AllHipHop

Find Out What Kanye West, Jay Z, DMX, Beyonce, & Diddy Request On Their Backstage Tour Rider

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) It’s well-known that music superstars get amazing perks as part of their jobs. One of those advantages is being able to demand specific items and environments for their backstage dressing rooms at concerts.

Radar Online rounded up some of the reported tour rider requests for 30 of the biggest names in the industry. The famous folk on this list include Kanye West, Jay Z, Beyoncé, DMX, and Diddy. Check out their rider demands below.

[ALSO READ: Andre 3000 Says He Felt Like A Sellout Because Of OutKast Reunion Tour]

Kanye

But now that he’s a dad, West is including riders for daughter North. The little girl reportedly needs a special $8,000 bed in the green room, plus a TV full of her favorite programs, and a personal chef on hand to prepare her favorite meals using only the finest organic ingredients, a source claimed.

Jay Z

Sources said while on the Legends Of Summer Tour with Justin Timberlake, Jay Z wanted a “gentleman’s club” atmosphere backstage. The hip hop titan had a full-time, on call cigar roller as part of his entourage.

DMX

The rapper apparently is a man with straightforward needs, according to his tour rider wish list, which included three boxes of condoms and one gallon of Hennessey!

Beyoncé

Queen B stayed true to the products she represented, mandating Pepsi products only backstage, as well as Honey Nut Cheerios, ginger root, a two-man love seat, and her toilet scrubbed with disinfectant. The singer banned sweets and chocolate or crisps from her dressing room. But another report noted she’d once asked for juicy baked chicken, heavily seasoned with fresh garlic, season salt, black pepper, and Cayenne pepper.

Diddy

The dapper hip hop mogul known for his luxury lifestyle had a lot riding on his tour, said The Little Red Riders Book, including 204 towels, 20 bars of soap, two bottles of Hennessy cognac, two bottles of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, two bottles of Veuve Clicquot, a bottle of Dom Perignon, Grey Goose vodka, a boom box, a bouquet of white flowers, cheddar cheese, sour-cream chips, Sweet Tarts and a $300,000 bullet-proof Maybach.

To read Radar Online’s full “30 Most Outrageous Tour Rider Demands” visit here.

[ALSO READ: Kanye West’s “Heartless” Was Almost On Jay Z’s “The Blueprint 3″? No I.D. Answers]

Hip-Hop Rumors: Is YG Coupled Up With Tatted Up Cutie?

By: kubeezz Updated Category: Rumors
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For those of us who didn’t know, YG does in fact have a girlfriend.

His lady friend is a makeup artist by the name of Catelyn Sparks. Recently a picture of the two surfaced at a family function.

Screen Shot 2014-12-25 at 7.04.29 PM

Cool little couple or nah?

 

More Radio Stations Likely To Convert To "Classic Hip Hop" Format In 2015

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) With listeners having outlets like streaming services and satellite radio to hear the type of music they enjoy the most, the influence of traditional radio stations has declined in recent years. According to a report in the New York Times’ ArtBeat blog, one FM format may be on the rise – classic Hip Hop.

[ALSO READ: Odd Future Launches New Commercial Free Radio Station]

Two months ago, Houston’s “Boom 92” KROI-FM became the first major market station to switch over to only playing songs by Hip Hop stars from the 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s. Boom’s audience size instantly went from 245,000 to 802,000, and its Nielsen ratings share jumped from 1.0 to 3.2. The channel’s audience did drop 2.6 percent the second month, but it still pulled in 781,000 listeners.

Other stations in Philadelphia and Dallas also saw audience numbers increase after converting to “Classic Hip Hop.” According to the Times report, radio executives are looking to change more stations across the country to the format in 2015.

Boom 92’s playlist includes The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo Money Mo Problems,” Warren G & Nate Dogg’s “Regulate,” Eric B & Rakim’s “Paid In Full,” LL Cool J’s “Rock The Bells,” Salt-N-Peppa’s “Push It,” UGK’s “Take It Off,” and 2Pac’s “California Love.”

[ALSO READ: Crowdsourcing Campaign Started To Raise Money For Hip Hop Hall Of Fame Museum In Harlem]

King Los: Jay Z & Andre 3000 Figured Out How To Be Lyrical & Go Mainstream

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) The discussion on the fall of lyricism on the mainstream rap level has been ongoing for years. People on both sides of the debate offer examples on why either the mainstream is at its lowest level in history or why some newcomers are carrying the baton of great lyricists.

[ALSO READ: King Los Talks Current Relationship With Former Bad Boy Boss Diddy]

One Baltimore rhymer appears to believe the days of great lyrical emcees crossing over may have reached its peak. In an interview with HipHopDX, King Los shared his opinion that one of Brooklyn’s Finest and an ATLien are the last of a dying breed.

“We think it’s Jay Z and we think it’s Andre 3000, if you want to really be real,” said Los about the two rap legends’ ability to reach many different demographics. “The people who know actual music, the musicians love Andre 3000. The singers love Andre 3000. The poets love Andre 3000. All those same muthaf**kas love Jay Z. These n***as figured it out.”

Earlier this year, Crooked I (aka Kxng Crooked) shouted out Lil Wayne for what he saw as Weezy’s contribution to bringing a focus on lyrical ability back to the mainstream.

“In the super-famous realm, I don’t think that those fans were getting any lyricism,” stated Crooked. “I credit and salute [Wayne] because when he was hopping on all those joints, he had some memorable one liners.”

[ALSO READ: Crooked I Says Lil Wayne Brought Lyricism Back To The Mainstream (POLL)]

Hopsin Reveals "The Truth" On Why He Claimed To Be Leaving The Music Industry (VIDEO)

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Funk Volume rapper Hopsin had the world thinking he was ready to leave the music industry for good. The California native wrote a letter to his fans where he stated “this rap stuff just isn’t for me,” and he was retiring to Australia.

It turns out Hopsin was just trolling the Internet. He released a Dumb And  Dumber To inspired video announcing it was all a gag and his Pound Syndrome project is on the way in 2015.

[ALSO READ: Hopsin Calls It Quits, Moves To Australia]

Watch Hopsin’s video below.

Post by Hopsin.

Lil Wayne Threatens To Sue Cash Money Over "Tha Carter V"; Birdman Posts Photo Of Wayne

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Lil Wayne wants his 11th studio album released now. That’s according to TMZ. The site is claiming to have spoken to sources close to Wayne, and the Young Money leader is supposedly ready to file a lawsuit against Cash Money Records and Bryan “Birdman” Williams to get released from the label if the project is not released soon.

[ALSO READ: Lil Wayne Associate Suggests “Sorry 4 The Wait 2″ Mixtape Is Dropping Soon]

Wayne went on Twitter at the beginning of this month to express his desire to be off Cash Money. The tweets also included the “Believe Me” rapper accusing Birdman of holding C5 back, and he also stated he wanted “nothing to do with these people.”

Apparently, the two longtime associates are currently not speaking to each other. Earlier reports circulated that Birdman was not willing to let Wayne leave Cash Money and his album would be released on a schedule determined by the label.

Meanwhile, Birdman posted a picture on Instagram that included a photo of Wayne’s Tha Carter III in the background. Birdman previously continued to add the hashtag #YMCMB to his IG pics even after the feud with Wayne became public.

BirdmanIG

[ALSO READ: Lil Wayne Gets New Face Tattoo That Resembles “All Seeing Eye” (PHOTO)]

Detroit Rapper / Producer Kevlaar 7 Dies

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Music News
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Detroit rapper/producer Kevlaar 7 has died suddenly from a blood disorder.

Kevlaar 7 and his brother Bronze Nazareth were Wu Tang Affiliates and highly respected in Hip-Hop circles and were in a rap group called The Wisemen.

Bronze Nazareth offered clear, but somber words on Twitter. “Devastated. Rest In Power my Dear Brother,” he said.

The word spread fast on social media and fans sent their condolences accordingly.

For more, social media response to Kevlaar 7’s passing, click here.

Deepest condolences from AllHipHop.com.

Beanie Sigel Is Alive And Recovering, Despite Rumors

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: News
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The internet is chock-full of garbage sites that completely bogus and Beanie Sigel is the victim of a shameless “satire.”

A report in circulation has stated that the rapper is died after being shot earlier this month.

The rapper remains in the hospital, but is very much alive.

Freeway, one of Bean’s close friends, set the record straight on social media.

Don’t listen to the rumors @beaniesigelsp is alive & fighting! Please keep him in your Duas thank you,” Freeway said on Instagram.

AHH Premiere: Tray Chaney – "Open & Honest" EP

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: Music
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Fans of HBO’s The Wire will get a special gift tomorrow (December 26) when the cable network re-releases the masterful television program in high-definition. The HD version of all 60 episodes will run as a marathon on the HBO Signature channel and via the HBO Go website/app. One of the show’s stars is celebrating the milestone by releasing his fourth musical project.

[ALSO READ: HBO To Release “The Wire” In Remastered HD]

Tray Chaney played the role of Malik “Poot” Carr for five seasons on The Wire. Since his turn as the drug dealer-gone-straight citizen concluded, Chaney has jumped into making music full-time. Chaney previously released the well received tracks “Dedicated Father” and  “Time,” but with his new Open & Honest EP the DMV representative is pushing the boundaries of his artistic vision to new heights.

“Open & Honest represents an open and honest invitation from me to the fans. It’s a true look inside some of my most personal, upfront, and close situations I deal with on a day-to-day basis,” says Tray. “It’s more edgy from what the fans are used to hearing from me – more relatable issues.”

The same way David Simon’s serial drama portrayed an authentic look at the inner workings of a modern American city, Chaney puts his internal conversations on public display with Open & Honest. From facing financial hardships after The Wire ending (“Welcome To My Life”) to overcoming the dirty side of the entertainment industry (“CoSign”), the actor/rapper does not hold back the truth on the lyrical biography.

[ALSO READ: “The Wire’s” Tray Chaney To Produce & Star In Mac Dre Biopic]

Stream Tray Chaney’s Open & Honest EP via AllHipHop.com below.

Three Questions With Anthony Kelley

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: Features
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The Mark Wahlberg led movie The Gambler hits theaters today (December 25). Among the actors appearing in the film is newcomer Anthony Kelley. The 22-year-old former college basketball player was a great fit for the film’s role of Lamar Allen.

Kelley describes Lamar as a star athlete that has a bright future ahead of him, but at the same time he faces serious issues such as overcoming internal emotional battles and close family members struggling with health problems. Kelley’s character eventually builds a relationship with Jim Bennett (Wahlberg), a professor dealing with his own troubles as a high stakes gambler.

AllHipHop.com recently spoke with Kelley. The 22-year-old travel and fine dining connoisseur talked about a particular fun time on The Gambler set when the cameras weren’t rolling, and he shares his picks for two of the big sports events on the horizon.

[ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: Introducing “The Gambler” Star Anthony Kelley]

What is the most memorable off-screen moment during your time filming The Gambler?

When I was playing basketball with Mark’s kids. The basketball gym scene was pretty much done, and we were just shooting around, dunking with some of the other cast members. It was great.

It felt like I was playing college basketball and just hanging out with some of my best friends. It felt like the cast members and I had known each other for years. I still stay in contact with them until this day.

If you could have played any two movie roles in history, which ones would you have picked?

I’ve always wanted to play a martial artist. So something like Wesley Snipes’ Blade. That would definitely be out of my comfort zone, so I would love to play something like that. Or Will Smith in Hitch. I think that would have been great too.

If you had to put $1 million down on which teams would win the College Football National Championship and the Super Bowl, who do you pick?

For the Super Bowl, I’m going with the [New England] Patriots. Shout out to Rob Gronkowski. For college football, I’ll go with Oregon. I have a buddy over there named Blake Stanton. Gotta go with Oregon.

[ALSO READ: Three Questions With Chaos]

A Star Is Born: Anthony Kelley (via Instagram)
A Star Is Born: Anthony Kelley (via Instagram)

The Gambler is in theaters nationwide today, December 25.

Follow Anthony Kelly on Twitter @AntonKelley and Instagram @AntonKelley.

Watch the trailer for The Gambler below.

HEATER OF THE DAY: Doeman ft. Le$ "Going Major"

By: @SimplyCecilia Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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Spitter Doeman has enlisted the smooth rapping Le$ for a new track titled “Going Major.” The Houston emcee has been releasing consistent heat, as he prepares for his debut album The Gold Blooded LP. 

The Pinkprint Debuts At No.2 As Nicki Minaj Is Named "Rapper Of The Year"

By: @SimplyCecilia Updated Category: Music News
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Although Taylor Swift has claimed the top spot on the latest Billboard 200, artist Nicki Minaj has come in right behind at number two with her third studio album The Pinkprint which also made it to number three on the Top Album Sales chart.

Rolling out with 244,000 units, the project beat original estimates that it would debut at 190, 000. Also in the top five was D’Angelo’s recently released Black Messiah. 

She’s also been crowned by Complex as the “Best Rapper of 2014,” in a recent interview she explains, “There is no ‘mixtape Nicki,’ I’ve never stopped rapping; I’ve never stopped doing freestyles; I’ve never stopped doing remixes and features; I’ve never stopped raising the bar lyrically.”

 

Family Seeking Answers In Shooting Death Of Antonio Martin

By: @SimplyCecilia Updated Category: News
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With an investigation already underway regarding the shooting of Missouri teen Antonio Brown, the case has quickly come under scrutiny due to conflicting reports, grainy videos and a (currently unnamed) officer that did not have on the body cam recently issued to him.

While officials say that Martin was shot after pulling a gun on the officer in question, his family is simply calling for a full disclosure of information as they try to cope with his death.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Martin’s grandmother Margaret Chandler said, “If he was in the wrong, I want to know he was in the wrong. I want to see the gun in his hand…I’m just thinking about my grandson. I want the facts.” She added, “I don’t want them to tell me he had a gun. I want to see it. These police do some dirty things. They just wait until nightfall to see some young black men and gun them down.”

This case is still developing.

[ALSO READ: Teenager Antonio Martin Shot By Police In Berkeley, Missouri]

Big Sean & E-40 Take Over The "Tonight Show"

By: @SimplyCecilia Updated Category: Music News
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Big Sean and E-40

While the holidays may be a source of cheer for many, for those dealing with a break-up or simply looking for a banger, Big Sean’s still popular “IDFWU” does the trick. Backed by The Roots, on December 23 Sean and Bay Area legend E-40 hit the stage for a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Following up on Hall of Fame, the Detroit emcee will reportedly release another project in the first half of 2015.

Take a look at their performance below:

O.T. Genasis on Hit Record "CoCo"; First Meeting 50; Funny Altercation w/ Busta Rhymes

By: Jake Crates Updated Category: Videos
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Thisis50 & Young Jack Thriller recently spoke with O.T. Genasis for an exclusive interview. O.T. Genasis speaks on his hit record “CoCo”, G-Unit, The Grind, Busta Rhymes, Wiz Khalifa stage diving during “CoCo” performance, influences, first meeting 50 Cent & much more…

FRESH HEAT – Fokis – "Produced By Dr. Dre"

By: Jake Crates Updated Category: Music
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In case you’re not familiar with Fokis, let’s bring you up to speed. Fokis is an emcee / producer who has collaborated with artists such as Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Mistah F.A.B., Olu Dara (Nas’ father) & more. He’s worked with producers such as Ty Fyffe, Focus…, Fantom Of The Beat and Jake One. Fokis released various projects including the “20/20” EP (produced entirely by Focus…), “The Appetizer” LP with Punchline (formerly of eMC) & “A Vintage State Of Mind” mixtape. He runs an indie label, Loyalty Digital Corp., which executive produced projects such as “An Ode To Reasonable Doubt” by Skyzoo & Antman Wonder, “Barrel Brothers” by Skyzoo & Torae and Sadat X’ upcoming album “Never Left”. He’s also an engineer who has recorded & mixed for Slaughterhouse, Fat Joe, N.O.R.E, Pharoahe Monch, Bun B, Kool G Rap, to name a few.
His latest single “Produced By Dr. Dre”, was produced by none other than Fokeezy, (Fokis’ name as a producer). The single is off his upcoming project “Underground With Commercial Appeal” slated for release 2/3/15.

Dear Barack : Evolution (Directed by: Ralliebox films)

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Multimedia / Video
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Barack Obama is under more pressure than the bowels of a constipated old man. And with all the drama in the nation surrounding police brutality, the president is catching it from all over. Poet Evolution steps up with a powerful spoken word piece in the form of an open letter to the leader of the free world. The result is a compelling critique that, if heard, will compel Obama to see the world through the eyes of those on the ground.

Fabolous Talks Social Media, Getting Dissed By A Well Known Producer And More

By: Tanay Hudson (@NYStateOfMind2) Updated Category: News
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Before his new album, Young OG, hits iTunes tomorrow (Dec. 25), feast your eyes on Fabolous’s new cover story with VIBE. For their December digital issue, they caught up with Fab to get the scoop on his Roc Nation deal, his upcoming album, his social media presence and more.

Fab-December-Cover

While discussing his ability to consistently release hit records, Fab reflected on a time that he was shaded by one of his industry homies.

“Your album used to mainly be about your singles. When you have that so heavy on your mind it can [influence] your creative process. But I knew I had to make those records to be successful because I felt like every time I put out an album it was somebody waiting for it to not work anymore. I remember reading a friend of mine, Jermaine Dupri, who said ‘I like Fab’s raps but I can’t see him past two albums’. I was like Damn JD, you my boy. But I guess it was his honest opinion.”

In between releasing albums, the Brooklynite has been able to keep fans intrigued with his hilarious, charismatic Instagram posts and hashtags. He said that though he doesn’t mind letting fans in through IG, he makes sure to not expose too much.

“With social media, I give a little taste but I always want to keep a little mystique to myself. I don’t want people to look at me like I’m a social media personality. That’s the problem with reality TV. Once you go on reality TV that becomes your personality–you’re a reality star or whatever you’re acting like you are on TV.”

Read the full cover story here.