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WORD ON THA BLOCK:
FIRST ARTIST TO SIGN TO TAG RECORDS.
Putting an end to months of speculation about who would be the 1st artist signed to Tag Records, the New York-based venture led by hip-hop entrepreneur Jermaine Dupri, Island Def Jam Music Group and global giant Procter & Gamble (P&G), it was announced yesterday that Brooklyn's own "Q" will be the first young rapper to be launched on the new label. Q (aka Kareem Savage) was a former member of Da Franchise with fellow Brooklynites Red Café and Gravy. Q started his solo career as a contributor to mix-tapes by DJ Clue, Kay Slay, DJ Khaled and others. Relocating to Atlanta, it was inevitable that he'd cross paths with Dupri - who quickly recognized Q's talent and put him in the studio.Q landed his first major feature on Da Brat's "World Premiere" and the Drumline hit movie soundtrack. Ever since signing to JD's So So Def/Virgin imprint in the summer 2006, Q has been heard on a string of top-charted remixes including "Make Me Better" by Fabolous featuring Ne-Yo, "No One" by Alicia Keys, "Fine" by Mary J. Blige, "Can't Help But Wait" by Trey Songz, and more.
2 LABEL GIANTS -- MORE DOWN SIZING?
The New York post reports EMI is hunting for new, smaller New York headquarters for its North American recorded-music operations after completing a global cost-cutting initiative last month that eliminated some 2,000 jobs worldwide. The company, which is owned by private-equity firm Terra Firma, has retained Cushman Wakefield to shop a sublease of its existing location at 150 Fifth Ave. in the Flatiron District, where it occupies more than 180,000 square feet on floors 2-11 of the L&L Acquisition-owned building. Meanwhile, Sony BMG's RCA/J Records and Clive Davis - now BMG Label Group's chief creative officer - are relocating from Davis' former fiefdom of 745 Fifth Ave. to the major label's headquarters at 550 Madison Ave., sources said.
RCA's relocation comes on the heels of a BMG leadership shakeup earlier this year that saw Barry Weiss, formerly chief of the company's Zomba group, replacing Davis as chairman/CEO of BMG. Zomba relocated to 550 Madison from downtown last year. RCA's move is expected to be completed by September. EMI won't be moving for at least a year sources said. Source: New York Post
WEST COAST VET C-BO TEAMS UP WITH OMAR "BIG-O" GOODING.
C-Bo is raising the bar once again, this time collaborating with Omar "Big-O" Gooding. If that last name sounds familiar it's because he is indeed the brother of Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. Omar "Big-O" Gooding is a television and movie star in his own right – you can see him in numerous TV series including Barbershop (based on the movie) along with movies such as The Gospel and Baby Boy. With the help of C-Bo, "The Mob Father", the duo has created one of the hottest albums of the summer. Tradin' War Stories officially marks Big-O's entry into the rap game, and his skills are sure to surprise a lot of people. The new project - Tradin' War Stories( out in August) is music to ride to – "Weeest!" LISTEN is poised to be a West Coast ‘hood anthem, featuring Playa Ham from up and coming South Central collective Young Giantz. Guests on the 17 track album, include Chino XL, Stylie Ray, Denver underground legends Young Doe and Hawk Man plus production from noted multi-platinum producer Focus. On this collaborative effort, Tradin' War Stories sees C-Bo delivering his signature street knowledge while Big-O demonstrates his venomous spit. A Big-O solo album is slated for release later this year. A couple other joints are We Ain't The Same LISTEN and What Yo Life Like (ft. Yukmouth) LISTEN .
T.I.'S 1ST OFFICIAL SINGLE
T.I.'s 1st official single off upcoming album PAPER TRAIL. The song is titled "Whatever You Like" LISTEN . Sounds like something from an amusement park.
SOUNDSCAN CHART NUMBERS/STATS-Week Ending 07/13/08
Not much to report in hip hop sales this week. Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III maintains #1 on the charts with 124,676 copies sold ( 1,806,562 total). G-Unit's Terminate On Sight takes #9 with 36,348 copies sold (138,150 total). Jim Jones & The Bryd Gang's M.O.B take #110 with 6,287 copies sold (23,545 total). Killer Mike debuts I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind Pt 2 taking #178 on the charts with just 3,566 copies sold.
NAS SET FOR FREE SHOW AND PARTY IN WEST HOLLYWOOD.
MySpace Music is proud to announce that Nas will be performing a free show for his MySpace friends in West Hollywood at 10:30 p.m. at the Roxy on Sunset - a show being powered by Saints Row 2. Celebrating his just released, highly-controversial untitled album, Nas will give fans a taste of what's in store for this next phase of his celebrated career. Early wristband pick-up for the free, all ages performance will begin at 12 p.m. on July 18 on a first come, first served basis. Also, Nas has unveiled plans for The Jones Experience, an intimate summer tour. Along for the ride will be Talib Kweli, Jay Electronica and DJ Green Lantern. The 21-date North American tour will visit primarily clubs and theaters.
| July
19 - Chicago July 20 - Toronto July 22 - Montreal July 24 - Burlington, VT July 25 - New Haven, CT July 26 - Boston July 27 - Washington, DC July 29 - Charlotte, NC July 30 - Charleston, SC July 31 - Atlanta August 1 - New Orleans August 2 - Miami August 3 - New York August 8 - Las Vegas August 9 - Los Angeles |
August
10 - San Diego August 14 - Reno, NV August 15 - Chico, CA August 16 - San Francisco August 22 - Park City, UT August 23 - Denver August 24 - Austin August 25 - Houston August 26 - Dallas August 28 - Cleveland August 29 - Detroit August 30 - Champaign, IL September 3 - St. Louis September 4 - Milwaukee September 5 - Minneapolis September 6 - Quincy, WA |
TIMBO SAYS HE'S ON BOARD FOR JAY-Z NEW ALBUM.
"He wants me to do the whole thing this time around," Timbaland told MTV News recently. "I'mma make it a classic too. You better believe it. It'll be a monster! I always say this: You get a first single from me, I'mma get you up to gold. And it's hard to get you up to gold in this day [and age]." "Jay should never chill," he said about the rapper's decision to return to music full time. "We had a long talk, and I really talked to him. Jay-Z does it for the love. That's different. When somebody does it for the love, you don't stop. He has everything, but he's still current. A million people are buying his album regardless. "We wanna go to the world," he added. "The world is 'Big Pimpin'.' 'Big Pimpin' ' is an international hit, so we wanna do 10 of those. Meaning, some of the songs gonna sound like M.I.A. would rap on some of the beats. You gonna be like, 'Whoa!' But it's Jay on 'em. That means it reaches everywhere. I'mma have songs with bagpipes. The music is gonna be so wo rldwide, he'll be able to tour the rest of his life, maybe, off just this one album. The Jay-Z album is gonna be phenomenal. You know why? We don't care. We're doing great music just to do it. We doing it for our fans who love us to say we ain't quit. I'm doing it 'cause that's my homeboy."
MORE DEATHROW DRAMA! WHO REALLY OWNS THE LABEL AND THE ASSETS?
GLOBAL MUSIC GROUP a Delaware Corporation as Plaintiff filed a civil lawsuit Friday in Superior Court of the State of California Case no. BC394278 to assert their claim as rightful bidders of the assets of Death Row Records and to prevent the assets from falling under the control of a group controlled by former partners. Ron Goldberg, CEO of the company and of Alliance Capitol, LLC, its parent, announced that he filed the action against Global Music Group, Inc. a New York Corporation formed a day before the bid on June 9, 2008 by Global (Delaware) former president Anthony Marotta after Goldberg's Delaware company had retained counsel in March, 2008 and applied to be a bidder at the bankruptcy auction to be held June 24, 2008. Anthony Marotta and his new partners, RSB Investment Strategies, LLC, through the newly
formed corporation with the identical name are claiming they own the assets of Death Row Records. However, Goldberg said, "I have non-circumvent and non-compete agreements with both Marotta and RSB that prevent either from claiming to be the party in interest in the bankruptcy auction that determined the eventual owner of Death Row Record's assets." Goldberg has demanded that the parties involved in both Global Music Group, Inc. of New York and RSB cease any business pertaining to Death Row Records and specifically he states, "Susan Berg, Kathleen March, Ronnie G. Bush, Anthony Marotta, Anthony Davi, Jr. and Jeff Davi, who is current head of the Department of Real Estate of the State of California, are all in breach of their agreements with me." The complaint that has been filed contains Breach of Oral Contract, Breach of Written Contract, Misappropriation of Trade Secrets, Intentional Interference with Contract and Economic Advantage, Breach of Duty of Loyalty, and Unfair Competition causes of action. Goldberg is seeking a Constructive Trust with a Temporary Restraining Order to prevent the transfer of the assets. "When the Court sees the documents signed by the defendants that I rely on and when the work I did for a year in advance of the bid is made public,
it is beyond question who owns this record label," Goldberg said.
NEW JOINT FROM YUNG BERG
"Outerspace" from his upcoming album "Look What You Made Me" LISTEN
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME MUSEUM DISPLAYS NEW HIP HOP ARTIFACTS.
Not since the early days of rock and roll has an African-American-driven cultural phenomenon taken such a strong hold of mainstream American society as hip-hop. In its more than 30-year existence, hip-hop has transformed itself at least as much as it has transformed the culture at large. Whether hip-hop primarily reflects the culture from which some of it arises – the violence, despair, the sexism – or gives vent to the frustrations of that culture, remains a question. What is clear is that its main concerns, from simple human relationships to the burning social questions of the day, echo those of early rock and roll. HIP-HOP JUST PUMPED UP THE VOLUME! Hip-Hop artifacts viewable now at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland include:
Assorted
Hip-Hop Flyers c.1977 – 1985
Includes flyers from Saul Abbatiello, Afrika Bambaataa, Phase Too, Grandmaster
Flash, Lovebug Starski and DJ Kool Herc.
Slick
Rick
Hat & Eye Patch c.1985
Slick Rick’s eye patch was not an affectation, as he was blinded in the
right eye by broken glass as an infant.
Run D.M.C.
Tennis Shoes & Sunglass Frames c.1985
Grandmaster Flash
Mixer & Cap c.1988
**Flashformer Mixer by Gemini**
Cap by Kangol
Ice-T
Body Count T-Shirt c.1998
Release of Contract from Sire Records, November 12, 1992
After much public pressure, Sire Records asked Ice-T to pull the track “Cop
Killer” from his 1992 Body Count album, claiming the track advocated
violence against police. Ice-T refused, feeling the request compromised his
artistic integrity. This letter released the artist from his recording contract.
“Radio Suckers” lyric manuscript 1988 Rolling Stone magazine August
20, 1992 Concert Poster August 28, 1991 (Emunclaw, Washington)
N.W.A.
Letter from the F.B.I. to Priority Records August 1, 1989 Baseball Cap c.1990
2 Live Crew
“Banned In The U.S.A.” 45 rpm single, vinyl 1990
Public Enemy
Original Artwork c.1989
Tour Program Sketches c.1989
From It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back album
Spin Magazine October 1992
**Flavor Flav of Public Enemy Clock c.1988**
“Fight the Power” lyric manuscript
L.L. Cool J
Leather Jacket 1995
Design by Vanson Leathers
Pepa of Salt-n-Pepa
Jacket 1988
Design by Mary’s Fashion
Snoop Dogg
The Source Magazine April 1998
T-Shirt and Sneakers c.2000
“Money” lyric manuscript c.1998
This lyric segment is from an unreleased rap by Snoop Dogg
Jay-Z
Hockey Jersey and Sneakers c.1999
Notorious B.I.G.
**Leather Jersey c.1995**
45 rpm Records c.1995
These singles were from Biggie Smalls’ personal collection. He used these
and many other records as backing tracks and
samples for his early live performances and recordings.
Sean “P.Diddy”
Combs
Jacket by Gucci 2003
Andre 3000
Sweater and Sneakers 2003
Mike D.
Gloves and Goggles 1999
Wyclef Jean
Harmonicas c.1996
Lauryn Hill
Leather Jacket by levi stauss 1998
Queen Latifah
**Stage outfit 1989**
Queen Latifah photo c.1989
House of Pain
Ring and Pin c.1992
De La Soul
Necklace 1989
Prince Paul
Notebook 1988
As the producer for De La Soul, Prince Paul wrote production notes in this
notebook during the recording of their debut album,
3 Feet High and Rising.
“Rapture”
lyric manuscript
Written by Debbie Harry & Chris Stein Performed by Blondie Released on
the album Autoamerican 1981
“Rapture” was released in January 1981. It became one of the first
substantial hits to reference hip-hop, and it was the first rap-influenced
single to reach Number One on the Billboard chart. The lyric references Fab
5 Freddy. The “Rapture” video, in which Freddy has a brief cameo,
was the first hip-hop video to be shown on MTV.
“This is it for me,” Face told XXL Mag. “That should end it right here. I ain’t making it my last album. I’m moving on to some different sh*t. It ain’t my last album I’m gonna be a part of. You never know what’s next for me. I might go into making one of them rock bands.” Scarface, “Emeritus,” man,” he went on to say. “I’m always gonna be a part of the industry. I may just not be a part of the music industry as Scarface. Maybe I don’t know. I ain’t saying nothing.” When questioned further about ending his rap career, Face reportedly evaded a direct answer.
“I’m not gonna say that,” he said. “I’m gonna say Scarface, “Emeritus.” As time goes on, you will understand it.”
ESTELLE SHINES BRIGHT AROUND THE WORLD.
Homeschool/Atlantic recording artist Estelle continues to dominate the international airwaves with her blockbuster hit single, “American Boy (Feat. Kanye West).” The chart-topping track is featured on the British hip-hop/soul sensation’s critically acclaimed US debut album, “SHINE,” which was released earlier this year. “American Boy (Feat. Kanye West)” has ignited a true international commotion, reaching #1 on a variety of charts in a wide range of countries. In addition to hitting #1 on the European Airplay Chart, the single has topped the airplay charts in the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, and Ireland. What’s more, “American Boy” has hit the peak position on the iTunes Stores’ “Top Songs” chart in such countries as the UK, France, and Germany. Earlier this year, the track made history as the third-ever #1 UK single based on digital sales alone, following in the international smash footsteps of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” The Los Angeles Times recently declared Estelle to be among the top candidates for a “Best New Artist” nomination at next year’s Grammy Awards. “(Estelle is) the type of artist Grammy voters love,” wrote music reporter Todd Martens in his “Extended Play” column. “Her fresh take on R&B spans genres, from the reggae bump of ‘Come Over’ to the jazzy inflections of ‘Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)’ to the retro timelessness of ‘No Substitute Love.’ Estelle’s more inventive than 2006 ‘Best New Artist’ nominee Chris Brown, and just as elegant as 2005 ‘Best New Artist’ winner John Legend, who also, by the way, guests on ‘SHINE.’” “Her sound is a unique blend of hip hop, pop, reggae and soul,” explains Legend. “She has a special voice, unlike any other voice out there in mainstream music, and she can really write. I’m excited and honored to have Estelle as the first artist on my label. I believe the world is going to fall in love with her album, as I already have. Estelle is an amazing talent, and she’s going to do big things.” Also offering prolifigate praise are Estelle’s fellow artists. “I have never had worked with a young artist that reminded me so much of Lauryn Hill,” offers Wyclef Jean. “Estelle is such a talented singer, rapper, vocal arranger, and songwriter,” says Mark Ronson. “I can’t think of anyone else who can do all those things as well as she can. Any time that we work together in the studio, she never comes up with an idea that’s uninspiring.” “Estelle has a strong unique voice,” notes Cee-Lo, “reminiscent of old soul. Her ability to think outside the box draws me to her, and this is what will draw others to her.” “I feel she will be the next big thing in the R&B/soul game,” adds Swizz Beatz. “She is a great person to work with and I feel her album is a new feel for ‘08.” On Thursday, July 24th, Estelle will perform at the 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game Halftime Show, broadcast live on ESPN2, TeleFutura and CBC (check local listings). Major League Soccer’s 13th annual All-Star Game features the 2008 MLS All-Star squad taking on the storied English Premier League side, West Ham United, at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition, Estelle has been named an Ambassador for Virgin Unite, the not-for-profit entrepreneurial foundation of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group. Through Virgin Unite’s “Music Movement” program, she will be working to empower women and disadvantaged young people around the world. Estelle has been involved with Virgin Unite for the past few years, helping to raise €68K in 2006 in support of their work with young people in South Africa.
C-BO ON DECK.
West Coast Mafia label mates Killa Tay, Young Bleed, Big-o, Young Chaz, Streets, Spade all contribute in addition to the Outlawz, Yukmouth, Realist, and more. Tracks such as "Jays On My Feet" and "Riding for Mines" are sure to make an impact both with C-Bo's core fanbase and DJs nationwide. West Side Riders 4 is destined to be another street classic. C-Bo has been releasing records on his own label for more than a decade and has sold more than two million units independently, routinely moving 100 000 units on a single release. C-Bo garnered national media attention in 1998 when he became the only artist to be imprisoned for his lyrical content. He was charged with violating his parole because of the controversial, anti-law enforcement lyrics found on his fifth album, Til My Casket Drops. "Once they came after me for that, it made me get on the anti-government, political stuff every album," C-Bo says. "I had the NAACP come help me. The government couldn't stop me from saying what I wanted to say." Peep a couple of his new tracks: I'm The Shit: LISTEN Jays On My Feet: LISTEN
NAS AIRS IT OUT ABOUT 50 CENT AND MOBB DEEP.
King Magazine recently released some lost excerpts of their interview with Nas. "I ran into Prodigy last week and asked him, 'What should I ask Nas?' He said, 'Ask him, ‘What happened backstage at the Central Park show in 2004,’” Thomas Golianopoulos inquired. “Man, that was some classic Mobb Deep shit. They was rumbling,” Nas replied regarding a fight that took place backstage between Mobb Deep and others. But Prodigy thinks that those involved were Nas’ people. “He thinks you set him up,” Golianopoulos responded. Nas went on to discuss his relationship with Prodigy and addressed the situation. “I did hear that. Nah, I would never do that to him,” Nas retorted. “We had our differences, which was really just hyped up bullshit. I wish everything for Prodigy. They caught a lot of bad breaks. I just wish the best for him. I wish he didn’t have to do this time. And I would love to see them come back again. I would be the first person in the record store buying a Mobb album. I want to see them give it to us however many more times.” Nas also revealed how he felt about Mobb Deep joining G-Unit. “I was really happy to see 50 embrace them. I thought that was G because that’s something that doesn’t happen from the higher ups. All these big companies, they don’t care about us. They don’t care about the talented ones that aren’t given a fair shot and I thought it was a good move on 50’s part to give them a deal.”
NEW T.I. JOINT - "Swing Ya Rag" produced by Swizz Beatz off his upcoming album
PAPER TRAIL LISTEN
TRAE DAY HAS BEEN DECLARED.
Houston, TX - For all of the controversy and negative imagery attached to the rap music world, its artists often do much to give back to their communities and show support for the young people coming up behind them. One such artist is Houston's Trae tha Truth, and, in honor of his outstanding work within the community, the City of Houston is honoring Trae with his own day; the first time this honor has been extended to a rap artist. Henceforth, July 22nd will be known as Trae Day. The proclamation honoring Trae will be read at 2PM on that day by Houston's Mayor, Bill White, and the ceremony will be attended by City officials and several prominent rap artists. In further celebration of Trae Day, Trae is throwing what is to become an annual event; a block party at Houston's Sharpstown Mall where he will be joined not only by City officials and members of the rap community, but hundreds of children and their families from the communities that Trae routinely gives back to. The party will feature games and rides for the children, food and drinks and free live performances by Trae and a host of very special surprise guests.
T.I. DROPS DISS AIMED AT SHAWTY LO?
Check out his latest diss joint HERE.
In related News, According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, T.I. was scheduled to give a court approved appearance at the Luckie Food Lounge on Wednesday night (July 9) but an altercation occurred. T.I.'s lawyer, Steve Sadow, claims the rapper was not a part of the incident and did not witness it. He also said as soon as the incident went down, T.I. was immediately taken out the club by his security and a court-ordered monitor. Sadow did not reveal details about the incident. A police spokesperson did say that officers were called to the nightspot but they also did not reveal any details about the incident. A manager for Luckie Food Lounge refused to comment or reveal what happened. As reported earlier, T.I. plead guilty to various weapons charges last month as part of a plea deal to avoid trial. Under the agreement, T.I. was ordered to do at least 1,000 hours of community service and have a court-approved monitor with him at all times. He must also adhere to court given curfews. If T.I. fulfills the obligations of the deal, he will only receive a year and a day behind bars when he is sentenced in March 2009.
KIDZ IN THE HALL LAND ON EA MADDEN 09
Kidz in the Hall just landed them selves a spot on the soundtrack for the 20th Anniversary Edition of the highest selling video game franchise of all time- Madden NFL 2009! This year the Madden team "considered 4000+ songs before deciding on the final 26 tracks" - making this an even more impressive feat than in previous years. This year Madden set out to "create a definitive soundtrack that would be a combination of returning classic Madden acts, ass-kicking new bands and some very cool surprises from hip-hop to hardcore and beyond." The track chosen was none other than "The Blackout" from Kidz latest album "The In Crowd", on Major League/Duck Down Records, and truly demonstrates the rapid-fire lyricism of MC Naledge and masterful bass heavy beats of DJ Double O. This is probably why Steve Steve Schnur, worldwide executive of music and marketing for Electronic Arts, said "we believe that this time next year, Kidz In The Hall will be true Hip-Hop superstars." Over the years the majority of Madden's music has come from emerging artists. It even helped introduce such hip hop stars as artists like Chamillionaire, Nappy Roots, Lupe Fiasco, Papoose, MURS, Slim Thug, and Swizz Beatz. Now by putting the up-and-coming hip hop artists of today and tomorrow like Kidz in the Hall, Madden is continuing its legacy as "the game that made the music matter."
SOUNDSCAN CHART NUMBERS/STATS-Week Ending 07/06/08
Lil’ Wayne’s Tha Carter III regains the #1 slot with 156,370 scans (1,681,885 total). G-Unit debuts Terminate On Sight with 101,622 units sold taking the #4 slot. Usher's Here I Stand takes #8 with 41,461 units sold (847,317 total). Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad takes #10 with 40,166 copies sold (1,394,188 total). Three 6 Mafia's Last 2 Walk grabs #11 with 42,893 copies sold (114,013 total). Jim Jones and The Byrd Gang debut M.O.B. with 17,176 scans. Tech N9ne debuts Killer with 36,199 scans.
SNOOP CHECKS IN WITH BIG BOY.
For those that didnt hear it, Snoop Dogg checked in with Big Boy from L.A.'s Power 106 FM to discuss his newly released animated DVD, The Adventures Of Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. He also speaks on Dr.Dre's highly anticipated album Detox. LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE
HOPSIN - New Face of Ruthless Records
"I draw my inspiration from the old me who didn't have a deal. The me, who was a loser and didn't have any trustworthy friends; The me, who was heartbroken too many times; The me, who hated what Hip-Hop has become today. That's where I get it from." CHECK OUT THE INTERVIEW
FLASH FORWARD TO A PRESIDENT OBAMA - Another Thought Process Edition:
It's Jan. 20th, 2009, more people are tuned in for an inaguration speech than ever recorded, setting television records that rival the Superbowl, American idol, and the Mash series finale. Outside the Whitehouse local police aided by military assistance attempt to calm a rawkus crowd of Obama loyalist and anti-Obama protesters in a very hostile environment, Fox news cancels all its shows and only covers the chaos. World press covers this intensely. On the inside poltical elite along with other first tier celebrities and world players gather and prepare to hear from the next president. Silence...., Jay-Z's 99 problems comes on blasting from the loudspeakers, Obama pimp strolls down the aisle slapping high fives and pounding the gathering in a pair of Versace glasses being guided by his secret service - a group of former mobsters, gangsters, and assassins. Barack steps up to the podium and after fifteen minutes of non stop applause, he begins to address the crowd. "We've waited for this day for over 200 years, and it's finally here"... READ MORE
IS HIP HOP RECESSION PROOF? - Another Thought Process Edition:
Location: Any club in America, Time: 12:51a.m, It's going down. "Let me get more some bottles to the vip!" , "Girl you see his chain?", I know, look at that watch! "More bottles to the vip please!!! The Dj got the club rocking, all the ladies are looking good, security is on the dancefloor getting loose, camera phones out everywhere, CRACK!!!, you hear glass shattering and see everyone running toward the door. Location: Same club in America, Time 12:51a.m, These drinks too much, and these girls aint talking bout nothing. "Ole boy keep ordering bottles", I see him, icy and all that, I don't even know this dude. "Man you can't even get a drink all these servers bopping on ole boy, and security hate every time we fire up". The Dj drops Lollipop for the fifth time tonight. "And he looking just like one", CRACK!!!, let me get that!", you see the glass hit the floor and run out the door with everyone else... READ MORE
HIP HOP BITS N PIECES
Pics of MYA strollin hers on the beach, Behind the scenes video footage, Snoops new cartoon and more.. CLICK HERE
TURMOIL BREWING OVER AT INTERSCOPE?
Although the rumors of Busta Rhymes being dropped from Interscope havent yet officially been confirmed from Interscope, they haven't exactly been officially denied either. Rumors report that an inside source over at Interscope revealed that Jimmy Iovine sent word to Busta that his services were no longer needed. The label still denies the situation but has not released any statement yet. After Obie Trice and Joell Ortiz, Busta would be the third artist to pack his bags.. We'll keep you in the loop as this story unfolds. Maybe Busta will send us a freestyle about the situation.
GORILLA ZOE GEARS UP FOR NEW ALBUM.
Gorilla Zoe, gears up for the release of his sophomore album, Don't Feed Da Animals (September 23rd release) with single "On the Corner" featuring Sean Kingston. Gorilla Zoe's debut "Welcome to the Zoo," peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Top Rap Albums Chart. Block Entertainment CEO Russell "Block" Spencer expects Don't Feed Da Animals to exceed expectations set by the success of Welcome to the Zoo. The project has production from the Justice League, Don Vito, and Luney Tunez N Yo Area, Jazze Pha , and J.R. Rotem. "My first album was all real life; I was just talking about where I was at, at that time," says Zoe about his debut, which peaked at #3 on Billboard's Top Rap albums chart. Now, I've tasted success and been around the world, but I'm still hood. You see me in the same places you met me. I don't have money like Bill Gates or Jay-Z, but I'm hood-rich and I'm telling my story from that point of view. I've watched so many folks get money, leave the hood, and think they're better than everyone else," says Zoe. "I ain't gonna change who I am; I don't think success means you've got to leave or change who you are. But at the same time some change is good. Anything that doesn't change isn't alive. People, just like flowers, grow, bloom, and die. If I'm gonna grow, bloom, and die, I'm gonna make sure people love me. "In making this album, I've learned what to do with my voice. I know what sounds fit me, so I'm in my zone right now. I understand that it's ok to just be me, instead of jumping in and out of trends. I look at everything and everybody accordingly," says Zoe. "I've seen people look at me like I'm nothing but a dope boy, or say I'm not a real hip-hop artist. I don't make music for those people. That's why I call mines 'relative music' - it's made for people to relate to. I'm the hood spokesperson and my clientele will grow with me."
OBIE TRICE - ROUND II - LISTEN HERE
MARKET CONDITIONS- BY THE NUMBERS - Week of 06/29/08
Check out Soundscan's Business Conditions Report-- Overall, Singles, Videos, Albums, etc.. See the full report.. CLICK HERE
SOUNDSCAN CHART NUMBERS/STATS-Week Ending 06/29/08
Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III takes #2 with 209,305 copies sold (1,525,516 total). Three 6 Mafia debut Last 2 Walk in at #5 with 76,722 units sold. Usher's Here I Stand grabs #7 with 51,586 copies sold (805,856 total). Plies' Definition Of Real grabs #11 with 42,983 scans (325,472 total). Dwele debuts Sketches of a Man with 13,854 copies sold. N.E.R.D.'S Seeing Sounds takes #38 with 13,258 units sold (116,953 total). Ashanti's Declaration takes #42 with 12,807 copies sold. (155,419 total). Bun B's II Trill takes #54 with 10,718 copies sold (206,576 total). Amy Winehouse's Back to Black pushes 9,468 copies - moving her over 2 million copies sold (2,006,601 total). 2 Pistols' Death Before Dishonor drops to #110 selling 6,594 copies (22,388 total). RZA As Bobby Digital's Digi Snacks debuts at #111 with 6,565 scans. Vaste Aire debuts Deuces Wild with just 506 copies sold. Album sales are down 11% from the midpoint of 2007, while digital sales continue to grow at a steady pace. Physical and digital album sales reached 204.6 million unit in the 26 sales weeks between Dec. 31 and June 29, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Digital album sales are up 34% to 31.6 million units, which represent 15.5% of all album sales. Digital tracks spiked 30% as 524.7 million have been sold to date, a 125.4 million unit increase from 2007.
DANNY BOY SET TO DROP NEW ALBUM.
In 2004, former Death Row Records R&B artist Danny Boy launched his own label, Platinum Pearl. A then sub-label through Death Row Records. Danny Boy and his artists Bobbi Blaq, Mic Boog and The MOB Starz, put together an album which like most Death Row albums, was unfortunately shelved, and never released! Originally scheduled to be distributed through Death Row Records, The Come Up now sees a release, in stores and available online from July 8th. The Come Up boasts production from former Death Row Records in-house producers, Ambassador Kash, and Sir Jinx. With guest appearances from Natris G, Crucial Conflict, and Kia Shine.
KIDZ IN THE HALL WEST COAST REMIX.
Kidz In The Hall's road trip began in New Jersey as producer Double O devised a bass-heavy instrumental and decided he and rapper Naledge were going to travel the USA putting their favorite artists on the record. The duo paid a visit to Masta Ace in Brooklyn, NY and then made a quick pit stop in the Bronx to say what up to Pusha T from The Clipse. The journey continued on to Chi Town where the group linked up with the Cool Kids. From there it was on to Port Arthur, TX to visit Bun B. Their final destination, like so many road trips, was California, where Kidz In The Hall met up with Pac Division, Tyga, Glasses Malone and Mistah F.A.B. Check the West Coast Remix to Kidz In the Hall's hit single "Drivin Down The Block" LISTEN
SOULJA BOY INKS SHOE AND APPAREL DEAL.
Soulja Boy Tell'em announces a multi-year sneaker and apparel contract with Yums Shoes. This tier one endorsement allows the rapper, in conjunction with Yums' designer Tex, to design his own signature shoe within the Yums' Block Star line of sneakers, which uniquely emblazon the soles of each colorfully crafted shoe with graffiti art. Soulja Boy Tell'em and Tex will also design street-oriented apparel for Yums Shoes. Soulja Boy Tell'em joins forces with Yums "Supa Throwed" designer and legendary Dallas graffiti artist Tex (one of the founding members of Infinity Crew) and JP McDade, CEO of Yums Shoes. Tex says of the deal between Collipark Music / Interscope Records, Soulja Boy Tell'em and Yums Shoes: "This is a natural fit for Yums Shoes, Interscope and Soulja Boy Tell'em. It clearly demonstrates how music and fashion blend together." McDade adds, "The shoes and clothing line allow the wearer to express his or her personality, because each shoe is an individual piece of art. Soulja Boy Tell'em will be able to assist in designing shoes and apparel exactly the way he would want them to look. And with Interscope's considerable marketing savvy, we expect this effort to be our biggest, most far-reaching yet." Super producer Mr. Collipark hints at bigger things to come for Soulja Boy Tell'em,
adding, "We are very excited and have high expectations for this opportunity and future Soulja Boy Tell'em endeavors, including movies and television." Steve Berman, President, Sales and Marketing, Interscope Geffen A&M, said of the agreement: "Soulja Boy Tell'em has a sense of cultural radar that's unrivaled. He built his own brand and we were lucky enough to work with him to take it to the next level. Soulja Boy Tell'em's innate sense for what his fans want makes him the perfect artist to have a sneaker line. We're excited to partner with him on this."
RETRO KIDZ KEEP IT OL' SKOOL
Back to the days when "Fresh Prince Of Bel Air" was on the tube, "House Party" was on the big screen and Hammer ruled the radio, the RETRO KIDZ are in the building -- and trust us, you won't miss them. Draped in the freshest late 80's and early 90's gear and emanating feel-good vibes of yesteryear that today's blinged-out hip-hop seems to have shed, the colorful crew comprised of high school friends Sur Fresh Alot, First Lady, Lucky a.k.a Gumby, Kool Kid, Joeski, Ill Will, J.Smooth and SkyTel. They are the latest signees to new label, BROBOT, started by Aahmek Richards, producer Bryce Wilson and DJ/producer Junior Sanchez. The Kidz's story picked up steam months ago when producer Armand Van Helden ("The Funk Phenomena," "My My My", etc.) told Aahmek he was "looking for rappers with high-top fades" to star in the video TriggerHappy, which he was producing for his latest hit, "I Want Your Soul" -- a bright and fun video directed by New York sweetheart Vashtie. "And then the Retro Kidz pop up," Van Helden says. "I've had people tell me when they see the I Want Your Soul video, 'Where did you get the old school footage?' Friends at the shoot had huge smiles and were like, 'Wow, when you see them, when they're right next to you, it just brings you back.'" the Retro Kidz have become quite the party starters in New York, known to roll up on a soiree and spur ear-to-ear smiles from everyone who sees them, and, according to Kool Kid, lots of double-takes. "Sometimes triple-takes," he laughs from the Brobot studios in New York. "Sometimes people yell, 'Big Daddy Kane! Kid N' Play!', and we love that we bring you that far back. Ultimately though, we are a movement. It doesn't have to be 80s. It doesn't have to be 90s. We just want people to have fun again, be stylish, and express themselves."
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CELEB BIRTHDAY PARTY IN ATLANTA |
CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO CEO SIGNS EXTENSION.
Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan has agreed to a five-year contract extension, which will keep him in place with the broadcasting giant through its buyout by private equity firms Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners. In a recent memo release, Clear Channel President/CEO Mark Mays informed the Clear Channel staff of Hogan's new contract. Mays wrote, "As we move toward the closing of our merger, I want to share with you an important additional piece of news. It’s my pleasure to let you know that John Hogan has signed a five-year contract with the company."
OBIE TRICE - AIRS IT OUT!
Obie Trice airs it out on new track " The Giant".. LISTEN HERE
LYFE JENNINGS LAUNCHES SUMMER TOUR.
Platinum selling singer/songwriter/producer Lyfe Jennings kicked off his Baby I'm a Star summer concert tour in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Friday, June 27th. In conjunction with the tour, Lyfe is partnering with Music World Entertainment to launch a program in support of the "Heightened National Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis Among African Americans," an effort led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to promote awareness, education and testing across the United States in response to the alarming HIV/AIDS crisis among African-Americans. The program named It's Real. Preserve Your Lyfe! will be activated in each of the 22 cities where Lyfe's tour will be making stops. As part of the initiative, local health facilities will be distributing "Lyfe Change" kits featuring important HIV/AIDS prevention and education resources as well as copies of Lyfe's song, "It's Real," which addresses the epidemic. Lyfe says, "I have to use my voice to help raise awareness so that we can really bring an end to this thing. This disease has affected all of our lives, but we can definitely do things to prevent its spread and to protect ourselves." The Baby I'm a Star tour will visit major cities including New York City, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Miami and Los Angeles.
SNOOP SAYS DETOX IS A DONE DEAL!
Dr. Dre's long-awaited, highly anticipated Detox album may finally see the light of day, according to Snoop. "That record is real, it’s coming," Snoop told Rolling Stone. "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 said the album is finished and that it’s up to Dre to go through all the songs he’s recorded and decide which ones make the final cut. Snoop also revealed that Dre will produce his next record, which will be the follow-up to Ego Trippin’.
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CITRUS CRUNK JUICE LAUNCH PARTY @ STUDIO 72 |
DEATHROW LABEL AND CATALOG HAVE A NEW HOME.
Suge Knight's Death Row Records label was auctioned and sold off yesterday (Wednesday 6/26) for $24 million. A bankruptcy court judge ordered that the label be put up for auction yesterday, so Global Music Group President Susan Berg coughed up $24 million to purchase Tha Row, according to TMZ. This puts Susan Berg in control of the recordings of Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre during their tenure at the label, as well as 20 unreleased Tupac tracks. Knight first filed for bankruptcy in 2006 due to numerous legal troubles, including a $107 million payment that he owed to Lydia Harris, co-founder of the label. A federal court judge later authorized a bankruptcy trustee to takeover the label. Knight was ordered by a California judge in May to liquidate the label at an auction this month, but he headed back to court on Tuesday to argue the order, according to The Post Chronicle. However, his motion was refused and the judge ordered him to press ahead with selling off the rights to the label's back catalog.
MARKET CONDITIONS- BY THE NUMBERS - Week of 6/22/08
Check out Soundscan's Business Conditions Report-- Overall, Singles, Videos, Albums, etc.. See the full report.. CLICK HERE
SOUNDSCAN CHART NUMBERS/STATS-Week Ending 06/22/08
Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III drops to #2 with 308,505 scans (1,316,211 total). Plies' Definition Of Real grabs #5 with 67,678 scans (282,579 total). Usher's Here I Stand takes #6 with 64,938 units sold (754,270 total). Rihanna's re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad re enters the charts at #7 with 63,319 scans (1,307477 total). N.E.R.D's Seeing Sounds dips to #20 with 23,620 copies sold (103,695 total). Ashanti's Declaration grabs #21 with 22,226 copies sold (142,612 total). TMI Boyz' Grindin For A Purpose takes #28 with 18,007 scans (27,525 total). Blood Raw debuted CTE Presents: My life, The True Testimony at #30 with 17,377 copies sold. 2 Pistols debuts Death Before Dishonor at #33 with 15,764 units sold. Bun B's II Trill grabs #43 with 13,317 copies sold (195,858 total).
14TH ANNUAL ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL SET FOR JULY 4TH WEEKEND.
The 14th annual Essence Music Festival presented by Coca-Cola will celebrate another momentous year in New Orleans this July 4, 5 and 6 with the biggest names in entertainment and the nation's most influential speakers, artists, authors and leaders. The Essence Music Festival is the nation's largest annual gathering of African-American music and culture; featuring an unprecedented three days of cultural celebrations and empowerment seminars and three nights of performances by some of today's greatest African-American artists. Performing on the mainstage at the Louisiana Superdome: Kanye West; Mary J. Blige; Chris Brown; Rihanna; Chris Rock; Keyshia Cole; Jill Scott; Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; Morris Day & The Time; LL Cool J; J. Holiday; Musiq; plus, a star-studded celebration of living legend Patti LaBelle featuring original LaBelle members Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx; Angie Stone; Ledisi; Chrisette Michele; Ruby Amanfu; and more! Running concurrently with the mainstage performances in the Superdome's four Superlounges are shows by some of today's rising stars, living legends and New Orleans hometown favorites: Bamboula 2000; Big Sam's Funky Nation and the New Orleans Funk Soul Explosion; Terence Blanchard; Peabo Bryson; Mint Condition; Cupid; Raheem Devaughn; Estelle; Grandmaster Flash; Gil Scott-Heron; Lyfe Jennings; Karina; Kermit Ruffin's Tribute to Louis Armstrong; Ledisi; Irma Thomas and the Professionals; Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra; Chrisette Michelle; Nicholas Payton Quintet; Preservation Hall Jazz Band's Gospel Revival; Purple Disrespect; Rebirth Brass Band; Christian Scott; Solange; Angie Stone and Marva Wright. "The Essence Music Festival is truly the ultimate party weekend this Fourth of July; celebrating Black culture with an unparalleled combination of music, arts, and empowerment," says Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications Inc. "We have an extraordinary line-up of A-List talent in the Louisiana Superdome and the daytime Essence Empowerment Seminars are covering the issues impacting our community with critical examination, motivation and inspiration." The 2008 Essence Music Festival is executive produced by Essence Festivals LLC and produced by Rehage Entertainment.
BET AWARDS '08 RECAP. ONE WORD - AL GREEN!
BET AWARDS '08 lived up to its promise as "the hottest ticket on television", which premiered LIVE from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium. Kanye West was named Best Male Hip Hop Artist and won Best Collaboration for "Good Life" featuring T-Pain. UGK scored the Best Group nod and also earned Video of the Year for "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)" featuring Outkast. Alicia Keys was named Best Female R&B Artist, Chris Brown was awarded Best Male R&B Artist, and Missy Elliott landed Best Female Hip Hop Artist honors. BET named The Dream this year's Best New Artist, while Marvin Sapp won Best Gospel Artist. Usher opened the show with a sultry rendition of "Love in this Club," while Ne-Yo's high-energy performance of "Closer" included tons of impressive choreography and a cameo by Jabbawockeez from MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew." Young Jeezy and Kanye gave an electrifying showing of "Put On," and T-Pain performed a colorful, circus-inspired medley of songs, featuring Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Big Boi, DJ Khaled and Ludacris. Girl power was definitely in the house, as Keyshia Cole sang "Heaven Sent" and was joined by Lil' Kim for "Let It Go," and Alicia Keys performed "Teenage Love Affair" and then accompanied some of the best girl groups of all time - SWV, En Vogue and TLC - for performances of their hit songs. Other show-stopping performances included Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown's sizzling dance with Ciara, and Nelly's medley with Jermaine Dupri and Fergie. In addition, Jill Scott and Maxwell performed a moving tribute to legendary R&B icon Al Green, this year's recipient of BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Green brought the house down with his own performance of "Let's Stay Together" and "Love and Happiness." SEE FOOTAGE HERE Quincy Jones, celebrated producer/arranger/composer, was also honored with BET's prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young African-Americans through the Listen Up Foundation.
DMX GETS ARRESTED AGAIN?
According to the Associated Press, DMX was arrested in Miami due to an arrest warrant for having no valid driver's license. He was picked up around 1:30 PM on Monday (June 23) and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Institute at about 1:30 p.m. and released shortly after on bond. Also recently, he pleaded not guilty to felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in Arizona, as a result of a raid on his house. At press time, there were no comments from DMX or his reps regarding his arrest.
YOUNG BUCK FORMS GROUP W. CMR ARTIST.
Young Buck and Cash Money recording artist All $tar are set to release a mix tape together entitled "Starbuck's: B.O.A.T.(Based On A True Story)". They have also formed a group with the same name. With all the current controversy surrounding, Buck and Star have turned it into a positive by making a mixtape with up and coming producer and DJ J.A. from Washington D.C. who also includes production on the CD. Later this year they are expected to release another project entitled "Shop never closes". The new mixtape includes features from Yo Gotti, Sosa Da Plug and The Outlawz. Young Buck also responds to the new phone call drama with 50cent in two songs aimed at him. CHECK OUT THEIR LATEST JOINT Starbucks - "Money Rite" ft Sosa da plug LISTEN
NE-YO TAKING JABS AT LIL WAYNE?
Check out his freestyle. LISTEN HERE
BANKRUPT TVT FINDS NEW HOME
Digital media service provider The Orchard (ORCD) has revealed that it was selected as the winning bidder to purchase independent music label TVT Records in a bankruptcy auction held in New York. The acquisition is expected to close not later than July 3. However, financial terms of the bid were not disclosed. As part of its winning bid, The Orchard will acquire the TVT catalog, its artists contacts and TVT's physical distribution business. The Orchard is a unit of Dimensional Associates, which also owns digital music retailer eMusic. Greg Scholl, president of The Orchard, said the company - which controls digital distribution rights to more than 1.1 million songs and makes them available to retailers like iTunes, Verizon and others - plans to release new music from TVT acts. "We are committed to supporting the artists on the current roster," he said. "But we are not anticipating expanding the roster and signing new artists. Along with a great catalogue of chart-topping music, TVT has a formidable artist roster, with major hip-hop talents and a phenomenal pipeline of developing artists. We look forward to working with these artists."
MIDI MAFIA TO RECEIVE ASCAP AWARD.
Grammy nominated and famed production duo MIDI Mafia will be honored at the 21st Annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music awards this Monday, June 23rd. MIDI Mafia- consisting of hit makers Dirty Swift and Bruce Waynne - will be recognized for their work on R&B singer Fantasia's smash single "When I See U," one of the top songs of 2007. Says MIDI Mafia, "Working with Fantasia is always incredible, and with 'When I See U,' it was one of those times when you have the right song for the right artist and everything just connects." Prior to their work with Fantasia, MIDI Mafia has collaborated and produced songs for a range of A-list artists including Jennifer Lopez, Mos Def, Young Buck, Talib Kweli, Nelly and G-Unit. Their rise to fame began on the crest of the smash hit "21 Questions" with 50 Cent. The duo's production - consisting of Bruce Waynne's distinctive vocals and visual songwriting style combined with Dirty Swift's DJ influenced methodologies and technical expertise - is represented on over 20 million records sold worldwide. Currently, MIDI Mafia is in the studio producing Fantasia's entire next album, as well as busy forming their own label, Family Ties Entertainment and launching one of their first artists Shiré, an R&B soul artist out of Baltimore whose sound calls upon the heartache of Mary J. Blige combined with the fiery attitude of Lil Kim. Shiré's debut album "Picking Up The Pieces" will be in stores in 2009.
THE GAME PUTS OUT HIS VERSION OF "THE TAPED CONVERSATION"
Looks like The Game has Young Buck's back.. Check out The Games diss song to G-Unit.
LISTEN HERE
G-UNIT TAKES YOU BEHIND THE SCENES OF THEIR NEW VIDEO
Behind the scenes and on set of “I Like the Way She Do It” WATCH HERE
YOUNG BUCK RESPONDS.
Young Buck responds to 50 Cent with a new song dissing G-Unit called "The Taped Conversation." LISTEN HERE. in response to the leaked phone conversation between 50 Cent and Young Buck Click Here
MARKET CONDITIONS- BY THE NUMBERS - Week of 6/15/08
Check out Soundscan's Business Conditions Report-- Overall, Singles, Videos, Albums, etc.. See the full report.. CLICK HERE
SOUNDSCAN CHART NUMBERS/STATS-Week Ending 06/15/08
Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” takes the #1 slot with over a million sales for its debut week (1,005,545 total). Plies’ “Definition of Real” debuts at #2 with 214,532 copies sold. Usher's Here I Stand takes #3 with 100,807 copies sold (689,332 total). N.E.R.D.’s “Seeing Sounds” debuts at #7 with 79,968 units scanned. Ashanti's Declaration takes #13 with 33,898 copies sold (120,386 total). Mariah Carey's E=MC2 takes #21 scanning 27,117 units. Shes now platinum (1,024,861 total). Bun B's II Trill grabs #29 with 19,994 scans (182,541 total). Rick Ross' Trilla grabs #50 with 13,804 scans (577,486 total). Amy Winehouse's Back To Black takes #82 with 9,476 scans. she should be double platinum within the next week or so (1,989,066 total). Lyfe Jennings Lyfe Change takes #85 scanning 8,888 units (179,705 total). TMI BOYZ debut Grindin For A Purpose which takes #88 with 8,602 copies sold. Tyga's No Introduction debuts at #112 with only 6,787 copies sold. Keak Da Sneak debuts Deified with just 3,798 copies sold taking #196.
LIL WAYNE SELLS OVER A MILLION 1ST WEEK OUT..
Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III hits platinum its first week in stores as it sold over 1 million copies, which exceeded early estimates of 900,000 to 940,000. Wayne's new CD sold 1,005,545, according to Nielsen SoundScan, making him the first artist since 50 Cent in 2005 to sell more than 1 million copies of an album in a single week. The largest sales week since 50 Cent's The Massacre belonged to Kanye West's Graduation, which moved 957,000 units when it debuted last year. The biggest debut so far in 2008 had been Mariah Carey's E=MC2, which bowed with 443,000 copies. "Thank you, that's it," Wayne told MTV News when asked about the first-week sales. "I'm just very grateful, that's it. Blown away, of course. Surprised, of course. Elated. Every positive word there is. I wasn't trippin' about this, I didn't have no expectations. That's not only with music, [that's] period. You shouldn't expect anything. You never know what could happen." Wayne also mentioned that on June 27, he'll be starting his tour in support of the album. "I just want people to leave the show and feel like they saw something that they gonna remember forever," he said. "You know how our parents always tell us about some concert they went to [back in the day], but they remember it like yesterday? I want that to be every night, every city for me." Wayne's popularity coupled with his current single "Got Money" feat T-Pain, which was co-written and produced by Grammy Award Winning producer's Play*N*Skillz has helped propel him to the number one spot. "Its an honor to be on a classic album and one of the biggest selling rap albums in a long time and it shows that Hip-hop is not dead, said Play from Play*N*Skillz. "To have a single on "Tha Carter III" means alot considering the competition and the pressure that was put on Lil Wayne to even make the album, said Skillz from Play*N*Skillz.
TEAM BLACKOUT – THE NEXT GENERATION OF HIP-HOP.
If you've been following the hit MTV reality series Run’s House starring Reverend Run (of Run-DMC), then you already know about the hip-hop trio Team Blackout. Team Blackout consists of Rev Run’s teenage son JoJo Simmons and his childhood friends Zach, and Reggie. The Queens / Long Island natives have been rhyming together since the 7th grade, but it wasn’t until the 2003 New York City Blackout that JoJo, Zach and Reggie decided to officially unite and form Team Blackout – hence the name. Since then, they’ve been honing their craft, in the studio, on stage and even on TV. For the past four-years, millions of Run’s House fans have watched Team Blackout develop, on-air, into a full-fledged group to look out for. In 2007, they landed their first record deal with NY / LA based indie label Latchkey Recordings (distributed via Koch Entertainment). Team Blackout immediately hit the studio to record their debut album, Lights Out, in stores 8/19/2008. Lights Out was produced entirely by upcoming production duo Chris n Teeb (Danity Kane, Salt N Pepa), Grammy award winning producer Rockwilder and Ron Browz. Rev Run serves as the LP’s executive producer. JoJo Simmons states “we’ve got hot music, so it’s gonna be hard for people to say we only got a break just because I’m Reverend Run’s son. People are gonna be surprised.” Season 5 of MTV’s Run’s House kicks off this summer, with more of Team Blackout’s steady rise in the music biz. Keep an eye open for Team Blackout’s upcoming video for “Billion Dollar Boyfriend” and be sure to check out their internet buzz video “J5 On ‘Em”, produced by Ron Browz (Nas, G-Unit), featuring DJ Webstar and Boogie Black. Fans of Run’s House loved the J5 dance from season four and continually sent messages asking for more, so Team Blackout hit them with a summer dance anthem for the kids.
DAMON DASH GOES HARD.
Jones Apparel Group Inc. has announced that it has formed a joint venture with Rachel Roy, Damon Dash and TSM Capital LLC to develop, market and license the New York-based fashion brand, Rachel Roy. Under the terms of the agreement, Jones owns 50% of the joint venture interest. The remaining interest is owned by the two founders, Rachel Roy and Damon Dash, as well as TSM Capital which acquired a minority stake in the business last November. Jones said it will assume operations of the existing designer collection business under license with the new joint venture. The line is currently available in luxury department stores such as Nordstrom and Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman. According to a press release, the joint venture is reported to be worth $4 billion between the two companies. Additional terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
SOUL TRAIN GETS NEW OWNER.
A production company, MadVision Entertainment, has bought the “Soul Train” franchise from its founder, Don Cornelius, and plans to breathe new life into it. The plan is to open up the show’s archives for older consumers as well as to create a new version of the program for younger ones. “The series has never been shown on DVD, and it’s not been utilized on video-on-demand or mobile or Internet platforms,” Peter Griffith, a co-founder of MadVision, said. “There are many opportunities that we are exploring.” MadVision, which was founded in 2006 by three urban media veterans, is best known for the Showtime stand-up comedy series “White Boyz in the Hood.” One of the founders of MadVision, Kenard Gibbs, is the group publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines. Another founder, Anthony Maddox, worked as a producer at NBC and ran Sean Combs’s Bad Boy Films. Mr. Griffith, the third partner, founded a hip-hop Web portal and worked with Vibe to extend the magazine’s brand. The deal for “Soul Train,” reached in mid-May, is the first acquisition for MadVision, which is based in Los Angeles. Neither the company nor Mr. Cornelius would comment on the sale price. As for 2008 version of “Soul Train,” Mr. Griffith said the company is in talks with potential producers about what the show might look like. Mr. Cornelius, now 71, didn’t mince words about his decision to sell.“Thirty-five years is a long time,” he said. Source: NY Times
CROOKED I SET FOR NEW RELEASE?
After being co-signed by XXL as one of ‘Hip-Hop's Next Superstars’, Crooked I has teamed up with Akon, and Konvict Music in-house producer Detail, to deliver ‘Dream Big’, The debut single from his upcoming release B.O.S.S. (Beginning Of Something Serious). LISTEN HERE
After fulfilling his contract obligation that held him hostage for four years at Death Row Records, the Long Beach, Californian emcee joins the likes of The Game, Glasses Malone and Guerilla Black, to bring California back to the promise land.
THA CARTER III BIGGEST DEBUT OF THE YEAR?
Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III was released this week and is expected to top the sales charts when the final numbers are released next week. Sales are expected in the range of 900,000 to 940,000 copies. This would make it the biggest debut of the year, overselling Mariah Carey's E=MC2, (443,000 copies)and Kanye West's Graduation with 957,000 last year. According to numbers compiled by Nielsen SoundScan's Building Chart that was released late Wednesday (June 11), preliminary first-day sales figures for the album from nine leading retailers showed that they sold about 423,000 copies on the first day alone.
EMINEM CRANK CALLS LL COOL J.
Earlier this week, LL Cool J was a guest on Tony Touch's Toca Tuesday show on Sirius' Shade 45 channel-- Eminem decided to call in as "Jason from Miami" and challenge LL to a round of "Name That Tune," in which "Jason" would recite LL's lyrics and L would have to guess which song it was. After a few songs, LL said, "You sound good saying them joints. That sounds like you need to write some bars, homie." Then Em finally started reciting his own rhymes from "Lose Yourself" and revealed himself. He told LL he had been a longtime fan and remembered their only meeting, which happened years ago in a Foot Locker. He also said he's "in the studio now working on songs." LISTEN HERE
TIMBO AND PUBLICIST GET HITCHED.
Timbaland and Monique Idlett, his longtime girlfriend, publicist and baby mama, have gotten married, according to his publicist - (Monique Idlett). The two got married in sweatpants in Virginia Tuesday, with family pastor officiating the ceremony. The couple will be having a formal wedding in Aruba June 22.
MARKET CONDITIONS- BY THE NUMBERS - Week of 6/08/08
Check out Soundscan's Business Conditions Report-- Overall, Singles, Videos, Albums, etc.. See the full report.. CLICK HERE
SOUNDSCAN CHART NUMBERS/STATS-Week Ending 06/08/08
Usher's Here I Stand grabbed the #3 spot with 144,551 copies sold (588,525 total) taking him into Gold status. Ashanti's Declaration debuted at #6 with 86,278 scans. Chris Brown's Exclusive climbs to #10 from #56 with 36,227 units sold (1,581,718 total). Leona Lewis' Spirit takes #11 with 33,221 scans (739,839 total). Mariah Carey's E=MC2 takes #13 with 30,176 copies sold (997,744 total). Bun B's II Trill scoops up #19 with 23,981 units sold (162,547 total). Rick Ross' Trilla drops to #38 with 13,496 copies sold (563,682 total). Pimp C's Greatest Hits debuted with 2,729 copies sold. Lil' Keke's Chronicles debuts with 471 copies sold. Lupe Fiasco's The Cool has hit Gold status with a total of 503,308 copies sold after 25 weeks on the charts. Plies Real Testament has hit Gold status with a total of 507,955 units sold after 44 weeks on the charts. Twista Presents Speedknot Mobstaz: Mobstability 2 has sold only a total of 3,255 units after 2 weeks since the release.
DJ STRONG RELEASES STATEMENT REGARDING BISHOP LAMONT INCIDENT:
Contrary to what my normal ethic is, in regards to my artists and my mixtapes. There has been a confusion about the latest mixtapes release, with great respect to all concerned, I apologize that this has gotten to such a point and that it has affected alot of people. I am very sorry that this all happened and in my excitement to make this project a big success one miscommunicated mistake was made. A special apology goes out to Bishop Lamont, i would never do anything out of spite to hurt the very artists we've been wanting to see so successful out here on the west coast for such a long time. We as the west coast really need to stick together especially now that we are all getting to a point where alot of artists are about to come out; from Game to Glasses Malone to Ice Cube to Omar Cruz and many many others. For us to not deal with this in a better way is really hurting what we have all worked so hard to build for so many years. Hip Hop is fragile right now and with gangsta rap and conscious rap and other types of party rap resurging out here on the West Coast we are in a position to be back on top with our business and our music and to avoid the downside of real gang activity that has plagued our coast for so many years. If we keep repeating the same cycles that we have been involved in, accustom to, and close to for sooo long, we will lose. Not just us as djs, but the artists, the labels, and especially the fans and the communities we all live in. Hip hop is about struggle and the want to better ourselves financially mentally and physically and to have our stories be told. We MUST UNITE! Ive seen so many mistakes turn into big issues before and we can't let the expectations of people who want to see hip hop fail turn our minds to violence and attacking one another because we all play an intricate part in the business of music. Hip hop is really being attacked from all sides right now from radio stations to public leaders and from the outside, and for each one of us to turn on each other is going to ruin the very thing that keeps us alive: waiting for the next song or the next artist to tell their story. This is in the best interest for the West Coast and hip hop as a whole. We can turn this into a positive thing for the West Coast! -Strong
***FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DONT KNOW WHAT WENT DOWN SEE HERE***
HUSTLE AND FLOW ACTOR GOES RNB.
Columbia Records is proud to announce the release of Shine Through It -- the debut album of new music written, produced and performed by Terrence Howard. Howard has written, arranged and produced 11 original songsfor the "stylish retro neo-soul album".. Produced by Terrence Howard, Shine Through It was recorded at Spiral Recording in Hollywood with Terrence Howard on vocals and lead guitar; Miles Mosley (Lauryn Hill, Herbie Hancock, Common, Chris Cornell, Jonathan Davis), who also co-produced, on upright bass, guitar, drums and piano; Kamasi Washington (Gerald Wilson, Roy Hargrove) on tenor sax; Serafin Aguilar on trumpet; Kenneth Crouch (Mariah Carey, Patti LaBelle, Eric Clapton) on keyboards and Tom Lea on viola. Covering a Los Angeles listening session for Shine Through It, People (April 21, 2008), noted, "The album chronicles everything from broken relationships on 'It's All Game' to self-reflection on 'Plenty' and the celebration of love on his single, 'Love Makes You Beautiful.' Howard told the audience that he began writing songs at age 16 in his 'rainbow colored notebook,' and discussed recording an "emotionally sobering" song that began as a letter to his ex-wife. The collection of songs is highly reminiscent of a live, big band, jazz feel, which Howard backs up by playing the guitar.""Music has always been the road that leads to where I'm headed," says Terrence. "Film is my vocation, my 9 to 5. In the movies, I'm doing what somebody else is asking me to do. Music is my own personal form of expression. My responsibility, like the sun's, is to shine. Even if the planet is covered with clouds, I must say what I have to say." The album drops September 2.
BERTELSMANN WANTS OUT.
German media giant Bertelsmann is reportedly in talks to sell its half of joint-venture music company Sony BMG to Sony Corp. Bertelsmann and Sony established Sony BMG in 2004, bringing together their music businesses. The companies initially agreed to hold onto their stakes in the joint venture until 2009, but German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, without citing sources, said a sale looked likely to take place this year. Sony, which holds an option to buy should Bertelsmann decided to sell its stake, wants to take over the entire company, according to the paper. No agreement has yet been reached on a price.
50 CENT ORDERED NOT TO SELL BURNED DOWN MANSION.
A New York judge has reportedly ordered 50 Cent not to sell his Long Island mansion that was destroyed by a suspicious fire last month. 50 Cent and his ex-girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins, have been fighting over the house after the rapper attempted to have her evicted from the home unless she paid rent. Tompkins retaliated by filing a breach of contract lawsuit claiming that the rapper promised to buy her the house. According to The Associated Press, New York State Supreme Court Justice Carol Edmead ordered 50 Cent on Tuesday (June 10) not to sell the house. He also told the rapper to put all the insurance proceeds from the fire into a trust account until the dispute between him and Tompkins is resolved. Fire officials who arrived at the house to distinguish the blaze called the fire 'suspicious' and determined it as arson. A 5-gallon gas container would also be found on the grounds. Their investi gation is still underway. Tompkins has accused Fif of starting the fire and threatening to kill her. She claimed that she heard someone break into the house before the fire broke out. 50 Cent, who was in Louisiana shooting a movie when the fire occurred, has denied Tompkins claims. Neither Tompkins nor 50 Cent have been named as suspects by authorities.
NAS' NIGGER ALBUM PUSHED BACK 2 WEEKS.
The release of Nas' upcoming release (we still think they'll call it N*GGER) album has reportedly been pushed back two weeks. The album was initially set for release on July 1st but will now be hitting shelves on July 15th. "It's important to me that this album gets to the fans," Nas said of his newest project. "It's been a long time coming. I want my fans to know that creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same content and the same messages. It's that important. The streets have been waiting for this for a long time. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it." The album will feature production from Green Lantern, DJ Toomp, Mark Ronson, Dead Prez's Stic.Man, Jay Electronica, Stargate, Polow Da Don and Cool & Dre. Last week, Nas released the Polow Da Don produced single “Hero” which will be part of the album LISTEN HERE
NYOIL - HE'S UP.
"I really consider myself a common sense emcee because I'm just talking common sense. I don't think that I'm saying anything too different than what someone else may be thinking"... READ
BOBBY VALENTINO - LIFE AFTER DTP
"It was time for me to move on. DTP is a great label, but sometimes things don't click and sometimes people just need to take risks for things they believe in".. READ MORE
LIL WAYNE TO PEN MUSIC FOR NEW MOVIE.
Dimension Films has announced that Lil Wayne, one of the stars of the inspirational sports
drama "Hurricane Season (formerly entitled, "Patriots") will write and record a song for the film. Entitled, "Tie My Hands," the song will be a duet with acclaimed R&B star Robin Thicke and will be on Lil Wayne's new album which is being released on June 10th. The digital edition of his album will include an exclusive film version of the song featuring an ad lib about the basketball team depicted in the film. Bob Weinstein, co-chair of The Weinstein Company stated, "We are very excited about "Hurricane Season" and thrilled that the film has now inspired Lil Wayne's powerful song. Today's announcement is a huge addition to this highly anticipated film and will only help broaden the audience appeal. We look forward to continuing to work with Tim Story, Forest Whitaker, Lil Wayne, Raymond Brothers and the rest of the team as we get closer to the Christmas Day release date." Lil Wayne said: "With all the tragedy that my home has suffered these last few years since Katrina, I was glad to see that someone wanted to show that through everything New Orleans also has some positive things going on. I am also very happy that Hurricane Season is not only my first major part in a motion picture movie, but a movie about where I grew up." "Hurricane Season" recently began production on location in New Orleans and also stars Forest Whitaker, Isaiah Washington, Taraji Henson, Bow Wow, JB Smoove, Robbie Jones, among others. The film is directed by Tim Story ("Fantastic Four") from a script by
Robert Eisele ("The Great Debaters") and Greg Howard. Producers are Raymond Brothers and Scott Glassgold of IAM Entertainment and Michael Beugg. The film takes place a year after Hurricane Katrina when Al Collins, a high school basketball coach in Marrero, Louisiana, assembles a team of players who had previously attended five different schools before the disaster and leads them on the path to the state championships. Lil Wayne has been actively involved in the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. The rapper hails from the now-devastated
17th ward and shot the music video for "Fireman" in both New Orleans and Houston, where many of the displaced survivors of Katrina have relocated. Throughout their careers, the Weinsteins have worked with a variety of critically acclaimed and commercially successful musicians to create songs for their films including "Never Gonna Break My Faith" performed by Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige for "Bobby," Bono's "The Hands That Built America" for "Gangs of New York" and Elton John's "Peter's Song" for "Finding Neverland."
MARKET CONDITIONS- BY THE NUMBERS - Week of 6/04/08
Check out Soundscan's Business Conditions Report-- Overall, Singles, Videos, Albums, etc.. See the full report.. CLICK HERE
THROWBACK SERIES- Ready for The World.
Who remembers the RnB Titans of the late 80's and early 90's? We caught up with these Soul legends to see where they been and more.. CLICK HERE
HIP HOP BITS N PIECES
Trae Tha Truth Mixtape- Grab it for FREE, Behind the scenes video footage on akon and Kardinal Offishall, and more.. CLICK HERE
PEEDI CRAKK SIGNS WITH AMALGAM DIGITAL.
After five years, North Philly rapper Peedi Crakk has parted ways with Roc-A-Fella Records in favor of booming independent, Amalgam Digital. Peedi Crakk joins a roster made up of both commercially successful artists and underground hip hop icons, including Grammy-nominee Joe Budden, Kurious, Tash (of Tha Alkaholiks), and the Juggaknots. His highly anticipated debut album “Camel Face Hunting Season,” will be released in September 2008. A founding member of State Property, alongside Beanie Sigel, Freeway, and Young Gunz, Peedi Crakk has earned respect for his lyrical talent and rhythmic flow. “The Prince of State Property” created buzz with his single “One for Peedi” which was featured on the Paid in Full soundtrack. He has also made a name for himself by collaborating with the likes of Twista, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Ne-Yo on the singer’s hit “Stay”. He has showcased his versatility as a featured artist on two albums from Grammy award winners, The Roots, including his recent feature on their single “Get Busy.” Additionally, Peedi will be featured in the upcoming film Next Day Air, directed by Benny Boom. When asked about his new relationship with Amalgam Digital, Peedi made the following statement: “Yup. I’m back! And I feel unstoppable. My flow is advanced and as an artist, I’m getting better, especially without the claws of Roc-A-Fella digging at my back. I’ve been a free agent for the past 3 months and now signing with the Amalgam Digital label for my first project I feel even more unstoppable. They are providing exactly what Peedi always needed...proper promotion and distribution. BANG! It’s Camel Face Hunting Season”
T.I. LOCKS DOWN MORE MOVIE WORK.
Screen Gems has made a three-picture deal with T.I. that will launch with the crime drama "Bone Deep," in which the hip-hop star will join Matt Dillon and Idris Elba. The move amounts to a long-term investment in the rapper, who faces a yearlong prison stretch for weapons possession that begins next spring. The second Screen Gems film will be "Boulevard," a drama in development in which T.I. will star; the third picture will be determined later. The movie work will be scheduled around the legal complications faced by Harris, who has also cut a deal to topline a six-episode MTV reality show that will chronicle the 1,000 hours of community service he'll perform before heading off to serve his sentence "Bone Deep" concerns a group of bank robbers who pull off a daring highrise heist and are dragged into one last job by a freshly paroled cohort. Pic will be helmed by John Luessenhop ("Lock Down"), who co-wrote the script with Gabriel Casseus, Avery Duff and Peter Allen. T.I. and his Grand Hustle Entertainment partner Jason Geter have joined Will Packer as producers. Source: Variety
TWISTA SPEAKS OUT!
Twista, is speaking out against Father Pfleger's recent comments regarding Senator Hillary Clinton, remarking on Pfleger's hypocrisy. A little less than one year ago, Pfleger used funds raised his Chicago church to erect billboards across the city criticizing rap lyrics, specifically targeting Twista among other rappers. Pfleger also contacted McDonald's and saw to it that the rapper was removed from a McDonald's tour that he was originally contracted to participate in. Twista has released the following message for Pfleger. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Just last summer Father Pfleger said my words was trash to the community and I didn't deserve to be on the McDonalds tour. It's crazy how the tables turned in just under a year. Father Pfleger's own words and opinions of Mrs. Clinton came In the worst way and now he expects for the world and his church to give him a full acceptance. Do you think its right that he apologizes and gets away with his words? Did he really lose anything? I lost a multi million dollar contract, he embarrassed and disgraced my name in public by his billboards calling my music trash. He even went as far as getting Bill O'Reily to get on TV to diss me as well, and not once did he ever call me or even ask me my opinion of my views and music. All it took was the young generation to expose him of his true colors, big shout out to Youtube.com, for putting him on blast. Mr. Pfleger is in a much stronger position than I am. I represent the streets and hip-hop while he is a representative of God and I feel like he should have been a little more careful of his words too. I don't look for any apologies from him, McDonalds, or even little Bill O'Reily. I keep it street and 100 by saying 'LOOK WHO'S CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK'. "
LIL FLIP SUFFERS INJURIES IN CAR ACCIDENT.
Houston rapper Lil Flip was reportedly involved in a car crash in his hometown last night (June 3). According to a press release issued by the rapper's spokesperson, the crash took place on the Southwest side of Houston, TX and Flip’s car was totaled. The rapper was rushed to a hospital where he was treated for neck and wrist injuries. The spokesperson from the rapper's camp said, "We are hoping for a speedy recovery."
USHER TAKES #1.
Usher debuts at No. 1 on SoundScan's Pop and R&B Albums charts with his fifth studio album, Here I Stand. This is the highest debut of the year for a male artist. Here I Stand is the Atlanta-based singer's second No. 1 debut on the Top 200 Albums chart and his third No. 1 debut on the R&B Albums chart. This week Usher dominates international charts as well, bowing at No. 1 in
Canada, Japan (International Chart), Australia, and for the third time in a row, debuts at No. 1 on the UK Albums chart. Additionally, Here I Stand enters Top 5 on album charts in Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Usher's latest certified hit, "Love In This Club" featuring Young Jeezy, has remained a Top 10 staple on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart for 14 consecutive weeks and has sold close to 3 million digital units (digital singles, ringtones and ringbacks) to date. The poignant follow-up single, "Moving Mountains" is rapidly climbing the singles charts and the riveting video, filled with breath-taking special effects, recently debuted
on MTV and BET.
SNOOP PRESENTS ADVENTURES OF THA BLUE CARPET TREATMENT ANIMATED MOVIE.
Codeblack Entertainment has announced the release of Snoop Dogg Presents Adventures of tha Blue Carpet Treatment. The straight to DVD film follows an animated Snoop Dogg as he journeys through the streets of Southern California where he is met by a variety of skirmishes, comedic run-ins and situations that only the Doggfather could find himself in. Snoop Dogg Presents Adventures of tha Blue Carpet Treatment is a psychedelic stream-of-consciousness trip through the magical mind of Snoop Dogg. The feature-length animated film showcases music from Snoop's multi-platinum album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, along with cameos and guest voices from comedians Mike Epps, Katt Williams and artists like Nate Dogg, E-40, The Game, Cypress Hill's B-Real and many of hip-hop's biggest stars. Adventures of tha Blue Carpet Treatment takes you to the streets of Long Beach and beyond in a sexy, violent and slightly twisted musical journey, compliments of your Bigg Boss Dogg. "The movie will give you something to look at because when I was making this record I was real visual about it," says Snoop in regards to the movie and its corresponding soundtrack. "I had a cartoon mind while I was making it, so I just wanted to bring that to the light." CHECK OUT THE TRAILER HERE
BET AWARDS 2008 IS SET.
Actor and comedian D.L. Hughley will take the reins as the host of BET AWARDS '08. Its all going down under one roof at Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 p.m.*. The show will feature LIVE performances by Usher, Lil Wayne and Nelly. Newly announced performers include Alicia Keys, nominated for Best Female R&B, Video of the Year and Viewer's Choice; multiple nominee Kanye West (Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration with T-Pain on the single "Good Life" and Video of the Year for the same); Chris Brown, who has locked in four nominations including Best Male R&B, Viewer's Choice and
Best Collaboration with T-Pain on "Kiss Kiss"; and Best Collaboration nominee Young Jeezy. Legendary R&B icon Al Green will be in the house to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining him will be celebrated producer/arranger/composer Quincy Jones, who will be honored with BET's prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young African- Americans through the Listen Up Foundation, a charity which connects youth with music, technology and culture. BET has once again teamed up with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, will executive produce the telecast.
BUSTA RHYMES AND LINKIN PARK GO ON THE ROAD.
Linkin Park has announced that Busta Rhymes will join their Projekt Revolution 2008 lineup. Rhymes and Linkin Park recently collaborated on "We Made It," the first single and video from Rhymes' upcoming album, Blessed. By touring together, Linkin Park & Busta are taking a cue from the chorus of their song: " ... we took it on the road ... ". The tour launches July 16 at the Tweeter Center in Boston. "We started Projekt Revolution six years ago and have been lucky to have toured with some great bands," says Linkin Park co-frontman Chester Bennington. "This year, however, might just be the best lineup yet. We're looking forward to taking this show on the road and bringing great music to the masses."
DAZ DILLI LINKS UP WITH FONTANA FOR NEW RELEASE.
Fontana, the independent sales, marketing and distribution division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, has partnered with Dogg Pound Gangstaz to release the highly-anticipated new studio album from Grammy Award-winning West Coast rapper Daz Dillinger, entitled Only On The Left Side on August 12,2008. "One of the great delights about Fontana is the opportunity to work with artists who set the standard in their game,” stated Ron Spaulding, Executive Vice President & General Manager of Fontana. “And Daz Dillinger is the embodiment of that ideal. Everyone at Fontana is thrilled to be working with such a seminal artist.” The new album features cameo appearances by Snoop Dogg, Tyrese, Nicole Wray, Krayzie Bone, Obie Trice, Manish Man and Keak Da Sneak. The album's title, which references to the West Coast, is fitting for an artist so widely known for his work with Death Row Records during the height of the West Coast's popularity. After forming Tha Dogg Pound with Kurupt and collaborating with Snoop Dogg, Dillinger went on to release such classics as “R.A.W.”, “Dillinger & Gotti II: Tha Saga Continuez” and “Retaliation, Revenge & Get Back”. The first single “Dip, Drop, Stop, Dip,” features Keak Da Sneak, a collaboration that is a nod to Dillinger's roots as one of the forefathers of the West Coast scene. The entire album was produced by Dillinger, save for the notable exceptions of Swizz Beats, Soopa Fly and Ivan Johnson on two tracks. Of the album itself, Dillinger says “I've just been working, producing and I'm happy to get out there. This record really speaks to the streets and there are no better partners than Ron and his team at Fontana to ensuring it gets heard.” When not in the studio, Dillinger found time to work on “Make It Rain”, a movie that dramatized the commissioner of Atlanta's attempts to shut down strip clubs and features associates of T.I., Alpha Mega, Country Cain and Kandy Burelle of Xscape.
NEW BANGER FROM SAM SCARFO - Down at the Bottom- LISTEN
50 CENT DISS TRACK FROM SHEEK LOUCH.
Check the new track by Nu Jersey Devil feat. Sheek Louch called "Chain Snatcher" Produced by Cookin Soul dissin 50 cent about the Angola chain snatch incident LISTEN HERE
PRESIDENT BUSH DECLARES JUNE AS BLACK MUSIC MONTH.
By the President of the United States of America: A Proclamation
America's diverse musical heritage exemplifies the creativity and optimism of our Nation. During
Black Music Month, we celebrate the extraordinary talents and creativity of African-American singers, musicians, and composers whose achievements have enriched our culture and enhanced our lives. For generations, African-American artists have created music that communicates across racial boundaries and expresses both joy and sorrow. When facing the cruelty of slavery and injustice, African Americans lifted spirituals to the heavens, bringing comfort to troubled souls. These timeless declarations of hope and faith evolved into the more modern genres of gospel, blues, ragtime, and jazz, and they are given voice in the musical genius of Scott Joplin, Marian Anderson, Eubie Blake, and Mahalia Jackson. During the Civil Rights era, African-American musicians such as Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, and Ruth Brown conveyed the struggles of their communities while bringing people of all backgrounds together. Today, this music continues to inspire America's citizens and advance its creative spirit. Throughout the course of American history, black musicians have used their great talents to share the richness of the African-American experience and to develop a uniquely American style of music enjoyed throughout the world. This month, we honor the pioneers of African-American
music and today's contemporary artists who have enriched the lives of people everywhere.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2008 as Black Music Month. I encourage all Americans to learn more about the history of black music and to enjoy the great contributions of African-American singers, musicians, and composers. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second. - GEORGE W. BUSH
NEW MUSIC FROM PLIES AND JAMIE FOXX
Plies - "Please Excuse My Hands" ft. Jamie Foxx & The Dream - LISTEN
MARKET CONDITIONS- BY THE NUMBERS - Week of 5-28-08
Check out Soundscan's Business Conditions Report-- Overall, Singles, Videos, Albums, etc.. See the full report.. CLICK HERE
SUGE KNIGHT ORDERED TO AUCTION OFF ALL DEATHROW ASSETS.
A judge has ordered all of Death Row Records remaining assets auctioned off to the highest bidder June 24. According to TMZ the starting bid for the remaining assets, which includes original recordings 2Pac, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and more, is $24 million, bids must be made by June 10.
BUN B MAKES IMPRESSIVE RETURN.
Hip Hop Legend Bun B and one half of the award winning duo UGK made an impressive return with the first week sales deb