Gorilla Zoe & C-N-N Land On The Charts
Zoe managed to land in the Top 10, scoring the no. 8 spot with his sophomore effort Don’t Feed The Animals. The Atlanta MC sold 31,260 copies in his first week on the shelves according to the Nielsen SoundScan.
Debuting all the way down at no. 136 are rap vets C-N-N with their first album in close to nine years Channel 10. The disc, which features collaborations with Busta Rhymes, Maino, Ron Browz, Clipse and Uncle Murda, moved 3,930 units.
Back to the Top 40, The-Dream keeps registers ringing in his second week on the charts. Dropping to the no. 5 spot this week, the Def Jam crooner sold 55,510 copies this sales cycle, making his total sales stand at 206,980.
As the days count down to T.I.’s days of freedom, his last album Paper Trail continues to make waves. Climbing to no. 12, the CD scanned 20,720 more units this week. After 25 weeks, the album has pushed 1,816,750 copies off the shelves.
Six spots down at no. 18 is the Louis Vuitton Don, Kanye West. 808s and Heartbreak sold an additional 16,980 copies this go-around, bringing his overall sales to 1,445,840.
At no. 35 and no. 38 respectively is Akon and Lil Wayne. Kon’s third solo disc Freedom sold 12,200 discs this week, putting his tally at 566,330. Weezy’s Grammy-award winning Tha Carter III had 11,580 copies bought this cycle, which makes his total stand at 3,082,230.
Next week look for new discs from Jim Jones and DOOM to debut on the charts. – Elan Mancini
xxlmag.com
Lupe Fiasco Tweets New Album Details
Grammy Award winning rapper Lupe Fiasco has taken to the social networking microsite, Twitter, to announce some changes about his third album. After originally planning a three-disc work tentatively titled LupEND, Lupe has changed course and plans to name the upcoming album We Are Lasers.
"'We Are Lasers'...comes from some repressed high school outcast shit...blended amidst 'And He Gets The Girl' ambitions," Lupe tweeted over the weekend. Initial reports point to the album being a close-knit affair featuring the rest of his 1st & 15th family, with his longtime producer Soundtrakk handling most of the production.
Aside from name checking a few of his current favorites, including Kid Cudi and the aforementioned Soundtrakk, Lupe didn't provide any other musical details. Although he did add that he would not likely be continuing the string of successful mixtapes, stating, "I don't feel I have to do mixtapes anymore...I think that point was proven..."
hiphopdx.com
Saigon Talks Studio Gangsters, Industry Regrets
Saigon has often been an outspoken emcee. Known just as much for his headline grabbing statements as he is for the music, the Brooklyn native is back on the scene after releasing All In A Day’s Work, a collaborative album with producer Statik Selektah.
In a forthcoming interview with BET.com, Saigon reflected on his time spent on a major label, rappers glorifying negative lifestyles, and his biggest industry regret.
Much has been written about Saigon’s relationship with his former recording house, Atlantic Records. One of the breaking points for Saigon came when a label executive suggested a collaboration with one of the label’s R&B acts.
“They wanted me to do a record with Pretty Ricky,” he says. “They were serious. One of the execs told me, ‘Saigon, it would be a good thing if you went in with Pretty Ricky. You guys could do something great.’ Saigon and Pretty Ricky? That doesn’t even make sense.”
Saigon also took some time out to address the glorification of violence and hustling in the industry.
“It’s stupid,” he said. “Real gangsters don’t do that. Tough guys don’t want you to know they’re tough. Everybody’s talking about street cred. Number one, when you’re out in the streets, you’re not thinking about street cred. It’s not something you sit around and glorify.
“When gang members go to jail, they get caught up in the RICO laws [and they’re surprised]. What’d you think? You’re running around with gang tattoos and a red bandana on your body. With organized crime, if they got pulled over, [they’d tell the police] ‘We’re not in the mob, what are you talking about?’ They didn’t walk around with signs that said ‘Gambino Family.’”
With a new recording home in Amalgam Digital, Saigon says he has more creative control than he did on a major label. However, when looking back on his career, he revealed one regret.
“I regret not reading my contract,” he says. “Not to take anything away from my attorney, because my attorney is the illest. I think if I could’ve asked him more questions and been more inquisitive instead of worrying about my financials—because I was dead poor when I signed my deal—I wish I would’ve studied it more and understood the guarantees that you can put in your contract.
“If I would’ve had certain commitments, they wouldn’t have been able to do me like they did me.”
In hopes that others will learn from his crucial mistake, he offers one piece of advice.
“Read your mutha fuckin contract. If you can, get a ‘play or pay.’ If you can get a play or pay, if they don’t put you out, they’ve got to pay you. That’s one of the industry inside tricks.”
hiphopdx.com
Cormega Readies Anticipated Born & Raised Album
With Cormega’s [click to read] latest album, Born & Raised, ready for a summer release, the Queensbridge rapper has taken it upon himself to give New Yorkers a sneak peek.
On April 8th, Cormega will hold a listening party for Born & Raised at S.O.B.’s. The event will be capped off by a performance from the independent artist who sold over six figures of his official debut The Realness, with the expected guest list to include DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Havoc, and Lil Fame, among others.
With six albums and a plethora of mixtapes already released in his Rap career, Cormega explained the importance of his new project, which features some of New York’s finest producers. “I'm proud of all my albums. It's been seven years since my last solo album and this new one. Born & Raised represents me because I got to work with artists I respect and some of my favorite producers,” Cormega said in a press statement.
Continuing, he added, “Your albums are like your kids. One kid might achieve more than the other one but you love them all. The Testament was my first album, so I have good memories from that album.”
Tickets for the April 8th listening party of Born & Raised at S.O.B.’s are $12 advance, and $15 at the door.
hiphopdx.com
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced Eminem will be a presenter as Run DMC are inducted
Omar Burgess
hiphopdx.com
Method Man & Redman's Blackout 2 Due Next Month
Author: Benjamin Chesna
Method Man and Redman are finally finished up in the studio as the duo sets to release the follow up to their 1999 platinum album Blackout.
Blackout 2, which was initially scheduled to drop in 2008, was pushed back numerous times but now a solid release date has been set for this spring. After finishing up the Still High Tour with Termanalogy, the Alchemist and Evidence, Red and Meth finished and set a released date for their highly anticipated sequel.
The Wu-Tang Clan and Def Squad tandem will be releasing Blackout 2 under Def Jam Recordings on April 28th.
The album features production from Pete Rock, Rockwilda, and Erick Sermon , as Meth and Red promise to satisfy patient fans.
The track "Ayo"that was leaked earlier this month has been confirmed to be included on the album along with "Miss International" featuring Erick Sermon and "City Lights" featuring Bun B.
Blackout 2 will be released 10 years since the original Blackout, which was placed at the top of a lot of 1999’s best album lists. Entertainment Weekly explained how the two lyricists work so well together. "When Hip Hop's most playfully creative rhyme stylers throw down like two superballs in a rubber room, they're unstoppable, and make rap's most joyous ride.”
The sequel to How High, a cult-followed "stoner film," titled How High 2, is currently being written with production and filming to start this summer.
hiphopdx.com
Dillanthology To Release March 31
After Delicious Vinyl Records released 2007's Jay Deelicious, a collection of late '90s works of the then-Slum Village member's production with the Los Angeles label, another J Dilla anthology is set to release. March 31, Rapster/BBE will release Dillanthology, a 13 track collection of Dilla's production, spanning his career.
Included on the release, rumored to be part of a new series on the producer, are singles such as Common's "The Light" [click to read], "Stakes Is High" by De La Soul and "Didn't Cha Know" by songstress Erykah Badu.
The release also acknowledges deeper cuts, such as A.G.'s "Hip Hop Quotable" and Busta Rhymes' 2000 "Show Me What You Got" [click to read].
Rapster/BBE was home to Dilla's (then as Jay Dee) 2001 seminal release Welcome To Detroit as well as his posthumous 2006 The Shining album.
hiphopdx.com
Memphis Bleek Talks Leaving Roc-A-Fella
Rapper Memphis Bleek recently took time to discuss his departure from Roc-A-Fella distributor Def Jam .
"Jay's the kindest nigga that walk the face of this earth and everything ain't money," said Bleek in a video on HipHopBeef.com, rebutting rumors that Jay-Z didn't look after his artists. "Nigga gave everybody he knew that he came up with rhyming with opportunity, that's all you can ask for...You know Hov broke bread...I left Def Jam...I had options to put out another album on Def Jam but then I had a meeting with him and he made it real clear to me, 'Why do that, you got the opportunity right now to run your own company. I'ma get you the distribution deal for Get Low Records, you sign your artists, drop your albums under Get Low and I'ma still executive produce.'"
Bleek also spoke on Roc-A-Fella's initial breakup, saying that "I saw it coming...I ain't seen or speak to Beans in forever, I ain't seen the Gunz in forever...I definitely ain't seen or speak to Peedi Crakk."
As for his relationship with Dame Dash, "It was weird. Dame always was cool to me. He looked out for me as a youngin...He was a good dude. You know how they say - with money, it changes a lot of things. It changed Roc-A-Fella."
hiphopdx.com
Jean Grae, Jazzy Joyce Inspire With "Women on the Move"
Revered female rapper Jean Grae will take time out tonight (March 25) to motivate and inspire young women towards finding professional success at this year’s Women on the Move school tour.
The third annual event, which takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight, at the New York University Kimmel Center in New York, is geared towards providing awareness to high school and college students regarding available career opportunities.
Influential female leaders representing business, fashion, entertainment and politics will share their first hand experiences as well as offer professional advice.
Moderated by Hot 97 radio host Dee Vasquez, the Women on the Move seminar will feature Grae as well as appearances from renowned DJ Jazzy Joyce, Vibe Magazine editor-in-chief Danyel Smith, model Christina Mendez, G-Unit director of finance Sharon Salamone and Miatta David of the MVD PR firm.
With this year’s line up of seminar guest speakers, Ravenel Records recording artist Nina B could not help but envy those who plan to take advantage of everything offered by the event.
"Women on the Move is something I wish I had when I was young. I grew up in the hood, and we didn’t have many role models,” the entertainer stated as she emphasized the responsibility of the panelists to do their part in starting students on the road to a successful future.”
The women that are in powerful positions must realize that they can be and are role models.
We should want to share our knowledge with the youth, and pass it on to the next generation of women to come.”
The Women on the Move seminar will take place at the Rosenthal Pavillion at the Center.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early for the event.
allhiphop.com
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Camp Lo Readies Album, Talks Comeback
Author: Jake Paine
On March 24, duo Camp Lo will release their fifth retail project, Stone & Rob: Caught On Tape. Thursday afternoon, Geechie Suede spoke to HipHopDX about the group's stylized approach to this particular project.
"Stone and Rob are two characters out of the [1975] Cooley High film," said The Bronx emcee. "We always have always been coming from that [1970s Black Hollywood] sort of dimension. Basically, the style is... [fans] know us for doing the smooth, milky martini music, which we like to call it. But we've got that Stone and Rob edge. We always have, from the 'Krystal Karrington' and 'Killin' 'Em Softly' or whatever [from Uptown Saturday Night]. We're bringing that more to the forefront on this record, as opposed to the martini music we're normally [known for] givin' out."
With the first single, "On Smash" having video shoot footage leak yesterday, Camp Lo is working with Pete Rock and Styles P on the song. Having worked with De La Soul and Aesop Rock over the years, Suede explained how to duo is so versatile. "I always think that we don't think [in terms of] time. We also don't think [in terms] of genre. It's an energy thing. It's not so much of a thought-process." He continued, "We've just been able to blend with a lot of different energy, man. Camp Lo has always been diverse too, so it helps culminate with different cats. We don't really lock ourselves in one thing; we're able to blend with it all."
This release comes less than a year after the group fielded their first major label deal in years, a single deal with SRC/Universal Records for the Smokey Robinson & The Miracles-inspired "Lumdi" With radio play happening, Suede says, "I felt like we pulled some new heads in, also, but we brought the awareness out there to our people that we were comin' back through."
As the title of the single suggests, some of this material stems from a mixtape to have been released by the super-blog collective, The New Music Cartel. An early '90s Rap veteran, Suede spoke of the new technology and people in power, saying, "You can come in contact with [these people] to help you with stuff. As far as that goes, I think [the blogs] do what they've got to do. [Hip Hop] is at this right now, and you've got to just keep pushin' to get to the people that love you, and you pull in new people [with the exposure]."
With an upcoming performance at South By Southwest, Camp Lo is promoting and performing Stone & Rob: Caught On Tape heavily. "In April, we're looking to do stuff overseas, as well as summer stuff." "We're gonna push and get back in the lab and get the next stuff goin'."
Stone & Rob: Caught On Tape will be released March 24.
hiphopdx.com
Wu-Tang Affiliates Depart Babygrande For Sound Records
After over five years of a working relationship at Babygrande Records and Wu-Tang Clan-affiliated artists Bronze Nazareth, The Wiseman and Almighty left the New York label for Seattle's Sound Records & Entertainment.
A&R and Almighty founding member M-Eighty said, "It just felt like the right time to do what’s best for us. Almighty, Bronze Nazareth, and the Wisemen gave Babygrande gold and yet they somehow managed to turn it into shit. All the new material we have been recording for these three records is far too great to turn over to Babygrande and relive the headache of why we provide them with classic material and all we get in return in doctored accounting statements and excuses.” As the quote indicated, financial support and agreements were a major motive in the leave.
Bronze Nazareth, who produced on several Babygrande projects, from his own to 2008's Protools album from GZA, added, "Our fans are going to follow us regardless of what label imprint is on the back of our product. Sound Records embraced all of us and brought us back to the essence of when a label made you feel like a member of the family and when you prosper as a family everyone wins.”
Legal Representative for the camp provided that, “Babygrande Records had the opportunity to retain the rights to the three entities (Bronze Nazareth, The Wisemen, and Almighty) and either chose not to meet their contracted fiscal option guarantees or their contracts became unenforceable due to the dissolution of partnering labels Think Differently Music Group (Bronze Nazareth) and Kings Row Music Group (The Wisemen).”
Wu-Tang members and affiliates GZA and 9th Prince are believed to still remain Babygrande artists.
At Sound Records & Entertainment, the three acts will reportedly all release albums within 45 days of each other, beginning in July of this year. This is billed as "The 3 Kingz Campaign." Wisemen member Kevlaar 7 noted, "This same camaraderie is what breathed new life into Duck Down Records when they partnered with Ecko a few years back. We want the world to know that are combined forces are unstoppable and the team is definitely here to stay.”
Sound will also release 60 Second Assassin's album, as well as a reported collaboration between Keith Murray and Canibus, coming soon.
hiphopdx.com
FREE DOWNLOAD: The CNN Channel 10 Mixtape
With Capone-N-Noreaga releasing their upcoming album, Channel 10, next Tuesday; HipHopDX has teamed up with CNN, DJ L-GEE, DJ EFN & Dee Jay K-N-S to release the official CNN Channel 10 Mixtape!
HipHopDX Presents Capone-N-Noreaga - The CNN Channel 10 Mixtape . If you'd like to stream the mixtape before downloading, check out our Mixtape Section.
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8741/title.free-download-the-cnn-channel-10-mixtape
hiphopdx.com
Saigon Talks Greatest Story Contents, Plans 2009
After securing an exclusive distribution deal with Amalgam Digital for All In A Day’s Work and Warning Shots 2 last week, Saigon is working toward an official record label deal to back what he has billed as his true debut album, The Greatest Story Never Told. HipHopDX recently touched base with the New York rapper, who spoke on the possibly-next single off that project, as well as his Warning Shots 2 street album.
With singles “Pain in My Life” and “Come on Baby” releasing in the last few years, Saigon says he has not been given sufficient backing from radio stations for The Greatest Story Never Told, especially after what happened in 2007 concerning a Mobb Deep/Hot 97 show. “What people don’t really realize is that the Prodigy incident almost fucked my career up…Being that it was a Hot 97 event, the program director pulled it, so I was pretty much banned from the radio.”
While the latest track, “Believe It,” was released online last spring, Saigon stated that there was no intention for it to hit radio airwaves. “That was pretty much our song to say, ‘fuck it, we off Atlantic.’ We never really worked that as a single at all.”
With that said, he did explain that once The Greatest Story Never Told does find a new home, he would like to put out “It’s Alright,” co-produced by Just Blaze and Kanye West. “I definitely want to use that as a single,” he stated.
Continuing, Saigon added, “It’s a record featuring Marsha Ambrosius from Floetry. I think that will be one of the more impactful records [off of The Greatest Story Never Told]. It’s a real touching record.”
Ambrosius, who is signed under Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records, also has her own project in works, which Saigon commented on. “Just [Blaze] is doing a lot on her record. I’m hearing a lot of it behind the scenes, and it’s coming out amazing.”
Switching gears to Warning Shots 2, Saigon explained that fans can expect the sequel of Warning Shots to be a better fit to his musical talent. “It’s more well-rounded than Warning Shots 1. When I did Warning Shots 1, I was really oblivious to anything.”
As Saigon has stated before, he has lent his own production on Warning Shots 2. The Mooseknuckle-native revealed to DX one of the tracks he produced, as well as how it came about. “I produced the first single myself; it’s called ‘Pussy.’ It’s about women, and I don’t really delve into that topic that much.”
Getting the co-sign from Just Blaze, Sai added, “It’s a great record. I produced it and played it for [him]. Just loved it, so he was like, ‘fuck it, put it on Warning Shots 2.’”
Looking to release that first single, followed by the full Warning Shots 2 by the beginning of summertime, Saigon is poised to make 2009 the year of the Yardfather. “I just want to put out a lot of music because my whole situation dealing with Atlantic Records kind of threw me off [track].”
Saigon and Statik Selektah’s All In A Day’s Work album drops tomorrow as a digital-only release through Amalgam Digital.
hiphopdx.com
Copywrite Plans Three '09 Projects, Talks MHz Return
Columbus, Ohio emcee and featured HipHopDX blogger Copywrite announced today, that he has a number of projects in the works for the new year. The former Weathermen member will kick off his year with a digital release of an EP. of all new material.
Two months later, in June of this year, Copywrite will be re-releasing The High Exhaulted. The eight anniversary of the original work, with production from RJD2 and the late Camu Tao. The project, originally release on the now-defunct Eastern Conference Records, will be a digital and physical format, with two new songs. The emcee also revealed to HipHopDX that he will be producing a new video to "June" , from the celebrated 2003 underground Hip Hop release.
Copy said to DX, comparing his art now to the debut album, "I just try to treat each beat individually and custom craft the lyrics accordingly to fit each song but when the production is right, everything else falls into place. Artistically, I'm in my clearest, hungriest, most focused stage."
The EP and re-release will ultimately serve as promotion to the Man Bites Dog Records release, sophomore full length album, due this September. Titled The Life And Times Of Peter Nelson, Copy did confirm that production will be handled by RJD2, Camu Tao, J-Zone , Marco Polo, The Kickdrums and former DX blogger Illmind . The release will be released physically and digitally through Traffic Entertainment.
Speaking of Camu Tao, Copywrite announced that his original crew, MHz, will be reuniting to record a whole new album named after the government of its late member. Tero Smith will find Copywrite, Jakki Da Mota Mouth, Tage and RJD2 making a group effort for the first time since 2001's Table Scraps album, a rare release on NCIS Records, that apparently will also soon be re-released. The group will share the production duties on the Man Bites Dog release.
The new album from MHz is due in 2010..
Flowing along with his debut title, Copy told DX about his career point now. "I'm just trying to walk in my own footsteps and walk alongside the greats like [Notorious B.I.G.], Emimem, Jay-Z , Big L, [Big] Pun and Jadakiss, plus shit on the 'high exhaulted.'"
hiphopdx.com
New Mos Def Album Set For Summer
Multi-talented emcee Mos Def will return from a 3 year hiatus with his 4th studio album, The Ecstatic.
Mos debuted two new tracks courtesy of his Myspace page (www.myspace.com/mosdef): the Mr. Flash produced “Life In Marvelous Times,” and “Quiet Dog Bite Hard,” produced by Preservation.”
Both songs are available for download via iTunes and RCRD LBL (http://rcrdlbl.com/).
The new LP will also mark the 10 year anniversary of the Brooklynite’s celebrated debut album, Black On Both Sides.
That project spawned the popular singles “Ms. Fat Booty” and “Umi Says.”
Mos’ last album, 2006's True Magic, was released with no promotion or CD cover per the rapper’s request.
Currently, Mos Def is diligently formalizing an official U.S. tour, along with a finalized tracklisting for the new LP.
The Ecstatic is rumored to feature additional production from Madlib, Oh No, Chad Hugo, J Dilla, and Kanye West.
At recent shows, Mos Def has also performed tracks slated to feature Slick Rick (“Auditorium”) and Talib Kweli (“History”).
At press time, The Ecstatic is scheduled for release on June 30.
allhiphop.com
Brand Nubian's Grand Puba Returns With Solo Album
Veteran rapper Grand Puba is returning to rap with a clean slate with his fourth solo album, Retroactive.
The forthcoming release is under a new deal with New York City based independent record label Babygrande Records.
Best known as a member of the rap collective Brand Nubian, Grand Puba has carved his own niche as a solo artist since his 1992 debut album Reel 2 Reel and follow-up 2000.
Brand Nubian’s music and lyrical content is noted for its political and religious vibe.
The group is also credited with paving the way for a variety of entertainers and groups, including Dead Prez, Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and GZA, Black Star and Brother Ali.
Although he reunited with Brand Nubian in 1998 to release two albums for Babygrande, (Foundation and 2004’s Fire In The Hole), the new signing marks the first time Puba has dealt with the label as a solo act.
According to Babygrande CEO Chuck Wilson, the label’s newest addition comes as a natural extension of his label’s relationship with Brand Nubian.
"Grand Puba is the father to so many styles in Hip-Hop. Its good to have him back--the game needs him,” Wilson told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “We have a great relationship with Brand Nubian and we had so much success with Lord Jamar's solo release in 2006 that it only makes sense to keep it in the family."
Grand Puba’s Retroactive is slated to hit stores on June 23.
allhiphop.com
Mary J. Blige Cleared In Copyright Lawsuit
Hip-Hop soul pioneer Mary J. Blige was recently cleared of copyright infringement accusations stemming from her 2001 hit “Family Affair.”
The suit was filed in January by Leonard Jones and James White.
White, who previously managed a rapper named Benevolence, claims to have submitted the artist’s copyright-protected demo to Universal Records in May 2001.
Blige completed “Family Affair” in August 2001, and according to the lawsuit the single bore a striking lyrical resemblance to Benevolence’s demo track “Party Ain’t Crunk.”
The plaintiff’s argued that since producer Dr. Dre normally utilizes a team of musicians, the copyright infringement could be traced to Blige’s team of writers.
Dr. Dre was originally named in the lawsuit, but was dismissed after the courts ruled there was a “lack of personal jurisdiction.”
Blige and Universal Records challenged the plaintiffs to provide tangible proof of the records bearing any similar lyrical content, and reasonable cause that “Family Affair” was not created independently
The plaintiffs failed to respond with substantial evidence, resulting in the case being dismissed.
“Family Affair” was one of Mary J. Blige’s biggest hits, remaining atop Billboard’s Hot 100 for six weeks and selling over 4 million copies worldwide.
Blige’s last album was 2007’s platinum Growing Pains.
Dr. Dre is finalizing his third studio album Detox, tentatively planned for release this year.
allhiphop.com
Duck Down Speaks on Disputed Tupac 'One Nation' Release
Yesterday (March 13), digital label A.E.G. announced that Tupac Shakur and Boot Camp Clik’s fabled One Nation album would finally see an official release on March 20.
While Hip-Hop fans were surprised, no one was more so than Duck Down CEO Dru Ha, who explained that his organization was never approached about releasing the album they helped create.
“Aside from Pac before he passed and continuing to stay in contact with the Outlawz and the family, nobody has even been in contact with us about our involvement, our interest in tracks, etc.” Dru Ha told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive statement. “I’ve never heard of this company but we’ll certainly be contacting them to find out what we’re not in the know of.”
One Nation was the brainchild of Tupac and Boot Camp Clik, and aimed at dispelling the growing tensions between East and West Coast artists and fans in the wake of the Bad Boy-Death Row feud.
According to a press release from A.E.G., the album includes appearances from The Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane, Greg Nice, and Tha Outlawz.
At press time, Afeni Shakur and representatives from the Shakur estate could not be reached for comment.
On February 24, Duck Down released Smoke N Mirrors, the debut album from Cypress Hill frontman B-Real.
allhiphop.com
Rare Public Enemy Performance Highlights Roots 2nd Annual Picnic
A number of varied artists are coming together to support the 2nd Annual Roots Picnic this June in The Roots’ hometown of Philadelphia.
Public Enemy, Asher Roth, Santigold, The Black Keys, Kid Cudi and The Roots themselves are included in the picnic’s lineup, which will feature a main stage and a second stage to showcase the acts.
In a rare performance, Public Enemy will perform their classic album It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back along with The Roots and Antibalas backing.
The performance marks the first time in history that the seminal Public Enemy album has been recreated using a live band.
The Roots 2nd Annual Roots Picnic takes place June 6, with performances starting at 2:00 PM.
Last year, The Roots launched the picnic with performances by Gnarls Barkley, The Cook Kids, Jazzy Jeff and Sharon Jones & The Dap-King, Diplo and others.
Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday (March 20) and are priced at $49.50 in advance and $50.00 the day of the show, which takes place at Festival Pier along the Philadelphia waterfront.
The Roots are currently enjoying success as the new house band for the “Late Night Jimmy Fallon” show.
For more information visit www.rootspicnic.com.
The full line up of performers is listed below:
The Roots (2 sets)
TV on the Radio
The Black Keys
Public Enemy
Antibalas
Santigold
Dirty Magazine featuring Zoe Kravitz
Busdriver
Asher Roth
Writtenhouse
Back to Basics
King Britt & Dozia
Dave P.
Kid Cudi
allhiphop.com
Tupac ‘One Nation” Project Set for Official Release
After 13 years of speculation and legal wrangling, the late Tupac Shakur’s dream of musically uniting the East and West Coasts has become a reality with the release of his ambitious One Nation album.
The opus was originally conceived by Tupac in 1996, after he witnessed the media and fan fallout of his personal feud with former friend The Notorious B.I.G.
Feeling that the issue had caused unnecessary tension between entire coasts, Tupac reached out to respected Brooklyn collective Boot Camp Clik to release a joint project dispelling any media notion of a Hip-Hop civil war.
From Shakur’s California residence, the parties worked diligently on completing a full album in time for release the following year.
Because of Tupac’s unsolved September 1996 murder, tracks from the project were indefinitely shelved and remained in limbo for the next 13 years.
Now, label A.E.G. has acquired the rights for the 18-track LP, and will release One Nation as a digital-only album.
Guests assisting Tupac and Boot Camp on the project include Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Tha Outlawz, Big Daddy Kane, Greg Nice, and the Notorious B.I.G.
One Nation will be released on Friday March 20 through all major digital distributors such as iTunes and Amazon.
Tupac’s last posthumous album was 2006’s Pac’s Life.
This year, Shakur would have celebrated his 38th birthday.
allhiphop.com
Pioneering Rapper Yo Yo Drop's First Album In 13 Years
Rap pioneer Yo-Yo is making a return to music with a new album titled My Journey To Fearless: The Black Butterfly.
The EP is the first full-length release from the Grammy nominated rapper since 1996’ album Total Control.
My Journey To Fearless feature cameos from Raheem Davon, Missy Elliot, Keri Hilson, DJ Toomp and more.
Yo-Yo's previous appearances on VH1 reality show, Miss Rap Supreme and 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards performance has set the tone for what her fans should expect.
"I feel blessed to have joined forces with some of the industry's finest talents on this EP," the California native told AllHipHop.com. "My fans won't be disappointed; these new tracks are taking Hip-Hop to a new level."
The first single release off of her new album is called "Give it t'um". My Journey To Fearless: The Black Butterfly is slated for an April 2009 release.
Yo-Yo's introduction to the Hip-Hop scene started with an Ice Cube collaboration on his debut solo album, Amerikka's Most Wanted.
Since then she's released four albums and appeared in numerous collaborations including MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Brandy and Missy Elliott.
Also nominated for a Grammy for "Stomp," the rapper has appeared in acting including Menace II Society, and Boyz N the Hood, Sister Act 2, Martin and Who's The Man.
allhiphop.com
Monday, March 16, 2009
ICADON'S MIXTAPE THE NEW DEAL AVAILABLE NOW FOR FREE
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ICADON'S MIXTAPE THE NEW DEAL AVAILABLE NOW FOR FREE
Brooklyn's artist recently signed a deal with Amalgam Entertainment
Los Angeles, CA - March 17, 2009 - Icadon formerly known as Icarus, the hardest working unsigned artist ever to come out of New York, released his ninth mixtape, The New Deal, available now online.
The New Deal celebrates Ic signing a new label deal for his company, Johnny Pump Entertainment with Amalgam Entertainment. The mixtape includes 17 tracks, 6 of which can be heard at myspace.com/johnnypumpent, and the entire album is available for download at http://www.zshare.net/download/5721084857076f5c/
The New Deal features artists such as, Rockwilder, Sassy and C. Onez, to name a few. Mixtape tracks include DJ Khaled's Go Hard featuring Jay-Z, T.I.'s Dead and Gone featuring Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson's Spotlight, Akon's So Paid, and Lady Gaga's Just Dance, all with Icadon's rhymes and special twists on the tracks.
The New Deal debuts producers Beat Cartel on track three, Tear 5th Ave Up, featuring unsigned artist Sassy. Tear 5th Ave Up has a party/club sound with Sassy's rhymes reminiscent of the baddest bitch while Ic rips up the track rhyming about spending money on his cars and on 5th Ave.
Also, be on the look out for Icadon and Rockwilder's Robot-ic available for download on
March 20th at amalgamdigital.com.
"Icadon can flow over any style of beat, but still keeps his own personality at the same time," said E-NYS of the Beat Cartel.
"Beat Cartel comes with fire every time," said Icadon. "Every time!"
About Icadon
Launched Johnny Pump Entertainment with Grammy winning producer Rockwilder in 2007, and recently signed the company with Amalgam Entertainment. Icadon dove head first into the Hip Hop game, after meeting multiplatinum recording artist/actor Redman in 2000. Ic has appeared on both Funk Master Flex and DJ Clue mixtapes. He has been featured on four Redman tracks, two off his Malpractice, 2001, and two off his Red Gone Wild, 2007 albums. Ic has performed with Method Man and Redman on their Blackout Tour, as well as on Redman's Malpractice Tour.
Icadon was featured in XXL Magazine's "Show and Prove" section, 2001. He has released nine mixtapes, one digital album and was a featured artist on Naughty By Nature's Icons Album, Erick Sermon's Chilltown, New York 2004 album, Nate Dogg's self-titled, unreleased 2005 album and has recorded numerous tracks with Rockwilder.
About Beat Cartel
Began in 2001 by two brothers who took their love for Hip Hop, the music and the culture, to produce beats and start Beat Cartel. Beat Cartel's sound is versatile, incorporating the styles of old school hip hop, while adding a little new school flavor with their addictive beats.
Beat Cartel came in contact with various artists because one of the brother's worked as an assistant engineer for Mirror Image Recorders and later became the head engineer for Redman. He has recorded artists such as, Redman, Keith Murray, Method Man, M.O.P., DJ Twins, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Jimmy Cozier, Styles P, Rockwilder, Icadon and Nate Dogg to name a few.
Beat Cartel is currently working on a Showcase Album, to showcase their beats as well as the talents of various artists, from Nigeria, France, England, Bolivia, San Diego, Brooklyn and New Jersey. Showcase Album release date is to be announced. Both brothers have put together their skills, knowledge, and influences to create the most potent and addictive drug to hit the streets, MUSIC.
For more information visit: www.beatcartelmusic.com or myspace.com/beatcartel.
Method Man & Redman Prep Comeback Disc, Provide Free Easter Haircuts
From XXL.com
Method Man and Redman will be giving back to local Staten Island families next month by providing kids in the area with free haircuts.
On Saturday, April 11, one day before Easter Sunday, Shaolin’s Against Da’ Grain barbershop will offer free cuts to customers under the age of 12 from the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a first come, first serve basis. In addition to sponsoring the event, Meth & Red will also be on hand to speak with the kids, along with other S.I. artists.
“We have wonderfully loyal customers and felt this was just another way of rewarding them during these unusually hard economic times,” Tariq, a barber at the shop said in a statement. “A single mother of three boys spends a weekly average of $33.00 on their hair cuts making it difficult to keep her kids hair freshly trimmed. With Easter Sunday the following day, we felt it was the perfect time to team up with our celebrity friends and create a unique solution based on old traditional values while helping our community.”
For more information on the event please visit agdgsinyc.com or call 718.981.3597.
In related news a new track, “A Yo,” by Meth and Red recently leaked on the net. It is uncertain where the song will appear, but XXLMag.com has learned that the duo are currently working on a new disc. The album - which follows up the 1999’s Blackout! - is set for release on April 28th on Def Jam Recordings. – Devin Chanda
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Chuck D Launches Sellaband, Digital Artist Storefront
Chuck D , Public Enemy's front man, has remained one of the most iconic figures in the rap world even after he stopped topping charts. His latest project, Sellaband has already been making noise in different parts of the world, but it is now being launched in the United States.
Sellaband is a new concept that allows independent musicians to get money from fans in order to record new music. Fans can chose how much they give an artist for his recording of new music. Skeptics may doubt the monetary gains made, but it has already generated more than two million dollars since it began in 2006.
Sellaband's European presence is strong. Partners AOL Europe, Amazon and ArenaFest have agreed to have two Sellaband acts in each of their concerts this summer.
“SellaBand’s business model takes music to a whole new level by linking fans directly to musicians and leveraging those relationships for the creation of new music,” said Chuck D through a statement. “It's an 'everyone wins' solution and is the new, new frontier and will completely redefine the way the music business operates.”
Chuck's BTN Eastlink is in charge of all North American operations of Sellaband. For more information on Sellaband, visit www.sellaband.com
hiphopdx.com
J Dilla’s Mother, Pete Rock To Release Posthumous Dilla Album
Before renowned Hip Hop producer J Dilla passed away in 2006 due to complications from the Lupus, he had already recorded a number of unreleased tracks, including music he produced during his stay in the hospital. More than three years after his death, Dilla's mother Maureen Yancey, who is better known as “Ma Dukes,” along with Dilla's idol and respected Hip Hop producer Pete Rock are planning to release a posthumous project of Dilla’s unreleased beats and samples, called Jay Stay Paid [J$P], late this spring.
Executive produced by Ma Dukes, J$P will feature music pulled off of Dilla's old floppy disks and DATs, as well as later tracks laid down during Dilla’s time spent in the hospital. Ms. Yancey assures that the project was not rushed, nor was it done haphazardly.
“This album combines what he did in the beginning of his career, [and] what he did in some of our early hospital stays, which was very deep,” she explains. “This is like the missing links to Dilla's legacy.”
The format of the album plays like a radio show with Pete Rock acting as a radio DJ. While largely instrumental, J$P also features guest vocals from artists Black Thought of The Roots, MF DOOM, and M.O.P. All are artists that Dilla worked with or admired.
“Dude was amazing,” said Pete Rock, who shared that he and Dilla held a mutual respect and high level of regard for one another. “He just kinda came out of nowhere and the more you heard his beats the better they got. He may not be with us, but it’s all good we’re going to keep his music alive and well.”
Jay Stay Paid will be released on June 2 via Nature Sounds.
hiphopdx.com
Saigon Talks About Amalgam Digital Deal
This past weekend, it was announced that Saigon had inked a deal with Amalgam Digital. The same label that is currently housing the same artist in which he's had a verbal beef with over the last few months, Joe Budden.
For those questioning if it's a traditional recording deal, Sai answers NO.
"Did I sign a traditional recording deal with Amalgam Digital as an artist? The answer is NO.. At this stage of my life/career, I'm waaaay to smart and business saavy to enter a typical record deal with ANYONE. What I AM doing with Amalgam Digital is entering a unique, never been done before business venture where they help market promote and distribute some of my many projects," says Saigon (via a statement released by Amalgam Digital).
Sai states that the decline in CD sales and Amalgam's business motto we're what brought him in and urges people to stop questioning his move.
"First of all, Amalgam Digital is NOT a record company but a New Media outlet.. With the sales of CD's rapidly declining, their NEW business motto was perfect for what Ive been trying to do and makes perfect sense with us moving into this totally digital era... They seen my creative vision, believe in my vision and we entered into a non-exclusive partnership that will bring it all to life....I am nobody's artist. I am a businessman doing some very lucrative, serious business with a VERY credible New Media company who like myself is trying to stay ahead of the curve...So, there you have it so STOP sending me messages..PLEASE."
The first project that fans can expect from the deal is Saigon's collaboration with Statik Selektah. All In a Day's Work, an album that was recorded in a 24 hour period, is set to drop March 17th as a digital only release.
Followed by the sequel to his critically acclaimed Warning Shots street album, entitled Warning Shots 2.
hiphopdx.com
Joe Budden, Edo G Speak On Performance And Alleged Ban In Boston
A perceived beef was apparently sparked this weekend during Joe Budden's Boston performance. According to parties close to the situation, Edo G and other emcees feld disrespected when Budden asked for the stage to be cleared.
A video of the event finds Joe saying the following:
"All the niggas in the back, who have nothing to do with Joe Budden, please exit stage left...please, please, please, please...none of the girls--just the niggas. We don't need a fencing fight, a sausage party, a testicle festival...Security, or whoever is involved here, I got a long three-hour set. I need all these niggas in the back the fuck away from me. It might be one of Saigon's niggas back here."
The situation was addressed by Edo G and DJ On&On of JAM'N 94.5, WJMN FM, at which point, both voiced their displeasure with Joe's actions.
"Honestly, if I wasn't a promoter on that show and just a host, he would have caught it," said Edo G. "Joe Budden would have caught it period. You don't disrespect everybody who's onstage. I think he just came out and thought there was a bunch of Internet soldiers there. I guess he didn't know there was some real Boston soldiers in the building. If he comes back here it might be a really different scenario."
For his part, Budden has dismissed any talk of being banned in the Boston area ; he has an upcoming show in Cape Cod.
"Feelings are self-implemented," Budden explained, when calling back in to On&On's Launchpad Radio show. "They didn't get these feelings because of something I did or said. They felt some type of way for whatever reason they felt some type of way. I wasn't disrespectful. I was hired to do a service. Joe Budden loves Boston. I don't care what Edo G says. I don't care what anybody else says."
On&On said he hoped to avoid future incidents by not replaying the audio of he and Edo G giving their take on Budden's performance. And for his part, Joe reiterated his love for Boston saying, "I have nothing but love for Boston in the people in it. It's one of my highest-selling markets. So it would be stupid to go to Boston and start a beef."
hiphopdx.com
Major N.W.A. Biopic Reportedly In Pre-Production
Author: Jake Paine
After success from the recent Notorious B.I.G. biopic Notorious, New Line Cinema reps announced to Entertainment Weekly's "Hollywood Insider Blog" that N.W.A.'s story is in development to become a theatrical release. Tentatively titled Straight Outta Compton, the film is presently seeking a director, after Eazy E's widow and Ruthless Records CEO Tomica Wright, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre are all said to be producers.
According to the source, the director is mind is to be similar to 8 Mile's Curtis Hanson.
N.W.A. is credited as west coast rap pioneers between 1986 and 1991. The core group of founder Eazy E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and deejay Yella hailed from Compton, California and revolutionized the effect independent rappers challenged the mainstream with songs like "Fuck The Police."
The group abbreviated for "Niggaz With Attitude" disbanded shortly after Ice Cube left the group in 1990 over a financial dispute. Soon after, Dr. Dre would leave over similar reasons to co-found Death Row Records. Eazy E died tragically of AIDS in March, 1995. Adding Snoop Dogg [click to read] to replace Eazy in 1999, and without involving Yella, the N.W.A. name and three fifths of its founders were brought out again in 1999 for two popular singles, used for soundtracks, "Hello" and "Chincheck."
The news comes less than two months after The Vapors, a similar biopic on Queens' The Juice Crew was reportedly scrapped after a year of pre-production
hiphopdx.com
Former Eminem Producers Lose Aftermath Lawsuit
On Friday [March 6], a federal jury ruled against former Eminem producers' request for increased royalty rates for songs sold online. Mark and Jeff Bass, collectively known as the Bass Brothers and owners of F.B.T. Productions, initiated a suit against Aftermath/Interscope Records in 2002. The suit stated the Bass Brothers wanted 50% of all proceeds for works sold through online stores, such as Apple's iTunes and various ringtone providers.
As producers and co-producers of works from Eminem's Aftermath debut, such as "97 Bonnie & Clyde" and "Just Don't Give a Fuck", as well as later works from the 2002 album, The Eminem Show, the Bass Brothers were entitled to a standard royalty rate of 12% from the sale of any physical album. The suit was filed on the grounds that songs provided to online retailers should be treated as digital master copies, and subject to a 50% royalty rate split.
In a move that likely sets a precedent for the music industry the jury agreed with the current interpretation that online music purchases are no different from physical ones bought in a store.
"We are very surprised by the jury's verdict," said Richard S. Busch, an attorney representing the Bass Brothers. "We don't understand it, and the fight's not over."
The suit was not a total loss for the Bass Brothers. The Los Angeles Times reports that they were awarded $159,000 of underpaid royalties from previous recordings.
hiphopdx.com
Prodigy Takes Shot at Hell Rell, Rick Ross In Letter
Prodigy has been doing a lot of writing since he went to prison, but don’t look for the material to wind up on his next album. In another letter written by one half of Mobb Deep, Prodigy tackles the issue of the greatest rapper of all time and names his 40 favorite rappers.
He begins the three page opus by stating that he doesn’t believe there is a such thing as a “best rapper.”
“There are too many great rappers,”Prodigy writes. “There is no greatest rapper ever.”
Prodigy then goes on to take a not so subliminal shot at Hell Rell and Rick Ross.
“You got people who actually think Hell Rell is a good rapper. There’s people who get the chills when they hear Rick Ross, like he’s something special.”
The conclusion of the letter finds Prodigy naming his 40 favorites—in no particular order of course. LL Cool J, Kool G Rap, and Rakim all make the list. In addition, Prodigy also places Three 6 Mafia, TI, and Kanye West on his list as well.
hiphopdx.com
Jadakiss Talks New Tracks, Refutes Coogi Rumors
Starting with a December 2008 release, Jadakiss' Def Jam debut The Last Kiss has been moved several times to its most recent date, April 7. Speaking with HipHopDX last night, Jadakiss revealed that he's used this time to update what critics first heard in listening sessions. "I just did some more songs, 'cause more time went by. Hov told me to do two more songs too." Jada said that he took some guidance from Jay-Z. "I don't know why [he requested two], but that was just his lucky number. I did three though anyway, [one] with Pharrell, one with Swizz [Beatz], and a joint that he gave me with Mary [J Blige] with [DJ Khaled] and The Inkcredibles."
Looking at the album as it stands, 'Kiss was asked if "What If?" would still be placed. "Hell yeah! That's gonna be one of the power-boosters of the album," he said of the concept-record produced by North Carolina's Chophouse. "It's always a [concept record with me]. Asking 'What if?,' the things I'm asking are some crazy -- not too crazy, but just some shit that you might ask yourself, 'What if?'" Contrary to what was initially heard, Jadakiss then revealed a special guest, "I brought [in Nas] at the end, the icing on the cake."
The Yonkers emcee was overall optimistic to DX about the year ahead, "It should be a strong year; I feel real good about [Hip Hop in 2009]. But everybody don't think like me." With a dose of realism, he added with his signature laugh, "My motto is hope for the best, expect the wost though. However it comes out, it's a win-win when that's your motto."
Lastly, Jadakiss addressed rumors published by the Gawker, on whether he accepted endorsement money for mentioning Coogi Clothing prominently in "Letter To B.I.G." [click to listen] from the Notorious Soundtrack [click to read]. "If [Coogi] came in after the song was already done and wanted to get involved, that's a different story. If you know anything about [Notorious] B.I.G., he had a million Coogis. My whole time around him, he almost [always] had one on. So that [rumor] is a crock of shit."
In further defense, 'Kiss reverted to his writing and the intention of the song. "That's just one of the memories [I have]."
He then admitted with a laugh, "I don't even really like Coogis like that. I [never normally] even mention them. I did 'cause he had it! You'll never catch me rockin' a Coogi or nothing. I only got that one in my closet!"
Before heading out, Jadakiss revealed how hard he is working for The Last Kiss' success. "I'm on 35 days of Hell right now, which means I'm doing whatever the label has for me - or anybody that comes up to me in the street. I'm doing whatever I can to let you know that I have an album coming out. I can't turn down nothin' right now."
The Last Kiss is scheduled for release April 7.
hiphopdx.com
Bishop Lamont Discusses Future Projects
Author: Andres Tardio
Bishop Lamont has been hard at work on a variety of projects. In between working on new material, traveling and prepping releases, the Los Angeles based emcee spoke on what he's been up to and more regarding his upcoming year.
In a recent interview, he addressed his current relationship with G-Unit.
"I was doing some records with 50 Cent," he said of his recent stay in New York, during an interview with The Los Angeles Times. "It’s coming along amazing. I'm good friends with DJ Whoo Kid, and 50, Yayo and Banks are like my big brothers. So we set something up and they always show me love. I was trying to plug myself correctly in New York, because I rarely have the opportunity to get out there. 50 and Whoo Kid always give me the best advice on the industry."
During the interview, he avoided the bait to jump in on the beef between Rick Ross and Fif. "A lot of people have been trying to jump on the bandwagon and take sides, but I'm cool with both of them." He also added that the 50 Cent track is slated to appear on Lamont's next LP.
He also explained that fans shouldn't feel frustrated with the amount of time it's taken Lamont to release "The Reformation."
"It always gets better. We've got a time in place. We have to put 'Detox' out first and we're finishing it now. Eminem's going to drop soon, then 50, then 'Detox,' then me and Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks. Smash after smash. You're always dealing with the politics of the labels, but it's a million times better now. There's a lot more communication."
Still, the wait will not be without new music from this artist.
"'Caltroit: Metropolis' [with Black Milk] is probably the next thing I'm going to put out, and me and Crooked I are doing a 'No Country for Old Men' tape. I just don’t want to lose focus. When it comes to my album, I go into overdrive — I want all my craziest energy into the project."
When asked about whether the tape "No Country for Old Men" was directed at Snoop Dogg and/or Ice Cube, he had some choice words for their purpose.
"Yup, they wanted to speak on Crooked and I in a derogatory manner, as though we couldn't hold up the West Coast," Bishop explained. "We're not doing it in a manner of trying to slander them, but we're facing adversity in trying to establish ourselves and it's frustrating to see guys we looked up to not wanting us to succeed, Snoop in particular. We still love those dudes, but we won't tolerate any disrespect. It shouldn't be like this, with outsiders looking at us and saying the West Coast has no unity. Those guys are like Larry Bird and Dr. J, they're not still trying to play ball. Either show love or go to work as a color commentator...and it's not like the old days, where we didn't have our business down right. We know how to make it work. But if they don't want to pass the torch and they think they can still ball, then they need to step on the court."
In other beef news, he went on to add his piece on his current status with The Game.
"I'm not trying to hate on The Game. At the end of the day, his mom and my mom are close friends. They go on vacation with T-Pain's mom and Lil Wayne's mom. It's an issue of disrespect. He knows what it's about. I'm not on some 'Wrestlemania'-type stuff; he talked about me and I dished it back."
hiphopdx.com
Eminem Plans To Relapse, Twice This Year
"A lot of people were expecting 'Relapse' to drop last year," said Eminem. "I was one of them. Then Dre and I went back in the studio in September for a few days, and that turned into six months. We were on such a roll; we wound up with a ton of new music produced by Dre. Putting out 'Relapse 2' will let everyone get all of the best stuff."
The dual release marks a renaissance for Shady, who hasn't released a proper solo studio album since 2004's Encore. After authoring the New York Times Best-Seller Eminem: The Way I Am, Em saw the lead singe from Relapse, "Crack A Bottle," set a SoundScan record for most opening week sales
hiphopdx.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Freeway Preps New Jake One Produced Album, “What We Do” DVD
On a short video clip posted on YouTube, Free took time out from a studio session to speak on the upcoming collaboration, entitled The Stimulus Package. “It’s official, I got the album coming this summer,” he said. “Freeway, Jake One, The Stimulus Package. It’s gonna be crazy, y’all gonna love it. We calling it The Stimulus Package cause we stimulating hip-hop, we taking it back to the real hip-hop. One producer, one MC…we’re putting it together right now.” [Watch Below]
This is not the first time the State Property rhyme spitter has worked with Jake. The two linked for Free’s online “Month Of Madness” campaign and for several tracks on the Seattle-bred beatmaker’s White Van Music LP.
Along with the new album, Free also revealed that his long-delayed DVD, What We Do, will finally be released on April 21st. The flick was written and directed by Ernest “Tron” Anderson - the same man behind the first State Propertv movie - and will feature appearances by Young Gunz, Omillio Sparks, E-Ness, Michael Blackson (Next Friday), and Tray Chaney (The Wire).
As of press time there is no word on what label The Stimulus Package will be released on. – Elan Mancini
xxlmag.com
MC Serch, Bakari Kitwana Host Rap Sessions
As 2009 brought forth the inauguration of America’s first African-American President, Barack Obama has adamantly insisted that the topic of race is vital to our societal progression. With that in mind, Hip Hop activist Bakari Kitwana and Harvard-based think tank The James Project are looking to keep the discussion poignant with a nation-wide town hall tour.
Entitled Rap Sessions, the 10-day tour invites audience members and once-onlookers alike to join the debate on whether or not America has become a “post-racial” country. Panelists of the tour include MC Serch, NAACP magazine editor Jabari Asim, and The Hip-Hop Wars author Tricia Rose.
Kitwana, a former editor of The Source and co-founder of the National Hip-Hop Political Convention, gave a distinguishing concept behind the creation of Rap Sessions. “Two-thirds of young voters 18-29 [years oold] voted for Barack Obama, who called for national discussions on race during the 2008 presidential campaign.” While these statistics sound promising, he added, “This is the same generation that legitimized the n-word in mainstream pop culture and everyday use. The goal of these discussions is to help the nation, and young people in particular, think through these complexities.”
While generation X has a high stake in how the country proceeds as a multi-racial society, Kitwana also sees the baby-boomer generations hand in this debate. “We now have two generations of Americans who have lived their entire lives in the post-segregation era. For some racial division is a thing of the past, for others having a mixed race president on its own doesn’t bridge the racial divide.”
The tour, which has already been to Little Rock, Arkansas and Johnson City, Tennessee, will continue throughout this month until late April. Then in May, Rap Sessions will take its seminar discussion across the Atlantic Ocean for two stops in Rome and Milan, Italy.
hiphopdx.com
Producer T-Mix Sues Cash Money Records
While Cash Money Records, fronted by acts Lil Wayneand Birdman, is currently raking in the dough by the millions, a former employee is wondering where his cash is at.
Tristan Jones, aka “T-Mix,” has recently filed a lawsuit against the New Orleans record label stemming from an alleged breach of contract. In the suit, Jones states that he signed an exclusive production deal with Cash Money in November of 2005, which also included his expertise in programming, arranging, and mixing.
The contract, which evidently ended in 2007, had allegedly promised Jones production royalties on all projects he performed on, including Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter II and Birdman’s 5 * Stunna. While Jones has stated he has received partial payments amounting to about $187,000, he believes his contribution of over 40 master recordings spanning two years is cause for a larger stipend.
Cash Money Records, which was founded by Ronald “Slim” Williams and Brian “Baby/Birdman” Williams, has allegedly grossed over $30 million because of Jones contributions, says his attorney. The lawsuit demands nearly $2.25 million in owed income.
hiphopdx.com
Del And Money Mark To Produce Santana Project
Official sources confirmed today that veteran Bay Area emcee and Hieroglyphics front-man Del The Funkee Homosapien (now spelled as "Del The Funky Homosapien") has partnered with former Beastie Boys affiliate, producer and keyboardist Money Mark to produce an album for Salvador Santana.
As the son of famed guitarist and songwriter Carlos Santana, Salvador is based in Los Angeles, since garnering acclaim in the Bay Area. The project, releasing on the Santanas' VBE imprint, was also confirmed to include appearances from GZA , as well as other rap acts.
Both Mark and Del remixed records from the band's SSB debut, a supplemental project which released in September of last year.
Previously, Del has produced for various Hiero projects, Casual and Swollen Members.
hiphopdx.com
B-Real Talks Cypress Hill Return, Solo Album
Author: Anthony Springer Jr
One of Hip Hop’s original advocates for all things green is gearing up for a studio return. Cypress Hill is putting the finishing touches on their first studio album in five years.
The untitled album will be released this fall on Suburban Noize Records, according to group front man B-Real.
"We're mixing right now," B-Real tells Billboard.
While the group worked with Everlast, Alchemist, and Evidence, don’t look for an all star cast of collaborations with today’s biggest commercial names. "We don't really do a lot of collaborations in Cypress,” B-Real adds. “We keep it in house."
Since splitting from Columbia Records, the group members have been working on outside projects. In the last year, Sen Dog and DJ Muggs have both worked on solo albums. For B-Real, who just released Smoke N Mirrors , he describes the process of working on his own as different, but welcome challenge.
"We're used to working with each other (in Cypress Hill), bouncing ideas off each other. This one I had to carry on my back, on my own. But I like challenges, so it wasn't that bad at all. I don't really get periods where I can't come up with an idea that I want to use. What needs to click will click."
hiphopdx.com
Heathen - Muffin Top
http://allhiphop.com/stories/multimedia__music/archive/2009/02/27/20914768.aspx
