Rap News

Why is Will Smith Still Rapping?

2005-05-07T19:49:00.000-04:00

Peep the article below by Greg Tate where he asks and tries to figure out a question that's even had me stumped for a minute now, Why is Will Smith still rapping?

Sure, Will Smith's the one married to Jada, but underneath the skin we're brothers. I'm an old muhfluckuh who don't need to be trying to rap like he's an old muhfluckuh who don't need to be trying to rap. Making Will's Lost and Found a whole lot of huffing and puffing signifying nada, the lamest album that'll be released this year. It violates an immutable law of the celebrity universe—that Hollywood actors don't get to pretend they got flow anymore than they get to pretend they can rock and roll.

Some things, like having story, bounce, and wit in your voice, can't be grafted on like hair, makeup, and wardrobe. And Will never had style as an MC, just annoying and cloying bubblegum shtick. It served him well at 17, but the Fresh Prince wasn't built to age gracefully. Even in movies where he's playing a grownass man on major steroids, I keep expecting him to bust out with "Parents Just Don't Understand." "Summertime," that top-down-in-the-sunshine song where he tried to flip it like a happy-go-lucky Rakim, that grooved me, I'm not ashamed to say. But now homeboy wants to be Rakim, Eminem, and Fitty too. Lost and Found got not one but two wannabe "In Da Club" 's, like we need to see our Cosby-esque Unka Will propositioning young hotties with lines like "How come you don't wanna dance—you shy?" Uh uh. Noooo. Sounds like borderline sexual harassment. Yuck. And if you're a Black man so unkool you must counterattack Eminem for ranking and filing on you, why ape Lil' 8 Mile's style? For god's sake pull yourself together man.

The most deeply felt thing here—there has to be something—is when Will is unable to answer his son about whether there were people in those buildings he saw fall on 9-11. Pursuant to that, "Ms. Holy Roller" goes after a cheatingass flame who found Jesus and wants the world to know it's going to hell. Only Will ends up comparing her religious zeal to that which allegedly brought down the twin towers. Problem is, other than making us suffer Black indie cinema like Woman Thou Art Loosed and taking under-the-pulpit money from white supremacists against gay marriage, Black evangelicals seem a pretty toothless lot, dude. Though I hope they burn in hell.

Will, I beg of you. Cease and desist making imitation hip-hop albums. Stop your dreadful impersonation of an MC. If this is a sickness, get help. Love your culture.

M.O.P. Leaves The R.O.C./ Dame Dash Music Group

2005-05-04T13:26:00.000-04:00

Almost 3 years after signing with Jay, Dame and Biggs and revealing that they would embark on a label deal through Dame Dash Music Group after Rocafella's sale, M.O.P. has now secured an unspecified recording deal domestically with another company and are seeking another for the international market. Group manager Laze E. Laze says the group will make a clean, amicable break from all parties. In a statement, Laze said, "You see Roc-A-Fella was never our home. It was the home of Jay-Z, Biggs and Damon Dash. No, that’s not us, or Kanye or Cam’ron, It’s the house that Jay-Z, Biggs and Dash built. And those days are gone." He went on to say, "I want to apologize to the fans of M.O.P. for signing a deal with Roc-A-Fella Records. Well, I didn’t do it alone. We all had to sign. So, from Bill [Billy Danz], Lil’ Fame Foxx, Rocko, Flip [and] the whole First Family - we apologize, with that I think every other act that signed owes the same apology, with the exception of Bleek, Beans and Amil." Laze E. Laze said he had a reflective revelation at Dame Dash’s recent birthday party. "It became so clear to me when I looked at these guys together again. At Damon’s birthday, party Jay and Dame looked natural. It was like they never split. Jay [was] effortlessly handling the overwhelming stares of groupies and super groupies and Dame seeming to gain confidence with Biggs on one side and Jay on the other. It’s the ROC," he said. "No, we didn’t belong there. That’s our cousin’s house. We love our cousins and we are welcome, but we never lived there.[Jay and Dame’s split] was the classiest divorce I’ve ever seen," Laze said, but said he realized that M.O.P. is a group that charters a different path. "M.O.P.…we were destined to travel the desert, vagabonds, wild hyenas searching for bones or a fresh kill. We aren’t classy we are rough, hard *ss ashy knuckle *ss n*gg*s. And the only peace we are ever going to have is when there is a war going on, that’s our lot in life.” Read M.O.P.'s statement here.

Raffle: Time 100, Houston's Best Kept Secret, and What Rakim Told Me

2005-05-03T00:45:00.000-04:00

Remember Common's ex-wife? The one that goes by the name of Hip Hop...Well, she found herself in the latest list concocted by Time Magazine. The top 100 includes your favorite rapper's favorite duo, OutKast, as well as the self-proclaimed god MC, Jay-Z. Shame on all those naysayers who never gave Rap a chance in the first place, simply because they couldn't understand the concept of people talking over music.

In a non-related development, C-Rayz Walz, a keynote underground MC has been enlisted by MTV to serve as a Freestyle Mentor in the next episode of Made. The Freestyle specialist will be serving up some recipes to his student, an aspiring rapper. Look for C-Rayz when Made airs on June 10.

To those Hip Hop fans who love to get their knowledge on - Go pick up the Wu-Tang Manual by The RZA and Rakim Told Me:Hip Hop Wax Facts... by Brian Coleman, Boston-based journalist who also hosts XXL's Classic material column. The former is the Wu-Tang fan's ultimate guide to The 36 Chambers: lyrics and their meanings, extensive profile of every member of the Clan, and group bio; while the latter chronicles Rap's golden era with concise details. I picked up a copy of the Wu-Tang manual at Barnes and Nobles and I must admit that it exceeded my expectations.

Another crew with plans of toppling all expectations is the creative bunch at Shady Records. Pharoahe Monch, the new Shady-signee will release an album that'll be Executive-produced by Denaun Porter(Kon Artis). The wait has officially began for us Pharoahe fans.
And for those asking questions about Obie Trice, his sophomore album Murder City is bound to hit the Hip Hop nation this winter with more devastation than the Tsunami.

Now onto, the main feature of the day: Houston's Best Kept Secret. If you're from the H-Town, that expression is all you need to know that Godwon is the man in discussion. And, if you haven't heard of Godwon, then you must be living in the newly discovered planet. His flow is crisp and impeccable, his cadence, riveting. Godwon is the definitive MC with a great deal of appreciation for the art. Artistic prowess apart, he has enough backing to crash a brick wall. There have been rumors of Shady Records, Universal, and other labels striving to sign this billion-dollar talent. He's also cosigned by The Authentic King of The South, Mr. Scarface himself. See Godwon in the Geto Boys video for The G Code.

That's a rap folks. Stay tuned to Rap News for more up to date info-tainment.

Rizoh

I'm the CEO of Diplomat Records, I'll Sign Myself!

2005-05-02T11:19:00.000-04:00

It's official, Cam'ron has left Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam and signed with Asylum/Warner Music Group. There's good news for Jim Jones and Santana too. Jim Jones is the newly appointed director of black music at the Warner Music Group and Juelz Santana recently signed a new joint-venture deal with the Def Jam. Dip Set weed carriers Hell Rell and J.R. Writer are still on Koch.

Ten Most Anticipated Albums of 2005

2005-05-01T01:11:00.000-04:00

Little Brother - The Minstrel Show (Atlantic)
Guest List: Joe Scudda, Yazarah, Elzhi(Slum Village)
Release Date: Quarter 3 or 2005
Reason 2 Anticipate: Big Pooh promises to awaken us like a spring mattress. 9th Wonder has been labeled the Pete Rock of our generation, and Phonte’s “tailor-made” flow is still intact.

Custom Made - Pillow Talk (Custom Made)
Guest List: Mobb Deep, Jedi Mind Tricks, Inspectah Deck
Release Date: June 2
Reason 2 Anticipate: There’s always a mystique factor about a relatively unknown group with bright prospects. Every West Coast MC has been on the same mission for the past 8 years - to resurrect the West. This lyrical powerhouse is doing it with a unique approach - they strip their sound off the conventional heavy bass line, and focus on catchy hooks and dazzling lyrical content, laid over jazzy beats.

Kanye West - Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
Guest List: John Mayer, GLC, Consequence John Legend, Keyshia Cole
Release Date : Late June
Reason 2 Anticipate: We get to watch Kanye argue his way to the top for a second consecutive time. Plus, there’ll be another dime in one of the videos that’ll follow this sophomore LP. Oh and the supposed gold chain that accompany every major release these days.

Common - BE (Geffen)
Guest List: John Legend, Bilal, Kanye West(as if you didn’t know that already)
Release Date: May 26. A bootleg version might be available on the net.
Reason 2 Anticipate: Comm is supposed to tell us how and why he fell in love with Erykah on this record.

Styles P - Time Is Money (Ruff Ryders/Interscope)
Guest List: Talib Kweli, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch,(the usual suspects), Mario Winans, JE
Release Date: June 2005
Reason 2 Listen: D-Block is set to unleash their 127th official 50 Cent diss song on SP’s album. The Ghost is expected to float all over the record in what’s possibly the more versatile of his two solo efforts.

Saigon - The Greatest Story Never Told(Fort Nox/Atlantic)
Guest List: Saigon, Saigon, and Saigon.
Reason 2 Anticipate: Sai got “the bowtie flow; he’ll bring it to your neck” Although, Alchemist and Scram Jones are slated to bless Saigon’s project, it’ll be interesting to see how he can maintain his razor sharp lyrical edge over club-ready Just Blaze production.

Sean Price
- Monkey Barz (Boot Camp)
Guest List: 9th Wonder, Buckshot
Release Date: May 31
Reason 2 Anticipate: “I send your ass to heaven, muthafucka ask about ‘Pac” His blend of lyricism, wit and wordplay make the craft look so easy. His style is like a manual named “Hip Hop 4 Dummies”

Buckshot & 9th Wonder - Chemistry (Boot Camp)
Guest List: Little Brother, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Joe Scuddah
Release Date: May 24
Reason 2 Listen: We can’t get enough of these 100% 9th Wonder records; So far, they’ve all successfully gone plastic. But those collabos are diamond to Hip Hop heads. Chemistry and Monkey Barz are the 2/3 of the Boot Camp tripple threat this year. Hi-Tek and Steele complete the cypher with Smif 'n' Wessun Reloaded(June)

Fat Joe - All or Nothing or Things of That Nature(Atlantic) or whatever he decides to go with next
Guest List: Nelly, Mashonda, Cool & Dre, All Terror Squad affiliates, dead or alive.
Release Date: May 24
Reason 2 Listen: To find out what he'll eventually title the album. Also, Joey will attempt to protect his NY Crown - the one he won last year for “Most Improved Rapper”

AZ - Final Call (Universal)
Guest List: Tony Sunshine, CL Smooth, Rell, Ron G
Release Date: Never
Reason 2 Listen: AZ’s non-stop flow, “Magic Hour”, another “Quiet Money” song, and the fact that fans will discover new ways to sleep on him again.

Rizoh.

Bizzy Bone Done Went Crazy!

2005-04-30T17:18:00.000-04:00

Yo peep my boy over at HoustonSoReal's interview with Bizzy Bone. This nigga done went crazy! For Real!

DJ Green Lantern Leaves Shady Records

2005-04-28T12:50:00.001-04:00

I guess Green Lantern's comments on The Come Up Dvd Part 4 really came back to bite him in the *ss. He's severed all ties with Shady and Eminem due to the fact that Dirty Money's got him on their dvd telling Jadakiss, "That's a jab, where's the knockout blow?", while referring to Jada's new dis record "Checkmate". He also says, "You know they gonna bring that young boy out?" I guess he meant Lloyd Banks. Green Lantern still denies giving out any real insider information. This must have been what Jada was talking about when he said that people associated with 50 Cent even wanted him to get at 50. You gotta see that sh*t. Get that The Come Up Dvd Part 4 here.

Kanye West "Diamonds Are Forever"

2005-04-28T03:49:00.000-04:00

The Roc is still alive everytime I rhyme... Peep Rocafella's own Kanye West new single from his upcoming album, Late Registration.

The Game Charged With Assault, Sued For $280 Million

2005-04-26T17:53:00.000-04:00

Prosecutors in Prince Georges County, Maryland have filed assault and battery charges against The Game, after an incident in which he allegedly assaulted radio host DJ Zxulu, formerly of 93.9 WKYS-FM in Washington, D.C. on January 21st, 2005. Another man has come foward claiming he was also assaulted. In his $280 million lawsuit, Kwasi Jones alleges that in addition to the assault of DJ Zxulu, a group of 20 men accosted him and assaulted him in the radio station. Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records and G-Unit are named in the lawsuit as well, since Game is an artist on G-Unit, which is distributed by companies owned by Eminem and Dr. Dre. Jones also claims the record labels were negligent for issuing a remix to "Hate It or Love It," which originally appeared on The Game's The Documentary. On the remix to “Hate It or Love It” featuring 50 Cent, Banks, Yayo and Buck, The Game rapped, “ I’m rap’s MVP/ Don’t make me remind y’all what happened in D.C.” Dummy!

The Come Up Dvd Part 4

2005-04-25T12:26:00.000-04:00

That new The Come Up Dvd Part 4 is what's up. They got Jadakiss and the rest of D-Block on there addressing current beef and other sh*t. Even Green Lantern says Jada and the D-Block camp may have something for Fifty Cent. But isn't Green Lantern Eminem's homie? I don't know what's up with that, but you know there's no loyalty in the game. Cassidy tells Murda Mook to beat it and says he may be willing to take Fifty Cent up on his challenge. This is a release for the true hip hop fan, those who already know what it is. If you want to cop it, go here.

Oops, I Guess Capone Didn't Snitch After All!!

2005-04-13T12:38:00.000-04:00

Read this interview, from sohh.com, with ya boy Capone of CNN fame, where he talks about his upcoming album, Nore and the fact that he didn't have a choice about testifiying in Lil Kim's trial.

50 Cent Gets At Jadakiss, Again!

2005-04-08T19:44:00.000-04:00

I know you didn't think it was over, did you? Here's 50 Cent and Tony Yayo getting at Jadakiss.

Benzino to Leave The Source

2005-04-08T19:35:00.000-04:00

From Allhiphop.com:
Ray Benzino, the Chief Brand Executive and Co-owner of The Source magazine, has resigned from his position at the company today (April 8). "If me leaving the source is gonna help the magazine then I'll do it," the rapper told AllHipHop.com."The Source is an institution and is part of history; I want my kids and grandkids to enjoy the No. 1 Hip-Hop magazine for all time."“I want to step down from the magazine and sell my stock effective immediately,” the rapper continued in a statement. The rapper explained that there were a number of reasons for his departure, including his beef with Eminem, politics and other nearby business partnerships. “This is a big step for me. I’ve been consumed too much with the whole conflict thing… the Eminem suit and I am sick of it. I don’t want to take away from what The Source has built up, but I got issues with The Source and magazines like that. Everyone is too politically correct. They’re not thinking about the little guy who can’t afford to pay for high priced ads. It’s like a monopoly,” he continued. He also took issue with mogul Earl Graves and his Black Enterprise publication, which partnered with The Source when it sought to strengthen its financial status. “Our other partner, Black Enterprises, is another reason why I’ve decided to leave. I don’t like how they perceive me. There are too many things that I don’t agree with, so I am moving on.” Finally, Zino stated that he expects to start a new publication – a direct competitor of The Source – that will be free of his previous constraints. “I plan on creating another magazine that has my voice which represents the little guy. It’s because of the manipulation of SoundScan and radio that Hip-hop is losing its edge,” he lamented. “I want to come out with a magazine that will reflect that. I want to start from the ground up and speak for the artists.” While he's starting a mag, a rep for the rapper stateed that he has no beef with his former publication. "They're still cool," the rep told AllHipHop.com and revealed that the rapper and former partner Dave Mays would have a press conference today

LED Scrolling Text Belt Buckle: That New Hot Sh*t!

2005-04-07T17:53:00.000-04:00

I know you seen 'em in a video (true)
Yo, peep the new hot sh*t. LED Scrolling Text Belt Buckles. These are for those who blaze they're own path and like to stunt and stand out. Word. F*ck wearing a shirt with your hood or your face on it. Stunt for real with your name, hood and set scrolling across your waist. I guarantee, by the summer, everybody's gonna have a LED Scrolling Text Belt Buckle.

WWF Sh*t!

2005-04-05T14:01:00.000-04:00

This rap sh*t is wrestling, word, I said that sh*t about two years ago. Peep this article off Playahata.com by Eyecalone. It's real sh*t.

With the most important event in music history in our rearview mirrors (that's heavy sarcasm folks), it looks like it's safe to come from under those tables and take a look back at the 50-Cent/Game "Beef". Oh and what a mighty "beef" it was, lasting less than a week, the battle of Interscope was over almost as soon as it started leading many to speculate that is was all a publicity stunt. I'd have to say that in some part I'm in that it was all a "publicity stunt" camp myself, albeit a stunt that quickly started spiraling out of control and lead to at least one real bullet and a at least a little real bad blood (no pun intended). The media covered, and likely record company imposed, truce between 50-Cent and The Game had all the sincerity of two 8-year olds forced to share toys and play together.
Since his gunshot inspired rise to stardom and commercial success 50-Cent has behaved like a egomaniacal madman in relation to other artist but it did come as a surprise to listen to him on the radio attempting to torpedo the career of a rapper who's success he had a financial stake in, especially being that the rapper he was targeting was signed to 50-Cent's own label. Maybe 50-Cent would lose a little money by hurting Game's record sales, but he could likely make even more by manufacturing some more drama and a subplot for his LP the night before his album hit stores - just business, never personal (besides The Games deal with G-Unit was only for one album). Even Jadakiss, who recorded a scathing diss record against 50-Cent in response to shots 50-Cent took at him on the song "Piggybank" from 50-Cent's latest LP, has indicated that he intends to use the "Beef" as a way to boost his own profile and increase his sales.
If today's rap scene had to be compared to anything it's splitting image would have to be wrestling, but not the real wrestling that you get medals for in the Olympics, more like the WWE (WWF) stuff. Yes, the same creative, energies that brought you larger than life personalities like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold, The Undertaker, The Big Show, etc now bring you "Hip-hop". No the WWE's Vince McMahon isn't head of a record label, yet, but watching these rappers and each new "beef" is like an episode of "WWE Smackdown". At least in WWE there a number of characters based on a host of outlandish stereotypes. In rap, that other orchestrated slamfest' of suspect machismo and testosterone, everyone including the females are playing the same Al Pacino, Robert Dinero, and/or Tupac inspired character.
Putting aside, the sheer ridiculousness and ignorance of the caricatures of black 'manhood' put forth by rap music, what if we were to examine these rapper's personas using the standards they promote. What if we really looked at what was behind the "street cred(ibility)" that seems to be a major component of selling any significant amount of records these days? We would probably be pretty surprised and amused at what we found.

Game Recognize Game

You've scene the scowls, heard the gang shout outs and threats of violence on radio and mix-tape, and if you don't know any better you're probably terrified. Let the music industry and Jayceon Taylor, a.k.a. "The Game" tell the story and he has hardly had a good day in his relatively short life of drug-dealing, gang-banging, and other assorted criminal activities. However, if we take a closer look it appears The Game is not quite the character his handler's are selling.
Ironically the first crack in The Game's "Ice Grill" came courtesy of his feud with rapper Joe Budden. In a diss record aimed at The Game, prior to Game's meteoric rise to stardom, Joe Budden's exposed the fact that the man anointed "savior of West Coast rap" and apparent toughest rapper in the universe had been a contestant on the now cancelled dating game show "Change of Heart" (just for your information the way the show works, is a male and female couple are each allowed to go on a date with a person of the opposite sex arranged by the show's producer, to see if they have "a change of heart" and decide to start dating the new person. Also FYI The Game's girlfriend had a change of heart on the episode).
Now "Change of Heart", when it was on the air, did not cast minors meaning Jayceon was on the show as a legal adult and shortly before his rap career began, assuming his reported age of approximately 25 is anywhere near correct. The feud with Joe Budden led to other revelations about America's new favorite "Gangsta' rapper", namely that he had a tongue ring around the time of the show's taping, and in earlier years (allegedly high-school) was a "bleached blond" (wore dyed blond hair). In a radio interview on with NYC radio personality Wendy Williams, Jayceon admitted to the tongue ring and blonde hair, but alleged that such styles were not a big deal and in fact were common on the West Coast at the time. I have my doubts about the truth of that claim, but assuming that was the case, Mr. Jayceon Taylor isn't just any California native, he's a "thug", he's a gangsta', and God-damn-it he's "The Game". Blonde hair and tongue rings on a gangsta'? What is this Demolition Man? All these admissions of course, came just moments after The Game confessed to at least one MURDER on a nationally syndicated radio program. Damn, even the late John Gotti said he was a plumber.
The "Ice Grill" continued to melt after viewing Game's DVD "The Documentary" which is supposed to document Mr. Taylor's life story, but to me made his public persona more suspect. For instance according to the DVD Mr. Taylor graduated high school where he was a pretty solid basketball player and briefly attended college. In fact, he didn't join a gang until 21 years of age! The Game's account of his brush with death where he was shot several times (which nowadays is a prerequisite for getting your album promoted), in a botched drug sale seemed more a comedy of errors than the actions of someone seasoned in the inner workings of an outlaws life. According to Mr. Taylor, he was shot with his own gun when he left his firearm on a table while stepping away to retrieve the marijuana he was about to sell. Presented with the opportunity, the apparent buyers, quickly turned robbers and Taylor was shot in the ensuing struggle for his own weapon. I could be wrong but leaving a loaded firearm on a table in a room with several guys you don't know while alone in an apartment doesn't sound like the actions of a seasoned gangsta'. to me.
After this incident the game apparently decided the drug dealer's life wasn't for him, purchased and studied the albums of some of the biggest names in rap at the time, and set about becoming a rapper. It seems in the case of Jayceon Taylor, the industry apparently understood they would be able to 'juice-up' his story and create a product whether Mr. Taylor actually had the talent to match the hype or not.

Even the tattoos on this guy seem manufactured. For instance if you look closely at the large N.W.A. tattoo on the left side of his chest, you can see it was tattooed over what appears to be a previous tattoo of a sun. In watching his own account, and listening to and reading his interviews, it becomes clear that Mr. Taylor is likely is hardly anything like the angry, volatile, violent, and completely ignorant personality he publicly promotes. In fact if there is any sincerity to the claims of things he's trying to do with his Black Wall Street Company to create legitimate forms of employment for his childhood friends, he's probably a lot more positive, bright, and forward thinking that one would imagine - but alas the industry and Mr. Taylor isn't interested in selling Jayceon Taylor, they're too busy selling Game.

"What-up Blood, What-up Cuz, What-up Wankstaaaaa!?

We can't really begin to talk about The Game or uncertified gangstas' without talking about one of rap's biggest stars and the man who helped spark The Game's career, Curtis Jackson a.k.a. 50-Cent. To keep it simple, in the netherworld known as "the streets", the perpetrators are the "Gangstas". They are the people who are "respected" (pronounced feared). The victims, particularly those that are victimized numerous times are "Vics", "Marks", "Herbs", etc. By this standard 50-Cent is possibly rap's most famous Mark, but he certainly isn't "Gangsta". He's been shot by unidentified assailants, stabbed (superficially) by one of Ja-Rule's entourage, rarely makes unsupervised public appearances, travels in more bulletproof vehicles than the Pope, and makes use of a personal security detail, that is alleged to be filled with police officers, and is likely one of the largest in rap. And for all his talk and scathing attacks against Ja-Rule for being inauthentic and a "pop" rapper these days nobody pens catchy, pop songs more often, and more successfully than Mr. Jackson.
But let me leave the G-Unit and former G-Unit rappers alone before I get accused of writing a hit piece against Interscope records. I am an equal opportunity ridiculer, and since I talked about Curtis Jackson it's only right I at least give a little airtime to his nemesis, Jeffrey Atkins a.k.a. Ja-Rule. While Jeffrey was a long time suspected actor the full extent of his phoniness wasn't exposed until 50-Cent began ruining his career and credibility with fans by attacking him on records, in print, and in any other venue that would listen. Ja-Rule's subsequent decline in sales and popularity was probably a major factor in him agreeing to a sit-down with Nation of Islam head, Minister Louis Farrakhan, that was supposed to help broker a peace between Ja-Rule and 50-Cent, and their respective camps. In his heart-to-heart with Minister Farrakhan Jeffrey Atkins revealed an aspect of his upbringing that in light of all his tough-talk and posturing is simply hilarious, namely that he was raised as a Jehovah's Witness in a fairly strict religious background. I suppose he learned the hard life of the street doing all those drive-by bell-ringings in the hood.
It isn't all Mr. Atkins fault though, he was simply keeping with the image of the label, formerly known as Murder Inc. The label has of course since, dropped the 'Murder' and changed their name to just 'The Inc", though it's not clear if they changed the name of their recording studio from "The "Crackhouse" to maybe just, "The House". I guess with all the heat coming from associations with real life criminals like Queens, New York's Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff (which has lead to a real life money laundering criminal indictment for label head Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo) it was time for a name change. I guess everybody wants to be a gangsta', that is until those real life gangster charges start coming, then they 'cry in their milk' in interviews, on TV, on radio, and anywhere else that will listen, about the unfortunate prospect of their own imprisonment and how hard the legal troubles are for them and their families.

The seemingly endless cycle of self-deprecating buffoonery that today's commercial rap music finds itself in was far from an unpredictable situation. It's simply a continuation of the legacy of manufactured and fake gangsta' rappers that moved to the top of every A&R's wish list after the early 90's commercial success of the rap group N.W.A. It's both ironic and fitting that, that group was composed of a group of guys that for the most part were not from the streets they talked about, affiliated with gangs, and at least two (below Dr. Dre and Yella) of the group's founding members were formerly members of a music group called the
World Class Wrecking Crew that apparently preferred sequins and blouses to L.A. Raiders caps and jackets. Who new that in 2005 the rap industry would so closely resemble the 1993 spoof film CB4.

Putting aside the tough talk, posturing, and gangsta' images the industry promotes in the name of pushing their product, even if these assorted jokers we call gangsta' rappers were anything like they state on record it certainly wouldn't be anything to praise. Even if they were "real", at best these rappers and a small portion of the tales of graft they tell on wax could serve as a entertainment and/or a warning to the listeners in line with saying "stay away from this situation because I've been there, lived that, and it's not something you want to go through". Instead we have these outrageous and offensive caricatures of black manhood, promoted by business executives (most of the most powerful ones being White, male, and middle-aged) and performed by frowning Negroes, beamed into our homes and homes around much of the world each day, ad nausea. This image is terrifying to politicians and Caucasian parents of any class but intoxicating to their teenage and young adult children, who provide an estimated 80% of the funds to a rap industry that is estimated to be more than an billion dollar enterprise, annually. For most of this group, who provide the vast majority of the funds, Hip-hop is part forbidden fruit, with it's low-brow taste and constant use of the N-word, and part twisted voyeurism, because many of them actually believe these songs are accurate presentation of what Black and Brown poor and working class life is like.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, an entire multi-billion dollar industry has been built around the imprisonment of black and brown men often for attempting to live out toned down versions of the drug czar fantasies we often hear recited on wax - and YES, if you own an article of clothing, piece of art, bedspread, earrings, baby bib, etc or you changed your nickname or rap name, based on the movies Scarface, New Jack City, or King of New York or one of it's central characters then you are likely caught up with some part of this fantasy. These frequent and widespread prison trips have succeeded in continuing to cripple and deform black and brown working class and poor communities and households across the United States.
Of course apologist for the music will say it's just entertainment and Hip-hop isn't responsible for fixing problems it didn't create, and that statement is at least partially true. To some degree the music itself is neutral and can be used any number of ways. Currently I would argue it's being used as weapon against those who created it. Hip-Hop, rap, whatever your preferred descriptor, did not create these problems and Hip-hop alone will not correct them, in the same way voting, by itself, will not fix America. Varied and complex problems often require varied and somewhat complex solutions. However, anyone who at this point is still arguing that the images and ideas being marketed and promoted via commercial hip-hop are only entertainment is either a liar or an idiot, or some combination of the two. While music alone usually isn't going to make you commit a crime or engage in a particular undesirable behavior, music is a large part of the fabric of American pop-culture (truly U.S.A.'s biggest export) which plays a huge role in influencing attitudes and consequently actions. Hip-hop is being used to hock everything from alcohol, to sneakers, to clothes, to jewelry, to marijuana flavored bubbled gum for a reason. At best it only desensitizes many young people, especially those without numerous positive influences to act as a counterbalance, to ideas and behavior patterns that they should reject. At worst it is shaping the attitudes and influencing the actions of a generation of young people, particularly the poor and pigmented ones, who remain under under siege from American society at large, and now their favorite rapper too.

The B. Coming

2005-04-05T05:57:00.000-04:00

Yo, Beans is my n*gg* but peep this review of his new album, The B. Coming, from Byron Crawford.com. It's funny as sh*t. Word.

Beanie Sigel, The B.Coming (Dame Dash The Rapist Group, 2005)
One of Jay-Z's weed carriers from the Hard Knock Life era, Beanie Sigel put out two albums, one in 1999 and one in 2001, neither of which produced any hits. Since then, he's acted in two ridonkulous State Property movies, one of which seems to always be on Skinemax (like always), and rapped on their corresponding soundtracks along with his Dame Dash-assembled State Property crew. Apparently, somewhere along the line, dude pulled a 2Pac and convinced himself that those dumbass movies were his real life, as he's now doing hard time in the clink for a variety of offenses.

FEEL IT IN THE AIR

I'm usually not into this slow, "Night Shift-era" Commodores rap, but in this case I guess it does kinda fit the whole mood of the song. Beans obviously wrote this one knowing good and well he was on his way to Federal Pound Me in the Ass Prison. No homo. I can see what everybody else likes about this.

I CAN'T GO ON THIS WAY

Life as a weed carrier must be rougher than I once thought. According to this song, he couldn't even afford to go to a dentist and have his cavities filled. If he worked part time at a Big Gay Mart like I do, he could pay about $7 a week and buy into the company's "Starbridge" dental plan. Freeway, who guests on this, really shouldn't be rapping.

ONE SHOT DEAL

3 tracks in and we're more or less back to the same ol' Beanie Sigel from back in the day. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out, just based on the production, that this track has been laying around since the Dynasty era. Still, I guess it's cool enough for what it is. I mean, Redman's on it.

GOTTA HAVE IT

Similarly, I'm assuming this was recorded during the sessions for one of those State Property albums. I actually like this one a lot, even though Peedi Crakk kinda owns this track the same way Fiddy owns the best tracks on that Game album. Twista pops up at the end and does that whole "Ooh, look how fast I can rap!" thing that's never really as amusing as I'm sure he thinks it is.

DON'T STOP

I wonder how much The Neptunes charge for shit that was left over from the R&G: Rhythm & Gangsta sessions. This isn't bad for what it is (although it's certainly no "Drop It Like It's Hot"), but I don't know how well it fits in with the rest of these tracks. Snoop actually does the chorus and adlibs.

PURPLE RAIN

I see a lot of other, inferior bloggers are really feeling this, but I wonder if they're aware of Ghostface's superiors (yes, even to this) version of more or less the same motherfucking idea from like 5 years ago. Ripping off Ghostface's old ideas is the kind of weak shit I would expect from the likes of 50 Cent and MIA. Beanie should've sampled the real "Purple Rain" instead.

OH DADDY

Speaking of sampling classic (like really classic) pop shit, I see some fellow (he calls himself "Boola") got the idea to sample a track from motherfucking Rumours (seriously). Not that he did an especially good job of flipping it, but I can at least appreciate the effort. Now all we gotta do is convince Just Blaze to flip motherfucking "You Can Go Your Own Way."

CHANGE

LOL at Rell being on this. Who the fuck is Rell anyway and why does he still have a career in the music industry? Actually, he might not. This sounds like another one of these tracks that have been sitting around for a while.

BREAD & BUTTER

Best. Song. Of. The. Motherfucking. Year. The rhymes, about the kind of woman who's not worth a shit, are motherfucking vicious. The production, by the aforementioned Just Blaze, is what CL Smooth would call "impeccable." Speaking of old school rappers, Sadat X and Grand Puba from Brand Nubian, which Fly has never heard of, handle the chorus and adlibs.

LORD HAVE MERCY

LOL at Beanie Sigel name-checking "Stairway" by Led Zeppelin. That really is one of the best songs ever. This song, on the other hand, isn't. That dumbass "pressure busts pipes" metaphor needed to be retired about 5 years ago. This chorus, by some unnamed R&B chick, is also rather painful.

FLATLINE

Is Peedi Crakk signed to the Dame Dash The Rapist Group? Because he more or less owns yet another song on this bad boy, even if he isn't saying much. His style and technique make everything that Beans says seem so obvious. His voice even kinda reminds me of Ghostface.

TALES OF A HUSTLER PT. 2

I'm not familiar with the original "Tales," but I could do without pretty much every aspect of this sequel, from the beat (The year 2001 called...) to Beans' dumbass "anguished" flow, to the 8th generation weed carrier's weed carriers guest vocals.

LOOK AT ME NOW

This, on the other hand, is better if still not spectacular. It's in the same vein as the first couple of tracks on here (which were really good), but this one's just not as compelling musically or lyrically.

IT'S ON

LOL again at motherfucking D.Dot producing this one. I wasn't aware that he had done anything at all since the Life After Death era other than making a few random appearances on Making the Band 3. This beat kinda reminds me of that song Eminem produced on The Blueprint back before everybody realized how motherfucking miserable of a producer he is. Jay guests on this but doesn't say anything especially interesting.

WANTED

I can't even handle Bon Jovi's "Wanted: Dead or Alive" when it's sampled in a rap song. This was unnecessary.

COMMENTS: So yeah, I can see what everybody likes about this album, but I'm still not drinking the Kool-Aid. The strong points are rill fucking strong, but there's only like 3 or 4 of them and the rest of this shit is really not that great.

BEST TRACKS: "Feel It in the Air" "Gotta Have It" "Bread & Butter"

Posted by Bol at 02:10 PM

This Whole Rap Sh*t is Boring as Hell!

2005-04-05T00:37:00.000-04:00

The reason that picture's there is because he's one of the few new dudes I'm feeling in this rap game. Here's some sh*t I was reading from hiphopgame.com that's funny as hell and true:

So everyone's throwing disses now. And they're all wack. Fuck the whole situation. 12 year-old girls in a pillow fight hit harder than this shit. 50 Cent is more for the children than Wu-Tang ever was. For real, what grown man would have "Candy Shop" bumping in their system? Or even "Gatman and Robin?" C'mon, this shit isn't music. Saigon makes music. Stimuli makes music. 50 Cent makes sing-a-longs.Everyone knew "Piggybank" was coming, why did it sound like Jada and Joe had just written their disses. Why even respond? That's only helping 50. Everyone knows 50's a snitch that lives in Connecticut that has more bodyguards than Martha Stewart, yet his albums still sell.
Seriously, think about Hip Hop today. It's kid music. The majority of music put out is just immature, boastful shit taken to another level. Instead of the playground bully taking your lunch money, they're kidnapping your moms instead. Everyone's so concerned about dropping punchlines and club songs that making good music is not even a focus or concern. As long as the hooks are catchy that's all people seem to care about…
And labels are a whole 'nother pile of dog shit. For real, with all my experience dealing with labels, it's become blatantly clear that people working at Hip Hop know nothing about Hip Hop!!! At one label meeting I sat in on, one of the interns had no idea who Shells was…no idea!!! If you pay any attention to Hip Hop, how do you not at least know the name, I mean dude's been on a million mixtapes…these labels are full of horse shit. Another funny thing, at a music conference my boy went to lately, the top A&R's say they listen to what their interns bring them…not to rat anyone out, but their fucking interns come to me for music. Here's what they probably do. They come to me, check Kay Slay's track listing, maybe holla at another DJ or two, see who the Source featured, and then report back to their bosses like they've done work. HipHopGame breaks artists. Remember last year when only a few people were fucking with Saigon, Stimuli, and Grafh…now look where they all are…fucking dickriders…to any kids who want to work for a label, don't. Being at a label one day is too much for me…
Take your favorite mixtape rapper. Now give them the test Saigon put me up on. If you can name 5 of their songs, they're more than a mixtape rapper. If all they do is freestyles, they're trash. Anyone can do a freestyle. Now look at some of the dudes ripping mixtapes. Jae Millz - one song "No No No" Stack Bundles - can't think of any A-Team - That's My Dude Grafh - Bang Out, God As My Witness, Food, Damage Is Done, In Those Jeans (Remix). So far Grafh's the only one to pass. Murda Mook - none Maino - Questions...you get the point...dudes are buzzing off of being on mixtapes, not making music!!! What type of shit is that???
Another thing I'll never understand is ghost-producing. I know producers want to get on and make money, but there has got to be a point where you're just pimping yourself…I would never want to make a beat that sounds like Timbaland produced it, give it to any one of Star Trak's trash artists, and hear them shouting out Timbaland. That's like taking the time to have a good relationship with a girl, you know, dinners, movies, all that shit, and then giving her to your boss to fuck for a while. And then on the other side of the scam you got Timbaland who is sitting back not doing shit paying people to make beats so he can sell it to a Jay-Z and get paid off of it…but worst of all, all the fans get cheated by actually believing that Dr. Dre or Timbaland made a certain beat…
So was Jay dissing Game on the radio? I don't really know and who the fuck really cares…
Props to Scram for working with Freeway…Free laid down a tight verse, but one thing I will never understand is when he says, "there's a lot of rappers trying to sound like Free." Who the fuck is trying to sound like they rhyme with their nuts stuck in a vice grip??? C'mon man. The only two that can pull off the whole high-pitched voice thing is Ghostface and Poison Pen…can u imagine Beanie Sigel in the booth yelling to his engineer, "this is just a demo take, I'm raising my voice a little higher so I can sound like Freeway!!!" Even Bow Wow and Romeo have a deeper voice than Free…I like Free's music, but please don't ever, ever, ever say that people are trying to sound like you. They're not.
So Maino and Gravy are beefing…does anyone really care?
Hey, do you remember Big Sty? Can you believe it's only been one year since Big Sty came out with that song dissing everyone with such classic lines as "I'll throw a grenade through your sunroof" and "you say you're God's Son, we'll I'll make you see God, son." Where the fuck did he go? That's what happens when you come into this industry on controversy…you leave as quick as you came. I remember the radio station I was at last year had the vinyl of that song too…remember Big Sty…
I really don't understand this Game phenomenon. I guess if everyone says you're hot, then you must be hot. I think Game has little people running around telling everyone that Game is hot, and people are just believing the shit without even listening to him…and some people e-mailed me telling me to stop hating on Game and that I'll never reach his level of success…well…I don't want his level of success…I have no aspirations to be a platinum rapper…I have no aspirations to go on "Love Connection"…and I have no aspirations to be a stripper…so that being said…I'm not a fan of Game, and I don't want to be Game…
Another thing people were saying was to stop hating on Lil' Wayne going back to college because he is setting a good example for kids…ummm…no he's not…by taking one damn class a semester, he's on pace to graduate in 2025…I don't think that's a good example…you want role models, look at athletes like Michael Strahan, don't look at these rappers…
If I get one more demo from a squeaky-voiced kid talking about his "gat" I think I'm gonna smash the cd and send it back…for real…you can tell when the shit is fake, and then when it is verrrry fake. If you don't shoot people, don't rap about shooting people, and if you do shoot people, don't rap about it because you'll just get yourself put in jail…bottom line, if you rap about shooting people than you're either lying or you're just dumb as shit…

Lil' Cease: I Chose to Go In, I'm Not Going to Jail. For Real, Though, I Got a Career and Other Shit to Do."

2005-03-18T03:30:00.000-05:00

Capone and Lil Cease testified in court. Lil' Kim got convicted. Ya boy Capone doesn't call it snitching and now Lil' Cease is denying that his testimony constitutes snitching. I don't know, well I do, but it's not for me to decide anyway. But I know what they call that in the hood. Like ya boy Skinny Suge say, "Stop F*ck*ng Snitching!" Read Cease interview here.

Lil' Kim Convicted of Perjury

2005-03-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

Damn, looks like Lil' Kim might be the first female rapper to go to the Feds. Lil' Kim was convicted of three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy, but acquitted of the most serious charge, obstruction of justice. Kim faces a maximum of five years for each count, but the news says she is likely to be sentenced to several years in prison. In some related sh*t, Capone denies that his testimony in the trial was damaging to Kim. "I went to court because I was subpoenaed and obligated to be there," Capone said in a statement. "My testimony in no way incriminated Kim. I basically testified that I didn't see anything. The media is creating a frenzy out of this case, and people should know what's really going on."

Ja Rule Hit With $ 4 Million Civil Suit

2005-03-16T15:42:00.000-05:00

Almost a week ago Ja Rule pleaded guilty to an assault for an incident that took place at La Rouge Nightclub in Toronto, June 2004. The R.U.L.E. was facing a charge of assault causing bodily harm, which could have resulted in jail time. He said he was provoked by a crowd that had formed near him at the nightclub, shouting "derogatory" comments about his feud with 50 Cent, said prosecutor Mary Humphrey, reading from an agreed statement of facts. As he was leaving, he punched someone standing nearby. The dude ended up with a black eye and some cuts to the eyelid. Well, now the Brampton, Ontario man has filed a $4 million lawsuit. Sh*t, now I see what Ja was talking about on SMACK 7, where he said he had to pay off a couple lawsuits due to the beef with 50. I guess he didn't think it would get this deep. I wonder if this is a part of 50 Cent's diabolical plan to bankrupt The Inc. and Ja Rule and then sign him to G-Unit as a replacement for The Game.

The Source Supports Al Sharpton's Plan to Ban Violent Rappers

2005-03-16T14:43:00.000-05:00

Last week, Rev. Al Sharpton proposed a 90-day ban on radio and TV airplay for any rapper who engages in violence. This came a week after 50 Cent kicked The Game out of G-Unit and a member of The Game's crew was wounded during a shooting outside Hot 97 in New York, where 50 was on the air, announcing that he was kicking him out of G-Unit. Sharpton wrote, in a letter to major music conglomerates, that violence in the music industry is being cynically used by some for record and CD sales at the expense of romanticizing violence to young Americans. Note: 50 Cent is No. 1 on Billboard's Top 100 Albums Chart while The Game is No. 5. Now Source magazine co-owner Dave Mays has announced that the publication was supporting Reverend Al Sharpton's effort to ban violent artists for 90 days. In a statement issued by Mays he said, "It is inspiring to see that Rev. Al Sharpton is speaking out against the crisis of corporate manipulation of violence in the Hip-Hop industry, which is benefiting the bottom line of a few major conglomerates." Mays also stated that The Source didn't approve of censorship, but is opposed to rappers using violence to boost sales. Here's two questions, who will this affect more, the executives that really profit from this or the artist and does Dave Mays figure this is a way to get at Eminem and friends? Sh*t, he knows it won't affect Benzino, he doesn't sell records.

Ex-Korn Guitarist Writes Letter From God To 50 Cent

2005-03-16T04:56:00.000-05:00

He left Korn last month, and Brian "Head" Welch was baptized in the Jordan River. Now he wants to save souls for Christ starting with 50 Cent."The Big Guy speaks through me a lot when I write, and I have a song for 50 Cent I wrote in the Holy Land. I feel like it's a personal letter to 50 from God, so I'm going to give it to him personally and see what his reaction is," Welch wrote in an email to MTV about his trip to Israel. "If it's a positive reaction and he's willing to talk to me, then I'm not gonna release it, but if the reaction is not positive, I'm going to share it with the world." Welch said he doesn't fear retribution from 50 either because he feels protected by the fact that he's merely acting as an emissary between God and the former Curtis Jackson. "It's not a mean song, but it is like a loving father disciplining his son and telling him how it is — kind of like Tré's dad in the movie 'Boyz N the Hood', " Welch continued. "There is really no way he can come back at me through music because it's not from me ... it's from the Big Guy. Even 50 respects the Big Guy." There's been no comments from 50’s camp concerning the song so far.

The Breakup of State Property (So?)

2005-03-16T04:31:00.000-05:00

In news almost no one cares about, Beanie Sigel recently dismantled his group, State Property. After he got locked up, it seems the whole clique forgot about the n*gg* that put them on. Read what Sigel's mom says about those grimey mofo's here.

Jadakiss: "I Challenge 50 for a Million Dollars Cash on Pay Per View in Vegas"!

2005-03-14T02:34:00.000-05:00

Damn, ya boy Jadakiss is ready! He challenged Fifty to battle on Pay Per View and got the F*CK 50 Volume 1 Mixtape hitting the streets soon. I see he's gonna get the most out of this free promotion.

Jadakiss: "Screw a Press Conference, Press This On Ya Conscience"

2005-03-10T05:22:00.000-05:00

Peep Jadakiss' sh*t getting at 50 Cent. Sh*t's kinda hot. After this and Fat Joe's response, it's all on 50 Cent now.

Fat Joes: "Hate It or Love It, The Game's On Top,Now You Jealous Of Him, When Your Sh*t Gon' Stop?"

2005-03-10T01:17:00.001-05:00

All that other sh*t almost made you forget 50 Cent still had beef with Fat Joe and Jadakiss, huh? Well Joe ain't forget. Peep the lyrics and listen to his reply right here, cuz you heard what he said, after this it ain't gonna be no more. The dumb sh*t is Fat Joe already said alot of this sh*t when he called up to Hot 97.

The Game And 50 Cent Make Up Part 2

2005-03-09T18:20:00.001-05:00

At first 50 Cent was heated, then he calmed down a little. Now they say it's over. I guess you can't really be mad after doing 1.14 million in one week.

Lil' Cease And Banger Deny Snitching On Lil' Kim

2005-03-09T12:24:00.000-05:00

Lil' Cease: We wasn't in there telling on her, cause she didn't do nothing for us to tell on. The people that actually did things already copped out to it, they already got sent away. So this should have been over and done already, but now she's on trial for lying to the grand jury. She said she didn't know certain people, and they got evidence together that she did know them. So we got subpoenaed and had to come in and testify again to what was already on the record. The people she said she didn't know, we know those people too. So if we didn't go up there and tell the truth that just means we go to jail. Why would I go up there and jeopardize myself like that, for someone who's not even on good terms with me, who doesn't even mess with me?
Banger: Everything we said is already known and proven. They have videotapes, phone conversations, pictures, how am I gonna go against that and go with her story, when I don't even know her story? She don't f#@$ with me, I don't f#@$ with her, so I don't even know what she said. I can only go in there and say the truth of what I saw.
Read the sh*t here.

The Game and 50 Cent Make Up!

2005-03-09T11:55:00.000-05:00

This morning The Game called into Hot 97 with Angie Martinez to reveal that 50 Cent and Black Wall Street have decided to lay their beef to rest and will make a formal announcement at a press conference today. 50 Cent will also announce the launch of a new foundation, the G-Unity Foundation. “I see this as a real opportunity to show the power of our community," Game said. "50 and I are proving that real situations and real problems can be solved with real talk. This can also be seen as a big step for my organization, Black Wall Street, in terms of making a difference. Maybe we can help save some lives the way rap music saved mine.”
Awww That's Sweet!! 2 Guys Breaking Up To Make Up!

Notorious B.I.G.

2005-03-09T00:54:00.000-05:00

R.I.P. Christopher Wallace March 21, 1972- March 19, 1997

Members of The Game's Crew Sought By NYPD

2005-03-07T20:37:00.000-05:00

NYPD detectives are in Los Angeles searching for clues to last week's shooting at Hot 97. The NYPD has surveillance footage of the incident and is hoping that the LAPD's Gang Unit can help identify members of The Game's crew. The shooting victim, 24-year-old Kevin Reed, is from Compton and detectives suspect that the other men on the tape are as well. The police have already identified two members of 50 Cent's camp and both men have been linked to Violator Management, which manages 50, and was shot at hours after the Hot 97 incident. They also believe that the footage shows the face of the shooter, but they have yet to identify him. "They have a face but they don't have a name," an investigator told Daily News. I think the cops should holla at Lil' Cease and Capone. I'm sure those two dudes will tell them anything they need to know.

The Game: 50 Cent's Security Guards "Hit My Boy, Peanut"

2005-03-06T15:52:00.000-05:00

The Game had some choice words at his concert at The Vault 350 Club in Long Beach on Friday. “G-Unit can suck my d*ck”, he said during a brief intermission in the show. Game specifically named 50 Cent, Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Olivia and Violator Management, whose offices where shot at last week. "He's just blowing off some steam," said The Game's lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman. "How would anyone feel if their friend gets shot? The Game said that 50 Cent's bodyguards "hit my boy, Peanut." He then called 50 Cent's peoples "cowards" who "envy" him.
The Game also threw a challenge at 50 to come and get him, telling the crowd that if "Fifty Cent" had a problem with him, then he could come "kill me," Lichtman confirmed. In the end Lichtman said that despite his client's on stage venting, he made no statements of fact about the attack. "What Game said in the concert had nothing to do with the shooting." He also said that The Game has every right to criticize 50 Cent in public. "I think [The Game's comment] speaks for itself," he said. "We're in America and he can say whatever he wants. I support his right to free expression." Uh Oh, The Game's lawyer is cosigning him, you know it's on now.

Mel Man Gives His Two Cents On 50 Cent and The Game

2005-03-06T03:06:00.000-05:00

Dr. Dre's homie Mel Man posted on the dubcc.com forums and gave his thoughts on the 50 Cent and The Game situation:
I can only imagine the amount of rumours and posts this topic has produced - I'm sorry for doin another one, but I thought you might want some perspective on the situation. Just as we were moving away from 50's album and really focusing on Busta's new joint this happens. I don't really know 50 or Game outside the studio and working environment so I'm not gonna pretend like I know what's really going on between them. I am not surprised that Game and 50 split from each other. I think we all knew the situation was coming to a head and I know Dre, Em and Jimmy were hoping for a peaceful solution and for Game to move off G-Unit as quietly as possible. However, 50 obviously didn't want a peaceful and quiet solution. It is real unfortunate that it happenned this way, but it did and it has to be handled INTERNALLY from here on out, not over the radio station. I don't really know what 50 was thinking. 50 talks about loyalty but to me one of the most unloyal things one can do is to air out FAMILY BUSINESS in public. 50 put Dre and Em in an unfair and difficult situation. This could have been handled in a positive way. Obviously 50 and Game's relationship had deteriorated to a point beyond repair. But it should have been settled as a family. Game could have been moved off G-Unit through internal discussions and monetary settlements could have been handled fairly. I will not take sides either way. I don't think anyone should take sides and please don't believe all the rumours and media reports. The media is jumping all over this and relying on false information to generate headlines and interest. Please refrain from making judgements too soon, cause you don't really know anything besides what you heard 50 say on the radio and that game is off g-unit. Besides that eveything else is rumours and innuendo.
What has been Dre's reaction to all of this? I won't speak for him but...
I know this has hurt him quite a bit, especially 50's way of handling the situation. I know Dre was getting more and more frustrated but was hoping things could be worked out internally and they could keep a strong business and music relationship. With 50 airing out his frustration with Dre on the radio it only made things worse. If 50 had a problem with Dre he should have talked to Dre about it in private. I know 50 has a lot of respect for Dre and vice versa, thats why I don't understand his approach. I know 50 was hoping Dre would produce a lot of The Massacre, but because 50 was so stubborn in releasing the album early in the year and sticking to his (50's) schedule Dre could only spend a small time on the album. Dre was focusing on Game's debut album whle 50 was prepping the massacre. Even when 50 was out here Dre had to focus on getting game ready. If 50 would have been able to wait until Game's album was mixed I think you would have heard a lot more Dre tracks on The Massacre. 50 tried to smother Game's release and only allow it 3 weeks to sell before releasing his album. Thankfully Jimmy and Dre got it pushed backed to March.
I really hope and pray that 50 finds some peace and gets his ego in check. The 50 I met when he was here for a week to work on GRODT is much different than the 50 I saw when he was out here to work on the Massacre and Game's album. The 50 I first met was humble, hungry, at ease and really fun and positive to work with. Dre had a great time working with him. Last year though 50 was a lot different. I don't think he is real happy. The dude is surrounded by bodyguards and a Army of personal secret service men at all times. It can't be fun needing protection every waking minute of the day. Deep down I think 50 is a good person, but right now he is confused and doesn't really listen to anyone, even his musical family. And he didn't think about the possible reprecussions of his words before he opened his mouth on the radio a few days ago. I do know that as soon as they could the big three got a hold of 50 and told him to shut up for once, cancel his appearances and come handle the situation privately with them. Dre and Em are really stuck in a tough situation and have been trying to put their minds together and figure out a positive solution to the problem.
What happens from here? I hope (and think) there is a positive solution out there for this problem. I don't think 50 and Game will have a relationship, but past that too much is upon the air to speculate or predict how it will turn out. All I ask is that people stop putting rumours out - let this situation be handled as a family. Let Dre, Em, 50 and Game have a chance to get together and try to work things out privately. Hopefully 50 heeds his gag order and puts his ego and frustration aside and listens to Dre and Em and handles things the right way. The only way this situation can be worked out is through face to face discussions with everyone working together like men and seeing if relationships can be repaired and solutions can be found. 50 (and Game too) have to learn that when it comes to family problems you can't put it out there in the media and disrespect family in public. That's a cowards way to handle things. Real men talk things out in private. I might sound like I'm mad at 50. I'm disappointed more than anything. I like the old 50 Cent and hope and pray he can make changes for the better. I don't want to see him or Game dead because of some bullshit. I don't want to see 50 go down this path. Dre always stresses that you can always turn any negative into a positive. Hopefully we can take this negative situation, learn and grow from it and turn this situation into a positive one.
I hope everyone takes care. PEACE.
(via okayplayer)

Lil' Cease And Capone Talk!

2005-03-04T22:16:00.000-05:00

What the f*ck is going on? Capone and Lil' Cease testified in court yesterday against Lil' Kim. Neither of these dudes faced any time and still couldn't keep their mouths closed. Lil' Cease, real name James Lloyd, said Kim told him she had a relationship with Damion Butler, the same dude she told the feds she didn't see at the shooting. "Somebody approached him, they was conversating," Cease said of Capone and a member of Kim's entourage. "I heard a shot after and everybody got down on the floor. Some ran ... I got down on the floor. Kimberly Jones, she was on the floor next to me." Cease also said he did not see who was busting off, but he, Lil' Kim and other members of the entourage, jumped into a limo and went back to Lil' Kim's Englewood, N.J., home. Butler joined them later, he said. "Everybody was talking about how crazy it was that it just went down," he told jurors. Capone, real name Kiam Holley, told jurors that when he arrived at the station, Kim and her entourage were leaving the building. "Some guy came up and said, `You got a problem with Kim?"' Capone testified. "I said, `Nah, I ain't got no problem with Kim." Capone said he ran to a subway station and never called the police after gunfire erupted. One of his associates was wounded when shots were fired. Capone even got into a little rap history by letting everyone know that he and Kim were discovered by the Notorious B.I.G. He says he never joined Biggie's Brooklyn-based entourage because of his lineage to Queens. These n*gg*s shouldn't ever mention B.I.G.'s name again. I know he wouldn't approve of them helping to send his bottom b*tch to the clink!

Who Will Snitch on Lil' Kim First?

2005-03-02T20:41:00.000-05:00

VS.

Damion Butler, rumored former boyfriend and manager of rapper Lil' Kim testified at her perjury trial on Wednesday that he opened fire with a machine gun outside Hot 97.1 in New York during a shootout with CNN's entourage. That's f*ck*d up because prosecutors say that Lil' Kim told the grand jury she didn't know Jackson when they questioned her and evidence shows the two have been friends for about a decade. It's also been reported that Lil' Cease, Hip Hop nobody Banga from Junior Mafia, Capone from CNN and a couple other mofos will be called by the prosecution to testify against Lil' Kim. I know Cease and Banga are still bitter about Kim deading them and not releasing Lil' Cease from his contract, but I hope they keep their mouths shut. One of the most important and now most broken rules of the streets is 'If Something Happens, Keep Ya Mouth Shut'. It doesn't matter if you stand to do time or not, never snitch.

Churches Plan 'Nelly' Protest

2005-03-02T19:29:00.000-05:00

Ministers from 20 churches have joined forces to protest Nelly's upcoming performance at Arkansas State University. After reading his lyrics, the ministers decided to boycott the March 12th performance, which is taking place at ASU's Convocation Center. A news release from Rev. Adrian Rogers of the Fullness of Joy Church of Jonesboro said the ministers wanted to "express their disappointment with the 'gangsta rapper' Nelly being allowed to come to the taxpayer-funded Convocation Center." He followed with, "We feel that the lyrics of 'gangsta rappers' are detrimental to society at large, but more specifically to the development of young people". The ministers are urging members of their congregations not to purchase tickets, but according to the Convocation Center's manager, over 5,000 tickets have already been sold. Now here's two questions, even though the ministers are boycotting Nelly's concert, how many would normally go anyway and is Nelly really a gangsta rapper?

DJ Zxulu

2005-03-02T03:33:00.000-05:00

For those who care, 'cause I don't, here's an interview with DJ Zxulu from Allhiphop.com. He's the d.j. from WKYS 93.9 who got fired after The Game and his crew supposedly beat him up weeks ago in D.C.

Jay-Z's First Song

2005-03-02T03:20:00.000-05:00

Well, maybe not Jigga's first song, but this is his first recorded appearance. This sh*t ain't that hot, but remember this was 1986. Check "HP Gets Busy".

Rap News Update:50 Cent vs The Game, Jadakiss, Nas and Fat Joe

2005-03-02T02:21:00.000-05:00

For those who don't know sh*t went haywire on Tuesday at Hot 97.1 in New York. 50 Cent had already voiced his opinions about Ja Rule, Nas, Fat Joe and Jadakiss. Now he really brought the beef home by including one of his own minions, G-Unit thug actor The Game, in it. I won't go into everything that's wrong with The Game, but let's just say I seen this coming. Anyway Fat Joe got a chance to defend himself on Kay Slay's show while Jadakiss pleaded his case on Clue's show yesterday. Truthfully I smell fear with those two, the dudes might have made a song with Ja but they don't wanna have their careers wrapped up like him. Just listen to these guys on the radio, 50 got 'em copping out. Talking about,"He might sell more records, but...", Come on, get some heart, it took ya'll n*gg*s mad long to respond. Flat out, The Game is Finished. I knew Fifty wrote all his sh*t anyway!
Note:This is all promotion for 50 Cent,the leaking of half of The Massacre, the sudden appearance of the ill underground video for Disco Inferno and the neverending beef just equal more dollars for 50 Cent. I mean sh*t duke even got a video game coming out.

50 Cent Drops The Game From G-Unit!; Jadakiss Replys!

2005-02-28T23:58:00.000-05:00

Remember what I said about 50 Cent and The Game having beef? Well, tonight 50 Cent was on Hot 97.1 in New York and told Funkmaster Flex he was disappointed with The Game when he made comments about not getting involved in the beefs 50 Cent stirred up with Piggybank. The Game even f*cked around and said he was gonna do a song with Nas, who just finished making comments about the 'CB4 Gangstas' ruining the rap game. For the disloyalty, 50 Cent said The Game has to get the f*ck out of G-Unit. I wonder if Nick Cannon is his replacement? And in 50 Cent almost getting killed news, a man in his 20s from L. A. was shot in the left leg during an altercation in the station's lobby and was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital, while 50 Cent was talking to Flex. The injury was not serious, and he is expected to recover. Early reports say it's one of Fifty Cent's bodyguards. Stay tuned for more. BREAKING NEWS: Jadakiss called up to Hot 97.1 during Clue's show and said he'll sit down and talk with 50 Cent, "after he airs him out". He went on to talk about how this is all promotion for 50's new album and even said everyone at Interscope wants him to give it to 50 Cent. He said besides the sales put on an instrumental and dude can't f*ck with him. Jadakiss ended by saying he won't let down the fans, the inmates or himself.

Lizzie Grubman Brought Hip-Hop To White People!

2005-02-28T17:47:00.000-05:00

You know Lizzie Grubman , right? Well the publicist says she “made” Ja Rule. She also says she engineered Jay-Z’s crossover into the mainstream, which took her four days to accomplish. She also takes credit for making sure middle-class white people discovered hip-hop. “No one believed in hip-hop but me. Everyone was like, ‘Lizzie, are you sure you’re going to be able to get this in the mainstream?’ ” She even goes further. “But I would beat those reporters down, and look at it now. There’s nothing bigger. Everyone looks at me now and says, ‘You were so right.’ ” Yeah, Whatever, Thanks! Now Please Shut The F*k Up!

Esther Baxter, Again!

2005-02-27T10:54:00.000-05:00

Holla!

Fat Joe vs. 50 Cent:"He Messing With The Truth Now"

2005-02-27T03:04:00.000-05:00

Yo you gotta hear the audio of Fat Joe getting at 50 Cent. Fat Joe called up to Hot 97.1 in New York only minutes after 50 Cent finished an interview. Fat Joe goes on to say some interesting sh*t about how 50's a hermit and how "the diesel white dudes" who are always around 50 "didn't grow up with him in The Southside." He even calls 50 Cent "Nino Brown". Sh*t goes on and on. And 50 Cent and The Game got beef now too. I'll get into that later this week.

Krayzie Bone:"I Take Care of All My Kids and Love 'Em All!"

2005-02-26T11:47:00.000-05:00

Contrary to public reports, Krayzie Bone is not a deadbeat dad. Krayzie Bone was indicted last August on two counts of nonsupport of dependents, after which he placed $40,000 in an escrow account for the mother of his son.
The money was released after paternity tests confirmed that Krayzie was the father.
"I just simply needed to know if this was in fact my son, because unfortunately there are many women who prey on entertainers such as myself," said Krayzie.
"After the funds were released, it was to my understanding that the non-support case would be dismissed," Krayzie continued. "However, I was contacted by my California [attorney] telling me that I was supposed to appear in court on February 23 and a warrant was issued for failure to appear." He finished with, "Just to let everybody know, Krayzie Bone is far from a dead beat dad, I take care of all [my kids] and love 'em all!"
Awww that's sweet!!! Yo cop that Bone Brothers.

C-Murder Got A New Video!

2005-02-24T22:17:00.000-05:00

Yeah you read it right. C- Murder made a new video in the joint. He also made an album "The Truest S*** I Ever Said", that's set for release March 22. After a conviction for second degree murder and a mandatory life sentence, everybody must have thought it was pretty much a wrap. But he's back with a video featuring Hot Boy B.G. Sheriff Harry Lee of the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center is mad as hell and has ordered his attorneys to find out whether any laws have been broken. At the very least, Lee said he wants to see the profits from the record's sales frozen. "They used my jail. I think I'm entitled to some money," the thirst bucket sheriff said. C-Murder's attorney says he has a good chance of winning on appeal, and then all he has to do is beat that other charge of second degree attempted murder.

LL Cool J Vs. Fubu

2005-02-24T03:22:00.000-05:00

LL Cool J is suing clothing line FUBU, claiming they failed to compensate him correctly for his role as the company's pitch man. Can you believe Fubu's revenues had reached over $200 million a year by 1999 and the company grossed an estimated $380 million dollars last year? Who the f*ck is still buying that sh*t?

Bone Brothers

2005-02-23T11:27:00.000-05:00

Yo, who knew Bizzy Bone and Layzie Bone had their own group called Bone Brothers? Their new sh*t came out yesterday. Peep a sampler. N*gg*s know Bone was that sh*t.

50 Cent's Piggybank

2005-02-23T10:53:00.000-05:00

For all you thirsty mofos, 50 Cent's sh*t is already on the net. I won't post it here. You gotta find it yourself. But here's Piggybank, 50's song getting at Fat Joe, Shyne and Jadakiss. Oh yeah it's kinda f*ck*d up how 50 Cent said he'll pay somebody to stab ya boy Shyne while he's in P.C.!

Fabolous Sued For 85 Million!

2005-02-22T02:32:00.000-05:00

Whoa! Lisa Natson aka DJ Golden Girl of Philadelphia's Power 99 FM has sued Fabolous and his entourage for allegedly assaulting her after the station's annual Powerhouse concert in 2004. She is seeking $85 million, alleging that she was picked up and slammed to the ground by the F-A-B-O's bodyguard, while he watched and one of his homies videotaped, in the backstage parking area of the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

By Any Means Necessary!

2005-02-21T05:20:00.000-05:00

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz
May 19, 1925- February 21,1965

Chamillionaire

2005-02-21T02:18:00.000-05:00

Yo, for those who don't know him, peep his website or this interview from Allhiphop.com. This nigga's ill and that's something coming from me. Shit, I don't even f*ck with 90% of that south sh*t. The first time I heard him was about 2 years ago when my peoples brought his tape back with him after getting kicked out of the navy. It was some sh*t with Paul Wall.

The D-Nice Journal

2005-02-21T00:47:00.000-05:00

This right here is something I want you new dudes to peep. Word, "Call Me D-Nice" was my favorite sh*t back in the day.

Suge's Gonna Tell His Side of The Story!

2005-02-20T01:39:00.000-05:00

So, Suge is finally gonna get a chance to tell his side of the story, huh? Is he gonna tell the truth? No, but I'll still pay to see that sh*t anyway. In a correction of the story about the restraining order and Crooked I, his publicist has spoken and let it be known that they have a "Gag"order on Suge Knight, not a restraining order. In related news, the public has spoken and let it be known that they do not want a Crooked I album.

Crooked I Needs Protection

2005-02-18T13:17:00.000-05:00

Sh*t's crazy. This gotta be the dumbest n*gg* in the game, besides Kurupt. Dude already knew all the sh*t Suge Knight would put a m*th*rf*ck*r through, from making a n*gg* drink piss to sonning you out by smacking fire out of you in public to getting you jumped to making you wait years without dropping an album to sliding a herb 5 grand to steal on you on national T.V. and the list goes on and on. But he still chose to sign with him. Now he has to get a restraining order against Suge, effectively ending the rap career he never had by destroying his own street credibilty. Damn. And you know what? Even though Tony Yayo really did get the order of protection against Murda Inc. so he could get a settlement and chill, 50 denied the sh*t. This idiot admits to it. Somebody forgot to tell him this rap sh*t is all about image. And that ain't a good look.

50 Cent The Massacre

2005-02-17T11:52:00.000-05:00

What the hell is this?

Suge Knight Goes Home

2005-02-16T11:20:00.000-05:00

After being stopped by police on Feb. 5th, Suge Knight was arrested on suspicion of violating his parole after police found marijuana in the vehicle he was driving. Well guess what? He has now been released and placed on 24/7 home monitoring until he gets off parole in 2 and a half months. With the electronic home monitoring, Suge must be in the crib from 8pm to 6am every night and submit to random drug testing. You know what bugged me out though? When Department of Corrections spokesperson Margot Bach said, "He has been found guilty, but we don't like to return people to prison if possible. If the person has a job or a family, and there is an appropriate way to treat someone, we're going to do it this way, rather than return him to prison" Oh sh*t, since when?

Rap News: Who's Next Part 3 and Other Questions (to be con.)

2005-02-16T01:59:00.000-05:00

Aasim: Word is Big Pun was gonna trying to sign duke before he died and I believe it. When I first heard his song "Stress" I was mad impressed, it was the usual sh*t, for real. But after signing with Diddy, the only question is Will he end up dead, in church or in prison?
Mike Jones: I don't really f*ck with country *ss rappers and I haven't heard too much raw sh*t from him. And he beefed with my n*gg* Chamillionaire, who's about to drop in the summer, but I gotta admit some of his sh*t sounds aight and he's real enough to put his number on the internet. Being that Houston is the next city to blow you're probably gonna really start hearing this dude. Bur f*ck hearing him, if you see him ask him Why the f*ck do you keep repeating sh*t?
Bathgate: Yo remember when he ripped that 'Evening, is a time of day' sh*t on that Clue Mixtape? Well dude should have been blown up. I guess label politics had him f*ck*d up. Even though he's not as bad as Angelous or Sacario, Why does he gotta try to sound like Hova?
Shea "Punch" Davis: Dude is fire and I'm gonna be the first to openly say he's hot. His flow is mad raw and needs to be polished but he got crazy energy with his sh*t. He already got the street credibility in New York, but Can he stay out of the bing long enough to get a deal?
Remy Martin: I've been feeling her ever since I first heard her on Big Pun's last album, Yeeeah Baby. And being that she writes her own rhymes, besides the lines she bites from Jay-Z, she's probably the best rapper in Terror Squad. Here something to think about though, If Jean Grae wasn't stuck underground, would Remy Ma still be the so-called "Hottest Bitch on The Market?
Red Cafe: This n*gg* can be seen draped in red, flossing different color ice, and flashing mad cash, while implying it's drug money, on just about every mixtape dvd including Smack, The Come Up and All Access. Besides the stunting and the fact that he was supposed to drop every year for the past 7, that's my n*gg*. Shit, I even remember the group he was in called Da Franchise with Dirty Money's Gravy back in like '96. All I wanna know is, After ripping damn near every mixtape I heard him on, Why did he drop that bubblegum sh*t for the Coach Carter soundtrack?

The Game Takes It Back!

2005-02-14T16:20:00.000-05:00

the game
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

So The Game says he don't want it with Hov. That's f*ck*d up. I was really anticipating Jay-Z crushing this dude. The craziest sh*t is that he says Bleek and the Young Guns can still get it because they're not on his level. Yo, how the f*ck do you expect to come at his peoples and not get touched?

Rap News Review: The Come Up Part 3 Mixtape DVD

2005-02-14T05:21:00.000-05:00

the come up pt
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

The Come Up Part 3 starts with a message from Dirty Money CEO Fendi and J Platinum to b*tch *ss n*gg*s, telling them to "turn it off if they're not smoking a fatty, getting sucked off, holding a 9 or counting a stack". Besides that corny sh*t, this is hot. Matter fact I think this is the best one so far. Murda Mook starts it off right with some witty punchlines spit a capella. He gets through 3 different freestyles. In one he says some slick sh*t about murdering Jadakiss after he calls him his favorite rapper. Towards the end of the video Murda Mook gets another chance to shine and f*cks it up over weak production. D-Block soldier Jae Hood does a video and discusses his upcoming video and the grind. You know the song where some foreign dude is singing,"Killa Cam", that was on all Cam's and the Diplomats mixtapes and the Purple Haze album? Well you finally get to see him when Cam'ron performs at the Apollo. I could have swore duke was African but it turns out his face is chalky, pale and pasty as hell and he looks Romanian or some sh*t. Anyway Camron does like 2 or 3 songs with Dame Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke watching and then Juelz Santana and Jim Jones come out. They also bring the little kid who sings the hook on the S.A.N.T.A.N.A. song from Diplomatic Immunity 2 out. At the end of the song the kid tells Cam he has to go to school in the morning and asks for his money so he can go home. Camron pulls out a big *ss stack and little man snatches it and dips offstage. One thing I can say about this Dvd is they keep the talking to a minimum. There's mad videos and stage performances and alot of unsigned dudes get a chance to put it down. Stack Bundles aka Seymour Cake reps Red Fern Houses in Far Rockaway, Queens, Gravy shines for Bed Stuy and Jae Hood hollas D-Block on their song New York, New York Pt. 2. Stack Bundles next scene is ended early when his n*gg*s start busting shots in front of the building. Of course Gravy gets mad exposure on this m*th*rf*ck*r. And don't sleep, Gravy got some sh*t too. Gravy and Fendi talk to the camera on the Brooklyn Bridge and do a few videos before they announce Dirty Money just got a deal through Warner Brothers for 3.5 million. Littles gets his chance to get at Prodigy, Illa Ghee and Alchemist with a song whose chorus goes, "I'm not sorry for not stopping niggas from slapping Alchemist and taking his chain". I guess this is where everybody got the idea about Mobb Deep breaking up, with Littles rapping about how Prodigy thought he was better solo and turned his back on Havoc and all. At the end he goes into a long *ss tirade against P. Damn I guess he's really mad. Papoose gets off in a video of his own and Uncle Murda from GMG does two videos and flows over Snoop's "Drop It Like It's Hot". Jae Millz shows up to take the cameraman to a T.I. concert at the Apollo. Shea Davis aka Punch, who will be featured on Rap News: Who's Next Part 3, rips a quick freestyle. Look out for this dude, for real. It's funny as hell when battle rapper Lux goes up against somebody in his crew and damn near gets chewed. Un, Verbal, Donna Black, some chick from Bridgeport, Conneticut who says, "F*ck Queens" while standing on Jamaica Ave., and VIP from Cali all make appearances. VIP swears he's hood as f*ck but keeps looking back and forth like crazy, with some big *ss eyes, while he's standing on that dark street in Brooklyn. They run into Red Cafe coming out of a corner store in Brooklyn and he's flashing mad cash and talking reckless. One crazy thing about this video is the number of incriminating statements mofos make. I guess they didn't hear what happened in Baltimore. Dirty Money keeps it hood though and like I said this might be the Best Come Up Dvd Dirty Money made. There's mad freestyles, little talking and you even get the chance to see what 50 Cent was talking about when he says dudes have been saying sh*t on these Dvds. I won't give it away, just watch for the part where they talk to Jadakiss and then he performs with Ja Rule and Fat Joe.

Esther Baxter

2005-02-12T05:11:00.000-05:00

The Game Hollas Back At Jay-Z

2005-02-12T02:55:00.000-05:00

the game
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Looks like The Game had a few choice words for Jay-Z at a concert he did in Europe a few nights ago. He also mentioned Ja Rule, Ashanti, Irv Gotti, Joe Budden, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, Murda Inc., and Rocafella. The Game done started some sh*t for real now. Listen to the sh*t here. Read more about the story right here.

Rap News Review: The Come Up Part 2 Mixtape DVD

2005-02-11T14:15:00.000-05:00

the_come_up_2
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

The Come Up DVD Volume 2

The Come Up DVD Vol. 2 is fire. Dirty Money CEO Fendi takes you through the hood, lets you see Times Square and gives you a behind the scenes with different rappers and industry insiders. Dirty Money rapper Gravy gets to shine when he performs "U Already Know". I ain't gonna lie I thought he was a Biggie knockoff but dude is official. Gravy also has an interview with DJ Kay Slay that's funny as hell. The streets of Brooklyn stand up on this on. You get mixtape murderer Red Cafe chilling on 19th St. with a 645 BMW discussing his record deal, where Shyne used to live and where he got shot at. He even says a Rest In Peace for the n*gg* who did it. I told you this sh*t is hood. His freestyle is hot too. They got 50 Cent and G-Unit's performance at Summer Jam where they get into it with former G-Unit capo Bang 'Em Smurf and his clique, SilverBack Gorillas. 50 starts taking off his jewelry, screams, "Y'all some b*tch *ss n*gg*s" and almost jumps in the crowd when they start throwing chairs and sh*t at him. Of course you got a couple of freaks shaking *ss and talking about the nasty sh*t they do in the next scene. Jadakiss walks through NYC and signs autographs. There's appearances from Lil Jon, The Game, Fabolous, Usher, Elephant Man, Kanye West, UTP, Foxy Brown, Floyd Mayweather, Nick Van Exel, Jalen Rose, Styles P., Juvenile and Trick Daddy. Jae Millz talks about his label deals and freestyles some raw sh*t. I have to say the best parts are the freestyles. You got Cory Gunz, a 16 year old prodigy, who's already better than his father Peter Gunz. Lux, a sick up and coming rapper, and a freestyle from Houston rapper Slim Thug. Underground rapper Uncle Murda and The GMG get gully as well. The funniest sh*t is when they talk to Suge and Kurupt, who's obviously scared as hell of Suge, and Suge makes Kurupt talk. Then Suge makes a comment about only f*ck*ng with gutter Brooklyn n*gg*s like Gravy and not f*ck*ng with Hollywood Brooklyn rappers(Jay-Z?). The thing that's ill is that you get to see everybody acting natural as hell without handlers and managers and all that sh*t. Mixtape DVDs like The Come Up are the future. Cop it at Hip Hop Dvd Spot.

Jay-Z vs.The Game

2005-02-10T13:36:00.000-05:00

jayz-black
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

I know you heard about Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek's appearance on Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex Show in New York. Now everybody's buzzing about beef. Even though The Game has had words for Bleek in the past it's supposed to be resolved. Jay says there's no beef but I don't know. Just peep the freestyle and judge for yourself.

game
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Franchising Rap: The American Way

2005-02-09T18:44:00.001-05:00

jay_z56
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

So I'm talking to some dude I used to know in high school, well I didn't really f*ck with him back then because he was a herb. But you know how sh*t kind of evens out after awhile. Anyway he's like, "I could see you as a millionaire". Pause. I give dude a funny *ss look and say "What?" So he starts going on about how easy it is to get money these days and all this other ying yang. After like 5 minutes and me trying to speed him along while looking annoyed, he gives me the inside scoop. Keep in mind, the n*gg*'s standing outside of Taco Bell in front of a beat up Honda. The deal is you gotta pay a couple hundred for some b*llsh*t and get 5 people to do the same. They in turn recruit 5 people and so on and so forth. You get 5% of everybody's' dough too. Oh yeah you keep doing this until you get 5,000 people under your belt, at which point you would start receiving a check for $100 every month. Anyway before he went in and started his shift he hit me with some real *ss sh*t. He said, "Yo, if you see somebody do something successful in business, just follow them, do the same thing, that's how McDonalds' always works." Even though it made no sense in relation to what he was talking about, I realized that sh*t is true. And you know what else I realized, that's what's wrong with music (the sh*t I listen to anyway) right now. You know how before a rapper drops their album they gotta go on about how they're Alpo before he snitched, been getting that bread on the streets, are a straight hustler, and still got bricks for 10 Grand each. See, m*th*rf*ck*rs peeped the blueprint and now that's all we get. Right now Jay-z's story is the main one n*gg*s are following. Sh*t they're already trying to call T.I. the "Jay-Z of the South". Not to digress but what's good with Swizz Beats using Hov's old lines for hooks on his beats? Ain't it kind of early for that sh*t? For real though franchising is the American way. See something successful and copy that sh*t step for step. What do we really expect from the music business anyway? It's just business.

The Game Gets Dumped On Change Of Heart

2005-02-08T20:44:00.000-05:00

Remember when Yukmouth was beefing with The Game and kept yapping about his tongue ring and appearance on Change of Heart? Well here is a picture from the episode. The chick that deaded him is kinda official too. Look at her, smiling harder than a m*th*rf*ck*r. I know she wishes she never did that sh*t, The Documentary just went platinum. Oh yeah and peep dubcnn.com's interview with 50 Cent where he talks about the rumors of beef between The Game and Lloyd Banks.

Master P And Silkk The Shocker: Straight Publicity Hounds And Herbs

2005-02-07T13:58:00.000-05:00

Something's not right about the recent arrest of Percy "Master P" Miller and his brother Vyshonn "Silkk the Shocker" Miller. It seems like Master P and Silkk the Shocker were stopped while driving near UCLA's campus in a leased Chrysler 300 with no license plates. During the traffic stop, officers found two loaded guns. One gun was by Silkk and the driver's seat and the other was found under Master P's seat. The fact that the car didn't have license plates is bad enough, but if you're really expecting something to pop off, why is the gun under the seat? All that's gonna lead to is a gun charge. Plus any 'tru thug from da hood' will tell you," ride with the gun in arms reach or just stash it". What good is a gun under the seat when your brains are on top of the dashboard? Master P knows that sh*t. All that leads me to think mofo's planned that sh*t for the publicity. P knows that the only thing he and The Shocker are gonna get is probation, if that. Shit, duke even plugged 2 albums that he's releasing through Koch in his statement about the situation talking about, "What did they expect me to be carrying? A can of Mace? If you really want the real story, pick up The Truth (his group TRU's upcoming album) on February 22nd, and my upcoming solo record, The Ghetto Bill Gates.". I guess he still hasn't grasped the fact that nobody gives a f*ck about No Limit anymore.

Robert Nesta Marley

2005-02-06T10:19:00.000-05:00

Bob Marley
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Happy Birthday

February 6, 1945- May 11, 1981

Suge Knight Arrested, Again!

2005-02-06T09:48:00.000-05:00

knight.022603
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Marion "Suge" Knight, Ceo and Founder of Death Row Records, was arrested on suspicion of violating his parole after police found marijuana in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Police said they searched Suge's Ford pickup and found weed after pulling him over for making an unsafe U-turn. He was also cited for not having insurance. A woman with him, identified as Alexis Wilkenson, 18, of Las Vegas, allegedly had a fake ID and was arrested for investigation of providing false information to police. She was later released. Sheriff's Cpl. Lorraine Riser says Suge will be held in Barstow, Calif., where he was arrested, by sheriff's officials pending a transfer next week to state prison.

Peep 50 Cent's New Video For Disco Inferno

2005-02-04T17:15:00.000-05:00

50 cent
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Yo peep 50 Cent's new video for Disco Inferno. Click right here. This video got mad *ss and a guest appearance by bald-headed herb Nick Cannon. I guess Nick Cannon is the newest member of G-Unit. Ha!

Rest In Peace, Ossie Davis

2005-02-04T13:49:00.000-05:00

ossiedavis
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

December 18, 1917 - February 4, 2005

Tray Dee of Tha Eastsidaz Gets 12 years in Prison

2005-02-04T05:11:00.000-05:00

tray d
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Remember Snoop's gangbanging *ss group Tha Eastsidaz? Well the old one, Tray Dee aka Tracy Lamar Davis was sentenced to 12 years after pleading guilty to shooting at an occupied vehicle. Prosecutors dropped two counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon and one count of possession of a firearm as part of the plea bargain. The f*ck*d up thing is he got all that time and didn't even hit nobody. I know some dumb *ss*s are gonna look at this as rap just showing it's true colors but mofo's still gotta live they life. This ain't got nothing to do with Hip Hop, even though duke was probably still mad at Snoop for raping him on the record deal. But sh*t just happens.

Houston Flips Out!

2005-02-03T19:28:00.000-05:00

houston-blue-hat
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

In a Chingy-related story, singer Houston wilded out in his hotel room in Europe. First he tried to jump out a 13 story window in his hotel room. His security saved him and brought him to a lower floor. Next thing you know this n*gg* f*ck*ng gouged his own eye out. The sh*t's graphic but peep the picture. I found it right here. This sh*t ain't even funny yo. His own peeps say he was probably gone off water and was under psychiatric care last year for manic depression.

Rap News: Mc Eiht

2005-01-30T05:15:00.000-05:00

mc eigt
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Why the f* ck am I just finding out about this sh*t. This n*gg* just had another album out? That's my n*gg*, yo. He straight wildin' in this interview on thaformula.com. Talking about, "I'm just trying to reintroduce myself to niggaz who didn't think that real gangsta shit was still out there. Just trying to make a significant point with this record to give niggaz a refresher course from all that bling blingin' and hip drillin' and bullshit that don't make no sense. You know fake niggaz you know who are runnin' around claiming sets and throwing up blood signs and wearing rags when I been going to New York for tha last 12 years and never seen gang bangin' until a couple of years ago". He saying some real sh*t in this one, even mentioning 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Jim Jones and Ja Rule. You could tell he's kinda bitter though when he says, "Everything went to bling blingin' and you know Cash Money and you know big planes and big fur coats and platinum watches and Gold. Tha aspect kind of changed a little bit. I mean...... Rap just got fucked up you know." Sh*t, I feel him though. He say what the f*ck he feel. Damn, he straight sh*tt*d on Cam'ron and them again right here.

These Are Some Funny *ss Pictures (No Homo, For Real)

2005-01-28T23:50:00.000-05:00

Yo peep these funny *ss pictures of Marques Houston with IMX, Dr. Dre alongside World Class Wreckin' Cru, 50 Cent with Missy Elliot and Big Tigger formerly of Bet's Rap City. They got more sh*t over here.

The Game And Black Wall Street Comment On Rumors

2005-01-28T22:45:00.000-05:00

the game
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Recently there was a rumor that The Game and The Black Wall Street were in Washington D.C. and ended up in some sh*t. It seems DJ Zxulu aka "The Big Lip Bandit" of WKYS 93.9 made comments about The Game's manager Jimmy Henchman and ended up getting whupped out. There were also rumors about The Game's crib in Compton getting aired out. Well here's The Game and Black Wall Street's comments about the Washington D.C. incident from dubcnn.com:

"We don't understand how one discussion with DJ Zulu, of WKYS,involves The Game at all. We are as disturbed by this incident as he is, and plan on confronting this matter head on, as soon as time permits."

And about their spot in the hood getting shot up or as they call it "The Attack On Our Headquarters", they issued this statement:
"We at the Black Wall Street Headquarters are deeply disturbed that the community is not celebrating that one of its own has made it, but yet devouring it. Yet we are not surprised by this type of violence , as this type of violence has happened for years, but we did not expect it to happen to us at this moment, as we are now giving back to the community. We are all safe, and we appreciate your concerns."

Well there you have it.

The Tsunami Song Sh*t

2005-01-28T15:41:00.000-05:00

If you live under a rock or stay O.T. (outta town), here's the story. Miss Jones, Todd Lynn, the one who said he was gonna "start shooting Asians", DJ Envy and Miss Info all do The Morning Show for Hot 97.1 in New York. I guess one of them (not Miss Info) came up with the smart idea of making a song with some pretty f*ck*d up lyrics about the tsunami that's supposed to parody "We Are The World". Mofos is mad and they should be because that sh*t is f*ck*d up. And you know what? The sh*t's not even funny, and not because the tsunami was tragic and all that, it's really just not funny. Hear it here. They've all been suspended indefinitely and a couple of sponsors pulled ads. hiphopmusic.com and trickology.com both have interviews with Todd Lynn. He says they used his voice out of context and if you really listen it does sound like the sh*t just came out of nowhere. But I don't know. Oh yeah and Jin came out with a song dissing all of them. Hear it on allhiphop.com. Note- Sorry to say it after he defended his race and sh*t, but every thing I've ever heard from Jin has been trash. Did you hear that wack sh*t he did with his pops on the hook talking about he sells Chinese food and shit? That was basically a mockery of Nas' sh*t with his pops. Add that to the "Chinaman" song and you've got a f*ck*ng regular Chinese "Wierd Al" Yankovic.

Esther Baxter

2005-01-28T04:42:00.000-05:00

Daz And The Homies Talk About The Lil' Eazy Situation

2005-01-28T02:35:00.000-05:00

daz
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Remember how Daz called Lil' Eazy a snitch in an interview on allhiphop.com. Well you need to hear him talk with the homie from the penitentiary who knows about it on dubcnn.com. They also talk about his father and Guerilla Black's corny *ss. Press play right below to peep this sh*t, it's funny as hell.

50 Cent Comments On Irv Gotti And The Feds

2005-01-27T17:33:00.000-05:00

50
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

50 told SOHH.com: "What we have here is a bunch of idiots. Irv Gotti, Ja's manager, and Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff -notorious crack dealer from Queens all in jail, it's a sad story actually. It's a story about a guy that was blessed with the opportunity to make music and used music to make him appear to be the gangster he's not. [He was] associating himself with gangsters, got too involved with it. I guess he's a gangster now". 50 Cent doesn't know when to shut up. Sh*t homie that could be you. To peep it, read this.

Damon Dash Got Some New Sh*t

2005-01-27T17:01:00.000-05:00

dame
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Damon Dash held a press conference on Wednesday (January 26) to unveil new ventures in music, sports, fashion, film, jewelry and electronics. Dash said, "I put to together, with the help of my partner Biggs, The Damon Dash Music Group, distributed right now by Universal. And with that I have the opportunity to give labels, to give artists the opportunity to make their music but also benefit from it, give them a chance to be a boss, give them a chance to have a vision. I would never empower anybody unless I thought they would be positive for our culture , our community, and represent and most importantly, be profitable." The Damon Dash Music Group will incorporate several smaller labels like N.O.R.E.'s Militainment Musica, producer 7 Aurelius' Dream Factory, M.O.P.'s First Family and a label spearheaded by the RZA that will release an ODB LP. Dame also said Beanie Sigel will have a label and that The Damon Dash Music Group may be the home for Diplomat Records.

Jamal Lewis Sentenced to Four Months

2005-01-26T22:52:00.000-05:00

jamal lewis
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was sentenced to four months in prison for using a cellphone to try to set up a drug deal 4 1/2 years ago. He also got 2 months in a halfway house and 500 hours of community service. Lewis, pleaded guilty in October to a federal charge of using a cell phone to aid a cocaine transaction. In return for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop more serious charges of conspiring to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it. He faced as much as 10 years in prison if convicted. He had to cop out, you can't beat the Feds.

Lil' Eazy E Hollas Back At Daz

2005-01-26T18:10:00.000-05:00

lil eazy
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Lil' Eazy E, Eric "Eazy-E" Wright's son, finally responded to Daz’s accusations that he was a snitch. “First and foremost, I’d like to clear that up," Lil' Eazy-E told AllHipHop.com. "On my mama, I never been a snitch ever in my life. From where I’m from, when you speak – you sleep in the streets. This b***h ass n***a’s speaking on some s**t in the streets, which he don’t know nothin’ about, which I’m a leave in the streets. As far as Daz go, he’s an old, washed up ass, b***h ass man. Anybody that got any problems with me, holla at me. It’s Compton. The n***a tried to put a cloud over a real n***a. Just ‘cause he’s not a real n***a. He’s mad because [I] didn’t sign with no punk-ass DPG Records. It’s a washed up label!”

Oh Sh*t, Feds Get Irv Gotti!

2005-01-26T14:02:00.000-05:00

irv
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Oh sh*t! I guess I spoke too fast. Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo and his brother Christopher "Chedda Bob" Lorenzo surrendered to the FBI on money-laundering charges Wednesday as federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment seeking to confiscate all the assets of The Inc. Irv Gotti, his brother Christopher Lorenzo and six others faced money-laundering charges in Brooklyn federal court tied to what officials called a murderous drug ring. Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, of Queens' Supreme Team fame, who is already in prison on a gun charge, was charged with murder, racketeering and other crimes that prosecutors said were intended to eliminate and intimidate witnesses. McGriff was an executive producer of the film, Crime Partners and Murder Inc. signed on to market the movie and release the soundtrack. A $500,000 cash advance was paid to McGriff from Murder Inc.’s parent company, Island Def Jam. The Feds say snitches told them that McGriff admitted to the 2001 revenge slaying of up-and-coming rapper Eric "E-Money Bags" Smith. Police allegedly found $30,000 in cash in a Baltimore house allegedly used by McGriff. They also found large amounts of cocaine and heroin and promotional items from Crime Partners. In the same house, police say they found a videotape which bears the recording dates of July 13-16, 2001. On said tape, E-Money Bags is seen parking his SUV on the Queens street where he was gunned down on July 16th, 2001. Prosecutors also believe he arranged the Baltimore killing of an informant in his drug organization one month later. Another man also died in that shooting. The Feds, who began investigating The Inc. nearly three years ago, also say McGriff and his peeps hand-delivered drug money to Irv Gotti, who immediately issued checks totaling $281,000 from his own bank account to various fronts for McGriff. Irv Gotti and his brother were released after posting $1 million bond each and face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all charges, while McGriff could be sentenced to death, prosecutors said. Wow! That's f*ck*d up. Why couldn't Irv Gotti keep his nose clean?

Sources Say Irv Gotti & Associates To Be Arrested

2005-01-25T15:47:00.000-05:00

sq-irv-gotti-intv03-mtv
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Everybody's talking about the how the Feds are finally gonna arrest The Inc.'s CEO Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo on charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and federal racketeering and conspiracy charges. Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff and Ja Rule's manager Ron "Gutta" Robinson are also supposed to be indicted. I thought they were going to get Irv last year. The Feds have been on The Inc.'s *ss since before January 2003 when they raided The Inc.'s Manhattan office, taking computers and documents in an effort to to determine whether Gotti used money from drug trafficking to launch his label. Think about this. The Feds say The Inc. was started with drug money and is still involved with illegal activity, right? So why are there no charges being leveled at Universal and Def Jam? If what the Feds say is true, then I'm sure they knew what was going on and still chose to do business with Gotti. Funny thing is they probably make more money off The Inc. than The Inc. makes off themselves. And who the f*ck are these sources?

Jermaine Dupri Named President of Virgin Records Urban Music

2005-01-24T20:58:00.000-05:00

jer
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Jermaine Dupri has just been named the new President of Virgin Records Urban Music. I guess they feel like he's gonna bring the "hits". I wonder how Daz, who's signed to So So Def under Jermaine Dupri, is gonna get along with new labelmates Guerilla Black and Little Eazy after that sh*t he said in that interview.

Dat N*gga Daz Flips Out!

2005-01-24T06:02:00.000-05:00

daz
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Yo you gotta peep this interview where Daz flips on Eazy E's son Lil' Eazy and calls him a snitch. Guerilla Black gets it too.

Eedris Abdulkareem vs. 50 Cent

2005-01-23T22:30:00.000-05:00

eerieabdul
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

"Who's Eedris Abdulkareem?", you ask. Remember when 50 Cent got into it with a Nigerian rapper in Lagos, Nigeria. If not, read it here. Anyway, this is what he had to say on his website:

Yes, sincerely 50 cents came to Nigeria like other African-American stars and there has never been any break down in communication before now. you all know that Africans welcome all stars be He or She, black or white, pink or blue ---- Africa is the Mother colour ----- THE RAINBOW COLOUR----. 50 cents and I (Eedris Abdulkareem), had performed together at two venues ( Abuja and Lagos), and sincerely each time his securities have presented themselves as "Rabble--Rousers", they came out "Rabbit chassing". At the back stage where dressing rooms are design for all the stars ( Artistes), the act was hijacked by some boys scout olaying the "john wayne".
THINGS GOT TO A PITIABLE HALT IN THE PLANE WHEN 50 CENTS MEN CHASED EVERYBODY TO THE TAIL-END OF THE PLANE IN ORDER TO LIVE LARGE. I came later and sitting in an appropriate space whilst i catch a snooze. I was rudely woken up in a neck hold. Infront of me was a 50cents man asking me to " beat it". I could'nt expect a star to treat another star so. By this time they had punched my attendant in the face giving him instant "black eye", He is still in the hospital.
Let all African-American realise that Rap music is against VIOLENCE. We look forward to having 50cents in Nigeria, without his chicken security who fled at a boo

When Will Chingy Respond?

2005-01-23T15:44:00.000-05:00

vanity
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Seal vs. 50 Cent

2005-01-23T05:04:00.000-05:00

seal
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Looks like everybody's got a problem with 50 Cent, even Seal. Read about it here.

Cops say Mom Gave 4 Year Old Son Crack!

2005-01-22T07:17:00.000-05:00

crack
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Missouri police say Michelle Shelton gave her son crack "to calm him down."

Rap News: Beef in 2005 Part 2

2005-01-21T19:36:00.000-05:00

50 Cent vs. Shyne Po

When Shyne got locked up, everybody in the industry jumped on his d*ck and wanted to sign him. 50 shot him an offer, as well as Irv Gotti and The Inc. 50 Cent even made a reference in one of his songs about bouncers searching him at the door of the club because "he might shoot this m*th*rf*ck*r up like Shyne." Then Irv went around saying he had signed Shyne, just like he did with Nas during the Jay-Z beef. 50 Cent took offense and immediately started dissing Shyne on mixtapes. Shyne came back with a muffled song he recorded on the phone from Rikers. The truth was Shyne didn't sign he just made a terrible song with The Inc.'s very own R&B Princess Ashanti called "Jimmy Choo."
Predicted Outcome:I don't think Shyne can afford to really focus on beef with 50 Cent, I'm sure his mind is on watching his back and changing his living conditions as soon as possible. 50 on the other hand supposedly is still dissing Shyne in his unreleased track "Piggybank." 50 will win this one just because he's in a better position to fight.

Eminem vs. Ray Benzino

Ray Benzino has a serious problem with Eminem, supposedly because he's pulling an Elvis Presley on us. Now I won't say he's not but damn, Benzino is half white and Dave Mays, who co-owns The Source with him is white, so whatever. They been sh*tt*ng on each other in songs and in the press. Both also made dumb videos about Proof getting shot.
Predicted Outcome: Eminem will win this one hands down in the end because of Benzino's lack of credibility on the subject and absence of any talent whatsoever when it comes to rapping.

Pastor Mase vs. The Diplomats

Cam'ron and the Dips have had a problem with Mase ever since he retired. Cam's beef is that Mase let a whole lot of people down when he unexpectedly retired from the game. Sh*t, at least 5 or 6 of his friends, Harlem World and others, were supposed to ride Mase's coattails to stardom. After his retirement Mase's fanbase stopped checking for Harlem World. Loon went on to Bad Boy and eventually started an independent label. The fat one got dissed by Jay-Z and eventually ended up penning lyrics for Benzino. The rest who knows. I wonder why they're not down with Cam and The Dips now.
Predicted Outcome: After going up to N.Y.'s Hot 97 to talk about his new album and other things, the conversation changed to Mase's dealings with Cam and his clique and their current relationship. Jim Jones ended up calling the station. Anyway Mase was basically threatened with getting his kufi smacked off by Jim Jones if he didn't tell the truth about how extortion was the real reason he left Harlem for Atlanta. He also talked about how Mase abandoned and turned his back on Cam'ron, Jim Jones and basically everybody in Harlem. Then Cam called to say his real beef with Mase was that Mase was basically a liar. There was no $50,000 for the Horse and Carriage video, blah blah blah. So far it looks like Cam'ron wins this one. How is a pastor gonna beef with some street n*gg*s? Not to mention The Diplomats even performed in place of Mase at his own Welcome Back concert in New York. Mase hasn't really been heard of or seen since.

Jay-Z vs. Damon Dash

There have been rumors about the rift between Jay-Z and Dame for awhile. People have been talking about them not really f*ck*ng with each other since Jay bagged Beyonce. And I know you remember those early rumors about S. Carter Records or whatever. Well it seems like the beef is official with M.O.P. making comments about them not wanting to pick sides between the two. Memphis Bleek and others chose to stay with Jay, while Dame will have control of other unnamed artists.
Predicted Outcome: Dame can't flow and I doubt Jay-Z is gonna come at him on a track. This one might stay private and be decided on an executive level by whoever's artists sell more records. But Dame got a big *ss mouth so you know eventually we'll hear something, in the end I think Jay-Z will probably triumph because if you really think about it who besides Jay-Z and Kanye West have ever done real big numbers for Rocafella?

Littles vs. Mobb Deep

Mobb Deep already has no street credibility and it really hurts when a former friend and manager comes at you, calling you a p*ssy among other things. After Prodigy's producer/friend Alchemist was robbed by some of Littles' Queens associates right in front of Littles, Prodigy basically deaded Littles, not calling him for weeks. When he finally did Littles informed P that Alchemist was a grown man and had to hold himself down. Littles also got into some sh*t about how Alchemist resells beats he sold in the industry to n*gg*s in the hood. That's never a good thing. They both ended up making songs coming at each other.
Predicted Outcome:The fact that more people have heard of Mobb Deep hurts Littles in this one. And how can you beef when no one's really checking for either side? Either way Mobb Deep wins this one because of Littles' anonymity.

Rest In Peace Lamont Bentley

2005-01-20T05:32:00.002-05:00

l bentley
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Actor Lamont Bentley who played Hakeem Campbell on Moesha was killed in a car crash Tuesday night on the San Diego Freeway. He also played Tupac in VH1's "Too Legit: The M.C. Hammer Story." Lamont Bentley was only 31 years old and leaves behind 2 daughters.

Rap News Review: The Come Up Part 2 Mixtape DVD

2005-01-20T03:58:00.000-05:00

the_come_up_2
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

The Come Up DVD Volume 2

Yo that The Come Up DVD Vol. 2 is fire. Dirty Money CEO Fendi takes you through the hood, lets you see Times Square and gives you a behind the scenes with different rappers and industry insiders. Dirty Money rapper Gravy gets to shine when he performs his joint "U Already Know". I ain't gonna lie I thought he was another Biggie knockoff but dude is official. Gravy also has an interview with Mixtape DJ Kay Slay that's funny as hell. The streets of Brooklyn stand up on this one. You get mixtape murderer Red Cafe chilling on 19th St. with a 645 BMW discussing his deal, where Shyne used to live and where he got shot. He even says a Rest In Peace for the n*gg* who did it. I told you this sh*t is hood. His freestyle is hot too. They got 50 Cent and G-Unit's performance at Summer Jam where they get into it with former G-Unit capo Bang 'Em Smurf and his clique. 50 starts taking off his jewelry, screams, "Y'all some b*tch *ss n*gg*s" and almost jumps in the crowd when they start throwing chairs and sh*t at him. Of course you got a couple of freak chicks shaking *ss and talking about the nasty sh*t they do in the next scene. Jadakiss walks through NYC and signs autographs. There's appearances from Lil Jon, The Game, Fabolous, Usher, Elephant Man, Kanye West, UTP, Foxy Brown, Floyd Mayweather, Nick Van Exel, Jalen Rose, Styles P., Juvenile and Trick Daddy. Jae Millz talks about his label deals and freestyles some raw sh*t. I have to say the best parts are all the freestyles. You got Cory Gunz, a 16 year old prodigy, who's already better than his father Peter Gunz. Lux, a sick up and coming rapper, and a freestyle from Houston rapper Slim Thug. Underground rapper Uncle Murda and The GMG get gully as well. The funniest sh*t is when they talk to Suge and Kurupt, who's looking scared as hell of Suge, and Suge makes Kurupt talk then makes a comment about only f*ck*ng with gutter Brooklyn n*gg*s like Gravy and not f*ck*ng with Hollywood Brooklyn rappers(Jay-Z?). The thing that's ill is you get to see everybody acting natural as hell without handlers and managers and all that sh*t. Mixtape DVDs like The Come Up are the future. Cop it right here at Hip Hop Dvd Spot.

Esther Baxter - Surf's Up!

2005-01-19T15:29:00.000-05:00

A Dude Grabbed Chingy's D*ck! True Story!

2005-01-19T06:06:00.000-05:00

Yo that's f*ck*d up. They say some transvestite named Vanity grabbed ya boy Ching-A-Ling's ding-a-ling while he was performing at the Adult News Awards. Yo somebody needs to get these pictures to Ludacris and Nelly. Here's the story.

That's Some Gay Sh*t Right Thurr Chingy!

2005-01-19T06:03:00.001-05:00

Yo peep Chingy's homie from The Git It Boys dancing behind some dude at The Adult Video Awards. Yeah, that's a transvestite named Vanity in the shiny sh*t. Here's the story.

An Interview With The Geto Boys

2005-01-19T04:34:00.000-05:00

geto_boys_-_makin'_trouble
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Yo, somebody tell me why the f*ck The Geto Boy's ain't on the cover of The Source, XXL and Vibe. They'd rather have some idiot like The Game. Hey Hip Hop magazine dummies, they made "My Mind's Playing Tricks On Me". That should be enough right there. But they got a new album called The Resurrection coming out. Check duke's interviews with Willie D, Bushwick Bill, Scarface and the light-skinned dude who nobody even remembers.

Who The F*ck is Johnny Crack?

2005-01-19T02:04:00.000-05:00

j crack
Originally uploaded by JohnRedmond.

Yo peep this sh*t. The m*th*rf*ck*r in the red is Johnny Crack, a white boy from an "o.k. neighborhood, who had to wear hand me downs". Make sure you read the interview. This sh*t is funny as hell. Make sure you check the audio too. Dude should be the opening act for The Game.

The Most Overated Rappers (to be con.)

2005-01-17T04:09:00.000-05:00

Ludacris- I can't stand this short f*ck*r. F*ck what anybody says, Luda is trash. Being from the south he's judged by a lesser standard but come on. Duke is a jokester and a clown. Did you hear "Get Back"? Yo, dude ain't never made sense to me. He's a short light-skinned Missy Elliot.
Eminem-I know I said he was in the top 10 dead or alive, but that just tells you what a sorry state the game is in. Encore is a piece of sh*t, he f*cked up Pac's album and had a hand in introducing us to The Game. What a Year!
The Game-For those who don't know The Game is trash. Dude calls himself The Game, as if to say HE IS THE RAP GAME, talks about how he took the styles of all the greats, and swears he's gonna bring the West back, but can barely write a whole coherent verse. Read the review of The Documentary I wrote for further details.
Jadakiss- Don't get me wrong, unlike Ludacris or The Game, Jadakiss got flows, but his songs by himself, can be terrible. There's a passage in the Bible that basically says to whom much is given, much is required. Jada we expected so much more. And oh yeah, respect just for trying something different but truth be told ,"Why" wasn't all that good.
Nate Dogg- Not a rapper, but not quite R&B either. Either way, I don't give a f*ck. Rappers wore his sh*t out years ago. Nate just change your voice. You've been sounding the same since '93. I think he's afraid m*th*rf*ck*r's won't know it's Nate Dogg or something. Everybody still insists on using him. Why do rappers find one thing that works and stick to that sh*t hard? Snoop you started this sh*t, which leads to ...
Snoop Dogg- This mofo fell off years ago, for real. Please, can we let this lame go away? I know Doggystyle was that sh*t but what else. He still get loves off the strength of that sh*t. I mean really listen to the words on "Drop It Like It's Hot."

Rap News: Beef in 2005 Part 1

2005-01-17T02:51:00.000-05:00

50 Cent vs. Ja Rule and The Inc.

Everyone probably thought this beef ended when Ja Rule's music career did but really that left Ja fiending for revenge. At this point he has nothing to lose. Ja knows he'll never sell units like he used to so the only thing he can do is try to destroy what 50's built. Predicted Outcome: Check for Ja Rule on the Surreal Life in 2 years.

50 Cent vs. Jadakiss

50 Cent told Funkmaster Flex he ain't feeling the fact that Jadakiss was on a song with Ja Rule, all while knowing Dmx don't f*ck with Ja Rule. Think about this. 50 knows Ja's song New York is directed at him. If you peep Jadakiss verse he say some pretty strong sh*t like, word that n*gg*s wanna murk you is in the air. Predicted Outcome: Yo that's some other shit. 50 is a fucking brat. Talking 'bout, "You did a song with Ja, you can't do that, X is ya man". Shut the hell up. Anyway Jadakiss is the rapper everyone in the rap game is depending on to smash 50. Don't ever believe that these mofo's like 50. The first time anybody really heard 50 Cent was in "How To Rob". They haven't forgot that shit. The thing is 50 built his own spot in the game so it's hard for them to get at him. This is gonna be a good one and I might be wrong but look for 50 Cent to triumph.

50 Cent vs. Fat Joe

50 Cent got offended after he heard Fat Joe dickriding Ja Rule's frisbee Blood in My Eye on Smack Dvd. His feature on Ja's single New York didn't help. For real Murda Inc. was on the same shitthey didn't want people doing songs with 50 when he first came out. Fat Joe's ghostwriters are always throwing subliminals at the kid. Predicted Outcome: Listen Fat Joe doesn't write his own rhymes. His ghostwriters are probably throwing subliminals on purpose so they can get more work. Here's some lines from 50's song "Piggybank". 50's a f*ck*ng comedian so this will be good. If 50 doesn't get his *ss whupped first he'll win.

T.I. vs. Lil Flip

I guess this started when T.I., self proclaimed 'King Of The South', got locked up and says he heard Lil Flip did a show in Atlanta and said some comments about T.I. before he performed his hit "Game Over". He's had Flip in his sights ever since. They've both made songs about each other but this beef gets little attention. Predicted Outcome: Lil Flip's not really a battle rapper so you know who wins on the lyrical side but T.I. lost credibility when he deaded the beef with Ludacris.

T.I vs. Ludacris

Looks like T.I. saw someone in a TrapWear shirt getting stomped in one of Ludacris' videos. T.I.'s album name at the time, Trap Music. T.I. ended up dropping some lines directed at Luda on Young Buck's joint Stomp. G-Unit kept it gangsta, let Ludacris hear it and asked him if he wanted to get on the track. Luda did and it was on. Now this is where it gets sweet, on some Chingy sh*t. They got in contact and squashed it. I don't know, why didn't he squash the beef with Lil Flip and keep this one going. Luda would be more of a challenge. Predicted Outcome: This one was supposed to be dead but just recently if you went to Ludacris' website you got redirected to T.I.'s joint. I guess it spread to the internet.

Chingy vs. Nelly

This one started when Chingy took some lyrics Nelly said in his song personally. Both of these guys are pranksters to me. This is Beef Lite. Predicted Outcome:We all know what happened with Chingy and the transvestite. How can you beef in this game if you and The Git It Boys are practicing homosexual sh*t in public. Man Please! Nelly will win when he distibutes the pictures. Matter fact, the whole video.

Chingy vs. Ludacris

Chingy said DTP fucked him out of some money. I don't believe the shit. Chingy's obviously a flaky dude not to mention has homo tendencies. He probably fucked with Luda and DTP just to get his name out there. He knew he was gonna skate. His sneaky ass always slipping some shit about Git It Boys in every song. They're homoistic too. Predicted Outcome: I don't feel Ludacris is as ill as everyone says he is but he'll still chew Chingy. Plus Chingy's on some whole other shit.