Hip-Hop news by Lakerfan 4 Life

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

West coast rapper Mack 10 has taken a position on the staff of Melee Recordings as an A&R scout for new talent.

Melee is run by industry vet Bryan Turner, who founded Mack 10’s former label home, Priority Records. Under Mack 10’s new title, the rapper will also look for talent to join his own Melee-distributed Hoo Bangin’ Records imprint.

"I'm very excited to join forces with Bryan once again, this time as an executive," Mack 10 said. "We both have years of experience in this music game. The streets of L.A. are full of talent ready to explode, and the West is ready to come back hard. Hoo Bangin' and Melee will be the perfect structure to put the ‘Left Coast’ back on the map in a major way.”

Turner, whose era at Priority saw the rise of signed artist Ice Cube and label moguls Eazy-E, N.W.A., and Master P, says Mack 10’s mind for business was evident during his days as an artist on the rap label.

"He'll be a great executive and I will completely support his efforts," Turner said.

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167341.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Rapper's David Banner and Kamikaze (Crooked Lettaz) will be honored during the Mississippi's Best Awards, scheduled to take place Saturday, Oct. 28 at the TelCom Center in downtown Jackson.

Over 1500 nomination ballots were received for the event, which honors natives of the state for their excellence and achievements in various. Banner and Kamikaze will be presented with the Best of the Best award, which is one of the five “Committee’s Choice” awards.

"It's an honor to be recognized by your home," David Banner told AllHipHop.com. "It's similar to your father saying he's proud of you."

“The people of the state are rallying around the project," added Cyrus A. Webb,31, the event’s founder and the Chief Communications Director. "With so many stereotypes and prejudices against Mississippians, they are glad to see something good making the news.”

Other natives of Mississippi being honored include Oprah Winfrey, Willie Mosely Jr., Marshall Ramsey and Morgan Freeman.

Guest presenters include Tchula Mayor Yvonne Brown, Ben Allen (Jackson Cit Council President), Miss Mississippi Taryn Foshee and others.

http://allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6029

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Award-winning writer and Hip-Hop historian Kevin Powell is set to release his seventh book, Someday We’ll All Be Free, a collection of three essays
inspired by 9/11, the 2004 presidential election and Hurricane Katrina.

The three essays, inspired by Powell’s personal visits to New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Houston during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, are a collection of interviews from survivors of the 2005 disaster, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and his own personal reflections of the 2004 Presidential
election.

"This is the hardest book I've ever written," Powell said. “But I felt compelled to write because we have to document this episode in the American
journey honestly, with the hope and determination that it will never happen again."

Someday We’ll All Be Free which is titled after the 1973 Donny Hathaway song, is heralded as Powell’s more distinguished work to date.

During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Powell staged two major New York City benefits in the span of three months to raise money for large truck
shipments of food and aid that were sent to the devastated region.

He also co-created “Katrina on the Ground”, a program which sent over 700 young people, mostly college students, to the area as an alternative Spring Break trip in March.

Someday We'll All Be Free hits stores Aug. 29.

http://allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6031

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

DJ Jazzy Jeff and Koch Records have teamed to release The Death of Willie Lynch, the debut album of Def Poetry Jam alum Black Ice.

Due to arrive in stores on September 5, the new disc features collaborations with Musiq Soulchild, Natalie Stewart of Floetry, Vee and Chyna Black. The CD also features production from Eric Greene Jr., the album’s only producer.

Black Ice, born Lamar Manson, was the first first spoken word artist signed to Def Jam Records. Performing spoken word since 1994, Black Ice was also cast as a lead member in Def Poetry on Broadway, which went on to win the 2003 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event.

Ice is currently in the midst of performing with Mary J. Blige on her "Breakthrough Summer Tour 2006." Scheduled for more than 30 venues, the North American tour kicked off in mid-July with dates running into early September.

In related news, the Philadelphia poet recently put the finishing on the "Hoodwatch Movement Mixtape Volume I." He also plans on releasing a book of his prayers, entitled Me & God, a five year chronicle of Black Ice's journal writings.

http://allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6032

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Indie hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks is slated to drop their new album Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell, Sept. 19 on Babygrande Records.

The group’s fifth album, which includes collaborations with ILL Bill, Sean Price and R.A. The Rugged Man, will also feature tracks with noted indie rock artists like Sufjan Stevens and vocalist Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond.

An exclusive version of the album will also be released solely to Coconuts, FYE and Sam Goody record stores and will feature bonus tracks like the album’s first single “Heavy Metal Kings,” remixed by West Coast hardcore metal group TERROR.

The exclusive album will also include a bonus DVD.

Jedi Mind Tricks is comprised of Philadelphia native Vinnie Paz and the Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. They earned a notable reputation throughout their 10 years in the music industry for creating trademark mosh-pit anthems, politically-charged lyrics and battle raps, alongside producer Stoupe’s use of live instrumentation, sound effects, and his incorporation of more than fifty samples on one track.

The group is slated to begin a North American tour on Sept. 19, the same day as Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell hits stores.

http://allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6044

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

The National Voter Coalition announced that it will premiere its taping of The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Town Hall Meeting on Community Empowerment to east coast homes on August 21 at 10:00 pm on CN8, a Comcast network station.

The town hall meeting was shot live in Philadelphia on July 12th at the University of Pennsylvania and was hosted by Russell Simmons and television anchor Art Fennell.

“We are honored to have CN8, The Comcast Network, broadcast the town hall meeting to its almost 9 million viewers,” said Simmons, the chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. “We are convinced this will reinforce our goal of encouraging young people to get involved in the process, register and vote.”

Art Fennell, a news anchor for CN8 who moderated the panel with Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President/CEO of HSAN, will host the hour-long broadcast.

The special showcases the town hall meeting’s important messages of empowerment and involvement.

Hip-Hop stars like Foxy Brown, Musiq, Jim Jones, Papoose, Jaguar Wright, Queen Pen, and R&B great Kenny Gamble were all present at the town hall meeting and will be featured in the taping.

All of the celebrities and politicians convened to empower young people to take action in getting involved in the political process and to evoke community change in their neighborhoods by registering to vote.

The town hall’s initiative was part of registering 10,000 new voters in Philadelphia.

Founded in 1999, the National Voter Coalition was created as a response to low voter turnout amongst primarily poor, underserved residents of African-American and Latino communities.

CN8 is the nation’s leading regional cable network with a reach that spans almost 9 million homes from Maine to Virginia. The network will also stream the show on its Web site, www.cn8.com, during the premiere airing of the show.

http://allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6045

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Now available for preorder is the second installment of the Remembering Makaveli DVD offering.

Created by fans for fans, to celebrate the life of Tupac Shakur and released to coincide with the 10th year of Tupac's passing.

Below is some information provided by the documentary makers.

Presenting Remembering Makaveli Volume 2, a DVD compilation of rare and previously unreleased footage and audio in celebration of 2Pac's prolific career. Volume two offers an exclusive behind the scenes look at the making of the Hit 'Em Up video (over a hour long) as well as some other footage both pre and during Pac's Death Row days. Pac's leadership, impatience, humor, and souljah aspects of his personality all shine in this footage.

Some highlights include:

An alternate outro to Hit Em Up previously unavailable (not the Lil Kim, Jay-Z diss version!)
Alternate video plots are explored during the shooting, including 2Pac choosing Outlaw members to play Reservoir Dogs characters
Footage of the filming of every scene used in the released video
Behind the scenes - see the partying, humor, and stress of a video shoot
On the fly video concepts developed by 2Pac including the decision to add a price tag to Lil Kim's wig and more
See the fat Biggie imitator fall asleep on set
Crew members listening to Too $hort's Gettin It album, released a few days before the video shoot
All Eyez on Me album snippets are played, and there's a song played that seems to have been meant for All Eyez that was not included. Oh yeah, we all have this song too!
See 2Pac interact with the Outlawz on set, and show both his leadership and impatience
See how the famous fire scene was actually created
Watch Pac's discomfort in being dressed like the police

BONUSES

Toss It Up Beach Version in full VHS quality! This recording was used to create the WMV file that was leaked to the net, but this version is in full size so it is not blocky and distorted on your screen. An unreleased video!
See early footage and interviews of 2Pac when he was starting his career with Digital Underground. See him as a backup performer, and a fun loving person in interviews - starting food fights and acting a fool on camera.
Four bonus rare audio files. No hints will be given, but you don't have them in this incredible quality nor these versions. All from Death Row days. NO Tags or DJ shoutovers.
Preview of volume 3's exclusive studio footage

Several improvements have been made from volume one . All footage has been encoded from digital video streams, which helps in the fluidity of playback and allows more content. Additionally, this is a full DVD of media, with two hours and five minutes of playback and 4.16 gigabytes of data. While this release focuses on the creation of a video, volume 3 will focus on the events of a day in the life of 2Pac, culminating with some exclusive in-studio footage with 2Pac, Kurupt, Edi, Kastro, Kadafi, and Mutah. In concordance with volume one, the majority of proceeds will be sent to the TASF to purchase bricks in the name of the online 2Pac community.

Preorders for this release will be accepted until September 5, 2006, and all orders received will ship September 5, 2006 (so most orders will receive their dvds by sept 13, the anniversary of 2pac's death). The last day to order this DVD with bonus audio will be September 20th at which time it will continue to be available for purchase, however the bonus audio will not be included.

The price per disc includes all shipping costs via USPS first class mail for Americans, and via Airmail for all other customers. The price is $45 per disc.

Below are purchase links for Volume 2, and for Volume 1 incase you missed it last time.

purchase links:
Volume 2: http://www.hiphoponline.net/rap/inde...e=makavelidvd2
Volume 1: http://www.hiphoponline.net/rap/inde...ge=makavelidvd

purchase links:
Volume 2: http://www.hiphoponline.net/rap/inde...e=makavelidvd2
Volume 1: http://www.hiphoponline.net/rap/inde...ge=makavelidvd

alternate links:
Volume 2: http://www.hiphoponline.net/rap/remembermakaveli2.html
Volume 1: http://www.hiphoponline.net/rap/remembermakaveli.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Mos Def and Jack Black will star together in a new film called Be Kind Rewindwhich will start shooting this September. The film will also feature Danny Glover, Mia Farrow and Melonie Diaz.

Mos Def will play the part of a video store worker who struggles to deal with a customer (Jack Black) after he erases all of the tapes in the store – the result of a failed sabotage attack against a power station which leaves Black’s character magnetized.

The rapper has had a consistent acting career with performances in The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 16 Blocks and Something The Lord Made. He has also been cast in a film called Little Scarletwhich is a murder mystery set during the 1965 Los Angeles riots.

Mos Def is also preparing the release of his third solo album titled True Magic, which will drop September 26th on Geffen.

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167625.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Veteran actor and comedian Bill Cosby lashed out at hip-hop while giving a speech as part of a programme about fatherhood organised by Coppin State University.

On August 22nd Crosby spent the last five minutes of his speech attacking the values of modern mainstream rap to the audience at Hertiage United Church of Christ in Northwest Baltimore.

"They put the word '(bleep)' in a song, and we get up and dance to it," Cosby said. "They think they're hip. They can't read; they can't write. They're laughing and giggling, and they're going nowhere."

Crosby also expressed views about teenage pregnancy, education and fatherhood during the event which was organised to encourage black males to take responsibility for themselves and for their children.

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167626.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

The family of Keith Bender filed a lawsuit against the estate of Proof on August 22nd seeking financial damages for the fatal shooting that took place on April 11th.

The lawsuit argues that Proof shot Bender after tensions escalated in a physical altercation. As Proof prepared to fire at Bender a second time the bouncer (and also Bender’s cousin) Mario Etheridge fatally shot him.

Murder charges were not bought against Etheridge after the prosecutor Kym Worthy concluded that he acted in self defence. "The evidence clearly shows that Mario Etheridge acted in lawful self-defense of another when he shot DeShaun Holton," she said. "Once the gunshots started, everything happened fairly quickly."

Proof died that evening, while Bender died in hospital one week later.

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167627.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Foxy Brown skipped a court hearing on August 23rd and has been ordered by the judge to appear at the next session or face consequences.

The hearing was in relation to accusations cited by Rasheeda Ellis, a former consultant of Brown’s management company, claiming she was victim to harassment, verbal abuse and “terroristic threats.” Apparently these treats came after she attempted to claim pay from Brown.

Brown’s lawyer commented “Foxy says she's never had a problem with this woman.”

Brown is also facing a misdemeanour assault charge in New York after disputing the cost of a manicure with two nail salon workers in 2004.

Foxy Brown became the first female rap artist to debut at number one with her 1999 album Chyna Doll.

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167629.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Cypress Hill's B-Real, legendary rapper Kid Frost and Oscar nominated actor Edward James Olmos have teamed up with Snoop Dogg for his new video for "Vato."

Directed by Phillip Atwell, the video casts Snoop Dogg and B-Real as gang members who come together as a show of solidarity.

In wake of violence in recent months in L.A., the short cinematic clip also aims to promote a theme of unity between black and Hispanic people.

"It's about time we start to fight for each other rather than fighting against each other,” Snoop Dogg said. "I have homies from all cultural backgrounds and love all of my brothers, black and brown."

"Vato," produced by Pharrell, is the lead single from Snoop’s highly anticipated eighth LP The Blue Carpet Treatment which arrives in stores Nov. 21.

The album features production from Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Rick Rock, Pharrell and features guest appearances by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Ice Cube, The Game, Brandy, R. Kelly and MC Eight.

"Vato" will make its video debut on August 30th on BET's Access Granted.

http://allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6064

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Eminem will design a strictly limited edition of autographed Nike Air Max shoes which will be auctioned off for charity.

Sixty four pairs will be auctioned off starting August 31st. There will be eight different types available which encompass the history of the brand; from the Air Max ’87 to the Air Max 360. Proceeds will be equally split between ninemillion.org and the Marshal Mathers Foundation.

“If you told me ten years ago that I'd be designing this whole series of Air Max's, I never would have believed it," said Eminem. "It's one of the hottest lines that Nike ever produced, so I'm honoured to make my own contribution. My only problem was figuring out how to make the shoes different from stuff they've already done: Nike always has the dopest color combos."

"We're always looking for new ways to try to raise money and awareness for the foundation, so when Nike approached us we jumped at the chance. It made even more sense. Who wouldn't want to design their own line of Nikes? And to do it for charity makes it that much better."

Ninemillion.org is a charity operated by the UN in conjunction with Nike and Microsoft. Its global aim is to increase education and sports access to the refugee youth across the planet.

The Marshal Mathers Foundation is a non profit organisation which provides funds to charities working with troubled youngsters in South East Michigan.

eBay and NikeTown will host the auctions which commence August 31st and will run until October 3rd:

Aug. 31
NikeTown London
Air Max '87 1 pair
Air Max '90 1 pair

Sept.12
eBay
Air Max '87 7 pairs
Air Max '90 7 pairs

Sept. 16
NikeTown
Berlin
Air Max 180 1 pair
Air Max '93 1 pair

Sept. 19
eBay
Air Max 180 7 pairs
Air Max '93 7 pairs
Sept. 22
Nike Store, Paris
Air Max '95 1 pair
Air Max '97 1 pair

Sept. 26
eBay Air Max '95 7 pairs
Air Max '97 7 pairs

Sept. 28
NikeTown London
Air Max '03 1 pair
Air Max '06 1 pair

Oct. 3
eBay
Air Max '03 7 pairs
Air Max '06 7 pairs

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167659.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Rapper, producer and founder of the Definitive Jux label, El-P, has begun a blog chronicling the making of his highly anticipated album, I’ll Sleep When Your Dead.

The blog offers such insights as who will appear on the album, what equipment is being used, exclusive pictures, lyrics previews, and a look into the mind of one of the most unique minds in independent hip-hop.

This will be the second solo release from El-P who’s debut, Fantastic Damage, was so popular and that a modified version of the album, FanDam Plus soon followed containing instrumentals, remixes and videos.

El-P produced highly acclaimed The Cold Vein by Cannibal Ox and was originally part of Company Flow on Rawkus Records which he left in 2000. His involvement with artists in and outside of his artist camp are extensive, including Murs, Cage, Aesop Rock, Mr. Life and Prefuse 73.

Ill Sleep When Your Dead, described by El-P as “a psychedelic BDP record” is due for a 2007 release.

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167660.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

A product of Mt. Vernon, New York, CL Smooth and former counterpart, Pete Rock, took Hip-Hop by storm with their colorful sound. The 1991 EP All Souled Out and 1992's Mecca and the Soul Brother LP, spawned memorable cuts like “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) ” and the self-titled “Mecca and the Soul Brother,” tagging the duo’s names across the walls of Hip-Hop history. After splitting up in 1995 and again after a failed effort to reconcile their differences in 2004, the duo parted ways, taking different paths in life.

While Pete Rock made a name for himself as a producer for Jim Jones and Ghostface among others, CL Smooth took a different route. Similar to Miles Davis during his, post-Cool Jazz/ pre-Fusion eras, CL took a break from music, unsure if he would ever return. While attempting to build a life beyond music, CL Smooth went back to his roots in Mt. Vernon. Struggling to maintain a similar lifestyle to the one that his previous career had awarded, CL Smooth had to do a lot of soul searchin’.

CL’s up and coming release, American Me shows a more reflective and spiritual side than previously seen by the MC. Keeping in mind of the classical Hip-Hop mantra, “Knowledge of self,” AllHipHop.com spoke with CL Smooth about his personal growth, versatility, and return to the mic he left behind.

AllHipHop.com: With the release of the, “Man On Fire Mixtape” and American Me, soon to be released, how does it feel to be back in the game?

CL Smooth: It feels good. It’s been a process where I did a lot of soul searching and I’ve got some great music that I want the world to listen to. I’m really excited about it.

AllHipHop.com: When you first took the break, did you always plan to eventually come back?

CL Smooth: I didn’t really know. I was too busy building my life beyond music and making sure that I was maintaining the lifestyle that I was used to, because of music and my success in it. I was busy building, but I knew in the back of my mind that I would have to eventually prepare for it. My success beyond music would bring the success of a return. Plain and simple, people everywhere asking me, “Please, we need you to come back.” Once the industry started saying, “Ya gotta' come back and really do something.” That’s when I really started to get myself motivated and was prepared to do it.

AllHipHop.com: A lot of early ‘90s rappers try to make comebacks, but have a hard time connecting with the current generation. How are you able to touch old and new fans?

CL Smooth: I think that it’s a basis of just being creative and talented enough. This is a great opportunity to break that stigma, to break that mold and show that having history shouldn’t be your cause for not making more. I think that the new album will break that stigma of vintage artists who have a hard time coming back and making that next level of creativity work for them. This is breaking that mold.

AHH: Why name the album, American Me? What’s its significance?

CL Smooth: I think it’s the vibe of when you go around the world and people ask you, “How do you feel about America being the most hated country in the world? How do you feel about that?” That was a question that really shook the core of me. That’s what a young black man goes through everyday in America, the struggle - the struggle of segregation, the struggle of not being heard and being misunderstood, and having police as boundaries in order to have a peace. I feel like its an underdog and everybody hates you. You have to love that one; everyone hates you because you want to win. You know the odds are very slim. I took that energy, thought process, artistry, and molded it into something that I thought would motivate me in my quest to do the impossible.

AllHipHop.com: The album is supposed to be about misconceptions relating to current day issues, but more so about you. What steps are you taking to rectify or change people’s opinions and misconceptions?

CL Smooth: I think just by being creative, truthful and putting yourself out there; not caring about what people say or think about you and just giving them your all. The true form of what you go through everyday. An intimate look at what your struggles and plights are. How goal orientated and serious about life you are. I wanted to bring theses things out and share a little bit of my pain with the audience and the people that care about Hip-Hop on a level of truthfulness. That’s what I wanted to project.

AllHipHop.com: You mentioned that when you took the break, you tried to maintain a certain lifestyle in which you were accustomed. What kinds of efforts and jobs did you do to keep that intact?

CL Smooth: I think my thing was providing myself with what I earned and investing it the right way. If I’m gonna be in a certain hood and represent it, I should rightfully own something in that hood, providing a shelter for the people in it. I put myself on a medium of dealing with people on an intimate level of living. Not only that, it took a lot of steps and sacrifice to be me. There was a lot of suffering due to striving to be successful. In that, certain things suffer, but you grow stronger and hopefully learn from your mistakes. You provide yourself a great life if you’re serious and are honest with who you are and what you’re about.

AllHipHop.com: It definitely sounds like you’ve grown from your experiences. When you look back on your career, were your actions based on the time and place?

CL Smooth: I feel that when I was making records as a young kid, I was basically, “F**k that!” It was gonna happen because I wanted it so bad. Now that I have it, it’s been good to me. What I want to do is feed it positivity. I love what’s going on. There’s a lot of great avenues out there to work with. I just want to give people who don’t know about CL Smooth, a chance to know that he’s still making great music to add to the catalog. I’ve been blessed to do everything in two and a half [Pete Rock & CL Smooth] albums, and now I’m adding on to that catalog.

AllHipHop.com: I heard that you’re quite the real estate wiz…

CL Smooth: I’m starting from square one. I’m still in the learning process. I should have been in it years ago. When you’re creative and trying to maintain a certain lifestyle, you want to create avenues where people respect you. At the same time you divert back. You could do it as a child, so you can do it as a grown man. Actually, you really can’t. I wanted to show people that I could maintain a certain lifestyle that I’m living. It’s not too extravagant, but poor on my level isn’t dead broke. This is America and you should be able to do anything that you want. I feel that with my reputation and how I was raised, it was best for me to create a life beyond music and in the end, it will rebirth a life for music.

AllHipHop.com: You mentioned that the album has a mainstream sound to it, so then why not release it on a major label opposed to an independent, like Shaman Work Recordings?

CL Smooth: I feel that you have to start from somewhere. Nobody was knocking on CL’s door really and saying, "Come on CL, let’s do this!” I felt at the time, it was something that I had to prove. The [“Man on Fire”] mixtape proved that I still have it. The mixtape proved that I can still go on a track, perform, and execute what I need to execute, making people conscious of what I’m doing. My demographics from the mixtape really motivated me because it was hitting high school students. It’s students in Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle and where even I was, giving them access to the mixtape. It really set off a movement to what I’m doing. It really assured me that I’m on the right track. I’m in the right demographics to make a transition as an artist coming after 10 years and really doing it.

AHH: Speaking of this, on the album at one point, you say you pioneered the “Black Card Movement”…

CL Smooth: It was a movement, and I had to name it. You can’t just have the focus on CL all the time. CL has to be his own entity. I wanted to put an umbrella under myself that people can join and grab on to. Not just ride my coattails, but ride the coattails of an umbrella that keeps you dry when it rains. It keeps you healthy. It let you know more or less that the body of work has to be serious. Coming from the basement, it was a name that I can safely say fit that mold of where I was coming from and the music that I made from the deep dark dungeons of the basement. The name signifies that.

AllHipHop.com: It's odd to ask, but what makes CL so smooth?

CL Smooth: I think it’s the way that I [carry] myself after my grandfather and being raised by my grandparents. Being the son of a teenage mother while still in high school, I just developed his style and my grandmother’s heart. It made a great combination for me to adopt. In the beginning of my career I just took a lot of his words and mannerisms; creating a legendary group with a unique sound and approach. Really being ahead of my time in thought processing, putting things together that has realism and reality checks to it. Just patenting myself after my grandfather, his swagger, it was something that I felt was really important to me and I thank him for that.

http://www.allhiphop.com/features/index.asp?ID=1505

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

LOS ANGELES - Goodbye yellow brick road, hello hip hop.

Elton John tells Rolling Stone magazine that he wants to record a hip-hop album with Grammy-winning producer Dr. Dre.

"I want to work with Pharrell, Timbaland, Snoop, Kanye, Eminem and just see what happens," John says in the Sept. 7 issue. "It may be a disaster, it could be fantastic, but you don't know until you try."

The 59-year-old says he is a fan of Blackstreet's "No Diggity" and Tupac Shakur's "California Love."

"I want to bring my songs and melodies to hip-hop beats," John says. "I love these beats, but I have no idea how to get them."

John performed Eminem's song "Stan" with the rapper during the 2001 Grammy awards.

John's new album, "The Captain and the Kid," is due in September.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060825/ap_en_ot/people_elton_john

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

In response to the theft of rapper Andre Mac Dre" Hicks' tombstone, the family of the slain Hip-Hop star is considering relocating his remains to Vallejo, California.

Bernard Hicks, the uncle of Mac Dre, said the family is considering returning the Oakland-born rapper's remains to Vallejo, to keep a better watch over them.

The 50-pound tombstone was recently reported missing from the Oakland Mountain View Cemetery after a visitor attempted to visit Mac Dre’s cemetery plot, but was unable to find the location.

"We just think it's some kind of fan. Some crazed fan who put it in their house," Hicks told Oakland newspaper The Argus.

Hicks said he was notified of the theft by Oakland police on Tuesday (Aug. 24). "They said it was taken and they didn't have no suspects, that's all we know right now."

While there is a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrests of the perpetrators, Hicks says that the family won’t go to the police if the tombstone is given back.

“There will be no trouble, no going to the police, we just want the headstone returned," Hicks said.

In the mid 1990’s while enjoying a surge in popularity on the Northern California rap scene, Mac Dre was accused of being affiliated with The Romper Room Gang, a group of men accused of robbing a string of banks.

In 1991, Dre was arrested and charged with bank robbery when the FBI spotted him riding in a vehicle with one the suspected bank robbers. He served five years in prison.

Mac Dre was later killed in a drive-by shooting and crash on Kansas City's U.S. 71 highway in November 2004. Police have no suspects in Mac Dre's death, but believe he was gunned down after a dispute over a payment for a concert.

Police suspected Kansas City rapper Anthony "Fat Tone" Watkins was behind Mac Dre's murder. There was a rumor that Fat Tone admitted to the shooting, charges the rapper denied.

Six months after the murder of Mac Dre, Fat Tone and friend Jermaine "Cowboy" Akins were murdered in Las Vegas. Fat Tone's family members told police that he went to Las Vegas, after Mac Minister promised a meeting with Snoop Dogg.

In May 2005, the men were found shot to death in an abandoned construction area. Fat Tone was shot 20 times, while Akins was hit 13 times with an assault rifle.

Prior to his murder, Fat Tone had been involved in a number of violent altercations in Kansas City. He was arrested for the murder of a pregnant woman, but the charges were dropped.

In 2003, he was shot multiple times while riding in an SUV with Sacramento rapper C-Bo, San Francisco rapper Messy Marv and others. In 2004, an unknown gunman shot at Fat Tone, one month before Mac Dre was gunned down.

Police claim Mac Minister was in Las Vegas, staying with a friend named Jason Mathis and a call girl named Lee Danae Laursen. The two men were allegedly scene leaving a hotel with Fat Tone and Akins hours before their murders.

Mac Minister was featured on Fox's America's Most Wanted in Feb. 2006. He was apprehended a month later.

Two days after Mac Minister and Mathis were indicted for the murders of Fat Tone and Akins, Laursen was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Mac Minister is currently in a Las Vegas jail and will stand trial for the murders of Watkins and Akins on Sept. 11.

http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6068

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

RZA announced the addition of a new member to the Wu-Tang Clan on Wednesday (August 30), a rapper named Cilvaringz. Wu-Tang watchers might know the newcomer from the Ghostface Killah single "Guerrilla Hood," which Cilvaringz produced; he also appeared on RZA's last two solo efforts, Digital Bullet and Birth of a Prince. RZA is helping produce Cilvaringz' debut, along with Method Man, GZA, Raekwon, Ghostface and Masta Killa. The album, titled I, is due January 2007.

Source: MTV News.

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Bay area rapper E-40 is celebrating the success of his latest album My Ghetto Report Card, which was certified gold by the RIAA this week.

Fueled by the Keak Da Sneak-featured "Tell Me When 2 Go," and the current single "U And Dat," featuring T-Pain and Kandi Girl, the album's good fortune will lead to bigger things, according to the lyricist.

"It feels good," E-40 told AllHipHop.com. "I got my second wind [and] it's the beginning of a new beginning."

Executive produced by Lil' Jon, My Ghetto Report Card debuted at number one on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop charts and number three on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

In addition to Lil' Jon, the Reprise/BME/Sick Wid It Records release features production by Rick Rock, E-40's son Droop-e of the Pharmasuticles, Bosko, and Studio Tone, as well as guest appearances from Mike Jones, T. Pain, Keak Da Sneak, Turf Talk, Juelz Santana, B-Legit, The Federation, 8Ball, and UGK.

The video for "U And Dat," is currently in heavy rotation at BET, MTV and Fuse.

Fans can look for more of E-40 with the release of his new DVD, E-40 & The Hype of Hyphy.

The disc, which hit stores Tuesday (Aug. 29) includes the videos "U And Dat" and "Tell Me When To Go" as well as a behind the scenes look at the making of the videos.

Viewers can also learn about the Hyphy movement through a "Hyphy movement" special on the DVD, which features special appearances by Federation and B-Legit, among others.

http://allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6079

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) will host a Hip-Hop forum at this year's Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference.

The Hip-Hop Powershop, scheduled for Sept. 7, will feature a panel that will discuss gang summits and industry manipulation of the true message and meaning of Hip-Hop artists.

Panelists include DC Hip-Hop artists Asheru and Head-Roc as well as Rev. Yearwood (Hip-Hop Caucus), Jared Ball (University of Maryland, Hip-Hop historian, Blackademics on WPFW), Lisa Frager (Industry Ears, Hip-Hop media expert) and former Crips and Gangster Disciple gangmembers.

The event is one of a series "braintrust forums" McKinney will host that will examine critical current issues facing African-Americans and the entire country.

Other forums will address past victims of COINTELPRO abuses, and their renewal in many forms since 9/11 as well as discuss the award-winning films American Blackout and Sir! No Sir!

American Blackout documents Black voter disenfranchisement and voter fraud in national and local elections, while Sir! No Sir! Looks at the hidden history of GI and veteran resistance that ended the war in Vietnam.

An outspoken critic of the Bush Administration, McKinney spearheaded a national investigation into the 2000 election voting irregularities.

Last year, she introduced House Resolution 4210, a new bill that calls for the United States government to release all documents it has collected on slain rapper Tupac Shakur.

HR 4210 calls for "the creation of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Records Collection at the National Archives; and a second repository at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, Georgia."

The Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference will be Sept. 6 through 9 at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt Vernon Pl., NW.

The following is a schedule of events and list of participating panelists:

The New COINTELPRO
Sept. 7, 1 p.m. - 2:50 p.m., Room 143 C
Panelists: Lillie Coney, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Eddie
Conway, COINTELPRO victim, Bill Goodman, Center for Constitutional
Rights, Dick Gregory, COINTELPRO victim, activist, author of Callus on
My Soul, Tom Devine, Government Accountability Office, Kate Martin,
Center on National Security Studies, J.E. McNeil, Center on Conscience
and War, Chuck Michaels, ACLU Baltimore, MD, author of No Greater
Threat, Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Chatter

Hip-Hop Powershop
Sept. 7, 4:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m., Room 144 BC
Panelists: Rev. Yearwood, Hip Hop Caucus, Jared Ball, University of
Maryland, Hip Hop historian, Blackademics on WPFW, Crown, a Y.G. from
Harlem Crips, Lisa Frager, Industry Ears, Hip Hop media expert, Asheru,
DC, Hip Hop artist, educator, G$, formerly Gangster Disciple Nation,
Head-Roc, Mayor of DC Hip Hop - performing

American Blackout
September 9, 11 a.m. - 12:50 p.m., Room 144 A
Moderator: Cedric Muhammad, BlackElectorate.com
Panelists: Rep. Cynthia McKinney, Ian Inaba, director, Steven Freeman
and Joel Bleifuss, co-authors of Was the 2004 Presidential Election
Stolen?

Sir! No Sir!
Sept. 9, 2006, 2 p.m. - 3:50 p.m., 144 A
Moderator: Cedric Muhammad, BlackElectorate.com
Panelists: Sgt. Kevin Benderman, Gulf War veteran, Iraq war objector,
Monica Benderman, military family member, David Cline, Vietnam Veterans
Against the War, in the film, Greg Payton, Vietnam Veteran, in the film,
Demond Mullins, Iraq veteran, The Ground Truth film and Garrett
Reppenhagen, Iraq Veterans Against the War.

http://allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6075

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Talib Kweli’s new solo album, Ear Drum, will hit the streets later this year via the rapper’s newly formed Blacksmith Music/Warner Bros. imprint. The disc is led by the first single "Listen," a plea for the return of real hip hop.

Other tracks on the LP include "More Or Less" featuring Hi-Tek and "Country Cousins" featuring UGK and Raheem DeVaughn.

"The vast majority of my subject matter focuses on black self-love, black self esteem, black self-worth," he says. "That translates to other communities because if you're a human being, it doesn't matter what color you're talking about. You've been through some sort of struggle and you can apply it to your own life."

In the pipeline for Blacksmith are projects by rappers Jean Grae and Strong Arm Steady, whose members include Xzibit, Phil the Agony, Krondon and Mitchy Slick.

"With Blacksmith, I want it to be a flag that everyone can wave," Kweli says.

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167867.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

The long awaited tell-all DVD, Life After Death Row, is finally in many stores now, and available everywhere on Septmeber 5th. The DVD is paired with a soundtrack that includes production from mega-hit producer Scott Storch.

Crooked I documents his experience on leaving Death Row in his recently released DVD, Life After Deathrow. View controversial footage never released to the public, hear Crooked I discusses the positives and negatives of the record label, this infamous record label never fails to stay in the midst of controversy. Hear from artists and label staff who have left the label and why. The DVD contains news clips, police raids, and shootings.

People who contribute to the DVD include Ashanti, Ja Rule, Left Eye, Russell Simmons and other well-known entertainers and entertainment icons.

Crooked I and Left Eye had a very strong business relationship when she fled to Honduras. He expresses the real reasons why Left Eye fled over seas and what was going on with her, and different things that she was experiencing. He had constant communication with her because he was writing music for her at the time. Crooked I has been in legal battles with Suge Knight, and other people at the label for business interference. He feels that if he is not trying to hold them back, then just give him his peace. There were even alleged rumors made by Kurupt in the September issue of XXL that he was still on the label. I am in a new deal now, Suge always said that if I wanted to leave, he was fine with that and he would not hold me back.

Also included is a historical overview of how Death Row started from those who were there from the beginning. Crooked I feels that now it is time for the truth to be told, and his side of the story made known.

This is definitely a DVD you would not want to miss, and is truly worth buying.

Purchase the DVD from any of the following online retailers;

cd Universe
Amazon (USA)
Amazon (Canada)
MoviesUnlimited
SuperDuperClub

Crooked I would also like your support to get the DVD in stores that have so far chosen not to stock the DVD. If you could contact the following number(s) and request the DVD it would be appreciated.

Best Buy 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289).
Blockbuster - 1214 854-3000
Tower Records - 1-800-ASK-TOWER (1-800-275-8693)
Hollywood video - 1-8SPEAK-TO-US (1-877-325-8687)

And email Circuit city - http://www.circuitcity.com/cs_customer_email.jsp?c=1 and wherehouse.com - customerservice (@) wherehouse.com

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167869.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Jerry Heller, music industry executive and co-founder of the legendary rap label Ruthless Records, recently released his memoirs, titled Ruthless.

The 325-page book offers a glimpse into Heller's career in the music industry, which started in the 1960's and 70's as a super agent who launched the first tours on American soil for rock superstars Elton John and Pink Floyd.

The book, written with Gil Reavill, details Heller's relationship with music industry gurus like David Geffen and Clive Davis, his work as an industry insider promoting tours for arena-rock groups Journey, Styx, REO Speed Wagon, ELO and others, as well as his eventual union with the late Eric "Eazy-E" Wright in March 1987, as cofounder of the historic label, Ruthless Records.

"One of the reasons I was able to understand what was happening in the 80's was because it wasn't that unlike what I had seen in the mid-60's at the beginning of the Rock & Roll era," Heller told AllHipHop.com. "Around 1986, I heard about a scene that was happening at a little pressing plant called Macola Records. Other people recording and pressing at Macola at the time were Ice-T, MC Hammer, The Timex Social Club, Egyptian Lover, Rodney O & Joe Cooley, Mix Master Spade, Bobby Jimmy & the Critters [which featured Russ Parr] and a group called the West Coast Wrecking Cru."

Heller started to manage the groups, including the West Coast Wrecking Cru.

The book details the first meeting between World Class Wrecking Cru leader Alonzo Williams, Heller and Eazy-E on March 3, 1987.

"Up pulls this Suzuki Samuri all tricked out and Eazy gets out with [NWA group member MC] Ren," Heller continued. "And I meet him and the guy impressed me. He was only about 5'2. It wasn't his size. He had a kind of impact, a charisma about him. He had this inner power I was very impressed with."

Ruthless details that fateful meeting, when Wright played his legendary song "Boyz In Tha Hood" for Heller.

"It freaked me out," Heller told AllHipHop.com. "I thought it was the most important music I had heard since the mid 60's and the beginning of Rock & Roll. Fortunately I had been around long enough so that I could recognize it. It was sort of a cross between Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets, The Rolling Stones and The Black Panthers. I just said 'whoa, this is something special. This is incredible music.' And it just blew me away. It had that hard core feeling I used to associate with The Panthers, who were real serious individuals."

The next day, Eazy-E and Heller went into business, launching one of the most successful rap record labels of all time, Ruthless Records.

The book chronicles Heller's tenure at the label and answers a number of questions about the origins of Ruthless Records, how he and Eazy-E were invited to dine with George Bush Sr., NWA tours ("bullets in one tour bus, weapons in the other tour bus") and Marion "Suge" Knight's entrance into Ruthless Records via Tracy "The D.O.C" Curry.

"I always liked Suge Knight, but Eazy always saw right through him," Heller told AllHipHop.com. "He was an enterprising guy. I used to sit with him for hours on end about management."

Heller said Eazy wanted to have Knight killed early on, because he "always felt Suge was going to be a problem."

For the first time, Heller responds to accusations that he cheated Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, two former members of legendary rap group NWA, who went on to become superstars.

The pair left Ruthless Records in very public feuds with Eazy-E and Heller and released the legendary diss records "No Vaseline," "Dre Day."

Both accused Heller of mismanaging their careers, charges Heller vehemently denies in the final chapter of Ruthless titled "Real (bleep) Don't Die," which is dedicated to Eazy-E.

Ruthless is in stores now nationwide via Simon Spotlight Entertainment. For more information visit simonsays.com or www.myspace.com/jerryheller/

http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6085

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

The former NWA rapper turned actor, Ice Cube is so disgusted with the state of corporate hip-hop he is vowing to change the state of the game.

Tired of the repetitive rhymes about bling and sex Ice Cube said, "All we're hearing from America is booty music. If American rappers don't step up their game, then I will.”

"I'm going my own path to sway the tide. We've got to do whatever we can to put the music back in the hands of the people who love it. I'm planning on releasing three records in two years - each more politically charged.”

Ice Cube released his eighth solo LP Laugh Now Cry Later in June of 2006.

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167920.html

Lakerfan 4 Life · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 16169

Elton John is looking to build on his previous foray into the hip-hop world after being sampled by Eminem for last years 2pac track; "Ghetto Gospel". Now it seems he wants to create a whole album.

Already 50 Cent is putting in his bid for a collaboration. "Elton John has incredible talent," he said. "Actually he was meant to come out and record some stuff with me, but it didn't happen. Maybe in the future."

Meanwhile, the rapper has taken to calling himself the "George W. Bush of hip hop. Nobody likes me, but I'm still gonna run it for the next four years," he explains.

http://www.streethop.com/forum/article167939.html