AllHipHop

homepage

Michael Jackson Memorial Set; Custody Battle Breaks Out

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

A memorial service for Michael Jackson has officially been confirmed and will take place this Tuesday (July 7) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where Jackson rehearsed for an upcoming tour.

 

Organizers are giving away 17,500 tickets to fans lottery style, who must register at StaplesCenter.com.

 

Of those 17,500, only 11,000 will be able to actually go inside of the Staples Center.

 

The other 6,500 will watch the event from a simulcast being broadcast at neighboring Nokia Theater.

 

“If you do not have a ticket, if you are not credentialed, not only will you not be allowed at these venues, you will not be allowed in this area,” Los Angeles Police Department assistant chief Earl Paysinger said. “Watch it on TV.”

 

In related news, California State Attorney General Jerry Brown has officially launched an investigation into Jackson’s prescription drug use and how he received powerful anesthetic drugs like Diprivin (also known as Propofol).

 

The drug was found in Jackson’s house and is suspected of being the substance the caused the 50-year-old pop superstar to go into cardiac arrest.

 

A custody battle has also broken out over Michael Jackson’s three children. Debbie Rowe, who birthed Jackson’s two children Michael, 12 and Paris, 11, has confirmed that she will seek custody of the children, who have been in the care of Jackson’s mother Catherine since Jackson’s death last week.

 

Rowe will also reportedly seek custody for Prince Michael II aka Blanket, although she is not the child’s biological mother.

DMC Bringing Rock Hall Trophy To Queens For July 4th

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Rapper DMC plans to celebrate Independence Day in his old neighborhood of Queens, New York, where he will celebrate being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

DMC will be displaying the actual trophy bestowed upon him by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which he earned in April, when he and fellow band mates from Run-DMC where inducted into the prestigious museum.

 “I am celebrating my Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame induction back in Hollis Queens because I am from that community and a representation of the opportunity to achieve something great no matter where you come from,” DMC told AllHipHop.com. “I always want to show the generations after me that I am not above them, better than them or greater than them, I am them. People in Hollis or anywhere else for that matter, are not my fans, they are my friends. We celebrate this achievement together, this isn’t about me, its about our Hip-Hop culture and our ability to make it good for all in the hood.”

 

The event will take place at Hollis Famous Burgers, which also serves at the Hollis Hip-Hop Museum, at 203-01 Hollis Avenue, in Queens New York.

 

DMC has already donated a number of artifacts to the Hollis Hip-Hop Museum, which will open just two blocks from a street recently named after the group, “Run-DMC JMJ Way,” at 205th Street.

 

DMC’s Fourth of July celebration starts tomorrow (July 4) at 2:00 PM.

Busta Rhymes Prepares for Canadian Tour

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Veteran rapper/actor Busta Rhymes is going beyond the borders of the United States to give fans a lively dose of hip-hop with his upcoming tour of Canada.

 

The outing, which kicks off July 16 at the Ottawa Blues Fest in Ottawa, ON, will be in support of Rhymes’ latest album Back On My B.S.

 

The release, which features the T-Pain-assisted hit “Hustler’s Anthem,” includes appearances from Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Ron Browz , Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Akon and Jamie Foxx as well as production from DJ Scratch, Jelly Roll, Cool and Dre, the Neptunes and Mr. Porter.

 

In addition to Rhymes, fans will also be treated to opening sets from Juno and MMVA award-winning rapper Belly and Toronto-based rhymesayer Peter Jackson.

 

Belly, who is currently enjoying the success of his latest single “Hot Girl” and featured appearance on Danny Fernandes’ “Private Dancer,” will appear on Western Canada tour dates.

 

The outing’s August shows (Aug. 10-21) will be supported by Jackson, who is garnering a buzz from his debut single, “Come on Over.”

 

The Canadian tour is the latest achievement for Rhymes.

 

The Grammy nominated entertainer is noted for his work in films such as Shaft, Higher Learning, Finding Forrester and The Rugrats Movie. Rhymes also has a catalog of hits, including tracks like “Whoo Hah!! Got You All In Check”, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See”, “Break Ya Neck”, “Make It Clap, “I Love My Chick,” “Arab Money” and others.

 

The following is a list of dates for Busta Rhymes’ Canadian tour:

 

July 16 Ottawa, ON Ottawa Blues Fest Aug 10 Kelowna, BC Level Nightclub Aug 11 Medicine Hat, AB Cypress Centre Aug 12 Calgary, AB Flames Central Aug 13 Edmonton, AB Edmonton Events Centre Aug 14 Saskatoon, SK Ryly’s Aug 15 Regina, SK Evraz Place Aug 17 Winnipeg, MB (venue TBC) Aug 19 Toronto, ON The Phoenix Aug 20 Montreal, QC Metropolis Aug 21 Barrie, ON The Roxx Nightclub

Maino: The Tomorrow Man Arrives

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Features
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

This moment has been a long time coming for Maino. Trials and tribulations had to be signed, sealed and delivered for the ultimate understanding of this Brooklyn hustler. If Tomorrow Comes is the testament to this rapper’s pain and struggle and the album plays like a novel. Straight with no chasers, Maino careens over the concept of the album while dropping thoughts about his native life, death and his native New York. Truly waving at haters now, the underground maven re-introduces himself…his name is Maino.

AllHipHop.com: I quote “08′ was great if you was on your grind, but I’ma tell you what’s gon’ go down in ’09…” There were the first two bars from your “2009 Predictions” track. Your album’s finally here, did you predict that?

Maino: Oh yeah at the ending I said, “I’m going to predict that I’m going to be the next to blow.” I told people I was coming, they didn’t believe. A lot of people doubted that this day would come, which is all cool because I’m cool with being the underdog you know.

AllHipHop.com: I was relieved to see the minimum features on the album. What was the process and stand point going into the album?

Maino: Did you listen to the album yourself?

AllHipHop.com: Yeah, I actually listened to it; it’s put together well. I liked it.

Maino: Thank you. See the thing with that is I wanted to tell a story. I wanted to tell a story about me coming out of jail with a dream and the obstacles I was up against trying to make that happen coming out of jail, getting back in the street, having one foot back in the street- no foot in the industry at all. It was hard so I couldn’t tell that story with having a lot of features of there. It would have been impossible; it would have been a disservice to me and the fans. For me to do all that time, then pushing my album back, and then to finally come out with a record with 30 features on there… Unbelievable, it would have not been a good look.

AllHipHop.com: Considering you hooked up with T-Pain for the “All The Above” track, how do you feel about the D.O.A. track?

Maino: I don’t feel anyway about [Jay-Z’s] “Death of Auto-Tune.” I don’t think the auto-tune thing is going to be dead. That’s a lot of people livelihood for one. I mean it doesn’t really apply to me, you understand. But I don’t think one person can stop a movement. I mean the auto-tune thing- I don’t see it really stopping.

My story on the album is almost just as accurate as it really happened in my life. It’s as accurate as possible. I tried to make close as possible to real life and that’s what it is. It’s like an autobiography- a book.

-Maino

AllHipHop.com: How did you manage to hook up with B.G. for the “Gangsta” track? Out of all the collaborations you could of had, what made you reach out to B.G. for this track?

Maino: Because it makes sense. First of all B.G. is a very good friend of mine and it made sense to have him on my album. Why not two gangstas on the same record?

AllHipHop.com: I was curious to not see if Lil’ Kim would be on the album. What’s your relationship with Lil’ Kim now? Were you two ever romantic?

Maino: No, we weren’t.

Maino- “Til’ I Die”

AllHipHop.com: I love how your skits break up into scenes representing the process of breaking into a record label deal. Are the scenes realistic to your personal journey?

Maino: Exactly. It was very realistic.

AllHipHop.com: How would you say your experience was going into the whole record deal business?

Maino: My story on the album is almost just as accurate as it really happened in my life. It’s as accurate as possible. For me to make it into an album and with the scenes, those are different portions of my life that I was going through. The stuff that I was feeling at the time, I was trying to get into the industry and I’m like “Man I’m caught up. I got a son- a brand new baby, I’m on parole, I’m in the street, I got baby mama drama, I’m still in the street… Am I ever going to be a rapper?” You understand? So this was I was faced with and you know the album, I tried to make close as possible to real life and that’s what it is. It’s like an autobiography- a book.

AllHipHop.com: Now in current state of the industry we’re in, do you find it hard to stay relevant since it’s so trendy and constantly changing? How do you stay relevant and successful without having to feed into the current fad?

Maino: By just staying true to who I am- doing what Maino does. The thing about that is I do what I do you understand. I’m in my lane, I carved out a lane for myself, and that’s the lane that I’m going to continue to be in. I’m going to continue to stay true and making music that I think my fans love.

AllHipHop.com: With everything being so trendy, do you think Hip-Hop still has creativity? Considering what’s being presented and pushed in Hip-Hop, how do view the creativity in Hip-Hop? It’s really not much there anymore.

Maino: Right. It’s really not there. There’s a lot of cookie cutter stuff. Everybody’s following this and that. At the end of the day, it to each it’s own. Just as much as I can’t really get with that, I don’t have time to complain about that either. I just gotta keep moving and keep pushing. Hopefully what I’m doing can come to the forefront of the game and we can make the same kind of impact.

“Well, it works two ways. The internet can hurt you- like in the position I’m in now, with an album and stuff being leaked and downloaded for free. But, in the beginning it can help because, you want to promote yourself.”

-Maino

AllHipHop.com: How do you feel having your album release shortly after the passing of Michael Jackson? Do you think it affect your sales in anyway?

Maino: I don’t know. I have no idea.

AllHipHop.com: After he passed did you have any thoughts like “Oh I wonder how my album’s going to do” or anything like that?

Maino: Honestly, naw because we’re in a time where we know the album music doesn’t really sell like it used to. That’s already what it is. However, whatever God has planned for me, it’s gonna be that, you understand? I don’t put too much pressure on myself and too much thought into what it’s going to be and how many records I’m going to sell because whatever is meant to be, will be.

AllHipHop.com: One thing I can say is that I respect the fact that you don’t do the traditional “Gangsta Rap” since you actually have the creditability to do so. What is it about your music that doesn’t need to rely on your past for success?

Maino: Well, I mean I just try to stick to making things realistic. It’s reality. Like what I do is based off reality. If I’m talking about the struggle, I’m talking about my life. I’m talking about things that I’ve done. I’m going to say it in a way people can relate to it on an everyday basics. That’s all. I try to make feeling music. I want you to feel me. I want you to feel what I’m going through. Just stick with it being realistic- that’s all. I don’t try to put it in a category of being Gangsta or this or that, just realistic.

AllHipHop.com: Do you regret any random slap ups or beat downs that you may have encountered? Would you relate to Ving Rhames’ character whom beat up Tyrese’s character in Baby Boy?

Maino: I felt more like Jody all my life. I never been in a situation when I had my girlfriend’s son that I wanted to beat up. Anything that has ever happened to me or with me, naw I don’t regret. It is what it is.

AllHipHop.com: The internet has taken it’s toll on the music industry. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve heard the term “internet rapper”. How do you feel about the net and Hip-Hop? Do you think it’s for the better or worse for Hip Hop?

Maino: Well, it works two ways. It can hurt you- like in the position I’m in now, with an album and stuff being leaked and downloaded for free. But, in the beginning it can help because before you put out an album, you want to promote yourself as in [using it as] a way to promote. You know you get yourself hot out in the streets using the internet and stuff like that. So it’s like a double-ended sword.

AllHipHop.com: With well familiar old names like 50 Cent and Jay-Z keeping New York alive, what would you say New York needs?

Maino: We need to start making good music and start producing new young fresh young stars. I don’t consider 50 Cent being like- I still consider 50 Cent new almost. He came out 2003 and he hasn’t been around as long as Jay-Z. He’s still kind of fresh to me.

AllHipHop.com: Other than getting love in New York City, where do you find most of the love outside the city?

Maino: I get love everywhere. It’s too various, man. There’s so many places that show love that I can’t exactly say where.

AllHipHop.com: Is there any places where you say you had the best experiences or one show where you rocked out at and you were really feeling the crowd?

Maino: It’s happened so many times. I mean we have to talk Atlanta, Philly, North Carolina- like we’re talking about a lot of different places. I’m in two or three cities a day. I’ve been on the road for months so in some of these places I’ve been twice. So it’s more than one place where I’ve gotten extreme love. Connecticut, DC, Baltimore… you know it’s just all over man.

AllHipHop.com: So If Tomorrow Comes is here, is there anything in the works and coming up for Hustle Hard Entertainment?

Maino: Yeah definitely we’re just going to keep building a brand, moving, putting out new music and making history.

AllHipHop.com: Any last words for Hip Hop?

Maino: Album in stores right now. That’s it.

FOR FUN:

Here are the predictions Maino made at the top of 2009. Now, that we are six months in, see how accurate he was.

*The economy will get worse

* The Knicks will still be terrible

* Angela Simmons will lose her virginity

* Amy Winehouse will O.D.

* Real and Chance is coming out the closet

* Remy Ma going to win her appeal

*Cassie won’t sell

* Lil Wayne will become stranger this year

* Lindsay, Paris, Brooke Hogan and Kim K will get more senseless publicity

* Foxy Brown will come out with a sex tape

* Chris Brown and Rihanna won’t make it to September

* Jay Z and Beyonce will have a baby

* Kanye West’s clothes will get tighter

* Cam’ron will return to rap

* Yung Berg still won’t get his chain back

* Cops will shoot somebody and get away with it

* Al Sharpton is going to march and do nothing

* Another book by Superhead is coming soon about how to suck d**k using autotunes

* 50 Cent will be on Oprah

* Lastly, Maino will be the next rapper to blow

The Last Word: Christina Milian Talks Stripping, Ginuwine Talks His Past Battle With Drugs and Suicidal Thoughts, and R. Kelly Talks Amy Winehouse Collaboration

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Alternatives
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

What’s shakin’ world changers? After long week, we come to

another weekend. People are still reeling from the death of Michael Jackson as

well as the whole drama surrounding the custody of his kids and revelations

surrounding what would’ve been his final concert tour. Off the wall domination.

 

With MJ passing away, I didn’t get a chance to acknowledge

former Tonight Show sidekick/Star

Search host Ed McMahon and Charlie’s

Angels veteran actress Farrah Fawcett, who

both died last week as well as actor/American Express pitchman Carl Malden, who

died this week. Thoughts and prayers go out to family, friends and fans of

these entertainers as well as Neda, the Iranian girl who was killed in the

midst of all the drama in the aftermath of the country’s recent election. And in

the world of media, VIBE

magazine, you will be missed.

 

Congratulations to Scrubs cast member Judy Reyes, who is pregnant with her first child, along

with former Girlfriends star

Golden Brooks and actor D.B.Woodside, who are also expecting a child together.

Shout out to Chaka Khan, who will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

next year and the sounding boards, for always having a Plan B.

 

So much for the small talk. Let’s get into…the Last Word for

the week ending July 3, 2009.

 

1. R.Kelly Desires Amy Winehouse Duet; Soul/Pop Diva Gift

Wraps Song Lyrics

 

With all the ups and mostly downs happening with her lately,

it’s easy to forget that Amy Winehouse is a talented singer with a few Grammys

to her credit and fans that are still hoping for a follow-up to her

breakthrough album, Back to Black.

 

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Winehouse has found

a fan in R&B’s pied piper R. Kelly. In fact, Kells is hopeful that he will

snag the troubled diva for a duet. Although Winehouse’s ongoing struggle with

drugs and alcohol has thrown a serious cloud over her professional life, Kelly

believes the songstress’ issues have made her a stronger person. He even

applauded Winehouse for turning her negative into a positive by writing about

her issues in the hit song “Rehab.”

 

“Amy Winehouse. Rehab. I love that song. I’d definitely love

to work with Amy Winehouse,” Kells shared with WENN. “I love the Rehab song.

She has balls to do that. I love that she kept it real and I would love to do a

song with her.”

 

The thought of Kells and Amy doing a song is scary, but with

all the pain and drama between the two of them the track could become a

timeless classic that anybody can relate to, no matter you’re addition.

 

And while we wait on that, you’ll be happy to know that Amy

is making good use of lyrics from Back to Black with a new range of wrapping paper and gift cards. The collection,

which is part of a joint venture with publishing giant EMI, will feature cards

and gift-wrap printed with song words from “Rehab,” “Back to Black” and “You

Know I’m No Good.” The products with song lyrics seem like a great idea,

because clearly Winehouse has forgotten the lyrics to her songs by now.

 

2. Martin Lawrence Reminisces Over Animated Childhood

While Developing TV Projects

 

If Chris Rock can bring his childhood to the small screen,

so can Martin Lawrence – only with a twist.

 

Media sources report that the actor/comedian is bringing his

childhood experiences to viewers via a new animated TV comedy. Lawrence is

working with screenwriter Rodney Barnes, who will serve as the writer for the

show. The half-hour series will be based on the entertainer’s experiences

growing up in the Washington, D.C.-Maryland area as it focuses on the

misadventures of 13-year-old Martin as he comes of age.

 

The animated show is one of three television projects

Lawrence is developing with his production company Runteldat. The second

project will be an interracial family show for Starz that will be based on the

comedy of Gary Owen, the only white man to host BET’s Comic View. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show is inspired by Owen’s real-life experience

as it revolves around a white guy from a trailer park who marries a well-to-do

black woman. The project is part of a Martin’s efforts to give up-and-coming

stand-ups an opportunity to take the same journey he took – from stand-up

to TV comedy series to movies, said Runteldat director of development Darice

Rollins, who added that Owen may star in the show.

 

As for the third project, that will be a family comedy set

at a funeral home. Nothing more to report on that. 

 

3. Ginuwine Confesses Suicidal Thoughts and Positive Turn

Towards SPRUCE Program

 

You’ve got fame, hit songs and fans that stand by you. With

all of that, what could possibly make life not worth living? Ask Ginuwine and

the answer is found in the death of his parents in 1999 and 2000.

 

The reality of the situation hit hard as Ginuwine admitted

that he “really didn’t want to be here anymore” after his father shot himself

to death and his mother lost her battle with cancer. As a result, the crooner

had no desire to live as he revealed that he tried to commit suicide on more

than one occasion.

 

“There was no one around that I really loved at the time, so

I turned to the drinking and drugs like weed and ecstasy,” Ginuwine confessed

to Essence.com. “I was done mentally and emotionally to the point that I had to

go see a psychiatrist, but that didn’t do any good because I wasn’t interested.

In fact, the two times I visited him I was high. I was depressed and felt like

I had nobody to talk to that could relate to me.”

 

Fortunately, Ginuwine got through the rough period after

receiving counseling from his pastor at church. As a result, the singer said he

was able to “turn away from all those things that were destroying me and

finally think clearly” as he can attest to being clean “for about seven years.”

 

Nowadays, you can find Ginuwine working his wife Solé to

help the mentally disabled.

 

“My wife and I own mentally disabled homes in Kansas City

where the mentally disabled board through a program called SPRUCE (Special

People Requiring Unique Care Equally),” he said. “Many people don’t realize

that once they turn 18 they are often thrown out the house and are homeless. At

the home, they are able to learn the fundamentals of life, like finding a job,

how to take care of themselves, clean their rooms, and other things. My heart

always likes to give, and if I’m going to help somebody it might as well be

someone who can’t help themselves.”

 

4. Christina Milian Talks Lap Dances and Relationship

Excitement

 

With a new album on the way (Elope) and a starring role in the new Bring It

On movie, Christina Milian continues to

make moves. So how does a girl unwind after working so hard? A visit the strip

club may help as the actress/singer admitted to taking in the scenery “every

now and then.”

 

“I’m for it. Vegas has good ones. I like the Crazy Horse

Too. That one’s literally crazy,” Milian told Maxim as she revealed her one pet peeve about going to see

some interpretive dancing. “Only thing I don’t like about strip clubs is the

guys will pay the women to give me lap dances because they want to see them

dance for me. The strippers will come over and say, “That guy said he’ll give

me $100 if I give you a lap dance.” I’m like, “Hey, can we at least split the

money?”

 

Nothing like bringing a business mind to the strip club.

Split the money, make the guys happy. And if that doesn’t grab you then it may

(may not) be good to know that Christina has been known to take her work home

with her to entertain that special somebody. Although she hasn’t brought home

the cheerleading outfit she sports in the Bring It On film, Milian does indulge in other outfits to get it

poppin’

 

“I haven’t brought home a cheerleading outfit. Other

outfits, yes, like a maid costume: a cute apron with the mitts and a robe, too.

It was red. It was really cute,” she said. “I try a little bit of everything.

I’m all about keeping the excitement in the relationship. That’s why I sing

songs like “Dip It Low.” When I’m with somebody, I like to keep it exciting.”

 

That’s cool. The-Dream is a lucky guy. I gotta say that I

was her man, I’d be dreaming of what she’d want to do next to bring it on. The

possibilities are infinite.

 

In Other Words…

 

 

* Those wanting to look like Kim Kardashian can now do so.

And support a good cause at the same time. Kardashian is putting select pieces

of new and gently used clothing up on eBay. Proceeds from the sale of the

clothes will go to the Dream Foundation, the first national wish granting

organization for adults suffering from life-limiting illness. The charity is

dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals, and their families,

at the end of their lives by realizing a final wish.

 

* Never one to just rest, Beyoncé is at it again. This time,

the songstress has partnered with her mother, Tina Knowles, their House of

Dereon design label to launch a junior apparel label called Sasha Fierce for

Dereon. According to WWD, items for the brand will range from sportswear to

 

* Grammy nominated singer Ledisi is making a point to pull

out the stops for the follow-up to her 2007 breakthrough album Lost &

Found, as she tells USA Today that she’s “just going for it, all the way.”

 

The new album, titled Turn Me Loose, will feature collaborations with producers and

writers such as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Carvin & Ivan, Chucky Thompson

and Rex Rideout.

 

“The title is a reflection of me finally being free,” Ledisi

said about her fourth album, which is slated to hit stores on Aug. 18. “I’m

singing my tail off; everything I do live, I do here. Now you get to take that

wild, crazy, fun girl you see on stage home with you.”

 

* Bob Marley’s son, Rohan, is bringing his family’s vibe to

another area as he launches Marley Coffee, a certified organic coffee brand

cultivated from the Marley family farm in Jamaica. Rohan developed the new

brand with his friend Shane Whittle as a tribute to his legendary father.      

 

Among the blends offered for Marley Coffee are Mystic

Morning Wake Up Coffee Medium Roast, Simmer Down Organic Swiss Water Decaf, One

Love Organic Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Lively Up! Organic 5 Bean Espresso Blend

and Jammin Java Organic Bold Full City Roast. To purchase Marley Coffee, visit

www.marleycoffee.com.

 

Sounds like an interesting venture, to say the least. But it

makes you think. The new face of coffee, Bob Marley without a SPLIFF but a cup

and a sip, is like Juan Valdez without an Ass!!!

 

* Anybody with dreams of being successful can get guidance

from Vanessa Williams. The Ugly Betty

star is spearheading a new charitable education campaign called Botox Cosmetic:

Express Success. Money raised from the effort will go to Dress for Success, an

organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged women succeed in the corporate

world by providing professional attire and career support. For more information

on Express Success, visit, ExpressSuccessCampaign.com.

 

* This shouldn’t come as a big surprise. Fantasia is

planning to release a full gospel album after her third album comes out in

2010.

 

* The life of famed Afrobeat musician and activist Fela

Anikulapo Kuti is coming to Broadway. The Off-Broadway musical Fela! highlights Kuti’s musical career as well as his

personal life and work as an activist opposing the corrupt military government

of post-colonial Nigeria.

 

Previews for Fela! will

take place Oct. 19, followed by the musical’s official opening on Nov. 23 at

the Eugene O’Neill Theater.

Exclusive: BET Denounces Lil Wayne Performance, Drake Apologizes

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

BET has expressed remorse over a performance by Lil Wayne, Drake and Young Money Records that involved underage girls during songs “Best I Ever Had” and “Every Girl.”

The songs, which have overt sexual references, were performed during the Sunday BET Awards ’09 show as a bevy of young girls danced on stage. The group of girls consisted of Lil Wayne’s daughters and her friends.

In an exclusive statement, BET has responded to the criticism and the public outcry over the segment.

“BET Networks deeply regrets the performance by Young Money at the BET AWARDS ’09 (featuring Lil Wayne, Drake, Gudda Gudda and Mack Maine),” a BET representative told AllHipHop.com exclusively. “Elements of the performance were unplanned and should not have happened.”

In the aftermath of the show, many have expressed outrage over the outing by Young Money, which was set amid a show dedicated to the late Michael Jackson.

Activist and filmmaker Byron Hurt lambasted the network earlier in the week in an open letter to Debra Lee, the President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Holdings, Inc.

“In a culture where one out of four girls and women are either raped or sexually assaulted – and where manipulative men routinely traffic vulnerable women into the sex industry – it is not okay that BET allowed this to happen,” Hurt said. “BET owes its entire audience – particularly girls and women around the world – an apology for its failure to intervene.”

A representative said generally the company has found such opinions useful.

“We value and appreciate the feedback from our viewers and have edited Young Money’s performance for all BET Awards ’09 encore presentations.”

Drake has apologized and taken responsibility for the performance, admitting it was in poor taste.

“That…was a terrible idea that I’ll never do to myself again. But I was being pressed from different areas to perform, and I think what really happened at the BET Awards is with the passing of Mike, the climate really changed, as far as the award show goes,” he told Complex. “I don’t think it called for us to perform “Every Girl” and “Always Strapped,” and I think it was an award show filled with tributes and music and these genuine heartfelt speeches. And to sort of climax out of a very tongue-n-cheek point, and then people misconstruing Wayne’s daughters and her friends coming out on stage — it was just timed very poorly and it definitely wasn’t planned like that, but with that being said, it is what is. I believe in Wayne and myself and it’s nothing we can’t bounce back from. To anyone who was offended, my personal apologies, it wasn’t intended to offend anybody.”

An edited version of the show will re-air on Monday July 6. The BET Awards saw a 61-percent increase in viewers this year fueled by the sudden death of Michael Jackson. Ten percent of all turned on television sets watched the show Sunday, a remarkably high number.

AHH Stray News: Lil Wayne Cancels Tour, Eminem Concert, Kanye Interns

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

New Orleans Hip-Hop star Lil Wayne has postponed his upcoming European tour on doctors orders. Lil Wayne was slated to kick off the tour today (July 2) in Paris France. The rapper, who is famous for his rigorous tour schedule, was scheduled to play ten dates in throughout Europe, including two in the United Kingdom. Wayne, 26, was ordered to rest by doctors, due to an unknown illness. “Lil Wayne regrets to announce the postponement of his forthcoming European shows due to illness. Wayne, his band and crew arrived in Europe with full intention of performing but were forced to cancel the dates due to doctor-mandated rest.” Fans are being advised to hold on to their tickets, as dates are currently being rescheduled.

 

Eminem will give his first full concert-performance this October, when he headlines the Voodoo Experience Festival this October. Eminem’s headlining performance at this year’s Voodoo Experience Festival marks the rapper’s first full performance in four years. The event, which takes place from October 30-November 1, also includes headliners Kiss and Jane’s Addiction. Rappers like Cool Kids and D12 are also on the bill, while the concert is rounded out with performances by Wolfmother, Flaming Lips, Justice and others.

 

According to reports, chart-topping rapper Kanye has gone back to the basics to study fashion, as an intern at The Gap. A source told US Weekly that West is reportedly interning at The Gap’s New York offices, where he is attempting to learn “the fashion business from the inside.” Kanye West is currently preparing for a show in London’s Hyde Park this Sunday (July 5).

R. Kelly Reps Deny New Sex Scandal

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Representatives for R&B singer R. Kelly have responded to recent media reports claiming the singer was involved in another scandal, this time allegedly with a 17-year-old girl.

 

Reports had stated that the singers home in Olympia Fields, Illinois had been raided the day before Kelly’s first ever tour of Africa.

 

Police were allegedly seeking a girl who was 16-years-old at the time, who was rumored to be staying with Kelly.

 

Internet reports stated that anonymous sources claimed police were “gathering evidence that included signed affidavits from several witnesses within R. Kelly’s circle.”

 

Police Chief Jeff Chudwin confirmed that they investigated Kelly, but “found there to be no crime and the matters have been closed.”

 

Representatives for Kelly also shot down the report, labeling it “wildly exaggerated and inaccurate.”

 

“No police ever showed up at Kelly’s house with a search warrant nor was his house ever searched,” a rep for Kelly said in a statement. “It is also not true … that any such girl ever stayed overnight in Kelly’s house or that she had been there but left shortly before some mythical police search.”

 

In June of 2008, Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges, after he was accused of videotaping himself engaged in sexual acts with a minor, including allegedly urinating on a 14-year-old, between 1998 and 2000.

Hip-Hop Rumors:Soulja Boy Retires and Returns? Brisco Starting Label? New Jack City II

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Rumors
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

DISCLAIMER:

All content within this section is pure rumor

and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have

whispered in our ear. Read on.THE DAILY TWO SENSE

What’s up everybody? Nothing to say – on to the rumors!

SOULJA BOY QUITS!

Holy cow! I know people want me to be on twitter more, but I just can’t be on there the way I want. I will try to do better. So, just last night somebody hit me up on email and told me that Soulja Boy was going the route of Martin Lawrence – a meltdown. BUT, Soulja Boy opted to express his spazz on twitter. He was just yippin and a-yappin about people hating on him and him quitting the game. Those posts are now deleted and it seems like he’s back to normal. By the end of the rant, he said that he had talked to Tyrese and said “my twitter doing numbers.” Leads me to believe the young lad was either on lean or something or just wanted to get some more followers. It may be both.

Here is the rant:

“Like no b#######… I’m looking on Twitter right.. all people doing is b######/hatin … Thinkin about taking all my money and leaving 🙂 … F### having a Million followers f### putting out music.. why? for yall to cry and b#### all the time. Put up new vidoes for what? f### it … S### ain’t how it use to be. N##### always f###### up public s###. N##### always hating… this world is looking real ugly right now…Yeah I said. f### all of yall. I’m taking my money and leaving. Gonna go blow kush and live my 2nd dream. this rap s### lame now … Like why? Like really. My music dream was THE S### 2 years ago before I was signed. It was everything I could ever imagine…Then I get signed. this is where my dream slowly died.. these crackaz wanna critcize a n####. take REAL S### and turn it to trash…Water down my music and my appearance and make me look like something i’m not. THESE CRACKERS DONT KNOW WHO THE F### I REALLY AM!!! I go to the studio make new music for my fans to enjoy and party to. They take my s### hate on me. Make me look ignorant in the media … It’s all b#######. Like WHY do I have to put up with this? because it’s my dream? that s### died when crank that went #1… I know what you thinking. But SOULJA BOY its the American dream your rich I would kill to be in your shoes. thats what you THINK its all BS! … They say soulja boy u changed. soulja boy u hollywood I ain’t ask for this S###!!!!!! I want it to go back to how it was before i was signed … I might be soundin crazy now.. I don’t really know about alot of things these days. But I just want EveryBODY to know this s### … Just KNOW that i’m only 18 man… And it’s only so much I can do. It’s only so much I can take. If your really fans and love and support me … You would hear me out and help ya boy get thru this s###.. I know everybody is gonna have opinions on the things that i’m saying right now.. but there it is. I’m not perfect. feel the s### im sayin”

Shout out to Crack Distributors radio for the cut and the paste.

NEW JACK HUSTLER!

The classic street flick that is getting remade is NOT “Belly.” That wasn’t classic anyway. I wasn’t going to reveal this until sombody told me it wasn’t even a secret. They are making a sequel to New Jack City. I was told about this and the rumor has lived over a year ago and the writer for this movie had an interesting story. All I can relay is that the writer wrote the script for the entire movie while working as a token collector for a subway transit company. New Jack City II is on the way.

QUINCY JONES DOESN’T WANT VIBE

Quincy isn’t interested in VIBE magazine, The Dude is interested in Vibe.com for his business efforts. He may be and older gentle man but he isn’t crazy. I don’t believe that the magazine game is crazy, but certainly Q is moving on. Also, with regard to Q, I have heard that he expects to live to be about 150 year, based on what his health is looking like now.

RAKIM DIDN’T WRITE “SUMMERTIME”- REALLY?

OK, it looks like yesterday’s rumor set off a bunch of responses and whatever. Did or didn’t Rakim write “Summertiime” for Fresh Prince aka Will Smith? One of my trusted industry sources told me that WITHOUT A DOUBT it was Masta Ace that actually wrote the hit record. I mean, there have been a few hats thrown in that, but I am going to stick with Ace due to the credibility of the source. And Did Nas write “Gettin Jiggy With It?

NAS IS HAPPY!

If you thought Nas was all down and depressed due to his looming divorce, you would likely be wrong. I don’t claim to know the mind state of Nasir Jones but, he is certainly looked happy at a recent stop in Iowa. The QB don showed up to perform his new songs with Damian Marley. The pair rocked about five songs off their “Distant Relatives” album, which was supposed to have dropped already.Anyway, my boy Adrian told me this one is going to be well worth the wait and that they are truly the best of both world – Hip-Hop and R&B that is! So, if these guys are in your town, go see them and get a preview of some ill music.

BRISCO STARTING A LABEL?

I heard Brisco went into a studio, took all his songs, put them on a hard drive and bounced. I don’t know for sure, but there may be some friction with Poe Boy. Some of my sources have indicated that Brisco is looking to start his own record label with those songs.

DRAKE’S NEW VIDEO….

I’ve seen quite a lot of feedback from this video. Check it out again or for the first time.

video platform

video management

video solutions

free video player

A lot of breasteses in that vid! If his fanbase is women, why would he do a video for men? Just a question.

WHY KANYE DIDN’T PLAY THE BET AWARDS: A THEORY!

A.P.T. hit me up and gave a very plausible theory on why Kanye didn’t play the BET awards. Here is what he speculated:

This is A.P.T., a.k.a. the guy who made the “Obama Milli” song last year! I watched the B.E.T. awards, and realized that Kanye, despite being at the show, didn’t perform. Keri Hilson was onstage, and they played the Kanye part of the song (in repetition) where he says, “This is bad, real bad, Michael Jackson.” If I had to speculate, I’d say the reason he didn’t perform is because the line right after that line is…

“Now I’m mad, REAL mad, Joe Jackson.”

Seeing as MJ’s father was actually there, he, or someone at the network, probably thought it would be insensitive for Kanye to perform and say this line. No need to make reference to Joe Jackson’s abusive ways during a tribute show I guess (though dedicating “F–k Every Girl” to the late pop star is, apparantly, perfectly acceptible. SHM). Anyway, this is just a guess, but I’m probably right!

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

I heard Joe Budden’s old rap name used to be “Blur.” LOL.

Last night Jay-Z and Ciara were in Phoenix rehearsing for their mini tour.

The Game has been tapped to play BA’ Baracus in the film version of 1980s TV classic The A-Team. I can’t mess with that. Cube was a better look, in my opinion, but we’ll see.

50 Cent is looking at another artists to add to his roster. I think its Trick Daddy, but the source said the rapper has gone platinum in the past. I’m not sure if Trick has done that.

Somebody in Europe told me that the real reason Wayne’s tour was cancelled, was not due to illness, but due to waning ticket sales.

N. Korea is going to try and kill us! I mean, I don’t know any more…what is real? What is propaganda?

HEAVY D WORKED WITH MICHAEL JACKSON

Heavy D was one of the few rappers that actually worked with MJ. Check out the interview with Angela Yee.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY

Check this foolishness out from the dailypress.com.

SUFFOLK – He left his photo. Now police have a name to go with it.

A 17-year-old Suffolk resident has been identified by police as the suspect in a recent burglary in which the perpetrator took a self-portrait with his victim’s cell phone camera and left it behind.

Because of his age, the juvenile’s name is not being released to the media. Debbie George, spokeswoman for the city of Suffolk, said detectives have interviewed the teen and will secure petitions charging him with a felony burglary count and a larceny count that could be a felony or a misdemeanor.

The burglary happened in early June at a residence on Holbrook Arch. Detectives believe the burglar attempted to make a phone call using the home owner’s cell phone but was unsuccessful, then used the camera function to take a photo of himself. The photo was circulated in the media, leading to calls from citizens that helped detectives identify the suspect.

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

Do you want the Federal Government following you and tracking your every movement? Well, they already do it, but they are about to put the icing on the cake with this one. The U.S. Department of Transportation has been giving millions of dollars to state governments for the sole purpose of tracking people. They are even going to TAX you for it. Electronic tracking and taxing might be on the way, straight to your DMV. TheFederal Highway Administration is expected to dole out a round of funding and grants in the sum of $11 million. This push sucks. Not only will they know where you are, but they will know how fast you are traveling and therefore send out tickets based on how fast your GPS reports you are moving. Yeah, they do that too. It goes deeper. If you travel in the middle of the night, tolls would be cheaper for you and the GPS would track when you are moving and charge you accordingly. If you are moving during rush hour, its a wrap. You are getting taxed to the max. Furthermore, the Fourth Amendment cannot even protect you, because traveling is a very public act, they argue. These things are nothing but Big Brother on ‘roids and opens Pandora’s box for unchecked surveillance by police, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. PERIOD.

Put that in your weed pipe and smoke it.

LEBRON USES THE N-WORD

Was that him? LOL

T-PAIN GETS JACKED FOR HIS CHAIN!!!!!

PEOPLE HAVE TOO MUCH TIME!

SHAQ IS HYPE!!!!

Him and Bron are coming for Kobe and the Lakers! Shaq is a crazy dude…crazy funny.

I AM OUT OF HERE!!!!!!