You can never fully know if somebody’s Instagram is their own, but it seems to. Looks like the son of Will and Jada went OFF on somebody. But, nobody really knows why? I always took Jaden to be a bit of a softie myself. Apparently, that’s not the case…
I’m not at liberty to repeat what he said, but it included him telling a female to drink certain bodily fluid. The rant was so out of line with dude, people actually think he may have been hacked. Not, the fake industry hacked, really hacked!
Anyway, the girl that he cussed out so terribly actually fell all the way back and said, “Let me shut up.” So, this leads me to believe she may have come all the way out of pocket somewhere. I didn’t bother to do the research on this, because it really seems stupid.
The Karate Kid….said, “JUDUKnow? BETTTA ASK SOMEBODY!!!”
Last week, a jury of his peers decided that songwriter/producer extraordinaire Ryan Leslie had to pay $1 million to the man who found his missing laptop. You see, Leslie had put out a $1 million reward for the missing laptop because it contained a boatload of new music. Although the laptop was returned, according to Leslie, the hard drive was destroyed, and he was not able to get any of the music off of it, so in his mind the reward was void. The jury did not agree with Leslie and ordered him to pay up.
During a recent performance, Leslie described the moment he saw the NY Post cover, which was splashed with his photo along with the headline “Rap Weasel.” As a Harvard grad, I know Leslie probably never saw this coming. As he described the moment he saw the cover to his fans, Leslie got teary-eyed. Check out what he said below:
“And so I woke up today to go get me some orange juice and the lady who works at the deli was like, ‘oh man, you done got on the front page of the paper today,’ and I looked at the headline and it said “rap weasel.”
I guess the jury felt that even though he didn’t get the music back, he still got his laptop back, which was what the reward was for – plus, nobody really knows if the music was really on there or not when he got the laptop back. Check out the video below of Ryan Leslie addressing the NY Post cover:
(AllHipHop News)
Cool Kids member Sir Michael Rocks is preparing to release the follow up to his “Lap of Lux” mixtape, titled “Lap of Lux 1.5.”
The new companion piece is comprised of eight new tracks, with guest appearances from artists like Harry Fraud, Reno, Cardo and Cool Kids’ Chuck Inglish.
Sir Michael Rocks also recently linked with Teyana Taylor to shoot the video for “Reservations,” from his “Lap of Lux” mixtape, which will premiere shortly on MTV.
“Lap Of Lux 1.5” will be released on Thursday (December 6).
Check out the track listing below:
1. “Make This Bread” (produced by Reno)
2. “Nasty Pastor” (produced by Cardo)
3. “Move Something” (produced by Chuck Inglish)
4. “Too Late” f/ Chance (produced by Gift)
5. “I Ain’t Never” (produced by Cardo)
6.) “Oooh Oooh Oooh” (produced by Harry Fraud)
7. “Can’t Get Mad At Me” (produced by Cardo)
8. “F.B.A.G.” f/ Shorty K & Tris J (produced by J-Hil)
You would think we know it all about Mike Tyson, but no. Mike actually managed to unearth something we didn’t know.
For those of you that don’t know, Mike Tyson was once married to this woman.
Her name is Robin Givens and she has been regarded as a scarlet! She played Mike on national TV, but he was a pretty bad dude with her. Apparently, he was abusive has all get out. Anyway, Mike recently revealed he caught Brad Pitt in his bed with his then WIFE! Here is what he said to Yahoo Sports:
“I was doing a divorce but I—we—every day, before I would go to my lawyer’s office to say she’s a pig and stealing, I would go to…her house to have sex with her. This particular day, someone beat me to the punch. And I guess Brad got there earlier than I did.”
“I was mad as hell. I was going to…you should have saw his face when he saw me,” Tyson told Yahoo.
Illseed note: Brad Pitt is crazy as a rabid FOX for that one.
Mike Tyson also revealed that he was still doing cocaine in 2009. In fact, he was high when he filmed “The Hangover.”
“I was a mess,” he admitted. “I was overweight. I was a pig, high on cocaine.” But the athlete said the cast helped him through the rough patch. “They had to know I was messed up. I couldn’t talk. I had the cocaine talk…So those guys are just beautiful people. They had my back, and I appreciate that and stuff, then they asked me to come back” in The Hangover 2.
Not a lot is going on in the world of rumors. Here’s just some of the stuff floating in the cesspool.
I don’t think I follow Chris Brown on Twitter, but I’ve got word that he’s back on Twitter! They just needed to let the heat die down from the blowback from that fiasco with the comedian. But CB brought a friend: RiRi! Dude is rubbing it in everybody’s face at this point. I just proclaimed my Person of the Year, but I think I may have to change it to Chris Brown. Dude is a G.
Here’s the pic.
Other than that, not a lot is going on.
Unfortunately, Miguel Cotto lost. That sucked, but good for Austin Trout, the champ.
Katt Williams slapped fire out of a worker at Target. Apparently, there was a target there.
That dude had GREAT composure! Wow, Katt may have caught a bad one with a ill figure four on the floor.
Here is the aftermath, but watch how Katt rolls out.
I took it easy on Ryan Leslie when he was forced to pay a million for that laptop that was stolen from him. He had put up a $1million and somebody actually found it. A court forced him to pay that paper, but R. Les has reason to be p#####! First, he’s upset a bit and commented on a report that called him a “rap weasel.” But he’s got a real reason to be mad. The music wasn’t even on the damn laptop! But, he’s not even a rapper! Oh well.
R. Les looked like he was going to cry a bit. I would too if I lost a mill and all that music!
Welcome to the 3rd day of the last month of 2012! The month you finally decide to get yourself together and get rid of anything that has no business coming with you into 2013! Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to your problems! For every problem, adversity, obstacle, and setback you can possibly imagine, there’s a solution that can solve it! Many times, we feel as if we tried everything, so in looking for the solution, we look outside of ourselves, only to find ourselves exactly where we started!
Be the Answer!! Right now, where you stand, you have the answer to all of life’s problems! The trick is in quieting your mind and listening to what your heart is telling you! Similar to how a car has a GPS system that can guide you on the road, your intuition is the GPS system that will guide you on the road of life! Stop going against it, and follow it wherever it leads!
Your problems are not really problems! They are the missing link to the puzzle that is trying to purge you of all the things that make you weak! Use them as your strength, and step into your greatness!! You are powerful than you even realize! Take your power and use it wisely!!
-Ash’Cash
“Impossible only means that you haven’t found the solution yet.” -Unknown
“Sometimes the answer we need is in our heart. We just have to listen to it.” -Abbi Glines
“No solution can ever be found by running in three different directions.” -Deepak Chopra
“At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” -Lao Tzu
“The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution.” -Unknown
“Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself its own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it.” -Niels Bohr
“Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find the ways to do it. Believing a solution paves the way to solution.” -David Joseph Schwartz
“Life may bring you to your knees; pray. Then GET UP and participate in the answer. BECOME the remedy! BE the solution!” -Steve Maraboli
TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD – CLICK HERE.
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.
Edward “DJ Eddie F” Ferrell has left an impact on all facets of the music industry. From his start with Heavy D & the Boyz, to still shaping the careers of some of the biggest names, simply put, he’s an icon. DJ Eddie F is a producer, arranger, entrepreneur, songwriter, and executive, as well as the face of hard work and success. AllHipHop.com took a moment to learn a few key lessons from him:
Lesson #1: Learn From Other Legends
When I first got in the game, I came in as a DJ. I wasn’t really looking to be a producer. I didn’t even know what a producer was. Two of the first people that I met were Teddy Riley and Marley Marl. Both of them I met through Andre Harrell, so between the three of them, a huge impact was made. From the cultural sensibility of Andre, and the R&B and Hip-Hop sensibility of Teddy Riley, and the Hip-Hop sensibility of Marley Marl, I was learning so much. I was getting training from the top people in the field. That was instrumental to my career. The value can’t even be put into words.
Lesson #2: Use Music To Educate People
Both of my parents were teachers; my father is also a guidance counselor. Education was big with my family. I had a partial scholarship to college. I didn’t complete school, only because we got a record deal. But education was important, and still is. I’ve always been into music, but doing well in school was a passion as well. I value all of the other things that music gives you the leeway to push, be it community involvement, politics, or learning. I look for an intellectual discussion that’s going to move us forward in everything. I think one of the reasons I became a manager, A &R, and executive is because I saw a way to educate others. I also became a coach and a teacher in a sense. I did it so much that my company developed from it. I believe you can use music to get people to focus on, and further, the conversation on important issues.
Lesson #3: Never Lose The Memories
The way that our group was organized, a lot of people don’t know that me and Heavy D were actually partners; we were 50/50 partners. We talked a lot in the beginning because we made a lot of the business decisions together. The one thing that people didn’t know about Heavy was that he would never compromise his viewpoint or integrity. He would never do anything just for the money. If it wasn’t true to who he was, he wanted no parts of it. He would never do anything he didn’t believe in. Even if it hurt his finances, he focused on his legacy. Heavy was sometimes seen as difficult because he would do the right thing. He simply wouldn’t take the short cut.
Lesson #4: Appreciate The Difference In Then And Now
I started as a DJ, and I still DJ. So I love all music, as long as it’s good music. I’m not one of those guys who walks around saying the music now is not how it use to be. I feel there are great songs out now, as there were back then. With every generation, the music changes; that’s just how it goes. Someone will always see the changes as not being real music. At the end of the day, it’s about how the music makes you feel.
Great artists move you today just like artists did 10 years ago. As technology changes, problems will continue to arise. There used to be a filter. At one time, it cost a certain amount to even record. There was a financial barrier back then. You had to convince someone you were good enough for them to spend money on you so you could get in the studio. Now anyone can do it, so the industry is over-saturated. It’s quantity over quality. It’s not a matter of less music with substance, but a lot of junk blocking the good. More clutter, if you will. But still there are executives who find the stars. It’s a testament to the power of excellent music.
Lesson #5: Grow With The Art
Music is a lot easier to make now, but the work ethic shouldn’t suffer. Put the time into your craft – that’s what I tell new artists. But as the art form improves, the music will get better. The artists have to keep up with all of that, though. Growth should be seen on all ends.
Lesson #6: Define Success Yourself
Success is feeling good about what you’re doing. As long as you’re comfortable by your standards, that’s success. One person can make $10,000 and be happy; another can make $500,000 and be miserable. Back then, we counted every accomplishment on our journey, and we had fun while doing it. As you get older, the simple things matter more. I can look back and remember when Puffy lived with me; now look at him. It means more when you can see the progress and appreciate it. The struggle should make you value any amount of success you obtain.
Follow DJ Eddie F on Twitter (@djeddief).
Tawni Fears is a freelance writer and contributor to AllHipHop.com. Follow her on Twitter (@brwnsugaT).
“I try to tell them just what it is and what it ain’t. I’m gonna be straight up with em like six o’clock,” Turk told AllHipHop.com. “But gang life, drug life, any kind of life that’s not pleasing in God’s eyesight, you gonna have to suffer for it. I don’t want to sound all ‘holier than thou,’ but you gotta respect the laws, because Everthing is governed by law. ”
A release date for “Blame It on The System” was not available as of press time.
“For those who pose lyrical/ but really ain’t true/ Their times limited/ hard rocks, too” – “Times Up”, OC
A long time ago, on a rooftop in a place called the South Bronx, a group of Hip-Hop wise men were sitting around listening to “Rappers Delight” when they had a vision. One day, the culture that they loved would become so ratchet that it would destroy itself. The year they predicted – 2012…
If you believe all the hype about the Mayan calendar and the world coming to an end this month, you are probably not reading this article. Chances are, you are either hiding under your bed, or at the mall maxin’ out your credit cards. Because if the world is gonna blow up anyway, why worry?
Truth be told, people have been predicting the end of the world since the beginning of time. However, most end-time prophecies are not referring to the destruction of a planet but the destruction of a “system.”
As Dr. Anthony Browder wrote in his book, Nile Valley Contribution to Civilization, one of the most important lessons that history teaches us is that no civilization lasts forever. He discussed how internal weaknesses made the great 3,000-year-old civilization of Egypt (Kemet) vulnerable for conquest by the Persians, who were conquered by the Greeks, who were conquered by the Romans, who were later conquered by the “barbarians” (Vandals, Visigoths, etc.) The list goes on.
The Bible is also full of Apocalyptic predictions.
In the Book of Daniel, Daniel is said to have translated the “handwriting on the wall” to warn King Belshazzar of his demise, because his deeds had been “weighed in the balance” and “found wanting.” Also, the Book of Revelation predicted a final battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil, preceding the fall of the Roman Empire.
There have been many other end-time predictions from Nostradamus to Rev. Harold Camping, the radio minister who predicted that the world was supposed to end last year.
Whether you believe in end-time prophecies or not, one thing is certain. There is a universal truth that everything in the physical universe with a beginning will have an ending.
Commercial Hip-Hop is not exempt.
There has to be a point where the culture has regressed so much that it will make the listener so intellectually comatose, that he will not be smart enough to download a song off of iTunes.
Seems like we are almost at that point.
So, it’s not a question of when the commercial version of Hip-Hop that is destroying the culture will end, but how.
I used to believe that some conscious, lyrical super rapper leading an army of real Hip-Hop fans would rise out of the North and banish all the Ratchet rappers to a small town just outside the Atlanta city limits. But, based on the complacency of those who claim to want a return to the good ol’ days of lyrically complex rhymes, that probably ain’t gonna happen.
The real rap revolution may be lead by the proverbial ”lumpen proletariat.” All over the Internet, there are videos of real gangsters threatening to shut down fake radio gangstas who have made millions of dollars perpetratin’ the fraud. If this continues, no venue on the planet will book a rap concert if the owners think that there is a possibility that some drama might pop off. So commercial Hip-Hop may be destroyed by its own self-destructive tendencies.
Or maybe, the cries of parents and community activists who have expressed concerns over lyrics for years will finally get through the thick skulls of record executives who will be more than happy to throw your favorite ratchet rapper under the bus the moment he becomes an economic liability.
Perhaps people will just stop listening to it. Although, rap artists may refuse to grow up and leave Hip-Hop Neverland, their fanbases are maturing. The teenager who bought Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter in 2004 is an adult now. And, thanks to the Kanye Wests of the rap world using intellectually stimulating words like “Illuminati” over the last three years, some of their fans were actually inspired to pick up a book, if only to see what all the hoopla was about. Also, retailers like Target and Best Buy have already read the writing on the wall, and have either understocked or refused to carry Nicki Minaj’s latest CD for fear of wasting shelf space on an artist who has overstayed her welcome.
I believe that the end will come because of the faith of the Truth Speakers, whether they be writers or rappers. Those who still believe that even the rapper who spits the most ig’nant nonsense on the radio or the hardest thug on the block is not incorrigible. And, it will only take one right word of wisdom to lead him towards the light of Truth.
Like Puff Daddy said on “Victory,” “The sun don’t shine forever.” Fortunately, darkness doesn’t last forever, either…
Writer’s Note: This marks the end of the “This Ain’t Hip Hop” weekly series for 2012. The column will return in 2013 – if the world doesn’t end.
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop,” a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz.
He can be reached at in**@*****************ed.com, on his website, NoWarningShotsFired.com, or on Twitter (@truthminista).
Too Short is famous for pimp talk and, well, graphic sex in his music. Naturally, women play an important role in his imagery. Considering his countless X-rated raps, the 2003 p### he performed in called “Get In Where You Fit In 1″, and his connections to the pimp community, women might just be the gravitational pull that makes Too Short’s world go round.
Keeping these things in mind, it was safe to assume he had a healthy interest in women and sex – and so, AllHipHop.com asked Too Short to name his “Top Five Female Sex Symbols”:
(Based on his answers, it is clear that the aforementioned assumption was correct. But…he played coy!)
Too Short: Female sex symbols [laughs]. Oh my God, I’m such a pervert! I can’t narrow it to five [laughs].
AllHipHop.com: You can say more. Don’t worry about it.
Too Short: Female sex symbols, I can’t ‘Top 5.’ I just want to f*ck ‘em all. Give ‘em all to me.
AllHipHop.com: Okay [laughs].
Too Short: I don’t even like celebrity girls, man. I like look-a-likes. If I got a J.Lo look-a-like…
AllHipHop.com: Yeah, man, after seeing her in that dress she wore to the Grammys (in 2000)…
Too Short: My Top 5 would be all the hot, Latin chicks. Any order. Colombian, Puerto Rican, Cuban…I don’t give a f*ck. We’d [be] good to go.
What do you think of Short Dog’s list? Why didn’t he want to drop names?? Speak your mind in the comments section!
Editor’s Note: Good googly moogly! 2012 was a year for the books – one that saw Beefs & Battles return heavy to rap, the momentous results of a sputtering Presidential Election, a monstrous East Coast storm, and two of the year’s best rap albums from artists nearly 20 years apart in age. (Oh, and a possible end to life as we know it on December 21, according to the Mayan calendar!) Stick around for the entire month of December for AHH’s 2012 Year End recap…
First up is “Illseed’s Person of the Year: French Montana!”:
There are the Olympics and there are the Special Olympics.
French Montana in Bun B’s rap coloring book!
Right, now French Montana is playing in the Olympics of Hip-Hop, but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, when I first noticed him, he was sort of like a retarded child running with a Usain Bolt. But, in this case, he’s winning.
How can this be for somebody so marginal lyrically?
The answer to this question lies in the answer to why he is the 2012 Illseed Person Of The Year!
So, is French Montana really mentally handicapped? No.
Is he the best lyricist? No.
Should Kendrick Lamar be the Person of the Year based on all other criteria? Certainly.
This is MY award, and it has never been one to follow convention. Past winners include Will Smith, MC Hammer, Nobody, Rick Ross, and even Kreayshawn. Now, I have to say, French is now my favorite rapper, and clearly he is the favorite of others in the game. These days, he’s working with everybody. But did I love his music all the time? No. When he did the BET Cypher a few years ago, I couldn’t believe…what I heard.
I don’t see the video on YouTube, but I was not impressed. In fact, based on his cypher, I decided to start rapping. Not a good idea. I’m no French Montana with the bars.
But more significant these days than lyrics and one-liners…is swagger.
Yeah.
French has a lot of that. Where he may lack in lyrical intensity, he makes up in other ways. He’s pretty funny. I am not totally sure why he is funny, but he is. When she drops lyrics, it’s pretty effortless. And then there are those ad libs like “AHHHHH,” which actually sound like a Down’s Syndrome version of the Ying Yang Twins ad libs. But, I digress. Somehow, when French does it, it just comes out dope. Perhaps is that street allure that he has based on his early days as a Coke Boy? I don’t know.
And dude knows how to garner attention. Remember this?
How can a dude daring enough to wear a bear head hat lose? That’s it. They don’t lose!
And this is why French Montana won this distinguished honor over other contenders like…I don’t know. This year there were no real runner-ups. French was the only one that was in the running for this one. And that goes back to where it all started – the rat race of rap.
This game ain’t for everybody. There have been plenty dope MCs that couldn’t keep the attention of the masses. Personally, I blame Canibus for dropping that ball, but that’s another story. French Montana may not be a lyrical messiah. In fact, he may just be that handicapped runner that somehow managed to run the race of that the champions run.
With no album, it’s hard to be sure that he’s going to cross the finish line. But, right now, I am confident that he’s in the race and he’s nipping on Usain’s heels.
Usain’s ankle is broken, by the way.
And he’s also got a migraine headache.
And French is right there, running with him…stride for stride.
ILLSEED’S FOOTNOTE: Oh yeah. Illseed’s 2012 Person of the Year, French Montana, is now rumored to be dating Trina. Yes, that one. The Baddest B*tch. Enough said.
AllHipHop.com’s resident Daily Word guru and all-around inspirational guy, Ash Cash, is back with his latest installment of “Ask Ash Cash.”
Great Day, my Great People!! Welcome to another addition of Ask Ash Cash, where we go in the streets and answer all of your finance and business questions. Remember you can send your video questions to Qu*******@********sh.com or via Twitter (@IamAshCash use #AskAshCash).
Q:Yo Ash Cash. Every since the end of the presidential election, all everyone on the news has been talking about is the economy and the “Fiscal Cliff”…. Yo my dude… What the *!?&* is a Fiscal Cliff? -Tae Don (Harlem, NY)
A: Peace Tae! Thanks for the question. I’ve actually been asked this a lot because, just like “the great recession of 2008,” the term “Fiscal Cliff” has gone from Wall Street to Main Street, leaving a lot of folks confused.
Without giving a long, drawn-out explanation, “Fiscal Cliff” is a term used to describe what will happen to the economy at the end of 2012, once certain laws change come midnight December 31.
To be more specific, once the New Year rolls in, we’ll see an end to last year’s temporary payroll tax cuts, which will mean a 2% tax increase for workers, the end of certain tax breaks for some
businesses, the end of tax cuts from 2001-2003, and the beginning of some tax increases due to the President’s health care law.
Also, many of the spending cuts that were agreed on as part of the debt ceiling deal of 2011 will begin to go into effect. It’s estimated that over 1,000 government programs will face some deep, automatic cuts.
The government has three options they can choose when trying to deal with the fiscal cliff, but in my opinion, they all lead to a continual decline in our economy. The real question is whether we want to feel it now or feel it later… Do we take a painkiller, or do surgery now?
For a more detailed explanation, please turn to CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, or any other business news network. It’s the buzz phrase of the day!
Ash’Cash is a business consultant, motivation speaker, personal finance expert, and author of Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom. For more info, please visit www.IamAshCash.com.
(AllHipHop News) Detroit rapper Big Sean is doing his part to help the youth in his hometown of Detroit, with the launch of a new non-profit organization.
Last night (December 1), Big Sean headlined at The Palace in Auburn Hills, where rappers like Kanye West, Common, J. Cole, Pusha-T, Mike Posner and Teyana Taylor joined him on stage.
Just before his show, the 24-year-old rapper announced the launch of the Sean Anderson Foundation, which is aimed at assisting school-aged children in Detroit.
“The mission of the Sean Anderson Foundation is to assist in the education, health, safety and well-being of Detroit area school-aged youth,” Big Sean told AllHipHop.com in a statement released today (December 2). “I want to use my awareness to improve the situations in our school systems in particular.”
The Sean Anderson Foundation will be headquartered in Detroit and will be run by Big Sean’s mother Myra Anderson, who will serve as president, while a Board of Directors that will be appointed by the pair.
Big Sean, who attended the Waldorf School in Detroit, noted that many of the public school systems were closing, leaving few options for teens to pursue higher education.
“My school played an integral part of making me the man I am today and without that education and extra care, I don’t know where I would be today,” Big Sean said. “So, I just want to help support the well being of young people in anyway that I can.”
The news comes as Big Sean prepares to release his upcoming album Hall of Fame, which is due in stores in Spring 2013 on Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music, which is distributed by Def Jam.
For more than two decades, Public Enemy has always stood on what they believe – and they made others stand up for change. Simply put, they have transformed music forever.
Now, as they prepare to be inducted into the 2013 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Professor Griff speaks to their legacy, and what is still needed from each of us:
AllHipHop.com: First off, congrats on the 2013 Rock & Roll Of Fame nomination. How does it feel to know the impact of the group is still being felt?
Professor Griff: We’re humbled, but we continue to work towards making a bigger impact. It’s basically fuel to our mission as a whole. It feels good to know that we have this honor. But the greatest benefit comes from doing the work, the actual ground work.
AllHipHop.com: In your words, “Revolution is NOT an event, it’s a process.” Explain what that means.
Professor Griff: You aren’t going to go to one event and get it. It’s a process. It takes time and effort. But sadly it’s only carried out by a few.
AllHipHop.com: What artists if any, do you feel are carrying the torch of Revolution today?
Professor Griff: Six artists that I feel are carrying the torch are Jay from Xclan, Wise Intelligent from PRT [Poor Righteous Teachers], Black Dot, Narubi Selah, Precise Science, and Immortal Technique.
AllHipHop.com: Are artists too timid these days? It seems they can touch on subjects that are cool, but not those that can cause controversy. Do you agree?
Professor Griff: A lot of new artists play it safe. They want a paycheck. They aren’t too concerned with going too much out of the context, when it involves free thinking. Labels cater to high-end Pop artists; that’s just how it is. Good music gets shunned in a lot of cases. The artist with the message gets kicked to the curb.
AllHipHop.com: Do you feel that Public Enemy got the respect you deserved?
Professor Griff: Yes. The respect is evident all the time. When we do shows we have men, women,and young people, all showing their appreciation for what we do. Dads bring their sons, it’s just a lot of people wanting our message to continue to thrive and live. I get it on a personal level as well. And even the aggravation. It’s a package deal, but all worth it.
AllHipHop.com: What are three things that you know now that you wish you would have known then?
Professor Griff: I would’ve known who runs and controls music and media. If we fully understood that, all of us would be better off. Another one would be to understand the matrix of power. In other words, those people like President Obama. Things like the voting process and the, as well. Lastly, I would’ve known myself better. That alone would change everything.
AllHipHop.com: What do you want people to remember most about Public Enemy?
Professor Griff: Public Enemy was a group that came in pure. We weren’t paid; we started from the bottom with the idea of revolution, to raise the consensus level of people. We feel we have reached that level to a certain degree. We want to be known as the group that spoke truth and power.
AllHipHop.com: What do you want your legacy to be?
Professor Griff: My legacy is parallel with the group’s. The work I do inside and outside of Public Enemy all works together. I want to be remembered as someone who loved Black people, all people, and it all starts with the love I have for myself. I feel God gave me this mission because I can handle it. If I couldn’t, he wouldn’t have given it to me – it’s as simple as that to me. I don’t worry about what people say; they don’t have my mission. I’m often asked how I keep going, and never look weighed down. I tell people it’s because I don’t smoke, drink, or chase women. Yes, temptations and distractions come, but I focus on what I’m supposed to be doing. You have to be God-centered and God-rooted.
AllHipHop.com: Can you share with our readers a fact that most people might not know about the group?
Professor Griff: We aren’t as hardcore as people assume. There’s a comedic relief side to the group. We know how to have fun. Basically, there’s a method to the madness. We grew up together, so there’s a love between us that people can’t comprehend. A lot of people don’t know that I was a DJ and used to see Chuck D in the audience. I was actually the one that made him part of what we were doing. He, in turn, did that for us when he got his deal. We worked together then on all levels, and we still do.
AllHipHop.com: Is there anything else you want to leave us with?
Professor Griff: These projects we’re coming out with only speak to the fact that the work doesn’t stop. After the awards, that’s when you use that platform to reach those you couldn’t before. My next book is called Acapella Revolution. I have to continue to speak out on the things that have to be fixed. We’re losing young women to AIDS, and men to prison and the grave. There’s still so much to be done. Not just by me, or Public Enemy, but by all of us.
Tawni Fears is a freelance writer and contributor to AllHipHop.com. Follow her on Twitter (@brwnsugaT).
(AllHipHop News) Hailed as one of the most anticipated annual events in Atlanta, Frank Ski’s Celebrity Wine Tasting and Live Auction fundraiser has been known to bring out the best of Georgia’s charitable givers. Previous years’ attendees and familiar faces have included Mayor Kasim Reed, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Martin Luther King III, to name a few.
This year’s event, to be held today (December 2), will be hosted by a tag team of Hollywood elite couples. Actor Boris Kodjoe and his wife, actress Nicole Ari Parker, will co-host with former Def Jam CEO Kevin Liles and wife, Erika.
Frank Ski’s wine tasting and auction is not just the social charity event to see and be seen at, but it also honors those who are dedicated to helping shape the next generation. Frank Ski is notably known for being a radio host, restauranteur, and a veteran of positive contributions to his community.
The Frank Ski Kids Foundation provides children with the necessary education and hands-on experiences vital to furthering their ambitions. The foundation is responsible for hosting Ski’s annual “Youth Bowl” football game and awarding scholarship money to college-bound students.
Hip-Hop notables scheduled to attend include Young Jeezy, Akon, and Devyne Stephens. The wine tasting will feature rare and vintage varieties such as Silver Oak and Opus One.
The live auction boasts premium items, with some auctioned pieces from the past being authentic sports memorabilia, a chestnut Arabian horse and an exclusive VIP wine tour and dinner in Napa Valley, CA. This year’s auction items include studio sessions, gift packs, and walk-on movie roles. All proceeds from the auction and wine tasting go to further support the Frank Ski Kids Foundation.
The Frank Ski Celebrity Wine Tasting and Live Auction will be held today (December 2) from 3pm -7pm at Frank Ski’s Restaurant and Lounge. For ticket information or more about the Frank Ski Kids Foundation, visit www.frankskikids.org.
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