(AllHipHop News) Forbes is back with their latest list of top money making musicians, and a few Hip Hop related artists cracked the Top 25. Music sales, tour profits, endorsements, and business ventures helped these stars all gross over $30 million dollars from June 1st, 2012 through June 1st, 2013.
Beyoncé’s $53 million put her at number nine for the year. She was tied with country star Kenny Chesney. Media mogul Diddy (11) just missed crossing into the top 10 with a total of $50 million. Rihanna’s $43 million (tie 16) edged out her mentor Jay Z with $42 million (tie 18), and Dr. Dre broke into the top 20 with $40 million. They all fall way short of the Queen of Pop. Madonna’s staggering $125 million put her comfortably in the number one spot.
The business magazine uses information from some of the artists, managers, and lawyers as well as data collected from Pollstar, the RIAA, and Nielsen SoundScan to tabulate the estimates of the entertainer’s pretax income.
1. Madonna – $125 million
2. Lady Gaga – $80 million
3. Bon Jovi – $79 million
4. Toby Keith – $65 million
5. Coldplay – $64 million
6. Justin Bieber – $58 million
7. Taylor Swift – $55 million
8. Elton John – $54 million
9. Beyonce – $53 million
9. Kenny Chesney – $53 million
11. Diddy – $50 million
12. Paul McCartney – $47 million
13. Calvin Harris – $46 million
14. Jennifer Lopez – $45 million
15. Roger Waters – $44 million
16. Muse – $43 million
16. Rihanna – $43 million
18. Jay Z – $42 million
18. One Direction – $42 million
20. Dr. Dre – $40 million
20. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $40 million
22. The Rolling Stones – $39 million
22. Katy Perry – $39 million
24. Tim McGraw – $33 million
25. Pink – $32 million
(AllHipHop News) Hip Hop heads have been waiting for years to hear a full joint album from DJ Premier and Nas. Premo sparked anticipation for the possible collaborative project last month at the A3C Hip Hop Festival when he answered a question about the LP by saying, “it’s coming.”
EME caught up with the legendary producer at the Global Spin Awards to talk about when the Nas/Premo album will manifest. According to Premier, fans of tracks like “N.Y. State of Mind” and “Represent” will have to wait a little while longer. That’s because Nas will be dropping another solo album first and then the world will get to hear God Son spit over Premier’s tracks for an enitre LP.
“The Nas collaboration has not started yet. He has another album that he’s coming out with first,” says Premier. “Until that one drops, nothing’s happening, but it’s gonna happen after that one.”
Premier also reveals that has been working on songs with Lady Rage, Slaughterhouse, M.O.P., and Joey Bada$$ and plans to connect with Macklemore as well.
(AllHipHop News) Chris Brown has been dealing with a lot of legal issues over the last several months. It turns out the R&B star has also been dealing with clinical mental and emotional issues as well. Radar Online got access to documents which indicate that Brown suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder and depression and is being treated for those conditions while in rehab.
A probation report reveals that Brown’s set backs in his anger management treatments were the result of him feeling that he was not properly credited with community service hours he had performed. It also states that the 22-year-old singer attempted to enter the P.A.A.W.S. program as part of the terms for his probation, but was unable to do so because he was on medication at the time. The program prohibits workers using meds.
Brown is still on probation for the 2009 assault on then girlfriend Rihanna. After facing another assault charge in Washington, D.C., he admitted himself into rehab before being kicked out of the program for another violent outburst. A judge ordered Brown back to rehab for 90-days. He is also subject to random drug testing and must take any medication prescribed by his doctors.
A letter from the rehab center reads in part (emphasis ours):
Our hope is that Mr Brown will re-engage in treatment and get the help he requires for his dual diagnosis issues and become a positive role model in society that we absolutely believe he has the ability to become.
(AllHipHop News) When two of the biggest Hip Hop artists in the world get on a track together it is sure to grab people’s attention. According to Eminem this is partly why he tapped Kendrick Lamar to provide a guest verse on The Marshall Mathers LP 2 track “Love Game.”
Eminem tells Zane Lowe in the third part of their interview that after he realized he did not have any other rappers on the album he spoke with his manager Paul Rosenberg about getting K. Dot to create an “event record.”
“Me and Paul had talked about maybe we should try and do an event record and get somebody like Kendrick,” said Em “Kendrick, as incredible as he is, he’s also on the same label. He’s in our camp. It only made sense.”
The multiple Grammy winner then shares that Kendrick came to studio with him in Detroit rather than e-mailing music/verses back-and-forth. Eminem also explains why he and Kendrick attempted to keep the collaboration a secret.
“Me and him had a conversation about the element of surprise,” reveals Em. “We had talked about he shouldn’t even tell anybody.”
Watch the entire part 3 of Zane Lowe’s interview with Eminem below.
(AllHipHop News) News broke this week about a lawsuit filed by Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane against his former manager Deb Antney, her son Waka Flocka, and other past associates at his 1017 Brick Squad Records. In the suit, Gucci claims Antney purposely cheated him out of profits and used the money for her own personal gain.
While other comments have been attributed to Antney concerning the matter her rep released her full statement adding that this “the only statement that my client, Debra Antney has to say about this whole situation.”
Read Deb Antney’s full statement below:
I’ve done a lot for the artists that I’ve represented, both past and present. I’ve not only helped and encouraged them in their professional lives, but in their personal lives as well. What people only hear is the negative. People love and feed off of drama. That’s nothing new, and unfortunately, I’m used to it. What no one talks about is how I was there for them, often times when no one else was.
I refuse to use any platform to address negative issues. Let it be known, that I will never speak bad about any artist I’ve worked with. When I work with someone, I really throw myself into their success. They are never clients to me, they are family. Everyone who works for me only works for me on paper. In my office, it’s a family affair. And that goes deeper than rap…deeper than music…deeper than business. Employees and artists know that. So it confuses me how someone can attack me or come for me when I’ve done so much for them. But that’s the nature of this business. That’s why some people say don’t mix business with pleasure. Unfortunately for me, I never mastered that concept. I’m personable with everyone and my loyalty is to a fault. I won’t apologize for that; it’s who I am and it’s what allows me to be passionate about the projects I pursue.
This situation with Gucci is hard for me to accept. I have a history with him that only he and I can truly know the value of, and I have a love for him that money can’t buy. Gucci and I have been through it all together. Our struggle gave us a relationship that is unbreakable. Even through this, I stand by him. Our history is a strong one, so this is very tough. That’s all I think I’ll say on Gucci, specifically, because I still hold him close to my heart, I’m still rooting for him, and I still value our bond. If he called me today and he needed me, I’d be there. I’d cuss him out, but I’d be there. Because that’s family, and that’s what family does.
A lot of the people in my circle started from the bottom. We’ve all come a very long way. Some have left, and some are still here. We’ve fought, and we’ve celebrated. We’ve messed up, and we’ve learned. I’m still learning and I’m still building my empire. In whatever people want to do in their life, I wish everyone success, personal joy and fulfillment. I hope they wish the same for me. I won’t concern myself with those who don’t.
This ain’t no rumor and this ain’t about Hip-Hop, but it needs to be stated. I hope America understands it freed a murderer to the streets now. Now, they can see what kind of PSYCHO HE IS. But, this m#### f**ka is even worse than you thought. Check it. Not only has he impregnated his girlfriend like a month after his wife leaves the house, but he has done the inconceivable! This fool sent his girlfriend’s underage daughter still images from a sex tape he made with her. This dude is crazy.
He’s got a history of domestic violence. He’s threatened his wife, girlfriend and his wife’s parents with violence. And now he sends the underage daughter of his gal-pal where he lives nastiness of him an her mom. The good part is that Zimmy had to surrender all his guns.
(AllHipHop News) Chris Brown will be back in rehab, but not before the reason he was kicked out is revealed. According to TMZ, Brown was discharged from his rehab program for throwing rocks at his mother’s car.
During the singer’s 13 day rehab stay at a Malib rehab center, his mother, Joyce Hawkins allegedly made a trip to visit her son and to insist that he have a longer stay at the rehab center.
At a court mandated hearing today (November 20), Brown was ordered to an additional 90 days of residential rehab and random drug testing by Judge James Brandlin in Los Angeles. Judge Brandlin also ordered Brown finish off his previous community labor requirement at a minimum pace of 24 hours per week. Brown may also be prescribed medication by his physician at the rehab facility if he/she sees fit.
Brown recently released a new EP entitled X Files in anticipation of his upcoming album X. X is scheduled to be released on December 3rd.
(AllHipHop News) With just three words Jay Z’s Roc Nation announces its new partnership with Jeezy’s CTE. “It’s Official Now” is the headline on Jay’s Life+Times website with a picture of the two rap stars. The caption below the photo simply reads, “CTE x Roc Nation x It’s Tha World.”
No further details of the deal have been announced. Jeezy and Jay have a long business relationship. The Snowman released his major label debut Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 on Def Jam at the time Jigga was president of the company. Jay appeared on the track “Go Crazy” off the album.
This is the second big announcement for Roc Nation this week. They previously signed producer DJ Mustard as an artist.
(AllHipHop News) Singer/rapper/producer Jared Evan is back with his latest project. After releasing the Statik Selektah produced Boom Bap and Blues earlier this year, the Long Island, New York native drops the Pieces EP. With production by !llmind, ill Factor, The Arcitype, and Evan the 7-track collection incorporates elements of Hip Hop, R&B, and Pop. The 23-year-old also connects with Philadelphia’s Chiddy Bang for the closing track “Never Graduated.”
Chris Brown has more lives than a cat that believes in reincarnation Well, this time the dude may have crossed the line and it looks like severe penalties are coming down the line. According to TMZ, the boy Breezy went into a crazy rage while in anger rehab. They said he started throwing stuff and the stuff broke. This will now fuel the push get this dude locked up once and for all. He’s still on probation for beating RiRi up. So, now they are gathering all their information – including the alleged assault in D.C. – to compile a list to hang Breezy with his own rope. The D.A. is going for blood.
I heard they are making their decision RIGHT NOW!
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
(AllHipHop News)A few months ago Gucci Mane stated he was heading to rehab for an addiction to Lean following his surprising Twitter rant against Nicki Minaj, Drake, Waka Flocka Flame amongst others. Deb Atney is now praying that Gucci Mane actually gets that medical attention he spoke of in response to his lawsuit against herself and her son.
Gucci alleges that Atney, who has managed Gucci since 2006, assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer of Gucci Mane’s 1017 Brick Squad record label and took more than the usual managers fee of 20%. Atney, speaking with RumorFix, says she is “speechless” and alleges that Gucci’s recent claims are further byproducts of his addiction and greed:
Drugs, greed and women ruined him — that’s it. Don’t blame that sh*t on me!
Atney furhter dispells Gucci’s allegations of her and her son pilfering money from him as she remarks “Waka wasn’t even rapping in 2006” when she began managing Gucci Mane.
(AllHipHop News) Lauryn Hill is out of prison and back on the stage. The Grammy winner previously revealed that she will be performing at the The Bowery Ballroom in NYC later this month, and now the “Killing Me Softly” singer has added five more shows to her Homecoming concert series.
Ms. Hill will be performing in DC, Boston, New York, and her home state of New Jersey starting December 15th. For more information about her upcoming performances visit www.MsLaurynHill.com.
Check out the dates/venues of Lauryn Hill’s Homecoming series below.
11/27 – Bowery Ball Room – New York, NY (Early and late show)
(AllHipHop News) Threats, misinformation and entitlement are three themes that permeate Icelene Jones’ response to Chris Kanik’s retelling of why the screening of the Ol Dirty Bastard documentary Dirty Platinum failed to come to fruition. In an interview with XXL, Jones spoke on the legal issues that prevented the documentary from being screened, the inconsistencies in NuHo Film Festival’s owner’s Chris Kanik’s story and more.
The documentary Dirty Platinum was scheduled to be screened on the late rapper’s birthday (November 15th) at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Kanik maintained that he was notified about a cease and desist order placed on the film by ODB’s estate 24 hours prior to the screening. However, Ms. Jones claims Kanik knew about the order “2-3 weeks” before the event:
It wasn’t a last minute thing. The communication has been very clear. The letter didn’t go out the day of, this is something that’s been going back and forth for a while. And that’s what they tried to make it seem like—like Icelene Jones messed up everybody’s good time and stopped everybody from seeing the film.
Both Kanik and Jones agree that the family requested up front money for the rights to ODB’s likeness, image and music. However, whereas Kanik viewed the request as “greed”, Jones’ manager Melissa Jacobs believes the estate is entitled to such compensation:
He’s turning this into a personal thing. We asked for money up front. We are the estate of Russell Jones, we have been appointed by the courts. You’re using his birthday, you’re using his picture, you’re promoting this event, you’re promoting this website. Then when we ask for compensation he’s trying to make it sound like we’re asking for something we’re not entitled to have.
Jones also refutes Kanik’s claim that he offered her and/or the estate 25% of all the profit the documentary accumulated.
(AllHipHop Feature) Don’t call her a rapper. Don’t call her a singer. Mary Gold refers to herself as an artist, nudist, tree hugger, and c*nt, but you can call her “The First Lady of Jet Life.” The New Orleans performer stayed with the home team by signing with Curren$y’s imprint, and she recently released her debut project as the third installment of the Jet Life BitTorrent Bundle.
Gold’s Sex Hormone’d Druggie mixtape is a musical journey into the psyche of a young woman that presents herself as being comfortable enough in her skin to share her explicit inner thoughts with the world. AllHipHop spoke with “Mother Mary” to go even further into the mind of the creator of tracks like the seductive “Fukk” and the Spitta assisted “Prayer.” Get to know Mary Gold in part one of this exclusive interview.
AllHipHop.com: How did you first get involved with music?
Mary Gold: I dated this dude. He had a band, and I was always around it. It made me want to do music. I always wanted to do music since I was younger, but I never really told anybody. My mom didn’t know I could sing. She’s just finding out. My parents are shocked about it. So yeah, being around my ex-boyfriend made me really want to do music. Once I did follow that through he broke up with me.
How many years have you been making music?
It’s been about four.
I was talking to a friend about your mixtape and he asked me to describe it. No disrespect, but I told him I can’t really describe it. It has elements of Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz. I can’t really put a name to it. How would you describe your sound?
To be honest I can’t tell you either. All I know are my feelings and my emotions. Honestly, I don’t really want anyone to categorize it. I think it’s much more inspiring when it’s free and it’s just raw. I never want to be put in a category, because I always want to be able to create any kind of music that I want. I don’t want anyone to label me as rapper or a singer, because one day I may wake up and not want to do that anymore. I may want to go into another genre, and I want to be free to do that without criticism.
Who are some of the artists that have influenced you?
M.I.A. has been a big influence. I love her music. I love how she expresses herself. I love Willow Smith. I think she’s awesome. I’d love to do something with her one day. I love Kanye. Drake has always been a big inspiration musically. So many people inspire me.
You mentioned Drake. How did your cameo in his “Worst Behavior” video come about?
Drake hit me through Twitter and told me how much he liked “Prayer” and how much it inspired him. It’s crazy because I grew up watching Degrassi. He’s always been in front of me. He asked me to come and be a part of his video. That’s how that happened.
Could a collaboration be in the future?
I hope so.
Mary riding shotgun with Drake in the “Worst Behavior” video
What was it about Curren$y’s Jet Life that made you decide to sign with them?
It’s home. They cater to home like no one I’ve ever seen. They go hard for where they come from, and I want to be a part of that. I always feel like you should go back to the place that you came from. I want to continue to be part of New Orleans. I don’t want to take what they gave me and go somewhere else with it.
What is it like being the only woman in the crew?
I don’t look at it like that. It’s very equal. They treat me like family. There’s no judgment here. They let me be myself. I have complete control over my creativity. It’s a beautiful thing.
You’re songs are very descriptive tales about sex and drugs. Are they based on real life experiences or are the imaginary accounts? Or a mixture of both?
I live in a complete, totally different world than everyone else. Everything that I write about or I sing about is based on encounters that I had or seen personally. Everything is very real. I might tweak it to my perspective, but it’s definitely life experiences.
You also include a lot of religious references in your music. Did you grow up attending church?
Yes, I definitely did. My parents are Baptist. I grew up in a very structured home. Even to this day my parents feel like they went wrong with raising me because I went a completely different path. I just want everyone to understand that I’m more spiritual than I am religious. I don’t knock it. I take it to my advantage and put my own perspective on it and my own outlook. I’m a firm believer there’s a higher being I just look at it differently than what they told you in books.
What would be your response to those people who may be critical that you’re combining spirituality with drugs and sex?
I feel this is life. Even Jesus drank some wine here and there. I feel like we all have our vices and you can’t be judgmental on that. We’re human. It’s not that serious. I don’t think God put us here to be miserable.
You’ve describe yourself as a nudist. Is that literal or is that just another extension of you expressing your freedom?
It’s not literal. I think people take it and run with that, but I do feel more comfortable in my skin than most do. I feel like we came here naked so there’s nothing wrong with showing who you are. You’re most honest when you’re naked. There’s nothing you can really hide. All your flaws are there. All your insecurities are there. That’s just life.
Wiz Khalifa was the latest Hip-Hop star to stop by DJ Skee’s “Skee Live” show on AXS TV and even created a trending topic on Twitter during his live performance and interview. After performing cuts like “Up” and “Black and Yellow,” Wiz sat down with DJ Skee and discussed his adjustments to being a new father, his upcoming album “Black Hollywood” (coming in 2014) and shared an on-air candid moment with Leonardo of the Ninja Turtles (See Below). In a moment that would make Cheech & Chong proud, Wiz also revealed during the interview that he goes through an ounce of weed per day.
AllHipHop.com was on hand to check it all out and we’ve got some pictures and video! Be sure to watch next Tuesday as SKEE LIVE plays host to Snoop Dogg!
So ya heard about me/slow it down, break it down/what’s the word about me/some echos around town/tell me more/say word/thats absurd, have we met before/well i guess we have now
Hailing Columbus, Ohio, Alexander Dreamer drops off the bouncy club record, “Gettin It” showcasing his fun songwriting along with his detailed production skills. Alexander’s upcoming project, Dancing With The Devil is scheduled to be released on January 6th.
Check out Alexander Dreamer’s self-produced single “Gettin’ It” below:
(AllHipHop News) Tonight (November 20th) and this Sunday (November 24th) A Tribe Called Quest are scheduled to perform for the final times in New York City for Kanye West’s Yeezus tour. The fourth, and seldomly heard member of A Tribe Called Quest, Jarobi White, spoke with Okayplayer’s The Question about what the Tribe show will look like on the Yeezus tour, what Phife Dawg meant on “The Chase Pt. 2” plus more.
The 42 year old “spirit” of A Tribe Called Quest is now a chef at the highly respected August restaurant in New York City’s West Village, but maintains that he will be apart of the final two ATCQ shows for the Yeezus tour. Jarobi also gave insight on the stage set up for Tribe’s set in comparison to the grandiose stage design Kanye implements:
We were at practice the other day and somebody was pointing out how intricate Kanye’s show is with the lighting and all of that stuff. He has the big, crazy budget so he can do all that stuff. He has a mountain, we have little hills.
A Tribe Called Quest’s classic album Midnight Marauders was released 20 years ago and Jarobi finally explained why Phife Dawg said “making love to the mic like Jarobi on the phone” on “The Chase Pt. 2”:
Before text messaging and emails were really popular I used to spend a very large amount of the time on the phone talking to girls. [Phife] used to always be like ‘yo, stop making love to them girls on the phone.’
Check out Jarobi speak on the current states of The Native Tongues, if he has eaten Ham & Eggs since appearing on “Ham & Eggs” and more below:
