AHH Stray News: T.I. Updates On Collaborative Projects With B.O.B. and Young Jeezy; The-Dream Announces Date For “Love IV’; Air Yeezy 2’s Get Release Date

(AllHipHop News) With his eight studio album, Trouble Man, currently set for a September 4 release, T.I. has been making the press rounds talking about his new material, as well as where the status of some long-rumored collaboration albums are. Tip told MTV‘s “RapFix”, “I got a few albums that I’m workin’ on: the Man and the Martian project with B.o.B; me and Jeezy been talkin’ about doin’ this project for a minute. It wouldn’t take us long to do. We got records already in the can and it don’t take us no time to put it together. It’s just a matter of when they would be released.”

When he was further pressed for information regarding his work with Jeezy, Tip told show host Sway, “It’s not the recording, the recording is easy. It’s a matter of when we would have time to market and promote ‘em and release ‘em,” T.I. said. “We got maybe 30 or 40 [percent done]. Between the two of us, we probably got five or six records.”

Def Jam recording artist The-Dream has announced  the release date for his upcoming fourth studio album, Love IV. The three-time, Grammy Award-winning singer released a statement recently that read: “Love IV is the best album I’ve made. I don’t care what the sales will be.

“I will do my best to Challenge your Taste And Knowledge…….I will Leave no Holes in this Album Period, no room to be Hated only Adored or simply just say “you don’t f### with me” but what U won’t….Say is Dream Album is Mediocre or Sucks. I will Never Be your Star I’m to G and to Westside for that. I will never Sellout Arenas…..Because Since Love Hate I didn’t Sellout! And no matter how much you hate me you got to Respect that! AUGUST 14.”

According to KicksOnFire, Kanye West and Nike’s highly-anticipated new shoe, the Air Yeezy 2, will be available at retailers on June 9. Word is that the sneakers will be released in extremely limited quantities. For example, Australia is being said to only be receiving about 30 pairs of each color-way. The price-tag, although not confirmed by Nike, is said to exceed $350. Upon release, the Air Yeezy 2 will be available in two color-ways: wolf grey/pure platinum and black/solar red.

Lil Kim’s “Return of the Queen” Tour Hits New York

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Lil Kim will bring her “Return of the Queen” tour to New York tonight (May 18).

The Queen Bee will perform at The Paradise Theater in the Bronx tonight.

The rapper will host a meet and greet, as well as an interview session with press, just before the concert kicks off.

The stop in New York is the third date on Lil Kim’s “Return of the Queen” tour, which is the rapper’s first major outing on the road in two years.

The tour will make stops in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Hollywood and other major markets.

May 19 – Albany, NY – Northern Lights

May 20 – Philadelphia, PA – Club ONYX

May 22 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

May 25 – Markham, IL – Adrianna’s Night Club

May 27 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theatre

June 1 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s

June 11 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine

June 13 – West Hollywood, CA – Key Club

AllHipHop At The Movies: Is “Battleship” The Blockbuster It’s Billed to Be?

Inspired by the Hasbro original of the same name, Battleship is an action-packed, explosive film that probably is much more animated than any real matches you’ve had in the board game. In an era where SGI-induced battle scenes are getting better with each film, the Peter Berg-directed action rivals some of your favorites, with clashes spanning land, air, and sea.

For the most part, the movie is based in Hawaii; a beautiful setting with wide-open sea, clear skies, and breathtaking terrain in the islands. But Brooklyn Decker and Rihanna look even better. Decker plays Sam, the love interest of protagonist Alex Hopper (played by Taylor Kitsch). Rihanna takes on the role of Cora Raikes, an officer under Lieutenant Hopper. It’s clear that one of the main draws of the movie are the two beautiful women, and they both live up to the hype. Interestingly, although Rihanna was advertised as a huge star, her role in the film is not so monumental – a good thing. Making her big screen debut, it’s almost as though the crew didn’t set her up to fail. In turn, she excelled in her under-ranking officer character, filled with s#### and courage.

The plot revolves around Alex Hopper, a young man full of talent, as well as laziness. However, when aliens from another galaxy come to invade the Earth, all jokes are aside for Hopper. With a rag-tag crew of Navy men, the battle scenes between Earth’s fleet and outerworldly ships are extremely entertaining. It’s like Halo meets Call of Duty, but on water. One of the more touching points in the film is when Hopper is forced to call on retired Navy veterans for assistance; this is due to win over the veteran crowd who is sure to watch. It also features real-life veteran Colonel Greg Gadson, who brings a sense of authenticity to the film, but can be exposed for his lack of acting talent at times.

While the battle scenes are what make the movie, the actual dialogue is what anchors it to a halt. It was gawking at times, relying too heavily on tired clichés rather than fresh ideas. There are hints of comic relief, but it’s sometimes outweighed by predictable writing. But, if you can get past some of the cheesy ‘Save-the-world’ scenes, Battleship finishes very strong. Great scenery, gorgeous women, and ginormous battle scenes – all things that make an action movie watchable.

Check out the trailer for Battleship below and see it in theaters now:

Hip-Hop Rumors: Drake Doesn’t Want To Be Rapping In His 30’s

YMCMB’s Drake doesn’t believe he’ll be rapping anymore once he reaches the age of 35 years-old. Check out what he told i-D Magazine below:

“I personally think that when I find that person and when it is established we are going to enter a serious relationship–I mean I don’t even know if I’ll still be making rap music. I don’t know how long I necessarily want to make rap music for. You know, there are artists who are 35 and up that still make rap and that still works for them. I don’t know if I want to be that guy.

“A lot of my music is about being young and figuring it all out. I don’t know if I can still make my brand of music when I am up there. Maybe I’ll be just acting or whatever it is. I plan to make as much music as I can until a story from Drake doesn’t impact you as it used to.” (i-D Magazine)

Is Drake buggin’, or do you believe there’s an expiration date for a rapper?

Kanye West To Screen New Film “Cruel Summer” At Cannes

(AllHipHop News) Kanye West will premier a short film called “Cruel Summer” at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

The debut will take place next Wednesday, the rapper said Friday in a release.

The move will apparently have seven screens and meld art with film during its run.

Cannes takes place from March 24-25.

Those that want to see the film at Cannes may RSVP via West’s site, kanyewest.com.

Kanye West has directed a number of music videos.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Serena Williams Says She Was “Back-Stabbed” Over Leak Of Her Rap Song

While everyone was raving that Serena Williams may have a bit of raw talent in the booth after her rap song leaked last week, Serena was home fuming. The tennis champ is super upset that the song leaked because she did not give her approval for the release. Check out what she told the Atlanta Black Star below:

“Well, I was in the studio with friends and I wanted to do something and so they said – do this and it was for me. The next thing I know — that was one or two years ago and then I read online that I was a rapper and so my back-stabbing friends did that to me and so if I see them, I will act like a rapper — if you can get my drift.”

I guess we won’t be getting any new Serena Williams music anytime soon; and whoever leaked that music better watch their back. Serena doesn’t sound like she’s playing!

In related news, rapstress Rah Digga was not feeling Serena’s metaphors in the track and took a few shots at her on Twitter page, tweeting, “I’m always on top…roofer” Serena Williams’ new song…I mean…ok fine.”

I’m sure Rah Digga will be glad to hear that Serena is not quitting her day job.

Rick Ross Returns To Carol City High With Swizz Beats; Donates Reeboks, iPads

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Rick Ross and producer Swizz Beatz made a surprise appearance at Carol City Senior High School, in Carol City Florida.

The rap star appeared at his alma mater, where he donated iPads to the high school, for students to use.

“We commend Rick Ross for giving back to Miami Carol City Senior High School. By doing so, he is setting a wonderful example for our students and community,” said Principal Mr. Dunn.

Most of the iPads donated by Rick Ross will be used for students to complete their college applications.

Rick Ross and Swizz also gave out Reeboks to high school seniors, who placed well on college aptitude tests.

Rick Ross and Swizz greeted students, signed autographs and met with faculty members.

“Rick Ross made history coming back to his high school; many celebrities and politicians have graduated from Carol City Senior High School but he’s the first to come back and connect with the new students,” added Ms. White, the school’s CAP Advisor.

Check out pictures below.

Photos: Thaddeaus McAdams

Hip-Hop Rumors: Lil’ Kim Says Biggie’s Mom “Doesn’t Know Biggie And She Barely Knows Christopher”

The Queen Bee, Lil Kim, was a guest on New York morning radio show, “The Breakfast Club”, and was really outspoken about her dislike for the Notorious movie focusing on the life of slain rapper, The Notorious B.I.G.

Kim cites one her main reasons for not liking the movie as her feeling that the people who made it didn’t know Biggie. One person in particular, according to Kim, is Biggie’s very own mother, Voletta Wallace. Check out what Lil’ Kim said below:

See, Big’s mom doesn’t know Biggie, and she barely knows Christopher.” said Lil’ Kim. “It’s the truth.”

“She used to kick him out daily. She did not care to know him, or get to know him during the time….she didn’t know him.”

Wow, that’s harsh.

During the interview, Charlamagne The God hit Lil’ Kim with a very direct question about her cosmetic surgery. The Queen Bee was not amused. Check out her response below:

“Why would you ask me that, but there’s so many people who have surgery? I don’t know where that question is coming from.”

Kim addressed the plastic surgery at the 18:29 mark of the interview. You can watch the video here.

Do you think it’s right for Lil’ Kim to comment on the type of relationship Biggie had with his mother?

Hip-Hop Rumors: Is Jermaine Dupri Signing Jagged Edge To So So Def?

Back in the late ’90s and early 2000s, R&B group Jagged Edge was the ish! With songs like “Promise”, “I Gotta Be” Walked Out Of Heaven”, and “He Can’t Love You”, they were riding high at the top of the charts alongside So So Def general, Jermaine Dupri. JD was one of the hottest producers out then and produced most of the group’s music.

Well, the good times may be back again. We are hearing rumors that Jagged Edge is allegedly ending their relationship with Slip-N-Slide Records and will be signing with Jermaine Dupri and hit songwriter Bryan Michael Cox under So So Def!

The group is also rumored to be working on J.E. Heartbreak 2, a sequel to their most successful album to date.

Let’s hope this rumor turns out to be true, and we get a new Jagged Edge album to groove to soon. In the meantime, below are a few classic Jagged Edge records:

Next Generation: Why You Need To Pay Attention To “Kreemo” – Wiz Khalifa & Lil Wayne Are Already On It

With the economy in shambles, many Americans are everyday becoming discouraged to continue chasing their dream. Kreemo, the Atlanta-based lifestyle clothing brand, “begs to differ.”

Know this. It’s not a fad. Known mostly for their Kreemo “Dropout” Tee, an homage to Kanye West’s College Dropout bear, this 21-year-old trio (who, by the way, are college students), has attracted both the likes of Wiz Khalifa and Lil Wayne.

In 2008 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, cousins Lavan Wright, Brian Wright, and friend, Desmond Attmore, became partners and put their minds together to create a brand they believed could be better than the clothes they were already buying:

“We used to always go downtown to SoHo and just run around. We really loved the culture, and were like 16, but we would always spend our money on Bape, BBC, Supreme, a whole bunch of stuff, and we just really loved it,” said Brian Wright, CEO of Kreemo. “Until one day, I was like, ‘Man, I definitely could come up with something that’s hotter than that!’ I went home and called my cousin Lavan, and he was down with it.”

In 2009, the Brooklyn-bred entrepreneurs scaled back to age-old advertising techniques and filled the Atlanta college scene with buttons, finely equipped with their ghost-like logo – a simple, yet strategic effort that yielded notoriety. Not too long after, upon receiving a personal call from Wiz Khalifa, the group was charged with producing the rapper’s merchandise for his debut album, Rolling Papers. And that, they did.

In our interview with CEO and brainchild behind the creation, Brian Wright, he admits, there’s no fret in Kreemo becoming a fad, revealing, “The reason why it won’t be a fad is because, it’s a lifestyle.

“It only becomes a fad when people are trying to super capitalize off it, and it’s a certain way that I want to do things. Yes, we’re going to make money off of it, but yes, we’re going to do it our way. Yes, the entertainment people are liking it, it’s becoming popular, but this is really for the world,” he added.

Kreemo, a name derived from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, a psychiatric hospital in Queens, New York, stands for “innovation in its youth,” representing more than just clothes, but a way of living, with Brian adding:

“When I was little, my grandmother would say ,“Y’all better stop acting up before I send y’all to the ‘Creemo house.’ I took that term and found out what “Creemo” really was, and made a whole concept of when you do something that’s really innovative at first, it’s always considered being a nuisance to society. Or when you’re trying to show somebody a new blueprint, they never really get it. You’re always the crazy one.

“The first person that invented the television, I’m pretty sure that when he showed the first couple of people the blueprints, they were like, ‘Aww, man, this is never really about to go down, a box where you can watch people?’ I feel like everybody can relate to that. Everybody has a story where they’re grinding, or they have this idea, and people said it couldn’t be done. The logo is a ghost, because traditionally, when you tell people that you’ve seen a ghost, they tell you you’re crazy, because they don’t see it.”

With the explosion of cool kids on Tumblr and Pinterest, these innovative entrepreneurs have amassed a huge influential following across the nation, and even overseas in countries, including Japan.

Most recently, Kreemo is planning a huge campaign, which includes working with popular Atlanta DJ Don Cannon and Hip-Hop producer Mike Will Made It. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Kreemo Tele, their video faction, are the lens behind Tank and T.I.’s official behind-the-scenes video, “Compliments,” and Curren$y and 2 Chainz’, “Capitol”.

Join the movement at Kreemo.com.

Jermaine Dupri: So So Inspired By New Artists Brandon Hines & Leah Labelle

Grammy-winning producer Jermaine Dupri is working hard to bring the So So Def army back to the spotlight. In his latest video series, he gives us a behind the scenes look into his latest signees, Brandon Hines and Leah Labelle.

While speaking with MTV, Dupri revealed: “This is the first time in a long time where an artist actually becomes a star by being on MTV,” referring to Leah Labelle whose video for “Sexify” first appeared on MTV.com.

EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Henchman Trial Day 4 – Agents Tell Witness What To Write

(AllHipHop News) The fourth day of testimony in the trial of James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond continued today (May 17) in Federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

Federal authorities claim Rosemond headed up a $10 million-per-year cocaine operation that sold hundreds of kilos each month in the New York area, and sent millions in proceeds to the West Coast.

Today in court, federal prosecutors unveiled a number of purchases Rosemond made in cash for renovations to his luxury Brooklyn condominium.

Prosecutors produced receipts showing that Rosemond had hired a Miami, Florida company to install an audio/visual system in his condominium, which totaled $153,000.

Rosemond allegedly paid for some of the renovations by handing one contractor a bag of cash totaling $21,000.

He also paid another contractor a total of over $300,000 in cash to have to his luxury condominium refurbished.

Rosemond’s lawyer Gerald Shargel did not dispute the fact that Rosemond made a number of large purchases in cash, and implied that the proceeds came from Rosemond’s legitimate business, Czar Entertainment.

Another witness was produced, named Jillianna Quinones, who Rosemond used to date.

Quinones testified that in May of 2011, Rosemond gave her a large amount of cash to take to Los Angeles, where he planned to meet with her to pick up the money.

Quinones attempted to fly to Los Angeles, but was stopped by Federal agents, who questioned her about where the cash originated.

When she landed in Los Angeles, two more agents further questioned Quinones, took pictures of her holding a large bag of money, and allegedly forced her to sign a cooperation agreement.

“They [agents] said it was drug money,” Quinones testified. “But he [Jimmy] said that was not the case.”

According to Quinones, the agents coached her on what to write on a cooperation agreement.

Quinones, 25, even said agents told her to write that the proceeds were derived from illegal activities.

She then gave authorities Rosemond’s cell phone number, and authorities promptly seized the cash, which was still stuffed inside her Louis Vuitton knapsack, as well as another carry-on bag.

Testimony continues.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Lark Voorhies Redeems Herself!

Last week, some truly disturbing photos of Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle on the ’90s hit show “Saved By The Bell”, had people everywhere wondering if something was wrong with her. Well it, turns out, the photos were just a result of a terrible makeup job.

Lark’s make-up artist tweeted a photo of Lark working on the set of a new film titled, Jessica’s Journey, and it’s safe to say that our Lisa Turtle is back! Check out the picture below:

Men everywhere can now breathe a sigh of relief! Glad to see Lark looking well, although those photos are still haunting my nightmares!

50 Cent Feeds the Hungry; Donating 250 Meals Per Set of Headphones Purchased

(AllHipHop News) Inspired by his humble beginnings in Jamaica Queens, New York, starkly contrasted from his now larger than life G-Unit empire, 50 Cent has made efforts over the last few years to embrace those who are less fortunate.

From his trips to Africa, to his Street King Energy drink charity initiatives, 50 Cent has ramped up his efforts to help those in need.

50’s embrace of those in need was most recently showcased via his efforts to support City Harvest & Feeding America, where the G-Unit mogul served over 250 meals for starving homeless people.

In association with SMS Audio, 50 has also offered to donate 250 meals to Feeding America for every set of headphones that is purchased domestically on SMSAudio.com.

View video below of 50 Cent participating in helping out people in need.

Disco Queen Donna Summer Dies, Appreciated Hip-Hop

(AllHipHop News) Donna Summer, once proclaimed the Queen of Disco, has died after a prolonged bout with cancer.

Summer was 63.

Summer, a Grammy Award-winner, had a number of hits in the 70’s and 80’s. Songs like “Last Dance” and “Bad Girls” represented the sound of a generation.

Summer continued to make music as she battled cancer.

“We spoke to someone who was with Summer a couple of weeks ago … who says she didn’t seem too bad.,” reported news/gossip site TMZ. “In fact, we’re told she was focused on trying to finish up an album she had been working on. “

Incidentally Donna Summer’s nephew is a rapper named Omega Red. They recorded a song called Angel. The song is below with other hits from the legendary songstress.

“Angel” – Omega Red featured Donna Summer

Donna Summer Master Mix