December, 2008

"Smooth Operator" - From the classic 'It's a Big Daddy Thing' album from '89.

"Gin & Juice" - The classic party joint from the seminal 1993 jump-off album, Doggystyle

Mia Michelle

Very rare footage of the West Coast's Chief Surgeon on the wheels of steel cuttin up "Mr. Postman".

An excerpt from the Promotion Sheet off the first World Class Wreckin Cru Album from 1985, "World Class" -

The infamous Dr. Dre (Andre Young) is not a chiropractor, not an orthodontist, neither a podiatrist nor a general practitioner, but the master surgeon on the wheels of steel. Makin his deep incisions into the souls and minds of the Wreckin Cru´s thousands of fans removing the malignant hum-drum and boredom and transplanting good times, fond memories and funk bones. This twenty years on earth aquarian boasts that his only major musical influence is the World Class Wreckin Cru and his future plan to become a multi-millionaire producer, thus leaving time for his well known hobby, "Girl Chasing".

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From the highest selling album of '08 to eight Grammy nods, Weezy outdid nominees, The other Mr. Carter, T.I. and 50 Cent to make Top of 2008, MTV News’ Man of the Year.

Taken from Allhiphop.com -

How do you measure the relevance of an emcee in Hip-Hop culture? Some point to the simple word of mouth on the streets a given rapper generates. Others reference more tangible evidence such as Youtube hits and ringtone purchases.

And for a dwindling select few, some still reference actual album sales. With iconoclast legend Ice Cube, you can take your pick of his continued success in film and TV. And after a recent sold-out turn away show in Atlanta, you can confidently add music to that list as well.

After solid opening acts from Atlanta standout Kid Kaos and Detroit hard body Trick Trick (with Yung Berg’s Transformer chain still in tow), Ice Cube and Westside Connection comrade W.C. burst onto the stage with an inspired version of the classic “Natural Born Killaz.” The Atlanta crowd was heavy with California transplants who proudly sang along word for word.

Although the gangster Rap icon teased seminal tracks like “No Vaseline,” Cube centered the majority of his set on his most popular singles. Despite being denied such classics as “Steady Mobbin’” and “Amerikkka’s Most Wanted,” the Don Mega appeased longtime hardcore fans with flawless renditions of “Jackin’ For Beats,” “Check Yo’ Self,” and his trademark verses from N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton” and “Dopeman.”

Cube’s much maligned singles “We Be Clubbin’,” and “Bop Gun” had no resistance from the audience, as the radio-friendly tracks fit perfectly with the party atmosphere that had taken over. New school emcee Young Jeezy made a surprise appearance to the delight of the Atlanta faithful for “I Got My Locs On.”

Even with a generation difference between them and their styles of gangster Rap, Jeezy and Cube showed great poise alternately working each side of the audience and concluding with a poignant photo-op moment of them triumphantly standing side by side.

After ripping through the Westside Connection numbers “Bow Down” and “Gangsta Nation,” Ice Cube ended appropriately with his biggest single ever, “Today Was A Good Day.” The timeless, smooth sample of the Isley Brother’s “Footprints In The Dark” blared throughout the venue as Cube was nearly drowned out by every fan in attendance reciting each verse line for line. At key lines (“Last week fucked around and got a triple double”), a clearly touched Cube would pause and turn the mic towards the crowd.

Leaving to a thunderous ovation, Ice Cube reminded everyone in attendance that twenty plus years of Hip-Hop doesn’t make him a relic, but a living legend who continues to build a blueprint for emcees seeking to transition from hungry spitters to established moguls. This concert was not just a good day for Cube, but one for Hip-Hop.

By Ismael AbduSalaam

[SOURCE]

"I Got My Locs On" featuring Young Jeezy

"Check Yo'Self"

"It Was A Good Day"

Vanessa Veasley on King Magazine

Shock G Interview -

Not too long ago I saw that special on VH-1 about Tupac Shakur (Thug Angel). It was really engrossing. Can you tell us something about Tupac Shakur that you've never shared with anyone before?

Live: "I Get Around" by Tupac (featuring Shock G)

Shock G: "One time in the early nineties, Bronx rapper Tim Dog did a show in San Francisco and afterwards some Frisco cats had him boxed in and were threatening to hurt him up real bad. Had it not been for Pac, Tim may have gotten murdered that night.

This was right after Tim Dog's West Coast diss album came out, but the album specifically dissed Compton and Southern Cali, and Pac felt like Frisco was ridin' on Tim Dog unfairly and seized an opportunity to show Oaklands strength as well as show some loyalty to his birthplace, New York City. I think Pac had also kicked it with Tim Dog once or twice back in New York and felt more camaraderie with Tim than he did [with] anonymous Frisco *****z, and probably felt a little obligated to help him. It was in between Juice and Poetic Justice ; Pac was known, but not yet a superstar or heavyweight in the streets. Anyway, that night Pac told Tim and his people to wait inside and drove across the bay to Oakland and came back with an arsenal and escorted Tim safely out of the club and back to his hotel.

They straight rescued that cat. Pac became a true heavyweight in the street that night."

[SOURCE]

Speaking of Gang Starr, the man behind the music was interviewed by Peter Rosenberg at the 92nd Street Y (Jewish cultural centre, New York City) yesterday. DJ Premier dropped knowledge on who the best rappers and producers are, the memories of Biggie Smalls and the making of "Nas Is Like". Street knowledge in Yiddish - RIP

"Some might say he's a dummy, but he's stickin' you and taking all your money." - Guru

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T.I. [click to read] has put in the busiest year of his career. 2008 the ATL emcee saw maximum exposure before maximum security in 2009. He dropped one the most significant albums of the year and has dangled in front of him, a year behind bars. Held off so he could resume his business, he now owes the state 12 months on multiple weapons charges. Time could begin in March '09.

Despite the time inside looming in the near horizon, TIP remains optimistic about serving his bid.
"Presumably, while I'm there, I'll be able to strategize my comeback," he said in a recent MTV interview. "All those days will be spent speaking to people who are interested in being in the T.I. business. Preparing myself for the days those doors open, when I put my feet back on the ground of the free world. It's just months of planning. It's just a long time to roll the project out. I ain't gonna just be sitting still doing nothing. The wheels will be turning, just the car ain't going nowhere."

This will not leave his brand in neutral, with a New Line film and seventh studio album in the works.
"The film I'm producing over at New Line, For Sale, we're trying to put that together, and hopefully we'll be able to do that before March. We're getting offers every day, checking on our availability, on whether or not we'll be able to take advantage of certain opportunities, film-wise."

For Sale won't be T.I.'s only movie to be released, also Bone Deep will hit the big screens in 2010.

For a complete run down on T.I.'s legal situation [CLICK HERE]

[SOURCE]

With this year's Christmas season landing dead-smack in the middle of one of the worst recessions in decades, there are a few Hip Hop heads who may not be able to swing the $349.95 price tag on the original Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. As such, Dre has partnered with Monster and Interscope/Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine for a specially priced edition of his signature headphones.

While talking to Billboard about all business ventures under the Aftermath/Interscope umbrella, Iovine gushed, "Dr. Dre's headphones are doing really, really, really well. It's a fabulous product. We're building a lot there."

The new Beats by Dr. Dre Tour in-ear headphones will be available in limited quantities at a pre-launch retail price of $149.95 by mid-December 2008 at the Apple Store, Amazon.com and Beatsbydre.com.

For those in a tax bracket that allows for splurging, the original Beats by Dr. Dre headphones have been released in limited edition Cleveland Cavaliers and Ron Herman colorways, for a retail price of $699. All three versions are equipped with noise-canceling technology and the line's signature bass. As Eminem notes on the recently leaked track "Number One", "Beats quake like Waco/just keep the bass low/speakers away from your face though."

"Our Ron Herman boutiques are the quintessential environment where one can experience the unification of fashion, music and culture," noted Ron Herman. "Beats By Dr. Dre are more than just headphones, they are a fashion accessory."

Candice Johnson poses for King Magazine. Got apple bottom?

Crease your khakis and button up your Pendelton shirt, it's P-Fonk Piru, Quik from his '95 album Safe & Sound. Peep the P-Fonk.

Webisode Part II & III from Slauson Boy's, Nipsey Hu$$le.

"Straight Outta LA California"

[PART ONE]

Southern-Fried's most crucified, T.I. pulls out his latest on Saturday Night Live.

"Whatever You Like" -

"Gucci Rag" featuring Swizz Beats -

The latest video from The Game featuring soul child Ne-Yo, "Camera Phone". Press Play

Brought to you by KnewKnowledge Clothing

The 2009 Dymes By the Dozen collection coming soon with a DVD and calendar.

[SOURCE]

A judge on Friday dismissed drug and battery charges filed against Marion “Suge” Knight, the hip-hop mogul accused of beating a woman in a parking lot in August.

Clark County Court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer says Justice of the Peace Abbi Silver dismissed the charges without prejudice in a morning hearing. Knight’s attorney, David Chesnoff, said the prosecution had “discovery problems and witness problems.” Prosecutor Susan Benedict did not immediately return a call for comment.

Knight was charged with two counts of felony drug possession and one count of misdemeanor battery. Police say he arrested in August after he was seen beating a woman while holding a knife in a parking lot near the Las Vegas Strip.

This may not be the end of the case. Court records show the district attorney’s office filed a notice indicating it may try to revive the charges by seeking a grand jury indictment, Sommermeyer said.

A complaint filed by the district attorney’s office accuses Knight of striking a woman identified as Melissa Isaac. Authorities said the woman wasn’t stabbed, but was treated at a hospital for injuries. The complaint says Knight was carrying Ecstasy and hydrocodone when they arrested him.

Knight was later released after posting $19,000 bail. He had faced mandatory probation and up to four years in a Nevada state prison on each of the drug charges. He could have been sentenced to up to six months in jail on the battery charge.

[SOURCE]

On February of next year, Hip Hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash will release The Bridge: Concept Of A Culture, his first album in over 20 years.

With a release date of February 23, The Bridge: Concept Of A Culture, will feature a number of guest appearances including appearances by KRS-One, Q-Tip, Big Daddy Kane, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, and more.

Grandmaster Flash played a very instrumental role in Hip Hop and is credited as being one of the pioneers of deejaying. In the late '70s, he formed Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and he has also gone on to work with artists such as Kurtis Blow and Lovebug Starski.

In 2007, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with R.E.M. and Van Halen.

[SOURCE]

New stripped-section of hiphop.sh, brought to you by KnewKnowledge Clothing. Starting with Malaysia Carter. Pimp this!

[SOURCE]

Taken from XXLMag.com -

Suge Knight has just lost another asset. The former Death Row Records mogul’s Malibu mansion has reportedly been auctioned for $4.56 million through Bankruptcy Court, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Knight estimated the mansion at $6.2 million just last year. The 8, 272 square-feet house was built seven years ago and has 9.5 bathrooms, a pool, a spa and mountain and ocean views.

Knight has been a mainstay in the news as of late. As previously reported, he recently sued Kanye West over a Miami shooting in which he was wounded three years ago. Knight also accused cops of stealing his diamond studded earring in the shooting’s aftermath. - Bruce Moses

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Taken from Bossip.com -

Yeezy is going to relax on the singing and vocoder bit for a while and focus on getting his gear line, Pastelle, off the ground by taking on some internships:

Kanye West is reportedly putting his music career on hold - in a bid to make a move on the fashion industry. The Stronger hitmaker - who last month said he “will go down as the voice of this generation” - is looking to diversify his portfolio by expanding his knowledge of style and clothing design by offering his free services at a fashion house - preferably Louis Vuitton or Raf Simons. “I was blown away from the planet when he told me,” Simons told the New York Times. “I know he’s very serious about this - I don’t take it as a joke - but how can I imagine him being my intern? It’s a very extreme situation.” Although Kanye, 31, is yet to confirm the reports, the star has hinted at his intention of pursuing a more focused path in the fashion world. “I want to and will be the real thing,” he previously wrote in a blog entry. “I will not just be a ‘celebrity designer.’”

Diving into world of fashion via an internship will definitely allow him to learn a lot. But, if he is looking to set any type of a trend with regard to working for free, he shouldn’t hold his breath.

[SOURCE]

Beautiful to hear of the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony reunited, all five of them.

The soundtrack for slain legend, Christopher 'Notorious B.I.G.' Wallace hits stores 1/13. The film set to hit theatres on January 16th, 2009.

Notorious Soundtrack Tracklist -

01. "Notorious Thugs" (featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony)
02. "Hypnotize"
03. "Notorious"
04. "Juicy"
05. "Party & Bullshit"
06. "Warning"
07. "One More Chance" remix (featuring Faith Evans)
08. "Brooklyn Go Hard" (Jay-Z featuring Santogold)
09. "Letter to B.I.G." (Jadakiss featuring Faith Evans)
10. "Kick in the Door"
11. "What's Beef"
12. "World Is Filled"
13. "One More Chance" (featuring CJ)
14. "The Notorious Theme" (Composed by Danny Elfman)
15. "Microphone Murderer" (Unreleased Demo)
16. "Guaranteed Raw" (Unreleased Demo)
17. "Love No Ho" (Unreleased Demo)

For a film trailer of Notorious [CLICK HERE]

Not quite making the mark of the previous Platinum-in-a-week 'Graduation', Kanye's '808's & Heartbreak' reached number one with 450,000 sales upon it's initial week's end. Recession, internet piracy and a creative effort swaying against the grain can be formed into reasons of weaker sales for kanyeezy, but still impressive for today's industry.

But aspiring to be better than Elvis Presley?...

Slick Rick - "Hey Young World" -