Rappers United – Jay-Z
Aug 4, 2008 Album Release, Hip Hop, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rapper, Timbaland
The divas of hip hop are reuniting as reports say that Jay-Z is set to work with both Kanye West and Timbaland on sessions for his new album. And here you thought he was retiring already. Early reports say that Jay-Z’s new stuff was going to be produced solely by Timbo but the hip hop star has revealed that the sessions are more of a musical competition between his peers. Jay says “I’m a person that works off music. If Timbaland makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album, if Kanye West makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album; if he makes three, I’ll take three. I let the music dictate the direction. You know I love Timbaland, he is like a brother to me, but until the music is done it’s premature.”
Akon is Free
Akon is still guaranteed to be a free man, at least for a month more. The criminal case against the hip hop artist has been adjourned until next month, on August 6th. The case is from an incident last year when Akon threw a 15-year old fan offstage at the 2007 KFEST concert in June. In December 2007, Akon plead not guilty to charges of second degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a minor. The boy’s mother, Patricia Smith, attended the case hearing this week and said that it was pretty typical. She says “People can just hang in there long enough until the case goes in their favor.” If he gets convicted, the singer can face up to a year and 15 days in the pokey.
Hip Hop for Barack Obama
Jul 17, 2008 Hip Hop, Kanye West, Wyclef Jean
Who knew that the Democrats were so cool? It has been revealed that Kanye West, NERD and Wyclef Jean will be performing at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next month. Hollywood Democrats who plan to attend the convention include the likes of Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Forrest Whitaker, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Cheryl Hines and Ed Norton, who’s been shooting a documentary about Barack Obama’s race to the White House. That’s definitely one star-studded occasion. I wonder how the Republicans are going to compete with that. Maybe they can have Heidi Montag perform and have Spencer Pratt be the musical director for John McCain.
Jay-Z and Beyonce Duet
Jun 21, 2008 Beyonce, Duets, Hip Hop, Jay-Z, Noel Gallagher, Oasis
Jay-Z and Beyonce could be teaming up for a duet this summer.
The married couple are rumored to appear on stage together at the O2 Wireless Festival in London, just one week after the rapper controversially headlines Glastonbury. A source said: “Jay-Z is planning a spectacle to end of spectacles. He knows all eyes will be on him when he headlines Glastonbury but he’s actually planning on whipping up something special for Wireless too. He’s been talking to Beyonce about getting her on stage.’
The hip-hop star, who teamed up with Beyonce for her worldwide smash hit ‘Crazy In Love’ and ’03 Bonnie and Clyde’, is also planning to fly in a huge string section and orchestra for the Hyde Park concert.
Since being announced as a Glastonbury headliner, Jay-Z has been criticized by rock royalty, including Oasis star Noel Gallagher, who insists a hip-hop act should not top the bill at the event.
Conned by Akon
We have been duped by marketing once again kiddies! The Smoking Gun has unearthed police, court and corrections records that prove that multi-platinum selling musician Akon has been blowing a lot of smoke up our butts. There has been no conviction and he wasn’t locked up between 1999 and 2002. They say that Akon “’created a fictionalized back story that serves as the narrative anchor for his recorded tales of isolation, violence, woe, and regret. Akon has overdubbed his biography with the kind of grit and menace that he apparently believes music consumers desire from their hip-hop stars.” The Smoking Gun also expresses shock that the media failed to look into Akon’s claim before he got huge.
Eminem and Nelson Mandela
Apr 15, 2008 Eminem, Hip Hop, Politics, Rapper
Well those are two names that you never thought you’d hear together in the same sentence. But it seems that it’s not at all impossible. Retired rapper Eminem has reportedly been approached to play Nelson Mandela’s upcoming 90th birthday party. I never knew Nelson was a hip hop fan. Reports are also saying that it’s a done deal but the rapper’s camp is saying they haven’t accepted the invite just yet. Let’s hope that there won’t be any talk about street cred. Em’s been arrested. Nelson spent 27 years in jail. Em clearly loses. But then again, he can issue a rap battle challenge and then all hell will break loose!
Jay-Z’s Next Comeback
Feb 9, 2008 Hip Hop, Jay-Z, R&B, Record Label
Jay-Z has retired from hip hop and came out of retirement about three times already. He’s also just retired from the record exec racket a few months ago. But as his track record goes, he’s coming out of retirement from that too.
Rush & Molloy report that the rap mogul could be on his way back to starting his own label again. This time, with a guy who used to be his rival. He and Lyor Cohen of Warner Music are in talks about putting together the Carter Music Group which is a reference to Jay-Z’s real name of Shawn Carter.
Ne-Yo’s Mom
Feb 4, 2008 Hip Hop, Ne-Yo, Rapper, Rumor
Ne-Yo recently had an interview with Essence magazine where he talked about his mom and a couple of issues and rumors about him. He started talking about his mom and made a great segue into the gay rumors about him saying “Yeah, my mom is my dawg. When she heard the rumors that I was gay she was like, ‘Who do I have to pay a visit? Who’s ass do I have to kick?’” It looks like Ne-Yo has a bad ass mom. Cool! No one’s going to call him gay anytime soon. They’re just going to start calling him mama’s boy.
Pharell Crashes Wedding
Jan 29, 2008 FUN, Hip Hop, Pharell, Rapper
Drop it like it’s hot! Drop the knish like it’s hot! Rapper and producer extraordinaire Pharell was just driving his car around Miami when he happened to pass a big Jewish Orthodox wedding going on. I guess he smelled a party because he decided to get in on it.
The wedding between Rachel and Tuvia Lind took place last month at a private residence in Miami Beach. Pharell spotted men dancing in the front yard and stopped to watch but was later invited to participate. Who knew that hip hop was big with the Jewish people? It’s a fact now – hip hop is universal!
Crisco Adler Makes Good Music
Jan 10, 2008 Hip Hop, Shwayze, Singers
No, there’s nothing wrong with your computer. I really did entitle the post with that. Crisco Adler is the unnamed half of Shwayze. Like the so-called producer, Shwayze hails from Malibu, California. His music could best be described as the love child between indie and hip hop. Shwayze does the raps while Crisco sings the hooks.
I’m really hesitant to say it and fear future humiliation but it’s really good. It’s different, fresh and fun. I guess you really just have to get over the Crisco thing. So it’s a great big help that the music only takes Shwayze’s name and not his.
Birdman is a Thief
Jan 9, 2008 Birdman, Hip Hop, Prison
Another year yet it still seems that it’s going to be filled with lawsuits for the hip hop industry. Rapper Birdman is the most recent one being sued. He just got slapped with a lawsuit for allegedly taking other artists’ songs without paying a red cent for them.
The lawsuit was filed in New Orleans and it alleges that Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams owes several music publishers an unspecified amount of money for using copyrighted songs without permission. However, Birdman and his brother Ronald, founders of Cash Money Records, have been paid for their work. Let’s hope Birdman doesn’t turn chicken yellow and run.
Mary J. Blige – Come To Me (Peace) Live On CNN – Video
Dec 12, 2007 Album, Album Release, Hip Hop, Live Music, Mary J. Blige, Music, Music Artists, Music Videos, New Single, Performance, R&B, Singers, Song, YouTube
Mary J. Blige performed on Thursday night at “CNN Heroes: All Star Tribute”. She sang “Come To Me (Peace)”, a new song from her upcoming studio album entitled “Growing Pains”
Baby Boom – Usher
Nov 29, 2007 Famous People, Hip Hop, Music Artists, News, R&B, Singers, Usher
Baby Boom
There appears to be congratulations in order for singer Usher and his wife; as their first child arrived into the world at 9.30pm on Monday (26-11-07). Originally, they named baby son, Usher. Usher Raymond V to be precise.
So is that like calling him Junior? Well, if so, little Jr. was a healthy 7lb 9oz; and the couple are overjoyed. “We are so happy and proud of our beautiful son. What a blessing!”
I have to say it’s lovely and refreshing to not be writing about crazy stars doing drug related, alcohol related or generally weird related things for once. I have already mentioned this week the planned wedding of Kanye West and his girlfriend; and now the happy family here. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy… until tomorrow when someone is bound to have done something stupid. Again.
Alicia Keys is 4 for 4
Nov 23, 2007 Billboard Chart, Debut, Hip Hop, Music, Music Artists, Photography, R&B, Records Sale, Review, Singers, Soul Music
Out of four albums released over the span of her career, all four have debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. Her most recent album was released last week, entitled As I Am.
A #1 debut is not her only Thanksgiving blessing this week, though. Keys has already sold 742,400 copies and is her highest performing debut yet. Her first album Songs in a Minor (2001) sold 235,800 copies while her sophomore album The Diary of Alicia Keys sold 618,300. Unplugged (2005) sold approximately 196,000 copies. This year, her closest competition was Josh Groban’s Neel, a Christmas themed album, which hit #2 with around 223,000 copies.
This recent increase in album sales has shown us that it is indeed beginning to look at a lot like Christmas. And a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised to find a copy of the R&B songster’s latest gift in their stockings!
No Charges for Diddy
Nov 9, 2007 Diddy, Hip Hop, Music, Music Artists, Prison, Rumor, Scandal, Singers
The coast is clear for Diddy in New York for the mean time. The hip hop mogul is not going to be charged by the Manhattan DA for allegedly punching someone in a nightclub with said someone being his so-called friend.
Diddy’s attorney Benjamin Brafman has released a statement regarding the matter saying “I’ve been informed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office that after a thorough investigation, they have made a decision not to authorize any arrests in connection with the incident involving Mr. Combs and Steven Acevedo on October 13. I want to commend the DA’s office and the New York City Police Department for conducting a thorough and very fair investigation into this incident and not allowing this private disagreement between two acquaintances to turn into a criminal charge.”
David Banner Defends Harsh Hip-Hop Lyrics
Sep 27, 2007 David Banner, Hip Hop, Music, Music Artists, Rap Music
Rapper David Banner defended his controversial lyrics on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, as fellow hip-hop star Master P apologized for using the word ‘bitch’ on his past hits. “Drugs, violence and the criminal element were around long before hip-hop existed.” Yeah, and nobody used adjectives like “b*tch, ho, and [the n-word] to describe that criminal element. What a *ahem* douche. What an idiot. Does he think his “hip-hop” is doing anything to eradicate Drugs, violence and the criminal element with his music? Sure they’ve been around a long time…..but why promote it in that fashion? D*ck. All these words existed and many more exist even today and those that do not exist can be created and used as often as one likes, but game on assholes would you ever use those same words to describe your current relations. People use abusive words ok, but if you are a singer then your music release has the words in the lyrics and the album is circulated all over the world, people buy and then they use the lyrics and hurt others. In a way these rappers are highly responsible for young kids violent acts.
50 Cent Blaming Interscope For Poor Album Sales
Sep 14, 2007 50 Cent, Album, Famous People, Hip Hop, Music, Music Artists, News, Photography, R&B, Records Sale
I dislike all this feuding when there is so much more to think about. We have a war going on and president who has no clue of what he is doing. With the money you all have should invest in putting music back in schools. You are role models for not just the young but everyone. Step back and stop thinking about self. In the dope game it is said, “There is a lot of money for all of us.” Greed is the problem. Can’t we all get along anymore? The war is not against one another it is those who did the 911 attacks. Get your mind in the swing of things. We all have little people looking at our behavior, what message are you sending them? It is time to grow and take a stand as adults. Ridiculous, but this was going to happen, all long Kanye and Curtis have been saying that who will be outselling whom. And now the game has just begun.
50 Cent v. Kanye West
Sep 6, 2007 50 Cent, Album, Famous People, Hip Hop, Kanye West, Music, Music Artists, Performance, Photography, TV Show
Finally! I was wondering when something… anything… would come along and deflate Kanye West’s huge, bloated, retarded ego. And I think this competition just may be it! In the hip-hop world, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is facing off against Kanye West to see who the King of Hip-Hop is. The two are currently gracing the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in an obvious face-off. The two artists have new albums dropping on September 11, 2007. But let’s accept the fact though the whole release date thing has been blown out of proportion, the two singers have been the real ones trying to be in the news all the time for their respective release. If these things don’t prove he’s a complete tool, then I’m not sure what to tell you!) Kanye has said of the competition, “This is real. It’s a moment.” Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson said, “From a hip-hop perspective, it’s the biggest event possible.” It’s nice to have to wacky person fight it out in the media as this is what gives us blokes the material to make fun on their speaks. Go on you guys, you driving us too.
Common ft. Lily Allen (Drivin’ Me Wild)
Aug 28, 2007 Album, Common, Famous People, Hip Hop, Lily Allen, Music, Music Artists, Music Videos, New Single, Song
Is a must buy for real hip hop fans. Album drops July 31
Common ft. Lily Allen – Drivin’ Me Wild
The track is the second single off his new album “Findin Forever” in stores now and the video premiered today via MT
KT Tunstall Hopes For Split Inspiration
Aug 27, 2007 Album, Famous People, Hip Hop, Music, Music Artists, New Single, News, Performance, Rock, Song
Scottish rocker KT Tunstall longs for a split with her boyfriend – because it will give her inspiration for songs. The singer briefly split with long-term boyfriend Luke Bullen – and it inspired her to write song Someday Soon which features on new album Drastic Fantastic. And she now plans to have more arguments in a bid for musical success. Nonsense that you need to have split with your boyfriend to find inspiration to write love and emotional songs, that way to write rock and rap songs one would have to spend a few nights with a prostitute or a gay to write these woeful songs. I thing she’s completely looking at the wrong way to find inspiration to write songs, rather than a break up she could well sit on the pot and find better inspiration. We are looking for love songs that make us happy not sad and remorseful about our past relationships gone wrong. KT don’t spoil a relation for just trying to find inspiration dear, go have some coke and cheer up.