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Slick Watts: The Grind Don’t Stop

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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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. It’s 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 it’s hot, it’s 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

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) It’s 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 country’s 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 UK’s 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.

‘Electric Ave’ Singer Eddy Grant Claims Gorillaz Stole Track

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Popular 80’s singer Eddy Grant has accused the Gorillaz of swiping his music and using it in their new single, “Stylo.”

Grant claims the single, which also features Mos Def and R&B legend Bobby Womack, is a direct rip off his song “Time Warp.” Grant, known for his massive hit “Electric Avenue,” was “outraged” at the use of his composition and felt totally “disrespected” by the Gorillaz.

“My song sits almost note to note with their release and is a blatant rip off. ‘Time Warp’ is a very popular song and has been a staple of the DJ scene for many years and I feel total disrespect from Gorillaz and their management company, especially as they are an established act,” Grant stated.

Grant also lashed out at EMI Publishing, which handles the Gorillaz catalog, in addition to his own compositions, for not catching the sample.

Now, Eddie Grant is seeking nothing less than an apology from the group, in addition to an admission of their guilt in the matter.

“I would like the outcome to be that the band admits that they have lifted my song, that I have a full credit for the song and an apology from the band.”

The Gorillaz new album Plastic Beach debuted at #2 on the UK album chart this week.

Lil Wayne’s ‘Rebirth’ Strikes Gold

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Lil Wayne’s seventh studio album Rebirth has officially been certified Gold (500,000 copies) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Despite numerous delays, the album managed to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Rap Album chart upon its release in February.

“I have evolved both lyrically and musically as an artist and I want everyone to hear my growing pains,” Lil Wayne said of the album, which he labeled his “best work yet.”

The latest singles from Rebirth are “Drop the World” featuring Universal label mate Eminem and “Knock Out” featuring his Young Money artist, Nicki Minaj.

Lil Wayne is currently serving a year-long prison sentence on Rikers Island, for attempted possession of a weapon in New York.

The Game Seeks To Remove Gangster Connections From Lawsuit

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Rapper The Game is seeking to disassociate himself with the term “gangster” in a civil lawsuit he is fighting in court.

The Game is being sued by Shannon Rodrick for allegedly striking him and pulling a gun on him during a pickup game of Basketball at the Rita Walters Complex in South Los Angeles in 2007.

The Game pled guilty to the crime and was sentenced to four months in prison, although he only served eight days in the county jail, due to overcrowding. Shannon Rodrick filed the civil suit against the rapper in March of 2008.

In a legal move aimed at winning the case, lawyers for The Game filed papers in court, asking the presiding judge to remove all references to him being a “gangster” or “gangster” rapper.

According to TMZ.com, The Game’s lawyers argue that the terms could prejudice the jury against him in the case.

Additionally, The Game is seeking to have all references to his lyrics removed from the case as well.

Lloyd Banks: Pass The Keys

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Features
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Would Lloyd Banks kill somebody for 50 Cent?  Strange question unless you know the adamantium-clad loyalty that Banks holds for his mentor. Then, the question is not so easy to answer. One thing is certain, Banks will ride in that G-Unit car, whether it is about to self-destruct or careen down a road to vast riches. That’s just the kind of man he is. Fortunately, Banks remains a viable artist who isn’t reliant on his friend for the quality of his music these days. Look no further than “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley,” his street smash with Juelz Santana riding shotgun.

In the Manhattan offices of G-Unit, Banks is cool as a spring day in Alaska. The workers are abuzz and Tony Yayo is in the back somewhere conducting his own interview. There’s a genuine excitement for where the brand is headed. Oddly, Banks – not 50  – is the main generate of the electricity this time around. Perhaps he’s ready to hop in the drivers seat for a spell.

AllHipHop.com: So first of all your new joint, “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley,” has everybody excited about G-Unit again and, I mean not again, but you know what I’m saying. 

Lloyd Banks: Again. It’s okay to say it. [chuckles]

AllHipHop.com: Okay, so none of the Cam’ron /50 Cent beef stuff ever came into the picture with you and Juelz collaborating on that song? 

Lloyd Banks: Nah, mainly because, and people should know this by now, I’m the most loyal cat that’s around. I’m a rare breed. 50 definitely had knowledge of what was going on. He was one of the ones saying, “S**t you better go and do that, make that happen.” Because even his situation with Cam’ron, who am I to say how serious it is? To me that was music. That’s rap, that’s being competitive and, they came in the game around the same time so, I’m pretty sure there’s a respect there. That’s what the game is built around, the competition; positive or negative, but, we past all that. We’re here to take the torch, bring it to another level. It’s good for New York City Hip-Hop. It’s Good for Hip-Hop period. You know, for other reasons to look in and see New York artists working together. So, this is the first time they heard us, it won’t be the last time they hear us.

AllHipHop.com: New York City needs that unity. First of all, I’ve got to honestly ask you, do you feel like G-Unit contributed to some of the dissension, because I know Fabolous had said that at one point. 

Lloyd Banks: Well, our contribution was more success. I think the hate came from the amount of success that we achieved. You know, throughout them years, we were so intact with each other [we] just wanted to make everybody from our situation successful first. We had a big crew. Like when Death Row came you wasn’t really hearing Snoop on nobody else’s record. You was hearing them on records with Daz, Kurrupt, Nate Dogg, Tupac, Danny Boy, whoever was down with Death Row. They had a wide circle; female artists and everything. 

That’s kind of how G-Unit was. So it was like, I’m was a record with Prodigy, or I’m doing a record with M.O.P. So, not to say we never wanted it to work, we had so much talent within our own circle. We was kind of focused on G-Unit, and I feel like that kind of created an aura like we didn’t want to work with other people. And it wasn’t that, it’s just me as a solo artist today I still feel like I haven’t achieved the success that I’m going to. 

“A lot of artists are sitting there when you first get signed to major label and the massage you like you can’t live without them. It’s a beautiful feeling to be independent and to be able to make money directly though iTunes or ringtones.”

-Lloyd Banks

AllHipHop.com: It’s important to note too, as far as your personal growth, there’s a lot of artists that are really talented, you know Memphis Bleek, I just talked to him a few days ago.

Lloyd Banks: Shout out to Bleek. 

AllHipHop.com: Yeah, definitely, and they have these larger than life personalities, you know Jay and 50 both cast a big shadow, but that doesn’t take away from the talent that you have as well. 

Lloyd Banks: Yeah it definitely doesn’t, and at the same time you’ve got to know who you are as an artist. First off, 50 was the one that told me I was going to be a solo artist. At that point man I was just happy to be out of South Jamaica, Queens and doing something. I would have been good with it just being a group thing, and he presented me with the option to be a solo artist directly following the success of Beg For Mercy, the first G-Unit album. So, it could be a shadow to a certain extent to the naked eye, but at the same time I’ve been prepped, more than the average artist gets the opportunity to be. 

Which also I feel might have, shied some artists away from me, feeling like I’m Richie Rich.  Like I’m one of the artists that’s going to be good, well off regardless if he’s successful or not, and that’s not the case. I think time is everything. When Get Rich or Die Tryin’ came out 50 was my age now. 

That’s just how I look at things. I was fortunate enough to be around somebody like that and watch his Get Rich or Die Tryin’, watch his Massacre, watch him break records, how to conduct yourself in the public, how to do the proper interviews and not say stupid things and, what’s a good show, opposed to what’s a okay show. Being on 50 city tours with Eminem. All that came from me being around that situation, so I can’t really look at it one way, you’ve got to look at it both ways. Because I still have the opportunity, being 27 years old, to go out there and do everything I’m capable of. 

“Just to prove somebody wrong, it feels good. There was never a point where if felt where I felt like it was over. If anything, it’s a new beginning like Wu Tang.”

-Lloyd Banks

AllHipHop.com: You mentioned shows. One of the most refreshing shows I’ve been to was when ya’ll performed at Highline Bar Room. The crowd was crazy, girls were going berserk for you. One girl almost broke her leg trying to jump on stage. And, people still know the mixtape joints word for word. 

Lloyd Banks: Yeah they do, and it’s crazy. Not to go back on the topic, but sometimes I feel like the business aspect of G-Unit kind of overshadowed the talent. They’re forgetting the talent is what opened up the doors for these people to want to sit down in a suit and talk business. You ain’t get in here by mistake, and the catalogue speaks for itself, but I just feel that way

sometimes. They so used to you winning that they want to feel you lose. Now, I feel the new energy, and it’s one thing to succeed when everybody feels you..it’s another thing to do it when they count you out. And I felt I was being counted out to a certain extent. 

AllHipHop.com: What’s the status of G-Unit in your opinion? Some say  its over and some say its back with your new song.

Lloyd Banks: The monster they see, we created. My debut  sold 446-thousand units the first week. Very few people speak on it, but there are very few artists that have done that from New York City. Even my last album…my last album topped off at 400 and change. Now if you do 400 and change that’s considered one of the best albums of the year. I think the climate was changing and people were looking for us to maintain. Everybody’s numbers were affected. You might have had a T.I. here and you might have had a Jay-Z or 50 here…that have kept their numbers up to par. But, for the most part, everybody’s felt the affect. Even the record label. That’s why they are offering 360 deals and a bunch of stuff I will not deal with.  I came at a time when none of that existed.

AllHipHop.com: Right.

Lloyd Banks: One record can change the tone. Before 50 dropped “I Get Money,” people were expressing their little doubts. It just feels good. I’m looking for new avenues for excitement and drive. Just to prove somebody wrong, it feels good. There was never a point where if felt where I felt like it was over. If anything, it’s a new beginning like Wu Tang.

AllHipHop.com: How hard is it to be loyal to 50 Cent?

Lloyd Banks:  I don’t know what people don’t understand. If this was all over today and we had to go back to the hood, we would be together. You feel me?  We family. You stick with family through thick and thin. Its easier to jump ship when you ain’t part of the crew. These guys complain when they f**k  up. But, when they were over here, they were driving $200, 000 cars, million dollar cribs and G-Unit pom-poms up. Once the parade go by, they want to complain.

“When we see each other, it’s going to be what its going to be. You know that boy can’t f**k with me. Fat Rick Ross…you need about three of them n***as. The whole Triple C’s.”

-Lloyd Banks

AllHipHop.com: What do you think about the whole Rick Ross thing now, in hindsight?

Lloyd Banks: I’m going to speak to my music. All that blogging…I ain’t with that. When we see each other, it’s going to be what its going to be. You know that boy can’t f**k with me. Fat Rick Ross…you need about three of them n***as. The whole Triple C’s.

AllHipHop.com: What about your legal situation? You had an incident in Canada.

Lloyd Banks: I can’t elaborate on that too much, but what I can say is I’m here. It hasn’t put a damper on me as far as my music goes. It’s helped me focus more on my music. Right now, I’m working on my album. Everything else will iron itself out.

AllHipHop.com: For the album, I heard a summer release?

Lloyd Banks: Yeah, we’re aiming for a summer release, late summer. Its not a stamp date, but that’s where I’m headed for. This is my year. That’s the other thing. When you are working independent, you can decide when…sometimes when you are working for a label, they put you on that time clock. Sometimes, things can get forced.

AllHipHop.com: Any truth to the rumor that G-Unit Records is going independent?

Lloyd Banks: We’ll see in the very near future, it’s a very smart option. Based on the response that I’ve gotten from “Beamer, Benz of Bentley,” the artist is more powerful than you think. A lot of artists are sitting there when you first get signed to major label and the massage you like you can’t live without them. It’s a beautiful feeling to be independent and to be able to make money directly though iTunes or ringtones. When I did the, “Officer Down” – the response to Rick Ross – it was already 700 – 800 thousand free download before we even made the deal with iTunes. Before they approached me and I still sold 60 or 70 thousand. This time, [with “Beamer, Benz of Bentley”] I wanted to jump on it immediately. I won’t speak on the percentages of the [revenue] split, but its nothing that I would get with a major. It damn near feels illegal.

 

The Death Of The Group & The Art Of Professional Loyalty

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Uncategorized
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Check out any Hip-Hop oriented radio show, magazine or website and if you pay careful attention in between the latest incarceration reports regarding Gucci Mane, T.I. and Lil’ Wayne, you’ll notice two themes: stories of groups and cliques breaking up on one hand; and news of previously successful groups, who have broken up, talking reunion – long past their prime.

Technology, new business trends, and the natural flow of change, of course, has something to do with the decline in the number of groups on the scene today, but most civil wars in Hip-Hop especially within successful crews, are self-inflicted and due to a special form of ignorance.

Most artists are simply never made to appreciate there is a difference between feeling personal loyalty and demonstrating professional loyalty.

The subject is one of the most controversial in Volume II of my book, The Entrepreneurial Secret (http://theesecret.com/) but once people realize the difference, they can accept that being able to outwardly show loyalty to something on a level you don’t personally feel is a valuable business skill and one that keeps organizations together to the benefit of all involved. The result: people make more money united than they do apart, as the group brand increases in value.

Until this technique is perfected, and people understand it doesn’t make you a hypocrite, we will never see strong teams again in rap. It’s just becoming too expensive to experiment with putting people on. Today it isn’t personal love that will bind us together but professional loyalty.

Here is how my business mentor, Frank, describes it in my book:

“The entrepreneurs and professionals who are going to survive the current economic crisis… will understand the difference between demonstrating loyalty and being personally loyal. They know that demonstrating loyalty is a business dynamic, not a spiritual requirement. It is the ability to demonstrate attachment, support, and connection. Politicians can switch parties and still win elections. Coaches can leave football, soccer, hockey, basketball and baseball teams and win championships with different teams. CEOs can leave to go to new companies in a very short period of time and lead organizations full of people they have never worked with before, and in fact have competed intensely against only days, weeks and months before. Entrepreneurs can set up businesses in different countries selling products to consumers because they know how to demonstrate loyalty, even if they have more personal loyalty to a particular political party, company, or country.

“This is because these persons are able to demonstrate to others what they may not feel exclusively or deeply within their hearts…There is a difference between wearing a brand proudly and feeling proudly about a brand.

“I believe that at office parties, and drinks after work, you should be wearing the brand of the company you work for proudly, or demonstrating some form of loyalty to it. That is different than feeling proud about it. If you work for Nike, then everything in your wardrobe should have its symbol on it. But some people will say ‘I’m not working for the company on off hours.’ But they are confused. No one is asking them to feel something but rather only to demonstrate the feeling.”

Most of us – who will never learn these things in elementary, middle, or high school – are simply too confused about what Frank describes to make it work for us in business. In a world like rap culture where street ethics are supposedly valued, and being real often amounts to only superficial things, it is too easy to become personally offended or to feel betrayed by basic business activities. Asking an artist to sacrifice a personal gain, or pass on an opportunity for the benefit of the whole of a group is confused with being “son’ed” or “kissing someone’s a—.” When you throw in the painful history of oppressed people (the communities from whom the artists come) who associate ‘service’ with ‘slavery’ or ‘exploitation,’ things only get worse. Finally, when one recognizes how individuality (read: Russell Simmons’ not wearing suits to business meetings or formal social affairs) is celebrated more than following rules of etiquette, or celebrating ‘team’ in rap culture, it is easy to see how only a few people in Hip-Hop will ever be able to balance the personal and professional sides of loyalty in a group setting.

From the corporate world we see a recent example of this in the debate over Microsoft employees being shunned for using iPhones. Here’s how the Wall Street Journal described it in a recent article, “Forbidden Fruit: Microsoft Workers Hide Their iPhones”:

”The iPhone is made, of course, by Microsoft’s longtime rival, Apple Inc. The device’s success is a nagging reminder for Microsoft executives of how the company’s own efforts to compete in the mobile business have fallen short in recent years. What is especially painful is that many of Microsoft’s own employees are nuts for the device.

The perils of being an iPhone user at Microsoft were on display last September. At an all- company meeting in a Seattle sports stadium, one hapless employee used his iPhone to snap photos of Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer. Mr. Ballmer snatched the iPhone out of the employee’s hands, placed it on the ground and pretended to stomp on it in front of thousands of Microsoft workers, according to people present.”

I thought of G-Unit and the drama over 50 Cent dismissing Game and Young Buck from the team for basically, from his perspective, not showing enough professional loyalty. I’m not making a moral judgment about the ethics of Game and Young Buck. I believe both of them very well could have been correct for refusing to do what 50 Cent wanted them to do (which seems to boil down to showing more negative energy toward G-Unit competitors). To me, that was a personal decision. Clearly though, on a business level, their careers have never been the same since they were dismissed.

When you look at it from 50 Cent and the G-Unit brand’s perspective what 50 expected of them was not unreasonable. It was consistent with his style, formula and modus operandi which is perfecting ‘the art of beef.’ To me, both parties share responsibility for possible mistakes and errors – 50 for bringing people into his team that did not have his temperament or concept of loyalty, and Young Buck and Game for signing up with someone who they probably suspected was capable of asking them to go places their value system wouldn’t let them.

In the final analysis all parties involved suffered on a business level. Just imagine how hot (and commercially successful) the natural second G-Unit album would have been with Lloyd Banks, Yayo, Game, Buck, 50 and Olivia (they could have just thrown her and 50’s underplayed ‘Cloud 9’ on the album) released, say, around the Spring of 2005.

I have no problem with the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer not wanting his employees to be using iPhones in his presence. When building with his employees about their iPhone use, he reportedly told them that when his father ‘worked at Ford, his family drove Fords.’ I’m sure that not all Ford employees believed Ford made the best cars, but it was not personal loyalty the company expected, it was the demonstration of professionally loyalty.

Having said that, I think Steve Ballmer would be foolish and Microsoft would be making a mistake if it did not interpret so many Microsoft employees using the iPhone as an indication that the Microsoft has a long way to go in order to make Windows mobile phones truly competitive. We’ll see if it learns any lessons with the release of the Windows 7 Series this Christmas.

I simply do not see the elements in place for most cliques, teams, and groups to survive much less thrive in today’s roller coaster music industry and the sacrifices it demands. Coming from the House of Wu I look for three elements in any new unit supposedly headed for stardom. If I don’t see these, along with a healthy appreciation for business principles I don’t co-sign: 1) an undisputed head of the group who guides with wisdom rather than just charisma or force 2) an ideology, knowledge base, or belief system that the group accepts and 3) kinship ties – at a blood, marriage, childhood, or neighborhood level.

Through RZA, the Lessons, and a Staten Island-Brooklyn connection not only the original 9 members, but supporting artists, executives, staff, and entourage were all linked together.

Simply picking a crew of artists on the basis of talent and even complimentary creative energy is not enough. To build a successful group these days, one also needs the elements that Wu-Tang had along with clarity about the concept of professional loyalty.

Until then, the only song rap groups will be making is “Break Up To Make Up” – whether by Jeremih or The Stylistics.

20 years later, I’m still mourning the break-up of Brand Nubian (and what could have been – culturally and commercially) and their inability to live their classic ‘One For All’ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPfBRSscspU).

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 Union’s First Congress of African Economists. He is author of the book, ‘The Entrepreneurial Secret’ (http://theEsecret.com/). He can be contacted via e-mail at: cedric(at)cmcap.com

Hip-Hop Rumors: Swizz Beatz & Alicia Break Out! Drake Album Rumors! J-Lo Quits?!

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Rumors
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rumors 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.

SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING!!!!!

EPIC FAIL OF THE YEAR

 Whoa, pops…really? I know we like ’em thick but this is too much! About 450 pounds too much!

 42-year old Donna Simpson from New Jersey currently weighs about 600 pounds and is attempting to double her weight by consuming 12,000 calories a day six times the amount recommended for an average woman. The craziest part about her mission which costs about $750 a week is that it’s being funded by some freaks who enjoy watching her eat on her website. What!?  This should be as illegal as child p###, according to her interview with the Daily Mail:

 

“My favorite food is sushi, but unlike others I can sit and eat 70 big pieces of sushi in one go…I’d love to be 1,000 pounds. It might be hard though. Running after my daughter keeps my weight down.”

 

And on what her partner Phillipe who she met on a “plus sized website” thinks about all of this…

 

“He’s a real belly man, and completely supports me. He worked night shifts and would come home at 2 or 3am and bring the leftovers with him. We’d stay up and eat huge piles of steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy with butter. I started gaining weight quickly and my husband liked it. He said I was sexier when I was bigger, and I felt happier too.”

 This may be some insurance scam. Dude is supporting his wife eating herself to death!!!

 GAGA AND BEYONCE – BANNED?

 Lady GaGa and Beyonce have the honor of being banned by MTV. YAY! Or was it?  MTV is countering the rumors that it banned the weird video, because it didn’t make it past the censors. But, just the rumor alone has people jumping online to read about the hubbub. I didn’t think MTV played videos anymore anyway.

 THE DIVORCE IS FINAL…

 And Swizzie can go OFF now! Showing his boo-ski A. Keys off at the Gotham magazine party.

 

 SOME DRAKE ALBUM RUMORS!

 

I jacked this off thisis50.com so forgive me…I think I was being as lazy as I wanna be:

 

In Toronto this afternoon (March 12th) a few guys got an invite from Universal Music to meet Drake and listen to some new tracks from his soon–to–be–released album. “It sounds like a monster to me,” says Ace Burpee. “It was really good stuff. And Drake is a nice kid. Here’s what I can tell you…”

 

1) There’s a song on the disc called “Fireworks” that has the greatest beat ever. Drake has this sidekick producer called 40, and he’s talented. I met him as well this afternoon and he’s also a good kid. He’s about to be very, very busy. “Fireworks” has a hook on it courtesy of Kings of Leon. It’s catchy.

 

2) There is a Kanye West–produced track on the album that comes with a story. The track was made by Kanye for Beyonce, but Drake really wanted it so he wrote her a handwritten letter asking if he could use it. She read it and thought it was sweet and e–mailed him to give her permission. It’s a great track.

 

3) There’s a Jay–Z/Drake track that he played for us – minus Jay’s verse. Jay–Z doesn’t let anyone hear his stuff before it comes out. Drake claims it is the greatest verse Jay’s ever done.

 

4) I think the final track on the album is called “Thank Me Now” or something. He played us a recorded verse then did another one live and it was one of the best. Really cool.

 

5) He sings on a bunch of tracks on the album.

 

6) This Saturday Drake will be in L.A. doing a track with Dr. Dre and Eminem.

 

7) Yes, there is a Timbaland beat on the album.

 

It is highly possible that the biggest album of 2010 will be from a Canadian, and his name will be Drake.

 

Sidebar: No, Drake isn’t done recording Thank Me Later.

 

MORE ON THE FAB CONCERT IN QUEENS

 

I don’t know if this matters anymore, but here is some info from somebody that was at the Fabolous event.

 

WHAT UP ILLSEED? THIS IS MAESTRO LUNGS RAPPER & PROMOTER FOR LOCH121… WELL AS YOU SHOULD KNOW I’M FROM BAISLEY & LIVE THERE CURRENTLY! THE NIGHT OF THE FAB SHOW, THE MIC WAS TOOK FROM FAB’S HYPEMAN! WHO WE ASSUME WAS PAUL CAIN BY A MEMBER OF G UNIT AFFILIATES TEAM NEW MONEY! WHO ARE FROM BAISLEY PROJECTS! WHICH IS LIKE WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE CLUB! TIL THE CROWD STARTED CHANTING BAISLEY THEY REFUSED TO GIVE THE MIC BACK! HENCE THE DELAY OF FABOLOUS PERFORMANCE. TIL THE DJ FINALLY BEG THEM & FAB SHOUTED THEM OUT THEY SHUT THE CLUB DOWN FOR LIKE 45 MINUTES! THATS THEM CRAZY BAISLEY BABIES….LOL! PEACE

 

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES!            

 

What’s going on with C-RAYZ WALZ. Somebody told me they saw dude performing with a blonde wig. I’m just asking.

 

Angela Simmons is dating Robert Kardashian? I thought she was dating Skillz or Lil Bow Wow. Wow!

 

I am not hearing good things about this new Usher album. Not that I care, but it seems like a lot of things are backfiring for him.

 

People have started a rumor that Waka Flocka cannot read. I mean, there have been stranger things to happen in the world.

 

Jennifer Lopez may be a wrap. After several failed singles and being dropped by her label, she is now talking about taking a break to be with her fam. Uh huh…yeah.

 

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

 This Corey Haim story is taking a turn for the worse. Turns out he was living with his mother in the Valley while she was fighting cancer when he overdosed and died at 38. To add to that, his meager personal effects are on eBay to help pay to bury him. Man, they are selling dudes gym shorts! Somebody cut a check! Anyuway, they are saying that Corey’s death may be related to a huge underground drug ring.

 

JAMIE FOXX – YOU WRONG!

 Here is the dissing of that chick Gabby that played “Precious.” This is not a good time to be overweight. People are coming down on them. Uh…I’m not exactly innocent, but its all in tough love!

 

 J-HOOD SPEAKS ON STUFF THAT NOBODY CARES ABOUT ANYMORE…

 LMAO! I’m kidding. Mikey T The Movie Star got at J Hood and got the deal on what 50 Cent was offering him.

 

 

EPIC WIN OF THE DAY

 

This dude runs a t-shirt line called T.I.T.S. and guess who they have for a model?

 

ROSA ACOSTA, 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].

Hip-Hop Rumors: Krayzie Bone Leaves Bone! Memphis Bleek’s Friend Shot!? Trey Songz New Shakey Deal!?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Rumors
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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.

BLEEK’S MAN MURDERED

 

Remember that Fabolous event in Queens that didn’t have any violence and Fab didn’t get stopped from performing? There was a shooting nearby and I heard somebody was slain. Now, this isn’t funny, but there is a rumor that the person killed was a friend and crewmember of Memphis Bleek. Have you heard of GBaby, a rapper signed to Bleek’s Get Low Records? Hopefully this is justa  bad rumor!

POSITIVE NEWS BREAK: NAS GOES BACK TO SCHOOL!Nas was on hand at the Boys and Girls

Club’s 43rd annual National Keystone Conference in Pittsburgh to drive

home the importance of education and leadership. The elite lyricist

spoke candidly about his personal life, admitting that he never finished

high school and regrets the decision despite his years of a success as a

musician. He now plans to obtain the diploma, and urged those present

not to make the same mistake. “The reality of it is, you need to keep

educating yourself, and I wish I had stayed in school,” Nas explained.

“Be your own leader.” Nas, along with Ne-Yo and former NBA player Bob

Lanier, were brought in by the Keystone Club, a subgroup within the Boys

and Girls Club that emphasizes leadership through community service.

The organization’s Vice President of Corporate and Partner

Relationships, Frank Sanchez, applauded Nas’ message for highlighting a

desire for education in spite of his

financial success and popularity. “This is an incredible message, to

have someone who succeeded so much in their life, but there is still a

void,” he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

For the full story: https://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/03/15/22147322.aspx

KRAYZIE LEAVING BONE?

Are the Bone Thugs totally out of Harmony? After getting the rumor that Bizzy Bone would not be on tour with the rest of the group, I am getting word that Krayzie Bone is leaving too. If this is true, it would be a tremendously bad blow for the crew. Then, they would only have Layzie Bone, Wish Bone, and Flesh-n-Bone! OUCH! I know Flesh is like “WTF!? Can I get paid!?” Anyway, a statement of some sort is supposedly coming down the line. Seems pretty sad that one of the most legendary rap groups cannot pull it together.

As I finished, I got this in my inbox:

 

Two-time, Grammy Award Winning rapper Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony said goodbye, Monday night to his former hip-hop group. The Thugline Records Official MySpace announced its status as “Saying Goodbye”. Sources close to to the camp posted on their official web-site that Krayzie Bone has left the group.

 

Krayzie won a Grammy Award for his work on Chamillionaire’s “Ridin” and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “Tha Crossroads”. Rapper Bizzy Bone of the same group left as well, and so it remains the three current members, Layzie Bone, Flesh-N-Bone and Wish Bone, who are related by blood. It’s not said if Wish Bone is leaving Thugline Records as well.

  TREY SONGZ’S NEW DEAL

 

Somebody close to Trey hit me up on this. I really don’t know how true it is or what, but it sounds about right, considering the state of the music game. Anyway! So, apparently Kevin Liles has a new management company that is doing great things for Trey’s career, right? On the flip side, Trey is becoming a huge artist in his own right. Heck, the dude went to visit the White house with Jay. So, from what I understand is his lable is pushing for him to assume a new deal…a 360-degree artist deal! If you don’t know, these types of deals cover everything you do, including tour money, ringtones, and even money you make in film Obviously, each one is unique to the artist, but that’s the idea – they cover everything. Well, there are acts where this works..Jay-Z, Madonna…and so on. But, here is the catch…this insider tells me that Atlantic is also a part-owner or investor in Kevin Liles management company so this presents a clear and dangerous conflict of interest! Red Flag! Trey may be a good candidate for the 360, but under a different set of circumstances! Good luck!

 SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

 Most people are trying to lose some weight, but this woman bumped her head on something juicy…like a fat burger! Donna Simpson of New Jersey is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the fattest mother at 600 lbs. I think that record has since been broken, but she is looking for another BIG honor! This fool is actively eating herself to death so she can go down in history as a women that weighs 1,000 pounds. She is nutso! She told telegraph.co.uk, “I’d love to be 1,000lb. It might be hard though. Running after my daughter keeps my weight down.” DOWN? Uhmmm…. So this woman has launched a website where people can watch her eat, bath and other niceties in her life. She makes me want to throw up and work out. YUCK! Her frends and family are terribly concerned but this Donna chick is happy to eat herself to death. Oh, she has three kids, from 3 to 14. Sad.

 

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS!

NICE SEND OFF

Check out how Wayne spent his last night of freedom. Do you think he thought it was gonna really happen this time???

BIG’S BABY MOTHER SPEAKS

Biggie’s “ORIGINAL” baby mother, Jan Jackson, called into this radio show to speak on what she’s been up to and even talks about the movie. Say’s she should be a little salty cause they dumbed her down and a little more but it’s mot about her. Check it out interesting info:

RULE HEADED TO CHURCH?!?!?

Kinda…Ja will be starring in an independent movie alongside Adrienne, the spanish chick from 3LW.  The movie centers around a drug dealer who sees the light and falls in love with a church girl.

Daaaaamn homey…in high school you were the (you know).

PROFESSOR JONES

Ummmmmmm…OK. Jim Jones will be teaching a music class at a New York City public school for 8 weeks in the near future. SMH…they just do whatever with these kids education.

On another school note … remember when I told you Chris Brown was going to read tp some kids in Harlem.  he had a good time.

I’M JUST SAYIN’

Rihanna met Matt Kemps family over the weekend.  She popped in while in town to see Matt at training camp.

James Browns body is missing???  SMH

Stacy Dash wants another date with Jaimee Foxx.  And since she let all her ex-husbands smash on the first date…I wonder how Foxx’s Grammy night was???

Shorty that was in the “leaked sex tape” with Young Berg, Jenna Shea, is the self-proclaimed “Thickest white gurl…raised in Inglewood Cali” and is currently “dating” Young Jeezy.  She’s got a bright future behind her.

Check out more at www.ChancesWorld.com

SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING!!!!!

FAT LADY, 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].