“Run This”
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Triple C Ft. Rick Ross and Jadakiss
“Thug Battlefield”
Mullage Ft. Juvenile, Dorrough and Yo Gotti
“Trick’n Remix”
Kanye Tops BET Nominees
Rapper Kanye West has emerged as the frontrunner for this years BET Hip-Hop Awards.
The 32-year-old Chicago-based entertainer captured nine nominations.
Following West are Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, who earned seven nominations apiece.
Coming in with six nods is T.I. In addition to recognizing the best in rap music, the BET Hip-Hop Awards will honor iconic West Coast rhymesayer Ice Cube with the I Am Hip-Hop” icon award.
The announcement of the Hip-Hop Award nominees comes after BET recently named comedian Mike Epps was the host for the fourth annual event.
The 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards will take place October 10 in Atlanta.
The event will be broadcast on BET on October 27.
The following is a partial list of 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards nominees:
Best Hip-Hop Collaboration
“Pop Champagne,” Jim Jones & Ron Browz featuring Juelz Santana
“Mrs. Officer,” Lil Wayne featuring Bobby Valentino “Magnificent,”
Rick Ross featuring John Legend “Live Your Life,”
T.I. featuring Rihanna “Put On,” Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West
Best Live Performer Busta Rhymes
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West
Lyricist of the Year
Drake
Eminem
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
Kanye West
Video Director of the Year
Gil Green
Anthony Mandler
Mr. Boomtown
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams
Producer of the Year
Ron Browz
Cool & Dre
Tha Bizness
T-Pain
Kanye West
Track of the Year
“Day “N” Nite,” Kid Cudi
“D.O.A. (Death of Auto Tune),” Jay-Z
“Every Girl – Young Money,” Lil Wayne, Drake, Jae Mills, Gudda Gudda & Mack Maine
“Live Your Life,” T.I. featuring Rihanna
“Turn My Swag On,” Soulja Boy Tell’em
CD of the Year
Relapse, Eminem
The Renaissance, Q-Tip
Paper Trail, T.I.
808s & Heartbreak, Kanye West
The Recession, Young Jeezy
Rookie of the Year
B.O.B. Dorrough
Drake
Kid Cudi
Wale
Best Hip-Hop Video
“Ice Cream Paint Job,” Dorrough
“We Made You,” Eminem – We Made You
“D.O.A. (Death of Auto Tune),” Jay-Z
“Day “N” Nite,”
Kid Cudi
“Live Your Life,” T.I. featuring Rihanna
Pitbull Ft. Nicole Scherzinger
“Hotel Room Service Remix”
REVIEW: Michael Moores Capitalism: A Love Story
Michael Moores Capitalism: A Love Story is like most love stories sometimes uplifting, passionate, funny, truthful, but ultimately heartbreaking. Moore is a master at melding all of these emotions into what is, so far, easily the movie of the year.
*Warning may contain spoilers*
When I heard Michael Moore was going to premiere Capitalism: A Love Story in Pittsburgh; I thought to myself, wow I would love to go. But, since I had zero information about how to obtain tickets, I went back to my normal routine aka work. One of the reasons why I love my brother Paradise Gray (The Arkitech of X-Clan for those that dont know) is that he has this New York attitude that translates into, If its important I should be there and I refuse to take no for an answer. So we headed down to the David Lawrence Convention Center with no press passes or tickets and no idea if they would even let us in. As we approached the door Paradise said, God got us. We will get in and low and behold we saw our fellow One HOOD member, Mikhail Pappas, who is also an aid to State Senator James Ferlo! Mikhail took us directly into the event and showed us where they were giving out the tickets. Yep, God is Good.
After Michael Moore gave an impassioned press conference where he spoke about how he shed tears after he voted for President Obama, he proceeded to lead a health care reform march (which we really ended up leading) through downtown Pittsburgh and to the theater. We took our seats in the back and after introducing the movie Michael Moore came and sat in the row directly in front of us (very surreal).
Trailer for Capitalism: A Love Story (Story Continues After Trailer)
The movie begins with security video of people robbing banks and leads right into a story of the banks robbing us. A small town family, the victim of predatory lending, having to move out of a farm that has been in their family for generations (a prevailing theme throughout the movie). There are so many shocking moments in Capitalism: A Love Story its hard to touch on them all, from airline pilots making so little they have to get food stamps to big companies like Walmart taking out insurance polices on their employees and collecting at the expense of the employees family. Moore even shows how prisons for profits resulted in two judges being jailed for receiving over 2 million dollars in kickbacks and thousands of juveniles improperly incarcerated right in my home state of Pennsylvania!
Moore is at his best when breaking down current events in a historical context and its no different here when he begins to ask the question, Would Jesus be a capitalist? Hilarity ensues when Moore puts Jesus in the role of these current so call compassionate conservatives who seem to think its godly to deny basic rights to the poor. It also crystallizes one of Moores main points in the movie, that Capitalism is inherently evil, (a notion which I agree with 100%). Moore is extremely convincing showing example after example of regular every day hard working Americans being raped at the hands of the rich, and some damning internal documents directly from Citigroups own reports.
This isnt just a movie its a rallying cry to take action. Moore wants to make us mad! And you cant help to be p##### off when watching how the big banks used fear, money and influence to push through the $700 billion dollar bailout. The only Congressman that had the balls to stand up to Wall Street and President Bush was a Congresswoman from Ohio named Marcy Kaptur. Moore also wants to wake us up to the fact that we have the power to make change, which he brilliantly parallels with never-before-seen footage of FDR outlining a Second Bill of Rights and the improbable rise and election of Barack Obama. But, even then, Moore shows how President Obamas biggest campaign contributor was the bank that received the most financial gain from the bail out .Goldman Sachs.
Michael Moore said that Capitalism: A Love Story was the end result of his 20 years of movie making from Rodger and Me to Bowling for Columbine to Fahrenheit 911 to Sicko. This is arguably his best work and comes at a time where progressives are in desperate need of a battle call and President Obama is fighting for his political life. If we dont take Moore up on his offer and join him in making America what it ideally is supposed to be, we will continue to be the battered wife in this abusive relationship. Capitalism we need a divorce!
Jasiri X is a Hip-Hop artist and community activist. He can be found at twitter.com/jasirix.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Diddy to Sign Raekwon? Max B Getting Out? Tupac Returns!
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
After today, the Kanye / Lil Mama mess is over. It has indeed been a week of tremendous humor and photoshopic creativity! After today, I am going to let it all go and move on…unless somebody has something undeniably funny! LOL!
DIDDY TO SIGN RAEKWON TO BAD BOY?
How crazy would this be? You young buckaroos may not know this, but in the 90s Wu Tang and Bad Boy/Biggie had some serious beef going on! Here is how it went down
Of The Notorius BIG, Rae said he was going to The Source Awards with a burner in a CAST!
My intentions was if someone try to come harm me I got the burner and the gats. I was coming in with the fake broke arm with the ratchet and whatever.
You know when you dealing with grimey Brooklyn n***as you can’t let them get the drop on you first.
Rae said he never went through with the diabolical plot, but he was ready! Now, how crazy would it be for him to be on Bad Boy!?
SPEAKING OF DIDDY
Diddy recently commented on his run in with the Hip-Hop police. I guess Diddys rebel yell had to calm down a bit. Here is what he had to say:
It was just a little misunderstandin, miscommunication. Me and the officer, we worked it out things were a little aggressive for me, which Im not really used to.
I heard that Diddy! Dude had some dirt on ya! I get it!
SOME RUMORS
The homey Mikey the Movie Star hit me up and wanted to pass off some rumors that he had heard.
Eminem is rumored to be in a movie with Mark Walhberg playing his brother . Rumors say the role was originally intended for Matt Damon. Speaking of eminem and the Walhbergs tell me Em doesnt look a bit like that other Donnie Wahlberg from the 6th Sense?
I kid, I kid!
The rap gangs are all getting along. Seems like Spider Loc has taken a liking to acting and is getting paid to do it! Check out this classic clip with Rog from whats Happening fam. The sound is all messed up, but this is the BEST!
MAX B? Max B has a lot of people in his corner! Maybe he didnt do it! I dont know and I wasnt there. Still, they are saying that Dame Grease has opened a site up and is taking a dollar per fan to help with Maxs legal defense. 75 YEARS. Frenchie and Dame say that Max may be out on appeal by the years end. Well see!
ILLSEED AND BEYONCE?
Im taking it there! I used to love Kelly, but I recently went out with Beyonce at an exotic beach.
IS KIA SHINE LYING OR NOT?
After a few, the rumors came out that Kia Shine was not involved in the creation of Best I Ever Had. Here is what he said in a flurry of Twitter Follies:
this message is for all the non-believers YES kia shine OWNS 25% OF THE DRAKE SONG “THE BEST I EVER HAD” 3 BMI AWARDS FOR THE SONG GOING #1 ON 3 BILLBOARD CHARTS. GO BUY HIS EP TODAY! MY FAMILY APPRECIATES IT!
I believe Shiney, but somebody I know at BMI pulled some official record and told me that Kia was not listed unless he has some other identity that he goes by. I dont think dude would lie about this.
DOES PITBULL WANNA TO THIS TO KANYE?
As you may have seen, Pitbull recently said that Kanye knows who to do that (rush the stage) with. Alluding that Taylor Swift was weak and he could easily get away with it on on. And he suggested that he would do this to Kanye if the Louie Don did that to him:
video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player
Pitbull will knock fire out a person getting on stage unannounced.
TUPAC TALKS ABOUT BIGGIE AND WU TANG
Damn, Pac was the man.
REPORTER ASKS LADY GAGA ABOUT HER PEWN!
I didnt see anybody get kicked out but the question was asked. This all went down in Germany.
THIS IS GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE HATE JAY MORE
Apparently, Jay-Z is like the king of the kings now. He was at a radio station recently and dude straight up had the side walk cleaned around the entrance to his Maybach. I would expect Jay to be on a spaceship or something by now. A Maybach is so 2000s.
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END
Set lil man free! Let him go!
LMAO! SERENA LOOK IS PRICELESS!!!!!!!
Captions everybody!
CHANCE, CHANCE, CHANCE
AS YOU SHOULD KNOW BY NOW ILLSEED HAS SOME HELP. CHANCE IS HIS NAME AND HERE ARE HIS RUMORS AND CHIT CHAT.
SUPERSTAR TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL
Janet
killed it at the VMA’s and Madonna gave a pretty moving speech, the
details of which have been called into question, but moving
nonetheless. Well they were both impressed with one another and
decided to get a bite to eat after the awards. It’s rumored that
during the meeting the two started making plans to collaborate in honor
of Michael…THAT WOULD BE HUGE…Speaking of Madonna what do you think
of her new record with Weezy F. Baby?DRIZZY HAS SOME ‘SPLAYNIN TO DO
Isn’t
it funny how quick the tables can turn on you??? Remember when Drake
was rumored to BE a ghostwriter now this. Yesterday ILLSEED let you all
know Kia Shine had a hand in writing “Best I Ever Had” well according
to this quote Drake is no stranger to recieving a little help:
I used to stay in Toronto…Drake and Nickelus F.
used to be seen everywhere in TO about 6 years ago. He used to fly Nick out and bring him to
Raptor games…Drake
used to throw a lot of money around to get into the industry which is
why him and Trey Songz is cool…Drake paid for many of [Nickelus F.’s] videos and things of that nature for the
songs he was writing…Numerous guys in Toronto have contributed to Drakes music. Richie
Sosa being one of them…This information wasnt too confidential because the studio sessions
had many people present so everybody saw Drake and 40 asking for the
rhymes. Another thing you can ask people is if theyve EVER seen Drake
actually write/think/freestyle/type/ or just overall create a song on
the spot. NEVER.”The
guy also says Drake wanted to buy some records from a rapper named IQ,
a protege of Rakim’s but it didn’t work out. Nickelus F stopped by my
show about a month ago and dropped a dope freestyle to Incarcerated Scarfaces.
I must admit it sounded Drake-ish but that might just be friends
sounding similar. The last part of that quote is what really raises my
eyebrow *remembering that suspect Flex freestyle* hmmmmmm….Drake and Nickelus F:DID MAINO JACK SOMEONE (PAUSE)???I vaguely remember somebody
claiming Just Blaze and T. Pain stole the record “All The Above” a few
months back. I also remember that rumor was dispelled by Just himself
and Maino even spoke to the accuser on the radio. Well the accusations
are BACK!!!! I received an e-mail yesterday from a gentleman who goes
by the name Rosavel and he believes the beat for the record in question
was stolen from a record he did about a year and a half ago, “Above It
All”. He told me he and his homey ran into “Maya da s#####”I’m skeptical about this but I must admit the songs sound alike and in the second verse one of the featured artist, Solo, (who he let me know is Z-Ro’s brother)
says “I come from the city where the PRESIDENT LIVES” … since dude is
from Texas, same place as Bush, I believe this was recorded sometime
last year before Barack was on duty. Maino on the other hand speaks about Obama in his verse.Check it out for yourself: Maino – All The Above and S.U.S.P.E.C.T.S. ft. Don Solo – Above It All
[Mya] around the same time she was rumored to be dating Maino and gave
her a CD of their music including the record “Above It All”. A few
months later….well you get the picture.
I’M JUST SAYIN’Daaaaaammmmmnnnnnn
…. The Jackson 3 (Michaels kids) get $60,000 a month … I was
literally receiving 3 dollars a week in ’93 and I thought I was cakin
…Anybody gonna storm the stage if Kanye wins one of his 9 nominations at the BET Awards????A
few people told me Wayne got Cali from that Real & Chance show
pregnant. It’s NOT TRUE if your hearing it too. It started when a
friend tweeted her jokingly asking if she had told people.Speaking of that show NO I’m not that Chance or taking his name …
I’ve been Chance for 14 years and that’s not gonna change…I also
answer to George Kush, Issac Haze or Pill Clinton.
Scott Storch was gettin’ it in he said “I’d decide to take everyone to Las Vegas. Do more
coke, f### a bunch of girls. Be up for two days and decide at 11 in the
morning to go buy a Rolls-Royce.” He even hit Kim Kardashian … SCORE minus the coke!!!I
said I would tell you what underground NY legends are working on an
entire album with one of the most respected producer in history today
…. but … I can’t just yet … Sorry … the underground cats gonna
love it though. Any guesses??Thanks for all the feedback this 1st week has been great and I hope you enjoy my posts as much as I enjoying sharing them. Thanks Illseed!!!!
Hit The Twitter CHANCECDR – Peace
ILLSEED’S INTERVIEW!
Illseed is getting into the interview game. The only thing is I only interview on email or instant messenger or anything else that doesn’t use a phone or in person.
With that said, I got up with the sexy Jacki-O and got her take on a recent promoter that accused her of bailing on them after getting her retainer money.
I asked her a few additional questions too. Here is the interview.
What happened with the promoter?
JUST ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO THROW DIRT ON MY NAME. NOTHING HAPPENED I NEVER MET THAT PROMOTER
What would make them say these things about you?
HIS OR HER NEED TO DRAW ATTENTION TO BETTER THEIR SITUATION…. NEVER MET “EM
Did you and Brisco make up? How did you all get past him physically assaulting you?
BUSINESS IS FIRST AND FORMOST,..I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH HIM, AS FOR HIM PHYSICALLY ASSAULTING ME? THAT TOO NEVER HAPPENED.. ASK HIM ABOUT THAT. WE ALL ARE MAKING MOVES TO CONTINUE MIAMI’s MOVEMENT.. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF MEDIA ATTENTION DRAWN ON MIAMI IN THE NEGATIVE FORM..BUT THE FACT REMAINS WE ARE ALL FAMILY AND WE WILL HAVE DISAGREEMENTS, THERE WAS NEVER AN ALTERCATION, JUST AN ARGUMENT.
What is your status with other rappers from FL?
WE ARE ALL GOOD IN THE 305.
Why were you so interested in the real Jackie-O?
JACQUELINE ONASIS WAS THE LATE PRESIDENT JFK’s WIFE, HOWEVER AS A CAUSIAN WOMEN SHE NEVER KNEW THE STRUGGLES OF BEING AFRICAN AMERICAN. SHE WAS A VERY STRONG MINDED WOMEN THAT WAS ABLE TO STAND ON
HER ON, I FEEL WE HAVE SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS, IM JUST ABLE TO TELL MY STORY FROM THE STRUGGLE.
So, is Michelle Obama the new Jackie O and has she affected your life?
NO SHE IS NOT THE NEW VERSION OF JACKIE-O,… SHE JUST IS … MICHELLE OBAMA HAS PERSONIFIED A STRENGTH THAT IS IN ALL OF US..ME BEING A BLACK FEMALE FROM THE HOOD, SHE CONTINUES TO MAKE ME FEEL LIKE THERE IS NOTHING I CANT DO.. BUT BECAUSE SHE IS AFRICAN AMERICAN, WE PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON BOTH HER AND THE PRESIDENT.. THEY ARE NOT OUR SAVIOURS, JUST A FORM OF STRENGTH THAT WE CAN LOOK UP TO, WE STILL GOTTA DO OUR PART.
What is new with you?
NEW SONG SINGLE FROM THE 305 COMPILATION SCHEDULE TO DROP OCT CALLED M.I.A. FT. BRISCO.. ALSO AN ALBUM OF MY OWN COMING SOON, STILL PROMOTING LITERACY WITH MY BOOKS , ONE OF WHICH IS OUT NOW GROWN AND GANGSTA”, RELENTLESS DROPPING SOON, NEW MIXTAPE OUT NOW BBBP.. MORE MIXTAPES IN THE WORKS, IVE BEEN READING SCRIPTS FOR UPCOMING MOVIE PROJECTS..NEW PHOTO SHOOTS AND MAGAZINE COVERS!
For more, go to illseed.com. Or just follow me at http://twitter.com/illseed
JACKI-O, 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 al*************@***il.com.
Saigon: You Better Believe It
AllHipHop bumrushed the set of Saigons music video, Gotta Believe It, the inspirational street record that features Just Blaze on the controversial Autotune.
Saigon gets in depth about the background behind the song and his viewpoint on major record labels. The New Yorker also states how his bout with the majors is a story of many-a-rapper and how hes tested the limits of creative freedom
In collaboration with Just Blaze, Saigon created his new record using his own money for complete creative control of the project and also his destiny.
This video and song weaves a personal meaning to Saigon and he told AllHipHop.com it exemplifies how he feels music today.
On a side note, Saigon will be featured in the AllHipHop Social Lounge at NJPAC in Newark, NJ with Killer Mike, Raekwon, Ras Baracka and more. They will discuss president Obama, the generational gap in Hip-Hop and other pressing matters on Oct. 17!
Check it out.
50 Cent Speaks on New Book, Recession, Piracy
Mogul 50 Cent made a recent appearance on MSNBC to speak about his success as a businessman and the release of his new book, The 50th Law.
Promoting the book with co-author Robert Greene, the Queens emcee first spoke on his staggering $100 million dollar profit as an original investor in Vitamin Water before its sale to Coca-Cola.
Its an exciting deal. The opportunity to get in [during] the infant stages of that company was amazing for me, 50 Cent stated. Its the biggest deal [for me].
With the music industry struggling overall for sales, 50 reflected on how personal brand extension is essential when previously it was frowned upon in Hip-Hop.
The technology is absolutely shifting things. The marketing dollars that the major companies would provide for artists in the past is gone with the actual record sales, 50 explained. This is taboo; this is almost like selling out. 5 years ago what is great business from an artist perspective now would be absolutely going in the other direction of what they think is cool.
As an innovator of the mixtape scene, 50 views piracy as a reality that should be embraced by artists.
I see it as part of the marketing. Because even the people who purchased the music from a pirating perspective end up at the concert. They cant help but fall in love with the material at that point whether they consumed it from downloading it on the actual Internet or they went and purchased the material. We cant stop it. If the major record companies could, they would.
In The 50th Law, 50 and Greene hope to empower those who feel economically lost by the nations current recession.
Were living through times where people are very frightened, Greene explained. The message of the book is you need to move past that fear. Because in a couple of years this recession will be over, and will you be in a position to seize the moment? I think its going to be a new entrepreneurial era. Or are you just waiting on some job?
And I think the majority of the companies who are the Fortune 500 were established during a recession, 50 added. The recession is predominantly for the middle class. Where I come from the majority of those people have always lived in a recession.
50 Cent and Robert Greenes 50th Law is available now.
At press time, 50 Cents latest LP Before I Self-Destruct is still set for a November 17 release.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
LOX’s Styles P, Green Lantern Announce ‘Green Ghost’
Fans of Yonkers, New York based Hip-Hop trio The Lox will be treated to a new release from group member Styles P.
Styles P. aka The Ghost, has teamed with The Evil Genius: DJ Green Lantern to create a sinister, dark, new album titled The Green Ghost Project, which is slated for a November release.
The album features original production from an all-star cast of noted Hip-Hop producers, including The Alchemist, Statik Selektah, Scram Jones and DJ Green Lantern himself.
“Dont call me The Ghost right now, call me The Green Ghost” Styles P. told AllHipHop.com in reference to the new release. “Its a different display of talent. We got together and brainstormed about it and it came out crazy.
The album features guest appearances by Lox group members Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, in addition to guests like N.O.R.E., M.O.P., Uncle Murda, Junior Reid and others.
The Green Ghost Project is due in stores November 17 via Invasion Records/The Orchard.
Lil Boosie Takes On Movies; Talks Upcoming Trial
Lil Boosie is planning for his future, despite an upcoming trial that has the rapper looking at a five-year stint in prison.
The Trill Entertainment rapper revealed in a recent interview with AllHipHop.com that he plans on hitting the big screen.
I also have a movie coming out called Ghetto Stories: The Movie, Lil’ Boosie told AllHipHop.com. I think we’re going to release it in November. We’re just at the table right now figuring out how I’m going to get paid for it.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native released his anticipated fourth studio album, Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz on Tuesday (September 15).
The 16-track LP features his single Better Believe It featuring Young Jeezy and other artists including Webbie, Bobby V. and Trina, among others.
Lil Boosie, born Torrence Hatch, is currently facing a trial for drugs and gun charges stemming from an incident that took place last year.
Police arrested the 26-year-old rapper with his third-offense for possession of marijuana, which carries a term of up to 20-years in prison.
Lil Boosie also faces a chare of possession of a firearm with a controlled dangerous substance, which carries a mandatory minimum of five-years in prison.
“They [the police] just made all these statements, Lil Boosie told AllHipHop.com. It was for rumor of the day. I don’t know where all these statements came from. I had a couple altercations that went down but they’re really trying to take me down. They made all kinds of false statements saying I said all kinds of stuff like How much ya’ll want and I’m going to tell the judge this. They got me all messed up.
Lil Boosies trial is scheduled for September 28.
Jim Jones P###. by Jim Jonsin
“I’m All That”
Consequence Ft. Rick Ross
“The More I Get” [Radio Rip]
Skyzoo P###. By Just Blaze [Heater Of The Day]
“Return Of The Real”
Sinsay Ft. Donny Goines
“You Don’t Know Me”
Gerreddi
“Whatz Happen”
Alternative Heat: Shonie
“Lights Camera Action”
Brother Ali Ft. Freeway And Joell Ortiz
“Best At It”
Legendary Singer Gladys Knight Slams Hip-Hop Music
Legendary R&B singer Gladys Knight had some harsh words for the genre of Hip-Hop in a recent interview.
Knight is making the press rounds promoting her role as church elder named Wilma in Tyler Perrys latest movie I Can Do Bad All By Myself, while she prepares for an October tour of Europe.
In addition to the high profile role in Perrys latest hit movie, Knight is revered around the world for hits like Midnight Train to Georgia, Neither One Of Us and Heard It Through The Grapevine.
During an interview with BlackNews.com, Knight said that Hip-Hop had created opportunities for young artists, but the slammed the genre of music, claiming it had set back African-Americans as a race.
It’s been bad, in my opinion, as far as the quality of the music and the stories that they tell. It’s one thing to be raw about your history, but they took it to another level and it became vulgar, Knight said.
She also claimed that Hip-Hop had not elevated our industry musically, before blaming the music for a number of issues within the African-American community.
It definitely has not elevated us as African-Americans, because we show disrespect for our partners, men and women, Knight stated. I believe we have lowered our self-esteem with these performances and presentations.
Gladys Knights catalog has been sampled extensively by a number of rappers, including The Wu-Tang Clan, Scarface, Madlib and numerous others.
Knockout Nation: Mayweather-Marquez Prediction, Berto vs. NFL, Arum Blasts MMA, Pacquiao-Steroids?!
Poll: Who Do You Predict Will Win?
Mayweather-Marquez Breakdown
After an injury delay and much hyping courtesy of HBO 24/7, Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez will finally square off this Saturday (September 19, HBO PPV). As expected, a fight that was initially met with widespread chagrin from critics now has an air of excitement amongst fans and experts alike.
The main intrigue centers around Mayweather, who will have been out the ring nearly two years since introducing Ricky Hatton to a turnbuckle back in December 2007. Of course, there will be some degree of ring rust, but how much? Will Mayweathers great accuracy be anywhere near what it was? Also, how will stamina play a role, especially if the fight goes into the later rounds?
For Marquez, most are skeptical of how his body will carry the move to welterweight. In his last bout at 140 pounds, Marquez had to dig deep to score a nice KO over volume puncher Juan Diaz. Still, what many point to is not Marquezs adjustments to win, but how Diaz was able to tag and hurt him over the bouts first half. Marquez looked ponderous early on at lightweight (135 pounds) in spite of the gutsy performance. How will his body respond now that hes jumping a weight class to compete against a bigger, established elite fighter at welterweight?
The best asset of both fighters is their adaptability. Mayweather and Marquez can adjust strategies several times over the course of a fight. Their versatility allows them to fight off the backfoot as precise counterpunchers (Marquez-Medina, Mayweather-Castillo II), or carve up aggressive fighters on the inside (Mayweather-Chavez, Marquez-Diaz). Make no mistake; boxing IQs dont come much better than these two men.
Early on, expect an intense chess match as both fighters seek to dissect each others styles and tendencies. Here Mayweathers ring rust will show, and hell likely be consistently off the mark with his lead right, allowing Marquez opportunities to clip him with his own great counter right.
However, by the middle rounds expect Floyd to find the range and begin breaking down the slower and smaller Marquez to the head and body. Mayweather normally reserves stick and move strategies against fighters that are considerably bigger (Castillo II, De La Hoya, Baldomir), so an aggressive Floyd is very likely to emerge and walk his Mexican foe down.
Unless Floyd Mayweather has completely lost most of his Hall of Fame skills, he should easily shake off any rust after a few rounds and brutally stop Marquez sometime by the eighth round.
Still, anything is possible in a fight. Whos your money on?
Berto Eyes 2010 Match with Bengals Chad Ochocinco
WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto does have a December HBO date, but that hasnt stopped the young titlist from entertaining a potential bout with outspoken NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco next year.
The two athletes went at it over Twitter (where else ) over the summer. Apparently, Ochocinco utilized boxing as part of his off-season training regimen and now thinks hes good enough for the big dogs of the ring.
Berto, who holds a Fight of the Year candidate bout via his gutsy January 2009 win over Luis Collazo, feels that Ochocino needs a painful lesson on the limits of his abilities.
I respect Chads abilities on the field, but once he enters the ring, he steps into my world, Berto explained in a prepared statement. And once he is in my world, I will have to show him who runs it. I am here to say when the [NFL] season is over, which should be before the playoffs start, I’ll give him the beating of his life…when I am finished with him his name will no longer be Ochocino, it will be no mas!”
The Bengals have invested too much money to allow any of their players, let alone a star one, to put himself in a situation to get injured. A legit boxing match is not happening. And on Bertos side, an errant headbutt could cause a cut that could keep him out of the ring for months and cost him millions of dollars.
If this comes off, itll be a light sparring match akin to the fight we saw a few weeks back between Shaquille ONeal and Oscar De La Hoya. With that said, Berto-Ochocino would be for a good cause, so well see where things develop over the next few months. The funniest thing is Berto requesting the fight after the regular season, as if hes already assuming the Bengals arent making the playoffs!
Promoter Bob Arum Calls MMA Fans and Fighters Skinheads and Homosexuals
Ill admit it humors me to hear ignorant comments from uninformed boxing fans on MMA and vice versa. Both sports require tons of intense training and dedication. I would like to believe most fans of both disciplines dont think like this, but its still hilarious nonetheless. Check out legendary promoter and Top Rank CEO Bob Arum going in on MMA and his former star fighter Floyd Mayweather.
Mayweather, Sr. Calls Out Manny Pacquiao for Steroids
The Mayweather camp looks to be beating the drums early (and perhaps prematurely) for a showdown with Manny Pacquiao by accusing the Filipino icon of abusing steroids.
The wild claim came out of nowhere, with Mayweather, Sr. having no evidence aside from Pacquiao jumping from super-featherweight (130 pounds) to welterweight (147 pounds) in just a year with no loss of speed or punching power.
I believe he’s on some type of supplements. I’m convinced about a lot of (boxers),” Mayweather Sr. speculated. “That’s what they’re doing right now. Everybody should be checked a little bit more thoroughly. Sometimes people know what’s going on but they ain’t saying nothing. I don’t think he can beat Lil’ Floyd with steroids in him or not. He don’t have that kind of talent. He don’t have that kind of skill, whatever he has in him.
Regarding Pacquiaos schedule, Mayweather feels Top Rank is moving too quickly.
“I think they’re pushing Pacquiao a little too much, even if he’s got ‘roids in his body, he stated. The steroids aren’t going to make him no faster. It’s going make him relentless and hit strong, but that’s it. It ain’t going to put no knowledge in your head.”
Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach took no time responding and setting the record straight.
Maybe all of them, theyre using steroids, and not me, Pacquiao told AOL Fanhouse. You know what? I dont even know what a steroid is. Ive never done that.
Roach, who helped give Mayweather fighter Ricky Hatton a crushing defeat in May, stated Mayweather, Sr is just a flat out sore loser.
Steroids? Where in the hell did that come from? Roach challenged. You know, these guys, they had to come up with a reason why they lost. They lost because Floyd Sr. sucks as a trainer and I had the better fighter.
Dont expect these two camps to stop throwing shots anytime soon.
Kessler-Ward Dominate
Last Saturday Mikkel Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) and Andre Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) were successful with convincing tune-up knockouts in preparation for their November 21 showdown (Showtime).
The fight will be the first of the highly-anticipated Super-middleweight Super Six tournament. This promises to be a great fight, and one that can go either way. But if I had to pick today, Id go with Kessler via mid round TKO. Wards speed will give him fits, but the Viking Warrior throws lethal straight punches down the pike and has good power as his equalizer.
Throwback Fight of the Week: Julian Jackson vs. Terry Norris (July 30, 1989)
A young Terrible Terry Norris was a fighter on the come up when he faced feared power puncher and WBA light-middleweight champion Julian Jackson.
6 years younger than Jackson and much faster, many felt that Norris would have the edge against Jackson if he could avoid the power shots.
In the first round Norris did just that, stinging Jackson with sharp right hands and constant circling to avoid retaliation. Jackson couldnt get set to punch, and was stunned early in the round by Norris fast combinations.
The success perhaps made Norris too confident, and he began to allow Jackson to close distance and eventually trap him against the ropes. Jackson landed a crushing right that put Norris to sleep on his feet, and added a left hook and another right that sent the challenger face first to the canvas.
Norris beat the count, but was gone and in no shape to continue, giving Julian Jackson a definitive 2nd round knockout.
Julian Jackson would move up to middleweight, and make several defenses of the WBC title before losing to Gerald McClellan. He would retire in 1998 with a record of 55-6, 49 KOs. Jackson is considered today one of the hardest punchers pound for pound in the history of the sport.
Norris would bounce back after scoring a career highlight win over a faded Sugar Ray Leonard and Donald Curry in 1991. He also won several titles at light-middleweight before retiring in 1998 with a record of 47-9, 31 KOs. Norris would also successfully sue Don King for a million dollar settlement over brain damage suffered during his boxing career.