“We Don’t Play That” [DJ Semi and DJ KG Mix]
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The Notorious B.I.G. Ft. Talib Kweli
“Young G’s [Astronote Remix]”
Jim Jones Ft. Oshy Star
“Blow The Bank”
Alternative Pick: Jamie Foxx Ft. T-Pain, Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne
“Blame It Remix”
dream hampton: Thinking B.I.G.
In the film Almost
Famous, the fictitious Rock band Stillwater refers to the Rolling Stone journalist as the enemy.
This is probably the most accurate definition of how a musician would identify
a music journalist. However, when the Notorious B.I.G. was at the peak of his
careera career that ended far too soon and is being honored with the
release of Notorioushis best
friend was in fact a journalist.
dream hampton,
the first lady of The Source, VIBE veteran, filmmaker, and renowned author and
activist, walked with Biggie from the start of his career to the end of his
life. While dream was a friend of Biggies before either of them found their
respective fame, she still remained a confidant of his throughout his meteoric
rise and is probably one of the few who could paint a portrait of his life with
her pen. In fact, she was one of the only journalists allowed on the Notorious set to relive the tale for VIBE Magazine. As Notorious hits the silver screen, dream tells us what the movie
couldnt and what Biggies legacy really means for Hip-Hop.
AllHipHop.com: First
off, what did you think about Notorious?
dream hampton: I
liked the film. I think that its going to open doors and that its going to be
a big box office success. I really do. Its still relevant. Sometimes when I
listen to the radio, which is rare, Im amazed at how present [Biggie] is on
the playlist. So theres the fact that hes present in our culture, but then
theres also the fact that when you go to the store the little sign to be legal
to buy tobacco is [born by] 1990 at this point.
So there are kids that really dont know the facts [about
Biggie]. Were really dealing with 90s babies now and the things that we take
for granted, they just dont you know, know all the facts. They dont sit
around with old VIBE magazines. Even
though VH1 did some documentaries that were out back in the day, they were like
eight years old, so theres a chance that the kids havent seen those. So
thats that. I think that the movie did its job.
AllHipHop.com:
For you its more personal, knowing Biggie. What was it like reliving that?
dream hampton:
Some of it gave me goosebumps. I mean, definitely the scenes we were
at…George [Tillman] was really dedicated to detail, and he was very much
about the facts. I remember when we were in L.A. on Wilshire shooting the scene
[where Biggie was killed] to me it was the hardest to watch them
shootthe B.I.G. assassination. He had Puff on
the phone; he wanted to know exactly where Puff was in his car. He wanted to
know if he was in the passenger seat or if he was sitting behind the driver.
Like all those details were so important to George, and hes super dedicated to
getting that stuff down. I was actually able to help in that kind of stuff, you
know like Puff got out of the car before the sixth bullet was in the air and
stuff like that.
There are perceptions by different people that when
shootings happen, everyone kind of hits the ground. It surprises people that
Puff would be the person that would be on his feet in the air. And Ive seen
that at clubs with Puff. Of course New York in the 90s and you know how
everyones down and it would be one or two people standing and it would always
be Puff. So, George was super dedicated to details. I mean sometimes it was
great to be on the set and be reliving some of that stuff, and sometimes it
just wasnt.
AllHipHop.com: In
speaking with Voletta Wallace, she said that all the actors did a pretty bang
up job, but the one that she said was really on point was Naturi Naughton. Now
were hearing that Lil Kim is saying that she was falsely depicted. In your VIBE piece youre talking about how Kim
and Un were discussing how she wanted Christina Milian for the role. Then Kim
was saying she was never advised on the movie at all. What is it that you know
as far as the real deal in that whole situation?
dream hampton: I
think that whenever youre dealing with peoples life stories, its
complicated. Thats why people wait until people die. I mean Jacqueline Kennedy
wrote her memoir, locked it in a vault, and its not to be released until her
grandchild is 55. So there are different ways to go about kind of unpacking
history, particularly when it deals with private moments. Of course Kims going
to feel a way about that. But then a lot of their relationship was also public,
you know? Hip-Hop is an autobiographical form, allegedly, and theyve written
about their affair and their relationship and the volatility of it, so some of
that stuff is just public domain.
The quote that I have in my piece about Kim saying Naturi
was too Black, thats just cheap. I dont think whats going on with Kim in
terms of her own pathology around beauty is a secret. Shes kind of wearing
that. So what are you going to do? Its just sad when it comes to that. I hated
to include that quote because Naturis beautiful. I would love for somebody
with a body as great as Naturi to be playing me. I dont even know what to say.
I thought Naturi was amazing, I thought Jamal [Woolard] did a great job. I felt
that Antonique who plays Faith was amazing. In fact, she was really one of the
standouts to me. Its difficult.
The thing about Biggie is that whatever songs he had about
being ready to die, he wasnt ready to die. So therefore his affairs werent
really in order. When he left, he was the glue for his crew, and they havent
really been able to its not a self-sufficient situation, so youre kind of
seeing a little bit of the fall off from that.
AllHipHop.com: In
the movie and weve learned this about B.I.G.he had this charisma
when it came to women. In one scene, hes meeting Kim, the next scene shes on
top of him asking if he has a girlfriend. Then Faith marrying him within a
month
dream hampton: No
it was within a week.
AllHipHop.com: It
was a week?!
dream hampton:
Nine days I think. Yeah. It was really wild. Out of all the three major
relationships in B.I.G.s lifeKim, Charli [Baltimore] and Faith Faith is the most
capable of representing him, of being an ambassador to him, of raising his
children, of handling the affairs of his estate. In that sense, at 22, he made
a really wise decision.
AllHipHop.com:
Did B.I.G. ever have that effect on you?
dream hampton: I
remember going to Cali. I was working on a Tupac article, and I was talking to
Biggie every night. You know, for the seven years that we were friends we did
talk every day. I remember missing him [while in Cali], and being like, Oh I
cant wait to get back to New York! I didnt have the thing of like, falling
for him he was more my smoking partner, my buddy, my best friend. He talked me
into having my daughter when I wasnt sure thats what I wanted to do. It was a
great relationship. He agreed to be my daughters godfather. He named his
daughter after me, Tyannas middle name. And [Tyanna] recently asked me to be
her friend on Facebook. I almost cried, and I looked at her info and its like
Tyanna Dream Wallace and her little interests skateboarding and bright colors.
Shes having a suburban life over in the Poconos. He would be so happy to see
his children right now.
AllHipHop.com:
Why do you think Charli Baltimore was taken out of the whole movie?
dream hampton: I
think if anyone has a reason to be complaining it would be Charli. I mean, of [B.I.G.s] relationships, Faith was his wife, but Tiffany
[Charli Baltimore] was definitely his longest relationship. I mean they were
together for years. She was always at the house in Jersey, making her little
chicken wings or whatever. When Biggie died, Ms. Wallace felt very disrespected
by some of the things that Tiffany did. She had one of Biggies trucks and she
kept getting parking tickets. I think she was parking in front of hydrants,
like that was just her thing or whatever. I dont know. I mean I really cant
tell you why. With a biopic you have to make a lot of decisions.
Like Ray Charles nine baby mothers became like two. I think
that you just have to make editorial choices, and Kim was obviously a public
relationship, Faith was his wife. Im not in the film at all and I asked not to
put me in the film. [Biggie and Charli] had explosive things too. Right before
he died he got kicked out of the Four Seasons because him and Tiffany had a big
fight and hotel security kicked them out. They had to go stay at the Sheraton
in Westwood. So who knows if she would have wanted what their relationship was
in there anyway. I dont know; she would have to speak to that.
AllHipHop.com:
Being so close to B.I.G. and knowing he had these three women in his life. We
always have that guy friend whos juggling a bunch of girls. Did you ever say, You
need to pick one?
dream hampton: I
remember saying to him, Whyd you even marry Faith, knowing that you were
going to keep f**king? He was like, I just wanted to lock it down. He just
kind of knew how special she was from the beginning. With Kim, I remember
saying, You need to stop f**king her. I was like, If youre doing business,
you gotta stop f**king her. He was like, I cant, shes the chronic. So it
was stuff like that. He and KimI remember he called me from the studio, they had gotten into it in front of Jermaine Dupri.
I was really mad at him.
If we talked every night for seven years, there were four
nights we didnt speak because he told me him and Kim had a fight. I was like
you dont have a fight with somebody whos 98 pounds. I was very upset with him
for that. Im always a woman, Im always a feminist, n****s know me for that. I
had Biggie do a fundraiser for Tupacs stepfather on some political prisoner
s**t. Biggie came and performed really drunk. I was always who I am with
Biggie, and it was tough as a female friend. I did try.
AllHipHop.com: It
was strange that Jay-Z wasnt represented in the movie.
dream hampton: I
felt the whole 90s were missing in some ways. Thats one thing the glamour,
the money, the whole scene. I mean Wu-Tang isnt in the movie. In that sense
there are other films that and thats what I said in the beginning and I just
want to re-emphasize that this is going to open doors possibly. I mean the
Eminem film [8 Mile] didnt feel
connected to Hip-Hop in the way that this does. You know how Hollywood is, if
this film does well then other films will. Now there will be other films that
come along that get the feeling right, the emotion.
AllHipHop.com:
You wrote the Jay-Z autobiography and then it was never released.
dream hampton:
Yup. Jay called and he said 30% of it was prosecutable and the other half he
just felt like his life was in their hands.
AllHipHop.com: I
think a biography is being written now by Elliott Wilson [former
Editor-In-Chief of XXL Magazine].
dream hampton:
Elliott yea I heard that they are doing something. That would be better
if its not first person. I mean Jay at his core, you know some people say oh Im
so private and then they tell you all their business? Jay truly is private. So
as his friend, at this point I was his friend for 13 years, I love that about
him. I dont feel like I can ever say anything or do anything around Jay and
hes going to judge me for it or repeat it, you know what I mean? As a writer
of course your ego wants it to be the book that you friggin almost died writing
in Barnes & Noble, but I wrote it.
I mean I didnt know I could write a book until I wrote
Jays book. It was hard. I thought it was going to be like a long article and
it wasnt, it was a f**king book. So you know, I was interviewing his mom. It
was stuff that he didnt know about his own parents marriage that came out in
this book. So if Elliott does the book, I think that would be good because it
wont be in Jays voice. Itll be more like a biography with access. Im not
mad at that at all. I just cant get caught up. Like its not my lifetime goal
to be a Hip-Hop biographer. I feel no way about it. Id totally read it and I
think its a smart move on his part to do something thats not first person.
AllHipHop.com: Ms.
Wallace said that after seeing the movie and finally getting to see all sides
of B.I.G., she didnt like what she saw. For someone like youbeing fortunate
enough to have seen all sides of B.I.G.after seeing Notorious, did your opinion of B.I.G.
change at all?
dream hampton: No
it didnt change. I think the one thing thats missing from the film is
Biggies incredible sense of humor. In some ways the movie suffers from a
recurrent amount of realness. You know, like these earnest conversations
between him and D-Roc about the whole hoods counting on you, man; they never
had those kind of conversations. They had very brief,
witty, hilarious exchanges that were brief because of their intimacy. Like they
were able to communicate a whole lot in a couple of words because their
friendship was that intimate and that trusting and that understood. That kind
of stuff is difficult to get in film. I do wish that more of his humor had gone
through. I think that with a mother like once your son starts having
sexyou probably dont want to know him. And sons do a good job of
protecting their mothers from who they are once they become men.
They put their mothers in a box, on a pedestal, whatever,
and then they show their mother that person and they are who they are in the
world. So I could see why [Voletta Wallace] would be surprised by that, but
Biggie was by no means like even the times that he got physical with Kim that I
was mad about with him, I wouldnt say that was something he did in his
relationships. I dont ever remember him being violent in any other
relationship for instance. He was just so warm.
One of the things that Puff said to me once was that B.I.G.
came into a room and made you feel better about who
you were. And thats so rare. Puff was like, I dont have that. I come into a
room and n****s get jealous, they start thinking about how they can run up on
me, whatever. They have different reactions, but its not like people are
feeling good about themselves. When Puff said that I was like thats a perfect
description of who Biggie was. He just was that generous spirit. So theres
nothing that Ms. Wallace should feel ashamed of. She had an amazing son. Thats
why were still talking about him today.
Photo Credit: Ernie Paniccioli
Ex-Girlfriend Implicates Max B In Murder Case
Gina Conway, the ex-girlfriend of rap star Max B., told authorities on Tuesday (January 13) that the former Dipset member masterminded a deadly 2006 robbery that left one man dead.
Conway was set to go on trial this week for her role in the shooting. Instead, she accepted a plea deal of manslaughter to avoid life imprisonment on a murder conviction.
At her March 21 sentencing, she faces a maximum of 18 years in prison on the admitted armed robbery and manslaughter charges.
The September 2006 armed robbery took place at the Fort Lee Holiday Inn along New Jersey’s Route 4.
In her deal, Conway stated she was recruited by her ex-boyfriend Max. B (Charly Wingate) to rob David Taylor and Allan “Jay” Plowden.
The plot was allegedly hatched after Conway informed Max that the two men kept high amounts of cash on them.
Later, the rapper allegedly recruited a third conspirator in Kelvin Leerdam.
The night of the robbery, prosecutors charge that the group subdued Plowden at gunpoint with duct-tape.
Although they were able to retrieve $30,000 from the hotel room, the trio allegedly waited until Taylor arrived in hopes of stealing more money.
Once David Taylor arrived, he was killed execution-style with a shot to the head.
Both Max B. and Kelvin are charged with murder and face 30 years to life imprisonment if convicted.
Since being released on a reputed $2 million dollar bail in July 2007, Max B. has recorded several mixtapes and worked on his long-awaited official debut.
Max B.’s murder trial will be tried in Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey.
At press time, a date has not been announced.
The Last Word: Ne-Yo Talks Sex With the Pussycat Dolls, Bobby Brown Had a Past Fling With Madonna, and Jackie Chan to Star in a Karate Kid Remake With Will Smith’s Son
Whats good everybody? Another week gone by, another two
cents made amid an active week filled with cold weather gripping the nation
with record low temperatures, Steve Jobs taking a medical leave of absence,
Pres. Bush admitting to mistakes made with Iraq and Hurricane Katrina during
his final news conference on Monday (Jan. 12) and Indiana Colts head coach Tony
Dungy announcing his NFL retirement.
Congratulations to Fergie and Josh Duhamel, who got married
last Saturday, Jill Scott, who is pregnant with her first child, and Lisa
Bonet, who gave birth to her new son Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa.
Shout out to Jim Rice and Ricky Henderson for being elected to the Baseball
Hall of Fame, the people who arrested and charged the ex-BART officer who allegedly
shot Oscar Grant with murder on Wednesday (Jan. 14) and the sounding boards for
staying true in a false world.
And now the main event the Last Word for the week ending
Jan. 16, 2009.
1. Amy Winehouse Prepares for the Single Life; Gets
Honored for Bad Skin
Amy Winehouse just keeps making news, usually in a bad way.
But it looks like some good (or bad depending on how you look at) fortune may
have come her way.
According to reports, Winehouses husband, Blake
Fielder-Civil, wants a divorce from the singer and has begun filing divorce
papers through his attorney.
The reason for the pending split? Adultery. The divorce news
comes amid recent pictures surfacing of Winehouse hanging out with another man,
smiling and looking like shes put on some weight.
The singer, who is vacationing in St. Lucia, doesnt seem
troubled over the news as she told News of the World that she has finally
escaped from hell, is off of drugs for good and here’s where grounds
for divorce likely come in in love again.
I don’t know what’s going on with us now and for the time
being I’ve just forgotten I’m even married…But our whole marriage was based
on doing drugs, said Winehouse, who added that she would deal with Blake when
I get back.
While Amy prepares for life without her Blake
incarcerated, the songstress can take comfort in knowing that shes earned
another award for her collection. This time its from celebrity dermatologist
Dr. Vail Reese. For her struggle last year with a severe facial skin infection,
Reese honored Winehouse with the Skin-enemy: Staph Bacteria Award, one of many
from the dermatologists annual Skinnies Awards.
I know the economy is affecting everybody here, but this may
mean hard times for dealers looking to maintain their relationship with their
star customer if Amy does clean herself up. I can only imagine how much of a
challenge it may be for the unemployment office to find work for all those
entrepreneurs.
2. Samuel L. Jackson Ponders a Nick Fury-less Payday
Seeing Samuel L. Jackson show up at the end of Iron Man as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury was a pleasant
surprise. And while Tony Stark and Co. will be back for the sequel in 2010, Mr.
Jackson may not.
It seems as though negotiations with Marvel Studios to bring
Sam on for Iron Man 2, The
First Avenger: Captain America and The
Avengers are not going well. No specific
reason for the failed talks has been given as Jackson hints that Fury may not
be a big presence in the films if he even appears onscreen again.
There was a huge kind of negotiation that broke down. I
don’t know, the actor told the L.A.Times.
Maybe I won’t be Nick Fury. Maybe somebody else will be Nick Fury or maybe
Nick Fury won’t be in it. There seems to be an economic crisis in the Marvel
Comics world so [they’re saying to me], We’re not making that deal.
Finding the right person fill Sams shoes could be a
challenge for Marvel since the latest version of Fury in the comic books is
modeled after the entertainer.
First Terrence Howard, now Sam Jackson. Although Don Cheadle
is no slouch in replacing Terrence as Jim Rhodes, Marvel really needs to get it
together. Nuff said.
3. T-Boz and SWVs Taj Hop Aboard the Reality TV Express
When it comes to celebrity-based reality TV, VH1 has a
solid, scandalous lock. But NBC and CBS may offer a bit of competition as it
enlists TLCs T-Boz and former SWV member Taj Johnson-George for their
respective reality shows, Celebrity Apprentice and Survivor.
T-Boz and fellow vocalist Brian McKnight will be in a
different kind of spotlight when they appear on the new season of Celebrity
Apprentice. In addition to proving their
worth to Donald Trump, the pair will compete against 14 other stars in a series
of business-oriented tasks around Manhattan to raise money for their favorite
charities. Among those trying their luck for charity are former football great
Herschel Walker, Andrew Dice Clay, Country music star Clint Black, comedian Tom
Green, poker champ Annie Duke, pro golfer Natalie Gulbis, and Khloe Kardashian.
T-Boz will play for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia,
while McKnight will compete for Youthville USA and Kardashian goes all out for
the Brent Shapiro Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Awareness. Celebrity
Apprentices eighth season will premiere
March 1 on NBC.
As for Taj, look for her on the new season of Survivor, titled Survivor: Tocantins The
Brazilian Highlands. The former R&B
star is one of 16 castaways on board for the Jeff Probst-hosted show, which
finds participants being split into two tribes and choosing one person from
each tribe to stay behind before their first conversation with each other. The
new season of Survivor will
premiere Feb. 12 on CBS.
4. Salma Hayeks Chest Makes Megan Foxs Wanted List
With her status as one of Hollywoods most desirable
actresses, not to mention a guaranteed payday with the forthcoming Transformers sequel, Megan Fox should be enjoying life. But to
hear her tell it, the 22-year-old entertainer feels anything but beautiful
these days.
I’m so painfully insecure I’m on the verge of vomiting
right now, said Fox, who was named one of GQ magazines Men of the Year in 2008. Strangely enough, the actress has
no problem with taking the title to heart.
I’m a tranny, Fox told E! News Sunday (Jan. 11) on the red
carpet before attending this years Golden Globes ceremony. I’m a man.
Although she broadcasts it in a strange way, its a little
different for someone like Fox to openly admit to her imperfections. But dont
worry. She already has an ideal body type (or rather body part) in mind as she
eyed Salma Hayek on the red carpet.
I really want her boobs, Fox said about the Oscar
nominees assets. Those are the most amazing boobs.
With all this talk about insecurity and being a man, dont
be surprised if Megan turns into a real transformer down the road.
Apparently, there seems to be more than meets the eye with this lady. Gotta
love that Megan. Shes never one to hold her tongue.
5. Bobby Brown/Madonna Episode Detailed in New Book
Bobby Brown may be many things to many people, but you cant
say he never capitalized on his fame. Especially when it came to women.
The R&B bad boy was formerly linked to Madonna at the
height of his popularity, according to Derrick Handspike’s recently released
new book Bobby Brown: The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But… Brown seemed to have a real thing going on as a
publishing source revealed to the National Enquirer that, It [romance] began when one of Bobby’s
bodyguards caught the Material Girl with Bobby in the back of his limo. The
couple met years before when Madonna was on her way up and served as the
opening act for some New Edition shows.
The book discloses, after both had become well known,
Madonna was interested in having a relationship with Bobby, the source added.
Seriously, could you picture a Madonna/Bobby relationship
back then? You have to wonder if the world wouldve been ready for something
like that. Being Bobby Brown may have been cool with Whitney, but with Madge,
the foolishness wouldve reached epic proportions with both of them struggling
to run the house according to their prerogative. Talk about a debacle.
6. Ne-Yo Is All the Man the Pussycat Dolls Need
Singer. Songwriter. Actor. With job security guaranteed from
three titles, it looks like Ne-Yo does a decent job of balancing his tasks
professionally. So it may not be much of a stretch for the entertainer to do
the same in his personal life, as he believes he could handle all five members
of the Pussycat Dolls.
I’m not the biggest guy in the world but believe me, I have
enough to go round, Ne-Yo told WENN.
While it would be easy to label the hitmaker as someone who
cant get enough sex, Ne-Yo is quick to say that he is anything but.
I’m 29, I like sex but an addict is someone who can’t live
without it, the vocalist added. I can, but I don’t want to.
Its good that Ne-Yo admitted to not being a sex addict.
After all, admission is the first step to overcoming whatever it is hes really
addicted to. Ill let you be the judge.
In Other Words
* Christina Milian is setting the stage for her return to
music with the video for her new song “Us Against the World,” which
premiered Tuesday (Jan. 13) on MySpace. The ballad is the first single from the
singers forthcoming album Dream in Color. The release is scheduled to hit
stores in April.
* Zhang Ziyi may be able to kick butt onscreen in films like
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Rush
Hour 2, but the actress is catching flack
from folks in her native China after topless photos of her on a beach with her
Israeli fiancé Vivi Nevo surfaced online.
Ziyi is seen in the photos sunbathing on a Caribbean beach wearing just
a pair of bikini bottoms as Nevo touched her intimately.
As a result, the pics have set off a flurry of criticism,
which resulted in them being censored by China’s internet authorities and
removed from many websites.
* The Gospel Music Association (GMA) will soon have a new
member of its Hall of Fame. And her name is Dolly Parton. The country star,
along with Dr. Bobby Jones, the Dixie Hummingbirds and Michael W. Smith, will
be inducted into the Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony in Nashville,
Tennessee in February. According to GMA President John Styll, their shared
common heritage of gospel music was the reason Parton and Co. were chosen for
induction.
* Martial arts film star Jackie Chan will teach the art of
waxing on and off as he is negotiating to star alongside Will Smiths son Jaden
in a remake of The Karate Kid. The
entertainer will play Mr. Miyagi, the role made famous by the late Pat Morita.
Jaden Smith will take on the role of a young boy mentored by
Chans character. The new Karate Kid will follow the original franchise by
centering on the relationship between a martial arts expert and a boy who is
picked on by bullies.
* As if you didnt know already. Its now been confirmed
that Aubrey ODay will indeed grace the cover and pose nude for the March issue
of Playboy, which hits newsstands Feb.
13.
* R. Kelly is now free to freak anybody he wants. The
41-year-old singer has finalized his divorce from his wife, Andrea, after 11
years of marriage. In a joint statement, the former couple said they had
reached an amicable resolution concerning all issues related to their marriage
and will share joint custody of their three children. Parents guard your
children well.
Brisco: Medicine Man
Its no industry secret that the Hip-Hop spotlight is
beaming down on Florida. Everyone
from Diddy to Timbaland own
homes in the area, and artists like T-Pain, Flo Rida,
and Pitbull have forced the industry to pay attention
to the Sunshine State. At the
center of all the attention is Miamis Poe Boy Entertainment, the home of
artists like Rick Ross and Flo Rida. So it goes without saying that Brisco, an MC that many people call the next biggest thing
to come out of Florida, is also on Poe Boy Entertainment.
Brisco is currently in the
studio putting the finishing touches on his first album, but he is by no means
a rookie. The prolific rapper has
been in the studio for the last ten years making songs, dropping mixtapes, and performing all over Miami. After hearing just one song, Timbaland asked to contribute tracks while Briscos talents landed him Weezys
Tha Carter III [La La]
and Cash
Money Records when Lil Wayne decided to do a joint deal with Poe Boy
Records.
However, Briscos journey from Opa-locka
to success has not been without its bumps and bruises. Hes lost several family members and he
has been involved in two highly publicized beefs with Yung Berg and former labelmate Jackie-O. Quite understandably, the self proclaimed Prince of Miami has a lot to say on his
debut album Street Medicine, set to
drop in the summer of 2009, and in this very interview.
AllHipHop.com: You have a long time fan base, but for the people who are
just now hearing about you, how did you get started in the game?
Brisco: When
I was young I use to always hang out in the studio with my cousin G -12, and he
introduced me to Rick Ross. The
first time I got in the booth was in front of Rick Ross because he wanted to
see what I could do and he liked what he heard.
In The Hood – Brisco feat Lil Wayne
AllHipHop.com: How did you first meet Lil Wayne?
Brisco: After
Hurricane Katrina went down, they moved down here. Baby is a friend of E-Class (Poe Boy Entertainments CEO)
and thats how we met.
AllHipHop.com:
What is it like working with someone
like Lil Wayne?
Brisco: He
is a genius. You wouldnt think such genius would come out such a small body
but he is a genius, and I like sparring with him cause he is the best.
AllHipHop.com:
Your former label mate Jacki-O
gave a really emotional interview to 89.1 about the incident that went down
between you and her at Lil Waynes video shoot. What exactly happened and how did yall end up beefin’?
Brisco: The video shoot was a closed
video shoot. She was at the shoot
and I told security to let her in.
When I got off the phone, I extended my hand out to her to say Wsup and she said Dont try and shake my hand, you real sometimey and Im like F**k you B***h and eventually security
ended up taking her off the set.
AllHipHop.com:
Have
y’all spoken since?
Brisco: I dont
see no reason to talk to her, she doin’ her and Im doin’ me.
AllHipHop.com:
Do
you still have beef with Yung Berg?
Brisco: I feel
like he was trying to degrade my city and degrade my brother so I went after
his career. His album only sold
40,000 in the first week so I feel like I did my job. I hope he makes better decisions when it come
to pickin beefs.
AllHipHop.com:
Ok,
Ok. Off the
beefs and back onto the new album. Do you have an exact release date
yet?
Brisco: As
an artist, you always want to be next, you cant wait
to be the next person to drop your album.
Well can you imagine, Ive been waiting like that for 10 years. We dont
have an exact release date but I been in the studio 25/8.
AllHipHop.com: What can people expect
from your album?
Brisco: Its
a tragedy what happened to Tupac, but I feel like Im
bringing the genuine feeling that he brought to the game. The whole album is really a classic.
AllHipHop.com:
Whats
your favorite single on the album?
Brisco: “R.I.3.” You know normally
you say RIP but I say RI3 because of my mom, my brother and my father. That song is really about me and about
my life. If you ever really want
to know about me, then listen to that song.
AllHipHop.com:
Were
you surprised by how much Miami really embraced you?
Brisco: Yeah I was really surprised cause Im
surrounded by a pond of haters, they like alligators, but it feels good.
AllHipHop.com:
Did
you feel any pressure to keep up with fellow label mates like Flo Rida and Rick Ross?
Brisco: Of
course. I mean I
always had my own money cause I been doing shows in Miami
for the last five years, but they brought Maybachs and
now Brisco gotta get his Maybach. They
got houses sitting on like three and a half acres, and I want my big house too.
AllHipHop.com:
You’re
doing a collaboration with Timbaland. Can you talk a little bit about how
that came about?
Brisco: You know like a lot of celebrities,
he want a house where [they] party at, so he lives in Miami. I met him recording at the Hit
Factory. I let him hear a song of
mine called Mr. Genie and he was an instant fan. He wanted to get in with the movement and hes gonna do some tracks on the album. Man Timbaland
is like an uncle to me.
AllHipHop.com:
What
do you hope fans will say after they listen to your album?
Brisco: Man,
I
hope they back it up and listen to it again. I want boyfriends to be mad at
their girl cause she listen to the album so much.
AllHipHop.com:
Any
last words that you want to leave with your fans?
Brisco: Im the
realest thing in the streets since Tupac Shakur. Street Medicine, Brisco in the ’09.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Vid: Gay Teen Claims Soulja Boy? Yung Berg Is Coming Back! Adrienne Bailon Secretly Married?
DISCLAIMER:
All content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.
TODAY’S RUMORS!
THE DAILY TWO CENTS
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING – allhiphoprumors@gmail.com.
Lets go!
YUNG BERGS REVENGE OH YEAH HES COMING BACK!
A person claiming to be Yung Berg emailed me and he told me that he is sick of this foolishness, and he is papering a diss song for Cap Gun (Cap1 aka Richie Rich) and Young Chump (Master Ps nephew Young Trump). I heard a whole mixtape is on the way and hes got a crew of goons that feel like he feels. True? I dont know for sure, but I cant imagine Berg staying quiet for too much longer.
SPEAKING OF BERG IS THIS HIM?
The rumors are saying this is Berg. I might add this is old footage.
DID A CHEETAH GIRL GET MARRIED?
Rumor has it Miss Adrienne Bailon secretly got married to her boo boo Robert Kardashian. You might remember Adriennes nude pix leaked to the internets and those images were secretly taken by him for him. So nice of him to share! Anyway, thats pretty much the end of that.
DID AMERICAN SCARE KANYE OFF?
I heard Kanye West normally flies with American, but he made a secret detour with another company. Some speculate he was scared because of the plane scare in NYC? For those that dont know, a plane had to crash land in the Hudson River yesterday. And the pilot is the . Epic Winner of the day…see him later down the page.
SOULJA BOY GAY? THIS GAY DUDE SAYS SO!
I don’t co-sign this dude or anything…but…This dude is crazy! The Attempted Outing of Soulja Boy!!!!!!!!!???????????????? This is a gay guy and he claims that Soulja Boy bought him pooch and a Gucci Bag. Now in the video, he also claims that Soulja Boys manager told him to get lost and to leave them alone. Does this lend credibility or just show that this dude is a really good liar?
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END: MAX BS GIRL IS SNITCHING!?
You all might have forgotten, but Max B still has a legal matter on his hand in New Jersey and it just got realer. Gina Conway, of the Bronx, has told the cops that she was a part of a robbery at a Fort Lee hotel that ended with somebody dead. This was over two years ago and its the primary reason Jim and Max are out of favor. Anyway, Gina met a couple of dudes and said that she told her boyfriend how much money the dudes had. She said that Max B then got a friend to rob the men, named David Taylor and Allan “Jay” Plowden. Gina was looking at a murder rap, but now only (only???) faces 18 years when she is sentenced. Taylor was murdered in the botched robbery. Anyway long story short Max B and his boy Kelvin Leerdam are charged with murder. The report I read didnt specify who did what. Well see how wavy the Silver Surfer gets in this mess.
EPIC WIN OF THE DAY!
I dont do a lot of flying and when I do, I am scared of dying. But I have to say that when I heard about this pilot basically using the Hudson river as a run way and saved all those lives .he gets major props. Nobody was hurt or killed in the accident, but a few people suffered a bit due to the cold! Apparently a pair of birds flew into the engine and messed it up pretty bad.
EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY!
This cop tried to stop some Mexicans from getting into the United States: FAIL.
Here is the real fail. I heard the amount of people coming to the US is way down, in part due to the stinkin economy. Shout out to Pokahoe lol love the name, bro.
WHAT THE HELL: COP FAIL PART 2!
IF YOU WANT TO WRITE RAS KASS
John Austin
CSATF/STATE PRISON @ CORCORAN
PO BOX 5244
Corcoran, CA 93212
Austin # T.99907
Housing G.I.C. 271v
DONT BRING THIS STUFF TO THE INAUGURAL OF BARACK OBAMA
These are the prohibited items at the inauguration next week:
Firearms and ammunition, real or fake
Explosives, including fireworks
Knives, blades, or sharp objects of any length
Mace and/or pepper spray
Sticks or poles
Hand tools, such as a Leatherman
Packages
Backpacks
Bicycles
Bags and purses larger than 8 inches by 6 inches by 4 inches
Duffel bags
Suitcases
Thermoses
Glass containers
Coolers
Strollers
Umbrellas
Laser pointers
Signs, posters
Tents or structures of any kind
Animals other than service animals
Alcoholic beverages
R.I.P. RICARDO MONTALBAN!
My man he had swagger before most of yall were a thought! Me too!
I might be back for more rumors. Read yesterday’s again if you like.
For more, go to illseed.com. Or just follow me at http://twitter.com/illseed
SPRING, WE LOVE YOU!!! NOW GET OVER HERE!
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!
-illseed
WHO: illseed.com
WHAT: Rumors
WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed
HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at al*************@***il.com.
– allhiphop rumors
AHH Stray News: Nas Hits Stage In Support Of Vets
Def Jam recording artist Nas became the latest rapper to sign on to perform in Washington, D.C. The rapper will appear on stage alongside Gospel star Donnie McClurkin, singer/songwriter Josh Gobran and former Guns ‘N Roses guitarist Slash at the Heroes Red, White & Blue Ball. While not one of the official events organized by the Presidential Inauguration Committee, the Heroes Ball is still civic in nature, as it is geared towards wounded service members. The Heroes Red, White and Blue Ball will be held at Warner Theater on Inauguration Day, January 20. Tickets for the private event start at $250 each.
Chamillionaire Ft. Trae
“For The Love Of Money”
U’Kno Ft. Notorious B.I.G.
“Unbelievable 2009” [Tribute To Biggie]
West Coast Rapper Jay Rock Talks New LP; LA Times Accolades
While adding the finishing touches to a heavily anticipated album that boasts the likes of Lil Wayne, will.i.am, The Game, Ne-Yo and others, Nickerson Garden projects pride and joy, Jay Rock, substantiated his cause even more, when he was touted as a 2009 Artist to Watch by the Los Angeles Times.
Jay Rocks debut album, Follow Me Home, is spearheaded by the smash single, All My Life.
The track, featuring Wayne and will.i.am, has already garnered national attention and in the process, gained regular rotation on both MTV and BET networks.
Signed to Warner Brothers in 2006, Jay Rock has used his time wisely, delivering a heralded mixtape series entitled Watts Finest, which featured the underground West Coast anthem, Lift Me Up, among others.
Never one to deny his roots, Jay Rock is known to have gang ties with the Bloods.
Through his music though, he expresses a desire to rejoice over the drive and ambition of inner city youth, rather than lionize their sometimes impractical and illegal efforts to overcome the street element.
My album is different because youre not gonna hear my story on somebody elses album, he told AllHipHop.com. My music is not made up. Its the life I lived. [Im] not saying [other] people from the West aint real. I can only speak for myself.
Compared to the Notorious B.l.G. for his signature baritone voice and Tupac for his seeming opportunity to represent all things West Coast, Jay Rock is understandably poised to break out in 09.
He is however, determined to do it with his Ws up in the air, high and proud.
I can’t break free, he said firmly. This is my coast! The west is my soil. So Ima West Coast artist. My music speaks for itself. Ima well rounded dude on the mic.
Follow Me Home is slated for a first quarter release on Reprise Records.
THE DAY REPORT: Indie vs. Major
Independent ReleaseAnyone with proper financing, good music, and thorough music industry experience could choose to put out music independently. With the financial beating that most indie distributors are taking (the economy is in the toilet, in case you live under a rock), and ease with which one could upload and sell music digitally, it is easier now more than at any time in the history of music sales, to go independent.With an indie release, the owner of the music has the ability and control. He or she controls where to market, promote, and advertise; what music to release and when to release it; what music to make; the image of the artist; the market, region, and territory; how much money to spend and where to spend it .basically all aspects of the project.Since releasing the CD is most likely ones sole occupation regarding music, the decision of when to release the music and how long to work the project becomes contingent upon the demand in the marketplace instead of a decision based on other releases within the indie label. The single can be worked for 12 weeks or for more than a year. The release of the album can occur after the first single or after three or four singles and numerous mixed CDs. The duration of the marketing plan can stretch from a few months after release to a year and a half after. The market climate and demand for the music will dictate the length of the project. The set up for the project can be two years prior to release or three months prior. The label decides based on the reaction of the potential consumers in the marketplace.The team hired to work the project can be made from the available people most qualified to work the project. Outside consultants and promoters can be hired, and if they arent working out well, they can be replaced in a timely fashion without damaging the project. If the consumer isnt reacting to a single or a style, an indie label can re-release a better suited single, or respond to the marketplace with a remix. An indie label is like a jet ski in the ocean able to turn easily, whereas a major label is like an ocean liner. It takes a long time and a wide space to turn an ocean liner off its programmed course, while a jet ski can turn on a dime.Lets look at the financials: If a CD sells for $10 wholesale through an indie distributor, and there is an 80/20 split in place, the indie label receives $8 for each sold CD and the distributor keeps $2 per CD. For 100,000 CDs sold independently, the indie stands to make $800,000 in gross revenues. If the CD is being sold through chain stores, such as FYE or Best Buy, there will be an additional $2 in price and positioning that goes to the chain out of the labels share.The cost to press CDs fluctuates depending on the volume and where the CDs are pressed. Cost can range anywhere from 38 cents a CD to 75 cents a CD, or close to $1, if the distributor supplies the pressing (that is called a P&D deal for pressing and distribution).Because the indie label is seen as the underdog, they often get reduced rates for advertising, promotion, pressing, production, recording fees, etc. And because the indie labels usually have less financing than a major label, their target market is usually a smaller area and the project is spread slowly as finances become available from sales of the project. Touring is more difficult because of the reduced funding, and its rare that a major publication or a major television or cable show covers an indie artist. If seeing your artist hand out an award at one of the award shows, such as the Grammy Awards, is important to you, its doubtful that will ever occur for an indie artist. Securing video play at MTV and BET is also next to impossible these days.Major Label ReleaseMajor releases are an advance game. The key to financial freedom for an artist is to secure as much money upfront as possible, and then to deliver the album for as little as possible and keep the split. This advance game was far easier to play in the 90s when the labels were flush with cash and could easily be talked into cutting big checks upfront. Those days seem to be over as major labels are hurting financially. Artists have also learned to deliver one or two hit radio singles so they can secure as many shows as possible performing the hit single(s). The major labels responded with 360 Dealsa way of eating into more of the artists share of the income.Once an artist is about to be signed to a major label, the accountants and financial folks do a spreadsheet analyzing the possible sales potential for that artist. Once that figure is attained, the labels never offer more to the artist (even though its almost all recoupable) than is feasible for their risk tolerance. In todays economy, for a newer artist, that figure can be anywhere from $125,000 to $350,000. For a more established artist, that figure is often $1 a CD based on the sales of the previous CD. [Most contracts allow for an advance of 66% of whatever royalties were paid out for the previous releasebut since few artists ever recoup, I have never found that formula applicable.]Once the album is recorded, the label decides where in their multiple release schedule the artist fits. If the album has numerous hits and promise of strong sales, the label may put the artist into the release schedule sooner than if they feel the release is just mediocre. This is often the opinion of staff members who are far away from the streets and have little clue about whats hot and whats not. The consumers arent fickle and out of touch, the gatekeepers at the labels are. I have seen artists sit for many, many years at major labels just waiting to come out. The artist has no income while sitting still.Once the artist is on the release schedule, its difficult to change that date. Its costly for a major to make changes (see jet ski versus ocean liner analogy in the Indie Label section). Once the single is in the pipeline, its usually a done deal. The major label works the single usually 3 months ahead of the albums release date with the intention of dropping a second single and the album at the same time. Because there are other releases in the majors pipeline, this schedule must be adhered to tightly, and change from the plan is rarely possible. Major labels release hundreds of projects each year, and each release is just one of the cogs in the wheel that make it turn. Except for the superstar releases, no release is more important than any other. Everything is based on sales potential and possible income. Nothing is based on art form or community service or value to humanity. Since all of the major labels are publicly held corporations with stock pricing and trades as their focus, the bottom line is the focus.If a project takes off and does better than anticipated, its difficult for the staff to focus on that project because there is another release coming through the pipeline that needs their attention. Staffs at major labels work what is easiest since they work multiple projects at a time, and numerous releases each quarter. They have quarterly forecasts and budgets to meet, and the focus is on the bottom line at all times. There are numerous departments at a major label, and whether they work well together or not is often based on the cheerleading skills of the A&R person overseeing the current project. First week sales numbers are crucial within a major label and if the release makes numbers less than expected, the project is immediately shelved and focus shifts to the next project in the pipeline. The staff is in place at a major label and it is rare that they use outside consultants except for radio. If a label has a weak video department or a weak publicity department, the artist just deals with that. Until an employee is fired or hired away by another label, they are often at that label for the duration. Politics are rife inside of a major label, and often moves are made based on politics rather than whats best for the project.Because the releases are similar to an assembly line approach, if the major label drops the ball on a good project, thats seen as collateral damage and focus shifts to the next project to make up for it. They see artists as suppliers of the product they promote, not as creative people with dreams, ambitions, and hopes.If the singles react well at radio, and if the CD reacts well at retail the first week (good first week sales are 75,000 to 150,000 for a new artist, and 125,000 to 300,000 for a more established artist. Breakeven for a newer artist is usually around 300,000), the label will often dump more money and effort into the project before moving on to another project, in an attempt to build a superstar for the next release of that artists music.At a major label, artists continually have to achieve expectations to secure the next level. This means, radio spins must achieve a pre-conceived level of BDS spins for the artist to get a video. The video must achieve a certain level of success in order for the label to offer tour support (money to help the artist tour). The first single must achieve a certain level of radio spins to get a second single, or sales must be at a certain SoundScan level to warrant spending money on a second single. The point is that these levels of achievement are based on research or actual sales rather than feedback or acceptance from the streets and consumers. This is why there is no longer artist development at the major labels.The major labels are able to flex their power and get major placements for their artists: touring, retail, endorsements, radio spins, video play, appearances at BET, MTV, talk shows, and major publications, etc. Indie labels are rarely able to do this. Also, major distribution takes precedent at retail stores over indie distribution, making it more thorough and easier to get CDs into stores through a major.Lets look at the financials:If a CD sells for $12.41 wholesale, 80% goes to the major label and 20% goes to the major distributor owned by the major label. That $9.93 goes to the major label and the major label accountants begin to go to work recouping what was spent on the project.The standard record deal is for 12 to 15 points. So when an advance is $250,000, that means its an advance against a royalty. A 12 point royalty actually means the artist is entitled to make 12% of the retail sales price of each full length CD, minus some standard deductions, AFTER recouping (recouping is paying back all of the expenses from the artists 12%). So, for example, if a CD sells for $14.99, a 12 point royalty would mean the artist was entitled to $1.80 a CD .now, most major label contracts have all sorts of reductions in their contracts (its a pennies game) to give them more income. So that $1.80 per CD gets whittled down to about $1.00 a CD. Then, the recouping begins. If an artist sells 250,000 CDs, then that $1 a CD royalty is used to recoup the monies spent on promotion, recording, the advance, etc. So the $250,000 goes to repaying the expenses. It costs between $250,000 and $1,000,0000 to properly market a CD in todays economy, so you can see how rare it is for an artist to recoup. In fact, the artists account is almost always in the negativemeaning more money was spent on the project than the artist was able to pay back from his or her $1 per sold CD.This is why I called it an advance game. Rather than making money on the back end, the artist will most likely begin renegotiating for the next release. By now, he or she has caught on that there is no real money on the back end so they will try to get as much upfront as possible. The major label will try to advance as little as possible, but what they are really advancing is money coming in from the sales of the recent album, costing the label virtually nothing out of their own pockets. Its an advance game. The artist keeps securing advances, going further into debt on the backend (thanks to recouping).All labels, indie or major, have to pay artists, by law, mechanical royalties which are about 9 cents per song based on publishing ownership, up to 10 or 12 songs per CD. If an artist has more than 12 songs per release, that pennies-per-song total reduces based on a mathematical formula. This is why ownership of publishing is so key. Most major labels take (or buy) 50% of the publishing when an artist first signs his deal, so they are entitled to keep half of the mechanical royalties out the gate. If an artist is in financial straits (and most are) they may sell another portion of their ownership. Its not uncommon for an artist who has been sitting on a major label waiting to come out for years to only own 25% of his or her publishing by the time the album drops. Artists have no control over when their album comes out, what songs make it to the release, or their own image or sound. Contractually, the major labels own all aspects of an artist from their website, to their music, to their image and likeness. In rare extreme cases, the labels have even owned the artists names.Epilogue:There are pluses and negatives to being signed to a major label or with being independent. Whats ideal for one artist may be a career killer for another. One thing is for certain, to navigate through the murky waters of the music industry, one needs a strong team and guidance from trust worthy experienced people. Seek out the best folks you can to guide your career . You only get one shot!! Talent alone is not enough to succeed. In fact, talent seems to be the least important skill to have as an artist these days maybe thats whats wrong with the music business
Huey, Maino and Glasses Malone
Take a look at the Mid West MC, Huey, East Coast’s Maino an West Coast rapper Glasses Malone and the movement they are working on for 2009.
The CNN Report: Part 3
Capone and N.O.R.E. speak on their best memories of Biggie.
AllHipHop Exclusive: Jadakiss on Biggie
Jadakiss gives AllHipHop his favorite Biggie memory.
Drumma Boy: Smokin’ Grooves
Drumma Boy is aware your
production catalogue is only as good as your last beat. And for that reason,
the Memphis native makes sure that every new track he creates is a potential
hit. This philosophy helped Drumma to have a
phenomenal 2008, where the preeminent producer supplied Young Jeezy with his #1 Rap and Top 20 Billboard single Put On,
and four tracks off T.I.s platinum-plus Paper Trail album.
Adding to these notable achievements were production spots
on big releases from Rick Ross (Trilla), Plies (Da REAList), and DJ Drama (Gangsta Grillz 2: The Album). 2009 is already
filling up for Drumma, starting with extensive work
on Monicas comeback album Still Standing,
and preparation for his debut Drum Squad compilation LP.
Even with several 2009 Grammy
nominations for his work and a new reality show [Welcome to Dreamland on Atlantas Peachtree TV], Drumma Boy explains why complacency will never be his
downfall.
AllHipHop.com:
Congratulations on the Grammy nods for Put On and Paper Trail. Was Put On originally made for Jeezy,
or something he selected going through your catalog?
Drumma Boy: I
made that specifically for Jeezy. I do a lot of beats
out of the crib. Ive been working with him for a minute, about three or four years
since the first Boyz N Da
Hood project. So I can put my finger on exactly what he wants. He always says,
I need them new yams and greens. I tell him I got them new black
eyed peas for him. So I called him up and told him I had something real
special for him. And from there he just did his thing with it.
Young Jeezy
f/ Kanye West Put On Video
AllHipHop.com: Did you
originally know Kanye was going to be on it?
Drumma: No, I
didnt know anything about that. Jeezy let me hear
the record a week or two after I gave him the beat. It was crazy. A month later
he was like, I think this might be the one, and I got a surprise for you. I
thought the surprise was that I got his first single, that was my goal for
2008. But that was just part of the surprise.
And then just to listen to what Kanye was saying and the way he put on for his city in ways
I can relate to. All around its just a classic record.
AllHipHop.com:
Regarding Paper Trail, did you have
to spend a lot of time in the studio with Tip, or was it more just submitting
tracks?
Drumma: Ive
known Tip for awhile, ever since I first moved to
Atlanta and met with Jason Jeter. Grand Hustle is an organization Ive been
trying to be a part of for about six or seven years now, ever since first
meeting Tip after Im Serious.
So even after Urban Legend
and King I just continued to grind and remained consistent. Im in
Jasons ear every month like, Yo, I got something
crazy for Tip. They were going through a lot in 2008. But just like Jeezy I came through with some crack. Tip was locked up at
the time, but I knew he was about to get out. I was one of the first people to
see him when he was on house arrest. Its crazy because Ready for Whatever was one of the first tracks he cut when he got
out. Thats why he was explaining the situation so thoroughly.
It was a blessing to be a part of
that movement and give him what he needed, whether it was a hard, triumphant
street track like Ready for Whatever or You Aint
Missin Nothin, from the Drumma Boy Live catalog, or the track with Usher (My Life
Your Entertainment) which I made specifically for Tip. I make beats for
certain artists and just keep shoveling CDs, letting them pick out what they
want. Tip picked about 27 tracks out of 30. From there he just narrowed it
down.
T.I. Whats Up Whats Happenin Video
AllHipHop.com: Just
like winning an Oscar in movies, a Grammy nod raises your profile and makes you
even more sought after. Being that you still work with indie artists, how do
you modify your business model between major label and indie artists?
Drumma: I try
to focus mainly on the music. A lot of people can get caught up in if the
artist is independent, major, how Im gonna get paid
etc. That should be a focus, but my main focus is quality music and potential.
So if I run into an indie artist with a crazy amount of talent and not much
money or backing, I still have a couple options. You can choose to develop and
sign the artist. Or maybe put out a song to generate a buzz and get them started.
Or you can let the artist grind and theyll come back and holla
at you anyway. It depends on your overall belief and faith in the artist.
I recommend any artist you sign
you believe in. A lot of people sign artists they dont believe in 100% or have
a vision [for]. Those things make an artist successful. Major label artists
normally know exactly what they need, which makes it easy to deliver. You just
hit up the management for the negotiation, contract and the fees. I just try to
stay creative with the music and not get caught up with the money. Lets just
make good music.
If you make a top quality record,
someone is going to pay for it. If it blows up, somebody is going to have to
pay the producers fee and split sheet. The money will be taken care of if you
focus on your work. Thats my overall advice.
AllHipHop.com: Over
the summer we were at a music seminar in Atlanta, and
you mentioned the importance of focusing on perfecting your craft and having
the overall package to be noticed, even down to specific image details like jewelry.
These days, do you feel image and presentation trump the actual music in
consumer importance?
Drumma: Image
has been the same over years and years. Its traditional and will continue to
be brought up, ever since the 1300s. Its all about how you present yourself.
If you give someone a vision that youre sloppy, whether its the way you
dress, organize your Pro Tools, the way you walk in the studio, just your
overall demeanor [is important]. Are you prepared for certain situations? How
will you react?
You might come to a studio
thinking theyre waiting for you to play your beats, and you get there and the
artist is in the booth recording. The engineer might be doing something else,
and you have to wait an hour or two. Or you might think the artist wants one
type of a sound like a rap track, and then he tells you he wants an up-tempo
R&B track. How will you react? Things a lot of times dont go a smoothly as
you plan in the music industry. So be prepared to adjust and change. Those who
adapt the best are the ones who succeed the most.
AllHipHop.com: Like a
lot of people when they first came into the industry, you had to juggle school,
a day job, and other responsibilities that can take away your focus from music.
What were the instances that made you comfortable with stepping out on faith
and pursuing music full time?
Drumma: Man,
the first group I ever produced was a group called Treal,
they were from a suburb area of Memphis, kinda
country, called Chapel Hill. I was in high school, about 16, and I did the
whole album and produced all the tracks. We put it out on the street and I was
one of the salesmen. Its crazy because thats how I ran into Playa Fly in the
mall, [then] Yo Gotti, Eightball & MJG. It was all from passing out CDs. And
this was the first time I was being heard, but I still wasnt known.
I was doing anything I could to get
to that next level. You got to start from the bottom and earn your way to the
top. Pay your dues. I went to Chicago with $100 in my pocket because I got a
phone call that someone needed some tracks. I was charging maybe $200 at the
time. But, the person wanted 5 tracks. I only had $100, but Ill be coming back
with $1000. That $1000 I can use for CDs, get some stuff for the MPC, pay a
couple bills, and still have about $300 to make it to Birmingham for another
dude that wants tracks. Then I might get another $900 to invest. I would always
reinvest in my sounds and equipment.
AllHipHop.com:
Youre a big fan of The Neptunes. What appeals to you
about their sound?
Drumma:
Anytime someones music appeals to me, I think about the thoughts and feelings
they have to get them to that music. The Neptunes and
Quincy Jones are producers that think extraordinary. Thats the realm I try to
stay in. [With the Neptunes] a lot of their hooks I
can relate to. The movement they had came from so many placements and moves at
a young age. And still, no one really knew who they were. I feel similar in my
career. A lot of people even after the singles dont know who you are.
Pharrell does everything. I respect people who make good music. I
always tell my manager the next big producer is the one who has a run like the Neptunes. [He] will be that n***a. For about five years
straight the Neptunes were getting that first single
for everyone. From Kelis, Nas,
Snoop, Luda, everyone! Them dudes had everyones first single. Thats a goal
[for me]. To be great you have to attack and be amongst those that are great.
To be better than Jordan, you got
to go at Jordan! Iverson got the biggest respect in the world when he crossed
over Jordan. But at the same time its a mutual and friendly competition.
Theres so much music, producers are always going to get the check.
A good example is my reality show
on Atlantas Peachtree TV coming January 19th, called Welcome to Dreamland.
Its Drumma Boy vs. Jazze Pha. Which producer can make the
biggest star? Stay tuned to that.
AllHipHop.com: How did
that project come about?
Drumma: My
dudes named Vaughn and James proposed it to me. Its basically out of 300 girls
who auditioned; they narrowed it down to 13 girls. I picked four, Jazze picked his four, and each team is made up of fresh
writers, stylists, and choreographers. We were given two weeks to create a
star. Which girl is going to have the biggest stardom? The girls are judged on
style, voice, technique, crowd participation, all that
was evaluated. It was great way to show my talents so definitely stay tuned.
AllHipHop.com: You
mentioned Quincy Jones earlier as an inspiration. One of his most remarkable
traits is that he was able to do collaborative projects with artists from all
spectrums, whether that was a Sarah Vaughan or a Ray Charles. Do you feel its
feasible for Hip-Hop producers in todays climate do those type
of collaborative projects?
Drumma: I
think anything is possible; its just the way you do it. A lot of things are
being duplicated, and theres not a lot of original creativity. Lets say a
joint album between Usher and Chris Brown, that would be nuts, depending on how
you go about it. The labels might not be allies with each other, so its hard
to get people cleared. The artists might be fine, but the president and this
person at the companies may not get along, so theres a lot more involved these
days than back then when it was about great music. A lot of us producers are
trying to bring that back. Ive been saying we need more R&B features, more
duets, and collaborations. Its just the way of presenting through original
creativity.
Rick Ross f/ Avery Storm &
Nelly Here I Am Video
AllHipHop.com: You
mentioned admiration for The Neptunes run of first
singles, but also acknowledged a lack of originality in the music. Do you think
part of the issue can be when a producer has a hit, all the artists flock to
that one producer, creating situations where nearly all the radio singles sound
the same? Or do you feel there are other primary factors?
Drumma: Its
possible. But its up to the producer to make sure he elevates his sound. Just
like I did Put On, I wont give Rick Ross the same style just because he
wanted something crazy. Thats why I put him onto Drumma
Boy Live, a whole different style with live drums and bass.
A producer can get beat-lock
because theres so many people coming at you and you cant think that far
ahead. Thats why I work hard 365 days. Its so many ideas [I have] stashed and
ready to go. So [me suffering from] overload? Nah, we got music for days! Not
ideas or gimmicks, but [I have] music ready to go.
AllHipHop.com: Whats
the status of the Drum Squad compilation album?
Drumma: Im
working on a mixtape right now. I got to make sure
the album is highly anticipated. Im first going to warm the world up on what
the squad is about and the music we have to offer.
AllHipHop.com: If you
had to pick three tracks to introduce yourself to someone whos never heard your music, which tracks would you pick?
Drumma: I
definitely have to say Here I Am, Put On, and the new record with DJ Drama
called Day Dreaming. It features Akon, Snoop, and
T.I. Its a pop record and a lot of people havent heard me do pop or think I
can do it. Its going to do big numbers as Dramas first single.
[As an honorable mention] Id say
Shawty from Plies and T-Pain. That got a lot of
women in tune to the movement.
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