Sunday, February 16, 2014
Nas Promises 2014 Album, Discusses "Illmatic" & "Street Dreams" Drama
by Andres Tardio
"I'm hands-on with everything, so this show is 100 percent authentic," Nas says in an interview with Rolling Stone. "Even if I don't look cool in it, I just want it to be real and raw. I didn't see this as a full autobiography at first. But I have so much that's happened in my life already. There was no room for fantasy. I wanted it to be entertaining, but everything from my life seemed to be so strong. It's all reality. There's nothing from my life I didn't want in there."
Nas, who is not set to act in the series, is slated to contribute music and co-write episodes of the program, something that he says has been cathartic.
"It's really therapeutic," Nas says. "I look back and I think about my mom [Anne Jones, who passed away in 2002] and I know she's looking down. Sometimes, I have a conversation with her, like, 'Did you ever think that our story would be put to film for people to see? Did you know it was that special back then?' I felt it was that special. This is life. I have to accept that and that's what writing this is like."
Looking back at his career, Nas also says he is proud of what he accomplished 20 years ago with the release of his debut album, Illmatic.
"It's like I gave myself a fortieth birthday present 20 years ago," Nas says. "It gives me a reference piece to look at myself and for me to analyze my life and what i've come from, my accomplishments, my dreams."
Beyond his Illmatic anniversary project, Nas also says a new album is coming "sometime in 2014" and that after illmaticXX "comes fresh new music."
hiphopdx.com
Nas says writing his "Street Dreams" drama on Xbox has been "really therapeutic."
Nas' Street Dreams, the rapper's upcoming autobiographical drama series on Xbox, is set to be a genuine portrayal of the rapper's life, he says."I'm hands-on with everything, so this show is 100 percent authentic," Nas says in an interview with Rolling Stone. "Even if I don't look cool in it, I just want it to be real and raw. I didn't see this as a full autobiography at first. But I have so much that's happened in my life already. There was no room for fantasy. I wanted it to be entertaining, but everything from my life seemed to be so strong. It's all reality. There's nothing from my life I didn't want in there."
Nas, who is not set to act in the series, is slated to contribute music and co-write episodes of the program, something that he says has been cathartic.
"It's really therapeutic," Nas says. "I look back and I think about my mom [Anne Jones, who passed away in 2002] and I know she's looking down. Sometimes, I have a conversation with her, like, 'Did you ever think that our story would be put to film for people to see? Did you know it was that special back then?' I felt it was that special. This is life. I have to accept that and that's what writing this is like."
Looking back at his career, Nas also says he is proud of what he accomplished 20 years ago with the release of his debut album, Illmatic.
"It's like I gave myself a fortieth birthday present 20 years ago," Nas says. "It gives me a reference piece to look at myself and for me to analyze my life and what i've come from, my accomplishments, my dreams."
Beyond his Illmatic anniversary project, Nas also says a new album is coming "sometime in 2014" and that after illmaticXX "comes fresh new music."
hiphopdx.com
NORE Reveals Plans To Release New Capone-N-Noreaga Project
by Danielle Harling
According to NORE, the project was created in just one night, a feat that contributed to the EP’s title.
“It was so organic and it was so real. I think what happened was, my man Capone we love him, but he didn’t have a passport for like three years,” he said. “And we was getting a lot of European money. European money’s good…So, Pone finally got his passport back and he hit me and he said ‘Well, we might as well make some new music.’ So, we did a whole EP in one night. When he told me he was ready, I wasn’t ready. Then I hit him, I said ‘You ready?’ And he said ‘yeah.’ So, I did the whole EP. I sent it to him. He sent me back the whole EP. So, we got a Capone-N-Noreaga album dropping, EP…It’s called War In One Night. Because we really went to war in one night.”
In addition to War In One Night, NORE is also preparing for the release of his next studio album. Titled Dyslexia, the project will serve as what the Queens rapper says will be his second to last album. With Dyslexia serving as one of NORE’s final projects, he also discussed his plans for retirement, a retirement that was brought on by his desire to leave the game gracefully.
“Dyslexia, that should be my next to last album,” NORE said. “Dyslexia is an album that...This is my album that shouldn’t have been made. Facts. I don’t want to play the game. I don’t want to have a radio single because that’s what’s to do…I want to do everything I want to do to leave this game and bow out gracefully…I am retiring. I want to retire. I don’t want to—I love the game. I don’t want to play the game. I don’t know if that makes sense. I’m at a level where I don’t have to ask for shows. I can get shows for the rest of my life…I can get money probably for the rest of my life, but I just play the game real. If a person asks me to do something I do it. If a person asks me to be there I be there. And I’m just real true. And a lot of the things that happen in this game nowadays isn’t the way I visualized it being. So, I would rather step back and bow out gracefully at the top of my game.”
NORE later revealed his plans to work with producer Pharrell Williams again. He didn’t offer any added details about his project with Pharrell, but did inform viewers that Pharrell is in “mix mode.”
“I don’t know if people really pay attention to Pharrell career, but every time he has that crazy run he gives me that first record. So, he gave me [‘Lawwwddd’],” he said. “It didn’t work out this time. It didn’t go platinum like all our other records…He called me the other day. It was scary. I was like ‘We going again? I’m not ready’…But he’s in mix mode. I’m in CEO mode. And we have something that I cannot talk about.”
In addition to 2013's "The Problem (Lawwwddd)," NORE has worked with Pharrell on several occasions in the past. Along with his The Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, Pharrell produced the N.O.R.E. standout record “Superthug.”
NORE’s last solo album, Student Of The Game, was released last year and included guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Scarface, Pusha T, and a number of other artists.
hiphopdx.com
NORE says his next album, "Dyslexia," will serve as the second to last album before he retires.
Nearly four years after the duo known as Capone-N-Noreaga released their last studio album, The War Report 2, the pair are prepared to release yet another project. Before bringing out Capone for a surprise appearance on MTV’s “RapFix Live” this week, NORE revealed that C-N-N have completed a new EP titled, War In One Night.According to NORE, the project was created in just one night, a feat that contributed to the EP’s title.
“It was so organic and it was so real. I think what happened was, my man Capone we love him, but he didn’t have a passport for like three years,” he said. “And we was getting a lot of European money. European money’s good…So, Pone finally got his passport back and he hit me and he said ‘Well, we might as well make some new music.’ So, we did a whole EP in one night. When he told me he was ready, I wasn’t ready. Then I hit him, I said ‘You ready?’ And he said ‘yeah.’ So, I did the whole EP. I sent it to him. He sent me back the whole EP. So, we got a Capone-N-Noreaga album dropping, EP…It’s called War In One Night. Because we really went to war in one night.”
In addition to War In One Night, NORE is also preparing for the release of his next studio album. Titled Dyslexia, the project will serve as what the Queens rapper says will be his second to last album. With Dyslexia serving as one of NORE’s final projects, he also discussed his plans for retirement, a retirement that was brought on by his desire to leave the game gracefully.
“Dyslexia, that should be my next to last album,” NORE said. “Dyslexia is an album that...This is my album that shouldn’t have been made. Facts. I don’t want to play the game. I don’t want to have a radio single because that’s what’s to do…I want to do everything I want to do to leave this game and bow out gracefully…I am retiring. I want to retire. I don’t want to—I love the game. I don’t want to play the game. I don’t know if that makes sense. I’m at a level where I don’t have to ask for shows. I can get shows for the rest of my life…I can get money probably for the rest of my life, but I just play the game real. If a person asks me to do something I do it. If a person asks me to be there I be there. And I’m just real true. And a lot of the things that happen in this game nowadays isn’t the way I visualized it being. So, I would rather step back and bow out gracefully at the top of my game.”
NORE later revealed his plans to work with producer Pharrell Williams again. He didn’t offer any added details about his project with Pharrell, but did inform viewers that Pharrell is in “mix mode.”
“I don’t know if people really pay attention to Pharrell career, but every time he has that crazy run he gives me that first record. So, he gave me [‘Lawwwddd’],” he said. “It didn’t work out this time. It didn’t go platinum like all our other records…He called me the other day. It was scary. I was like ‘We going again? I’m not ready’…But he’s in mix mode. I’m in CEO mode. And we have something that I cannot talk about.”
In addition to 2013's "The Problem (Lawwwddd)," NORE has worked with Pharrell on several occasions in the past. Along with his The Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, Pharrell produced the N.O.R.E. standout record “Superthug.”
NORE’s last solo album, Student Of The Game, was released last year and included guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Scarface, Pusha T, and a number of other artists.
hiphopdx.com
Diamond D Announces Features For “The Diam Piece” LP
- Diggin’ in the Crates Crew founding member Diamond D has recruited Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Fat Joe, Black Rob, Pete Rock, Kurupt, and many more Hip Hop artists for his upcoming The Diam Piece album.
Watch the trailer for Diamond D’s The Diam Piece announcing the guest features below.
\
allhiphop.com
De La Soul To Release Entire Catalog For Free For Limited Time
55am
The free downloads will only be available from Friday, February 14th at 11 a.m. EST until Saturday, February 15th at noon EST.
“It’s about allowing our fans who have been looking and trying to get a hold of our music to have access to it,” De La’s Posdnuos told Rolling Stone. “It’s been too long where our fans haven’t had access to everything. This is our way of showing them how much we love them.”
The group is also finishing their album You’re Welcome. The set is expected to drop before the summer with another project in the works as well.
“We have tons of music, but we’re our own worst critics,” explains Pos on the delay of their next LP. “The album is still called You’re Welcome, but we also have this whole other album that we’re working on that…Wooo, I wish I could talk about it.”
Check out De La Soul’s video for “Me Myself and I” off 3 Feet High and Rising below.
allhiphop.com
- De La Soul fans are getting a special gift this Valentine’s Day. The Native Tongues collective members are offering their entire catalog for free download for 25 hours.
The free downloads will only be available from Friday, February 14th at 11 a.m. EST until Saturday, February 15th at noon EST.
“It’s about allowing our fans who have been looking and trying to get a hold of our music to have access to it,” De La’s Posdnuos told Rolling Stone. “It’s been too long where our fans haven’t had access to everything. This is our way of showing them how much we love them.”
The group is also finishing their album You’re Welcome. The set is expected to drop before the summer with another project in the works as well.
“We have tons of music, but we’re our own worst critics,” explains Pos on the delay of their next LP. “The album is still called You’re Welcome, but we also have this whole other album that we’re working on that…Wooo, I wish I could talk about it.”
allhiphop.com
Unreleased Wu Tang Clan Video “Y’all Been Warned” From 2001(VIDEO)
by Keith Nelson Jr
Wu Tang Clan fans unite. Sugar Factory Films has liberated an unreleased video of the song “Y’all Been Warned” from the Wu Tang Clan’s fourth album Iron Flag.
Over 12 years after only music video from Iron Flag was released (“Uzi (Pinky Ring) ), the album’s seventh track’s music video is liberated.
Iron Flag marked the least contributions from two of its founding members, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Ghostface Killah, the latter who released his solo album Bulletproof Wallets the month prior to Iron Flag. This was the final Wu Tang Clan album for seven years.
Check out the unreleased video for Wu Tang Clan’s “Y’all Been Warned” from 2001:
allhiphop.com
Wu Tang Clan fans unite. Sugar Factory Films has liberated an unreleased video of the song “Y’all Been Warned” from the Wu Tang Clan’s fourth album Iron Flag.
Over 12 years after only music video from Iron Flag was released (“Uzi (Pinky Ring) ), the album’s seventh track’s music video is liberated.
Iron Flag marked the least contributions from two of its founding members, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Ghostface Killah, the latter who released his solo album Bulletproof Wallets the month prior to Iron Flag. This was the final Wu Tang Clan album for seven years.
Check out the unreleased video for Wu Tang Clan’s “Y’all Been Warned” from 2001:
allhiphop.com
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
XBOX Studios Developing a Show Based on Nas’ Life
This afternoon we see a report from Deadline that Nas has entered into an agreement to develop a new series with XBOX Entertainment Studios, the content production arm of Microsoft’s XBOX empire. The half-hour show will be called Street Dreams and will draw from Nas’ career and life as a Rapper in NYC during the 90s. Jonathan Levine, the kid who wrote The Wackness, which was also set in 1990s NYC, will write and direct. Nas will reportedly be involved with the story and music for the series should it get picked up.
It’s shaping up to be a big year for the Little Homie, with the 20th Anniversary of Illmatic on the horizon and his plans for a 2-disc reissue, a documentary and a nationwide tour already in motion.
nahright.com
Phife Discusses "Dear Dilla" & A Tribe Called Quest's Future
by Andres Tardio
"Had to shout out the big homie," Phife said in an interview conducted February 7 with Atlanta radio station V-103. "We're about to fly to Detroit later tonight for Dilla Day Detroit."
In January, Phife spoke about Dilla and his tribute song to the producer. “He and I were playing phone tag,” Phife said in a press release issued at the time. “I didn’t even know he was that sick until it was too late. We didn’t realize we were both going through a lot with our health and never got to sit and talk about it together...I felt like this song is that conversation. I’ve been wanting to record a dedication to J Dilla for the longest. It just seemed to finally be the right time to do it. It was very therapeutic for me to do this. There are a lot of people dealing with renal failure and I wanted to make this a conduit, a way for people to put their health issues out there."
To listen to Phife's "#dearDilla," click here.
"I wouldn't mind rockin' with the crew once again to do another album and everything, but it doesn't look like it's gonna pop off, B," Phife said.
Phife later clarified that the 2011 film Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, did not damage potential of a future for the group.
"I dont think it hurt the future," Phife said of the film, which documented the group's history and also included arguments between the group members, specifically Q-Tip and Phife. "It seemed like more people gathered around and was like, 'Yo, let's set off a petition to get Tribe back,' once the movie came out, which is crazy. Maybe we should beef a little more...Everybody still wants Tribe. We haven't had a studio album since '98 and people treat us like we have the newest hit record on the block."
hiphopdx.com
Phife says "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest" did not hurt the group's future.
A Tribe Called Quest's Phife recently spoke about "#dearDilla," his dedication to J Dilla."Had to shout out the big homie," Phife said in an interview conducted February 7 with Atlanta radio station V-103. "We're about to fly to Detroit later tonight for Dilla Day Detroit."
In January, Phife spoke about Dilla and his tribute song to the producer. “He and I were playing phone tag,” Phife said in a press release issued at the time. “I didn’t even know he was that sick until it was too late. We didn’t realize we were both going through a lot with our health and never got to sit and talk about it together...I felt like this song is that conversation. I’ve been wanting to record a dedication to J Dilla for the longest. It just seemed to finally be the right time to do it. It was very therapeutic for me to do this. There are a lot of people dealing with renal failure and I wanted to make this a conduit, a way for people to put their health issues out there."
To listen to Phife's "#dearDilla," click here.
Phife Discusses A Tribe Called Quest's Future
During Phife's more recent interview, the emcee was asked about A Tribe Called Quest's future."I wouldn't mind rockin' with the crew once again to do another album and everything, but it doesn't look like it's gonna pop off, B," Phife said.
Phife later clarified that the 2011 film Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, did not damage potential of a future for the group.
"I dont think it hurt the future," Phife said of the film, which documented the group's history and also included arguments between the group members, specifically Q-Tip and Phife. "It seemed like more people gathered around and was like, 'Yo, let's set off a petition to get Tribe back,' once the movie came out, which is crazy. Maybe we should beef a little more...Everybody still wants Tribe. We haven't had a studio album since '98 and people treat us like we have the newest hit record on the block."
hiphopdx.com
MAYDAY!'s Wrekonize, Kung Fu Vampire, Dirtbag Dan & G-Mo Skee "The Hunger Pains Tour" Dates
by Andres Tardio
MAYDAY!'s Wrekonize is set to be joined by Kung Fu Vampire, Dirtbag Dan and G-Mo Skee on The Hunger Pains Tour. The tour is slated to run from March 18 in Byron, California through April 20 in Los Angeles, California.
While the tour begins and ends in California, Wrek, Dan, Kung Fu and G-Mo are also scheduled to hit Nevada, Arizona and Colorado, among other states.
Tickets can be purchased through the tour's official website, according to a press release. Kung Fu Vampire also posted about this announcement via Twitter yesterday (February 9).
Kung Fu Vampire and Dirtbag Dan spoke about the tour when Kung Fu Vampire was a guest on The Dirtbag Dan Show in January. "We're all likeminded," Dan said at the time. "We all took a real independent approach to our music."
A tour flier can be found below, followed by a list of "The Hunger Pains Tour" dates.
March 18th
Byron, CA
The Wild Idol
March 19th
Bakersfield, CA
Jerry's Pizza & Pub
March 20th
Corona, CA
Racks
March 21st
Las Vegas, NV
The Sky Box
March 22nd
Mesa, AZ
The Goat Head Saloon
March 23rd
Tucson, AZ
Hotel Congress
March 25th
Flagstaff, AZ
T.B.A.
March 26th
Las Cruces, NM
The Trunk
March 27th
Albuquerque, NM
The Jam Spot
March 28th
Amarillo, TX
The Wreck Room
March 29th
Tulsa, OK
The Undercurrent
March 30th
Dallas, TX
The Green Elephant Bar & Grill
March 31st
Austin, TX
Elysium
April 1st
Oklahoma City, OK
Don Quixote Club
April 2nd
Liberty, MO
Club 906
April 3rd
Wichita, KS
T.B.A
April 4th
Colorado Springs, CO
Black Sheep
April 5th
Denver, CO
Marquis Theater
April 6th
Fort Collins, CO
Hodi's Half Note
April 8th
Casper, WY
Hall of Champions
April 9th
Rock Springs, WY
The Broadway Theater
April 10th
Salt Lake City, UT
Murray Theater
—No Wrekonize Dates—
April 11th
Helena, MT
The Jesters Bar
April 12th
Spokane, WA
The Hop
April 13th
Seattle, WA
T.B.A.
April 14th
Port Townsend, WA
American Legion Hall
April 15th
Portland, OR
The Analog
April 16th
Keizer, OR
DJ Bar and Grill
April 17th
Sacramento, CA
T.B.A.
April 18th
San Miguel, CA
The Ranch
April 19th
Santa Cruz, CA
The Catalyst
April 20th
Los Angeles, CA
T.B.A.
hiphopdx.com
MAYDAY!'s Wrekonize is set to be joined by Kung Fu Vampire, Dirtbag Dan and G-Mo Skee on The Hunger Pains Tour. The tour is slated to run from March 18 in Byron, California through April 20 in Los Angeles, California.
While the tour begins and ends in California, Wrek, Dan, Kung Fu and G-Mo are also scheduled to hit Nevada, Arizona and Colorado, among other states.
Tickets can be purchased through the tour's official website, according to a press release. Kung Fu Vampire also posted about this announcement via Twitter yesterday (February 9).
Kung Fu Vampire and Dirtbag Dan spoke about the tour when Kung Fu Vampire was a guest on The Dirtbag Dan Show in January. "We're all likeminded," Dan said at the time. "We all took a real independent approach to our music."
A tour flier can be found below, followed by a list of "The Hunger Pains Tour" dates.
March 18th
Byron, CA
The Wild Idol
March 19th
Bakersfield, CA
Jerry's Pizza & Pub
March 20th
Corona, CA
Racks
March 21st
Las Vegas, NV
The Sky Box
March 22nd
Mesa, AZ
The Goat Head Saloon
March 23rd
Tucson, AZ
Hotel Congress
March 25th
Flagstaff, AZ
T.B.A.
March 26th
Las Cruces, NM
The Trunk
March 27th
Albuquerque, NM
The Jam Spot
March 28th
Amarillo, TX
The Wreck Room
March 29th
Tulsa, OK
The Undercurrent
March 30th
Dallas, TX
The Green Elephant Bar & Grill
March 31st
Austin, TX
Elysium
April 1st
Oklahoma City, OK
Don Quixote Club
April 2nd
Liberty, MO
Club 906
April 3rd
Wichita, KS
T.B.A
April 4th
Colorado Springs, CO
Black Sheep
April 5th
Denver, CO
Marquis Theater
April 6th
Fort Collins, CO
Hodi's Half Note
April 8th
Casper, WY
Hall of Champions
April 9th
Rock Springs, WY
The Broadway Theater
April 10th
Salt Lake City, UT
Murray Theater
—No Wrekonize Dates—
April 11th
Helena, MT
The Jesters Bar
April 12th
Spokane, WA
The Hop
April 13th
Seattle, WA
T.B.A.
April 14th
Port Townsend, WA
American Legion Hall
April 15th
Portland, OR
The Analog
April 16th
Keizer, OR
DJ Bar and Grill
April 17th
Sacramento, CA
T.B.A.
April 18th
San Miguel, CA
The Ranch
April 19th
Santa Cruz, CA
The Catalyst
April 20th
Los Angeles, CA
T.B.A.
hiphopdx.com
Murs Signs With Tech N9ne’s Strange Music
Los Angeles emcee Murs recently announced that he has signed to Tech
N9ne’s Strange Music indie label. In an official announcement video, The
White Mandingos member speaks about teaming with Strange.
“Strange seems to be at the forefront of Hip Hop’s growth right now,” says Murs.
The Hip Hop veteran and owner of the Paid Dues Hip Hop Festival is joining a roster that includes Tech, Jay Rock, Wrekonize, Rittz, Brotha Lynch Hung, Big Scoob, and more.
“We signed a hardcore emcee that can give a knockout show, I’ve known and worked with Murs for years,” adds Tech. “I know that he represents everything that Strange Music is about.”
Murs’ debut Strange Music album is scheduled for Summer 2014 release. He will performing at the SXSW Music Festival on March 12 and 13 in Austin, Texas.
Watch Murs’ Strange Music announcement video below.
allhiphop.com
The Hip Hop veteran and owner of the Paid Dues Hip Hop Festival is joining a roster that includes Tech, Jay Rock, Wrekonize, Rittz, Brotha Lynch Hung, Big Scoob, and more.
“We signed a hardcore emcee that can give a knockout show, I’ve known and worked with Murs for years,” adds Tech. “I know that he represents everything that Strange Music is about.”
Murs’ debut Strange Music album is scheduled for Summer 2014 release. He will performing at the SXSW Music Festival on March 12 and 13 in Austin, Texas.
allhiphop.com
Nas Releases 20th Anniversary Remix Version Of “It Ain’t Hard To Tell”
Hip Hop legend Nasir Jones is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album Illmatic
this year. Besides performing the classic LP in its entirety at musical
festivals, the Queens rhymer is also re-releasing the project with
digitally remastered versions of the original songs, unreleased tracks,
and remixes.
The first Illmatic XX remix has hit the net. “It Ain’t Hard
to Tell (Stink Mix)” is a new rendition of the 1994 single originally
produced by Large Professor. The double disc Illmatic XX is scheduled for release on April 15.allhiphop.com
Atlantic Records Hires Mar Brown As Vice President Of Urban Radio Promotion
- Atlantic Records recently announced the promotion of music industry veteran Mar Brown from Head of Mix Show Promotion to Vice President of Urban Radio Promotions.
In my position, you have to be able to connect the dots. Even though radio is still the #1 driver of music for consumers, these kids today want to see the artist’s photos, their associations, what they’re doing behind the scenes etc. It’s important to stay ahead of the social media curve and know what’s going on on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.The extensive list of artists Brown has worked with includes Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga and many others.
allhiphop.com
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