AllHipHop

BEST IN TEXAS BREEDING GROUND: Thugged Out – Double Down

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Breeding Ground

[Editors Note: After sitting down with them at Mr. Lee’s studio, on set with Slim Thug for their music video and so the way their mixtape was hitting the streets of Dallas, I new these guys meant business. Then I observed the songwriting.  Pop, R&B and of course the spectrum of Hip-Hop, this duo are individually equally talented and together a unique to the game. Pay attention to these guys. – Steve Raze] The wonderful world of rap music has turned into what some would say is an industry full of facades. Things are seldom what they seem and individuals are hiding behind false monikers. Mid-West/Southern duo Thugged Out offers quite the contrary. What you see is what you get, and what you hear is based upon a true story. The twin brothers Mutt Dogg and Bullet, from Gary, Indiana now transposed in Dallas, TX, show an entirely different spectrum of the small city that bred the king of Pop. Sharing an account of the grit and grind that has gone into making their own lane, Thugged Out discloses a design in which they have carefully structured enabling them to make the fallen third member of the group proud while putting on for a city in which they are the Hip-Hop presence. Music/VideoThugged Out Ft. Slim Thug – “That Girl Bad”  [Heater Of The Day]A

Thugged Out Ft. Slim Thug – “Fair Exchange”  [Heater Of The Day]

AllHipHop.com: First off, where did the name derive from?Thugged Out: At the time, that’s who we were. We were just that, Thugged Out. Now, we’re like the blueprint of a Thug; we can show you how to get in and out of the game.  AllHipHop.com: What is it like to be in a group with somebody as close to you as your brother?Thugged Out: It’s beautiful; it’s great to work with your family. And then we’re closer than most because we’re twins.   AllHipHop.com: How might a listener be able to tell the difference between you and your brother while listening to a song?Thugged Out: I (Mutt Dog) have a higher pitched voice than Bullet Boy and Bullet Boy’s content are sometimes more on the gangsta side and mine might be closer to the commercial side. Yeah and physically I’m [Bullet Boy] bigger physically than Mutt Dog [laughter].    AllHipHop.com: Who decided to do music first?Thugged Out: Mafioso, our older brother and third member of Thugged Out; who was shot and killed, was doing music with another group before we even thought about rapping. We were like Mafioso’s hype men. If it wasn’t for Mafioso we probably won’t be rapping. Bullet Boy and I got locked up and when we got out the three of us formed Thugged Out.  AllHipHop.com: Is there ever a sense of competition between the two of you?Thugged Out: Yes, all the time, we are very competitive with each other.  It’s healthy competition because it makes us stronger but at the same time we give each other advice. We share the same drive, goals and ambition to strive for success.                                                                                               AllHipHop.com: Do you both have the same musical influences?Thugged Out: Yes we do, we’ve been influenced by Tupac and others in the game like Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and DMX                                                                       AllHipHop.com: At what point did the transition from hobby to career take place?Thugged Out: At the very first show we did. When we noticed how the crowd reacted to our show and how they knew every song we put out on our first album, we knew we needed to be in the game of entertainment.     AllHipHop.com: Explain how the collaborations with mainstream artists such as Slim Thug have come about. Thugged Out: We was new in Texas but our song was burning up on the radio [“That Girl Bad”], so we reached out to Slim Thug to do the remix. Since we was coming out of Texas, Slim realized that we wasn’t no dancers and saw the song had a lot of spins, he jumped on it and we took it to the next level.AllHipHop.com: Gary, Indiana isn’t a town that has held much presence in the Hip-Hop realm, what is the Hip-Hop culture like in Gary?Thugged Out: The Hip-Hop culture is growing considering that we coming up now, Gary, Indiana always had talent, look at Michael Jackson, he was from G.I. but we are the next generation stars. Gary, Indiana has seen us from the time we first started to now. Our city supports us, they are happy for us and they want to see us successful. The people of G.I. know our background, they know our struggle and they want us to put G.I. on the map. So, yes there is a hip hop culture in Gary, Indiana and we are the Hip-Hop scene along with Freddie Gibbs, Finger Roll, Don Vito and others.AllHipHop.com: It’s as if you two are now upholding the legacy of your brother Mafioso, what type of pressure does that bring about?Thugged Out: It really isn’t no pressure because we are doing what any other brother would do, its more hurtful than anything because he’s not there physically but he still lives on in spirit. We always strategize every move we made by three, with him gone, it feels crazy with out him. He was always the solver of situations in this rap s###. AllHipHop.com: What can people expect from Thugged Out in the immediate future?Thugged Out: We got 3 mixtapes coming out one called Global Thugg by DJ Drama, another one called Tearing Up The Interstate by DJ Smalls and another not titled. Then we have 2 new singles “Fair Exchange” (radio joint) and “Swagged Up” (club joint) with videos to go with them including shows, features, ect…. Stay tuned to be a witness a Global Thugg Take Ova.

More Promoters Sued For Scamming Deposits To Book Drake, Ciara

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Two more promoters have been hit with lawsuits stemming from attempts to book superstar rapper Drake. According to a lawsuit filed on September 13th in Dallas District Court, promoters Carlos Goodspeed aka Golden Child and Jason “DJ J Rudd” Rudd are named in a lawsuit, claiming they took deposits from a Dallas-Texas, based promotion company named 80’s Baby Entertainment, but never delivered the rapper.The lawsuit claims that 80’s Baby entered into an agreement with the defendants on three different occasions, to deliver rapper Drake and R&B singer Ciara. 80’s Baby claims the issues started in March of 2009, when Goodspeed took a $27,500 deposit to book Ciara, Plies, Soulja Boy and Webbie for a Summer Jam concert.Around April of 2009, 80’s Baby claimed they discovered that Ciara was on a tour of Europe and couldn’t make the performance. Goodspeed allegedly promised to wire the money back to 80’s Baby account, once Ciara’s label had refunded the money. The need for the deposit to be returned intensified in July of 2009, when 80’s Baby Ent. wanted to use the deposit to book Jamie Foxx through a different promoter. By August, 80’s Baby was hurting for the cash, which Goodspeed never returned. In December of 2009, 80’s Baby and a third party began to negotiate a deal to book Drake with a new party, the defendant, Jason Rudd. After Rudd and the third party negotiated a $20,000 deposit for Drake, Rudd assured the promoters that if Drake failed to show, all monies would be returned, per-the contractual agreement. Unbeknownst to 80’s Baby, Carlos Goodspeed was allegedly in control of the bank account that Rudd deposited the $20,000 payment in to. “In mid February [of 2010], plaintiffs called Cortez Bryant directly and asked him about Drake’s booking for March in Austin, Texas,” 80’s Baby claims in the lawsuit. “Cortez Bryant said he had no knowledge and had not been informed of Carlos Goodspeed booking Drake for Plaintiffs. Cortez Bryant made a statement that Carlos Goodspeed is “fake booking,” and that Drake’s booking had been outsourced to another management group.”In addition to recovering almost $50,000, 80’s Baby Ent. seeks damages for Fraud, Breach of Contract, Negligent Misrepresentation and Theft of Service. In February of 2010, Drake lashed out at fake promoters for scamming his fans and stealing taking deposits for his shows. “It is frustrating for me to hear that many of my fans, who like myself are innocent victims in these scams, have been misled due to the greed of these promoters,” Drake told AllHipHop.com. “I apologize to any fan that has been a victim of these circumstances or feels let down by false advertising.”

Hip-Hop Rumors: Epic Fail of The Day: Ralph Lauren Tattoo Tear

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Rumors

DISCLAIMER:All

content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual

info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.WHO: illseedWHAT: Rumors, Funnies, Fails and more!WHERE: illseed.com, twitter.com.illseedHOW: Send your rumors, sightings and ill pics to illseed at [email protected]. Well, what do we have here? A man that gets the Ralph Lauren polo tatted on his face? We have a dude that tatted the Gucci print on is face – click here for that. We have the Louie V boy with the Louis Vuitton mess all on his neck – Click here for that. To round it off is Tattoo Tear Tommy. SMH.

On his face~>

On his neck~>Maybe he was one of the Lo-Lifes? Hmmmmmm….Source: TheUrbanDaily.comPOLO MAN, WE LOVE YOU! They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!

Wale, Roscoe Dash, J. Cole Team Up To Educate Kids

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Tomorrow (September 17th), Washington D.C. rapper Wale will team up with Atlanta’s Roscoe Dash and Fayetteville, North Carolina rapper J. Cole for their “School of Rock” initiative. The trio will hit local schools to mentor children, to increase their interests in musical arts, physical education, community service and academic achievement. The rappers will visit the Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy Public Charter School in Northeast, Washington D.C.Students will sit in classes, attend a pep rally and host an assembly with the well-known rappers. The “School of Rock” is part of the Kevin Durant/Wale Celebrity Birthday Weekend, which takes place from September 17th-19th. Confirmed celebrities include rappers Bun B., Jim Jones, Curren$y, Chrisette Michele, Dondria, comedian Lil Duval, the NBA’s Kevin Durant, John Wall, James Harden, Ty Lawson, and the Washington Redskins’ DeAngelo Hall. The celeb’s will also face off during the Back 2 School Celebrity Bowling Tournament during the weekend, which will benefit local DC charter schools as well as a local non-profit organization that bringsclean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

The Decepticons: Gangs Of New York Part 2

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Features

Continued from Part 1

 “The Decepticons were like the Lochness Monster or Bigfoot for a minute – something you heard about all the time but didn’t really see,” jokes Rock. “And, if you did see them, you didn’t enjoy talking about it. When you would get on the train, people would say, ‘be careful, you know them Deceptz are around’.”

 Rock said there were at least hundreds of members, but “when you put too many components in the formula, it’s get diluted. We knew there were fake-ass Decepts running around.”  When he was ready to leave the gang, he says, “There was no ‘Blood-in, Blood-out’ type of system.  For the most part, we were a high school gang.”

And, by the time the popular “Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka” dropped on his 1996 Nocturnal album, Rock says he left gang life behind and focused on pouring his experiences into his lyrics. Along with his distinct voice and less-than-sunny lyrical style, the Deceptz years helped to cement Rock’s street credibility and influence over his nearly 15-year career.

“I’ve been rapping since I was 11 years old.  I had no idea how I was going to go about becoming a professional rapper,” Rock admits. “I heard you had to have a demo and shop it, but I was way too ignorant to know any of that. During that time, I was in the streets, and I didn’t smarten up until I got little homies and developed a conscious because I didn’t want to see them to do the stupid s### I did.”

Flash forward, and in January 2008, Rock was accused of attempted murder against a man authorities called a “fellow pimp.” Rock says he spent seven sobering days on Rikers Island, and went on to pen most of his contributions to the Shell Shock mix CD during the lengthy court proceedings. 

“I’m a writer,” says Rock, “and there were periods [during the trial] when I couldn’t write at all because of the distractions. I also knew there might be some concern over my subject matter…that the court might try to use material in my songs against me.”

Some of that material included Rock’s ballsy lyrics on songs such as Boot Camp Clik’s “Yeah”: “N##### be shakin’ like pits when they lock on/ I rock on/ Calm in these streets or in jail/ Gettin’ my high rocks on/ Even though I rock with the red/ Gettin’ my pop on/ I’m a D-E-C-E-P-T-Icon.” And while other rappers such as Necro and the Cocoa Brovas have aligned themselves with the Deceptz in lyrics, many rappers today are sensitive to the potential high risk of admitting how their art imitates life.

In early July 2010, Duck Down Records president Dru Ha announced that Rock had been acquitted of all charges, and the rapper was spotted in July at B.B. King’s in New York celebrating the label’s 15th anniversary. Rock laments that he was angered by how the media swooped in to cover all of the sordid details of his arrest and trial, but won’t report on the good music being created by rappers like him today. He admits, however, that being accused of attempted murder against a pimp is scandalous and understandably newsworthy.

“Not guilty!” he yells emphatically during his AllHipHop interview. Seemingly, the former Decepticon has dodged another legal bullet, and he claims victory right alongside his youthful history of “doing dumb s###.”

“I learned that sometimes, when you’re fearful as a young man, that tree will grow into a tree of fearlessness” – Sticky Fingaz. 

In 2009, the elusive Decepticons story was brought to life in The Eddie Black Story, a movie backed by Onyx and others like writer/actor/director Shawn Baker who wanted to clear up some of the mystery behind the gang’s existence – albeit through a fictional Deceptz gang member and plotline. Onyx member Fredro Starr stars as Decept “Psycho” in the movie, a role that doesn’t veer far from his wild-style Onyx persona and TV thug image, although he was never a gang member.

“The movie is about a kid named Eddie Black who didn’t want to be part of a gang, but he’s sort of forced into it,” says Fredro Starr. “He ends up carrying out the duties of the gang – robbing people, running up on trains, snatching jewelry or anything Polo or Walkmans…the mischevious things kids would do. The Deceptz weren’t holding weight like drug dealers. It was more of an intimidation thing, and just doing the movie took me back to those days in the Eighties.”

The Decepticons’ legend from the 1980s survives through various street tales of bad-guys-gone-good – there are now former Deceptz members who are successful entrepreneurs and motivational speakers helping steer Brooklyn youth down the right path. Fredro says some of them provided creative input for The Eddie Black Story and served as extras in the movie which was shot in Brooklyn.

The legend also lives on in the rap lyrics and images of former Deceptz members and associates who are now bonafide hip-hop legends. Rock is working on a new CD called Rockin Out West, set for release in September, which features classic West Coast beats and guest appearances from Kurupt, Ras Kass, Nate Dogg, and others. He says he’s looking forward to an upcoming album release party and the chance to reunite in the studio with Ruck from Heltah Skeltah and other Boot Camp Clik members.

Onyx, minus former group member Sonsee but with a renewed Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz, is in the studio now working on a long-awaited CD. “Kanye has a new album coming out soon, and we definitely not gonna let Kanye come harder than us,” says Sticky Fingaz. “I think nowadays, hip-hop is kinda soft in a way…it’s like the days when people were dancing and wearing bright colors. But I think we’re slowly making a return to hard beats and hard tracks, so this album is about taking that back.”

Fredro Starr continues to pursue his acting, with recent appearances on shows such as CSI-Miami, and recently, Sticky Fingaz has taken a courageous leap behind the camera, directing films such as A Day in the Life starring Mekhi Phifer, Bokeem Woodbine, Fredro Starr, and Omar Epps. Sticky says he is most proud of his new project “Smarty Pants,” a hip-hop inspired TV show that teaches life lessons to kids.

“I learned that sometimes, when you’re fearful as a young man, that tree will grow into a tree of fearlessness,” says Sticky Fingaz.  “So, the lesson for me is that, even running with the Deceptz, you can grow.”

Soldier sees the Deceptz legacy in a different light: “Marcus Garvey once said ‘man is the most wicked creature on Earth’ because he’ll create things to kill another man. I saw the [Deceptz] do a lot of wicked things back then, and I think New York is returning to those violent times. We got the Bloods and Crips now, but New York has always been a Decept city.”

 

 

Radio Personality Big Boy Jumps Into Film Biz With ‘Exit Strategy’

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Nationally syndicated radio host Big Boy has announced that he will executive produce a new feature length film via his production company, Ida’s Son Productions. Principal photography on Exit Strategy began shooting this month around Los Angeles and North Hollywood, according to award-winning personality, Big Boy . The romantic comedy centers around a man named James (Jameeel Saleem) who is evicted from his apartment and forced to move in with his girlfriend of three months, Kim (Kimelia Weathers) and quickly discovers she’s not his type. When he enlists his friend Carville (Quincy ‘QDeezy’ Harris) and Leona (Noelle Balfour) to help him find an exit out of the relationship, things go haywire, as Kim refuses to let her boyfriend leave peacefully. “I’m a movie fan — and when QDeezy brought this to me, I thought it’d be something my listeners would be in to,” Big Boy told AllHipHop.com. “These guys are talented and super funny and I want to support them. I know people are going to love it.”Comedian Kevin Hart makes cameo role in Exit Strategy, along with several other high-profile performers that will be announced at a later date. Big Boy is a nationally syndicated radio personality, who is heard 43 markets across the country and has been named ‘Personality of the Year’ by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). “This movie is about what happens when men and women try to make a relationship work, even when it doesn’t,” QDeezy added. “We take on all the funny stuff that can happen when two people are on different pages in a relationship — the girl’s thinking ‘I Do’ but the guy’s thinking ‘I Do… for now.'”A theatrical release date for Exit Strategy was not available as of press time.

Target Presents: Passion Pain and Pleasure Exclusive DVD Edition

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Reviews / Music

September 14,2010 marked the debut of Grammy nominated recording

artists Trey Songz’ fourth studio recorded album-Passion Pain and Pleasure.

Target offers a deluxe version of the album with bonus tracks and live

performances included. Target hosted this private release party in Atlanta at

Ventana’s rooftop lounge. The venue was branded with larger than life size

photos of Trey including visual electronics channeled on Songz T.V.Even

the elevator music was a whispering version of Trey’s latest single “Can’t

Be Friends.” Target’s exclusive event created an opulent environment from all

imaginable angles.

Special Guest included: T.I, Jazzy Phae, Sean Garret, Bobby Valentino, Jalen

Rose, Nate Walker with music by DJ Don Cannon.

Upon arrival, confirmed media guests were escorted to the 15th floor to

await the arrival of Trey Songz. The scene began to fester when the press

realized that Trey was approaching the red carpet. Songz’ lured photographers in

with his impressive attire and a dazzling smile that spoke to the cameras.

Usually Trey releases albums with a two year window in between projects

however, Passion Pain and Pleasure dropped only a year after he introduced the

world to his third album, Ready. I asked why this album was debuted so

close in proximity to the last?

Trey Songz: Things didn’t go according to our master plan, and those

albums weren’t intended to be released when they were. Back then we were still

ironing out the kinks and getting things in place. The release of this album has been a trending topic on twitter and Trey never

revealed that he would be unavailing; what he considers his best work yet in

Atlanta. AllHipHop.com asked Trey was there any rhyme or reason to his decision to

celebrate the birth of Passion Pain and Pleasure in Atlanta?

Trey Songz: Atlanta is the breeding ground for artists who are aspiring to

conquer their careers and its also a vital part of our culture. Not only is this

a second home for me but Atlanta is where I get an exceptional amount of work

accomplished.

Trey admits this album is very sexual and he reveals some of his hidden

truths in Passion Pain and Pleasure. With such a charismatic outlook on his

album I was curious to know if Trey has ever had sex to the sound of his own

voice?

Trey Songz: Not intentionally, one instance it was on shuffle and at first

it was kind of awkward but then I found myself critiquing my music with ears

wide open listening closely for rifts and errors. Is that arrogant [laughter]?

I joked with Trey about the Title of his album suggesting that it was bit of

a tongue twister. I ended on a lighter note by challenging Songz’ to describe

his fourth album in three words or less without using its title. [Smiling and

laughing] Trey replies: Trey Songz: Now why would I do that? It’s Passion, Pain and Pleasure, well

let’s see…I would say Sensual, Intimate, Emotional…how’s that?

Hip-Hop Rumors: Foxy Brown Mixtape? Slim Thug Friends With Kat Stacks?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Rumors

DISCLAIMER:All

content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual

info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.WHO: illseedWHAT: Rumors, Funnies, Fails and more!WHERE: illseed.com, twitter.com.illseedHOW: Send your rumors, sightings and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].

JAZZY F.’S RUMORS!

Word on the street is Willow Smith will collab with Rihanna real soon. Now we can all see that Willow be looking like a young Rihanna and has been compared to her so of course being signed to Roc-Nation this collabo would happen. I will keep you guys updated on this when I get more info.

Slim Thug and Kat Stacks are now BFFs well not really but they have been busting it up on twitter. I assume everyone wants some of that Kat Stacks press these days. I mean these rap artist are suffering out here! Times is hard and Kat Stacks is like a f###### savior for these sucka MCs. Shout out 2 Slim Thug tho because I was def rolling when he was rocking with Neptunes and still am. I hope he doesn’t get Kat Stacked.

Kanye West and 50 Cent will be teaming up real soon and as you guys already may have heard. Kanye West will be on Lloyd banks new album “Hunger for More 2”. This is going to be real interesting. Also word on the street is 50 Cent will be going in on Cam’ron again real soon.

If you guys are familiar with Yung Brodee who rolls with Nipsey Hussle. The west coast MC will be in a few movies before his album even drops. Yung Brodee has several things in the works and is critically acclaimed on the west coast right now.

Foxy Brown will be dropping a mixtape real soon and here is the snippet of her new track titled “LOUIE”. Does Foxy Brown have another “Stylin” on her hands?

 

You guys already know how Jazzy F. do so be sure to keep rocking out with me on twitter @itsJazzyFBaby

MIKEY T! LOL!

I love this guy, Mikey T. Pauzito!

it’s the kid Mikey T The Movie Star back w/ the most controversial news on the

net …ask anyone @MTMovieStar a crazy white boy .

heres the news you’ve been waitin for

apparently during the J Hood , Sheek Louch

D Block Days , Sheek was shopping a 2 album deal

each time he sat down w/ various labels these 2

album deals were for solo projects for both Sheek & Hood

Member the mixtape hip hop awards when everything broke loose

Mikey T the Movie star has the scoop apparently at that show

50 cent , Tony Yayo an G-unit were not allowed into the show

because the Snitch of the week Jimmy Henchmen was inside ,

this didn’t stop 50 cent from having MAZARADI Fox storm through the doors

an confronting Jimmy .

In other news Rick Ross has okayed a new Division of

Maybach Music …this is Maybach Latino out of Miami , Rozay covering

all the bases .

Torch is working on a new album UFO

an he takes a moment w/ Mikey T The Movie Star

to discuss the latest Ross albums both Deeper Then Rap & Teflon Don

he speaks on how Teflon is more accepted .

Ja Rule speaks on Irv Gotti passing on

third season to his reality show an how he has

3 new shows in the works .

The Hottest News in Hip Hop coming From the kid Mikey T the Movie Star , we

touching every topic

FOXY, WE LOVE YOU! They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!

Nas Releasing Lost Tapes Volume 2

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Nas has finally posted a message on his Twitter (@nas) that many of his fans have been waiting on for a long time.”It’s coming… LOST TAPES VOLUME TWO!!!” Nas posted on his page. The Queens rapper will revisit the 2002 original Lost Tapes concept and will deliver a compilation of songs that didn’t make it to his albums over the past few years.On Wednesday afternoon, MTV News got word from Nas’ camp that The Lost Tapes: Vol. 2 will be released on December 14. Nas told MTV that he is going to be giving the streets lots of music to hear over the next few months. “I’m unloading records I want the streets to hear,” the Queens rapper said in an email. “Cleaning out my hard drives. Gonna do this, then start fresh. I’m dropping my solo LP before the summer of 2011. I love the energy the world has been giving me over the last two years. But now it’s time to focus on owning the streets again.” Nas and DJ Green Lantern released a project called the Last Real N—a Alive, Part 2 featuring vocals Nas recorded when he was making his last album, Untitled.Nas has also been in the studio recording with the RZA, who commented on Nas’ legacy and his previous work with the Queens artist. “Escobar is one of the best MCs to ever bless the mic,” RZA said of Nas on the VMA white carpet on Sunday. “We’re still trying to figure our schedule out. We both got a lot of big life ahead of us. But we’re getting in. We’re gonna make that classic. You know what it is. Last time, Nas did a verse for me that was on ‘Verbal Intercourse.’ That was a classic. To get back in and make another classic like that would be real good.”

Hip-Hop Theater Festival Celebrate 10-Years With New Program

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Later this month, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival (HHTF) will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with live, professionally executed theater written by members of the Hip-Hop generation, organizers told AllHipHop.com today (September 16th). The HHTF has collaborated with leading arts venues, including Dance Theater Workshop and Harlem Stage, to create fully produced main stage works, youth performances, staged readings, open rehearsals, master classes, panel discussions and workshops. Additionally, HHTF has tapped pioneering Hip-Hop dancer Ken Swift, whop will present Swift Solos with contemporary dance company Dance Theater, on September 29th. HHTF will also host the New York premiere of Don’t Hit Mama’s Dance Party at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse, SEED by Radha Blank and “Where My Girls At?,” a one-woman show about black lesbianism. Finally, HHTF commissioned its first piece of art by Carlos “Mare139” Rodriguez. Rodriguez created sculptures made of stainless steel that embody the movements and gestures of break-dancing and graffiti. “At this, our 10th anniversary, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival has come to represent much more than the words ‘theater’ and ‘festival’ can connote,” Clyde Valentin, producer and executive director of the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, told AllHipHop.com. “We are very excited for this years festival and celebrating a decade of culture in action,” Valentin added.  The Hip-Hop Theater Festival takes place from September 15th – October 16th.For more information visit: http://www.hhtf.org

Posthumous Pimp C. Album Hits Stores This October

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) The third solo album by late UGK member Chad “Pimp C.” Jones will hit stores this October, according to representatives for Rap-A-Lot Records. The new album features an all-star lineup of Hip-Hop artists like founding UGK group member Bun B., Trill label mates Webbie & Lil Boosie, E-40, Drake, Chamillionaire, Too $hort, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy and others. UGK signed their first major label deal almost 14-years ago, in 1992, with Jive Records. They released five classic albums with Jive: Hard To Swallow, Super Tight, Ridin’ Dirty, Dirty Money and UGK 4 Life. In 2002, Pimp C., who also served as a producer for most of the UGK albums, was sentenced to five years in prison. He was released in 2005, the same years the rapper released his first solo album, Sweet James Jones Stories, in 2005. Unfortunately, Pimp C. was found dead in his Los Angeles hotel room on December 4th, 2007, just as their album UGK 4 Life landed at #6 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Sweet James Jones Stories is due in stores October 5th. Tracklisting is below:1.  Down 4 Mine Produced by Cory Mo for C-Mozart MuzikIdea created by Scarface 2. What Up? feat. Drake & Bun BProduced by Boi-1da for Boi1da Productions LLC & Nick BongersOriginal Production by DJ B-Do for 808 Boyz Productions / Team Double Dose   3. Love 2 Ball  feat. ChamillionaireProduced by Steve Below for Below Productions / Team Double Dose 4. Fly Lady feat. Jazze PhaProduced by Jazze Pha for Noontime Productions 5. Since the 90’s feat. The Gator Man & E-40Produced by Big E for Big E Beats / Team Double Dose 6. Dickiesfeat. Bun B & Young JeezyProduced by DJ B-Do for 808 Boyz Productions / Team Double Dose 7. Made 4 feat. Too $hortProduced by Big E for Big E Beats / Team Double Dose & Mike Dean for Dean’s List Production 8. Midnight   feat. Rick Ross & Slim ThugProduced by David Banner 9. Believe In Mefeat. Ivory P, Cory Mo, Hezeleo, BankRoll Jones, Bub, & The UnderdawgzProduced by Cory Mo for C-Mozart Muzik 10. Hit the Parking Lotfeat. Webbie & Lil’ BoosieProduced by Mouse for Trill Productions 11. Colors  feat. Da UnderdawgzProduced by DJ B-Do for 808 Boyz Productions / Team Double Dose 12. Go 2 Warfeat. Bun B & J-DawgProduced by Steve Below for Below Productions / Team Double Dose 13. MassacreProduced by VMan Productions for All City Music / Team Double Dose