“Hard To Quit The Rhyme”
“Hard To Quit The Rhyme”
“Meth Vs Chef Part 2”
“Black Out”
“M-Dash”
“Diamonds”
Today (December 11), Billboard announced their completed year-end and decade recap lists which featured many prominent Hip-Hop and R&B stars.
Kanye West was named musics Top Male Artist of 2009, a distinction shared with his female counterpart Taylor Swift.
The two had a memorable stage moment in September when West interrupted Swifts MTV VMA acceptance speech.
Rounding out the list of top artists for 2009 are Beyonce, Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, T.I., Nickelback, and Pink.
Drake secured two awards: one for Hot Rap Song of the Year (Best I Ever Had), and Top New R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year.
T.I. won the Top Hot Songs Artist of 2009, courtesy of his four Top 5 singles off 2008s double platinum Paper Trail (Whatever You Like, Swagga Like Us, Live Your Life, and Dead and Gone).
As reported earlier this week on AllHipHop.com, Eminem was crowned the best-selling artist of the decade, beating out fellow chart heavyweights Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Nelly, and 50 Cent.
Additional awards were given based on an artists dominance of a given chart over the last 10 years.
This criteria yielded recognition for T.I. (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist), 50 Cent (Top Hot Rap Songs Artist), and Jay-Z (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums).
Fans can view the entire 2009 and decade lists at www.billboard.com.
“Solider”
“Whats My Name”
“Choose Me”
“Wit Whatever”
Looking from the outside its easy to see why a lot of people feel like Juelz Santana is living the good life and has been since he jumped out onto the rap scene with his fellow Diplomats. What people dont see however is how hard it really is to be a young rapper on the brink of superstardom. Back when Santanas sophomore album, What The Games Been Missing, was pumping out hit after hit and his face was plastered on MTV and BET countdowns it seemed as if the sky was the limit for the young Harlem bred spitter. What followed that series of highs were some disappointing and confusing lows for not only Juelz, but the Diplomat crew that he repped faithfully.
Its been about three years since fans heard a studio album from Santana and in that period hes gone through changes that no one expected. Hes seen a nasty in house feud between Camron and Jim Jones boil over into the public eye, followed soon by the Diplomats disbandment and he parted ways with Camron himself due in part to contractual issues. It hasnt been all bad during his time away from the game however as Santana has used his off time to start his own label and build up the excitement for his latest offering, Born To Lose Built To Win.
AllHipHop.com: So what have you been doing with yourself since your last studio album was released?
Juelz: Im still in the studio grinding; a lot of things dont change. Its still Dipset for life, but me and Cam arent exactly the way things should be due to different reasons. Definitely not nothing malice, I didnt try to prevent or get right. If we can get back together and make it right its cool, its whatever, but I been grinding and putting the Skull Gang movement together, but like I tell people the Skull Gang is never ever like a substitute. Its Dipset all day, thats in my blood, thats in my veins I am that. The Skull Gang movement is just like the mob. I grew up into an entity myself just like when Cam was under Mase. Everybodys got to grow into an entity themselves and just like Cam had Diplomats and Mase had Harlem World, now its time for me to extend my arm out so these are just a few of the people that I extended my arm out to that I felt were talented and had a lot of love for. We put out the Skull Gang Volume One and got a great response.
AllHipHop.com: Outside of the group aspect, what else have you been doing?
Juelz: In the meantime the in between time me and Weezy had did the I Cant Feel My Face s**t and all that. A lot of s**t got leaked out and we was supposed to do the album, but that never happened due to a lot of politics and bulls**t, but like I tell people we got a whole bunch of records still recorded we actually just did another record recently that Im probably going to use for album thats just retarded. Im just gearing up Im trying to stay relevant by throwing verses out there and throwing things out there, but I definitely was just gearing up for the master plan and the next time I was going to drop an album which I am now, Born to Lose Built to Win. I was just prepping and soaking everything up figuring things out so my next move is my best move. The Back To The Crib record thats going to be on my album, me and Chris Brown thats just stupid. Its produced by Polo the Don. I reached out to my n***a Chris because I just felt like it was time for us to make that magic again. We had a big success with the “Run It” record when he reached out to me when he first came in the game, so you know I had a record that I definitely heard him on so I said f**k all the bulls**t that other n***as may think about whatevers going on that aint got nothing to do with us and I think hes the perfect one for the record. Hes more than talented and the little n***a has swag. I f**k with the young boy so I reached out and made it happen. Im just gearing up Im probably in second gear on these n***as right now and I might even still be switching from first to second; I aint even get near fifth yet. I got a great relationship with Def Jam; theyre supporting the project right now. I still feel like labels, I wouldnt even say just Def Jam, all the labels they forgetting how this shifts and this works. You got to go back to them old days when you sacrifice what you got for what you believe in, but despite all that Im here. Im here, they love me, and they miss me out there. Everybody wants to know when the Reagan Era is coming out, the mixtape, when the Born To Lose is. Im here, Im right here and they aint going to be able to get rid of me. Theyre going to have too much of me I should say, no h###.
AllHipHop.com: What was it like not being album to put out an album for such an extended time period?
Juelz: It wasnt that I couldnt put music out. I couldnt put studio music out for about two years almost three years out of it. Then the last year I was putting music out I was still doing the underground mixtapes so thats why I even managed to stay relevant to this day I always spit on verses. Me and Weezy dropped I Cant Feel My Face; I was always doing a lot of different s**t in the mean time between time, the only thing I didnt do was drop an album or one of my solo mixtapes, but besides that I was still hitting them and letting people know Juelz Santana is always that n***a whenever I come out Im coming out. That just kept that craze for Juelz Santana up until now and Im releasing more music, things are starting to pan out the way I need them to pan out. Im all about the feeling man, the feelings got to be right ya dig.
AllHipHop.com: Why did you feel you needed that distance from Camron?
Julez: I mean it wasnt about distancing myself from Cam. The business wasnt weighing out if you put it on a scale you know what I mean. Thats why I never disrespect Cam or even say nothing bad because I respect the fact that he gave me the opportunity to even be here and Im from Harlem, Im a hustler so I aint never going to look back. Im in the middle of the ocean its either drown or get to the other f**king side. I aint swimming backwards, I aint doing that. At the end of the day I put in a lot of work into that Diplomat s**t and like I said I still rep the bird to this day and its never like an I turned my back on it thing, its just the business was something that needed to get fixed and it just seemed that for some reason the communication wasnt there so the business didnt get fixed and it just left a sour taste especially with the way I looked at him. I looked at Cam like a brother, so its like to where somebody is doing something that you dont expect.
AllHipHop.com: Why did you choose to continue working with Def Jam instead of exploring other options?
Juelz: At the time Def Jam still had the rights to my contract. I was signed to Def Jam through Cam, so once he was out the picture it was really just about Def Jam wasnt trying to let me go nowhere. They had all the rights so it was really just about me and his business; it wasnt about my business with Def Jam because its great. At the end of the day as long as theyre doing what theyre supposed to be doing my business with them is cool and I dont have the same type of relationship I had with cam. I wasnt with Def Jam everyday damn near, at my life one point. We wasnt in the studio we dont make the music at Def Jam its more of a business, just as much as its a family. Its a business family ya dig. Me and Cam we got to the point where you know it was like we was brothers. S### we still are brothers aint nothing going to affect that, but just as far as the business side I just couldnt sit there and be stupid and act like I was getting the best end of the stick or the fairest end of the stick, no h###.
AllHipHop.com: Do you ever think at some point in the future you guys will be able to patch it up and make music again?
Juelz: Whatever happens happens. I dont have no super vendetta, I dont have no nothing. I just wanted to get my situation straight and now my situation is straight so if n***as want to come back to the table and put something together I definitely feel like the fans deserve it. I mean I definitely dont think we even got as much out of the Dipset when it comes to record sales. Like, we looked a lot bigger than we actually were, not because of the way we carried ourselves, n***as knew what it was, but at the end of the day there was a lot more that we were getting into and the boat kind of turned left, but I still let n***as know its Dipset for life.
AllHipHop.com: What made you want to start your own label (Skull Gang)?
Juelz: I was always going to do that, thats part of growing in the business and thats what Cam made us to do. I was never going to be the boss of Dipset, but I never wanted to be. If I sold 20 million records Cam was still going to be the boss and I always respected that, I respect my position. I always tell n***as this is like the mob. Even if me and Cam were still ace boon coon I would still be Dipset and I would still have Skull Gang because it is about growing. AllHipHop.com: Why did you choose the title Born To Lose Built To Win?
Juelz: its just a movement, its the energy. You feel that when I say it; born to lose built to win every n***a feels that. You cant walk you cant talk you cant do nothing when youre born you know what Im saying, thats the lose part because you lost already when you came into the world. You got to be taught everything and if your not taught it or learn it you wont be able to even function in this world and thats how you build up to a winner the man you become. You got to be built to be a winner man. It energy, its just the feeling. When youre making a classic album you got to have the right everything. This s**t is going to be epic ya dig what Im saying I got nothing to lose money to get and something to prove.
AllHipHop.com: Are the fans ever going to get to hear the collabo album with yourself and Lil Wayne?
Juelz: We got about 16 records still recorded that havent been leaked theres a lot of politics like if you think about it. Theres a lot of politics and things that come when dealing with big artists such as me and Wayne, but worse case scenario well definitely just put that out on a mixtape or that type of level.
Hows life everybody? Feel a little bit under the weather and Tiger Woods and golfs freaky other side gets exposed, the health care reform issue makes strides, Obama sets the stage for 30,000 more troops to occupy Afghanistan with an exit strategy, cold weather grips much of the country, leaders assemble for the U.N. climate change conference and As the World Turns gets cancelled after 54 years on the air. Nothing like a little scandal and politics to help you get well after being out last week. Gotta love it.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Tyler Perry, whose mother died at age 64. Shout out to the sounding boards for reminding me that the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.
Lets all gather round for .the Last Word for the week ending Dec. 11, 2009.
1. Susan Boyle Lands on 50 Cents Hitmaking Radar
This year has been too good to be true for Susan Boyle. From becoming an overnight sensation after blowing people away with her voice on Britains Got Talent to selling more records than Beyonce with her debut album, Miss Boyle has the world in her hands.
So where does she go from here? Maybe to the studio with 50 Cent. Apparently, the G-Unit frontman ranks among Boyles admirers as he voices his intention to collaborate with the shy singer on what could only be described as the most unique musical collaboration ever.
Susan Boyle is hot right now. I got to get her on a track, for real. We’d make a hit, 50 expressed to The Mirror. “ She’s got an amazing voice, and together we’d get everyone dancing. I’m always looking to do something new and she’s cool, so I’ll ask somebody to let her know.” And if that wasnt enough, imagine 50 and Boyle painting the town red together for a night out.
“I’d love to take her clubbing, show her around my world, said 50, who believed that Boyle would have a great time.”
Now Im all for a unique collaboration. Theres nothing like two artists from different realms hooking up for a hit. Or at least something to make people say What the hell is this? After all, there was Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez (Im Real, Aint It Funny), Mariah Carey and the late, great ‘Ol Dirty Bastard (Fantasy remix) and Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy (“Whatzupwitu”).
But this? I dont know. Sounds like a 2010 version of Ebony and Ivory in the making, but you never know. Maybe they could put together a Best of Both Worlds type project and tour. Picture this, summertime 2010. Susan Boyle and 50 Cent together on stage for their highly-anticipated joint tour. If Kanye and Lady Gaga werent able to pull it off, maybe 50 and Susan can. Like I said, you never know.
2. Tamala Jones Guns for More Hollywood Respect, Desires Biopic Close-Up
In life, there will always be times when a little motivation is needed to get to the next level. For some, its a life-changing event or experience. For others, its real talk from those who know you best. For Tamala Jones, its George Clooney. Or rather acting alongside Clooney in the new film Up in the Air.
The feature centers on Clooneys character, Ryan Bingham, a corporate hatchet man who loves his life on the road but is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget. Jones plays a suicidal worker who has to adjust when shes fired from her job.
Although she is known for her work in the films Two Can Play That Game, The Wood, The Brothers and Kingdom Come, Jones is determined to expand herself as an actress while searching for roles that expect more from her. As for Up in the Air, the actress has no shame in revealing the two reasons she signed on for the critically acclaimed film.
George Clooney and Jason Reitman. It was time for me to start playing with the big boys. I don’t care how small the role is, I need to be seen with these guys. These are the guys who are getting films greenlit, Jones told Black Voices.com. I’ve been doing Black Hollywood, if you will, for a very long time and I said, “I have to start all over now.” I have to start letting people see what I can do other than comedy.
And so begins a new quest. With biopics being the hot movie genre, would it be crazy to see Tamala bring the life story of a legendary figure to life? If no is your answer, then consider two people she would love to portray.
I would like to do a story on Minnie Riperton. We know her but a lot of people do not know who she is, we don’t understand the energy behind the voice. I think that would be such a great story because here is this woman who had such a beautiful spirit and gift to sound like a bird. I would love to do that, said Jones. I have another one I’m kind of on the fence about, because it’s two stories. The Tammi Terrell story, and if you’re gonna tell her story you have to tell Marvin Gaye’s story. I know there’s been people who’ve tried to tell this story for awhile, and there’s been some issues with the family. Not a lot of people know she was in the business at 15-years-old. She sang backup for James Brown. She married a champion boxer before the whole Marvin Gaye thing, that’s where her name Terrell came from. I like doing period pieces, especially of those times.
Whether or not well see biopics on Riperton and Terrell remains to be seen. Stay tuned
3. R. Kelly Puts Pen to Memoir to Tell His Story
With all the hit songs, numerous collaborations and awards and a controversial image, R. Kelly has cemented his place in music history. But not without his share of talk about him. So as they say, if you want something done right, do it yourself.
And that exactly what Kells is doing as he gears up to write his autobiography. According to the folks at Black Voices, the crooner will join forces with celebrity author David Ritz to put the as-yet-untitled memoir together. Among the things addressed will be the child pornography charges that were leveled at Kelly some years ago.
To hear him tell it, the memoir stems from being frustrated with being misunderstood over the years. As a result, Kelly vows to give you his story in his own worlds.
“I’m writing this book as Robert, not R. Kelly,” the hitmaker said. “I’m tired of being misunderstood. I will show you the tears, fears, and sweat. I will open my heart and reveal the good in my life as well as all the drama. I want to tell it like it is.”
The R. Kelly memoir, which will be published by Tavis Smileys SmileyBooks, is scheduled to come out in 2011.
4. Rihanna Has Lethal Lesbian Tendencies Towards Megan Fox
With her new album, countless sightings and romance rumors, it safe to say that Rihanna has seemingly moved past a lot of the drama from her violent encounter with former beau Chris Brown. In fact, the songbird seems to have gotten back her ability to give people something to chat about as she confessed to having fantasies about being a lesbian assassin on the big screen.
Id love to be an assassin, Rihanna shared with The Daily Star. Either that or a lesbian. Maybe both! Hey, a gay assassin, theres nothing hotter than that.
Now that weve got an action vehicle for RiRi, what shoot em up wouldnt be complete without a love interest for our heroine to save and charm? Say no more. Rihanna already has her choice picked out with the mention of a certain Transformers star.
Megan Fox hands down,” the singer stated. “Shes yummy. Shes hot.
No need to say much else. Just let your imagination take it from here. Im sure the Hollywood suits are already plotting something. Especially since Megan seems open to spending time with the ladies.
All humans are born with the ability to be attracted to both sexes, she said. I mean, I could see myself in a relationship with a girl.
Like I said, let the imagination take over.
In Other Words
Stevie Wonder can now add United Nations Messenger of Peace to his resume. According to U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe, the music icon is being recognized for his philanthropic work with the U.S. President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and Junior Blind of America. As newest Messenger of Peace, Wonder will bring attention to people with disabilities.
Danity Kane may be history but D. Woods is moving ahead as she gears up to release her solo debut album, My Favorite Color.
The forthcoming opus comes as a result of a recently signed distribution deal with Bonzi Records/Fontana (UMG). Prior to the albums release, Woods will release an EP titled The Gray Area Experience. The project, according to reports, will feature new and exclusive material including the single “Legalize Me” and an accompanying music video.
D. Woods My Favorite Color is tentatively scheduled to hit stores on April 27, 2010.
If you ask some people, it took him long enough, but Justin Timberlake has made public his regrets over how he handled Janet Jacksons infamous Super Bowl half-time show wardrobe malfunction in 2004.
For those who forgot, Justin sold Janet out and apologized days after the incident, in addition to admitting he had no idea the songbird intended to go topless. A bunch of heat on Janet as well as fines for CBS years later and Timberlake, who distanced himself from Jackson, is wishing things would have been handled differently regarding the situation.
“I wish I had supported Janet more, Justin told Entertainment Weekly. I am not sorry I apologized, but I wish I had been there more for Janet.
After a long absence from the local movie theater, Wesley Snipes is making his way back. Media sources report the actor will star alongside Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawk and Ellen Barkin in the upcoming film Brooklyns Finest.
Snipes will play Caz, one of Brooklyns most infamous drug dealers and a prison buddy of Cheadles Clarence “Tango” Butler, a cop thats been undercover so long his loyalties start to shift from his fellow officers (Gere and Hawke) to Caz. Brooklyns Finest, directed by Antoine Fuqua, is slated to hit theaters on March 5, 2010.
R&B singer Joe is getting into the holiday spirit with the release of his first Christmas album, Home is the Essence of Christmas. According to the singer, listeners can expect a Frank Sinatra/Nat King Cole flair to go along with Christmas classics like Ill be home for Christmas, Christmas Time is Here, and The Christmas Song.
Its very classic: live music, piano, upright, bass, drums with brushes. Its jazzy, big band, Joe told EURWeb.com.
Joes Home is the Essence of Christmas is available now at Target stores and online at iTunes
Good news for Kandi Burris. BV Buzz reports the former Xscape member has signed a new recording contract with Asylum Records. As a result, the 33-year-old songstress will release a new album titled B.L.O.G. The new album comes after a record deal with Capital Records and the singer fell through in the time between when the Real Housewives of Atlanta season finale taped and when the show’s reunion special aired.
“After my Capital situation didn’t work out, I released my EP on iTunes and it performed very well, said Burris, who is exciting about her forthcoming effort.
Kandi Burris B.L.O.G., which features the single Fly Above, is slated to hit stores in late February 2010.
“Bang It Remix”
Police are currently on the scene at the home of St. Louis rapper Nelly, after receiving a call claiming that an intruder was breaking into his mansion.
A helicopter and search dog combed a wooded area around the rappers Wildwood, Missouri estate, seeking a black male in his 20s or 30s, with a mustache, glasses and black coat.
While details are still forthcoming, police received the call around 7:00 AM this morning, after the unknown male was seen fleeing the property.
At press time, it is not clear if anyone was inside the mansion or if anything was taken, although sources stated that the call was placed from inside the residence.
The suspect may have also fled in a vehicle before police arrived, but investigators still searched the property.
After popular demand, Supra Footwear has arrived on DrJays.com’s sister site, DJPremium.com!
Lil Wayne in Supra
The skate, street, art and music inspired line was founded just three years ago by California native, Angel Cabada.
From being worn on the feet of pro skaters to celebrities like Lil Wayne and Jay-Z, Supra kicks have already created a huge buzz.
The sneakers are created with comfort and durability for all the skater fans, including the “Supra Crew”: Terry Kennedy, Chad Muska, Erik Ellington and many more well respected pros.
Infusing technical materials with edgy designs and their signature “Skytop” body, Supra keeps bringing the heat – check out just some of our very first shipment:
Mr. Cabada also launced KR3W apparel, which we have carried on DJPremium.com for some time now. Click here for the story on KR3W.
To see more from Supra on DJPremium.com, click here.
P.Miller made a recent stop at Southern Californias Save Our Kids event to speak to teens and parents on the importance of community involvement.
As one of the most successful moguls in Hip-Hop history, Miller is often sought after by organizations for donations.
While the former No Limit CEO is happy to honor those requests, he challenged those in attendance to be proactive in making a clear path for others to become inspired and follow.
Why [do] so many rappers and pro-athletes make it out and dont come back to help the hood? P. Miller questioned. We have to take care of the hood ourselves and stop waiting for some celebrity or pro-athlete to come back and save us. I made it out. If one of you make it out, its important for you not to forget where you came from and always come back to help the next generation. Thats the reason that Im here today because I really care about inspiring the next generation.
One of Millers notable philanthropic efforts is his work with onemilliongifts.org. The organization aims to deliver 1 million gifts to families across the nation in need by the end of the year.
Each person, Miller explained, could make a huge communal impact by pooling their resources for good causes.
You will most likely read about celebrities making it rain in the club than giving back to the community, he admitted. If we really want to take care of the hood, weve got to start with us. If each one of us, one person, gave at least one dollar to our community we could make a real difference together, starting in our own community. We could save churches and organizations that help the community. We could also educate our kids, feed the homeless, and take care of the elderly, if we work together.
Last month, Miller teamed with Mark Wahlberg to supply thousands of Thanksgiving dinners to needy families in Los Angeles.
Those interested in volunteering or donating may visit www.onemilliongifts.org.
The bouncers caught on tape savagely beating two patrons of Jay-Zs Atlantic City 40/40 Club have been fired from their jobs.
TMZ.com spoke with Couri Glen, the former supervisor of security for the popular Atlantic City night club.
According to Glen, he and the other bouncers kicked Tyrell Durant and Leonard Clark out because they were groping women on Saturday, November 28.
Glen claims that he and the bouncers were “just doing there jobs” in escorting them men out of the club when Durant and Clark began swinging on them.
Glen and the other bouncers were officially fired for misconduct.
At press time, police were still considering assault charges against the men involved in the brutal beating.
“Scared Money”
“The Lost Exhibit”
“Jump In The Air And Stay There” [Snippet/Rip]