Executive Nick and crew are bringing back the heralded institution known as “Fight Klub.” Make sure you tune into their site @ 8PM to catch what I’m sure will be a riveting online Hip Hop experience.
seen @ RealTalk
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Looks like it might be about something
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VIBE goes behind the scenes of Hip-Hop Monologues: Inside the Life & Mind of Jim Jones.
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via Allhiphop
Hip-Hop duo dead prez have announced they have combined with DJ Green Lantern to release Pulse of the People, the third installment of their independent album series, Turn off the Radio.
Pulse of The People will be produced by DJ Green Lantern and released via his Invasion Music Group in conjunction with dead prez’ label Boss Up Inc.
The group’s third album will feature appearances from Chuck D., Bun B., Styles P., K’Naan, and Johnny Polygon.
DJ Green Lantern and dead prez entered the studio in February, after developing chemistry on the Rock the Bells Tour. Continue reading
via Woooha
Jay-Z x Rocawear. Jay-Z and his Rocawear online team have just launched the official Rocawear social networking site called Roc4Life. Similar to other urban social networking sites like ThisIs50, Roc4Life includes a blog, urban news updates and of course the standard social networking features like groups, contests and forums.
Main goal of the site will be to promote Rocawear as a lifestyle and not just a clothing brand and to drive interest (and sales) of the Rocawear branded products. Our friends Dr. Jays also has coverage of the Roc4Life launch party so make sure to check that as well.
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. Continue reading
via HipHopDX
When iTunes announced in January that it was planning to offer music at variable prices, it was not clear when the change would happen, or if it would happen at all. However, according to The Los Angeles Times, iTunes is moving forward with the plan, boosting prices of hit singles to $1.29.
Although the higher price of select singles will lower the price of other songs (new artist releases dropping to 69 cents, and current releases remaining at 99 cents), a few music label execs are criticizing the 30% increase.
“This will be a PR nightmare,” said former EMI Music executive Ted Cohen. “It is for the music industry what the AIG bonuses are for the insurance industry.”
With CD sales declining drastically, iTunes is hoping that the variable-pricing strategy will help to increase revenue in the music industry. Yet, in a period where online music spending is low and consumers are being hit hard by a recession, some music industry vets are questioning whether the decision to raise prices is a wise one.
“Wouldn’t it make sense to try to price it cheaper instead of squeezing the handful of people who are still willing to pay for music?” said Jim Guerinot, manager to bands such as No Doubt and Nine Inch Nails. Continue reading
via HipHopDXAMTV
Tuning into MTV these days is not what it used to be. Once considered the premier channel to get a wide range of music videos, performances, and artist information, the programming has drastically changed in order to fit the booming ratings brought by reality TV. However, with a new music program, the network is looking to put the “M” back into MTV.
Branded as “AMTV,” the six-hour segment showcases mainstream and up-and-coming artists alike, with advertisers sponsoring the musical content. “AMTV,” which started March 30, will run from 3 to 9 a.m., Monday through Thursday.
Scott Friedman, general manager of MTV, has expressed his expectations in the channel’s new morning music programming/advertising experiment, especially in their decision to bring back “Unplugged.”
“If we take ‘Unplugged,’ which our audience still knows and loves, and do a four-minute version after our highest-rated program in prime time, and then we say, ‘You can get it all immediately on MTV.com or see the full thing for the next four days in the morning,’ we’re going to have a lot more people watching,” Friedmanrecently told the New York Times.
Similar to their move into reality TV, Friedman is hopeful that “AMTV” will provideMTV viewers with a reason to tune in early and often. “We’re trying to move as the audience moves with their consumption habits,” adding, “we know our audience wants more of it.”
THE USUAL SUSPECTS– Rick Ross feat Nasir & Kevin Cossom
CLICK [HERE] for AUDIO
I heard a snippet of this earlier and thought irregardless of the drama the Boss is going through he continues to cook up smash records. This joint is retarded if I may say so!!
via HypeBeast
The vulcanized trend’s latest manifestation will feature a number of different hybrids upcoming out of the Nike camp. Seen here is a Nike Delta Force High with a black gradient upper with hits of pink and purple. No word yet on an exact release date but stay tuned for a look at the real deal as it becomes available.
via The Fresh Scent
Harvard Economics Professor Jeffrey Miron was a guest on a CNN show, hosted by Rick Sanchez. Miron claims that a $77 billion revenue would be created by legalizing drugs. Miron breaks it down by saying $44 billion will be saved by not spending the money on police for arrests, judges and prosecutors for all the trials and prisons and prison guards for the incarceration. Another $33 billion would be obtained by tax revenue of legal drugs, like how cigarettes and alcohol are regulated. Miron even says that legalizing and ending the prohibition will reduce the violence crossing the boarder from Mexico.
Sanchez brings up the point that the economy depends on the prisons and the prison system. He asks what would happen to all their jobs and the DEA. Miron then says that jobs shouldn’t be created by forbidding something. Continue reading
via Thisis50/Allhiphop
Revered Atlanta rapper Andre 3000 was arrested outside of Atlanta on Saturday (March 28), for driving his 2007 Porsche Carrera at speeds so excessive police called him “an accident waiting to happen.”
According to a report by local ABC-affiliate WSB-TV Monday afternoon (March 30), the Grammy Award winning rapper/actor was arrested by a member of the Henry County Police Department’s Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic Team early Saturday morning.
The officer stated that he clocked Andre 3000, born Andre Benjamin, at 109 mph, 44 mph over the 65 mph speed limit along that stretch of I-75.
Benjamin was arrested for the danger he posed to other drivers.
“Traveling that fast along 75, you’re passing people as if they’re standing still,” explained Henry County Police Captain Jason Bolton. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
The arrest comes as State Representative Jim Cole is lobbying for a new Super Speeder Bill to be passed in the state of Georgia. Continue reading
via HipHopDX
Named president of Asylum Records in 2004, Todd Moscowitz was instrumental in the independent success of artists like Bun B [click to read], Webbie [click to read] and D4L. Subsequently advancing to CEO of Warner Brothers‘ Independent Label Group (ILG), Moscowitz also worked with East West Records in handling some of the major label’s independent artists and accounts in New York.
It was announced this morning that Moscowitz will remain in the Warner family, but in the the merger between the the parent company and the ILG, Todd will be named Executive Vice President of Warner Brothers Music. In the interim time,Moscowitz will report to Warner Music CEO Tom Whalley, as well as John Espisito,WEA‘s CEO, for the duration of ILG.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to work even more closely with Tom and his team and to provide Asylum artists the unparalleled resources of Warner Brothers Records,” said Moscowitz in a statement. “It’s an honor to be a part of a label so deeply-rooted in the history and culture of our business.” Continue reading
Do You Remember?
I can’t speak for everyone but I remember growing up with these books when I was a youth. Helped me get over my “boogeyman under the bed” syndrome. To top it off this is directed by the legendary Spike Jonze. Taking the kids to see this one!
Here is the full interview from 60 minutes and the infamous shot we featured a couple of posts back.
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After producer Details(signed to singer/label owner Akon’s Konvict Muzik) was robbed last week, former Death Row owner Suge Knight and his cronies were blamed. TMZ has the first words from Mr. Knight who tells Akon to “stop snitching”.
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“…him get a pretty casket/yea the glass type”
There is something brutally compelling about Dancehall music, in particular “slack” Dancehall music. I was bred different, growing up in Flatbush, Brooklyn where we was exposed to the culture that went hand-in-hand with the music. The risks one had to take to enjoy a good tune in Biltmore or Tilden Ballroom gave the experience a whole other dimension. One of the rudest rude bwoys on the scene right now is Mavado who just went through a bloody battle with Vybz Cartel. He’s got some new music out right now, if anyone has the album let us know what you think!!
via SOHH
Incarcerated rapper Prodigy has reportedly sued a record company for breach of contract for $30,000, which P says is at the heart of his family’s financial woes.
Prodigy holds the company responsible for plunging his family into foreclosure. He says the Vox Music Group agreed in August 2007 to pay him $10,300 a month but that it has missed three payments and failed to give him a semiannual royalty accounting statement. “These breaches . . . have put Prodigy’s family in financial peril,” say documents filed last Monday (March 23) in Manhattan Supreme Court. (New York Post)
The Mobb Deep frontman recently made headlines after a collection of a letters revealed his thoughts on Rick Ross and Vibe magazine. Continue reading
via SOHH
Grammy-winning singer T-Pain recently confirmed reports of being involved in a golf accident that knocked out some of the singer’s teeth.
“There’s a lot of talk that I flipped over in a golf cart,” Pain said. “That’s f*cking true. It did happen like three days ago. My a** is on fire right now. My side hurt, my mouth hurt. I bust my a**. I’d show you the marks, but I don’t wana pull my pants down right now. I got my teeth fixed the same day. Rich n*gga teeth. I don’t give a f*ck how many golf cats I flip over…If I was any less of a showman tonight, I apologize.” (Rap-Up)
Pain’s golf cart incident reportedly took place last Wednesday (March 25) in Texas.
T-Pain
was in a golf cart accident where he injured himself losing four teeth and receiving cuts and bruises to his face. “He’s gonna be in the video,” Lil’ Kim said about Pain’s appearance in her upcoming “Download” music video. “But we gotta wait until he heals and gets better…Get better baby, we can’t wait to see you.” (Hip Hollywood) Continue reading
M-E-T-H-O-D Man proves he’s still got the skills to pay the bills in this lil’ impromptu freestyle on G-Unit Radio
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OK, full disclosure, maybe me and my fellow Scorpio’s will find this of interest, but I would love to spend a day interviewing this chick to see what the f*ck makes her tick. A scorpion fetish? Can’t knock her hussle.
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via MSNBC
LOS ANGELES – Movie beasts from old-time Hollywood got a makeover as heroes and extraterrestrials conquered the weekend box office.
DreamWorks Animation’s action comedy “Monsters vs. Aliens,” which features creatures from 1950s flicks in a showdown with invading extraterrestrials, launched itself into the No. 1 spot with a $58.2 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday.
It was the biggest debut so far in 2009, topping the $55.2 million first weekend of “Watchmen” in early March.
Opening in second place was Lionsgate’s ghost story “The Haunting in Connecticut” with $23 million in
ticket sales.
The previous weekend’s top movie, Summit Entertainment’s apocalyptic thriller “Knowing,” slipped to third with $14.7 million, raising its 10-day total to $46.2 million. Continue reading
via Time
For shoppers in today’s economy, there’s just too much temptation out there. Sure, your pockets are tight. But there are clearance sales in every store, and deep discounts down every aisle. So how do you stop yourself from spending? Especially when you know that, during this awful downturn, you should be saving every last penny?
Just arm yourself with $100 bills.
According to a new study to be published in theJournal of Consumer Research, shoppers are less likely to spend their dough if they are carrying cash in large denominations. This so-called “denomination effect” can be a powerful predictor of consumer spending habits. Through a series of experiments, the study shows that if people have an equivalent amount of money, say $100, the folks with a Ben Franklin in their pockets might not part with it, while those carrying Andrew Jacksons and George Washingtons more easily give up that cash. (See the top 10 worst business deals of the past year) Continue reading
via Gizmodo
Japan’s eclectic taste (at least by my subdued, antisocial New England standards) has spawned this robot baby art project thing in the streets of Roppongi. When I pictured the Apocalypse, it looked, I dunno, different.
Called Giant Torayan, this seven meter tall fire-breathing baby monstrosity is the work of artist Kenji Yanobe, who was obviously abused by a baby or a bad man dressed in an Astro Boy costume at some point in his life.
via Gizmodo
Since 2004, the company behind the Hotelicopter has been working to modify a Soviet-made Mil V-12 into two world firsts: the “world’s biggest helicopter” and the “world’s first flying hotel.”
As you might have guessed, the experience on board the Hotelicopter is far from your standard Motel 6. This gigantic flying Titanic machine features everything you would expect from a 5-star hotel—from private entertainment systems and room service to extras like spa treatments, yoga classes, gaming and a tea garden.
If you were wondering just how big and powerful this flying hotel really is, check out the specs:
* Dimensions Length: 42 m (137 ft)
* Height: 14m (45 ft)
* Maximum Takeoff Weight: 105850 kg (232,870 lb)
* Maximum speed: 255 km/h (137 kt) (158 miles/h)
* Cruising speed: 237 km/h (127 kt) (147 miles/h)
* Original Mi Range: 515 km (320 mi)
* Our augmented Mi Range – 1,030 km (640 mi)
The inaugural flight is set to take place on June 26th for an undisclosed price. Obviously, only the affluent need apply—but anyone that is interested can head on over to the Hotelicopter website to get more info about setting up a reservation. [Hotelicopter]
peeped @ thelifefiles
via SOHH
Red Cafe has issued a threat to hip-hop mogul Suge Knight, vowing to strike back for allegedly costing him legal feesThe “Paper Touchin'” hitmaker claims Suge filed a lawsuit against one of his associates.
“I got next on Suge Knight jaw,” Cafe said in an interview. “That jaw glass, everybody is getting money. I was trying to get it first and they stopped me like, ‘Nah, he gonna sue,’ but then he ended up suing my man. He ran into sombody fists and he blamin’ my man for it. So now it costs me money for it ’cause I gotta pay for an attorney. So if I’ma have to pay now, you know what, gimme some of that. I’ma stay there, yeah, that was me…I’ma get it on tape and we gonna put it onHottestInTheHood.com. Right now you go to HottestInTheHood and you got him on the pavement from the last time he ran into a fist it’s there right now…I’m in Brooklyn, he don’t wanna go there. Come holla at cha boy.” (Hot 93.7)
Suge’s last publicized confrontation took place at last month’s NBA All-Star Weekend in Arizona with an Akon associate.
“At about 3:30 AM, police were called to a private party on the second floor of the W Hotel,” the police report reads. “Hotel securitypersonnel called police when they became concerned that there would be a fight between two groups of guests having heated words in the VIP area. Officers arrived and watched a group of about 6-8 guests exiting the VIP area. They saw one person, later identified asRobert Carnes Jr., punch the victim in the head two times. Officers deployed tasers to quell the fight that erupted.” (SOHH) Continue reading
via BlackJackSkanz
These flicks been floating around the net for a few days now, but beauty has no statute of limit on it. This type of sweets never goes stale. So with no further ado we present to you Vanessa Veasley, who I understand is not only a client of SHOW Magazine but she is also the BOSS Lady up there. Swing over to her site and show some love and support.
via HipHopDX
Having received mixed critical and commercial success on his last two albums,Raekwon [click to read] has decided to partner with EMI for his upcoming Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2. The Staten Island emcee, who has been one of the Wu-Tang Clan‘s most outspoken members, announced the new deal to K-Dubasis and DJ Biggmann of OnAirIdiots.com.
“The project is vicious right now,” Raekwon said. “It’s done. I just closed my deal that I signed with EMI. I just signed off yesterday, and we made everything official.EMI is the home; they gave me a nice piece of what I needed.”
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was followed by Immobilarity, which reached the number nine spot on the Billboard 200 before being certified gold by the RIAA. Rae‘s third solo effort, The Lex Diamond Story, failed to sell at least 500,000 copies. Raekwonreportedly signed with Dr. Dre‘s Aftermath imprint in 2006, but eventually left the label on good terms without releasing any material. The tracks “Criminology 2” [click to listen] and “Wu-Oooh” [click to listen] have been released in anticipation of a proper album release.
“It’s gonna be raw Hip Hop,” Raekwon added. “We’re gonna keep it where we supposed to keep it. That album? That shit is gonna be better than your momma’s spaghetti, yo.”
via Guardian UK
Britain will get its first chance to see Barack Obama this week when a White House cavalcade – complete with armoured limousines, helicopters, 200 US secret service staff and a six-doctor medical team – sweeps into the UK.
Obama will fly into London for his first visit to the UK as president of theUnited States on Tuesday to take part in the G20 summit in the capital’s Docklands area. He will not be travelling light.
More than 500 officials and staff will accompany the president on his tour this week – along with a mass of high-tech security equipment, including the $300,000 presidential limousine, known as The Beast. Fitted with night-vision camera, reinforced steel plating, tear- gas cannon and oxygen tanks, the vehicle is the ultimate in heavy armoured transport.
In addition, a team from the White House kitchen will travel with the president to prepare his food. As one official put it: “When the president travels, the White House travels with him, right down to the car he drives, the water he drinks, the gasoline he uses, the food he eats. America is still the sole superpower and the president must have the ability to handle any crisis, anywhere, any time.”
US security teams have already carried out three visits to prepare for Obama’s first official visit to Britain. The first was a “site survey”, the second a “pre-advance visit” which was carried out to pick sites that the president would visit. Finally there was the “advance trip”, which took place last week. Its purpose was to set up equipment, sweep venues for electronic bugs, test food for poison and measure air quality for bacteria.
Obama will start his first presidential visit to Europe when he steps down from the US presidential jet, Air Force One, at Stansted airport on Tuesday. The Boeing 747-200B is fitted with its own gym, electronic defence units and shielding to protect its complex communication devices from radiation from nuclear blasts. Among the officials on the flight will be a military officer carrying America’s nuclear missile launch codes. Continue reading
The Twitterverse is going crazy with this story and I peeped it on a few social sites before I took a minute out of my day I peep it for my damn self. Interesting, let us know what your thoughts are. Remember besides Wall Street funding the Obama candidacy Silicon Valley was the first ones to crawl into the sack in the Lincoln Bedroom.
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via SOHH
Hip-Hop clothing designer Marc Ecko‘s financial records have emerged showing his company is nearly $200 million in debt.
In an attempt to begin re-payment on two loans, Ecko has reportedlyresorted to refinancing officials.
Ecko has hired investment bank Peter J. Solomon to help refinance at least $170 million in debt. The debts are owed to a couple of important business partners. If he can’t find a willing lender, Ecko may have to sell off some assets. Like many fashion outfits, the Marc Ecko brand took a hit during the past retail season. Sources say the company owes more than $100 million to Li & Fung, a global trading company that helps manufacture Marc Ecko products. He also also defaulted on a term loan of more than $70 million from a syndicate led by commercial-lending giant CIT and although he won forbearance on the loan, CIT will have to be paid by summer. (Luxist)
An Ecko rep has confirmed the allegations and weighed in on the designer’s plans of action. Continue reading
via SOHH
Grammy-winning rapper T.I. has been granted nearly two months of freedom before being required to turn himself in for a 366 day jail sentence.
The “King of the South” appeared in court today Friday (March 27) for sentencing.
A judge sentenced him to one year and a day behind bars on federal weapons charges today. The 28-year-old rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris, apologized at the hearing. “Today I would like to say thank you to some, and apologize to all,” the rapper told U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. at sentencing. “Everything I learned was through trial and errorr. I’ve learned lessons in my life to put in my music so people won’t make the same mistakes as I.” (Associated Press)
Following his sentencing, Tip will be given additional time before he must turn himself in.
He will have between 30 and 60 days to report to prison. Harris already has completed about 1,000 hours of community service and has warned youths about the pitfalls of guns, drugs, violence. He will need to complete 470 additional hours. Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young spoke on Harris’ behalf. “He’s been able to do the work I’ve been trying to accomplish for so long in stopping violence in this country,” Young told the judge. (KDWN News) Continue reading
Another banger off of The Recession, arguably the most slept on album of ’08. Before its all over with, he’s gonna have videos for every joint off this album! Peep the Jay-Z medley on the last verse, and the Red Alert cameo, putting Young amongst the best who’ve done it (where’s B.I.G.’s poster?)
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