Young King on Twitter
Young King on Myspace
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Free Tunechi: Lil Wayne Receives Probation On Drug Charges In Arizona
Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was spared time in an Arizona jail under a plea deal stemming from his January 2008 arrest at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in the state.
Under the deal, the27-year-old Grammy winner pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a dangerous drug. Three other drug and weapons charges were dismissed.
Wayne appeared in court via a video hookup from New York, where he has been jailed since March after pleading guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon.
James Tilson, Carter’s Arizona attorney, said he was pleased with the court’s action.
“We’re quite glad that we were able to wrap everything up,” Tilson told Reuters. “It’s a favorable plea agreement that will allow Mr. Carter to pursue his career.”
Carter will begin his Arizona probation following his New York sentence, Tilson said.
The rapper’s tour bus, carrying 11 others, was stopped and searched by Border Patrol authorities after they said they were alerted by a drug-sniffing dog. Agents found nearly four ounces of marijuana, an ounce of cocaine, 41 grams of Ecstasy and a .40-caliber pistol registered to Carter.
Kelly Rowland: ‘[Beyoncé] Was My Only Friend’
Kelly Rowland may be enjoying her independence as a solo artist, but there was a time when the R&B star had to lean on her fellow Destiny’s Child groupmate.
Despite constant rumors pitting them against one another, the “Grown Woman” says she and Beyoncé have remained friends. “We were always civilized,” she tells Entertainment Weekly. “That’s what I’m most proud of. From the rumors to the lawsuits to false accusations, it was really tough.”
Even when legal issues arose with former members LeToya and LaTavia, the two stayed close. “We were strong because we had each other,” she tells the magazine. “There were times when I couldn’t even be strong enough, so I had B. She was the only thing I knew. She was my only friend.”
As for the Destiny’s Child reunion that her former manager Mathew Knowles shut down, Kelly says she would be open to it “if the fans wanted it to happen.”
Rowland also admits in the article that her former label Columbia Records dropped her and it was not a mutual split as the press release stated. “In all honesty, they let me go. The records that I put out probably didn’t perform as well as maybe they wanted them to,” she reveals. “We live in an industry where you’ve got to bring in money. You can’t be pushing out so much money and not bring anything back. I get it.”
Kelly Rowland’s self-titled third solo album is due September 21 on Universal Motown, featuring the singles “Commander,” “Grown Woman,” and “Rose Colored Glasses.”
Ciara Announces Album Release Date
Ciara fans, mark your calendars. The R&B diva has finally set a release date for her fourth album Basic Instinct.
Ciara took to Twitter to make the August 24 date official. “BASIC INSTINCT ALBUM RELEASE DATE!!!! AUGUST 24!!” she wrote.
The first single “Ride” is currently No. 56 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the remix with André 3000 was released to iTunes this week. A follow-up single is due before the album’s release. “Get ready to dance off the freaking roof,” she told Rap-Up TV of the unnamed track.
The album, executive produced by Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, marks a return to her roots. “Now it’s time to go back, it’s time to throw on my sneakers, it’s time to just really get bossy for a couple of seconds,” said CiCi.
Game Discusses Delayed Black Wall Street Movement
West Coast rapper Game recently discussed stalling his Black Wall Street movement and explained why the label's first release won't be until next year.
Game believes the best strategy for his label is to make a strong underground impact first.
"I think about early 2011," Game said when asked about an official Black Wall Street imprint debut. "We just now starting to get these mixtapes rolling. We did one with DJ Skee, The Red Room, that was crazy, and online critics loved it. And then we about to put out another mixtape with [DJ] Drama then one more with Skee, and that'll cover the rest of the year. Then at the top of the year, we will be coming out with probably a compilation or before next summer, or something like that, depending on how everybody's work ethic is and how my touring is. We got the cover of Murder Dog this month, and you know I'm laying the foundation."
Game reportedly launched the Black Wall Street imprint following his 2005 departure from G-Unit.
After leaving G-Unit Records, Game launched The Black Wall Street in the hope of competing with his former label and label mates. The name "Black Wall Street" was inspired by the historic black community of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was one of the most affluent all-black communities in the USA.
Last April, Game talked about having female rapper Kanary Diamonds join DJ Skee and Nu Jerzey Devil on Black Wall Street.
"She been putting' it down for a while out here in L.A., she from Watts so I always liked her style and I always gave her advice over the years like she could be a little more confident, and a little more charismatic and feline' herself. She finally got it down so I pulled her in, and we did some stuff for the mixtape. Look for her soon, everybody diggin' her though. Just look out for her."
Game is currently working on his new album, R.E.D., which he plans to drop this August.
"Oh & by the way....... R.E.D. Album in stores August "Kobe's #" ha ha ha.... That's August 24th for anybody that don't speak LAKER fluently," Game revealed in an early June tweet.
"I pushed my album back so it would land on Kobe's #'s .... 8 & 24 n it's year 10' n that was his Olympic #. R.E.D. In stores 8-24-10 ! #KOBE."
Check out footage of Black Wall Street down below:
Rick Ross On Tweeting Fans, "The Few Motherf*ckas [I] Do Touch, They Gon' F*ck With The Boss"
Southern rapper Rick Ross has opened up about recently creating a Twitter account and revealed his interest in re-tweeting what other people are speaking about.
Ross claims that he uses Twitter to try and stay in contact with fans.
"People been trying to get me on Twitter for the last two years but I never really felt the need for it. I been getting so much love, people been embracing my sh*t, my music. The least I can do is try to stay in contact with my supporters even more so. That's where @RickyRozay came into play. I came up with the name. I been doing it for less than a month so motherf*ckas call up [Ed. Note: We think he means tweet up], make requests, do sh*t like that so it's love. I can't say I read everything but some shit I do retweet. Motherf*ckas say something that I might've thought before, 'Oh d*mn that makes sense,' retweet it. It's not really marketing. You can only do so much tweeting. I feel a lot of that sh*t be overrated. You only gon' retweet so many people and actually tweet [back to] so many people but for the few motherf*ckas you do touch they gon' f*ck with the Boss"
Last February, Diddy talked about maintaining over two million Twitter followers.
"Yeah, I mean, it's just a point in my life, being in the industry, I have nothing but good things to say to people," Diddy explained. "I have nothing but positive energy to give, I don't care if you like me, you don't like me. I love you and I'mma keep doing my thing. Hopefully you'll get it one day but I've been blessed to have a lot of fans and a lot of people love me and I just want my injection to be what I feel is great about people. I wanna inspire people -- I don't wanna bring them down. I don't wanna talk about no BS. I don't have no time for none of that. I wanna uplift us."
Kid Cudi previously explained why he deleted his popular Twitter page last year.
"I have an iPhone and I don't even utilize all of the applications on it," Cudi explained. "Just alone on an iPhone you can have multiple e-mails -- I have two e-mails -- text messaging, some people have AIM on there, MySpace, Facebook -- and I don't even have those things...With Twitter, my two e-mails, text messaging, and my phone ringing, that's just overwhelming. And you gotta think of it like this, what did they do before there were cell phones? Use a pay phone or write a letter. Or you catch 'em at the crib....I think I want to take it back to that. Sometimes it just shouldn't be that easy for you to get in contact with me."
Last year, Jim Jones spoke on how he used the social networking tool to promote his music.
"I released the song called 'Dancing On Me,'" Jones explained in an interview. "It's one of my new singles from this summer album that we're doing. We put it up on iTunes and for me to try to get a spike on it, I tweeted that the record was now on sale on iTunes. It started at the 100's and slowly but surely in a few days it started climbing in the 50's and 40's, you know? So appreciate everybody for going and buying that record off the help of the tweet."
Rick Ross' Twitter currently has over 68,000 followers.
Check out Diddy speaking on Twitter down below:
Scarface Defends Return From Retirement, "I'm Stepping Back In On My Terms"
Rap veteran Scarface has justified his reasons for making a rap comeback after previously announcing his retirement from hip-hop.
Scarface said he returned to music to make a run at the independent market.
"The thing was--and I say this all the time--I'm not trying to work for nobody. And if I have to work for somebody I don't want to be a part of it. I'm sorry, dude. The direction of where the music business is going the question is; Do I really want to continue to do it? Emeritus was supposed to be my last album, but things change...But as long as I'm stepping back in on my terms. I don't want to be put in a position where I have to make records for anybody other than me. I got my own situation with an indie distributor and I have a situation with a major distributor. Face Mob Music. I wanted to do an album that mirrored The Fix, that's why I named [my new project] The Habit. It's so dumb. I got a song that's probably going to change the face of music."
Last March, Face discussed putting out his free mixtape called Dope Man Music.
"I'm a free agent," he said in an interview. "I always wanted to drop a mixtape on my own. So I just said, 'Let's drop an independent mixtape.' I feel that I should be as an adult and musician and pioneer -- that's what they call me...I feel that I need to move on to another stage with the way I deliver my musicto the public. I got a lot of sh*t and I'm using about three percent of what I know about music. I'm not using it all. I'm music. I can play that sh*t long enough for a real musician to catch it and feel me, where I'm going, and we make magic like that."
Producer Mike Dean recently revealed his commitment to working on Face's upcoming album.
"I'm working on Scarface's album, mixing some pop/R&B stuff and sh*t like that. Working on a song with Drake right now, too," Dean revealed in an interview. "It's sounding good. We just scored a feature from John Legend on there. I hooked him up with John, making sh*t happen. I don't know what's up with the album or a release date or anything, we're just working on a few songs right now. For the last few albums, I haven't had much on his albums because we haven't been in the studio together. He'll do music somewhere else and bring it to me."
In late 2008, Face Mob said he was ready to hang up the microphone for good.
"Scarface is dead, yeah, he's dead," Face said in an interview. "The artist formerly known as Face is going to produce some sh*t on Slim's album but it won't be Face no more, Face is dead. I wanted to broaden my horizon in music, I grew up in a band, I play everything. As influential as I am in the music industry, it would be wrong to stay in the music and not bring it back."
Check out a past SOHH Scarface interview down below:
Jennifer Hudson Ends Silence On Family Murders [Video]
Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson has broken her silence on the 2008 murders of her mother, brother and nephew.
Featured on Vh1's "Behind the Music," Hudson opened up about losing her mother.
"It's all a blur, it was surreal. It was like I was outside myself," said Jennifer Hudson, recalling her reaction to the 2008 Chicago slayings of her mother, brother and nephew on Monday's episode of VH1's "Behind the Music." "[I was] inside one room with just family and friends coming in and out. I prayed when I'd get up in the morning and prayed before I laid down at night...I feel like I've lived about three or four different lives."
Hudson also reflected on her decision to take a break from films.
"I remember being asked to do a film around the same time and I was like, I have to get adjusted to who I am now," the Oscar-winning actress told "Behind the Music." "I can't be another character if I don't know who I am. Hudson said the birth of her son, David Daniel Otunga, Jr., last year has helped her pull through and made her feel "like the most special person on Earth. I want him to get the same love and the same upbringing my mother gave us."
Suspect William Balfour pleaded not guilty on murder charges last year.
The man accused of killing three members of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson's family has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and home invasion. William Balfour entered his plea at Cook County Criminal Court after nodding to members of his family gathered in the courtroom. Balfour is being held without bond. His attorney, Joshua Kutnick, says he plans to ask that Balfour be moved from a state prison to Cook County Jail to make it easier to consult with him.
Balfour is related to Hudson as an in-law.
Balfour is the estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson. He's charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of the sisters' mother, Darnell Donerson, their brother, Jason Hudson, and Julia Hudson's 7-year-old son, Julian King. Balfour is also facing home invasion charges and is being held without bond.
No further details have been revealed as of now.
Check out footage from the show down below:
Eminem's "Recovery" Becomes Biggest Sales Debut Since 2008 + Eminem On Trashing "Relapse 2" Album, "I Came To Life Again & Everything Was New"
Grammy-winning rapper Eminem's Recovery has scored the biggest sales debut since 2008 after selling 741,000 copies in a week.
According to reports, the record holder was rock band AC/DC.
Eminem's "Recovery" is going quite well. The rapper's CD sold 741,000 in its first week of release, making it the best debut of the year. The figures were released by Eminem's record label, Interscope, on Tuesday and confirmed by Nielsen SoundScan. It's actually the best album debut since October 2008, when AC/DC's "Black Ice" topped the charts with sales of 784,000.
Last week, Em's project was projected to sell as many as 750,000 copies.
Shady's back, all right. Eminem's sales continue to grow, and in our latest upward revision this morning, we're now calling the Recovery number 700-750k. That means the album isn't just a lock to top the first week of his previous release, Relapse, it's on track to be the biggest debut since AC/DC's Black Ice bowed with 784k back in 2008. With the weekend ahead, it's now just a question of how high it can go. Here are the seedings for next week's Top 15 * Eminem (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope) 700-750k Drake (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown) 150-160k
Recently, Em discussed not worrying about first-week sales.
"I don't think I've actually stopped to think about it," Eminem said referencing being named artist of the decade. "I never thought that my life would amount to this. But to be able to sit back and digest it is so strange to me, because I still feel so regular. I don't understand what people think the big deal is about me. It's a very strange relationship that I have with fame...Honestly, as long as people enjoy the music, that means the most to me. I could sell 80 million records in the first week, and if my peers or fans of real hip-hop didn't like it, it really wouldn't mean anything."
Em's manager, Paul Rosenberg, recently said the rap star is preparing to rebuild Shady Records.
"I think he's really focused on the creative side. He's never been someone who's set out to have a bunch of different companies out there, sort of playing the system. He's just not that kind of guy." The one project Eminem and Rosenberg are focused on is the rebuilding of their label, Shady Records. "What we mean by that is finding great new artists," Rosenberg says. "That's one of the things he is passionate about." Eminem has cited underground all-star group Slaughterhouse as his first planned signing, and he says more artists are on the table but not ready to be announced.
Check out Eminem speaking on his new album down below:
Kanye West Gives Nicki Minaj A "Good A** Job"
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West has reportedly snagged Nicki Minaj for a collaboration on his upcoming Good A** Job album.
Based on a first-hand account by BET VP of Music Programming Stephen Hill, West's new music is superb.
BET's Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Music Programming Stephen Hill was one of the lucky few invited to hear Mr. West's eagerly-anticipated new project. "He's got a track with Nicki Minaj that's so dope," he exclusively revealed to Rap-Up.com. "You won't believe it when you hear it." The executive has heard four cuts from the album, tentatively titled Good A** Job. "He comes back unapologetic and his performance [at the BET Awards] was stellar, absolutely stellar," he said. Hill described the direction as more reminiscent of the rapper's first three albums. "It's less like 808s & Heartbreak and more like Graduation."
G.O.O.D. Music's Big Sean recently revealed that West's new album will hit stores in September.
"September 14, 2010 My album Finally Famous x Kanye Westalbum Good A** Job x Kid Cudi album Man on the Moon pt 2 RT #GOODMUSIC," he wrote on Twitter over the weekend.
At last weekend's BET Awards, West performed his current hit, "Power."
West, decked out in all red and a bawdy necklace, took to the stage for "Power," the lead single from his forthcoming untitled album. The Chicago MC powered through the anthem alone o stage, with no band and no background singers. West opened the awards show and said no words prior to performing, nor any comment once he finished. The rapper was solemn and fired throughout the thumping track.
Recently, Ye's Def Jam labelmate Ne-Yo spoke with SOHH about the rapper's "return" to hip-hop.
"I feel like Kanye is one of the smartest dudes in the musicbusiness," Ne-Yo told SOHH. "And I say that to anybody. He caught a little bit of flack behind that Taylor Swift situation or whatever and so he moved away from it, let the fire die down and came back with something undeniable. That 'Power' record is ridiculous to me and he's back on his thing, he's talking sh*t and that's what Kanye do. It's one of those records that you hear one time and you're like, 'Yeah, Kanye's back.' I feel like the summer is about to be something crazy."
Lloyd Denies Telling Chris Brown To Cry During Michael Jackson Tribute
R&B singer Lloyd has addressed speculation and rumors that he told Chris Brown to intentionally cry during his Michael Jackson tribute BET Awards 10 performance last weekend.
Writing via his website, Lloyd shot down the gossip.
"I never told him to go on stage and cry. We spoke recently, and I told him as a friend that people hadn't really seen him be vulnerable about his situation last year. I thought he was holding back and needed to let that emotion out. [But] him crying at the BET Awards was real, I could feel it...I think he cried about a number of things. About the fact that he thought people would hate him forever because of one mistake. Feeling that love on stage was probably overwhelming. Plus [Jackson] being gone and him performing 'Man In The Mirror', that song is powerful, especially for his situation. It pushed him over the edge."
Websites earlier this week quoted Lloyd as suggesting Brown would do better if he cried during the set.
Speaking to US press, Southside star Lloyd said that before Chris' segment, Lloyd told the shamed R&B star: "man, you gotta get up there. You gotta cry, you gotta really show your heart to the world." Chris choked up when singing Man In The Mirror at Sunday's award show. After his performance, the star said: "I let you all down before. But I won't do it again. I promise you."
Brown's meltdown took place as "Man in the Mirror" began to play.
And while Todd Bridges showed up to give a shout-out to Gary Coleman ("I was even hearing [that phrase] in prison!") it was Brown who was tasked with the expected yet still-surprisingMichael Jackson tribute marking the first anniversary of the King of Pop's death. Brown even started out in silhouette, making us squint at first to see who was donning the trademark fedora. Brown did justice to Jackson's dance moves (as much as anyone could, that is) and his sweet timbre, but whether it was out of feeling for Jackson or introspection directed at his own past foibles, the tarnished 21-year-old choked up and never recovered when "Man in the Mirror" got going.
Writing via Twitter, artists like Fabolous said Brown gave a historic performance.
"Chris Brown jus single handledly bodied every MJ tribute to date. His dance swagger is almost exact to Michael's.. Almost..," he wrote late Sunday (June 27) night.
Check out Chris Brown's performance down below:
Drake Asks Fans To Pray For His Mom, "She Faces A True Challenge" + Admits He's A Studio Singer, "I Could Never Really Take Singing On The Road"
Young Money rapper Drake has publicly reached out to his fans and asked them to help pray for his mother.
Writing on his Twitter page, Drake told fans his mother would be going through a challenge today, June 30th.
"Back at my moms house...please include her in your prayers tonight as tmrw she faces a true challenge."
""Be what you are. That's the first step toward becoming better than you are." - Mama Graham"
In his Better Than Good Enough documentary, Drake speaks on his mother's health concerns.
Drake's mother Sandi Graham is sick, and she is his biggest fan. Drake has always had a close relationship with his mother and even took her as his date to the 2010 Grammys. Drake, born Aubrey Graham, revealed in his MTV documentary, Better Than Good Enough, that his mother suffers from a mystery illness, and he's afraid to lose her to the disease. Drake said he doesn't know what he would do without his biggest supporter. "My mom is sick. So that scares me a lot. She's been the most supportive person I've ever had in my life - the only person that loves me unconditionally, really. I know a lot of people love me and I love a lot of people. But to love somebody unconditionally is different."
Earlier this year, Drake talked about his mother supporting "Best I Ever Had."
"That song is a real honest song. It connected with a lot of women -- my moms likes it. For it to be Grammy-nominated is an honor, man. It's always good when the words in your music are something that you live by and you get to hear it every day on the radio and you're not ashamed of it. It's all moments I need to cherish and observe."
As of late, Drake has been busy putting in studio time.
I've been working all night," an exhausted Drizzy told "Extra" on Tuesday. "I've just been in the studio. I was actually in the studio with Chris Brown for a little bit. Then I was studio hopping, seeing where I can lend my hand since I've done mine."
Check out some recent footage of Drake's mother down below:
Young Money rapper Drake recently considered whether he could giving up rapping for a R&B singing career.
Although he takes pride in his singing ability, Drake believes rapping is his core talent.
"I could never really take singing on the road the way I can take rapping on the road. I can't get on stage and blow people away with my range and vocals. I'm a studio singer because I can convey emotion and I have unique melodies, so that's kind of what I pride myself on, but that's where it stops. I make music more for people to listen to rather than to hold me as an R&B artist. Not to wish that I couldn't sing better. If I could sing like Trey [Songz] then yeah, I'd definitely just want to be a singer. If I could do anything, trust me, I wish I could just sit at the piano and sing."
Last January, Drake talked about his ability to write R&B and hip-hop songs.
"With R&B, I know my sound. I know I make records to f*ck to," he explained in an interview. "The way Jay and Wayne write rap, I write R&B. I don't write lyrics down on paper. The other day, I was in the studio with Alicia Keys, and I wrote two songs just speaking to her. I wish I could write that way for rap. With my rap songs, there's so much of me I have to give that I don't know if I could ever just flow. The thing is, I'm a great rapper. There's two elements to rap: having the thoughts, and then being a great rapper. I can really rap the sh*t that I write. My tone, my inflection. When I listen to myself on records, I don't feel like I don't belong there. When I listen to 'Forever,' with three of my heroes, I fit right in."
Drake previously talked about working with R&B superstar Rihanna on her Rated R album.
"Rihanna has a great album," Drake said in an interview. "She's got great records that she's using, she's got great records that she's not even using that she has for a later date. I'm excited for her. She deserves everything that she gets...We did do some great work together and hopefully it'll find it's place on some project one day. The record we have is great. It's a special record, so for it not to make it, I know something had to click. It's all good. I think the project's gonna be great no matter what."
He is also clocking in studio time with R&B singer Chris Brown.
"I've been working all night," an exhausted Drizzy told "Extra" on Tuesday. "I've just been in the studio. I was actually in the studio with Chris Brown for a little bit. Then I was studio hopping, seeing where I can lend my hand since I've done mine."
Check out some recent Drake footage below:
AvaStacks Gets Rushed..... Again
Dis shit is funner then the first Time. & Yung Mazi Ur Still A Pussy
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The 6-Figure Price Tag on Kanye West’s BET Awards Jewelry
Kanye West made a big impression when he opened the BET Awards by performing “Power” atop a volcano. But Kanye’s presence wasn’t the only big thing on stage. The rapper’s enormous jewelry also caught the eye of viewers.
Jacob & Co. created a custom-made link chain and charm depicting Egyptian god Horus, as well as a four-finger pyramid ring, for Mr. West’s comeback performance. Both are made of 24k yellow gold.
According to Kanye’s blog, Horus is one of the oldest and most significant deities in the ancient Egyptian religion. Horus served many functions in the Egyptian pantheon, most notably being god of the sky, god of war, and god of protection.
Kanye’s monstrous chain and ring came with a larger-than-life price tag. Both items retail for a whopping $300,000, a spokesperson for Jacob & Co. tells Rap-Up.com. How’s that for the royal treatment?
Diddy Turns Nose Up At Rap Beefs, "That Sh*t Is Played Out"
Rap mogul Diddy has appeared to place an end to a brewing dispute with 50 Cent by calling rap beefs "played out."
Writing via Twitter, Puff referenced late rapper Notorious B.I.G.'s "Beef" record.
"That's how it is, my sh#t is laid out/F@ck that beef sh&t, that sh*t is played out" The Notorious B.I.G. feat. @iamdiddy ... Still so true," Diddy wrote Monday (June 28).
"There's nothing in the universe like the POWER OF LOVE! www.diddyblog.com Join the evolution and the solution! Rt to someone you love!!!"
Speculation of whether or not Diddy was subliminally dissing 50 Cent developed during a post BET Awards 10 broadcast Sunday night.
"I love my people, eh yo let's stop the hate man," Puff said during the BET Awards 10 afterparty. "Congratulate. Hate is for suckers and if you hating, you're a sucker and you're ashy and your breath stinks. And you know who I'm talking to you hatin' a** crab."
Recently, 50 said Diddy is not an authentic emcee because he uses ghostwriters.
"You know what's interesting, he's not an artist," 50 said in an interview with Nancy B. "An artist would be somebody that actually wrote something, maybe on the record or because we have R&B artists that don't actually write music, maybe it's unfair because of the pressures people put on me. Imagine if I just sat around and listened to people's CDs and say I'm just gonna say the first verse I hear that sounds good. That would completely take away the pressure and I would still be the artist in front of you with a new song every two minutes because every artist that has a song that would like to make some money off it would send it. It doesn't make you special. When you actually do what I thought was a part of hip-hop and made the culture exciting to me, which was each person's original experience and how you learn to enjoy them as an individual and their portion of their life. So when that's not there because they're being an executive, saying you don't write rhymes you write checks, that's not hot. For hip-hop, that's not hot. Maybe for another genre it'll work, R&B or something else because they're made, these people are all made and when companies decide they're gone, they're gone. Immediately, because they couldn't even figure out what to do without a team of people figuring it out for them."
Earlier this month, Diddy revealed plans to launch his new blog based on positive topics.
"The blog is an all 100 percent positive blog," Diddy said in a video. "It's about inspiring you, motivating you, empowering your dreams. It's not about any news about who's dating who, who's not doing good, who got exposed today, who's this, who's that, you can go to the other sites for that. It's about motivation and inspiration and love -- the love movement has begun. Even haters are allowed to come to DiddyBlog.com. It makes your teeth whiter. We want all of your advice, your constructive criticism, your positive notes because we want to make DiddyBlog the best it can be and we want you guys to give us the time to make it the best it can be. Can you imagine that I will not be selling CIROC on there? I will not be selling Sean John, I will not be talking about my movies or television shows. I can't believe I'm saying this but yeah, I'm saying it. No Diddy promotions. It's all about the love. I love you guys, DiddyBlog.com."
Check out Diddy's subliminal message to 50 Cent below:
Styles P & Solange Knowles Rate Drake, "He's Definitely In The Category Of The Flashy Fly Guys" + Drake Reveals Studio Session with Chris Brown
Rapper Styles P and singer Solange Knowles recently rated Drake's music skills and originality.
Styles believes the Young Money rapper is in a lane by himself.
"I like him. I think he's a skillful MC. His wordplay is nice, melodies nice. He's definitely in the category of the flashy fly guys. I find him to be skillful and it sounds like he's listened to MCs before. I hear Kanye West and Lil Wayne most in his flow, but I think he probably listened to Em, Jay, all kind of sh*t. He sounds like somebody who did his homework. With singing and rapping, he's definitely in a lane by himself, you know?"
Solange considered the artist's ability to convey strong tones and emotion in his voice.
"I honestly believe that his tone is really incredible and pure. It's not about vocal ability for me. It's really about tone and emotion and I think he has one of those really pure tones. I haven't heard him sing live, but it would definitely be interesting to hear him with the contrast of what I hear on his records. As a singer I know that it's extremely hard to double vocals and whatever he's doing to double his vocals, I don't know what the hell he's doing, but they sound identical to each other. Which is really, really, hard to do. When some people double you hear different takes, with him it just sounds like... I don't know what he's doing. Or maybe he's just that good [laughs]."
Grammy-winning rapper T.I. recently said Drake was paving his own lane.
"I think Drake is one of the coolest of the new kids, man," Tip said in an interview when asked about working with Drizzy in the studio. "I think he has an outstanding ability to do him without doing anything, anything else is doing, you know? I think he sets himself apart and as long as he's able to do that, he'll have his own lane in this thing that we called hip-hop."
Drake's long-awaited Thank Me Later debut topped the sales charts last week.
Young Money rapper Drake's Thank Me Later finally debuted on the charts this week landing at No. 1. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the rapper's long-awaited debut moved 447,300 units after seven days in stores.
Check out T.I. speaking on Drake down below:
Eminem Ends Silence On MTV "Hottest" List Snub, "I Just Felt Like Maybe I Need To Do Better"
Grammy-winning rapper Eminem has finally broken his silence on being snubbed for a slot on MTV's 2009 "Hottest In The Game" list.
Em said he took his absence as a sign he needed to work harder.
"That hottest MC list that I was left off, it was one of those things that I was glad that I am at where I'm at," Em said in an interview. "I'm glad I'm in this place now, because a few years ago I would've let it bother me more than it did. I took it not as a slap in the face but more so like, 'Maybe I'm not on that list for a reason. Maybe I'm not doing the things that I need to be doing. Maybe I need to look at myself and step it up.' I don't know what I would have thought being in the mind state that I was in. I just felt like maybe I need to do better."
Last fall, Rick Ross spoke with SOHH and defended MTV's decision to not include Em.
"I don't speak on nobody that ain't on the list," Ross jokingly said. "It's called 'Get Like Me' at this point, you feel me? At the end of the day, those are people's opinions and I respect MTV's opinions. I respect those brothers over there, you know what I'm saying because I've seen 'em in the streets. If it was some motherf*ckers I never seen at these venues watching the performances, watching what's going on, I may not be able to respect it but I see [panelists] Shaheem Reid, I see Buttahman, they visible to me. When I see 'em, it's [respect] and as far as the list goes, I'm honored to be mentioned. And it is what it is and to me, I feel like the only spot that counts on the list is number one. Second means you were the first to lose. So as far as Jay-Z being number one, I totally concur, that's one of my white words. I totally agree with that because Jay-Z done influenced so many of the artists on that list. Signing Rick Ross to Def Jam, signing Kanye West to Def Jam, influencing Lil Wayne, co-signing Drake and the list goes on, so most definitely you gotta tip your hat off to Jay-Z."
Despite landing the number one spot, Jay-Z previously wondered why Slim Shady was not listed.
"MTV, Thanx for this nod of appreciation," he wrote in a statement. "Although I don't strive to be 'hot' for any particular year, I thank you for the acknowledgment. My whole goal is to be recognized as the best ever. I created the term 'best rapper alive' as a sign of respect to my fallen comrades (Biggie and Tupac). I believe I've allowed a significant grace period, and I believe I would not be respecting myself if being the absolute best was not my goal, and that's why I continue to push myself until exhaustion ... salute. Sidebar: Kanye moment if I may ... Eminem?!?! I think you do the credibility of this list a disservice if you don't thoroughly explain his omission. As of this second he has the highest selling rap album of the year and a scene stealing verse on the best 'posse' cut of the year . (*Hands mic back to Taylor Swift ... and nobody was harmed, I apologize in advance.)"
MTV later issued a response to the public's reaction toward Em's absence.
Eminem's ranking was one of the most discussed topics at the Roundtable. His hotly anticipated return to hip-hop after a long absence drove first week sales of over 600,000 - the highest first-week of the year so far. He granted a handful of select interviews here and abroad, and was part of a massive moment with Sacha Baron Cohen at the MTV Movie Awards. But then Em retreated to the lab, where he spent the summer crafting Relapse 2. From June to September, Em all-but took himself out of the public eye, while other MCs generated week-to-week heat with mixtapes, guest appearances, performances and Web activity.
Check out a past Eminem interview below:
Joe Budden Reveals Secrets Behind Songwriting Methods
Slaughterhouse's Joe Budden has announced plans to release his own book and revealed the secrets behind his songwriting abilities.
Titled Enter the Mind of Joe Budden, the book is set to drop in August.
Pre-Order your AUTOGRAPHED copy of "Enter The Mind Of Joe Budden" the limited edition lyric book that gives fans a closer look at his personality and his songwriting methods. Handwritten lyrics of Joe's hit songs will make this a must have for any Joe Budden fan.
Details on the cost and estimated production have also been revealed.
The book, which is available for pre-order ahead of its August 10 release, will receive a limited pressing of 300 copies, each being sold for $30 and including an autograph from the emcee. The collection also features an introduction from MC, Senior Writer at The Source Magazine. Budden will celebrate his first book on the night of its release with a performance at the New York City venue S.O.B.'s, featuring an opening set from The Doppelgangaz.
Budden confirmed the reports via his Twitter page yesterday (June 28).
"I'm an author now ! RT @gracieprod: JOE BUDDEN RELEASES HIS FIRST BOOK...LIMITED AUTOGRAPHED SUPPLY...ORDER NOW!!! http://bit.ly/9qhfEx," he wrote Monday.
Eminem recently said Slaughterhouse's Shady Records deal was near completion.
"I'm probably gonna go through this album cycle with everything that I got to do with this and then when I get back home, probably jump back in the studio with [D12] and do some things with Slaughterhouse and just keep making music," Em said in an interview last week.
Check out some recent Joe Budden footage down below:
Scarface Reveals Plan To Take Down Hackers, "It's Stopping Motherf*ckers From Stealing Our Sh*t Online"
Rap veteran Scarface has announced plans to help put an end to illegal music downloads by becoming involved in anti-piracy website Music Rights Now.
Face Mob believes Internet hackers are hurting the music industry.
"I want to get everybody involved in this [web link] that I received from Jim Urie, the [President and CEO] of Universal [Music Group]. The site is Music Rights Now. It's stopping muthaf*ckas from stealing our sh*t online," Face revealed in an interview. "If you put a song out that you want to be downloaded, then that's all fine and dandy. But if you put out a song that you need to recoup your money on--it's value in our music, so it should be sold. You can't walk into Wal-Mart and just walk out with a TV-- you can't just download a TV. So don't go and download the Jadakiss album without paying for it. It cost money to make that album, dude. It's the people that work at the pressing plant. Let's call 'em interns or low entry level people that work at these spots that make $20,000-$30,000. They just get a brand new Kanye West album and leak it, people paying money for this. Somebody getting some money on this--believe you me when I say that."
Music Rights Now is made up of various individuals aiming to put an end to illegal leaks.
"Music rights now" is a community of individuals who believe music has value and is worthy of protection from online theft. We are songwriters, artists, musicians, recording studio engineers, managers, retailers, record company employees, publishers, performing rights organization employees, music producers, truck drivers, lawyers, stylists, music video directors, laborers, photographers, graphic designers, DJs, radio employees, music fans -- and countless others- who have joined together to fight for the survival of artistry and the music industry. We will voice our concern to Congress, the Administration, state legislatures and city halls seeking meaningful actions to protect music from online theft. We will also raise our voice in the media - as well as with those who are all too ready to sacrifice the value of our property and the work it takes to bring it to music fans around the globe. Jobs, creativity and our culture are at stake.
Recently, Dr. Dre issued a statement when his unfinished "Under Pressure" Jay-Z collaboration leaked.
An unfinished version of "Under Pressure," Dre's collaboration with Jay-Z, made its way online Tuesday, June 16. Dre released a short statement on his official website in response to the song's early appearance. "I want to set the record straight for everybody who's been waiting to hear my music," wrote the super-producer. "The song that's on the Internet is an incomplete song that I'm still working on. When it's ready, you'll be hearing it from me."
He later explained the difficulty with today's technology and keeping people from stealing music.
"[The leaked 'Under Pressure' was] absolutely not [real.] I didn't get a chance to finish the record, the vocals are real rough, it's not blended right and there's not even a hook on the song. It's not done, the music's not done, it's just one of those things we have to deal with today in this business because of technology and all of that. It's real easy for somebody to steal your sh*t so what can you do?"
Check out Dr. Dre speaking on his leaked music below:
Game & Drake's "R.E.D." Studio Session Photo Spreads Online
A photo of Game and Drake's recent R.E.D. Album studio session has leaked online and shows the rap duo alongside Queen Latifah and producers Cool & Dre.
According to a press release, Drake and Game's collaboration is titled "Good Girl, Bad Girl."
Cool & Dre were busy in the studio with The Game Wednesday, June 23rd recording a hot new track titled "Good Girl, Bad GirL" at Encore Studios in Burbank, California last week. Cool & Dre have 3 songs on the album titled "THE R.E.D. album." The single will feature a verse by hip-hop recording star Drake. Queen Latifah stopped by to hang with the superstars while they were recorded.
Writing via Twitter last Friday (June 25), Game revealed that their Cool & Dre-produced track would be the second song on his upcoming album.
"In the studio wit the lil homie @drakkardnoir & @coolanddre n all I can say is R.E.D. album........ Track #2," he wrote.
Despite initial plans to drop R.E.D. on August 24th, a lawsuit against Interscope Records is trying to keep the project off shelves.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the suit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that Universal Music Group broke a previous agreement with Desperado Entertainment and has been collecting publishing and royalties from the West Coast rapper's sales, when they were only entitled to advances from record sales. The company claims that it had a large hand in turning the Compton-native into the platinum selling artist that he is today, and wants to be properly compensated. Desperado Entertainment states that it is owed royalties from the sales of previous Game albums. He has sold over five million records in his career. In addition, the law suit seeks to prevent the release of Game's upcoming The R.E.D. Album.
Last April, Game revealed that Drake's labelmate Nicki Minaj could not make the album.
"No [she's not on the album]. She was supposed to be and then we didn't make it happen fast enough and then the song got leaked though and it was a wrap. She's the most potent, new female hip-hop artist and we got one on this [West] side called Canary, she's dope and on the mixtape so be on the look-out for her...[Ashanti] can sing her a** off. Anything she sings sounds like radio material, so that's crazy."
Check out a recent Game interview down below:
Swizz Beatz' $2.2 Million Tax Debt Records Leak
Rap producer Swizz Beatz is reportedly in the red and owes New York state over $2.2 million in taxes.
Details on what is owed leaked online Tuesday, June 29th.
The IRS filed a $652,727 lien against Swizz Beatz, real name Kasseem Dean, on June 3 with the Rockland County (N.Y.) Clerk. According to the lien, which you can see here, he owes income taxes from 2008. The state of New York filed a $162,300 tax warrant against Dean and his ex-wife Feb. 4, 2009, with the New York County Clerk. The IRS filed a $556,986 lien against Dean and his ex-wife on Aug. 18, 2008, in Rockland County. They owe 2007 income taxes, according to this public record. The IRS filed an $842,645 lien against Dean and his ex-wife March 4, 2008, with the Somerset County (N.J.) Clerk. According to this lien, they owe income taxes from 2006.
Last month, the producer reportedly paid over $330,000 to his ex-wife Mashonda in a child support lawsuit.
Beatz was accused of falling behind on his alimony and child support responsibilities for the former couple's three-year-old son,Kasseem Jr. The producer was due to appear before a judge in New York's Manhattan Supreme Court in June (10) to answer the allegations, but Mashonda's lawyer, Bernard Clair, has confirmed Beatz has paid up the $334,000 debt and the court date has now been cancelled. Beatz separated from Mashonda in 2008 after four years of marriage.
He has also been very active within his community by adopting a South Bronx, New York school.
Swizzy appeared on "106 & Park" yesterday with Diddy and Dirty Money to speak on his contributions. "I just came from the Bronx Charter School For the Arts," he said. "I'm in the middle of sponsoring them, funding them, helping to rebuild them. Shout out to them, they got an art auction coming up." The public elementary school is located in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the South Bronx.
Beatz is currently set to marry Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys.
Alicia Keys is in a motherhood state of mind: She's pregnant with her first child. The Grammy Award-winning R&B singer has been dating producer Swizz Beatz, who has written hits for Beyonce (bee-AHN'-say), Jay-Z and others. They're engaged to be married at a private ceremony later this year. Representatives for the couple confirmed the news Thursday night.
No further details have been revealed as of now.
Check out past footage of Swizz Beatz & Alicia Keys down below:
Soulja Boy Tell Em Addresses Twitter Disappearance
Teen rapper Soulja Boy Tell Em has explained why his Twitter page disappeared over the weekend and denied reports that he deleted it.
The rapper claims he changed his account and had it verified to show his page's authenticity.
Soulja Boy is not completely missing from Twitter. The rapper who invited questions when he deleted his @SouljaBoyTellEm account over the weekend, has announced that he did not try to quit the microblogging site but rather changed the user name and had it verified. "Shoutout to all the media sites that posted I deleted my twitter becuz of a dumb a** trending topic lol basic asses thanks for the promo," Soulja said in one of his new tweets. He was referring to the trending topic of #ifSouljaBoysARapper which led to such posts as "then Windows 7 was really my idea" and "Stephen Hawking is a triathlete."
Reports of the page's deletion made headlines last weekend.
Well, it seems if nothing else, Rapper Soulja Boy and pop star Miley Cyrus have one thing in common : they've both deleted their Twitter accounts. Miley deleted her Twitter account a few months ago and as of tonight apparently Soulja Boy will no longer be tweeting either. He's decide to say See ya later to Twitter and instead he'll use social media sites such as Myspace to his full advantage. It's not clear why the "Turn my swag on" rapper decided to close his Twitter account, but I'm sure there is a valid reason which will reveal itself in the days to come.
Additional reports suggested he was a victim of negative tweets.
Although the rapper has yet-to-reveal his reasoning for deleting his Twitter account, the website was abuzz with the news, as the rapper quickly became a trending topic. The rapper caught a lot of negative feedback from people on Twitter using the hash tag #ifsouljaboysarapper. The move could also cost Soulja Boy thousands of dollars in lost revenue. Soulja Boy and Kim Kardashian were the highest paid celebrity tweeters, earning up to $10,000 per-tweet.
Last December, Soulja Boy promised he would never delete his page.
"I was thinking about that last night man," Soulja Boy told radio personality Tim Westwood. "I just think, I don't know man, you see Miley Cyrus deleted hers and then when he did it I was just thinking like 'Who's gonna be next to delete their Twitter?' I don't never say never because you never know, one day I might just wake-up and be like I don't wanna be on Twitter no more but right now, nah, I don't think I'd ever delete my Twitter. I work hard for them followers, the 1.9 milli's baby. They gonna be disappointed in me man."
Check out a recent Soulja Boy Tell Em interview down below:
Jay-Z & Beyonce Listed On "World's Most Powerful" Celebrities Top 100
Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce Knowles have both earned spots on Forbes' list of the World's Most Powerful Celebrities.
The married couple earned individual positions within Top 20 showing their earned income over the past year.
1. Oprah Winfrey, $315 million. TV Rank 1, Press Rank 5, Web Rank 5, Social Rank 11. 2. Beyonce Knowles, $87 million, TV Rank 9, Press Rank 13, Web Rank 2, Social Rank 15 ... 14. Kobe Bryant, $48 million, TV Rank 22, Press Rank 16, Web Rank 21, Social Rank 22. 15. Jay-Z, $63 million, TV Rank 45, Press Rank 29, Web Rank 23, Social Rank 26.
In January, they earned the right to be called the highest-earning couple in Hollywood.
Music duo Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles earned $122 million between June 2008 and June 2009, landing them atop the publication's annual Top-Earning Couples list in Hollywood for the second year in a row. The couple married quietly in 2008 and are responsible for everything from music ("Single Ladies" and "Empire State of Mind") to clothing lines, worldwide tours, and product endorsements (like American Express and Budweiser).
This also marked their second straight year of earning the top spot.
Last year, Beyonce out-earned Jay-Z - bringing in $87m (£53.6m) to his $35m (£21.6m) - helped by chart hits like Singles Ladies and starring in film Obsessed. The couple also topped last year's list with earnings of $162m (£99.8m).
Jay's marriage to Beyonce in 2008 has been met with praise and ridicule in the hip-hop community.
"There's not another artist in New York City that generates more interest than 50 Cent," 50 said in an interview. "If we go international, Jay-Z is Beyonce's husband. He became more popular and relevant based on the work that Matthew [Knowles] made Beyonce do."
Check out Jay-Z speaking on Beyonce down below:
Beanie Sigel Prepping Rap Comeback, Says Sha Money XL [Video]
Def Jam VP of A&R Sha Money XL has revealed that he has kept in contact with Beanie Sigel and is trying to get him ready to put out a new album.
Aside from speaking on his current Def Jam artists, Sha revealed his admiration for Beanie.
"Redman's getting ready to deliver. Method Man's getting ready to get started. Beanie Sigel, I had a conversation with him," Sha revealed in an interview. "Hopefully he'll get back over here. He's here, but, just really getting in the mind frame like he's getting ready to put an album out, getting right because he's the sh*t."
Recently, Sigel spoke on his issues with Jay-Z and issued a threat to Drake.
"Only thing I regret about that Roc-A-Fella sh*t was going at my n*gga Kiss," Beans said in an interview referencing his 2001 beef with Jadakiss. "I did that sh*t for you n*gga 'cause you were scared. You knew Kiss would have bit that a**. I should pull off my belt and whip that a**. You better watch who you worship, man...I know all that f*ggot sh*t you poppin' and the little slurs on Drake and them's records and I'ma tell y'all little motherf*ckers something, y'all keep letting that n*gga get on records and pop sh*t. I'ma start coming at cha'll little n*ggas. I'll smack the sh*t outta Drake b*tch a**. All y'all n*ggas, f*ck all y'all. This is Broad Street Bully, B. Sig, I have no problem seeing anybody on site."
He is expected to appear on Game's upcoming R.E.D. Album.
Pharrell Williams isn't the only mixmaster contributing beats to "R.E.D." Cool and Dre, DJ Khalil and Dr. Dre all lend their production efforts, while Beanie Sigel, Rick Ross, Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke make guest appearances. Songs on the album include "It Must Be Me," which finds Game bragging about the luxuries of his life over an "N.W.A. mixed with an eclectic beat" and "Lost," which "describes the relationship between my father and I and my sister in depth like I've never done before."
Earlier this year, Sha Money XL spoke with SOHH about working on Juelz Santana's new album, Born To Lose, Built To Win.
"He's touring and getting money," Sha told SOHH. "He's getting his money so he's comfortable, he's just creating the right music because he's that next n*gga man. So he's coming with it. It's coming this year, we gonna drop this mixtape, The Reagan Era, he's shooting some crazy videos -- they on it right now, heavy, and I support them because he's that next n*gga. I've contributed from records all the way down, man. He gets everything man, from the music to the marketing to the big picture, man. We gotta create stars, I don't just leave them at the A&R Depot saying, 'I'm done.' I take it all the way there. It starts with the music and you know that's what I do. That's just one of the things that I'm great at, is the music."
Check out Sha Money XL's interview down below:
Nicki Minaj Denies Lip-Syncing At BET Awards, "You Could Hear Me In The Auditorium"
Young Money's Nicki Minaj has denied lip-syncing her BET Awards 10 performances on Sunday (June 27).
Writing on her Twitter page, Minaj said there were sound issues.
"U could hear me in the auditorium but apparently not in TV land. Shout out to the sound guy. They say it'll b fixed wen it re-airs. :/," she wrote Monday (June 28).
Speculation on her lip-syncing developed shortly after her performances via multiple blogs.
I know the Nicki Minaj fans were happy last night because the rapper came out in at least 4 different looks and 3 different wigs!! She performed too many times to count and was her normal animated self when she went on stage to accept her "Best Female Rapper" award. ps. Inquiring minds want to know why Nicki was lip-syncing during all of her performances. She is a rapper so I don't get it!!
Aside from her sets, Nicki received recognition for her work within hip-hop during the ceremony.
Additionally, she came onto the stage that night to collect two trophies, including Best Female Hip-Hop Artist which she dedicated to Lil Wayne for believing in her and "all the female rappers that paved the way" for her. Young Money, the star-studded group which list her as one of the members, were also honored with Best Group.
Following the event, incarcerated rapper Lil Wayne blogged about seeing his Young Money team recognized.
"I hope everyone's summer has been going well doing whatever it is you like to do. On my end, I'm alive, breathing and blessed. You already know how I'm passing the time - reading and working out. I know I say it every letter, but thank you from the bottom of my heart for the pictures, rocking free weezy tees, and continuos letters. They mean the world. I promise to continue to update as much as I can and answer as many questions as I can from you guys. Shout out to my YM family for making me proud last night. Love and appreciate life. God bless."
Check out Nicki Minaj at the BET Awards 10 down below:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)