His distinctive nasal-voiced verbals have been blessing Hip Hop listener’s ears for over two decades, first as one-third of the standout socially-conscious crew Brand Nubian, and subsequently as a noteworthy solo artist in his own right. And it’s Sadat X’s solo career that he is retracing back to its roots with the release of Wild Cowboys II.
Due first on February 23rd as a five-song vinyl EP (plus digital download card), with a full 16-track digital and physical LP dropping exactly one month later on March 23rd, Wild Cowboys II marks the release of Sadat’s third album in the three years since he was released from Rikers Island after a year-long stint for felony gun possession.
Now following last year’s Brand New Bein’ and 2008’s Will Tell-helmed Generation X, Sadat has recruited a smorgasbord of sonic suppliers for the sequel to his 1996 solo debut, including new heat providers (9th Wonder, Sir Jinx, Nick Wiz), more recent producers (Will Tell, DJ Spinna), and a few of the elite beatmakers (Buckwild, Diamond D, Pete Rock, Minnesota) that helped to make Sadat’s first LP one of the more notable boom-bap efforts of the mid-‘90s.
During a quick convo with HipHopDX late Wednesday (February 3rd) Sadat provided a sneak peak into the sound and subject matter for Wild Cowboys II, as well as gave an update on his post-prison personal standing.
Can You Say XXX Robot. The worlds first sex robot was revealed, and to some this may mark a day in man's liberation from the headache of dealing with a real woman. To me this marks a monument-us moment in pervert insanity..lol Click on The link to watch the full floor room demonstration of the model... Crazy. http://www.waneenterprises.com/videos/livewire/39Can You Say XXX Robot. The worlds first sex robot was revealed, and to some this may... more
After extensive hiatuses, today marks the release of Sade, Britain’s most successful solo female artist, and Gil Scott-Heron's, a Rap pioneer, first albums in 10 and 16 years, respectively. The following is a listing of what to expect from the rest of February:
February 9
Bekay The Hunger Pains Remix EP
Canibus Melatonin Magik
Donnis Gone EP
DJ KaySlay More Than Just A DJ
Galactic Ya-Ka-May
Georgia Anne Muldrow Kings Ballad
Gil Scott-Heron I’m New Here
Jaheim Another Round
Kurupt Down And Dirty
Sade Soldier Of Love
February 16
Big Rich & Ya Boy Guns & Roses: The EP
Freeway & Jake One The Stimulus Package
LMNO Push That Work
Mathematics Return Of The Wu And Friends
The Jacka (of Mob Figaz) Dre Area Vol. 2
February 23
DJ Babu The Beat Tape Vol. 2
General Steele Amerikkka’s Nightmare Part 2: Children Of War
Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime (a.k.a. Dudley Perkins) SomeOthaShip
k-os Yes!
Madlib Madlib Medicine Show No. 2: Flight To Brazil
Madlib (as The Last Electro-Acoustic Space Jazz & Percussion Ensemble) Miles Away
Planet Asia & Gold Chain Military Chain Of Command
Rob Swift The Architect
Sadat X Wild Cowboys II EP
Snoop Dogg The West Coast Blueprint
You hear it in the instantly head-nodding sounds of the Jazz-tinged “Come Around,” and again in the irresistibly body-rockin’ sounds of the Soul-drenched “Life Is Short , you hear the past-meets-present sounds of 21st century boom-bap throughout in-demand deejay/producer Statik Selektah’s just-released showcase for Hip Hop’s likely last generation of true lyricists, 100 Proof (The Hangover).
While there is not merely one organization keeping this ‘90s-influenced sound alive in 2010, there is one force that will surely claim the crown as the standard bearers of said sound by year’s end, and that label/movement is simply known as “Showoff.”
And what’s the Showoff sound specifically? “Hip Hop that doesn’t suck!,” exclaims emcee extraordinaire Reks in response to that question, reciting the tagline on Showoffhiphop.com and the mantra of his label home at Showoff Records.
“I can’t really describe it better,” says Statik Selektah of Showoff’s modus operandi. “There’s just so much shit out there that comes out between the blogs and all these Internet radio shows, and I think our stuff stands out a little bit more. So I take pride in that.”
DESTINED TO SHINE
Showoff launched inconspicuously in 2003 as a street marketing company. Doing more than just putting up posters and stickers, the Boston-based firm began their first year in operation by handling all of the northeast marketing for 50 Cent and his G-Unit sneakers line through Reebok, as well as for another Reebok/Hip Hop union in Jay-Z’s S.Carter kicks. Additional clients soliciting Showoff’s services in those early days ranged from Lacoste cologne to music projects for Def Jam, Atlantic, and Universal Records.
“I started putting out 12”’s at the same time, different vinyl,” recalls then mixtape titan Statik Selektah. “And, I just needed a name, so after brainstorming a bit my man Clinton Sparks helped me come up with it. It’s funny ‘cause I actually said a whole different word to him, and he goes, ‘What did you say, Showoff?’ And I was like, ‘Uh…yeah that’s what I said.’”
Showoff’s expansion in 2006 from solely a marketing operation to include a full-fledged record label happened rather uneventfully with the imprint simply slapping its logo that year on Termanology and producer DC’s Out The Gate to help further the exposure for Statik’s longtime friend, and fellow Lawrence, Massachusetts (a.k.a. “Lawtown”) native, Term. Showoff subsequently handled what Statik describes as “a real, real independent release” for New Hampshire-based duo Granite State with The Breaking Point.
Following the airing of the 2010 Grammy Awards last month, a number of music artists are likely to see an increase in sales and a rise on the Billboard charts.
According to Billboard.com, artists including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Pink, and the Black Eyed Peas are all expected to sell tens of thousands more albums than they sold in previous weeks.
The Black Eyed Peas, who won several Grammy awards and performed during the live show, could possibly sell anywhere between 25,000 and 35,000 more copies of their album The E.N.D. than they did the week before the Grammy’s.
The 2010 Grammy Nominees compilation album is also expected to crawl its way up the charts. The album features songs from Beyonce, Pink, The Black Eyed Peas, and more.
Specific numbers won’t be available until February 10 when the Nielsen SoundScan numbers are reported.
As Evidence prepares his first album to be released via Rhymesayers Entertainment, he has decided to leak a video with some insight. The video features Raekwon and Evidence in the studio, typing on their Blackberry phones and gearing up to record their verses over an Alchemist beat that plays in the background.
The video also comes around the same time as Evidence has promised to stop his activity on Twitter until the album is fully mastered. This has only intensified the buzz for Cats & Dogs. Although this title may sound as if it is connected to his last full length album, The Weatherman, it is not a sequel, as he told us last year.
"I don't like sequels," he told DX in April. "I like Jaws. I don't like Jaws 2. For the most part, I'm just making something new. I can't do the same record twice. When I made Weatherman, it was based around a lot of dark imagery, the passing of my mom, certain things that I just really had to talk about. Since then, I've experienced a whole lot, though. I really feel like I have something to offer with this."
n the legendary company of D&D, Can-Am, The Hit Factory, Quad Studios and Chung King, there has long been Baseline Studios in New York. The historic recording studio will be closing today. Baseline Studios, longtime home to Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records will say goodbye to the public. Originally owned by Jay and O.G. Juan, the studio has spent the last years in the possession of one of its biggest hit-makers, Just Blaze.
From 4pm to 10pm today, the Midtown Manhattan studio will be open to artists, media and friends. Fans are welcome to take photos, video and see the place used by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Saigon and others.
No official word has been given on new ownership or the future for one of '00s Hip Hop's landmarks.
The Hip Hop cultire has come out in support of the victims of Haiti through the Hip Hop Helps Haiti Mixtape . Hosted by The Aphilliates' DJ Ace McClowd, the mixtape boasts appearances from top emcees including Royce Da 5'9", Skyzoo, Ghostface Killah and many more.
The release, organized and sponsored by HipHopDX, is available for stream and FREE DOWNLOAD. However, DX encourages your donations to aid relief efforts in Haiti. We have included Red Cross donation links below. We appreciate your support.
“On January 12, a series of earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 6.5 to 7.3 devastated Haiti. The American Red Cross is working with its partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, including the Haitian Red Cross, and other partners to assist those affected by this disaster.
Your gift to the American Red Cross will support emergency relief and recovery efforts to help those people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Assistance provided by the American Red Cross may include deploying personnel, sending relief supplies, and providing financial resources.”
The tracklisting is below:
1. Freeway - Time ( Produced by Jake One )
2. Joe Budden - 40/40 ft. Royce Da 5'9"
3. Donny Goines - No Apologies
4. C-N-N - Exibit C-N-N
5. JR Writer - Who The Hell Are You
6. Ras Kass - Since You Been Gone ft. Tracy Rhey & 40 Glocc
7. Roccett - How We Roll ft. Dae One
8. Jay Rock - Ballin' ft. Kendrick Lamar & Bow Wow
9. The Game & Nu Jersey Devil - We Stand Alone
10. Method Man, Ghostface & Raekwon - Our Dreams
11. Bobby Creekwater - Pardon My French
12. Fashawn - Father
13. Sha Stimuli - What Are We Living For
14. Skyzoo - Salute That
15. Nottz - Shine So Bright
16. Copywrite - Aftermath
17. The Illz - Come In
18. Ali ft. Nelly & St. Louis - Sum n' Bout it
19. Murphy Lee ft. Seven Li - Age of 21
20. Ben Jacobs - Hundreds
21. Wordsmith - The Daily Word
22. Lil' Flip - Feel It In The Air ( Haiti Version )
23. Jay-Z, Rhianna, Edge & Bono - Stranded
DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE HERE............. http://www.hiphopdx.com/#/index/news/id.10534The Hip Hop cultire has come out in support of the victims of Haiti through the Hip... more
MTV's Hope For Haiti Now release from Friday's (January 22) multi-network telethon assumed the top position on the charts. The live release of songs specifically written for the tragedy included work from already chartering acts such as Jay-Z, Rihanna, Alicia, Keys and Mary J Blige. Wyclef Jean was also involved. Proceeds from the sale go to relief efforts in Haiti, which were independent of the over $57 million raised by phone, text and web support over the weekend.
T.I. has been keeping a relatively low profile since being released from an Arkansas Prison in December of 2009. Producer Jim Jonsin revealed that Tip quickly hit the studio to begin work on a new, as yet untitled album. Grand Hustle/Atlantic signee B.o.B confirmed the story, which was originally reported by Rap-Up.com, adding that listeners can expect more material from them in some capacity.
"Yeah, I've talked to Tip," B.o.B revealed during an exclusive interview with HipHopDX. "He seems like he's real focused now that he's out, and it's like he's got something to prove. We worked on some stuff for my album and some stuff for his album. We came up with a banger--might I add that. I'm excited to see what he's gonna do, and I'm excited to see what the songs we've made are gonna do.".
And while B.o.B is a relative newcomer to those who haven't been following his rise via the Web and mixtape circuit, T.I. has previously enlisted his services as well as those of fellow Decatur native Playboy Tre.
"Me and B.o.B wrote the hook to 'Slide Show' [then] John Legend sung it," says Playboy Tre. "To have two artists who I have the highest amount of respect for record a song that was your concept is a great feeling."
Due to the success of rapper Snoop Dogg’s last album, Malice N Wonderland, the rapper has decided to release a new project entitled More Malice.
More Malice will feature five songs from Malice N Wonderland as well as five new tracks and two remixes.
"The response to Malice N Wonderland has been so incredible that I had to drop another banger for the fans. They have been asking for more - so I'm giving them More Malice,” said Snoop. “I also wanted everyone to get something special so we are adding a mini-movie to the mix - with me in the starring role. The homie Jamie Foxx came through to be a part of it as well - between the action and the storyline, people are in for a big surprise."
As an added bonus More Malice will also come with a mini-movie featuring Snoop, Jamie Foxx, Xzibit, and Nipsey Hussle. In the 40-minute movie Snoop plays a superhero by the name of Malice who fights crime in his city of Wonderland.
More Malice and the accompanying movie will be released on March 23, 2010.
Since Free At Last, Philadelphia emcee Freeway and Seattle producer Jake One have actively collaborated. After the success of "The Truth" from Jake's White Van Music on Rhymesayers Entertainment, the duo announced a joint-album on the Minneapolis imprint co-managed by Slug of Atmosphere. Although the project won't be released until 2010, the tracklisting for The Stimulus Package was announced today.
The album will feature State Property alumni Young Chris, Omillio Sparks and Beanie Sigel, as well as coastal veterans Bun B, Birdman and Raekwon.
Famed for their packaging with both MF DOOM's MM...Food and Atmosphere's When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold release, Rhymesayers reportedly has a special plan for Free and Jake's collab album. Flowing with the title, the release boasts unique, printed money with lyrics and liner notes on it. The digi-pak will be designed to look like a wallet. The packaging was designed by Brent Rollins of ego trip fame.
The tentative tracklisting is posted below:
1. Stimulus Intro (feat. Beanie Sigel)
2. Throw Your Hands Up
3. One Foot In
4. She Makes Me Feel Alright
5. Never Gonna Change
6. One Thing (feat. Raekwon)
7. Know What I Mean
8. The Product
9. Microphone Killa (feat. Young Chris)
10. Follow My Moves (feat. Birdman)
11. Sho' Nuff (feat. Bun B)
12. Freekin' The Beat (feat. Latoiya Williams)
13. Money (feat. Omilio Sparks & Mr. Porter)
14. Free People
15. Stimulus Outro
Jay-Z will team up with Bono and the Edge for MTV's "Hope for Haiti" television special, airing commercial-free this Friday, January 22nd on MTV, VH1, CNN and every major network. Jay will perform with the U2 duo at a London venue for the special, and their collaboration has generated a new song, produced by Swizz Beatz, which will go on sale via iTunes in the near future, MTV reports. Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Shakira and Rihanna have been added to the "Hope for Haiti" event, which will be co-hosted by George Clooney, Anderson Cooper and Wyclef Jean. Dave Matthews Band, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Sting, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige will also perform on the show; all proceeds raised will benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef's Yéle Haiti Foundation. According to MTV, more than 100 stars have also signed on for the special. Talking about U2's partnership with Jay-Z, the Edge told Ireland's 2FM, "Bono got a call from a producer, Swizz. He and Jay-Z wanted to do something for Haiti. So, Bono came up with the phrase on the phone, and... for full story clik the following link http://www.waneenterprises.com/news/372Jay-Z will team up with Bono and the Edge for MTV's "Hope for Haiti"... more
If you don’t know the name k-os, rest assured you will be well aware of the spitter/singer and his addictive fusion style within the next few months. Following the U.S. release on February 23rd of the Toronto native’s hypnotic Electro-and-Rock flavored fourth full-length, Yes! (led by its latest single, the catchy and comically-titled “I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman”), k-os will be further exposed to the stateside masses via several recent recordings with fellow Canadian export Drake.
k-os revealed during his discussion with HipHopDX this past Tuesday (January 26th) just what he and Aubrey Graham have been working on together of late. The 15-plus-year veteran of T-Dot’s music scene also provided to DX some interesting insight into the disdain some of his countrymen have for Drake, but why all of his fellow Canadians should “take notes” from the most successful Canuck in the states to date.
HipHopDX: The first most obvious question is…why is Natalie Portman so dope? [Laughs].
k-os: [Laughs]. I’m a huge Star Wars fan. And…the character she played was very interesting. It was like a woman who wanted to basically be domestic and…just have a regular life. But…Anakin Skywalker a/k/a. Darth Vader was so caught up and possessive…that he couldn’t see that. He was very blind to some simple things that he could’ve just indulged in and maybe had a different life. So, for me I really related to that character, kind of the Darth Vader aspect, like the whole idea of wanting to be great but at the same time just knowing that the most simple things come from family. So I kinda fell in love with her character. From there then I followed her and I went back and checked some of her catalog. And then I saw a lot of the great things she was doing in the world and I thought, “Wow.”
Nas and Damian Marley will be performing their new record “Strong Will Continue” during BET’s “SOS Saving Ourselves – Help for Haiti” benefit and telethon concert this Friday (Feb. 5).
This will be the duo’s first televised performance of the single, which is off their much-anticipated collaborative album Distant Relatives. Other performers during the concert include Ludacris, Mary J. Blige, Kirk Franklin, and Ne-Yo.
Hosted by Sean “Diddy” Combs, Queen Latifah, and Pharrell Williams, the “SOS Saving Ourselves – Help For Haiti” benefit and telethon concert begins at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
In other news, the Bronx Museum of the Arts will be hosting “Looking For The Perfect Beat: A Tribute To J Dilla” on Friday night (Feb. 5).
The free four-hour event, which begins at 6 p.m., will showcase the talents of John Robinson, Illmind, El Da Sensai, and Daniel Joseph, along with a live beat battle competition.
Finally, the track listing for General Steele’s Amerikkka’s Nightmare Part 2: Children Of War has been revealed.
This past Sunday's airing of the Grammy Awards show featured some of music biggest acts including Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, and Beyonce. Lil Wayne, Drake, and Eminem also made appearances, performing both "Forever," and "Drop the World" during the latter half of the telecast. However, for those who caught the show live, lyrics during the performance were consistently censored out, causing somewhat of a distraction for viewers.
CBS, which aired the awards show, explained why it censored so much of the only Hip Hop performance that night. "It was a rousing musical performance," CBS told the Associated Press, "but words were edited from the live telecast that didn't meet our broadcast standards. We have great respect for artists' creative freedom, but there are certain things you can't say, or sing on television."
Veteran No Limit and Jive Records rapper Mystikal walked out of the Louisiana State Prison System late yesterday (January 14). This comes after a six-year sentence was given to the rapper in 2004, for forcing a stylist to perform video-taped sexual acts on the popular rapper. Initially claiming innocence, the surfacing video later changed the New Orleans Rap veteran's plea, and led towards his sentence.
“We gotta pay more attention to what we’re doing our self. That’s an easy excuse,” Mystikal told local radio station Q93. Speaking about the Rap community's ever-present incarcerations, including Louisiana peers Lil Wayne and Lil Boosie, as well as Atlanta rappers T.I., Gucci Mane and perhaps Shawty Redd, Mystikal added, “We gotta take responsibility for what we do. We can't be foolish especially when you are blessed and successful. We gotta tighten up.”
Mystikal first released an independent self-titled 1994 album. After catching the attention of popular Hip Hop label, Jive in the year after, he would release Mind Of Mystikal in 1996, garnering the now 39 year-old rapper, his first gold plaque.
With the emergence of No Limit Records, Mystikal would prove to be Master P's first major label acquisition, prior to Snoop Dogg two years later. In partnership with Jive, No Limit would release two platinum albums with Mystikal. After leaving Percy Miller's label at the end of the '90s, Mystikal returned solely to Jive for his biggest success, 2000's Let's Get Ready. The album was a #1 album on the Pop charts, backed by singles "Shake Ya Ass" and "Danger (Been So Long)." After one prior gold album, Tarantula in 2001, Mystikal's recording career went mute for almost a decade.
He told Q93 that he maintains plans to rap, but with a lesson-learned. "I'm gonna be doing a lot of positive stuff he said," unclear whether he meant on or off the microphone. He did say though, "Wait till I shake the world up now," regarding his music.
There is no specification as to whether Mystikal has any label obligation at this time.
Rapper Eve has become entangled in what's being described as a "massive U.S. Senate investigation into the illicit movement of millions of foreign dollars through the American financial system," according to ABCNews.com.
Reports indicate that Senate investigators have been tracking money flowing in and out of the United States from accounts held by Eve's on-again-off-again boyfriend, Teodorin Nguema Obiang, son of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
According to the investigative report, Eve was among middle men (as well as lawyers, escrow and real estate agents) to set up shell companies in the United States. Obiang allegedly used those companies to wire funds, allowing him to make numerous expensive purchases.
Eve's supposed role in the scheme amounts only to a "cameo," as most of the tasks are thought to have been carried out by two Los Angeles lawyers.
Eve's publicist didd not respond to requests for comment, though the rapper is planning to release a new album, Lip Lock, this year.
This is my first story on CurrentTv so I would like to introduce myself. My name is Telli Prego and I make Hip Hop music with my group "Gas Mask Colony". The four of us were born and raised in San Francisco, CA and have been doing music professionally for about 4 years. My group mates are Dregs One, Relikhan and Gram. We produce a really unique style of music, which also makes us very diverse when it comes to subject matter and production as well.
I am going to put together a more in-depth article if this one goes well so ANY type of feedback toward the music or tips on making a post more affective would be much appreciated. Thank you world! Have a good day!
As we reported earlier this week upon news of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that shook the nation of Haiti, stars in the Hip Hop world urged fans and listeners to contribute, cooperate and rally in support of the nation and its people. One of those stars was Haiti's Goodwill Ambassador Wyclef Jean who led with a call to action. Followers were urged to text "Yele" to 501501 in order to donate $5.
Give on the Go is the mobile communications company that helped coordinate this effort with Yele. Give on the Go's CEO Albe Angel recently spoke regarding this, noting that they have already obtained more than $1 million dollars in donations.
"Since the disaster occurred around 5 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday and [by] midnight [Wednesday] we cleared $1 million," he said, according to MTV. "These types of donations really were spawned by the [2004] tsunami relief effort, and the $1 million that Yele has raised already is a watershed event."
Other celebrities including DJ Whoo Kid, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have offered to help with efforts while President Barack Obama has pledged $100 million in aid from the United States.
