“Throw Them Staxxx”
homepage
TECH REVIEW: Ion Portable USB Turntable & Vinyl Archiver
Get your wax into the digital world.Yes vinyl lovers, the 12 isnt dead just yet. But the MP3 juggernaut is undeniableask iTunes making that cash, and the majors bleeding it while they try to catch up.However, one need not exist with the other and with IONs iPTUSB turntable in your possession you can take those rare records with you on the go, without the backpain. The iPT is exactly what it says on the box, a portable turntable pluggable into any computer with a USB and in turn also a vinyl archiver that allows you to digitize your music into MP3 form.The actual turntable is functional and gets the job done. Basically built out of plastic its not super rugged but its small size makes it portable enough to take on record digging missions (it can run on six (6) D batteries, word to Radio Raheem). Since the turntable can be used for self if a computer isnt in your budget it features knobs for pitch, tone and audio (read: volume). The built in speaker leaves much to be desired but it has headphone inputs and can easily be connected to whatever your current audio set up may be via RCA inputs. Of course, the platter can rotate at 33, 45 and even 78. The hardware is accompanied by a few key software programs, EZ Vinyl Converter for PC users and EZ Audio Converter for Mac users and Audacity for either platform [Ed. Note: these programs were tested on a MacBook after having issues on an iMac]. EZ Converter is geared to the layman and it pretty straightforward. Simply install the software from the included disc, start the program and it walks you through the process.
Here is a vinyl rip of underground NYC group (circa ’95) Ten Thieves banger It Dont Matter. Havent been able to find a MP3 of it though the quality is just okay.
It Dont Matter – Ten ThievesOnce you have uploaded the song, EZ Audio Converter imports the file to your iTunes with the click of an icon. The interface is bare bones so if you’re looking to tweak your songs by removing popping sounds, static, etc., then you can use Audacity to do so. It would be the best way to clean up your tunes as you get ready to flip samples, if you have a production jones.As a standalone player we paired linked the turntable with a pair of these Alesis M1Active 320 monitors (left, MSRP $200 but you can cop them for half of that) for a thumping combination. These relatively small but effective speakers plug right into your computer’s USB port to help you realize what your MP3 stash is supposed to sound like. At the price (MSRP $130 but you can find it online for about $100, probably less if you’re savvy) the ION iPTUSB turntable is a pretty good deal with plenty of bang for your buck.
Maino Ft. T.I., Swizz Beatz, Plies, Jadakiss and Fabolous
“Hi Hater Remix”
Vlad TV: Maino Pt. 2
“Shoot Outs”
Mariah Attempts to Block Memoir from Alleged Lover
Superstar songstress Mariah Carey has sent a cease-and-desist order to famed music producer and former confidant Damion Damizza Young, attempting to block the release of his tell-all memoir Guilty By Association.
As a producer, Young helped craft Careys award-winning singles I Still Believe, Irresistible, and Crybaby.
Young also worked behind the scenes on Careys post-Glitter comeback and her signature Super Bowl performance after 9/11.
In radio, Youngs work orchestrated LAs Power 106s growth into one of the nations biggest Hip-Hop stations.
With the book, he alleges that he had an intimate four year relationship with Carey that both parties diligently worked to keep hidden from the press.
Young also illuminates how Dr. Dre recorded Eminems breakout single My Name Is and requested his advice on how to break the white boy.
Despite this and entire chapters dedicated to his dealings with Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Eminem, Ludacris and others, Young is not concerned about destroying industry connections he spent years building.
Its been and continues to be a mind-blowing journey, Young tells AllHipHop.com. I really felt the fans deserved to hear some of my first-hand accounts of how some of their favorite records came to be. Besides, its been awhile since my mailbox has been filled with cease-and-desist orders.
Guilty By Association will also contain extensive information on Nas, Quincy Jones, Suge Knight, Janet Jackson, 50 Cent, Prince, Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., and others.
Currently, the book is being completed with best-selling author J. Marshall Craig.
At press time, Mariah Carey could not be reached for comment.
Ryan Leslie: Diamond in the Rough
Perhaps the resume of a music hopeful praying for superstardom in 2008 should detail how well they can multitask. Within the past several years, while witnessing the large scale success stories of singer/songwriter/producers like Ne-Yo and singer/songwriters like Amy Winehouse, it would seem that multitasking is the music business newest craze. Before the end of 2008, music fans will see releases from songwriters Keri Hilson and Sean Garrett. Not to be outdone by his multitasking counterparts, singer /songwriter /producer Ryan Leslie is gearing up for his feverishly anticipated self-titled debut album. Ryan Leslie is all business when the cameras roll on the set of his music video. With his large lens designer shades and black bomber jacket which compliments his small frame, he looks every bit the star many think he is destined to be. Finally someone yells Lunch break! Suddenly video models and crew from the video scramble to go get food and a little bit of rest before they begin shooting again in approximately 45 mins. Then from across the set, escorted by only his publicist, Ryan walks over and extends a friendly hand. Hey, Whats going on, Im Ryan Leslie. He says.Ryans path to the music industry is much different than most. At the mere age of 15, Ryan scored a 1600 on his SATs and was accepted to Harvard University where he would graduate with honors. I think its definitely important for artists to educate themselves, explains the Harvard Alum. If they just want to stick to the creative side, they need to make sure they have a team of folks that are savvy, forward thinking, and understanding of the landscape of the industry. The most clear, definitive difference between me and any other producer turned artist is I have been on this album and continue to be self contained, Leslie explains about what distinguishes him from the onslaught of multi-taskers slated to hit record shelves. Ryan utilized several major recording studios during his work on the album, but much of the work was done at his studio in his Harlem brownstone.
This album was written, arranged, produced, and performed by me. It speaks to a variety of personal experiences. Thats why my album is self titled Ryan Leslie because it really is all me.
“Addiction” is Ryans single currently heating up the airwaves, which features Fabolous and his protégé Cassie. The song actually started off about the obsessive relationship I have with music. Leslie says of his current hit. And the biggest record that I had [Cassies “Me & U”] was a record where [Cassie] was singing music that I had written and I thought it was only right for us to have another collaboration in the market place.”I am someone that is in relentless pursuit of creating the best content that I can,” Leslie says of his drive. He continues, I definitely believe that with this album I am standing at the doorway of opportunity to really do something great and offer something that is going to be impactful and offer something of value to the music landscape. My aspiration is to one day be mentioned in the same breath as those who came before me and paved the way. Ryan mentions as he ponders his future, I also would hope that I can be an example of someone that really pursued the idea of the American Dream, being that I was able to make my passion my profession.”
Hip-Hop Rumors: Mariah To Sue Rap Producer? Mya & Maino? Shawty Lo & TI End Beef!
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!
ALICIA KEYS GIVES SWIZZIE A BIRTHDAY PARTY?
KRS-One said it, Manhattan keeps on making it. That line has nothing to do with Alicia and Swizz, but since she is from Hells Kitchen I tried. Nevertheless, something was sent from TheYBF and it goes a lil something like this:
And the Mashonda/Swizz Beatz/Alicia Keys love triangle saga continues. Very credible sources inside Alicias camp (on the personal management side) have dished to TheYBF.com that Alicia Keys threw a party last night at the NYs Guggenheim Museum. And it was far from a Welcome Back To The States party for herself. She threw this party for Swizz Beatzs birthday! Swizz brought his entire family (mom and co.) along to celebrate. But it was supposed to be top secret that it was Alicia who actually threw this party for him. We cross checked the facts about this party with a member of Alicias street teamsince she used them to pub this party to certain people. And it indeed checks out.
They also say that J-Lo and Marc Anthony were incensed that the party was disrespectful to Mashonda. Swizz and M havent formally separated or started divorce proceeding yet. AND they have reportedly moved in with each other. Love (and lust) is strong!
KANYE AND ALEXIS LINK
I dont know if you all know, but Kanye West popped up at a G.O.O.D. Music event in NYC. But the funny thing is not him getting on stage with Cons to the Quence and GLC, but rather the fact that he showed up with his ex-fiancée Alexis. Now, I aint implying that they were getting back to their soon-to-be married ways. Im just implying that they were seen hand in hand at the joint.
Check out the pic!
SOLANGE GETS HER DIVA ON
Rumor has it, Solange got into a lil hissy fit at a Las Vegas news station. Why? She was hosting an event down at Prive nightclub the other night. Well when she gets there, somebody in her crew sees the news company that didnt diss her on the radio. Remember that? When she was interviewed by a Fox news affiliate somebody off-air referenced Jay-Z and then Solange responded on-air, in a messy tirade. Well the same Fox crew showed up to this club that Solange is hosting. She allegedly refused to host the event or do the red carpet until they were removed from the red carpet, according to tmz. The problem is, I heard she missed out on other outlets that were there in an effort to get rid of the Fox people.
MARIAH GETTING HER SUE ON!
Do you guys remember music producer Damion “Damizza” Young? I sure do! A ways back he was making big time power moves in the rap game as a producers and eventually executive. Well, dude has a new book coming out called “Guilty By Association.” From what I know to be actual and factual, Mariah Carey, by way of her lawyer, is attempting to block the release of the book with a cease and desist notice! Apparently, Damizza has done some work as a producer for Mariah and in the book, he plans to talk about it. I THINK Mariah has contractual provisions preventing anybody that works with her to talk about her personally or even professionally. That rules out a book by Nick Cannon, eh?
This is what I think may have prompted Mariahs people to fire that letter off:
While entire chapters are dedicated to Dre, Snoop, Mariah, Warren G., Eminem, Ludacris and Jay-Z, readers will be hard pressed to come up with a famous name that does not play at least a passing role in “Guilty By Association.” Axl Rose, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Quincy Jones, Paris Hilton, Prince, Tobey McGuire, Tony Bennett, Hulk Hogan, Michael and Janet Jackson, Tommy Lee & Pamela Anderson, David Lee Roth, Harry Belafonte, Puffy, Jermaine Dupri, Nas, The Game, 50 Cent, Suge Knight, Tupac, Biggie the list literally goes on for pages a manic trip that finally pulls over at the side of the road for a little “breather” at the Betty Ford Center.
Here is Damizza, Mariah and Al Gore!
Anyway, more on this should be in the news section.
BOOTZ IS PREGGERS!
Larrissa aka Bootz is pregnant. Check out what she released on her myspace page.
LARISSA`S ANNOUNCEMENT!
HEY EVERYONE SORRY I HAVE BEEN AWAY FOR SO LONG, BUT NOT WITHOUT GREAT NEWS! I KNOW A LOT OF YOU ARE WONDERING WHATS BEEN GOING ON WITH ME ! WELL, I AM EXPECTING MY FIRST CHILD AND I AM VERY EXCITED! WITH MY NEW CHILD DUE MARCH 28TH 2009 COMES CHANGE, AND I AM READY FOR THIS EXPERIENCE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH!
Flav you are NOT THE FATHER!
SEPT. 11 WHO SHOULD PROTECT US?
I find it interesting that certain people in this world ahem anybody affiliated with GW Bush take credit for protecting anybody in the aftermath of September 11. Now, we can get into a whole talk about it being an inside job or whatever, but thats not what I am talking about. How clear is it that they are presently being driven on fear? If you werent able to stop the September 11 attacks how can you try to get credit to protect people in the future. I am talking about the average American mind that allows this argument to me pounded into their head. Rudy Giuliani and Bush are always trying to take credit or something. Bush and many others should have been fired for allowing it to happen on their watch. You cant get Americans to think like that though. I dont know if what I just wrote made any sense, but vote for Obama. Ill slap fire outta Rudy.
JOHN MCCAIN BITES SOME LYRICS FROM BUSH & OBAMA
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
Hey, T.I. has a thing for turning electronic club songs into Hip-Hop bangers. Click here to find out what clubby joint turned into “Live Ya Life” with Rihanna.
Check out this. I might have made a mistake. Deelishis is just engaged. There is still hope for her and The Game.
I think I heard Beyonce compared her success to Barack Obama in that she hopes her success opens doors for African Americas to prosper in show business. This would be funny has hell if we can get direct quote.
Singer Eric Benet years after the fact claims that he was never a sex addict. He just agreed to therapy to save his marriage to Halle Berry. Somehow, the sex addict angle was a better look.
I didnt know this, but Toni Braxton is going to be on Dancing With The Stars. Shes got heart problems and has expressed some concerns for her health.
It has been rumored that, in an effort to help Obama, Benzino has started a sticker campaign saying, Palin Is A S### Monkey
MAINO AND MYA REALLY? Whew. Catching wind that Mya and Maino might be a couple now. That would be a devastating to my ears.
China Arnold microwaved her baby, according to the State, and now she has received life in jail for it. You might remember her from my signs the world is coming to an end.
Im hearing Floyd Mayweather is being sued by a Florida developer because the retired boxer backed out of the purchase an $8 million piece of property.
Shout out to Young Jeezy! “The Recession” his No. 1 this week pushing about 260,000 units.
RANDOM QUOTES
Will Smith was ordered to take a break from movies and now Jada is expressing some regrets.
“It’s been tricky. We just moved into the new house not too long ago and he’s basically knocking walls down, he’s digging up stuff. He’s beating it to death… I told him, ‘Going back to work after Thanksgiving may be a good idea.
Chris Brown disses Jordin Sparks [OK!]:
“I heard that [she has a crush on me], but when we did that video, I didn’t feel that chemistry. I didn’t feel that. When they yell action, you have to put on a certain performance, but as far as off-camera: there’s no connection.”
I wish Andre 3000 would at least try to save Hip-Hop [mtv]:
Man, I really appreciate that people appreciate what I do, but I don’t like that type of pressure. I hate it, to be honest. … I cannot save no whole rap game. I mean, the rap game has to save itself. Everybody’s saving it. People like Lil Wayne is saving it. He’s bringing energy to it. You cannot put that all on one man, especially me. I write a verse every year. You can’t do me like that.
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END
How messed up is it for a kid to have to be the adult for a parent that doesnt know how to grow up? Sadly, an 11-year-old boy had to snitch on his mother after she tried to drive drunk with him in the car. His mother was trying to make him breath into her interlock, a device that measures her alcohol level prior to driving. The boys mother was already arrested twice this year alone and he was forced to rat her out with a well-placed call to 911. She was trying to drive him drunk to his school.
911 Operator: And she was drinking last night?
Child: What ?
911 Operator: She was drinking last night?
Child: Yeah, I think. She was gone for a while
The mother has been arrested already and the boy is now placed in protective custody aka PC aka Punk City!
SHELZ: 187 ON AN UNDERCOVER RUMOR
Russell Crowe Stands Up for His BFF.
The good folk down in Australia are still saying, “HEEEEELL No!” to Snoop Dogg bringing all them drugs and hoes and such to their country. Well actually he just wants to bring a tour through there, but I’m assuming that’s what they think he’s going to have in tow. So his buddy Russell Crowe decided he had enough pull to appeal to the Crocodile Dundee’s level-headed sides so they would allow his bud access to the land down under. He wrote a letter to someone. Who? I dunno.
“I submit to you that Snoop Dogg poses no threat to Australia or to any individual in this country,” Crowe wrote.”He has toured here three times before without incident and there are no reasons to assume this tour will be anything but the positive experience the last three have been.”
What’s funny is Snoop failed Australia’s character assessment test. Since when did you need good character to travel? And is Russell Crowe the person you want on your side when attempting to plead this particular case?
Jet-Gate Continues
So Dids the Waxmiester fessed up, kind of.
Well, Diddy Blog 18 refutes all this and shows him standing on the tarmac next to a very large jet. Is it his? Only time and someone with way too much time on their hands will tell.
Queen Pen Wants to Hoochie Coochie with Plies?
That’s what she told the ladies at Lip Service in between telling them about doing the hoochie coochie with other chicks. As entertaining as the conversation was, I’m really thinking TMI. Instead of telling us, tell Plies and then get a room. Is this like a discount Khia-Wayne situation evolving?
T.I. & SHAWTY LO: More BFF’s?
T.I and Shawty Lo have squashed their beef according to The Chronicle and homey said he got that from Lo’s mouth. Say what you want, I ain’t never mad about a lil less beef. He predicted both he and T.I. would be doing big things in the near future. I wonder if he meant together. And I wonder if this is one of those one sided squashes. Guess we will have to wait to hear what T.I. has to say about this.
On the 20th September, Shawty is taking part in a diabetes walk, which raises money for the American Diabetes Association
Flying flag at half mast….. Shelz
LADY DRAMA JUMPS ON – CLOSES THE SHOW
Ciara is Mad at Vibe…
According to the streets singer Ciara is p##### off at the current Vibe cover which showcases her in the nude. A source of mine tells me that Ciara may take the mag to court because of alteration of photos which give the illusion that she is naked. Ciara says that the photo’s were airbrushed and she did indeed have some type of clothing on! Not for nothing but it must not have been too much clothing cause aint that much airbrushing in the world. Then again looking at J Huds promo pics… anything’s possible 😉 I’ll keep you all posted on this as more info surfaces!
Superhead is Bitter as a mothaf*&ka… Puts ex fiancee Darius(AKA Eddie Winslow) On Blast
Damn… more inspiration for book number 3! Carry on!
Hey Shelz, here is Diddy talking about Jet Ownership!
Lady Drama’s Food For Thought:
Kanye and his Ex Alexis were spotted at a Fashion week event…. Could his Heartbreak have made a switch to a Love Lockdown before the album even drops? If so that would be a good look for him 😉
Is it me or is any dude who tries something with Superhead setting them self up for failure! You’d be better off f**kin the National Enquirer, at least they stroke your ego first!
Wow I’m on the subject of Superhead, I guess Bow Wow got some common sense and stuck with A. Simmons, finally he makes a smart career move, I’m impressed!
Am I the only one having a hard time making it through the week! Friday seems like an eternity and it’s just Thursday! Not cool 🙁
That’s it folks Go Hard or Go Home!
MATT DAMON DISSES PALIN
How crazy is it that nobody cares about McCain now! America is all about Sarah Palin, the next president of the Divided States of America!
IT’S SO COLD IN THE A
LMAO! check out this video, where the dude mislabled his video in order to get people to watch. So, what he did is, he titled this video, “lil wayne hidden cam getting head by rocsi from 106 and park” and he tricks people. On top of that, he dissed Rocsi! Anyway, the super green screen is in full effect, G!
HUMPTY HUMP 2008
Check out what Shock G is up to these days!
YESTERDAY, 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
Diddy Responds To Mounting Jet Controversy
Rap mogul Sean Diddy Combs has issued a statement regarding the recent web controversy created by a Palm Beach Post article about the ownership of the private jet he uses.In a tongue-in-cheek YouTube post labeled as an extra to his now famous Diddy Blog, the producer-turned-reality TV star poked fun at the maelstrom.For the record, here is the truth: my jet is listed under the name Ciroc Obama, Combs dead-panned. And I do not own the whole jet, I only own a wing. I could not afford the whole jet. [But] its my wing! I worked hard for that wing!The statement comes two days after an article in the Palm Beach Post reported the results of an investigation into an August post in which Diddy announced to fans that he was returning to commercial flying,because gas prices are too motherf*****g high.The announcement was prefaced by Diddy explaining that recent cross-continental flights were costing him over $200,000 roundtrip due to the rising cost of gas.A thorough review of federal records shows that no plane in this country is registered to a Sean Combs or any of the part-time Miami Beach residents numerous companies, the Post article said.Writer Jose Lambiet even dispelled Diddys price estimate, quoting a private aviation spy who placed the cost of an East-to-West Coast trip closer to $100,000.Obviously taking the scrutiny in stride, Diddy left viewers of the post with one final piece of advice, leaving the impression that he doesnt intend on explaining the purported discrepancy any further.
THE DAY REPORT: The Misconceptions Of Rap As A BUSINESS
What is it about the rap music industry that makes people standing on the sidelines assume they understand how it works? Does it look easy from the outside looking in? Are folks so blinded by watching BET and reading a couple of rap magazines that they actually think they understand the ins and outs enough to pursue this s### as a career?
I agree that its easier to get into this industry than it is to play professional ball, or be a rocket scientist for NASA (all that pesky schooling), or to be a brain surgeon (again, more years of schooling and actual experience operating on brains). But its not so easy that someone can wake up tomorrow fresh off a job at Burger King, and say I want to be a rap star, or my personal favorite: I am going to manage my boy Bo-Bos rap career.
If it was as easy as going to Kinkos and pressing up some business cards, dont you think EVERYONE would be doing that? Oh wait! They are!!
One of the saddest days of my life was the day I realized that Hip-Hop was no longer a culture, no longer a lifestyle choice, but a business. And a very big business it was. People from outside of the culture were co-opting it and making money from it. I knew that this also meant that the day it no longer was profitable, theyd move on like the fair weather friends they were (were almost there, by the way). Lyor Cohen wasnt tagging subway cars, and his pants werent sagging, but his decisions controlled the movement of rap music far more than anyone whose pants did sag. There was a trade off though. For the first time in my lifetime, I was able to see young people of color get good paying jobs in the music business. Some even had perceived power. I was able to see artists make money for themselves and feed their families and create their own companies based on their level of fame. And this was a good thing. This was the 90s.
Then 2000 hit and reality shows were everywhere. Billionaire heiresses became famous for doing nothing but sleeping around and getting high or drunk. The behavior of an Old Dirty Bastard type of character was no longer seen as bizarre or pushing the envelope. Hell, Flavor Flav had his own TV show doing that s### in his sleep!
But somehow the mindset was born in all of this that getting into the music industry is easy. No training, no experience, no relationships .just POOF! Im a manager! Or POOF! I own a record label. Artists seemingly believe it comes down to getting discovered by someone at a record label, but in the 16 years that I have been doing this, I cant think of one scenario where that was the case. Who is telling these kids from OH and TX and Cali that they can just mail in a demo to a major record label in NYC and they will get offered a deal? That has NEVER, EVER, EVER happened!! The labels dont even listen to unsolicited material. They send it back unopened. Theres even a question in my mind if most of the A and Rs have the time to listen to the stuff they request
I get hundreds of emails from wanna-be artists each week asking me to get them a record deal. They have no idea what they are asking me, and they have no idea why they are asking me, but somehow I am a perceived gatekeeper stopping or allowing them to live their dreams. A dream they made no effort to research or learn about. I also get a ton of emails from people complaining that their city has more talent than Atlanta, or Miami, or Houston, or Dallas, or whatever city is the flavor of the minute in the music industry. The PERCEPTION is that the labels get together and decide which city or town will be next, and then they all go there. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Sorry to laugh, but that is so funny to me. These industry folks cant even decide which artist on their own rosters to put out next and here are these kids in, say, Buffalo NY thinking they are getting passed over for their only shot at music success.
The reason certain cities develop their own industry is out of frustration. When enough talent in one place (artists, producers, DJs, etc)Atlanta, for example, gets frustrated enough to say F### the industry! and start doing things on their own separate from the industry, and when they begin to make a little noise on their own, the industry comes running to see whats going on. If the industry feels they can make money off of a new movement, they arrive in droves to co-opt that movement, signing anyone they can get their hands on at the price they are willing to spend. If they dont think it will lead to massive national sales, they leave as quickly as they came (see the Hyphy Movement in the Bay Area for proof of this phenomenon).
Rap music is a business. It stopped being just an artform, very sadly, in the 90s. The view of the music industry “putting on forgotten cities” is very wrong. An artist, or a city, has to create its own movement to attract the industry. IF the established industry thinks it can pimp it and make some money, its a done deal.
Being a non-sports person, I am going to try to make a basketball analogy, so bear with me. I went to a Knick’s game in NYC a few years ago. In watching the team play (not so well), I decided that I could do that better than anyone on that team could. I had always loved basketball, so I went home and practiced for years. Every waking moment, I practiced. But the Knicks never called me to come play with them. I live in Atlanta, where I think very few ball players are from (it doesnt matter if there are a lot of ball players from here or not, no one I know is getting put on by the NBA). We have a ton of talented ball players here just in my neighborhood aloneyet, the Knicks never called me. I practiced every day and knew I was better than anyone on that whole team. I wrote letter after letter to the Knicks telling them to come to Atlanta and watch players play ball, especially me. I even offered to fly some team scouts in at my own expense. No one came. Looks like Atlanta is just a forgotten city in basketball because they didnt come when I called.
Finally, out of annoyance, I went back to a Knicks game, and when the ball came out of bounds over near where I was sitting, I got out of my floor seats and threw the ball and scored a basketall net! A very impressive shot. When folks came over to me, I explained that I was a great player and deserved to be on the Knicks. But they laughed at me and were angry that I interrupted the game.
What did I do wrong? Why didn’t they sign me up on the spot? Was it because I didn’t take the time to learn the BUSINESS of basketball? It was my favorite sport, but once it left the b-ball courts in my town, it became a business when the Knicks name was attached to it. I didn’t follow protocol–learning the sport, playing through school, playing through college and standing out, and getting drafted to a team (one in a million shot). I just assumed it was about throwing the ball through the hoop because of my love of the sport. And I assumed if they saw me do it well, that was all that mattered.
Realizing this is a half-assed analogy, I hope you understand what I am trying to say. If you want to do this for a living, learn the rules and protocol. It’s NOT just about grabbing a mic or about a scout from a label stumbling into any city outside of NYC to discover talent and putting your city on the map. That couldn’t be farther from reality…. And how sad is it that we all understand how the business of basketball works, but we think we can mail a demo to someone at a record label and become the next major superstar!!
Baby Bash Schedules Persian Gulf Tour for U.S. Troops
Houston rapper Baby Bash has confirmed plans to launch his first tour of the Persian Gulf in support of U.S. troops fighting overseas.
The trip was brainstormed as a follow-up to the song As Days Go By, featured on Bashs latest album Cyclone.
The track revolves around heartfelt letters to loved ones from husbands, wives, brothers, and sisters fighting in foreign lands.
According to Bash, the song was inspired after meeting numerous fans with family members on tours of duty.
Ive always been a big supporter of our nations military and the work they do, Bash explained to AllHipHop.com. Traveling to the Persian Gulf on a USO tour to spend time with the troops and entertain them is like a dream come true. Im going to give them shows they will never forget.
Accompanying the Houston native on tour will be Power 106 radio hosts Big Boy and E-Man as part a planned Armed Forces Entertainment tour.
He said a fresh Marine battalion and an Army combat brigade would go to Afghanistan by January, in response to soaring attacks by Islamist militants nearly seven years after the al Qaeda-backed Taliban were ousted.
Since making his national debut in 2003, Baby Bash has recorded four studio albums and collaborated with Carlos Santana, Akon, Lil Jon, Jennifer Lopez, and Avant.
Baby Bashs latest singles feature Keith Sweat (Dont Stop) and Sean Kingston (What Is It).
His biggest hit, the T-Pain assisted Cyclone, has registered over one million downloads.
When Crying Racism Goes Horribly Wrong
As Black people in America, we have an obligation not only to those who have sacrificed before us, but to those who come after us to both honor what was given up and to provide more to those who are next.
As we evolve and progress in this country we come to a very interesting point in our history as the past few years have offered evidence both to the affirmative and negative of whether racism still exists. As Barack Obama stands with a legitimate chance to become President of the United States, we commemorate the 3 year anniversary of katrina, and the federal government’s lack of response.
As citizens who have been treated as second class for so long, and often seeing a different America than the one broadcast around the world, we take different stances on how we view this nation. Some see America as a nation rife with hypocrisy, where you can pay taxes and work as hard as you can and still get harassed by police, live in violence plagued neighborhoods, and earn less for the same jobs while having less opportunity than our White counterparts.
Others see the glass as half full. They recognize the gains that Blacks have made in the 43 or so years since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (the true end of slavery and admission to majority citizenship). They acknowledge the gains of People like Dick Parsons and Kenneth Chenault, Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice, not as token examples of appeasement, but as monumental, legitimate blows to a white washed establishment.
What short circuits both of these views, and to an extent even any common ground is the search for racism in everything. Like the boy who cried wolf, the repeated cries numb people to reacting when it actually does exist.
As it pertains to Saturday’s editorial, I disagree with its basic premise. I don’t believe that the Republican party is anymore racist than the rest of society and the Democratic Party in particular. Depending on your perspective, which is more humane: being fed daily at someone else’s discretion, or being taught to cook with brutal efficiency, learn or lose? There are people who would line up on either side depending on their temperment. What if they decide they don’t want to feed you anymore and decide to feed someone else? Conversely what if you aren’t fast enough to learn to cook the way it’s beind taught? Both valid retorts to the above stances.
This November you will have a choice in the most pivotal election in your lives. This isn’t a vote or die commercial. I’m not on anyone’s payroll. But it is important that you look at the issues as they pertain to your families and your children and you vote for the candidate whose platform more closely services your concerns. John McCain is a war hero. So is Jose who just spent two tours of duty in Iraq while his children grow up with an absentee father and his wife is home alone. That doesn’t qualify you necessarily to be president. Learn to see through that.
Conversely, just because you deliver a speech better than 99% of the people who ever walked the face of the Earth, that doesn’t necessarily qualify you either. You can move men to ill as easily as for good, so the charisma and leadership presence by itself doesn’t make you the right choice either.
This isn’t about a finding Black Messiah. It’s about your home. This weekend news came out that the federal government is taking control of Fannie Mae and Freedie Mac. Those aren’t farmers, they are who control most of the mortgage paper out there. So not only are you paying for the earlier bailout, you can tack on probably another $25-$50 Billion once we find out how much bad paper they are actually holding. So far, neither of the candidates has said anything about how they are going to deal with this.
The U.S. is no longer able to be an isolated economy so you as workers and especially your children will be competing in a global marketpalce with people who work longer hours without health insurance or unions bolstering their pay rates. We got robots and unfortunately illegals are being exploited, so the opportunity for you to make money doing menial jobs is decreasing by the second. Who is going to better prepare your children to make anough to feed their families?
There is a school voucher debate going on with both candidates taking positions on the issue but they aren’t really talking about it in the press. Hopefully during the debates they will shed some light on their stances and you as a citizen will be able to make an informed observation. Will they open up opportunity for porrer families to participate in private schools, or will it behave like college where the private institution hike the tuition as the government subsidies rise? If you have school-age children then that’s an important issue as your children have to be armed properly in order to compete in a global marketplace.
In conclusion, do yourselves and America a great service. Tune out the Barack Muslim talk. Tune out the Palin five kids talk. Tune out the McCain old man talk. If you buy into that, then the mythical “they” have you right where “they” want you. And “They” only care about green. Not the save the environment kind of green either. Really look at the issues at hand and vote. Protect your interests. Protect your families. Protect America. Vote on the issues. No matter who that person you select is.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Young Jeezy Says “F**k DJ Drama,” but WHY?
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.
YOUNG JEEZY SAYS F**K DJ DRAMA? BUT WHY?I thought DJ Drama was cool with everybody! I mean, he has those Gangsta Grillz thingys and he went against the Feds and stuff right? I dont know, but something happened. Check out the video compliments of OnSmash. I made the world trap or die f**k DJ Drama! he yells. What happened? Illseed Note: How many flavors can a car be? In some raps, Jeezys car has Jello insides and the other ones have peanut butter flavoring. I think Jeezy secretly wants to eat. You see he lost a lot of weight.
DJ DRAMAS ARTIST SPEAKS! I dont know how Gillie The Kid feels about this, but Willie The Kid is the rapper down with DJ Drama. He recently talked to AHH about when they got raided and even that little beef with Lil Wayne. Click here to read it and hear his music. Willie The Kid: The raid happened January 16, 07. My album wasnt supposed to come out in until after Drams album dropped. They took my album in the raid; they took the hard drive with all of the masters. They tore this whole studio and made holes in the walls and ceilings. They were looking for guns and drugs, so they went extra hard. They set us back, shredded our s**t to shambles. But we rebuilt everything, new furniture, TV, equipment, new cars, new moneyeverything is new. We put my album back together, put Drams album back together, and were working on LAs album. Were stronger than ever. Oh and Im out like shout ooh-ah, ooh-ah. There it is baby paw YESTERDAY, 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
Russell Crowe Offers To Back Snoop Over Visa Issue
Snoop Doggs visa clearance battle with Australian officials has drawn the attention of Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe, who is urging his native country to lift their temporary ban on the rap star.
In late August, Snoop was denied a visa to launch an October tour with Ice Cube. Representatives for the Australian government justified their stance by explaining theyve received complaints from residents who are wary of Snoops previous criminal history.
In 2007, Snoop was also denied a visa request from the country.
Russell Crowe, in a letter to Australias Minister of Immigration, recently implored his country to revisit their decision.
I have known Snoop Dogg for 3 years [he] poses no threat to Australia or to any individual in this country; he has toured here three times before without incident and there are no reasons to assume this tour will be anything but the positive experience the last three have been, Crowe detailed. Snoop has built a stellar reputation with promoters and audiences worldwide.
Seeking to illuminate the man behind the music, Crowe also reviewed Snoops community service activities through his youth football team.
Snoop has used his celebrity in many positive ways. I would like to bring to your attention a very significant contribution he has made in the City of Los Angeles where he started and continues to operate a Youth Football League for 8 to 10 year olds, put in place so that disadvantaged kids could take part in organized team sports, Crowe continued. It has been very successful, even to the point it has been examined by the NFL as they look to replicate the enthusiasm and engagement that kids have with this program.
At press time, the Australian government is reconsidering their decision to grant the visa and allow the tour.
Promoters for the tour have confirmed the scheduled dates and will move forward unless notified otherwise.
As a compromise, officials may still mandate that Snoop receive mandatory counseling on how to conduct himself in the country.
Wu Music Group Signs Global Digital Distribution Deal
De-facto Wu Tang Clan leader the RZA has announced today (September 10) a partnership with global digital music group The Orchard, which will market Wus extensive catalogue worldwide in digital and physical formats.
The deal encompasses new material and 13 previous Clan releases that have been unavailable digitally from the Wu Tang Clan, Killarmy, Wu-Syndicate, Shyheim, U-God, Black Knights, and West Coast Killa Beez.
With operations in 27 countries, The Orchard is one of the worlds largest music distribution organizations.
Globally the company disseminates over 1.3 million songs and over 5,000 video titles through hundreds of digital stores such as iTunes, eMusic, Google, Netflix, and V CAST.
RZA, aka The Abbott, explained that the pact was a natural progression necessary to ensure that fans will have continued access to Wus catalogue in the ever-changing music industry.
The time is right to bring some older material to the masses digitally, RZA told AllHipHop.com. Our fans have been dedicated and patient, and theyre hungry to hear the music that has set us apart from so many others. Hip-hop is alive in Wu Music, and with The Orchard, weve got a solid partner that understands our audience and is committed to doing all they can to help us reach the fans. Im definitely looking forward to working with them to see what else we all come up with. Theres much more to come.
Also launching is the online video channel Wu Music Tube, a forum focused on allowing the artists to speak directly with their fans.
In the ensuing months, Wus music and video catalogue will also be featured by various brands and ad agencies in marketing and promotion programs around the world.
Wu Music Groups catalogue will be available worldwide for downloads on September 23.
DJ Khaled Ft. The Game
“Game”
Alternative Pick: Raphael Saadiq Ft. Jay-Z
“Oh Girl Remix”
Big Boi Ft. Backbone
“Dubbz”
Ya Boy Ft. Young Jeezy and Lil Scrappy
“Milked Remix”
Nicki Minaj and Gucci Mane
“Slumber Party”
Seven Ft. Spider Loc and L.V.
“The End of Summer”