Here we go again. Lupe Fiasco is claiming to be having issues with his record label, Atlantic Records. Lupe says that he has yet to record anything for the follow up to his 2006 debut, “Food & Liquor II,” and that his planned fourth album is being stalled because of politics over at the label. In an interview with AOL’s the Boom Box, Lupe had this to say on record about the matter:
“The ‘Lupe [Fiasco’s Food & Liquor II]’ album is [coming out] hopefully. It’s not on me. It’s not done yet. I’m waiting on my record company, ain’t nothing changed. Same business, it’s on them.”
Maybe the fans can once again gather outside of Atlantic Records and force them to release his next album, like they did with Lasers. Occupy Atlantic Records, anyone?!
Like in the Terminator movies, Jon Connor (born Freeman) is on a mission to save music. Labeled as “The People’s Rapper,” Conner is a triple threat in the game. Not only does he spit tight verses, but he also writes and produces all of his own joints. His music doesn’t follow the norm, but is instead saturated with unique beats coupled with sincere, raw emotions that really pierce listeners. Looking to continue the buzz he continued to produce another hot mixtape with “Jon Connor As Vinnie Chase: Season 2,” mixtape that dropped last year. We caught up with the rising lyricist to talk about inspiration, the new mixtape and why he’s “The People’s Rapper.”
AllHipHop.com: When was the moment you became interested in music?
Jon Connor: It wasn’t even a time when I can say it really started since from birth I was around music. My dad plays the guitar, drums, keys, and I would watch them rehearse and play in church. Music was like the fifth member of the Freeman household, so really it was there all along. We would play old records like Hall and Oats, Bobby Brown, Bobby Womack, Zap, Gap Band, etc.
AllHipHop.com: When was the first time you came across Hip-Hop?
Jon Connor: My older sister introduced me to hip-hop. I was listening to ’70’s soul, ’80’s rock and’90’s pop-rock and she was the one who was a hardcore hip-hop fan. My first real introduction to hip-hop music was through her playing MC Breed’s “Ain’t No Future in Yo’ Frontin,’” and DJ Quik’s “Born and Raised in Compton.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0sxAEGmm5M
AllHipHop.com: Why did you want to make it a career?
Jon Connor: What turned me on to being an entrepreneur and being in the music game was watching the era of Master P and No Limit. They just came and took over the game. Our stories are similar. Before Master P, New Orleans didn’t really have a voice until No Limit and Cash Money came out and made a movement out of their music. They were pumping out so much music and they created the blueprint to get out and do it themselves. Watching them led me to create my own company Varsity Music. Music is my first love so I knew that I would produce music. I would describe music as my first love and hip-hop as my mistress.
AllHipHop.com: What was your first rap battle like?
Jon Connor: I was in the fifth grade, and one of my friends at the time would always rap on the bus. When he would freestyle, he would pass the “mic” to me and I would always stop the whole session ’cause I couldn’t rap. There was one day when I knew that he was going to pass the mic to me, so I practiced a good two bars to spit. The day came and they passed me the mic, I spit those two bars and the bus when crazy. After that reaction, I started taking rap seriously. That’s why I go so hard when I write my rhymes. The same high I got from the way my classmates reacted when they heard me spit on the bus is the same high I get from being on stage now.
AllHipHop.com: How did you get dubbed the “People’s Rapper?“
Jon Connor: To be honest, Jon Freeman, the person, cares about all people. Through my music and my message, all of us share the same struggles, and we shouldn’t treat each other different because of class or race. I want my music to speak all people and include all people. Of course, I ‘m going to tell the story of my music through my experience of growing up in Flint, Michigan, but my music speaks to the entire human experience.
AllHipHop.com: How has growing up in Flint, Michigan impact your rhymes?
Jon Connor: People hear about my city and know about my city, but people don’t know the depths of the city. It’s really a whole other world. I’m very aggressive and passionate and that comes from growing up in Flint. I’m not going to paint this super unrealistic portrait of my city, so what I speak in my music is simply the truth. My city hasn’t had a ray of hope in a long time. When I rap, I’m not just doing it for me or my crew. In Flint, you’ve got teens with more stress than a person that’s 40. There is no rest in my city because we come from a place where we don’t have s###. My mother lives in a neighborhood where half the block is boarded up. I was just told the other day that one of my little homies got killed by his own cousin and that’s normal for Flint. So when you hear me going so hard it’s because life in Flint is real. Failure is not an option, and Flint put that in me.
AllHipHop.com: What was the grind coming up like?
Jon Connor: In 2005, I made my first record that started my career. I had a friend in Florida, and I would take the bus from Flint to Florida and I passed out CDs along the whole bus ride, optimistic that my name would get out there. Nothing in this business was handed to me, I came from the hard time grind. I’m a songwriter, producer, rapper and a visionary. I can’t stop until I got VMAs, No. 1 albums, Grammy’s…all that. I want to be one of the greatest of all time in this music industry.
AllHipHop.com: What went into creating this your latest mixtape, and how was it different from other projects you’ve created before”
Jon Connor: “Season 2” is very different from everything I’ve ever done because the awareness of Jon Conner is the highest its ever been. My name is really buzzin’. Before “Season 2,” I was still trying to catch people’s attention. So now that I have people’s attention, I have to really show my ass. We have to be the ’96 Bulls, which was our mentality behind the creation of “Season 2.” Lyrically, it’s the most personal material I’ve ever written. For the concepts and themes, I just go super personal. I talk about issues that affect us all. I’m talking about things we see everyday in Flint like little girls cussing and talking back to the parents and them not correcting her. I talk about how this little girl’s life will be affected by her parent’s lack of discipline and how this will play out once that little girl grows up to be a mother raising her own children. I’m talking about raw human emotions. “Season 2” is really a wake-up call.
AllHipHop.com: How would you describe your lyrical prowess?
Jon Connor: I think that’s the cool thing about being from Michigan. I have elements of all styles West, East, and South, which all have their own unique sounds. My production style is a little bit of everything, but I don’t like labels. I think labels are b#######. There are so many facets to a person, and therefore we can’t just pigeonhole everybody into one thing. It’s the same with my music; I’m more than just conscious rapper or a party rapper. I rap about everything and that a reflection of my real life. I’m and all-around artist.
AllHipHop.com: How would you describe the state of Hip-Hop right now?
Jon Connor: In the NBA, you had an era with all the greats Jordan, Bird, Magic, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, and they made watching basketball fun again. I love the state of hip-hop right now. You have a lot of artists who care about what they’re saying and how their production sounds, because they want to make a real impact with their music. They respect the game and they want to create music that is a reflection of the inspirations that we had from artists we grew up with. Underneath the surface are a lot of artists who are making really good music.
AllHipHop.com: There are a million new artists that come out the woodwork everyday, so what makes you stand out?
Jon Connor: My passion and my work ethic draws people to me—whether they see me on stage or they hear a song of mine. Plus, no one else has my story and if they did, they can’t verbalize it like me. I’ve been fighting since birth; before I knew what life was and people see it. They see the genuineness in me, so the same person you hear on the record is the same person you’re shaking hands with. I’m not a character ’cause this is who I am. Through honesty and truth, you connect to people on a deeper level. I’m gonna always do me.
AllHipHop.com: Who would you love to collaborate with and why?
Jon Conner: It’s too many to name, but my top three would be Eminem since I’m from Michigan, Timbaland to talk music, philosophy and psychology and Prince because he’s great?
AllHipHop.com: When can fans expect an official LP?
Jon Connor: We’re focused on “Season 2” right now, but we’re in talks right now with some folks and whenever a situation comes across that right then we’ll make an official major label debut. The intensity of how we’re working on this album is the same zeal I’ll take with my debut album. If I do say so, “Season 2” is a dope f###### album! It’s a movie for your ears. I’m making it free as a thank you to the people.
We’ve been hearing that Dr. Dre and fellow N.W.A. member Ice Cube are talking about letting their kids act in a rumored upcoming movie about legendary West Coast rap group, N.W.A.
When asked about the possibility of their children starring in the movie, Dr. Dre told TMZ, “We’re talking about it … we’ll see what happens.”
That’s great news, since we already know that Cube’s got talented kids, and the late Eazy E does, too. Now if only Dre had a kid who could go into the studio and finish Detox for Daddy. Hmmm…
See a clip below of Ice Cube and son in the 2010 BET Cypher:
(AllHipHop News) A promoter from the United States claims that he was kidnapped in Angola, Africa after a failed New Year’s Eve show that was supposed to feature Nas.
TMZ.com reports that a promoter named Patrick Allocco from AllGood Entertainment, was working for a local concert promoter in Angola named Henrique “Riquhino” Miguel, who paid $315,000 for an appearance by Nas and Jemiah Jai.
Nas and Jemiah Jai allegedly missed their flights to Angola, resulting in a dispute between Allocco and Miguel, who allegedly hired local thugs to kidnap the man and his son at gunpoint.
They were held and interrogated for over seven hours, until the U.S. Embassy intervened in the situation.
“The hope is that Nas and Jemiah Jai will return all of the monies that were wired to them immediately so that our ransom may be paid and our safe return to the United States may be facilitated,” Allocco said in a statement.
Allocco and Miguel are currently in Angola in a hotel room, attempting to resolve the dispute.
(AllHipHop News)A$AP Rocky and the A$AP Mob have announced tour dates for the months of January and February. The 11-city tour will kick off January 26th in Buffalo, New York, and wrap up February 11th in Atlanta, Georgia.
A$AP Rocky will then be joining Kendrick Lamar as the other opener for Drake’s “Club Paradise Tour,” which begins on Valentine’s Day in Miami, Florida.
Rocky was most recently seen opening for Mac Miller at the House of Blues in Atlantic City last week (December 28).
Dates below:
1.26 Buffalo, NY – The Town Ballroom 1.27 Toronto, Ontario – The Opera House 1.28 Ottawa, Ontario – The Ritual Nightclub 11.29 Montreal, Quebec – Corona Theatre 1.30 Cambridge, MA – The Middle East 2.01 New York, NY – Irving Plaza 2.07 Baltimore, MD – The Sound Stage 2.08 Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts 2.09 Richmond, VA – The National 2.10 Greensboro, NC – Greene Street Music Hall 2.11 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade Upstairs
Anyone whose been a Hip-hop fan for a while knows Diddy’s affinity for attaching himself to whoever is the hottest artist out at the moment. He did it with Nas, Nicki Minja, Rick Ross, and now with French Montana. He’s a smart dude, and this strategy keeps him relevant.
Back when Diddy was having a bromance with Rick Ross, he struck a nerve in many Hip-hop fans when he compared Rick Ross to the Notorious B.I.G. We’re Ross fans and all, but that’s blasphemy! Well, recently Diddy was a guest on the DJ Whoo Kid Show, and he clarified what he meant by the comparison.
“I said on the ‘Angels’ verse, I think he channeled Biggie at night. A lot of emcees, they channel Biggie in some of their verses. You hear the influence. When you channel the influence, that doesn’t mean they’re comparing someone to them. I think I also said that he was the Biggie of the South, because I was there. I knew the effect that Biggie was having on New York and the world. I saw the effect that Ross was having on the South.”
Check out Diddy backtracking, ahem, ahem, “clarifying” his Rick Ross comparison to Biggie at the 7:45 mark:
Here are a few unthinkable items we found randomly on the ‘Net. Just start shaking your head now…
Indestructible Burgers…We’re (Not) “Lovin’ It”!!
A Canadian woman purchased a cheeseburger from a certain “arched” nemesis and left it on the counter. One year later, she reported that the cheeseburger remains relatively “unchanged” – not even mold or bacteria could conquer it! Ugh.
McDowell’s from “Coming To America” used real meat!
Apocalypse Now?? – 200 Dead Birds Ring In The New Year
OK, so this dead bird thing happened again this New Year’s Eve in Arkansas, the same state that reported 5,000 unexplained dead birds on 12/31/10. This time, scientists think they have an explanation – fireworks! Apparently, they scare birds into going cray at night and flying headfirst into objects and dying. That sh*t cray. Birds are nice.
(AllHipHop News) Legendary Hip-Hop group The sugar Hill Gang, R&B veterans The Moments and the executors of the Estate of Sylvia Robinson have filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, claiming the major label owes unpaid royalties.
The lawsuit, which was filed in The Supreme Court of the State of New York, claims that Universal has been witholding royalties from the legendary label, as well as the group members of Sugar Hill Gang and The Moments.
The lawsuit states that Universal has ignored agreements with the Sugar Hill label, some which date back as far as 1969, when the company Sylvia Robinson was running was known as All Platinum Inc.
All Platinum was Sylvia Robinson’s label and counted artists The Moments, The Whatnauts and Robinson herself, as featured talent on the label.
Sylvia Robinson and her husband Joe launched Sugar Hill Records in 1979, and introduced the world to the likes of The Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, The Treacherous Three and many others.
The Sugar Hill Gang has sold over 10 million copies of their 1979 hit single, “Rapper’s Delight,” alone, while The Moments have been sampled by a who’s who in Hip-Hop, including Wiz Khalifa, De La Soul, Game and Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.
The group has been fighting to recover royalties from the sales of that single alone, since at least 2008, when they sued Sugar Hill Records, claiming Joseph Robinson lied on contracts to take control of their name.
The Sugar Hill Gang is now working on their first album in over ten years, marking their first release since 1999’s album Jump On It!
Check out the lawsuit below:
Sugar Hill Gang and The Moments vs Universal Music Group
Sugar Hill Gang and The Moments vs Universal Music Group
Sugar Hill Gang and The Moments vs Universal Music Group
Sugar Hill Gang and The Moments vs Universal Music Group
In Icons and Dragon In Dreams, Hong Kong-based toy manufacturers, have teamed up to create an eerily life-like action figure of deceased Apple chief, Steve Jobs. The unauthorized doll is set to be released in February for $99, and comes dressed in Jobs’ trademark turtleneck and glasses.
The Jobs action figure is 12 inches in height, and the resemblance to him is so realistic, it’s somewhat creepy. The company behind the Jobs action figure created the popular Barack Obama action figure back in 2008.
These dolls are sure to become collectables for the Apple lover in your life, so grab them up quick before Apple or the Jobs estate takes them off of the market!
YMCMB’s Tyga is rumored to be dating stripper / model Black Chyna. Black Chyna has a stricking resemblance to Ms. Minaj in the face, and her curves are just as awe worthy…so much so, that Chyna was cast as Nicki Minaj’s body double in Kanye West’s “Monster” music video.
Chyna is also one of the most popular strippers at rapper’s paradise, King of Diamonds strip club in Miami, and if her name sounds familiar, it’s because Drake shouted her out in his smash hit “Miss Me”.
“Call up King of Diamonds/ and tell Chyna it be worth the flight.”
Tyga was spotted posting a gang of pictures of him and Chyna on his instagram account from his recent birthday party, where we hear they were attached at the hip. Check out a few of the photos below.
We guess these two have been an item for a while now. Chyna’s the total opposite from Tyga’s last girlfriend, Victoria Secret model Chanel Iman. Either way, Tyga’s a lucky man!
Do we smell another celebrity meltdown? 50 Cent had Twitter lit up last night when he posted a series of tweets expressing his sadness and lack of faith in his record label. The tweets raised a few red flags when 50 said he didn’t think he was going to live much longer. Peep the tweets below:
I have lost all the faith in the team I’m on. I having nothing left to say I will not be promoting my music.
I’m going to deliver this album then I have a film I wrote to focus on I’m not upset I’m just convinced this is not how I want to remembered.
Ill be honest I don’t think I’m gonna live much longer. That’s why I started my street king movement. I want to mean more in other peoples lives.
This morning I was look[ing] out the window. I saw a bird fly right on to [the] ledge. It felt like he was looking right at me. I hit the window
He Just looked at me like he new I couldn’t do anything threw the glass. I was tripping he sat there a minute then flew off. I’d like to a bird
So I could fly and sh*t on the world. then you all could say 50 sh*t on me. That’s luck right ? Then don’t wipe the sh*t off.
When one of 50’s followers suggested that he may be suicidal, he responded:
To be conscious that life is short is not suicidal. I’m good if I die tonight Iv taken care of the people who took care of me when I couldn’t take care my self
Man, if this is what being rich does to you, I’m good!
(AllHipHop News) Eclectic Atlanta, Georgia rapper/singer B.o.B., announced the release date for his highly anticipated sophomore release, Strange Clouds.
While the project is set for release on March 13th, B.o.B has been steady at work, having recently released the video for the song also named “Strange Clouds,” featuring YMCMB rapper Lil’ Wayne.
“#StrangeClouds Droppin’ March 13th!!!!!!!!!,” B.o.B. tweeted from his Twitter account, @bobatl.
“I been havin fun doing mixtapes and gettin back to my Eastside roots…. but I really can’t wait til the album … #StrangeClouds,” B.o.B., revealed.
In addition to his efforts musically, B.o.B. is one of adidas’ official endorsers and has been featured in the adidas Originals and Champs adiColor commercial.
B.o.B.’s debut on Atlantic Records, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, was nominated by the Grammy Foundation for Best Rap Album, while the single “Airplanes” ft Hayley Williams and Eminem received a nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
In total B.o.B. received five nominations for this debut effort.
