Jody Breeze Talks New Music, Learning From Diddy, & What It Would Take To Reunite With Boyz N Da Hood
(AllHipHop Interviews) Jody Breeze broke onto the scene a decade ago as a member of the rap group Boyz N Da Hood on Diddy’s Bad Boy South. The Georgia based rapper has been laying low as a public figure the last few years, but the award-winning songwriter is once again making moves in the music world.
After a highly publicized feud with former groupmate Young Jeezy and parting ways with the major label system, Jody is back with his new independent album Been Waiting It’s My Time. The 17-track project features appearances by R&B sensation August Alsina and Atlanta rapper Roscoe Dash.
AllHipHop.com spoke with Jody about his new LP, his other upcoming projects, possibly reconnecting with Young Jeezy and BNDH, and how Diddy taught him the importance of music publishing.
I know you mentioned it on your album, but a question a lot of rap fans want to know is where have you been the last few years?
The last few years I’ve still been around. I always wrote music for a lot of different artists. What a lot of people don’t know about me is that I write music for others just as much as I do for myself. I’m always working. I always put out mixtapes. I never stopped doing shows. The only thing I did was fall back from the mainstream look.
I went through so much as a youngin with all the different deals and different people I had to deal with. I just had to step back and get my mind right, get my business together, and just get ready for the future.
What is the status of your label situation now?
I started my own label – Young Gunna Records. I just basically signed myself and started recording music.
How is the experience releasing an album independently different from working under a major label?
I would say the only difference is the exposure and the machine. But everything else is pretty much the same, because I always had a solid fan base. I always get love wherever I go. People check for me. People are always asking when I’m going to do this, when I’m going to do that. The love for the music is still there. The love from the people is still there. It’s just that I had to get my mind right as far as the industry.
It’s a lot of people that don’t understand my story. I was found by one of Hip Hop’s moguls – Noon Time. When he found me I was introduced to Jazze Pha. From Jazze Pha I was introduced to Dallas Austin. And from Dallas Austin I was introduced to Puff Daddy. So I’ve been around multimillionaires and Hip Hop moguls since the first day I started rapping. A lot of people just don’t understand and get what I’ve done and the stuff I’m responsible for. That’s because I don’t do a lot of talking, boasting, and bragging. I just keep it moving.
You used to write for Diddy. Do you guys have a working relationship now?
Yeah, I still have all my relationships that I ever came across. That’s a good thing about where I am today. I still have a solid relationship with everybody that I’ve ever done business with.
Are you cool with Jeezy now? Is that situation straight?
Nah, I don’t really think that’s going to be straight. I just am who I am. It is what it is with me. That s**t is really old news. For me I keep it moving. I’m staying in my own lane.
Do you think there could ever be a Boyz N Da Hood reunion? There have been a lot of Hip Hop acts coming back together like OutKast, Goodie Mob, and Mobb Deep. Do you think there could ever be a possibility of Boyz N Da Hood coming together again?
I won’t say never. As far as me, that ain’t nothing that I’m looking into. If the check’s right, they say the right amount of numbers then we can talk. Other than that, nah, not on my end.
You have a couple of tracks with August Alsina. How did you first connect with him?
The guy who’s managing August now – the label that he signed to before Death Jam which is Noon Time – that’s who signed me. August is in the same family I’m in, so we just got together and knocked out a couple of records.
You’ve been around and worked with a lot of people, but are there any artists that you haven’t worked with yet that you’d like to get into the studio with?
Since Andre’s back, I wouldn’t mind doing a record with 3000. I like people like Lauryn Hill, Trick Daddy. I like that old school real s**t.
Let’s talk about some of the newer acts. Atlanta always has a lot of young artists coming out of the city. What’s your opinion on Rich Homie Quan, Young Thug, and Migos?
I f**k with Rich Homie. I think Rich Homie has a lot of versatility as far as lyrics and the way he does his music. The game has changed so much now. It’s like the younger cats have their own music. They have their own styles that they’re doing right now. I can respect that, but as far as the music goes I wouldn’t say that n***as is doing s**t that would surprise me, shock me, or b###### out the water. It sounds good in the club.
I saw an interview where you said you’re a big music fan, and you like music outside of Hip Hop. What are some of your favorite non-rap songs right now?
On the R&B tip, I like people like Musiq Soulchild and Tank. I like a little bit of Katy Perry. I’m f**king with Pharrell right now. I just like good, quality music.
You mentioned before that you write for a lot of different artists. Do you write R&B songs too?
I can do R&B songs too. I wrote R&B songs for Lloyd and Jacquees. I helped Jazze do a lot of R&B stuff. All the R&B records I record I write too. I wrote s**t for everybody including Keri Hilson.
You’re probably making a lot more money getting that writing credit for other artists.
Exactly. It’s been like that since day one. Honestly, Puff was the first one to show me that side. When I was writing for him I won an award for the “Come To Me” record he has with Nicole Scherzinger. I wrote like 6-7 songs on the Press Play album. Just that whole process of being with Diddy for two months straight, just writing and recording, he taught me how to manuever the publishing side. He showed me how much it has to do with getting money out of the industry.
A lot of rappers don’t really understand the rap money is cool, the show money is cool, but until you have your government name on some s**t, until you have your government name in credits, that’s where the money’s at. I don’t give a damn what nobody tells you. If anybody in the industry tells you that publishing is not where the money’s at, they don’t know what the hell they’re talking about. Especially these days, because labels are not doing the same thing they were doing ten years ago.
You’re heading out on tour this summer. Can you give more details about that?
It’s called the T.I.M.E. Tour (Things I Must Endure). I’m promoting my CD Airplane Mode Part 2: Mile High Club. I have a real solid fan base all over the world. I’m able to go on tour in different states, and promote my music without even having anything out. I feel like what I do speaks for itself. I don’t really ask for accolades or standing ovations. You don’t have to give me an award. I just work hard, stay in my lane, and f**k with who f**ks with me.
A lot of Atlanta rap stars are jumping into reality TV. Are you interested in doing a show for yourself or joining another franchise?
They tried to get me on Love & Hip Hop with Shay, but that’s not my cup of tea. I don’t think I’ll be doing no type of reality shows.
What else do you have in the immediate future? Videos? Singles?
I’m going to be shooting like five songs off Airplane Mode 2: Mile High Club. After this project I have another project coming out. It’s more of an EP, so you’ll be hearing a lot about that. Right now I’m also going through situations of people trying to sign me.
Follow Jody Breeze on Twitter @jodybreeze_ygr and Instagram @breeze_ygr.
Purchase Jody Breeze’s latest album Been Waiting It’s My Time on iTunes.
Watch the video for Jody Breeze’s “All Night” featuring August Alsina below.
Anthony Lewis Covers Soul 4 Real's "Candy Rain"
New R&B Singer on the block, Anthony Lewis, recently put a new spin on Soul 4 Real’s classic and timeless hit “Candy Rain”. The 17-year-old is a Los Angeles native currently signed to The Chemists. Interesting enough, singing was just a hobby for Lewis until his sister took his talent to youtube capturing the attention of industry veteran Garnett March. Lewis’ influences range from Justin Timberlake to Michael Jackson. Lewis wants his sound and content to reflect his reality. By remaining true to his experiences as a teen, he hopes to create timeless music.
Covering a classic is always a challenge! Did he nail it? Let us know your thoughts.
Anthony Lewis feat. Billy Bang “Candy Rain”
Questlove (of The Roots) Explains How "Hip Hop Failed Black America"
(AllHipHop News) Questlove released his first memoir Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove back in June of 2013 but has not put the pen down. Today (April 22nd), the walking Hip Hop encyclopedia that is Questlove examines how Hip Hop has failed Black America.
Last week, Forbes announced that Dr. Dre, Sean Combs and Shawn “Jay Z” Carter had a combined estimated wealth of over $1.7 billion. According to Questlove, Hip Hop has developed into a popular genre whose popularity has become so pervasive that it is used to describe the entire Black race. After claiming artists such as Rihanna and Beyonce are labeled Hip Hop because of their association with Hip Hop artist, he explains how the culture of Hip Hop has become subjugated:
And that’s what it’s become: an entire cultural movement, packed into one hyphenated adjective. These days, nearly anything fashioned or put forth by black people gets referred to as “hip-hop,” even when the description is a poor or pointless fit. “Hip-hop fashion” makes a little sense, but even that is confusing: Does it refer to fashions popularized by hip-hop musicians, like my Lego heart pin, or to fashions that participate in the same vague cool that defines hip-hop music? Others make a whole lot of nonsense: “Hip-hop food”? “Hip-hop politics”? “Hip-hop intellectual”? And there’s even “hip-hop architecture.” What the hell is that? A house you build with a Hammer?
One of Questlove’s fears with this development is that individuals who wish to eradicate the Black culture would “need only squelch one genre to effectively silence an entire cultural movement.” Questlove explains the difficulty to provide meaningful music and make it popular in Hip Hop. However, he does admit that Kendrick Lamar may be the exception to the rule:
The winners, the top dogs, make art mostly about their own victories and the victory of their genre, but that triumphalist pose leaves little room for anything else. Meaninglessness takes hold because meaninglessness is addictive. People who want to challenge this theory point to Kendrick Lamar, and the way that his music, at least so far, has some sense of the social contract, some sense of character. But is he just the exception that proves the rule?
The article is a part of a six-part series from Questlove to be featured on Vulture. Check out the full article here.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Uh. Trick Daddy's New Crew Name Has People Wondering…
Recently, Trick Daddy made headlines when the Miami rapper was arrested. Now he’s making headlines for a very different reason. He apparently has a new rap crew called – THE EATABOOTY GANG.
This is weird for me to say with my inside-my-brain-voice. Now, I will say this, I don’t think this is some kind of gay statement the way others have suggested. I think its more of a statement of Trick’s battle skills. Canibus famously said, “You might got more cash than me, but you ain’t got the skills to eat a ni**a’s ass like me.” Sometimes it be like that.
Certainly, the other side of the game is that they are talking about the LADIES and their ability to south of the south of the border.
RELATED: Trick Daddy Arrested On Drugs And Guns Charges
But, as the same of the crew? Hmmm…Only God can judge.
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
Illseed, Out.
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A$AP Mob Ft. A$AP Twelvyy "Xscape"
#HeaterOfTheDay: Kolley "Real Love" P### by Big KRIT
Machine Gun [#BGA] "Kelly Sail"
Chris Brown's D.C. Trial Postponed As His Convicted Bodyguard Refuses To Testify
(AllHipHop News) This Chris Brown D.C. assault trial has officially turned into a bad episode of Law & Order. Less than a day after being found guilty for assaulting Issac Parker Adams, Chris Brown’s bodygard Christopher Hollosy is holding up Brown’s trial as he is refusing to testify.
Yesterday (April 21st), Hollosy was found guilty of assaulting Adams in Washington, D.C. Hollosy’s sentencing was set for June 25th, but his attorney Bernard Grimm plans to appeal the decision. This becomes a precarious situation for Brown as Hollosy’s attorney is asking for immunity for Hollosy in order to testify in Brown’s case. Hollosy admitted to punching Adams and told police Brown did not strike the man.
Brown’s trial was set to begin yesterday, but has been moved to Wednesday (April 23rd) at 9:30 A.M.
Chief Keef "Slam Dunkin"
Asher Roth Ft. Curren$y "Dude"
#FreshHeat: Iamsu! [#BGA] "What You 'Bout"
Terry Sky feat. Gunplay (Of MMG) & Taj Mahal "Close One"
LP Stream: Army Of The Pharaohs “In Death Reborn”
After A 4-Year hiatus, Army Of The Pharaohs Returns With New LP In Death Reborn. The Jedi Mind Tricks front-man Vinnie Paz as homage to the incredible rap crews of the 80’s and early 90’s, the Army of the Pharaohs has, from its outset, been an ever-evolving collective of celebrated emcees from the indie hip-hop scene. Founding members Vinnie Paz and Esoteric were featured on the crew’s original 12-inch single, “Five Perfect Exertions,” in 1998 and remain with the crew today. With the release of their debut studio album, The Torture Papers in 2006, the Pharaoh clique expanded to include accomplished solo emcees Apathy, Celph Titled, King Syze, Reef the Lost Cauze, and the Philly Hip-Hop duo and frequent Jedi Mind Tricks collaborators Outerspace.
Buy your copy at iTunes
Army of the Pharaohs “God Particle” Video
The Wu-Tang Clan Reality Show: Missing Penises, Gangster Rap Cooking Shows + More
Wu Tang Clan have been preparing to release their 20th anniversary album A Better Tomorrow for over a year. If you type in “Wu Tang Clan” in Google News, by the third page and the 2nd week you will news on penis dismemberment, back and forth arguments through the media, and even a missing body part or two. Expand that search to six months and you have enough backstabbing, accusatory comments and baby mother drama for two seasons of Love & Hip Hop.
So, let me introduce you to The Wu-Tang Clan Reality Show, entitled For A Better (or Worse) Tomorrow.
Episode 1: “The Zoo Is Still Dirty”
Icelene Jones, the widow of Ol’ Dirty Bastard and one of the controlling members of the late rapper’s estate has been protecting the usage of ODB’s image like a hawk guards its young. Four years after ODB’s former manager Jarred Weisfeld accused Jones of selling ODB’s final album A Son Unique for $10,000, she has subpoenaed Damon Dash’s former landlord as she believes Dash left the A Son Unique recordings at his former summer home in Carmel, Putnam County.
Plot: The Wu Tang Clan plan to commemorate their 20th anniversary with a string of events throughout the year, starting with a tribute documentary to Ol’ Dirty Bastard entitled Dirty Platinum directed by his cousin Raison Allah. Everything runs smooth prior to the event until the members of the Wu realize that 1. ODB’s wife never signed off on it and 2. the documentary maker didn’t tell them. The screening occurs with none of the Wu Tang Clan members being present. The packed theater is told the movie can not be shown. All hell breaks loose.
The last shot of the episode would be ODB rolling in his grave:
Episode 2: “Only Built 4 One Chef”
The first rumblings of problems with the 20th anniversary album A Better Tomorrow came in February of 2013 when Raekwon informed MTV’s RapFix that he would love to do another Wu Tang Clan album but “you cannot put guys together if there is no harmony, and on top of it, we’re doing business.” Nine months later, RZA states that “Raekwon hasn’t shown up at all” to the recording sessions in a Grantland interview.
Plot: Every member of the Wu individually tries to convince Raekwon to record on the album. After a few failed attempts, RZA floats the idea around of doing A Better Tomorrow without Raekwon. Ghostface Killah uses one last trick to convince Raekwon to get back on board:
Episode 3: “Wu Doo”
RZA shocked the Hip Hop world when he announced that a Wu Tang Clan album, separate of the 20th anniversary A Better Tomorrow album will be sold to one buyer at a private auction. Soon after, the album, Once Upon A Time In Shaolin gets offers as high as $5 million. Longtime, die hard fans will only be able to listen to the double disc album at “listening events” for $30-$50 a ticket.
PLOT: Instead of simply starting a Kickstarter account, fans start randomly asking for the PayPal information for every member of the Wu Tang Clan to transfer money in hopes of getting the album. RZA tells fans that they are releasing the album this way, because music is being “devalued and diminished to almost the point that it has to be given away for free”. With no other course of actions, fans then commence a Dragonball Z-esque search for the 31 songs from the album.
SUB-PLOT: Raekwon and Ghostface see how much fans want Wu-Tang Clan material and attempt to turn their classic albums into television shows. First up. Bullettproof Wallets becomes a cooking show:
Episode 4: “Lost & Found”
In the midst of Raekwon and RZA exchanging accusatory statements at one another in the media, one of their affiliates takes the headlines away from them. Andrew “Christ Bearer” Johnson of Wu Tang Clan-assoicated West Coast Killa Beez label and a group North Star, cut off his penis in an apparent suicide attempt.
PLOT: While the Wu Tang Clan attempt to keep the fighting internal and the press off of Rakewon and RZA’s rift, they get help from the most unlikeliest of sources. A former member of a group most of the members forgot on a Wu-Tang associated label most of the members never heard of, cuts his penis off and the Hip Hop world goes on pause. After a brief fight over passing blame on who brought Johnson into the Wu Tang Clan fold, the gang unifies around the news of one of its member’s fallen member as they realize that no matter who brought him in, it’s all still Wu.
Then again, the season could simply just end with Raekwon and RZA like this…
Hip Hop Rumors: Is This The Love and Hip Hop L.A. Cast?
There have been a few rumors of who Mona Scott Young signed up for the ratchetry L.A. installment of ‘Love and Hip Hop’, but word is the ink is dry and the picks are final.
Now, we’re not sure if this is what we would consider members of the Hip-Hop community, but they may end up bringing in the ratings.
According to The Urban Daily, the show will feature:
Ray-J
Teairra Mari (Ray J’s ex)
Princess Love (Ray J’s current)
Morgan Hardman (Ray J’s Asst.)
Omarion
Apryl Jones (Omarion’s baby mama)
Yung Berg
Yesi Ortiz (Power 106 DJ)
Miss Joie (Bow Wow’s baby mama, who is currently dating producer Hit Boy)
Now supposedly there’s already been a “scuffle” between Ray J’s ex-girlfriend, Teairra Mari and current girlfriend Princess Love and cameras just started rolling on March 31.
Rappers Sue NYC & NYPD For Violating Their First Amendment Rights
(AllHipHop News) Eight rappers that sell their CDs in New York’s Times Square are suing the city and the police department for violating their first amendment rights.
The Daily News reports New York City and 17 police officers were named in a joint lawsuit filed in Manhattan Federal Court. The plaintiffs accuse the cops of unfairly targeting them and arresting them without cause.
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[ALSO READ: Man Claims NYPD Cops Forced Him To Rap For His Freedom]
“They don’t want us making money out here,” said Bronx rapper Andre Jackson. “I’ve been arrested over 30 times.”
The rappers are typically charged with disorderly conduct and aggressive begging, but most of the time the cases are dismissed. Some have pled guilty so that they can be released from jail quickly. They claim other vendors in the same area do not get harassed by the police on the same level as they do.
“I want it to stop,” said Jackson. “They never arrest the spray-paint guys. They never arrest the guys who draw pictures of people. That’s considered art? My music should be considered art too.”
The lawsuits were originally filed separately in 2013, but have since been combined into one case. The rap vendors are being represented by former city attorney Katie Smith.
The city responded to accusations that the rappers in Times Square are purposely being targeted by NYPD by stating, “allegations are merely such until proven otherwise.”
[ALSO READ: Drake & Cash Money Sued Over Jimmy Smith Sample On “Pound Cake”]
OutKast, Eminem, & Childish Gambino Tapped For Austin City Limits Festival
(AllHipHop News) The Austin City Limits Music Festival has revealed its 2014 line-up, and two veteran Hip Hop acts were named top billing. OutKast and Eminem will hit the stage for both weekends in October.
[ALSO READ: Eminem, OutKast, & Nas To Play Lollapalooza Festival 2014]
Besides Slim Shady and the ATLiens, ACL will also feature rap stars Childish Gambino and Iggy Azalea. Other acts scheduled to appear include Pearl Jam, Beck, Lorde, Skrillex, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.
For information about the Austin City Limits Music Festival visit www.aclfestival.com.
Engineer Accused Of Trying To Extort Jay Z For $100K Denies Accusations
(AllHipHop News) Chauncey Mahan was taken into police custody for questioning last week after the music engineer was accused of attempting to extort Jay Z out of $100,000.
Mahan allegedly sought money from Jay for the return of the rapper’s master recordings from 1998-2002, but according to Mahan, he did not steal the music from the Hip Hop mogul.
Mahan told TMZ that Def Jam, Jay’s label at the time, asked him to keep the recordings in 2002. Mahan claims that he reached out to associates of Jay several times, but they never responded. He also says his request for $100,000 from Live Nation was to cover the 12 year storage fee of the recordings.
The man who worked on Jay’s The Dynasty album reportedly said the Brooklyn emcee was a “stupid kid smoking blunts” during the time and was irresponsible about protecting his intellectual property.
[ALSO READ: Jay Z’s “Made In America” Festival To Take Place In L.A. & Philly Simultaneously]
Lil Scrappy Reportedly Calls Diamond A "Lying Industry Ho"
(AllHipHop News) Last week Crime Mob rapper Diamond told Power 105’s The Breakfast Club that her former boyfriend Lil Scrappy was abusive during their relationship.
“He was mentally abusive, physically abusive,” said Diamond. “He got some issues and need some help.”
[ALSO READ: Diamond Talks Physically Fighting Lil Scrappy, Gucci Mane Slapping Him Over Weed+ More (VIDEO)]
Scrap is denying those accusations and adds a few choice words about his ex. According to TMZ, Scrappy says Diamond is a “lying industry ho” with a “fake ass” that he bought. The Love & Hip Hop Atlanta star goes on to say that Diamond is just attempting to stay relevant by making up stories about him.
Scrappy also denies being slapped by Gucci Mane like Diamond claimed. His account of the incident in question just involved some shoving.
Momma Dee, Scrappy’s mother, responded to the Diamond as well. The LHH regular refers to Diamond as a “lying chamber maid” who can only make money by getting a “d##### deal for her stank-ass p***y.”
In the BC interview, Diamond also stated that Momma Dee stole items from her house, and she helped pay for the reality star’s apartment at one time which damaged her credit.
Season four of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta returns next month. Diamond is set to appear in the reality show Sisterhood of Hip Hop which is expected to begin airing this summer.
[ALSO READ: T.I. To Produce New “Sisterhood Of Hip Hop” Reality Show For Oxygen]