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."
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