Monday, February 28, 2011
10 ways to get more diversity at the Oscars
Let's face it: for the past decade, the Oscars have spoiled black people. Since the historic 2002 Oscar ceremony where Denzel Washington and Halle Berry took home best actor and actress honors, we have become accustomed to the Academy being more inclusive and recognizing the talents of black actors and actresses in Hollywood.
Jamie Foxx, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Hudson, Mo'Nique, and Forest Whitaker have all won Oscars post-2002, while Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Djimon Hounsou, Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Viola Davis, Gabourey Sidibe, Queen Latifah, and Ruby Dee have all enjoyed the thrill of being nominated. In addition, Three 6 Mafia made history by becoming the first hip-hop group to win an Academy Award, and just last year Geoffrey Fletcher became the first African-American to win for best adapted screenplay. All signs pointed to a shift in the way the Academy deals with black talent.
Read more @ www.thegrio.com
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
FBI being sued for crashing a Ferrari
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice have landed themselves in hot water over the destruction of a Ferrari F50. According to The Detroit News, the vehicle was reported stolen from a dealership in Rosemont, Pennsylvania in 2003, and the dealer made and insurance claim for the sum of $750,000 at that time. Michigan-based Motors Insurance Corp. shelled out the cash, and in August 2008, the FBI recovered the vehicle in Kentucky. At that time, the FBI stored the vehicle while waiting to prosecute the thief, at least until someone at the bureau decided to use it for a little local arbor work.
The Ferrari F50 lost control and struck a tree with an FBI special agent behind the wheel in May of 2009, and Motors Insurance Corp. subsequently filed a claim to both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice for the full $750,000. Both parties rejected the claim under the pretense that the Ferrari was being detained by the FBI at the time of the incident.
Read more on Autoblog
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Ga. principal's 'no gold teeth' rule prompts video
The Associated Press
Thursday, February 24, 2011; 12:21 PM
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The principal of Savannah High School was always telling his students to tuck in their shirts and take out their gold teeth. So a group of students decided to write a hip-hop song about the badgering.
Senior Raynell Murrel wrote the song with other students during their winter break. Murrel calls it "I Can't Hear You With That Gold in Your Mouth."
The students plan to enter the project in high school media contests and host a video release party.
Information from: Savannah Morning News,http://www.savannahnow.com
Thought Nicki Minaj Vs Lil Kim Was Ugly? Gigwise.com compares past fueds
Tensions between Nikki Minaj and Lil' Kim look set to rise again after the latter released a mini-documentary slamming the rising rapper.
But when it comes to some of the most infamous hip-hop beefs of all time, Nicki Minaj vs Lil' Kim is barely the (Q-)tip of the (Vanilla) iceberg.
Read more @ Gigwise.com
Eminem reaches billion views on YouTube
Eminem has today recorded his billionth view on video sharing site YouTube, according to Famecount.com, the social media statistics service. At 4pm GMT on Monday 21st February, Eminem’s channel had received 1,000,163,659 views, after reaching its billionth view shortly earlier.
Eminem becomes third person in history to achieve milestone.
Justin Bieber remains YouTube’s top star with over 1.3bn views.
Eminem also looks set to dethrone Lady Gaga as Facebook’s top living star.
Read more @ Famecount.com
Rapper 9th Wonder addresses University students about history, future of hip-hop
9th Wonder, born Patrick Douthit, visited the University Tuesday night to share that story in a lecture sponsored by the Student Hip Hop Organization. 9th has served as the Artist-in-Residence at North Carolina Central University since 2007, and in 2010 he became an adjunct professor at Duke University. His foray into academia follows his very successful career; 9th has produced for legends of hip-hop and R&B such as Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Destiny’s Child and Jay-Z.
Read more @ The Cavalier Daily
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Bell Biv Devoe Reunion On “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”
“Never trust a big butt and a smile!” Be prepared to spend a day with “Poison” playing on repeat in your head! Bell Biv Devoe — the New Edition spinoff group that featured Ronnie, Ricky, and Michael — will reunite live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (1AM) this Wednesday (Thursday morning).
For those not in-the-know, the trio gained popularity after leaving N.E. in 1990 and recorded tracks like “When Will I See You Smile Again,” “Do Me,” and “I Do.”
ref: www.hiphopcrunch.com
Buju Banton facing lockdown....
After winning a Grammy this past month, the Reggae singer now faces a long-term stint in prison over drug charges.
Reggae star Buju Banton was convicted on Tuesday in a Florida court on drug charges. He now faces up to 15 years in prison, stemming from three of four federal counts.
"Obviously, we are all upset and disappointed and emotional," said Banton's lawyer, David Markus, after the jury spent 11 hours deliberating the verdict. "The only person who seems to be okay is Buju. He told us he was happy that he fought, knowing he was innocent."
In 2009, the singer was arrested during a Drug Enforcement Agency sting operation after police claimed he tried to buy cocaine from undercover officials. Banton went to trial for the matter but the case was declared a mistrial when the jury failed to reach a verdict.
"Our life and destiny are sometimes pre-destined and no matter where this journey takes me, remember I fought the good fight," said Banton in a statement. "It was a great man that said 'my head is bloody but still unbowed.' I love you all, thank you for your support."
Buju Banton's contributions both politically and musically have been celebrated today in Jamaica, where radio stations continuously played his music. He also won a Grammy this past month for his album Before Dawn. Although he will likely make bail before his sentencing, it is not clear when the sentencing is scheduled.
ref: www.hiphopdx.com
XXL 2011 Freshmen Cover,
Meek mill, Big K.R.I.T., CyHi the Prynce, Lil twist, Yelawolf, Fred the Godson, Mac Miller, YG, Lil B, Kendrick Lamar and Diggy Simmons
Do you agree?
Read more on XXLmag.com
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Beat Box show Episode 3: He aint no Hova!
The 3rd installment of the Beat Box Show
This episode we discus:
Birdman said Hov ain’t the best, Weezy is...
D.O.C. Planning Tell-All Documentary On N.W.A, Dr. Dre
Lady Gaga overkill!!!!!
Lil Kim claims she had 113,000 downloads of her mixtape in 24hrs critics don’t believe her
Cee Lo's Muppet Madness
Featuring new music from:
Big Sean ft Chris Brown - My Last
Mysonne ft Jadakiss & Red Cafe - Tape Rocks (remix)
Ciara - Flaws and All
T-Pain + Chris Brown – “Best Love Song”
J. Period – “In The Ghetto (Wake Up)” (feat. The Roots + John Legend rakim)
Snoop Dogg ft Devin The Dude and Kobe
J. Holiday - Float Away (R&B Joint of the Week)
J Cole ft Drake in the morning
Missy - Swat Dat Fly
K. Michelle - How Many Times
Kevin Cossom ft Fab and Diddy - Baby I like it remix
Grammys are 'a series of hypocrisies and contradictions': Hip hop mogul Steve Stoute
Hip hop mogul and advertising exec Steve Stoute has slammed the Grammy awards with a full-page ad in Sunday's New York Times in which he states the ceremony is a "series of hypocrisies and contradictions."
The founder of the Translation advertising company, who is famous for being Nas' on-off manager since 1995, wrote in a column for The Huffington Post that he used the ad as "an open letter" to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which is behind the Grammys, and to Neil Portnow, the president of NARAS.
Read more @ www.nydailynews.com
Hip-Hop Grows Up: Rhymefest, Gonzalez, Vargas And Sleet Run For Alderman With Hip-Hop Background
Chicago’s hip-hop scene has always had a social conscience. Rappers like Common, Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco emerged to national prominence in part on their themes of community empowerment and the inner-city struggle, and plenty of lesser-known artists continue to preach that gospel at underground shows around the city.
In Tuesday’s municipal elections, several young men of the hip-hop generation are hoping to take that spirit of empowerment to the very halls of established power, as they vie for seats on Chicago’s City Council.
Read more @ Huffingtonpost.com
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The return of the bedroom DJ
Gone are the Fatboy Slim days of a room full of vinyl and record players, now all an aspiring DJ needs is a laptop and a hard drive to take a shot at the big time.
Read more @ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Odd Future Make Hip Hop Interesting For The First Time In Years;
by Erick Pressman
For the most part, Jimmy Fallon’s late night television show leaves a lot to be desired, but Wednesday night he may have put himself on the historical map forever by unleashing Odd Future, or OFWGKTA, onto the senses of the part of the world who isn’t necessarily immersed in what’s going on in underground hip hop.
Wednesday night’s Fallon appearance was easily the greatest musical performance on late night tv since Queens of the Stone Age did “Little Sister” with Will Farrell on SNL a few years back, and will always be remembered as what took OFWGKTA from being initials found all over Twitter and Tumblr to becoming a force to be reckoned with in hip hop, and modern music at large. But still, who and what are Odd Future, you ask?
Read more @ http://sfist.com/
Friday, February 18, 2011
The beat Box Show Episode 2: Hungry for more
A weekly urban show that brings you hip hop and R&B with two of the NW most well known DJ's. DJ Avelanche and DJ Oso Fresh
With New Music From
Kanye ft Jay Z & Busta Rhymes - H.A.M. (remix)
Proteje ft. Ky nani Marley - Rasta Love
Rej3ctz ft Chris Brown - Cat Daddy
Wiz Khalifa - Roll Up
Tech N9ne ft. Royce Da 5’9” - Curious
Alicia Keys ft. Eve & Swizz Beatz - Speechless (R&B Joint of the Week)
Keri Hilson ft. Nelly - Lose control
Lloyd ft. R. Kelly & Lil Wayne
Fabolous - Wolf In heeps Clothing (Mixtape Joint of the Week)
Brandy - I Don’t Wanna Throw It all away
Onyx - Mad Energy
Daz Dillinger - D.A.Z. (Destruction Adds up to Zero)
Ciara ft. T-Pain -Go Girl (II)
Snoop Dogg - Raised In The Hood
Throw back Joint
Souls of Mischief - ‘93 til Infinity
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Michael Vick BAILS on 'Oprah' Interview
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has canceled plans to do a sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey ... in what would have been his first major interview since being released from prison.
Read more @ TMZ.com
MJ Estate Made $310 MILLION Since Michael Died
The Michael Jackson estate has made more than $310 million since MJ died back in 2009 ... this according to legal documents obtained by TMZ. TMZ has obtained the first accounting that MJ executors filed ... showing exactly how much money Michael owed when he passed away on June 25, 2009 ... and how much the estate has made since -- and the numbers are astounding.
Read more @ TMZ.com
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Endangered species San Diego record stores struggle for survival
Barely a minute into a conversation with Lou Russell and you can hear melancholy in his voice. When asked to describe the state of Lou’s Records, the iconic Leucadia record store that Russell’s owned and operated for more than three decades, he uses words and phrases like “descent,” “decline” and “downward slope.”
Read more www.sdcitybeat.com
Beyonce Heat Over Heat
Beyonce heat perfume commercial was banned...
Beyonce's new ad for her fragrance, Heat, is so hot it has been banned from daytime television in the UK.
The Advertising Standards Authority deemed the ad, in which Beyonce writhes around in a low-cut dress, "unsuitable to be seen by young children," according to the Guardian.
Lil Kim Says “Black Friday” Mixtape Sold 113k Copies; Internet Doesn’t Believe Her
Lil Kim claims that her new mixtape, Black Friday, sold 113,000 copies in it’s first 28 hours of availability, a number that was met with wide disbelief all across the internet.
Purchasing the $10 mixtape (wait a minute… we’re supposed to pay for a mixtape?) was made difficult due to an improperly working link on Kim’s website, which is the only place the mixtape is available for sale. If you were able to figure out how to access the Kim’s PayPal page, you were left dumbfounded when you received a confirmation notice stating how the charge would appear on your credit card and no further instructions on how to download the mixtape.
Read more at The Urban Daily
Music labels see smartphone streaming as the future-TechRadar UK
Music label bosses at some of Britain's major record labels are looking towards streaming music services as the future for commercial music.
However, many don't think that services that are heavily reliant on advertising-funded models stack up, according to digital music industry experts.
David Joseph, the boss of Universal Music, said recently that streaming services such as Last.fm, Spotify and YouTube were "eclipsing everything" in the business of making cash from recorded music.
Read more:
Buju Banton testifies in his drug trial in Florida - Entertainment - Music - TODAYshow.com
TAMPA, Florida — Grammy-winning reggae singer Buju Banton says a U.S. government informant pressured him about a possible drug deal.
The Jamaican star testified at his drug trial Wednesday that the informant called him constantly after they met on a trans-Atlantic flight in July 2009 and insisted that they meet to set up a cocaine buy.
Read More
Civil War license plates draw criticism
JACKSON -- As Mississippi moves forward with announcements of 21st century high-tech manufacturers locating in the state, the Sons of the Confederate Veterans is making sure residents don't forget the state's 19th century Civil War heritage.
And the NAACP wants to make sure Mississippians don't forget the state's history of enslaving black families in back-breaking jobs.
Beginning this year, the state will spend five years commemorating the sesquicentennial of War Between the States with special license plates.
Read More
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Real Housewives Of Civil Rights (Starring Wayne Brady)
"The ladies of Elite Delta Force 3 and Wayne Brady re-create one of the most popular reality shows like only they can do!"
Grammys memoriam: Where was Guru?
It seems that with every one of these award shows, at least one deceased star is noticeably absent during the "In Memoriam" tribute.
Guru's absence didn't go unnoticed, particularly by fellow artists. Q-Tip tweeted, "No mention of keith GURU elam?????? Come on," with Kanye West writing “RIP to Guru!!” during the Grammys broadcast. Questlove of the Roots recalled the omission of the late Dave Matthews Band saxophonist LeRoi Moore, asking, "Wait a minute, did they just dave mathews band Guru? In that tribute? Shame on you #grammys2011. Did I miss his passing?"
Read more
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Buju Banton Faces Life in Prison
By DJ Avelanche - -Grammy award winner Buju Banton is currently on trial for Federal Drug Trafficking charges. Reports say Buju tried to enlist an undercover agent to help him import drugs to Europe from the Carribean and South America. The undercover agent met with Banton at a police warehouse in Sarasota, Fl. on December 8th, 2009. Surveillance video verifies Banton met with the agent and tasted the cocaine for purity. Buju was immediately arrested and held until November of 2010 when Stephen Marley, son of legendary Bob Marley, put up his own home to post bail for Banton. Since, Buju has been on house arrest after his first trial ended in a hung jury. Banton claims he never had any interest in drug sales, he was only trying to impress a man who had music industry connections that would help his music career. Banton claims he's only guilty of talking too much not of conspiring to international drug trafficking. His new trial begins today february 14th. If convicted, the 37 year could face life in prison.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Hip-Hop Word Count: Ever Wonder How Many Times Power Was Said In Ye's Record? l Global Grind
Heads are always talking about taking things to the next level when it comes to hip hop. You want next level? We got next level. GlobalGrind chatted with Tahir Hemphil, creator of the Hip-Hop Word Count, a searchable ethnographic database built from over 40,000 hip-hop songs from 1979 to the present.
Read Full Article
Friday, February 11, 2011
The tape deck is dead!
The last automotive OEM cassette deck ever produced will make its way into a 2010 Lexus SC 430.
Read more-
Rapper Sued Over Video With Topless Women - Entertainment News Story - KTVU San Francisco
Rapper Sued Over Video With Topless Women - Entertainment News Story - KTVU San Francisco
D.O.C. Planning Tell-All Documentary On N.W.A, Dr. Dre
(AllHipHop News) Legendary West coast rapper The D.O.C. is planning to release a new documentary that will detail his career, as well as the rise and fall of Ruthless Records, from an insiders point of view.
The D.O.C. was one of the founding members of the original N.W.A. Collective (N.W.A. And the Posse), who stayed behind the scenes as a writer during Ruthless Records' early years.
D.O.C, born Tracy Wright, eventually released his own album No One Can Do It Better, a certified Hip-Hop classic produced by Dr. Dre, via Eazy-E's Ruthless Records imprint.
A terrible car accident in 1989, crushed The D.O.C.'s windpipe which ruined his unique voice, effectively ending his rap career. The rapper stayed with Dr. Dre throughout his tenure at Death Row, ghostwriting on albums like Eazy Duz It, Straight Outta Compton, Efil4Zaggin, 100 Miles and Runnin', The Chronic and others.
Read More
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wiz Khalifa's 'Black and Yellow' tops Billboard Hot 100 singles chart
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have lost to the Green Bay Packers last Sunday in Super Bowl XLV, but their rapping hometown kid has plenty to smile about this week. Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” jumps to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart today, up three slots.
Guitar Hero, DJ Hero franchises canceled by Activision
In the competitive world of video games, consumers are usually quick to move on to something new, especially if the old one delivers sequel after sequel without many changes. While music-based games were a huge cash cow for a while, it looks like the sales have started to drop dramatically. Therefore, it wasn’t too surprising when game company Activision announced yesterday that the Guitar Hero franchise has been canceled.
The end of Guitar Hero also spell the end of their other music series, DJ Hero. According to Eurogamer, DJ Hero developer Freestyle Games has suffered “severe layoffs” as well. The news arrived as the company revealed its quarterly earnings. Although their yearly net revenue rose from $4.28 billion in 2009 to $4.45 billion this past year, Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg revealed that the music side of sales was heading downhill.
Read more
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Filthy Tracks: Tribute To Big Pun
Rihanna & Cali Swag District Among Performers At NBA All Star Weekend - Long Island Hip-Hop Music
The 60th Annual NBA All Star Weekend will be at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and boy is it bringing in a good amount of hip-hop to get the crowd going. It was just announced via mtv.com that Rihanna and Lenny Kravitz will be performing as well as Keri Hilson, Cee-Lo Green and Cali Swag District.Continue reading on Examiner.com: Rihanna & Cali Swag District Among Performers At NBA All Star Weekend - Long Island Hip-Hop Music | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/hip-hop-music-in-long-island/rihanna-cali-swag-district-among-performers-at-nba-all-star-weekend#ixzz1DWrT0nIy
Magic Johnson Invests in Vibe Inc and Becomes the Chairman
(Courtesy of the Hollywood Reporter) The former LA Lakers star will become chairman as the company looks to build what Burkle calls “one of the most important enterprises in urban media.”
NEW YORK – Earvin "Magic" Johnson’s Magic Johnson Enterprises and Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Cos. have agreed to invest in Vibe Holdings, the parent company of Vibe magazine and music-and-dance TV show Soul Train, the Wall Street Jour
nal reported.
The investment, said to be in the eight figures, will see the former LA Lakers star become the company’s chairman. The deal comes approximately a year after Johnson tried to buy Jet and Ebony magazines.
Burkle’s name has repeatedly come up in connection with possible media deals in recent years, including in the bidding for Tribune. Most recently, he worked with Harvey and Bob Weinstein on a possible deal for Miramax before they dropped out over price.
Vibe Holdings will use the capital injection in part to acquire similar media assets to help capture a larger share of the African-American market for advertisers. "We intend to build one of the most important enterprises in urban media," Burkle said.
Vibe magazine closed down in June 2009 amid debt problems, but was then resurrected as a print magazine, now published six times a year, and online brand private equity firm Intermedia Partners and Uptown Media.
NEW YORK – Earvin "Magic" Johnson’s Magic Johnson Enterprises and Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Cos. have agreed to invest in Vibe Holdings, the parent company of Vibe magazine and music-and-dance TV show Soul Train, the Wall Street Jour
nal reported.
The investment, said to be in the eight figures, will see the former LA Lakers star become the company’s chairman. The deal comes approximately a year after Johnson tried to buy Jet and Ebony magazines.
Burkle’s name has repeatedly come up in connection with possible media deals in recent years, including in the bidding for Tribune. Most recently, he worked with Harvey and Bob Weinstein on a possible deal for Miramax before they dropped out over price.
Vibe Holdings will use the capital injection in part to acquire similar media assets to help capture a larger share of the African-American market for advertisers. "We intend to build one of the most important enterprises in urban media," Burkle said.
Vibe magazine closed down in June 2009 amid debt problems, but was then resurrected as a print magazine, now published six times a year, and online brand private equity firm Intermedia Partners and Uptown Media.
Nicki Minaj Jumps To #1 On Billboard Chart; Hits Platinum Mark
(AllHipHop News) Nicki Minaj is celebrating two accomplishments this week, as her hit album Pink Friday is sitting at #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Chart, just as the album passes the 1 million sales mark.
According to data provided by Billboard, Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday, which is in its 11th week on the chart, moved up three spots from last week to the #1 position.
The sales spike is being attributed to Nicki's recent high profile appearance on "Saturday Night Live" on January 30th.
Pink Friday also got some extra publicity when videos of Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez singing Nicki's song "Super Bass" hit the Internet, garnering over 2 million views in just over five days.
The publicity surrounding Pink Friday helped push the album's sales to 1,035,000, taking her past the million mark, making Nicki's major label debut a platinum seller
DEA Raids Dorrough's House Over Suspected Drug Dealing
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Dorrough was arrested this morning in Dallas, Texas, when DEA agents kicked in his door over suspicion of drug trafficking.
While the exact charge against Dorrough is not known as of press time, a source close to the rapper said that 10 agents kicked in his door earlier today, with guns drawn.
According to the source, agents did not find any drugs or weapons on the premises.
"Dorrough has obtained powerful counsel and one of his attorneys is a Senator," a source told AllHipHop.com. "Dorrough will make a formal statement with plans to clear his name later this week."
Dorrough is best known for his hit singles "Ice Cream Paint Job" and "Get Big" which was turned into a remix featuring stars like Sean "Diddy" Combs, Bun B., DJ Drama and Yo Gotti.
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