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Hip-Hop Rumors: Bahamas Mad At Wayne! Blueprint 3 Tracklisting? The Game Cries! Superhead Shows Her Belly!

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!

THE BAHAMAS IS MAD AT LIL WAYNE

Lil Wayne was supposed to be rocking a landmark concert in the Bahamas. BUT, the show didn’t happen. Wayne was to kick it in Nassau on Friday, September 26, but something went very wrong. LIl Wayne was there, but a beef between the sound company and the promoter Red City Entertainment made the sound people leave the whole country hanging! Wayne couldn’t perform if he wanted to. I guess there are no other sound companies in the Bahamas. You know, it all boiled down to money, at the end of the day. The Sound People didn’t get their money and they were scared they weren’t going to get it. Thousands of people showed up, but no show. The next day, they did a show and announced Weezy all night. At the end of the night, when it was waynes time, dude wasn’t there. People were hurt. Better luck next time.

RAY-J’S OLDER BROTHER WANTS TO BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT!

C-Dove. Have you ever heard that name before? Well, he is supposedly Ray-J’s other brother and he’s got a new song about killing Ray. “AK spittin’ right up to Ray’s mellon.” Why is he doing this to his own bro? I don’t know – bitter over something. C-Dove didn’t know about his famous brother and sister (Brandy) until they were older. Still Ray and Brandy weren’t quite famous…now they are.

Here are some of the lyrics of the rap song:

“When I pop in this banana (clip) boy, I’ll have you shakin’”

“If I dodn’t catching you in Cali, I’ma catch you in the Chi”

“I’ll have you runnin’ to ya momma like Ooohhhhhhh…”

“I’m about to act fool…there ain’t no more Mr. Nice Guy…you a b***h, you ain’t trying to fight!”

I’m not a big Ray-J fan, but this is just stupid.

WHAT CAN MAKE THE GAME CRY?

Chris Baker had his funeral yesterday. As you should know, he was the young man that served as Travis Barker’s assistant and friend. I heard it was extremely sad. Rumor had it, The Game was in tears and extremely saddened during the ceremony – like everybody. Travis Barker didn’t make it, despite the rumors, but DJ AM made it. I heard he had a number of white blotches on his face and a hand cast, but doesn’t look disfigured at all. Travis had somebody read a statement on his behalf. I cannot fathom going through what they are going through right now. I hear every body wore green, which was Chris’ favorite color. WHEW!

THE GAME GETS OFF THE HOOK

Speaking of Game…This got all of three comments on tmz so I am going to spread the good news. The Game beat criminal battery charges after a judge agreed to drop the charges – with a condition. But you remember the situation, right? The rapper was accused of socking one of his own cousin at a funeral after they had a dispute over money. Game reportedly promised to pay half. Now, he has to endure 36 anger management courses between now and February of 2009. If he does a Gucci Mane and doesn’t do what the judge said, he’s going to face conviction. Sucks to be the cousin, heh? I’m assuming a civil suit is on the way.

FOXY BROWN’S BIRTHDAY BASH

Check out this Birthday message Foxy Brown sent us:

What up yall… Thursday night at LQ’s we celebrate my Birthday and The Brooklyn Don Diva’s release from Prison!!!!!!! Ladies, I need yall lookin’ like money cuz I got ballers flyin’ in from every city and champagne flown in from different countries!!!  It’s only ONE NIGHT IN N.Y yall!!!! Thursday, October 2nd come party with (Me, Spragga Benz, Busta Rhymes, Scarface and the Iconic Barrington Levy). I luv yall for standing by me thru it all.. And I promise this is the best party of the year!!!!!   Luv, Foxy Brown

 

CHECK IT…VOTE FOR OBAMA BECAUSE HE’S BLACK!

I was talking to my homeboy Daytona and he posted something on his myspace blog that got us both mad at. First, stop asking us if we are only voting for Obama because he’s Black! Cut that s**t out! First of all, so what if I am or somebody is voting for him because he’s Black! Secondly, its not like White people don’t do that. White folks have ALWAYS voted in some way or another based on color (and gender too) so big flippin’ deal. Now, Black people – the ones I know – have gone over the top to explain why they support Barack Obama. It’s not like he’s Clarence Thomas – some BLACK DUDE just just to vote because he’s BLACK. I know somebody that voted for Bush, because he reminded him of his own father. Look what dude’s “father” got us into! IF you voted for Bush, go punch yourself in the face and jump off a bridge.

Terrance J registered 100k people to vote? I don’t know how he did that, but congrats! Click here to register to vote! The deadline is coming next week. REGISTER!!!!! Also, you can VOTE EARLY….that’s what I am going to do!

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN ENDI didn’t want to post this, but I had to. I HAD TO!People, forgive me, but we ALL have to do BETTER! Anyway, Middletown woman stands accused. She is accused of being disorderly in public as she ran around the town in a cow suit.That’s right…a freaking COW SUIT.Here is the rest of the report by the AP:A police report filed about the incident said Michelle Allen allegedly chased children in her neighborhood while wearing the suit on Monday evening.Allen also urinated on a neighbor’s front porch, the report said, and was warned by officers to go home and stay there.Allen was charged with disorderly conduct after an officer found her causing traffic problems on North Verity Parkway.The officer’s report stated that Allen was verbally abusive to him on the trip to jail and smelled of alcohol.The report did not speculate as to why Allen was wearing the cow suit.HERE, MY FRIENDS, IS THE PICTURE:

Pray for us…

DANITY KANE RUMORS

I admit, I am not the best when it comes to these rumors dealing with pop acts.But, here is what somebody sent me. Dawn of Danity Kane was in a relationship for 5 years before meeting Q. She dropped her ex Justin for Q. All this time, according to rumors, she’s been lying saying she hasn’t been in a relationship at all. I’m going to keep it real…I don’t know what any of this means. Somebody give me the real deal on this stuff. If you have any Danity rumors, I’m interested in relaying them to my people that care.

BLUEPRINT 3 FAKE TRACKLISTING

I totally don’t think this is real, but in honor of The Hip Hop Chronicle, I put it up. Here you go. I don’t believe it though.

01. Wake Up New York (Intro)

02. Most Kings

03. Hades (Lucifer Pt. II)

04. Eternal Jewels (ft. Jay Electronica) [p###. by Jay Electronica]

05. Blueprint 3

06. Lucy (ft. Chris Martin)

07. The Audacity of Dope

08. Swagger Like Us Pt. 2 (ft. Nas, Andre 3000, and Young Jeezy)

09. Election Night (We believe in Obama)

10. Just Memories

11. Apostate (ft. Eminem) [p###. by Eminem]

12. Oasis

13. My Brothers Keeper (ft. Scarface)

14. Brooklyn Lost

15. Weeds & Concrete

16. Without Rain

THAT’S RIGHT – F**K THAT DESTINY’S CHILD REUNION!

My ex future girlfriend Kelly Rowland opened her beak a lil’ too fast. She stated that there was going to be a Destiny’s Child reunion in 2009. Uh, NO! There won’t be a nee album or tour, says Michelle Williams. Michelle says she is more interested in doing her solo thing, where Kelly is probably feeling the recession! Sheeeet….as you can see, illseed is bitter. Still. Michelle said, “I haven’t heard anything about a Destiny’s Child reunion. I’m focusing on me now and want to stand on my own two feet. I’m definitely carving out my own niche. I don’t look to them for anything. I’ve got a long way to go cos I’m starting over but I’m happy for it to build slowly.” That’s right Michelle.

SWAGGA LIKE US – RICK ROSS STYLE

“Entertaining rumors, you a fool if you do,” Ross said. I take that personal! Anyway, Rawse is actually getting better. I heard there is a new rap group coming out called The Rawse Crew and they totally follow Rick Ross. The thing is, they aren’t affiliated with Ross and they are from either NJ or NY.

BILL MAHER ETHERS SHERRY OF “THE VIEW”

JOE BUDDEN – IS HAPPY?

I always thought Joe Budden was messed up in the game, but I must have been wrong. Check out Joe B as he flaunts his life, “wife” and son. I don’t think he’s really married but we can effectively stop talking about Gloria Velez now. Check out Joe Budden at home.

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

I told you a ways back that “Rap City” was gone, but its officially GONE GONE. They should’ve never let Tigger go!

Obie Trice, Eminem and DMX are reportedly going to be featured on a song from Em’s new CD. This is going to be ill.

Beyonce’s collection of wigs is worth a reported $1 million.

I have gotten some NSFW pics that people said were a part of the Brit Spears sex tape. Not even close…aside from her being white. Now, I heard the actual tape is two hours long. Wow.

I said this last week, but they are saying that Eminem’s next CD will be called The Empack. Whoever owns that King Mathers lost.

Rumor has it Yums clothing/shoes are the people that are sponsoring the Chamillionaire video game tourney for $20,000. The money goes to Hurricane Ike relief effort.

If you miss Lady Drama, you and I are one and the same. She is taking this week off.

Janet was hospitalized for dehydration, not pregnancy.

Eva Longoria Parker has been looking real plump lately, but her and her hubby Tony say she’s just gained weight.

Rumor has it Lil’ Kim is in the process of recovering her career with the Trackmasters.

You cats can say what you want, OPRAH IS A G. She got Obama a gift. She gave him a pen that belonged to JFK – a rare collectable. That’s JFK as in John F. Kennedy as in…WE GOT THIS!

SUPERHEAD ACTS PREGGERS

Like I said, I definitely feel like an idiot even entertaining this, but check it.

WHOA – WHOA- WHOA

HOLD THE HELL UP…I thought battle rapping was over, but E-Ness and Mysonne got it on! Now, they were killin’ each other on every bar so that was kind of wack. But it was entertaining. Check it out. I wasn’t even gonna post this…I didn’t finish, but the first 7-10 mins are entertaining.

PEEDI CRAKK…DISSES JAY-Z…AGAIN…

This is kinda funny, but kinda sad. Peedi is now in jail. I want him to get focused! He’s better than this, as proven by the AllHipHop.com Social Lounge.

PEEDI, WE LOVE YOU!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!-illseedWHO: illseed.comWHAT: RumorsWHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseedHOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at ah*******@***il.com.– allhiphop rumors BONUS: SOME ILL PICS! No, that is not Rollo from Sanford and Son..that’s Swizz Beatz!

EXCLUSIVE: Jay-Z Supports Barack With Free Shows

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Hip-Hop star Jay-Z will lend support to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and encourage young people to vote by giving two free concerts this weekend, AllHipHop.com has learned.

 

Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, will perform a free show in Detroit on Saturday (October 4) followed by another free performance in Miami on Saturday (October 5).

 

Tickets for the free concerts will be distributed at Obama’s local campaign offices, AllHipHop.com has confirmed.

 

Obama, who admitted a fondness for Jay-Z and Kanye West, expressed his support for Hip-Hop during an interview with MTV Host/Hip-Hop personality Sway, following a presidential rally in Greensboro, North Carolina.

 

He also praised the entrepreneurial mind state that rappers often possess.

 

“In the past, musicians oftentimes were commodities.” Obama told MTV News. “They were just shuffled around…they did well, but they didn’t have the vision to say, ‘I’m going to build a business. I’m going to build my own studio. I’m going to create my own production operations.’ I think they’re a lot more sophisticated than in the past, and that is a wonderful thing.”

 

In related news, Obama will debate Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain two more times: once in Tennessee on October 7 and again in New York on October 15.

DJ Khaled: We Global (Album Review)

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Reviews / Music
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We Global. It’s a lofty statement for any artist to make, but for Miami’s DJ Khaled it is a just one of many. The radio personality has taken himself as well as his state of Florida onto the charts with a force. He has had a hand in the careers of Florida rappers Plies and Rick Ross and still remains the South’s biggest tastemaker. For this, his influence and grind have earned him an imprint deal with Def Jam. He has one last album on Koch, and with We Global (KOCH) he keeps that same momentum going.

 

Thankfully Khaled has learned to minimize his time on the microphone. He doesn’t speak as much outside of the intro on “Standing On The Mountain Top” where he introduces the album and his young protégé, Ace Hood. Hood proceeds to go in, and for a short forty-five seconds as he devours the beat at a rapid fire pace.

 

For those expecting to hear more of the sound that has surrounded the previous projects done by Khaled and friends, you get what you came for. The lead single, “Out Here Grindin’” is soaked in that synthesizer sound synonymous with his biggest hits. Lyrically you get no surprises, but that isn’t a bad thing. Boosie steals the show, as his now trademark spelling, which can annoy at first, has the tendency to have you sing along. For those looking for something a bit grittier, they may have their appetites whetted by “F*** The Other Side” as Trick Daddy stands out with his verse and catchy hook.

 

Oddly enough, some of the bigger stars disappoint on this album. T. Pain helps but can’t save “Go Hard” as Kanye once again proves that his use of the vocoder is a hate it or love it affair. T-Pain simply manipulates both the vocoder and the beat to his liking, while Kanye seems to just fade off. The Game doesn’t hit hard as expected with “Red Light” either. Instead of the street or introspective Jayceon, the listener is treated to more Jay-Z baiting than anything else. Nas’ “I’m On” isn’t a bad track, but blends in with the disc; something that seems unthinkable since the release of Untitled.

 

It is clear Khaled’s ear is still to the street and We Global keeps to that. While it may not blow you away, We Global gives you music that doesn’t mire you too much in technique, but comes off naturally and is just as enjoyable. If you find yourself enjoying the M.I. Yayo sound or his previous work in general, this is one you may want to pick up.

 

DJ Khaled Featuring Akon, Rick Ross, Boosie, Plies, Ace Hood & Trick Daddy

“Out Here Grindin'”

Knockout Nation: Mosley TKO’s Mayorga! Williams Routs Kolle! Gatti Comeback? Ike Ibeabuchi

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Uncategorized
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Mosley TKO’s Mayorga With One Second Remaining

It’s not how to start but how you finish.

Those words never proved truer than last Saturday (September 27), as an aging “Sugar” Shane Mosley overcame Ricardo Mayorga’s roughhousing to score a stunning TKO stoppage with just one second remaining in the last round.

For the first two rounds, an in-shape, determined Mayorga controlled the bout with wild overhand rights and amateurish charges that kept Shane wary and tentative.

While Mosley was able to block most of the shots, he was being knocked around and unable to mount any significant offense to deter the Nicaraguan’s bullying.

In round three, Shane figured out Mayorga’s rhythm and began timing him with crisp, stinging right and left hook leads. Not needing to bother with the usual feints and jabs since Mayorga was wide open, Mosley concluded a dominant round with another barrage of hooks.

Round four started with a nice jab-straight right combo from Mosley. Undeterred, Mayorga continued rushing in and caught a hard right hook for his trouble. In another showcase round, Mosley rained down an assortment of left hooks across Mayorga’s head. Noticeably, whenever Shane went downstairs his thudding shots would have greater effect and force Ricardo to initiate a clinch.

The middle rounds were all Mosley, with the former pound for pound king again hurting Mayorga to the body in round five with repeated hooks. Seeking to buy time, Mayorga began complaining to the ref anytime Mosley dug in too much with his attacks.

The trend carried over to rounds six and seven, as Shane relentlessly pursued his promise to knock out Mayorga by the eighth. These rounds featured Mayorga continuing to get pasted with hooks, but the brawling, chain-smoking ex-champ gingerly walked through each punch hoping to catch Mosley with a wild shot.

The 37 year old Mosley began slowing down by round eight, debilitated from the successive rounds of beating on the naturally larger Mayorga. The round was mired by long stretches of mauling and holding as both men sought a breather to prepare for the championship rounds.

Sensing a chance, Mayorga began showboating in round nine and swinging aimlessly as Mosley was too tired to offer up the quick counters of just a few rounds ago. A sneaky uppercut stunned Shane and allowed the Nicaraugan to outwork his opponent and secure his first clear round in some time.

After a listless round ten from both men, Mosley used a second wind to land two big overhand rights in the eleventh. While Mayorga was still occasionally pressing forward, he visibly was not as willing to exchange with Shane as the bout reached the decisive 12th.

Both fighters alternated between mauling and furious exchanges as the last round got underway. The superior technique of Mosley triumphed halfway through as he hurt Mayorga with two crushing right hands. This time the backpedaling Mayorga couldn’t escape, lining himself right in Shane’s crosshairs to be dropped with a cracking, leaping left hook and short chopping right.

Mayorga crumpled forward to his knees; the crowd roaring deliriously with just 8 seconds remaining in the contest.

Ever the tough guy, Ricardo signaled that he was ok, obviously hoping the bout would end before Mosley could capitalize.

However, Shane showed great veteran instinct by positioning himself right behind the ref instead of going to the far neutral corner as initially instructed.

Once waved on to continue, Mosley only had to take two steps before ending Mayorga’s night with another leaping left hook that dropped the Nicaraguan flat on his back, securing the TKO stoppage with :01 left on the clock.

In the post-fight interview, Mosley was hesitant to persist with his calls for a showdown with current champ Antonio Margarito, or even a bout with young lion Andre Berto.

“I’m not really sure what I want right now,” Mosley admitted to Larry Merchant. “Before I was calling out Margarito, and it definitely would be a great fight. But they (promoter Bob Arum, Margarito) have stuff going on and I’m not getting any younger. I have to try and find fights right now…Berto’s a young lion and a good champion. I was impressed by his speed and competitiveness. He reminds me of myself when I was younger. So I’ll be looking at myself in the mirror when I fight him.”

What Mosley was alluding to are plans for Margarito and Cotto to rematch by the summer of 2009. That will likely mean both men will take “safe” bouts early next year to prepare for the fight.

Unless Mosley can goad Floyd Mayweather out of retirement or come to terms with Paul Williams, an Andre Berto fight for the WBC strap would be the best alternative.

For Mayorga, he now holds the dubious distinction of being TKO’d by the three most popular welterweights of the 90s: Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and now Shane Mosley.

Berto Dominates Forbes in Decision Win

On the undercard, undefeated welterweight titlist Andre Berto secured a lopsided decision win over Steve Forbes.

Berto was able to win the fight almost exclusively on punch output, missing many times wildly due to Forbes’ defensive skill but still landing consistently enough to take the rounds.

Forbes, undersized at welterweight, did not have the firepower to deter Berto’s pressure and was unwilling to take offensive risks against the champion’s greater hand-speed.

With the win, Berto retains the WBC welterweight title and improves to 23-0, 19 KOs, while Steve Forbes falls to 33-7, 9 KOs.

Williams Walks Over Kolle

The question of whether lanky welterweight Paul Williams could carry power up two weight classes received a definitive answer last Thursday (September 25). The South Carolina native needed only one round to savagely dispatch fringe middleweight contender Andy Kolle and put everyone from 147-160 pounds on notice.

A southpaw, Kolle like Carlos Quintana was able to get in a few straight lefts early on as Williams stalked after him.

Realizing that Kolle had no firepower to hurt him, Williams began winding up power shots, knocking Kolle back with several straight lefts of his own.

Slipping a right hook, Williams countered with a pinpoint one of his own which badly stunned Kolle.

Before he could recover, Williams followed up with a devastating left hook that nearly knocked Kolle out the ring.

Clearly ruined, Kolle barely made it to his feet and was in no condition to continue, securing Williams a 1st round TKO with 1:37 remaining.

Paul William’s fans can rejoice in the fact the Punisher will be fighting again this November at 154 pounds, and hopefully fellow recent winner Shane Mosley will consider getting in there to give fans a guaranteed action-packed showdown.

And while Williams has not been hit yet by an elite junior middle or middleweight, other potential fights with Vernon Forrest or Kelly Pavlik don’t seem far-fetched anymore.

Arturo Gatti Coming Out of Retirement?

Earlier this week the boxing world was troubled by reports from the Canadian press that former 130 and 140 pound titlist Arturo Gatti was in training for comeback bout against Montreal welterweight Antonin Decarie.

Gatti was last seen getting destroyed in his final two bouts at that weight against then champion Carlos Baldomir in 2006 and fringe contender Alfonso Gomez last year.

The news was disheartening to many fans that worry about Gatti’s physical well being after years of inhuman drag out brawls and his last couple of one-sided beatings, including a career highlight drubbing at the hands of Floyd Mayweather.

Thankfully, ESPN boxing scribe Dan Rafael reached out to Gatti’s manager Pat Lynch, who confirmed that an ill-advised comeback would not be happening.

“I asked him about the comeback rumors, because I heard them too, and he said it wasn’t true,” Lynch explained to espn.com. “Someone asked him about coming back and he said something like if he did, he would want to fight for the Canadian title. And I guess (reporter) Yvon Michel was told about it and he ran with it. But there is no plan for Gatti to make a comeback. He’s not coming back.”

Lynch elaborated that financially Gatti has made wise investments, so unlike many former champs money would not lure him back into the ring. But, he cryptically stated he has seen signs that Gatti may consider a return just for the love of boxing.

“Financially, he’s ok. He has his business and family. He said things are going in the right direction,” Lynch reasons. “Do I feel in my heart the door is 100% closed? No, because people are always asking him about coming back. But I hope not. I have too much love and respect for him for that. I don’t know anybody who wants to see him come back.”

Hopefully, Gatti surveys the immense list of former champs who came back only to be humiliated by lesser fighters. And once thinking about it, I pray Gatti decides to keep his remaining brain cells intact.

Enzo Calzaghe Trashes Wladimir Klitschko

Enzo Calzaghe, father and trainer of 168 and 175 pound champion Joe Calzaghe, has harsh words for Wladimir Klitschko in the new November issue of RING Magazine.

The colorful, outspoken trainer characterized Klitschko as one of the worst heavyweight champions ever seen in history.

“Anyone can be successful at heavyweight right now. I could fatten up Joe to 245 pounds and he could win the title,” Enzo quipped. “Wladimir Klitschko is the worst heavyweight champion I have seen in my life. He is worse than Primo Carnera. I don’t know him personally, but as a boxer he does nothing for me at all.”

Calzaghe isn’t the first or the last person to trash Klitschko’s reign over the heavyweights.

As the boxing public, do you agree that Klitschko is the poster child for the lack of interest in the division?

Throwback Fighter of the Week: Ike “The President” Ibeabuchi

Boxing is littered with an infinite number of “what could’ve been” cases. For the heavyweight division’s recent history, the man who epitomizes that statement is former rising contender Ike Ibeabuchi.

A native of Nigeria, Ibeabuchi turned pro in 1994 and cut through low-level competition before engaging in a historic brawl with fellow power puncher David Tua.

The brutal fight set the record for most heavyweight punches thrown in a fight, eclipsing the previous record held by Ali-Frazier III despite Ibeabuchi’s bout not having two extra rounds. In some rounds, Ibeabuchi managed to nearly double the average heavyweight punch output of 50 punches.

After emerging victorious and now a star, Ibeabuchi began to show signs of instability.

He claimed he could see demons that were after him, and served two months in prison for kidnapping his ex-girlfriend’s son.

In 1999, he won another signature bout by flattening then undefeated slickster Chris Byrd in a highlight reel knockout. Afterward, many predicted Ibeabuchi would win the heavyweight title in the next 12 months.

Unfortunately, Ibeabuchi could not keep his inner demons at bay. He was convicted of battery with the intent to commit a crime and attempted sexual assault, which occurred on a call girl in his hotel room.

Ibeabuchi was sentenced to 5-30 years in prison.

It was discovered during the trial that Ibeabuchi suffered from bipolar and schizoid-effective disorders; however doctors ordered by a 2-1 vote that he was competent to stand trial. Also, it was revealed that Ibeabuchi had previously refused medication for his conditions because he believed it would affect the motor skills he would need to box.

At 37 years old, Ibeabuchi is still incarcerated and has been denied parole twice. His next eligibility date is December 2010.

Ibeabuchi vs. Byrd

Ibeabuchi vs. Ray 

 

Ibeabuchi vs. Tua

Coke Taps Big Boi To Promote Full Throttle Fury Energy Drink

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Grammy Award winning Outkast group member Big Boi has been tapped as the new face of Coca-Cola’s Full Throttle Fury Energy Drink it was announced today (September 30).

 

With Big Boi as a new spokesman, the company is also relaunching Full Throttle Fury with a completely new look and experience, in an attempt to tap the lucrative African-American male demographic.

 

“Full Throttle Fury appeals to men like me who consider themselves real and authentic, whose work style is to go all the way,” Big Boi said. “I spend most of my days in the recording studio or involved in new projects. Full Throttle Fury has a great taste and provides me the energy to get through my busy day.”

 

The rapper will take part in an upcoming advertising and marketing campaign, which will also see Full Throttle Fury act as the official sponsor of record release parties for Big Boi’s upcoming album Sir Luscious Leftfoot: Son of Chico Dusty.

 

Full Throttle Fury will also act as sponsors of a multi-city promo tour, that will hit at least 50 venues nationwide.

 

“My new album Sir Luscious Left Foot embodies the energy of Full Throttle Fury, where I feel like the body of work I’ve created on this CD will hopefully motivate my fans even more with its high energy and conscious lyrics as I’ve always created in my music,” Big Boi continued.

 

According to Rafael Acevedo, Senior Brand Manager, Energy Drinks, Big Boi’s “drive to excel” was consistent with the direction Full Throttle’s new image is adopting.

 

“He truly embodies the Full Throttle mindset of ‘Go Full Throttle or Go Home’,” said Acevedo said. “Full Throttle Fury will play a vital roll in Big Boi’s upcoming album release activities and concert tour—including product integration, customized point of sale displays, and sponsorship opportunities.”

 

Full Throttle Fury is available in stores nationwide, while reports stated that Sir Luscious Leftfoot: Son of Chico Dusty will hit stores on October 28.

AHH Stray News: Janet Jackson Hospitalized, Cancels 2nd Show

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Janet Jackson has been hospitalized with an undisclosed illness, resulting in the abrupt cancellation of last night’s (September 29) “Rock Witchu Tour” Montreal show. A representative for the pop star confirmed she suddenly became ill while completing a routine sound check. The cancellation was announced to disappointed fans just minutes before LL Cool J’s opening set. This marks Jackson’s second “Rock Witchu Tour” cancellation in three days, as last Friday (September 27) the singer nixed a show due to “production budget constraints.” At press time, Jackson, who recently severed ties with Island/Def Jam, remains in stable condition

ALBUM REVIEW: Gym Class Heroes – The Quilt

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Alternatives
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It seems like everyone has it out for Gym Class Heroes. Since the release of 2004’s The Papercut Chronicles, GCH has often been on the receiving end of criticism from an extremely fickle fan-base. After the band released the more accessible As Cruel as School Children, the band became “too Hip-Hop” for Rock and “too Rock” for Hip-Hop. Two years later, after continuing to progress and diversify, the group has released its most diverse album to date, The Quilt. Front-man Travis McCoy has deemed this album his most lyrical effort, claiming that he is going to showcase his “lyrical genius.” It’s pretty much impossible to live up to such bold words and Travis is by no means the greatest emcee, but his verses on “Live Forever (Fly With Me)” and “Don’t Tell Me It’s Over” are some of the best material that he’s written. He seems to be establishing “swagger” and it’s only a matter of time before he’s hopping onto other artist’s tracks. At the same time, juvenile songs like “Kissing Ears” and “Drnk Txt Rmeo” lack growth the growth to establish him as a “lyrical genius.”Musically, the band has grown exponentially. Drummer Matt McGinley has a commanding presence on “Don’t Tell Me It’s Over” and guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo even has a couple of guitar solos on “Home” and “Live a Little.” The band has also started to branch out into Pop-Rock with “Live a Little” and Reggae with “Blinded by the Sun.” “Live Forever,” is easily one of the best songs the group has released and features a cameo from Daryl Hall of the legendary Hall and Oates.    With three tracks produced by Cool & Dre and cameos by Busta Rhymes (“Peace Sign/Index Down”) and The-Dream ( “Cookie Jar”), The Quilt is undoubtedly the Gym Class Heroes’ album with the most potential for crossover appeal, but the marketing choices of their record label could be detrimental to this album’s success. Let’s face it – Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco aren’t necessarily a draw in the Hip-Hop community.The Quilt comes fresh off of the group’s increasing popularity from the successful singles “Cupid’s Chokehold” and “Clothes Off!” The group faced the pressures of releasing their fourth album to an undefined fanbase, ultimately meaning that one of its biggest tasks was to win back old fans and reel in new ones. Unfortunately, if you weren’t a previous GCH fan, this may not change your mind.

LL Cool J To Help Set World ‘Shared’ Reading Record

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Hip-Hop star LL Cool J will join thousands of children during the world’s largest “shared reading experience” during Jumpstart’s he Read For The Record Campaign tomorrow (October 2) in New York City.

 

Tomorrow morning, LL will kick off the day on NBC’s Today Show with host Matt Lauer and the children’s classic Corduroy by Don Freeman.

 

LL Cool J will then head to Bank Street Head Start Center where he will visit a small group of Jumpstart pre-k students and read Corduroy to them personally, in an attempt to help set the record for the world’s largest shared reading event.

 

Anyone can register to read or donate books for children to read in low income areas on October 2, by visiting www. Readfortherecord.org.

 

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Jumpstart is a national early education organization that specializes in preparing young children to succeed, through one-on-one relationships.

 

The organization pairs 4,000 trained adults preschool children in need of assistance.

 

During 2008-2009, Jumpstart will serve nearly 15,000 children across 20 states in partnerships with learning centers and universities throughout the United States.

Cypress Hill’s Sen Dog: Solo Entry

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Features
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South Gate, CA rapper Senen Reyes aka Sen Dog was first introduced to the rap world as a part of the Cypress Hill in the early 90’s. On occasion Sen Dog would step out to the forefront on tracks like “Latin Lingo,” however his main role was to be B-Real’s backup by using his deep grizzly voice to counter-balance the nasal delivery of the Cypress’ front man. After nearly two decades in the rap game and over 17 million albums sold worldwide, Sen Dog is now stepping out of the shadows and taking a step to the forefront by releasing his solo debut Diary of a Mad Dog on September 30th.  Sen Dog took the time out of his schedule while touring with Cypress Hill to talk to us about the new album, the transition from group member to solo artist, coming out of his shell and his recovery from a recent heartache that has caused him to change his lifestyle. AllHipHop.com: After being in the rap game since the early 90’s, you have now finally decided to drop a solo album. Why did that take so long?Sen Dog: Being with Cypress Hill, the juggernaut that it is and with all of the touring, there was never much time for it. Later on when I started my rock band SX-10, I dedicated myself fully to that. To be honest I never really wanted to be a solo artist, I’ve always enjoyed being in a group or a band. About a year ago we weren’t doing much with Cypress because we were in the process of finishing our contract with Sony and changing management. There was a lot of turmoil within the band and so my personal manager Kevin Zinger, the owner of Suburban Noize Records, asked me to give him a record for his company while Cypress was going through its things. I felt that it was a good idea and decided to do it, so I started working on that record. AllHipHop.com: Through all of the years you’ve never had a desire to do anything solo?Sen Dog: Naw man. The way I see it, I’m from Cypress Hill. But there’s always more music in me than what I’ve ever put down on a Cypress record. I’ve always got other ideas. I am sure that every musician that is in a band situation does. The same goes for B-Real, Bobo and Muggs. That’s why we all do side projects. There is always more to give an audience and the record buying public than what you are known for. AllHipHop.com: On your press sheet it mentions that you came out of your shell for this album. Was that hard for you to do?Sen Dog: It was definitely. I am a shy person by nature. When I was a youngster, I was extremely shy. I’ve always had this love for Hip-Hop though. When we started Cypress, there was still a shyness. That’s why I had to wear f**kin’ hats all of the way down my face, so nobody could see me trembling [laughs]. It was definitely a coming out of sorts and it’s very exciting. I’ve never felt what I am feeling about this record – not even towards a Cypress album. It’s definitely me coming out of my shell, with me being on out there on the stage by myself and my DJ. I don’t have the comfort zone of having a B-Real out on the stage when I do my solo stuff. This is helping me become more of my own artist.    AllHipHop.com: How was it doing your own song crafting? With Cypress Hill, B-Real does most of the rapping.Sen Dog: That was probably the most difficult challenge. When we are in the studio as Cypress Hill, we all have ideas so there is never a shortage of ideas going around. Recording by myself was like, “Ok. Let’s take a two hour break because my brain is numb right now.” The process would take a little bit longer than with the group but it was a definite educational process for me. You end up finding out that if you reach deep down, you can come up with something special when the pressure is on. Before I had the luxury of thinking, “B-Real will think of some hot sh*t.” Now it’s all on me. As I got into the album, things started to come more naturally.      AllHipHop.com: I noticed that you stuck to your own group of people as far as features on the album is concerned. Most debuting soloists would try to grab the biggest names out. Why did you avoid doing that?Sen Dog: I’ve got a lot of friends that are big-time but I don’t really hang with them. The guys that are on my records are the guys that I hang with everyday; that are there for me on a constant everyday basis. The guys that are on the record, I felt that they deserved a shot at being on a record that’s to actually get out and be in a record store. I really wanted my first record to have an authenticity to it to where you could tell that these are the cats that I roll with, instead of having like a Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Ludacris or whoever else that are good people and down to record and jam. I felt that this would be an honest approach. AllHipHop.com: You’ve got a little bit of everything on this album – even some Techno on your song “Fumble.” Will your fans accept that from you?Sen Dog: I think so. I had the track to “Fumble” sitting around for a few months and it really didn’t do anything to me. One day I was going through a bunch of CD’s just trying to find something that I might have looked over. I ended up giving that track another listen. This time I was in a better state of mind and a higher state of mind if you know what I mean. It just jumped out at me. I also heard changes format-wise that I had to make to it. I wrote the song and then later on when I went in to the studio to lay down the lyrics, I formatted it to how I wanted it. The track was way more ill-sounding and techno-sounding then what actually made the record. AllHipHop.com: I was listening to that song on the album called “Backing Up My Gang.” I don’t recall you ever speaking on things like what actual gang set you are from. Sen Dog: That’s a part of my life. I am not an active gang member anymore but that was a part of my life that I found to be special because that was the foundation of the early success of what we were rapping about – the experiences that we lived. I was hanging out with one of my bro’s from back then; a really talented MC named J-Killa and I put him on the song. He’s known and his neighborhood looks up to him still. He was like, “You should do something for all of the B-Dog’s and let people know where you are from and what you’ve done.” There are people that don’t know that about me and they will find it interesting. We went into the studio and did the song. When you get in there with J-Killa you start to feel a little rowdy [laughs]. I’m glad that we did that song because it’s a part of my history that I’ve never documented. It will give you an insight to my history and background.

“My body just said, ‘Ok. I’ve had enough of this s**t. I’m shutting down.’ I went in and they told me that I had a slight heart attack.”

AllHipHop.com: The album is called Diary of a Mad Dog. According to this press sheet you came up with that name because you were going through some personal problems. It even mentions a heart attack that you had. Are you ok?Sen Dog: I am fine. I survived that. It was all about the way that I was living as far as not exercising and not sleeping very good – drinking – constantly drinking and everything that goes with that. I had some stressful things going on with my personal family. It just got to the point where all of the abuse that I was putting on myself, physically and mentally, caught up to me. My body just said, “Ok. I’ve had enough of this s**t. I’m shutting down.” I went in and they told me that I had a slight heart attack. They kept me in because one of my arteries was like 95 percent closed. They had to go in and do the whole angioplasty procedure and open my artery. I spent about 10 days in the hospital. This happened during the making of the album. I had already finished like six or seven songs. I started to get a groove with the album and that just took me down. After that experience I went and wrote that song “Fumble.” The hook goes, “What went wrong? Where did I stumble? I had a touch down but I must have fumbled.” You have everything and then you can lose it all. Before you know it, I’m laying up in this bed at the hospital with I.V. in my arms. I was wondering to myself, “How did this happen?” AllHipHop.com: So now that you have this solo album done, what is next for you?Sen Dog: My rock group SX-10 has a new album done. It’s produced by a guy named Matt Hyde who is a real good rock producer. The album features B-Real, Bobo, my brother Mellow Man Ace, Zach Wild plays guitar on there, and Star Scream the DJ for Slipknot is on it also. I’ve been a part of some successful records, but to me, the new SX-10 album is the best record that I have ever made in my life.

“We are about 25 songs into our new album. It’s one of my favorite Cypress records in a long time… We worked with DJ Premier, Mike Shinoda, The Alchemist, DJ Muggs and B-Real’s producing crew The Audio Hustlaz.”

AllHipHop.com: Better than all of the platinum selling Cypress Hill records?Sen Dog: Yes, to me. It’s the best record that I’ve ever made. I am not saying that it’s better than any of the Cypress Hill records. I am just saying to me.AllHipHop.com: So what’s going with Cypress Hill these days?Sen Dog: We are about 25 songs into our new album. It’s one of my favorite Cypress records in a long time. We are using a whole bunch of different producers now. We worked with DJ Premier, Mike Shinoda, The Alchemist, DJ Muggs and B-Real’s producing crew The Audio Hustlaz. All the way around it’s just a fun record. It’s like a new era and beginning for us. The way that we’ve opened it up production-wise is a positive for the band. We haven’t picked a name yet but there are a few names that are being tossed around. It should be out the first quarter of next year.        

Hip-Hop Art and Design Celebrated in New Book

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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The visual evolution of Hip-Hop culture will be the center of a new book from legendary Hip-Hop designer Cey Adams and photographer Bill Adler.

 

Titled DEFinition: the Art and Design of Hip Hop, the seven chapter page turner celebrates the work of Adams as well as revered artists Zephyr, Revolt, Haring, and Basqiuat and painters Kehinde Wiley, Shepard Fairey, Fahamu Pecou and others.

 

The Collins Design-published book is the latest achievement for Adler, an author/activist and former Rush Artist Management and Def Jam Recordings director of publicity.

 

Adams worked with rap mogul Russell Simmons during Def Jam’s early days in 1984.

 

During his 15-year tenure at the label, Adams designed or oversaw the design of numerous covers for classic albums from many of Def Jam artists, including LL Cool J, Public Enemy, EPMD and Redman and Method Man.

 

In addition, the New York native’s influence can be found on albums from the late rap legend Notorious B.I.G. and Hip-Hop/Soul queen Mary J. Blige.

 

Simmons repays Adams for his work at Def Jam by writing the forward to DEFinition.

 

Described as “the first book to celebrate the accomplishments of the generation of visual artists who have come of age under the banner of Hip-Hop,” the tome examines the impact of the culture on street art and fine art, album covers, advertising, movies and television, cars, sneakers, and fashion.

 

DEFinition: the Art and Design of Hip Hop is scheduled to arrive in bookstores on Oct. 14.

MTV Green lights New Diddy Reality Show

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has joined forces with Emmy winning producer Mark Burnett to lead the search for the next music superstar on a newly approved MTV reality series.

 

The show, titled StarMaker, was greenlit by the network for January 2009.

 

It will feature a group of aspiring solo artists handpicked by Combs, who will compete against each other for a chance to obtain stardom while living together.

 

Contestants will go through StarMaker boot camp, in addition to being evaluated on various tasks whish include how well they handle photo shoots, deal with paparazzi and physically perform on stage.

 

MTV’s approval of StarMaker comes two years after the network and Combs began developing the show in the fall of 2007.

 

Burnett, who is best known for his hit reality shows Survivor, The Apprentice, Contender and Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?, was recruited to work on the series in this Spring.

 

According to Combs, the alliance with Burnett can only amount to success for StarMaker.

 

“It’s a privilege to partner with Mark Burnett on my latest television venture,” said Combs who labeled Burnett as “one of the industry’s best.” “I am confident that we will do great things together with StarMaker and beyond.”

 

Although StarMaker will provide its share of entertainment for viewers, Burnett believes the series will serve as a vehicle for the “tremendous amount of talent out there just waiting to be discovered.”

 

“We’ve created a platform that will allow new and emerging artists a chance to showcase their talents to some of the industry’s best,” he added.

 

StarMaker is the latest reality show under Combs, who has executive-produced the hit MTV series Making The Band, Run’s House and VH1’s I Want to Work For Diddy.

Keri Hilson: It’s Showtime

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Alternatives
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Keri Hilson has probably been busy since birth. Having penned, produced, and arranged her first song at age twelve, she was quite possibly the musical prodigy that others in this new wave of “songwriters turned singers” boast themselves to be on their resumes. On a hot summer’s day, you can find her in the “A” (where else?) placing the finishing touches on her debut album In a Perfect World.Despite the fact that it’s her first US release, Keri Hilson is a seasoned industry pro. She focuses very intently on the questions and her answers throughout this interview, owning every word she says. Perhaps that is how she’s maintained such a successful career thus far – by owning every word that’s been placed in the lyrics of songs she’s written for R&B/Pop legacies like Mary J. Blige, Usher, Chris Brown, and even Britney Spears. With the looks of a supermodel and the mind of a Mensa scholar, Keri Hilson already considers her career quite established, and why not? According to her, had this project not met her standards, it would have never even happened. As the world awaits her future collection of hit singles (including the already colossal “Energy”), Keri reflects on her secrets for getting here. Sit back and take notes.AllHipHop.com Alternatives: Well first, how’s everything going with preparing for the release of the album?Keri Hilson: Oh everything’s been great. We’re mixing and mastering – just putting in the final touches on it now, so everything’s exciting.AHHA: Did you have any reservations about the release of the album? Especially since it’s going to be your major shift from songwriter to artist/songwriter?Keri Hilson: No, definitely no reservations. I think if there were, it would not be coming out. [laughs] As much time and money as we spent on this project, you know, and as much effort as we put in, it has to be right. So it is so far so great, no complaints.AHHA: You must get this question asked a lot but, the whole writing for yourself versus writing for other people, how does that really differ?Keri Hilson: Well you know, for myself, I can tap into my own true feelings and say things I’m not afraid to say. When I’m writing for someone else, you kind of have to, um…ya know, we like to have conversations about it before we start writing or have the artist there. But when that luxury is not afforded to us, sometimes we just have to imagine how they feel. So that allows you or kind of forces you to not go as deep into your own feelings about a certain subject, you know what I’m saying? You don’t have to sugarcoat it but you kind of have to – it can’t be as deep as what I would say for myself, because I can back what I say because they are my words. [laughs]AHHA: Much like the personal touch on the songs from your album?Keri Hilson: Of course. Ya know they’re not songs that someone wrote for me, with the exception of one, which is my first single “Energy.” But everything else is all from me. It’s all from me. Ya know, it’s all my own words, so definitely it has a personal touch.Energy – Keri HilsonAHHA: How did you form the Clutch?Keri Hilson: Well it was on a writing trip that our publishers set up. We’re all kind of divided between two publishing companies and one particular time, they wanted to do a writing trip. So they put us all in a room together and left us with a bunch of [us] – actually we were in three different rooms – so at different points we worked in like twos or threes or one ya know? We liked the chemistry of it all, and at a point we, ya know, formed. It was such a producer’s driven game, and still a little bit of it is. But some songwriters are getting a little bit more respect so that was our standpoint – myself and J. Que. The members [of the Clutch] are myself, J. Que, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel Lewis, and Balewa Muhammad, but J. Que and I had the idea to form a writing collective years ago, like maybe seven years ago. And we called it the Writers Block. We were just looking for our members and then this trip happened so it kind of became our hopes and dreams. So, yeah.AHHA: Well we’ve seen you in a few videos, most recently Usher’s video for “Love in the Club.”Keri Hilson: Yup! “Love in the Club.”AHHA: How did you manage to be the leading lady in that video without sacrificing your reputation? Keri Hilson: I think because with Usher, it’s all about how the artist precedes you. He has a very high respect for me. He knows that – you know I’ve worked with him – I have a song on his Confessions album. Usher just has a certain amount of respect for me. So leading up to and following the video, you know any time he would talk about it, he just spoke of me in a certain [way], like he wouldn’t say, “Oh, well the lead girl is Keri Hilson.” Love In This Club – Usher[Usher would say] “I wanted to be a part of her project. I wanted to help put her out through the world, so this is one of the ways I would do it.” But ya know, I appreciated that – it was just more than me appearing in a video as a seductress. [laughs] It didn’t go without rumors, but I mean that was nothing to shake because [Usher] knows and [Usher’s wife Tameka Foster] knows [the rumors are false]. I’ve known them both for a very long time, so that was easy to dispel. [laughs]

“When anything is such a male dominated industry, things are a little

bit more difficult for women, obviously. I mean we have to think

harder, we have to work harder, we have to – our numbers have to be so

much higher potential wise and everything.”- Keri on being a woman in the industry

AHHA: [laughs] That’s cool. Speaking of rumors, how do you respond to being a songwriter and artist in this industry for so long, but still people try to make up rumors about you with Polow da Don or you and Timbaland for example?Keri Hilson: Right, and those [rumors] are crazy ‘cause I have never ever ever mixed business with pleasure. And what’s true is that I really don’t like [dating] entertainers. I don’t really wanna be dating any kind of entertainer or sports guy. [laughs] I like men outside of what I do. I don’t wanna be talking about what I do all day with somebody. So yeah, I mean it’s not difficult, because if I was affected by them, this would not be the industry for me. I feel like God has prepared me for this, and I just let things roll off. I read the [gossip] blogs and I take it as maybe they don’t like where they are in their lives and they just make it as a business to just be negative about everything. But it doesn’t affect me. Thank the Lord, I have tough skin. AHHA: Do you ever feel there are times where you’re not taken seriously enough because of your looks? Because you’re very smart, but at the same token, beautiful women in the industry sometimes just get seen for that.Keri Hilson: Early in my career, I had to make sure that I would go above and beyond the college duty, and I mean professionally. I mean that 100 percent professionally, because that can be taken differently in writing. But what I mean is, when anything is such a male dominated industry, things are a little bit more difficult for women, obviously. I mean we have to think harder, we have to work harder, we have to – our numbers have to be so much higher potential wise and everything.So I made sure that my resume spoke for me and that every song I touched, spoke for me. And so I would [make sure] people had respect for me. People who have known me for years know that I come to the studio, I do my job and I leave. I don’t hang around. I have no intentions of being seen with this person or that person. If you see me out with any person, it’s work. Believe! [laughs] So it’s not hard to gain respect, if you respect yourself, and I do. AHHA: It is so true. Women have to make sure they are very aware of themselves in public…Keri Hilson: That’s right. That’s right. You have to be mindful of things that men don’t have to care about. I think it really goes to show this is the time when you have to be careful. People wanna know too much, and they also wanna make up things. So I’m very very cautious, very cautious. AHHA: No long hugs…[laughs]Keri Hilson: [laughs] Exactly! You gotta be careful of who you hug and who you talk to. People watching. It’s not like it’s some – I’m not paranoid but at the same time, I’m very friendly. These are people I grew up with and they – ya know I’ve known them for years – like six years at least. So, I don’t want people to ever think that I’m just meeting them and there’s all this. Even the Timbaland thing, like yeah, we embrace like brother and sister. We hug when we see each other or kiss on the cheek or whatever. But that’s Timbaland – that’s like my brother. [laughs]AHHA: How was it working with Nas? “Hero” is a great song. Keri Hilson: Thank you! Hey it was there before I touched it. It was already a hit. So I was honored [Nas] asked me to do it. But yeah, it was great working with Nas. He really is as chill and laid back as he appears. So I appreciate that about him – that he can be so political and so outspoken, and just be that cool, for real. In real life. Hero – NasAHHA: I heard that Britney Spears was equally cool. I remember you saying you expected her to be coming with like a bag of potato chips and a kid on her arm, but she was just really professional.Keri Hilson: [laughs] Yeah she really was. I didn’t expect that at all, I really though she’d be a little more guarded, but we had girl talk and she allowed us to really have the necessary conversations we needed to have to write for her. I ended up doing three songs on her [Blackout] album, and ya know she’s very good to work with. A lot of people did not expect this album to actually be good, just because of all the hoopla that was going on around her. I do believe it’s one of her best projects if I do say so myself.AHHA: What is Timbaland’s work regime like?Keri Hilson: Well he has a very strange work schedule ya know? When I worked with him, he would come in at like 1 a.m. or 12 a.m., and he wouldn’t get really juicy and creative until like 2, 3 a.m. So we would be there until 10 p.m., we would have to wait until Miami traffic died down or Virginia traffic died down to go back to our hotels. It was crazy, but I was used to doing that. I wasn’t new to that. It was just strange to see like, “Wow, ya know, this is how Timbaland does it” because like I know other producers. Like Pharell, he likes to go in at 1pm or like 10 in the morning – I think he’s a morning guy actually. And end no later – he’s there in the studio past 10 or 11 o’clock at night. So it was crazy to use that schedule, but working with Timbaland is very inspiring. It continues to inspire me. It really taught me that you don’t have to set yourself into this spot, you can really do what you feel is hot. Do what you like to do. I got my real “no holds barred” attitude from Timbaland, and I thank him for some of the hits to my credit because of that. AHHA: Let’s talk about the album In a Perfect World some more. Is “Henny & Apple Juice” gonna be on the album? Keri Hilson: Probably not. It could be like an interlude, but yeah, I don’t think it’s gonna make the cut because we have so many records…so many hot records.AHHA: Does Henny & Apple Juice even taste good? Keri Hilson: You gotta try it! Half and half is what most girls like. Most girls like half and half or a fourth Henny, three-fourth apple juice. Yeah. It tastes like spiked apple juice. Just like apple juice with a kick. You can barely taste the Henny in it if you mix it right.

“I don’t really wanna be dating any kind of entertainer or sports guy. [laughs] I like men outside of what I do. I don’t wanna be talking about what I do all day with somebody. So yeah, I mean it’s not difficult, because if I was affected by them, this would not be the industry for me.”- Keri on rumors about her dating men in the industry

AHHA: What about some of the others songs that are on the album? Keri Hilson: There is a song “Where Did He Go” that kinda did its thing as well. It was the actually the song that got me my deal. It was the song that L.A. Reid heard, that Clive Davis heard, Jimmy Iovine, that all these labels have heard. It’s the song that got me my deal basically. It was the second song I ever did with Timbaland, the same day I met him – or sorry the second night we worked. And ya know, it was amazing. It was amazing. First day offered, second night I worked with him on that song. AHHA: Any other producers on the album? Keri Hilson: Yeah, a couple others. I worked with a 19 year-old from – well he was 19. He’s probably 20 or 21 now. His name is Corey Bolds, that’s Timbaland’s protégé. Of course Timbaland knows my situation – it’s a joint label venture between Timbaland and Polow at Interscope. Ya know, it’s majority Timbaland and Polow. And Danja to the third majority. But Corey Bolds, The Runaways produced the first single, and I believe that’s it. Didn’t wanna do a collection of all hot producers, ya know? Where there was no definitive sound. I really wanted to define Keri Hilson – my sound, my personality, my likeness – all of that. And I believe we really did that.  The Way I Are – TimbalandAHHA: You have a consistent number of hits so far that you’ve either written for yourself or others. Do you ever get scared that the well will run dry?Keri Hilson: Naw, I’m never scared. I’m always thankful. I’m always in a blessed and positive state of mind. I realized that, because I’ve seen the other side of it, because I’ve been a songwriter and producer, I realize things go in ways ya know? This producer is not always gonna be the hottest producer for the rest of our lives, ya know? Everyone has their run and so I’m thankful for every hit that I have, that actually worked, because I know that my time could come to a close. Kandi Burruss was on top of the world for years with Pink and TLC, and everything she touched at that time was just more than gold – it was Platinum. Destiny’s Child, ya know, all these songs that Kandi wrote, “No Scrubs.” All these things. So I’m thankful. I’m thankful for every time when something hits the charts at all. [laughs] Hopefully I can stay relevant. That’s the name of the game. That’s the hardest thing to do – when music keeps changing – is to stay relevant. So, I’m prayerful that I was able to stay relevant this long.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Bow Wow and Superhead To Have A Baby?

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

HOSPITALIZED!

 

It

is kind of slow round these parts in the rumor tip, but here we go.

Janet

Jackson has been hospitalized after falling ill prior to a concert, according

to reports. Right before a show in Montreal on Monday she

was sickened right before her sound check. She was then run straight to the

hospital. Nobody really knows exactly

what the sickness is, but she is expected to resume the tour soon.

JD HURLS?

 

We

all know JD is the party master, but the NY Post reports, he had a lil’ too much fun….and Janet paid the price. JD turned 36 (that’s

it?) last week and he drank and drank and drank. Finally, he let it all out –

right in Janet’s LAP. They said Ms. Nasty (Janet) bolted from the venue in

haste. I know they are really in love…whew!

RUTHLESS…GOES NICE?

Tomica Wright CEO of Ruthless Records is about to take the

house that Eazy-E built is about to sign a positive

rap album called All Rap Aint Bad project. Obviously,

you cant sign an album, but guess she is buying the

rights to the album. Apparently this album is a positive |CD geared to motivate

kids to make the right choices. This has been very counter to what Ruthless is

known for. As you should know, Ruthless is a consummate gangsta

label. A heard this joint will actually get some gangsta

talent doing some good tings for the hood. Teacher Stephen Ashford put this

together (if its real) and features Ice-T,Flava

Flav,E-40,Keak Da Sneak,Yukmouth,Young

M.C.,Big Duke (Boyz In Da Hood). Nice! See all rumors aren’t bad!

 

HURRICANE IKE STILL

LOOMS!

 

I’m not sure, but I heard Bun B is doing some big things

down there in Texas

as far as the Hurricane Ike relief effort is concerned. I heard He’s got a new

song with Young Buck and Gucci Mane, which they plan to shoot a video for. I

thought Gucci was in jail, but apparently he hasn’t started his time yet. I

also heard that Chamillionaire was doing some work

regarding relieve in Texas

too. I’m not sure but there is apparently some store of video game challenge

for something for $20k that will go to Hurricane Ike charities. Don’t quote me.

I do know Cham and Trae

were doing work out there, hand to hand with people on the street.

 

WORKING FOR DIDDY?

STEALING FROM PHARRELL?

 

Diddy reportedly chastised one of

his staff members when they stole information from Pharrell

Williams and started to hit up the skate rapper. The person that worked with Diddy was also an aspiring rap artist. Well, the dude

wanted to work with Pharrell like everybody in the

universe and started to hit him up via email. Well, P didn’t know who this dude

was and eventually complained. Diddy was contacted

and the person got a lashing for it.

 

MEL B DOES PLAYBOY?

 

Mel B has done well for herself.

And now for men like myself, she is about to do better. She is reportedly going

to do Playboy and cake up some nice money for posing nude. Now they are using

some words like “artistic” so I don’t know. That’s a code word for “not all the

way nude.” I heard she is going to get some money in the high six-figures.

 

She told the UK Mirror, “I was offered Playboy last

year and again a couple of months ago, and I did turn them down, but that’s not

to say I wouldn’t consider it in the future. I have no problems walking around

the house naked or anything.”

 

BOW WOW KNOCKS UP

SUPERHEAD?

 

What do Kool G Rap and Bow Wow

have in common? No, it has nothing to do with rap – they have nothing in common

there. Apparently, they might share a Baby Momma in Karrine

Superhead Steffans,

according to mediatakeout. Who

knows? This broad has been complaining about being sick or something and saying

sorry to the media that she missed. I guess, she might wanna

just reveal whether or not she has a lil bow wow in

her gut. In the event there is some truth to this, Bow Wow will appear in the

epic fail section of the site. She said the last time she was sick was on “labor”

day. Was that some code talk? Show knows! Rubbing your tummy…ahhhh…I feel like a media sucker for even yappin’ about this.

 

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

 

I heard Yung Berg is working on a new mixtape.

 

Chamillionaire reportedly has a

new group coming out called “Money, Fame, Respect.” I just don’t know who the

other members are.

 

I heard Benzino is about to come

back out. No word on whether or not he’s coming back on a white horse or not.

 

My boy Marc and I have a bet that Dr. will/will not come out

this year. I bet he will, he says no.

 

Shout out to Travis Barker and DJ AM

– they both have been released from the hospital. Click

here to read about it.

 

Yesterday, America

lost about a trillion dollars as the stock exchanged plummeted. How did we get

here? Click here

to find out!

 

Jadakiss will feature Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Ghostface and Raekwon on his next

CD called Kiss My A$$.

 

Chris Brown and Rhianna need to

stop the trips to KFC. That’s corny. Just do a commercial and get it over with.

 

Somebody get Drama on the phone! LOL.

I heard Jeezy used the “f-word” as it pertains to his

former friend.

 

I don’t know anybody that wants to see this, but there is a

Brit Spears sex tape lingering overseas somewhere.

 

SIGNS THE WORLD IS

COMING TO AN END

 

The Garden

State Parkway in NJ is a highway to hell and

eternal damnation! There is a metal marker sign at the 66.6 point at the GSP

and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority cannot seem to figure out why the mark of

the Devil sign keeps disappearing. The

only think is, this is a nationwide issue. If you have

a street sign that has “666” in it, you are probably having a difficult time

keeping it. The local government cannot really tell what is happening. Are

Satan worshippers stealing these signs and decorating their houses? So, what

are they doing? They are messing up the Satanic flow

by adding or taking away a number. So “Route 666” might become “Route 666.5” or

“665.” The Satanists go limp after that….lol. At any

rate, it seems to be a sign because there seem to be a lot of Devils that come

out at night for these signs like the freaks they are.

 

 

SIGNS PART TWO –

A Louisiana state

rep is so nice, he is willing and ready to pay poor women $1,000 to have their

tubes tied. (In this economy?) Read

about this here.

 

SIGNS PART THREE –

A woman stores her kids corpses in her freeze. Just great. Click

here to read this foolish madness.

 

ILL VIDEO – THE T.I.

PARODY

If you were on my personal blog site, you saw this already. If not, check out

Million and B-Phraze as they parody TI’s “Whatever you like.”

 

 

MY NEW FEATURE –

 

My boy Jasiri X and I have a new

partnership. He will recap the news in the world with a rap verse over the

hottest beats. This is going to be real fun. Real fun.

Spit those bars, Jasiri! Check it out!

 

SHELZ- MARKET WATCH

 

Ya know, I’m having a hard time

concerning myself with famous people who blow chunks (See JD and Amy Winehouse), famous people who break up (see Dro and Fantasia) or famous people who have albums we wont see’til pigs fly (see Dre and Em).The financial system in this country is rank like Yayo’s flow and the possible credit freeze should scare the

bejebus out of all of us. Now I know you are thinking if they freeze

credit lines, you won’t be able to get those new spinners with the Swarovski crystals to put on your Neon… but no folks, I

need you to think outside the box.

 

 

Some coal mine in WV can’t secure credit to handle payroll

and repairs. The mine closes and can’t

shuttle coal to the nearby power plant.

With no coal, the plant shuts down and voila…… Yo

ass is reading AHH by candle light.

(Yeah, I know your PC needs juice too.

It’s called narrative license.)

And to prevent this, we are supposed to hand over $700,000,000,000.00 to

some non-regulating regulator’s golf pal who probably parties with the same

greedy a#### who put us in this situation to begin with? What? Huh? Seriously?

 

 

So even if you don’t have any money, this will affect

you. I’m horribly concerned about the

five cents I have. I’m thinking of getting every one of them out of the bank,

putting them in a pillow case, putting the pillow case in a safe, burying the

safe 10 feet deep and then sitting on the overturned ground with a Desert Eagle

in one hand, a grenade in the other and a blade under my tongue.

 

 

Yeah, this is more bloggish than rumorish, but in the grand scheme what difference does it

make? I probably won’t have power

tomorrow anyway.

 

 

Aaaaand I’m out!

 

RITA G GIVES BACK TO

THE WORLD

 

LIL

SCRAPPY TALKS ABOUT GETTING STABBED?

 

KILLER MIKE ADDRESSES

ALLHIPHOP AND IC’ers LIKE BOSS UP

 

I see you Boss Up! Getting a shout out! Illseed

is a Killer Mike fan.

 

 

 

THE JIM JONES MOVIE TRAILER

 

 

PEACE, 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

DMX Appears In Court; Due Back October 7

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

Embattled rapper DMX appeared in a Phoenix courtroom today (September 29) over a bench warrant for missing his last court appearance.

 

The rapper, who was in court for less than two minutes, appeared fidgety as he stood before the judge, who ordered him back in court on October 7 for a status conference.

 

The rapper was originally due in court on September 23, but missed the date, after he was hospitalized in at a Florida hospital for symptoms associated with a stroke.

 

DMX is charged with four counts of drug paraphernalia and one count of marijuana possession. He also faces a felony theft charge and animal cruelty charges.

 

“I said it before and I’ll say it again, this guy is treating our legal system like a revolving door,” said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in a statement. “This is an outrage. Is it because of his notoriety that he is continuously released by the courts? It is about time the revolving door stop and the cell door close.”

 

DMX is being held on a $25,000 cash only bond.

Travis Barker, DJ AM Released From Hospital

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

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker is making his way back to the West Coast this afternoon (September 29), following his release from the Augusta, Georgia burn unit, where he has been receiving care for the last nine days.

 

According to Joseph M. Still Burn Center spokesperson Beth Frits, Barker was released around 10am Monday morning.

 

He reportedly boarded a California-bound bus with ex-wife Shanna Moakler, who has been by his side for the last week.

 

Barker’s release comes three days after his friend Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein was released from the same facility and returned home to Los Angeles by plane.

 

Barker and Goldstein, who were touring and performing as TRVSDJ-AM, were the only two to survive a September 19 plane crash which left four others dead.

 

Following a free concert in Columbia, SC on that fateful Friday night, Barker and Goldstein boarded a Learjet 60 at Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

 

The plane crashed on takeoff at approximately 11:53 pm, killing two passengers and pilots Sarah Lemmon, 31, and 52-year-old James Bland.

 

Among the two passengers killed was Barker’s assistant and close friend 29-year-old Chris Baker.

 

Both survivors, who suffered second- and third-degree burns, are expected to make a full recovery.

 

However, doctors estimate that recovery to be lengthy.