Sunday, July 27, 2014
Remy Ma Talks Upcoming Release From Prison, Nicki Minaj & More
Remy Ma is set to come home
from the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in little over a week, so
the Bronx femcee called into Angie Martinez’s radio show to talk about
her upcoming release and more.
Rem also states that while she has not changed that much, her experience locked away caused her to look at her business dealings and personal actions differently. The 34-year-old rhymer revealed she penned tons of bars during her six years of incarceration as well.
During Remy Ma’s time away, Nicki Minaj exploded to become one of the leading women in rap music. Rem says the two had a slight issue with each other in the past, but she goes on to praise Nicki’s accomplishments. Remy also questions why there are so few female artists in Hip Hop at the moment.
“Nick has always been a supporter and vice versa,” says Remy. “I like what she does. She’s done wonderful things for females, but I just wish there was more of them. I don’t know what they’re doing. They’re letting these guys take over.”
Remy Ma also chats about getting married to Papoose while in prison, reconciling with Fat Joe, and a forthcoming reality show.
]
When asked how she feels knowing she is about to be a free woman
again, Remy provides a list of luxuries not available to her while in
prison that she wants to take part in including shopping, eating fast
food, and getting a pedicure.Rem also states that while she has not changed that much, her experience locked away caused her to look at her business dealings and personal actions differently. The 34-year-old rhymer revealed she penned tons of bars during her six years of incarceration as well.
During Remy Ma’s time away, Nicki Minaj exploded to become one of the leading women in rap music. Rem says the two had a slight issue with each other in the past, but she goes on to praise Nicki’s accomplishments. Remy also questions why there are so few female artists in Hip Hop at the moment.
“Nick has always been a supporter and vice versa,” says Remy. “I like what she does. She’s done wonderful things for females, but I just wish there was more of them. I don’t know what they’re doing. They’re letting these guys take over.”
Remy Ma also chats about getting married to Papoose while in prison, reconciling with Fat Joe, and a forthcoming reality show.
Listen to Remy Ma’s interview below.
allhiphop.com
Loaded Lux's Busta Rhymes Diss Snippet Leaks
by Andres Tardio
Loaded Lux says Busta Rhymes'
rhymes are busted on the snippet to the diss track that was previously
unveiled by Murda Mook during Total Slaughter.
During the recent Total Slaughter event, Loaded Lux's diss track to Busta Rhymes
was unveiled by Murda Mook. Busta, who was in attendance at the time,
later said he was shocked to hear the cut. Now, the snippet has been
leaked to the Internet and can be heard via BattleRap.
"Tell Busta bust it,” Loaded Lux says on the track. “Your
rhyme's busted/ As far as busters, I just seen a knock out artist/ You
ain't on the upper-cut in it.”
To listen to the song, BattleRap.
In 2012, Loaded Lux spoke about his admiration for Busta Rhymes, as reported by HipHopDX.
"Busta is a lyricist," Lux said at the time. "They're
catching on to Busta now putting them pads together when he's going to
work in terms of the flows, but if you slow it down…Busta says a lot bar
for bar. He's definitely one of those dudes who you can rewind and find
out there's more to find [in his lyrics], so I respect him as a
lyricist. I would never ever not embark on something…We grow; I'm all
about cultivation and edification of self. [But Busta rap battling],
that's a challenge to be respectful of, man. My peer, a dude that I
respect letting the world know, 'I rocks with Lux' - that means a lot to
me because I grew up listening to Busta as somebody trying to hone my
skills as a lyricist…that he would even consider to give me a shot is
good enough for me.”
Crazy Legs, Jimmy D Discuss Rock Steady Crew On Eve Of Its 37-Year Anniversary
by Dana Scott
Crazy Legs and Jimmy D detail the evolution of the landmark b-boy crew.
The Rock Steady Crew is scheduled to celebrate its 37-year anniversary July 27 in New York City's Central Park. Kool DJ Red Alert,
Jazzy Jay, Tony Touch, JS-1, M.O.P., Large Professor, Cormega, Slick
Rick and Das Efx are among the artists slated to appear at the event
celebrating the Crew which, which since its inception in 1977 within the
Echo Park section of the Bronx, has worked onpreserving and performing
the artform of b-boying around the world.
Co-founder Jimmy D said that the crew builds its rep through battling other crews.
A lot of the times we used to go out and look for people,
Jimmy D says during an exclusive interview with HipHopDX. "Back then
when it was just starting out, there were a lot of crews out there, but
they werent full-fledged lets battle moves.
He also says that the crews were held in high regard by
Hip Hop acts such as Kool DJ Red Alert and the Cold Crush Brothers.
"They would say Were gonna throw a jam on Friday or Saturday, so bring
your crew because we used to open for them," Jimmy D says. "They would
start the music and the crowd would start building up. Then they would
hear that the crews were gonna be there, and a lot more people would
show up. It built a lot of credibility with them because when they
figured that not only the deejays would be there, but were gonna have
the Rock Steady Crew, the Bronx Boys, and the C.C. Crew [Crazy
Commanders] there. It became standing room-only to see what was
happening. It built their rep and our rep too because when they did a
flyer, at the bottom it would be like 'Rock Steady Crew is gonna be there.' And that would get out to the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens."
Crazy Legs Joins The Rock Steady Crew
Crazy Legs battled his way into Rock Steady as a member of
The Bronx Boys breakdance crew. After moving to Manhattan, Crazy Legs
became a member of the Rockwell Association in Manhattan and would make
trips back to the then-breakdance Mecca of The Bronx. He was later
approved by Jimmy D to start a Manhattan chapter of Rock Steady.
Jimmy D soon after appointed Crazy Legs as President of
Rock Steady for his all city-respected reputation, recruiting talented
b-boys including Ken Swift and the late great Frosty Freeze,
and his help bringing the uptown b-boy style of dance to the bustling
downtown arts and nightclub scene. As their popularity grew across New
York City, they were booked on the Roxy Tourwith Afrika Bambaataa, Fab
Five Freddy, graffiti artist and deejays in 1982. It was Hip Hops first
international tour and featured shows in London and Paris.
The Crew was unable to sustain its momentum throughout the 1980s, though.
"For a moment, it kind of ceased from about 86 to 89, and I
was at a point in my life in which I felt like it wasnt over, but it
was what it was," Crazy Legs says during an exclusive interview with
HipHopDX. "And then my boy Jerry Fontanez said one day, Yo Legs, Rock
Steady for the 90s,' And I was like Nah. He said You can do it. Then I
met Q-Unique [formerly of 1990s New York-based rap crew Arsonists] and
he became the next generation of Rock Steady to help build it back up
again. Since then weve never stopped."
Today, the crew maintains its fraternal order and stays
involved in the community for social change, bridging gaps between Hip
Hop and other cultures, and holding standards of higher education for
its school-aged members.
"All the kids in Rock Steady are a great group of kids,
and they are all straight A students," Crazy Legs says. "Being in Rock
Steady now, especially as a new generation, you gotta maintain, not just
good but great grades. If they mess up in school, youre messing up in
Rock Steady. Which is very different from when I got into Rock Steady
when there was no focus on education, no focus on making sure that you
prepare for the future and do the right thing, being conscious of giving
back to the community, and pulling people up as you rise."
Crazy Legsrole in the crew has also evolved.
"When it comes to situations with the crew, I like to lead
from a position of power," he says. "You can be in the front lines of
any organization or group and appear weak. I need to alternate or set
the example and say, Hey yo, Im 48 years old, and Im getting it in with
my workout. That means everybody in the crew should be working out and
taking care of themselves to make sure they appear like the product
theyre supposed to be. Especially if they're trying to be in the
entertainment business, to perform at the highest level."
The flyers for Rock Steady Crew's 37th Anniversary are as
follows, as is a video of the Crew in New York's Central Park last year.
Photograph by Joe Conzo
hiphopdx.com
hiphopdx.com
Lecrae "Anomaly" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist; Announces Pre-Order Songs "Fear," "Nuthin"
by $hamrock
Lecrae has announced pre-order information for his seventh album, "Anomaly."
Lecrae said via Twitter today (June 3) that his new album is slated to drop in August and that it will be titled Anomaly.
The rapper posted a picture with a piece of notebook paper
that said,oeMy name is Lecrae and my new album Anomaly drops August
2014.
A few hours earlier, Lecrae tweeted a piece of notebook paper with the message oeMy name is Lecrae and I don(TM)t fit in #anomaly.
A series of athletes and rappers followed with their own message and the hashtag.
This will be Lecrae(TM)s seventh studio album. He also has two mixtapes, Church Clothes and its sequel.
Lecrae(TM)s tweets and tweets from Derek Minor, Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin and Oakland Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck are as follows:
(June 3, 2014)
UPDATE:Lecrae's Anomaly album is now slated for a September 9 release date, according to a tweet the rapper sent today (July 7).
His album cover has also been released via Instagram.
Lecrae's tweet and Instagram regarding Anomaly are as follows:
(July 7, 2014)
UPDATE #2:Lecrae tweeted the tracklist for his forthcoming Anomaly album today (July 16).
It is as follows:
Lecrae's tweet is as follows:
(July 16, 2014)
UPDATE #3:People who pre-order Lecrae's Anomalythrough
iTunes and Merchlinewill receive two new songs from the album as a free
MP3 download,according to a press release. The songs are"Fear" and the
single "Nuthin."
hiphopdx.com
hiphopdx.com
Cormega & Large Professor Detail Joint "Mega Philosophy" Album, Thoughts On New York Rap Scene
by Christopher Cole
hiphopdx.com
Remixes of "Industry" song featuring Craig G, Lord Jamar and others set to be released.
Cormega and Large Professor recently released their joint album, Mega Philosophy,
and were asked about the significance of the collection given the
current state of Hip Hop culture. “The culture needs it now more than
ever because you got a lot of clowning going on, and you got a lot of
grown men perpetuating childish behavior and it’s too much ignorance
going on,” Cormega said during an interview with XXL.
Large Professor
compared Hip Hop culture to Italian culture. “The foundation of [the
culture] is being a little overshadowed right now by what’s popular,
which is cool, but I always equate it to how when you go to Italy, pizza
is revered,” he said. “With New York Hip Hop being overshadowed, it’s
just like this is crazy. When you listen to the radio, the majority of
everything is different. We’re just putting that out to the people to
let them know that everybody is not swaying. Everyone is not trying to
do trap music. We’re sticking to the roots of what we do.”
Cormega also said that he is planning on releasing two remixes to Mega Philosophy's lead single, “Industry.” One remix is set to feature Cormega and Juice Crew members Craig G, Masta Ace, and Kool G Rap. The other is slated to feature Lord Jamar, Sadat X, Roc Marciano and Inspectah Deck.
The pair was also asked about their thoughts on young New York emcees.
“New York has no identity,” Cormega said. “If you close
your eyes and listen to the radio station in New York, you would think
you was down south. And then they have playlists, so that means they’re
not giving the local talent or new artists a shot.” Cormega had positive
words to say about New York rapper Chris Rivers, the son of Big Pun. Rivers did an exclusive interview with HipHopDX in 2013.
Cormega was also asked about his one-time beef with Nas.
“It’s not really something I think about anymore,” he said. “He has
ears. When he brought me out in the Nokia Theater, that fucking crowd
erupted,” he said in reference to a 2006 performance at the then Nokia
Theatre Times Square. “After that, it was common sense that people
wanted us to do music, but we’ve never done music. It’s not my fault.
I’m not gonna be one of those artists that’s stagnating waiting for
something,” Cormega said.
hiphopdx.com
Busta Rhymes Details Cash Money Departure, Eminem Direction
by Danielle Harling
Several weeks ago, Busta Rhymes released the Scoop DeVille-produced “Calm Down,” a record that also features a guest verse from Eminem and is scheduled to appear on Busta Rhymes’ upcoming album, Extinction Level Event 2.
Although the song was released late last month, Busta revealed that the
record has been in the works for quite some time, during his interview
on Sway’s Universe.
According to Busta, the song was originally three minutes and eight seconds long, but skyrocketed to six minutes and six seconds long when Em submitted his verse, which forced Busta to change his entire approach to the song.
“The song was originally like three minutes and eight seconds,” Busta Rhymes said. “I had just put a regular song structure to it. Two, 16 bar verses and a hook. The same hook that’s there. Met with Paul Rosenberg with Chris Lighty. God bless his soul. This was one of the last meetings that me and Chris did before he passed. Gave it to Paul on a CD. Didn’t hear back from Paul for about six weeks. Riggs Morales came through and Shaheem had Rich come out the studio to hear the song. When Riggs heard the record, Riggs kinda was so excited about the joint he goes back to Paul. Two weeks later we get a call confirming that Em is ready to do the joint…We get a call from Paul saying he coming by the studio he gon’ play us something. He get to the studio he played a verse. Em is rhyming for like 42 bars on a verse. And my two, 16s was on the song and I’m looking at it like ‘Nah, this ain’t gon’ work’…I had to change my approach. So, I went and I wrote 50 new bars.”
In regards to his label situation, Busta says he’s no longer at Cash Money Records and added that his split from the label was an amicable one. He revealed that while working on his album, he lost his friend, Chris Lighty and his father, and as a result chose to rid himself of his label situations.
“Actually, nothing happened in a negative way with Cash Money,” he said. “And actually nothing happened in a negative way with Aftermath. I think the difference really with the Aftermath situation was more me and Interscope. You know what I’m saying? It was just creative issues that was just conflicting a little bit, but it led to other frustrations. That really had nothing to do with the creative shit. So, at that point a discussion was had. And the beautiful thing about these situations is that the stage that I was at at those times, everybody had already respected what I’ve built and what I’ve accomplished on my own prior to getting with them…Same thing with Cash Money. I was there for two years and the opportunity was a great opportunity at the time because of the type of deal that was done…I just had a conversation with Bird like, ‘Listen, bro. I’m grateful and everything is love with us, but I just gotta see this through the way that I want to see this through.’"
In a previous interview with Complex, Busta revealed that he’s hoping for a November 2014 release for Extinction Level Event 2, but is still in the middle of handling sample issues.
“In an ideal world, I would want it to come out around November,” the rapper said. “But I’m dealing with some sample clearance legal issues. Until that process is resolved, I can’t actually lock in the way I want to on my date. But so far the sailing has been smooth. Regardless, it’s definitely coming this year.”
hiphopdx.com
Busta Rhymes says his departure from Aftermath and later Cash Money didn't happen "in a negative way."
According to Busta, the song was originally three minutes and eight seconds long, but skyrocketed to six minutes and six seconds long when Em submitted his verse, which forced Busta to change his entire approach to the song.
“The song was originally like three minutes and eight seconds,” Busta Rhymes said. “I had just put a regular song structure to it. Two, 16 bar verses and a hook. The same hook that’s there. Met with Paul Rosenberg with Chris Lighty. God bless his soul. This was one of the last meetings that me and Chris did before he passed. Gave it to Paul on a CD. Didn’t hear back from Paul for about six weeks. Riggs Morales came through and Shaheem had Rich come out the studio to hear the song. When Riggs heard the record, Riggs kinda was so excited about the joint he goes back to Paul. Two weeks later we get a call confirming that Em is ready to do the joint…We get a call from Paul saying he coming by the studio he gon’ play us something. He get to the studio he played a verse. Em is rhyming for like 42 bars on a verse. And my two, 16s was on the song and I’m looking at it like ‘Nah, this ain’t gon’ work’…I had to change my approach. So, I went and I wrote 50 new bars.”
In regards to his label situation, Busta says he’s no longer at Cash Money Records and added that his split from the label was an amicable one. He revealed that while working on his album, he lost his friend, Chris Lighty and his father, and as a result chose to rid himself of his label situations.
“Actually, nothing happened in a negative way with Cash Money,” he said. “And actually nothing happened in a negative way with Aftermath. I think the difference really with the Aftermath situation was more me and Interscope. You know what I’m saying? It was just creative issues that was just conflicting a little bit, but it led to other frustrations. That really had nothing to do with the creative shit. So, at that point a discussion was had. And the beautiful thing about these situations is that the stage that I was at at those times, everybody had already respected what I’ve built and what I’ve accomplished on my own prior to getting with them…Same thing with Cash Money. I was there for two years and the opportunity was a great opportunity at the time because of the type of deal that was done…I just had a conversation with Bird like, ‘Listen, bro. I’m grateful and everything is love with us, but I just gotta see this through the way that I want to see this through.’"
In a previous interview with Complex, Busta revealed that he’s hoping for a November 2014 release for Extinction Level Event 2, but is still in the middle of handling sample issues.
“In an ideal world, I would want it to come out around November,” the rapper said. “But I’m dealing with some sample clearance legal issues. Until that process is resolved, I can’t actually lock in the way I want to on my date. But so far the sailing has been smooth. Regardless, it’s definitely coming this year.”
hiphopdx.com
Bishop Nehru & MF Doom "NehruvianDOOM" Release Date
by Soren Baker
hiphopdx.com
Bishop Nehru tweets an update about his album with MF Doom.
Bishop Nehru tweeted today about NehruvianDOOM, his forthcoming album with MF Doom.
"NehruvianDOOM | September 23rd.,” Bishop Nehru tweeted today (July 23).
In February, the duo discussed the project.
“It's going to be about seven songs." Bishop Nehru said at
the time. "There's no way to really explain it. It's just kind of its
own little feel. Its own little sound. I don't think anything really
compares to it."
MF DOOM says the project is organic, similar to how the two met.
"As like a compilation of sounds, all of them hold they
own weight but as one whole thing, a piece, it's going to be a very
informative piece,” he said at the time. "It's going to be that
joint... To me, everything happened organically and it's still going
organically, so it's hard to explain it as it's happening. It just is
what it is."
Bishop Nehru’s tweet is as follows:
hiphopdx.com
Monday, July 14, 2014
Fashawn Signs With Nas’ Mass Appeal Records, Announces Album Release Date
In a press release announcing the signing, Nas stated that Fashawn is
one of the most underrated MC’s and “the world is gonna know soon”.
According to Fashawn, he was underrating himself and the entire future
of Hip Hop before getting the infamous “Nas Call”:
allhiphop.com
Before this whole Nas thing happened, I was really discouraged with rap. I was not excited about the future of Hip Hop. I was doing other things. But, getting the call from Nas just lit the fire again. Really just got me ready to kill everything in my path.Fashawn’s debut album Boy Meets World was released back in October 2009. He announced that the follow up, The Ecology will be released on September 30th and uses that opportunity to give rappers help on changing their style:
This is what I want to tell rappers to do.I want to tell them t0 stop rapping about four thigns: money, weed, b*tches and clothes. Stop rapping about that and really go inside. Really talk to society. Not just talk about society but talk to them.Check out Fashawn’s interview with VladTV below:
allhiphop.com
Russell Simmons ADD52 & Samsung Milk Music Will Release A Single Every Week
Russell Simmons is taking his roots to the future and searching for
the next great artists Today (July 10th), Russell Simmons and Steve
Rikin’s announce their partnership with Samsung’s Milk music streaming
service to release a single from a new artist ever week for a year.
ADD52 is a part of Simmons and Steve Rifkin’s All Def Digital music label they began in 2013 and will expand their partnership with Samsung to include working with its relatively new music streaming service, Milk Music. 52 singles were picked from thousands of submissions from unknown acts made to ADD52.com. The partnership includes Universal Music Group which will extend a recording contract at any of its labels to the artists with singles that have the most streams, likes and social media shares.
Rikfin, founder of Loud Records and SRC Records, claims in an interview with Billboard that ADD52 is an answer to the monotony of current radio programming:
Check out ADD52′s promotion video explaining the partnership with Samsung’s Milk Music
allhiphop.com
ADD52 is a part of Simmons and Steve Rifkin’s All Def Digital music label they began in 2013 and will expand their partnership with Samsung to include working with its relatively new music streaming service, Milk Music. 52 singles were picked from thousands of submissions from unknown acts made to ADD52.com. The partnership includes Universal Music Group which will extend a recording contract at any of its labels to the artists with singles that have the most streams, likes and social media shares.
Rikfin, founder of Loud Records and SRC Records, claims in an interview with Billboard that ADD52 is an answer to the monotony of current radio programming:
The research we’re getting back is people who are coming to the station aren’t necessarily wanting to hear Drake and all the hot records. They’re there to hear the new records that nobody has ever heard before.ADD52 was originally announced back in March around the time of Samsung’s Milk Music debut. Samsung’s Milk Music has over 13 million songs and recently announced the music service was downloaded over 2 million times in its first four months of release. Simmons admits that while there is no plans for a long term partnership with Samsung past the 52 weeks, ADD52, Simmons informed Billboard “there are too many artists that need exposure for me not to continue this process.”
Check out ADD52′s promotion video explaining the partnership with Samsung’s Milk Music
allhiphop.com
Diamond D "Diam Piece" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist
by Paul Meara
'
1. Rap Life ft. Pharoahe Monch
2. Where's The Love ft. Talib Kweli, Elzhi, Skyzoo
3. It's Nothing ft. Fat Joe, Chi Ali, Freddie Foxxx
4. Only Way 2 Go ft. Pete Rock
5. Hard Days ft. The Pharcyde
6. I Ain't The One To Fuc Wit ft. Scram Jones
7. Pump Ya Brakes ft. Rapsody, Boog Brown, Stacy Epps
8. Take Em Off Da Map ft. Black Rob
9. We Are The People Of The World ft. Kurput, Tha Alkaholiks
10. Jose Feliciano
11. Handz Up ft. Hi-Tek
12. Pain ft. A.G., Chino XL
13. Vanity ft. Nottz
14. It's Magic ft. The Stepbrothers
15. The Game ft. Grand Daddy I.U.
16. Let The Music Talk ft. Kev Brown
17. Ace Of Diamonds ft. Masta Ace
18. 187 ft. Guilty Simpson, Ras Kass
19. Superman (Bonus Track) Produced By DJ Scratch
hiphopdx.com
Diamond D reveals the release date, cover art and tracklist for "Diam Piece."
Legendary Diggin In The Crates producer Diamond D recently released the cover artwork and tracklist for his sixth solo studio album, Diam Piece. He also revealed the release date of the album via press release as August 26.
The album is composed of 19 tracks (including a bonus cut)
and features numerous artists, both newer and older. Pharaohe Monch,
Rapsody, Talib Kweli, Elzhi, Skyzoo, D.I.T.C. running mate A.G., The
Pharcyde, Pete Rock, The Alchemist, Kurupt and Fat Joe, among others all
make appearances on the project.
D released the album's lead single "Rap Life" with accompanying video in late March of this year. He also released the album's trailer, which can be viewed here.
Diamond D is acclaimed for his work with D.I.T.C. and has
been active in Hip Hop music for over two decades. In 1996, he won a
Grammy for his production on The Fugees album, The Score. Diam Piece is D's first album release since 2008's The Huge Hefner Chronicles. He has released seven studio albums total with his first being 1992's Stunts, Blunts And Hip Hop.
The Diam Piece cover art and tracklist are as follows:
'1. Rap Life ft. Pharoahe Monch
2. Where's The Love ft. Talib Kweli, Elzhi, Skyzoo
3. It's Nothing ft. Fat Joe, Chi Ali, Freddie Foxxx
4. Only Way 2 Go ft. Pete Rock
5. Hard Days ft. The Pharcyde
6. I Ain't The One To Fuc Wit ft. Scram Jones
7. Pump Ya Brakes ft. Rapsody, Boog Brown, Stacy Epps
8. Take Em Off Da Map ft. Black Rob
9. We Are The People Of The World ft. Kurput, Tha Alkaholiks
10. Jose Feliciano
11. Handz Up ft. Hi-Tek
12. Pain ft. A.G., Chino XL
13. Vanity ft. Nottz
14. It's Magic ft. The Stepbrothers
15. The Game ft. Grand Daddy I.U.
16. Let The Music Talk ft. Kev Brown
17. Ace Of Diamonds ft. Masta Ace
18. 187 ft. Guilty Simpson, Ras Kass
19. Superman (Bonus Track) Produced By DJ Scratch
hiphopdx.com
Young Guru Says "Hip Hop Is Not A Color-Based Thing"
by Danielle Harling
While speaking on the matter, the beatsmith explained that Hip Hop needs to be properly documented and preserved. He also spoke on white artists in Hip Hop and shared his belief that Hip Hop isn’t color-based and says it’s the one place where the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream has been realized.
“If you don’t control what it is it can easily become something else,” Young Guru said. “If you don’t take and accept who you are someone else is gonna take your culture and flip it and do something else to it and not give you the credit for it. So, it’s up to Hip Hoppers to document Hip Hop, right? But the way that you preserve what it is is to teach the youth exactly where it came from. So, that their expression at the core of it is Hip Hop, right? So, when it spreads to different countries, different continents, it’s still the core of it is Hip Hop. But the expression is always gonna be new because the person is new…You can’t tell me that the Beastie Boys are not Hip Hop. You can’t tell me that MC Serch is not Hip Hop. What I think that people when they look at when it spreads, the audience themselves may not be Hip Hop. Macklemore’s audience may not be the biggest Hip Hop audience, but you can’t say that Macklemore himself is not Hip Hop. Hip Hop is not a color-based thing, right? It’s actually the place where Dr. King’s dream is the one place where it’s been realized, right? Where it doesn’t really matter what color you are. It matters how dope you are.”
Prior to speaking on race in Hip Hop and preserving the genre, Young Guru expressed his approval of Hip Hop being taught more often at colleges and universities. He later recalled visiting an exhibit at Cornell University and seeing Afrika Bambaataa’s notebook placed next to an ancient Egyptian scroll.
“We’ve always said that you can take the poetry of Hip Hop and teach it as classes,” he said. “There’s so much that can be learned from not just the lyrics, but the production and the social context of why these albums were made. But it’s great to see that people are finally recognizing Hip Hop as something that’s so important that it should be in these arenas and be taught. I think one of the greatest things for me was when I went to Cornell to check out the Hip Hop exhibit that they have. They actually have like Afrika Bambaataa’s notebook next to ancient Egyptian scrolls. So, you see the respect level…You really value that notebook and see the historical value in Afrika Bambaataa’s notebook the same way that we now see the historical value in some ancient Egyptian scroll. You know? That’s a huge statement…The only problem that I have with it is that you have to be really careful as to who is the information giver. And what information that they’re giving. And the great thing about Hip Hop is that the people who created this, the forefathers, our founding fathers are still alive.”
Young Guru’s interview with HardknockTV can be found below.
hiphopdx.com
Young Guru recalls seeing Afrika Bambaataa's notebook placed next to ancient Egyptian scrolls in a museum.
In a newly-published interview with Hardknock TV, audio engineer/producer Young Guru
offered his thoughts on race and Hip Hop. During the interview, Young
Guru was asked what can be done to ensure that Hip Hop remains at its
essence and doesn’t get absorbed into the mainstream so much that its
history is lost.While speaking on the matter, the beatsmith explained that Hip Hop needs to be properly documented and preserved. He also spoke on white artists in Hip Hop and shared his belief that Hip Hop isn’t color-based and says it’s the one place where the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream has been realized.
“If you don’t control what it is it can easily become something else,” Young Guru said. “If you don’t take and accept who you are someone else is gonna take your culture and flip it and do something else to it and not give you the credit for it. So, it’s up to Hip Hoppers to document Hip Hop, right? But the way that you preserve what it is is to teach the youth exactly where it came from. So, that their expression at the core of it is Hip Hop, right? So, when it spreads to different countries, different continents, it’s still the core of it is Hip Hop. But the expression is always gonna be new because the person is new…You can’t tell me that the Beastie Boys are not Hip Hop. You can’t tell me that MC Serch is not Hip Hop. What I think that people when they look at when it spreads, the audience themselves may not be Hip Hop. Macklemore’s audience may not be the biggest Hip Hop audience, but you can’t say that Macklemore himself is not Hip Hop. Hip Hop is not a color-based thing, right? It’s actually the place where Dr. King’s dream is the one place where it’s been realized, right? Where it doesn’t really matter what color you are. It matters how dope you are.”
Prior to speaking on race in Hip Hop and preserving the genre, Young Guru expressed his approval of Hip Hop being taught more often at colleges and universities. He later recalled visiting an exhibit at Cornell University and seeing Afrika Bambaataa’s notebook placed next to an ancient Egyptian scroll.
“We’ve always said that you can take the poetry of Hip Hop and teach it as classes,” he said. “There’s so much that can be learned from not just the lyrics, but the production and the social context of why these albums were made. But it’s great to see that people are finally recognizing Hip Hop as something that’s so important that it should be in these arenas and be taught. I think one of the greatest things for me was when I went to Cornell to check out the Hip Hop exhibit that they have. They actually have like Afrika Bambaataa’s notebook next to ancient Egyptian scrolls. So, you see the respect level…You really value that notebook and see the historical value in Afrika Bambaataa’s notebook the same way that we now see the historical value in some ancient Egyptian scroll. You know? That’s a huge statement…The only problem that I have with it is that you have to be really careful as to who is the information giver. And what information that they’re giving. And the great thing about Hip Hop is that the people who created this, the forefathers, our founding fathers are still alive.”
Young Guru’s interview with HardknockTV can be found below.
hiphopdx.com
Jay Z, J. Cole, Mac Miller Make Surprise Appearances At Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival
by Danielle Harling
HotNewHipHop.com reports that Jay Z, J. Cole, and Mac Miller were all brought out during Jay Electronica’s set at the festival. The New Orleans, Louisiana rapper went on to perform “Suplexes Inside Of Complexes And Duplexes” with Mac Miller and “We Made It (Remix)” with Jay Z.
Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli also reportedly made an appearance during Jay Elec’s performance.
Jay Z and Jay Electronica Rock The Brooklyn Hip... by BKHipHopFestival
According to Complex.com, Wu-Tang Clan spitter Raekwon also brought out a number of special guests during his performance. Among those to grace the stage during Raekwon’s set were Brooklyn lyricists Bobby Shmurda, Troy Ave, and Papoose and both AZ and Lil Fame of M.O.P.
Established in 2005, the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival was created to showcase “the positive aspects of Hip-Hop culture by highlighting Hip-Hop’s legacy as an agent of artistic progression, community building and social change.” Artists who have performed at the festival over the past 10 years include Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, Pusha T, and EPMD.
A handful of other videos from the festival, captured via Instagram can be found@ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29723/title.jay-z-j-cole-mac-miller-make-surprise-appearances-at-brooklyn-hip-hop-festival.
hiphopdx.com
Raekwon brings out a bevy of Brooklyn lyricists during his Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival performance, including Troy Ave and M.O.P.
The 10th annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival
welcomed a number of surprises over the weekend. Although Raekwon, Jay
Electronica, CyHi The Prynce, and a number of other artists were
scheduled to perform at the annual festival, fans were treated to
surprise appearances from Jay Z, J. Cole, Mac Miler, M.O.P., and much
more.HotNewHipHop.com reports that Jay Z, J. Cole, and Mac Miller were all brought out during Jay Electronica’s set at the festival. The New Orleans, Louisiana rapper went on to perform “Suplexes Inside Of Complexes And Duplexes” with Mac Miller and “We Made It (Remix)” with Jay Z.
Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli also reportedly made an appearance during Jay Elec’s performance.
Jay Z and Jay Electronica Rock The Brooklyn Hip... by BKHipHopFestival
According to Complex.com, Wu-Tang Clan spitter Raekwon also brought out a number of special guests during his performance. Among those to grace the stage during Raekwon’s set were Brooklyn lyricists Bobby Shmurda, Troy Ave, and Papoose and both AZ and Lil Fame of M.O.P.
Established in 2005, the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival was created to showcase “the positive aspects of Hip-Hop culture by highlighting Hip-Hop’s legacy as an agent of artistic progression, community building and social change.” Artists who have performed at the festival over the past 10 years include Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, Pusha T, and EPMD.
A handful of other videos from the festival, captured via Instagram can be found@ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29723/title.jay-z-j-cole-mac-miller-make-surprise-appearances-at-brooklyn-hip-hop-festival.
hiphopdx.com
Total Slaughter Winners Announced, Joe Budden Loses To Hollow Da Don
Joe Budden loses to Hollow Da Don and Murda Mook wins in a rematch against Loaded Lux.
After months of promotional lead-up, the Total Slaughter battle event took place tonight (July 12) at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.Each battle was refereed by DJ Kay Slay and the event was hosted by Sway Calloway. Ebro Darden and Slaughterhouse rapper Royce Da 5'9 provided post-battle commentary before each winner was announced.
With all the battles judged by Poison Pen, Kid Capri, and Drect, a full winners list is available below.
Joe Budden Vs. Hollow Da Don
Winner: Hollow Da DonIn a contentious battle between one of Battle Rap's top-tier performers Hollow Da Don and industry rapper Joe Budden, Hollow Da Don took home the victory in the headline battle at Total Slaughter. The battle was riddled with microphone difficulties and Joe Budden rapped from a hand-held microphone as a result. Upon hearing loud boos from the crowd during his last round, Budden said, "If ya'll don't stop booing I'm gonna stop rapping." The emcee kept his promise and laid the microphone down on the stage before being granted extra time to finish his round.
Unlike the rest of the battles, both rappers left the stage before the announcement was made.
Loaded Lux Vs. Murda Mook
Winner: Murda MookIn a much-talked about rematch, Murda Mook returned to Battle Rap with a win against Loaded Lux. During one of his rounds, Murda Mook aired out an unreleased dis track by Loaded Lux aimed at a present-in-the-crowd Busta Rhymes. During the final battle, Loaded Lux and Busta Rhymes were seen exchanging words near the judges. The Mook versus Lux battle also earned praise from Ebro Darden who claimed he may have been converted into a Battle Rap fan as a result.
T-Rex Vs. Daylyt
Winner: T-RexDespite his claims that he wouldn't bring any antics to his match against T-Rex, Daylyt arrived on stage dressed as Spawn and spent the better part of his third round stripping down to his underwear yet again. With the crowd booing the antics, Daylyt failed to rap for most of the last round.
Arsonal Vs. Big T
Winner: ArsonalIn the night's first battle, Road To Total Slaughter alums Big T and Arsonal faced off. While Big T's lyrics were hard to hear throughout, Arsonal quickly garnered the crowd's favor with loud cheers through much of the battle. The New Jersey rapper received in-person support in the crowd from Vin Rock of Naughty By Nature and leveraged harsh words for every member of the Road To Total Slaughter household.
hiphopdx.com
Crooked I Calls Joe Budden "Wildcard" In Eminem's "Total Slaughter" Battle Event
by Andres Tardio
"It’s a crazy battle [event] ‘cause you got Murda Mook and Loaded Lux, two of the O.G.s in this battle shit," Crooked I says to Battle Rap. "They’re going to headline it along with Joe Budden who is the wildcard because, why is he battling? He’s a reality star. He’s signed to a mainstream label. He has to reason to go and try to get into that fucking arena, but he’s just showing people he’s an emcee and a gladiator. It’s so dope to have that event going down and it’s all centered around our TV show [Road To] Total Slaughter, so it’s just a great thing. Slaughterhouse, we produced it along with Eminem, and it’s a beautiful opportunity for Hip Hop as a whole and we’re just blessed to be part of it."
For more on this story, visit Battle Rap.
hiphopdx.com
Crooked I on Joe Budden: "He's just showing people he's an emcee and a gladiator."
Crooked I recently addressed his fellow Slaughterhouse member Joe Budden's upcoming battle against Hollow Da Don for Eminem's Total Slaughter battle event. "It’s a crazy battle [event] ‘cause you got Murda Mook and Loaded Lux, two of the O.G.s in this battle shit," Crooked I says to Battle Rap. "They’re going to headline it along with Joe Budden who is the wildcard because, why is he battling? He’s a reality star. He’s signed to a mainstream label. He has to reason to go and try to get into that fucking arena, but he’s just showing people he’s an emcee and a gladiator. It’s so dope to have that event going down and it’s all centered around our TV show [Road To] Total Slaughter, so it’s just a great thing. Slaughterhouse, we produced it along with Eminem, and it’s a beautiful opportunity for Hip Hop as a whole and we’re just blessed to be part of it."
For more on this story, visit Battle Rap.
hiphopdx.com
Statik Selektah "What Goes Around..." Release Date, Cover Art & Album Tracklist
by Andres Tardio
The producer and deejay made this announcement on MTV, where he promised that the project, titled What Goes Around..., is set to be available in the second quarter of the year. No official release date has been finalized.
Statik Selektah dropped his Extended Play album this year, a Duck Down Records/Showoff Records release. Extended Play features many artists rapping over Selektah's production, including Black Thought, Joey Bada$$, Raekwon, Ab-Soul, Action Bronson and Evidence.
Beyond dropping Extended Play, Statik Selektah also released The Proposal, a collaborative album that was crafted with Ransom. The project was released by Showoff Records and Brick Records, featuring appearances from Styles P and Termanology, among others.
Statik Selektah's What Goes Around... announcement can be viewed below.
Duck Down Music announced via Twitter that Statik Selektah's What Goes Around... album is scheduled for an August 19 release.
The tweet is as follows:
(March 3, 2014)
UPDATE #2: The tracklist and cover art for Statik Selektah's What Goes Around... album are as follows:
1. What Goes Around (feat. Lil Fame & Ea$y Money)
2. Carry On (feat. Joey Bada$$ & Freddie Gibbs)
3. The Thrill Is Back (feat. Styles P & Talib Kweli)
4. The Imperial (feat. Action Bronson, Royce Da 5’9 & Black Thought)
5. All The Way (Pimp Hop) (feat. Snoop Dogg, Wais P, Ransom & CharlieRED)
6. Back For You (feat. Dilated Peoples)
7. Alarm Clock (feat. Ab Soul, Jon Connor & Logic)
8. My Time (feat. Black Dave, CJ Fly, Nyck Caution & Josh Xantus)
9. Fugazi Introducing Sincere
10. Long Time (feat. Action Bronson)
11. Drunk & High (feat. Noreaga, Termanology & REKS)
12. The Chopper (feat. Jon Connor & Ransom)
13. Down Like This (feat. Sheek Louch, Pharoahe Monch & Crooked I)
14. Slum Villain (feat. Joey Bada$$)
15. Heltah Selektah (Feat. Sean Price & Rock)
16. Overdose (feat. B-Real & JFK)
17. Something To Cry For (feat. Boldy James)
18. Rise Above (feat. Astro & Dessy Hinds)
19. Get Away (feat. Joe Scudda & Colin Munroe)
20. God Knows (feat. Bun B, Jared Evan & POS of De La Soul)
hiphopdx.com
Statik Selektah announces the release date for his "What Goes Around..." album.
Statik Selektah has plans for 2014 and he has announced that a new album is on its way.The producer and deejay made this announcement on MTV, where he promised that the project, titled What Goes Around..., is set to be available in the second quarter of the year. No official release date has been finalized.
Statik Selektah dropped his Extended Play album this year, a Duck Down Records/Showoff Records release. Extended Play features many artists rapping over Selektah's production, including Black Thought, Joey Bada$$, Raekwon, Ab-Soul, Action Bronson and Evidence.
Beyond dropping Extended Play, Statik Selektah also released The Proposal, a collaborative album that was crafted with Ransom. The project was released by Showoff Records and Brick Records, featuring appearances from Styles P and Termanology, among others.
Statik Selektah's What Goes Around... announcement can be viewed below.
Get More:
Music News
Music News
Duck Down Music announced via Twitter that Statik Selektah's What Goes Around... album is scheduled for an August 19 release.
The tweet is as follows:
(March 3, 2014)
UPDATE #2: The tracklist and cover art for Statik Selektah's What Goes Around... album are as follows:
1. What Goes Around (feat. Lil Fame & Ea$y Money)
2. Carry On (feat. Joey Bada$$ & Freddie Gibbs)
3. The Thrill Is Back (feat. Styles P & Talib Kweli)
4. The Imperial (feat. Action Bronson, Royce Da 5’9 & Black Thought)
5. All The Way (Pimp Hop) (feat. Snoop Dogg, Wais P, Ransom & CharlieRED)
6. Back For You (feat. Dilated Peoples)
7. Alarm Clock (feat. Ab Soul, Jon Connor & Logic)
8. My Time (feat. Black Dave, CJ Fly, Nyck Caution & Josh Xantus)
9. Fugazi Introducing Sincere
10. Long Time (feat. Action Bronson)
11. Drunk & High (feat. Noreaga, Termanology & REKS)
12. The Chopper (feat. Jon Connor & Ransom)
13. Down Like This (feat. Sheek Louch, Pharoahe Monch & Crooked I)
14. Slum Villain (feat. Joey Bada$$)
15. Heltah Selektah (Feat. Sean Price & Rock)
16. Overdose (feat. B-Real & JFK)
17. Something To Cry For (feat. Boldy James)
18. Rise Above (feat. Astro & Dessy Hinds)
19. Get Away (feat. Joe Scudda & Colin Munroe)
20. God Knows (feat. Bun B, Jared Evan & POS of De La Soul)
hiphopdx.com
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival Brings Live Taping of “The Combat Jack Show”
10pm
The 1st part of Told It First Hand will take place at 5:30 p.m. with the live taping of The Combat Jack Show happening at 8 P.M. The events will take place at the Brooklyn Historical Society on 128 Pierrepont Street Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Tickets for the live taping of The Combat Jack Show are $5 and can be purchased here.
- July 9th, the best place to be to get ready for combat will be Brooklyn. Brooklyn Bodega and the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is hosting Told It First Hand featuring a live taping of The Combat Jack Show.
The 1st part of Told It First Hand will take place at 5:30 p.m. with the live taping of The Combat Jack Show happening at 8 P.M. The events will take place at the Brooklyn Historical Society on 128 Pierrepont Street Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Tickets for the live taping of The Combat Jack Show are $5 and can be purchased here.
Nicki Minaj Sends Veiled Shot At Rappers That Don’t Write Their Own Lyrics
“How the f**k you in the game like ten years strong?
Y’all b***hes still can’t write your own damn song?” rapped a pre-famous
Nicki Minaj on a The Come Up DVD freestyle back in 2008. The
Young Money member reminded the world last night that she’s still not
feeling rappers that have ghostwriters.
During her acceptance speech at the BET Awards, Nicki took time to make it clear that she is the only person that writes her lyrics and took a swipe at some of her peers at the same time. After winning for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, the “Pills N Potions” performer told the audience, “When you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it.”
While Nicki went on to claim that her statement included “no shade,” it did seem to be directed toward fellow nominee Iggy Azalea. Nicki added, “I hope and pray that BET continues to honor authenticity.”
Earlier this month Nicki took issue with a Forbes magazine feature about Iggy. The original title of the piece was “Hip Hop Is Run By A White, Blonde, Australian Woman.” Negative feedback led to the headline being changed, but Minaj still told Power 105′s The Breakfast Club, “Listen, all Forbes needs to worry about is my finances and when I’m going to be selling Myx Fusion for $250 million. That’s all they need to worry about.”
Iggy Azalea has also been embraced by Nicki’s longtime rival Lil Kim. The rap veteran and the buzzing newcomer exchanged compliments on Twitter earlier this year.
During her acceptance speech at the BET Awards, Nicki took time to make it clear that she is the only person that writes her lyrics and took a swipe at some of her peers at the same time. After winning for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, the “Pills N Potions” performer told the audience, “When you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it.”
While Nicki went on to claim that her statement included “no shade,” it did seem to be directed toward fellow nominee Iggy Azalea. Nicki added, “I hope and pray that BET continues to honor authenticity.”
Earlier this month Nicki took issue with a Forbes magazine feature about Iggy. The original title of the piece was “Hip Hop Is Run By A White, Blonde, Australian Woman.” Negative feedback led to the headline being changed, but Minaj still told Power 105′s The Breakfast Club, “Listen, all Forbes needs to worry about is my finances and when I’m going to be selling Myx Fusion for $250 million. That’s all they need to worry about.”
Iggy Azalea has also been embraced by Nicki’s longtime rival Lil Kim. The rap veteran and the buzzing newcomer exchanged compliments on Twitter earlier this year.
Nicki also acknowledged Iggy’s successful
run atop the Billboard Hot 100 with the single “Fancy.” Just last month
she gave props to the Australian femcee, but she added she wanted for
other female rhymers to give her props as well.
“I think that congratulations is in order.
Her single is doing really, really well and I think that’s a good thing.
One thing I’m not is a hater. If somebody is doing something and they
did it well, and their song is charting well, then congratulations,”
Nicki said at the time. “I just want female rappers to understand that
I’ve kicked in a lot of doors for them and I just would appreciate if
they would acknowledge that.”
allhiphop.com
allhiphop.com
Lupe Fiasco Reveals Record Label Frustrations, Retirement Plans
by Andres Tardio
"[I want to] just get this out before the Fall, so I can put out the next one so I can be done with this company,” Lupe Fiasco says in an interview with Los Angeles radio station Power 106’s Rikki Martinez. "That’s what we’re in right now. We’re just trying to get albums out just to get off the label.”
Fiasco says his frustrations have also driven him to thoughts about ending his career as a rapper.
"Personally, for me, I’d rather just be done,” he says. "I’d rather walk into the sunset and be up out of here. Unfortunately, my record label keeps me in a position and the greater drive is to get off my label so I can get out these contracts as opposed to retiring under these contracts and being with these people. That’s the greater drive to get it out. It’s not even about, ‘Let me please the fans.’"
Fiasco says releasing music through Atlantic Records takes time.
"You’ve gotta wait nine months between release dates and you gotta worry about the extra nonsense they put you through," he says. "That wears you down. But you fight through it.”
Despite being impacted by these circumstances, Fiasco says he understands the flip side.
"It has benefits at the same time, too,” he says. “But you always get faced with these, ‘Is it worth it?’ type situations. Some days it is. Some days, it’s not. Tomorrow will be a different day, but yeah, I’m almost done.”
Lupe says he may embark on other ventures following his career in Rap, including work in film scoring.
"If the opportunity presents itself, you know, to go beyond than just doing music for a soundtrack, but scoring is whole other kind of piece,” he says. "We got offered a piece to do for a little Indie film, but it's somthing that has to be something that's really well planned out, well thought out. And sometimes you just don't have the time it takes to be immersed in a project and put music to it to that degree and pulling in all the assets that you need to pull it off properly.”
"Soul is the homie," Lupe explains. "I try to not look at it as a protege-mentor piece. It’s more like an equal piece. I actually try to put him ahead of me as far as in the caliber of how you look at people. I always tell Soul, ‘Don’t be me. Be bigger than me.’ I think he’s accomplished that in a few different ways. But Soul’s the homie…We did a bunch of records together, too. We might do some more."
In June, Ab-Soul has called himself "Lupe Fiasco on drugs" in a "Showoff Freestyle."
"It’s just a little inception to get your thoughts processing on the way to the club," Soul raps on the track. "I figured it out, I’m Lupe Fiasco on drugs / No religious preference, just bundles of love."
Recently, Lupe Fiasco spoke about Ab-Soul and the TDE family.
“Listen, Kendrick is ill," Fiasco said recently. "He's super ill. To me, the whole TDE team is the illest team. They're the illest team that I've seen in maybe five years. Ab-Soul's on the album. That's my homie...I'm trying to work with SZA right now...I love the creative collective they got. As an emcee, I wish I had that."
Fiasco and Soul have collaborated on tracks, including "Thorns & Horns."
"I think the Internet made me dumb," he says. "Everything went away. I was just so focused on this stupid-ass machine. I always said that. When I got my first laptop, my first Apple, I was like, ‘Yo, this shit is making me dumb.’ And it becomes addicting to a certain degree. I’ve always had a hate-hate relationship with the Internet and technology.”
Fiasco adds that he wants to quit Twitter, also.
"I don’t think it’s good for me,” he says. "I’d rather not have it."
Fiasco, who claims to not know how to use Facebook, says he wishes he could quit Twitter, but that the company won't allow him to leave the network.
"I wish I didn't have it," he says. "I tried to delete it multiple times and they won't let me. Twitter won't even let me delete it. Nah, I tried to delete it. Twitter, period, the whole account and Twitter has it where they won't let me delete it. They make money off of it now. They won't let me delete it. They won't even let me turn it off."
When asked about the photograph, Fiasco explained his reason for posing with several pieces of jewelry.
"People trying to stunt on Lupe for whatever reasons but they forget," he says. "Nigga, I'm rich. I’m cool. Let's not get too out of our pocket when you talk to me. I just tend to...hold that part of me back for the sake of not putting any in your face, you know, but I can put it in your face. And so for me, it's like perfect, this is a perfect opportunity. Niggas want to get out here and talk crazy, fine. I put on every watch in the house. And don't pull it 'cause the chopper's here, too. So that's just me playing a game. Unfortunately, we live in a culture where people feed into that. And I have no problem of going there with you, I just choose not to do it 'cause I don't like the attention but at the same time too, I have no problem doing it."
Fiasco says he sometimes uses Twitter because as an opportunity to respond to critics.
"Yeah 'cause I feel like people like to start tidal waves,” he says. “A ripple can turn into a tsunami, if you let it and I don't have the patience for that. I don't have the real head space to deal with that so when things arise, I try to nip it in the ass as quick as possible because people try to reach outside of the internet. People let that 300 retweets or whatever, of somebody poppin', to pull something with you and you see it. You see the piece with Schoolboy Q getting his truck shot up, ain't no telling how that started. There was no reason for it to happen. There was no beef. There was no argument, it was just like when I was in Salt Lake City, you know this crazy white bitch started throwing [expletive] on the stage, so it's like, you don't know where that came from. It's unexplainable, so whenever you can get a grip of somebody poppin', crazy or somebody doing something out of pocket extraordinary for one you expose them so people can see. But at the same time, too, you let people know, ‘However you want to take it, you want to ball out, you want to shoot it out, you want to fight it out, like wherever you want to take it, you know, the possibilities are endless for you to participate in that.’ And it's just like a self protection kind of piece, 'cause if you let people get too comfortable which you thinkin' that it's all a game and they can come out and say whatever they want...You know it's like, 'I don't want that for you,' whether you understand you got a misinterpretation of who I am based on some skateboard song and that's cool but...if you come to my house I’ma kill you."
hiphopdx.com
Lupe Fiasco also details Ab-Soul collaborations, hatred towards Twitter.
Lupe Fiasco says he has a drive to release music for a very specific reason."[I want to] just get this out before the Fall, so I can put out the next one so I can be done with this company,” Lupe Fiasco says in an interview with Los Angeles radio station Power 106’s Rikki Martinez. "That’s what we’re in right now. We’re just trying to get albums out just to get off the label.”
Fiasco says his frustrations have also driven him to thoughts about ending his career as a rapper.
"Personally, for me, I’d rather just be done,” he says. "I’d rather walk into the sunset and be up out of here. Unfortunately, my record label keeps me in a position and the greater drive is to get off my label so I can get out these contracts as opposed to retiring under these contracts and being with these people. That’s the greater drive to get it out. It’s not even about, ‘Let me please the fans.’"
Fiasco says releasing music through Atlantic Records takes time.
"You’ve gotta wait nine months between release dates and you gotta worry about the extra nonsense they put you through," he says. "That wears you down. But you fight through it.”
Despite being impacted by these circumstances, Fiasco says he understands the flip side.
"It has benefits at the same time, too,” he says. “But you always get faced with these, ‘Is it worth it?’ type situations. Some days it is. Some days, it’s not. Tomorrow will be a different day, but yeah, I’m almost done.”
Lupe says he may embark on other ventures following his career in Rap, including work in film scoring.
"If the opportunity presents itself, you know, to go beyond than just doing music for a soundtrack, but scoring is whole other kind of piece,” he says. "We got offered a piece to do for a little Indie film, but it's somthing that has to be something that's really well planned out, well thought out. And sometimes you just don't have the time it takes to be immersed in a project and put music to it to that degree and pulling in all the assets that you need to pull it off properly.”
Lupe Fiasco On Ab-Soul: "We Did A Bunch Of Records"
As he continues to make music, some of that will include collaborations with Ab-Soul, he says."Soul is the homie," Lupe explains. "I try to not look at it as a protege-mentor piece. It’s more like an equal piece. I actually try to put him ahead of me as far as in the caliber of how you look at people. I always tell Soul, ‘Don’t be me. Be bigger than me.’ I think he’s accomplished that in a few different ways. But Soul’s the homie…We did a bunch of records together, too. We might do some more."
In June, Ab-Soul has called himself "Lupe Fiasco on drugs" in a "Showoff Freestyle."
"It’s just a little inception to get your thoughts processing on the way to the club," Soul raps on the track. "I figured it out, I’m Lupe Fiasco on drugs / No religious preference, just bundles of love."
Recently, Lupe Fiasco spoke about Ab-Soul and the TDE family.
“Listen, Kendrick is ill," Fiasco said recently. "He's super ill. To me, the whole TDE team is the illest team. They're the illest team that I've seen in maybe five years. Ab-Soul's on the album. That's my homie...I'm trying to work with SZA right now...I love the creative collective they got. As an emcee, I wish I had that."
Fiasco and Soul have collaborated on tracks, including "Thorns & Horns."
Lupe Fiasco: “The Internet Made Me Dumb"
Beyond his frustrations with his label situation, Fiasco also says he is not pleased with the Internet during his interview with Power 106."I think the Internet made me dumb," he says. "Everything went away. I was just so focused on this stupid-ass machine. I always said that. When I got my first laptop, my first Apple, I was like, ‘Yo, this shit is making me dumb.’ And it becomes addicting to a certain degree. I’ve always had a hate-hate relationship with the Internet and technology.”
Fiasco adds that he wants to quit Twitter, also.
"I don’t think it’s good for me,” he says. "I’d rather not have it."
Fiasco, who claims to not know how to use Facebook, says he wishes he could quit Twitter, but that the company won't allow him to leave the network.
"I wish I didn't have it," he says. "I tried to delete it multiple times and they won't let me. Twitter won't even let me delete it. Nah, I tried to delete it. Twitter, period, the whole account and Twitter has it where they won't let me delete it. They make money off of it now. They won't let me delete it. They won't even let me turn it off."
Lupe Fiasco Explains Twitter Hatred, Responding To Critics
Recently, Fiasco posted images of himself on Twitter as he viewed a Unites States soccer match during the World Cup. In the image, he is wearing three watches on one hand. The image is below.When asked about the photograph, Fiasco explained his reason for posing with several pieces of jewelry.
"People trying to stunt on Lupe for whatever reasons but they forget," he says. "Nigga, I'm rich. I’m cool. Let's not get too out of our pocket when you talk to me. I just tend to...hold that part of me back for the sake of not putting any in your face, you know, but I can put it in your face. And so for me, it's like perfect, this is a perfect opportunity. Niggas want to get out here and talk crazy, fine. I put on every watch in the house. And don't pull it 'cause the chopper's here, too. So that's just me playing a game. Unfortunately, we live in a culture where people feed into that. And I have no problem of going there with you, I just choose not to do it 'cause I don't like the attention but at the same time too, I have no problem doing it."
Fiasco says he sometimes uses Twitter because as an opportunity to respond to critics.
"Yeah 'cause I feel like people like to start tidal waves,” he says. “A ripple can turn into a tsunami, if you let it and I don't have the patience for that. I don't have the real head space to deal with that so when things arise, I try to nip it in the ass as quick as possible because people try to reach outside of the internet. People let that 300 retweets or whatever, of somebody poppin', to pull something with you and you see it. You see the piece with Schoolboy Q getting his truck shot up, ain't no telling how that started. There was no reason for it to happen. There was no beef. There was no argument, it was just like when I was in Salt Lake City, you know this crazy white bitch started throwing [expletive] on the stage, so it's like, you don't know where that came from. It's unexplainable, so whenever you can get a grip of somebody poppin', crazy or somebody doing something out of pocket extraordinary for one you expose them so people can see. But at the same time, too, you let people know, ‘However you want to take it, you want to ball out, you want to shoot it out, you want to fight it out, like wherever you want to take it, you know, the possibilities are endless for you to participate in that.’ And it's just like a self protection kind of piece, 'cause if you let people get too comfortable which you thinkin' that it's all a game and they can come out and say whatever they want...You know it's like, 'I don't want that for you,' whether you understand you got a misinterpretation of who I am based on some skateboard song and that's cool but...if you come to my house I’ma kill you."
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Russell Simmons On Cash Money Records: "The Best Company In The History Of Hip Hop"
by Soren Baker
Russell Simmons also says Cash Money Records declined Def Jam Recordings deal.
Russell Simmons says he holds Cash Money Records in high regard.
“The best company in the history of Hip Hop is Cash Money Records,” Simmons says in an article he wrote for GlobalGrind
that was published today (July 3). "They built it, developed and
nurtured their artists while treating them fairly, held it together, and
continue to make more money than everybody.”
Simmons said he started reflecting upon Cash Money’s history while watching one of its artists, Nicki Minaj, deliver an acceptance speech at the BET Awards Sunday (June 29).
"When we talk about surviving despite difficult personal
trauma we are talking about Baby and Slim – the founders of Cash Money
Records,” Simmons writes. "They are by far the most inspiring record
company Hip Hop has built to date. When I was watching Nicki Minaj
receive her fifth consecutive rap award on the BET awards,
I was almost brought to tears when she spoke about her Cash Money
family. It reminded me of the very best corporate culture we built at Def Jam that we were fortunate enough to hold onto for a number of years (though not nearly as long as Cash Money has enjoyed).”
Cash Money Records launched in the mid-1990s. At the time, the New Orleans-based roster included such acts as B.G., Juvenile, Lil Wayne and Mannie Fresh, among others.
After enjoying regional independent success, the imprint signed with Universal Music Group in the late 1990s.
Simmons says in his article that Cash Money passed on an opportunity for a Def Jam Recordings partnership.
“They politely passed on our offer to 'joint venture' with
them,” Simmons writes. "I remember thinking how much of a mistake they
were making because they were missing out on our ‘great' offer. I guess
they fooled me. Turns out, all these years later, they are the only
owners and the only real triumphant [Hip Hop] company fully owned and
operated by the true pioneers that started it.”
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Tupac Shakur's Murder Explored In National Geographic Channel's "The '90s: The Last Great Decade?"
by Soren Baker
hiphopdx.com
The murder of Tupac will be discussed as part of a three-night, six-hour documentary.
The still-unsolved 1996 murder of rapper Tupac will be the focus of a segment of National Geographic Channel's forthcoming The '90s: The Last Great Decade? documentary, according to Rolling Stone.
The three-night, six-hour documentary is slated to air in two-hour blocks July 6-8 starting at 9 pm EST each night.
The Tupac portion of the program features commentary from "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted” video director Gobi Rahimi, who was with Tupac the night he died in a Las Vegas hospital.
After Tupac was shot, Rahimi says that he and the Outlawz
took turns watching over the wounded rapper. "I think they had weapons
in their car,” Rahimi says, "because the whole time we were there, we
were fearful [whoever shot Tupac] was gonna come finish him off."
Outlawz member E.D.I Mean says there’s a reason why Tupac’s murder remains unsolved.
"Law enforcement around the country weren't big Tupac
fans," he said. "I'm absolutely positive they know what happened. This
is America. We found Bin Laden."
For more on Tupac Shakur, view the DX Daily Breakdown below.
hiphopdx.com
Dizaster Receives Lifetime Ban From KOTD
by DX Staff
hiphopdx.com
Organik says the ban can be lifted if Dizaster pays a fine and apologizes to Math Hoffa.
In a statement released today (July 2), King Of The Dot (KOTD) founder Organik said that Dizaster is banned for life from KOTD after the rapper punched Math Hoffa at "BOLA 5" Saturday (June 28).
The ban can be lifted, however, and turned into a one-year suspension if Dizaster makes a public, genuine apology and pays a $2,500 fine.
“This is not a case of having Dizaster back in KOTD,”
Organik said in his statement, "but a case of taking the right steps
forward in killing any sort of animosity these actions have brought upon
battle rap as a culture.”
Organik also said that Math Hoffa should be commended for
how he has handled the situation and says that Math is merely a victim
of violence. “He’s [Math Hoffa] a professional,” Organik said, "and has
always conducted himself as one underneath the KOTD banner."
To read the full story, visit Battle Rap.
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