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Bobby Brown Speaks on His New Fiancee, New Album, And New Single “Don’t Let Me Die”

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Bobby Brown has had a very hard year. First his mother and father passed away, then his ex-wife Whitney Houston was found dead in a hotel bathtub just before The Grammy Awards. And when he tried to pay his respects at her funeral, he and his children were asked to move so many times they decided to leave—which led to Bobby taking yet another beating in the press.

But things may be looking up for the Boston-born R&B star who created the blueprint for today's Ushers and Breezys and Trigger Treys. He's got a new lady in his life, Alicia Etheridge, whom he plans to marry. And he's releasing a new album—his first in 14 years—titled The Masterpiece. Complex debuted the first single, "Don't Let Me Die," and now we've caught up with Bobby, who took a break from his tour with New Edition to talk about how music, friends, and family have helped him get through the hard times.
Interview by Rob Kenner (@Boomshots)

It’s been a while since we’ve heard you singing, but your song “Don’t Let Me Die” is so powerful. What was the inspiration for that one?
Well I lost my mom, I lost my dad, and just the things that life brings you. You don’t want to lose loved ones in your life. You don’t want to lose what you have strived for. You just don’t wanna do it. And after the recent death of Whitney, I guess that song really came to me because of me not wanting to lose.

You’ve taken some hard hits in the past year.
Yeah definitely. Wait till you hear the rest of the album. That’s why I called it The Masterpiece. What we did on this album is exactly what I see and what I’ve gone through in life.

This is the first album in 14 years. What was the one before that?
[Laughs] That was the Forever album.

What are you listening to these days?
I don’t listen to the radio right now. They’re playing the same things over and over and over. And they’re not giving the real artists that are great a chance. If it’s all about radio to solidify a great song, then radio’s not the move. You have to sell records other ways in order for somebody to hear you.

I see you’ve got some of your old friends from New Edition on the record. There’s a record called “Doesn’t Anybody Know” with Ralph Tresvant.
Yeah, we did that when we were at Ralph’s house. We had a cookout and we just went into his little studio and wrote something. That’s what we do when we’re together. We keep our friendship like it is. We like writing, we like eating some food, and we like hanging out. When you hear that song you can really feel that it’s all about fun with us.

And you covered “All Is Fair” with Johnny Gill.
Yeah that’s a classic Stevie Wonder song. And me and Johnny are both about to married. So we just thought, why not sing a song for our ladies?

That’s a pretty deep love song. That’s not just about hearts and roses.
Right. That’s what we felt about love too. And also being real Stevie Wonder fans we just wanted to pay homage to him in a real way.

Who is the artist JayAre who’s featured on the song “Starmaker”?
Oh, that’s my son. [Laughs] That’s little Bobby. His stage name is J.R.

So he’s following in your footsteps?
Oh yeah. He’s hot. He’s really hot. We’re preparing his album to be released after mine.

With all the lessons you’ve learned in the game, what sort of advice did you give him when he told you he was going into show business?
Just know that you want to do it. I mean this isn’t a business you just get in and try to do it quickly. It’s not always going to be a good time. This is a business that has its ups and downs. You have to be prepared for both the ups and downs. I just wanted him to finish school first before he truly makes the decision. But I’m gonna be there for him to make sure that he’s protected.

Lucky for him. Tell me about this last song on the album, it’s called “The Man I Want To Be.”
It’s a country song that I wrote when I was on a television show called Gone Country and I dedicated it to my mom. It’s just a great song. Writing it was part of a competition, but I didn’t win the competition. So I put it on the album just because it was a great song.

What is the message behind that one?
I mean, I’ve been locked up, I’ve been messed up numerous times... But wait till you see the man that I’m gonna be, when I get myself together. The man I’m gonna be. That’s basically what it is. Wait till you see me when I’m better—after being all of that, messed up and locked up. Wait till you get a hold of me.

The real you?
Yeah.

It was good to see another side of you on that interview you did with Matt Lauer recently. How did you feel about how that came out?
I was really happy just being able to sit with my kids and let people see how I raised my kids. Action speaks louder than words, and you could see it in my kids’ faces. No matter what you think about you, I take care of mine.

You have taken a beating in the press. Do you feel like that will ever change?
Well I’m working towards it. That’s what life is about. You try to be better at everything. I’m on tour now. We’ll be on tour until November. What I’m doing is being Bobby, the real Bobby. I always like to bring that out every night when we perform—show people who Bobby is. And then with this album, when people hear it and see the videos, just the new movement that I’m going on.

The last time I interviewed you was right when you and your wife were just breaking up. Do you feel like the music industry played a part in the end of your marriage?
I don’t even really think about that now. I’m really into what this album is about, and what this album is going to explain. The album is going to explain how I feel about everything.

How did you meet your fiancee Alicia?
I’ve known Alicia for years. We met so long ago, when she was working at a dance class. She was part of a dance crew. And we just all hung out at this dance studio in L.A. We met through that. We lost connection once I got married and all of that. But once I got divorced I saw her again and it just clicked. We just hooked up. It was nothing sexual before, we just all hung out.

And she’s also helping to manage your career now?
Yeah. She’s a very smart woman. She’s worked with Macy Gray and Magic Johnson and people like that. She’s just a brilliant lady. I love her dearly. My love for her goes beyond the love I feel for anybody. We’re looking forward to having a couple more kids and getting married.

More kids? You are a real family man.
Oh definitely. I mean I come from a family of 8, so that’s all I know. My father instilled in us that family matters.

I’m glad I had a chance to meet Pops when you were shooting the reality show.
This is what I’m happy about—they had a chance to hear most of the album when I was writing. Because our family is so close they got a chance to hear it. That is a beautiful thing.

It’s unimaginable the losses that you have been through. How has music helped you get through that?
We have a very great support system in this group. It’s how we stayed together for 29 years.

Of course New Edition has had its ups and downs like any other group. There has been tension at times, break-ups and reunions. Is that all behind you now?
Oh yeah. We all look at it as God’s plan for us to be able to do everything that we’ve done. We’re the only group in history that has branched off and done other things, set up new groups and solo acts and then been able to come back together and still be a group. We were all successful on our own and we come back as a group. This is the first group that’s ever done that.

How important were the other guys in New Edition while you were going through your trials and tribulations of the past year?
Oh big support. That’s what I call real friends. We just take care of each other. That’s what friends do.

Was performing part of your process of working through the hard knocks?
Nah, nah, nah, it’s all about the music and giving people entertainment. This is what I’m built for. Built for entertaining people.

There were critics in the press who said “why is he still performing?”
Why not? This is what I do for a living. This is how I support my kids.

Where do you want to be a year from now?
A year from now is way too far for me to even think about. I’m with my boys New Edition. We’re gonna put out great music for people to listen to. Ralph is coming with his album. Johnny’s album is out. BBD’s album is coming out, and we plan on doing a New Edition album. We’re just gonna ride this till the wheels fall off. We love touring. We love being a part of people’s lives where we can bring back the memories. So that’s what we just plan on doing this year. I mean, we’re humping. We’re doing shows every night. As old as we are, we are doing two hour shows every night in different cities. It’s a beautiful thing that we can still do this. And people are coming out, we’re selling out. It’s a great thing and we’re really grateful for it.

Will your son be joining you on any of those dates?
I don’t think so. If he does it will probably be when we’re in the area of Boston, cause he’s still in college.

No college dropout.
No, it won’t be none of that. Both of my sons—Landon and Bobby—are writers. They’re prolific singers. My mom instilled it in me and I guess I instilled it in them. They’re my boys. And wait till you see my little one tap. [Laughs] He’s a monster.

The baby?
Yeah my little one, Cassius. He’s a tapper, singer, slash everything.

Wait, how old is he? He’s singing already?
He’s three years old.

Well how old were you when you got put on stage with James Brown?
I was like seven. And he’ll probably get on stage a little bit earlier. He always says he needs to. He needs to go on stage. He needs to do anything. He needs to. So it’s a burning desire. I mean when he sees New Edition perform, after we come off stage he goes “Daddy it’s my turn.” So he’s ready.

Nelly Furtado Draws Inspiration From Odd Future’s “Rawness”

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Nelly Furtado isn’t a stranger to hip-hop, having collaborated with the rap likes of Pharrell, Missy Elliott and Timbaland.
But for her new single, “Big Hoops,” the Canadian pop songbird says she drew inspiration from a rather odd place.

“‘Big Hoops’ is a special tune for me for a few different reasons,’” Furtado told MTV News recently. “The state of mind I was in, I was actually listening to a lot of different music a few weeks before. I think I was listening to Odd Future or something, and I was inspired by how dark it sounded and how heavy and visceral and how it made your blood feel things. And I just thought,

‘Wow — that’s really missing in music. We’re missing that rawness, that energy and that power.’”
“I think music can tap into a lot of powerful emotions, and I think in the studio on ‘Big Hoops’ I tapped into a really powerful memory of being 14 years old, completely in love with hip-hop and R&B along with all my friends, and putting on my sister’s big hoop earrings and heading down to the mall to hang out with my backpack and jeans,” she added.

Furtado has a noted connection to hip-hop. Timbaland helped resuscitate the singer’s career back in 2006, producing a majority of cuts, alongside Danja, off Furtado’s Loose album. That LP spawned hit singles such as “Promiscuous,” “Maneater,” “Say It Right” and “Do It,” all produced by Timbaland.

Prodigy "H.N.I.C. 3"

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Prodigy says he wrote most of the project while he was incarcerated.

 Prodigy recently revealed that he will release his new album H.N.I.C. 3 on July 3rd, with plans to chase the LP with a new Mobb Deep offering. During an interview on MTV’s RapFix Live, P revealed some guest artsts on the project including T.I., Wiz Khalifa, Havoc and Day 26’s Willie.

“I wanted to use people that were kinda hard to get and also you wouldn't think that I would collab with them," he said. "You wouldn't think that Pee would have a song with them right now."

He said that his record with Wiz Khalifa is titled “Co-Pilot,” and describes the track as “dope.” P said that most of the record was written while he was locked up doing a three-year bid.

"The third one, I spent a lot of time working on it. I did my little bid, there years or whatever, and that's basically when I was writing most of this album," he said. "So, I got to really take my time with the concepts, the lyrics, how I want it to be, be really precise with it and really come up with something that can last a long time."


Get More: Music News

The cover art has been revealed for Prodigy's H.N.I.C. 3, releasing July 3rd

Pete Rock Responds To Lupe Fiasco's Rant Against Him

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Pete Rock reiterates that he should have been involved in the talks to remake "T.R.O.Y."

 The saga continues for Lupe Fiasco and Pete Rock’s beef over the former remaking the latter’s beat from “T.R.O.Y.” for “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free).”

During an interview with MTV News, the veteran producer responded to Lu’s latest rant on Shade 45’s “Sway in the Morning” where he said that the situation wasn’t remedied, despite the fact that they had publicly announced a reconciliation.

"At that point, my emotions were working — I'm still thinking about Heavy D and Troy is a dear friend to me, and my emotions got the best of me, and I expressed myself on Twitter. It wasn’t my intention to hurt Lupe’s career or his producer’s career," he said, explaining that he agreed to let the beat be reused as long as he was involved with his project. “I thought from that point I would be involved with Lupe and being in the studio, tweaking the beat, but I never heard from the record label, and then I turn on the radio, and hear it on the radio.”

                                                              Watch the interview below.



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Mary J Blige Charity Sued For Missing $250k

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Mary J. Blige's charity has taken a whole lot, but has barely given back, according to a bank that claims it lent the foundation $250,000, but only got $400 back.

The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now is being sued by TD Bank over a $250k loan it took out back in June 2011.

The suit filed earlier this month in New York, says the foundation agreed to pay the money back by December 2011, but when the time came to pay up, the organization had only paid $368.33 towards the loan. The bank claims it has demanded payment in writing on February 7 and 29, but hasn't heard back from the foundation.

This lawsuit isn't the only trouble the foundation is facing. The org. also didn't file a tax return for 2010 and it's also being sued by musicians from a 2011 fundraising gala who claim when it came time for payment they were stiffed.

A rep for Blige says, "The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation For The Advancement Of Women Now, Inc. (FFAWN) is presently transitioning its management and headquarters."

The rep adds, "We remain committed to our mandate of helping  women gain the confidence and skills necessary to reach their full individual potential."

EXODUS 1:10: The Real Pusha T Diss

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“Drug dealer buys Jordans/crackhead buys crack/and a white man gets paid off of all of that ” – “All Falls Down” – Kanye West
It started off as a couple of disses being traded back and forth across the ‘net between rival Hip-Hop labels, but the conflict quickly escalated as rappers on both sides tried to prove who were the real killas and who were the fake gangstas. The contest ended in a draw, as the beef left dead bodies on both sides. 

The only real winners were the billionaire label owners who made a fortune selling greatest hits CDs, and the kids on the block hawkin’ bootleg T-shirts with pictures of dead rappers on the front and “EXODUS 1:10″ on the back…

Last week, while the rest of the country was dealing with issues like the upcoming election, student loan interest rates and the economy, the biggest news in Hip-Hop was, yet, another rap beef.
A few days ago, Pusha T, former member of The Clipse, the group that took Crack music to a whole ‘nother level with songs like “Grindin’,” a decade ago, released a diss track presumed to be aimed at Lil Wayne called “EXODUS 23:1.” The track is seen by many as a prelude to a war between Pusha’s label, G.O.O.D. Music, and Drake and the homies of Young Money/Cash Money Billionaires.

However, what was interesting was when the diss hit the ‘net, it wound up being the tweet heard ’round the world as EXODUS 23:1 suddenly became a trending topic, sending millions of wanna-be gangstas scrambling to grab Grandma’s Good Book to peep what the Creator of the Universe said about the G.O.O.D. Music/YMCMB beef.

The tweets also caught the attention of mainstream media websites, as CNN and Time Magazine rushed to put out stories about a rapper who few of their readers knew existed. Now, Pusha was not the first artist to use scripture passages to go in on rival rappers, (Remember Pac’s “Hail Mary”?) but that was before Twitter. So, he was the first to make a Biblically-based rap attack go viral. I guess this is a moment in Hip-Hop history of which we can all be proud.

But we have to ask ourselves, are the decision makers who revere CNN like the Bible and who control the flow of education dollars to “inner city schools” or pass legislation regarding criminal sentencing laws, really looking at this beef as “a couple of creative geniuses just expressing their remarkable talents?” Or are they looking at it more like a bunch of trained circus monkeys that somebody taught to beat box? My money is on the latter.

When I first saw the title of the song, I admit, I thought the industry was finally going to be exposed on some deep metaphysical, esoteric level by one of its insiders who was going to use Biblical references to validate A Tribe Called Quest’s Industry “Rule #4080” that “record company people are shady.” Or maybe even prove that the Hip-Hop conspiracy theorists were right, and there was really only one major record label controlling Hip-Hop and the Anti-Christ was the CEO.
No such luck. Just some more ‘hood drama.

The beef is just the continuation of rap fratricide that has plagued the culture since the mid-‘90s. No matter how many deaths and prison sentences happen in Hip-Hop, the glorification of beefs remains constant. Sure, there is always the brief period when the Hip-Hop community signs a peace treaty and rappers come together at some meeting and promise that they will be more civilized with their lyrics but a few months later, it’s back to the ol’ standard “ooooh, did you hear how so -and- so dissed…?”

The cycle of insanity continues.
Besides being a way for record labels to make money off the self-hatred that is destroying the Black community, it also serves as a necessary distraction from the real issues that should be of utmost importance to this generation. The beef is just another exercise in displaced aggression, where the proverbial “Menace to Society” becomes the next young, Black man instead of the corporate bloodsuckers who are draining the life force from Hip-Hop.

Even Pusha T hints at the fact that rappers are being played like puppets when he talks about on EXODUS 23:1, how it’s bad luck when an artist is signed to multiple record deals and the man at the top of the totem pole is always going to be the head of one of the three major record labels. (Sometimes you gotta read between the lines.)

Also, we have to call the propagation of Black-on-Black violence, what it is – corporate-sponsored population control. This has been the standard of operation in dealing with Black people since the enslavement and colonization of Africa when the European exploiters used to give both sides of a conflict weapons and wait for them to kill each other off.
During the Hip-Hop Era, the late author Gary Webb suggested in Dark Alliance that the high-powered assault weapons and the crack in the ‘hood may have been government sponsored. So, it is not far fetched to believe that some rich dudes are not only funding both sides of Hip-Hop beefs, but maybe even supplying guns to both sides of the gang wars.

History teaches that’s how the ruling elite have always gotten down. Remember in None Dare Call It Conspiracy, Garry Allen claims that some “international bankers” funded both sides of the Civil War. If they would do that to thousands of “good ol’ patriotic soldiers dying for their political beliefs,” what do you think they would do to a bunch of disposable, street thugs killing over bandannas and street corners?
Now, I know some of ya’ll are going to say it’s just entertainment, and “it ain’t all that deep.” But some of us refuse to swim in the shallow end of the pool of life.
Like Hip-Hop artist, Dee-1, said on “Jay, 50 and Weezy,” “Entertainment is what it seems/ but Black on Black hatred/ is the underlyin’ theme.”

Tony Dofat, Pete Rock Remember Heavy D on His 45th Birthday

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On what would have been his 45th birthday (May 24), two of fallen rapper Heavy D's frequent collaborators, Pete Rock and Tony Dofat, spoke to The Urban Daily about his legacy, and his unexpected passing, remembering him fondly.

"He was an entertainer from when I was 9. He would come in the room and we would play Kraftwerk's 'Numbers' and he would start popping to it. Pop locking to Kraftwerk," said Dofat. "He was still chubby at 11 so when he'd dance his stomach would move under his T-shirt. We would just sit back and look at him and go 'do it again, do it again.' Every time he came over I'd ask him to dance to that record."

Dofat, a childhood friend who went on to produce on several of Heavy D's solo albums, including Waterbed Hev, Heavy, Vibes and his last album, Love Opus, also spoke about Hev's own production prowess.

Legendary producer Pete Rock, who also worked with Heavy D throughout his career, also spoke highly of the "Now That We Found Love" rapper. He remembered their last session before Heavy D died on Nov. 8, 2011, as the result of a pulmonary embolism.

"It was the normal Heavy D session. The normal him wanting to make a perfect song. It was just dope," Pete said. "God does things for a reason. He put me with him one last time to make music and hang out. So that was a great thing to be working with him again, not knowing it would the last time."

                               Watch Heavy D's "Nuttin' But Love" Video

Lupe Fiasco New Single, "Around My Way,"

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Lupe Fiasco Drops New Single, "Around My Way," But Pete Rock Disapproves [LISTEN/DOWNLOAD]

The first single from Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor II dropped, titled Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free) (it hits iTunes tonight at midnight), and it samples Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)."

The original song is widely considered to be one of the greatest Hip-Hop songs of all time, and now Lupe's version has been received with some off-putting public opinion.






Pete Rock, producer of the original song, the prominent veteran was not pleased with the reimagined beat (both version use Tom Scott's "Today") that was so dear to his heart. "No disrespect to lupe fiasco and i like him alot but TROY should be left alone.
Feel so violated,the beat is next to my heart and was made outta anguish and pain," tweeted Pete Rock. "When it's like that it should not be touched by no one! Man I'm a lupe fan and everything but TROY was my homie man. I think about him and Hev every f-cking day!!!! Smh"

Pete Rock was referring to Trouble T-Roy, one of the late Heavy D's dancers whose tragic and untimely death inspired the song "T.R.O.Y." "I'm not flattered @ all. Dat sh-t is wack, and the producer should be ashamed of his f-ckin self. Smh," added the Chocolate Boy Wonder.

Simonsayz & B-Side, the producers of Lupe's single have some explaining to do, b. Check out the song below and tell us what you think.

Notorious B.I.G.’s Top 5 Tributes To The Good Life

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Today marks what would have been the 40th birthday of Brooklyn’s late, great Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie’s life was cut too short too fast, but you have to admit, he did party like a rock star while he was with us.He also left beyond some classics that always get the house rocking, especially on birthdays.
Here is AllHipHop.com’s rundown of  
“Notorious B.I.G.’s Top 5 Tributes to the Good Life”:

1) “JUICY”: Biggie laments on his impoverished childhood, then remembers, ‘Wait, I’m rich now!’

“Birthdays was the worst days/ Now we drink champagne when we thirsty…”:


2) “PARTY AND BULLSHIT”: This is an anthem for ‘hood boys gone wild, and we all know Biggie had major love for his Brooklyn streets. “Loungin’ black, smokin’ sacks up in Acs/ and Sidekicks with my sidekicks rockin’ fly kicks…”
3) “HYPNOTIZE”: At just 24, Biggie was already embracing his grown and sexy on this upbeat winner from Life After Death. “Poppa been smooth since days of Underoos/ Never lose, never choose to…”
4) “SKY’S THE LIMIT”: Just check the lyrics – Biggie seemed super thankful here, and he had a lot to celebrate before his untimely passing in 1997. “I like this young man. When he came out, he went from ashy    to  classy”:
5) “F*CKING YOU TONIGHT” – Ever the mack, B.I.G. knew that no night of partying should end up with your homies still around. “Skip the wine and the candlelight/ No Cristal tonight/ If it’s alright with you/ We f*ckin’ (that’s cool)…“
Happy birthday and R.I.P. to The Notorious B.I.G.! (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997) Tell us your favorites in the comment section!

Lil’ Kim Brings Out Missy Elliott, Eve, Juelz Santana and Fred Da Godson At Her Bronx Concert

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Lil’ Kim, the Queen Bee, held her first hometown show at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, New York.

over the weekend as part of her “The Return Of The Queen” tour.  The show got off to an exciting start, with Saigon, Papoose Shyheim and Cassidy opening up for the Queen Bee, and Mobb Wives reality show star Drita D’Avanzo hosting. The opening acts did a great job at getting the audience turned up and ready for Kim. Throughout the one hour-long set, Lil’ Kim brought out surprise guests Missy Elliott, Eve, Juelz Santana, and Fred Da Godson, and ran through some of her most notable hits.
Kim hit the stage dressed to kill in a red military inspired jacket with a tan body suit underneath and a full band backing her up. She began her set with the twista-esque “Queen Bitch”, then performed with a vengeance, and even kicked a few dance moves with her backup dancers, nailing the choreography.

 Kimmy Blanco then ran through a catalog of her 2000s hits, including “The Jump Off”, “Big Mama Thing”, “Magic Stick” and “Lighters Up”.

One of the biggest moments during the show was when Lil’ Kim brought out Missy Elliott and Eve to perform
 the “Hot Boyz (Remix)”. The crowd was entranced, seeing what could truly be a momentous moment in Hip-Hop – one that could possibly start a unity among the female rappers of our time.
Lil’ Kim closed out the show spitting verses from her features on two classics – Mobb Deep’s “The Quiet Storm” and Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s “Get Money (Remix)”. Although a few of the costume changes slowed down the momentum at times, Lil’ Kim did a great job at showing the crowd she still has what it takes to compete with the younger female rappers out there. And no, there was not one mention of a certain Ms. Nicki Minaj. Check out the video below to watch some clips from Lil’ Kim’s “The Return Of The Queen” stop in the Bronx:

Happy Birthday, Parrish Smith PMD celebrates his 44th birthday

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One-half of the famed EPMD duo-with Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith is celebrating his 44th birthday today (May 13).

The Long Island native, better known by his moniker PMD (Parish Making Dollars) has been a respected a figure since stepping in with his rap counterpart on 1988′s tour de force Strictly Business. While alongside Sermon,

EPMD would go on to release six group albums-most notably 1989′s Unfinished Business, 1990′s Business as Usual and 1992′s Business Never Personal.

Despite their group success, the two would split twice during their over 20 year spanning career. Within those breakups, Parrish released a few solo albums including 1994′s Shade Business, 1996′s Business Is Business and two others.

As he celebrates his birthday today, XXLMag.com would like to wish PMD a very happy G day.

Beanie Sigel, Scarface 'Mac & Brad' Album: 12 Songs in, No Jay or Kanye in Sight

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Scarface and Beanie Sigel fans will be happy to learn that the duo are apparently 12 songs deep into their long-awaited collaboration album Mac & Brad, and will have an album out sometime next year, according to a recent interview with MTV.

"We doin' songs, I got six, he got six," Scarface revealed. "It's a process that we go through to do this album."

"It's a reality now; you know our word is our bond. We said we gonna do somethin', we gonna do it," Beanie added, via iPhone.

Unfortunately things have changed a bit since the duo recorded their first collaboration on Beanie's 1999 single "Mac & Brad," and solidified their chemistry in the booth on Face's 2002 hit "Guess Who's Back" with Kanye West and Jay-Z.

"I used to have everybody's number on speed dial like that," Scarface explained. "I hit Jay-Z, and Jay-Z pick up on the first ring. Now I might hit Jay-Z and I might not hear from him for two years."

"I used to call Kanye, Kanye pick up on the first ring, now Kanye don't even got no phone, that's how much times have changed," he concluded.

We're not sure where a papa Hov or leather skirt-wearing 'Ye would fit on a Face and Beanie track at this point, so it's probably for the best.



Watch Scarface's "On My Block" Video

Jury Reaches Verdict In Hudson Family Slayings

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CHICAGO (AP) — Jurors have reached a verdict in the trial of the man charged with murdering three of Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson's family members, Chicago court officials announced Friday afternoon.
The verdict is scheduled to be read at 4:30 p.m. CDT. Jurors deliberated for three days in the case of Hudson's former brother-in-law, William Balfour.

He's charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the October 2008 shooting deaths of Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.
Hudson was the first witness called and has attended every day of testimony in the trial. She is expected to be on hand when the verdict is read.
Balfour would face a mandatory life prison sentence if convicted on all counts.

Prosecutors say he killed the three victims in a jealous rage after his then-estranged wife, Hudson's sister Julia Hudson, refused to reconcile with him. Defense attorneys argued the evidence tying Balfour to the October 2008 killings is circumstantial.

The announcement about the verdict came after jurors sent the judge a note saying they were split on the verdict. The jury did not say it was giving up, though.
"We are trying," jurors said in their note.

With no surviving witnesses to the Oct. 24, 2008, slayings, prosecutors built a circumstantial case against Balfour by calling 83 witnesses over 11 days of testimony. Witnesses said he threatened to kill the entire family if Julia Hudson spurned him.

Balfour's attorneys proposed an alternate theory: that someone else in the crime-ridden neighborhood on Chicago's South Side targeted the family because of alleged crack-cocaine dealing by Jennifer Hudson's brother, Jason Hudson. During the 30 minutes in which they called just two witnesses, however, they presented no evidence to support that theory.

The killings occurred the morning after Julia Hudson's birthday, and prosecutors said he became enraged when he stopped by the home and saw a gift of balloons in the house from her new boyfriend.

After his estranged wife left for her job as a bus driver on the morning of Oct. 24, 2008, prosecutors say Balfour went back inside the home with a .45-caliber handgun and shot Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, in the back; he allegedly then shot Jason Hudson, 29, twice in the head as he lay in bed.

Prosecutors say Balfour then drove off in Jason Hudson's SUV with Julia's son, Julian King, and shot the boy several times in the head as he lay behind a front seat. His body was found in the abandoned vehicle miles away after a three-day search.

Master P Eyes No Limit Records Comeback; Says He’s in Competition with Birdman

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Master P ,one of Hip-Hop’s most successful, independent record label owners, during his visit to the Core DJ’s Live Mixshow 2012 in Dallas, Texas.

While Master P’s new artists mark his resurgence into the Hip-Hop game, Percy Miller has been taking notes on what the game’s been doing, as he plots to make his next $75 million independently.

“I’m taking this generation, and I’m listening because that’s what music is about, keeping up with your swag and keeping up with your game and being able to get in these clubs, and that’s basically what I’m doing,” Master P told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview. “Man, I got a team of youngins around me that’s sick. Miss Chee, Bengie B, T-Bo, we the next generation of this [No Limit Records], and Romeo the boss, and I’m the Chairman, and we all gonna play our role.”

In keeping up with the times, Master P has been paying close attention to how fellow New Orleans mogul, Birdman “Baby” Williams, has built his Cash Money/Young Money empire.

“Me and Baby always been cool, man. People don’t know, but I’ve always been in competition, because Baby always pushes me, you know what I’m saying, and I always push him. Like right now, he’s on top and that’s what’s pushing me. Now I’m like, OK, I gotta check out what they doing. I respect it,” Master P explained. “Now I’m back in this thing, and that’s kind of like my motivation now, you know what I’m saying? I love him because he’s from New Orleans, and I want to see him do well, but now I got to get out there and do my thing.

He got some big artists over there, so it’s like a friendly competition thing now, you know what I’m saying? So I wish him all the best. Nicki Minaj, Drake, Wayne, I mean, you know, they doing they thing, but they motivating me.”
Master P took special note of Baby’s recent acquisition of former No Limit Records artist, and now YMCMB artist, Mystikal.

“That’s the thing about music. Something’s got to motivate you to take your game to the next level. Miss Chee, Bengie B, T.E.C., T-Bo, I mean, it’s enough room for all of us to eat. All friendly competition, you know what I’m saying? Nothing serious, you know, we from the streets, man, so it’s never been about nothing but a friendly competition,” Master P said.

“So you know, I feel like right now, I ain’t have my game together, and one of my prizes dun went over, and now I’m I kinda like, ‘Damn Mystikal, alright, that was a nice little piece right there.’ So now I’m like, ‘Ok, now I gotta you know…’ That’s how bosses do it, we gotta get on that hustle game and get out there, so we can get that next new talent that’s out there. It’s kind of like different fields of business now, because they big now in the music business, and I’m like starting from the bottom, climbing from the bottom. But I’m gonna climb quick, because I know this business, you know what I’m saying? And I’m ready, my swag so sick right now, man,” he added.


EXCLUSIVE :New Music Video [Roll Up] by BLD

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New Music Video [Roll Up] by BLD

Andre 3000 To Star As Jimi Hendrix In Biopic Movie

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Rapper/actor Andre 3000  is set to star as Jimi Hendrix in a new movie about the rock legend. Filming for the biopic will begin later this month in Ireland.

 The movie entitled All Is By My Side will show the guitar player’s life while in England in 1966 and 1967. He created legendary music with his guitar and also manufactured his debut album “Are You Experienced”.
 The film will be written and directed by John Ridley, who most recently wrote the Tuskegee Airmen feature Red Tails starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terrence Howard.

Andre 3000, who has acted alongside several Hollywood stars, has previous movie roles in films such as Four Brothers, Be Cool, Idlewild and Semi-Pro. The actor/musician is also a guitar player himself, which will coordinate well with him as Hendrix.

Beastie Boys Sued Over Tracks On “Licensed To Ill,” “Paul’s Boutique”

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The Beastie Boys have been hit with lawsuit over four tracks, two on their landmark debut album Licensed To Ill and two from their follow-up, Paul’s Boutique.

HipHop/R&B label Tuf America filed the lawsuit against all members of the Beastie Boys on May 3, just one day before member Adam “MCA” Yauch died from cancer on May 4.
Tuf America filed the lawsuit in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The lawsuit claims that the Beastie’s illegally sampled Trouble Funk’s songs “Say What” and “Drop The Bomb.”
The group is accused of using portions of Trouble Funk’s 1982 song “Drop The Bomb” on Licensed To Ill and Paul’s Boutique.

Tuf America claims the group used portions of the song on their classic 1986 song “Hold It Now Hit It,” as well as “The New Style,”  both on Licensed To Ill.

Tuf America claims The Beastie Boys used the drums on “Drop The Bomb” on their song “Car Thief” on Paul’s Boutique.

Tuf America also claims The Beastie Boys illegally sampled Trouble Funk’s 1982 song “Say What,” for their song “Shadrach,” also on Paul’s Boutique.

Tuf America said they did a thorough sound analysis of the tracks in question and concluded that the Beastie Boys illegally incorporated elements of the songs without permission.

To complicate the matter, Tuf America claims The Beasties and Capitol Records continue to profit off the album, by way of anniversary and commemorative releases of Licensed To Ill and Paul’s Boutique, which was released in 1989.

Tuf America is seeking a trial to determine the amount of punitive and exemplary damages, if any.
Capitol Records is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, some of which can be

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Brandy and Monica are the cover girls for the May issue of Ebony magazine. In the story, Brandy reveals her thoughts on love and how people don’t understand her little brother, Ray J.


In a preview from the article, Brandy takes on the controversy that follows Ray J, calling on critics to back off.
“I know who he is,” she said. “And I’m pissed off about some of the things I’ve been hearing. It really bothers me that [those are] the kind of things that people do for money.”
She chalked up the Kim Kardashian sex tape and other Ray J-related stories to people getting the wrong idea about him.

“He’s misunderstood,” she continued. “This is a man who loves his mama and his sister and his niece. Ray J loved Kim Kardashian. They were irresponsible with their-you know-but he loved her. For five years, he was with her. In his mind and in the world’s mind, he was in my shadow for such a long time… To finally break out of it, you’re going to brag; you’re going to feel something about yourself. It’s not coming from a bad place, and I can tell you: Some of the shoes Ray J’s walking in, you’d take off immediately. You wouldn’t be able to handle the type of shoes he’s in.”

On the romance front, Brandy admitted that she was growing impatient waiting for her man to put a ring on it.
“I wish we were engaged,” Brandy said. “He’s taking a little long on the ring side of things, but I’m patient. I wanted to impress him. I wanted him to be proud of me; I was inspired by him. So making the record and his being there, it’s just all a part of it. Him and my daughter. I want him to love my songs. I want him to love my voice.”

Last week (April 26) Brandy dropped her new single from upcoming album Two Eleven, “Put It Down.” The uptempo track features a rapping Chris Brown and a heavy dose of sexual innuendo.
The cover picks up on the momentum Brandy and Monica have built with their joint single, “It All Belongs To Me,” which dropped earlier this year. In March the two Perfomed the song, as well as “The Boy is Mine,” their 1998 smash.
Check out Brandy and Monica on the cover here.

Gang Starr’s “Daily Operation” Marks Its 20th Anniversary

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While Gang Starr’s musical catalog has come to a halt with the unfortunate passing of Guru in 2010, the legacy of the collective lives on.

Today marks the 20-year anniversary of GS’s third group effort, Daily Operation. Continuing his experiment with jazz-entrenched samples, Premier’s stylistic evolution was evident on cuts such as “The Illest Brother,” “Soliloquy of Chaos,” and “Take It Personal.” Topically, the album showcased a variety of subjects that laid the groundwork for street-oriented, yet socially aware, early ‘90s East Coast rap.

“Conspiracy” dissected institutional racism, “Take Two and Pass” acknowledged the duo’s affection for the sticky, while “The Place Where We Dwell” was an ode to the group’s newly claimed home of Brooklyn.
The album also introduced Gang Starr Foundation members such as Lil’ Dap of Group Home, and Jeru the Damaja—who would garner much fanfare the two years later with “Come Clean”—on “I’m the Man,” where Premier provides a different beat for each MC’s verse, redefining the concept of a traditional posse cut.
Though it failed to amass commercial success during its release, 20 years after its debut, the album remains supreme as a hip-hop classic.

The only addition that could’ve made the album reach a bigger audience was the inclusion of “DWYCK,” the party anthem featuring Nice & Smooth. DJ Premier, who spoke with the writer early last year, recalls why the single failed to make it on Daily Operation.

“It was a B-side joint [for ‘Take It Personal’]. We did ‘Down the Line’ on the Nice & Smooth album, so we were like, ‘Y’all do one with us.’ It was supposed to be on Daily Operation, but the label wasn’t rolling with it. They just wanted to leave it the way it was.

The buzz, however, was so big, we re-mastered it and tacked it onto the album, but then [the label] just didn’t do the re-pressings. I think we would’ve gone, maybe even platinum. ‘DWYCK’ was that big.”
Regardless, a record like “DWYCK” was never again replicated, and its absence allowed for the grittiness of Daily Operation to remain as a thematically complete and stylistically defining piece of work.

Jim Jones, Vampire Life 2

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The “F.E.A.S.T.” acronym on Jim Jones’ new mixtape stands for Family Eatin’ and Stayin’ True. There’s plenty of crew love to go around on Capo’s recently-released mixtape, Vampire Life 2: F.E.A.S.T. (The Last Supper), which has Jones inviting a lot of upcoming MCs to ride with him. But before he makes the introduction, Jones gives listeners a healthy dose of the Harlem shit-talking he’s become synonymous for.

“Who you think started this Lamborghini shit in the middle of Harlem, nigga? [Killa, what up!] I done crashed enough cars to make you go broke,” Capo sneers on the compilation’s “F.E.A.S.T. Prelude.” From there, Jones gets locked and loaded, rolling out with track after track with an upcoming MC by his side.

“Paper Chase” finds Jones, alongside Trav, as hungry as could be, seeking an abundance of dead presidents and providing more Uptown slick talk. “If ya talkin’ money, I’m speaking fluent/If ya talkin’ lawyers, let’s keep it Jewish [Mazel Tov]!” Jones spits on the track.

It’s again representative of his style of rap: bare bones bars based on braggadocio. “60 Rackz” has Jones continuing the get-money theme, this time bragging about the $60,000 in cold hard cash that Jones and newcomer T.W.O.

like to keep on ’em at all times. “I got my top back when I lean, got that in my genes/ Can’t believe I put 60 racks in the poc-ket of my jeans,” Capo brags.
Ironically, with all the features, “Fly Boy,” a bonus cut on the mixtape on which Jones appears alone comes off best with Capo rapping just about as good as he can. Much of the rest of the time, though, the rhymes are elementary and the content drags on.

Jones isn’t your prototype lyricist, but listeners accept that before even opening their ears to him. That said, Jones accomplishes his simple goals on Vampire Life 2: F.E.A.S.T. (The Last Supper)…hit the streets with colorful swag talk and put his family on. —Mark Lelinwalla

Avengers & The Hip-Hop Community

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They are Hollywood’s version of YMCMB, MMG, The Wu-Tang and The Hit Squad rolled up into one. The silver screen’s mightiest super clique, The Avengers,  finally hit the box office at midnight on Friday (May 4) and as destiny would have it, the heroes have already triumphed. 

The movie, which stars Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Ruffalo, among others, already has broken the record for midnight movie gross with $18.7 million and has hauled in $300 million worldwide, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Fans and critics have praised the movie and the hip-hop community definitely isn’t too cool to get involved in the frenzy.

Legendary lyricist Big Boi was among the thousands participating in midnight Friday showings. “The movie was incredible!” he raved to XXL on Friday afternoon, a few hours after seeing the action vehicle. “I saw the movie because I’m a die-hard comic book fan. My favorite part was when the Hulk slammed Loki!”
Def Jam Senior Vice President of A&R and former President and Producer for G-Unit records, Sha Money XL, is among those highly anticipating the film.

“Watching ‘Avengers’ for the first time is way iller then [seeing] “X-Men,”” he said. “There are more of the super hero that are my favorites from Iron Man, to Hulk to ,Thor. I’m very excited to see it.”

Vice President of A&R at Shady Records, Riggs Morales, marvels that Marvel has done the  seemingly impossible.
“It’s quite an achievement,” he determined about the film actually being produced. “It’s not something that as an Avengers reader you would ever thought [it] would be possible, let alone executed the way it was. As a comic book fan, it’s exciting to watch it come to fruition.

The fact that Marvel took control of their characters and strategically set it up for what was once deemed an impossible project is to be commanded. It’s a game changer in the sense of now anything is possible with Marvel Universe and its characters.”

Seeds had been planted for The Avengers since 2008’s Iron Man. Cameos by characters or references in subsequent Marvel hero films The Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011).

Veteran Queens MC N.O.R.E. says he’s been anxiously awaiting Avengers since it was announced a couple of years ago.
“You never outgrow you love of a super hero movie,” N.O.R.E. says. “And in Avengers they have all the heavyweights in one film, of course I’m in.”
N.O.R.E. says he’s most looking forward to seeing the Avenger who doesn’t wear a costume and the Avenger who is always cracking jokes.

“I’m a Hulk type of dude, but for this one, I think I’m rolling wit Iron Man because Robert Downey just kills that roll every trip,” he said.
Well, both the Hulk and Iron Man steal the show in this movie. In The Avengers, not only do the fans get see The Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow and Hawkeye all team up and fight an army from another world who vow to take over earth, viewers also get to see the heroes fight each other. Director Joss Whedon delivered close to two and half hours of non-stop action.

“I think the exciting thing speaks for itself; that bunch of characters, that bunch of actors playing them, that much money. That’s kind of a no brainer,” Whedon, alongside the cast, said in a room full of reporters recently in L.A. It was the day after the movie’s world premiere in L.A. and a few hours before they filmed the very last scene in the movie (make sure you stay until the very last credits are rolled when you go see the film).

The hardest part is and always will be structure. How do you put that together? How do you make everybody shine? How do you let the audiences’ identification drift from person to person without making it feel that they’re not involved. It had to be right. It had to be earned from moment to moment.

It’s a very complex structure. It’s not exactly innate or original, it had to be right. That’s exhausting. That was still going on in the editing room after we shot it.”
“For me, it’s capturing the essence of the comic and being true to what’s wonderful about it while remembering it’s a movie and not a comic,” he added. “I think Spiderman—the first one in particularly—really captured [it].
They figured how [to] ‘tell this story they told in the comic.’ It was really compelling. That’s why it’s iconic. At the same time, they did certain things that only a movie can do that were in the vain of the comic. You see things like the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen where they throw out the comic or Watchmen where they go frame by frame and neither one of them work. You have to give the spirit of the things and then step away from that and give something new.”

Confessed comic fanatic and comic movie buff, XV, says he wasn’t overly impressed by the previews, but is inspired by Whedon’s track record and has every faith the director’s vision will be a masterpiece.
“I’m one of the very few who thought the trailers weren’t that amazing, but I believe in Joss Whedon the same way I believe in Christopher Nolan,” XV admitted. “So besides the Dark Knight, this might end up being my favorite super hero movie of all time.”

Samuel L. Jackson praised Whedon’s helming of the film.
“Allowing an audience to see these guys that have super powers, but they have normal kinda attitudes,” Jackson said. “They get pissed with each other, they argue about petty shit and they can just be jerks. But they are eventually gonna find a way to love each other. Thank God we had somebody to guide us in that direction.”

Jackson and Whedon like the rest of the cast, said it was surreal when all of the characters assembled on set in their fighting uniforms.
“For me, so many things are memorable about it,” Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki, Thor’s adopted brother and the main villain of the film.

“It was a long shoot. We shot the whole summer together. It was an amazing time for me to work with some of the greatest actors in the world. If you said ‘how was the Avengers shoot?’ There’s an image in my mind which is the first day on set that everybody was there together.

It was insane. The picture of everybody in costume, all of these actors in there, all of these characters in their capes and their armor—except Mark Ruffalo in his grey and white pajamas—but to see everybody finally assembled, it was an extraordinary moment. Just the picture of the Avengers was amazing.”

“People kept asking me, ‘Are you excited?’ Whedon remembered. “I don’t feel things necessarily in the moment, but it will happen? “Then came the scene when almost all the Avengers come together for the first time. I was giving Chris Evans a piece of direction. Then I walked into the hall and I stopped and I said to the producers ‘it happened, I’ll tell you later.’ That was the moment it flooded over me. That’s nice, excitement.’”

“We all know each other,” Jackson said. “We all laugh together, and once we saw each other in that particular setting, it was like, ‘OK, we’re actually going to do this. This is gonna be fun.’ It’s almost like an ‘Our Gang’ type of film. ‘I’ve got some costumes. I’ve got some film. My dad’s got a studio.

50 Cent Talks New Album, Explains Why G-Unit Was Dropped & Talks About Working With Game

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50 Cent speaks on a slew of topics, including G-Unit's departure from Interscope and whether he and Game will ever work on a track together.

50 Cent speaks on a slew of topics, including G-Unit's departure from Interscope and whether he and Game will ever work on a track together.

In an interview with Bootleg Kev on Las Vegas' Hot 97.5, 50 Cent discussed his upcoming album, which is set to drop July 2.

"My project is pretty much done, but I'm not done writing," said 50 of the project.

50 also explained that he wouldn't be going for a vintage sound on the album. "When you say 'take it back,' you're not leaving any room for growth. You're staying 'Stay where you were ten years ago.' For me, it has that energy that they were attracted to on Get Rich or Die Tryin', all across the board.

I just think the way I articulated things on this project, my choices, are better. I think I'm better. I'm thinkin' it out a little more. They'll get a chance to see where I am."
Among the topics 50 discussed was why Interscope Records dropped G-Unit Records. "The reason why G-Unit was dropped, so that the general public understands: the reason G-Unit was dropped from Interscope records was because the deal I gave them was so well-put-together for them that they were to receive $750,000 in advance on the next albums - each one of the artists. They gotta remove that in this climate of record sales."

Finally, 50 was asked whether there was even a remote chance that he and Game would ever collaborate on anything in the future. The Queens emcee was noncommittal: "I don't know. Let me see if this is just one of my character defects or not: when you said [Game's album The Documentary] was crazy, you're making reference to things I wrote," he explained. "Meaning, the first three singles off of that were things that I wrote. So now, when you look at that, and you look at all the disrespect that was displayed over the years, ask yourself - would you be inherently uncomfortable with the concept of associating yourself again with someone where...you don't even know where it came from.

If I did something wrong, I can accept it. ...But if I didn't do anything at all and it turns into what that turned into, I'ma just stay away from it.

Hip Hop Fashion – 10 Worst Dressed Hip Hop Icons

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Hip Hop fashion has been interlocked with the culture of hip hop since its humble beginnings. As its progressed, the fashion has become more flamboyant, creative, unique and essential to this list, eccentric as hell.

Over the past decade, hip hop fashion has become a billion dollar business that is making artists like Jay Z, 50 Cent, and P Diddy more money than their actual music.

Hip Hop fashion has endured criticism since its inception between the baggy pants, bandanas, pants sagging, and bling, the judgement has perpetuated because of these controversial trends, whether that is deserved or not is irrelevant to the fact that this style of clothing is immersed in our culture.
As you are about to see, the results of trying to be special and stand out in the crowd can be embarrassing. We understand that fashion can only be judged from the eye of the beholder, but don’t tell us that Flava Flav is a revolutionary.

10.Soulja Boy
As a direct result of the internet, Soulja Boy has skyrocketed to mainstream fame for his catchy records and his bizarre fashion. The 17 year old proved that he wasn’t just a one hit wonder. Nevertheless, he has his own tweak on fashion that has earned him considerable attention.
Soulja Boy wearing Fat Joes Sweater
The creator of such classic hip hop material as “Crank That”, “Yahhhh!, and “Soulja Girl”, is always dressed in his flyest gear.
In this picture, you can see that he has borrowed Fat Joe’s sweater. Is it possible that behind them obnoxious glasses hides talent?

Soulja Boy is currently writing a book entitled “Teenage Millionare”, at 19 years old, this is quite an accomplishment.
We might have to back off our criticism of the successful young entrepreneur after he has remained relevant now for three years.



9.Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg’s trademark smooth flow, quirky catchphrases, and his natural charisma have kept him at the forefront of raps elite for over a decade. Even if he is not the most lyrical rapper in the history of the game, Snoop Dogg keeps himself relevant by dropping albums and starring in blockbuster hits.
Malice in Wonderland is his tenth solo album, despite sticking to the same formula he has for a while, it has received mostly positive reviews. He probably didn’t touch a pen. When you’re a pimp like Snoop, it’s expected that you will wear some abnormal fashion. Sometimes, he takes it a bit to far though.
Snoop dogg wearing a kiltHe came out wearing this a couple years ago at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Germany.
The skirt is cool, I’m more freaked out by seeing Snoop Dogg wearing a suit.
As I reminisce, what ever happened to the greatness of “Gin n Juice” and “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?”.
We appreciate Snoop Dogg for not caring about anyone’s opinion; still we’re not co-signing on this one.

With his larger than life personality and over the top antics, I doubt he is going to make an exit from the hip hop scene any time in the near future. When his career finally comes to a drum roll; not many will argue the merits of his superstar status.



8. Missy Elliot
She is well known for her theatrical performances and captivating records. Missy Elliot might be known in the same capacity for wearing some obscure fashion.
Even her clothing line “Respect M.E.”, produced by Adidas, has the Missy touch.
Missy Elliot - 2006 VMA's She likes to shock and awe at concerts and for special appearances.
Take, for instance, this well-received performance at the VMA’s in 2006.
When she decided to appear wearing a garbage bag. What else could it be? Honestly.
She has pushed the envelope on fashion before, the multi-platinum artist won’t get our stamp of approval for this outfit.
When you have hit singles with the consistency of Missy Elliot – you’re free to wear what you’d like — who are we to judge?





7. Kriss Kross
They are best known for being a talented duo in the 90′s. These impressive youngsters were set to leave a legacy and did they ever.
They are best known for being a hip hop duo in the early 90′s that wore their clothes backwards. They did have brief moments of success. When they released their first album,”Totally Krossed Out”, the single “Jump” reached the top of the billboard charts.
When they returned to the spotlight in 96. All the magic had completely faded, “Young, Rich – Dangerous”, had a more gangster approach. The fans weren’t buying it – the album bombed and they haven’t dropped new material since.
Kriss Kross - 1991That’s one of the down falls of hip hop fashion. Even the trends that don’t catch on are permanently weaved into the cultures fabric.
Kriss Kross, will forever be remembered for backwards clothing.
It’s funny, we can laugh at them all we want. At the end of the day, they sold more records than any artist in hip hop has in years. How pathetic is that?
Dressed for success failure.



 6. Kanye West
Kanye West has blown up on the scene over the past few years. His lyrics can be powerful and ridiculous in the same bar.
Kanye West - Rocking The GlassesIronic, because so can his fashion. He has been praised for his style and creativity both as a rapper and a fashionist.
He has reached hip hop celebrity in an almost unprecedented fashion.
He released the anthem “Stronger” in the Summer of 07. It’s a great song with a lot of meaning and we congratulate him on his versatility.
Associated with the song is some funny eye gear. The problem with this particular choice of glasses is they resemble lawn chairs. With so many cool pairs of shades to choose from — we must ask, why these ones?

5. Will Smith
Before he was one of the biggest movie actors in the world. He was just a hip hop rapper, one who happened to wear some unique clothing.
Lil Kim - Wearing NothingMost visibly demonstrated on “Fresh Prince Of Bel Air”, the hit 90′s Television Sitcom, Will Smith had a gigantic wardrobe of innovative hip hop fashion.
He also represented his interesting sense of fashion throughout the 80′s and 90′s in music videos, touring, and promotion.

In those days, hip hop fashion was already eccentric, but Will Smith redefined its eccentricity with a whole series of outlandish outfits that only Will could pull off.
Now, he is one of the sharpest dressed hip hop artists. Will Smith still puts out hip hop albums every couple years when he is not interviewing the president or acting in a blockbuster movie.


4. Lil Kim
She has been extremely successful throughout her music career, ironically as provocative as her lyrics are, Lil Kim’s fashion has greatly exacerbated her already controversial personality.
Lil Kim - Wearing NothingAfter a rough couple years, she is getting back to business, releasing the Mixtape entitled “Ms. G.O.A.T.”.
We’re going to jump back to 2001 and the video music awards. When Lil Kim brought her new style of wearing a bra to the forefront of a live MTV audience.
Can you imagine the shock on everybody’s face when she is wearing basically nothing on her chest?
It’s one thing to be risky and it’s another to wear a flower on your breast. Mystery can be sexy as well, if she wants to get naked – get naked, for playboy.
She has shocked since her debut, and we don’t expect differently from the grammy award winning — electrifying female MC — that has signified what it is be a women in this business for well over a decade.

3. Andre 3000
Andre 3000 has made an impact on hip hop. He is one of the most gifted emcees and his creativity is off the wall. Andre 3000 has no boundaries in his music or fashion.
Andre wearing a BlanketHis duo Outkast with rapper “Big Boi” is one of the most successful rap duo’s in the history of hip hop.
Actually, it wouldn’t be to controversial of a statement, if I said they are the most successful with all respect to Eric B and Rakim.
When it comes to his clothes, he is hit or miss. Maybe even more misses than hits.
When you wear a blanket instead of pants, it’s just getting a bit too ludicrous and you can’t sum it to simple individualism.
He launched “Benjamin Bixby” clothing line with his own perspective on fashion. Hopefully, he’ll tone it down considerably for the masses.
He only deserves the three spot because at least once a year, he wears an outfit that makes you go “Damn” that’s impressive.




2. MC Hammer
If you’re a teenager, you don’t understand how big of deal MC Hammer was in the late 80′s and early 90′s.
Mc HammerHe created monster hits like “U Can’t Touch This” and is one of the top selling hip hop artist of all time.
MC Hammer broke down all kinds of barriers that were holding hip hop back from reaching its current mainstream acceptance, for example being the first rapper to get a big endorsement deal.
Basically, he is responsible for the astronomical figures that hip hop artists are making today.
None of which changes the fact that this rapper started some awful hip hop clothing trends.
Including parachute pants, which are some of the most embarrassing hip hop clothes to ever be made.

1. Flava Flav
Although he wasn’t notoriously known for his bad style during the Public Enemy days. The pioneering group is forever linked with hip hop. Despite the legacy, Flava Flav, has went onto new challenges.
Flava Flav Can't DressFlava Flav, decided that, he wanted to be a part of one of the most absurd reality shows in TV history. The agenda was simple to have a group of girls compete over the love of Flava Flav.
“Flavor of love” has become a great success and I’m sure his lack of fashion sense has contributed greatly to the ratings.
Flava Flav comes bursting into number one with his signature Viking Helmet on his head, a grill, and his flamboyant shirt.
I don’t think it would be a stretch to say that Flava Flav will dress like this until he dies. I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.


We could try to stop this madness or maybe, just maybe, we need to accept that hip hop fashion is always going to push the boundaries of what is good and what is not and somewhere in the middle is what makes this type of fashion so irresistible.

Snoop Dogg Sued By Promoter For Smoking In Middle East Bar

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A Lebanese promoter has filed a suit against Snoop Dogg, claiming he owes him money for a Middle East tour and damaging his reputation for smoking what appeared to be marijuana at a Beirut bar.

According to Courthouse News Service, Roger Kalaouz and Associates filed the suit against the rapper, Doggy Style Music and its president, Ted Chung. He says that his company promoted his first concert in the Middle East, which occurred on August 20, 2009, and spent $800,00 to publicize the event.

Snoop later released a video of the concert that featured footage of him smoking what resembled marijuana, which is illegal in Beirut. As a result, "KA's longstanding reputation as one of Lebanon's premier entertainment promoters has been severely damaged. RKA has been subjected to scrutiny and accusations due to the actions of Snoop Dogg and DSM directly arising from activities to which RKA was not a party."

Also in the suit it claims that Snoop refused to pay consulting fees for a show in Abu Dhabi. Kalaouz is seeking damages for "breach of contract, fraud, concealment, conspiracy and false promise, unfair competition, and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage."

Bobby Brown Speaks on Whitney Houston's Death

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Bobby Brown has finally decided to publicly discuss the death of his former wife Whitney Houston, being blamed for her death and his relationship with his daughter Bobbi Krystina.

In an interview with the Today Show's Matt Lauer, the New Edition singer dives into the controversy surrounding himself and Whitney's untimely passing.

Bobby revealed how he felt when he heard that cocaine had been a likely contributor in Whitney's death.
“I was hurt," he said. "I was hurt … because, you know, me being off of narcotics for the last seven years, I felt that she was, you know, I didn’t know she was struggling with it still.
But at the same time, you know, listen, it’s a hard fight. It’s a hard fight to, you know, maintain sobriety that way.”

When questioned how he feels about accusations that the late songstress' life went downhill after meeting him, he responded that while he feels bad, he knows that he is not to blame.

“It makes me feel terrible,” said Bobby. “But you know, I know differently. I think if anyone ever knew us, if anybody ever spent time around us instead of time lookin’ through the bubble, they would know how we felt about each other.

They would know how happy we were together.”
He also contended that he wasn't the one to get her started on drugs. “I didn’t get high [on narcotics] before I met Whitney,” he said. “I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn’t the one that got Whitney on drugs at all.” Her drug use, he says, began before they even got together. “It’s just …

it’s just unexplainable how one could, you know, [say that I] got her addicted to drugs. I’m not the reason she’s gone,” Brown said.

The second part of the interview is set to air on Thursday. -- Jazmine Gray