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His company Cube Vision has produced popular movies like the “Friday” series of movies, “Barbershop,” “Janky Promoters,” the documentary “Straight Outta L.A.” and others.

Mona Scott-Young: The Mastermind Behind Violator and VH1’s “Love & Hip-Hop”

By: seandrasims Updated Dec 5, 2011 at 8:24pmCategory: Lifestyle

Imagine the world’s musical landscape without meteoric careers by Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Maxwell, or Missy Elliott.

You don’t have to, thanks to Mona Scott-Young, one of the leading ladies behind the scenes in the urban entertainment industry over the past 20 years. As co-founder of Violator Management with former partner Chris Lighty, Scott-Young has been a trailblazing guide for some of the legends of Hip-Hop. She stopped by the AllHipHop.com offices just a few days ago to talk about her latest pursuits – here she paints the backdrop for what’s possibly a masterpiece of a career:

Mona Scott-Young’s business savvy, along with an obvious in-person cool and grace, have helped make her a top name in the entertainment business. After nearly 20 years helping lead Violator, she took a leap out on her own, landing at the top of her own firm, Monami Entertainment. There, she developed a reality TV series called “Love & Hip-Hop” three years ago, eventually for VH1, which profiled a certain Dipset MC known for his strong personality.

There’s a lot of love and hate for “Love & Hip Hop” and the variety of shows like it. The series, in its second season, with its rapper antics and rapper’s girl drama, has a definite following, to the delight of some and the disgust of others. Over time, the cast and storyline has expanded to include Jim’s lady, Chrissy, along with Yandy, rapper Fabolous, Fab’s baby mama Emily, singer Olivia, and more. In this clip, Scott-Young talks “Love & Hip-Hop” and why this kind of TV (like it or not) – with personalities like Jim Jones and others – just works:

When you’re Mona Scott-Young, there has to be a certain degree of gratification from your work. Her Monami Entertainment is the umbrella for successful divisions in film/TV, artist management, and a digital platform called “The Rocbox.” It’s clear the lady handles her business – and she, along with her legendary clients, has enjoyed a nearly 20-year career in an industry that is known for being short-lived and harsh, especially for women. Here, Scott-Young ponders the changing Hip-Hop industry, the “Umpteenth Coming of Busta Rhymes,” and what’s next for her – listen and learn:

Get in Mona Scott-Young’s business at www.monamient.com or on Twitter at @MonaScottYoung. Check out more on VH1’s “Love & Hip-Hop” here.

Rick Ross Says Former G-Unit Member Bang ‘Em Smurf Maybach Music Group For Life

By: Mikey T The Movie Star Updated Dec 5, 2011 at 7:09pmCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Rick Ross hosted the “Maybach Music Group Take Over” in Trinidad & Tobago over the weekend to promote his forthcoming album God Forgives, I Don’t, which is on the way in 2012.

The rapper hit the stage and was happy to reveal that his music empire was expanding and that he was thankful for his recent successes with artists like Wale and Meek Mill.

“I’m proud to be able to say that as a company and as an artist I’m self made,” Rick Ross said. “We started from nothing, we started from a basement, we didn’t have no big super producers to put us on, or big record labels, we started on the corner with this MMG s**t. I suggest everybody do the same.”

During the concert, Rick Ross brought out former G-Unit member Bang ‘Em Smurf, who is working with Maybach Music Group artist Maybach Dice.

Maybach Dice, also a Queens, New York native, is working on his new mixtape Gods Plan, while Smurf has picked up a new Trinidan born MC named Primo Sparx.

Smurf is also preparing a new, 18-track mixtape called “300” being readied for release.

Rick Ross commeneded Bang ‘Em Smurf on his impact in Trinidad, as the ex-Queens native continues to develop artists in and outside of the country.

Check out AllHipHop.com’s exclusive footage of Rick Ross coming together with Bang ‘Em Smurf in Trinidad & Tobago.

Prodigy Taught Havoc How To Produce, Havoc Taught Prodigy How To Rap [N48H With Mobb Deep Teaser # 2]

By: Steve Raze (@SteveRaze) Updated Dec 5, 2011 at 6:21pmCategory: Features

This is Teaser #2 from “The Next 48 Hours With Mobb Deep,” a two-part web series which goes behind the scenes during the release week of “Black Cocaine” EP. Follow Havoc & Prodigy on their promo run of “Black Cocaine,” the duo’s first commercial release in five years.

In this clip, Prodigy visits Hot 97’s Juan Epstein Podcast with Peter Rosenberg, Cipha Sounds & K Foxx, where he explains that he taught Havoc how to make beats and Havoc taught him how to rap.

The Next 48 Hours is an original AllHipHop, JumpOff.TV & Tantrum Production.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Jay-Z Signed Astro!

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Dec 5, 2011 at 6:07pmCategory: Features

DID JAY-Z SIGN ASTRO?

There is a rumor on the block that this kid Astro aka the Astronomical Kid has been signed by Jay-Z. This is the kid that was on X-Factor and was kicked off. I never saw it, but I heard that he had a lil’ too much swag or something. He’s a 15 year old from BKNY, just like Jay. Jay-Z reportedly said: “I first heard about this exciting new talent and decided to watch some of his performances. Not only was I impressed with his performance, but to see the confidence he sang with, his lyrics and diction were on point.” Seems like they are going to get Willow and Astro in the studio now that they are both under the Roc umbrella.