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Zoo York: The East Coast’s Pioneer Skate Brand
Seamus Deegan has been called “the hardest working Team Manager” for his dedication to ZOO YORK. Launched by a small band of NYC skaters, ZOO made its mark in 1993 as the “East Coast’s first true skateboard-inspired lifestyle brand” with its blend of graffiti, hip hop, punk and military style. With an abundance of pro skaters, designers, musicians and more backing the brand, ZOO continues to expand and adapt to the times, introducing new cut-and-sew pieces, clean denim and more. Kiki got a chance to learn about the interesting path that Seamus took before he earned his title, what the brand has in store for spring/summer 2010 and much more.DrJays.com: How did you get your start in the apparel business? Seamus: “Long story, although I dont consider myself solely to be in the ‘apparel business’ as ZOO YORK makes skateboard decks and kicks as well. When I was 17 I moved from Providence, RI to NYC to attend Pratt Institute in Brooklyn – I moved in 5 days before 9/11. That was a crazy time to be in the city and school didnt seem a priority, so I spent my days and nights skateboarding and filming it. “I officially dropped out before the holidays and started working full time at a butcher shop saving money. My first real job in this industry was at 5boro thanks to Steve Rodriguez taking a chance on me. A great learning experience that lasted about 2 years; I knew though, that in order to get involved in this industry long term I had to take a chance and move to California. “I took a job working at Blitz Distribution as Team Manager for Birdhouse Skateboards, a position I had for about three years. Then in 2006 I received a phone call from long time friend Nardelli (Zoo Brand Manager at the time) asking me to move back East and take over Team Management at ZOO YORK. It made complete sense, ZOO was dope and the East Coast is my roots. Now four years later I run the Marketing Division as Brand Manager”. DrJays.com: Describe a day in the life of ZOO YORK’s Brand Manager. Seamus: “Most mornings I wake up to a blown up inbox on my Blackberry. After replying to the most urgent and a quick check of Twitter, my walk to coffee and the office begins which is one of my favorite things about living in NYC. “I am usually in the office by 10am and have meetings or phone calls till about 4pm when I grab some lunch. Then jump right back into it calling the team riders, checking deck production, working on projects and planning till about 8 or 9pm when I head home or out for dinner. “Most nights I am up till super late communicating with the International partners or with our team riders. This schedule is on repeat nearly everyday unless I am on the road, which currently seems to be at least a week each month although is often longer”. DrJays.com: With ZOO YORK being the East Coast’s ” first true skateboarding-inspired lifestyle brand”, how does the brand stand its ground now, with all the new skate brands that have flooded the market? Seamus: “ZOO YORK has set the bar for so many years and continues to do so whether with music and art collaborations or with our skateboard program. We are constantly working to drop the freshest product, ads or videos. What makes ZOO special is its NYC roots, the only skateboarding inspired brand of this size on the East Coast, operating on a global scale”. Adam Sandler DrJays.com: What can we expect from your spring/summer 2010 collection?”Spring 2010’s collection is a mash-up of clean and athletic inspired apparel. It is a tribute to what was and what is all at the same time. ZOO YORK has taken the simplicity in product with sophisticated details and put a blended assortment that is ready to wear. Woven tops lead the collection with lightweight flannels and great colorful wovens. Grey is the new black which helps keep the collection feeling fresh, but keeping it very easy. Graphic tees continue to be present, heritage graphics are always a staple!” DrJays.com: What is the most exciting project you have worked on with ZOO YORK? Seamus: “Each one tops the last it seems but a memorable one was the launch of “ZOO YORK State of Mind DVD. Three years in the making, this feature length DVD dropped last Summer with a huge premiere in NYC. Outside of that, the daily project of working on a brand like this is what its all about, worth getting out of bed each day.” ZOO YORK rider: Chaz OrtizZOO YORK rider: Brandon WestgateDrJays.com: I remember watching the gross (but amusing) “ZOO YORK Roaches” ad campaign a while back – how did that do for you guys? Seamus: (Laughs) “That campaign was cool to work on. It was so out there, playing to both the people who have no idea about NYC just as much as it did to those of us who live here. The commercials were the first ZOO ever dropped on TV, a milestone for sure. The response on YouTube was crazy – it was the #1 watched video the day of its launch with a million plus views. Crazy. Pretty sure I never want to touch a cockroach ever again though ”DrJays.com: Any exciting news or collaborations in the works? Seamus: “We have a couple big things in the works for later in the year, which I cant really speak on yet. “Just like the New York State motto, “Excelsior” – ZOO is always moving upwards.” Check out the “ZOO YORK State Of Mind” trailer below, and take a sneak peek at an upcoming ZOO YORK shoot we did with rapper Yelawolf: Yelawolf in ZOO YORK ZOO YORK gear on DrJays.com: Barrio Woven by ZOO YORKEvader Brooklyn Slim by ZOO YORKClick HERE to see more.
Method Man and Redman Offer Free Haircuts on Easter Weekend
Preparation for Easter Sunday will be a little easier for parents as rappers Method Man and Redman offer free haircuts and for kids at this years ADG Kids Cuts Day.
The second annual event, a joint venture between the entertainers and Staten Island, NY-based barbershop chain Against Da Grain (ADG), will provide haircuts and styling for children under the age of 12 from noon to 5 p.m. April 3. Participating ADG locations include West Brighton at 821 Castleton Avenue and the barbershops flagship store at 61 Victory Blvd. (formerly the Wu-Tang/Wu-Wear Store).
ADG barbers as well as celebrity barber/stylists Sean White and Tariq will be on hand to provide haircuts for kids. According to Redman, Kids Cuts Day is true example of ADGs efforts to give back to the community.
Whether it’s free haircuts or family style BBQ’s, ADG is always looking for ways to reward its customers and I’m always down to celebrate their community efforts,” the rapper said in a statement.
“Considering last year’s overwhelming participation and appreciation from our customers, we have now expanded our offerings to provide both boys and girls styling services, as well as our footprint to include both ADG locations,” added ADG CEO Sean White.
In addition to free haircuts, Staten Island artists as well as DJ Megatron from BETs 106 & Parks Whats Good On the Streets segment will speak to kids while helping them prepare to look their Sunday best for the Easter holiday.
Organizers for ADG Kids Cuts Day encourage those bringing kids to arrive early for the event. Haircuts and styling will be administered on a first come, first serve basis.
Hip-Hop Rumors: What Could Make Usher Paranoid?
DISCLAIMER:
All content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.
USHER RUMOR WORD?
I was under the impression that Ushers album has leaked online, but I am not fully sure. Anyway here is a strange rumor.
Usher is or was very paranoid about his album leaking, I heard. So noid is he, I heard dude would get a final mix on his songs and whenever they send a mix out to the execs, they put just the one song on an iPod touch. This song would then be sent out to the exect[s] so they could hear it. But, leaks and extractions can be rather difficult. But they are doing his for EVERY SONG and EVERY EXECUTIVE, I heard! Do you know how many iPod touches this mean? Enough to make Apples stock rise! LOL! Hundreds! On top of that, do you know how much money this is costing? If this is true, dudes budget is through the roof!
ILLSEEDS QUICKIES
Shout out to The 49ers! They are a rap group that have the #1 Hip-Hop song in Japan for like a month now!
Dont forget AHHs EVENT at SXSW! See below!
SXSW, WE LOVE YOU!!!
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!
-illseed
WHO: illseed.com
WHAT: Rumors
WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed
HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].
Kandi Burress: Kandi Koated Part 2
This is Part 2 of our candied interview with Kandi Buress.
In this interview, Kandi talks about dating, her mastery of songwriting and the
art of the comeback.
Click here for the first installment.
AllHipHop.com: Do
you date industry guys?
Kandi: (pause then bursts
out laughing) Lets see well normally I don’t but I might be kinda communicating
with somebody right now but we’re just friends for right now so I don’t know.
AllHipHop.com: Aww see you gotta give us the scoop now.
Kandi: I can’t give
you the scoop, because its not even scoop to give yet. See and thats another
thing you talk about the whole public thing at this point in my life right now
I cant even go out with somebody whos high profile because as soon as we go
somewhere together everybody makes it seem like we’re together. When in real
life you cant even hang out with someone and just go out to see if you even
like them before your pegged as an item and thats kinda not fair. Thats why when
you asked that question I was kinda like have I met anyone in the industry who
has sparked an interest yes but I’m scared to go out because even if we just
have dinner people put us together and I don’t even know if we’re compatible.
AllHipHop.com: Ok
I’ll get out your business, lets get back to your music. So this project is
indie?
Kandi: I’m doing it
through Asylum Warner Bros. We’re just trying to figure out what single we’re
officially gonna go with. I did I Fly Above because it was on the show so i
kinda worked that song on my own before i got with them but I’m still gonna do
like a viral video to go with that but they want to do a new song that no one
has heard yet so we’re still figuring that out. They want my album slated for
summer but i want it out NOW, but i understand the whole process. So for right
now I’m just jumping on other projects and keeping my buzz going until its time
for my album to drop.
AllHipHop.com: Yeah,
it seems like you took some time away but you’ve always been writing behind the
scenes and I know the money is better as a writer
Kandi: Yea it is,
and thats why I’m very happy with everything I’ve been doing behind the scenes
but you definitely always miss it. I always tell people its a lil bit harder to
have had success and then go back to just chilling and being back behind the
scenes than it is to have never had success. People are like Oh if I could
just do it one time no because then when you get it once you want it again and
again.
AllHipHop.com: Is it
more intimidating coming out now vs the first go round when you were all green?
Kandi: No, I think
its just a lot of things have changed since then. Like say for instance now you
can do an indie album and you can sell 100-200,000 copies and thats deemed a success
because you’ve made hella money. Now see I had sold a couple hundred thousand
with my solo album but it was considered a bust because I didn’t go gold or
platinum. But if I did that now I’d be real happy, but things have definitely
changed.
I also know a lot more now like I don’t think its totally
the labels responsibility to promote the album. Now you gotta do more in
promoting yourself. And investing in yourself so I’ve grown a lot vocally I
don’t even sound the same my voice has developed a lot more now and I’m on
other peoples songs more now. And I think all those things help as well so I
think I’m a little smarter when it comes to the music same aspect but at the
same time it is scary because if it doesn’t do well you still gonna be disappointed.
AllHipHop.com: When
it comes to reinventing yourself as an artist who has been around as long as
you have, how do you keep it pushing and remain relevant?
Kandi: Well I think
its the transition thats important when your an artist. Like a lot of people
that I started with they’re not even in the business anymore and they don’t
even know how to get back in the business. So my career has been about
transition, you gotta know how to transition, like going from being an artist
to a songwriter or going into the production side or management or whatever
your good at, you gotta be good at multiple things. If youre just dependent on
being an artist, you could be outta here in no time. You just gotta know how to
stay on your grind and I think a lot of women sometimes we suffer because
sometimes their grind isn’t as strong as a lot of fellas thats in it so
theres even less females that I started out with that are still in the game.
AllHipHop.com: Yeah
well that probably comes from the fact that women get so distracted with things
like kids and looking for love and other things that become distractions. Was
love a big distraction for you?
Kandi: Relationships
are definitely a distraction even for me but i think my relationships
definitely suffer for my career because I’ve always put that on the back burner
whereas a lot of women don’t always. For a lot of women its about the
relationship. I’ve seen so many relationships fall apart because the guy hes
not gonna tell you I’m not going into work all the time so he can go lay up. A
woman though, she’ll fall in love and be like girl i cant make it today I just
wanna lay up all day with my boo’ and a man will be like ‘baby lay right there I
gotta go get this bread real quick so he’ll go do what he gotta do and come
back and be in love with you later. Ya know? So I just try to adopt that
mentality because I’m a mother and a daughter and the bottom line is I’m the
one who has to take care of things around here, I’m the go to person so I got
other folks depending on me so i cant let their stuff fall apart trying to
chase a relationship.
AllHipHop.com: How
have the past 10 years defined you as a woman?
Kandi: I defiantly
think I’m stronger now. I’m a better businesswoman. Way more mature, of course
theres always room to grow and get better. But I’m a real businesswoman now
with my store here in Atlanta (www.tagsatl.com) and just involved in so many
more things that I don’t want to let just being an artist define who I am. I’m
just trying to keep growing and being a better mother and a better person. I
think even the way I deal with fame – I think I just appreciate things more.
Having gone from the fame of Xscape then the highs and lows of my career have
just really taught me how to appreciate things more and to really fly above.
Texas Says Hip-Hop Has No Stand in History
They dont know who we be/
They dont know who we be/
DMX, Who We
Be, The Great Depression (2001).
“[ O]nly a small
percentage of people have a genuine concern for Hip-Hop.”
Chuck D, Fight the Power: Rap, Race, and Reality
Its been 30 full years since the
cultural force known today as Hip-Hop mushroomed out of the ghettos of South
Bronx and spread over the surface of the earth, but nobody could have claimed, back
then, to foresee the journeys Hip-Hop would take or the magnitude of a legacy
it would build through those journeys. It was simply impossible for a gang of
hopeless, crime-prone Black and Brown
saps to set off a cultural explosion that in little over two decades boasted a
multi-billion dollar empire. Its easy today to look back and reminisce with
great pleasure (and displeasure), but the founding fathers and mothers of
Hip-Hop had no idea what trail they were blazing would one day make many multi
millionaires or create such intense international dialogue and debate.
More importantly, they couldnt foretell,
even through all the struggle and strife that produced this remarkable
phenomenon, that very few would have the courtesynay, the human decencyto
acknowledge its place and time in history as a moving mass of artistic genius.
Last Friday, the Texas Board of Education cast its lot amongst those
unconvinced Hip-Hop deserves the light of public recognition.
In a controversialreally whitewasheddraft
of the states high school social studies curriculum, Hip-Hop as a significant
cultural contribution failed to meet the mark, as conservatives struck out, on
multiple counts, attempts to add Hip-Hop to the list of noteworthy cultural
creations in American history. Experts had recommended students study the
impact of cultural movements in art, music and literature, such as Tin Pan
Alley, the Beat Generation, rock and roll, the Chicano Mural Movement, country-western
music and hip-hop, reported The
Houston Chronicle. The board’s seven social conservatives, joined by
Geraldine Tincy Miller, R-Dallas, considered some of the hip-hop lyrics
offensive and voted to eliminate hip-hop as an option for students to
consider.
Hip-Hop, however, made
some good friends at the party, as Thomas Jefferson, the word democratic,
and references to religious tolerance also fell under the red inks of the
Republican and conservative members on the board whose sense of history stands
somewhere between the pages of McCarthyism and Reaganomics. Texas students, if
this measure is finalized in May, would learn some strange stuff of their
country and world. They would learn that Hispanics hardly count as having any
social relevance in American historyand neither do just about all non-White
people. They would learn that their country is God-given and can do no wrongand
never has. They would learn that if not for conscionable and courageous
conservatives, Black people might still be hanging half-burnt from trees and
denied suffrage. They would learn that the Black Panther Party was a violent
and fascistic mob with eyes cocked at social destruction. And, of course, they
would learn next to nothing of the global force for political and social
advocacy that is Hip-Hop. In short, they would learn White History to an H.
Man, this history don’t acknowledge us/
We were scholars long before colleges/
This notion that all Hip-Hop artists
wallow in the wasteland of gutter talk certainly brings to bear baggage of the
past. From the early 90s on, political leaders lived high off the curiosity
Hip-Hop aroused in society. From congressional hearings to TV panels to newspaper
columns, the fix was inHip-Hop dominated the national dialogue. Everyone had a
say and couldnt remain tight-lipped long enough to ponder its accuracy. What
is Hip-Hop? When was Hip-Hop conceived? Why is Hip-Hop relevant? Why do White
kids love Hip-Hop so much? Very few could answer; but far more wanted toand
didweigh in.
Commentators and critics divvied up
Hip-Hop into categoriesGangsta, Commercial, Mainstream, Underground,
Good, Bad. But the scale showed it biaspublic figures shamed Gangsta and
Commercial Hip-Hop for exploiting social maladies and repackaging trauma and
glamorizing violence and fetishizing fatalism. Black activists invited TV
cameras to special sessions where stock of Hip-Hop CDs cracked under their trampling
boots and the crushing tires of farm tractors. Still, very few voices of
conscience made headway as the debates ratcheted.
And though even fewer flew to the
defense of this great contribution to societycontribution without which a
whole generation might have lacked meaningthe full swath and broad bath of
Hip-Hop still remains unknown to most, especially those quick to mouth off
about how bad and despicable and vile and endangering Rap lyrics are. And the
reason why lacks no mysteryfor a generation raised on the terror of
Reagonomics and brought to life in an age where their humanities had dollar
signs written all over, the pent-up rage that found refuge through the mic
didnt do well to please authority figures.
And for all the attacks lobbed at
Hip-Hop through time, most evident has been the belief that Hip-Hop artists
have no leg to stand on in attacking society for the problems they believe it created for those they representthose torn apart by
racism and classism. You lack the
credentials, society is quick to fire back. Your concerns are as valuable as a toads croak. But Hip-Hop
artists have remained effervescent in demanding dignity from this society,
refusing to let the bellicose barrage take hold and stomp out their message or
mission. Through all the storms and static, they still find this their
responsibilityto hold the feet of the rich and powerful to the fire, and to speak
loud for the oppressed and underserved.
Perhaps this very factthat Hip-Hop at
its best lifts the voices of the unloved and rejected, of the displaced and dispossessedis
what makes the culture so threatening and so scrutiny-served, and this is what
must be kept from the hearts of schoolchildren even as they listen to Hip-Hop
artists, some of whom, it should be admitted, stray far away from any forms of advocacy
for the meek and muted, the weak and wastedthe
wretched of the earth, to invoke Franz Fanon.
Grace Wiggins, executive director of United Sisters, an E-mentoring program
focused on females ages 14-18, says she can understand the disdain for the
music, as modern forms of Hip-Hop have largely failed to demonstrate the
qualities it once hadso I think we have the leaders in Hip-Hop to thank for taking
away the significance of Hip-Hop and not having it taught as a part of history.
Hip-Hop since its inception, Wiggins contends, has morphed from an ant-sized
social service agent to a giant hungry only for the top of the charts and
skilled in leading our children into believing that there are no consequences
for our actionsonly rewards.
Wiggins also manages a listenership
campaign, Listen 2the
Lyrics, through which United Sisters hosts After School Listening Sessions
to empower young female Hip-Hop fans in putting what they hear in critical
perspectives. She says the Texas ruling only pumps up the volume why
initiatives like Listen 2the Lyrics matter: This decision only further makes
our project relevant to our community and society, as Hip-Hop is no longer just
influencing minds in the cityit has made it across seas and has become
multicultural and a language that the youth listen to and understand.
Prolific author and scholar Tricia Rose, PhD, insists the decision represents
a specific attack on Hip-Hop, one that has been going on since its inception,
but also reflects a general ignorance about, marginalization of, and hostile
disregard for, the contributions of African-Americansintellectual, political,
social and cultureto the United States.
And such undervaluing, Rose warns, is a
terrible mis-education of our youth about the complex ways that new cultural
expressions come into being. Hip-Hops reach extends beyond beats and rhymes,
she adds. It has empowered and inspired people around the world for over 30
years. To rob young U.S. citizens of their knowledge about this art form is an
educational disservice and a sign that there is still a whole lot of work to be
done when it comes to educating people about African-American culture.
Rose, whose acclaimed work on Hip-Hop
culture and music includes books like Black
Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America and The
Hip Hop Wars: What We Talk About When We Talk About Hip Hopand Why It Matters,
can bear witness to disregard, disinterest and evasion of Hip-Hop within the
academy. Hip-Hop theory often takes flesh in forms of fun scholarship, many
detractors scowl. But at stake is the general incapacity to properly
understand, interpret and appreciate the creative and intellectual
contributions Black people have produced on these shores. Lets not forget,
Rose reminds, that Jazz, Blues and other musical forms continue to remain
marginal in music departments and in school curriculums generally.
Even more importantly, she says, all
black cultural forms suffer from misunderstanding because the larger cultural
contexts out of which they come are not studied and thus we create uneducated
cultural consumers. If students learned early on the value and virtue of
Hip-Hop, and understood the responsibility to consume critically, it would set
their feet firmly forever because, as Rose point out, I find that once you
know something, you cant un-know it.
But perhaps the Texas Board of Education
has a few lessons to teach the Hip-Hop community, amongst which must be that an
uneducated mind is a terrible thing to flaunt.
Tolu
Olorunda is a cultural critic whose work regularly appears on AllHipHop.com, TheDailyVoice.com and other online journals. He can can be reached at:
AllHiphop ChartWatch: Luda’s Got That No. 1 Spot!
ChartWatch for March 17, 2010
“I’m on the rise, so
many people despise me
Got party ammunition for those tryin to surprise me
It’s a celebration and everyone should invite me”
–
Christopher Ludacris Bridges
I dont
know if he is a despised as he likes to believe because a lot a fans showed up
to support him this week. Ludacris released
Battle of the Sexes last week and it
has moved 136,000 copies since its debut.
The Atlanta MC grabs the number one spot this week which is pretty big
for a rapper in todays sales climate.
He is
followed, at number two, by the Gorillaz (they have a rapper so Im including
them), the animated hip/pop/rap group and their latest disc Plastic Beach. The group sells 110,000 copies for the sales
week.
Sade takes
another dip, dropping from 2 to 6 and selling 55,000 copies of her latest album,
Soldier of Love.
The Black
Eyed Peas also drop a spot but continue to sell more copies of their monster
album The E.N.D. This week the group moves another 42,000
copies.
Moving
beyond the top ten we find Lil Wayne and his rock themed album Rebirth.
This week the New Orleans MC moves another 28,000 copies. Plus with Gucci Mane and Jay-Z falling out of
the top 50 the remaining album is from Waynes label Young Money. We Are
Young Money sells 15,000 copies and takes the 33rd spot.
There arent
too many albums dropping this week so well be back next time with more from
the charts.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Ice Cube’s About To Diss Somebody BAD!
DISCLAIMER:
All content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.
ICE CUBE GOES IN ON SOME NEWER WEST COAST RAPPERS!
You remember my rumor about Crooked-I, Glasses Malone and Bishop Lamont. Sounds like this is a continuing saga! Read below!
What’s up with these local MC’s in L.A. who keep disrespecting me? They’re just mad cause I don’t f### with they wack-ass. They ain’t on my level, why should I waste my time. I don’t even remember ever meeting these clowns or even being in the same room with any of ’em. They can’t make a name for themselves so they need help from the O/G’s. I refuse the throw’em a life line. F###’em. It ain’t my job to make nobody famous. And for the record, I ain’t scared of no n####. Especially, no rappers….seriously people.
Age-ism in rap? Age-ism is everywhere folks. In the work place, in sports and of course in hip-hop. We are a out with the OLD in with the NEW world. But as we go through life we realize NEWER ain’t always better. We find ourselves saying, “Back in the day, bah, bah, bah….” All young MC’s should route for old MC’s to have long careers. If you play us out, what kind of future do you have in hip-hop when you get 40?
Advice for young rappers: You gotta be hot on your block first, then your city, then your state, then your country, then the world. If you can’t make your block notice you. The world is a tall task.
ICE CUBE, WE LOVE YOU!!!
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!
-illseed
WHO: illseed.com
WHAT: Rumors
WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed
HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].
Court Issues Bench Warant on Lil Wayne for 2008 Case
(AllHipHop News) Despite currently serving a 1 year jail sentence in New York, Lil Wayne has been hit with a bench warrant for failing to appear in Arizona to face drug and weapon charges.
The warrant was issued by Superior Court Judge Mark Wayne Reeves this morning due to the superstar rapper not appearing for the courts final trial management conference. Wayne had previously pleaded not guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia, misconduct with weapons, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, and possession of dangerous drugs.
The case stems from a 2008 arrest when authorities claimed to have found cocaine, ecstasy, and a handgun on Waynes tour bus during a routine border check.
Waynes attorney James Tilson attempted to have the proposed March trial date delayed for the next 12 months, arguing theres no feasible way his client can attend while incarcerated in another state.
“Mr. Carter is being detained involuntarily in another jurisdiction, Tilson told the Yuma Sun. It does not appear that a trial will be occurring anytime within the next 8 to 12 months.
Lil Wayne is currently in protective custody to serve out his 1 year sentence in New York City for a guilty plea on attempted criminal possession of a weapon (.40 caliber semi-automatic pistol). He is eligible for release in 8 months due to good behavior.
If Wayne were free, the bench warrant would allow authorities to apprehend and bring him back to the issuing court to face any outstanding charges.
At press time, the prosecutors office in Yuma County has raised Lil Waynes bond from $10,000 to $150,000. A new trial date has not been decided.
DMX Sentenced To Six Months; Could Be Released To Rehab
(AllHipHop News) Rapper DMX appeared in a Phoenix, Arizona courtroom today (March 16) to face charges that he violated his probation last week, by using cocaine.
DMX, 39, was sentenced to six months in prison for failing a drug test last June according to prosecutor. He was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. The troubled rapper could be released in as little as six months, since he’s already been accepted by Dr. Drew Pinsky’s Pasadena Recovery Center, although he’s not expected to be featured on the show. DMX has been held without bond in the 4th Avenue jail since last Tuesday (March 9), after he was arrested by probate officers for regularly using the drug over the past nine months.
Simmons had been isolated from other inmates since being incarcerated in a Phoenix jail overseen by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who bills himself the toughest sheriff in America.
Arpaio called for DMX to serve time in prison, because the rapper has been arrested five times in Arizona, on charges ranging from drug possession and identity theft to animal cruelty.
Rappers seem to go to jail quite frequently, Arpaio stated. Why is he treated different, because he’s DMX and made some movies? If he stays in the jail long enough I’ll decide whether or not to put him in the drug prevention education program.”
The rapper spent 90 days in Arpaios Phoenix based “Tent City” prison, where inmates are forced to wear pink-stripped prison outfits.
Arpaio himself is under intense scrutiny and faces at least a dozen civil lawsuits for abusing his power against citizens, Hispanics and even Superior Court judges in the state.
AHH Stray News: Drake, Main Ingredient Eatery, TrackSlayerz Ink With T.I.
Canadian rapper Drake is one of several celebrities featured on a new charity song to raise relief money for Haiti. The track, which is a remix of KNaans song Wavin Flag and as produced by Bob Ezrin. The song also features Justin Bieber, Kardinall Offishall, Avril Lavigne and others. In related news, Drake recently began shooting the video for his new single Over in Los Angeles. According to reports, the clip will be directed by Anthony Mandler. A new restaurant is making headlines in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The Main Ingredient, a café/ale house, is named after Pete Rock and C.L. Smooths album of the same name. The restaurant is owned by Matt and Courtney Diamond, two fans of the genre. Most of the music played in the background is from the 1990s, Hip-Hops golden era. The eatery even offers the Charli 2Na sandwich on its menu, which also has a light, Hip-Hop theme. Management company Vakseen LLC has landed a production and publishing deal with T.I.s Grand Hustle imprint for TrackSlayerz, two producers the firm handles. Vakseen is owned by A&R exec Otha Vakseen Davis III, while TrackSlayerz consists of producers Dexter INF Randall and Demetri Price Duncan. The deal comes on the heels of the success of T.I.s Im Back, which was produced by The TrackSlayerz The 21-year-old producers also created the sounds for Jim Jones Pulling Me Back and Yung Jocs Posted at Da Store. The producers are working on tracks for Grand Hustle artists Young Dro and Yung L.A. Additionally, T.I. has selected three of their tracks for his highlight anticipated come back album, although T.I. has not decided which ones will make the final cut.
Common Headlines 11th Annual African-American Music Fest
(AllHipHop News) Chicago rapper Common will hit the stage at Cal State Northridge next week during the 11th Annual African-American Music Festival.
The festival takes place from March 22nd -27th and is free and open to the public.
The annual event is geared towards middle and high school students and allows the children to learn about the important contributions African-Americans have played in the development of popular music throughout the world. The six-day event features musical workshops, a networking forum, business educational panels and performances by Common and renowned jazz musician Washington Rucker.
“The festival has been an important addition to CSUNs community outreach in promoting music education regionally,” said Pan-African studies professor Deborah Broadous.
Broadous is the advisor of the African-American Music Association (A2MA), the student group that is organizing the event. “We believe in the power of mentorship and exposing these children to the most successful musicians and executives in the business. We hope to encourage these young people to pursue their dreams, Broadous added.
Common is expected to appear with former Ernie Singleton, former VP of Urban for MCA, on Thursday (March 25th) at 4:00 PM during the Music Business College Tour and Student Showcase.
The festival will culminate on March 27th with a gospel performance and reception at Calvary Baptist Church of Pacoima.
Nas, Damian Marley’s Distant Relatives Set For May; Tracklisting Revealed
(AllHipHop News) Nas and Damian Jr. Gong Marleys highly anticipated album Distant Relatives will land in stores on Tuesday, May 18th, label representatives confirmed today (March 16th).
The concept album traces Hip-Hops roots in Africa and how it was transported to the American colonies and the Caribbean during slavery, until it was finally exported to the parks and recreational centers in New York city. “Damian and Nas have made a groundbreaking album that combines the depth and vision of these two artists with a seminal musical and cultural thread of multiple generations,” stated Monte Lipman, President and CEO of Universal Republic Records. “We’re thrilled to play a role on what’s certain to be another pivotal album for both artists and one of the more unique collaborative efforts in recent years.”
The 14-track-effort was produced by Damian Marley and features guest appearances by Lil Wayne, KNaan, Joss Stone, Stephen Marley and Dennis Brown.
Fans will also receive a documentary film with the purchase of Distant Relatives, which also contains performances and public discussions, including portions of an event held with National Geographic Live in Washington, D.C. last December.
Distant Relatives is in stores May 18th. The track listing is below:
1. As We Enter
2. Tribal War (featuring K’NAAN)
3. Strong Will Continue
4. Leaders (featuring Stephen Marley)
5. Wisdom
6. Count Your Blessings
7. Dispear
8. The Promised Land (featuring Dennis Brown)
9. In His Own Words (featuring Stephen Marley)
10. Nah Mean
11. Friends
12. My Generation (featuring Lil Wayne and Joss Stone)
13. Africa Must Wake Up (featuring K’NAAN)
Slick Watts: The Grind Don’t Stop
The old saying goes: When opportunity knocks, answer the door, and for Martins Ferry, Ohio native, Slick Watts, he’s answered the door often. From early on hip- hop was a hobby but took a backseat for his love of basketball, it enabled him to travel out of the Ohio Valley and see what else the world offers. But with a successful college career on the court what’s the next step? A new challenge emerges: turning his hobby into his passion.Being a newcomer in the game Slick has been able to garner a lot of attention outside of the O.V., winning awards and accolades. His hustle and determination has enabled him to be able to do shows, go on tours, and being sponsored by clothing company Mitchell & Ness. Slick’s ability to become a chameleon within the bass lines makes him to look out for in the future. Just like on the court versatility helps a lot. AllHipHop spoke with the burgeoning artist to see what is happening in his world of music, sports, and things in between. Music“Yada Yada Yada” “Whisper In My Ear To Me” AllHipHop.com: Who is Slick Watts?Slick Watts: Slick Watts, is an up and coming rapper from a small town in Ohio, [called] Martins Ferry. That was focused on his dreams after college, and just trying to do big things, and been working real hard at it.AllHipHop.com: What sets you different from the pack?Slick Watts: I think , basically, the hard work, putting in hard work- and being a universal artist; I can get on a track with anybody and I’m not stuck in one box where a lot of people are just lyrical, or, just rap southern or whatever. I think I can do a little bit of everything, so I think kinda separates me. Also, a lot of artists aren’t humble; I’m always willing to learn. I’m always trying to be at where ever I need to be at conventions or whatever, trying to soak up everything I can.AllHipHop.com: Oh, you played A.A.U. ball?Slick Watts: Well, A.A.U., and I was player of the year my senior year in high school. Division III I was player of the year in the state of Ohio.AllHipHop.com: How’s you get into rap? Was it something you did to pass the time between games?Slick Watts: Yeah, that’s what it was. It was like basically just playing ball passing the time on the buses and stuff, and I had raps from when I was younger, me and my cousins had a group which didn’t pan out. I got a lot of good responses everyone was telling me I was nice, but at the time I was just so focused on basketball. So basically, it was just always a hobby and then I sat down with my manager after I was done with college and decided this is what I wanted to do with my life.AllHipHop.com: So when you finished college, why didn’t you try to further your B-ball career?Slick Watts: Well, after my junior year going into my regular senior year of college. I would have had a chance to go overseas and play if I would of played my regular year, but I had to sit out a year. So, after that it was just like on to the next one; and this was next for me.AllHipHop.com: Due to injury or something?Slick Watts: No, just not doing the right stuff in school. [Laughs]AllHipHop.com: Who were your influences?Slick Watts: Tupac was a big influence for me. Biggie. I was just really into entertainers like Michael Jackson just seeing how they controlled the crowd and being onstage and stuff like that.AllHipHop.com: How’d you link up with Ohio DJ Mick Boogie for the 25 to Life Mixtape?Slick Watts: I just hooked up with him because at the time we were doing a lot of research and he was the biggest DJ in Ohio at the time, now he’s moved to NYC. He did that Viva La Hov Mixtape that did something crazy like 600,000 downloads in a day or whatever. He was the guy to do it with and I sent him some of my music. He liked it and we just went on from there.AllHipHop.com: For an unsigned artist, you really have some clout, how’d you link with Stall & Dean Clothing?Slick Watts: It was actually a blessing, man. I was up in Cleveland for the new music seminar and we [publicist] had been talking to Tone Capone Executive VP of Universal/ Motown/SRC. We were actually meeting with Tone, sitting down with him trying to pick his brain just getting different information and taking notes. The Director of Marketing for Stall & Dean actually walked up to Tone and was talking to him at the time. He remembered me from the Underground Music Awards from the year before and it kind of just snowballed from there. Just being in the right place at the right time, and being affiliated with the right people.AllHipHop.com: New opportunities open doors…Slick Watts: Right. Right. When he heard the music and seen the work ethic he was definitely on board. So, big shout out to Rikers of Stall & Dean.AllHipHop.com: What was it like winning the ‘Best Midwest Artist’ at this past years Underground Music Awards in NYC?Slick Watts: Yeah, that was definitely the goal. The year before I was up for it and lost. To actually win it that was definitely the goal, and it let us know that we’re moving in the right direction, cause a lot of times you know I might get frustrated and think we’re just standing still but, it let us know we’re moving in the right direction and people were checking for me outside of Ohio. Its the biggest thing to happen to date.AllHipHop.com: You got a club joint with Mike Jones called Danger it has a different feel and vibe to it from the other joints that I’ve heard.Slick Watts: See, that’s what I was trying to do. Basically, I’m always trying to go a little bit further, so a lot of people would put me in a hole like, ‘Oh, he’s just a mixtape artist.’ So, I wanted to show them that I could get away from the mixtapes for a little and make national hit records. AllHipHop.com: I see showing depth and also not just being one dimensional. How’d you link with Mike for the track?Slick Watts: Just through networking, you know. I don’t know who Arica [publicist] had talked to or whatever. We were networking, I actually did a show with him last month down here in the O.V., which was a big success and we actually performed Danger at the show, so, not only did we come together but we also did the song too and it snowballed into that.AllHipHop.com: How’d you get to be part of the Russ Parr bus tour?Slick Watts: It was basically my manager and the people who voted. Basically, I put my song in for the Russ Parr show competition called Yes We Can, which was on AllHipHop.com on the day of the election. They [the show staff] really liked the song, and the fans voted me in. It was a great opportunity Letoya Luckett was there, and Yo Gotti. There was all kind of people there.AllHipHop.com: Hey you can’t go wrong with a presidential song especially on that monumental day. That’s a bonafide winner.Slick Watts: Exactly.AllHipHop.com: Any other projects that you are working on?Slick Watts: Right now, I just hooked up with world famous DJ Fresh he’s on Cleveland 107.9fm he’s actually playing Yada Yada Yada there. He also has a set on the Russ Parr Morning show as well. So, we just linked up and he became my official DJ, and he’s also with the League Crew with Mick Boogie which is a large DJ collective. Mick Boogie has a lot of DJ’s under him and he’s real big in Cleveland. Right now we’re also working on a mixtape before I drop my album 1000 Watts.AllHipHop.com: Sounds good. Do you have a set date for dropping the album or is it still up in the air?Slick Watts: It’s still tentative. I want to see how the song Danger does. I think that might be the first single off the album, so we’re still waiting on that. Also, I need to talk with DJ Fresh as far as what we’re gonna do with the mixtape and everything.AllHipHop.com: How can fans contact you?Slick Watts: Wattsymusic.com, which is my official website. Twitter.com/slickwatts. You can get me on Myspace.com/wattsymusic. That’s basically it Twitter, MySpace, and my official site.AllHipHop.com: Cool. Thanks for the time, man.Slick Watts: Oh and real quick, I wanna give Steve [Raze] a big shout out, too. I met him in Cleveland at the New Music Seminar and then he seen me at the Underground Music Awards, we were talking up there he congratulated me and everything. He only plays it if its hot, its basically a good way for me to get my music judged by him. Steve won’t put it up there if it isn’t; I appreciate him keeping it real like that.Video “I’m Goin In”Visit Slick Watts at:Wattsymusic.com Twitter.com/slickwattsMyspace.com/wattsymusic
Snoop Dogg To Perform At Glastonbury Festival
(AllHipHop News) Its been less than a week since Snoop Dogg won his battle to enter the UK and the rapper is already being courted for one of the countrys biggest and oldest festivals.
Michael Eavis, organizer of the Glastonbury Festival, revealed that he is working hard to bring Snoop Dogg to the festival this year.
According to Eavis, his daughter Emily is a huge fan of Snoop Dogg.
Emily was also responsible for booking Jay-Z into a headlining act in 2008, a move which drew criticism from a few artists, most notably Oasis front man Noel Gallagher.
“She’s a bright girl and she is very keen on Snoop Dogg doing the show, so we want him, Eavis told the UKs Sun newspaper. “Her real claim to fame is booking Jay-Z. She came up with the idea, so I phoned his manager. At the end of a 40-minute chat he said Jay-Z would do the show, and the rest is history.”
Snoop Dogg was banned from the UK in 2006, after his entourage became involved in a brawl with airport security, when they were denied access to a first class area of the airport.
The rapper, who was also banned from Australia, won his appeal to enter the UK last week after several appeals during a four-year court battle to re-enter the country.
Lloyd Banks Ft. Cassidy, Maino, Red Cafe, Royce 5’9, Joell Ortiz, Juelz Santana, And Joe Budden
“Beamer, Benz, Or Bentley (Massive Trip Remix)”
Fabolous Ft. Nicki Minaj
“For The Money”
Rick Ross Ft. OJ Da Juiceman
“Poppin Bottles”