Delaware Students Serve As Rap Ambassadors Overseas
At one time, Bassline Entertainment was just a loose collective of children who spent their lunchtime banging on tables and freestyling rap lyrics. Now, however, the 10-person group (six boys, four girls) is spending a week in England serving as hip-hop ambassadors. At the invitation of a university in Sheffield, Bassline, which formed at Talley Middle School in Wilmington, Delaware, will perform songs from their 2003 independently released EP and speak on their experience in the group. Theyre looking to these young people [aged 13-16], who are presenting a more authentic form of the art form, Tony Anderson, a twenty-six-year-old doctoral student and president of Vizionary Productions, told AllHipHop.com. Anderson, a student at the University of Delaware researching hip-hop pedagogy, assisted with the formation of the group. He also produced their album. The Bassline group, which comprises rappers, signers and dancers, are scheduled to speak on hip-hop culture in the U.S., as well as their refraining from incorporating negative aspects of hip-hop into their music, among other things. Anderson cites Lauryn Hill as the inspiration for Bassline Entertainment. Its because of the former Fugee, the children choose their content carefully. They make positive music, but with depth and spirituality, Anderson said. And their doing it in a non-corny way, he affirmed. Weve done shows where people have been in tears. As a way to thank Hill, Bassline Entertainment recorded Ode to Lauryn, a tribute song based on an interpolation of Nappy Heads. The track will appear on Medicinal Music, a compilation album to be released by Anderson at the end of April. Bassline Entertainment is currently in England for the week visiting London and Manchester, in addition to Sheffield.
Diddy The Revolutionary?
On Friday, CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer had a candid interview with Sean “P.Diddy” Combs where the rap entrepreneur suggested that his recent wave of philanthropic work might lead him to being a revolutionary for African American/Civil Rights causes. After being queried if he wanted to enter the world of politics, Diddy said, “There’s a lot of lies in politics, a lot of deception. What you’re hearing isn’t what I think somebody can guarantee they could do. I would have to say, I’d probably be more interested in being a revolutionary.” “I would want to be an activist, you know, before I would want to be a politician.” Diddy also admitted to being heavily recruited by the Democratic ticket, but said his assistance would largely depend on a commitment to helping the conditions in the inner cities across the nation. He opposition to the Rockefeller Drug Laws and fundraising for education were prominent examples displayed in the segment.” “[For me] to be involved and in being helpful in this election…and it’s something that I’m pondering, you know? Because if I do something, I want to do it all the way,” Diddy continued. “But to be honest, Kerry and Bush, anybody running for president, I can only go on what I’m hearing them say. And you know, I hear a lot of talking around in circles, like I usually do.” Diddy stressed to Blitzer that the candidates are going to have to expand the center issues for him to join forces with any of them. He said, “It’s time that we make these candidates accountable, and it’s time they start talking about issues that affect urban inner city life, that affect young people, education, health care and also affect minorities. I know that there are wars going on, but you have people that are dying right in our own back yards from poverty, illiteracy and just, you know, depression of not being able to make something of themselves.” Without referring to many of his high-profile legal episodes in the past, Diddy stated that there are more important aspects to life for him far beyond money, fame and entertainment. “I’m a child of God. I give all glory to God. And I have a responsibility to be the best child of God that I could be,” he expounded. “And I have to stay focused on that. Because the money and the power and the sales aren’t going to get me into heaven at the end of the day. And it won’t have as much of an impact as me having a positive impact on somebody’s life, especially my kids and my family.” To comment on this story, click HERE!
Lil Scrappy Files $250 Million Dollar Lawsuit Against Orlando Police
Darryl "Lil Scrappy" Richardson has filed a $250 million dollar lawsuit against the Orlando, Florida police department, manager Tommy "Serious" Phillips confirmed with AllHipHop.com. The lawsuit stems from the treatment that Scrappy and Phillips received after a concert at a local high school turned into chaos. The lawsuit names the Orlando Police Department and the arresting officer Richard Bailey Jr. as defendants. The concert took place at Dr. Phillips High School late last month. Sources told AllHipHop.com that Scrappy was warned not to use profanity and was not allowed to remove his shirt during the performance. Officer Bailey claimed that the men on the stage were attempting to "invoke a riot response from the crowd." Police attempted to subdue the performers on the stage and a fight broke out. Bailey alleges that Scrappy attempted to stop him from arresting Phillips. The video footage shows Bailey turning towards Lil Scrappy and shoving him several feet off the stage. Phillips was subsequently arrested and charged with battery on a law-enforcement officer. Phillips said police brutalized him and Lil Scrappy, who was handcuffed and suffered minor injuries due to the shove, but was not charged with any crime. Lil Scrappy is a recording artist on Lil Jon’s BME Recordings. His debut The King of Crunk and BME Recordings Present: Lil Scrappy debuted at # 12 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart, powered by his single "Headbussa."
DJ Fired For ‘Race’ Remarks Gets New Job At Hot 97
Raqiyah Mays, a popular writer and DJ, was fired by New Yorks Power 105 earlier in the week, but now has already been hired by WQHTs Hot 97, her press machine released today. Mays was fired by the program director after she commented that Black men shouldnt date Caucasian women because of a shortage for their African American counterparts. During a contest for Ushers new CD Confessions, Mays reasoned, I made a confession of my own. I said I was concerned about interracial relationships when the African-American community has our own inner work and healing to do. If I see a white woman dating an African-American man, I feel, as do many African-American women, that there is one less black man available to us.” Power 105, a Clear Channel station, reportedly felt the comments were actually racist and made the dismissal. After a meeting with Hot 97s Tracey Cloherty, VP of Programming, Mays was offered her previous timeslot on Sunday from 1-5 pm. Cloherty told the NY Daily News that she didnt agree with Mays views on interracial dating, but said she still should maintain her freedom to say her viewpoints. Cloherty said, “I happen to disagree with that view. But I think she has every right to state it on air.” Mays said that she looks forward to her new post with Hot 97, especially the open dialogue with her fans and listeners. “A lot of the feedback I have gotten from across the country has been very supportive from both black and white people,” she said via statement. “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to talk to the people again. I can’t wait to find out how the tri-state area feels about my comments, life, the world, everything.” Mays also serves as the executive editor of The Ave Magazine, a relatively new politically charged hip-hop magazine. Mays starts on Sunday, March 28, from 1pm-5pm.
36 Mafia And Crew Sign With Violator, New Project Pat Album Coming
Hypnotized Minds camp recently inked a deal with Chris Lighty’s company Violator and are now managed by the same company that handles such stars as Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, Clipse and others. "They were initially interested in doing a deal with Lil Whyte," 36 Mafia group member DJ Paul told AllHipHop.com. "He’s sold over 100,000 Soundscanned copies of his album Doubt Me Now, independent with no promotions. He’s still doing 1500 copies a week and everyone is wondering how he did this, I even wonder. He hasn’t gotten any promotion on the radio stations in Memphis and I just started running ads on him." Through discussions about Lil Whyte, Violator big wigs inquired as to why 36 Mafia never received the proper push, yet still sold hundreds of thousands of records. After realizing all of the acts were for the most part self managed, Violator offered to handle the careers of the Memphis based collective. "The whole camp is going to be managed by Violator," Paul continued. "36, Frayser Boy, Project Pat and Lil Whyte." Hopes are high that the incarcerated Project Pat, who has been serving a 4 year sentence for violation of his probation since 2002, would be released before the end of the year to rejoin the group as they turn a new page in their rap careers. A new album, Crook By The Book consisting of all new material by the rapper is being produced and prepared for release. "They just moved him to a low security prison. He’s in Missouri now, he was being held in Beaumont Texas. We are remixing the music, all the lyrics are sh*t he did before he went in. It’s all unreleased sh*t, we are just redoing the music." Crook By The Book is expected to hit stores later this year.
Marriage In Jermaine Dupri’s Future
Jermaine Dupri announced that he intends to marry his love interest, Janet Jackson. The hip-hop mogul declared his love for Jackson on Ryan Seacrest’s syndicated Los Angeles radio show. "I want to marry her. I’m not going to mess this up. I would like to be with her forever," Dupri said. When the two take their vows, it will be Jackson’s third attempt at marriage. While Dupri didn’t specify a date, friends of Janet Jackson said that the two may be hitched before the end of the year. In related news, Dupri’s So So Def label is preparing to release Hood Hop, the debut by St. Louis rapper J-Kwon. Dupri lent his production and rhyming talents to the album, which also features appearances by the St. Lunatics.
Twista Dumped From Alabama Music Festival Due To Lyrics
Twista was dropped from an Alabama music festival, after city officials threatened to withhold $200,000 from the event if the rapper performed. Five commissioners in Jefferson County agreed yesterday (March 25) that they would not provide public money for the City Stages festival that is scheduled to take place during Fathers Day weekend in June if the Chicago rapper performed. The officials said that Twista’s lyrics were racially insensitive and anti-woman. Organziers of the festival issued a statement and said that the rapper would have performed clean versions of his songs. "City Stages has no more important partner than the Jefferson County Commission," the statement read. "Our partner has made us aware they do not regard the hip-hop act Twista as appropriate for this year’s festival. We have listened to their concerns, and Twista will not perform at City Stages, even though he was to have played a clean show." "I think it was a very, very wise decision on their part," Larry Langford, the commission president, told The Birmingham News. "They’re trying to build a venue where you can take the whole family and not be caught off-guard. I am delighted they heard our plea and pulled him." The commission also felt that the rapper’s use of the N word was not tolerable and labeled the rapper’s music as "filth." Langford said that he has used the N word to other black people in the past, but said that using the word is "degrading in any context it’s used." "It’s a question of decency," Langford said. "Whenever disrespect for women, people or races raises its ugly head, I’m going to speak out – especially when it comes to spending taxpayer money." Rappers have been the biggest draw for the festival, with Outkast setting the festival’s single-day attendance record in 2002. Ludacris also proved to be the biggest draw of last years event.
AllHipHop’s Social Lounge Takes Off
AllHipHop.com’s first Social Lounge kicked off at S.O.B.’s in New York City last night.A panel of Hip-Hop industry professionals took part in a discussion of issues that are relevant to the Hip-Hop community.Early in the show, DJ Lazy K, CEO of the Murda Mamis, spun hit records that got the adrenalin pumping for the panelists.Rapper Cormega, Shady Records A&R Riggs Morales, Fat Man Scoop and poet/MTV2 VJ Amanda Diva engaged in heated, passionate conversations, moderated by radio personality Egypt and actor/poet, Mums of “Oz” fame.Mums and Egypt presided over the discussion that started slow, but quickly sped up in front of the crowd about 200 people.Cormega and Scoop immediately sparred when the subject of commercial radio was brought up. Cormega, who is independent, disagreed with Scoop’s take that budding artists simply needed to come up with a hit record to obtain commercial radio airplay.”You talk about it being backpack rap, but if that backpack is filled with money, it’s gonna get played,” Cormega quipped. While the views clashed, both men agreed that they have known and supported each other for a long time.When the subject of the upcoming presidential election was brought up, each panelist agreed – George Bush needs to be removed from office. Still, many in attendance – audience included – stated that on paper there are many commonalities between Bush and Democrat John Kerry.AllHipHop allowed those in attendance to register to vote on the spot at S.O.B.’s.Other matters during the evening included serious talk about the usage of “N-word” and a Q&A session from the inquisitive and opinionated audience.Many in the crowd challenged the panelist commitment to hip-hop and the community, which they all replied with their respective efforts outside of the music industry.The evening was capped off with a rousing performance by Brooklyn-bred rapper Stimuli spit accapella verses that spun into his song “Emotions.” Some began to file out of the nightclub, but the rapper’s performance actually made the majority of the crowd stop and take heed to his impressive display of lyricism.[Special Editor’s Note: Everybody at AllHipHop would like to thank EVERYBODY that made the first “Social Lounge” a huge success.]
Drag-On: Back From Hell
AllHipHop.com: First thing, can you tell people about your new project, what people can expect? Drag-On: On this album, it’s just straight hard. It’s not being like too commercial. Got a few joints on there like "bang bang boom." Did a joint with Eve. The rest is just hard. Like straight up. I got like a lot of homie producers on there. Swizz Beatz, Rockwilder, Needles just a lot of hungry dudes. Got the family on the album, Kiss, Eve. AllHipHop.com: What made you take that approach, like a non-commercial rap album? Drag-On: Because, I’m not really a commercial n####. I’m from the hood so I can only speak that. I can’t really speak that "palm trees" and all that. AllHipHop.com: The album, I really like it. Who did the song with you and Styles? Drag-On: Just a lot of, you it’s a lot of new dudes.. straight up. Because you know, I ain’t got time to be waiting three months for a beat and all that. I ask you for a beat, you have it, well come on, let’s work. It only takes one day to do a beat. You don’t need two, three months.I ain’t got the patience for that. AllHipHop.com: Speaking about that, patience you been, you know it’s been a minute since your last album. What you been up to since then? Drag-On: Working. Well you know, like as anybody can see the promotion for Drag-On, it’d be weak for me if not for Ruff Ryders. Drag-On don’t get heavy promotions like that. But, I mean you know, it’s like the game is making me walk the long way. I been on the grind. All my fans, they just got to follow me. AllHipHop.com: Do you feel like with the LOX kind of doing D-Block, X doing this, Eve doing TV and all that, clothing line. do you feel like you the main one carrying the Ruff Ryders flag right now? Drag-On: I’m carrying Drag-On. You know, but I’m still on Ruff Ryders you know, but I’m thinking about Drag. I’m focused on myself. I’m trying to get my name up there. I mean the Ruff Ryder, that name is already. I’m focused on Drag. You know I got love for the R, but I’m doing me right now. AllHipHop.com: Do you feel sort of slighted from like none of that promotion because it seems like the album should be, it’s good enough at least to get a little push. Drag-On: Oh it’s all good. I mean you know, it’s just that every MC get their time. I’ma stay on my grind. I’m a stay nice. AllHipHop.com: You got any other stuff going on? You know like a label businesses or anything like that? Drag-On: Right now I might start my own record label soon, just so I can show like these other record labels how to do it. To prove a point. AllHipHop.com: Growth wise, how have you grown since the last album? Drag-On: I wrote, "H2O’ when I was seventeen. And that was like ’97. I wrote, like most of those rhymes I was like seventeen, eighteen when it came out. Now I’m twenty-four now. It’s not really like a big difference but it’s like a six seven year difference. A lot done happen in that time. I learn. AllHipHop.com: Now on the album, it say you have a song dedicated to your first born. Is that a true story? Drag-On: I didn’t quite happen that way. Actually it was twins and she gave birth to still borns. So I always thought what it would be like thinking when like both of the boys was there. Like on that song, its like I painted a picture for you. Like me raising him and him coming out and me raising and going to school. Then he going do this, then he getting older. And come to find out he was never really there. It was just a thought, because ___ really had an abortion. Had to throw a little twist in there. That’s for those that copped the album. AllHipHop.com: What’s your take on stuff like, well first of all is Ruff Ryder still like a family unit like the way people have seen in the past? Or is it more or less people do for each other appearances or not? Drag-On: Well nah, I mean Ruff Ryder is a family just how Def Jam is a family. Def Jam is a family too and Ruff Ryder is a family too. It’s all the same a record label is a record label that’s just what it is it’s business. That’s what it is. But I mean we all got love for each other. AllHipHop.com: How close you and DMX? Drag-On: Real cool, real cool. AllHipHop.com: How was that.the whole acting thing? Drag-On: I love it I mean right now I’m searching for a movie angent right now. I’m really trying to do it on my own right now. I’m trying to get my own thing. AllHipHop.com: Was it natural for you? Drag-On: Yeah I guess so. I got a lot of like good reports and all that straight up and straight up I didn’t take no acting class or no coaching like that. X is like "yo we got a part for you’ you’d be my little brother and everybody is saying we look similar so it was perfect. I was like "whatever we do it’ . AllHipHop.com: What do you think about him (DMX) retiring? Drag-On: I think it’s bullsh*t. AllHipHop.com: Why do you say that? Drag-On: Because I know X man, I mean X love this Hip Hop too much like to just give it up like that because of his personal things or whatever he going through in his life. I know he can really do it. But, I be trying to talk him out of it. I’m not really feeling that. You only drop five albums and you going to quit, […]
Wyclef Shooting Video To Support Haiti
Wyclef Jean will team with Buju Banton, Scarface and Haitian group T-Vice to shoot a video in Miami, showing support for Haiti and the entire Caribbean. The video for "Next Generation" and "Party By the Sea" will be shot in the Little Haiti section of Miami and will produce a realistic depiction of Caribbean islanders. "Through music, people are united despite their cultures, views, race or creed. Music is responsible for creativity and change. That is why this video is needed," Wyclef told AllHipHop.com in a statement. Jean is using the video to urge members of the Caribbean and abroad to show support for Haiti, which is embroiled in civil strife, after country’s elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was forced to flee the country due to a rebel insurgency. The video will be shot Monday April 5th and Tuesday April 6th. During the shoot, Jean will hold a press conference to announce his plans for a relief effort for Haiti.
Eminem’s Ex-Wife Sent To Jail
Eminem’s ex-wife is back in jail, after she dropped out of a court-ordered drug treatment program, official allege. Kim Mathers was released from jail on March 1 and ordered to attend the drug program after she was convicted of using cocaine, while on probation. She was ordered to serve 30 days in county jail and was then transferred to a drug treatment program for 90 days. "For whatever reason, she left the program she was attending so the judge ordered her back to jail," Capt. John Roberts, the jail commander, told The Detroit News. "For right now, it’s ordered by the judge that she complete her sentence in jail." In January, Mathers pleaded guilty to possessing 25 grams or less of cocaine and failing to give space to an emergency vehicle after a traffic stop. Mathers’ jail stint will end May 12.
Music Industry Continues Consolidation
BMG North America cut over 150 jobs yesterday in an attempt to increase profitability and reduce redundancies within its U.S. labels. Under the new structure, LaFace Records and So So Def Records will be relocated within the newly formed Zomba Label Group, Clive Davis announced yesterday. "This new structure underscores our deep commitment to preserving and strengthening our diverse record labels and investing in creativity and artists," said Davis. "BMG has a peerless roster of superstar and developing artists who deserve the very best creative homes and the resources necessary to develop careers that endure and music that inspires." Arista, the label Davis founded, has gone from a stand-alone label to an imprint under the RCA Music Group. Under the new structure Laface and So So Def will remain stand-alone record labels, their artists and distribution will be handled by the Zomba Label Group Artists effected by the broad changes include Outkast, Bone Crusher, Anthony Hamilton, J-Kwon, Pink, Usher, Youngbloodz, Clipse, Kelis and others. BMG’s North American operations now include RCA Music Group (RCA, J, Arista), Zomba Label Group, BMG Canada, BMG Strategic Marketing Group and BMG Distribution. RLG – Nashville.
Neptunes Heading To Interscope
The Neptunes have defected from Arista, moving their Star Trak label to Jimmy Iovine’s powerhouse label, Interscope.The Grammy Award winning duo will ink a deal worth an estimated $5 million dollars.Under their new deal, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo will continue to sign and produce Star Trak artists, as well as acts on Interscope and artists affiliated with the label.Interscope will handle the sales, marketing, promotion and distribution for the label.The duo’s talent for production has generated over $200 million in sales over the years.Interscope is home to Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment, Eminem’s Shady Records and 50 Cent’s G-Unit imprint.Star Trak’s contract with Arista expired this year, during the same time Arista’s CEO, L.A. Reid left and headed for Island/Def Jam.
Nelly’s Camp Warns Of Apple Bottom Imposters
Nelly’s camp is warning fans to be aware of unofficial Apple Bottom model searches, after a fraudulent event took place on March 21 in Oakland, California.Urban Trenz, an urban retailer, staged a false and illegal “Apple Bottoms Model Search” at Kimballs Carnival on Sunday, March 21, 2004.”This event was in no way affiliated with Apple Bottoms or Nelly,” an Apple Bottoms spokesperson told AlllHipHop.com. “We are looking into legal action to halt the fraudulent advertising and executive of these illegal events.”<brParticipants were charged $25 to try out for the event and since there is no connection to the official company, unwitting hopefuls are being duped.The Official Apple Bottoms Girl Tour will kick off in July 2004 and will be hosted by Nelly himself.Apple Bottoms is the clothing line the St. Louis rapper launched last year for women.Sales for Nelly’s mens clothing line Vokal and Apple Bottom are expected to top $100 million this year.Nelly will start a ten-date tour April 5th, as he prepares to release his third album this summer.
DJ Infamous Designs Custom Mixer
DJ Infamous of the Allies has teamed with Stanton Magnetics to create the new SA-5 Allies All-Star Beatdown Mixer.The mixer, officially sanctioned by the annual Allies All-Star Beatdown, was custom designed to meet their high standards.The mixer has no knobs, just faders, making it the first battle mixer that doesn’t have a single rotary knob.Stanton used high-quality Penny & Giles faders, known for their smooth feel and solid construction.The SA-5 also features Stanton’s Superior Sound Technology, or SST, which produces zero channel bleed, ultra-low noise, and dynamic range better than 110dB.The SA-5 is available now.
Kurupt Prepares First Death Row LP Since 1996
Kurupt is preparing to release Death Row Presents Kurupt – Against The Grain, his first album of all-new material for Death Row since 1996.Incarcerated Death Row CEO Suge Knight labeled the album as historic for both Kurupt and Death Row.”It’s the first all-new album from a Death Row artist since 1996, and for Kurupt, it’s a return to the classic Dogg Pound sound,” Knight asserted. “Longtime fans know that Kurupt and Death Row Records are synonymous with high-quality, hard-edged music. Against The Grain further solidifies that reputation, fusing classic rap rhymes with cutting-edge sentiments.”Death Row is also gearing up for releases from Danny Boy, Eastwood and Spider.Death Row Presents Kurupt – Against The Grain hits stores June 29.
Jazzyfatnastees: Treading Pt II
AHHA: Any new producers for this album? Mercedes: No, not really. We’ve definitely gotten into the do-it-yourself thing. It’s cool if we come across people that have time and wanna do some stuff with us, but at the same time we just have to keep rolling and doing our thing. AHHA: You guys have such an inseparably beautiful chemistry, with that said, have you thought about solo ventures? Mercedes: We’re not closed to the thought. But we have such openness and ability to do whatever we want that we don’t feel the need to do our own thing. Tracy: Right, it’s like we’re two solo artists in a group…except we don’t have to be on stage by ourselves [laughs] Mercedes: I think that what makes our stuff special is the combination of the two of us. Tracey: I’ve come to realize in the last few years that I have no desire to be a solo artist and it’s not that I don’t think I could, I do believe in myself enough to think that if I wanted to go after something like that I could, but I don’t have the energy for that, and I like what we have together. We help each other out so much, I like having a partner. I like having someone in this with me, cause it’s times when you’re doing good and it’s times when you’re not and if you don’t have someone to go through that with, it can be so frustrating. My mom, man… there’s been so many times when she’ll be like ‘baby, you should just get a job’ [laughs]. AHHA: Your last album was critically well received by a host of outlets including an A- from Entertainment Weekly, is there any frustration associated with being so talented and adored by those that know your music, but still so overlooked by the masses and not seeing your talent reciprocated in dollars? Tracey: I think that the masses will come, you can’t blame people cause they never heard of you, I mean I wouldn’t have heard of me either if I wasn’t the one doing it [snickers]. So I can’t be mad about that. I get a little frustrated at our peers, because as much as they may put on airs that they’re a certain way, they have a way of making people feel less cause they haven’t done X, Y or Z. I don’t worry about our reception by the public, cause we get so much love on our website that it’s amazing, when I read some of that stuff, it’s like wow, we really touch people. I’m happy, I’m just happy that somebody feels like they got something out of a song that I wrote. AHHA: One thing I was always impressed with, was that you never have features on the album just for the sake of having some cat rap a verse, are you keeping that the same or are there going to be a couple of guest spots. Mercedes: Well there is one major collaboration on the album, and it’s with Jean Grae. AHHA: Now that works…that’s a perfect fit. Tracy: It is…it just makes sense. Once I hung out with Jean and talked with her, we have very similar stories and she’s just an incredible emcee, I love her. I love her lyrics and what she chooses to address in her music, in that way I also thinks she’s very similar to us. When’s she what’s to say something, she says it and she doesn’t care what you think. Mercedes: Yeah, cause we weren’t into the cheesy now-here-comes-the rhyme-on-this-song concept and it just so happen that on this particular song, that the vibe and where she was coming from, the emotional texture of it just fit the song. We were honored that she was just completely down and into it. AHHA: And not to be sexist about it, but it seems right that your first featured rhyme be from a woman? Tracey: Yes definitely…here we are cool with all these guys, Black Thought, Talib, Common, all these guys who would be natural first choices. But we never felt like we needed to have a rap break just to have one for the sake of it…our music was never about that. AHHA: Does the album have a date? Tracey: June or July AHHA: Any last comments? Mercedes: For all people who have supported our music in the past, I just hope that our next project meets those expectations and more. Tracey: Keep an open mind, you’d be surprised what you’ll like.
Jazzyfatnastees: Treading Their Own Path
Every Tuesday night at Philadelphia’s The Five Spot, the most earnest expressions of poetry and song are popping off. On any given night you can catch an up and coming act like Jazmine Sullivan, or a veteran of the business like Erykah Badu might grace the stage right after a nervous high school student puts it down. It’s intimate, it’s tangible, it’s accessible to new talent – and it’s all thanks to two young ladies that call themselves the Jazzyfatnastees. Tracey Moore and Mercedes Martinez are only two albums deep in the game – the third on its way – but they have twelve years of experience in this topsy turvey music industry. They have seen deals come and go, group member leave, come back and leave again, albums completed and never released… all the usual events that many successful artists can attest to. Regardless, through it all the two young ladies remained focused, blessing us with two distinctly different, yet individually solid albums – Once and Future in 1999 and The Tortoise and The Hare in 2002. Their trials with the music game have generated cohesiveness between the ladies that is rarely seen. Students of life and music, Tracey and Mercedes saw experience and genuine stage presence as their way to establish their position in the fickle music climate. Driven and committed, the ladies didn’t wait for venues to come to them, they created their own venue, one in which they could constently perform at until their stage set was impeccably dope. The Jazzies called their creation the ‘Black Lily Women in Music Series’. They did not horde their creation, but instead fostered its growth by inviting any and all to grace its stage, as long as performers with sincerity and dopeness. Thus, the Black Lily was born. The list of artists who have rolled through the Black Lily music series is thick: Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Macy Gray, Bilal, Musiq, Aaries, Floetry, Nona Hendryx, Toshi Reagon, Jaguar Wright, Kindred, Jazmine Sullivan, Glenn Lewis, Julie Dexter, Common, Mos Def and, of course, The Roots…just to name a few. Boasting talent and experience that precedes the term neo-soul, these ladies produce music that is challenging and intriguing. They promise to continue that tradition on their forthcoming, as yet untitled third album. The Jazzies took a minute from finishing up their third studio album to chat with Allhiphop.com Alternatives about the new record and the importance of the Black Lily music series. AHHA: What’s up ladies, what’s been going on? Mercedes: We’re putting the finishing touches on the new album and getting ready to start working on our new show. AHHA: When you say ‘finishing touches’ how many tracks do you have left or all the songs done? Mercedes: We might do one or two more tracks. AHHA: I understand that you girls are from Cali. What motivated the move to Philly? Mercedes: We had gotten out of our deal with Tommy Boy and we had pretty much worked with all the producers we could in L.A. that were willing to do anything for free, and we didn’t have a manager either so we were kinda doing it on our own. Tracy: We were struggling in L.A., ‘cause we had exhausted every resource that we had. We dealt with different management, different musicians, we were in between a couple of camps and it just wasn’t going anywhere. I was really hard because there was no musical community in L.A. AHHA: What role did the Roots play in your moving? Mercedes: When we met the Roots, we were blown away. And actually Ahmir had heard of us too through Pos from De La Soul, so he was kinda excited to meet us and wanted us to do some stuff on their album, Illadelph HalfLife. They said in exchange for us doing some stuff with them, they would do some stuff for us, so we came out to do that and they just embraced us and were willing to do what a lot of companies and people aren’t willing to do, and that’s develop new talent. Tracy: We were supposed to only be in Philly for two weeks but it ended up being forever [laughs]. And it turned into like seven years. Mercedes: We found a support system in Philly. AHHA: You guys dropped your first album, Once and Future, about a year after Badu’s Baduizm and you guys kinda preceded the whole neo-soul marketing of the music…what do you think of it now, now that the industry has stamped it with a name and it’s kinda… Mercedes: Cheesy [laughs]…Well, there’s a double edge sword to that, it’s cool when people start labeling something a movement cause it means that they’re paying more attention. What’s not cool about it is that you all getting lumped into this one thing. Like now everybody’s gonna be ‘neo-soul’, which means everybody’s stuff is rooted in the 70’s, which is cool, but then there are all these other influences that just aren’t represented by the term neo-soul. So we’re kinda happy that it seems to be on the down slope and everybody can be looked at as individuals. The danger with lumping everybody into the neo-soul thing, is the minute somebody categorizes something it starts to seem corny and they might not give you a chance, ‘cause they’re like ‘oh here’s another neo-soul group’. Tracy: I think people have been scared to take chances in Black music, we don’t trust ourselves enough to believe in something, we can’t ever take a stand, we always have to find something that emulates something else. AHHA: Don’t you think the drive for money and riches in Black music creates a lot of that follow the leader mentality? Tracey: I don’t think the alternative Black sound isn’t one that couldn’t make money, if money was put behind it, it’s just that no one knows it exist…these kids don’t know anything about that, their being sold sex right now, fancy […]
Busta Rhymes Gets Probation For 2002 Incident
Busta Rhymes was sentenced to six months probation by a Massachusetts judge today (March 23). Rhymes pled not guilty to charges of assaulting a woman at a December 2002 concert. Rhymes admitted that he touched Celine Giguere of Providence, who was also charged with assault by Rhymes after she touched his face as he was leaving the stage. She accused him of slamming her head into a barroom table, a charge he denied in a handwritten letter to the judge. When Giguere allegedly went to touch his face, Rhymes said he grabbed her hand and said, "Please make sure you do not touch me again,” before leaving for his hotel. Rhymes’ case will automatically be dismissed if he steers clear of trouble for six months. He had to pay $300 in court costs and a $21 fee to have unsupervised probation.
NYPD Finally Admits Hip-Hop Unit Exists
In the latest edition of the Village Voice, the New York Police Department has finally admitted that there is indeed a "Hip-Hop Task Force" that exists within the NYPD. Until now, the NYPD consistently denied following rappers and keeping tabs on their associates. But the founder of the unit, Derek Parker, has gone public and is very vocal about the department’s existence. "Miami is getting a lot of heat, with Derek Parker coming out and there being a smoking gun," Dasun Allah told AllHipHop.com. Allah wrote the Village Voice piece that features the admission from the NYPD. "Parker was revealed several years ago, but now its coming to the mainstream. "We have an intelligence division and we have detectives that monitor the music industry and any incidents regarding the music industry," NYPD spokesperson Officer Doris Garcia admitted. "And in regards to Miami P.D. we did exchange information, and that’s it." The NYPD paid more attention to the rap industry after the 1997 murder Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, in Los Angeles. "We prevented certain crimes because when you started talking to rappers and you knew they had hits on them and you were on to them, people wouldn’t go and shoot them or rob them if they knew you were around," said the unit’s founder, Derek Parker. "Most of the time, it’s not the rappers, it’s the guys in their entourages that cause the problems." The department’s activities have become a hot issue, so hot that Hollywood has come calling. Interscope’s founder Ted Fields’ movie company Radar Pictures is backing a movie titled "Hip-Hop Cops," which is about the inner-workings of the NYPD department. Those involved in the rap business are taking the notion of being monitored and scrutinized without just cause seriously. "A very dangerous precedent has been set," said Dr. Benjamin Chavis, CEO of the non-profit Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), founded by mogul Russell Simmons. "It needs to be exposed, and we’re going to take legal action against these police departments for violating the constitutional rights of hip-hop artists." "Its a matter of keeping heat under the pot," Allah concluded. "People have consistently stayed on it. We have to be consistent. In the words of Sonny Carson ‘We have to consistent, persistent and resistent. That’s CPR.’"
