“Wake Up, F**k Every Morning”
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Sandman Ft. Mistah F.A.B., Glasses Malone and Kokane
“Chase Dis Paper”
Phil Ade
“Always There”
Huey Ft. Young Rhome
“Ain’t Playin Bout His Money”
Remy Ma’s Lawyer Avoids Jail Over Tax Violations
The lawyer who represented imprisoned rapper Remy Ma avoided prison time yesterday (July 10), after he pleaded guilty to federal tax violations.
Ivan Fisher, 65, defended Remy Ma during her 2008 trial for shooting a friend in the stomach outside of a Manhattan nightclub, during an argument over missing money.
Fisher pleaded guilty to failing to pay $52,000 in withholding taxes on his employees wages.
By pleading guilty to a tax code violation, Fisher avoided a year in prison.
He must pay $68,000 in back taxes, as well as a $10,000 criminal fine.
In March of 2008, Fishers client Remy Ma was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for the shooting.
Ernie Paniccioli Brings Hip-Hop Documentary Online
Famed hip-hop photographer Ernie Paniccioli is expanding the audience for his award-winning documentary, The Other Side of Hip-Hop: The Sixth Element, by putting it online.
The feature, which captured honors for Best Documentary at the 2007 Tribeca Big Apple Film Festival in New York City, chronicles the picture taker/authors life in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, his service in Vietnam and conversations with students at area schools as well as his ability to capture the beginnings, essence and evolution of Hip-Hop culture behind the lens over the years. Among those appearing in the film are hip-hop co-founder Africa Bambaataa, Public Enemy front man Chuck D, pioneering female rappers Salt n Pepa and MC Lyte and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.
According to Paniccioli, the Internet is the perfect tool in bringing message of The Other Side to those familiar and unfamiliar with hip-hop.
I believe that it was an opportunity to reach a wider audience. You have to understand with the internet, you can have a universal audience. You can have an audience that goes around the planet 24 hours day, seven days a week. And we felt that that was the move we wanted to make, the photographer told AllHipHop.com. You can only reach so many people through live appearances and so on and so forth. But when you put something on the internet, you can reach the whole universe. You can reach other planets, for Gods sake. That was our mindset. We wanted to reach the maximum possible audience because anything else would be disrespectful to the art.
The online availability of The Other Side of Hip-Hop is one of many accomplishments for Paniccioli. The photographer, who self-published eight books last year, is noted for his page-turner, Who Shot Ya? Three Decades of Hip Hop Photography.
The motivation for creating The Other Side of Hip-Hop stemmed from a desire for what Paniccioli called the decriminalization of hip-hop.
And that is meant so when people mention the movie or mention Hip-Hop they think of it as a tool, an antidote to the criminality thats often erroneously associated with hip-hop, he explained. Too many people and too many newspaper people and too many teachers and scholars look at Hip-Hop and automatically think of criminals. I look at it and see poetry. I see dance. I see rhythm. I see a lot of things and thats what we need to convey to the general audience. And thats why we call it The Other Side of Hip-Hop, the artistic, creative, powerful, inspirational part of hip-hop.
I wanted to show people that at the end of the day you could still be a positive, powerful person on your own terms and that you can find magic inside each of us, continued Paniccioli. Each of us has some God in us. And each of us has some spark in us. And thats what I wanted the movie to be. It wasnt about me. It was about my experiences, my travels and the birth of Hip-Hop.
Since the release of The Other Side of Hip Hop, Paniccioli has showcased the feature in 60-,70- and 90- minute versions at various film festivals and fundraisers as well as colleges and universities such as Harvard. Last year, the feature, was made an official selection in the San Diego Black Film Festival. Reaction among filmgoers has been met with emotion, as Paniccioli recalled seeing tears in the eyes of viewers who were among those giving the film a standing ovation.
Its a powerful movie, but its also a hip movie, admitted Paniccioli, who strives to educate people on how Hip-Hop is a collective art form. …Every drop of reaction has been positive because it sheds a light not only on where hip hop has been but where it has the potential to go.
With the cultures potential to be used as a tool to educate, to uplift and more important, to liberate, Paniccioli is adamant about his films efforts to show the span of Hip-Hop and all its elements while emphasizing how the film stresses how rap music is only “a fifth” of the culture as a whole.
You gotta understand, in inner cities, in the hood, theres not a lot of ways out. Theres not a lot of things that can draw you to diggin’ into history and books and so on and so forth because thats considered not cool, he said. “Hip-hop is that thing that can make you get into the books and make you get try to get an education. Whether its in music or art or literature, whatever. Hip-hop is a powerful thing and we cannot underestimate it what were trying to show is the transformative power that it has.
Despite the exposure and honors The Other Side of Hip-Hop has received, Paniccioli’s involvement with the film go beyond taking home a trophy.
We didnt do that to win awards. We made the movie to change peoples minds and hearts about Hip-Hop , the photographer said as he took full advantage of the chance to personally participate in the creation of The Other Side of Hip-Hop. And we made the movie to decriminalize hip-hop. We made the movie to share my views of art as a transformative thing and to give some insight in to what it takes to be a creative person.
Hip-Hop is an art form. We should use it as an art form. We should use it as fun, Paniccioli added. We should use it as a way to globally unite people past language, past religion and past race and culture. Thats the positive side of Hip-Hop. And it has the potential.
Ernie Panicciolis The Other Side of Hip-Hop: The Sixth Element can currently be seen and or digitally downloaded at www.ourgangitvnet.com and www.hiphopotherside.com.
Joe Jackson Believes “Foul Play” Killed Michael
Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson’s father, said that he felt that his sons death might be the result of foul play. “I
just couldn’t believe what was happening to Michael. I do believe it
was foul play. I do believe that. Yes, Jackson told ABC News. A second autopsy on the King of Pop has yet to offer any conclusive answers. Toxicology
results have yet to come in, and The L.A. County coroner’s office will
wait for them before formally listing Michael Jacksons cause of death.
The LAPD is looking specifically at the role prescription drugs may
have played in the singers death, according to the Los Angeles Times. Various
types of prescription drugs were reportedly recovered from Jackson’s
home by the detectives, including an anesthetic that’s normally used
during most surgical procedures. Furthermore, many of MiJac’s
physicians were contacted for their records, but it’s still unclear
whether any criminal charges will be filed until the final autopsy
reports are revealed. Joe Jackson has also expressed to ABC News that he has an interest having a “direct role in raising” Michael’s three children.AllHiphop.com’s Tribute To MJ, with interviews with Rick Ross, Grand Master Flash, John Salley, Shane Mosley, Maino, Big Tigger, Trey Songz and many more.
Knockout Nation: Rest In Peace, Champ Alexis Arguello
Last week, the boxing world lost one of its greatest ambassadors in Alexis Arguello. In a sport mired in corruption and cruelty, Arguello always stood out as a gentle soul who positively touched the lives of anyone he came in contact with. In this weeks column, I take a look back at the legendary career and life of The Explosive Thin Man, Alexis Arguello.
Like many fighters from Latin America, Alexis Arguello was thrown to the wolves early and forced to learn the sweet science on the job. After turning pro at a mere 16 years old in 1968, he was promptly blasted out in one round in his professional debut. 3 fights later, Arguello was again on the losing end, dropping a 6 round points decision.
But the young pugilist remained diligent, and racked off a record of 33-1 over the next 6 years, which earned Arguello his first title shot against WBA featherweight champ Ernesto Marcel in February 1974. The aged champ proved too wily for the still learning Arguello, who was outfoxed to a unanimous decision loss. Undaunted, Alexis went right back to work and scored 4 wins (3 by knockout) in the same year, which earned him another shot in November for the WBA title, as Marcel had retired.
The man standing in his way this time was Ruben Olivares, a featherweight warrior and future hall of famer with a record of 77-4-1. Arguello again looked to be in trouble as Olivares jumped out to an early lead behind his hard counterpunching on the inside. However, Arguello never wavered in stalking Olivares, and ended the Mexicans night with 2 knockdowns courtesy of a crushing left hook and right uppercut in the 13th round. For the first time, Alexis Arguello was now a world champion.
From 1974-1977, Alexis Arguello lived up to his nickname of El Flaco Explosivo (The Explosive Thin Man). He defended his featherweight title 4 times, winning all by knockout. Additionally, he went 12-0 in exhibition bouts.
By 1978, Arguello had outgrown featherweight, and moved up to super featherweight (130 lbs) to challenge dangerous WBC champ Alfredo Escalera.
The fight was highly anticipated, particularly in Latin America, as Arguello and Escalera were Nicaraguan and Puerto Rican respectively. The bout was held in Escaleras backyard (Bayamon, PR), and would go on to be nicknamed The Bloody Battle of Bayamon.
The first half of the bout was competitive, with both men stunning each other with combinations. But Arguello proved to be the harder puncher, and was taking a heavier physical toll from Escalera when the two combatants went to war. After 10 career-shortening rounds, Escalera had a broken nose, and severe, dripping cuts in his mouth and over his eyes. The battered champ staged a comeback in the 11th and 12th, but was ultimately TKOd after the referee stopped the bout due to Escaleras injuries.
At 130, Arguello solidified himself as one of the top 3 fighters all time at that weight. Among his KO victims were Bobby Chacon, Rafael Bazooka Limon, and Alfredo Escalera in a bruising rematch, where Arguello scored the knockout after receiving face lacerations that required plastic surgery.
In 1981, Alexis moved up to his 3rd weight class to challenge Jim Watt for the WBC lightweight title. Arguello took the crown by a rare 15 round decision, and became the 2nd Latin American and 6th overall fighter to win world titles in 3 weight classes. With Roberto Duran gone from the division, Arguello struggled to find elite, high profile opponents to test his skills.
But in his first defense, the Nicaraguan had a memorable battle with well-known, undefeated American prospect Ray Boom Boom Mancini. The fight was a war from the opening bell. Although he was clearly outgunned, Mancini refused to give up until a crushing straight right separated him from his senses in round 14. The post-fight interview was one of Arguellos defining moments, as the world witnessed him consoling a heartbroken Mancini and promising to do everything in his power to help his career going forward.
After making 3 more defenses, Alexis Arguello again focused on achieving history by ascending to a higher weight class in junior welterweight, and becoming the first man to win world titles in 4 weight classes. But there was one man who stood in his way Aaron Pryor.
Since Aaron Pryor only held the WBA version of the 140 pound championship, Arguello couldve easily selected a safe opponent to win another belt. But the Explosive Thin Man recognized that Pryor was considered the man in that division, and wanted to achieve history against the best fighter possible.
The two met in 1982 at the Orange Bowl in Miami. The aggressive Pryor immediately pounced on Arguello, bullying the challenger around and abusing him with an endless barrage of punches. Arguello fired back, but in his 4th weight class, he found his normal firepower only made Pryor angrier, and prompted the underrated champ to apply even more pressure.
By the championship rounds, a bloody and fading Arguello was behind on the scorecards. It looked bleak until Arugello viciously snapped back Pryors head with his trademark straight right. For the first time, Pryor was visibly stunned and slowed down his assault. The crowd erupted even louder for Arguello, the sentimental favorite. The round ended before Arguello could adequately capitalize, and it appeared that the Nicaraguan had a shot to the take the bout in the final 2 rounds.
However, Pryor trainer Panama Lewis was seen asking his corner team to give him a black bottle that was mixed with an unknown substance. Corners are only allowed to use water, and the bottles substance reinvigorated Pryor, who blazed out at the start of the 14th the same way he did in round 1. A startled Arugello was hurt badly early in the round, and was rendered helpless against the ropes as Pryor rained down flush shot after flush shot until the referee stopped the contest. The classic bout was mired by the black bottle controversy, and both men agreed to a rematch the following year.
Having fought in over 70 bouts and competing in his 4th weight class, Alexis Arguello was no match for a prime Aaron Pryor. The rematch was much more lopsided although Arguello had his moments. In the 10th, Arguello was again hurt against the ropes and decided to stay down after a knockdown.
He would fight just 4 more fights over the next 12 years before retiring for good in 1995.
Starting in the 80s, Arguello became involved in the politics of his native Nicaragua. He first fought in the guerrilla war against the Sandinista National Liberation Front before joining them in 2004 to run for vice-mayor of Managua. He won the election, and just last year became mayor of Managua after securing 51% of the vote.
Despite the appearance of an easy going man, Alexis Arguello struggled with drug addiction and depression. In a candid Sports Illustrated interview, the boxing legend verified that he contemplated suicide. Reports would occasionally come out of Nicaragua of Arguello disappearing for weeks on end, and various occurrences of drug relapse.
Recently, there had been questions about Arguellos close mayoral win, with some accusing there was a corruption scandal. While Arguello remained extremely popular in his homeland, he struggled to deal with the pressures of politics and his own personal demons.
On July 1, 2009, Alexis Arguello shot himself through the heart. He was 57 years old.
The tragic news shocked the boxing world. Friends such as Roberto Duran just sobbed at the news, reflecting the bond he shared with his fellow all time great.
Although the end was filled with pain and sorrow, Alexis Arguello made millions of people happy throughout his tenured career as a boxer. In death, he remains a revered figure in his homeland, and an example of class and dignity to upcoming fighters.
Member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
3 Time World Champion at Featherweight, Super Featherweight, and Lightweight
Ranked #20 on RING Magazine’s Top 100 Punchers of All Time
Vic Darchinyan (32-1-1, 26 Kos) vs. Joseph Agbeko (26-1, 22 KOs), IBF Bantamweight Title (Showtime Network)
John Forte Marks Arrest Anniversary With New Album
Singer/songwriter and producer John Forte has chosen to commemorate the anniversary of his July 2000 arrest with the release of his first collection of new music to be released in nearly eight years.
Fortes StyleFREE the EP will be available for purchase and streaming exclusively on JohnForte.com on July 14, exactly nine years after he was arrested on drug possession and conspiracy charges.
A physical and wide digital release of the project is set to follow in late August. The Grammy-nominated artist first emerged on the entertainment scene as a member of the Refugees Crew, producing, co-writing and appearing on The Fugees multi-platinum sophomore album The Score.
Following the albums success, Forte landed a solo deal at Columbia Records, releasing his debut PolySci in 1998.
Unfortunately, due to lackluster promotional efforts, the album, which was critically well received, sold a meager 79,000 copies, leading Columbia to drop Forte from their roster.
According to an August 2002 Rolling Stone article, the artist had apparently developed a lavish lifestyle which he became unable to sustain, leading to his surprising foray into the drug trade.
While performing at a weekly DJ gig in Manhattan in 2000, Forte met 35-year-old drug dealer Chris Thompson, who he allegedly assisted by recruiting and overseeing drug couriers.
On July 12, Drug Enforcement Administration Agents arrested two young women in Harlingen, TX after discovering $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine in their suitcases.
Two days later, DEA agents arrested Forte in New York after he took possession of the suitcases.
He has maintained that he was under the impression that he was helping Thompson transport money and not drugs.
While on a supervised release between his 2000 arrest and the beginning of his fourteen year sentence in 2002, Forte recorded I, John, which featured appearances by Herbie Hancock, Esthero, Tricky and Carly Simon, a close friend of Fortes who even put up $250,000 of his $650,000 bond.
It was in part because of lobbying efforts by Simon and her son Ben Taylor that John Forte obtained a pardon from former President Bush in late 2008.
Since his release, John Forte has taken no time to jump back into the Hip-Hop scene, quickly adapting to the technological advances he missed while incarcerated to make his music available to new and old fans alike.
Almost immediately after coming home, he released three singles online, including the Talib Kweli-assisted Homecoming. Fortes also embarked on a life of activism and teaching, joining the Harlem-based In Arms Reach initiative, which supports children of incarcerated parents.
StyleFREE the EP captures all of the varied experiences Forte has undergone in the last few years.
The title track is a throwback to Fortes Brownsville, Brooklyn upbringing; while ballads like More Beautiful Now and There We are are more introspective.
The EPs first single Play My Cards For Me is currently available at JohnForte.com for free download.
John Forte is also currently working on his memoirs, which will be published by Simon & Schuster upon completion.
The Game Continues To Taunt Jay-Z, Disses Beyonce In Madrid
The Game is showing no signs of halting his assault on Jay-Z, as two new videos have surfaced featuring the Compton, California native disrespecting Hip-Hops biggest earner in 2009.
In his latest Lamborghini Blog, The Game acknowledges the gulf between his financial status and Jay-Zs, although he was quick to point out he too, was earning money, making Forbes’ list for 2008-09 earnings at around $6 million.
During the course of his latest 30 minute video blog, The Game shaves, shows off his clothes, takes viewers on a tour of his penthouse suite in a hotel in Spain – and continued his attacks on Jay-Z – during a stay as part of his tour across Europe.
The majority of the blog features The Game walking the streets of Europe talking to the natives, as well as people from The United States.
In one humorous incident, he asks a Mime if he was familiar with The Roc (as in Roc-A-Fella).
The mime clueless, states he was but, referred to wrestler Dwayne The Rock Johnson.
On stage, the humorous tone was left behind, as The Game continued to taunt Jay-Z, screaming to the crowd f**k Jay-Z and once again labeled the Roc-A-Fella CEO an old ass n***a.
The Game then launched into a freestyle verse where he called out Jay-Zs associate and longtime friend Tyran Ty Ty Smith and even took a shot at Jays wife, Beyonce Knowles.
You got a bad b**ch word/Aint no p***y like hers/Just ask the Mavericks, Cowboys, Rockets and The Spurs, making reference to sports teams in Knowles home state of Texas.
Jay-Z has yet to respond to either of The Games recent verbal jabs, the last one coming in Bordeaux, France.
The Game is currently on a tour of Europe. video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player
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AHH Stray News: DMX, Will Smith, Hammer, B.o.B.
DMX continues his return to the rap game, with a series of confirmed concert dates. Representatives for the rapper have confirmed DMXs is putting together a tour that he will headline, with dates confirmed in Las Vegas (July 25 ), Texas (August 1), Philadelphia (August 2), Miami (August 8, 9) and Los Angeles (August 22). The tour will be DMXs first major outing since his Year of the Dog tour in 2006.
Will Smith is in negotiations to star in a new movie titled City That Sailed, for 20th Century Fox. The actor/rapper will star in the flick, which centers around a father and daughter who live on opposite sides of the Atlantic. The fathers love for his daughter is so great that it causes Manhattan to split and float across the ocean. The movie is currently being developed and directed by Francis Lawrence, who directed Smith in I Am Legend. The movie is being produced by Smiths Overbrook Entertainment with James Lassiter.
MC Hammer is heading to Harvard University, where he will be the keynote speaker during Gravity Summits Social Media Marketing for Business conference, which takes place on August 31 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This years conference will focus on Twitter and other social networks, and the marketing impact they have in the world of entertainment. Hammer will explain how he has used social media to market himself and his A&E television show Hammertime. “Speakers invited to participate at Gravity Summit events are selected based on industry expertise and thought-leadership,” said Beverly Macy, CEO of Gravity Summit. “We are delighted Hammer has agreed to provide his unique insights into social media marketing strategies and know our business audience will benefit greatly from his marketing savvy and social media expertise.”
B.o.B. aka Bobby Ray will join rappers Asher Roth and Kid Cudi on the Great Hangover Tour, which is set to kick off in Cleveland at the House of Blues on July 17th. The Atlanta-based rapper/singer will debut material off of his upcoming major label release, B.o.B. Presents the Adventures of Bobby Ray. The 16-date-trek will hit major markets like Detroit, Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta and Washington D.C. Full tour dates are listed below:
JULY
17 Cleveland, OH House of Blues 18 Detroit, MI Royal Oak 20 Kansas City, MO Voodoo Lounge 21 Denver, CO Ogden 22 Salt Lake City, UT Harry O’s 23 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues 24 San Francisco, CA Regency Ballroom 26 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues 27 Phoenix, AZ Marquee 29 Dallas, TX House of Blues 30 Austin, TX Stubb’s 31 Houston, TX House of Blues
AUGUST
2 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle 3 Norfolk, VA The Norva 4 Baltimore, MD Ram’s Head 5 Washington, DC 9:30
Fabolous Ft. Nas and Ne-Yo
“Watch Your Shorty”
Drake Ft. Tommy Star
“Slow Down”
Poison Pen Ft. Donny Goines [Heater Of The Day]
” Poison Pen and Donny Goines Freestyle”
Lil Boosie and Hurricane Chris
“Struggle”
Dope Boy Ft. K.Dot
“Killa Cali”
Cash Money Mixtape Lawsuit Thrown Out Of Court
Cash Money Records lawsuit against mixtapeBCD Music Group is a thing of the past.
The record labels case was thrown out by federal court judge Miriam Cedarbaum, for failure to clearly state any causes of action upon which relief could be granted, a lawyer for BCD Music Group old AllHipHop.com.
The dismissal marks the end of the conflict between Cash Money, and Texas based independent distributor BCD Music Group, which was also named in the labels complaint.
In February, Cash Money filed its lawsuit against Dramas Aphilliates Music Group, BCD, Makin Moves Entertainment and others amid claims that the music of Cash Money rapper Lil Wayne, was created and distributed illegally through mixtapes.
The suit, which was part of an ongoing case against BCD, centered around three volumes of Dramas Dedication mixtape series as well as Happy Fathers Day, featuring music by Lil Wayne and Baby and Frank Ninos When the North and South Collide.
News of the lawsuit triggered speculation concerning tension between DJ Drama, Lil Wayne and the mixtape community in general.
The turntablist dismissed the rumors in April as he noted how the accusations against him were misplaced.
This is not a case of Lil Wayne vs. DJ Drama. Me and Wayne are good, Drama stated.
I am confident that this matter will be resolved quickly without harming the relationship between myself, Wayne and Cash Money Records.
Cash Moneys lawsuit was an amended version of a previous complaint that was withdrawn after being served.
Despite the outcome of the case, BCD’s lawyer, Wallace Collins, Esq., revealed that Cedarbaum gave Cash Money until September 9 to re-file a second amended complaint if they choose to further pursue the case.
If the complaint is not filed, the dismissal will be deemed final and with prejudice.
Lawyers for DJ Drama contacted AllHipHop.com to clarify that only BCD was dismissed from the lawsuit.
TLM
“Dreamin”
Alternative Pick: Usher Ft. Pharrell
“What’s A Guy Go To Do”
Max B Ft. Jay Burna
“Diamonds and Pearls”