New York, NY (May 23, 2008) – 50 Cent is in this movie, but this particular trailer is all about the gods. I’m thinking I know the outcome of the movie just by this (which is disappointing), but you never know. Those dudes (Robbie and Al) wouldn’t sign up for a dud. Makes me want to go watch “Heat."
New York, NY (May 23, 2008) – Hitmaker Sean Garrett caught up with Allhiphop.com for an Alternatives interview and he’s got some great insight. Peep:
AllHipHop.com Alternatives: What do you think it takes to make a hit record, on all fronts?
Sean Garrett: First, know your audience; know what your people like to hear. Know what your people want to hear and then taking it up about five or six notches from there, because you’ve got to pretty much know what they like and know what to give them. But then don’t give them what they expect – exceed what they expect. When I did “Yeah” for Usher, I knew people wanted to see Usher fly like Mike.
So you even have to take it to a whole other level and put it on a beat that everybody was going to feel, everybody was going to relate to and just be in the pocket. I knew Usher’s talents, I knew Usher’s ability to dance. I wanted a record that he could put on like a jacket, that he doesn’t even have to stretch the sides. It just fits him.
I knew that there were certain sensibilities I had to include in that record that made the Hip-Hop community respect it as well. The way he sang on it, the way the chorus felt; those sensibilities are very important when you’re building a record for an audience that is so diverse as today’s audience.
Was not aware dude was behind so many hits. Kind of crazy.
New York, NY (May 23, 2008) – Some news hot off the presses from Billboard today:
Kanye West, Common, Redman, Method Man Sued Over Same Sample
Apparently they all jacked the same sample. According to Billboard, the lawsuit alleges each emcee used portions of (deceased jazz musician) Joe Farrell’s 1974 musical composition "Upon This Rock" in three separate songs - West in "Gone," Common in "Chi-City" and Method Man and Redman in their song "Run 4 Cover." Universal Music Group is also named in the suit. How did this get by the watchdogs?
NY Governor Pardons Slick Rick
From the PR:
…”Veteran rapper Ricky "Slick Rick" Walters received a full and unconditional pardon from New York governor David Paterson today (May 23) for the attempted murders of two men in 1991, apparently ending a long legal saga.
Walters has already served approximately five years in prison and was released in 1997 on parole and discharged in 2000. But he faces deportation under a federal statute mandating the removal of a lawful resident alien upon conviction of an aggravated felony or a weapon offense.”
So wait, he’s completely off the hook?
Billboard says:
…”Actor-rapper Shad Moss, aka Bow Wow, is focusing on acting full time. Moss has joined the upcoming fifth season of HBO’s "Entourage" in a recurring role, playing Charlie, a new stand-up comic client of E (Kevin Connolly).
Additionally, he has landed a role opposite Forest Whitaker, rapper Lil Wayne and Isaiah Washington in the Weinstein Co.’s sports drama "Patriots," about a high school basketball team in post-Katrina Louisiana.
"After 16 years in the music industry and six successful albums, I’ve decided to shift my energy to something else I’m passionate about, acting," Moss said. "I’m going to try to be the next Will Smith."
Thank God. Right?
New York, NY (May 23, 2008) – The homie TC at The Smoking Section sat down with Lloyd and Yayo and got them to open up about… guess who… Young Buck and Fat Joe. Aha, it’s a very good read, TC did the damn thing. I dig the interview style. Check it out here. Peep:
TSS: So July 1st for “Terminate On Sight?” You know that’s the tentative date for Nas’ “Nigger” or whatever it’s gonna be called. Is there gonna be another competition?
Tony Yayo: I don’t know man, Nas is one man. It’s kinda different for him to being going up against a group album.
Lloyd Banks: Yeah, it’s definitely not the same.
TSS: Is it true you got a double album dropping Banks?
Lloyd Banks: It’s too early to say that but I do have actually have hundreds of records. Even through all the drama with my Pops passing and all that, I stayed in the studio. It’s something that I always did. My studio sessions consist of just me and the engineer. It’s not me, a buncha niggas, five bitches, it ain’t that type of environment for me. But once those records end up coming out, I’m starting my new mixtape series & keep continuing on with the "Money In The Bank" classics.
TSS: What about you Yayo? “I’m 50’s Tax Write-Off”…?
Tony Yayo: Like Banks said, I don’t have a hundred, but I got like sixty in the vault. I’m working on that but songs that I would have put on my album, you’re gonna hear on “T.O.S.” Me and Banks’ got a chance to A&R the album so we got that shit covered.
TSS: So, I see Buck is still on that album too. We all know the back-story but do you guys think by having him on the records, contradicts the quality?
Tony Yayo: I wouldn’t say all that because he’s still part of the family on G-Unit as a label. But I think he’s making a mistake saying he doesn’t wanna be in the best group in the world anymore, he thinks he can do it by himself. We’ll see how that goes but we’re not just gonna rip him off the album. We’ll let him get some money, still let him eat. That’s how I look at it…
New York, NY (May 23, 2008) – Atmosphere goes in with “You” on Conan O’Brien and then chops it up with Karmaloop TV about “Lemons” and Slug’s children’s book that “started off as a joke.”
On Karmaloop TV Pt. 1
On Karmaloop TV Pt. 2
New York, NY (May 23, 2008) – Part of Consequence’s “Don’t Quit Your Day Job” promo…
New York, NY (May 23, 2008) – The best of this week’s downloads. Get your listen on:
Rock feat. Sean Price – “Fuck Dat Rapper”
Diz Gibran – “Smooth Criminal”
Crooked-I feat. Akon – “Dream Big”
Saigon feat. Red 5ive – “Believe It”
Bun B feat. Chino XL, Killer Mike and Bulletproof – “Some Ho’s”
Bun B feat. Mike Jones and Slim Thug – “City of Swang”
Nino Bless – “Cause of Influence (Nick’s Story)
Nappy Roots feat. Sabrina – “Election Day”
Little Brother feat. 9th Wonder – “Black Light Special”
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master)”
Usher feat. Jay-Z – “Best Thing”
Estelle feat. Busta Rhymes – “American Boy” (Remix)
Tre Williams feat. Nas – “I See You Coming”
Rza feat. Inspectah Deck – “You Can’t Stop Me Now”
Joell Ortiz feat. Dante Hawkins – “Alone”
The Clipse feat. Re-Up Gang – “9mm”
Heltah Skeltah feat. Buckshot – “Can’t Trust ‘Em”
Common feat. Pharrell – “Universal Mind Control”
Bishop Lamont feat. Xzibit, Ras Kass, G Malone & Mykestro – “Be Cool”
Bishop Lamont ft. Warren G, Busta Rhymes, Stat Quo & Ryan C – “Gorilla Pimpin’ 5008”
John Legend feat. Andre 3000 – “Green Light” (Snippet)
St. Laz ft. Kool G Rap, Saul Abraham and Hanouneh – “Same Hood”
Gemstones feat. Lupe Fiasco – “G4”
New York, NY (May 23, 2008) – Leona Lewis vaulted back to the top of the R&B/Hip-Hop charts, taking #5 overall on the Billboard 200 this week. A product of Clive Davis and Simon Cowell, Lewis and her debut album “Spirit” sold 62,300 copies. She passed the gold mark not too long ago, and sees her grand total at an impressive 618,000.
MCC (uh, that’s Mariah Carey Cannon) was right behind Lewis at #6, moving 59,000 copies of her latest, “E=MC2.” Mimi’s sixth studio album is steadily approaching platinum, clocking in a total tally of 887,000 copies. Her hit “Touch My Body” sits comfortably at #9 on the Billboard 100 this week, and her second single “Bye Bye” stormed up the charts from #27 to #19. The media circus around her wedding to comedian Nick Cannon (does that sound weird?) has certainly helped keep her in the spotlight.
Queen of Pop Madonna settles in at #8 this week, down from #3. “Hard Candy,” her electro-funk/hip-hop infused record sold 53,300, giving her a three-week haul of 428,000. While she dealt with a 43% decline in album sales, her Justin Timberlake-assisted lead single “Four Minutes” (all 2:53 of it) remained at #7 on the Billboard 100.
In a brief break from the estrogen dominating the urban airwaves, Keith Sweat emerged with his 10th studio album, “Just Me,” to snag the #10 spot; he scanned 37,000 copies. Familiar names like Lyfe Jennings (“Lyfe Change” – 21,000), Jordin Sparks (self-titled, 17,600) and Rick Ross (“Trilla” – 15,600) continue to occupy the Top 30 at #17, #23 and #27 respectively. A few other notables have seen their sets sliding steadily down the charts lately: Alicia Keys, The Roots and Amy Winehouse fell to #35, #38 and #46. In one of the worst performances of the week, Foxy Brown moved only 9,000 copies of her comeback album, “Brooklyn’s Don Diva;” a furious Foxy lashed out at her management upon hearing the record just days before it’s release, calling it “horrible.” I’m sure it’s not the last we’ve heard of the embattled Na-Na, though.
Next week, look for Bun B to drop his latest. Til then… we’ll be watching.
New York, NY (May 21, 2008) – Spotted this one at AdAge today. Media companies like the Tribune Co., The NY Times and Gannett are attempting to right their sinking newspaper ships with a slew of new and innovative ideas. One item on the menu from Gannett is a local social-networking site that directs readers to local bands while simultaneously helping promote their shows. From author Jeremy Mullman:
…Michael Maness, a 12-year Gannett veteran tapped to be the company’s first full-time VP-innovation and design last year, said the company is finding powerful, local applications for social networking.
One MySpace-like music site recently tested in Wilmington, Del., allows local bands to post their songs and information. Readers rate the performances, creating a buzz-meter of sorts for local music that is overlayed with performance dates for the hottest bands. Unlike MySpace’s music program, in which readers all over the country generally have to seek out specific bands, the Gannett application leads readers to local bands and tells them where those bands are playing nearby. The charts also get printed in the local paper’s entertainment section.
"This is something that’s powered by and marketed to the paper, but it’s also an incredibly rich, stand-alone, social-networking site," Mr. Maness said. The application is being rolled out in Atlanta and Cincinnati.
This is good news for a space that is still extremely viable. How many people do you see reading newspapers? Think about it. There will always be a place for hardcopy news; it may not always be in the form we are familiar with, and nowadays a newspaper is more likely to close today than open, but the need for local access to news will always exist. As people like Maness and The Tribune Company’s Lee Abrams continue to innovate, folks like underground artists will only benefit.
New York, NY (May 21, 2008) – From the homie Andreas Hale over at DX via 2dopeboyz:
…There are two people in this world. There is “The Man.” And then there is “The Man Behind The Man.” For every George Bush there is a Karl Rove. Michael Jackson had Quincy Jones. Richard Pryor had Paul Mooney crafting those brilliant jokes. Behind Dave Chappelle’s cult show was Neil Brennan. And for Dr. Dre there was Bruce Williams.
Spanning a time period for almost two decades, Bruce Williams was the proverbial fly on the wall during one of the most heinous, accomplished, controversial, successful and infamous situations that one could ever be a part of. He was the man who did all the grunt work for Dr. Dre. He answered the phones, dealt with the artists and was the buffer between Dr. Dre and the world. There’s only one man who knows everything about Dr. Dre aside from Dr. Dre. And that man is Bruce Williams.
HipHopDX engaged in an extensive dialog with Bruce Williams dealing with his recently released book titled Rollin’ With Dre: The Unauthorized Account. In the book, Williams sheds light on various situations that have never been previously discussed regarding his time by Dre’s side. Whether it be the unfinished Snoop album that made it to the public, the truth about the Death Row/Bad Boy beef, Al Sharpton’s involvement with the 50 Cent/Game beef or what really happened with the Rakim situation, Williams has all the answers the doctor has yet to provide.
In part 1 of this exclusive interview, Williams talks about the his beginnings with Dre and his time at Death Row right up until the infamous 1995 Source Awards debacle that shook up the Hip Hop industry for many years to come.
Yeah. And that’s just the intro. Read the entire first part of this interview here. Peep the ill Death Row performance from the 1995 Source Awards below…
New York, NY (May 21, 2008) – In their continuing quest for answers to the legendary DJ’s murder, MTV’s investigative team sat down with longtime friend of Jam Master Jay, Eric “Shake” James, in hopes of uncovering new information. In Part 1 of an exclusive interview, Shake reveals in detail the last hours of Jay’s life and discusses some newfound evidence that he believes went overlooked. Read:
…During the week before he was slain more than five years ago, Jam Master Jay traveled to Milwaukee to visit James. The legendary DJ was on break from a Run-DMC tour with Kid Rock and Aerosmith, and spending time with Shake — at this house, and at local clubs and restaurants — was a welcome respite from the hectic pace of life on the road.
James shakes his head sadly as he looks at his old home. "[I'm] just remembering all the good times we had here," he says. "Like playing video games."
Jam Master Jay was an avid gamer. In fact, he was reportedly in the middle of a game of "Madden NFL" on the night he was killed inside his Queens recording studio.
Shake points out the room at the front of the house where he and Jay would hole up and play — sometimes all day, sometimes even longer. "He could beat me in boxing but not in football," Shake remembers, smiling. "But he always wanted to play football, and every time he picked the Giants."
Just hours after Jay left Shake’s house to catch a flight back to New York on the morning of October 30, 2002, the legendary DJ would be gunned down by assailants whose identities remain a mystery. Like the murders of Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, Jay’s remains unsolved.
Definitely click through, it’s worth the read.
New York, NY (May 21, 2008) – The Smoking Section posed this question in response to MTV’s Hottest Emcee list. Now, Eminem is without a doubt one of the biggest stars in the world; but he’s fallen below the radar since his last album, “Encore,” battling addiction, his estranged wife and mother, the death of best friend Proof and chatter that his latest work no longer links him to hip-hop’s elite. With a rumored album in the works (“King Mathers”), that may all change. But for now, where does he stand among the greats?
Personally, I’d have him in my Top 10 (Top 5 is too limiting). One of the more interesting points that arose from the discussion, though, was the actual criterion needed in order to decide the Top 5. Some of the suggestions included: lyrical content, flow/delivery, creativity, body of worth, evidence of a classic/timeless album, growth as an artist, generational appeal, longevity, sales, the overall impact and influence they had on hip-hop and also the overall impact and influence they had on music as a whole.
Based on those factors, here is what I came up with. Feel free to drop your own two cents in comments below.
1. Tupac
2. KRS-One
3. Chuck D
4. Nas
5. Eminem
6. LL Cool J
7. Biggie
8. Rakim
9. Andre 3000
10. Scarface
Honorable Mention: Black Thought (the Roots have been killin it for a minute, ya’ll), Big Daddy Kane, Lauren Hill (crazy but dope), 50 Cent (who’d have thought?), Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, Common, Redman, Ghostface, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Ras Kass.
From The Smoking Section, read as Mr. Fame One offers his opinions on why Biggie is not a Top 5 Emcee:
…Being an MC is about your skill. An artist is judged by the quality of what they produce.
So he is a top 5 rapper because he knew his street history? Or maybe because he shouted out pioneers? Are you kidding me? I notice you talk him up but nowhere do you mention his lyrics. You are right that the west coast had a hold of things, a stranglehold. This is as much a reflection of the watered down quality of the music coming out of the east at the time as it is about goods coming out over here. We are talking about a musical genre that as been out for over 30 years (30 years JUST in its commercial form) and any top 5 has got to be the most elite of the elite. If you name the top 5 NBA players of all time a LOT of talent will be left out, a lot of really, really dope players with championships galore. Top 5 is top 5 though. Biggie is no top 5 MC, he isn’t (and I understand that it is just my opinion), and Pun certainly isn’t either. I mean just start naming DOPE MCs. Monch, Nas, Jigga, Kane, KRS, Biggie, Pac, Rakim, AZ, Meth, Redman, Andre3000, Cube. I could just keep going, and the point doesn’t change, talent will be left out, a top 5 is extremely high praise. That was 12 names, and an argument could be made for them all, which means AT LEAST 7 can’t make a top 5.
New York, NY (May 21, 2008) – Nice convo between Banner and Sam from OnSmash.
New York, NY (May 21, 2008) – This one came across the ether on Monday. According to a recent article in the NY Times, Apple is seeking to expand it’s mobile music reach before the presumed launch of its next generation of iPhone later this summer. However, according to the anonymous record label executives quoted in the story, negotiations are in their early stages and a deal is still a ways apart.
At issue for Apple are both ringtones and ringback tones; they want an expanded selection from record labels. Also on the table is the issue of wireless downloads. Labels are seeking a higher price for songs downloaded through the iTunes store directly to the phone when completed over-the-air. More on what this means to the consumer from author Saul Hansell:
…A label executive told me that the current negotiations, which only began a few weeks ago, may be the opportunity for the music companies to press Apple on some of their other longstanding requests. Top among them is the flexibility to set different prices on individual tracks. Right now, Apple sells all tracks for 99 cents. (Apple does allow for variable prices for full album downloads as well as various bundles. The labels love to add extra artwork, bonus cuts or other features that add a few bucks to the price of a digital album.)
Apple has loosened its pricing structure a little bit. It is selling some television shows from HBO at $2.99, above the $1.99 it sells all other TV shows for. The music labels would like to argue that this should open the door to their being able to charge more than 99 cents for hit songs and less for older works. But there’s no evidence that Apple sees it that way.
Universal Music Group is also pressing Apple about a subscription service package, an option Apple has thus far resisted. There’s a pretty lively discussion after the jump.
New York, NY (May 20, 2008) – The controversy around Nasir’s upcoming album continues to build. I just pray he delivers after all the hype…
As the story goes, Nas was originally slated to release his next album under the uncomfortable title of “Nigger.” Concern, optimism, outcry, protests, defenses and intrigue followed. Earlier this week, EW.com reported that Nas was being forced to change the name, instead choosing to call it simply, “Nas.” Today, however, Allhiphop.com broke the story that he will, in fact, release the album untitled. Uh-huh. Right. I’ll do my best to make sense of this later in the week as the details shake free, but for now, you can read up on the situation.
Nas Addresses Album Title Situation at AHH
Audio: Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master)
AHH Exclusive Interview About Song
OnSmash Interview Pt. 2
New York, NY (May 20, 2008) – Great video. I’m not sure if they took the street footage from an old film? Everyone looks like they’re from another era. This song comes from “Jeanius,” her album with 9th Wonder, set to finally drop July 8th. I can see MTV eating this up. Hope it finally happens for her…
New York, NY (May 20, 2008) – Four songs here… my connection sucks, but shout out to Skee editing this quick mash-up. “The People,” “Flashing Lights,” “The Light” and “Stronger;” a quality set for those in attendance.
New York, NY (May 19, 2008) – An anonymous G-Unit rep recently spoke with Vibe.com to quiet rumors of a 50 Cent /News Corp $300 million deal.
“If this were true, we’d know first,” the source said. The rep went on to defend a posting about it on ThisIs50.com by saying, “We don’t discriminate against news.”
Uh, yeah, well, personally, I don’t believe it. Granted, the report initially surfaced on gossip site MediaTakeOut.com, but other respectable, non-gossip publications have run stories about it, too. And seriously, who cares if it is true? It would be another windfall for 50 Cent and further proof that the record business model is changing.
According to the deal, 50 would give News Corp a large stake in all aspects of his brand, including music, concerts, books and G-Unit Records. He would receive $150 million up front, with the other $150 million coming in stock options (making him one of the largest shareholders in the company); his record label and artists would also be absorbed into the MySpace Records umbrella. 50 remains under contract with Interscope, however, but has only one album left to deliver… the awesomely titled “Before I Self-Destruct.”
I think it’s only a matter of time. Moves like this are smart for mega artists, even one who sits in such a perilous position as 50 Cent. His empire looked to be in trouble when “Curtis” hit shelves, but by all accounts, he’s back on track with an aggressive new web site, profitable world tour, forthcoming albums from his crew and a bevy of mixtapes with singles that are finding a home on radio.
For the record, I don’t get down much with dude’s music unless it’s on in the club, but his business acumen is really impeccable.
New York, NY (May 19, 2008) – This has me slightly more intrigued about what “LAX” might sound like.
MTV