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Termanology Ft. Skyzoo and Reks Produced By J Dilla [Heater Of The Day]
“Bars 4 The Stars”
The Notorious B.I.G. Ft. CJ Wallace and Faith Evans
“One More Chance [The Legacy Remix]”
B-Real Ft. Damian Jr Gong Marley
“Fire”
Trae and Rob G
“Black and Brown”
TOP 5 DEAD OR ALIVE: Juelz Santana
Well, well, well. We welcome supporters, complainers, and swagger jackers alike back to the trillest column in Hip-Hop, TOP 5 DEAD OR ALIVE. Yes we return with more of the real.
This week we holler at the young boy Juelz Santana for his top five list. The Harlem Diplomat has recently upped his profile with some spicy cameos (“Pop Champagne”) and his new movement to move with it, the Skull Gang. Maybe you’ll agree with picks, maybe you won’t, but you got to respect his opinion splash (pause). Let’s get into it.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Juelz Santana: B.I.G. brought a different element to the game. At the same time he told stories like no other. His world play was crazy. His versatility was crazy, his swagger was unique. He just captured that element of a hood n**** and took it to the B.I.G. Poppa element. That whole Life After Death man, that whole sh*t is just stupid.
Still to this day, that’s sh*t is better than n****’s albums that came out yesterday and all that. He said “Armed and dangerous / Ain’t too many can bang with us / Straight up weed no angel dust / Label us Notorious / Thug ass n****s that love to bust”. That was hard, right now that’s harder than a lot of n****s sh*t.
2Pac
Juelz Santana: I got to give ‘Pac that love too. ‘Pac was that n**** too. ‘Pac was arrogant and cocky but at the same time, was an activist. He carried himself in a manner like nobody else. He told it like it was. He said whatever the f*** he wanted, did whatever the f*** he wanted, whatever way he wanted to do it. You dig what I’m saying?
He didn’t bite his tongue, he worked like a dog; he’ definitely was a problem. He is the definition of the saying you get what you put in. He put in a lot and got back a lot. He touched people like nobody else touched people; in a way where they are teaching about 2Pac in colleges and sh*t like that. Me Against The World is my favorite album.
Rakim
Juelz Santana: Well Rakim started this sh*t when it came to the rapping how n****s is supposed to be rapping. Rakim is what rapping is with the metaphors and controlling that microphone. He was that n**** and he had swag from back in the days. Like he brought that hood element, that got to get paid sh*t and his lyrics were on point. Sharper than I don’t know, a shanghai sword. He was that n****.
Jay-Z
Juelz Santana: Why wouldn’t people expect that choice from me? It’s about being real, we being real right? Jay definitely with what he brought to the game. I don’t think he’s at that same place now. As far what we talking about, I definitely would put him on that list. When it comes to hustling, that talk, the trendsetting; he’s definitely a trendsetter too. He didn’t set all the trends, but he set trends. Lyrically he’s hard.
[In regards to his favorite Jay-Z album]
Ugh, I’m not going to front he had a couple of classic albums. It’s either Reasonable Doubt or The Blueprint, but that Hard Knock Life was crazy too; I f*** with Jay [musically].
Lil Wayne
Juelz Santana: There’s a lot of n****s I f*** with but I wouldn’t put them on my top five. Matter of fact I’m going to put my n**** Weezy on there, f*** that. As far as new school rappers, I feel that look as far as he has come. He definitely wasn’t at a level were he’s at now.
He definitely came far and he worked real hard. He grinded and he deserve everything he got. He deserves to call himself the best rapper right now. He’s been rapping hard for a minute. People can give themselves any title they want, but they got to prove it and he went hard.
[In regards to I Can’t Feel My Face]
We just got to get through the politics. The album is done though, that’s the most beautiful part. I’m about to listen to some of the songs after I get off the phone with you.
THE SIDEBAR:
A lot of folks felt in a way about the borderline h### erotic end scene of the “Pop Champagne” video where Juelz, Jim and Zeek where dousing each other in the bubbly. Santana says “when teams win the championship they do that sh*t”. Feel better now?
GM Cancels 50 Cent’s G8 Truck
General Motors Corporation has confirmed today (January 7) plans to cancel the Pontiac G8, a 50 Cent sponsored sport truck.
The two-door, six-foot bed vehicle was scheduled to debut in North America in 2010.
50 Cent first introduced the G8 sport truck last March at the New York International Auto Show.
In a statement to the Associated Press, Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson stated the cancellation is part of a restructuring plan within GM due to the recession and the company’s long-term “vision for Pontiac.”
Furthermore, Hopson clarified that the canceled truck does not change production plans for other G8 vehicles.
The latest setback for 50 comes as MTV canceled the mogul’s high-profile reality show 50 Cent: The Money and the Power.
Citing listless ratings, the network cut the show after just six episodes and has declined to green light a second season.
50 will be moving forward with the release his fourth studio album Before I Self-Destruct, which is now scheduled for February 3 release.
The highly anticipated LP will be packaged with an original movie by the same title, which marks 50’s directorial debut.
The just finalized track listing showcases four tracks produced by Dr. Dre, and additional production from Hi-Tek, DJ Khalil, Don Cannon, Red Spyda, Scott Storch, and J.R. Totem.
The streamlined guest-list features G-Unit, Eminem, Swizz Beatz, Nate Dogg, and Dr. Dre.
Exile: MPC Technician
These days, one would be hard-pressed to find a Hip-Hop fan that
is satisfied with the culture’s representation on mainstream radio. Take Los Angeles’
Exile, the man responsible for the exceptional production work on 2007’s
critically acclaimed collaboration with rapper Blu, Below the Heavens. Long exasperated by
the lack of originality on the radio, the sought-after producer brainstormed a
concept to reinvent radio through the use of Hip-Hop’s first technique, sampling.
On January 20th, Exile will unveil his innovative
instrumental album Radio, an LP
comprised solely of samples taken directly from LA’s vast radio market. And
like any skilled artist, the talented boardsmith aims
to showcase the inner beauty masked under the payola-driven, banal surface of
most radio outlets. Take heed.
AllHipHop.com: In
2007 around the time Below the Heavens
dropped, you stated that mainstream Hip-Hop was stagnant because it only had
one face or sound. Do you think mainstream Hip-Hop has made any strides to
become more diverse, or do you think it’s been more of the same?
Exile: Man, I
haven’t been listening to the radio at all. I turn the radio on now and there
used to be a few commercial Hip-Hop songs I could stand. [Now] all I hear is
that vocoder s**t. I’m amazed by what they’re playing
on the radio over here. I listen to it for a couple minutes and then turn it
off. That vocoder s**t has taken over the game and I
can’t believe it.
They just find one thing that works and everyone jumps on
the bandwagon trying to get a piece of the action.
Unfortunately even Kanye did.Exile Flips Q-Tip “Let’s Ride” – P###. by J Dilla from Jonathan Kim on Vimeo.AllHipHop.com:
Did you have any idea that vocal effect would have such a lasting impact on
Hip-Hop and popular music in general this year?
Exile: I didn’t
think the music industry and fans were that retarded, but I guess they are.
They’re just ready to eat whatever’s given to them. It’s a shame. Hopefully as
people we’ll get educated enough to look through all the art that’s out there
and select what we like as opposed to what’s forced on us.
AllHipHop.com:
One good thing that has come out of radio is the instrumental Radio album that’s coming out January
20th. How long did it take you to compile all the samples and
melodies needed for the project?
Exile: There was
one point I thought I was done with the album. It took me about half a year. As
I played it for someone that was interested, they preferred putting out an
instrumental album of beats I already had. I was like, “Man, you’re tripping.”
I was like, F**k that, I’m just going to make a bunch of more beats off the
radio and show this cat that this is the project to put out. I worked on it for
another six months.
I would just listen and listen [to the radio] and sample
when I thought it was time to. I would actually have ideas of certain types of
vocals I would want on the beat and I would listen until I captured the right
thing or that spoken something I could manipulate.Exile “Milli” Video from Jonathan Kim on Vimeo.AllHipHop.com:
From the sounds you can tell that you didn’t focus on one particular genre like
a rock or Hip-Hop station. But when you ended up with the finished product,
were there certain sounds you leaned towards or did it stay diverse from
beginning to end?
Exile: I pretty
much spanned the whole radio market. There are some songs where I take some
mainstream records and flip it to where it sounds like an alien song. You
wouldn’t even know where it’s from. I sampled everything from Hip-Hop to jazz
to opera to static to even weird radio waves I would get from the AM stations.
I was really trying to capture the essence of the radio whether that be static, jazz, or talk shows on spirituality or political
issues.
AllHipHop.com: Do
you feel you were able to be more creative with the arrangements as opposed to
if you had an emcee rapping over them?
Exile: It left it
completely open to fill in [the space] where an MC would normally rap. It gave
me a lot more freedom to play with the music and have more things going on.
With an MC it would be too much. It allowed me to find a voice in the radio and
the vocal samples I spoke about to communicate something as opposed to just
playing beats. I knew I wanted to do an instrumental album, but different. I
wanted it to be more than just a beat record and to tell a story vocally and
musically.
Blu & Exile “Blu Collar Workers” Video
AllHipHop.com:
When Hip-Hop began the DJ held prominence, and then it went to the MC. Now, it
seems that the producers are at the forefront. Most consumers will make
decisions on purchasing an album based on the production lineup. Do you think
it will get to the point where Hip-Hop producers can make instrumental albums
like this and have it be appreciated the same way as their jazz counterparts?
Exile: Yeah, I
think it’s possible and has happened with cats like DJ Shadow and Flying Lotus.
You can even say Moby but I wouldn’t consider that Hip-Hop but instrumental
music standing alone. The way I see underground Hip-Hop moving we’re gonna have to start making records that are more
personable, like one producer produces the whole record. I see that as much
more attractive than grabbing a bunch of producers just for the name.
The danger of doing that as an up and coming artist is that
they just may send you some whatever beats. With one producer there’s more soul
to it. It allows both more chances to shine.
AllHipHop.com: You’re
really skillful at conveying messages without the use of vocals, as seen on the
Radio track “The Machine.” Is that a
skill you credit to studying jazz musicians, or through some of your influences
like J Dilla?
Exile: I think
it’s all of that; music in general and the way it makes you feel. I definitely
feel Dilla and jazz plays a big part in that. [Also]
it’s what I feel when I listen to a song, and what type a message I can put
along with it.Emanon “More Than You Know” Video
AllHipHip.com:
With Hip-Hop a lot of business savvy artists can eliminate the middle man and
get their music directly out to the fans. But the
downside is that you as an artist have to be more hands on with the stuff a
label would normally handle. Has the business end affected any of your
creativity when you have to push all that out of your head when it’s time to go
in the studio?
Exile: Lately
I’ve had to play the label [role] to make sure everything gets done. I’ve been
able to find a balance and still be creative. It hasn’t hindered my creativity…but
maybe in some ways it has. But I still find the time to make things happen.
“Yes” and “no” I’d have to say.
AllHipHop.com: A
lot of artists in a lighthearted way list you as the most difficult person to
work with in the studio, meaning that you push until the work is absolutely
perfect. Explain why MCs would list your name in that category.
Exile: Because
I’ll deny songs, and want artists to do different verses and spit it in
different ways. Sometimes they’ll be happy with it and I won’t. That can cause
frustration. It’s never too big of an issue, but it’s truly pushing to write
more. [But] it does end up working out. There are a lot of producers who work
like that, but I may be the first producer some of these artists have worked
with [that’ll speak up].
AllHipHop.com:
From what you’re saying it’s important to be a producer over just a beatmaker that sends in tracks.
Exile: Yeah! I’ll
produce on the whole record for sure. I’m pushing for classic records every
time. That’s what I want. I let that be known and my presence is in there with
the record trying to make that happen, but also to still make it natural.
AllHipHop.com: Your
work has started drawing the attention of big names like 50 Cent and Akon. Do you find the bigger stars are more resistant to
the criticism you offer in the studio?
Exile: Some of
the more established artists are…yeah. If they like the record cool, but if
they want to really sit with me in the studio that’s fine too but that hasn’t
really been the case. I haven’t really been unhappy with the work mainstream
artists have been doing. It’s normally just one track. If it’s a handful of
songs it’ll be a different story.
AllHipHop.com:
You came up in 1998 which is when there really started
to be a divide between underground, mainstream, and the definition of “real
Hip-Hop.” It’s carried over to now although it’s not as prominent. When you
hear the term “real Hip-Hop,” do you feel it stifles the creativity of artists trying
to think outside the box? Or do you think no matter how creative you are, there are still laws and boundaries you have to abide
by when you do Hip-Hop music?
Exile: People
think there’s rules and boundaries, which makes Hip-Hop a very conservative art
form. It’s important at this time for Hip-Hop to come out of that. To break
what we think Hip-Hop should be and just to express ourselves in a spiritual or
political fashion. In that way the music will grow, or in a way that teaches
the youth correctly [and gives them] something to relate to and feel like a
normal human being.
AllHipHop.com:
You hear from a lot of fans that they want the music to be different, but when
that type of music is released it’s not supported. Some artists get resentful
and upset about that. Have you had to deal with those same feelings?
Exile: Most of
the responses I’ve gotten have been positive. But I have noticed that with Blu and what he did with C.R.A.C. Knuckles. I wasn’t
involved in [it], but some listeners weren’t too accepting of that. Those are
just cats that are used to having their Hip-Hop a certain way. But there are
those [who are] open to something new and totally embrace it. It takes that
disagreement for the music to grow and stretch [the boundaries].
AllHipHop.com:
This album is mostly a promotional tool to keep your name out there. What other
projects are on tap for 2009?
Exile: I’m
wrapping up an album with a 19 year old rapper named Fashawn
out of Fresno called Boy Meets World.
Besides that, I executive produced an album from my man Blame One called Days Chasing Days. I did the majority of
the beats but he has some joints from people like Black Milk. Blu and Aloe are on there as well along with Sean Price.
I’m doing an album with my man Johaz from Deep
Rooted. A lot of it is a darker side to Hip-Hop, more rough. I see another
direction he can take with his rugged side.
Me and Aloe are about six songs
deep into the new Emanon project. It has been going amazingly. Aloe’s been
singing lately but man his raps are better than ever. We got the title already,
A Bird Eye’s View. I’m real excited
about that record.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Master P’s Nephew Brags About Yung Berg Fight?
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.
TODAY’S RUMORS!
YUNG BERG GETS BEAT UP AGAIN?
Aw man…please don’t say this is true. PLEASE. It is looking like Yung Berg has already taken an L this year, if my intel is correct. The rumor is, ugly indeed and it appears that rappers are using Berg – just to get a rep. Anyway, somebody I “know” was walking out of Club Cabana in Hollywood, and a big fight broke out. When they looked it seemed to be a scrap with Yung-Berg and Master P’s nephew Young Trump, who is a rapper (wink wink). Rumor says, they had it going throwing fist and all, the fight was one on one, by some form of miracle. “They” said it was a pretty even fight until Young Trump swung and knocked out Yung Berg. According to the rumor, Yung Berg’s security then jumped in to fend off this Master P-nephew-named-after-Trump. Then, the club security finally broke it all up. So, I did a lil research and the dude Trump says on his page: “yung-berg n#### we got yah!!!!!” and the following image:
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I hope this isn’t true, but if there are some facts to it,
it certain sets a bad tone for the New Year. I am wondering why artists don’t
do better about making classic music and having an affect on their fans lives
that lasts forever like the rappers that I loved.
SUGE GET INTO FIGHT WITH PAPARRAZI?
Did you hear about Suge Knight getting into a fight in Las Vegas, because a paparazzi attempted to take a picture of him? A female that I am familiar with hit me up and told me she was staying in Vegas with some friends and spotted Suge. She didn’t do anything like try to get a picture, because people told her about a fight the previous night that involved somebody trying to get or take a picture with him. I don’t really see Suge beating up a women that wants a flick, do you?!
50 CENT REJECTS A PREEMO BEAT!!!
I was reading over at BeatDynasty.com and 50 Cent recently turned down the legendary DJ Premiere for a track! I mean, this is not a rumor. Anyway, this is what happened, 50 Cent heard the beat and didn’t like it. Meanwhile, 50 Cent got the other greatest producer Dr. Dre to do his current new song. I think a Preemo beat would have been a good way to reinforce what Dre has now. Anyway, Preem wasn’t upset. He just kept it moving to Xtina Ag or Luda or somebody.
50’s TRACKLISTING?
MurK From the IC said this is the tracklisting for 50’s New CD, Before I Self Destruct:
01. Intro
02. Came To Win (Produced by Red Spyda)
03. Get Up (Produced by Scott Storch)
04. Need Your Hate (Produced by Dr. Dre)
05. Here For A Reason (feat. Nate Dogg) (Produced by Tha Bizness)
06. Good To Be A Gangsta (Produced by Ty Fyffe & Sha Money XL)
07. Don’t Mess With 50 (Produced by Don Cannon)
08. Trust In Me (Produced by J.R. Rotem)
09. Norman Bates Motel (feat. Eminem) (Produced by Dr. Dre)
10. B#### I’m Sorry (Produced by Needlz)
11. All For You (Produced by Hi-Tek)
12. No Time To Lose (feat. Swizz Beatz) (Produced by The Individuals)
13. Lonely At The Top (Produced by Play-N-Skillz)
14. You Need Us (feat. Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo) (Produced by DJ Khalil)
15. Different Path (feat. Dave Young) (Produced by Havoc)
16. I Get It In (Produced by Dr.Dre)
17. Somebody Forgive Me (Produced by Jake One)
18. My Reign (Produced by Eminem)
19. Ready For War (feat. Dr.Dre) (Produced by Dr. Dre)
DAME DASH PASSES THE TORCH TO SON
Damon Dash has been a staple in the rap game for quite some, good and the not-so-good. Well, it appears that Dame’s son Boogie (Damon Dash II) has discovered his Hip-Hop calling and he’s opted to be a DJ. Dame is having (or had a party) for Boogie with DJ Peter Parker at The Plumm. Good too see father helping son getting the game in a way that’s pretty darn positive.
GANGSTA BOO RETURNS!
Gangsta Boo is back, F**k Boy!
RAPPERS GETTING HUSTLED BY THE HUSTLER?
On the Fresh Rhymes Tour, a man claimed to be the friend of producer The Alchemist during a tour stop at the House of Blues. The man came fully equipped with about five bodyguards and several beautiful women in tow. Well, then it was like WHO IS THIS DUDE? Anyway, he claimed to know Alchemist from a previous occasion and met people through other big names in the Hip-Hop game. Come to find out, this dude is wanted in a BIG WAY! Click here to see the real deal holyfield about this man.Here is a news story.
THE SOURCE OF THE HOT DR. DRE/ EMINEM SONG!
I got a heater for you beat digger! Check out what I unearthed thanks to my homey Arthur, a fan of French folk music. We were chopping it up over the dopeness of the new Dre/Eminem/50 Cent song called “Crack A Bottle.”
With that, I offer you: “Mike Brant – Mais Dans La Lumière”
COOLIO GETTING ON PEOPLE’S NERVES?
Coolio is in full swing on Big Brother UK talking about, “Where the chicken at?” I got some info from Maestro. He said that Coolio is getting on everybody’s nerves on Big Brother. Apparently, he talks a lot and generally talks about himself. I know Cool used to be a hot Hip-Hop commodity and he recently made a “cooking” comeback. They said one time he talked for 37 minutes straight. Also, the producers of the show had to talk to him about cursing and using the N-Word on the show. They have rules about that in the UK! LOL. LaToya is on there too. That’s LaToya Jackson. (Shout out to Wassim D from the UK!)
HUH? NIVEA IS PREGNANT?
I may have missed this one. But a ways back when Lil Wayne had his most recent baby, he apparently made a reference to another child on the way. And apparently, that reference is coming to life. I heard Nivea, one of Wayne’s loves, is with child. I wasn’t able to find anything that could support this information so it’s all conjecture. Anyway…we know that initially, it was thought that Nivea was having his kid in the first place. Remember she was singing to him on his birthday or something? Well, as with all these rumors, we’ll see!
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
J-Lo and Marc Anthony are either staging the biggest PR stunt or just ignoring the rumors. They were spotted in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the inauguration ceremony for Governor Luis Fortuno.
I heard a bizarre rumor that Lil Kim, early on, wanted an Asian woman to play her in “Notorious.” Now, on record Kim says she had nothing to do with the movie. That’s a strange one.
Somebody told me Obama’s twitter go hacked, but I couldn’t tell when I got there.
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END
In Ohio, a damn 4 year old can kill you. Police charge that a 4-year-old got so p##### at his baby sitter than he grabbed a shotgun and shot him. This is right: a 4 year old fired a shotgun at an 18 year old. Nathan Beavers, 18, managed to survive the blast. What set the boy off? Beavers was watching the child in a mobile home and accidentally stepped on the boy’s foot. It was pretty crowded, because there were other kids there and other teens as well. The 4-year-old boy went into a closet and fired away. Question: how does a 4 year old know how to blast a shotgun? Question 2: How does a a 4 year old deal with the kickback?
Signs Part TWO: I am trying so hard to not be filled with hate and anger at the police, read this CNN story on 22-year-old Oscar Grant. “Burris said the bullet went through Grant’s back and then ricocheted off the floor and through his lungs.” Killed an unarmed man and father of a baby girl.
EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY
LOL…this is too much. Which one of Joe Budden’s enemies put this out there? LOL! The man behind the mask lost.
Epic Fail TWO: A German billionaire kill himself due to financial crisis. SMH.
THIS WEEK WITH JASIRI X
With this Ep of Jasiri X, I realize change isn’t really on the horizon. LOL. Barack is an American president who is basically in a lose/lose situation. Shout out to Cynthia McKinny, the “other” Black presidential candidate. She’s out doing WORK.
MY DAILY TWO CENTS: OBAMA’S ALMOST THERE!
I was thinking about Obama and the presidency he’s going to have to have in order to be successful. I thought about it and I realize that dude isn’t going to be able to “win” in the eyes of many. First, of all, even if he has the best of intentions, he IS a president in America. That means, you get down or lay down if you ask me. I’m pretty convinced that Barack isn’t interested in getting shot since he’s “seen the mountaintop.” I hope that he gets to work for at least eight years to really have a chance to do some improving. But, I can’t help but think he and we have put him in a spot where he’s not going to “win” in the eyes of many.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING – allhiphoprumors@gmail.com.
SHELZ BRINGS THE RUMORS
Katt Williams Responds to Slap Heard Round the D…
Mr. Williams told the good folks over at WJLB he was in a club in Detroit when he was offered a chance to do a little freestyle on the mic so he took the opportunity. There was some back and forth between him and one of the other patrons and that other patron was mean muggin Katt. Fellow patron said he was going to punch Katt, knock him out and take his jewelry. Katt admits the man did hit him, but it wasn’t a big deal. He wasn’t hurt. And I guess ole dude had nothing for Katt after that because that was the end of it. Katt also said his limo driver has been telling the story to the media even though he was outside, so Katt will be getting at him momentarily. Only issue is though, a couple of the folks who called into to the show felt like Katt was trying to downplay the incident. One lady even said he was slapped to the ground. I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but you know the slap bandits have already started taking responsibility on youtube.
Weezy Talks College Football
He looks so neat. Yes, that’s the only thing I have to offer because I know nothing of college football. So I can’t even tell you if he seems to know what he’s talking about.
T.I. Paid the Suits
Just in case you were concerned, the AP is reporting that T.I. showed up to court on time yesterday and paid his son’s mother’s attorneys. He told the court the non-payment of the legal bill was an oversight. Easy Mo Bee Talks Notorious
Do you remember this interview AHH did? Easy Mo Bee had this to say about his odd deletion from BIG’s legacy and his being left out of the film, Notorious: “I was kinda furious, kinda confused, kinda hurt,” Mo Bee shared with
AllHipHop.com. “The world knows that Biggie’s beginnings, especially
with the connection with production, started with me. I’m the first
real producer that Biggie went into a real studio with. I’m not saying
that before that he wasn’t recording, doing demos at people’s houses
and different stuff like that. But when he worked with me, the stuff
that we came up with on Ready to Die, ended up being half of that
album.”Mo Bee seems to be blaming Diddy on this one. He reportedly said that that his not accepting Diddy as a Manager and questioning him about the production credits on a song may have led to Diddy not incorporating him into the BIG legacy.
But this is mostly Ms. Wallace, right? hmmm…
For more, go to illseed.com. Or just follow me at http://twitter.com/illseed
BOOGIE, WE LOVE YOU!!!
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!
-illseed
WHAT: Rumors
WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed
HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at allhiphoprumors@gmail.com.
– allhiphop rumors
Hughes Brothers’ Pimp Drama Under Fire By City Of Oakland
The Hughes Brothers’ latest project Gentlemen of Leisure has come under fire by city officials who worry about the effect the new HBO drama will have on the world’s view of Oakland.
According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the controversy is putting the new show’s shooting location in jeopardy, as members of the Oakland City Council and others debate whether or not to approve a film permit for the production.
Originally announced in July, Gentlemen of Leisure follows the life of a legendary Oakland pimp, as he struggles to leave the hustle.
The series, written by Evan Reilly, delves into the overall hustlers’ subculture by examining the conflict between old-school pimps and the younger guys whose approach incorporates the violence of the drug culture.
The City of Oakland’s concern is that the show will take advantage of the negative reputation already associated with the Bay Area hub and create an environment that will lead to the further exploitation of women.
That image would stand in exact opposition of Mayor Ron Dellums’ plan to create a “model city.”
The Hughes brothers, however, argue that their aim is to do for Oakland what The Wire did for the city of Baltimore by staying as true to reality as possible.
“It’s The Wire meets The Sopranos set in Oakland in a crime element never used before,” Allen Hughes told The San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s not just about pimps and prostitutes, but also about the history of a city that never got it’s due. Like Detroit or Miami and a lot of other cities, Oakland is steeped in heavy street industry, in rackets. I’m just going to say it, Oakland is a pimpin’ town. It’s flourished there. And whenever and wherever street life is celebrated, the city gets a shout out.”
In previous interviews about the project, Allen Hughes explained that Gentlemen of Leisure would be a departure from the traditional portrayal of pimp culture and would explore the human conditions it creates.
“This isn’t something we take lightly and we’re not doing a show about a t##### pimp,” Hughes added recently. “The city is the star of the show, and characters spring forth from that.”
Even if they are denied permission to shoot in Oakland, the Hughes Brothers plan on starting production on Gentlemen of Leisure in the fall.
The show is executive produced by Interscope Records Chairman Jimmy Iovine and Polly Anthony for Interscope’s TV unit.
Iovine has voiced his interest in tying the drama heavily to Hip-Hop music.
Live Nation Announces Jay-Z/Obama D.C. Concert On Jan. 19
Live Nation has confirmed an inauguration concert in Washington D.C., featuring Mogul/rapper Jay-Z on January 19.
The rapper will be backed by a live band when he hit’s the stage at The Warner Theatre in D.C., which is located on 13th Street.
Prior to Barack Obama’s historic election as the first African-American of the United States, Jay-Z championed the president’s bid for office via concerts, voter registration drives nationwide and through his celebratory track “History.”
“I need y’all to be really, really quiet for this. I need you to really understand what I’m telling you,” Jay-Z told young fans during a rally at The Uptown Theater for Obama in Philadelphia in early November.
“Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama’s running so we all can fly,” Jay-Z said.
For Obama’s part, he has already expressed that he is a fan of Jay-Z’s music and admitted to listening to the popular rapper on his iPod.
He even gave a nod to Jay-Z, when he “brushed dirt off of his shoulders” in response to jabs directed at him from former presidential hopeful, Senator Hillary Clinton.
Tickets for the event are slated to go on sale January 9 at 10:00 am via ticketmaster, Livenation.com or the Warner Theatre Box Office.
Barack Obama will officially be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on January 20 in Washington, D.C.
Queen Latifah Renews Deal as Jenny Craig Spokeswoman
Grammy winning rapper/singer and Oscar-nominated actress Queen Latifah has confirmed that she will retain her position in 2009 as spokeswoman for Jenny Craig.
Latifah, real name Dana Owens, began her duties for the company just last year. The long-running weight loss chain has been very pleased with Latifah’s embodiment of their ideals.
In 2008, the pioneer female emcee reached a personal weight loss goal by losing 20 pounds.
“We are proud of Queen Latifah’s achievements and are excited to continue the relationship,” stated Scott Parker, vice president of marketing for Jenny Craig, to AllHipHop.com. “Queen Latifah embodies the healthy lifestyle principles and character that Jenny Craig stands for and we look forward to another great year.”
Even with the weight loss, Latifah reiterated that her goal is not be “skinny,” but to maintain a suitable weight for health improvement, and inspire fellow plus size women to do the same.
“They see that I’m doing this for the health reasons but also say, ‘She’s still representing for the big girls. She hasn’t abandoned us!'” Latifah explained to People. “This is me doing something for me, but if I am going to be a role model, I hope people can catch on.”
In addition to her Jenny Craig position, Latifah is also a celebrity spokeswoman for CoverGirl cosmetics.
The partnership has spawned Latifah’s own line aimed at women of color named The CoverGirl Queen Collection.
The Queen is currently working on her Hip-Hop comeback LP, entitled The L Word.
So far she has collaborated with Dr. Dre, Ludacris, and LL Cool J.
Latifah’s last album was the 2007 well-received Trav’lin’ Light, a collection of jazz standards.
Tomorrow (January 7), Queen Latifah will host the 2009 People’s Choice Awards, which airs live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles from 8-pm Pacific time.
Common’s 2009 Message
Common speaks on what’s planned for 2009 on his video blog.
Asher Roth Ft. Jim Jones
“College Remix”
Alternative Pick: Rihanna Ft. Chris Brown
“Bad Girl”
N.O.R.E. Ft. Capone, Busta Rhymes and Ron Brownz
“Rotate Remix”
Esso [Heater Of The Day]
“Dear 2009”
Mistah F.A.B. Ft. Clyde Carson
“I’m So Fly”
Fly Union
“Coming To America”
Yung Texxus Ft. K.O.
“I Got It”
