“Don’t Be Scared”
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Noah Jones Ft. Jay Rock [Heater Of The Day]
“What U Gonna Do”
Wyclef Jean Ft. Nick Cannon
“Mr. Autotune”
Birdman Ft. Lil Wayne and Freeway
“Always Strapped Remix”
Jay Rock Ft. Trae
“All My Life Remix”
Alternative Pick: Ginuwine Ft. Missy and Timbaland
“Get Involved”
Demic and Bawsten Ft. Kanye West
“Passion”
Bad Lucc Ft. Problem and Lady G Produced By Terrace Martin
“3 Of Da Best”
Oceans 7
“I Need That Girl”
Beenie Man
“Woman”
Jay Rock Ft. Spider Loc
“Gangsta”
Lauryn Hill Cancels European Tour Dates, Health Cited
Lauryn Hill has canceled her involvement in a European tour for health reasons, according to a recent report.
Organizers of the Stockholm Jazz Festival say the eccentric R&B/Hip-Hop star was experiencing unspecified health-related complications that would prevent her from staying on the bill and other dates.
Spokesperson Liisa Tolonen told the Associated Press that Hills told the Stockholm Jazz Festival late Tuesday that she would not be involved in any capacity. The dates canceled include Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Austria.
The tour would have been Hills most public appearance in several years.
She was the headliner of the The Stockholm Jazz Festival.
AllHipHop Chart Watch: Eminem Holds On, Mos Def Returns
Were back with the weekly chart watch. This weeks top ten is once again light on Hip-Hop with only one artist really showing up (Spoiler Alert: Its Eminem). However, there are some highly anticipated new releases that are sure to give the people something to listen to so keep reading.
To start things off the Dave Matthews band debuts its new album, a tribute to fallen band member LeRoi Moore. Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King enters the chart at number 1.
Eminem holds on to the second spot as Relapse moves another 142,000 records. Hes almost platinum so next week should push him over the edge.
311 enters the top ten at number 3 with Uplifter followed by Green Day which holds strong at number four with 21st Century Breakdown. Then there are a bunch of others like Hannah Montana that Hip-Hop’s not so concerned with.
Lady Gaga ticks another minute off of her 15 with her album The Fame at number 8.
Finally country music holds down the end with Kenny Chesneys Greatest Hits II at number 9 and Taylor Swifts Fearless at number 10. I still say youre not a greatest hit if you dont make volume one. Now we move on to the important stuff.
DROPPING THIS WEEK
This week has some highly anticipated releases from Hip Hop veterans. Like I said last week, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and some mom and pop
Well start the list of with a group who started in underground Hip-Hop, added a pop singer, and now make some kind of Pop-Hop hybrid (emphasis on pop). The Black Eyed Peas drop their fifth studio album The E.N.D (short for “energy never dies”). Will.I.Am describes the new album as electric, static funk or something like that. If you like the single Boom Boom Pow (or anything by Flo Rida) you may like the album. Theres also a deluxe version so if you like them look out for that one.
Moving on we have Mos Def who releases his fourth album The Ecstatic on the heels of his 2006 record True Magic. Now True Magic received good ratings but the album was released in a clear case with no cover art and, at Mos Defs request, was not promoted. Well at least this album has cover art. Lets hope it gets promoted so that more fans can hear Mos over beats by J.Dilla, Madlib, and Chad Hugo. Plus he has Talib Kweli and the storyteller himself, Slick Rick.
Those fans looking for West Coast music need look no further than BlaQKout released by DJ Quik and Kurupt. The album is completely produced by DJ Quik and hopefully will satisfy fans looking for more of the Left sound.
For a different type of West Coast sound you may want to take a look at Los Angeles Busdriver who drops 8th studio album Jhelli Bean.
We then move from the funk and soul of the sunshine state to the grit of the rotten apple. D-Block drops their new album No Security which, judging from the title, should be more of the hardcore eastcoast music that fans love to hear.
A borough over, Harlem rapper Fred Money releases Money Rules Tha World. His older brother is J.R. Writer so you kind of know what the sound is going to be like. If youre a fan of the Dipset/Harlem style you may like this one.
Staying in the north, Minneapolis M.C and Rhymesayers representative Toki Wright releases his album A Different Mirror.
Heading down south, Pastor Troy releases his 16th?…yeah, 16th studio album. He let you know he was ready with his 1999 release We Ready: I Declare War and apparently he still is with his 2009 release Ready For War. Ten years and 16 albums is impressive. I dont know what war hes getting ready for but lets just say the man likes to be real prepared.
Lets see if a few of these artists get on the charts for next week.
TOP 5 DEAD OR ALIVE: M.O.P.
M.O.P. have stomped around Hip-Hops battlefield for quite sometime all the while crafting some of the most frenetic, aggressive and lyrical songs ever. But, when it comes to their Top 5 Dead of Alive, the group is not necessary pulling from the same energy they create. First Family members Billy Danz, Lil Fame and long term manager Laze Laze Elliot chop it up frankly and realize that their Top 5 Dead or Alive is much like the title of their new album, The Foundation. The list is an ode to the rap artists that basically laid the groundwork for everything that is popular in modern Hip-Hop.
AllHopHop.com: Can you name your Top 5 Dead or Alive rappers?
Billy Danz: Oh yeah.
Lil Fame: I can try.
Billy Danz: In no order. Scarface. Rakim. [Kool] G Rap. KRS-One and Lil Fame. [Slaps table and the room erupts into laughter]
AllHipHop.com: It sounds like you had that all prepared!
Billy Danz: I swear to God. It just fell into order like that.
Lil Fame: I’ll say Bill [Danz], Scarface. G Rap. Rakim…[pauses.]
Billy Danz: Give Biggie some [credit]. You gotta give Biggie some.
Lil Fame: But see that ain’t my era. Biggie’s one of the dopest n***as, but I’m talking about my era. Yeah, Biggie’s one of the dopest. Nas is one of the Dopest.
AllHipHop.com: See, now you have already hit six.
Billy Danz: See, thats the thing, because when you say Top 5, what are you saying. We need like a Top 10. Eminem is f***in’ incredible. Ja Rule is actually a dope f**kin’ MC. Ja Rule is nice as s**t.
AllHipHop.com: His first album is classic.
Billy Danz: That s### was crazy, n***a. Ja Rule is a dope f**kin’ MC. So, you cheated us on that. We cant do a Top 5.
AllHipHop.com: [To Billy] You started out so good. [laughs]
Billy Danz: I was sticking to it. But, I got another Top 5.
AllHipHop.com: I actually put my Top 5 on the site. Redman, DMC, I put Chuck D on there
Billy Danz: Look Chuck is crazy.
AllHipHop.com: Kool G Rap and I put Jay-Z on there.
Billy Danz: OK, Jay is dope, Jay is dope.
Lil Fame: Jay is one of the Top. See there aint no Top MC. I used to hate when people would say, Hes the best.
AllHipHop.com: You could do that back in the day.
Lil Fame: Aint no Top MC, son!
Billy Danz: It depends on what you call Top. Does he sell the most? Is he the dopest?
Lil Fame: Without the bling? Without the powermoves?
Billy Danz: Who is at the top?
AllHipHop.com: My personal favorite is G Rap. Thats not going to change.
Billy Danz: What about the best rapper alive?
AllHipHop.com: I put it as Jay.
Billy Danz: Really?
Lil Fame: Hes one of them.
Billy Danz: We want to know who is theeeee best rapper alive.
Billy Danz: You just said Jay.
AllHipHop.com: Well, I say G Rap. G rap thats my personal favorite rapper of all time.
Laze: G Rap is probably the best.
Billy Danz: Rakim is my personal favorite rapper of all time.
Lil Fame: See? Its out of Ra and G and [Big Daddy] Kane! Ra, G and Kane.
Billy Danz: And see Kane is lik my big brother. Kane is dope as hell, but in my opinion
Lil Fame: Im talking without the bling and all that. Im just talking the lyrics. Its out of those three, son.
Billy Danz: Lets agree on that.
Lil Fame: Scarface.
Billy Danz: Who the f**k can f**k with Scarface? I was looking though my s**t [and found] a blank disc and I threw that mother f**ker in there. That Scarface record came in there and I forgot about everything. My old lady was like, Can you come up ? F**k all that! Turn this up right here.
Lil Fame: Face is a bad mother f**ker.
Billy Danz: And Rakim, I still havent found a n***a that can lyrically touch him.
Lil Fame: Hes smart as a mother f***er.
Billy Danz: Hes [sounds] like a gangster like, I will pull your mother f***in head off, but he never said, I will pull your mother f***in head off.
Lil Fame: [Laughs]
Billy Danz: This mother f**ker only cursed three times in his whole career. He said b***h one time and this was recently. He said n***a, which is not really a curse and hell or f**k or something like that. And, he made you feel like, I will saw youre a** in half if you f**k around.
Lil Fame: G was smart too.
Billy Danz: The kids can listen to Rakim.
Lil Fame: G would take your head off, but in a smart way. Oh he said, You got springs and wings on your shoes you lose. Youre a** is out! G is smart as s**t son.
Laze: Rakim is probably the best lyricist ever.
Billy Danz: Hes the best ever.
Lil Fame: We can go on for days about this.
Billy Danz: Rakim is the best ever. Put it on the site in graffiti: RAKIM IS THE BEST EVER.
AllHipHop.com: We used to argue about this all day, so Ima let yall say that
Lil Fame and Billy Danz in unison: Who is [the best]?
AllHipHop.com: G Rap!
Lil Fame: Let the Slaugherhouse be Ra, G and Kane.
[Editors note: this isnt a disrespectful comment. In unreleased portions of this interview, M.O.P. praised Slaughterhouse for being a great Hip-Hop collective.]
AllHipHop.com: Ra, G, Kane and Scarface. [Rakim, Kool G Rap and Scarface]
[Editors note: everybody in the room collectively says, Oh my God.]
Laze: That would be ridiculous. Thats a Slaughterhouse right there.
Billy Danz: That is a Slaughterhouse. Im going to start putting in calls. We coming to round all them n***as up and do a record together. All we want to do is the hook.
THE SIDEBAR:
M.O.P. is gearing up to release a new album called The Foundation, as well as a solo albums from Billy and Lil’ Fame.
Billy Danz: The Foundation. Taking it back to that. The foundation is the base of it all. Its where we built from. There is no better place to start or re-start than at the bottom so we can build our way back up.
Wednesday fashion feature: “Brand Profile: Married to the Mob”
Created by 26 year-old Leah McSweeney, Married to the Mob is a cutting-edge streetwear line for women.
Kid Sister in the Lady Miss Cardigan by Married to the Mob
As stated on Married to the Mob’s official website, the line is a tribute to the MOB, “‘The Most Official B######’ who through the ups and downs and highs and lows never failed to have Leah’s back.”
“Design inspiration for the label is literally up from the streets of New York and its clubs, secret hang-out spots and smoke-filled parties, making MOB equal parts chic, smart-mouthed, and definitely not-to-be-messed with.”
Leah’s funding for MOB came in a very unusual way. In 2005, a year after Leah started the line, she got into an altercation with a male police officer in NYC. The officer beat her so bad, she was left with a broken tooth and black eye. Leah took it to court, won the settlement, and invested the money into Married to the Mob. She eventually designed a tee that featured her mug shots on it. MOB is now flourishing with a full collection of tees, denim, knits and more, while Leah has become well known as a true NYC hustler.
Leah McSweeney
Beyond her business success, she is also a mother to baby girl Kier who just turned 2 years-old. MOB has successfully collaborated with Reekbok, Nike and other brands, creating exclusive gear that flew off shelves.
Limited Edition MOB x Reebok x Colette sneakers sold out instantly when released in Summer 08
DrJays.com’s Boss Lady interviewed Leah in Married to the Mob’s NYC showroom, touching on everything from Leah’s violent life-changing altercation with a cop to the concept behind the edgy brand: video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player
Look out for an exciting contest with the brand coming soon, and get your MOB gear on DrJays.com:
Shiny Kiss Hoodie by Married to the Mob
24th Street Jean by Married to the Mob
1982 Crew by Married to the Mob
Hip-Hop Rumors: Drake’s New Canadian Beef! Jeezy And Gucci Heating Up? Core DJ Stomps Burglar?
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.
THE DAILY TWO SENSE
I post a lot of videos. If you are interested in seeing the videos before I even post them, mosey on over to our video section. Theres a lot there. Check it out!
Random: I wish Bobby Brown would get his Camel Jaw fixed!!!
Shout out to BB for having the 5th kid!
Shout out to Lil Wayne too. Rumor has it, Nivea is carrying his other baby, in addition to Lauren London.
DRAKE SHOOTING A NEW VIDEO?
My Canadian connects hit me with this info. I was told that Drake is currently shooting the video for “Best I Ever Had” in New York City. Guess who the rumored director is? KANYE. And the rumored co-star is none other than RIHANNA. YEP. That’s what I heard and hear.
NO BEEF BETWEEN JAY-Z AND DIDDY????
Insiders reveal exclusively to Allhiphop that recent rumors highlighting a beef between two of hip hop’s biggest stars are completely false. The word I heard from my sources have been fully refuted by another insider at Bad Boy. They were saying that Puff was mad at Jay over his new single, D.O.A because his album, LTTP was “95%” autotune. My source is saying that it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Says a Bad Boy insider, “No one has heard the record, it’s completely shrouded in secrecy. It’s like the album is being guarded by the Secret Service. Puff is not letting anyone near it.” The isider also told AllHipHop.com, “We all know Puff is an entertainer, not a rapper and as an artist he is constantly pushing the boundaries creatively.
If you didnt know, Last Train To Paris is scheduled to come out this fall. I plugged the album in hopes that Diddy will loan me some money. WINK, WINK.
INSANE TREY SONGZ FAN WAS FAKE!
Have you heard of AP, a Radio Personality from HOT1027 Detroit.com? Well you may know her as “THE DERANGED TREY SONGZ FAN” that security had to chase around the stage! From what I have been told, this lil scenario was completely staged! But, I heard it was a bunch of fun as well so nobody is upset! Anybody want to stage these rumors for me? LOL!
GUCCI MANE AND JEEZY HEATING UP AGAIN?
Do you remember how serious it was when Jeezy and Gucci Mane were beefing a few years ago? I cant believe it! It has been a lifetime, it seems. Well, rumor has it, these tensions are swelling again. According to DJ Camilo from Hot, Jeezy or probably somebody from his camp approached the DJ at Summer Jam and asked him not to play any of Gucci’s music. Not sure why they woiuld do that, but they allegedly did. From what I understand, this came from Camilos twitter. But the DJ boldly didn’t comply and played it anyway. I guess if you are a DJ, you just play music and let the BS go. I hope nothing is brewing. The last time there was a mysterious attack on Gucci, somebodys body was found behind a school. STOP THE VIOLENCE!
MIMS WANTS OFF!!!!!??????
Mims- remember him? I am hearing that Mims is not a happy camper right now. According to my rumors, seven months ago Mims accused Capitol Records of owing him a lot of money in royalties. Since asking for his release, there have been some allegedly negative ramifications behind it. My insiders say Capitol hasn’t promoted Mims very effectively possibly due to the request for release. Capitol rejected Mims request to be released, I heard. So anxious to get off the label, I heard Mims has offered Capitol $950,000 to get his next album back.
DRAKE AND LIL WAYNE DO A GOOD THING
Peep this letter I got from a reader! If you didnt know Marcus Jordan is the son of Michael. Peep the end though. Drake allegedly comments on the robbery rumor.
So who would of thought the hottest concert in Chicago last night would have been at a graduation party. That’s right, Marcus Jordan’s graduation party was last night. He is a huge Drake fan and was at the concert at the HOB a few weeks back when those shootings went down. Here are a few pictures from the show last night. After Drake, Lil’ Wayne came out with Mack Maine and killed it. After Drake’s set I got a chance to holla at him and asked him about the robbery at Vivoli’s. He just laughed and shook his head. So I guess take that for what it’s worth.
RAPPERS DOING GOOD THINGS
Illseed what up,
First off I wanted to say I read the rumors section everyday and am a big fan please keep it coming! I usually don’t write stuff like this but it is also good when fans write in positive news on artists as well so here goes. I run a nightclub in Richmond, Va named Have A Nice Day Cafe and we had a bunch of stars come through this past Saturday night and showed mad love. Dblock was in the building with Sheek Louch & Styles P, Webstar also came through with them and Ace Hood came through a little bit later to chill as well. All of them rocked the mic for a little bit and didn’t hesitate to take pictures with their fans. I appreciate all the stars coming through and showing the fact that we as black people can have a fun peacful night as opposed to what so many people think.
Also we had a Chris Brown sighting about 2 months ago and I have a pic of that too but I agreed not to use it for promo because he has a stipulation in his court case that he is not supposed to be out at clubs but he was real cool and respectful as well and had a good time.
Ace Hood is looking like he’s lost or looking for Khaled.
Sheek of the LOX looks mad as hell.
Styles P showing his best black.
ILLSEEDS QUICKIES
Chris Brown haters ACTIVATE! The young Ike is in the studio with Plies. The Goons!
I heard that Mysterious somehow got back in the good graces of Diddy and got him on her first single. The song is called Get Live.
Even though Rick Ross is off Slip-n-Slide, Jagged Edge is looking to get Rick Ross on their new CD. BAWSE!
Rocsi of BET is or was allegedly chilling very hard with LisaRayes now ex-husband Michael Misick. Some old pictures leaked out or something. I dont know and really dont care, since Rox hates me.
DMX got 18 mos. of supervised probation for attempted aggravated assault.
Cubana Lust, the sexy vixen, has been exposed by some dude thats got a sex tape on her. I dont know why dude put their stuff out there AND pushing a rap song with it.
Did something go on between Tomeka and Usher? Ursh isnt wearing his ring and has been seen in the company of a mystery chick.
COP that new Mos Def! I got mine and I love it!
It is rumored that Mike Tyson got married in a secret wedding in Vegas. Hope dudes mind is right.
Souljah Boy claims to have $25 million in the bank. SO WHAT. 1) we dont believe you and 2) BIG DEAL.
Kid Cudi and Asher Roth are going on tour oh boy good luck to these two dudes.
RANDOM DOA QUOTES
T-Pain seems upset in this quote, but it could be me.
That affected me in a great way man. And I made sure I honored him, its a great song. Thats like the best song Ive heard in a couple of years. Its great that somebody that important stepped up and vouched for me. That just makes me ready to come back out and do my thing.
To Miss Info, Ron Browz said:
I make fun records that everybody sing-a-long and thats what Ima continue to do. Im contributing to Hip-Hop Hip-Hop at the end of the day is fun. So I just took autotune to have some fun with it. Snoop [Dogg] did it, he was having fun with it. Pain, [Lil Wayne] and 50 Cent played around with it for a minute, its just fun Thats like sampling is out, oh no, you cant sample records any more? Sampling is a part of hip-hop At the end of the day, a hot record is a hot record and a wack record is a wack record, if its got autotune or not. The streets are gonna tell you.
Is 50 Cent talking about retiring in this quote [I dont have the source]:
What I fell in love with and inspired me to get into hip-hop is dwindling away. Id like to be a representation of that, because there isnt much of that left. I think people are so conscious of the numbers theyre not being creative anymore.
Soulja Boy recently told MTV that he used to hate Jay-Z. Im kidding. Read on:
Jay-Z, I always respected him. Always. But I didnt always like his music. I guess because I was too young, and I couldnt understand what he was saying. I got signed when I was 16 years old. Before I got signed, I heard the song, and I was like, Thats Jay-Z.
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING AND AN END
I dont know but I am thinking of adding these two features to my illseed.com site. I want to get it poppin. I know I talked to a lot of you about contributing. I didnt forget you. Getat me! And click here to check out the sickness known as the SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING AND AN END! There is a fail in there for you too.
EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY
Anybody out there know Tony Neal of the CORE DJ’s? Its like the biggest DJ crew in the world. Peep this old clip I got. A freakin bum broke into Tony’s house and fell asleep. Tony gave him the BIZNESS after walking this naked scumbag up.
EPIC WIN OF THE DAY
This 10-year-old kid Johnathan McCoy has broken down the N-Word to the very last compound. There is nothing irrational about this speech. Check it out.
I wasnt a big fan of the singing at the end, but I will give Johnathan a pass for that.
MORE POLICE BRUTALITY
You know. Im about to get on some MC Ren s**t in a few. Check this one out.
50 CENT SUES!
Check out 50 Cent in court over his Farmington home.
DRAKE VS KARDI?
Canada beef!? JEEZ! Dont be like Americans!
TREY SONGZ DISSES R.KELLY WITH DEATH OF KELLY
Canadian beef! R&B beef! What next?
For more, go to illseed.com. Or just follow me at http://twitter.com/illseed
I’M OUT!!!
DILLA & DETROIT, WE LOVE YOU!!!
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].
Rick Ross, Triple C’s Endorse 1800 Tequila
Miami rap star Rick Ross is bringing his marketing potential to the forefront via a new partnership with Proximo Spirits, Inc. and 1800 Tequila.
The rapper, along with his Triple Cs crew, will endorse 1800 Tequilas Select Silver, a new beverage described by the company as the first and only 100 proof clear tequila on the market.
According to Ross, the parallels between 1800 Select Silver and his musical accomplishments are prevalent as he expressed his willingness to make the drink a success with consumers.
Of all the tequilas out there, the 100 proof 1800 Select Silver is the big boss and the only tequila I would put the Rick Ross name behind, the rapper said in a statement. 1800 Tequila is a brand Im really excited to grind and build with, and as I keep pumping out the hits, topping the charts, and discovering new talent like my crew Triple Cs 1800 Tequila will be rising to the top with me.
Ross 1800 Tequila alliance comes amid the rappers success on the charts with his latest album Deeper Than Rap.
The rappers current good fortune as well as the popularity of his music provided Proximo with a easy decision on whether or not to involve Ross in the promotion of 18 Select Silver.
Rick Ross and Triple Cs were an obvious choice for us, the companys head of marketing, Elwyn Gladstone added. 1800 Select Silver is a serious tequila for the serious tequila drinker. Its making a huge splash in the tequila market right now, just as Rick Ross is shaking up the music industry.
The 1800 Select Silver promotion with Ross and Triple Cs is set to kick off this month with a video and photo shoot.
Atlantic Records Asserts African-American History In New Campaign
Before the music industry united in 1979 to officially decree June as Black History Month, Atlantic Records had already been a champion of Jazz and R&B for thirty years.
This year, the legendary label has tapped some of its current stars to celebrate the continuing legacy of African-American music in a new promotional campaign.
The Atlantic IS Black Music features Atlantic recording artists T.I., Maino, Cee-Lo, B.o.B. aka Bobby Ray, Young Steff, Sophia Fresh, Janelle Monae and others sharing their views on Black Music and the Atlantic legacy through a series of webisodes delivered online at www.atlanticrecords.com.
In addition to the artists views on music, the series also sheds light on the history of Black Music Month.
This weeks video, for example, features footage from the first Black Music Month celebration held at the White House by President Jimmy Carter in June 1979.
Featured in the video is DJ, journalist and scholar Dyana Williams, founder of the International Association of African American Music.
Williams provides the commentary on the historic event alongside Warner Music Group Executive Vice President Kevin Liles.
As a testament to the impact that African American music has on artists across the globe, Atlantic has also included songbirds Estelle and Laura Izibor, from the United Kingdom and Ireland respectively, into the celebration.
Its important to celebrate Black History Month because its the root of a lot of different styles of music, said Estelle in the third webisode of the Atlantic IS Black Music campaign.
Adds Izibor, A majority of music originates from Black Music, from Black people. And this highlights how much Black people have contributed to music on a worldly basis.
Since its first major hit in 1949, Drinkin Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee by Stick McGhee, Atlantic Records has been home to some of the biggest names in R&B and Jazz.
In the 50s, it was home to Ray Charles, the Clovers, the Drifters, the Coasters, Lavern Baker, Ruth Brown and Big Joe Turner.
At the height of the Jazz movement, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, the Modern Jazz Quartet and many more called Atlantic home.
The Soul revolution led by Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Ben E. King, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the MGs, gave way to the success of legends and pioneers like Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Chic, Sister Sledge and Levert and modern day success stories like Lupe Fiasco, Flo Rida, Toni Braxton and Trey Songz.
Mos Def Speaks On The Escstatic; New Wesley Snipes Flick
Three years since highlighting his musical self, Mos Def is more than ready to reestablish himself in the eyes of the rap community with the release of his forthcoming opus The Ecstatic.
For the rapper/actor, the challenge lies in giving fans an album worth adding to their collection, as he admits that the quality, clarity and ambition behind his latest project is prevalent.
“The aim is high,” Mos Def told USA Today while sharing that his writing and rhyming skills have sharpened since arriving on the scene with the single Universal Magnetic, 12 years ago.
“I don’t want to waste anyone’s time or money, Mos explained. I want to give people some truth and positive heart lift. The quality, clarity and ambition are there. There are no discotheque anthems. Um, no disrespect to discotheque.”
The Ecstatic’s pending release follows Mos Defs 2006 album True Magic.
The rappers third offering, which included production from The Neptunes, Rich Harrison and Minnesota, was released without promotion in a clear case without cover art.
Between albums, the rapper kept himself busy over the years via acting roles in a string of films such as The Italian Job, Monster’s Ball, 16 Blocks, Be Kind Rewind, HBO’s Something the Lord Made, Cadillac Records and his latest big screen outing, Next Day Air.
Despite the Mike Epps and Donald Faison-assisted features failure to generate a big payday at the box office, Mos Def is looking ahead as he ponders various movie offers and maintains high hopes for Toussaint, a Danny Glover-helmed biopic about Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L’Ouverture.
In addition to the rapper, the cast will include Wesley Snipes and Don Cheadle.
“It’s hard to take Hollywood too seriously,” Mos Def said regarding the importance of a successful film project. “If you can turn a dollar and sleep at night, then cool. Whether a movie sinks or swims, you want to have a decent experience, so you go for something that at least is trying to be good.”
Preceded by a trio of singles (Life In Marvelous Times, Quiet Dog (Bite Hard) and Casa Bey, The Ecstatic will feature appearances from Slick Rick, Scarface, Talib Kweli and K’Naan in addition to producers Madlib and Chad Hugo.
Musically, Mos Def sheds light on the title of his new album as he admits that The Ecstatic borrows its name from a 2002 comic novel from Victor LaValle.
Mos Defs The Ecstatic is in stores today (June 9).
Slim Thug Produced By J.R Rotem
“In The South”