(AllHipHop News) Twenty-one months ago a short film titled Kony 2012 was uploaded to the internet and within days it went viral sparking the “Stop Kony” movement. Many young people across the globe became politically active for the first time after watching Invisible Children’s video depicting Lord’s Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony as a violent tyrant that uses children as soldiers and sex slaves.
The BBC is now reporting that the Ugandan warlord is in talks to surrender to the Central African Republic (CAR) government. Kony is allegedly asking that he be guaranteed security before surrendering. An African Union envoy reported to the United Nations Security Council that the LRA leader was suffering from a “serious, uncharacterized illness.”
In 2005 Kony was indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, but the self-proclaimed messenger from God refused to turn himself in. After being forced out of Uganda, Kony and the LRA were suspected of violent acts in the South Sudan and the CAR.
The Kony 2012 film (now at nearly 100 million views on YouTube) became the catalyst to an international campaign to capture Kony. After the video become a trending topic on Twitter the United States Senate passed a resolution condemning Kony’s acts as terrorism and the Obama administration offered a $5 million reward for the accused war criminal’s arrest. The U.S. had already committed troops to assist African nations search for Kony in 2011.
(AllHipHop News) If you happen to have an entire day to spare and looking for something to occupy your time then thank Pharrell Williams for his latest video. The superproducer released the “World’s First 24-hour Music Video” for his track “Happy” off the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack.
(AllHipHop News) The Wu-Tang Clan has always promoted lyrical content that incorporated science, mathematics, Gods, and Earths on their records. One of the members recently shared his knowledge of the universe’s beginning in the classroom.
Students at the University of Toronto were able to hear words from The Genius. The Wu’s GZA lectured the class on “Consciousness, Creativity and Music” using rhymes from his upcoming album Dark Matter. The veteran wordsmith’s rap focused on the first moments of creation as explained by the Big Bang Theory.
(AllHipHop News) One of Kanye West’s regular public blasting of things he doesn’t like in the world has actually created change this time. During an interview with the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Kanye took a few shots at Zappos.com C.E.O. Tony Hsieh and his company.
“I got into this giant argument with the head of Zappos that he’s trying to tell me what I need to focus on,” said West. “Meanwhile, he sells all this sh*t product to everybody, his whole thing is based off of selling sh*t product.”
For $100,000 customers can now purchase the Kanye West-inspired Zappos.com “Gear Sh*t Product.” Shipping is free.
Check out a pic of the “Sh*t Product” and the item information below.
Interested in buying sh*t product? You’ve come to the right place! Here at Zappos.com, we happily sell sh*t products to everybody! This is the throne, everyone has been watching. Whether you’re #1 or #2, your clique will show no mercy, even in Paris.
The perfect gift for the man that has everything
Requires lots of “focus” for most productive use.
Considered a “safety zone” when in arguments.
Makes giant arguments seem much smaller.
Caution: Do not place our Sh*t product near any fans.
(AllHipHop News) Recently video footage of Waka Flocka surfaced online, and in it the Atlanta rapper can be heard making some disparaging remarks about media icon Oprah Winfrey. While having a discussion with some of this friends about whether Lady O is attractive enough to have sex with, Waka quips, ““I don’t wanna f**k that ugly b*tch.” According to TMZ, Waka has issued an apology to Oprah.
“I feel obligated to take responsibility for my actions and publicly apologize to Oprah,” stated Waka. “My remarks about you were both extremely unnecessary and disrespectful. This regretful situation made me look at women and how I address them in a more responsible way.”
Apparently, Waka’s mother, Deb Antney, was “disgusted” by the video which caused him to recognize that his words can be hurtful. Waka and Antney have also been in the news this week after former label mate and business partner Gucci Mane filed a fraud, racketeering, and conspiracy lawsuit against them.
You know this game that these stupid kids are doing. Its called Knockout and its where they go around and knockout random people. Well, guess what? It was bound to come to an end, but never thought it would come to this so fast! I knew somebody would eventually get bucked, but already? The game just got real. That much I do know!!! Peep the report below! RELATED: WTF News: New Jersey, NY Teens Knock Random People Out For Fun
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
(AllHipHop News) Two affiliates of the Native Tongues Hip Hop collective have announced they will join together for a new joint project. Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip will release The Abstract and The Dragon next month via G.O.O.D. Music and YMCMB. Busta revealed the collaboration on Twitter.
The pair previously released the single “Thank You” also featuring their respective label heads Lil Wayne and Kanye West. The Abstract and The Dragon is scheduled for release on December 12th.
(AllHipHop Features) In part two of AllHipHop’s exclusive interview with “The First Lady of Jet Life,” Mary Gold shares her inspiration for the metaphorical song “Miley Cyrus” off her Sex Hormone’d Druggie mixtape, whether she believes a superstar gay rapper is possible, and what she wants to ultimately achieve in her career. Discover more about Mother Mary.
What was the inspiration for your song “Miley Cyrus”?
I think Miley Cyrus is a beautiful person, and she’s trying to show everyone who she is. It’s also drug related. I use to do Molly all the time, and I think it’s a beautiful thing. When I see her it gives me the same feeling of being on Molly, because it’s totally free. It’s innocent. It’s playful. It’s fun. People don’t really get that, but Mother Mary gets that. I get it totally.
You incorporate metaphors into your music. A lot of popular music today is pretty literal.
I tried to keep it as simple as possible but give people something to think about. I honestly don’t like listening to music and not have a thought process. I want to be able to process it, let it settle in, and give me a feeling and emotion. It’s music you can have a good time to, but also music that you can settle down, maybe get loaded, and enjoy as well.
There has been a lot of discussion in Hip Hop recently about homosexuality and how it relates to the culture. Do you think that an openly gay male rapper could ever be a major star in Hip Hop?
Definitely, why not? Coming from New Orleans you have bounce music, and they’re mainly homosexuals. They’re making huge waves. It might not be as mainstream now, but I’m pretty sure it will be. I think it’s a beautiful thing. People should be allowed to be who they are. People are becoming more accepting now, so I’d love to see it. I would love to see it.
What is your ultimate goal for your career?
I really want to open video and live performance galleries. I just want to create art. Whether it’s music, art, or fashion, I just want to create, and just make the world a better place.
Read part one of AHH’s interview with Mary Gold where the New Orleans native talks about appearing in Drake’s “Worst Behavior” video, signing with Curren$y’s Jet Life Recordings, and why she calls herself a nudist.
(AllHipHop News) The same thing that was true two weeks ago is still true today, but with an added sense of urgency. During a phone interview with The Associated Press, RZA updates us on the Wu-Tang Clan’s forthcoming album A Better Tomorrow and cautions that Raekwon is one of the last obstacles.
RZA has reiterated his insistence of Raekwon to work on the album in the news multiple times over the past few weeks and is growing more perplexed by the situation
He hasn’t turned in his verses yet. I don’t know if he’s still trying to find the vibe of the music. We have to talk about it before it becomes too late. But he hasn’t come to the table yet.
According to Wu-Tang Clan’s lead producer, the album’s production has already been laid and he hopes to have the album completed in the next 45 days. RZA also does not rule out the possibility that what could possibly be Wu Tang’s final album could end up not featuring Raekwon at all:
Well, you know what, that’s something that I would take a vote on with the rest of the crew. I’m not a dictator about that. Raekwon is a valuable energy to the Wu-Tang, his voice, his lyrics, his approach. Rae is a master lyricist.
(AllHipHop News) Queens icon Nas has been very vocal in the past about his feelings on the state of Hip Hop. During in a recently uploaded video interview with NBC’s Talk Stoop the Life Is Good emcee discusses how he sees the culture at the moment.
“Today [Hip Hop] lost integrity. It’s lost meaning. It’s lost it’s love which is why I made a Hip Hop Is Dead album,” says Nas. He goes on to add that “the realness” of Hip Hop is dead.
Nas planned to use another album as a platform to make a statement as well. His 2008 LP was originally going to be named N****r before he changed it to Untitled. When TS host Cat Greenleaf asked Nas what she should to tell her adopted African American children when they ask about the “N-word” the 20 year music veteran offered his advice.
“The truth. You know what racism is. You know what discrimination is,” stated Nas. “You can research it together and experience it together and get a whole different answer.”
(AllHipHop News) After years (and a some Young Buck jailtime) have passed, two of the most scrutinized former G-Unit members have reunited in the place it all started at: the studio. In a brief clip from a recent studio session, Young Buck and Game are seen working on new music. Game is not the only person from Buck’s G-Unit past that has reconnected with the MC since he was released from prison back in October. Sha Money XL sent out a picture on his personal Instagram account of Young Buck in the middle of recording with the caption reading “Quad to Quad From NYC to Nashville-Shadyville to Cashville me and my brother@buckshotz gonna always rock. We back in the kitchen cooking up. #Teamwork#Cashville” Former co-member of G-Unit, as well as close friend to 50 Cent, Tony Yayo also sent out his support for Buck’s return:
1993 was a big year for Hip-Hop albums. Memorable releases and achievements include, but aren’t limited to, Snoop’s Doggystyle being the first debut album to ever enter the charts at number one, the Wu-Tang Clan teaching everyone the meaning of “C.R.E.A.M.” via Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and A Tribe Called Quest dropping another classic with Midnight Marauders.
Those monumental albums have earned their places in the collections of most Hip-Hop fans (and rightfully so), but, for as big as ’93 was, there was also a downside to it. There was so much great material released in those 365 days that some incredible music has unfairly faded away over time.
So, to make sure that they receive the acknowledgement they deserve, AllHipHop.com made a list of the 10 rap albums from 20 years ago that people may have forgotten, but need to remember.
’93 Hip-Hop proves that there really can be too much of a good thing.
10). Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) by Digable Planets: Considering that the group probably still receives sync licensing checks from the use of “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat),” the song is still well-known. However, the album that the record is featured on should be remembered too. The jazz influence that was making its way into Hip-Hop in the early 90s is not only prominent on this LP, it is incorporated well. And as far as lyrics, “Nickel Bags” compares music to drugs and “La Femme Fetal” discusses abortion. The album is good; it doesn’t rely just on its hit single.
9). The Four Horsemen by Ultramagnetic MC’s: After Funk Your Head Up flopped, the group needed to regroup and they did just that with their third album. Enlisting the help of Godfather Don, innovative production again made this album standout like their landmark debut. This album also contains one of the group’s best songs ever, “Saga of Dandy, the Devil & Day.” It’s a record about Negro league baseball and some of the most memorable players to emerge from it.
8). 187 He Wrote by Spice 1: The cover of this album pretty much says it all. And while his content is still somewhat limited to gangsta themes, the production is a little more varied than his debut. The album doesn’t really bring anything new to Hip-Hop, but it does what it does really well. In other words, one of the reasons gangsta rap is as powerful as it (for better or for worse) is because of this album. Two decades later, “Trigga Gots No Heart” still sends chills.
7). 21 & Over by Tha Alkaholiks: The only reason that this album runs the risk of being forgotten by the masses is that none of the singles charted on the Billboard Hot 100. However, that doesn’t diminish the quality of 21 & Over at all. It’s a great party soundtrack that has no filler. Props to King Tee for putting these guys on. With the exception of their “Best U Can” single from 2001, J-Ro, Tash, and E-Swift have yet to sound this good again.
6). SlaughtaHouseby Masta Ace Incorporated: With a newly formed crew assembled, Masta Ace returned to the scene after a three year break and expressed his distaste for gangsta rap. He instead opted for more social commentary. “Jeep Ass Niguh,” one of the album’s highlights, has proven to be timeless with the similarities between that song and the recent tragic fatal shooting of Jordan Davis. (He was an unarmed 17-year-old African-American male that was shot over loud music in November 2012.)
5). Till Death Do Us Part by Geto Boys: While Willie D left the group to pursue a solo career, the Geto Boys soldiered on with this album. Big Mike served as a respectable replacement, but Willie D’s absence was still felt. However, the 15-track set still delivered. “6 Feet Deep” is a powerful record which is only enhanced by the Commodores and Marvin Gaye samples. Then “Bring It On,” in addition to being a great posse cut, is also notable for the introduction of Devin the Dude.
4). Home Invasion by Ice-T: After the whole “Cop Killer” fiasco, Ice-T could’ve stopped cold (no pun intended). Fortunately, he didn’t though. With this release, his “kiss my ass” attitude is as apparent as ever. Not only does Ice call out Charlton Heston (“It’s On”), he also makes a great song about the gang truce (“Gotta Lotta Love”), gets real political (“Message to the Soldier”), and collaborates with Brother Marquis on a record that Jay Z would borrow elements from a decade later to create one of his biggest hits (“99 Problems”).
3). Illegal Business? by Mac Mall: Even at 74-minutes in running time, this album does not feel too long. Produced entirely by Khayree, Mac Mall’s first album is Bay Area Hip-Hop at its finest. He is a detailed lyricist whose rhymes fit exceptionally well atop Khayree’s synth sounds. Wether insightfully discussing crime on “Young N Da Game” or simply talking about drinking on “Crack da 40,” Mac Mall’s skills remain intact and so his versatility is also on full display. Plus, “Pimp S**t” features Mac Dre and the video for “Ghetto Theme” is directed by 2Pac.
2). Here Come the Lords by Lords of the Underground: This is a stellar debut album from a Hip-Hop trio based in New Jersey. The production from Marley Marl and K-Def certainly doesn’t hurt either. Additionally, seeing Doitall in a diaper and Mr. Funke sporting a huge afro in the “Funky Child” video makes the group even that much more memorable. And while that video was entertaining, the group still lived up to its name with hard drums, booming basslines, and solid rap flows.
1). Looks Like a Job For… by Big Daddy Kane: It’s fair to say that Kane’s appearance in Playgirl and Madonna’s sex book weren’t the best look for him as a Brooklyn emcee. Therefore, by 1993, he really needed to get back to the raw rhyming that made him a star in the 80s. He did that and then some with this album. Combine his impeccable flow with then-current production and the result is this outstanding (yet underrated) LP. In a 1997 book, Chuck D even listed this as one of his “Favorite All-Time Rap Albums.” After one listen, it’s clear to hear why.
What do you think of these selections? Please share your thoughts in the comments section!
Oversharing on social media is a serious problem but some people’s cries for attention really do need to be taken seriously. Such was the case with Merrick McCoy, a Colorado man who posted on Facebook presumably about wanting his daughter’s mother back before killing the 19-month old child and then himself.
McCoy posted the following message:
Via NY Daily News:
Just before the cowardly McKoy, 22, allegedly shot his daughter in the head and killed her, he posted a photo of the two together and wrote several social media missives explaining his motive.
“I told u I can’t live without u lol u thought I was joking now me n Mia out this b—-,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
The little girl’s mother, Kimphone “Kim” Phanthavongsa, 21 had an active restraining order against McKoy following domestic violence incident. McKoy was charged with assault, burglary, trespassing and harrassment, ABC7 Denver reported.
The Monday shooting was his only way out, he reasoned in his final Facebook post.
“Don’t judge me had no choice,” he wrote.
Phanthavongsa, 21, frantically phoned police to report McKoy was in her Stuart St. apartment with a gun. The two had a heated argument and she stormed out on Monday.
Cops did not make it in time. McKoy shot the girl in the head and then turned the gun on himself. The father’s condition was not released.
Little Mia’s relatives painted McKoy as a jealous and possessive brute.
“He was the type to say, if you’re not with me, you can’t be with anybody else,” Smaly Chham, the girl’s cousin, told 9NEWS, a local NBC affiliate.
Little Mia had just hit had just hit a major milestone — her first steps — according to friends who knew the little girl.
“She just learned how to walk,” Vannatda Sivixai told ABC7 Denver. “What an angel. Whenever she smiled it was bright.”
(AllHipHop) ProducerMarco Polo teams up with three West Coasters for the latest single off his Port Authority 2: The Director’sCut album. Oh No and Alchemist (collectively known as Gangrene) join with DJ Romes (one-third of the Lootpack) for the cut “Strange Brew.”
Jay-Z is catching all types of hell right now. Yesterday, he reportedly pump faked the press with Beyonce as his co-D. The pair “cancelled” an appearance at Barney’s but eventually showed up anyway. Well, this was all to promote the collection at Barney’s. Well, people are in a rage! I don’t know about the actual streets, because I don’t go outside, but online, people are furious! It seems that the clothing is very expensive and nobody that loves Jay Z can afford this stuff. Now local News 11 DID stay just in case and they got people’s reactions. Those that were interviewed had a range of views, ranging from supportive to…what’s Jay really doing here.
Hot 97 had a take on it.
Man…ain’t nobody got no money for that!
So, have people withdrawn their support from Jay Z?
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
Jay-Z is catching all types of hell right now. Yesterday, he reportedly pump faked the press with Beyonce as his co-D. The pair “cancelled” an appearance at Barney’s but eventually showed up anyway. Well, this was all to promote the collection at Barney’s. Well, people are in a rage! I don’t know about the actual streets, because I don’t go outside, but online, people are furious! It seems that the clothing is very expensive and nobody that loves Jay Z can afford this stuff. Now local News 11 DID stay just in case and they got people’s reactions. Those that were interviewed had a range of views, ranging from supportive to…what’s Jay really doing here.