(AllHipHop News) Ralph McDaniels lives, breathes and creates Hip Hop and has done so for over 30 years. As the founder of the legendary and ahead of its time music video platform Video Music Box (aka The Box), Ralph became such an integral part in the beginning of so many Hip Hop acts that he is universally referred to as Uncle Ralph.
His contributions to the artform do not stop at being the first music video platform for Hip Hop artist, but him and Brooklyn Bodega’s Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival has been a constant showcase of homegrown New York talent along with a conflation of stars from the new and older generations of Hip Hop.
Uncle Ralph spoke EXCLUSIVELY with AllHipHop at the ninth annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival about the performances, his history with Pusha T, the importance of Hip Hop festivals and even reviews Jay-Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail.
Check out Uncle Ralph at VideoMusicBox.tv
Watch the AllHipHop Interview with Uncle Ralph McDaniels below:
Video shot by Frsk Purple of LiveMoneyCulture
Master P reveals his classy artwork for the new mixtape Famous Again. Master P has a habit of reaching a younger audience and fan base by his viral, internet campaign as the multi-platinum artist reintroduces his self to this generation. After the highly successful Al Capone mixtape, P has now made a new street banger “I Need An Armored Truck” featuring his son Rome which is the lead off single to his new mixtape Famous Again which drops August 6th of 2013.
A few weeks ago some people (myself included) were led to believe that Civil Rights Icon, Freedom Fighter, Revolutionary and ex-President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela was knocking on death’s door. I was bracing myself for the sad news that another great leader had left us. Mandela fought against a brutal and tyrannical form of institutionalized, rationalized, legalized, and codified form of racism called Apartheid. This particular form of oppression had been used to allow the white minority to rule over the native black population in South Africa. And while some believe that somehow with the election of Black President and a call for healing from Mandela himself that South Africa redeemed herself as a nation. I’m sure the average black South African would disagree with you.
Here in America there has been this attempt to erase our muddled history, distort the harsh realities of our present all the while lamenting the grim prospects of our future. Despite the civil rights movement, despite the black power movement, despite the election of our nation’s first black President. Our great nation has not come to terms with the fact that she is a racist. She doesn’t look at her black sons and daughters and see them as her own children. She looks as confused as a mother hen who suddenly finds herself atop a hatched goose egg.
How can I call a whole country racist you ask? Well you see what I’m doing is taking an old racist routine known as the one drop rule. The one drop rule was the rule stating if you had one drop of black blood in you, you were black. My one drop rule is if you let just one racist influence the consciousness of a nation then that nation is racist. There are nations with worse identity politics and more brutal discrimination than our nation. But there aren’t many whose very legacy is stained with the blood of slaves. There aren’t many who have so thoroughly exploited, demeaned, degraded, and eroded the very personhood of an entire demographic of their citizens.
Blacks in America are in the same boat as blacks in South Africa, we are in worse shape than the Kurds in Iraq, we are on par with the Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza strip. But the difference between us and those people is the fact that those people aren’t being lied to and told that they are crazy for feeling like they are under siege. And if your teenage son can’t go to the store without fear of being shot than you are under siege make no mistake about it.
I can’t take the trial of George Zimmerman as a new lesson. Rather it is a reinforcement of what I already know. That while America has been patting herself on the back for all the progress it has made it still looks at non-white people as lesser. Stereotypes and Bias against Trayvon were more important than the fact that he did nothing. The whole trial was focused on George Zimmerman’s right to “defend himself” against someone who did nothing to threaten him. I don’t think anything was said about Trayvon’s right to defend himself against a strange man that was following HIM!!!
You have undoubtedly heard this a million times already but it doesn’t make it any less true: if Trayvon Martin had shot George Zimmerman his life would be over by now. He would have been another 17 year old tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison. Never forget that the fact that a black man is only three-fifths of a man is something that had to be corrected. Our country was founded on that principle. And to assuage the spectre of white guilt a national blame the victim campaign was launched in the late 70’s to further dehumanize us. After all slavery was a long time ago we should all have our s### together. And why was Trayvon wearing a hoodie anyway? and did you hear the way Rachel talked on the stand her testimony is totally discredited because she “copped an attitude”. Also the irrelevant facts that Trayvon had marijuana in his system and had once been suspended from school are actually relevant cuz it just proves that he was a suspicious “other” who may have been up to no good and George Zimmerman was right to stalk him.
This is the America we live in. Barack Obama may be the President but Trayvon Martin isn’t even a human being. Your son, your brother, your cousin may not make it through the night. Not because he is a bad person, not because he is up to no good, but because our society has taught and constantly reinforced the lesson that black is dangerous. black is scary. black is bad. I dread the day when I have to tell my nephew to keep his eyes low and speak meekly when confronted because his life isn’t guaranteed. He is not given equal protection and priority under the law. He is the natural enemy of “mainstream” America. For no other reason than that he is young, male, and black.
I have a very selfish reason for wanting this Zimmerman case to go away. It is because it drains the life out of me. It depresses me. It kills my spirit and my soul. It hurts my heart, my head and my stomach. It almost makes me physically ill. To be subjected to these harsh living conditions is one thing. Because we live in a country where you can mostly get used to racial injustice. You pretty much have to. Speak too loudly about it, as a black man, and you are pretty much unemployable. So we middle-class/educated Blacks make this Faustian deal with the devil. We will sell you our collective souls and we’ll at least shut up if not turn a blind eye to all the foolishness.
It can be hard to cull anything positive from a tragedy. We talk about making ourselves aware. We talk about arming ourselves with knowledge. But who exactly is aware and who exactly is knowledgeable? I just got done reading a piece in Time Magazine that says only 16% of White Americans feel like there is a lot of discrimination in the U.S. today. The greater culture continues to view the Civil Rights movement as successful. This revisionist history has affected every aspect of our culture. In that very same Time Magazine respected political writer Joe Klein expresses another delusional belief that “our children” will be color blind. That’s the same thing liberal idiots said in the 60’s and guess what their children are serving on that Zimmerman Jury and their color blindness is predictably selective. They don’t see race as a motivating factor but they can with a straight face say that they don’t know who started the fight between Zimmerman and Martin.
The harassment of our people has been legalized. Our perpetual status as second class citizens has been codified. There is nothing more debasing and degrading than being confronted by law enforcement anywhere in this country and instantly following the same script a freed black man had to follow when confronted by law enforcement in 1865. Don’t look them directly in the eye. Speak in soft tones. Comply with them regardless of how unreasonable, hateful or racist they are towards you. The cost of living is putting aside your pride. Black men are asked to accept this as a natural fact of life. Our very existence is somehow threatening. Once as a 15 year old I was threatened with a police call because I raised my voice to a vice principal. As blacks we are not allowed to be imperfect teenagers. We are not allowed to be angry. Because we have been reduced to stereotypes. Anything we say or do only reinforces those stereotypes. So it doesn’t matter if Trayvon Martin was doing nothing. A Jury found that Zimmerman has the right to confront him and ask for his papers. This is our life. America is South Africa.
But what we can’t do is let this one go like we let Sean Bell go, like we let Amadou Diallo go, like we let Rodney King, we have to stay angry. We have to stay indignant. We have to let outrage at our treatment become the new standard. We need instituional racism to become as taboo as over racism. Keep it with you. Keep Trayvon in your heart and your mind when you step to a ballot box. Remember the fact that in 2013 you have to tell a whole group of young people that you are perceived as a threat in your own country just because of your skin color. And don’t stop until one day that conversation doesn’t have to happen.
E. Knight lives in Philadelphia. Check out his blog boxingwithgod.com. Read more of his AHH Blogs HERE.
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Still reeling from the Zimmerman verdict, many artists have expressed their frustration and anger via tribute songs. AHH has collected some here from Beyoncé, Young Jeezy to Jasiri X, people do not want Trayvon’s life to be forgotten.
[ALSO READ: Trayvon Martin’s Parents Make First Interviews Since Not Guilty Verdict (VIDEO)]
“Skittles And Iced Tea” – GhostWridah
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“We Are Trayvon” – Plies , P###. by Filthy Beatz
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“It’s A Cold World” – Young Jeezy
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“Stand Your Ground” – Pharoahe Monch
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“Trigger Man” – Raheem Devaughn
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“Hoodiez” – Willie D ft. Scarface, Propain, D Boi
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“Justice (If You re 17)” – Wyclef Jean
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“TrayVon Martin Tribute” – Chaka Khan
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“GUN” – PlanetVI
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“Beyond Trayvon” – Public Enemy
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“Neighborhood Watch” – Sneakas ft. Bishop Lamont
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“Before He Walked” – Talib Kweli, Nelly & Abby Dobson
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Trayvon Martin Tribute – Papoose
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“I Am Trayvon Martin” – Bizzy Crook
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“Put Your Hoodies On (4 Trayvon)” – Steel Pulse
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“Let me Live (Trayvon Martin Tribute)” – Young Thug
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“Trayvon” – Jasiri X
“I Will Always Love You” – Beyoncé
(AllHipHop News) Less than a week after George Zimmerman was found not guilty over the death of 17 year old Trayvon Martin, his parents make their first televised interviews since the verdict.
Speaking with both CBS This Morning and ABC’s Good Morning America, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin discuss the racial component to the case, their shock and more.
With CBS This Morning, Sybrina reveals that the parents were not privy to all of the details of the case and discovered some key information during the trial such as George Zimmerman’s history of 911 calls.
They also call for President Obama to “at least” give a detailed investigation of this case.
Check out both interviews below:
It seems like every single time I look up, NYC is being destroyed in the movies. Why not Chicago or LA or maybe Wilmington, Delaware. But, nobody gets the privilege of being destroyed like NY. I remember this:
And this:
But, if you were there, who could forget this, where the whole city was leveled:
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Looks like Busta Rhymes is coming back with a reprise of his classic 1998 album E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front. That album was crazy and happened the year AllHipHop was created. Wow. Now, word is Busta is going to take a crack at a sequel, E.L.E. 2 to get back to form. I wonder if it will come through the house of Cash Money? Speaking of sequels, I hear Redman is working on Muddy Waters 2 also. Well, well, well….
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.
Illseed, Out.
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(AllHipHop News) Tomorrow (July 20th) Peter Rosenberg will coalesce some of the biggest names in Hip Hop at Willamsburg Waterfront for his second annual birthday bash #PeterPalooza. But unless you live under a rock (or do not follow him on the internet) then you know Peter Rosenberg’s second biggest passion next to Hip Hop is his love for all things professional wrestling.
[ALSO CHECK OUT: EXCLUSIVE: Peter Rosenberg Talks About Upcoming Birthday Concert (Part 1) (VIDEO)]
In Part 2 of our interview, Peter speaks about not witnessing the infamous Mick Foley drop from the top of the Hell in a Cell at the WWE (WWF at the time) 1998 King of the Ring.
The geek comes out when we talk deeper and the HOT 97 personality reveals what he would ask the epochal Vince McMahon if he had the chance and the legacy of Andre The Giant.
Tickets to Peter Palooza are selling out quick but can be still be purchased at Ticketmaster. Performances from Odd Future, Meek Mill, World’s Fair, Schoolboy Q and potential surprises.
Check out Peter Rosenberg talk exclusively with AllHipHop below:
I Don’t Camouflage hung out with Shinobi Ninja, this time with the full band, to talk about their childhood, cultural background, misconception, extra curricular activities and more. Check out the secret behind Baby G’s style, how DJ Axis Power started body building and his family influences, message to the kids and more.
(AllHipHop Interview) Sometimes it only takes one year for a person’s life to change completely. That is definitely the case for 23-year-old producer Anderson “Vinylz” Hernandez. The Washington Heights, New York native has been making tracks since the age of 15, and around this time just 365 days ago he was still a mostly unknown beatmaker. Then Hip Hop artists, blogs, and fans began to take notice of Vinylz’s production skills when songs by rappers like Roscoe Dash (“Like Diz” featuring 2 Chainz) and Joe Budden (“NBA” featuring Wiz Khalifa and French Montana) starting making the rounds on the net and radio.
Fast forward just a few months later and now Vinlyz’s name is attached to some of the biggest Hip Hop songs of 2013. Armed with his FL Studios software and electronic keyboard Vinylz teamed with Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels to create Drake’s “5AM In Toronto,” DJ Khaled’s “No New Friends,” and Jay Z’s “F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit.”
AllHipHop.com caught up with the rising beatmaker to get the scoop about some of the tracks he’s produced, how he hooked up with Boi-1da, and what the future holds.
AllHipHop.com: What was your reaction when you found out your beat made it on Jay Z’s album?
Vinylz: I was shocked. I didn’t believe it at first. [Bo-1da] text me like, “yo, we made Jay Z’s album. Thank me later.” I was like, “what? what?” I still didn’t believe it until my lawyer hit me up and said, “yeah, I think this is pretty real.”
“F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit” was originally a Rick Ross track. How did it end up on Magna Carta Holy Grail?
Basically, Rick Ross wanted Jay on a feature for his record, but I guess when Jay heard it he was like, “I need this for my album.” You know Ross is not going to say no to Jay.
Why did you decide to use that particular Pimp C vocal sample for the track?
Honestly, I thought it was real inspiring. He was just saying a bunch of dope stuff about the reason behind why he wears his gold chains. I like searching for interviews. It makes the song bigger, and it gives you direction of what you’re going to talk about on a song.
Because of Jay’s Samsung deal he was recognized with a platinum plaque already. Did you get one for your participation as well?
I was told I’m suppose to get one, so hopefully soon. I don’t think anyone’s got one besides him yet.
[ALSO READ: Jay-Z Gets His Platinum Plaque For Magna Carta Holy Grail]
How did you first connect with Boi-1da?
I’m really close to Boi-1da. I met him back in 2007. We were in Atlanta. Before that he hit me up on Myspace and was like, “I think you’re really dope.” We just happened to be in Atlanta at the same time. He was working with Drake, and I was working with Cassidy. I invited him to one of my sessions and from there we just played beats and cliqued.
You’re currently working with Boi-1da on Drake’s new album Nothing Was The Same. Can you give some insight into how that project is going?
It sounds amazing. Drake is always bringing something original to the table. That’s all I can say right now.
How did “No New Friends” come together?
Around Grammy week, Boi-1da was basically like, “I need to link up with you to work on this Drake album.” So me and my partner Allen Ritter flew out to L.A. and stayed at Drake’s house. We had a room there, just working, and Drake would come upstairs and listen to beats and tell us what he thought we should change. He said, “1da, I got this hook I want you to flip.” He said it was going to be the “Started From The Bottom” remix. Once we heard the hook we got to work on it. Later Drake heard it, and he was going crazy.
So the song started out potentially being a Drake remix?
Yeah, it was going to be Drake’s song at first. It was going to be the “Started From The Bottom” remix. He’s got a great relationship with Khaled, so he let Khaled have it. Drake got hits, so he passes off hits. He got those for days.
Are you currently producing any upcoming tracks for other artists?
I got a record with Future and Drake for Future’s album. I got some stuff with 2 Chainz. I got a record with Yo Gotti. I’m working with Sammy Adams. It’s a whole bunch of people I’m working with now.
Your profile has really blown up over the last year. Has that hit you when you’re sitting back and reflecting?
Definitely, it’s surreal. It’s crazy how everything has happened in like one year. I had some records out last year, but this year has been my biggest year. It’s an amazing feeling to just hear your records on the radio. I got like 4, 5, 6 records on the radio right now.
Do you have any interest in making a full album or mixtape?
Probably in the future. As of now I have two artists, one is an R&B artist and the other a Hip Hop artist. I’m focused on their projects right now. Allen Ritter is the R&B artist. He actually co-produces with me on a couple of tracks that are out there already. Jae B is a songwriter and artist as well. He’s dope. You will hear a lot from both of them this year.
Who are your favorite producers right now?
Boi-1da, T-Minus, Hit-Boy, Mike Will [Made It].
You have a lot of pictures of food on your Instagram. Do you consider yourself a “foodie?”
Definitely. I gotta stop though. I’m gaining too much weight. I’m having a lot of meetings lately. They always want to take you out, so I take advantage. We also celebrate a lot now. We’re always eating.
Where do you see yourself one year from now?
Hopefully, executive producing my artists’ albums. Trying to be better than this year.
Follow Vinylz on Twitter @VINYLZ and on Instagram @Vinylz.
[ALSO READ: Producer Selasi Discusses Everything from The Kandy Factory to Cancer]
I noticed early on that The Dream was working with Jay-Z on Magna Carta Holy Grail. But, there is something that I was informed of. The Dream was the original singer on “Holy Grail,” the song that now features Justin Timberlake. Now, that’s a big record and The Dream remains a co-producer and song writer on the song. He was just swapped out. There is a secret recording of this record, but I’m wondering why they didn’t stick with The Dream’s version. I was permitted to hear a snippet and its actually better than the original. Justin makes it a “big” record. Too bad my source wouldn’t let me have the song. They maintain its too whatever to actually give to me. Maybe the original is just a reference track for Justin T and a stepping stone so these dudes can tour more. Sooooo….there is no beef here, but I thought it was interesting.
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.
Illseed, Out.
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(AllHipHop News) Yesterday (July 18) was the birthday of global icon Nelson Mandela. In celebration of the 95-year-old freedom fighter, former leader of the African National Congress, and first black South African president’s born day, The Weinstein Company production studio released the first trailer for the upcoming biographical film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom starring Idris Elba.
The movie is directed by British filmmaker Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl, The First Grader) and based on Mandela’s 1994 memoir Long Walk to Freedom. Naomie Harris plays Winnie Mandela and Robert Hobbs appears as Chief Warden.
[ALSO CHECK OUT: As Zimmerman Jury Goes to Deliberate, Fruitvale Station Hits Theaters]
Watch the trailer for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom below.
(AllHipHop News) The Taylor Gang leader and the Chuck Taylor shoe maker are officially joining forces for a new line of sneakers. Wiz Khalifa Collection by Converse is set to hit Foot Locker stores on August 23. That will be the same month a sneak peek of Wiz’s custom caps by Flat Fitty will show at MAGIC Market Week in Las Vegas.
[ALSO READ: Wiz Khalifa Partners With Flat Fitty For New Luxury Headwear Line]
Wiz is currently on the “Under The Influence of Music Tour” with A$AP Rocky, B.O.B, and Joey Bada$$ & Pro Era. The Pittsburgh rapper is also prepping the release of his third studio album Blacc Hollywood set to drop later this year.
[ALSO READ: Wiz Khalifa Announces Title For Next Album & Drops New Video “Old Chanel”]
Check out the preview of Wiz Khalifa Collection by Converse in the video below.
TGI….Everyday! Welcome to the beginning of the rest of your life and the end of a wonderful week! We had our highs, we certainly had our lows, but we are here to see another day so all is good! Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to Creating your balance! Mark Twain once eloquently asked “What is joy without sorrow? What is success without failure? What is a win without a loss? What is health without illness? You have to experience each if you are to appreciate the other. There is always going to be suffering. It’s how you look at your suffering, how you deal with it, that will define you.” As we wrap up this wonderful week…. Keep that in mind! Your journey will have highs and lows, bumps and bruises, but despite that you should always keep your eyes on the prize! Being in a state of despair or hopelessness will never do you or your situation any good! Know and understand the cycles of life and allow your self to maintain focus during the times when everyone would understand if you gave up! As the big homie Shawn Carter once said… Sometimes you’re up… Sometimes you’re down, but as long as you stay the same it will come back around!! Create Your Balance! Life is for living so live it the best way you can!
“Life is mixture of sunshine and rain, teardrops and laughter, pleasure and pain. Just remember, there was never a cloud that the sun couldn’t shine through.”
-Unknown
“Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance.”
-Epicurus
“Life is a balanced system of learning and evolution. Whether pleasure or pain; every situation in your life serves a purpose. It is up to us to recognize what that purpose could be.”
-Steve Maraboli
“Success works as a cycle – growth and contraction, balancing and unbalancing – all while you’re encountering hurdles that get higher and higher over time.”
-Julien Smith
“There is no need to drag yourself through life. Let go of the struggle and give yourself the time and love to find balance.”
-Unknown
“Life is a balancing act. You need to keep your head up and your feet on the ground, while allowing your heart to go wherever it pleases!”
-Susan Gale
“You have to accept all sides of yourself – there’s no point fighting them – just learn how to handle them, and return to the positive, balanced being you know you can be, once the winds have blown through.”
-Jay Woodman
“Find your balance and stand with it. Find your song and sing it out. Find your cadence and let it appear like a dance. Find the questions that only you know how to ask and the answers that you are content to not know.”
-Mary Anne Radmacher
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Ash’Cash is a Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Financial Expert and the author of Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom. For more information, please visit his website, www.IamAshCash.com
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