AllHipHop

Pharrell Speaks On "Blurred Lines" Lawsuit, Warns It Will Handicap Artists

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Pharrell Williams has finally spoken out about losing the $7.4 million lawsuit to the family of Marvin Gaye. The Gayes sued Pharrell and Robin Thicke for essentially stealing the R&B legend’s song “Got To Give It Up” for their own hit record “Blurred Lines.”

[ALSO READ: Pharrell Williams And Robin Thicke Must Pay Millions To Marvin Gaye’s Fam]

“The verdict handicaps any creator out there who is making something that might be inspired by something else,” Pharrell told the Financial Times. “This applies to fashion, music, design . . . anything. If we lose our freedom to be inspired we’re going to look up one day and the entertainment industry as we know it will be frozen in litigation.”

Pharrell and Thicke have not stated publicly whether they plan to appeal the ruling, but the two performers are “working out the steps” at the moment. Meanwhile, the Gaye family has now turned their attention to “Blurred Lines” collaborator T.I. and several record labels.

[ALSO READ: Marvin Gaye’s Family Is Going After Record Labels And T.I Over ‘Blurred Lines’]

Mac Miller Facing Lawsuit For Sampling Music From 70's Funk Band

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) The last few weeks have seen Marvin Gaye’s family win a big settlement against Robin Thicke and Pharrell over “Blurred Lines,” Jay Z give up 50% of the royalties to a Swedish musician for a sample on “Versus,” and Jermaine Dupri suggesting Ciara ripped off Usher‘s “U Got It Bad.”

[ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Cash Money Records Seeks Extension For Lawsuit Filed By Hot Boy Turk]

According to TMZ, Mac Miller is the latest Hip Hop star to be accused of stealing the intellectual property of another artist.

Soul/Funk band Aquarian Dream’s Jacques Burvick is suing Miller for using the group’s song “Yesterday (Was So Nice Today)” for the Pennsylvania rapper’s “Therapy.” The tune appeared on Miller’s 2014 free mixtape Faces.

Burvick claims representatives for Miller admitted trying to contact him to get permission, but when they were unable to reach him, Miller used the song anyway. The keyboardist for Aquarian Dream is now seeking $150,000, pointing to the fact the “Therapy” has apparently been downloaded over 700,000 times from Miller’s website oldjewish.com.

[ALSO READ: Mac Miller Reportedly Signs $10 Million Deal With Warner Bros]

Check out  Aquarian Dream’s “Yesterday (Was So Nice Today)” and Mac Miller’s “Therapy” below. 

A$AP Yams Cause Of Death Revealed

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) A$AP Yams of the Hip Hop collective A$AP Mob died on January 18. Surviving members of the Harlem based crew denied rumors Yams death was from a drug overdose. The New York Times now reports NYC’s chief medical examiner has confirmed Yams’ death was the result of an accidental acute mixed drug intoxication.

[ALSO READ: ASAP Ant Says ASAP Yams Didn’t Die From Drug Overdose]

The Times writer Jon Caramanica revealed the news on Twitter.

Yams founded the A$AP Mob which includes rappers A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, A$AP Nast, and A$AP Ant. The 26-year-old executive was laid to rest at Manhattan’s Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home.

[ALSO READ: Funeral Service For A$AP Yams Held In NYC; A$AP Rocky Refutes Drugs As Cause Of Death]

Is Diddy Letting Quincy Appear On Empire Next Season?

By: ClassicOne Updated Category: Rumors
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Photo via Quincy’s Instagram

Remember earlier on there were reports that Diddy did not want his oldest son Quincy to participate in Empire because he would have to sign over his music rights in order to participate on the show. Another rumor was that Diddy wasn’t letting Quincy participate because he wasn’t the music director and or music producer on the show. Despite the allegations, another source told Page Six, Quincy will be considered for the second season of Empire once Diddy allows him to participate. It appears that Quincy will in fact be participating in second season. Under a flyer Quincy posted on Instagram, a fan asked him would he ever appear on Empire. He replied, “yezzir.”

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Joe Budden Calls Power Petty & 50 Cent Responds

By: ClassicOne Updated Category: Rumors
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Photo via Joe Budden’s Instagram

As if 50 Cent’s rants about how Empire is a Hip Hop Glee, a rip off Power, his Instagram posts last night, and the slick shady Power promo commercials weren’t enough, 50 Cent is also going after any rapper that has anything to say about his show Power too. Lol. Joe Budden quoted one of Power’s promo taglines from last night tweeting “Empires are built on Power… They Petty”. 50 Cent responded with a “What you say b*tch.. I thought we was cool.” tweet. The two made up as Budden stated that Power is his favorite show and 50 blamed vodka for making him “forget” that that was a line from last night’s show.

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Kxng Crooked (Crooked I) Says Gay Rappers Should Come Out (VIDEO/POLL)

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Homosexuality is still the”third rail” of Hip Hop. While Odd Future’s Frank Ocean has revealed his first love was another man and former BET executive Darren “Buttah Man” Brin has spoken publicly about being gay, there are very few openly homosexual males in Hip Hop. Kxng Crooked thinks it is time for that to change.

[ALSO READ: BET Hip Hop Executive Buttah Man Discusses His Decision To Come Out As Gay]

“It’s like, if you’re gay, you’re just a gay guy,” said Crooked. “There’s a lot of people that came out in the industry. A lot of executives that we’ve known for years.”

The Slaughterhouse member named DreamWorks co-founder and Geffen Records creator David Geffen as an example of an openly gay man in the entertainment business.

Geffen Records has been associated with acts like Common, Mary J. Blige, and Snoop Dogg, but David Geffen is not personally viewed as being connected to the culture. Crooked wants closeted rappers to follow Geffen’s openness.

“Here’s my thing, everybody knows the gay rappers,” stated Crooked. “Or they have their opinions on who is gay. So my whole thing is just come out. ”

He added, “If you’re a gay rapper, it’s not that important to hide it. It’s more important that you say it, if Hip Hop is the final frontier for masculinity in music… If football is one of the final frontiers of masculinity in sports and you got guys coming out, why not in Hip Hop.”

[ALSO READ: Statik Selektah & Kxng Crooked To Join Forces For “Statik KXNG” Album]

Watch Kxng Crooked’s interview and take the poll below.

Open Letter To Common

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Uncategorized
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There’s a saying that Black celebrities do not want to put an end to White Supremacy, but rather improve their position in it. In a society where a behavior power system controls every aspect of social activity such as economics and entertainment among others, the pressure of accommodation is a day by day decision of resistance that can succumb to compromise at any moment. This brings us to the subject of rapper Common. Known for his conscious themes and thought provoking lyrics, Common stirred a hornet’s nest with recent statements on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, that the power structure of racism-White supremacy would end if Blacks would “extend a hand of love” towards White folks in America. For many who have taken to Twitter to express discontent, its counterproductive to socio-political consciousness and accommodationist in nature to put sole responsibility of racial harmony on an oppressed group of people; an institutional disparity perpetuated by the dominant racial class in society. Such notions have proven it self a philosophical failure in the past. It is said that history is the best teacher. This was the exact mistake of the Civil Rights Movement in the mid 1950s through mid 1960s in particular; the idea of appealing to the oppressor’s conscience and emotion through love and affection. Nevertheless the conditions of so called Blacks in America continued to persist through lynchings by law enforcement, Klansmen; poor education, joblessness, abject poverty, and political misrepresentation. The idea of integration which essentially was supposed to imply an amalgamation of so called Black people into the economic and political structure of America, had proven nothing more than a tactic of assimilation into White American cultural norms and neutralization of Black self-reliance and independence. Civil Rights Activist, Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture) understood this better than anyone and redirected the Civil Rights Movement on May of 1966 towards a philosophy of Black Power; an ideology that addressed the White power structure and institutions of White supremacy rather than moral suasion. Anyone who would institutionalize oppression of a whole nation of people for centuries apparently did not have a conscience or morale from the beginning and therefore engaging one’s conscious sensibilities were futile. After the assassination of Dr. King Jr. the Civil Rights Movement birthed a new consciousness of liberation movements that focused on dignity, cultural pride, independence, and political sophistication towards a revolution in the current power system that reached its apex as a movement in 1975. Common has made a fatal mistake that exposes his vulnerability to his position of privilege by suggesting a nation of people revert back to failed notions of the past. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and expecting a different result, this would be such. We can’t appeal to the conscience of the White Power Structure who perpetuates the unemployment disparity towards African Americans at 10.3% (see BlackDemographics.com), or the billion dollar enterprise of the prison industrial complex where private owned prisons create a demand for Black male incarceration, and even the education system where Universities have nefarious investments at hundreds of thousands in shares to both the Correction Corporations of America (CCA) and GEO group; The two biggest prison corporations; True empowerment with any nation throughout ancient history has always taken place from a people’s ability to come together first. That people or nation would then produce a cohesive culture and civilization among one another and then share it with the world for the forward flow of human history. Come to the light Common. You’re expected to know better. This originally appeared on Hebrew Vision News.

Does Tyrese Fear His Ex Wife May Flee The Country With Their Child?

By: ClassicOne Updated Category: Rumors
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Allegedly Tyrese is extremely worried that his ex-wife is going to take their child away from him permanently by fleeing to Israel. According to TMZ, He filed legal documents — obtained by TMZ — in which he pleads with a judge to put a stop on Norma Gibson’s decision to vacation in Israel with their 7-year-old daughter Shayla. The biggest problem is Norma is an Israeli citizen, and under the law she’s allowed to stay in Israel permanently. The other parent would be shhhh out of luck. Supposedly Tyrese tried to get Norma to sign a contract promising to return Shayla by a certain date and if she violated the deal she’d lose custody. Norma refused to sign. The matter is now before a family court mediator who will look deeper into their custody rules. If Norma plans on returning, why won’t she sign the agreement?!

"Empire" Season Finale Draws Biggest Ratings For A New Series In A Decade

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) The 2-hour season finale of Empire aired last night, and the ratings for the Fox series were huge. According to E!, the Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson led program’s early overnight audience of 16.5 million viewers.

[ALSO READ: “Empire” Becomes The Highest Rated Broadcast Drama In Five Years]

Empire pulled in a 6.4 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic. The first hour drew a 6.0 rating with 15.6 million viewers, and the second hour had a 6.8 rating with 17.5 million viewers. That makes the Empire season ender the highest rated finale for a new series since ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy in 2005.

The show saw its viewership rise every episode during its initial run. The January 7th premiere opened with 9.9 viewers which means the series nearly doubled its audience from the pilot to the finale.

Besides the TV ratings success, Empire has also taken over the music game as well. The show’s soundtrack debuted at number one on the Billboard album chart with 130,000 units sold in its first week.

[ALSO READ: “Empire” Soundtrack Tops Album Chart, Beats Out Madonna’s New Album]

Will.i.am & Slick Rick Launch Limited Edition Sunglasses Collaboration

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Hip Hop legend Slick Rick is teaming with Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am to create limited edition eyewear. The unisex sunglasses, included in ill.i Optics’ Spring/Summer 2015 collection, come in three variations.

The glasses were designed in Los Angeles and handmade in Italy. The singular exclusive style will be released for sale on March 20th via ill.i.am. The capsule style retails for $340.00.

Ill.i Optics is a partnership between Will.i.am and designer Graz Mulcahy. The “ill.i x Slick Rick” series is the first installment of ill.i Optics’ ongoing artist collaborations.

Is 50 Cent Still Trying To Get In On The Empire Hype?

By: ClassicOne Updated Category: Rumors
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Photo via 50 Cent’s Instagram

50 Cent has been talking a lot of junk about Fox’s popular show Empire; he even went as far as calling it the Hip-Hop version of Glee. While 50 Cent may really hate the show it seems more like the attention seeking rapper is trying to get more attention and publicity while the show is hot (by talking about it). Before the show even aired 50 was saying that the show stole the marketing campaign of his own show Power. At the time that accusation led to a back-and-forth exchange between 50 and Taraji P. Henson. 50 has since stated on MTV that he would like to date Taraji and that she shouldn’t listen to people when he says things because he says things he doesn’t mean (another attention seeking interview). Then last night during the Empire finale. 50 Cent posted a picture with the words “Are Built” with the caption saying “Empires are built on POWER and Power returns on June 6.” A fan replied to 50 saying the two shows aren’t the same and to let them eat. 50 replied saying, “I don’t watch that sh*t.” Seeing how shady the Power commercials that were shown during the Empire finale were, and 50’s post, 50 cent is trying to get some publicity off it’s hype anyway he can.

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Check out the commercial:

EXCLUSIVE: Mekhi Phifer Talks "Insurgent" & Being Part Of Hip Hop Culture (VIDEO)

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Veteran actor Mekhi Phifer is returning to theaters this weekend when The Divergent Series: Insurgent is released on Friday. AllHipHop.com’s Chuck Creekmur spoke with Phifer about the science fiction film. The native New Yorker also discussed the connection between his past roles in movies such as Carmen, 8 Mile, and Paid In Full to Hip Hop culture.

“I grew up in the Hip Hop era,” says Phifer. “It’s always nice to pay homage to that world.”

Watch Mekhi Phifer’s interview below. 

House Of AllHipHop & Breeding Ground Showcase At SXSW

By: Steve Raze (@SteveRaze) Updated Category: Features
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The House of AllHipHop festivities expand at SXSW. AllHipHop.com is pleased to announce the Breeding Ground Showcase at SXSW 2015. This will be held at the same location as our House Of AllHipHop Stage on Saturday March 21st from 1PM-6PM at The Belmont, 305 w 6th st. Austin, TX. Two big concerts in one location, spend the day with us as we present another Hip-Hop stage.

For the Breeding Ground Showcase at SXSW we are featuring Sauce Twinz, Audra The Rapper, Grafh, Two-9, Gunplay (MMG) and Taylor Gang’s J.R. Donato, Tuki Carter and Chevy Woods.

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Hosted by Wiz Kid and Music by Drum Squad DJs – DJ Babychino, DJ Lomaxx and DJ Roots Queen. We are opening this event to everyone! Just come early! Also on the line up: UTK, Manny’s World, SMG Squad and Inky.

Sponsored by Savile, Drum Squad DJs and Jade Umbrella.

But don’t leave this party too long. AllHipHop will still has another epic stage. Saturday, March 21st from 8PM-2AM, The House of AllHipHop Official SXSW Stage 2015 Powered by Digiwaxx Media at the same venue The Belmont at 305 W 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701. AllHipHop and Digiwaxx official SXSW stage will feature the following acts:

Pro Era’s CJ Fly & Kirk Knight, Philly’s own Gillie Da Kid, Chicago star Lil Durk. For our headliners, AllHipHop.com presents a special 20 year anniversary performance of the classic album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… from Raekwon & Ghostface Killah!

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All official SXSW badge-holders are invited to the The House of AllHipHop Official SXSW Stage 2015 powered by Digiwaxx Media at 8PM-2AM on Saturday, March 21st 2015 at The Belmont at 305 W 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701. Our line-up also includes: Lua Proc, Doughbeezy, City Rominiecki & Quilly, Chad B, D Chamberz, Squirm G, I Am Action, P.S the Artist, Doc Frank, 81 G Association.

Hosted by Fort Knox &  Music by DJ A-Tron

Sponsored by Digiwaxx Media, Relumae Records and Jade Umbrella

If your a Hip-Hop head at SXSW this year, you do not want to miss

The House of AllHipHop!

Early Sales Predictions For Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp A Butterfly" Are In

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly album has already shattered Spotify’s one day streaming record. The next number industry insiders are waiting to find out is the LP’s first week sales.

HitsDailyDouble is currently predicting TPAB will come in around 350,000 – 375,000 units. However, the site warns that total could certainly rise.

[ALSO READ: Kendrick Lamar Sets New Single Day Spotify Streaming Record]

HDD reports:

Physical copies of Kendrick Lamar’s [To Pimp A Butterfly] are just now arriving in many stores, making today’s projections somewhat tenuous; those projections are likely to grow throughout the week.

One thing that does seem certain is Kendrick will land his first number one album of his career. If the TDE emcee takes the top spot on the chart, K. Dot will join Big Sean and Drake as the only rappers to have a #1 album in 2015.

[ALSO READ: Drake’s “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” Expected To Open With Huge Sales Numbers]

Snoop Dogg Ft Charlie Wilson – "Peaches N Cream" (VIDEO)

By: Scooby Wilson (@mcscoobins) Updated Category: Videos
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Snoop Dogg releases the official video for “Peaches N Cream”, the first single featuring Charlie Wilson and produced by Pharrell from his upcoming album “BUSH” dropping May 12th. Pre-order now on iTunes.

Hot 97 Announces Summer Jam's Festival Stage Performers

By: Tanay Hudson (@NYStateOfMind2) Updated Category: News
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Hot 97’s Summer Jam is right around the corner and this morning (Mar. 19) Ebro and company announced the lineup for the festival stage, the appetizer for the main show. This year Dej Loaf, Teyana Taylor, B.o.B, Travi$ Scott and Joey Bada$$ will be taking the stage.

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Summer Jam is on June 7th at the MetLife Stadium. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.