“Wanna Lick (Magic Stick II)”
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Last Word: Michael Jackson’s Late Payment, DJ Premier Works With Whitney, and Christina Milian As Wonder Woman
Hows life everyone? The week is over and the weekend is upon us. So
lets reminisce over bomb explosions killing 124 people and injuring
320 near the motorcade of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir
Bhutto, the supposed blood link between Vice President Dick Cheney and
his distant cousin Barack Obama, and Ellen Degeneres putting her talk
show on hold for a day after her emotional plea to an animal rights
agency to return her adopted dog Iggy.
Shout out to Tyree, who made me look at Chinese food in a different
way, and the sounding boards for providing one to grow on.
Once again…the Last Word for the week ending Oct. 19, 2007
1. Christina Milian, the Next Wonder Woman?
It could happen, as the singer/actress makes her intentions known to
become the Amazon princess in director George Millers big screen
adaptation of Justice League of America.
While she fills out the beauty part of the character, Milian is certain she can bring other qualities to the role.
“I think confidence and strength lie in your mind, and I would love to
exude that strength,” said the singer/comic book fan told MTV. “I used
to want to work in comics. I wanted to be an illustrator. I wanted to
write books, and mostly, I wanted to write Justice League. I still
have the comic books I collected from that.”
Milian is hoping Miller will look beyond her skin color when choosing
a suitable female to hold the golden lasso. In the meanwhile, you can
catch her on the Oct. 25 episode of Smallville.
So what do you think? I posed this question weeks ago when I mentioned
that Tyrese Gibson was being in the running to play Green Lantern in
the JLA movie. Do you see Christina Milian as the new Wonder Woman?
2. Rosie Perez Stakes Claim On J. Lo
Its been a good minute since weve heard from Rosie Perez, but the
actress is speaking her peace as she set the record straight as to
whether she or In Living Color creator Keenan Ivory Wayans was responsible
for discovered Jennifer Lopez.
“Im the one that hired her, even though she tells everyone Keenan
[Ivory Wayans] was,” the former Fly Girl choreographer told Out
magazine gossip columnist Micheal Musto. “He didnt want her because
she was overweight and didnt dance that well, but I said, She has
star quality. He said, Your job depends on it. And I thought, ‘Oh,
s**t.'”
Looks like Rosies hunch paid off, as J-Lo not only became the most
well-known Fly Girl, but an A-Lister in Hollywood. Now if only Lopez
can co-sign on this, we can put all those years of debate among In
Living Color historians to rest. 3. DJ Premier Re-ups With Christina Aguilera, Co-Signs Whitney Houston Return
Throughout his career, DJ Premier has collaborated with a whos who of
rappers in the Hip-Hop universe. Only recently has the Gang Starr
beatmaker ventured beyond the rap world, as he blessed Christina Aguilera with tracks on her latest album Back to Basics.
The experience worked so well that Premo is hooking up with Aguilera
again, this time for a potentially vintage collaboration between the
old and the new.
“Christina got back at me because she’s doing a duet with Aretha
Franklin,” Premier told HipHopCanada.com. According to the site, the
Aguilera/Franklin song will likely appear on Franklins forthcoming
album Jewels In The Crown: All Star Duets With The Queen, which is due
to be released this year.
And if that wasnt enough, Premier may get a chance to work with Whitney Houston on her long-awaited comeback album.
“I heard some of Whitney Houston’s new s**t and I might be taking on
some new stuff for her,” revealed the beat crafter, who just happened
to be at the right place at the right time to be consider for working
with the former Mrs. Bobby Brown.
“It wasn’t even a scheduled type thing either. You know how it
happened? I was up at the label and Clive Davis heard that I was in the
building and said, Premier is in the building? Send him in here. He
asked me to listen to a few things. I heard three or four songs and was
like, this one is a good jump off… this has potential…'”
While Premo has faith in Whitneys new material, the big question is does she still have the pipes to recapture her glory days?”The voice is still there man. Trust me.”
What more can you say? If Premo can do for Whitney what he did for Christina, then clear out that number one spot. Its a wrap.
4. Michael Jackson Adds Yet Another Legal Bill
Chalk up another “L” for Michael Jackson, as the singer collected another legal debt to pay.
According to the Associated Press, Jackson was ordered Monday (Oct. 15)
to pay $175,000 in overdue attorneys fees to Ayscough & Marar. The
law firm sued the pop icon in February 2006 claiming he didn’t pay for
services it rendered on his behalf.
As a result of all of this, Jackson owes more than $430,000 to the
firm. To date, Jackson hasnt paid any of the money due, said Brent
Ayscough, a partner at Ayscough and Marar.
As for whether the embattled music icon will eventually pay up,
Jacksons attorney simply told the AP, “Youd have to ask him that.”
Until then, the court award will increase annually at a rate of 10 percent.
While Ive been known to hold out on paying my debts, theres a limit
to how long we can go before our debt grows beyond our budget. Maybe Jacko can set up a We Are the World type of event or song to help
a worthy cause…himself.
5. Nicole Scherzinger Searches For “The Hottest Man In the Universe”
As one of the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger is no stranger to
showing what her mama gave her. But it may be a surprise to some to
find out that she wasnt always comfortable in her own skin. “At my first photo shoot, I looked at the costumes and cried. I wasn’t
used to showing so much of my body,” Scherzinger revealed in the
November issue of Blender magazine.
And while the shyness wore off, the singer admits shes still
struggling with one other issue, finding a suitable person to date. “You get these crushes on guys, and then you meet them and you realize
you just loved the role they were playing,” said Scherzinger, who
shared that she has been single since August after breaking up with
Laguna Beach star Talan Torriero. “Like, who doesn’t love Ryan Gosling
after you see The Notebook? Then you meet the person and you’re like,
‘Huh? What?'”
So if youre wondering who Scherzinger is looking for, its simple.
According to Blender, the singer is holding out for “the hottest man in
the universe.” If you fit the bill, feel free to step up and try your
luck.
6. Gabrielle Union Fesses Up To Eva Mendes Girl-Crush
Gabrielle Union is one of the most beautiful women in movies, and the object of a lot of crushes among guys. But according to the New York Daily News, the actress has someone else in sight as an object of admiration.
“She’s so hot, right?” Union said about fellow thespian Eva Mendes,
while attending Jermaine Dupris book launch party Monday (Oct. 15)
night in New York. “We’re good friends, but I have to say I do have a
girl-crush on her.”
Despite the confession, the Daily News reports that Union came with and
stuck close to Evan Ross. But according to Jay Galvin, a mutual friend,
“Theyre just pals,” and are not dating.
Good deal. That leaves the door open for whatever fantasy you have in mind.
Hip-Hop Rumors: The Ill Pics: Ne-Yo Wilds Out! Rappers Edutain! Racists Live!
Here are some Ill Pics for the day. Nothing crazy, but a lil something something. More proof people are wild, but some are good to. Some are just pure fun. Don’t forget to read the rumors posted earlier.
Here is a run down. Ne-Yo’s wild night in NYC!
RZA Wins! The WuTang founder is also a Chess Master.
Entertainers really do care about education, especially rappers.
Forget about Nas’ album titled. Some old scientist thinks Blacks are genetically less intelligent that Whites.
What’s going on here with Ne-Yo and this lady? I’m a lil’ slow so help me out as to what they are trying to prove here.
CHESS MASTER RZA!
RZA recently won the belt at the HHCF’s chess tourney! Shout out to Pop Master Fabel in the right.
The guy on the right says that Blacks are genetically inferior to Whites. Well, of course, we don’t agree – Blacks or Whites. If he is so smart, why would he say such a stupid thing? And If he was so smart, wouldn’t he have discovered a way to age more gracefully? Read up on this in the earlier rumor entry.
In 07, Farrakhan wins. Oh yeah..The minister is 74…my bad on the error below.
Last night, Entertainers 4 Education Alliance hosted a concert in NYC to encourage youth to do the right thing and STAY IN SCHOOL. Here are some of the stars that showed up. Good to see we are educating each other, unlike the racist above.
Remy and her cleavage came through to support like a good bra.
The “Alphabetical Slaughter” is real. Papoose teaches the kids to read.
Jim and Juelz know what time it is. I see Freekey in the back there.
Lil’ Mama – Keep Shinin…haters lost in 07.
Another Remy on the rocks, please.
Last but not least is the good Rev. Run of Run DMC.
TOMORROW, WE LOVE YOU!
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!
-illseed
WHO: illseed
WHAT: Rumors
WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed
HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].
– allhiphop rumors
KRS-One Relaunching Stop The Violence Movement; Enlists Superstar Rappers
Pioneering rapper KRS-One will launch a counter offense to the growing problem of guns and violence plaguing America and the world, by officially relaunching the Stop The Violence movement, an anti-violence effort led by superstar members of the Hip-Hop community.
The original Stop The Violence movement was launched in 1988 by KRS-One, born Kris Parker, in 1989 in response to growing violence in the hip hop community. The movement and song also unfurled in the aftermath of the death of DJ Scott La Rock, his original partner that was gunned down in 1987.
“The Stop The Violence Movement will be 20 years old in 2009 and what have we learned? The idea is to get started now in 2007, if I want everyone to at least have heard of what Hip-Hop is doing on its own to curb violence and to answer some of the critique that we have been getting,” the Bronx-bred emcee told AllHipHop.com. “It would be at least a year campaign, all of 2008 and lead up to the 2009 anniversary.”
The Stop The Violence Movement produced a Hip-Hop classic titled “Self Destruction,” which featured KRS-One, Stetsasonic, D-Nice, Doug E. Fresh, Ms. Melody, Just Ice, Heavy D, Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Just-Ice, Heavy D, and Public Enemy.
The Hip-Hop artist/metaphysician is updating The Stop The Violence movement by collecting and producing Public Service Announcements (PSA’s) from various rappers, who all urge the community to stop violent activities over the next year.
So far, KRS-One has enlisted Lil’ Wayne, Ludacris, Pastor Troy, Chingy, Rick Ross, Cassidy, Ludacris, Jalil of Whodini, Hakim of Channel Live and Busta Rhymes have contributed drops and testimonials for The Stop The Violence Movement.
The rapper is planning a “soundtrack” to a developing docudrama that breaks down the concept and history of violence that he hopes will make its way to the big screen.
“[Hip-Hop] can make a difference. We influence every inner-city in the world…it’s like all of us paying attention to a wind that seems to be blowing, a certain attitude about life that we are all kind of feeling. I think everybody wants to see Hip-Hop just balance itself out and grow a little more. It’s good for everybody.”
In related news, Dr. Cornel West presented KRS-One with the “I Am Hip-Hop Icon” Award during the BET Hip-Hop Awards, which aired last night. The award is a lifetime achievement honor to a pioneering Hip-Hop artist.
Click here to listen to Part 1 of the Stop The Violence movement with Krs-One, Fat Joe, Ludacris, Doug E. Fresh and others.
Click here to listen to Part 2 of the Stop The Violence movement with Busta Rhymes, Cassidy, Rick Ross and others who offer testimonials about violence.
“Self Destruction” by the Stop the Violence Movement (1989)
Jay-Z Breaks Down Kanye West’s ‘Big Brother’ Tribute Song
Kanye West’s song “Big Brother” on his chart-topping album Graduation was meant to be an ode to Roc-A-Fella founder and CEO Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter recently explained his take on the tribute song.
West’s song to Jay-Z is a testament to the Chicago rapper/producer’s early days attempting to break into the music business and to Jay-Z, for having a positive influence over his career.
On the track West raps: “Not only did I not get a chance to spit it/Carlene told me I could buy two tickets/ I guess big brother was thinking a little different/ And kept little brother at bay, at a distance.”
Jay-Z defended himself from the allegations in the line and revealed that West actually wanted than two extra tickets.
“We know everybody sees things differently,” Jay-Z explained to AllHipHop.com. “You would think he didnt get any tickets. He got four [tickets]. He wanted six. It’s true it’s really true. He wanted two more tickets. But if you heard that youd be like, ‘Damn, them n***as aint give the n***a no tickets.’ Come on!”
Jay-Z also explained a verse contained in the song that expresses West’s frustration with the mogul working with Coldplay, right after West recorded a song with the popular group.
West raps: “I told Jay I did a song with Cold Play/Next thing I know he got a song with Cold Play/Back in my mind I’m like damn, no way/Translate espanol ‘No way Jose/Then I went and told J Brown/ Should of known that was gonna come back around/ Should of told you like a man, should of told you first/But I told somebody else and that’s what made s### worse.”
Jay-Z explained the situation with Coldplay, while praising West for following his creative instincts.
“[With] Coldplay I introduced him!” Jay-Z revealed. “I gave him the number. I made the song happen. I did that. [Mimicking a phone call] ‘Coldplay, heres Kanye. Here. [Passing phone to imaginary Kanye].’ Its great though, because its his truth. Thats whats brilliant about him. It wasnt no bulls**t it was the way he felt.”
In related news, West’s Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam album Graduation moved another 70,000 copies last week, pushing his total album sales to almost 1.5 million copies.
International Grizzly Part 2
Dame and Biggs continue to BALL OUT International style, this time they are out in Milan.
Rick Ross Ft. R. Kelly
Speeding
Rass Kass Ft. Namebrand
Trans.Form
‘Gayngsta’ Rapper Launches Day In Response To Ja Rule Comments
Popular “Gayngsta” rapper Deadlee is organizing and launching World Kiss Out Day, a concert inspired by recent remarks made by Ja Rule, who blaimed “gays on MTV for f**king up America.”
“Lets talk about all these f***ing shows that they have on MTV that is promoting homosexuality, that my kids can’t watch this s**t,” Ja Rule said to Complex.com in September. “Dating shows that’s showing two guys or two girls in mid-afternoon. Let’s talk about s**t like that! If that’s not f***ing up America, I don’t know what is.”
In the aftermath of the comments, various Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights groups called for a media ban on the Queens-bred rapper, who backed off of the comments and later claimed that his words were taken out of context.
Because of Ja Rule’s comments, Deadlee, born Joseph Lee, will launch the First Annual World Kiss Out Day, encouraging members of the LGBT community around the world to show public affection “just like the straight community” on buses, subways, streets, in malls and airports and other public places.
“Many people accuse lesbian, gay and bisexual people of ‘flaunting’ their sexuality when they talk about their partner, hold hands or kiss one another in public,” says Deadlee. “These are activities that heterosexual couples do all the time. Due to homophobic reactions, some lesbian, gay and bisexual people are actually forced to hide their sexuality in public, not flaunt it. On December 1, we hide no more.”
This year’s World Kiss Out Day will coincide with the annual World Aids Day, which also takes place on December 1st.
“This one year, I think we can have both on the same day,” Deadlee said. “The magnitude of the AIDS epidemic will not be diminished by a kiss. Observances and actions can exist on the same day.”
Deadlee, labeled a “Gayngsta rapper” who performs “H###-Hop,”has appeared on CNN, NPR, The Tyra Banks Show, and Howard Stern, and publications like Rolling Stone, Wired, The Advocate and other publications.
Big Syke Ft. 2Pac
Money
Ras Kass: The New Deal
For Ras Kass, the time is right now. After an official release from Capitol Records/EMI, hes free to pursue other label options. Its just too bad it took six years of legal drama for it to finally happen. Now a free agent at 32, everyone is watching to see if the self-proclaimed King of the West can reach a level of commercial success equal to the hype thats surrounded his career for so long.That said, John Austin is clearly in a better mood than hes been in for a long while. Now ready to part with the past and focus on the task at hand, the Waterproof MC is looking at his next move as a chance to prove his worth to everyone who invested in him. Hes planning to go hard in the paint with his signature ignelectual flow, and if you think Rasy is looking to let record sales interfere with his vision of what a classic album is today, youre dead wrong. Soon to be in a city near you when he finishes parole in December, and the newly crafted Chinese Graffiti street album ready to drop, Ras has a whole lot to look forward to in his future.AllHipHop.com: Ras Kass is a free agent. Hows that feeling right now?Ras Kass: Good dog, Im chillin.AllHipHop.com: We havent spoken with you in a couple years, so you know were gonna keep it 100%.Ras Kass: Definitely, definitely. I didnt have much to talk about! Ive been working, working a little bit, trying to keep my head above water. Its definitely a lot of love and a pleasure, I love AllHipHop, honestly.AllHipHop.com: Must be a big week with the news of the release. Ras Kass: Its been interesting. Unfortunately I slept with the AC on and got sick yesterday. (Laughs) So its like something good happens, and Ive got so much energy, I want to do everything. But that sh** reminded me Im human, and I had to just slow down for a second.AllHipHop.com: Youve never been one to bite your tongue, so is there anything you want to get off your chest that you couldnt let out before?Ras Kass: Naw man, Im in a good zone. It was a hell of a rodeo, it was an interesting ride. Thats what life is, I guess its a trip so Im at peace. Im appreciative for my experience. Some people never get to have the experiences Ive had. Ive gotten to travel a big part of the world, Im looking forward to seeing the rest of the world Im chillin. (Laughs)AllHipHop.com: So what can you say about why the label released you after five years of litigation?Ras Kass: I cant really speak on it man. Its one of those situations I cant speak on it. (Laughs)AllHipHop.com: Did that open letter you wrote to EMI at the top of the year have something to do with it?Ras Kass: If I had to guestimate, I would just say human beings are human beings, and sometimes after a certain point you just kind of say Whats the benefit of doing certain things? Like I said I cant speak on it at all, but on some real sh**, Ill just say I had an experience. Ive used this analogy before to my homeboys about certain things. Do you remember when you was in the third grade, and you got a D on your report card, and youre literally contemplating jumping out a window like its the end of the world for you? How you can look back in two months, two years, however long from a certain thing, and it doesnt seem so big? I look at my life experiences usually like that anyway, cause that is the ironic thing about life. You look at all these things, and its like, Its not that bad. It may be very key experiences in you life, but nothings that bad. If youre still breathing youve got a chance.Its something thats behind me. I think I kind of reached this conclusion in December, where it was actually like a whole different scenario of somebody who I considered a friend had betrayed me. I know this person is a f***ed up person, and if you put it every other way about who was a better friend, or better human being period, I would win. All I do is lose more of myself by being mad at somebody. So even when its hard to forgive, I guess thats kind of what you gotta do? I dont know, but I cant be getting mad at people because it takes too much energy. Hating somebody takes energy, to the point it could start killing you. I dont want to be on that sh**, and I think I got over it in January to be perfectly honest. What I can do is not allow you to affect me, and share in the good or bad part of my life, and move on. And I dont think theres a better way to be, so Im not too interested in the past. Im a history person and I love history, and I like to learn from the mistakes of the past, but I dont want to keep living in the past. I could be like I should have got five mics like Nas, but so what? Lets move on. What am I gonna do today? What am I gonna do now? I gotta man up, and seize the day. Carpe Diem.AllHipHop.com: So does this mean were ever going to see the Van Gogh or Golden Chyld albums released now?Ras Kass: That would be their choice. Me personally, I think Golden Chyld was such a dope record. I felt like I had made the quintessential West Coast record, and Im not the only person that thought that. Paul Rosenburg and [Dr.] Dre were like Yo, you did that. Like, that sh** was fresh, for that time, for that day. For me, I have to move on. Whatever I invest emotionally in whatever music I make, and Ive said this to [AllHipHop.com] before, its a time capsule. So that was a time capsule for whatever was going on at that particular time. And of course things change, and the world evolves. I actually listened to maybe half the album, to be honest, about a week ago, and I was like Yo, this sh** is kind of fresh. Im not a person that listens to my own music, but I usually create it and eventually step back, look at it and critique it, and be honest. So I was listening to it, and you know I was thinking, Damn, this sh** was hot. If they choose to put it out, its fine I think its dope. Its good music period. AllHipHop.com: At the time when the album got deaded by the label, did that wreak havoc with any of the relationships you had built up to that point?Ras Kass: Im blessed to have a lot of people that I look up to, and a lot of my peers that look at me the same way, to understand where I was and what my situation was, and to want the best for me under the circumstance. A lot of those people that were doing things for me, they were doing them cause they said I like Rasy, Rasys dope. Hes a cool ni*** and I f*** with this dude. And so things they didnt have to do, things that werent necessarily business viable, win lose or draw they were doing it because they wanted to see me succeed and that was the way they could assist me. I appreciate that man, because a lot of times thats how a lot of things in my situation got done. So nobody was mad, they just said, Damn, that sh** was hot. (Laughs) It was hot, Ill listen to that sh** cause I like it, and you my ni***. And thats kind of how a lot of my situation went.Of course, everybody wants to see you win. They want to win, and get the championship ring and all that. But its not over ’til its over, so hey. Here we are today, and Im out for the championship ring. As far as Im concerned anybody that had the audacity to mention the top 10 MCs and not mention me because I didnt sell a million records, well, let me sell this million records so you can better remember me. And thats just fun sport. (Laughs) Its not even like Im mad. Im like OK, you thought you could sweep me under the rug because my circumstance was different than before? OK. Lets play. Lets see whos the hottest.AllHipHop.com: Those that know your music feel like they know you as a person and not just an artist, because youve always been honest about everything from your career, to your personal life, to your world views. Is that how youre trying to keep it?Ras Kass: Yeah, unfortunately I am who I am, and Ive never tried to do that. That just so happens to be how I write, because I usually just write from what Im thinking. The funny thing is people go in the studio with me, and it could be Joe Blow or Dr. Dre. We end up sitting around talking, and I have an empty notepad. And basically the whole verse becomes what we just finished talking about. (Laughs) I never realized it, but everybody started getting freaked out about it. How in the f*** did you just take that inside joke that we just had right now and make it relevant, where the average person catches it but it still sounds hot in this song? I dont know how I do that, thats something God gave me, and Im thankful to Him for that. Im just gonna be me man, cause I dont really know how to be anybody else. Hopefully Im gonna have the greatest production, the greatest machine, the greatest promotions, the greatest stylist, you know whatever, the greatest look on AllHipHop. Its proven to me that you can be an incredible MC, you can even make incredible music, but if its not promoted correctly whos gonna know it exists? I understand that fundamental fact, so well see. All Im gonna do is stick to my guns after learning what Ive learned.AllHipHop.com: Going into the next album, you must be reluctant to jump into bed with a major label after getting badly burned this last time. We keep hearing rumors of G-Unit, or Def Jam being a possibility, but has the independent scene kept you eating and living comfortably? Ras Kass: Oh yeah, all day. I think to be honest, Ive been waiting to exhale. I havent even completely taken a deep breath. For me, its pretty surreal. What a difference a day makes (Laughs). I watched the attitudes change, I watched the interest change. Somebody asked me yesterday, Aint it weird when your phone starts ringing again? For me, Id rather it ring than not. But to answer your question, yeah a little bit of me is like Yo man, I dont know. My whole thing is if I fulfill by job obligations and you fulfill yours, then we shouldnt have a problem. If I dont fulfill mine, then there should be a problem. If you dont fulfill yours, I should be able to walk away, period. And thats just any contract period, Im not applying that specifically to music, but any deal is a marriage. B**ch we got married, if you cheat on me I can leave you and take most of your sh**, and vice versa. Now when that doesnt quite work cause theres all kinds of little tweaks and twerks, thats a problem, and thats the kind of position I never want to be in again. Im hesitant to be in a position where I feel like that is a possibility, so I would make damn sure that Ive got an incredible lawyer that has my best interest at heart. All I want is a fair shot. If someone is willing to offer me that on my terms, where they feel like Ive created the foundation for myself, that I have the potential and theyre willing to invest in that, then lets go. If not, then obviously Ive kind of been doing it independently anyway without even knowing it, so either way man.I had a limited situation because of what I had created as a scenario for myself. I couldnt leave California because of a mistake that I made, and Im on parole ’til December. Ive missed countless tours, European tours. Japan, Canada. Mexico. (Laughs) So I was f***ed, but I cant blame anybody but myself. Ironically at the BET Awards I saw KRS-One who I gotta shout out. He got the lifetime achievement award and shouted me out, that was a beautiful look and it was dope. But before that we were talking, and he was like You ready to go get a million dollars? Because sometimes we get so wrapped up in America, and there are fans of Hip-Hop and a world that has grown up on Hip-Hop. And there are some people who really appreciate lyrics in Hip-Hop and spittin’. I happen to be a part of this community that people think is nasty, so I dont ever have to come back to America fam, and I can make a great living. To be honest, Hip-Hop is alive and well outside of America. So who knows, the skys the limit and Ill just play it by ear and make the best of this while I can. I just want to make dope music, with dope people, for people that appreciate dope music. I just want to make me, which is what Ive always tried to do.
Tupac’s Former Bodyguard Claims To Be FBI Agent
A former bodyguard for Tupac made a stunning revelation during a documentary screening for the new film Tupac: Assassination – Conspiracy or Revenge?
During a Q&A that followed the screening of the documentary in Los Angeles, former Death Row bodyguard Kevin Hackie made the startling claim that he was an undercover FBI agent – and not an informant – as previously reported, during his time of employment as Tupac Shakur’s bodyguard and security detail for Death Row Records from 1992-1996.
Hackie admitted the details during a panel discussion last night (October 16) with filmmakers R.J. Bond and Frank “Big Frank” Alexander, Tupac’s former bodyguard and author of the critically acclaimed books Got Your Back: Life as Tupac’s Bodyguard in the Hardcore World of Gangsta Rap (1999) and the DVD documentary Before I Wake (2001).
Hackie made the revelation in response to an alleged Los Angeles Police Department officer, who was in the crowd and defended the department’s investigation into the murder of Shakur, who was shot multiple times on the Las Vegas strip, after a Mike Tyson fight.
Shakur died seven days later from his wounds on September 13, 1996.
While Shakur was murdered in Nevada, conspiracy theorists have all agreed on one thing – that the murder was not random and that the plot originated in Los Angeles, California.
Tupac Assassination is executive produced by Frank Alexander, one of Shakur’s most trusted confidants.
Alexander was supposed to ride in the car and Knight and Shakur the evening the rapper was gunned down, but Shakur allegedly asked him to drive another car owned by Quincy Jones’ daughter, Kidada.
The DVD details new angles surrounding a murder conspiracy plot to murder Shakur.
Tupac Assassination examines law enforcement’s alleged failure to fully investigate the murder of Shakur.
The DVD also attempts to bring new facts about the superstar rapper’s murder to the surface.
According to Hackie, an arrest will be made in the murder of Tupac Shakur, as well as the murder of Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, who was gunned down six months later in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.
Hackie took the stand during a June 2005 federal trial and claimed that the head of Death Row Records threatened to kill B.I.G., allegedly in retaliation for the murder of Tupac Shakur.
Until now, Hackie was reported to be an informant for the FBI.
During a June 2005 wrongful death trial over the murder of the Notorious B.I.G., U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper had to issue an arrest warrant in an attempt to illicit testimony from Hackie, who runs a private security firm and claimed he feared gang retribution if he testified.
In 2004, Hackie stated in a filed declaration that he had “personal knowledge” about B.I.G.’s murder and that people within Death Row offered $25,000 dollars to a law enforcement officer to carry out the slaying.
Hackie claimed that former officer David Mack and a number of LAPD officers worked as “covert agents” for Death Row Records and that Shakur was murdered because Marion “Suge” Knight allegedly owed Shakur millions in unpaid royalties.
Hackie then denied a number of statements attributed to him by defense lawyers and criticized the lawsuits merits, claiming it was a money grab by the family of The Notorious B.I.G.
“My statements were taken out of context,” Hackie said. “Some things in there I never even said. They added them in.”
Tupac Assassination – Conspiracy or Revenge? produced by Bond-Age Films and Step-N-Up Enterprises. The DVD, which is distributed through Eyecon/Fontana Distribution, hits stores on October 23.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Wayne Sublim Disses 50? T.I.’s House Arrest? G-Unit Hugs Lil’ Kim!
STOP THE VIOLENCE!
Scott La Rock was killed 20 years ago. Here is the rumor, then the information. Everybody (including myself) thought that KRS-One did the song Stop The Violence after the death of Scott La Rock in 1987. WRONG. That was actually one of a few songs that would eventually make it to Boogie Down Productions second album, By All Means Necessary. So, even before he was killed Scott and Krs had a plan.
Here is the info.
KRS-One has officially re-started the Stop the Violence Movement. Its not a rumor. Its real and Hip-Hop is coming together to get it started and keep it going. Those involved include Ludacris, Fat Joe, Pastor Troy, Cassidy, Busta Rhymes, Whodini, Lil Wayne, AllHipHop, Dougie Fresh and many more!
Click here to listen to the first STOP THE VIOLENCE public service announcement Part 1. (Krs-One, Fat Joe, Ludacris, Doug E. Fresh, Jalil of Whodini, Pastor Troy, Hakim of Channel Live and more!)
WHERES CAMRON? PART 4,077
This clip is hilarious like Hill Harper. Ok, Hill isnt hilarious, but you get what I mean. There has been a Camron sighting that seems to fall in the category of Marketing 303: How to sustain a buzz. Click here to see this so-called sighting of the Monster. Cam is like the 07 Loch Ness Monster. Word to Nessie. Anyway, hes supposedly calling his next CD Public Enemy, not Killa Season 2. (mad disrespect to the real Public Enemy.) Anyway, look for this at the top of the year and a mixtape sooner.
Q-TIP GETS BIZZY
Check out what a reader told me happened last night. This isnt me, this I just somebody telling me whats going on.
I was at the Q-Tip show last night at the Blender Theater in Manhattan. Because Phife was obviously not there due to his health, Tip was looking for someone to come on stage and rap Phife’s part of Check the Rhyme. He didn’t want anyone to just get up there are not know the words. The legendary DJ Scratch, got on the mic and said, “We need someone who knows the words, not someone like Lupe!” The crowd just lost it. Hysterical.
Wanna hear some REAL MCs SPIT IT? Check out Common, Skillz and Q-Tip spit it. Gotdamnit, Hip-Hop is RIGHT HERE!!!!!! WERE NOT LEAVING!
WOLFBOY’S GAG ORDER?
I dont know how true this is, but I heard that Lupe Fiasco has been put on a serious gag order from the office of Atlantic Records. Apparently that Fiascogate was doing some wear and tear on the image? I dont know, they say all press is good press so the fact that Im talking about him now is good. Therefore, I will now only refer to Lupe as Wolfboy. If you arent a regular reader, you wont know who the hell Wolfboy is. I also will no longer refer to Wolfboy as Lupus, because that is a serious ailment. J. Dilla had it and they say Michael Jackson has it now.
***Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can be fatal, though with recent medical advances this is becoming increasingly rare. With Lupus, the immune system attacks the bodys cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage.
FOXY STOPPING HER OWN LAWYER?
People are saying that Foxy got some guy to run up and threaten the wife of her own lawyer. Hmmmmmm I have to ask why she would do that? Anyway, the news reports never said that Foxy did it, but I guess people think that rappers are so wild they doing stuff that makes no sense?
SHOULD JAY-Z PUSH HIS CD BACK FOR CASSIDY?
My homey sent me this about Cassidy. Now, why would Cass say such things about Jay? I know Cassidy is dope, but I dont think its a good deal to drop the same day. I think some people might have gotten it confused with the whole Kanye / 50 Cent thing. I dont see Jay-Z pushing his CD back for Cassidy. I do urge you all to go buy both, because thats Hip-Hop!
T.I. TO GET HOUSE ARREST?
People are saying that T.I. might get house arrest if he pleads guilty. People are so anxious for Tip to get out of jail that they are just pulling what they want out of other reports. I heard a different variation saying that he might get house arrest until his trial, which I believe started with gossip maven Sandra Rose. Thats more believable. The government just doesnt release felons that they think have mad machine guns and silencers.
MORE T.I.P. RUMORS!
Remember how I told you Aunt Vivica Fox lost her $2 million deal with Cadillac? Well, GM makes the Caddy and the Chevy, the people that T.I. has his endorsement through. Well, if Aunt Vivs drunk driving was cause for dismissal, its looking very bad for T.I. Rumor has it, the fine car makers at GM are close to severing ties, but want to see what happens before doing so. Styles P said, There are consequence and repercussions to everything. Be safe.
DIDDY: TEFLON DON, DUN.
Just when you thought the Hip-Hop police were going to come down and smack up Diddy: NOT! Diddy was accused to punching Dame Dashs boy Stevie. They said after that, Diddy duffed him out more but had the bodyguards there just in case. Well, everybody assumed that Diddy was about to go to get slapped for a assault. The two guys were apparently hanging out and chopping it up like nothing ever happened. The papers and police are speculating that there was an exchange of money. I say, we get over stuff faster than yall do. 😉
AFTER JAY-Z COMES BLEEK!
It must be a sweet deal being Jay-Zs right hand homey. Its like having nine music industry lives! Anyway, the word on the block is that Memphis Bleek is back and hes about to go super hard with this Roc-A-Fella stuff. I always thought Bleek was dope, but just had the pressure of being the next Jay-Z. Anyway, I dont know when, but I would assume next year, but the marketing and promotion starts NOW.
G-UNIT AND LIL KIM DEAD THEIR BEEF? KRS-ONE ON G-UNIT?
I heard a good one. I heard that Lil Kim and G-Unit have completely ended their beef. You remember what happened? After 50 and Kim did Magic Stick (which was originally for Trina), they had a falling out. I think it was 50 refused to do a video for it. Anyway, 50 would go on to say stuff like, I’m convinced man something really wrong with these hoes, I thought Lil’ Kim was hot then she start f****ing with her nose. Anyway, all that is in the past. I heard that Lil Kim will be featured on the next G-Unit compilation CD Shoot To Kill, to drop this December. The song is called Wanna Lick. I wonder what thats about?
I also heard that 50 will not be on the whole CD to enable the other acts their proper shot to shine. I heard that all of G-Unit will be on there, but M.O.P. is shaky. Trick Daddy might also be on there, as well as LL Cool J. I dont know much else, but Id be interested in seeing what Lil Kim has to offer. I know the title is misleading so, No, I didnt hear that KRS is on G-Unit. I DID hear that KRS might appear on this album.
I heard this video got the ball rolling with G-Unit and KRS. I dont know, I cant call it.
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END
A scientist has determined that Black people arent as smart as White people. Hmmmmm I smell a racist with a degree. Here are excerpts from the article on the man that believes such foolishness. Meanwhile this dude is only a few years older than Minister Louis Farrakhan but looks like hes been in a liplock with death. SMH. (Hoodgrown, good lookz!)
One of the worlds most respected scientists is embroiled in an extraordinary row after claiming that black people are less intelligent than white people.
James Watson, a Nobel Prize winner for his part in discovering the structure of DNA, has provoked outrage with his comments, made ahead of his arrival in Britain today.
He said he hoped that everyone was equal, but countered that people who have to deal with black employees find this not true.
The scientific community has already shot down the notion. I maintain that the Chinese are smarter than us all. (Im kidding)
I am sure the scientific community will roundly reject what appear to be Dr Watsons personal prejudices. These comments serve as a reminder of the attitudes which can still exist at the highest professional levels.
ILLSEEDS QUICKIES
Check out this Beyond Reasonable Doubt song from Kanye West “A Million.” Click here to hear it.
Check it out I have been informed that there will be a national Black Out on shopping on November 2nd. This is in protest of the continued persecution of the Jena 6.
The Hip-Hop police follows rappers? The Village Voice examines! How did this get past me?
On that same note, Kevin Hackie, a former security guard for Death Row, has admitted to being an undercover for the FBI from 1992 1996, all while he was working for THE ROW. SMH! People have to smarten up and even then wait you arent as smart as While people so forget about it.
By the way, before you call somebody a fake journalist, you have to be able to write a sentence legibly. People crack me up thinking they are technologists in the wireless world and dont even know Basic English.
I heard Rakim is just about finished The Seventh Seal, his anticipated comeback CD.
Man, theyre saying that Eddie Murphy still wont see his child by Mel B. I think its time for that other fellow to step in and be the Daddy if this rumor is true. Where is Ed OG when you need him!?
I apologize to Boss Up in advance. On Wendy Williams, they said that Chris Brown and Superhead are still doing things together. She allegedly bagged him by forcing her face in the netherworld and hes been hooked ever since. SMH (if this is true.)
LIL’ WAYNE DISSES 50 CENT?
When I first listened to this song “Gossip,” I was like, “I like this song ‘Gossip.'” Then a homey hit me up and said, “Yo, ill…he really got 50 Cent good on ‘Gossip.'” I then listened to it about 300 times (its just that good) and decided that it could be a song dissing 50 – but in a tasteful way. Shout out to Wayne. Check out the video.
TOMORROW, WE LOVE YOU!
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!-illseedWHO: illseedWHAT: RumorsWHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseedHOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].– allhiphop rumors
Ray Lavender: Doing Doing
Over the years, Atlanta has introduced more than its fair share of artists into the spotlight. However, it is safe to say that there have been none quite like Ray Lavender. From the A by way of Monroe, Louisiana, this country crooner has finally surfaced for the masses with his sexy, bold, and enticingly edgy sound. It was a chance meeting with Atlanta businessman Andrew Bryant that changed Mr. Lavenders life forever. At the time Ray was in a group called Collabo. Meeting Bryant built momentum toward the path of a solo career and eventually saw Ray working with the likes of Teddy Riley, Jazze Pha, and Dallas Austin to name a few. However, it was his introduction to then up and comer Akon that blew the doors to his future wide open. Ray became the first act signed to Akons joint venture with Geffen, Kon Live Records. So what is it exactly that makes Ray Lavender different from the laundry lists of artists from Atlanta? Perhaps it is his willingness to be different by being real, as he weaves his musical tales directly from his life experiences. With his first single My Girls Got a Girlfriend based on a true story and his debut album titled X-Rayted, Ray Lavender may be the new sexy that R&B is looking for. AllHipHop.com Alternatives: Last time we were supposed to talk you had to postpone. Why was that?Ray Lavender: I had a baby, a little boy.AHHA: Congratulations! Tell me about your path in this industry. How did you end up in this building (Geffen/Universal)?Ray: Im from Monroe, Louisiana originally. My father moved our family to Atlanta for better job opportunities. It just was a coincidence that the music industry was popping there at that time. Once I got there, it was kind of hard to get noticed, because Usher, Monica, Babyface, TLC they were making too much damn noise! [laughs] It was kind of hard in the beginning. I had to wait my turn. So I was entering talent shows. Then one day this guy saw me, and he told me that he had somebody he wanted me to meet. It turns out the guy he wanted me to meet was Akon. When I heard his music, there was nothing out there touching what he had. Then he heard me sing, then immediately we clicked. We formed a brotherhood, and he told me that when he gets his record label deal he wants to sign me. A lot of people had told me this in the past, but I really believed him.AHHA: So is that where your fairy tale began?Ray: Not exactly. Right after this, Akon got locked up. Kinda left me high and dry. Im like what the hell am I going to do now? So I started working with Teddy Riley. That was a milestone in my life. I was like Im going to go ahead and work with Teddy Riley so as soon as my brother [Akon] gets out, I go to him. I just knew I was going to be big by the time he got out. [laughs] I wasnt big when he got out. So he got, and he already had a situation already cause he was signed to Elektra.AHHA: Did you think that now that Akon was out and had his new situation that he would forget about you?Ray: No cause as soon as he got out he was like, Ray, I got you. He was like, I got this movement Im about to start Konvict music. One thing that Akon knows how to do well is turn negatives into positives. So it took him about two years to pop. Then he took T-Pain. He told me to hold on for a minute. Let me show you how I can do it. I just want you to watch us. Which was cool cause it gave me time to do my album. Then finally he let the building hear my songs, and they went crazy.AHHA: So was music something you always wanted to do?Ray: I always wanted to sing, since I was a little boy. My parents had me in basketball. I can ball my butt off. I went to Life College for basketball. I could have went to any college in Georgia for basketball but I went to Life cause I knew that eventually I wasnt going to be playing basketball. I ended up only being there for about a year and half. I quit to do music.AHHA: So with all these experiences, who would you say Ray Lavender is today?Ray: Im a well-rounded determined, hardworker. I love beautiful music. I am music.AHHA: Who is Ray Lavender the artist? Is he any different from Ray Lavender the person? Ray: [Theres] so much to that. See, Im a person who deals in reality. So with that, Im an artist that deals in reality. Im a realist. Like Tupac was a realist. Biggie, we loved his stories, but Tupac was a realist.AHHA: Give me an example of what you mean when you say you are an artist that deals in reality.Ray: For example. I dont drink or smoke. So you are not going to hear anything in my music about drinking or smoking. I say what I do. Akon wrote a part in one of my songs that mentioned something about Patron and I was just like, Why am I gonna say that?AHHA: Is there a reason why you dont smoke or drink?Ray: You know what? All my uncles growing up were drinkers. All of them smoked. All my friends smoke weed. And just watching them, what they did made me not want to do it. Plus I dont want smoke by my mouth anyway. [laughs] Its just not sexy! And drinking Ive seen what that does. Ive lost some guys in car accidents to drinking. Ive sipped some wine once before, and I thought it was nasty. Maybe if it tasted like Kool Aid I would drink it.AHHA: Considering you dont smoke or drink, what are your own personal vices or addictions?Ray: Music, man! I work too much, man. And its destroying all my relationships. My mama is probably going to punch me in my face when she sees me. I do this so much. Im so dedicated. Music is my crack!AHHA: If somebody were to ask you who is Ray Lavender in 20 years, what do you hope the answer would be then? Ray: A great man and a great artist. I want my children to be able to live in the positivity of my legacy.AHHA: Youve mention how R. Kelly inspired you. Can you talk about that? Is there any particular reason you feel you gravitated toward him?Ray: His story was kind of similar to mine. His mom died while he was pursuing music. My dad died while I was pursuing music. My dad is probably all of what my hard work and determination is. He was the guy that was buying me basketballs; he was the one telling me I could sing. He was always bragging on me. The love that he had for me was impeccable. He passed away in a tragic car accident. And R. Kelly used his mom as inspiration to pursue his music to keep going, cause he knew thats what she wanted. I can remember driving and hearing I Believe I Can Fly. On that day [my father died] that song hit me kind of hard because you can hear all through that song that he is talking about his mom. My heart will forever be broken because of my fathers death. And I use that and put it all into my music.AHHA: Describe your style. What makes you different that a lot of other R&B guys that are out there?Ray: I say whatever I want. Who would have ever said, My Girl Got a Girlfriend in R&B?AHHA: Speaking of your single what inspired you to write that song?Ray: My girl had a girlfriend. Simple as that. I was working at UPS at the time. I was paying all the bills. She didnt have to work. That lets you know that I cared for this girl. I got off early and came home. As soon as I walked in the door, I knew something was wrong. I hear moaning, and I know its my girl moaning cause I make her do it. I bust in the door and it was my girl and another girl. I was mad, wondering what I did. And she called me and asked me where was I going. She said she was trying to find a way to ask me if I wanted to join in. She was trying to find the right way to ask me, but she didnt know how. I said you should have just asked me! [laughs]
Stop The Violence Movement 2007: Part 1
KRS-ONE, Ludacris, Fat Joe, Pastor Troy and more give an important message for the Stop The Violence Movement 2007!
Stop The Violence Movement 2007: Part 2
Jigsaw, Chingy, Cassidy, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne and more continue the Stop The Violence Message
On Lynching, Representing, and What Not to Wear on the Red Carpet
I am a reasonable person. I can laugh when it’s funny and cry when it’s not. I’m not extra sensitive about every little thing, and I can take a joke.
However, after mulling over the photo of comedian Katt Williams on the red carpet at the BET Hip-Hop Awards with a noose as a fashion accessory, I am compelled to get this off my chest.
There is nothing funny about a noose, especially when it’s around the neck of a Black person. Have we forgotten that countless numbers of Blacks, mostly men accused of raping white women, died by the noose? The practice of lynching destroyed many Black families and left a scar that most of will carry for the rest of our lives.
At 29, I certainly wasn’t around in the Ku Klux Klan’s heyday, but that doesn’t mean that what happened wasn’t passed down to me from my grandparents and through various history books that I read. I know that a noose is nothing to joke around with.
That’s why I’m so perplexed, upset and disappointed in comedian Katt Williams’ decision to don a noose around his neck at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. I mean c’mon, really, a noose? Is that the best you could come up with? It wasn’t funny – and in my opinion, just like Blacks use of the n-word, yet again showed the world that nothing is off limits.
What was the uproar in Jena about then? If we’re so comfortable with nooses, then why did we get on the bus and travel down to Louisiana for if we were going to turn around and make light of the whole situation?
In Katt’s defense, he very well may have thought that by him wearing the noose on the red carpet he was making a political statement, but he was wrong. Maybe, and I mean maybe, if instead of being at the BET Hip-Hop Awards he was walking the red carpet of the American Music Awards or the Emmy’s, but it’s not much of a statement at a Black event. We know all too well the history of the noose. Try again.
Instead, what Katt did was make a fool of him, you and me while making a mockery of a situation that moved an entire race of people in a way that we he hadn’t been moved since the Nation of Islam’s Million Man March when we got on the bus and went to Washington.
Note to Katt: This ain’t no re-entry into slavery. If you want to walk around and make a complete jackass of yourself, do it without dragging down the entire Black race. Too many brothers and sisters died by the noose for you to make light of it. If you want to make a statement, do it in a way that preserves the dignity of the rest of your brothers and sisters. While you may have popularity among Blacks who may or may not agree with your choice to wear a noose, outside of the community with people who don’t know you or anything about you, when they see the photo of you with the noose, the one thing that will register with them is that you’re a Black man wearing a noose.
Let me tell you a few things that I know I am likely to never see. I know that I will never see a Jewish comedian get rolled down a red carpet in an oven. It just won’t happen. Likewise, I know that I am not likely to see a with a white person dressed in blackface sporting an afro wig dressed as O.J. Simpson with blonde female by his side.
But leave it to one of us to use a noose as a fashion accessory and pose with it like it’s the thing to do.
Say what you want about Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson (and at times Lord knows I have), but I know that I won’t ever see them walking down the street with a noose around their neck or with their pants hanging off their ass and a neck weighed down from gold chains and medallions with a grill to match.
Some of us could do better, but we won’t. Katt Williams’ just confirmed for me what I already knew – that’s it’s going to be up to the rest of us to represent. Based in Los Angeles, at 29, Jasmyne Cannick writes about the intersection of race, culture, politics, and gender as played out in today’s pop culture—and she blogs too! She can be reached at www.jasmynecannick.com or www.myspace.com/jasmynecannick.
Jamal Crawford: Fair Play
From his beginnings in Seattle, Washington to his current position as a Guard on the New York Knicks, Jamal Crawford has already had some amazing lifetime experiences. He started his professional basketball career in 2000 with the Chicago Bulls, and drew inspiration from some of the greats in the game. He moved over to the Knicks in 2004, and has excelled with each new season.
Many players in the NBA have been endorsed by standard athletic brands, and have even started their own sneaker lines. Meanwhile, Jamal took a different path by taking on Jay-Zs S. Carter sneakers for the court. He has been delving into entrepreneurial ventures including a restaurant in Seattle, and is active in giving back to the community whenever he can. We sat down with Jamal to discuss his future plans, the affiliation with Jay-Z and just how good the Knicks will do this year.
[Editors note: This interview was done prior to the Isaiah Thomas trial].
AllHipHop.com: This season there are a whole bunch of transitions that took place with Isiah [Thomas] coming on board. What are the prospects looking like for the Knicks this season?
Jamal Crawford: I think this year well be a lot better, first off everybody is healthy. Q Richardson got hurt, I got hurt, David Lee got hurt, Steph got hurt. Thats basically four starters, I dont think no team in the NBA could have withstood that, losing four starters and still being competitive. But we were competitors every night and that gave our young guys a chance to grow, seeing that everybody got hurt. Boston made some big moves, they got Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett but I kind of look at them like the Lakers that year when they had Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, Shaq and Karl Malone.
Theres only one ball, theres gonna be some chemistry issues to work out. We also made moves, I think Isiah did a great thing getting Zack Randolph, whenever you can get a 20 [point]/10[rebound] guy I think that helps; Isiah knows talent, he drafted Wilson Chandler and I seen him play today, I think hes gonna be real good. But Isiah also drafted Tracy McGrady and Damon Stoudamire, so he definitely knows how to pick em.
AllHipHop.com: So you think you could be a contender for the playoffs?
Jamal Crawford: Yeah! Why not? I think with everybody healthy the skys the limit for us. Cleveland went to the finals, and not to knock LeBron or anybody on the team but I think if we would have played them in a seven game series I believe we woulda beat em. I think the skys the limit for us, and thats why were here now working out together.
AllHipHop.com: Where do you see your role now in this new fit?
Jamal Crawford: I think well definitely play inside out. Well go to Eddie and Zack to start off games, most good teams have good big men, then they kick it out and we do our thing. I think when the game is close the perimeter players will still have the ball.
AllHipHop.com: But when the game is close you always get the ball at the last second
Jamal Crawford: Yeah Ill still have it for sure, but I think well be really really good. I think everybody knows their roles, Steph sacrificed a lot last year. I think that allowed David Lee, Eddie Curry and myself to grow in particular.
AllHipHop.com: Because youve seen him scale back
Jamal Crawford: Yeah and thats kind of hard to do. Theres only two people in NBA history who have averaged 20 and 8. Oscar Robertson is one and Stephon Marbury is the other. So for him to say, Ill do whatever it takes for us to have the best chance to win – that says a lot about him.
AllHipHop.com: Do you see yourself being a part of the team as far as bringing a championship to New York?
Jamal Crawford: Definitely one day – I think our fans have been really patient. Even before I got here theyve been really patient, and I think honestly now they can see the pieces. We got the pieces to the puzzle and now its just all about coming together and I think well do that.
AllHipHop.com: Youre the eccentric part of the team. When you score those last second shots or even when everybody anticipates you getting the ball as the clock is winding down. How does that feel?
Jamal Crawford: I live for that honestly. I dont smoke weed or drink or anything like that, and Im not knocking those who do, but to me thats the greatest high. To see all your favorite celebrities and your family in the stand and 20,000 people in unison at one time going crazy when you make a shot, theres not a feeling like it. I live for that, I think ever since I was a kid Id count down five, four, three, two, one but now theres a chance to do it on a bigger stage.
AllHipHop.com: Why hasnt the NBA been as exciting recently, and who are the key players that you see that are gonna bring it back?
Jamal Crawford: I definitely see it coming back, I dont know what the dip off was for. You have teams like the Spurs and the Pistons who had their run, L.A. had their run but they were just beating everyone so theres no excitement in that. But now its a lot more parity in the league you see guys like Carmelo Anthony hitting big shots, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, myself, Gilbert Arenas, Kobe Bryant. All those guys are hitting really big shots and that brings the excitement back to the game. It makes it more of a college atmosphere where were really trying to win out there and I think the fans are really enjoying it.
AllHipHop.com: It was a changing of the guards too.
Jamal Crawford: Yeah, were enjoying it. I forgot what our record is but weve only lost one overtime game in two years. We usually win most overtime games and thats what the fans really wanna see.
AllHipHop.com: With reference to ballplayers that have gotten into Hip-Hop [whether starting labels or rapping themselves], do you feel that thats a distraction to what the ballplayers are doing or do you feel it can accentuate what theyre trying to do outside of basketball?
Jamal Crawford: I think they go hand in hand, because if you see a guy like Allen Iverson you see the tattoos, braids and jewelry, thats a part of Hip-Hop. Thats why most ballplayers wanna rap and most rappers wanna shoot the jumpshot. I dont think it takes away from them as a player but I think everybody pretty much finds time to work hard on their craft. You get out what you put into it, its fun to watch Allen Iverson do a rap. You used to seeing him crossover people, but thats different side of himself that hes showing.
AllHipHop.com: Youve affiliated yourself with Rocawear. Talk a little bit about that and where you see that going for yourself.
Jamal Crawford: I think its great, Ive always been a fan of Jay-Z, and Michael Jordan is the one who set up me meeting Jay-Z and the relationship just took off. I came and played for him in the Rucker [tournament] with his S. Carter team and it just went from there. Myself and Jalen Rose were both with Reebok, and our lockers were right by each other. Im a big fan of S Dots, they had taken off and were the fastest selling shoe in Reebok history. I saw a basketball one in my locker, then I looked up at Jalens locker and I didnt see one in his locker. I saw that he didnt have any so Im like, Whats this? I tried em on and I loved em.
I talked to Reebok and basically they were like, If you like it, Jays gonna come out with a basketball shoe and he wants you to endorse it. I was honored like, I love them already. They said, No, you gotta walk around tell me if you can play in them. From there the relationship just took off, we did commercials together and we been doin it for four years now. So I have no regrets at all with that.
AllHipHop.com: Would you look at starting your own line?
Jamal Crawford: One of my teammates, Stephon Marbury, started his own line of sneakers, its wildly successful. A $14 pair of shoes, you got 10-year-olds who can go and get that, and I commend him for that. But Ive never really thought about starting my own line, Im fine with S Dot right now.
AllHipHop.com: Youre a Seattle native and you opened [SPORT Restaurant and Bar] in Seattle. How has the business been for you?
Jamal Crawford: Its definitely been great, I didnt know how it was gonna be at first. Theres this great chef out in Seattle named John Howie. Hes the primary owner, but Im a partner in the restaurant, LeBron James is a partner in the restaurant, some people that work up at the KUBE radio station are partners, and [also] baseball players. Its been great, the first year ESPNs Cold Pizza did the top 25 sports bars in the country and we made that list. So its been good.
AllHipHop.com: Do you see that going outside of Seattle at all?
Jamal Crawford: Yeah I think so, I think theres some areas in Washington that we wanna hit first and from there well expand. Hopefully New York, Chicago, everywhere you go youll see a SPORT.
AllHipHop.com: Youve had some other aspirations in your life. If you werent playing basketball what would you do?
Jamal Crawford: I think Id be an architect, I like designing things. Im not a really good drawer, but just the creativity part that I like. Im adding some stuff onto my house right now that should look really good when Im done. Im not one for the limelight and spotlight and stuff, Im cool just going about my day and not being noticed and stuff like that. Sometimes its hard, but I think artists get paid well and its a great job. Its something you love to do.
AllHipHop.com: With Eddie Curry and Antoine Walker getting robbed, whats your take on the whole situation with people coming at ballplayers [to rob them]?
Jamal Crawford: I think first off it has to be somebody that both of those guys knew. To have the courage to come in somebodys house anything can happen to you. I played in Chicago before so theres definitely some rough spots. Theres some people and areas you stay away from, those guys were in good neighborhoods and areas. For people to come in their house and invade their privacy, and take their friends, families and relatives up that sounds like a movie or something. I know Toine as well, but me and Eddie, thats one of my best friends. So my heart goes out to him and his family.
AllHipHop.com: How is he now? Is he alright?
Jamal Crawford: Yeah hes alright, hes in New York actually but hes alright. That shakes anybody up, when you see you, your wife or girlfriend duct taped they can take your life if they want to. Some knuckleheads out there might, you never know. I know he loves where he stays but Im not sure I could stay there still. Being invaded like that, theres no way.
AllHipHop.com: Whats your take on Randolph? They say he has his problems in Portland, and coming to New York this is bright lights and a big city.
Jamal Crawford: First off Ive known Zack for a while and then Brandon Roy is one of my best friends in the world. He played with Zack this last year and he loves Zack. He said he pretty much got a bum wrap. Hes loyal to his friends, these are the friends he had since hes grown up. But I think Zack kinda needed a change of scenery and theres no brighter stage than here in New York. I think everything a person does is under a microscope, but I think that would help make him more responsible and kind of sway him away from different things.
AllHipHop.com: With the recent referee [Tim Donaghy] scandal, do you think theres gonna be anymore of those refs coming out?
Jamal Crawford: Thats tough because I would have never predicted that he was involved with that, so Im not sure. You never can tell but I think Commissioner Stern will do the right thing and get it under control.
AllHipHop.com: Where do you see yourself two years from now, on and off the court?
Jamal Crawford: On the court, hopefully Ill have a championship or be right there contending for one and off the court keep adding to my family maybe, I wanna get into movies. Its such a short window, a basketball career on the average is four years but if you play 14-15 years thats just one small part of your life. Different things, movies, real estate. I just want to get into different things and enjoy life.
AllHipHop.com: We dont see you really out there at the parties. Why is that? Do you feel youd be swallowed up in the whole city life?
Jamal Crawford: I think my first year here I went out the most. Then I scaled back and now I hardly ever go out. Its cool to go out but sometimes the same thing and the same people you see it, it can be Hollywood, fake people. So I just kind of stay away from that and stay in my own cocoon. You get attention by playing basketball but thats not really what Im really about, Im a homebody.
AllHipHop.com: What are your top ways that you like to stay in shape?
My top things to help keep you in shape, and this is something anybody can do. Number one: Just get a walk in, it doesnt have to be far. It could be half a mile but that half mile everyday will add up. Even if you wanna do it with one of your coworkers or your partners, I think it makes it a lot easier. Number two: Doing pushups and situps, stuff like that really helps because you lift up your own body weight all of the time.
Number three: Run on the treadmill, its always good. I even hate running on the treadmill but I think that it definitely helps your stamina and your cardiovascular and it continues to help give you energy. Number four: Eating right, I think thats very important, because if you dont eat right then all is for naught. If you go work out and have that half mile work then you go have burgers and chicken dips, then it was all for nothing.
AllHipHop.com: What helps your jumping ability?
Jamal Crawford: For me squats, I do a bunch of leg exercises jumping around with weights, wearing weight vests, running bleachers, running stadium stairs, doing monsters and lunges that all helps. The form is just repetition; thats the best practice, to keep doing something over and over again. If you wanna be great at your craft and you wanna make it, I think you gotta put the time and work in.
AllHipHop.com: Do your S Dots help you run faster?
Jamal Crawford: Yeah, they help me jump higher too. The first time I got 50 points, Jay paged me like, It must be the shoes and started laughing. So they give me that extra oomph.
AHH Stray News: Plies, Common, Lethal Bizzle
Florida rapper Plies has reached platinum status as the chart-topping ringtone for his debut single, “Shawty” Featuring T-Pain, has sold over one million ringtones to date. “Shawty” has also been at the top of Billboard’s Hot Mastertone chart for the past several weeks. The rapper has also launched BidLong.com, an online community blog for fans to express concerns regarding the prison system in this country, as well as share personal stories and feelings about incarceration. Plies recently released a viral music video for his song “100 Years,” in which he addresses the injustices that people are being faced with in courtrooms on a daily basis. “I feel like the song is well needed,” Plies said of “100 Years.” “There hasn’t been a record that I can remember over the course of the last 10 years that has touched on the system like this song.”
Chart topping rapper Common is auditioning for a role in the upcoming big budget picture based around the cartoon series The Justice League of America. According to reports, director George Miller was in Los Angeles for a casting session that started on Sunday (October 14). Miller is auditioning 40 actors who hope to land parts as Superman, Batman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and others. Other actors/actresses who are auditioning for parts in the Warner Bros. film include Adam Brody (The O.C.), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Grindhouse), Max Thieriot (Jumper) and others. The actors have been selected for their age, so they can grow into their roles over the course of several films.
Controversial UK rapper Lethal Bizzle will perform his first show in Ireland during Dublin’s Rap Ireland Bank Holiday Party. The event takes place on October 28th at Radio City where the rapper will perform singles like his latest titled “Bizzle Bizzle” and his controversial song “Pow,” which was banned from numerous radio stations in the UK in 2004. The rapper is also preparing material for his new group, Fire Camp. “Lethal B is one of the most energetic and exciting ‘club’ rappers out there at the moment,” a Rap Ireland representative said. “We’ve seen him play in London and we were blown away. The bank holiday parties here in Dublin are always something special but having a headliner like Lethal will take things to another level.” Rappers like 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit and Sean “Diddy” Combs have made appearances at the Rap Ireland Bank Party. Other celebrities expected to attend the performance include FM104’s Frank Jez, DJ Ahmed of Pulse FM and MTV Base fame, Maverick Sabre and Tim Dogg.
Rakim, Ghostface, Brother Ali Hit The Road on Hip-Hop Live! Tour
Rakim, Ghostface Killah and Brother Ali will hit the road for the 1st Annual Hip Hop Live! tour, a nationwide trek kicking off this month in Los Angeles that features each MC in front of a live, 10-piece band.
The tour, which starts on October 29th at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, will feature The Rhythm Roots Allstars as the 10-piece backing band.
The Rhythm Roots Allstars is a Latino/Cuban funk soul band, that has worked with rap groups like Outkast and The Black Eyed Peas.
Hip-Hops roots are nourished by live music, said Rakim. For artists who dug through crates searching for the perfect sample, always trying to replicate the sounds of a full band, standing on a stage, moving the crowd in front of this talent is both the nexus and the pinnacle of what we do.
The legendary emcee is touring in support of both an upcoming live DVD and a new album, The Seventh Seal.
The rappers will hit 19 cities, starting with the Los Angeles date at The House of Blues.
The tour winds down at The Trocadero in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 21.
Tour dates are listed below:
October 29 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues
October 30 – San Diego, CA – 4th & B
October 31 – Long Beach, CA – The Vault
November 1 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
November 2 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine
November 3 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
November 4 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
November 7 – Park City, UT – Harry O’s
November 8 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
November 9 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up
November 10 – Kansas City, MO – The Beaumont Theatre
November 11 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
November 12 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
November 13 – Bloomington, IN – Bluebird Theater
November 15 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
November 16 – New York, NY – Nokia Theatre
November 17 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar
November 18 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
November 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero