“Drama Fold”
homepage
Joaquin Phoenix Underwhelms in Hip-Hop Debut
Joaquin Phoenix’s dream of becoming a legitimate Hip-Hop artist took a hit last Friday (January 16), as the acclaimed actor delivered an abysmal set in his first ever music performance.
Eyewitness reports allege that Phoenix immediately unraveled on stage due to the lateness of brother in-law and director Casey Affleck, who was on hand to film the concert for a forthcoming documentary.
“Thanks for being late and f**king everything up,” Phoenix allegedly barked at Casey over the mic.
Reports further state that Phoenix’s actual rapping was embarrassing, with the retired actor repeatedly fumbling over his words and struggling to complete full bars.
Just one song into his show, the set abruptly came to an end after Phoenix fell off the stage while trying to incite a standard call and response chant.
The comical affair comes just one week after Joaquin Phoenix announced he would be creating a Hip-Hop album with rumored assistance from mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Last October, Joaquin Phoenix officially announced his retirement from acting to pursue music full time.
Because of the over the top nature of the performance and Phoenix’s haggard appearance, some are now speculating the upcoming documentary is actually an elaborate satire.
At press time, Joaquin Phoenix could not be reached for comment.
Classic Clashes: Daily Operation vs. Mecca & The Soul Brother
The more things change the more they stay the same. Familiarity breeds contempt. Two cliche’s that don’t necessarily mean anything when you’re talking about classic music and today we match off two albums by two similar groups: Daily Operation by Gangstarr and Mecca And the Soul Brother by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth.Both groups were helmed by legendary producers. Both Pete Rock and DJ Premiere have produced incredible music both for their groups and for other artists, arguably changing the face of Hip-Hop production in their own respective ways. Pete Rock talked over the beat way before Puffy (sorry I can’t call him Diddy for this one). His horns were all the rage in the early 90’s and there were remixes where he was just pouring syrup on s**t and making pancakes (shout to Oran “Juice” Jones and Sam Jackson). Primo had been taking Hip-Hop production to a new level with unorthodox styles and incredibly scratched-n samples. He had just come into his own as a producer, experimenting with new sounds and taking a leap from their second album beat wise to creating different moods and digging deep into the crates for some of the illest samples ever. Daily Operation was his “hello world” in terms of changing the game musically. Where Rock controlled the mood with his horns, Premiere began using the piano to control the mood and tempo.Both groups had emcees who were skilled at discussing numerous topics. Guru’s monotone style was the perfect compliment to stabilize Primo’s frenetic beats, while CL mellowed out Pete’s horns like Black Thought 1.0. Released around the same time, the albums were well rounded with themes of Islam (Anger In “The Nation” & “Too Deep”) life in the streets (“Illest Brother” & “Ghettos Of The Mind”) and even females (“Ex To The Next” & “Lots Of Lovin'”). Both had strong singles (“T.R.O.Y.” & “Take It Personal”). Though they have many factors in common, musically they are very divergent albums. Does that mean one was better than the other? That’s for you to decide, but in the end they were both classic material.Peace
The Notorious B.I.G. Ft. Busta Rhymes and Guilty Simpson
Slim Thug Ft. Akon
“Please Don’t Do That”
Bump J Ft. John Legend Produced By Kanye West
“Nobody Eats But Me”
Sparkdawg Ft. Tum Tum, B.I.G. Hoodboss, Supastaar and Fat Pimp [Heater Of The Day]
“All On Me”
Crooked I Ft. Das
“Do It Like Me”
Alternative Pick: Bobby Valentino Ft. Ludacris, Lil Kim and Lil Wayne
“Beep Beep Official Remix”
The Outlwaz Ft. Tru Life and Aktual
“Pushin’ On”
UK Producer Endemic Recruits Sean Price and Planet Asia For Debut Album
Nottingham, England-based producer Endemic is promoting the concept of music as the universal language, with the inclusion of American rappers on his debut album.
The release, titled Terminal Illness, will feature Boot Camp Clik member Sean Price, Planet Asia, Hell Razah and Killah Priest as well as United Kingdom-based artists C Mone, M9, & Triple Darknes.
According to Endemic, the new album will break the perception among music fans of what is defined as Hip-Hop in his homeland.
“My album isn’t necessarily what you expect of when you think UK Hip-Hop,” Endemic. “I try to produce beats that will get ill emcees moved to rip on the mic.”
Terminal Illness marks a new chapter for the London born Endemic, who cited the RZA, Pete Rock and Boot Camp Clik as influences.
The producer credits his brother with starting him on the path to his chosen career. “I was mesmerized,” Endemic said as he remembered how his brother exposed him to music from NWA and Public Enemy.
“As soon as me and my boys could put our pennies together, we bought turntables and started gigging,” he stated.
Years later, after building a solid reputation as an in-demand producer in the UK, Endemic was signed to Money Maker Records, which is the first of a series of projects to emerge from the label this year.
In the coming months, Money Maker Records will release albums from Large Professor, Killa Sha, 40-Cal and UK emcee Lewis Parker.
Endemic’s Terminal Illness is slated to hit stores this year.
The following is a tracklisting for the album:
1. Intro 2. Robin Hood Theory – Timbo King Feat Planet Asia 3. Cant stand to wake up – The Wisemen 4. Comin to Kill – Sean Price, Ruste Juxx & Sav Killz 5. Political Criminals – Leathafase, Melanin 9 & Cyrus Malachi 6. Hypocrites – Masikah Feat Melanin 9 7. Walk the Shadows – interlude 8. One Day – Killah Priest & Timbo King 9. Not Like Us – Letia Larock, C mone & Sima Lee 10. Bang on Me – leathafase feat DJ Furious P 11. From Bk to UK – Ruste Juxx, Cyrus Malachi & Nasheron 12. Look My Way – Sima Lee 13. I’m Show Ya – Sean Price & Ruste Juxx 14. Three Kings – Hell Razah, Melanin 9 & Kevlaar 7 15. Outro
The Last Word: Akon Forgets His Age, Rihanna Accused of Supporting the War in Gaza, and Mariah Carey Records With Nick Cannon’s Brother!
What’s going on, good folks? A historic week it was with
Barack Obama being sworn in as the 44th President of the US, Hillary Clinton
being confirmed as the new Secretary of State and Caroline Kennedy taking her
name out of the running for Hillary’s NY Senate seat.
Congratulations to Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou,
who are reportedly expecting their first child together and legendary R&B
singer Bobby Womack, who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Shout out to the sounding boards for being inspired to make
history on their own.
And now the next chapter of…the Last Word for the week
ending Jan. 23, 2009.
1. Akon Forgets His Age (Sort Of)
Looks like Akon is taking that Aaliyah song, “Age Ain’t
Nothing but a Number,” to heart.
Media sources report the hitmaker has no idea how old he is,
despite the fact that he has a birth certificate. Think Akon is worried about
all this? Think again.
“All it’s going to do is depress me,” the crooner told The
Associated Press. “I don’t want to know I’m
getting older. Then I’ll start to think about getting checkups and insurance. I
don’t want that.”
Although sources believe his age ranges from 25 to
35-years-old, Akon himself stated he was 25 in 2006. Now the vocalist claims
that his birth certificate lists April 16, 1977 as the date he was born. So
that would put him at 31-years-old.
Still, Akon maintains he never knew his age despite being
born in the U.S. and spending a portion of his childhood in Senegal. This isn’t
a big deal for him, because “In Africa … age is not important over there.”
“They don’t care. People only focus on it here (America) and
in Europe,” said Akon, who revealed that he just gives the first number that
comes to mind when people ask him his age.
Akon may not know how old he is, but when you, “Get in
before the sun sets/you ain’t a rookie, you a super vet/sleepin’ in the chair
every chance you geeeeet!’
Hey-ey-ey… You’re so old.”
I’m just sayin’.
2. Chris Rock Invades Sundance with Good Hair; Reflects
on Obama Inauguration
Chris knows a thing or two about hair and he wants share it
with everyone. Which is why the comedian is screening his new film Good Hair at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The documentary, which is one of 16 entries in the event’s
U.S. documentary competition, features Rock as he explores cultural pressures
that motivate Blacks into utilizing costly and painful means to take care of
their hair. Among the places visited are the Bronner brothers hair show in
Atlanta, neighborhood salons, businesses dealing in hair-care products and
India, where human hair is a huge export industry for hair weaves.
In addition, the film will feature Rock’s trademark humor
while raising serious questions about identity and equality among Black women
who feel they need long, straight, silky hair to fit into White society.
Rappers Eve and Ice-T make cameos in Good Hair along with fellow celebrities Maya Angelou, the Rev. Al Sharpton,
Raven-Symone and Tracie Thoms.
Rock, who got the idea for Good Hair in the mid-1990s during a standup tour through
Atlanta, serves as a producer and co-writer on the documentary. Although Good
Hair will eventually air on HBO, Rock and
those who worked with him are thinking about releasing the feature in theaters
first.
And while he enjoys the positive reaction to his film, Rock
didn’t let President Obama’s inauguration go unnoticed.
“Excellent Black people have always been compensated for
excellence. Always,” Rock told the AP
while joking that, “The real equality is when we can have a Black President as
dumb as George Bush.”
“That’s when we’re really equal. That’s when the dream has
come true.”
3. Eva Mendes Named Most Desirable Actress
Question: If you could wife Eva Mendes, would you give it a
second thought? According to the AskMen.com, the answer is No as the entertainer was named the website’s most
desirable actress of 2009.
Mendes earned the top spot on the AskMen.com poll, which
asked readers who they thought would make the best wife or girlfriend. More
than ten million votes were collected.
“Obviously good looks are one quality but intelligence,
ambition and humor also count,” AskMen.com Editor-in-Chief James Bassil told
Reuters about those who made the final cut.
Who did Eva beat to become the most desirable? Well, the Top
10 was comprised of Megan Fox (2), Marisa Miller (3), Keeley Hazell (4), Anne
Hathaway (5), Alessandra Ambrosio (6), Scarlett Johansson (7), Rihanna (8),
Kristen Bell (9) and Kate Beckinsale (10).
So who is your most desirable actress? Would any of these
ladies make your Top 10 or would it be a whole new group of females? Eva is
good, but is there anybody better?
Let the voting begin!
4. Rihanna Becomes an Enemy of the PAS
Rihanna may be one of the hottest artists out now, but the
hit-making diva’s status is becoming a liability as the Pan-Malaysian Islamic
party (PAS) is stepping up efforts to ban Miss Fenty from performing in
Malaysia.
A new report from the group claims Rihanna’s performance for
Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 13 would be an insult to Asian values. In addition, PAS
believes that those who buy tickets to the show are contributing to the U.S.’
economy.
“Whether Rihanna realizes it or not, we know that the taxes
she has paid also contributed to the war in Gaza,” said the party’s youth wing
leader Kamaruzaman Mohamad, who told the Malaysian newspaper the Star that the concert would be “akin to insulting Eastern
culture, belittling local artistes, internationally causing losses to the
country’s economy and supporting Israel’s war policy, which is supported by
America.”
Rihanna isn’t the first artist to come under fire for
performing in Malaysia. Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne and the Pussycat Dolls have
encountered the strict rules lawmakers have set for female performers, which
require that they take the stage in apparel that covers them from their
shoulders to their knees.
Despite PAS’ protest, Rihanna made an effort earlier this
month to comply by abandoning her skin-baring wardrobe agreeing to obey
Malaysian laws.
5. Morgan Freeman Integrates High School Prom
Eleven years of leading efforts to integrate proms for Black
and White high school students came to a head as Morgan Freeman debuted his new
documentary Prom Night in
Mississippi at the Sundance Film Festival
in Utah.
The actor was motivated to finance a dance for all races at
Charleston High School in his native Mississippi after hearing about the
school’s segregated proms in 1997. Although students were willing to give it a
go, parents and school board members ignored Freeman’s offer to integrate the
proms.
“It’s kind of disheartening,” the actor expressed. “In the
little town we live in – this is a really small town – I don’t know
how you can live in such a small place and try to be separate.”
Fortunately, cameras were rolling as Freeman made the
initial pitch to the school board 11 years ago. The board ultimately honored
the actor’s request last year. Cameras continued to follow Freeman and the
students as they prepared for Charleston High’s first mixed race prom.
Prom Night in Mississippi is one of a series of documentaries featured in Sundance’s world
documentary competition. Overall, Freeman spent about $17,000 to make the
integrated prom a reality. Footing the bill for the event was a non-issue as
the Oscar winner took it all in stride when he said it was “money very well
spent” that may hopefully result in future integrated proms.
6. Mariah Carey Makes Beautiful Music with Nick Cannon’s
Brother
You’ve got to hand it to Nick Cannon. He loves his wife
Mariah Carey. So much so that he called her his “hero” when introducing her at
Barack Obama’s Neighborhood Ball on Tuesday (Jan. 20).
And Mariah loves Nick. Which is why she’s spreading that
love to his brother Reuben? E! News reports the vocalist will lend a voice to
Reuben’s forthcoming album, which is halfway done and slated to come out next
later this year.
“Reuben and Mariah are doing a duet together for Reuben’s
first album,” an industry source said. “They are meeting at the end of the
month with Mariah’s record label, Universal Music Group, to seal the deal, and
Reuben is thrilled.”
I guess a hero’s work is never done. That’s our Mimi. Able
to hit high notes in a single breath while making the world a better place for
you and your relatives to earn a decent shot at becoming the biggest
entertainer at their apartment complex or family reunion.
In Other Words…
* Acting icon James Earl Jones will be honored with the Life
Achievement Award at this year’s Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) Awards. The event
will be simulcast live at 8 p.m. EST on TNT and TBS. Jones, who has made his
mark in television, stage and films such as The Great White Hope, the Star Wars films, Coming to America
and The Lion King, is being
recognized by SAG for “fostering the finest ideals of the acting profession.”
* If you didn’t get anything out of heeding Barack Obama’s
call to volunteer on MLK Day, you can at least take comfort in knowing that the
stars rolled up their sleeves to do their part to honor the legacy of Dr. King.
Among those who were out and about was Usher, who visited
Simon Elementary School in southeast Washington D.C on Monday (Jan. 19)
afternoon. The singer spent his time encouraging grade-schoolers and other
volunteers with handshakes, jokes and words of praise as they repainted walls and
built two libraries at the school. Southeast D.C. is known for being an area
with a high dropout rate.
“You notice that I’m not focusing on the [Inaugural]
celebration, I’m focusing on the work, because that’s what it’s about,” Usher
shared with People.**To get the latest AllHipHop ALternatives follow us on twitter @ twitter.com/ahhalternatives**
Max B and His Lawyer Speak Out
Max B and his lawyer speak out on Max’s ex-girlfriend snitch on Max B for the murder of David Taylor!
Joe Clair: The Obama Paradigm Shift
“WHEN I CATCH YOU ON THE CREEP/ I’ll LIFT THE GROUND RIGHT FROM UP UNDER YOUR FEET!”
-Billy Danze of M.O.P.
Hip-hop has always professed its awareness. Since it’s conception, the culture of what is “now”, has bragged and boasted it’s all knowing knowingness. The collective has always proclaimed itself as the cursor for where the hip are and where the unhip are headed. Simply because WE knew it. Our dress, our swagger our speech and train of thought never considered itself anything less than right and true, proper and perfect. Whether heroes, villains, victims or perpetrators hip-hop has never once considered that it was not all that there was, and if there were anything else, it was of little or no consequence. Simply because WE knew it. In our own words, WE ARE THE S**T!
I propose to my generation that a shift has come and we are all not in the same gear. Today our 44th President was sworn into office ushering in a new era on the planet. He has become a shining example of what can be accomplished if one just believes and holds on to the thought. He is a culmination of the dreams of slaves and their decedents thus far.
He is a perfect example of the “idea” of America. He is the harmony after the discord. He is where Motown soul meets hip-hop swagger. Cool, calm and collected, he has been dubbed No Drama Obama. I suggest to anyone reading that he knows more than us. I suggest to anyone reading that he knows he is much more than THE S**T!
I believe Barack Hussein Obama represents a force on the planet that has grown and taken shape on our watch that we were mostly unaware of. I believe Barack is the physical embodiment of a cosmic truth. His “cool” suggests a knowing that most of us don’t know.
His “calm” suggests an inner peace far greater than our knowledge of self. His “collected” suggests an everything’s gonna be all right attitude that is mostly seen in deities and messiahs. Watching him I get a sense of truth incarnate. I get a feeling of perfect imperfection. I get a sense of God and Man for Man’s sake. I feel that Barack Obama is a wonderful expression of God expressing himself/herself/itself.
This leader in this time, I believe, is akin to the things legends are made of. Legends, that hundreds and/or thousands of years later become pillars in man’s understanding of himself. I believe Barack, regardless of what happens during his administration, will come to symbolize a greater greatness. I believe that we are witnesses to a paradigm shift towards a world order that that can only be understood fully as it actually takes shape.
To understand what I mean, we only need to look at his swearing in ceremony and see the complexities of a simple thought. He swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, a constitution that was founded on truth. A constitution, however, that was written without him or his kind in mind. A constitution, that at its time of inception, allowed for its white authors to dodge truth for their misunderstandings and fears, and count blacks and women as something less than human. He is now the guardian of that set of ideas. He is now the Commander in Chief, given the task of defending the truth that is America. On the surface it’s simply is what is. But, below the surface this is the stuff that schools of thought, philosophies and religions are based upon.
Am I saying that Barack is the new Jesus? No. I am saying that Barack is the new Barack. I am saying that Barack represents a man past petty things such as race. I am saying he knows he is unbound by the laws that govern swagger and hip-ness. I am saying he is where we are, or should be, headed. I am saying that Barack Obama and all that he represents is far greater than most of what we have come to express with two turntables and a microphone. Our brags and boast seem a little childish. Our gangster tales seem mostly foolish. Our better than you s**t seems a little like rubbish. As he said in his inaugural speech, “ We are a young nation but it’s time to do away wit childish things.”
Our evolution as humankind is happening all the time and we mostly take it for granted. Not taking time to stop and observe ever so often leaves one behind. All over the planet a new understanding is emerging. Here in America, we have the privilege of putting the new understanding into practice, but most of us seldom do. On a small scale we can see in hip-hop, with the emergence of artist like Lupe, BOB and Andre3K, a manifestation of something greater. In spiritual circles, with the emergence of Michael Beckwith and Deepak Chopra, we can see a manifestation of something greater. And now with the worlds sweeping endorsement of Barack Hussein Obama we can see in politics and power a manifestation of something greater. We can see a paradigm shift that lifts the ground right from under our feet.
LET’S MOVE FORWARD.
Cleezy
BREEDING GROUND: Starrs and Murph Ft. Vic Damone
“Money Over Here”
BREEDING GROUND: Starrs and Murph Ft. Termanology
“Cold World Pt. 2”
Max B., Attorney Talk Murder Case; Thanks Jim Jones For Bail
Harlem rapper Max B and his attorney Gerald Saluti have released a videotaped statement [watch the video HERE] in which Saluti offers previously unreleased details about an ongoing New Jersey murder trial, in which his client has been implicated.
The statement comes one week after the rapper’s ex-girlfriend and co-defendant pleaded guilty to lesser charges, in exchange for her testimony against Max and a third co-defendant.
Gina Conway entered her plea agreement on the day she was to stand trial for her involvement in the September 2006 murder of David Taylor at a Holiday Inn along Route 4 in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Conway says she helped carry out the plan that lead to Taylor’s death.
She accepted the charges of aggravated manslaughter and robbery and agreed to testify against Max B, born Charly Wingate, and Kelvin Leerdam.
Both charges are first degree crimes in the state of New Jersey, for which she will receive a minimum concurrent sentence of ten years, as opposed to the possible maximum of eighteen years in prison.
“So instead of going to jail for the rest of her life, based on a 160-page confession that she gave to the police department, she’s chosen to testify in what I say, and I tell you right now and I’ll tell her in court, is gonna be in some untruthful fashion about my client’s role in her dirt, basically,” Saluti said in a videotaped statement.
“She’s pointing the finger at other people when she should be pointing the finger at herself. “[She’s] pointing the finger at other individuals, and quite frankly, pointing the finger at a man who basically kicker her out of his house,” Saluti stated.
In her original statement, Conway alleged that she overheard Max B and a man she identified as “Sims” planning to rob Taylor and his friend Allan “Jay” Plowden, after she had revealed that the two men drove flashy cars and carried a lot of cash.
Prosecutors say that shortly after her arrest, Conway described the crime, which she said was carried out by her and Leerdam, whom she alleges ultimately shot Taylor.
The video insinuates that Saluti plans on making the case that Conway is a jilted lover who has implicated Max B out of spite, because of the failure of their relationship shortly before the crime in question.
According to the attorney, she has maintained constant contact with his client in the two years since, writing Max B incessantly from her jail cell to profess her undying love.
The rapper adds that Conway has gone so far as to say she wishes the mother of his son, with whom he is currently in a relationship, was dead.
“I just leave it up to God, my lawyer Gerald Saluti, [and] everything will work out,” said Max B, who allowed Saluti to speak on his behalf for the majority of the six minute recording. “I just let him do his job. I’m here on time, I’m at every court appearance,” Max B. told said. “I’m just here. People, stay strong for me and keep your support up.”
The two surprisingly also took the opportunity to thank Jim Jones for his role in getting Max out of jail in July 2007, when Max was still part of the Dipset offshoot crew, Byrd Gang.
“Max is a gentleman, Jim is a gentleman. I know they have their differences, but we do thank him for what he did for Max,” Saluti stated. “It’s one of the reasons he’s here, it’s one of the reasons he’s able to assist me in building a defense for him, and it’s an integral part of Max’s freedom. We look forward to being vindicated in April when this case is gonna go to trial.”
Gina Conway will be sentenced in Bergen County Superior Court on March 21.
B.I.G. Makes Posthumous Big Debut On Charts
Matching the success of the film from which it spawned, Notorious: Music From and Inspired by the Original Motion Picture has landed atop several Billboard charts, scoring the week’s biggest debut at #4 on the Billboard 200.
The Bad Boy Records release, which was in stores three days before Notorious hit theaters, sold 43,000 copies in it’s first week of release.
The album also made it to No. 1 on the “Top Rap Albums” chart, and No. 2 on both the “Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums” and “Top Digital Albums” list as well.
A musical companion to the film capturing the rise of Brooklyn’s favorite son, the album combines Notorious B.I.G. chart toppers like “Juicy” with new music by Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Faith Evans, and even Biggie’s son CJ Wallace.
A two-disc special edition is currently on sale at Target stores nationwide, pairing the CD with a new documentary, Remembering Christopher Wallace.
The DVD features exclusive interviews with slain rap great’s family including Mrs. Voletta Wallace and the two children he left behind.
Crips and Bloods: Made In America
Here’s a sneak-peak of NBA guard Baron Davis’ new documentary featuring Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and more.
Houston to Host 5th Annual HBCU Film Festival
The J.D. Tucker Foundation and the Guess Firm are set to sponsor the 5th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities Film Festival next month in Houston.
John “Dr. Teeth” Tucker founder the J.D. Tucker Foundation and the festival, created the event as a platform to empower under serviced film and communication majors at HBCU’s.
“The primary goal of the festival is to expose students to every possible opportunity that the film and television industries have to offer,” Tucked explained to AllHipHop.com. “The event affords each participant access to a body of knowledge rarely available.”
The one day event will feature panels of various industry veterans sharing their views on important topics within the entertainment field.
This year’s panels will include the owners of AllHipHop.com, cast members of HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Wire, director Jesse Terrero, and producers Horace Jones and Greg Anderson.
Additionally, a student film competition will be held with attending panelists deciding the winner.
The product of an HBCU education, Dr. Tucker emphasizes that historically black colleges thrive on the philosophy of those who succeed finding innovative ways to give back.
“As a graduate of Texas Southern University it is important to me to share knowledge and experiences that will help prepare them for the reality of the business, and if I am able to help just one person then I have succeeded,” Tucker stated.
The 5th Annual HBCU Film Festival takes places February 28 in the MLK Building Auditorium at Texas Southern University.
For additional information and to enter the film competition, please visit www.myspace.com/hbcufilmfest.