Hip Hop News:
Pete Rock releases first album in four years:
Hip-hop producer/DJ/MC Pete Rock is set to release his first album in four years. Titled NY’s Finest, the album will be released in February 2008 in a joint venture between Soul Survivor Records and NY based indie label Nature Sounds.
The record features a roster of cult hip hop artists that includes Wu-Tang’s Raekwon and Masta Killa, Dipset’s Jim Jones, Papoose, D-Block and Redman amongst others. The first single "We Roll" features Jim Jones and Max B. The track shipped to radio in mid-October and it’s already getting spins at mix-shows throughout the Northeast. Other tracks currently available are "914" featuring Styles P and Sheek Louch, "The PJ’s" featuring Raekwon and Masta Killa and "Til I Retire" featuring Pete Rock himself.
Born in the Bronx, NY by Jamaican parents, a teenage Pete Rock first hit the scene in the late 80’s when he joined legendary DJ/producer Marley Marl on NY station WBLS’ show "In Control With Marley Marl." The popularity of the radio show soon led Pete Rock to experiment with production. In 1991, he was joined by up-and-coming rapper CL Smooth and released the debut EP, All Souled Out. In 1992, the duo dropped Mecca And The Soul Brother, one of the most critically acclaimed hip-hop albums of all time. Pete and CL eventually released The Main Ingredient in 1994. Although the album was very well received by critics and fans alike, the project marked the last effort for the duo.
Since then, Pete Rock has lent his production skills to some of the greatest MC’s. He crafted and remixed hits for Nas, Biggie, Jeru The Damaja, and, more recently, Jim Jones, Talib Kweli’s Ear Drum, Redman’s Red’s Gone Wild and Ghostface, for whom he produced tracks for Fishscale, one of music critics’ favorite hip hop albums of 2006.
Pete Rock is considered by most to be one of the greatest hip-hop producers. Following the split with CL Smooth, Pete has released a number of solo projects. In 1998, Loud Records released Soul Survivor ; that was followed in 2001 by a collection of instrumental tracks aptly titled PeteStrumentals. In 2004, he released Soul Survivor II on his own imprint Soul Brother Recordings.
Nature Sounds is quickly becoming the indie home for classic hip-hop. During the last couple of years the label has released critically acclaimed projects by artists that include MF DOOM, Wu-Tang’s Masta Killa (Made In Brooklyn), and most recently, Mobb Deep’s Havoc (The Kush).
Snoop Dogg announces 6th annual "SNOOP BOWL" to take place on February 2nd:
Snoop Dogg announced today that the 6th annual Snoop Bowl will be taking place on February 2, 2008. The annual game, hosted by Snoop Dogg himself, will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Matt Leinart Foundation (www.mattleinartfoundation.org). The game will be held at Hamilton High School in Chandler, AZ.
Snoop Bowl VI will feature the Snoop Dogg All-Stars, a youth football team from California coached by Snoop Dogg, against local Arizona youth football players. The game will be held the day before Super Bowl XXII, and is expected to draw many fans. Matt Leinart, Heisman Trophy Winner and Arizona Cardinals Quarterback, will be in attendance, representing his charitable foundation. The Hamilton High School band will be performing at halftime.
"For five years now we have had a great time organizing and preparing for the Snoop Bowl. It gives the kids a reason to work and play hard throughout the season, knowing that it all culminates on this day," says Snoop Dogg. "It is about so much more than the game, the Snoop Youth Football League gives kids hope and meaning outside of just the sport."
The Snoop Dogg All-Stars are made up of kids who participate in the Snoop Youth Football League, a football league funded by Snoop Dogg and comprised of over 3,000 kids in the Greater Los Angeles area. Snoop Dogg founded the league in 2005 in order to provide at-risk youth an affordable way to play football. Kids who participate must maintain strict academic requirements to remain eligible. Coach Snoop even provides insurance to each participant free of cost.
Missy Elliott and Dave Meyers create history with first ever 3D music video:
Missy Elliott has teamed up with longtime visual collaborator Dave Meyers to take the game beyond the next level and into a whole new dimension by creating the first ever 3D music video.
The video is for "Ching-A-Ling," a new song which, along with Elliott’s "Shake Your Pom Pom," will appear on both the "Step Up 2 The Streets – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (due out February 5th) as well as on Elliott’s forthcoming 7th studio album (due out Spring 2008). "Step Up 2 The Streets – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" is the musical companion to the upcoming Touchstone Pictures dance film of the same name. The film is slated to open in theaters nationwide on February 14th.
"This is truly historic," says director Dave Meyers. "People have talked about and tried to make it happen before, but no one has ever set out to purposefully create a 3D music video and then actually made it happen. Once again, Missy and I are happily and comfortably in uncharted territory !"
In addition to its groundbreaking 3D effects, "East meets East" as the dancers from the "Ching-A-Ling" video, dressed in colorful Harajuku street style, combine a hint of Indian influenced Bollywood-style movement with the logic-defying time-and-space warping stop motion dance style of the Woomin Crew from Japan. "You’ve gotta see these kids with your own eyes to believe it," says Elliott, who discovered Woomin while surfing the internet. "My inspiration comes from all over the world and this video really showcases that."
MTV will premiere the 3D version of the "Ching-A-Ling" video on Monday, February 4th live on MTV "TRL" at 3:30PM. BET will premiere a 2D version on 2/4 @ 6:30PM on "106th & Park," and the 3D version later that evening on the channel. In addition, MTV.com will be airing both 3D & 2D versions of the video all day on 2/4. The glasses needed to view the 3D effects will be available via FYE stores nationwide, at select adidas stores, and via radio giveaways in various cities hosting Step Up 2 movie screenings. For more 3D glasses distribution locations, please visit www.missy-elliott.com or www.myspace.com/missyelliott.
Listen to Missy Elliott's "Ching-A-Ling" below:
The radio response to "Ching-A-Ling" has been instantaneous and reactionary, and the song has garnered over 15 million in audience after just a few short weeks of airplay. The song was produced by The Arkiteks (4 Media Management/Relentless Management) & Lamb for Lamtrak Productions.
Elliott enjoyed a wide variety of successes in 2007 : from writing and producing songs for Fantasia and Keyshia Cole, including Cole’s Grammy-nominated "Let It Go ;" to being paid tribute at VH-1’s Hip Hop Honors and receiving the "Creative Visionary Award" at the 2nd Annual Black Girls Rock Awards Show at Lincoln Center ; to remixing country with hip hop for the national television advertising campaign for Doritos Collisions.
Elliott is currently putting the finishing touches on her forthcoming 7th studio album, due out on Goldmind/Atlantic Records late Spring 2008.
Mary J. Blige returns to ABC's daytime “One Life To Live” Febuary 15th & 18th:
As 2008 kicks off with big returns on ABC Daytime, six-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist Mary J. Blige returns to perform on “One Life to Live,” FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 & MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18. The multi-platinum singer/songwriter will perform two of her hits from her Grammy and NACCP Image Award-nominated album, “Growing Pains.” The return of Ms. Blige to “One Life to Live” marks success on the show’s part in forging its unique path in ABC’s daytime lineup as a music-focused show.
“Mary J. Blige is one of the most prominent and powerful voices in the music industry,” said executive producer Frank Valentini. “She is an inspiration in both her music and her life, and we are thrilled to welcome her back to ‘One Life to Live.’”
“It’s absolutely amazing to be integrated into a soap opera I’ve watched since I was a little girl,” said Ms. Blige. “I performed on the show two years ago and had a ball, and I am beyond thrilled to be welcomed back again.”
“Mary J. Blige represents another of today’s top recording artists who sees the power of ABC Daytime as a promotional platform to reach the highly engaged, passionate audience of women 18-49,” said Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney ABC-Television Group. “Music is an important component to daytime storytelling — it is relevant, contemporary and builds emotional intensity.”
Ms. Blige previously appeared on “One Life to Live” on July 28, 2006. The following week, her album Soundscan sales soared 40 percent. She will once again appear as herself, this time as a surprise guest at Starr Manning’s (Kristen Alderson) Sweet Sixteen. Unlike her appearance in 2006, Ms. Blige will be accompanied by her band to perform her Grammy-nominated hit single “Just Fine,” as well as a second song from the CD, entitled “Hurt Again.” She tops an impressive list of recording artists to appear on “One Life to Live” that includes Timbaland with Keri Hilson and One Republic, Nelly Furtado, Jeannie Ortega, Lifehouse, Simply Red, Chris Botti and Erykah Badu.
Released on December 21, 2007, “Growing Pains” soared to the top of the Billboard chart, marking Ms. Blige’s 8th #1 CD on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and her 4th #1 CD landing at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Since her debut in 1992, she has been honored with six Grammy Awards and sold an impressive seven multi-platinum albums.
Check out Pastor Troy’s controversial "Saddam" video:
When the time came to shoot the video for his controversial lead single "Saddam," Atlanta’s own Pastor Troy had no choice but to take the controversy one step further.
The lo-fi video is a play on the Osama Bin Laden video messages and features Pastor Troy as a Hip-Hop dictator calling his legions to arms. A fitting visual for the already aggressive single from his critically acclaimed album Tool Muziq.
Jay-Z’s new video for "Pray":
Check out Jay-Z’s new video for "Pray" off the American Gangster album:
Peedi Crakk puts Jay-Z on blast & claims the whole Roc-A-Fella Records roaster has been dropped!
Peedi Peedi, formerly Peedi Crakk, just dropped a diss track toward the God MC and although he’s currently an artist on the Roc-A-Fella roster, according to their official website, he’s telling MediaTakeout.com, he’s not... And neither are any of the other artists.
On Peedi’s official MySpace page, the rapper placed an spoof image of Jay-Z’s Kingdom Come album, which shows a camel instead of Jay-Z’s face (anyone not aware, the internet kids been calling Jay a camel for sometime now).
Peedi said that his recent diss is in response to Jay dropping everybody on the Roc’s roster and did it without telling them face-to-face... Wow, that’s cold and cowardly if you ask me.
Here’s what Peedi told MediaTakeout : "I put the Camel Face [EXPLETIVE] out as a reaction to Jay-Z dropping everybody from Roc-A-Fella recently ... He set up a meeting to have a one-on-one talk with all of us. As opposed to having the one-on-one meeting, he sent an A&R from Def Jam to break the news .. which was a ho move to me."
Young Buck : From dissing 'Lil Wayne' to signing with 'Cash Money':
G-Unit artist 'Young Buck' has recently acknowledged distancing himself from '50 Cent' in an interview with Sohh. News rumors that Buck is signing back with Cash Money Records (where he started at 16) are running on the Internet.
Indeed during a Lil Wayne concert at Memorial Auditorium in Chatanooga, Tennessee this past Saturday, Weezy and Young Buck appeared on stage together. Young Buck supposedly said to the audience that he was "resigning to Cash Money".
A similar rumor (that we reported along with other sites) had Tha Dogg Pound signed with Cash Money and was later denied by Kurupt and Daz.
To date, this rumor has not been confirmed and a rep for Young Buck confirmed that he’s still with G-Unit Records.
Check out Young Buck latest track: 'New York City' below:
Statement released on Rock’s recent arrest:
Rock’s Attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, issued a statement today on Rock’s behalf and his statement reads :
"Rock was released from Rikers Island prison today after posting $125,000 bail. He was indicted for assault and attempted murder charges and will be arraigned on the felony indictment in Brooklyn Supreme Court within the next month. Rock vehemently denies all charges and patiently awaits his day in court."
Meanwhile, Rock will be busy prepping his solo Mix-CD, Shell Shock, which will feature Sean Price, Buckshot, Smif N Wessun, Rustee Juxx and more and also putting the finishing touches on his highly-anticipated reunion LP, D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team), with Sean Price (AKA Ruck) as the duo re-form Heltah Skeltah,. D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team) is currently slated to be released in the summer of 2008 on Duck Down Records.
Rock is available for interviews to discuss his upcoming projects.
Atlantic Records confirms 'Lil’ Kim’s' departure:
Atlantic Records bosses have confirmed rapper 'Lil’ Kim' has quit the label after more than 10 years on their books. The company has issued a statement making her departure official and insisting they parted on good terms, according to Allhiphop.com.
It reads, "We wish Lil’ Kim the best of luck in all of her future endeavors."
Lil’ Kim - real name Kimberly Jones - released all four of her previous albums on Atlantic and her forthcoming LP, which was due to hit shops in February has now been tentatively scheduled for April or May this year.
It had been rumored the hitmaker left the label in order to release her music independently but Jones has also been linked with a possible move to Imperial Records - the home of Fat Joe.
Lupe Fiasco to quit music - last album 'LupEnd' coming soon:
Rap star Lupe Fiasco has vowed to quit music in a bid to become a successful novelist. The Food & Liquor hit-maker is convinced he will be able to produce one more album before he will be forced to take up a new profession - and writing a book is top of his list.
Fiasco released his last LP, The Cool, in December and plans on recording one more, which he has provisionally titled LupEND, to conclude his musical career.
He says, "I have one more album in me and then I’m out. I’ve been doing this music hustle for eights years and have more things I still want to do. There are other ways besides putting out an album that allow me to channel my creative energy and I’m writing a book about a window washer. I will have more than enough to keep me busy."
Def Jam to drop Nas?
Nas’s refusal to change the name of his new album, "Ni***" may lead to him getting the ax at Def Jam, Mediatakeout.com is reporting.
According to the report, a label insider told the website : "There is no way that we can put out an album with that title. Many retailers have already told us - flat out - that they won’t carry [an album with that title] ... Nas’ last album [Hip Hop Is Dead] sold pretty well, but not well enough for the headache he’s causing [the label]."
The insider goes on to say that this decision may be in a matter of days.
Amy Winehouse is back to rehab before the 'Grammys':
Amy Winehouse has checked herself into a rehabilitation clinic for the second time . A video has been recently posted online where she can be seen supposedly smoking crack raising concerns about her musical future when she just earned 6 Grammy Nominations.
"Amy decided to enter the facility today after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors.She has come to understand that she requires specialist treatment to continue her ongoing recovery from drug addiction and prepare for her planned appearance at the Grammy Awards (on Feb 10 in LA)", Universal Records said in a statement, adding that she had cancelled a planned appearance at the NRJ awards in France on Saturday.
She became famous with her hit single Rehab where she says : "They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, no, no, no".
Amy Winehouse who is 24 years old, has fought an increasingly public battle against drink and drug addiction. Her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, is currently awaiting trial on assault and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice charges.
She is also due in court in Bergen, Norway, on February 29 after being arrested and fined for drug use and possession of marijuana.
Numerous rappers have shown their love for her music mixing the 80’s sound with her soulfull voice. Jay-Z and Ghostface Killah appeared on remixes when her album debuted in the US.
Mary J Blige who went through drug addiction in the past also showed some love for the british singer : "Someone like Amy Winehouse is so important to the music business right now. It’s very painful (to see her battle drugs). I hope she makes it. I think it (the music industry) kind of got lost and we ended up in a drought for a while, but I see it making a turn, so instead of music being just synthetic, we’ll see it going back to actual instruments. That’s what I’m hoping for anyway."
L.A. Officials asked to ban 'Mob Piru' street gang from 'Compton':
That’s right, City officials officially asked a judge to ban members of the Mob Piru Street Gang from being able to congregate in Compton - and asked that the ban should include Marion “Suge” Knight aka Death Row cofounder responsible for starting the careers of Tupac, Snoop Dogg and many other successful rappers.
If this ban is accepted, the Mob Piru Street Gang would not be allowed anymore to congregate, carry guns and drink alcohol in public or staying out past 10 p.m. Suge Knight was one of 200 people the officials considered as members of the Mob Piru Gang.
“This is crazy,” Suge Knight told the Los Angeles Times in Thursday’s editions. “I’m a 42-year-old businessman, not a gang member. I don’t even live in Compton anymore.”
Eminem offered 'SlimFast' deal:
Slim-Fast have offered rapper Eminem the chance to become their next spokesmodel, after learning he’s battling weight problems.
The superstar was recently hospitalized after suffering from heart problems arising from a bout of pneumonia. And, in her new book, "My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem," the Stan hitmaker’s estranged mother Debbie Nelson reveals the elusive rapper has ballooned in weight.
She writes, "His face has broken out in pimples and he’s put on so much weight that he’s causing all sorts of other health problems for himself."
A spokesperson says, "Slim-Fast is a program that can really work for someone like Eminem ; It’s a do-able and flexible approach. Slim-Fast would love to offer Eminem product and assistance to help him become a potential S-F success story."
All articles courtesy of 'HipHopGalaxy.com'
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