Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Alicia Keys To Retire?
R&B singer Alicia Keys had commented on retiring by her 30th birthday in the past, and sent fans worldwide into a state of panic, so while speaking with British TV host Jonathan Ross on Friday (January 22), Keys cleared up the statement, and put her fan's fears to rest.
According to the superstar, she was just saying she wanted the option to retire but she has a lot of things that she wants to do, so fans have no need to worry.
"I was just saying that I would like the option to be able to retire by 30," said Keys to Ross. "I feel very blessed...but I definitely have so much more to do. I have so many things that I want to do, so many more things I want to get involved in, important things I want to do...I have to perform, I love it so much."
Alicia Keys recently released her fourth studio album, The Element Of Freedom, on December 11 via J Records. The album spawned two singles, Doesn't Mean Anything and Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart, and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 400,000 copies in its first week. To date the album has sold a little over 888,000 copies.
According to the superstar, she was just saying she wanted the option to retire but she has a lot of things that she wants to do, so fans have no need to worry.
"I was just saying that I would like the option to be able to retire by 30," said Keys to Ross. "I feel very blessed...but I definitely have so much more to do. I have so many things that I want to do, so many more things I want to get involved in, important things I want to do...I have to perform, I love it so much."
Alicia Keys recently released her fourth studio album, The Element Of Freedom, on December 11 via J Records. The album spawned two singles, Doesn't Mean Anything and Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart, and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 400,000 copies in its first week. To date the album has sold a little over 888,000 copies.
Drake Compares His Flow To Jay-Z & Lil Wayne
Drake may not be able to spit out a rap verse on command, but the Canadian rapper says that when the R&B side of him comes out, he is more like Jay-Z and Lil Wayne.
In an interview in the February/March issue of Complex magazine, Drake reflects on his studio time with R&B superstar Alicia Keys, and how with R&B the words just flow out of him, whereas with rap he has to put in effort.
"The way Jay and Wayne write rap, I write R&B," explained the Young Money artist.
"I don't write lyrics down on paper. The other day, I was in the studio with Alicia Keys, and I wrote two songs just speaking to her. I wish I could write that way for rap. With my rap songs, there's so much of me I have to give that I don't know if I could ever just flow."
Having to write down his rap lyrics hasn't hurt his ego any though. Drake says he feels he holds his own on tracks with his heroes.
"Thing is, I'm a great rapper. There's two elements to rap: Having the thoughts, and then being a great rapper. I can really rap the sh*t that I write. My tone, my inflection. When I listen to myself on records, I don't feel like I don't belong there. When I listen to Forever, with three of my heroes [Eminem, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne], I fit right in."
Drake is still hard at work on his upcoming debut album, Thank Me Later, which is scheduled to be released in March.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
T.I. Back In The Studio, Releasing New Album In 2010
T.I. is back in the studio and working on releasing a project in 2010, according to producer Jim Jonsin.
The self-proclaimed King of the South and Jonsin collaborated together in the past on Whatever You Like off of 2008's Paper Trail. As for the future, Jonsin says Tip is back like he never left and that right now his schedule permits him to work during the week and not on the weekend, but an album will be out this year.
"It doesn't seem like he missed a beat," said the producer during an interview. "He was so upbeat, his spirits were up, and he's excited to be out and working. He hasn't changed, he sounded exactly like he did when I talked to him months before he went in. He's back in the studio. I sent him some music via email. He can work during the week and not on the weekend, I believe. He's definitely working on an album for this year right now."
Music executive Kevin Liles tweeted about T.I.'s return to the studio shortly after Christmas of last year, but deleted the message shortly thereafter.
"My right hand went home to visit family & found his way to the studio. He said, 'Why wait for 2010, get it in now'? Love the attitude!" read the tweet.
Waka Flocka Flame Shot In Robbery Attempt
Southern rapper Waka Flocka Flame was reportedly shot multiple times in Georgia yesterday (January 19) during a failed robbery attempt.
According to website KarenCivil.com, which confirmed the details with the label, Waka, whose real name is Juaquin Malphurs, had made a stop at a gas station off of Old National Highway in College Park, Georgia, when he was injured. An unspecified number of men approached him at gunpoint and told him to hand over his chain. The So Icey rapper refused and the suspects then fired several shots in his direction hitting him twice.
Reports that he was shot in the chest have been refuted, instead at this time it is being said that bullets struck him in the upper arm/shoulder area. Sources close to the rapper are saying that the injuries are non-life threatening and that he will make a full and speedy recovery.
While known for his affiliation with Gucci Mane's So Icey Entertainment, Waka has gained a following off the strength of his street single O Let's Do It off of his 2009 Mixtape Shoot Me or Salute Me. The remix of the single features verses from southern hip-hop heavyweights Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and Trae Tha Truth.
Trey Songz Speaks On "The Mob Squad" With Jay-Z & Young Jeezy
Representing for the streets, real Hip-Hop lyrics, and women, Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, and Trey Songz collectively call themselves the Mob Squad with the understanding that they each bring separate aspects to the BP3 tour. The tour will feature the best of the best in Hip-Hop and R&B today according to Jay-Z who felt he and Jeezy needed Songz to add his sassiness to the tour.
Trey explains that the energy as well the chemistry between all three of them is so strong that it has created room for a possible record together in the future in which they may even begin recording for while they are on tour.
Trey Songz, the R&B mixtape Weezy, is in the works of a new project which will prove how talented he is as a lyricist.
"I been in the studio. The first thing I did when I got back in the studio was the Rihanna Hard (Remix). I explain how I go hard. As far as music is concerned, the grind is concerned, as far as women are concerned, I go hard. Then I went in and got four or five great records. That's actually four or five original records. I definitely want to release a mixtape to show people that the skills ain't went nowhere."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The-Dream Calls New Album His Best Work Yet
R&B singer The-Dream announced that he has finalized his third solo album titled Love King which he calls his best work yet. Although The-Dream revealed that this would be his last solo album, he will continue to produce for other artist. The singer's credits include Beyonce's hit song Single Ladies (Put A Ring on It) and Rihanna's Umbrella, to name the two biggest hits.
The-Dream tweeted, "Love King is the best of the three albums and it's finished!"
His last album Love Vs. Money was listed as one of the best albums of 2009. He says that his third album Love King will send a message to all his haters that no matter what they think of him, he puts the most pressure on himself to become what R&B music is.
"The first two albums came out, and it really was just about music, this album, it has to be a lot more - whether that's marketing, all of the things that the big guys get. We have to turn and put those things on me as an artist also. Now we have to treat it like it means something to the building. I think everybody is there. We have an incredible staff at Def Jam, of course. Now we gotta buckle up for me and put them dollars up."
Love King was originally set to be released for December 2009 but instead will be released sometime this year.
Ruff Ryders CEO Speaks On Reunion Album & Eve's Departure From Interscope
Last week Ruff Ryder's first lady Eve revealed on her official Twitter page that she is no longer with Interscope Records and plans to make a musical comeback this year with the release of a fourth album.
Ruff Ryder's CEO Waah Dean stated that Eve's departure didn't end on a bad note but that he is attempting to help Eve gain control of the situation by supporting whatever decision that she makes unlike her former record label who he feels didn't support her.
"Eve is pretty much in the process of being released from the Interscope deal right now. We support our artists and our family so at that time she wanted to do that. And we was there to embrace and support her and they didn't do what they was supposed to do on some level but she's getting released and we're gonna be here to support her in whatever direction she want to go."
Waah Dean recently spoke on the reunion album which features DMX, The LOX, Cassidy, Drag-On, Swizz Beatz, Jadakiss, and Eve titled Ruff Ryders Evolution: Generation I. The compilation features new and old artists on collaborative songs also individual songs allowing them to express themselves freely.
"It's expressing a lot of how families should move and how they should roll. We're gonna feature our established artists, new artists and we're gonna remix it and just really unify the family thing, bring back the foundation."
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Jay-Z Finally Responds To Beanie Sigel
Jay-Z has broken his silence over the recent disses from his former Roc-A-Fella Records artist Beanie Sigel, saying that the entire beef caught him off guard.
During an interview with Ed Lover today (Wednesday January 13), Jigga explained his current thoughts on Sigel. “This rap music and the competitive by nature, nothing really surprises me anymore but I’ll honestly say, that was one that was like a shocker.”
“When you from a certain place, cut from a certain cloth, there’s certain things that’s just off limits. When you cross that line, we put you in a different box. That one was a little surprising. The competitive nature of rap music dictates that’s how it goes more times than it’s not…I think everybody run outta ideas, it’s all just marketing at this point. I don’t even think it’s competition anymore…”
Previously, Beanie Sigel released a Jay-Z dissed called “Average Cat” in which he warned Hov about exposing his habits to his wife, Beyonce. “This ain’t a diss record, this a real record/How it feel to get exposed — I was the fly on the wall, I witnessed,” Beans raps. “I could say sh*t to make B look at you different/And my gangster was never on trial, I was, stood up tall, no snitch/But the rapper Shawn called the police on me/Because I was front row at the Blueprint 3/I just wanted to see him emcee/Reminisce when we were the R-O-C/But he called on the c-o-p’s/Not only that, he brought in the f-e-d’s/So that’s telling me, F-U Sig/So F you too and F Bleek three/Whether I rap or riddle out this motherfucker -- my name good in every hood"
Teddy pendergrass death R.I.P,
Teddy Pendergrass death, Teddy Pendergrass dead & Teddy Pendergrass car accident. Teddy Pendergrass is no more. The sensational singer who is known to be the one who never liked giving up could not survive a type of killer cancer. He was 59.
His death must come as a blow to millions of his fans across the world who grew up listening to his music. His fans marveled his courage.
Pendergrass's career began when he was a drummer for The Cadillacs, which soon merged with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Melvin invited Pendergrass to become the lead singer after he jumped from the rear of a stage and started singing his heart out. Months later the group signed with Gamble & Huff on the then CBS subsidiary Philadelphia International Records in 1972.
The Blue Notes had hits such as "I Miss You," "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody," the two million seller "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and many more. Following personality conflicts between Melvin and Pendergrass, Pendergrass launched a solo career and released hit singles like "The More I Get the More I Want," "Close the Door," "I Don't Love You Anymore," "Turn Off the Lights" and others.
Lloyd Banks On His Way Home; 5th Man Charged In Incident
After being held up by immigration, Lloyd Banks was released on Wednesday afternoon (January 13) and is on his way back home to New York.
Banks was held by immigration officials after posting $50,000 bail on Tuesday (January 12). His Canadian lawyer Patrick Ducharme said officials initially held him because Banks had violated his visitor's visa, but the issue was cleared up during a hearing.
Banks' bodyguard, Nicklas Sloane, 25, who was also detained by immigration on Tuesday, has not been released, but he has a hearing that will be held at Maplehurst Detention Centre in Milton this morning. Sloane apparently has a criminal record and did not disclose that to border officials prior to entering the country. Hypeman, Tyrell Cooper, 24, and road manager/DJ Shaun Mcgree, 31, were released on $25,000 bail Tuesday.
Banks and his three associates were arrested early Saturday (January 9) for allegedly beating, confining, and robbing Chris Hines, a Canadian promoter in a Kitchener hotel room.
Another man has also been charged in the incident. Rahim Visram, 26, was charged with theft over $5,000 for allegedly stealing the group's performance fee. Visram is due back in court on March 24 to answer to his charges. It is currently unclear as to whether or not this is the same Rahim Visram who was listed on Twitter as working for Ultimate Entertainment, the same company as Chris Hines.
Wyclef Calls On Fans To Help Haiti
Wyclef is asking fans to donate money to the relief effort for the disaster-stricken island of Haiti. The island was hit with a magnitude 7.0 earthquake Tuesday (January 12), which according to the Red Cross effected approximately 3 million people - one-third of Haiti's population.
Fans can help by donating $5.00 to Jean's Yele Haiti non-profit organization, which has provided aid and assistance to the country for over five years. You can either use your cell phone to text "Yele" to 501501, which will automatically donate $5.00 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (the charge will show on your cell phone bill), or you can go to www.yele.org, and click the Donate link.
In a statement, Wyclef spoke of the urgency of the situation, and stressed the importance of people doing what they can to help.
"Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion , an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake - and several very strong aftershocks - struck only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince," he said.
"I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now...The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible."
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Ray J Accused Of Being Is Gay; Sexual Relationship With Young Buck?
The co-star of the first season of For The Love Of Ray J, Monica Danger Leon is publicly remembered for "smashing the homies." She recently appeared on Devyn's Playground Radio in Los Angeles stating that she's tired of being portrayed as Ray J's pimped hoe and upset with the rumors of Ray J being the father of her child which interfered with her relationship with Gabriel Cannon.
She felt the need to expose Ray J's sexual affairs with former G-Unit rapper Young Buck stating, "Just tell everybody. You like d*ck too."
Ray J appeared on T.T. Ramirez radio show clarifying the accusations stating that Danger feels threatened that he hasn't returned any of her calls in over two weeks therefore she accused him of being gay.
"I still got love for Danger and that's my peoples but I dint return none of her calls in the past two to three weeks so she threatened to say, I'm gone tell people you're gay. So she went along with it and actually did it. So I just wanted to air it out that I'm not gay but at the same time I got love for gay people because I work with gay people and I got a couple of friends that's gay and that's cool. Girls and dudes so I'm comfortable with my sexuality so I any tripping but I just didn't want people to think that I like men because I don't. But at the same time I work in Hollywood and the gay community is really big out here so I'm not about to sit up here and bash the gay community because they cool people."
Danger went as far as saying that she is responsible for making Ray J famous again since he's played out, but Ray J stated that he created her and she isn't sure how to handle her new stardom.
"I don't hang with stars, I create stars. So what it is I just landed out my hand to her and I got her back even though she going through some things right now and sometimes that happens with new stardom. I'm not gone leave her behind or leave her in the dust. She just going through some stuff right now. We both upset with each other but it's O.K. and because I'm gone work it out with her soon and we gone be friends again. She just tripping right now."
Ray J's big sister Brandy and Young Buck spoke their minds via Twitter both stating that Danger needs to be clear about information that she gives out.
"I need for Danger to watch her tongue!!! To say my brother is gay because he didn't return her calls is DUMB...Go get Help!!!" tweeted Brandy.
"WOW!!! JUST HEARING BOUT THE RAY J SH*T!! NO DISRESPECT, BUT THE YOUNG BUCK DANGER REFERING TO IS HIS FRIEND. SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CLEAR, DANGER REALLY NEED TO CLEAR HER SH*T UP!!!! NOT THIS YOUNG BUCK MUTHAF*CKERS!!!!!!LOL!!!!" tweeted Young Buck.
Lloyd Banks Assault Victim Speaks
Chris Hines, the man whom Lloyd Banks allegedly assaulted at a hotel in Canada over the weekend, recently gave his side of the incident.
Hines couldn't reveal too many of the specifics for legal reason, but confirmed some of the news that was reported and dispelled some of the rumors. According to him the ordeal lasted for quite some time, and Banks was paid in advance for the show on Friday night (January 8).
"It was at Blanford, Ontario, [I was just the booking agent,] correct," said Hines.
"There's a little more to the story, like I said, I don't want to get in to it too much, but the most accurate story of all of them is on MTV, which has got put up right now...But he was paid in advance. We got into a confrontation of course, they assaulted me and kept me there for a little while. It was probably like for 20 minutes, 30 minutes. They had me there for quite some time."
Hines also said that he had worked with Banks in the past, and has no clue what would've lead the rapper and his entourage to react the way they did, but he was in no way at fault.
"Like, I worked for the guys for years and I don't really know what the f*ck they were thinking. If they were watching a movie earlier I don't know what that's about. The whole incident that night had nothing to do with me and everybody knows that."
Banks along with three members of his entourage, Nicolas Sloane, Shawn McGee, and Tyrell Cooper reportedly held Hines in his hotel room against his will after a dispute over the performance and appearance fees and proceeded to assault and rob him. He suffered bruises and possible head trauma from the incident and was rushed to the hospital. They were all four arrested and charged with assault, robbery, and forced confinement.
As of Monday (January 11), Banks posted $50,000 bail and was in the process of being transferred to Maple Hurst Correctional Complex, where he would remain in protective custody until release.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Eminem Snags Top Honors At People's Choice Awards
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Eminem and the Black eyed peas were big winners at last nights people choice awards which were held in Los Angeles.
Eminem's album Relapse earned him the title of Best Hip-Hop Artist, while Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West snagged best of the year while the Black eyed peas to call an award for best Music Collaboration.
A record breaking 60 million fans voted during the 36th Annual People's Choice Awards, which were hosted by Queen Latifah and held at the Nokia Theater.
In addition to Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye and Rihanna, Lady Gaga won two awards for Best Pop Artist and Best Breakout Artist. Mariah Carey was voted Best R&B Artist, while Taylor Swift won Best Female Artist.
Notables who appeared during the two-hour live telecast last night (January 6) included LL Cool J, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Ellen DeGeneres, Johnny Depp and numerous other actors, actresses and musicians.
Eminem's album Relapse earned him the title of Best Hip-Hop Artist, while Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West snagged best of the year while the Black eyed peas to call an award for best Music Collaboration.
A record breaking 60 million fans voted during the 36th Annual People's Choice Awards, which were hosted by Queen Latifah and held at the Nokia Theater.
In addition to Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye and Rihanna, Lady Gaga won two awards for Best Pop Artist and Best Breakout Artist. Mariah Carey was voted Best R&B Artist, while Taylor Swift won Best Female Artist.
Notables who appeared during the two-hour live telecast last night (January 6) included LL Cool J, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Ellen DeGeneres, Johnny Depp and numerous other actors, actresses and musicians.
Jermaine Dupri Upset About Usher's Track Being Leaked
Usher's track Fooling Around, produced by Jermaine Dupri, was recently leaked onto the internet without his permission.
JD who doesn't condone track leaking angrily posted on his website how he felt about the situation. "Some kinda way my Usher record Fooling Around got leaked, if you follow me on Twitter you know I don't condone leaking records. So basically I been down about it all night."
Dupri did appreciate the positive feedback he and co-writer Bryan-Michael Cox has received thus far. Cox feels that Usher wants to tell his story of where he is in life in relation to his recent divorce through his music like many great musicians of the past has done.
"I think Usher is in a place where he really wants to express what's going on in his life, as any artist would, all the greats did it. Marvin Gaye did Here, My Dear. All the greats express where they are personally. Usher's last album was that too. I think the new album is where we are going to see Usher as an artist. I'm very curious to hear what the rest of the album is going to sound like. Our records are definitely in that lane of touching on what's going on in his life, so we are going to see what's going to happen. I'm very excited about the album. I think he has a lot to say."
On the track Fooling Around, Usher takes listeners back to his Confessions album as he details how cheating seems to be the only thing he is good at although he is married but continues to apologize throughout the song.
"I know you never knew when you said, 'I do,' that you would have to face all the pain you feel, It's killing me girl, that you have to live with this/ Live with the lies I tell, live with the pain you feel/ Knowing the man you love is foolin' around/ It's killing me girl/ I just don't understand why you wanna be with this kind of man/ Why would you love a fool?/ With all the things I do, I know it's hard for you."
Usher's album Raymond vs. Raymond has already suffered a pushback date and is now set to release March 1, 2010. Other tracks on the upcoming album were also released onto the web including the single Papers, Daddy's Home, and Little Freak featuring Nicki Minaj.
Gucci Mane's Writing Is More Lyrical Since Being Imprisoned
Producer Zaytoven says he's used to Gucci Mane being incarcerated so the two of them communicating about music over the phone isn't something new, but he feels that since his recent incarceration Gucci's writing has become more lyrical although he still has his trap music mentality.
"We stay working, he calls me from jail with new raps all the time. He raps them to me, and I tell him to leave it on my voicemail, so I could hear it over and over again. He's still doing his shining and iced-out thing, but the raps now got more lyrical, he's in jail, so he's really putting more thoughts in his raps, more lyrical content. He's coming with a whole lot of different ideas. Rather than just party music or trap music, he's coming with a lot of strong ideas and lyrical content in his stuff. It gives him a chance to really listen to what he's saying, and he's putting his words together in a different way without no beat."
Zaytoven states that although the two of them come up with many ideas over the phone, they almost forget them once he is released because once in the studio they come up with more ideas greater than the ones created before.
"We're working as if he was out. The songs he writes, I have the track sitting and waiting on him when he gets out. Sometimes during our phone calls, I play him my ideas for a track or a hook I got so he could be writing and getting ideas for it. The crazy thing is, when he gets out and comes to the studio, we do something all brand-new. We almost forget about what we been doing while he's in jail."
Gucci Mane was sentenced to a year just before the release of his album The State vs. Radric Davis which dropped late last year. He is already finished with the follow up album titled The State vs. Radric Davis: The Appeal which will drop in spring and plans to record another album set to release December of this year titled The State vs. Radric Davis: The Verdict.
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