(AllHipHop News) In the wake of the national discussion about race, the militarization of the police, and economic inequality sparked by the killing of Michael Brown, some observers have also connected the conversation to certain imagery displayed by some rap artists.
Faith-based rapper Lecrae is one of the voices challenging the Hip Hop community to address its own lyrical content before demanding justice from anyone else. The Houston native shared his thinking on the subject and the Ferguson situation via Twitter.
Dear Hip Hop, we can’t scream “murder, misogyny, lawlessness” in our music & then turn around and ask for equality & justice.
For the record I don’t think Hip Hop is the problem. I don’t believe we are loved/treated equal by cleaning ourselves up. — Lecrae (@lecrae) August 19, 2014
I do believe the content of character can help or hurt the work of those who fight for equality & dishonor those who died for our freedom. — Lecrae (@lecrae) August 19, 2014
Ferguson, Iraq, Isreal-Palestine…it’s not a movie. It’s the real world. Our world. Let’s act like it. #DoSomething — Lecrae (@lecrae) August 20, 2014
Do you agree with Lecrae that members of the Hip Hop community cannot ask for equality and justice while at the same time making music about murder, misogyny, and lawlessness? Take the poll below.
(AllHipHop News) Sean “Diddy” Combs, aka Puff Daddy, has spent most of the year promoting his upcoming album MMM, but apparently the Bad Boy founder took time out to connect with Israeli DJ/producer Guy Gerber for a side project.
The 11-track 1111 is a compilation of electronic songs. Diddy announced his latest work on social media. The project is available as a free download here.
(AllHipHop News) “Haters gonna be haters, and there’s nothing we can do about that,” says Tina Knowles about the constant rumors that her daughter Beyoncé was having marital troubles with husband Jay Z.
Ever since the infamous video of Solange Knowles attacking Jay Z in an elevator leaked online, various media outlets have reported unnamed sources supposedly close to Jay and Bey confirm the power couple are close to splitting up. But Ms. Knowles becomes one of the first family members to address the speculation on the record.
“Everything’s perfect,” said Ms. Knowles when a paparazzo asked if everything is okay with the Knowles-Carter marriage. “I just don’t even read the bull.”
Does it get better than a Tupac and K-Ci and JoJo of Jodeci collaboration?
“How Do U Want It” was a single by the late and great Tupac Shakur that featured R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo of Jodeci. It was the third single from Shakur’s album All Eyez on Me. The song debuted in 1996 and was a Double A-side single to “California Love”. The song reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #17 in the UK in 1996. The classic samples Quincy Jones‘s “Body Heat” from his 1974 album Body Heat. The song was also nominated at the 1997 grammys for the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Enjoy the classic video below.
(AllHipHop News) T.I. addressed the Michael Brown shooting in an open letter this week. Now Tip is taking on police brutality, systemic racism, and personal responsibility on the new song “New National Anthem.” He brought Skylar Grey along to cover the hook.
“Home of the brave and free/Free just to murder me,” Grey sings during the chorus, while the Atlanta rapper spits ad-libs like, “It’s America. Land of the handgun. Home of the shotgun. You’re dead if you ain’t got one.”
(AllHipHop News) Ms. Lauryn Hill released the new track “Black Rage” overnight. The song is a response to the ongoing demonstrations taking place in Ferguson, Missouri over the killing of Michael Brown by a local police officer. It features Lauryn singing about the causes of “black rage” in this country.
(AllHipHop News) Atlanta rapper Killer Mike appeared on CNN to discuss the police shooting of Ferguson, Missouri teenager Michael Brown. One of half of the rap group Run The Jewels revealed his father was a law enforcement officer, but he did not want his children to follow into that profession.
After sharing that he holds cops in high regard and most are well-intentioned individuals, Mike does acknowledge that there has been a change in the way the police interact with the citizens they are charged to protect and serve.
“The culture of policing is changing. It’s becoming militarized. They’re getting old military weapons. They’re using kids fresh out the military, and using military tactics,” said Mike. “We have essentially gone from being communities that were policed by people from the community to communities that are policed by strangers. That’s no longer a community. That’s an area that’s under siege.”
Mike was then asked about comments made by filmmaker Spike Lee. In a separate interview, Lee stated his belief that there is a “war on the black male.”
“This is a black male issue. It has been for all my thirty-something years on life, and I refuse to let you only think about that,” Mike responded. “Whatever this country is willingly do to the least looked upon – we can all come to agreeance that often times black males are the least looked upon. We’re the least thought about in terms of education. We’re the least thought about in terms of community violence. We’re the least thought about in terms of community and police relations. But whatever this country is willingly to do to them, to black people, to those males will eventually happen to all Americans.”
New music from The Game’s upcoming Year Of The Wolf compilation called “What You Want”. The song features Tyga and Blood Money crooner Pharaoh Jackson. It’s produced by Jereme Jay. Year Of The Wolf album will be available on September 30th.
Earlier today, King Louie announced that he and Lil Durk’s feud was squashed. The proclamation was announced during a private meeting held by Minister Louis Farrakahn. Our sources say Durk was also at the meeting and left shortly after its conclusion.
Yesterday (August 17th) Minister Louis Farrakhan addressed the Mike Brown shooting for the first time at The Nation of Islam’s National Center, Mosque Maryam in Chicago. In his speech he compared himself to “a loveley song” in which his message is only temporarily appreciated and not applied:
There’s not a lot for me to say that I haven’t already said. It’s just that you have not been listening.You treat me like a lovely song. “The Minister’s coming out, let’s hear what his song is today.” And after I speak, you applaud, and go back to your crazy way of life.
Check out Minister Louis Farrakhan address the Mike Brown shooting below:
(AllHipHop News) Earlier today (August 20th), Radric “Gucci Mane” Davis” was sentenced to three years and three months in prison over federal gun possession charges.
Gucci Mane’s sentence includes three years of travel restricted supervision upon his release. According to Gucci Mane’s lawyer Drew Findling, the 34 year old rapper requested to serve his sentence at a facility with a drug treatment program in order to deal with his addiction to “lean”. Gucci Mane also requested to serve his sentence at a facility on the West Coast in order to “avoid distractions” according to ABC News.
On September 14th, Gucci Mane was arrested in Atlanta after threatening to shoot police, according to the police report. Gucci Mane reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors and pled guilty to a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
DUBB releases his new track “Bodega & Liquor Stores” produced by Hidden Faces. The track features up and coming Spanish Harlem rapper Bodega Bamz . Expect for DUBB to drop his Perfect Timing mixtape this year.
(AllHipHop Features) Round two of AllHipHop.com’s “Profiles In Battle Rap” covers California based veteran Okwerdz. The Source magazine’s “Unsigned Hype” alumnus has been at the forefront of the West Coast battle rap scene for over a decade.
Besides his extensive battle resume, Okwerdz has also worked with some of the most respected emcees in the rap game and performed on stages with freestyle legends Supernatural and Juice.
Ok’s business acumen is on point as well. Okwerdz announced he has licensed music for films like Dragon Eyes starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tapped Out starring Anderson Silva, Snoop Dogg’s Double G News Network, and mixed martial arts highlights on ESPN.
In the latest edition of “Profiles In Battle Rap,” Okwerdz offers praise for fellow battler Illmaculate, names which rappers he wants to face next, shares his favorite battles, and more.
Hometown
Stockton, California
Years Experience
15 years
Style Known For (ie aggression, wordplay, punchlines, freestyle)
aggression, harsh personals, performance, punchlines, and freestyle
Crew
Fresh Coast
Slogan
“Ok-Muthaf*ckin’-Weezy put em in a box and say easy” – Sounds funny but was kind of made up on accident from one of my most infamous lines in my battle with Arsonal. I said it once and it really stuck with people.
Leagues Competed In
Grind Time, King of the Dot, Don’t Flop, Scribble Jam, Rocksteady, Basementality
Mixtapes/Albums
Random Acts of Music LP, Sneak Attack mixtape hosted by DJ Green Lantern, Rush Hour EP, Fresh Coast Non-Perishables Vol. 1, The Off Season mixtape hosted by DJ Big Mike, Fresh Coast Non-Perishables Vol. 2, Prominent Features Vol. 1
Favorite Battle (Participant)
Me vs. Hollow Da Don, Me vs. Arsonal
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Favorite Battle (Non-Participant)
The Saurus vs Illmaculate
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One Of Your All Time Hottest Line
“I’d rather tell jokes and say suck my testicles/ than be at some one-dimensional, gun rhyme punchline festival.”
Your Battle Rap Mount Rushmore
To keep it well-rounded and historically correct I’d say The Saurus, Illmaculate, Loaded Lux and Hollow Da Don. Not in any order though, just them in general.
One Mainstream Rapper You’d Like To Battle:
Any one of them that could actually do it well and has a buzz.
Name one battler you think could possibly beat you on their absolute A-Game:
Illmaculate
Artists You’ve Worked With Musically
E-40, Kool G Rap, Tech N9ne, Slug of Atmosphere, Rahzel, Sadat X, Jake One, Hippie Sabotage, Mistah FAB, Young Collage
Your Battle Rap Hit List
Reed Dollaz, Serius Jones, Abra, Zaito
Top 5 Emcees DOA
Ice Cube, Big Daddy Kane, Biggie, Jay Z, Kool G Rap
Do You Prefer To Participate In A Debatable Battle Or A Clear Victory?
Personally, I prefer a clear win, because a breakout performance is what takes you to the next level and changes your life. For the fans, it’s def a classic back-and-forth though, because those get debated for years and years which keeps it alive!
Where Do You See Battle Rap Going In The Future?
I hope to see battle rap on television and a lot more established artists hopping in to make it more interesting and help grow the culture. I’d like to see everyone who worked hard to build this get the compensation they deserve when it does blow up and even old legends who don’t battle get staff jobs in this like in wrestling.
(AllHipHop News) No justice, more peace officers. Yesterday (August 19th), Lupe Fiasco proposed an interesting solution to the problem of police brutality in response to Mike Brown’s shooting in Ferguson, M.O.
According to Lupe, Mike Brown’s death “was the product of a system that can be changed” and that protests are only short term solutions. A long term solution proposed by the 1st & 15th MC was for the people protesting in Ferguson to join the same police departments they are protesting against:
1 of 3 The tragic death of Mike Brown was the product of a system that can be changed. Protests & activism satisfy passions for the moment
Lupe is no stranger to societal critiques on public forums. During a keynote speech at Mass Black Male Graduation and Transition to Manhood ceremony, he informed students whom recently graduated from high school they “spent the last 12 years receiving one of the worst educations on Earth.”
(AllHipHop News) Beauty is skin deep, but so are bruises. During a recent interview, Remy Ma explained what sparked her first fight in prison, how she originally did not like Papoose and more.
Remy Ma’s early August release was delayed after she engaged in a fight with a fellow inmate weeks prior that resulted in her staying in solitary confinement. While on Power 105’s The Breakfast Club, Remy described how her first fight in prison transpired. After stating that the woman looked more manlier than Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy, Remy Ma explains how her slick mouth got her into her first fight:
It was over something so stupid. It was more like I didn’t like her. She asked me “you don’t like me?” I said ‘I think you’re dumb [ugly]. Not I don’t like you.’ That’s what I told her. She was like ‘do we have a problem? I just think you’re really ugly. Would I consider it a problem? No.’ [She said] ‘So, you want to get it in?’ [I said] ‘Well I have eight years more years here. Why not?
Remy admits to the hosts that she has a “guilty until proven innocent” approach to new friends and initially does not like people she has never met. That courtesy extended to Papoose, but once the couple got together, the conjugal visits became complicated:
I was just like, you know, they gave me a lot of time. I know eight years is a lot of time. I don’t know if I’m going to have to do the whole eight years. But, I don’t want you to ever feel burdened with my punishment. He was like ‘As long as you here, I’m here.’ You have to remember that I was able to get trailer visits. They’re like every six weeks, every 42 days. But, then if you get in trouble, or get in a fight, they take it away.
Check out Remy Ma’s full interview with The Breakfast Club below:
We can imagine its pretty hard having a significant other who posts provocative pics via social media. Its probably even harder to bite your tongue, but from the looks of things Juelz Santana is fed up.
After posting the pic above to Instagram, Juelz had some choice words for baby momma Kimbella.
That was a bit of a low blow, considering you knew what you were getting yourself in to when you got involved…
A few days ago French admitted to Billboard that he was trying to capatilize on Khloe Kardashian’s fame (no surprise there), but now word is Khloe woke up and gave him the boot.
MediaTakeout reports:
“MediaTakeOutcom EXCLUSIVELY LEARNED that two weeks ago Kris called a major family meeting and told Khloe that French is NOT WELCOME IN THE FAMILY!
At first Khloe did not listen to her family. BUT MediaTakeOut.com EXCLUSIVELY LEARNED that a couple days later Khloe ALLEGEDLY found freaky text messages & pictures in French Montana phone of Love And Hip Hop NY Tahiry. We’re told that Khloe BROKE IT OFF with French and told him she rather deal with Lamar drug habits then to deal with French cheating habit !!!!!
Now get his . . . Over this weekend French Montana was seen all weekend in Miami with Tahiry. The two were in South Florida for The South Beach Invitational Weekend.”
Instead chasing all these different women maybe he needs to chase down his son….#butthatsnoneofourbusiness.
