Category Archives: Hip Hop News

Dec 26 2012

T.I. Recalls Working With Both Meek Mill & Dolla, Talks Hustle Gang Apparel..Follow @TheRealDjStatic

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T.I. says his Hustle Gang apparel is not affiliated with AKOO, speaks on having worked with Meek Mill while recording “Paper Trail.”

Prior to being signed to Maybach Music Group, Philly rapper Meek Mill enjoyed a brief stint at T.I.’s Grand Hustle and during an interview with DJ Whoo Kid, T.I. spoke on the times he was able to work with Meek Mill while he was a Grand Hustle artist.

The Atlanta rapper specifically recalled a time in which he worked with both Meek Mill and the late Dolla while recording his Paper Trail album in Los Angeles.

“Meek is the homie man. When I first was introduced to Meek he was still freestyling on the corners of Philly, North Philly, South Philly. Nigga had long motherfuckin braids man. He was a cool cat though,” said T.I. in a video posted on RapRadar.com. “My partner Charlie Mack actually brought him out to L.A. to kick it with me and it was me, him, and Dolla – rest in peace to my homeboy Dolla. Me, him, and Dolla we had probably two week’s worth of sessions during the time when I was recording Paper Trail.”

T.I. also spoke on his Hustle Gang apparel, which he says was inspired by Baby and Young Money/Cash Money’s “YMCMB” t-shirts, and revealed that the merchandise is not affiliated at all with his AKOO clothing line.

“It is not necessarily a clothing line. It’s an exclusive merch item coming from Grand Hustle Gang,” T.I. explained. “It is not AKOO. You know what I’m saying? And it is not in competition with AKOO. It’s just us extending ourselves to the rest of the public because up until now we always kept our shit exclusive for us. And we never let it out to the people.”

T.I.’s last studio album, Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head, was released on December 18 and is expected to sell about 150,000 to 170,000 copies in its first week.

Source: HipHopDx.com

Jul 5 2012

Kendrick Lamar Names His Favorite Contemporary Emcees (Follow @TheRealDjStatic)

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Last week, Kendrick Lamar finally revealed the October 2 release date for his long anticipated Aftermath debut good kid, m.A.A.d. city. Now, in a recent interview with the UK’s R&R Productions, the Compton up-and-comer turns the spotlight on his favorite Hip Hop peers.

Not surprisingly, K. Dot explained that his personal favorite contemporaries in the game are his Black Hippy brethren ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock. In addition, he said that one of his current favorite emcees from outside his TDE clique is recent Def Jam signee Gunplay.

“I got a lot of folks that I mess with – first and foremost, my folks…Black Hippy – ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul,” he explained. “We lock in and we’re real competitive, that’s where I get my thrive and my skills and all that from, just off their energy. Outside of [them], I mess with a few people. Somebody I’m bumping right now is Gunplay, you heard him on ‘Cartoons and Cereal.’”

K. Dot also discussed the pressure he feels having to live up to anticipation with his debut good kid, m.A.A.d. city. He explained that he isn’t satisfied with what he’s already achieved creatively, and that he wants his first album to prove to listeners his worth as an artist.

“I really just kept everything in-house [with good kid, mA.A.d. city], people that I’ve been grinding with since day one,” he said. “They know me, they know my sound and I feel they’re the best – Dave Free, Soundwave, Tae Beats, Willie B, the whole Digi+Phonics movement. It’s really tight-knit, man.I really still want to show and prove. A lot of people get to this position where I’m at and feel like they’ve made it, so they want to go out and reach out to all the big producers. I still feel like I need to show and prove myself for my first album that I stand alone on my own two feet creatively, and now, that’s exactly what I’m going to do with the music.”

Jul 5 2012

Pharrell Williams Says He’s “Sworn To Secrecy” Over Jay-Z Project (Follow @TheRealDjStatic)

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While producer/rapper Pharrell Williams may be at work with fellow artist Jay-Z the specifics remain scarce because when asked by Rap-Up.com if he’s working on anything with Jay-Z, Pharrell simply revealed that he’s “sworn to secrecy.”

Although Pharrell remained tight-lipped while speaking on his work with Jay-Z he did speak a little more in-depth on the other artists he’s working with including i am OTHER artist Leah LaBelle.

“She’s incredible. Like we couldn’t believe it. And when we chased it down and finally talked it was like cool. And she sings her ass off,” said Pharrell.

Pharrell then went on to rattle off the names of artists he’s been working with this year. He also revealed that he’s working a lot more with fellow The Neptunes partner Chad Hugo.

“Well the new Leah album, Leah LaBelle. New Mac Miller, Pink Slime. Chad and I have been doing a whole lot of work together,” Pharrell explained. “New Miguel, new Jay, new Usher, new Scissor Sisters. Mary song’s crazy too. Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross.”

Jul 5 2012

Rhymefest Explains Rant Against Chief Keef & Interscope Records (Follow me @TheRealDjStatic)

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Rhymefest put Chief Keef and Interscope on blast in a blog post last week, writing that the Chicago, Illinois rapper’s lyrics are glorifying violence. During an interview with WGCI’s The Morning Riot (via FSD), ‘Fest clarified his statements, explaining that Keef’s music is a negative reflection of Chicago at the moment and that you “can’t blame the bomb” for what the city is producing.

“I meant to say what I said. It’s really not about Chief Keef as much as it is about exploitation,” he said. “It’s no coincidence that one of the most violent periods that Chicago has ever seen, that this is what represents us musically. This is what represents us as a people. We have a history here and then when we get to senseless violence, the prison industrial complex is real.”

He said that he doesn’t have anything against a particular kind of music, but that his problem is rooted in the amount of violent songs that are getting released.

“I don’t have anything against any particular kind of music. My problem is the imbalance of the music that we get. So if all of the diet of the music that you get is kill kill kill and we’re going to glorify that, then that’s what we are conditioning our shorties and they’ll never end. They’ll do it, they’ll sing about it, they’ll rap about it and that’ll be it.”

Jul 5 2012

2 Chainz “Based On A T.R.U. Story” Cover Art

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2 Chainz has revealed the producers for his upcoming Def Jam debut Based on a T.R.U. Story.

During an interview with The BoomBox, Tity Boi revealed that he has worked with Drumma Boy, C-Note, Mike Will and Lex Luger for the project. He asserts that the LP will drop on August 14th, and that he is 75 percent finished with recording the album.

“It’s coming out this year. I’m excited about it. Great features. Excellent production. Still a work in progress. [I'm] about 75 percent done with that,” he said. “I may talk about some producers, but I’m gonna have some elements of surprise on the album. Of course I’m workin’ wit my Drumma Boys, my C-Notes, my Lex Lugers, my Mike Wills, plus this new generation, the new people that I’m working with as well. It’s a well-put together project. It’s conceptual, and you should be looking out for some new dope visuals too.”

Read the full interview at TheBoomBox.com.

UPDATE: During a Def Jam conference call this afternoon, 2 Chainz announced that his label debut Based on a T.R.U. Story will release on August 14th. He also said that the album wouldn’t be pushed back, but most likely pushed forward, based on his work ethic.

[April 5]

UPDATE #2: 2 Chainz has revealed the cover art for his debut album Based on a T.R.U. Story.

Jul 2 2012

Chris Brown Disses Drake On “I Don’t Like” Freestyle Verse (Follow me @TheRealDjStatic)

Chris Brown pokes fun at Drake’s eyebrows and implies that his June laceration on his face was from a sucker-punch and thrown bottles.

Tappahannock, Virginia Pop/R&B singer Chris Brown has responded on record to an altercation with Drake from earlier this month in a New York club. DJ Orator released a remix of Chief Keef’s “I Don’t Like” posse cut featuring Kanye West, Jadakiss, Pusha T and Big Sean with new verses by Chris Brown along with Game.

HipHopDX has posted Brown’s “freestyle” verse.

In Brown’s rapped lines, he says, “A fuck nigga, that’s the shit I don’t like / They throwin’ bottles, I’m throwin’ models, ’cause I give a bitch long pipe / Doin’ shows on the soccer field, that’s dome, right? / I be singin’, he be singin’, so it’s on sight / But hold up, I ain’t give a nigga no green light / This head up, my bread up, one-on-one, what, you scared, bruh? / Matter of fact, take care, bruh / You a pussy nigga / My nigga Tunechi, yeah that nigga nice / Shout out to Nicki, man, that ass tight / Them eyebrows? Man, them shits is yikes / OVO, you overdose, screamin’ Y.O.L.O. though, I live twice!”

The song compliments Drake’s label-mates Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, while pokes fun at several of Drake’s song lyrics, in addition to his appearance.

Brown has yet to address the verse on Twitter. Drake has yet to respond via on Twitter either.

NBA star Tony Parker has sued the venue for lack of security. The Point Guard injured his eye during the fight, and may not be able to resume play. Game has previously called for a truce between both parties, who he has worked with.

Jul 2 2012

The Top 10 Most Popular Hip Hop Singles The Week Of 6/25/2012

This week Lupe Fiasco takes over the top, while Nas and Rick Ross are both present more than once, plus a UGK appearance on a Big Boi track surfaces, as Childish Gambino enters the list.

Some weeks we get a list that’s comprised mostly of the biggest names in the game. Other weeks it’s one big surprise, with tracks that are completely out of the ordinary. This week we get a combination of those two worlds, with some traditional favorites on the list, newbies we know and love, and then some surprises (especially toward the end). It’s good to know that when artists’ fans support them, sometimes they really support them. Can’t help but support that. As we enter what is technically a holiday weekend, check out some new songs that you just might enter into your BBQing soundtrack.

Nas and Rick Ross Had the Best Week Ever
This statement is true at least on our charts. While Rick Ross is riding high off the release of Maybach Music Group’s Self Made Vol. 2 and Nas is gearing for the release of Life Is Good, these two are all over the internet on new tracks. Yes, Lupe Fiasco’s “Bitch Bad” did hit #1 with a bullet. However, Nas and Rick Ross’ collaborative “Accident Murderers” (with Ryan Leslie) ran a semi-close second after dominating last week. Then Nas shows up again at #3 on the Chris Brown single “Mirage.” He returns again at #8 with the Massive Attack remix of “The Don.” As for Rick Ross, well the Bawse came in at #4 with the recent leak of DJ Khaled’s “I Wish You Would” along with the Kanye West. That one jumped up the chart rather quickly. So that’s four out of ten tracks that feature either Nas, Rick Ross, or both. Almost 50% of our list. Sounds like a good week for them, right?

Big Boi and T.I. Represent Atlanta Properly, Childish Gambino Surprises Everyone
The ATLiens were also in the building this week. At #7 is a gem Big Boi dug up called “Gossip,” which includes UGK and Big K.R.I.T. Right above it at #6 is T.I.’s “Go Get It.” The West Coast showed up too, as Game’s “Burn Rmx” hit #5 and then Kendrick Lamar’s “Bring the Pain Freestyle” came in at #9. Closing out the list this week is Childish Gambino with “One Up” at #10. Donald Glover is quite the perplexing figure in Hip Hop. While some acknowledge the actor/comedian’s lyrical skills, other question his sincerity. Well, with his mixtape dropping on the 4th of July, Gambino is out to prove he’s not a one joke wonder and “One Up” is proof. His fans must agree, as the joint reached our top singles. After his mixtape arrives, we’ll see what other tracks pop up and if they do as well. Until then…

The Top 10 Most Popular Hip Hop Singles The Week Of 6/25/2012
1. Lupe Fiasco – Bitch Bad

2. Nas f. Rick Ross & Ryan Leslie – Accident Murderers

3. Chris Brown f. Nas – Mirage

4. DJ Khaled f. Rick Ross & Kanye West – I Wish You Would

5. Game – Burn Rmx

6. T.I. – Go Get It

7. Big Boi f. UGK & Big K.R.I.T. – Gossip

8. Nas – The Don Rmx

9. Kendrick Lamar – Bring the Pain Freestyle

10. Childish Gambino – One Up

Jul 2 2012

Eminem Reveals Slaughterhouse Album Release Date & Talks Beastie Boys

Eminem provides a hard date for Slaughterhouse’s album release, and says the Beastie Boys “made me want to rap.”

June came and went without Slaughterhouse dropping welcome to: Our House, their debut album on Eminem’s Shady Records.

In a recent interview with DJ Whoo Kid on Shade 45, Em provided a hard date for his latest signees. “The album’s coming out August 28. I’m actually finishing up one of the songs for it today, as we speak.”

“I rap their verses for them,” joked Em. “I present it for them like, ‘Yo, here’s how you guys should say this, here’s what you should say,’ and then that’s pretty much how you do it.”

Eminem also spoke on the passing of the Beastie Boys’ Adam “MCA” Yauch, explaining their impact on Hip Hop. “It’s really sad. It’s really a shame. The Beastie Boys mean so much, have always meant so much since they came out, and mean so much to Hip Hop. All three of those guys. It’s really, I don’t know man, it’s really sad.”

“When License To Ill Came Out, that shit changed rap,” he added.

Em offered his condolences to the Beastie Boys, as well as Yauch’s family, expressing their impact on him. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole group, and Adam’s family, and everybody. It’s just a really sad situation. Those guys and LL made me want to rap. When I saw the Beastie Boys for the first time, you know, ‘Fight For Your Right to Party,’ when I seen that video…it made me realize that it was possible. Just seeing that and being like, ‘whoa, holy shit!’ They were killin’ it.”

Jul 2 2012

Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y Announce Mixtape Title, Release Date

Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y join forces for the first time since 2009′s “How Fly.”

Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y have announced the title and release date for their upcoming collaborative mixtape.

Breaking the news on Twitter, the Taylor Gang leader revealed that the follow up to 2009′s How Fly will be titled Live in Concert and will release on August 9th, exactly three years to the date since their previous offering.

Back in May, Curren$y said that the project was complete and explained what took so long to knock out a sequel. We like what we doing. It’s just about music. We like what we do,” he said. “If I’ma be in the studio anyway, he gonna be in the studio wherever he at, we fuckin’ genuinely will fuckin’ kick it. So we might as well fuckin’ kick it in the studio. But if we in the studio, we might as well make songs. We gonna hang out and smoke, smoke in the studio. If you in the studio, you might as well record. So we just kick it and turn it into money, so it’s just a good deal.”

Jul 2 2012

AWAR’s “Laws Of Nature” To Feature Joe Budden, Murs & Has-Lo

The Upstate New Yorker gets assistance from some established acts on his studio debut.

New York emcee AWAR is preparing his first studio album, Laws Of Nature. The August 7 Raw Koncept Records release will feature Joe Budden, Murs, Evidence and Has-Lo. The work is available digitally and on CD.

The 15-track effort also boasts production from The Alchemist, Jake One and label-mate Nottz. AWAR previously released a video for “Tunnel Vision,” Laws Of Nature’s Alchemist-produced single.

The emcee previously released free projects via websites such as DJBooth.net and FreeOnSmash.com.