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Which Female Celeb Has The Flyest Street Style?
We’re used to seeing female celebrities dressed up on red carpets, but who has the best style when they’re just kicking back?
Here are just a few ladies who usually always look on point, whether at an award show or running errands.
Let us know if we missed your top choice!
Rihanna in Nike sneakers
Teyana Taylor
Cassie in a Hellz Bellz tee and Nike sneakers
Keri Hilson in Creative Recreation sneakers
Ladies, step up your street style with these hot brands on DrJays.com and DJPremium.com:
Coco X Hellz Tee by Hellz Bellz
Cesario Lo by Creative Recreation
Tounge Action Tank by Dimepiece
24th Street Jean by Married to the Mob
Baby G Classic Shock-Resistant Watch by Casio
Images: Popular Goodness, Head Honcho, Nitrolicious, Harlem World
Gucci Mane Off Big Cat; Signs With Warner
Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane has confirmed his signing of a new recording contract with Warner Bros. Records.
The move effectively ends Guccis long-standing professional relationship with Big Cat Records.
Yesterday (May 12), the independent label released Murder Was the Case, a collection of songs Gucci Mane recorded before 2007, including Stoopid and Runnin-Back Gittin Fat.
Although Gucci is grateful for the support his previous label provided during his 2005 murder acquittal and 2006 incarceration, the trap rapper made it clear that he does not endorse the Big Cat project nor considers it an official LP.
“I am no longer signed to, booked by, or working with Big Cat Records or any of its employees in any way, Gucci Mane told AllHipHop.com in a prepared statement. The CD that Big Cat is putting out consists of records that were never planned to make my album and is a non-official release. My fans will get the official Gucci Mane album in August on Warner Bros. Records.
Guccis first album was the independent hit Trap House, which was powered by the Young Jeezy collaboration Icy.
The song proved so popular that both rappers briefly feuded over ownership of the track.
Gucci continued on with 2006s Hard to Kill, and 2007s Back to the TrapHouse.
In the last two years, he has remained a draw due to a prodigious amount of mixtapes, such as The Movie ( DJ Drama), Wilt Chamberlain (DJ Rell), Trap Happy, Boldercrest Shawty (DJ Rell), Bird Money, and many others.
At press time, Gucci Mane is finalizing his summer album, and will appear on an upcoming of XXL magazine cover.
You Know I Got Soul: Tanya Morgan
Being outside the box is nothing new for Tanya Morgan. The
Brooklyn/Cincinnati-based trios name may conjure up images of a lone female,
but male rappers Donwill, Ilyas and Von Pea are anything but, as they fuel
their rhymes with diverse views and influences for the masses.
As a result, the collective has endeared themselves to fans
since the release of their online mixtape, Sunlighting, and EP, Sunset. This edition of “You Know I Got Soul” asks Tanya Morgan to discover
their Top 5 non-rap artists as well as the many influences behind their
approach to rap. The group is currently working on their forthcoming album Brooklynati, the follow-up to their full-length debut, Moonlighting.
Donwill
1. John Mayer
Hes one of my favorites. Songwriting. His songwriting is
crazy. I just really like the way he uses his words. Its really witty and its
pop, youknowwhatimsayin. It represents our generation well.
2. Stevie Wonder
One of my favorite musicians of all time. Im an eternal
consumer. I love everything the man does and puts his hands on. So hes just
one of them dudes. I aint really gotta go too deep with him.
3. Zapp and Roger
Just simply because 1. Theyre from Ohio. 2. I mean the
whole Auto-Tune thing. Im not saying that they pioneered that but Im saying
they used vocoders. To the younger generation, it all sounds like a mechanical
voice whereas a vocoder is an actual instrument that you have to have musical
ability to play I want to say Zapp and Roger because I feel at this point they
need to be recognized so that kids can get that musicality back.
4. [Swedish electronic music band] Little Dragon
Ive been listening to them a little bit. Ive been tuning
into them. Theyre pretty dope. They definitely have a counter. Not even
Hip-Hop Its the classic template of just like a female vocalist and a male
accompanying band. They make really tight, concise pop songs. Its not like
schmaltzy pop. Its not like the kind of pop that sounds like Pink. Its just
catchy tunes thats in essence of pop.
5. The Beatles
I love the Beatles en mass. Im not thinking McCartney or
Lennon or Harrison. Im thinking the Beatles. For me, most of the bands that
Im picking, like the context, its my relationship to them. Just like The
music is powerful. You know its powerful when you singing about an entirely
different environment or landscape and set of influences and still relate.
Like one of my favorite songs, The Ballad of John and
Yoko, is basically like theyre addressing TMZ today. Like back then. Theyre
like Yo, leave us alone. We just want to make our music, have a relationship
and chill. A lot of their topics and a lot of their issues were timeless. You
can put that CD in right now and it will relate somehow if you think hard
enough.
Wildcard pick:
Bilal
I love Bilal. Straight up.
Before 1st Born Second,
when I heard the songs he was making, just what he was doing. I was blown away
by DAngelo; Bilal was like DAngelo 2.0. The way he would use his voice. He
would go from a falsetto to a soprano. He would hit every note you can imagine.
Not to mention the dude is out of his mind. On some straight up…And then the
album that didnt come out. The joint that leaked. Its on the tip of my
tongue. Love for Sale.
That joint is probably one of the most incredible, non
Hip-Hop I wont say soul. I wont say R&B albums. Ill say non Hip-Hop
albums to come out. Its just amazing album. Dude is an incredible talent.
Straight up and down. You can tell his range and influences show. He doesnt
limit himself to being a Sam Cooke fan or being a James Brown fan. Hes
probably a bigger Pink Floyd fan or somebody.
Ilyas
1. The Isley Brothers
They hometown, but I feel like they did a whole lot for the
whole R&B and soul genre coming up. Like really laying down the foundation.
I mean there are countless numbers of cats in Hip-Hop that have sampled them
and made hits over the years. And they really set the mood for me quite a few
times in the right situation, if you get me. Seriously. They have held me down.
Never fail. You throw on the Isley Brothers. 100 percent effective. Thats all
Ima say.
2. Maynard James Keenan
Hes the lead singer for Tool and Perfect Circle or
whatever. Hes put out a ton of albums but its pretty much like hard rock.
Theyre pretty popular. But hes an amazing lyricist because he writes
compositions. And not only does he do that, but he touches on a lot of
spiritual things that a lot of artists dont really touch on. So he knows how
to really hit a chord when you listen to his music. Like the instrumentation is
off the hook. But he has an amazing voice and hes an amazing lyricist.
3. Björk
Björk is one of those artists where you know how most
artists youll be like, Oh theyre in Hip-Hop or rock? But shes just Björk,
youknowwhatimsayin. She just has her own brand of music and shes creative and
shes just always trying to push her creative limit. I like how she doesnt
care to conform. She came out; I forget at what award show, she came out
wearing a goose. Its like shes in rebellion. Shes in constant rebellion. She
knew the people would trip, but thats just Björk because shes a rebel at
heart and shes always trying to push her creative limits. And I appreciate
that.
Especially the project she did with Rahzel [2004s Medúlla]. That was dope. That was a dope collaborative
effort. She had Rahzel doing a lot of different instruments. And they did an
album and that s### was crazy. It was crazy.
4. Aphex Twin
I would have to go with something radical here. Its this
new cat I got put on to actually like a few weeks ago. I was sitting at Vons
house and we were recording. We was closing out Brooklynati and Von had these real ill videos done by these
directors. I believe this director in particular, his name was Chris
Cunningham. He did a lot of videos for Aphex Twin. Its a guy out of the UK.
And its like electronic, but the s### is craaaazy. Its like electronic, but I
guess its moreso called experimental. But its just craaazy. Its like a crazy
fusion of any type of music you can think of.
5. Erykah Badu
Shes able to communicate I guess certain deeper truths and
spiritual truths and make it entertaining. I know a lot of people on her most
recent album got kinda lost, but her catalog, as a whole, I feel like she is
gonna go down as being a legend. And shes definitely a legendary artist that I
feel has a lot more still to bring to the table.
Von Pea
For my picks, I have moreso specific songs. I cant really
go across the artists whole catalogue… I have artists and its actually
based on songs that were sampled or hearing a song I would sample and going
into the rest of artists catalogue and just picking out songs I like.
1. Come and Play in the Milky Night by Stereolab
I picked Stereolab because of a song called Come and Play
in the Milky Night. That was a song that was sampled. What I like about that
song so much is Stereolab is known for their harmonies. And Im big on the
harmonies and how people just hold that together in song.
2. Lets Love by the Ohio Players
I picked them because of a song called Lets Love. I
picked that one because of the way the melody builds. Its a slow song, but it
just sounds like With any band, they all have to be in unison. But on that song
specifically, Ohio Players sound perfectly in unison. And just the way it
builds, like [starts singing] It takes you. And me, together. Aaalll this love.
Its just perfect. The horns. Its just a perfect song to me.
3. The Visit by [Finnish experimental rock band] Circle
I picked them for the same reason that I picked Stereolab.
Its just theyre another group thats big on harmony. And the song called The
Visit, which was sampled by A Tribe Called Quest. I kinda feel like I almost
grew up with this song even more than the song that sampled it. And it just
became one of my favorite songs. Its funny because I guess when you listen to
it, it sounds like a cheesy corny kind of song but I dont know. It connects
with me because of the harmonies and the way they did it.
4. Bubbles by [Sunshine pop/Baroque pop group] The Free
Design
Free Design, if Im not mistaken, they were a musical
family. I think it was like two brothers and two sisters or something like
that. And all of their songs just sounds like adults that think theyre kids
and theyre running around in their parents backyard with a kite. Their music
just sounds like that. And theyre another group that was big on harmony but
the song Bubbles, in particular, had like a real funky kind of it couldve
been a joint you would hear on Sesame Street but it wasnt. Its real dope.
5. I Like You by Blue Magic
One day I had put this song on; I was using it to sample it.
But normally I let the song play and I stopped using the beat and just played
this song for a week all the time, nonstop. To me, the song sounds like they
were aiming to make a real nice pop, cute love song, but so much soul is in the
song it sounds like they were pretending to love the girl in the song, you
know. Like, they really wanted to say Baby you fine but instead they were
saying I like you and I think youre nice. I want to hold your hand. It just
comes across that they was holding back that funk and that soul within the
song. And they just held back to make this pop song.
Tanya Morgans Brooklynati is in stores now.**To get the latest AllHipHop Alternatives Features, follow us on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/AHHalternatives**
Soulja Boy Wants Jay-Z, Wayne, Kanye For Classic Album
Soulja Boy Tellem has not yet made the list of classic Hip-Hop albums, but the young rapper is striving for greatness on his third album, The DeAndre Way.
The oft-criticized Soulja Boy said he is reaching out to the likes of Kanye, Lil Wayne, and Jay-Z to craft a classic album that will silence his detractors.
Right now I am in the studio recording my third album, and mark my words this album will be a classic. It will be the best album I put out so far, he told MTV News.
Since hitting the airwaves with Crank That (Soulja Boy) almost two years ago he has continued to prove the critics wrong with his constant string of number one singles. His newest songs Kiss Me Thru the Phone and Turn My Swag On are currently on Billboards Hot 100 list.
A lot of people have been sleeping on Soulja Boy for a long time, when I first came out with Crank That it was so big and gimmicky, he continued. it went five times platinum and people were stuck on it for a long time. They said I was garbage, I was a one-hit wonder.
I got everybodys ears open, they listening. I dont want no bulls**t. I want from start to finish, classic number one records. Im not playing, he exclaimed.
The rapper noted that fans have yet to know him and that hes got a story to tell.
Im not a kid, Ive grown up, Soulja declared.
No formal date has been released for The DeAndre Way.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Meagan Good’s Nip Slip! Meth vs Joe Budden? Madonna/Kanye/Amber?
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 dont know who the brother Jackpot is over there at xxlmag.com, but I want to send a gracious shout out to the brother. He gave me another honor for my work in the rumor sector. He made a case that there are really only 20 blogs worth following in Rap/Hip-Hop and I was one of them. You know, that makes a brother feel like hes appreciated a bit. You know? So, thanks a lot. I work really hard day in and day out, even leaving my illseed.com dormant for days. Thats about to change though. GET AT ME!
Now, on to the rumors!
THE ROCK TOUR?
Interesting. You guys might not remember, but Jay-Z has done some real Rock songs with the likes of Rick Rubin and Linkin Park. Guess what? This is the premise for the new rumored tour called the ROCK TOUR. We already know that Waynes got his new rock-infused Hey folks, you heard it here first. My source tells me this is as real as real gets, but we have to get the official word.
In related rumors, Jay-Z recently announced some new touring stuff with Ciara. Interesting.
RIHANNA CALLS OUT CHRIS BROWN!
Check out the lyrics of her new song, “Silly Boy,” I believe with Lady Gaga:
I said I’m not coming back / You fooled me once but you can’t have that ego turning.
Just too bad for you, that when you had me / Didn’t know what to do, she’s over you.
‘Cause you had a good girl, good girl / Girl that’s a keeper / You had a good girl, good girl but didn’t know how to treat her. ‘So silly boy get out my face / Why do you like the way regrets taste?’
What do you think? I think: SMH.BEEF ALERT: METH (AND MAYBE REDMAN) VS JOE BUDDENI picked this off the Ill Community. I wonder what set Meth off? I heard Budden’s may have said something.
TWISTA AND PINKY?
A source close to p### star Pinky has revealed that the chick might be preggers! The tale goes on and on about how she was weeping and crying about a certain tongue-twisting rapper somehow did her wrong while she was at the Core DJ Retreat. Now, I dont know if either of them was at the retreat, and I sure dont know that they have anything going on, but They also said Pinky might be distraught over being pregnant. Now, they didnt say Twista was the father or anything, but it sure makes you think. Anyway, I will get more to you when I hear about it!
Dave says:
I BETTER DEAD MY TWITTER!
I didnt think Kanye would get this mad (pardon the profanity)!
I DONT HAVE A F###### TWITTER WHY WOULD I USE TWITTER??? I ONLY BLOG 5 PERCENT OF WHAT IM UP TO IN THE FIRST PLACE. IM ACTUALLY SLOW DELIVERING CONTENT BECAUSE IM TOO BUSY ACTUALLY BUSY BEING CREATIVE MOST OF THE TIME AND IF IM NOT AND IM JUST LAYING ON A BEACH I WOULDNT TELL THE WORLD. EVERYTHING THAT TWITTER OFFERS I NEED LESS OF. THE PEOPLE AT TWITTER KNOW I DONT HAVE A F###### TWITTER SO FOR THEM TO ALLOW SOMEONE TO POSE AS ME AND ACCUMULATE OVER A MILLION NAMES IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND DECEITFUL TO THERE FAITHFUL USERS. REPEAT THE HEADS OF TWITTER KNEW I DIDNT HAVE A TWITTER AND THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHICH ACCOUNTS HAVE HIGH ACTIVITY ON THEM. ITS A F###### FARCE AND IT MAKES ME QUESTION WHAT OTHER SO CALLED CELEBRITY TWITTERS ARE ACTUALLY REAL OR FAKE. HEY TWITTER, TAKE THE SO CALLED KANYE WEST TWITTER DOWN NOW . WHY? BECAUSE MY CAPS LOCK KEY IS LOUD!!!!!!!!!
Yall should just keep making mad fake accounts so we can be entertained for ever with posts like this.
Check out Madonna cop a feel off Kanye’s girl. Maybe they will do a photo spread like BDK did back in the day,but they can leave ‘Ye home.
LALA GOT EJECTED FROM THE GAME?
The inevitable statement is issued:
La La Vazquez became distressed during a heated playoff game, after being verbally attacked by some opposing fans, who were using racial slurs, calling her child crude names and throwing ice cubes. She sent her son home early and was preparing to leave herself when she was physically pushed. Although shaken, she left the premises on her own will and is happy to be at home with her fiancée and child.
Obviously the play-offs games bring out the best and the worst in fans but what happened on Monday night with the racial slurs/threats, verbal attacks on my son and physical attacks to myself by irate fans was unacceptable, states La La. The fans were totally out of control. What the cameras captured was me defending myself and didnt show the abuse that was taking place.
THE REAL REASON T.I. BOOTED ALFAMEGA?
It would be really cool for Tip to give us the straight dope from the Trap as to why he kicked him out of Grand Hustle. Clearly, he was in violation of the G code with his snitch move, but could his ousting have a more sinister undertone? There has been a rumor in circulation for a minute stating that Alfamega was the one that tipped off the cops when T.I. was buying those guns. Not sure I believe that, because there hasnt been any real evidence to suggest that. Anyway, Alfamega is still on lock down and I dont think we are going to be hearing from him for a while. I wonder what that dude is going to do after he gets back on his feet again.
THE FINAL CHAPTER: DAME VS CHOKE NO JOKE
This dude is really kickin Dame when hes down! But, if you watch, you will see why hes so bitter and upset.
IS EMINEM OK?
He was recently seen wearing a Mexican wrestling mask. WHOA!
As far as Eminem is concerned, I heard he was in Detroit on Saturday for a television taping of some sort. He was very affable and friendly to all the folks there. Well, from what I heard there is going to be a tour of some sort later this year. I just hope 50 Cent and Dre are on it so I can go.
NICK CANNONS NOT GONNA LIKE THIS
Eminem joked that he peed on Mariah Carey! At least, I think he was joking:
Nick Cannon should just stay dignified and not respond any more.
INTERSCOPE CLEANOUT CONTINUES
I am sure you all forgot when I said it, but Interscope is cleaning house and will continue to do so through the year, my sources say. I said it once and I said it again and its now happening. The crazy thing is, I heard very clearly that even Buck and Yayo wouldnt be immune to this round of cuts, and it came true. Now, from what I understand, the label is really looking for its next star, you know, the person that will carry the torch after Em and them are gone. Well, who can do it?
LIL WAYNES ABOUT TO GET SUED BY PLAY-N-SKILLZ!
See what happens when I take a day off? All sorts of Mayhem breaks loose!
“We haven’t gotten any compensation. We really didn’t want to speak on anything like that, just because of our relationship with Pain and Wayne. We’re more thankful for the opportunity to be on Tha Carter III, but business is business at the end of the day,” Skillz told AllHipHop.com.
“We think the legal issues will be taken care of. It might not even be on his radar. A lot of people fail to realize, the artist might not even know. I’m sure that Wayne doesn’t even know or Pain doesn’t even know,” Skillz told AllHipHop.com. “It could be Universal Records, but somebody has to come with it. Give us our change, man…we need that. We got expensive tastes, baby. We’re going to continue to work and hopefully it doesn’t tarnish the relationship, Play said. But, if you don’t handle your business, nothing you do makes sense anyway.”Read the full story HERE.
SWIZZ BEATZ RUBS ALICIA IN MASHONDAS FACE
Dag, Swizzie is a stone cold playa! Here are some lyrics from his new song with Drake.
Wake up in the morning and my baby cooked me breakfast
Ass naked wearing nothing on, but a necklace
yeah she be shining on ya
She be gleamin on ya
She be SINGING on ya
I know you love her dont ya
And we be travellin our ass off
You can see the proof its all in our passports
Yeah, she say she wanna treat me like a king
I get big gifts the money aint a damn thing
She gave me a PARTY AT THE GUGGENHEIM
Yall shouldve seen them haters they lost their mind
only God can judge me
Whats next? The Ring? the baby? She really loves me!
The homey Egypt reminded me that Alicia Keys threw him a private party at the Guggenheim museum.
Here is the song:
ILLSEEDS QUICKIES
In a recent song, Lil Wayne said, Both me and Drizzy wrote on Detox. Interesting revelation. I wonder if Weezy was sober when she said that.
Mystikal gets out in January of 2010, for those that have asked me.
The good folks over at Bossip have continued a rumor that has been carrying on for about 3 years that Lauryn London is 5 months preggers with Waynes baby.
Click the link to hear Hoopz talk about her sex tape. I didnt even bother. Click here.
R Ginuwine suing a former business manager for $400,000 for misusing his money.
My ex Kelly Rowland is supposedly working on a new album.
My damn. Beyonce is so paid. The singer has reportedly turned her last APARTMENT into a CLOSET! She said the following: “My wardrobe is big. Put it this way, I’ve turned my old apartment into a closet.”
Q-Tip has apparently stated that hes working with Kanye West, Consequence and somebody else on an album for Hip-Hip.
Oh snap! Tia Kemp recently told Angela Yee that Rick Ross rap name was once Willow.
The police say that nobody has actually be cleared in the burning down of 50 Cents house in Long Island. Its all still under investigation.
If you missed in in the news, Jojo Simmons, Runs oldest son, was released after being charged with two counts of possession of marijuana and one count of resisting arrest.
KENDRA G THE RAPPER?
My girl Kendra G went and found herself a new career outside of radio as a rapper?!
Check her out!
She’s something else!
OBAMA DISSES MICHAEL STEELE
LOL – Obama say what you want dude is cool. He roasts Michael Steele, the leader of the Republican Party. Check it out.
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END
Here are a few that might pique your interest and help you realize these people dont give a gotdamn about the Earth. FOR REAL.
Russia is planning a fleet of floating and submersible nuclear power stations to exploit Arctic oil and gas reserves, causing widespread alarm among environmentalists. (The Guardian, May 3, 2009)
Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska has decided to accept all federal stimulus money her state is eligible for, with one exception: the nearly $29 million for the state energy office. Ms. Palin has rejected the state energy office funds out of concern that it would obligate Alaska to enact more stringent building codes. “Alaska’s vast expanse and differing conditions are not conducive to a federally mandated, universal energy code,” she said in a statement. (New York Times, May 1, 2009)
The world will overshoot its long-term target on greenhouse gas emissions within two decades. A study has found that the average global temperature will rise above the threshold that could cause dangerous climate change during that time. Scientists have calculated that the world has already produced about a third of the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that could be emitted between 2000 and 2050 and still keep within a 2C rise in global average temperatures. (The Independent, April 30, 2009)
EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY
Look at this mess. This is the back of Paris Hilton and she has officially failed with this bathing suit. Shes got noassatall syndrome. Wow and to think, she used to clown Kim Kardashian for being fat.
EPIC WIN OF THE DAY!
Snoop Teaches Kids Their ABC’s!
MEGAN’S GOOD SLIP!
In all reality, can this be considered NSFW? Its basically nothing, but something at the same time.
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].
Jay-Z Announces Tour; Dates Revealed
Jay-Z has announced that he will take a break from recording his highly anticipated album The Blue Print 3, to hit the road.
The mogul will hit the road with a full band for the five dates that have been confirmed thus far, representatives for the rapper told AllHipHop.com.
The first of Jay-Zs engagements begin July 3rd at the Pearl in the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.
Songbird Ciara will open for Jay-Z on select dates on the tour, which is still confirming dates across the country.
Below are confirmed dates thus far: July 3 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort July 4 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort July 7 Chicago, IL Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island July 10 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena July 12 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Joe Buck Is Dead
AHH Stray News: Eminem Inks Deal With Universal Publishing
Eminem has signed a new, worldwide publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) today (May 12). Eminems re-signing with UMPG covers his upcoming sixth studio album Relapse, which is due in stores May 19. “We are excited about the future of our continued relationship with UMPG, and we look forward to many more years of chart-topping success together,” Eminems manager, Paul Rosenberg said. The deal also includes the upcoming sequel to Relapse, titled Relapse 2. Eminems latest single “We Made You” debuted at #3 on Billboards Hot Digital Songs chart.
Nas and Pete Rock, Working On New Music
Hip-Hop lovers can rejoice: Nas and producer Pete Rock are working on music again.
Together Nas and Pete Rock orchestrated some of the most meaningful, prolific music to in the 90’s when they collaborated on Nas’ seminal album Illmatic, which was released 15 years ago this year.
“The World Is Yours” was an inspirational beacon to Hip-Hop fans during the period. Pete explained how things came to fruition. “I got a call from [Nas] one day. I was very excited when I saw that he called. I called him back and we conversed a bit, through the text, got him on the phone and we kicked it,” Pete Rock told AllHipHop.com. “I sent music to him. And I’ll just continue to send him music, you know? Whatever he likes, he’ll probably put to the side. But, I’m real excited about working with him.”
The pair havent work together since Illmatic, even though they had great success as a team.
To this day, Pete Rock says he doesn’t know why he and Nas didn’t continue to collaborate in any fashion since the popularity of Illmatic.
He’s not necessarily looking for answers either.
“I think it was a lot of situations [that caused the break off], but you know, but right now, I don’t give a damn. That was the past. You know, I always wanted to get down to the bottom of it, to see what the problem was,” Pete said. “Whatever it was, I know it was a lie. I always asked that question like Why isn’t he working with me, Pete said. “Other than that, I’m just happy that he reached out. Watch out. The beats are coming crazy.”
Pete has stayed busy working on the recent Red & Meth Song, “A-Yo” and his own solo material.
The New York-based producer has also relaunched his label Soul Brother Recordings and will be releasing new artists in the future.
T.I. On His Past: ‘I Owe Us An Apology’
Yesterday (May 11), T.I. delivered a heartfelt address about his life and future plans while hosting a Harlem anti-gun rally with Reverend Al Sharpton, Queen Pen, and Kevin Liles.
I owe us an apology. The same violence and gun activity that Im attempting to stop, I once was a part of it and played a huge part in promoting [it], T.I., real name Clifford Harris, admitted to fans and media. A lot of people did it as a fashion statement. For me, it was more so a way of life. It was the lifestyle I was raised in. I carried guns and sold dope as a 13, 14, and 15 year old. All the experiences I gathered in that time [are] exactly the tools I need to get out here and reach the people that are doing what I used to do.
As one of handful of true superstars in Hip-Hop, T.I. detailed that his criminal background will allow him to have the ear of troubled youth, and hopefully change their destinies.
These kids know I lived the life theyre now living, he explained. Ive seen the outcome of their mistakes. Ive caught cases, Ive been to jail, and had attempts on my life. Im standing [and] Ive learned from it I have the experience of living this life of crime, I know where theyre headed and I can tell them. And theyll listen to me because theyll know its the truth.
Because much of his community service is the result of his 2008 felony gun conviction, many critics and fans have questioned the sincerity of T.I.s recent actions.
Aware of this skepticism, the Atlanta native challenged his critics to scrutinize his past record.
Anybody who thinks Im talking just to hear myself talk, google Clifford Harris. My record is public record, he declared. Now that Im T.I. theres nothing I can do to hide my past. But Im not ashamed of my past, I embrace my past. The same thing you may frown upon, its the same thing that will make me proud when Im able to turn your son, your daughter, nieces, and nephews life around.
Opening up about the murder of his best friend Philant Johnson, T.I. stressed that the results of shootings extend past the victim and serve to decimate communities and generations.
I was so hurt at the loss of his life, that I didnt even take knowledge of the fact that I still had mine T.I. reflected. I had to deliver the news to a hurt mom that your son left with me, but because of me he aint coming back. A lot of times when we shoot guns, we only understand what is going on between the person that has the gun and person thats being shot at. We dont understand the pain that goes on with mothers, father, sisters, and brothers. There are household being destroyed. Youre not just killing a man, youre killing a family. But just like we can destroy, we can rebuild. Thats what Im here to do.
This month, T.I. will begin serving a one year and a day sentence under his guilty plea on felony weapons charges.
He plans to continue his community efforts upon his release later this year or in 2010.
Jadakiss Ft. Trae
“Kiss My Ass” [Extended Version]
Asher Roth Ft. Ludacris
“I Love College Remix”
Busta Rhymes Ft. Jelly Roll
“Sugar”
Alternative Pick: Ron Browz Ft. Red Cafe and Tea Bag Boys
“Gimme 20 Dollars”
Big Lou Ft. Tekneek and Mike Beck [Heater Of The Day]
“Take Whut’s Mine”
Cory Gunz Ft. Willie The Kid and Marvo
“A New Day”
Knockout Nation: Dawson Beats Tarver Again, Roach Talks Fraud Mayweather, Ali-Terrell
Dawson Wins Rematch Handily
Aging
vet Antonio Tarver again came up short against undefeated
light-heavyweight champ Chad Dawson, losing a clear unanimous decision
this past Saturday in Las Vegas.
As
in their initial title fight, Tarver struggled to cope with Dawsons
fast hands, especially when thrown in combination. Throughout the first
two rounds, Dawson easily bested the former light-heavyweight champ
behind a peppering jab and huge power shots.
In the 3rd
round Tarver picked up the pace and began moving forward to attack
Dawson. Although Tarver took the round on sheer aggression, the
defending champion was able to avoid any significant damaging blows
from the plodding Tarver.
Both men had their moments in rounds 4-6. In the 4th,
Dawson regained control by pushing Tarver back with hard combination
hooks to the body. Tarver utilized a close guard for most of the round,
but was still stunned by a huge left in the final minute. He returned
the favor in round 5 by taking the fight inside. There, just as
workhorse Glen Johnson did last year, Tarver scored with hard hooks
through Dawsons leaky inside defense.
In the 6th and 7th
rounds, Dawson again wrestled control of the bout behind superior ring
generalship. Dawson kept getting off first with the right jab and hard
left hook to the body. At the end of the round, Tarver responded in
kind with 3 solid left hooks. The reprieve proved brief, and Dawson
went back to work with inside hooks, doing enough damage to put Tarver
back in a defensive shell.
By
the championship rounds, Tarver was far behind. Trainer Buddy McGirt
loudly implored Tarver to make it a dogfight if he had any hopes of
winning the bout. But in the 10th, the Magic Man had slowed,
and his laboring punches were easily slipped by Dawson, who would
sporadically fire back with body hooks and flush jabs to keep Tarver
off-balance. In the 12th, both fighters were guilty of more
inside mauling then boxing. However, Dawson cleaner and more forceful
punching still gave him the advantage.
Final
scorecards for the bout read 116-112 and 117-111 twice for Dawson, who
improved his record to 28-0, 17 KOs. Antonio Tarver fell to 27-6, 19
KOs.
With
Tarver now disposed, Dawson can turn his attention to a rematch that
matters against Glen Johnson. Their first encounter in 2008 was a Fight
of the Year candidate, and Dawsons consistent but unspectacular recent
fights wont be enough to elicit offers of big money fights from
Bernard Hopkins or Joe Calzaghe. And although Dawson has spoken about
dropping to 168 pounds, it remains to be seen if he can make the weight
comfortably.
For
Tarver, he appears at the end of the road after a very successful
career. Through sheer self-promotion, the Magic Man was able to goad
then pound for pound #1 Roy Jones, Jr. into a rubbermatch which
destroyed the Jones mystique. Now at 40 years old, and not having
fought more the twice a year in 9 years, its highly unlikely that
Tarver has the desire to build himself back up through tough fights
away from the spotlight.
Freddie Roach: Rename him ‘Fraud’ Mayweather
Manny Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach has wasted no time criticizing Floyd Mayweathers recent return to the ring.
In
a statement to Doghouse Boxing, Roach dismissed Mayweathers comeback
against pound for pound #2 Juan Manuel Marquez as a useless, boring
fight.
The
fight stinks. Two counter-punchers waiting for the other one to make
the first move is boring and proves nothing, Roach explained. If
Mayweather wanted to prove he was the best all he had to do was wait
one day to see who won Pacquiao-Hatton before signing to fight Marquez.
You might as well rename him Fraud Mayweather, Jr.
Roachs
venom for Floyd is partly a receipt for Mayweathers repeated
dismissals of Pacquiaos skills during his brief retirement. Also, it
adds to the anticipation fans are already feeling at the possibility of
a Pacquaio-Mayweather showdown this year.
Lets
just hope Money Mayweather not only takes care of business on July
18, but does it in impressive fashion. Marquez is no pushover, and
Mayweather could be in for a shocking surprise despite his weight
advantage.
Throwback Fight of the Week: Muhammad Ali vs. Ernie Terrell, 2/6/67
In
1967, Muhammad Ali was one of the most hated heavyweight champs in
history. Following his controversial conversion to Elijah Muhammads
Nation of Islam sect in 1964, many fans were hoping for anyone to
dethrone him.
For the champs 8th
defense, he was paired with Ernie Terrell; a tall, sturdy heavyweight
with a very good jab. Terrell was not intimidated by Alis taunts, and
actually provoked the champion to physically attack him by refusing to
call him by his new Islamic name.
Terrell
later said he hoped to gain a psychological edge in the fight. Instead,
Terrell inspired Ali to give him one of the most humiliating beatings
in ring history.
After
a good Terrell start, Alis great jab took over; swelling up the
challenger (Terrell would later state it was an errant Ali thumb to the
eye that damaged his vision). By the middle rounds, Ali was in complete
control, but refused to go in for the finish. Instead, he verbally
taunted Terrell round after round: calling him an Uncle Tom in the
clinches, and shouting whats my name?! before launching another
stinging combination.
The
final scorecards were lopsided for Ali (148-137 twice, and 148-133).
Ringside reporters were appalled by Alis antics, stating that he was
unnecessarily cruel and even eclipsed the taunts he leveled at a
helpless Floyd Patterson in their 1965 bout.
Muhammad Ali would make one more defense a month later against an old Zora Folley, winning an easy 7th
round KO. He would then be stripped of his title and ability to box for
3 years over his refusal to enlist in the Vietnam War. Upon his return
in 1970, Muhammad Ali would engage in a memorable decade of fights with
Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, George Foreman, and Earnie Shavers.
After
the Ali bout, Terell would fight for another 6 years and never again
challenge for the title. He finished with a record of 42-9, 21 KOs.
Ali vs. Terrell, Part 1
Ali vs. Terrell, Part 2
Ernie Terrell Interview
Spark Dawg Ft. Killa Kyleo and GT Garza
“Hustle Hard”