“The End of Summer”
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Willie The Kid: Raps New Royalty
Aphilliates Music Groups flagship artist, Willie The Kid is far from another run of the mill artist that is rapping as an alternative to say a street hustle or deflated hoop dreams. Since the first grade Willie has been exercising his penchant for writing and rhyming, performing at school talent shows and writing movie scripts. After gaining acceptance to Clark-Atlanta University, he departed from his crime-laden hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, known by most residents as Gun Rule. At Clark he linked with DJ Don Cannon and DJ Drama and accelerated the relentless pursuit of his lifelong goalbecoming the future of the rap game. Soon after, he appeared on all of Don Cannons mixtapes, as well as DJ Dramas, and continues to make appearances on all of the acclaimed duos releases. But for those whove developed the misconception that the Picasso painting MC got a free ride under the armpits of Cannon and Drama, theyre sadly mistaken. Although its taken a little time to reach the top of the ladder, including a minor setback caused by a F.B.I. raid of the AMG offices in January 2007, the Crown Prince remains extremely content about building his castle using one grain of sand at a time. Dropping Absolute Greatness on September 30, pay attention now.AllHipHop.com: Whats been good with you Willie?Willie The Kid: As you know I’m signed with DJs Drama, Cannon and Sense’s label Aphilliates Music Group (AMG) which my brother LA The Darkman is President of. Since Dram released Gangsta Grillz in November, we’ve hit everywhere from Connecticut, Hawaii, Jamaica, Toronto, Amsterdam, Tokyo and everywhere in between. I’m dropping a mixtape September 30, on Asylum Records as a pre-album. I’m really excited about it. It’s called Absolute Greatness. We’re gonna be shooting the video for the first single called “Love For Money” towards the end of September. The single features Trey Songz, La The Darkman, Gucci Mane, Yung Joc and Bun B. Right now, I’m trying to be the best artist I can be. AllHipHop.com: Whats been going on besides the music?Willie The Kid: Im trying to focus beyond all of the cliché rapper s**t in the bag. Ive been writing movie scripts since I was a little kid. I got about three of those done right now. We have a clothing line, some reality show offers, but I dont think about that. Thats what all the rappers do. Weve been doing all of that. I took fashion design in high school. Ive been drawing and designing.
Thang Back – Willie The KidAllHipHop.com: Youve been referring to yourself as the Crown Prince for a while now. How did that moniker come about?Willie The Kid: Ive always been like royalty, with my family in Atlanta, my family in The Ru [Grand Rapids, Michigan]. Everywhere I go, thats the role I always play. Ive always been more like a prince, and not at all a court jester. A lot n***as screaming that prince s**t now, so Im about to let it go though. They can have it. AllHipHop.com: Whats the difference between living in Grand Rapids and Atlanta?Willie The Kid: I love The Rule. Its home, but its totally different. In The Rule there arent that many opportunities there. You can be rapping all you want and it doesnt really mean anything. The exposure to the mainstream is far and few in between. When I came to Atlanta it was becoming a hub for music. If I was still at home Id be the nicest n***a in the hood. Its like being an And 1 n***a. I would just be a hood celebrity. Im gonna be that regardless.
Driven – Willie The KidAllHipHop.com: A lot of industry notables have been referring to you in extremely high regard. Late last year I interviewed another Grand Rapids, Michigan Native, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., for Allhiphop.com. He said that if he had to name one of the nicest rappers in the game that it had to be you. How do you feel about that?Willie The Kid: Floyd is my cousin through marriage. His family and mine have been linked together since I was a baby. I knew Floyd knew about my music, but I didnt expect him to go to the mainstream and talk about it. That was a good look! Actually, I didnt expect a co-sign from him. It feels good when somebody of his status does that. I dont think hes saying it because hes family. I believe hes honestly paying homage to whats obvious. AllHipHop.com: What role did your brother LA The Darkman play in your career? Willie The Kid: Hes been my manager for life, even beyond music. He started working on his album, Heist Of The Century, in 96 and released it in 98. He sold nearly 300,000 copies independently. He was rolling with Wu-Tang. I was observing and consuming the inner-workings of all of that stuff back then. My s**t goes back further than the Gangsta Grillz mixtapes. Its similar to being raised in the dojo, so dont be surprised if I got a black belt.
AllHipHop.com: What was your experience like at Clark-Atlanta University?Willie The Kid: I got a degree in Mass Communications. I did most of my pre-courses in high school, so by the time I got to college I was almost done. I only had to do two years. The people I met there made it more valuable than anything. Had I not been there I wouldnt have met Don Cannon and Drama. Thats who I came into the game with. We used to rap in Dons closet and Drams bathroom. We used a sock as a mic filter and had a [Boss] BR-8 4-track boardno Pro Tools. I used carry the crates for Cannon and Dram because I was underage and I needed to get in the club early to avoid getting hassled at the door. As you can see weve been grinding together for a minute!DJ Drama ft. Nelly, T.I., Diddy, Yung Joc, Willie the Kid, Young Jeezy & Twista “5000 Ones” VideoWe used to rap in [Don Cannon’s] closet and [Dramas] bathroom. We used a sock as a mic filter and had a [Boss] BR-8 4-track boardno Pro Tools. I used carry the crates for Cannon and Dram because I was underage and I needed to get in the club early to avoid getting hassled.
AllHipHop.com: Not too long ago, there was a little back and forth on wax between you and Lil Wayne. Whats that really about?Willie The Kid: That s**t aint nothing! It has to do with the situation that happened when Dram got raided. There was a lot of tension in the air. I aint the type of n***a that feels like he has to go the beef route to make a name for his self. I aint on it like that. I was in the studio making my record and I said what I said, and I meant what I said. That wasnt a plan for me to market myself or create an on-going beef with Lil Wayne. I see them n***as all the timeno real beef! If it is real beef, holla at me when you see me–and thats just that.
AllHipHop.com: Speaking of the raid, did that have anything to do with your album getting pushed back? 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. AllHipHop.com: How do you feel about the approach that you guys are taking in getting you out there? Willie The Kid: Ill tell you one thing, and Im proud of this–Im building my s**t thoroughly from the ground up. I dont want to make one big Hip-Hop cross over song and be here today and gone tomorrow. People are fickle. They love you today and hate you tomorrow, forget about who you were the next day. It may take longer, but itll be much stronger. Like the story with the twigs, the sticks and the bricks. When the n***a came to blow the cribs down,the n***a with the bricks didnt get touched and he was still standing. Anybody who said they heard Willie The Kid and La The Darkman loves us. Were happy that were taking the careful, strategic route.Im building my s**t thoroughly from the ground up. I dont want to make one big Hip-Hop cross over song and be here today and gone tomorrow.
Vlad TV: Maino Pt. 1
“Family Life”
Diva Speak TV: Episode 26
Amanda Diva speaks on Sarah Palin and Kwame Kilpatrick
Wyclef Jean Launches Haiti Storm Relief Fund
Rapper/producer Wyclef Jean is making moves to provide much needed resources for those affected by severe storms that have battered his native Haiti.
The former Fugees member has launched Haiti Storm Relief Fund, an effort designed to provide food, water, purification tablets, tents, blankets, medical supplies and hygiene kits to storm victims.
Jeans Yele Haiti organization is also stepping up to assist the effort while working closely with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The foundation, which incorporates projects that are designed to impact education, health, environment and community development, is also in consultation with the Haitian government’s emergency management authorities.
Jeans passion for helping Haiti goes deeper than short-term relief, according to the entertainer.
“My country is facing a serious catastrophe at the moment and we urgently require assistance,” said Jean, who also serves as a Haitian goodwill ambassador. “But the long-term catastrophe is that we have less than two percent tree cover, and without restoring our forests we will always be susceptible to mudslides and flash floods from storms and hurricanes.”
Efforts by Jean to aid Haiti come in response to Haitian President Rene Prevals appeal to the international community for help as he labeled the countrys situation a “catastrophe”.
In recent weeks, storms in Haiti have battered the country, leaving more than 500 people dead.
The devastation has affected more than 600,000 people who have been displaced by flooding or cut off from food supplies.
In addition to providing supplies and resources, the Haiti Storm Relief fund will provide funds to a number of nonprofit organizations that are working on the ground to respond to the emergency.
The Fund and Yele Haiti are among various projects Jean has taken part in to provide relief for Haitians.
In May, the rapper publicly launched Together for Haiti, a partnership with PADF and WFP in cooperation with Yele Haiti that was created as a response to the countrys food shortages and rioting.
Donations to help storm victims can be made online at www.yele.org.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Kanye’s X-mas Gift! Uncle Luke Kicks Some A$$! Solange’s Reality Show!
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!
KANYE’S GOT A RELEASE DATE
Kanye is coming to town like Santa Claus, according to Amazon. The Chi-towner has already blessed us with “Love Lockdown” drops on the 16th of December- just in time for the holiday. As I told you before, Kanye is expected to use the vocoder/voice box thingy on the whole CD. I heard that several people attempted to talke Ye out of doing this move with the vocoder, but he was dead set on it. The crazy thing is, if anybody other than T-Pain can pull this off, its Kanye.
I’m with ya, homey!
CONGRATS USHER!
Usher is officially all in! As we have rumored, Usher is going to be a second-time papa! Ursh and his lovely wife Tomeka are going to be expecting the new kid soon. I heard soon is this year, possibly in December. People Magazine made the confirmation after Tomeka was spotted wearing a belly-disguising outfit during Ushers Sept. 4 NFL kick-off concert in New York. They said the dress was a good one and they werent sure, but when she stood up it was easier to realize that she was indeed with child.
GILLIE SLAPPING PEOPLE UP?
Ill tell you! I want rappers to stop putting their hands on people! In Philly there is a crew or something called Heavy Spitters. I heard for some reason, Gillie The Kid slapped somebody from Heavy Spitters! Why would he do that? I dont even know. All I really know is I like Heavy Spitters because they blessed me with the 47 year old rapper a ways back. See him below!
More on this as I get intel.
SALT-N-PEPA IS BEEFIN?
Could there be beef within Salt n Pepas beautiful ranks? It seems possible. As you know, Pepa has a new book out there and its a nice insight into S-N-Ps rise from her perspective. Anyway, I heard that some of the things that she wrote might not have gone over well with Salt. I havent read it all, but I heard that some stuff may be causing friction. I havent really heard anything about Pep disparaging Salt at all. I dont know. I also heard they got a deal to perform in Japan, but arent bringing Spinderella! I mean, this doesnt affect me at all, but if they do a show in Philly or Delaware, they best not come without Spin!
WOE IS ME HOW CAN REV. WRIGHT BE SO WRONG?
This mans mark in history is SO IN STONE. I cannot wait to see how history teaches this one in a few years. Here is the latest on Rev. Wright, who suddenly pops up in the media at the most inopportune time. Apparently, Reverend Jeremiah was having sex with a married woman from his former church. Rev apparently has/had an intimate relationship with 37-year-old Elizabeth Payne. She claims the affair led to get her fired from her job at the church. To be fair, sources from the church say she was fired, because she lied and embellished her resume. On top of this, I heard that Wright scooped his last wife from a dude that sought marital counseling in the 1980s. WOW. I know God dont like ugly, but this is crazy.
WTF? MICHAEL JACKSONS USED UNDERWEAR FOR SALE!?
Somebody has completely lost all his marbles. Michael Jackson used to wear a pair of size-28 Calvin Klein white cotton briefs aka DRAWLS. Well, these are the same damn underwear that MiJack was wearing when he got busted for molesting children. Santa Barbara DA Tom Sneddon was going super hard at Mike and got a judge to give him permission to get a pair of DRAWLS for DNA purposes. IF it was for that, why are these damn undies on EBAY? SIGH. I mean, whats going on, people? On top of ot all, they are selling for a starting bid of $1 million. The DRAWLS are still in the evidence bag and everything. If soiled MiJack panties dont excite you, they are also selling a used tube of skin-bleaching cream and the letter Mike wrote to Lisa Marie Presley detailing why he wants a marriage annulment.
TREY SONGZ IS GETTING MARRIED?
From MiJacks annulment letter to Trey Songz reported marriage? They are saying Trey is trying to get married to his Ethiopian girlfriend, Helen. I was reading Sandra Rose and she revealed that Trey is fully ready to lock it down. Helen is reportedly one of Treys dancers that eventually got the deluxe treatment. Trey said that Omarion introduced him to his gal:
Well, Ill say he introduced us. From there, we went on that first tour together. I was on the Holiday Jam Scream Tour. She was on it too. We aint never really get a chance to kick it. Shed see me and shed just kind of brush me off, but Id be trying to holler at her. Shed see me with all different kinds of chicks and she wasnt really feeling that.
Marriage is the new single life.
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
Canadian rapper Drake, aka Aubrey Graham, is not only a gifted artist, but he is also an actor on a Canadian show called “Degrassi The Next Generation.” Lets just say his rap talents are probably going to take him farther. I can’t knock his hustle…he’s gettin’ that young money!
During the VMAs, Yung Berg was and he was chillin in a backpack wearing all black. And then there was Trick Trick…being devious with his own daughter!!!! They gonna force Yung’s darker twin brother to hurt somebody.
Somebody told me they saw Tommy Davidson and he was allegedly acting like somebody that could be using cocaine.
Check out John McCain get Barack-Rolld LMAO!
Morgan Freeman might be getting divorced, but I hear he is out and about getting his swerve on!
Deelishis is now a married woman! Her hubby is businessman Orlando Gordon! The story was broken by S2S magazine.
I forgot to mention, Akon is off the hook. Another video of that rumored fan-punching has come out and Akon can be seen hugging the woman in apology.
Beyonces bodyguard allegedly choked the fire out of a guy that got to close to the star during fashion week in NYC. He must have had too much Red Bull. I want to see Beyonce choke somebody!
Allen Iverson is reportedly trying to sell his house. I hope he has luck in this economic mess!!!!
Shout out to Kevin Powell. He didn’t defeat 74-year-old Edolphus Towns, but he did Hip-Hop PROUD! We can DO whatever we put our minds to.
Question: Where the hell is MC Ren?
LL COOL J’S LAST ALBUM!!!
“Ladies Love Cool James” recently checked in with my homegirl Kendra G and her fam DJ Touchtone on 100.3 The Beat (Philly) and confirmed what most of us already knew. The G.O.A.T. told the crew that his latest CD “Exit 13” will be his last CD with Def Jam. LL was the first artist to drop an album on Def Jam. Boy, has it been an incredible ride. Watch the video to see what LL has planned next.
AND FREEWAY’S LAST IS HERE TOO
When you think about Def Jam, you don’t normally think about Freeway in the same manner you think of LL. But Free has been on the brand for some time and he’s repped well over the years. Now, I heard he has been let go or dropped from Def Jam. Like Joe Budden and Peedi Crakk, I don’t necessarily see this as a bad thing. Good luck and maybe 50 Cent is still interested.
SHELZ’S ARBITRARY MOMENTS
Randomness
Uncle Luke doesn’t like Charles Hamilton, a rapper from NYC. Luke says he’s gonna kick CH’s a$$. Check out the video below.
With Kanye’s surprise album, we have some good music coming, but hopefully by the time it drops, he will have stopped dressing like one of the Children of the Corn.
The Other One aka Solange Knowles may be getting her own reality show. Why not? Everybody else has one.
Just in case you didn’t catch it on ESPN, the Nashville police found Vince Young. If you didn’t know he was missing, don’t worry about it. He didn’t know he was missing either.
Lata Folks ..
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END
That Sarah Palin is so hot. She is so hot they are calling her a V.P.I.L.F., not even a M.I.L.F. or a G.I.L.F. Guess what? The inevitable happened. A p#### company is now looking for Palin look-a-likes so they can make a skin flick of the vice-president aspirant. Here is the data:
Sarah Palin Look alike (Atlanta)
Date: 2008-09-01, 3:14PM EDT
We need Sarah Palin look alike for adult themed video production.
* Location: Atlanta
* Compensation: Per episode basis
* This is a contract job.
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
The saddest thing is that the idiots just outweigh the intelligent people exponentially. Sorry, it just is. And some chicks legacy is about to be put in stone and I dont mean Palin herself. Sadder still, its a per episode taping so the lucky p### babe might not even get a shot at the sequel.
TYGA STANS REJOICE- HE DID OR DID NOT GET JACKED!
It looks like he either did or didn’t get jacked at this point! But, there is a chain there that looks exactly like the one in the goons’ video. Tyga’s stans are fighting these jack allegations feverishly!
LADY DRAMA’S DONE STARTED SOMETHING
VH1 gets real Hip-Hop
In addition to Vh1’s hip-hop honors show the network will also be launching two other programs that chronicle key points in hip hop culture. According to billboard.biz VH1 will broadcast ‘100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs’ and ‘VH1 Rock Doc: NWA: The World’s Most Dangerous Group’. ‘100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs’ is a five-part series which will count down some of the best Hip-Hop songs of all-time and provide commentary and stories behind the songs. It will also feature original interviews and archived performances from artists such as Public Enemy, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa and more.
‘VH1 Rock Doc: NWA: The World’s Most Dangerous Group’ will take a look at the history of NWA. and will feature appearances and interviews with such names as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, DJ Yella, along with Eazy-E’s widow Tomica-Woods Wright and more.
I’m really feeling VH1 and their programming, I feel like they are setting the tone for music channels to actually focus on music and not over rated reality series which have no substance what so ever! My DVR will be set when both programs premiere September 29 at 10 pm and October 3 at 11 pm respectively.
Stop Frontin… Diddy Never Owned a Private Jet?
Look don’t look at me all sideways, a Palm Beach Post down in South Florida says Diddy never owned, or has owned a private jet. I know, I know ya’ll don’t believe me well read for yourself:
A thorough review of federal records shows that no plane in this country is registered to a Sean Combs or any of the trend-setter’s numerous companies, including clothier Sean John and his music company, Bad Boy Entertainment.
One private aviation source scoffed: “It’s my jet this, my jet that, he’s just pretending. I have list of every plane with the name of the owner, and he’s not on it.” When contacted about his fib, Diddy’s people issued some bullsh*t ass statement.
But Puff’s publicist says that the mogul is a fractional owner under NetJets which damn near is like owning a jet. But according to NETJets.com ‘Fractional owners pay for a limited number of flight hours on any company jet.” Which says absolutely nothing about owning the jet. Now this all wouldn’t be so bad if Puff didn’t put out youtube vids complaining about taking HIS private jet and what not 😉 Not for nothing but his math was a bit off flying back and forth to LA twice would set him back $100,000 and not 250,000! Man these youtube vids are really showcasing peoples shortcomings huh?
Speaking of Diddy he’s looking for Sean John Employees….Here are the requirements for an open Design Management position in the menswear division of the clothing line. Submit your resumes at seanjohn.com under the careers section. Good luck and NO you don’t have to be on a reality show to get the job 😉
My Theme Song… Hi Hater Remix Maino feat. TI, Swizz Beatz, Plies, Fabolous, and Jadakiss
Lady Drama’s Food For Thought:
Kanyes new album is called 808’s and Heartbreaks… For a man who lost his mother and fiancee in the same year I think that title is more than appropriate and I’m sure the material will be just as good also! No worries folks!
Since we broke the Laurie Ann Busta Rhymes couple alert (before MTO I might add) who is a better look Delishiss or Laurie?
Whoever would buy Michael Jackson’s used drawers for 1 million on ebay is a _________?
Go hard or Go home folks 😉
PAC D##! TASTE
I like these dudes.
ILL PICS
I don’t think Ye looks like a child of the corn. Shame on you, Shelz! He’s a fashionisto! Still waiting for Pastelle.
This image is soooooooooo…classic.They actually make a nice couple. Maybe Bow Weezy is growing up. Wait, didn’t he just get bodied in Madden? Pink is bad. She’s such a bad girl. Come out and play! Serena looking good and rubbing her victory in the face of the whole city of New York.Shout out to Riverside! Bucket 26!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
Timbaland To Be Awarded By Trinity College in Dublin
Multi-platinum producer Timbaland has been chosen to receive the highest award bestowed by Ireland’s prestigious Trinity College Dublin.
This October, the Grammy Award winner will be inducted into the school’s Philosophical Society as an Honorary Patron.
Each year, the society chooses an elite group of individuals to carry on its time honored traditions, established more than three hundred years ago in 1684.
Those selected, usually politicians and scholars, are then invited to share their knowledge and expertise with Trinity College students.
“Timbaland is a remarkable individual whose contribution to music is simply astonishing,” said Philosophical Society president Barry Devlin. “He is the most sought after producer on the planet, and why wouldn’t he be. He has produced an impossibly large number of hits. It is a real honor for us to host such an accomplished musician. The [members of the] Society are very much looking forward to Timbaland’s arrival.”
Previous recipients of the Honorary Patronage Award include Bono, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, authors Salman Rushdie, Bram Stroker, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Becket.
Chamillionaire: Mixtape Messiah 4 (Mixtape Review)
Fresh of the hiatus he proclaimed hed take at the end of his sophomore album, Ultimate Victory, Houston hotshot Chamillionaire is back with part four of his acclaimed Mixtape Messiah series. While none of the projects have ever come close to matching the original Mixtape Messiah, this by far is a close second.Featuring guest appearances from southerners Slim Thug, Bun B, Killa Mike, The Freestyle King Lil Flip and others, the two disc Mixtape Messiah 4 provides a great combination of southern beats with poignant punch lines and lethal lyrics, displaying Chams wide range of musical abilities.
As a spin off from Chams Roll Call on Mixtape Messiah 2, where he imitated Houstons elite MCs, Roll Call Reloaded displays Chams diverse talent again mimicking some of raps biggest stars. Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Jim Jones, and even E-40 make guest appearances on the song. Not only does Cham sound like them, but also raps in the same patterns and talks about their same topics and ideas.
Do it for H-town featuring fellow Swisha House alum Slim Thug and Rap-a-Lots Trae is a syrupy-slowed track stating that no matter what the critics say about Houston falling off the rap game, Tha H has always only answered to itself and no one else. Slim Thug on Houston culture: We been sippin drank by the pint since way back/we been candy paint on them 4s since they made that/ Id rather flip a drop Lac before I flip a Maybach.One of the more clever tracks is Internet Nerd Revenge where he shouts out several online rap websites, including AllHipHop.com, as he pretends hes a 17-year-old (white) suburban teenager, spending all his time locked up in his room writing bad reviews on Chamillionaire.
Cham pokes fun at himself, noting some of the complaints and gripes that criticsand fanshave expressed. Lines such as, He dont rap about sippin syrup/he dont rap that Houston rap/if I ever saw him in person, hed be the rapper Id refuse to dap, and, Anyway, I heard a rumor he aint beefin what a lame/he didnt even dis 50 back when 50 Cent called out his name, shows that Cham does indeed keep his ears to the streets.
On the somber My Life, Slim Thugga returns with Trae again, rapping about the trials and tribulations of life, including the death of Texas Legend Pimp C. Last year was a hard one, but life goes on/thinkin bout my n***a Pimp while I write this song Dear Lord, I pray that you take away the pain/from their family and their friends, please help us change, Slim begs.The second disc is full of bonus tracks like Cadillac a distinctive Houston, car-themed song from Boss Hog Outlawz member Killa Kyleon, and 2 Real by Lil Flip in which he congratulates Cham in being a part of the platinum elite club while attempting to revitalize his national career. Killa Mikes Never has a guest spot on the mixtape, with Mike having a you never know attitude about life: A judge will give you time, youll never see the streets again/and even though you said youd never snitch on any friend/you aint never seen the walls of a fed pen/you aint never seen them Brotherhood of Arians/ so how tha f**k you say youd never snitch on any man?
This provides a deep, introspective track that lacks from much of the mixtape. And lastly, the standout 2 MPH featuring Bun B and Chamillionaires former best friend and partner, Paul Wall, is a cousin of the famous Still Tippin anthem that talks about ridin and drivin slow while bangin Screw through the streets of H-town.Mixtape Messiah 4 is full of witty punchlines and Chamillionaire getting back to his mixtape roots, because as he says, he left the mixtape game and no one grabbed it. However, in between the clever lyrics and him taking other rappers instrumentals and making them into songs that almost sound original, the baller rap can be overkill. Chams talk of how much money he has and where hes been and who he knows gets annoying quicklythe mixtape lacks an overall depth.And while Cham references his still newfound national and international fame, the long time Chamillionaire fan thats been down with him since his Swisha House days may be disappointed that his style and flow, and even subject matter is far apart from earlier in his career and his Color Changing Click era with Paul Wall.Mixtape Messiah 4 stands out and clearly displays Chams many talents, but lacks the meat and potatoes that you know Cham can give.
5ive L Continues Force MDs Legacy; Force MDs Documentary Planned
Drawing on the influence of legendary Hip-Hop and doo-wop group the Force MDs, New York-based collective 5ive L is determined to create its own legacy in music circles.
The new group already knows the benefits and good fortune the music industry can bring, as the offspring of Force MD members and brothers Stevie D Lundy and Antoine “T.C.D.” Lundy.
The 80s group, which cemented a place in music history with classic hits like “Tender Lover” and “Love is a House,” have influenced numerous entertainers, including Boys II Men, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh and Run DMC.
According to 5ive Ls manager Mickey Bentson, the union was made possible through the guidance of their uncle, Force MD member Rodney “Khalil” Lundy.
“The group is very much under pressure because the expectation of 5ive L is to uphold or surpass the legacy of the Force MDs,” said Bentson, who currently manages the Force Mds, as well as music veterans Grandmaster Mele Mel and Ice-T.
The name 5ive L comes from the apartment number the group was formed in, as well as their philosophy on life: Love, Loyalty, Life, Longevity, and Laughter.
“There are siblings that parents are in the entertainment biz and really dont have that entertainment in their body, Benston told AllHipHop.com. On the hand of 5ive L themselves, these kids really have that musical diversity. Music is in their genes. They grew up around the group the Force MDs and with entertainers and singers. And so the bloodline continues with 5ive L. If you dont believe it, challenge it or give us a call and you can see it and hear it.”
Before joining together as 5ive L, brothers Cush and T.C. Lundy and their cousins, Zieme Capers and Josh Lundy, found success individually while opening for various artists which include Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Bow Wow, Trey Songz, Common and Daddy Yankee.
Despite their solo success, 5ive L chose to combine their talents in an effort to garner greater musical success.
The group, which is working with Bentson’s Pay Up Management, Khalil Lundy and Rob Franklin’s Wisemen Entertainment and Rob Love Of Launch Pad, is carefully considering offers from several record labels.
“We are the next generation of musical diversity,” 5ive L group member Zieme Capers added. “We possess all the elements that the Force MDs possess in terms of being diversified with the music, impersonation, comedy, dancing and Hip-Hop.”
Obtaining longevity like the Force MDs has become a motivator for 5ive L to make their presence known among listeners, according to Bentson.
The Force MDs are currently working to bring their effect on the music industry to light via a new documentary tilted The Force M.Ds Relived.
According to Khalil Lundy, the film will chronicle the evolution of doo-wop and Hip-Hops merging together through the Force M.D.s.
Music heavyweights Mr. Magic, Kool DJ Red Alert, Kurtis Blow, Mele Mel, Tom Silverman, Doug E. Fresh and Biz Markie are among those featured in The Force M.Ds Relived which is slated to be released in the first quarter of 2009 on OVNTV.com.
3rd Annual We The People Fest Kicks Off in L.A.
One of Los Angeles premier gathering for socially conscious music and people commences on September 27, with the highly popular We the People Festival.
The forward-thinking event focuses on advocating non-partisan, non-violent, environmental, and politically conscious views as established through music and dialogue.
The festival began in Watts in 2006 as a small gathering to give community leaders and artists the opportunity to reach out to urban youth.
The following year the event swelled to over 4,000 attendees as positive word of mouth spread around the community.
This year, the We the People Festival expects close to 15,000 people to witness performances from DJ Premier, EPMD, RZA, Dilated Peoples, Barrington Levy, Fishbone, Tom Morello, Shavo Odadjian (System of a Down) and many others.
Guest speakers for the event include Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney, G.C.N. Network radio personality Jack Blood, and anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan.
Also on hand will be various community-centered non-profits such as Rock the Vote, the American Lung Association of California, and Self Help Graphics.
We the People Festival co-founder Orlando Padilla explained that his event will make attendees aware of community issues and give them the opportunity to connect with others seeking to make social change.
This festival stimulates social awareness by bringing together some of the worlds most fascinating thinkers, artists, and activists, Padilla told AllHipHop.com. They will all converge on one day for a common purpose: to express raw, uncensored social views that push the boundaries of the norm and encourage tangible results that will improve the quality of life to people around the world.
The Festival will be held at Los Angeles State Historic Park.
Tickets are available now through www.ticketmaster.com.
EXCLUSIVE: S.A.S. Breaks With Dipset; Replies To Juelz Incident
In the wake of a recent incident in their hometown of London, rap duo S.A.S. is severing ties with Juelz Santana, effectively ending their professional relationship with the Dip Set, which they left a year ago.
According to the group member Mayhem, the decision came after Juelz made statements on camera that implied that his former labelmates in the U.K. did not intervene on his behalf during a verbal confrontation with a British promoter last week, over a scheduled appearance that never took place.
While Juelz maintained in a recent statement that he was unaware of any unfulfilled London appearances, S.A.S. states that they advised him of an escalating situation in the UK as early as the winter 2006.
Shortly after we returned to the U.S., we got into a verbal and almost physical dispute with Juelz ex-manager Big Joe over money he [allegedly] stole from guys in our city, Mayhem explained in an exclusive statement to AllHipHop.com. Only then were the two shows and the £70,000 confiscated by Big Joe brought to Juelz attention and he was angry that he didnt know about it. But no one got the money back or tried to contact the promoters in the U.K. but us, with no call back.
As previously reported, the situation escalated on August 31, the day before Juelz was to close a two-week European tour in Wolverhampton, about two hours north of London.
S.A.S., who had performed with Juelz throughout the tour with stops in Amsterdam, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway, had not been booked for the last night, but met with Juelz at his hotel on the night in question.
As we were upstairs, I get a call saying that the promoters are downstairs in the lobby and they have 30-40 people surrounding the hotel, Mayhem told AllHipHop.com. So being it is our city, Mega and I went down by ourselves to settle and hopefully resolve the situation. The promoters were livid, saying they didnt wanna talk to us, only the Americans. I told them Juelz had no prior knowledge and that [the person with whom they had negotiated] wasnt his manager anymore, but all they wanted was to all come up in Juelz room and get the [money] back.
Following that exchange, Mayhem and Mega were able to convince the promoter to discuss the situation with a Dipset representative in private.
However, the two were unable to come to an agreement, and the promoter left irate.
Throughout the commotion, which culminated in hotel security calling the police, and Juelz being escorted out with his entourage several hours later, Mayhem says that he and his brother attempted to remain involved and provide any assistance necessary.
The last communication he had with Juelz and his camp was as the Skull Gang leader was leaving the hotel, when his brother Twin told that the situation was getting sorted out.
Juelz and his crew were then lead by a police convoy to another property, leaving S.A.S. at the site of the altercation.
We didnt hear anything from Juelz again till we seen the recent footage, Mayhem added. I dont know what happened after he left [be]cause we didnt know where he went in the first place. But any misunderstanding could have been handled on the phone. Weve known him for five years, lived in his house, and know his mother very well, so we didnt understand the subliminals on the footage.
S.A.S. was introduced to most American audiences in 2004, when they were signed to Roc-A-Fella Records and made honorary members of the Dipset crew.
Sighting a lack of support following the break-up of the Roc-A-Fella roster, S.A.S. has spent the last two years branding their London-based imprint, Eurogang.
Nucci Reyo Ft. Sam Scarfo, Big Lou, and Money Malc
“New Jersey Drive Pt. 1”
Jody Breeze Ft. Omega
“Lemme Hit It”
DJ Khaled: Global Grind
When you hear the ever animated DJ Khaled bellow out his signature catchphrase We the best! on his various hit records, youre not hearing an empty catchphrase, but the slogan by which the man exemplifies his career. Since 2006, Khaled has ridden the wave of his albums (Listennn…The Album, We The Best) and their various all-star posse-cut compilations (Holla at Me, Im So Hood, Out Here Grindin) from the DJ booth to fledgling boardroom executive. Now just a few short weeks away from the release of his third LP, We Global, Khaled explains the methods behind his planned worldwide takeover.AllHipHop.com Your new album We Global is scheduled to drop September 16. What direction were you looking to take on this album from your previous efforts?Khaled: The direction was just to go harder and bigger out here with these records. Out Here Grindin is another huge street anthem. I got the whole hood representing it. Im collaborating with the biggest hood stars and street artists in the game all on one record. Ive got Ricky Ross, Plies, Boosie, Akon, Ace Hood, and Trick Daddy. This is just straight out the projects! Thats what I rep.And the new single Go Hard features T-Pain and Kanye West. And that [one], I can retire after that! I got Game on the record, [and] Nas. I got everyone! So basically the direction is to go harderDJ Khaled f/ Akon, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Lil Boosie, Plies, Ace Hood, and Trick Daddy “Out Here Grindin'” VideoAllHipHop.com: Youve been with Koch Records releasing major albums since about 2006. Whats the biggest benefit of working with them as opposed to smaller or bigger labels?Khaled: With Koch theyre hungry and see my vision. And theres no hate, when I want to do something they say, Lets go. They work hard and are very hands on. And my work with them helped me get a huge label deal with Def Jam.AllHipHop.com: Of course Def Jam is a name thats synonymous with Hip-Hop, but many artists there have expressed discontent with the way their projects were handled. What made you feel comfortable partnering We the Best Music with them?Khaled: First of all Im a fan of Def Jam and its artists. I grew up listening to Run-DMC [Ed. Note: Run-DMC was on Profile, though managed by Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons] and LL Cool J. Now you have Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Rick Ross. Theres so many artists that theyve done well with, so to be under that umbrella is just a beautiful thing for my brand. LA Reid, I look up to him as a boss and somebody in the game that loves the music and the work. Signing my first artist Ace Hood was a true dream come true for me.AllHipHop.com: How did you hook up with Ace Hood and how has the creative process for his album been going?Khaled: We hooked up in Miami. He brought his music to the station while I was late on my way to work in the parking lot. I seen him and he looked like a star. So when I got his CD I told him and Ill call him later after Id listened to it. So after work I jumped in that Phantom and started bumping his music and I heard the hunger in his voice. So I called him and said, Yo, Im going to send you Im So Hood, lets see you rap over it. And he ripped it down.DJ Khaled f/ T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross & Plies “I’m So Hood” VideoAllHipHop.com: Now a lot of up and coming artists would love to work with you as well. For everyone out there, what would be the top three things from an aspiring artist that would catch your eye and make you want to sign them?Khaled: The style or swag, the presence when they walk in a room, and their hunger and work ethic.AllHipHop.com: Right now you have a winning formula with the posse cuts. So far, theyve pretty much been your lane exclusively for the last couple albums. As an artist do you subscribe to maintaining the formula as long as it works, or taking risks with your art?Khaled: My formula is my team. Youre always going to hear me do records with Ross, Ace Hood, Trick Daddy, Fat Joe, Akon, T-Pain, and Jeezy simply because Im a fan of them and so are you. We make great music. But youre also going to hear me do different things like Go Hard with T-Pain and Kanye.I believe in making hit records. And when Im in the studio Im on it and I feel these guys have to be on it. And by the way, everyone loves the same guys [artists] I like (laughs) as artists, no h###.Go Hard (Feat. Kanye West & T-Pain) – DJ KhaledAllHipHop.com: A lot of people were thrown off by the collaboration you have with Nas on the album (Im On). I know youve known him for a couple years through Fat Joe. Talk a little bit about how that project came about.Khaled: I called and told him I wanted to do a Hate Me Now but a little different. It was just time for us to do something. We always wanted to work together throughout the years. Somehow the record got leaked and it really p##### me off because I wanted it to be a surprise. Its a big record. Nas is spitting that fire; talking about drinking champagne out of a beer can. Hes going in. Its Nas! Hes a legend.AllHipHop.com: When youre in the studio with all these different artists, do you have to offer a lot of direction or does everything just flow when the beats come on?Khaled: I always come to them with the concept, beat, and chorus. And when Im in the studio I bring a certain energy and get the best out of all the artists. Theyll tell you themselves Im passionate about my music. I’m On – NasAllHipHop.com: Under your Beat Novacaine producer name you also have a lot of production credits. Every producer has their own habits and patterns, so is there anything in particular that you do when coming up with the arrangements and rhythms for your music?Khaled: When I make my own beats they be real cinematic and theatrical and hard. [But] when I get with other producers like The Runners or Danja I always give them passion and they deliver it to another level. So it really depends on what direction I want to go in at that time.AllHipHop.com: Being that youre a cornerstone of the Terror Squad, can we expect another album from you guys?Khaled: Joes working on a Terror Squad album now. You know, we make hits!AllHipHop.com: A lot has been made recently about the status the DJ has now in Hip-Hop. Some people say the DJ is dead while others say thats ridiculous and the DJ has more power now then theyve ever had. As someone whos made their name as a DJ, whats your opinion on that?Khaled: Everyone has an opinion but the DJ is definitely not dead, and Im living proof of that. The DJ is involved in a lot of different situations. A DJ can become an executive, promoter, program director, A&R, or producer. DJs are in the heart of the music.AllHipHop.com: As a producer and DJ youre really close to the music and can feel trends are theyre developing. Where do you see the culture going lyrically, production-wise, and business-wise?Khaled: Business-wise itll go even more independent because major labels want artists to be CEOs and do all the work. They piggyback off it and then put the steroids in you once youre hot. Lyrics will always be there. Thats why only certain people can be legends. Production-wise itll get crazier because sounds are changing every month and theres crazy talented producers out there. I love Drumma Boy, The Runners, Danja, Infamous, and J-Roc.AllHipHop.com: Lets have you weigh in on the ringtone vs. album debate. Youre an artist that sells well on both fronts. Do you feel the importance of ringtone sales have diminished the viability of albums, or do you think LPs are still relevant in todays market?Khaled: You got to remember if you have a big ringtone record you got a hit record and youre a hit artist. Are you a one hit wonder? It depends on that one artist. For me I make big ringtone records and record sales. The sales come when people buy into you and want to be a part of your career. A real fan is going to buy your record and support you.AllHipHop.com: Theres been a huge backlash against artists whose personas dont coincide with their backgrounds. Is this because fans themselves are getting too caught up in the images, or because artists arent making a clear distinction between their entertainment personas and their real lives?Khaled: The problem with the fans is that theres not enough time for artist development. Record companies arent doing it because they dont want to spend the money. Thats why as an artist you have to be the CEO and go hard and not get mad at the record company but work with the new system. And the new system is get yourself hot. Go out there and grind and make them want to help you. The name of the game is to be relevant. If you have a hot record and youre out there doing shows, going on TV, youre relevant so that means you can make another record. Theres plenty of artists that cant sell a lot of records but are millionaires because they do shows every single day and have a huge fanbase. Why they didnt sell records itll be a mystery but the next one might hit. Its just the game its a recession.AllHipHop.com: Watching you perform its obvious you really enjoy being an artist. Now that youre moving into the business side do you ever see yourself retiring from music like other artists have done, or do you see it always being a part of you?Khaled: I cant say that now but I definitely know Ill be going more into the business side because thats what I do. I am the brand and now I can spread it to Ace Hood and my other team members.
Immortal Technique Embarks on European Tour
American underground rap fixture Immortal Technique is taking his revolutionary style of Hip-Hop overseas as he gears up for an upcoming European tour.
The outing, which kicks off Sunday (Sept. 14) in Amsterdam , is in support of Immortal Techniques latest album The 3rd World.
In addition to showcasing his music, the rapper will utilize the tour to highlight local support in an effort to build strength in the Hip-Hop communities across Europe.
“Hip-Hop is not dead, it just lives under occupation,” said Immortal Technique, who will be joined on the tour by Viper Record label mates Diabolic and DJ GI Joe.
“But there is a guerrilla force out there fighting and it is not just rappers but the people who make up these communities and support real music, especially independent street music.”
Immortal Techniques European trek comes as the rapper recently finished a US national tour that included appearances on the Rock the Bells tour and performances at various sized venues in front of thousands.
Since its release on June 24, The 3rd World has moved more than 45,000 units independently.
The critically-acclaimed release features appearances from Chino XL, Crooked I and Ras Kass as well as production from DJ Green Lantern, Bronze Nazareth and Toure “Southpaw” Harris.
The following is a listing of Immortal Technique European tour dates, with more dates announced in the coming weeks.
The outing will precede an international tour schedule.
Sept. 14 Melkweg 1017 PH, Amsterdam Sept. 16 Vega – Copenhagen Sept. 17 Nosturi Helsinki, FIN Sept. 18 Stadtgarten Cologne, GER Sept. 20 Coronet Theatre London, UK Sept. 22 Arena Vienna, Austria Sept. 24 John Dee Oslo, Norway Sept. 25 Mejeret Lund, Sweden Sept. 26 Rote Fabrik Zurich, SWI Sept. 28 Andrew’s Lane Theatre Dublin 2, Ireland Sept. 29 TBA Belfast, Northern Ireland
BG and The Chopper City Boyz FT. Alfamega
“Keep It Real”
Chester French: WTF Do THEY Have To Do With Hip-Hop?
If people still went into stores and bought albums like we used to, more of us might notice a trend in modern music. Most stores divide their music into genres because, theoretically, its supposed to make it easier to find what youre looking for. When you want to find The Rolling Stones or Run-DMC or Miles Davis, this works just fine. But when you want to find many new artists, the system falls apart. The Goodie Mob albums would definitely be in Rap, but is that where the Cee-Lo solo albums should be too? What about Gnarls Barkley? Maybe that would be in Rock, but is Gnarls Barkley really a rock band? This fall, youll probably find Chester Frenchs Love the Future in the Rock or Pop section, but with an album full of songs that were assembled more like Hip-Hop records than anything else, those categorizations arent exactly accurate. When it was time for Harvard grads D.A. Wallach and Max Drummey to find a record deal with a major label, it was Kanye West, Jermaine Durpi and Pharrell Williams who came to them with offers, not Clive Davis and Simon Cowell. They all wanted the duo on their side, because they saw that Chester French had more in common with Outkast than Fall Out Boy, even if the songs didnt make it obvious. A lot Rock people havent been feeling us, but for the music thats come out over the last ten or fifteen years, weve liked a lot more Hip-Hop than we have rock. Were people thatve always loved and appreciated and respected Hip-Hop music so when Hip-Hop people like us, it makes sense to us. No, Chester French arent making rap songs or even trying to play rapper dress-up like Korn and Limp Bizkit; theyre just making the kind of music they want to make and it just so happens that listening to Hip-Hop helped them learn to do that. Really though, all this talk of categories and genres isnt important; Chester French doesnt care and theyd prefer if you didnt either. AllHipHop.com Alternatives: So you guys ended up getting signed before you graduated?DA: We got a bunch of offers before we graduated, but we didnt end up finishing our deal until the summer after senior year. We had already decided to sign with Pharrell at Interscope before we finished though.AHHA: What made you choose Star Trak over the other offers that you had?DA: We did a keg standoff and, Pharrell not so much, but Chad really made a strong showing, so it was a no-brainer. We got Chad up to like 4 minutes and 50 seconds and this guy was like, red in the face but he still had that champions spirit.AHHA: Have you been involved with in any design for the BBC/Ice Cream lines now that youre on Star Trak? It seemed like they started to incorporate some of the preppy imagery after you came on.DA: No, were not involved were trying to mix-up our style with some wild sh*t. We did like, one photo shoot where we were wearing button-down shirts because thats all we had. That ended up being the photo that got around so everyones like oh, those guys are so preppy, but we never meant to get in that box.AHHA: So theres probably no need for any New England Battle Royale with the guys from Vampire Weekend for control of the image DA: Nah the musics totally different, and I dont really know if theyre like, parodying that sort of thing, but at least for us when we were in school, we never fit into that too much. I mean, there are people at Harvard who are actually the embodiment of that lifestyle. They really do have a huge trust fund and their grandfather went to school there. We showed up at college like who are these guys? You imagine that as something you only see in movies, but then you get there and its actually in your face these people have garden parties. I didnt even know what a garden party was, but theres definitely some subtle erotic sh*t going on there
“The first time we met with Pharrell, he said something that always
stuck in my head, which was that music is music, people are people. You
dont want to be like ‘hey, were so eclectic’ and all that, but in my
head, thats just the most honest way to approach music. You dont want
to be thinking in any box, especially today when music and lifestyle
marketing is so integrated.”- D.A.
AHHA: What were your majors at Harvard?DA: I did African American studies.Max: I did Social Anthropology.AHHA: Did you actually intend to follow through with that then or were you just treading water until music worked out?Max: Its kinda hard to follow through on either of those things DA: We were just treading water. I dont think either of us intended to follow through on [our majors].AHHA: So why not major in music then?Max: Harvard had a terrible music program run by really ignorant people its a weird place.AHHA: You got to use the facilities to get your album done though, so it kinda worked out.Max: Yeah, at the end of the day, we definitely stole some stuff from Harvard.DA: The studio we had at school wasnt actually affiliated with the music program there. Thats sort of an independent student group that Max and I were actually kind running too. We were actually engineering there as commercial engineers so even when we were getting the record deal, we were still recording weird a cappella groups and viola players to pick up some cash on the side. It was good too because we were able to learn how to record all kinds of different music and instruments and all that knowledge ends up being a resource when youre working out your own project.AHHA: Who do you consider your major influences? I feel like theres some similarity to The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison or Scott Walker with the kind of wide, sweeping arrangements on Pop records Max: Its frustrating to like, pick one or two things to advertise that were really into because at the end of the day, we listen to all types of music from all times and all types of people. If we come out and say oh, we like this then people are gonna look for that in our music. Id rather they just hear what they hear and what they know in it.DA: The first time we met with Pharrell, he said something that always stuck in my head, which was that music is music, people are people. You dont want to be like hey, were so eclectic and all that, but in my head, thats just the most honest way to approach music. You dont want to be thinking in any box, especially today when music and lifestyle marketing is so integrated. People get into that Im a backpacker so I like this s### or Im a f**kin gangster so I like this sh*t or Im a punk rocker so I like this sh*t and its ridiculous. It has nothing to do with the way you dress or anything. People bug out like why are you hanging out with all these rappers because we dont dress like that or talk the same way, but we dont see ourselves that way and we dont see our fans that way. It would be nice if some of those boxes collapsed a little bit.AHHA: So as you start to play your first live shows, how are you able to translate those broad, complex songs into something you can play live?Max: All the songs in the first place just came from either a piano and vocal or guitar and vocal, so on a certain level, Im just sort of used to thinking about them in that way so theres an infinite number of ways to translate it. Were just keeping it a little bit leaner and a little bit harder hitting. It sounds kinda oxymoronic, but its almost more powerful the fewer things you have going on because each thing can be its own big, epic force. DA: Since we got singed without paying a show, I think a lot of people were worried like awww sh*t, we signed these guys but are they gonna suck live? Even Pharrell told us that wed need to use a backing track because wed miss all those little gizmos and sounds, but for us it was like f**k no, this is gonna be a live-ass show and we want to shake down these venues.AHHA: Thats where the Beach Boys comparison plays in. Pet Sounds and SMiLE are pretty universally considered to be classics, but there was a big concern as they were being recorded that theyd never be able to play the songs live. SMiLE literally ended up being delayed for almost 40 years DA: Well, like Max was saying, if youve got a song, youve got a melody, youve got some chords, then you can play it on just an acoustic guitar. A lot of that ended up being true for a lot of stuff on SMiLE too, and he does play it live now.Max: Hes got a ridiculous band in concert DA: But if youre on a studio making music and youre on a stage making music, its a totally different experience.AHHA: So how has your recent live performing informed what you do in the studio?Max: For me, its made me more confident to do less and make things simpler.DA: When you listen to Beatles records especially, the recordings are so phenomenal that its hard to compare to anything that we wanna do but… theyll have songs that have like, one instrument going on and its like how does this sound so big and fill up that space. When we were doing our record, we had limited resources so it was difficult to think how we were gonna make one piano or one guitar hold its ground and stand up by itself, but now that we see how to do it live and let the music breathe, it opens up a lot of possibilities.
“People get into that Im a backpacker so I like this s### or Im a
f**kin gangster so I like this sh*t or Im a punk rocker so I like
this sh*t and its ridiculous. It has nothing to do with the way you
dress or anything.” – D.A.
AHHA: The lack of resources when recording the first album forced you to be inventive, so now that youve got a lot more money and equipment to work with, so you worry that itll tamper with your creativity?Max: The record were gonna put out is the record we made in school, just the two of us in the basement. From here on out in the studio, were just gonna keep the process the same because we like it. Well use whatever resources are available and just do whatever occurs to us. We made our record for $2000 dollars, but we never felt limited with what we were doing. DA: But now, we have some freedom where if we really wanted to do something in the vein of a song we heard and we really couldnt figure it out, we could actually call somewhere and say, How did you do that? Thats part of whats so wonderful of having Pharrell and them at our disposal, because there would be times when we were trying to say, copy something wed heard on Neptunes records in the past and we would have to read an interview in Remix and try to replicate a production technique. AHHA: If were being honest here, Star Trak has been known to have a somewhat sporadic release schedule. How are you making sure that the record comes out on time? Max: Were gonna leak it if they dont put it out. I cant speak for DA, but I will DA: For right now, the plan is for them to put it out in September. I dont see why that wouldnt happen.AHHA: And its called Love the Future?DA: Well see thats the tentative title. It might be an eleventh hour decision. It comes from [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-il. His father was [previous leader] Kim Il-sung and that was the motto of his revolutionary movement. It was just an interesting historical fact that that had been his motto because the future was so incredibly bleak for them but it obviously mobilized a lot of people. The musical landscape may be irretrievably lost but were gonna try to present ourselves with some integrity and do it the way people we admire have done it.
Hip-Hop Rumors: 50 Cent To Self Destruct? Beyonce Links With ‘Ye? Who Is Getting Help Writing?
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!
50 CENT RUMORS THE OBSESSION
You know, I try to give you the 50 Cent rumors until you are disgusted. Well here are some that may or may not turn your stomach.
I heard Jadakiss will be on the next CD by 50, Before I Self-Destruct.
I also heard there is the possibility of the album including Maino, Juelz Santana, plies and a longshot that Lil’ Wayne will be on there. I cannot say for sure, but there may be some sort of tie in with Lil Wayne’s lust to work with Eminem.
There maybe some commercial aspects to this new album, but don’t expect anything like the Justin Timberlake collaborations. There might be one or two commercial songs.
From a producer perspective, please I heard we’ll hear the beats of Sha Money XL, Timbaland, Swizzie and some others. I heard all the beats are in place.
I heard there are some straight-to-dvd movies coming out soon, with people like Terrence Howard and other Black actors. Rumor has it, Val Kilmer might appear in one of them. You might remember, that’s one of 50’s new best buds.
You might have already heard this, but 50 is also working with AFRICAN BILLIONARE PATRICE MOTSEPE on his new jewelry line. Sheeeeet!
I also heard some of the lesser known G-Unit rappers will continue to snatch chains from popular rappers.
KIM OSORIO GOES IN DIRTY LAUNDRY STYLE!
AHHs Kathy chatted with Kim Osorio, the former editor-in-chief of The Source magazine. Oh what an interview it was. Here are some excerpts, but you need to read the whole thing.
[50 Cent] should stick to beefing with rappers… Leave little ol me alone.
I just got to a point where I was like, Okay they want another Eminem hate story, lets do it. I didnt want to deal with the backlash of even saying anything positive about Eminem, because we all knew you would get fired [if you did].
I saw so many different representations of women in the earlier years of Hip-Hop. Nowadays, you dont see as much when it comes to women. You are really just given this image of a woman of a video vixen and thats all you see. That one type of woman in Hip-Hop.
My decision to write this book was something that I knew I needed to do to grow out of what I did. Obviously my story took a turn and it became something different, but there was always that story Hip-Hop from a womans point of view.
BEYONCE AND KANYE CLEANING UP
WOW. Kanye, Jay-Z and Beyonce are not letting anybody eat, eh? I mean, they are going to take this 4th quarter OUT. I heard Beyonce is about to start shooting a pair of videos for her outing this year. Guess what else? I heard Kanye might be on her first single. I also heard Pharrell will be on the other, but I personally dont know that I believe that one. Anyway, they have this year on lock. I am hearing Kanyes new single is going to be on iTunes soon as well.
DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR TO YOU?
This is Drake and hes a rapper from Canada. Listen to this rap and tell me does it sound familiar? (more later down the page)
JAY-Z FAN GOES CRAZY ON OASIS’ NOEL G!
If you missed his yesterday, here it is again.
GINUWINE SUED!
I don’t know why people go all crazy suing people they know have no real bread. All you do is end up being mad that you put all that money into a lawyer that cant get water from a rock. The point? Ginuwine, the singer that is still happily married to Sole, is being sued for $6 million by his former manager, producer and songwriting partner. I don’t know dudes name, but he claims he’s been owed since 1997, in Manhattan Court. Ginuwine, wherever you may be stay there. This will blow over like a drizzle. Now if you pop up, its going to be like Katrina.DO REMEMBER ME!
TYGA NOT JACKED
Well, after doing some research and talking to a few people, it appears that homeboy Tyga wasnt actually jacked for his chain. What seems to have happened is that some dudes that really arent too busy got a chain that looked similar to Tygas. Basically they had the same look and the same letters G-E-D. The only thing is there is a distinct separation between the E and the D on Tygas chain, but the wanna be jackers chain had no gap. Im not going to take a gang of time putting images in to prove it. Weve wasted enough time on this one.
DAME DASHS WOES CONTINUE
Man, I cant believe some chicks. They say there are no good men and yet they keep the good ones from their kids. Now, I dont know what kind of dad Dame Dash REALLY is, but I do know that he has been publicly trying to get back with his son. According to recent reports, he charges that his son Boogies mother is holding him hostage from daddy. I dont feel his pain, since I dont have any seeds but I get it! In the interest of being fair, Linda Williams, the mother of Boogie, has been complaining about Dame for a long, long time. I guess she denied Dame any visitation as a weapon. Anyway, Dame wants to get the courts to order her to bring him in. this is so sad. A child should never be denied just because the parents cannot get along.
RHIANNA SWAGGER JACKED FEFE DOBSON?
One of my great readers told me that FeFe Dobson was the one that was graciously jacked by Rihanna. I brushed it off, because it was very apparent that RiRi borrowed from the 80s divas. A lot of people dont even know who this FeFe is. I mean, I was just saying that she wasnt relevant to be jacked for her swagger. Boy was I wrong! It would seem the FeFe could have been the inspiration for the whole rocker/bad girl chick look. FeFe even has the star tats that go behind the ear. RiRi was definitely late with that. So, FeFe decides to pop up and upstage my rumor the day I put it up. Not to mention she had was looks like a l#### make out session with Christina Milian. They were at a VMA party and were all hugged up, kissing on each other and walking hand in hand. FeFe is BACK. Now, we just gotta work on Christina and we GOOD.
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
Shout out to the SEA Awards. AllHipHop.com is nominated for a couple of prestigious honors. Click here to vote for us and all the other superior talents.
Gary Coleman is going to be sharing a cell with Bubba if he doesn’t get it together. The short actor reportedly hit a man with his after a fan refused to let him be about a dag-on autograph.
See why I do rumors and not gossip? Travis of GCH is actually dating Katy Perry (from “I Kissed A Girl” fame). Patty Crash or somebody that posts for her blogged that she is cool with Travis, but a music thing.
From what I hear, Ludacris has a new song called “Undisputed” that features Floyd Mayweather. I am not sure if Money is rapping though.
Darius Eddie Winslow MCray got on the radio and spoke out on Superhead. Click here to listen.
SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END
The signs are all around us, but this one is the craziest. Peep the report from CNN:
Deep underground on the border between France and Switzerland, the world’s largest particle accelerator complex will explore the world on smaller scales than any human invention has explored before. The collider’s ALICE experiment will look at how the universe formed by analyzing particle collisions.
It sounds sort of cool, right? Wrong! Here is the other part, later in the story.
Some have expressed fears that the project could lead to the Earth’s demise — something scientists say will not happen. Still, skeptics have filed suit to try to stop the project.
Fears have emerged that the collider could produce black holes that could suck up anything around them — including the whole Earth. Such fears prompted legal actions in the U.S. and Europe to halt the operation of the Large Hadron Collider, alleging safety concerns regarding black holes and other phenomena that could theoretically emerge.
Although physicists acknowledge that the collider could, in theory, create small black holes, they say they do not pose any risk.
If the Earth gets yanked into a Black Hole, I am SUING these bastards! Damn scientists always trying to explain something only God can put together. This thing costs billions and billions of dollars and they arent going to come up with anything, but perhaps something they make up.
I AM MALCOLM X
I wish Malcolm X was alive! Why couldnt Malcolm and Martin be with us? Check out this secret conversation between Malcolm and some FBI jakes. Even in beef, he wouldnt turn traitor.
HERE IS MORE 50 FOR YOU
The other day, 50 Cent had to go to court over some baby mama mess. I feel for everybody in this situation. Baby moms, baby dadddys ug.
PALINS ACTION FIGURE
I got one for my friends daughter. Thanks for the gift idea, Shelz!
NOW, DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
DON MAGIC PIMP JUAN DON GOES SHOPPING
Look at the Magic Don Juan get his shop on like he was straight out of the 70s! MACKIN!
Lil Wayne Calls it a Night and skips VMA After Parties…..
Well we all know that after the show theirs the after party but for Lil Wayne that wasn’t the case. Weezy seemed to ditch the VMA post activities for his court date. The rapper spent his night flying back to NYC from LA in order to make a court date stemming from a 2007 gun charge. Wayne’s lawyer Stacey Richman states:
‘He is the utmost, consummate professional,’ He recognizes his entertainment obligations, his business obligations and his obligations to the court.’
I guess she didn’t see his performance last night.. professional doesn’t even seem to be in his vocabulary but hey that’s just my opinion… and I am entitled to that…. or at least that’s what the AHH staff keeps telling me 😉 In any event the hearing will determine whether the stop and search was illegal or not!
Beyonce went to drug rehab for………..
Her new movie Cadillac Records duh! According to Beyonce she gained 20 IBS for the role of Etta James as well as going to drug counseling sessions in order to get into character! She said:
I was really afraid. I didnt know what I would see, because Id never seen anything like that. I didnt want to ask questions that were inappropriate, but (the people there) were very open and I have a new understanding. I never judge, but I just didnt understand how, if you had children and so many things to lose, you could be so deep into your addiction that you just let all of that go.
Blah, blah, blah! I really hope Beyonce can pull this role off, but then again why have high hopes! In any event I’m more ecstatic that she wasn’t pregnant with Jay Z’s child and she was only plump for the role! Cadillac Records hits theatres in 2009 and also star Mos Def as Chuck Berry and Gabrielle Union. For more info check the web I aint IMDB!
Are Busta Buss and Laurie Ann getting it in?
Cause from this pic of the two at a VMA party it looks like Bus may have found him a new bust it baby 😉 A little too close for comfort to me but….. Hell at least someone got something good out of the VMA’s!
Lady Drama’s Food For Thought:
After seeing last nights VMA’s are you convinced that the BET Awards are on the come up.
I’m hearing Jay got Beyonce’s ring 5 months after they got married….. for 5 million and a flawless 18 karat diamond who gives a f*ck?
When will OJ realize some things are better left unsaid?
I sure hope Dame Dash’s son’s mother isn’t keeping Dame from seeing his son for more money… cause we all know how that will end up!
Go hard or go home folks ;0
JAY-Z STANS, 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
AHH WEEK!
Officer Testifies Lil Wayne Had Guns, Drugs
One day after performing and taking home a best Hip-Hop video honor at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, Lil Wayne appeared in a New York courtroom to answer for a 2007 arrest on his tour bus.
The 25-year-old New Orleans rapper, born Dwayne Carter, was arrested last summer after the bus was stopped by authorities who searched the vehicle and found a .40-caliber pistol.
He was later charged with one count of criminal possession of a weapon.
According to The New York Post, Carter was present today (September 8) for a pre-trial hearing on the case.
Officer Diane Hornung testified that she boarded the bus after Carter performed at a concert at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan on July 22, 2007, when she saw and smelled marijuana smoke that wafted from the bus open door.
About 15 people boarded the bus around 11:30 p.m. after the show, said Hornung, who added that authorities pulled the bus over about 14 blocks away from the Theater after it loaded up with passengers.
When asked why she got on the bus, Hornung testified that she smelled “marijuana and I saw someone peeking through the curtain (over one of the windows on the bus).”
Hornung later ordered everyone off the bus, after which she said she headed to the rear of the vehicle, opened a bathroom door and saw a man trying to flush a sandwich bag of marijuana down a toilet.
At that point, Hornung said she confiscated the bag.
The officer then testified that she saw Carter in a bedroom at the back of the bus, sitting on a bed in his underwear and trying to hide a bag.
As the rapper was getting dressed, Hornung said she looked in the bag and found a loaded .9mm handgun.
Despite Hornungs account of event, Carters lawyer Stacey Richman, got the officer to admit that she didnt see anyone smoking marijuana when she went on the tour bus.
Richman furthered her case by arguing that the charge against her client should be dismissed on account of an illegal search of the bus conducted by the police stopping and boarding the bus without probable cause.
Carter was not charged with marijuana possession in the ordeal.
The rapper, who is free on $70,000 bail, pleaded not guilty to illegal gun possession.
If convicted, Carter faces up to four years in prison.
50 Cent Wins Visitation Rights for Son
Mogul 50 Cent won a significant battle in his legal war with ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins today (September 8) in Suffolk Family Court.
Long Island Judge David Freundlich ruled today that the rapper can see his 11-year-old son Marquise every other weekend until an October 22 custody trial in family court.
The Queens native was mobbed by fans outside the courtroom, and disclosed to the New York Daily News that he plans to relax after closing another convoluted legal chapter with his childs mother.
Im going to hang out with some women, 50 Cent quipped. Make some music, make some movies, and continue to kick it.
Because Tompkins order of protection bars 50, real name Curtis Jackson, from having any direct contact with her, Tompkins has agreed to drop their son off every other Friday night at a police precinct in Queens.
From there 50s mother or a driver will retrieve the boy.
Both Jackson and Tompkins have lawsuits pending against one another, stemming from a suspicious fire in May that destroyed Jacksons $2.5 million dollar mansion in Dix Hills, Long Island.
Tompkins suit alleges that 50 started the fire to renege on a previous verbal agreement made in 2000 to split income made from his rap career.
She is requesting half of his reputed $100 million dollar portfolio.
Vehemently denying her claims, 50 countered with a $20 million dollar defamation lawsuit.
Shaniqua Tompkins nor her lawyer could be reached for comment.