LL Cool J‘s son was arrested in New York City, according to published reports.
Police arrested 26-year-old son Najee Smith and charged him with infractions related to trespassing. The younger Smith was apprehended and handcuffed after an alleged altercation in New York’s Meatpacking District.
Police were called about 3:15 am, because Najee refused to leave the premises and was resistant when restaurant workers attempted to escort him out.
LL has not commented on the matter.
Video by J. Wright (@WhoisJwright).
R&B veteran Avant recently released his eighth studio album ‘The VIII’ (The Eighth) via MO-B Entertainment/Caroline. The thirteen-song album features production by Travis Sayles and Bob Robinson (Tim & Bob) and will captivate true R&B music lovers with Avant’s magnetic voice and beautifully interwoven lyrics. Avant’s first single, “Special,” breathes new life into love and commitment.
Celebrating 15 years in R&B, Avant has accumulated an impressive catalog of hits that has included “Read Your Mind,” “Makin’ Good Love,” “Don’t Take Your Love Away” and “You and I” featuring Keke Wyatt among other chart toppers. On ‘The VIII’, he continues to create his signature formula of success, touching the emotional chord of the listener.
“I try to keep everything in perspective as things just go on in life. I’m a writer that writes from real life. I try to write from what I see… I keep it fresh and new for the peopl. With all my music, I want to leave classics that everyone will remember and be a part of the soundtrack of their lives.”
AllHipHop caught up with Avant to discuss his longevity, eighth album, the state of R&B, what he misses about music and much more. Check out the interview below.
After releasing his Black Dollar mixtape, Rick Ross continues to release new music and hits us with “Buried In The Streets” produced by Jake One. Listen below!
Cinematic Music Group’s latest signee G Herbo (fka Lil Herb) releases his highly anticipated mixtape, Ballin Like Im Kobe. The tape features guest spots from Chicago talents Lil’ Durk, Lil’ Bibby, The Mind and more. BLIK is now available for download via the MyMixtapez app. Stream below via Soundcloud.
Tracklist:
1. L’s (P###. C-Sick)
2. Watch Me Ball (P###. DJ L)
3. Bricks & Mansions (P###. DP Beats)
4. Bottom of the Bottoms (P###. Luca Vialli)
5. P Interlude (P###. DJ L)
6. Gang feat. Lil Bibby (P###. DJ L)
7. 100 Days 100 Nights (P###. Southside)
8. Peace of Mind (P###. Don Robb & Oz)
9. Remember feat. The Mind (P###. Austin Millz)
10. Don’t Worry feat. Lil Bibby (P###. C-Sick)
11. Eastside (P###. DJ L)
12. No Limit (P###. DP Beats)
13. Struggle (P###. Young & Fly)
14. Pain feat. Sonta & J Tsunami (P###. DJ L)
15. (Bonus) Rollin’ (P###. Southside)
16. (Bonus) Ain’t Right feat. Lil Durk (P###. DJ L)
After releasing his “No Social Media” single featuring Snoop Dogg, Wiz drops off new track “King Of Everything” produced by ID Labs & Cosmo. Listen to the new single below and let us know your thoughts in the c-section!
Nicki Minaj has secured a new show that will chronicle her homelife.
The singer/rapper made the reveal on Twitter.
Deadline reports that ABC Family, a cable network, will host a comedy series based on Nicki’s home life in Queens, New York in the 90’s.
Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj, got her start as an acting student at the coveted LaGuardia High School. She has gotten back to acting recently with roles in Ice Age: Continental Drift and The Other Woman.
A producer, she is expected to make appearances in the new sitcom, but will not be the central character.
Photo Credit: YouTube
Refusing to fall prey to a taunting Tennessee environment, Blac Youngsta, has cultivated the reflective pen game that turns lyrics into a resounding testimony. Although shot hit during a drive-by, that bullet failed to stop the momentum that he created from his Fast Bricks trilogy. Fast forward to today, in his South Memphis streets, the emerging rapper is described as, “Heavy.”
The artistic acumen and unabashed honesty of Blac’s approach has earned him a coveted deal with Yo Gotti’s CMG imprint. “Blac Youngsta’s style is unique and he has the energy to be a great entertainer. His hustle and drive reminds me of myself, so I thought he’d be a perfect fit at CMG,” says Yo Gotti of his most recent signee.
Last week, on Tues. (Sept. 22), the Southern spitter was surprised with a stunning signing bonus. That’s right; while performing at the Minglewood Hall, Yo Gotti would hand Blac the keys to a chic Lamborghini Gallardo.
Is “Heavy” the first track that was played in the new ride, or was it another song from Blac Youngsta’s recent mixtape, I Swear To God?
R.A. The Rugged Man joins forces with Marcella Puppini of The Puppini Sisters for “The Greatest”, a new track produced by Mr. Green. His critically-acclaimed album Legends Never Die features appearances from Tech N9ne, Talib Kweli, Brother Ali, Hopsin, Vinnie Paz, Krizz Kaliko, Masta Ace, Eamon, and more. Stream the single below and purchase it now on iTunes.
Inside The Mind is an introspective piece that goes inside the minds of artists just before hitting the stage. The series explains their pre-show thoughts, rituals, and state of mind. First up we have Pro Era frontman, Joey Badass, who we went inside the mind with before his upcoming U.S. and European World Domination Tour. Go inside the mind with Badmon and stay tuned for more from the entire Cinematic roster.
Chicago’s ClarkAirlines flips his flow multiple times in his creatively self-directed “Swangin'” freestyle video, speaking on real life from love to sexting to family and the hustle. Check out the video below.
After remixing Young Jeezy’s “God”, Gucci Mane delivers new Honorable C.N.O.T.E. produced track “Orange”. Guwop’s movie and soundtrack ‘The Spot’ drops October 17th.
Photo Credit: Niki G.
With over 18 offerings on their latest release, Future Vintage, ¡MAYDAY! has successfully shared its polished perspective. Reinvigorated with the nostalgic energy of Stuck on an Island and Take Me to Your Leader, the Miami-based band is attacking the road as part of the Future Vintage Tour. Tremendous showmanship and supreme lyricism abound from the evolving collective.
Recently, the Strange Music signees spoke exclusively pertaining to their new album — particularly about the track “Against My Better Judgment” — which they believe is destined for greatness. They confided to AllHipHop that during the recording process that they experienced fleeting feelings of trepidation. That temporary artistic angst has since been replaced with reinforced confidence that to date Future Vintage is their best work.
Although some of its members are missing, check out what Bernz, Wrekonize, and NonMS has to say regarding their latest project.
Photo (Vlad Interview Screenshot)
David Banner has been pretty outspoken about the state of Hip Hop lately via social media posts and interviews. He says he hasn’t really put out much music lately because he wants to get it right and not put out bullsh*t. He also feels that white artists in the genre are advancing while black artists are holding themselves back. He suggests that white rappers are becoming more lyrical while black rappers are mumbling. What are your thoughts?
Before tickets could officially go on sale for Kendrick Lamar’s concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C, they have sold out. Tickets were supposed to be available to the public on Sept. 30th while the pre-sale tickets were available today (Sept. 29).
The Kennedy Center broke the news via their Twitter account.
Thanks for your enthusiasm and support. @KendrickLamar's concert is sold out. Please check with the box office for last minute availability.
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) September 29, 2015
K. Dot will be performing on Oct. 20th. This will be the Compton kid’s first time performing with an orchestra, as the music will be provided by the Washington Symphony Orchestra. He will be performing songs from his sophomore project, To Pimp A Butterfly.
This summer saw the arrival of a fresh voice from across the pond. Hailing from the same area of England as J. K. Rowling, Banksy, and Tricky comes the Bristol emcee ThisisDA.
What started as playground cyphers with friends has grown into a rising rap career for the British national. The rapper/producer officially adopted the distinct ThisisDA after realizing the two-letter moniker D.A. used in his teenage days would not be the most Google-friendly stage name.
The 20-year-old performer let loose his album Super Arkane in 2014, but it was this year’s Based Off Black EP that grabbed attention from the Hip Hop blogosphere. The 8-track project is a jazz-influenced, boom bap resurrected opus that effortlessly slides between introspective observations and timely social commentary.
Based Off Black features production by Spacedtime, Julian G, Herring Franky, and Mankub. The EP also received an assist from Los Angeles standout Blu. The creator of the underground classic Below The Heavens connected with ThisisDA after a conversation on Twitter over a year ago. The result of that social media interaction is the two spitters tackling the song “Won’t Change.”
AllHipHop.com was able to get ThisisDA to participate in the “Three Questions” feature series. Find out what the Brit has to say about his nation’s Hip Hop culture, rapping about police brutality, and “pluckable” R&B stars.
What are three things about British Hip Hop culture that Americans may not know?
Firstly, there isn’t really a cohesive culture here, just a lot of kids that rap. Secondly, we don’t look to Americans for inspiration as far as many are led to believe. There’s just as much going on here. Lastly, there’s a lot of variations of British rap. The media tend to place British rappers in one category, but there are too many variations for a simple generalization.
Why did you decide to address the issues of police brutality and racial profiling in America on “Sell Me”?
I never decide a concept before writing a song. I just play the beat and write down the first few things that come out. Guess it was on my mind heavy at the time.
On “Electric 18” you say you have dreams of plucking an R&B chick? Which R&B singers are the most pluckable in your eyes and why?
I would probably say Tink. She’s good at what she does, and she seems intellectual. Can’t beat that. Tinashe is kind of nice too, but she’s forever doing the most.
Follow ThisisDA on Twitter @ITSTHISISDA and Instagram @thisisda.
Stream/download ThisisDA’s Based Off Black EP below.
“OTF” is a new hip-hop video series from creators Mike Gerbino and Sean Smith. Each episodes features Gerbino, an NYC-based rapper, recording an original track with a different artist, in a unique location. The series brings a filmmaker’s aesthetic to the raw energy of live performance.
“OTF” stands for “on the fly”, a term which refers to the quick-and-dirty style of the series, as well as “only the family”, highlighting the collaborative nature of the project.
Mike Regal doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel with his latest release. Instead, the Milwaukee representative takes his self produced track and paints a picture of his most painful memories so vividly that you might just think you’re living inside his mind by the end of the track. Directed by Damien Klaven, “Pain” is just a taste of what’s to come as this will live on his upcoming project “Premonitions”, scheduled to drop later this year. In the meantime Mike invites you to keep your eyes open and stay focused.
Troy Ave has announced that he is dropping a follow-up mixtape to his debut album titled, Major Without A Dead: Reloaded. The Brooklynite revealed that the project will drop next week via Instagram but didn’t reveal the release date. On the cover he’s posted up, counting money looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
The Def Jam signee’s first album, Major Without A Deal, had a lackluster debut, selling 4,373 units its first week.
Sacrifices have to be made when it comes to getting what you want. Whether it’s bad habits, things of possession, or even another rappers career in this case, Lynn, MA artist C Wells hopes to put your love for the rest of your playlists to bed and have you worshiping him by the end of this one. Produced by Chris Nevers, with video direction coming from John Rawlins, Wells doesn’t hold anything back this go around. Following his successful visual with Lil’ Herb “For The Paper”, consider this a one verse tease for his upcoming mixtape “Lyrically Inclined 2”. Look for that to drop soon with his album “Before The Tour Bus” to follow in 2016.
Teaming up with the likes of Major Seven, Frankie P, STREETRUNNER, The MeKanics, Daniel Worthy, Sonaro and other talented in-house producers including LLama, FrankeL, and 24/7, JoeyG. gives us a glimpse* at the last 3 years of his life in one project. For the Brooklyn based emcee the message is simple, keep going, be resilient and never give up. There’s no room, or “NOSPACE” for negativity, b####### or anyone trying to stop you from what you need to accomplish. Joey delivers his most honest, relatable work to date. It’s a roller coaster of different emotions that will have you at the edge of your seat.