“Poppin”
“Poppin”
“How Many Girls”
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.
EPIC FAIL OF THE DECADE…
I don’t know exactly what happened before the video started rolling, but as it was rolling…it seemed like this young man thought he was going to beat up and old man. By the end of the tape, son was leaking all over asking for an ambulance. SMH…EPIC FAIL!
video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player
Leave old war vets alone, kids…lmao!
TAHIRY’S NEW GUY!
Here is Play and Tahiry…a first look at a new budding couple, it would seem. Maybe Play will produce a beat for Joe Budden? Play and partner Skillz have hits galore! Anyway, they seem pretty happy. This was taken at All Star in Dallas. Both Play and Skillz are from Dallas.
BRIT AWARDS RUMORS
There was a time when I had several UK sources, but they all but dried up…until today! My homey Wesey hit me up with some rumors and sightings from the Brit Awards. Check it out:
Whats good Illseed, so I was at the 30th Year of the BRIT Awards in London, England last night. I was in the pit at the front of the stage so I could see everything that has happening. So heres the news/rumours that I managed to dig out.
Jay-Z won Best International Artist, during his acceptance speech he took time to mention memorable moments for him in the UK, 1 being Glastonbury where he said “you accepted Hip-Hop” at whats mainly a rock festival. So the next award for Best British Album of Past 30 Years went to Oasis (who if you remember had a problem with Jay-Z performing at Glastonbury), well Liam Gallagher obviously got a bit p##### off with Jay-Z’s comment, he stormed on stage grabbed the mic and said something along the lines of “F###### good music will never die” taking a shot at Jay-Z, he then threw his mic into the crowd, people boo’ed him and later Security/BRIT Awards Officials took his award off him. Liam then apparently stormed out the building shouting all types of s### as usual. (LMAO FAIL!)
Lady Gaga was up for 3 awards being Best International Female, Best International Album, and Best Newcomer, she won ALL 3 and cried on stage ALL 3 times. Her performance on the other hand was a bit of a shock for the fans, everyone heard rumours of Beyonce joining Gaga for ‘Telephone’ instead she played a very verrrrrrrrry slow and painful track on the piano which left the crowd confused. BUT she did living it up a little bit by playing an MPC and a Guitar joined together at almost the same time.
Dizzee Rascal did a duet with Florence and the Machine, great set and Dizzee made it rain dollar bills with his face on from the sky, was a nice touch and nearly started a fight with the crowd.
Jay-Z brought out Alicia Keys to do Empire State of Mind which was performed really well, Jay had a live band with all white instruments and the Blueprint 3 logo on the drumkit, Jay had a lot of energy on the stage and was good to see, Alicia looks sexy as hell as always but thats not really news.
As far as I can remember that is all from the BRIT Awards Hip-Hop related.
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
Some boxer got into a fight in Dallas All-Star and hospitalized a man. I wonder who it was?
LOL the Nicki Minaj is preggers rumors…lol….come on y’al!
Speaking of Play-N-Skillz, rumor has it Bow Wow may be trying to yank his old flame Angela Simmons from Skillz’s clutches.
More later!
BOW WOW, 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].
“Cold World”
“Lay Down In Your Lap”
(AllHipHop News) The artwork for Method Man, Ghostface and Raekwons new album recently hit the Internet. The album, titled Three the Hard Way, features Meth, Ghost and Raekwon teaming for the first time as a group independent from Wu-Tang Clan. The first single from the album is titled Our Dreams and has been well received by critics. Three The Hard Way was originally supposed to be released on March 9th, but according to reports, the date has been shuffled to March 30th.
Statik Selektah and Saigon was travel to the UK in March for an exclusive performance. The pair will appear at The Doctors Orders event taking place at Madame Jo Jo’s in the SoHo district of London. Statik will spin a variety of his own productions, which includes tracks by KRS-One, M.O.P., Nas, G-Unit, Royce Da 59 and others. Additionally, he will promote his latest album 100 Proof: The Hangover. Saigon will hit the stage and perform tracks from his fabled album The Greatest Story Never Told, in addition to songs from his collaboration album with Statik Selektah, titled All In A Days Work. The performance takes place Thursday, March 4, from 7:30PM – 11PM.
Kokane has announced that he will release a new album titled Gimme Mine this May. The album is being released on Kokanes own record label Bud E Boy Records, which is distributed by Bonzi/Fontana Records. The first single from the album is titled Gimme Mine, which is produced by Tha Chill of Comptons Most Wanted. Kokane has sold over 35 million records during his career, by delivering hooks for rappers like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eazy-E, Above Tha Law, Jadakiss, Too $hort, George Clinton and others. Gimme Mine is slated to be released on May 25.
(AllHipHop News) Waka Flocka Flame is currently in the recording studio working on completing his goal of releasing twenty street albums by 2011.
Three releases are currently on deck, including Salute Me or Shoot Me Volumes 2 and 3 and the studio album Murda Man Flocka.
Waka, who is a member of 1017 Brick Squad, will travel to New York this week to make an appearance on BETs 106 & Park countdown show.
Waka Flocka Flame is currently on the charts with his single “O Lets Do It.”
A number of rappers have remixed the single, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Rick Ross & Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne and Ludacris.
Waka Flocka is a member of Gucci Mane’s 1017 Bricksquad, which also features OJ Da Juiceman, Frenchie and Whoo Da Kid.
He signed to Asylum Records in late 2009 and is preparing to release his next single Rumors.
The track was recorded prior to a January incident, in which the 23-year-old was shot and robbed of his chain at an Atlanta, Georgia car wash.
Hayes, Dr. Dre and Timbalands new Protégé. Will he soon be among Hip-Hops Elite? Several months ago when Timbaland and Dr. Dre signed their mutual protégé, Hayes, the Hip-Hop world rolled out the red carpet for the Detroit raised rapper.
Now fresh off traveling with Timbaland to a few select dates on the Shock Value 2 Tour, Hayes is looking forward to the buzz he gets from his most recent release, First 48 a compilation of 48 original songs.
Will the production of Dr. Dre and Timbaland catapult this rapper into Hip-Hops elite? Check out what he had to say when he recently sat down with AllHipHop.com.com in an exclusive Q & A.
AllHipHop.com: Whats good man?
Hayes: Man you know working hard. Got to work hard.
AllHipHop.com: Right I already know. So where you located now man?
Hayes: Right now Im in between; Im just in Miami.
AllHipHop.com: Aight man, so lets get right into this man. Listening to the First 48 project, you got production from both Dre and Timbaland, tell me what thats like working with each producer respectively? Hayes: Yea, like if you do music and you are really trying to make a statement in Hip-Hop, those are the definitely the two people to be working with. It definitely doesnt get any bigger than that. Like we make history off the top. You cant top it. Just with all the three of us working together, the amount of talent thats on the project, its through the roof, were looking for a good outcome.
AllHipHop.com: Right, so how did this all came together? I know you were originally from Detroit, and then you moved around a bit. How did you end up linking up with them?
Hayes: Some crazy s**t. God. You know how the dice roll. You never know what numbers you gonna get. I just kept throwing them motha f**kas. Like I had been signed to Interscope already and I was never put as one of Jimmys bigger brands. Like you know how you can get successful or whatever. I had signed with Jimmy because I thought you know, it would be best for my situation. Because I was looking at all the situations like all the big brands and money that they was making This was back before the recession hit. This was when Jay was putting out them shoes, and Fifty was putting out shoes, and n***as was taking turns making alcohol, it was like that brief second when rappers were making money like NBA players for a second. I mean you can still make good money, you just got to be down with the right team. I saw that s###, and thats why I went with Jimmy. But since I wasnt one of his bigger brands the venture was unsuccessful. But along the way I had made great relationships with people like Timbaland and Dr. Dre, so toward the end of my run when we split the whole budget up and stuff like that. I started working with Dre. And then, I had already known him for a long time since being signed with Jimmy. So Dre was like You know what Hayes? f**k it, Im gonna sign you. I dont give a f**k what happened over there, you know what? Ill f**k with you, cause it aint goin down like that. You know what I mean? Then I was like Hell yea, Im about to sign with Dre, lets get it, Then me and Dre was shooting dice at Jimmys club, shooting craps at the craps table and Timbaland walked in and was kind of just like, what the f**k is yall doing? Dre was like me and Hayes are about do an album together. Then Timbaland was like Yo I f**k with Hayes, Dre lets do it together my n***a, lets make this s**tbig. Dre was like, Hell yea thats a good idea. Hayes what you think? I had been f**king with Tim since 04 or 03, about the same time I had known Dre, so I was down with it. We did the deals and like, you know it was natural. You know how when you get introduced to a new situation and you got to get used to everybody and you have to adapt and you have to learn the ropes. I had already knew the ropes in both camps. Its like I already know the whole camp over here and the whole camp over there and was already cool with n***as. So it wasnt no adapting. It was like, oh yea thats Hayes right here. It was a bulls**t little situation, now its politic free you know what Im saying, and it fit well and worked good.
AllHipHop.com: So I know you are from Detroit, it seems like at pretty young age it seems like you started off grindin hard man. In those early years, who were some of your influences as far of the music maybe that you listened to or maybe people you think about that influence your songs today? Hayes: Everyone that was pushing it further and not a failure. I was very inspired by success. I was very inspired by any type of person who had a lifespan. Meaning not just a flash in the pan, like I got one platinum record and then you never hear from me again rappers. Although that type of s**tinspired me too because thy did go platinum, I was looking at the people who had longevity. Because you know, Im from the hood you know so I seen n***as come up an fall off all the time, so I paid attention more to the moguls then I did the artists and I was inspired by the traits by the n***as that brought home the big bucks. I studied the people that made it a lifestyle not a check, not an experience. This is not an experience for me this is a life. Thats just what Ill say.
AllHipHop.com: So this First 48 album, is this really 48 joints on here, do I understand that correctly?
Hayes: Yea, thats why its called First 48. n***as think Im trying to bite off the show or Im gonna kill them in 48 hrs or something. No n***a its 48 songs. I dont know why n***as are diggin into it so deep
AllHipHop.com: So tell me about your album that youre working on, more about the First 48, I know thats done but tell me about some of the songs you are working on. Hayes: We already have started some recording on it. I just got off tour with Timbaland, the Shock Value 2 Tour. Me and Timbaland are about to start working on the album. We was working on the studio bus being on the road. Tried to find a few times to work with Dre in between the tour dates.
AllHipHop.com: Right, so tell me, is there anyone that is featured on the album, or any specific songs that you are looking forward to people hearing.
Hayes: Right now I just signed like a month or two ago and its in the very early stages. Im sure its going to be huge. The thing that tripped me out the most, is that I signed to Jimmy, and you know the biggest problem with the game, is that the power that may be, is everyone is wondering how they are going to break their artist. Like if you aint got a dance or f**king gimmick. I dont know what kind of bulls**tthey use now with that autotune. I dont know what you are supposed to use to get on right now, but I am blessed to have my situation. Its just good that the major concern of every artist is already taken care of with my project. Plus the fact that just being involved with Dr. Dre and Timbaland makes my album highly anticipated off top. And thats the best thing about the situation, I just signed and the album is already highly anticipated. Just because its Dre and Timbaland, and people are gravitating towards all my music and whatever type of presence that I have on the internet.
AllHipHop.com: It seems like they already have a machine or a format that will just crank out projects. And with the people that theyve already worked with, its just a no brainer. On this album and on this time around, and on this Dre and Timbaland project, Im only working with Dre and Timbaland.
AllHipHop.com: So is there an expected release date for the album? Hayes: Ummm Were working. Tim and Dre planned to do something early in the year. Theyre both going to bring their A game. Thats the only f**king game they play. So you know what Im saying? I dont think that theres any competition in my lane and I feel free.
AllHipHop.com: So going forward, what is it going to take for you to be where you want to be? Or do you think that you are there with respect to music and your life goals. Hayes: I will be happy when I am a household name and everybody recognizes me for my talent because I dont want to be recognized for nothing else. Like you know, I live the real life and did a lot of real s###, but at the end of the day that dont validate a person, just because you been through a bunch of street s###; that dont mean that you have what it take to make it in life.
AllHipHop.com: So Bishop Lamont was signed with Dre, and people were expecting a little bit more from that collaboration, we heard music, but fans were left wanting a little bit more. How do you feel you set yourself apart from any of Dres other projects? Hayes: Man you know what, there are things that go on and things that dont go on and at the end of the day hopefully, I would like to be one of the things that goes on. I hope God stays with me and guides me the right way and stays with me through this whole thing and we will get the results that we want. You never know whats going to happen today or tomorrow in the music industry and Bishop Lamont is the type of person that just because he got dropped from Aftermath doesnt mean that his career is over. Bishop is a very talented artist. I have been dropped before and that could be anybody at any second. You just got to keep your faith in God and work as hard a possible and hope everything will be alright.
(AllHipHop News) The owner of a Cartersville, Georgia club has filed a criminal complaint against a local promoter, who allegedly scammed the owner out of a performance by rapper Gorilla Zoe.
The owner of Café Del Sol filed a report of Theft by Deception against the promoter, who accepted a $1,250 deposit to secure Gorilla Zoe for the performance, which was slated to take place last Friday (February 12).
The night of the performance, the promoter arrived and said Gorilla Zoe was nearby.
He requested the balance of $1,250, which the owner of the club paid. Neither the promoter, nor Gorilla Zoe returned that evening, leaving hundreds of fans disappointed.
Representatives for Gorilla Zoe were not available for comment as of press time.
Gorilla Zoe is currently on a tour of the south, with dates booked in North Carolina, South Carolina, Atlanta, Nashville and Orlando.
ChartWatch for February 17, 2010
Its
February 2010 and were back with ChartWatch.
Know I know we usually only talk about Hip Hop here but my favorite
artists just hit number one this week so Im making an exception (plus not too
much is going on this week so why not show some love to R&B in the Hip Hop
charts column?). Sades Soldier of Love comes in at number one
selling 481,000 copies. (Flip over to
album reviews if you want to see our take on her latest offering.) Not bad for an someone that hasnt released
an album since 2000.
Leading
the way for Hip-Hop is Lil Wayne with his rock experiment Rebirth. The Crescent City
MC sells another 83,000 copies and drops two spots to number four.
Rounding
out the top ten is The Black Eyed Peas album The E.N.D. This album really
refuses to die and moves another 65,000 copies helping The Peas grab the number
eight spot. If you really want to get
technical the only Hip Hop in the top ten is the Black Eyed Peas which is kind
of sad.
There
are only two albums representing Hip Hop as we move from the top ten into the
top fifty. The first is from Lil Waynes
Young Money. We Are Young Money sells 19,000 copies and dips down to the 39th
spot. They are followed by Jay-Zs The Blueprint 3 which sells 17,000
copies this week but also takes a drop moving from twenty-seven to forty-four.
Dropping
This Week
We
have a few albums coming up this week.
First, if you liked the The
Freelapse mixtape (which is available for free in Music Reviews) then you
may want to pick up Freeways collaboration with Jake One titled The Stimulus Package. The album features Beanie Sigel, Raekwon,
Young Chris, Birdman, Bun B, LaToyia Williams, Omilio Sparks, and Mr. Porter.
Next
up is Return of the Wu, an album
composed of older songs as well as unreleased material mixed by Wu Tang
affiliate DJ Mathematics. Its not a new
Wu Tang album but it may hold fans over until the group comes out with a new
one (if they ever come out with a new one.)
I
didnt even think this next artist was still doing stuff but apparently I was wrong. Tone Loc
(thats right Funky Cold Medina and Wild Thing. THAT Tone Loc) drops Tone Loc T.V. 2 featuring Bavgate, Guce, Goldtoes, Jimmy
Roses, Boss Hogg, Mac Mall, Freddy Chingaz, Napalm & Eruption, Beeda Weeda,
Berner, and Stuntman.
Thats it for the week. Well see if any Hip Hop is on the charts
next week.
Since 2007, Flud Watches have been making their mark in the streetwear industry with bold, bright and innovative ways to tell time. Launched in 2007, the company has released heavy hitters like the “Boombox” and the “Big Ben” which have made celebrities like Keri Hilson, Trey Songz and more to hop on board.
Kiki got a chance to catch up with our good friend and Flud Watches CEO, Doug Cohen, to find out what goodies we can expect from their new spring/summer 2010 collection and more. Check it out: DrJays.com: How did you get your start in this industry? Doug: “Well, my personal background is in the music business. I had a record label, DJ’d for many years, which is why our first watch was the turntable watch – ‘The Tableturns’. I wanted to connect my former life with my current one. I got sick of that business, loved the lifestyle, and loved watches. Ironically, I’m always late though”.
Dwayne Wade in the “Tableturns”
DrJays.com: Describe a typical day in the life of the CEO of Flud Watches. Doug: “Work, sleep, eat, play with my dogs, work more, a little bit more work, eating again, probably more work and then maybe watch some Hulu, most likely Lost. I mean really, forget a position, when your at a small start up in any business in any industry, a typical day consists of doing everything because you really have to wear so many hats. “We have a tiny staff at Flud, so everyone really has a hand in everything. Its the only way you can stay afloat, and you gotta be willing and able to multi task and do any responsibility that pops up”.
Doug with Flud co-founder Mel Peralta
DrJays.com: Tell us what we can expect from you upcoming spring/summer 2010 collection.
Doug: “Spring/summer is heat! Pun intended. I think when we work on watches, we try to organize a collection that is more about individual pieces then it is about connecting them. There’s no space to connect all the watches to a specific theme – you need each watch to be a unique piece. “We just try to figure out where the industry is going with colors, sizes, that kind of stuff, and then drop watches that will fit with that. We don’t do an ‘outdoorsy’ theme or anything like that. “One of our new styles is the ‘Winner Circle’, which is a digital/analog watch that’s crazy. Then we got ‘The Moment’, which is almost like a little brother to the “Big Ben” thats super clean, and ‘The Essex’, which is a really mature stainless steel watch at the normal great Flud price points”.
DrJays.com: With all of the increasing competition in the “streetwear” watch market, what do you think keeps Flud at the top of its game?
Doug: Competition? What’s that? DrJays.com: What is your personal favorite Flud watch (old or new)?
Doug: “I personally wear “The Exchange” the most, but they all have something about them that I love. That’s one thing about Flud, we really make so many different styles and looks that you really can make it your own, pick something that speaks to you and still have something fresh and unique”.
See the latest from Flud Watches on DrJays.com by clicking HERE.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Lil Wayne is looking to cash out on his Miami real estate holdings, as he prepares to serve a year in prison for a gun violation.
The New Orleans rapper put his luxurious South Beach, Florida condominium up for sale for a cool $2.8 million dollars.
The unit, which located in the Murano Grande Condominium, has four bedrooms.
Last year, The New York Post reported that Lil Wayne was having trouble selling another three-bedroom, two bathroom condo on South Beach, because it smelled like marijuana.
Lil Wayne denied those allegations to London DJ Tim Westwood during an interview last week.
Were not having trouble selling it, but all the other stuff is true,” Lil Wayne joked with Tim Westwood. “The people that are coming to look at it like that more about it Thats like coming into Bob Marleys crib and you still smelling weed and his bed still messed up. Theyre like leave all that s**t. I want to buy all that. Im one of those ni**as right now.
The chart-topping rapper is currently renting a 15,000 square-foot mansion on La Gorce Island.
In October of 2009, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, after police found a loaded .40 caliber gun on his tour bus in July of 2008.
He is due to be sentenced to one year in prison on March 2.
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.
MYSTIKAL SEX TAPE? NAHHHHHH!
There was a so-called rumor about THE sex tape of Mystikal coming out to the internet. The rumors were like there was a copy made of the video that landed Mystikal in jail and so on and so forth. If you look at the videos that are going around the internet, you will see that the girl looks a lil’ too happy. Nothing like a “rape” victim. Anyway…the reason she looks so happy is because she is a p### star and Mystikal is the co-star. This video actually came out right before he went to jail for the rape. Check it out.
Sorry, folks…no rape sex tape.
TAHIRY: ON TO THE NEXT ONE!
Joe Budden’s ex-girl Tahiry is cutting all ties from her former boo boo. I have a rock solid rumor that she is now dating Play, one half of Grammy Award Winning duo Play-N-Skillz. Word on the street is that they were all over eachother in Dallas during Allstar Weekend. Well, this is the first real rumor that I have been able to extract out of the bland NBA weekend. More in this in a bit!
WOW! SOOOOOOOOOOOO…WE ARE DOING IT LIKE THIS?
These dudes are boasting about having Woka Flocka’s chain. Wow. So, this is where we are in 2010?
I’m not suggesting they shot and robbed him, but why would they want to be associated with that sort of heat?
MF DOOM FANS KEEP GOING!
MF Doom has fans that are as maniacal as he is! Soo…here are some new details. The promoter feels that it was MF Doom that did that concert. But they also admit that they cannot PROVE IT. They said something to the affect that they didn’t “fingerprint him” when he got to the venue. DOOM wears a mask. Nobody sees his face! So, the fans are now looking for proof that it was an impostor. YO…on everything, my sources say they are working with investigators and lawyers to give proof that it wasn’t him. They want their money back! Anyway, they are saying Doom lipsyched, real or fake. They should do like me…just buy his albums….and call it a day.
Another attendee said that he KNEW it was MF Doom to start with the concert, but something happened and that Doom LEFT. When Doom returned, it was the charlatan and that person was lip synching.
BEEF ALERT: KNOCTURNAL GOES IN ON GAME!
Ouch!
Here is what he had to say to Street Disciplez Radio:
“My father is a militant and his dad’s a beautician. We’re gonna erase the LA off of his face and it’s a butterfly beneath that. Yeah, so why do I have to talk about a man that i could touch his booty and he would like it? My wife said not to do it but I said you know what, I’m gonna grab my nuts on this one. Can I tell you what my nuts say? My nuts say my father was a militant — and his father is a beautician…You know he called me a f***ot? You listening? This is just a f***ot issue — he was a disco dancer…He needs to shut his mouth, you know what I’m saying?”
MORE BEEF: BEANS SPITS DEMENTED BARS AT JAY-Z
Beans is killin it right now ouch too bad Jay-Zs not into battles no more.
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
Beyonces father to pay $8,200 a month in child support! Dayum!
Check out Upcoming Producer Rapper HighStakes out of Brooklyn NY www.myspace.com/highstakes1200
Reggie and Kim K were seen in NYC getting some food. No word on their wedding nuptials.
I don’t watch Jersey Shore, but I heard Snooki and another girl on that show aren’t even Italians. They just promote Italian stereotypes.
Wale is still on Interscope.
People are saying that Tila Tequilas pregnancy is fake..if you care about that sort of thing.
The name of that KRS-One diss from Canibus was called Kriminal Kindness.
Ne-Yo reportedly had some serious issues at a recent concert the hiccups really hampered his ability to sing.
EPIC WIN OF THE DAY!
When I heard the reports of Shyne getting dumped from DJ Khaleds album, I thought to myself, Good for Khaled. He did the right thing. That Shyne verse was just BAD and I dont knw what happened to his voice. But the moment I heard that, I heard that Shyne had re-signed with Def Jam for a reported 7-figure deal. WTF? EPIC WIN! I mean, seriously and respectfully those bars on Khaleds song were the worst bars I ever heard from Shyne. AND THEN she goes and signs a million plus dollar deal with Def Jam, who oddly employs Khaled? EPIC WIN!
Im not going to call Def Jam an Epic Fail, but Shyne is no longer allowed in the US of A. This will make it hard for him to promote the album in the states .weird.
EPIC WIN OF THE DAY PART 2!
Did you know that Lady Gaga was signed to Akon? That, my friend, is one smart brother. He says he can retire thanks to Gaga.
EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY
P### star Pinky tried her hand at rapping and failed miserably.
So, when did rap and Hip-Hop music turn into everybodys place to dump their misplaced BS talent? WTF? P### dont pay now?
TAHIRY AND PLAY, 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].
(AllHipHop News) Recently freed rapper Shyne has inked a seven-figure deal with Def Jam, according to reports.
According to Miss Info, Def Jam won a bidding war between Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine and other labels, for the rights to release Shyne’s highly anticipated album, his first since 2004.
Shyne is also reportedly being managed by HipHopSince1978, the same company that manages the careers of Drake, Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne.
Its being reported that Shyne is planning to record his album in London, although he was not allowed entry into the country last week, because of his immigration papers.
This is the second time that Shyne has inked a deal with Def Jam.
He signed a seven-figure deal with the label in 2004, although he clashed with CEO LA Reid over the promotion of his album, Godfather: Buried Alive.
His first album, Shyne was released in 2000, but his career was brought to a halt in 2001.
Shyne, real name Moses Michael Leviy , was convicted of two counts of assault, reckless endangerment and gun possession, after the high profile 1999 nightclub shooting, which also involved Sean Diddy Combs and his then girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez.
(AllHipHop News) UK emcee Dizzee Rascal received top honors in London today (February 16) by winning British Male Solo Artist of the Year at the 2010 Brit Awards.
Rascals beat out three other nominees in Calvin Harris, Mika, Paolo Nutini, and Robbie Williams.
The award was fueled by the success of his fourth LP Tongue n Cheek, released last September.
The album yielded three #1 UK singles in Dance wiv Me, Bonkers, and Holiday.
That successful trio of hits has resulted in Tongue n Cheek pacing to be Dizzee Rascals first ever platinum project.
Founded in 1977, the Brit Awards recognizes the best artists in Britain as selected by the 1,000 voting member British Academy.
Upon receiving his award to a huge ovation, the rapper expressed immense satisfaction in seeing his work recognized at a high-profile event.
Its about time as well, Dizzee quipped after being presented with his award by actor Andy serkis. [I] want to thank the family, [and] big up the Dirtee Stank family.
American superstar Jay-Z was also recognized at the ceremony, taking the prize for International Male Solo Artist of the Year.
Blueprint 3 debuted #4 on the UK Albums chart, and is now certified platinum in the region.
A full list of the shows winners can be found at http://www.brits.co.uk/
If one ever wanted to see the business model those of us in the music industry are leaving behind whether we like it or not check out the recent Starr et al v. Sony BMG Music Entertainment et al, U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 08-5637. Its the decision of a federal appeals court in New York in response to a case filed on behalf of music downloaders who accuse the four major record labels Sony, EMI, Warner, and Universal – of engaging in a conspiracy to fix prices and terms under which music could be sold over the Internet. The court did not render a final ruling but determined that the Plaintiffs had enough factual matter (taken as true) to suggest that an agreement was made.
I strongly recommend that AllHipHop.com readers go through the case documents for themselves (http://www.docstoc.com/docs/22474623/Starr-v-Sony-BMG), as one might be amazed at how enlightening Court cases on commerce can be (especially Supreme Court rulings dealing with the Sherman Act). But the meat of the case boils down to whether or not these four companies, said to control over 80% of all music sold in the United States of America agreed to set a wholesale price floor for selling music at 70 cents per song and reinforced it (you know – aka strongarmed or gangstered) through licensing agreements that restricted the availability and use of the music to forums it controlled. The Defendants argue that the four majors refused to do business with the popular online eMusic service which charged only 25 cents per song without restrictions on how users could upload music to iPods or burn to CDs.
Starr v. Sony BMG matters to me for reasons different than those of most observers.
Sure, I dont doubt a conspiracy [by the way isnt hilarious to know that the masses are mocked for believing in conspiracy theories when so many criminal (RICO for instance) and commercial court cases like this one revolve around it?] by the major 4, and I feel the magnetic pull of cheap or free music like everyone else. But as a Hip-Hoppreneur my primary concern is the business model of the music industry and how it relates to artistic expression, entrepreneurial development and political chess-playing.
In that light, I see the case as another form of evidence of two things.
First the case shows that the power of the record label (independents too) is fading not because of the declining price of music but because it continues to ignore how to create value with music. Second, Starr v. Sony BMG also suggests to entrepreneurs and artists that the era of giving away music in order to promote oneself and using the Internet to sell only music has reached the point of diminishing returns.
We are leaving the price-war era of the music industry which saw major chain stores and Mom and Pop record stores go under, because they were sandwiched in between the demand for free music from their consumers and the restrictive pricing of record labels while needing to charge a premium in order to make a profit.
The Chain and Mom & Pops died because they really did not know what business they were in (more than just music selling) and could not transition into what I call the era of freemium where the strongest that will survive will be those who find the right mix of both free and premium goods and services they charge for. Relying only on music sales, I believe is a death sentence that can only be delayed, not lifted.
The winners and losers will be determined by how well the major record labels on one hand; and artists and entrepreneurs on the other, create value, not just provide affordability to consumers.
A simple formula utilized by business consultant Rick Kash is the scorecard.
Any and every business needs to acquaint themselves with the mathematics.
Value = Benefits/Price
We only have to have reached seventh grade (not a given for all of us) to know that in this equation value is created in only two ways either decrease price or increase benefits.
The basis of what record labels and most artists and entrepreneurs in the Internet era have been competing with one another on is price. But the basic laws of supply and demand make clear the outcome of that decision. When supply increases more rapidly than demand, prices must go down. The record labels have been fighting a losing battle in reversing this trend by attempting to limit the supply of music – thus making it more scarce and therefore more valuable – and flirting with setting artificial price floors (as alleged in Starr v. Sony BMG) to keep the natural laws of economics from working and taking the price down to zero.
Music, not entirely, but in a very important commercial sense, is now essentially a commodity, no different than oil, water, gold, or rice, or cotton in its current condition. Its pricing power is determined not by its own qualities, but by external factors. Therefore it can only become more valuable, and earn a greater price, when demand for it is greater than its supply or because it makes other things more valuable.
For it to move out of its current commodity status it will have to be combined with other commodities, products and services. The immediate future of music, I hate to say it, is now something like butter, garlic and onions. Very few of us buy these items to eat them just as they are (although garlic and onions are believed to have medicinal and healing effects). But when combined as ingredients, they add and create value.
There was a time when the record labels were creating value by simply making music. Those were the days when the technology to produce, arrange and combine different sounds was expensive and exclusive (recording studios, orchestras, live bands); the expertise and network to market and promote it was a profession in and of itself (headquartered by skilled and connected marketing departments); and the distribution channel was hierarchical and spread across different geographical regions (manufacturing plants, chain stores, Mom and Pop record stores).
But over the last two decades in particular, with the advent of music television, radio formats (Hip-Hop and Urban in particular), beat machines, samplers, the Street DJ, CD, Internet, independent publicist and record promoter – the merger of technology, entrepreneurial energy, and critical mass of talent coming out of the music industry system made it easier for people to make music; consumers to access it and place it in hierarchies and categories they preferred (mixtapes, iPods and even satellite radio formats); artists to become famous (or at least create their own buzz); and music to be distributed and even sold (mp3s, downloading and e-commerce) without large infrastructure and staff.
There are still a few areas where the major record labels create value, primarily through marketing and promotional connections and expertise, and this is why we have the 360 record deal where labels try to leverage this area as an argument to share in more of the value artists create in other areas (movies, endorsements, shows, and merchandise) which the old business model prevented record labels from sharing in. I previously wrote about this at: https://allhiphop.com/stories/editorial/archive/2009/12/08/22049697.aspx
The trend of the last 20 years just described has led to the rise of a special kind of entrepreneur the independent label mogul, or business specialist – capable of performing most of the tasks of a major record label at a fraction of the costs and with a greater profit margin. The best at this kind of work I know of is my good friend Wendy Day (http://www.wendyday.com/) whose phenomenal work was recently empirically (that means with stats and math!) verified in a study by Tom Silverman which showed that a label she built and consulted TMI Boyz was the second largest selling independent release of the year. Explaining more of the details of the success, Wendy recently blogged of the Silverman study:
He pointed out that in 2009, there were 1,500 independent releases in all genres. Of those 1500, only 13 releases sold over 10,000 units (thats only $70,000 to $100,000 in wholesale sales). The #2 release was the label I consulted, TMI Boyz. They were one of the ONLY rap acts on that short list of 13, and the #1 selling rap release. And that list was based on the (inaccurate) SoundScan sales of 30,000 CDs sold. While on the road for a year and a half, TMI Boyz sold 2 mixed CDs and a full length CD. Toms research was based solely on the CDs that were sold at FYE stores in the mid-South. Since we werent focused on SoundScan, just on making money, we werent trying to have each sale counted. The bulk of sales were at shows, Mall parking lots, state fairs, flea markets, street corners, gas stations, car washes, high schools, clubsanyplace where a mass of people were gathered so TMI Boyz could jump out of their wrapped van to make a sale. You may have never heard of them, but they made $1.6 million in sales in 2009. Isnt that the best measurement of all?
If you look at what Wendy and TMI accomplished in terms of what I have been writing about you can see that they not only made hot music but they built virtually an entire industry, and even economy, when one considers they sold what they did after the death of the Mom & Pop record store which had been critical to the success of Hip-Hop sales.
[For more of the importance of the Mom & Pop and why I described its demise as the single biggest Hip-Hop industry event of the last decade see my piece at: https://allhiphop.com/stories/editorial/archive/2009/12/22/22073303.aspx]
I could make the case that Wendy Day alone – through her efforts to educate artists, journalists and the general public; her business consultations; and her always colorful private and public confrontation of music industry practices may have done more on the margin to help shift the paradigm in favor of independent label entrepreneurship.
The challenge now for independents and majors is to create value through the new dynamic of community which social media has made easier. Simply accumulating thousands and millions of Twitter and Facebook followers and fans without a new business model in mind means that ultimately the exercise will only result in a futile effort to sell more and more people cheaper and cheaper music, while risking alienating or underwhelming supporters with meaningless updates (there is logic to why Jay-Z shunned Twitter for so long). Already many of us know the diminishing returns of social media saturation, which will only increase.
In terms of the formula Value = Benefits/Price one can see that with social media creating communities around the brand, image and reputation of an artists celebrity and reality, much more than music can be sold. This is the basis of some of my marketing advice for Jay Electronica, my building with Wyclef , my writing about the new life that fan clubs can take on; and my thoughts on the importance of an artists story (read here).
By giving away some music for free or more cheaply, and making other forms of it available, along with information (placed in the right categories and hierarchies), and providing exclusive access to an artists celebrity and reality, a goldmine awaits us.
Of course it will mean a certain kind of artist will become extinct while another type becomes more appealing, but more on that in the future.
Its time to stop worrying about lowering price so much and focus more on increasing benefits.
Not all free and not all fee, but freemium.
The results can be priceless
Cedric Muhammad is a business consultant, political strategist, and monetary economist. He is also a former GM of Wu-Tang Management and a Member of the African Unions First Congress of African Economists. He is author of the book, The Entrepreneurial Secret (http://theEsecret.com/). His talk show, The Cedric Muhammad and Black Coffee Program can be viewed every Wednesday from 12 to 5 PM EST (USA) at: http://www.cedricmuhammad.com/media/. He can be contacted via e-mail at: cedric(at)cmcap.com
(AllHipHop News) Brotha Lynch Hung will debut Dinner and A Movie, the first of three conceptual albums that will be released on Tech N9nes Strange Music record label this October.
Dinner and A Movie is Brotha Lynch Hungs first album since the Sacramento native released Lynch By Inch, in 2003.
Dinner and A Movie is a conceptual album that follows Brotha Lynch Hung as a normal guy by day and serial killer of rappers at night.
The album was inspired by horror masters like Rob Zombie and Wes Craven and introduces listeners to Brotha Lynch Hungs new character, the Coat Hanga Strangla.
Additionally, Brotha Lynch Hung has teamed with director Dan Gedman of Liquid 9 and :31 to create nine videos from each of the three albums.
“This is the first time this has ever been done,” Gedman told AllHipHop.com in a statement “We are visually bringing this character to life, and then Lynch is going to write the next two albums. Its an interactive process. Now he has to lyrically revisit the character and story, knowing what it all looks like.”
The first video from the album is titled Meat, while the albums second single and video, I Plotted (My Next Murder) will be released online in the coming weeks.
Brother Lynch Hung has sold over a million records independently since his debut in 1993 with the album 24 Deep.
Dinner and A Movie is due in stores March 23, 2010.
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University.CANIBUS DISSES KRS-ONE?
Apparently, Canibus is upset with KRS-One for one reason or another. I am still trying to figure that out. But, some of my friends in the underground have stated that ‘Bis didn’t like some of KRS’ remarks on the “Beef DVD” regarding Cani’s battle with LL Cool J. Wasn’t that like 10 years ago? Anyway, peep this lyrics that Canibus definitely said
“How many emcees must get dissed, before somebody whispers don’t f**k with Bis (this is a jacked lyric from one of KRS-One’s old songs)/My Survival Skills surpass Kris, watch this / You got a rap for every emcee? GO GET IT THEN /Why you d*ck ride Def Jam, they not your friend / Make your mind up, I thought you was not with them / F***ing comedy, speaking on flawed philosophy / You’ll never give props to Keith Or Canibus for Undergods release / Go right ahead, dismiss it / We ain’t submissive, we spit lyrical lyrics / I got the right to live off it, I live it And I’mma voice my opinion, can’t nobody make me think different / My spirit feels like it’s in a prison / I speak on the music conspiracy but nobody wanna listen.”
IS THIS BEYONCE’S NEW HALF-BROTHER?
Matthew Knowles is a man. I don’t think he is evil or anything. I actually feel bad for the guy at this point. Not sure why, but I do. I guess I could feel bad for others like his wife. But that’s neither here nor there. TMZ feels they have scored with this picture they say is that of Mr. Knowles alleged son
CHARLAMAGNE: GIVE ME A STATEMENT!
YO! MAN! There is this gay dude running wild on the internet trying to say that Charlamagne The God is gay. There was one video and now there is another one. In the second video, they are saying that he’s a “decepticon,” but for them that means a gay person acting straight. Enough is enough. I need C Tha God to hit me up…
REGGIE BUSH AND KIM KARDASHIAN ARE ENGAGED?
Well, it looks like Reggie and Kim have decided to set aside the media w######. Floating around the streets is Reg asked Kim before the Super Bowl and she happily accepted. He then went on to win…so I guess that was a real win. They are supposedly going to resume the media moves and announce the engagement when it is time to resume shooting for the Kardashians reality show.
OPRAH SAYS NO TO JOHN MAYER!
Well, I have to give Oprah some props! Don’t let fun boy use yo to get back into the good graces of women and African Americas. PopEater.com reports that John has been trying to get Oprah to let him say sorry and further explain his racist comments. But…no dice. Oprah is also good friends with Mayer’s ex, Jennifer Anniston. Epic Fail…yes. John needs to just ride this one out.
NEW LATINA SINGING GROUP?
Did you hear about this? I definitely missed it if it is old.Christina Milian Kat Deluna and former Cheetah Girl Adrienne Bailon are looking to become a new Latina singing group. I’m sure there will be some lag time with C. Milli being all with child and alla that. I do think it could work.
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
Fantasia disappointed scores of people over the Valentine’s Day weekend after she fell ill…supposedly. She had to cancel her performance of “The Color Purple.”
Tiger Woods is reportedly being very defiant about sex therapy, and has charged that it was a big waste of time.
The sex tape that allegedly landed Mystikal in jail is reportedly about to be sold. I wonder. Some suspect this is something that Mystikal did before his bid started.
Olivia has reportedly started dating a player on the NY Jets named Darrelle Revis. **kanye shrug**
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END!
According to KTVI-FOX2now.com, a cross-dressing robber is on the loose in Berkley, MO. The bandit is a man dressed up as a woman and he has robbed an adult entertainment store. The local police suspect this Cross Dressing Bandit is on a crime spree. They are now connecting the dots, but this happened before in that area. The funny thing is, the cops say dude went that extra mile to look like a woman. But that’s it. They said he went to the register to may for something and then whipped out a long barrel handgun on the cashier. Dude torn the whole cash register, chain and all, and leaves. Son wasn’t playing! Nobody was hurt in an of the robberies and he didn’t steal anything from the adult store.
EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY
In part of Georgia, they don’t know that the year is 2010. There is a Ku Klux Klan rally planned for a small GA city called Nahunta. They requested the permit, which they are allowed to do legally. I don’t know if people are aware, but the KKK is a White Supremacy organization that has steadily lost appeal in decades. I guess since they got a shoutout by John Mayer via his reference to David Duke, they think they can pick up where the 60’s left off. But, the weird thing is the KKK is not targeting Black people this time. They are targeting illegal immigration and sex offenders. HUH? Message FAIL. They are supposed to hate us. LOL…what a joke. Anyway, about 100 people are expected to attend and go back to their miserable lives.
TRAVIS BARKER, WE
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They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about
them then they should worry!
-illseed
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WHAT: Rumors
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HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].
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