Author: hhns

Meek Mill revealed yesterday that he and headphone-maker Skull Candy are in business together.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania emcee and Maybach Music Group member Meek Mill announced yesterday (September 14) via Twitter that he had reached an endorsement deal with headphone maker Skull Candy. The terms are still to be released.

Previously, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label partnered with the electronic accessory maker. Others artists with headphone endorsements include RZA, Ludacris, 50 Cent and the Beats By Dre, Dr. Dre headphones.

Game talks about his Kanye West helped provide direction to his upcoming album.

 

Compton rapper Game is gearing up to drop his newly-retitled fifth album titled Jesus Piece. Now, in a recent interview with Hot 93.7’s Jenny Boom Boom, the Interscope emcee explains the origins of the LP’s new title.

 

Game explained that title actually originated out of his recent baptism and his desire to be more of a family man. In terms of the music, however, he said that rapper/producer Kanye West inspired the album’s new sonic direction.

 

“I’m calling it Jesus Piece ’cause last year in August I got baptized and so I’ve been going to church, but I still been kinda doing me out here,” he said, “I still love the strip club and I still smoke and drink. I’m faithful to my family, so I wanted to make an album where you could love God and be of God, but still get it poppin’ in your life.”

 

He continued, “I called in Kanye and he gave me some ideas and we had done a song called ‘Jesus Piece’ on my original album and so once I switched the title, I just kept that song and ‘Celebration,’ and I then redid all the rest of the songs to fit the concept of Jesus Piece.”

 

Check out the full interview below.

 

 

 

 

50 Cent explains his reaction to longtime manager and friend Chris Lighty’s death.

 

As much as Chris Lighty’s suicide has shocked the Hip Hop community as a whole, perhaps no one was more stunned that 50 Cent.

 

“I’ve worked with Chris the entire time,” said 50 in an interview with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez and DJ Enuff. “Since the actual mixtape run. Everything,” added Fif, referring to his now-legendary takeover of Hip Hop in the early 2000s aided greatly by a slew of memorable mixtapes.

 

50 elaborated, explaining how Lighty’s death made no sense to him. “I actually can’t wrap the idea around my head of him shooting himself,” said 50. “I don’t have all of the information, so I don’t want to point or say anything other than what’s being said publicly but I don’t believe that. Just ’cause of my personal interactions with him, he never gave any indication that was even possible.”

 

50 also debunked reports that Lighty had a $5 million debt.

 

“The first thing I see is he owes $5 million. And he doesn’t owe $5 million,” explained 50. “I’m sure he doesn’t actually owe $300,000, and he wasn’t in a hurry to pay. It’s not like vacation, and that there was a point vacation was being missed. That lifestyle is like ‘Oh, I’ll get to that when I get to that.’ And away from that, when the $5 million bill was there, I gave him a million dollars. I loaned him a million dollars, and he paid me back, and the interest on that was another $200,000. So take that five, turn that into 6.2 and then it’s down to 300,000 and there’s no reason to do that over money. At that point you done took care of all of your bills. So none of it made any sense to me.”

 

Nicki Minaj lands a reportedly lucrative deal on season 12 of American Idol.

 

Rumors regarding who would be the next “American Idol” judges have been swirling for months, and now a decision has been made.

 

Deadline reports that Nicki Minaj and country singer Keith Urban have been chosen for season 12 of American Idol.

 

Nicki’s contract is rumored to be in the $10 million to $12 million range.

 

“With an unparalleled star like Mariah, fan-favorite Randy, chart-toppers like Nicki and Keith and our incomparable host Ryan, we’ve put together one of the most exciting judging panels around,” said Mike Darnell, Fox’s President of Alternative Entertainment.

 

“With the exciting addition of Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj, alongside Randy Jackson, American Idol’s star power has never been so great,” added Idol creator/executive producer Simon Fuller.

 

Mariah Carey was added as a judge in late July. Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine is in talks to return to the show as well, but in the mentor capacity he already had.

 

17-year-old Chief Keef a picture of him and a woman engaged in a sexual act.

 

Chief Keef continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons, as another decision by the young Chicago emcee has cause controversy.

 

Keef tweeted an Instagram photo of him and an unidentified woman engaged in a sexual act.

 

This is the latest in a string of controversial moves from Keef, including laughing at fellow Chicago rapper JoJo’s death (which he would later deny doing), and threatening to smack Lupe Fiasco.

 

Keef’s reactions triggered a police probe, though nothing has come of it yet.

 

 Coolio’s son Grtis Ivey, who appeared reality show “Coolio’s Rules,” has just been sentenced to prison for robbing an apartment with a friend, who happened to be a hooker.

 

A rep for the Clark County District Attorney’s office told TMZ.com that the 22-year-old Ivey was sentenced to 42-120 months in prison.

 

If the Nevada Department of Corrections finds good reason, they can hold him for up to 10 years.

 

Ivey was arrested on November 14, 2011 last year, for forcibly entering a Las Vegas apartment with a gun,

 

He then ordered the tenant into the bathroom, while his female prostitute friend ransacked the place.

 

Ivey agreed to plead guilty to a felony robbery charge in exchange for having the remaining charges dropped.

 

According to TMZ, Ivey has been in custody since his arrest and will receive credit for time served.

 

 

DMX is flying high off of the release of his seventh studio album, Undisputed, which was released to the masses on Tuesday, September 11.

In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, DMX goes off on YMCMB rapper Drake for not including the producers that Aaliyah worked with while she was alive on her upcoming posthumous album, which Drake is executive producing alongside producer Noah “40″ Shebib.

“It just show what I said, [Drake’s] a f*cking piece of sh*t,” DMX told AllHipHop.com. “Motherf*cker, you didn’t even know this woman; you were in middle school.

“What the f*ck gives you the f*cking right? Allow Aaliyah to live on and not include the people she always worked with, not include the recipe.”

DMX worked with Aaliyah closely on music and in movies and believes that Drake is disrespecting her legacy by not working with the producers that Aaliyah was known to work with.

“It’s like saying, ‘I’m going to make KFC and not using the Colonel recipe.’ That ain’t KFC, n*gga, that’s ‘Your F-C’, your f*cking chicken. That’s some bullsh*t; it ain’t the same sh*t,” DMX continued.

“It’s wrong, honor her legacy, honor what she did. You don’t have no right to make it yours. If you’re going to allow it to live on, do it in a manner that honors what she did. Respectfully.

“I don’t have any say so in it, but at the end of the day, I’m going to voice my opinion, because you can’t f*cking beat me.”

Check out the clip below where DMX voices his disagreement with Drake not consulting Aaliyah’s main producers for her new record:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WzygXRMc6Q?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent]

 Yesterday Baton Rouge, Louisiana rapper Lil Webbie was arrested on charges of battery and robbery.

 

According to reports, “Savage Life” rapper is accused of attacking a woman inside the Chase Suite Hotel at approximately 2:30 AM.

 

Police reports filed say Webbie is accused of attacking a woman after being banned from the area where the altercation occured.

 

In the report, the woman who Webbie met the night before in a club, accuses Webbie kicking her down several flights of stairs before taking her purse and over $300 in cash.

 

Webbie was released yesterday on $9,000 bond, and plans to fight the claims that he says are false accusations.

 

It has been a trying year for Webbie after his Trill Entertainment labelmate Lil Phat was gunned down earlier this year in a parking garage in Atlanta, and his other labelmate Lil Boosie was fighting against a life sentence which he eventually beat.

 

More news as details emerge.

 

 Baton Rouge, Louisiana rapper Webbie was bonded out of jail and has categorically denied charges that he assaulted a woman on September 13.

 

Police in Baton Rogue charged the rapper, born Webster “Webbie” Gradney, Jr, with battery and robbery.

 

Initial reports claimed that Webbie assaulted the woman in a hotel in Baton Rogue.

 

In a statement released to AllHipHop.com today (September 14), reps for Webbie’s label Trill Entertainment said the rapper denied all charges levied against him.

 

“We do understand early morning September 13, 2012 our artist rapper Webster “Webbie’ Gradney, Jr was arrested in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for battery and robbery allegations. He has now been bonded out and at this present time denies all claims and allegations brought against him.”

 

Earlier today, a lawyer for the unnamed woman released a statement saying initial reports were greatly exaggerated.

 

Contrary to recent media reports and what can only be described as an exaggeration of actual events, ‘Webbie’ (Webster Gradney, Jr.) did not ‘brutally’ attack my client and, fortunately, my client did not suffer injury requiring medical attention. The ‘robbery’ was unfortunately a non-malicious attempt, by the accused, to deny the woman resources he had given her to leave the city, via air transportation, following their domestic argument. The accused did not ‘meet’ my client at a party but rather they had been residing together, off and on, for more than 18 months. Though a rocky relationship, my client and Mr. Gradney spent the evening together after being separated briefly. The early morning assault is domestic related and should be treated as such. While neither my client nor I condone acts of violence, especially domestic, we will not conspire with the media or officials to paint an inaccurate picture of Mr. Gradney or the events.

 

“We will not conspire with anyone to deliberately destroy Mr. Gradney’s reputation, life and/or career,” the woman’s lawyer said. “Neither my client nor this case should be used as a tool to send another ‘black rapper’ to prison for any other case or charge that is unrelated to these events. Both parties want nothing more than to move beyond this matter. It’s an unfortunate situation and my client will, however, cooperate with officials as required by law.”

 

Today (September 14), the woman who remained nameless, they expressed to Webbie that they also deny any and all allegations brought against Mr. Gradney.

 

“Webbie would also like to go on record saying he does apologize to his family first and fans for this unfortunate misunderstanding; Thank you for all the support,” Webbie’s reps said.

 

The funeral rapper Lil JoJo turned into chaos, when hundreds of people attended the services for the 18-year-old, who was shot and killed on September 4. Memorial services for Lil JoJo took place at the Jones Funeral Home in Chicago. According to the Chicago Tribune, police had to clear the funeral home, when the rapper’s casket was nearly knocked over during the services. Outside, hundreds of people gathered and played Lil JoJo’s music, while others chanted “BDK (Black Disciple killers),” a direct respect to the Black Disciples Street gang. After police cleared the funeral services, they received a “shots fired” call along the funeral procession. Chicago police are still investigating Lil JoJo’s death and whether or not it’s connected to a feud involving rapper Chief Keef, Lil Durk and Lil Reese, all allegedly associated with the Black Disciples.

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EymlPYyhsLU?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent]

 

Rapper T.I.’s wife Tiny is relocating her nail salon, after a fire damaged the shop.TMZ.com reports that a fire caused over $50,000 worth of damage to Tiny’s Nail Bar. Custom furniture and other materials were damaged in the fire, prompting Tiny to find a new location for the nail salon. Tiny’s Nail Bar is planning to re-open in 30 days.

 

Indie record label Robotic Empire Records has snagged the rights to an obscure album by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The group recorded a digital-only album titled For Smokers Only, which is a tribute to marijuana. For Smokers Only features 12 songs by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony which will be released on CD and LP for the first time, later this year. Robotic Empire is utilizing crowd-funding platform Kickstarter to release the For Smokers Only. Check out the track listing and promotional video for For Smokers Only below:

 

1. Smoking Lovely
2. Riding High
3. As We Roll
4. Fried Day
5. Everything Green
6. Hit The Reefa
7. Budda
8. Blaze It Up
9. Bud Smoke
10. I Got
11. The Weed Song
12. Weed And A Lighter

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QySr9G75mVQ?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent]

 

Investigative journalist Chuck Philips is launching a new website today (September 13), that will focus on the unsolved murders of the Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G.

Beginning today, Philips will use Twitter to promote an exclusive 1,200 word news story, which will be published on his new site and released via Twitter, 140 characters at a time.

According to a press release issued to media outlets, the first story will focus on Sean “Diddy” Combs and his relationship with late Harlem drug dealer Eric “Von Zip” Martin.

Zip was a New York legend who passed away last month. His funeral in Harlem drew a large procession, complete with a horse-drawn carriage, that carried his casket through the streets of Harlem.

Eric “Von ZIp” Martin

Artists like Jae Millz, Lil Kim, and Cam’ron attended services for Zip, while Diddy himself offered up words during a memorial service.

According to Philips, as well as several other published reports, Zip was the connection to Sean Combs and the Compton Southside Crips.

The gang allegedly provided security for Bad Boy Entertainment during a violent feud with Death Row Records throughout the late 1990s.

Tupac was shot on September 6, 1996, and he died seven days later, on September 13.

Police believe the shooter was Orlando Anderson, with whom Tupac had a physical confrontation with, inside the Las Vegas MGM Grand, just hours before he was killed.

According to multiple sources, Zip had a previously established relationship with the Southside Crips, who allegedly sent heroin to Harlem and other drugs to Harlem via the street figure, who had ties that stretched back to Frank Lucas and Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson.

In fact, Zip’s restaurant “ZIP Code” hosted the book release party for Bumpy Johnson’s 93-year-old widow, Mayme, when she released her book, Harlem Godfather, in 2008.

Chuck Philips is planning an article that will focus on the relationship between Zip and Sean “Diddy” Combs and any possible connection to Tupac’s death.

According to multiple reports, including police investigations, it was Zip who introduced Diddy to a man named “Keefe D.,” a Southside Crips shot caller, who allegedly admitted to police that he helped orchestrate Tupac’s murder.

Big Sean says his G.O.O.D. Music crew compares to some of Hip Hop’s most heralded cliques.

 

Big Sean has lofty aspirations for himself and his fellow G.O.O.D. Music members.

 

In an interview with MTV News, the Detroit emcee compared G.O.O.D. Music – comprised of Kanye West, Pusha T, Common, and others – to some of the most storied collectives in Hip Hop history.

 

“When we rocked Made in America as a G.O.O.D. Music team, it just reminded how I used to look at Bad Boy and how they had big productions and how I used to look at Death Row or Roc-A-Fella,” explained Sean.

 

“It’s just really tight to be a part of something,” added Big Sean. “It’s really tight to be a part of a family, especially sharing a stage with the heroes you looked up to from Jay to ‘Ye, Common, all that.”

 

G.O.O.D. Music will have an opportunity to make an argument for its place in history when it drops its first album, Cruel Summer, next week.

 

DMX still not impressed by Drake, says he’d probably beat up the Young Money artist in an elevator if it were 10 years ago.

 

1.It has been close to eight months since DMX last appeared on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, but despite that lengthy time frame his opinion on Young Money rapper/singer Drake has yet to change.

 

During his interview with the Breakfast Club back in February of this year, DMX shared his distaste for the Canadian artist by stating that he didn’t “like anything about Drake” including “the way he walks” and “his haircut.” Fast-forward to today’s interview and it seems that not much has changed.

 

“No, not at all. Not at all. I don’t think that’ll happen,” said DMX when asked if he had finally been converted into a Drake fan.

 

The Yonkers, New York rapper became noticeably irate and revealed that Drake was being “disrespectful” when the topic of Aaliyah’s posthumous album, which is allegedly executive produced by Drake, was brought up.

 

“Disrespectful, like that don’t even make sense. See that’s what I’m saying, you can’t do shit like that,” DMX explained in a video posted on Real Talk NY. “I wish it was like maybe seven years ago or maybe like 10 years ago where you know, catch him in the elevator, beat him up. Just to let ‘em know. It’s real son.”

 

DMX also spoke on his Undisputed album which after numerous delays was finally released earlier in the week on September 11.

 

 A Hip-Hop feud between affiliates of rapper Chief Keef and Lil JoJo could once again, spill over into violence on the streets of Chicago.

 

The war of words between Lil JoJo’s camp and rappers affiliated with Chief Keef continue over the Internet.

 

Lil JoJo was killed on September 4, after releasing the song “300HunnaK (BDK).”

 

The words “BDK” stand for “Black Disciple Killer,” a common insult used by members of the Gangster Disciples, with whom Lil JoJo was allegedly affiliated.

 

Now, a chilling new remix to Lil JoJo’s “300HunnaK (BDK)” by his close friend/affiliate, rapper Lil Jay #00.

 

Lil Jay #00 threatens to avenge Lil JoJo’s death and hurls insults at Lil Reese and Lil Durk, two artists working on their debuts for Def Jam Records.

 

On the track, Lil Jay #00 accuses the two men of setting up Lil JoJo murder, in addition to calling out Black Disciples’ founder “King Dave” Barksdale.

 

Legendary Chicago producer No I.D. recently commented to MTVNews about the growing gang violence in his hometown of Chicago.

 

“We’re in this together. It’s a lot of sad things that are occurring every day. Some things are involved in rap and some things are not involved in rap, and we don’t get to see them all,” No I.D said.

 

During an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, police said that a gang war, and not Hip-Hop music was to blame for the recent violence.

 

“Two gangs are fighting each other, going at each other all over the Internet and this is all stemming from that,” police said.

 

No I.D. has revealed that he’s working with Eminem on the Detroit rapper’s looming seventh solo album.

 

The producer revealed the news to MTV.

 

“I definitely sat down and spoke with Eminem about working and we agreed to get in the studio and see what we could do. He’s one of the best, I want to work with one of the best and try and give some music contributions. I think that would be one of the next steps in that lineage of what I’m trying to do,” he said to MTV News.

 

No I.D. has worked with an illustrious list of artists including Big Sean, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Common and more. He’s also a Grammy award winning producer that is also an executive at Def Jam Records.