Author: hhns

Young Jeezy assumes an executive position at Atlantic Records.

 

Young Jeezy has reportedly been named SVP of A&R at Atlantic Records.

 

According to DJ Folk (via Complex), Greg Street announced the news on V103 last night, which he also confirmed. “[C]redit the OG Greg Street for that news,,,,it was announced on V103 In Atl A SEC ago,” he wrote. “RT @_Vaun: Young Jeezy is now the Senior VP of A&R over at Atlantic Records. Woah.”

 

Jizzle, who is currently signed to Def Jam Recordings, will remain on that label as a solo artist and split duties as an executive at Atlantic.

 

 

 

Dr. Dre will co-executive produce an hourlong TV show that focuses on the music industry and crime business.

Dr. Dre has sold a script to FX for an upcoming one-hour music/crime drama.

According to Deadline, Sidney Quashie penned the script for the show, which “explores present day Los Angeles through the lenses of the music business and the crime business.” Additional details about the show are yet to be revealed.

The West Coast veteran will executive produce the show alongside Daniel Schnider, of his company Crucial TV. Brad Bertner is set to co-executive produce.

Dre launched Crucial Films in 2007 at New Line Cinema with video director Phillip Atwell. He is reportedly attached to a biopic about N.W.A. titled Straight Outta Compton.

UPDATE: Game and his fiancee lost a hefty chunk of change following their canceled wedding.

 

It’s a well-worn cliche that all relationships have their ups and downs, but Game and his fiancee are a stark example.

 

TMZ reports that a week after Game announced via Twitter that he and fiancee Tiffney Cambridge were no longer getting married, the couple is back together.

 

Game and Cambridge will be wed in August, according to sources. Additionally, the reality show based on the couple’s trek towards tying the knot has resumed.

 

Last week Game took to Twitter, explaining that it was his fault that the wedding was canceled. At first, he didn’t go into details, but the next day, he provided some insight:

 

 

Cambridge is the mother of Game’s two youngest children.

 

[July 26]

 

UPDATE: Game recently spoke with TMZ, explaining that the venue changes cost him $100,000. “Yeah, we lost about $100,000 in the venue change, but it’s all good. I got long paper,” he said.

 

 Rapper Young Buck officially checked into prison today (August 6).

TMZ.com reports that the G-Unit rapper started an 18-month prison sentence, for possessing a gun.

The weapon was found in August of 2010, when IRS agents raided his mansion over back taxes.

Agents found a weapon in the house which was not registered to, or legally owned by the rapper.

Young Buck will serve his time at that Yazoo City Medium Security Federal Prison, in Southern Mississippi.

West Coast legend Ice Cube is hard at work on his upcoming album Everything’s Corrupt, which the rapper/director said was “65 percent” finished.

 

The rap star hit the stage at Irving Plaza in New York and after the show, Ice Cube conducted an interview with Duck Down Visuals for Red Bull U.S.A.

 

During the interview, Ice Cube divulged some information regarding Everything’s Corrupt.

 

“It’ll be out next year, you know, its hardcore Hip-Hop. It’s street knowledge, it’s talking about what’s going on in the hood, but it’s talking about what’s going on in the political arena,” Ice Cube revealed. “It’s what I always try to give. Much more than just rhyming.”

 

In related news, Ice Cube discussed the progress of “Last Friday,” which is in pre-production. Although Ice Cube didn’t discuss Chris Tucker’s possible involvement, he confirmed that the movie is in the works.

 

Ice Cube is meeting with New Line Cinema, the company that bankrolled the original “Friday” franchise of movies that have grossed over $150 million dollars since their theatrical releases.

 

“The script is almost finished, I got a meeting with New Line on Monday or Tuesday, to talk about the next steps,” Ice Cube said. “You gotta get that script tight before you can take the next step.”

 

The Game has been sued from a producer over a beat that was used for the rapper’s highly touted mixtape California Republic.

 

The rapper has been slapped with a $100,000 lawsuit by Infamous, according to TMZ.

 

Infamous claims that he gave The Game the beat to “Skate On” in 2010 so that the Compton rapper could determine if he wanted to use it. He alleges that he never heard from The Game, but the song was used on the free mixtape without his consent.

 

Infamous also charges that he tried to contact The Game in April via a letter, but did not get a response.

 

Infamous said he generally charges from $20,000 — $25,000 per beat.

 

Eminem says that he almost quit Rap after bombing his first live performance.

 

He may now be one of the world’s highest sellingemcees, but there was once a time before Eminem found fame and acclaim. Now, The List reports that Marshall Mathers actually almost gave up on his career before it even started.

 

Em recalled that he almost gave up on music after getting booed off stage at his first live performance. Despite the trauma of bombing on stage, he worked past it and grabbed the mic once again. He went on to say that rapping has been his driving force in life and helped him come back from his lowest moments. 

 

“The first time I rapped in front of actual people that mattered, in a club, I got booed. And it was very traumatic for me,” he said. “I just remember it being so fucking traumatic, and I think I went home and I was like, man, I quit. And you know a week later, a day later, an hour later I got the urge, and I was like, I gotta get up, I gotta do it again.”

 

He went on to say, “I certainly feel like if it wasn’t for Rap, obviously, I wouldn’t be here, but it gave me my voice, it gave me my outlook, it gave me strength, you know what I came back from, overdose and a whole load of shit – without rap I wouldn’t be able to do a fucking thing.”

 

 

Timbaland responds to the news of Drake’s involvement in the posthumous record from Aaliyah.

 

Earlier this week, news broke that Drake will reportedly executive produce a posthumous album from the lateAaliyah. Now, in a recent interview with Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, the singer’s one-time collaboratorTimbaland weighs in on the news.

 

Timbo didn’t take the news of Drake’s involvement on the record too well. He said that if Drizzy wants to move forward with the Aaliyah record, he feels that he andMissy Elliott should be involved, as they were two of Aaliyah’s most frequent collaborators.

 

“I know they trying to drop some Aaliyah records, but if [Drake] do it, it should be with me and him, and Missy,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going on. The proper way to do that would be for me, him and Missy to be all on the record. For it to be on his record, that would not be right.” 

 

Did you know Drake was a high school drop out? Well sort of. While he was busy playing a high school student, the now infamous Wheelchair Jimmy,  on Degrassi: The Next Generation, Aubrey Drake Graham never got his diploma from the real deal, reportedly the Forest Hill Collegiate Institute. But when speaking to Toronto’s NOW, the “Take Care” rapper revealed that he plans on crossing out “high school graduation” from his to do list.

 

“I’m actually spending my summer graduating high school,” admits the rapper on a too-rare visit back home. “That’s my main focus after OVO Fest. I only have one credit left, and I’m really excited about that.”

 

That’s some very positive news considering most of the headlines Drizzy has been making lately have been anything but. There is of course the bottle throwing debacle with Chris Brown that has yet to be officially resolved and more recently, rehashed rumors that he was distancing himself from YMCMB thanks to a lawsuit from James “Jas” Prince that claims he discovered the rapper/singer and is thus owed some loot. The latter inspired Drake to comment via Twitter with, “Despite what your daily dose of bullsh-t may lead you to believe. I am forever about this Young Money team.”

 

Then there is also the news that Drake plans to executive produce a posthumous Aaliyah album that has the Internets frothing at the mouth. Speaking of which, he got a new tattoo (see it on the next page) dedicated to Aaliyah (116 for her January 16th birthday, and 416 for the T Dot’s area code, reports Karen Civil). Drake will be headlining the annual OVO Fest at Toronto’s Molson Canadian Amphitheatre this Sunday, August 5th.

 

 The ongoing battle between Freeway Ricky Ross and rapper Rick Ross took a twist in court today (August 2), when a judged ruled that Freeway Ricky Ross must pay the rap star’s attorney fees and court costs, after losing a round in a battle for the rights to his own name and image.

 

Freeway Ricky Ross was in court today in front of Judge Rita Miller, who is presiding over trademark infringement case. Miller ruled that Freeway Ricky Ross must pay $500,000 in attorney fees and court costs on behalf of Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II.

 

Lawyers for Freeway Ricky Ross unsuccessfully argued that each time Rick Ross mentioned the name in trade – in print, radio, or on the internet, that is was a re-usage of his name, which should have extended the statute of limitations.

 

Judge Miller upheld an earlier ruling, that stated that the statute of limitations of two years in regards to filing a complaint over the name had passed. In March of 2009, the lawsuit was dismissed from federal court.

 

“We believe that every time he goes on the radio he’s re-using my name, but the judge ruled that it’s one continuous use,” Freeway Ricky Ross explained to AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview. “I believe that those are all re-uses of my name, separate and different from when he started to call himself Rick Ross. They were trying to get me to pay $1.3 million, but she [Judge Miller] knocked it down to $500k.

 

Still, Rick Ross himself must fork over $800,000 in lawyers fees and court costs related to the case.

 

“It aint over and it aint never gonna be over until things get straight,” Freeway Ricky Ross promised AllHipHop.com. “I aint gonna stop, I am going to keep going until I get my name back and whatever else I got coming.”

 

It is important to note that today’s ruling was separate from another case that Freeway Ricky Ross has pending against Warner Brothers, for promoting the rapper Rick Ross and his career.

 

In July, a judge ruled that Freeway Ricky Ross could bring a lawsuit against Warner Music Group, which has officially been filed, according to the reformed Los Angeles drug kingpin.

 

Freeway Ricky served over 20 years in prison for cocaine distribution, but his activities, which earned an estimated $600 million, reverberated to the highest levels of government in the United States, via the Iran-Contra scandal.

 

Freeway Ricky Ross’ story was also the subject of a series of groundbreaking articles titled “Dark Alliance” which were written by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Gary Webb, who was a writer for the San Jose Mercury News when the articles were published.

 

Gary Webb eventually committed suicide due to the fall-out over the subsequent press and investigations into his articles, which accused the CIA of being complicit in a conspiracy to introduce crack cocaine to the streets of Los Angeles, in order to fund a foreign war.

 

Freeway Ricky Ross took issue with Rick Ross’ testimony that his name “Rick Ross” was derived from a nickname he used when he was an All-American Football player at Carol City High School.

 

“He never even played for the team,” Freeway Ricky Ross told AllHipHop.com. ” And for somebody to say they never heard of me erroneous. He’s supposed to be a connoisseur of gangsterism and he never heard of Rick Ross? Come it’s crazy. I don’t know who he thinks I am, [but] he better check my rep, cause I aint gonna give up.”

 

Freeway Ricky Ross said that he is in the process of deposing a number of executives who were associated with Rick Ross, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and veteran executive Todd Moscowitz, who is currently President/CEO of Warner Brothers Records, which distributes Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group.

 

UPDATE #2: Mystikal has been released from prison after serving more than two months behind bars.

 

Rapper Mystikal has been ordered back to prison for a three-month bid on account of probation violation.

 

According to The Advocate, state District Judge Tony Marabella tacked on the sentencing because he violated his five-year probation in an extortion case when he was arrested in February on a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse battery.

 

Mystikal was released from state prison in 2010 after serving a six-year term for sexual battery and extortion.

 

The judge has given him a nine-day credit on his three-month sentencing for the time he was detained following his February 22nd arrest. He will report to prison on May 14th.

 

[April 17]

 

UPDATE: Mystikal has checked into a Louisiana prison this morning where he will serve an 81-day sentence. He was originally handed a 90-day sentence for probation violation, but was credited with nine days after he was detained in jail for a February arrest. He is expected to be released in early August.

 

[May 14]

 

UPDATE #2: After serving more than two months in prison, Mystikal has been released from the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail in Louisiana earlier this morning. He was initially sentenced to 81 days behind bars for domestic abuse, which violated his probation.

 

Lupe Fiasco plans to feed hundreds during Ramadan.

 

Lupe Fiasco has been on a media tour for his upcoming album Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1, but he took some time out to help feed hundreds of people in his native Chicago, Illinois. According to WBEZ, the Atlantic Records recording artist plans to feed 100 people a day during Ramadan.

 

Yesterday (July 31st), he provided locals with vegan food from Soul Vegan Food. Englewood residents lined up for vegan ribs, macaroni and greens at the Payless Grocery on 69th and Ashland.

 

“It may seem like it’s insignificant, but you never know who’s going to walk away with something and what’s the best way to put it but juxtapose it next to the thing, which is the most visited thing in the community, which is the corner store,” he said.

 

The Inner City Muslim Action Network is behind the initiative, titled “Muslim Run,” to encourage corner stores to stock more nutritious food.

 

 Atlanta rapper Ludacris has relaunched his interactive children’s website, with updated songs, artwork and other features, to entice children to learn.

 

The rappers website, Karmasworld.com, features educational pop songs performed by the website’s namesake, Ludacris’ 10-year-old daughter, Karma Bridges.

 

Karmasworld.com was updated with 11 new songs, in order to be prepared for the upcoming back to school season.

 

“The site is educational, lots of fun and full of music that all kids can enjoy,” Ludacris said in a statement. “It was Karma’s idea to create a site that teaches kids more than just reading, writing and arithmetic. Through songs, stories and games we touch on subjects like manners, self-esteem, and treating others the way you’d like to be treated.”

 

The website is geared towards children in grades 1 through 6, and includes lessons on math, science and geography.

 

Karmasworld.com also aims to teach children moral values such as honesty, manners and kindness.

 

Ludacris tapped a variety of teaching professionals, in order to come up with a proper content strategy for the website.

 

“The music and lyrics, games and stories on the site are all original and were created by me, my daughter and my creative team to make learning fun,” Ludacris added.

 

Log on to Karmasworld.com for more information.

 

“Freeway” Ricky Ross says that he has stopped many from confronting Rick Ross, including Suge Knight who allegedly asked to “handle” the issue.

 

There has been an on-going feud between “Freeway” Ricky Ross and rapper Rick Ross. The feud has been continuing due to the fact that “Freeway” feels Rick Ross is using his name and likeness to succeed in his career. During a recent interview, “Freeway” explained that he has had to stop others from confronting Ross, including Suge Knight, because he does not wish for this issue to be taken to the streets.

 

“It’s hard,” he said when asked how he keeps people from confronting Ross on the streets. “Trust me, these dudes in L.A. don’t like what he’s done…Even when I lost the lawsuit, three of the shot callers from the hood came to me and said, ‘Is it time yet?’ I was like, ‘Nah, man.’ I don’t want that. I don’t want nobody to do nothing to him. They want to put a no-fly zone on him, saying he can’t come to L.A.”

 

He also explained that Suge Knight has approached him about the matter. 

 

“Even Suge Knight came out. Suge stepped to me one day like, ‘Let me handle this.’ I was like, ‘Nah.’ It ain’t about that.”

 

Jay-Z will executive produce the upcoming video game, releasing October 2nd.

 

Jay-Z is set to serve as executive producer for NBA 2K13, currently available for pre-order and releasing October 2nd.

 

The announcement was made earlier today on Hov’s siteLife+Times. In a video promo released for the game, his song “Public Service Announcement” plays in the background.

 

In addition to endorsing NBA 2K13, Jay-Z was recentlynamed director of Brooklyn’s Barclays Arena, where his Brooklyn Nets will play in the fall.