AllHipHop

Fashion Line +FreshiAm+ Adds One-Word Flavor to the Snapback Trend

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Lifestyle
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Hot new culture blog/clothing design house, +FreshiAm+, is hitting fashion directly on the head. The brand has captured the attention of rappers Theophilus London and A$AP Rocky with their unique limited-edition snapback hats. In fact, the brand has collaborated with London, who is rarely seen without the hats that are quickly becoming his trademark – the LVRS hat he sports retailed for $50 and quickly sold out.

Launched in 2008 by Nigerian-born, American-raised visual and graphic artist, Tunde, +FreshiAm+ started out as a culture blog and graphic design business. “I wanted to integrate music, art, fashion, everything. In culture everything should be as important as the other, there really is no separation,” says Tunde.

The designer notes that his focus quickly changed: “Fashion is the best business model for a visual artist who wants to create things for a lot people.” Starting with a line of one-of-a-kind T-shirts in 2009, +FreshiAm+ quickly grew in popularity, and in 2010, Tunde designed the hats that would take them from his little apartment in Atlanta to being an internationally recognizable symbol of cool culture.

“With the State of Mind hats, I wanted to move up from the sportiness of the snapback,” Tunde explains. “I didn’t understand how if I wanted to wear a hat, it had to have a team on it. I wanted to create something classic.”

There are 10 State of Mind hats each embroidered with one word – to be interpreted at will. Nine of the hats are always available; the 10th is currently the Le Alphabet Soup hat, of which only 50 were produced. Le Alphabet Soup is a collaboration with fashion phenoms, Dee and Ricky. The hat, with an assortment of 11-12 characters, made from bamboo fleece, and randomly ordered on a black snapback, retails for $120. Only 50 of the hats will made available worldwide.

The newest collaboration with Dee and Ricky is a major win for Tunde and +FreshiAm+. After all, Dee and Ricky, identical twins (in a set of triplets), are barely over drinking age, and are the designers who created the Lego Heart pin that Kanye wore in support of 808’s and Heartbreaks. If that’s not enough, Dee and Ricky are also working with Marc Jacobs and Pharrell. Their work has been worn by models and celebrities in every major fashion magazine including Vogue.

So, what’s next for +FreshiAm+? Tunde’s full fashion collection, LOVE is available on the site. The collection includes unique t-shirts, tanks, pendants, and tote bags. But, you better buy soon, because the entire +FreshiAm+ collection usually sells out.

The State of Mind hats and LOVE are available at www.freshiam.net. Follow them on Twitter (@freshiamatl).

Ask Ash Cash: Things To Be Careful About When Using Your Credit Card

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Lifestyle
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AllHipHop.com’s resident Daily Word guru and all-around inspirational guy, Ash Cash, is back with his latest installment of “Ask Ash Cash.”

Watch the video below his response, as he offers more sound advice to readers:

Peace and Blessings Family!! Today’s installment of “Ask Ash Cash” comes from Ms. Laura Goldstein… But, as I said last week, I also want to hear from you. If you have any business or finance questions, please tweet me (@IamAshCash) using #AskAshCash, or e-mail me your video or question to Qu*******@********sh.com. I also stream live every Monday at 9PM on Wave45.tv!!

Dear Ash Cash: What are some things to be careful about when using my credit card?

There are many things that you should consider when using your credit card, but the two most important are: 1) Keeping your usage down and 2) Watching out for interest rate increases.

It is important to know that you should not be using your credit card to make everyday purchases for items like food, clothing, and gas. Credit cards should be used for emergency purposes only; using your credit card as a substitute for cash can put you into serious debt before you even know it. With that said, make sure you stay within 30% of your credit limit to avoid damage to your credit score.

Your credit score is broken down into five (5) categories… 35% is Your Payment History, 30% is your Usage, 15% is the Length of your Credit History, 10% is your New Credit, and 10% is your Credit Mix… With Usage being a large part of your credit score, make sure you are keeping your balances low to help keep your score high!!

Lastly, pay attention to your interest rate, and make sure it hasn’t increased. Your credit card’s interest rate can increase when you’ve defaulted on the original credit card terms. For example, you were late on a payment, went over the credit limit, or bounced the check for your payment. Before February 22, 2010, you could’ve even seen an increased rate if you were late on a payment to another creditor – a practice known as “universal default” – but due to new laws implemented by President Obama, this is no longer the case!

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.

EXCLUSIVE: Lil Kim’s Rep Accuses Azealia Banks Of Manufacturing Phony Beef

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: MOBILE
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(AllHipHop News) Representatives for Lil Kim have accused Harlem newcomer Azealia Banks of manufacturing a phony beef with the veteran rapper.

Azealia Banks to Twitter, where she tweeted a series of messages, presumably directed at Lil Kim.

Reports suggested that Azealia Banks, who lionized Lil Kim on Twitter weeks earlier, was supposed to collaborate on her upcoming mixtape “Broke With Expensive Taste.”

Apparently that is not the case, according to Lil Kim’s publicist CJ Carter.

“My client and azealia have NEVER spoke to one another or met AT ALL,” CJ Carter told AllHipHop.com in a press release.

“Kim was actually very flattered Azealia’s public admiration for her, which is why it’s so hard to understand how someone who claims to be a true Lil Kim fan could flip the script so easily on someone who was supposedly their idol,” Carter noted.

According to CJ Carter, Azealia Banks went right to twitter with her issues, as opposed to reaching out to anyone from Lil Kim’s camp.

Carter said that Lil Kim has no problems with Azealia Banks and will not engage in a petty, manufactured feud with the fledgling rapper.

“We have no idea what they are referencing and have no desire to discuss the matter any further as there is nothing to talk about,” CJ Carter said “It honestly seems that someone from Azealia’s team would rather have her fans buy into manufactured drama instead of buying music.”

Check out the full statement below:

Earlier today a press release went out making a claim that there was friction between Hip Hop Icon “Lil Kim” and aspiring hip artist azealia banks. The release comes as a surprise to our team,being that my client and azealia have NEVER spoke to one another or met AT ALL. Kim was actually very flattered azealia’s public admiration for her, which is why it’s so hard to understand how someone who claims to be a true Lil Kim fan could flip the script so easily on someone who was supposedly their idol. It is also VERY interesting that NO ONE from her team made any attempts to reach out to anyone from our team to voice any concerns or problems that they may have had. I have NEVER heard of anyone having a conflict with someone they have NEVER met with or personally spoke with. We have no idea what they are referencing and have no desire to discuss the matter any further as there is nothing to talk about. It honestly seems that someone from azealia’s team would rather have her fans buy into manufactured drama instead of buying music. Kim knows nothing of any beef, and furthermore has had nothing but nice things to say about her. We don’t know what this is and will not address this any further. It seems that this is another sad attempt by someone trying to use my client for publicity. We wish her nothing but the best.

HEATER OF THE DAY: Jakk Frost [BGA] Ft. Freeway, Reef Da Lost Cauze, Malik B and Smif-N-Wessun “Six Degrees Of Separation”

By: Steve Raze (@SteveRaze) Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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[ahh_audio src=/5-6-12/JakkFrostFtfeat.freeway,reefdalostcauze,malikb,smifnwessun,-sixdegreesofseparation.mp3]

Floyd Mayweather Defeats Miguel Cotto

By: Jake Crates Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Tonight (May 5th) Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KOs) and Miguel Cotto (37-3, 30 KOs) faced off at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada for the WBA Super Welter Weight Championship.

The two boxers held their anticipated fight that started with 50 Cent and Justin Beiber carrying Floyd Mayweather’s numerous belts out to the ring.

Wearing red shorts with a sleeveless red and white leather hoodie outfit, Mayweather waltzed in to the ring to the tune of Atlanta artist 2 Chainz’ newest street anthem “Riot.”

While Mayweather is due to face jail time on June 1 for domestic violence charges, he battled 12 rounds with Cotto in the Golden Boy Promotions fight, winning in the final round.

Mayweather was tested in what would be a close match, as the “Money Team” boxer’s nose was bleeding heavily at the end of 8th round.

Eventually Mayweather would prove to be the new champion, remaining undefeated as the fight was scored 116-112 by most critics in the end.

“I knew the right hook was going to be my money shot,” Floyd said after the fight. “A lot of times and these days you don’t see fighters using the right hook, only the left. But tonight I wanted to use the right hook and that is what I did.

Also making appearances at the fight were Lil Wayne, P Diddy, former boxers Evander Holyfied, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard and many others.

“Money may cash out!!!” Ace Hood Tweeted when Floyd Mayweather won.

“I wanna see a rematch!,” said Juicy J

“Respect Money May’s Greatness Yo. You don’t see classic s### too often in this era…..” Charlamagne tha God Tweeted.

The victory sets up the Mayweather and Pacquiao fight that is rumored to take place in the fall shortly after Mayweather is released from jail.

EXCLUSIVE: Opening Arguments Begin In Lil Boosie Murder Case

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: MOBILE
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(AllHipHop News) Opening arguments began on Saturday (May 5) in front of a packed courtroom in the first degree murder trial of Baton Rouge rapper Torrence “Lil Boosie” Hatch.

The Prosecution

Prosecution attorney, Dana Cummings, addressed the jury first with a detailed account of the murder plot and events leading up to the accused hit man Michael “Marlo Mike” Louding’s arrest.

Cummings told the jury that Terry Boyd had been released from prison and was staying with his sister and her boyfriend.

During the evening of October 21, 2009, Louding shot through a window and killed Terry Boyd, as he sat on the couch in the family’s den.

In exchange for his testimony, Cummings and District Attorney Hillar Moore agreed to give Louding a less than life sentence.

Cummings repeatedly referred to Louding as the ‘key’ to a ring of unsolved homicides.

Louding admitted, in a taped confession, to killing six individuals.

One of which he said was contracted by Lil Boosie, who allegedly paid him $2,800 for the murder.

The prosecution advised the jury to pay close attention to the demeanor of Michael Louding when he is on the witness stand testifying.

“If Michael Louding does not tell the truth, well that just makes my job easier, because I don’t have to figure out what less than life is,” Cummings said.

Other evidence that the jury will see comes from seized computers and hard drives.

A computer forensic specialist is expected to give testimony that songs recording by Lil’ Boosie were done during the same time frame that Terry Boyd’s murder was committed.

The song “187” is believed to have been recorded before the murder and contained the lyrics “Yo’ Marlo, the b**tch gotta die.”

Seven minutes after the murder occurred, Lil Boosie is said to have recorded the song “Body Bag” that contains the lyrics “rock a bye baby,” which Cummings said indicated someone is dead.

Cummings made it clear that she is not saying lyrics prove a motive but they do show Lil Boosie’s state of mind.

Before concluding her opening statement, Cummings told the jury that Michael Louding will reveal in court a tattoo on his stomach of an AK-47 that reads: “Yo Boosie Who’s Next?”

The prosecutor said Louding had the tattoo done on November 4, 2009, two weeks after Boyd was killed.

Adriene Pittman, who is believed to be the getaway driver, has a tattoo of the bible on his back and underneath the words: “Who’s Next?”

Lil Boosie has a tattoo of a smoking AK-47 with “Boss Man” written above it.

The Defense

Defense attorney Jason Williams began his opening statement by saying that Lil Boosie had no malicious feelings towards Terry Boyd.

In fact, Lil Boosie has a daughter with the victim’s sister.

They believe the District Attorney is more concerned with going after a high-profile rapper, than the individuals who actually had motive to commit the homicide.

The jury will learn of another man who was involved named Mike Judson.

The defense said that Boyd had robbed Judson of money and drugs, creating an ultimate a motive for Boyd being killed.

Judson is now deceased.

In regards to Marlo Mike’s testimony, Williams said “this guy [Marlo Mike] is off the chain.”

Williams said that not only did Louding claim that he hears voices in his head telling him to hurt people, but he also was in special education classes for the short time that he did attend school.

According to Williams, the recorded phone calls and letters in which Lil Boosie is accused of freaking out because he didn’t know what Marlo Mike told police, is normal.

“I would be freaking out too if there was a possibility of me serving a life sentence for a crime I didn’t commit,” Williams said.

The songs that were recorded are said to be re-sampling of songs Lil Boosie had previously recorded.

The defense said they do not correlate with the murder of Boyd.

Williams explained that Judson, Lil Boosie and Louding were simply grieving lost loved ones.

“The tattoos, well that means which one of my love ones are next to die,” Williams said.

After a brief recess, the state called their first witness, Ben Hawkins, the boyfriend of Boyd’s sister.

Hawkins gave testimony to his residence and that Terry Boyd had indeed just been released from prison and was staying at his home.

The next witness was Dr. Michael White, who happened to place a 911 call and stated that he saw two black males, one who was wearing a white shirt running along the fence and then again by railroad tracks.

The final witness of the day was Corporal Adcock.

Adcock gave testimony to the evidence collected at the crime scene, which included six 9mm shells and over 85 pictures snapped.

Members of Boyd’s family left out of the court room hysterically when some of the images were revealed.

Testimony will resume on Sunday afternoon.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Rappers: Ciroc Pays!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: MOBILE
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From illseed.com…

(Rumors) To all you rappers trying to get a check, I know a way! I am hearing that Ciroc, the number 1 vodka, is paying rappers that drop the good stuff in their raps. Do you think they just happen to get a plug in there for FREE? NAW! They paying good money!

I won’t say names, but I know a mid-level rapper that got a NICE check of $25,000 for mentioning Circo on their album in a natural way. Now, I don’t know all the criteria, but I know several rappers that are either mid-level or basically falling off that have gotten their mortgages paid a couple of months this way.

VIDEO: Red Hot Chili Peppers Honor The Beastie Boys’ Adam “MCA” Yauch at New Jersey Concert

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta) Updated Category: MOBILE
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(AllHipHop News) The Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) and The Beastie Boys were not only a part of the same Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction class this year; the two were also great friends, as told by RHCP frontman Anthony Kiedis during the band’s sold-out concert at New Jersey’s Prudential Center last night (May 4).

The RHCP paused during the first of their two-date stint in Newark, New Jersey, to pay tribute to Adam “MCA” Yauch, who passed away yesterday at age 47 and was a close friend of the group’s well-known bassist, Flea.

At the evening’s onset, singer Anthony Kiedis proclaimed, “We’re playing this show tonight for Adam Yauch. He left the world with a lot of beauty.”

Flea later shouted about Yauch, “Adam was for real. I love that man!”

The RHCP weren’t the only rockers to honor Yauch, as seven-time Grammy Award-winning group Coldplay performed a mellow rendition of The Beastie Boys record, “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)”,  at their show in Los Angeles, which can be viewed here.

Watch video of the Red Hot Chili Peppers playing The Beastie Boys’ “So Whatcha Want” below:

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where The Beastie Boys were inducted by Chuck D of Public Enemy this past April, will air tonight at 9 p.m. on HBO.

Platinum Producers Bangladesh and Bink! To Host “Inside the Session” Interactive Studio Experience in ATL

By: seandrasims Updated Category: MOBILE
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(AllHipHop News) For those with aspirations of winning Grammy awards or of seeing their name atop the Billboard charts, the music studio is often revered as the birthplace of dreams. On Saturday, May 19, aspiring producers, songwriters, and singers will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive studio experience with two multi-platinum, Grammy-winning producers.

Set within a virtual studio environment, “Inside the Session” will take participants behind the scenes and into the exclusive creative processes of producers Bangladesh (Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Usher) and Bink! (Jay Z, Kanye West, Anthony Hamilton).

The event will offer a journey from start to finish, opening with a five-hour session with Bink! and Bangladesh, as they work in front of a live audience to create a track. The conference will break for dinner and resume with surprise guest talent coming in the studio to write and record the song. After the vocal recording and mixing session, there will be a brief Q&A and collaboration session.

“Inside the Session” was created by Dynamic Producer, an online resource and professional organization for producers who want to make better music, learn the business, and advance their careers, as well as hear more about Producer’s Nation, the brainchild of Grammy award-winning hit maker Focus….

“The studio is one of the most mysterious places in the industry. I really wanted up and coming producers to have the experience of being in the studio creating that magic, “ Focus… says.

With its unique, all access component, event planners hope to provide students of music with an opportunity to visualize the creative process with producers who have delivered hits for some of the biggest names in music.

“This is an invaluable experience, one a true producer or songwriter will never forget,” Focus… promises.

If you’d like to attend: Dynamic Producer and Producer’s Nation presents “Inside the Session” will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 2:30PM at the Atlanta Perimeter Hotel & Suites, 111 Perimeter Center West, Atlanta, GA 30346.

For more information, visit www.dynamicproducer.com. Get social with “Inside the Session” on Twitter (@insidethesession) and Facebook.