Trae Tha Truth’s Trae Day 2011 ( @TRAEABN ) (VIDEO)

Respect Trae The Truth and his Trae Day Event, He gave out school supplies, Food, Prizes and more... He also had a concert that featured, Trouble, Rich Boy, Tity Boy, Bun B, they even brought out Pimp C's Mom. Respect People who give back and do things for the community. #SALUTE

Support: Duck Down Records Offers Whole 2011 Catalog "Season Pass" For $55 (BLOG)

CD releases from Pharoahe Monch, Black Rob, Smif-n-Wessun & Pete Rock, Random Axe and more come with a zip-drive and autographed poster on the cheap.

New York City-based Duck Down Records will celebrate their busy 2011 by releasing the "Duck Down Season Pass." The label, owned and operated by Dru Ha and Black Moon's emcee Buckshot, will offer fans CD releases of albums including Pharoahe Monche's W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), Smif-N-Wessun & Pete Rock'sMonumental, Sean Price, Guilty Simpson and Black Milk'sRandom Axe project, as well as Black Rob's new albumGame Tested, Streets Approved release and the forthcoming Buckshot & 9th Wonder The Solution album, all for the price of $55 USD.

The package comes with a specially-made Duck Down Records 2GB zip drive keychain and an autographed Duck Down poster. Fans can purchase the package here.

Suspect Accuses Lil Boosie Of Encouraging Murder Of Rapper Nussie (BLOG)

(HipHopDX)Boosie's name has been dragged into a lawsuit where the suspect alleges that he played a part in a slaying.

Eighteen-year-old Michael “Marlo Mike” Louding has accused Lil Boosie of playing a part in the murder of local rapper Chris “Nussie” Jackson.

According to The Advocate, Louding told Baton Rouge Police Department detectives that Boosie wanted Jackson “stamped out” and later told him, “I like what you did to that boy.” Boosie’s statements were played in court, while the hearing will continue next week.

Louding is charged with first-degree murder, as well as several other counts of first- and second-degree murders. Boosie is not charged in the Jackson slaying, but rather is charged for the first-degree murder of Terry Boyd. Louding is also charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Boyd, and prosecutors purport that Hatch hired Louding in the killing.

Get To Know Khemist (@localkhemistry) (Blog, Audio, Video)

 Khemist started writing music at the age of 14. He then went on to join Jr. Music Executive, a program that helps high school and college students that are interested in careers in music. It was there under the guidance of Executive Director, Aisha Winfield, that his special talent was cultivated. Khemist created his own soulful, hip-hop sound, influenced by Philly international, Nas, Lauryn Hill and The Roots.

Through the program Khemist  was able to develop his performance chops and even went on to create a buzz with his mixtape *Exotic Prodigy Pluto Distributors (EPPD) *which was hosted by the world’s #1 blind DJ, DJ Touchtone. Since then, now 19 years old, he has performed at Howard and Hampton Universities’ Homecomings, St. Joseph’s,  Temple and 100.3 The Beat’s Philly Home Jamz Concert at the TLA. He is currently putting the finishing touches on *Puzzle Pieces*, his debut album, produced by Dilemma of Hello World Music. Khemist has opened for Jaguar Wright at World Café Live, Kindred the Family for Philly's Summerfest, performed at Veteran Freshman held at the Blockley, and a host of other shows. 

To keep up with performances and new music, follow his twitter *@localkhemistry*, like his *Local Khemistry Fan Page* on Facebook, and check out his music at *khemist.bandcamp.com*.

www.LocalKhemistry.com
www.twitter.com/LocalKhemistry
 Facebook Local Khemistry Fan Page
 For Contact & Booking: TeamKhemist@gmail.com 

White Girls sayin N**** Is it cool or is it Out of bounds (Blog, Video)

So the controversy is starting to heat up over people saying the word "Nigga" again. This time it comes from "V-Nasty" a member of Kreayshawn's "White Girl Mob" constantly using the word. It seems to be all kinds of opinion swirling around, people say its cool. Others say nobody should say it, other say only black people can say it. The video's are below. Whats your opinion?

Project Pat Drops New Album; Finds Success With Real Estate (BLOG)

(AllHipHop News) Memphis, Tennessee rapper Project Pat is gearing up to release his eighth studio album Loud Pack, while focusing on new ways to generate revenue outside of the music business.

The veteran rapper will drop his new album Loud Pack today (July 19), on Three 6 Mafia's label, Hypnotize Minds.

Loud Pack features guest appearances from Rick Ross, Brisco and Three 6 Mafia, while the majority of the production is handled by DJ Paul.

"The thing about Hypnotize Minds is that they know the style you’re going to come with," Project Pat told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "Working with them over the years, we just know how we’re going to do it. They already know the beats. Say DJ Paul makes 10 beats, I may mess around and use all 10 of them. He already knew what I was looking for."

The first single from the album is titled “Flashin',” which warns listeners about the dangers of being flashy in such a tough economy.

“It’s like an awareness song to let you know that you shouldn’t be so flashy out here," Project Pat said. It’s ok to be flashy at a party or something, but no need to on a regular day, in a poverty stricken neighborhood. That’s not good.”

According to Pat, he has taken the earnings from his previous seven albums over the years and has become an active investor in the real estate market.

“Music has been really good, but the real estate has been really good too though,” Project Pat said. “Houses have been really cheap to buy. So they kind of go together - I’ve been getting good shows, and I’ve been getting good money to buy real estate. I’ve been really blessed; I’m super good.”

Loud Pack is currently in stores now. For more information log on: http://TripleSix.com

Wale Explains Cockiness, Why He Joined Maybach Music Group (BLOG, AUDIO)

(HipHopDX,CultureVI) In a heated interview, Wale talks about why it's okay to be confident and why fans need to look past Rozay's co-sign and more into his lyrics.

Over the past 12 months, Washington D.C. rapper Wale has taken a lot of flack from fans for signing with Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group. Despite the criticism, Wale proved that he could hang with Rozay, Pill and Meek on May's Self Made Vol. 1 without having to sacrifice his artistic credibility. Now, in a lengthy and explosive interview with Culture VI, Wale addresses those who doubted him switching to Rick Ross's label.




Full Text of Interview -

Wale: 11 people in the studio right? They’re gonna hear this interview, because it’s important

Culture VI: Lot of respect for agreeing to talk

Wale: We can keep this interview respectful, because it took a lot. In the tweet you said something to the effect of, I don’t wanna get it wrong, what did you say?

Culture VI: I don’t know, I’ve said a lot of things on Twitter

Wale: It was something like my album wasnt good and I’m cocky, right?

Culture VI: Yea, that’s comes up a lot

Wale: Before we get into this, just like you’re recording this interview, the whole room is gonna hear it. I haven’t done an interview in a very long time, you feel me? (puts on speakerphone)

Culture VI: No problem. I’m glad you agreed.

Wale: I wanted to do this interview, first and foremost, because I’m all about inspiring myself,, and I ain’t really done an interview in a long time and I probably get a lot of text messages from certain people “why you do it?”. It was necessary because you are somebody that, I read your time line, you are somebody who is intelligent and well spoken so I thought it was interesting to hear those comments you made about me and my work. Especially the personal things, like the ‘cocky’ and all of that. So we can get right into the interview. I just wanted to let everyone know why I was doing this weird ass interview in the middle of a studio session. Weird not meaning the person I’m talking to, but weird as far as people are working on an amazing song here. I got a rock band in here, I got Rosco Dash in here, I got 3 producers and I got some crazy engineers here. I wanted to stop just to do this interview, just a little intermission.

Culture VI: I appreciate that. Listen, I’m a fan of hip-hop, I root for anybody to make good music, I never root for somebody not to make good music, selfishly, because I want to hear it. I’d like nothing better than for you to make an album that I want to listen to. And that’s why I’m glad we’re getting a chance to talk, because not being a friend of yours, and not knowing you personally, I can only speak on what I hear through the music, through your other interviews and social media. So getting to talk to you directly, I feel I’ll at least get a better picture of who you are and your thought process. So starting off, I’m gonna get right into it, what do you feel is the biggest misconception about you?

Wale: I mean, there’s a lot. Human beings, that’s what we’re here for. We’re supposed to misunderstand each other. If everybody understood each other, we’d have wings…and we’d be able to talk to God. Now I say that and say this, my music is based on reality and artists are supposed to almost accentuate all of their qualities for better or worse. I’m sure the most depressing song ever written by the most depressing person on Earth wasn’t as depressed as they depicted it to be. A song is supposed to accentuate human emotions. So, I put those things and emotions on the genre, Hip Hop, where we are praised for how we say rather than what we say. So if I exude confidence on a hip-hop record and I’m really good at exuding confidence on it, you’re gonna call me cocky? Well what should I tell you? I woke up at 8 o’clock this morning, ate a bowl of cheerios, went to the studio, made a mediocre song, and went to sleep? Is that what people would prefer you think? Because I’m sure if I said I put on some 400 dollar Jordans, a Moschino shirt, and some PRPS’s and I went to the studio and killed every nigga in hip-hop on a song…motherfuckers would check for me. I’d get close to a million followers quickly.

Culture VI: It seems that fans and people I see on Twitter, they really have exceptionally strong opinions of you. Whether it’s positive, negative, accurate or not, a lot of people feel one way strongly. What do you think it is about you specifically that’s so polarizing? That gets people on one side or the other?

Wale: It’s the “Sanders Theory”. Deion or Barry, pick one. People love Barry Sanders for doing what? For damaging his body for the Detriot Lions for 10 years. Then when he walked away from the game with both of his knees intact, I heard the worse things from people of that area, the Lions fans, about him. Deion, put it all out there. I’m gonna high step. I’m excited. I’m gona put it all out there. I don’t get to score that many touchdowns, so I’m excited. Come enjoy this joy with me. Music is a drug, my nigga. Be happy with me, be happy for me. I sold 28,000 records my first week, with no push from my label. My mother couldn’t even buy my album from across the street from my house. You don’t think I’m supposed to be excited to still be here? Working with Rick Ross, one of the hottest rappers in the game? You don’t think I’m excited to have a double platinum record with Roscoe Dash and Waka Flocka? Them same people who was talking about this, that and the third, hip-hop blah blah blah, are the same people in the club singing “No Hands” verbatim. Same people saying “Wale, he’s selling out, blah blah blah”, those are the same people rocking when “No Hands” came out. “Why is he doing this, what’s going on?” Hip Hop. This is hip hop music. And my mission statement is to never dumb it down, but never over-think it.

Culture VI: Do you think that people are overly critical of you? Do you think their expectations are too high?

Wale: Let me tell you something. I literally, physically, in real life, live ten minutes away from the President of the United States. I’m the only rapper. Our sports teams ain’t doing too well. I know the target is on my back and on my chest. Next question is “do I give a fuck?” and how much do I, if so. You got to have the target. I wasn’t talking like this before. Because it’s like, you know what? Let me just keep some of my feelings back. But that ain’t having ambition, you know what I’m saying? The night of, it might have been last year, it was one of the BET Awards. That night, I sat in my hotel room and I didn’t sleep. I knew I was going to leave Interscope. I knew it. You still listening?

Culture VI: Yea, I’m hearing it, I’m hanging on every word.

Wale: Why you hanging on my words right now? Besides the fact you’re doing the interview, why? Are they interesting?

Culture VI: I think anybody’s personal story is interesting as long as they’re speaking it truthfully.

Wale: Nah, I can tell you 90% of this room’s personal story, if told exactly the truth, it wouldn’t be interesting, probably. So anybody’s story isn’t interesting. Having a wife, kid, a dog? That’s not interesting. Going to college for four years, graduating, making $100,000 a year? That’s not interesting. Selling 28,000 records and the whole spiel that I just gave you might not even be interesting, but it’s a lot more interesting than the aforementioned.

Culture VI: Do you consider your career where you’re at right now? It sounds like you do.

Wale: I obsess, I OBSESS…over success. And I’m not there yet.

Culture VI: Okay. What is success? What’s your personal definition?

Wale: It’s within. I know the bum standing under the bridge on New York Avenue in DC might feel successful some days. It has nothing to do with personal wealth, how much pussy you get, how much money you got. In my mind, I have an unexplainable goal that I have to reach and I won’t know it until I’m there. When I’m there, I’ll know, but it’s just not now. I can’t define what successful is. The day I can define successful, a blind man can describe what yellow looks like.

Culture VI: Alright, let me ask you this question. How close to fulfilling your potential were you on Attention Deficit. Like, if your talent is a 10, where was that album? How reflective of your talent was that album?

Wale: Albums are like, this is about to sound so cliche, but albums are like journal entries. I just wrote down what I’m feeling. So who the fuck is anybody to tell me that what I’m feeling isn’t conducive to life? It’s conducive to my life. I really went into a bathroom and seen girls doing blow! I wrote about it, you like to hear it? Here it go. “Chillin” – that was my shit! When I wrote it, I was feeling it! That’s what I was feeling. And I’m doing the same thing with this Ambition album. I put everything that I’m feeling now. And I’m older now, I wrote Attention Deficit like 3 years ago.

Culture VI: But, when you’re talking about music, you’re not just talking about the words and the feelings you write down, you’re talking about how you put those feelings down behind the music. How you craft it and craft the songs. And when you listen to Attention Deficit right now, was that very reflective of your talent or could you have done more? Do you feel like where you were at that part of life was reflected on the album?

Wale: With all due respect, and I say this with confidence because I know there’s a thin line between confidence and cockiness, that’s why we’re on the phone right now. You’re going to hear Attention Deficit tomorrow, or sometime after this interview, and you’re going to hear 3 or 4 things that you didn’t notice. And I promise you that. And I don’t even know you. I think that’s good music. I think that’s what good music is.

Culture VI: So you feel it was reflective of your talent level?

Wale: Listen, I have no reason in my mind to believe that if some of them records got the exposure – I got the whole video for “90210″ now and everybody was thinking– these people that came on board recently will think it’s a new record. And they’ll probably call the radio station and ask for it, or they’ll probably try to find it. And then they’ll feel silly, because it’s been out for 2 years. But the timing is everything. Timing is 100% everything. Me and J Cole dropping in 94? Quatruple platinum in 94! Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, me, all of us? WIZ KHALIFA?! You trying to tell me Wiz Khalifa was nominated for Best New Artist? You talking about the same Wiz Khalifa that I was bumping in college?! Oh okay. Timing is everything, my brother. And at the time, when I wrote Attention Deficit, it was the time. And Ambition will be the time. The only difference now is the microphone is a lot louder. And niggaz got that fucking fuckery out they ears.

Culture VI: Alright, you mentioned 90210. You had that, Shades, Diary. I mean, you had some very lyrical type records…

Wale: Was I cocky back then?

Culture VI: On the records, or right now?

Wale: No! I’m giving you what you want. Was I cocky back then? That was the question I’m asking

Culture VI: Honestly, I listened to the album. I didn’t get the cockiness sense as much when I listened to the album the first time, I was really just starting to check your stuff, I had listened to the mixtapes first.

Wale: So what did you think?

Culture VI: My personal opinion? I wasn’t very impressed by the album. I mean, I liked some of it…

Wale: Good, I’m glad though. The album probably wasn’t for you. I don’t know you, but I don’t think you’re a woman. I don’t think you would relate to Shades.

Culture VI: I thought Shades was very well written though. That was actually one of the records I liked. I liked Shades, I liked Diary. I felt you on those because it sounded like you. What I personally felt, as I started listening to your catalogue, I started hearing a lot of the same type of records, especially when I listen to Self Made. I was listening to Self Made, and I was trying to wonder where this wonder kid Wale went because I just started hearing–

Wale: The wonder kid of Wale hadn’t been born yet, because apparently my first album wasn’t to your standards or to your liking. And, what you got to understand, in Hip Hop, when did you ever hear Biggie rap like how he rapped on Notorious Thugs? On Notorious Thugs right? So..if, in fact, that’s “infack” too, that’s a DC word, “infack”. If in fact, Bone Thugs and Harmony and Biggie both went diamond, and then said “You know what? Let’s do an album together.” I’m quite sure…that the greatest rapper of all-time…would be rapping like Bone. Would be rapping like Notorious Thugs. And I’m pretty sure, God bless the dead, if Biggie’s album would have came out AFTER that, he’d be rapping like motherfucking Christopher Wallace! Next question, please…

Culture VI: Rick Ross has a very specific formula that he follows. It’s really reminiscent of 50 Cent. When he did his album, he just kind of regurgitated the same type of sound until everybody was tired. I’m not a Rick Ross fan, but I liked his album. I listened to Self Made, and I’m already getting tired of the sound. And then I hear someone like you, who is very creative, and I start to wonder is this going to stifle your creativity, when people are already criticizing you for not showing growth.

Wale: It’s a slight possibility that we put an album together for the people that appreciate the summer. It’s a slight possibility that we kept all the ideas for the albums, like the reaaaaal stuff. Maybe. I don’t think we’re going to sit around with like Steven Spielberg, Hype Williams, Spike Lee and everyone else to create this big movie compilation for the people. We gave them records this summer! I don’t hear no complaints from Flex, Envy, none of them. But I understand your concern, and I appreciate it, as a somewhat of a fan. But, you got to understand who you’re dealing with. My first record, the first verse on there was only 8 bars! That wasn’t no profound shit! ‘Name Wale, they probably know me from the Roc” What the fuck man?! “Shake it, shake it, shake it offff”. That might sound crazy to everyone else, but everybody in DC, they’re going to know that for the rest of their life. So how you going to say ‘Oh, I’m doing a song Malcolm X, and I’m not providing anything for the people’? You talking about somebody who made a song called “Rhyme of the Century”, wrote it when I was like 19 years old, and wanted that to be my biggest record, first song ever! Right? I’m the same person! Listen to Malcolm X. I got a lot of Muslim family members and friends. There’s a lot of gems in that verse. If you can look over the fact I’m rhyming on a quote-unquote “Lex Lugar-sounding beat”, or rhyming with two ex-drug dealers. If you can look past that and listen to the verse…you MIGHT hear something, just maybe. If you know into anybody who’s into sneakers and collects sneakers, you MIGHT understand all the jargon I’m talking about in “Fitted Cap”. And I sound very narcissistic right now, like I’m talking down, but that’s not it. I’m going to defend my music. That’s why I take so long to write some of them verses, so I can defend them. Now why don’t you read–somebody got my lyrics up for “By Any Means” – READ IT! You can google it, then read it! And then go ask anybody who know the Qu’ran, and who is appreciative of the faith how they feel about that. Because I touched a lot of with that who never really knew. There’s beauty in that, my nigga, like for real. Really. There’s beauty in that 14 year old kid who slept outside to get them new Jordans, but you ain’t heard me talk about them sneakers in two years. There’s beauty in that. There’s beauty in a lot of motherfuckers that cried, begged, screamed, kicked down the door to hear Wale on a Just Blaze record right? I gave that initially. And the first verse was for you, fortunately. “They tried to tell me I don’t fit up in this mothafucka/ Cause Rozay be talkin’ white, he think he Uncle Ruckus”. Well that might be the case. I can get a Just Blaze beat on my solo album now because of that! That means something to me! “Running Rebels”…that’s hip-hop right there. That’s the same producer that was on my first mixtape who made that beat! Did he change too? Did he do anything different? Nah, that ain’t gonna say that. If I would of put that joint—if I would have made a mixtape 200 Miles Runnin and put that song on there, and put By Any Means verse and rapped it on something with a sample that I probably could never clear, ‘Oh yea, Wale so hip hop. Yea’. These quote-unquote “hip-hop enthusiasts’ don’t—they getting the game fucked up now. Everybody’s an A&R.. for the world’s record label. And they signing everybody. Youtube niggas, everybody, everything. You not listening. You stopped listening! You used to listen, you stopped. You know why you stopped? Because you became an A&R like everybody else. They stopped listening, they started—. Now everybody sizing up. Nobody want to get in the motherfucking game, but everyone wants to call the fucking plays now. Ya’ll stop listening. The niggas that’s listening is Clark Kent, who called me, say “Man, my nigga, you killed that”. Young Guru to call me. For Fab to say “Man, you killin that shit”. They ain’t stop listening. It’s the niggas with the computers, that sit down there and analyze everything. If you go out and see the world and enjoy the club, and see some women and see some things and read some things, and stop looking at the fact that I’m rhyming over something that might sound like something you heard before and listen to the words, like hip hop used to be…niggas might see something.

Culture VI: That’s actually a very fair point. I agree 100 percent when it comes to that. Me personally, I’m 34 years old, when I go out—

Wale: OHHHH! So there you have it! I’m 27, you’re 34 right? So where does that leave us?

Culture VI: Nah, but see, that’s different. I’m not criticizing for something not sounding like it came out of 1994. When I’m out, I listen to the Rick Ross records in the club. Or when I’m with my wife on Friday night–

Wale: What club you in?! What club you went to? What club did you go to? I’m serious, with all due respect. Because in 8 years, when I’m there, chances are I’m not trying to hear nothing geechy niggas is talking about no more, for real. So what club you went in that you got an opportunity to analyze whether or not if you liked how a Rick Ross record felt?

Culture VI: I don’t listen to Rick Ross in my IPod. I listen to Rick Ross when I’m out, when I’m having drinks. I listen to probably half the records on Maybach Music when I’m out

Wale: I’m just going to tell you, because I know you’re an intellectual dude, but you’re showing signs of weakness because you contradicted yourself. I don’t want to tell you where, because when the—you can play it back, and you just did it like 3 times. I respect you enough to tell you that. Because if I didn’t I’d just wait until you got off and just tore you a new one. But I’m not even going to mention it. Now or then. So now back to the ole ‘you heard the album’ while out. Heard half of the album while you were out. It’s about 14 songs on there. Last time I checked, we didn’t have 7 singles. But…I think you might be a closet Maybach fan, so we all good.

Culture VI: I told you, I listen to the records. I wouldn’t put it in my IPod—

Wale: But you just told me you heard it when you was out! We don’t have 7 singles out! You heard all 14 records while out? Wherever club you was at, they played all 14 Maybach records? Who the DJ? Ross probably need to sign that nigga. You heard the whole album.

Culture VI: No, I listen to any new album that people are talking about that has something that interests me. I’ll listen to anything and give it a fair chance. Of course I would, why wouldn’t I? I talk music all day.

Wale: And I appreciate. If you actually sitting back and taking an honest look into the music, I respect that. But if you’re being like a lot of these people that all of the sudden are A&Rs, they probably work at Safeway, or go to school or could be a doctor, a lawyer whatever, but they (want to be) A&Rs on the internet? I can’t respect that. You got to go out and touch the people, you got to go out where we at. By all means, I am not no street nigga. I don’t try to be no street nigga, I don’t want to be no street nigga. I’m a regular nigga, born in D.C., grew up in the suburbs of Maryland. Around a WHOLE lot of ignorant niggas though. So I understand. I understand. My best friend been locked up for 6 years. I know! You know what I’m saying? So before niggas go into that “Blahblahblah, what is he doing?” Nigga! First of all, I always rapped about bitches! And I rapped about women. So, we can throw all that “Blahblahblahblah, he’s rapping–” Nah, that was always the case. I’ve always had subject matter. There’s always subject. It’s all over the album if you listen to it. Maybe you should read the lyrics then. Maybe it’s not for you, but the words is there. If you read it, you’d feel it.

Culture VI: My thing is, I’m listening to some of the Self Made songs, and unless I’m out somewhere, it wasn’t hitting me like that. When that happens, you stop paying attention to the lyrics. Because a song is more than lyrics, it’s the whole package. And that’s what I think that Wale fans are afraid of, that you’re going to lose some of the creativity and—

Wale: But…according to you, my first album wasn’t GOOD, so it’s not much to lose is my point. You can’t be the same person telling me I made a mediocre first album and telling me I’m going to lose my creativity. Something wasn’t there from the jump! In your eyes. So all it is right now for you to do is get your popcorn, get your seat, get your yellow Nuvo, you know what I’m saying? And sit down and be like “Ambition on the motherfucking way, let’s see what he do”.

Culture VI: Well, like I did with Attention Deficit and like I did with Self Made, I am going to buy the album, I am going to take a good, honest listen to it. I am going to root for a good album, because I want what every other hip hop fan wants. We just want more good music.

Wale: But guess what though? The whole point of this interview is for the fact that I want you to, in some shape or form, in your mind, root against me. And then I want you to be miserable for the first week the album come out. And then I call you again like “What’s up, bro?” Win, lose, or draw. Because I don’t know what success is, but it’s not in the form of record sales right now. But we’ll find out. Maybe we’ll know what success means when that motherfucker come out.

Culture VI: I hear that. And like I said man, it’s never personal. I can’t root against you, because I don’t root against any artist. Anybody who does hip hop for a living, for a hobby, as a passion, on the side, I root for them to make good music and do what they feel.

Wale: Of course you root for them! Because everyone’s an A&R to the world’s label. And I’ll say this. I have a WHOLE lot of talented people in one room right now and we are trying to find a GAMILLION ways to make another BMF. I’ma holla at you when we done making this record that sounds like EVERYTHING on Self Made so you can tell me I lost my creativity. My publicist keeps calling, telling me this a bad idea. Somebody snitched on me. I want you to keep everything, and do whatever you want with it. I appreciate your time, brother.

Mr. Collipark Talks Hit Records, Co-Signs Dallas’ Treal Lee and Prince Rick (BLOG)

(AllHipHop News) AllHipHop recently caught up with Mr. Collipark and Dallas duo Treal Lee and Prince Rick, who are signed to Mr. Collipark’s Atlanta based label, Collipark Music.

While making an appearance at Kiki J’s "Swag Sunday" radio show on Dallas’ K104, Collipark and the duo broke down their plans for breaking the Dallas group, which has received over well over 10 million view in combined YouTube video plays.

“First of all they have to have some personality and they cant just have a hot record and when I saw them perform on top of that I could tell that they were a real act,” Mr. Collipark told AllHipHop.com.

“We still humble, still grinding,” Prince Rick added. “We in this like brand new, still hittin the hood clubs and doing what we do. We still gotta be Triple D all the way,” Treal Lee added.

The duo's latest song “Throwed Off (F**k Everybody)” has caught on in several major markets in the U.S., especially since Lil’ Wayne took the instrumental and rapped on it, as part of his most recent mixtape project “Sorry For the Wait.”

He also gave mention of the group on his verse on DJ Khaled’s song “I’m On One.”

“We were just happy like dang, we didn’t think of it like stealing or nothing. We were like, ‘Yes Wayne, thank you! Please help us out!” a joking Treal Lee said about Wayne’s verse on their hit song. “That was exciting, everyone in Dallas is waiting to see who’s gonna get on in Dallas and we the same way. It ain’t about Treal Lee and Prince Rick, its anyone in Dallas."

Their stop at the station was part of a promotional tour of what Mr. Collipark calls the “Chitlin Circuit," in reference to the historically black circuit of independent radio stations, clubs and other outlets for musicians.

“Treal Lee and Prince Rick got signed in the same era when all the other artists got signed a few years ago, when all the executives came down to Dallas to buy artists up and now everyone is gone,” Collipark said in the exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com.

“Treal Lee and Prince Rick are the only ones standing after the aftermath of all that era and that’s something to be said because we are independent," Mr. Collipark explained. "I believe in these guys, they are an act with talent.”

??: Drake Co-Signs Kreayshawn, Calls Her A "Cutie Pie" (BLOG,Audio)

(HipHopDX)Drizzy shows love for the "Gucci Gucci" rapstress and claims that he loves her energy.

Drake is the latest to hop on the Kreayshawn train, praising the up-and-coming rapstress for her fresh energy that she’s bringing to Hip Hop. Speaking with Invasion Radio’s DJ Green Lantern, Drizzy explained that he met the “Gucci Gucci” in Los Angeles, California and was hooked ever since.

“I’m excited about Kreayshawn, because that’s my dog,” he said. “I don’t know, man. It just happens amongst us young people. We just find each other. We met up with her in L.A. one time, and we just kicked it. That’s my dawg. From there, I just said, that’s my family.”

The Young Money rapper, who said he’s “got bars on deck” for when she’s ready to collaborate, shared his love for “Gucci Gucci” and flirts with her at the end of the interview, calling her a "cutie pie."

Big Boi Speaks On "Daddy Fat Sax: Soul Funk Crusader," Due Late 2011 (BLOG)

(HipHopDX) The ATLien explains that he could release the album "tomorrow" if he wanted to.

Big Boi is hard at work on his upcoming sophomore solo album Daddy Fat Sax: Soul Funk Crusader, which he plans on dropping at the end of the year. Speaking withJunior Online, the Outkast member explained that he's 17 songs deep in the recording process, and could put out the album "tomorrow" if so chose.

"Oh man, it’s going to be S-A-X-X-X triple unadulterated funk to the extremest level," he said. "Straight lyrical assassin, and the beats are going to be as hard hitting as always. I’mma let everything else be a surprise, and just let it speak for itself. I’m 17 songs into it now, everything is sounding phenomenal. I could put it out tomorrow if I wanted to, but I’mma marinate on it because I’m on the road. I feel good about it, all the music’s sounding great... I'm just really stayin' busy out here killin' it."

Sir Lucious Left Foot confirmed Janelle Monae's appearance on the LP, and explained that he's also working on her album at the moment.

"We’re working on her next album now, and I can tell you that she’ll be on the new Daddy Fat Saxalbum... You know, to be able to bring new talent to the game… man, that’s what it’s all about. I really take pride in artists that take pride in themselves, you know what I’m sayin’?" he continued. "She’s somebody whose hand you don’t have to hold. She’s got a creative mind, she’s got a great spirit. She’s a good girl and I’m proud of her. She’s making me very proud."

DMX released from an Arizona prison (BLOG)

PHOENIX (AP) — Rap star DMX has been released from an Arizona state prison after serving an extra week behind bars for failing a drug test while incarcerated.

Arizona Department of Corrections spokesman Bill Lamoreaux says family members were at the facility in Yuma to pick up the multi-platinum selling recording artist Tuesday.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was given a year in prison in December after his probation was revoked for failing to submit to drug testing and driving on a suspended license.

The 40-year-old Simmons was credited with 117 days he had already served.

Simmons had been earning 20 cents an hour as a porter.

Q-Tip Speaks On Making Of "Low End Theory," "Beats, Rhymes & Life" & More (BLOG)

(HIPHOPDX)The Abstract digs in the crates of his discography to speak about memories behind "The Low End Theory," "Beats, Rhymes & Life" and several other projects.

With the recent release of the documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip has had some time to air his thoughts on a slew of topics. While the film's subject has been a bit controversial for some, including Q-Tip, it has also been a critically acclaimed project. Recently, Q-Tip bounced off of this, to look back on his career and several different albums he's been a part of. During an interview with Vibe, the Tribe member spoke on what it was like to make The Low End Theory, the significance of "Excursions" and the group's "problems" while making Beats, Rhymes & Life, the album.

When speaking about Low End Theory, Tip shared that the crew had no thoughts about a commercially viable disc at the time of recording. Instead, he says they remained focus on what they did naturally and success came to them.

“I’m an artist and I have visions that I try to capture on records, but they don’t always come out the way I see them. For me it’s about being invested in the work and striving for the best music that you can put out there. But Tribe was never thinking about what we could do commercially on The Low End Theory. We didn’t think about any of that. Of course you want to make a gold or platinum album, but we just had confidence in what we were doing. And we had confidence in our music, so that allowed us to stay in our lane musically and still be successful."

"Excursions" is a cut that stood out for Tip as he expressed how much it meant to him to speak on the tight-knit relationship he had with his father, a man who he says understood the importance of Rap early on.

"My opening verse on ‘Excursions’ was very personal. It was all about my dad. A lot of people don’t know about my father, but we had a real tight relationship. When he passed away it was just tough. So that song was about my excursions of traveling in my mind. It was my travel man manifesto. I remember listening to the Treacherous Three with my dad. I was playing the record where they were going, ‘Rock the body, body, rock the body, body…So Special K, hey, what’s it gonna be?’ And my dad was like, ‘Man, this sounds like someone scatting on a jazz record.’ He saw the connection."

Low End Theory isn't the only topic he discusses. In fact, Tip also goes into a variety of other albums, including Amplified, Midnight Marauders, Mobb Deep's The Infamous and Nas' "One Love." When speaking on one album in particular, Beats, Rhymes & Life, The Abstract went on to say that his conversion to Islam may have caused some discomfort at the time for other members. He also added that Consequence's arrival may have rubbed others the wrong way. However, he made sure to note that he never felt the problems were too serious at the time.

“I hear everybody making it seem like there was a lot of problems in the group during this time. I hear Phife and them talking about how there was all these issues during Beats, Rhymes and Life. But the issues weren’t really that dire. If they were they weren’t brought to my attention. If Tribe was really breaking up we wouldn’t have been able to make this album. One issue might have been that there was a new dynamic in the group because we had J Dilla producing on some songs and Consequence on some tracks."

"But the biggest thing that definitely weighed on that album was my conversion to Islam. It made the atmosphere much more serious. I was really ardent about my practice. Seeing me pray in the studio definitely made Phife feel a little uncomfortable. But it was never a he hates me, I hate him conflict. I think that’s been overblown. The conflicts were all around the changing dynamics of the group. But I was never bringing Consequence in to take Phife’s place. He was my little cousin who lived next door. He always wanted to rap and I was just giving him that opportunity to see how it felt to ride the big boy bike."

Actors, Comedians Head to Philly With Charlie Mack to Stem Violence (BLOG)

(AllHipHop News) A number of celebrities are heading to Philadelphia next week is, to participate in Charlie Mack's eighth annual “Charlie Mack Party for Peace Weekend.”

Comedian Kevin Hart, actress Elise Neal, LisaRaye McCoy, actor Alan Payne, Kaleena from Diddy's Dirty Money, Tyrese Gibson and a host of others will attend Charlie Mack's annual weekend.

The event is designed to educate local youth about the dangers of violence, while raising funds for Charlie Max nonprofit, the Charlie Mac cares sent.

The weekend includes a “welcome to Philadelphia” private reception on Friday, followed by a full day of events center around teenagers on Saturday (July 23)

. The first event includes a Bible playground, which will be followed by the Charlie Mac talented teams semifinal. Later in the day, celebrities will join mothers in charge along with other law enforcement, educators and government officials, who will speak to at risk youth.

“As a native Philadelphian, I wanted to provide young people with a vehicle to interact with today’s entertainment industry actors/actresses and professional athletes," Charlie Mack told AllHipHop.com. "It was after the loss of my two brothers that I came to know my true calling in life, and recognized an even greater need to create a fundraising vehicle to assist anti-violence organizations….this sends a message that celebrities can make a difference.”

Later in the evening, an event will take place at popular South Street venue Ms. Tootsie's, where a private white party will take place.

Asthma screenings will take place during the week, along with the debut of the movie “the streets,” which features Meek Mill, Chico Benymon, Trey Cheyney, Nafessa Williams, Matt Wolfe, Omillio Sparks, Marvin G, Gillie Da Kid and Lou Williams.

The Charlie Mack Party 4 Peace Celebrity Weekend is sponsored in part by Will & Jada Pinkett Smith Foundation, Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Laborers’ District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Beneficial Bank, Radio One and Clear Channel Stations.

 http://www.charliemacksparty4peaceweekend.com/

The RZA Talks Sampling Versus Live Instrumentation (BLOG)

(HipHopDX) Over the past decades, the Wu-Tang Clan's the RZA has proven to be one of the most versatile producers, using both samples and live instrumentation to his multitude of Hip Hop and film projects. Now, in a recent interview with MTV's Mixtape Daily, the RZArector talks about sampling versus playing a traditional instrument.

The multi-instrumental RZA related how a brief and somewhat critical encounter with a disgruntled musician pushed him to delve into the study of musical theory. He explained that some Hip Hop producers manage to skate by without a traditional understanding of music, and that his own instance of critique pushed him to face the music.

Get More: MTV Shows

Lupe Fiasco Quits Twitter (BLOG)

So Yet again another stunt from Lupe Fiasco, We support you Lupe, but we miss the days when You Spit that shit, without all the extra commentary! Please stop being left one day then right the other....Well None the less Lupe Says he is quitting Twitter. Who Knows why? and at this point do we care?

I’m quitting twitter. it was fun while it lasted…thanks for the support on #lasers and i will see you all on the road soon…don’t forget…Love Always Shines Everytime Remember 2 Smile….

Studio Session: Common & Nas Speak About Collaborating On "Ghetto Dreams" (Produced by No I.D.) (VIDEO)

Common and Nas sit down and chop it up about Ghetto Dreams. To me This is a good look it's two Hip Hop legends chopping it up about the music. Produced by the legendary NO.ID Before we get the proper video for "Ghetto Dreams," director Brian "B.Kyle" Atkins has revealed this behind-the-scenes footage of how the track came to be. Com, Nas, and No I.D. all speak on how the song was created while also providing insight into how they view one another as hip-hop artists. It's pretty great to see how much they respect each other and also just how inspired they are to be working together on "Ghetto Dreams."


A look into "Ghetto Dreams" w/Common&Nas - B.Kyle from B.Kyle on Vimeo.

2 Live Crew's Luther "Luke" Campbell Says Wiz Khalifa "Has Gotten Soft" (BLOG)

(HipHopDx)Uncle Luke says Wiz Khalifa "needs to have his head examined" and refers to Amber Rose as a "triflin' woman" as he explains "the bro code."

2 Live Crew's Luther "Luke" Campbell recently vented on his Miami New Times blog page about a cardinal rule in Hip Hop, that "you don't date another rapper's ex-girlfriend." In the article, Luke spoke about Wiz Khalifa and Soulja Boy as "code" breakers, adding that if rappers "have a relationships, it's with just one woman."

"Wiz Khalifa needs to have his head examined," Luke wrote on his blog. "The boy behind the hit 'Black & Yellow' has lost his mind over a woman interested only in hogging his spotlight. For months, Wiz has been dating former stripper Amber Rose, whose claim to fame is that her ex-boyfriend is Kanye West...Wiz Khalifa broke a cardinal rule in the Rap game. You don't date another rapper's ex-girlfriend."

He went on to speak about others who have been with a colleague's ex-girlfriend, including Soulja Boy.

"He is not alone. In Atlanta, Soulja Boy recently snatched Lil Scrappy's girl. Lil Wayne's ex Toya Carter tied the knot with some rapper named Memphitz earlier this year. They broke the bro code."

According to Luke, this was not always the case. In fact, Luke names Will Smith, Jay-Z, Ice-T and Ice Cube as examples of rappers who have been loyal to one woman in the past.

"See, when a rapper makes a commitment to one girl, he takes the relationship seriously....We rappers have always prided ourselves on not dating someone else's ex-girlfriends or ex-wives. This will come as a shock to some people, but if we have a relationship, it's with just one woman. Look at Jay-Z. He's been committed to Beyoncé for some time. Will Smith, Run-D.M.C., Ice Cube, Ice-T, and I are other examples of loyal, dedicated husbands in Hip Hop."

He later refers to Amber Rose and other women in the game as "triflin'" after saying Wiz has "gotten soft."

"Wiz Khalifa, like some members of his generation, has gotten soft. They are losing their focus. They can't spot a triflin' woman in the room to save their lives."

Rapper Tech N9ne's success comes into fruition (BLOG)

ATLANTA (AP) — On a phone call from jail last year, Lil Wayne told a radio show about one of the first rappers he wanted to collaborate with once he got free.

It wasn't a reigning chart-topper like Jay-Z or Kanye West. Instead, Lil Wayne blurted out the name Tech N9ne.

The Kansas City, Mo.-based rapper had steadily built a strong grass-roots fan base since releasing his first album in 1999. But Lil Wayne's name drop breathed new life into his career.

"I had no idea that he knew of me," recalled Tech N9ne, who eventually met Lil Wayne while the best-selling rapper was serving his eight-month sentence in New York. He said the pair held a conversation for almost three hours before the warden stopped them.

After Lil Wayne's radio shout-out, Tech N9ne said he had an influx of artists and producers who reached out to work with him.

"It made everybody start to pay attention to me," he said. "It made people see what I was doing. Wayne is one of the greatest rappers of our time, so he gave one hell of a boost."

It showed in Tech N9ne's numbers. His 12th album, "All 6's And 7's," which was released in June, debuted at No. 4 on Billboard's Top 200 and topped the rap charts — a major achievement for an independent artist. It features that collaboration with Lil Wayne, and he may appear on Wayne's much anticipated "Tha Carter IV."

For Tech N9ne, it's been a long journey. His popularity grew in the underground music scene due to his rapid-fire style and lyrical rhyme patterns. He became known for his theatrical and extremely high-energy performances. In concerts, he normally sports his signature red spiked hair and white face paint.

The 39-year-old Tech N9ne, who is also co-founder of his label Strange Music, carved a niche in the independent market with his heavy touring schedule, performing almost 200 times per year.

But for much of his career, Tech N9ne has struggled to crossover into mainstream because of his morbid lyrics and gothic-sounding beats. His music was dark enough that there were rumors about him being a devil worshipper — an accusation he denies (he says he's been a believer of Christianity all his life).

People who have gotten to know Tech N9ne call him a "normal guy" with an abundance of musical creativity.

"There's a large amount of respect for Tech," says Kenny "Barto" Bartolomei of the production trio group J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, which produced two songs on Tech N9ne's recent album. "It's hard to do for so many years without the help of a major label, but he's stayed creative. That speaks volumes. Now, people are seeing the true talent that he is."

While Tech N9ne is currently experiencing the most success of his career, some of his faithful followers on blogs questioned whether he should have worked with Lil Wayne. Critics were also skeptical about recent collaborations with other artists like B.o.B., T-Pain and Snoop Dogg, worried he might alter his approach to cater to the mainstream audience.

But Tech N9ne says he'll never change to please others.

"I'm an innovator, not a follower," he said. "I was never in this to do what everybody else does to get money. It's a better feeling to do what you feel to make money. I will never conform to the way of anybody else. It's the reason I haven't broken through. ... But I wouldn't change this journey for nothing."

___

On the Net:

http://www.therealtechn9ne.com

Dj Khaled Says There's No Beef Between Rick Ross & Young Jeezy (VIDEO)

Khaled Explains just exactly what he does, also explains that Jeezy and Rick Ross dont have beef that it is all Love!

Exclusive: Pimp C.'s Wife Responds To Rap-A-Lot Lawsuit Over Masters (BLOG)

(AllHipHop News) The widow of Chad “Pimp C.” Butler is speaking out against a recent lawsuit filed by Rap-A-Lot Records in court, over the late rapper's master recordings.

Rap-A-Lot Records 2K filed the legal action against Chinara Butler on June 17th, claiming that she was withholding 10 master recordings of unreleased material by Pimp C. that the label contractually owns.

The lawsuit was filed after Chinara Butler sent Rap-A-Lot a cease and desist letter regarding the use of Pimp C.'s music, name and likeness for an upcoming album.

In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, Chinara Butler broke her silence regarding the Rap-A-Lot lawsuit and the struggles she has experienced since Pimp C. died of sleep apnea and drug use, in December of 2007.

According to Chinara, she is not feeling the selection of music for an upcoming album tentatively titled Still Pimpin' featuring unreleased recordings by Pimp C.

"I want to make sure everyone understands that with those songs and my whole issue is that, I don’t feel like we should try to do something new with Chad’s music, if he didn’t do it," Chinara Butler explained to AllHipHop.com. "To me its not right and clearly I’m not feeling it. Just like the songs, I’m not feeling a lot of the singles."

According to Chinara, lack of communication is one of the reasons the legal actions on both sides have started.

"I think its been about three years or so since we [Rap-A-Lot CEO James Prince] had contact and we got together and we talked about what he wanted to do and what I wanted to do," Chinara Butler said.

The other reason is simple. Butler said she has not received any sort of payment for the upcoming Pimp C. project, which she is also supposed to be be executive producing.

"I’m being sued when you [Rap-A-Lot] are putting out a project and I haven’t even received any money or anything from? I will never amend anything," Chinara Butler told AllHipHop.com. "This is about him [Pimp C.] and all I can do is make him proud and make sure no one tarnishes his legacy, and what he built his whole life…I just think its sad."

Chinara Butler was clear that her issues were strictly business, and had nothing to do with Pimp C.'s rap partner, legendary artist Bun B.

According to Chinara, she is teaming with Bun B.'s wife to host a breast-cancer awareness event later this year.

"Me and Bun’s wife are doing something for breast cancer in October and we have Chad’s event in December," Chinara Butler told AllHipHop.com. "I just have to teach my kids that when times get hard you have to be positive and stand for what you believe in."