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“Chew Em Up”
Kokane Ft. Meech Wells
“Stick & Move”
Jay-Z Cancels Free Obama Show, Throat Issues Blamed
Mogul Jay-Z left thousands of fans disappointed last night (October 6) at Miamis Bayfront Park Amphithreatre, as the mogul cancelled his second free Obama show at the last minute, due to rumored throat problems.
Upset event organizers first attempted to stall for time, stating the rap star was just running late, but eventually made the announcement to dejected concert-goers.
With October 6 being the last day for eligible voters in Miami to register, organizers feel a great opportunity was missed.
The whole concert has had to be cancelled because it was Jay-Z who pulled out. We havent been told why, but Im sure all the fans want an explanation, an anonymous Bayfront Park official speculated.
The free concert/voter registration drive was set to include supporting performances from Wyclef Jean and Rick Ross.
However, the entire event was scrapped due to the backlash from fans after Jays cancellation.
This past weekend, both Jay-Z and Wyclef completed successful Miami performances for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Over the past year, Jay-Z has shown vocal support for Obama at his shows, most noticeably on the Blueprint 3 lead single Jockin Jay-Z.
During the early stages of his campaign trail, Obama citied the rap star as one of the favorite artists in his Ipod.
At press time, it is unconfirmed whether Jay-Z plans to reschedule the Miami show.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Jay-Z Gets Sick! Lupe’s Error! Da Brat’s Girlfriends? Sean Kingston Got His ice!
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!
NEPTUNES NOT BREAKING UP
The word comes swiftly! I can tell you that The Neptunes have not broken up. One of the homies went to the N.E.R.D and Common show about a 3 weeks or so ago in Anaheim, CA and Chad was at the show. He did not come out when N.E.R.D. performed, but he came out when Common did his thing. But, even more than that, I got the official world from way up at StarTrak and they let it be known. So you know, The Neptunes produced like half the tracks on Commons new LP coming out soon. Chad and Pharrell were even popping and doing the robot to one of the new songs that the did with Com Sense.
JAY-Z MISSED MIAMI?
People are upset! They wanted to see Jay-Z and they didnt get him down in M.I.A. Yesterday afternoon, Jigga was supposed to be on stage at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami for the second day in a row to perform in support for Obama. Doors opened at 11am but around 1:20 pm (after sitting in the heat for a couple hours), some lady came on stage saying Jay would not be performing because of vocal cord issues from the night before. I heard people were HEATED! Im a huge Jay fan, but damn he couldnt just show up and let Bleek say most of the words? LOL. I heard some street dudes say they were going to vote for McCain now, thanks to Jay. IM KIDDING. Anyway, people that were there had to show proof that they were registered to vote or actually vote on the spot. It was for a good cause. If you vote or dont vote, because of Jay, you are a dag on fool. Holla!
Some people, like my dude Ivan, were fortunate and got to see Jay-Z at the first Miami show. I dedicate this video from the first show to those that waited in the sun. This is like the whole show and Wyclef is there too!
YES WE CAN!
Remember waaaaaay back DJ Green Lantern and Russell Simmons got together to do a pro-Obama mixtape and .nothing? Yeah, rumor has it they were unable to get artists on point enough to give their verses up in a timely fashion. ANYWAY the mixtape has somehow been finished and its coming out this week, I do believe. If I an correct, it drops on the 8th of October. Look for it.
SLIM THUG AINT FIGHT!
I love the letters I get. I read every one. Check this out.
MUTAF**KAS NEED 2 QUIT LIEING!
SLIMTHUG AINT GET WHOOP! HE AINT EVEN GET TOUCH!
DATS DA “BOSS” OF DA SOUTH!
NAH ALL DAT OTHER S**T I COULD CARELESS BOUT!
S**T ALWAYS GO DOWN IN THA CITY AND N##### NEED 2 QUIT TRYIN TO BE DA JAY-Z OF THA CITY AND JUS SHUT UP AND DO THEY THANG!
NOBODY CARES ABOUT WHO DA 1ST 2 BLOWUP SA N ALL DAT HOLLYWOOD S**T!
I GUESS N##### FORGOT SLIMTHUG WAS DA “HEADLINE” OF THA SHOW! IN THEY CITY!! THAT SAYS ENUF!! NI***AS NEED TO GET OFF DA BOO-BOO! PLUS SLIM NEW S### GO HARD! F**K DAT OL SOULJAH BOY S**T!!
BUT WHEN IT ALL COMES DOWN REAL NI**AS MOVE IN SILENCE! OUUTTTY!
A BRANDY STAN GETS JILTED LIKE A LOVER
Now, I have not beef with Brandy. Shes always come across as a nice, affable young lady that happened to not be so perfect as her image. Nevertheless, she still has a lot of fans in the year 2008. Believe it or not, shes got some Stans too. Check this out and for the record, I like Brandy.
I met Brandy last night and….I know longer like her as an artist or person. She came to philly to the Luxe Lounge to chat and chill wit her fans. I got a chance to talk to her for a second and give her a hug and she came off as a very cold and fake she at times seemed rude…She also looked really bad this pic actually did her a lot of justice. I feel she should give her fans what they wanted. This was an event like (no sneakers allowed) I felt like I ran into her at a corner store I mean she didn’t even have on earings. I waited 10 years to meet her cried to her songs and supported everything she ever did. And meeting her in person she was just very blah…Its crazy how after you meet your favorite celeb it can ruin how you feel about them depending on if they live up to your expectation. Sorry Trandy, what they say about u is true —-> Here’s a pic of this big headed right here departed b#### I took on my cell.
This is how it happened I got the the venue late because I had to work so I didn’t get to see much of her on stage. After she left the stage I went outside so I could catch her going back to the bus. It was only about 10 of us outside at this point. Sure enough 5 mins later Brandy comes out with security. I opened my arms and said Brrrraaaaannnddddyyyy wit a big ole smile on my face and my glassy eyes because I was on the verge of crying. She didn’t come into my arms and first because someone said something and she kinda turned around. Then came back to me and hugged me I said in her ear Brandy I love you so much (about to cry still) and she said nothing. She backed up I took a couple pictures while she was spreading attention. And I said Brandy you gonna come back to Philly so we can hear u sing… She said nothing…I said brandy promise me you’ll never leave the game she said nothing…Then my friend said Brandy where stars and she said oh yeah yall better get online tonight I’mma get on so we can chat. I said Brandy I’m one of your stars….She said “You aint one of my stars” I said “I am!” She said “mmmm hmmm” and turned her back she was trying to make a joke but it came off rude. So we got home got online until 1 am and she never got on. I wasn’t expecting much… She could of waved said I love you all and got on her bus. And I would of felt in awe. But she got close to the fans with a attitude that felt cold like she didn’t want to be there. She’s just a naturally kinda snoody acting girl.
ILLSEEDS QUICKIES
Rick Ross supposedly admitted that he was a CO, but stated that he never ratted on anybody. I heard this was in a magazine. I dont know or really care. Why? Everybody Im hustling!
They saying Da Brat has three girlfriends in jail. LMAO!
Janet Jackson has reportedly deaded about three more shows! This might be more than dehydration or exhaustion. Dare we say preeeeeg .nannnnt.?
Lil Wayne is already working on Tha Carter IV. He needs to take a break.Click here to read about a woman that got shot by a biscuit! You won’t believe it – attempted murder!
Also, you HAVE to see AllHipHop on the red carpet at the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors with all the legends, but also KRS, Big Boi, Bun B and many others! Also, the interviewees tell who they want to get honored in years to come.Check out the AllHipHop Tour at Clark Atlanta with Host Fonzworth Bentley, AHH’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, rapper V.I.C., Prof. Jelani Cobb, Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, and others. Click here to see it. LOL at people saying the Juelz Santana is the new Lupe Fiasco. Now, the question is- how will Hip-Hop respond.
SPEAKING OF LUPE FIASCO!
My boy Jeremy K hit me up live and direct from Fort Collins, Colorado, the home of Colorado State University, the rams. There was a concert on campus yesterday with Three Six Mafia and Lupe Fiasco. Three Six mafia opened the show, and played for a solid hour and killed it. Then Lupe came out. Throughout the entire show Lupe kept shouting out University of Colorado the fierce competitor of Colorado State University! Well, after he kept doing it, I heard the crowd started to boo and chant “CSU!” Lupe just didnt get it, I heard, and he was very confused. He didnt know what he had done. Eventually a guy to the side of the stage grabbed him and told him the name of the school he was performing at, Colorado State University. Lupe stopped the live band, apologized,. He said he would be right back and then came back a minute later sporting a CSU Rams football jersey. According to Jeremy, the mistake was pretty bad, but Lupe still killed it and put on one of the better shows to come to Fort Collins in a long time.
SEAN KINGSTON GOT ALL HIS JEWELS
Me robbed? Who? LMAO. I love the recovery time.
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END
If they didnt pass the Bailout Bill, people in the House were told that Bush might intact Martial Law. SMH. We are as free as a bird in a zoo.
RANDOM QUOTES
OJ is a damn fool. Ron Goldman’s dad is understandably hype at the conviction of The Juice.
The father said he was “thrilled to see that this S.O.B.” go to jail for the rest of his life. I guess his unlucky number is 13. Good for him to end up in jail.”
Beyonce on her love for Jigga [Essence]:
What Jay and I have is real. Its not about interviews or getting the right photo op. Its real.
LADY DRAMA…PEEPS IN?I have to say, I did not have time to edit Drama and there were times where I didn’t know WHAT she was saying. So, read on and tell me what’s good.Blast From the Past… Sugar Hill Gang is back! Hip Hop veterans Big Bank Hank, Master Gee, and Wonder Mike also known as The Sugar Hill Gang has announced that they will be releasing a new album in 2009. The rap group changed the face of hip hop with their 1979 single ‘Rapper’s Delight.’ 30 years later the rap trio is back to commemorate te anniversary of the single with a new album. Along with their current album the roup also disscussed politics! Check it out: ‘Change for the better,‘ says Wonder Mike. ‘Not the same old politics where you say what’s clever during the election, but when you get into office its like, ‘I didn’t say that…’ That’s why we like [Barack] Obama. Because he keeps it real. Even in his campaign he was complimenting John McCain on his service to the military. He’s ready for change and we’re ready for change.‘ No release date or additional album has been disclosed but it surely will be worth the wait Im sure! All in the Family.. The ames Brother raps… So I heard that the ames brother actually used to rap and isnt new to this but recently started getting some attention! Im not sure if I really feel him all that much but who am I to jude check him out for yourself: New Details on Eminems book… Eminem will be relasing his new book The Way I Am. The book is said to feature illustrations, lyrics and never befor seen photos of Eminem. A recent description of the book states: Fiercely intelligent, relentlessly provocative, and prodigiously gifted, Eminem is known as much for his enigmatic persona as for being the fastest-selling rap artist and the first rapper to ever win an Oscar. Now, in The Way I Am, he shares his private thoughts on everything from his inner struggles, to the trials of being famous, to his love for his daughter, Hailie, creating a book that is every bit as raw and uncensored as the man himself. Illustrated with never-before-seen photographs of Eminems home and life along with original drawings, The Way I Am is filled with reflections on his greatest hits, previously unpublished lyric sheets, and other rare memorabilia. Providing his millions of fans with a personal tour of Eminems creative process, it is poised to be hailed in much the same way as Tupacs The Rose that Grew from Concrete, Bob Dylans Chronicles, and Journals by Kurt Cobain. Not trying to clown but is anyone really interested in Eminems personal life like that? Just a question! Snaps for the Kids… Candids: Foxy celebrated her birthday in a style all her own! I could go there but Id rather not! Just look at the pic and use your own imagination! And Diddy, the twins and Kim Porter were featured in a Baby Couture magazine… How cute: Lady Dramas Food For Thought: I just got back from changing time zones 3 times anyone have a remedy for getting rid of jet lag? I’ve got a great remedy I’m closing out my rumors and catching some much needed sleep I haven’t closed my eyes in about 24 hrs, I feel like I should be working at Bad Boy or something! Love me or leave me alone! Glad to be back folks! MORE ILLSEED! (LOL AT DRAMA)TEACHER USES THE N-WORD
I think this is old, but still…lets revisit.
EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY
I know I am going to hell for this, but I have to do it. This is the epic fail of the day. The girl is only five, but I have to bar none and put her on, like Jeezy does for his city. The Epic Fail of The Day:
HELTAH SKELTAH: FREESTYLE 101
THIS WEEK WITH JASIRI X-EPISODE 5
You know, me and Jasiri X been working together to give the people the facts! Check out this one its all about Sarah Palin.
Jasiri X is one of the best. By the way, if you like the conscious stuff, check out the new Mystic song called Beautiful Resistance She has a beautiful singing/rapping voice. Click here for it.
ILL PIC OF THE DAY
You just have to love Foxy. You have to! I wonder why Drama did post this one?
DIDDY, JAY, KEV AND MARY, WE LOVE YOU!
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
Mystic-Beautiful Resistance
Mystic-Beautiful Resistance
EXCLUSIVE: Ice Cube Says Yes to Nas/Scarface Album; Talks Raw Footage
Over 20 years into his career, Hip-Hop legend, actor, and director Ice Cube is showing no signs of slowing down artistically.
On pace to have his second consecutive best-selling, independent Hip-Hop album of the year, Cube explained in an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com that Raw Footages stronger political/social content could not have come at a more opportune time.
I knew with Laugh Now, Cry Later it was more of a reintroduction. I wasnt sure if all the antennas would be up to listen to what I really had to say, Cube reflected. I had to make a record to show I could more or less still rap on that tip. On this one I could give more of that street knowledge. The timing of the presidential election just fell into place.
The poignant third single and video Why Me, which features Musiq Soulchild, displays Cube personifying the emotions of innocent murder victims, and how the problem of gun violence extends to people around the world.
What I wanted to do [in the video] was use real people, not a whole bunch of actors. I wanted to show people who were really victims of that kind of violence, Cube detailed. So once I knew I was gonna do that I knew the video had the ability to be powerful once we tied it together. We had different scenes of the hood, Somalia, and the Middle East to show it wasnt a hood issue, but a world problem. And with [director] Benny Boom it would be hard to mess that concept up.
Referencing the intense fallout of the nations economic woes and the lack of any type of personal responsibility, Cube argues the problem extends past government corruption to American culture as a whole.
Take a show like Oprah Winfrey where every victim gets up there and cries about whose fault it is that theyre this way. We just became a culture of I dont have to take responsibility, let me just pass the buck. You can do anything in America once you apologize, Cube stated. Just having that attitude eroded the pride in saying this is my balls and my word. Men used to say they were going to do something then theyd do it. Now, you dont know if hes going do it or not. Its too much TV and looking at other peoples lives and [people] not worrying about their own.
Last week, Houston rapper Scarface revealed in a surprise announcement that he was quitting the rap game after his next album Emeritus.
However, the Texas legend gave himself an out, illuminating his desire to craft one final album; a dream supergroup project between himself, Nas, and Ice Cube.
Upon hearing the news, Cube was ecstatic about moving the project past talk and into the studio.
Of course, I wouldnt even think twice about doing that hell yeah! Cube declared. I think the album would be crazy, lyrics would be sick, and Hip-Hop would love it. Its just making that business happen, thats the part that gets funky. I aint never turned down these kind of projects, they just dont happen for whatever reasons. But Im up for some s**t like this because I know we can make a dope record.
For the latest news, video, and tour info on Ice Cube, visit http://www.icecube.com
Raw Footage is available now in stores.
VH1 HIP-HOP HONORS 2008
Take a look at the Hip-Hop Honorees, Slick Rick, Too $hort, Cypress Hill, Del la Soul and Naughty By Nature and all the celebrities on the red carpet.
Rappers Dominate NBA 2K9 Soundtrack
A number of popular Hip-Hop acts will provide the soundtrack to 2K Sports 2K9 it was announced today (October 6).
The Beastie Boys, Gnarls Barkley, N.E.R.D.,Santogold, The Pharcyde and others contribute previously released material, while The Cool Kids contributed a new recording titled 2K Pennies and DJ UNK contributed the new song In Yo Face.
Rappers and artists like Aceyalone, Bobbito Garcia, ?uestlove and A Tribe Called Quests Phife Dawg are also featured in 2K9, as in game characters.
Video games are an important part of culture and our lifestyle. For years weve been playing games, but have never been inspired by the songs in them, The Cool Kids said in a statement. When 2K Sports presented us with an opportunity to create an original song for NBA 2K9, we knew we had to create a song that embodied the sport of basketball. We had to make kids everywhere appreciate the song as much as the game.
According to Tim Rosa, 2K Sports director of Brand and Lifestyle Marketing, the game continues its tradition of breaking and supporting new artists.
With NBA 2K9 were continuing the tradition with The Cool Kids representing our deepest music integration, Rosa said. They will appear in the games NBA Blacktop streetball mode, will perform on the 2K Sports Bounce Tour, and they recorded an original song which were giving away for free on the 2K Sports website.
Below is the track listing for NBA 2K9:
Beastie Boys — Root Down Blackwizard — Dem Nah Ready fe We Blockhead — Duke Of Hazzard Bloody Beetroots — Mac Mac Dangerdoom — Sofa King Dawn Penn — You Dont Love Me (Extended Mix) DJ Rasta Root — RootZilla Beez DJ UNK — In Yo FaceGnarls Barkley — Going On Jamalski — That Undaground (Remix) Mochipet — Sharpdrest Mommy and Daddy — Pretty Loser Money Mark — Silly Putty N.E.R.D. — Spaz Nickodemus — Funky In The Middle Santogold feat. Switch & Freq Nasty Creator Skeewiff — Light the FuseSpank Rock & Benny Blanco — Loose (inst.) The Brand New Heavies — Jump N Move The Cool Kids — 2K Pennies The Heavy — Coleen The Limp Twins — Moving Closer to The Sofa The Meters — Cissy Strut The Pharcyde — Passing Me By Ursula 1000 — Step Back (Deekline & Ed Solo Remix)
Ill Bill: Be A White N****r Too
You know the story well The Black kid grows up in the projects surrounded by welfare, poverty, crime, drugs, racism, and hopelessness, yet becomes a successful MC. But, how many of you are familiar with the same story affiliated with other races and cultures growing up in the same environment? How about a fatherless, poor, white, Jewish kid from Flatbush, Brooklyn? Ill Bill was never the person to validate himself through the consumption of Hip-Hop. He was born Hip-Hop and has suffered exactly as that stereotypical Black kid.Although life appeared like a volume of Kill Bill, William Braunstein aka Ill Bill fought off those common demons of the urban community. He was raised by his grandmother and supported by his strung out Uncle with a huge heart. Ill Bill originally gained his notoriety as part of the now disbanded NYC underground group Non Phixion. He went on to launch Uncle Howie Records and released his debut solo album Whats Wrong With Bill? In 2004. Since then he is now a soldier of La Coka Nostra [with Everlast, DJ Lethal, Danny Boy, Slaine, Big Left] and on September 16 released what he feels is his first real solo album, the politically charged The Hour of Reprisal. Check Bills take on a myriad of topics including LSD, Brooklyn, Judaism and his song “White N****r.”AllHipHop.com: It is obvious from your music you are unplugged from the matrix. How did you become unplugged?Ill Bill: It’s a combination of my crazy family and their influence on me along with me being a skeptical person. I question everything on some Larry David s**t. I also did a bunch of LSD when I was 15. AllHipHop.com: When did you realize that something is wrong with the world? Ill Bill: I don’t think the world is f**ked up. People are f**ked up and theyre f**king up the world. I’ve known that since I was a kid.
Nursery rhymes are safe so it’s taken over. The money people, the corporate people, they choose to invest in the safer bet.
AllHipHop.com: You come from an era of prophetic MCs, NYC had awareness on smash in 94-96 but something happened. How did Hip-Hop go from talking about Illuminati to doing simplistic nursery rhymes?Ill Bill: Whenever any art form enters the mainstream it’s going to get watered down. When the money people get involved it turns into a business. From a strictly business point of view, the best business is the one with the least risk. Nursery rhymes are safe so it’s taken over. The money people, the corporate people, they choose to invest in the safer bet. But the people in the street aren’t all stupid. Not everybody wants shallow music. Good music is out there. People just need to be willing to look for it. Ive always been that way. It’s part of the reason I started making music. So I could hear what I want to hear.Ill Bill “Society is Brainwashed” VideoAllHipHop.com: Have any Government Agents ever investigated you for you lyrics or actions?Ill Bill: I don’t want to get into it too much but I think there are files on what we’re doing. I think they are keeping tabs on what’s going on. It’s their job to keep it quiet even though they can’t. The NYPD has a task force that follows rappers around. Are there Hip-Hop feds too? Of course.AllHipHop.com: How were you able to listen to rock bands like Slayer and Hip-Hop as a child growing up?Ill Bill: I’m an alien I guess. I’m from the same planet Rick Rubin is from.AllHipHop.com: Why did you make an a record about the rock group Slayer?Ill Bill: Slayer is the truth. I did it [“U.B.S. (The Unauthorized Biography of Slayer)”] just to bug out and everybody I played it for liked it so I put it on the album. It’s a salute to Slayer and Metal music in general. [Some of my favorites are] everyone from Black Sabbath, to Bad Brains, to Metallica to Nirvana. I like good music no matter what the genre.AllHipHop.com: Thoroughly get into the science behind the song “White N****r.”Ill Bill: It’s about my experiences growing up in Brooklyn during the 1980s. Most people got it and dig the song. I’m glad some people looked at the title and bugged out like “what the f**k?” It got people to listen to the song. If I called the song “F**k Racism” nobody outside my immediate fan base would have listened to it. The notion that people might see the title and pass judgment on me or the song without even hearing it is one of the reasons I made the song in the first place. This song is about destroying racism and breaking down walls. If calling it “White N****r” got the message out there in a bigger way then so be it. Like Malcolm X said, “By Any Means Necessary.” Now if you want to dig deeper into the lyrics of the song, as far as bringing people together in my neighborhood, Hip-Hop was one of the main things that broke down the racial line between white kids and Black kids. Music is really important to kids across the board but for my generation in particular, Hip-Hop really did a lot to open minds. I’m Jewish and I come from a family of holocaust survivors. They tried to exterminate me thirty years before I was born. I’m lucky to be here talking to you right now. That fact and the fact that my parents werent born in the US and were discriminated against because of that, it left a huge impression on me growing up. They raised me to never judge people or persecute people for being different than me. That’s a part of me no matter what, but at the same time, if it wasn’t for Public Enemy or Lakim Shabbaz, I might not have been inspired to pick up a book by Eldridge Cleaver at the age of 16. AllHipHop.com: Have any Caucasians ever confronted you about your music or called you a race traitor?Ill Bill: Of course. That’s why I made a song about it.AllHipHop.com: Do you feel comfortable using the N word?Ill Bill: Hell no. That’s why I don’t use it. That’s another reason I made the song. In a perfect world, nobody would use it.AllHipHop.com: Is there a race you relate more with or who overstands you more?Ill Bill: I’ve been through so much s**t over the years that I don’t relate to people based on their race, culture or religion anymore. I don’t think like that because I’ve been both f**ked over by and gotten love from a rainbow coalition of diverse motherf**kers. That brotherly love s**t is a fantasy. When it comes to putting food on the table and keeping a roof over your head, the only color that matters is the color of money. AllHipHop.com: I never overstood why the world hates African-Americans, Africans, or Blacks and those that are considered Jews or practice Judaism. There’s no such thing as a country called Jew, So why are people who practice the religion of Judaism or people who have certain names labeled, Jewish?Ill Bill: In the Bible it says the Jews are “The Chosen People.” That p##### a lot of people off but Jews are proud of that title. That p##### people off even more. Jews are also blamed for killing Jesus Christ, which isn’t a good look in a Christian country. Ask Mel Gibson and his dad. I’m sure they have a lot to say on this subject.AllHipHop.com: What part of Brooklyn did you grow up in?Ill Bill: I grew up in Flatbush & Canarsie.AllHipHop.com: How was Brooklyn when you were a kid and how is it now?Ill Bill: Top of the food chain, then and now. When I travel the world and I tell people I’m from Brooklyn, they salute me.AllHipHop.com: How did growing up fatherless affect your life? And how much of an effect did your mother have on you growing up?Ill Bill: It made me the man of the house. It gave me a thicker skin and made me more mature at a younger age than most of my friends. It made me a leader instead of a follower. Aside from my uncle and my grandmother, I didn’t really have anybody to lead the way. My mom worked a lot and did the best she could for a single mom but she was in her own world. The one thing that had the most effect on me growing up was music.AlIHipHop.com: How has your Uncle Howie made so much of an impact on your life that you named a record company after him and why is he constantly on your records?Ill Bill: When I was a kid, my uncle was the man. I looked up to him. My parents split when I was little and my mom was at work all the time. My grandmother raised me and my uncle was always around. Now that I’m older I know that he was a heroin addict with all kinds of severe issues but as a kid, I had no idea what heroin addiction was. Aside from my grandmother, nobody paid more attention to me than he did. He’d come through with comic books; he got me a bass guitar from one of his junkie friends when nobody else would. He’d just hang out and watch TV, crack jokes, and he was mad cool. I didn’t start to understand what was going on with him until way later and by that time; I was discovering weed and thought that drugs were cool. My uncle discovered crack cocaine around the same time I discovered acid. By that time, I was so involved in my own life that I didn’t give a f**k what my uncle was doing. Naming the label after him was a joke at first. It wasn’t until much later that it took on a deeper meaning. It was my way of attaching something positive to a person who had a huge positive impact on me. He had the potential for greatness but ended up going down the wrong path and me including him in my music is my way of giving back to him and anybody else that can relate to our family. AllHipHop.com: Is Hip-Hop all about hard beats and thought provoking lyrics?Ill Bill: Sometimes. Hip-Hop is a lot of things. Hip-Hop is universal truth and the voice of the unheard.AllHipHop.com: You said on YouTube that this new album is not about compromising or conforming to anyone. Have you compromised or conformed your music in the past and how?Ill Bill: Never. If I did I’d probably be filthy rich.AllHipHop.com: Why do you think your current album is similar to Non Phixions Future is Now album?Ill Bill: Cause both records I put together myself from A to Z. I had the same feeling putting both of these records together. I oversaw the entire process in all aspects of getting the final product complete. With What’s Wrong With Bill?, that was more of a collaborative effort with Necro. This new one is like the song “Cult Leader” off The Future Is Now but instead of just one song, you’re getting an entire album that’s 100 from my perspective and whether I’m solo or in La Coka Nostra or whatever I’ll always be Non Phixion.AllHipHop.com: Will there be another Non Phixion album?Ill Bill: No.
AllHipHop.com: How was La Coka Nostra established?
Ill Bill: It started with me
just going out to LA to do shows and I ended up meeting different heads
and building. Danny Boy put me down with LCN and that’s worldwide at
this point. We recorded the album on the west coast but the group is
universal. It’s taken on a life of it’s own.
La Coka Nostra “That’s Coke” VideoAllHipHop.com: Although you have a number of producers on the album, you are credited for the majority of the boards. When did you get into production and what kind of equipment do you use?Ill Bill: I started back in 91 and stopped around 94. In 2004 I started f***king around again. Right now I use the Motif XS6, MPC500, Protools LE, Mac G4, and too many plug-ins to mention.AllHipHop.com: What is the science behind the title and the cover of the album?Ill Bill: I let Larry Carroll hear the album and gave him free reign to do whatever he wanted. This is what he came back with. The Hour Of Reprisal is an hour of me clearing the air on some things. It’s my first time really taking my time on an album instead of just a bunch of songs on a CD. The title is about me striking back at those who have doubted me but it’s also a celebration of me conquering some of my own personal demons. The meanings are endless.AllHipHop.com: You say your trying to deliver what’s missing from Hip-Hop. What exactly is missing from Hip-Hop lately?Ill Bill: Creativity. Not enough true artists. There’s plenty of rappers but not too many great artists. There’s plenty of singles and jingles, not enough solid albums. I’m into making albums that you can listen to from beginning to end and not want to skip one song. When I make an album now, that’s my goal.
Violator All Star DJ’s Join Forces With Shadyville DJ’s
Two of the strongest DJ organizations in Hip-Hop have joined forces to increase their ability to impact the music that gets played across the country.
Effective immediately, DJ Whoo Kids Shadyville DJs will be working with the Violator All Star DJs to simultaneously break records in their respective fields.
The Violator All Star DJs, established in 2002 as a division of Violator Management, have risen to prominence as one of the most influential DJ organizations in radio.
Comprised of approximately 50 DJs and producers, the organization claims members in positions at each of the major urban radio stations across the country, a position they use to introduce new music to the airwaves.
The Shadyville DJs, on the other hand, influence a less conventional, yet equally important tool for new artists and labels looking to break new music.
The organization, founded by in 2005 DJ Whoo Kid and former label promotions executive Akio AK Watson, is a coalition of mixtape, satellite radio and syndicated radio DJs across the globe, bolstering their efforts through viral video marketing, the internet, television and media outlets.
The Shadyville DJs have the streets, we can take you from the streets to radio. The Violator All Star DJs have radio on smash. They can take you from radio to the masses. No other DJ crew can support a record on radio the way they can, Watson told AllHipHop.com.
While the two crews will be working together on the majority of their forthcoming projects, they will retain their individual names and rosters, Watson and Scrap Dirty explained.
All parties involved believe that this new arrangement will not only help brand both the Shadyville DJs and the Violator DJs, but also redefine the standard for such organizations.
Its like you got two cars in the same building, why not just take one of them and go after the same goals, added Violator DJs founder Scrap Dirty, who launched the organization shortly after disbanding the TechNitions, one of the first major radio crews that paved the way for the many organizations that are in play today.
At the end of the day, the powers that be are going to hit us up at the same time and say we need yall to break this record. So why not be on the same page and do it before they come to us, Scrap Dirty said.
Busta’s Lawyer Files Complaint Against Machine Gun-Toting Police
A UK based lawyer is planning to file a complaint against machine-gun toting police officers, who arrested Busta Rhymes last week in the London City airport.
Busta Rhymes’ lawyer Philip Trott was with him on September 25 in the airport, when at least 15 police officers detained Rhymes over his immigration status.
Trott, who traveled with Rhymes from Amsterdam to London to help with any issues, is a partner in the law firm Bates, Wells and Braithwaite.
When Trott and Rhymes arrived in London, five officers with machine guns greeted Rhymes and Trott’s entourage on the runway.
Ten more officers greeted them inside and attempted to send Rhymes back to Amsterdam.
As Rhymes’ counsel, Trott revealed that he was in the precarious position to either back down or risk being arrested at gunpoint for obstructing a police officer.
Trott, who also represents Sean “Diddy” Combs, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg, eventually secured Rhymes release.
The rapper allowed to play the Orange RockCorps charity concert, after Justice Julian Flaux granted two injunctions from the High Court.
While immigration officers cited unresolved convictions in the United States as the reason for attempting to deny Rhymes entry, Justice Flaux said it was “difficult to see upon what basis” Rhymes was detained and allowed the rapper to perform.
The Notorious B.I.G.: Ready To Die OG Edition (Mixtape Review)
Every classic album has a story; a background that illuminates the preparation and sacrifices that are required to create a seminal piece of art. In the case of DJ Semis Ready To Die (The O.G. Edition), fans are taken on a journey that clearly shows there were clashing ideologies between B.I.G. and executive producer Sean Diddy Combs.
As seen on the released version, the then Sean Puffy Combs aspired to have a balanced album that not only appealed to East Coast Hip-Hop followers on the corner, but also fans nationwide.
Biggie was unconcerned with that, as evidenced by the amazing alternate versions of our classic Ready To Die tracks. Gimme the Loot is included in its uncensored form, complete with Biggies feverish taunts to strangle robbery victims and violate pregnant women.
Easy Mo Bees Machine Gun Funk is replaced by DJ Premiers signature rhythms, which resembles Nas Represent in terms of the tracks musical arrangements.
Ready To Die is completely reborn with its original beat that was an obvious nod to Tribe Called Quests jazz focused boom-bap. The jazzy horns of the chorus and the beats looped guitar lick create a better, more ominous atmosphere then the revamped album cut.
Two revered tracks receive intriguing makeovers due to apparent problems clearing samples. One More Chance gets altered by including a sample loop of Patti LaBelles All This Love, while Me And My B**** loses some of its edge with the more melodic, original sample of Minnie Ripertons Take A Little Trip.
Purists will also note Pete Rocks version of Juicy, a track the legendary producer claims Diddy stole from him after hearing it over his house. Besides some minor alterations in the drum patterns, the song remains unchanged from the well known Diddy produced version. However, Pete was still paid and the track was dubbed a remix to prevent any legal ramifications.
For Biggie fans, this release is mandatory and should be viewed as the bonus disc to his landmark debut. Here you have everything from demos (Who Shot Ya, Everyday Struggle, Friend of Mine) to previously unreleased tracks (Whatchu Want, Pepsi Freestyle, Macs N Dons), to un-cleared sample originals.
Time has shown that Diddys key changes to Biggies debut and persona paid dividends and launched a legendary career. But that doesnt mean Hip-Hop cant celebrate the young, hungry Christopher Wallace that was more concerned with making a hot record for his block as opposed to going mainstream.
The Notorious B.I.G.
“Who Shot Ya (Original Demo)”
NOW HEAR THIS: Stones Throw’s Koushik
Koushik – Out My WindowGo ahead and say it who? Canadian musician Koushik Ghosh is far from a household name, but his place on the perennially respected Stones Throw Records alongside Madlib, MF DOOM and the late, great J Dilla is no mistake. While hes been kicking around the label for a few years now, Out My Window is actually his first official album, having been building his profile off of several EPs and collaborations. The extra time to perfect his craft has clearly paid off.While Koushik frequently layers distant, ethereal vocals over his tracks, theyre used more as an additional instrument and the beats are the star of the show. Hard breaks and lush samples are blended together into compositions that are laid-back though highly musical. Be With (which also appeared on a compilation of the same name) turns stray bits of funk guitar and orchestral strings into lounge-y Trip-Hop, while Welcome deconstructs a moody Jazz loop into a syncopated beat suitable for two turntables and a mic. Elsewhere, Corner Of Your Smile is much like a modern take on Phil Spectors classic recordings.Well done though it may be, it wouldnt be honest to say that this is for everyone instrumental albums are one of those things you either have the patience for or dont. If you belong in the first category though, and especially if Dilla, DJ Shadow, 4Hero, Gorillaz or Zero 7 have any place in your collection, Out My Window would be a great addition.
Social Lounge At Clark Atlanta University
AllHipHop’s Social Lounge hits the campus of Clark Atlanta University hosted by Fonzworth Bentley
T.I. Ft. Ludacris and B.o.B.
“On Top of the World Remix”
Yung D Ft. Project Pat
“Damn”