In 715 We Trust

Foxx-Street Gossip[Retail][Grouprip]

2007-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

1. I Got It
2. I Drank - Foxx, Webbie
3. Not Myself
4. Leanin' - Foxx, Paul Wall
5. Air It Out
6. Bounce - Foxx, T-Pain,
7. Know It's Good
8. Big Mouth -
9. Beat It Up
10. Original
11. I'm Sick
12. She Said - Foxx, , Trey Songz
13. Exclusive
14. I'm On
15. Rubberband Knots
16. Twanky Thangs

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Jena 6 Rally sparks new spirit of protesting

2007-09-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

By Yaminah Ahmad

“If they were Jewish students who sat under the tree and the following day had swastikas or offensive racial imagery hung from those trees, and they decided to respond to that imagery with their fists, they wouldn’t have charges placed against them in this country or any other country, for that matter,” rapper Mos Def retorted to CNN reporters during a live broadcast from Jena, Louisiana last Thursday.

Jena, with a population of 3,000, was flooded with a reported 50,000 people from across the country, primarily African American, demanding justice for six Black high school students known as the “Jena 6.”

Since last fall, racial tensions between Black and White students at Jena High School have been brewing with a series of events in the small town whose population is 85 percent White.

Among them was a Black student sitting under what was considered the “White tree.” The next day, some White students responded by hanging nooses from it. Black students protested and District Attorney Reed Walters, along with police officers, ended the protest and told the Black students, “I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen.”

Soon after, White students at a party beat a Black student and, the next day, a group of Black students were arrested for theft of a gun when they wrestled and obtained a shotgun from a White man after he pulled it out and threatened them with it at a local store. No charges were filed against the White man.

Everything climaxed when an outspoken White student who supported the noose prank called a group of Black students “nigger.” The Black students retaliated by attacking him. The White student suffered minor injuries and later attended a party that evening.

Six Black students were arrested and charged with second-degree murder for the school fight. An all-White jury convicted 17-year-old Mychal Bell of aggravated battery. He has been in jail since December.

The case has drawn national attention and sparked a heated debate about race relations in the U.S. Some believe that because of the outcry of injustice heard throughout the country, Bell’s conviction for second-degree battery was thrown out earlier this month, with a judge saying it should’ve been handled in juvenile court. Charges for four other students were reduced to battery and conspiracy. One student, Bryant Purvis, who claims he was a spectator of the fight, and an unidentified student, are charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and their constituents, along with busloads of college students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), concerned families and high-profiled personalities like Martin Luther King III, filmmaker Tyler Perry, rapper/actor Mos Def, author Michael Baisden, Hip-Hop writer and activist Kevin Powell and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, responded to what many deem inhumane treatment of children by swarming in on the autonomous town donned in Black and carrying picket signs while shouting, “No justice, no peace!”

It was a scene out of the civil rights demonstrations. Red-faced sheriffs aligned the outskirts of the massive crowd with their hands resting lightly on the holsters awaiting trouble. It never came.

Jackson led a passionately peaceful three-block march to the LaSalle Parish Courthouse where he told participants that injustice like the Jena 6 case is taking place in every state. With Blacks accounting for 80 percent of children in juvenile detention, the civil rights leader alluded to the business of imprisonment.

“They use inmates as prison workers. They are cutting grass along the highway. They rent prisoners out to friends in private business… It’s called pillage or slave labor.”

D.A. Walters, who held a press conference Wednesday, and some local residents, mainly White, believe the attention on the case is blown out of proportion and that their town is being misrepresented.

“This case has been portrayed by the news media as being about race,” said Walters. “The fact that it takes place in a small Southern town lends itself to that portrayal, but this is not, and never has been, about race. It is about finding justice for an innocent victim, and holding people accountable for their actions.”

“This is a very close community. I feel safe here. I think this is a good community,” said one woman, convinced that “outsiders” should stay out of it.

But Sharpton believes silence is a catalyst to injustice.

“The silence shows us that this was fine as long as it was under the carpet. We came to pull the carpet up. If there are roaches [when] we turn the light on, don’t blame us for being those that get rid of roaches. Blame those that let the roaches crawl around.”

Melissa Bell, the mother of Mychal Bell, marched alongside Sharpton wearing a “Jena 6” T-shirt. She said her son was watching the rally on the news and was overwhelmed by the support from strangers across the nation.

Unfortunately, their excitement was cut short the next day when a judge denied a motion for Bell’s release from jail even though his charges have been voided. As of yet, D.A. Walters hasn’t re-filed charges in juvenile court, so according to Bell’s attorneys, there is no reason to hold him. Protestors from the rally who were present at the court hearing vowed to come back.

Donald Washington, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, concluded that the nooses and the school beating of the White student were not related incidents and dismissed any notion that the events are hate crimes.

ColorofChange.org, an Internet-based grassroots organization, lists several steps Jena 6 supporters can take to help the high school students.

“The prosecutor and district attorney should be made to know that the responsible thing to do is the right thing to do,” said Mos Def. “These are young men. There’s no justification in ruining their lives over something that’s so ridiculous.”

THE LATEST NEWS

A White supremacist website posted the phone numbers and addresses of five of the six Black students, calling for their community to “deliver justice,” the FBI reported Saturday.

Some of the families have received constant threats 24/7 and the governor has called for an investigation by local police.

“These people need more than an investigation. They need protection,” Rev. Jesse Jackson said Sunday. He is now calling for President Bush to intervene.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Pimp C: Tell 'Em I Said That

2007-09-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

By Bonsu Thompson

You’ve conducted some interviews recently that expressed some pretty offensive opinions, but you only apologized for your “Atlanta ain’t the South” statement. Any other apologies you wanna make?
Let me say this: That statement about Russell Simmons had nothing to do with his sexual orientation. It had more to do with a disagreement [we had]. I don’t know if the man likes Martians, squirrels or whatever, so I ain’t gonna speak on something that I didn’t see. It’s no gay-bashing with me. It’s just, be proud of what you are, instead of hidin’ in the closet. And if ya fuck boys in the ass, then don’t be tryna fuck with the girls, too, poisoning the pussy population wit’ ya shitty ol’ dirty-ass dick.

So Pimp C is not a gay-basher?
I’m not a gay-basher, because gay people buy my records. Why would I be offended by your sexual preference, unless I’m in the closet? If ya like boys, go get all the boys ya want. And whatever you did that you ashamed of, don’t do it no more.

Do you ever feel any compassion for Bun B, for being in a group with a man like yourself, who is unfiltered and can be bullheaded in his ways?
You been programmed to think I’m bullheaded. I just know what the fuck goin’ on. I know who’s a faggot, I know who lettin’ them girls fuck ’em in the ass with them dildos, I know who really sold dope, I know who didn’t. I be in Houston. The only nigga I see [in Houston] goin’ to the mall by himself is Slim Thug. Other niggas, when I see ’em, they got bodyguards around ’em. How you gonna be scared of the neighborhood you supposed to be reppin’? All them [Houston rappers] that think they stars, guess what, bitch? Ain’t no stars down here. Only stars is in the muthafuckin’ sky!

So the only Houston rapper you’re acknowledging is Slim Thug?
I didn’t say that! I said, again, the only nigga I see at the mall by himself is Slim Thug. You magazine muthafuckas need to have more responsibility for what you write and put on your goddamn covers. I couldn’t get on a Source cover ’til I went to prison. I had to go to prison to get on the cover of yo funky-ass magazine?

But, Pimp, you do know this isn’t a Source interview, right?
I know this ain’t The Source. I’m riding on them in yo book! So if [they] wanna give promotion off the negativity, then eat my whole dick and nuts at the same time. I’m not talkin’ to you, but, like, you gotta ask the hard questions. I gotta answer the hard questions in a hard-type manner.

Anything else would be uncivilized. In your Ozone interview, you referenced rappers lying about their drug rep—specifically, Mr. 17.5, which is Young Jeezy’s nickname. Why did you call him out?
So that’s your opinion? You’re basing your opinion that I went after Jeezy ’cause the same number that he calls himself is the same number that I used in my interview?

Uh, yeah, he’s the only person I know that calls himself Mr. 17.5. So, yeah, I guess you can say I assumed that’s who you were referring to. But was I wrong?
First of all, Jeezy is a cold muthafucka with a microphone who, in my opinion, gotta have something in him that’s street or somebody street around him that’s instillin’ something in him. Now that I gave him his compliment, let me go on. Don’t single out Jeezy, because he ain’t the only one that’s kickin’ numbers that don’t match. Have you ever sold drugs?

Excuse me?
Well, you do know there’s no water around Atlanta. So all the drugs in Atlanta either come from Miami or Texas. Ain’t no way those prices match up. If work in Texas is $15,000 to $16,000 a ki, you gotta pay a muthafucka $2,000 to $2,500 a bird to bring it back to your city. How you gonna sell it for lower than you got it? A muthafucka might be cold and go down to San Antonio to buy it straight from the muthafuckas that get it across the border for $10,000. But news flash: I know you muthafuckas ain’t comin down here to get it, ’cause we woulda saw ya. See, real niggas don’t swap it out. We get ya on the next batch. But Young Jeezy is my brother. I done made records with the nigga. I’m not gonna side with the media against my brother. It’s just that these dope prices… It ain’t even just the South. It’s a bunch of niggas lyin’ on records. Y’all ain’t gettin’ it like this on the East Coast, neither. Just stop, ’cause y’all know y’all gotta come get this work from us. Chuuch.

WWW.XXLMAG.COM

Streets Is Talking: Young Jeezy

2007-09-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

By Aqua

Young Jeezy’s got something to say. You really should know why if you’ve been following the always entertaining, and insightful, banter of Pimp C. Much has been said about Pimp’s assertion in Ozone Magazine’s August 2007 issue that a certain Mr. 17.5 wasn’t coming correct with his math. Mind you, the UGK vet never implicitly singles out Jeezy as the culprit in print or on his storied interview on Atlanta’s Hot 107.9. When XXL Magazine asked Pimp C in their October 2007 issue to again clarify the “17.5” reference, he reiterated that Jeezy was a “cold muthafucka with a microphone” but didn’t back down on his assertion that the numbers aren’t adding up.

Jeezy has been mum with his take on the chatter. But, he’s blessed AllHipHop with the opportunity to get his opinions on the matter, along with bigging up his present endeavors, of course. Now before heads go running at the lip or tip tapping at their keyboard with partial quotes to incite more hype, please know that there is no beef. It comes down to a difference in opinion, and below you’ll find Jeezy’s.

AllHipHop.com: How ya feeling?

Young Jeezy: Like a million dollars homie. For the record I’m doing me. I just been running trying to get some money but I’m all ears, anything you asking I’m answering.

AllHipHop.com: What’s up with the clothing line?

Young Jeezy: Aww man, 8732 it’s crazy right now. I’m doing the official launch Thursday, September 28.

AllHipHop.com: Is the clothing line through Roc-a-Wear?

Young Jeezy: Yeah, we got a collabo. I sit down with the powers that be man and we got it really cracking. I really wanted to do it and they had a crazy outlet so we just made it happen.

AllHipHop.com: What’s the meaning behind the clothing lines names?

Young Jeezy: It’s the culture. When I went in it for USDA they wouldn’t let me do it, so I just flipped it. If you really from the streets and you know the old school ways, when you want to get at somebody without saying, you just put it on their pager, ya know, dial it in the phone. So basically if you go to the phone booth back in the day, you put it in somebody’s pager, you look at their pager and read it, USDA spells out 8732.
It’s two or three different logos for it but we mostly playing with the numbers. It’s one hundred, I wouldn’t even lie to you. It’s doing real good in the stores right now, when I’m out and about I see people really wearing it, really buying it, really supporting it man, I can’t do nothing but thank them for that.
Other than that man we just grind. I might be back in on another album, I might not be. [laughing]

AllHipHop.com: Come on man, the streets ain’t trying to hear you retiring.

Young Jeezy: Ya know, just tell them get ready for me though because when I come, I’m coming right. It’s going to be my best work.

AllHipHop.com: Do you have a release date yet?

Young Jeezy: Nah man. I could be done right now to be honest with ya, I really never stop recording bruh. I never really stop. It’s just depending on how I’m feeling and when I feel the vibe I’m moving.

AllHipHop.com: What about a title?

Young Jeezy: Yeah but I’ma keep that under wraps because I don’t want nobody getting a hold of no songs and putting a Young Jeezy album out. [laughing]. [Corporate Thugz Entertainment] is good, I got some West Coast things going on. I got 2 Eleven and Young Rocket from out there. 211 from Inglewood, Roccett from Carson, them my homies from out West so we been dealing with them lately. We got Slick Pulla and Blood Raw, they going to drop at the top of the year. I just signed my man out of Jackson, MI, Boo the Boss Playa, he one of my homies I been knowing him for a long time but he been on the grind. We just got a chance to really make it official.

AllHipHop.com: So what’s your take on Keisha Cole’s article in Essence Magazine?

Young Jeezy: Aww man, ya know, I guess it’s publicity season everybody trying to sell records. Can’t knock her for that but I ain’t really tripping because that don’t pertain to me. She can’t obviously be talking about me. It’s publicity season, everybody’s doing what they do, so I guess that’s what that is.

AllHipHop.com: So you wanted to address the Pimp C situation so…

Young Jeezy: Yeah, ask whatever questions you want to ask, I’m answering. We gon’ keep it one hundred around here. We can get in depth about whatever you want to get in depth about, it’s AllHipHop, let’s do it.

AllHipHop.com: Just so we’re clear, Pimp questioned the figure 17.5. He’s been adamant that he wasn’t referring to you, but people are wondering if it’s still a slight to you since you go by Mr. 17.5.

Young Jeezy: If he ain’t referring to me he ain’t referring to me but first of all I’m one hundred, I’m a real street ni**a and I ain’t gotta stress that. And nor will I get myself or anybody in my circle indicted to prove nothing to no ni**a, but at the end of the day that what it is and that’s what I’m standing on. He been gone six years, he don’t know what’s been going on in these streets. And to be honest with you, nobody ain’t got to go shop over that way anyway. Come on man, this real man, this the world. You can go to the West Coast, you can go wherever you need to go to do what you got to do, ain’t just one store. [laughing]

I don’t know what that’s about but I’m still standing on it. It’s 17.5, ni**a got a problem with it, then let’s get it.

AllHipHop.com: Have you spoken to Pimp C at all since all this came about?

Young Jeezy: No, they reached out man but I’ma be real, I’ma keep it 100, when he said he won’t speaking about me I left it at that. I really don’t got a good relationship with Pimp but I know Bun [B]. And the thing I will say about Bun, even if dude don’t know that, is that Bun knew me before rap. I used to pick Bun up in my cars and ride him around when he lived in Atlanta and smoked with him, have him around me and my homies, so Bun know me. If you ask anybody about me, in any part of the world, I’m 100. Even out there in Houston, ni**as know me for real and I’ma leave it at that. Bun like my brother from another. We chop it up all the time, me and Pimp just ain’t have the relationship.

AllHipHop.com: And you and Pimp C have done records together.

Young Jeezy: Yeah, but you know even the little comment about the 60 thousand for a verse, man I did four verses for them dudes for free man. I sell millions of records. I fucks with real ni**as. It takes a real ni**a to know one so when a real ni**a reach out to you, you do what you do and you don’t trip on it. I didn’t real get it. Me personally, I think ni**as was getting way too emotional. If you a G, you’ll reach out. I got a phone, you got a phone, whatever, and you’ll holla like men. You don’t get in a magazine and say nothing crazy and think a ni**a ain’t going to take it personal. But at the end of the day, like he said, he wasn’t pertaining to me. I couldn’t really give a fuck homie, because at the end of day man, I’m fucking amazing my ni**a. I’m good at what I do, but I was great at what I done, I’m the last motherfuckin’ Mohican. Ain’t no ni**a walking this fucking earth fittin’ to tell me that I ain’t do what I said I did. I’m not even being mad about but it’s like when you grew up listening to ni**as, and you respect them, and you get out there and do everything they say they done, but better—and then you get to where you at and they don’t respect you, then fuck it. It’s what it is. At the end of the day, I done it. I done it homie, I’m one of the best.

I ain’t never seen none of these ni**as I rap with in the streets, ever. Never crossed paths with them, ever in my life. I know these ni**as from music. At the end of the day I did what I did and I’m here now and I’m blessed homie so I ain’t even trippin’ on that. That’s nothing to really glorify, that’s all I know. And I cater to the people who love what I do and that’s what I do. Real ni**as respect other ni**as craft and let other ni**as do what they do. My thing is sometimes you gotta let the younger ni**as eat though. For everybody wondering why it took me a minute to even speak on the shit, I been getting money man. I been busy chasing paper man, I ain’t got time to deal with no bullshit. That’s the ni**a’s opinion man, that shit’s like an Escalade, everybody got one of them motherfuckers.

AllHipHop.com: Have you read the interview in XXL with Pimp C?

Young Jeezy: Yeah yeah, I read it. Cause my thing is…and I’m a say this, if the ni**a saying he ain’t talking about me, then I’m cool with that. I got love for Texas, I really do. I really been out there for real and I know what he talking and he 90% right. But, I wasn’t speaking on that at the time. I was speaking on what was going on with me. So if he took it the wrong way, the whole 17.5 thing, that’s what it is, though. But like I said, he said he wasn’t talking about me, so I left it at that. But in the magazine, when they put the shit in XXL, it was my name in big bold letters, I ain’t know how to take that. But if a ni**a call me his brother then that’s what he saying. My whole things is if we brothers we gon’ leave it at that. It can be everything or it can be nothing. But I’m a man, I’m a grown ass man, I’ma stand on my own ten at all times. I don’t take that well, especially when you got respect for ni**as, you feel me?

My thing is, I ain’t got nothing to do with that. And I feel like he feel. That’s why I got in this game. There’s a lot of fake ass ni**as out here talking this shit. But you don’t just wake up and talk like this, you don’t just wake up and walk like this, ni**as don’t know about that shit being around it. My thing is you get in the XXL article and discuss prices. Like, you an OG, you ain’t supposed to that. You still got to show some type of rules and morals for the street, there’s still nig**as out here doing what they gotta do everyday to survive. It’s one thing to speak on it on records to motivate ni**as but when you get to talking about that shit in magazines, the feds read too. They’ll pay you some attention if you don’t get none from nowhere else.

That ain’t being realistic. I would never disrespect the streets like that. Never in my life homie. I’m telling you, I stand here on God’s green’s earth, if I ain’t do it, it’s never been done. At the end of the day I would never disrespect the streets like that. I would never get in no magazine and discuss this and that and what it costs and all that. That might not be another ni**a’s program, at the end of the day you just putting the shit out there for the world to see. It’s one thing to be you and do your craft and speak on it and do that, but if you an OG my ni**a you don’t do that. Everybody ain’t fortunate enough to get a rap check. But god damn it I am!

The ni**a spoke on my homeboy and shit [Ed. Note: referring to Big Meech of BMF], and I’ma say this, that’s my ni**a, that’s my fucking heart and shit still real out here. So at the end of day ni**as gotta play by the rules. I’m not mad, because I can’t be. Cause you don’t get offended when a real ni**a straight in his business. My thing is, we gotta keep the morals to this shit and we can’t lose it by trying to god damn step on the next ni**a head. Sometimes you gotta let the young ni**as eat, cause I’m the same niIIa that was screaming free this ni**a when he was locked up. I’m the same ni**a that single handedly helped Bun get back on his feet when the shit was falling off out that way. I did several songs with Bun B, ya feel me?

AllHipHop.com: It’s seems like it’s simply a disagreement in the numbers.

Young Jeezy: A ni**a can have a pocket full of stones or a Navi full of squares my ni**a, but at the end of the day who the fuck cares, we here. We made it. Only thing we can do is motivate the ni**as who’s still out there. Fuck the numbers, the numbers change everyday. You think I’m going to get into a dispute over some numbers? I could see if I was coming to shop with him, yeah. But other than that, come on man.

If we brothers, you can disagree with your brother. What I really was pissed off about was the whole dissing the ATL thing. I’m a strong believer in when you meaning what you say, and say what you mean, that’s what you mean dog. So for some ni**as that fucked with y’all ni**as from the beginning, for you to say that it just made us feel a whole other way like, “God damn dog, what we doing?!” We support you. You take the rap game and look at the younger ni**as of today we collab. I fuck with Buck, I fuck with T.I.P, I fuck with [Lil] Wayne, ni**as get money together, it ain’t about that, cause at the end of the day it’s a business. This ain’t gangland. If it’s like that all of us could have stayed in the streets. If it ain’t about the money, why we rapping for? I can’t do you, I can only do me brother.

At the end of the day I’m an adult, and on top of that ain’t nobody gave my shit. I came from the bottom, I came from nothing, and I’m staying here man. Every ni**a I know is either dead or in jail. When I see ni**as in the street that I used to know, [they] look at me like, Damn how the fuck did you make it? And I tell him I believed and the big homie upstairs made it possible for me.

AllHipHop.com: To be clear, has anyone from Pimp C’s gotten at you to try to resolve this?

Young Jeezy: I ain’t trying to put the homie on blast, he tried to reach out and when I got that I was done with it. It’s like, man it’s already hard enough out here for us and ni**as gotta stick together. I gotta be blunt and this is my last time saying this; the man never said my name. A hit dog would holla. He ain’t hit me, so he wasn’t speaking to me, that shit went over my head. And you can quote when I say this, I feel like he feel. There’s a bunch of fake ass ni**as out here and I know how he feel, cause I see it. But them ain’t my charges and that ain’t my case. You quote me when I say that. Those are not my charges and that’s not my case bruh.

AllHipHop.com: Sometime down the line would you be willing to speak to him?

It ain’t even that serious bruh. At the end of the day I feel like he feel, I’d die about this shit. I die before I walk in the street and I feel like a ni**a played. Tell a n**a to bring the motherfuckin’ yellow tape, the white chalk and a body bag my ni**a. I ain’t got no choice, what am I going back to? But at the end of the day it ain’t that serious and I know he feel the same way, cause he stand on what he speak on. Fuck all the dumb shit, let’s get money. And it ain’t me coppin’ no deuces, it ain’t me slowing down cause I damn sure ain’t no sucka. But at the end of the day what would you rather do? Would you rather get money or be on some dumb shit, about nothing. Cause if the beef was legitimate we wouldn’t even be doing this conversation. It would be on, like fuck that. It ain’t no legitimate beef. It’s a ni**a with his opinion saying he was from out that way, and the prices ain’t, I can respect that.

AllHipHop.com: You mentioned Big Meech, have you been able to communicate with him?

Young Jeezy: I spoke with him actually. I tried to see him when I was out in Detroit. He’s good, holding his head high. It’s just going through the changes of life man but we all praying for him. Like I say man, I can’t express to you enough…I just take that to the heart when people speak on that man. That’s my brother, like, no bullshit. Me and that man got a real relationship. That ni**a love me like his mama had me. I know his parents, I know his people, this ain’t no game. He’s just in a bad place right now. I shout him out every time I got a chance. But ya know, he got some things going on that I might not need to say nothing about. We’re going to leave that at that but that’s my ni**a, I love him to motherfucking death and I pray every night that they free that man cause he is a real, good, ni**a.

AllHipHop.com: What do you say to the people that say all you do is talk about the streets, drug dealing and all types of negativity?

Young Jeezy: That’s my point exactly. For all the criticism I get, I still keep it real. I’m an intelligent individual and a hell of a businessman but I keep it real to what I know. That’s all I know, that’s it, that’s all I can tell them, I don’t know nothing else. I been on my own since I was ten years old. I raised myself, I raised others around me, and at the end of the day that’s all I know. If a ni**a can’t accept that from me I can respect it bruh. At the end of the day, like I said, I am fucking amazing. I’m good at what I do, I’m great at what I’ve done, I’m the last Mohican.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Twista: Adrenaline Rush 2007

2007-09-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

By Latifah Muhammad

Coming back for the first time is no easy task. So with Twista’s latest release Adrenaline Rush 2007 (Atlantic) holding the same name as its predecessor 10-years the senior, expectations are high. This nouveau rush finds Twista further away from his radio friendly previous releases, which was technically a deviation from the style that he first gained notoriety for. Instead he’s back to basics. Trading in silky hooks for grimy beats and edgier lyrics. Producers Cuzo and Toxic take over the bulk of the credits, providing the right amount of grit for Twista’s swift flow. While a few other usual suspects, Jazzy Pha, and The Neptunes add their ingredients to the recipe.

The line between the differences in production is obviously clear on the stand-out track “The Come Up” a dirty South wolf of a beat dressed in a sheep’s Midwest clothing. Twista trades in his patented fast delivery for the slow-motion version. “I’m a killa’ man standing on this corner hustling for my dinner man”. His rhyme scheme is always perfect down to every second. Following this theme, on “I Aint that Ni**a” he elevates his game a few notches with a continuance of disenchanted seriousness to let you know that you might not want to cross him.

However, still trying his hand at easily digested crossover appeal “Give It Up” is a Neptunes archetype track with Pharell thrown in for good measure. “That girl wanna’ give it up. Black girls wanna’ give it up. White girls wanna give it up.” You get the picture. Just throw in the heat of an 808 and the energy of a late night trip to the club and response is sure to be a contagious one.

Capturing the platinum status of 2004’s Kamikaze isn’t as important this go around, as making a concrete album. That's not to say that the success level won’t be as high, it’s refreshing to hear that too much hasn’t changed. As each track glides into the next the solidity is undeniable. Typically on a ride like this a few road blocks are inevitable. “Love Rehab” throws salt in Adrenaline Rush 2007’s game and should be reserved for a feature performance on a future R. Kelly album. Then there’s the hook man of the moment, T-Pain. Known for his club friendly joints, “Creep Fast” is no exception. Though not as high on the list of certifiable T-Pain hits, having him on the album is a pre-requisite these days so kudos are in order.

The harsh but true musical reality is that you either have to have street credibility or pop appeal. Very few know how to navigate those lanes and experience the best of both worlds. Adrenaline Rush 2007 is somewhat of a battle for Twista which results in a few out of place tracks. Despite this, rather than saturating the record with candied R&B singers and contrived subject matter, choosing to stick with his classic style was a smarter move.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

WC: The World is a Ghetto

2007-09-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

By Jake Paine

On the should-be classic "I Left it Wet for You," UGK's Pimp C rhymed "All the time, I'm bumpin' WC, 'cause it seems like he's the only n***a makin' sense to me." That was almost 15 years ago. WC, approaching his twentieth year as a recorded MC is still making plenty of sense to many.

With his recently-released Guilty By Affiliation, William Calhoun keeps it currently by chronicling his strong bond with Ice Cube, weighing his hood credibility against his rap wealth and twisting words into a flow that's endured from WC's early days with Rhyme Syndicate and Low Profile.

The twisted-braid MC spoke to AllHipHop.com about his evolution and maturity, his back catalogue and his status abroad. With a new album that shows no age but flexes its wisdom, WC will forever make sense to me too.

AllHipHop.com: My favorite WC line ever was on “Just Clownin’” where you said, “When Run-DMC and Jam Master first bust / We was snatchin’ motherf**kas out of Nissan trucks.” To me, that line embodies your street certification with your love of Hip-Hop. Tell me about that line’s meaning to you… what was WC like in 1984?

WC: 1984 was the era of crack taking over in the hood. A lot of money was starting to flow to the hood, in the ghettos in general. When there’s more money, there’s more weapons. With more weapons, there’s more violence jumping off. Music was an outlet for me. Back then, that was an era when mothaf**kas was rollin’ in Nissan trucks with little sounds in ‘em. We used to have Uncle Jam’s Army come through and do concerts and stuff, and always something would jump off at those concerts. I was just letting people know that I’m not new to this. Back in the days when motherf**kas were listening to Run-DMC, I was really experiencing “Hard Times.”

AllHipHop.com: You found your first major success with DJ Aladdin as Low Profile with the song “Pay Ya Dues.” You just came back from touring in Australia. In a WC concert in 2007, does that song still get performed?

WC: On a WC solo show, s**t, yeah, definitely! When I’m on the road with [Ice] Cube, nah. My whole goal when it comes to getting out and performing is to not just do the records that cats have heard from me lately, my whole goal is to get in there and create one big party. At a party, if you request a song, you’ve got it. I just want to put n***as up on WC and West Coast culture. I’m bringing ‘em up to date. You’ll catch “Pay Ya Dues,” ‘cause that was the foundation, the beginning.

AllHipHop.com: If you were to release that song today, or write it. Would the lyrics change much? A lot of rappers aren’t paying dues…

WC: It would be the same song, it would just have different names. “You sound like KRS-Chuckski-Kool Moe-S-1, yelling on the mic like your name was Run,” I’d change the names to somebody that’s relevant right now. Other than that, I’d keep it the same way because it’s still relevant. In order to get out here in this game and maintain, you gotta pay dues. Even the cats that’s been very successful in this game is still paying dues in this game.

AllHipHop.com: In the late ‘90s, some people perceived Westside Connection as a group throwing gasoline on embers from the East/West conflict. Some of us knew better. But shortly after the first album, you appeared on “The Militia Part 2” with Gang Starr and Rakim. Tell me what that record meant to you.

WC: It meant a lot to me. A lot of people in the media was trying to make it like it was an East/West thing when it really wasn’t. We was representing where we was from – liberating the West Coast. By us throwing up the “W,” people that didn’t like that, ran with it. Long story short, that record at the time was something I seized the opportunity to do. I’m still a fan. It just so happened that me and DJ Premier was always cool. To this day, we’re like brothers. If Premier flies to L.A. to handle some business, he has no problem getting a rental car, meeting me in the hood, getting a hood burger, going to the corner liquor store, and eating in my living room, smoking a joint, chopping it up, and being out. That’s how we’ve been for the longest.

That record was nothing – nothing but a phone call. I called him and told him I was in New York on business. He was like, “Stop by the studio.” I got there, he played me a bangin’ track and said, “Get up on it.” I just couldn’t resist. It was like three or four in the morning.

AllHipHop.com: On your album, you have a track called “Crazy Toones 4 President.” He’s been instrumental throughout your career since the ‘90s, and did all the scratching on this album. Why did you do that now?

WC: Crazy Toones is definitely the backbone of my music. He’s my little [blood] brother. We know each other like we know ourselves. He’s always been my inspiration, my ears too. Even in my solo career, he had a major hand in it [outside of the Maad Circle]. He’s the only n***a I know that I can ask to spell something or say something with records, and he can do it within 30 minutes. He can go to his records or Serato and make “Jake Paine;” he’ll take the “P” from f**kin’ Whodini and so forth. This n***a’s ridiculous. Cube and Snoop…they’re all reaching out to him to do what he do. Toones had to be involved in this record right here. This record is so important to the West Coast. We needed a record under the radar that still stood for something. The West Coast is always known for their DJs… Joe Cooley, Battlecat, Egyptian Lover, Aladdin. Most n***as never mention their DJs anymore, we made a song about it.

AllHipHop.com: Looking at yourself all these years later, how have you matured as a man and as an artist?

WC: As a man and an artist, I’ve changed ‘cause I’ve had the chance to taste success. I realized that a lot of us don’t get to taste success in the way that I’ve been blessed to. A lot of people don’t get a chance to be in the spotlight. Success is really only based on the eye of the beholder. What I’m trying to say in so many words is, all I wanted to have was a worldwide voice. Once I tasted it, and saw how many people from ghettos there were dying, worldwide, over senseless crimes, I got to say to myself, “Damn, this is a blessing. I’m not gonna waste it or take it for granted.” That made me mature a lot as an individual and as an artist. Easy come and easy go.

AllHipHop.com: Overseas, you’re something else. Domestic radio might shun your album because you’re on an independent label and the climate has changed. In Europe or Asia, what’s your career like right now?

WC: Yeah. Product nowadays is only as good as the person who can get it to the fiends. If you got a big machine behind you… Kanye West and 50 Cent had machines behind them pushing buttons, making sure every five minutes, you’ll hear a record, see a video, n***as talking about you. At the end of the day, buttons are being pushed. On the other hand, the others gotta get it in the peoples’ hands. But once the people taste that s**t, they’re gonna want that as well. We’re not relying on radio [or] video to sell our record, we’re relying on the word of mouth on the streets. We’re beatin’ up the pavement, getting inside these clubs that a lot of people don’t want to f**k with, in order to have a lot [consumers].

When we’re overseas, they get to see and hear what we’re working with ‘cause we brought it to them. Once they taste that s**t, they love everything we’re giving ‘em. Right now they’re trying to get my record licensed overseas. There were requests for me to come back over as a solo artist – not “WC & Ice Cube,” but me. They want a month over there. It’s just a matter of us getting out there. Overseas, it’s overwhelming. I can’t walk off stage without them yelling, “Crip walk!”

AllHipHop.com: You’ve done so much for Hip-Hop for nearly 20 years. You’re still doing it too. What do you want from Hip-Hop?

WC: At the end of the day, I just want n***as to listen to me and say, “Know what? I learned something from that n***a. Throughout his career, he kept an element of staying true to himself, to the West and to something he believed in.” You can’t do a whole album about being in the club ‘cause when you leave the club, you go home and face reality. There’s bills due, police killin’ n***as – and this s**t is going on worldwide.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

This guy is somewhat stupid...but for the most part a trill dude...

2007-09-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

SEATTLE - Federal agents thought there was something fishy about Leroy Carr.

On four occasions since last December, Carr either crossed the Canadian border or was found near it with thousands of dollars in cash, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court. He also sometimes carried night vision goggles and a GPS device programmed with coordinates for a well-known drug-smuggling trail.

But Carr refused to speak with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and they let him go — until he called to ask if they had seen his cocaine.

According to the complaint, he told agents that on Aug. 3, he had stashed two blue backpacks containing 68 pounds of cocaine by the entrance to a Boy Scout camp near the Canadian border. When he returned the next day, they were gone, he said.

Carr, of suburban Federal Way, asked if ICE could put out a news release saying that federal agents had seized the drugs. That way, according to the complaint, the organization he was working for would believe his statements that he hadn't stolen them.

Two weeks later, a Boy Scout ranger found the backpacks, which were dry and in good shape, and called police.

Carr was arrested last weekend on a federal charge of cocaine possession with intent to distribute. He made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Monday and is scheduled for a detention hearing Thursday.

Carr's attorney, Nancy Tenney, was out of the office Wednesday morning and did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Rapper Jay-Z Releasing New Album 'American Gangster' In November

2007-09-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

By Roman Wolfe

Rapper/mogul Jay-Z has announce that he will release an album full of all new material this November titled American Gangster.

While Jay-Z's version of American Gangster is separate from the official motion picture soundtrack, the new album is Jay-Z's lyrical interpretation of the movie, which stars Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Cuba Gooding Jr. (as Nicky Barnes), RZA, T.I., Ruby Dee, Common and others.

American Gangster is based on the true story of Frank Lucas, who is played by Denzel Washington. The movie chronicles Lucas rise to dominance over the Harlem drug trade in the streets of New York in 1970 by smuggling heroin into the country using the coffins of Vietnam veterans returning home from the war.

The movie is produced by Brian Grazer and directed and produced by Ridley Scott and opens in theaters November 2.

According to the sources, the first single from Jay-Z's American Gangster album will be titled "Blue Magic."

The album will feature a variety of producers, including Pharrell Williams.

Jay-Z's album American Gangster is due in stores November 6.

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Will. I. Am: The Professor of Production; From Eazy-E and Black Eyed Peas, to Nas, and The Game

2007-09-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

By Fawn Renee

For those who think Hip-Hop is dead, you have been bamboozled; at least according to Black Eyed Peas front man. Born William James Adams Jr., the famed MC and producer has been a force to be reckoned with around the world, as he has successfully immersed himself into the melting pot of musicality. From Nas and Talib Kweli, to Fergie, Will.I.Am has left no room for discussion as he oozes with versatility and musical prowess, hit after hit.

While some find this mainstream success a deviation from what is Hip-Hop, Will.I.Am argues that the very essence of all music is Hip-Hop, thus making him a staple in the genre in 2007. As he gears up to release his first solo debut Songs About Girls, Will.I.Am caught up with AllHipHop.com to give us some California Love. In the quirky conversation, he discusses what separates him from every other producer in the industry, the problem with Hip-Hop, and why Black Eyed Peas embody the essence of what true Hip-Hop is. And anyone who disagrees, well frankly, he says “F**k ‘em.”

AllHipHop.com: When did you first fall in love with production and making beats?

Will.I.Am.: I’ve been making beats since 1991/92. This dude named DJ Motivator taught me how to make beats. He had this drum machine, well it wasn’t even a drum machine; it was like a work station called the Roland F550. That’s what I started on. At the time, I was in high school with Ahmad, the dude who had that song “Back in the Day,” and I remember coming to History class like, “Yo! Ya’ll gotta check out this beat I did.” And they were like, “You make beats and rap?” And I’m like, “Yeah dude, while I make beats, I can make beats to the way I hear my rhyme.” I wanted to write a rhyme to the beat I made, or I wanted to make a beat to the rhyme I wrote. I was working with musicians, and I would tell the musicians “Can you make the bass line like [this]?” I would be trying to hum it and s**t. And it’s like, how can you lead someone when you don’t speak their language? So I didn’t want to know just beat talk, I wanted to play it. So I went to school and learned [music] theory and expanded my knowledge on beats, writing songs, transposing, keys and semitones and all that stuff.

AllHipHop.com: People often refer to you as a Hip-Hop musician, as opposed to a Hip-Hop producer or artist. Why do you think you garner that title?

Will.I.Am: There are so many different names for producers. A rock producer doesn’t touch the drum machine. He has programmers, and all he does is set-up mics, produce the songs and EQ s**t. On the other hand, a Hip-Hop producer will have a programmer, he ain’t a rock producer, but that motherf*****’s an engineer. Then you have a producer that don’t do anything but sit back in the studio and tell you what he does and doesn’t like. They’re all producers. [Listening to production] from Papa Roach, Rolling Stones, Earth Wind and Fire, I realized there’s a big difference in what a producer is, regardless of a Hip-Hop producer or Hip-Hop musician. At the end of the day, it’s just music. And in the world of music, there’s different titles that define how songs are executed. I just wanted to be all of them.

AllHipHop.com: So are you saying that someone who sits behind a keyboard and creates a beat in 15 minutes can still be considered a producer?

Will.I.Am: Yeah, they’re a producer. No matter how the song is done, whether it’s from 0 to A, or Z to A. Like Kanye West- a perfect example. That motherf****r is a producer. He makes a beat, he sits there throughout the whole session and produces vocals for it, and even gives you some f****n’ ideas on how to flip the hook. I’ve seen the n***a do that. The thing that I don’t respect is people who makes beats and then leave the studio, and someone else does all the hard work. Because you know, making a beat isn’t hard. Now, with technology, anybody can make a beat.

AllHipHop.com: But that’s the game right now. If you do get that placement, the label’s engineers get their hands on it and master it in their studio. How do you curb that as a new producer?

Will.I.Am : As a new producer, if you’re shoppin’ beats, you’re just a beat maker. It’s no different than if you’re a bass player and you’re shoppin’ bass lines. Just because you’re a bass player, it doesn’t make you a producer. If I was a new producer, knowing some of the things that I know now, I wouldn’t even shop beats. I would go out and find me a superstar to make [with] the beats that the labels want. I’d be like, “You want beats? F**k that. Use my beats to build your artist? How about you build my artist?” Just in the business of it, if you make a beat, they may give you like 2500 dollars, and that’s a foot in the door; but your foot in the door could be a lot bigger if you come in with a project. Like, if you introduce the next Fergie or 50 Cent, oh you’re large. Producers need to control things.

AllHipHop.com: few people know about your roots with Eazy E’s Ruthless Records. What’s the story behind that?

Will.I.Am : Eazy E and Ruthless Records was a big deal. You know, Eazy E and Dr. Dre all come from that. And now that Black Eyed Peas is so big, it’s hitting people like “Whoa! Ya’ll come from the same place Dr. Dre comes from?” Yeah, that’s crazy huh? When Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and all these people left, Eazy E went to the LA underground and found MCs to ghostwrite and be a part of his camp, and I was one of those guys.

Ruthless Records was influx after Eazy E passed away and the whole infrastructure of Ruthless Records was trying to get over the fact that Eazy was gone. And we were some group on Ruthless [Records], but it didn’t become relevant until recently, selling 30 million albums. So, in 1997, who cared? Yeah we put out albums, but it wasn’t a big story. In 2000, we put out the second record. The people who talked about it talked about our affiliation with Eazy E, but it wasn’t until recently that anywhere you go on the planet, people know who the Black Eyed Peas are.

AllHipHop.com: Most producers out of California have a distinct sound, but your sound is so unique because it isn’t distinct. Is that something you had to work at, or was it natural for you to go against the grain?

Will.I.Am : That was a result of how we got put on. The person that put [Black Eyed Peas] on passed away and then we had to get back on, and we got back on through performing with a band. We’re not on because I did a track for such and such that blew up and now I’m getting my shot. We got on because we kicked and knocked down walls, and we did a whole bunch of s**t. So for me, I loved producing and I hated saying “That s**t’s wack.” Like, if you can’t do something, then it’s not wack. This is just me personally, but if you don’t know how something was made then you can’t comment on it. So I can’t say an MC is wack if I don’t know where his influence is. I would practice and do samba songs, or Hip-Hop, or soul ballads. I built all that information from f***in’ with musicians and trying to flip different styles of music. That’s why I can make a record for The Game, then do “Hip-Hop is Dead” for Nas, then turn around a do “Big Girls Don’t Cry” for Fergie, and still work with John Legend on “Ordinary People.” I just love music.

AllHipHop.com: We talked about how you guys became popular, recently. Do you think that was in large part due to the addition of Fergie?

Will.I.Am : I think Fergie being in the group was a definite bonus, but if we didn’t do the NBA campaign, the iPod commercials, or the song “Where’s the Love?” I don’t think people would’ve cared. What that song did alone was make everyone pay attention to the group, because everyone was on the same accord. So if we didn’t have those things, it would be no different than with Esthero. We did a song with a white girl before, same s**t, but Fergie added fuel. She’s beautiful, she sings great and she has a story. And after that story is told, she’s dope.

AllHipHop.com: Now with the addition of Fergie and dumbed down lyrical content, to many you became predominately pop. Do you feel the need to validate yourself in the world of Hip-Hop?

Will.I.Am : See, I care but I don’t really care, because I know what I am. I know what got me into music and the things I’m inspired by. I know my capabilities as a beat maker, a producer, an MC and a dancer, and f**k it, a graffiti artist. The thing that saddens me is that there’s a flaw in Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop is the only culture that doesn’t keep the things relevant. In rock & roll, people are always talking about the clash, punk rock, and they keep their music relevant. Like, the only people benefiting from Public Enemy, sadly but true, is VH1. Sorry, that’s f***ed up. That ain’t nobody’s fault but Hip-Hop’s fault. Hip-Hop should be making all that loot. There should be a f***in’ Hip-Hop infrastructure, not just little things that fans build that turn into things like AllHipHop.com. Hip-Hop has turned into a disposable lifestyle, where someone else profits from it.

So I care but I don’t care, because when you say Hip-Hop you say “they.” When you talk to Nas, Premier or The Game, they view me as Hip-Hop. I mean, was Heavy D Hip-Hop? Yes. Was MC Hammer Hip-Hop? Yes. All of them are Hip-Hop.

AllHipHop.com: You’re working with like, the entire pop culture roster right now, with Michael Jackson at the top of that list.

Will.I.Am : Michael Jackson is dope. Working with him has taught me a lot, just talking and asking him questions.

AllHipHop.com: Speaking as objectively as possible, do you think he can make a smash record like Off The Wall or Thriller ever again?

Will.I.Am: I don’t think anybody can do that. Justin Timberlake can’t even do that. I don’t think he’s supposed to even do that. That’s what we talked about in the studio, like “Let’s not compete with you.” I mean, they don’t even make records anymore. Even if you came out with Thriller today, it won’t sell what it sold [then].

AllHipHop.com: Anyone else on the roster that you are particularly excited about working with?

Will.I.Am: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Ludacris, Snoop, and finishing my record really.

AllHipHop.com: How is that project coming along?

Will.I.Am: Good. I’m working on two albums at the same time. Songs About Girls is coming out on September 25^th. That has songs like “I Got It from My Momma.” The second one is called Black Einstein, and that one is finished but I don’t know when I’m putting it out. I have Nas, Kanye, Slick Rick, Common all on that album. But I’m focusing on Songs About Girls right now.

AllHipHop.com: I just saw the video for the first single “Got It From My Momma” and it reminds me of Sir Mix A Lot’s Baby Got Back video. What are your views on misogyny and it’s prevalence in Hip-Hop?

Will.I.Am : I think it’s the same as in every form of music on the planet and movies. That’s just the mentality of humanity right now. It isn’t just on Hip-Hop. I was watching Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and I seen a n***a kick a chick in the titty. But people are like, “That’s so fresh.” Let 50 Cent talk about the same thing and he’s labeled a woman abuser. Hip-Hop just gets a bad rap, no pun intended, because it’s made by Black people.

AllHipHop.com: Talk to me about Musicane.

Will.I.Am : Right. There is this player with this company I’m a part of called Musicane. You go to musicane.com and you download the player to any site, and if someone comes and buys the song from your player, then whoever has that player gets paid when I get paid. Black Einstein will be released on the player and Songs About Girls will actually launch [the player] when it is released.

AllHipHop.com: And I know it isn’t scheduled to be released until next year, but what’s the deal with BEP’s next album?

Will.I.Am : We’re gonna flip the script on that one, because we flipped some marketing s**t on that project too. It’s going to be dope.

AllHipHop.com: For you, where does the production process begin and where does it end?

Will.I.Am : It depends. It can develop just from this conversation right now. I can take what you just said, “where does it begin, where does it end?” and we can develop that into a hook, or that could be the melody. [begins to make the beat with his mouth and sing the melody] Then we can add some bass and strings, and then I can start adding my rap. Or it can start with a beat. The way the cuff drops could be hot. Then you build on it with the piano. Or I can hear two people talking, not even in the same conversation, and if you combine it together, that could make a hot melody.

AllHipHop.com: I wish I could see you doing this. In 2007, do you feel that the Hip-Hop producer has to open up to the idea of more than Hip-Hop in order to garner the mass appeal of Hip-Hop artists such as Jay-Z and Kanye West, who have worked with the Adam Levines, Jon Brions and and Chris Martins of the music industry.

Will.I.Am : I think Hip-Hop producers, today, need to know what Hip-Hop means in order to call themselves Hip-Hop. And once you know what Hip-Hop means, you’ll go out and start to realize that Hip-Hop is everything. Hip-Hop is James Brown, Led Zeplin, Sly and the Family Stone, gospel, blues…it borrows from everything. Hip-Hop is the most open-minded form of music because it feeds off everything to make it Hip-Hop. But it has become so close-minded because we stopped doing that. So if there’s any group that embodies what Hip-Hop truly is on the planet, I don’t give a f**k what anybody says, that’s Black Eyed Peas, because we incorporate all the elements. So if somebody says we ain’t, f**k them.

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Chamillionaire: Ultimate Victory

2007-09-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

By Deepa Shah

Chamillionaire's going all political on his new album, Ultimate Victory (Universal Motown), and this time he doesn't care if he impresses anyone with slick punch lines and metaphors. Instead, Cham packs this album with intelligence and a sick flow. Coming off his Grammy-winning single "Ridin'," Cham shows no signs of fall off on his delayed re-up and has no problems relaying his anger about the state of Hip-Hop. "Hip-Hop, crunk music, hyphy music, snap music/Sounds like a nursery rhyme, get a beat and rap to it/Ain't speaking with a purpose, I'ma call it crap music," Cham fires on the opening track, "The Morning News."

That said, the Houston product lashes out against the recording industry and the fake friends and women that come along with being an entertainer. On "Industry Groupie," Cham throws dirt at gold diggers who are always looking for an easy way in and up the chain of rich ballers. "Now your business all over the radio and it's the penalty that you have to pay/You made the choice to go and be a freak, even Akon been smacking that/Her plan was to get ran through by a linebacker or a quarterback."

"More money, more problems" seems to be Cham's sentiment throughout his sophomore effort. From living the flashy, luxurious life on "The Ultimate Vacation," to so-called friends trying to sabotage his career on "I Think I Love You"—both produced by the Beat Bullies— Chamillionaire's got a beef with everyone who gets in his way to the top. "Having money is like a relationship/Everybody's always gonna get in your business/Trying to break it up, trying to get involved in it/But they really need to mind their own business/Money don't do nothing but bring you trouble."

And for all those fake rappers who are spitting out "crap music," Chamillionaire's got words for them, too. Cham calls out all those wannabe hustlers and gangstas who claim to have street cred on the synth soaked "Come Back To The Streets." Taking a citizen journalist perspective, the Mixtape Messiah sheds light on currents events always blaming Hip-Hop culture as the problem over producer Kane’s tense strings on "The Evening News." "Don Imus made comments that made everybody forget about him/That's him, Anna Nicole got pregnant and had kids by him/Rest in peace to Virginia Tech, too many innocent kids dyin'/Well let's just blame Hip-Hop and act like that's the big problem."

Chamillionaire's flow and lyricism is rampant through each track on Ultimate Victory while the production work itself—which included the likes of JR Rotem, Happy Perez and Play-N-Skillz—gives this record value. Add in Cham's quick rap skills and personally reflective lyrics, as well as selective features from folk like Pimp C (“Welcome To The South”), Bun B (“Pimp Mode”) and Lil Wayne (“Rock Star”) and this sophomore bump has hit written all over it. After all, to the victor belongs the spoils.

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Spider Loc: West Kept Secret—The Prequel

2007-09-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

By Deepa Shah

As G-Unit adds to its entourage, newest member Spider Loc reps the west coast with the release of West Kept Secret: The Prequel (Baymaac/RBC/Koch) setting the stage for his major label debut. Spider Loc uses his laid-back flow to bring subtle realism back to Los Angeles gangsta rap. He keeps to his hustler status without flashing meaningless rhymes, and he does so without getting up in your face. Could it be that G-Unit has finally found the perfect verbal sparring partner to fight off The Game?

Spider's first single, "Blutiful World," throws back to his Crip roots and gang bangin' lifestyle. He spits about the luxurious appeal of bangin'—having everything in life from clothes, and women to drugs and his homies—without coming off as an egomaniac. The best example of his gangsta status is heard on "Big Blacc Boots" featuring Ice Cube. Spider gives props to Cube for being an original gangsta, and Cube's solo proves he'll never be deadbeat, has-been rapper: he kicks, “Drive by music use it don't abuse it/Please don't confuse it with R&B bullshit/Ice Cube ain't no broke back rapper/I'm one flop away from a fuckin' kidnapper/Hip-hop or Hollywood, bitch, I gotta win.”

Spider Loc reflects on the rough life growing up in a gang and always hustling just to get by on "All I Know." He brings conscious lyrics to his not-so-right lifestyle without being regretful. "Pursuing paper is such a dangerous race/He's got hustle in his blood though/His veins are laced/He's still hangs out where his gang is based." And like every hustler out there, Spider puts together his business plan on "Hustle To You Come Up," and raps about the everyday ghetto grind on "Close To The Edge."

West Kept Secret: The Prequel is packed mostly with gang bangin' anthems, but Spider Loc does attempt to show his soft side on "Cry And Cry," a plea to his woman to accept his lifestyle because it's the only way he knows. But "Make You Love Me" sums up who Spider Loc is—a west coast rapper who's going to do anything and everything to come up those charts as the newest spit fire member of G-Unit. "Look close tell me what you really despise/Understand haters make up the silliest lies/I know it's kinda hard to believe and you're hard to deceive/And a lost trust is hard to retrieve/I'm gonna keep it 100 make it harder to breathe in this rap shit/Serenade the heart of the thieves."

Spider's prequel blends 90's gangsta rap music with the current hustler status of Hip-Hop culture. This is just a taste of what we have yet to hear from Spider Loc's G-Unit debut – he's brings more meaning and realism to gang culture than other wannabe hustlers who have suffocated today's rap music. The verbal attacks from The Game have already started; we can only imagine how the retorts will sound.

me personally... I don't fuck w/ g-unit/g-unit affiliated artists so i rate him...EXTRA LAME :)

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Eve: Wonders of My World

2007-09-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

By Archna Sawjani

Ever since Eve broke on the scene in 1999, she’s had a knack for making stardom look easy. Grammy Award winner. Check. Starring in blockbuster films. Check. Achieving elite status as a fashion icon. Check. The “blonde bombshell” is a triple-threat entertainer in the truest sense of the term.

Eve was one of a new breed of tough, talented, commercially viable female MCs to hit the rap scene during the late '90s. Though she could be sexy when she chose, she wasn't as over the top as Lil' Kim or Foxy Brown, and as part of the Ruff Ryders crew, her production was harder than Da Brat's early work with Jermaine Dupri. In the end, Eve came off as her own person; a strong, no-nonsense street MC who could hold her own with most anyone on the mic; and was finding success on her own terms.

Following a successful four-year takeover of the Hollywood and fashion scene, The self-professed “pitbull in a skirt” has been getting ready for the release of her fourth album, Here I Am, scheduled to hit stores on September 18th which features the likes of Pharrell Williams, Mary J Blige, Sean Paul, T.I., Robin Thicke and Timbaland and executive produced by Swizz Beatz. She's tough, straight, talented, and cares about what others think. E-V-E sits down with AllHipHop.com and weighs in on the wonders of her world.

AllHipHop.com: So let’s address your recent DUI [Driving under Influence] incident and being ordered to wear a DUI ankle bracelet amongst. Do you feel the punishment was fair or the court made an example of you?

Eve: I know I wouldn’t even be wearing this bracelet if all the other things that have happened with all these other celebrities hadn’t the way they have been and because I live in California, well I’m between California and New York, but because the incident actually happened in California, they like to make examples of people there if it was New York then I might have lost my licence for a couple of months which is fine but I wouldn’t have had to wear this bracelet or do the meetings or anything but in L.A. because of these other celebrities and there recent situations, I’m sure I got a tougher deal.

AllHipHop.com: Do you witness a lot of sexism in this industry around you?

Eve: Definitely. I hang around a lot of guys and so there are times where things are said or situations happen and I have to be like, “Look don’t do that while I’m around, you can do that on your own time but if I’m around then don’t talk too a women like that or act that way.” So I do see it, but not a lot though. The guys I surround myself with are basically respectful, like they’re not pigs. I don’t surround myself with those ignorant kind of guys and so as long as the women are respecting themselves then they are respectful.

AllHipHop.com: Comments were made about you dating White men after Sean Penn visited you after the DUI charge. Do you feel its frowned upon more for Black women to date White men in this industry where as it’s okay for Black men to date White women?

Eve: It’s most definitely worse if a Black girl dates a White guy, but before I go on, I want to clarify that there’s absolutely nothing going on between me and Sean Penn. I’ve known him for five or six year’s and we are mutual friends and that’s it.

Okay, so back to the point: I feel it’s my decision who I am with. If an alien came onto earth and treated me right and I fell in love with it, then it’s my business. This isn’t the first time comments like this have been made though. I went to a basketball game with a friend and there was a picture of us and someone posted it on a blog and wrote “Eve dates White guys,” and it wasn’t true, the guy was just my friend but even if it was true there must be bigger thing’s going on in the world for them to report on. And I see a lot of Black athletes with White wives or White girlfriends, so what’s the problem? Because I’m a Black girl in this industry, I can’t date a White guy? I’m going to love whoever loves me back and it’s my business. I think people get so caught up on all this s**t, and it’s ridiculous.

AllHipHop.com: Could you comment on the recent rumors regarding you ordering a female prostitute at a hotel?

Eve: [Laughs] Yeah, my assistant actually told me about that. First of all, I think that’s ridiculous and number two, if I wanted to have sex with somebody, then I definitely wouldn’t order a prostitute. I have enough people around me that either work for me or that I know that if I really felt like I needed to have sex with somebody then I would be like, “Hey, could you go find me somebody,” and number three, I was in New York with my mom and my little brother at the time, and so I don’t even know where that came from. That’s one of the most ridiculous rumors I’ve ever heard about myself. I think people can just be stupid, somebody was really bugging to start that.

AllHipHop.com: How do you feel about the Internet, because these kind of rumors can be posted on one site and within the hour be news on websites all around the world?

Eve: It’s so bad as the world right now is so celebrity-driven and everybody is so obsessed with celebrities’ lives even celebrities are obsessed with other celebrities’ lives. I would hope that people would think about what they read and figure out for themselves if something sounds stupid and too ridiculous too be true.

AllHipHop.com: Let’s move on. How do you feel about Hip-Hop music currently?

Eve: I think a lot of Hip-Hop music right now is stupid, a lot of it is very disposable, like ABC lyrics. It feel like “Really, how long did it take you to write that?” You know what I mean? Did they even care about thinking about what they were saying. I feel like a lot of it is a joke.

AllHipHop.com: What’s your take on all the Hip-Hop beefs?

Eve: It’s f**king stupid. At the end of the day, a lot of these people become rappers or entertainers to get out of their neighborhood and to get away from stupid s**t and then it seems like the same people are bringing this negative energy into the industry. Honestly, I feel like is the only way that you feel you can prove yourself or be noticed? It’s a crap way to be noticed, like if you’re talented, then prove it with the music, you don’t have no need to worry about the next person. Beef to me is basically you taking too much time out thinking about that other person when you could be thinking about your next move. It’s ridiculous too me and they need to grow up, it’s very childish. R&B artist, producers everyone’s beefing. It’s really silly.

AllHipHop.com: So if someone called you out right now, would you choose to ignore it?

Eve: I have been called out before by two female MCs almost at the same time a few years back, and I did ignore it. Actually, I also just heard from a friend of mine that there’s someone right now who is actually trying to say my name or whatever, but first of all, I don’t get involved in beefs as my life’s too busy and I got a lot of things going on so that’s number one and two, I feel if I respond I’m not doing anything but helping blow them up. If I’m saying they’re name on tracks then I’m giving them free publicity, people are going to be like, “Who’s this chick that she’s talking about?” and I don’t have time too blow somebody else up, I got to worry about my own career.

AllHipHop.com: Are you going to tell me who the other female artist is who’s calling you out?

Eve: You probably wouldn’t even know her name because I think I didn’t even know here name. It’s some girl, honestly I can’t even think of the name right now. I got to ask my friend to remind me. You know that was what shocked me, it’s someone who doesn’t even have any music out in the States at all. I mean I think she was out along time ago and then she went away and now she’s trying to resurface and for some reason she’s using my name to try and resurface but she’s really not a good rapper so I don’t even know where’s she’s going or what she thinks she can accomplish.

AllHipHop.com: You’re singing an entire track on Here I Am, right?

Eve: I sang a Reggae song on Scorpion before, but that was more like a fun, whatever kind of thing that I felt like doing for myself. [The] song on this album Pharrell produced, and I went in the studio with him and I didn’t actually want to sing and he kind of talked me into it, but now I’m happy I did it and it’s one of my favorite songs on the album, it’s not like a Alicia Keys or a Mary J. Blige song but it’s a basic song over a crazy track, it’s defiantly a club track, it’s a fun song [called “All Night Long”].

AllHipHop.com: Are you feeling pressure with this album as you’ve been away from music for a while and especially with the current climate in album sales?

Eve: Yes, there’s definitely some pressure. I try not to let myself think about it because if I did, I’d have anxiety attacks like every day. [Laughs] It’s been like five years since I put out my own album but thankfully I’ve still been visible on other people’s music. I think if I had gone away totally for five years and not been seen at all doing anything, it would be even harder to come back. The state of Hip-Hop, actually the state of music - not just Hip-Hop right now is so different, so I definitely have been sitting down with my label and having meetings but at the end of the day it’s going to do what it’s going to do and I can only work as hard as I can work and put out the best music that I know that I can make, and whatever else happens, is going to happen.

AllHipHop.com: What is your actual label situation right now?

Eve: [Laughs] There’s a lot going on with the label. I am still with Interscope, I’ve been with them for 10 years now. The original plan was for me to go to Aftermath, but [Dr.] Dre has a lot going on so Swizz [Beatz] basically took over the reigns on the album and is executive producer. Then Geffen also took over because they’re really good on the marketing and promotion aspect of the albums and they didn’t have anybody on the label like me and it seemed like something new and fresh start while still being able to stay with Interscope, so it all just fitted together.

AllHipHop.com: Everything is all good with you and Dre then? No problems?

Eve: Oh yes. Never any problems between me and Dre.

AllHipHop.com: Finally, I wanted to touch on fashion. You come across as very fashion-forward, is fashion a big part of your overall package?

Eve: I love fashion. I think that it is definitely an obsession of mine. I really have a problem. It’s not just the label stuff for me, it’s also cute stuff. I shop in all kind of stores. I literally get headaches from shopping. I love clothes, so if something is sold out or not in my size, I will have to hunt for it.

AllHipHop.com: How’s your line ‘Fetish’ coming along?

Eve: It’s going well. We’ve revamped the whole line. It’s more contemporary, more grown up, more sophisticated but still funky and still has an edge. The last line was kind of juvenile and stuff that I didn’t really want to support in wearing, but every piece in the new line, I really do want in my closet. It re-launches end of September, so will probably be in all store in the States in October.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Papoose: Study Guide

2007-09-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

By Francesca Djerejian

After nearly a decade in the trenches, the unwavering support of the likes of DJ Kay Slay and Busta Rhymes, and a devout following that extends from Brooklyn to the UK and beyond, Papoose already has the stripes of a hip hop notable. Boasting a $1.5 million dollar deal with Jive, the Bed Stuy rapper has plans to parlay the respect he has earned from paying dues into industry success. With the ever-elusive nature of a buzz to contend with, much of Papoose’s ability to reach the masses will depend on the release of his long-awaited debut, the Nacirema Dream. Distinguished by an unusual degree of patience that enabled him to turn down many a record deal, Papoose is on an uncompromising career trajectory with one lofty goal in mind: to make history. The self-described Most Lyrical One politicked with AllHipHop.com about his impact and aspirations.

AllHipHop.com: You just got back from a tour in the UK, how was that experience?

Papoose: I was shocked to see that people had so much appreciation and so much respect for my music in a place where I’d never been in the flesh. [I was] seeing people passing out and everything, it was crazy out there, literally ambulances had to come get them. I feel like my hard work was definitely appreciated. Sometimes you don’t always feel appreciated, but when I went over there, they gave it up for me.

AllHipHop.com: How have things changed for you since you signed the deal with Jive?

Papoose: Everything more or less changed, before everything was for the street, that was my mentality. I recorded everything and put it straight to the street, as opposed to when I’m doing my album, and I’m recording and saving joints. So it’s burning a hole in my pocket, before I had the freedom to put stuff out on impulse whenever I felt like it but now, it’s a whole different ballgame. And I think certain people in the industry have a different respect for me now that I’m a signed artist, that’s just how they mentality works. But at the same time, true Hip-Hop heads and the streets will always look at me in the same way. It just changed on the business level, that’s all.

AllHipHop.com: Now that you’re on, what is the game plan?

Papoose: Basically the plan is to get the Nacirema Dream out there and reach the population of the world. I just want to be heard, I want to make history. A lot of people are in this for different reasons, but at the end of the day, I want to make history. And the more people I can reach and spread my word, I’ll feel like I was successful. Twenty years from now, if the kids going to remember Papoose, I’ll feel like I was successful. A lot of these artists, they not going to be remembered years down the line. And that’d be a nightmare, my whole career would be in vain. I feel like I make the type of music that’s timeless, I feel like years from now people are going to remember me.

AllHipHop.com: Seven figure deals don’t come often these days, how did the deal with Jive go down?

Papoose: When me and Kay Slay was grinding, a lot of different labels started offering deals. Labels like Interscope, Atlantic, Def Jam, they all came to the table and we were turning them down because they wasn’t the deals that we wanted. I think a lot of artists, when they unsigned, and they on the mixtape scene or on the streets, they be so thirsty that the first deal they get offered they jump on it, but the impact that I made was so strong, I was doing better than artists that were signed on the record labels without me being signed to a label. So in the beginning we wanted to get a deal, but after a while, when I was coming out on Summer Jam, I did the BET Awards, I was in a lot of magazines, I was on paid shows all over the world, so after awhile we was like, “You know what, record label for what?” So when they was making these offers that were sub-par, these f**ked up offers they was coming at us with, we was like, “Nah, man.” Some of these labels think that just because of the title of the label, everybody should sign for anything. But if the business wasn’t right, myself and Kay Slay turned them down. So eventually Jive came to the table with a 1.5 million dollar deal, and we couldn’t resist it. We got creative control, and a lot of the other things they had in the contract that met our demand.

AllHipHop.com: You’ve turned down many deals in the past, too- you seem to have been very careful throughout your career…

Papoose: I’m going to be real with you, that’s been true. Even from day one, when I was working with [Kool] G Rap and I put out a twelve-inch on Select Records, they offered me a deal for eigh albums way back then and I turned it down. The whole music thing is my dream, so if my dream is coming to reality, and it’s not manifesting as what I always dreamed it to be, I’m hesitant about that.

AllHipHop.com: You’ve mentioned a release clause piece to the deal, is Jive sticking to that for Nacirema Dream?

Papoose: Yeah, definitely, the only thing that’s been holding up my project… When I first got signed, me and Kay Slay had the album done and we was ready to go, but when you got producers like Scott Storch, Jazze Pha, and all these other big name producers saying, “I got music for you,” you’d be an idiot to say, “Oh I’m done already.” So we had to take things into consideration and go back in, and also sample clearances held the album up big time. That’s the only thing that has held up my project, but other than that, we ready to go, man.

AllHipHop.com: How involved has Kay Slay been with the album?

Papoose: Just as much involved as me. Kay Slay been devoted time, energy, blood sweat and tears just like I did. Kay Slay is like a big brother to me as opposed to a business partner. We business partners but at the same time we family, our bond is real strong.

AllHipHop.com: You’ve said in rhyme that a mixtape award means more to you than a Grammy, is that still how you feel?

Papoose: In all actuality, it does. ‘Cause when you coming from the street, whatever neighborhood you came from, your first thought of being successful in music before you ever had any success was always focused on the gutter, the ground, the grime- the essence of Hip-Hop. Everything else like the Grammys and all that was always cool, but you can’t spit a Grammy-award winning verse on the street in a battle ‘cause you wasn’t even thinking about winning a Grammy when you first started, you was just thinking about square one. I just feel like the mixtape awards to me, yeah, they mean more than a Grammy, that’s the essence right there. That’s the first award that I ever received, and it meant a lot to me. I was real proud of that.

AllHipHop.com: On the “Publicity Stunt” record, you separate yourself from a lot of artists who court drama, and you do seem to keep a low profile. Is that a conscious thing?

Papoose: Yeah, I never had to do that. I didn’t come up like that, I feel like Hip-Hop music should be based upon Hip-Hop music. Not how tough you is or how much money you got. A lot of dudes, they try to start a fire just to get everybody’s attention and make everybody look. Most of these beefs that they come up with, they phony, they only cause their beefs to get attention. I never had to do that to make people focus on my music because I came with pure talent. So I just did all lyrics, no gimmicks and it worked for me. I never had to make a phony beef with nobody, so you see what it is, you already know my reputation and my history. My buzz was built off pure talent.

AllHipHop.com: Seems like with the Uncle Murda situation, you stayed quiet.

Papoose: Yeah definitely, actions speak louder than words.

AllHipHop.com: What’s your take on Remy Ma’s situation?

Papoose: Innocent until proven guilty, innocent.

AllHipHop.com: You need to write a “Law Library” for her.

Papoose: “Law Library” is definitely important for anybody that have a run-in with the law.

AllHipHop.com: Has anyone ever come up to you and said “Yo, “Law Library” helped me get out of a situation”?

Papoose: Hell yeah, a lot of people. I get a lot of responses about “Law Library.” People thank me for that record continuously, constantly, they always ask me, “When’s the next part coming out?” A lot of brothers who are incarcerated, they write letters. A lot of people in the streets, they tell me ‘That record got me out of jail, or “That record prevented me from going to jail,” so I feel proud for making that happen. That’s what music is about. That’s the strength of music. People use it for so many different things man, but there are so many different ways you can use music to help somebody. A lot of people like the Hip-Hop police, they think that all Hip-Hop is negative. They don’t look at things like “Law Library,” or “Mother Nature,” when I talk about the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. But when they get my album, oh my goodness, I can’t wait.

AllHipHop.com: Do you feel like you get full recognition for how deeply you go into those issues, and the level of detail and accuracy?

Papoose: I get scrutiny for that, I get hated on for what I do. People more or less try to go against it before they ride with it and appreciate it. But that’s cool. I do this from the heart. I feel like some of the songs I created were ahead of their time like “Alphabetical Slaughter,” I had that record since ’98, without a doubt that record was ahead of its time. I’m not here to toot my own horn, but if I don’t say nothin’, they act like it was never done.

AllHipHop.com: Were you at all influenced by the Nation of Gods & Earths growing up? Because you can hear some strains of it in your music.

Papoose: Most definitely. I grew up in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, and the God Born True gave me knowledge of self, R.I.P. to him. He was really instrumental in my life, he wanted to see me be successful at what I was doing; he dedicated his time and everything in his power to make that happen. So it broke my heart that he didn’t even get to see me be successful in this music. There were people who wanted to see me make it, but how can I celebrate it, they died early, so in their eyes, I never made it. That’s the brother Born True, I speak a lot about him in my music, he let me know where I come from as a Black man, and where I can go in the future.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Remy Ma: Apocalypse Now & Later

2007-09-05T16:31:00.000-07:00

By Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur

First rule of interviewing Remy Ma in 2007: no questions about her present attempted murder case.

Even coming close to the case will get you interrupted by a watchdog of a publicist. The reality is, Remy Ma stands accused of shooting her former friend Makeda Barnes-Joseph for stealing $3,000 on July 14 after a N.Y. party. The Bronx native has fervently denied the accusations, which includes gun charges, but must contend with a skeptical world that may have already passed judgment based on mainstream media reports.

Second rule: never forget the first rule.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. In 2006, when her debut Remy: Based On A True Story dropped many felt like her destiny finally matured into what her mentor Christopher “Big Pun” Rios intended. She had already been on hit records from the likes of M.O.P. (“Ante Up” remix) and Fat Joe’s Terror Squad (“Lean Back”). The landscape for female emcees was a commercial wasteland and Rem stood like a cactus. She appeared on Hot 97’s summer jam stage and later in the summer AllHipHop Week 2006’s grand finale concert, among many other highlights like Grammy nods and BET Awards. Based On A True Story was met with acclaim, but the SoundScan sales were disappointing. Rumors. Then the fallout with Fat Joe. More rumors.

Right now, Remy is in the middle of the biggest “rumor” of her 26-year-old life, one that the state of New York and her alleged victim hope to make a legal reality. Whether or not she will be convicted of attempted murder will be decided through the United States legal process and until then, Remy has decided to live her life as an emcee. With the weight of her case, she has opted to keep working on her music with the recent release of The BX Files and controversial mixtape/DVD Shesus Khryst. From her home recording studio, the self-proclaimed Queen of New York, speaks on her life, her grievances, former friends, former enemies and and all that goes into her present True Story.

Third rule: Let Remy speak.

AllHipHop.com: So how are you?

Remy Ma: I’m good. I’m working.

AllHipHop.com: What are you working on?

Remy Ma: Right now I’m working on my album and my next mixtape. The mixtape is called Blasremy; the album is called PUNISHher. I’m working with my speakers and my tweeters right now; I just blew a speaker. I don’t know how I keep doing that s**t. I gotta buy better speakers. I’m in my basement.

AllHipHop.com: So you have a home studio?

Remy Ma: Yeah. I learned how to record; I recorded “Fresh” by myself. Then I took it to the studio and mixed it.

AllHipHop.com: Are you looking for a major label?

Remy Ma: It’s all in the air. I’m talking, but I have to be me. I have to own the masters; the deal has to be what I want.

AllHipHop.com: There’s been controversy with this Shesus Khryst mixtape with Superstar Jay. Care to respond to it?

Remy Ma: First of all, in no way, shape or form is that me trying to show some blasphemy. What people tend to forget is this is en-ter-tain-ment, for the last time! It has stickers on it that say “Parental Advisory;” this is not real. Do you know how many movies I’ve watched from The Prophecy to The Omen to The Passion of Christ – it’s entertainment. Relax. People take everything way too seriously. I personally feel like I’m the BX, the Bronx Savior. That’s where Hip-Hop started. I also feel like the media wants to crucify me; I’ve taken so much punishment. That’s me. It’s a new me, a new day – people are just runnin’ out the window with it, but people ain’t sayin’, “She don’t spit that fire,” so I’m good.

AllHipHop.com: What do you mean “a new me?”

Remy Ma: For a long time I was down with another crew [The Terror Squad]. I was underneath other artists/label owners. I just never felt like I could do what I wanted to do, even though I had the potential. A lot of people didn’t want to work or do business with me because of what I affiliated myself with. From assistants to managers too; I had never even seen a phone bill that I paid for. It’s a new day, a new person. I’m so focused. This has been since January, December.

AllHipHop.com: Do you hear the protests?

Remy Ma: I try to stay off the hater-net. I don’t know. I do check my Paypal, and the sales from my mixtapes look right.

AllHipHop.com: You don’t check blogs and stuff like that?

Remy Ma: If I checked the blogs, I’d go crazy. I [access the Internet] through my Sidekick. It’s a group alert, and anytime my name pops up on the Internet, it automatically comes through my phone. But if I see somebody said something, I’m gonna want to say something, ‘cause that’s the type of person I am. I can’t just bite my tongue.

AllHipHop.com: One such example of publicity involving you through the Internet concerned Vivica A. Fox. What was that really about?

Remy Ma: Okay. First of all, my swagger is too up to try to go anywhere. I read that in the newspapers [that] we were at a party, fighting. I had an invitation to the party weeks before – RSVP’d weeks before; they already knew what it was. I did like 25 minutes; I couldn’t get off the red carpet. There were so many pictures, questions, all that, ‘cause that was the first time people had seen me out at a big event since everything with the case. Something personal with the owner of the club [happened], I guess, because with my case, he didn’t want me in the club. Vivica was not talkin’. It was her publicist. Tops, we couldn’t have been in there even 15 minutes – ‘cause it was a quick red party, go in, walk around thing so I could make it to Swizz Beatz party [that same night] on time. It wasn’t like I was pressed; I was just in that same club a month before at Zab Judah’s party, buying nothing but pink Moet and bottles of Remy Martin.

I figure all club owners know each other. He was probably related to the same owner of the little bar or club or whatever people claim whatever happened in. That’s the only thing I can think of. The only thing that upset me was a week ago, I RSVP’d to a personal invitation that I got. And I was nothin’ but cute.

AllHipHop.com: You don’t have the blonde streak in your hair anymore. Is that part of the new Remy too?

Remy Ma: At this point, it’s a new album, new look. That was the “Terror Era.” This is the new me. I made my mark. Halle Barry got her style, Mary [J. Blige] has hers, and I have mine. Remy Ma, all day.

AllHipHop.com: Why did you diss Fat Joe again, now, after things seemed to be over?

Remy Ma: [Laughs] When did I diss him the first time?

AllHipHop.com: On “Weatherman.”

Remy Ma: [Laughs] Yo. Nothing you see with him…everything is for fake. If y’all seen the type of roadblocks and blockades he tried to put in my career behind the scenes, and then saying, “We love her. We wish her [well]…” After that, the papers that he sent through his lawyer, never answering his phone. How am I dissing [him]? I’m speaking the truth. I’m supposed to be quiet? It is what it is. I’m telling the truth. If I’m lying, stop me. I don’t want to be a liar.

He never put me on, he never picked my beats. [He] ain’t Pun. [He] didn’t put me on his album with my own song. Whatever! It’s nothin’. The only album of his that went platinum or double platinum, I’m on that s**t like seven times. Whatever he did for me, I did for him. He ain’t write my rhymes. He never gave me no crazy checks, Everybody [in Terror Squad] is sayin’ the same s**t [that I am].

AllHipHop.com: A lot of people would like to see you on G-Unit. Is it true that according to your contract, that you cannot go there?

Remy Ma: [To her publicist] Can we give them a little excerpt of the contract?

[Publicist: do we really want to do that?]

Remy Ma: Why not? Who cares? It’s legally there. I’m sure if you go on some website, you’ll find it anyway. He has the government names of everybody even remotely affiliated with G-Unit in there.

AllHipHop.com: What happened to the all female super group?

Remy Ma: I personally think n***as happened, man. Me and Jackie, that’s my B-I, all day, my sister, and always will be. I haven’t spoken to Shawnna in a minute, but that’s my sister too. She chose a deal through DTP that prevented her from…I felt like we would have been able to get around that contract, but in the end, nothing panned me. I’m still doing me, J’s doing her, and whenever Shawnna wants to holler, that’s my b***h. It is what it is. In this business, you’ve got to take chances and be on top of your s**t.

AllHipHop.com: How do you feel about Foxy Brown's recent situation, knowing you two had your tense moments in the past?

Remy Ma: She's in jail, and I swear, I feel sorry for her! That's crazy. Get her the f**k out! [She's in there] for some dumb s**t. People fight, people throw things, and every f**kin' thing, people blow [stuff] out of proportion. Just yesterday I got an email about Lil' Wayne throwing money in the crowd and a girl getting hit in the head, are y'all serious? It's crazy! I was on Rikers Island, that s**t is disgustin'! F**k being a rapper, females period -- every female in New York needs to send a f**kin' letter, being that they're lockin' people up for suspended licenses and all that, write to the mayor, the governor, the place is disgustin', the food is disgustin', the place is dirty, filthy, nasty -- women are in there pregnant! She's sick right now, sick.

When I had to be there, waitin', I was sick. If I'm not mistaken, she had to be there on her birthday? What? That's crazy! It's [only] 'cause she's in the newspaper, it's a high-profile case, and the judge and DA don't want to seem lenient. Be fair! F**k being lenient. Do you know how many people I know who get community service for doing crazy s**t? Oh, you're gonna put somebody in jail to prove what? So you look good? Everybody wants a TV show, everybody wants to be famous.

AllHipHop.com: This isn't happening to Paris Hilton or Nicole Ritchie...

Remy Ma: That's California. This is New York. Her, Linday Lohan, they're not Black; they're not rappers. It's crazy how people make examples out of Foxy and [Lil'] Kim.

AllHipHop.com: I know we can’t talk details, but what’s your state of mind been like since everything?

Remy Ma: People see me smiling on red carpets, and what they tend to forget is that this is my job. I have to do that. This is how I make money. Do you think I want to be at parties? I didn’t want to be at parties when I was at parties. This is what I have to do; I have to make music. Anybody that knows me, knows me: I ain’t no stupid chick – never was, never will be. I’m very intelligent.

AllHipHop.com: A certain highly sexual voicemail leaked on the Internet of you…it was supposedly a skit for PUNISHher...

Remy Ma: First of all, I would never make the mistake of leaving a voicemail on the wrong person’s number. Voice messages like that, you’re gonna listen to a few times before you send something like that through (so it wasn’t an accident). Somebody hacked into somebody’s voicemail, and whatever - It ended up being a skit. Who cares? Who gives a f**k? I’ve done worse s**t than that on beats. Did anybody hear the “Everyday I’m F**kin’ Him?” Who cares? I don’t care.

AllHipHop.com: Who was the message for?

Remy Ma: [Sarcastically laughing] That’s not gonna happen.

AllHipHop.com: [Laughing] Ok, you’re not giving the people what they need right now. Any final words?

Remy Ma: The PUNISHher album is crazy. I ain’t got nothin’ to do till then, so I’m doing the BlasRemy mixtape. I’m the Queen of New York. I’m the best. [Laughs]

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

finally back on...updates a comin'....

2007-08-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

school start'd so ive been laggin on this ish...i got an internship at my buddies store too so that eats up a lot of my tyme...i'm movin to gainsville to work at cplus'z label this up comin summmer CHEA!...finallly got my foot in the door....

Plies: The New Testament

2007-08-17T05:17:00.000-07:00

By Alex Thornton

In 2006, Plies had a potential hit on his hands with the original version of “I Wanna Love You.” After being arrested last summer for being connected with a club shooting (his entourage allegedly opened fire on the crowd who came to see him perform; it’s a long story), the label opted to officially give the record to Snoop Dogg and Akon, leaving Plies to pay his bail and start over. A year later, he’s resurfaced with “Akon Lite” (a.k.a. T-Pain) for “Shawty” and seems to be back on track after his last attempt was derailed.

Fans of pre-crunk, Southern Hip-Hop are the most likely to latch onto The New Testament (Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic). While there are a few radio-ready club songs (“Shawty” or “I Am the Club”) most of the album is dark and hostile, similar to earlier work from No Limit. For the most part, the production is less glossy than recent Southern releases and doesn’t rely on overly complex concepts or fancy effects. Even the more upbeat songs like “Friday” or “Money Straight” are still a welcome nod to kind of rawness that once brought people to Cash Money albums.

The downside to his throwback style, though, is that Plies suffers from the same lack of depth that eventually drove those Cash Money and No Limit artists to want to start branching out and exploring different approaches. While he certainly has the attitude down, he resorts to lashing out at the same nonspecific enemies as any other rapper of his sort (haters, the system and white people). On “100 Years,” Plies is full of complaints but low on insight, and while he’d tell you that his lyrics or “for the streets,” the best street rappers find ways to put their problems in a context that makes them seem both unique and universal at the same time. Plies, on the other hand, is just another dude talking about how the haters don’t wanna see him shine.

While rough around the edges, The New Testament actually does have an appeal due to its nostalgic style, but like most trips down memory lane, that appeal is limited. Plies is on the edge of representing something that’s been lost over the last few years, but it isn’t something we need back so desperately that a mediocre version of it will accomplish much.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Swizz Beatz: One Man Band Man

2007-08-17T03:34:00.000-07:00

By Rashaan Meador

Most producers have their run and their sound or style gets burned out. Usually this happens because their sound stays the same or the artists they had the most success with are no longer relevant. Swizz Beatz has leaped over both of these hurdles. Starting his career in the late 90’s, he was hotter than fish grease up until 2001, cooled off, and since ‘04 has been providing hits for anyone who has gone platinum. His voice sampling for hooks technique (Cassidy "I'm A Hustla," T.I. "Bring 'Em Out") started a whole new phenomenon for producers (say Thank you Rick Ross) and he single handedly put Beyonce’s last album into the stratosphere. With his emergence of his newfound sound, he gives us One Man Band Man (Universal Motown), an album that differs from the typical compilations we get from producers-turned-rappers.

Never known as an MC, Swizz manages to create songs that not only have a hot beat , but lyrics and hooks minus the assistance of any of those artists that have benefited from his hit-making magic. Also, instead of producing everything himself, he lets up and coming knob twisters like Neo Da Matrix and Needlez get some shine.

The majority of the music on this album is strictly “in the club” material, which is not a bad thing. All of the songs have a common denominator; simple hooks, repeating verses, and beats with a constant knock. “It’s Me B*#@hes” and the remix featuring Lil’ Wayne, Jadakiss and R. Kelly have been bubbling all summer. The Young World Music produced “Money in the Bank” is another club heater that utilizes the same formula. The Needlez produced “Top Down” with its majestic horns captures the celebratory theme that underlies the majority of the album.

What’s admirable about this project is that it pretty much sticks to Swizz’s strengths. Many similar attempts finds the artist lost in a war between being themselves and a different type of artist. “The Funeral,” which sounds like he watched too many horror movies one night, is really the only song where he strays into the area of trying to be lyrical and deep. To his credit, Swizz fairs better with the introspection on the Coldplay sampling “Part of the Plan.” The rest of the album is true to hitmaker’s nature of creating anthems that people can dance and sing the words to. One Man Band Man plays as an audio desert; short, sweet, and something that’s not going to fill us up, but tastes great.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Nas: Nas’ Favorite Things (Part 2)

2007-08-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

By Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur

Nas’s look and image has always remained relatively consistent since he made his debut in the early 1990's. It is not by accident. The thirty-something rapper offers his tips for staying fit and healthy (after running down his gadgets, cars and other objects in Part 1). In addition, AllHipHop threw some Hip-Hop-related questions that really had Nasir Jones thinking.

AllHipHop.com: Do you have a particular workout regimen or dietary thing that you stick on?

Nas: Well I think push-ups, no pork, not too much beef. Not too many carbs, not too many yellow things, cholesterol. I say not too much ‘cause I indulge in some of them every [so often], except pork. But I just don’t want to lie, you know. Be a “fegitarian” with iron is cool. That’s like a vegetarian – vegetables with fish. I heard that’s the new s**t. It’s all kinds of ways, whatever floats your boat, but you gonna need some iron, some protein. You’re gonna have to balance the beef out sometime, know what I mean.

AllHipHop.com: What about your workout, more like cardio and lifting weights?

Nas: Definitely cardio and the weights when you get a chance, but you know always knock out some pushup and sit-ups get your blood flowing. Gotta be on the [treadmill], because your heart’s a muscle you got to work that out too, so got to keep that. Also, play ball and swimming.

AllHipHop.com: Yeah swimming is underrated. What was your first job like?

Nas: Never had a job. Never had a boss and I never will have a job and a boss. My pop told me, “Be your own boss.” That’s why I got in music, no bosses in this. When we get an executive inside, a lot of people be like “Yo, you signed to Def Jam is this guy your boss?” I went, “Nah, if I sign with Def Jam and I’m behind a desk, maybe it’d be different. But as far as music we each other’s boss, we both play for people, together.” You know what I’m saying nobody’s like you better be here at this time tomorrow or you’re fired. It’s nah, we’re collectively together, you can’t sit down and tell Kanye West what you gonna do. We working on our own - together for people. So I don’t think I ever had a boss. I don’t think I want to be behind a desk unless it’s for my own thing.

AllHipHop.com: Now these are five quick, really basically lines of questions, answers, Run-DMC or Wu-Tang?

Nas: That’s not fair. That’s not fair. That’s not fair. Nah, I can’t do that ‘cause Run-DMC… because I’m from Queens first of all, and Run-D.M.C. laid it down, they’re the Rolling Stones. Other than that you’ve got the Wu ‘cause there’s never been anything like it and there’ll probably never be anything like the Wu again.

AllHipHop.com: Alright, this is gonna be harder, but Kane, Kool G Rap or Rakim?

Nas: [Pauses] I say G Rap. I say Kane and Rakim so much, I’m gonna give it to G Rap this time because you know G don’t get the credit of being a sick motherf**ker, he said that line [in “Death Wish”] for me. And I smiled, “sick motherf**ker.” But then you felt that he was a sick motherf**ker when he said it, like that n***a there is in the class by his self.

AllHipHop.com: On a normal day: Rap, R&B, Rock or Jazz?

Nas: Jazz.

AllHipHop.com: Jazz, why?

Nas: Probably grew up around it. And you know it was cool out music. I’ve been listening and doing rap for so long, you need a break. And the Jazz like, you know John Coltrane and Coltrane is crazy. You know stuff he did… and Ellington is crazy too. Miles [Davis’] Kind of Blue.

AllHipHop.com: Steak or salad?

Nas: Steak. I need me a steak.

AllHipHop.com: A night on the town or night at home?

Nas: I mean, home is great. You know, I always got home. I like to do a night on the town. I’m already home, so a night on the town.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Nas: Nas’ Favorite Things (Part 1)

2007-08-14T07:02:00.001-07:00

By Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur

Nas has been one of Hip-Hop’s most beloved sons through the years. But, what does the rap star love? AllHipHop.com caught the Queensbridge king and conversed about what he utilizes to complement his even-evolving life.

AllHipHop.com: What’s your favorite gadget and why?

Nas: Like I, I mean like I’m not really a gadget dude, but I’d say my [T - Mobile] Sidekick. I can go online, email and all kinds of s**t.

AllHipHop.com: Has that helped you stay more connected? I know before, when we talked, you weren’t into computers like that.

Nas: Yeah, yeah that [sidekick] and a laptop, an Apple. I have an Apple that comes with a camera. You know that’s kind of cool. You know I iPod it up.

AllHipHop.com: Okay and speaking of the iPod, what do you think of the emergence of the digital era?

Nas: I mean it’s… I think that’s not the last [gadget] that we’re gonna see of you know that advanced technology stuff. So I mean just as I get used to that something else pop up and be like, “Wow, what’s this?” So you know when vinyl left and CDs came and DVDs came, I was prepared for whatever changes that would happen. All the changes [are] for our own convenience. It’s easier [organize] all the songs and stuff, you know. It’s easy.

AllHipHop.com: What are your thoughts of downloading in the digital era? Sometimes some people are using it, other people in the industry is generally opposed to it, but you get a lot of people leaking records to the Internet.

Nas: I think the record buyers are not there. You know the CD buyers are not there Me personally, I don’t get anything out of downloading, I can hear it but it’s not enough for me, like I want to experience the going in the store and dealing with the package and reading the stuff, and hearing it differently than over a computer the first time. [With Hip Hop is Dead], there’s no way I could hear it on the laptop or even with the speakers. I got to hear it in a system. There’s no way I can do a laptop. It just ain’t loud enough. It ain’t clear enough. It ain’t hot enough.

AllHipHop.com: What’s the one materialistic thing that you can’t live without?

Nas: Man, I’m a sucker for a car and this is just being a dude, man, since Tonka toys and trucks and s**t man, racetracks. This ain’t got nothing to do with talk about cars, make who I am you know. People get confused when I say s**t [about material items], “Oh he’s bugging.” No, I’m a sucker for cars. I always have the nicest cars since I’ve been of an age to drive. You know and jewelry jeans, man, I love jewelry.

AllHipHop.com: Tell us about a particular car, something surprising…

Nas: What’s the crazy s**t? There’s some old s**t, like an old ’78 [Chevrolet] Nova s**t, because one of my cousins had one back in the days when I was a kid. So you know I always wanted one of them things. So I’ve been looking at one, you know get it souped up, get it hooked up real crazy with the engine. Also the old school classic Rolls Royce from like the ‘50s. You know, some cars, there’s some cars I hear that’s in Cuba when you know they stopped the exports, imports from, embargo thing started right. There’s some cars left out there that I heard are like crazy And other than that, you know the [Rolls Royce] Phantom I think they got a convertible coming out. I’m real psyched about that.

AllHipHop.com: Yeah, I’m trying to get a 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am. The old school Smokey & the Bandit joint.

Nas: Crazy! But see they got a lot of them [old cars] have problems, a lot of them have a lot of issues with the engine and all that.

AllHipHop.com: What’s your favorite clothing line?

Nas: You know what’s f**ked up? I don’t if they f**k with the brothers, man, but I always liked Gucci since I was about probably seven, probably because [of] my mama. But I always liked them. I don’t know how they are with the brothers, you know, but Gucci [and] Prada… I like some of the new brands too. I like all the $300 jeans that make you feel like you’re doing something.

AllHipHop.com: We noticed your sneaker game a little bit with the Puma’s there Do you have any particular favorites?

Nas: I mean, I’ve always been the Nike and Adidas man, you know. Jordan brand is my favorite. But, just a cool casual sneaker? Shelltoe [Adidas], white on white.

AllHipHop.com: Do you have a favorite book?

Nas: Yeah, Private Convictions [which is] Richard Pryor’s life story and Miles Davis by Quincy Troup. And I love Love Unlimited, Barry White’s book, you know a lot of biographies.

AllHipHop.com: What ties those together as being your favorites?

Nas: I mean they survived, being incredibly talented in the world, when people wanted to wipe them out of existence and suck them dry and use them and spit ‘em out when they was done. They survived, they paved the way for people like me, so I always wanted to see what they were made of and what they were into.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Nas: Nas’ Favorite Things (Part 1)

2007-08-14T07:02:00.000-07:00

By Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur

T.I.: The Man Who Would Be King

2007-08-14T05:45:00.000-07:00

By Jake Paine

T.I. just couldn’t wait to be King. In 2006, if there were any other bidders for the crown of the South, Clifford “T.I.” Harris raised his hand and his voice – blocking out whatever and whoever else.

As his fast-selling T.I. vs. Tip album continues to find buyers, and get discovered through second and third singles, T.I. spoke to AllHipHop.com about the motion to become king, the pressures of going corporate, and why Grand Hustle isn’t your typical label built around one star. As the new album continues to burn in the ears of fans worldwide, it’s worth noting the journey, and masterpiece, leading up to the soul-search.

AllHipHop.com: After King, the crown appears to be glued on, and not moving. Respect due, but after Slim Thug called his album Already Platinum and ended up reaching for gold, critics and fans really came down hard. When you did King, looking back, was there any doubt that it would be challenged?

T.I.: No. None. Believe it or not. Because whether you know it or not, [before] King, the groundwork was already laid. It was already unanimous at that time. It was undisputed. Just think about it: before T.I., who was King of the South? The term didn’t exist. So how can you say that he’s not? I felt like it was just like about time.

AllHipHop.com: “What You Know” was the hardest single out last year, and without doubt, it played the longest. DJ Drama pointed out to me that it was you going back to your roots with a hard, soulful street record that your longtime production affiliate DJ Toomp made. It marked the journey you made to the top. Is that how you see it; was it all that intentional?

T.I.: You look at your strengths and your weaknesses, and you ask yourself, “What do people like about you?” You keep all of that and you add in as much as possible that could attain you a market that you haven’t reached. “What do people who don’t know of you yet already need to know about you?” Then you make a song called “What You Know (About That).” [Laughs]

AllHipHop.com: Growing up, did you ever think you’d see a rapper or hear a rap song during a Super Bowl commercial?

T.I.: [Laughs] I never put that much thought into commercials, period. It’s just one of those accolades that you acquire along the way of gettin’ to where you want to be. It’s sort of like most of us who really, really do it in this game, it’s so hard, we just keep our head down and keep workin’, and then, before you know it, we look up and we’re Jay-Z, or we’re Puffy, or we’re 50, or we’re T.I. All the little things that you accomplish along the way, you hardly ever really stop and smell the roses.

AllHipHop.com: Of those guys, you’re one of, if not thee youngest to do it. At a point in your life where so many people might settle for “prince,” how does it feel it be “king”?

T.I.: Shhh…phenomenal. It was definitely a high standard. I put it up there. It didn’t mean half as much to me when I said it as when people tried to deny me of it. When people told me I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t be it, that’s when I started going harder.

AllHipHop.com: From Eminem back in the day, to the Shop Boyz recently trying to merge with Rock Star Energy Drink, has the Chevrolet deal affected the way you’re writing your lyrics?

T.I.: Not at all. Until I become a partner or get in bed with a conglomerate or a corporate sponsor that’s willing to compensate me to be mindful of my lyrics, then I don’t see the need to.

AllHipHop.com: One of your favorite albums is Jay-Z’s Blueprint, which was more or less, free of guests. That was at a time when it might have been in Jay’s best interest to put Beanie or Bleek or Freeway on a hit record. With T.I. vs. Tip, you haven’t prominently featured Grand Hustle artists. Is that difficult, as a friend and mentor, when your artists see the major vehicle for exposure that is this album?

T.I.: Nah. Because in my camp, everybody, they earn they keep. It’s a matter of you doing what it takes to break you as an artist. You’re gonna have to come up with that record. If there’s a song on my album that has an artist on it, it’s the opportunity that the artist took.

For instance, anybody can come in when I’m making a record and say, “Hey, I like this, I wanna get on it.” Very seldom will I say, “Nah, you can’t do that.” So I have songs with Big Kuntry, with Young Dro, Mack Boney, Alpha Mega, so on and so forth. But in the song-picking process, I’m not gonna say that I have to get all of these things done. I can’t put that before picking the best songs to make the best quality album. At the end of the day, man, whoever is standing, is standing. That’s not to say, “These songs aren’t good.” If you did your thing, you did your thing. Just like when they’re picking their first singles, it’s not mandatory that it’s a record T.I. produced or T.I. is on; I allow them to do their thing. They allow me to do the same.

AllHipHop.com: As I’ve walked around the Atlantic Records building, it seems as though I’ve seen your face all morning. [T.I. laughs heavily]…

T.I.: That’s what happens when you pay the bills somewhere, man.

AllHipHop.com: Well, that’s what I want to ask you. For a while, 50 Cent was calling himself Curtis “Interscope” Jackson. When you’re in New York, how do you feel when you walk around the Atlantic building?

T.I.: Like I’m at home. Period.

AllHipHop.com: As musicians and as men, what was the chemistry like with Eminem?

T.I.: Man! All around mutual respect. We recognize the differences in one another. I know he do what he do to death, and he knows the same thing about me. We respect it. Man, we really met each other for the first time and it felt like we’d known each other for a long time. We’d spoken over the phone before, but actually face-to-face, doing these records was when we met. We gelled like we’d known each other for years. Because I don’t know everything that he goes through, and I haven’t experienced everything that he’s experienced, but I’ve gotten a piece of it. I know how you can feel like you can never get time to yourself, and you’re giving more of yourself to the game than it gives you. I understand a lot of the things that other people ridicule him for, out of their lack of knowledge for the situation. We just respected each other. I’m sure he can respect certain things about me that other people might not be able to.

AllHipHop.com: “Live in the Sky” is an important record. It speaks to me. I’m told it’s a sensitive issue with you and subsequently, it’s a tough question to ask. With all the talk of the state of Hip-Hop, do you feel that if that single had gotten out there further, that it would have bettered your Grammy chances for Album of the Year?

T.I.: It was a single. It was a video.

AllHipHop.com: I know that.

T.I.: It just didn’t overshadow “What You Know (About That).” With that single, we sold records. We went from 1.3 [million copies sold] to 1.6 off of that single. It ain’t like it didn’t have the opportunity. I think the Grammy’s would’ve been bombarded with T.I. if we had my already-four nominations, plus equate the other singles. I think it was, “We’ve had enough of T.I., let’s give the other cats a chance,” you know?

AllHipHop.com: You were the first person that ever used the term “trap” to me. Do you feel that five or so years later, that the term “trap music” has been bastardized both other rappers in the game?

T.I.: I mean, man…[sighs]…you should’ve asked [Tip] about that, but I’ll speak on it a little. I think it should be used as any term is used. There are some who’ve taken the term and done it justice, and there’s some people who’ve taken the term and exploited it. All in all, as the originator or the founder of the term, I’m just happy that people are using it in everyday conversation.

AllHipHop.com: One of my favorite ad-libs ever in a verse was, “Y’all ain’t never seen a dope-boy play piano and rap at the same time” on “Be Easy.” Looking at that line, how do you think the balance exists in Hip-Hop today between musical ability and street credibility?

T.I.: Mmmm. I think it’s very important to infuse the two. I think that your talent and your natural ability gets you to a certain point. I think that your will to work hard gets you to another point. But I think that your ability to relate to the core of this Hip-Hop game is what gets you to either of those points. If you don’t have that in the beginning, it’s very hard to make it to point it to point B or C.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Chingo Bling - They Cant Deport Us All [Retail][2007][GroupRip]

2007-08-10T03:55:00.000-07:00

Part I
http://link-protector.com/262230/

Part II
http://link-protector.com/262232/

BE ON THE LOOK OUT...

2007-08-10T03:40:00.000-07:00

C-PLUS AKA MR. PATTY CAKES!!!

Album Comin' Soon....

CHECK OUT THE MYSPACE'z

http://www.myspace.com/cplus352

http://www.myspace.com/in715wetrust

Hurricane Chris: Ratchet City

2007-08-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

By Haaron Hines

If you asked M.O.P. about ratchets, you'd get an entirely different explanation than you do from Hurricane Chris. Ratchet is a lifestyle in Shrevport, Louisiana - where the regional "Ay Bay Bay" has recently become commercial rap vernacular. The Pologrounds/J Records artist wants his face and talent to spread like the slang he's helped his DJ spread. In his teens, that just might happen.

Hurricane Chris, and his 51/50 Ratchet debut have a lot to prove. But the former battle-rapper isn't caught up in ringtone labels. Chris explains his roots, his name, and the components of his album to AllHipHop.com, who keeps it ratchet all day.

AllHipHop.com: For those of us who don’t know, can you explain what it means to be “ratchet”?

Hurricane Chris: Ratchet is more than a word, it’s a culture. But mostly it’s just us. Ratchet is how we walk, talk, eat, live, all that. That’s our swagger, that’s what we are. If you in the club and you run into both your baby mamas, that’s ratchet. If you on the block with the same clothes you had on the day before, that’s ratchet. If you party all night, come home when the sun come up, take a shower and go to work, that’s ratchet. It’s all about being free, wilding out, and living life to the fullest.

AllHipHop.com: The word ratchet is also used as a slang term for a firearm in many cities across America. Are you worried about possible controversy from the association of that word with you and the movement?

Hurricane Chris: Well, it might mean something different in different places. It can mean that here too. It can have a bunch of different meanings. But that’s not what our movement is about. That’s not what we’re putting out there. We’re about living life the best we can. I’m the first one but it’s so much more to the movement. We got a lot coming, man. We’re trying to get it bigger than everything out there. And it can be bigger than everything because it’s not like anything that’s out there. You’ll see, just wait.

AllHipHop.com: You’re gaining a lot of momentum for yourself and your movement with the single, A Bay Bay. Where did the “A Bay Bay” chant come from?

Hurricane Chris: The “A Bay Bay” came from a DJ in my home town, in Sheverport, LA. When he would come in the club and do his thing everybody would be like “A Bay Bay, A Bay Bay.” We decided to take it and make it into a song.

AllHipHop.com: Was that record made for the specific purpose of having the obligatory “club song” or was it something that just happened?

Hurricane Chris: It was part of us, part of the movement, part of where we’re from so we just did it. We never thought it’d get so big, but it did. It’s crazy right now. People are loving it everywhere. It's real catchy. It gets stuck in your head the first time you hear it. Everybody relates to it, White folks, Black folks, hustlers and thugs.

AllHipHop.com: Artists are usually labeled by their singles. Can fans expect something different from your next single or have you chosen to stay in the “party song” lane?

Hurricane Chris: My music, my album is more than “Ay Bay Bay.” Me, the whole movement is versatile. There’s a lot of versatility. The movement is not just the party songs. Anybody who hears my album will know how it is. If you want to see the bigger picture, get the album. It comes out at the end of August.

AllHipHop.com: There are many new rappers who get in the game with the hopes of having a hit single, which ultimately leads to ringtone sales. Are you worried about being labeled a “ringtone” rapper?

Hurricane Chris: I’m a fan of Hip-Hop. I’ve always loved Hip-Hop. I’m a Hip-Hop artist. I will always consider myself a Hip-Hop artist. I don’t get into the labels. I don’t get into all that, “He’s not a rapper, I’m not a rapper,” or the “He’s a rapper, but I’m a MC.” I don’t concern myself with it. But, at the same time, I won’t let people call me anything that belittles or disrespects what I do and, at the same time, I don’t try to make myself seem bigger than anybody else.

AllHipHop.com: Where does your name come from?

Hurricane Chris: My name comes from battling. I come from battling. That’s why I’m standing here. I would be going against all these dudes and they’d say their rhymes then I’d say mines and destroy them. After it was over everybody would be quiet. I’m like a storm, like a hurricane. Because a hurricane will destroy everything then after the storm hits everything is real quiet.

AllHipHop.com: Is there anyone in the game right now you feel you could take in a battle?

Hurricane Chris: [Laughs] Honestly, our movement is bigger than that. We’re trying to do more. We don’t get involved in little stuff like that. But if the fans want it and somebody is willing to pay to see it go down, then we’ll step up against anybody.

AllHipHop.com: Louisiana has changed a lot since hurricane Katrina. How has it affected you and your music?

Hurricane Chris: Everybody always asks that question. “What’s it like back home? How’s home doing?” Home is home. I wake up happy to be where I’m from. That only made us stronger. Hurricane Katrina came and left but we’re still there. We been there and ain’t going nowhere… That’s another thing that’s ratchet. [Laughing] See, we getting real deep into it today.

AllHipHop.com: So, with that in mind, what can fans expect?

Hurricane Chris: When I write, when I rap, I think about the fans. I try to give people what they want so that’s what I did when we did the single and everything else on the album. I tried to talk about a lot of different subjects. I feel like there’s something on the album for everybody. When I come to your town, spend that money. I’m going to give it all I got. You’re going to get a show. That’s what the whole ratchet movement is about, doing everything to the fullest.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Common Lands At #1, Talks Album Success

2007-08-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

By Mike Winslow

Rapper Common has landed the first #1 album of his career with the release of his 7th and latest album, Finding Forever.

The album, which was released via Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, moved 155,329 copies during its first week in stores, besting his previous chart ranking, which was #2 with 2005's album BE.

Finding Forever beat Korn's latest album Untitled, which will land at #2 with over 123,000 units sold.

According to Common, the success of Finding Forever, which also hit #1 on iTunes, is due to the honest of the album's lyrical content.

"I always wanted to be that voice for all people,” Common told AllHipHop.com in a statement about the album. “If I tell you a story about some spacey astrology thing that's because I’ve experienced it or I’ve been next to somebody who experienced it, if I tell you a story about selling some dope or getting robbed or shot that’s because I’m next to the person that knows the person it happened to… I rap from a truthful place.”

Common is currently preparing to film a video for the single “Drivin’ Me Wild,” which features Lily Allen.

Producer Kanye West will also make a cameo appearance in the video, which is being shot this month.

In related news, Common is preparing to release his third book, titled M.E. (Mixed Emotions).

The rapper's first book, The Mirror and Me, teaches lessons about life, the human spirit and human nature, while his second book, I Like You, But I Love Me was nominated for a NAACP Image Award.

M.E. (Mixed Emotions) is due for release later this year.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

smh @ homothugz...

2007-08-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

ya some duestch thought it'd be sweet to hold on to my computer...not really a good idea...im back...and better than? idk? something?...... got some new UGK comin' it'll be on here eventually...

Plies - The Countdown

2007-07-17T05:15:00.000-07:00

This is the cover for his album (obviously) I couldn't find a cover at all for this tape so I figured it isn't pushin it too far since it IS the COUNTDOWN to the album haha

:)

http://www.shareapic.net/content.php?id=2767175&owner=bfochs

Label...: n/a
   Genre...: Rap
   Source..: CDDA
   Quality.: LAME 3.97 V2 / 44.1  / Joint-Stereo
   Size....:74,10 MB
   Rip Date: 07-17-2007


                         Track List

   01. The Countdown Intro                          00:37
   02. Got Em Hatin                                 03:01
   03. Bond Money                                   02:36
   04. Plies Speaks                                 00:14
   05. Dope Boy                                     01:55
   06. Plies Speaks                                 00:18
   07. Shawty Feat. T Pain                          03:51
   08. Plies Speaks                                 00:20
   09. Kno Som                                      03:48
   10. 50 Grand Short                               02:20
   11. Plies Speaks                                 00:36
   12. 100 Percent Real Nigga                       03:47
   13. Plies Speaks                                 00:46
   14. Bid Long                                     04:04
   15. Still In Em                                  01:37
   16. Ms Pretty Pussy                              01:46
   17. Get U Wet Feat. Pleasure                     03:56
   18. Plies Speaks                                 01:24
   19. U Aint A Real Nigga                          03:20
   20. Plies Speaks                                 00:25
   21. In Love With Money Feat. TI                  03:02
   22. Plies Speaks                                 01:04
   23. Where He At                                  03:10
   24. Plies Speaks                                 00:16
   25. Choppa Zone                                  02:56
   26. Plies Speaks                                 00:29
   27. Dont Work Dont Eat                           04:09
   28. The Countdown Outro                          01:32

                                        Total Time: 57:19 min


   Release Notes
   -------------




17] Plies - The Countdown
passWORD-www.rapgodfathers.com

   enjoy!

USHER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST RUMORS, BLOGGERS AND MEDIA!

2007-07-16T05:59:00.000-07:00

By illseed

USHER SPEAKS OUT AGAINS RUMORS, BLOGGERS AND MEDIA!

USHER GETS GULLY WITH Y'ALL!! I can’t imagine the life of an entertainer such as Usher, but some things come with the terrain. Usher has issed a statement to People magazine, asking for privacy, dissing bloggers and denouncing some of the rumors. YALL DONE UPSET THE MAN! That’s word to Tom Joyner!

"It has already been announced that I plan to marry this year. However, since my wedding day will be special to Tameka and I, this is information that we would like to keep private. It's disturbing that the media and bloggers (under the guise as 'fans') continuously speculate on the personal aspects of my life, therefore making assumptions and wrong insinuations that my fans are subject to believe.

"I am happy, excited, completely clear and independent on my direction, feelings, decisions and I am NOT BEING LED. Some media and bloggers have been totally intrusive, they have misconstrued aspects of my personal life and, because of this, my 'true' fans are not sure about what is fact and what is fiction. There is a difference in stating an opinion versus drawing a conclusion that is incorrect.

"As previously reported, I have NEVER threatened or harassed anyone from any media format – print, radio, television or Internet media. At this point the best thing to say to my fans is just because it sounds enticing and it MAY sound 'true,' that does not make it truth. I understand the fact that I must sacrifice some anonymity for the career I love, however some things are personal like having a child or a marriage. These aspects are not for the public and, to me, are sacred. I would hope my privacy in these areas would be respected."

I feel for Usher and Tameka, but he knows better. The media is about to be like a school of Piranha on a bleeding carcass.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Exclusive: Remy Ma's Attorney Talks Shooting

2007-07-15T02:21:00.000-07:00

By Nolan Strong

Attorney Scott Leemon spoke exclusively to AllHipHop.com about a shooting incident involving his Grammy Award nominated client, rap star Remy Ma, on Saturday morning in New York.

Remy Ma, 27, was charged with attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon yesterday (July 14), after a shooting in Manhattan left a 23-year-old woman with gunshot wounds to the abdomen.

"I made arrangements early this morning with the Hip-Hop squad of the New York Police Department to turn her in, but it did not happen until this evening as I was out of town and my flight was delayed," Remy Ma's attorney Scott Leemon told AllHipHop.com. "As to the allegations, I ask everyone to keep an open mind."

Remy Ma, born Remy Smith, surrendered to authorities yesterday evening, for her alleged role in an early morning shooting in front of The Pizza Bar in Manhattan.

According to police, Remy Ma was involved in a dispute with a childhood friend named Makeda Barnes- Joseph, after a peaceful evening at The Pizza Bar.

Remy Ma and an entourage left the establishment, but an argument ensued around 4:00 am, when she argued with longtime friend Makeda Barnes- Joseph, apparently over a $2000 debt.

Police said that Remy Ma opened the driver's side door of Barnes-Joseph's Nissan Maxima and fired her weapon, striking Barnes-Joseph twice in the torso.

Remy Ma and several unidentified men fled the scene after the shooting.

Her Cadillac Escalade was found blocks later, after the SUV crashed into another vehicle.

All occupants fled the scene on foot. The men were arrested earlier today and questioned, while Remy Ma surrendered to police this evening.

Barnes-Joseph is in Saint Vincent's Hospital and is in stable condition.

"Things are not always as they seem," Leemon told AllHipHop.com. "Remember these are only allegations."

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Production Breeding Ground: Da Grindaz

2007-07-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

By Dynasty Williams and Almen Jones

The creative mind of a producer is usually an untamed, uncompromising beast. That being said, it is easy to see how one could, at times, harbor the craft as his own, with contributing team members from time to time. Few have successfully formed a productive team that could produce cohesively as an intertwined hit-making unit. Da Grindaz are striving to stake their claim among the few successful production teams that have made significant marks before them.

The duo, consisting of Bao "Classic" Pham, a trained musician who plays the bass, guitar, keyboard, piano and the saxophone, and Stephen "H20" Holdren, a master percussionist who is also a wizard with chopping and looping samples, compliments each other's talents perfectly. It is this union that has landed the Alabama natives a placement on the king of the South’s new album TI vs. TIP.

Da Grindaz sat with AllHipHop.com to discuss their roots in Hip-Hop, their work ethic, and the circumstances that led to them working with the largest rapper in the game right now.

AllHipHop.com: So you guys are from Alabama, what's the Hip-Hop scene like down there?

Bao: It's not an industrial outlet down there and so it's kind of hard for folks to get out. You got a few cats that came out of there, like Dirty, Duece Komradz, thats been on the underground scene for years, Small Tyme Ballaz that had a single deal with Universal, Chason Dreamz of NuNoiZe Productionz and Khao both came out of there.

Stephen: Rick Rock, with The Federation; He's really a big influence I know on myself. Him and the guy who helped Dirty get their start, a guy named Dr. Fangaz. As far as producing-wise, them cats, they were like the late ‘90s. They were hard on like Wu-Tang [Clan] and stuff like that. It was like more of an underground thing.

When I got into it, it was like early ‘90s and it was poppin'. The only thing about it was that we was trying to chase a sound because we were from the South, but influenced by what BET was showing. BET was showing the East coast joints and we were from the South, and we go to the club and they playing Rob Base[and DJ E-Z Rock.] So it's like we were fusing the two. We never had a distinct sound. It's good because it's a melting pot for everything.

AllHipHop.com: How did you guys start out producing music?

Bao: Well we've been doing stuff on our own for a good bit and we just linked up about a year or two ago. I know myself, I've been in music since I was four, playing piano, guitar and bass. My dad had a band and I was basically into music my whole life.

Stephen: Myself, I've been kind of like the same thing. I started small and developed a passion for percussion. I went to elementary, junior high, [I was in] the marching band. When I went to college, I was in the marching band. I felt like I really wanted to pursue music. When I got to college I was like, "I'd rather pursue music," so I dropped out of college and started to grind from there.

AllHipHop.com: Who are some of your influences in Hip-Hop?

Stephen: Wu-Tang [Clan], Biggie [Notorious B.I.G.], Pete Rock. That ["They Reminisce Over You"] joint is still bananas today. Even like now we listen to the old stuff. People always say that our stuff has soul because a lot of stuff Bao plays guitar on. If we do a sample, instead of truncating the baseline, he'll play it live.

Bao: I kind of had a late start, I used to listen to alternative s**t. Like '91, I was on that Nirvana s**t, like Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden. I was on that. Nirvana was the s**t to me. Until my homeboy, Arthur James Poole, Jr. a.k.a. Bo Bo, that dude is credited for giving me my first Hip-Hop CD, and that was that Ready to Die [by Notorious BIG]. When I listened to that s**t, man it was just over with.

AllHipHop.com: How do you guys work together when you create music?

Bao: It's kind of crazy, we got two different types of styles. How it's been working is that I may be busy and he's doing some stuff or he's busy and I'm doing some stuff, or we do it all together. I'm more like melodic, like playing bass and guitars and the melodies. Steve, his sh*t is on some sample s**t, some Hip-Hop s**t. We just coming from that ‘90s, East coast Hip-Hop, when it was good. Not to diss New York or anything. [Laughs]

AllHipHop.com: You recently were fortunate enough to get a major placement on the T.I. vs. TIP album. How did that come about?

Bao: Well we had a relationship with Khao a couple years back. We submitted some tracks to him and he walked it in and got it placed, and made it happen.

Stephen: It's a good look on both ends

AllHipHop.com: Now on the album, you're credited with co-production on the song with Jay-Z, "Watch What You Say to Me." What work did you do with the song to earn that co-production credit?

Bao: Well we contributed pretty much the groove of the track. Like I said, we submitted some things and [Khao] got it placed, but pretty much the groove of it. Basically bass guitars, what you hear and Khao did his thing and added some things to it, you know, did some drops and that was it. We're just blessed to be on the album because we beat out some big name producers and that's an accomplishment our first time kind of hitting it with two of the biggest names in Hip-Hop, the Legend and the hottest rapper out right now.

AllHipHop.com: So What's next for Da Grindaz

Bao: Well we got some upcoming projects with UpFront Megatainment, that's Akon's label Devyne Stephens. We are working with an artist named Shock Dollar.

Stephen: Yea Shock Dollar he was in a group that had a deal, but evidently he had something that he really wanted the world to hear, so he decided to do a solo venture with UpFront and Devyne. It's a good look on his end with him and LadiDrew. They gave us an opportunity to make it happen with a first time artist and us not really being well know producers. Even before the placement we were working with him. They gave us our first chance to develop and nurture our sound through him. So a lot of the stuff we did for T.I. and Jay-Z, that stuff you'll hear that reflect to the third power when you hear Shock's stuff.

AllHipHop.com: How can people get at you guys to listen to your music?

Bao : Go to www.DaGrindaz.com or hit us at DaGrindaz@gmail.com.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Streets is Talking: Keith Murray

2007-07-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

By Martin A. Berrios

Since Hip-Hop’s inception, there have always been rappers who have had the potential to be legends, but the unfortunate stars didn’t align in their favor. Grand Puba had the swag but no big push, The D.O.C. had the insane momentum, but witnessed his vocal chords crushed in car accident, and the list goes on and on. Def Squad product Keith Murray’s story doesn’t fall far from the top of the setback tree. Originally introduced through Erick Sermon, the self proclaimed lyrical-lexicon made a colossal impression with his single “The Most Beautifullest Thing In The World” in 1994.

Through the years, his verbose and complex style stood out immediately placing him on the tip of every critic’s pen. He would be put on pause though serving three calendars for an assault charge. Landing at Def Jam after the jail time, another physical altercation would put everything to a halt. Now off a four-year hiatus, the 33-year-old Murray is back refocused. AllHipHop.com’s Streets is Talking interview series sits down with Keith to get the real story behind his all of his highs and lows, victories and blows.

AllHipHop.com: How did you get your start?

Keith Murray: Well my uncle T-Roy is an original b-boy. He used to go out to the parties and I would be in the doorway, just looking. I had to be 10 years old or some s**t. I was looking at them n***as like, “That’s so f**king cool!” He had the Grandmaster Flash album when he had the Rolls Royce and the bear skin rug, [On the Strength] and the Run-DMC Raising Hell album; I was like, “How they do this s**t?” He was like, “All you got to do is make up a rhyme that makes sense.” Ever since then, I had the bug. I started writing rhymes and I was real studious in school, so I would incorporate vocabulary in the rhymes; that’s how my style developed.

AllHipHop.com: Is it true you stepped to Big Daddy Kane and battled him?

Keith Murray: Well my uncle Born True, God bless the dead, he used to be a bodyguard for Big Daddy Kane back in the days. Me and my cousin Drift, God bless the dead, always hung out together. He was the beat-box, and we went everywhere; tearing n***as down in every borough when we was young. I [told my uncle to] take us to Big Daddy Kane. He took us to a Juice Crew party, I auditioned there. Then he took us to the [Nassau] Coliseum when Kane had a show, then we went to the dinner and Born was like, “Kick some s**t.” So we exchanged flows at the time, it wasn’t really like a battle where I ran up on Kane and defeated him; I had the opportunity to rhyme back and forth with him.

AllHipHop.com: Were you trying to give Kane the business even though it wasn’t a formal battle?

Keith Murray: I still remember my rhyme, you crazy! Yeah, I was serving Kane the business, but then he killed me like, “Young boy/you just a toy/I’m 21/undone by anyone.” It was Big Daddy Kane! You couldn’t defeat him. He was in his prime!

AllHipHop.com: Did you battle for anyone else who we would be familiar with?

Keith Murray: No. Well, I auditioned for the Juice Crew. Kool G Rap was in the room, Big Daddy Kane, Fly Ty, MC Shan, Cool V, DJ Polo. Them n***as were in the room like, “Spit.” I got a DVD of that; I’m going to put it out.

AllHipHop.com: So what was the reaction, who was feeling you, who wasn’t?

Keith Murray: Everyone was saying, “He’s nice, put him on.” But then I went back home to Long Island, and I didn’t hear anything else about it.

AllHipHop.com: So how did you hook up with EPMD?

Keith Murray: K-Solo is from Long Island. One day [he] came to the block, and we used to rush him rhyming all the time. I had heard Erick Sermon had moved from Brentwood which was one town over from C.I. [Central Islip], so I told K-Solo to take me to E’s house. So K-Solo said, “Aight, meet me on his block.” We [end up in Sermon's] basement, E put on a beat on and I blacked out. That’s it. It was on since then.

AllHipHop.com: How were your first sessions or just being around with Erick Sermon when he record his second album No Pressure? From what I hear, those were your first times really hitting a studio?

Keith Murray: I never really did a demo until I met Curt Cazal from JVC Force and he did a little demo on me, but that was before [meeting] E. But I went to E’s house right before he went on that EPMD tour, that’s right around the time EPMD were about to break up. Erick went to Atlanta, and I went back to the block. A year later, he came back and said, “Let’s do it.” Being around Erick making that album was crazy because like you said, I [had] never been in a real studio. So I just followed his lead and when it came for me to rhyme, I went banoodles.

AllHipHop.com: What was it like the first time you met Reggie?

Keith Murray: Well Redman, I was with Erick Sermon for two years before I touched the mic. So I’m like, “Is this s**t going to happen or not?” Then he put me on that record “Swing It Over Here” with Redman. First time I met Redman, I didn’t [recognize] him; K-Solo knew him…[one time] I had to go to traffic court and he had to go to traffic court. We sitting in traffic court the same and we didn’t know each other. He had [released] “How To Roll A Blunt” and I didn’t even know him yet. I told [Redman] one time and he was like, “That was you?” Just me and him in front of the judge. [Later on], we smoked out and then we did “Swing It Over Here” and it was on.

AllHipHop.com: Did you beat the traffic ticket?

Keith Murray: Nah, my license is still f**ked up to this day, still! This is when I was 16, pushing a car that wasn’t mine with no insurance.

AllHipHop.com: What were you pushing back then?

Keith Murray: A Corvette, a burgundy Corvette; my step-pop had it. It was crazy.

AllHipHop.com: You dropped your single and title album The Most Beautifullest Thing In The World in 1994, can you describe that time period?

Keith Murray: I was selling drugs on the corner; that was my first year of community college and s**t just popped off. Erick was like, “Here is your show tape and here’s your plane tickets, I’ll see you when you get back.” Ever since then, I been on the run. My first tour was with Biggie, Meth, Redman, Nas. That was the era I was in. We was always around each other chilling, rhyming doing shows and s**t like that. So we all grew up in the industry together. Boot Camp Clik, them was my n***as - Jeru Da Damaja,

AllHipHop.com: So break down what happened between you and Prodigy of Mobb Deep at The Tunnel [legendary New York City nightclub].

Keith Murray: So we came up with The Most Beautifullest Thing In The World and we dropped that. Then that’s when Mobb Deep came with the interlude [on The Infamous] “F**k all you rappers that talking getting high on records and all that spaced out s**t.” I overlooked it. Erick said, “No, that n***a talking about y’all.” I seen him [Prodigy], and was like, “Yo, who y’all talking about on that record? Because it started getting out that you n***as was talking about us.” They were like, “Nah we ain’t talking about y’all.” So they call me to do [LL Cool J’s] “I Shot Ya.” I laid my verse first; I ain’t know who was going to be on the record or nothing. Then he comes on the record and says something [suspect], and E caught it.

AllHipHop.com: Then you see him at The Tunnel?

Keith Murray: That’s when we used to run in The Tunnel wilding. Wow, The Tunnel! Everyone always talking about their Tunnel stories, Murray was in The Tunnel, baby.

AllHipHop.com: Tell me a of Tunnel story...

Keith Murray: I will tell you a sick Tunnel story. It didn’t even happen in The Tunnel, it happened outside The Tunnel. Me and my man 50 Grand was driving in the car, in the Lexus Erick gave me when I first came out. We seen some girls, we were looking, looking, looking and BOOM my bumper crashed into a car right in front of me. I get out of the car and it’s Biggs [Kareem Burke] from Roc-A-Fella [Records]. My f**king Lexus is dented up to the moon [Lexus emblem]! His car ain’t even touched! He about to file with police and I’m like, “Oh no, please don’t do that because my ass is going to jail.” We exchanged numbers and s**t. I gave him the office number for E. I don’t even know what happened with that.

AllHipHop.com: So back to Prodigy, he said you snuffed him in front of police and ran out.

Keith Murray: Let me just make it clear, I have no problems with Prodigy. I snuffed him, yeah, but it wasn’t in front of police. I snuffed him, he ran, and I chased him, then my n***as were fighting his n***as. [We] caught one and beat him under the car with the cops there. They were saying we beat him under the cop car, stop f**king lying. My n***as beat him under the car and cops came and said, “Take it around the corner.” Matter of fact, ask Trigga Tha Gambler what happened; he saw it. I got love for Prodigy, I’m not disrespecting the n***a.

AllHipHop.com: So what happened after the first album did what it did and everything cooled down for you a little bit.

Keith Murray: I caught a case in Connecticut. Some dude got hit in the head with a stool. They said he got multiple lacerations from a razor blade. It happened to be the promoter’s younger brother, that ran up in the middle of a fight n***as was having. And I’m standing on the sidelines looking at the s**t. So he gets damaged, and they’re like, “Keith Murray did it.” I’m like, “I didn’t do s**t, so n***as couldn’t put it on me.” The district attorney said he didn’t go after me because I’m a rapper, he said he went after me because of my criminal history. I did three years for that.

I got railroaded, so I took it like a man and wiped with my hand. But I came out with Enigma before I went in. Enigma is my second album where I went spontaneously disgusting on them. I’m sitting in court and the mothaf**king album coming out the same day. So I never really got a chance to market and promote that album.

AllHipHop.com: Did you record label Jive have your back with what you were going through at the time?

Keith Murray: Yeah, Jive had my back 100%. They paid my lawyer fees and all that s**t. I was making money for them so they were willing to do whatever to do to help, and I appreciate that from the bottom of my heart.

AllHipHop.com: You released It’s A Beautiful Thing around this time.

Keith Murray: Oh yeah. I told Jive not to release that album. “The album ain’t finished, so don’t put it out.” They still put it out and that’s what made me discontent with them.

AllHipHop.com: How did the jail time change you? Did anyone try to test you since you had a deal?

Keith Murray: One thing about Keith Murray is Keith Murray is a cool dude. Keith Murray don’t bother nobody and nobody bother him. They tell you straight up don’t play
basketball in jail if you’re not ready to get into a confrontation, that’s were most of the fights start.

AllHipHop.com: You got hacked?

Keith Murray: Nah, I’m just real nice in basketball, and they couldn’t take it because they were getting a little frustrated that’s all. I love a good confrontation though.

AllHipHop.com: So you get out of jail.

Keith Murray: So I’m like listen I want to get off Jive to pursue other avenues, then Def Jam bought the project for $2,000,000. So it was cool, I went over there and start recording. At first I thought I was going to a boutique label, but I was at a corporation. Then the A&R factor came in; I never worked with an A&R before. Then the suggestions of doing this and that, that started thinning me out. It didn’t become fun anymore.

AllHipHop.com: So it was more about the business than music over there?

Keith Murray: It was like they want something but they didn’t know what that was and I didn’t know what to give them because I’m used to doing what I do. So it was definitely a crossroads.

AllHipHop.com: Was that “Candy Bar” song their idea or yours? It seemed out of your zone at the time.

Keith Murray: It was Kevin Liles’ idea. I thank him for that record because that record kept me current and I still do shows now. When that s**t comes on, it’s over in that mothaf**ker. It surprised the hell out of me on how big that record is.

AllHipHop.com: But the record didn’t get as big it could have --

Keith Murray: -- Been because the growth was stunt because of the situations that occurred.

AllHipHop.com: What’s good with this album?

Keith Murray: The album is called Rapp Murr-Phobia. It comes out July 31st. I named it that because as I been doing the knowledge of the game, Hip-Hop has been taking a lot of low blows right now. And I see that the same way Keith Murray is. The take advantage of you and hang you out to dry. I would like to think that this album is harder than Enigma but more lyrical than Most Beautifullest Thing in this World. Erick Sermon produced the whole thing. I got Redman, Method Man, L.O.D., Lil' Jamal from Illegal. I feel real good about the album. This is something I made because this is something I made and I liked making it. It was fun and I love it. My heart is into it. It’s an album!

AllHipHop.com: Have you ever seen the Beef 2 DVD?

Keith Murray: Yeah.

AllHipHop.com: What’s your comment on the EPMD segment of the tape where they were alluding to that Erick Sermon sent some guys to rob Parrish?

Keith Murray: K-Solo started that bullsh*t! He’s the reason why EPMD broke up. He said that. They got the boss looking like the villain. I wasn’t around that time, so I don’t know. I can’t really talk about it, but Erick Sermon is a good guy.

AllHipHop.com: Can you elaborate on how K-Solo separated the two?

Keith Murray: Yeah, he was Parrish's man. He told Parrish [that] Erick did it all. He’s the reason why EPMD broke up. He’s the reason why Parrish was like, "E did it."

AllHipHop.com: When’s the last time you’ve spoken to Solo?

Keith Murray: I don’t f**k with Solo. I haven’t seen Solo since Solo seen himself. [Laughs] Last time I heard, he was walking around with a Bible saying he's Jesus Christ and Suge Knight is the devil. N***as is crazy. You can print anything I say. I don’t give two s**ts.

AllHipHop.com: Yeah, keep it funky.

Keith Murray: Word up, funky like a chunky money. July 31st Rap-Murr-Phobia: The Fear Of Real Hip-Hop. You got Al Sharpton boycotting G-Unit, Al, go sit your ass down somewhere! Leave a young rich man [50 Cent] alone, trying make a living. And Imus, “Oh, Hip-Hop did it,” f**k you, you leprechaun looking ass n***a. And the media going to take it like, "Yeah, Hip-Hop did it." Why wait to say all that? We going to keep doing it and nobody going to stop us! And we [are] going to get everyone that loves us to support us! We don’t need y'all!

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Tech N9ne Collabos - Misery Loves Kompany [MP3 Format][Retail][Not GroupRip]

2007-07-14T00:20:00.000-07:00

 



Tracklisting

1. Kansas City Shuffle (Intro)
2. Midwest Choppers (featuring Big Krizz Kaliko and D-Loc & Dalima)
3. Misery (featuring The Journalist and Yukmouth)
4. That Box (featuring Big Krizz Kaliko, Greed, Kutt Calhoun and Skatterman & Snug Brim)
5. Gangsta Shap (featuring Big Krizz Kaliko and Kutt Calhoun)
6. S.O.S. (Sex Out South) (featuring Big Krizz Kaliko and Kutt Calhoun)
7. Get Ya Head Right (featuring Money Hungry and Snug Brim)
8. Fan Or Foe (featuring Big Krizz Kaliko and T-Nutty)
9. Girl Crazy "Crazy Love" (featuring Big Krizz Kaliko) (Produced by David Sanders II)
10. 2 Piece (featuring Big Krizz Kaliko, Big Scoob and Joe Vertigo)
11. Big Scoob (featuring Big Scoob)
12. Yeah Ya Can (featuring Big Krizz Kaliko and Shadow)
13. I Can Feel It (featuring Agginy and The P.H.I.L.S.T.A.)
14. Karma (Skit)
15. You Don't Want It (featuring Big Krizz Kaliko, Mr. Reece and Prozak) (Produced by Rob Rebeck)
16. Message to the Black Man
17. The P.A.S.E.O. (The Poem Aaron Saw Extra Ordinary)


Release Notes

mp3 format
all files tagged
cover and playlist included


Tech N9ne Collabos - Misery Loves Kompany [MP3 Format][Retail][Not GroupRip]

Jadakiss To Stand Trial For Gun Charges

2007-07-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

By Mike Winslow

Jadakiss and two other men will stand trial for weapons charges stemming from an October arrest, in which police recovered a stolen handgun in the vehicle 32-year-old rap star was traveling in.

Jadakiss, born Jason Phillips, and three others were charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon in October 2006, when police stopped a 2006 Toyota Camry and were greeted with the smell of marijuana.

When police searched the vehicle, they found a stolen .38 caliber handgun in the center console.

According to the Journal News, the car belonged to the driver of the Camry's girlfriend.

When police conducted DNA tests on sweat found on the weapon, the results concluded that three unknown individuals had handled the weapon.

Still, prosecutors will try the rapper on the gun charges.

"He had no knowledge of the gun in the car," Phillips' lawyer, Clement Patti, said. "They're saying that there's a presumption (of possession) ... but with no fingerprints, (others') DNA, in the interest of justice they should dismiss the charges."

The driver of the Camry, Darnell Frazier, 25, faces weapons charges in addition to driving while ability impaired by marijuana. Frazier served three years in prison for stabbing a man to death who insulted his rapping.

One of the four occupants testified in front of a grand jury and does not have to stand trial.

Jadakiss is due in court in August.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

YA I WENT THERE....FIRST DJBFREEZY MIIIIIIIIIIX!

2007-07-11T05:22:00.000-07:00

i said first cuz i actually trie'd to put some ish together...usually i just make bomb discos compacticos 4 my peeps...its that mary j blige-be without song...but i found a male version by metro city...put them togetha...enjoy...NOTE: i made this on my computer so u can't really scratch all that good w/ a mouse pointer...its like djin' w/1 hand....

DJBfReEzY presents...BE WITHOUT REMIX

Pursuit of Fly: Being Fresh When You’re Broke

2007-07-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

By illseed

I’m broke and so are you. Be honest.

This fashion series serves as a guide to keep you fresh and fly, despite your bank statement and other limitations. If style was eyesight, I would wear bifocals. But, let me stay on task.

In Hip-Hop, the sixth element of the culture - in my opinion - is fashion. The main issue is the lack of funds causing the pursuit of “fly” to become a chase as elusive as the cat to the mouse or maybe the United States to Bin Laden. Now that’s a helluva chase! I’ve never claimed to be any sort of ultra fly guy, but I try my best to keep up with the Brownes, Joneses and the Jacksons. That is within the confines of reason.

Of course, this means, trying to have hot kicks, trying to pop my quota of tags and buy the occasional piece of jewelry. But we’re not Young Jeezy, Lil' Wayne, Jay-Z or 50 Cent and for all intent and purposes, we have very little money.

The first illseed rule to staying fly is to always stay clean.

Some of you aren’t going to agree with this, especially the younger ones, but listen. If you are short on cash (or living as a middle class citizen, with your parent(s) or renting), buy a fair grade of inexpensive, white sneaker (think the classic shelltoe Adidas or the Nike Air force 1). You don’t have to have the crazy, ill colorful, one-of-one sneaker. Your shirt can be a top brand from Foreman Mills Mall or Burlington, still crazy inexpensive, and still more than up to par. You are so fresh and so clean.

One of the worst things for a b-boy or b-girl is to have the hottest, most expensive fashions…of last year. Oh, but it gets worst. If you spend all your money on that one or two garments, you can’t re-up as fast. How wack is layaway? If you can’t re-up as fast, you can’t stay as clean as the next man. And don't get caught in fake stuff! Those fashionistas will call you out! On top of it all, these super expensive garments get dirty, scuffed and played out like everything else. I stay in Marshall's department stores and have friends that buy from places like that only to resell to those so-called trendy types on the street.

Don’t be a dirt ball Hip-Hopper, because there is nothing worse that that. I’m not into the long, white tee crap, but a clean whitey is better than a grimy, old anything name-brand. Take it from me, budget baller, don’t trying to compete with the rappers on their terms. Play the game, but play by your own rules. Keep it classy and classic.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Pastor Troy: Catch Me While You Can

2007-07-10T12:44:00.000-07:00

By Brandon Raybon

Pastor Troy has been a staple on the Crunk scene for many years. Carrying the title with an official belt wrapped around his waist has made him hard to miss. With hits like “Visa Versa” and “We Ready,” he showed the industry he was a force to be reckoned with. In doing so, he bumped a few heads - Master P and Lil' Jon included, on the way.

After formerly being a flagship artist at Universal Records years ago, Troy returned, after a stint with Koch, on the SMC/Universal roster. Claiming that he's defiantly independent, Pastor Troy's recently-released Tool Muziq has garnered the reviews that Pastor Troy pulled in his first run in the late '90s. Already a self-proclaimed, the Atlanta rapper tells AllHipHop.com, that if he sells serious units, interviews are limited. For those who think strongly of Troy, we caught him while we could.

AllHipHop.com: Your deal with Universal Records was a major step for you, what happened with the deal and what made you and Universal part ways the last time?

Pastor Troy: I really completed my obligation with Universal. I recorded four albums while I was in my deal and it got to the end of the obligation. It was like getting out of jail: you can get out or you can stay in for another damn week. I’ll get out and we will talk later. It was about getting free. It wouldn’t have been a big deal to sign back with them, but to just be able to entertain is what I want to do.

AllHipHop.com: I know you had some beef with Lil' Jon and Lil Scrappy at one time. How is your relationship with Atlanta rappers now?

Pastor Troy: Man, I’m cool. Everybody [is] staying in their lane for the most part. It’s all good. I don’t have a problem with that. Stay in your lane.

AllHipHop.com: How do you feel the South is being portrayed in the radio and in the industry?

Pastor Troy: Real bubble gum. Real bubble gum style right now. It’s crazy. Like they’ve turned Atlanta into a whole dance city. It isn’t even about that. If I got to make a dance song to get on the damn radio, I won’t be on there.

AllHipHop.com: You were able to pull in some heavy-hitting producers for the album Tool Muziq...

Pastor Troy: I got Shawty Redd - the sound behind Young Jeezy, Drumma Boy, DJ Squeeky out of Memphis and Zaytoven - the sound behind Gucci Mane. I went and got some bangers. All these boys love my style and wanted me to have the best shit. So that is what they gave me.

AllHipHop.com: In being that the initial title of the album was Saddam, what went on that made you change the name to Tool Musiq?

Pastor Troy: A lot of stores did not want the controversy and for people to misinterput the message. I damn sure didn’t want to get picked up on a Terrorist Act. It’s all good though, it was nothing but a name change. I still was able to create the album with that name being in mind. So the album is still Saddam. It wasn’t s**t. Instead of [the would-be title track] being track number two, its track number one.

AllHipHop.com: Now that you have moved on to SMC Records, how do you feel about them and how they represent Pastor Troy?

Pastor Troy: SMC is cool. I dealt with them last year and sold a lot of [copies of Stay Tru] without any kind of push. It was through a third party that took me through SMC. We got rid of the middle-man and now we dealing with them direct. I think we are going to have a lot of success over the years.

AllHipHop.com: Do you still feel like you are the Crunk King of the South?

Pastor Troy: I’m the champ. I’m looking at the belt while I’m talking to you. [Laughs]

AllHipHop.com: Who are you feeling right now in the industry?

Pastor Troy: I’m not no hater. I dig anything that sounds good to me. Any tracks that I heard that I would like to rap on, I can dig that. From Young Jeezy’s s**t to Tip’s s**t, I like what I like. I ain’t no sucker. I’m not like “I don’t like that s**t.” I’m real. That’s what these Motherf**kers need to do in return.

AllHipHop.com: Since you’ve been in the music game for a while, what advice can you give a new artist just coming in to the scene?

Pastor Troy: All I can say is, do what works for you. I look at the dudes on the major labels and their situations. That is all cool, but that isn’t what works for me. I work better as an indie. Do what works for you. I’m going to do what works for me. I specialize in this independent game. I kill them - we kill them. It is a lot of stress off of you. I ain’t got to try to go gold. But if I do, don’t call me for an interview because I am going to be hard to catch up with. [Laughs]

AllHipHop.com: So, for you, the independent thing is the way to go?

Pastor Troy: Yeah, this is were I started. Some people don’t have that independent grind. Some boys would not know how to survive without a major push. That really isn’t my problem. We can do it either way. We still got major distribution. It’s still a big boy distribution situation. At the end of the day it’s all mine. I own these songs forever publishing and all.

AllHipHop.com: What do you have popping off in the near future that we need to know about?

Pastor Troy: Man I am going to drop a Rock album. I got this rock character I have been trying to create for a while now. I have been talking about it for a couple of years. His name is Mavado. When I’m in the character, I’m a straight Rock character. It’s cool to be able to flip it out like that. Everybody can’t do that. My voice already wild like a Rock singer. I just want to hear myself do it. We got a lot of songs in the bag. I want to try and step out with that before the end of the year. You miss a 100% of the shots you don’t take.

AllHipHop.com: One particular hit that has everybody still thinking is 2002's “Visa Versa.” How do you feel about that song's popularity?

Pastor Troy: That was a strong song, man. The song was so powerful because all it was a simple question. It was for everybody, though. So many people felt it and it feels good to be felt like that. When you're in the club and the beat hit, everybody starts saying “Yeah!”

AllHipHop.com: Earlier, we talked about Saddam. How do you feel about the War in Iraq?

Pastor Troy: It’s really sad, man. I am the kind of person that feels like we need to protect home. I would much rather see our people set up on the border with guns and s**t than sending people way over there starting s**t. It’s about oil, and everybody knows that. It isn’t about anything else we think - just simply about oil. So many innocent lives involved in the middle of that s**t is treacherous. I love my country and all that good s**t, but at the same time, I ain’t going over there. I ain’t going over there interrupting a government they have had in place for years and years. They survived this long with it, who the hell are we to try and change it. It’s so crazy because they couldn’t come over here and that happen. You think them motherf**kers would come over here and kill President Bush and tell all of us we going to be Muslims? It’s not going to happen. America, America, America. I just hope I ain’t in the way when it goes down.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Mr. Porter: A Thin Line

2007-07-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

By Antonio Sams & Dynasty Williams

Is Denaun Porter mentally balanced? If you peruse the production credits on notable singles like 50 Cent’s "P.I.M.P," Pharoahe Monch's "Body Baby," and multiple D-12 records, the answer must be yes. But some of Mr. Porter’s actions tread closely along the lines of insanity. After reaching multi- platinum status as a producer and a rapper, the man with multiple personalities has officially crossed the line. His new website MrPorterBeats.com has stacks of beats for sale with starting prices of $25. Drastically reducing the price tag on his creations has some people thinking he has lost his marbles entirely. But, Mr. Porter’s level headed movement is creating opportunities for street level artists, pushing him to accomplish goals as an executive, and allowing him to contribute production to the much anticipated Dr. Dre album Detox. Mr. Porter took time out with AllHipHop.com to clarify his state of mind and connect the dots on his journey to prominence.

AllHipHop.com: How did you get started in music production?

Mr. Porter: It was actually in ‘94. I was in a local group, this guy was one of my group members, he did beats. He introduced me to Proof, and Proof introduced me to J Dilla. And that was pretty much how I got into it. And then from there, I hooked up with Dre, after Eminem got signed.

AllHipHop.com: Being both a producer and rapper, which art form do you tend to enjoy the most?

Mr. Porter: As of late, I’ve been enjoying the producing end a lot more. Being able to executive produce and becoming more involved in the whole process of the record, it’s made me so much more serious about it. I like the fact that I can work with the artists from the top and the bottom. Being a rapper is one thing, and being on stage is one thing, but the producing end of it is kind of like being able to do everything, because I might write the hook, I might write the song, and I might come up with the whole concept of the song. It’s really one in the same for me.

AllHipHop.com: How did you end up executive producing Pharoahe Monch’s Desire?

Mr. Porter: Me and Pharoahe basically met, and we worked on this song called “Peppermint Creeps.” Once we met and we started talking, I’m already tripping because it was Pharoahe, but we started talking and got cool. We had an understanding; it was just easy from that point. His situation with Rawkus was over with, and I took him to Shady [Records], and I was gon’ executive produce it and actually do an imprint under Shady, which is my imprint Runyon Ave. The process took so long, and we just ended up not doing the deal. Everywhere he went, I was just involved in the project, because we were constantly doing songs and constantly working. You know how a manager might want you to do things a certain kind of way as far as business, like, “Make sure you get paid first,” but when you got a love for music and you got an understanding with somebody, we ain’t give a s**t about that, we just kept on working.

AllHipHop.com: What are your final thoughts about the album?

Mr. Porter: I would have to say that it became more complicated. I don’t feel like it was a full executive production. It was my first taste of doing it, but I know that it’s a lot more to it. But I wasn’t able to really get all of that done, because they wanted certain records and I think it became a rush thing for the label [SRC/Universal Motown]. It kind of got out of my control. I didn’t have that full control. Had I had full control, it might have been different things that happened. Different songs would have made it, some would have made it, but other songs wouldn’t have made it. But as far as being involved, I did like five or six songs on it, I executive produced it, I co-produced songs. So I’m deeply involved.

AllHipHop.com: 2006 was a rough year for Detroit Hiphop. Within two months of each other, both J Dilla and Proof passed away. You worked closely with both of them, how has that affected you personally?

Mr. Porter: You gotta understand, that’s the reason that I got into the game. Proof introduced me to J Dilla. I introduced J Dilla to Dre, and just having that feeling of being able to have Dre, J Dilla, and myself in the same room, both of my teachers, was the greatest feeling on Earth. And plus, this dude [J. Dilla] allowed me to come over his house late night when he was doing sessions with Pete Rock. And Proof, me and Proof, we had the relationship where I didn’t know how proud of me he was until I he was gone. Me and him would fight. We’re one in the same, I feel like, because he taught me so much about just being able to stand on my own, and not wait on one person to do anything. That’s why I’m kind of like out ahead and not waiting on Eminem to do anything, because he told me don’t do that, that’s not the move. He helped create who I am, and J Dilla helped create who I am. I got Guilty Simpson, who me and J Dilla was gon’ do his project together. That was the last artist he planned on working with, as far as his own artists. And now that I have to finish that record, it’s tough, every time I hear a song that J Dilla did. That whole year was the worst year of my life. They’re the reason that I’m in the game, because if Proof never introduced me to Jay Dee, I never would have got that serious about producing.

AllHipHop.com: Proof was the founding member of D12. As far as recording your current album, how has the chemistry been affected by Proof not being there for this D12 album?

Mr. Porter: I’ll tell you the truth, man: it’s affected to me, a 100,000%. I don’t even know how I’m recording a record without Proof. The whole relationship with this group and Em [Eminem] and everything is affected. You feel the difference. I know Proof wouldn’t tolerate a lot of s**t, man. I’m not trying to take Proof’s place as the person that just takes over the group. I can’t do that. I can’t front like that’s what’s up, 'cause that’s not what’s up. Music wise, I think we can manage as far as doing certain things, because a lot of times Proof would come to the studio, sometimes he wouldn’t come to the studio. But he was the boss, man, so he ain’t have to.

AllHipHop.com: So he was like that voice that everybody listened to?

Mr. Porter: Oh yeah. He was the leader, period. He put Eminem’s stage shows together. The way people saw Em, Proof had a lot to do with that. Proof put those songs together and how the stage show went. It was for Em to perform those songs a certain kind of way and make people feel it. Because the way he put that show together, he put it together so people could feel it. Those things are so important, and we’re missing all that now. That’s all gone.

It’s hard, number one, to do a record without everybody there that originally started something. Em is busy doing his album. Like I think sometimes, that I hear that people think that I’m too busy to do this. And it’s not that I’m too busy to do anything. I’m just trying to get to the point where we get the record done, and everybody’s focused on the same thing. I can be focused on doing a record, but I don’t want to do the record we did for the last record [2004's D12 World]. It’s a lot of different feelings and emotions. And sometimes we can be angry and say a lot of stuff out of anger and do a lot of stuff out of anger. And I just want everybody to be in the same room - not a whole bunch of other people that we don’t know - the group, us, who we are. That’s what I’m looking for and that’s when I feel like we’ll be able to come back to it. I’m not having fun with the music that we make, bottom line. It could be that void, but in the same breath, it’s gotta be how things are being handled. I’m not currently happy with my situation. If people at the label are looking for me to lie about being happy, nah, I’m not happy. Nobody’s happy with the fact that we lost Proof.

AllHipHop.com: Your website Mrporterbeats.com launched on June 15, 2007. What can we expect from this site?

Mr. Porter: Basically, beats with hooks. They will be top quality, all of the beats I’ve mixed. These beats can be used for people that are working on demos to shop music, and that are working on mixtapes, things of that nature. You got the RIAA taking people down for using other people’s music. I don’t sample. I make up all of those melodies myself, and when I do sample, I do it in light of what I’ve learned from Dilla and all of those people. Expect everything that you would want to buy from me if you saw me. Like, “Okay, I can’t afford to pay for this kind of beat, but yo, why don’t you hook me up with something?” People that really know my production and know me, they know that every time I come with something, I’m gon’ try to my best to make sure it’s the best thing as possible. Basically, it’s for people that want to do different music.

AllHipHop.com: Is it true that you’re selling these beats for $25 dollars and up?

Mr. Porter: The beats with the hooks are $150.00, the beats without the hooks are $50.00, and you have prices in between according to the music. That’s because it’s not a concern of trying to sell the beats. I’m basically trying to be able to reach a lot of people that I’ve never been able to reach, like people overseas. If they want that beat for themselves, and they want the Pro Tools session, they can get the Pro Tools session and they can post their songs. I’m going to listen to their song, and let people vote on the best version of that song. And then they’ll be able to get that beat, and they will have to go through the proper channels to be able to put that song on their album.

AllHipHop.com:. Dr. Dre is using a team of producers to craft his much-anticipated Detox album. What role are you playing on this team?

Mr. Porter: It’s just a team of dudes who have a respect for each other. It’s the hardest thing to explain, ‘cause it’s really like, he has a job to do, he has a record that he’s ready to put out, and I’m there to help that process. Whatever that means. If that means writing a hook, if I that means doing a beat, and I have a beat that’s a skeleton that’s a great idea of a beat, he’ll make that idea better. Dre, he’s a visionary. He’s Quincy Jones, he’s one of those real dudes. He’s the real thing. My part is just to help the creative process, however that is, because I don’t wear one hat. It’s really hard to explain, but it’s important to me that it comes out, because it’s so important to Hip-Hop. And to be a part of that means everything to me.

AllHipHop.com: Have any of your beats or ideas made the album, from what you know?

Mr. Porter: I don’t of know what I’ve done that’s going on it. I don’t know what direction it's going, only Dre knows that. Only he knows where it’s going. I’ll tell you what, it’s gon’ change Hip-Hop again.

AllHipHop.com: Aside from the music, who is Mr. Porter the individual?

Mr. Porter: A person that’s always thinking. An emotionally unbalanced character, I would say. Because I don’t deal with some issues very well. Emotionally, it’s hard to deal with those things sometimes. And just a visionary, I want to be considered, when I leave here, the guy that brought Hip-Hop to a different level as far as artist that come about. I want to be the artist, the producer, and the executive. I want to be the next Russell [Simmons] and the next Quincy Jones of rap. A cross between Quincy, Russell, and Dre that’s what I want to be. That’s my whole purpose, to figure out how to combine those three and make those moves that way, however long it takes me.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

FOR THOSE WHO THINK...

2007-07-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

they can get all nice w/ me and use me for shit...

Kinfolk Kia Shine: Well-Done

2007-07-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

By Brandon Raybon

The era of ringtone raps are in full bloom - whether you're partying like a rockstar, standing under an umbrella, or explaining why you're hot. Kinfolk Kia Shine is one of the latest rappers to move directly into Top 40 radio, with his "Krispy" single's addictive chorus and "Paul Revere" bassline. However, if you think it's been a short road for this Memphis rapper, you're assuming wrong.

After a stint with Ruff Ryders and a botched production deal, Kia Shine claims he was homeless - far from $900 jeans and $850 shoes. By the grace of God, the spiritually connected rapper got a second chance at stardom, and landed a deal with Universal/Motown. Rightfully, the local veteran declares his album Due Season, and tells AllHipHop.com about the long, unpaved road to that krispy cream.

AllHipHop.com: What made you turn to music as a career?

Kia Shine: First off it was God’s plan for me, as far as [my] vision goes. My background was in the corporate arena, but this is what he envisioned for me; to do the music. I came in as a CEO and started my own label. I went from that to selling beats up here in New York and getting a production deal with Ruff Ryders. I got a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Company; I took that money and came back to Memphis. I sunk that money into my own company Rap Hustlers Music, which is ran by me and Jack Frost. We signed Skinny Pimp, Yo Gotti, La Chat, and Gangsta Blac, all the guys from Memphis; we toured in 2002 also. That is pretty much how I got into it. I took advantage of cross-marketing myself with artists that already had a name, and branded Kia Shine. That is how I developed my base, putting out DVD’s and the Yo Gotti CD.

When the time was right, I did my own thing. Seeing how it is with certain artists, no disrespect to anyone, but I had to reinvent myself and do it how I wanted to do it. With the record “Respect My Fresh,” we dropped it in the street and got that going in Memphis. After it rocked the club, it just flew. We got the spins up on it and it received about 19.6 million on Media Base. We dropped another record in the midst of that and wrapped the deal up. It was God’s plan for me to do it myself.

AllHipHop.com: With all your experience in other arenas, how did it help you once you became an artist yourself?

Kia Shine: First off, knives sharpen knives. What it did is taught a lot of lessons. Through all my ups and downs, valleys and peaks with the music, I was able to be blessed to be around people like Ruff Ryders. I was able to see a lot of stuff. I learned from a corporate perspective, but I also learned to see it from an artist and producer prospective. Working with Lil' Wayne, [Lil'] Flip, Lil' Jon, [Juvenile], and Mike Jones on my own projects helped build relationships with those guys. I was able to learn from what they were doing and what I was seeing, so I kind of got the best of both worlds. I got my corporate swag together by going to New York all the time. I always had my artist swag, but I got my production swag by making records.

[If] you come out of Memphis, [it's expected that] you’ve seen Suave House and [CEO] Tony Draper do his thing. Me being down South, I’ve seen the early cats like No Limit do they thing. Memphis is in the center of all that. Besides Atlanta, people come to Memphis to break their records. If someone can work it in Memphis, they can just about work it anywhere. So we were able to take advantage of that. Being the birth place of Blues and accapella, it is a musical city anyway. So all that music coming through there made an influence on my life.

AllHipHop.com: After all that experience, how is your relationship with other Memphis rappers?

Kia Shine: I think it is good; the respect thing between me, Three-6, 8Ball & MJG, Gotti, and Project Pat is there. All of the artists out of Memphis have a respect thing going on. I definitely ride my own lane and I think everyone respects that I am doing that swag music. I am coming out of Memphis with a different sound.

AllHipHop.com: We know you signed with Universal Motown and the album is entitled Due Season. Is there anything behind that?

Kia Shine: The reason for Due Season is our Jesus, that’s due season. The secret is Jesus. He is the reason for the season. In the Bible it says, “Let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” That means if you don’t give up and continue to do the things God has blessed you to do, you don’t faint. You will get your season when you reap what you put into it. This is the season I will reap everything I put into my music. I have sacrificed and been homeless for this music. I have spent my last and lost my last, you know how it goes. There’s ups and down, highs and lows, valleys and peaks. God has kept me on point and now it’s due season.

AllHipHop.com: The radio has been banging “Krispy,” plus you've got “Respect My Fresh,” and “Be Everywhere” heavy in the streets. For those that don't know, what do these different sides suggest about you as an artist?

Kia Shine: That right there is a case in point of what I love. You just named three songs off my album that you like already. Besides Jeezy and Lil' Wayne, give me another artist that has three or four songs that you really like off their album? I am at an advantage when you talk about those three songs. I got 8Ball & MJG on “Blood City Classic,” and they are the only other artist featured on the album. I ain’t trying to have a whole bunch of people on there. This album is about me and what I am trying to do; I ain’t trying to do a compilation. I want people to mess with me. If you like “Respect My Fresh,” “I Be Everywhere,” “Stunna Shades,” and “Krispy” you in for a treat, because you are already four songs in.

I am guaranteeing there is another four or five on there you are going to mess with. I personally like it all. There are like eight or nine records you will mess with [Ed's note: Due Season has 15 tracks]. There ain’t that many albums coming out that have eight or nine records on it you will mess with. From a consumer standpoint, I think it is going to be refreshing. I ain’t talking about dope or guns on there. I ain’t a trapper rapper, I’m a dapper rapper.

If the album doesn’t do nothing but inspires somebody who's going through it to get to it, to keep going and keep on pushing; if nothing else, regardless if it sell or not, you cop this album you will come out knowing where I come from, where I been, and where I’m going.

AllHipHop.com: You always have people hating, but with lyrics like "Put my money where my mouth is, and bought me some teeth/ Just to let you haters know, what I’m talking ain’t cheap." What's behind that?

Kia Shine: I was trying to put you on speaker phone so my homie could hear you. I was letting my dude hear the album last night and he heard the joint with 8Ball & MJG. He gets out the car and runs around it. He was in the lab, but when you hear it you will be surprised lyrically. One thing I am doing on the album is being truthful. From when we lost a lot on Rap Hustlaz, my dude went to jail, we were homeless for a minute, and I was broke and lost my house. I talk about all that. The heart affects the heart. That is all I can do: tell the truth of my story. If you like it, you’re going to like it. If you don’t, I really don’t care. The people that God meant to like it will already like it.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

contactin' djbfreezy...

2007-07-10T04:39:00.000-07:00

i stopp'd bein' a lame and pick'd up a cellphone...them shits is hella annoying IMO...soon i'll shout some digits for bookin' shows and such....be on the look out!

DJbFREEZY presents...CPLUS!!!!

2007-07-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

CHECK IT OOOOOOOOOOUT MY BUDDY CPLUS FROM G-VILLE FLA DON'T PLAY...IM GETTIN' HIM TO COME TO THE 'SAU...EVENTUALLY....

CHECK OUT HIS MYSPACE....DUDE DON'T PLAY GAMEZ HE LEAVES THAT SHIT TO THE PARKER BROTHERS OR MILTON BRADLEY...

cpLUs

Kelly Rowland: Ms. Kelly

2007-07-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

By Alex Thornton

Stop feeling sorry for Kelly Rowland; she doesn’t need your pity. Since the effectual break-up of Destiny’s Child, Kelly’s stalled solo career has often been attributed to Beyoncé’s supposed “lead singer syndrome” or a nonsensical plot by Matthew Knowles to keep his biological daughter in the spotlight (as if he wouldn’t want them both to succeed). True, Kelly hasn’t reached the same level of stardom as B, but is anyone holding Kelly back more than Kelly herself? People will believe what they choose to believe, but with the release of Rowland’s latest, Ms. Kelly (Sony), Rowland seems to be her own worst enemy.

Musically, Ms. Kelly comes across like a lost Destiny’s Child group album, which here in 2007, isn’t meant to be a compliment. By now, nearly every aspect of DC’s act has been lifted over and over again by every forgettable, one-hit-wonder R&B chick under the sun. Because Rowland hasn’t modified her sound to stay ahead of the pack, Ms. Kelly doesn’t show enough individual personality to prove that she’s more than just a lucky back-up singer.

Polow Da Don’s amateurish production backs the false-start opener “Like This,” which apparently isn’t about anything. Scott Storch doesn’t follow-up with much more on “Comeback” which could’ve been a remix to “Bills Bills Bills.” Either track may have worked a few years ago but are unimpressive today. Things pick up a bit when the album moves towards the slower love songs, where Rowland is able to lean on her strength as a vocalist rather than trying to force herself into the mold of a pop star. Storch redeems himself with “Flashback,” which at least feels like a legitimate attempt at a departure. The same goes for “Love” which, despite the plain title and obvious Neptunes “influence” (read: jack), finds Kelly conveying a range of believable emotions for one of the few times in the whole experience.

While getting out from under the ever-expanding shadow of Beyoncé won’t be easy by any means, Kelly probably could do so if she were willing to experiment more. In reality, her true competitors are the Keyshia Coles and Fantasias of the world anyway, but she doesn’t quite measure up to them either due to a lack of conviction in her performance. Right now, Ms. Rowland is merely okay and as a result, Ms. Kelly is the same.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

Cassidy: Friend vs. Foe

2007-07-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

By Aqua

The beauty of life is the multiple chances it offers. Philadelphia rapper Cassidy has had plenty, and he’s not taking any of them for granted. Over the last couple of years the 25 year old, who first gained notoriety after an infamous freestyle showdown with Freeway, has seen his career go through more drama than the DJ. In the Spring of 2005 he was riding high thanks to his Swizz Beatz produced, smash single “I’m A Hustla,” the perfect set up cut for his sophomore re-up I’m A Hustla. But two weeks before the album’s release in June, 2005 all momentum abruptly ceased when Cassidy turned himself in to authorities amidst an incident that left a man dead and charges that initially included first degree murder. Bail was denied and though Cassidy would beat the murder rap, he wouldn’t be released from prison until March 2006.

Back on the town and recording, hard luck hit again when on the way to a recording session in October 2006, Cassidy received injuries including a cracked skull after the vehicle he was traveling in was struck by a truck. Fortunately, his wounds have healed and citing a newfound spiritual drive—no, he’s not pulling a Mase—and maturity thanks to the trials of his past two years, Cassidy is readying his next album, B.A.R.S., for a fall release. But before doing so the at least twice blessed MC is releasing a mixtape on July 7, 2007 to satiate fans wondering where he’s been. AllHipHop caught up with the Full Surface/J Records artists to check in on the odds that his new album will get his career back on track.

AllHipHop.com: The album was originally called It Is What It Is, why the switch to B.A.R.S.?

Cassidy: That was one of the names I was thinking about calling it, but I don’t like that name. I've always been the person that was known for spittin’ bars. I always been famous for coming with hot punchlines and a lot of bars. And I just did time behind bars when I was in for the murder case. That was a pretty good title to use. Plus, it’s short for Barry Adrian Reese Story—my name is Barry Adrian Reese.

AllHipHop.com: On previous projects, you’ve given glimpses of your past, but is the B.A.R.S. album more personal than the last two?

Cassidy: Exactly, and that’s why I named it after my biological name. Because it don’t got nothing to do with Cassidy, the Hustla, the Problem, ya know, all that’s like characters that were developed after I got in the business. But Barry Reese is the person that I really am even when I’m not doing music. When you go to jail, that’s what they call me, Barry Reese. My first album was called Split Personality to let you know that I had multiple personalities—The Problem, Cassidy and Barry Reese. “The Problem” was supposed to get a chance to do the album [but on] my second album “The Hustla” buried “The Problem” in the beginning of the album and "The Hustla" won, so "The Hustla" got a chance to do that album instead of "The Problem." That’s why the album was called I’m A Hustla. So this album is reflecting another side of my personality, the more serious side. So that’s why I’m calling it B.A.R.S. My fourth album, Lord willing, will probably be called Cassidy, self-titled.

I feel as though everybody got many personalities. You're not mad all the time, you're not sad all the time, you're not happy all the time. Everybody switches and get in different moods, so that’s what I wanted to bring to the table. I’ma bring different songs to the table but one personality might got [sic] the majority of the album.

AllHipHop.com: You were able to beat the murder charge against you, but before that happened, were you prepared for the worst?

Cassidy: I was sitting in jail, so I was getting prepared even if I ain’t want to get prepared. I got faith in the Lord, and I felt as though he was going to pull me through the situation. But, you always going to have your [doubts], you don’t know how it’s going, it’s not looking good. I thought I was going to get bail and get out after a week or two. The trial, they kept it first degree murder, they was denying my bail, it was a lot more people coming up and making statements—it wasn’t looking as good as it was looking in the beginning. Even though it wasn’t looking good from the beginning. At the end of the day I just kept my faith, just stayed in my Bible, stayed prayed up and just humbled myself a little bit and tried to learn from it. I was trying to learn from it and realize the reasons why I was going through it. At the end of the day, I definitely felt as though it might have been a chance I could not get out. That’s with anybody, whether you was guilty or innocent, it’s a chance you can go home or stay. That was always in the back of my mind, but through the grace of God, I’m here now.

AllHipHop.com: Then, you start working on the third album and the accident happens, were you thinking, “Maybe my luck has ran out...”

Cassidy: I don’t believe in luck, I believe in God. I don’t believe God blesses you with things for nothing, you're blessed with those things for a reason. I believe that to the outside world, it might seem like it was my lowest point but I feel as though it was my highest point. In a short period of time, in less than two years, I was able to mature more than a person that done spent 30, 40 years in the street. While I was going through it, it was seeming like it was a negative situation, but now that I came out of it, it was beneficial. Not saying that I would want to go through anything like that again, but I learned so much from it, and it made me into the person that I am now and I wouldn’t want to go back to the person that I used to be, 'cause I love the person that I am now.

AllHipHop.com: Were you this spiritual before the incidents?

Cassidy: I always believed in God my whole life but when I went to jail, I read The Bible from cover to cover. I used to sit down with a lot of my Muslim brothers and have a lot of good, deep conversations. I realized first hand that the money, the stardom, the fame, no matter what you did none of that could get you out those situations but God. I was able to better my relationship with Him, understand Him a little bit more from being in a serious situation like that. I almost lost my life twice. I almost gave my life up to the system and then I almost lost my life in the car accident.

AlllHipHop.com: Due to the nature of the charges your were facing and convicted of, is that going to alter your lyrical content?

Cassidy: There’s no reason for me to really alter my content. I don’t feel as though I’m guilty of anything or have a reason to switch my pitch or change the things that I talk about. The gun talk and the things that I was talking about in my music is things that I actually live. People will say I used to go to a range two or three times a week to bust my guns off. N***as around me, whether they legally carried guns or whether they was illegally carrying guns just 'cause they was getting it in in the streets, that’s what I grew up around.

When I was 10, 11 years old riding around in the car with my god brother, he was carrying around Tech-nines and ounces of work bagged up, back when they used bag it up in vials. I just grew up around it, so that’s all I know, so that’s why I’m able to talk it. But at the same time, I bring positive things to the table too 'cause it’s like that in the world. It’s not all positive. If you come all positive then the people living the negative life gon’ block you out because they don’t feel as though you can relate to them. Then if you come all negative, the people that living the positive lifestyle is going to block you out because they feel as though you don’t understand them. So that’s why you gotta try to blend and get the best of both worlds, similar to what Tupac did. He’d come on like, “First off, f**k your bitch and the click you claim.” [opening line to "Hit ‘Em Up"], but then go “Dear Mama” or “Keep Your Head Up.”

My story, and the reason why n***as respect me, is 'cause I admit my s**t is based on a true story - just like a movie is based on a true story. Sometimes they add things and take things away that make it more interesting. Because if they put it exactly like it happened, it would be boring. That’s the same thing I do with my lyrics, some things I take away because I can’t say it, some things I add because it’ll make it sound crazier. But n***as know that it’s based on a true story and I’m talking about things that I actually experienced, I actually seen, so that’s why it’s so real to n***as.

AllHipHop.com: How much of B.A.R.S. is material from before the car accident?

Cassidy: I recorded a lot of the album before I got in the accident. I actually was mixing some of the records and working on features and things like that. Once I went through the accident, I had to take a break for a long period of time so I didn’t want to come with the same songs that I had from before because I had so much more to talk about. I pretty much went in and did a whole ‘nother album.

AllHipHop.com: Is Swizz handling the majority of the album’s production?

Cassidy: Nah, I love Swizz, Swizz is the best that ever did it, but he working on his album [One Man Band] right now and he working on everybody else. I wanted to mature and put [my] project together on my own. I had Swizz writing a lot of my hooks and making a lot of my beats on past albums, but I wanted to do a lot of that on my own because I got the talent to do it and I got the ability. Plus, Swizz was wild busy and I wanted to take the responsibility in my own hands. Swizz did do a lot of stuff. On the album you’ll probably hear three or four songs from Swizz.

I got over 50 songs, so I’m still gonna narrow it down and figure out which songs is going to make the album so I can’t really tell you which [other] producers is going to make the album cause I’m not sure yet. But you know I got Neo Da Matrix, he’s my right hand man. I got Bink!, I got Hi-Tek, I worked with Cool & Dre, I worked with Scott Storch, I worked with Timbaland, I worked with Dre & Vidal, I worked with Rockwilder, I worked with pretty much everybody.

Before I would just work with Swizz and Neo, and everybody else would just give their beats to Swizz and Swizz would bring the beat to me. I would never have a real personal relationship with too many producers. But now I’m trying to develop my relationships and grow because I’m putting my situation together for my artists and things like that in the future. It takes a lot of pressure off of Swizz, so Swizz can just focus on giving me the hits like he always do and then focus on the other things he gotta do. It’s better for both of us.

AllHipHop.com: Why did you decided to drop the mixtape on 7-7-07, besides it being your birthday?

Cassidy: [Laughs] I mean look, it’s O-7, O-7, O-7. That’s like, classical right there. It’s definitely a special birthday so I wanted to just celebrate, but instead of getting a gift and being selfish, I’d rather give a gift. So I’m giving out seven exclusive songs because the streets need it. I’m not making you buy it, I’m not making you go through a bunch of trials and tribulations to get it, I’m just giving it to you. Take this and listen to it and the street’s dying for it, they need something to listen to. Not only that, it’ll also get me back in the game, get my voice heard, and let people know that I’m back doing my things so they can get prepared for this brilliant album I’m about to drop.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

2007-07-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

bein' djbfreezy is a hard job...so hard i forgot to pay the internet bill lmao...newho...back in effect look for some freshness in a bit...

The Heatmakerz: More than the Movement

2007-07-03T03:34:00.000-07:00

By Dynasty Williams

The Heatmakerz are no strangers to change. After developing a form of music described as “crack,” that amassed an almost cult-like following for Dipset, The Rsonist and Thrilla were forced to change courses. The addiction to that “crack” spread far beyond a young, innocent fan base, and into the ears of rabid producers trying to obtain a foot in the door by way of imitation. After compiling a string of album credits for Cam’ron, Juelz Santana, and The Diplomats, the production duo pumped the brakes on production work for the rising crew, and began to provide their services to other artists.

With a progressive sound now described as “aggressive soul music,” Heatmakerz are aiming their proven track record at much larger targets. In an industry where artists often hit a glass ceiling, they are on a new path to surpass their status as platinum producer and enter into the ever competitive executive arena. With a solo rap career from Rsonist on the horizon, and hopes of a solid in-house production deal, The Heatmakerz are eager to prove that their worth to the industry goes beyond a hot track.

AllHipHop.com: What’s up man? Tell me about the mixtape album you have out now...

Rsonist: Basically what it is, it’s just a lot of the Heatmakerz’ artists on one album, and we got some unsigned people. We got Peedi Crack, J.R. Writer, Papoose, Jim Jones. The majority of it is like the Heatmakerz artists like G and B, myself, Dox, Carma.

AllHipHop.com: Why did you decide to do an album?

Rsonist: It was kinda just to get our name poppin’ again. Like, we did a lot of tracks for other artists, but people might forget that we actually produce. Like not just make a beat, but really produce a record. So on this album we really got a chance to showcase that we could make songs as opposed to just making a track for somebody.

AllHipHop.com: Is it safe to also say that this is the Heatmakerz’ attempt at getting into the executive side of the industry as well?

Rsonist : Exactly. This is like a mixtape album. I don’t want people to think that this is like an album. We put this together, honestly, in about two and a half months. What we want to show is that we can actually put out a product that people will like and respect at the same time. But with the right amount of money behind us we can turn our artists into stars.

AllHipHop.com: Are you finding it difficult as a producer to move up to that level of the game?

Rsonist: Of course. It’s just a little harder because anytime you try to step outside of your lane it’s gonna be a little harder. But you know, the more we do it the more it’s gonna become like second nature.

AllHipHop.com: Okay, well you also stepped into a new realm by rapping on this mixtape. What made you decide to go there?

Rsonist: It definitely is stepping outside of my lane. I’m not going to make it seem like I’ve rapped forever. You know Charlemagne, another producer from The Bronx? He came to me and he was like “You know, you should rap.” And I was like “You know that ain’t me. That really ain’t my tone.” He was like, “Nah, you got to think about it, every producer that ever came in the game kinda got stagnated after a certain point. No matter how big your music is, no matter how good you are doing what you’re doing, you still gotta take it to that next level or else you just gonna be stuck in the same position.” He made a lot of sense and I made some songs and the songs were coming out good. Every song I made was coming out better and better.

AllHipHop.com: Do you think that you trying to rap might hinder the Heatmakerz as a production team?

Rsonist: Nah, I think it will hinder me until people hear the music. Once they hear the music, they’ll understand what it is. Like I said, I’m my own worst critic. So if I didn’t sound good on any of the music, I wouldn’t do it.

To me, a lot of producers make the best rappers because they know how they want to sound on top of music; they know how their voice should sound, how they should flow on a certain beat, how the beat should break, and how they should attack it. So you know, if anything, a lot of producers give advice to artists so it only makes sense that you take some of that advice yourself and put it to music and you know, just be true. Like, I’m not coming out on these records talking about shooting people, killing people, things [that are] out of my lane. Anything you hear on the records I talk about is me, so you know it’s authentic. I think people will appreciate it.

AllHipHop.com: How do you feel, personally, about rappers that move into production?

Rsonist: I think some people are made for it and some aren’t. It goes both ways. It’s like a basketball player that tries to rap or the rapper that tries to be a ball player. Some people can do it, some people can’t. Or the rapper that tries to turn actor, or vice versa. It just depends on who’s doing it. You got somebody like Eminem who’s a rapper that, as far as in his movie, did a good job. Ludacris is a good actor, DMX is a good actor. Certain people can do it, and other people can’t. It just depends on who does it. I don’t really want to pinpoint anybody and say, “You know this person, they can't do it,” but like I said, it depends on the individual. Some people got the talent to do both.

AllHipHop.com: As a production team, you guys worked very closely with Dipset. Recently, it appears as if that has fallen off a little. Why is that?

Rsonist: I just think that we both got bigger, company wise. Dipset branched out where they had another six or seven new artists, and Heatmakerz started getting more outside work. I mean, we still work with each other, but as far as the way we used to, like 10 tracks on this album, 11 tracks on this album, it just changed a little because the bigger Dipset got, the more producers started attacking them. When Dipset was brand new a lot of producers didn’t know how big they were gonna be so they just went for the bigger artist. Now that Dipset is bigger, everybody wants a track on the album.

With us, it’s sort of like people know what we can do, and we can always get tracks on a Dipset album. That’s not really a problem. We want to show people that we can do more than just produce for Dipset.

AllHipHop.com: What do you think of their sound now?

Rsonist: I think a lot of their production derived from us, but a lot of people producing for them now, I think, I don’t want to say, have a one dimensional sound. They think Dipset can only rock one way so that’s the sound they give them. I look at the stuff from Diplomatic Immunity, production wise, and I just think that the producers aren’t where they need to be at. That’s just my personal opinion.

AllHipHop: Was sample clearances an issue with you guys moving apart?

Rsonist: We did have problems clearing samples sometime, but that wasn’t really why we didn’t do as much work with them. It’s just that we became more in demand and they became more in demand. We got pulled in different directions. I wouldn’t say the samples had anything do to with it because we did original songs before. “Killa Cam” was an original song. “Juelz Santana the Great” was an original joint. We had original songs when need be. That was just our sound. If need be, we didn’t have to sample.

AllHipHop.com: Do you feel underrated in the industry in light of the amount of hit records you’ve produced.

Rsonist: Of course. I just feel like we deserve our chance like the Cool and Dre and the Track Boyz, and the people who got production deals or label situations. They passed us up for all of that. We never got a label deal or a production deal. To be honest with you, we never even got a song deal. The industry kind of acts like we didn’t put out the amount of records that we put out. To date, we’ve put out 68 records [that have] been in stores. A lot of people think we just did Dipset records.

AllHipHop.com: Why do you think the money doesn’t flow to the Heatmakerz despite creating an entire sound?

Rsonist: A successful sound. I mean it’s one thing to make up a sound, but a successful sound… It’s only a few producers that have created a sound for an artist. You look at the Timbalands, you look at the [Dr.] Dres, you look at the Neptunes. A lot of producers don’t create sounds, they make beats. Think about a lot of the big producers, they haven’t molded a sound, they just made successful beats. It’s one thing to come up with a sound that people know, it’s you when they hear it, that’s something that you can’t duplicate. The problem is the industry looks at producers the way they’re supposed to look at artists. They look at “I’ve never seen him before. I don’t know his face, so I can’t give him this label deal because I don’t know what he looks like.” If I was to jump in every video I did production for, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I’d have a label deal already.

AllHipHop.com: So are you relating it to just an exposure issue?

Rsonist: Yeah, it’s a popularity contest. It’s not about who makes the better music, it’s about who’s more recognizable. You see Dre, from Cool and Dre, and you know his face. You see Pharrell. A lot of them producers that got production deals, I think it was the Track Boyz that did J-Kwon, you see them in the video and a couple months later they pop up with a label deal. That’s just the way it happens. I’m not hatin’ on anybody, I respect all of them for doing what they did because they had to hustle to get there. But I just blame the industry for not doing their homework.

AllHipHop.com: Is talent enough anymore?

Rsonist: Nah. People don’t buy your CD because the music is good anymore. Years ago they did. People buy your music now because they feel like they know you. Now people will buy an artist’s [CD] because he had a reality show and they know something about him. Like, his mother lives here, and he chills with his brother and sister and he likes to eat this and he does this or does that. Nowadays, having a hit single doesn’t mean nothin’. You could have a hit single and still sell 80,000 your first week. The climate of the game changed. It’s so different the way everything is, the way the industry is, the way TV is.

AllHipHop.com: What do the Heatmakerz have on tap for the rest of this year?

Rsonist: We did three songs on Papoose’s album coming out. We did a couple of tracks on Juelz [Santana] and Lil’ Wayne’s album coming out. I’m going in with Lil’ Wayne on his solo project. I got my project that I’m working on, my solo project. I got Juelz on there, Lil' Wayne on there, I got Jim [Jones] on there, I got Mario Winans on there. We’re just working man. The official Heatmakerz album should be out in the summer or the beginning of fall. Look out for the Heatmakerz in ’07 and ’08, we gonna have a label deal in a minute.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

young buck...

2007-07-03T03:24:00.000-07:00

By Houston Williams

It's been over three months since Buck the World was released to the masses. Young Buck's second album may lack the surging singles of his debut, but his 2007 effort remains a pillar in "album of the year" discussions, with or without strong radio play. While programmers might be duck the Buck, media headlines and rumor mills haven't. Starting with 50 Cent's backing down a peace treaty with The Game in March, now to alleged crew-dissent on stage at recent shows, it appears as if the media is chipping away at Buck vs. 50 to parallel what appears to be Cam'ron vs. Jim Jones.

Buck promises it's not happening.

Instead, the Nashville star clears up the rumors bluntly. While doing so, Buck reveals that he may be following Scarface and Snoop into production duties this year, and he's got the 808's handy. Lastly, the G-Unit superstar discusses why there is an industry-wide sales slump, and how through releasing non-fiction records like "Slow Ya Roll," Buck hopes to bring back good music, and slowly approach his second platinum plaque. Unlike the streets, in an interview, it's never hard to get Buck.

AllHipHop.com: Can you clarify the rumors about what you said in regards to 50 Cent and Vitamin Water recently?

Young Buck: Yeah man, I ain’t said s**t, bro. At the end of the day, it is what it is. But nah, I ain’t said, “F**k G-Unit” at all. I don’t know really where the rumor came from, [or] how it came about; because I ain’t said no parts of "f**k" nothing. Wherever the rumor came from, I’ma clear it up and say, I ain’t say s**t about f**k G-Unit…Vitamin Water neither. I ain't made no money off of Vitamin Water, that’s 50's thing.

AllHipHop.com: Is that where it started? Did you make a comment about that?

Young Buck: I think that maybe where the rumor came from [is] on stage, I said, “50 ain’t gave me none of that four million that he made from Vitamin Water, so don’t ask me for s**t.” But as far as saying, “F**k G-Unit,” nah man, not at all.

AllHipHop.com: Just to clear the rumors up, everything is good?

Young Buck: Yeah, everything 100%, man. I got Cashville Records, I signed the Outlawz, C-Bo, my group 615; that’s the movement for me, you know what I’m saying? My album doing real good, at this point. My s**t is almost ready to go gold.

AllHipHop.com: Where is Lloyd Banks?

Young Buck: That n***a in the gym like a motherf**ker. That n***a like, “Yo bro, I’m coming back; I’m tryna be bigger than 50.” This n***a been working out and in the f**king studio. Banks is good. Banks tryna fall back. He making people miss him so much that when he do come back and the people see the things that they ‘bout to see, they gon really love him and enjoy it.

The Unit - we good, bro. Every good crew has its ups and downs. But the power in the crew is the strength in numbers, and we stick together, through the thick and thin. If you get a gang of false n***as together, you might not have no problems. But you get a gang of real n***as together, you gon' have time for motherf**kers to bump heads, don’t agree on the same thing and all kind of s**t. But like I said, bro, we remain the same n***as that we came in the game as. Throughout all the hate, and all the beef s**t, we still stand in this motherf**ker strong like a motherf**ker. It’s just about getting back into and making good music, and making that [work].

AllHipHop.com: A lot of people want your next single to be “Slow Ya Roll.” What made you write that record?

Young Buck: You know what? The [album is] real life. All those things that I’m saying on that record is actually true, as far as my auntie just finding out she got AIDS; she's locked up, she dying in the pen. S**t like that, I’m speaking the truth. When I say, "They found my nephew, there was no flesh, it was just bone," that s**t is real. So just going through day to day life-real life experiences is what created the record. And just knowing that a lot of times motherf**kers move so fast, that be the cause of they death. So it’s always cool to slow ya roll sometimes. And I worked with Chester Bennington, from Linkin Park, in a sense because, I done noticed that there’s a lot of people from outside of my environment that I come from, which is the ghetto-the hood, that’s in touch with Young Buck, you know what I mean. I like to cater to those that cater to me. Linkin Park’s [audience] is big; it surprised me he was even up to do the record, but he did it. It came out a hit. I actually wanted that to be this single. Straight up and down, I wanted it to be my second single. I fought and I’m still fighting, you know what I’m saying. Hopefully we’ll be able to wrap my record up with that being my third single…everybody's pushing for it, I’m pushing for it. I think it’s a problem clearing the record with they label, but I think the people really, really want to see that record brought to life.

AllHipHop.com: What’s your take on the people criticizing Hip-Hop right now?

Young Buck: Well I think some of our political people are some of the biggest hypocrites that we have in America, like their s**t don’t stink; when everybody’s s**t stink. So they've got to be able to accept an opinion. An opinion is like an a**hole, everybody got one. They can’t judge that life that they lived, to today’s times. ‘Cause times have changed so much. So if you actually don’t have not even no knowledge of really what’s going on in that neighborhood, or where that artist background has really come from, or what that artist has been through in life, it's kinda hard to put a judgment, not on just that artist, but anybody, period. And a lot of politicians that direct their negativity towards that Hip-Hop artist is just mainly all for they opinion.

I think a lot of these political people are bigger groupies also, because they chase that light, chase that camera, and they want to kinda keep themselves seen in the light for always pushing some type of line. Some of the people who said something about Akon probably got his damn CD in they damn car when they leave, see what I’m saying? It’s hard not to. We get outside of the fact of feeling that those people are human beings too. And even if they're not fans of our music; they have nieces, they have nephews, they have young adults that are part of they family that I’m sure don’t agree with some of the things that they say about such artists. I’m here to just put in on they brain to let them know, I represent the political prisoners. I don’t represent the political side of what today represents. Our political people that we have right now, to me, I don’t consider all of them as true leaders. Because some of them is committing adultery on they wives and things of that nature, and then push a line that say you know, tell us what not to do. So until you clean your own s**t all the way up 100%, keep your finger to where it need to be.

AllHipHop.com: What made you sign Tha Outlawz?

Young Buck: I mean, honestly man, it’s always been a whole little connections amongst my whole life with whole Tupac Shakur…I caught that area of music, I’m 26 years old. Me and C-Bo, honestly, had always been good in the streets before I actually got behind a microphone. Once I got into position to start my own thing, he was one of the first ones I stretched out to. C-Bo was 'Pac’s favorite rapper. He always kept that connection with Tha Outlawz after 'Pac’s death, and he was like, “Yo man, Tha Outlaws really want to be a part of what we got going.” It was a no-brainer for me, and we just started to hang, bro, and run with each other. S**t, bro, the connection got real crazy. They be scaring me a little, they be telling me I do certain things like [Tupac].

At the end of the day, it's all about keeping it real. And that’s what 'Pac did when he was here - same thing I want to follow. It just makes my s**t perfect. It’s an honor to f**k with Tha Outlawz….because they was here before me. So I don’t feel like a CEO, man, I just feel like a n***a that got a team.

AllHipHop.com: As far as musically you have a lot of diversity on there. What are you looking for when you pick beats?

Young Buck: I let the music take me. I’m listening for something that can match the feeling of whatever I’m feeling when I go in that studio; because I don’t have raps ready. I’m just going in there listening to the music. It’s like the right music provides the title of the [song], the concept of the record, you know what I’m saying. It’s not nothing particularly that I’m looking for. I just know, if I’m looking for a party record, I’m tryna find something with some 808 [drum] in it. You can’t come to the South without no f**king 808. That’s just a lil' piece of game for all these other artists. You want to get out here and make the s**t shake through the South, get you some 808 in your music.

Actually on the low, bro, I been producing, that’s been my secret game. I’m coming out with it. I produced three, four tracks on my first project that I’m a release, a [Cashville] compilation; it's pretty much all of us. I been selling a lot of tracks for a lot of different artists. I want to kinda of keep it low so I can shock a lot of people when they find out some of the s**t that made.

AllHiopHop.com: What kind of equipment do you use?

Young Buck: I was f**king with a lil' bit of everything. I f**k with MPC 3000, 4000, lot of different sound modules and s**t, Motif. It’s a lot of different things, bro. I’ve been getting a lot of these different drum kits from Sha Money and Dre, too. I been asking a lot of these n***as for they drum kit, know what I mean.

AllHipHop.com: A lot of people are talking about the sales slump that Hip-Hop is going through, why do you feel there is a slump in sales?

Young Buck: I think, honestly, man, that a lot of artists fool the fans, but the fans is not actually fooled. A lot of artists fool the fans by basically putting together these albums that only got one or two records on it, and making these fan go spend that $15, $20 on that album, and it’s basically not worth it. Fans just got back to getting back smart, and that’s when they start resorting to the Internet and downloading s**t, you know what I’m saying?

I think a lot of artists have f**ked it up by putting out bulls**t. And I think, for me, those same fans that go and buy my bootleg, it’s out of anticipation, and then they go right back and buy my album - being that I deliver an album from top to bottom. I really ain’t thinking about sales when I go in there and make an album, I’m just tryna make a strong classical album that’s gonna play here and pretty much forever. I’m consistently going 20-30,000 [units sold] per week, and I ain’t even got to my second single, which is just 'bout to hit.

WWW.ALLHIPHOP.COM

articles and such...

2007-07-03T03:12:00.000-07:00

as you will notice i have start'd postin' interviews/articles about various rappers...those are courtesy of allhiphop.com (shoutout so i don't get sue'd :) )

ALLHIPHOP.COM

...im gonna start puttin' some youtube clipz on here too ...by fall this site will be crunker than a liquid ton of CRUNK JUICE!

N.O.R.E.

2007-07-03T03:04:00.000-07:00

By Jake Paine

Despite a "Super Thug" reputation, N.O.R.E. declares that nothing bothers him more than seeing a rapper act hard or cranky. The LeFrak City, Queens MC is high energy, and bursts with laughter, whether discussing his Reggaeton period, being the first video banned from MySpace, or his favorite Howard Stern Show goonie. A lover of film, old school underdogs and point guards, this is one celebrity who doesn't need to say that he loves his life. Why shouldn't he?

Having recently relocated to Miami, N.O.R.E. didn't choose to be closer to Reggaeton, instead - he's ditching it, despite still professing a love. The veteran is working with DJ EFN on a fundamental return to rap. Already garnering impressive results through mixtape work like "Shame on a N***a," God's favorite returns home, carrying gifts.

Now off Def Jam, N.O.R.E. campaigns towards Global Warming 11368 with a reality DVD, a Green Lantern tape, and an online stack of tracks, all showcasing a restored love in Hip-Hop. Speaking a mile a minute, N.O.R.E. held court with AllHipHop.com, and entertains with anecdotes, honesty, and even a roast of his longtime mentor and supporter - Akinyele. Though he may be "outta state," this MC keeps his hood on his mind.

AllHipHop.com: On the song “Cocaine Cowboys,” you said, “I’m loyal to the hood so I’m giving the hood hope.” Break that down for me.

N.O.R.E: Sometimes, no matter what I do, no matter what level I [achieve], I'ma always be a hood person. I'ma always keep the hood in heart. Like, I don’t have to be in the hood everyday and I don’t have to sell crack in order for me to be hood. Being hood is living in a penthouse, drinkin’ Kool-Aid. That’s what I really meant by it; it’s like no matter how much success I receive, I’m loyal to the hood, man, so I’m givin’ them hope. There’s people that know that things don’t have to change you all the time. Sometimes you can actually change the things.

AllHipHop.com: When you were growing up in the LeFrak City, who was giving you hope?

N.O.R.E: Well, what was giving me hope was seeing people like Kenny Anderson, people like Akinyele, people like Kenny Smith and just seein’ people make it out the hood and still maintaining who they are and maintaining their integrity and that’s what makes me who I am today.

AllHipHop.com: You’ve always championed the guys like Akinyele and Grand Daddy I.U., tell me about that, those guys aren’t talked about like that too often…

N.O.R.E: Grand Daddy I.U. is my number one favorite rapper of all time. Obviously, Rakim is Nas’ favorite rapper, so when you listen to Nas, you hear Rakim in there. When you hear Jay-Z, you can hear [Big Daddy] Kane in there. So when people hear me say Grand Daddy I.U. was my favorite MC, they listen to me and they say, “Damn, I don’t hear no Grand Daddy I.U. in N.O.R.E.” They’re not really realizing that every time I hit you with a slick rhyme…"Hennessy and Tomato sauce"…that’s me trying to be Grand Daddy I.U. He said, “I knew a girl named Kenya, from West Virginia, boy would I love to stick something in her.” That s**t was so hot!

Me, I always go for the underdogs...I was a big D-Nice fan [too]. But then, when you talk about Akinyele…Ak meant so much to me as a youth growin’ up. I never wanted to be bigger than Ak. I just wanted to be...on his level, you know what I’m sayin’? When I came home from jail, I had dropped War Report on the streets…I remember this like it was nothing. I was outside sellin' crack, and he grabbed me and he told me to look at every car that drove by, man. Every car that drove by was playin The War Report. He asked me how much crack did I have on me, and I told him how much I had. He gave me the money for it, he took the crack and threw the crack in the sewer. Ak means the world to me, so when I got on and I became the n***a, you know, what did I do? I came to him, although I couldn’t take his money away because he was getting stripper money. [Laughs] So I said, "Yo mothaf**ka, come with me on tour," and I repaid him that favor. Me and him, to this day, have a wonderful relationship because of that.

AllHipHop.com: The things you said on the “Shame on a N***a” record were things going on in a lot of peoples’ minds, particularly your accusing Def Jam of slighting Redman, Method Man, and LL Cool J. I know you said you wouldn’t diss Jay-Z or the label, so what was your motivation?

N.O.R.E: At the end of the day, sometimes I think me asking for my release from Def Jam might have not been my best move, like, but at the same time, I think it was my best move. I left because they wasn’t payin attention to nobody else but just one person and who he was payin’ attention to. So part of me doin’ it was just, just being loyal to the hood, you know what I’m sayin? So I’m like, “Yo, you know what? I see the things that’s transpiring, I see the things that’s goin’ on and I don’t wanna be that next person to be complainin' about a record label.” I’m 29 years old, and it’s tiring to see these artists that try something, and it don’t work, and then they blame the record label. I don’t want to blame the record label, first off. I don’t want to blame nobody but myself.

I wanted to explain [why I left]. I wanted to say that wasn’t comfortable there; I wasn’t comfortable with what was goin' on; I wasn’t comfortable with the Roc La Familia situation. I did not diss Jay-Z on the joint.

In my opinion, the best CEO’s I’ve ever had was Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles, and not because they gave me more money - it’s because they paid attention to everybody that was on the label, and if they didn’t, they damn sure tried. So my whole motivation for doin' “Shame on a N***a” was purely just because I wanted to stop answering those questions

AllHipHop.com You mentioned Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen. and I wanted to ask you, at the point in which you left Def Jam, I know obviously on the record that we’ve been talking about, you mentioned something about Koch... At any point, did you feel like maybe stepping to Warner Brothers and getting back up with these guys that worked so well with you?

N.O.R.E: You know what? I don’t know why I didn’t do that, man. I don’t know why I didn’t feel like, you know, trackin’ down Kevin Liles and puttin’ him in the meeting and handcuffin’ him to a table and doin the same for Lyor Cohen. I don’t know why, because at the end of the day, what I’m tryna do is I’m trying to own my own ringtones and I’m trying to own ownership of my records and tryna do things like that…when I know at their level of-of artistry, I don’t think they’re willing, and I don’t think they’re able to give artists their own situations like that.

When I met Lyor Cohen…this is one of the most beautiful stories in Hip-Hop: Lyor Cohen called me in 1998 and said, “N.O.R.E., I want to be in business with you. What are you doin today?” I said, “Yo, I’m at Pun’s video shoot." The man hung up the phone, he said I will be there in an hour. Do you know that man didn’t ask me where the Pun’s video shoot was, he didn’t ask me [anything]. He hung up the phone and sure nuff’, he showed up to Pun’s video shoot in a half hour…

AllHipHop.com: Wow.

N.O.R.E: With Ja Rule in the car…for me. I’m not dissin’ CEOs, I’m not sayin’ [Jay-Z] is not a good CEO, I’m not sayin' this man is not a good president. For me though, to me, when you want to be in biz with a Hip-Hop artist, and you want to do business with them, the best thing to do is show interest.

AllHipHop.com: To what extent do you think that your co-sign of Cocaine Cowboys brought that movie to the hood?

N.O.R.E: Yeah I can’t front. I remember going on AllHipHop.com, I remember you guys did a review on Cocaine Cowboys and the first thing, the first sentence you guys said was, look, we heard Rick Ross say he knows the real Noriega, but for right now, we talking about the rap Noreaga, who fully cosigns this movie. I was so thankful, ‘cause, you know, usually when you cosign something, people never remember the cosigner.

I moved to Miami a year ago, and obviously, I didn’t have cable yet, so I was goin’ to the movie places and local bootleggers. I went to a local bootlegger and I bought two DVD’s, one Norieaga Cocaine Country and then there was this joint Cocaine Cowboys. I figured, alright, let me go home, watch it. I fell in love with it.

Me, I love movies, I’m a movie buff, and you can sit here and talk to me about any movie. One of my all time favorite movie [genres] are documentaries because I also like to deal with reality. Of course I like Hollywood, I like the fake blood, fake pictures and the fake boobs. I like that, but every now and then, I want to go into reality. I want to see what actually is real. And when I was watchin' Cocaine Cowboys and I looked across the street, and they talkin' 'bout the Omni Mall, the Omni Mall is across the street from me. Like this s**t is reality; it’s not a made up story. They took my video off of MySpace and I’m the first dude banned from MySpace, whoo!

AllHipHop.com: Do you think that happened because people involved with the movie got involved with that or what?

N.O.R.E: No, [the] people involved with the movie is down with me. [Laughs] I think that MySpace in all actuality, is not something “18 and over.” So I think it’s a lot of people that’s on MySpace that are sayin’ that they’re 22, 26, and they’re really 13 [years old]. And I think that they’re goin’ on MySpace and they’re watchin my video. In no way, shape, form, or fashion was I trying to big up the drug life. I’m tryna say I’m in love with this movie. I really wanted to be an artist. I wanted to say, you know what? I’ma write somethin that’s totally not my life, not my life. I’m born and raised in New York City and the Cocaine Cowboys was in Miami. I didn’t even know how to get on the plane. You know what I mean? So, this is not my life. This is what I’m writin'. This is my dedication to the city I’m livin' in right now.

AllHipHop.com: Tell me what you can about the album, Global Warming. Do you have the deal in place yet?

N.O.R.E: Well the deal is in place. I came out to Miami, and I hired my boy DJ EFN to do my A&R. I did not want an industry A&R, I did not want a record label A&R, I did not want somebody...I wanted somebody who really loves Hip-Hop. There’s two reasons why I hired EFN: one, because he’s my man - two, he hates Reggaeton. [Laughing] He’s one of those Latinos that thinks Reggaeton is takin' us back two-centuries. I love Reggaeton. I love Reggaeton still - but I’m not doin' it no more.

AllHipHop.com: To close on a funnier note: one of my favorite rap video moments from of yours is in "Grimey," when Beetle Juice throws the cereal boxes off the shelf. Tell me, was that your idea to put him in the video?

N.O.R.E: Yo, man, let me tell you somethin': nobody got my idea of Beetle Juice first off. Let me just say that, right? It’s like as in when I did “I’m a G,” everybody was like, "Charlie Murphy, who’s Charlie Murphy?" I was like, "You mothaf**kas ain’t seen The Dave Chapelle Show with Charlie Murphy?"

Anyway, but I got high as hell one night, right? I came home, I sat in the crib, I turned on Howard Stern and the dude was on there goin' crazy. [Laughing] This dude, he was like two feet tall, he was an ugly individual, and he kept sayin' "Beetle Juice," and I still didn’t know if they was talkin' about his ass, right? So, I’m laughin' and I’m like, "Yo, this dude is mad funny."So I’m sittin with the director; I was like "Yo, we gotta have Beetle Juice," and he was like, "Alright cool, cool." [confusing the reference for the 1980s movie/cartoon series]

Beetle Juice comes to my set, and my man 'Los [who is] like the biggest n***a in our hood, he’s like 6’11", like 300 pounds...he was like, “N.O. I’m goin to meet Beetle Juice.” So he ran over there, mind you, I’ve never met Beetle Juice, I’m just a fan of his insane comedy. So he rolls up to Beetle Juice and he was like, “Yo wassup, man, Beetle Juice, my name is 'Los.” Then Beetle Juice said, “ Get the f**k outta here.” [Laughs] We all fell out, we crackin' on Los the whole time like “Yeah, he played you out.” So Beetle Juice came back out and 'Los was like, “Yo, so dude, wassup, man? I’m N.O.R.E’s family.” And the dude said “ Didn’t I tell you to get the f**k outta here?” [Laughing]

His people were like, "We are so sorry." He didn’t get to let the adrenalin out or some s**t. So they gave him the medicine. No bulls**t, like, I put him in the video to be funny, but when he got there, it wasn’t funny. Like, everybody kinda got tired of his s**t, like, he can’t even be foolin' with people like that. Then he took his [medicine], and he came around us all day. He was chillin', he smoked cigarettes, he drunk a couple beers, and it was great. But, he needed that medicine, kid. That guy is really crazy.

I had a ball though, I had a ball. See the thing is, the thing is this. This guy is on the Howard Stern Show and a lot of people don’t understand that that’s Hip-Hop. This guy’s on here cursin', he’s sayin whatever the f**k he wants to say and I figured, "Yo, you know what? That’s Hip-Hop."

NEW WEEZY MIXTAPE ISH.....Big Mike and The Empire - The Drought Is Over 3 (Who Is the Predator)

2007-07-03T01:40:00.000-07:00

A new wayne tape for the lil wayne enthusiasts...shits ill and jadakiss is on it too can't go wrong w/ the head honcho of D-Block....

01. Lil Wayne - I Am The Predator Intro
02. Lil Wayne Feat.Currency - My House
03. Lil Wayne - Pray To The Lord
04. Lil Wayne - Screwed Up
05. Lil Wayne - Dear Lord
06. Lil Wayne Feat. Bun B - Tell Me You Need Me
07. Lil Wayne - Killing Me
08. Lil Wayne - Why Im The Predator Interlude
09. Lil Wayne - Im Raw
10. Lil Wayne - White Girl
11. Lil Wayne - Party Like A Rockstar
12. Lil Wayne - Beat Without Bass
13. Lil Wayne - Uh Oh
14. Jadakiss - I Am The Predator Intro
15. Jadakiss - Whipe Me Down
16. Jadakiss - A Bay Bay
17. Jadakiss - Wealth
18. Jadakiss - Take It Down South
19. Jadakiss - In The Ghetto
20. Jadakiss - G Shit
21. Jadakiss Feat. Sheek Louch - Its Me Bitches
22. Jadakiss - Last Dayz
23. Jadakiss - The Preadtor Is Back
24. Jadakiss - Havoc Shit
25. Jadakiss - Wall To Wall
26. Jadakiss - Smile
27. Jadakiss - Classic Freestyle Pt.1
28. Jadakiss - Classic Freestyle Pt.H

http://link-protector.com/230160/

NEW THREE 6 MAFIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-07-02T17:09:00.000-07:00

hot ish exclusive djbfreezy style...thats the only way i can bring it to ya....

Three 6 Mafia-We Got Da Club

http://link-protector.com/229796/

Lil Wyte.....

2007-07-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

By Latifah Muhammad

Lil' Wyte is living his dream. After years of hard work, his career is picking up more speed. When he decided to pursue a Hip Hop career while still in his teens, his father gave him $1,500 to spend on making his first record. But things stalled. Like so many, he joined a rap group called the Shelby Forest Clique, that later dismantled. Undeterred, he released his first solo album, Doubt Me Now, independently through Three-6 Mafia’s label Hypnotized Minds. It was the success of this album that resulted in a distribution deal with Warner Music Group and the release of his second album Phinally Phamous.
He has traveled the country with Three-6 Mafia, been recognized by Hip-Hop giants Kanye West and Jay-Z, and was given his own episode on the MTV show Adventures in Hollyhood.

But is this enough to push his album to the top of the charts? After selling a combined total of 400,000 records, Lil' Wyte is more than optimistic about his latest album's success. He sat down with AllHipHop.com to discuss his new album, what it’s like to work with Three-6 Mafia, and what he calls a "smarter approach" to the rap game.

AllHipHop.com: Why did you name the album The One and Only?

Lil’ Wyte: Basically, it’s actually a couple different reasons. For me, I got a lot of posers out there and so I feel like I’m the one and only Lil’ Wyte. Paul and Juicy [of Three-6-Mafia] picked me. I feel like a type of chosen one. It’s not lot of White guys in my city that are actually pretty bumpin’. What I bring, I feel like I’m the one and only who can do it.

AllHipHop.com: Three-6-Mafia picked you for their label, but as far as your album, you chose to work with them exclusively. Why is that?

Lil’ Wyte: Because I grew up on them. I really loved their music ever since I was a little kid. I was like 12 years-old listening to Three-6 on headphones so my parents couldn’t hear it, and I always stuck by their side. They were from [the same] city and they all live like 10 minutes away from me. I never met them though, when we were growing up. I never went to any shows, but just was a real die-hard fan. So to actually hook up with them—it’s a blessing. And I’m not going anywhere just for that. God sent me here, that’s the way I feel.

AllHipHop.com: What was it like working with them? Was it everything you expected?

Lil’ Wyte: Oh yeah, it’s still going good. Anytime I go out there to L.A., or [when] they’re in Memphis, I try to hook up with them. I’m actually a part of the family now. I’ve been with them since 2001 so I feel like I’ve been down for a minute. We’ve gone on vacations—stuff that ain’t got nothing to do with the music. Just going out and kickin’ it and to have that type of friendship with them is great.

AllHipHop.com: So what is your writing process when working with them?

Lil’ Wyte: I just get bobbin’. Paul will give me a beat and we’ll come up with a hook. I have issues with hooks. I told Paul that I think that rap is getting so simple, so what do I do? And he told me to just go in there, be yourself and do what you do and your album is gonna sell! He was like, ‘trust me and just go in there and do your thing and it’ll all work out.’

AllHipHop.com: Wow, it sounds like he really has a lot of faith in you and I know that means a lot. How was it recording the album in L.A., on camera for Paul and Juciy’s show Adventures in Hollyhood?

Lil’ Wyte: It was an experience, to wake up every morning…and have you own bedroom in the L.A. hills. And then to go to the studio with your favorite producers in the game, and they have beats ready—that’s a blessing. I can’t put it in words, I really can’t. I was speechless most of the time.

AllHipHop.com: Were you nervous recording in front of the cameras?

Lil’ Wyte: Not really. It’s more like not really being nervous, it’s like I don’t like letting anybody down. Especially family, and to me, Paul and Juicy are family. [Being in front of the cameras] was just weird because I’m used to being in [front of] the camera doing interviews and stuff but I’ve never been in front of the camera and they say, "Don’t look at the camera." But after the first day, I was alright. The first day I was just kind of quiet trying to figure out what the hell was going on!

AllHipHop.com: You also have your own episode on the show, how did that feel?

Lil’ Wyte: That was pretty cool for me to have my own episode because that meant a lot to me from Paul and Juicy and MTV. They really gave me a shot.

AllHipHop.com: It seems like things are going really good with your career, but in the beginning things were rocky. You started out in a rap group that later broke up. What advice do you have for up and coming groups?

Lil’ Wyte: Always trust your own heart and your own judgment. I feel like it helped me learn about how to be a man about a strong decision. [Leaving the group] was really just a life decision I had to make.

AllHipHop.com: Since you have been solo for the past few years, what is the difference between this album and your previous two albums?

Lil’ Wyte: I went for more simplicity on this album. I didn’t work my brain. I had to look myself in the mirror and say, "Don’t go in there and get to sweating and get nervous." It is a reason to be nervous because it is the biggest album of my career. I’ve had more promotion with the show and everything so I really had to just go in the mirror and say, "You can do this." But I also didn’t work too hard to where I exhausted myself. I will work my ass off and it’ll end up stressing me out and everyone else will still be happy, so I told myself I wasn’t going to do that this time and to take a smarter approach.

AllHipHop.com: Speaking of taking a smarter approach, you mentioned that rap has gotten very simple, how do you stay away from falling into that category?

Lil’ Wyte: I think I’m an old school rapper in a way and I’m not [an] old schooler—I’m a young cat, but I think I rap like the old days. I talk about a little bit of everything in every rap. And I guess with music and radio getting so simple, it makes it—I don’t want to say harder on me—I guess I’d say easier. It’s like you can either stop working as hard as you did and fit in with them or you can keep doing what you’re doing. And if you don’t get radio-play, you’re still going to have so much hood credibility. I have so much hood credibility it’s ridiculous! I love it though.

AllHipHop.com: Lately, it seems like the South has the Hip-Hop game in a chokehold. Do you think that will help or hinder your mainstream success?

Lil’ Wyte: I feel like it doesn’t matter with me. I have put it in raps to show the South some respect because we deserve it. We have some damn good artists in the South, but I think for me its going to be alright because I have fans of all colors and all ages. I don’t think it matter where I’m from. I think I could’ve done this if I had been from Hawaii. Then again, maybe not because I wouldn’t have that Memphis mentality.

AllHipHop.com: What is that Memphis mentality?

Lil’ Wyte: Just go with the flow. Don’t give up.

AllHipHop.com: We know that your name is Lil’ Wyte, but do you think that it has been easier or harder to make it as a White rapper?

Lil’ Wyte: Easier. Because a lot of people don’t even think about it anymore. You got folks like Eminem that came out and sold 20 or 40 million records. It just shows that [it] really doesn’t matter what the color is. If you have music in you and it just happens to be rap and Hip-Hop, it shouldn’t matter.

HEREZ THE REMIX OF HYPHY JUICE....

2007-07-02T06:04:00.001-07:00

by the signs of the dl pts im gettin' from you guys "NOT DOWNLOADING" nething...i can tell nobody knows bout that hyphy juice song...we'll i'm postin' the remix newhoooo cuz i love muzik and hopefully one day so will u too....

The Team-Hyphy Juice Remix
http://link-protector.com/229451/

715....The Team...The Team....715....

2007-07-02T03:46:00.000-07:00

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!

had to show u whut it dew w/some yay shit...I PRESENT>>>>THE TEAM!...their lead mane Clyde Carson a fool w/ it...Mayne Mannish and Kaz Kyzah are sicc too...hopefully one day they will come get Wausau hella hyphy...not sayin it already isnt....CHEA! if ur one of those people that buy/listen to beatz for the singles (smh @ u)...check out hyphy juice its their biggest hit and the remix is rawer than untenderized meat...

1. Let's Go Team!
2. Bottles Up
3. On One
4. Top Of The World
5. Touch The Sky
6. Just Go
7. Hyphy Juice
8. Good Girl
9. It's Gettin Hot
10. Stuntin On
11. Addiction
12. Summertime In The Town
13. Ambassadors Night
14. I'm A Player
15. The Definition
16. Sunshine
17. It's Gettin Hot (Town Biznezz Remix)

http://link-protector.com/229417/

Pastor Troy - Tool Musiq [Retail][2007][GroupRip]

2007-07-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Its the pasta' comin' to blast ya.....











1.  Tool Muziq                                                     3:17
  2.  Saddam                                                         3:13
  3.  That's The Move                                                3:55
  4.  I'm Fucked Up                                                  3:14
  5.  Wanting You Feat. Gangsta Boo                                  4:28
  6.  The Belt                                                       3:18
  7.  No Money                                                       4:18
  8.  Hard For The Money                                             4:03
  9.  Digital Feat. Fabo & 2Dolla of D4L                             3:44
  10. In My Truck With Me Feat. Sammy Sam                            5:21
  11. Still Looking Feat. Mr.Mudd                                    4:48
  12. I'm Down                                                       3:29
  13. Hey Mama                                                       3:56
  14. Will He Come Home Tonight                                      3:48

http://link-protector.com/229035/

MADD CLUBB BANGAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

2007-06-30T18:46:00.001-07:00

this song is raw bidness....Hurricaine Chris...featuring...............

The Game, Lil Boosie, E-40, and Baby its w/e........

SHITS SICC!!!

http://link-protector.com/228110/

check out my online signature...shits bosshogg'n...

2007-06-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

Shoutout to my homie CLC from the Netherlands...chea! ya i know people in the Netherlands..whut it dew? ...check out this sig he made for me its pretty ill na na if you ask me....

FUKKA CUTCO....

2007-06-30T01:09:00.000-07:00

i'll let u in on a lil secret...if you wanna be a mindless robot and take orders from a homothug of a boss then go work at Vector...:)...ya i went there buddy... WHAT!?!

Collie Buddz - Collie Buddz [Retail][2007][GroupRip]

2007-06-28T08:11:00.000-07:00









Artist     : Collie Buddz
Album      : Collie Buddz
Label      : Columbia
Genre      : Reggae
Bitrate    : 183 kbps avg
Source     : CD (LP)
Playtime   : 00:44:02  (61.1MB)
Rls date   : 2007-06-27
Store date : 2007-07-03


[Track List]
1. Come Around                                     3:41
2. Blind To You                                    3:47
3. Defend Your Own (Feat. Krayzie Bone)            3:54
4. Tomorrow's Another Day                          3:15
5. Mamacita                                        3:14
6. Wild Out                                        2:36
7. Lonely (Feat. Yung Berg)                        3:06
8. What A Feeling (Feat. Paul Wall)                4:31
9. Movin' On                                       3:37
10.Sensimillia (Feat. Roache)                      3:27
11.Let Me Know                                     3:06
12.My Everything                                   2:42
13.Love Deh                                        3:06

http://link-protector.com/226177/

IF U DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW....

2007-06-28T05:45:00.000-07:00

This be the program that allows you to unzip the files you download so you can listen to the muzik... its called Winrar it's free and easy to install....

http://link-protector.com/226115/

I GOT A "REAL" JOB!!!!

2007-06-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

CHEA! got a real jobbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb slangin' knifes :)

in celebration of this new achievement i'm gonna hook it up w/some oleskewl hustlin' shit...that'd be the late great NOTORIOUS BIG

reason being...dude was a hustler

1. Intro

2. Things Done Changed

3. Gimme the Loot

4. Machine Gun Funk

5. Warning

6. Ready to Die

7. One More Chance

8. #! *@ Me (Interlude)

9. What

10. Juicy

11. Everyday Struggle

12. Me & My B*tch

13. Big Poppa

14. Respect

15. Friend of Mine

16. Unbelievable

17. Suicidal Thoughts

18. Who Shot Ya

19. Just Playing (Dreams)

2 partz

http://link-protector.com/226113/
http://link-protector.com/226117/

Hot Club Banger!!! Flo-Rida feat. T-Pain-Low

2007-06-26T03:54:00.000-07:00

hOt ish from FLA's own..Flo-Rida...featuring T-Pain...shits gonna be jumpin' the club....u'll see :)

http://link-protector.com/224670/

Just Add'd The Shoutout Box....

2007-06-25T05:49:00.000-07:00

check out the shoutoutbox i add'd on the right...holla....make a lame comment...and ill find hunt u down and kill u...j/k...or am i? :)

TI.....:).....T.I. - T.I. Vs T.I.P. [Retail][2007][Explicit]

2007-06-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

ya...WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT? :)...enjoy

 Track Listing

   01. Act I (T.I.P.)
   02. Big Shit Poppin’ (Do It)
   03. Raw
   04. You Know What It Is (featuring Wyclef Jean)
   05. Da Dopeman
   06. Watch What You Say to Me (featuring Jay-Z)
   07. Hurt (featuring Alfamega and Busta Rhymes)

   08. Act II (T.I.)
   09. Help Is Coming
   10. My Swag (featuring Wyclef Jean)
   11. We Do This
   12. Show It to Me (featuring Nelly)
   13. Don’t Wanna Be High
   14. Touchdown (featuring Eminem)

   15. Act III (T.I. vs. T.I.P.)
   16. Tell ‘Em I Said That
   17. Respect This Hustle
   18. My Type

http://link-protector.com/223301/

password-www.rapgodfathers.com

Warnin' to Snitchez....

2007-06-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

whut it dew???

2007-06-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

ya...thats me drinkin a 40 ...

2007-06-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

more gutter than the thingies that catch rain on ur roof....

2007-06-22T19:25:00.001-07:00

"top of the mornin' to ya" post...

2007-06-22T06:28:00.001-07:00

cockadoodledooooooooooooooo good mornin' wausau....heres a track to help ya wake up....

Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Attitude(tha truth)-Hello

http://link-protector.com/220929/

dl help....

2007-06-22T03:52:00.000-07:00

some of these links might scare you and make u think "o damn its gonna be like that to dl this shit...w/e"...if u need step by step help to dl shit email urs truely bfreezy2k7@hotmail.com....thats my tech support email address :)

WESTCOOOOOOOAST...WC feat. The Game-Voodoo (produced by Dr. Dre)

2007-06-22T02:25:00.000-07:00

WESTSIDE! :)

Wc feat. The Game-Voodoo(produced by tha d r e)

http://link-protector.com/220714/

STATIN' THE OBVIOUS...

2007-06-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

the only way...i can lose this site...if somebody snitches....u know the age ole phrase...snitches get stitches...well i believe snitches should automatically go to hell...not even get a second chance at life....

But You Know What It Is....

2007-06-21T21:17:00.001-07:00

ALREADY! SUMMATYME IS OFFICALLY HERE....now im gonna actually get this shit crackin' and make u foolios recognize...we get live in the 715.....

HYPHY SHIT YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!

2007-06-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

had to drop some of that yay area goodness on "yew kuntry folk"....:) this is a collab cd call'd Messy Slick...to of the yay's finest Messy Marv, and Mitchy Slick...listen to all the Messy Marv u can get yer hands on...dude was on his way to negotiate a major label record deal and he got pull'd over and was caught w/some heaters...his excuse "I'd rather be caught with one than without one"....that statement=trill talk

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║          ▀███████▀     ║                                                   ║
║        ▄▓██▀ █ ▀██▓▄   ║  ARTIST: Messy Marv And Mitchy Slick              ║
║       ▄▓▀▀  ▐▌   ▀▀█▄  ║   ALBUM: Messy Slick                              ║
║      ▀      ▀        ▀ ║  SOURCE: CDDA                                     ║
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║                          ║                                                 ║
║    RIP DATE: 6/21/2007   ║      TOTAL TRACKS: 15  PLAYTIME: 00:52:24       ║
║ STREET DATE: 6/25/2007   ║                                                 ║
║                          ╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
╠══════════════════════════╣  RLS TYPE: Album                                ║
║  BITRATE: 128kbps        ║     GENRE: Gangsta                              ║
║ CBR/VBR?: VBR            ║     LABEL: Siccness.net, Scalen, Wrongkind      ║
║     SIZE: 57.73 MB       ║    RIPPER: Team ** 2007                         ║
╠══════════════════════════╩═════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ARTIST LOCATION->                  Cali                  <-ARTIST LOCATION ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ URL->                            http://                             <-URL ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

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  Enjoy this highly anticipated cd                                       

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 1. Intro (Rah2k)                                                   0:33
 2. Click Clack                                                     3:37
 3. On The One Ft. Yukmouth                                         3:39
 4. Ok                                                              3:24
 5. Skit                                                            0:25
 6. 2nd Letter Ft. Damu                                             4:20
 7. Rollie On My Arm Ft. Styles P, Turf Talk                        4:17
 8. Big Gunz Ft. Tiny Doo                                           4:15
 9. Diego To Da Bay                                                 4:01
10. Cherish A Thug Ft. Keak Da Sneak                                3:38
11. Hey Ft. Krondon                                                 3:59
12. Tryn To Get A Dolla Ft. Tiny Doo                                4:13
13. Take This Cream Ft. Tiny Doo                                    4:02
14. 2 Bombs Ft. 211                                                 3:59
15. Siccness Anthem Ft. Damu, T-Nutty                               4:02

http://link-protector.com/220583/

dead/expire'd linkz...

2007-06-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

if u try to dl somethin and it dont work email me....bfreezy2k6@hotmail.com....put somethin in the subject about dead links or blog or sumthin cuz i get too many emails so if the subject doesnt sound right i just delete the email...holla

Tum Tum - Eat Or Get Ate (Explicit Advance) [2007] [GroupRip]

2007-06-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Exclusive hot shit from Tum Tum...straight outta Dallas, Texas....don't come out till next week :)....enjoy

Artist  : Tum Tum                                                        |
|   Album   : Eat Or Get Ate-(Explicit Advance)                              |
|   Bitrate : VBR kbps                                                       |
|                                                                            |
+-------------------------------[Release Info]-------------------------------+
|                                                                            |
|   Label      : Universal Republic                                          |
|   Year       : 2007                                                        |
|   Genre      : Rap                                                         |
|   Rip date   : Jun-19-2007                                                 |
|   Store date : Jun-26-2007                                                 |
|   Size       : 93,2 MB                                                     |
|                                                                            |
+--------------------------------[Track List]--------------------------------+
|                                                                            |
|Track Listing:                                                              |
|                                                                            |
| 01 - Eat Or Get Ate                            03:51                       |
| 02 - You Ain't Hungry                          03:24                       |
| 03 - Talk That Shit                            03:59                       |
| 04 - Anthem                                    04:23                       |
| 05 - Caprice Musik                             03:29                       |
| 06 - T.U.M.                                    04:05                       |
| 07 - Klickklack                                03:02                       |
| 08 - Hood Shit feat. Mannie Fresh              03:56                       |
| 09 - She's A Go feat. Double T And Lil Ronnie  03:34                       |
| 10 - Hustle                                    03:48                       |
| 11 - Haterz (This 1's 4 U)                     03:39                       |
| 12 - Do That                                   03:56                       |
| 13 - If It All Go Tomorrow feat. Trey          03:33                       |
| 14 - Showtime feat. Jim Jones                  04:37                       |
| 15 - Square Bizzness                           04:04                       |
| 16 - On Top Of The World feat. Tite And Don    05:14                       |
|      Dada                                                                  |
| 17 - Better Days feat. Reyez                   04:19                       |
| 18 - Mission Accomplished                      04:27                       |
|                                                                            |
|                                                ─────                       |
|                                                71:20 min

http://link-protector.com/220413/

More Stuff 4 them girlz....

2007-06-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

heres the new Rasheeda album...pack'd w/ sicc shit and lots of good features for an RnB album its ight....

01.Type Of Gurl                                              [03:31]    │
  │    02.Flawsin                                                   [03:45]    │
  │    03.My Bubble Gum                                             [03:27]    │
  │    04.Doin This (Ft.Fabo)                                       [03:26]    │
  │    05.Let It Clap (Ft.Akon)                                     [03:58]    │
  │    06.Neva Wanna Leave (Ft.Kandi)                               [03:46]    │
  │    07.Pack Ya Bags (Ft.Kaleena)                                 [03:48]    │
  │    08.Georgia Peach                                             [04:22]    │
  │    09.Give It To Me (Ft.Dream)                                  [03:48]    │
  │    10.Touch Ya Toes                                             [03:36]    │
  │    11.Dance Flo (Ft.Lil Mamma)                                  [04:15]    │
  │    12.Holla At Me (Ft.Birdman & Jazze Pha)                      [03:42]    │
  │    13.Do Yo Thang (Ft.Skinny P & Tex James)                     [03:56]    │
  │    14.U Can Get It (Ft.Nitti)                                   [03:50]    │
  │    15.Poppin Bottles (Ft.Pastor Troy)                           [04:12]    │
  │    16.My Bubble Gum Remix (Ft.Fabo, Kandi, Diamond, & Princess) [03:44]


http://eqas3mbozanjoox5b72z.usercash.com

4 Da Women/Destiny's Child Fanz....

2007-06-19T18:42:00.001-07:00

This is that new Kelly Rowland album...Ms.Kelly...shits not out yet...u know how i do :)

[6/20] Kelly Rowland - Ms. Kelly [Retail][2007][GroupRip]

 ▌                ▄   ▄▄  ▄▄▄▄  ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▌▐
▌                                                                      ▐
▌                      Kelly Rowland - Ms. Kelly                       ▐
▌                                                                      ▐
▌                ▄   ▄▄  ▄▄▄▄  ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▐
▌                                                                      ▐
▌ ARTiST....: Kelly Rowland                                            ▐
▌ TiTLE.....: Ms. Kelly                                                ▐
▌ LABEL.....: Columbia                                                 ▐
▌ GENRE.....: R&B                                                      ▐
▌ SOURCE....: CDDA                                                     ▐
▌ ENCODER...: Lame-3.97                                                ▐
▌ BiTRATE...: VBRkbps                                                  ▐
▌ RiP DATE..: 19-Jun-2007                                              ▐
▌                                                                      ▐
▌                ▄   ▄▄  ▄▄▄▄  ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▐
▌                                                                      ▐
▌ ##.  Track Title                                          Time       ▐
▌                                                                      ▐
▌ 01.  Like This (Feat. Eve)                                03:36      ▐
▌ 02.  Come Back                                            03:26      ▐
▌ 03.  Ghetto (Feat. Snoop Dogg)                            02:56      ▐
▌ 04.  Put It In                                            03:28      ▐
▌ 05.  Flashback                                            04:22      ▐
▌ 06.  Every Thought Is You                                 03:56      ▐
▌ 07.  The Show (Feat. Tank)                                03:36      ▐
▌ 08.  Interlude                                            01:01      ▐
▌ 09.  Still In Love With My Ex                             03:38      ▐
▌ 10.  Love                                                 03:52      ▐
▌ 11.  Better Without You                                   03:58      ▐
▌ 12.  This Is Love                                         04:50      ▐
▌ 13.  Gotsta Go Pt. 1 (Feat. Da Brat) (Bonus Track)        03:49      ▐
▌                                            -----------------         ▐
▌                                            Total Time  46:28         ▐
▌                                                                      ▐
▌                ▄   ▄▄  ▄▄▄▄  ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▐
▌                                                                      ▐
▌ RELEASE NOTES:                                                       ▐
▌ 'Ms. Kelly' is the long-awaited successor to Rowland's best-selling  ▐
▌ 2002 solo debut album, 'Simply Deep'. Featuring production from some ▐
▌ of the most innovative names in the game -- including Polow Da Don,  ▐
▌ Sean Garrett, Tank, Scott Storch, Rockwilder, SoulShock and Karlin,  ▐
▌ and Billy Mann -- as well as guest appearances from Eve and Snoop    ▐
▌ Dogg, 'Ms. Kelly' is 100% Kelly Rowland 2007: sexy, honest, playful, ▐
▌ and passionate. With her new album, Kelly Rowland is back with a     ▐
▌ collection of songs that show an artist at the top of her game,      ▐
▌ eager for what lies ahead and ready to embrace whatever comes her    ▐

__________________

http://link-protector.com/218862/
pw-www.rapgodfathers.com

Ruff Weekend...Here's Some Quick Updatez

2007-06-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

Man I knew I was gonna get crunk on the duece duece bday but damn...heres some linkage to catch ya up to speed on what was miss'd on the weekend...

D12 - The Dirty Dozen [GroupRip] [2007] [Multi-Links]

 01. 6 reasons                                        04:23        ÛÛ
ÛÛ        02. art of war                                       05:32        ÛÛ
ÛÛ        03. derelict theme                                   04:42        ÛÛ
ÛÛ        04. chance to advance (feat.eminem)                  05:14        ÛÛ
ÛÛ        05. activity as phuctivity                           06:10        ÛÛ
ÛÛ        06. filthy (feat.eminem)                             03:17        ÛÛ
ÛÛ        07. fuck battlin                                     06:00        ÛÛ
ÛÛ        08. cock and squeeze                                 05:12        ÛÛ
ÛÛ        09. bring our boys (feat.eminem)                     04:40        ÛÛ
ÛÛ        10. bad news                                         04:13 


http://link-protector.com/217664/

countdown to the duece duece-athon....

2007-06-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

i decid'd that i should post some songs im gonna be jamm'n to tonite...here's a single off TI's new joint call'd "You Know What It Is"...feat. Wyclef Jean....enjoy people

TI-You Know What It Is
http://link-protector.com/214338/

RarE/EXCLusive...Chamillionaire-It's On Freestyle (Over Wipe Me Down Beat)

2007-06-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

This is another exclusive track brought to u by the crunkest dj in the 715...ya i went there...pysch theres a few cool ones but none like I...chamillionaire rips this beat....enjoy

Chamillionaire-It's On Freestyle
http://link-protector.com/213308/

RARE/ExClUsIvE...Clipse-Number One Supplier

2007-06-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

Already fade'd and my bday aint till fri...sheeeeeet....felt like givin' u a taste of some unreleased clipse shit that u prolly havent heard...maybe u have even so...enjoy....theres also some cat in the song from little rock, AK....i c/s dude all the way he colder than 100 blizzards

Clipse-Number One Supplier
http://rapidshare.com/files/36833151/Clipse_-_Number_One_Supplier.mp3

In Memory of Stack....Stack Bundles-Why

2007-06-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

This track was upp'd orginally by Stack's friend DJ Clue, enjoy and remember not to take shit for grant'd cuz u can be gone quicker than u'll ever expect

Stack Bundles-Why
http://link-protector.com/212656/

RIP Stack Bundles :(

2007-06-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Byrd Gang Member Stack Bundles Murdered In New York
By Nolan Strong
Date: 6/11/2007 8:15 am

Queens, New York rapper and Byrd Gang member Stack Bundles was shot and killed this morning (June 11) in New York.

While details are sketchy, sources affiliated with Stack Bundles told AllHipHop.com that the rapper was shot by unknown assailants in front of his home earlier this morning (June 11).

Stack Bundles was from Far Rockaway in Queens, New York.

The last time he was seen alive was at Stereo nightclub, where he and an entourage had an incident-free evening.

Stack Bundles was affiliated with DJ Clue's Desert Storm and later became a member of Jim Jones' Byrd Gang group.

He recorded with a variety of artists, including Fabolous, Lil Wayne, Joe Budden, Max B., Juelz Santana, Jim Jones and others.

check out the linkage...

2007-06-10T21:11:00.001-07:00

as you may have noticed u will see links to other blogs and such...them my dudes their links are there for a reason...quite honestly their blogs massively kick my blogs ass...its just that nobody wants to rep this poopy city so im gonna get all jesus christ and crucify myself so u bastids can have cool music like me :)...CHECK OUT THE LINX!!!!

Let The Games Begin...BDAYWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK

2007-06-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

ya u read right...this cat is turnin' duece duece this comin' friday.....*young jeezy voice*....CHEA!....to salute my bday and me gettin' hamm'd up this whole week i upp'd one of my favorite bday party songs....

3 Deep-Watch My Shoes
http://link-protector.com/211978/

Punk Ass Hoez Edition...HCP/ Cash Money -Playa Why Ya Hate?

2007-06-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to the homothugs/thuggette that be on me right now cuz they like to get cracked out and tell on people that tryin to screw them over...:)...u know who u is.... they think that they got more juice than djbfreezy...bitch please i got more juice than a florida orange juice plant...

HCP/Cash Money-Playa Why Ya Hate?

http://link-protector.com/211326/

DMX - The Definition of X - Pick Of The Litter[Retail][GroupRip]

2007-06-08T03:29:00.000-07:00

Title of X's album explains itself...GREATEST HITS....

Tracklist:

01. Prayer III 02:05
02. Ruff Ryders Anthem 03:32
03. Get At Me Dog 03:06
(Feat. Sheek Of The LOX)
04. Stop Being Greedy 03:36
05. How's It Going Down 04:04
06. What These Bitches Wan't 04:13
(Feat. Sisqo)
07. Blackout (Feat. Jay-Z & The LOX) 04:55
08. Whats My Name 03:53
09. Where The Hood At 04:47
10. Party Up (Up In Here) 04:33
11. X Gon' Give It To Ya 03:38
12. It's All Good 04:19
13. Who We Be 04:49
14. The Rain 03:28
15. Here We Go Again 03:53
16. No Love 4 Me 04:01
(Feat. Swizz Beatz & Drag-On)
17. We Right Here 04:29
18. One More Road To Cross 04:20
19. Slippin' 05:07
20. Prayer (Skit) 02:33

http://link-protector.com/210400/

Attitude-1st Things 1st

2007-06-08T03:20:00.000-07:00

ok i know this blog is suppose to strictly rep my shit but really...im about the people..for the most part so i rep 715/and the sicc cats...one of those sicc cats happens to be Attitude...who's attitude you say? well he's a rapper that's been grindin' for a minute (first album out in 1997) from Birmingham, Alabama...he fucks w/ timbo so u know dudes straight...heres my favorite Attitude song...1st things 1st...off of the project pat mixtape they made when he got out the joint...enjoy

http://link-protector.com/210399/

The Herviborez of RGF Presents...4202007-EXCLUSIVE!!!!

2007-06-08T01:53:00.000-07:00

01. Ludacris - Blue Berry Yum Yum
02. Project Pat Feat. Beanie Sigel - Purple
03. Frayser Boy Feat. Boogie Mane - My Smokin'
04. Mac Dre Feat. Miami and Dubee - I Need an Eighth
05. Three 6 Mafia - I'm So High
06. Method Man and Redman - How to Roll a Blunt
07. Three 6 Mafia - Bin Laden Weed
08. Frayser Boy - Hydro Weed
09. Styles P - Good Times (I Get High)
10. Bone Thugs N Harmony - Weed Song
11. Lil' Flip - Addicted (Mary Jane)
12. Mac Dre Feat. Smoov-E - Cut it, Stuff it, Roll it
13. Juicy J - Smoke Dat Weed
14. Devin The Dude - Zeldar
15. Lil Boosie Feat. Webbie - Smokin on Purple
16. Trick Daddy Feat. 8 Ball and Trey Songz - So High
17. Three 6 Mafia Feat. Slim Thug,Trick Daddy and Project Pat - Stay Fly Remix
18. Ludacris Feat. Lil Flip - Screwed up

Bonus Track:Coolio-I'm in Love With Mary Jane

THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE MIX MADE BY URSTRULEY AND MY HOMIES ON WWW.RAPGODFATHERS.COM

http://link-protector.com/210371/

Tech N9ne-Gangsta Shit

2007-06-08T01:40:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd see the day where TeccaNinna went industry on a playa and made a club banger...but its done in such a way it don't matter if its a club banger or not...all u need to know is T9 and his homies Bigg Krizz and Kaliko Kutt Kalhoun go hard on this one...enjoy people

http://link-protector.com/210364/

Crucial Conflict-Barnfire

2007-06-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

EWWWWWWW u can smell it through da wrapper...datz dat shit nigga set it in a pamper!...says my good buddy lil wayne about this track...chitown's finest...

Crucial Conflict-Barnfire=BOMB SMOKIN SONG...pretty much the sequel to "smokin' on hay"

http://link-protector.com/210366/

DJ Khaled Presents We The Best[GroupRip][Retail][Dirty]

2007-06-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

     Label..........: Koch Ent.       Source.........: CDDA
     Genre..........: Rap             Size...........: 74.4 MB
     Rip Date.......: 06-06-2007      URL............: N/A
     Release Date...: 00-00-0000      Quality........: LAME 3.97 V2


                             Tracklisting

  01. DJ Khaled - Intro (We The Best) (feat. Rick Ross)            01:58
  02. DJ Khaled - The Movement (Skit) (feat. K Foxx)               00:23
  03. DJ Khaled - We Takin' Over                                   04:23
       (feat. T.I., Akon, BirdMan, Lil' Wayne, Fat Joe & Rick Ross)
  04. DJ Khaled - Brown Paper Bag                                  04:58
       (feat. Young Jeezy, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Lil' W
  05. DJ Khaled - I'm So Hood                                      04:15
       (feat. T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross & Plies)
  06. DJ Khaled - Before The Solution                              04:29
       (feat. Beanie Sigel & Pooh Bear)
  07. DJ Khaled - I'm From The Ghetto                              05:07
       (feat. The Game, Jadakiss, Trick Daddy & Dre)
  08. DJ Khaled - Hit 'Em Up (feat. Bun B & Paul Wall)             03:20
  09. DJ Khaled - "S" On My Chest (feat. Lil' Wayne & Birdman)     04:11
  10. DJ Khaled - Bitch I'm From Dade County                       05:47
       (feat. Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, Trina, Dre, Flo Rida, Brisco &
  11. DJ Khaled - The Originators (feat. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony)     06:19
  12. DJ Khaled - New York (feat. Jadakiss, Ja Rule & Fat Joe)     05:55

                                                       Total Time: 51:05


http://link-protector.com/209461/

pass: pyrothehater.blogspot.com

DJ Khaled feat. V/A-We Takin' Over

2007-06-06T07:58:00.000-07:00

This trak is badazz....still waitin 4 da derty version of this album to leak....

http://link-protector.com/209100/

Lil Boosie-Set It Off

2007-06-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

U will notice i''m crazy and post trax/shit that have no relevance to whats crackin right now...but dont get it twist'd i'm plug'd like a light fixture w/ da beatz don't make a playa style on ya....

newayz heres the track lil boosie-set it off ....this song makes me wanna start shit w/ the pope....

http://link-protector.com/209085/

Whut It Dew?

2007-06-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH! My first post...uh...the only thing I need to clarify right now is the title of my blog...715 is my citie's area code...that'd be Wausau, Wisconsin aka Da Derty 'Sau...that's bout it 4 now watch out for the following:

-Sicc Comments from urz truely
-Freshest/Hotttest Beatz 4 DL
-.....U'll See...