Friday, 10 June 2011

Prodigy Explains How Prison Changed His Life For The Better

The Mobb Deep member shares that it helped him realize that he won't be given a second change in life.
While serving a three-year bid for a weapons charge, Prodigy used his time to better himself as a person. Speaking on “The Monique Show,” the Queens, New York native explained that he had a moment of clarity while in the clink, realizing that he only had himself to blame for his mistakes.
“I’m sitting there and I realized that I got my career taken from me, my family, everything stripped of me, and I’m just like wow, I put myself in this position, I can’t even blame somebody else,” he said. “It really made me analyze my whole life and my decision making and my priorities and the things that I was doing before I actually got locked up, and I just came to the conclusion that I needed to change things around a little bit as far as how I was moving and the things that I would do when it came to rap music.”
He expressed remorse for his behavior towards other MCs in the game. “Beefing with other rappers. When it came to finances, spending money on jewelry and all kinds of craziness like that, just different things like that. I had to get my priorities together,” he continued. “And I realized that and I was like, I’m not going to get another chance after this because I’ve been given a lot of chances in my life. This was the last straw, getting locked up.”
With his Sickle Cell potentially acting up in prison, he knew he had to get his mind right. “I had to look at all of that and just really get my life together. When I went in, I said, you know what? I’m going to start eating right every day, I’m going to drink a lot of water every day, I didn’t drink no juice or soda. Just drank straight water, ate a lot of vegetables, got more in tune with God, get back in line with God and where I needed to be as far as my spirituality,” he said. “Work out every day. I was doing a lot of working out, exercising, and things like that. I really got myself together in there, all the way around. Mentally, physically, spiritually. All that. And it worked.”

Lupe Fiasco Defends His Comments Against President Obama

The Chicago native states that he has nothing to clarify regarding his controversial comments made during an interview with CBS.
Lupe Fiasco stirred the pot earlier this week with his controversial comments that President Obama is “the biggest terrorist.” In an interview with Billboard.com, he refused to back down from his position and clarify his perspective.
“I've got nothing to clarify. It's Obama and the U.S. government," he said. "[It's] every president that came before him and every president that comes after him. It's funky because everybody's pulling soundbites from this one interview that we did, but they don't talk about anything else from the interview. [...] So it's really about, 'What do people want to listen to?' It's not what I want to talk about, cause I want to talk about all types of shit... there wasn't the same reaction about me having a book club... about me trying to promote literacy in a country with 50 million functioning illiterates walking around, because we have a failed and flawed education system."
As for his stance on not voting in elections, he explained why he doesn’t participate. “Voting doesn't work, because everybody who voted, voted for the same people who are in office right now that are actually allowing these policies to go forward... You have to educate the populace -- the masses, the voters, the people who don't vote, the people who pay taxes."
He explained that the fix is in educating people on their involvement in the American system. “You have educate the masses to exactly what their tax dollars are going to pay for," he added. "I think once people educate themselves and open up their minds to understand that on that really basic level, then you'll have some type of change in the way that Americans associate themselves and participate in their own political process."

Tuesday, 7 June 2011

Timbaland Headed To Malaysia For Hip-Hop Performance, Subject of "Possible Suicide Attempt" Manhunt

Super producer Timbaland is headlong to Malaysia this September, where he will headline the Arthur's Day" celebrations with Guinness in Kuala Lumpur.

The two-day concert is part of brewer Guinness' Arthur's Day worldwide celebrations. Timbaland will be joined by Thai-American Hip-Hop group Thaitanium, while rockers like Mizz Nina and Pop Shuvit will also hit the stage.

Billboard reports that acts like Papa Roach and Gaellic Storm will perform in the Mid-Western region of the United States, while a variety of  acts will cover the Caribbean islands with performances.

In the U.K., Manic Street Preachers and David Gray will perform, while R&B singer Kelis will perform in Ireland with Snow Patrol and Brandon Flowers.

This is the second year Guinness has rounded up top Hip-Hop talent to celebrate Arthur's Day, which pays homage to Arthur Guinness, the Irish founder of the company.

In related news, Timbaland was the subject of a manhunt yesterday after his family believed he was going to hurt himself over the theft of Jacob & Co. watch valued at $2 million.

According to TMZ, Timbaland left his Malibu home yesterday and began driving in his Escalade after suspecting that the theft was by someone close to him. 

Sources say the L.A. County Sheriff's Department put out a "possible suicide attempt" just before 5 PM PT yesterday.

A helicopter and squad cars went on the hunt for the rapper/producer's Escalade, ground crews pulled it over and spoke with the artist after taking him to his residence.

Goldfish & Blink Ft Altimet & ZE! - In The House

Monday, 6 June 2011

Dr. Dre's "Detox" To Release On July 26th?

Though release dates have been given before, another rumored date purports that the album will drop in the summer.
Dr. Dre has delayed his third and final solo album Detox for the past decade, giving several release dates during that time. Another alleged release date has hit the Internet, suggesting that the West Coast veteran will drop his swan song on July 26th.
According to HHNM, HMV has made the album available for pre-order in the U.K. on July 25th. The date, which falls on a Monday, would suggest that the LP would release in the States the following day, as albums release in the U.K. a day earlier.

Mobb Deep to Collaborate with Rick Ross


Prodigy tells MTV that the Mobb recently linked up with Rick Ross for a new song.
Last night at Hot 97’s annual Summer Jam concert, G-Unit soldier Lloyd Banks brought out fellow Queens rhymers Prodigy and Havoc of Mobb Deep for a performance of their classic song “Shook Ones Pt. II.” During the event, MTV caught up with Prodigy, where he revealed that the Mobb had recently linked up with Summer Jam 2011 headliner Rick Ross for a collaboration.
Don P explained to MTV News that the Infamous/Rozay collab was already in the can. He said that Havoc and he are planning to unleash the track on the duo’s next LP, which they are planning to release later this year.
"We did a joint with Ross,” said P. “It's in the stash right now. It'll probably be for the Mobb album. It's kinda crazy too…We're looking forward to maybe, like, September. End of August, September - we're shooting for around that time. We know they need that new music out there, something for the streets. We gotta feed the streets."
Prodigy also added, “It's a lot of different things happening in hip-hop. That's a good thing. You got different types of sounds, but you know we gotta keep what makes us going. We gotta keep our sound alive, that dark Hip Hop. We're gonna keep that alive."
Rick Ross also talked about his respect for P during a visit to RapFix Live on May 25. He said that not only does he enjoy Prodigy and Havoc’s music, but that he also appreciated Prodigy reaching out to southern artists, particularly former Cash Money rapper B.G. on H.N.I.C.’s “Y.B.E.”
"I respect him, most definitely, as being a boss, making your own decisions," said Ross. "When he was released, he gave me a call a few days after that. We spoke on the phone maybe once or twice. It was a genuine conversation, us touching base, making sure it is what it is. We most definitely put a record or two on the table. Just to be frank, I was always a fan of the homey, H.N.I.C. I always respected when I saw that. The B.G. collaboration he did with the South, that was big for me. So I was always a fan of the homey and when he made this move in a way, so you had to respect it. So look for a Rozay and Prodigy record in the future."

Tupac Shakur's Only Screenplay To Be Made Into Film 'Live 2 Tell' is story of teenage drug dealer struggling to leave life of crime

During his short life, rapper Tupac Shakur was a notorious double threat, producing platinum albums and singles and earning notices for his acting in films such as "Juice" and "Poetic Justice."
But the thug life MC, who studied acting, poetry, jazz and ballet while performing in Shakespearean plays at the Baltimore School for the Arts as a teenager, not only acted in plays and movies, he also apparently wrote them.
And now the rights to the only full screenplay Shakur wrote while he was in jail, "Live 2 Tell," have been acquired by a production company that plans to start filming the movie next year, according to Variety.
One of the producers is Preston Holmes, who collaborated with Shakur's mother, Afeni, on the 2003 documentary "Tupac: Resurrection"; Afeni Shakur will be an executive producer on the $11 million project.
The script is described as the story of a teenage drug dealer and his struggles to leave a life of crime. It was written by Shakur while he served an 11-month sentence on sexual assault charges.
"This kid was a genius, and the net of it is, he was from this community, he knew the struggles these young people were dealing with," said Ivan Juzang, whose NStar Studios was behind the acquisition of the screenplay. "And he's able to talk to young people in 2011, 2012, the same way he was able to talk to young people in 1995." Holmes had originally contacted Shakur about the script when the rapper was still behind bars.
"We think that the name we need is the name we have, which is Tupac Shakur," Holmes said.
This is the second attempt at making the film. The script was first optioned more than five years ago by the Insomnia Media Group and was slated to start production in March 2006. No casting for that version was ever confirmed.

Snoop Dogg Seeks To Enlist Jay-Z & Wiz Khalifa For His Upcoming Reality Show


Tha Doggfather has reportedly drawn interest from MTV and E! to air his "American Idol"-like TV series.
Snoop Dogg is looking to venture into reality television competitions. According to Page Six, Tha Doggfather is currently shopping around a series to find the next big hip-hop act in the same vein as “American Idol," with a few key players in mind.
The Long Beach, California native has reportedly drawn interest from networks including E! and MTV, with hopes of enlisting Jay-Z, Wiz Khalifa and an old school veteran to judge and mentor the contestants. “Snoop had wild ideas about who he can get to judge, but most are probably unlikely, including Jay,” said a source, though Wiz is supposedly interested and “will likely be involved.”
He previously announced that he was looking to launch a hip-hop reality show akin to England’s “X-Factor.” “I’m looking for a deal from a network to find America’s hottest hood artists,” he said at the time.

Mobb Deep Thinks Odd Future Has More Work to do




AllHipHop.com's Gina Torres caught up with the crew at a recent show in NYC and asked them about the current groups in Hip-Hop, specifically Odd Future, and if they see any similarities between them and Mobb Deep.  While Prodigy saw a few similarities, Havoc thinks they have a lot more work to do before they can be compared to the infamous.  Check out the video interview below.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Wiz Khalifa and Waka Flocka Beefin' At Summer Jam?

Well, what do we have here? I wasn't at Summer Jam. Three other people from AHH went to the "jam" and repped the brand. But, I heard from birdies something that slipped past my cohorts. I heard that Wiz Khalifa and Waka Flocka had some kind of beef during the Hot 97 managed event... Yeah, I heard they were shouting match of sorts. I hope Waka didn't try to grab Amber Rose's booty or something. Anyway, that's all I have now, but if you hear more...HIT ME UP!!!!!

Tupac, Other Late Cultural Icons Return As Crimefighters In New Comic Book

Late rapper Tupac Shakur has been labeled many things throughout his career, from activist, to actor, to poet, to hardcore gangster rapper.

In a new comic book titled "Comeback Kings," Tupac Shakur takes on the role of crime fighting superhero.

"Comeback Kings," which hit shelves this past Wednesday, Tupac and cultural icons like Jim Morrison, Bruce Lee, Andy Kaufman and others are recast as crime fighters who defend the city from a super villain who wants to destroy Hollywood.

The comic is published by Ardden Entertainment and written by InTouch weekly pop writer Matt Sullivan, along with Gabe Guarente. The comic was illustrated by Ethan Young.

"The artists we chose are all influential icons that died too young, whose legacies include conspiracy theories suggesting that they faked their own deaths," author Matt Sullivan told AllHipHop.com. "Those theories are a jump-off point to both comment on celebrity culture and have fun with the superstar super-team concept."

Sullivan told AllHipHop.com that he drew inspiration for the comic from an interview Tupac did with Vibe, in which he stated he was tired of playing the roles of drug dealers and criminals, in movies

"Fans can expect a satirical action-adventure with intense emotional content that treats these artists with both imaginative irreverence and deep respect," Sullivan told AllHipHop.com. "I remember a Vibe interview Tupac gave late in his life in which he said he was tired of playing drug dealers and wanted to be an action hero for his generation. That's something I would've loved to see—and in Comeback Kings, we make that happen."

Comeback Kings is in stores now and retails for $2.99.

Russell Simmons Earns Prestigious Honor From American Business Awards

"Russell Simmons is the personification of the American business spirit," said Stevie Awards President Michael Gallagher. "His approach to building businesses for the future -- which are both sustainable and philanthropic -- has instigated change in corporate America. He has the kind of vision as a business leader that not only makes a difference, but creates a path that inspires others to follow and that's why we are proud to honor him with this award."

The American Business Awards is one of the premier awards program presented by The Stevie Awards in the United States, which honors individuals who are excelling in a variety of businesses categories.

The 9th Annual American Business Awards take place June 20th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

Game Hacked, 50 Wants To Save 1-Year-Old, Lil Kim, Fat Joe, Timbo Rock Africa

The Game suffered a setback earlier this morning when his Twitter account was hacked. Pranksters got into the rappers account and tweeted a number of childish messages, including the words "I'm gay as hell" and "I like boys." The unknown individual then sent a variety of insulting messages to other rappers including,  DJ Khaled, Lloyd Banks, Bow Wow and Lil Wayne. It wasn't long before Game regain control of his account tweeting "Give me my Twitter back b**ch. Nice try m*therf*ckers," the rapper tweeted. Game's upcoming release The R.E.D. Album, is due in stores on August 23rd.

Rap star 50 Cent is once again getting behind a young child in need of a bone marrow transplant. The New York Daily News reports that both 50 Cent and Rihanna were recently swabbed to see if they match for one-year-old Ayelet Galena, who suffers from the disease dyskeratosis congenita, a life-threatening disease. The-one year-old is in desperate need of a bone marrow donor in order to survive. In August of 2010, 50 Cent hosted a bone marrow drive for "Lion King" actress Shannon Tavarez, who eventually died from leukemia in July of 2010.

Lauryn Hill Pregnant With 6th Child

Rapper/singer Lauryn Hill has announced that she is pregnant with her sixth child.

Lauryn Hill made the announcement during a show at Chene Park in Detroit on  Saturday (June 4th).

Hill's unexpected announcement calmed the crowd, who had grown a bit irritable, because she was over an hour and a half late for the show.

Lauryn Hill has five other children with reggae singer Rohan Marley.

Cali Swag District: Remembering M-Bone

One day after laying their friend and fellow band member to rest, the Cali Swag District gathered in Inglewood, CA to pay further tribute to fallen member Montae “M-Bone” Talbert by shooting a video to their song “How To Do That” which was recorded in his memory. AllHipHop.com was invited by the group to tag along with them to various locations in Inglewood for a behind-the-scenes preview of the video. Surviving group members Smoove, Yung and JayAre also gave us a few words on why they made the upbeat type of song for their homeboy and to share a few their memories. The random killing of their friend shook them up, but they are standing strong and ready to move forward with M-Bone's spirit by their sides.