Grouchy Greg

Jean Grae Readies Album With Babygrande

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 15, 2003

New York lyricist Jean Grae has signed with indie Babygrande to release her second LP, Veteran’s Day. “I’m ready, [but] still humble,” She told AllHipHop.com. “I’ll start battling people real soon again.” The underground community received a creative smack in when Grae released Attack of the Attacking Things, her critically acclaimed CD. However, didn’t she didn’t continue the relationship with her initial label Third Earth, instead opting to sign with Babygrande. The newly founded label also boasts a roster with Canibus, Jedi Mind Tricks, Cherrywine and Supernatural. Grae indicated that the Veteran’s Day was far more than ironic, its part of her mantra from being in the rap game since 1996 as a member of Natural Resources. “Its definitely at a different level from the last album,” she said. “We didn’t have any budget at all [with the last album] and we definitely have the finances to back it up to get a better sounding album to get a better mix.” So, the rapper is steadily working towards the daunting task of living up to the expectations chronicled in Rolling Stone, BET.com and AllHipHop.com as well. However, the rapper hopes to expand her listenership and maintain those that have been with her since those earlier days. Veteran’s Day is slated for release on Veteran’s Day Nov. 11.

A Lil’ Light

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Reviews / MusicJuly 15, 2003

Artist: Dudley PerkinsTitle: A Lil’ LightRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning Another gem from the folks at Stones Throw; A Lil’ Light teams up bombshelter brethren Madlib and Dudley Perkins (aka Declaime) for an appropriately blunted album highlighting DP’s positive lyrics and unique vocal stylings over an assortment of kaleidoscopic beats. Following dope singles like “Flowers” and “In G Major” (with Kid Sundance), this debut full-length flaunts his unusual crooning, full of multi-tracking/overdubs, soulful meandering, and weird squeaky voices. After the brief, trippy intro track “You Really Know Me?,” things kick off with “Momma,” a smooth maternal dedication, backed by plump bass tones, snapping beats, and bubbling sounds. “Money” is all about the paper chase and those caught up in it, interspersed with various dialogue clips, dusty vinyl pops, and nice cuts. Jittery classical guitar loops drive “Yo’ Soul,” alongside simple but fresh, clap-laden drums, while the up-tempo “Muzak” flexes rowdy horns and some serious vocoder action. One of the strongest selections is “Falling,” where Dudley addresses the troubles of the world, encouraging people to rise up and make a difference, over dramatic string samples, keys and harmonics. Other standouts include the heartfelt “Lil’ Black Boy,” the addictively funky “Just Think,” and “Gotta Go,” a chaotic anti-war jam with YNQ. The misleadingly titled “Forevaendless” flaunts an awesome guitar/bass loop, but cuts off before hitting the one-minute mark. Like Quasimoto’s The Unseen, some listeners may be put off by the strange vocal inflections that permeate the record. Make no mistake, Dudley Perkins isn’t a rapper, he’s a singer. He often sings off-key, with raspy yet undeniably soulful pipes. It’s R&B in its truest, rawest form, before the genre became a watered down mix of interchangeable sex jams set to piles of keyboards. If you’re already familiar with joints like “Flowers,” (which is also included), then you know what you’re in for here. Bugged-out but never pretentious, A Lil’ Light may not burn up the dance-floor, but in terms of heavily weeded, ill-minded Oxnard funk, Dudley Perkins shines.

Ruff Ryders Cuts Deal With Virgin

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 15, 2003

Ruff Ryders has inked a deal with Virgin Records where the Yonkers-based company will recruit artists and release future compilations through the union. Still, DMX will remain at Def Jam records and Eve, the Lox, Jadakiss and Styles will stay at their Interscope Records. Drag-On will release his second LP, Hell And Back, on Sept 16 as the first album. The next month, Jin is scheduled to release Almost Famous, his debut, on Oct 7. “Ruff Ryders has consistently pinpointed not only hot trends but true artists. They have an incredible ability to capture the sound of the streets, while appealing to both purists and mainstream audiences, said Virgin CEO Matt Serletic in a statement. “We’re really excited to team up with Virgin to take Ruff Ryders to the next level, said Ruff Ryders co-CEO Waah Dean.

Science Fiction: Breaking the Walls

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: AlternativesJuly 15, 2003

KRS can make you think. Chuck D can make you act. M.O.P. can make you hit your momma in the mouth, but who can make you experience a feeling? Is it Tupac? Is it Mary J. Blige? Well, Science Fiction, an instrumental hip-hop producer has found a way to convey emotions to his audience through sound alone. With his album, “Walls Don’t Exist” slowly becoming a conversation piece in the underground, Science Fiction may be the next to reach a peak formerly known as the best kept secret. All biting aside, this record leaves listeners with many questions, like a good movie. AllHipHop sat down with Science Fiction to get some of these answers, and the behind the scenes details. We think this is an artist, and an album worth learning. Science Fiction is an artist who carefully crafted out every last detail of his album. The righteous pay a sacrifice to get what they deserve, and Science Fiction is climbing upward. Allhiphop: I’ve been reading how you call your music “broken jazz”, you invented this, let’s get into that… Science Fiction: Well, that’s what I do, I guess, right now. When I first came up with the term, I thought “you don’t want to put the word Jazz into anything.” Because it’s such a huge genre, and you’re gonna get so much hate and so much flack because that’s like quoting the Bible or something to certain people. So one hand, I was pretty hesitant. But if you look at hip-hop, it came out of sampling Jazz breaks and Disco, whatever. I’m a big Jazz fan right now. That’s primarily what I sample from. My favorite song of all time is a John Coltrane song. To me, it’s just to pay homage to what I think is a huge influence on me. The broken section is all hip-hop: sampling, and chopped beats, and like taking something – disassembling it, and rearranging it until it becomes your own interpretation of it. Allhiphop: Jazz is improvisational, does that carry into your work too then? SF: The live show is a completely different thing. But the recording aspect, like the vocals, a lot of people don’t know that I sang on the majority of the album. The stuff people think are samples are really just me. And that just comes from putting random music together and seeing what feelings you get from it. The music speaks to you, all the crazy titles and stuff like that just is me vibing out to the music and seeing what I get from it. If I feel like it needs an angry tone, I’ll feel an old angry white dude or chick singing, that’s what I’ll pull out of my voice. It’s definitely a lot of letting the music talk for itself. Allhiphop: Track titles, yes. You have the best track titles I’ve seen on a record in years. How’d you name them? SF: I hate when cats talk to you about an album and say, “track 9 is great, track 6 is hot”. Allhiphop: Word to Little Brother. SF: Exactly. I know, I was playing their record today, they’re great guys. But yeah, it’s like people don’t really pay attention. Especially in a genre like instrumental music, what do you have to describe it besides the titles. The titles came from a lot of the music. The album, being a concept album itself, kind of really held that together. ‘Cuz all of it was entirely made by accident. I was messing around for a while, and then I was like, “oh s###, I have this thing and it sort of weaves itself together chronologically.” It’s a kinda like a direct message to someone. But I kept it kinda anonymous because the whole love story is something everybody has experienced, or will at some time. Allhiphop: That person, have you received a response from him or her? SF: Not yet. It’s about one person. It’s about many people as well. I pulled from general experiences. And people always ask me about the track, “Christine”. That’s actually a real chick. I haven’t heard from her yet. Allhiphop: Your track “Sunshine” is just incredible. The liner notes b###### away too… SF: Yeah, that’s the first single. The album is basically split into four sections. That’s the prologue. “Sunshine” is about after going through whatever it is you go through: be it relationship trouble, or life troubles, whatever it is – there’s always something there. Even if it’s just music, coming home after a rough day and playing a favorite song. There’s always a silver lining. And to me, that silver lining is the sunshine. Allhiphop: You sang incredibly on that cut. How much musical training do you have? SF: I’m not formally trained at all. When I was growing up, I used to play in little Grunge bands in the 90’s. I was a drummer in the band, and the guitar player taught me guitar. That’s the extent of my training. I kind of regret not learning to read music. Knowledge is something you could always use more of. So I’d probably like learning as soon as possible. For the most part, I have a pretty good ear for stuff. Allhiphop: And you’re relatively new to production… SF: Yeah, probably in the last four years, I think. Allhiphop: So with a great record, I ask you – in production, how much is skill and how much is passion? SF: You could argue that to be a great producer or musician you need formal training. But I don’t know how much training a Timbaland or a Dr. Dre…you know, they didn’t go to school for music. I didn’t go to that much school for music. So a lot of it is passion. Technically training is what separates the masters from everybody else. ‘Cuz you look at Pete Rock and Preemo, and they have the technical skills down to the point that you can’t fathom what it is they […]

Two Men Arrested In Samuel “Tone” Barnes Robbery

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 14, 2003

Two men were arrested and charged with breaking into the luxury home of Trackmaster producer Samuel "Tone" Barnes on Sunday. The New York Post reported that Shatiek Daniels, 22, and Leslie Green, 23, both of Staten Island, were arrested and charged with various offenses related to the home invasion, in which Barnes’ wife, children and baby-sitter were held a gunpoint, while three men ransacked the house for almost $100,000 worth of jewelry and sports memorabilia. Daniels was charged with robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property, while Green was charged with criminal possession of stolen property. A third suspect is still being sought in the robbery.

Barry’s Beats

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: UncategorizedJuly 14, 2003

When Barry White’s essence left this earth on the morning of July 4th, a large chunk of music history was lost. Not just R&B, Soul or whatever you feel like calling it. All music. His contributions to R&B music are common knowledge, but sadly many a hip-hop head is unaware of the influence Barry White had on the music we love and bump. The lush, orchestral instrumentation he was known for lacing with his panty moisturizing baritone, have been the ingredients for many a hip-hop producer’s#### records. After his passing I was digging through my collection (vinyl of course you suckas!) and picked out the following choice cuts that have been sampled over the years. I know. Technically I am dry snitching (sorry DJ Premier, please forgive) but think of this as an education for the uninformed. Rest in peace Barry White; one of the only brothers that could sport a perm with respect. Love Unlimited “Under the Influence of Love” Love Unlimited-not to be confused with Love Unlimited Orchestra-was a crooning trio of Afro’d soul sisters put together by Mr. White. The songs haunting opening strings and climactic drums have been borrowed a few times. Black Rob absolutely murdered it as the foundation for “I Dare You”. But another Harlem cat, Cam’Ron, did his thing on it with his dog DMX on “Pull It.” Cam’s label at the time couldn’t clear the sample but it was a mixtape winner. Love Unlimited “I Did it for Love” Another hard to find gem from Love Unlimited which Barry White produced and arranged. Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie (you know, The Madd Rapper), slowed down the opening bars of the slick guitars and added crisp drum programming to create “The Benjamins”. Even P. Diddy sounds hot spittin’ over that beat. Love Unlimited Orchestra “Midnight Groove” You’d be a fool to think that Barry couldn’t get funky. Love Unlimited Orchestra is the 40 piece band Barry created. It made his sonic visions a reality. The typical lush and melodic rhythms meet up with some collard green grooves for this number. The treat is about a minute and half into the song when the break comes in crystal clear. DJ Scratch knew what was up because he barely had to add anything to the loop to create Flipmode Squad’s “Cha Cha Cha”. Barry White “Playing Your Game Baby” This track is so ill Evil Dee basically only had to loop this to make a winner for Black Moon’s “I Gotcha Open Remix”. Evil Dee got his money’s worth for this sample since he used most of the songs elements, from the opening horns to the spacey organs and guitars. The groove was definitely not too underground to make you stop when you mingled. Brooklyn stand up. Barry White “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby” It’s the sick opening drums coupled with hypnotic chords that make this track tasty like extra syrup on candied yams. You get extra cool hiphop points if you already knew that De La Soul flipped this on “De La Orgy” from the debut 3 Feet High and Rising. This is another one of those tracks that barely needs to get touched since it’s so damn banging on its own. Ghostface and Raekwon went berserk when they spit over a looped version (they even left some of Barry’s vocal’s in there) for “The Watch,” another gem limited due to sample clearance problems. Also, Alchemist flipped it for Nas to get busy to on “No Idea’s Original” from The Lost Tapes Barry White “It’s Only Love Doing Its Thing” Now this is creative sampling for that ass! If you miss the first 2 seconds of the song then you will have missed it. Producer on the come up Dirty Swift chopped and extended the opening guitar lick to create 50 Cent’s “21 Questions.” The answers? A lot of radio, video and anything else play. Love Unlimited Orchestra “Love’s Theme” Now I’m not sure who sampled this (what, you expect me to know everything?) but if no one has (doubtful), I need to wipe the dust off my MPC2000. The slick wah wah guitar on this instrumental track is head nodder’s bliss. Barry White “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me” Queen of HipHop Soul Mary J. Blige had Barry White to thank for her smash hit “You Bring Me Joy” off of her My Life album. Play this record from the beginning and everyone will think it IS Mary’s version until Barry’s voice kicks in “When we met” This is one of those records a DJ always wins with if he plays it at a party. And this little note about Barry’s influence was written by none other than legendary DJ, Grandmaster Flash. Here’s what he told AllHipHop.com: "I myself was cuttin up Barry, before I had an MC. Coming from a HI-FI era, Barry White’s music was my first technical understanding of STEREO. It was during these year I was creating what DJ’s do on turntables now. This was much earlier than the MC’s or the breakdancers. Please keep these historical facts in mind."

Dame Dash: Dame Dash Knows Pt. 2

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: FeaturesJuly 12, 2003

AllHipHop: Do you really want to get out the grind? You seem like the ultimate businessman. DD: Honestly? I’de rather party. I’de rather laugh then yell, but things have to be taken care of at this particular point in time. Everything I do is a direct vision that comes directly from my heart and soul. There is just no one else that can do it because no one else knows what I am thinking. Hopefully I can pass it off to my son or someone around him, so I can go and relax a little bit. Other than that, I’m not complaining because it’s fun. I get to actually make money having fun. When I wasn’t as successful, I had a good time doing it. I’ve been able to laugh and get to work and laugh as well for my whole life. Besides the obvious tragedies, my whole life has been a party. AllHipHop: What do you and your son do when yall workout together? DD: Box. If I box then he will be boxing and he gives a hundred and ten percent because I am around and hopefully when I am not around. AllHipHop: Does he spar with other kids or you? DD: He spars with little grown men, but if somebody gets too cute with him I step in. AllHipHop: Do you plan to have more kids? DD: I wouldn’t mind, but its not easy having kids, it’s a 110 percent responsibility, If I get with the right girl. I would like to be married the next time and have kids. AllHipHop: So are you ready to settle down? DD: I’m ready for whatever, whatever happens, happens. I don’t look for it and it’s not heavy on my priority list. I just went through something recently with Aaliyah . That sh*t hurt, so obviously I am going to have some apprehension about jumping into a relationship or exposing myself to that kind of pain again. AllHipHop: A lot of people seem to get the impression that after Aaliyah passed you was still feeling the pain, but some of the perception was that you were right back to business as usual. DD: Yea a lot of people depend on me and I have to lead by example so my work helped me through that. I have to definitely show my strength. I got right back into my life. Eventually I would have had to anyway so I decided to dive right into it. I have different ways and beliefs than most people. That’s what got me through it regardless to what I went through. I just dealt with it. I had to go to work. People were trying to take advantage of what they thought was a weak moment for me. AllHipHop: How so? DD: Certain business deal and things like that. People would try to get over. A lot you would be surprised at how f*cked up people are. Before she was buried I had to go back to work. I went to a couple of therapists. The first couple of days I could not move. Once I got my strength together, it was all about my faith. AllHipHop: I noticed that you have a hand on your arm. DD: Yeah, that’s my son’s. I think there’s a lot of opportunities for people to get money if they focus. I’m noticing a lot of people have lack of focus, so my job right now to some degree is to motivate the culture. If you cant get money now with all the doors that’s open, not just in the music business but in the television business, it’s your fault. There’s just so many ways to make money it’s not going to be anybody’s excuse but your own. I talk a lot of sh*t just to get people motivated. If people get angry instead of motivated then that’s a poor excuse not to work. I didn’t do nothing that no one else can’t do. I got my GED, my mother definitely put me in a situation where I learned how to read and write. I think everybody can learn to read and write it’s just about effort.. If you leave any money on the table and I’m aware of it, I’m going to get it. I’m on a paper chase I’m not going to stop until I have 1 billion after taxes. Then maybe I’ll slowdown a little bit. AllHipHop: What does Jay’s retirement mean to Roc-A-Fella? DD: It means I don’t have to be calling his office all the time to get features on other Roc-A-fella artists albums.

Dame Dash: Dame Dash Knows Pt. 1

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: FeaturesJuly 12, 2003

Dame Dash is that dude. You see him in the videos with his lil’ patented dance holding onto a bottled of Armadale equipped with a cocky smirk. Still, on the other side, he’s that dude that holds down several businesses along with his Roc-A-Fella cohorts. But, on yet another side, there is a more private, equally important Dash: the father of a young boy and girl. Dash’s son Boogie (Dame Jr.) and daughter Eva are his true pride and joy (in addition to his accomplishments as a businessman). The mogul even has his young ones on Roc-A-Wear ads that overlook his home-borough of Harlem, USA. Many of his personal exploits have been vilified in the news headlines, but he emphatically declares the tabloids have it all wrong. AllHipHop.com takes a rarely seen glimpse off Dash, the father. AllHipHop.com: Can you talk about you as a father and how you want to raise your children? Damon Dash: I want my kids to be regular. I want them to have the same opportunities as regular kids. He’s not the average kid just because of my life and because of the circumstances of my life. I’m a single father as far as my son goes. I got custody of him and I have to find time to put in that real father work. I got nannies, babysitters and tutors and I think its really important that I install personally the right values, so he does thing the right way, but then so on another level. I try to provide an atmosphere that is normal even though its not a normal circumstance. My kid is a reflection of me and if he goes through some kind of pain, I am going to feel it two times as worse. I try to protect him from certain things and make him aware of certain things. At the same time I want him to grow up respectful. I want him to know that he has to work for everything he has. I want to instill a lot of the hunger I have, but the thing is he has nothing to be hungry about. He’s a wealthy kid, but I still want to teach him 110% to be the best at what he is good at. AllHipHop: How do you maintain the regular aspect of life? DD: It’s a control environment. He still gets to be with the kids that don’t have what he has, so he get to appreciate it. He also learns to have that sprit of competition. I feel like if you can survive in Harlem than you can survive any where. Also his style and the way he is being as though he comes from Harlem. AllHipHop: How does he react to having a bodyguard around him all the time? DD: When I first got the bodyguard my son did not even know how to cross the street. He does not even have keys. I was taking the bus when I was eight and he’s eleven now, so I had to teach him how to cross the street. Its certain things that you can’t take for granted. Everything I know I got taught. I had to get taught how to cross the street and how to go to school by myself. Being as though he does not have to cross the street a lot, no one taught him, so I still have to make that effort, to make sure he learns normal things. AllHipHop: How were their early years, when they were infants? DD: Mostly what I am talking about is my son because my daughter is in a better situation. My daughter’s mother is a little more receptive to my situation and we have a better relationship, so thing are a bit more normal. My son was there in the beginning of the transition. He was born eleven years ago when I was first getting in the game, so he actually been with me through every success that I had. He knows how it was for me to make my first hundred thousand and my first million, then my first couple million thousand, so he’s been there, He lived with me in Harlem and he lived with me in Fort Lee, so he’s been through every step of the way. My daughter is three years old and I was pretty much well off when she was born, so she is somewhat like a princess and that’s pretty hard as well to keep her in check., cause she is pretty smart and knows how to manipulate already so I got to make sure she doesn’t. AllHipHop: What is your view of the media since you have had some glaring headlines regarding your kids? DD: My whole custody battle has been in the papers. No one is looking at it like what am I really fighting for. I am not trying to hurt my son or his moms. I am just trying to provide him with the best life I can. I have to stop and fight just so my kid can be alright cause I feel like he is better off with me, instead of looking at the negative part about it. Like when they said I got arrested and my son got arrested for smoking weed with me, whatever or brought weed [to school]. That was all bullsh*t. I could not even react to it. That was just his moms trying to make it look like I’m a bad father. They wasn’t doing any kind of fact check, they was just saying what they wanted to say. This sh*t was in Vibe Magazine like it happened and it really didn’t. Then when he was vindicated no one said anything about his arrest. Say I am going through a custody battle or having problems with my child. I should be able to deal with it privately just for the kids sake. Its just the press wants to carry whatever they can to make money. […]

Eminem And Shady Clothing Hit With Lawsuit

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 12, 2003

Eminem is fighting a civil lawsuit over the Shady Ltd. name that is featured on his new clothing line. Shady Inc., a small Nevada based company, filed the lawsuit in Nevada federal court, claiming that they have been using the name since for their clothing since late 1999. Shady Inc. did not register the trademark until 2001. Shady Inc. targets the sports apparel market, selling T-Shirts and hats in Nevada stores and through the Internet and mail order. Eminem’s lawyers contend that the Shady name is associated with Eminem so frequently, that it should have never been granted to the Nevada company in the first place. "We were first and we used it in good faith," co-owner Thomas Hession told the Detroit Free Press. "We did not know at the time that Eminem was planning clothes." Eminem’s lawyer, Manny Pokotilow, said that Eminem has been using the name since 1999 on record and that the rapper registered the Slim Shady trademark in 1999. "We consider this a very frivolous claim that has been made," Pokotilow said. "It is what I would call a hit suit, which is in order to take advantage of somebody’s celebrity status." Eminem’s clothing is currently available in over 400 stores nationwide. In related news, the rapper is expected to draw over 90,000 people to his shows today (July 12) and Sunday at Detroit’s Ford Field. The show will also feature 50 Cent and Missy Elliot.

Toronto Rapper D.O. Sets Guinness Book Freestyle Record

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 12, 2003

Rapper D.O. recently set the Guinness World Record for the "Longest Freestyle Rap," rapping for a stunning 8 hours and 45 minutes. The event took place at the Darknights Nationals, a car show and urban lifestyle event in Canada. Guinness enforced one 15 minute break on the rapper and in order to verify that he was actually freestyling, spectators wrote a variety of topics on a white board for the rapper to include in his rhyme. "I could have kept going," D.O. said. "I wanted to raise the bar." he said, thus rhymed for nearly 9 hours. In related news, the Toronto born MC is finishing up his first novel, "Jewelz." For more info: http://www.423entertainment.com.

Trackmaster Producer Tone Robbed For Almost 100K

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 11, 2003

The family of Samuel "Tone" Barnes, half of the production duo The Trackmasters, was held a gunpoint by three men, who robbed their Staten Island home and made off with jewelry and other items valued at almost $100,000. Police said that Barnes’ wife, two children and a baby-sitter were held hostage in the home for almost a half hour, while the robbers searched the luxury home for items to steal, making off with a large amount of jewelry. According to police, Barnes’ wife returned home after 8:30 p.m. when she was approached by a man with a gun, who had been waiting outside garage door. Two more gunmen appeared and led the woman and her two children into the house. Once inside two gunmen encountered the baby sitter and ordered the baby-sitter and the children to wait in a room, while the third gunman ordered Barnes’ wife to show him where the valuable were located. The three men then drove off in an unidentified vehicle. As of press time the robbers are still at large. With his partner, "Poke," Tone, Barnes heads up Trackmasters Entertainment. The duo’s list of clients is a who’s who in music and have produced platinum hits for Will Smith, Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Blaque, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige and others.

Nappy Roots Return From Persian Gulf

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 11, 2003

Nappy Roots recently returned from the Persian Gulf, as part of the USO shows in Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait. The shows were part of Project Salute 2003, the first large entertainment tour of the region since the war with Iraq. "It was an honor to have even been invited to perform for the troops, and of course, we had to go over there," said Nappy Roots’ Skinny Deville. "It was a life-altering experience for all of us. To be so far from home and to be with so many people who share a common goal – protecting our freedom – is a feeling that I can’t really put into words," Deville continued." "To be freestylin’ in Baghdad in 130-degree weather was something that we will never forget, and the vibe and the energy of the whole trip was just amazing. It felt like a pilgrimage which really tested our faith in what we believe in, and the response from the troops was overwhelming. It means a lot to us that our music was respected and that we feel like we made an impact. It was all about the music and about sharing our sound and our voices with everyone over there on the front lines. We are just grateful for being able to be part of such a powerful moment." The grouped just dropped a single, "Roun’ The Globe" and is preparing to release their second album, Wooden Leather, which is slated to hit stores August 26.

Russell Simmons And Stan Lathan Launch Def Filmmakers

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 11, 2003

Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan are seeking filmmakers to submit their work for consideration for acquisitions and distribution through the newly launched Def Filmmakers Program. Launched by the power duo’s SLMG (Simmons Lathan Media Group), the aim of the program is to identify and nurture aspiring artists for future projects. "There’s just so much talent out there, and now the opportunities won’t just be for the kids who have fathers in Beverly Hills who are directors and have natural opportunities," Simmons said. "They will also be for the kids who are at home in the middle of Nebraska who will be able to show their ability without being under the thumb of a limited vision or range. It used to be you could walk around Malibu and get your new talent, but that ain’t gonna happen anymore. It’s going to come from Harlem instead of Hollywood." Filmmakers content will be distributed across the Internet via Russell Simmons’ newly launched hip-hop channel on Kazaa, through home video, video on demand, pay per view and festivals. Completed short films, feature films, documentaries, music videos, performances or interview footage for consideration should include: 1) A cover letter containing the type of content you are submitting, total running time, year of completion, original shooting format (35MM, 16MM, DV, Mini-DV, High-Def) and a brief synopsis of your work. 2) A VHS screening cassette. 3) Resume or Bio with contact information. 4) Any press materials if available. 5) List of festivals where your work has been screened. Please send submissions to the following address: 5482 Wilshire Blvd Box #1906 Los Angeles, CA 90036 info@simmonslathan.com

Security Videotape Presented To Prove Suge’s Innocent

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 11, 2003

The Department of Correctional facilities would not respond to claims of Suge Knight’s innocence, despite being presented with a security videotape that allegedly shows another man punching a parking valet. The video was shot outside of Hollywood nightclub White Lotus, where Knight was attending a meeting. His attorney, Rose Kogeman, told the Los Angeles Times that the video tape contradict accounts by parole officials and the LAPD. Kogeman even brought the valet to the parole agent for Knight, who has been detained since June 27, awaiting a hearing from the board. "He could see Mr. Knight in front of him when the guy punched him from the back. The video does show a guy walking up behind the valet," Kogeman asserted. "I took the valet to the parole agent for Mr. Knight on Monday."

Eve Still Being Blackmailed?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 10, 2003

Rapper Eve confirmed last year that an unknown man was trying to extort her and it seems that the man has made good on his word. Pictures of a nude Eve and another female in a sexual position have hit the Internet, just as the rapper is preparing to star in her own UPN sitcom that bears her name. The picture appears to be very dated, as the signature paw prints that Eve has tattooed on her chest are not present. The man had approached several media outlets last year. It is not known if anyone has paid to for the images to be released on the Internet Last year gossip columnists Rush & Molloy, who write for the New York Daily News, said the man approached them to sell them the picture. "I used to strip, so it could be me or it could not be me," she told the columnists "This guy, whoever he is, has tried to blackmail us with this photo. He’s called all these radio stations telling them about the photo. I mean, he’s the type of guy who wakes up every morning to do this." Eve is currently preparing her next album, which will be a joint venture with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment and Ruff Ryders. Eve was originally signed to Aftermath before becoming a Ruff Ryder. Dre will also produce tracks for the untitled album.

Brother Lynch Hung: No Cure Pt. 2

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: FeaturesJuly 10, 2003

Allhiphop.com: Who are the top West Coast MCs, in your opinion, and what have they brought to the table of Hip-Hop as a whole? BLH: I got to go with Yukmouth, Crooked I, 2Pac…I usually go with people who got lyrics, you know? Hitman from RBL Posse (R.I.P.) had lyrics, too. X-Raided is one of my favorites, too, you know what I’m saying? Allhiphop.com: Talk about the new label and the new artists you got underneath your wing. BLH: The label is called Siccmade Music. I got an artist named Loki who appeared on Master P’s "West Coast Bad Boyz II" with me. That album went gold and probably platinum by now. He developed a name for himself, so he’s dropping his albums under me. I also got an artist named C.O.S., who’s been on all my albums. All the albums that did good, he’s been on all of them. Allhiphop.com: Have you ever had a major label deal at any point in your career? BLH: Actually, I was with Priority Records/Blackmarket Records. That was around 1994 up until about 1997. Then, the company I went to court with got kicked off of Priority because they wasn’t handling their business right. Priority wanted to sign me alone, but the company wouldn’t let me go. So, I’ve been stuck in court for a couple of years behind that sh*t. Allhiphop.com: I hear a lot of sh*t about Priority and how they screw their artists out of their deals with no Vaseline. BLH: That’s the thing, too, so if I was going to leave Blackmarket to go to Priority, my manager was like, "I don’t know if you should do that." Allhiphop.com: What sort of issues do you have with major labels and the deals they try to pass on to these artists? BLH: Shoot man, I’ve always been a firm believer in not f*cking with them majors. Of course, you are going to like the videos and the up front money, but I’m telling you, anything they give you, you got to pay back. I’d rather just go ahead and stay independent. Them major labels have too much control over how they promote you. If they want to throw $1 million into your promotion, and if you don’t sell that much, you are going to owe them. Allhiphop.com: A good example of that situation is our boy Ras Kass. You see what happened to him at Priority? BLH: That was kind of f*cked up. I didn’t hear too much detail, but I heard a lot about it. Even when Ras Kass was with them, I was on Priority back in them days. Allhiphop.com: So, you and him were label mates at one point? BLH: Yep, and that’s how I found out about him, man. Every time I went up to Priority, they was bragging about him. I said to myself, "I need to check this cat out." Allhiphop.com: Ras is a good dude, but they messed up his momentum and the rest is history, you know? BLH: It goes both ways, because they shot JT The Bigga Figga hella cash to do their joint venture, but he wasn’t able to come through with some good sh*t. They lost out on JT, so it’s like now, it’s hard for me to move around in Priority because n*ggas was so tense up in that muthaf*cka. Then, that Master P. sh*t started jumping off and muthaf*ckas started getting beat up at Priority… Allhiphop.com: (laughs) BLH: You know, I don’t even know nobody up there no more. Allhiphop.com: Now, you and C-Bo have another album coming out right? BLH: Yeah, we just started working on it. We are just pre-advertising it and stuff. It’s called "Blocc Movement 2." It’ll be better, too, based on C-Bo trying to stay out of the pen this time. Allhiphop.com: Talk about you and your old label parting ways and what has transpired since that time. BLH: This Blackmarket thing ain’t nothing nice. He (the owner) is a millionaire, and he wasn’t trying to pay me nothing. So, I’ve been in court the last two years fighting it. I finally got half of my money, but he’s going to make me sell more of my old records to get the rest of it. He can’t touch it. He can’t touch none of the money or the record company until the records are sold. Allhiphop.com: He owns a company that he can’t get anything out of? BLH: Nope. We go straight to the attorney until all my money is gone. It’s been a lot. That’s my underground story, man. But, it’s the shame sh*t that them big folks be going through. Allhiphop.com: But, there is more money to be made in the independent game than there is as a major label artist. BLH: The only ones getting paid in the majors is the major label. Allhiphop.com: (laughs) BLH: I’m telling you. Allhiphop.com: Explain to me how an artist can make a company $100 million dollars, but they aren’t rich themselves? BLH: (laughs) That’s some real sh*t. Allhiphop.com: DMX said one time that he sold three million albums, but the label "loaned" him some money. What the hell do you mean, "loan" me some money? This cat sold triple platinum, did mad shows, and kissed a lot of label ass, and they "loaned" him some money. BLH: That’s scandalous, man. Allhiphop.com: Well, I’m glad you decided to go that route because you have a better opportunity from a financial standpoint. You can get rich just selling 100,000 copies of this album. BLH: My preorder for the album was at 47,000 copies. Plus, I got this Sacramento scene sewed up. I sold 42,000 in the first week with my album "Loaded." It ain’t no Eminem sh*t, but it’s something to be proud of for out here. Allhiphop.com: After all the shrink-wrapping and things like that, how much is your album selling for? BLH: Blackmarket was selling my old sh*t for $9.00. I’m selling […]

Brother Lynch Hung: No Cure Pt. 1

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: FeaturesJuly 10, 2003

If you look up the term "controversial" in the dictionary, you may find Brotha Lynch Hung’s picture somewhere close by. Arguably, no artist in Hip-Hop today has ever stirred up the public at large with the frequency and precision that Lynch has. Lyrics containing concepts such as "eating baby nuts," and having sex with his own mother have gotten him a rash of harsh criticism. As a guest on "The Leeza Show" in 1996, his lyrics were blamed for influencing a fan to commit murder. But, with over a decade of underground and independent success underneath his belt, there’s no telling where his imagination will take him next. His latest underground bomb, "Lynch By Inch: Suicide Note," is bound to take him places beyond where his last album, the 1995 gold-certified "Season Of Da Siccness," has taken him. The Sacramento, CA native released the album from his newly formed imprint, Siccmade Records, earlier this month. Allhiphop.com sat down with the pioneer of "horror-core" to discuss legal matters, maintaining respect in his hometown, and upcoming projects that will seemingly put him over the top. Allhiphop.com: Before we get started, I want to be able to conduct a good interview for the fans, but at the same time, I want to keep the atmosphere as gangsta as possible. Can we do this? Brotha Lynch Hung: That’s real, and I appreciate it. Allhiphop.com: You released a new album on June 10th. Talk about that and what you’ve been up to since the last joint. BLH: It’s called "Lynch By Inch." It’s not really a follow-up on my "Season Of DA Siccness," but it kind of is. What’s different this time is that it’s on my own label and people ain’t hollering at me about what I should and shouldn’t say on this album. Allhiphop.com: So, you are basically going back to the old blood and guts sh*t you used to talk about before? BLH: Even with the old stuff, they tried to refrain me from saying stuff. Allhiphop.com: How much slack and criticism have you taken over the years because of some of the lyrics you have spit on a record? BLH: I caught hella slack over the "baby killing" thing. Everybody kind of took it wrong and took it out of context. I was just talking about abortion. Then, they just took it the way that they took it. Plus the fact that I say stuff like "eating baby nuts and guts," they just put it in with that. They kind of built that, you know what I’m saying? Even Snoop said, " that n*gga got hella lyrics, but I can’t get with that baby eating sh*t." I was like, "where did he get that sh*t from?" I’m a meat eater, and that’s where all that sh*t came from. You got to force me vegetables because I won’t eat it otherwise. Allhiphop.com: Do you still have to deal with industry politics and publicists kicking you in the ass about certain things now that you run your own label? BLH: Not this time. This is all Siccmade right here. I’m going to make the right decisions about what I feel, but I’m letting my creativity go do what it got to do. Allhiphop.com: Who are you doing studio work with these days? Is it the same usual suspects or do you have some new cats on the horizon? BLH: Besides my Siccmade crew, I got Yukmouth on the new album. I usually get only one artist per album because I want people to recognize that I can do this sh*t. Yukmouth is one of my favorite rappers, and on the last album I got E-40, who’s one of my favorite West Coast rappers. I had Snoop on one of my albums, and he’s my favorite musical personality, you know what I’m saying? Really, I don’t like running around trying to get a lot of artists. In the future, I might mess with somebody like B2K since they are fans of mine. Allhiphop.com: Brotha Lynch Hung featuring B2K? I can’t picture that with a Kodak, to be honest with you. I got two daughters who are in love with those boys. If I hear that name one more time, I’m going to start breaking windows and sh*t. BLH: (laughs) Allhiphop.com: Name of some of the producers that you normally use when it is time to get in your zone and create that atmosphere. BLH: I use Bosko a lot. He did a song for 2Pac’s album just before this one that’s about to come out. He did the beat and the video. Happy Perez from Portland does some stuff, and me and Phunk Beta do the rest of it. Phunk Beta is from New York. Allhiphop.com: Word? I take it that there is no discrimination in what you strive for in your music. BLH: I grew up listening to all New York rappers. They taught how to rap in a sense, you know what I’m saying? That’s why my gangsta style is my gangsta style because I’m from the West Coast, but I’m able to do any style. I mix that style into my gangsta style to show versatility, even though I talk about my life and what I went through. Obviously, I ain’t going through the same things, so you know, I hit them with the rip guts sh*t after that. Allhiphop.com: I’m interested in knowing which East Coast MCs were instrumental in teaching you how to rhyme. You hardly hear about things like that anymore. BLH: I learned stage presence from Run-DMC, I learned lyrical skill and creativity from Rakim, KRS-1, and I learned longevity from LL. I don’t want to put anybody in front, but those are the ones. I got to give big props to the East Coast rappers, man. I ain’t with all the East Coast-West Coast feuding. I love to battle because I’m a battle rapper, but I ain’t with all that feuding sh*t, you know what I’m […]

DJ Seeks Court Order Forcing Ja Rule To Apologize

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 9, 2003

A South African DJ is seeking a court order to make Ja Rule publicly apologize, after one a man in his entourage smashed a 50 Cent record and threatened to break the DJ’s neck for playing it. Sakhile "DJ Staxx" Xulu set up on stage after a concert in Kingsmead, South Africa on Sunday. He said that after JA Rule came on, he played his first song, which happened to be 50 Cent’s#### song, "21 Questions." Xulu said despite just playing the record due to its popularity, within minutes the song was cut and he was told he wasn’t allowed to play it. After 10 minutes, one of the members in JA Rule’s entourage allegedly confronted Xulu and said that he was given two choices: hand over the record or get his neck broken after the show. The man took the record, smashed it to bits and threw it on the floor. The concert promoter dismissed the incident, saying "it was really like waving a red flag at a bull" and denied Xulu’s allegations of threat and intimidation. The promoter said JA Rule’s entourage simply asked to halt the record from being played.

New Online Resource Launched For Budding Artists And Exec’s

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 9, 2003

Inside The Music Business, the first company to educate upcoming artists and entrepreneurs through the use of the industry ‘power players,’ has launched a Monthly Tip Sheet. "The Monthly Tip sheet is geared towards anyone looking to understand the ins and outs of the music business," said Eric Kline, CEO of Inside The Music Business and former Sr. Producer at the Box Music Network. Readers learn the biz through feature interviews, Q&A and articles featuring top-name recording artists, execs, attorneys, producers, DJs and A&R reps. The company which was started in 1999, launched a cutting-edge book/2 CD set, which has sold thousands of copies, educating up and coming artists and entrepreneurs. The first issue of Inside the Music Business’ Monthly Tip Sheet is s available for free and features MTV President Van Toffler, Max Gousse (VP of A&R, Epic Records Group), Producer/Remixer Jason Klein, attorney Steve Gordon and Eddie Phoon (USA Songwriting Competition). Other issues participants include include Russell Simmons, Ice Cube, Boyz II Men, Lou Pearlman and various managers, attorneys, producers, DJ’s and A&R reps. The first 1,000 subscribers to the Monthly Tip Sheet will receive a free CD of audio interviews with Industry Power Players, which will be available in the fall. To read the first issue, log on: http://www.insidethemusicbusiness.com or call 866-263-8980 to order.

Ice T To Host New Car Racing Television Show

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: NewsJuly 9, 2003

Ice-T will host a new television show based on the newly formed auto race league, Bad Azz Drivers (B.A.D.). "Ali" executive producer Lee Caplin, racing legend Jay Penske, television producer Andre Jetmir and advertising executive Peter Stranger, have described the show as the WWF of the auto racing world. The events will be hosted on closed courses that resemble city streets, complete with oil slicks, rain showers, downed trees and pot holes. "Compared to NASCAR, which is 75 percent racing and 25 percent entertainment, B.A.D. will be more like the WWF of auto racing where racing and entertainment run 50/50 and personality makes the difference," Jetmir said. "The street racing that has become so popular is dangerous when done in an uncontrolled environment." The first series is scheduled to kick off in January 2005 in Southern California. One challenge requires drivers to maintain a speed of 95 MPH through fake suburban streets for 20 minutes with police cars in pursuit. "We’re taking street racing off the streets and creating an environment where souped up every-day cars compete in a real-world, urban environment that will attract crowds to the events and entertain TV audiences across the country."