” His angst was with our placing The Roots’ Undun album in the number two spot, just below the gigantic pairing of Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Sheesh! Had I let down the entire culture with one decision in a ranked list? Surely, no one could argue that “The Throne” was THE force to be reckoned with last year. But then again, he had a point – The Roots have been catapulted by some of the best lyrics ever spit over unforgettable, live instrumentation consistently for like 20 years.

The decision was impossible, but ultimately, it may be The Throne’s “hotness” that won the day. And, whether we like it or not, factors like their massive marketing budget, gazillion Twitter followers, ability to tap into the youth market, and willingness to take endless shots from the critics helped out, too.

That seems to be the way of the industry in this day and age – being great and being on top don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. Certainly Jay-Z is one of the dopest ever – but is he doper than Black Thought? Sure, Kanye West will say whatever on a track, but is he more outrageously brilliant than, say, an Immortal Technique? And yes, Rick Ross is flossing on ‘em like nobody’s business, but can he outshine Big K.R.I.T. lyrically when you’re talking about over-obsession with candy-painted cars and rims?

There are countless comparisons to be made in the industry, and frankly, those calls are a matter of taste, life experience, and plain ol’ media persuasion. And, they’re not necessarily representative of the talents of thousands of brilliant MCs that infest our local neighborhoods, or even those lucky few who make it to the limelight.

At AllHipHop.com, our early days were wise ones – it was then that we created our signature “Top 5 Rappers Dead or Alive” list to allow the industry to rank itself in terms of who is best. After all, I mentioned that ranking greatness (or hotness) is a job that no one on my side of the desk ever really wants.

So, no matter what the critics say about MTV’s list, Rick Ross (and his Maybach Music Group empire) has indelibly changed the current Rap game – from cornering the market to garnering the respect of his peers. By some standards, that makes him the “hottest MC in the game.”

But hottest compared to who?

Seandra Sims is AllHipHop.com’s Editor-At-Large. Follow her on Twitter (@seandrasims).

Diego Cash On His “Language Arts”, Life With LaLa and Working With Carmelo

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta) Updated Category: Features
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Having experienced life in two of the United States’ music capitols, New York and Atlanta, Diego Cash has created a style that combines the best of both regions, their sounds and influences which he calls his “language arts.” This is also the name of Diego’s upcoming album, to be released later this year on brother-in-law Carmelo Anthony’s Krossover Entertainment.This year, he is ready to let the world hear, not just an album’s worth of new material, but a star-studded mixtape that will precede it as well.

AllHipHop.com spoke to Diego while he was in the studio working on new music about his love for Hip-Hop, the almost fatal 2003 shooting, his relationships both personally and professionally with sister LaLa and her husband Carmelo, and what fans can expect when he releases his debut album, Language Arts, later this year:

AllHipHop.com: How you feeling, Diego?

Diego Cash: Good, man. 

AllHipHop.com: So first things first, tell me a little about your background and the incident that we could say gave you a new lease on life.

Diego Cash: Well, I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York, and I’ve been in Atlanta about half of my life. Back in like ‘03 I was hustling and some n*ggas tried to rob me, and the whole situation just escalated to me getting shot and having a colostomy bag. I spent about 17  days in the hospital, had three surgeries, and had like three months of recovery. It was just a whole long, drawn out thing.

“My Birthday” – Diego Cash

AllHipHop.com: How did your sister deal with what had happened to you?

Diego Cash: Well, after that, my sister LaLa was up in New York doing her thing on TV, and I called her and just told her, “I’m in a rut.” It’s a real vicious cycle when you get involved in certain things, and there was still the same sh*t going on. I was still making the same movements and still doing the same thing, so I talked to my sister and knew I had to make a change. So I spoke to her, and she told me to come out to N.Y. and I moved up and lived with her for a couple of months and just refocused and worked on music and got my sh*t rolling. I put everything together to how it needed to be.

AllHipHop.com: What was the reason for the original relocation from Brooklyn to Atlanta?

Diego Cash: I mean, I was a kid when I moved out there. My mom and stepdad had broke up, and we had a little family out here so we just relocated closer to the family that was here.

AllHipHop.com: Okay, I understand. Since you did get to experience both an East Coast and Southern Hip-Hop scene, tell me a little about the differences in music in your opinion?

Diego Cash: I think personally in Atlanta and just the South period, there’s more unity when it comes to the music. People are quicker to do a record with you and sh*t. I feel like New York is real cliquey, but it’s starting to change now, especially in the last year or two. I think for the most part, for years, people in New York would only do songs with people in their clique, and in the South you don’t really see that; you can reach out to anybody.

AllHipHop.com: So can you specifically pinpoint the time in your life when you knew you wanted to be a rapper?

Diego Cash: It probably started when I heard Nas’ Illmatic. I couldn’t get enough of that. I was listening to that sh*t everyday, man, everyday.

AllHipHop.com: I guess it’s safe to say then that Nas is one of your favorite rappers, but who were some of your musical influences growing up?

Diego Cash: Well, right now I like to listen to a lot of young guys, like I listen to A$AP Rocky and love what they doing. I like Fred the Godson. I like to listen to the new blood and that new sounding music, but growing up, it was all Nas, UGK, old Master P, the whole No Limit. For me, it was different growing up, because like I said before, I spent a lot of time in New York and a lot of time down South, so my influences is strong from both regions.

AllHipHop.com: I hear you. Since you’ve been back and forth between the two regions and listened to all the different types of Hip-Hop growing up, how would you describe your specific Rap style?

Diego Cash: I think it’s different. I always said I think it’s different because I feel like my flow and my topics and my lyrics and my bars is more of a northern, East Coast rapper. But to a lot of people, I sound like I’m from the South. It’s just a funny blend; you know what I’m saying?

AllHipHop.com: Yeah, well that’s a good way to go when you want to appeal to more than one specific fan base or sound.

Diego Cash: Yeah, and I feel like with me, it’s genuine and it’s who I really am. A lot of people try to force a certain sound ‘cause of where they’re from, but it doesn’t really sound genuine.

“Made N*gga” – Diego Cash featuring Rick Ross

AllHipHop.com: Well, more specifically, since we’re talking about the music, tell me about signing a deal with Carmelo Anthony’s company, Krossover Entertainment.

Diego Cash: Well, I had been doing music for years and Melo my partner, like that’s my homeboy. We were just always cool when I was doing my own sh*t, and somebody had approached him with an artist and talked to him about starting a label and wanted him to join with them and this and that. He called me and told me that these guys wanted to do this and that, so I flew out to Denver and we all met and chopped it up. As time progressed, the deal just wasn’t working with the other people and artists, so me and Melo just stepped down and kept doing it by ourselves and that’s where we at right now.

AllHipHop.com: What role does he play in your career?

Diego Cash: He plays a big role. We talk all the time, and anytime I’m in the studio, I send him songs and we edit the videos together and go over the things we want changed, and who we want for features, we do it all together. It’s all hand in hand.

AllHipHop.com: I hear you. Now, tell me about the album, Language Arts.

Diego Cash: I just feel like my language is my art because music is art. I don’t play an instrument – my instrument is my voice, and my language, and the way I speak things and put it out there. So that’s how I got the title, Language Arts.

AllHipHop.com: I know that you’ve got some pretty big features on that album as well. Can you tell me a little bit about the collaborations and how you hooked up with some of these people?

Diego Cash: I mean, a lot of people I did work with was people that I genuinely had relationships with, that we hang out with, and I can call them on the phone when I’m in their city and what not. It’s good because the guests are different, the sound comes out different, the energy is just different then when you just send someone a song and ask them to do a verse for you. It’s always a different vibe when you’re actually with them.

AllHipHop.com: I assume you’re talking about people like Rick Ross, Cassidy, and Macy Gray. Of the collaborative records that you did do for the album, which would you say has the most “wow” factor to it?

Diego Cash: “Wow” as in “where did that come from?”

AllHipHop.com: Yeah.

Diego Cash: That Macy Gray record is definitely the one. My man out in Cali, Caviar, is a producer that was working with her out there and he’s a big fan and supporter of my music so he hit me and was telling me he wanted to get me and her together to work on something. Next thing you know, I went out there to chop it up, and we did the song together; it came out crazy.  It’s called “That Thang,” and she’s damn near rapping on her verse.

AllHipHop.com: Oh really? That sounds very interesting.

Diego Cash: Yeah, man, it’s crazy.

AllHipHop.com: When does the world get to hear the album? Is there a tentative date for it to come out right now?

Diego Cash: Right now, no. I’m going to drop a mixtape probably in like the middle of March first.

AllHipHop.com: What can you tell me about that?

Diego Cash: It’s me and my man Hot Sauce; he’s a crazy producer. We did the whole mixtape together. I got [Rick] Ross on there again, I got Y.G. from Cali, I got Diamond from Crime Mob, Gorilla Zoe. That’s a lot more of me playing around with a couple of different styles so it’s just a fun tape with some different stuff. I just got the first cut of the first video we’re going to drop off of it called “My Birthday”; I had Aristotle and By Any Means do that for me in New York. I just finished watching it, that sh*t is crazy.

AllHipHop.com: Based on how the mixtape turns out, is there a chance that some of the music from there could end up on Language Arts if the response is strong enough?

Diego Cash: Oh yeah, definitely, definitely. My whole thing is that I would never say, “This is for that and that is for that,” I just feel like you have to wait and see how people react to it and see what they gravitate to.

AllHipHop.com: I get it; let the people decide.

Diego Cash: Exactly.

AllHipHop.com: Now to transition outside of music, I know you’ve made appearances on show’s like LaLa’s Full Court Wedding and The Deal. Are there any plans for you to return to television, whether it be reality or something scripted?

Diego Cash: I mean I feel like music is the greatest platform in the world, and once you do that you can do anything. So I would never rule it out. I’m not in any acting classes or anything, but whatever will happen will happen. We’re filming the third season of the show as we speak, so that’s the next thing coming.

AllHipHop.com: I have to ask, are you your sister’s favorite rapper?

Diego Cash: [laughter] I hope so! She tells me I am.

AllHipHop.com: I would assume that you two are very close. Does she play a specific role in your career or is she more of a support system?

Diego Cash: Yeah for sure. As far as the music goes, she doesn’t do too much. I really just come to her because I like a woman’s opinion on different songs and my different music. So she’s like an independent consultant [laughter].

AllHipHop.com: [laughter] I like that. Alright, Diego, thanks for your time.

Diego Cash: Thank you, man.

For more information visit www.ThisIsDiegoCash.com

Follow Diego Cash On Twitter: @DiegoCash

10 Monuments of R&B/Soul/Spoken Word Who Impacted Hip-Hop History

By: @KareemTaylor Updated Category: Alternatives
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February is Black History Month! And, in honor of those who have paved the way and pioneered in Hip-Hop culture and beyond, AllHipHop.com pays tribute all month with its “Monuments” series.

There’s no doubt about it – Hip-Hop’s earliest influences derive from an era filled with politically-charged messages, catchy melodies, and rhythms that made your hips move and your head bop. Hip-Hop is a genre that, from the early days of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Afrika Bambaataa, Big Daddy Kane, and KRS One, to the Drakes and Big Seans of the game, has always looked to past music for inspiration on a new sound.

From the intensity of James Brown’s vocals, to the seductive delivery of Luther Vandross, Soul music found its way into Hip-Hop and was never asked to leave. AllHipHop.com takes a look back at 10 Monuments of Music who have forever impacted Hip-Hop:

Luther Vandross
Artists that have utilized the smooth tunes of Luther include DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Kanye West, Janet Jackson, Keyshia Cole, and even some of rap’s new stars like Lil Flip and Gucci Mane.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of Luther Vandross:

“Let Me Hold You Down” by Bow Wow featuring Omarion
“Slow Jamz” by Twista featuring Kanye West and Jamie Foxx
“So Amazing” by 50 Cent featuring Olivia

James Brown
Soul legend James Brown has been sampled by En Vogue, LL Cool J, Total, Notorious B.I.G, and the list goes on and on. According to Live Music Guide, Brown is one of the most sampled artists in music history.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of James Brown:

“A Man’s World” by Beanie Sigel
“How to Kill a Radio Consultant” by Public Enemy
“Insane in the Brain” by Cypress Hill

DeBarge
This legendary and former Motown group has inspired many of the most influential rappers of our time, including both The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac. In just 10 years of music-making, this sibling group cemented their place in history. Their style includes R&B, soul, funk, and even gospel.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of DeBarge:

“I Aint Mad At Ya” by Tupac
“Problems” by AZ
“One More Chance” by Notorious B.I.G

Marvin Gaye
A definite staple in Motown and Soul music history, Gaye proved to be a forced to be reckoned with when he released music that touched on politics and the war on drugs in his hit “What’s Goin’ On”. And, we can’t forget the sexually charged hits like “Sexual Healing” and “Let’s Get It On”.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of Marvin Gaye:

“Music” by Erick Sermon
“Love Is…” by Common
“N*ggaz Done Started Something” by DMX featuring The Lox and Mase

Mary J. Blige
Though she’s young compared to the rest of this list, Mary J. Blige has influenced the likes of rapper The Game, The Notorious B.I.G., and The Fugees.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of Mary J. Blige:

“Nuttin’ But Love” by Heavy D & the Boyz
“Down” by Juelz Santana
“Don’t Need Your Love” by The Game

The Isley Brothers
This Grammy-award winning band of brothers (and one brother-in-law), has been heard all over Hip-Hop. From the sounds of one of Notorious B.I.G.’s biggest singles, “Big Poppa,” to playing roles in R. Kelly videos, the Isleys can’t lose.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of The Isley Brothers:

“Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin’s Revenge)” by De La Soul
“A Night Off” by Drake featuring Lloyd
“Summer Breeze: Sex Room” by Ludacris featuring Trey Songz

The Last Poets
Popularly known as the earlier influencers of what would later become Hip-Hop, this spoken word and musician collective has inspired much of what we hear on the radio. In 2004, the Kanye West-produced song “The Corner”, featured the poets.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of The Last Poets:

“Party and Bullsh*t” by The Notorious B.I.G.
“Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” by Digable Planets
“The Corner” by Clipse and Re-up Gang

Aretha Franklin
Often referred to as the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin is the winner of 20 Grammys and a slew of other awards that have applauded her talent. For that reason, Hip-hoppers have borrowed her sounds to create masterpieces.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of Aretha Franklin:

“In My Lifetime” by Jay-Z
“Ms. Fat Booty” by Mos Def
“No Respect” by Kool Moe De

Rick James
Known for his wild lifestyle, Rick James was the Grammy-nominated Funk/Soul musician of the late 1970s and ’80s. James made a resurgence in public spotlight when he appeared in the now famous sketch on Dave Chapelle’s “Chapelle’s Show” before his passing. Jay-Z, Yelawolf, Chamillionaire, and Three Six Mafia are among the artists that have taken inspiration from James’ music.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of Rick James:

“Kingdom Come” by Jay-Z
“Jane” by EPMD
“Outta My System” by Bow Wow featuring T-Pain

Chaka Khan
A 10-time Grammy Award winning artist, Khan’s music can still be heard in commercials, films and of course, in many of today’s hottest Hip-Hop production.

Some notable songs utilizing the sounds of Chaka Khan:

“Ain’t Nobody” by LL Cool J
“Comin’ Out Hard” by 8Ball & MJG
“Through The Wire” by Kanye West

These are just a few of the many, many “Monuments” who have impacted Hip-Hop. Comment and tell us some of your own favorites!

Daily Word: Happy Presidents’ Day! (Be Out for Presidents that Represent You!!)

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Lifestyle
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Happy Presidents’ Day, my Wealthy and Abundant!

Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to dead presidents. No!! Not our forefathers, but Money, Cash, dough, scrilla, chicken, greenbacks, and all the other clever names that we have given the almighty dollar.

Often times, we hear that money is the root of all evil, we hear how money doesn’t grow on trees, and that scared money doesn’t make any! While each of these phrases have their origins, it is important to understand that money is not where your power lies! Yes, money can be used as a tool to get you want you want out of life, but everything you NEED is already yours! Who you are and what you represent is and will always be more important than any dollar amount.

When you see people who are living their dreams and making a lot of money doing it, you must understand that the passion came first…. The money was a consequence of their happiness towards their passion! Make sure as you are on your journey through life, that you are out for passion and that your goal is to fulfill your purpose in life! Once you do that everything you want will just fall into place! Know Your Worth and use it to get what you want!!
-Ash’Cash

“In order to live financially free, you must take back the power you have given money.” -Ash’Cash

“He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has.” -Henry Ward Beecher

“Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.” -Ayn Rand

“Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.” -Norman Vincent Peale

“The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.” -Unknown

“Starting out to make money is the greatest mistake in life. Follow your passion, and if you are good enough at it, the money will come.” -Greer Garson

“Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost a part of your life.” -Michael Leboeuf

***BONUS*** “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” -Will Smith

PSA: Join me Tonight at 8pm for a livestream On www.wave45tv.com. I’ll be answering questions on finance and career advice. http://wave45.tv/?p=393

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.

Nate Dogg Sex Tape Being Shopped

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Hip-Hop sex tapes continue to grow in popularity, as a new one featuring singer Nate Dogg is being shopped.

TMZ.com reports that an unknown individual is shopping a five-minute sex tape featuring the deceased singer.

Nate Dogg stars in his video romp with an unidentified female partner.

According to reports, the video is being shopped to p### companies in California, but has yet to be sold.

Earlier this year, a video tape of Nate Dogg’s former Death Row label mate Tupac Shakur surfaced.

Although the 1991 tape had several bidders that made offers as high as $1,000,000.

The Tupac sex tape was ultimately sold to a private collector, despite the fact that the rapper’s estate has vowed to block any release.

Nate Dogg would have celebrated his 42nd birthday on March 15.

VIDEO: The Roots and Their Foundation Move the Crowd in Support of Philly Kids

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Features
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Photo courtesy of GrassROOTS Community Foundation

Children in Philadelphia are no different from their counterparts in communities across the country. To survive and thrive, they need proper nutrition, adequate educational opportunities, and caring people to ensure their pathways to success.

But, what makes the children of Philadelphia and a few other local cities different from all the rest is that they have the encouragement of the most legendary rap band in history, the Legendary Roots Crew. The Roots, like many Hip-Hop artists, came from humble beginnings – and their lead MC Black Thought, in a rare, candid moment, recently shared how he grew up with the pain of having both of his parents murdered in separate incidents.

These days, Black Thought wants to make a difference in the lives of children – especially girls – so he recruited The Roots along with sociologist Dr. Janice Johnson Dias to form the GrassROOTS Community Foundation and its “Let’s Move It Philly” event. And, by using their famous, crowd-drawing name, this past weekend, The Roots hosted a generous day of community outreach – first with a group of lucky girls via a Roots-judged talent show and fair, and later Saturday night at grown folks’ fundraiser concert at Philadelphia’s legendary Sigma Sound Stage.

AllHipHop.com was there for the special occasion. Check out our interviews with the organizers, along with show footage of The Roots and their guests, DJ/producer Rich Medina, Lady Gaga’s drummer Spanky, Power 99FM’s DJ Diamond Kuts, and the Money Making Jam Boys:

Black Thought, Questlove, Philadelphia Mayor Michael N#####, and GrassROOTS’ Co-Founder Talk “Let’s Move It Philly” and Impacting Kids

Concert Footage: The Roots’ Black Thought, Questlove, and Dice Raw Move The Crowd To Raise Funds for Philly Youth

In the end, across the United States, one thing is still certain – enough children aren’t getting enough of what they need. Childhood obesity is setting the stage for their health problems later in life, and lack of role models will likely mean a lack of exposure to the “good life” that they all deserve a shot at. Thankfully, despite the somewhat bleak outlook, there are people in high places who came from low places (like The Roots) who care.

And you can care to. Consider donating to GrassROOTS, or find a local cause supported by your favorite rapper or nonprofit organization, and help children grow strong.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Questlove Personally Clarifies His Alleged Secret Album With Jay-Z!!

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta) Updated Category: Rumors
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Ahhhh-ha!! Turns out that Questlove’s “secret project” with Jay-Z was really confused by the timing of a recent interview he participated in.

Well, AllHipHop.com was in Philadelphia with Questo over the weekend, and he clarified the rumor once and for all. Check it out below:

So for those who need even more clarification, THERE IS NO SECRET PROJECT BEING WORKED ON WITH JAY-Z!

DRAT!!!!!!

Fat Trel: Meet the DMV’s Breakout Artist of 2011

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta) Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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In 2011, Matrel “Fat Trel” Reeves won “Breakout Artist of the Year” at the 2011 DMV Music Awards. The accolade was a welcome reminder to Trel that, as the saying goes, “If you can believe it then you can achieve it.”

After leaving school at 15 and experiencing the hardships of life in the streets, Trel focused on the one thing he wanted more than anything, to be an MC. It didn’t take long for people to begin noticing his in-your-face rap style as raw and pure talent. Within no time, he began releasing mixtapes like No Secrets and April Foolz and touring so that those outside of his native D.C. area could hear his story.

AllHipHop.com spoke to Fat Trel as he was putting the finishing touches on his new project, Nightmare On E Street, which is set to drop in March. The DMV representative talked about his past, present, and what fans can expect from him musically in the near future:

AllHipHop.com: What’s good, Trel?

Fat Trel: Chillin’, man, just chillin’.

AllHipHop.com: So tell me, when did you first fall in love with Hip-Hop?

Fat Trel: Man, I first fell in love with Hip-Hop from the beginning, for as far back as I can remember. Music is bigger than Hip-Hop, though, and I love all genres, Rock & Roll, R&B, all of that sh*t. I love music period, and I first started in the industry at open mics on all the college universities, high schools, other live performances, and rocking with DJ’s; sh*t like that.

AllHipHop.com: Do you remember the first Hip-Hop album, record, or cassette that you purchased?

Fat Trel: It might have been Scarface, Balls & My Word; I purchased [Nelly’s] Country Grammar. I purchased all the Hot Boys sh*t, man, Guerilla Warfare, Checkmate, all that sh*t and all the Juvenile joints. I can’t remember all the names, but that was around the time when I started copping sh*t.

AllHipHop.com: How would you personally describe your own style of music and Rap?

Fat Trel: I describe my rap style as “n*gga music”; just real “n*gga music,” you know what I’m saying? Just not giving a f*ck and spitting what you know. Honesty is really the only thing I can think of and speaking about what you live.

AllHipHop.com: You won “Breakout Artist of the Year” at the DMV Music Awards last year. This year you’re nominated for “Best Rapper” at the Washington Music Awards alongside Wale, Phil Ade, both of which you’ve worked with. What does it mean to get recognized for what you’re doing by the places you’re doing it in?

Fat Trel: It means a lot, man. You know, I’m overwhelmed by the love. I’m very thankful for the nominations, and it just feels good to know that your work is being admired, knowing that people are actually paying attention. I’m sure the other artists feel the same way.

AllHipHop.com: Now, I want to talk about the music itself. Tell me about your upcoming project, Nightmare On E Street.

Fat Trel: Well, Nightmare On E Street is real epic; I feel real good about it. It’s just one of those bangers. As I drop each project I’m bringing you more and more into the life of a 100 percent real city n*gga or a real n*gga from the District of Columbia. I’m pretty sure the whole world is interested in hearing that story.

AllHipHop.com: And that’s supposed to be dropping soon right?

Fat Trel: Yeah, it’s dropping in March.

AllHipHop.com: What’s the significance of the title?

Fat Trel: It came from of course me being from E Street, a very well known hood in the D.C. area, and I called it a nightmare because basically how I’m feeling right now at this time in my career is that I’ve been going through a lot in the last couple of months. You know, life’s crazy. My whole life has been based on a nightmare before rap. Every day, every night, everywhere I would go is just a nightmare. That’s the story behind the title.

AllHipHop.com: I hear you. You’ve worked with and been on projects people like Phil Ade, Wale, Red Café, and French Montana, so who are some of the other people that the fans can expect to hear rocking with you on Nightmare On E Street?

Fat Trel: Like you said, Red and French. You can expect to hear Young Moe, Chris Bo, those are two artists from the DMV, they on my team and with the company.  The Slutty Boyz will be on there, Rich Hil, Big K.R.I.T. is going to be on there too. Yeah man, you know it’s just a really well put together mixtape that came from the heart.

AllHipHop.com: Well I can’t wait to hear that. You mentioned the Slutty Boyz before, I know that’s your group and you guys dropped a project at the end of December last year titled The Results Are In. Tell me about the response you and the group have been getting on that project.

Fat Trel: Oh, man, they loving the Slutty Boyz right now! I mean they are genuinely loving the Slutty Boyz right now. I think people had to spend more time coming to terms with who we really are, besides rappers, for them to understand the music. It’s a lifestyle you know; it’s not a gimmick. I think now they know it’s real, and the Slutty Boyz are winning right now. They still dropping freestyles and working hard so that’s that whole story behind that.

AllHipHop.com: Can you give me any insight into the meetings you’ve been taking with some major labels recently? What do you have in the works?

Fat Trel: I can tell you that we definitely have been meeting and discussing business with the labels; that’s definitely going on. We’re not really geared towards signing right now; that’s not mandatory of something that has to happen as of right now. I’m just going to continue to work hard and do what I do.

AllHipHop.com: Looking ahead past releasing Nightmare On E Street, what comes next for you?

Fat Trel: Just more hard work and more dedication to the game. A lot of videos, of course, and shows, and basically, the next project I’m thinking about is looking out for the company, and that’s going to be a compilation mixtape with me, Young Moe, Chris Bo, Slutty Boyz, it’s going to be a crazy, crazy, crazy tape. I’m pretty sure I can almost say that you will hear the best music from the DMV ever on that tape.

AllHipHop.com: That’s a bold statement, man.

Fat Trel: I stand behind that.

AllHipHop.com: We’ll all be waiting to see for sure. Is there anything else you want the fans and readers to know?

Fat Trel: Nightmare On E Street is dropping in March and February 23, I’ll be shutting down Constitution Hall with the boss Rick Ross and also Jeremih is going to be on that show, too. Just f*ck with me, man, know the kid and know the company. Slutty Boyz forever, and that’s it.

AllHipHop.com: Alright, man, I appreciate your time.

Fat Trel: I appreciate the love, man. Thanks.

Follow Fat Trel On Twitter: @FatTrel