The Music Lounge: Dj Berry Bee

Saturday, August 9, 2008

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Cover Story: Marcus Miller
By: Melanie Maxwell

When Michael Lazaroff was searching for a jazz star to host his 2007 North Sea Jazz Cruisehe wanted someone who was not only popular in the United States, but also highly regarded by the European jazz community as well. “I must have consulted with six to 10 different people, and Marcus Miller was the only name on each and every list,” said Lazaroff, executive director of Jazz Cruises, LLC. Miller, however, wasn’t thrilled about the idea. “I didn’t want to subject my musician friends to playing background music on 'The Love Boat!'” said the two-time GRAMMY-winning multi-instrumentalist. “I was a little skeptical when they first approached me,” Miller admitted. “The only cruise I had ever been on was when I was 10. My mom and dad took us on a family cruise to Bermuda. It was corny and boring. “It’s not like that any more. It’s really cool,” Miller said, changing his tune after accepting Lazaroff’s invitation to go on two other cruises Jazz Cruises, LLC produces; Dave Koz & Friends at Sea and the smooth jazz-themed cruise hosted by Wayman Tisdale. His childhood opinions of “corny” cruises and “Love Boat” images were quickly shattered, and the award-winning bass player’s eyes opened wide to all kinds of exotic new horizons. Once he agreed to host the cruise, Miller had the challenge of getting all the musicians he invited––the jazz elite––onboard with this concept. “They were all initially wary, like ‘Oh man, I don’t know if I’m going to enjoy this.’ But by the third day, they were all rushing up to me saying, ‘Sign me up for the next one, now!’” said Miller of the 12-day North Sea Jazz Cruise, which sailed from Copenhagen, visited ports of call at Oslo, Stockholm, Bremen and Rotterdam, and included attendance at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands last July. “It was a really beautiful experience. We had Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove and a bunch of different people there. We enjoyed it, but a lot of Americans couldn’t make it because we had to fly over to Europe,” Miller said during an interview backstage at the Hollywood Bowl before his performance with Hancock at the 30th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival in June. This year, Jazz Cruises, LLC is teaming up with the Playboy Jazz Festival for the first-ever Playboy Jazz Cruise. This seven-day, full-ship charter aboard Holland America’s ms Westerdam is scheduled to sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jan. 25-Feb. 1, 2009. Ports of call include San Juan, Nevis, St. Barth’s and Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas. Miller did such a great job in 2007 that Lazaroff invited him back to host the Playboy Jazz Cruise. “Not only was Marcus a great music director and producer on the cruise, but his energy towards the passengers was fantastic. He met every passenger, learned many of their names and was just a wonderful, wonderful host,” Lazaroff said from his St. Louis, Missouri-based headquarters. “It’s fantastic that Playboy is involved because they have such a huge reputation in jazz. They have all these people who love music who they can get in touch with and let them know about the cruise. Since we leave out of Fort Lauderdale, it will be a lot easier for people to get to. And we’ve got Herbie (Hancock) and Roy Hargrove on the cruise again,” Miller said. “The people who come on these kinds of cruises love music; they’re so crazy about music. Those people are beautiful. The environment is beautiful. We love it! We’re jammin’ all night after the official shows are over,” said Miller. In addition to Miller, Hancock and Hargrove, the lineup includes Dianne Reeves, Keb’ Mo’, Poncho Sanchez, James Moody, James Carter, Eldar, Roberta Gambarini and the New Birth Brass Band. While these cruises offer fans intimate and unique involvement with the artists––autograph sessions, poolside lounging, late-night jam sessions, shore excursions, dining together and opportunites to mingle in casual settings throughout the ship––it also gives the artists very special interactions with their fans. “That’s the most important thing. Because usually, like when you play here (the Hollywood Bowl), there’s not a whole lot of interaction going on. On these cruises, after you play, you’re talking with people and it becomes a family,” said Miller, who says his own family hasn’t been on any of the cruises yet. The day I interviewed Miller, a father of four, was Father’s Day and also the day after his 49th birthday...

For more information on Miller, including his complete tour schedule, visit www.marcusmiller.com.
Marcus Miller ON TOUR AT SEAJan. 25-Feb. 1, 2009Playboy Jazz Cruise (host)Full-ship charter to the Caribbeanaboard Holland America’s ms WesterdamEmbarkation/debarkation: Fort Lauderdale, FloridaPorts of Call: San Juan, Nevis, St. Barth’s and Half Moon CayBooking: www.playboyjazzcruise.com, (888) 852-9987

Cover Story: Paul Taylor
By: Preston Turegano

Far from being Undercover, the distinctive Paul Taylor has many irons in the fire, from his own sax line to an animation project. His latest disc, Ladies’ Choice, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart

Las Vegas-based saxophonist Paul Taylor wants smooth jazz devotees to know he’s alive and well and that his career has not been sidetracked, contrary to gossip and perceptions about the 47-year-old artist."I’ve been aware some people have been saying I got sidetracked, but I disagree," Taylor said ebulliently during a telephone interview from his home––his third Q&A with a writer that day. "I think the reason they said that is because after my first couple of records there was like a three-year gap between two of them. Then, I had to go to a new record label. After that, I started playing with the Rippingtons, but I still had the Undercover CD simultaneously with that. I thought I was kind of keeping things going."Taylor is absolutely on the go. In its debut, Taylor’s latest album, Ladies’ Choice, made it to the No. 1 spot in Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart the first week of June. That same week, he came to San Diego to sign copies of Ladies’ Choice at the Mission Valley Borders Books and Music. In July, Taylor headlined at the 12th Annual JazzFest West (formerly the Old Pasadena JazzFest) in San Dimas’ Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. On Sept. 23, Taylor appears at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater for Smooth Jazz 98.1’s Jazz at the Beach concert series.Joining Taylor on tour this summer will be band members K.T. Tyler (bass), Ray Mouton (guitar), Boy Katindig (keyboard) and Tarell Martin (drums).If Taylor’s schedule isn’t busy or on-track enough for skeptics, consider this: Taylor is working with a Taiwanese company on the production of "The Paul Taylor Alto Sax"––his own signed line of saxophones."I’m excited about that," Taylor said. "Each is hand-made. I want to do it the right way so people can have a really good horn."Taylor’s other project in the works is animation he’s creating on a laptop computer. His inspiration has been a friend who created animation that goes with each song on rapper Snoop Dogg’s latest CD. Taylor is hoping to incorporate his own lifelong love of comic book heroes (evident in his collection of Marvel and DC comic books and action figures that go back to the late ‘50s and early ‘60s) into his animation...

Cover Story: NORMAN BROWN
By Brian Soergel

Three years into his annual Summer Storm tour, Norman Brown says the multi-artist ensemble he created is a big hit with both fans and promoters. “Promoters buying packages like this because it gives them more bang for the buck,” the Grammy award-winning guitarist said. “Some of my hardcore fans say they're not seeing enough of myself, but it really is a good package because it gives people an opportunity to see artists they might not normally see. It's a dynamite tour.”This year's version includes stops this month at the Fifth Annual BB Jazz Festival in Huntington Beach, California (Sept. 8), the 31st annual Russian River Jazz Festival in Guerneville, California (Sept. 9), and the Margarita Scottsdale Music Fest in Scottsdale, Arizona (Sept. 22).In addition to Brown, of course, Summer Storm will offer vocalist Peabo Bryson, who appeared with the guitarist on the first version of the tour in 2005. Making their debuts this year will be saxophonist Marion Meadows and keyboardist Jeff Lorber. Brown said he feels fortunate to nab both Meadows and Lorber for the summer because package tours are also proving to be increasingly popular with artists as well.Meadows, with his sexy sax style, is a perfect fit. And Brown said he especially wanted Lorber on stage since, in addition to being one of the top keyboardists around, he is also experienced as a musical director on tours such as Groovin' for Grover.“I always want to give the fans a little bit more,” said the Kansas City, Kansas, native, who now lives in Southern California's San Fernando Valley. “And it gives me a chance to work with artists who I really admire. This combination you won't really get in one solo show. So the fans get to see us doing our own thing and also performing together.”Brown himself will have plenty of new material to offer his fans, as he released his seventh solo album, Stay With Me, in April. This Peak Records release is his first for the record label co-founded by Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons and it also became Brown's first CD to make it to the top of Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart. Not only that, but it debuted at No. 1, which speaks to the guitarist's large fan base and increasing popularity with each project. The CD already has spawned a No. 1 smooth jazz hit, “Let's Take a Ride.”...

Cover Story: JONATHAN BUTLER
By: Brian Soergel

A teen idol while growing up in South Africa, the guitarist nonetheless experienced firsthand the degrading effects of apartheid. The Los Angeles resident returned home for an uplifting concert and video segments now captured on a CD/DVD package.

Jonathan Butler is a much-loved player on the smooth jazz concert scene, his face more often than not sporting a grin as he strums his left-handed acoustic guitar. His killer app is his throaty vocals, which he puts to good use on both his smooth jazz and gospel CDs.Today, the 46-year-old Butler lives in sunny Southern California in a private, gated community called Bell Canyon. But to understand what made Butler the artist he is today, you must travel back to South Africa, where he managed to escape a dirt-poor childhood thanks to his prestigious musical talents. Part of Butler's story is told in Live in South Africa, a new CD and DVD package where he shares compelling stories of his youth lived under the oppressive cloak of apartheid––South Africa's formal policy of racial separation and economic discrimination finally dismantled in 1993.Butler was raised the youngest child of a large family in a house built with corrugated tin and cardboard in the “coloreds only” township of Athlone near Cape Town.“A lot has changed in Athlone,” said Butler, who returned to the area for Live in South Africa. “It was so touching for me to go back to Seventh Avenue, where I grew up, and to look around. When I was growing up, it was all shanties with outhouses. People had horses in their shanties, they sold fruit, fish and vegetables, and you could buy it all on credit. Most of the people I grew up with were poor, which was my family as well. Now there's so much development. Even the house I grew up in, somebody bought the lot and built a beautiful house. But here and there you still see shanty houses.”Butler's parents and relatives rarely mentioned the turmoil in their country, as they were more concerned about getting food in stomachs. Summers were hot and winters cold. During a traditional sing-a-long by a roaring outside fire, young Butler, at age 6, sang for the first time. Seeing his son's talent, Butler’s father built him a homemade guitar constructed out of a hollow floor-polish can and a tomato crate––and one gut-bucket string. “I learned one string at a time,” said Butler. “Then I played two strings, then three, and everything began to make sense after a while. I could hear melodies, hear where the harmony needed to be. There was always some sort of torn-up guitar in the house.” While learning to play, Butler was inspired and mentored by his late older brother Cecil, who also played guitar. Soon, Butler was performing in and around South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe in bands fronted by older brothers and friends. He became a teen idol on par with Michael Jackson and was noticed by now-famed record label mogul Clive Calder, a Johannesburg native who formed Bullet Records and would go on to create Jive Records. At 12, Butler became a sensation with a Burt Bacharach song originally recorded by the Drifters called “Please Stay” that earned him the distinction of being the first black artist to be played on white-controlled radio in South Africa. It also picked up a Sarie Award, South Africa's version of the Grammys. It was while traveling and performing that Butler was exposed to the deep racial divide in his country. “Growing up as a kid in show business, I'd wake up every day to signs saying 'whites only,' 'coloreds only.' You grow up with this messed up notion of what life is about because in the middle of the day you'd hear sirens go off and you'd see black people running. I'd go, 'Where are they running to?' There were always illegals coming across the border to work, and the police would do random stops to check your papers,” Butler recalled. Butler found himself as the No. 1 artist in South Africa and joined one of Cape Town's best-known groups, Pacific Express. One of his favorite songs became Tom Jones' “Delilah.” For more information on Jonathan Butler, including his complete tour schedule, visit http://www.jonathanbutler.com/.

Cover Story: WAYMAN TISDALE
By Brian Soergel

Life has a funny way of delivering setbacks. Sometimes they can be life-saving. In 2005, bassist and Oklahoma native Wayman Tisdale bought a home in Southern California. Although he also hung onto his farmhouse in Tulsa, his West Coast digs brought him closer to the heart of the smooth jazz industry to get more gigs and to take his career to the next level. Taking advantage of his new environment, the former pro basketball superstar played in celebrity basketball games and in the summer of 2006 performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” direct from Hollywood.Then, in February 2007, everything changed.
Tisdale had undergone outpatient Lap-Band surgery to take off at least 100 pounds, part of a plan to get healthier. During his pro basketball days, the six-foot-nine-inch Tisdale weighed 265 pounds, but as he entered the California Surgical Weight Loss Center at West Hills Hospital, his weight had ballooned to 365 pounds. The surgery was successful, but while recuperating at home Tisdale fell and broke his right leg. While being treated, doctors determined that a cyst in his knee had caused the fall. Tests showed the cyst was cancerous, and it was removed. Following a five-month regimen of chemotherapy, Tisdale underwent a grueling eight-hour knee-replacement surgical procedure.
Today, Tisdale says he's 100 percent cured and is looking forward to a full slate of shows in 2008 –– including this month at the 10th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida –– in addition to the upcoming release of his eighth CD, appropriately titled Rebound.
“At the end of the day, after breaking my leg and going through what I went through,” said Tisdale, “I thank God that I broke the leg and found out what was going on. It's still an ongoing process, but man, I'm encouraged and staying positive.”
Tisdale now lives exclusively in Oklahoma with his wife Regina and two of his four children, Wayman Jr. (affectionately known as Bubba) and Gabrielle.
“I'm taking care of things out here on my farm, just enjoying life in the slow lane,” he said. “L.A. just got to be a little too fast for me.”
Tisdale's oldest daughter, Danielle, graduated from the University of Oklahoma last year. He is also a grandfather for the first time after his daughter Tiffany, who is attending the University of Oklahoma, gave birth to a baby girl named Bailey. “It's the best feeling in world to have a granddaughter,” he said. “Having your own kids is great, of course, and having grandchildren escalates it to the next level.”
Tisdale is taking it easier, but not too easy. After his cancer diagnosis, he was forced to cancel more than 40 shows, but he made a triumphant return to the stage on Sept. 22 at Thornton Winery in Temecula, California. He then joined the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas tour and hosted Jazz Cruises, LLC’s smooth jazz-themed cruise in January (he'll also host the full-ship charter again in 2009). He said he was touched by enthusiastic responses from audiences during his comeback, where concertgoers saw him slightly hobbled, but sporting a new, sleek figure.
“It's important for me to maintain my weight now,” Tisdale said. “My health is very important to me, especially my weight. I don't want to battle that, and it's important I keep it under control.”
For the rest of 2008, Tisdale said he plans to tour solo for the most part, skipping the popular package tours. As part of every show, the bassist plans to talk about his story of recovery. When he hosts his cruise next January, expect to see a band that Tisdale himself will have nurtured. This past October in Tulsa, he held the first in a series of what he's calling Wayman's Challenge open auditions to help find an opening act for special performances and to possibly open for Tisdale on tour. The next round is coming up soon...
For more information on Tisdale, visit his website at http://www.waymantisdale.com/.

On tour: on land and at sea
April 19 Seabreeze 106.3 Jazz FestivalGulf Place Outdoor AmphitheaterIntersection of County Hwy. 30A and Hwy. 393Santa Rosa Beach, Floridawww.seabreezejazzfestival.com(800) 595-4849

May 17Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Jazz Festival1107 Jamboree RoadNewport Beach, Californiawww.summerjazzseries.com, www.jazzconcerts.com(949) 729-6400

Jan. 18-25, 2009Jazz Cruises, LLC, smooth jazz-themed cruise hosted by Wayman TisdaleFull-ship charter to the CaribbeanAboard Holland America’s ms WesterdamEmbarkation/Debarkation: Fort Lauderdale, FloridaPorts of Call: San Juan, Santa Barbara De Samana, Santo Domingo, Half Moon Caywww.jazzcruisesllc.com(877) 330-5299

Cover Story: Gerald Albright
By Melanie Maxwell

Throughout his 20 year career, Gerald Albright has sold more than 1 million albums. His life and career have been racing at full throttle since he became a recording artist in 1987 with his first record, Just Between Us, on Atlantic Records. This month, he releases his 12th CD, Sax for Stax, on Peak Records. Today, Albright’s popularity and successes (professional and personal) continue to soar as he juggles dozens of concerts as part of the 2008 Guitars & Sax ensemble with solo shows. He also has his own Gerald Albright Signature Saxophone line through Cannonball Musical Instruments. I caught up with Albright last month backstage at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Jazz Festival presented by Bank of the West after his Guitars & Sax performance––his fourth consecutive concert that week. He was quite excited about his new project, Sax for Stax, scheduled for release June 24, which features his daughter, Selena Albright, Will Downing, Ledis, Philip Bailey and Kirk Whalum. “It’s a well-rounded project. We have live strings on this one. It’s lush. I call it classic funk because it’s got a real sheen to it, but you feel that funk underneath it, that real R&B flavor, which that’s all I know, that’s what I live,” Albright said. This project, envisioned by Mark Wexler from Peak Records features covers from hit songs on the Stax Record label in the ‘60s, along with three original songs. Artists signed to Stax Records during that era included Otis Redding, Booker T. and the MGs, the Staple Singers, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, Johnnie Taylor, Isaac Hayes and the Dramatics. Reminiscing about those great songs sparked conversation about Albright’s career path in music. “The only nonmusical job I had was when I worked at Woolworth’s department store. I was an assistant manager trainee. This was in ‘79 and I was fresh out of college. I worked there for about eight months, and my job was to learn the whole lingo about being a manager. The boss liked my voice, so she had me do all the ‘We have four-ply polyester Wintuck yarn for 99 cents,’ announcements. I was that guy. I hated it. I was working 48 hours a week, making chump change. That’s when Patrice Rushen called me and said ‘Hey, I’m going on this tour, would you like to come?’ I said ‘Absolutely.’ Freddie Washington, who was her regular bass player on the tour, got this great big production gig and had to leave the tour and she needed a fill in. I auditioned at one of the sound checks and got the position on bass. I told my boss at Woolworth’s, ‘I can’t even give you two weeks' notice, I’ve got to go.’ “So I was on a tour bus going from city to city learning her show with my little headphones on and my guitar plugged in. I played both saxophone and bass on one of the tours. I went on the road with Patrice for about five years. That was when her big hit ‘Forget Me Nots’ was heavy on the charts. I did the sax solo on that single. Then after that run of the tours, my name started getting out there and I started working with different people like Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, folks like that. I got my record deal in 1987 on Atlantic. I did seven records for them. From that point on, things got pretty good and the rest is history,” Albright recalled. Albright is also a talented songwriter and composes most of the songs on his CDs. “I have a studio at the house. I’ll go down there and close the door and my family knows not to mess with me. Just slide the food under the door,” he said laughing. “Once I get in there, and it’s not all the time, I have to really be in the mood to write. It’s a seasonal thing for me. I have to really want to write it. I have to feel it. But when the creative juices do flow, I can be in the studio for two weeks straight if it feels good. Sometimes I don’t go into the studio for a month or two, just because I’m not feeling it at the time. If I’m feeling upbeat and everything is wonderful, I can write a nice, happy, funky tune. Or if I’m feeling a little melancholy, something else will come out. But, I don’t sit at the piano and try to devise this formula like saying ‘OK, I’m going to write a Latin tune today, or I’m going to write a hip hop tune today.’ I just put my hands on the keyboards or the bass or the sax and whatever comes out at that time, that’s what I write. That’s the most honest approach for me to do it that way. When we did the Sax for Stax project, it was a really good time for my creativity,” Albright said. Although Albright is still enjoying his third consecutive Guitars & Saxes tour, he’llbe taking his own band on the road in support of his new CD. His touring musicians include Tony Moore or JJ Williams on drums (depending on the region), Darlene Moreno on guitar, Dwayne “Smitty” Smith or Melvin Davis on bass, and Tracy Carter (who is also musical director) on keyboards. He’ll book these solo dates in markets that Guitars & Sax won’t be performing in. Albright describes touring with his Guitars & Sax co-headliners, Peter White, Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber as ”Fun, a real unique experience.” **The complete story can be found in the June edition of Smooth Jazz News. For more information on Albright, visit http://www.geraldalbright.com/.

June 15 (with Guitars & Sax)Playboy Jazz FestivalHollywood Bowl2301 N. Highland Ave.Hollywood, Californiawww.playboyjazzfestival.com

Aug. 8 (with Guitars & Sax)The WAVE’s Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series1107 Jamboree RoadNewport Beach, Californiawww.summerjazzseries.com, www.jazzconcerts.com(949) 729-6400

Sept. 7 (with Guitars & Sax)Jazz on the RiverJohnson’s Beach on the Russian River16241 First St.Guerneville, Californiawww.omegaevents.com(949) 360-7800

Oct. 19 Catalina Island JazzTrax FestivalAvalon Casino Ballroom1 Casino WayAvalon, Californiawww.jazztrax.com(866) TRAX-TIX

Jan. 18-25, 2009Smooth jazz-themed cruise hosted by Wayman TisdaleFull-ship charter to the CaribbeanAboard Holland America’s ms WesterdamEmbarkation/Debarkation: Fort Lauderdale, FloridaPorts of Call: San Juan, Santa Barbara De Samana, Santo Domingo, Half Moon Caywww.jazzcruisesllc.com(877) 330-5299

Cover Story: Sheila E
By Melanie Maxwell

In 100-plus-degree heat, Sheila E. slammed her sticks wildly on cymbals and drum skins while her thin, muscular legs pounded the pedal of her bass drum. She then threw her sticks in the air at the end of her solo to thunderous applause. Despite the sweltering heat during her Saturday afternoon performance last month at Rhythm on the Vine Music & Wine Festival at South Coast Winery in Temecula, California, Sheila looked cool and composed. At one of her first family performances in a while, Sheila was accompanied by her father, legendary Latin jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo, brothers Juan and Peter Michael and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra for a concert benefitting the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Escovedos - who just completed their first family album, Love's All Around, scheduled for release early next year - are headlining JazzFest West (formerly the Old Pasadena JazzFest) in San Dimas, California, on July 19. "We just started playing together again because of the CD. We're playing the new songs from the record, which we've actually written, to see everyone's reaction. So far it's been extremely positive; everyone really loves the new songs. So we know we're on the right track to get the buzz going with the family," Sheila said from her office in Van Nuys, California.
Born into a musical family who still remain close, Sheila made her concert debut at the age of 5 in the former Sands Ballroom in Oakland, California, when her father (then bandleader of Azteca) invited her onstage to play a solo in front of an audience of 3,000."I thought all girls played drums till I got out of the house and realized that it was a rarity," said the multifaceted drummer, percussionist, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, producer and composer."The first time I played a real show with my dad, I knew this is what I wanted to do. That one show that I played when I was 15 changed my life and confirmed that this is what I'm supposed to do. I didn't know it until that moment. Before then I was running track, playing soccer, breaking all the records, wanting to be in the Olympics."
Since then, beginning at age 17, Sheila has recorded and toured extensively with artists such as Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Billy Cobham, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, Natalie Cole, Gloria Estefan, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Nicks, Patti LaBelle, Cyndi Lauper, Tito Puente, Don Was and Babyface, among others. In 1983, Prince changed Sheila Escovedo's name to Sheila E. and helped record her first solo album, The Glamorous Life. The title track received multiple GRAMMY and American Music Award nominations and won MTV's Best Video Award.
At 50, Sheila's career as both a solo artist and support to other top stars is as hot as our current weather patterns."When I was playing with Ringo last year, I actually got heat stroke and we were under a tent. I was playing so hard and it was so hot and humid that the paramedics had to pull me off the stage on the last two songs. I couldn't make it. I couldn't walk to the dressing room. This had never happened to me; that was a really scary moment. So with this kind of heat, even right now, it's like 109 today, I can't even walk outside. It's awful and dangerous. Even at the Temecula Festival, it took a lot for us being outside when it was that hot. And for me using both legs, both arms, singing, directing, I was exhausted. We do have to be careful because we have had some really close calls," said Sheila last month during a record heat wave.
This heat factor is in tune with Sheila's look...hot. In fact, one of her solo records is appropriately titled Sex Cymbal."Back in the day it was just something to play off of words. When everyone was saying "You're a sex symbol,' you think to yourself ÔNo I'm not. I'm really not. This is just who I am.' To me, it's really not so much about being sexy as it is about being passionate about what I do. I really love what I do. It's been such a blessing to be able to play with so many people, perform and work with my family. It's a privilege. I want to give more, do more, keep playing and always try to give 150 percent," said Sheila, who ironically enjoys juggling as a hobby.
As a humanitarian, Sheila gives back to the community through her Elevate Hope Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization (which she co-founded and co-chairs) that assists abused and abandoned children through music therapy. "It really all stems from my dad. My parents would take us to facilities when we were younger. We grew up really poor, but Pops and Moms always said that there was always someone worse off than we were, Ôso let's go give back.' So we would take our percussion instruments in the car and go to a facility and play for the kids and get them involved in playing with us and try to give back like that. When he wasn't being tossed back and forth between his parents and grandparents in Mexico, my dad lived most of his childhood in St. Vincent Home for Boys, an orphanage in San Rafael, California. So he knows how it was for him to be in a place by himself," Sheila said.
Her foundation, which originally had three different beneficiaries, now donates everything they generate to Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services in Los Angeles, California. This facility is dedicated to the well-being and care of children and families in Southern California who suffer the emotional, physical, psychological and social consequences of abuse, neglect and abandonment. This agency's wide spectrum of services includes adoption, foster care, residential treatment, outpatient services, community outreach and the Vista School. "When we give money, the contract designates where it has to specifically go. We want to know it's going to music and arts programs for the kids," said Sheila, who also has designed her own line of percussion instruments.
"When I grew up I just happened to play on my dad's percussion because it was just sitting around the house. Some of the little percussion instruments we have for kids nowadays are more like toys; they're plastic and don't last as long. So I decided to partner with my company, TOCA Kaman Music, to help me design real drums for kids. We have the Sheila E. Player's Series bongos designed for kids starting at age 3, which is when I started banging on the drums, and it moves all the way up to pro level (Custom Series Class E line). We evenhave different colors of drums," said Sheila, who is also founder and president of Heaven Productions Music, a music production company that was hired to direct and arrange music for the ALMA Awards (1998 and 1999), the 1998 WOW Awards, 1998 Gospel Music Association's annual event and the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards. Sheila has also co-hosted and/or appeared in many other awards shows, TV programs and movies, and in 2003 she wrote, recorded and taped a montage for the baseball World Series. As a woman musician working in a mostly man's world, all of her cumulative successes were met with some challenges and jealousies along the way.
"There were moments that happened, especially when I first started coming out to Los Angeles. We grew up in the Bay Area, but I was flying to Los Angeles as a professional musician at 17, 18 and 19 years old, doing sessions here with people like George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham and playing with people like that. It was unusual, which I didn't know. Male drummers, percussion players, whoever, with their egos would give me attitude like ÔWho are you? Where'd you come from? You're just here because blah-de-blah.' I was thinking, Ôhow can people be so rude?" she recalled. Eventually the touring musician's life fame took its toll. When that happened, Sheila's spiritual heart opened up to new possibilities...
Sheila E. is scheduled to perform with the Pete Escovedo Orchestra featuring Juan and Peter Michael Escovedo at JazzFest West (formerly the Old Pasadena JazzFest) on Saturday, July 19 at 8 p.m. JazzFest West will be held at Bonelli Park, 120 Via Verde, in San Dimas, California. For tickets or more information, call (949) 360-7800, or visit http://www.omegaevents.com/.

For more information on Sheila E., visit http://www.sheilae.com/. To make a donation to her foundation, visit http://www.elevatehope.org/.

Poetry Lounge

BLACK AND INTELLIGENT:

Being black and being intelligent can be deadly Not physically but emotionally. Often times I feel like I have to dumb myself down in order to keep From seeming stuck up or a MS. KNOW IT ALL. I often see my black brothers and sister who end up never amounting to anything, and that's not where I want to be. I am a young black girl who is happy being her. Happy being educated. Happy knowing that with a little bit of hard work, I can achieve the most high. My own kind looks down on me because of this. Because I want to rise above this chaos. Because I want to have a better life. I'm already left out because I appear to be too light. But what Does it matter if my skin is of a butterscotch hue? Am I less of a black person? Am I unworthy of being with my own kind? So you see, I have it the worst. Due to my skin and my well spoken intellect. At first I wanted to hide behind my ability to shift my swagger And blend in with the quote on quote "Black" crew. But now I've realized that I am no better or no less worthy to call myself black. I am no longer afraid to be intelligent. I am no longer willing to hide me true self to satisfy someone's ego. I am going to be myself. A young girl who is now able to accept the fact that she is BLACK AND INTELLIGENT

Written by Mania M.

Queens and Kings:

Once we were Queens and Kings Now we're just fiends. Enslaved to that almighty green Power and lust eats away at us. From the inside out slowly it devours us Like the virus AIDS It waits and it preys Knowing just when and where to lay its eggs. Playing us off one another Distracting us from the attack on our Holy Mother At the same time destroying our brothers Raping our Sisters blinding our children, Stealing their innocence the whole time claiming repentance Uninterested in the consequence Like vultures they ate away at our culture Leaving us with only the bare bones Generations of our people left feeling all alone The powers that be don't want you to See the truth about idolatry Got you worshiping a "Holy Trinity" There is but One and it is The ALL educate your self before you Fall through that hole that was once your Soul lost forever at the crossroads We tried to warn you before it was too late Now you can't get Into Heavens Gates Until such a time when you find that Divine Love for "self" and ALL mankind!

Written by Aye C

ENTRY TO HEAVEN:

You ask for entry Where is your book of dreams Where is your bag of accomplishments Your book is empty, save your desire to go to heaven Your bag has nothing What did you do? Did you not dream? Did you just stand at the crossroads and not move in one direction, or another? Did you not take chances? Did you love? Did you care? Tell me.
Go back Go back now! Fill that book with dreams Fill that bag with accomplishments Take some chances
I gave you the intellect to accomplish anything you wanted I gave you the cunning to make sound decisions I gave you the creativity to dream good dreams And you stood there and did nothing Loved nothing Cared about no one
Come back when you are ready And entry thru these gates will be guaranteed these pearly gates of heaven.

Written by Paul Alleyne

FORBES.COM

Hip-Hop's Cash Kings
2008Zack O'Malley Greenburg 08.18.08, 6:00 AM ET

It's been some year for Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. In the past 12 months, the Brooklyn, N.Y.-born hip-hop demigod released a platinum album, signed a 10-year, $150 million deal with concert promoter Live Nation and tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Beyoncé Knowles. Quite a record. But only good enough for a silver medal.
While Jay-Z topped Forbes.com's inaugural Hip-Hop Cash Kings list of the top-earning people in the business last year, in 2008 he cedes the throne to Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, who raked in $150 million over the past 12 months--almost twice what Jay-Z made.
In Pictures: The Year's 20 Cash Kings Of Hip-Hop
The new king of hip-hop wealth banked $100 million after taxes on one deal alone when his stake in VitaminWater's parent, Glacéau, was bought by Coca-Cola (nyse: KO - news - people ) as part of a $4.1 billion deal. 50's portfolio also includes the popular G-Unit clothing line and record label, plus films, videogames and a slew of platinum albums, including last year's Curtis. Also in the works: a mining partnership with South African billionaire Partrice Motsepe (see "The 50 Cent Machine").
50 Cent isn't the only star in the growing firmament of "hip-hopreneurs." After years of violent rivalry marked by the murders of such icons as Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., rap's focus has shifted from beef to cake--making money, that is. Unlike most pop and rock musicians, who make the bulk of their earnings from record sales and tours, rappers have more diversified portfolios.
These impresarios have mastered the arts of branding and cross-promotion, with licensing deals for everything from booze to books. Others own record labels, clothing lines, bars and restaurants. As 50 Cent says of lesser entrepreneurs, "They're trying to buy some Gucci / I'm trying to buy the mall."
For the second year in a row, Sean "Diddy" Combs finished third on our list. The ageless Dapper Don of rap banked a cool $35 million from his revenue streams, including his clothing line Sean John, record label Bad Boy, premium vodka Ciroc and two reality-TV shows. Last year Diddy collaborated with fellow list-toppers Jay-Z and 50 Cent to release "I Get Money (The Forbes 1, 2, 3 Remix)" in honor of their success.
Kanye West clocks in at No. 4 with $30 million. The pink-polo-sporting rapper and producer released his third solo album, Graduation, last September. After handily outselling 50 Cent's Curtis in a head-to-head opening-week matchup, West's album went multiplatinum and won four Grammys. West has penned hits for Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Diddy, among others. Earlier this month, he headlined the music festival Lollapalooza in his native Chicago.
Some hip-hop legends don't need to do anything to keep earning outrageous sums of money. Andre "Dr. Dre" Young banked $15 million even though he hasn't had a hit in years--he still gets rich on royalties from two decades of hits. A founder of the seminal rap group N.W.A he released his multiplatinum solo opus The Chronic in 1992 and has produced hits for the likes of Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem and Tupac Shakur.
Tupac himself pulled in a handsome sum this year--about $15 million--even though he's been dead for over 10 years. Tupac is probably having himself a last laugh from beyond the grave, knowing that his onetime friend Suge Knight isn't cashing in on the bonanza. Knight, the bodyguard-turned-president of Death Row Records, long rumored to have arranged Shakur's killing, filed for bankruptcy and put his Malibu, Calif., mansion up for sale last June.

Newz From Da Hood:

ALLHIPHOP.COM

Rumors: By illseed

DISCLAIMER:
All content within this section is pure rumor and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have whispered in our ear. Read on.

TODAY'S RUMORS!

BEEF AT THE BIRDMAN BASH
Shelz has a report from the Birdman’s Birthday bash.
So there was some sort of altercation at Birdman's Birthday bash between TI's PSC Crew and the bros from Shawty Lo's crew D4L. In the wake of Big Kuntry Kane's alleged busted lip we have a video (of course). Now this is supposed to be a diss piece, but there is one very important facet the boys from D4L forgot. To diss someone, the folks you are talking to have to be able to understand what you are saying. As a matter of fact, I have several issues with this video…. So I'm giving suggestions for the Shelz Directors Cut.
1. Try to get some light on your subjects before you are 2:00 in.
2. Refrain from spitting on the camera lens.
3. If you're in tight quarters with no chicks around, I'd suggest all young men be fully dressed.
4. Please try to wait until the camera stops rolling before you give your homie the "Did I just f**k up?" side eye.
And one more thing, take all that Laffy Taffy out of your mouth before you address the viewing audience. I live in the A and even I can't understand what he's saying.
Lesson complete.
TERRENCE DEAN STRIKES AGAIN
I heard that Terrence Dean character is at it again. Yesterday morning on Atlanta's Hot 107.9 morning show, the "Hiding in Hip-Hop" author was on the air and gave a full blown expose on rappers, but didn’t give out any names. Here is what he said of the rappers:
-A rapper from Houston that said his name a lot and gave out his number
-The conversation with Deelishius that we talked about before
-Then the morning show hosts asked him what about a rapper who just sold 2 million and he said,, yes that rapper is a homosexual.
This dude is going to get body-bagged and tagged if he doesn’t be careful. Rappers are gangster and really don’t take that mess.
MISS JONES BOOTED FROM PHILLY?
Uh-OH…. “Miss Jones in the Morning” is gone from Philly, I am hearing. I don’t know why somebody in Philly didn’t hit me up with this information, but I heard Miss Jones has been let go. Her last day was Monday, according to reports. She was in New York at Hot 97 and then transported to WPHI (100.3 the Beat)/Philadelphia. Now, I heard they just have an all-music, no-talk format for the early morning commute. No word on what’s next for Miss Jones in Radio Land, but this cannot be a good look. Still, I think she has a TV venture on BET.
ROSCI RUNNING GAME?
AW man. You know I know Rocsi despises my guts. What can I say? I have to do what I have to do. I’m not 100% sure where this came from, but I think its from Bossip.com. But it was emailed to me that Rocsi was all over Lisa Raye’s hubby’s house in a bathrobe. But the crazy thing is that Lisa Raye admitted to Jawn Murray
Lisa Raye told him personally that Rocsi was having an ‘out in the open’ affair with her husband and that she was going to come on the air and give out her husband’s personal phone numbers so anybody who wanted to could call and ask him why he’s being such a asshole parading his mistress around. I bet Gary Payton’s wife is saying, “That’s what you get bitch!” You ain’t know? LisaRaye was rumored to have been Gary’s thing on the side for years, despite his marriage.
R. KELLY SABOTAGED JOE’S CAREER?
R. Kelly and Joe were once label mates at Jive Records. Well, in a recent interview wth Eurweb.com, Joe alleged that Kellz hated on him and his once stellar career.
"R. Kelly was very instrumental in making a lot of decisions when it came to my records being played on the radio. He would make a call to the radio station or to the label and say, 'Hey, this Joe record is too hot right now. Yall need to pull that back.' And they would oblige."
Now Joe is indie and wants revenge!
"It's incredible that now I get the opportunity to, I don't know, maybe pay [R. Kelly] back in some sort of side bar kind of thing."
"I'm still very relevant in the game. But yeah, he did try to make some decisions when it came down to my records being on fire, and climbing up the charts and on the radio stations. He felt like they should pull back because he felt he was more important. And with their loyalty to him, they obliged."
Joe drops on Sept. 22 via Kedar Entertainment Group.
WOMAN DIES AT LIL’ KIM PARTY?
They are saying that a woman was found dead in a utility closet yesterday on the roof of Times Square night club Spotlight. Here is the brief:
The woman, 24 year old Ingrid Rivera, was identified yesterday by her parents, after her mother reported her missing following her Sunday night attendance at a birthday party at Spotlight for Brooklyn rapper Lil Kim.
Rivera, a Queens, New York resident, was last seen having an altercation with bouncers reportedly over her alcohol intake.
She was surreptitiously separated from her friends by bouncers and was never heard from again.
No suspects have been named yet, but click here for the entire story.

MAX B TALKS ABOUT JIM JONES AND SHOOTING
Max B aka the wavy Silver Surfer right here.
He talks about Jim and how he has a NEW situation. But Jim Jones has stated that Max B is still under contract with him. He says, “Jim don’t want that wave to pop off.” I think Max B thinks he can beat Jim. He did seem to express that he could get back… Anyway…just check that audio.
ILLSEED’S QUICKIES
With a huge rock on her ring finger, Rihanna and Chris Brown are reportedly engaged.
Aw man! This is crazy. They are saying the Morgan Freeman’s wife is going to divorce him – right after the car accident! (Morgan just got caught out there, g. I wonder if he was getting a “Teddy Pendergrass?”) Click here if you want to see how Morgan used to rap in the 70s.
Usher and his mother have reunited. He’s re-hired her as his manager.
Mary J. Blige is staring at a $2 million federal suit where a producer is charging that the Queen of Hip-Hop and R&B stole songs from her CD Growing Pains .
They are saying that Lauryn Hill’s youngest child (7 months old) has no name yet. In the meantime, they allegedly call the kid “Baby Marley” until they decide on a moniker.
Former porn star Jenna Jameson is pregnant with former Ultimate Fighting Champion Tito Ortiz. I wonder if they will name the baby “Former.”
Detox is coming. All these new businesses for Dr. Dre are meant to lead up to the release of the new album. He is about to launch "Aftermath Cognac," an 80-proof liquor.
RANDOM QUOTES
Big Boi talking the talk as it pertains to his music in 2008 [Read full story here]:
“We’ve sold 40 million records worldwide and won awards so at this point there is nothing to prove. Everybody knows what we are about so right now it’s just all about making good, good music. So as long as it’s still fun for me and I still got my heart in it I’m gonna keep my foot on these n****s necks.” [Got Killer Mike?
Lil Wayne reportedly rapped this in an interview:
“I’m gon’ eat a Xanny / I’m gon’ eat some candy And the candy prolly won’t help But if it makes you feel good, it’s good for your health!”
Toby Keith needs to shut up...what an idiot.
“Even though the black society would pull for him I still think that they think in the back of their mind that the only reason he is in [the general election] is because he talks, acts and carries himself as a Caucasian.”

Fallen Star: By illseed

Bernie Mac had been around for years, but when I first really took notice of him was – ironically – under a Hip-Hop platform.

“I ain’t scared of you mother f***kers,” Bernie Mac screamed at the Def Comedy Jam audience.

I loved his style.

He was a rebel. His comedic routine was for his fan base and he refused to change it to fit in the American norm. He made the other side come to him and he was hugely successful for his ability to be audacious, but thought provoking as well.

People should understand that Bernie was a total father, husband and family man. I am hearing his family is hurting. I am hearing that even is TV family is in tremendous pain, because Mac was such a great person.

So, we mourn. (Read the news story here.)

But let’s also celebrate, if possible. Bernie Mac made so many people laugh and escape the daily stress and pressure of life. He made us laugh until our stomachs hurt, until tears streamed down our faces.His favorite phrase was "Kick ass" and that's just what Bernie Mac did every step of the way as a comic.
He’ll always be alive due to the quality of his life and efforts as an entertainer.

Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and extended family

Kanye Feels the T-Pain at BET Awards:
Natalie Finn Los Angeles (E! Online) -

T-Pain has a knack for showing up in the right place at the right time. "I'd like to thank T-Pain for gettin' on the record with me," said Kanye West, a two-time winner Tuesday at the 2008 BET Awards, upon accepting their award for Best Collaboration on the Graduation tune "Good Life." "This man's a genius. What he does, what he writes...we're blessed to be in this man's presence." The 22-year-old rapper-producer, a featured artist on no less than 18 singles (so far) in 2007 and 2008, entered the evening with a leading five nominations, although his shared win with West was it for now. West was also named Best Male Hip-Hop Artist for the second time, his first win in that category coming in 2005, when Late Registration was still a new album.
Alicia Keys, the only female winner who was in the house tonight, was named Best Female R&B Artist, and took the opportunity to let the moment sink in. "I just wanna say that we are so incredible, we are such an incredible people," the platinum-selling songstress said coyly. "We are so beautiful and fly, and everybody wants to be like us...I mostly want to thank all of you that are watching and standing here right now. Without you...I really really appreciate you very much.
"I want to dedicate this to all the other nominees, because we put so much heart and soul into everything." The three-hour ceremony at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium was about as straightforward as it gets (albeit a great deal more nspirational than your standard kudosfest). Effects-heavy performances by Usher (on his suggestive single "Love in This Club") and Best Male R&B Artist Chris Brown (a "With You"-"Take You Down" medley) and a frenzied hootenanny featuring T-Pain, Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Ludacris and Big Boi provided the evening's liveliest moments. (And it may just be us, but it sure seemed as if a lot of tonight's presenters, especially Sean "Diddy" Combs, were all hyped up about someone named Barack Obama.) "I want to dedicate this award to the end of the word can't. That word is dead, we don't know that word. Obama, y'all," Keys reminded the crowd at the end of her acceptance speech. But while the ceremony didn't lack for schtick, nor did it lack for touching moments. "This is hard for me to accept tonight. We did an incredible job, I feel, but it's hard to do this with my brother not being here," Bun B, the surviving half of Houston rap duo UGK, said in tribute to his departed longtime partner Pimp C, who unexpectedly passed away in December. UGK's "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)", featuring Outkast, was named Video of the Year. During the untelevised portion of the festivities, UGK was deemed Best Group, as well. Well-deserved honors were also handed out to prolific producer Quincy Jones and Motown icon Al Green, whose most recent album, Lay It Down, earned the renowned soul singer his first Top 10 slot on the Billboard 200 since 1973. "The Al Green sound is Saturday night and Sunday morning—and it is forever," John Legend said in feting this year's recipient of the BET Lifetime Achievement Award.
"I'm so honored and humbled by the academy of BET Awards—what y'all laughin' at?" Green began, acknowledging that he wasn't exactly sure who decides on the winners, either.
"I want to thank all the people that stood by me when I put out the wrong record, when I put out the right record and all of you who've been so faithful. I've been doing this 30 years. You've been so faithful, I should at least let you see my eyes."
And with that, he whipped off his sunglasses, to much applause, and said, "Thank you so much, bye-bye!" before easing into his biggest hit, "Let's Stay Together."
Jones, one of the founders of the Institute for Black American Music, received the Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic efforts over the years, including his continued work with his Listen Up Foundation, which has teamed with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to build more than 100 homes in South Africa. "It is a brilliant honor for me to be here tonight," the dapper 75-year-old said." I just want to say that I understand what it feels like to be on the bottom—I come from the south side of Chicago, so don't nobody tell me about ghet-to."
"Somehow that never leaves you...Always ask why, because you cannot separate your life" from others. And, quoting Tolstoy, he continued, "Nobody has to starve while I eat."
And to the youngsters in the crowd: "When it rains, get wet. Live your life, baby, and live it real...They say you can't get an A if you're afraid of getting an F...I promise I hope to always live up to this honor..." The evening was further highlighted by performances from Rihanna; Best Gospel Artist Marvin Sapp; Keys, who led a '90s revival with appearances by TLC's T-Boz and Chilli, En Vogue and SWV; Ne-Yo; Keyshia Cole; Young Jeezy; Nelly, Ciara and Jermaine Dupri; and hip-hop's current savior, the million-record-selling Lil Wayne.
Here's the complete list of winners from the 2008 BET
Awards:

• Video of the Year: UGK featuring Outkast, "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)" • Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown • Best Female R&B Artist: Alicia Keys • Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kanye West • Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Missy Elliott • Best Gospel Artist: Marvin Sapp • Best New Artist: The-Dream • Best Group: UGK
• Best Collaboration: Kanye West featuring T-Pain, "Good Life" • Best Video Director: Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto • Viewers' Choice Award: Lil Wayne featuring Static, "Lollipop" • BET J Award: Raheem DeVaughn • Best Actor: Denzel Washington • Best Actress: Halle Berry • Female Athlete of the Year: Candace Parker

Kanye West rails against Bonnaroo criticism :
By JAKE COYLE, AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK - Kanye West defended himself from criticism over his delayed performance at Bonnaroo, saying on his blog that the flak he's taken has left him "the most offended I've ever been." West's performance at the Tennessee festival was scheduled for 2:45 a.m. in the early morning of June 15. West didn't take the stage until 4:25 a.m., angering much of the crowd who had stayed up late to see the rapper perform.
The delay was caused by problems setting up West's elaborate stage set, which included an interplanetary landscape of a wavy black platform and a video screen above. Pearl Jam, who had performed on the main stage earlier that evening, also went an hour over its scheduled time. While waiting for West's concert to begin, many in the crowd pelted the stage with glow sticks and beer. At the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, which traditionally has favored jam bands, West's delayed show became a kind of rallying point, leading to "Kanye sucks" chants and criticism from pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, who played later the same day. Writing Tuesday on his blog at http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_en_mu/storytext/music_kanye_west_bonnaroo/28013998/SIG=1102gcont/*http://www.kanyeuniversity.com in almost all caps, West said he was offended that anyone would think he doesn't care about his fans and blamed the delay on festival organizers. "This Bonnaroo thing is the worst insult I've ever had in my life," West wrote. "This is the most offended I've ever been ... this is the maddest I ever will be." West was critical of the festival for not releasing a statement in his defense. The morning after the show, The Associated Press asked festival spokesman Ken Weinstein about the delay. Weinstein said it was simply a matter of unloading the Pearl Jam stage after its set (which went until about 1:15 a.m.) and loading the West stage. Following his performance, West's publicist didn't reply to a request from The AP for West's take on the criticism. In his blog posting, West said he and the festival organizers (Bonnaroo is put on by Superfly Productions and AC Entertainment) went back and forth for a month on how his stage could fit at the festival. He said it was clear he was "dealing with ... idiots who didn't really have the capacity to really put on this show properly." Weinstein on Wednesday relayed a statement on behalf of the festival that did not specifically address West's complaints but read: "Our world-class event production team strives to accommodate the needs of every performer." West also blamed thrown bottles for malfunctions with his "Jane screen." (In the concept concert, Jane is the HAL-like disembodied female robotic voice of his spaceship.) But the stage crew appeared to be having difficulty with the screen well before anything was thrown from the crowd. West's set was originally scheduled for 8:15 p.m. the night of June 14, but the rapper requested it be moved later in the evening so it was sufficiently dark for his "glow-in-the-dark" performance. But because of the late start, midway through his performance the morning light began to show — revealing a substantially thinned-out audience.
"It broke my heart that I couldn't give these fans `Stronger' in its greatest form," said West, referring to his hit song. "I'm sorry to everyone that I didn't have the ability 2 give the performance I wanted to. I'm sorry." West concluded by saying his elaborate stage cuts his payday in half and leaves him icing his knees. "Call me what you want," he said, "but never say I didn't give my all!"

TEENMUSIC.COM:

Hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz has fuelled rumors that Michael Jackson is planning a live return - after revealing he has been in talks to work on a tour by the pop superstar.
if The Thriller hitmaker has already enlisted the talents of R+B stars Ne-Yo and Akon to work on his forthcoming Lp, and now Swizz Beatz has confirmed he is contributing to the project as well. But Swizz also admits there has been talk about some live shows. He tells MTV.com, "I'm working on this new Michael Jackson s**t. I'm probably gonna be producing his tour and everything." Jackson prompted speculation he will headline his own Las Vegas residency when an equity group linked to the Las Vegas Hilton helped him save his Neverland Ranch from foreclosure earlier this year.
He has also made a number of personal appearances in the Nevada city of late.

CONTACTMUSIC.COM:

Rap group; BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY:

have reunited after healing a rift with bandmember BIZZY BONE.Founding member Krayzie Bone admits the group is planning a return to the music industry after making amends with Bizzy, and following the release of incarcerated group member Flesh next month (Jul08).Flesh - real name Stanley Howse - was jailed for 11 years after he threatened a man with a loaded AK-47 weapon.Krayzie tells AllHipHop.com, "Flesh will be home 10 July, he's supposed to be getting out. Bizzy was at one of my last shows in Riverside (California). We had a good conversation there... When everything got right, we was (sic) gonna come back together and do what we had to do."As far as Bone as a group and us, we together. It ain't (sic) just a rumour... We are trying to put it all back together for real."Bizzy was kicked out of the group in 2002 as a result of his excessive drug and alcohol use and various personal issues.

HIPHOPDX.COM:

Swizz Beatz Shuts Down Alicia Keys Rumors
June 18th, 2008 Author: Andres Tardio:

Alicia Keys breaking up a marriage? No, according to Swizz Beats. Recently, tabloid rumors have swirled regarding the producer and the singer. Now, Swizz has replied with his side of the story and rejects all the rumors that Alicia Keys had something to do with his divorce.
"That sh** just looks like drama," he told MTV. "They got another big name involved. No, I'm not doing [any] f***ing interviews. Only thing I'm commenting on is music-related. I don't comment on my personal life. Why start now? You start commenting on that sh**, then they start twisting it out. I'm not gonna speak about nothing. They [gave Mashonda] two pages in Hip Hop Weekly. She didn't even say nothing about Alicia. They blew it up on MediaTakeout.com. They flipped that into some other sh**."
"I'm not hiding anything. I can see if I was hiding something. I'm a grown man. Nobody is living no perfect life. Mashonda has a single coming out that I funded, photo shoots that I funded. We made our statement that we're still working together. They didn't wanna believe it. I said I would be continuing to support her career. Nobody wants to look at that sh**. They wanna look at 'Alicia Keys.' That sh** is ignorant." To clarify, Swizz worked on the remix to Alicia Keys' "Teenage Love Affair" which also features LL Cool J. Beatz is currently also finishing up his new album, Life After the Party set for a Fall 2008 release. Expect a single, "Where the Cash At?" out soon.

Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 6/15/08
June 18th, 2008 Author: Andreas Hale:

It's all about Lil Wayne this week. The question wasn't if Weezy would take the number one spot, it was how he would take that top slot. Weezy slammed the competition with a staggering 1,005,545 copies sold of Tha Carter 3. This number eclipses the 957k that Kanye West's Graduation pulled in back in September. A big congratulations to Lil Wayne.
Not to be outdone, Plies shocked the world by pushing 214k copies of his sophomore album, Definition Of Real, to secure the #2 slot. Usher still stands tall at #5 while N.E.R.D. debuts impressively at the seven hole with Seeing Sounds selling just a shade under 80k.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B) Rank, Artist Album This Week
Total:

1. Lil Wayne: Tha Carter 3: 1,005,545-1,007,706
2. Plies: Definition Of Real: 214,532-214,902
5. Usher: Here I Stand: 100,807-689,332
7. N.E.R.D.: Seeing Sounds: 79,968-80,075
13. Ashanti: Declaration: 33,898-120,386

Elsewhere on the charts, Mariah Carey hits the platinum plateau as E=MC2 clocks in another 27k units to push the total to 1,024,861. Bun B is still making noise with little promotion as his II Trill album lands at the #29 spot with just under 20k sold. The Flobots are surprisingly still hanging around the top 50 as Fight With Tools slips into the #37 slot with 16,000 sold. Weezy's protege, Tyga, makes his debut further down the charts with No Introduction landing at the #112 spot with 6,787 sold.
Other Notables: Rank, Artist, Album
This Week
Total:

21. Mariah Carey: E=MC2: 27,117 -1,024,861
29. Bun B: II Trill: 19,994-182,541
37. Flobots: Fight With Tools: 16,542-108,250
50. Rick Ross : Trilla : 13,804 -577,486
112. Tyga: No Introduction: 6,787-6,795

Can Lil Wayne keep the momentum going in his second week? With release from G-Unit, Nas and Game around the corner, will Wayne have competition on the charts? Keep it tuned to DX to see how things play .

Young Jeezy Arrested:
June 19th, 2008 Author: Slava Kuperstein:

Rapper Young Jeezy was arrested yesterday (June 18) by Atlanta police for several driving-related charges: driving under the influence, speeding, reckless driving, no tags, driving with an open container and no proof of insurance.
According to MTV News, police reports indicate that Jeezy was stopped along Atlanta's Buford Highway for speeding. An officer noticed that the vehicle was missing its license plates, and "Everything just went from there," said police spokesperson Officer James Polite.
A statement from Jeezy's attorney, Scott Leemon, explained that the rapper was coming home from the recording studio. "After being charged with various automobile-related offenses, Jeezy was quickly processed and released. A court date has been scheduled, and Jeezy looks forward to getting the matter resolved."
The arrest came days after Jeezy was name-dropped in court in a major cocaine-dealing ring, according to Atlanta newsweekly Creative Loafing. Ralph "Ralphie" Simms allegedly spoke the rapper's name several times during court proceedings, though Justice Department spokesman Patrick Crosby explained that the allegations were unlikely to translate into criminal proceedings.
"Not in the 22 years I have covered court cases as a reporter, nor in all my time with the Justice Department," explained Crosby. "A defendant or witness can trot out any name they want. It happens all the time."
Currently, Jeezy is out on bail and due in

ALLHIPHOP.CM: Daily News/Rumors/Reviews:

By Chris Richburg:

How’s everything going, everybody? Happy 4th of July! It was a short week as former vice president Al Gore officially endorsed Barack Obama for President, while jazz singer Rene Marie caught a lot of attention for singing the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," when she was asked to perform the "Star Spangled Banner."

Venus and Serena Williams facing each other for the first time since 2003 in the Wimbledon final, and paparazzi made the trek to France to stake out the hospital where Angelina Jolie is planning to have her twins.

Congratulations to former American Idol contestant Paris Bennett, who is expecting her first child. Shout out to the sounding boards for being geared towards independence when thinking on freedom.

So here's another fine mess...the Last Word for the week ending July 4, 2008.

1. Stevie Wonder Talks About Freaky Possibilities on Record

Say the name Stevie Wonder, and many things come to mind. Legendary singer, activist, humanitarian. No questions the man has an enviable string of hits that will outlive most artists’ careers, let alone the artists themselves.

So picture for a minute what would happen if the great Stevie Wonder decided to channel R.Kelly and unleash his inner freak in song? Sounds interesting, but don’t expect Wonder to travel down that road anytime soon.

"I don't think I would do a song that said can we $%*! right now or anything like that. I don't think I would do something like that, or a song that said certain things, whether it be 30 years ago or right now," the singer told the Associated Press when asked if he ever wanted to as much freedom to get raw on record back in the day.

"I don't see myself as doing that just because there are other ways to say what you wanna say without saying it like that. That's private business... I'm not an advocate of giving everything up. [laughs]"

No surprise there, but it does make you think. What if Stevie went there and sang "Part-time Lover" from a different viewpoint? Or maybe even "I Just Called To Say I Love You" as "I Just Called to Say I’d F**k You?”

Good thing Mr. Wonder put the freak on a leash and left the kinky stuff to those who use his influence to paint a sensual picture of whatever episode they’re starring in. Makes you feel so “overjoyed.”

2. Amy Winehouse Gets Waxed by Madame Tussaud

The living soap opera that is Amy Winehouse continues to roll on as the embattled diva is now striking a chord with the folks at Madame Tussaud’s wax museum.

The famous museum is planning to unveil a wax figure of Winehouse later this month in London. Look for the figure to feature sailor tattoos and Amy’s trademark beehive hairdo.

The figure will join the fellow waxed likenesses of Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix at a gallery of pop and rock stars. Madame Tussaud’s general manager Edward Fuller had nothing but kind words when relaying the joy in creating the wax figure.

"She is a real icon in modern British music, a continual award winner, and an internationally recognized star widely requested by our guests," he told The Age newspaper.

Just what we’ve been wanting. A life-sized model of a talented but drug-addicted singer that never met a tabloid she wasn’t featured in. If they really wanted to get the wax figure just right, why not make the beehive a little messed up, feature marks on the arms and let’s not forget that essential crack pipe.

I’m just saying. Let’s let art truly imitate life, why don’t we?

3. George Clinton and El DeBarge Become Gangsters of Love

I never thought I would see the day when a member of the DeBarge family would join forces with George Clinton, but it looks like Dr. Funkenstein has recruited El DeBarge for his upcoming album George Clinton and Some Gangsters of Love.

The two along with Sly Stone, appear on a reworking of Marvin Gaye’s "Ain't That Peculiar." The new project features a variety of cover songs, as additional guest stars Carlos Santana, RZA, System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and gospel singer Kim Burrell all do their part to help Clinton, who admitted that the album "started out with me doing some doo wop songs" before his friends started dropping in to contribute in their own way.

Among the songs covered by Clinton are Shirley & Lee's "Let the Good Times Roll" with the Chili Peppers, Barry White's "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up," Johnny Ace's "Pledging My Love," Shep & the Heartbreak's "A Thousand Miles Away," Bobby Rydell's "Kissin' Time," Ruby & the Romantics' "Our Day Will Come" and the Impressions' "Gypsy Woman," with Santana. The only new song is the Burrell-featured "Mathematics of Love."

All of this comes on the 40th anniversary of P-Funk as Clinton shared plans of putting out an album of new P-Funk songs in early 2009.

4. Rodney Jerkins Practices Reinvention With Britney Spears

As one of the best-known producers in music today, Rodney Jerkins’ track record speaks for itself. So why is the beatmaker putting in work to elevate Britney Spears back to the pop queen throne? (Other than the paycheck, of course).

To hear him tell it, Jerkins is hard at work with the troubled songbird on some "very dancey, really up-tempo, aggressive, catchy, and hook friendly" stuff for two songs on her forthcoming album.

"I'm trying to reinvent her and reinvent myself with her project," the producer recently told Rap-Up TV.

With Britney’s well-documented partying, public flashing and personal issues, you would think that working in the studio with her would be a task and some change, but Jerkins told People that she has been professional during their sessions as "[Britney] walked in at 8:30 and was out by 10:30" when comparing her work ethic to artists who take a long time to record their material.

So what does that equal? Maybe a solid return to the charts, Rodney says. "It's about to be her time again."

We’ll see…the jury’s still out. After all, everybody loves an underdog, right?

5. Lyfe Jennings Sings for The Cause

Having a voice in today’s music industry is a good thing. Using that voice for a good cause is priceless. Media sources report that Lyfe Jennings has joined forces with Music World Entertainment and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a new HIV/AIDS initiative.

The singer will work with the program during his Baby I’m a Star tour, which kicked off last week in North Myrtle Beach, SC. The initiative’s goal of the alliance is to promote awareness, education and testing across the United States in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis among African-Americans.

For Jennings, the chance to put his talent to work for a worthwhile effort was a no-brainer.

"I have to use my voice to help raise awareness so that we can really bring an end to this thing," he said. "This disease has affected all of our lives, but we can definitely do things to prevent its spread and to protect ourselves."

6. New Edition Unite With New Kids on the Block for Full Service Collabo

For all the ‘80s babies (even you Pretty Ricky) and obsessive boy band admirers out there, here is something to talk about. New Edition has hit the studio to record a song with none other than New Kids on the Block

People.com reports that the collabo titled "Full Service” came just days after Ralph and the boys were honored with the Golden Note Award at the 21st annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul awards. It is slated to appear on NKTOB’s as yet untitled comeback album.

According to the song’s producer, RedOne, it was New Kid’s resident bad boy Donnie Wahlberg who came up with the idea for the supergroups to unite. In fact, he sat on it for a few months until he found the right song to get everybody on.

And if you’re wondering how the track sounds, RedOne revealed that there were no egos or attitudes involved in the recording as it came off as "very universal and melodic and has both sides in it." "The R&B, which is New Edition and the pop side for New Kids. It's very uplifting. Right away you start feeling good and every part feels natural to each one of the guys."

And if I didn’t answer the other big question, here it is. Bobby was not involved in the all-star track. But weren’t these guys beefing with each other back in the day? After all, let’s face it. NKOTB did resemble NE in style and image. But they took it to the other level when they became an ‘80s phenomenon.

So that’s gotta result in some jealousy, right Ralph?

"The thing people were going back and forth with was we'd been doing what we were doing for the longest [but] we couldn't get cartoons and things that the white guys were getting. It was like, 'wow,'" he said. "But the guys themselves, we have mad love."

I guess anything is possible. Maybe that Hangin’ Tough For a Candy Girl tour can jump off…

In Other Words...

* Keyshia Cole continues to make a name for herself, as she is now hooked up with the nation’s largest African-American-owned hair care company to be the face of Luster Products Inc.’s Brand Smooth Touch.

* Usher wants to take playing Marvin Gaye beyond his portrayal of the R&B icon on the TV show American Dreams. According to WENN, the crooner is hoping to play Gaye in a big screen version of Gaye’s life. "I want to be the person who tells the story of Marvin Gaye because I understand the conflict he had as a man," Usher said. We’ll see what happens.

*Nicole Scherzinger’s duet with Sting, titled "Power's Out," has been selected as the music for a Revlon advertising campaign featuring actress Jessica Alba.

* Looks like the Commodores aren’t the only old school group getting back together. Labelle, the R&B trio featuring Patti Labelle is working on a reunion album that will hit stores on Sept. 23.

By Ismael AbduSalaam:

Superstar Kanye West teamed with Absolut Vodka to release a comical video yesterday (July 2) entitled “Be Kanye.”

The lighthearted, 1 minute commercial is an advertisement shot in retro 80’s format complete with loud colors and cheesy sound effects.

In the commercial, Kanye hawks a fictional product named “Be Kanye.”

The dissolvable tablet enables the user to receive the “famous superstar power” of West. The spot ends with a toll free number to order and pricing at the familiar figure of $19.95.

The commercial is the latest project between West and Absolut Vodka since a sponsorship deal was announced in February 2008.

The influential brand recently organized after parties for West on his Glow in the Dark tour.

By Ismael AbduSalaam:

With his new movie set to be another summer blockbuster, rapper/actor Will Smith surprised audience members at the Hancock premier party earlier this week, by reuniting with long-time collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The duo showed no rustiness from years apart, as they started their set with their Hip-Hop classic, “Summertime.”

Harking back to his early shows in seminal places like Union Square, the former Fresh Prince utilized his trademark call and response interaction with the crowd, as he fashioned additional rhymes over 50 Cent's “In the Club.”

While the crowd was mostly full of reserved movie goers, there were a few knowledgeable Hip-Hop fans in attendance.

As Smith tried to make an exit, the fans chanted loudly for the duo to perform “Brand New Funk,” off their Grammy winning and multi-platinum sophomore album He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper.

The group obliged, and Smith had no problem delivering the rapid-fire rhymes of his youth.

Jazzy Jeff, who has become a highly sought after party DJ and producer since the group’s amicable split, had no problems re-creating the frenetic scratches of the classic record, to close out the performance.

As a group, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince have 5 albums together: three gold, one platinum and one multi-platinum.

The duo is planning a summer tour together in conjunction with the Hancock film, which debuted on July 2.

Hancock is predicated to gross $70 to $80 million this July 4 weekend.

Counting projected ticket sales from the 3,695 theaters that screened the movie late Tuesday night (July 1), other analysts are predicting a total North American gross of over $100 million dollars.

Smith’s previous opening weekend best was I Am Legend, which grossed $77.2 million last December.

By Tai Saint Louis:

Master P and Romeo are out to prove their clothing line’s motto as “The Great American Brand,” by making P. Miller Designs accessible to more families.

The affordable clothing line aimed at teens and young adults will now be available at Wal-Mart stores nationwide, becoming the discount chain’s first African-American Hip-Hop supplier.

Hoping to provide an alternative to higher priced brands, P. Miller offers working class families the option of following Hip-Hop styles, for a fraction of the price.

In addition to the existing men’s line – with prices running from $9 dollars for a shirt to $20 dollars for a pair of jeans, the company will introduce a new women’s line as part of the new partnership with Wal-Mart.

Miller Peaches will consist of items retailing for no more than $10 apiece.

“We use the same factories and the same materials as Sean John, Rocawear, and Ed Hardy,” said Master P. “These are quality clothes you'd normally find at a department store like Macy's. Now you can pick up the same high-end fashion at an affordable price.

“This is the makings of a great partnership with the number-one retailer in the world,” continued the father/business impresario. “Wal-Mart is making a lot of opportunities available to minority-owned companies that are ready to do business with a big corporation. Together we’re making it cool to shop for clothes at Wal-Mart.”

As the P. Miller Designs brand continues to expand, with shoes, jewelry, fragrances and an eco-friendly organic line on the way, the company is also committed to continuing Master P’s longstanding history of community improvement and empowerment.

P. Miller Designs offers inner-city kids the chance to explore the world of fashion and design, creating jobs and opportunities those youngsters might not usually have access to.

TODAY'S RUMORS:

SHAQ TAKES AN “L”

I don’t know if you all know, but Shaq always wanted to be cop or a sheriff at least. Well now, because of his now-infamous “how does my a** taste” freestyle, Mr. O'Neal will lose his special deputy's badge in Maricopa County. He mocked Kobe Bryant, but it was the language that ruffled the feathers of Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Phoenix. Arpaio made Shaq a special deputy earlier this year and even promoted him to colonel just this month. “I want his two badges back," Arpaio told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Because if any one of my deputies did something like this, they're fired. I don't condone this type of racial conduct." This Arpaio is the same dude that makes inmates wear pink underwear. This included Mike Tyson so no love for him! You can’t do that to Iron Mike!

NEW R.KELLY!

OHHH…all you fans want that post-trial treat, don’t you? Check out the new R. Kelly song called “Playas Get Lonely.” Click here to listen to it. Apparently, Mr. Kellz is looking to drop another album this year to make back all the money he spent on those fine lawyers of his.

JD AND JANET….SITTING IN A TREE…

All types of goodies are coming down for Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson. They told People that they are going to pop out a lil’ guy/girl after she finishes this tour. Hint: go to the tour before Janet gets all pregged up. JD told People, “It really doesn’t matter (if we have a boy or a girl), Janet would be a great mom. She was around so many brothers and sisters all her life, so she’s got to know what that is (like). And her mom is a great mother.”

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

Blessing! I am not sure, but I heard that Phife’s health is doing much better than last year when we saw him. If you don’t know Phife, keel yo’ self.

LMAO: You might have seen this already last night. T-Pain and Lil Wayne are planning to do a 'Best of Both Worlds' sort of album and guess what its called? T-Wayne! The album title: He Rap, He Sing.

Ne-Yo vs R. Kelly? We all heard Ne-Yo “A Milli,” but is it possible he’s dissing R. Kelly? Apparently, Ne-Yo has been doing interviews and giving shout outs to R. Kelly. Remember when Kellz did “I’m A Beast”? Is this payback?

This year, next year: I heard that Slim Thugga is going to be dropping another album later this year or early next year.

LADY DRAMA CATCHES US UP

Yesterday, Lady Drama sent me these rumors and I totally missed them. But this is good, because I actually caught up on myself!

Remy Ma's Victim is all about that paper...... The victim of the Remy Ma shooting is now looking to collect her lump sum from their lawsuit that resulted in Ramy Ma going to prison: “In a lawsuit filed in the Bronx, Makeda Barnes-Joseph doesn’t just go after Remy, she wants coin from Remy’s music label and even the pizza joint where she and Remy were boozing before she got shot. She claims that Universal Music received ‘financial profit and economic benefit from the unlawful, violent and anti-social conduct’ of Ma. As for The Pizza Bar, Makeda says they kept serving Remy even though she was ‘visibly’ [drunk]“. Wow this chick won't stop until she's set for life huh! What ever happened to just getting justice! Jailhouse Rock... The DMX Edition This goes into what illseed reported earlier. Shaq cops a plea on his freestyle rap: “I was freestyling. That’s all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever. That is what MCs do. They freestyle when called upon. I’m totally cool with Kobe. No issue at all. And by the way, don’t forget, six albums, two platinum, two gold. Anybody who knows me knows I’m a funny freestyler. Check the NBA DVD when I was rapping about Vlade Divac during my first championship run. Please tell everybody don’t make something out of nothing.” What an Indian giver......... You can't take a diss back!

THE GAME PUSHED BACK!

If you are worried about The Game’s new album, because it has been pushed back, don’t be. First, the new release date is August 22, so don’t go looking for it in July. But, I have word from people that heard the album that it is a really good album and it will do well of its artistic merits. I think everybody needed to put some distance between their albums and Lil’ Wayne’s Carter III. He has a new song called “Dope Boys” and he implores Dr. Dre to “pick up the phone” before he climbs in his house and says “I’m home.” Game is crazy.

AKON AND MIJAC!

Akon’s new single features Michael Jackson – YEP! That’s what I am hearing. From what I understand Akon is taking his game to the level above next level and working with the “gloved one.” But what is going to be even more incredible, is they are even going to do a video for this song. Guess when it comes out? Late July. You heard from from the illest to the seed right here. I would LOVE for Mike to come back. It may not be Thriller but I saw about three Michael Jacksons and the BET Awards and its time for the original.

Shout out to Quincy Jones.

EXTREME INTEL: G-UNIT

If you have been under a rock, you know that AllHipHop.com’s Extreme Intel series rolls on with G-Unit. This is a 5-part series. There are two parts on the site now.

Click here for Part 1 – G-Unit speaks about their next album, T.O.S.

Click here for Part 2 - In part 2, G-Unit speakson the music, mixtapes, more T.O.S and Fat Joe!

2 PISTOLS REPLIES TO THE KNOCKOUT CHARGES

I got this from 2 Pistols reply to Dolla knocking him out.

THIS *Brother* IS WACK HE CAME UP 2 ME IN THE B.E.T. RADIO EVENT TALKING 2 ME ABOUT MY RECORD SAYIN PAYNE TRYED 2 SELL HIM MY RECORD 1ST BEFORE I GOT IT AND I TOLD HIM STRAIGHT UP IN HIS FACE THATS BULLSHIT PAYNE AINT WRITE MY RECORD THE BEAT WAS FOR SALE NEVER THE SONG MY *Brother* BOLO WANTED 2 SELL THE BEAT AGAIN IF ANYBODY WANTED 2 TWEAK IT AND DO A NEW RECORD ON IT..... HE SAY NOTHING JUST LOOK AT ME AND PUT HIS HEAD DOWN... I TURNED AND WALKED WAY AWAY THEN THIS *Brother* RAN UP AND STOLE ME.... AND RAN OUT THE fµck EVENT I CHASE THE *Brother* WITH A CHAIR THE COPS GRABBED ME AND THAT *Brother* JUMPED IN HIS SUV AND DIPPED....

NOW HES A DEAD MAN WALKIN

Shout out to Miss Mouth. You know, I wouldn’t punch a guy named 2 Pistols. Maybe if his name was 2 Fists or 2 Karate Feet. That’s me.

STOP MESSING WITH KANYE!!

On his blog, Kanye released a lot of steam. We are probably really fortunate, he isn’t a gangster rapper. I feel for his computer. But, read this…it is very insightful and ‘Ye comes from the heart.

Take it away, Kanye:

I am sick of negative people who just sit around trying 2 plot my downfall... Why???? I understand if people don't like me because I like me or if people think tight clothes look gay or people say I run my mouth to much, But this Bonnaroo thing is the worst insult I've ever had in my life. This is the most offended I've ever been... this is the maddest I ever will be. I'm typing so fucking hard I might break my fucking Mac book Air!!!!!!!! Call me any name you want.... arrogant, conceited, narcissistic, racist, metro, fag whatever you can think of.... BUT NEVER SAY I DIDN'T GIVE MY ALL! NEVER SAY I DIDN'T GIVE MY ALL! THIS SHOWS NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY TO BE GOOD AT SOMETHING THERE WILL BE PEOPLE THERE TO LIE ABOUT YOU AND BRING YOU DOWN! LIKE WAYNE SAYS PLEASE DON'T SHOOT ME DOWN CAUSE I'M FLYING! I'M FUCKING HURT BY THIS ONE. ALL I CARE ABOUT ARE THE FANS. JUST SAY THIS OUT LOUD IN A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE, "KANYE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT GIVING A GOOD PERFORMANCE." CAN ANYONE HONESTLY SAY THAT ????????? HAS ANYONE EVEN TAKEN THE TIME TO AT LEAST DO THE MATH??? BONNAROO SHOULD HAVE RELEASED A STATEMENT IN MY DEFENSE BUT SINCE THEY HAVEN'T LET'S BREAK DOWN THE WALLS ON THIS TRUMAN SHOW AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT REALLY OCCURRED!!! FOR OVER A MONTH WE WENT BACK AND FORTH ON WETHER OR NOT WE COULD EVEN FIT MY STAGE AT THE FESTIVAL. ONE DAY THEY WOULD SAY YES... WE'D SEND THEM OUR SPECS THEN THEY THEY'D SAY OK... THEN THEY WOULD SEND SPECS BACK THAT DIDN'T FIT THE STAGE. WE WERE OBVIOUSLY DEALING WITH FUCKING IDIOTS WHO DIDN'T REALLY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO REALLY PUT ON THIS SHOW PROPERLY. THEY TRIED 2 GIVE ME A TIME SLOT WERE IT WAS STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE ... I HAVE A FUCKING LIGHT SHOW DUMB ASS, IT'S NOT CALLED GLOW IN THE DARK FOR NO REASON SQUID BRAINS! MY PEOPLE WORKED OUT A COMPROMISED STAGE PLOT AND A 3AM TIME SLOT AND I AGREED. FAST FOWARD TO THE DAY OF THE SHOW. MY PRODUCTION MANAGER TRIED TO LOAD IN FOR 24 HOURS BEFORE I WENT ON STAGE BUT THE FESTIVAL WOULDN'T ALLOW US TO DO ANYTHING UNTILL PEARL JAM LEFT THE STAGE. PEARL JAM ENDED ONE HOUR LATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AT THAT POINT WE'RE RACING AGAINST THE SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AT 4:20AM DON COMES BACK 2 THE BUS AND TELLS ME, " IT WOULD TAKE 45 MORE MINUTES TO PUT ALL YOUR PYRO IN!" I SAY I HAVE TO GET OUT THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE . I HIT THE STAGE AND PEOPLE HAD BEEN THROWING SHIT ON THE STAGE AND HAD ACTUALLY HIT THE JANE SCREEN WITH, I GUESS BOTTLES OR SOMETHING AND HAD BROKEN MY FUCKING SCREEN. REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE A SHORTY AND WATER WOULD HIT THE TV?????? WHEN I GOT 2 "THROUGH THE WIRE" I STEPPED ON THE FRONT PART OF MY STAGE AND THERE WAS SO MUCH LIQUID ON THE STAGE I COULDN'T MOVE WITHOUT SLIPPING. I HAD TO ADJUST MY WHOLE PERFORMANCE STYLE BECAUSE OF IT. A FEW MORE SONGS IN AND THE SONG WAS ON IT'S WAY UP.. I CUT A FEW SONGS FROM THE SET BECAUSE I WANTED PEOPLE 2 EXPERIENCE STRONGER WHILE THERE WAS STILL SOME DARKNESS TO PERFORM IT IN. I'VE STRUGGLED WITH STRONGER FROM IT'S CONCEPTION. REMEMBER LAST SUMMER WHEN I CANCELED SOME TV APPEARANCES. IT WAS BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PERFORM STRONGER IN THE DAYTIME. ANYONE WHO CAME TO THE GLOW TOUR CAN UNDERSTAND WHY I WANTED PEOPLE TO SEE IT PROPERLY. IT BROKE MY HEART THAT I COULDN'T GIVE THESE FANS STRONGER IN IT'S GREATEST FORM... BY THE TIME I GOT TO STRONGER IT WAS DAYTIME AND IT BROKE MY HEART. I'M SORRY TO EVERYONE THAT I DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY 2 GIVE THE PERFORMANCE I WANTED TO. I'M SORRY... SOMETIMES I GO 2, 3 DAYS W/O SLEEP WORKING ON MY PERFORMANCE... I HAVE TO ICE MY KNEES AFTER EVERY SHOW AND THEY HURT WHEN I WALK THROUGH THE AIRPORT... HAVING AN EXPENSIVE STAGE CUTS MY PAYDAY IN HALF... CALL ME WHAT YOU WANT BUT NEVER SAY I DIDN'T GIVE MY ALL!!!

That festival should be ashamed!

By Tai Saint-Louis:

A U.S. District Judge in Detroit handed down a two and a half year prison sentence for celebrity Hip-Hop jeweler Jacob Arabov on Tuesday (Jun 24). The decision comes eight months after Jacob the Jeweler, as Arabov is better known, entered into a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office for his alleged involvement with the Black Mafia Family.

“I feel ashamed that I broke the laws of this country, a country that has been so good for me,” Arabov said at the sentencing. “I will carry this shame for the rest of my life.”

In June 2006, a DEA task force arrested Arabov in New York after a warrant had been issued for his arrest in Michigan’s Easter District Court a month earlier. His arrest was one of the 41 in total to result from a federal indictment, which tied the defendants to BMF, charging that they contributed to the bicoastal drug trafficking organization’s operations.

Arabov was charged with conspiring to launder $270 million in drug profits. As part of his plea deal, he admitted to falsifying records and giving false statements to federal prosecutors, in exchange for the dismissal of the money laundering charges. Per the plea agreement, Arabov was to spend between three years and one month to three years and 10 months in prison.

Judge Avern Cohn arrived at the reduced sentence handed down today after taking into consideration Arabov’s extensive charitable contributions and several letters of support written on the New York businessman’s behalf.

The 43-year-old Russian immigrant, whose clientele and friends include Hip-Hop a-listers, mainstream celebrities, socialites and politicians alike, remains free on bond at this time. He has been ordered to report to prison on January 15.

Arabov was also ordered to pay a fine of $50,000 and to make a $2 million forfeiture payment to the government, which his attorney turned over to an IRS agent present at the sentencing.

Arrests in the case against members of the BMF organization started with the October 2005 arrests of brothers Terry and Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory. The two stood accused of running the organization’s Atlanta and Los Angeles hub’s, which originated in Detroit, and also operated in Orlando, FL and St. Louis, MO.

The Black Mafia Family is believed to have generated an estimated $270 million in cocaine sales across the country. The 41 indicted defendants are accused of charges including drug trafficking, money laundering and conspiracy.

By Tai Saint-Louis:

“America’s Toughest Sheriff” has stripped Shaquille O’Neal of his status as a Maricopa County special deputy and colonel, in response to his widely circulated freestyle video.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio took exception to Shaq’s use of the n-word and other obscenities during the impromptu performance, which was taped by an audience member and posted on TMZ.com.

“I want his two badges back,” Arpaio said to The Associate Press on Tuesday (Jun 24). “Because if any one of my deputies did something like this, they’re fired. I don’t condone this type of racial conduct.”

Sheriff Arpaio went on to say that while he didn’t expect his word to teach Shaq a lesson, he hoped the Phoenix Suns center would learn that as a role model who wants to be a full-time sheriff one day, he needs to know his words matter.

“Maybe I’m old fashioned,” continued Arpaio, who made headlines in the Hip-Hop world earlier this year for his tough prosecution of rapper DMX, “but I don’t think that either conduct should be out there publicly, even if media wasn’t there.”

The controversial viral video, in which Shaq takes shots at former teammate Kobe Bryant, first appeared online over the weekend.

O’Neal promptly clarified his actions in an interview with ESPN.com on Monday (Jun 23), explaining that his freestyle was “all done in fun,” and that he had no issues with Bryant, with whom he had a tumultuous relationship throughout his time on the LA Lakers roster.

By Roman Wolfe:

Rapper Snoop Dogg recently left the recording studio, recording tracks for Dr. Dre's highly anticipated album, Detox.
"That record is real it's coming," Snoop Dogg said during an interview today (June 25) on Big Boy's Neighborhood. "You know me, I was starting to doubt it myself and then I went up in there and he played so much music for me it knocked my head off." Snoop Dogg confirmed the fabled, decade-long project was finished and that the Doctor was selecting tracks for the album. "I see what he got them waiting for, it's on and poppin," Snoop Dogg said. "He got records, he got heat."
Dr. Dre will also sit in the producer's seat for Snoop Dogg's upcoming album. "Yea he's doing my next album. I got the title and everything," Snoop confirmed without revealing the album's title. In related news, Snoop recently released a country-themed video for his single "My Medicine," which features a westernized Snoop alongside Willie Nelson, Julianne Hough, Brad Paisley and others. The song is taken from Snoop Dogg's latest album Ego Trippin'

Rumors: 50cent Beefin' wit T.I.?
Jay-Z looses $150 mil ?
The new Eminem?
R.Kelly celebrates?

Reviews: Plies: The Definition of Real
The Chin Check: Who Ripped
"A Milli" The Hardest?
The R.Kelly Trial......

By Ismael AbduSalaam: Young Jeezy

Ralph “Ralphie” Simms, an incarcerated former Black Mafia Family member, has alleged in court that rapper Young Jeezy received kilos of cocaine from BMF.

The stunning claim was made in the cocaine-conspiracy trial of Fleming “Ill” Daniels, another alleged BMF member, according to Creative Loafing in Atlanta.

Justice Department spokesman Patrick Crosby would not comment on whether the rapper is now being investigated due to the claims made by Simms.

Young Jeezy’s lawyer Scott Leemon had “no comment” when contacted today (June 14) about Simms’ shocking testimony.

BMF was started in the late 1980s by brothers Demetrius “Meech” and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory in Detroit.

By 2005 the organization is reputed to have laundered over $270 million in drug money throughout various US cities.

Due to high profile forays into Hip-Hop music and lavish spending, the organization caught the attention of the FBI and was subsequently dismantled through strategic raids in the last 3 years.

Demetrius and Terry Flenory were both indicted on drug trafficking charges in 2005.

Bleu Davinci was the only artist on BMF’s record label BMF Entertainment.

Davinci was arrested in 2007 for cocaine distribution and recently pleaded guilty to related charges.

The accuser, Ralph Simms, was indicted on related drug charges last year in Los Angeles.

Simms informed the jury that he hoped to receive a reduced sentence in light of his testimony in the Daniels case.

At press time, Young Jeezy has not been charged or questioned by authorities about Simms’ accusation.

By Ismael AbduSalaam: T.I. vs Shawty Lo

Atlanta rappers Shawty Lo and T.I. continued their cold war of words June 14th at the sold out Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash in Phillips Area.

Shawty Lo began his set with a video package detailing his escape from an inept FBI agent who curiously resembled his rival T.I.

The amusing video featured the agent getting punched to the floor by his female superior for failing to capture Lo.

Shawty Lo made it a point to bring out a host of Bankhead artists to solidify his claim as “King of Bankhead,” the legendary west side neighborhood of Atlanta.

D4L, D.G. Yola, and Dem Franchize Boyz all made appearance during the set and performed signature tracks from their catalogues.

Ludacris also made an appearance to perform his verse off the “Dey Know Remix.”

The biggest statement to T.I. was Shawty Lo’s big screen photo which read “A New King is Born,” an obvious challenge to T.I.’s title of “King of the South.”

T.I. headlined the show and made numerous references to “haters” who continue running their mouths about him.

Showing his own support, TIP brought out rising star B.O.B. to perform his regional hit “Haters Everywhere We Go.”

T.I. returned Lo’s earlier jabs by abruptly stopping a song, shouting out “Get, Get, Get It!” and doing a mock Shawty Lo dance to “oohs” from the sold out crowd.

Feeling he had made his point, the “King of South” shouted out Bankhead, that he owns Atlanta, and that “This is my Birthday Bash! I own this sh*t!”

T.I. and Shawty Lo have not commented further on the show at press time.

AllHipHop.com Daily News - Snoop's Wife Arrested For Suspicion Of Driving Drunk:

Snoop Dogg's wife was arrested this morning (June 14) in Fullerton, California on suspicion of drunk driving. According to police, Shante Broadus, 32, was stopped around 12:15 am. While police did not reveal test results, Broadus was arrested her on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, he said.

Grandmaster Flash Pens Tell All Book
By PATRICK HUGUENIN

Wednesday, June 11th 2008, Hip hop pioneer Joseph Saddler, better known as Grandmaster Flash, was forged in the furnace of the 1970s Bronx, cut his teeth on the disco dance floor and established turntable techniques passed down to the deejays of today.He and his group, the Furious Five, are the only hip-hop act in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
But Flash's ride to icon status was far from smooth. His perilous ascent and near ruin are chronicled in "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash: My Life, My Beats" (Broadway Books, $22.95), which hit stores this week.
From his violent family life to his contentious relationship with his first label, Sugar Hill Records, to the drug addiction that very nearly killed him, the book tells all about the price of success.
"This whole book was scary for me," Flash says. "We as human beings, we don't willingly display our skeletons, our pains, our hurts - not the deep, deep, deep ones."
Flash built the Furious Five by collecting the best rappers of 1970s New York. The group went platinum, steered by record doyenne Sylvia Robinson of Sugar Hill, an executive whose bad side was a scary frontier.
"She did do some things that in today's world would probably get her head chopped off," Flash says, "but she did rule with an iron fist and we were under fear with her - although we did make some great records."
Flash's exodus from Sugar Hill Records brings the meat of the conflict and personal crisis. But this is one deejay who knows that there is life beyond rock bottom. He's working on an album, "The Bridge," and scouring the world for talented rappers, enlisting MCs from Senegal to Sweden. The adventure of the Grandmaster is one of beats, breakthroughs and the salvation of a career that, left in the wrong hands, could have been over in a flash

Atlanta DJ Greg Street Comes Under Attack:

His Payola Hustle Gets Blown Up For those who don't know how the music industry works, pay close attention to what this man Trapp is saying. As you listen, ask yourself, why aren't station licenses being pulled? Why aren't hefty fines being administered? Why are listeners still being subjected to corporate dominated media who play the same ole tired ten songs without any checks and balances? Why can't local indy artists get a break on publicly owned airwaves? Isn't payola illegal? D http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9U05GSVZZSWFJTTA= I don't know this dude called Trapp: The Mic DVD or something like that but now he is responding to Greg Street's attack on Jermaine Dupri. Lord Je, we all know what this is REALLY about and the three of them are now opening up an industry back room to the world? I must admit, out of the three, Dupri chose his words very carefully and made his point. Then Greg, who took it personal and it was obvious, took it to another level, now Trapp is telling another side to the saga. Bottom line for those of us who are vets. Jermaine didn't do something for Greg and/or Greg didn't do something for Jermaine and both feel slighted. Now Trapp is saying in the MOST blatant way that Greg hasn't done something for him or at least some people he knows. The other day, I got an email from a girl who use to work for Jermaine's restaurant who said she had to run to cash her checks. Some things, my industry vets, about the industry... NEVER change. A friend told me that DJs are now like programmers... and the arrogance and demand for.... "things" is out of control...

Kevin Ross Radio Facts Peep the video Here.. http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9U05GSVZZSWFJTTA=

HipHopDx.Com

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Wendy Williams' Fox TV Show SyndicatedHip Hop's original shock jock has her show picked up for 2009 due to a ratings boost. Comments: 2
Teen With Nooses Gets Jail TimeA Louisiana teenager was sentenced to jail for intimidating Jena 6 civil rights demonstrators. Comments: 8

Monday, August 18, 2008

New Jack City Sequel In Works, Franchise Creator Not Pleased Barry Michael Cooper bemoans the straight-to-DVD sequel of his classic, previews Nino Brown novella. Comments: 20
M.I.A. A Terrorist?Serious allegations have been made by Sri Lankan/American artist DeLon that M.I.A. has links to a terrorist group. Comments: 31
Congotronics' New Afrobeat Volume, Longest Album Title EverAfrobeat in Congo unites with a 25 piece band and a motion of solidarity with this epically-titled release. Comments: 9
Why Did Game Say "Hip Hop Broke My Heart?"Game explains why Hip Hop broke his heart, collaborating with Lil Wayne and L.A.X. will run Tha Carter 3 down. Comments: 115
50 Cent Tops Forbes' Hip-Hop Cash Kings 2008 ListThe "1-2-3 remix" lineup stays the same, as Common and Eminem tie, and Snoop earns more than Dre. Comments: 130
More Olympians Say Rap Music Helps Them Compete Michael Phelps says he digs Jay-Z and Jeezy besides Wayne, "I'm Me" becomes a song other athletes train to. Comments: 27
Heltah Skeltah Talk Future ProjectsRuck and Rock discuss upcoming solo and group efforts, and plans to work with Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Ill Bill and more. Comments: 9
LL Cool J Speak On Future Projects, Clothing LineIs LL done making music? The legend speaks on this and his choice for his clothing line. Comments: 16

Sunday, August 17, 2008

The Cunninlynguists' DJ Kno Calls Out MF DOOMIs DOOM jerking his fans with bad performances, plus repackaged CDs and $300 shoes? Kno says so. Comments: 42

Saturday, August 16, 2008

DJ Vlad Files Lawsuit Against Rick RossAfter an altercation at last weeks Ozone Awards, DJ Vlad filed a $4 million dollar lawsuit on the Miami rapper. Comments: 92
2Pac Wanted to Work With the Wu?!A document has surfaced online showing Pac's wish list of collaborations included Raekwon, RZA and others. Comments: 69

Friday, August 15, 2008

Jay-Z Sells Las Vegas 40/40 Club?Reports have surfaced that Jay-Z has sold his stake in the reportedly troubled 40/40 Club in Las Vegas. Comments: 34
Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes Teams Up w/ HipHopDXCoast 2 Coast Mixtapes partners with DX for a special "DJ Signature Series" run of mixtapes. Volume 1 features Jay-Z, Ludacris, Crooked I and more! Comments: 12
Church Group To Protest Bernie Mac's FuneralA Kansas based group plans to protest Bernie Mac's funeral because "God hates Bernie Mac." Comments: 166
The Source Preps 20th Anniversary IssueThe Source looks to return to its old form as it prepares a new era with its 20th Anniversary issue. Comments: 5
Jin To Release Album In Hong KongJin will soon drop ABC in Hong Kong as it has been recorded completely in Cantonese. Comments: 18
Master P Debuts Cable NetworkThe former "Colonel of the No Limit Tank" is launching the Better Black Television Network in 2009 Comments: 48
Rage To Perform During Democratic National ConventionRage Against the Machine will be performing for free at the same time as the Democratic National Convention. Comments: 20

Most Discussed Headlines:

DX-clusive: Plies Lied About Criminal Past?
Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 7/20/08
Game Begs For Beef With Jay-Z
United States Government Apologizes For Slavery?
Soulja Boy Says Better Lyrics Will Ruin His Reputation
Tony Yayo Disses Young Buck, Game & Fat Joe
Nas & 620,000 Others Appear Outside Of Fox News
Rick Ross Exposed By TheSmokingGun.com
Nas' Untitled To Be Fifth No. 1 Album
Church Group To Protest Bernie Mac's Funeral

Friday, August 15, 2008

Charles Imagines A Jay-Z CollaborationInterscope's Sega-loving rookie jokes that he wouldn't get "Mr. Carter'd" if he were to work with Hov. Comments: 21

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Hip Hop Live: Week Ending 8/22/08This week, Hip Hop Live hooks you up with info on shows by Jeezy, GZA, Ice Cube and more! Comments: 8
Game Begs For Beef With Jay-Z"I'll kiss Jay goodbye with his own lips. I'm going to make him mad enough to where he has to say something." - Game Comments: 266
Big Boi Previews Album, Killer Mike In AttendanceBig Boi previewed his upcoming album and revealed a new Outkast album is forthcoming. Comments: 12
Alchemist Visits Prodigy In Jail, Blogs About ItOld friends use new technology, as Al makes the four hour up north trip and visits his partner P. Comments: 24
Police Officer Charged In Death Of Tasered ManA former police officer has been charged with manslaughter for Tasering a man in handcuffs - nine times. Comments: 88

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Mike Jones & Trae Apologize For Ozone IncidentMike Jones and Trae The Truth are both apologetic about their fight at the Ozone Awards - but not to each other. Comments: 41
Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 8/10/08Weezy still rules, Nas goes for the gold, Usher is after the platinum and Nappy Roots, Lloyd and Re-Up Gang debut. Comments: 80
2008 Ozone Awards Winners And RecapAside from a few hiccups, the 2008 Ozone Awards came through with a peaceful ceremony that showcased the South's finest. Comments: 33
VH1 Announces Hip Hop HonoreesThe 5th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors Awards will show appreciation to the likes of Slick Rick, De La Soul and more. Comments: 23
Video Surfaces Of Mike Jones/Trae FightA video of the altercation between Mike Jones and Trae The Truth surfaces after the 3rd Annual Ozone Awards. Comments: 41
Lil Wayne Is The Music Of Champions, Ask Michael PhelpsMichael Phelps told The Today Show that Weezy F. Baby helped him go for the gold medallions. Comments: 67
Isaac Hayes Cause Of Death Determined - StrokeThe legendary Stax composer died of a stroke on this past Sunday, reports determine. Comments: 7
Kanye West To Open Fatburger ChainKanye adds a chain of historic burger restaurants to his portfolio. Comments: 19
Diddy: Sex Athlete?Diddy proposes a new type of sport in a recent interview. Comments: 43
Large Professor Explains Using Old Style On New AlbumExtra P explains taking a hiatus in the game, and why he's going back to old ingredients on Main Source. Comments: 8
South Central Cartel's Havikk Returns, Talks New AlbumThe 17-plus year rhyme veteran released The Rhime Son with a host of west coast veterans, including 2Pac. Comments: 9

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Lady Of Rage, Babs, Lady Luck Unite For MovementFEM Movement shows young women how to get paid properly in Hip Hop, with music to come from the trio. Comments: 33
Lil Wayne Issues Statement On Daughter Death Rumors Lil Wayne and label end rumors that many were reporting on losing his daughter in a car accident. Comments: 48
B.G. Talks New Album, Hot Boys ReunionB.G. speaks about the possible reunion of the Hot Boys and his upcoming T.I. executive produced album. Comments: 41

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Dj Berry Bee - Summer Heat 2k8 2

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Saturday, August 9, 2008

Dj Berry Bee - Summer Heat 2k8 2

0 comments:

Visitor Map

Subscribe To My Site

"I Know You've Been Here"

What Time Is It

smoothjazznews.com:

Comments:

Disclaimer:

DjNaut

Music News: BET Music Industry News

Bone Thugs-N-Harmoney

Labels:

N.H.H.L.

Poetry Lounge

FORBES.COM

Newz From Da Hood:

Entertainment - news.com.au

Top 10 Albums

Mariah Carey

Labels:

"U Don't Know Hip-Hop"

RnB Music Blog

DjPlink

SouthernStyle Djs

Da Blog Spot:

CONTACT:

Thievland Magazine

Mixtape Downloadz

Free Hip-Hop and RnB Music Videos at UrbanMVP.com

All Around The World

Hip-Hop Newz

Blacc Hearted Entertainment

Another SleeplessKnight Production

Careless Whispers Entertainment

News Map

Blog Archive

HipHopDx.Com

About Me