[video] THE RAPPIN’ GRANNY

Somebody get Def Jam on the line.

Source:

TMZ: Nas owes the IRS $2 Million

Another day, another person goes down to the IRS.

Kelis isn’t the only person trying to get money from Nas — turns out Uncle Sam is too!

TMZ has obtained a federal tax lien filed last month against Nas for a whopping $2,584,206.31. Looks like Nas didn’t pay his taxes

in 2006 and 2007.

Nas is currently involved in a bitter divorce battle with Kelis. Looks like she’ll have to wait in line.

Eminem Performs Rock The Bells (VH1 Hip Hop Honors)

Just plain dope.

more about “Eminem Performs Rock The Bells (VH1 H…“, posted with vodpod

[video] E3 2009: Def Jam Rapstar First Look

After the bombardment of DJ Hero and Scratch the Ultimate DJ on the market comes the first Hip Hop karaoke game, Def Jam Rapstar where you can not only assume the character on the mic, but you can get your virtual rap star on and brand yourself. Hey, another cool way for outsiders to openly say n*gger without getting socked in the mouth, you gotta love Def Jam for their diversity though..lol!!

VH1 Hip Hop Honors To Focus Entirely On Def Jam

via HipHopDX

VH1 has decided to have the entire focus of this year’s Hip Hop Honors show to focus on the legendary Hip Hop label, Def Jam.

The show, which takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 9:00 PM, will commemorate the storied label’s 25 years in the industry, including segments on founders Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons.

Also a part of the event, as is now customary, many Hip Hop stars will show to perform some of the label’s biggest hits, both past and present.

In its sixth year, the annual event will be hosted by comedian Tracy Morgan for the third time in a row. It will take place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, NY.

Last year’s honorees included Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, Slick Rick and Too $hort.

Jay-Z Buys Out Contract, Leaves Def Jam

via MTV

Now maybe we can get that Blueprint 3 album. Jay-Z has officially parted ways with his home for more than a decade, Def Jam. On Thursday morning (May 21), Hits Daily Double reported in its Rumor Mill section that Hov — who owed Def Jam one last album — bought himself out of his contract for $5 million.

On Thursday afternoon, Jay contacted RapRadar.com and confirmed his departure.

“I can honestly say, working with Doug Morris and L.A. Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience, and I respect them immensely,” Hov told the Web site. “I’ve been in the family for almost my entire career. Doug and I spoke directly and had one of the most unique ‘negotiations’ ever.”

Jay said that negotiation included a coin toss. “Doug won the toss, but we both won in the end,” Jay said. “I thank him for allowing me to be a completely independent artist. Not every artist can say they own or are given the opportunity to own all of their music.”

Def Jam x adidas Originals 25th Anniversary Collection

via HypeBeast

With legendary record label Def Jam celebrating the quarter century mark later this year, adidas Originals are teaming up with the New York based label who has housed many of hip-hop’s finest acts to create a pretty strong collection of footwear and apparel. The in-line releases feature the obvious in the Superstar alongside familiar basketball highlights like the Forum Mid. However some other styles are also thrown into the mix like our favorite the Nizza as well as the Samba. Going further in-depth are artist collabos with Redman, Method Man, Young Jeezy and Ghostface Killah. The collection is slated for a 09-10 fall/winter release.

 

adidas x Def Jam x Ghostface Killah

adidas x Def Jam x Ghostface Killah

[video] Kanye- TWO WORDS

I remember being at Kanye’s first album listening session when this video was premiered. Mind you, this was before the car accident which spawned “Through The Wire” so this was the very first visual the media got of ‘Ye. Shout out to Coodie & Chike who shot this joint that never got the light of day. Epic Fail for DEF JAM.

[video] Rick Ross- ALL I REALLY WANT

 Now, first off I’m all for artistic expression, whatever it takes to get your idea out I’m all for it but I am still at a lost as to what this song had to do with Columbia.  I am still looking for the “twelves” that Ross was talking about. For this look he could’ve stayed in Miami or really got gangsta and went to Brazil, atleast the chics out there got a lil’ tint on their skinnnn. The highlight of this clip is that we’re constantly reminded of what a good job Groovey Lou does with styling overweight rappers. Kudos.  

[video] Rick Ross- Behind-The-Scene’s of “All I Really Want”

More BTS footage has leaked from Ricky Ross’ video shoot for his next clip, “All I Really Want” courtesy of the homie Big Teach. Apparently, BET will be airing the Access Granted for this in the next few days so here goes!  Also shout out to the homie Groovey Lou on set. Honestly, we waiting on that “Maybach Music 2″ video, that’s the bonus right there!!!

BAWSE! Rick Ross Captures #1 Spot, Asher in Distant Second

via XXLMag

The numbers are finally in and it seems as if HitsDailyDouble.com’s projections were pretty much on par. Miami Boss Rick Ross grabbed the top spot in his debut week, hustling up over 157,540 copies of his third Def Jam release Deeper Than Rap, while suburban newcomer Asher Roth sold 65,380 discs of his breakthrough album Asleep in the Bread Aisle, according to Nielsen’s SoundScan. [View XXL Projections Here]

Ricky Ross didn’t surprise anyone by landing at the top slot on the Billboard 200, his third consecutive no. 1 album since his debut LP, 2006’s Port Of Miami. While Deeper Than Rap didn’t sell as much as his predecessors, Ross made sure to stay in the public eye leading up to its release by sparking a beef with 50 Cent. Fueled by his lead single, “Magnificent” with John Legend, DTR features cameos from a who’s who list of collaborators including Lil Wayne, Kanye West, T-Pain, Nas, Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke and Foxy Brown, among others.

At no. 5 is PA native Asher Roth. The latest great white hope fell about 5k units short of the projections, yet still scored a pretty impressive first week sales figure considering he is a new act. Not to mention the fact that as XXLMag.com reported last week, the label under shipped Asleep in the Bread Aisle to stores.

Holding on to the Top 10 in his third week is Yonkers MC Jadakiss with his Def Jam debut The Last Kiss. Jada managed to sell 30,400 copies of the disc this week, bringing his total to 210,120.

[video] Fabolous- IT’S MY TIME + THROW IT IN THE BAG (Trailer)

The homie Fab is reloading for his inevitable return to the game with two trailers for his next two lead singles.  Will Loso have his way this time around?

[video] Rick Ross “All I Really Want” feat. The-Dream Sneak Peek (ROUGH VIDEO)!

courtesy of RapRadar

Method Man and Redman are hip hop’s chameleons

 

via NY Daily News

On a hazy soundstage in Midtown, Method Man and Redman, clad in matching powder blue tuxedos, sway in unison in front of a horde of girls as they croon into 50′s-style microphones.

Not the kind of music video shoot you’d expect from the hip-hoppers who put rap on the map in the 90′s, but for their latest album, “Blackout 2,” the titans of the game are changing the face of it yet again.

For their new single, “Mrs. International,” the duo wanted a fresh look and feel.

“Honestly, I just want this [album] to be heard. That’s all. If you listen to the song that we’re doing for the video right now, it’s like ‘Is this a Redman and Method Man song?’ It doesn’t seem like we would ever make a song like this,” Method Man said during a break from shooting.

“We’re maturing. We evolved and learned a lot more from when we dropped the first album. And the s— we did in the ‘90′s we can’t do now,” Redman said, changing into a Rick James outfit for the next scene. The album, out on Def Jam on May 19th, is an “intertwining of old school and new school,” Redman explains.

“I think our era was one of the best eras in hip hop because it really closed the gap between old school and the new school,” he continued. “So with this album, we wanted a bit of that old flair and mixed it in with new, fresh sounds.”

The result is a surprisingly pleasant melodic mix of catchy lyrics, head-bopping beats, and hooks that you keep repeating long after hearing them. But just because the sound is new doesn’t mean the stars have changed their infamous personas.

[video] L.A. Reid on Charlie Rose

I meant to throw this up yesterday but lost focus…know I like the man affectionately known as “L.A.” but I don’t dig how the victors get to rewrite history. It’s obvious Dame ruffled a few weather, especially over at Def Jam but for the execs to be attributing the success of Kanye West to Jay-Z when the people who were there know damn well it was Dash who was riding with the “Gay Fish” is an insult to history. He offers up some keen perspective on some other topics, so this clip is worth viewing to see how and why the game is in the state that it is…blame it on the musicmen!

[video] Rick Ross Visits the Colombian House Where Pablo Escobar got Killed

Ricky Ross has taken his “Boss” campaign to another notch by venturing South of the border for his next video, “All I Want” featuring The Dream.

While in South America, the Mayor of Miami took a trip to the spot in Medellin where Pablo Escobar got rubbed out. Now, the audio isn’t the greatest but listen close and you can hear Ross transform into an expert on all-thing “Escobar.”

Rick Ross & Avery Storm in Medellin, Colombia

Gunplay, Torch, Rick Ross, Avery Storm & Big Teach

Shout out to Big Teach and Avery Storm for this one.

[video] RUN DMC- Rock Box

This is what set it off for me and as they say..the rest was history!!

With all the attempts rappers have made to integrate rock into their thing none of them came off as seamless as this.  Imitated but never duplicated. R.I.P. JMJ and shout out to Hott Trackz and Video Music Box for keeping my visuals FRESH in my early years. Hip Hop saved my life. 

[video] Deeper Than Rap Trailer

Here goes the trailer to the upcoming mini shot by Rik Cordero for Ricky Ross’ third installment “Deeper Than Rap”

TAG Records in Financial Trouble

 

via Woooha

Jermaine Dupri x TAG Records. When Jermaine Dupri was booted from his job at Def Jam earlier this year, there were rumors that Dupri’s deal with TAG Records was in jeopardy as well. Fortunately for Dupri, the Def Jam and TAG Body Spray collaboration was arranged as a separate deal and Dupri kept his job as President of TAG Records…for the time being.

The bottom line though is TAG Records is not doing so hot. Rumored reports are coming in from Proctor & Gamble (TAG Body spray owners) that due to a combination of the economic downturn and the lack of buzz surrounding TAG Record’s initial artist Q Da Kid, P&G budgets will tighten up in future media buys and promotions with TAG Records. Rumor also has it that Def Jam has plans to phase out Dupri’s involvement with TAG Records as well. In a January interview with Essence, Dupri stated the following about his future relationship with TAG and Def Jam:

I don’t know what’s going to happen and that’s the saddest part in dealing with these situations. They try to keep the group to hurt the person who brought these artists to them. The truth is, I can always find another artist but the artist can not find another me. I have to be in a forward motion. One of my biggest focuses is that if you want to do new things you can’t do old things. I can’t be around people that don’t motivate and that’s what happened: a slow motion of people living off checks with no excitement. I’m into excitement.

Rick Ross’ DVD Screen Shots

Irregardless of the direction Ross’ project is taking, one thing I must say is he got some of the toughest graphics in the game.  Make sure you check Ricky’s Myspace out!

source: RapRadar

OFFICER RICKY FINALLY COMES OUT: Rick Ross Fesses Up In May XXL Cover Story, “Yes, It Was Me In Those Pictures”

via Thisis50

With his third solo album, Deeper Than Rap, slated for an April 21st release, Rick Ross is gracing the cover of XXL magazine’s upcoming May issue.

On Denying Being A Correctional Officer

“Me not answering or addressing that situation has nothing to do with my career. I’ve accomplished enough, and I’ve made enough money for me to be good… Yes, it was me in those pictures. But I’ma tell you this. Me taking that job, I was doing my job. You understand what I mean?”

WOULDN’T IT HAVE BEEN EASIER TO ADMIT THIS IN THE BEGINNING??

The Dream (Feat. Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross & Ludacris) – Rockin That Thang Remix

more about "The Dream (Feat. Fabolous, Juelz Sant…", posted with vodpod

[video] JADAKISS- Can’t Stop Me

[video] Young Jeezy- CIRCULATE

Let the mothaf*ckin’ dollas circulate!

DJ Khaled Officially Named Prez Of Def Jam South, Stays Out Of Rick Ross/50 Cent Beef

via XXL

Rumors began swirling around over the last few months that Miami radio personality DJ Khaled was appointed president of Def Jam South, but until now those claims were never confirmed. According to MTV the gossip is true.

He was like, ‘We should bring Khaled on board. He makes hits, he has relationships.’ I got a team of producers and we go in hard. My job is to bring hits to the table and work with new artists and work with established artists. I’m bringing new energy to the game and to the building.” [Watch Below] Under the new position Khaled – who also produces under the alias Beat Novacaine -will be responsible for records by Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Ace Hood and of course Rick Ross.

The Boss’ forthcoming album, Deeper Than Rap, will be the first release under Khaled’s watch. He also A&R’d the project. While Ross is currently involved in a heated battle with rival 50 Cent, Khaled opts to stay out of the back and forth. “I don’t deal with negative energy, it’s a waste of my time and my time is valuable,” he said. “I keep negative away and stay positive.”

“At Def Jam, we promote music,” he added. “We promote hit records. That’s what I respect. I’m always going to represent the music; Rick Ross is gonna represent the music. If controversy comes with it, it comes with it. And boy, ‘Magnificent’ — Rick Ross featuring John Legend, that’s Ricky Ross’ first single — it’s a monster. It’s gonna be on and poppin’.”

Deeper Than Rap hits stores on March 24. The album will feature appearances by Nas, Mary J. Blige and Lil Wayne.

Christopher Hicks: Def Jam’s New Executive Vice President

via Prohiphop

Christopher Hicks has been appointed the new Executive Vice President at Def Jam.  The appointment was:

“announced today by Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. In his new position, Mr. Hicks will assume overall responsibility for the acquisition and development of new talent, overseeing producers and guiding the creative vision and brand recognition of the legendary Def Jam label as it celebrates its 25th year anniversary in 2009. Mr. Hicks will report directly to Mr. Reid, and to Steve Bartels, President & COO, Island Def Jam Music Group, on operational matters. Mr. Hicks will be based in Atlanta and New York…”

[video] Q Da Kid – Letter To Shakir

[video] JAY-Z- HISTORY Inauguration Performance [FULL]

We are less than a week removed from witnessing what can be arguably considered one of the most miraculous events in our lifetime so we will be spending weeks putting that historic moment in perspective. Being the cup of HISTORY overflowed that impactful weekend of the Inauguration we will still be catching up and posting footage that was memorial. I was overlooking this all week because the links wouldn’t work but once I got to peep it, I’m see JAY KILLED THIS SH*T! I really can identify where the future of music is heading if inspirational anthems and empowering themes become the sound of this new day and age.  And just to think I didn’t care too much for “History” the first time I heard it…. 

[audio] RICK ROSS- MAFIA MUSIC

MAFIA MUSIC- RICK ROSS

CLICK [HERE] for AUDIO

The Big BOSSALINI is reloading and aiming at the game to reposition himself on top.  Can Ross pull off the biggest comeback of all time? Well here is the first single off of “Deeper Than Rap“

source: eskay

[audio] MY PRESIDENT IS BLACK RMX- Young Jeezy feat Jay-Z & Nas

MY PRESIDENT IS BLACK REMIX- Jay-Z, Young Jeezy and Nas

CLICK [HERE] for AUDIO

It’s official…

Def Jam Names Replacement for Shakir Stewart

 

via MTV

Chris Hicks, a former executive at Atlantic Records and Warner Chappell Music, has been named executive vice president at Def Jam Records, a source has confirmed to MTV News.

The appointment was first reported Thursday morning (January 15) by the New York Daily News.

Hicks will be replacing his friend, the late Shakir Stewart, who himself was appointed to the top spot at Def Jam only in June of last year. Stewart, however, shocked the music industry by committing suicide this past November. The post has been vacant ever since.

Def Jam Records is home to some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Among those signed to the storied rap label — founded by Rick Rubin and nurtured by Russell Simmons — are Kanye West, Young Jeezy and Nas. In the past, the label has been home to headlining acts such as DMX, EPMD, Ja Rule and LL Cool J (currently a free agent).

Raw Video: Rapper DMX Reaches a Plea Deal

Here is the video to the earlier post about the latest with DMX and his legal cases.

Rick Rubin To Be Removed From Sony?

Music guys just hate going to the office.

via Hiphopdx

Reports speculate that Sony Music will be removing Rick Rubin as co-head of Columbia Records. The legendary producer, who founded Def Jam, took the post in 2007.

Fox News’ Roger Friedman reports that Sony executives are unhappy with several of Rubin’s moves, such as producing a hit album for another labels, such as Metallica‘s Death Magnetic on Atlantic Records.

Sony executives also supposedly cite Rubin’s move to an expensive office in Beverly Hills, which he allegedly does not use.

Finally, it was revealed that Rubin had been recording tracks with rival Universal Music Group’s act U2.

The report indicates that Sony plans to “offload him to a side label deal, and remove him from the main company.“

Rubin has been known as an innovator in the music industry for over 20 years, having signed historic acts such as Public Enemy and The Beastie Boys, among others. He has worked with a myriad of artists such as Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Shakira, Dixie Chicks, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run-DMC and Johnny Cash.

Tru-Life Paid $300 Stacks to Leave Def Jam

via XXL

After responding to XXL’s milk carton via YouTube earlier this week, Tru Life caught up with XXLmag.com to explain his situation with Def Jam and Jay-Z.

Tru, who signed with Roc La Familia, Jay-Z’s world music subsidiary imprint under Roc-A-Fella, explained his new relationship with the label since Hov’s departure from the Roc’s parent company, Def Jam.

“I was Roc-A-Fella all day first off, let’s get that clear,” the L.E.S. rapper told XXL. “I signed to Roc La Familia but I was always Roc-A-Fella. I was just Latin, but when that folded it was easy, they just moved me over to Roc-A-Fella. I’m a smart business man so when I found out Jay-Z was gonna leave – cause I got the heads up, cause that’s my big homie – I didn’t wanna stay there either at Def Jam.”

“As far as Def Jam is concerned, I didn’t wanna be in an upside down situation,” Tru continued. “I had seven deals on the table before I took that deal and I only took it because of Jay-Z. So I felt like if he’s leaving, I wanna leave too.”

But don’t get it twisted. Tru made it clear he got paid before he packed up. “It was also in my contract that if they didn’t put out my album, they had to give me $300,000,” Tru revealed. “So being the smart businessman that I am I took that $300K, they did it under the radar so nobody really knew, but I been was off of Def Jam for a while. We did it before Jay-Z actually left. I left Def Jam, but I’m still with Roc-A-Fella, I’m still with Jay-Z. Me and Jay was just out in Vegas balling out, spending stacks. You can ask Jay.”

[video] Dame Talks Future Moves

Damn, it hurts to see a man with such an inflated ego like Dame humbled by his own shortcomings. Everyone that arose out of Def Jam with a superhuman ego has been deflated to former images of themselves, from Dame, to Jay, to X, to Irv, to Ja and the list goes on and on.  It’s like Def Jam is a Buddhist conversion farm for some of these dudes, they all come in like Ari Gold from Entourage and leave on some Swami sh*t like Rick Rubin.  F*ckin’ hilarious, sad, but hilarious.

[audio] Jay-Z HISTORY

Source: Nahright

Jay-Z- HISTORY

CLICK [HERE] for AUDIO

Alright, rappers should be relegated to only one Obama montage video, especially if your song doesn’t capture the magnitude of the moment.  No mediocre tributes to the first black president, especially from Black Republicans.  I know this song isn’t about that but trust me the video will be.  I’m sorry folks, but I am not feeling how this project (Blueprint 3) is rounding out.  And I’m not impressed by the stadium music pitch either, tell it to the judge.  My dude been putting out silly-puddy ever since he got wifeyed up.  But please, this a democracy so tell us what you think.  

P.S. 

I really think this negro think he’s the fifth Beatle or something. C’mon take your ass back to Marcy to get a sampling of what the true meaning of “swag” is.  The true definition of a “swag” aesthetic is making something out of nothing, making a hundred dollar outfit look like its worth several stacks.  These dudes is out of touch with reality and it is starting to embarassingly shine through.   

Jadakiss Kisses Title of Album Goodbye

via SOHH

D-Block‘s Jadakiss has decided to change the title of his long-awaited album to The Last Kiss after receiving negative feedback from retailers.

In a recent video Jada confirms the rumors on being forced to change the project’s original title Kiss My Ass.

“I had to change the name of my album. Kiss My Ass wasn’t testing well at retail,” he admitted. “Not even with the exclamations or none of that. So we had to switch it to The Last Kiss.”

With the new name in effect, Jada also revealed the overwhelming concern people had on him possibly retiring.

“Some people asked me is it my last album, nah, it’s just, the first album was Kiss The Game Good-Bye, the second one was The Kiss of Death so this one was The Last Kiss,” Jada explained. “It’s the closing of a trilogy. It’s the last time I’m going to name one of my albums, it’s the last time “Kiss” is going to be in the album titles.”

While corporate America may have made the raspy rapper change the forthcoming disc’s title, Jada still plans on using the original title on another format.

The Blueprint 3 Tracklisting

This is supposedly the track listing for The Blue Print 3, which reportedly has leaked. Interesting collabos, you got there Jiggaman! Now hold up, I thought Kanye was suppose to be helming this entire project?

1. “Wake Up New York (Intro)”
2. “Most Kings”
3. “Hades (Lucifer part two)”
4. “Eternal Jewels” (feat. and prod. by Jay Electronica)
5. “Blueprint 3″
6. “Lucy” (feat. Chris Martin)
7. “The Audacity of Dope”
8. “S-L-U Part Two” (feat. Nas, Andre 3000, and Young Jeezy)
9. “Election Night (We Believe in Obama)”
10. “Just Memories”
11. “Apostate” (feat. and prod. by Eminem)
12. “Oasis”
13. “My Brothers Keeper” (feat. Scarface)
14. “Brooklyn Lost”
15. “Weeds and Concrete”
16. “Without Rain…”

Ludacris Inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame

via Allhiphop

Trailblazing Atlanta rap star Ludacris added another precedent to his resume, as he was honored this past Saturday (September 20) as the first Hip-Hop artist inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

The ceremony featured Ludacris being honored alongside legends of the rock and R&B world in Widespread Panic and Keith Sweat.

Born Chris Bridges, Ludacris initially got his start working as DJ Chris Lova Lova for Atlanta radio station WHTA.

[video] Janet ‘In Control’ of Fan @ Show

She told you to call her Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty, and now you have the footage to see that side of Janet that apparently only Mr. Dupri has been privy to. Well, damn Janet when sales get low is this how far you go? I’m not hating I’m just saying you waited your whole life to tweak your freak bone?  She could’ve been moved in on Madonna’s fan base if this is what she’s working with.