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Dr. Teeth: Eye To Eye

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Alternatives

If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past few months, then you’ve seen the slew of music videos by Mike Jones and Paul Wall. You may have also noticed the “Dr. Teeth Productions” graphic in the beginning of every video. But who is Dr. Teeth? It sounds like a demonic dentist in a horror film, but in reality, Dr. Teeth is the mastermind behind some of the South’s top Rap music videos.

Born in Cincinnati and raised in Texas, Dr. Teeth has not had overnight success. Incorporating hard work, dedication and the old do-it-yourself frame of mind has finally let him live out his life-long dream of making music videos. Back then no one wanted him, now the labels are all on him. AllHipHop.com Alternatives spoke with the NAACP Image Award winner, documentarian and all around classic film buff about his recent success.

AHHA: How did you get the name Dr. Teeth?

Dr.Teeth: I got it in high school. I used to play basketball and dunk on cats. I would run down the court with a big toothy smile. They had said ‘Dr. J’ but then they changed it to Dr. Teeth. When I started making videos, I was like, ‘I need a name’. Dr. Teeth came to mind, and it’s been that since.

AHHA: How does it feel to have your video for ‘Still Tippin’ nominated by MTV for the MTV2 Viewer’s Choice Award?

Dr. Teeth: It’s was a great and surprisingly shocking. I never expected for it to be nominate for a Viewer’s Choice Award. It means that people liked it and respect the work that I’m doing. Before I made ‘Still Tippin’ I was up for shooting Nelly’s ‘Tip Drill’. Unfortunately, he decided to go in another direction. When we were going to make ‘Still Tippin’, we wanted to go more street, like for BET Uncut – we wanted to go with that street Swishahouse style. We shot it in Houston, which was the way that I wanted to go. I wanted to show its culture. The girl dancing in front of the tables is like the Pied Piper. You also have candy-colored cars swaying in and out on the street. It’s hood, but also artistic at the same time. It all goes together. The amazing thing is that people got it.

AHHA: How did Mike Jones and Paul Wall take to the idea?

Dr. Teeth: When I presented the idea to Mike and Paul, they were all for it. It’s funny because it was a cold ass day in Houston when we shot the video, and we were in the ghetto setting everything up. Michael Watts was like, “Man I can’t believe you have me out here in the hood, with all of this equipment.” Regardless, they trusted me and I’ve developed a very strong relationship with Swishahouse.

AHHA: What are you currently working on?

Dr. Teeth: Actually, I’m an R&B guy at heart. I did the video ‘Aha’ for Devin the Dude. I’m working with R&B guy named Cruna for BET. It’s a different direction, but I like it. I’m also working with Crime Mob on their new video ‘I’ll Beat Your Ass’. I want to capture the true essence of their Crunk sound with mosh pits, etcetera. It will be out later on this month. Paul Wall is also on Access Granted and has been getting mad popular on camillionare.com. I’m also working with Mike Jones on a new video, maybe the new T.I. I’m in the process of taking to Jermaine Dupri and Young Capone, Back-Woods, Tango Redd and Lloyd.

AHHA: Do you see out artists to work with or do they find you?

Dr. Teeth: We’ve been blessed since the making of ‘Sittin’ Sideways’. Labels began to call. A lot of artists have been telling their labels to request me, but I also get calls from the artists themselves. It puts a big smile on my face.

AHHA: How did your company, Filming Company, come about?

Dr. Teeth: I left BET to work with Tracey Hicks. I wanted to develop a company and to do a few projects – that was April. ‘Til then, no one wanted to sign me. In June, Mike [Jones] came to me to do his video. After that all the companies that wouldn’t even look at my stuff started calling me on the phone. It’s funny because I had spent like two years sending stuff to them, only receiving either a negative feedback or no response. Now they all want me to do work for them. By the time they started calling, I was doing it all on my own. I developed Filming Company because I needed a place to work and develop ideas for videos and artists. Besides, it cuts out the middle man. No one works [harder] for you than you. I’ve been doing all of this for four years now. In the first year I did three videos, the second it was four and now, this year alone I’ve done 15. I have three more left to do for this year. It never stops.

AHHA: Sounds like you’re a very busy man.

Dr. Teeth: Yeah, We’ve been very busy. We just got done shooting a video for Slim Thug. It was supposed to be done in June, but because of the busy schedule, we did it in August.

AHHA: Did you know Mike and Paul before you shot the video?

Dr. Teeth: I didn’t know them, but I had worked with a friend of Paul’s named Qua. This was before Paul was on Swishahouse. We were at his boy’s house and they wanted me, so we worked it out and the rest is history.

AHHA: What directors have inspired you?

Dr. Teeth: I study Hype Williams’ work. Spike Jonez, Lionel Martin, Marcus Rayboy, Brett Ratner and a few others. I really like their work. When I study their work, I look at the pictures and try to envision their ways of thinking. I read historical facts. I’m chameleon-like. I do more hood videos, but like I mentioned, I’m trying to work with some R&B artists also. I’m a story teller first. I have a lot of stories to tell. When I start getting a larger budget, I want to start incorporating green screens and more cameras.

AHHA: You used to work for BET and received an NAACP Image Award for Teen Summit. Why wasn’t your work nominated for a BET Award?

Dr. Teeth: I don’t know. I guess that it wasn’t as popular. I spoke with Steve Hill and he told me how proud he was of my accomplishments. The Mike Jones album didn’t really get popular ‘til after the awards. He still performed on the stage with Paul. Next year we’ll get more nominations and people will discover more about Dr. Teeth.

AHHA: What’s in your DVD player right now?

Dr. Teeth: Black Caesar.

AHHA: That’s a good film, but how do you feel about the controversy over “Blaxploitation” films?

Dr. Teeth: It’s a double-edged sword. Melvin Van Peebles really made it all possible with Sweetback’s Bad Ass Revenge. Afterwards, Hollywood jumped on the bandwagon and made their versions. Gordon Parks directed Shaft. We’ve had some good films – Super Fly, The Mack, and Cleopatra Jones. Max Julian [The Mack] developed, directed and produced the film. It opened gates and gave us opportunities in film that normally wouldn’t have been possible.

AHHA: You’ve done a lot in your career. You’re even known for doing documentaries. Have you ever thought about making a documentary on the Houston’s scene?

Dr. Teeth: I’ve already done it – DJ Screw, The Legacy. It’s in a couple of volumes, 1 through 3. I had developed it while in Houston. I just shot different shows and saved the footage of Screw and a few of the original artists that did it. Part 2 has cats like Trey and Slim Thug. Part 3 is more up to date featuring Mike Jones and others. It’s a hot documentary.

AHHA: Tell us about your first film project 21 Crunk Street.

Dr. Teeth: That’s taking it back. It’s a film about murders on a college campus, of course fictitious. The heads of the school send a special task force unit in called The Crunk Unit to investigate the murders.

AHHA: It’s kind of like a CSI type thing?

Dr. Teeth: Exactly. We sold tickets on the college campus for three dollars and made three thousand. It’s kind of a cultish flick.

AHHA: What kinds of other projects do you work on outside of making videos?

Dr. Teeth: I went to Texas Southern University. A lot of industry jobs are out sourced. I was really the only guy that students knew that was really doing something. I began working with the Historical Black College Film Festival. Producers and director from the industry critique the students’ work. We’re in the third year. It’s good because it says that we, as well as them can make it.

AHHA: How important do you feel it is for artists and people in the industry to reach out to today’s youth?

Dr. Teeth: It’s very important for them to connect with their fan base, especially Black artists. Mike Jones is good about that. You have to take time to stop and talk to them. Even just saying ‘hi’ and talking to them for a second can lead to great inspiration.

AHHA: How do you feel about the work that you’ve done so far?

Dr. Teeth: I’m really proud of the development and growth. I’ve done work with the NAACP, BET and MTV. I’m proud, but I’m only getting started.

AHHA: Would you ever make a music video film like ‘Murder Was The Case’?

Dr. Teeth: In a heartbeat.

AHHA: Where do you see yourself a few years from now?

Dr. Teeth: Six years down the road, I want to be in the same arena as the big cats, like Hype. I want to be well respected and known by my peers. That’s my goal. I want to be nominated, not by the popularity of the video, but the quality of work. I’m gonna be an icon. I’ve always wanted to direct music videos. When I get more money, I want to eventually do big budget movies, but mainly music videos. I love what I do.

Trillville’s Don P Introduces Yung Gunn of Alabama

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Alabama isn’t quite considered a hub of the Hip-Hop industry, but Trillville’s Don P feels he’s found a lyricist to change the perception.

Yung Gunn, a rapper from Birmingham, Alabama, has joined forces with Don P’s Trill Villains and production team Track Boyz Ent. to represent for the burgeoning state. “Ain’t nothing coming up out of [Alabama] if I ain’t got nothing to do with it. I’m the mouth of the south. The king of Alabama,” Gunn tells AllHipHop.com.

While Southern sentiments dominate Hip-Hop, Gunn promises to bring a new facet to the Rap game with his Birmingham roots.

“Alabama is bringing something new to the game. It’s not bringing the Houston sound, where it’s chopped and screwed or slow. It’s not bringing that ATL [Atlanta] crunk. We got a blend of everything,” he continues in a confident swagger.

Gunn considers himself to be a younger offshoot of other, now famously successful rap moguls like Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jermaine “J.D.” Dupri and Rap-A-Lot’s J. Prince.

“He reminds me of myself with I was that age,” J.Prince says to AllHipHop.

“I’m a hustler man. I just read Kevin Liles book [“Make It Happen: The Hip Hop Generation Guide to Success”] and I saw myself in it. I’m a young Kevin Liles, man,” the Birmingham resident prophesizes. “Ain’t nobody f***ing with me.”

But, Yung Gunn’s bragging may be warranted. He was instrumental in Trillville’s management switch to Jimmy Henchmen’s Czar Entertainment, who also works artists like The Game, Sharissa and Mario Winans.

He maintains, “S**t wasn’t being done right [with the old managers]. The marketing and promotion was wrong. You got to play a management role and not a homeboy. Don P is a brilliant producer, but his management evidently they didn’t understand that and they didn’t know how to market it, sell it or promote it. I hooked up with him and we clicked.”

Trilltown Mafia, Don P’s new act, recently inked a deal with Rap-A-Lot/Asylum and Gunn was instrumental in making the situation fruitful.

Gunn has aided others with their major label deals and now he hopes to find the right home for his own songs. He says the majors have taken notice and has a number of them interested.

Don P wouldn’t divulge the names of the attracted parties, but said that a signing was drawing near. Gunn said, “Warner is family with Jim Jones. It’s all love. Rap-A-Lot. Universal and Motown. Everybody family. We can get money together.”

Yung Gunn has already opened shows for Baby and Cash Money, Lil’ Jon and The Eastside Boyz and the Ying Yang Twins in addition to sings with R&B crooner Trey Songz. He has a mixtape slated for national release in the immediate future.

Back Like Cooked Crack 3: Fiend Out

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Reviews / Music

Artist: Juelz SantanaTitle: Back Like Cooked Crack 3: Fiend OutRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman

Can’t wait until November 22 for Juelz Santana’s sophomore album, What The Game’s Been Missing? Don’t fret Dipset addicts; Juelz has your fix with his latest mixtape, Back Like Cooked Crack 3: Fiend Out. Following in the long line of memorable Dipset mixtapes, Fiend Out is an impressive collection of new songs, with a few freestyles sprinkled about. The self-proclaimed “human crack in the flesh” continues his development with his new effort, showing his improved lyricism and song making. In fact, Fiend Out’s standout songs are arguably better than just about anything on his disappointing debut album.

In vintage Dipset form, Juelz struts throughout the mixtape with his g’d up swagger. This is seen on “King Of NY” as he nimbly rides in and out of a swift but intense backdrop. Even though Juelz is an emcee never lacking confidence, in a refreshing move, he humbly passes on NYC’s throne, stating, “That’s not me/I’ll let the rest of them fight for that/I’m just doing what I do best.” Continuing the heat, “Murder,” which samples Damien Marley’s “Welcome To Jamrock,” finds Juelz and Killa Cam firing off shots over an intense beat. The Black Sheep influenced “Pick It Up,” is another fun and creative effort from Juelz, who possess uncanny charisma that draws you in as a listener, even though his content is thin at times. Thankfully, “Salute,” which features Hell Rell, proves Juelz is capable of providing content driven music. Over a dazzling piano loop, Santana touches on slavery and the corruption of the prison system, as he states, “We wasn’t born here, we was reeled in/F### a fishing rod/We was hit and whipped with n##### rods/Kicked and picking yards.”

With the mixtape game oversaturated, Juelz Santana delivers a refreshing release that is actually worth your hard-earned money. With its focus on new and original material, Back Like Cooked Crack 3: Fiend Out should keep Dipset fans lined up around the block waiting for a hit.

Object in Motion

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Reviews / Music

Artist: DaghaTitle: Object in MotionRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine

Despite the high-profile guests on Soul Supreme’s 2003 debut The Saturday Night Agenda, a little known group called The Electric Co. stole a chunk of the show with “Respect Life.” Two and half years later, the Boston group has since spawned Insight to some success, and now Dagha. With a thick-layered, warm musical backdrop, Dagha brings his solo debut, Object in Motion (Last Arc) to help join the heavily saturated Boston independent movement.

Dagha has a way of filling up the tracks to the point there’s very few silences. This persistent delivery may attract fans of Black Thought’s similar technique. In terms of timing and vocal tone, Dagha strikes frighteningly similar to another Philly MC – Last Emperor. “Build” finds Dagha dropping pure math and history. Speaking largely in abstractions, the MC’s diverse references will be a throwback to some, and baffling to others. Though “Build” works, other songs, such as “No Sheets” feel abstract as ideas – a troubling trait to a consumer. However, “No Sheets” may be a clever way of stating that the rhyme is freestyled, which even so, still needs to be reconsidered so early in a debut. Like many of his peers, Dagha struggles to find natural sounding choruses. With his melodic voice, he tends to attempt singing through these refrains. On “De Ja Vu” for instance, this proves to be a weakness.

Despite some lyrical missteps, Object in Motion brings a lot of originality in its production. Electric cohort, Insight, handles many of the duties. “Heaven or Hell” shines, with thick scratches, and a perfectly timed distorted bassline. With exciting beats, Dagha’s skills are propelled by a listener’s comfort in the music. In busier moments, such as “Skoolhouse Rock” the density of the music and lyrics weigh down the song entirely. The album boasts big percussion, led by “Conquerors” and “De Ja Vu.” A fast-paced, cohesive sound holds the album together – and brightens Dagha’s messages a majority of the time.

It’s refreshing to see a 2005 MC speak in a coded language of metaphors and abstractions. A young Kool Keith and Lakim Shabazz would be quite proud – and the listener gets lyrics in the liner notes to appreciate. At times, Dagha’s style falls on deaf ears with his forceful choruses and occasional sloppiness. Still, Object in Motion has a lot of charm with its boisterous production and colorful arrangements. This remains one of the most inventive debuts of the year.

Team Roc Chin-Checker Checked

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Jaidon “The Don” Codrington, a fighter in Dame Dash’s “Chin Checkers” boxing duo, was knocked out cold in 18 seconds by Allan Green last night on Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation.”

Codrington, a super-middleweight, was an undefeated knockout artist who won all nine of his fights by impressive knockouts. But, Green, 26, was undefeated with 17 victories and was clearly the most worthy opponent for the 21-year-old prodigy.

When Green’s work was finished on Friday at Miami’s Buffalo Run Casino, Codrington was unconscious for nearly three minutes.

A right cross and a left hook to the jaw eventually leveled Codrington sending him face-first through the ropes. The Bridgeport, Conn native was immediately sent to Integris Baptist Regional Health Center in Miami and initial reports indicated that Codrington suffered a fractured vertebrae. That diagnosis was later retracted.

Codrington was released and is expected to fully recover, said promoter Lou Dibella. Dibella and Dame Dash announced Dash/ Dibella Promotions in January 2005 and began promoting prospects like Codrington and Curtis Stevens, who were collectively known as the “Chin Checkers” for their penchant for knocking out their challengers.

Codrington represented Team Roc during the fight was recently granted “The Don,” a sneaker via Dash’s Pro Ked sneaker company. Now a resident of Queens, New York, he has impressed local crowds since his debut in 2004.

R. Kelly Files New Lawsuit Against Jay-Z

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

R&B singer

R. Kelly has filed a new lawsuit against rapper, mogul and Def Jam President

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, stemming from last year’s disastrous

“Best of Both Worlds Tour.”

Kelly filed the lawsuit

in Manhattan Supreme Court, claiming that the man who peppered sprayed him at

the Oct. 2004 Madison Square Garden tour stop was rewarded with a job at Def

Jam.

The embattled R&B singer

claims the hiring of Tyran “Ty-Ty” Smith – who is currently

awaiting trial for assault over the incident – proves that Smith was “acting

within the scope and course of his employment by Jay-Z."

Handlers for Jay-Z

claim the entire lawsuit is a publicity stunt meant to divert attention away

from his upcoming felony trial involving an alleged sexual incident with a 14-year-old

girl.

A Chicago, Illinois Judge

recently ruled that Kelly must stand trial over the alleged violations.

The “Best

of Both Worlds Tour” was a disaster from the beginning. The tour was supposed

to capitalize off of an album of the same name, which was shelved when an alleged

videotape of Kelly having sex with an underage girl surfaced and spread.

The album was retooled

and released as The Best of Both Worlds, Unfinished Business, but was

greeted with lukewarm sales, despite the superstar status of both artists, who

have sold over 60 million records combined.

“The first night [in

Chicago] was terrible,” Jay-Z said directly after the Madison Square Garden

fiasco. “I’m waiting in my white suit for two hours. The guy don’t

come downstairs…you don’t do that. I’m like, ‘I don’t

work for you, B.’ I gave him that leeway, because that’s his town.”

Kelly claimed that

several songs into his performance, unidentified men in the crowd flashed guns

in his direction, prompting him to storm off of the stage.

He said that when

he tried to return to finish his performance, Smith maced him and several associates,

prompting a trip to the hospital, where Kelly and crew were treated and released.

In November of

2004, Smith was arrested and formally charged with misdemeanor assault violations

over the incident.

Kelly was booted

from the remainder of the tour and filed a $90 million breach of contract lawsuit

against Jay-Z, who answered Kelly’s suit with his own.

Jay-Z’s suit alleges

Kelly would cry “hysterically" at times and even left a show in St.

Louis where he went to a local McDonald’s and “began to serve food to

patrons at the drive-thru."

Trina’s Sitcom ‘With Friends Like These’ To Debut

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Trina will make her

television acting debut in the new sitcom “With Friends Like These”

on The Black Family Channel on Wednesday (Nov. 9) at 8:30 pm EST.

The rapper/actress also co-produced the sitcom and plays a character

named “Cleo Taylor” who owns a modeling agency that runs into tax

trouble.

Taylor then inherits her deceased aunt’s beauty salon,

Hair We Are and her aunt’s arch nemesis as well.

The sitcom will debut on The Black Family Channel, which airs

in 25 of the top African-American TV markets in the United States, reaching

14 million households.

The Black Family Channel is the United States’ only minority

owned and operated cable network and focuses on family oriented programming.

Veteran actor, producer and director Robert Townsend is President

and CEO of Productions for the network.

“With Friends Like These” was co-created and produced

with Ty Johnston of T.Y. Entertainment, a South Florida based film and television

production company.

The series is directed by Melvin James and also stars Ki Toy

Johnson (Outkast’s “I Like the Way You Move video), Luz Whitney

(“Bamboozled”), Prince Markie Dee (The Fat Boys, 103.5, Miami)

Repeat dates are as followed:

Wednesday, November

9, 2005 @ 12:00am

Thursday, November 10, 2005 @ 9:30pm

Saturday, November 12, 2005 @ 9:00 pm

Lost

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Reviews / Music

Artist: Cool Calm PeteTitle: LostRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Starrene Rhett

Somewhere to the far left of boring, and on the border of normal lies Lost (Embedded), Cool Calm Pete’s solo debut. A trippy potpourri of cartoony sound effects and voices, obscure samples mainly taken from 70’s Korean soul music, intelligent lyrics that make you rewind and listen again, and intrinsic quirkyness, Lost is an enjoyable, 14-track Hip-Hop oddity. You can’t help but to nod or tap various body parts to the mellow beats produced by Calm Pete, Doc Strange, Snafu (of Junk Science), DJ Pre (Babbletron’s DJ), and Ed Live.

“Lost,” the title track, is a sing-songy tune laced with repetitive saxophone riffs and bongos. The song is centered about a general distaste for the way things are going in life and trying to find your way back to normalcy or through challenging situations. ”In this world famous to nameless/none of it is easy and none of it is painless,” he griped, while describing trials and tribulations that several of his peers could probably relate to. “Cloudy” is about having one of those days where nothing is going right and things are hazy. Amid the female vocalist singing soft and eerily, Portishead-style, and the piano-riff-driven haziness, he lamented, “Hand full of tricks a fist full of motivation/flailing punches swinging without hesitation/scooping around ain’t no buried treasure it’s just sunken ships and short-lived pleasures.” “Two AM,” produced by Calm Pete, is about a chick that, although attractive, has a lecherous tendency to bed men in the wee hours of the morning. While she’s taking care of several men’s carnal desires, including Pete’s, as he admitted on the track, he couldn’t help but ponder who was taking care of her since her reckless behavior made it clear that she wasn’t. Amidst the more gloomy subject matter, there is even a song about brushing your teeth. “Brush PSA” ft. Jungle Mike, is like Adult Swim meets Slick Rick. Executing a Slick Rick-like flow, the cartoony venture is a request that people brush their teeth. In a nutshell, no one kisses or even likes to talk to people with rotten teeth and/or funky breath.

Overall, Lost is an impressive departure from his group Babbletron. His lazy flow and mellow demeanor make him worthy of his name, and the mesh of music, sounds and styles is a cleverly organized hodgepodge that definitely works.

Hip-Hop Moves Philly Eagles McNabb

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

When Donovan McNabb is gearing up for a big game, which seems to

be each one, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback said Hip-Hop helps get him motivated.

“I listen to Common, Kanye [West], everybody in Chicago, R. Kelly and

what ever he puts out,” McNabb told AllHipHop.com. “I like Beanie

Sigel- all of Philly, Philly artists, just kind of [get me going]. Whatever

is hot, you know David Banner, Ying-Yang Twins,” McNabb told AllHipHop.com.

The Philadelphia Eagles are battered and bruised in the current 2005-06 NFL

season after a failed run at the Super Bowl earlier this year.

Donovan McNabb, the team’s quarterback, has suffered from a bruised rib

and a nagging sports hernia and the team’s record is (4-3).

The Chicago native said he’s particularly appreciative of the work from

Kanye West and Common, attributing it to the pair’s reliability.

“I mean they just consistently put out good music and you don’t

have to worry about just one song, and you don’t hear about them no more,”

he said. “They consistently put out good music, music that you can here

while you’re out. You just get the CD and you consistently hear things

on the album. But it says a lot where Hip-Hop is right now.”

The Eagles are in a precarious situation, where music may be ineffective.

The team’s controversial star wide receiver Terrell Owens has been diagnosed

with a sprained ankle and may miss the next two games.

Additionally, the team has been plagued with an imbalanced offense that relies

on an aggressive passing game.

McNabb told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he intended to set the team’s

tone in the future despite their injuries.

"I’m the walking

wounded," McNabb said. "With all of us kind of banged up, it’s tough,

but I think I’m definitely going to work myself back to a way of getting back

out there, and I’m sure [Owens] is doing the same."

Reports: Jay-Z, Lyor Cohen, Steve Stoute Interested In The Source

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Shawn "Jay-Z"

Carter may be making a bid to buy The Source magazine.

The rumor shouldn’t be shocking to those close to the rumor

mill, but the talk has steadily gotten louder, especially after music mogul

Steve Stoute interviewed on Hot 97 yesterday (Nov. 3)

Women’s Wear Daily reports that Jay-Z, president of Def Jam,

could be joining forces with Lyor Cohen, CEO of Warner Music Group and Stoute,

who heads up his own company, Translation Consultation & Brand Imaging.

Previous published reports have indicated that The Source is

$16 million in debt, a claim made by Textron Financial Corp, the company’s chief

creditor.

The company is seeking to take control of the magazine due to

disputes over how the finances and the company is being managed.

In addition to Jay-Z, Cohen and Stoute, magazine rival Harris

Publications, who owns XXL, may also attempt to purchase the "bible of

Hip-Hop" should it become available.

Interscope Records

recently purchased a stake of Translation Consultation and Brand Imaging, which

has matched Jay-Z with Reebok, Gwen Stefani with Hewlett-Packard, McDonald’s

with Justin Timberlake and Beyonce with Hilfiger.

Hunger Music

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Reviews / Music

Artist: LongshotsTitle: Hunger MusicRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine

Smart Hip-Hop references itself. It’s aware of its surroundings, and works to create space at the table to eat. New York dup The Longshots are hungry and fast approaching the table. Hunger Music (Sun City) is a debut album speaking directly to those who kept Hip-Hop alive, and simply wanted in. Stuffed with references and allusions to everybody from Grand Puba to Biggie to Jeru, the Longshots reveal their inspirations. Speaking their own language, this is an album that combines the themes and tones of Group Home’s Livin’ Proof with the delivery and approach of Arsonists’ As the World Burns.

MC’s Crayon and Rock Shabazz are both very convincing in their effort to dramatize. “Cold World, Frozen Tears” captures the “now or never” mentality of a dream. At no point do the lyrics wow the listener, but rather the images of needs and wants transfer well. Here, as in several points, the group references guns and self-defense. Like G Rap or Nasty Nas’ early days, they not only threaten to beat opponents with weapons, but songs like “Ready For War Pt. 2” mention lyrical combat. In 2005, it’s rare to see artists combining these egos. However, Hunger Music may be trying to do too many things at once. “Running Back to You” sucks up the tough demeanor the group uses, and really feels like a less enthused cover of Freeway’s “What We Do.” By and large, The Longshots succeed in writing street-minded raps that pay homage to Hip-Hop while reveal a want ten years in the making.

In order to successfully be about New York Hip-Hop, a lot depends on Hunger Music’s production. Immortal Technique collaborators, The Beat Bandits do an extremely fine job holding it down. Specifically, Metaphysic succeeds in a slow-rolling string arrangement on “The Sneak Attack.” An elaborate scratch-chorus enhances the rugged intentions of the song’s lyrics. The veteran, Ayatollah also contributes on “First Brick.” This is another string arrangement, chopped thick – and scratch-chorus. “Hands Up” though, feels much too fast, and feels uneasy to the ear, albeit an intended party anthem. The album uses a little ‘chipmunk soul’ to get by, but thrives on its simple, but firm music that largely matches the lyrical themes.

The days of debut New York artists creating street-minded, self-made independents feel behind us. Hunger Music is charming for bucking that system alone. Unlike so many of their peers, Crayon and Shabazz ignore witty punchlines, and focus almost entirely on detail. They know their situation is not unique, and this album shows their answers both as a product, and the music within. Whether The Longshots debut will stick to the ribs of the not-so-hungry Hip-Hop consumer will be determined in time.

London Mayor Blames Rap Artists For Surge In Crime In England

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

The Mayor of London,

England criticized rap music on Wednesday (Nov. 2), where a campaign to educate

school children about the dangers of guns was launched.

Ken Livingstone stated that crime rates in England has risen

to record levels and offered stinging criticism of rap music.

"Gun crime, knife crime – they are the only crime categories

that continue to rise,” Livingstone stated. “With role models like

rap groups there is almost an inevitability about that and people in the public

eye should consider the role models they set.”

Livingstone said some rappers promoted the idea that carrying

weapons – such as knives and guns – was fashionable, leading to a surge in violence.

Ironically last week, Carl Morgan, a producer for the popular

rap collective So Solid Crew, was sentenced to life in prison for shooting a

man to death in a quarrel over a woman.

So Solid Crew member Megaman is also on trial for allegedly

encouraging Morgan to shoot Colin Scarlett to death.

In another unrelated case, So Solid Crew member Romeo and an

associate are on trial for allegedly slashing a man’s face last Nov. during

an attack at the Cirque club, formerly the Hippodrome, located in Leicester

Square.

Both have denied charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous

bodily harm. The trial continues.

In March of 2005, American rapper 50 Cent caused a major outcry

in England as well, when Reebok’s “I Am What I Am” campaign came under fire in the U.K.

Television ads featured 50 Cent counting to nine – the number of times he was allegedly shot in 2000 – while the print ads featured

the rapper with finger print records.

Reebok issued a statement during the flap saying “Reebok

does not condone every action, choice or view expressed by the athletes and

entertainers who wear our products."

In April of 2005, the company caved in to pressure from various

England based watch groups and pulled the ads from television after numerous

complaints.

"Some overpaid

rap artists swinging around with a gun or knife… the consequences of their

behavior is a kid lying dead in the street. We have to get to kids before bad

role models do," Livingstone said. "It is an American thing, but it

is starting to spill over into our media, our television, our films."

Hip-Hop Karoake Takes Off

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

A trendsetting event

has been taking place in New York the first Friday of every month – Hip-Hop

karaoke.

This month’s event takes place at Manhattan’s Rothko,

free to the public. “We wanted to have a Hip-Hop show that you got to

perform at; the whole set-up with a real DJ, a real stage, a venue, the whole

thing. It’s not like a sushi bar,” DJ Wex, one of the event founders,

told AllHipHop.com.

Unlike most karaoke settings, this event features over 210 available

Rap songs.

According to other founder, J.New, “The first and foremost

thing was that our song-list was amenable to Hip-Hop heads. That’s not

to say that someone who doesn’t know Hip-Hop can’t come down. All

of us have a love and appreciation for the culture. This is no way diluting

the culture, it’s adding to it. We’re not looking to make a joke

out of it.”

According to its founders, “They Reminisce over You”

has been the most popular song over the two years.

Artists such as Heltah Skeltah’s Ruck, producer/rapper

Diamond, and Sadat X have been previously attended the event.

J.New, DJ Wex, and Diggety founded this monthly event in 2004,

and it has since been expanded to events in London, Amsterdam, and Iceland.

For more information,

visit www.hiphopkaraokenyc.com

Quan: The Clutch of Circumstance

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Features

Earlier this year, fans expected to hear Quan’s debut, Until My Death, but instead, recently heard about the rapper from a recent arrest by Hampton, Virginia police. The police alleged that the Nas protégé [born Don Ferquan] was inside a hotel room with a gun, minor amounts of weed, and a large amount of cash. As fans await Quan’s album, he must contend with a legal system that may not be impartial to him. Earlier this year, the rapper told AllHipHop.com about his criminal past, and reformed vision. Will these new circumstances allow Quan to be judged him fairly? Read the rapper proclaims his innocence and speak on the Nas/Jay-Z peace treaty, Ill Will Records and his reliance on God. [Click here to read the original interview with Quan.]

AllHipHop.com: How are you doing?

Quan: Man, I’m maintaining.

AllHipHop.com: It’s been a minute. The last time we spoke, you were overseas performing with Nas.

Quan: I was runnin’ around with son [Nas].

AllHipHop.com: I’m sorry to have to speak to you like this under these circumstances. Did you want to speak your peace on things?

Quan: I’ma just touch on it lightly. Basically, I’m innocent. You know I got caught up in a f**ked up situation with some f**ked up individuals, man. It’s obvious that it’s not what the public makes it to be, or I wouldn’t be where I am at now [as an artist].

AllHipHop.com: You have been through the system on a previous occasion.

Quan: That’s the reason why, they are really trying to blow it up to be – you know what I mean – more than what it is.

AllHipHop.com: Right. What did you think of the press reports? How inaccurate was the press?

Quan: Basically, it’s a bunch of bulls**t. People are gonna take things and run with it and they’re gonna twist it and chop it up which ever way they can to make me look bad. On top of that, I’m and artist. You know how it goes.

AllHipHop.com: Were you the only person arrested?

Quan: I’m not going to get into that. At this point in time, I am the only person they charged [with a crime]. The other ones got away.

AllHipHop.com: Do you think they recognized you? Honestly, I wouldn’t think police would know your face that way, then again, I don’t know.

Quan: All I can say is that I’m in VA [Virginia], dog – the start of the Confederacy. Yeah, Nat Turner walked here. Either way it goes, you know what it is. I don’t want to get into that. I’m thankful for the support that I’ve got, and the love that I’ve gotten from the fans. I’m innocent and it’ll show. My [music] project, I’m still moving forward. Basically, that’s what it is, man. Trials and tribulations, they come and either you allow them to make you or you allow them to break you. I’m a fighter, dog.

AllHipHop.com: Did somebody…

Quan: You steadily asking me about this case man. My life is on the line.

AllHipHop.com: I feel you. Can you speak on the music?

Quan: We can definitely talk about that, man. That’s what I want to talk about. I’m here to let the world know I’m innocent. I came too far. I’ve been that route. That’s over and done with. Look at the story, it don’t even sound right.

AllHipHop.com: A lot of people felt that way like we know your history and people are like, “Why? He’s there on the edge of major success.” On the music note, I heard one new joint.

Quan: Quan: “D-Tight,” it lifts the Faith Evans beat.

AllHipHop.com: Yeah!

Quan: [sings] “I done did a lot of things, caught a lot of cases…” and even that will tell you, “Lost some of my best friends, but I’m gonna be alright.” Look, man, I’m doing music now. Let me tell you, you can’t do both.

AllHipHop.com: A lot of cats think you can do both.

Quan: That’s some bulls**t. I’m the first one to tell you. That’s some bulls**t.

AllHipHop.com: A lot of us have been anxiously waiting. We heard the Nas joint and thought there would be a quick follow-up, but it didn’t come.

Quan: I been in the lab working – grinding. I got some things poppin’ with [DJ] Big Mike and we gonna get it right. Ill Will is the family, Atlantic is the movement.

AllHipHop.com: Atlantic’s the movement?

Quan: I’m signed to Atlantic.

AllHipHop.com: Oh, Okay. I thought you were on Sony/Columbia, but I’ve heard Nas talk about possibly going to Atlantic too. I thought you were dropping a hint.

Quan: That’s what it is. I know there was a lot of confusion about an interview that I had did when I mentioned that I’m signing to Atlantic. Some people took it the wrong way like I don’t rock with Nas no more. That ain’t the case, and that needs to be known first and foremost. That’s my dude regardless of what. He allows me to be my own person. He watches over me and Ill Will is still what it is.

AllHipHop.com: Are you still signed to Ill Will?

Quan: Am I still signed to Ill Will? I don’t want to get into all of that. Just know, it’s all love. I got a lot of people that’s involved with my project, my career – for the betterment of my career. I’m with Ill Will, I’m with Atlantic. How I’m signed, I’m trying to keep that will me and will all due respect, it’s the same – all love. I’m going to keep it moving.

AllHipHop.com: With your album, you sing and you rap. I’m seeing a few people poppin’ up doing that. Even Tyrese is talkin’ about rappin’ and singing.

Quan: I’ll I’ma say is God got me. He brought me this far. And, my music is going to speak for itself. My album is going to speak for itself. It’s a beautiful thing. After “Just A Moment,” I had to get some things in order. Its unfortunate that these trials and tribulations came about, but I’m going to be all right.

AllHipHop.com: I believe you. What did you think of the Jay-Z/ Nas peace treaty at New York’s Powerhouse recently?

Quan: It was a beautiful move for Hip-Hop – a beautiful move for them. It is what it is. It happens and dudes don’t always agree, you have your fallouts. Me and my brother have fallouts. But, at the end of the day, it’s about the bigger picture and the bigger picture is: that’s good for Hip-Hop and that’s good for them. Now some people may not be mature enough to understand and may have their own opinions, but I applaud them. Put this pride aside, and get this paper. That’s what it’s about: getting this paper and feeding families. It ain’t all about “F you and F me and I’ll blow your head off. And n***a I’ll ride on you.” There is a time and place for all that sometimes, but not all the time and that invalidates you. I applaud all of that [with Jay and Nas]. I wish I was there, but I was dealing with a lot [legally].

AllHipHop.com: Right, right…

Quan: Beautiful things, man. My head is up. God got me, trust me. I been through the worst. I been through the worst. I’m going to be okay. I thank everybody for the love and the support.

AllHipHop.com: What’s on deck for you? How are you going to proceed?

Quan: As far as other dudes that rap and sing, do you. Its only one of me like its only one of them.

AllHipHop.com: Who are you working with on your project?

Quan: I was working with Lil’ Scrappy when I was down in Atlanta. I just been recording. However, whenever, whatever and just been getting it popping. I been working with plenty different artists. I built with the kid Wacko from UTP. Quite a few producers and I’m about to go in with Just Blaze, Kanye and possibly Scott Storch. You gonna see me on the screen again – God willing.

AllHipHop.com: You got the right label now, because Atlantic is winning.

Quan: I got a lot of support there. The whole building supports me. I’m just so mad that this bulls**t came up man, but like I said, “God got it.”My innocence will be proven. For once in my crooked a** life, I’m really innocent. That’s really talk. Ain’t no way in hell I’ll put my momma through this s**t again. Ain’t no way. She been through too much. Ain’t no way in hell I’m going to do seven years and some change and me just jump back out there on some stupid s**t. Any n***that do that deserves what he gets. And, I’ve been behind that wall. The truth is gonna come out and we gonna sell millions of records.

AllHipHop.com: Keep your head up…stay strong.

Quan: And you do the same.

Dreddy Kruger: Think Differently

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Features

Bruce Lee believed in, “The art of fighting without fighting.” The idea of creating an album with out a concept, in itself, seems almost damn near impossible, but shows true ambition. Wu-Tang affiliate, former MC, and crew A&R, Dreddy Kruger has done just that. He recently stepped up to man the controls of Think Differently.

The recently released project finds core and other Wu affiliates alongside top billing MC’s in the underground and independent markets. The prospects of ‘GZA & Ras Kass’ or ‘MF Doom and RZA’ have hyped the album, and led to fast sales through digital downloading. As he leaves this project to A&R the Wu-Tang’s next group album, AllHipHop.com spoke to Dreddy Kruger on thinking differently with this album, the evolving sound of Wu, and how much RZA charges for a beat. Peep game.

AllHipHop.com: Think Differently is billed to be the first collaborative Wu-Tang effort. In my mind, Iron Flag tried to achieve that, and wasn’t so successful.

Dreddy Kruger: This album will change all of that. It’s exciting. People are getting excited for a Hip-Hop project for a change. I know this because of heads that have been reaching out on this.

AllHipHop.com: Give me some examples of your A&R outlook…

Dreddy Kruger: If you have eight strong bars, and you said everything that you needed to in those eight, then you need to drop that first and then a short hook, another verse and get in and get out. I have a lot of tracks that clock in under three minutes. I want cats to be like, “Damn, I wish that I could hear more of this.” When the corporations took control of Hip-Hop and record making, that’s when the talent went drastically down. It made no difference if you were from the urban or the suburban culture. They made it as a product that they could market and sell. That’s what killing Hip-Hop. They don’t care about the integrity of it. They just are about making a quick dollar and move on to the next artist. That’s why everyone thinks that they can do this s**t. Cats are a dime a dozen. Back in the day when I would hear a Rakim album, I never imagined ever being able to do anything like that, let alone be on a track with him. I was in awe. Think Differently, has the real MC’s, the real n***as.

AllHipHop.com: Was the project originally to surround Wu-Tang?

Dreddy Kruger: Yeah, that was the whole idea. It was my whole concept. I had all of the beats first. I picked up some old s**t from RZA and a few other cats. An album with Wu-Tang productions and Wu-Tang artists, mixed in with independent artists and producers. I wanted to basically create a Wu sounding album with all of theses guest appearances on it. I’m not even talking about a Wu-Tang record. People have been waiting to hear something like this for a long time.

AllHipHop.com: How did you choose the artists? You have MF Doom, Tragedy, and Ras Kass to name a few.

Dreddy Kruger: I’ve had some of the beats for over five years. In the end, it took about three months to record the whole thing. I had the beats first. I had the whole album sequenced as to how I wanted to hear it. When I started listening to it over and over, I started A&R-ing the whole thing. I wanted to hear MF Doom on a track, but not with a Doom beat, but instead a RZA beat. I want to bring Doom into our world.

AllHipHop.com: Yeah, Doom just did Danger Doom and had Ghost Face on a track.

Dreddy Kruger: I was the A&R for that record also. I heard that record and I like it, but to me it’s a fun comical album. It’s not on a serious record. I knew that with the Think Differently project that I was doing was something that people wanted to hear. People have been wanting to hear this for about five years or so. They have been wanting to hear Wu-Tang matched up with other artists because it was something that we never really done in the past. The only artists to ever really have songs with us were Busta’, Red Man and Nas. Outside of that it’s real limited. Off the bat I knew that people wanted hear Sean Price, C-Ray Walz and Sunz of Man on an album.

AllHipHop.com: There’s the mainstream and underground scenes; Wu crosses into both genres. What do you think that album is going to do as far as uniting Hip-Hop fans?

Dreddy Kruger: I want the people to judge that. Time will tell. I just wanted to put out an album with no label politics. This is what the independent cats are supposed to be doing in the first place. I just wanted to bring back the 93’-95 RZA sound. All of these cats grew up listening to Wu-Tang, but Wu doesn’t necessarily know who all of these cats are. That’s kind of where I got the whole idea. Doom came to me four years back through a friend and wanted to have RZA on his album. He had like $5-7000 and wanted RZA to do whatever he could to do for that price. He didn’t really even know who he was. I had to break it down to him on the KMD “Peach Fuzz.”

AllHipHop.com: When Doom was was Zev Love X…

Dreddy Kruger: Exactly, but RZA didn’t really know who he was, and he never really got back to me on it. When RZA doesn’t get back to me on a project, then I know that he’s not really that interested. Like I said, the money was low and RZA gets like $40-50,000 for s**t. That’s why when I had an opportunity to do this whole project; I wanted to get Doom on a RZA beat. I told him, “Don’t worry about nothing son, you on a RZA beat… We’re about to make history.”

AllHipHop.com: You’ve got so many artists on here. I wanna know, who couldn’t you get on?

Dreddy Kruger: I didn’t have enough time to reach out to them, but we might be doing some remix s**t. Mos Def is really on a major label. It’s Wu-tang reaching the indi. culture. I didn’t really want to go outside of that. I could have got cats like Redman, but those kinds of cats on major labels, they get enough exposure. I was gonna’ put Mos on a song with GZA too.

AllHipHop.com: I could see Mos and Little Brother doing some stuff on the album…

Dreddy Kruger: Yeah, but not on a Little Brother track, but rather a Wu sounding track. I even wanted to hear how Little Brother sounds on some of our stuff. 9th Wonder, his stuff sounds low and distorted. It has kind of a demo sound. It’s good, but when your stuff is coming over the air and now you have cats with Ipods, you hear everything through head phones. It all makes the difference.

AllHipHop.com: Was this project a way to get lesser known Wu affiliates familiar to the masses?

Dreddy Kruger: That’s one of the things that has been f**king up Wu projects in the past. All the B-artists, people get tired of that. They want to hear cats that they know. What you have to do is sprinkle them in. I didn’t want to put too many Wu or underground cats on it.

AllHipHop.com: I’m surprised that no one has attempted to do a project like this before.

Dreddy Kruger: That’s what I told all the independent cats. We bring it all together and we can run some s**t. Look at Big Boi. He has a new compilation and is also signed to Virgin, but the [album] ain’t what it could be. Do you know the type of power this cat has and what he could do with that kind of major label backing?

AllHipHop.com: Why wasn’t Ghost on it?

Dreddy Kruger: I was going to put one of the Ghost/Doom records on it. His label, he’s on Def Jam, it’s not as simple as people think. They don’t know the type of business, stress and pressure that I had to put down. Def Jam didn’t want anything to come from Ghost until his album came out.

AllHipHop.com: How does it feel to be on the other side of the mic? You worked for Wu, now you’re ordering cats around.

Dreddy Kruger: I don’t look at it like that. I look at everything as “we” and not “me.” I’m trying to do everything for the king. I saw a weak link that we had. I’m trying to fix that. We don’t really have an A&R to put music together through an executive stand point. Everyone wants to be an MC or producer. RZA is the only business minded cat out of all of that cats that roll with us. My first s**t was Masta Killa’s album, then with Black Market Militia. They gave me the blessing to step further. People loved it. I had every Wu member on Killa’s album all stapled in throughout it. He was not overshadowed. He definitely still shined.

Big Boi Talks New Compilation, New R&B Singing

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Outkast member

Big Boi is set to release his new compilation album, Big Boi Presents…Got

Purp? Vol. II through his Atlanta-based record label, Purple Ribbon.

The Purple Ribbon

label showcases a mixture of established artists, as well as up-and-coming MC’s

and R&B singers, with a distinct sound.

Artists singed

to Big Boi’s burgeoning label include rappers Bubba Sparxxx, KonKrete,

Killa Mike and soulful crooners Sleepy Brown and Scar.

"I just want

to add something to the game and make good, quality music,” Big Boi told

AllHipHop.com. “Our sound is top notch and bad-to-the-bone, but most importantly,

it’s funk-based. When dogs are purple ribbon bred, it means that they have a

history behind them; a champion pedigree. A Purple Ribbon is the highest-ranking

you can get and all the artists on my label are winners."

Big Boi said he

was extremely influenced by Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who signed Outkast

to his influential Atlanta-based record label, LaFace, which he co-owned with

Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, before selling the label for $100 million

dollars to Arista in 2000.

Reid is now head

of the Island Def Jam Music Group.

“I’ve been

real business savvy for a while,” Big Boi said. “The team that I

got now and the talent that I got, I just want to make the presence in Atlanta

that much stronger. I want to try and pull together and fill that void that

LaFace left when they were in Atlanta."

Big Boi Presents…Got

Purp? Vol. II is highlighted by an array of tracks including the posse

track "Kryptonite," featuring Big Boi, Killer Mike, C-Bone and Rock

D, as well as the melodic electronic R&B dance tune "U Got Me"

by Scar featuring Big Boi.

The opus features

heavy musical contributions from the labels newest acquisition; stand out R&B

singer Scar.

Born in London,

Big Boi hopes Scar will stake out new territory for hip-hop and R & B.

"Scar is hybrid-funk,

but his voice is so classy and so clean,” Big Boi continued. “He’s

really my secret weapon. He’s a dope writer, a great all around performer

and a talented musician. He’s got a story to tell."

Big Boi Presents

… Got Purp Vol. II is slated to hit stores on Nov. 8.

Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross To Host Vibe Awards

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Vibe Magazine and

UPN recently announced the Third Annual Vibe Awards will be hosted by actor

Anthony Anderson (“Hustle and Flow”) and actress Tracee Ellis Ross

(UPN’s “Girlfriends”).

Anthony Anderson,

a veteran to the big screen, has appeared in more than twenty films including

"Barbershop" and "Hustle and Flow."

He will appear

in Martin Scorsese’s new film, "The Departed" along with Leonardo

DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson.

Tracee Ellis Ross,

a writer, producer, and performer, currently has a starring role in UPN’s comedy

series, "Girlfriends."

She is recipient

of BET’s Comedy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and four

NAACP Image Awards nominations.

In addition, the

awards will feature performances by Ciara, Ludacris, Pharrell, Young Jeezy,

Keisha Cole and others.

Mary J. Blige will

be honored with the Legend Award. Last year’s recipient of the award was

pioneering producer Dr. Dre, who was attacked while attempting to accept the

awards, resulting in a now infamous melee.

Award presenters

and more performances are still being announced.

The Third Annual

Vibe Awards celebrates the continuing innovation and expansion of urban music.

The awards will

be taped on Nov. 12 at Sony Studios in Culver City, CA and will air on UPN Nov.

15.

National Legal & Policy Center Calls For Investigation Of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Sean “Diddy”

Combs is being scrutinized by The National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), as

the group filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC)

against Combs today (Nov. 3).

Peter Flaherty, President of The NLPC alleges that Combs and

his non-profit, Citizen Change, may have violated the Federal Election Campaign

Act (FECA) and the Internal Revenue Service Code, when he rallied support for

John Kerry and called for the defeat of President George W. Bush during last

year’s presidential election.

The NLPC alleges that Citizen Change rallies called for the

election of Kerry and the ousting of Bush and references two rallies in particular,

including an Oct. 26, 2004 event at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

The group says violations occurred when Leonardo DiCaprio and

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick urged the crowd to vote for Kerry.

The Complaint states that Citizen Change’s address was

listed as the same as Combs’ business address and alleges that Combs could

have used his company’s corporate funds to illegally support Citizen Change’s

activities.

The NLPC is asking the FEC to investigate whether or not Combs

used the Vote or Die campaign to advance “commercial activity, namely

Combs’ line of clothing and/or his clothing company.”

"The Vote or Die Campaign was little more than a way for

Combs to call attention to himself,” Flaherty said in a statement released

to AllHipHop.com. “In terms of effectiveness, it was a joke."

Flaherty says Combs’ Citizen Change did promote voter

mobilization, but claims the non-profit engaged in prohibited electioneering

activities.

Tonight, Combs is being honored by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund

during the National Equal Justice Award Dinnner in New York City.

Congressman John Lewis (D-GA.), Johnson Publishing Company President

Linda Johnson Rice, Combs were selected to be honored at the NAACP’s most

important annual event at the Hilton New York & Towers.

“Honoring Combs shows how badly the civil rights movement

has lost its way,” Flaherty stated. “I think of the courage and

decency of Rosa Parks, and then I think of what Combs represents."

In a previous press release, LDF Director-Counsel and President

Theodore M. Shaw labeled Combs and the other honorees “21st century advocates

of democracy."

"Their combined efforts have helped to change the political,

economic and cultural landscapes of America and brought the nation closer to

realizing its democratic ideals," Shaw stated.

Combs was not available

for comment at press time.

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D.M.C. Adoption Focus Of VH1 ‘Rock Dock’

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Run-D.M.C. group member

Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels is the subject of a new VH1 franchise called

“VH1 Rock Docs,” which reveals untold stories in the world of rock

and Hip-Hop music.

D.M.C.’s

documentary will focus on the pioneering rapper’s recent, shocking discovery

that he was adopted.

Over the course

of the program, D.M.C. reveals his new perspective on life as he discovers his

birthroots.

The VH1 documentary

will feature a new video and song titled “Just Like Me,” taken from

his upcoming album, Checks Thugs and Rock ‘n Roll.

“Just Like

Me” was directed by Shawn Papazian and produced by Mike DeLorenzo and

Romeo Antonio. Sarah McLachlan provides backing vocals in the song and also

makes a guest appearance in the video.

“The last

five years of my life have been an emotional storm of change," D.M.C. told

AllHipHop.com in a statement. "The profound personal loss with the deaths

of Jam Master Jay and my father, the shocking discovery that I was adopted and

the pain of the impact of living in a world where the ravages of war continue

to destroy so many lives, this album is not something I wanted to do – its something

I had to do.”

D.M.C. enlisted Ondi Timoner to direct the video for “Machine Gun,”

another single from the album.

Timoner snagged

a Sundance Film Festival Award for her documentary “Dig.”

D.M.C. also assembled

an impressive list of artists to round-out Check Thugs and Rock ‘n Roll.

Former group member

Run (Rev Run) appears on the album, along with Kid Rock, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Lethal,

Napoleon (Outlawz), Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Fieldy

(Korn), Ms. Jade, Sonny Black, Gary Dourdan (“CSI”), Joey Kramer

and Romeo Antonio.

The album is being

released through a joint venture D.M.C. struck with RomenMpire Records, a division

of Prime Multimedia Inc. (PRMX)

“With the

support of my brothers at RomenMpire Records and Prime Multimedia I have a chance

to emerge from Run-D.M.C. as D.M.C., in a solo career to say what I have to

say with the words and music of this album."

VH1 Rock Docs launch

in January of 2006.

Checks Thugs

and Rock ‘n Roll hits stores soon. Fans can check D.M.C.’s new website,

www.me-D.M.C.com for further

updates.

Beastie Boys Dropping Documentary ‘Awesome: I F*ckin’ Shot That’

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

The Beastie

Boys will release a documentary directed and produced by group member Adam “M.C.A.”

Yauch titled “Awesome: I F**kin’ Shot That.”

The documentary was shot at an Oct. 9 sold-out show at Madison

Square Garden in New York City.

The group handed

out 50 cameras to various audience members during the show. The documentary

will include the audiences’ perspective from 50 different camera angles.

Yauch and co-producer Doran produced the documentary for their

company Oscilloscope Films for about $1 million dollars.

Independent film distribution company ThinkFilm landed worldwide

rights to documentary, after reading about the innovative approach to filming

the concert.

According to Yauch, the concept was inspired by a fan who posted

a video clip of a concert performance from his phone on the group’s internet

message board.

"I’m glad that the film has found a home with Think,”

Yauch said. “S**t has been bubbling for a minute and now Think is gonna

light a match."

ThinkFilm Company President and CEO, Jeff Sackman, said ThinkFilms

pursued the project aggressively upon learning about the innovative approach

to filming the concert.

“Adam, Jon, and the rest of their team at Oscilloscope

Films are the equal of any filmmaking team we’ve worked with when it comes to

having a vision and realizing it to its best and fullest potential," Sackman

said.

According to Yauch, the film will appeal to viewers despite

being shot by “a bunch of untrained camera operators.”

“That gives the film sincerity,” the rapper said.

“The people that shot it, were feeling it."

“Awesome:

I F**kin’ Shot That” will open in spring of 2006 and in summer,

a cutting edge DVD version of the documentary will hit stores.

In related news,

The Beastie Boys will celebrate their 24th anniversary by releasing the 15-track

limited edition CD/DVD Solid Gold Hits on Capitol Records, Nov. 8.