EXCLUSIVE: Gang Related Premier In NYC With Wu-Tang’s RZA

Last night, Fox debuted their new action-drama, Gang Related at the 40/40 Club in NYC featuring legendary Wu-Tang front man RZA.  Right off the heels of his Brick Mansions film release, RZA’s role in Gang Related will be a stark contrast from the gritty, kingpin drug lord he previously portrayed. RZA plays Cassius Green,  a no-nonsense drug enforcement agent on the LAPD specialized task force, who along with Lost star Terry O’Quinn, works to eradicate the gang dominance over the district. RZA becomes partnered with The Wire’s Ramon Rodriguez, who in a surprising  twist of plot, is actually an undercover gang member working to infiltrate the police department by posing as a cop. Lines become crossed when Ramon’s allegiance is tested, causing him to reconsider where his loyalty really lies.

Watch as AllHipHop talks with RZA about his new role in the series and gives us a taste of what we can expect. Gang Related premiers on Fox Thursday, May 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

 

Hennessy V.S Honors African Americans of 1936 Olympic Games

Last night at Lincoln Center in NYC, Hennessy V.S presented the world premier screening of “The Renaissance Period of The African American in Sports,” a documentary telling the story of nine African American stars from the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

Before the screening, Hennessy V.S held a private reception for the Olympians in attendance including the films executive producer and Bronze medalist Herb Douglas, film director and producer Bob Lott and Olympian father and son duo Charles Jenkins Sr. and Charles Jenkins Jr.

Olympic Gold Medalist, Gabby Douglas introduces the film and is featured alongside Nelson Mandela and several athletes in the 22 minute long documentary which is slated to go on a national tour this summer. Herb Douglas is the true definition of Hennessy’s mantra, Never stop Never settle. At 92 years old, Douglas is the oldest living Olympian and is continuing to change and impact the world.

After the screening, ABC 7 news anchor Lori Stokes moderated an enlightening Q&A session with several Olympians and took questions from the audience. Herb Douglas, shared his memories of his teammates on the track and field team during the Olympic Games and the impact that it had in the USA and abroad.

PHOTO CREDIT – Joy Jacobs

Hip-Hop Rumors: Joe Budden And Tahiry Are Back Together?!?

Last night, a curious thing happened in New York City. Our spies caught Joe Budden and Tahiry sharing a tender moment in a Hookah bar! Just kidding…slightly. But, yeah, they did link up and we got the pictures of it! But it was at Wine & Spirits I heard. I also heard they were super cozy and friendly. They shared some laughs and hookah. But, what do you make of the body language?

Let me know what you think after you see the pics below!

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“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.

Illseed, Out.

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Nas To Release "The Lost Tapes 2" and New Pimp C Album on Mass Appeal Records

(AllHipHop News) Nas’ commercial music career may be leaving its second decade, but the Queens native is already prepp. Today (May 16th), Nas has announced that he is launching Mass Appeal Records and releasing his highly anticipated sequel to The Lost Tapes.

While no release date has been announced, a collection of unreleased music from Nas will be released on the newly formed label in the form of The Lost Tapes 2. Nas’ legacy is not the only one being repurposed for modern ears as the late Pimp C will have a posthumous album released of unreleased recordings over modern production from DJ Mustard, Mike Will Made It and many others.

Nas signed Fashawn, Boldy James and Bishop Nehru to Mass Appeal Records earlier this year and his own contract with Def Jam expires later this year. In an email obtained by Billboard, Nas explains how hands-on he will be in his artists’ projects:

I’m excited to be a part of creating and supporting future careers and legacy artists, promoting love and finding new genius to help the world. I’m going to be as involved as I need to be, but I also want to be respectful of the art and give artists the space they need to grow and become themselves.

No word if Bishop Nehru’s upcoming album with MF Doom, Nehruvian Doom will be released through Mass Appeal.

Hip Hop Rumors: What Rapper Caused NFL Player Greg Hardy to Assaults Girlfriend?

Nelly got these dudes out here goin’ wild…

North Carolin Panthers player Greg Hardy was charged with was charged with assault after an argument with his girlfriend about her past relationship with the St. Louis rapper.

According to CBS Sports:

“On Thursday, after a judge dismissed a request for a temporary restraining order against Hardy because the accuser failed to appear at a civil hearing in Charlotte, another judge, who had presided over Hardy’s bond hearing on Wednesday, amended the terms of the bond and he must now surrender all of his weapons and firearms, according to the Charlotte Observer.

According to the Observer, Holder’s protective-order complaint states “that Hardy was angry with her because of a short-lived relationship with the rapper Nelly, who is a part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. She stated in the court documents that she and Hardy had been trying to work things out and that she and Hardy were in bed together early Tuesday morning when Hardy ‘just snapped.'”

According to the judge, both Hardy and Holder were intoxicated at the time of the incident. Hardy’s attorney, Chris Fialko, maintains that his client is innocent and that Holder is responsible for the disturbance after she attacked Hardy and his friend, Sammy Curtis.

A 911 called obtained Wednesday by CBSSports.com has Hardy telling the operator that Holder was trying to hit him with her shoe and that she hit him in the face twice. But a second 911 call made from Hardy’s downstairs neighbor claimed that the Panthers’ defensive end was “beating (Holder’s) ass.”

There was another 911 call from another neighbor who offered police more information, although the caller admitted he was afraid to do so.

“He promised me my name wouldn’t be involved,” the caller said. “Because I’m seriously afraid of my neighbor. He’s a huge guy. He’s 6-4 and 290 pounds. There were like eight guys right here outside my door. I was kind of afraid to say anything.””

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's Official Wedding Date and Location Revealed

(AllHipHop News) In less than two weeks Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will finally get married. In a statement to The Associated Press, officials with the mayor of Florence announce the date and location of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s wedding.

Kanye West will marry the mother of his first child on May 24th at Belvedere Fort in Florence, Italy 7 months after he proposed to his future wife. A protestant minister will preside over the wedding. According to a recent interview with Florence’s La Nazione newspaper, West stated he and his fiancé believe they conceived their child North West in Florence.

This news comes days after it was rumored that Jay Z would be the best man at the upcoming wedding. No word on details of nuptials and any prenuptial agreements.

 

Hip Hop Rumors: Beyoncé Confronted Dame Dash's Ex?

Now y’all know the plot is going to continue to thicken. Reports are coming in that Beyoncé reportedly confronted Rachel Roy (Dame Dash’s ex-wife) for getting to close to Jay-Z.

According to EOnline:

“At the gala, Rachel was being flirtatious with Jay,” a source exclusively tells E! News. “Once everyone was at the Boom Boom Room for the after-party, her flirtations were elevated.”

“Beyoncé approached Rachel to let her know the behavior was disrespectful and she wanted her out of their lives for good,” the source goes on. “Solange came over to have her sister’s back, and things got heated with her and Rachel. Jay said some disrespectful things to Beyoncé and Solange as the confrontation was going down. That’s why all hell broke loose in the elevator and why Beyoncé just stood back and let Solange hit Jay.”

The elevator brawl then occurred as the famous fam rode the Standard Hotel’s elevator downstairs to leave. The whole shocking brawl was caught by a surveillance camera.”

Even after the family issues an “official statement” we can’t help but enjoy the speculation game.

 

Ab-Soul New Album Coming In June, Fans Get To Pick Release Date

(AllHipHop News) Ask and you shall receive. Less than three weeks after Ab-Sol threatened to leak his debut major label album, Top Dawg Entertainment CEO Dangeroo Kipawaa announced Ab-Soul’s release date.

Rather than following the traditional model of release dates (i.e. actually having one) , the TDE has decided to democratize the process. On his personal Twitter account, Kipawaa gave fans the power to choose when they hear These Days, Ab-Soul’s debut album:

Kipawaa did not announce how he will use fan vote to choose the album release date and/or when it will be released.

Cam'ron Taps Big Features For "First Of The Month" Series (VIDEO)

(AllHipHop News) Dipset general Cam’ron is set to drop a series of monthly releases later this year, and the Harlem rapper has recruited some big names to make appearances. Speaking with MTV, Cam revealed Young Money, G.O.O.D. Music, Taylor Gang, and Maybach Music Group will all be represented on different editions of his First Of The Month music series.

[ALSO CHECK OUT: Cam’ron & A-Trak “Two the Hard Way” Movie Trailer]

“The people that’s going to be on this project is Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Estelle, and Gunplay, so far,” said Cam’ron.

First Of The Month will feature new videos hitting the Internet on the first day of every month starting in July. The accompanying song will follow later.

“The first one is July 1 for the visual, July 3 for the music,” added Cam. “We’ll put it out – the visual – every first of the month. So, August 1 will be another visual, September 1. And then, whatever the first Tuesday is of every month, we’ll be doing the music, as well.”

[ALSO CHECK OUT: Cam’ron & A-Trak – Dipsh*ts ft Juelz Santana]

Watch Cam’ron discuss his First Of The Month series below.

Jonathan Mannion Gives TEDYouth Talk About Photographing Aaliyah, Biggie, Jay Z & More

(AllHipHop News) Accomplished photographer Jonathan Mannion has worked with some of the biggest names in Hip Hop. The lists of subjects he has captured in picture include Aaliyah, Jay Z, Notorious B.I.G., Nas, DMX, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Drake, and many more.

Mannion was given the opportunity to participate in a TEDYouth talk about his work. The six-minute speech covers some of the Cleveland native’s experiences with the music artists he has photographed.

[ALSO READ: GZA Conducts “The Genius Of Science” TEDx Teen Talk]

Watch Jonathan Mannion’s “From Aaliyah to Jay-Z” TEDYouth talk below.

Dr. Dre's Son Speaks On Dad's Beats/Apple Deal (VIDEO)

(AllHipHop News) Beats Electronics’ blockbuster deal with Apple is about to land a windfall for co-founder Dr. Dre. The $3.2 billion dollar sale is going to greatly increase the legendary producer’s net worth, but it appears that fortune may not be trickling down to his offspring just yet.

[ALSO READ: Dr. Dre Speaks On Becoming Hip Hop’s First Billionaire (VIDEOS)]

TMZ caught up with Dre’s son Curtis Young as he was preparing to board a flight to Mexico. The photog asked the younger Young why was he flying commercial and not privately since his dad is on track to becoming a billionaire.

“Pops where the private jet at?” Curtis jokingly asked. “That would be nice right now. I’m about to fly coach.”

Young does makes it clear he is proud of his father’s accomplishments, and the money Dre makes is his own.

“That’s his money,” added Curtis. “He took it to another level in Hip Hop. I’m proud of him.”

[ALSO READ: Dr. Dre Reportedly Receiving Senior Position At Apple]

Watch Curtis Young talk about Dr. Dre’s deal in the video below.

Tyler The Creator Says Iggy Azalea "Stinks"; Iggy Responds

(AllHipHop News) Tyler, The Creator does not hold back his opinions, not even if it’s on live television. During an appearance on BET’s 106 & Park, the Odd Future rapper shared his thoughts on Iggy Azalea.

[ALSO CHECK OUT: Tyler The Creator “Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built For Two)”]

The hosts of the show asked Tyler and fellow OFWGKTA members to play a game of “kiss, marry, diss.”  The guests had to select which of those acts they would do with Azalea, M.I.A., or Rita Ora. When Bow Wow encourages the crew to diss one of the women, Tyler’s then took a shot at the “Fancy” performer.

“I don’t want Iggy. She stink,” blurted out Tyler. “She got shots in her thump. I want real booty. You feel me?”

Iggy got wind of Tyler’s comments and responded on Twitter. The two stars then exchanged a series of tweets back-and-forth.

[ALSO CHECK OUT: REVIEW: Iggy Azalea: The New Classic]

Watch video from 106 & Park and check out the tweets below.

 

Pharrell Releases Visual Letter "Dear G I R L"

According to Pharrell lately, women are the most beautiful species on earth. This feeling has been heavily expressed with his sophomore album G I R L. Pharrell recently used additional footage from the music video from his single “Marilyn Monroe,” to create a visual letter titled ‘Dear G I R L.’

“That which makes you different is what makes you special,” says Pharrell. “I love when you’re silly, I love when you smile, make a funny face, I just melt. It’s beautiful to see a girl that is honest and free.” Check out the video for the visual letter below.