Mother. Rapper. Activist. Writer. Daughter of Destiny. Yonasda Lonewolf is all of these things and more. Being born the only girl during a historic time in the Civil Rights struggle for indigneous people in America made her special right from the start. But, being the granddaughter of one of the most controversial men in the world – Minister Louis Farrakhan – makes her downright interesting.
“I have to acknowledge my [late] mother Wauneta Lonewolf – her life, too, was filled like that. And I must say that I love it, because I can walk with so many people of various backgrounds. At times, it can be difficult,” Lonewolf admits. “In the Bible, God said, “I give you land; this is all yours. Sometimes we limit ourselves and we say, ‘I’m from Chicago; I’m from New York. God said, This is all yours.’ I’ve always been able to use that scripture to guide my life.”
As AllHipHop.com learned over its nearly week-long visit with the Nation of Islam just a few weeks ago in Rosemont, Illinios – it takes all types to build a nation. Certainly every movement or civilization in existence has in some way involved women. And Queen Yonasda – with her royal-inspired rap name – is about building and movements and civilization. At the same time, one can’t help but think how she breaks stereotypes. Queen Yonasda wears neither head-covering garb or traditional Islamic attire. Instead, for the special Saviours’ Day occasion, she chooses beautifully-woven and colored Native American outfits befitting a Queen. And she’s plenty down-to-earth.
“The Nation of Islam teaches ‘Knowledge of Self.’ One thing that many religious organizations do not go into ‘self’ – to where you came from, that Jesus wasn’t White,” she says. “Once you have knowledge of who you are and where you came from, you’re going to be much more prosperous – especially if you come from pride in who you are.”
As we floated through the convention center during the busy, activity-filled weekend, it was apparent that the Queen reigns supreme among her Nation of Islam family. She gave orders to high-ranking Fruit of Islam brothers (with kindness), was adored by the women and girls, and worked the panel circuit and stage like a true, music-promoting MC should.
“I released an album in 2009; it’s called God, Love and Music on 101 Distribution, that’s my distribution company, and it’s available for order at WalMart, and FYE, and online. I also have a mixtape that I’m going to release very soon. It’s called All Hail The Queen – it’s off the chain. I’ve got people like Keith Murray on there; of course, Cappadonna’s [with whom she had a previous marriage and shares a son] on there. It’s just a dope mixtape; it’s a party tape, and I want everyone to have a great time with not your typical mixtape.”
Watch the video of her rocking out at the Nation of Islam Saviours’ Day Hip-Hop and R&B concert. Then check out a video of a people who are near and dear to her heart – her late mother’s tribe from Pine Bluff, Arkansas:
Have you ever experienced the bowl of cereal dilemma? You know, that perpetual frustration you feel when you have either too much milk in the bowl, or too much cereal and not enough milk in the bowl, so you continuously pour additional amounts of the one that you are lacking into that darn bowl…until you have literally eaten tons more than you planned, all in the name of evening the milk and the cereal up?This happens to me with Lucky Charms a lot, and conversely, I tend to feel the same thing with Hip-Hop.My first South By South West (SXSW) experience was something unimaginable before I actually saw it for myself. I had been prepped by so many and yet, nothing prepared me for what I was going to come across when I got there. It’s the type of thing people discuss in front of you and then say, “You just had to be there!” And you always wish that you were.This thing, this hodgepodge of people, events, and music everywhere you turned was awe-inspiring. There were people that took your breath away for various reasons. I saw everything from a Black girl in Black-face, to Asian Dancers doing acrobatic flips in the middle of 6th Street.But the music was something that took hold of me and physically changed who I am fundamentally. I watched this Hip-Hop stew simmer and thicken over the last week in Austin, knowing that as the days went on and it was allowed to just bubble and cook, all the different components would eventually become one. I could not have been any closer to the truth if I tried.During the course of the last week, I watched so many different components of Hip-Hop come together. We observed a pot full of: Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Jean Grae, Wiz Khalifa, Slaughterhouse, Kanye West, Mystikal, 40 Glocc, Raekwon, LeCrae, Weezy, Soul Khan, 50 Cent, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Nas, Homeboy Sandman, Jon Connor, RoQy TyRaiD, Boog Brown, The Bodega Brovas, Snoop Dogg, 2 Chainz, MGK, Bun B, Smoke DZA, Mobb Deep, Brother, Ali and so many others that made our stew a homogenous one-pot wonder, perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of each genre of Hip-Hop music!Whether we are speaking of DJ Premier, DJ Spintelect,Young Guru, or DJ Charlie White, the DJs and show hosts definitely went all in to keep the various parties, showcases, and events running smoothly, meanwhile keeping everyone entertained. Some had to do a little bit extra in order to make that happen, and they stepped up to the plate flawlessly when called upon. Young Guru was definitely no exception to that rule, and everyone at the Breeding Ground event at the Vibe House was thankful for this at various times during the evening on Friday.I saw a sea of Hip-Hop enthusiasts, all enthralled with what they were hearing. Whether they were in the streets or in the nicest of venues, heads were present and they brought the passion out in us all. Each venue set forth a different sentiment, and all of them were successful in showcasing something for everyone flowing across their stages.I was mystified at the fact that even I, Skyyhook, the Hip-Hop cynic, was bobbing my head right along with the majority of others in every show that I went to regardless of the artist on the stage. I opened up and allowed myself to enjoy the music across all platforms. I am proud of this, as it was a long time coming for me. I allowed myself to experience the music in its purist phase, and whether it was a plush venue with couches and candles, or a grimy spot with backpacks as far as the eye could see, I heard the music in a way that I hadn’t allowed myself to in a long time. A few artists got a new fan this past week, but I’ll keep that part to myself!Lastly, I got the distinct pleasure of walking along the streets of Austin and hanging out in the venues with the Senior Management Team of AllHipHop.com. I got to learn lessons that no panel or seminar could have ever given to me. For this, too, I am truly grateful. This was the experience of a lifetime because I was able to see the complete picture of SXSW through the lens of all parties – this is truly rare.My bowl of Hip-Hop cereal was the perfect amount of milk and cereal. At times, it was overrun with a few unnecessary bits, but for the most part, it was a little bowl of Hip-Hop heaven forever known as SXSW. For all of its differences, in the end it was all one thing, Hip-Hop…it was All Hip Hop.Skyyhook is CEO/FOUNDER/General Manager of Skyyhook Radio and a contributor for AllHipHop.com. Follow her on Twitter (@SkyyhookRadio).
(AllHipHop News) The former wives of rapper/actor Will Smith and R&B singer R. Kelly will star in a new VH1 reality series “Hollywood Exes.”
Will Smith’s former wife Sheree Fletcher was married to the famous rapper/actor for two years.
She will be joined by cast member Andrea Kelly, who was married to R&B singer R. Kelly for 12 years.
Other high-profile wives have been tapped to star in the “Hollywood Exes,” which is the working title for the show.
Nicole Murphy, Eddie Murphy’s former wife of 13 years has been confirmed as a cast member, in addition to Jessica Canseco, who was married to Jose Canseco for 4 years.
Rounding out the cast of former is Mayte Garcia, who was married to iconic singer Prince for three years.
“Hollywood Exes” will center around the ladies’ post-divorced lifestyles, as well as the struggles they encounter with having husbands who cast long dark shadows over the women’s careers.
Unlike some of VH1’s other reality shows, the five women featured on “Hollywood Exes” have been friends for years.
“These extraordinarily strong women adjusted to and endured a lot while their ex-spouses won fame and fortune defining pop culture for that moment,” said Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President, Original Programming & Production, VH1. “Now these women must re-invent themselves again, stepping out of the long shadows cast by their famous husbands and supporting each other as they define the next stage of their lives – this time on their own terms.”
Hollywood Exes” will premiere on VH1 in the summer of 2012, with 10 one-hour episodes.
West Coast rapper 40 Glocc was one of several Hip-Hop artists who took to the streets of Austin, Texas, to experience the South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival up close and personal.
AllHipHop.com asked the rapper about his time at SXSW in 2012 – not his first visit to the large-scale gathering that brings musicians, industry heads, and fans to the Texas capitol for showcases and panels each year. On probation for a domestic violation a few months ago, 40 Glocc noted that he was happy to attend the festival and avoid any breaches of his legal obligations.
In the video below, 40 Glocc also offered details on his project with rap duo Mobb Deep, who he has shared the stage with at SXSW and other festivals, and upcoming work from his Zoo Life Records family:
Your boy Drake is a trip! In a recent freestyle for GQ magazine that he dubbed “A Little Favour”, Drizzy admits to hooking up with women who have been with his boss Lil’ Wayne! Check out the lyrics and video below:
“Diamonds hang around my neck, the crib is all finished/No love for these *****es I said this year it’s all business/ It is a shame that a couple of ‘em are off limits/ No offense to my n—a, It’s just the industry’s small, we all lust for the same women,” he spits, going on to admit that he and Wayne have shared some of the same women. “You know the ones we saw before we came in it, I know we aint tripping. I know I got a couple things that Lil Wayne dipped in, ain’t ashamed to admit it.”
Wowzers! Not sure if you all remember this, but Drake was rumored to be sleeping with YMCMB’s Shanell while Lil’ Wayne was in jail. This reportedly caused a rift between the two of them because Shanell was Lil’ Wayne’s girl first.
I wonder if this is who Drake is referring to? Who are we kidding, I’m sure there are about 100 groupies that he’s referring to. I guess the boys over at YMCMB share everything with each other.
(AllHipHop News) Vinson Hardimon, also known by the alias “Young Vito,” was indicted and charged with murder over the shooting death of rapper Slim Dunkin.
Vito was formerly charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Vito is charged with murdering Mario “Slim Dunkin” Hamilton during a recording session in an Atlanta studio on December 16 2011.
According to reports, Dunkin was recording in the the booth, when an argument ensued.
Young Vito entered the booth at some point and the pair began to tussle.
The altercation then escalated when Young Vito shot Slim Dunkin in the chest amidst the struggle.
Slim Dunkin was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
No future court dates have been set for Young Vito.
Janet Jackson was given a doll named Maria while she was on tour, and the doll has a classic racist caricature look to it. Check out a picture of the doll below:
Earlier today (March 20), Machine Gun Kelly released his Half Naked & Almost Famous EP on iTunes, and it’s been climbing the charts since it was initially put up for sale this morning.
That’s not all that MGK has to be proud of, though, after coming off a hectic week of insanely energetic performances at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Kells’ first stop at the festival was the S.O.B.’s 30th Anniversary showcase, headlined by himself, Miguel, 2 Chainz, and Slaughterhouse.
Before the concert, we caught up with the man behind the Lace Up movement to talk about a long list of topics, including his run-in with Diddy at SXSW last year that led to the Cleveland native being signed to Bad Boy. He also detailed plans for this summer’s “Vans Warped Tour”, in addition to being a part of Tech N9ne’s record-breaking “Hostile Takeover Tour.”
MGK dropped a few bits of information about a record on his album that features his favorite rapper of all time, DMX. Check out the video below:
MGK then spoke on the mega-remix to “Wild Boy” he just dropped with 2 Chainz, Yo Gotti, Mystikal, French Montana, Meek Mill and Steve-O, and what the purpose behind releasing his Half Naked & Almost Famous EP before his Bad Boy debut Lace Up was. The video below also contains footage of him and 2 Chainz filming part of the music video for the “Wild Boy” remix, along with the young MC chopping it up backstage with Joe Budden.
(AllHipHop News) Husband-and-wife Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz have put their $17.9 million penthouse up for sale in Manhattan. According to the New York Post, the pair are selling the luxury penthouse after owning the property for a little over two years. They bought the Crosby Street Penthouse from Lenny Kravitz for a cool $14.5 million in 2010. The penthouse is 3,000 square feet, has five bedrooms and four baths, four powder rooms, a spa, a state of the art kitchen, and a formal dining room, encased in a glass solarium.
Rapper/actress Queen Latifah will executive produce a remake of the 1989 film “Steel Magnolias.” Queen Latifah and longtime partner Shakim Compere will executive produce the TV adaptation of the film, which will star Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott and Adepero Oduye. Reps for the Lifetime Networks, which will air the remake, were excited to work with the legendary rapper. “The caliber of talent associated with this film is astounding and falls in line with our strategy to make Lifetime a first stop for the industry’s best both in front of and behind the camera,”‘ said Nancy Dubuc, President and General Manager of Lifetime Networks. “Queen Latifah, Phylicia, Alfre, Jill, Adepero and Condola are some of the most celebrated women in music, film, television and stage – and we could not be more thrilled and honored for them to bring Robert Harling’s poignant story about the strength of women to a whole new generation.” Production will commence this April in Atlanta, for a debut in 2012 on Lifetime.
Rapper Chamillionaire has dropped the new EP titled Ammunition. The new release is hitting stores the rap star’s Chamillitary Entertainment Record label. Chamillionaire is embracing technology for the release by making it available strictly through his website Chamillionaire.com. The rapper’s new nine song EP features production from Cy Fyre, David Connor, DJ Rapid Ric, The Beat Bullies and others. Check the track listing below:
1. Your Connect
Produced by Cy Fyre
2. Running Laps
Produced by Cy Fyre
3. Lets Get That
Produced by David Connor
4. All Mine
Produced by DJ Rapid Ric for DMG studios
5. On My Way (Feat Lee Loon)
Produced by The Beat Bullies
6. You Gon Learn (Feat Saigon)
Produced by Sweatbox Productions
7. Lets Get That (Feat Doughbeezy & Marcus Manchild)
Produced By David Connor
8. Won’t Change (Feat Tami Latrell)
Produced by Vman Productions
9. Never Enough (Feat. Angel)
Produced by Tyler Keyes
You never know who you’ll bump into on the streets of SXSW. So when AllHipHop.com saw Georgia native Rittz kicking it with some fans, we had to talk to him about a few things.
In addition to his thoughts on the response he’s received since regarding his most recent project, White Jesus: Revival, Rittz talked about his overall plans for the festival both as a performer and supporter and what he’s got coming in the near future for the fans.
He also sends out a “get well soon” to his boy Yelawolf, who had to drop out of SXSW after suffering from ruptured spleen. Check out our exclusive interview with Rittz below and be sure to download his well-received White Jesus: Revivalmixtape, which features appearances from the likes of Yelawolf, Big K.R.I.T., 8Ball, and more:
Pittsburgh rapper and activist Jasiri X spends a great deal of his time traveling the country in support of various causes and solutions. So, it is only fitting that he would use his unique voice and influence to spread awareness about the shocking case of teenager Trayvon Martin that has taken the country by storm this week.
According to news reports, 17-year-old Martin was walking in a hooded sweatshirt through a gated communnity on February 26 when he was shot and killed by a member of the local civic association who claimed self-defense. Protesters have argued that Martin had done no wrong and was shot senselessly after being the victim of racial profiling. Until now, no charges had been filed against the neighbor, but recent reports state that a Grand Jury investigation will now take place.
After we caught up with him at this year’s SXSW Music Festival, Jasiri X sent AllHipHop.com the following video to help raise awareness about Martin’s case and others like it. Take a look and let us know where you stand on the case:
Follow Jasiri X and get updates on his music and activism on Twitter (@Jasiri_X).
(AllHipHop News) Oakland rapper T-K.A.S.H. will participate in the Oakland Running Festival this weekend.
The rapper is running a full, 26 mile marathon to help stem gun violence in Oakland, California.
“Oakland had 2000 victims of gun violence in 2011″ said T-K.A.S.H. ” The normality of guns in the community has been an issue since I was a child here. I hope that my participation in this marathon will help bring awareness to what needs to be done to solve this issue. Ideally, I feel that key elements to a child’s happiness is cultivation of their physical fitness level and emotional well being.”
T-K.A.S.H. is being sponsored by the Hip-Hop Chess Federation, which also works in the region to provide a positive outlet for the youth, through hip-hop, chess and martial arts.
“T-K.A.S.H. has worked directly with the HHCF to promote physical fitness and peace on the streets,” HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko stated. “He has stayed on the frontlines to confront the cancer of violence in our community. When he moderated our 5 year anniversary event last month, said he wanted to run the full marathon at the Oakland Running Festival for the cause of nonviolence. The HHCF commends him for being so courageous physically and philosophically.”
T-K.A.S.H., who will run the full 26 miles on March 25, has recorded a new song titled “Run,” to motivate people to stay focused and fit.
Karrine ‘Superhead’ Steffans, the video vixen made famous by writing two tell-all books detailing her sexual escapades with celebrity rappers, is back in the headlines. Steffans posted numerous cryptic messages on her twitter account today announcing that she is pregnant. Check out the tweets below:
“Superhead”, as she is known by for her unique talents in the bedroom, has been linked to Lil’ Wayne, Bow Wow, actor Darius McCrary, as well as several other Hollywood actors. No word yet on who the father of the baby is, but she is reportedly married to a man of Caribbean descent who she berated on Twitter a few weeks back.
This may very well be a case of the girl who cried wolf because Steffans has claimed she was pregnant numerous times in the past, including last January when she posted a positive pregnancy test on her Twitter account. No baby bump ever manifested itself from that claim. Steffans has one child, a 14-year old son with old school rapper Kool G Rap.
Is she lying about being pregnant again? Only time will tell.
It’s been eight years since the release of her first and only album, Complex Simplicity, but New Orleans songstress and former TVT Records signee Teedra Moses says she hasn’t skipped a beat – and her fans haven’t either.
Over the years, Moses spent time writing music for artists like Macy Gray, Nivea, and Mary J. Blige and even released successful mixtapes of her own. Now, she’s affiliated with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, and is ready to return with an all-new album this August. AllHipHop.com checked in with the first lady of one of Hip-Hop’s fastest-rising cliques:
AllHipHop.com: It’s been eight years since we’ve had an album from you, Teedra. How’d you manage to stay inspired to keep making music?
Teedra Moses: It doesn’t feel like a long time, but it has been a long time. Staying inspired, it’s really the people. I started writing after TVT and that was giving me enough money to survive. When social netwo,rking came out, like Myspace and all that stuff, it just made me realize that people were interested in my music that I was singing for myself. And I ended up having a cult fanbase that I thought was really fresh and interesting. When my label was telling me that my album wasn’t doing well, saying it was my fault why everything didn’t go well. From that point on, I just got into the habit of making music for myself and for those people.
For a quick minute, because I was writing, my mind did go in a direction of “maybe I can do this.. to gain more people.” That was short lived, because I’m just a person that’s true to myself. I’m a person that when things get really really bad, it goes completely off course when I don’t feel like I’m being true to myself. And I think that partly has a lot to do with the time that it has taken for me to get to a point where I have the music to put out for an album. Not having a clear direction because the first record I ever wrote was on Complex Simplicity called “Caught Up”. Six months later, I had a record deal. I just wanted to make music, sweetheart.
AllHipHop.com: They blamed you for bad record sales?
Teedra Moses: Well, what the marketing guy told me exactly is that “it had no singles.” I was on one of those things like – I like making music, this is fun, this is cool. I didn’t think twice about the business side of it. I didn’t think twice about how it was going to be received or anything. So, I had to kind of go to college and what I learned is it’s still just about the music. Yeah, I realized the business stuff and you gotta know this about the business stuff but you need to just collect a team of people for that – but you have to stay engulfed in the music – which brings me to today where I am, on a mission.
I’m making soul music, and I don’t want to sound controversial, but I know that the only people they really pay attention to that’s singing and making soul music are people that are not black. It’s interesting when you see someone that’s not black that can really sing and it’s soulful. Well, I want to make soul music and either people are going to go with it or they’re not. But, I wanna make the songs that my homegirls like to sing to. And I want to make the records that I feel like are universal to any woman or any man can relate to. And I think soul music has that kind of effect on people.
AllHipHop.com: So, you believe that staying yourself, and not trying to appeal to everyone will work?
Teedra Moses: I believe that sincerely. I believe that music is in a place now where the only thing I think that stands out to my ear is things that are true to the person. You feel a truth from it. I’m so honest with this. I went through a period of time when I was writing robotically because I just wanted to churn something out. But I’m so glad I was able to do that without everybody seeing me. I’m so glad I had a chance to develop. When you start writing and six months later, you have a record deal and you’re going through that whole process, you don’t know what you’re doing. You’re just doing it. People fight their whole lives to get that position to have a record deal and I got one in six months from just saying “I wanna make music.” So, I had to pay my dues and I’m all paid up and I’m ready now.
I want to make the music I love and be successful doing it, and put other people in a position to make the music they love and be successful doing it. That is the whole mission. I want to be true to my art and be a real artist that’s not overly consumed with monetarily what I’m getting from it as much as what I’m putting in the world. For instance, I want to be legendary, like a person that might not be a household name but architects know them. All architects know this architect – he’s legendary as an architect. I want to be legendary for what I do and I think I’m on my way if I keep my head right. I don’t care about being famous honestly. I want to make money, cause I like nice s### – but I want to be able to make music that has a purpose and touches people. And I want to have a career that has a purpose. Like, owning my own publishing and sticking to that. And, making the music that I want to make and having creative control, stuff like that is important to me. And I would just want that to be influenced on another person.
That’s the mission – the mission is not just like sell a lot of records, get a lot of money, it’s like, really inspire. Stay inspired and to inspire somebody else and to help another that’s in my position. I would love to set up a really cool indie label where you can come and get your one-off on as a new artist, gain fans and then go to the big labels. I don’t want to keep you forever. Because now you have to have fans. And there are a lot of people that are really talented and don’t know how to get fans. What I’ve learned, over a period of years, how to just keep performing and making music even if it’s not in a massive way. Gaining people, one person at a time, and over time that can be really lucrative for you if you keep paying your bills.
AllHipHop.com: You’ve got this cult following. No album in eight years, but people are still following your movement. I think that’s dope.
Teedra Moses: I feel so blessed, and it is the premiere thing that keeps me inspired and keeps me going. I can get off stage and talk s### and be crazy like I am in front of my family with these people. I can give them the music that I love and they’ll tell me either they like it or they don’t. They just really have encouraged me and kept me going and I know some of these people by face. I know some of these people from every show in certain cities. I know these people from being on Twitter or from the days of MySpace. I really feel like that connection that I have – I remember when I was younger hearing Teena Marie on the radio. I want to be that kind of artist for the young girl who’s in the car with her mom, who loves my music, over and over, this is what she hears every day and then she can tell the story when she’s older “Oh, I went to meet Teedra Moses at a meet and greet. My mom used to always listen to her.”
That’s how I want to touch people and that’s what I’ve had the opportunity to do. Not on a major level where I’m so high above people and I’m on a plateau where you can’t reach me, I’ve been very touchable. I want to remain touchable always because that is so inspiring. Real people are what matters to me. The fact that I have real people down with me, I feel unstoppable because people f*ck with me.
When you have real, common people – I’m not talking about the tastemakers (because some industry people do, too) but, people will roll up on me in a minute and be like “What? Teedra! I love your music. B*tch!” and feel nothing about talking to me like that. They feel really comfortable being themselves with me and I just love that. That makes me feel so blessed. And I take praise with a grain of salt because I take criticism with a grain of salt. And that’s what they give to me and I really appreciate it.
AllHipHop.com: I see you in the video, looking relaxed, with that glass of wine – is that what gets you in the mood to make music?
Teedra: [laughter] That’s Cognac, baby. That’s not wine. I do wine, but I was in a very Cognac, brown liquor mood at that point. The thing is, I’m a chaotic brain. My mind is always over the place. I’m an artist, I’m all over the place, but, calm is what comforts me. Settled and just a real easy environment. So in the studio, there is no one. There is me and the computer or an engineer. I normally get the music, and I record the vocals and then I send it back to them or we will get together later and go through what’s going to happen with the music. I like calm, I don’t like a lot of people around, I don’t want a party in the studio because I just want to exude calm in my music even when it’s banging because I want you to be able to relax.
I want to have that kind of music that you can clean your whole house to and never skip one song. I want to have the music that you can ride a five-hour drive and just keep me on repeat. I want you to be able to study to me. Study for your final exam, to me, without being bothered. It’s on and your brain can still function. I don’t want to disturb nobody because when I listen to music, I’m already disturbed in my own brain, so I don’t need nothing else disturbing me. I try to create an atmosphere that is real cool and easy, and make you feel good, even when I’m singing about something painful.
AllHipHop.com: Who are you working with on this new album?
Teedra Moses: I’m working with a lot of people that are not very well known. With exception of a few people. Trackademics, Jack Splash, and I’m working on a few with the Klassics. Right now, I’m trying to hunt down Raphael Saddiq because I can’t quite find him. I’m trying to hunt him down for my next single. It’s a song called “Nobody Else”, and a DJ gave me the sample, and I wrote a song to it instantly. At that same time, I was getting ready to do a UStream from a cool spot in Downtown L.A., so I had the band play over the sample and I created the song the night before. So I sang it and that gave me the idea for how I wanted to do the song. Went in with my homeboy Trackademics, and we created a track for it and it’s really nostalgiac. It’s Hip-Hop Soul but modern and clean and fresh like springtime.
I think the only other person whose voice tone that would fit on this track is Raphael Saadiq. What I like about his music from Toni Tony Tone and his solo stuff is when you hear the clairty and tone in his voice. It’s unique, and it’s not like anybody else’s. I want to think that I have my own unique tone, so the whole bridge is written where we just sing together. That’s what I’m trying to do with that, and shoot a video within the next couple of months. I have the record with Wale. A producer that I really, really love and I just started working with, is Jack Splash. He’s from the Melanie Fiona/Cee-Lo record that just won a couple of Grammys. He has a really wonderful Hip-Hop background, and my music has this Hip-Hop base. Soulful, but I just like it to be banging.
AllHipHop.com: Has your affiliation with Rick Ross and Maybach Music changed the scope of your place in the music industry?
Teedra Moses: My affiliation with Maybach Music has definitely given me more attention. People want to help me more. When I was just the girl by myself doing it, it was certain blogs that would blast stuff no matter what because they f*cked with me. But with the MMG affiliation, everybody is with it because they love what Ross is doing. So, I don’t even know if it’s about me. [laughter]. I’m just glad to get it. I really don’t care if it’s about me, because I know once I got your ear, you’re going to sink into it.
I don’t make kick in the door music, I make music that’s going to live with you for the rest of your life. It gives me the opportunity to get ears that I never got before. From young kids that weren’t paying attention when Complex Simplicity came out, to people that didn’t even realize that I was still making music since then. It broadened me up to more people and ultimately, being that I’m a person that really judge my success with the people, judge how well I’m doing with the people, that has been a blessing. Whether it’s opened me up in the industry or not, the people are who are going to take me where I gotta go.
We got Soul from Hip-Hop Soul to Champagne Soul. I’m trying to touch on everything that I like. From the two step vibe, to the head nodding, to the floaty vibes of Pop Soul. I’m just a soulful person. I come from New Orleans, Louisiana, baby, I’m a soulful person. That’s what’s going to be on the album. All Soul. Something you can press play from the top to the bottom, and you gon’ have an emotion for every situation you’re dealing with.
AllHipHop.com: When’s the album coming?
Teedra Moses:I’m looking at August 14 because that’s what I’m trying to push for. That’s why I’m pushing so hard to put out more visuals, because August 14 is the day that Complex Simplicity came out. That would be great!
AllHipHop.com: Anything else?
Teedra Moses: Yeah, I want to say it was great talking to you, darling. And, to the people, I just want to say thank you so much and to all the supporters within media and the DJs, I’m very appreciative, because good music is so necessary. I think that it’s been a void of soul music for a while and now it’s coming back, and GOD held me for the perfect time to come and bring my music. I know this year is the year that people are really open to it and need it. So, I’m grateful.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper 50 Cent has confirmed a release date for his new untitled album.
The highly anticipated release will hit stores on July 2, 50 Cent revealed today (March 20).
According to 50 Cent, he took the opportunity to discuss the album with Eminem backstage, during the Shady Records 2.0 showcase in Austin Texas, during the SXSW music conference.
“I kicked it with EM after the show i told him how I feel about my new album,” 50 Cent tweeted. “I’m gonna get on the phone with DRE today about it.
Apparently, the conversation with Dr. Dre produced results, because the rap star confirmed the release date for the album.
“My album is coming out July 2. I got some heat trust me I’m ready,” 50 Cent said.
According to reports, the album will feature production by Swizz Beatz, Just Blaze, Jake One, Jim Jonsin and others.
The rapper’s 5th official album is also reported to be 50’s final release for Interscope Records.
The release will also come on two important dates for 50 Cent, who has sold over 40 million records.
“My birthdays July 6 so that’s a cool date for ME,” 50 Cent said. “Its gonna be July2 album, July4 independence day, then July6 my birthday.”
Lately, it seems like the only way Teyana Taylor gets any press is when she gets into a physical altercation, or when she allegedly releases XXX pics of herself on the net. Is she still even rapping or singing anymore?
Anyway, Teyana was at it again last night getting into a physical altercation with a stripper named Skrawberry at club LIV in Miami that ended with a window being broken! Queen Latifah was in the house celebrating her birthday and Mary J. Blige was there to perform, but that didn’t stop the foolishness from going down.
The story we’re hearing is that before Teyana ended up at LIV, she and her friends made a stop at the King of Diamonds strip club where she had an argument with Skrawberry the stripper. And yes, as unbelievable as it sounds, that is her real name! Below is a picture of Skrawberry:
Teyana’s friends are saying the argument started because Skrawberry was jealous of the attention that Teyana was receiving at the club. Anyway, Teyana and her friends left KOD and headed over to LIV, where they were sitting at a table with several friends including Baltimore Ravens player Bryant McKinney, when Skrawberry popped up again and approached the table to apparently apologize to Teyana. Things went left, because Skrawberry ended up punching Teyana in the face. Here’s what Teyana’s friend Hazel-E had to say about the incident:
“Miami stripper Skrawberry came over to the table where Teyana Taylor was. NFLer Bryant Mckinney saw the two ladies exchanging words & as Teyana bent down to grab her drink, Skrawberry sucker punched her. But it was the first and last hit she got. Teyana & her crew laid Skrawberry out. She left the club leaking and wearing her dress as a belt.”
Check out a pic during the fight below (Teyana on the left):
The story doesn’t end there. An hour later after the club fight, Teyana and Hazel-E got jumped by Skrawberry’s sister!
“Teyana and her crew were outside the Fontainebleau hotel, retrieving their belongings that were left inside club LIV from the first bout,” Hazel tells TheYBF.com. “All of a sudden, Skrawberry’s sister runs up behind Teyana and grabbed her hair. The ladies fell into the bushes by the window where two guys that were brawling busted through.”
Looks like two different fights contributed to the broken window. Teyana tweeted the photo below of herself at 6AM this morning to show that she was not hurt during the fight.
Teyana needs to get into a studio and relax before she gets hurt out there. That or maybe join the WWE!
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Snoop Dogg and blogger Perez Hilton are being sued by a female driver, who claims that she was verbally and physically abused by Snoop Dogg’s tour manager.
Plaintiff Kim McGee filed the lawsuit in the District Court of Travis County Texas, on March 15.
The lawsuit claims that Snoop Dogg’s tour manager Frank Palomino assaulted McGee during a dispute before the rap star performed at Perez Hilton’s event, during the 2010 SXSW music conference/festival.
According to the lawsuit, Kim McGee was hired by local transportation company C3 to provide transportation services for Snoop Dogg and his entourage during the event in Austin, Texas.
McGee claims that tour manager Frank Palomino became verbally abusive while she was transporting Snoop from his hotel room to the venue, for the performance with Perez Hilton.
Because of this incident, McGee decided that she would no longer serve as Snoop Dogg’s driver while he was in Austin, Texas.
When she informed Palomino that she would no longer be driving, he took the disagreement up a notch and allegedly grabbed her, lifted her off the ground, shook her violently and pulled out several locks of her hair.
The lawsuit claims that Palomino then threw the woman to the ground, where she struck her head.
McGee claims she was then dragged across the room and held against her will.
McGee claims that all of this was witnessed by Snoop Dogg and other employees of C3, who failed to intervene, call police or identify Palomino as the suspect to detectives who were investigating the matter.
“Snoop Dogg failed to properly institute training in this regard and/or failed to provide the supervision necessary to see that such training was utilized on the night of the incident at issue in this suit. It was foreseeable that this type of action would occur, given the history of Snoop Dogg and/or his employees in this respect.”
Kim McGee is suing for assault by infliction of bodily injury, assault by physical offensive contact, false imprisonment by Snoop Dogg and Frank Palomino and negligence.
When AllHipHop did the Breeding Ground at SXSW, we knew it would be a crazy time. But it apparently got super crazy when a certain NFL player was going through the venue (Kiss N Fly) on an apparent tirade to menace people. According to sources, Cedric Benson was a terror up in the venue, which was very crowded. Timbaland and Snoop were there performing. Meanwhile, downstairs the Cincinnati Bengals’ Cedric Benson was getting upset with the people of VIBE magazine (sponsor of the event) because they asked him to move from the stage where pictures were being taken. (We’ll just add in the fact that several women in the VIP section were acting super thirsty around the NFLer – doing body shots off each other and whatnot to get his attention. But we digress…)
Now, Cedric did move to the side as other artists came to the stage to take pics, but he didn’t depart. This prompted several people working the event to continue to ask him to get off. He seemed to get very, very irate and upset and got into a shouting match with the girl manning the camera. He was upset because he called her a b*tch and she didn’t appreciate it. According to a source, Cedric said, “I could buy this place!” Then some of the people said they were going to call security. But this time, Cedric had some of his boys with him. They said, “Go get security!” Security never did show up. He left and came back, but nothing much came about it.
Then upstairs, somebody claims that Cedric got into a confrontation with somebody that left him bloodied. There are conflicting reports. One said he was bleeding from the arm and another from the face. Nevertheless, the security in the whole place convened on this confrontation. This part took place upstairs as Timbaland was performing his new songs. We don’t know all the deal, but we know this…Cedric is a wild guy! Let’s get football training started!!!!
