Plies Lied About Criminal Past?

Paul W Arnold
Hip Hop icon, and creator of the term “thug life,” Tupac Shakur, once confessed that although occasionally sprinkling his rhymes with mentions of felonious activities, he never actually had a record until he made a record.

So too appears to be the case with the arguable Tupac of 2007/2008, Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic Records recording artist, and promoter of his own criminal exploits, Plies. HipHopDX has obtained documentation from the state of Florida that lists the “definition of real” rapper’s first real run-in with the law to have not taken place until two years ago, on April 12, 2006, when Plies - real name Algernod Lanier Washington, born May 22, 1976 - would have been on the eve of his 30th birthday and just beginning his ascension to his current status of gold-certified rap star.

The email printout of the documentation, which appears at the end of this report, was obtained from the Florida Department Of Law Enforcement (FDLE) by paying the $24 fee and searching here [https://www2.fdle.state.fl.us/cchinet/] in the FDLE’s criminal history database for Algernod Washington.

The FDLE’s criminal record for Plies shows that the self-described “goon affiliated, ex drug dealer” who’s “resume solid, street cred bigger” has been arrested just twice within his home state of Florida during his adult life, with both arrests taking place two years ago.

The 32-year-old was arrested for the first time at the age of 29 on April 12, 2006 for the misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence.

The latter of his two adult arrests came during a well-publicized shooting at a Gainesville, Florida nightclub after a Plies performance on July 2, 2006. According to reports, members of the rapper’s entourage, including his older brother, Ronell “Big Gates” Lavatte, pulled out guns and fired in the club after Plies, who’s performance was running long, became angry when his microphone was cut off so that Lil Boosie could begin to perform.

Plies’ career guide/older brother, and another man, Troy Denard Carnegie, were both charged with attempted murder, each accused of firing at least three rounds in the club that night. According to reports, Big Gates has only one more year to serve on his sentence for his involvement in the shooting, but a Ronell Lavatte cannot be located in the Florida Department Of Corrections offender search here [http://www.dc.state.fl.us/InmateInfo/InmateInfoMenu.asp] to verify that claim. However, a search for Mr. Carnegie here [http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ActiveInmates/detail.asp?Bookmark=1&From=list&SessionID=522963802] revealed that he is scheduled to be released from custody on June 20, 2010.

Unlike his brother and Mr. Carnegie, Plies was charged with just a misdemeanor count for possession of a concealed weapon after police found loaded firearms in the vehicle he and his entourage were riding in. He posted a $50,000 bond shortly thereafter and was released. Plies served no known jail time after later pleading no contest to the charge.

He has however subsequently been sued by five Gainesville residents who claim they were the victims of the shooting at the concert and are seeking $10 million in damages [click to read]. Plies’ attorney has publicly stated in response to the lawsuit that if they’re suing the rapper, they’re “suing the wrong person.”

HipHopDX’s search of the FDLE’s database for Plies’ entire criminal history was pursued after learning that records existed in another criminal database available to the public, that of Lee County, Florida, home to Plies’ native Fort Myers, Florida, which showed that the rapper had been cited for a handful of traffic offenses but never had any criminal charges brought against him.

This record was obtained by searching here [http://www.leeclerk.org/Crim_defendant_Name_sel.asp], with results showing that Plies run-ins with the Fort Myers Police Department during his adult life appear to have been limited to five traffic stops (two in 1997, one in 1999, and two in 2002) and citations for unknowingly not having his driver’s license on him, having too dark of tint on his car windows, and playing his car stereo too loud.

These traffic offenses are not included in the FDLE’s report on all of Plies’ criminal history within the state of Florida because according to the FDLE website no results are returned for “a misdemeanor other than those required to be submitted to FDLE under Florida Statutes.”

DX also searched the public criminal records databases for Hillsborough County here [http://www.hillsclerk.com/publicweb/Search_Court_Records.aspx] (which houses Plies’ current known residence in Tampa, Florida), and Miami-Dade County here [http://www.miami-dadeclerk.com/cjis/search4.asp] (which is home to his record label, Slip-N-Slide Records) prior to confirming all of Plies’ criminal activities within the state of Florida via the FDLE’s report. Both countywide searches yielded no records of criminal activity for an Algernod Washington. The Hillsborough County search revealed only a handful of civil filings against Plies, including for unpaid rent.
t should be noted however that none of these county databases nor the FDLE’s report includes any juvenile criminal record that might have existed for Plies prior to his 18th birthday in 1994, or any federal criminal charges that might have been levied against the rapper in the 14 years since.

And, as is commonly understood, the absence of an arrest record is never absolute proof of the complete absence of one’s criminal activity.

However, it’s been documented in previous articles on the “realest” street scribe in Hip Hop today that Plies’ time was mostly consumed in the mid-to-late ‘90’s attending college at either Miami University in Oxford, Ohio – where he reportedly played on the football team – or the University of South Florida in Tampa, or both schools (there are conflicting reports regarding his collegiate career, and DX was unable to substantiate any as of press time).

And while crime has clearly hovered around the rapper’s day-to-day life in recent years, impacting him indirectly via the aforementioned incarceration of his older brother and the recent arrest of his manager [click to read], first person accounts of criminal activities on Plies’ part are conspicuously scarce in his raw rhymes. Instead, sympathetic laments on the cruelties experienced by family members and friends at the hands of an oftentimes merciless justice system, and not his own personal experiences, can be found in most of his material.

But there are the occasional past tense references to what appear to be claims of his own criminal activity. One glaring example can be found during his lament on the suffering his alleged criminal activities caused his mother on “Runnin My Momma Crazy,” in which he recollects: “Remember the nights, me sittin' up in a cold cell/I'm wakin' ya up out'cha sleep, it's me callin' you from jail.” While passionate, his verse’s claim that he was ever in a “cold cell” now appears to be untruthful, as according to the FDLE’s report Plies was never in jail for any period of time prior to 2006.

In addition to fallacious statements in song, Plies has also produced a contemptuous image for himself on the screen, including his portrayal as a high rollin’ drug dealer in the video clip for “Worth Goin Fed Fo” [click to watch ].

Recent “outings” of fellow Floridian, and Slip-N-Slide labelmate, Rick Ross [click to read], as well as “Hypnotized” collaborator Akon [click to read ] have shone a new light on the exaggerated, and in some instances completely fabricated, biographies crafted by too many of today’s Hip Hop artists.

These personal “stories” highlight phantom criminal backgrounds in an attempt to boost so-called “street cred” with fans who often are not living such lives and are therefore attracted to these tall tales of Tony Montana-esque (or in Plies’ case, O-Dog-style) criminal prowess and/or success. These fake personas proving to be alarmingly irresponsible when absorbed by the equally impressionable, but oftentimes far more impoverished, segment of the Hip Hop audience who believe with a dangerous literalism that they too can lead lives of crime ala fictional movie criminals or equally fictional rap criminals and yet in still eventually become an unimprisoned Hip Hop celebrity.

And while fabricated bios are nothing new to Hip Hop, even claiming the careers of some artists (see Vanilla Ice), unlike most emcees of yesteryear like the aforementioned Tupac, who balanced his occasionally outlandish claims of dope dealing and gang banging with cautionary tales of the pitfalls involved in a life of crime (see “Shorty Wanna Be A Thug,” “Young Niggaz,” etc), Plies seems more oblivious to maintaining any artistic responsibility, instead recklessly crafting a seemingly strategic image and seeking to capitalize on fraudulent claims of criminal activity all the while declaring to be Hip Hop’s undiluted truth teller, personifying all that is “real.”

It’s now abundantly apparent that Plies has forsaken being fully forthright with his fans, failing to make the crucial distinction that those around him, and not he, are the real victims of our nation’s often flawed justice system, and that he is merely observing and reporting their experiences within a life of crime and not his own.

Representatives for Plies could not be reached for comment on this report as of press time.

FDLE record for Plies is below (each charge and date of the two offenses have been highlighted)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: internetcriminalresults@fdle.state.fl.us
Date: Jul 25, 2008 1:39 PM
Subject: FDLE Criminal History Search Results
To:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Criminal History


--FLORIDA CCH RESPONSE--
ATN/ANONCCHINET/CCHINET/
FC.DLE/6531501.PUR/P.ATN/ANONCCHINET/CCHINET/
SID NUMBER: 6531501 PURPOSE CODE:P PAGE: 1
BECAUSE ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS MAY BE MADE AT ANY TIME,
A NEW COPY SHOULD BE REQUESTED WHEN NEEDED FOR FUTURE USE
- FLORIDA CRIMINAL HISTORY -
NAME STATE ID NO. FBI NO. DATE REQUESTED
WASHINGTON, ALGERNOD FL-06531501 07/25/2008
SEX RACE BIRTH DATE HEIGHT WEIGHT EYES HAIR BIRTH PLACE SKIN DOC NO.
M B 05/22/1976 5'06'' 155 BRO BLK FL
--CONTINUED--
SID NUMBER: 6531501 PURPOSE CODE:P PAGE: 2

FINGERPRINT CLASS SOCIAL SECURITY NO. MISCELLANEOUS NO. SCR/MRK/TAT
XXX-XX-5534 TAT R ARM
IN AFIS - 2
OCCUPATION ADDRESS CITY/STATE
ARTIST TAMPA, FL

AKA DOB SOC SCR/MRK/TAT

WASHINGTON, ALGERNOD LANIER

ARREST- 1 04/12/2006 OBTS NO.-5801089558
--CONTINUED--

SID NUMBER: 6531501 PURPOSE CODE:P PAGE: 3

ARREST AGENCY-SARASOTA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (FL0580000)
AGENCY CASE-5802005471 OFFENSE DATE-04/12/2006
CHARGE 001-RESISTING OFFICER-
OBST OR OPPOSING WO VIOL
STATUTE/ORDINANCE-FL843.02 LEVEL-MISDEMEANOR,1ST DEG
DISP-

ARREST- 2 07/02/2006 OBTS NO.-0102078353
ARREST AGENCY-GAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT (FL0010100)
AGENCY CASE- OFFENSE DATE-07/02/2006
CHARGE 001-CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPON-
ELECTRIC WEAPON OR DEVICE ,PRINCIPAL
STATUTE/ORDINANCE-FL790.01(1) LEVEL-MISDEMEANOR,1ST DEG
--CONTINUED--

SID NUMBER: 6531501 PURPOSE CODE:P PAGE: 4

DISP-HELD
CONCEALED WEPON
JUDICIAL-
AGENCY-8TH CIRCUIT COURT - GAINESVILLE (FL001015J)
CHARGE 001 -COURT SEQ COURT NO.-012006CF003156XXXDXX
SUPPLEMENTAL ARREST DATA-
STATUS- LEVEL-FELONY ,3RD DEG
PROSC DATA-AMENDED ,CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPON-
POSSESSION OF CONCEALED FIREARM
STATUTE/ORDINANCE- LEVEL-FELONY ,3RD DEG
DISP DATE-03/05/2007 DISP-N/A
COURT DATA-REDUCED ,CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPON-
CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPON ELECTRIC WEAPON OR D
--CONTINUED--

SID NUMBER: 6531501 PURPOSE CODE:P PAGE: 5

STATUTE/ORDINANCE-FL790.01 LEVEL-MISDEMEANOR,1ST DEG
STATUTE DESCRIPTN-CONCEALED WEAPON
DISP DATE-08/09/2007 DISP-ADJ WITHHELD
COUNSEL-PRIVATE TRIAL- PLEA-NOLO CONTENDRE
SENT DATE-08/09/2007
FINE- COURT COST- $176
SPECIAL SENTENCE PROVISIONS-NOT APPLICABLE

THIS RECORD CONTAINS FLORIDA INFORMATION ONLY. WHEN EXPLANATION OF A CHARGE
OR DISPOSITION IS NEEDED, COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE AGENCY THAT CONTRIBU-
TED THE RECORD INFORMATION. IF YOU DID NOT SUBMIT FINGERPRINTS, THIS RECORD IS
PROVIDED AS A RESULT OF A NAME INQUIRY ONLY. POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION CAN ONLY
BE VERIFIED BY SUBMISSION OF A FINGERPRINT CARD AND COMPARISON BY FDLE. THIS
--CONTINUED--

SID NUMBER: 6531501 PURPOSE CODE:P PAGE: 6

RECORD WAS REQUESTED PURSUANT TO 943.053(3), F.S.
AS MANDATED BY FLORIDA STATUTE 119.071(5), FULL SOCIAL
SECURITY NUMBERS ARE NOW EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
AND MAY BE DISCLOSED ONLY TO GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND
CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ENTITIES (UPON A SHOWING OF BUSINESS
NECESSITY AS DEFINED BY THE LAW). FDLE WILL, HOWEVER,
RELEASE THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
EXAMPLE: XXX XX 1234.
THIS CONTAINS FLORIDA RECORD ONLY.
UNKNOWN AS TO NATIONAL RECORD STATUS.
END OF RECORD

--END--

hiphopdx.com

Kidz In The Hall Assaulted By Club Security, Arrested and Hospitalized

Jake Paine

Kidz In The Hall [click to read] are currently on tour with Rock The Bells. After stellar performances in Chicago last week, the duo of Naledge and Double O did not appear in yesterday's performance at Columbia, Maryland due to an altercation after a Saturday performance in Tempe, Arizona.

Although formal details have yet to be released, a reported eyewitness contacted HipHopDX over the weekend to claim that they witnessed group producer Double O in a physical altercation with several club owners and bodyguards. Although the source was not sure why the club staff was involved, suggesting it may have been from a dispute with another patron. The report stated, "After being grabbed up by one bouncer and put in a headlock, at least four other bouncers came over pulled Double O to the floor, and began kicking and beating him."

Following that, police intervened, arresting partner Naledge for what appeared to be taking pictures of the aforementioned beating. Rock The Bells reps told HipHopDX in Maryland that injuries resulted in Double O going to the hospital on Saturday. There was no additional information available on either Kidz In The Hall's present whereabouts or condition.

hiphopdx.com

Las Vegas Hosts National Hip Hop Political Convention Aug 1st

Author: Anthony Springer Jr
The City of Sin will turn into the city of progress this week when the National Hip Hop Political Convention holds its third bi-annual convention at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 1-3.

Workshops and panel discussions will anchor the meeting of the minds, with several prominent artists and activists scheduled to attend.

“We’re going to have a number of panels featuring Jeff Chang, Rosa Clemente and other artists and activists in the Hip Hop community,” Heather Sanchez of the Las Vegas Local Organizing Committee says of the event. “The most important thing is the agenda, how we come together collectively to decide on the issues that affect us the most.”

The agenda Sanchez speaks of is the living document, meant to be a starting point for the Hip Hop community to identify and then address issues affecting poor, urban communities and the Hip Hop generation as a whole. Due to the diversity of the culture, Sanchez anticipates a variety of issues will be reflected in the final document, which is updated at every convention.

“Everything from health care, lack of jobs in urban communities, police brutality… a number of different things.”

With 2008 shaping up to be one of the most critical elections in the history of the country, many are wondering where Hip Hop fits into the equation. “We start with grassroots activism,” Sanchez says. “We have to come together to establish our own issues first. We do it as a collective”

The coming together part has often been a daunting task. When it comes to Hip Hop’s love affair with politics, the audience can often become polarized, divided by those who listen to artists who speak on social issues versus those who make more commercial music. Despite the labels and the battles the Hip Hop generation places on itself, the NHHPC is an inclusive organization, and needs input from all facets of the culture.

“Overall we try not to put that barrier on ourselves. Those of us who are true Hip Hop heads don’t see [labels]. We’re not very critical of one another, how we dress, look, or think. The NHHPC is comprised of a lot of people who don’t see conscious vs. street. We don’t criticize either side, we try to stay in the middle so we can reach more people. We want everybody to come and build with us regardless of what kind of music they like."

“If you consider yourself part of the Hip Hop community, it’s in your best interest to attend. We’re going to give you the tools to go out and make change in your community.”

For the first time in NHHPC history, the convention will be able to address a presidential candidate. Green Party nominee Cynthia McKinney is scheduled to speak during the closing session.

“Cynthia is a long time supporter of the NHHPC. We’re non partisan so we don’t back any particular candidate. However, we like some of her views and believe she represents the Hip Hop community. She got in touch with us and we invited her out. She’ll be addressing the body at Sunday’s closing session.”

Coming second to the formation of the agenda is perhaps the convention’s aspect of educating its participants, something Sanchez feels is lost in many of the voter education drives that take place throughout the country.

“Voter education is important. We have kids voting based on what their parents’ affiliations are or what their friends are saying or because Barack is black or Hillary’s a woman. Conventions like this will allow people to make a more informed decision when they vote.”

For those who cannot make the trip out, there are a number of ways to contribute to the cause of the NHHPC.

“They can visit the website (www.NHHPC.org) and see if there’s a local organizing committee in their area. We have MySpace pages, and the links are on the web site. We can help people get one started in the area if one doesn’t already exist.”

Tentative schedule for the NHHPC Convention in Las Vegas:

Friday, August 1, 2008

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Attendee Registration

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Morning Caucusing

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Opening, Convention History & Purpose (TJ Crawford)

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM Plenary A – Criminalization of A Generation

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM Break Out Sessions (workshops & panels)
Killing Me Softly: Tasers and Other Lethal Weapons
• NHHPC - Starting Up a Local Organizing Committee
Genvote Track
Developing and Effective Message
- Making Voter Guides
- Visionary Audacious Actions
- Bogart the Media

Film Screening: Black August (116 mins)

Noon Caucuses

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM Black and Brown Solidarity Luncheon

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM Break Out Sessions #2 (workshops & panels)
• Speak Youth to Power-Media Justice
• The Transformative Power of Broadband Technology
• Climate Justice: A Generations Challenge
• Asian/Pacific Islanders in Hip Hop Culture and Activism
Genvote Track
• Ideas into Action- YP4
• Strategy Session (3 hours)
• Introduction to Nonviolent Direct Action (3 hours)
• Bogart the Media (3 hours)


3:00 PM – 4:15 PM Breakout Session #3 (workshops & panels)
Media Literacy – OneHood
Grassroots Lobbying
Know Your Rights
Who You Callin' a B!@tch?


4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Plenary B - Gender

7:00 PM – 11:00 Pool Party @ Alexis Park Resort

Saturday, August 2, 2008

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Attendee Registration

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Morning Causing

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Plenary C – Hurricane Katrina/Rita Victims and Advocates

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Break Out Sessions #4 (workshops, panels and trainings)

Genvote Track
• Strategic Campaign Planning (3 hours)
• Nonviolent Direct Action Planning (3 hours)
• Bird Dogging (3 hours)

10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Break Out Sessions / Panels
• Economic Justice
• Unlock the Future: Prevent Youth Incarceration
• Political Prisoners, Prisoners of War and the SF8
• Conscious Contradictions: New Modes of Sexism, Racism and Consumption in Rap and Hip Hop
• Using the Art Form Inside and Outside the Classroom
• Climate Justice 101
• Climate Justice: A Generations Challenge
• Media Boot Camp
Genvote Track
Voter ID, Registration, and Get Out The Vote
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch
“The Cipher Live” Meet & Greet Luncheon

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM Plenary D – Electoral Politics and the Social Justice Movement

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM Panel
The Artists as Activists
Turf Unity: Can Hip-Hop Stop the Violence?

3:00 PM – 5:30 PM The National Hip Hop Political Convention
Agenda, Resolutions


3:00 PM – 4:15 PM Break Out Session (workshop)
Peer-to-Peer Organizing: How to Get Your Friends Voting and Engaged
Youth Speaks Creative Writer's Workshop
Krumpin' 101

3:00 PM – 5:30 PM Film Screenings: Beyond Beats and Rhymes with Byron Hurt 3 The Corporation

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM Awards Banquet @ Alexis Park Resort (appetizers)
featuring the Welfare Poets
Sunday, August 3, 2008

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Interfaith Worship Service/Choir


10:30 Am – 11:45 AM Where and When Hip Hop, Spirituality, the Spirit of Resistance and Liberation Theology Meet

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM Presentation by Cynthia McKinney, Next Steps, Announcements, Closing

12:45 PM - Finalization of the National Hip Hop Political Agenda (if needed)
hiphopdx.com

Spice 1 Rides For Ice-T Against Soulja Boy

Author: Edwin Ortiz

Being from California himself, it would be obvious that Spice 1 was on Ice-T’s side in the war of words with Soulja Boy [click to read]. Talking to PushinTheBayTV, Spice had some words of his own in the dawn of the feud.

Amazed by the change that has taken place since he came out the gates in 1991, Spice explained the way in which the streets would handle a verbal bashing like that of Soulja Boy’s. “We are in 2008 man, that’s all I know. When I think like that I’m like damn we are really in the fuckin’ future. This nigga’s got balls to say something to Ice…nigga’s will look for you and hunt your ass down and take your head off partner. They will cut your balls off and hand them to your little young ass.”

Belittling his name, Spice 1 ridiculed Soulja Boy on his attempt to be something he isn’t. “You think you a soldier, boy? You’re not a soldier, you a boy, nigga. I respect what you doing cause you dancing for the kids, but don’t try to take it there with these G’s out here in Cali, nigga.”

Spice 1 ended his statement with words of caution, hoping to get through to Soulja Boy. “I don’t know who listens to Spice 1. Soulja Boy could be a fan, I don’t know. But as far as you going against Ice-T, let that shit go.”

hiphopdx.com

Rappers Weigh In On Rick Ross

Author: Andres Tardio

As we reported earlier this month, reports have been surfacing regarding Rick Ross' past. According to reports from TheSmokingGun.com, "The Biggest Boss We've Seen Thus Far" may have worked as a correctional officer when he was 19. The reports cite social security numbers, photos and graduation documents from the Florida Department of Corrections Training Academy.

Ross has vehemently denied that the claims have any truth to them. Now, other emcees are responding to the allegations and giving their take on the situation.

The Clipse's Malice spoke on his views, saying that he wished Ross would have never denied the allegations if they were indeed truthful. When asked if this would affect him, he replied that it wouldn't do much.

"I think real niggas won't think so. That don't mean what he's talking about [in his rhymes] ain't true. The thing I wish is he came clean, if in fact that is him [in the photos]. 'Cause you ain't gotta make no excuses for whatever you did. You might have thought differently at one point in time. I don't think that should discredit that man," he told MTV.

The other half of The Clipse, Pusha T's didn't speak much on the matter.

"I'm not even going to go that far into it. I don't know what it's gonna do to him, what it can or what it should do to him. I know the hip-hop community has given passes for much [worse]," he added.

Fabolous' advice is simple: keep making hits.

"I don't know if it will really hurt him. As an artist, I think Rick Ross makes great music. He's always shown me love and respect whenever I met him. Everybody has a past. I don't know if [being a prison guard] is his past or not. That's not my place to say. I think if he continues to do what he does, sweep all that garbage under the rug — you know what? That's success. That's success taking a shot back at him. All of a sudden past pictures come up. He should just keep doing what he do," Fab told MTV.

Maino's take came in a video interview over at Blogxilla. He voiced his disappointment.

"I'm disappointed. I'm really disappointed. I pride myself on being 100 percent who I am. If I went to college and had a job before, I would just say that. ... Him, in my opinion, I just think he should have just addressed it. ... 'Look, man. I was 19. It was a part of my life. ... I got to the coke later.' I don't have a problem with what he was doing before the rap game. That ain't my beef with him. The thing is, he was denying he was doing it. He said [the pictures] was Photoshopped and wasn't real."

hiphopdx.com

Murs & 9th Wonder Give Third Album Away For Free

Author: Jake Paine

After critical success in both Murs 3:16 [click to read] and Murray's Revenge [click to read], Los Angeles emcee Murs and Raleigh producer 9th Wonder [click to read] are giving their third album, Sweet Lord, away for free. Made available for free, unlimited download at MursAnd9thWonder.com, Sweet Lord features 10 originally composed and written tracks.

The effort, which is sponsored by skateboard company and clothier Hurley, is also accepting free donations via Paypal, similar to the approach used by Radiohead with last year's In Rainbows. The release comes as the second this month for 9th Wonder, who produced the entire Jeanius album [click to read] by Jean Grae.

As for Murs, he is planning a mid-September release for his Murs For President album, the emcee's major label debut on Warner Brothers. The album features guest appearances, including Snoop Dogg.

Sweet Lord can be streamed in its entirely on HipHopD

Young Jeezy "Puts On," Goes At Fox News

Author: Edwin Ortiz

Young Jeezy’s single “Put On” has been a hot commodity these days as it currently sits at #28 on the Hot 100 billboard chart. Speaking with Fader TV, Jeezy talked about his description of “putting on,” the music video for “Put On,” and his opinion on Fox News.

Setting up the current scenario of a dope dealer attempting to maintain his look, Jeezy put into context the reality of the situation. “Every other Friday he gonna take $200 and get some new kicks, new pants, new fitted hat, and he’s puttin’ on. He fucked up, but it don’t matter…No matter what’s going on with them, they never let you see that. And I feel like that’s what we going through right now. The government’s got us fucked up, they got us down. You can’t ever see us sweat though, [we] just put on.”

Earlier this week, Young Jeezy released the music video for “Put On” featuring Kanye West. The image of a black and silver flag is spotted throughout, to which Jeezy explained as a historic symbol. “To me it symbolizes change…The flag has been red, white and blue forever. And look what we’ve been going through. Black and silver to me are strong colors. It’s like when the Raiders was the greatest. You just wanted to wear black and silver.”

When asked if he was ready for media backlash because of the rogue flag colors, Jeezy immediately fired away at Hip Hop’s most hated TV network. “Man, fuck Fox News, like for real. They tried to ban me on my first album. Look what you teach our people every day. It’s poison, almost like brainwash.”

Young Jeezy has also announced that every Tuesday at 9:02 pm, he will put out a new song on usda2day.com until The Recession comes out on September 2nd.

hiphopdx.com

Lil Wayne Sued For Copyright Breach

Author: Omar Burgess

On July 24 Abkco Music Inc. filed a suit against Lil Wayne and Cash Money/Universal for allegedly releasing an altered version of the Rolling Stones' song "Playing With Fire" without permission. Abkco seeks unspecified damages for what it believes is the use of "a clear derivative of the Rolling Stones song with the original lyrics altered in a recognizable way."

The song was originally a B-side to the single "The Last Time," and it can be found on the 1965 Rolling Stones album Out of Our Heads. Abkco's argument centers on the original Rolling Stones lyric "But don't play with me, 'cause you're playing with fire." The Lil Wayne song of the same name features a similar interpretation of the lyric, with Wayne saying, "But you can't blame me if I set this stage on fire."

Additionally, Reuters reports Abkco believes Lil Wayne's version, which is included on Tha Carter III, uses "explicit, sexist and offensive language" which could reflect poorly on their company and the Rolling Stones. Representatives for Lil Wayne and Cash Money/Universal have yet to comment on the lawsuit. Tha Carter III is currently the number two album in the country with RIAA certification of over 2 million units shipped.

hiphopdx.com

The Game Clears Up Eminem/Proof "Diss"

Author: Andreas Hale

The recently leaked Game song featuring Lil Wayne titled "My Life" [click to listen] is already making waves on the internet. But it is not because of the obvious two top tier emcees on the song. The issue at hand is the version that leaked onto the net with Game spitting the following lines:

"You see them 24’s spinning, I earned ‘em/and all the pictures of me and Em, I burned ‘em/ so there ain’t no proof that I ever walked through 8 Mile/and since there’s no Proof, I’ll never walk through 8 Mile"

Moments after the version leaked and began to spread, another version of the song - which is the album version according to an Interscope representative - hit the net without the controversial lines. Along with that came a statement from Game clearing up the lyrics.

"When I originally wrote the song 'My Life' I was trying to think back on events that affected my life and how they changed me," Game says. "When I first got signed to Aftermath and G-Unit I was exposed to so many different people from Dre to Em to 50 to Proof. I always identified with Proof. We were always cool and he would reach out to me when ever I was going through something."

Game goes on to explain how the song was not meant to be offensive by any means and was clearly taken out of context.

"I remember when Proof died vividly and now every time I think about going to Detroit I get depressed. That is what I was trying to say in that verse and the more I looked at I realized that people would take it the wrong way…the way they are taking it now that it leaked. So I decided to change it so that this bullshit wouldn't happen and now it's happened anyway," he continued.

In the end, Game apologizes for that version of the song even being heard by the masses.

"For the record, this is not the version on my album, this is not the version that radio will get and this is not the version that I just shot the video to. Furthermore, I apologize to anyone who took this the wrong way as that was never my intention."

hiphopdx.com

Tony Yayo Disses Young Buck, Game & Fat Joe

Author: Edwin Ortiz

Tony Yayo has never been the one to keep quiet on his discontent for other rappers. Calling into Jenny Boom Boom’s show on Hot 93.7 in Connecticut, Yayo released a kamikaze of insults toward G-Unit’s three biggest current foes; The Game, Young Buck and Fat Joe.

Stating that The Game was a “television blood,” Yayo mentioned their first encounter in which he saw Game wearing a different color. “When I met Game, he had on a brown flag. He wasn’t even blood, get out of here man.”

Equaling calling Young Buck a “television crip,” Yayo went at Buck the hardest because of his recent emotional split with G-Unit. “I guarantee, when Buck comes out with that mixtape, it’s gonna be a lot of exposing. I could expose Buck in so many ways. From females, to money, to what you had in your bank account, to your IRS, everything.” Yayo continued, “You cried in front of the biggest mess hall ever chump. You ain’t nothing,” he said referring to the taped phone call between Buck and 50 Cent.

Not wanting to leave Fat Joe out of the diss-frenzy, Yayo made his opinion straight-forward on the Bronx emcee. “You just a fat waste. Just go somewhere and die.”

hiphopdx.com

Rap Cassette Sales Thrive In Prison Market

Danielle Harling

At a time when record sales have decreased dramatically due to downloading the thought of a business thriving off of CD and even cassette sales seems almost absurd, but a business owner in Los Angeles had made what may seem like the impossible possible.

Pack Central, a mail order company owned by Bob Paris, has earned over one million dollars annually for the past few years in CD and cassette sales from its bi-annual catalogue which is sent to prisoners.

Prisoners are able to purchase music from Pack Central through a trust account that is created on their behalf by family members who fund the account and Paris is reaping the benefits.

"I have dodged every conventional bullet that has hit most music retailers," the Pack Central owner told the New York Times. "I don't have to worry about downloading, legal or illegally. The beauty of it is that prisoners don't have Internet access and never will."

Since CDs are banned in most prisons, cassette's make up 60% of Pack Central's unit sales and for the past five years Paris has been stocking up on them.

"People thought I was nuts when I invested tons of money in analog prerecorded music on tape," Paris shared.

Pack Central's current best sellers include Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III [click to read], Mariah Carey's E=MC2, Usher's Here I Stand [click to read], and Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad.

hiphopdx.com

Naughty by Nature 25th Anniversary of Video Music Box

Naughty By Nature from Dante Ross on Vimeo.

missinfo.com

Joe Budden “Who Part 3″

Joe Budden “Who Part 3″ dirty

miss info

Ludacris’ “Put On” freestyle

Ludacris’ “Put On” freestyle (from BoBo)

missinfo.com

Nas and MoveOn.Org and ColorofChange.Org step to Fox News

From MissInfo

DMX “Soldier”

O'Reilly Calls Out Nas, Dismisses Fox Protest

By Ismael AbduSalaam

Pundit Bill O’Reilly has responded to Nas’ protest at Fox headquarters yesterday, calling the demonstration nothing more than a publicity stunt.



On his show, O’Reilly again took aim at the Queensbridge poet’s lyrics.



“As you may have heard, that guy [Nas] is accusing Fox News of being a racist organization. This from a person that makes a living peddling the ‘n word’ and violent lyrics to his target audience of children and young adults,” O’Reilly stated last night on his show the O’Reilly Factor. “He is a real champ.”



O’Reilly further dismissed the media attention the protest received, which was fueled by over 600,000 petition signatures condemning the network’s alleged demeaning actions, such as O’Reilly threatening a “lynching” party on Michelle Obama and the network referring to her as “Obama’s baby mama.”



“The good news is that very few media have given him attention and those who did don’t deserve your attention, they are corrupt,” O’Reilly claimed.



Despite Nas’ untitled album’s standing as the number one release in the country, O’Reilly was adamant that the critically acclaimed LP is a disappointment that fueled Nas’ protest.



“Nas had an obvious agenda. His new album is a bomb, a disaster, a catastrophe, and he desperately wants attention” O’Reilly explained. “Two years ago his last album sold 355,000 copies his first week and this time only 187,000 copies. Not good. I hope I’m not a racist for pointing that out.”



The feud between O’Reilly and Nas began last year when the controversial commentator denounced Nas as a violent rapper, after the he was scheduled to perform a benefit concert for Virginia Tech victims.



Nas responded in various print media before an official response on his new album titled “Sly Fox.”



Yesterday, Nas delivered over 600,000 petition signatures to Fox’s Manhattan headquarters and delivered a short speech criticizing the network as a “propaganda machine” and racist in its coverage of African-Americans.



Later, the rapper was interviewed by political satirist Stephen Colbert on his show “the Colbert Report” and performed “Sly Fox.”



There, he once again revealed he would be willing to debate O’ Reilly on their differences.



Nas’ untitled album was released on July 15 and is currently ranked #1 on Billboard’s top 200 album chart.

HOW TO MAKE A MILLI IN 60 SECONDS OR LESS

dontgetgassed.com

KRS-One & Tony Touch Freestyle(KRS Speaks On Young Jeezy & Gangsta Rappers)

realtalkny.com

Nas Says There Is Hope For Hip Hop

realtalkny.com

Methodman Stage Dive

ne-yo_miss independent

Skillz Weighs In On Tight Jeans Craze, “I Don’t Know What Hipsters Are”

Skillz is unapologetic to say the least. Rather than hide it, the Virginia lyricist has embraced his Jansport as evidenced on his forthcoming album, The Million Dollar Backpack due in stores July 22. But Skillz may be the last of a dying breed as the new crop of underground MCs aren’t tagged backpackers, but hipsters.

“I don’t know what hipsters are,” Skillz told XXLMag.com. “I think hipster is a word that somebody who didn’t know what to call the kids who wear their pants a little tighter, a little retro…They didn’t know what to call them, so they called them hipsters.”

“Maybe I’m a little too old to be a hipster,” he continued. “Maybe hipsters are the kids who are 20 and 21. It’s all music, man. I’ve always said from day one, I don’t believe in separating. Either it’s good or it’s bad. Don’t get me wrong, I got a Members Only jacket. You know my sneaker collection is crazy. You know I’m retro on the kicks. Maybe if I messed around and wore some 28 slims I’d be a hipster too.”

Aside from pushing his project, Skillz is still pushing the pen for others. Having crafted songs for everybody from Diddy to Jermaine Dupri, he’s now venturing into R&B.

“I just wrote a record two days ago,” Skillz shared. “I was talking to Chris Brown, I’m trying to get it to Chris Brown. I’m moving into the R&B side as we speak now. I’m definitely not The Dream or Sean Garrett, but I’m definitely trying to get there. The thing about writers who write R&B, they always tell me and other rappers that we are the best R&B songwriters because we have a better play for words.”

“R&B singers don’t care,” he added before switching gears. “Nobody cares if Mary J Blige didn’t write my life. Her audience doesn’t trip over that, because Mary delivered that song. That’s all it’s about, delivering the record.” –Carl Chery

Green Lantern Reveals Full Liberty City Invasion Tracklisting, Joins Nas For Tour Dates

Green Lantern released the final tracklisting for his Grand Theft Auto 4 inspired-project Liberty City Invasion. The LP, produced in its entirety by Green, features tracks from Busta Rhymes, Joell Ortiz, and the Clipse, among others.

Also, the DJ is set to go on tour with Nas, first as a part of the Rock The Bells campaign, kicking off July 19 in Chicago. Then the Evil Genius and God’s Son will team for The Jones Experience, beginning July 22 in Montreal. The two tours will run concurrently with Nas headlining both outing.—LaTisha Robbins
The tracklisting for Liberty City Invasion and tour dates are as follows:

01). Intro
02). Styles P - What’s the Problem
03.) Busta Rhymes - Where’s My Money
04.) Wyclef, Uncle Murda & Mavado - Informer
05.) Joell Ortiz & Dante Hawkins - Alone
06.) Jim Jones & Juelz Santana - Bustin’ Shots
07.) Maino - Get Away Driver
08.) Uncle Murda - Anybody Can Get It
09.) Fabolous & Fat Joe - I’m So Fly
10.) Qadir – Nickname
11.) 38 Special, Fever & Dwayne - Streets Raised Me
12.) Clipse f/ Re-Up Gang - 9mm
13.) Heltah Skeltah f/ Buckshot - Can’t Trust Em
14.) Red Café - Stick’m
15.) Immortal Technique - Parole
16.) Tru Life - Wet Em Up
17.) Johnny Polygon - Price On Your Head

2008 Rock The Bell Tour Dates:

Sat 7/19 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Sun 7/20 - Toronto, ON, CAN - Arrow Hall
Sat 7/26 - Boston, MA - Comcast Center
Sun 7/27 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Sat 8/2 - Miami, FL - Bicentennial Park
Sun 8/3 - New York, NY - Jones Beach Amphitheatre
Sat 8/9 - San Bernardino, CA - Glen Helen Pavilion
Sat 8/16 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sat 8/23 - Denver, CO - Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Sat 9/6 - George, WA - The Gorge Amphitheatre

2008 Dates for Nas’ “Jones Experience” Tour:

Tue 7/22- Montreal, Quebec- Metropolis
Thur 7/24- Burlington, VT- Higher Ground
Fri 7/25- New Haven, CT- Toad’s Place
Wed 7/30- Charleston, SC- Music Farm
Fri 8/8- Las Vegas, NV- House Of Blues
Fri 8/22- Park City, UT- Harry O’s
Sun 8/24- Dallas, TX- The Palladium
Mon 8/25- Houston, TX- Warehouse Live
Tue 8/26- Austin, TX- Stubbs Amphitheater
Thur 8/28- Cleveland, OH- House Of Blues
Fri 8/29- Detroit, MI- Chene Park
Sat 8/30- Champaign, IL- Canopy Club
Mon 9/1- Chicago, IL- House Of Blues
Wed 9/3- St. Louis, MO- The Pageant
Thur 9/4- Milwaukee, WI- The Rave
Fri 9/5- Minneapolis, MI- First Avenue

xxlmag.com

T.I.’s Album Pushed Back ‘Til September, Works With Fall Out Boy In “The Roundup”

T.I.’s upcoming album, Paper Trail, has been delayed until September, MTV News is reporting. The Atlanta rapper’s LP is now set to be released September 9. His latest single, “Whatever You Like,” was recently leaked online an now Tip is supposedly going to collaborate with Fall Out Boy for his project. Said F.O.B.’s Pete Wentz: “[It’s like] something from The Nightmare Before Christmas. After hearing about the chance to do a collaboration with someone like T.I. we thought, ‘How amazing would it be to send him something with strings and a Danny Elfman-like intro that Patrick [Stump] came up with? Lyrically you can take it as [being about] a friend, a lover, or even a fan.” [MTV]

Paul Wall is a hustler, for sure. The Texas rapper, already a partner in a jewelry store and proprietor of his grill company, is now launching a tattoo detox business. The product is believed to help combat heavy metals in tattoo ink and cleanse the blood. The rapper’s father is said to be behind the idea. [SOHH]

The rise and fall of Scott Storch. Friends and industry insiders weigh in on the one-time multi-platinum producer’s career. And his current state of legal affairs.[AP]

xxlmag.com

Just Blaze vs DJ Delinger

Just Blaze Vs DJ Delinger from Nile Ivey on Vimeo.

Fonzworth, Kanye, Andre 3000, and Sa-Ra: “Everybody” video

missinfo.com

Magic remix - freeway / robin thicke

missinfo.com

New: Swizz Beats “That Oprah” freestyle

Swizz Beats “That Oprah”

missinfo.com

New Music: GZA’s “Paper Plates”

missinfo.com

LL Cool J Calls Himself Classic, Talks Clothing Line

Author: Edwin Ortiz

Stopping by New York’s Power 105.1 radio, LL Cool J talked about his status in Hip Hop as well as a clothing deal he recently struck with Sears department stores.

Speaking his mind, LL Cool J stated, “I am old school, but I’m classic.” Turning this phrase into a metaphor, Cool J explained himself as he continued, “there are a lot of new cars (a reference to new artists). There are always gonna be new cars; that’s a part of [Hip Hop]. But, if you’re a classic, you’re a classic. Whether it’s a 6-4 Impala in mint condition or a Rolls Royce in mint condition…I’m not out here pretending that I’m 17. LL Cool J is not confused about who he is. I’m not trying to be in a young boy’s way.”

Validating his last statement, LL candidly put his career of over two decades into context. “I have no reason to not love what I do, and that’s it. I wanna give the people great music. I know that I transitioned from a teenage heart throb, to the hottest old school rapper, to a classic artist, and I’m cool with that.”

LL Cool J also commented on his new clothing line (simply called LL Cool J), which will be sold in Sears chain stores nationwide come August. “It’s gonna give great clothing to families that don’t want to spend all that dough, and it’s hot…We start off at 450 doors for back-to-school. It’s for men, women, boys and girls, the whole family. Then it goes to 700 doors by holiday. So, you’ll be able to see it everywhere.” Not wanting to reveal the reported millions he raked in through the agreement, Cool J swiftly chirped, “It was a good deal.”

LL Cool J’s latest (and last with Def Jam) album, Exit 13, is slated for an August 26th release date.

hiphopdx.com

Eminem Returns To The Studio

Author: Edwin Ortiz

It’s no secret that Eminem has been avoiding the limelight for some time now. In 2008, he sits four years away from his last solo effort Encore [click to read], and is two years removed from the fatal night that saw the tragic death of his best friend and fellow D12 member Proof.

However, Em may finally be ready for the stage again as Entertainment Weekly caught word from Bishop Lamont [click to read] that Eminem has recently been in the studio, and that he’s heard “some amazing stuff.”

A fellow member of the Aftermath camp, Bishop Lamont has been around Eminem long enough to understand the situation at hand. “He's been quiet too long, and he's got a lot to get off his chest,” stated Lamont, referring to Proof and other incidents that have occurred in the last four years.

Knowing that Eminem faced many struggles and adversities to get to this point though, Lamont appropriately described the process that has manifested within Em. “He went through what he had to go through, and now he's been able to take all the pain and stress and put it out in his music.”

To reiterate Lamont, the label (Aftermath/Shady) also confirmed that Eminem has indeed been in the studio.

hiphopdx.com

Lupe Fiasco To Headline Invite Only Tour

Author: Danielle Harling

Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco will team up with Coca-Cola for an exclusive six city tour aimed at teenagers ages 13-17.

The "Coca-Cola Refresh Your Flow Tour" will make stops in Hollywood, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York.

"I am looking forward to the 'Coca-Cola Refresh Your Flow Tour.' It's a unique opportunity for me to bring a message of positivity and what it really means to be cool," Lupe Fiasco said in a statement. "I hope it will be an unforgettable experience for every teen who attends."

Tickets for the tour can only be acquired through participating radio stations, retailers, and through the Coca-Cola street team.

Also, a select number of Boys and Girls Club's will be distributing the tickets to deserving club members.

"The 'Coca-Cola Refresh Your Flow Tour' continues Coca-Cola's tradition of connecting African American teens with something they love – Coca-Cola and music," Yolanda White, assistant vice president, African American Marketing, Coca-Cola North America said in a statement. "Not only will each concert offer the teens an unforgettable musical experience, it will give each of them a taste of the Coke Side of Life – a moment in time that is refreshingly optimistic and uplifting."

Most recently, Lupe Fiasco joined N.E.R.D. and Rihanna for the "Glow in the Dark Tour" earlier this year.

hiphopdx.com

2007: The Rebirth of Hip-Hop

By Gentle Jones (allhiphop.com)

In 2007, amidst deaths, arrests, and scandals, Hip-Hop was reborn in the original spirit of the culture. Pioneers and musical forebears continued to impact American society and shape the modern world.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five became the first Hip-Hop group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Jay-Z on hand to present the award. Melle Mel spoke during the ceremony urging music executives to “make Hip-Hop the culture that it was, instead the culture of violence it is right now.”

In a Hall of Fame graduating class that included R.E.M. and Van Halen, they were the most influential and innovative inductees this year. Grandmaster Flash revolutionized DJ culture when he invented the cut, birthing turntablism in its modern form. Flash told David Sprague that it took several nominations to get in: “Well, the first time we were nominated, I was like, ‘Yaaaay!’ Then it was like, ‘No, you're not going in.’ Then, when we were nominated again, there was less of a ‘Yay.’ This time, I got a call the day before the announcement from someone on the board that we got in.”

Flash thought Hip-Hop didn’t have the respect to stand equally with other American musical forms, “I always thought it was impossible, that all the other organizations had embraced Hip-Hop, but that this particular organization wouldn't. It's bigger than Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, though. Hip-Hop is in there now, and that's what really counts.”

August 11, 1973 is the date of the first party where Kool Herc unveiled the technique that spawned Hip-Hop’s global movement and 1520 Sedgwick Avenue was long considered the location of Hip-Hop’s earliest formative moments. In 2007 the building became officially eligible to be preserved and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The location has recently been threatened by gentrification and tenants of the building were notified that BSR Management, which currently maintains the building, is planning a buy-out in February 2008. The New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation approved an application on July 2 to make the location eligible to be considered a historic landmark. Herc told the New York Times, “This is where it came from,” pointing to the building’s first-floor community room. “This is it. The culture started here and went around the world. But this is where it came from. Not anyplace else.”

Hip-hop pioneers continued to inform American sensibilities. Rev. Run of Run DMC is not only an iconic MC but an accomplished author. In 2007 he signed yet another book deal, this one worth over one million dollars, to write about family issues.



While Hip-Hop culture presently perseveres, it continues to manifest elements from its history. A 10 story limestone building in Soho being converted to luxury condominiums was recently discovered to contain primordial graffiti by Fab 5 Freddy, Futura 2000, and Jean Michel Basquiat which dates back to 1979. The mural is a hodgepodge of scribbled handstyles including a plane, a heart ,and a cake executed in spray paint, glitter, grease pencil, and magic marker. There's also a few references to Quaaludes sprinkled in there too. The entire wall was excavated and is on display at Gallery 151 with "The Wild Style Exhibit" until Feb 15.



The Chief Rocker Busy Bee and Urban Gold Music dropped The History Of Hip Hop Volume One, the first release in a 10-CD compilation series featuring vintage battles and performances from the late 1970's and early 1980's. This first CD also features celebrated MC's like The Cold Crush Brothers, The Jazzy Five, and Grandmaster Flash. Included is Busy Bee’s historic Harlem World battle with Kool Moe Dee. Busy Bee began rapping in 1977 and earned a reputation as one of New York’s top battle rappers. He also won the New Music Seminar's MC World Supremacy Belt in 1986.

Busy Bee was thrust into the national spotlight as one of the main characters in the pioneering Hip-Hop movie Wild Style; Film creator Charlie Ahearn was on hand to accept a Trailblazer Award at the 2007 Hip-hop Odyssey Film Festival, which was a star studded event bringing together the pioneers of the culture, celebrating 30 Years of Crash Crew, 25 Years of Cold Crush, and 20 Years of Public Enemy. Hip-Hop celebrities paid tribute to the Best Hip-Hop Actor, Ice-T; Trailblazers, Ralph McDaniels, Charlie Ahearn, and Ernest Dickerson; and Legend: Grand Wizard Theodore. The presenters and attendees included: Paul Mooney, Ernie Paniccioli, Davey D, Fab 5 Freddy, Pebblee Poo, Immortal Technique, DJ Beverly Bond, Hank Shocklee, Awesome Two, Dana Dane, Roxanne Shante, Chubb Rock, Chip Fu, Lord Yoda X of the Zulu Nation, Harry Allen and Kool Kim.

The elder statesmen of hip-hop were needed more than ever, as Hip-Hop culture became public enemy number one, and anathema to American goodness. Paula Zahn asked the world on Fox News if hip-hop was “Art or Poison”. Al Sharpton also criticized the music after Don Imus ran his mouth and blamed it on hip-hop. While Oprah continued to take shots, Paul Mooney flipped the script and stepped up to made a stand for hip-hop.

Hip-Hop’s Rebirth’s was punctuated by AllHipHop Week 2007, which was part celebration, part education, part commemoration. Hosted by P. Diddy and Russell Simmons the weeklong event was graced by the likes of Slick Rick, Chamillionaire, Mistah Fab, NORE, MOP, Cassidy, Swizz Beats, and dozens of other luminaries. The festivities included a fashion show, an art show, a panel discussion featuring Master P & Dr. Cornell West, and a finale event that sold out the Nokia Theatre in Times Square New York City. For those who missed it, check out Talib Kweli and the rest of the Grand Finale performance for the capacity crowd.

2007 was the year that Hip-Hop matured as a culture. It manifested this maturity on numerous fronts. 50 Cent made a move straight from the Wall Street Journal by investing in a fledgling company called Vitamin Water and subsequently reaped the benefits as it was sold to Coca Cola for $4,000,000,000. Details are sketchy on 50's windfall but it's in the neighborhood of $100,000,000. Jay-z continued to make moves, opening a new 40/40 in Las Vegas, and planning a new business venture, J Hotels. Diddy assumed responsibility as brand manager for Ciroc Vodka and extended his hegemony as Hip-Hop lifestyle maven with a star on the Walk of Fame.

Queen Latifah, Ice Cube, and Will Smith continued to blaze new trails in Hollywood, while rappers like Method Man revealed upcoming roles outside the traditional comedic/hood typecast. Ice-T returned to Law & Order, which also provided a launch pad for another stellar acting performance from Chris "Ludacris" Bridges.

Most important, Hip-Hop didn't run from criticism. Rappers like David banner met the challenge head on by continuing his humanitarian efforts in still battered New Orleans while speaking publicly against criticism by such detractors as Al Sharpton. Hip-Hoppers remained resolute and stuck to their guns regarding the artistic integrity of their music and culture, and the 4th quarter release cycle proved that the music was alive and still evolving.

Whenever power is threatened, it responds in kind. Recent developments in Europe, as well as the tumult it faced in 2007, demonstrate the increasing range of Hip-Hop, and its effect on youth and culture on a global scale. It threatens to rupture old value systems, and boundaries of separation. For a while, Hip-Hop was the golden child, expanding unchecked, soulless and loved by all. That's when you know you're really spaded. When no one protests, there is no change. No evolution. 2007 is dead. Long live 2008 and the rebrith of Hip-Hop as Public Enemy #1.

CRS (Lupe, Kanye, Pharrell) Shooting New Video ?

By: Mark DiSalvo (ughh.com)
CRS, the supergroup comprised of Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Pharell Williams, is set to film its first video. At a recent show, Lupe Fiasco announced to the crowd that the group would be assembling this week to shoot a video. No word on whether they've got any set dates for an album or further material. Video of the announcement is below. Peep the dude who thinks Lupe is actually talking to him.

Common's New Album Gets Release Date

By: Mark DiSalvo (uhh.com)
Invincible Summer, the upcoming Common album, won't exactly be coming out this summer. According to photos taken at a playback of the new album in London, the album will drop September 22. The same photo reveals eight track titles for the new album.

Universal Mind Control
Announcement
Make my Day
Punch Drunk Love
Gladiator
Changes
Sex for Sugar
What a World

Head over to Spine Magazine's section of photos to see the full set.

Scarface Done With Rap?

By: Mark DiSalvo
Rap Veteran and new internet businessman Scarface, hinted to XXL today that he's likely retiring from hip-hop, but not the music industry entirely. "That should end it right here," Scarface told XXL, "I ain't making it my last album. I'm moving on to some different shit.... You never know what's next for me. I might go into making one of them rock bands." He repeated the phrase "Scarface emeritus" to XXL, hinting he may have one album left in him, titled "Emeritus." Scarface also just started the site, heregomydemo.com. He said the move came after he collected tons of demos from people at all his shows. "You can sell your shit. You can audition musicians. You can audition singers," Face told XXL.

Nas Reveals His Feelings About Mobb Deep & 50 Cent

Author: Andreas Hale

King Magazine recently released some lost excerpts of their interview with Nas. While most of it had to do with Nas discussing his early years in Hip Hop, one question and accusation proved to be a bit eyebrow raising.

"I ran into Prodigy last week and asked him, 'What should I ask Nas?' He said, 'Ask him, ‘What happened backstage at the Central Park show in 2004,’” Thomas Golianopoulos inquired.

“Man, that was some classic Mobb Deep shit. They was rumbling,” Nas replied regarding a fight that took place backstage between Mobb Deep and others. But Prodigy thinks that those involved were Nas’ people.

“He thinks you set him up,” Golianopoulos responded.

Nas went on to discuss his relationship with Prodigy and addressed the situation.

“I did hear that. Nah, I would never do that to him,” Nas retorted. “We had our differences, which was really just hyped up bullshit. I wish everything for Prodigy. They caught a lot of bad breaks. I just wish the best for him. I wish he didn’t have to do this time. And I would love to see them come back again. I would be the first person in the record store buying a Mobb album. I want to see them give it to us however many more times.”

Nas also revealed how he felt about Mobb Deep joining G-Unit.

“I was really happy to see 50 embrace them. I thought that was G because that’s something that doesn’t happen from the higher ups. All these big companies, they don’t care about us. They don’t care about the talented ones that aren’t given a fair shot and I thought it was a good move on 50’s part to give them a deal.”

Nas' Untitled drops July 15th.

Roots & Others Represent Philly Music Scene

Author: J-23

After impressing all comers with their Keys To The City debut (D.C. was represented), social networking site imeem.com returns with round two highlighting the city of brotherly love.

Anchored by exclusive webisodes of the much talked about Roots picnic from last month, the Philly Key To The City has hours of content for you to make your way though. From interviews with Black Thought and ?uestlove taking about their Philly roots, to an essay from Hezekiah to a 53 track essential Illadelph playlist from the musical encyclopedia himself, ?uestlove.

LL Talks Exit 13; Denies Signing To G-Unit

By Ismael AbduSalaam & Haaron Hines (allhiphop.com)

After a 2 year hiatus, veteran LL Cool J is gearing up for the release of Exit 13, his 13th and final LP under his Def Jam recording deal.

Unlike his other albums, the Farmer’s Boulevard legend has worked closely with another Queens native, rapper 50 Cent.

“I did a whole album with 50, I did an album by myself, then I went and did another album by myself,” LL disclosed to AllHipHop.com. “I decided to use like two or three songs from the album I did with 50, one from the second album I did by myself, and the rest is all new material.”

Some have expressed concern that LL may pattern himself after 50’s more successful albums, such a Get Rich or Die Tryin’, a claim the MC quickly denied.

“Watching him work made me hungry again, but it was also important for me to come out with an LL Cool J album that doesn’t sound like I’m trying to be 50 Cent,” LL clarified. “I’m not doing that.”

LL also dismissed rumors that he was attempting to sign to G-Unit over his dissatisfaction with Def Jam’s promotion of his last album.

“There were a lot of, for lack of a better word, doe-does out there that were like ‘LL is going to sign to G-Unit,’” the veteran laughed. “I don’t know what these guys were thinking. Why would I work for 20 years to sign to another artist? I don’t know where the stupidness came from. I don’t think they understand who they’re dealing with and the reason why I’m here.”

LL openly criticized former Def Jam president Jay-Z about his work in promoting rap albums on the label.

Now with a new regime, he feels rap projects including his own, will get the attention they deserve.

“Before Lyor and them left we did a deal and I got my full catalog. LL Cool J owns his whole body of work. I’m very happy about the growth Def Jam has experienced,” he revealed. “Now, do I feel the Hip-Hop side of the music needs more attention? Yes. I think Hip-Hop will be served more now that Shakir Stewart [new Def Jam Executive Vice President] is up there doing what he does. People are excited about Hip-Hop. People are excited about my project and I know it’s going to succeed.”

Exit 13 is set for release on August 26.

The album features production from DJ Scratch, Tricky Stewart, and Raw Uncut.

Guests include KRS-One, Jim Jones, 50 Cent, Lil’ Kim, Trey Songz, The Dream, and Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi.

Rapper David Banner Talks Jesse Jackson

By Chris Richburg (allhiphop.com)

Days after the Rev. Jesse Jackson apologized for making negative comments about Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, rapper David Banner is weighing in on the controversy.

Banner, who drew headlines during the Imus scandal for his scathing comments about Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, also rapped about Jackson on the track “So Special.”

Rev. Jesse Jackson came under fire since making what he called "crude and hurtful" remarks about Obama on Sunday (July 6) after an interview with a Fox News correspondent.

The former Democratic presidential contender, who was not aware that his microphone was still on while talking to UnitedHealth Group executive Dr. Reed V. Tuckson, whispered "See, Barack's been talking down to black people…I want to cut his nuts off" to Tuckson who was also being interviewed on Fox News.

News of the incident dominated morning talk shows and other media outlets since it became public.

"He didn’t literally mean that he wanted to cut Barack’s balls off. So we just need to quit it and move on," David Banner told AllHipHop.com. “This is one of the most important elections in history and we should focus on what’s right and what’s wrong. We’re gonna mess around and let the same thing happen with the last two elections and then we as American people are gonna be sitting up looking stupid with high ass gas prices again and our troops still at war."

On Wednesday (July 9), Jackson apologized for his remarks as well as any hurt or harm the comments caused the Obama campaign.

Although a spokesman for the campaign relayed that the Illinois senator accepted Jackson’s apology, Jackson’s son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., of Illinois was less forgiving as he publicly voiced his outrage and disappointment over his father’s remarks about Obama by calling them "reckless statements."

While the elder Jackson’s comments may have come as a shock, Banner was quick to point out the importance of looking at the bigger picture.

“I think the thing that we should focus on more is the disconnect between young black people and old black people. And the truth, when it comes down to it, is about what’s right and what’s wrong,” said Banner.

While criticism is regularly thrown at leaders such as Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton, Banner points out that representation must exist for the current generation of voters.

“We need to agree on who our leaders are gonna be. When we go through a generation without representation, who’s representing our generation that comes from our generation? Who is speaking out and pushing for policies for our generation?” Banner asked. “We complain about Jesse Jackson and people like that, but who are we gonna put in those positions? Who’s gonna step up to the forefront and take responsibility?”

Banner’s encouragement for fans to become active on issues affecting them is voiced on "So Long," a song off his forthcoming album The Greatest Story Ever Told, which hits stores Tuesday (July 15).

Flesh-N-Bone Released; Bone Thugs Reunited

By George Skoutakis and Nolan Strong (allhiphop.com)

After almost 10 years behind bars Stanley “Flesh N Bone” Howse is now officially a free man.

The 34-year-old rapper, who was originally sentenced to twelve years for threatening a friend with an AK 47, was released from his California penitentiary early yesterday morning (June 13) to the waiting arms of family and friends which included Krayzie, Layzie, Bizzy and Wish Bone.

This now marks the first time that all five of the original members of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony have been together in over a decade.

“It feels amazing, refreshing, exciting [and] I'm so happy for him to finally come home to his family and friends and fans,” Bone Thug’s longtime manager Steve Lobel told AllHipHop.com. “Flesh is a very great, loving, talented, creative individual. We have a lot of memories together. Hopefully we can have more.”

Upon his release Flesh-N-Bone wasted no time getting back to work.

All five Bone members instantly hit the studio to begin work on their upcoming album, which is expected to be released on Interscope through a joint venture with Swizz Beatz’ Full Surface imprint.

The album will be the follow up to the 2007’s gold selling Bone album Strength and Loyalty which only featured three of the original quintet due to Flesh’s imprisonment and Bizzy Bone being shown the door.

Bizzy Bone also reconciled and recently reunited with the group, officially making the group a quintet again.

"I know his Bone brothers are so excited he's home and now they can make history again,” Lobel said. “They all deserve it. They are amazing and unstoppable together as a team. Thanks to all the fans who wrote to Flesh while he was away and stuck by his side and supported him. I know his brother Layzie [born Steven Howse] couldn't wait for this time to come.”

Flesh is also expected to start working on his third solo album and will begin looking for a label home in the coming weeks.

The Cleveland born rapper enjoyed his best success with his 1996 Def Jam release entitled T.H.U.G.S. which went on to be certified Gold later that year.

Joe Budden dispensing a flurry of hurt feelings, lol….”Who pt 1 and 2″

From MissInfo.tv

Thank you Splash for sending over Joe Budden’s “Who Pt 2″, I’m going to post both Pt. 1 and Pt. 2, so folks can get the full effect (well maybe not full because Splash contends that he will have Pt. 3 soon) of the homie’s lyrical prowess..

And not just that…but Joe’s pragmatic point of view. Reality checks all around.

Joe Budden “Who Pt. 2″

Nas Reveals His Feelings About Mobb Deep & 50 Cent

By Andreas Hale

From Hiphopdx.com

King Magazine recently released some lost excerpts of their interview with Nas. While most of it had to do with Nas discussing his early years in Hip Hop, one question and accusation proved to be a bit eyebrow raising.

"I ran into Prodigy last week and asked him, 'What should I ask Nas?' He said, 'Ask him, ‘What happened backstage at the Central Park show in 2004,’” Thomas Golianopoulos inquired.

“Man, that was some classic Mobb Deep shit. They was rumbling,” Nas replied regarding a fight that took place backstage between Mobb Deep and others. But Prodigy thinks that those involved were Nas’ people.

“He thinks you set him up,” Golianopoulos responded.

Nas went on to discuss his relationship with Prodigy and addressed the situation.

“I did hear that. Nah, I would never do that to him,” Nas retorted. “We had our differences, which was really just hyped up bullshit. I wish everything for Prodigy. They caught a lot of bad breaks. I just wish the best for him. I wish he didn’t have to do this time. And I would love to see them come back again. I would be the first person in the record store buying a Mobb album. I want to see them give it to us however many more times.”

Nas also revealed how he felt about Mobb Deep joining G-Unit.

“I was really happy to see 50 embrace them. I thought that was G because that’s something that doesn’t happen from the higher ups. All these big companies, they don’t care about us. They don’t care about the talented ones that aren’t given a fair shot and I thought it was a good move on 50’s part to give them a deal.”

Nas' Untitled drops July 15th.

Mobb Deep Sues Former Manager Over Mixtapes

By Ismael AbduSalaam

Decorated Queensbridge duo Mobb Deep is suing their former personal manager and several record labels for alleged violations of their copyrighted songs.

The lawsuit, filed July 9, details several unapproved Mobb albums and songs that were released by Purfek Storm Inc, Streetcore and Big Brother Music: Mobb Deep The Infamous Archives (2007), Mobb Deep The Mix Tape Before 9/11 (2004), and the Purfek Storm Mixtape series.

The group’s former manager and Purfek Storm, Inc CEO Norman Bell was named as a primary defendant in the lawsuit.

Bell managed Mobb Deep from May 2004 through November 2007.

As their former manger Mobb Deep alleges Bell has breached the fiduciary duty and loyalty of his contract.

The Mobb also claims that Bell and other parties plotted to release the copyrighted material by “forging the signatures of the plaintiffs (Mobb Deep) on a written agreement with the distributor for the record, in order to induce the distributor to commercially release, distribute, promote and advertise records of the offending recording(s), all without the knowledge of or consent of plaintiffs, and without any authority granted by plaintiffs to do so.”

Mobb Deep names ten claims against the offending parties which include: copyright infringement, trademark counterfeiting, false designation/advertising, and trademark dilution.

Some of the tracks in question include: “Backwards,” “In the Long Run,” “QB Meets Southside,” and “Getting Moved On.”

Mobb Deep has released eight albums since 1993. They have one platinum and four gold albums.

Their last album, Blood Money, was released on G-Unit Records in 2006.

Method Man: State of Grace

By Dove ~Sheepish Lordess of Chaos~

Method Man’s music, both solo and with Wu-Tang Clan, has garnered him icon status in Hip-Hop, while his acting career introduced him to mainstream audiences.

It may seem like yesterday to some, but Method Man actually appeared in two movies (187 with Samuel L. Jackson and Cop Land with Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro) and an episode of Martin in 1997, the same year that Wu-Tang Forever was released. Since that time the multi-talented rapper has appeared in numerous TV shows - even his own with the short-lived 2004 series Method & Red - and has landed roles in several movies.

Despite insisting that he does not care what people think of him or his career decisions, reacting to critics has never been Method Man’s forté. With more aliases than a religious cult leader on the lam, Johnny Blaze has always been brutally honest about his feelings. While someone with less moxie may be put off by that, true fans continue to appreciate his in-your-face honesty with the media.

Method Man’s latest acting gig has him flexing a unique accent in the new film The Wackness, a current critic’s favorite at the box office. We grabbed a few minutes of his time to discuss his Hollywood career, how life with Def Jam has changed, his new comic book and what comes next as he approaches 20 years in entertainment.

AllHipHop.com: In the past few years people have really seen you evolve in Hollywood whether it was on television or in movies. You’ve taken on a lot more roles. Was this a conscious thing for you in the beginning, to really focus on acting, or did it just happen?

Method Man: It just happened. It’s hard for me to watch myself after the scene is said and done and I watch myself on screen. But it just fell in my lap, I did one thing which led to another thing, got a call for another thing and I said, “Why not get an agent and keep going?”

AllHipHop.com: You’ve expressed a lot of frustration about the way the series [Method & Red] was promoted. Have you ever looked into doing another television series where you might be a central character?

Method Man: I’m not messing with TV. [laughs] No way, no sitcoms at all. I don’t know, Hollywood doesn’t get it or maybe we don’t, because I got flak from both sides. Black people thought it was misrepresenting Black folks, I wasn’t trying to represent Black folks with that show. Don’t put that burden on me. As far as the network, they just didn’t listen. I thank them for that opportunity though.

AllHipHop.com: In your music career you’ve had a huge learning curve going from your group that you gained a lot of notoriety with, to your solo career, where it’s been a bumpy ride. What would you say is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Method Man: Don’t read your own press, stay out of trouble and save your money.

AllHipHop.com: We interviewed Shakir Stewart recently, and we’ve heard a lot of rumblings from various artists [at Def Jam]. We asked him about whether the company was speaking to artists about why they were unhappy, he assured us that they were [speaking to people]. Have you had a chance to sit down with him yet, or are you looking forward to it?

Method Man: No, I haven’t spoken with Shakir. I don’t know the dude - if you put him in a lineup I couldn’t pick him out. I’m not saying that to be disrespectful, I’m just saying I don’t know the dude. If they’re addressing whatever with artists at Def Jam, I ain’t got a phone call.

AllHipHop.com: But if there was an opportunity for a meeting you would have things to discuss…

"I regret this s**t to this day, but in that meeting I’m swallowing my pride and everything, trying to explain to them where I’m at with it right now, and why I’m even saying the things that I’m saying to them."

Method Man: I done sat down and had meetings already. All I can do is do albums, hand them in and do my best to promote my album. I’m not asking for anybody to do nothing for me I can’t do for myself. That’s pretty much it, but no one’s spoken to me. I sat in Def Jam with L.A. [Reid], Steve Bartels, Jay Brown and Jay-Z, and at [that] point in time I was going through so much in my life that I was ready to explode. I regret this s**t to this day, but in that meeting I’m swallowing my pride and everything, trying to explain to them where I’m at with it right now, and why I’m even saying the things that I’m saying to them.

I’ll do you one better. It’s hard when you got a lot of people thinking you said something and you didn’t actually say it, but you got everybody against you thinking you did say so it so it’s like, “F**k you.” So anything you say at that point in time is all [game], there’s nobody you can convince of the truth at that point in time and it’s frustrating. So me sitting there in that office and looking at these dudes faces, knowing that I didn’t do anything f**king wrong. But to sit there and swallow my pride in front of grown a** men to the point where I’m so f**king angry tears is in my eyes, that’s when there’s a problem.

After that meeting, I don’t think anybody reached out to me with the exception of Jay Brown, nobody reached out to me to exactly see what I was going through. I wrote Jay-Z a letter, I don’t know if he still got it, hopefully he burned the s**t, but I wrote him a letter trying to explain exactly where I was coming from and why things were the way that they were as far as I go.

"I was used to Lyor [Cohen] and Kevin [Liles] who spoiled us, having such a hands-on approach, that I got things a little misconstrued myself."

We’re here now, and Def Jam will tell you, “We got a good relationship with Method Man” and I’ll say the same thing, I got a good relationship with Def Jam. But I was used to Lyor [Cohen] and Kevin [Liles] who spoiled us, having such a hands-on approach, that I got things a little misconstrued myself. Instead of being vocal about things, I should have sat back, watched and did the knowledge to how things worked [at the time] instead of trying to force it into my favor. I know that now.

There’s nobody to blame for an album not selling at all. It just didn’t sell. It’s time to just move on to the next thing. I told them dudes in that meeting that day, tears and all, that I started my career in Def Jam and that’s where I wanted to end my career at, and I still mean that s**t.

AllHipHop.com: You come from an era in Hip-Hop that was so heavy with street teaming, now the digital age has taken over. Are you doing anything right now to actively transition yourself with your music into the digital age?

"I love music and I’m gonna keep doing it for as long as I possibly can, whether it’s for money or not."

Method Man: No, I just go in the studio and make the records. To me now, it’s to the point where I don’t care if it makes money or not, I’m doing it for me. This is how I used to do it before there was a record deal, I used to sit at my mom’s table, bang on the table, write rhymes and think to myself, “Wait ‘til n***as here this in the staircase.” I wasn’t thinking, “Wait ‘til the world hears this.” So that’s what I’m doing now and I’m gonna always be like that. I love music and I’m gonna keep doing it for as long as I possibly can, whether it’s for money or not.

AllHipHop.com: With a career spanning well over a decade, kids still actually respect you. Are there ever times where you’ve felt distanced from the kids with the way that they see [the music scene] now?

Method Man: Yeah a whole hell of a lot, and it’s good you asked that. I can’t wear tight T-shirts or tight jeans. My body ain’t built like that, I’m thin so I can’t wear a lot of that stuff. As far as the dances, I’m too grown to be doing that s**t. Braids in my hair, forget about it, I’m too grown for that. What did Jay say? “I could buy the Bentley but I’m grown enough not to put rims on it.” But I’m still connected with them on a level as far as knowing what gets them going, what they like and what they like to see, I know that type of swagger they like. People like real s**t, they like genuine articles, so as long as I can be me that’s the easiest job in the world.

AllHipHop.com: In this movie The Wackness, they put a lot of emphasis on the soundtrack and capturing that era [1994] through Hip-Hop particularly. How did you feel about the way that it was represented in the film?

Method Man: I feel [director Jonathan Levine] did an excellent job, I swear on everything I love. I hadn’t seen the movie until Sundance, and there were times where I was sitting in there watching the movie and some music would come on and my feet would start tapping like, “Yeah he got that off, wow.” So like after five or six songs I’m sitting there waiting and then a Wu-Tang song came on and I’m like, “Aight there we go, nice.” [smiles]

AllHipHop.com: You have a comic book coming out too, what exactly inspired you to do that? We know you like comic books…

Method Man: That’s exactly what it is. When the opportunity presented itself I jumped at it. They said, “What do you wanna do?” I said, “I don’t know, I got ideas all over the place” and this guy David Atchison took all of my s**t, put them in a pot and made a nice stew. Then Sanford Greene pieced it together well enough for them to see a great story and make a nice art.

AllHipHop.com: As far as transitioning into different forms of merchandising and marketing yourself, have you looked into fashion?

Method Man: No. I will never do fashion because as soon as your clothing line goes down, so do you.

AllHipHop.com: Are you touring overseas nowdays?

Method Man: I go overseas, I do shows here but they’re not promoted to the urban areas anymore. Us dudes, we get promoted more to the suburban areas and most of my shows is white kids.

AllHipHop.com: Do you feel like in certain ways that you’ve made yourself a mainstream name?

Method Man: Yeah, but when it’s involuntary it feels better, it doesn’t feel like you sold a piece of a** to get where you got.

AllHipHop.com: Is there anything else you want fans to know about what you have coming up?

Method Man: Just be on the lookout for How High II the movie, me and Redman’s album, my comic book is called Method Man and also a television show called Burn Notice. I did an episode on there, July 10th it debuts [on the USA Network].