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

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

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

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?

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 chainsand 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

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!

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

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

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.

Nick Cannon Launches Multi-Media Company, New Projects

In an effort to centralize his many industry hats, Nick Cannon has announced today (December 15) the formation of NCredible Entertainment to handle his projects in TV, film, music, digital music, publishing and radio.

 

Cannon adds the NCredible CEO position with his role as Chairman/CEO of TeenNick, the 24-hour Nickelodeon network.

 

NCredible offices have opened in New York and Los Angeles, with a supporting cast of industry veterans in Ray Brown (Music Division), Tracy Nguyen (PR and Marketing), Dorian Graham (Television Division), and Cannon manager Michael Goldman.

 

First up for the versatile entertainer will be a currently untitled Hip-Hop puppet project for Adult Swim.

 

The show, which is said to hold similarities to HBO’s#### series Entourage, will revolve around members of a Hip-Hop group who live as roommates and struggle to become stars in the industry.

 

In partnership with MTV, Cannon’s NCredible collective has produced a docudrama pilot on Bronx emcee Cory Gunz entitled “Son of a Gun: A True Bronx Tale.”

 

Gunz is signed to Cannon’s label, and at press time additional episodes are being filmed.

 

Other music acts in development under the NCredible umbrella include R&B group RydazNRtist, Malibu Hip-Hop/pop star Colette Carr, and Trinidadian artist Aaron Fresh.

 

Cannon returns to TV on December 25 at the 26th Annual Disney Parks Christmas Parade with co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest.

 

The 2 hour ABC special airs at 10AM EST. On New Years Day, the entertainer will conduct his year end segment, “Nick Cannon Presents Hatin’ on ’09,” exclusively for MTV.

 

At press time, Nick Cannon’s early 2010 projects will be a 6AM-10AM radio slot for CBS’ 92.3 Now (http:923now.com), and director duties for the Nickelodeon film School Gyrls, airing February 21.

Lil Wayne Appears In Court; Sentencing Date Set For Feb. 9

Lil Wayne appeared in a New York court today, where he received a February sentencing date for a weapon violation last October.

 

The rapper, born Dwayne Carter, appeared in court around 10:30 AM, flanked by members of Cash Money Records, including label CEO’s Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams.

 

Lil Wayne remained silent as the judge set a February 9th sentencing date, where he is expected to be sentenced to at least a year in prison for weapon possession in New York.

 

In October, the rapper pleaded guilty to one criminal count of attempted possession of a weapon.

 

The charges stem from a 2007arrest in which a .40 caliber gun was found on the rapper’s tour bus.

 

In a popular remix to “O Let’s Do It” featuring Georgia rapper Waka Flocka, Lil Wayne references the crime.

 

“Lock the CEO up/and I’m the CEO f**k/prison in February and I aint in no rush…” and later: “Hit them with the shotgun/call that s**t the spot bust/Call me Doctor Carter/aka young wild n***a/aka no trial n***a/aka click clak blow n***a/”

 

The news on Wayne’s sentencing date comes as a new track featuring the Young Money Records’ CEO and Eminem titled “Drop The World” hit the internet.

 

In related news, Lil Wayne’s album Rebirth has been pushed back to a February 1st release date. The album will land in stores just days after Wayne begins his jail sentence.