SOHH recently caught up with Amanda Diva to shed some light on her new role as poetry spitter in the Grammy-nominated duo, Floetry.
As SOHH previously reported, Diva will join singer Marsha Ambrosius in the new Floetry lineup, replacing former "floacist" Natalie Stewart. Floetry, originally from the UK, made their mark in the States with their 2002 album Floetic, which combined the spoken word poetry of Stewart with Ambrosius's lush vocals.
The new duo, which includes Diva, began a 20-date tour yesterday (July 26) that will take them across the U.S. With the ladies hitting the road together so suddenly, Amanda Diva explained to SOHH how the new union came quite unexpectedly for her.
"It was a really random," Amanda Diva said. "My homegirl Angela Yee [Sirius Shade 45] knows Marsha's management and they were talking off the cuff one day and expressed that they were looking to get Floetry back up and runnin. She asked if it was something I'd be interested in. I said, 'Yea of course' and she suggested it to them."
From there, it was just a matter of bringing all parties involved together and watching their natural chemistry unfold.
"Next thing, I got a call from her management, wanting to meet up," Amanda recalled. "They spit their idea to me, then Marsh and I met. We clicked from jump but we still weren't sure if the tour was for real. A month later we saw the tour dates and it was like, 'Oh @#!*!' We got in the lab in Philly and started working. I already know the cats in the band because they've played for me a couple times in the past so the pieces were there for things to come together."
The former MTV personality, who also is an accomplished poet, singer/rapper, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio personality, preferred not to comment on why Stewart and Ambrosius parted ways, telling SOHH only, "In due time folks will know. It's not my story to tell."
Amanda Diva confirmed that she and Marsha will also continue separate solo careers, adding, "but as of right now, we've come together because it makes sense."
While she hasn't ruled out a future Floetry album by the new lineup, for now Amanda says their full focus is on the tour.
"I think for everyone involved that would be great, but first and foremost we're focused on burnin' these shows down and bringing some music to the game," Diva said.
Source
Friday, July 27, 2007
Kanye West Says He'll "Rip Any MC Out There...Discluding [Lil'] Wayne," Snoop Dogg Roasts Flavor Flav
Kanye West Says He'll "Rip Any MC Out There...Discluding [Lil'] Wayne," Snoop Dogg Roasts Flavor Flav, Pimp C Demands Rappers Keep Their "Motherf**kin' Shirt On"
In this week's Pulse Report, the streets are buzzing about Kanye West outselling 50 Cent, Pimp C going off on everybody and Snoop Dogg roasting Flavor Flav.
[Editor's Note: The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those of SOHH.com]
1. Can Kanye beat 50? With G-Unit losing value and 50 dropping three straight underwhelming singles, many are betting on Kanye to come out on top September 11th. In case you didn't know Ye's Graduation and Fif's Curtis are both dropping that day. But while Kanye heads are rooting for him, it seems that the Louis Vutton Don has already forfeited the top spot. "I'd rather come out on a day like that, up against 50 - where people are excited about going to the stores and it's an event and people talk about it - and be #2 on that day rather than come out and be #1 on a day nobody cares about," West told MTV. "It's about things going down in history. It's not that much exciting stuff in hip-hop right now. I think people are going to make it more than what I'm making it myself. At the end of the day, I'm making music and I'm trying to sell."
It's been a busy week for Kanye, the Chicagoan also stopped by BBC 1Xtra's "The Friday Night Mixtape" in the UK to chat with DJ Semtex. Ye may think Fif will outsell him, but he does plan on being numero uno by next year. "This time next year I'll be the number one artist in the world and this is just the beginning of it," Ye told Semtex. "It's complete world domination." His prediction may have something to do with his lyrical skills. When it comes to lyrics, Ye now feels like he's second to none...except Weezy.
"Once this album Graduation comes out, I just wanna get my credit for being one of the top mc's," Kanye shared. "The swag is up crazy. I'll rip any mc out there that's really how I feel. Wayne, close your ears. I'll rip everybody out there, discluding Wayne." He probably meant "excluding." [Listen To Kanye Interview Here]
Lastly, Ye leaked a alternate version of Graduation's lead single, "Can't Tell Me Nothin." [Watch Video Here] Also check out the song's remix featuring Young Jeezy. [Listen Here]
2. Pimp C Goes Off. The incomparable Pimp C is at it again. For those who don't know, Pimp's recent interview with Ozone Magazine caused quite a stir earlier this week. In the one page piece, Pimp managed to call Ne-Yo and Russell Simmons gay, call out trapping rappers and Lil' Troy, and denounce metrosexual rappers. Here's one of the article's best quotes. "You ain't 50 Cent, @#*$%," Pimp told Ozone. "Your chest ain't cut up, @#*$%. Keep your mother@#*$in shirt on, @#*$% in the video. And for the record, most of you @#*$%s are ugly and if I take the makeup off your @#*$%, my skin is prettier than all your @#*$' skin. My skin is pretty. My toes are pretty. I'm a young, funky, wild boy and I'm a sexy, young mother@#*$er." Pimp closed the article by saying Atlanta wasn't part of the south. He then called into the A's Hot 107.9 radio station to clarify his statement days later. [Listen To Pimp C Interview Here]
3. Snoop roasts Flavor Flav. Stars came out to roast Flavor Flav last weekend. While Comedy Central won't air the episode until August 12, snippets of the roast have surfaced on the net. Snoop Dogg opted to freestyle his part, throwing stabs like, "Flavor must have smoked some indo that got laced/how the @#*$ you gon @#*$ a @#*$% with Bridget Nielsen's face/so Flav keep on chillin/with you and your 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13 children/ and if you @#*$ Bridget tonight, I got a bag of penicillin." [Watch Snoop Freestyle Here]
Jimmy Kimmel also got in on the action, but may just have gon' too far. Word is during his part, Kimmel jabbed that Flav had loads of kids by different women and was a worst father than wrestler Chris Benoit. Benoit recently killed his wife and kid before killing himself. According to TMZ spies, the harsh joke probably won't make the final cut.
4. Ghost files a @#*$% report. "Have you ever @#*$ed a girl where her @#*$% was so tight, it felt like it was giving you a blow job?" Those are the types of questions Ghostface was asked during one of Vice TV's "@#*$% Report" episode. "That's a nice @#*$% right there," Ghost answered. "They got those in Japan." There's not much else to say, here. Wanna good laugh? [Watch Ghostface On @#*$% Report]
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/12177
In this week's Pulse Report, the streets are buzzing about Kanye West outselling 50 Cent, Pimp C going off on everybody and Snoop Dogg roasting Flavor Flav.
[Editor's Note: The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those of SOHH.com]
1. Can Kanye beat 50? With G-Unit losing value and 50 dropping three straight underwhelming singles, many are betting on Kanye to come out on top September 11th. In case you didn't know Ye's Graduation and Fif's Curtis are both dropping that day. But while Kanye heads are rooting for him, it seems that the Louis Vutton Don has already forfeited the top spot. "I'd rather come out on a day like that, up against 50 - where people are excited about going to the stores and it's an event and people talk about it - and be #2 on that day rather than come out and be #1 on a day nobody cares about," West told MTV. "It's about things going down in history. It's not that much exciting stuff in hip-hop right now. I think people are going to make it more than what I'm making it myself. At the end of the day, I'm making music and I'm trying to sell."
It's been a busy week for Kanye, the Chicagoan also stopped by BBC 1Xtra's "The Friday Night Mixtape" in the UK to chat with DJ Semtex. Ye may think Fif will outsell him, but he does plan on being numero uno by next year. "This time next year I'll be the number one artist in the world and this is just the beginning of it," Ye told Semtex. "It's complete world domination." His prediction may have something to do with his lyrical skills. When it comes to lyrics, Ye now feels like he's second to none...except Weezy.
"Once this album Graduation comes out, I just wanna get my credit for being one of the top mc's," Kanye shared. "The swag is up crazy. I'll rip any mc out there that's really how I feel. Wayne, close your ears. I'll rip everybody out there, discluding Wayne." He probably meant "excluding." [Listen To Kanye Interview Here]
Lastly, Ye leaked a alternate version of Graduation's lead single, "Can't Tell Me Nothin." [Watch Video Here] Also check out the song's remix featuring Young Jeezy. [Listen Here]
2. Pimp C Goes Off. The incomparable Pimp C is at it again. For those who don't know, Pimp's recent interview with Ozone Magazine caused quite a stir earlier this week. In the one page piece, Pimp managed to call Ne-Yo and Russell Simmons gay, call out trapping rappers and Lil' Troy, and denounce metrosexual rappers. Here's one of the article's best quotes. "You ain't 50 Cent, @#*$%," Pimp told Ozone. "Your chest ain't cut up, @#*$%. Keep your mother@#*$in shirt on, @#*$% in the video. And for the record, most of you @#*$%s are ugly and if I take the makeup off your @#*$%, my skin is prettier than all your @#*$' skin. My skin is pretty. My toes are pretty. I'm a young, funky, wild boy and I'm a sexy, young mother@#*$er." Pimp closed the article by saying Atlanta wasn't part of the south. He then called into the A's Hot 107.9 radio station to clarify his statement days later. [Listen To Pimp C Interview Here]
3. Snoop roasts Flavor Flav. Stars came out to roast Flavor Flav last weekend. While Comedy Central won't air the episode until August 12, snippets of the roast have surfaced on the net. Snoop Dogg opted to freestyle his part, throwing stabs like, "Flavor must have smoked some indo that got laced/how the @#*$ you gon @#*$ a @#*$% with Bridget Nielsen's face/so Flav keep on chillin/with you and your 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13 children/ and if you @#*$ Bridget tonight, I got a bag of penicillin." [Watch Snoop Freestyle Here]
Jimmy Kimmel also got in on the action, but may just have gon' too far. Word is during his part, Kimmel jabbed that Flav had loads of kids by different women and was a worst father than wrestler Chris Benoit. Benoit recently killed his wife and kid before killing himself. According to TMZ spies, the harsh joke probably won't make the final cut.
4. Ghost files a @#*$% report. "Have you ever @#*$ed a girl where her @#*$% was so tight, it felt like it was giving you a blow job?" Those are the types of questions Ghostface was asked during one of Vice TV's "@#*$% Report" episode. "That's a nice @#*$% right there," Ghost answered. "They got those in Japan." There's not much else to say, here. Wanna good laugh? [Watch Ghostface On @#*$% Report]
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/12177
Star Trak's Fam-Lay Plans Comeback, Promises "Ultimate, Futuristic, Southern Record"
After years of setbacks, delays and industry turmoil, Neptunes affiliate Fam-Lay is finally gearing up for the release of his debut solo disc. SOHH recently sat with Fam to talk shop with the Virgina rapper. Here, he reveals the meaning behind his new CD, Dat Missile, his sound, and what it's like to start over.
After inking a deal with Def Jam in 2003 that later went sour, Nathaniel Johnson, better known as the slick-talking emcee Fam-Lay, got well acquainted with industry rule No. 4080. But with his situation at Interscope now intact and after almost 3 years of fine-tuning his debut album, he's finally ready to showcase his skills.
"It's kind of crazy, all the stuff that's happened to me," Fam-Lay told SOHH. "I'm still young and I've been through so much @#!*. With my career, it was almost like if you're playing a video game and everything is going good until your little brother comes pass and steps on the cord or hits the reset button. You gotta start all over and that's what I had to do."
Starting over may just be a blessing in disguise for the Virginia wordsmith.
The time has allowed him to re-tweak Dat Missile into a well crafted and solid effort. With 70% of the production done by The Neptunes, additional beats by DJ Toomp and guest spots from Three 6 Mafia, David Banner and the Clipse, he has his eyes set on an early fall release date.
"Where I'm from, when we say 'dat missile,' it means that you got the best product out there, the best product in town," he explains. "If you got dat missile, ain't nobody else eating and I feel like that with my music so I named my album that. This is the ultimate, futuristic, southern record. It's fun and innovative, all types of @#!*. My niche is creating a whole new sound. I got all types of different records on this album. My word play is crazy...it's all refreshing."
Having just shot a Hype Williams directed video for the disc's lead single "The Beeper Record," featuring Skateboard P, Fam is looking to bring a fresh sound to the table, something he feels is much needed in today's climate.
"@#*$%s is lazy now. They just try to find a slang or a catchy hook or something and just throw it out there," he said. "I came up under cats like the Neptunes, Nas, Jay, KRS-One, @#*$%s who take music seriously. I can't just rape the game like that. I'd feel like I was disrespecting people who really do their thing."
With "The Beeper Mixtape" set to hit the streets soon and serve as the prequel to the full-length effort, Fam-Lay is confident that heads will be treated to a time when music mattered when they pop in his disc.
"This album is like the turning point to people going back to listening to the lyrics," he explains. "When people hear it, it's going to put you back in that era. When you open up this CD, You're going to see and hear a part of Virginia that you've never heard before."
Dat Missle is set to hit stores on October 25 via Star Trak/Interscope Records.
http://sohh.com/articles/article.php/12182
After inking a deal with Def Jam in 2003 that later went sour, Nathaniel Johnson, better known as the slick-talking emcee Fam-Lay, got well acquainted with industry rule No. 4080. But with his situation at Interscope now intact and after almost 3 years of fine-tuning his debut album, he's finally ready to showcase his skills.
"It's kind of crazy, all the stuff that's happened to me," Fam-Lay told SOHH. "I'm still young and I've been through so much @#!*. With my career, it was almost like if you're playing a video game and everything is going good until your little brother comes pass and steps on the cord or hits the reset button. You gotta start all over and that's what I had to do."
Starting over may just be a blessing in disguise for the Virginia wordsmith.
The time has allowed him to re-tweak Dat Missile into a well crafted and solid effort. With 70% of the production done by The Neptunes, additional beats by DJ Toomp and guest spots from Three 6 Mafia, David Banner and the Clipse, he has his eyes set on an early fall release date.
"Where I'm from, when we say 'dat missile,' it means that you got the best product out there, the best product in town," he explains. "If you got dat missile, ain't nobody else eating and I feel like that with my music so I named my album that. This is the ultimate, futuristic, southern record. It's fun and innovative, all types of @#!*. My niche is creating a whole new sound. I got all types of different records on this album. My word play is crazy...it's all refreshing."
Having just shot a Hype Williams directed video for the disc's lead single "The Beeper Record," featuring Skateboard P, Fam is looking to bring a fresh sound to the table, something he feels is much needed in today's climate.
"@#*$%s is lazy now. They just try to find a slang or a catchy hook or something and just throw it out there," he said. "I came up under cats like the Neptunes, Nas, Jay, KRS-One, @#*$%s who take music seriously. I can't just rape the game like that. I'd feel like I was disrespecting people who really do their thing."
With "The Beeper Mixtape" set to hit the streets soon and serve as the prequel to the full-length effort, Fam-Lay is confident that heads will be treated to a time when music mattered when they pop in his disc.
"This album is like the turning point to people going back to listening to the lyrics," he explains. "When people hear it, it's going to put you back in that era. When you open up this CD, You're going to see and hear a part of Virginia that you've never heard before."
Dat Missle is set to hit stores on October 25 via Star Trak/Interscope Records.
http://sohh.com/articles/article.php/12182
Friday, July 20, 2007
U.S.D.A. Member BloodRaw Signs With CZAR; Prepping Solo Album
CTE/Def Jam artist BloodRaw has joined the roster of artists being represented by Jimmy “Henchmen” Rosemond’s management company, Czar Entertainment, it was announced today.
The announcement comes two days after the rapper's former manager, Florida record promoter and indie exec C. Wakeley, announced that he and
the artist had parted ways under amicable terms.
“The new management situation came [about] because I was really looking to take my career to the another level,” explained BloodRaw of his decision to bring on Rosemond and his team. “I needed someone reputable and able to see my goals and ambitions the way I did.”
He went on to tell AllHipHop.com that he was brought to Rosemond via industry veteran Wendy Day of the Rap Coalition, who is a mutual friend.
Speaking exclusively to AllHipHop.com, Rosemond seemed equally confident with his latest acquisition, who he believes stands to positively impact the music industry.
“I feel that BloodRaw is a force to be reckoned with in that whole Southern movement,” he said. “He’s part of an elite crew of rappers from the South [that includes] T.I., Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane and Ludacris. He’s among those ranks.”
Czar Entertainment has also been representing Atlanta’s Gucci Mane for approximately ten months, Rosemond said, and is responsible for his major label deal with Atlantic Records.
“Gucci wasn't getting the exposure he needed on an independent label. Now we have him in a situation where he'll be able to attain his full potential as an artist,” said the industry veteran, whose firm also represents The Game and producer Bryce Wilson.
BloodRaw continues a promotional tour with his U.S.D.A. group mates Young Jeezy and Slick Pulla in support of their debut Young Jeezy Presents U.S.D.A: Cold Summer, which spent three weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Top Rap album chart.
He is also currently pushing the lead single from his forthcoming solo debut My Life The True Testimony, due out in late 2007.
Source
The announcement comes two days after the rapper's former manager, Florida record promoter and indie exec C. Wakeley, announced that he and
the artist had parted ways under amicable terms.
“The new management situation came [about] because I was really looking to take my career to the another level,” explained BloodRaw of his decision to bring on Rosemond and his team. “I needed someone reputable and able to see my goals and ambitions the way I did.”
He went on to tell AllHipHop.com that he was brought to Rosemond via industry veteran Wendy Day of the Rap Coalition, who is a mutual friend.
Speaking exclusively to AllHipHop.com, Rosemond seemed equally confident with his latest acquisition, who he believes stands to positively impact the music industry.
“I feel that BloodRaw is a force to be reckoned with in that whole Southern movement,” he said. “He’s part of an elite crew of rappers from the South [that includes] T.I., Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane and Ludacris. He’s among those ranks.”
Czar Entertainment has also been representing Atlanta’s Gucci Mane for approximately ten months, Rosemond said, and is responsible for his major label deal with Atlantic Records.
“Gucci wasn't getting the exposure he needed on an independent label. Now we have him in a situation where he'll be able to attain his full potential as an artist,” said the industry veteran, whose firm also represents The Game and producer Bryce Wilson.
BloodRaw continues a promotional tour with his U.S.D.A. group mates Young Jeezy and Slick Pulla in support of their debut Young Jeezy Presents U.S.D.A: Cold Summer, which spent three weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Top Rap album chart.
He is also currently pushing the lead single from his forthcoming solo debut My Life The True Testimony, due out in late 2007.
Source
Rich Boy Debuts "Good Things" Video Today
Watch "Good Things" video
By Roman Wolfe
Mobile, Alabama rapper Rich Boy debuted the video for his latest single "Good Things" featuring Polow Da Don and Keri Hilson today (July 20).
The clip, which was filmed in Malibu, California, was directed by Uly and Jesse Terrero.
"Good Things" is the third single from Rich Boy's self titled debut album, which has already spawned a massive hit with the single "Throw Some D's."
"This video has that summertime feel that you never forget growing up," Rich Boy told AllHipHop.com. "It turned out real fresh, and everybody was just out there having fun. I think it's a great look for my third single."
"Good Things" featuring Polow and Keri Hilson debuted on AllHipHop.com today (July 20).
Source
By Roman Wolfe
Mobile, Alabama rapper Rich Boy debuted the video for his latest single "Good Things" featuring Polow Da Don and Keri Hilson today (July 20).
The clip, which was filmed in Malibu, California, was directed by Uly and Jesse Terrero.
"Good Things" is the third single from Rich Boy's self titled debut album, which has already spawned a massive hit with the single "Throw Some D's."
"This video has that summertime feel that you never forget growing up," Rich Boy told AllHipHop.com. "It turned out real fresh, and everybody was just out there having fun. I think it's a great look for my third single."
"Good Things" featuring Polow and Keri Hilson debuted on AllHipHop.com today (July 20).
Source
Monday, July 16, 2007
Remy Ma Released On Bail, "I Couldn't Believe She Shot Me," Says Victim
Remy Ma was released from Rikers Island on a $250,000 bond yesterday (July 15) after turning herself into authorities on Saturday evening (July 14) in connection with the shooting of a woman in New York City's meatpacking district.
As SOHH previously reported, authorities believe Remy (real name Remy Smith) fired two bullets into the torso of 23-year-old Makeda Barnes-Joseph after the two left Manhattan's Pizza Bar early Saturday morning (July 14).
Barnes-Joseph, who claims to be one of Remy Ma's closest friends, told New York's Daily News that the rapper accused her of stealing about $3,000 from her purse before allegedly shooting her.
Barnes-Joseph reportedly held Remy's purse briefly while they partied at the Pizza Bar.
"All I heard was the gun go off," she said from her bed at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan. "I couldn't believe she shot me!"
"What hurts me is that when she shot me she went over and dumped the bag," Barnes-Joseph continued. " She didn't even say, 'Oh, my God, I just shot her.'"
Remy, who was charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and weapons possession, plead not guilty to the charges at her arraignment yesterday.
Remy's manager, Big Joe of New Era Management, speculates that Barnes-Joseph was after a quick payday
"I don't see [Remy] as the kind of person who would shoot someone. Remy doesn't carry a gun," he said. " We have a criminal investigation that will soon turn into a lawsuit for millions of dollars."
Source
As SOHH previously reported, authorities believe Remy (real name Remy Smith) fired two bullets into the torso of 23-year-old Makeda Barnes-Joseph after the two left Manhattan's Pizza Bar early Saturday morning (July 14).
Barnes-Joseph, who claims to be one of Remy Ma's closest friends, told New York's Daily News that the rapper accused her of stealing about $3,000 from her purse before allegedly shooting her.
Barnes-Joseph reportedly held Remy's purse briefly while they partied at the Pizza Bar.
"All I heard was the gun go off," she said from her bed at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan. "I couldn't believe she shot me!"
"What hurts me is that when she shot me she went over and dumped the bag," Barnes-Joseph continued. " She didn't even say, 'Oh, my God, I just shot her.'"
Remy, who was charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and weapons possession, plead not guilty to the charges at her arraignment yesterday.
Remy's manager, Big Joe of New Era Management, speculates that Barnes-Joseph was after a quick payday
"I don't see [Remy] as the kind of person who would shoot someone. Remy doesn't carry a gun," he said. " We have a criminal investigation that will soon turn into a lawsuit for millions of dollars."
Source
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Keri Hilson speaks on Rap Up TV
Keri Hillson talking briefly about her debut album, titled A Perfect World. It looks to be released in 3rd quarter of 2007 or early 2008.
Click here to watch video
Quote: "Polow at his best, Timbaland at his best."
Saturday, May 26, 2007
New Keyshia Cole - "Let It Go" featuring Lil Kim
Shoutout to Greg for sending me this track!!
Off Keyshia's brand new album soon to be released I believe this fall....
Click here to download
Bobby Valentino Goes After a Babyface Classic
Bobby Valentino sings a cover of Babyface's "As Soon I Get Home" live.
Watch the video
What do ya think?
David Banner Tells "The Greatest Story," Gears Up For New Release
After a brief hiatus, rapper/producer David Banner is planning to come back with a vengeance, dropping a new album by the end of summer.
The Mississippi native, who is known just as much for his philanthropic endeavors as his hard-hitting rap style, recently revealed to Billboard his plans for a new album.
Banner's upcoming project The Greatest Story Ever Told will feature appearances from Chris Brown, Jim Jones, UGK, Snoop Dogg, Lil' Wayne, Carl Thomas and former Xscape singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss. In addition to rapping, Banner also logs in time behind the boards, joining producers Nitti, Akon, Cool & Dre and Get Cool 3000 who contributed tracks for the project.
"I have a tendency to want to change music," Banner told Billboard. "But I realized that people just want hits. The ladies want a "Play," I made a "Cadillac on 22's," and I made a few "Like a Pimp" records. I did a rock song that's probably going to get me hung. Let's just say the record was written three years ago-it's just truthful."
Never one to mince words, Banner revealed that his last few years have been marked by struggle.
"2006 was the worst year of my life," Banner told Billboard. "2007 has been the best year of my life. I've learned to say no and not take on everyone's problems. My father had brain and lung cancer, and I had high blood pressure because I was working 18-hour days. You have to value the person you are."
During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Banner was applauded for jumping into action, organizing fundraisers in an effort to help those affected by the tragedy, but Banner revealed that his good deeds came at a cost to his career and personal life.
"I took on too much responsibility," Banner said. "I did volunteer work for six months for Hurricane Katrina but my own business wasn't right."
Never one to sit still, Banner has recently expanded into other areas of entertainment, appearing in the film Black Snake Moan and producing and providing voiceover for the new Cartoon Network program "That Crook'd 'Sipp." In addition to his upcoming album, Banner has also recently created tracks for Famlay, Lil' Wayne, Snoop, Chris Brown and the Shop Boyz.
The Greatest Story Ever Told is expected in stores by the end of Summer 2007 via SRC/Universal Records.
SOHH
The Mississippi native, who is known just as much for his philanthropic endeavors as his hard-hitting rap style, recently revealed to Billboard his plans for a new album.
Banner's upcoming project The Greatest Story Ever Told will feature appearances from Chris Brown, Jim Jones, UGK, Snoop Dogg, Lil' Wayne, Carl Thomas and former Xscape singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss. In addition to rapping, Banner also logs in time behind the boards, joining producers Nitti, Akon, Cool & Dre and Get Cool 3000 who contributed tracks for the project.
"I have a tendency to want to change music," Banner told Billboard. "But I realized that people just want hits. The ladies want a "Play," I made a "Cadillac on 22's," and I made a few "Like a Pimp" records. I did a rock song that's probably going to get me hung. Let's just say the record was written three years ago-it's just truthful."
Never one to mince words, Banner revealed that his last few years have been marked by struggle.
"2006 was the worst year of my life," Banner told Billboard. "2007 has been the best year of my life. I've learned to say no and not take on everyone's problems. My father had brain and lung cancer, and I had high blood pressure because I was working 18-hour days. You have to value the person you are."
During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Banner was applauded for jumping into action, organizing fundraisers in an effort to help those affected by the tragedy, but Banner revealed that his good deeds came at a cost to his career and personal life.
"I took on too much responsibility," Banner said. "I did volunteer work for six months for Hurricane Katrina but my own business wasn't right."
Never one to sit still, Banner has recently expanded into other areas of entertainment, appearing in the film Black Snake Moan and producing and providing voiceover for the new Cartoon Network program "That Crook'd 'Sipp." In addition to his upcoming album, Banner has also recently created tracks for Famlay, Lil' Wayne, Snoop, Chris Brown and the Shop Boyz.
The Greatest Story Ever Told is expected in stores by the end of Summer 2007 via SRC/Universal Records.
SOHH
Peedi Crack Speaks Freely, Jim Jones "Can't Rap," Papoose "Is Trash" & Yung Joc "Is Wack As Shit"
In a recent interview, State Property member Peedi Crack took shots at Yung Joc, Jibbs and New York mixtape standout, Papoose.
During the Q&A, the Philly bred rapper also addressed Jim Jones' rapping ability and business saavy while also applauding the South's dominance of the industry.
"They are working it and they doing it independently. Them ni**as don't wait on the label to do nothing. Them ni**as been through it all. Do you know how hard it's been for down South to get into the game? That's why I ain't mad at them. They deserve this time, they deserve the shine, let them air it out." [Watch Here]
"I always liked Trick Daddy and ni**as like that. I like South ni**as. I ain't gon' say down South is corny, just the mainstream ni**as," he continued, "the ones that try to make them radio joints. Like f**king Yung Joc, he's wack as sh*t! Jibbs, that ni**a wack. Jibbs is horrible"
One of Peedi's associates would interrupt his rant saying Jibbs "is only sixteen" but the Philly rapper would still cling to his opinion.
"So what? He's wack!" stressed Peedi. "He could be nine, that ni**a wack. You know who else is corny for the record? Papoose is horrible, I don't give a f**k what anybody talk about. Papoose is trash."
"Pap, you garbage," Peedi added, pointing to the camera. "Ain't no disrespect to you dog but it's business. Shout out to Kay Slay, I know he's your old head. I f**k with Kay Slay. They be beefing this ni**a like he's that ni**a. That ni**a is horrible, my son rap better than you."
"My son's five years old , he'll murk you" he continued. "I don't know why Jadakiss did a song with that ni**a , Kiss you trippin'"
Surprisingly, Peedi who dissed Jim Jones and Juelz Santana late last year, supported the Dipset Capo's business skills despite criticizing his lyrical ability.
"Jim can't rap but he's one helluva business man," said Peedi. "Jim used to rap better back in the day. I heard some old s**t back when Jim was with Cam'ron and Cam was fat as s**t. Jim was murking that s**t . Now he don't be murking that s**t, he be making some whatever s**t. He making that cake so I ain't mad at him. Helluva business man, straight up".
According to Peedi, his debut album will be dropping this summer via Rocafella/Def Jam.
SOHH
During the Q&A, the Philly bred rapper also addressed Jim Jones' rapping ability and business saavy while also applauding the South's dominance of the industry.
"They are working it and they doing it independently. Them ni**as don't wait on the label to do nothing. Them ni**as been through it all. Do you know how hard it's been for down South to get into the game? That's why I ain't mad at them. They deserve this time, they deserve the shine, let them air it out." [Watch Here]
"I always liked Trick Daddy and ni**as like that. I like South ni**as. I ain't gon' say down South is corny, just the mainstream ni**as," he continued, "the ones that try to make them radio joints. Like f**king Yung Joc, he's wack as sh*t! Jibbs, that ni**a wack. Jibbs is horrible"
One of Peedi's associates would interrupt his rant saying Jibbs "is only sixteen" but the Philly rapper would still cling to his opinion.
"So what? He's wack!" stressed Peedi. "He could be nine, that ni**a wack. You know who else is corny for the record? Papoose is horrible, I don't give a f**k what anybody talk about. Papoose is trash."
"Pap, you garbage," Peedi added, pointing to the camera. "Ain't no disrespect to you dog but it's business. Shout out to Kay Slay, I know he's your old head. I f**k with Kay Slay. They be beefing this ni**a like he's that ni**a. That ni**a is horrible, my son rap better than you."
"My son's five years old , he'll murk you" he continued. "I don't know why Jadakiss did a song with that ni**a , Kiss you trippin'"
Surprisingly, Peedi who dissed Jim Jones and Juelz Santana late last year, supported the Dipset Capo's business skills despite criticizing his lyrical ability.
"Jim can't rap but he's one helluva business man," said Peedi. "Jim used to rap better back in the day. I heard some old s**t back when Jim was with Cam'ron and Cam was fat as s**t. Jim was murking that s**t . Now he don't be murking that s**t, he be making some whatever s**t. He making that cake so I ain't mad at him. Helluva business man, straight up".
According to Peedi, his debut album will be dropping this summer via Rocafella/Def Jam.
SOHH
50 Cent's Curtis pushed to September!!
50 Cent's third album Curtis, which was previously scheduled to drop next month, is now slated for release on September 4.
Representatives from Interscope confirmed to SOHH.com today that 50's highly anticipated Curtis album will not be released on June 26, as originally planned. In order to facilitate a simultaneous worldwide release, the nearly completed album will instead be released on September 4.
"I'm an international artist. My fans worldwide deserve to receive my album at the same time as my fans here in the US. Taking that into consideration moving the album to September was a necessary course of action," 50 Cent said via statement.
As SOHH previously reported 50's album Curtis will feature production from Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, Polow Da Don as well as usual suspects Eminem and Dr. Dre. The album also features guest appearances from Em, as well as Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, Akon, and former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger.
In related news, 50 fans still have plenty of Fif to look forward to this Summer; the Queens-bred rapper is scheduled to hit the stage on June 26 for the 2007 BET Awards. This year BET is allowing fans to determine what 50 performs at this year's show. Fans can text BANK to 23898 to vote for "Straight to the Bank" or text PARK to 23898 to vote for "Amusement Park."
The 2007 BET Awards hosted by Mo'Nique, airs live on June 26 from L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium. 50 Cent's third album, Curtis, hits stores September 4.
SOHH
Representatives from Interscope confirmed to SOHH.com today that 50's highly anticipated Curtis album will not be released on June 26, as originally planned. In order to facilitate a simultaneous worldwide release, the nearly completed album will instead be released on September 4.
"I'm an international artist. My fans worldwide deserve to receive my album at the same time as my fans here in the US. Taking that into consideration moving the album to September was a necessary course of action," 50 Cent said via statement.
As SOHH previously reported 50's album Curtis will feature production from Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, Polow Da Don as well as usual suspects Eminem and Dr. Dre. The album also features guest appearances from Em, as well as Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, Akon, and former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger.
In related news, 50 fans still have plenty of Fif to look forward to this Summer; the Queens-bred rapper is scheduled to hit the stage on June 26 for the 2007 BET Awards. This year BET is allowing fans to determine what 50 performs at this year's show. Fans can text BANK to 23898 to vote for "Straight to the Bank" or text PARK to 23898 to vote for "Amusement Park."
The 2007 BET Awards hosted by Mo'Nique, airs live on June 26 from L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium. 50 Cent's third album, Curtis, hits stores September 4.
SOHH
NEW R. Kelly track
Brand new R. Kelly titled "Ringtone", a track that was cut off Double Up; this joint was produced by Polow Da Don.
Click here to download
Second download link
Click here to download
Second download link
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Tyrese, Ginuwine, Tank Form The 'Ultimate R&B Fan Experience'
'I want the ladies in the audience to forget about the men in their lives,' Tyrese said about new group, TGT.
By Shaheem Reid
B2K? Broken up. 112? Broken up. Dru Hill? Broken up. New Edition, Boyz II Men, Jodeci? No new music in years. With Jagged Edge and the fairly new Pretty Ricky and B5 seemingly the only male R&B groups left standing, the days when fans had an endless array of acts to choose from — such as Troop, Silk, Guy, Today and Intro — have been long gone. But now there's a trio that want to give the game a "jolt."
Singers Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank have formed a trio called TGT — which stands for Tyrese Ginuwine Tank, of course — and have an album and tour in the planning stages.
"Imagine us putting all three of our worlds together for the ultimate R&B fan experience," Tyrese said Tuesday via phone from his house in L.A. "Me, Tank and Ginuwine been talking about this forever. The reason why this makes sense is that besides all of us being R&B singers, we're all good friends. In this industry, you can't have a real conversation with a lot of people. It almost feels like you're having a conversation with somebody famous, instead of having a real conversation. Every time I see Tank, every time I see Ginuwine, we all had good energy regardless."
Ginuwine revealed that the three have roots that go back deeper than just politicking at industry functions.
"Tyrese is my boy," G said. "Tank is my boy. I'm the first artist he's ever been on the road with. We go all the way back to 'Pony.' He was my background singer on my tour. Tyrese was my best man at my wedding. Needless to say, we are all close. I always wanted to experience the group thing.
"There's a void," he continued, referring to the lack of male R&B groups. "This is the perfect time for Tank, Tyrese and myself to give that jolt. You have a lot of solo artists out here. ... R&B is at a downfall, it needs something to shock it. I think this is just the thing. So I brought it to them and said, 'Are y'all up to it? It's gonna be a whole lot of work, but let's get it done.' They both said, 'Yeah.' We figure we can handle it. Now the particulars have to get sorted out."
As G puts it, the biggest obstacle concerning the project is choosing which label to release an LP through. After over a decade on Sony Music, Ginuwine recently made the move to upstart independent label King Music. Tyrese is signed to Clive Davis' J Records and Tank is signed to Universal/Republic.
"Now you're talking about three labels, three R&B artists, it's gonna be situation," Ginuwine predicted. "I'm the one in the group that's trying to dot all the I's and cross all the T's. If all goes well, we should be in the studio in September."
"Everything can be worked out," Ty optimistically declared. "That's just the truth. How is it gonna happen? I don't know. I think when anything makes sense, you figure out a way to work it out."
That also applies to the three men trying to find time in their schedules to actually make the album. Tank's Sex Love & Pain just debuted at #2 on the Billboard albums chart (see "Linkin Park Rule The Albums Chart: New LP Has Best First-Week Sales Of The Year"), so he's been all over the country promoting and doing concerts. Tyrese has a busy concert schedule as well, and he's also promoting his July 4 flick, "Transformers" (see " 'Transformers,' 'Die Hard' Sparking A Totally Rad '80s Revival"). Ginuwine has also been a fixture on the stage the past couple of years — but mostly in an acting capacity, in musicals such as "Mama's Sweet Potato Pie," "Men, Money & Gold Diggers" and, most recently, "The Bachelorette Party." He begins work on his next LP, New Beginning, in July.
"It'll take scheduling. Some things might not happen," Tyrese admitted of the group's agenda.
This isn't the first time Ginuwine has tried his hand at making a supergroup. Ten years ago there was talk of him, Sisqó and Usher joining forces, but that never panned out. R&B hasn't seen a project like TGT take shape since the late Gerald LeVert teamed with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill to form LSG in the '90s. They released two albums as a collective.
"Most of the things that people who have tried to do supergroups have done wrong in the past has ended up in the papers, so you learn from that," Tyrese said.
"I think when someone doesn't know their lane, when someone doesn't understand what they bringing to the table," he added about why supergroups sometime run into problems. "I'm bringing R&B and hip-hop R&B and the Hollywood side to the table. Ginuwine is bringing most of the #1 records to the table. Tank is fairly new, but he's on fire. What Tank hasn't done for himself, he's done for other people. He has the respect of everyone in the game with all of [the] #1 hits [he's written] as well as how big his record ['Please Don't Go'] is. So he's bringing that weight up, which is a lot of weight."
All three artists have an idea about who they want to work with. Producers and songwriters such as R. Kelly, Timbaland, Scott Storch, Tim & Bob, the Underdogs, Rodney Jerkins and Bryan-Michael Cox come up unanimously.
"Anybody that has hits, man," G said. "We're not gonna turn down no hits. We're looking at 10-12 songs on the album. I believe we can have at least eight songs that are smashes, that are able to be first singles. Whoever wants to be a part of this history-making CD, that's who we're gonna go at. It ain't about no check. It's about wanting to win. Changing the game and wanting to win."
TGT's first song together will be the remix to Tank's "Please Don't Go." Tyrese recorded his part Tuesday and Ginuwine is supposed to lay down his vocals within the next couple of days. From there, the group is hoping to hit the studio in September and launch a tour — which already has a name, the Shirts Off Tour — in November.
"As far as when it comes out, realistically, I would say next year," Ginuwine said about the album. "The tour hasn't really been set to where we wanna set it at. We want to meet Tank on a lot of the dates he's doing and give [audiences] a taste. Once we meet him on the road, we'll see what the reaction is to that. We're gonna try to change what he's doing into a Shirts Off-type thing.
"I want the ladies in the audience to forget about the men in their lives that night and make it do what it do," Tyrese added about the tour. "We gonna go out and do records from TGT first. Then the individual records they all love. It don't get no better than that."
Source
By Shaheem Reid
B2K? Broken up. 112? Broken up. Dru Hill? Broken up. New Edition, Boyz II Men, Jodeci? No new music in years. With Jagged Edge and the fairly new Pretty Ricky and B5 seemingly the only male R&B groups left standing, the days when fans had an endless array of acts to choose from — such as Troop, Silk, Guy, Today and Intro — have been long gone. But now there's a trio that want to give the game a "jolt."
Singers Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank have formed a trio called TGT — which stands for Tyrese Ginuwine Tank, of course — and have an album and tour in the planning stages.
"Imagine us putting all three of our worlds together for the ultimate R&B fan experience," Tyrese said Tuesday via phone from his house in L.A. "Me, Tank and Ginuwine been talking about this forever. The reason why this makes sense is that besides all of us being R&B singers, we're all good friends. In this industry, you can't have a real conversation with a lot of people. It almost feels like you're having a conversation with somebody famous, instead of having a real conversation. Every time I see Tank, every time I see Ginuwine, we all had good energy regardless."
Ginuwine revealed that the three have roots that go back deeper than just politicking at industry functions.
"Tyrese is my boy," G said. "Tank is my boy. I'm the first artist he's ever been on the road with. We go all the way back to 'Pony.' He was my background singer on my tour. Tyrese was my best man at my wedding. Needless to say, we are all close. I always wanted to experience the group thing.
"There's a void," he continued, referring to the lack of male R&B groups. "This is the perfect time for Tank, Tyrese and myself to give that jolt. You have a lot of solo artists out here. ... R&B is at a downfall, it needs something to shock it. I think this is just the thing. So I brought it to them and said, 'Are y'all up to it? It's gonna be a whole lot of work, but let's get it done.' They both said, 'Yeah.' We figure we can handle it. Now the particulars have to get sorted out."
As G puts it, the biggest obstacle concerning the project is choosing which label to release an LP through. After over a decade on Sony Music, Ginuwine recently made the move to upstart independent label King Music. Tyrese is signed to Clive Davis' J Records and Tank is signed to Universal/Republic.
"Now you're talking about three labels, three R&B artists, it's gonna be situation," Ginuwine predicted. "I'm the one in the group that's trying to dot all the I's and cross all the T's. If all goes well, we should be in the studio in September."
"Everything can be worked out," Ty optimistically declared. "That's just the truth. How is it gonna happen? I don't know. I think when anything makes sense, you figure out a way to work it out."
That also applies to the three men trying to find time in their schedules to actually make the album. Tank's Sex Love & Pain just debuted at #2 on the Billboard albums chart (see "Linkin Park Rule The Albums Chart: New LP Has Best First-Week Sales Of The Year"), so he's been all over the country promoting and doing concerts. Tyrese has a busy concert schedule as well, and he's also promoting his July 4 flick, "Transformers" (see " 'Transformers,' 'Die Hard' Sparking A Totally Rad '80s Revival"). Ginuwine has also been a fixture on the stage the past couple of years — but mostly in an acting capacity, in musicals such as "Mama's Sweet Potato Pie," "Men, Money & Gold Diggers" and, most recently, "The Bachelorette Party." He begins work on his next LP, New Beginning, in July.
"It'll take scheduling. Some things might not happen," Tyrese admitted of the group's agenda.
This isn't the first time Ginuwine has tried his hand at making a supergroup. Ten years ago there was talk of him, Sisqó and Usher joining forces, but that never panned out. R&B hasn't seen a project like TGT take shape since the late Gerald LeVert teamed with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill to form LSG in the '90s. They released two albums as a collective.
"Most of the things that people who have tried to do supergroups have done wrong in the past has ended up in the papers, so you learn from that," Tyrese said.
"I think when someone doesn't know their lane, when someone doesn't understand what they bringing to the table," he added about why supergroups sometime run into problems. "I'm bringing R&B and hip-hop R&B and the Hollywood side to the table. Ginuwine is bringing most of the #1 records to the table. Tank is fairly new, but he's on fire. What Tank hasn't done for himself, he's done for other people. He has the respect of everyone in the game with all of [the] #1 hits [he's written] as well as how big his record ['Please Don't Go'] is. So he's bringing that weight up, which is a lot of weight."
All three artists have an idea about who they want to work with. Producers and songwriters such as R. Kelly, Timbaland, Scott Storch, Tim & Bob, the Underdogs, Rodney Jerkins and Bryan-Michael Cox come up unanimously.
"Anybody that has hits, man," G said. "We're not gonna turn down no hits. We're looking at 10-12 songs on the album. I believe we can have at least eight songs that are smashes, that are able to be first singles. Whoever wants to be a part of this history-making CD, that's who we're gonna go at. It ain't about no check. It's about wanting to win. Changing the game and wanting to win."
TGT's first song together will be the remix to Tank's "Please Don't Go." Tyrese recorded his part Tuesday and Ginuwine is supposed to lay down his vocals within the next couple of days. From there, the group is hoping to hit the studio in September and launch a tour — which already has a name, the Shirts Off Tour — in November.
"As far as when it comes out, realistically, I would say next year," Ginuwine said about the album. "The tour hasn't really been set to where we wanna set it at. We want to meet Tank on a lot of the dates he's doing and give [audiences] a taste. Once we meet him on the road, we'll see what the reaction is to that. We're gonna try to change what he's doing into a Shirts Off-type thing.
"I want the ladies in the audience to forget about the men in their lives that night and make it do what it do," Tyrese added about the tour. "We gonna go out and do records from TGT first. Then the individual records they all love. It don't get no better than that."
Source
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Def Jam Singer Chrisette Michele Talks New Album, Working With Jay-Z & Nas
Chrisette Michele,the Def Jam songbird whose voice blessed singles for both Jay-Z and Nas, speaks in this SOHH exclusive about struggles in the music industry, what we can expect from her debut, and working with the former rap rivals.
"It was surreal because they are the greatest rappers who ever lived, and who live right now," Chrisette said of her appearance alongside Jay-Z and Nas on "Lost Ones" and "Can't Forget About You" respectively. The singer described the experiences as very different.
Me and Jay-Z worked together (in the studio). I wrote a hook, I went into the studio and I sang it and he said 'come back out.' I got to the 5th hook and that was the one he decided to use. He's very meticulous; whereas with Nas, he wasn't in the studio, we spoke over the phone. I heard the concept, and I just wrote something and he told me to use that, as well as four other songs. He was much more laid back I guess," Chrisette recalled.
Though relatively new to many audiences, the Long Island powerhouse practically grew up onstage dancing and singing, frequently visiting Manhattan to perform.
"I would perform in the city a lot from the age of 17 to 23...I was working with India.Arie, Angie Stone, Kem and touring with those types of people," Chrisette told SOHH.
For her debut album I Am, Chrisette enlisted production from will.i.am (who also raps on the album), as well as Salaam Remi, John Legend and Babyface,among others. Two singles, "If I Have My Way" and "Your Joy," an ode to Chrisette's father are being prepared for release this month. Listeners can expect I Am to showcase both Chrisette's golden voice as well as her songwriting skills.
"I wrote every song on the album...because I write my songs it's easier to write for myself than if somebody else was to give me music, just because my voice isn't like everybody else's. One of my biggest frustrations is finding music that my large voice can fit over," Chrisette revealed.
In addition to taking charge of her music, Chrisette Michele has also been doing her own styling. While the shapely singer says she hasn't felt pressure from her label to lose weight, she once bumped heads with a wardrobe stylist.
"He [L.A. Reid] is very adamant about me being myself," Chrisette revealed. "It's not really a frustration. I did go to a photoshoot one time and somebody handed me a size 0 and a size 4 and I was really ready to punch her in her face, and that's me talking as a good person. I cried that day. After that I did my own shopping."
Chrisette Michele will open for Musiq Soulchild's North American Tour this summer from July 6 - August 6. Her debut album I Am is scheduled to hit stores on June 19 via Def Jam Recordings.
[Preview Michele's music on her myspace page]
SOURCE
"It was surreal because they are the greatest rappers who ever lived, and who live right now," Chrisette said of her appearance alongside Jay-Z and Nas on "Lost Ones" and "Can't Forget About You" respectively. The singer described the experiences as very different.
Me and Jay-Z worked together (in the studio). I wrote a hook, I went into the studio and I sang it and he said 'come back out.' I got to the 5th hook and that was the one he decided to use. He's very meticulous; whereas with Nas, he wasn't in the studio, we spoke over the phone. I heard the concept, and I just wrote something and he told me to use that, as well as four other songs. He was much more laid back I guess," Chrisette recalled.
Though relatively new to many audiences, the Long Island powerhouse practically grew up onstage dancing and singing, frequently visiting Manhattan to perform.
"I would perform in the city a lot from the age of 17 to 23...I was working with India.Arie, Angie Stone, Kem and touring with those types of people," Chrisette told SOHH.
For her debut album I Am, Chrisette enlisted production from will.i.am (who also raps on the album), as well as Salaam Remi, John Legend and Babyface,among others. Two singles, "If I Have My Way" and "Your Joy," an ode to Chrisette's father are being prepared for release this month. Listeners can expect I Am to showcase both Chrisette's golden voice as well as her songwriting skills.
"I wrote every song on the album...because I write my songs it's easier to write for myself than if somebody else was to give me music, just because my voice isn't like everybody else's. One of my biggest frustrations is finding music that my large voice can fit over," Chrisette revealed.
In addition to taking charge of her music, Chrisette Michele has also been doing her own styling. While the shapely singer says she hasn't felt pressure from her label to lose weight, she once bumped heads with a wardrobe stylist.
"He [L.A. Reid] is very adamant about me being myself," Chrisette revealed. "It's not really a frustration. I did go to a photoshoot one time and somebody handed me a size 0 and a size 4 and I was really ready to punch her in her face, and that's me talking as a good person. I cried that day. After that I did my own shopping."
Chrisette Michele will open for Musiq Soulchild's North American Tour this summer from July 6 - August 6. Her debut album I Am is scheduled to hit stores on June 19 via Def Jam Recordings.
[Preview Michele's music on her myspace page]
SOURCE
New Keri Hilson!!
"I hate heels....I hate heels....love how they look but hate how they feel"
Nobody other than the beautiful talented songwriter-singer Timbaland protegee Keri Hilson, ATL's newest freshest string of air. Listen to a clip of new song "High Heels" produced by The Cornaboyz.
Click here to download
Nobody other than the beautiful talented songwriter-singer Timbaland protegee Keri Hilson, ATL's newest freshest string of air. Listen to a clip of new song "High Heels" produced by The Cornaboyz.
Click here to download
T.I. Getting Ahead Of His Selves With Second Clip From Alter-Ego LP
'That's a wonderful problem to have,' rapper says after finishing another T.I. vs. T.I.P. video.
By Jayson Rodriguez
MIAMI — When you're making music for two, sometimes it means you not only have to work twice as hard but also twice as fast.
Take T.I., for instance.
The Atlanta MC is putting the final touches on his forthcoming personality-splitting project, T.I. vs. T.I.P. — which is due July 3 on Grand Hustle/ Atlantic — and he's already finished the album's first two videos (see "T.I. Gives 'Rappin' Fool' Eminem A T.I.P. About Alter Egos").
The lead single, T.I's "Big Things Poppin'," was just shot a couple of weeks ago and should debut soon (see "T.I. Has 'Big Things Poppin' ' With Mannie Fresh, Himself On T.I.P.").
And now his alter ego Tip is getting in on the action as he shot the clip for "You Know What It Is" earlier this week in Miami. The song, produced by and featuring Wyclef Jean, doesn't even have a release date yet. But that didn't stop T.I. from going full-scale for the video, even as "Big Things Poppin' " is just picking up steam.
"That's what you call high-class problems," he explained to MTV News from the South Beach set. "Not knowing when to put your second single out because your first one is doing so well. That's a wonderful problem to have. [So] I'm not gonna rush it."
According to T.I., the video for "You Know What It Is" is set to pick up where "Big Things Poppin' " leaves off. The latter ends with T.I. on a stage — at the start of the second clip, 'Clef offers his rougher alter ego, Tip, a proposition.
"[He's] basically saying, 'Well, if you done doing your rapper thing, I got some business that I want to handle with you. Come holler at me,' " T.I. said. "And he says he needs me to drive him, and you probably thinking in a car, [but] then you see us in a plane, in a boat, in this car, at the house, in Haiti. So basically he wants me to come to Haiti with him to handle some business, and from there we come back to Miami and we go back to our regular lives."
The "You Know What It Is" video was shot over two days, complete with shots of mansions, yachts and airport arrivals. Director Chris Robinson — who has worked with T.I. from the rapper's very first video up through their collaboration on the movie "ATL" — wanted to complement the song, he said, with its own unique presentation. That's why he didn't direct "Big Things Poppin' " after shooting every video for T.I.'s last album, King.
"I was like, 'You know what, I think for that video, let's find a young boy to do that, you want to get out there [with that energy], that joint is like that,' " Robison explained. "I really want to tell stories, and the truth is for me, me and T.I. always say, 'I'm Scorsese and he's De Niro,' so that's the kind of relationship we want to build. We want it to go beyond music videos. This [video] has a lot of pieces that you would see in the normal hip-hop video — the beautiful house, the beautiful girls, the boats — but it's the way we're shooing it. It's the story behind us actually flying into Haiti with Wyclef. So we always try to do something not necessarily different from the industry but different from what we've done before together."
The group, however, wasn't able to actually trek down to Haiti. Instead, Robinson was able to re-create the country's gritty setting outside a local pub in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood. Rainy conditions, power outages on the set and roosters swarming about might seem like they set the perfect scene for the MC, but he said he wants to mix up his personas more in videos as opposed to distancing the two, like he's doing on his album.
"I'm trying to show people that Tip can do what T.I. can do and T.I. can do what Tip can do, just as well," he said. "Maybe not the same way, maybe not as much, maybe not as good, but it can be done. Accept it. I say the same way you would think wearing a [fancy] shirt like this, riding in a nice big boat, riding private jets, you would think that's T.I., but Tip is like, 'Hell, I can do that too. Give me a shot, let me see how I like it.' And whereas everyone may think [they're seeing] Tip if you in Little Haiti ... [or] just in the 'hood in Harlem, chillin' — you expect that to be Tip, but T.I. is like, 'People got love for me around the word, I can go where I want to. Just because that ain't what you see me do most of the time don't mean that I can't do it.'
"We just merging these personalities together," T.I. continued. "Trying to give them their own individuality, but at the same time make them coexist."
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