(AllHipHop News) Rap star Rick Ross will host a meet & greet at his new Wingstop restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee.
The rapper will appear this Sunday to promote a new partnership with Coca-Cola that will introduce the Coca-Cola Freestyle fountain drink dispenser.
The Freestyle fountain drink dispenser is the Coca-Cola Company’s new proprietary fountain dispensing system, which comes with 100+ beverage options.
“We’re excited to bring Memphis Coca-Cola Freestyle,” said Rick Ross, Wingstop Memphis owner, Maybach Music CEO and Def Jam Recording Artist. “Now our guests can get their favorite drinks and wings at the same time. Also, I invite everyone to join me at our Meet & Greet on Sunday.”
The meet & greet with Rick Ross takes place from 3-5PM at Wingstop in Memphis on Sunday, November 20, 2011.
In case you didn’t know, Durrty Goodz is one of the best MCs to come from the UK underground. He engaged in a classic battle with Wiley in the early days of grime, and has collaborated with KRS One, Caron Wheeler from Soul 2 Soul, and Stephen Marley amongst many others.
In 2007 after some time spent in prison, he returned to the grime scene with a classic EP entitled, Axiom. The EP solidified himself as a force to be reckoned with on the mic, with storytelling skills akin to artists like Slick Rick and fierce double time flows that would leave many an MC “shaking in their boots.” 2009 saw him release the mixtape/album Ultrasound, and in 2010, the free download album, Born Blessed, which was hosted by “The Teacher,” KRS One.
AllHipHop.com managed to grab some time with Goodz for a quick fire Q&A, whilst he was putting the final touches to grime album, Overall – which is out now on iTunes. We talked about the history of the scene, his relationship with jungle and more:
AllHipHop.com: How long have you been emceeing?
Goodz: I’ve been an MC for years, bro, ever since I was allowed in a youth centre.
AllHipHop.com:What made you start spitting?
Goodz: The Most High, I guess, and listening to music.
AllHipHop.com:What would you say your main influences are musically and artistically?
Goodz: My main influences are reggae music and Bob Marley – my favourite lyricist.
AllHipHop.com:How much has jungle been an influence to your style of emceeing?
Goodz: I used to love jungle, I used to rave a lot to it. I loved the energy.
AllHipHop.com:Who influenced you from the Jungle scene? – I have heard you name check Stevie Hyper D and also worked with Skibadee [2 Fast 2 Ferocious]?
Goodz: Every big mic man from the times, I use to watch them buss up the mic before I was. Yeah man, Hyper D is legendary, along with the many others that helped paved the way like Navigator, Ragga Twins, Skibadee, Shabba D and the many others behind the scenes that helped those dons be heard.
AllHipHop.com:Following jungle you were known to frequent ‘Delight FM’ – how long were you on there for and what was the connection between you and So Solid?
Goodz: That’s a while back G, but that was their [So Solid] radio station and I use to go there and bars up [MC in] the place with some of them.
AllHipHop.com:How much do you think So Solid had to with the evolution of grime?
Goodz: They did their thing and helped other artists get a look in. It’s great these things happen.
AllHipHop.com:What was the big change for you when garage evolved into grime?
Goodz: Check my tune, “Switching Songs Part 2.” It’s all in there.
AllHipHop.com:What do you see your role in that era to where you are positioned now?
Goodz: We played the biggest role by being there (in those times) and being hot then and being hot now, pioneering the art (of grime).
AllHipHop.com:Last year you released the ‘Born Blessed LP’ – KRS-One appeared, were the excerpts specifically for the project?
Goodz: I’ve never made any project that has just been thrown together. Everything is always a well thought out process.
AllHipHop.com:How much of an influence has KRS-One been on your style?
Goodz: Loads, he’s a massive influence, just like many more pioneers – but he’s ‘The Teacher’ and had one of the first classic battles and the story is real similar to mine if your looking at the birth of grime.
AllHipHop.com:Tell us about ‘Overall’ and how that compares to your previous output.
Goodz:Overall is the best grime album ever to be made, and that’s how it will be every time I’m coming out, fresh and innovative.
AllHipHop.com:Where do you see the UK/London MC going from now?
Goodz: Higher levels, making music that keeps getting better and better.
AllHipHop.com:Any other points you would like to get across?
Goodz: I want to thank all those supporting grime god Durrty Goodz. Support me and you will always hear real music.
Overall is out now and available on iTunes. For more information on Goodz and to download the free KRS One-hosted album, Born Blessed, visit his website at www.therealdurrtygoodz.com.
Jamie B-C is a writer and online music marketer, who has been passionately involved in UK underground music since the late 90’s, he currently writes a blog which follows UK rave and Hip-Hop culture. Follow Jamie B-C on Twitter at @beatcultureldn and on the Web at www.beatculture.net.
(AllHipHop News) On the evening prior to his being laid to rest, Dwight Arrington Myers was saluted by peers and fans at the taping of the Soul Train Awards 2011 in Atlanta.
On the red carpet, Kurtis Blow, Daddy O, and Naughty by Nature shared memories and reflections on Heavy’s life. Soul for Real also walked the carpet dressed in all black. “We are still kind of in shock mode; we’re mourning,” the group expressed, “We had our ups and downs with Hev, but the most important thing right now is the good times that we had.”
“It was a shock because he was only 44, and here I am 52,” said Kurtis Blow, “I don’t know anyone on the planet who has ever said anything bad about Heavy D. Everyone loved him. He had a great personality, character, he was humble, and fun. Everyone loved him, to see him not here not is just a shocking shame.”
Dressed in throwback gear, Goodie Mob and Big Daddy Kane joined Kurtis Blow, Daddy O, and Naughty by Nature for a brief medley of Heavy’s songs that was preceded by a video of the Mount Vernon, New York rapper’s accepting a Soul Train award in 1990 for the debut album from Heavy D and the Boyz, Big Tyme.
The tribute concluded with the chorus from “Nothin’ But Love,” where the audience held up orange glow sticks and repeated the chant, “We got nothin’ but love for you, Heavy!” while the deceased rapper’s portrait was illuminated on the screens. On each picture was Heavy D’s last Tweet, “Be Inspired.”
The Soul Train Awards also featured a tribute to Nick Ashford, who also passed away this year. Ashford’s wife and writing partner, Valerie Simpson, dedicated and presented the first ever, “Ashford and Simpson Songwriting Award” for Record of the Year to Marsha Ambrosius for her hit single, “Far Away.”
The Soul Train Awards will air on November 27 at 9pm on BET and Centric.
Breezy Gets Down on $50,000 Sex Tape with a “Basketball Wife”?!
MTO is reporting that there is a mystery person trying to shop a sex tape featuring Chris Brown and Draya Michele of “Basketball Wives” fame (if you even want to call it that). The seller is looking for around $50,000 as payment for the tape. MTO also has stated that they’ve seen the much talked about footage and decided to pass on purchasing it due to the seller’s asking price. Breezy’s team is denying all reports and told TMZ very adamantly, “The report is absolutely not true.” … Stay tuned for more…
This rumor comes on the heels of Brown’s explosive Twitter tirade yesterday: “Don’t say sh– to anybody and everyone feels its cool to attack me. GROWN ADULTS!!!! That sh– happened three years ago,” tweeted a frustrated Breezy. TWITTER GETS WACK REAL FAST! I LOVE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT MY MUSIC! i never said i was a LEGEND. people please grow up. Ive never dealt with so much negativity in my life! its to the point now that its just ridiculous! IM NOT A POLITICIAN! MY MUSIC DOESNT PROMOTE VIOLENCE nor will it ever! only thing it will increase is the pregnacy rate! I wake up thinking of living my life….. YOU wake up thinking of me! NOW I REALLY CANT WAIT FOR THE AMA’s! u dont have to respect me now… but u will. I know a lot of you wack ass (OLD) celebrities probably wanna f— my ex, but talking sh-t on me wont get you far! and to be REALLY HONEST, ya’ll wonder why ni— spazzes all the time?
It sounds like dude just needs a vacation or some time away from the outlets that instantly spread his word to millions of people across the world (cough Twitter cough). On the other side of things, tell the people how you really feel, Chris!
(AllHipHop News) A number of superstars gathered at the historic Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, to pay their final respects to rap legend, Heavy D.
Heavy, born Dwight Arrington Myers, collapsed and died in front of his Hollywood condo on November 8.
So far, an autopsy result has been inconclusive, but foul play or drugs have been ruled out.
Today, his life and many accomplishments were celebrated in Mount Vernon, where he was raised.
The funeral started with a reading from the Old Testament, followed by a solo performance by Kim Burrell.
Johnny Gill followed more scripture reading with an emotional rendition of the song “Never Could’ve Made It,” while offering the family comforting words.
R&B star Anthony Hamilton gave an emotionally charged performance of Sam Cooke’s classic, “A Change Is Gonna Come.”
The current Mayor of Mount Vernon and Mayor Elect Ernie Davis Jr. spoke about Heavy’s influence.
“I’m the mayor of ‘Money Earning’ Mount Vernon,” Ernie Davis said. “You [heavy family] gave us the city’s Crown Prince. I often say that there is no better blessed four square miles on the face of this earth. The talent that this city has produced has had an impact on this world. Super Bowl rings, Oscars, Tonys, Grammys. You can debate our city’s influence. One thing that you cannot debate. Heavy D. put Mount Vernon on the map.”
Yolanda Adams at Heavy D.'s FuneralGospel star Yolanda Adams was up next, singing “Just a Prayer Away.”
“He gave us big gigantic hugs and that’s what I loved,” Yolanda Adams said. “That was one of the last things I received as we paid tribute to Michael Jackson.”
Reverend Darin Moore and Reverend Al Sharpton offered words of comfort to family and friends.
Andre Harrell spoke next and explained how Heavy called and called and explaining that he wanted to be a rap star.
“He charmed me. When I signed him I came to Mount Vernon and met his parents,” Andre Harrell said. “His mom told me make sure you take care of my son. I don’t know if I took care of him or he took care of me. He was my first artist on Uptown. he brought in new jack swing, Pete Rock or Diddy, Heavy put them all on his back. Before there was Big Pun, Fat Joe, before Rick put the Rozay to his name there was Heavy D.”
Reverend Al Sharpton spoke on Heavy’s good nature and presented a special plaque to Heavy’s daughter Xea.
Al Sharpton at Heavy D.'s Funeral“Don’t sit here crying for Heavy, look at Iyourself. Heavy wrote himself in the book of time. I come today really though to give his daughter something. She will have to deal with the legacy of her father. I brought her something. I want you to keep this Xea,” said Reverend Sharpton, handing Heavy’s daughter a plaque with a hand written message from President Barack Obama.
“My father was a wonderful man. He’s still not in flesh but in spirit and in love,” Xea said. “We are here to celebrate his love and passion. I love you daddy and we will miss you.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs spoke, sporting a black sling, the result of a recent shoulder operation.
Diddy remembered Heavy D. as the first person to give him a shot, ultimately paving the way for his extraordinary accomplishments as a business man.
Diddy at Heavy D.'s Funeral“I had an idea that I wanted to manage Heavy D. The only problem was I didn’t know him,” Sean “Diddy” Combs said. “I just knew we were from the same town. So I made a plan to bump into him. So I would stand on his block hoping he would stop and roll down his window. He would pull up and talk to me and I would be his manager. That didn’t work well, because he kept driving by. But then I found out about a pizza shop he liked. So I would hang out there. My plan worker. I met him at the pizza shop. He was the type of guy to hear you out. I asked him if he would help me meet Andre Harrell so I could get an internship at Uptown. He got me the chance to work with Andre and the rest is history. A lot of our dreams came true, thank god.”
Pastor W. Frankyln Richardson gave the Eulogy for Heavy D.
As the funeral ended, hundreds of late model black cadillacs, escaldades and luxury cars flooded South 6th Avenue, prompting police officers to close streets.
(AllHipHop News) Big Sean clarified statements he made about his role in developing the now infamous ” Supa Dupa Flow” style of rhyming.
Big Sean responded to Ludacris’ “Badaboom” track released yesterday (November 17).
During an interview with Seattle’s KUBE 93FM, Big Sean explained that he respects Ludacris and described how he thinks the rumors and misconceptions about the rhyming tactic became so popular.
“I ain’t got no problems with Luda, I never did. I think he’s referring to an interview I did over a year ago. Literally over a year ago,” Big Sean explained as he defended himself to Seattle’s KUBE 93 radio. “But in the interview I said he’s a legend. I respect people who is ahead of me. I respect OG’s and the G’s in general. The only thing I said, [the interviewers] was telling me about the “Supa Dupa’ flow. They call it the ‘Supa Dupa’ flow because on ‘Big Sean’ my second mixtape I had a flow on there where I was using one word to describe another word in a punchline form.”
Currently Drake is on tour with A$AP Rocky and his album Take Care is projected to sell over 500,000 copies in the first week, despite being leaked on the internet a week prior to release.
Big Sean squashed any possiblity of beef with Luda or Drake and blamed the internet for blowing his comments out of proportion.
“I think people just want to see some beef, and I’ll tell you this now, a lot of people think me and Drake got problems, and I can only speak from my side, but I talked to Drake a month or two ago and everything was all cool. So I don’t know personally if he has any issues with me now but, as far as I’m concerned thats the homie, I dont have nothing against him. And Luda, Luda is Luda, I dont really know Luda like that so I can’t really say nothing, but you know I ain’t got nothing against him, I’m surprised he cared so much.”
