written by Thomas A. Harden
Friday - May 23, 2008
Kanye West, Common, Method Man and Redman, and their perspective record companies were sued Thursday by the late U.S. jazz musician Joe Farrell's daughter, who accused the emcees of using her father's music without approval.
According to Billboard, Kathleen Firrantello filed an infringement lawsuit against the rappers and their various labels owned by Universal Music Group at U.S. District Court in New York, for the unlawful use of Farrell's 1974 musical composition "Upon This Rock."
The lawsuit stated all four rappers used portions of Farrell's opus in three separate songs- Kanye's "Gone," Common's "Chi-City," and Meth and Red's "Run 4 Cover."
Firrantello is seeking punitive damages of at least $1 million. She also asked that no further copies of the songs be made, sold or performed.
None of the record companies or representatives for the rappers were available for comment.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Mayor Of Newark NJ Welcomes Hip-Hop Business Summit
By Nolan Strong
The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey will welcome a number of celebrities and Hip-Hop artists during the First Annual Newark Celebrity Golf Classic and Hip-Hop Business Summit, taking place this August.
The weekend kicks off with a "Welcome to Newark" dinner at the Weequahic Parks Golf Club, with remarks by Mayor Booker, followed by a white party at trendy spot The Spot on Commerce Street.
The weekend’s focus, however, will be The Hip-Hop Business Summit, entitled "Hood Economics," at Symphony, from 9:00 am- 2:00 PM.
A number of athletes, industry executives and local business leaders will meet to teach enterprising youth how to manage a business, how to diversify in business and the importance of receiving an education.
Confirmed guests include Pepa of Salt-N-Pepa, Lance Smith, Walter Briggs, Greg Anthony, actors Brian White and Michael Kenneth Smith, radio personality Ed Lover, publisher/author Karen Hunter and others.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity, including New Youth Golf Inc, a non-profit organization that introduces the sport of golf to underprivileged and economically disadvantaged minority children in the greater Newark, New Jersey area.
In related news, the owner of the New Jersey Nets shot down reports that Mayor Booker and New Jersey Devils owner Jeffery Vanderbeek were in talks with a group of investors to buy the team and move it to Newark, New Jersey.
The sale would prevent the team from heading to Brooklyn, where Nets co-owner and developer Bruce Ratner is attempting to erect the Barclays Center in Brooklyn later this year for the team.
The arena, however, will not be constructed in time for the team’s 2009-2010 season, forcing the team to play at its current home in the Meadowlands.
Mayor Booker’s aim is to have The Nets play at The Prudential Center, which opened in October.
The Prudential Center is home to The New Jersey Devils, who also played at The Meadowlands prior to this season.
The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey will welcome a number of celebrities and Hip-Hop artists during the First Annual Newark Celebrity Golf Classic and Hip-Hop Business Summit, taking place this August.
The weekend kicks off with a "Welcome to Newark" dinner at the Weequahic Parks Golf Club, with remarks by Mayor Booker, followed by a white party at trendy spot The Spot on Commerce Street.
The weekend’s focus, however, will be The Hip-Hop Business Summit, entitled "Hood Economics," at Symphony, from 9:00 am- 2:00 PM.
A number of athletes, industry executives and local business leaders will meet to teach enterprising youth how to manage a business, how to diversify in business and the importance of receiving an education.
Confirmed guests include Pepa of Salt-N-Pepa, Lance Smith, Walter Briggs, Greg Anthony, actors Brian White and Michael Kenneth Smith, radio personality Ed Lover, publisher/author Karen Hunter and others.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity, including New Youth Golf Inc, a non-profit organization that introduces the sport of golf to underprivileged and economically disadvantaged minority children in the greater Newark, New Jersey area.
In related news, the owner of the New Jersey Nets shot down reports that Mayor Booker and New Jersey Devils owner Jeffery Vanderbeek were in talks with a group of investors to buy the team and move it to Newark, New Jersey.
The sale would prevent the team from heading to Brooklyn, where Nets co-owner and developer Bruce Ratner is attempting to erect the Barclays Center in Brooklyn later this year for the team.
The arena, however, will not be constructed in time for the team’s 2009-2010 season, forcing the team to play at its current home in the Meadowlands.
Mayor Booker’s aim is to have The Nets play at The Prudential Center, which opened in October.
The Prudential Center is home to The New Jersey Devils, who also played at The Meadowlands prior to this season.
New York Governor Pardons Rapper Slick Rick
By Nolan Strong
Rapper Slick Rick was issued an official pardon by New York Governor David A. Paterson today (May 23), in a final attempt to prevent the pioneering rapper from being deported to the United Kingdom.
The 43-year-old rapper has been locked in a battle in Federal Immigration Court fighting deportation, due to a 1991 conviction on two counts of attempted murder and weapons offenses.
Slick Rick, born Ricky Walters, is facing deportation due to a federal statute that requires a lawful resident alien to be removed from the country upon conviction of an aggravated felony or a weapon offense.
In some cases, removal can be avoided with a Governor's pardon, but for a weapons offense, a non-citizen must still seek discretionary relief from deportation from the Federal Immigration Court.
"Mr. Walters has fully served the sentence imposed upon him for his convictions, had an exemplary disciplinary record while in prison and on parole, and has been living without incident in the community for more than 10 years," said Governor Paterson. "In that time, he has volunteered at youth outreach programs to counsel youth against violence, and has become a symbol of rehabilitation for many young people. Given these demonstrated rehabilitative efforts, I urge federal immigration officials to once again grant Mr. Walters relief from deportation, so that he is not separated from his many family members who are United States citizens, including his two teenage children."
Slick Rick was born in the U.K. but was lawfully admitted into the United States at age 11, where he was raised in the Bronx.
"My family and I are eternally thankful to Governor Paterson, my attorneys Michael Krinsky and Craig Kaplan at Rabinowitz, Boudin, Standard, Krinsky & Lieberman and to all of the people who have supported me throughout the past seventeen years," Slick Rick told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "This has been a long and difficult road and I am happy for this to be settled once and for all. I look forward to enjoying this time with my family and friends and to continue leading an honest and productive life."
In 1991, the pioneering rapper fan afoul of the law, when during a dispute, he shot his cousin and an innocent bystander, both of whom survived the shooting.
The shooting was in response to a series of threats his cousin made that the rapper believed were going to be carried out, due to an alleged previous attempt on his life.
Walters, then 25, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder and weapons counts and was sentenced to 3-10 years in prison.
He served a total of five years and 33 days in prison, 33 days more than statutorily permitted for a waiver of inadmissibility.
Slick Rick was released from prison in 1997, but was jailed again in 2002, after performing on a Caribbean cruise ship, as he attempted to reenter the United States in Florida.
He was released from federal immigration prison in November of 2003, after serving a total of 17 additional months.
The Department of Homeland Security recently moved the case from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit based in New York to the Eleventh Circuit, in Atlanta, although Slick Rick is expected to be tried in Florida, where he was originally arrested attempting to reenter the country.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
50 Cent Accuses '106 & Park' Host Rocsi Of Favoritism, Being Promiscuous
From AllHipHop.com
50 Cent has a new enemy in his sights -- BET "106 & Park" host Rosci. Well, not exactly an enemy like Fat Joe or Ja Rule, but a person he isn't really feeling right now.
The G-Unit general recently called into Washington, D.C. radio station, 93.9 WKYS, where he shoveled a little dirt the music host's way, for recent past comment she made about his last album.
"Rocsi, she said something crazy on a tape. At first, my reaction to it is I should probably tell people who she is for real," 50 said on the air. "She's like a pop, I know like four people she slept with. It's favoritism, when you sit on the [BET] couch because ... like I don't have time to hang out with you and sleep with you to make you like me on the show. That's not how I do things."
Wow. 50 said these things possibly after a recent video surfaced of Rosci calling the Curtis album "garbage," and that people need to support her fellow Chicago cohort, Kanye West, and his Graduation album.
"Get that Kanye," Rosci says in the video with a big smile on her face. "Forget that 50 Cent, that's garbage. I'm going on the record right now. I challenge everybody. You get the Kanye album, you get the 50 Cent album, [and] if you find one song on the 50 Cent album [better] than on the Kanye album, I will buy you any three albums that you want. 50 is garbage."
50 cent says she called his album "garbage," because of course, favoritism, and that he won't sleep with her. However, the rapper said that before anyone criticizes him for going at the female host, they should realize he didn't start it.
"I knew it's been this way for a long time. It's just that it actually came out now," said 50. "People always see me responding, but they don't actually see what takes place to make me respond because their not paying those people any attention.
"Like you kind of get the bad guy aura. When you get that aura, like look at Suge right now. He gets into an altercation and someone hits him over the head. From there, so many people are happy to see him in that space that ... like look at the comments: 'Yea it's about time.' It kind of creates that aura and it gives me that bully effect also from a creative perspective. But I'm just responding to them the way I would if I wasn't in this position where people felt like I was at the top of the heat."
50 Cent is currently in New Orleans shooting a film alongside Val Kilmer and Sharon Stone called "Streets of Blood."
Rev. Sharpton Says Pressure Forced Nas To Change Album Title
By Chris Richburg
Days after rapper Nas changed the name of his forthcoming album, the Rev. Al Sharpton is applauding the move as he credits efforts from the National Action Network’s Decency Initiative for playing a role in motivating the New York emcee's change of heart.
Nas confirmed his decision to abandon the album's original title, N***er, on Monday (May 19).
"Clearly, putting their focus and pressure on the companies and not engaging in a fruitless pursuit of chasing a never ending and ever changing roster of artists has proven to be smart," Rev. Sharpton said in a statement. "The record companies and retailers have the power as this Nas matter shows. Had not the [NAN's] Decency Initiative and other groups put the pressure on, this change of title on Nas' album would never had been a corporate concern."
Prior to it's removal, N***er drew mixed reactions among music fans as well as celebrities, leaders and retailers, who were hesitant about having the album in stock on store shelves.
Rather than name the album Nas, after himself, the rapper will keep the project untitled.
For Tamika Mallory, who spear headed the effort, the name change is part of a bigger issue that must be addressed in order to effectively turn things around in the music business.
"No other community is subjected to denigration as a form of entertainment," Mallory said. "A record company would never release an album titled the "f [ag]" word to describe the gay community or the "k[ike]" word to describe the Jewish community as they should not," the activist said. "We are fighting to make sure the rules apply for women and African Americans as well."
The Nas album title controversy isn’t the first time the Decency Initiative and Sharpton have crossed paths with the music industry.
On May 3, 2007 they joined forces with the children of soul icon James Brown to lead a march on various record labels, including Universal, Sony and Warner Music, in New York City.
The purpose of the event, which was held the same day as Brown’s birthday, was to raise awareness of what the Initiative believes to be a double standard in the music and entertainment industry as well as demand that companies protect the civil and human rights of all people.
Days after rapper Nas changed the name of his forthcoming album, the Rev. Al Sharpton is applauding the move as he credits efforts from the National Action Network’s Decency Initiative for playing a role in motivating the New York emcee's change of heart.
Nas confirmed his decision to abandon the album's original title, N***er, on Monday (May 19).
"Clearly, putting their focus and pressure on the companies and not engaging in a fruitless pursuit of chasing a never ending and ever changing roster of artists has proven to be smart," Rev. Sharpton said in a statement. "The record companies and retailers have the power as this Nas matter shows. Had not the [NAN's] Decency Initiative and other groups put the pressure on, this change of title on Nas' album would never had been a corporate concern."
Prior to it's removal, N***er drew mixed reactions among music fans as well as celebrities, leaders and retailers, who were hesitant about having the album in stock on store shelves.
Rather than name the album Nas, after himself, the rapper will keep the project untitled.
For Tamika Mallory, who spear headed the effort, the name change is part of a bigger issue that must be addressed in order to effectively turn things around in the music business.
"No other community is subjected to denigration as a form of entertainment," Mallory said. "A record company would never release an album titled the "f [ag]" word to describe the gay community or the "k[ike]" word to describe the Jewish community as they should not," the activist said. "We are fighting to make sure the rules apply for women and African Americans as well."
The Nas album title controversy isn’t the first time the Decency Initiative and Sharpton have crossed paths with the music industry.
On May 3, 2007 they joined forces with the children of soul icon James Brown to lead a march on various record labels, including Universal, Sony and Warner Music, in New York City.
The purpose of the event, which was held the same day as Brown’s birthday, was to raise awareness of what the Initiative believes to be a double standard in the music and entertainment industry as well as demand that companies protect the civil and human rights of all people.
AHH Stray News: KRS ONE & DJ Premier Added To Brooklyn Hip-Hop Fest
By Ace Cannon
Rapper KRS-One and super producer DJ Premier have been added to the growing lineup of artists participating in the 2008 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. The two legends will appear on stage on July 12, at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. KRS One is also the headliner of this year's Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, which takes place from July 10-12 in Fort Greene, Dumbo and Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. In related news, sources told AllHipHop.com that KRS-One is working on a new album produced entirely by rapper/producer Bumpy Knuckles.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Opio of Souls of Mischief releasing new solo album
HipHopGame.com
Opio, member of the classic hip-hop group Souls of Mischief, has released details of his sophomore solo album, Vulture's Wisdom, Volume 1. The album will include a bonus DVD with music videos as well as animated shorts and features artwork by renowned pop artist David Flores. The album will be released in August on Hiero Imperium Records as the first chapter of a forthcoming trilogy.
Vulture's Wisdom, Volume 1 is a challenge to bloated hip-hop. With production solely from Oakland-based The Architect, whose production credits include early Stones Throw releases, Coolio, Planet Asia, and Encore, the album has a deliberate focus on Opio's rhyming and artistry. With fourteen songs under 39 minutes, the album is a short and sweet collaboration of golden-era rap polished to a 2008 sheen. While current artists such as Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West have been appropriating the classic mid 90's sound, Opio says, "People are trying to tap into that energy, whereas I am that energy." This is no braggadocio. In fact, it is an honest self- assessment of what Opio represents in the world of hip-hop; he is a living legend that has been recording and touring consistently for more than fifteen years.
The idea for Vulture's Wisdom came about in conversations between The Architect and Opio after they met while sharing neighborhood studio spaces. The conversations sparked a flood of creativity from Opio, and as fast as The Architect could supply beats, Opio was penning lyrics. "We embody the energy that people are trying so desperately to recapture or reconnect with. We never fell prey to all the trappings of materialism. Our music has stayed true to the art form and this album is a tribute to that." The album includes a bonus DVD with 7 music videos as well as animated shorts. Pop artist David Flores (XLARGE, Stussy, Deluxe, Shorty's) provided the album artwork.
As a teen, Opio hooked up with local rappers Tajai and A-Plus, whom he met through Casual, another emcee who was Opio's classmate and neighbor. The three instantly clicked and began recording together, soon adding fourth emcee Phesto Dee, to form the group Souls of Mischief. Together with Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual, Domino, and Pep Love, the legendary crew Hieroglyphics was born. Opio has always done double duty for Hiero as both an emcee and producer. Opio's recent production credits include the track "Naked Fonk" from Del's recent 11th Hour. Opio's first solo effort, 2005's Triangulation Station, moved over 20,000 units. Vulture's Wisdom, Volume 1 will be released in August on Hiero Imperium records.
Opio, member of the classic hip-hop group Souls of Mischief, has released details of his sophomore solo album, Vulture's Wisdom, Volume 1. The album will include a bonus DVD with music videos as well as animated shorts and features artwork by renowned pop artist David Flores. The album will be released in August on Hiero Imperium Records as the first chapter of a forthcoming trilogy.
Vulture's Wisdom, Volume 1 is a challenge to bloated hip-hop. With production solely from Oakland-based The Architect, whose production credits include early Stones Throw releases, Coolio, Planet Asia, and Encore, the album has a deliberate focus on Opio's rhyming and artistry. With fourteen songs under 39 minutes, the album is a short and sweet collaboration of golden-era rap polished to a 2008 sheen. While current artists such as Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West have been appropriating the classic mid 90's sound, Opio says, "People are trying to tap into that energy, whereas I am that energy." This is no braggadocio. In fact, it is an honest self- assessment of what Opio represents in the world of hip-hop; he is a living legend that has been recording and touring consistently for more than fifteen years.
The idea for Vulture's Wisdom came about in conversations between The Architect and Opio after they met while sharing neighborhood studio spaces. The conversations sparked a flood of creativity from Opio, and as fast as The Architect could supply beats, Opio was penning lyrics. "We embody the energy that people are trying so desperately to recapture or reconnect with. We never fell prey to all the trappings of materialism. Our music has stayed true to the art form and this album is a tribute to that." The album includes a bonus DVD with 7 music videos as well as animated shorts. Pop artist David Flores (XLARGE, Stussy, Deluxe, Shorty's) provided the album artwork.
As a teen, Opio hooked up with local rappers Tajai and A-Plus, whom he met through Casual, another emcee who was Opio's classmate and neighbor. The three instantly clicked and began recording together, soon adding fourth emcee Phesto Dee, to form the group Souls of Mischief. Together with Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual, Domino, and Pep Love, the legendary crew Hieroglyphics was born. Opio has always done double duty for Hiero as both an emcee and producer. Opio's recent production credits include the track "Naked Fonk" from Del's recent 11th Hour. Opio's first solo effort, 2005's Triangulation Station, moved over 20,000 units. Vulture's Wisdom, Volume 1 will be released in August on Hiero Imperium records.
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