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50 Cent Reaches Child Visitation Settlement, Preps New Video Game

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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After months of legal jockeying and counter-lawsuits, mogul 50 Cent and ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins have finalized a settlement over custody of their 11 year old son Marquise.The deal was achieved yesterday (October 22) in Suffolk County Family Court in Central Islip, NY.Under the new terms, 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, will receive one weekend per month with his son. In addition, the rap star will retain his child for one month in the summer and half of his spring and winter breaks.Tompkins will maintain primary custody during the rest of the year.According to legal representatives from both camps, Jackson and Tompkins are said to be satisfied with the terms and hope to move forward in working together to raise their son.Other legal matters are yet to be closed, as Tompkins and 50 are still embroiled in an arson investigation involving the destruction of Jackson’s Dix Hill, Long Island mansion.A second deal was also completed this week by 50, but this time through the video game industry.Initially rumored to be canceled, game publisher THQ has picked up the rights to produce 50 Cent: Blood in the Sand, the sequel to 2006’s 50 Cent: Bulletproof.At press time THQ has yet to make a formal announcement, or verify whether the game will keep its tentative November 28 release date or its playable character list of Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, and DJ Whoo Kid.The upcoming game will be available for the Playstation 3 and X-Box 360 consoles.

The Lox’s Styles P. & Sheek Louch Ready New Projects

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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The Lox’s D-Block imprint is gearing up for new projects by two of the groups founding members, to be released next month via Koch Records, the label’s distribution home.

 

The first and most elaborate of the two will be a new mixtape CD/DVD release by Styles P, which will hit stores on November 11.

 

The project, titled Phantom Gangster Chronicles, Volume 1 features 9 rare Styles P recordings on the CD side and all new material on the DVD.

 

The visual portion of the project will offer fans six new Styles P videos as well as interviews and behind the scene footage with some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop.

 

Phantom Gangster Chronicles will be the first new release by the D-Block co-CEO since the release of his 2007 Koch debut Super Gangster, Extraordinary Gentleman, which spawned the hit single “Blow Your Mind” with Swizz Beatz.

 

The album featured a varied list of collaborators including Akon, Alchemist, Black Thought, Beanie Sigel, Ghostface Killah, and of course Style’s long-time partners Jadakiss and Sheek Louch.

 

D-Block will follow up Styles’ latest effort with a new Sheek Louch mixtape.

 

Extinction: Last of a Dying Breed will be available November 25, and will be Sheek’s third project since joining the Koch roster in 2005.

Through the Eyes of Saadiq

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Alternatives
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It’s been twenty years since we first met Raphael Saadiq.

Artists with resumes as extensive as his would typically be rockin’ a Hugh

Heffner robe and smoking a pipe during interviews by now, but not him. At 42, Saadiq

still looks as young as he did when the family affair Tony! Toni! Toné! [with

his brother D’wayne Wiggins and cousin Timothy Christian Riley] released their

debut Who? in ’88. Since then, Raphael

has penned prolific lyrics for both himself and others, making him one of the

most gifted daddies of Neo-Soul.

 

Back in May, Columbia Records held a playback for Saadiq’s

highly anticipated comeback The Way I See It. Over chicken satay and wine, Columbia’s SVP of Media Yvette

Noel-Schure ushered eager listeners through every track on the album, while

Saadiq sat quietly with his buddy Q-Tip, completely hungover and hoarse from

the night before. Saadiq managed to keep it together long enough to thank

everyone, while Tip – clad in an orange raincoat, sailor hat, and shades

– repped for his boy despite the fact that the food and booze present

probably made him ill.

 

Two months later, we meet Saadiq again – same time,

same place, same condition. He was partying the night before with Q-Tip at the

same venue as before, New York’s APT, and was recovering once more. However,

the party tales connected to these evenings aren’t laced with negativity and

bad habits – they were just two best friends catching up. Saadiq had

spent the past week in New York putting his band together and doing photo

shoots and interviews to prepare for the Fall release of The Way I See It, an album that as Saadiq puts it, is meant for the

silver screen. “I just wanted to make music that would sound good in films,”

Saadiq explains; hence the album title. “Music is the soundtrack to my life.” The

Way I See It is an amalgam of ’60s and ‘70s

inspired tunes reminiscent of groups like the Delfonics and Stylistics. “That

music didn’t come out when I was a kid,” the singer/songwriter/producer

recalls, “but at 14 or 15, my parents were still playing that music.” The album

opens with the soulfully grooved “Sure Hope You Mean It” and includes other

nostalgically tinged cuts like “Keep Marching,” and the ‘70s twisted “Like It”

with harmonicas provided by none other than Stevie Wonder. Getting Stevie on

the horn is proof that Saadiq is undoubtedly something special. “I just called

him – ya know Stevie takes a long time to do anything sometimes. But I

called him and he came over right away like 12 o’clock that night,” Saadiq

states. “We had already said his name on the record anyway, so we were hoping

he came through. And he came through.” The respect of Stevie Wonder is just one

of the perks that come along with being the one of Soul’s chosen few. The other

is pulling D’Angelo out of retirement, as Saadiq plans to work with both

D’Angelo and Kelis on their respective comeback records. “That’s like a brother

to me,” says Saadiq of his relationship with D’Angelo. “We talk all year round

[even] when we’re not doing music. It’s a natural progression for us to work

together.”

 

Raphael Saadiq has survived two decades with a low profile

career working with high profile artists. While the future of his past projects

like Lucy Pearl are still up in the air [“Not with the same members. Me and

Shaheed would probably always do something together.”], one thing is for

certain – there will be no Tony! Toni! Toné! reunion. In the early ‘90s

during an interview, Saadiq’s brother D’wayne advised that the group would

rehearse naked to overcome stage fright – a myth that still circulates

today. “I do not know where [D’wayne] got that from,” laughs Saadiq though

still somewhat appalled. “That never happened. Hell no. F### no.” So why no

reunion? “Because of stories like that,”

he jokes. “That’s why. You just reminded me why.”

 

Love That Girl – Raphael Saadiq

Hip-Hop Rumors: Lil Wayne’s Baby Mom Revealed! Gay Rapper Reality Show! Lil Kim Fires Back!

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Rumors
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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!

GAY RAP REALITY SHOW

The homey Khalil Amani hit me up with an interesting rumor that seems to be factual. He said that there is a reality show coming up that will focus on Gay and Lesbian rap culture. I thought Gay was lesbian, but that’s a different story. Anyway, this show is expected to come out in 2009 – no pun intended. LOL. The show will feature a gay/lesbian reality rappers and homosexuals will battle for a record contract. What I found to be interesting is that they will be judged by mainstream rappers. I don’t know what that means exactly, but we’ll see. Nobody is confirmed.

CONGRATS LIL WAYNE!

This is from the AllHipHop Alerts Newswire (get the alerts – HERE!)!

Superstar Lil Wayne is capping off his record-breaking 2008 year with a personal milestone in the birth of his first son. The newborn, named Dwayne Carter III, was born this afternoon at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. Despite rumors and leaked pictures, Wayne has not confirmed the identity of the child’s mother. The extensive attention to the New Orleans star’s personal life began this past Saturday (October 18), when Wayne revealed during the BET Awards he was expecting his second child. After beating out stiff competition from the likes of Nas and Lupe Fiasco for “Lyricist of the Year,” Wayne requested during his acceptance speech that everyone pray for a safe delivery. “I got a son about to be born any day now, so shout-out to him,” he revealed. “Pray for me.” In addition, Wayne later took home the network’s MVP of the Year award, besting DJ Khaled, Jay-Z, T.I., and Kanye West.

TWO KIDS FOR WAYNE OR ONE?

It was bound to happen! The rumors are flying! Well, I heard that Wayne and Nivea were having a baby. Then, it was a possibility that the kid was Superhead’s. I have some stuff that will shed some serious light on this sucker! I am hearing Lil Wayne’s baby’s mother is named Sara. Anyway, I wonder what Lil Wayne’s “buddies” are thinking right now? There is still the idea that maybe Superhead is gonna have a baby. I think that’s just talk.

My good pals at theybf.com has supplemented that Sara is a student at the University of Cincinnati. She’s got 2 tats. One says “Weezy,” which is on her back. And, “Mrs. Carter” on her chest. Not sure she is going to apprecate those tats. But, they have reportedly been “dating” for three years or so. Nivea lost.

LIL WAYNE SONS AUTOGRAPH SEEKER!

So, as Lil Wayne is going up the elevator to the 9th floor of the Christ Hospital, he is going over the to the labor and delivery department. A lucky fan was fortunate enough to share the elevator ride up with Lil Wayne. I am sure he was focused going up to be a good daddy at the birth of his new kid. Anyway, the lucky fan turned unlucky when she asked the N.O. king for an autograph. I heard Wayne was quite belligerent with the autograph seeker. They say he was “rude.” He apparently replied “I’m not here for that.” One could argue that the autograph seeker was being rude.

Anyway, check him out at the BET Awards if you have cable.

JEEZY’S VIDEO SHOOT LAST WEEK

My boy Miskeen Kid Shawty hit me up and gave me the break down on this new Young Jeezy video shoot. Here is goes.

“i just wanted to tell you about the Young Jeezy video shoot this past Sunday in Atlanta for his third video from the recession “Who Dat” . It was shot in 4th Ward area of ATL and it was star studded, Jeezy had celebs coming by the scene all night. Rick Ross was there also Jadakiss who was walking with Dj Khaled. Young Buck came through in a Bentley. Blood Raw spent almost the whole night outside just kickin with the street n#####, Spliff Star also spent alot of time outside kickin it with us. the boy Gorilla Zoe pulled up in all black Challenger with three girls riding with him (none of em black). Busta Rhymes also came out and showed major love.Other celebs who came out were Fabulous, Akon and the Eastside Boyz(who use to be with lil jon) and Shawty Redd (produced the song). B.G. aka B. Gizzle was the last celeb to show up arriving at about 2:30 am. once the video was a wrap at around 3:00 Jeezy went straight to the Velvet Room(club in Atl) and tore the house down.”

MORE INFO ON RICK ROSS’ HOMEY

Rick Ross’ good friend that died was an Opa-Locka native down in Miami by the name of Toro. From what I have been told, Ross and Toro recently did a song together. Toro was killed leaving the strip club Coco’s. I don’t know if you heard the new Young Jeezy song “Circulate,” you might remember he name dropped that club. Jeezy says, “Everytime I’m in Dade County, Coco’s”. Click on his myspace page to pay your respects.

LIL KIM BOMBS ON THE TRACKMASTERS!

I really hate when people type in all caps, but its Lil’ Kim. Check out what Lil Kim’s camp had to say about the rapper and their partnership gone sour. It is my understanding that this was sent to Miss Info.

“THE DEAL WAS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KIM AND BROOKLAND (TRACKMASTERS) WITH DISTRIBUTION THROUGH UNIVERSAL. AS THEY BEGAN WORKING TOGETHER ERICK NICKS WHO MANAGES THE TRACKMASTERS STARTED TO TREAT KIM AS IF SHE WAS SOLELY AN ARTIST SIGNED TO A LABEL AND NOT WITH THE FAIRNESS OR RESPECT OF A PARTNER. FOR EXAMPLE KIM WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SEE MARKETING/ PROMOTIONAL BUDGETS AND SHE HAD NO IDEA WHERE HER MONEY WAS GOING. KIM EXPRESSED TO THEM THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS NEW INDEPENDENT VENTURE AND ALSO STRESSED HER VISION FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED TO SUCCEED, BUT ERIC NICKS CONTINUED TO TREAT HER AS AN ARTIST. ERIC NICKS WAS CONSTANTLY BRAGGING TO OTHERS ABOUT STARTING A LABEL AND KIM WAS THE FIRST ARTIST THAT HE SIGNED. WORD OF THIS GOT BACK TO KIM AND SHE CONFRONTED ERIC ABOUT THIS AND HE ADAMANTLY DENIED IT. ERIC FELL SHORT OF HIS WORDS WHEN KIM’S CO-MANAGER AND LONG TIME FRIEND PRODUCED AN ARTICLE WHERE ERIC NICKS IS CLEARLY QUOTED SAYING THAT KIM “IS THEIR (BROOKLANDS) FIRST ARTIST SIGNED”, AND FAILED TO MENTION THAT THEY WERE ALSO IN A PARTNERSHIP IN THIS VENTURE. THIS HURT KIM DEEPLY. WE ALL KNOW KIM FOUGHT EXTREMELY HARD OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS TO GET OFF OF HER PREVIOUS LABEL IN ORDER TO GO INDEPENDENT. SO WHY WOULD KIM ENTER INTO THE SAME TYPE OF DEAL WITH TRACKMASTERS? HMMM. MEDIA REPORTS ALSO MENTIONED THAT TRACKMASTERS RENTED A HOUSE NEAR KIM’S HOME FOR $12,000 A MONTH FOR HER TO RECORD HER ALBUM. KIM HAS HER OWN FULLY EQUIPPED IN HOME STUDIO WHERE SHE HAS BEEN RECORDING AND NEVER AGREED NOR ASKED FOR THEM TO RENT A HOUSE AND HAS NEVER RECORDED OUT OF THE HOUSE THEY RENTED. THIS WAS JUST AN EXCUSE FOR ERIC NICKS AND TRACK MASTERS TO GET A NEW HOUSE FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL USE. AS THEY BEGAN TO RECORD, CONFLICT STARTED OVER THE DIRECTION OF THE ALBUM. KIM ALSO BEGAN TO SEE POOR BUSINESS SKILLS ON THE TRACKMASTERS BEHALF. WHEN MEETINGS WERE CALLED THEY WOULDN’T ALL SHOW UP, THERE WAS A LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND POOR BUSINESS SKILLS ON THEIR BEHALF. KIM BECAME VERY CONCERNED AND SOLICITED WYCLEF AND AKON TO WORK WITH HER ON THE PROJECT. THE TRACKMASTERS AND SPECIFICALLY ERIC NICKS BECAME EXTREMELY INTIMIDATED BY THE CALIBER OF PRODUCERS THAT KIM WAS ABLE TO GET TO COMMIT TO THE PROJECT BECAUSE OF HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM AND NOT MAINLY FOR THE MONEY.ERIC WAS GREEDY AND SELFISH AND THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE THE TRACKMASTERS PRODUCE ALL THE SONGS ON THE ALBUM. WITH CONTINUED RESISTANCE BY ERIC NICKS AND TRACKMASTERS, KIM INSISTED THAT WYCLEF AND AKON WORK WITH HER ON THE ALBUM AND GET WHAT THEY DESERVE. KIM ALSO EXPRESSED HER CONCERNS WITH THE MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS BUDGET AND REQUESTED AN INCREASE TO BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROMOTE THE ALBUM. ERIC AGREED TO PUT THAT ON PAPER. THAT THEY WOULD INCREASE THE MARKETING AND PROMOTION BUDGET AND THAT HE WOULD COME OUT OF POCKET AND PAY WYCLEF AND AKON. AT THE NEXT MEETING KIM AND HILLARY ASKED ERIC FOR THE ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK AND HE RENIGED SAYING HE’S NOT PAYING. IT WAS OBVIOUS THATKIM AND ERICK NICKS COULD NOT SEE EYE TO EYE SO SHE REACHED OUT TO POKE OF THE TRACK MASTERS TO LET HIM KNOW THAT SHE AND ERIC NICKS BOTH AGREED THAT THE DEAL WOULD BE TERMINATED. KIM WAS SHOCKED BY ERICS BEHAVIOR AND IMMEDIATELY GOT HER LAWYERS INVOLVED TO STEP IN AND PROTECT HER BRAND!Y’ALL MAY NOT KNOW THIS BUT THE TRACKMASTERS ONCE HAD 50 CENT BUT THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HIM…. SO HE LEFT. THEY ALSO HAD ALICIA KEYS…SHE WAS NOT HAPPY AND SHE JUMPED THEIR TUG BOAT TO RIDE THE CLIVE DAVIS YACHT. NOT TO MENTION OTHERS AND THEIR UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT WITH THE GROUP ALLURE. I FEEL YOU KIM! LET GO BACK A SECOND, YOU ARE PROBABLY WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED TO LANCE “UN” RIVERA, YOU KNOW THE BIG GUY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SIGNING KIM AND JUNIOR MAFIA? A FEW MONTHS AGO UN STEPPED IN TO HELP KIM WITH HER NEXT MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUM, EVERYTHING WAS GOING FINE UNTIL UN AND ERIC NICKS BEGAN TO CLASH. UN BECAME EXHAUSTED AND HIGHLY AGITATED WITH ERIC NICKS AND THE TRACKMASTERS TERRIBLE BUSINESS, SO HE DID WHAT EVERYBODY WHO COMES IN CONTACT WITH TRACKMASTERS DID AND WHAT KIM IS DOING NOW JUMPING THE SINKING BOAT. HE SAID THAT HE STILL HAS LOVE FOR KIM BUT HE CAN’T DEAL WITH ERIC NICKS. (COMMON DENOMINATOR HERE)WELL JUST A WORD TO YOU ERIC NICKS & TRACKMASTERS KARMA IS A M#### BECAUSE FROM WHAT I HEARD SHAKIM OF FLAVOR UNIT HAD KIM FIRST AND YOU GUYS BETRAYED SHAKIM TO GET KIM TO BE PARTNERS WITH Y’ALL.”

EPIC FAIL

If the chair you are sitting in cracks…don’t sleep. Watch this Epic Fail! `

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

OH BOY!

This dude is crazy. An evangelist from Texarkana, Arkanas decides is a good idea to marry a…9 year old. Yes, a so-called Man of God, wasn’t happy with his stable of females. He went and added a 9-year-old girl to his “Situation.” Well, that inability to control his perversion resulted in a new home- JAIL. Right now, he is awaiting trial on charges that he took a minor over state lines for the purposes of sex. He’s already a violent offender and has previous child abuse charges. Why bother with the trial? Just toss the key, G! This guy is 74 and his name is Tony Alamo. Don’t go to his church. Just look at his FACE.

A WU TANG SHOW WE ALL SHOULD GO TO!

I WISH…I would go any place on Earth if ODB would be there. Whoever did that flyer, needs to be FIRED!

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

Sorry about that clip of Hal Turner! He might talk about the Amero, but he’s also a racist, nationalistic, white supremacist, that even Hannity won’t go near.

It’s not looking too good for Lyfe. Homey might actually be doing LIFE! Read the story about him and his encounter with a car crash and the cops.

Can you believe that when D’Angelo was poppin…there was no “real” internet. I mean it was there, but it wasn’t POPPIN like it is now. Click here to buy his new song, “I Found My Smile Again.”

You all might get a kick out of this. A man is suing a strip bar because a dancer’s shoe slipped off and hit him in the head.

Kim Kardashian spent her 28th b-day with her boo in the hospital. SMH. Go party.

T.I. VIDEO: BEHIND THE SCENES

JASIRI X AND ILLSEED BRING IT! “THIS WEEK WITH JASIRI X-EPISODE 7”

If you get tired of all the so-called political p### heads talking, listen to my boy Jasiri X break down the election, the housing stuff and the presidency. Check it out. “Dude asked McCain if he remembers his GPA.” SMH. Please watch this.

FREEKEY ZEEKEY AND A DANCER GET TO BEEFING!

Here is Zeke’s side, where he pours champagne on a dancer.

The dancer’s side, she lays in on dude.

CRAIG G AND AGALLAH – SPAZZ

Agallah said, “your recession is a joke/n##### is rich/everybody is screaming broke.” I wonder if that’s a diss to Jeezy? Anyway, I talked about it, not witness Craig G and Agallah go off. (If you look closesly, you can see AHH’s host Gina taping live from the stage.)

Not to sound like a a purist, but…this “off the dome” stuff is SO HIP-HOP!

SADLY, I MUST GO…

OK…ONE LAST THING…

In celebration of Ice-T’s Power, his ex-wife Darlene has recreated her classic appearance on the CD cover. We took the liberty to compare the two – the Darlene of 1988 and the one of 2008. She’s still looking MIGHTY HEALTHY! Also, you know AllHipHop kinda sparked this re-newed interest in Darlene when we interviewed her. Re-visit that legendary interview!

CRAIG G AND AGALLAH, WE LOVE YOU! KEEP THUGGIN!

DARLENE, WE LOVE YOU TOO! WHOO WHOO!

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 ah*******@***il.com.

– allhiphop rumors

Lil Wayne Father Of New Born Son

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Superstar Lil Wayne is capping off his record-breaking 2008 year with a personal milestone in the birth of his first son.

 

The newborn, named Dwayne Carter III, was born this afternoon at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati.

 

Despite rumors and leaked pictures, Wayne has not confirmed the identity of the child’s mother.

 

The extensive attention to the New Orleans star’s personal life began this past Saturday (October 18), when Wayne revealed during the BET Awards he was expecting his second child.

 

After beating out stiff competition from the likes of Nas and Lupe Fiasco for “Lyricist of the Year,” Wayne requested during his acceptance speech that everyone pray for a safe delivery.

 

“I got a son about to be born any day now, so shout-out to him,” he revealed. “Pray for me.” In addition, Wayne later took home the network’s MVP of the Year award, besting DJ Khaled, Jay-Z, T.I., and Kanye West.

 

A tireless and prolific artist, Lil Wayne will remain at work on several projects that will seek to build on the 2X platinum success of Tha Carter III: I Can’t Feel My Face (with Juelz Santana), Luv Swangz (R&B, vocoder album), T-Wayne (with T-Pain), Dedication III (with DJ Drama), and Tha Carter IV.

Hatin’ On Hate: Things You Are Not Entitled to in Hip Hop

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Uncategorized
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Well, I’m actually thinking about one thing you are not entitled to.  It’s that one unacceptable intangible that can never cross the Hip-Hop threshold.  Many have attempted to smuggle it in, but it is met with opposition once it is detected.  It’s everybody’s opinion, but your own. 

 

I really hate the word hater.  I

hate that ish with a passion. It’s one of those multi-purpose,

linguistic tools that is used for every occasion possible, but never actually fits. You know how it works.  Hip Hop fan X goes out and buys his favorite artist’s latest CD (for those of you who still trek to the mall to do so).  As

he listens to said CD, his stan-ship is once again confirmed and

anytime you and he are together, he’s going on and on about how great the album is.  But what if you don’t like it?

 

You: Dog, can you turn that s**t off?

 

Him: You wild, son, Emcee [Insert Name Here] go hard!

 

You: Man, that s**t is wack.

 

Him: What!?! Dude, why you hatin?

 

No matter how you spin your dislike for your boy’s favorite dude,

you will always be known as the [Insert Name Here] hater.  Write a thesis, add whatever reasonable argument you can, draw a bar graph;  It really will not matter. This convo never has a happy ending.  He will never accept that you just don’t like it.  

 

Hater!

 

So what is there to hate?  He’s got cash?  He gets the crazy fine b######?  His car is sitting on daaaamn 28’s?  Well,

according to what we see in videos (R.I.P Rap City), so does

every other studio concocted fly guy rapper.  So why would you hate on one allegedly fake rich, expensive whip driving, hot girl magnet and not another?  It’s because it’s not really hate.

 

Don’t get me wrong.  There are folks walking around with green tinted lenses on because they can’t get past the first round of the playground battle.  However, those folks don’t like anyone.  They

lay awake at night dreaming of that one day they finally win the

“Battle by the Swings” and walk home with the coveted prize; two paid

admissions to Ray-Ray’s Laundromat and Dancehall.  Bottom line is if you can’t even get into Ray Ray’s, you are not going to make it to mad spins on Radio One.  So they b#### and moan about everybody and their cousin being lame because they know deep down they are the true lyrical gimp. 

 

However, most

of us just don’t like certain music and damn it, we are entitled to

that. With Hip-Hop being allover th eplace, and growing,

there is something for everyone.  I don’t think there is anyone who likes everything they hear.  It’s impossible.  So

that leads me to wonder about these self-appointed hate fighters; the

league sworn to uphold the laws of Hip-Hop disdain. You want a cape?

Seriously.  Is Emcee [Insert Name Here] your cousin?  Are you on his payroll?  Do you get butterflies in your stomach when that dude walks by?  What’s really good, Partna?

 

The audacity of some folk to actually suggest what is in your heart is unreal.  Their

ego must short-circuit any worthwhile thought process they might be

capable of because they can’t believe that they aren’t the barometer of

musical taste. Bottom line is – sound is in the ear of the behearer.  So cut us mere musical mortals some slack and accept the fact that everybody ain’t feeling your dude.  He probably sucks ass anyway.   

 

So

please stop asking me if Emcee [Insert Name Here]

kicked my dog, left me at the alter or stole my lunch money in third

grade.  It’s a stupid question that I would suggest anyone who stands staunchly with their opinion ignores.  Besides,

if you knew me, you would know that I don’t own a dog. I’m already

married and no one stole anything from me in third grade.  If

they tried, I would have had that Fat Nikki smack em up, because we was cool like that.

Lyfe Jennings Arrested in Atlanta; Faces Criminal Trespass Charges

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Singer Lyfe Jennings is facing two new felony charges and three misdemeanor charges after leading authorities on a chase in an Atlanta suburb Sunday night (Oct 19), and refusing to submit to an on-site DUI test, AllHipHop.com has learned.According to a statement released by the Smyrna Police Department, the platinum recording artist, born Chester J. Jennings, was apprehanded shortly after officers responded to a report of gunshots on Spring Woods Drive in Smyrna, just west of Atlanta.“Upon their arrival officers encountered the suspect vehicle leaving the area,” the statement reads. “The vehicle was a red 2005 Chevrolet Corvette, later determined to be registered to Chester J. Jennings. Officers entered into a pursuit with the vehicle, which later crashed.”Speaking to AllHipHop.com under condition of anonymity, a source close to the artist revealed that the gun shots police investigated were the escalation of a domestic dispute.The 35-year-old singer, who has collaborated with several rappers including LL Cool J, Rick Ross, Talib Kweli, Young Buck and Bun B, was charged with Criminal Trespass, Discharging a Firearm Near a Public Highway, and DUI-refusal.Having served ten years in prison on felony arson charges, Jennings was also accused of two new felony offenses: Attempting to Elude and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.Jennings was released from the Cobb County Detention Facility in nearby Marietta, after posting a $55,200 bond.A court date has yet to be set.

Bump It Or Blow It: Jay Rock Feat. Lil Wayne

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Reviews / Music
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What happens when the hardest working rapper in the game crosses paths with an up and coming West Coast representer straight from Watts?  That question is answered in this new release from Jay Rock Featuring Lil Wayne  on the track “All My Life.” I’ve never heard of Jay Rock before this, but Warner Brothers pulled out the big guns on this one to put their artist out right.The beat is driving  and the hook is solid,  There is no hint of  autotune or any of the stylistic nuances that Wayne has been leaning on recently.  To be honest, in my opinion, this is Wayne at his best, just snapping off and going hard on a track.  He relegates Jay Rock to an afterthought almost.Jay Rock doesn’t embarrass himself on the mic, he keeps pace well, he segues between verses solidly, if not spectacularly. As a rapper I don’t see anything special so far, but that may be due to the song itself as a single, or Weezy’s superior performance. He did a solid enough job, Watts can stand up on this.The video helps the song out as well in a clear showing of why video killed the radio star.  i don’t know that I would have been  as interested in this song, which to me is a solid song, without seeing this video.  So I will allow you the same prejudice.  Ladies and gentlemen, this week’s Bump It Or Blow It, “All My Life.”Peace.Jay Rock Feat. Lil Wayne All My Life – AllHipHopPoll Answers

Scarface on Election: “Obama Speaks More for the Hip-Hop Generation

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Joining a ever-expanding list of emcees, activists, and celebrities, Texas Hip-Hop legend Scarface is also voicing his opinion on the November 4 presidential election.With his ninth and last studio album Emeritus on deck for December 2, Scarface expressed his disgust at the man he holds responsible for America’s current economic crisis.“George W. Bush,” Face stated bluntly. “It’s that f*cking Texas education that got his mind screwed up. He put a whole nation in debt.”Although a supporter of Democratic nominee Barack Obama, Scarface feels the Illinois senator made a crucial mistake in not electing Hillary Clinton as his running mate, allowing Republican candidate John McCain to make a power play with his VP choice Sarah Palin.“I don’t know what to say about her,” Scarface shrugged in regards to Palin’s credentials. “But I bet if McCain could go back I’m sure he wouldn’t have picked her just like I bet Barack wish he had chosen Hillary. If Barack had picked Hillary, McCain would have packed his bags a long time ago.”Regarding his decision to vote for Obama, the celebrated Geto Boy admitted his selection is primarily fueled by how vehemently he disagrees with the direction the country has gone in the last 8 years under a Republican president.“[I’m voting for] Obama, but not because he’s black and sh*t, but because them Republicans got things f*cked up. I think Obama speaks more for the Hip-Hop generation now.”Emeritus is scheduled for release on December and rumored to feature production from 9th Wonder, N.O. Joe, and Kanye West. Confirmed guests include Lil Wayne and Bun B.

R&B Rewind: Usher – “Can U Get Wit It”

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Alternatives
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What’s up everybody? Hope all is well. I know there are folks out there who love R&B just as much as I do. And you’ve loved it so long you can’t remember when you actually fell in love with it. I know when I listen to the radio or even scan through my CDs or iPod, it’s the R&B from the ’80s and ’90s that spark off nostalgia. It takes me back. Back in time when I was carefree. Some of us were in grade school, some of us in high school, and many of us remember this music from our college years. Well whatever moment in time these songs take you back to, I want you to revisit those moments; even if it’s just for a little while. We know that the radio isn’t very friendly to the New Jack Swing Era and even omits songs from the ’90s, so I’m going to do you a favor and bring you an Old School R&B Rewind every week to help bring a smile to your face.First up! Artist: UsherSong: “Can U Get Wit It”Year: 1994Album: UsherProducer: DeVante Swing (from the group Jodeci)Usher 2008 is sooooo different from Usher 1994. He was 16 and wet behind the ears. Honestly, I remember this song better than I do the video, and when I pulled it up on YouTube I was bugging out. This song was way too mature for a 16 year old. But who can we blame for him singing such an adult song, Usher 2008 could sing today? – Diddy! He was still Puff Daddy then and had a much smaller bank account and ego. He used to manage Usher at the start of his career. The two even lived together. He produced several of the tracks for Usher’s first album, executive produced it, and starred in the video for “Can U Get Wit It.” Sound similar to what Diddy does today? YUP! Some things never change. Diddy was even trying to outshine his artists then. And if I’m not mistaken a few years back, Usher revealed in an interview that Diddy put him on to a lot things when he was his manager: the music industry, women, and weed. So much for Diddy being a father figure!But anyway, the video for this song is crazy. First of all it starts off with Diddy pulling up in a ’64 Impala blasting Outkast’s “Player’s Ball” honking the horn signaling to young Usher to ditch school instead of taking an exam that counted for half of his grade. Diddy then chauffeurs young Usher around Hollywood. The Timbs and the James Worth jersey. The leather in the desert. The box hair cut. The Doc Martin boots. Man this one takes me back. What were you doing when this song was a hit? I’d love to know. I was 17 and a senior in High School, you couldn’t tell me nothing when this song was out. I had just gotten my driver’s license and had this song on a mixtape a friend of mine had made for me. I used to ride around and blast it because it was a hit. That’s my moment, tell me yours.Until next time y’all enjoy this week’s R&B Rewind – Usher “Can U Get Wit It”Usher – Can U Get Wit It (1994)

AHH Stray News: Plies Strikes Gold Twice In One Year

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Fort Myers, Florida rapper Plies was awarded a Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of his sophomore album, Definition of Real. The Gold certification is the second issued to the rapper in under one year. His debut album The Real Testament also sold over the mandatory 500,000 copies and was certified in June 2008. The rapper is currently preparing for the release of his third album Da Realist, which is scheduled to hit stores on December 16, 2008. Plies is currently on the nationwide “Street Elections 08” campaign, promoting his upcoming album. The first official radio single is titled “Put It On Ya” and was produced by No I.D.

Hip-Hop Rumors: T.I. Gets Baller Blocked! 50 Cent & Lola Luv, Jay-Z Coldplay Album!

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Rumors
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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!KELLY IS CHEATING ON ME WITH USHER!?

Arrrrrrghhhhhh!

Kelly is really starting to upset me. I cut her off

and now she is just spiting me. According to the Daily Star, Usher and

Kelly Rowland were in the UK balling out and spending obscene amounts

of money on champagne and vodka at the Amika nightclub. They said Nelly

was there too, but the main focus of the story was Kelly, not Nelly.

They are saying that to have these secret meetings, they have to link

in Europe. SMH.

Anyway, although Usher and Tomeke are reportedly OK, this seems to suggest there is a problem in Usherville.

RICK ROSS IS ALIVE

I got word from my homies in Virgina that Rick Ross had died. Now, you know, I stopped everything I was doing to verify that. We don’t want that tragedy. Come to find out, it seems, that one of Ross’ friends had passed away and word of mouth got carried away.

B.o.B. GETS DOWN WITH T.I.

You know B.o.B., right? He’s the young upstart from down in the Dirty. Some people have referred to him as a young Andre 3000 with the flow, but he’s definitely his own person. Anyway, from what I heard, he is now officially a member of the Grand Hustle team and has signed on to bolster the staff with Big Kuntry and Alfamega and them. It’s also very cool that B.o.B. was an artist that has been represented in AllHipHop’s Breeding Ground. So, some of us have already seen him rock the stage as well as heard him on the mixtapes.

Click here for B.o.B.’s song “Hip-Hop Ain’t Dead.”

JUELZ SANTANA TALKS

Did you hear the new? The new interview with Juelz Santana? Below is what most closely resembles some rumor stuff, but the whole interview is right here….. Juelz Santana: Skull Gang Primer, Pt. 1.

AllHipHop.com: Speaking of family, you began your career as part of one of the most powerful movements in Hip-Hop, the Diplomats…

Juelz: I am the Diplomats movement. I ain’t parts of it, I am it.

AllHipHop.com: Well, to be fair, that’s the way it seems since you and Jim are the only ones still repping for the Dips.

Juelz to AllHipHop.com: That’s what I want all the fans to know, that’s what we’re doing. Bottom line is, there’s a thin line between loyalty and stupidity. N****s tried to make the situation work the best way possible. It just got to a point where I couldn’t. Like I told people, I got to a point where I got tired of being taken advantage of. I felt like I wasn’t getting my just due for the work I was putting in.

Juelz to AllHipHop.com: It wasn’t like I was asking for back credit or back money which was there but that’s nothing to me. The whole point was about moving on and it just didn’t happen and not because of me. I been blessed to see all the things I’ve seen so early. I’m still young. But I want the fans to know what we’re doing. Like, what if we would’ve just sat back and waited for Cam to sit there and decided to do what he wanted to do? Nobody really even heard from Cam in a minute so where would we be? Then how would our Dipset fans be looking at us like, “Where y’all at?”

Q-TIP AND MOD GET INTO IN A BIT…

Yesterday Q-Tip was on a panel and was getting into a semi-heated debate with a writer named Jon Caramanica. From what I was told it was all over Hip-Hop mostly about hot producers of the moment. Tip apparently argued that it was all about the stock producers like Timbaland, Ron Browz, and others. Producers = hit records. Caramanica charged that it’s easier to make a hit record now without the pricey producers. I think this happened at the CMJ convention that just started in NYC.

50 CENT AND LOLA LUV – THE REAL DEAL

I forgot this totally. Too many rumors. 50 Cent and Lola have an arrangement on the music side. Click here to read the story on it. So…um…she is supposedly rapping with 50 Cent too. See the video below.

T.I. GETS BALLER BLOCKED

“Swing Ya Rag” is a great song. There is a problem with it. The song seems to refer to a lifestyle very closely related to gang culture and getting “active.” Well, the video for the song has been blocked, because in T.I. video, he is swinging rags by Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Both companies have hit him with copyright infringement charges and have stopped the video from coming out. SMH. Even the fashinistas know what rap music is really saying. We need a new code. “Swing Ya Coffee Cup” or “Swing Ya Shoestrings.” We need something they can’t understand.

JAY-Z / COLDPLAY ALBUM?

Did you hear the new Coldplay song with Jay-Z? Check that out. So, we have been hearing multiple rumors that Jay-Z and Coldplay are going to do an album together and so on. Well, that’s cool and I think it’s a good idea. I do wonder what “Hip-Hop” will say. But, in the midst of all this Coldplay/Jay Z talk, I am hearing a new rumor. There is supposedly a really big time DJ creating a mixtape ala the Gray Album. (Do you remember that?) This effort will be combining Jay’s musical elements with Coldplay elements. It almost sounds mythical.

A REAL BATTLE – ROXANNE SHANTE VS BUSY BEE

By the end of the battle, Busy Bee seemed like he was getting heated. Roxanne Shante was a beaaaaaast! This was off the top of the head too. WOW! 1985!

Roxanne Shante vs. Busy Bee – The Battle.mp3 –

When/if you listen to this all the way to the end, you WILL get a kick out of the celebrity judges decision. Thanks Jubilee Shine!

RANDOM QUOTES

Diddy gets business bizzy after buying Enyce from Liz Claiborne:

“I’m extremely excited about this purchase,“ Combs told AllHipHop.com exclusively. “And above all, as a black businessman I want to keep inspiring the African-American community to keep moving forward and pursuing opportunities in business. Black entrepreneurship and wealth building is very important to me and I want the youth and everyone to know these goals are attainable to them as well.”

T-Pain talks about his love of fam and marriage.

“I love reading my daughter to sleep—she loves this one book called Ducks in Muck. I’ll be at a club, just surrounded by ho’s, and I’ll literally call my wife, like, ‘I’m so, so happy I married you.’”

MORE ON DIDDY! DIDDY AS T LA ROCK?

What the HECK? There are rumors stating that Diddy looking to play in the movie about rapper T La Rock. The movie is about the legendary, old-school rap king Terry “T La Rock” Keaton. He was really the very first artist to work with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin under the Def Jam banner. Denzel Washington is supposedly the man behind this story! Wow. In 1994, T La Rock was trying to break up a fight and was hit with a brain injury. I hope this movie comes out, I promise it will be better than most rapper flicks you have seen. Shoutout to Jazzy Jay.

Here is a video, after the Russell days. You know, T La Rock was going to sue Russ, but nothing ever came out of it.

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

Shout out to my Twitter pals like ChicaGOrilla, Gyant, TaiSaintBoogie and others. They told me all about the M.O.P. show at The Loft Atlanta. Wow. Why do I feel like I missed a monumental event? Because I did. How About Some Hardcore!!!

Some of the AHH staff emailed me about Craig G and Agallah dumbing out last night at the Justo Mixtape event last night. I heard they freestyled like crazy! If you have this on video, let me know when its online. I need to see this.

I didn’t hear the actual song yet, but I love the fact that Asher Roth has a song called “I Love College.” I know its probably about parties and stuff, but you have to get kids there somehow!

I’m not even going there with Will Smith and the DL rumors. Will’s the big homey! You know I made him the “Illseed Person of the Year” a couple years ago.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY

How is the best man going to turn into the worst man? Click that link.

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6070931

The other Epic Fail is by a shoe store called “Journeys” Click the link.

http://www.kmbc.com/video/17768384/index.html

Don’t support them, don’t buy from them.

SHELZ – DIDDY AND LIL WAYNE

One Day Diddy Will Own the World…

I’m not sure when that will be, but he’s building his empire one acquisition at a time. Next up, Enyce. The clothing company has been purchased by Mr. Diddy Bop and he’s got plans to beef up the label and possibly add some other elements, or as he said “launch into new licensing categories.” Hopefully, the brand will remain loyal to the style of its wearers (if there are any left) and not be subject to those awful half-sweaters we saw in the latest Sean John showing. Good luck Diddy.

Lil Lil Wayne….

So someone with a page over at Global Grind posted this very fuzzy, very old video and swears up and down it’s Lil Wayne. He said he’s a student at the same high school that Wayne attended and this is archive footage of a play that Wayne was in when he was a 7th grader. I don’t now if it’s him or not, but the kid posting the video said the school wouldn’t let him have a copy per Mr. Carter’s orders so he filmed it with his phone or something.

THE BLACK MALE THEME SONG

This song is so…ill.

CITIZENS ARREST KARL ROVE!?!

GUNNING FOR THAT NO. 1 SPOT!

Peep this crazy fresh B-ball documentary trailer with Bobbito and Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys. It would really be nice to get paid to do something other than what you’ve been doing for 10 years. Hint.

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN ENDSigns the World is Coming to and End. You won’t believe this one. A Dead BEAR is found with an Obama/Biden sigh around its neck at an NC college.

THE LO LIFES CALL KANYE A BITER

Kanye is way gone from those Polo days though.

I love the 80’s.

I’M OUT, BUT FIRST…

OBAMA AND BIDEN, WE LOVE YOU! EVERYTHING’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT!

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 ah*******@***il.com.

– allhiphop rumors

Silkk The Shocker, P. Miller Form New Travel Biz

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Rap star Vyshonn “Silkk The Shocker” Miller and his older brother Percy Miller (formerly known as Master P.) have teamed with Gene Van Horn and World Ventures, to create a new affiliate marketing business.

 

Miller’s latest endeavor, yourinvestmenttravel.com, shows budding entrepreneurs and home-based travel agents how to earn money in the travel industry, which is a $ 7 trillion dollar a year industry.

 

World Ventures, which is a private company located in Dallas, Texas, has active representatives in all 50 states.

 

According to Miller, the travel industry is an untapped market that hopefuls can tap into with a minimal investment, yet earn a high return.

 

“Instead of spending a couple hundred dollars at the mall, you could put that money towards starting your own small business,” said P. Miller. “If you just sacrifice $500 from your weekly personal expenses and invest that in a one-time investment in yourself, you will not only be able to afford more in the future, but you will also be building generational wealth for your family.”

 

According to Miller, he hopes his latest business endeavor with his younger brother will be a model of success for those attempting to break into the lucrative industry.

 

“This is not about entertainment,” Miller said of his new affiliate marketing company. “This is about exposing people to other opportunities that lead to financial freedom. If you are in the music business and you are waiting for that big record deal, you still need to eat and take care of your families now. It’s time to be more responsible. What about life after Hip-Hop? If you can afford to buy Nike Air Jordan Collection for $310 or True Religion Jeans for $250 during this financial slum, than you can afford a one-time $500 investment into your own business to secure your financial freedom for your future.”

 

In related news, Silkk The Shocker is planning on a new album, as well as a new DVD starring Lil Duval titled More Money, More Family.

Juelz Santana: Skull Gang Primer, Pt. 1

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Features
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In dynasties past, soldiers were rewarded for their courage and loyalty. However, the music industry is not the court of King Arthur and, in most cases, when an artist stays in a situation in the name of loyalty, it may mean the end of their career. But Juelz Santana isn’t your average artist. Pressure can either bust pipes or make diamonds and if you haven’t seen him lately, your boy is shining. With a revitalized solo career, a new label via a joint venture with Def Jam, and a new movement known as the Skull Gang, it seems the sky is the limit for the Harlem splash master. Right here, Juelz discusses the motivation behind Skull Gang (DJ Tobb Cobain; Richmond Rab; Unkasa; Starr; John Depp & Deniro). As for all that other stuff (DipSet’s status, Cam’Ron being AWOL, that album with Lil Wayne, etc.), it will be in Part 2. But you already knew the bird flies high in all weather, didn’t you? AllHipHop.com: You and Jim are still close and you could’ve easily been a part of what he was doing so what made you want to go out on your own with Skull Gang?Juelz Santana: First of all, everybody can’t be Dipset. There’s a structure to go through. Just like me and Jim. We’re still Dipset, still flying the bird. But Jim has Byrdgang and I have people that I got faith in that been around me. I got my own studio, Jim got his own studio, so just as much as you see us together—and we are still together and still one movement—Jim has people that come from his area. We’re all from different parts of Harlem and different walks of life. We still had people we know in different areas and it so happened that these people are talented. I had people in my area and Jim already had the Byrdgang thing. Even Zeke got the 730. It’s just people really don’t know Zeke for being an artist yet so it’s been a little bit harder for him to build his brand the way he needs to but he also has his own set of dudes. It’s just everybody working with the people they have around them. It wasn’t like I was just, “No, I want to do my own thing.” But at the same time everybody should’ve because we’ve all grown to that point. We were all our own bosses and we all had our own entity but it all still falls under one building. Dipset is the building and we all got our own floors in the building. Ya dig what I’m saying? I had people that were very talented around me so it made no sense for me not to. I felt like that would just be selfish not utilizing the people I had around me. There are some people out there that do just want all that attention. They have people around them but they act like they don’t exist. Just as much as I felt like the game was missing me, the game also needed something new, something fresh. So we both did this but, at the time the thing Jim did with Byrdgang is something totally different from what I’m doing with Skull Gang. Just like me and Jim are two separate entities from Harlem. You get that from our movements. Jim’s movement has more of Jim’s theme. My movement is more my theme, something I put together. I’m not trying to build what a Dipset was or what a Byrdgang is.AllHipHop.com: What’s the most visible difference between your group and Jim’s?Juelz: I got my man Rab he’s from VA. I got my man Nero from Jersey and NC. I got an R&B singer. I got my man Unkasa who’s been around for eons. My man Dep is from Queens. It’s all something I put together that I thought was going to be different and special and something people would love. The whole thing about putting it together was how to put everyone together the right way. But once we all got into the studio it all fell into place. The music sounded good and everybody’s sound complimented each other. AllHipHop.com: Was it a conscious decision to go out and find people in different parts of the country?Juelz: It wasn’t really like finding them. Like one or two people were brought to me but everyone else had been around me from different walks of life. Kasa is from my hood. I knew him coming up before anything was anything. Rab, we go back like 15 years. Me and Nero go back like eight years. Everybody that’s down with us pretty much been around. It took so much for me to be going through what I went through but everything just came together at a certain place and a certain time, around the time I was getting out of my situation. At the time I was stagnated. But while I was stagnated everything was falling into place. By the time I got out my deal it was like boom, Skull Gang mixtape was ready to go, everything was good and now the ball is rolling.

“At the end of the day people are not

buying into an album or a song anymore. If they f**k with you, they go

to the store and buy your record. If they just like your song they

listen to it on the radio and when it comes on in the club, but that’s

it.” —Juelz Santana

AllHipHop.com: A lot of artists have said Def Jam hasn’t exactly been living up to it’s legacy when it comes to Hip-Hop. But you were a part of Def Jam since the Roc-A-Fella days so they should be showing you love. Are they supporting the project?Juelz: They love it. Def Jam is behind me 100 percent. They’re with me in everything I do. They’re excited. They feel like there’s something to be excited about and I think they realize my worth right now. I will say one thing, and I’m not just saying this about Def Jam, this is about all labels right now, labels are scared to take chances. There’s a recession going on and a lot of artists haven’t been meeting the standards they should be meeting so the labels have gone back to not really taking any of the chances they used to take. Everybody is just doing things to try and keep their job. Before you had people, who if they believed in something, they’d put their jobs on the line for it. But a lot of these labels right now are real “iffy” about a lot of things. That’s why I took it upon myself to do a lot of that grind work that needed to be done as far as Skull Gang and not just going to a label and just trying to put out an album. At the end of the day people are not buying into an album or a song anymore. They buy into who that person is. If they f**k with you, they go to the store and buy your record. If they just like your song they listen to it on the radio and when it comes on in the club but that’s it. I want more for my team so right now we’re in the process of grinding. And I know what it’s like. In Dipset, they ain’t give us nothing. We grinded for, pretty much, everything. Even though the game has changed we’re still grinding. We’re working on our Internet s**t, beating the Internet up and using different ways of strategizing and promotion. We’re going hard. AllHipHop.com: So who are the members of Skull Gang and what do they all bring to the game?Richmond Rab: Richmond Rab straight out of Richmond, VA. I feel like I bring a totally different style to the game. I feel like I don’t sound like nobody from the south. I feel like I don’t sound like nobody you ever heard before. I spit it from the heart. All the stuff I be talking about is for real. It ain’t no joke. That’s what it is.I started writing and s**t. One of the first songs I wrote he [Santana] really f**ked with the joint and threw it on his mixtape. So that made me say take this music thing serious because the streets ain’t going to be there forever. So I went and bought my own studio and locked in for like a year and a half. I just kept going in, me and a couple different producers. Every time I made a good 10 or 20 tracks I’d bring them down and let him hear them. He was like, “they’re good but keep working.” So I stayed in the studio and just kept working. Then I just came down to the studio with a batch and he was like that’s it.Juelz: You know in Atlanta a lot of people are coming out. You got all these big dudes comig out of Atlanta so a lot of the new dudes coming out sound like the ones before them. From my man’s voice to his look, to his swag to the way he raps, it’s a whole different sound. Virginia is different. Some people say Virginia is “East Coast” and some people say it’s the “South.” Look at the Clipse. They’re from Virginia Beach. They don’t sound like they’re from the South. But if you listen to Rab or other cats from Richmond and up in that area they have the accents and all that.  Dinero: This is Dinero. Hackensack raised, Raleigh is where I reside. What I bring to the table is being real. Everything I write, I been through. I don’t try to be like nobody else or sound like anybody else. I’m just a real humble person. Juelz: My n***a ‘Nero, you know how everybody tries to be tough, be cool? His flow is off the wall and he’s going to bring it back to where it’s cool to just be a cool n***a. You ain’t got to be super tough in your rhymes but, at the same time, he gives you that because that’s what goes on. A lot of these n****s is talking that **t but ain’t doing it anyway.AllHipHop.com: So you speak for the average listener?Dinero: There’s always somebody out there that’s going through what you’re going through. I don’t particularly have to pertain to a certain crowd. I’m a versatile person. I got music for all types of situation because when those situation come up that’s how I deal with it. There’s probably somebody out there that dealt with it the same way as me. And that’s how they’re going to feel me…and the flow is crazy.Juelz: That’s one of the main things I like about Nero. He sounds different on every beat. He know how to ride that beat. He know how to get loopy not looped up.AllHipHop.com: People are kind of familiar with Unkasa from Purple City so how’d he end up in Skull Gang? Juelz: For those that don’t know Kasa, get Diplomatic Immunity, Vol. 1. He set it off. That was our first album in the game. Cam put him in the booth and let him set the album off. If y’all don’t know, he been around for a minute. So go get that Diplomatic Immunity, Vol. 1 he killed it.Unkasa: What I bring is animation and colors to the group. Whatever I say is going to be outlandish. But it’s going to be classic and it’s going to be crazy. We all bring that s**t but for me it’s animation and colors. You’re in the midst of the ’09 Death Row right here. TuKasa Shakur and all that.Tobb Cobain: What I bring isn’t necessarily from the rap angle. I’m the songwriter. I’m just going to bring that. When we step into that realm hopefully we’re going to be winning some Grammy’s. We’re a label for real. We’re just starting right now but hopefully we’ll have that longevity. We got a real plan here.   Juelz: He writes songs, we got an R&B artist, Star. She’s amazing, especially when it comes to writing and just putting a song together. I feel like just as much as she’s going to be a star in her own right she’s going to be writing for a lot of females making them hot. Her pen game is awesome. That’s what it is with this whole Skull Gang thing.

“We’re the ’09 Death Row. Suge Santana, TuKasa Shakur, we got the ’09 Kurupt, Depp is the ’09 Nate Dogg.” -Unkasa

AllHipHop.com: What about Depp?John Depp: My talent, what I bring to the table is just a little bit different. Everybody is talented but I feel like I got that extra little spark because I sing and I rap. Un is a little like me, he kind of got the singing joints too so we kind of have the same style. I don’t want to big up myself too much because we’re all equal. I got hooked up with [Juelz] through Slow, one of peoples who’s one of his good friends. Now he’s my brother and we’re getting ready to take it to the next level. Juelz: Depp is young. Depp is young, fresh—no h###—tender. We all young but Depp is definitely the baby. He’s very musically inclined. He can do a lot more than just rap. That’s what I liked about everyone here. Most dudes be on that “I’m just going to go in and body the beat.” Which we all can do. If we want to just go in and body a beat we all can do that. But we all know how the game is structured and we all know what a beat is called for. A lot of people don’t know what a beat calls for. A lot of people will just spit any old rhyme to any beat. Just spit a written rhyme that they had because they might think it sounds good but you really should write to every beat. Every beat has a different sound and you should create your music to the beat. You can’t spit that verse you feel is the punchline crazy verse on every beat you hear. I feel all of us know how to go in and address the beat accordingly. Unkasa: We do songs so fast that half the times n****s don’t be knowing their verses. Like we only stop to learn verses when we go to do a show. Songs pile up. Like we f**ked the hard drive up. Real talk. We f**ked the hard drive up putting in work, like 80 songs a piece. That’s not including the songs we got with each other. Like I said, we’re the ’09 Death Row. Suge Santana, TuKasa Shakur, we got the ’09 Kurupt, Depp is the ’09 Nate Dogg. We got that whole family but it’s just on another level. READ PART 2 HERE.

Exclusive: Sean “Diddy” Combs Talks Enyce Purchase

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Sean “Diddy” Combs added another asset to his expanding clothing empire today (October 21), with the purchase of fashion brand Enyce from Liz Claiborne, Inc.

 

Enyce, which was founded in 1996, is a denim sportswear line specializing in wovens, knits, outerwear, and graphic tees for men and boys.

 

Recently, the company also found success through its “Big and Tall” line. Liz Claiborne purchased the brand in 2003.

 

In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, Combs detailed his plans to expand Enyce’s popularity through the cutting-edge marketing that’s made his various brands a success.

 

“I remember when Enyce was sold back in 2003 for $114 million,” Combs told AllHipHop.com exclusively. “I was always a fan of the brand from when [founders] Evan Davis, Lando Felix, and Tony Shellman owned it. About a year ago I heard that Liz Claiborne was considering selling it because it wasn’t a good fit for their portfolio. I knew it would be a great opportunity so we began negotiations which took about six months.”

 

Both Liz Claiborne and Combs have agreed to work extensively with employees, retail partners, and vendors to ensure a smooth transition period.

 

“We’re going to retool and make it completely different from our Sean John line, which is still the mothership brand,” Combs stated. “But with respect to the economic conditions many face, this offers us the opportunity to supply a quality fashion brand at a lower price point.”

 

The sale was partly fueled by economic concerns, as Liz Claiborne Chief Executive Officer William McComb revealed that his organization was unable to provide the financial resources to properly market Enyce.

 

“I’m extremely excited about this purchase, and since my boy Tony Shellman used to own it gives me more motivation to do right by it,” Combs told AllHipHop.com. “And above all, as a black businessman I want to keep inspiring the African-American community to keep moving forward and pursuing opportunities in business. Black entrepreneurship and wealth building is very important to me and I want the youth and everyone to know these goals are attainable to them as well.”

 

Undeterred by the nation’s recession woes, Combs views the acquisition as another opportunity to be an industry leader in licensing and marketing expansion.

 

“When we did our field research, we found a lot of people were aware of Enyce and it had a lot of the name recognition that’s missing from most of the brands out there,” Combs revealed. “But what happened was it stopped being marketed, and it fell out of the limelight. It’s our challenge to be innovative in our marketing to reintroduce the brand to the public.”

 

At press time, the exact sale amount of the Enyce acquisition has not been disclosed.

 

“When it comes to diversifying our business portfolio, this acquisition is a perfect fit,” Combs disclosed. “Compare it to music where they call me the King of the Remix, we’re going to apply that same approach to the band: ‘remixing’ the sales approach, the brand marketing, and how the product is distributed globally and domestically.”