Talib Kweli and singer IndiaArie are joining forces for a special event in Brooklyn called “The Truth Serum.”
The event, which takes place on August 29, also has 9th Wonder’s artist Rapsody along with Talib and India.Arie who will be playing in front of The Brooklyn Philharmonic.
Talib was particularly excited.
“I love India.Arie,” he told AllHipHop.com. “We’re born the exact same day. She’s the truth. Can’t wait to play with her at The Truth Serum show!!”
“The Truth Serum” will also feature up-and-comers Luke James and Esnavi, who have amassed fan bases as well.
Damnit, Kendrick. There’s so much content being created around this verse from Big Sean’s “Control,” we can’t keep up. This one here though. Too cute. A baby reacts to the fury with the realest response ever. Check it out.
“Control” isn’t going anywhere and Kendrick Lamar has got just about everybody talking right now. He’s been silent though. So the fervor continues. And so does The Führer. Somebody grabbed screen clips of the movie Downfall and turned it into a reply where the German leader is cursing out everybody that has yet to respond to Kendrick’s lyrical sneak attack.
On “Let the Money Stay,” off of his recent EP, Masterpiece Theatre, Willie the Kid states “I’m rather blatant, so blending in never been my strongpoint, point taken.”
The aforementioned statement describes Willie’s style of lyricism extremely well. His witty, complex but confident flow separates him from the large crowd of emcees in the rap game these days.
Initially gaining popularity as a member of Aphilliates Music Group, a collective spearheaded by the world-renown DJ Drama, Willie the Kid tasted success with his 2008 single “Love for Money,” which featured Trey Songz, Gucci Mane, La the Darkman, Bun B, Flo Rida, and Yung Joc. This was followed by his debut album, Absolute Greatness.
A few years later, although not a prominent figure in the mainstream eye, he continues to release solid projects consecutively that stand out. He was even named by Drake as one of 2011’s “Hottest MCs in the Game.”
Buzzing off the recent release of his Masterpiece Theatre EP, a seven-song collaborative effort with reputable producer, Alchemist, Willie the Kid has no plans of taking a breather. He will drop his long-awaited installment Aquamarine later this month. He also has plans of delivering two more projects this winter—his album, The Fly 3, and his short film, “The Fly.”
The Grand Rapids, Michigan native took some time out to speak about his upcoming projects, working with Alchemist, and what artists give him inspiration.
AllHipHop.com: What can fans expect from your upcoming project Aquamarine?
Willie The Kid: It’s a project that’s theme-based with reference to the ocean, or the sea as a metaphor to life and the journeys that you take. It’s reflective of the things you go through in life, and staying afloat is the objective [with] reaching your destination of success.
It’ll be between 10 to 13 records. I have “Goodness Gracious” with Smoke Dza, “Marina” with Jon Connor, the “Mainstream” freestyle…those are records that you can expect to hear on Aquamarine. I got a record with my man Los from Bad Boy. It’s a real dope project. It’s about having fun, but at the same time it’s introspective on life.
Listen to Masterpiece Theatre in its entirety below.
You’re planning to release a short film, ”The Fly,” this winter. What will it be about?
It’s based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We shot it all there. It’s about a guy, a bartender, who bar tends at a local, underground hip-hop rap venue. He has a secret identity. Secretly, he’s this big rapper named The Fly. His identity gets uncovered through a love interest thing he was involved in. It’s basically a story about love and chasing your dreams and being courageous enough to follow [them], and facing the fears, risks and consequences that may come with it.
I wrote the film. I co-produced it. I starred in it. My man Kevin Budzynski, he directed it. He’s an Emmy Award-winning director. It’s going to be a really dope project.
How will people be able to view the film?
We’re working that out right now. Perhaps, what we’re going to do is pay-per-view through Vimeo, or maybe YouTube where you pay to watch it. It’ll be available on iTunes as well.
You’re also planning to release the third installment of you’re The Fly series this year. What can fans expect from that?
I’m dropping The Fly 3 and “The Fly” at the same time. The themes and the concepts that are entwined in the film will be the records from The Fly 3. Whether it’s the romance, the courage to chase your dreams, dealing with disappointments, or celebrating success, all of the emotions and the things that happen in the film will play themselves out song for song on The Fly 3. [It’s] going to be for sale on iTunes with the film. You can buy it packaged together or separately.
You recently dropped Masterpiece Theatre. What was the best part about creating the EP to you?
I think the best part was working with Alchemist, because Al is like a mad scientist. He’s a genius. He’s like a natural when it comes to making a whole other unique sound to this rap s###. It’s so natural for him. But further, even more so, he complimented my style without me having to conform it in anyway. I could be myself when I was working with Alchemist.
You possess a distinct style that doesn’t resemble any other hip-hop artist out. Who inspires you?
I’m a big Wu-Tang fan. I’m a big Jay-Z fan. I’m a big Nas fan. Growing up, that’s all I needed. I think me developing my style, it definitely came from listening to them, but maybe the last two to three years or so, the inspiration has been coming from what I’ve been going through in life.
The end of the week is hear and all’s quiet on the Western (and Eastern) Front. Papoose definitely got things popping today with this seething diss at Kendrick and the crew. But, the question is…are they out there laughing at all the response to Kendrick’s “Control” verse? I heard that they are and are basically clowning everybody that came at them slick. Now, I wonder if they talked to all the rappers Kendrick listened, because there has been not a PEEP from any of them. So, all we are left with are a slew of responders but nothing from those that should be replying.
Joke?
I don’t know.
I am hoping that K. Dot comes back with something for Cass, Joell and Pap at least. Their heat lingers……..
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
(AllHipHop News) Without question, Nas is one of the rappers that Kendrick Lamar looks up to, but now the Queensbridge, New York legend has commented on Compton upstart’s claim to be “The King of New York.”
Nas spoke to Ms. Info of Hot 97 at a Hennessy party and talked about the controversy.
“Wow. My reaction is wow. I love hip-hop right now. … Certain fans like certain eras of rap, certain fans are not up on certain eras, so they don’t really remember all of them. Yeah, yeah, yeah, KRS-One, MC Shan and all the way to Busy Bee. This is what hip-hop is all about. You gotta ask [Kendrick what he meant]. I’m a listener.”
The boy has been generally just messed up. And I thought that this could be one of his press stunts, but I guess not. According to sources with TMZ, he’s now on life support after he was attacked in China.
R&B singer Raz-B is currently on life support in a hospital in China … just one day after he was smashed in the face with a bottle at a nightclub, TMZ has learned.
We spoke to Raz’s publicist, Toy Jones, who tells us, “He is in a coma and needs as many prayers as possible.” As we previously reported, the 28-year-old was performing at a club in China on Thursday and was smashed in the face with a glass bottle while trying to break up a fight that erupted in the crowd.
Raz received medical attention hours after the incident –and underwent minor surgery to repair a gash in his lip.
But the next day, sources close to Raz tell us he didn’t wake up … and Raz’s backup dancer rushed him to a nearby hospital for treatment.
We’re told doctors tested for brain activity and determined the situation was dire. Sources say Raz is breathing from a ventilator … and has been slipping in and out of consciousness.
I’m hoping he wakes up, but not fully convinced he’s on life support like people that are brain dead.
Director Lee Daniels’ new film “The Butler” hits theaters nationwide today (August 16th) and critics are already mentioning it as a major contender for the Academy Awards.
“The Butler” doesn’t necessarily evoke the idea of a spirited action flick or comedic work – but fans of those genres will be pleasantly surprised to see Daniel maneuver both elements into his two hour film that focuses on the contrasting tales of the civil right movement through the eyes of a father and son.
“The Butler” focus on the heroic figure of Cecil Gaines (played by Forrest Whitiker), whose life story is the center of the film. He is the butler to seven presidents, beginning with President Eisenhower (Robin Williams) and ending with President Reagan (Alan Rickman), and his journey and struggle are his story line – from the plantation where his father died and he subsequently ran away, to his life’s work and the struggle at home with his wayward/prodigal son Louis (David Oyelowo) to his alcoholic and secretly cheating wife Gloria (Oprah Winfrey).
While the film does have it’s awkward moments and obvious overlooks, such as a talking parrot and historical inaccuracies, the film hits home with a moving story and narrative that screams Oscar nominations for Whitaker, Winfrey, Daniels and screenwriter Danny Strong.
Independently filmed and based on the real-life account of Eugene Allen, butler to seven presidents, Daniels and Strong manage to assemble a highly creative and emotional drama that offers an historical account of the tumultuous time during the civil right movement and its various leaders. Thankfully, the harsh reality of the era isn’t lightened of simplified, it’s real, gritty and unapologetic.
Overall the film finds ways to grip you even if you are not invested in the history lesson.
“You hear nothing. You see nothing. You only serve.”
And from this film, such lessons are apparent until the very end where the father and son – reconcile and progress is made through their eyes as they see the first black president.
MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 2 hours and 6 minutes.
The chicks must be getting nervous out here in the streets. I thought maybe Kat Stacks was about a different sort of life after her issues with immigration. As much as things may have changed, they have stayed the same. Well, there is a new breed of video chick or whatever they are called and guess what? They are now on reality TV. They ain’t just in the videos as a sidebar.
And one of the main ones is Kat Stacks! She got a new booty implanted in her gluteus maximus. Peep!
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
(AllHipHop News) Chris Brown may be the happiest man to have just been court ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service. According to the Associated Press, Brown was ordered to perform graffiti removal, highway work and more as punishment for getting into a hit and run accident.
The victim of the hit and run withdrew all legal action against Brown and today (August 16th) prosecutors withdrew their legal pursuit to revoke Brown’s probation which stipulated he could not have any legal infractions.
Brown faced possible jail time if he was found guilty.
(AllHipHop News) The Trayvon Martin Effect is real and manifested during a performance at the Hayward Russell City Blues Festival in San Francisco. While performing the Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions’ song “People Get Ready” he dedicated to Trayvon Martin, 73 year old soul singer Lester Chambers was assaulted by a enraged woman.
At the July 13th festival, 44 year old Dinalynn Andrews-Potter was captured on video climbing onto the stage, shoving and mounting Chambers who suffered bruised rib muscles, nerve damage and had to walk with a cane following the assault. Chambers’ son, Dylan Chambers posted a photo of his father’s injuries onto his personal Facebook page:
The Chicago Tribune reported that Andrews-Potter is a retired member of the U.S. Navy and has admitted to suffering from post-traumatic stress.
While Chambers informed Reuters that he “certainly wanted her charged for an assault and hate crime because that’s what it was” there was no evidence of racial epithets or motivation according to the Alameda County district attorney.
Andrews-Potter was charged with felony assault and elder abuse.
Check out the video of the assault and Chambers’ interview with CBS News below:
(AllHipHop News) Los Angeles native Kendrick Lamar is scheduled to do a show in the very East Coast city where he planted his flag as king next month. The TDE rapper will be joined by one New York rhymer for his concert at Williamsburg Park in Brooklyn – Bishop Nehru.
Kendrick sparked a firestorm earlier this week when he proclaimed himself the “King of New York” in his verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” The tongue-n-cheek proclamation led to numerous NYC based emcees releasing “Kendrick Lamar Response” tracks as a form of the nonviolent, verbal sparring that has long been tradition in Hip Hop culture.
As the friendly competition has energized New York rappers to jump in the booth to offer their replies, the Black Hippy member will actually share a stage with one of NYC’s bright young stars in Bishop Nehru. The 16-year-old will be the only New York rapper on the bill at the Williamsburg show.
“Really looking forward to hittin’ the stage on Sept 10th. Going to hold it down for NYC,” says Bishop.
Fellow Black Hippy rappers Jay Rock and Ab-Soul will also be performing at the Williamsburg Park show on September 10th. To purchase tickets visit ticketmaster.com.
(AllHipHop News) Drake’s follow-up to his multi-platinum, Grammy award winning sophomore album Take Care is beginning to take shape. Rolling Stone previewed the rapper’s album and notes that both Jay Z and Lil Wayne will make appearances Nothing Was The Same.
The official tracklist is still unknown, however the Rolling Stone confirmed the name of a song entitled “Connect” which is said to be a tear jerker. “That one hits you in the heart,” Drake says of the record. “It’s painful and beautiful at the same time.”
The inclusion of “Connect” seems to at the very least add more doubt to the rumored tracklist for Nothing Was The Same leaked on Drake’s father’s personal Instagram account over 2 months ago.
Nothing Was The Same will arrive in stores on September 17th.
(AllHipHop News) In 2013, Oprah Winfrey is more than a 59 year old philanthropist/media mogul but a symbol of professionalism for decades. While that may have always been the case, Ms. Winfrey spoke on “Watch What Happens Live” on Bravo to promote The Butler as well as some interesting tidbits about her personal life.
One of the more shocking pieces of personal information is Oprah’s admission to smoking marijuana, although she claims she has not smoked pot since 1982. She then tells “Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen “I hear it’s gotten better.”
She also addressed her The Butler co-star Terrance Howard describing Oprah’s breast as “tig ol’ bitties” by quipping “It’s okay, because they really are big!”
Check out the video below as Cohen gets Oprah to answer questions about the most embarrassing moments from Oprah’s talk show:
(AllHipHop News) Everybody may be waiting for a Drake-reply to Kendrick Lamar, but Drizzy has managed to get two of the bosses in rap on his new album.
Nothing Was The Same, Drake’s third, will feature both the Young Money Don and The Roc Mogul.
Drake confirmed the news with Rolling Stone magazine.
The interview didn’t clarify if they would be on the same track, but he spoke about the album in general.
“This album is about growth,” he told Rolling Stone. “When I play it for people, they ask, ‘Who’s that rapping?’ I’m like, ‘That’s me.’”
Nothing Was The Same is set to hit stores on Sept. 17.
There has been speculation that he’s recording a reply to Kendrick Lamar’s verse on “Control.” Thus far, Drake has had no comment.
YOOOO….I do have a rumor about The Game, but I’m going to hold that one. Below is the latest
Rihanna got up close with A$AP Rocky on set of a music video in New York on Wednesday night. It’s unknown exactly what they were shooting, but the two were spotted getting cozy on and off camera. According to photographers on set, they shared a cigarette and were seen making out at one point.
Rocky was also joined on set by his A$AP Mob brothers A$AP Ferg and A$AP Illz. RiRi wore a floor-length zebra-print dress and changed into Timberlands while getting flirty with her co-star.
Well, Kanye is reportedly very convinced that he, Kim and the baby were straight up set up at the medical center. There was supposedly a very, very, very short list of people that knew they would be there at that time. Kanye is supposedly very sick of the Kardashian penchant for the press. Not sure what family he thought he was coming into.
But there is something else Kanye should be pondering and that is that heat that Papoose put out. He mentioned Kanye as a reason for the feminization of Black men.
Editor’s Note: We did not edit hexmurda’s editorial at all. He doesn’t like that.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of AllHipHop.com
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I know by now everyone has either heard or heard about Kendrick Lamar’s verse on Big Sean’s CONTROL joint.
In case u have been under a rock or dead here’s the synopsis.
NO I.D. produced a song that didn’t make BigSean’s upcoming “Hall of Fame” album due to sample clearance issues. The song featured Kendrick and Jay Electronica & popped up all over the blogosphere on Monday. Well, Sean went first, Kendrick went second and Jay Elect was the anchor.
At least that was the plan.
I played it, listened to Sean’s verse, it was cool. Next was Kendrick’s. His verse was pretty much par for the course, then he decided to spaz the f### out. I dunno if anybody even listened to Jay’s verse after Kendrick’s. It got the “Oh S###”, reaction. After giving the prerequisite respect to JayZ, Nas, Eminem & Andre3k effectively immunizing them from the upcoming onslaught, this Compton n#### proclaimed himself the King of New York and basically gave out personal battle me invites to Jay Cole, Wale, Drake, ASAP Rocky, Meek Mil, Mac Miller, BigKRIT, Pusha T, TylerTheCreator AND Big Sean and Jay Electronica for good measure. Kendrick basically called out every n#### in his weight class. He even called Jay Cole by his government name “Jermaine Cole” so there was no doubt who he was talking about. And then he said “WEST COAST” at the end just to let n##### know.
Tupac would be proud.
Kendrick also said some s### about G5 planes & drunk Grandpa’s with prosthetic legs, but that’s beside the point. It wasn’t exactly a dis. This wasn’t “HIT EM UP Part II” by any stretch of the imagination. Kendrick just let his peers know how he was laying. He’s aware of who has the money, champagne & weed, but now he wanted to know who has the bars?
S### felt like the 80’s & 90’s again.
Twitter went crazy.
I haven’t seen mainstream or underground HipHop fans this excited since Jay Electronica & JustBlaze dropped “EXHIBIT C”. It seems like every rapper in the world had a response to Kendrick’s verse. Everybody except the n##### he was specifically talking to. I don’t know what the f### those cats are waiting for. Maybe some of them are going to get together & record one “We Are The World” style track. “ThatsWhatFriendsAreFor2013 (The Kendrick Response)” or some s###. Joell Ortiz from Slaughterhouse repped hard for New York tho. He gave an immediate response with Royce Da 5-9-like quickness. He stood tall. As did Papoose.
For everybody else, man listen. If you’re not from New York or he didn’t mention u stop making response records. Technically you can’t respond to a n#### who wasn’t talking to you.
As for Mr. Lamar he ended mainstream Hip Hop’s circle jerk and gave it a much needed shot in the arm. Kendrick Lamar basically said “We’re cool, but I’m trying to kill you n##### on tracks”. Rappers are gonna have to stop f###### doing all these collaborations and stand on their own two damn feet.
It had gotten to the point where I would hear a joint & there would be so many n##### on it I would have no idea who’s song it was, let alone what project it was on. For the longest I thought “DJ KHALED” was the name of a group consisting of Ross, Wayne, Baby, AceHood & Busta with occasional appearances by Drake, T-Pain & Future. S###.
Lastly I have to say kudos to Kendrick for basically saying “f### these n#####” on some rap s###, & bringing competition back to HipHop. Good job to Joell Ortiz and Pap. They held NY down. The entire HipHop Nation both young & old await the rest of the responses from both the New York emcees and the emcees who were actually mentioned in the verse. It’ll be interesting to see who replies & what they have to say. We’re waiting. Don’t take too long now.
Twit @ me, @hexmurda & remember, I don’t give a f### about your opinion unless u agree with me.
(AllHipHop News) Hell Rell, one of New York’s hardest MCs, took a moment to speak with AllHipHop.com during a recent trip to Miami, Florida.
The Bronx, New York native was down south, taking in the Hip-Hop scene and expanding his network.
Hell Rell spoke on his upcoming “Meyer Lansky” mixtape, revealing that it was time for some “real ni**a” music.
“Working man , working staying sucker free out here in Miami, fu**ing with this good weather, smoking this good dope, recording good music,” Hell Rell told AllHipHop.com. “I’m working on that ‘Meyer Lansky’ mixtape, bout to f**k the streets up, f**k the internet up, show them what a real ni**a been on lately.”
Hell Rell explained how he’s choosing records for the upcoming mixtape.
“I just been recording every city I go, it’s love,” Hell Rell said. “[I] got access to a studio, I’ve got like 50-60 songs. I pick certain songs that go with certain times and right, now it’s time for real ni**a music.”
Ruga Rell explained that his hiatus from the rap game was due to legal issues that he has since put behind him.
“I been low for a minute, I had a couple of cases I needed to beat,” Hell Rell told AllHipHop.com. “I had to get my Jew lawyer to eat that up. He ate all that up. A ni**a back on his s**t. When this new music hit, the streets its going to f**k the streets up. Shooters going crazy, ladies going crazy, the hustlers.”
Check out the exclusive interview with Hell Rell below:
Follow Mikey T The Movie Star on Twitter @MTMovieStar
I know by now everyone has either heard or heard about Kendrick Lamar’s verse on Big Sean’s CONTROL joint.