1. 3 Peat [produced By Cool & Dre]
2. Mr. Carter (feat. Jay-z) [produced By Infamous]
3. A Milli [produced By Bangladesh]
4. Got Money (feat. T-pain) [produced By Play-n-skillz]
5. Comfortable (feat. Babyface) [produced By Kanye West]
6. Phone Home [produced By David Banner]
7. Dr. Carter [produced By Swizz Beatz]
8. Tie My Hands (feat. Robin Thicke) [produced By Kanye West]
9. Shoot Me Down [produced By Kanye West]
10. Playin' With Fire [produced By Streetrunner]
11. Lollipop (feat. Static Major) [produced By Jim Jonsin & Deezle]
12. La La (feat. Brisco & Busta Rhymes) [produced By David Banner]
14. Nothin' On Me (feat. Juelz Santana & Fabolous) [produced By Alchemist]
15. Let The Beat Build [produced By Kanye West & Deezle]
16. Mrs. Officer (feat. Bobby Valentino) [produced By Wyclef Jean]
17. Misunderstood
This is missing track 13 Good Girl Gone Bad. This is the official tracklisting from amazon so see for yourself here.
Download Part 1 Here
Download Part 2 Here
Paid Sponsors
Paid Sponsor
May 31, 2008
Carter 3 Is Here Bitches!!!!!!
JD, Bryan Cox, & More Speak On New Song & How JD Was Smashing Some Young Girl In The Same Room As Her Father
May 30, 2008
Lil Wayne ft. Jay-Z - Mr. Carter
Lil Wayne ft. Jay-Z - Mr. Carter
I fucking love this song. This might be the biggest song Wayne has delivered to us by far. Wayne and Hov on the same track and its better then Hello Brooklyn.
“Be A Nigger Too” Screening
Amidst all of the controversy that Nas has amassed with his controversial and ever-changing Nigger/Nasir campaign, you would expect the Queens-bred lyricist to fall back after his latest incident of having to change the name of his much-anticipated album from Nigger to reportedly titled Nasir effort
But Nas has never been the type to follow the same stream of thought as others and last night (May 29th) at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, a private screening was held for “Be A Nigger Too” for invited audiences. Directed by Rik Cordero – whose videos for Consequence, The Roots and Jay-Z have garnered widespread attention – stayed true to his guerilla film style.
“I thought it would be just the cast and crew who came,” Nancy Mitchell, assistant director said. The video which depicted a hanging, had a child holding an uzi and showcased a mixed bag of races all to be “niggers” too proved its point in being controversial. These images play while Nas raps to a mirror, a style reminiscent of his "One Mic" video several years ago.
“Nas’ album is very important to him and this first visual off the album proved its point,” Cordero began. “The easy answer would have been to just compile a bunch of stock footage of people, of slave, of any racial prejudices and just stick it in the video and have Nas rap in front of a green screen.”
As of press time, 3/21 Films is still waiting on word from Def Jam as to when and if the video will be shipped out to run on the major networks.
Nas attended the screening for approximately 10 minutes, before exiting.
HipHopDx
R. Kelly Trial Update
The judge in the R. Kelly trial ruled today that an employee of the Chicago Sun-Times must testify for the defense.
According to the Sun-Times, Judge Vincent Gaughan said music critic, Jim DeRogatis who passed the sex tape in question onto the police in 2002 must not only testify but also turn over any notes relating to a meeting with former Kelly protégé, Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, that took place years ago.
A week ago, both sides met with the judge in a closed hearing where the defense asked for DeRogatis to take the stand. An attorney for the Sun-Times, Damon Dunn, argued this morning that DeRogatis should be protected from testifying by Illinois reporter's privilege and the First Amendment.
Defense attorney, Marc Martin told the judge, "This case began with Mr. DeRogatis passing on that tape and we certainly have a right to present that evidence to the jury."
The judge ruled in favor of the defense on the grounds that the reporter's privilege only protects journalists from identifying their sources, thus Kelly's team is not permitted to question DeRogatis on this topic. They are also prohibited from inquiring how DeRogatis received the tape and whether he made a copy of it.
In prior testimony DeRogatis told police an anonymous party left the tape in his box. The defense is hoping DeRogatis' testimony will undermine that of Sparkle who told police she saw a copy of the tape in the company of DeRogatis after he had already turned it over to police.
Martin went on to say that DeRogatis had an "extreme bias" against his client. "The bias was so strong that it impelled the reporter to violate the law." The defense believes DeRogatis made a copy of the tape before handing it over to police.
Following the ruling, outside court Dunn said DeRogatis planned to appeal.
Kelly faces 14 counts of videotaping, producing or soliciting child pornography and has pled innocent to all charges. If convicted the R&B singer could face up to 15 years in prison.
Sohh
Game Talks About L.A.X. & Being Harrased In Jail
They was doing all kinds of crazy stuff,” the MC said recently in New York. “They were playing G-Unit songs through the intercom while I was asleep. They was playing ‘Window Shopper’ just to irritate me. First couple of days, I was getting irritated and pissed off. But then it started to set in that this is a big game to them and they just kids, and they don’t really understand life yet. It was funny after a while. It wasn’t funny the first couple of times, though.”
Full Story: MTV
R. Kelly Look A Like In The Tapes Testifies
the "new witness" that the news has been reporting that "mysteriously" turned up a few days ago is expected to provide EARTH SHATTERING testimony. The man is expected to claim that it is him on the tape. And that he pretended to be the Chicago R&B singer in order to get women to sleep with him.
DJ Khaled, Baby, Ace Hood. T-Pain, & More On Memorial Day Weekend Pt. 2! T-Pain New Album Coming Soon! "3 Rings"
Ashanti - The Declaration
01. Intro (Produced By Marcus Aurelius) 01:06
02. The Way That I Love You 04:28
(Produced By LT Hutton & A. Douglass)
03. Your Gonna Miss (Produced By LT Hutton & A. Douglass) 03:15
04. So Over You (Produced By Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins) 04:00
05. Struggle (Produced By LT Hutton) 04:35
06. Girlfriend (Produced By LT Hutton) 03:31
07. Things You Make Me Do (Feat. Robin Thicke) 04:29
(Produced By Channel 7)
08. In These Streets (Produced By Ron "Neff-U" Feemster) 04:24
09. Good Good (Produced By Jermaine Dupri) 03:38
10. Body On Me (Feat. Akon & Nelly) (Produced By Akon) 03:21
11. Mother (Produced By Babyface) 05:11
12. Shine (Produced By Peter Stengaard) 03:40
13. The Decleration (Produced By Channel 7) 03:55
Download Via NuthinButMusic
Shawty Lo On T.I. "This Is Not A Publicity Stunt"
Like wood to a fire, Shawty Lo responded back to the statements T.I. made about him on MTV through an interview with TheMostAccess.com.
About the origins of the beef, said Shawty Lo, “What started it, he sent a shot at me on one of his songs ['King'] and I sent a shot back on ‘Dunn Dunn.’ I guess unfortunately he wanted to say my name a couple weeks ago, and that’s what started it. I tried to tell the truth. I came back, and see that this shit is all over the internet.”
When asked if it was a publicity stunt, Shawty Lo was adamant stating, “If I was trying to get publicity I would have put T.I.’s name on my album. My album’s been out since February 26th. I ain’t ever said T.I.’s name till he said my name two or three weeks ago on radio. So it ain’t no publicity stunt, it started from him.”
Changing the subject to focus more on him, Shawty Lo explained his future projects. “I’m trying to do a little bit of acting and I got a book coming out. The book is like my life story, like my DVD. It’s called Shawty Lo: The Real Bankhead Story.”
HipHopDx
May 29, 2008
Is College For You?
Why this time of year, most students have ended their semester of fretting about whether they will or will not be accepted to this or that college. They have spent the past few months greeting the mailbox with a mixture of fear and hope. Those who received disappointing responses may now be joining the ranks of those who did not apply at all in asking themselves, “Is college for me?”
Friends often argue to me that “the numbers” answer the question. In the United States, only 28 percent of Americans hold a bachelor’s degree and only 17 percent of blacks hold one. So it’s clear, people reason, that college is not for everyone. Those who subscribe to that view also remind me that the average student comes out of college $20,000 in the hole with student debt. While I can’t dismiss these statistics, I think they paint a far too pessimistic and limited portrait. No, not every college is for everyone. But I do believe that there is a college for everyone. Black people’s progress in society depends on our participation in the educational system beyond high school. Any argument that suggests otherwise undermines our collective advancement.
For African Americans, the stakes of attending college are higher than those for our white counterparts, largely due to resources. Because black folks have lower average household incomes and lower average amounts of prior education, figuring out if college is a necessity rather than a luxury is a common dilemma. But this is not a new dilemma; over a century ago, W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington debated the types of schools that blacks should attend (which they never came to agreement on), but in the end both agreed that college was a necessity for the progress of black people in the United States. While resources are limited for the average African-American family, the benefits of continued educational pursuit are individual and collective.
In the past few years, I’ve had an opportunity to visit a number of high schools heavily populated with a black and brown children. When I present on the prospects of college and the future, inevitably a student or two will comment, “Well, you know, college isn’t for everyone.” I often respond, “Well, you have to try it to know if it is for you or not.”
While it makes sense to me that adolescents will question which path their lives should take, it is telling that in many of our schools, children are bred to believe that continued education may not get them what they want. In part, that may be due to the fact that many African Americans who complete college no longer reside in the neighborhoods from which they came, leading to declines in role models for children who remain in the inner city.
But that is only part of the story. Most research suggests that on average black children have higher educational aspirations than white children. This is surprising to many, but in reality these aspirations aren’t typically followed up by behaviors or experiences that will lead to college attendance. The gap between hopes and practices can be mended by producing high schools that prepare children not just to complete school, but that also put them on the path of further learning, whether they want to be a mechanic or a mathematician. One of the single best things local and state school systems can do is to see their job as not just kindergarten to 12th grade, but kindergarten to 16th grade.
For the rest of the story, click here.
By R. L’Heureux Lewis
Shout out to Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, my professor for posting this on his blog.
Employee Arrested At 50 Cent's Mansion
Dwayne McKenzie, and employee of 50 Cent, was arrested Tuesday (May 27) for allegedly attacking a woman at the rapper's mansion.
According to the Associated Press, Mckenzie was arrested after police received a phone call from a 22-year-old New Britain woman.
McKenzie was charged with assault, strangulation, breach of peace and unlawful restraint. He was released after posting a $10,000 bond, and is due back in court July 15.
Police reports say that McKenzie allegedly choked the woman and struck her with a belt on 50 Cent's property.
McKenzie has a troubled past, as he is currently on conditional discharge as the result of an arrest in Hartford for allegedly pistol-whipping a nightclub promoter.
In addition, he allegedly fired a .40 caliber Glock into a crowd after having his $100,000 chain stolen in 2007.
HipHopDx
Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 5/28/08
The legendary southern rapper, Bun B made the biggest splash on the chart's this week with his sophomore solo release II Trill debuting at No. 2 with 98,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The Rap-A-Lot/Asylum set is the follow up to Bun's 2005's Trill, which peaked at No. 6 on Billboard 200. Led by the Sean Kingston assisted single "That's Gangsta," II Trill comes on the heels of, Pimp C, unexpected death, last year.
R&B diva Mariah Carey might be in a post wedding sales slump since marrying funny man Nick Cannon. Carey continues to slip as E=MC2 falls one spot to No. 7. Experiencing a 23% decrease in sales, Carey's sixth studio album sold an impressive 45,000 copies this week. After six weeks, Carey's disc is a few copies shy of earning Mimi another platinum plaque with 932,000 copies.
American Idol winner Jordin Sparks ascends four positions to No. 19 this week. Experiencing 15% increase in sales, Sparks self-titled gold debut scanned 20,000 copies this week. After 27 weeks, the songstress Jive set has sold 778,000 albums.
Def Jam artist, Rick Ross continues his steady climb back to the top of the charts. Gaining five spots this week at No. 22, The "Boss" pushed 18,000 copies of Trilla this week, experiencing a 15% increase in sales. After eleven weeks, Ross certified gold sophomore disc has scanned 535,000 copies.
Lyfe Jennings third studio album Lyfe Change plummets 20 spots to No. 37. Hit with a 33% decline in sales, the singer/songwriter's sold only 14,000 copies this week. After four weeks, Lyfe has amassed 147,000 copies.
Alicia Keys is starting to come back to reality on the charts. The Grammy Award winning songbird falls 15 notches to No. 50. Hit was 21% decrease in sales, the Keys moved a significantly low 11,000 copies of her multi-platinum set As I Am. After 29 weeks, the disc has scanned 3,479,000 copies.
The Roots Rising Down [click to read] dropped from #38 to #67 on the charts this week. The Philly mainstays sold 9,300 copies. Bringing them with 97,000 copies sold total so far. Dam Def Jam where is the promotion? Shit I knew they was dropping a cd because I run the site but shit these niggas aint do nothing for a legendary group.
SoHH
G-Unit - Rider Part 2
Is it me or this video is like a fast as powerpoint. I can see all the members but dam it felt like every second they switched it up. The song aint bad at all neither.
May 28, 2008
Some 6 Feet Tall - 12yr Old Female Is Banned From Playing Basketball W/ The Boys!
ABC reports: "An Oregon basketball player is being kicked out of her basketball league -- all because she's a girl. 12-year-old female basketball prodigy won't be playing with the boys. Jaime Nared may be only 12 years old, but she's called a basketball powerhouse by teammates and already stands over 6 feet tall. Jaime is such a good basketball player her coach and parents decided she should play in the boys' league. "I think I do a little bit better when I play with the boys," said Jaime, "because I push myself even harder playing with them." Her coach said the other players' parents were fine when Jaime joining the team until she outshone their sons on the court. "They were great ... until she blocked the first shot. Then they were like, 'Hey, we don't want this big kid coming out and making us look bad,'" said Michael Abraham, Jaime's coach. After parents complained, The Hoop, a private league that organizes the games, told Jaime she could no longer play with the boys, citing a rule that bars mixed-gender teams. "
T.I. Explains Need for Army Guns & has a MTV Reality TV Show in the Making
T.I. Reality Show Coming To MTV
In addition to performing concerts and speaking to youth before reporting to the slammer next year, T.I. now has a crew of cameras watching him do it all. The rapper is using the last of his year on house arrest to film a documentary series for MTV.
According to Variety, the network will go with the self-proclaimed "King of the South" as he performs the remainder of his community service hours and prepares for a one-year prison sentence next spring. The network plans to air the show some time soon after T.I. goes to jail in early 2009.
The series, by Ish Entertainment, has already gotten an eight-episode order from MTV.
"We began the conversations in the middle of deliberations over what would happen to him," said Ish's Michael Hirschorn, whose executive producing with partner Stella Stolper. "The original idea for the show had him staging a series of interventions in each episode with people in danger. But when we visited him under house arrest, it felt much bigger and more powerful than we anticipated."
Tip (born Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr.) has a history of being on the wrong side of the law, convicted for selling crack cocaine in the late 1990s. In March, the rapper pled guilty to federal weapons charges; the offense that got him the year's stint.
"Hopefully the mistakes I've made will be a lesson to today's youth and they won't go down that same path," T.I. said.
Tip didn't need the court's permission to do the show, but MTV will stick to the rules of the artist's home confinement. The show will also cover the release of Tip's upcoming album, Paper Trail, heavily inspired by his latest legal woes and the birth of his newborn son.
SOHH
R. Kelly Assistant Identifies Singer On Tape
Lindsey Perryman, who worked for R. Kelly as an assistant on and off from 1999 to 2006, identified both R. Kelly and the alleged victim in her testimony yesterday (May 27).
"I didn't want to think it was them," said Perryman, according to the Chicago Tribune. "I mean, I think so highly of Mr. Kelly and his family. They've been very, very good to me."
Perryman was descriptive, noting the facial features of the alleged victim. "She has distinct cheekbones, the way she moves her mouth and talks and smiles," she said. "It's very distinctive to her."
After being contacted in December by Cook County prosecutor Shauna Boliker, Perryman was shown the infamous sex tape a month later - and did not identify the alleged victim or Kelly.
"I was in shock and I wanted to be 110 percent sure," she said of her first viewing of the tape.
However, after seeing the tape again, she was "110 percent sure."
"The image I saw looked exactly like Mr. Kelly."
Perryman explained her relationship with R. Kelly, which was entirely professional. She believes she first observed the alleged victim in August 1999, entering Tracks Studio in Chicago carrying "a pillow and an overnight bag."
As a personal assistant for Kelly, Perryman would drive the alleged victim from school to the studio, where she did her homework. Perryman also drove the alleged victim to her mother's office.
According to Perryman, the alleged victim was introduced to her as R. Kelly's goddaughter, which is why, she testified, she never felt anything irregular was going on between them.
HipHopDx
Usher - Here I Stand
01 Intro 01:29
02 Love in this Club Feat. Young Jeezy 04:20
03 This Ain't Sex 04:25
04 Trading Places 04:28
05 Moving Mountains 04:58
06 What's Your Name Feat. Will.I.Am 03:58
07 Prayer for You (Interlude) 01:43
08 Something Special 03:57
09 Love You Gently 03:39
10 Best Thing Feat. Jay Z 03:55
11 Before I Met You 04:57
12 His Mistakes 04:59
13 Appetite 03:59
14 What's A Man to Do 04:10
15 Lifetime 04:37
16 Love in this Club Part 2 Feat. Beyonce & Lil Wayne 05:09
17 Here I Stand 09:30
Download here Via NuthinButMusic
Live Nation Jay-Z Interview
Live Nation O2 Wireless Festival Jay-Z Interview Where He Speaks On Touring And More.
Kanye West, 50 Cent, T.I. React To Their Placement On 'Hottest MCs In The Game'
Kanye West waited a long time to react to being crowned the "Hottest MC in the Game" by the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust earlier this month — but he made sure it counted. 'Ye shared his feelings with the crowd at the sold-out Chicago show of his Glow in the Dark Tour.
"They talk about the [Hottest] MC list," a sweat-soaked West told the audience at the United Center. "I don't know if y'all heard about this. But I brought the Grammys home for y'all. And now I brought that #1 spot home for y'all. 'Cause every time I rhyme, I rhyme for y'all. Everything I do, I do for y'all. Chi-Town in this b---h. Chi-Town on the map. Chi-Town King of rap, and Lupe got my back."
Lupe Fiasco came in at #7 on the list. Backstage at the show, Kanye shared his feelings a bit further with MTV News: "Ah man, that's dope. ... No, seriously ... That's really, really, super dope."
Some of the other MCs who made the Brain Trust's top 10 have also been responding to their rankings. T.I., who was #2 in 2007, fell to #10 in 2008 due to his time out of the game while on house arrest. The King of the South didn't see his move down as a slight.
"I didn't take it personally, you know," Tip told radio host Ed Lover last week while visiting the personality's New York radio show. "I think it had a lot to do with the fact that when they was putting the list together, I didn't have any music out. At the time when they was judging how hot people were, I was on house arrest.
"I ain't trippin'," Tip added. "They gonna have to do another list. Jeezy is the homie. Everybody else on the list is the homie. I tip my hat and salute everybody else who made the list. I was just with [Andre 3000] last night. He was like, 'I appreciate it. I appreciate still being acknowledged, you know.' "
On Sirius Satellite Radio over the weekend, 50 Cent once again voiced his displeasure with the Brain Trust. 50 was up two spots from his 2007 #8 ranking.
"I shouldn't even be on that list," 50 said. "To be honest, I shouldn't even be categorized with them [other MCs on the list]. It doesn't even matter. Look at the people who are actually creating the list. None of them have made a hit record or [borne] the pressure of doing it."
50 suggested that MTV News get some MCs to help make up the next "Hottest MCs" list. "Not necessarily the artists now," he said. "Artists who have previously created hit records, that understand the art form. You got a bunch of people who, because they interviewed rappers, they feel that they know. Because they read XXL or The Source. They don't understand."
Here was the top ten for those who didnt catch the 30 minute segment on MTV yet.
1. Kanye
2. Jay-Z
3. Weezy
4. Rick Ross
5. Snoop Dogg
6. 50 Cent
7. Lupe Fiasco
8. Young Jeezy
9. Andre 3000
10. T.I.
Here is my previous post on the topic
Here is the entire show if you care to watch it now.
New Music
This is the first single off Rick Ross third album. Rick Ross recently revealed that T.I. will be supplying beats for his third solo album titled Deeper Than Rap.
Ross divulged to MTV that the Atlanta rapper approached him about collaborating on his project which is expected to hit stores later this year.
“I was in the Grand Hustle studio. [Tip] told me he wanted to produce five records for me,” explained Rick Ross. “I was like, 'Wow. It's all good.’ We sat down, and he played some beats for me. It was one of those special moments, 'cause I got so much respect for him as an artist, as a lyricist, as a CEO. Now he reeled me in as a producer. Real talk. I'm not saying he's gonna sell them [beats] to everybody, but he laced me.”
Rick Ross also revealed he is working on a collaboration album with Birdman titled H and will be launching his record label MayBach Music Group.
Rick Ross ft. Pharrell - Get Down
Jim Jones - Good Shit
Carter III Snippets
Click on Lil Weezy baby (No Homo) for the music.
This is the rumored Carter 3 Track listing:
1. 3 Peat [produced By Cool & Dre]
2. Mr. Carter (feat. Jay-z) [produced By Infamous]
3. A Milli [produced By Bangladesh]
4. Gotta Stunt [produced By The Runners]
5. Got Money (feat. T-pain) [produced By Play-n-skillz]
6. Dinnertime [produced By Deezle]
7. Comfortable (feat. Babyface) [produced By Kanye West]
8. Phone Home [produced By David Banner]
9. Dr. Carter [produced By Swizz Beatz]
10. Tie My Hands (feat. Robin Thicke) [produced By Kanye West]
11. Shoot Me Down [produced By Kanye West]
12. Playin' With Fire [produced By Streetrunner]
13. Lollipop (feat. Static Major) [produced By Jim Jonsin & Deezle]
14. La La (feat. Brisco & Busta Rhymes) [produced By David Banner]
15. Beat The Block [produced By Bangladesh]
16. Mrs. Officer (feat. Bobby Valentino) [produced By Wyclef Jean]
17. Nothin' On Me (feat. Juelz Santana & Fabolous) [produced By Alchemist]
18. Let The Beat Build [produced By Kanye West & Deezle]
19. Don't Get It [produced By Will.i.am]
20. Eat You Alive (feat. Ludacris) [produced By Just Blaze]
21. Staring At The World [produced By Maestro] **. A Milli (young Money Remix) (feat. Tyga, Hurricane Chris, Lil' Mama, Cory Gunz & Lil' Chuckee)
This is the track listing I found on amazon. Amazon also states there is a special 2 cd Carter 3 with the other disc having songs from that leaked out last year.
1. 3 PEAT
2. MR. CARTER FEAT. - FEAT. JAYZ
3. A MILLI
4. GOT MONEY FEAT. - FEAT. TPAIN
5. COMFORTABLE FEAT. - FEAT. BABYFACE
6. PHONE HOME
7. DR. CARTER
8. TIE MY HANDS - FEAT. ROBIN THICKE
9. SHOOT ME DOWN FEAT. - D.SMIH
10. PLAYN WITH FIRE FEAT. - BETTY WRIGHT
11. LOLLIPOP FEAT. - STATIC MAJOR
12. LA FEAT. - BRISCO, BUSTA RHYMES
13. GOOD GIRL GONE BAD
14. YOU AINT GOT NUTHIN ON ME - FABOLOUS, JUELZ SANTANA
15. LET THE BEAT BUILD
16. WHIP IT
17. MISUNDERSTOOD
May 27, 2008
Jermaine Dupri Hopes To Cash In On Internet Craze
Just before Memorial Day weekend kicked off, Jermaine Dupri revisited his blog at HuffingtonPost.com to provide updates on what he's up to. In addition to plugging his book, and new albums by Usher, Mariah Carey and Nelly, which all feature his production; JD took time to thank fans for pointing out how so many major labels fail to properly use the Internet.
"I heard y'all say how much more aggressive record companies should be in making full use of all that the Internet has to offer," says Dupri. "Our own web sites should be leading the way in the digital space. But they're not. It's all one media, and these days the digital space is way more powerful than outlets like print and television."
Dupri's post wasn't so much a revelation as it was a promotional opportunity for his new artist, Dondria Nicole. Dupri found Nicole on YouTube, under the alias of "Phatfffat." A page featuring Nicole singing R&B covers received over 1 million views. Now JD hopes to capitalize on her already established fan base by releasing a full-length album on July 29.
"The whole thing hit me the way it did when I discovered Bow Wow and Da Brat," JD gushed. "They each had something so different and so compelling that I knew with these artists I could create my own lane and make history in the music business. I have the same feeling with Phatfffat."
While critics have been more than willing to point out the lack of longevity for some of Dupri's previous artists, the numbers don't lie. Bow Wow, Xscape, Da Brat and Kris Kross have sold a combined total of over 12 million albums in the US alone under Dupri's So So Def imprint.
T.I. Comments On The Shawty Lo Beef
Sometimes, the easiest way to resolve a conflict is to forget about its non-importance in the first place. With that said, T.I. sat down with MTV’s Sway to talk about the so-called conflict between him and Shawty Lo.
When asked if he would have done something similar to gain attention in the rap game, T.I. discouraged it and said, “Naw. I mean, I never looked to gain acknowledgment or recognition by mentioning anyone else’s name. If it was an issue between me and another person, it was an issue between me and another person. It wasn’t a publicity stunt or a marketing tool.”
Casting aside his previous beefs, which include Lil Flip and DTP President Chaka Zulu, T.I. expressed the current state of mind he is in, and how he can understand the actions made by Lo. “That’s nowhere near my train of thought right now, you know what I’m saying? I mean, back when that was my train of thought, we didn’t have these problems. But since it’s well known that that ain’t what I’m on right now, it’s easy to make those comments and take that approach.”
As if it was a joke to T.I., he laughed off the possibility of their feud being considered a competition. “Compe-who? [Laughing] Man that was funny. Naw man, I see it as a cry for attention. I’ve never been in the position where like, ‘if this person don’t acknowledge me; he’s so significant, if he says my name I will be straight.’ I’ve never put myself in that position. I went for mine, and made people say my name.”
As recently as last week, the D4L member who scored a hit in "Dey Know," has been releasing videos interviewing people in Atlanta's Bankhead section, questioning T.I.'s allegiance and street presence in the neighborhood.
HipHopDx
Rappers and Clothing Lines
Ok there are two old rappers who are dropping clothing lines. I dont know what to say about either line but read it for yourself.
1. LL Cool J To Make Women's Clothes
After more than ten albums, a television show, and a string of movies, LL Cool J is jumping into uncharted territory: women's apparel.
The New York emcee has signed a deal with Sears to launch LL Cool J for Sears, a collection that will cater to juniors, young men's, boys' and girls' casual wear. Sears' partnership with one of the game's pioneers is an effort to increase its market share among shoppers looking for urban casual wear.
Executives for the company see lots of potential for the LL Cool J inspired brand.
"We know this [urban] customer is in the store, but it's a customer we weren't reaching. With this brand, we see tremendous growth opportunity," said Irv Neger, the company's senior vice president of apparel told Women's Wear Daily.
If the initial talk from Mr. Smith is any indication, the forthcoming brand may have more success outfitting women than other Hip Hop inspired clothing lines of the past.
"I was raised by a matriarch, I have a wife and three daughters, so I know what women are looking for when they shop for clothes," he said. "My main concern with juniors is to make sure the fit is right. The fabrics have to feel nice on a woman's body, but sizing and fit are very important. I know that if she comes in, puts it on and it doesn't fit, she won't come back. Clothes have to make a woman feel good, relaxed and sexy. We are going to be constantly looking at fine-tuning the fit and we'll get it right."
The collection will be modestly priced at $22-50 and will hit store shelves in September.
2. Trina Launches Clothing Line, Website
Rapper Trina recently launched her Pink Diamond Couture clothing line, along with an accompanying website - ShopTrina.com.
The clothing line will consist of jeans, tops, t-shirts, velour sets and jackets, and will all show off the rapper's signature logo.
"I have always imagined a clothing line that was high quality that I could offer to my fans," said the rapper in a statement. "I love the way the jeans fit and feel. I spent a lot of time creating special details that are fresh and unique. The best part they look really expensive but are priced right."
Trina's last album, Still The Baddest, entered at the #1 spot on the "Billboard Rap Albums" and "Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B" charts.
Pink Diamond Couture is set to hit stores this Spring.
Thanks to HipHopDx for the links
May 26, 2008
Gas Will Be The Death Of Me
I was one of those Memorial Day travelers who didn't drive his car due to the increase in gas prices in America. I went over my girlfriends family cookout and she picked me up in her car. The family cookout was less then 2 miles away from my house. Not to be cheap or nothing but that would be 4 miles round trip had I gone in my vehicle. I want to complain about the $4 a gallon prices in America but here are the rices around the world. I'm really considering buying a coupe for my next car rather then a small car/ mini.
Australia $5.60
Belgium (Brussels) $8.44
China $2.80
Egypt (Cairo) $1.23
Germany $8.91
Iran $0.41
Italy $8.79
Mexico (Mexico City) $2.36
Nigeria (Lagos) $0.38
Norway (Oslo) $9.71
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) $0.45
Sierra Leone $18.42
Trinidad and Tobago $1.82
Turkey $10.13
Turkmenistan $0.29
UAE $1.70
United Kingdom $8.53
United States $3.93
Venezuela (Caracas) $0.17
May 25, 2008
Trick Daddy Slides Over To Cash Money, Preps Group Album
It's been a turbulent year for Trick Daddy, one in which saw the Miami rapper depart from his long-time home, Slip-N-Slide Records. In this SOHH exclusive, the southern hip-hop staple opens up about leaving Slip-N-Slide, his new deal with Cash Money and why Trick still loves the kids.
Last fall after nearly a decade of being the flagship artist of Slip-N-Slide records, rumors began to circulate over Trick's discontent with the label. According to Slip-N-Slide CEO, Ted Lucas, the root of the rapper's displeasure stemmed from several disputes with how parent label, Atlantic Records, handled his last project, Back By Thug Demand. The album's lack of sales resulted in Trick's departure.
"Now, there's no one to blame," Trick told SOHH. "No one holding me back and nobody trying to come up off me. Trick is now a grown man. Trick has moved on in life. I sleep better, I think clearer and I'm still going to give you the hits."
Today, Trick is finally at peace. Recently, launching his own imprint Dunk Ryder Records, the Miami bad boy has aligned with Cash Money Record's Bryan"Baby" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams in a joint venture deal to release his group, The Dunk Ryders. Comprised of Iceberg Billion, Lil Fella and Soup - Trick's younger brother, who is currently incarcerated- the deal with Cash Money is one step in Trick controlling his own destiny.
"I'm signed to my own independent label now, [and] I plan to release my next album independently so I can own something," Trick explained. "I don't own none of the masters and I did seven albums. It's [was] like you already got rich off me, at least can I get my masters? Now, I'll be able to own all that and control my own destiny!"
With his future solidified, the "Mayor of Dade County" continues to give back to the community through his Trick Luvs Da Kids Foundation. Armed with the mantra - children do not have to be a product of their environment - the charity's mission is to inspire, aid and encourage underprivileged youth to achieve a better quality of life through educational, social and musical development.
"Trick Luvs Da Kids is my foundation where I see the kids, feed the kids, give them school supplies during that time of the year and give them Christmas presents," he asserted. "We have big toy drives with a lot of my rich friends. I wish I could get Oprah to come down here and help the organization this Christmas. It doesn't have to be thousand of toys, but something that can be felt. Something that will make somebody smile and cry in the same emotion."
As of press time no date has been scheduled for The Dunk Ryders' upcoming CD.
SOHH
Kanye West - Flashing Lights Video (Official 2nd Version)
This is a real version. Kanye shot 3 videos for Flashing Lights. Here is the second one. Ok someone help me because my eyes hurt from watching this video. So many dam pictures and I still dont get the point. I understand that he wants to be different and change the game but dam can we just get the 4 minute mini movie/ video. I dont know what the fuck that was. I think Kanye says to himself what should I do for a video, then he does completely opposite and says wait I dont have to be in the video that much. Who made up the rule that a music video has to include me lip singing my own lyrics. I think Kanye does an exclusive contest between models he knows and say create a video to my flashing light song and if its weird enough and I dig the concept then I will put myself in it as an extra but you the model will be the star. I think he wants these off the wall as videos to challenge our thinking abilities so we can watch the video over and over again. Which means mucho dinero for him. Even though we are near June and this is month number 10 for his album and he is still selling it rather then be the typical rapper who after a week of his album dropping he doesnt do any new videos and just promotes is next album after a month.
Kobe Bryant Jumps Over Pool Of Snakes
Kobe and these dam fake ass jumping commercials. He is promoting his nike sneakers. But is it me or the best player in the NBA doesn't sell good sneakers. I mean AI and D-Wade have sneaker deals but there sneakers aren't wore by the urban inner city youth. I see more Jordans then Lebrons on kids feet and Jordan retired. What will happen when Jordan leaves the sneaker making business? What NBA player will be the one to take over and make retros and various different color ways? I don't know if it will be Kobe? But here is a clip of his other jumping commercial.
Kobe Bryant Jumps Over A Moving Aston Martin
Shawty Lo Goes At T.I. Again "T-Lie Dont Be At No Club Crucial"
How do you compare the number of singles you have on the radio when TI hasnt start promoting his cd or singles yet. Then he says you cant buy your way out of the Feds and you know what you have to do to get out of the Feds. And thats when I thought about it and snitching came up and dam I started to laugh. Is it me of it seems like Shawty L O is like 4 for 4 on the TI beef. I mean he doesnt quit and he has been killing TIP everytime I post a new video. TI your losing the rounds to the underdog. When will we see the great comeback/ knockout punch. Because at this point Shawty L O might win the decision. This is not a beef about who is the better and more gifter rapper people. Its more ir less about who is really hood and who comes from Bankhead. I listened to Shawtys whole cd and Bankhead is one of the most used words throughout the whole cd. After seeing the various hood videos of Shawty LO running the streets of Bankhead asking people have they seen TI and they said who? Makes me believe that TI isnt from where he say he is. And not to mention TI's high school picture isnt from, I assume the local Bankhead high school. I mean dam we already have Wayne who we watched in this game since he was like 14 years old and now he is the biggest gangsta rapper out when we all know dam well he hasnt pushed drugs after he started rapping. So everything he raps about couldnt possibly be when he younger then 14 years old on the corner hustlin. But dam is the rap industry full of fake and wanna be rappers?
I just downloaded Shawty Lo's cd and its not the best thing in the world. Im not ready to say he is better then TI but the tracks he made a video for are definitely some bangers They Know, Dunn Dunn, and Foolish. I mean he have some hits for someone who is laid back with his swag. And if he continues to make hits while dissin TI then his stock will definitely continue to rise.
Shawty Lo Vs T.I. Round 1
Shawty Lo Vs T.I. Round 2
Shawty Lo Vs T.I. Round 3
Shawty Lo Vs T.I. Round 4
Shawty Lo Vs T.I. Round 5
Nelly Interview On Semtex TV [London]
Nelly speaks on KRS-ONE, Album, Hip Hop Culture, Show Game & More
May 23, 2008
Best Buy Employee Gets Down
http://view.break.com/506192 - Watch more free videos
Check out this Best Buy employee scoping out the scene and lookin around for like 40 seconds until the coast is clear. He knew exactly what he was about to do and he was damn excited to show those moves.
Dwight Schrute? Is that you?
Shout out to HipHopUpdate for the post
Carey Kelly (R.Kelly's Brother) Exposes R. Kelly On Wendy Willams [Full Audio Only Interview]
Carey Kelly EXPOSES His Brother R. Kelly on The Wendy Williams Show Talks about R. Kelly having a problem with little girls and how R. Kelly is illiterate and doesnt know how to read or write. R. Kelly accused his brother of being the person on the sex tape with the little girl. He tells everything!
Jim Jones Plots Summer '08 Takeover, Album, Byrd Gang & DVD On The Way
Dipset Capo Jim Jones has several projects in the works this summer; with a Byrd Gang album coming next month, followed by the release of his major label debut and documentary about his life and career.
On June 24th Jim Jones and his fellow Byrd Gang members (Chink Santana, Sandman, Oshy, NOE and Mel Matrix) will follow up the release of their new single "Splash" with a full length album. The album, which is entitled M.O.B. (Members of Byrd Gang), will drop on Jones' Byrd Gang imprint on Asylum Records.
In addition, the Harlem representative is also prepping a solo album for August 19th release through Columbia Records. As HipHopSince1987.com previously reported, Jones' childhood friend and business partner, Dame Dash, recently went on the record calling the Byrd Gang front man's major label debut a "classic."
"His new album, I think he might have come up with a classic, and that's me saying that," Dash said in a recent internet video.
Dash and Jones have been working together on The True Jim Jones Documentary, which traces Jimmy's life from his early days as a Catholic school kid from the Harlem streets to a "full blown superstar and business mogul." [Watch Below]
The documentary will be released two weeks before his solo album, on August 8th.
Bow Wow Calls It Quits
After entering the rap game at the age of 13 under the tutelage of Jermaine Dupri and Snoop Dogg, Bow Wow has decided to bow out of the Hip Hop game and focus on acting. Over the last several years Bow Wow, whose real name is Shad Gregory Moss, has seen his acting resume increase with roles in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Roll Bounce and the upcoming films Patriots and Driving Lessons.
"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," Bow Wow tells The Hollywood Reporter. "I'm going to try to be the next Will Smith." Since the rapper-turned-actor is 21, his reference of "16 years" likely includes his 1992 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show at the age of 5.
Prior to his announcing his decision, Bow Wow began recording material for his seventh album, H.I.M. (History In the Making). The album is expected to be released late in 2008, and Bow Wow would not definitively state if it would be his last. In the meantime, Bow Wow will take a recurring role in the upcoming season of HBO's Entourage. Bow Wow will be cast as Charlie, a stand-up comic who is a client of Kevin Connoly's character Eric Murphy.
Bow Wow retiring doesnt surprise me at all. I was at the playground last night and we were discussing how Yung Berg is taking his spot in the rap game. And hours later I get the news that Bow Wow is retiring. I can't hate on anyone making money and doing something positive with themselves, so switching fields to movies and acting isnt bad. There is more money in acting then rapping anyways. But I feel as if he will drop a cd again after a few more years when people will forget what Bow Wow music sounds like. Then he will probably drop a cd with so much cursing and gangsta type rap to prove that he is hard. Because at this point in time we have seen Bow Wow since he was a little kid and even now talking about sex in his raps is a little shocking to most of his fans. I think taking a break from music because he isnt selling cds even with Omarion onboard to eventually drop again with a more gangsta a rap style isnt a bad idea.
Behind the Scenes Of Nelly’s New Video
The number of exclusive Jordans they have in this tour bus is crazy. I cut it off after 1 minute cuz it was killing me how they had kicks they didnt even drop yet. And I know they were all sent from Jordan himself.
Shawty Lo Behind The Scenes Of Foolish Remix!
BEHIND SCENES SHAWTY LO FOOLISH Remix Video Shoot! Waddap Jordan Tower, DJ Khaled, Pitbull, Shawty Lo, Ace Hood, Dipset, Byrdgang, Boogz Boogetz! & Anyone else we missed.
May 22, 2008
David Banner’s Side of the Story: Tells You Why Jim Jones Told Him To Be More Like Jay-Z & More
"Mississippi’s favorite son speaks on how Katrina affected him personally, explains that he’d rather you like him than his music and tells you why Jim Jones told him to be more like Jay-Z"
LL Cool J Readies First-Ever Mixtape
With over 20 years in the Hip Hop game, LL Cool J has managed to remain successful without the aid of mixtapes - something that many artists use to build a buzz for their upcoming albums.
According to MTV, that's all going to change, as LL is readying his first-ever mixtape, The Return of the G.O.A.T. Hosted by DJ Kay Slay, the mixtape will feature guests such as Busta Rhymes. "Anybody that's featured on the mixtape has to be on a classic LL beat," Kay Slay said.
"LL's got an album coming out," he continued. "I think he's just aware that he has to have that street presence and make people aware he still is the G.O.A.T. and he can still spit. A lot of people are under the misconception that LL is making those grown-and-sexy records, that he ain't with the street vibe anymore. I think he wanted to step back and let people know he's still the G.O.A.T."
Dam you really have to be old skool to not drop a mixtape. I really dont see his mixtape being so hot because Im a fan of the old classic LL Cool J , so I dont know if I want to hear him nowadays tryna spit like some of the younger cats. I mean dont get my words wrong, Jay-Z and some other rappers are in there 30s but when you were rappin before I was born in 1987 and your still tryna spit for a living then its a problem. But LL I will definitely give your album a spin on my ipod, I mean mixtape.
The Return of the G.O.A.T. is due in the upcoming weeks.
HipHopDx.
Spike Lee Interview: Speaks On the Presidency Race & More "We Are In A Depression"
Spike Lee announced today that he plans to release a full-length feature documentary about Michael Jordan’s second return to the NBA. Spike has already begun piling unseen footage of MJ as a Wizard and hopes to have the film completed in time for next year’s Cannes Film Festival. Info again thanks to Complex.
