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Vibe’s 10 The Most Anticipated Albums of 2010

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Alternatives

2009 was a huge year for hip-hop and R&B. Jay-Z dropped his “new classic,” The Blueprint 3, spawning his first number one single, “Empire State of Mind.” Rick Ross humbled rap’s biggest bully 50 Cent with his third album, Deeper Than Rap. And Kid Cudi proved that you don’t have to be named Kanye West to win with emo rhymes. ‘09 also saw the triumphant return of R&B heavyweights Maxwell and Whitney Houston.

This year looks to be just as major. Sabbaticals are being broken. “Papers” are being filed. Thug Motivation classes are back in session. And then there’s that Drake kid.

Check out the 10 projects VIBE is most amped about in the new year.

TEN

Andre 3000, TBD?Release Date: 2010??Expected Production: A studio loner, it’s likely Three Stacks’ solo LP will be mostly self-produced, but don’t count out Outkast affiliates Rico Wade or DJ Swift.?Expected Collaborations: If 2003’s The Love Below is any indication, Andre will keep the guest list extra-exclusive. Partner-in-rhyme Big Boi may be the one and only guest spot, if any. ?Why The Buzz? Hip-hop heads collectively sighed after discovering Andre Benjamin’s deeper-than-rap raps were replaced by idiosyncratic crooning on his first solo effort, The Love Below. Today, lyricists from Fabolous to T.I. are hitting notes, and maybe that’s a good thing––for them––because each infrequent verse from ’Dre threatens that coveted hottest rapper alive title. While his inclusion here is wishful thinking, lets just hope his long-awaited rap LP isn’t on a Detox-like schedule.

NINE

?Nas and Damien Marley, Distant Relatives (Tuff Gong/Def Jam)?Release Date: March 16, 2010?Production: Damien and brother Stephen handle the bulk of the album, but 9th Wonder and long time Nas collaborator Salaam Remi chip in also.?Expected Collaborations: Somali rhymer K’naan is featured on two cuts, while songstress Joss stone and legend Stevie Wonder lend their vocals for “Our Generation.”?Why the Buzz? For the first time, reggae and Hip-Hop unite for an entire album. And who better kick off such a happening than two of the best to do it in their respectable arenas? God’s Son and Bob’s son will both preach and teach as expected, but also entertain. “As We Enter,” the album’s first leak, promises the project’s going to be equal parts “patois and rap star.”

EIGHT

Erykah Badu, New Amerykah, Part II (Return of the Ankh) (Universal Motown)?Release Date: Feb. 23, 2010?Expected Production: An eclectic lineup that includes 9th Wonder, Sa-Ra, James Poyser, Madlib, Karriem Riggins, the late J. Dilla and Ms. Badu herself. ?Expected Collaborations: Roots band leader/drummer ?uestlove offers his masterful hands. But the Lil Wayne-featured track “Jump in the Air” (one of 10 versions of a two-f#####, rap-funk sound clash that will feature 10 MC’s) is floating around the web via leaked download.?Why the Buzz? The usually forward-thinking Badu gives a sincere nod to her jazzy torch song style that first made her a neo-soul superstar with 1997’s Baduizm, making it one of her most accessible projects to date. Still, there’s plenty of the left field brilliance of 2008’s critically acclaimed standout New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War.

PREVIEW: Erykah Badu’s New Amerykah, Part II (Return Of The Ankh)  

 

 

SEVEN

T.I., TBD (Grand Hustle/Atlantic)?Expected Release: TBD?Possible Production: Tip should have plenty of options. Expect him to pull from the likes of Just Blaze, DJ Toomp, Swizz Beatz and Kanye West.?Possible Collaborations: In the past, T.I.’s worked with everyone from Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes to Justin Timberlake and Rihanna, so we expect more high-caliber cameos. An Alfa Mega sighting––not so much.?Why the Buzz? T.I.’s only halfway out of jail, but reportedly already all the way back in the studio. For roughly six months, the king’s been absent from his throne. Gucci Mane (now imprisoned) and a host of other Southern style MCs have emerged during his leave. We’re anxious to see if he’ll put them back in their place.

SIX

Lupe Fiasco, Lasers (Atlantic)?Expected Release: Spring 2010?Expected Production: Instead of shelling out top dollars for super producers, Lupe works exclusively with his 1st & 15th producers Soundtrakk and Prolyfic.?Expected Collaborations: Contributions from his stable of artists, including Gemstones and Nikki Jean?Why the Buzz? While in the past Lupe dazzled true hip-hop heads with his intricate wordplay, he’s always shirked the spotlight. After reneging on retiring from the game, though, he’s now out to prove he should be No. 1 on everybody’s list (see: his Thanksgiving mixtape, Enemy of the State). Which means more work for those still decoding metaphors from his last two albums, 2006’s Food & Liquor and 2007’s The Cool.

 

 

FIVE

Young Jeezy, Thug Motivation 103 (Def Jam)?Release Date: Feb. 9, 2010?Expected Production: Kanye West is the first producer invited to Mr. Birthday Bash’s motivation party. After assisting Mr. West in Hawaii with 808s & Heartbreak in 2008, expect the “Put On” creator to give Jeezy a bunch of tools to teach. Southern beats kings Shawty Redd, Zaytoven and Drumma Boy will also lend a hand.?Expected Collaborations: Nothing is confirmed yet, but Jeezy reportedly has a wish list that includes Lil Wayne (featured on the leaked “Scared Money”), Eminem, Jay-Z and Kanye.?Why the Buzz? On his last album, The Recession, Jeezy took a break from talking about what could be to rap about what is. With the America’s economy headed back in the right direction, the snowman’s back to being the trap’s go-to professor. Class is back in session.

 

 

FOUR

Sade, Soldier of Love (Epic)?Release Date: February 8, 2010?Expected Production: Producer Mike Pela has handled the boards since the smoky vocalist’s 1984 debut Diamond Life and will be featured on her sixth studio effort.?Expected Collaborations: Sade’s longtime bandmates, which include steady guitarist, sax man Stuart Matthewman and keyboardist Andre Hale, once again share writing duties with the Nigeria-born Brit.?Why the Buzz? Sade’s first new studio album since 2000’s Lover’s Rock has all the classic, haunting, soul searching hallmarks of her previous releases, as well as a few curve pitches. The title track and first single “Soldier of Love” sounds like a Sade-led Portishead scoring a ‘60s-era Sergio Leone spaghetti western while the groove-heavy “Bring Me Home” is destined to become a freestyle favorite for underground MC’s.

THREE

Usher, Raymond vs. Raymond (LaFace)?Expected Release Date: March 2010?Possible Production: Ursh is getting help from old favorites like Jermaine Dupri, Sean Garrett, Rico Love, The Neptunes and Polow Da Don.?Expected Collaborations: Usher’s sixth set will feature a few rappers including Nicki Minaj (as heard on the leaked “Little Freak”), Plies on “Hey Daddy” and possibly Jay-Z.?Why the Buzz? In an era where most artists pray for a gold album, Usher cursed the fact that he only went platinum with his mild-mannered 2008 effort Here I Stand. But Mr. Entertainment’s single again, meaning that he’s cutting the monogamous lyrics loose and is back to macking like it’s 2004.

 

TWO

Kanye West, TBD (G.O.O.D./Def Jam)?Expected Release: Summer 2010?Possible Production: As usual, West is expected to handle the majority of the album’s melodies.?Possible Collaborations: Big brother Jay-Z will likely make an appearance along with Young Jeezy. Members of West’s G.O.O.D. team, Common, Mr. Hudson and Kid Cudi may also come aboard.?Why the Buzz? After taking three months off to get his clear his mind, it appears Mr. West has more to say than ever. And he’s starting fresh; as ‘Ye’s blog tells it, he made his grand return to the studio on New Year’s Day. 808s & Heartbreak, his eccentrically emo 2008 effort, featured the rapper singing his Auto-Tuned heart out. We’re hoping ‘Ye’s next effort will be a hybrid of heart-on-sleeve croons and boisterous rhymes. Just look at all the cheers he received when he crashed Kid Cudi’s Nokia Theater stage last week. They’re ready. And it appears he is, too.

?

ONE

Drake, Thank Me Later (Universal)?Expected Release: March 2010?Expected Production: His longtime collaborators Omen, 40 and Boi-1Da (“Best I Ever Had”). He also has studio sessions with Kanye West scheduled this January.?Expected Collaborations: Confirmed guests include Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Bun B. And, last we heard, Drake was looking to nab Sade.?Why the Buzz? On top of a classic mixtape (that’s right, classic) and an Eminem collabo, the golden boy of 2009 has one of the most anticipated debuts since 50 Cent. In many eyes, Drizzy hasn’t spit a horrible verse or song yet (see: “Forever,” “Fear”), so the ball is his to drop. But with his sing-songy flow and witty stanzas, failure is unlikely.

Eminem Snags Top Honors At People’s Choice Awards

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Eminem and the Black eyed peas were big winners at last nights people choice awards which were held in Los Angeles.

 

Eminem’s album Relapse earned him the title of Best Hip-Hop Artist, while Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West snagged best of the year while the Black eyed peas to call an award for best Music Collaboration.

 

A record breaking 60 million fans voted during the 36th Annual People’s Choice Awards, which were hosted by Queen Latifah and held at the Nokia Theater.

 

In addition to Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye and Rihanna, Lady Gaga won two awards for Best Pop Artist and Best Breakout Artist. Mariah Carey was voted Best R&B Artist, while Taylor Swift won Best Female Artist.

 

Notables who appeared during the two-hour live telecast last night (January 6) included LL Cool J, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Ellen DeGeneres, Johnny Depp and numerous other actors, actresses and musicians.

Breeding Ground Joints: D. Mawl’s “All Over The Place”

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Breeding Ground

D. Mawl offers a timeless track with “All Over the Place,” which recounts the inventions and contributions that African-Americans have made to this world. The song focuses on little known facts about inventors like Sarah Boone (ironing board), Jan Matzeliger (shoe shaper) and John A. Burr (rotary blade lawn mower). The track has already been featured on syndicated radio with Russ Parr, and its not even Black History Month. We opt to celebrate Black History year-round too. So, peep it and pay homage.

AllHipHop ChartWatch: Just Getting Started…2010 Is HERE!

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Reviews / Music

ChartWatch for January 06, 2010

 

Welcome

to 2010!  It’s a new year and a new

decade for music and Hip Hop.  Last week

we counted down the biggest sellers in Hip Hop for 2009 and Eminem’s Relapse came out on top.  This week we start the countdown off with

another chartopping album.

Since

it’s debut last summer the Black Eyed Pea’s fifth album, The E.N.D, has not fallen out of the top fifty.  The group was the second highest selling Hip

Hop act of 2009.  This week they make a

jump from their position two weeks ago at the 19th spot and open up

the year at number eight.  The group

sells 47,000 copies this week proving that Hip Hop ain’t dead…it’s just been severely

beaten and is in critical condition. Nah, just playing…I like a couple of Black

Eyed Peas songs….a couple.

The

Peas are the only representative of Hip Hop in the top 10 this week so let’s

move on to the top 50.  A couple of weeks

ago I asked if Young Money could take the number one spot.  The answer was no.  I kind of expected that.  What I didn’t expect was for the group to

chart as high as they are this week.  Lil’

Wayne and his Hip Hop collective sold 40,000 copies of We Are Young Money this week and claimed the number 12 spot.

They

are followed by 2009’s top seller, Eminem, whose rerelease of Relapse sold 39,000 units and claimed

the 13th spot.  Em’s chart

toping success with Relapse should definitely set the stage for the release of

Relapse two later on this year.

Next

is the 3rd top seller for 2009, Jay-Z.  The self-proclaimed Best Rapper Alive moves

another 24,000 copies of his latest album, The

Blueprint 3.  On a side note the

rapper has recently released videos for “On To The Next One” and “Young Forever.”  I like “On To The Next One” but can someone

please tell me what that video is about. 

And while you’re at it someone out there please tell me what the next

artist is saying. (Damn I sound old).

Radric

“Gucci Mane” Davis takes the 32nd spot this week.  The

State Vs. Radric Davis sells 17,000 copies which adds to the 125,000 copies

the album sold the first two weeks after its release.

About

three weeks ago 50 Cent took a serious drop, from 21 to 42, and he hasn’t been

in the top fifty since.  Even with that

the Queens rapper still managed to grab the number 10 spot for highest selling

Hip Hop artist for 2009.  Ever the

fighter, the rapper’s fourth album, Before

I Self Destruct, climbs up and grabs the 33rd spot by selling

16,000 copies this week.

 It

looks like 2010 is starting off in the right direction with more Hip Hop

climbing into the top 50.  One can only

hope the trend will continue.

 

Dropping

This Week

           

This

week we have an artist with whom everyone is pretty much familiar.  I will say one thing…dude got snubbed at the

Grammy Nominations.  You take the mic, embarrass

one teenage country star, and everyone wants to make it a big deal.  Ok, maybe he did deserve some hate because it

was a jerk move.  However, at this point I

think the world was mad enough…now give him his props.  Better yet, when he wins let Swift get up

there and say that Soulja Boy had the record of the year.  Anyway, Kanye West releases his VH1 Storytellers album which contains

both the music and a DVD of the show. 

The album contains mostly music from his latest album 808s & Heartbreaks

with a couple of extra songs and performances. 

That’s

the charts for this week.  I know how you

guys feel about purchasing music so I’m not even going to ask.  But if you bootleg some Hip Hop play it for

someone who might buy an album.  See you

next week.

Hip-Hop Rumors: 50 Cent’s New Lady? Rihanna’s Real New Man? More Beef!

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

ANOTHER SIDE TO THE RICK ROSS / FLOYD MAYWEATHER BEEF

So, there are a number of sides to any situation and then there is the truth. The truth is unknown in what happened out there in Vegas with Rick Ross and Floyd Mayweather. But there is another side. Another person that was there told me that there almost was a melee that broke out. They also told me that Ross and his crew didn’t back down from Floyd and his people at all. Actually, they told me that Gunplay was wilding all in Floyd’s face like he was about to spazz. I’m not taking sides here, but Floyd’s hands are legally considered weapons…and I will leave it at that. Anyway, at the end of the day, I heard it was Diddy that brokered peace and talked everybody down. I guess Ross and co eventually left. Cooler heads prevailed!

OLD SCHOOL RUMORS

Way back in the day…like the early 90’s there was the first and only Celebrity Boxing in Hip-Hop. I can’t remember it all, but I definitely remember a few of the bouts. I remember Freddie Foxxx was knocking out cats left and right. But the primary bout was Melle Mel vs Willie Dee of the Geto Boys. Now, Will has always maintained his hand skills were on point and Mel is “Muscle Simmons.” Anyway, when the dust cleared, Mel got KO’d by Willie Dee. But there is a rumor that I just got about this one. I’ve been informed that it may be possible that Willie either (accidentally) elbowed or headbutted Mel and THEN punched him for the KO. Not really sure if this is true. The widely accepted law is that Willie knocked him out though. You could NEVER get a rapper to box these days…unless its somebody like Coolio.

OH MAN – POOR B2K!

One of my respected readers took a comment the wrong when I said “Lil Boog” was a “poor dude.” Allow me to explain. First of all, you know he has been arrested for assaulting his child’s mother. But I was merely saying, dude is pathetic at this point. The music game eats people up and spits them out as if they were objects. Boog and the others are just in such a bad way in life, because nobody cares about them anymore. Anyway, I don’t feel sorry for him. He’s reportedly facing felony charges for beating his girl for some extended period…in front of the kids. If he was still in the group and successful, he’d probably be productive or something. Who knows.

BEYONCE IN MORE CONTROVERSY

Beef just follows celebrities and Beyonce is in it again. B reportedly got a a check for $2 million for a 1-hour show to perform for Muammar Gaddafi’s 33-year-old son, Moutassim. Beyonce reportedly did the show on New Year’s eve in St. Barts at Nikki Beach. Now, there were a lot of people there like Jay-Z, Usher, among others. There are rumors that she shouldn’t have done this because of Gaddafi’s purported abuse to women, namely his wife. Also, there is the Libya / America thing. I don’t know, but…uhm…this is deeper than I care to be right now.

Here is the video:

THE UK RIHANNA GOSSIP

Rihanna is “still” carrying on with Justin Timberlake, according to the dailystar.co.uk. “She’s getting close to Justin again and it’s getting hot,” said a source. Justin and Jessica Biel are officially over and seems like he’s “back” with RiRi. The weird thing is, there are the rumors that she’s cavorting with that baseball dude. Sources are saying that Justin is avoiding the limelight, but they are secretly getting together. Another source said: “Rihanna called a friend and said she had a sexy little secret to share. She started laughing and said: ‘Don’t trip, but I have hooked up with Justin’. She said it was really good, hot and wild and that they have some of the best make-out sessions she’s ever experienced. She’s only out for the physical with him. And it looks like she got it.” This all sounds a bit silly to me. Nevertheless, RiRi is working on an autobiography she plans to sell this year. LOL.

50 CENT’S NEXT LADY?

Rumor has it, 50 Cent wants to sign Jamelia to G-Unit Records so she can be the first lady of G-Unit. For those that don’t know, she is a British singer who’s had loads of hits everywhere else…but America. This isn’t strange and not unlike what Cash Money is doing with Jay Sean. Anyway, I know 50 had that song “London Girl” so maybe this is a good indication?

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

Sorry about this…Rihanna has sold over one million WORLDWIDE, but has yet to sell that domestically! Sorry!

Rumor has it Tyra Banks’s show was actually cancelled! You know she announced her leaving the game on top…but…hmmmm…..

Pepa from Salt-N-Pepa hasn’t had sex in four years. Wouldn’t that make her a born-again virgin?

According to producer Zaytoven, Gucci Mane is in jail and writing a lot of raps in an apparent effort to be more lyrical. I’m not into Gucci, but if I was, I’d want him to stay doing what got him this far.

ONE SECOND….

These rumors are not EASY. Even though some of you think it is just a bunch of chickenhead talk, its not. And, to further push it along in the world of rumors and even gossip, I have some friends that I want you to meet and they are going to help me help you. They are below and so are their rumors.

RUMORS BY MIKEY T

DJ Lazy K has a new mixtape coming out for all the Max b fans to keep everyone in the loop.

Lil birdies say Bang Em Smurf has inked an official label deal with IMG Universal for

his label an himself Feed Da Wolves . Exclusive Footage coming soon on Street Treats HD

Looks like Cam’ron has a new mixtape coming out very soon with Don Cannon.

Rumors persist that Black Rob is out of jail and has a buch of new music on the way. He’s on Twitter at @therealblackrob.

Remember Lumindee? Don’t sleep. Ol’ girl is truly big overseas and not in the way artists “talk” about. Lumi’s cousins have a new group called the Piff Unit.

There are some rappers in the Bronx that are really p##### at Flo Ridah. They are saying he’s taking their songs and putting his Southern twist on it.

From ya boy Mikey T the Movie star! 80% of what I say is true if not

98% holla at ya boy!

RUMORS BY JAZZY F.

What’s Good guys I’m back like a broad street crack addict and I def left something. The Rumors!

Word on the twitter streets is Lil Cease is in talks for a VH1 show called hard body. He was also seen tweeting Foxy Brown. I assume he wants to do a collabo. Also I hear Foxy Brown is still working on her reality show as well hence the silence. You know she low in Brooklyn somewhere. Also remember that Foxy Brown sex tape? I guess its true what they say about the Brown Fox. She keeps a bunch of goons on standby.

My dude NORE has been talking about The War Report 2. He was also seen tweeting “where is Havoc from Mobb Deep. He must need a dope beat.

Day 26 can say they are still together minus the cornball Q but they def can’t possibly be putting another album out. Willie is dropping a solo mix tape called Sex Tape. I just wanna know when since 1 member from a still together group drops mix tapes. Sounds like he is gearing up for a solo career and if u ask me he doesn’t have a chance @ being successful.

Ciara is back in the studio plotting a mean comeback. I hope so cuz her being Kim Kardashian BFF was not rocking.

Kelly Rowland is also in the studio I’m hearing. I heard Beyonce and Kelly really are not speaking. I remember a video where Kelly was with my girl Brandy and the paparazzi didn’t even know who she was. SMH

Speaking of singing in the background. I heard Latoya Luckett is getting dropped from Capitol Records. Kandi Burress is about 2 blow so I guess who needs Latoya and her poor album sales. Shout out to Capitol for going after that The Real Housewives of Atlanta money Lol!

On that note I’m gone. Deuces! scream @ ya boy Jazzy on twitter. www.twitter.com/itsJazzyFBaby

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST….MISS MOUTH!!!

Miss Mouth caused a firestorm last year with everybody, but we have talked and ironed out some things. The rumor section is coming on strong in a major way!

– illseed

Ya Girl Is Back!!!!! 

Did anybody else feel a little

uneasy watching Monique drill Rev Run & his wife about their sexual

relationship? I know that they are promoting their new book but I felt

weird taking sex tips from a man of the cloth!!!!!!!! 

Who’s “smash game” is so

lame that the pastor has to tell them how to “get it in.”  

I would just RETIRE at that pointJ  

THE BAD GIRLS CLUB 

Illseed knows that I am a reality

show junkie.  

My new favorite show is this season

of the Bad Girls Club. I had no clue that the groupie chick Natalie

was an old smashee of Chris Brown. How in the hell was he dating beautiful

ass Rihanna and jeopardizes that for this broad. Her jaw looks like

Jay Leno’s.  

I guess some dudes will just smash

anything. Looks at Mary’s husband Kendu. He is married to the Queen

of Hip-Hop Soul and he is still banging misc. chicks. But my girl MJ

don’t play, so blacked him in his sh*t. 

Like a true Sista!!! 

And speaking of true sistas, wtf

is up with Kenya? First she let Natalie punch her in her face, now she

let Kate’s racist ass call black people sweaty? Why were the white

people more upset than she was? Kenya is embarrassing to watch, I mean

really!  

VH1’S FOR THE LOVE OF RAY

J 

His show has just become a circus,

which I love.  

I mean who was in charge of casting?

These women have secrets and are habitual liars. He needs to replace

all of their a####.  

But Ray be killing me, because

he doesn’t know what the hell he wants. The only chick that was ever

down for him 100 % on the show was Chardonnay.  

And let’s just all stop overlooking

that he didn’t choose her because she isn’t the “exotic type”

ya dig!  

FANTASIA BARRINO 

My girl Tay Tay got her own show…

It looks pretty interesting which is good because Monica’s is boring

me half to damn death. 

I understand that Monica wants

to be loyal to her fan base but she refuses to listen to reason. That

track Jazzy Pha made for her was hot. Missy’s was only lukewarm.  

Jazzy’s track had Gucci on it,

and he is the industry’s newest “go to guy.” Maybe it was too

obvious because when folks want a record to flame. They call Gucci.

Would you have ever predicted it?

 

But Anyways! 

I love Fantasia’s voice. So as

long as she is singing, I will be watching.  

THE HOUSEWIVES 

If Yall thought that those chicks

from “The A” were off glass, well those prim and proper white chicks

from Orange County are giving them a run for their money.  

I hate the way the men treat Vickie.

And it’s only because she is independent and makes her own money.

Tamara, Gretchen and them can learn lots from her, like how to grow

a brain and stop letting their men control them. 

I love this show. And speaking

of the Atlanta cast, I heard that Drucilla (she will always be Drucilla

to me) was joining the show to replace Kim & Ne Ne. 

Although Kandi is my favorite there

is no show without Kim or Ne Ne…and Bravo knows that. 

 

Lata Gatas, MMTwitter.com/MMFullThrottle

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].

Sade’s Historical Sizzle Reel

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Alternatives

Sade’s about to hit the music game like a meteor with bad intentions. The singer is one of the few acts that can take a 10 year break and return stronger. She’s 50 and yet she’s clearly about to show the youngsters how this music is to be made and sold.Check out this sizzle reel of her career.

Snoop To Face Off Against Terrell Owens In ‘Snoop Bowl’

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Snoop Dogg has announced details for his eighth annual “Snoop Bowl,” which will take place in Miami, Florida this year.

 

Snoop Dogg will coach his team, The Snoop Dogg All-Stars, who will face off against a local team led by Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Terrell Owens and Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter.

 

The two teams will face off at Miami’s Traz Powell Stadium, where Owens and Porter hope to put a dent in Snoop’s All-Stars’ nearly unblemished record.

 

“I am happy that we’ve been doing this event for eight years – the kids love it and I do too,” Snoop Dogg told AllHipHop.com. “The future NFL stars play in this game annually and its fun to watch the kids imitate there favorite NFL stars. The Snoop Bowl is as big as the Super Bowl to every kid playing organized football in the USA because they aspire to play against my team or to be coached by Coach Snoop “The Great.” I love being me wouldn’t you like to be an All Star too?”

 

The event is being sponsored by Title Sports Drink and Snoop Dogg’s Snoop Youth Football League, which has garnered praise from the Wall Street Journal  to the LA Times and numerous other outlets.

 

“We’re very proud to be involved in such a great event,” Kevin Sepe, President of Title Sports Drink added. “It allows us to both sponsor youth football at its finest and hydrate some of our future stars.”

 

In addition to raising over $100,000 since its inception, the Snoop Bowl and the SYFL are noted for the quality of players the league has produced.

 

This year, nine players on Los Angeles’ undefeated Crenshaw High School football team rise through the ranks of the league.

 

“I also want to thank Title Sports Drink for stepping up to participate in something that is not only good for the community but a ton of fun, ya dig?” Snoop added.

 

Snoop Dogg’s 8th Annual Snoop Bowl kicks off February 6th at 1:30pm at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami.

 

Fans can purchase tickets online at www.ticketalternative.com or at the gate. Tickets are $10 for children 12 and under and $20 for ages 13 and up.

Sadat X Lines Up Heavyweights For “Wild Cowboys II” Album

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Brand Nubian member Sadat X will offer a sequel to his 1996 debut with his 7th studio album Wild Cowboys II.

 

The original Wild Cowboys was an underground favorite in the mid 90s due to production from Diamond D, Buckwild, Da Beatminerz, Pete Rock, and Showbiz.

 

It featured the singles “Hang ‘Em High” and “The Lump Lump,” both of which charted in the top 20 of Billboard’s Hop Rap Singles list.

 

For the sequel, Sadat X has recruited beats from 9th Wonder, DJ Spinna, Pete Rock, Diamond D, Buckwild, Will Tell, and Grant Parks.

 

The project will also feature guest spots from Lord Jamar, Grand Puba, A.G., Rhymefest, Ill Bill, Kurupt, Umi, and Dead Prez’ M1.

 

At press time, Wild Cowboys II is slated to hit stores on February 23 via Fat Beats.

 

Sadat X’s last offering was 2009’s Brand New Bein’.

The Roots Announce 6th Annual Jam Session In L.A.

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Hip-Hop band The Roots have announced that they are re-launching their annual Jam Session this year in Los Angeles.

 

The Roots’ annual Jam Session has historically taken place on the night before the Grammy Awards.

 

Last year, however, the group skipped a year, as they prepared for their high profile gig as house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

 

This year’s annual jam is being sponsored by The Vibe Lifestyle Network in addition to the Green Music Group, which is a coalition of artists and musicians dedicated to protecting the environment.

 

Past performers at the annual Jam Sessions have included Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, Travis Barker, Fall Out Boy, Seal, Matisyahu and others.

 

The sixth annual Roots Jam Session takes place January 30th. The event is closed to the public and invite-only.

2009: Who Was King of the West?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Features

The West wasn’t heavy on the national radar last year, but that doesn’t mean the Westside struggled to put out quality music. Acts like Exile (Radio) and Blu (Sene’s A Day Late & A Dollar Short) used 2009 to experiment with concepts and song arrangements, while others like Jay Rock and Nipsey Hussle continued their efforts to bring forth the next generation of Gangsta Rap.

The old guard graciously shared the spotlight with their younger counterparts, but weren’t ready to bow out just yet. Snoop was the big fish, but Warren G, MC Ren, and King T were among the other West Coast legends to make appreciated returns.

The West still remains overlooked, but the game is cyclic and the region will be ready once the spotlight returns.

 

 

Snoop Dogg

Snoop began 2009 fresh by parting ways with Interscope, his label home for the last 10 years. Joining Priority, the Long Beach native spent the majority of the year building anticipation for Malice n Wonderland.

He appeared on a myriad of albums from artists like UGK and Grandmaster Flash to Charlie Wilson and Robin Thicke. Also, the Doggfather put to rest previous public comments criticizing Soulja Boy and Crooked I by collaborating with both younger peers. In total, Snoop posted over 15 guest spots throughout the year.

As one of the most marketable personalities in Hip-Hop, Snoop lent his brand to WWE as a host, opened the New York Stock Exchange, and even had his likeness immortalized in Madame Tussauds’ famous wax museum.

Over the summer, Snoop Dogg gave back to his neighborhood by helping to raise $5 million for 19-acre community center named The Kroc.

Last month, Malice n Wonderland debuted #23 on Billboard.

This year, Snoop is scheduled to release a collaboration with Anita Baker, and further projects from his own Doggystyle Records.

Standout Songs- “Gangsta Luv,” “I Wanna Rock”

 

 

Fashawn

“The Phenom” is a highly appropriate name for Fresno’s Fashawn, who dropped one of the few acclaimed solo debuts of 2009 with Boy Meets World.

The 21 year old dropped the Exile-produced LP in October, preceded by a great lead-in with the Alchemist-helmed mixtape The Antidote.

Chock full of scratch choruses, soul samples, and diverse flows/topics from Fashawn, the album is accessible enough to be at home in the streets of Brooklyn as its native California.

On “Samsonite Man,” the young emcee raps that he’s not preoccupied with holding any mythical crown (“They tell me sit in the throne/But I tell them I’m not concerned with a crown or robe…”). The humility is nice, but that type of attention will only grow if his art maintains its current elite level.

Last month, Fashawn wrapped up the How the Grouch Stole Christmas Tour with Mistah F.A.B., The Grouch, Exile, and DJ Fresh

Standout Songs- ‘Freedom,” “Ecology,” “Why”

 

 

The Game

2008’s King of the West winner saw “red” last year, locked on Jay-Z as a battle target, and reunited with mentor Dr. Dre.

After years of baiting in interviews and errant song comments, the Game finally went at Jay full blast while on tour in France. He referenced the mogul as an “old ass n####,” and justified the attack as a response to Jay’s mention of him in a freestyle, which later turned out to be bars from the Blueprint 3 track “What We Talkin’ About.”

Even after the official diss “I’m So Wavy,” the potential feud fizzled when Jay-Z refused an on-wax response, simply stating “tell groupie to get over it” in an interview.

Game’s persistence did pay off with Dr.Dre, as the two finally reunited after a 4-year estrangement. The news was broken on Snoop Dogg’s Twitter with a pic showing the trio in the studio working on the mythical Detox. Also, the Game jubilantly confirmed later that Dre would be contributing beats for the R.E.D. Album, his first for a Game project since the Compton rapper’s 2005 debut The Documentary.

The R.E.D. Album didn’t get a release date in 2009, but Game did confirm that executive producer duties would be split between himself, Pharrell, and Dr. Dre. Two singles for the album, “Krazy” (featuring Timbaland and Gucci Mane) and “Big Money, were released in October and December.

Even without an album last year, the Game maintained attention through the aforementioned antics, and others like declaring responsibility for 50 Cent’s lowest ever sales with Before I Self-Destruct.

At press time, the R.E.D. Album is set to drop on February 16.

Standout Songs- “I’m So Wavy,” “Krazy,” “Big Money”

 

 

Crooked I

Another Eastside Long Beach Long Beach emcee made good last year in Crooked I. After a successful 2008 courtesy of his year-long Hip-Hop Weekly Series (which was copied ad nauseam), Crooked confirmed participation in the 4-man supergroup Slaughterhouse.

Signing to E1 in May, the group’s self-titled debut was well-received by fans and critics alike. Outside the booth, it was Crooked I’s entourage that came forward to confront Wu Tang members after their assault of Joe Budden at Rock the Bells.

Solo-wise Crooked I dropped the EP Mr. Pigface Weapon Waist in November, which featured Slaughterhouse, Snoop Dogg, and K Young. As a guest, he blessed tracks from Royce da 5’9 (“Gun Harmonizing”), “Yukmouth (“I’m a Gangsta”), and Tech N9ne (“Sickology 101”)

For this year, Crooked looks to get out an album from his group Horse Shoe G.A.N.G. under his very own Dynasty Entertainment.

Standout Songs- “Woodstock Hoop Hop,” “Sound Off,” “Mr. Pigface”

 

 

Kurupt & DJ Quik

Yes, these are two emcees getting nominated for one crown, but their work together on 2009’s BlaQKout makes the pair inseparable.

Based on an idea from Quik, the duo dropped their debut offering over the summer to mostly glowing reviews. With Quik’s versatile production, Kurupt was rejuvenated and sounded better than he had in years.

To date the duo haven’t confirmed a sequel, but BlaQKout’s critical success makes a future collaboration simply a formality.

Standout Songs- “Do You Know,” “Hey Playa,” “BlaQKout”    

 

 

Verdict

Snoop was the most visible, but Malice n Wonderland wasn’t his best from a lyrical and musical standout. Game had a lot of bark this year, but seemed to lose focus for a few months when Jay-Z declined to be a dance partner. Crooked I and Kurupt/Dj Quik’s work was solid last year, but the 21-year old Fashawn by far delivered the best LP from the West. Hopefully, he won’t just be a critic’s darling, and fans will latch onto one of the best young talents in the game today. As previously stated in “Samonsite Man,” Fashawn shunned wearing the crown, but for 2009 he deserved it.