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Hip-Hop Rumors: Def Jam Layoffs? Strip Club DJ’s? Bootleggers Get Busted!

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.

DEF JAM LAYOFFS

 

Uh Oh! Bad rumor alert! There is bad news on the horizon…that Def Jam is about to do a massive round of layoffs very soon. I hope they can at least let people enjoy the Christmas Holiday and get through New Years. To  to be perfectly honest, I have been hearing some other, way bigger rumors about Def Jam that may actually impact the whole music industry. I know in the internet nation, its not really common to hold on to something, but I’m going to do just that. Why? I’m hoping this one isn’t true.

 

A RUMOR I LOST!

 

Check out this rumor that I actually lost in the flood of junk mail!

 

Peace Illseed. This is Marchitect from Delaware. I’m up here in Pittsburgh Pa taking in the sites, and handling some biz, when I go to a place called Cheerleaders (club/ strip club)  where Jazzy Jeff was spinning. Brother, let me tell you … first of all Pittsburgh’s, Dj Bonics killed the tables. Then they bring out the p### star Gina Lynn as the featured dancer. Then Jeff goes on and spins and just kills it. I heard it’s the most successful night the club has ever had. 20 dollars a head 200 dollars a bottle, and people in there just loving it. The rapper Skills from Virginia was with Jeff, hyping up the crowd. Turns out Jeff passed out a Michael Jackson mix, on cdr to a few heads, and now every one in Pittsburgh wants that thing! They really made an impression on everyone out here, and im sure the next one will be even better. Oh by the way, they packed the house and it was maybe 8 degrees out!

 

 

Wow….Jeff and Skillz…parties in strip clubs. I wonder how much that pays?

 

 

BOOTLEGGERS BEWARE!

 

You didn’t think Hollywood was going to forget that lil’ Wolverine leak last year, did ya?

 

A man named Gilberto Sanchez, 47, was arrested in New York yesterday. FBI agents descended on dude and charged him with leaking “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” before the official release of the film. The Feds are saying that other people may actually be arrested along with Sanchez. Nobody knows, but he may or may not be THE original leak of the movie.  Here is the formal info:

 

On or about March 31, 2009, in Los Angeles County, within the Central District of California, and elsewhere, defendant GILBERTO SANCHEZ, also known as (“aka”) “theSkilled1,” aka “SkillfulGil,” aka “Skillz101,” and aka “SkillyGilly,” did willfully infringe the copyright of a copyrighted work by the distribution of a work being prepared for commercial distribution, by making the motion picture “X-Men Origins:Wolverine” available on www.Megaupload.com, a computer network accessible to members of the public, when he knew and should have known that the work was intended for commercial distribution.

 

Not worth all that drama, Skilly Gilly!

 

TRAILER FOR IRON MAN!

 

While we are on the topic of super heroes. Peep the official trailer for Iron Man 2!

 

video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player

 

I have to give a lil pre-fail mention to Terrance Howard.  I like dude…BUT,  they say he wanted more money for his role in Iron Man 2. The producers were like…NO WAY and got Don Cheatle. OUCH. Here is the real fail of the day.

 

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY!

 

My girl LaTesha send this over from the good people over at Yahoo.com. This is listed as one of their dumbest acts of the year.

 

Anthony Armatys is a fool. The dude now faces about sic years in jail. Dude accepted a job in 2002 for a telecommunications manufacturer. Well, he never went to the job, because he declined it. Well, the company had already processed his paperwork and everything and started to pay him as they would if he were an employee making SIX FIGURES. Well, good old Armatys  just started letting the money roll  in and he didn’t say a single word…for five years. After five years, this dude decides to make an early withdrawal from his 401k…uhhhhhhh…YOU DON’T WORK THERE, DUMMY! How are you going gonna pull money from a 401K at a place you don’t work? You know where this is going. The company, Avaya, noticed that dude wasn’t supposed to be getting money in the first place and he was arrested. Now he owes them the full $470,995.53. FAIL – FAIL – FAIL!

 

THE DAILY TWO SENSE – I’M WORKING!

 

Just so you all know, I am working on the year in review for AllHipHop so my rumors may be a lil shakey for a few. So, email me your fails of the year, your fools of the year, epic wins, best of whatever you can think of and lets get it going!

 

 

 CHANCE ENCOUNTERS

Here is some stuff from CHANCE.

 

YES!!!!!!!

I

posted Mos Def’s tribute to MJ yesterday but THIS S**T RIGHT HERE…is

what I’ve been waiting on ever since Michael passed.  Chris Brown

performed at the Nokia Theater in New York Tuesday night and took some

time to pay homage to the King…of all the people who’ve paid tribute

I knew Breezy was going to kill it:

And in more CB news Natalie Nunn from The Bad Girls Club

told Angela Yee of Shade45 that she and Chris did do the do and if he

keeps denying it and calling her crazy she’ll release the naked

pictures she has of him.

GOOD HAIR???Remember

Sara Stokes from Diddy’s “Da Band”.  Well aside from stabbing her

husband she’s been up to a few different things including trying to

launch a solo career and modeling weaves for The Weave Shop.  No word

on how big of a check she’s receiving but nowadays any work is good. 

Oh yea and that’s Risky from The Real & Chance show next to

her…she’s also a spokesperson/model.Risky and Sara:

PARTY ALL THE TIME

A while back I heard that Kanye didn’t allow Amber Rose to host

parties which is usually a pretty big source of income for celebrities

who don’t actually do anything.  Well I guess now that Kanye is

worrying about getting his own s**t straight she can do whatever she

wants.  She was at Love in DC the other night where she reportedly

received $20,000 and was flown in on a private jet just to host.  She

also hosted a party this past weekend in the Chi at the Zentra

nightclub.  Here’s some video from a party she hosted a few weeks ago. 

I’ve fallen for Miss. Rose based on her pictures but this is my first

time seeing her actually speak and I must say she definitely seems down

to earth and pretty street…I like…except for the stog:-In DC:

In Chicago:

TROUBLE IN PARADISE????It

looks like the “kids” issue is pushing Hip-Hop’s golden couple further

and further apart.  In a recent interview with Neon, a German magazine,

Beyonce said “I want children – not now, later. He’s quite not aware of

that fact yet”.  It also appears that Jay is expecting too much from

her.  She said sometimes she likes to hang around the house in sweats

but Jay feels like “women go to the toilet with heels on”.“Gotta keep it fresh girl/ even when we sexin/ or don’t be mad at him when it’s on to the next one” -Jay-ZThey were both at the Robin Thicke album release party but no pictures together:

THE VIEWI love The View … judge

me if you want…but I try to catch it as much as I can.  The other day

I was watching and to my surprise the Doggfather comes out to talk to

the ladies for a little while.  Snoop definitely has the ability to

fit in anywhere…the definition of charisma:Snoop

had a release party the night before and even though he was 2 hours

late hitting the stage (3:00 am) after smoking a “very sweet smelling

substance” he tore it down.  Lil Kim was there and according to the NY

Post “her outfit left little to the imagination”

I’M JUST SAYIN’Shout out to all the international readers especially Natalija in Germany.Whitney

Houston says although her daughter looks just like her she’s more

outspoken and takes after Bobby Brown personality wise…not sure if

that’s good.The Guinness Book Of World Records has dubbed Samuel L Jackson The highest grossing male actor of the DECADE.

EMI, the label, is suing Vimeo for hosting videos of people singing songs from their artist…smh.

Make sure you come out to my Toy/Coat drive in BK today…click here for info.Ron Artest has written an open letter to Tiger Woods telling him to hold his head and comparing Tigers situation to his own…check it out here.  And a tabloid is saying he smashed Jessica Simpson.Ray-J’s VH1 show beat Diddy’s by about 200,000 viewers…congrats.Madame Tussauds in New York immortalized Diddy by unveiling his wax statue yesterday:

 

SARA, WE LOVE YOU!!! NOW CUT IT OUT! PAUSE!

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].

Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige Honored by Essence Magazine

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

Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige will be among 4 esteemed honorees next March at Essence’s third annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon.

 

The event recognizes women of color who’ve made strong impacts in the entertainment industry.

 

Next year, the award luncheon will also commemorate Essence’s 40th anniversary. Latifah is being honored with the “Power Award” for her numerous milestones in music, film, and TV.

 

The New Jersey native was the first solo female emcee to go gold with 1993’s Black Reign.

 

That album also earned her a Grammy for the female empowerment anthem “U.N.I.T.Y.” In film, she’s received acclaim for her diverse roles in Set It Off, Bringing Down the House, The Secret Life of Bees, and her Oscar-nominated turn in Chicago.

 

On the small screen, Latifah executive produced and starred in HBO’s Life Support, winning a Golden Globe and SAG Award.

 

Mary J. Blige will take home the “Songstress of the Year Award.”

 

The veteran singer performed “Lean On Me” in January at President Obama’s Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.

 

Her latest single, “The One,” featured Drake and was released on July 21. The new album Stronger with Each Tear is due out on December 21.

 

To date, Mary J. has had every one of her albums go multiplatinum or platinum since her 1992 debut What’s the 411?.

 

In addition to Latifah and Blige, rising actresses Zoe Saldana (“Star to Watch”) and Gabourey Sidibe (“Best Breakthrough Performance”) will receive recognition.

 

“Our annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon is taking on special meaning in 2010 as we are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Essence magazine by paying homage to phenomenal women throughout the year,” explained Essence editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray. “We are proud to carry the Essence legacy into the future by honoring the accomplishments of such brilliant performers as Latifah, Zoe, Mary J., and Gabourey, whose incredible talent and sheer grit are serving to change the face of Hollywood.”

 

The Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon takes place Oscar Award week on March 4, 2010 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Locksmith: In Rare Form

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

Revolutionary

Bay blood surges through the arteries of Locksmith. If he’s rhyming

alongside Left, the other half of his group, Frontline; or, if he’s

surgically euthanizing MCs in battle, Lock is Dr. Kevorkian. This Grind

Time grime reaper snatches souls, sending them to the dead poet’s

society in the sky. Locksmith is devoting himself to Hip-Hop. Although

he didn’t create the Hip-Hop helix, his impending solo, Frank The

Rabbit, will help unlock its secrets. In his AllHipHop.com debut,

Locksmith clarifies his thoughts on everything from regional Hip-Hop

to religion. 

AllHipHop.com: For the

folks outside of the Bay, what differentiates The Frontline and Locksmith

from other regional talent? 

Locksmith: As far as

the Bay area, I think that everybody is unique. If you’re not unique

then you’re following a pattern; or, you’re following a specific

type of gimmick or something to that degree to that extent. We just

wanted to find our own niche. Even before the notoriety, we always wanted

to be our own artists. We didn’t want to follow E-40 and Too Short.

We’ve always respected those dudes as artists; but, we wanted to set

our own trend. The Bay is a very diverse area; so, our music and as

artists we reflect that. We never followed just one specific trend or

localized ourselves to one area. We always wanted to internalize everything

that was going on in the whole country and put that into our music.

We’re very aware of what’s going on in the nation and internationally,

too. So, we put that in our music and it fits our personalities. It’s

reflected in our music. 

AllHipHop.com:

Sometimes emerging MCs striving to break into the mainstream may sacrifice

their lyrical integrity in order become more commercially appealing.

What motivates you to remain steadfast to your lyrical ideals? 

Locksmith: It’s not

even a question; I just do what I feel. Whenever you start consciously

saying, I want to appeal to this [it] can be deadly to your career.

I don’t consider myself an underground artist or a commercial artist.

I just do what I do. Sometimes, I’m in a mood to where I have thoughts

that may appeal to a wide range of people. I may have s*** that’s

going on internally; I don’t know if people will identify with it.

But, I know that I’m going to do it. My producer, E-A-Ski recorded

this track, “Rare Form.” I just had some s*** on my chest. Lyrically,

I just wanted to go in and do what I do. He was like, ‘Yo, this s***

is hot. We gotta shoot a video.’ I’m like, “Yo, are you serious?”

He’s like, ‘Man, I think this is dope. This needs to get out there.’

So, we did it—not thinking that this was something that was going

to get a lot of notoriety. This is some intense type of s***; right

now everything is real soft in a sense. Hip-Hop has become more like,

you know, easier to swallow—as far as the mainstream goes.  

So, putting out something like

“Rare Form” I didn’t expect this to do anything except provide

a visual for people online.  The s*** ended up getting added to

MTV and spun in regular rotation.  It’s big on the radio stations

out here in Northern California. I’m like, ‘Wow!’ You have a song

with no hook with a long verse for like two something minutes, and it’s

getting played on the radio. I’m going to shows and people are knowing

the words. So, that’s not something that you can plan for, you just

do what you do… 

AllHipHop.com:

In respect to the four main principles of Hip-Hop: the emceeing; the

deejaying; the B-Boying and the art of graffiti, how would you describe

Hip-Hop’s current state? Are we experiencing a Hip-Hop depression

or a Hip-Hop reformation? 

Locksmith: Some days

I feel like Hip-Hop is being revitalized and some days I’ll see something

and it kinda gets me like, ‘Ugh!’ If I can still make an impact

and I can still do what I do, [and] if I still have that passion inside

of me to keep going, then I feel like it’s very much alive. I’ve

noticed that when I see people appreciate what I’m doing—and I appreciate

what the other dope artists are doing—I feel like Hip-Hop is very

much alive and that the principles and the essence of it is very much

still alive.  

The problem is that it’s

become—with capitalism—and what’s going on in Western society,

we’re able to market that and [it’s become] watered down to a certain

degree. It’s going through all this commercial rigmarole, and then

it gets kinda watered down.  And you’re like, okay, you’re

sick of being fed these same images over and over again. That’s just

the companies and their marketing that’s making it that way. But,

Hip-Hop and its essence is very much alive. Every time that I walk somewhere

in The Bay area, I meet tons of young kids and people of all ages telling

me, ‘I love what you’re doing!’ It’s incredible; they show me

love. That lets me know that Hip-Hop and the passion for Hip-Hop is

still very much alive and those principles are still present.  

Locksmith: “Rare Form”

Locksmith – Rare Form / NEWUploaded by PeteRock. – Explore more music videos.

AllHipHop.com: How do

you approach a lyrical battle, is it always pure spontaneous flow? Is

it okay to come with prepared verses?  

Locksmith: I fell into

battling when I first started emceeing… Battling is such a critical

part of Hip-Hop itself; I’ve seen its progression. It started off

as being this total freestyle, off-the-dome kind of thing, to progressing

to people having lines, to people having something prepared for somebody

that you know [you’re going to battle] ahead of time. I go into a

battle preparing for anything to happen… You don’t know what you’re

going to get…You can’t come into a battle so prepared that where

you have it all written down and you don’t know what this guy is going

to say. At the same time if he’s preparing for you then you have to

be somewhat prepared for him. He may come with something that’s totally

written and then you’re stuck trying to freestyle off the dome. So,

you just have to be ready for whatever.  

Within this last year, I’ve

been back on the battle circuit doing some damage. I’ve learned that

I have to watch every opponent… I’ve had some MCs that have Googled

me and have come back with some totally false information. They’ve

seen it on the internet so they felt they could attack me. I have to

be mentally prepared for that and know what’s going on… 

AllHipHop.com:

On November 5th, Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan, is alleged to have

murdered 13 soldiers at Fort Hood military base. It’s been reported

that before he began shooting he bellowed, ‘Allah Akbar [God is great]!’

What do you think of those who are so willing to try to establish a

correlation between his actions and his faith? 

Locksmith: I don’t

know what was going through that person’s head… It’s like what

Malcolm X said, ‘The chickens coming home to roost.’ I don’t know

what was in that brother’s heart and what he was doing. I know that

don’t believe the media most of the time. The media is controlled

by sponsors and corporations that are promoting a certain thing. So,

I can’t really go by that. All I know is supposedly what happened.  

I’m a Muslim. Islam does

not preach violence on innocent people. The only time that you can use

physical action is when somebody is threatening you directly and you

fight back against that; or, when you have to stop oppression. If you

see somebody else killing or unjustly doing something to someone else,

then it’s your obligation to step up and stop that. But, I don’t

really know all the details on that. I don’t know what went on with

that particular person. I can only speak on that part; that’s how

we deal with it.  

AllHipHop.com:

Lock, I want to thank you for your time. Is there anything else that

you’d like to express? 

Locksmith: Just go to www.iamlock.com or www.IMGMITV.com. Shout out to E-A-Ski and shout out

to my brother, Left!

Kid Cudi Drops Off ‘Monster’s Ball Tour’

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

Cleveland, Ohio bred rapper Kid Cudi has dropped off of Lady Gaga’s Monster’s Ball Tour, the rapper said in a statement.

 

According to Kid Cudi, the tour schedule is interfering with his ability to record his new album, in addition to new acting commitments.

 

“Kid Cudi has decided to take an early leave of absence from Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour, in order to balance his schedule surrounding the recording of his next album and acting commitments,” a rep for the rapper said in a statement. “Cudi does not want to disappoint his fans and will move forward with his individual show dates in December and throughout the month of January.”

 

The news comes on the heels of a December 12 incident in which the rapper assaulted a fan during a Vancouver, Canada after someone threw a wallet on the stage during his performance.

 

Cudi picked the wallet up and threw in back in the crowd. When a fan named Michael Sharpe caught the wallet and threw it back on the stage, Cudi hopped off the stage and punched Sharpe.

 

Last October, rapper Kanye West dropped off of the tour, after the now infamous incident with Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

 

Kid Cudi, born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, is on the road promoting his album Man on the Moon: The End of Day, which was released in September.

 

Sharpe has stated that he will not press charges against Kid Cudi for the assault.

I Feel Sorry For You, Wack Rapper

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

I know I am going to be a big bowl of depression when I say this one, but I have to say it. In saying it, I know I am going to be called a hater and a bunch of other colorful that people use to cover up their intellectual shortcomings.

But it is time to cut the crap.

The music we’re making is really turning into some trash that a landfill would refuse to house. I like youtube, twitter and facebook too, but the shouldn’t be places for you to promote your music as you figure it out. Rappers are doing one song, record a shoddy video and then uploading that b***h to youtube for everybody to see. Then, they spam everything with an email address to show it off.

Mr. Wack Rapper, I know you won’t heed this, but stop it. Cut the crap. Get a job. Take care of yourself. Take care of your mom, your kids, your unborn seeds…just stop rapping, please!

We can’t turn you off all the time. We just can’t! You are everywhere. You do mixtapes when you should be flipping burgers or finishing college. You are spending money on studio time and equipment when you should be saving up for a house! Your girl is tired of your shenanigans. You have tattoos all over your non-eating body. Eventually, you are going to get old, fat, and your tats will fade and stretch.

I mean no harm. I just want my ears to be happy. I just want you mother to be a proud one…one that can say, “My boy has a job and he does not look like a failed heavy metal singer.” Now, I am not opposed to everybody looking like a Lil Wayne reject, but I am opposed to losing a GENERATION of young people who have decided that they are going achieve the unattainable at any cost.

Yes, this is beyond me laughing at rappers on youtube. This is a far more grave matter. There was a time when you would dress and act like a rapper and then shed that outer shell for a honest living (even if you still did your rap thing on your time). These Sideshow Bob looking cats can’t do that unless the day job is a circus.

I don’t mean any harm, but another one is this kid Arab that used to be down with Soulja Boy. Somebody close to me sent me a video of his and honestly, I almost punched my computer.

This is the video.

And it’s not just the young…it’s the old too.

I came across this the other day and I was just shocked that this person named Mean Green was actually rapping.

Dude had the nerve to make it drizzle and then took the money back when somebody tried to pick it up.

Here is another video of ol’ Mean Grean, who ended up rocking his Arkansas crowd.

“I know you like that!”

Nope.

I’m really not hating. I’m really concerned for Arab and Mean Green. At some point, they are going to have to admit that this thing called rapping just isn’t a trade that they are going to fare well in.

If I’m wrong, I’m wrong…but I think I’m right on the mean green.

Train Wrecks Swollen Members Tour Bus

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

Members of Swollen Members’ entourage were able to avoid tragedy this past Tuesday (December 14) by escaping their tour bus before its destruction from an oncoming train.

 

The bizarre accident happened on Monday (December 14), when the group was in Colorado Springs, CO following their completion of the Canadian leg of their tour.

 

Sometime past midnight, the bus became stuck on a railway crossing due to lack of traction. Several minutes later, the signals flashed and the rail barrier lowered to indicate a train’s arrival.

 

According to the tour’s manager, BJ Smith, everyone present had less than a minute to flee from certain death.

 

“Everyone is lucky to be alive. Everything happened so fast we didn’t have time to do anything but get off the bus,” Smith told AllHipHop.com. “From the time the bus got stuck, to the second the train impacted it, was under three minutes. As soon as we heard the railway barrier go down we could hear a train was coming, so we literally had 45 seconds to get off the bus and get as far out of the way as possible. If anyone else would have been on the bus with us they would have been dead because there wouldn’t have been enough time to wake them up and get off the bus.”

 

In the wake of two straight months of touring, core group members Madchild, Prevail, Trey Nyce, and Rob the Viking had flown home before the incident.

 

The remaining entourage and tour manager BJ Smith were using the bus to make it back to California.

 

After viewing pictures, Prevail noted the impact point was on the band’s sleeping quarters.

 

“This morning I got news that our tour bus, ‘The Black Pearl’, got hit by a train in Colorado Springs. Luckily everyone was able to get off just in time, because the bus was totally destroyed,” Prevail explained to AllHipHop.com. “The spot where the train impacted was where we would have been sleeping if we had we been on the bus. It’s scary to think how fragile life can be when something like this happens.”

 

The bus caught fire after the train collision, and emergency crews worked for 4 hours to subdue the blaze and clear the scene.

 

The train only suffered minimal damage to the front engine, and was able to complete its route following a police verification of no injuries.

 

The city’s Traffic Engineer, Dave Krauth, confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, and the city is seeking ways to improve the intersection’s safety.

 

Swollen Member’s latest album, Armed to the Teeth, was released on October 27.

Hip-Hop Rumors:Diddy Ready To Marry? T.I. IS Coming Home!

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.DJ DRAMA CONFIRMS RUMORS OF T.I.!!!!I caught so much hell over yesterday’s T.I. rumor, I thought I was going nuts. BUT, today…DJ Drama confirmed what I said! Here is what he put on Twitter.Tip comin home sooner than yall think! #Grandhustle2010Now, all the people that dissed and balked at the notion owe me an apology! My boycott has begun. Thanks, Drama. Chance take the rumors, man!CHANCE ENCOUNTERSThis is Chance’s chance to shine!DIDDY’S LOVE LIFEWord is Diddy is getting ready to settle down and Kim Porter should be expecting a proposal in the coming days.  He even reportedly purchased a 12-carat ring and sent Cassie on her way.  He also took recently took some time to talk to Playboy about a secret affair he was carrying out not too long ago.  He says he was involved with a young actress but because they were such big stars she told him “it’s not going to work”.  He says if it came out it would have been Puff and J. Lo part 2.

SHE GOT HER OWNDoesn’t look like Kelis is banking on Nas’s alimony check as her only source of income for the future.  Aside from working on a new album Kelis has some other tricks up her sleeve.  When asked about her plans she said:“I want to have my own sauce line. I became a saucier in school.  I think food, fashion and music all

go together…I also

want to get my sommelier certification…I love the whole thing. I want to go back to school, too.”Think the sauce will be as good as the shake???

ANOTHER MJ TRIBUTE

There have been a lot of Tributes to MJ, some good some not so much.  Mos Def decided to give his own while performing in London.  I think it’s pretty dope:

A. KEYS THE DIVA???

Alicia Keys passed on a free 3 day stay in “the grandest suite of all

at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge” (below), while in London, because it wasn’t

big enough and didn’t have a good vibe…the hotel is a little upset

seeing as neither Michael Jackson or Madonna had a problem with it.  I’m sayin’ though if the vibe aint right the vibe aint right and that’s that.

HE’S GOT ONE TOOIf you read yesterdays rumors you saw the picture of Soulja Boy and Lil Scrappy rocking the same cross tattoo under their left eye.  I joked about them being a part of some kind of covert organization but then my homey Grant Simm pointed out that Young Money’s Gudda also has the same tattoo and it got me to thinking maybe this really is some kind of identifying mark.  I figure if it is it has something to do with the bloods since SB was allegedly chased out of Chicago for “false claiming blood” and Gudda is affiliated with Lil Wayne who flaunts his gang affiliation.  So I figured I’d ask you guys.  If any gang bangers out there (preferably from Cali since Snoop said every one else is no bueno) can shine some light on the situation let me know if it has a meaning or there’s just a lack of originality.

I’M JUST SAYINI’m digging that RiRi GQ spread….really digging that.President Obama and Warren Buffet, the second richest man in the world, are seventh cousins, three times removed, and share a great-grandfather named Mareen Duvall who owned slaves in Maryland.Mariah Carey’s label has stopped all promotion for her album and singles…they’re focusing on 2 remix albums they plan to release.Mr. Mariah Carey will be hosting a morning show on

NY’s 92.3 starting January 19, 2010.CORRECTION: Yesterday I said Dwight Howard was suing his wife…she’s actually just his baby mother…he’s also asking for full custody of their kid.T.I.’s lawyers say they are hoping to have him in a halfway house within the next month or so.Christina Milian had her baby shower this weekend…guests were treated to manicures, pedicures and makeovers.I really hope Miss. Minaj isn’t taking the Booty Pop route … she was looking pretty scrumptious at Robin Thicke’s album release party:

COME HANG OUT WITH ME

This has been an amazing year for myself and

my team (Crack Distributors) and I’m so excited to be able to give back

this holiday season.  CDR has organized a Toy & Coat drive THIS

Thursday (12/17) at PNC Studios in DUMBO Brooklyn.  We’ll be

broadcasting live and there will be wine (for the grown folks), food, DJ’s and a live video game battle (winner gets 2 XBOX or PS3 Games). 

All you have to do is bring a like-new toy or coat.  Everything we

collect will be donated to New York Cares and the local Boys and Girls

Club.  Hope to see you there.  Click here for all the info.    Peace – ChanceCDR @ Twitter or Gmail

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].

Buckshot To Judge Hip Hop Karaoke Championship In NY

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

Veteran rapper Buckshot of Duck Down Records will be one of the judges during the 2010 Hip Hop Karaoke Championship in New York this January, AllHipHop.com has confirmed.

 

Buckshot will judge 12 of Hip Hop Karaoke’s best practitioners battling for cash in front of a celebrity panel of judges.

 

Two regional championships were held over the past month. Only the highest scoring competitors advanced to the championship event, which takes place at Irving Plaza on January 29th.

 

“I’m excited to be given the privilege to judge the 2010 Hip Hop Karaoke Championship,” Buckshot told AllHipHop.com. “There is nothing harder in the business than getting up on that stage and performing to the masses. It takes awareness, confidence, clarity and, most importantly, breath control. These challengers are also faced with the obstacle of making the crowd believers. I’m anxious to see what songs each contestant will select to perform and if he/she will own that selection.”

 

After three rounds, one person will be crowned Hip Hop Karaoke Champion and claim the grand prize of $1,000 cash.

 

Judges in the past have included Prince Paul, Video Music Box’s Ralph McDaniels and Dres of Black Sheep, while legends like Pete Rock, Jeru The Damaja, Rhymefest and Big Daddy Kane have attended the event.

 

For more information visit: http://www.hhkchampionship.com/

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Amazon Error Releases Lil Wayne’s Rebirth Early

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

Earlier this week, roughly 500 Amazon customers were treated to a special early leak of Lil Wayne’s Rebirth LP due to a shipping mistake.

 

Those select Amazon customers, who pre-ordered the February 2010 project, began informing media outlets and blogs of the mailing mishap this past Monday (December 14).

 

In spite of the huge success of Wayne’s Carter 3, the best selling album of 2008 (2.4 million), the rock-inspired Rebirth was unable to secure a release date in 2009 after suffering six delays.

 

The latest one was December 21, and one-third of the estimated 1 million manufactured copies have been sent to select retail outlets.

 

Because of the leak, there is speculation the album may be reworked further for additional tracks.

 

The first single, “Prom Queen,” debuted in January.

 

The latest official single, “On Fire,” was released on December 3 but overshadowed this week by the recent leak of the Eminem collaboration “Drop the World.”

 

Lil Wayne’s last full project was October’s anticipated No Ceilings mixtape.

 

He will be sentenced on February 9 per his October guilty plea for attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

 

At press time, Lil Wayne nor Amazon representatives have commented on the leak.

Wednesday Fashion Feature: Trends Of 2009: Should They Stay Or Should They Go?

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

It’s time to break down and discuss some of the most notable trends of 2009 in the urban market.

 

Kanye West

 

Although some of these trends may not be new, they were prominent this year.

 

We want to know whether you think they should stay, change up, or just die a painful death. Let’s start with perhaps the biggest one –

The Rock Star:

Rihanna

 

Going beyond rock, it was more like heavy metal that infiltrated runways, hip hop and everything in between. As with most bold trends these days, it’s another hit from the beloved 80s.

 

 

80s group Judas Priest

 

Common colors/shades associated with this trend:

 

All black everything, gray, silver, gold.Common fabrics associated with this trend:

Leather, spandex, vinyl, lace.Key pieces:

Leather leggings or pants, lace/fishnet tights, statement making black boots, black shades, fingerless gloves, ripped jeans, motorcycle jackets – add studs/spikes to all of the above, black nail polish, a half shaven head and/or mullett like Kelis – you’re good to go, rock star.

 

Black Splatter Studded Bracelet by Hip Hop Wholesale

 

Hip Hop Meets Prep School:

 

Kanye West Nerd meets bad boy with this trend, as clever bow ties are mixed in with edgy colors, sneakers/boat shoes, and cardigans branded by streetwear labels rather than the college you attended.

 

 

David Beckham Common colors/shades associated with this trend:

Navy, red, white, tan, brown, pastel shades. Common fabrics associated with this trend:

Seersucker, cotton, linen, twill, wool, corduroy.Key pieces:

Bow tie, cardigans, flat front chinos, short shorts, “murses”, plaid button down shirts, polos, boat shoes, rugby shirts denim shirts – now just cuff your pants and roll up your shirt sleeves for the true prep boy experience.

 

Wool Tartan Bow Tie by French Connection

 

Ska & Skate:

Lil Wayne

 

The ska trend stems from a music genre that falls between rocksteady and reggae, with roots from Jamaica. It falls somewhere between punk rock and skater, with an added Caribbean feel.

 

No Doubt really brought it back years ago, and somehow, it has found its way into hip hop.

 

No Doubt

 

Common colors associated with this trend:

Red, green, yellow, black. Common fabrics associated with this trend:

Canvas, flannel, cotton, polyester. Key pieces:

Dickies pants, Converse All Star kicks, graphic tees, bomber jackets, cargo shorts, plaid shirts, wallet chains – and of course a skate board.

 

Alfred Black Wallet by Nudie Jeans

 

The “Hopster”:

 

 

The hopster is basically a spawn of the “hipster” – he just has more of a hip hop edge. Whereas hipsters are known for rocking muted colors and dirty off-white Vans canvas sneakers with more of an 80s punk look, the hopster more vibrant – think 80s hip hop.

 

Run DMC

 

He may throw on one of those retro thick gold chains, splashes of neon colors, and chunky sneakers that he tucks his super skinny jeans into. Instead of rocking a vintage graphic tee, he may rock a fresh colorful one by Billionaire Boys Club – with a lego heart by Dee & Ricky attached.

 

New Boyz

 Common colors associated with this trend:

Gray, black, white, anything bright and/or neon – blue, pink, yellow, green – you get the idea.Common fabrics associated with this trend:

Denim, cotton, fleece, nylon.Key pieces:

Colorful skinny jeans, high top retro sneakers, “smedium” graphic tees and crewneck sweatshirts by streetwear labels, retro shades and scarves. Hop on, hopster.

 

B&W New York Sunglasses by SUPER

 Hip Hop Meets Biker:

 

Thomas Jones What we are referring to here is west coast, tattoo inspired apparel and accessories (Ed Hardy, Affliction, etc.), paired with heavily embellished jeans, lots of bling, and fitted hats that must match up to your sneakers – exactly. Fans include southern rappers, NBA and NFL players. Common colors associated with this trend:

Primary and secondary colors (red, green, blue, orange, etc.), gold.Common fabrics associated with this trend:

Leather, cotton, denim.Key pieces:

Loud tattoo/bling’d out tees, denim with heavy embroidered images, leather patches, studs, etc., flashy sneakers, gold chains and lots and lots of ice.

 

Hearts A’Fire Tee by Christian Audigier

 

So you be the judge – and let us know if we missed any other trends that you love or can’t stand anymore! What do you think the future holds for urban fashion? Will men’s style continue down the “metrosexual” route, or will trends like American workwear take over (think Timbs, baggy jeans, rugged leather jackets)?

 

Jay-Z – Classically hip hop

 

Will Lady Gaga and Amber Rose influence girls with their futuristic goth feel, to the point where girls will start rocking leotards to dinner and blue lipstick?

 

Lady Gaga

 

Amber Rose

Kool G Rap: Secrets Revealed

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

In part 3 of this extensive conversation with Kool G Rap, the Corona, Queens legend debunks a number of rumors, talks ghostwriting, tells about when Big Daddy Kane shot somebody and how he felt when Bell Biv Devoe sampled his voice on their hit record. (Click here for Part 1 and click here for Part 2 of this series.)

 

AllHipHop.com: How long had the Juice Crew been around before you joined?

 

Kool G Rap:  They had been around for a couple years maybe. I had definitely heard about the Juice Crew before, but that really didn’t become the Juice Crew until they got a G Rap, a Kane, and a Biz. Before they name was really buzzing on the radio they name was already buzzing to me because I was dead smack in the middle of Queens Bridge, between Queens and Corona. I seen them bubbling from beneath. 

 

 

AllHipHop.com: Did you ever work with Tragedy (Intelligent Hoodlum)?

 

Kool G Rap:  I knew of Tragedy before I even heard of the Juice Crew, he goes even before me. I didn’t work with Trag too much. I worked with Kane more, worked with Biz. I never recorded with Shan even though we was homies, I mean we used to hang out and we would be booked on the same shows, I had a real close relationship with Shan.

 

 

AllHipHop.com: Was there any truth in the rumor that you and Kane had a rivalry?

 

Kool G Rap:  There was really no rivalry with me and Kane. I think me and Kane always been in competition but it was always like a friendly competition.

 

 

AllHipHop.com: I heard Scoob and Scrap were your dancers first.

 

Kool G Rap:  Nah, not at all. Scoob and Scrap was always with Kane, they was from Brooklyn where Kane is from. Scoob and Scrap was just as much a part of the clique as anybody.

 

 

AllHipHop.com: Was that them in the “New York Streets” video?

 

Kool G Rap:  Those were my dancers. And I have to be honest I had the better set of dancers. They were the TCF crew they had come out with an R&B record on Cold Chillin’, TCF meant “The Chosen Few.”

 

 

AllHipHop.com: I was told a story about King A from the Kings of Pressure, he said Kane accidentally shot him in the arm and ended up giving him that huge Nefertiti chain, a Gucci suit, and some other stuff to keep it out of court.

 

Kool G Rap:  Yeah. That was a true incident that did happen. I don’t think he was trying to shoot nobody really. It was a small caliber gun and he was trying to shoot out the window, but by the bullet being a small caliber it kind of bounced off the window and hit somebody. (Laughs)

 Nobody never wrote nothing for G Rap. I wrote for Shante and I produced for Shan. I wrote a whole song for Shante called ‘Straight Razor.’

 -Kool G Rap

AllHipHop.com: Who was writing for who within the Juice Crew?

 

Kool G Rap:  Nobody never wrote nothing for G Rap. I wrote for Shante and I produced for Shan. I wrote a whole song for Shante called “Straight Razor.” I wrote at least two songs for Shante and it was more like the horror s###. Kane wrote most of the radio commercial records and when they wanted something more sinister and lyrical then they came to G Rap to give her that element for her albums. I believe Kane may have wrote some stuff for Biz but I know the main writer for Biz was Grandmaster Caz from Cold Crush Four. 

 

 

AllHipHop.com: I love the Cold Crush, one of the best crews ever. Caz is the f*cking dude.

 

Kool G Rap:  My favorite groups was Cold Crush Four and The Force MCs. USA Rollerskating rink in Queens I seen Cold Crush Four and Force MCs before they was the Force MDs. The Cold Crush used to come out a little dressy because rappers back then used to dress up. They wasn’t as dressed up at Soul Sonic Force or Melle Mel and the Furious Five but they was dressed up. I guess they lacked the same amount of money. Rappers didn’t really come out in street wear at that time. When I first heard the Cold Crush I was already loving Hip-Hop but to hear the routines and the harmonizing they took it from the level of the “Yes yes y’all, to the beat y’all,” and they would take harmonies from songs that you know and convert them to Hip-Hop and rap form, and the beats they were doing it over those were the ultimate break beats of that time, sh*t like “Rocking in the Pocket.” Oh my God, what they were doing was hot. That was a hell of a time for Hip-Hop.

 

 

When I was younger I thought Kool Moe Dee of the Treacherous Three was one of the most phenomenal rappers ever, him and Melle Mel. I never thought Soul Sonic Force was no phenomenal rappers to me they just made great records and that’s the credit I give them, but DJ Bambaataa I give a lot of credit because he was one of them dudes that helped push Hip-Hop period to the forefront, cause his name’s been prominent from a very long time ago. Kool Herc might have started it and everybody knew Kool Herc, but Bambaataa I think pushed it out there more and more because his name started to eclipse Kool Herc. 

 

 The Juice Crew – the 1980’s

AllHipHop.com: I talked to Scorpio and he told me that Furious Five basically invented modern rapping.

 

Kool G Rap:  DJ [Grandmaster] Flash took it to a whole ‘nother level, they started to bring it from the parks and into the radio, to put Hip-Hop in its first vehicle to take it all the way mainstream. But I remember Funky Four Plus One before the Furious Five and they was rapping. I heard people rapping and became influenced before I knew who the Furious Five was. There was a Rapper named Ray Rock, they had Silky Sam, they had crews and stuff back then, a clique of girls called the Fly Girls, these are people from my neighborhood. I remember DJs from my neighborhood, Disco Twins they was a prominent name in Queens, DJ Polo, DJ Smalls, C and C crew. I was rapping and stuff soon as I heard it. But I was more mimicking other peoples s### then. I didn’t really get deep and write until age 13, when I had all my own written s###. Back when it first started, there wasn’t a whole lot to rapping, it wasn’t like you had to write verses. It was like “Yes yes y’all, to the beat y’all, freak freak yall, ya don’t stop,” this is like the beginning stages I’m talking about. The rapper that really inspired me and really created the burning flame in me to be better than everybody was a rapper by the name Silver Fox of the Fantasy Three. He was a problem. At the time when the best rappers were Kool Moe Dee and Melle Mel, when I heard Silver Fox I was like “Oh my God they got someone better than the f*cking best!” He sounded futuristic, like he was from 5 years in the future. On the underground level he was like a monster, he was a beast. A lot of cats was scared of Silver Fox, because of his skills. 

 

The pioneers and the dudes who really brought Hip-Hop to the masses was Run DMC, Furious Five was hot but they had a lot more records that was loved by the hood, except for “The Message” and “White Lines” which broke big on the radio. The first artist to take that sh*t completely over the top was Run DMC, they introduced us to the whole world.

 

 “When (Bell Biv Devoe) came to New York for the ‘Poison’ video they had me in the video, I don’t know if that was a way to keep me cool so there wouldn’t be no lawsuits.” (Laughs)

-Kool G Rap

AllHipHop.com: I have an old tape of the Juice Crew tour in London in like 1989 where at the beginning of your set it sounds like maybe you dissed Ultramagntic Emcees and the Get Fresh Crew in your routine.

 

Kool G Rap:  Did I?

 

 

AllHipHop.com: Maybe it was Polo, you started the set saying “We are not…” and Polo dropped the record that said “Ultramagnetic” then you went “And we are not…” then Polo dropped “The Get Fresh Crew” and the crowd went ape sh*t.

 

Kool G Rap:  (Laughs) Wow! Yeah I do remember that. You talking ancient history right now. At the time I didn’t know them like that but I did have a respect for them because I liked they records. There wasn’t any intention to diss, it was just showmanship.

 

 

AllHipHop.com: Bell Biv Devoe sampled you on “Poison” and it was a huge smash, did you ever meet them?

 

Kool G Rap:  There was times we did meet, there was even a Cold Chillin / BBD basketball game. They slaughtered us! You would think Kane and Shan and G Rap could ball because we was more like the street dudes who would be in the courts, I know I used to be in the parks playing. We had no idea that these dudes could ball.  Them dudes slaughtered us! (Laughter) When they came to New York for the “Poison” video they had me in the video, I don’t know if that was a way to keep me cool so there wouldn’t be no lawsuits. (Laughs)

 

 

AllHipHop.com: How did you find out they had used your sample?

 

Kool G Rap:  I heard it on the radio like “Oh sh*t thats my voice!” 

 

 

AllHipHop.com: How do you feel about sampling and compensation, being as you’ve been sampled but also you’ve used hella loops on your records?

 

Kool G Rap:  I have two ways I feel about that. I feel if somebody uses your whole creativity and makes profits without giving some kind of reward (payment) for that, I mean that’s one thing. But something as limited as taking your voice is more a complement than anything. It was an honor to me, that they would want to use G Rap’s voice saying “Poison” in the song and use it as many times in the song as they did. If I was thinking more back then I might have used it as an advantage to say, “Listen, I need a song with Bell Biv Devoe on it.” Especially at that time, that was like they heyday. 

 

ChartWatch: Gucci Mane, Snoop, Timbaland, Clipse – Sales are IN!

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

AllHipHop ChartWatch for December 16, 2009      I’ve

spent the last few weeks pointing out the sales of reality TV star Susan

Boyle which has raise a lot of questions amongst readers.  Mainly,

Who the f— is Susan Boyle?  Well, I’ll tell you.  She’s

a British, reality show star.  Now British music artist + Reality

TV should equal your album going double wood here in the states but

for some reason this lady is selling more albums then they can keep

on the shelves.  I know she’s not Hip Hop but Boyle managed to

sell another 580,000 copies of her album I Dreamed

A Dream pushing her sales well over the million mark.

      I

gave that little intro on Boyle because 1) I find it slightly interesting

and 2) the closest thing to Hip Hop in the Top 10 is Chris Brown. 

He ain’t Hip Hop either but at least he has a rapper or two on the

album.  The R&B singer took time off of community service to

sell 102,000 copies of his latest album, Graffiti. Flip over

to rumors if you want to see about Chris’ Twitter tirade. 

      Now

I don’t want to make it seem as though this was a bad week for Hip

Hop.  We actually have a few artists from last column’s 

“Dropping this Week” make it into this week’s top fifty. 

Let’s continue on to find out who made it.

      First

up is an MC out of the south.  Although many critics question

his musical ability he continues to sell and please his fan base. 

I’m hearing the album is on point, so congratulations to Gucci Mane

for selling 89,000 copies of his new album, The State vs.

Radric Davis.  The Atlanta rapper’s major label album debuts

at the number 11 spot and places him as the top selling rapper for this

week.

      This

next album has been on the charts since June and is still pushing big

numbers. I don’t know how and I don’t know why but this group is

getting at least 50,000 people to buy their album each week.  The

Black Eyed Peas move up two spots, from 22 to 20, and sell another 64,000

copies of their album, The E.N.D.

      Long

Beach representative Snoop Dogg enters the chart this week and grabs

the twenty second spot.  The Westcoast MC sells 61,000 copies of

his tenth studio album, Malice ‘N Wonderland. 

      Hip

Hop super-producer Timbaland continues his foray into pop music with

his latest album Shock Value II.  His latest album enters

the charts at the 36th position and sells 37,000 copies.

      Finally,

the Virginia duo, Clipse, enters the charts this week and claims the

forty eighth spot. Their Neptunes produced album Till

The Casket Drops sells 29,000 copies. 

Dropping This Week 

      It’s

an all Westcoast “Dropping” this week.  We’ll start of first

with Sacramento MC Bueno who is dropping his new cd Can’t Knock

The Hustle.  The album features The Jacka, Dubb 20, and Mistah

F.A.B with production by DJ Epik and Hallway Productionz.

      Finally,

coming out of the Bay area is Messy Marv and Berner who team up to release

Blow.  The album features guest appearances from C-Bo, B-Legit,

Yukmouth, Husalah & Fed-X of the Mob Figaz, Killa Tay, J-Stalin,

Ampichino and others.

       

Sneak Peek: Sade’s Soldier of Love

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

Vibe.com got an exclusive peek at Sade’s new album Soldier of Love. Here is how the magnificent event transpired. Few recording artists in the time of continuing shrinking record distribution, digital music downloads, and a never-ending recession, would receive the posh red carpet roll-out exhibited last night (Dec. 14) at New York’s historic Lincoln Center. But not every artist has the immense mystique and event-like cache of Sade, an act who has meticulously stayed away from the proverbial spotlight since her neo jazz-based 1984 debut Diamond Life.

At an exclusive listening party for the Nigerian-born British singer-songwriter’s sixth studio release Soldier of Love (due Feb. 8), the atmosphere was as elegant as the 50-year old singer herself. Pink roses, pear bellinis, and a mammoth window overlooking a postcard-worthy view of Manhattan’s bustling Columbus Circle proved to be a savvy backdrop. But you get the sense that the diverse range of individuals who made it out to hear Sade’s first new studio album in nearly a decade (who else could get the likes of golden age hip hop producer DJ Marley Marl, legendary radio personality Tom JoynerNew York Times‘ respected veteran music critic Jon Pareles in the same room together?) would have gladly listened to the album at a greasy hamburger joint in Queens. and the

Sade: Soldier of Love

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Musically, the 10-track Soldier of Love doesn’t stray too far from the classic Sade sound. Mournful lyrics that dive into the emotional cost of lost love as well as hope-driven introspection fuels much of the album’s dramatic tone. And that voice? It’s still there: haunting, calming, gorgeous all at once.

Still, nothing could have prepared those in attendance for a rare sighting of the reclusive Sade, who following the session, appeared with members of her backing band that have been with her since the beginning of her career. Dressed in an all black silk outfit, with her trademark crimson red lipstick and pulled-back hair, Sade was greeted enthusiastically by the usually jaded music industry tastemakers who stood in line just to take a picture with the singer who seemingly ages every twenty years.

“She’s been signed to the label for 25 years now, so obviously she’s an incredibly iconic artist,” glowed Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia and Epic label Group, Sade’s longtime label home. “We are just thrilled that she wants to make music again. She doesn’t have to put records out every year to be relevant. She’s earned that respect and credibility to where she can put records out whenever she wants.” To hear a straight-no-chaser record-man like Stringer make such a

statement runs counter to the strike-while-it’s-hot mindset of a music

industry in which a much hyped pop star like Rihanna has

released four albums in five years. But Sade, who has sold more than 50

million records worldwide, is known for taking long hiatuses between

albums. Her last studio album, Lovers Rock, was released in

2000. So why the long break this time? “She’s been busy raising her

daughter,” said Sade’s longtime manager Roger Davis. When asked about

the prospect of a tour, he laughed and said, “We can only hope. We have

to get the record out first.”(Story continues after image)

And what does the lady herself have to say about all the outpouring of support? “I’m just happy that everyone came out,” Sade told VIBE in a whispered British tone. “Thank you.”

Highlights on Soldier of Love include:

?”The Moon and The Sky”

A seductive Latin groove accented by Spanish guitars is paced by an assertive rim shot. “Why didn’t you come get me one last time…we could have had the moon and the sky,” Sade sings. Intensely sexy.

?”Soldier of Love”

The official first single and album title track has been a curve pitch for longtime Sade fans. The harder edged Portishead-style production and winking western-standoff feel of the track (complete with rumbling military snares) takes a minute to get used to. But its relentless groove and Sade’s sincere vocal performance makes it more than believable.

?”Babyfather”

Sade at her most whimsical. “For you, he’s the best he can be…daddy loves you,” she says on the reggae-tinged track.

?”Bring Me Home”

One of the tracks that will surely get play from club DJ’s who worship at the alter of early ’90s, digging-in-the-crates hip hop. With it’s thumping bassline, this standout cut is easily the fastest paced song on Soldier of Love. There’s ominous talk of tears. But this dramatic line says it all: “I’ve cried for the lives I’ve lost…” Wow.

?”Skin”

Ranks among Sade’s most heavy vocal and lyrical performances of all-time. A Fender Rhodes keyboard can be heard. So can the pain of a romance gone terribly wrong. “I wish I could wash you off my skin.” There’s no room for ambiguity here.

?”The Safest Place”

Sade finds comfort in another’s arms. Lush harmonies. Hope closes out the album.

Busta Rhymes and Akon Contribute to Bury Unclaimed Deceased Detroit Residents

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

Busta Rhymes may be known for his lively stage persona, but the Flipmode Squad leader has put his energy towards a different cause by supporting former Universal/Motown Records music executive Shanti Das’ efforts to bury unclaimed deceased residents of Detroit.

 

Rhymes, along with R&B hitmaker Akon, were among the artists who helped Das raise more than $20,000 for May We Rest in Peace, a recently launched initiative designed to aid those who cannot afford to properly lay their loved ones to rest.

 

To date, the nonprofit organization has been able to cover 20 burials in Detroit in its first two months of existence.

 

May We Rest in Peace resulted from Das’ desire to help the city of Detroit after reading a CNN Money story about the location’s struggle to handle it’s growing number of unclaimed bodies.

 

The story, which came out in October, highlighted Detroit’s economic hardship as it noted the increasing number of unclaimed bodies piling up in the city’s morgue freezer, some of whom have been dead for up to five years.

 

Realizing the financial challenge for loved ones as well as her own experience of paying to bury deceased family members, Das launched May We Rest in October.

 

While she is not from Detroit, the music executive found a common thread with which to create her organization.

 

“What if it was my mother, father, or loved one lying there in the morgue and I couldn’t afford to properly lay them to rest?” Das explained. “There were just a lot of things that hit home for me, and I just wanted to immediately take action.”

 

Within weeks of starting May We Rest, Das provided burials for six of Detroit’s unclaimed deceased amid raising $6,000 via early support from family, friends and loved ones as well as donors such as Rhymes, Akon and the Kid Rock Foundation in the name of Detroit Clothing Company.

 

The support of the entertainers and the community has impacted the number of unburied bodies in Detroit, which is now down to 50.