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I Volunteer To Mentor Soulja Boy
Knowing how people don’t read or quickly form judgments, I want to state this editorial isn’t mean to be funny or a disrespectful commentary.
I’ll never forget how I came into “meeting” Soulja Boy.
It was through a parody from a guy named Army Boy, who had created a hilarious re-make of “Crank Dat Soulja Boy” before I even heard the original. Like it or not, he’s taken the world by storm. Even though Soulja Boy has continuously caught tremendous flack for his brand of Hip-Hop, AllHipHop supported his efforts. During AllHipHop Week, he performed at our Fashion Show, which was hosted by LL Cool J. He fit in perfectly with the evening, one that was fun and festive. Recently, it hasn’t been his music that has been a point of contention.
From what I’ve seen, Soulja Boy isn’t such a happy guy. At any given moment, he’s expressing his emotions and frustrations through his digital assets like twitter, his blogs and his video outlets. (Read the latest, by clicking here.) The most recent complaint has been one against the media, who he claims has it out for him. When this lament was issued (and later removed), he expressed that the media was critical of him due to his more flamboyant activities, namely an iced-out, remote-controlled Lamborghini chain. Soulja Boy himself publicized his activities though the youtube and sparked off the aforementioned “point of contention” in fans. I googled this and never saw any real disses from traditional online media.
Oddly, in his rant he mentioned his charitable contributions to the community. Well, that was news to me. I mean, AllHipHop has always covered rappers that give back and I don’t recall his work. So, if he has been doing the great things, he needs to scream on his PR team.
Anyway, after the rant and an apparent desire to do better, I decided that Soulja Boy needs a mentor. And if he has one, its highly likely that he needs a better one.
So, I’m volunteering for the job.
Why? There are several reasons. In general, Black boys grow up without any sort of older figure to help them navigate through the trials of life. Even when there is a father present, that’s not necessarily the same as a mentor. Whenever I read one of Soulja Boy’s online declarations, I feel like I am hearing somebody crying for guidance – or pain. I could be wrong, but he’s gone off quite a few times on Twitter and it is sounds painful. I know Soulja Boy even though I don’t know Soulja Boy. I’ve mentored, taught or worked with a number of “soulja boys” and they needs constant talking to and you need to check in often to prevent them from veering off course. Anybody that has been through anything knows in an instant your life can change.
That’s not to say I want to see him suddenly morph into some super-lyrical, socially conscious revolutionary, non-mistake making adult because that’s not Soulja Boy. It just seems like he needs somebody older than Arab to stop him from a looming meltdown. He’s got money, but in my tenure, I’ve seen plenty rappers go from rags to riches and back to rags. Furthermore, none of that truly leads to happiness if there are unresolved issues from back in the day. Even more, I never was fortunate to have a mentor coming into this business. Sadly, AllHipHop has seen a bunch of wanna-be mentors-turned leeches since our inception. I can only imagine how much blood Soulja Boy has already lost.
Perception is often all there is and right now, SB looks like a young man doing his thing in the entertainment game. However, when a journalist friend called Soulja Boy “Black Boy Lost” after reading his write up, I knew the perception (and subsequent reality) was changing. Furthermore, I feel mentoring SB is going to have a tremendous ripple affect. Kids don’t look to Public Enemy, LL Cool J and KRS-One for their social cues anymore. That’s gone, I’m sorry. They look at people such as Soulja Boy, Lil Wayne, Drake, Young Jeezy and other artists. I mean, there aren’t even many community leaders that seem attractive to young people these days , but that’s another write-up.
Mentoring Soulja Boy could mean mentoring a generation of young people influenced and impressed by the tremendous moves he’s already made in his short, controversial career. On top of that, a mentorship could help DeAndre Cortez Way cope with the ever-growing, crushing pressures of fame, fortune and success. It could also help him cope with the past.
I don’t know Soulja Boy, but I know he’s a different person than 2006, when he Performed “Crank Dat” at our event with the whole crowd doing his dance. I didn’t dance and that’s kinda what he needs right now – somebody that’s not so quick to dance. Somebody, that’s interested in a talk here and there, a chin check every now and then and can warn about the sharp bends in the road ahead.
That mentor doesn’t have to be me, but I hope for his sake and the other “soulja boys” in America, that they find somebody fast. We all need a mentor at some point. Shoot, I’m still looking for mine.
Prosecution Rests Case Against Rapper C-Murder
C-Murders attempts to have his murder trial thrown out of court were rejected by a judge today (August 7).
C-Murder, born Corey Miller, is on trial of a second time in regards to the shooting death of 16-year-old Steve Thomas inside of Club Platinum in 2002.
Millers lawyer Ron Rakosky sought to declare a mistrial, after prosecutors revealed they had reached a plea deal with witness Kenneth Jordan, a bouncer who has testified against Miller.
Jordan has testified that he witnessed C-Murder shoot the teenager, who was also being kicked and beaten by a group of men, after a dispute inside of the club.
Under cross-examination, Jordan revealed that he had signed an agreement with prosecutors to testify against Miller in order to have a Carnal Knowledge charge levied against him dropped.
Yesterday (August 6), Rakosky claimed that prosecutors used coercive tactics to force Jordan to testify against Miller, whom prosecutors accuse of threatening witnesses related to the murder case.
Today, Judge Hans Liljeberg rejected Rakoskys request and the after three days of testimony, the prosecution rested its case against C-Murder.
Prosecutors called a total of 13 witnesses to the stand, two who claim to have witnessed Miller shoot Thomas.
Miller, 38, was convicted of second-degree murder after a trial in 2003.
The conviction was overturned and upheld by Louisiana Supreme Court, after it was learned the prosecutors expunged the criminal backgrounds over several witnesses to bolster their credibility in front of jurors.
If convicted, Miller faces a life sentence in prison.
Brisco To Use Robbery as Album Inspiration
Miami rapper Brisco remains in good spirits after video hit cyberspace showing him being robbed of jewelry totaling over $35,000.
The theft occurred in a Miami barbershop following a Brisco photo shoot. The surveillance clip shows four armed men rush the entrance, and force everyone in the store to lie face down.
Brisco then became the main target, and was relieved of several jewelry items along with the keys to his Range Rover.
When asked about the attack, the Opa-locka native expressed gratitude that the incident did not turn fatal, and emphasized that he will replace every accessory lost with more expensive jewelry.
Im still alive, you know that street medicine is going to be good, Brisco told local news reporters. Im still good. Ill get bigger jewelry and still go hard. Its great material for my next album.
In light of the recent robbery and murder of boxing champion Vernon Forrest in his Atlanta hometown, much debate has occurred about whether local celebrities should remain distant from their urban environments.
Brisco dismisses that stance, and declared that he intends to remain an ambassador for his region.
I still rep the streets of Miami, still rep the streets of Dade County hard and international, he stated.
In addition, the Florida rapper clarified that he was not physically harmed by his robbers.
Contrary to some reports, I was not assaulted in the robbery that took place… Brisco said in a prepared statement. It was a random robbery of a barbershop I was in and it really is just a case of me being in the wrong place at the wrong time. At press time, the four thieves remain at large.
Hip-Hop Rumors: 50 Cent Leaving Interscope? Shyne Vs Cease & Kim: The Real Deal
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 SENSEThe rumors were a nightmare! I had issues with my internet and ended up doing the rumors on my mobile device. I sent that over to one of the staffers and you get this mess! LOL. I am working on some additions that should post later today.
50 CENT IS LEAVING INTERSCOPE?
I have an insider at Interscope Records who is pretty high up on the food chain. They have told me that 50 Cent is going to be leaving Interscope. This is nothing new. We all know that 50 Cent is on the last album in his deal and seeks to re-negotiate his situation and bring G-Unit with him. Here is what he said in a recent interview with AllHipHop.com.
AllHipHop.com Lets talk about G-Unit a bit. Can you speak on the status of G-Unit a little bit?
50 Cent: Everybodys intact, as far as Yay [Yayo] and Banks, they are both recording new records. When their music is 100% dead right, youll probably be hearing another G-Unit album following the release of this actual project from me. And then, their solo albums.
AllHipHop.com: Are they looking for new recording homes?
50 Cent: Well, not in a hurry to do that. [Pauses] Because its almost time for me to re-negotiate.
AllHipHop.com: Yeah, I know this is your last one [with Interscope].
50 Cent: Hey. Why would they go ahead and do a deal a head of time when they would be a part of the package and negotiation for me.
This interview was about a month ago so we don’t know if 50 Cent has started and/or ended his negotiating over there. My sources say that he’s leaving and The Game is about to be the new dude they look to to be a flagship rap artist. Expect to see huge promotion surrounding The Red Album.
THE REAL ON LIL CEASE, LIL KIM AND SHYNE?
The rumor yesterday got people talking about the whole Lil Kim, Cease, Bad Boy and Shyne stuff. Martin, an editor with AHH, was right there when it all went down. Here is what he said:
Hope you are well. I know both Shyne and cease real well, and shyne didn’t get beat up by jr mafia in front of daddys house.
What happened is cease, gutta and a couple of other dudes stepped and surrounded shyne about the biggie simarlarities. Shyne was with someone else, one of his boys. Things got tense with all the back and forth and shyne or his boy (I forget the exact deets) pulled out a burner and started shooting at the ground and then at the air to break s### up.
Ultimately everyone scattered and ran. If you look it up there was an article in either the ny post or daily news about a shoot out in front of daddys house. Who ever was popping off tossed the burner and ran.
Also the beef got deaded becuz of Wolf, puffs ex bodygaurd and more, cuz wolf put in TONS of work for puff.
Wolf used to hold shyne down therefore shyne putting the exec producer credits to wolf for godfather buried alive.
Somebody else had something to say about the Shyne/Foxy/Lil Kim and others. Here is what they they said:
just to clarify the shyne and jr mafia rumor.The reasons they had beef
was because the wanted shyne in jr mafia and he refused.2nd he became a
ghostwriter for foxy and wrote the 1st track on her chyna doll album
which threw shots at kim.The reason they were cool is because they had
the same manager at the time Don Pooh.Lastly Shyne got into a beef with
some dude in a club then a few days later they came to daddy’s house
and shot it up looking for Shyne.The only problem was lil kim was in
there recording instead of shyne.They jumped shyne at a later date
because he cpuld have gotten kim killed.Just wanted to clarify that.
THE GAME IN AUSTRALIA!!
My homey Tommy G sent me some real deal info on The Game concert in Australia. Looks like The Game went cold loco on Jay-Z and The Roc too! From Tommy’s letter, even Kanye should be catching feelings about now. Read this letter!
Wat up Illseed & Allhiphop,
First off let me say I’m a big fan from Melbourne, Australia and I check out your rumours and the website daily.. Just thought I would drop yall a line to let ya know bout the G.A.M.E concert that just finished at Melbourne’s Festival Hall… What a loooooong ass wait it was until he finally came out, the crowd almost fell asleep with the s**tty support acts… anyway G.A.M.E finally strolls out and the first thing he says to the crowd is??? yep, f**k JAY-Z.. f**k JAY-Z.. f**k JAY-Z.. f**k ROCAFELLA… ROCAFELLA KILLA… ROCAFELLA KILLA with the gunshots and all that s**t…Some f**king idiot thought he would be funny and threw up the ROC sign as Game was rappin, so Game cut the music and called the guy a b#### and invited him to come up on stage and throw it up again.. obviously this boy was b#### made or had some brains cos he just shut up and stayed exactly where he was.. crowd looked like the were about to mash on him for real though haha…. He performed for about an hour and it was a pretty solid set.. Did the usual stuff I read about drinking the full bottle of liquor and getting a s**t load of females on the stage with him.. did a tribute to pac and big rapping hit em up and juicy… During his performance of Westside Story he started another chant of.. Jay-Z aint on the Westside, Aint no Rocafella’s on the westside so on and so on…Even managed to throw some more jabs during One Blood where he said, you 38 and you still rappin ugh, he then stopped the music and continued, you 39 and you still rappin ugh, jay-z 40 and he still rappin ugh, jay-z 41 and he still rappin ugh, jay-z turn 42 and he still rappin ugh.. you think when he turn 45 he be still rappin?? by then ill be 35 and ill still clap him… All in all it was an ok show but nothing spectacular, he did say he was sick though so that may have been why the show was just ok.. not hatin on game cos im a big game AND jay-z fan but the jay concert here was much better… props to Game though for comin to Melbourne and tryin to rock it even though he was sick.
Anyway you have probably heard all this s**t before but thought you might like to know about the Melbourne show.
p.s. there were NO D.O.H Tee’s for sale like you mentioned there might be the other day.. maybe they had a change of heart 🙂
MJ TRIBUTES
Looks like the Michael Jackson dedications are about to be rolling in. From what I heard, Hip-Hop is going to do some remixes of the “king.” From what I understand, these will consist of some of Universal Records’ top producers like Q-Tip, Akon, Swizz Beatz). The are going to remix some of the best Jackson 5 songs. There is a reason its not MJ himself, because the Jackson 5 was on Motown.
LIL BIGGIE MEETS LIL DIDDY
Swag Summer school. Diddy is wild. Check this video.
Lil’ Biggie is rapping! Oh Snap!
ED LOVER DISSES FABOLOUS….WHY?
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
A reader wanted me to relay this message: “B.o.B didn’t show up to The
Great Hangover Tour in Philadelphia at the Electric Factory last night,
can you find out why he disappointed his fans in Philadelphia?” Dag. The boy Brisco got robbed and pistol whipped at a barbershop. They said he had on like $35k in jewels.
Police have arrested a second man in the murder of boxing champion Vernon Forrest.
Somebody wrote me and suggested that The Game was going to get Ice Cube to counter Jay-Z’s alleged Beanie Sigel move. LOL. I refuse to believe Cube would do that.
The Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor Thursday as the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court. Whoo Whooooo….progress!Shout out to Wendy Williams. She was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame!
I heard Young Jeezy equated Twittering to snitching. LOL. You have to love it.
TERRENCE J AND KHLOE KARDASHIAN?
Khloe and Terrance J? What’s going on bro? Check out the video!
RANDOM QUOTES
There is this model babe named Shakur. I never even heard of her until one of my homies hit me about about her and this quote. She is Egyptian and apparently has some views that don’t really go with the Western world. Read them and comment:
“Absolutely. I feel men should be honored like the kings they are. I don’t use that term loosely. A real man deserves to get treated like a king. It’s the 21st century, and i’m all for women’s rights, but i personally believe that it’s a man’s world and women are created to keep men company. She’s supposed to be able to learn from him, take from him and have that security blanket. That’s what life is about.”
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END
You know you fat when you can hide a gun in your rolls of fat. This all went down in Houston. Houston, what’s up?
A person that weighed almost 600 pounds was able to hide a gun even as the police had him in custody. This 600-pound man weighed so much that he was able to hide a gun! But, there is more! The dude had the gun on him for 14 hours AND a pair of clips to boot! They didn’t discover it until he was forced to take a shower. Dude had a 9mm. CRAZY. They are saying he should have been searched like three times, but the gun was in the layers of fat and it wasn’t found. Somebody at the police station or jail was just sleeping. Click2Houston.com revealed some important police matters. “We teach officers to lift up and look under,” said one cop. “The officer may not have arrested anyone this big before.”
6-MONTH OLD BABY DISSED AT BURGER KING
A baby that’s 6-months cannot walk or even crawl, but that didn’t stop so wack job of a manger at Burger King from banning the lil’ tike from eating at the fast food spot. Look at this madness.
LADY GAGA -EXPOSED?
When Lady Gaga had some trouble getting off hat motorbike, she probably didn’t think she would start a rumor that she was a hermaphrodite. But she did…pause and all that…but the vid is here.
Lady GaGa. Money Honey [Live HQ HD]by weezy75
6-MONTH OLD BABY, 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.
The Last Word: Aubrey Parties All the Time, Trey Songz Chokes On P###, and Monica Returns With a Reality Show!
Hows it goin everybody? Five days of work are giving way
to two days of relaxation as details surface about the guy who went on a
shooting spree at an L.A. fitness club, Paula Abdul surprising American Idol fans by Tweeting her resignation from the hit show
and Judge Sonia Sotomayor finally getting her confirmation to become the first
Hispanic member of the Supreme Court.
Thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the fitness
center shooting as well as family and friends of revered 80s teen film director
John Hughes who died Thursday (Aug. 3). Shout out to former President Bill
Clinton, who played a big role in the release of American journalists Laura
Ling and Euna Lee and the sounding boards for making me grateful for the little
things in life.
And now the scoop of the day the Last Word for the week
ending Aug. 7, 2009.
1. Trey Songz Gets His Adult On; Shares P### Support
After years of getting his harmonic gangsta on behind the
mic, Trey Songz is elevating his talent and status to the realm of the grown
and sexy with the release of his forthcoming opus, Ready.
In an interview with Billboard, the R&B crooner labeled his new project as very adult, very
easygoing and very sexy while stating how the album feels cohesive and
reflects the changes you see in me physically, with my new haircut, and
everything else that represents me evolving into manhood.
Fans can expect cameos from rappers Drake, Gucci Mane and
Soulja Boy Tell’Em on Ready as well as
production from Stargate, Johnta Austin, Troy Taylor, Carlos Los DaMystro
McKinney, Eric Hudson and Bryan-Michael Cox. According to Songz, the new album
comes as a natural progression from his previous releases.
Look for Ready to hit
stores on Sept. 1. In the meanwhile, Trey has no problem supporting the cause.
That cause being p### with him admitting that p### is cool.
I think that p### is a way to broaden your horizons as far
as sex is concerned, Songz told Honey
magazine. I remember when I first started watching p### my favorite p### star
was Lacey Duvalle, Lindy Foxx, and I like the free will of p### all in itself.
And with that, you could say that Trey has used his own free
will in the bedroom as he detailed a rather unique habit he partakes in while
spending that all important quality time with the object of his lust.
I like to choke girls right before they c*m, but you gotta
continue hitting it at a rapid momentum, the entertainer confessed. And I
like girls that can take the whole d**k.
Spoken like a true adult. Theres nothing like a little
grown up insight into making that special moment something that youll remember
until its time for move on to the next jump-off.
2. Joss Stone Wages War on Label for Musical Independence
Joss Stone is through playing Miss Nice with her record
label EMI. And shes not taking it anymore.
So much so that the folks at Britains Daily Star say the songstress will perform songs from her
fourth studio album Colour Me Free next month at a charity music event at Londons 02
Arena.
So whats with all the beef? Apparently, Colour Me Free originally was scheduled for release in April, but
the big bosses at EMI have put their foot down and postponed the release of the
album indefinitely. Stone wanted to be released from her contract with the
label, but EMI heads have refused to honor the singers request.
As a result, Stone will perform tunes from Colour Me Free for those taking in the charity event.
Ill sing some of my new songs. Theyre just jams and I
love them, said the vocalist, who kept the recording of the album secret from
EMI. They were recorded about two years ago but I have been in a war with my
label.
Needless to say, this may not blow over in a short time. But
dont think Joss is gonna throw in the towel so easily. To hear her tell it,
shes looks ready to display her gangsta for the cause.
Im just going to sing anyway and if they would like to
turn out my album one day that would be nice. Ive no idea when it will be
released as its not up to me, she said Maybe theyre trying to shut me up
but good luck because theyve picked the wrong girl.
You would think that EMI wouldve released the album, if
nothing more than to make some money. But as record company rule 4,080 states,
Record company people are shady.
With her album shelved, Joss seemingly has nothing to lose. Which means,
she could become a problem. Stay tuned
3. Anthony Hamilton Exposes Holy Influence on Music
Anthony Hamilton may have struck a nerve with R&B fans
with his brand of homegrown music but the crooner is touching human souls in a
different way with his song Pass Me Over.
According to Gospel News,
the track, which is featured on Hamiltons latest album Ain’t Nobody
Worryin’, has found a place on many gospel
music stations with heavy rotation status. For Hamilton, the influence of
gospel is a natural extension of what he was brought up on.
It comes from my grandmother. It’s a way of life from the
south that I adopted, he revealed. My mother taught me to uplift God’s name
and to never be ashamed to show respect for God and for others. First, I am a
man of God. Because of who I am, I have a right to do that. There’s no need for
me not to.”
And while It may be questionable for Hamilton to go the
secular route rather than the way of the choir, the singer maintains that
success outside of gospel doesnt conflict with his faith in light of the fact
that his music music always is respectful.
I don’t feel that anything I sing is contradicting my love
for God or my love for people, he said. I know that I’m exactly where God put
me; I am properly placed.
4. Aubrey ODay Parties With Remake of Eddie Murphy Hit
You kinda new that it was bound to happen. One day someone
would take it upon him or herself to cover Eddie Murphys Rick James-assisted
hit Party All Time. So who would have the nerve to do it?
Aubrey O’Day. According to reports, the former Danity Kane
member has recruited Young Money producer Shanell Woodgette (aka SnL) to help
put her own stamp on the 1985 single. According to ODay, Party All the Time
was a perfect choice to cover.
This song is a classic! the former Danity Kane member told
Celebuzz.com. Shanell and I are 80’s babies, and we felt like us signing the
lyrics to each other put a hot new twist on it, plus we added our own lyrics to
make a bridge which the original didn’t have… We wanted our remake to embody a ‘TaTu’ (the artists) vibe.
As for the motivation behind the remake, SnL summed it up as
a chance to bring a female perspective to the Eddie and Ricks track.
Aubrey and I always get into trouble when we go out
together, so in thinking of a fun song for us to remake, ‘Party All the Time’
was perfect, she said. Even though the original was written from a guys
point of view to a girl, we decided to keep it the way the late great Rick
James wrote it – and besides Aubrey will always be MY GIRL for life! This is
our way of saying ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!'”
Hearing Aubreys version, I got my opinion about it. But
Ill fall back and let you take a listen to the track for yourself and let me
know if its a party starter or a party wrecker. My only question is what would
Rick think about this? Something tells me the phrase, Im Rick James, b**ch!
would be a tame reaction from Mr. Cold Blooded. But I digress. If anybody decides
to check it out on Celebuzz, let a brother know. I can only imagine what the
reaction will be.
In Other Words
* As Michael Jackson has proved, even the afterworld cannot
provide peace for entertainers who have passed away. Case in point: Duke Ellington.
Apparently, the family of the jazz great is not too happy with the people
behind Duke Ellington XO Cognac. TMZ reports that Ellingtons grandson filed a
federal lawsuit in New York on Wednesday (Aug. 5), claiming that proper
permission was not granted to the cognac makers to use the entertainers name
and signature on their product. In addition, the Ellington estate also claims
that the folks behind the cognac “once attempted to negotiate with [the
estate] … but no agreement was ever reached between the parties.” As a
result, the estate wants all profits earned from the sale of the cognac, which
sells for $150 a bottle, as well as the company to quit selling its
controversial project.
* Dania Ramirez is in a good space now as the newest face of
CoverGirl. And the X-Men: The Last Stand
and former Heroes star couldnt
be happier as she told People.com that her newest gig allows her to bring my
story, a story of struggle and hard work. Not speaking the language [when I got
to America] and trying to figure out my definition of beauty, you learn to
recognize the beauty in all of us.
It takes a strong person to get where Ive got, said
Ramirez, who joins Queen Latifah Drew Barrymore and Ellen DeGeneres as a
CoverGirl spokesmodel.
* We can now add Monicas name to the long list of
entertainers doing the reality show thing. The songbird will be featured in the
BET reality series Monica. According to
the network, the show will give viewers a look inside Monicas world while she
works on her fifth solo album, Still Standing, designs and launches a high-end boys clothing line
called Regions of Rock and works to raise her two young sons.
The Regions of Rock line will offer apparel that ranges from
infant sizes to boys size 20. The Monica reality show is set to premiere Oct.
27 on BET. Still Standing is slated to hit stores and digital retailers this
fall.
* Toni Braxton is expanding her musical arsenal as she gears
up for the release of her forthcoming album. The Jamaican Observer reports the first single from the still untitled
release is due out in September. In addition, fans can expect a couple of
features from the world of reggae. I’m doing some stuff with Sean Paul, said
the songbird, who also put in studio time with Shaggy. I think I’ve reinvented
[myself].
Despite the appearance of her guests, the new album will
display will display Braxtons traditional song stylings. It’s a lot of
traditional stuff on the album, but I think people are going to be surprised
cause I switched it a little bit, doing different things, said Braxton, who
added that the album should come out in November.
* Joining the November music brigade will be Mary J. Blige,
who plans on a tentative Nov. 24 release date for her follow-up to 2007s Growing
Pains, which will be called Stronger. For Blige, the new projects title fits in with
where shes at now in life.
The album represents who and what I am right now. I’m a
stronger human being after all the growing pains, the vocalist told
Singersroom.com. It’s all about life, love, change, strength [and] really
knowing who you are and being confident in that.
The lead single for Stronger will be One featuring Drake.
Yung Joc Releases New Album for Free
Young Joc is providing a fool-proof way of getting his new album, Grind Flu, to fans.
The Swagg Team Entertainment release will be available Tuesday (Aug. 11) for free download on the Atlanta rap stars website, www.swaggteament.com.
The chance to offer fans an affordable way to get Grind Flu provided Yung Joc a chance to reestablish himself in music circles on his own terms.
Fans all over the world have been eagerly waiting for me to release a new album and I felt the time was right at this very moment to release Grind Flu for free, gift it to my fans and do things my way, the rap star stated about the follow-up to his 2007 opus, Hustlenomics.
The first single from the new album is the Montana Da Mac Da Mac-assisted title track. The arrival of Grind Flu comes amid a year marked with highs for Yung Joc, who achieved chart success with an appearance on the Bobby Valentino song Beep.
Collaborations also proved fruitful in 2008 as Yung Joc worked with David Banner and Chris Brown (Get Like Me), HotStylz (Lookin Boy) and 112 member Slim So Fly.
Behind the scenes, Yung Jocs presence was felt with the successful signing of HotStylz and the GS Boyz to Swagg Team. HotStylz Lookin Boy, obtained more than1 million digital downloads, while GS Boyz captured regional and web-savvy fans with the popular single Stanky Legg.
The Stanky Legg video generated more than 3.5 million plays on YouTube. The song itself has sold more than 200,000 downloads, according to Nielsen Sound Scan.
Debut albums from HotStylz and GS Boyz are slated to be released this year. The following is a track listing for Yung Jocs Grind Flu:
The album comes months after Yung Joc went public with allegations that he had not been paid royalties on his hit albums released via Block Ent/Bad Boy, in over a year.
1. Grind Flu feat. Montana Da Mack produced by Darryl Cheeze McCorkell for Cheeze Music (BMI). 2. Might As Well Produced by K.Rock for Lil Arsenal Publishing, BMI. Engineered by Alexander Big A Prado. 3. Universal Language feat. Shawty Lo & Young Vett Produced by Unknown. Co-Produced by Malcolm Tariq Smith for Urban Rock Stars. 4. Drinks Up feat. Bobby V, Gucci & Nitti Produced by Chadron Nitti Moore for Play Maker Music (ASCAP). 5. Dont Be Scared feat. Ebony Love, Ricky G & Donte produced by James Nesia Lightfoot for Nesia Beatz (ASCAP). 6. 500 Horses feat. Yung Ralph & Big A produced by Young Sears for N Da Trunk (EMI).
7. My N##### produced by: James Nesia Lightfoot for Nesia Beatz (ASCAP).
8. Posted At the Store feat. Gucci & Yung Ralph produced by for Trackslayerz Vakseen, LLC
9. Wham feat. Slim produced by Nitti for Play Maker Music (ASCAP) and Blaze Burna.
10. Grind Flu Skit feat. Roc
11. Over feat. Cupid, Polo, Game & Carlito produced by Jay-T for Valley of Kings.
12. Birds feat. Gucci, Nikki Minaj & OJ Da Juiceman produced by Drumma Boy for Drum Squad Productions.
13. Make A Movie feat. DJ Khaled produced by Drumma Boy for Drum Squad Productions (ASCAP).
14. So feat. Mia X produced by James Nesia Lightfoot for Nesia Beatz (ASCAP).
15. Counterfeit feat. Tuck produced by K- Rock for Lil Arsenal/Publishing, BMI.
16. Check feat. Montana Da Mac & SS produced by James Nesia Lightfoot for Nesia Beatz (ASCAP).
17. Choose Me feat. Chris Brown & Pleasure P produced by Infinity
18. Winner feat. Masspike Miles 19. Bonus Track: Hello Kitty- Jah Jah
Cage: Life Changes
Imagine this: You grow up getting abused by a psychotic father that leads you to numb your pain with drugs. After spending time in a mental institution as a test subject for fluoxetine (an antidepressant), you trade the straitjacket for a microphone, and begin a critically acclaimedif commercially overlookedrap career.
That would be a quick glimpse at the life of Chris Palko, better known as Cage, a Definitive Jux-signed artist whos experienced a long-winding, strange career for the last 16 years. His latest release, Depart from Me—a hip-hop-influenced experimental follow-up to the highly acclaimed Hells Winter—has garnered criticism from both fans and critics. (Not to mention the comments on the new emo look hes been rocking.) But, despite a hint of irritation in his voice, Cage claims hes not annoyed. I dont really care, he says. Everything is trivial to me right now besides music, family, and friends.
A calmer, gentler Cage? Well, overall hes in a better place both mentally and physically. The long-awaited Weathermen album is in the works, and his biopic project with Shia Lebouf is still happening. Although the death of Camu Tao has damaged his spirit, Cage says he hasnt consoled himself with drugs. I just got sick of doing that s###, he says. People change you know? And change, at least for Cage, has been good.
AllHipHop.com: Hows the reception for the new album so far?
Cage: I got one s##### review from Pitchfork, but its not like I care about what they think. I got 4/5 in Spin. That means a lot to me than getting a 10 from Pitchfork. I mean I didnt even know what Pitchfork was until they reviewed it so I could care less what theyre thinking.
AllHipHop.com: Dont you think they had a point? The album received some negative feedbacks from the hip-hop crowd.
Cage: I dont live for anyone else. And I damn sure not live for a bunch of f**king-s***ty-dirt rags, f**king newspapers, and f**king blogs. If you add up collectively, all these reviews, and all these opinions add up to like 40 people. Theres a bunch of Hip-Hop blogs saying, Oh, this isnt Hip-Hop. I dont give a f**k what some dude who doesnt make rap records thinks of it. If you dont even write music, or make music for a living, why do you publicly critique music? I mean I dont think Hip-Hop music needs me or anyone else to expand it bigger than what it is already. And if you loved Movies for The Blind, and Hells Winter so much more than this, well, where the f**k was you when I was making them? I rather have a 16-year-old who found out my music two months ago and loves it than kids who loved my music for 10 years, and hate it now.
AllHipHop.com: What lead to this type of music in the first place?
Cage: I just got tired of making the same s**t as everyone else. What was I supposed to do? Use auto-tune?
AllHipHop.com: Were you happy with Jay-Zs response?
Cage: Yea, good for him! For not f**king going the same route as everyone else.
AllHipHop.com: Obviously, the record is very rock-influenced. Can you tell me certain rock artists that you were influenced by?
Cage: To correct you, its a Hip-Hop-influenced record. Its just a very different Hip-Hop record. I kind of wanted to take what I was doing as a rap artist, and turn rap on its side and kick it in the balls.
Cage – “I Never Knew You”
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AllHipHop.com: Ouch. But I recall hearing that Nine Inch Nails was an influence.
Cage: No, not at all. People who are writing rap articles or whatever; their point of reference is so f##### up. What we said about the Nine Inch Nails influence was for one song called “I Found My Mind In Connecticut.” We had been listening to Nine Inch Nails a lot that week and there was a sound that was stuck in our heads, and we said, This sounds so much like Nine Inch Nails! Im going to write a Nine Inch Nails-style hook. Yea, I grew up listening to them in the early 90s and I still like them, but its not my sole influence. I grew up listening to Slick Rick. Thats how the record is inspired. I wanted to write visual stories, didnt want to dress like a bum, and look different from the rest like Slick Rick.
AllHipHop.com: Hes definitely one of the pioneers who brought those factors out.
Cage: Yea, from angel dust, storytelling raps, being institutionalized, and caring about the appearance—I have a lot in common with Slick Rick.
AllHipHop.com: Tell me about the latest projects Cardboard Citys been working on.
Cage: Were working on the new Weathermen stuff. I know theres a song that leaked with Breeze, Yak, and El called Reports Of A Possible Kidnapping. The main project Im working on right now is with me, and Shia. Hes in New York and working on the new Oliver Stone film Money Never Sleeps [Wall Street 2] and were going to be getting a lot of work done going towards the Cage film.
AllHipHop.com: Since you mentioned The Weathermen, can we expect an album?
Cage: Yes, were putting music together for an album, and the lineup is: myself, Tame One, Aesop [Rock], Breeze Brewin, El-P, Yak Ballz, and Camu Tao whos also on the record also look out for Camu Taos record King of Hearts, which is an unfinished album.
AllHipHop.com: Did Camu Taos passing affect the creative process of Depart from Me?
Cage: I just kept going in the direction that we had been going in, which was a more rock approach. It seems like rap went to a more R&B route, so Camu and I decided to go onto a different route. Originally, it was supposed to be Sean doing the guitars, and Camu doing the drum programs, like a hybrid throwback.
AllHipHop.com: Whats Camu Taos album like?
Cage: Its a hard record to describe. Theres almost like a Buddy Holly-vibe to certain songs mixed with electro-futuristic rap. When he passed, a lot of us were really sad because he had all these materials back in 04. You hear his music and you hear how insanely brilliant, and catchy it is. Its going to sound really current like it came out right now.
AllHipHop.com: What is Camus involvement in The Weathermen album?
Cage: It wasnt until Camu got sick. When we got around wanting to do it, he was too sick to even finish his own records. Instead of getting checked up when he felt ill, he wrote songs about thinking he was dying and how ill he was. Instead of going to the hospital, he wrote music. This kid literally died for music. He would write songs like, Death, where have you been all my life before he was diagnosed with cancer. He was out on the road performing, and tumbling over in pain every night, and it just adds creepiness to the story. The Weathermen project is something we unfortunately didnt get to do when Camu was alive.
AllHipHop.com: Is there a specific theme that The Weathermen project is trying to approach?
Cage: Originally, people expected more of a political-type record, and I feel like politics will be a major tone of the record, but not necessarily government politics, but more politics of life, and corporate rule.
AllHipHop.com: Can the fans expect to hear you rap again?
Cage: Pretty much, I still love doing that music. I write that s### all the f**king time because its where I came from, but I know that its not going to get me anywhere.
AllHipHop.com: Can you expand?
Cage: Its not challenging to me anymore, and to be honest with you, it was doing absolutely nothing for me. You wouldnt read a review about me in The Source or XXL, see me on BET, or listen to me on Hot 97. That world rejected me and doesnt want anything to do with me. Im going to make and write music that challenges me. Thats not a challenge; its impossibility.
AllHipHop.com: Good point.
Cage: I dont know, I think again its politics; Eminim just opens the door for everyone and just shuts it upon entering it.
AllHipHop.com: Why do you say that?
Cage: Because everything after him is going to be [considered] fraud. Everything after him is killing other artists of similar backgrounds rather than making a credible doorway for those artists.
Cage – “Shoot Frank” feat. Darryl Palumbo
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AllHipHop.com: Are you saying it wasnt his skills but the support he got from people like Dr. Dre that made him successful?
Cage: I think its a matter of skill. Its definitely clear now hes very talented. But of course, you dont see too many artists that come out and be successful in the mainstream without some sort of co-signs involved. Maybe my music just wasnt for the masses at the time, maybe it still isnt.
AllHipHop.com: What were your thoughts on a former member of The Weathermen—Copyright—doing a song criticizing Asher Roth?
Cage: I dont think thats moving forward, I dont think it either affects Asher Roth one bit, or Copyright. I dont think anythings going to come from it. In this insane-f**king business, where peoples lives are just destroyed, I dont wish anyone ill.
AllHipHop.com: I see. I feel like, compared to the Cage in the past, youve changed—from your music to the way youre conducting this interview for example.
Cage: I think it was about 03 when I just stopped doing all the angel dust. Once I cleared my head up a little bit, I realized that I was completely unhappy. I couldnt pay my bills, I was doing shows for little money, and you just have that moment of clarity and think, How many pies in the face are you going to take? Its a culmination of a lot of things, and if Im more aware during interviews, its because Im not f**ked up every day, and looking to say stupid things and be an idiot.
AllHipHop.com: Did you quit drugs completely?
Cage: I mess around with weed, and alcohol. Everything else I have no time for. No time for pills, never was into cocaine, no heroin, no narcotics of any sort.
AllHipHop.com: Lets talk about the video that Shia just directed for you.
Cage: It was interesting. He was on “106 & Park,” and he shouted me out, and the entire audience clapped and cheered, as if they knew who the f**k I was, and I thought it was amazing, because I realized that was the first and the last time I would ever be on BET. [Laughs.] Yea he shot the video, we wanted to make it something different, since its not your typical single.
AllHipHop.com: Any naysayers?
Cage: There are people who hate it, or say, Its a disgrace to Hip-Hop! Thats coming from the mouths of people who have never done anything for Hip-Hop. Like, you write a f**king blog, youre not doing anything but giving your f**king opinion. Go out and f**king create rather than sitting there and critiquing things, and expecting the world to give a f**k about what you think.
AllHipHop.com: You dont like bloggers?
Cage: Suddenly, music fans have become some sort of business-savvy-opinionated writers or A&Rs. Like whenever you get way-over-the-top criticism, just the fact that there are so many pseudo-writers popping out with faux journalism like, I have a blog, Im a journalist! No youre not! Whats crazy to me is to all those self-proclaimed idiots were all a bunch of f**king clowns at the end of the day. So when people are critiquing my music, Ill have you all know, I make silly-ass-f###### music so the only thing thats sillier than my music, is some f**king retard whose f**king a** hurts over listening to my silly-a** music.
Chamillionaire Ft. Bun B
“I Know Ya Mad”
40 Glocc Ft. Lil Boo And Sun
“Rappers Ain’t Sh*t” [Game, Lil Wayne, And 2 Pistols Diss]
Swazy Baby [Heater Of The Day]
“Move Out The Way”
Double A Ft. H-Dot
“Give Me Room”
Rapper Brisco Pistol-Whipped, Robbed In Barbershop
Miami police are seeking four men who pistol-whipped and robbed Opa-locka, Florida rapper Brisco.
According to the Miami Herald, four men – three armed with guns – entered a barbershop on Sixth Avenue last Wednesday (July 29).
Brisco, who has recorded records with rappers like Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled and Rick Ross, arrived at the barbershop to get a hair cut around 1:00 PM.
One man entered the shop unarmed, pretending to be a customer.
He then placed a phone call and three armed men stormed the barbershop and stole over $35,000 worth of jewelry from the rapper, including a diamond-encrusted gold watch, a gold chain and gold bracelet.
“He went to the barbershop to get his haircut. They took a little bit more off the top than expected. This robbery was off the chain,” a police spokeman said. “Four men entered the store guns drawn, firing shots. Luckily no one was hurt, robbing each individual that was in the barbershop. For a rapper to have his bling stolen, they might as well have stolen this mans heart. They took his car also. He had a range rover. The vehicle was recovered in another location.”
Additionally, the bandits stole a Louis Vuitton wallet and over $1,000 in cash, firing three shots as they ran off.
Police are currently seeking suspects.
Ras Kass Feat. Doo Wop P###. By Pete Rock
“If This World Was Mine” Feat._Doo_Wop__Prod._By_Pete_Rock_-HIF.mp3
Bouncer Says C-Murder Guilty of Killing Teen
The murder trial of Corey C-Murder Miller has begun with prosecutors utilizing the testimony of a bouncer present the night of the homicide.
The witness, Darnell Jordan Sr., testified that C-Murder shot 16 year old Steve Thomas at Harveys Platinum Club while more than 15 members of Millers entourage battered him.
Jordan verified that he did not see the murder weapon in the rappers hand. However, he elaborated that he saw the muzzle flash at the end of C-Murders arm when it was directed at the victim.
Jordan said that the flashe from C-Murders arm came as the teen was on his back. At the time of his murder, Thomas allegedly outstretched his arms in Millers direction in hopes of dissuading the fatal attack.
Miller defense attorney Ron Rakosky argued that Jordans testimony isnt reliable based on coercive tactics used by the prosecution. Jordan was an important witness in the first trial, but prosecutors withheld his criminal record.
Additionally, the prosecution team arrested Jordan as a material witness to force him to testify in this trial. Prosecutor David Wolff defended the ruling, stating the majority of the witnesses had been threatened by associates of Miller, and were afraid to testify.
Witnesses in this case have been threatened, Wolff revealed to reporters outside the courtroom. Witnesses in this case fear for their safety.
Jordan himself testified that he was fearful of the ramifications from his testimony, and admitted to first lying about who carried out the killing. Who are you scared of? Wolff inquired. C-Murder, Jordan responded.
I grabbed C-murder and told him to chill out. He tried to weasel his way in. And when he did, gunshots, no, one gunshot Miller stuck his hand under the pile. Thats when I saw the muzzle flash.
Yesterday (August 5), the murdered teens father testified that his son was a huge No Limit fan, and his bedroom walls were plastered with posters of Master P, Slikk the Shocker, and C-Murder at the time of his death.
If convicted of the second-degree murder charge, Corey C-Murder Miller faces a life sentence.
Queen Latifah Ft. Missy Elliott
“Fast Car”
The Beat Melee: Denada Squeaks By, Facing New Battle
Welcome back to another week of AllHipHop.com’s Beat Melee. Thanks to all of those offering constructive feedback, insightful discussion topics, and big ups to the contestants.
The homey Denada took some jabs last week for his sample heavy style but still came out on top with about 59 percent of the votes. JRB The Producer put up a great fight with an eclectic blend of sounds and ear jolting changes.
The BeatDynasty.com staff does it’s best to incorporate all forms of music into the battles. Hip-Hop music has changed forms so many times since it’s beginning roots. Originally, rappers used a microphone to kick rhymes alongside a DJ who would spin disco instrumentals. Then DJs began to use smaller portions of the songs and loop them, which is where sampling began. With the expansion of technology and the money that Hip-Hop music could generate, some have switched over to a more keyboard based style of production. But it’s all Hip-Hop. From Just Blaze, The RZA, or Primo, to Timbaland, Dr. Dre, or DJ Quik. There are 6 million ways to do it. If your head nods, that’s the right one, whether you’re using dusty 45s or FL Studio.
That being said… Denada earns the esteemed title of “16 Track Boarder” with his second straight victory. He’s halfway home to “Immortal Trackster” status. Check the battle below, vote, and comment. Let the games begin!!!
Challenger
Name: Ill Will The Champ (Drank King Productions)
Where you are from: Columbus, GA (C-Town)
Who is your favorite producer: GOD (The man upstairs be helping everybody make heat; we just vessels! Say I’m lying…)
A description of your style of music: Words are dangerous. If I say one style I may haphazardly speak into existence something that would restrict my growth as a musician… (Sorry to the reading impaired… that was the long a** way of saying NO COMMENT)
The best way for someone to contact you: ke**********@*ol.com or dr**********@***oo.com
marvgraindrumwrap
piratehorndrum
oneuwithdrum
Reigning Champion
Name: Denada
Where you are from: Los Angeles/ Currently in Birmingham Alabama
Who is your favorite producer: DJ Premier, Rza, Madlib, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Dilla, Flying Lotus, The Beatnuts, Beatminerz….etc
A description of your style of music: Some head nod s**t
The best way for someone to contact you:
email — su******@***oo.com ……….
Rising Sun
The Soloist
The Joy
Use the custom Poll below to vote, but don’t forget to also leave a comment.
AHH Stray News: 50 Cent, Core DJ’s, Lawyer Faces Life, Simmons Sisters
Rap star 50 Cent will pay homage to Michael Jackson during a charity performance at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey at the end of the month. 50 will be joined on the stage with LeAnn Rimes, Brandy, Flo Rida and Gym Class Heroes on August 31, a date that marks Michael Jacksons 51st birthday. 50 recently dropped Forever King a new mixtape that the Jamaica, Queens rapper dedicated to Jackson. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to 50 Cents G-Unity Foundation.
The Core DJs will celebrate their 5th year anniversary and celebration of the Core DJ Retreat this September. The Core DJ Retreat XI aims to unite the top DJs from across the country, regardless of their affiliation. The event, which takes place September 25-28 in Las Vegas, as the Red Rock Casino and Resort, is described as a weekend of networking, listening sessions, pans, seminars and more. Representatives from labels like Interscope, Def Jam, Atlantic Records, J Records, So So Def, Rap-A-Lot, Bad Boy and numerous others are scheduled to participate in the annual event. For more information or to register log on to http://www.coredjs.com.
The lawyer that helped defend Irv Gotti and his Murder Inc. imprint from federal money laundering charges, is on trial himself. Robert Simels represented Kenneth Supreme McGriff, and successfully defended him against charges that he laundered drug proceeds through Irv Gottis record empire. Simels is now facing life in prison, for allegedly plotting to silence witnesses with Shaheed Roger Khan, a businessman from Guyana who is also accused of using his businesses as front to import cocaine with the notorious Phantom Squad paramilitary group. Prosecutors accuse Simels of being complicit or having knowledge of a plan to bribe or kill witnesses. “Obviously, any witness you can eliminate is a good thing,” the informant recorded Simels saying. Simels denied he was sanctioning anything illegal. It’s part of the vernacular of being a lawyer,” Simels told jurors. Simels is currently free on $3.5 million bond.
Angela and Vanessa Simmons, daughters of pioneering Run-DMC co-founder Joseph Rev Run Simmons return to MTV with the second season of their show Daddys Girls. The show features the girls exploits, mainly in Hollywood and New York. In the upcoming season, the girls move into a new house in the Hollywood Hills and attempt to open a retail store to sell their clothing line Pastry. Daddys Girls, which is executive produced by Sean Diddy Combs and Rev Run, will debut with two back-to-back episodes on MTV on August 11 at 10:00 PM.
DJ Muggs: A Mean Muggin’ Soul Assassin
Since the inception of the Soul Assassins
movement in 1992 the artist collective has birthed clothing brands,
radio shows, records, internet ventures, and the most general parturition,
a movement. Starting in 1997 the Soul Assassins took their artistry
to the recording studio, crafting Chapter 1, which became a classic
Hip-Hop acclaimed compilation. Now, in 2009 the group has reclaimed
the spotlight with the recent, Intermission, an LP highlighting
their new school protégés and their old school roots. AllHipHop.com
sat down with their fearless leader, DJ Muggs, to pick apart the creative
brain of the Soul Assassins and to find out the future of the west coast
born collection.
AllHipHop.com: I wanted to start
with your point of view on the progression of the Soul Assassins from
the inception in the early 90s to the present year?
DJ
Muggs: Well when we first started it was a bunch of rappers and
producers/DJs as our extended family of Cypress Hill. It just grew into
a collective of artists that got together to help with our career goals
and personal goals in our lives. You see it too many times when somebody
helps someone in their career and they go and blow up and never get
back to pass that back to you. So at a certain point we decided that
weve got to look out for each other and create our own economy within
ourselves. As an artistic collective we reach out to all those artists,
everyone from Mr. Cartoon to Alchemist to myself.
AllHipHop.com: As the years
have progressed and artists grown would you describe yourself now as
more of a loose collective?
DJ
Muggs: Well everyone is pretty much a good person and everybody
keeps themselves tight. We just grow and grow and everyone is working
their hardest to do what theyve got to do so that they can contribute.
Weve all been friends for a long time so we keep pushing it.
AllHipHop.com: Speaking of present
Soul Assassins, you recently dropped Intermission. The title
isnt fitting with the previous chapters, does this serve as a break
between Chapters II and III?
DJ
Muggs: Yea, weve been working on Part III so this is actually
the bridge. We didnt want to keep people waiting until next summer
so we decided to put this out right now. I dont consider it part
of the three chapters. I consider it like an interlude and a break from
the other two. A lot of music we had sitting around on the computer
so we wanted to put that out instead of letting it go to waste while
we work on Chapter III.
AllHipHop.com: Since you dont
consider it part of the chapters catalogue, couldnt you have
released it as a mixtape? It seems that is popular for artists who have
material sitting in their computers to drop it on the net for free.
DJ
Muggs: Well thats because I dont like mixtapes. I think its
a waste of time and I think it cheapens music. I think theyre good
for new artists if you want to put your demo out though. If I wouldve
done that it would have disappeared after two or three days and be gone.
Putting it as an album it will be there forever. It will be on the shelves
of record stores and magazines take it seriously, but most important
people take it seriously. When its a mixtape, its just
a mixtape and it gets overlooked on the desk.
AllHipHop.com: One thing that
people may overlook on the new record is your addition of your past
musical endeavor, Dust. Why did you choose to include the Dust record
for the album?
DJ
Muggs: Man Ive got about eight or nine songs Ive never used
from Dust and I loved that record right there. I was playing it one
day in the studio for the homies and people were like, man lets
put that sh*t on the album. And others were like, na, it doesnt
fit the album. Honestly thought, it fits the album because it is
what it is and this is what it is so we put that sh*t out there. Thats
actually a four track. Its a four track demo and we actually tried
going back and recording it in a big studio and cleaning it up and separating
all the tracks but it didnt sound right so we left that sh*t as a
four track.
AllHipHop.com: Speaking of Dust
and your range in production, where do you feel you are at and will
be at with it in the near future?
DJ
Muggs: Really now this year, Im jamming s###. Im gonna start
making a little more music in a minute but for right now Im just
taking a break from music. Weve got about three quarters of Chapter
III done so Ill take a few months off and just DJ. Whats inspiring
me right now is Ive been doing a lot of shows so Ive been practicing
everyday and letting these m############ in the tight pants out there
stand at the screen and think, look at this is art form man, youve
got to put in practice, youve got respect this. You play a professional
sport you cant suck, you cant be wack. Music seems to be like
the only thing you can suck and be wack but dress up and be successful.
AllHipHop.com: Again, looking
ahead, what is in store for Chapter III
in the Soul Assassins catalogue?
DJ
Muggs: Chapter III is coming with a documentary that Im
doing right now with Soren Baker. Chapter III
will be more like the soundtrack to the documentary history of the Soul
Assassins. Weve recorded music for it and were looking for the
release next year.
AllHipHop.com: Along with the
documentary weve heard rumors of a possible memoir in the works
DJ
Muggs: No that was a mistake in print; I dont know who printed
that. Its just a lot of time and energy and it wouldnt get enough
return. Im definitely gonna do it but probably in about ten years
though. Weve got so much more to do so I want to finish up everything
first. I think some things come to early, artists put out two albums
and their already writing their life story. I think we need to go and
do a little bit more.
AllHipHop.com: Speaking of a
decade, what do you think the Soul Assassins will be seen as by then?
DJ
Muggs: Ill see Soul Assassins as the number one artistic movement
ever out of Los Angeles. We accompany any kind of artist there is; visual
artist, graphic artist, photographers, video producers, some of the
biggest rappers and rap groups. I dont see us slowing down. We own
clothing lines, international businesses, and theyre all climbing.
Well continue to grow and maximize our full potential and most importantly
continue to help each other with our personal goals and our artistic
goals. In the end, were pretty much artists that just want to create
art the way we want to create it and not have to conform to all this
commercial stuff that were not really into. We want to continue to
inspire the youth to push forward and create the kind of art they want
to create from their heart and not from their pocket book.