AllHipHop

Story Of Full Force, Hip-Hop’s First Vocal Band, To Air Tonight

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Veteran Hip-Hop band Full Force will be the subject of a special episode of “Unsung” tonight January 30.

The history of Full Force’s impact on the music business will be explored during the one hour special, which explores the careers of group members Paul Anthony, Bow Legged Lou, Baby Gerry, B-Fine and Shy Shy.

The Full Force “Unsung” focuses on the legendary career of the family oriented group, who got their start opening for stars like James Brown and The Jackson 5, at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem.

The hitmaking family group is credited with helping to pioneer the “New Jack Swing” style of R&B/Hip-Hop music, based on hit singles like “Roxanne, Roxanne” by UTFO, “Alice Can’t You See,” “Unfaithful,” “Temporary Love Thing,” “Your Love Is So Def,” “Aint My Type of Hype” and others.

“I think people are going to see our episode and say to themselves, ‘wow..I didn’t know that they worked with that person,” group member Baby Gerry told AllHipHop.com. “Hopefully people realize that we were kind of the ‘proto-type’ for today’s younger crop of producers- that kind of ‘Wild Style Hip-Hop,” with melodies and real songs over the top.”

Full Force’s rise to stardom as producers is chronicled as their work with artists like Backstreet Boys, Lil Kim, Lisa Lisa, Britney Spears, Rihanna, James Brown and a young Nicki Minaj is highlighted, since she was part of the group Hood Stars with Lou $tar, Bow Legged Lou’s son.

In 1990, the group experienced success on the big screen, as the villains in the classic Hip-Hop movie, House Party, which starred Kid-N-Play.

“Alway dream big and never give up on it. Also being able to humble yourself to situations,when you humble yourself all good things will follow and fall into place,” group member Curttt told AllHipHop.com.

The episode will also delve into group member Paul Anthony’s battle with an incurable form of cancer.

“I looked at my Blackberry and there were words like no cure, fatal,” Paul Anthony revealed. “The first thing I said, is I respect cancer, but I aint changing s**t. Me and my brothers went on a whirlwind adventure to find doctors. We went to one hospital and when we got there, the doctor introduced himself and said ‘I am Doctor Paul Anthony.’ I felt like it was a message. I looked at my doctor and I said ‘all of my life, I have bet on Paul Anthony. So I tell you what, I am going to bet on Paul Anthony.'”

Full Force “Unsung” debuts tonight (January 30) at 10:00 PM ET on TVOne.

Non Hip-Hop Rumors: SIGNS the World is Coming to an End…The New Thug???

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Rumors
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OK, see, sometimes things happen in life that are just, well… unexplainable. But, seriously, WHAT HAS THUGGIN’ COME TO???

We found the little gem below on Twitter, and, well, umm, we don’t know what to make of it. With all of the tats and the fitted, we’ll assume he’s a thug model for some ‘hood campaign that Frito Lay is currently running.

Take a look for yourself, and then go rinse your eyes out and take a nap:

And really??? We have no words at all for the cheetos.

Mixtape Review: Chip Tha Ripper’s “Tell Ya Friends”

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Features
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Rating: 8/10

Looking to add to this month’s hottest releases, Chip Tha Ripper drops his latest tape entitled Tell Ya Friends. The smooth-flowing Cleveland rapper has brought forth another solid project, with features from Wale, Bun B, Krayzie Bone, Kid Cudi, and more. Tell Ya Friends also features high quality production from Lex Luger, Boi-1da, Hi-Tek, and Chuck Inglish, as Chip looks to follow up on his highly praised 2011 release, Gift Raps.

The opening track, “Good Evening,” is a microcosm of Chip Tha Ripper’s smooth signature style as he speaks on women, his city, sippin’ on syrup, and his favorite drink: Jameson. He raps about his rides on the hook, highlighting one in particular as he repeatedly lets it be known that his “Chevy sittin’ on 24s.” The song topics continue in this manner until listeners get a surprise on the Lex Luger-produced “Out Here.” Demonstrating his versatility, Lex provides the perfect instrumental for Chip to shine on. The beat, which strays away from the popular trap sound that Lex gained popularity on, still features Lex’s signature snare and bass, but slowed down and mixed with synths and strings that are audible enough to keep the beat laidback enough for Chip’s smooth flow.

Chip takes a different approach on one of the mixtape’s top tracks “25 Wives,” as he ponders what life would be like if he could have 25 wives (“If I got all ya’ll, there won’t be no sense in cheating). Not to be outdone, Wale jumps on the track and voices his thoughts on the possibility of having 25 wives in his life. In addition he shares that he enjoys a woman with a natural body: “Silicon b*tches got the confidence / but natural b*tches get all my compliments.” The Boi-1da produced track also features an eastern, almost snake charmer-type flute sound that provides a hazy, laidback vibe.

As the tape progresses, Chip is joined on the song “Stay Sleep” by Cleveland-native, Krayzie Bone, as Chip raps about being overlooked in the game, despite the popularity of his previous mixtapes. Krayzie Bone speaks to the city of Cleveland on his verse, telling the people to “Go get it and quit blaming sh*t on LeBron.”

Chip Tha Ripper’s Tell Ya Friends definitely has what it takes to be mentioned among the top releases of this year so far, even in a release-heavy month. The tape will also have fans anticipating the release of his album, Charles Worth, which is rumored to drop sometime this summer. In the meantime, Tell Ya Friends is impressive enough for listeners to share with their friends, just as Chip The Ripper had hoped, as he looks to continue to add to his underground buzz.

Non Hip-Hop Rumors: Check Out a Sneak Peek of Madonna’s Music Video Featuring Nicki Minaj & M.I.A.!!!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
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In addition to performing at this year’s GRAMMY Awards for the first time, Nicki Minaj will also perform during the Super Bowl halftime show!  Ms.Minaj is featured on Madonna’s new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’”  alongside M.I.A., and the threesome will perform the track for the very first time during the Super Bowl! That’s huge!

Madonna has officially announced plans to release her new single and video featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. on “American Idol” on Thursday.  The Megaforce directed video will carry a football and cheerleader theme and will premiere on YouTube the following day on Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. EST.

Check out the sneak-peek below:

Cee Lo Green and LMFAO will also make an appearance at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show. Will you be watching?

Non Hip-Hop Rumors: Is President Obama Going to Duet with Al Green???!!!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
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If “American Idol” creator Nigel Lythgoe has his way, President Barack Obama and Al Green will perform a duet together on the hugely popular show. The Idol head honcho tweeted an invitation to our swaggerlicious president via Twitter, inviting him to appear on “American Idol” and perform alongside the famous balladeer.

Lythgoe must have been very impressed by President Obama’s rendition of “Let’s Stay Together” during a recent campaign fundraiser event at The Apollo a few weeks back. Check out the video that sparked the invitation below:

So far, no response from Mr. President. Do you think it’s a good idea for Barack to appear on Idol with Al Green? Lots of people watch that show, especially the hillbillies in middle America. Maybe he can garner some extra votes!

Hip-Hop Rumors: Is Dr. Dre Getting Some Detox Help from Ricky Rozay???!!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
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Rumor has it, Dr. Dre is currently in Miami finally finishing his loooooong awaited album, Detox, with the help of Rick Ross!! Dr. Dre has been in Miami for about a week working with the Boss. Let’s hope Rozay’s influence can help speed up the process and finally help Dr. Dre finish this album once and for all!

In related news, Dr. Dre made sure to come through and show love at Rozay’s birthday party last night at South Beach’s club Amnesia.

The massive birthday bash featured a guest list of Hip-Hop’s finest including, Diddy, Meek Mill, Wiz Khalifa, The LOX, French Montana, Wale, DJ Khaled, LEP, and singer The Dream. Ross treated the crowd to an energy filled performance of cuts off his Rich Forever mixtape and other notable cuts from his prized catalog.

Ross has been celebrating his birthday since late last week, first parting in NYC at Queens club Perfections, with a stop the following night in Atlanta before wrapping up in his hometown with Dr. Dre. Check out a few photos from Ross’ Miami Birthday Bash below as well as a video from the festivities:

MTV Announces Their Top UK MC Picks of the Past Year

By: seandrasims Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) MTV selected industry experts for the return of its UK roundtable, shining limelight on the country’s best MCs of 2011. First debuting as the “Best Of The Best: UK MCs” show in 2010, a group of industry experts in UK music gathered, discussed and compiled a list of the top 10 MCs for 2011. From 2010’s aftermath, many agreed with the list, others were infuriated, and some even made diss tracks dedicated to MTV UK’s team of panelists.

RELATED: UK Week on AllHipHop.com: A UK Revolution!

The panelists for the 2011 roundtable debate included Charlie Sloth (DJ, BBC Radio 1Xtra / Radio 1), Posty (CEO, Grimedaily.com), Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson (Editor, MTV: The Wrap Up), Laura ‘Hyperfrank’ Brosnan (Music Journalist), Morgan Keyz (Music Video Director, SB.TV), and Nardene Scott (Senior Writer, RWD Magazine).

The show was to be hosted by BBC 1Xtra’s Vis. The group of hand-chosen UK urban experts chose artists based on biggest buzz, and the biggest impact on the UK scene. Panelists also reviewed who received the most attention from the media, who has the best flows and lyrics, and which MC is out there setting the trends.

RELATED: UK Week on AllHipHop.com: The Influence of Reggae on UK Rap

The chosen MCs from the UK were:

1. Wretch 32

2. K Koke

3. Professor Green

4. Chipmunk

5. Giggs

6. Ghetts

7. Lowkey

8. Skepta

9. Krept & Konan

10. DVS (co-ranked)

10. Blade Brown (co-ranked)

As it’s clear to see, one of the most well-known UK urban acts, Tinie Tempah, was not included in the controversial list. What are your thoughts on that? Watch the full show online at MTV’s urban destination, “The Wrap Up.”

Mixtape Review: Saigon’s “Warning Shots 3: One Foot In The Grave”

By: K1ng Eljay Updated Category: Features
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Rating: 6.5 / 10

You know the saying about the dog chasing cars; it wouldn’t know what to do if it finally caught one? Well, Saigon is the dog, and his debut album The Greatest Story Never Told was the car he caught. After much and often delay, the project finally released last year to positive reviews. So when Warning Shots 3 was announced, it almost came as a reminder of his lyrical existence.

Nevertheless, with the mean-mug look, behind the fence artwork, Saigon delivers his usual brand of hardcore rap. “BBB”, “Yeah, Yeah”, “War and Chaos” are all the run-of-the mill Saigon tracks you would expect;  hard-hitting, hard-spitting, with tons of curses. However, this proves to become a bit redundant. The majority of the songs here are so predictable as opposed to impressive, that the project beings to glaze over your ears.

The mixtape does coming with its shining moments though; “Bring Me Down, Pt. 3” is a revisit to the album cut, but this time featuring Joe Budden, who adds another flavor of viciousness to the song. “Come Again 2012” is another re-make, and another success for the project, while “Say Yes” is a completely new song with the right bounce for Sai to bruise around.

And when he does try to slow down the tempo, Saigon does so fairly well. Though still filled with angry rhymes, “Hungry” juxtaposes this with a light-hearted, sample based instrumental. “Women are the New Dogs” explores the world of women cheating, and “Learning As We Go Along” is a somber tale of friends and snitching- the deepest song on a mainly shallow project.

But when this project sinks, it plummets. The two least appealing songs are one after the other, putting the mixtape to a complete halt in “Kinky” and “When Did U Get Hot”. The vulgar rhymes on “Kinky” are almost as awkward as the sloppy Rick James sample featured, and the latter of the two attempts to be catchy, but ends up being a quick skip. There are times where Warning Shots 3: One Foot in the Grave works well, but for the most part it’s filled with average, sometimes filler, material. And coming from a spectacular MC like Saigon, that’s a bit of disappointment.