homepage

Chris Brown Appears In Court, Charged With Two Felonies

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 5, 2009

Chris Brown is being charged with two felonies in connection to the domestic violence incident with girlfriend Rihanna last month in Los Angeles. The singer made an appearance in the Los Angeles Superior Court earlier today for arraignment on charges of felony assault and making criminal threats. Brown’s arraignment has been postponed by a mutual request of his attorney and the city’s District Attorney until April 6th. The charges being brought against the Virginia-bred singer stem from a melee ensued with Rihanna last month in LA during Grammy weekend after leaving Clive Davis’ pre-awards party. The couple has since reportedly resolved their issues and are working on rebuilding their relationship.

Tale Of The (Mix)Tape: T.I. Finds Even More Redemption…In Jeezy We Trust

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Reviews / MusicMarch 5, 2009

What Up! Tale of the

Tape is back in your area, giving you what you need in this (mix) tape

game. We cover artists from all over, from north to south, east to

west. The search for music goes further than one coast or particular

artist, and I try my hardest to make sure that you get rewarded for

paying attention to Tale of the Tape each week. You know if it is

utterly dope, I am bringing it to you raw and uncut. If it’s nasty,

then I am going to shoot it down with better accuracy than a Navy Seal.

This week we remember T.I is going to be Gone Till November. Young Jeezy and his corporate thugs try to get us to believe In Shield We Trust 2. Hip-Hop bully 50 Cent takes a shot as The Undertaker. La the Darkman shows us what Living Notoriously could sound like. Last but not least, fem fatale Rece Steele makes a case for herself with It’s A Man’s World. Tale of the Tape is definitely cash like a drug dealer’s stash.

T.I

Gone Till November

Heavy Rotation

T.I

seems to be in a push to get it all out of his system. For those with a

short memory, T.I is about to go up north for his gun possession

charges. Regardless of what you think about what his time should be, or

the case specifics, you have to agree Hip-Hop will be at a loss until

he returns. His latest, Gone Till November is full of music T.I has made since his platinum effort Paper Trail.

His tracks with guests shine (“#1” & “Just Think”) and as usual,

his party tracks are good listens (“Party Ain’t A Party”). One of the

only knocks to this are the constant drops by the Trap-A-Holics. If you

can ignore them, you are left with a pretty solid product.

Young Jeezy

In Shield We Trust 2

Heavy Rotation

Hip-Hop it must be an unwritten rule to bring your people on. Every

star has done it in one way or another, whether by giving them mixtape

shine to giving them the push to make whole albums. Young Jeezy isn’t

any different, as his Corporate Thugs imprint has effectively been “put

on” by the rapper. In Shield We Trust 2 is the next

outlet to hear the CTE “movement”. The leader is quite impressive here

(“Turn My Scale On”) as he continues to be Hip-Hop’s #1 dopeboy. The

rest of the crew hold it down like Slick Pulla (“Gutta Butta”), Blood Raw(“Where Ya Swag At”), and Bama (“I Know How To Surf”). Jeezy gives his troops plenty of room to stretch their legs, and they don’t disappoint.

50 Cent

The Undertaker

Heavy Rotation

It’s undisputable at

this point. 50 Cent is at his best when he is in the middle of some

beef. It allows his comedic and terrorizing sides to shine, as he is

just that relentless when it comes to whoever decided to match wits

with him. Let’s be honest, he just isn’t as memorable when he isn’t

steeped in some sort of high profile squabble. Hevehitta put together

some of 50’s best disses (“Funeral Music” & “Tia Told Me”) as well

as some important tracks that introduces us to the Queens MC (“How to

Rob”). It just isn’t a basic compilation, it creatively paints the

picture of his come up and later dominance in the game.

La The Darkman

Living Notoriously

Heavy Rotation

For someone who has

only released one album, LA The Darkman has made his fair share of

rounds within this industry. The Wu-Tang affiliated artist has made the

leap from underground artist, to executive as the president of DJ

Drama’s AMG music group. When he decides to release material, it’s

often home to some hard hitting, gritty underground NY flow. Living Notoriously

is no different, as it’s filled with some good rhymes (“La The Dark”),

solid production (“Ya’ll Ain’t Ready”), and of course, DJ Drama doing

his legendary drops. Like most other Gangsta Grillz, Living Notoriously is built for the car.

Rece Steele

It’s A Man’s World

Peep It

It has

been a while since the femcee has had the type of mainstream shine that

other eras had produced. While there may be more women doing it, it

seems like none can really dig into the sales, respect and appeal that

Lil Kim or Queen Latifah had. Hoping to step onto the national

spotlight, artist Rece Steele already got the eyes of many winning

VH1’s Miss Rap Supreme. Her first effort after being crowned, It’s A Man’s World,

shows some lyrical dexterity (“Flow”) as well as some radio/club appeal

(“Spend It On Me”). This won’t be a mixtape that holds down the fort

too long, but it’s worth a listen.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Hit me – http://www.twitter.com/TheHonorableAT.

If you know about a hot tape, want to drop comments about the column,

or even if you just want to real some insightful tweets, get honorable.

Kim Kardashian Hosts Russell Simmons Fundraiser

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 5, 2009

Kim Kardashian has been tapped to host Russell Simmons’, Danny Simmons’ and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s Second Annual Art For Life Miami Beach Benefit on Saturday, March 14th at the Fontainebleau.

The Gala will honor Anheuser-Busch, Inc., the Rubell Family Collection and Chairman of the Fontainebleau Resorts, and Jeffery Soffer for their work in supporting youth arts education and improving the lives of others.

Scheduled appearances by this years Art For Life Miami Beach committee includes Wyclef Jean, Dwayne Johnson and Danny Garcia, Michael Klug, Lana and Michael Bernstein, Mark and Amanda Tamis, Amaris Jones, Javier Evans and Walid Sfeir.

Proceeds of the Art For Life Miami Beach gala will be donated to the Miami Dade County community via art program grants servicing disadvantaged youth through live and silent auctions of unique art and luxury items.

Beneficiaries of this years Featured Youth include: Arts for Learning, Miami Light Project, EnFAMILIA and several local organizations.

To purchase a table for a party of 10, pricing ranges from $7,500 (limited availability) to $15,000.

Individual tickets range from $500 (limited availability) to $1,000. Each ticket includes admission to 6:30pm cocktail reception and silent auction, 8:00pm dinner, program and live auction, followed by dancing from 10:00pm to midnight.

Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, founded by brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons, provides access and exposure to the arts for disadvantaged urban youth, as well as providing exhibition opportunities to artists of color and under-represented artists since 1995.

Nas, Make-A-Wish Grant Childs Special Request

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 5, 2009

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has enlisted Nas to honor a special plea made by 13 year old Darnell Hicks to meet the acclaimed Queen’s emcee.

According to the Patriot News, Hicks was diagnosed at age 2 with Duchenne, a form of muscular dystrophy that normally kills patients by their 20s.

He has been confined to a wheelchair since the age of 10, but still fought last year to be allowed participation in his middle school choir, located in the Susquehanna Township of Pennsylvania.

Through Make-A-Wish, Hicks will be flown out today (March 5) to Los Angeles, where he’ll attend his favorite rapper’s concert and meet the legendary emcee.

Also, Hick’s trip includes stops at Universal Studios and Disneyland.

The child’s grandfather, Milton Watson, informed the Patriot News that Darnell is expected to undergo surgery this Spring to correct a worsening scoliosis condition.

Nas, fresh off the critical acclaim and gold certification of 2008’s Untitled, is diligently working on a surprise collaboration album with Damian Marley.

The proceeds from that album will be donated to building a school in Africa, with a specific country and location to be finalized.

Eminem Gets Release Date

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 5, 2009

Rapper Eminem is finally set to return to the music scene, after a four-year sabbatical since his last solo album. The Relapse is set for release on May 19 and the Detroit-bred artist is already moving to drop a sequel at the end of the year. The follow-up, Relapse 2, is expected to hit stores as 2009 closes. “A lot of people were expecting Relapse to drop last year,” said Eminem in a statement. “I was one of them. Then Dre and I went back in the studio in September for a few days, and that turned into six months. We were on such a roll; we wound up with a ton of new music produced by Dre. Putting out Relapse 2 will let everyone get all of the best stuff.” The first official single and video from the will be released on April 7, according to Interscope Records.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Chrihaana Married? Nivea Goes Crazy Over Wayne! Kriss Kriss LIED?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: RumorsMarch 5, 2009

DISCLAIMER:

All content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.

TODAY’S RUMORS!

CHRIS AND RIHANNA ARE MARRIED?????

Chris And Rihanna Married!? Rihanna Brown? That has some ring to it! The rumor popped out yesterday and I couldn’t bring myself to write it like Charles Hamilton in a freestyle battle. Its said the pair got married well staying at Diddy’s Miami home! Maybe that’s why Chris was so excited. I don’t get this rumor and I will have to say it’s probably false, but it sure lends itself to the madness known as Chris and Rihanna.

KRISS KROSS TOLD A DAG ON LIE!

I welcome a Kriss Kross reunion as much as anybody that once said “I’m the mickity mickity MACK DADDY,” but it looks like some fibs were told. In particularly, Chris said that they were working with one Kwame, who is now a well-established producer. Newsflash – Kwame is denying the allegations that he is doing a bunch of songs with Kriss Kross. Well, his wife told me, “I am Kwame’s wife and I just wanted to let you know that while Kwame is in the lab working with some of today’s hottest artists, [but] the Rumor regarding Kwame working with Kris Kross is not true.” I wonder who sold Kriss Kross that one or were they just telling a big ol’ lie?

Poor dudes.

NORE CALLS PEREZ HILTON A FATBURGER!!!

Recently Capone N Noreage stopped by “Live with Kendra G” (100.3 The Beat) to promote their album “Channel 10” which will be out March 17th. Of course Kendra G asked Nore about his recent situation at Fatburger down in Miami. At first Noreaga claimed he wouldn’t be able to answer any questions because of his pending court case but he did agree to a “True or False” session…in which he pretty much cleared up the story. And oh…he talks about Perez Hilton and how even though Perez is gay that doesn’t exempt him from getting it too! Check the video out for yourself!

Now why is Nore quoted as saying this? “I’m not homophobic – I’m friends with Kanye West.” Just wrong! Sic ’em, Perez!IF YOU WANTED TO SEE JODECI IN LA…HERE’S WHY YOU DIDNT…I THINK!Honestly, I don’t know what this person is talking about, but if you were in LA, you might. So, with that, Check this out and see if it makes sense. “I’m a very close person in the jodeci camp and the fans need to no the reason why they didn’t do the concert they had in LA tonight.This is the reason, two weeks ago jodeci had went to london and did 4 show for a undisclosed amount of money.The person who set those shows up was Cassandra Mills which jodeci didn’t no at the time she had something to with those shows,they thought someone else who name I’ll keep hush was setting up these show anyway they did all 4 shows and they kicked ass.But this where it gets crazy, they get back to the states and there money wasn’t there the band and the body guards got paid but they didn’t. They are still waiting for there money to date.Now this same lady Cassandra Mills set up this show in LA which Jodeci told her do not set up no more shows for them so to all promoters do not give Cassandra Mills any money concerning Jodeci.So Jodeci would like to say sorry to all the fans and the promoters for what happend.Thank You and much love Jodeci!!!”

UNCLE MURDA SAYS F**K CHRIS BROWN!?

Shout out to Uncle Murda! I knew he was going to do it eventually! He’s reportedly changed his name to Uncle M. He says in the video that “M” stands for a lot of things. Uncle M also goes hard at Chris Brown with a big, “F**k, Chris Brown!”

ILLSEED QUICKIES!

OK…Let me repeat. Slaughter House is the best thing going in Hip-Hop right now. Check out their new song called “Fight Club.” This is HIP-HOP! Crooked I even addressed the “shooting” in the song. WOW.

Peace to Adisa, DLabrie, Keyanna Bean , Hip-Hop Chess Federation, Hip-Hop Congress, and the whole Bay!! Great to see people use Hip-Hop for good!

If you want to hear the new M.I.A. song, click here for it! “Death to the Throne,” she says!

This is a real rumor. I heard that Stevie Wonder has a Blackberry. I also heard he uses it and walks alone at the same time.

Shout out to my homey SEV DA PRODUCER! He’s doing his thing and got interviewed over at BeatDynasty.com. Check it!

SOMEBODY EMAILED ME ABOUT T.I.

You know, ever since I mentioned the “tiff” with Tip, everybody has something positive to tell me about T.I. Hey, here you go! Check it out!

I’m surprised I haven’t seen you post about T.I.’s surprise visit to a high school in Little Haiti called Miami Edison Senior High School. You should google the school for more info, as it is nationally known in the No Child Left Behind debate and last year for the incident of police brutality in which over 70 cop cars surrounded the school to respond to a peaceful protest, beating students (including a pregnant young lady), leaving blood everywhere, and of course the State of Florida’s investigation said they did nothing wrong. Ironically this took place February 29th (black history month) and on MLK Avenue, as a mural of MLK Jr. faces our school. Crazy huh? T.I.’s visit was very motivating in regards to inspiring students to make sacrifices and do the right thing even if people’s expectations of us our low. We will take the FCAT next week (the state test we have to take to graduate), and most people in the state expect us to fail. If we fail we will remain a “F” school and face school closure. theres the info

NIVEA GOES CRAZY OVER LIL WAYNE!

Nivea has been doing her thing thing…and her thing thing is crazy.

AMANDA DIVA’S GOT A NEW PROJECT OUT!

Support the sis…this is FREE!

Dr. PHIL GIVES HIS TWO CENTS ON CHRIS AND RIHANNA

I gotta disagree with Phil a bit. I have to say that if a woman hits a man with a PAN…and the man spazzes on her…Uhm…All bets might be off. Don’t hit anybody…just don’t.

RIHANNA’S MISSING AD

This ad is from Cover Girl and it is rumored to be pulled because of the caption “Light Up Your Eyes.” I guess they are suggesting people will draw a connection to Chris Brown lighting up her eyes with punches.

SHELZ – COMES BACK!

Khaled is going to be huger than huge and Fat Joe’s 9th album. J.O.S.E 2, is going to be a Grammy magnet. I’m not going to co-sign any of this until Maino checks his crystal ball, but Fat Joes sees big things poppin for him and Khaled in the ’09. Check him out.

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

This story is truly said. Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor of the boating tragedy in St. Pete, revealed what happened on the night that Marquis Cooper, Corey Smith and Will Bleakley came up missing and possibly deceased.

Schuyler, 24, told investigators that about two to four hours after their boat capsized Saturday in rough seas, one of the two professional football players gave up hope and let himself be swept away, according to family members of two of the missing men.

A few hours later, the second one did the same.

“We were told that Nick said the two NFL players took their life jackets off and drifted out to sea,” said Bob Bleakley, whose son Will, 25, is also still missing.

With former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith gone, only Schuyler and Bleakley remained clinging to the boat.

Then, sometime Monday morning, Will Bleakley thought he saw a light in the distance and decided to take off his life jacket and swim to it, hoping to get help.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY!

This girl needs to just take it off. Leave the pole to the pros.

EPIC WIN OF THE DAY!

How would you be if you got hit by a truck that got hit by a train? Look at this video!

NORE BRINGS CAPONE FOR ANOTHER SKIT!

CAPTION THIS!

Here is an exclusive shot from GLC’s “Big Screen” video shoot, which just wrapped in Hollywood yesterday. Here you can see The Honorable GLC and Kanye West in their Roaring Twenties garb for their Negro League-themed video, which is set in a ritzy jazz club in the Hollywood Hills. At least I can verify that ‘Ye’s s### is officially gone. Somebody told me there is a tail in the back now.

Shout out to Andrew Barber of Fake Shore Drive!

CAPTION THIS!

LOL…This is Keri Hilson. Now, Keri is my new boo, but there are so many captions. I don’t know where to start. We could have quite a few Beyonce jokes here. A Chris Brown joke is so easy with this picture. There may even be an illseed joke somewhere. I won’t say anything else.

SHOUT OUT TO MICHAEL ERIC DYSON!

Pat Buchanan is on some bullshucks! No love! I think America is scared of looking in a mirror and Pat is an old, oblivious member of a dying breed. SMH!

Email me at allhiphoprumors@gmail.com …tips, information and other stupid stuff.

For more, go to illseed.com. Or just follow me at http://twitter.com/illseed

DILLA, 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 allhiphoprumors@gmail.com.

Rick Ross Confirms ‘Deeper Than Rap’ Release Date

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 4, 2009

Despite a high profile feud with rapper 50 Cent, Miami’s Rick Ross is focusing his energy back on music and his anticipated third studio album Deeper Than Rap.

So far, many of the LPs leaked tracks have a distinct, soulful R&B edge that harkens back to the smooth sounds of the early and mid 90s.

According to Ross, this noticeable element was inspired by one of the album’s superstar guests, celebrated songstress Mary J. Blige.

Perhaps the most anticipated guest appearances revolve around Kanye West and Lil Wayne.

Both are confirmed for “Maybach Music 2,” the sequel to the original which featured Jay-Z, from Ross’ 2008 #1 album, Trilla.

Referring to the original track as “timeless,” Ross was reluctant to compare it with the sequel, instead referencing both as exceptional, independent works.

“I would never disrespect that record and those rhymes,” Ross stated. “Just to say I topped it [the original]… and it [Maybach Music 2] is special.”

Another anticipated team-up features elite Queens-bred lyricist Nas on the Inkredibles produced “Usual Suspects.”

The song, which has yet to leak, will mark their first one-on-one collaboration.

Other producers lending their talents to the album include The Runners (“Laid Back,” “Boss Lady,” and “In Cold Blood), J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League (“Magnificent”) Tricky Stewart (“All I Want”),Bigg D (“Murder Miami”), Bink! (“Cigar Music”), and Drumma Boy (“Face”).

Deeper Than Rap is set to hit stores April 21 through Ross’ own Maybach Music imprint and Def Jam.

With it, Ross is attempting to score his third #1 and gold certified album, following 2006’s Port of Miami and 2008’s Trilla.

Flosstradamus: Big Billin’

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: AlternativesMarch 4, 2009

It’s no surprise that when the Hip-Hop cycle picked its new

favorite region, the Midwest got next. While Kanye and Common saw it coming,

during this natural regional progression, the categorical Hip-Hop “sound” also

evolved. So not only are we meeting a brand new locale, but we’re experiencing

music that we’ve either never heard or never called Hip-Hop until now.

J2K and Autobot, collectively known as Flosstradamus, have

been remixing the Chicago scene for years. Beginning with the party circuit,

launching the career of Kid Sister (a.k.a J2K’s sister), Flosstradamus made

their name from the ground up. Their knack for blending everything from rock to

rap has them moving up the ladder fast as the go-to DJs for reinventing sound.

In the midst of promoting their Green Label Sound single “Big Bills” (featuring

Caroline Polachek from electro-pop outfit Chairlift) and working on their debut

project, Flosstradamus takes a few to discuss their vision of a genre-free

world.

AllHipHop.com Alternatives: What have the past three years been like for you two?

J2K: [Autobot] and I

started out deejaying parties in Chicago separately – he was doing

something with the Opaque Project and I was doing things with this group called

Life During Wartime. A mutual friend of ours, my roommate at the time, linked

us up. He was like, “You guys are doing the same thing as far as your sound.

You should work together.” So we met up and kinda hit it off and we started

doing little edits together. We did a remix of Twista’s “Overnight Celebrity”

and put that out on our MySpace page, basically, and we started doing parties

together at this really small bar called the Townhall Pub. We called the night

“Get Out of the Hood” because it was in a neighborhood in Chicago that people

really didn’t frequent too often. People would come to party; the first night

we did it was with our immediate friends, like 20 or 30 people. The next time

it doubled and just built and built and built.

Within I’d say about six months, MTV2 was doing “My Block”

for Chicago and they wanted to cover Kid Sister, who is actually my sister. She

got her start at Townhall Pub at our parties doing raps here and there before

she started taking it really seriously. MTV2 came to the party and filmed her

performing there and things just started jumping off from there. I’d say that

was two years ago, and then we started doing festival circuits and touring.

We’ve been around the world a couple of times, did Coachella twice,

Lollapalooza twice. The last two years we’ve been touring extensively and just

this last year we got to work in the studio a little bit. That kind of brings

us now to “Big Bills” and all of the stuff you’re hearing. We’re just

developing our sound and put our own records out now.

AHHA: When you first

came out, this movement was more concentrated in places like Chicago, which was a breeding ground

before this scene erupted. Now it’s become worldwide, especially with the

success of Kid Sister and other artists like Santogold, M.I.A., etc. How was it

watching the scene change?

J2K: I kind of felt

that it was going to happen anyway. Right around the time of the MTV2 thing,

very early on in [Kid Sister’s] career, she was being courted by a certain

record label. At that point in time I was managing her, [laughs] if you could

call it that. I was on a conference call with these people and remember telling

them that I really believed 100% – and we have much respect for Pharrell

and Kanye and other major producers – but we just felt that there was a

desperate need for a new sound, especially with the way the industry is. Labels

are so desperate for something they can market. I told these people you’ve

gotta get on this while it’s hot, because in two years it’s going to be

completely inaccessible. I kinda knew it was going to happen, but it’s cool to

watch it come through.

Autobot: We totally

saw it coming. I mean we started out just to do something different and

something fun that wasn’t already happening. Here in Chicago there’s House

parties as in playing House music and there’s also Hip-Hop stuff, but both of

those things in Chicago were like set to their own people and they’d never let

[J2K] and I play at those parties. So we said let’s take both of those and do

our own little thing. That’s what we were doing, and there were so many

different types of people that would come to our parties because it was so

carefree. It wasn’t forced; it was just happening. We knew that something

different was going to happen. And it’s cool because we know Santi, we know

M.I.A. a little bit. It’s crazy seeing our friends come up and get big and

being a part of that too.

AHHA: We’re watching

artists like M.I.A. performing at the Grammy’s and both her and Santogold

getting sampled on Hip-Hop tracks. Do you see this getting to the mainstream in

a big way? Do you want it to go there or are you pleased with where it’s at

now?

J2K: I think that it

has the potential to, but there’s something you gotta be mindful of, and it’s

that you don’t want it to become the next like, Snap music, just in and out. I

feel like honestly Southern rap is still really present and did it really well.

There have been a lot of spinoffs down there, but for the most part, I really

like the way the South banded together and made something. I feel that when you

do that, there’s longevity to it. Certain trends I’ve seen – they can

come and go so quickly – one person does it, a million people copy it,

and then it fades off.

With the actual Southern rap movement, it seemed as though

there were a ton of people just like us who were making incredible music. Then

someone just shined a spotlight on it and everyone was like, wow this was going

on right under our noses forever. With us, it’ll be the same exact way. People

are gonna still make music, and with our scene people are trying to push the

boundaries. They’re trying to get more and more creative and experimental. If

that breaks into the commercial spotlight then more power to it, because we’re

trying to make a living and trying to survive. A lot of people are doing this

art and aren’t wealthy, just like Southern rap. We’re from blue collar

families. The fact that we can make a living off this and it’s commercially

tangible, I’m happy. It’ll have longevity as long as everyone sticks together.

AHHA: Talk about

your deal with Green Label Sound.

J2K: We got hooked

up with them a while back. We basically wanted to make sure we had creative

control and they said yes. The deal is kind of amazing. I’m not even gonna

front, they really let us do what we need to get done. It was cool because we

collaborated with this girl Caroline Polachek from this group Chairlift, and we

said we kind of wanted to do a dancey kind of song and she was into it. We

corresponded and sent tracks back and forth and then went out to LA to record

the song, twelve hours a day grinding and we got the song done.

Autobot: As far as

labels are concerned, Green Label as an official label is actually doing what

maybe other labels will be doing in the future. They’re taking artists from

different types of music and putting them on this label to release singles. The

cool thing about Green Label is they are taking artists who are killin’ it in

their fields and releasing singles and pushing it like a normal record label

would. It’s cool because we’re seeing what record labels might be doing in the

future for artists.

AHHA: How do you go

about deciding what tracks to remix?

Autobot: We are DJs

first and foremost and we know what works a crowd and gets the crowd moving. We

take that mentality when we get to the studio. We’ll hear the elements of songs

and put our own little twist on them with our own production. We know what will

go over well in a crowd and on their iPods.

AHHA: How will that

carry into your next project?

J2K: Honestly, with

us doing this new project with our original production, we’re just trying to

find our sound. People were surprised when they heard “Big Bills” but that’s

because we haven’t put out any original releases, just remixes. No one really

knew what a Flosstradamus song sounds like, and even with that song, it isn’t

like “oh that’s what they sound like.” That’s part of how we sound and what we

like, but we’re really versatile. DJ-set wise, the reason why we had a such a

good response was because we played everything. We don’t want an album that’s

just everything, but we don’t want to limit ourselves as far as what direction

we’d like to go in.

AHHA: Do you

consider yourself Hip-Hop, Electronic? Where do you see your music fit in a

world where a lot doesn’t fit?

J2K: Well genres are

actually played out. Put that on the record, the word “genre” is like so

played. It doesn’t apply anymore. So many Hip-Hop producers are doing House

tracks. When we were down in Miami working with Pharrell with [Kid Sister], we

were playing a lot of the stuff that we liked – a lot of House and

Electro and Dance stuff – and he looked like a kid in a candy store. You

can’t just call Pharrell a Hip-Hop producer or a Pop producer, he’s a music

connoisseur and is extremely talented. You could tell by how he perked up when

he heard like Boys Noize that he’s an appreciator and likes good music. That’s

like us, and when we hear something that catches our attention, we go for it.

That’s why we can remix anything.

AHHA: Do you ever get

any heat from Hip-Hop?

J2K: In the

beginning, yeah. Slowly, but surely it’s wearing off. The Hip-Hop world is very

defensive and competitive and it’s about battling and being Number One. When

anything comes out that is new and challenging, it gets defensive. I was

watching the VH1 Hip-Hop documentary the other day and it showed Outkast

winning an MTV VMA and they got booed! And Andre got up and said “The South’s

got something to say,” and they just bounced. It was incredible because look at

where they’re at now and how the South is regarded in Hip-Hop.

I think our situation is just like any other new situation

in Hip-Hop. Hated on at first, and slowly but surely they’ll come around. There

will always be haters, but I like haters. They motivate us. Like Katt Williams

says you need haters to let you know you’re doing your thing.

Autobot: We always

joke about that. When we started deejaying, the people at the shows, their

minds were blown because they had never heard anything like that before. It was

like in Back to the Future when he plays “Johnny B. Goode” and

the crowd is silent and he’s like “Oh your kids will love it.” Josh [J2K] and I

would joke when we’d see people at our shows backed into a corner and we’re

like “your kids will love it.”

J2K: We played a

show with Shawty Lo in like Ft. Myers and it was just rough, man.

Autobot: The song

was done and it was like…crickets.

J2K: There was like

feedback on the mic and it was like “Sexual Chocolate!” Randy Watson, [laughs].

AHHA: From a

business standpoint, you guys are hip to letting corporations work with you.

You have Green Label Sound now, and previously you worked with Scion. A lot of

independent artists don’t really get that concept.

J2K: Oh they will.

Long story short, in the economy that we’re in now, we’re just trying to

survive. We’re not buying a yacht, we’re not trying to buy Bentleys, we’re just

trying to make a living off this. Some people are like, “Man that’s selling

out!” You wanna call it selling out? I’m doing this so I can be putting my kids

through school so they won’t have to worry, their food’s gonna be on the table,

whatever. At the end of the day, if the corporation is decent – it’s not

like we’re gonna be working with Haliburton [laughs] – if it’s a decent corporation

with art in mind and we have creative control of the project, then we’re cool

with it.

AHHA: If you weren’t

here doing this, where would you be?

J2K: Probably

working at Whole Foods.

Autobot: Selling

mopeds.

J2K: We’ll just call

them “odd jobs.”

Download “Big Bills” for free here.

GA Drug Charges Against Lil Wayne Dropped

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 4, 2009

Georgia Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson has exonerated Lil Wayne of felony drug charges stemming from a 2006 arrest in Atlanta.

Wayne (Dwayne Carter) was arrested in August 2006 at the Twelve Hotel. A police search allegedly revealed unnamed bottles holding the drugs hydrocodone and Xanas.

Also, the officers retrieved an undisclosed amount of marijuana.

In October 2007, New Orleans emcee was arrested per a fugitive warrant for skipping a scheduled Fulton County court date.

Yesterday (March 3), Wayne’s attorney William Head successfully argued that the search was illegal, and that his client was not present in the room, nor was it registered to him when the arrest was decreed.

Regarding the missed court date, the judge deemed Wayne’s excuse appropriate.

According to Head, his client missed the date because the summons was mailed to his New Orleans residence, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Wayne next court appearance will be in New York on April 20, where he faces the charge of criminal possession of a loaded weapon.

Similar to the dismissed Georgia charges, the Hip-Hop superstar was arrested after a police search of his tour bus revealed the weapon.

At press time, Lil Wayne’s rock-centered LP, entitled Rebirth, is scheduled to be released on May 19.

Suge Knight Supports Chris Brown 1,000%

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 4, 2009

Suge Knight has revealed that he supports singer Chris Brown, who allegedly assaulted his girlfriend Rihanna. “Chris Brown is the homie. I got more love for Chris Brown than anybody,” Knight said as he puffed on a cigar. “ The controversial Death Row mogul was interviewed by a paparazzi for tmz.com and explained his reasoning. “One of the things Chris Brown did before…at the time, my daughter was turning 14 years old and it was her birthday,” he said. “They were having a concert in [Las] Vegas. He pulled her on stage…sang happy birthday to her. He ain’t have to do that. He showed a lot of respect. So, therefore I’m going to ride with him 1,000%.” When asked if he had talked to Brown, Knight replied with a chuckle, “I don’t do no telling.” In February, Suge Knight avoided jail time after pleading guilty to beating his girlfriend. He was fined and sentenced to community service and counseling. Chris Brown and Rihanna have reunited and are now together in Los Angeles according to reports. Brown was arrested on suspicion of criminal threats, but has yet to be formally charged with a crime.

Mickey Factz named Spokesman For Honda Accord

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 4, 2009

Mickey Factz has been named the official spokesperson for the 2009 Honda Accord Rhymes and Reasons Campaign.

The up-and-coming Bronx rapper was chosen by Muse Communications, Honda’s advertising agency, for his ability to rap about being smart, economical and planning ahead.

In the Campaign, Factz plays a paralegal by day and an artist by night who has garnered a following over the internet.

Through his online Hip-Hop show, “Rhymes and Reasons,” Factz stays in touch with fans while providing a lifestyle guide to living a smart, cool and sensible way of life.

The Rhymes and Reasons Campaigns involves an official website featuring sensibility tips by Mickey Factz, a three minute documentary, photos and an interactive blog.

Customers will also be able to download music, while Myspace, YouTube and podcast pages have been created to push the campaign through social networking and social media sites.

The television commercials introduces Mickey Factz and DJ Gomez Warren IV, Factz’s coworker and “Rhymes and Reasons” partner, and provides a glimpse into the rapper’s life while directing customers to the official website, www.rhymesandreasons.honda.com.

Muse Communications, one of leading multicultural advertising agencies in the country, is hoping to attract an African-American audience through the Rhymes and Reasons Campaign with the popular rapper Bronx rapper.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Keri Hilson Disses Beyonce? Chris Brown And RiRi In LA? Who Pulled That Gun?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: RumorsMarch 4, 2009

DISCLAIMER:

All content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.

TODAY’S RUMORS!

THE DAILY TWO CENTS

Hip-Hop – I am pleading for peace. I am not to proud to beg. After hearing about somebody trying to Crooked I, I got to thinking…”what if it happened?” WE don’t need this anymore. We all need to be out here doing something postive. Supporting each other. Hip-Hop started out as an alternate to the streets…gangs to breakin’…art, parties, rap battles. Lets protect each other. I know it sounds corny. But, I don’t want any more dead rappers. Cats like Crooked I are too talented.

With that, I flip the script.At illseed.com, check out a woman that called 911, because McDonald’s ran out of McNuggets! Click here for the madness.

Maybe we should all just do like Lil Wayne and go ROCK. Click here for his new video for “Prom Queen.”WHO PULLED A GUN OUT ON WHO?

Its OK. Call me a b***h. The fact is, I’m not saying names on this one. A fairly well-known rapper from Georgia/Atlanta allegedly pulled a gun out on someone at the Gorilla Zoe/Rick Ross video shoot. I can’t say, because I ain’t no snitch! (Kidding) Seriously, I heard this happened, but that’s about it. I wouldn’t doubt if it leaks soon.

KILLER MIKE AN BOBBY CREEKWATER ARE DOING WHAT?

First of all, I welcome Bobby Creewater to the rumors page. I think this is his first outing. I have a rumor though. I am hearing that Killer Mike and Bobby Creekwater are putting together something HUGE! All this is beyond what they worked on for Creek’s BC Era Deuce EP, which is dropping later this month. Whatever this project is, I am told it will be as big as Mike’s partnership with Grand Hustle. That’s all I have.

Good to get some REAL DEAL HIP-HOP RUMORS! Thanks, people! Send me more Hip-Hop rumors!!!!!! I know there is going to some gossip, but that’s not my lane.

KRISS KROSS IS REUNITING

You know, this might sound interesting, but I am very interested in hearing what Kriss Kross is going to be bringing to the table when they reunite! That’s right. Chris and Chris are reuniting and they are working with Kwame, the rapper-turned-producer. That’s right. The said Kwame has blessed them with about five records. Chris Kelly said that the group is putting together about 20 songs for an early 2010 release. They are also coming for JD! Well, not exactly, but Chris is upset that JD gaffled them for their publishing. Well, I won’t say gaffling…but he’s tight about it. He said they were 10 and `11 when they were doing Kriss Kross. I don’t know.

USHER GETS CHECKED AND SAYS SORRY TO CHRIS BROWN

Yesterday, Usher was letting Chris Breezy know the deal in what seemed to be an honest manner. He said, “I’m a little disappointed in this photo. (Of Chris Brown jet skiing) After the other photo? (Rihanna’s battered face) C’mon, Chris. Have a little bit of remorse, man. The man’s on jet skis? Like, just relaxing in Miami?”

Usher: “The comments made during a recent recording session amongst friends were taken out of context and blown out of proportion,” the statement reads. “I apologize on behalf of myself and my friends if anyone was offended. The intentions were not to pass judgment and we meant no harm. I respect and wish the best for all parties involved.”

THIS IS MY FAVORITE DUDE RIGHT NOW – SUPER GEEK!

KERI HILSON DISSES BEYONCE?

I love my girl Keri and I want her to be around for many, many years…HOWEVER…doing at Beyonce is not the way. Listen to this and tell me if she is dissing B.

Here are the lyrics.

Your vision cloudy if you think that you da best/You can dance/she can sing/but need to move it to the le…(Don’t do it to ’em shawty!)/She need to go have some babies/she need to sit down she fake/them other chicks ain’t even worth talkin’ bout…Jay-Z said it best…”don’t bark up that tree…that tree will fall on you.”

THE ICON AND THE EX-CON

Lil Kim is all set to go on “Dancing With The Stars” – peep this!

Here is the other video.

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

McGruff the Crime Dog got snuffed by bus driver? OH NO…its all coming to an end!

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

Bad news. The Coast Guard have called off the search for the two NFL players and a third man that were lost in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida.

Bill Gates is quite the “hater.” His kids aren’t allowed to have iPods or any other Apple products!

Also, I believe it was the comments on the T.I. story that got him upset. That’s what somebody told me. The comments are a m####.

Rihanna’s family is reportedly devastated that she has gone back to Chris Brown. I wonder why?

According to rumor, Solange did actually bust somebody with that mic stand. Not sure if I believe it though. We’d heard about it.

Chris Brown and Rihanna are reportedly living in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. I can’t keep up anymore.

They are saying that Chris Brown’s Lambo had traces of Rihanna’s blood in it. Moving on…

Kanye has reportedly cut off the s###-hawk hair doo.

I know this sounds pretty much like basic info, but Jay-Z is really working hard on his new album. He’s gunning for a real classic.

RANDOM QUOTES

In a recent radio interview, Young Buck has dispelled the notion that he was once a rich man.

“It’s simple, I can let you know what I’ve made. I’ll just put out my tax statements since I signed with G-Unit… I haven’t received 10 million dollars, or jacked off 10 million dollars. I’ve never paid a million dollars in taxes.”

Mekhi Phifer comes to Chris Brown’s rescue!

“People make mistakes—and while I don’t condone what happened that night, you know, what Chris did to her—I remember being young, 19, and at that age it seemed like everything was so over-the-top, and everyone’s so passionate about things at the age.”

Bow Wow regrets his beef with Soulja Boy…but do kids really look up to them? Just curious.

“Me and Soulja’s situation that we had. There’s no situation. It’s just a friendly challenge that hit a u-turn and went down this street that it shouldn’t have went down. For us to even do that for the kids and for the people that look up to us, it was just really out of my character and out of his character for us to just display that ignorance like that. I’ve been put on this earth to entertain my people.”

Oh boy…Yeezy:

“I do have an ego and rightfully so. I think people should have an ego. “Think about it – I don’t offend people, I don’t put anyone down. Do I name names or bring people down? That’s not my thing. But I give myself big-ups. I feel good about the music I make. “God chose me. He made a path for me. I am God’s vessel. But my greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live.”

CAM’RON SAYS THEY SPOKE

JIM SAYS THEY DIDN’T

Jim Jones claims he never talked to Cam’ron. WORD? Cam’ron says they are like family to this day. I wonder how Jim feels about that. Anyway, Jim reportedly stated that for him and Cam to have a phone call or go to a birthday party, the money would have to be right. Cam’ron told us the same thing about a Dip Sec reunion – LOL!

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY

This is a good time to remark on this. since, the comments aren’t on right now. Brian Dawkins is leaving the Philly Eagles after 13 years. Call me a traitor, but it sounds like a fail to me. I know he basically got an offer that the Birds wouldn’t match. I know he’s an older player, but I can’t help but feel like the Eagles just got the heart pulled out of the team. SMH.

The other Epic Fail of the Day is Michael Steele, the “leader” of the Republicans. He made history as the first African American to run the party, but he apologized to Rush Limbaugh like he was some sort of schlep. For that, Mr. Steele, you have marked the start of your ending.

Read this story about how Michael Steele is looking to GET HIP-HOP into the Republican party. Well, Steele, you are going to have to show more NUTS than that. I can’t believe dude…read the story!

By, the way Pill Poppin’ Troll (Blob Rush) check out these stats, you wide piece of cow dung.:

* 44: Percentage of Americans who have a positive initial response to Obama’s budget

* 26: Percentage of American who have a negative initial response to the budget

* 63 : Percentage of Republicans have a negative response to the budget

* 25: Percentage of Americans who have followed news on the budget “very closely”

* 42: Percentage of Americans who have followed news on the budget “somewhat closely”And WE are not scared of you RUSH LIMBAUGH or your constituents …maybe Mr. Steele has no spine, but my spine is made of steel, baby bro. You’d probably call 911 if McDonald’s ran out of Big Macs

Email me at allhiphoprumors@gmail.com …tips, information and other stupid stuff.

For more, go to illseed.com. Or just follow me at http://twitter.com/illseed

TAHIRY, 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 allhiphoprumors@gmail.com.

Jay-Z Lands Cover of Best Life Mens Magazine

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 3, 2009

In preparation for the release of the highly-anticipated Blueprint 3, mogul Jay-Z will grace the April cover of Best Life Magazine.

The magazine is a spinoff created by the editors of Men’s Health, and focuses on supplying expert advice for men to empower themselves on physical, emotional, and financial levels.

Recently, the Brooklyn native has made headlines for his comments on the Chris Brown-Rihanna altercation and resurfaced tensions with former mentor Jaz-O.

For Jay, any issues with others simply stems from the energy he’s received.

“I’m a mirror…If you’re cool with me, I’m cool with you, and the exchange starts,” Jay-Z told Best Life Magazine. “What you see is what you reflect. If you don’t like what you see, then you’ve done something. If I’m standoffish, that’s because you are.”

Despite releasing several songs since Blueprint 3 was announced last summer, Jay-Z has aborted previous release dates in November and December 2008.

At press time, the rapper and executive producer Kanye West are still finalizing additional track for the LP.

With this being his eleventh studio album, Jay-Z acknowledged that his goal was much simpler on his acclaimed 1996 debut Reasonable Doubt.

“I made that album to impress my friends,” Jay stated. “So they would say, ‘Oh wow, look what you did!’ It was my first album on the label we owned. I was like ‘Okay, what happens now?”

The album went platinum, and launched one of the most decorated careers in Hip-Hop history.

In the last thirteen years, Jay-Z has sold over 26 million records in the U.S., and successfully expanded to fashion (Roc-A-Wear), entertainment (NJ Nets, 40/40 Club), concert promotion (Live Nation), and label ownership (Roc-A-Fella, Star Roc).

Currently, Blueprint 3 is tentatively scheduled to be released this year.

The April issue of Best Life is available now.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Joe Budden’s Girls A**, JD and Usher Clown Chris and Rihanna and Christina Milian! LMAO!

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: RumorsMarch 3, 2009

DISCLAIMER:

All

content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual

info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.

TODAY’S RUMORS!

THE DAILY TWO CENTS

Check

out the rumors from earlier today. But here is my daily two cents…is

racism on the rise or is it just rearing its ugly head as a byproduct

of President Obama? I know and understand it never left, but I was

thinking were were moving in the right direction. Then…I got this…

Before

you get all upset, there are some good videos and a few rumors below.

The most classic is JD’s crew and Usher going in on Chris and Rihanna

as well as Christina Milian. They’re wrong for that! haha…

THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!

Barnes

& Noble would like to publicly apologize for what happened in our

Coral Gables, Florida store. We believe that a customer played a cruel

joke and placed an inappropriate title in the front window of our

store, where we were featuring books written by or about President

Obama. We want to assure our customers that the book placed by someone

other than our booksellers was never intended to be included in our

display and was removed as soon as we became aware of the situation. We

are looking into it and are taking the steps necessary so that it does

not happen again. From time to time customers will move titles from one

area of the store to another. In this particular case, we do not

condone whatever message may have been intended with the placement of

this title in our Presidential display. It certainly was not part of

our merchandising and we regret that we didn’t see the placement of

this title immediately.

Mary Ellen Keating, Spokesperson

Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Now, why did this go down like this in the first place? I hope it was an idiot and not the store.

SOLANGE DOES IT AGAIN!

This

girl is getting some real momentum! I wonder if she’ll have a new song

out soon. Her album was good and now he’s a media darling. Check out

how she casually throws a mic stand into the crowd at the House of

Blues. You might have seen this, because I didn’t decide to put it up

until a “friend” insisted. I heard she nearly busted somebody in the

head with that thing! If she did, the would have been a MAJOR lawsuit

for that a**!

USHER, JD AND THE CREW GO INNNNNNNNNNNNNN…

You

have to see this. Usher and JD and their crew called the “Ocean’s 5” –

they go IN on Chris and Rihanna and Christina Milian’s hair…oh dip.

I purposely ignored this “look,” but since they brought it to light, here you go.

She is such a pretty girl, so I don’t know why this look would have come out the house with her.

ODB GETTING OUT OF JAIL

Check

out this video. ODB didn’t seem to know that he was signing to The Roc

or Dame Dash Music. I don’t know which it was at the time. Hmmmm….

T.I. TALKS TO CHELSEA

Chelsea is one funny chick. Check out this interview!

JOE BUDDEN’S GIRL’S A**

Tahiry…wow. Next up: King magazine.

CLASSIC CAM’RON

Check out old school Killa! “What Means The World To You!”

Email me at allhiphoprumors@gmail.com …tips, information and other stupid stuff.

For more, go to illseed.com. Or just follow me at http://twitter.com/illseed

TAHIRY, 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 allhiphoprumors@gmail.com.

Rhymefest: El Che Grand

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: FeaturesMarch 3, 2009

Chicago-bred MC Rhymefest is one of the industry’s, relatively, best kept

secrets. He has gained notoriety for his clever battle-rap skills, where he

outshined Eminem back in ’97 (see YouTube). He also penned Kanye’s

Grammy-winning “Jesus Walks.” Now, ‘Fest is ready to show the world the total

package.

This week, he will drop a new mixape,

The Manual, and in June, he will

release his sophomore album El Che. Not

one to bite his tongue, ‘Fest was extra candid as he weighed in on the Charles

Hamilton controversy, his relationship with K-West and his take on the state of

Hip-Hop.

AllHipHop.com: So tell us what’s going on with The Manual mixtape?

Rhymefest: You

know what’s funny? I was talking to Lil Jon last night. He was in the studio.

He was like, “Man your mixtapes are so great.” He was

talking about Man in the Mirror and

how great it was. And he was like, “Why are you giving this stuff away?” You

know, on The Manual, I got songs with

Queen Latifah, Sadat X, Greg Nice, CL Smooth. I got

like the classic artists on this. I took old school beats, classic Hip-Hop and

got them remade and updated into stuff that would be palatable today.

And then what I did was took the artist and had them rap

over today’s type of tracks. Like Queen Latifah and I rhyming over more a

southern style track. Or Sadat X and I rhyming over more of a party beat. Greg

Nice and I are doing a song over more of a club track. So Lil Jon heard it and

he’s like, “Man why aren’t you selling this stuff? Why are you giving this

stuff away? What are you getting for it?”I did Man in the Mirror, and my fans picked up

on it and loved it and I’m appreciative of that. But it should have been more

ill than the Grey Album. It was

better than the Grey Album. It was

better than anything out that year.

Scram Jones ft. Saigon, Rhymefest

& Haffa “Yes We Can” Video

AllHipHop.com: The

Chicago Tribune even said it should be a Grammy.

Rhymefest: It

should have been! More so than Blue

Collar, I would say The Man in the Mirror

didn’t get its just due. How could anybody from XXL or The Source have

the best mixtape of the year, or runner up and not put Man in the Mirror there? How could they do that? It’s wrong. It’s blatant

disregard for Hip-Hop and it’s a blatant disregard for what’s good and it’s blatant

commercialism.

AllHipHop: Do you

think they’ll come around this time around?

Rhymefest: I

don’t know. I don’t care what they do. It just made me feel like, Yo I did what I supposed to do. I made a piece of

greatness. I put creativity into it. I even put star power in there. Me [and] Talib did a joint. Me and Mark [Ronson] did our thing. I put it out, I brought attention to

it. You know what I mean? Did MTV. Did this, did that. All kinds of stuff.

Whoever didn’t get it, didn’t listen to it, or didn’t hail it for what it is.

It’s their fault not mine.

But back to The Manual,

I’m trying to figure out if I want to give it away now. Because

it’s so good (sighs). None the less, I said I would, so I will. In two

weeks what is going to happen is you are going to hear my new song “Chicago” accompanied

by a video made by none other than my best friend and brother, Konee Rock, who

does a lot of my stuff. I did this ill video for “Chicago” – which will

be on El Che but will be on The Manual CD as well. I love comic

books and in the video I’m morphing into all of these super heroes like Iceman,

the Torch, Wolverine, Black Panther. You want to hear the rap?

AllHipHop.com: Let’s

do this.

Rhymefest: This

is the verse to my verse to my first single “Chicago” that I’m about to release.

Rappers been set up, yup yup the setup, no more Tupac telling women to keep their head up. A whole lot of

hipsters, Internet and kids now, (inaudible), oh you’re big now? Let me show

about things, get Red Bull so I could rip off your wings. I make them promise

now to never wear tight jeans, I aint skater so I don’t wear Ice Cream. I ain’t dissin’ Pharrell but let’s be for real, some of y’all

is gay as hell. Hell boys, little boy you like elroy,

you’re more like the child on (inaudible). Half Black Panther, arm and hammer

you missed your favorite moment like Obama’s grandma. (inaudible)

I’m armed with grammar, you’ll get arrested f**k reading (inaudible) I’m from

Chicago.

AllHipHop.com: That’s

fire, but I don’t think Pharrell will like it.

Rhymefest: My

thing is this. I don’t care no more man. What are you gonna do? Not play my

record on the radio? What are you gonna do, not give me a beat? You didn’t give

me a beat no way. So what are you gonna do, make me

any more f**king underground? Once you realize that you are [in] control of

your life… Once you are able to be completely free, than you are able to be

what you were meant to be. And that’s what El

Che is about. That’s what The Manual

is about. I don’t feel I need to get every up and coming rapper and put them on

my s**t. But you know who I really wanted to work with? Queen Latifah, Brand

Nubian, Greg Nice. I’m looking at like who’s hot in the streets. I’m looking at

it, who’s hot to me. The Manual is

going to come out two weeks after “Chicago” drops – which will be this

week. It’s gonna be nuts.

AllHipHop.com: Let’s

get into the Charles Hamilton thing. You clearly explained on your Myspace blog

why you made the dis track. Where do things stand between you two now?

Rhymefest: He didn’t

respond. His response was, “I’m gonna show him, I’m gonna release three

mixtapes that sell in the same week” (laughs). Like that was his response. But

we’re gonna see what is more important: quantity or quality?

People know it. When Rhymefest come around, people get

excited and happy and they know it’s

the best show in town. And they know when songs like “Exodus” come out, it’s

some real s**t and when I walk in the room, people straighten up and get off

their bulls**t because I’m about to call them out. The magic is there. What I’m

saying in regards to Chuck (sighs). There’s a certain piece of magic that’s

missing.

Rhymefest- Exodus 5.1 – Rhymefest

AllHipHop.com: What

were you more offended by, Hamilton trying to call you out at your own show or him

telling people he destroyed you in the battle?

Rhymefest: Um,

all of the above. But I’m not really offended. Offended means I’m emotional

about it to a certain extent. It wasn’t emotional as it is, oh this is Hip-Hop.

And in Hip-Hop, I can’t allow you to think that you can aggress me. I can’t

allow you to think I’m not who I am. He could say, “Okay I’m gonna

try to battle Rhymefest,” and bring out the YouTube

cameras and then try to get a YouTube moment. And then when it don’t go your

way, now you can just flip the story how you want to flip the story or keep

saying my name like there are no repercussions (sighs). There are repercussions.

I spoke to him on the phone and he said, “Now what you are

gonna say, what’s your response? Now I’m on the phone.” I said, “You called me

Charles, what are you talking about what’s my response?” He said, “You could

have called me if you had a problem with me.” I said, “Did you call me and tell

me before you dissed me all over YouTube? Did you give me any forewarning when

you hopped on stage and tried to battle me?” And than he says, “At the end of

the day you don’t want to take it to the streets.”

That’s when I lost my cool. That’s when I said, “Motherf**ker, I will break every

bone in your body.” Then there was six seconds of silence. That’s when I

realized I was talking to somebody who was not emotionally or mentally equipped

to handle what was really happening at the moment. I don’t have anything

against that guy. Chuck is okay, he’s trying to do his

thing. I was just saying, just have a little respect. Don’t think because

somebody at 28 and you 21 that you are faster and better in every way and

everybody’s gonna love you because you got the Andy Milonakis disease. I was

just playing, I wasn’t even for real with Supersonic. I was just f**kin’

around. He’s not equipped to respond. So it’s like, hopefully…hopefully he

learned from this. He’ll keep his head straight and release some quality music.

Super Sonic (Chucky Cheese) – Rhymefest

AllHipHop.com: What

can fans expect from your upcoming album El

Che?

Rhymefest: They

can expect that I took great care with this album. There is something special

with each song, so it’s not like, “Song number three, let’s get to song number

four.” Like these songs weren’t done over beats just e-mailed to me and I just

wrote raps over. These were created in the kitchen, hot and warm and smelling

good like good cookies.

AllHipHop.com: Is

there a theme?

Rhymefest: The

theme of El Che is freedom. The

freedom to express yourself without sounding like everyone else. That is what El Che is about. It’s about truth,

entertainment, dope ass lyrics and heart. And to me that’s revolution.

AllHipHop.com: Do

you think you’ve grown since Blue Collar?

Rhymefest: I

don’t know what do you think?

AllHipHop.com: Based

on those verses, it seems like it. I think you are addressing where Hip-Hop is

at right now.

Rhymefest: And

what it can be. I’m not just complaining like, “Yo, it’s

f**ked up, everybody’s wack.” I’m giving examples on

how Hip-Hop can be better. I’m being the example of better Hip-Hop. Like if you

dis me twice, I’m bout to a leak a dis song and guess what, my dis song ain’t

gonna be about how I’m gonna beat you up and pull a gun on you. My dis song is

going to be really creative. You know what I’m saying? Or, alright

now I’m about to drop a mix CD and I’m about to tell a kid, “Alright here’s an

artist that you haven’t heard from in a long time, but still can rhyme.”

Now I’m about to drop El Che. Like I’m out here doing exactly

what it is I’m saying needs to be done. Not just saying that it needs to be

done. That’s like an Internet, armchair revolutionary. You know they sit in

their chair and they go on the Internet and they be like, “You know what needs

to really happen in Hip-Hop.” But they never gonna do nothing about it.

AllHipHop.com: Did

Kanye do tracks with you for El Che?

Rhymefest: Kanye

hasn’t done any tracks, although he texted me this morning and was like, “What’s

up. The album’s coming up, I haven’t heard it, I haven’t done any beats for it,

I’m recording everything, you a fool, I’m Kanye West fool!” (laughs). I think

I’m gonna go find him.

AllHipHop.com: Obviously

both you and Kanye were influential figures in each others

careers. Where do you guys stand right now?

Rhymefest: You

know, it’s so funny. People will be like, “Kanye’s the reason why everybody knows about Rhymefest.”

Like, “Kanye put him on.” Yeah I see it like that,

but I see it another way. I had a record deal before “Brand New” came out. So I

was coming regardless. Actually Mark Ronson, who is the one who I signed with

originally and Kanye helped with “Brand New” and going out helping promote it

and performing with me. But it’s never been about, for me at least, it’s never

been about me, Kanye and Hip-Hop. I don’t use him. I don’t exploit him. If we

work together out of our friendship, that’s great. If we don’t, he’s still my

friend and my brother. I love him like a brother. His mother counseled me. I

used to call her “Miss Maya” because she reminded me of Maya Angelou.

My thing is, I don’t want anything from Kanye. All I want

from him, is continued brotherhood. The ill thing about it is he’ll say

something like, “But I’m here for you, so why don’t you use me, because that’s

what I’m here for.” But I just don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want him to

look back and say, “Damn that brother is just trying to give me up, and I don’t

want to be a part of that.” But he’ll say it’s my pride. Maybe it is my pride,

but then again, I don’t want to be one of them kind of people.

AllHipHop.com: How

much longer do you see yourself in the game? What’s the short term and long

term goals for you?

Rhymefest: That’s

a good question, I don’t know. I look at Jay-Z and a lot of guys who have been

doing this forever. I feel like, as long as I can keep getting the message put

out, I’m gonna keep putting it out. As long as people

keep responding to it, I’m gonna keep doing it. When there’s nothing left for

me to say, I’ll shut the f**k up.

DMC To Star In Conscious Reality Series

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 3, 2009

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darryl “DMC” Daniels is currently developing an innovative new reality show competition entitled The Kings of Rap.

The IME Entertainment-backed series offers an unprecedented twist to aspiring artists joining the show.

In The Kings of Rap, young rappers are tasked with creating music that does not “glorify violence, degrade women, or include the use of profanity.”

The series is based in New York City, and will feature filming from famous locations such as the “Abbey Road of Hip-Hop,” Chung King Studios.

In surveying the landscape of Hip-Hop, DMC argues the culture now embraces the negativity it once rallied against and sought to change.

“There are so many talented kids out there who don’t get heard or don’t get signed because they’re not controversial enough, or they’re too positive. That amazes me,” DMC explained to AllHipHop.com. “The spirit of Hip-Hop was always about changing the world or yourself, not with a gun or with denigrating or offensive words, but by being effective with your mind.”

As a member of the groundbreaking collective Run-DMC, DMC helped push Hip-Hop into mainstream consciousness through unprecedented advancements in rhyme structure, production, and fashion.

Referencing the popular change mantra of last year’s presidential election, DMC states the first and most important change that can be made begins with the spoken word.

“This is a time when everyone is talking about change and we as a country have the opportunity to make a difference,” DMC explained. “We can start by changing what we have to say to each other, and what we say to our kids through music.”

Once completed, DMC and IME will announce a network and launch date for the program.

J. Wells Readies New Solo Release, Executive Produced by Kurupt

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 3, 2009

As he puts the finishing touches on his next solo effort, Dogg Pound co-founder Kurupt has added a new position to his resume.

The West Coast mainstay is set to executive produce rapper/producer J. Wells second solo album Digital Masters Vol. 2.1.

The album, which is set to hit stores on April 14, comes nearly four years after the accomplished beatsmith’s 2005 debut Digital Masters and is the continuation of a long standing relationship between the two artists.

They first worked together in 2004, when J. Wells crafted two songs on Kurupt Presents: The Originals.

The following year, Kurupt was one of several artists featured on J. Wells’ debut, alongside Bishop Lamont, Method Man, Goodie Mob, Tha Liks, Jayo Felony, Roscoe and Planet Asia.

In 2007, they took it one step further, releasing the critically acclaimed collaborative effort Digital Smoke on J. Wells’ Bonzi Records.

For the new J. Wells project, they’ve reached out to an equally impressive list of collaborators as before.

Digital Masters Vol. 2.1 features appearances by Snoop Dogg, Estelle, WC, Roscoe, Tha Liks, Rah Digga, and Mack 10.

The album’s first single, “Already Famous” features J. Wells and Kurupt along with Da Brat, making her first on-wax appearance since her recent legal troubles.

Also featured on the song is Da Brat’s artist Mister, whose debut, J. Wells has said, may be released via Bonzi’s partnership with distributor Fontana/Universal.

In addition to his own projects, J. Wells is continuing to add to his production credits, which, to date, include a contribution to Keyshia Cole’s 2007 release Just Like You, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and Be Cool, as well as commercials for McDonalds and Starbucks among other.

He is currently working on future releases by Ne-Yo, Bone Thugs, Rah Digga, D-12, Rakim, Dead Prez and the Dogg Pound.

J. Wells is also already at work on his next solo effort titled Inebriated, which he says will be a stronger showcase of his production work than past projects.

Camp Lo’s Sonny Cheeba Involved in Serious Car Accident

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 3, 2009

This year’s CIAA weekend festivities almost took a tragic turn as Camp Lo rapper Sonny Cheeba found himself involved in what was described as a serious car crash.

Sources told AllHipHop.com that Cheeba’s Dodge Charger was totaled in the collision, which occurred Saturday (February 28) in Charlotte, North Carolina, while the rapper was on his way to a sound check for a show at the Buckhead Saloon.

Cheeba, who was traveling with fellow rhymesayer Herron and transported to a local hospital by ambulance, was scheduled to perform at midnight alongside his fellow Camp Lo member Geechi Suede.

According to sources, Suede was unaware of Cheeba’s accident as the performance started on schedule.

The entertainer kept concertgoers entertained as he performed the Camp Lo hit “Swing” without Cheeba.

Attendees, who were informed of the accident, were later greeted by Cheeba, as he appeared onstage midway through the concert to join Suede for the group’s classics “Black Nostaljack” and “Luchini.”

Herron, who was not injured during the accident, also appeared on stage.

During the show, Camp Lo thanked fans for their “continued support” while urging them to check out their forthcoming album Stone & Rob: Caught on Tape.

The release is slated to hit stores on March 24.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Lil Wayne Rock CD Shelved? Coolio Takes “L”

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: RumorsMarch 3, 2009

DISCLAIMER:

All content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.

TODAY’S RUMORS!

THE DAILY TWO CENTS

Hope everybody had a great weekend! I had a pretty good one. I unplugged a bit, but still managed to get a rumor update over the weekend. I’m cracking up laughing at all the cool stuff I got from my twitter family.

Anyway, another week, another week!

LIL WAYNE’S ROCK CD GETTING DEADED?

I don’t know if this is true, but rumors are in circulation that Lil Wayne’s Rock album may not make it to the light of day. The songs that have been released have not gotten a lot of commercial traction. Even though Wayne is still a popular artist, some quietly seem to feel its a bad idea. He was to release it in April, but now…summer? What next? Never? Time will tell, but that’s the word.

WHAT I DO?

I’m not sure what happened, but I heard T.I. had some harsh words for myself or AllHipHop.com in general. I don’t quite know why when the site and this section call the rumors has been very supportive of him and the moves he’s made. I guess T.I. may not have been reading the site for very long and maybe somebody pointed out one itty, bitty item in the rumor section. I can’t call it, but I’ll wave the white flag on this one, because there’s been no effort to intentionally to dis Mr. T.I.

And for anybody that thinks that AllHipHop is just rumors, you are doing yourself a disservice.

For example, this Young Buck interview is hot! I’d like to see him and G-Unit work things out.

HERE IS SOMETHING POSITIVE ON T.I.

From what I understand, T.I. will perform at a concert on March 5 to help the building of a community center. This particular event goes down at the University of Central Florida and put on by a company called Bailey’s B.A.S.H. Dude is really going all out with the community service. I know some of it is court ordered, but it seems like he’s overdoing it in a positive way.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING – SAY SOMETHING!

GUESS WHAT WE SAW WHILE I WAS OUT

Chris Brown and Rhianna were reunited, I guess. Hmm….Not sure what to make it, but here is the skinny. All of the reports were seemingly correct. They did link at Diddy’s Mansion. Now, the reports are saying that while Chris was out he had a ball, but Rihanna stayed in the house. Anyway, photogs got pictures of them leaving Miami on a plane TOGETHER! Let ’em live…no pun intended.

That’s one cocky young man if you ask me! He seems to have good reason, eh?

SHOUT OUT TO CROOKED I

Crooked I is alive and well. Thank goodness. I would have been a tragic loss for us all if he were murdered. I didn’t run with that one, because I don’t “play” with death. If I do, I typically will let you know that I think its false. Anyway, Crooked isn’t really taking to the press, but it is known that he has not been not.

You ever heard Crooked I’s “AllHipHop” song? He even mentioned me. That was an honor to say the least! Shout out to Dynasty Williams on the beat!

COOLIO: COOL IT!

I am happy that Coolio is working, but he has to stop these antics. The crazy man was injured during in Stoke-on-Trent, England when he attempted to stage dive. He was at Staffordshire University and thought they were really, REALLY feeling him. The only thing is, when he jumped from the stage, they weren’t. They were robbing him. They stole everything off of him from his jewels to his shoes to the bandana on his HEAD. He’s glasses were gone when it was all over. The club security did manage to get his shoes back. DAMN – I just have to call it – Epic fail!

Shout out to the girl he squashed in the failed stage dive attempt.

DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?

I just got this, but I just cannot afford to believe this mess. Read below.

“Souja has been targeted out by Atlanta rapper Oj the juiceman. This is gonna sound stupid but thier beef started over souja apparently using the adlib “aye”. Oj uses it alot and feels souja jacked his style. And the song diddy and him are on is called turn on my swag remix.”

50 CENT SHOULD HOLLA AT THE “CAKE LADY”

Remember Rick Ross’ video of him eating that cake of himself? Well, I heard there are people that are very upset that Rick Ross didn’t go an enjoy that cake. Remember when 50 Cent said that line, “I love you like a fat kid loves cake” – well apparently this cake got the short end of the stick. Now, the person that gave Ross the cake is famous in the area of Milwaukee. I heard her “fans” are not happy to see Ross mash up her masterful creation. Now, they are reportedly urging her to get down with 50 Cent for a counter attack or something. I have to say, this s**t would become tragically funny if the Cake Lady was thrown into to beef.

THE RICK ROSS OVERDOSE!

Rick Ross “In Cold Blood” (50 Cent Diss)

Rick Ross at Screwed Up Records & TSU “Magnificent”

Rick Ross interview about 50 Cent on KTSU FM | Houston, TX!

Rick Ross “Push Em’ Over” (50 Cent Diss)

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

You know, these “Signs” are giving me a headache! I don’t know if I want to continue, because they are like depression upon depression. Anyway, here is the latest. Police in Mesa, Arizona are reporting that a father put his own child in a clothes dryer. The son of Jose Rocha was playing inside of the dryer. Well, the family thought this was so cute. After all, the kid is only one. The mother of the kid went to get a camera to take a picture. When she returned Rocha had turned on the dryer until the point where they heard the kid screaming! The boy had a bunch of bumps and bruises from being knocked around, but he lived. Rocha is looking at some time in jail.

SIGNS PART TWO!

A 15-year-old girl was whupped on by Seattle, Washington police. I am not sure what happened, but there is very little reason for an officer to respond to somebody’s WORDS so violently. SMH.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY

What? You didn’t think dog sleep walked? Check it out right here, because this dog is a failure when he is sleep.

I am sure that when he is awake, he’s a winner.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY….

“His three foot long sword.” You cannot pay for this sort of irony. A man gets busted by his neighbor as he watches p###. You have to see it.

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

I am hearing that Rick Ross’ CD has gotten pushed back until later in April.

Shout out to NFL players, Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper. You may have heard they went missing off the coast of Florida over the weekend. Cooper’s boat has been found, but the men haven’t.

Shout out to IC Member therealist209!

I heard Kanye West and rapper GLC shot a video yesterday for GLC’s debut.

I don’t know how Eddie Murphy is going to play Richard Pryor. I thought “Day Day” was up to it. Eddie’s got the acting skills, but looks nowhere near Rich.

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

Lebron James is the biggest thing in basketball, but he also farts on the court. That’s right. Peep the video!

TRICK TRICK TALKS THE BIZ

Shout out to Germane Propane for the video!

THE PASTOR DOESN’T LIKE R. KELLY!

You have to fwd to the 3:50 mark to hear it, but he’s worth a listen in general.

KANYE AND AMBER

They are calling them “Kamber” now? LOL…this is too much.

CAPTION THIS!

I’LL CAPTION THIS!

“Flatty cakes. Flatty cakes! Take her man!”

I still don’t feel so hot. Hopefully, I will re-up some rumors later.

Email me at allhiphoprumors@gmail.com …tips, information and other stupid stuff.

For more, go to illseed.com. Or just follow me at http://twitter.com/illseed

DILLA, 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 allhiphoprumors@gmail.com.

Producer T Mix Sues Cash Money For $2 Million

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsMarch 2, 2009

A former Cash Money Records producer has filed a civil suit in New Orleans, seeking damages in excess of $2 million dollars for a breach of contract, stemming from a November 2005 production deal with the label.

In court documents filed by an attorney for Tristan “T Mix” Jones, the producer claims that while partial payments have been made, he has yet to be fully for the work he contributed to four Cash Money albums, which have sold a combined total of over three million copies.

According to the suit filed with the United States Eastern District Court in Louisiana on February 26, Jones entered into an exclusive agreement with Cash Money to provide production for the label’s roster of artists, including Lil’ Wayne and Baby.

In addition to production, Jones’ services to the label as stipulated by the contract, included programming, arranging, recording, mixing and editing.

The producer states that his work with the label between 2005 and 2007 yielded more than 40 master recordings included on at least four Cash Money records including Tha Carter 2, Birdman’s 2005 solo album Fast Money, and the Wayne/Birdman joint album Like Father Like Son.

Among T Mix’s production credits is “I Run This,” the Lil’ Wayne-assisted third single from the 2007 Birdman album 5 * Stunna.

Estimating that his work has earned Cash Money over $30 million in gross income, Jones and his attorneys claim he is owed at least $2.25 million in mechanical and producer royalties.

However, since Cash Money has failed to provide Jones with royalty statements and accounts of album sales and downloads in the U.S. and abroad, the final amount owed may be more than the original amount sought.

Jones states that he has received partial payments totaling $187, 850 to date.

In addition to the royalties owed, Jones is seeking court and attorney fees, including the costs associated with reviewing the royalty statements to determine additional monies due him.