TMZ reports that the Louie Vuitton Don has turned down an opportunity to earn a whopping $4.5 million. In documents obtained by the site, Yeezy was offered to perform at the Axis at Planet Hollywood three times a week for three weeks, bringing in $500,000 a show. For some reason, he walked away from this.
If he would have agreed to do it he would have made more coins a show than Celine Dion, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, who has been offered $350,000 a show.
Yé could have been the highest paid performer on the Las Vegas strip.
Beyonce’ is now looking to upgrade your athletic threads. Vogue reports that Queen B has signed a 50/50 partnership with the British athletic company Parkwood Topshop Athletic, Ltd. to launch a line of “clothing, footwear and accessories across dance, fitness and sports categories.”
“I could not think of a better partner as I continue to grow the Parkwood business,” Bey said in a a statement. I have always loved Topshop for its fashion credentials and forward thinking,” Beyoncé said in a statement today. “Working with its development team to create and produce a technical and fashion-led collection is exciting, and I’m looking forward to participating in all aspects of this partnership.”
Philip Green, the owner of Arcadia, which operates Topshop, also expressed his excitement about the company’s new partnership with Mrs. Carter.
“Creating a partnership with Beyoncé, one of the most hard-working and talented people in the world, who spends many hours of her life dancing, rehearsing and training is a unique opportunity to develop this category. Being partners with Beyoncé and her team, who have the greatest creative energy and enthusiasm, is inspiring for all of the team at Topshop.”
The clothing line is currently unnamed. Topshop has confirmed that they will be bringing a separate team on board to craft Beyonce’s line of gear.
Stalley has been waiting his entire life to release his debut studio album. Now that the Maybach Music Group representative has been given the opportunity to present his musical voice via an official LP, the 31-year-old emcee is using the project to not only present himself as an artist, but also shine a spotlight on his home state.
With the album’s title, Ohio, Stalley makes it impossible to even speak about the project without acknowledging the place where his life journey began.
“I wanted to put together something that represented me, represented where I was from, and really give the world a different sound,” explains Stalley. “I wanted to break up the monotony that is going on in Hip Hop right now. I felt like Ohio and the Midwest hasn’t really had a distinct sound that anyone could really pinpoint. That was one of the focuses I was trying to get across.”
The sonic trends of rap music in 2014 mostly encompass the ubiquitous styles of the “ratchet movement,” but it would be hard to imagine Hip Hop even surviving to the middle of the 2010’s if some of the early pioneers did not originally embrace 1970/80’s soul and funk as a soundscape. Many of the samples used by production masters like Eric B., Dr. Dre, Easy Mo Bee, and DJ Pooh were lifted from records by Ohio musicians.
The soulful songs of Ohioans have become so ingrained in Hip Hop that they are almost unrecognizable to untrained ears, leaving some listeners to think Stalley’s embrace of his musical Buckeye State roots is actually a copy of other regions.
“When you hear some of the music on my album like ‘Jackin’ Chevys’ or ‘Always Into Something,’ you hear those beats and think, ‘That’s a West Coast sound.’ Nah, Dr. Dre was brilliant enough to dig into the crates and find that Ohio funk and soul and really be one of the first to flip those beats and make Hip Hop out of that,” says Stalley. “I feel like even when people are so naive to say, ‘[Stalley] has a West Coast sound,’ I’m like, ‘You don’t know your music. That sound originated from Ohio with Bootsy Collins, Roger Troutman, The Isley Brothers, and The Ohio Players.’ A lot of the Hip Hop from the East Coast and the West Coast has been sampled from those artists.”
The Midwest was Stalley’s first stomping ground, but he also spent significant time in the East. Stalley relocated to New York City in 2000. During his tenure in the Big Apple, the aspiring rapper faced personal hardships that eventually inspired his future rhymes.
“Ohio birthed me, and New York really helped me understand who I was as a man, to appreciate where I come from, and to really hone in on that sound,” states Stalley. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs living in New York – great times and life lessons. New York definitely prepared me to be able to take on and weather a lot of the storms that I’ve been through and to stand out on my own. So New York has definitely been a big part of my rise in music.”
“Ohio” Cover Art
While NYC played a role in the course of Stalley’s career, the culmination of his musical drive – which comes in the form of his new album – is a wholehearted celebration of Ohio. The 12-track project is steeped in representation from the 17th state of the union including eight beats from Columbus native Rashad.
“Me and Rashad have a great chemistry. We started something brilliant when we did Lincoln Way Nights. We created that intelligent ‘trunk music’ sound. I think that we really created that Ohio sound,” says Stalley. “Be it that I named the album ‘Ohio,’ I wanted to keep it as Ohio as possible. Down to the production, down to the album cover shot by Jonathan Mannion who is also a legend from Ohio.”
Of course, Ohio includes other acts from across the country. MMG head and Miami native Rick Ross joins New Orleans singer August Alsina for “One More Shot.” L.A.’s Nipsey Hussle and Ty Dolla Sign show up on the respective cuts “What It Be Like” and “Always Into Something.”
Stalley then brings it back to New York by securing a rare guest appearance from legendary Long Island rap group De La Soul for the album’s closer “Navajo Rugs.” It all comes together for a 48-minute ride through the Massillon native son’s worldview.
“I definitely wanted to give you my life, the stories of the happy times and struggles, what I’ve seen, and the lessons I’ve learned from older OGs and my parents,” Stalley adds. “I really wanted to share those life lessons on this album, and I wanted to bring you to where I’m from – give you a good introduction of who Stalley is as a man and as a writer.”
Stalley’s Ohio is available for purchase on iTunes and for streaming at stalley330.com.
Rumors have circulated about a minute now on exactly what ILOVEMAKKONEN’s sexuality is, but MediaTakeout says they have the answers.
They are reporting that a dude claims he has a secret tape with hip-hop’s latest rising star.
“Until now MAKKONEN has been silent about his sexuality, believing that his ARTISTRY is more important – than WHO HE LOVES.
Well that’s about to change . . . because MediaTakeOut.com has been contacted MULTIPLE TIMES by a man who claims to be MAKONNEN’S ex-boyfriend. The man claims to have what he calls a “sextape” showing he and the hip hop star in their most PRIVATE AND INTIMATE MOMENTS.
Dude was asking 50 STACKS for the tape . . . but we declined his offer.”
Last week Iggy Azalea, in so many words, told a paparazzo that she would not work with her now enemy Snoop Dogg. When asked would she do a song with him she answered, “Would you?” Well, her nemesis wasn’t so nice in his response.
Now, TMZ caught up with Snoop to ask him would he do a song with the Aussie femcee. To answer his question, he began quoting the lyrics to Big Sean’s new single saying, “I ain’t f—–g with you! You little stupid ass b—h…” you guys know the rest.
A 5-year-old boy who returned from Guinea last Saturday (Oct. 25) is being tested for Ebola at New York City’s Bellevue Hospital, ABC News reports. The boy was taken to the hospital Sunday night due to his travel history and reports of him having a fever. When he arrived at Bellevue he was not exhibiting any symptoms, but this morning he had a fever, which led to workers to administering Ebola testing. The child is currently in isolation and test results will be available in the next 12 hours.
The first Ebola patient in New York, Dr. Craig Spencer, is also in isolation at Bellevue Hospital.
(AllHipHop News) Is it open season on Drake? The YMCMB performer has had his fair share of verbal spats with other rappers in the past, but it appears right now he has two artists coming at his head at the same time. Collaborator-turned-adversary Tyga dropped a new song that looks to be aimed at Drake, and battle rapper Murda Mook also released a track that contains subliminals that may be for Drizzy.
Mook jumped on Drake’s “6 God” beat for his own version of the track. The Dot Mobb leader does not call out Drake by name, but knowing he has a history taking shots at the “Started From The Bottom” rapper (including his verse at the BET Hip Hop Awards) it may not be a stretch to assume he was speaking to Drake.
The veteran battler raps: “Let me hold this for a minute boy/I’ll give it back when I’m finished boy/Man don’t nobody listen, man it’s just competition/I ain’t got no problems with the boy…/But if a n***a wants problems, tell him that I’m up in Harlem/They can load the guns up and come get the boy/I don’t play with him.”
For months, Mook has been publicly discussing his interest in facing off against Drake in a battle. He has stated that Toronto native was actually the one that first introduced the idea of Drake vs. Murda Mook.
“[Drake] pulled me like, ‘Yo, if I battled a n***a, I’d probably have one of the best battles,” Mook told No Edits in September. “I’m like word. I tried to laugh it off. He kept insisting he would do that. Then he said he wanted to battle another rapper dude, because he didn’t like him – I’m not gonna say his name. But then he was like, ‘I didn’t really want to give a n***a that look. But you, I f**k with you.’”
(AllHipHop News) 2014 marks the 20 year anniversary of numerous classic Hip Hop albums including Common’s second LP Resurrection. The No-ID produced project has repeatedly been included on several major publication’s “Greatest Rap Albums Of All Time” lists, and the song “I Used To Love H.E.R.” is regarded as one of the finest extended metaphor tracks from the genre.
Common spoke with Revolt about his musical masterpiece, and its significance two decades after being released.
“It’s funny to think about 20 years, because sometimes it doesn’t seem like that long,” said Common. “One other aspect of it is I feel grateful that I’m performing songs like ‘I Used to Love H.E.R.’ that people that’s only 23 in the audience know the song, so that’s already a blessing.”
While Com is appreciative that his earlier art is still respected, the Chicago actor/emcee is not content with resting on his previous contributions to the culture. He is still striving to create music with a lasting impact.
“One thing I’ve learned from my career is not to dwell on what you did in the past,” added Common. “Andre 3000 said it a long time ago: ‘You’re only as good as your last cut. Turn around, your ass will be a has-what.’ So for me, I stay in the progressive thoughts and try to do my best to be in the present.”
Common’s latest work, theNobody’s Smiling album, was released in July. It included the Vince Staples-assisted song “Kingdom” and “Diamonds” with Big Sean.
(AllHipHop News) For many years, the feminine voice in mainstream Hip Hop was lacking, but in 2014 more focus has been placed on female rappers than has been seen in years. That highlighting of women representing the culture will be further expressed at this year’s Soul Train Awards.
Legendary performers Lil Kim, Missy Elliott, and Da Brat are set to reunite on stage for the event. The trio was featured on Kim’s 1997 platinum single “Not Tonight (Remix)” along with Angie Martinez and the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of TLC.
Other acts scheduled to perform include Chris Brown, Jeremih, Nico & Vinz, Aloe Blacc, KEM, and Jodeci. The Soul Train Awards will air on BET and Centric on November 30. Wendy Williams will serve as host.
(AllHipHop News) Every since Tyga expressed that he does not like fellow Young Money member Drake, the Hip Hop world has been following the back-and-forth between the two and their crews. Just days ago Drake’s close associate Chubbs clowned Tyga on Instagram, and it appears T-Raww now has a few words for Drizzy.
Tyga dropped the new song “Make It Work” this morning. The track features a few lines that seem to be directed at Drake. At one point he raps, “n***as wanna take it there, we can take it there” and later adds “why these n***as wanna test me on the low though?” There is another part of the track that includes the lyrics “n***a never was my homie, all these b***hes know you’re corny.”
(AllHipHop News) It has not been the most uplifting month for Chicago rapper Chief Keef. First Keef was dropped from Interscope Records, and now an artist from his Glo Gang crew has been arrested for murder.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Cordell “Yae Yae Jordan” Jones was taken into custody in Detroit last week. Yae Yae is accused of being involved in the September 20th shooting at the Déjà Vu nightclub in Highland Park. One person was killed and several others injured.
Yae Yae was on the run since the incident and was placed on the “Michigan’s Most Wanted” list two weeks ago. Citizens reported information about Yae Yae’s whereabouts to the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team. He maintains that he did not commit the crime.
The 18-year-old Michigan native linked with Glo Gang this summer. He appeared on the track “Strapped (Remix)” with Chief Keef and Yns Cheeks. Keef dropped his original imprint Glory Boyz Entertainment earlier this year and founded the Glo Gang label in its place.
(AllHipHop News) Earlier this year Drake and Chris Brown made it clear they settled their differences by appearing together in a skit for the ESPY awards. The two performers were even photographed together in the studio in July. Now the former rivals will be on the same song together.
Young Money’s Nicki Minaj tapped Drizzy and Breezy as features for an upcoming single titled “Only.” The track also includes Lil Wayne. Nicki announced the star-studded song will be released tomorrow (October 28) via her Instagram page.
Brown and Drake had a longstanding feud that included a bottle throwing incident at a New York City club in 2012. CB explained why he decided to move past his issues with the Canadian rapper in an interview last month.
“I’m 25. I’m not getting no younger,” Brown told MTV. “You can’t walk around holding grudges, looking over your shoulder, and being negative all the time. I’m tired of being looked at as the aggressor. For me, I just wanted to show my maturity.”
There’s no song like a Migos song. This time, the energetic ATL trio brings in Rick Ross to feature for their song “Black Bottles”. The beat is a bit diferent from Migos’ usual style of trap music, but their verses along with Ross’ fits the upbeat party track.
You know you’ve made it when you have the chance to perform on Saturday Night Live. On SNL last night, Iggy Azalea performed her hit songs “Fancy” and “Black Widow”, alongside singer Rita Ora. With Iggy Azalea re-releasing her debut album The New Classic as Reclassified, we’re pretty sure you’ll hear these two songs a lot more in the near future. You can check out the video below:
If you were old enough to live through the late 90s and early 2000’s, then you’ve probably seen Marc Ecko’s clothing line. That iconic rhino has been on baggy sweaters and jeans for a while, and it’s lost a little bit of popularity as the decade’s played out. But don’t let that fool you, this new Cut & Sew line has switched up to a line that fits fashion in its modern time. The line includes more of a grown and casual look compared to its pass lines, with plaid button-ups, dark-colored jackets , and face cover-ups. You can check out some of the pictures from the 2014 Fall Line 2014 look book below, and check out the official look book here:
This week, there was a plethora of good news in music. While Drake blessed us with three tracks to celebrate his 28th Birthday (before storming into strip clubs), Logic introduced himself to the mainstream hip hop world with his debut album Under Pressure. Though these stories were big in their own way, they didn’t catch my attention like Killer Mike and El-P out of no-where released their second self-titled album as Run The Jewels. Prior to this surprise release, an album that was continuously in rotation was Raury’s project Indigo Child. Sure, the project may have released a few months ago, but this project is one of the more deeper project to drop this year, and may be one of the best out this year. The Raury and Run the Jewels albums this week were the two R’s in rotation, two albums with their own unique style to keep the week going.
If you’ve been following The Odd Side since the first week, then you might be quite familiar with Raury and the fire he was spitting on SBTRKT’s song “Higher”, but it doesn’t doesn’t do any justice to the sound he has made for himself through his debut project Indigo Child. Through the combination of rock, rhymes, vocals and arguments, Indigo Child is a project hard to describe within only one genre of music, but the playthrough will bring an experience completely different to your ears. Raury’s been on a steady rise ever since the summer, working with Kanye West and even earning a set on Outkast’s festival #ATLast in late September, so you may want to look out for this young artists if you haven’t already!
Hella fans were patiently waiting for Run The Jewels 2 release this week, but when both Killer Mike and El-P decided to release their highly anticipated album FOR FREE early on Friday. Twitter went crazy, and tons of hilarious tweets flooded the timelines of Hip Hop fans everywhere. The two artists have had previous success before they collaborated, but when Mike and El-P come together, it is hard rhymes over aggressive electric beats. This time around, Run The Jewels comes harder, and will keep you raging until the last song. With a diverse list of appearances from Travis Barker to Gangsta Boo, Run The Jewels 2 is a true definition of experimental hip hop.
What do you think about the 2 R’s? let me know about it on Twitter via @VBrinkley513
If you was up late last night and just happen follow Atlanta producer Sonny Digital on Soundcloud, then you’ve might of seen the new remix to iLoveMakonnen’s song “I Don’t Sell Molly No More”. This time around, Gucci Mane adds his verse to the OVO rapper’s verse along side Wiz Khalifa’s (even though Gucci is now in jail…..again). Currently, iLoveMakonnen has been featured on several tracks, but let’s hope there is more original music to come.
Looks like Drake had a bad time in DC last night for his 28th Birthday. The OVO Rapper was seen last night at one of Washington DC’s high-profile Strip clubs, Stadium. Sounds pretty normal right? Famous Celeb shows up at popular strip club. However, TMZ released a video showing Drake and his OVO crew breaking through security. Drake even dropped a stack of money while rushing into the club. Something p##### him off. Check out what happened below.
The iconic R&B trio Boyz II Men recently stopped by the Tom Joyner Morning Show for a nice in studio performance as well as a “Beyond The Studio” interview with Nikki Woods. Boyz II Men’s new album, Collide, is now in stores. Their new album presents a progressive sound for the R&B legends and their 23-year career. The group comprised of Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wayna Morris hold the distinction of being the best-selling R&B group of all time, with 64 million albums sold worldwide.
The R&B legends ran through some of their most classic hits like “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” and “Water Runs Dry.” The group, known for their perfect acapella performances, tight harmonies, and vocal arrangement nailed the live in studio performance.
B2M expressed that they were glad the fans still adore them the way they do, but it’s not much money in the business anymore because its hard for artists to move units. They went on to discuss how being able to acquire performer residency in Vegas is a testament to their career and their success. They stated that there were other groups that started with them but you don’t hear too much from them. The iconic trio said their new album is about good vibes, and its self gratifying. They also discussed going from a quartet to a trio saying that Mike leaving the group was his own doing. Nathan explained that Mike will always be their brother as he contributed to what they are known for. However, he moved on to explain the fact that Mike didn’t show up for shows or recordings. “He took it for granted,” said Morris. Nathan stated that people don’t realize Mike left 12 years ago. Nathan also stated that Collide is amazing because they took it back to where it began for them in high school making music because they wanted to with no ulterior motives, “and that allows you to be as creative as you want to be,” said Morris. Wanya took the mic thanking everyone who has been a part of their careers (including Tom Joyner) over the years, stating that the group is in a good place as artists.
Just what we needed. In celebration of his birthday, Drake let 3 brand new gems fly. Down below we have “6 God“, which is produced by Boi-1da and Syk Sense, “How About Now“, which is produced by Boi-1da and Jordan Evans and “Heat Of The Money“, which is produced by 40. In one of the songs you will find him throwing shots at that boy Tyga. Ha! His new album is due out early next year.
