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Hip-Hop Rumors: Diddy & Cassie Engaged? Solange & Mario? Nas Vs CNN? A New Jena 6?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Rumors

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.

TODAY’S RUMORS!

THE GAME DISSES EMINEM?

I’m sure you heard the track. The Game sent a shot at Eminem, it would seem. Here it is:

“All the pictures of me and Em, I burned them/So there ain’t no proof I walked through 8 Mile/ And so since it ain’t no Proof, I’ll never walk through 8 Mile/ Sometimes I think about my life with my face down/ Then I see my sons and put on my Kanye smile.”

Now the song was on the homepage of AHH and I just let it rock, because I didn’t want to be the one to seem like I was instigating beef. But now that it is thoroougly out there, what do you think? Is this some desperate move or is The Game really making a point? We know Em is on the way back and, what’s interesting, is Lil Wayne failed to get Em on his Carter 3. Is this some new school attack? Anyway, tell me your thoughts.

THE GAME EXPLAINS!

Just as I wrote the above statement, AllHipHop.com released a statement from The Game explaining this real deal!

“When I originally wrote the song ‘My Life,’ I was trying to think

back on events that affected my life and how they changed me,” The Game

told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive statement, citing Dr. Dre, Eminem

and Proof among those he met when he first got signed to Aftermath and

G-Unit Records.  “But it was Proof whom the Game bonded with most. I always

identified with Proof. We were always cool and he would reach out to me

when ever I was going through something,” The Game told AllHipHop.com

of his relationship with the deceased Detroit rapper, who was shot and

killed on April 11.  “I remember when Proof died vividly and now every time I think about

going to Detroit I get depressed,” The Game said. “That is what I was

trying to say in that verse and the more I looked at I realized that

people would take it the wrong way…the way they are taking it now that

it leaked.”  Despite efforts to make changes to the song and take out the

questionable verse “so that this bulls**t wouldn’t happen,” the Game

couldn’t escape the fallout over what he recorded.  “For the record, this is not the version on my album, this is not

the version that radio will get and this is not the version that I just

shot the video to,” The Game told AllHipHop.com, acknowledging those

who may have been negatively impacted by “My Life.”  “Furthermore, I apologize to anyone who took this the wrong way as that was never my intention,” The Game said.

DIDDY AND CASSIE ENGAGED?

If Diddy reads this, its not me! Star Magazine has reported that Diddy and Cassie have gotten engaged. Now, this salacious rumor comes on the heels of denials that they are still togther. Remember Cassie said there was nothing going on anymore! I don’t know what to believe, so I offer what Star is saying. They charge that Sean “Diddy” Combs is about to give “marriage a chance.” They say that he is telling his closest friends and family that he is planning to marry Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura. “He told everyone to keep it extremely quiet because he didn’t want it to get out, but you could tell he was excited,” says a source. “Diddy said they hadn’t set a date yet, but he wanted his family to hear the news first.” Who knows, man, I still like Kim Porter.

FROM AN EYE WITNESS!

I know that that whole Max B thing is over and whatever, but the people around when that shooting happened in NYC are still rattled over it. Here is what a person recently wrote me:

“I was at the SOB’s event. [A certain somebody’s] Crew came in and began to attempt to intimidate Max B. Max B was in a VIP area with his crew and they tried to appear unfazed. A fight ensued (for all of 10 seconds) when a captain from . [A certain somebody’s] crew pulled out a gun and fired one shot. The guy was standing 10 feet from Max B and fired into a crowded VIP section and missed. This Hip-Hop Bulls**t has got to stop!! Someone could have gotten killed. I was standing 5 feet away from all of this bullsh**t. [Somebody] wasnt man enough to be there but he’ll send his goons. Max B is a lil a**hole and he’s not tough so they need to stop the bull. Illseed, someone has got to be responsible to this next generation and hold these a**holes accountable. We need REAL men and women to represent for our culture and put their foot down.”

That’s just a random sample of that letters I am getting. Whew. EPMD said it, “Rap is out of control.”

MCCAIN OUTTA THERE?

I heard the craziest rumor in a long time. I am hearing that McCain may be usurped at the Republican National Convention. From what I understand, McCain is doing so poorly that the Repubs don’t think he has any chance of winning. So, what I heard is that they are going to switch over to Mitt Romney in hopes that he can defeat and beat Barack! Barack is bussin’ McCain’s a**!!!! Now, I heard it has gotten so bad that McCain had a press conference and only one reporter showed up! Even I would show up to that, even though I am voting for Barack! Right now, Mitt is the forerunner for the Vice President under McCain.

YO! Who saw McCain making the speech in front of cheese in the supermarket? Too Funny!

NAS VS CNN!?!

No, Nas didn’t diss CNN, but he should because this “Black In America” thing they put out there is wack. I am a Black man and there is no “sad truth” to it. I’m Black, I’m strong and I’m PROUD. I know more good Black men than bums – so I am curious to know why they seem to find the worst of the worst. I know that they have varying degrees of good and bad, but I want to see what’s really good about talking about the way the Black family was systematically destroyed over the last 400 or so years and how oppression and lack of opportunity are readily available these days. I’m not blaming anybody, but there is something called cause and effect. (I admit, a lot of the commentators were representing well, but the cornerstone of the series appeared to be predicated on negativity.) HOLLA DEN!

SCOTT STORCH…MOB PROBS?

Raining To Pouring: Scott Storch is looking at a bad situation. The music mogul is looking at a foreclosure on his $10 million Florida mansion! Dude needs a hero! But, from what I heard, and don’t know that I believe, Scott may have come across something he couldn’t beat. Not sure how, but I heard he had some issues with the mob and those issues have impacted his bottom line. No details, just conjecture over here! But somebody has used the term – “bust out.”

SOLANGE AND MARIO?

These are the rumors…the freaky rumors.

OH REALLY, O’REILLY?

My Girl Shelz Goes In On This Nas Vs Fox Stuff: This is Bill O’Reilly’s statement in reference to the petition Nas and some of the members of Moveon.org attempted to deliver to Fox News. The petition suggested that Fox News attacks Mr. Obama with a racist agenda in mind.

“The Move On organization espouses a radical left agenda and attacks those who oppose that nonsense,” O’Reilly said. “The latest smear from Move On is telling their Kool-Aid-drinking zombie followers that Fox News is smearing Barack Obama and is a racist concern. Of course, that’s a lie. This broadcast and FNC in general have been exceedingly fair to Senator Obama. … But in order to intimidate anyone from criticizing Obama in any way, Move On is playing the race card.”

Oh, and he also said he believes Move On is the new “klan.”

I’ll keep it brief. O’Reilly expecting his viewers to believe that there is any sort of theoretical resemblance between this group and the klan is his way of suggesting that the zombie followers are in his brood, not Nas’. The only thing Bill O’Reilly did with this statement was to co-sign every sentence in that petition.

BUGSY, BUGSY…BUGSY: IN DEFENSE OF BUGSY.

Confession: I have never heard a single song about Bugsy, but he has appeared in the rumors so much, I feel guilty. Here is a friend of Bugsy speaking out in his defense and I am going to leave this mess alone!!!! (For all you aspiring editors, this letter is NOT edited by me.”

“Now to the real issue at hand. Bugsy is a personal friend of mine,actually more like a little brother. He’s the king of San Antonio for a reason and its because he is one of the illest,most humble,self motivated and driven young artists I’ve met. What I need to know is where do these wild stories you’ve been running on him come from???? Who are your “sources”???? Let me clear a few things up for you that are actual FACTS. He is NOT signed to Sony he is a free agent. I should know because I brought him to the. Building 2 years ago and they liked him a lot but ultimately didn’t feel like it was the right home for him. He’s never dated Ciara,he’s never dated Tiffany Evans she’s a KID I mean come on my dude! He’s never met Tyga,he’s never met Bow Wow,he’s never met Lil Wayne,he’s never even set foot in the state of California let alone fought over Angela Simmons with some dude he’s also never met on the streets of L.A.. I don’t know what to make of it homie,either your “sources” are deliberatley slandering my dude or you’re a part of this gay ass conspiracy but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that you’re being lead astray with false info.

If you just check the credibility of your sources a little more I can tell you that some newsworthy s### will be forthcoming because the young homie is on fire and all the right people are taking notice,believe me I know because I work on the inside. Besides that take it as a given that anything you hear is straight b####### and keep it moving. They say all publicity is good publicity but when it comes to being romantically linked with 17year old artists,fighting over chicks and running with Bow Wow and Tyga who don’t even appeal to the same demographic as a young trapper/ex parolee (not glorifying just stating facts) then its a problem.”

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

Not Suing! Damn. I’m here to let you know that Flip isn’t suing Sony or Lil Wayne for anything… at least that’s what people close to the matter say.

When Santogold said, “We think you’re a joke shove your hope where it don’t shine” – where they dissing Jesse Jackson.

Shout out! Shout out to Justice, who is GZA’s son.

Princess Dismiss: On the millionth “A Milli” freestyle, Princess of Crime Mob sends a shot at Lil Scrappy when she says, “How you hold a nine milli and get bullied with a knife?”

Baby Bump!?! Nicole Richie might be pregnant again. I know, who cares!

DJ Selfless: I heard DJ Self had ended his beef with Hell Rell. I didn’t even know or care that they had beef, respectfully.

Shout out to Martez and all the rest of my military cats! I’m trying to do something!

Another Day, Another Sex Tape: Rumors abound that a sex tape featuring Jessica Simpson has linked and the young star is mortified.

Omarion Cut! Omarion has cut all his bitty braids out of his head.

Not The Hood Mom: Keyshia Coles’s adoptive mother, Dr. Yvonne Cole, has founded aa new gospel label called C & W RECORDS.

Confirmed: Jay Electronica recently performed in Canada with Nas and Talib and he confirmed that he’s the father of Erykah Badu’s child.

Batman Stop! Christian Bale, aka The Dark Knight, is reportedly upset that the deceased Heath “The Joker” Ledger is getting all the props. Bale, relax! You were good too.

X to the Z: Xzibit is in the new X-Files movie! They need to step their PR game, because the Dark Knight Bale is going to beat that tail!

RANDOM QUOTES

Luke Campbell, 47, got married to Kristin Thompson, 27, recently in Dallas, Texas (People).

“I waited 47 years to find a special woman and have found that in Kristin. I never knew that I could feel love on another level like this until I met her, and I am now honored to call her my wife.”

I love Chris Rock, but this 31-min tape of him confessing to avoid a rape case ain’t a good look:

“I had a rubber on. I probably took it off right when I was getting ready to come. I probably came on her a**.”

Judge Mathis lays the smack down on T.I.

“T.I. did not need all those machine guns and silencers to defend himself, Mathis stated. Too many of our young Black men are succumbing to a subculture of self-destruction involving drugs and violence. Be tough in the real world. Empower yourself with real weapons of success, meaning an education.”

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

There are standards in any profession. Now, a South Carolina senator has apparently forgotten that. This crazy fool put the following image on his official website:

S.C. Sen. Kevin Bryant said he “wanted to make people think,” but apparently bowed down with people refused to. He has opted to remove the picture once he fully cowered to public demands. The bad Senator said to wyff4.com that he didn’t “feel comfortable with this commitment with Israel. I don’t feel comfortable with his commitment with the war on terror. And I feel like those things are worthy of discussion.” But…isn’t there a better way to articulate your message? He didn’t have any text on the webpage to support his great views expressed above.

Basically, dude is an elected official and THIS DUMB? This is somebody charged with running our nation? Wow. Neither Republicans nor Dems have supported his decision. Here is something he can replace that mess with:

Get A Free Obama button at MoveOn.org! Get yours today, then tell your friends.

Get Your Free Butto at MoveOn.orgTake that, Take that!

ILL PICS!This hot mama is named Mrs. Ernestine and she is 72 years old. REAL TALK. She is taking things to the next level on you all! To see her booty shots, you know you have to go over to illseed.com!

DR. DRE CHILLIN WITH IOVINE!

Caption this photo!

Thanks, Waseem!

BUT…END YOUR FRIDAY ON A GREAT NOTE!

Remember your family is all you have…unless you are like me and have great friends too. Then BOTH family and friends are all you have.

YESTERDAY, WE LOVE YOU!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!

-illseed

WHO: illseed

WHAT: Rumors

WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed

HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].

– allhiphop rumors

Exclusive: The Game Denies Dissing Eminem, Proof

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Days after a leaked version of his song “My Life” surfaced on the Internet, The Game is setting the record straight over speculation on whether or not he dissed fellow rapper Eminem and Proof.

 

“My Life” is one of the song’s featured on the Compton, California rapper’s forthcoming album L.A.X.

 

Since the song’s release, talk has centered on a portion of track, which features Lil Wayne, where The Game rhymes: “You see them 24’s spinning, I earned ‘em/and all the pictures of me and Em/I burned them/ So there ain’t no proof I walked through 8 Mile/ And so since it ain’t no Proof, I’ll never walk through 8 Mile.”

 

Although some believe, the rapper’s remarks were aimed at Eminem and possibly Proof, The Game is quick to say “My Life’s” real meaning has nothing to do with disrespecting anyone mentioned in the song.

 

“When I originally wrote the song ‘My Life,’ I was trying to think back on events that affected my life and how they changed me,” The Game told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive statement, citing Dr. Dre, Eminem and Proof among those he met when he first got signed to Aftermath and G-Unit Records.

 

“But it was Proof whom the Game bonded with most. I always identified with Proof. We were always cool and he would reach out to me when ever I was going through something,” The Game told AllHipHop.com of his relationship with the deceased Detroit rapper, who was shot and killed on April 11.

 

“I remember when Proof died vividly and now every time I think about going to Detroit I get depressed,” The Game said. “That is what I was trying to say in that verse and the more I looked at I realized that people would take it the wrong way…the way they are taking it now that it leaked.”

 

Despite efforts to make changes to the song and take out the questionable verse “so that this bulls**t wouldn’t happen,” the Game couldn’t escape the fallout over what he recorded.

 

Nevertheless, fans will get a different version of “My Life” when L.A.X. is released. The rapper and Lil Wayne recently finished shooting a video for the song.

 

“For the record, this is not the version on my album, this is not the version that radio will get and this is not the version that I just shot the video to,” The Game told AllHipHop.com, acknowledging those who may have been negatively impacted by “My Life.”

 

“Furthermore, I apologize to anyone who took this the wrong way as that was never my intention,” The Game said.

 

The Game’s L.A.X. is slated to hit stores on Aug. 26.

Rapper Gucci Mane Arrested, Alleged DUI

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane is out on bail today after a traffic stop resulted in his arrest early Wednesday morning (Jul 23) just south of Atlanta.The Atlantic Records recording artist, born Radric Davis, was taken into custody by Henry County Police officers following a routine traffic stop. While details of the arrest were not available at press time, a subsequent search of Gucci’s vehicle yielded a small amount of marijuana. The rapper was also found to be under the influence of drugs.Gucci Mane was taken to the Henry County Jail in McDonough, GA at 6:00am, where he was booked under charges of Driving Under the Influence of drugs, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.He was released approximately three hours later, after posting a $3,356 bond.

Album Review: J*DaVeY – The Beauty in Distortion/The Land of the Lost

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Uncategorized

The thirst quencher needed to revitalize the current state of music has finally arrived in the form of J*DaVeY. Combining New Wave, Jazz, Electronica, and R&B, J*DaVeY (female singer Jack Davey and male producer Brook D’Leau) presents funky beats combined with a dash of new school flavor. Their double album release, The Beauty In Distortion / The Land Of The Lost (Interdependent Media) is the elixir that music has been lacking for quite some time. While J*DaVey has made music for over eight years, their double album “debut” reintroduces the group to the masses with a force to break the musical monotony.The first disc, The Beauty In Distortion opens with “Division Of Joy” and takes you on a futuristic expedition of electric guitars and organs reminiscent of vintage No Doubt. “Mr. Mister” – the first release from the group – is a flirty club-ready tune about a girl chase boy pursuit. Tracks like “Everybody Touch It” and “Enterception” feature Brook’s production dexterity, guiding you in a trance-like labyrinth of organs and synthesizers.  The first disc closes with a future screw remix of “Mr. Mister” with Jack slithering through the slowed down track which transitions midway into a Dance mix.        The Land of the Lost opens with the lethargic flow of “Hi Sun.” However, the offbeat collaboration of the up-tempo “Slayers” featuring Pacific Division, Dia Gibram and Bleu Collar, throws the vibe of the album out of sync. Jack showcases her MC skills on tracks like the ?uestlove produced “Lil Big Heads” and “Rock the Dancehall” featuring Kardinal Offishall on the liquefied riddim. Additionally, “Just Because” features Phonte of Little Brother lending his smooth vocals to the track’s wavelength.  The Beauty In Distortion / The Land Of The Lost is most certainly a must grab and an introduction to a group that has been making music longer than many artists out today. There are a few misses that offset the overall flow, but nonetheless J*DaVeY manages to showcase their multiplicity and dares to be different. Any music lover can appreciate that.

 

J*DaVeY’s single “Mr. Mister”

Straight Talk: Heat – A Super Woman’s Kryptonite

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Uncategorized

I had every intention on writing about a different

topic—more relationship geared, however I went through something recently that

I felt I should share.

 

Like most of my life’s experiences, I find that this one

could help someone else in the world. And so to it, I’ve decided to dedicate

this month’s article.

 

I was at Sesame Place this past weekend with my husband and

son. We were standing in the line for the Merry-Go-Round and instantly I

started to feel light-headed. I leaned up against the bar, hoping that the

feeling would go away but it didn’t. Instead, it got worse.

 

I told my husband that I didn’t feel well. I told him I felt

like I was going to pass out. He said he would go get me some water as soon as

the guy operating the ride came back to unlock the gate and let him out. At

that moment my vision became extremely blurry. I told my husband not to leave

me to get the water. I needed him there. Then the next thing I knew, I passed

out in my husband’s arms.

 

I was taken to the First Aid area of the amusement park. The

medics took my blood pressure and my pulse and gave me several cups of

Gatorade. Once I came to and was able to answer their questions, they explained

that because I am pregnant and hadn’t had much fluids that day, combined with

the fact that I was standing out in the hot sun, I was dehydrated, causing me

to pass out. They further explained that the bag of popcorn I had eaten when I

first got to the park didn’t help due to the salt intake. Basically, I was

dried out.

 

It was definitely a learning experience for me. I had never

passed out before, and even though I was told to drink plenty of water during

hot days, I never knew just how serious the lack of water could be.  I know now. I’ve been drinking water

constantly since the incident even when I’m not thirsty. I was also told to

slow down. I’m working too hard. That too was something I never took too

seriously. I mean, I’ve been told I need to give my body a rest plenty of times

in the past but now, especially because I’m pregnant, I see that it is very

necessary to do just that.

 

So, as I continue through the summer, my duties will be to

drink more water and stay hydrated, ease up on working, get a full eight hours

of sleep each night, and take some time during the day to just rest. And I say

this to say, to all you working mothers and mothers-to-be, be careful. Just

because you don’t feel overworked, tired, or dried out doesn’t mean you aren’t.

It’s just a matter of time before your mind catches up to your body and shows

you just how overworked, tired, or dried out you really are. 

 

Although my baby and I are fine, the idea of having passed

out is scary. I think of all the what ifs—what if my husband wasn’t there, what

if I was in the pool, what if I had fell to the ground and hit my head, etc.,

etc., etc. And I realize that all of the possible consequences could have

easily been avoided had I paid more attention to people’s advice to drink

plenty of fluids and rest up.

 

I am thankful that the outcome wasn’t worse, and that I

learned a valuable lesson without suffering loss. And I feel obligated to share

this experience with you in hopes that you or someone you know will take this

as a learning experience as well. Do what you have to do, ladies, to get all

the hydration and rest your body needs this summer, especially and most

importantly if you are expecting.

 

I know… if you’re anything like me, you may feel like you

can do it all, conquer the world without breaking a sweat and be just fine. But

at the end of the day, even Super Women are

susceptible to sickness and weakness. So take some of the time and energy

that you put into being a super woman into being a real woman.

 

Take care of yourself just as well as you take care of your

business. And only then can you enjoy your summer!

 

Miasha is the author

of Don’t Make Him Dinner, Make Him Rich! How to Be the Superwoman of Today,

coming soon. She is also author of fiction bestsellers Diary of a Mistress,

Mommy’s Angel, Sistah for Sale, and Never Enough all available in bookstores

and online nationwide. For more information or to hear Miasha address your

comments, go to her website www.miasha.com

and click on Miasha TV-Real Talk.

 

Vegas to Host National Hip-Hop Political Convention

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Hip-Hop’s largest political meeting, the bi-annual National Hip-Hop Political Convention (NHHPC), has confirmed its third consecutive event for August 1-3 in Las Vegas.

 

The purpose of the convention is to set a political agenda over the next year for the Hip-Hop community. In the past, the gathering has attracted a melting pot of artists, concerned citizens, social justice activists, organizers, scholars, students, and journalists.

 

This year thousands are expected to attend.

 

“This political convention is the biggest gathering of young activists, mostly urban youth of color, who are often ignored and overlooked when policy is developed,” Nkrumah explained. “What do these people care about? What is their position on the education system, the criminal justice system, or even on access to adequate healthcare?”

 

A pre-convention titled “The State of Hip-Hop” will be held July 28-31.

 

The pre-show will feature concerts, a film festival, art exhibits, a academic symposium and a Hip-Hop dance contest.

 

The main convention on August 1-3 includes trainings, celebrity guest speakers, concerts, and workshops.

 

The NHHPC was able to build such a large base due to a network of local organizing committees around the United States.

 

To date, the organization has 20 chapters nationwide. Chairperson Troy Nkrumah, a former pupil of revolutionary Kwame Toure (Stokely Carmichael), feels the Hip-Hop community must continue to exert political action not only to fix the social issues often brought up in the music, but also show lawmakers that their voice matters.

 

If policy makers feel these young people do not care about these issues then they should pay more attention to what happens at the 2008 National Hip-Hop Political Convention.”

 

To register for the convention or for information on sponsorship opportunities, visit www.NHHPC.org/08.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Detox In Dec? Nas Gives Fox Hell!

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Rumors

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.

YOYOYOYOYO!!!!!!!

 

How is everybody?

Cool? Good. Off to the rumors we go.

 

YESTERDAY –

 

Rumors are just that rumors. If you read the news, you

should know that Jimmy Iovine is still running Interscope records. On the flip

side, there are a lot of rumors going on over there. I’m hearing that a lot of

artists are on hold until Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent come out in the fourth

quarter. Check out the news section if you want to read about Dr. Dre coming

out in the fourth period. It’s a good look though. The other artists will

hopefully ride that “wave,” if you will. Also, Detox won’t be the West Coast

sort of album in that its going to have big Names like Nas and Jay-Z along with

cats like Snoop and Eminem (not that Em is West Coast, but you get it).

 

BEANIE’S HOME!

 

I don’t know if you know like I know, but I know that Beanie

Sigel is now home from his brief incarceration. You know, I can’t even recall

why he was in jail to begin with, but the poitive this is he is back and he is

focused on the important stuff like…Hip-Hop and his family. More on this later.

 

MAX B’S STATEMENT

ABOUT SHOOTING

 

Max B Issues Official

Statement Regarding Shooting at Hot 97’s 

‘Who’s Next Concert’ at SOB’s

 

July 23, 2008- Max B

was looking forward to performing at the Hot 97’s ‘Who’s Next Concert’ on the

evening of Tuesday, July 22nd when a disruption occurred.  A group of individuals entered the club

shortly before Max B was scheduled to go on stage, one of whom shot a round

into the VIP section where Max and his entourage were seated. Max B was not

hit, and no serious injuries occurred among his guests. Max B would like to

extend his thanks to Hot 97, SOB’s, Gus Heningburg at Trevanna, Jerry Saluti,

and all the fans who came out in the hopes of seeing a great show.  He wants to stress to his fans that he was

focused on his job that evening, excited about performing as the headlining act

at Hot 97’s concert.

 

“I had no control

over it. I didn’t want any trouble.  I

never want any, but people despise me. They are jealous and envious, and

they’re gonna do whatever they can to stop my movement. S### is real,” Max

B stated.

 

Shortly after the shot

was fired, the club cleared out and police came to conduct an

investigation.  Max B claims not to know

the identity of the group of individuals who were responsible for the gunshot.

“I didn’t know the wannabe thugs who let off a round,” he said.  

 

THE TK/ANGELA/BUGSY

BEEF?

 

On of my West Coast YGz hit me up and let me know a lil’

more on that supposed and alleged beef TK and Bugsy have over Angela Simmons. I

heard the real stuff started out, because Bugsy, who is down with Lil Wayne,

allegedly asked Angela if she could be in his rap video. It seemed that TK took

it some kind of way, perhaps thinking that Bugsy was trying to be slick.  Apparently, Angela was in a video for Lil Bow Wow

and he didn’t have flattering things to say about TK. I don’t think TK was cool

with some of the stuff he heard and related that to Bugsy – since Bugsy and Bow

Wow are cool.

 

TERRORIST HATER NAS?

 

Why all the hatred for terrorists these days? I kid. As you

know, Nas was in New York

yesterday and was protesting Fox News. I heard he said some cool stuff, but

what interested me was Nas made an attempt to be funny that didn’t go over with

some of the media. Nas tried to give or get a “terrorist fist bump” from a reporter

and the scribe opted not to give up the dap to the rapper. Another writer did though. Anyway, Fox reportedly took the 620k signed petition and said, “Shove it!” So Nas took the list to Colbert and Colbert took it! You can see the video below!LADY DRAMA RUNS AMOK!

Solange and Mario….. A Couple… Who are they Kidding! Im hearing whispers in the streets that Solange and Mario are slowly but surely creeping up to couple status! Hmmm… He never striked me as her type but I Hear that the two are really into each other and of course just like sis Beyonce and brother Jay they are trying to keep it on the low! Whatev I could care less any dude that has the ability to put up with a Knowles woman gets my cool points anyday 😉 Fabolous… Dad! Really Peep these brand new pics of rapper Fabolous and his son!  And for all you extra nosey peeps check out his baby’s mother as well! You know I got ya’ll! Not that bad right? Trouble in Paradise.. Day 26 Confronts Diddy! Looks like Day 26 is having some troubles with their label and boss Diddy. According to my sources Day 26 is upset about not receiving compensation for some shows they did during a tour! I hear that the group confronted Diddy about it and things got heated. I also hear that MTV cameras were there to catch all of it on tape for the new season of making the band! Which leads me to believe that this could all be for show. Which I’m hoping is the case but then again it wouldn’t be Bad Boy if it wasn’t! Lady Drama’s Food For Thought: Man why is it more harder to give up on your dreams than trying to make them a reality! Speaking of reality I hear Ushers BM Tameeka is trying to do a reality show…. Instead how about a reality check no one likes seeing you in pics let alone on someone’s TV! Get a clue!  Go hard or Go Home! 

M.O.P. + SESAME STREET = TO MUCH POSSEI don’t know if you saw this on illseed.com, but a lot of people did, because its all over the net now! Check out M.O.P. rapping with Ernie and Bert.

THE SESAME STREET GOOD FELLOWS

NAS PERFORMS “SLY FOX” ON COLBERT

NAS OUTSIDE OF FOX….

YESTERDAY, WE LOVE YOU!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!

-illseed

WHO: illseed

WHAT: Rumors

WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed

HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].

– allhiphop rumors

K-Swift To Be Laid To Rest Tomorrow

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

As the city of Baltimore continues to mourn the loss of 30-year-old DJ K-Swift, funeral arrangements for the club and mixshow pioneer have been released.

 

The life of Khia Edgerton, will be celebrated on Friday and Saturday (July 25 and 26) with two separate services at two locations.

 

The New Shiloh Baptist Church will host the memorial services on Friday, starting with a viewing from 10am-6pm.

 

Immediately following the viewing will be a special wake, with tributes by the Edgerton Family and K-Swift’s extended family at Radio One’s 92Q Jams (WERQ-FM), the station where she started her career as an intern ten years ago.

 

The New Shiloh Baptist Church is located at 2100 N. Monroe Street in Baltimore.

 

On Saturday, following a wake at 10am, friends and family will gather at the Murphy Fine Arts Center at Morgan State University to pay their final respects, with funeral services starting at 11 am.

K-Swift will be buried at Loudon Park Cemetery at 3620 Wilkens Avenue.

 

Flowers can be sent to Morgan State University – Murphy Fine Arts Center; 2201 Argonne Drive; Baltimore, MD 21251.

 

While an autopsy to determine the cause of death is still pending, authorities believe alcohol may have been a factor in the accident that took K-Swift’s life early Monday morning (July 23), Baltimore police spokesman Donny Moses told the Baltimore Sun.

 

While hosting a party at her home in northeast Baltimore on Sunday night going into Monday morning, K-Swift is said to have jumped into a shallow, above-ground pool, never to resurface.

 

Friends pulled her out of the pool and called 911. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at Good Samaritan Hospital.

 

Considered an ambassador of the Baltimore club scene, the Baltimore “Club Queen” K-Swift broke ground at 92Q, becoming the station’s first female DJ at the age of 20.

 

She would eventually rise to the position of Mixshow Coordinator, the only female in the country to hold the position.

 

In addition to her long stint as host of the Off the Hook Radio Show – the number one night show in Baltimore – she was a popular club DJ and a recording artist, releasing several projects through Unruly Records, helping to push and define the Baltimore club music scene.

Joell Ortiz: The People’s Champ

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Features

“I was probably your co-worker or your classmate, I need people to understand that,” says Brooklyn rap wunderkind Joell Ortiz. “I just write rhymes.” Far from the average Joe, don’t mistake the former Aftermath Records signee’s humility for weakness on the mic. Lyrically, he does this, with the endless number of blistering freestyles or his indie album (2007’s The Brick (Bodega Chronicles)) or choice song placement (“Hip Hop Remix” f/ Saigon & Jadakiss on Grand Theft Auto IV), a testament to Ortiz’ hustle. Ortiz recently dropped the Brooklyn Bomber mixtape with DJ Nice & Legend, a collection of the Boricua rhyme slinger’s choice cuts and freestyles. The witty yet introspective MC’s growing legion of fans can look forward to his new album, Free Agent, in October (he plans on using part of the proceeds to donate computers to community centers in his ‘hood).Right now, pay heed to his plans on securing his rap rep by wearing out “rewind” buttons…or icons. Palabra. AllHipHop.com: It seems like lately you’ve been ramping up your output of music, why is that?Joell Ortiz: I’m happy. [laughs] I’m a free agent. I’m hot. My buzz is up. I’m on good terms with Dr. Dre even though I’m not there as an artist anymore.  I’m just feeling good. The summer’s here.  I got a Free Agent album coming out in October. I’m doing a lot more writing and I’m letting people know Joell Ortiz is coming.[Joell Ortiz “Summertime In Brooklyn”]

AllHipHop.com: How are you putting out this Free Agent project, independently?Joell Ortiz: I’m definitely going independent, I’m talking about super independent. To let somebody [else] possess something is ridiculous. I’m going like straight to the barbershop. I’m going straight out the bookbag. I’m keeping it 100. I’m going online. I’m really going directly at my fanbase. Everybody is going to be quite pleasured when they hear this record, it’s ridiculous yo.

“It wasn’t no bad terms thing. It was a release date issue. That’s the only reason I’m not there [Aftermath]. No droppage, none of that stuff, that’s all nonsense.”

AllHipHop.com: Was it a long process to get off Aftermath? For a moment there it seemed like you were unsure what was going on.Joell Ortiz: Nah, what happened was…ya know, Dre didn’t want to release me. Not on some bad terms s**t, [he] was happy that I was there. But it was me pushing. Ya know, I came in with the XXL cover, and BET, all on the strength. I’m just asking for a [release] date. I’m turning in hot record after hot record. And he’s like, Just let me get this Detox out and another Slim album and don’t worry. I couldn’t wait. It was more like, “Dag dude, I got big plans for you.” But I want to come out when I want to. It’s not like I’m asking for you to do something major for somebody that’s not working hard. I’m making this easy, let’s just do it.  People are expecting this, it’s going to be a great album, I’m happy I don’t want to be anywhere else but right here, let’s do it. It was just procrastination on a release date, that’s all. But after a while he just was like, “Ya know what man, go ahead, do what you gotta do.”[Dr. Dre] respected it, I thank him for letting me go. I learned a lot from being over there. Now I’m free, the album is coming out in October and everything is cool. So it wasn’t no bad terms thing. It was a release date issue. That’s the only reason I’m not there. No droppage, none of that stuff, that’s all nonsense.  “Letter To Obama” VideoAllHipHop.com: So you weren’t trying to play the waiting and waiting game?Joell Ortiz: I just didn’t want to hold on man. You’re window of opportunity open for a little while. So I’m jumping through right now head first.AllHipHop.com: In your words, what would you say is your position in this Hip-Hop world?Joell Ortiz: I’ve gotten so many different things…I’ll let the fans talk. If you ask me to answer it, I just like to write rhymes and try to be better than other dudes on beats. I treat it like a big cipher and then when it’s my go I want dudes to go, “Ooh, that n***a ripped it.” That’s all I do.The fans say I’m some sort of hope for it to go back to what it used to be. But at the end of the day I just write rhymes and spit them like the people I was fans of. I come from that early 90s era, that’s what I was listening to. I had the purple tape and Smif N Wessun’s The Shining and the Big L joint, and Capital Punishment and Illmatic, I came from that, so I was a fan of that.  So of course all those kind of guys and flows and rhymes and concepts influenced my pen. So I write like that, that’s how it comes out. If I remind you of that era, that’s why. Man I’m flattered by some of the nicknames I get man. Hopefully I can get it back to where dudes is just rhyming hard again. I ain’t knocking dudes that ain’t rhyming like that cause we all come from the same place and however you gon’ get it, go ahead and get it. We all was poverty stricken more than likely. I just want to get that feeling back man; when you pressed the rewind button because dude said something hot. [Joell Ortiz “Purple Tape Tribute”]

AllHipHop.com: Since you first hit the scene as this young hot new rapper out of BK, what has surprised you most about the music business?Joell Ortiz: We’re definitely in a business that constantly, constantly, I have to say constantly again, constantly overlooks talent. It’s so much more stuff that’s destroying talent right now.  Like, you don’t look quite right to go out yet. Let’s see how we’re going to dress you. Who are we going to target?When I was 11 years old and I was in a cipher in front of my building in Brooklyn and I wanted to be a rapper, I didn’t know this is what it took. [laughs] I thought you just had to be nice and you go out and you try to get a record deal and here we go.   It is so not like that. It’s so many other reasons that keep some of the best people from going out, yo. And it’s sad as a fan of music. I’ma make sure that I learn another thing; and that’s how good it’s going to feel to succeed after all this hardship. I’ma go harder than I ever went before. I promised myself and all my fans.AllHipHop.com: What you still consider a major label situation?Joell Ortiz: I ain’t wiping it out of my mind. I’m not completely saying it’s not happening.  Things definitely would have to shift. Things would have to be right, not even [just] money. They would have to believe in me like my team believes in me. Everything would have to be falling in right. Timing, I would need a date immediately [laughs]. I ain’t etching it out,It’s possible but right now I can only focus on one thing and that’s the Free Agent album. It’s dropping in the second week of October I believe, and it’s fire. I got a couple of people on it man, I got Erick Sermon on it, I got Fat Joe on there, Joe Budden… If you see I got the relevant “free agents” on it, ya feel me, and that’s the theme of the record.AllHipHop.com: How far along is it at this point?Joell Ortiz: Man, I can sit here and tell you it’s done but if I drop the fourteenth, I might turn the record in the thirteenth [laughs].  I work ‘til the whistle so until it go out it ain’t done. AllHipHop.com: How often are you recording, what your typical day?Joell Ortiz: Joell Ortiz’ day is wake up, go jog, try and get the gut down. Not for the industry, for me yo! Just try and get it down and maybe try and pull a couple of ladies. [laughs] I jog, I come home I write, I’m in the studio from 12 until. Don’t make me seem like a Superman, I’m not in there always writing. It’s producers coming through, feeling beats [out], me correcting songs, re-writing, sometimes I’m doing new joints but I’m always in the studio now and I love it. I’m in a zone.

“Feed off the hate and the positivity and use it all as fuel to burn past as may people as you can and just keep doing what you do.”

AllHipHop.com: How different is your life now since you made the decision to go hard with the MCing?Joell Ortiz: The first thing that feels better is my spirit, real talk. I’m high spirited right now. Regardless, even though they can say he didn’t quite come out on Aftermath and that was the big thing…yo, a Puerto Rican kid from Brooklyn was in the studio with Dre man. It didn’t settle in when I signed the deal. It took me to come back to New York to be like, “Oh s**t, I’m on f**king Aftermath yo!” There’s still a hidden wall up for Puerto Rican’s, ya feel me? It’s still like, dude is nice, for a Puerto Rican. I overcame so many different obstacles that my spirit went up like you know what man…feed off the hate and the positivity and use it all as fuel to burn past as may people as you can and just keep doing what you do.  I met so many good people that I wouldn’t have met.  I flew—I’d never been on a plane—I flew all over the world doing shows. Rapping was the best decision I could make in my life and I thank God for that. I wouldn’t want my life to fall any other way than it did. AllHipHop.com: You’ve always gotten really personal in your music, so how did your mom kicking her drug habit effect you?Joell Ortiz: Man that was beautiful. If y’all listen to my music, whoever’s going to read this or whatever, y’all know that Joell Ortiz takes you right inside my crib with my pen. I want people to know…me, all the way me. That’s why I don’t have a stage name. I don’t turn into some guy. The same guy that you hear rhyming, is the same guy that’s you’ll see on the street, is the same guy on stage when the cameras is on and off.  I was probably your co-worker or your classmate, I need people to understand that. I just write rhymes. Comes say what up to me, please pass me beats, yo, it’s alright man. I’m just like y’all. I rhyme for y’all. My situation; many people can relate to, I need them to know they’re not alone in it and you can do something. I had scholarship offers, I ain’t going away because of my mom. I had a whole bunch of different things presenting themselves to me and deans and people at school saying, You have to live your life, she chose hers. Just me being from the hood and it was only us two, I’m like forget about it, I ain’t leaving. I need people to understand that wasn’t such a hard decision as it sounds.   At the end you come and it’s like, “G####### it, I ain’t leaving, she gotta get off this.” When she did…dude, we still cut a cake for the day she quit yo. Now she see her son running around on say BET Awards and all these thing, it just feels really good. I let y’all peek in to let y’all know that y’all can do it. And please don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. [Joell Ortiz “Memories”]

AllHipHop.com: It seems like dedication like your describing is missing in the music.Joell Ortiz: You ain’t lying. I told you I would never hate, I’m not a hater, I never been.  But there’s so many people benefiting and making a whole lot of money and you don’t even know who they are.  People just coming out of left field like, what? Alright cool, I guess so man. That’s how I be feeling sometime, “I guess so. More power to you. I’m glad you got the blessing.” But yo, it’s a lot of people that I bump into in these underground venues with so much substance that they’re talking about and people are rooting them on. Sometimes you just be like damn, People are coming out of left field…am I doing something wrong? Then you just gotta double back and be like, Nah. The route I’m taking is forever. I went to Europe and dudes was quoting The Brick line for line. I was like, What the hell?! This is nuts! This might be the longer route, but this is the stronger route, and I’m happy.Check out Joell Ortiz’s new music video “Letter To Obama.”Peep www.joellortiz.com and in his words, “Y’all going to get to know Joell Ortiz the person if you log on to the site.”

Teairra Mari: Former Princess of Roc-A-Fella Discusses Her Split From Jay-Z and Move to Interscope

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Alternatives

It’s been two years since proclaimed princess of The Roc, Teairra Mari, stepped out the shower onto a clean slate when she received the fateful telephone call ending her contract with Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam. She released her debut Roc-A-Fella Presents: Teairra Mari spawning the major hit “Make Her Feel Good,” hoisting her to #5 on the Billboard 200 chart and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart at the ripe age of 17.The Detroit R&B vocalist saw an industry that once embraced her, instantly close the curtain. En route to readying her sophomore effort Second Round under the watchful eye and mentorship of former label-head Jay-Z, with the snap of a finger, Mari had no more big brothers like Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek watching her back. Instead, she is fulfilling the prophecy of her album’s second single “No Daddy.”This time around, she could care less if the cute face fools you. All grown up, learning lessons and dusting off her shoulders, Mari is truly hitting the ring for her rematch. Through a new deal with Interscope Records and an as-yet to be titled album, Teairra Mari may be rolling with less backup these days, but that doesn’t mean she is counted out just yet.AllHipHop.com Alternatives: Where have you been since “Make Her Feel Good” and “No Daddy”?Teairra Mari: Well I finished school – did the prom thing because I was only in my senior year in high school. I finished school and went to the prom, graduation, all that good stuff, and I had a lot of family issues. My mother had a stroke, she lost her speech; it took some time for us to get back in the swing of things because my family was going through a lot at the time. My mom is our backbone, so for her to have a stroke [it] just haunted everybody’s lives. So I’ve been in Detroit, and I just moved to L.A.AHHA: You were one of Jay-Z’s premiere artists when he took over Def Jam as president, unveiling the new Roc line-up. What happened to your deal and relationship with Roca-A-Fella/Def Jam?Teairra Mari: I’m going to be totally honest; I don’t know what happened. I just got a call out of the blue because I had gotten cut my second advance and everything to record my second album. I got a call one day. They were just like, “Yeah we’re going to be letting you go. You’re young and we believe you will be able to have a prosperous career without us,” just kind of like throwing me out in the cold really. That’s how I kind of look at it, because we were all supposed to be like a close family. I called Jay-Z my father; he was like a second father to me. Tracy Waples, I called her a second mother. So to just be thrown out – and I didn’t get a call from Tracy or Jay – it was a bit heartbreaking. You know we live and we learn, but just me being that young and inexperienced I didn’t know. So I took it pretty hard.AHHA: What was going through your mind at the time and after the call?Teairra Mari: You don’t understand…my heart just dropped to the floor, because I wasn’t expecting it. It came from nowhere. I’m thinking we are about to be on the road for the second album because I had already gotten my advance. It was really heartbreaking. I kept it a secret for like two or three months from everybody – my mom, my close friends – I couldn’t tell anybody. I had to deal with it myself before I let it out to anybody else. Let me tell you…that tore me down. I had 19 years of living with myself, and that tore down every piece of confidence I had. I had to rebuild from scratch. I wasn’t expecting that, so when it came it was just like, damn homey. It’s cool now, I can laugh at it now. It’s pretty funny, but at the time it was pretty heart breaking; it was a lot to deal with.“I called Jay-Z my father; he was like a second father to me.”AHHA: Considering Jay-Z was a mentor to you, when you debuted and then to be dropped…did you ever feel pushed aside watching Rihanna go through her success and seeing the way he mentored and supported her?Teairra Mari: To be honest, I never felt like that, because we started at the same time when I was doing my first video. I think [Rihanna] did her first video the week after mine. We were really close together in coming out and the things we did. So going into the situation, we already knew of each other and we knew what it was. So me and Rihanna were like sisters on the road, we would do a lot of things together. We were pretty cool. I never felt like that. People always try to make it into a big situation, but I never felt like that. I think she is a very good girl and she is very deserving – her and Ne-Yo – we all three started out together. I think they are really deserving of what they’re getting. I watched them work hard; we all did it together. I am happy and I’m proud of them.AHHA: Is there still a relationship at all with Jay-Z?Teairra Mari: There is no relationship there at all. I haven’t heard from him since that time. I think I sent him a happy birthday message because his birthday is two days after mine, like two years ago and since then it’s been nothing. And I don’t want it to be – Actually, it’s fine because I was a young girl. If you could come into a young girl’s life and then just throw her on the curb, you put this father presence on and then be like, “I’m done with it.” I don’t want a relationship like that. This is in any situation when you have success then everybody is on it, everybody is on board, everybody is rolling with it. But when you have something that fails to succeed, then everybody is off it; everybody has something to say about it. When you have something that is successful, people they look at all of the good things of the situation like they look over the bad things. That’s why you have people with bad attitudes, because they don’t have people around them to put them in their places.Because they think things are going good, just on board as a “yes man.” But then you have people that fail to succeed that people believe in, that’s me. I’m in that situation, I see both sides. I see how people can be on you one second and then totally off of you and not even call you to see if you’re still living or not.“I was 17 and I had a parental advisory sticker on the album. I was totally against that. I was pre-instructed to do what I did.”AHHA: For a minute you were going independent [before being picked up by Interscope]. With record companies hurting right now, why not stay independent?Teairra Mari: We really just wanted to put out something now to let people know that I was coming back. I think that going independent is the smartest thing right now because that is were the money is, and that is what is most beneficial. That is what is most beneficial in a world where you need money to succeed. Be comfortable, live how you want to live and take care of things. Money rules the world. Independent is the way to make that money. Unfortunately, I am not going to be independent.AHHA: If this is the way to make money, why not stay independent?Teairra Mari: For me it is more than just the money. It’s like getting into a broader audience, having more people hear my messages and connecting with the people. Not just making money, of course there is money there too. But for me, I just want to go where I can connect with more people, because I feel that there are a lot of people out there like me.AHHA: With your first album, Roc-A-Fella Presents Teairra Mari, do you feel that project accurately depicted where you wanted you career to go and what you wanted your sound to be?Teairra Mari: I was 17 and I had a parental advisory sticker on the album. I was totally against that. I was pre-instructed to do what I did. They wanted me to be that rebellious, young teenager. At the time I was going through a rebellious stage so I guess I could see it, but the curse words I didn’t totally understand it, like a cursing 17-year-old girl. I just did what I was told because I believed in those people.AHHA: Were those concepts and songs what those people came up with? How much of that last album was really you?Teairra Mari: No, “Make Her Feel Good” was all me and Sean Garrett. We sat in the studio and we basically talked and talked and talked. We actually couldn’t come up with anything. And then I just started talking about all my little men problems and he was like, “That’s it right there. Get in the booth lets do this.” I really miss Sean. Most of the things me and Sean did were based off of my personal experience. When I say I was being instructed, I mean the cursing and all that, but those situations where it’s based off of experience.AHHA: What is the new direction for this upcoming album? What is different this time around?Teairra Mari: It’s a little more grown up, sexier, and now I can actually speak from situations and experience. Now I have actually went through things like relationships, I’ve had failures, had success, so I’m able to speak from each standpoint and really mean what I am saying. That in itself is enough to take this in a whole other direction. It’s coming from me, Teairra. Nobody else is instructing me to sing this and that. This is what I want to sing.AHHA: What do you say about people lumping you into the category of a one-hit wonder? If there were something that people could remember about you from the last album, which carries over to this new album, what would it be?Teairra Mari: Well for sure they will remember the first single. And to be honest, a lot of people remember me from being with Roc-A-Fella and that is something I am trying to change. That is definitely why I want to reach a broader audience. It is what it is. That was the one hit; I can’t change that. So I think that is my whole point to continue on, to let people know I’m more than that. It is nothing much I can say about that, but I’m going to continue on and prove to you, I can do more than that. There is way more to me than just that, so much more than just that song, even though “Make Her Feel Good” was all me.AHHA: What do you want to be remembered for with your music?Teairra Mari: Being fun, feeling good and putting you in a zone. Because not all music can put you in a zone – where you can just turn on the radio, close your eyes and bob your head and be in wonderland. We don’t have a lot of that anymore, doing it and giving it to us, being able to close my eyes and rock all night. Have you ever been able to put a CD in and you get home and you just want to stay in the car just a little bit longer to just finish the song out? That’s the type of music I want to be remembered for…making you feel good.

1st Annual Philly Summer Jam Promotes “Stop the Violence”

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

This Saturday July 26 will mark the first incarnation of a planned annual festival dubbed Philly Summer Jam, a celebration of Philadelphia Hip-Hop and fashion.

 

At press time, the growing list of artist attendees includes DJ Jazzy Jeff, the Roots, Jermaine Dupri and Philadelphia rapper Beanie Sigel, who was recently released from prison.

 

Fabolous and DJ Khaled have lent their support by submitting various radio drops throughout local stations.

 

The event, being held at the National Constitution Center, is the product of a partnership between business owner Stevie G and Island Def Jam executive Lenny S.

 

Stevie G, who is a part of a local group of entrepreneurs called the Goodfellas, is aiming to celebrate the burgeoning cultural renaissance in Philly that has been overlooked nationally in favor of coverage of the city’s high murder rate and crime issues.

 

In addition, Steve hopes the event inspires young African-American men to lead successful lives and careers.

 

“I think this party is a great example of how there are young men in Philadelphia who are actually appreciating and celebrating life, not taking it away,” Stevie G explained to AllHipHop.com. “The guest list expands from New York City to Delaware and we just want everyone to enjoy our city and have a good time.” ”

 

A portion of the ticket proceeds will be disseminated among neighborhood basketball teams throughout Philadelphia.

Step Your Game Up: Razer Destructor Mousepad and Piranha Headset

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Uncategorized

 

A while back we test drove the Razer Tarantula

keyboard and DeathAdder mouse. I was pretty happy with the fact that I could go

back and forth from working to playing PC games without having to switch out my

basic equipment every time.

 

This time around, the folks at Razer let me get my

workaholic paws on their Destructor mousepad and Piranha headset. Before you geek out and say “these have been out for a minute slowpoke!” keep in mind that it doesn’t matter when something comes out – if it’s good, it’s good. So let’s ride…To start, there are a few reasons why these products are awesome for everyday use (we’ll

get to the gaming aspect in a minute).

 The headphones are pretty simple looking at first

glance. I wasn’t sure why they’d call them Piranha, but the crisp sound

definitely packs a bite. The headset has that trademark blue glowing symbol, so

you can find them easily when the room is dark or when you’ve buried them under

papers on your desk.

While I’ve had these hooked up to my desk computer, I use a pair of beloved Skullcandy headphones with

a bass-booster/volume switch on the laptop that are pretty comparable. While I

wouldn’t walk out of the house with the Piranha on my head (they’re not exactly eye candy), they do

tend to be a bit clearer than the almighty Skullcandy joints when it comes to

sound quality.

 

The mic reception is crystal clear, so it’s just

as good for making your vlogs and video conferencing as it is for trash talking

during gameplay.

I don’t know what “Fractal” texture really means,

but that’s just one of the many features that the oversized Destructor has to

make it a keeper. It doesn’t slide around when you move your hand, it’s thin, it doesn’t

get hot or uncomfortable like an ordinary mousepad does when you’ve been

working on it for a while, and the gracious space and shape of it allows you to

move back and forth, up and down as you work, without having to lift your mouse

up to reposition it. Somehow that seems like I shouldn’t say it like that, but

you get the drift. Now gamers, let’s get down to the brass tacks:

 

Destructor

specifications:

 

Razer

Fractal™ textured surface for enhanced precision movements

The crux of the Razer Destructor™’s innovation

lies in its proprietary gunmetal coating which yields a highly reactive

surface. The result is superior tactility, improved responsiveness and enhanced

tracking.

 

Optimized

to improve optical and laser gaming-grade mouse performance

The Razer Destructor™ was made with one primary

mission in mind: to coax the maximum performance from gaming-grade mice. And

the results speak for themselves. Gaming-grade optical mice track up to 25%

better on the Razer Destructor™, and gaming-grade laser mice up to 37% better,

when compared to other gaming-mousing surfaces which are designed specifically

for extremely precise movements.

 

Ultra-wide

size

Measuring 350mm (length) x 280mm (width) x 2.3mm

(height), the Razer Destructor™ provides an ample mousing area for

lower-sensitivity gamers accustomed to performing sweeping movements.

 

Razer Fractal™ surface for high-precision gameplay

Optimized for both optical and laser gaming-grade

mice Ultra-wide size ideal for continuous, rapid

swipes: 350mm (length) x 280mm (width) x 2.3mm (height) Non-slip rubber base for firm grip on smooth

surfaces Includes a premium lightweight protective case

Piranha

headset specs:

 

True-to-life audio quality with superior clarity

and bass Adjustable, noise-filtering microphone for clearer

in-game communication Comfortable, ergonomic and adjustable earphones

suitable for prolonged use In-line remote control with convenient volume and

microphone muting adjustments Single-sided cable for hassle-free usage Durable braided fiber cable protection Internet telephony compatible Compatible with most major operating systems Usable with CD, DVD and digital audio players (via

3.5mm minijack)

 

Headphones

Freq. response: 18 – 22,000 Hz

Impedance: 32 Ohms

SPL (@ 1 kHz, 1 Vrms): 114 dB

Cable: 3.0 meters

 

Microphone

Freq. response: 80 – 15,000 Hz

Sensitivity (@ 1 kHz, 1V/Pa): -38 dB

Impedance: ~2 kOhms

 

 

 

 

50 Cent Follows Through With Taco Bell Lawsuit

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

G-Unit frontman 50 Cent’s dislike of Taco Bell entered a new phase with a new lawsuit against the fast food giant.

 

According to Reuters, the suit was filed Wednesday (July 23) in Manhattan federal court.

 

50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson) accuses Taco Bell of “diluting the value of his good name” as well as employing a guerrilla advertising campaign to fool consumers into thinking he had endorsed the restaurant chain.

 

“Without seeking or obtaining Jackson’s authorization, defendant Taco Bell made him the star and focus of its nation-wide advertising campaign by using his name, persona and trademark to promote Taco Bell’s business and products,” according to court papers.

 

The lawsuit is the latest chapter involving Jackson and Taco Bell.

 

In June, the Mexican-style fast food chain sent what the suit called a disseminating letter to the rapper, asking him to help promote its Hip-Hop-themed “79-89-99 Cent Why Pay More” ad campaign by changing his name to “79 Cent,” “89 Cent” or “99 Cent.”

 

The request did not sit well with Jackson, whose representative labeled the letter as “a sleazy and ill-conceived publicity stunt by Taco Bell’s president, Greg Creed.”

 

“When my legal team is finished with them, Taco Bell is going to have a new corporate slogan: ‘We messed with the bull and got the horns,'” Jackson told AllHipHop.com last month in a statement.

 

The rapper’s suit further accuses Taco Bell of using Jackson’s rap alias for the promotion without his permission as well as avoiding the multimillion dollar fee the rapper might have charged to use his name.

 

In addition, allegations in the lawsuit note how Taco Bell’s letter was sent to Jackson after it was circulated to reporters.

 

“As Taco Bell intended, many customers believed that 50 Cent had agreed to endorse Taco Bell’s products. Indeed, postings on numerous Internet ‘blogs’ castigated 50 Cent for ‘selling out’ by his apparent endorsement of Taco Bell,” the lawsuit stated.

Kanye, MTV Address Iraq War

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

MTV’s “Choose or Lose ‘08” campaign has tapped Kanye West as the latest ally to aid in its efforts to bring awareness to the issues faced by young veterans of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

In a new special set to air Monday (Jul 28) at 10pm, West will join MTV personality Sway Calloway to bring the stories of three returning vets as they adjust to life back home.

 

“Choose or Lose & Kanye West Present: Homecoming” brings viewers along as Sway and Kanye surprise Tirann Laws, Shameeka Gray and Lorenzo Zarate by visiting their homes to thank them for their service in the war in Iraq.

 

“I know my music inspires and helps a lot of people but you can always do more,” said West. “I teamed up with MTV and took the opportunity to share the spotlight with these veterans and hear their stories. I went to their homes to listen and get their first hand experiences. I wanted to hear their stories.

 

“There are hundreds of veterans out there who are falling through the cracks,” adds the multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning rapper and producer. “They make the ultimate sacrifices for us by laying down their lives, but it seems like a lot of them just get forgotten about.”

 

During the hour-long “Homecoming” special, Sway and Kanye will present the three spotlighted vets with a very special gift on behalf of MTV and the Dr. Donda West Foundation, paying off debts and taking care of rents and tuitions.

 

Laws, Gray and Zarate were chosen to represent a diverse cross-section of the more than 1.7 million young people who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan to date.

 

In addition to sharing their struggles, “Homecoming” aims to encourage viewers to get involved, highlighting the many resources available at Chooseorlose.com and through the Donda West Foundation.

 

The Chooseorlose.com is also a portal for viewers to interact directly with the “Homecoming” special.

 

“The stories of the veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are important and worth telling.” said MTV News and Production Executive VP Dave Sirulnick. “In conversations with veterans over the last year, it became clear that Kanye’s music is used by soldiers in Iraq as a way of connecting to home. Once these veterans return home, their stories are so moving that you can’t help but want to do the right thing and help them out.”

 

Since 1992, the Emmy-Award winning Choose or Lose campaign has worked to not only inform young people on the political issues that matter to them most, but also to support and encourage young voters to take action.

 

In 2004, the campaign inspired nearly 22 million 18-30 year olds to register and vote.

Max B. Reveals Details On Shooting

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

On Tuesday July 22, Max B’s scheduled performance for Hot 97’s “Who’s Next Concert” nearly ended in tragedy after a group of men entered the SOB venue and shot a round into Max’s VIP section.

 

While no one was hurt, speculation began about who the group was and why they held such animosity for the former Diplomat member.

 

In an exclusive statement to AllHipHop.com, Max B clarified his role in the altercation.

 

“I had no control over it. I didn’t want any trouble,” Max explains. “I never want any, but people despise me. They are jealous and envious, and they’re gonna do whatever they can to stop my movement.”

 

After the shooting, the club was immediately vacated for police to conduct a thorough investigation.

 

When questioned about the identity of his attackers, Max insists he does not know who was involved.

 

“I didn’t know the wannabe thugs who let off a round,” he quipped.

 

Max B’s latest set, Domain Diego, was released on June 10.

 

His next offering, Public Domain 3: Domain Pain is scheduled for August 5.