Super-producer Dame Grease and Legendary DJ King Assassin have announced they will be collaborating on a star-packed, independent album that will feature top notch production and plenty of surprise guests. In anticipation of this project, Grease & Assassin have released the track “My Style,” featuring Sheek Louch of The LOX, Pusha T and Freeway.
Having made their names working with superstars like 2Pac and DMX, DJ King Assassin and Dame Grease have established themselves as mainstays in Hip Hop from coast to coast. When asked what fans can expect from this project, Dame Grease simply smiled and said, “Huge records.”
Hip-Hop was fully represented last week when Monster Ceo Noel Lee was inducted into the Consumer Electronics (CE) Hall of Fame.
It’s a pretty big deal. And the “Head Monster” as Lee refers to himself, was in good company. Executives like Kevin Liles, Kevin “Sincere” Mucthison (former director of marketing of Monster/Beats by Dre) and Kevin Black (Interscope, Atlantic, UcanFly), and others were on hand to watch Noel Lee get inducted at Gotham Hall in Manhattan.
But the most impressive part of the evening was who was inducted with Lee during the CE Hall of Fame ceremony. The guy who modernized the remote control (George Feldstein) and the father of Wi-Fi (Vic Hayes) were amongst the pioneers recognized during the ceremony.
“For all those folks who don’t know what that word is, this is the organization that puts CES and Consumer Electronics Show is the biggest tradeshow in the world,” Noel Lee told AllHipHop.com. “All electronics, car manufacturers, software, drums, you name it. Most people don’t know what it is because it’s a trade group. People in the industry, everyone knows what it is.”
“The honor is being recognized by my fellow manufacturers, leaders in the industry and we’re very humbled by it, because I started out in my garage making Monster Cable,” Lee told AllHipHop.com. “Then [came] Monster Power, the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. We turned the headphone world upside down and now we’re doing our own thing.”
Lee brought some swag to the event by accepting an award on his signature golden Segway scooter. However, he’s way more than flash even though his company rakes in over $100 million a year. Noel Lee has always been in the business of music. He quit his job in 1974, to tour with a country rock band named Asian Wood. He later founded Monster Cable Products in 1979, when he created audio cables to improve sound quality for studios, musicians and consumers.
“From a garage to a vision to just being an entrepreneur, I’m very humbled by the recognition,” Noel Lee said.
Lee’s desire to deliver consumers a world-class audio experience helped him decide to from form a partnership with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine to create the Beats By Dre studio headphones. And he thanks Hip-Hop music and culture for his company’s progress.
“I really got and indoctrination [into Hip-Hop] when I hooked up with Jimmy and Dr. Dre. It’s just an amazing world, and I read everything and did a study on the music, the culture and now with the success of “Straight Outta Compton,” there’s a huge awareness of it. But I got a respect the music for how it influences pop culture.”
Even though Monster is hugely successful, Noel Lee is still looking for new companies to partner with to develop new technologies. And the company will continue its custom of partnering with rap artists like Dr. Dre,Meek Mill, and Swizz Beatz, who is a shareholder of the company.
“It [Hip-Hop] influences every white kid is suburbia. The rapper in Korea. The rapper in Japan. It gets into the vernacular. You’ve got the Urban Dictionary, it’s got it’s own ‘let me look it up if I don’t know what it means,’ and now with ‘Empire’ being the #1 TV show, urban culture affects every piece of culture around the world and transcends languages. It’s just amazing…I am a huge, huge fan,” Noel Lee told AllHipHop.com.
Rapper Rick Ross opened the newest addition to his Wingstop empire this past Friday. 125th Street is where the long line formed in front of WingStop Harlem. Baracades, cameras and paparazzi added to the heightened suspense as everyone waited for the man of the hour.
DJ Self on the turntables provided all of our favorite Ross tunes. Guest enjoyed wings, champagne and cake. It was definitely a celebratory energy in the building.
According to a 2014 Forbes article, Rick Ross is the owner of nine WingStop franchises around the country. Ross kept quiet in regards to the number of WingStop franchises he actually owns. Yet, he did disclose that Louisiana Rub was his new favorite flavor!
As for his relationship with fiance Lira Galore, Ross stated, “People should worry about themselves. We just living life!” Lira was in attendance Friday evening.
It was definitely a fun time! Congrats on your latest location Mr. Ross. Job well done!
(AllHipHop News) Pusha T is on pace to drop his sophomore solo album later this year. But could the Virginia emcee possibly reconnect with brother No Malice for another run as the Clipse? There does not seem to be any activity taking place on that front, but No Malice believes the duo could still create some of the best music in Hip Hop today.
“I believe that my brother and I together can make clown soup of all of these rappers,” No Malice told MTV. “That’s what I believe in my heart, but how can two walk together unless they agree?”
The siblings have not released an album together since 2009’s Til the Casket Drops. No Malice has since committed himself to his faith. While Pusha went from G.O.O.D. Music signee to president of the label.
“There are different paths for different people and I believe circumstances may keep him where he’s at,” explained No Malice. “My circumstances keep me where I am. But do I have hope? I totally have hope [we could reunite for another album]. I’m not chasing it or forcing it, but I stand by what I just said, man. I know what we could do.”
Buttah Man has been in the Hip-Hop journalism community for years, now Buttah has found new life in the field of comedy. In his last few year, Buttah has announced his sexual orientation and he uses that to fuel his comedy routine at the historic Comedy Store in Los Angeles Take a listen to Buttah Mas’s transition.
I’ve found my greater purpose in comedy. With humor I can tell my story while taking on homophobia that exists in Hip Hop & Caribbean Culture, Two communities of which I’m proud to be a part of. Although progress is happening, there’s still a long way to go for LGBT acceptance. I went from someone who was afraid to tell people my truth to now living it onstage every night. This performance represents a milestone for me as a comedian. Making my debut in the place where so many comic legends performed and got their start. Thanks to DJ Trauma, Sarah Mello of Mellow Mondays, and Derek Brin for shooting this debut. Thanks to Comedy Store for their support.
(AllHipHop News) While most of the Hip Hop world is still shaking their heads at Billboard‘s “Greatest Rappers” list for leaving off 2Pac, DJ Vlad posted an interview with Silkk The Shocker where the No Limit artist addressed being named one of the worst rappers of all time.
“I think I was offbeat. But you know what’s funny? Nowadays they want me to be offbeat again,” said Silkk. “I think I had my own style which I don’t think is right or wrong.”
He added, “The worst rapper stuff – I do see that. I’m confused on who gave them a chart that says… look I sold a lot of records. I sold more record than a majority of rappers. So I don’t know [how people] can say I’m worse or somebody else’s worse. Whatever. It’s an opinion.”
(AllHipHop News) Michael B. Jordan is once again earning award buzz for his role in the upcoming film Creed. The 28-year-old Newark native stars as the title character in the Rocky spin-off. Jordan stopped by The Breakfast Club to discuss the boxing movie and working with director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station).
“We shot Fruitvale three years ago. Literally, before we started shooting we were walking to set, and [Coogler] was like, ‘I got this idea about Apollo Creed’s son. Do you want to play him? I was like, ‘cool,'” revealed Jordan. “Me and him got a connection and chemistry. We want to continue to make films and tell stories that need to be told.”
During the interview, Jordan was also asked about rumors he has dated various celebrities. In particular, rapper Iggy Azalea and model Kendall Jenner were mentioned. Jordan denied ever being involved with either woman, and he claimed the stories were fabricated by the media.
“I got caught in the frame, in the same picture. It’s so weird when you’re walking somewhere and you get caught in a picture – all of a sudden y’all are dating. Why is that?” questioned Jordan. “I don’t watch a lot of TV. All that extra stuff, that’s not me. I’m about my work, my business, my friends, my family. I have a good time when I’m supposed to. But other than that, I’m not into all that extra drama.”
It looks like DJ Khaled’s staff may be trying to do some damage control. A video surfaced that allegedly shows him beating someone badly with an affiliate of his. No one is sure what happened here or what this beat down is based on, but we definitely would like to know. It seems like DJ Khaled may actually be guilty and involved in this incident as representatives of his label, We The Best, are DM’ing blogs on social media asking them to take down clips of the video. Do you think they are asking people to take it down because it really isn’t Khaled, or do you think that are trying to make the issue go away?
Detroit rapper Tone Tone premieres his street single “Gold Rolex” featuring the Trap God Gucci Mane. The track is produced by the world famous 808 Mafia. Tone Tone is the subject of much talk as his recent Bang Gang video shoot started a riot and brought out the Detroit SWAT and helicopters. This is def a dope Gucci verse that everyone will be posting today!
(AllHipHop News)Billboard magazine sparked heated debate with its “10 Greatest Rappers Of All Time” list. Both fans and artists offered their thoughts about the selections and omissions. Ty Dolla Sign addressed the controversial list during an interview with Hot 97.
“It didn’t have 2Pac on it. Okay, I don’t even know what list you’re talking about,” said Ty. “Who? What list?”
The Free TC album creator was not the only West Coast representative to take issue with Pac being snubbed. Snoop Dogg called out the publication for leaving the icon off the G.O.A.T. list.
(AllHipHop News) Missy Elliott recently returned from her musical hiatus with the Pharrell-produced “WTF.” In the 10 years since the Virginia performer released The Cookbook album, Nicki Minaj emerged as the top female rapper in the game.
Many Hip Hop followers see some of Missy’s style in Nicki. Billboard mentioned the influence in a cover story about Miss E.
“Oh, she is?” replied Missy about Nicki being inspired by her. “Unfortunately, breaking news, there is only one Missy.”
The artist known for crafting hit records like “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” “Get Ur Freak On,” and “Work It,” also addressed the lack of women representatives in rap music today.
“It was me, [Lil’] Kim, Lauryn [Hill], Eve, Foxy [Brown], Trina,” said Missy about her era. “There’s room for so many. It’s important.”
As Missy prepares to release more music, she is fully aware of how the public could react. Modern internet culture is known to be ruthless when comes to criticism.
“I have to be very careful,” she says. “It’s different now. People are quick to be like, ‘You’re irrelevant, you’re a flop, you’re washed up.’ ”
With Pimp C’s posthumous project looming with a December 4th date, we are blessed with another single, this time featuring Juicy J and Nas. The track “Friends” includes a classic melody from TLC’s “What About Your Friends” as Pimp sings the hook. Everyone brought it on this track, pay attention and learn something y’all.
Tim Westwood always has the exclusives (bomb sound), so if you don’t know Tim Westwood, you must have been living under a rock for the past 20 years. He’s probably one of the most famous DJs in Europe, so it was no surprise when he had a dope throwback unreleased freestyle from Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff. From Will’s flows to Jazzy’s cuts this was pretty dope.
Missy Elliott will be receiving the Innovator award from Billboard at their 2015 Women in Music ceremony, Billboard reports. The honor salutes artists who have “consistently broken new ground in pop music.”
“Missy Elliott is a once-in-a-generation artist and producer whose artistic brilliance and creative vision have transformed pop and hip hop music,” said Janice Min, co-president and chief creative officer of Guggenheim Media’s Entertainment Group. “There are few artists more respected by her peers and more creative. We are proud to honor her with the inaugural Women in Music Innovator award.”
Missy recently reemerged back on the scene with her new Pharell-assisted single, “WTF.”
The Women In Music event will take place on Dec. 11th in New York City and will air on Dec. 18th on Lifetime.
Remember the days when you would see the whole A$AP team freestyling in some random house when they first came out? Well A$AP Rocky shows he’s still got it and drops a freestyle on stage while Tyler, The Creator’s “Yonkers” plays in the overhead speakers of a live show in San Francisco. The fellas are on tour together and you can tell the crowd was feeling it, so this one came off pretty dope. Shout outs to Based God and Golf Wang were in order as well, press play below and see for yourself!
Twenty-one years ago two lyricists from Southwest Atlanta burst onto the national Hip Hop radar with Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Since the arrival of OutKast’s debut album in 1994, Atlanta Hip Hop has undergone several transformations.
A 22-year-old A-Town rhymer is now tapping back into that funky soul well of music promoted by Andre 3000 and Big Boi. Moments into Jonah Cruzz’s latest project, Cruzz Control, listeners are hit with a distinct Southern soundbed layered with an engaging flow. Jonah’s homage to the Golden Era and hat tip to his hometown comes into full play by track two. A song aptly titled “1994.”
“I wanted people to understand where I was from. It’s a reason I’m saying, ‘Who that n*gga swagging like he out in California?’ So many people hear my music and think I’m from Cali. Even when they meet me, they ask if I’m from Cali,” Cruzz relays to AllHipHop.com. “I wanted to let people know I’m from Atlanta. Don’t get it twisted. I might rock the Vans. I might swag like this. But y’all are going to know I’m from the ATL. I’m from that red dirt. I wanted people to respect where I’m from.”
Cruzz has a great appreciation for all things 90’s. His mother put him onto the rap music of the time, and he recalls older relatives telling him about learning of the tragic death of Tupac Shakur.
He even has his own memories of the infamous “Bite Fight” between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in 1997. But the decade’s tunes are Cruzz’s favored products to emerge from the last ten years of the 20th Century.
“I’m in love with that whole 90’s era of music. I listen to everything from that era. Even R&B music from that era,” says Cruzz. “I carry myself like I’m in the 90’s. It’s 2015, but that’s what I like.”
Jonah was just seven years old when the calendar turned to the new millennium. While he is now a buzzing entertainer, his life before the million SoundCloud plays was a difficult one. Many of his childhood days were spent in hotel rooms as his family moved around frequently.
The difficulty of the constant displacement did open Jonah up to discovering more about himself. He identified his ability to sing as a pre-teen. Soon after his mother learned of her son’s talent, she passed the information to Jonah’s preacher father. The parents then had the young performer join the church choir.
That spiritual base is also part of the music Cruzz makes today. “Windows” – a cut off of his previous mixtape Ordinary N*gga – questions the value of worshiping in the house of the Lord and discusses how the Creator responds to the choices people make to survive.
“I’m not a bible thumper. I can’t tell you nothing about the Quran. I can’t tell you nothing about any other religion. I can only tell you about my personal relationship with God,” Cruzz proclaims. “In my heart, I feel like I’m taking the right steps, and as long as I’m doing the right thing I should reap the benefits.”
The Ordinari Music Group representative continues, “Everybody makes mistakes, but we do have free will. At the same time, you can’t let that stop you from being yourself. However you want to live your life is fine. I’m not telling no one to do wrong. I’m telling people what’s really going on in the world. The truth needs to be exposed.”
Cruzz’s personal truth includes enjoying the pleasures of marijuana and sex – two vices that may be frowned upon by strict religious devotees. That still does not prevent the Henry County native from exploring those concepts in his art.
In October, Jonah released a video for “Diana.” The metaphoric song – partially inspired by Lil Wayne’s “I Feel Like Dying” and Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” – tells the story of how addiction love can be pleasurable and destructive at the same time.
“It wasn’t inspired by real drugs. I’ve smoked weed and I’ve tried lean. But I’ve never done anything passed that,” states Cruzz. “When I made the song, I wanted to make people feel like they were on drugs. Even if you didn’t do drugs, I wanted to put people in a mind state of being addicted to something. Anything can be your Diana.”
The rest of Ordinary N*gga includes further displays of the regular guy archetype. Unlike other rapper’s tendency to sell an über-exceptional persona, remaining relatable to the audience is the goal for Jonah.
“It was time to really express who I am as a person. I didn’t want to lie to the people. I didn’t want to say I’m whipping this, I’m wearing that, and I’m doing all these extraordinary things. I don’t do none of that and don’t relate to none of that. So I wanted to tell people the truth of who I am and tell my whole story,” explained Cruzz.
The themes presented on Ordinary N*gga are deciphered even further on Cruzz Control with a twist of Hip Hop nostalgia. The love interest from the Fugees’ “Nappy Heads” returns on the soulful and sensual “Mona Lisa.” Jonah gives his fans vintage Snoop-esque vibes on the weed ode “Smoke Party.” The social issues probed on the reflective “Stoop Kid” harken back to the ripped from the headlines motif of OutKast’s “Toilet Tisha.” The collection closes out with “Multiply” which features the same rise from poverty ambitions of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy.”
“Your album might be a bible to somebody. Your album might be something that somebody really lives by. So I try to watch what I say, but be as honest as possible,” says Jonah about Cruzz Control. “When I’m long gone and dead, my music is still going to be here and could still spark a brain.”
Jonah’s inspirational message is also an updated version of a quote shared by another cultural icon from the 1990’s. 2Pac once declared, “I guarantee I will spark the brain that will change the world.” Cruzz is now proudly standing on the shoulders of the legendary emcee/actor/activist as Pac’s mission continues to manifest in a new generation.
“The thing I want to achieve in my life is to inspire people. I want to change the world. I want to make the world a better place,” insists Cruzz. “I know I can’t do that alone, but I know I can inspire other people. My biggest thing is to hit people in their hearts, to really impact people, and say something that will get them to do better for themselves.”
Once again another artist is claiming that ‘Empire’ is biting them. ‘Empire’ used to be the hottest thing on television, but lately the show has seen a continuous dip in ratings. Regardless, the show still has a following and everyone under the son claims the show is about their life and artistry. Everyone wants a piece of the ‘Empire’ publicity pie. Here’s the latest claim. Singer Justine Skye seems to feel like Empire ripped her off for Alicia Key’s new guest role on the show. Alicia Key’s character’s name is Skye Summers, and like Justine, Skye Summers has purple hair. Justine Skye posted a photo of Alicia on set with the caption,
A woman who will be appearing on the WeTV reality series Selling It In the ATL claims that Dr. Dre fathered her 20-year-old son, TMZ reports. Gwen Boyd Moss, who is a real estate broker, is set to appear in an upcoming episode where she says that the Doctor is her 20-year-old autistic son’s father.
Dre doesn’t deny having relations with Moss, and when she first told him he had a son, named Justin Young, he began paying child support. But when a new lawyer encouraged him to get a paternity test in 1997, it was shown that he was not the father and he stopped paying child support.
Moss reportedly does not believe the results and still claims that Dre is her son’s father. In the episode, the network bleeps out when she name drops Dr. Dre for legal reasons.
Selling It In the ATL airs every Thursday at 10:00 p.m EST.
Six months after Chinx’s murder, the case remains unsolved, FOX 5 reports. NYPD reportedly has no new leads or information regarding the murder. The Coke Boys rep was gunned down in his hometown of Queens on May 17th after leaving Club Red Wolf in Brooklyn.
“The police department probably has no new information or evidence to go forward with the case,” said former NYPD detective Derrick Parker about why the case remains unsolved. “It has probably hit a wall.”
Chinx’s friend Antar Alziadi, who was riding with him the night he was killed, was initially helping with the investigation but has stopped cooperating.
Chinx’s wife and mother of his three children, Janelli, said she is trying to remain hopeful.
“I don’t want to think negative,” she told FOX. “I don’t want to think of the situation as a possible brush under the rug.”
Parker says the only way for this case to proceed is with “witness cooperation.”
Chinx’s debut album, Welcome to JFK, dropped on Aug. 14th, 2015.
