[ahh_audio src=/6-5-12/RobIEftChevyWoodsandSmokeDZA-TwistingFacts.mp3]
Vorheez Ft. El da Sensei and Homeboy Sandman "Place To Be"
[ahh_audio src=/6-5-12/Vorheezfeat.EldaSenseiHomeboySandman-PlaceToBe.mp3]
Roscoe Dash "Hard Work"
[ahh_audio src=/6-5-12/RoscoeDash-HardWork.mp3]
Yung Berg Ft. Naledge "Stand Up"
[ahh_audio src=/6-5-12/YungBergftNaledge-StandUp.mp3]
Roc-A-Fella Co-Founder Kareem "Biggs" Burke Sentenced to Five Years In Prison For Conspiring to Distribute Marijuana
(AllHipHop News) Kareem “Biggs” Burke, who is most famously known as one of the co-founders of Roc-A-Fella, was sentenced earlier today (June 5) to five years in prison for conspiring to distribute over 100 kilos of marijuana.
The NY Daily News is reporting that Burke, 38, “was snared in a federal drug sting called “Operation Green Venom,” which targeted a trafficking ring that controlled most of the wholesale pot market in the city.” The drug sting led to the arrests of over 50 people involved.
Reports state that Burke swore to Manhattan Federal Court Judge Loretta Swain that the two would never see each other in court again. She responded, “Nothing personal, but I’m going to keep you to that promise.”
Back in October of 2010, Burke, along with 40 others, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for their involvement with a narcotic ring at the time. Special Agent Jim Hayes told the NY Post at the time of arrest regarding the narcotics ring, “It was transported in bulk from Florida to New York. From there it was divvied up among three main cells in the NYC-area and distributed to their clients. As the investigation continues, we want to make sure that other rival networks or other co-conspirators cannot use the same tools.”
Burke, along with Dame Dash and Jay-Z, co-founded Roc-A-Fella records in 1996. The business trio went there separate ways in 2004 where Jay-Z eventually landed his own situation with his current label, RocNation, while Dash created DD172.
Nicki Minaj Planning Free Concert In New York
(AllHipHop News) This morning (June 5), Nicki Minaj revealed that she would play a free show in New York to make up with her fans that were disappointed that she didn’t play Hot 97’s Summer Jam after a conflict with the radio station.
Nicki Minaj told the Power 105 FM’s Breakfast Club (Angela Yee, Charlamagne and DJ Envy) that she was going to move forward with the efforts to make her fans happy, confirming what was previously rumored.
“Its still in the works, but its definitely gonna happen,” Nicki said of the free concert. “We gonna make it work.”
“This was actually Wayne’s suggestion. Wayne was like ‘Yo Nick, we can do our own show for the people. You don’t have to feel bad.’ Obviously, I felt bad. I don’t want to let my fans down period,” she continued. “We’re going to have fun.”
“In the beginning I felt it was horrible and then afterwards, I felt this happens for a reason. And like I said last night [to Funk Master Flex], [Summer Jam] needs to value [me]. No one has the right to treat you like this. I don’t care who you are.”
[Read: Breaking News: Nicki Minaj Talks To Funk Master Flex Over Summer Jam Debacle]
Nicki continued to implore that she was singled out because she was a female and that her stance was one that all females should assume in order to demand their respect from men.
“You could be at a freakin’ hot company and it doesn’t have anything to do with music. If you walking in that room and you are the only woman, especially, and you have men making fun of you and insulting you, you’re not going to walk in that room. You’re going to say, ‘Check yourself, get your s**t together. I put in my work like every man here. And until you can respect me, I’m not even walking or sitting in that room.”
“People saying, ‘You should have still walked on that stage and showed them.’ I don’t gotta show anybody s**t. I’m going to show you by what I don’t do. And what I don’t do is perform at a place where people don’t respect me.”
Nicki ended the interview where she called to thank The Breakfast Club for supporting her through the years.
FEEL RICH VIDEO: Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s Lil Cease Goes Hard Body
Editor’s Note: “Feel Rich” is our partnership with QD3, the talented son of music legend Quincy Jones. “Feel Rich” is all about creating a healthy lifestyle for Hip-Hop culture – both the artists and the fans. Enjoy!
Junior M.A.F.I.A. rapper Lil Cease sat down with Feel Rich to talk about taking personal time to workout, and how the image of being healthy has changed. As a kid, he grew up eating cheap and unhealthy food, but now, paying attention to good health has changed his body and mind for the better.
Here are a few tips on how you can save money and keep your calorie count down.
For breakfasts, the quick sugary solutions tend to be a bowl of cereal and milk. So a box of cereal can average to be about $4.50 and a gallon of milk at $2.00, when the better choice would be a carton of eggs that are about $2.99. Eggs are a high source of protein and are low in refined carbohydrates. Also, the eggs will give you energy to get through your day. So the choice is clear – eggs over cereal. You save money and you will get better results that will make you feel rich.
For lunch, salad. When selecting the base of your salad, choose cabbage over romaine lettuce because of cost and nutrients. Cabbage costs about $0.62 a pound, and romaine lettuce costs about $1.90 a pound. In fact, one cup of cabbage gives you more than half of your daily vitamin K requirement – and it’s $1.29 less per pound than Romaine.
For snack, eat carrots over celery. Both are about the same price per pound, but one serving of carrots has two times as much fiber as celery – and 43 times as much Vitamin A.
For dinner, chose a poultry that is lean and packed with nutrients. It’s best when eating chicken to chose the leg over the chicken breast. A dark chicken leg will save you 89 cents a pound—and it scored higher in nutritional value.
Follow Lil Cease on Twitter (@LilCease).
Like what you’ve seen? Learn more at Feel Rich’s website. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
THE ROOTS RECAP: The Kings Of The Picnic Bring Out Rakim, Wale, Danny Brown and Beyond
Join us back here all week for select ARTIST VIDEO PROFILES from The Roots Picnic 2012, including the god MC Rakim, Detroit’s Danny Brown, hometown hero Freeway, and more!
From in front of the stage, it was what you might expect from an event billed after a legendary Hip-Hop band that has stood the tests of nearly a quarter century together. For Roots Picnic-goers, this past weekend (June 2 and 3) was a two-day occasion for the ages.
Host Amanda Seales, a.k.a. TV and rap’s Amanda Diva, kept the flow of the daytime acts going which, for a festival of its size, ran amazingly close to on time. (Shout out to Okayplayer and Live Nation for that.) Seales even pulled MCs from the crowd during one break in the action on Saturday, holding her own with humor in front of a largely Philly, partially tough as nails crowd.
On Day 1, there was the “income tax swag” of Danny Brown – with his toothless grin and hyper showmanship, the diverse crowd was all in while he commanded the stage. He talked “progressive Hip-Hop” with AllHipHop.com backstage, clearly unapologetic about his zany, permed hair and unruly lyrical content. Beyond his unique sound was that of OCD: Moosh & Twist, Stretch Armstrong, Diplo, and a host of DJs both on the main stage and a huge tent nearby.
The Roots led the crowd of several thousand into the night on both days, saving the heavyweights for perfectly chosen breaks in their nearly three-hour long sets.
On Saturday night, Black Thought rocked over a vicious go-go inspired set, paying homage to late genre king Chuck Brown, who passed just weeks ago. The late MCA of the Beastie Boys wasn’t forgotten either, as he received another of several tribute moments performed in his honor by Black Thought. And, reminiscent of his Lyricist Lounge appearance the week before, Mos Def a.k.a. Yasiin Bey made his lyrical domination felt during his set with The Roots.
The go-go music (handled amazingly on percussion by drummer ?uestlove, and slaughtered in the “pocket” by The Roots lead MC) played the segue for Maybach Music Group’s Wale to enter stage left and rock along with Black Thought. It was a welcome treat to hear the D.C. rapper make a quick time travel back to his go-go heavy days of just a few years ago. He nailed his performance, running through his recent hits such as “Sabotage” and taking a step back on the go-go track, “Pretty Girls”, which featured Gucci Mane on the album version.
Native Tongue legends De La Soul served as an anchor to “the roots” of Hip-Hop during their appearance, which blended new “First Serve” material with late ’90s classics like “Oooh.” Never missing a beat, it was refreshing and welcome to see the vets keep Hip-Hop timeless and talented.
On Day 2, another set of Hip-Hop heavyweights stopped by – Lord Jamar and Sadat X of Brand Nubian – on their way to a show with Roxanne Shante and Sweet Tee in Philadelphia’s Germantown section. Check out a video greeting from Malik B, one of the original Roots MCs, followed by Sadat X and Lord Jamal of Brand Nubian (sans a still-around Grand Puba) talking the end of “Old School” and more:
A passing Philadelphia thunderstorm on Day 2 threatened to shut down the funktastic festival gathering, but Mother Nature had mercy on the Hip-Hop, and the show kept going. First, there was a run-through of classic Roots songs, dating back to around the turn of the millennium. With ease the live instruments grooved as Black Thought took a trip through their lyrical and musical legacy.
Then. There was the shop stopper. Rakim, the elusive rap legend of over 25 years, rocked a nearly 45-minute set, first with Black Thought and The Roots and then by himself – not once showing signs of being marred by time, but rather, by a pesky, thunderstorm rain-logged sound system that kept giving out during the set. Ever the professional, Rakim obliged, giving the capacity, outdoor crowd what they’ve been missing, in the form of his classic Eric B collaborations, “Paid In Full”, “Microphone Fiend”, “I Ain’t No Joke”, and many more.
When “smoke in the cockpit of his plane from L.A.”, according to one of his road crew members, kept Kid Cudi from his scheduled appearance, Philly’s own Freeway was more than happy to oblige a trip to the stage. He also took a few moments to speak with AllHipHop.com about the legacy of The Roots Picnic, why he stormed the Jay-Z/Mayor N##### stage a few weeks earlier, and what he and State Property were lining up for the rest of 2012.
From behind the stage, in the “well-stocked” artist/VIP village, it was truly a picnic atmosphere. A couple hundred people filled the catering tents, artist trailers and dressing rooms, and a large open space for doing whatever it was you did – libations and herbals included. And, ever the hometown heroes, there was also a booth to allow VIP concertgoers to support The Roots charitable causes for women and girls – the GrassROOTS Community Foundation – through the purchase of a T-shirt or a monetary donation.
The fact that all of couple hundred people (mostly family members, artist entourages, journalists, and VIP ticketholders) in the artist village were likely just two to three degrees of separation from just two people – Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Amir “?uestlove” Thompson, who started out as youngsters jamming together in Philly – is proof positive that The Roots reign supreme.
…In Philly, worldwide, and possibly on planets far beyond our galaxy.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Where's T.I.? Young Dro's Car Gets Repo'ed!
It’s a recession, people! Rappers, athletes and actors are not exempt. Case in point, Grand Hustle artist Young Dro is the latest “celebrity” to be put on front street for their lack of funds. Dro’s money troubles reportedly have him in the hole to the tune of $61,220.37 – the sum he owes the leasing company for his 2007 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT.
Dro’s Maserati has been repossessed by the leasing company, and the company is now suing him for defaulting on his loan plus attorney fees.
The rapper began leasing the car in January 2008. According to documents obtained by TMZ, Dro put a $7,500 payment on the car and agreed to lease it for monthly payments of $1,606.62. Somebody call T.I. and let him know his artist needs him to cut a check!
Hip-Hop Rumors: Lauryn Hill Says She Was Not Nicki Minaj's Special Guest – Nicki Responds!
Lauryn Hill was rumored to be a guest of Nicki Minaj’s at HOT 97’s Summer Jam, but Lauryn begs to differ with that assumption and tweeted a letter out to her followers saying that she was asked to perform by Nas and not by Nicki.
Check out the letter below:
No disrespect to Nicki, but I need to clear up an inaccuracy. I was not scheduled to be a special guest on her set at Summer Jam, I was invited by Nas to perform with him. I don’t have details on exactly what transpired between the station and the artists, but I do support artists standing by their beliefs, and walking with integrity. We have to find a better way to commercially exploit music, while giving artists their proper respect. This cannot be done while taking their contributions for granted, or trying to control the scope of their growth and power through threats and fear tactics. We can do better than this, there is a better way, or else ‘we’ (the proverbial we) find ourselves in danger of being hypocrites!!!
Ms. Lauryn Hill
While Nicki was appreciative of the supportive words from Ms. Hill, she couldn’t help putting Lauryn in her place and letting her know that, technically, Lauryn was going to be performing with Nas during her set, so she WAS her guest. Check out what Nicki tweeted below:
“Thank u Lauryn. Nas was coming out on my set, u were coming out 2 perform w/him. That was within my set that was going 2 continue w/foxy,” she tweeted. “Coming from Lauryn it means the world. No one deserves this treatment. We’re all out here working. Have respect for your guests.”
What do you think about Nicki’s public response to Lauryn?
Hip-Hop Rumors: Nicki Minaj to Host Free NYC Concert For Disgruntled Summer Jam Fans
I heard her say this briefly: “I am going to have a free show this summer.” So, here is the rumor Nicki Minaj is going to do a free concert for her fans that missed her at Summer Jam yesterday. From what I understand this is a good time, because the concert season has not been fully realized for the summer in NYC. She’ll likely be able to get a spot relatively easy.
Also, if you didn’t know, Peter Rosenberg refused to apologize to the Barbz. Here is what he said!
“Hey, I went out there, I was hosting, I was in the zone of doing real hip hop. I just said what came to mind and everyone made a big deal about it… Now the Barbz are all hitting me and asking me to apologize. There’s a get-me-to-apologize movement, to which I can say… I’m absolutely not apologizing because I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Nicki said sorry to her fans, but from what I gathered, Hot 97 wants to get their reciprocity for Lil Wayne cancelling the performance.
Nicki denied the reports that she said she would never do Summer Jam again. She wanted Peter Rosenberg to say “Shorry” though.
Email me rumors at kingillseed [at] gmail.com
Breaking News: Nicki Minaj Talks To Funk Master Flex Over Summer Jam Debacle
(AllHipHop News) After bailing on Hot 97’s Summer Jam, Nicki Minaj called Hot 97 with Funk Master Flex and explained why she didn’t make an appearance.
“What happened was this, my fans didn’t appreciate his comments,” Nicki Minaj said live on the air. “Like I told you Flex, this was not about 2,000 people that he talking to. This was streamed to the world. that stream was posted on my website”
“This is being broadcast to the world,” Nicki said of the event was streamed across the internet.
“Flex, its not about his opinion, because I have opinions about DJS at Hot 97 and hot 97. I wouldnt dare come on your stage leading put o that concur. Everybody is grown enough to keep their opinions to their self. When you disrespect Nicki Minaj, your’e disrespecting my fans. Don’t make those three million people…that their inferior for their personal taste in music.”
Peter Rosenberg, a host on the morning show, said some disparaging comments towards Nicki Minaj in the name of “real Hip-Hop.”
Nicki responded: “When you invite somebody to your home, you treat somebody with respect.”
Nicki said that after Lil Wayne called off Summer Jam, she was forced to not to perform even though she wanted to continue on.
“Nobody would have even known I had a problem with this. I’m not a quitter and I don’t back down from anything.” “Wayne gave me a very good lesson on knowing my worth. Wayne has been my mentor, Wayne got me in this game. Lil Wayne gave me a lesson self worth.”
Nicki said that she promoted the annual Summer Jam concert, attended by about 60,000 people, on her website and other means.
“Know that Nicki Minaj sold a lot of tickets last night.” Nicki said and suggested it was an attack on woman. “I am the only woman not that stage holding it down for woman. I respect men that hold it downs for women.” Lauryn Hill did perform, but there weren’t a lot of women to grace the stage.
For a moment, Nicki took Funk Master Flex to task.
“Why you ain’t diss Wayne? Why you ain’t diss Wayne?” Nicki asked of Flex, suggesting that she was being singled out.
“I’m not scared of Wayne,” Flex eventually retorted.
After a while, the pair began to explain what happened. It seemed that communications were strained because cell and mobile receptions were not sufficient to to the sheer volume of traffic.
At press time, the pair were still conversing about the matter, but the nature of the talk had lightened significantly.
Earlier, Flex was rumored to “end careers,” but a talks became this public interview.
Nicki further called Flex to task later in the interview.
“Yesterday, you made a lot of disrespectful comments about me. You said something about my record sales and so I need you to pull up your roster from yesterday and I want you to listen to these statistics.” Nicki then proceeded to run down to Flex all the records that she sold. “Do the math,” she implored Flex.
Flex wanted to differentiate between album sales in the United States and international. Right now, Nicki’s album has yet to sell gold domestically.
Yesterday, Flex had much more to say.
“We ain’t fu**in’ with commercial rappers no more. If you lost the fu**in’ streets, it’s your fault. If you don’t go gold, it’s your fault,” he said yesterday as tensions were at their height. “I’m dedicated to tearing you down. If you not buying no more commercial albums, hit me on Twitter right now.”
“Everybody’s wrong here. For real, for real.” Flex said after ranting that “everybody’s egos” got in the way of what was best for fans at the Summer Jam show.
Developing…
Hip-Hop Rumors: Did Foxy Stop Maino From Leaking A Sex Tape?
MAINO BEHIND FOXY BROWN SEX TAPE?
Do you remember when Foxy Brown had a screen shot of a supposed sex tape a ways back? I do. Well, we (as far as I know) never knew who was the culprit behind that whole thing. Only thing I knew was somebody was trying to put Inga’s sexcapades on blast! Anyway, I recently heard it was actually Maino that was putting the screws to Foxy.
Remember, Fox was beefing with Kim and Maino was riding crazy hard for Kim at the time. He was like the Deebo of the rap game. Anyway, I don’t know how he may have obtained it (if he did), but that screen shot got everybody looking for a money shot, because Fox was seemingly going down on some dude. The video never happened and I heard Foxy was somehow able to get it stopped. Whether or not it was Maino for sure, I don’t know….for sure.
Remember when Foxy Brown dated Rick Ross?
VIDEO: Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest "Kick Starts" Its Countdown to Busta Rhymes and More
The fine folks at Brooklyn Bodega, planners of the Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest (BHF), are gearing up for what promises to be a historic event series in July in the borough that boasted Big Daddy Kane, Biggie, and now a visit from the one and only Bussa Buss.
Busta Rhymes and his yet-to-be-named “Friends” are set to headline the 8th Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest, a week-long celebration of Hip-Hop culture, music, and community to be held from July 9-14 in Brooklyn, New York.
Prior to Busta’s Saturday, July 14 headlining concert, the BHF’s Show & Prove Super Bowl will feature three winners from preliminaries rounds competing for a chance to perform on the festival’s main stage during the finale concert.
Other events throughout the week include ”You Wasn’t With Me Shooting In the Gym” on Wednesday, July 11, The Dummy Clap Film Festival on Friday, July 10, Family Day and an After Party at the Knitting Factory on Saturday, July 14.
2012 will also mark the third year of both the BHF’s Salute the DJ event, which takes place on Thursday, July 12, and the Bodega Education Initiative (BEI) on Tuesday, July 10.
Check out Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest’s 2012 Kickstarter video:
We want to see you in the place! Tickets and week-long passes for the 2012 Brookyln Hip-Hop Festival are on sale now at BKHipHopFestival.com.
Drake's 3rd Annual "OVO Festival" To Feature A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd and 2 Chainz
(AllHipHop News) In its third year, the Toronto-held “October’s Very Own Festival,” which Drake has headlined since its creation, will feature performances from A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, and 2 Chainz.
Drake tweeted the news out last night: “OVO Fest August 5th. A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz, The Weeknd, Drake. A special night we’ve created for the greatest city…Toronto.”
The nine-time Grammy Award-nominated rapper and singer said in a statement, “Bringing together the 3rd Annual OVO Fest is such a milestone for me. This year, we’re going to bring it just like we do every year-with high energy and music at its best.”
In past years, the “OVO Festival” has featured such acts as Nas, Stevie Wonder, Eminem, Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, and Rick Ross. “That’s the most important show of the year to me, OVO Fest, so I’m hoping that we really make it special this year,” he told MTV earlier this year. “The premise of OVO Fest is you never know who you gonna see.”
Drake, who is currently on the second leg of his “Club Paradise Tour” with 2 Chainz, J. Cole, Meek Mill, and others, hasn’t performed in his hometown since last summer. “A lot has happened over the last three years – a journey that I’m so grateful for – but it’s always coming home and performing for my hometown that means the most,” he said.
Tickets for the 3rd Annual “OVO Festival” will go on sale this Saturday.
FLICKS: Hot 97 Summer Jam 2012 With Young Jeezy, Big Sean, Nas, Lauryn Hill, and More!
Unless you were fortunate enough to be there, you may have only heard about Hot 97’s annual Summer Jam concert at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, New Jersey last night (June 3). The jam-packed and star-studded show saw a who’s-who of Hip-Hop heavyweights coming together to rock on the main stage for the over 50,000 people in attendance.
J. Cole, Nas, Rick Ross, Waka Flocka, Lauryn Hill, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Tyga, the list goes on. If you’re looking for a first-hand recap of the event, make sure you check out AllHipHop.com’s coverage from earlier in the day, as well as our “backstage-pass” recap, which caught a ton of last night’s behind the scenes events and interactions.
Check out a few select pictures below, followed by an entire gallery of flicks from last night’s concert below:
Images By: J.D. Tuminski
EXCLUSIVE: Boldy James [BGA] Signs Decon Deal For Alchemist Produced Album
(AllHipHop News) Detroit born and raised rapper Boldy James, cousin of Cool Kids producer/rapper Chuck Inglish, has struck a deal with Decon Records for one album exclusively produced by the Alchemist.
The two developed a chemistry while working on the Alchemist’s recent project Russian Roulette, when the duo got to work in Alchemist’s Los Angeles studio several months ago.
“It was supposed to be a mixtape, and it turned into an album, and we got a deal for the album,” Boldy James told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview. “Al is one of the most easiest going producers, one of the dopest producers to work with so far besides, of course, my cuzzo, Chuck Inglish.”
Boldy James was tight lipped about the actual title of the project after he and Jadakiss used the same title, Consignment, for their recent projects. So, Boldy believes there’s good reason to hold back the title until it actually releases.
“I been noticing, at the moment its not nobody like me, so I’m just trying to preserve the style,” Boldy James told AllHipHop.com.
Boldy James, who was also featured on the Cool Kids project, When Fish Ride Bicycles, has developed quite a buzz online, cumulatively generating well over one million views on his official videos.
While the project is in the final stages of recording, Boldy confirmed that the untitled project will feature Action Bronson, Chip tha Ripper, Twin Gambino from the Infamous Mobb, and a few special guest surprises.
“I only got like two more songs to do and it’s done. As me and Al vibed out, I was gonna crank out as many joints as possible. At first, I was just gonna give y’all 10, but Alc said maybe I should give y’all 12,” Boldy James explained. “It might actually be done, I don’t know how Al is feeling, but it might be done.”
Boldy James performs in the basement of the historic St. Andrews venue called The Shelter with Stretch Money and Ro Spit, starting at 9 p.m. on June 9. Tickets are $15 at the door.
EXCLUSIVE: An Inside Peek Backstage At HOT 97's Summer Jam
Many people don’t get a chance to see what goes on behind-the-scenes at Hot 97’s Annual Summer Jam concert. This year, I had the opportunity to go behind the velvet rope at one of the biggest concerts in the world, with one of the biggest controversies of the year unfolding right before my eyes.
Yesterday afternoon, Lil’ Wayne sent out a tweet announcing “Young Money ain’t doing Summer Jam”. The HOT 97 lineup was heavy with YMCMB artists and affiliates, including Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, and Tyga. Drake and Birdman were also rumored to be coming out as surprise performers. Tyga was on stage at the time the news broke, and word began spreading around the artist backstage area like wildfire. DJ Khaled was already in the building, as well as many of both Khaled and Nicki Minaj’s special guests. In an instant, the feel-good energy of a family reunion began to feel like complete confusion.
Fat Joe and T-Pain were suppose to perform alongside DJ Khaled, and Beenie Man and Movado alongside Nicki Minaj. All four artists were in the artist green room with a look of disbelief on their faces. Were they going to perform or not? T-Pain was visibly peeved and stormed out of the green room when it was confirmed that Nicki would not be performing. DJ Khaled was in business mode and seemed as if he was on the fence about performing. After holding a secret, closed-door meeting with his people right before he was scheduled to go on, he decided to side with Lil’ Wayne and not perform.
After the initial shock of the controversy settled in, there was an even bigger main attraction making his way down the halls backstage, that was about to soak in all of the attention. Former Bad Boy artist Mason “Ma$e” Betha was strutting down the hall surrounded by his Harlem World crew of Cardan and Suga J, and looking very much like the Ma$e of old. Swagged out in a blue NY Giants snap back cap to the back and a metallic blue baseball jacket, Ma$e was hard to miss.
French Montana, Fat Joe, Wale, Big Sean, DJ Khaled, and Rick Ross came out of their green rooms and into the hallway to greet the Harlem rapper, who had not touched the Hot 97 Summer Jam stage since 1998! At that moment, Ma$e was definitely your “favorite rapper’s favorite rapper,” as all of the artists proceeded to take photos with Ma$e and show an extreme amount of love for him. Ma$e would later come out with French Montana and Wale to perform the “Slight Work” remix.
Bronx-bred rapper French Montana’s green room was the place to be during the show. Many of the artists congregated to Montana’s green room where the rapper, who was decked out in a gold scarf draped over his head and a matching jacket, was in a joyful mood laughing and cracking jokes. Montana seemed to bring everyone together, as 2Chainz, Future, Wale, and Rick Ross crowded around him and tried to soak in his positive energy.
Noticeably missing from the green room area was Meek Mill, who was spotted walking the hallways with a small posse of his friends. Young Jeezy was also kept away from this area, with one industry insider telling me that they were trying to keep him and Rick Ross as separate as possible.
Busta Rhymes, who is notorious for not being very friendly with the media, was in no mood to take photos. His security guard was seen aggressively yelling at several unsuspecting photographers who tried to snap photos of Bussa Buss after he made his way back to the green room after his performance. Check out the photo above with Busta’s security guy trying to block the shot.
Nas was seen getting carted around in a go-cart backstage right before he was set to hit the stage. HOT 97 scrambled to set up a performance time for Nas and Lauryn Hill who had shown up at the stadium ready to perform as part of Nicki Minaj’s set. The radio station quickly salvaged the situation and had them perform their own set, to the surprise and glee of the fans. Lauryn Hill was escorted directly to the stage and back to her waiting vehicle before and after their set.
Waka Flocka Flame performed early on in the show’s lineup, and was spotted walking around the green room area after his performance telling his entourage that he “killed it” on stage.
Overall, the setting of the Met Life Stadium, and the artist green rooms being in the player’s lockerrooms, gave the whole night a feeling of watching athletes prepare for the All-Star game. They were all excited to be there, and even though one of the star players – aka Nicki Minaj and one of their star coaches aka DJ Khaled – could not perform in the big game, everyone still came out and played their hardest!
Being backstage at Hot 7’s Summer Jam revealed that there is indeed a lot of camaraderie going on in Hip-Hop right now. Artists these days are loyal to one another, even if that means breaking the hearts of 60,000 fans like Nicki Minaj and Khaled did. But in the end, Rick Ross and MMG, along with French Montana and special guests Raekwon and Method Man, closed out the show and helped the crowd forget about what could have been, and reminded them that the show must go on.
Check out a few exclusive shots from backstage at Summer Jam 2012 courtesy of our boy J.D. at Thelifefiles.com:
Common Taking Over NBATV for Western Conference Finals
(AllHipHop News) Grammy-Award winning rapper and actor Common is taking over NBATV’s Twitter account tonight for coverage of the NBA Western Conference Finals tonight (June 5).
Starting at 7:45pm ET for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals (#WCF) between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, Common will provide his own analysis on the game, chat with fans and studio analysts, and more.
To interact with Common via the @NBATV twitter account, use the hashtag #COMMONTAKEOVER.
Currently, the Western Conference Finals is tied at two games a piece, with the San Antonio Spurs hosting the game tonight live from the AT&T Center.
The game features NBA baller/rapper Stephen Jackson, who has rapped on songs with Bun B, Alley Boy, and others.
EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Henchman Trial Day 12: Jurors Deliberate; Actor, Friend Michael K. Williams of "The Wire" Comments On His Fate
(AllHipHop News) Jurors began deliberating the fate of James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond today (June 4), as the music industry mogul’s federal cocaine distribution trial comes to a close.
Judge John Gleeson, who tried legendary gangster John Gotti, gave instructions to the jury, who listened intently after 12 days of controversial, blockbuster testimony.
Family and friends packed the court room as Rosemond sat calmly in a black pinstriped suit and listened to the instructions, with his hands clasped and folded.
Actor Michael K. Williams of “The Wire” and “Boardwalk Empire,” came to court today to support Rosemond, with whom he grew up with in Brooklyn.
“I’ve known Jimmy since we were kids, growing up in Flatbush, so we are talking about a good 30 some odd years,” Michael Williams told AllHipHop.com.
Michael Williams said that Czar Entertainment managed his career between 2005-2008, and that Rosemond was instrumental in helping him land acting jobs and live appearances, in addition to placing him in videos.
“Even though the charges against him are horrific, I feel hopeful that he’s going to beat them,” Williams told AllHipHop.com.
Williams, who played a drug king named “Omar Little” on “The Wire” and “Chalky White” on “Boardwalk Empire,” noted the similarity between his characters and the real-life accusations against his former manager.
“It’s ironic, but I really have no thoughts on that,” he said.
In addition to Williams, family members and close associates of Rosemond gathered outside of the court as the jurors deliberated.
“The government doesn’t play fair, and everyone gotta keep an open mind,” said longtime friend Black Primo of Black Primo Entertainment. “The government’s not going to treat a Black man fair.”
Rosemond’s publicist Sabrina Stowe de Fernandez said that she was hopeful that the jury would return a verdict favorable to her client:
“I have faith that the jurors will come back with a favorable verdict. Our prayers are with Jimmy and his family and we are praying for an acquittal.”
James Rosemond is facing a life
sentence if jurors find him guilty of the charges levied against him.