August, 2008

1993 interview for Rolling Stone, with Dre and Snoop Dogg who make about the finest duo in west coast hip-hop, maybe the finest of the genre.

Newcomer to the West, Nipsey Hussle bangin' Rollin Sixties Crip to the fullest. Peep this new gang-ode, "RSC For Life".

From Icedotcom.com
Dr. Dre's son, 20 year old Andre Young Jr. was found dead Saturday morning in his Woodland Hills, CA, home.

The Los Angeles County Coroner confirmed the death stating the famed hip hop producer's name sake was unresponsive after being discovered by his mother around 10 A.M., after he arriving home from a night out. The cause of death is unknown and results from a toxicology test are pending.

I would like to send my condolences to Dr. Dre & the Young family. R.I.P. - [Icedotcom.com]

Peep this throwback: Chris "Daddy Mac" Kelly and Chris "Mac Daddy" Smith, 30 & 29 years young respectively in the '08, but in 1992, they dropped the double-platinum, "Jump", written by Treach of Naughty By Nature and produced by Jermaine Dupri. They blew up and lasted as long as their backwards dress fad.

On Themeaningofdope.com MOD celebrated Kris Kross from those teenage years with three live videos performing the classic single.

Treach still ain't got his loot for the rhymes from JD.

"Gangsta Party" (featuring Akon) (produced by Haze)

"Spanglish" (produced by Trebeats)

"Big Dreams" (remix) (produced by Cool & Dre)

Ice Cube on Gangsta Rap and Raw Footage. "Stop Blaming Gangsta Rap For Everything".

Chart topping rapper Da Brat was sentenced to three years in prison today (August 22), after being charged with assault for hitting a woman in the face with a bottle of rum.

The prison sentence stems from a November 2007 incident, in which Da Brat, born Shawntae Harris, argued with Shala Stevens, a waitress working at Jermaine Dupri’s Club 72.

Stevens, a budding model, Atlanta Falcons cheerleader and actress, suffered deep lacerations to her cheek and swelling to her forehead.

Stevens, who is represented by power attorney Willie Gary and CK Hoffler in a civil lawsuit, also suffered permanent disfigurement and mental distress as a result of the attack.

"Ms. Stevens is a cheerleader, choreographer, dancer, actress and entrepreneur, whose career has been greatly affected by this incident," Gary told AllHipHop.com in a previous statement.

Stevens was also forced to pull out of an upcoming role on Tyler Perry’s sitcom House of Pain due to the injuries she sustained in the assault.

Da Brat must also serve seven years of probation and complete 200 hours of community service.

In 2000, Da Brat was charged with pistol whipping another patron at the Chili Pepper nightclub in Atlanta.

She pleaded guilty, was fined and sentenced to a year of probation.

Da Brat has worked with artists like Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Lil Kim, Ludacris, Dem Franchize Boyz, Kelly Rowland and others.

[Article by Nolan Strong at allhiphop.com]

Ice Cube on 60 Minutes [1992]

Circa 1992, Ice Cube is featured on 60 Minutes speaking on the politics of his music. Using his recently dropped AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted solo album, Cube showed his level of maturity for someone who had only just turned legal drinking age in most US states (21).

Peep a young Tupac in the corner keeping quiet (61 seconds in)

XXL October front sees N'Orleans native, Lil Wayne playing the first man in hip-hop to portray the astronaut.

New singles post-Raw Footage, Ice Cube releases two joints -

"Believe It Or Not"

"Crack Baby"

Westcoast Dope Boy, The Game joins up with Queens producer and label head of Murder Inc, Irv Gotti to produce "Nice" featuring the Inc's newest artist, Newz for the hook. Peep the post-LAX hot track.

The Game - "Nice" (featuring Newz - produced by Irv Gotti)

This is part two of The Source's 20th Anniversary four-cover special. Nas, LL Cool J, Ice Cube and Queen Latifah get their faces up in The Source.

Cover Two

Cover Three

For the other two covers [CLICK HERE]

On the eve of his 8th solo full-length album drop, one of the most defining West Coast artists off all-time, Ice Cube has kept his word. A true MC at heart strays constantly from the frame to pay the bills in Hollywood cinema, but has never lost his edge on the reality rap he fed us 20 years ago. The CNN of the ghetto, peep Raw Footage out tomorrow (19th August).

We bring this throwback interview snippet from the Death Certificate era, circa. 1992. Cube speaks on his maturity and growth since Amerikkka's Most Wanted.

"I don't bang, I rock the good rhymes/And I'm a victim of neighborhood crime"

One of the leading pioneers in hip-hop, Def Jam original, LL Cool J takes hip-hop to the grand ole stage of The Grammy's to perform his 1987 classic, "I'm Bad". He entered the stage in his red Troop suit, fat gold rope, Kangol bucket hat and washboard stomach all on flash.

Peep the Pointer Sisters feelin' it!

"I'm the baddest! Takin' out all rookies/So forget Oreos eat Cool J cookies, I'm bad!"

Honorees for this year’s annual Hip Hop Honors show will be Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort.

The event will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York taping Thursday, October 2, 2008 and premièring on VH1 on Tuesday, October 7 at 9/8c on VH1. Read the entire press release here -

NEW YORK, August 13, 2008 – VH1 has announced the five honorees for their fifth annual “VH1 Hip Hop Honors,” Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort. Hosted once again by Tracy Morgan, this year’s musical celebration will give viewers a chance to step back and reminisce on a time when hip hop music began to make its greatest impact on American pop culture.

Premièring on Tuesday, October 7 at 10PM*, generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked a revolution and continues to fuel an evolution around the world. Additional performances and appearances will be announced shortly.

“Now in its fifth year, the ‘VH1 Hip Hop Honors’ has come to represent the pinnacle of innovation and achievement in hip hop music,” said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1. “This year’s five honorees are no different and are being recognized for their significant contributions to hip hop culture and for helping to elevate hip hop into a truly global phenomenon.”

Introducing this year’s honorees:

• Cypress Hill: With a driving rhyme style and brutally infectious production, this L.A. based collective brought a welcomed Latino perspective to hip hop storytelling, creating records like “Insane in the Brain” that crossed all barriers and gave Cypress Hill fans in the rock, as well as, rap world.

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• De La Soul: This Long Island trio brought a playful, smart, and off-center style to hip hop, while pushing their suburban and bohemian sensibility to the fore. Their innovative sound has influenced not only other MCs, but helped inspire the entire underground movement in the culture.

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• Naughty By Nature: Led by the strident style of lead MC Treach, Naughty By Nature brought New Jersey hip hop into the mainstream by creating hit singles than became anthems for a generation. “OPP” and “Hip Hop Hooray” are two of the most popular records in rap history.

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• Slick Rick: With vivid storytelling and unique rhyme style Slick Rick has always been one of the most unique and influential figures in the culture’s history. When you combine Rick’s MC gifts with his gold chains, eye patch and regal clothing the result is a figure who embodies the fun, the danger and the flavor that is hip hop.

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• Too $hort: Too $hort started his career in the ’80s selling 12-inch singles full of freaky tales on his own indie label in Oakland and has remained true to his raw style, in the process becoming a legend in the game while staying true to his hard core values.

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  Additionally, on September 16 VH1.com will launch its dedicated “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” Web site with honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more at HipHop.VH1.com. Additional VH1.com and VH1 Mobile efforts around “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” will be announced in the coming weeks.

  “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” is executive produced by Lee Rolontz for VH1 and Jac Benson for Blackjac Entertainment. Louis J. Horvitz will direct. Nelson George and Fab Five Freddie are co-executive producers.

  Peep the official website - [VH1.com]

The latest joint from the Raw Footage album, just five days before the official drop! Ice Cube does "I Got My Locs On" with Young Jeezy with those Southern-fried beats provided by ATlien, DJ Toomp.

Raw Footage drops August 19th, Jeezy's Recession album on September 2nd.

To hear the track [CLICK HERE]

Unfortunately the label has the track on lockdown, taken off YouTube and zShare, my advice, peep this joint before someone stubbs it out. - Ripnicholson [Ed.]

Shout out to [gilmoreboy.com] for holding down this track.

Official video for "Champion" by Kanye West, dropped timely for the Olympic games in Beijing this month. From the Graduation album from earlier this year. Peep Ye's alter-ego, the ultimate arrogance animated.

Shout out to [Icedotcom.com]

20 years rolling for the The Source. Ups n downs, smiles n frowns, The Source has to always be respected for being one of the first to portray hip-hop in glossy pages. (The second longest running hip-hop periodical magazine.)

On the 20th, fittingly the oldest legend of the game, LL Cool J shares the four-cover issues with one of the finest emcees of the modern culture, Nas. Covers one and four here, two and three to follow.

Cover One

Cover Four

The Source still doesn't have an active website, coming soon apparently. Step yo media game up! Big props to Dave Mays and Jon Shecter, good lookin' out on keeping me informed since 1991. - Ripnicholson [Ed.]

During the Glow In The Dark Tour, Kanye West invites big brother, Jay-Z on stage at Madison Square Gardens to preview the new joints to open up Jay's latest album, The Blueprint 3. Peep the collabo with Kanye, "Jocking Jay-Z" on A & V.

Jay-Z - "Jockin Jay-Z" (Produced by Kanye West)

[SOURCE]

The great, Wu-producer, RZA used the classic Isaac Hayes sample, "walk On By" and featured him on the Wu Tang Clan single, "I Can't Go To Sleep" and the accompanying video off 'The W' album. This is just a small taste of Ike's influence on hip-hop. RIP old homie.

Wu Tang Clan - "Can't Go To Sleep"

Peep the classic Ice Cube video saga from the Predator album, "It was A Good Day" and "Check Yo'self".

It started off as a good day, then he got caught up and found himself locked in the country jail. "You better check yo'self before you wreck yo'self!"

Isaac Hayes aka "Black Moses" died today after his wife Adjowa found him unconscious on the floor near a still running treadmill inside their home outside of Memphis Tennessee. He was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead at 2:08pm, at the age of 65. The cause of death was not immediately known and foul play has not been suspected.

The tragic irony of his death comes only a day after comedian Bernie Mac succumbed to complications with pneumonia and was set to star in a comedic film titled "Soul Man" featuring Hayes & Sam Jackson scheduled for a Nov 12 release later this year.

Hayes born Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. shot to stardom with his Academy Award Winning "Theme From Shaft" and was not only a soul & funk singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger, film score composer, actor and known to a younger generation as the voice for the character "Chef" on the Comedy Central animated TV series South Park, but was also one of my favorite artists of all times simply off his funk laden rendition of Burt Bacharach's "Look Of Love" made popular to the Hip Hop generation as the sampled gem used on Jay-Z's "Can I Live" for his debut Reasonable Doubt. Hayes leaves behind wife Adjowa Hayes, 12 children, 14 grandchildren & three great-grandchildren.

To Truck Turner, your soul runs immortally through your music, however we will always miss your presence. R.I.P. - RipNicholson & Balance

-Taken from CNN Report

Isaac Hayes: Live at Watts Fest 1973, performing "Shaft" which earned him an Oscar

Wikipedia Bio: [CLICK HERE]

Bernie Mac, an actor and comedian who starred in the "Ocean's Eleven" film franchise and "The Bernie Mac Show," a rare network comedy to feature an African American in a leading role, died Saturday. He was 50.

Mac died from complications related to pneumonia in a Chicago-area hospital, announced his publicist, Danica Smith.

The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in tissue, most often the lungs. The pneumonia was unrelated to the disease, Smith said.

George Clooney, Mac's co-star in the three "Ocean's" movies, said in a statement, "The world just got a little less funny. He will be dearly missed."

Comedian Martin Lawrence, who worked with Mac on the 1999 comedy film "Life," told The Times, "Words can't express the absolute devastation I am feeling over the loss of Bernie, a comic genius, a great man and someone I am honored to have called my friend."

- Taken from the LA Times Obituaries. for more [CLICK HERE]

Bernie Mac's 10 Most Hilarious Moments from Vibe [CLICK HERE]

Wikipedia Bio: [CLICK HERE]
I.M.D.B.: [CLICK HERE]

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre's cognac and vodka brands will hit liquor stores in the next 60 days, according to celebrity booze marketer Drinks America Holdings Ltd.

The products are the fruits of a joint venture between Wilton, Conn.-based Drinks America and Dr. Dre's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, a unit of Universal Music, (Aftermath Entertainment)

Aftermath Congac will come out first, followed by an 80-proof flavoured and unflavoured sparkling vodka, Drinks America said Monday in its fourth-quarter earnings statement.

It added that the marketing for the beverages will be tied in with the release of Dr. Dre's long awaited "Detox" album. In late, July Dr. Dre told USA Today that the album would be out in "November or December."

Drinks America, which also markets Donald Trump vodka and Willie Nelson whiskey, said its net loss for the year ended April 30 narrowed to $6.3 million, or $0.08 per share, from $9.4 million, or $0.14 per share. Its stock slipped a penny to 29 cents on NASDAQ's over-the-counter Bulletin Board Tuesday.

Reuters/Billboard

Another live joint from The Naughtiest trio from New Jeru performing the 1991 classic creepin' anthem, "O.P.P."

"I know the price, know the risks, know the wrongs and the rights still my blood flows ice it's just my life." - Jay-Z

Peep the original Long Beach connection still just as strong today as the golden era of west coast hip-hop. Fuck Death Row Tha DPG is still clickin'! Peep Snoop Dogg, Soopafly representin'. Brought to us by DPGRecordz.

Celebrating the 15 year anniversary, Vibe Magazine chose Jay-Z to front it. They released a selection of six covers. Once again, Mr. Carter wins no matter the outcome.

Too $hort in 1990 discussing the talent behind the nature of his lyrics, in one of the longest careers in hip-hop.

This video originally aired on PBS during a head-hunting campaign against hardcore misogynistic lyrics and foul language in hip-hop. Too $hort ducked a lot of shots fired his way during the golden era of west coast reality rap. The game's longest serving Bay Area veteran chops it up.

The Rock The Bells Jones Beach Amphitheatre show in Long Island, NY has Nas Escobar invite former arch-nemesis and label boss, Jay-Z to perform their collabo joints "Success" from American Gangster and Nas' "Black Republicans". This meeting of hip-hop legends made for an auspicious occasion. Peep game!

Part of the LAX leftover pre-teasers, we present the latest from The Game

The Game - "Toy Soldierz"

The 15th Anniversary of Vibe is celebrated in this issue dubbed, "Juice" with Jay-Z peeking from under the fitted Yankee.