October, 2008

The third annual BET Hip-Hop Awards saw sessions of freestyle ciphers thrown in featuring Ace Hood, Loso & Jada, Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Jadakiss, a Japanese female emcee and Cory Gunz who "murdered it". This shit is dope! Straight hip-hop, peep game.

This is one of Jay-Z's first videos, an alternate remix version was also shot, like most of Jigga's joints, the remixes out-shadow the original work, to the point where most people have not heard the O.G. version. Straight off the Streets Is Watching soundtrack, peep both cuts here.

"In My Lifetime" -

"In My Lifetime (Remix)" -

Diddy graces this months cover of L'uomo Vogue (the Italian version of Men's Vogue) as they continue their new found love affair with Black culture after the Black Issue for Vogue Italia broke records in magazine sales

[Jay-Z's L'uomo Vogue Spread]

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While We're on Diddy's D -

Word on the street is that Sean “Diddy” Combs has conquered yet another piece of the fashion real estate to add to his ever-growing empire. The music mogul has purchased the popular urban clothing line ENYCE from Liz Claiborne Inc, according to reports.

"Enyce is a brand that I have always admired, and they have been a very important player in the young men's sportswear arena for over a decade. I am really excited to bring it into our portfolio of brands that already includes Sean John and Zac Posen,” Diddy said in a release. “Given our track record of success in marketing products such as Ciroc Vodka, Unforgivable by Sean John, and all of our television titles, I look forward to adding our expertise to an already hot fashion line. Our long-term plan is to grow the Enyce brand through innovative marketing, expansion of the menswear and boy's lines, and launching into new licensing categories.”

Combs, whose Sean John label recently celebrated it's 10 year anniversary at New York fashion week, if optimistic about the acquisition, despite the unsteady nature of the global financial system. “The current economic climate may be challenging, but we believe it is also an opportunity, and we are really excited to add Enyce to our lineup.”

Enyce was founded in the Spring of 1996 in New York City. The Brand was bought by Liz Claiborne, Inc. in February 2004 for $114 million.

No word yet on how much Diddy shelled out for the deal. Considering the climate and knowing Diddy, it was probably a deal.

Indeed, Claiborne CEO William McComb seems rather please to unload the denim-based "streetwear" line, which seems out of place amongst the pastel peddle pushers that the company's namesake line produces. The company also owns Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, and Lucky Brand.

"Enyce is a strong brand with a loyal customer following, however the unsettled economic environment and our commitment to properly resource and focus on other brands in our portfolio contributed to this decision," McComb said. "As a leading player in the young men's market, Sean Combs has the expertise and resources to help Enyce endure this difficult period and ultimately thrive. We are pleased that Sean Combs has decided to purchase the brand," he added.

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The 3rd annual BET Hip-Hop Awards will be televised on Thursday, October 23rd at 8pm (ET/PT) in Atlanta, GA. The show will be hosted by vocoder singer, T-Pain, taking over regular host, comedian Katt Williams.

Performers Include:

• Common
• Lil Wayne
• Ludacris
• MC Lyte
• N*E*R*D
• Yo-Yo
• The Game
• Young Jeezy
• T.I.
• Lady Of Rage
• Rick Ross
• Nas
• Nelly
• Plies

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B-Fly, the younger sister of the The Game was shot in her hometown Compton, California.

Born Sherani Capricia Taylor, B-Fly is, in her own right an aspiring rapper and is aligned with her brother Big Fase 100's Brazil St. Records label. She was caught in a cross-fire in her neighbourhood, struck by a bullet from a passing vehicle while standing on her front porch. The strongest rumour behind this incident states that B-Fly was a victim of an ongoing internal beef between family members associated with her older brother, Big Fase, The Game and G-Unit's Spider Loc. Spider Loc, who is a known member of the 97th Street Crips is allegedly reported as the shooter of B-Fly.

Here’s an excerpt from her myspace page:
Never did i think when i woke up it could really be the end of my days…But i truly believe in God!!!He has granted me another day at life , another day to love, another day to breathe, another day to bounce back, and anotha day to praise him for life. I have really found the true meaning of life and that is to” live it to its fullest” every second of the day, not to take things for granted ….and to bless everything that i have. I had so much to complain about until this brush with death surfaced but now i know that everything in my life has its purpose and place. People will always have their opinions but I know me and what im about.

“Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives.”

After being shot once, B-Fly is reported to be in a stable condition.

Classic Blaxploitation comedian/actor, Rudy Ray Moore has passed away at 71, due to complications with diabetes in Toledo, Ohio.

Real name, Rudulph Frank Moore will be always remember for his character role as Dolemite, the pimp. Dolemite was transformed into a 'Dolemite' movie series (sequel - 'The Human Tornado'). Rest in peace, Dolemite [March 17th, 1937 - October 19th, 2008].

West Coast rapper, The Game will be showing fans a more personal side of his career with the release of his upcoming DVD, The Game...Life After The Math dropping next week.

Illustrating the hardships following his rise to success in hip-hop, the DVD will feature a variety of rare and never-before-seen material from artists including Snoop Dogg, Kanye West and comedian Katt Williams plus former associates Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. Fully produced by the Black Wall Street leader in collaboration with Polychrome Pictures, the project is expected to widen fans' views on the controversial rapper. [Watch the trailer below]

"Rarely do you find an artist who is so confident and secure with themselves and their abilities that they are willing to let fans into their head to see the demons they've battled," Polychrome co-founder Danny Rodriguez said in a statement. "Game has exposed his soul in his music and in Life After The Math he reveals the reasons he was driven to street life, not justifications for it. We could not be more honored to be a part of the project."

Fully behind the DVD, Polychrome co-founder Geno Taylor also takes pride in the company's involvement in Game's latest release.

"What an honor it is for Polychrome to collaborate with The Game on such an important film," Taylor said in a statement. "Collectively, all those involved will see to it that Life After The Math gets the respect it deserves."

The Game...Life After The Math hits store shelves Tuesday, October 21 via Polychrome Pictures.

Written by Cyrus Langhorne
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"Swagger Like Us" - featuring T.I. -

"Jockin' Jay-Z" -

"A Millie" -

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To introduce his 808 & Heartbreaks album, Kanye West had a listening party with arist, Vanessa Beecroft at the Ace Gallery in Los Angeles. The event included naked woman art, black and white sweethearts.

Fader Magazine covered the entire event, for a full review [CLICK HERE], for a hint on the night, peep the blurb.

"After waiting in a loading area with an open bar and a DJ, we walked up a driveway illuminated by florescent lights to a darkened room where approximately forty nude women, most of them wearing face-obscuring masks seemingly made of faux lamb's wool, stood in the middle—black girls in the front, white girls in the back. Then the entire album played without introduction or explanation."

"Heartbreak" by Kanye West -

"It's Over" (Teddy Riley remix) by John Legend featuring Kanye West -

Queens rap superstar, 50 Cent will be the latest recruit onto the reality world of Music Television.

The G-Unit Capo's new MTV show, “50 Cent: The Money and the Power” will star himself as host pitting 14 contestants against each other to become record label moguls. They will compete for prize money awarded by 50 for the best business ideas.

In the series, the 14 contestants will live together in a warehouse in Brooklyn dubbed, "Camp Curtis" for the show. They group were hand picked by 50 himself and will be judged by guest panels. Def Jam legend, LL Cool J, Danity Kane's Aubrey O'Day, fellow G-Unit member Lloyd Banks and Hot97's Miss Info will all make appearances. G-Unit's Tony Yayo will act as 50's Underboss.

“50 Cent: The Money and the Power” will première Thursday, November 6 at 10PM on MTV.

[SOURCE]

Snoop Dogg animation from last year's Blue Carpet Treatment album. Re-upped on WSHH Video Tube. Part one of two.

"Gangbangin 101" - Snoop Dogg (featuring The Game)

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Part two of two.
"Candy (Drippin' Like Water)" - Snoop Dogg (Featuring E-40, MC Eiht, Goldie Loc & Tha Dogg Pound)

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"Collect Call" - T.I. featuring Jay-Z

"I'm In Another League" - Lupe Fiasco featuring Jay-Z

The new video from Common and Pharrell Williams - "Universal Mind Control"

The deal is done.

The west Bronx apartment complex dubbed the Birthplace of Hip Hop was sold last week to real estate developer Mark Karasick for a reported $7 million.

The apartment complex rose to fame in August 1973 after DJ Kool Herc, aka Clive Campbell, and his sister threw a house party that gave rise to the now popular music genre and culture.

A bitter fight between the owner and tenants ensued to preserve 1520 Sedgwick Ave. as affordable housing fizzled out after a recent state Supreme Court decision cleared the way for the sale of the 100-unit apartment building.

Alarmed tenants and housing advocates now fear that either their rents will skyrocket to cover the sale price or that the building conditions will deteriorate.

"Either [Karasick's] going to have to get rid of the tenants to raise rent so he can get his investment back or he'll get into trouble financially and not be able to operate the building," predicted Dina Levy of UHAB, a nonprofit group working with the tenants.

But Karasick's attorney, Steven Holm, called those concerns unfounded. Any future rent increases must comply with rent stabilization rules, so there's little room for rapid hikes, he said.

"I'm sorry they're upset about the outcome," Holm said. "I think [the tenants] might be pleasantly surprised by how the building will be operated. And I would certainly give the landlord an opportunity to prove himself before jumping to any unfounded conclusions."

Former owners, 1520 Sedgwick Associates, had long sought to buy out of the Mitchell-Lama affordable housing program in a bid to end the city's regulatory power over the building.

Tenants' efforts to buy the building for $10 million had been rejected.

In February, the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development rejected the proposed $9 million sale to Karasick, saying the price exceeded the value of the building, estimated at $7.5 million.

Local politicians also had jumped into the fray, holding several rallies to urge banks and mortgage lenders to keep out of any proposed deals involving the building.

Residents vowed to stay on task. "We did not achieve our ultimate goal of buying the building, but we are not defeated," said Gloria Robinson, president of the 1520 Sedgwick Tenants Association. "We intend to keep fighting to preserve our homes and to preserve the historical significance of our building."

By Tanyanika Samuels for [NYDaily.com]
[email protected]

[SOURCE]

Taken from Rolling Stone:

50 Cent’s life is like a movie, so it makes sense that he’s writing one. The rapper is working on a feature film, Before I Self-Destruct, which is based on his album of the same name. “It’s not Purple Rain,” 50 says of the flick, which he also directed and produced. “But it was inspired by the actual music.” (His album is due out December 9th; 50 plans to release the movie simultaneously.)

The film — which isn’t autobiographical — aims to show the complexities of what 50 refers to as “urban life” in a new way: “When [movies] portray certain lifestyles they don’t show cause and effect,” he says. “But I showed characters under pressure in scenarios where they felt like there were no other options, even though there were.” He adds, “There are always options. People just usually start to see them while being incarcerated — for not seeing them in the first place.”

As for a soundtrack, tracks from Before I Self-Destruct the album will be missing from the movie. “Then Interscope would automatically have the rights to it, when they had absolutely no ownership of the actual material,” says 50, who penned a separate score for the film and recruited unsigned artists to record vocals. But that doesn’t mean the tunes are sub-par. “I kept the music up to standards,” says 50. “I worked with it until it was right.”

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Nas invited The Game and Chris Brown for his video: "We Make the World Go Round".

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Naughty By Nature - "Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Ghetto Bastard)"

Today, [8th Oct] Mr. West joined talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres. It was his first televised interview since his mother's passing. But lets not go there.

Kanye West - "Love Lockdown"