For years, we have given out “The Sausage Award” for Bad Hip-Hop Beef. When the “award” first started, there was a distinct difference between good Hip-Hop beef and bad Hip-Hop beef. For, example Nas vs Jay-Z was considered a good Hip-Hop beef, because there was a certain build up and lyrical competition attached to it. The bad beefs popped up all over the place this year! It was an amazing display, to be frank. Some of them seemed as minor and petty as anything seen in rap – like Budden and Wu Tang – while others – like Beans and Jay – broke our hearts. Even though we secretly look at bad rap beefs as a guilty pleasure, we ultimately know its harmful to the game as a whole. Here are the Bad Hip-Hop Beef Award winners: 40 Glocc vs Lil Wayne, Joe Budden vs Method Man Joe Budden vs Raekwon Beanie Sigel vs Jay-Z Charles Hamilton vs. Detroit Jay-Z vs. The Game Jay Z vs. Webstar Yung Berg Vs Master P’s Nephew Canibus Vs Eminem Eminem vs Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon Floyd Mayweather vs Rick Ross Joe Budden Vs Inspectah Deck Will.I.Am Vs Perez Hilton What were some bad Hip-Hop beefs in your opinion?

Twitter gave the fan, the stan and the voyeur something to talk about over and over again in the year year 2009. As more and more artists jumped on, they left more and more to converse about. The social network was used in a number of different ways. Early adopters like MC Hammer made huge strides in both the business world and networking.  Mistah Fab had an underground hit song about it. Jean Grae connected with fans, allowing them to see her personality. Some artists used it solely as a promotional tool. Some used it to get their “side” of the story. Some used it as their own form of media. Others still used it for beef and humor. However they used it, it was interesting, a bit weird and it kept the media chasing a new story. Out of all the tweets that took place, AllHipHop complied a listing of Twitter moments that stood out. Top Twitter Beefs: Fabolous vs Bow Wow Charlamagne Tha God vs Marlon Wayans Fabolous vs T-Pain‘s imposter Noreaga vs Perez Hilton Swizz vs Mashonda Top Twitter Moments: Twitter used in the Iraq war Inauguration of Barack Obama (those that weren’t there were able to get an inside look from their fans that were there) Chris Brown vs Rihanna (everybody had an opinion) BET Awards (which played out on Twitter) Slaughterhouse’s online campaign, executed on Twitter Asher Roth’s misguided “Nappy headed hoes” comment. He meant no harm, but it was dumb. Detroit’s hexmurda fell ill and his family, friend rallied for him ways unseen on TwitterThose are the AllHipHop Top Twitter moments. Please share yours.

Hey party people,Nobody on the AllHipHop staff wanted to write about this one so it was immediately ordered that illseed would write about it. I deal with Epic Fails on a daily basis and, I guess, they felt like I should be the one to continue with it – but with artists. But, truth be told, artists and “fails” is a tricky topic. They are the risk takers they are the ones that are out on the field under a microscope of scrutiny. With that said, we have to give them a bit of credit for even getting out there and playing hard ball. Nothing personal here, guys! Love, illseed Here are the Epic Fails of 2009! Kanye West for blowing up Taylor Swift even more Chris Brown for beating Rihanna like a berserker-slash-animal Charles Hamilton for trying to battle Detroit and having Jay Dilla as His EP Charles Hamilton for playing his ex and then getting punched for it Joe Budden for getting punched in the eye by Raekwon’s dude then video blogging while sitting “indian style” Lil’ Mama for jumping on stage with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys with the ill b-boy stance Alfamega for challenging his past and then being ethered by thesmokinggun.com Crooked I’s tat which misspelled “Slaughter” Rick Ross’ baby mom for doing p#### and then getting exposed by 50 Cent for it Sure there are other fails of note so, join in the conversation if you so desire.

Rebellion 1 : opposition to one in authority or dominance 2 a : open, armed, and usually unsuccessful defiance of or resistance to an established government b : an instance of such defiance or resistance Hip-Hop, at its core, is a rebellion. It is a cultural and musical rebellion that has continued to redefine just about every aspect our world across the globe. If it exists, Hip-Hop has touched it. The insurrection has not been without its flaws and fallacies and was very evident in 2009. All was not perfect. While people focus on the genre’s decline, the underground was flourishing, as it had in the 70’s and 80’s. This year, the spirit of rebellion manifested itself in very fundamentally positive ways. The grotesque beauty of Hip-Hop is that it constantly rebels against itself. Jay-Z declaring war on Autotune. Eminem making his darkest album in such a “happy” climate. Soulja Boy seemingly dismissing the traditions of Hip-Hop, a move that has made him more appealing to his core. Drake considering himself a wholly independent artist that happens to be distributed by a major. This year, the nation and the global community has felt the sting of recession, witnessed heinous crimes, but those are the conditions in which Hip-Hop was born under. And in recent years, Hip-Hop’s dominance has fallen into normalcy, but that is merely a formality for the young art form. Through it all, if you are paying attention, there have been pockets of resistance that show signs of renewed independence and reality. To put it blunt, Hip-Hop is taking control of its own fate. Look no farther than Lupe Fiasco, Jay Electronica, KRS-One, Duck Down, Detroit, the whole Southern Movement and the flourishing California underground, among a plethora of other efforts. Hip-Hop is fighting back and the time couldn’t be better. With that, we peer back on 2009 and run down the ups , the down, the good, the bad and all that was this year. Enjoy The Rebellion! Here are a few stories to get you started!ChartWatch: a run down of Hip-Hop’s top sellers!The 2009 Chronicles: Emotional Musical RollercoasterThe 10 Most Fashionable Women Of 2009The 10 Most Fashionable Men Of 20092009: The Real Death of Autotune: Flavor Flav2010 Hip – Hop Predictions and Beyond By Ms. DramaHip-Hop: We Bid One Decade Adieu & Welcome Another10 Huge News Stories In 2009: Alfamega 

In 2008, Alfamega gained more prominence as the close friend of superstar T.I. and supposed “street muscle” for his Grand Hustle label. But in 2009, Alfamega’s rap career was stalled after documents leaked confirming his past as a federal informant.   The documents were first published by thesmokinggun.com in May. The information detailed that in September 1995, Alfamega (Cedric Zellars) was convicted of selling guns to an undercover federal agent, and sentenced to 110 months in prison.   The DEA report then verifies that Zellars contacted authorities to become a witness in the trial of Atlanta drug trafficker Ali Baager. The rapper confirms that he is agreeing to “cooperate with the government,” and reiterated during cross examination that he was the one that reached out to the DEA.   “I had people calling, and I was writing,” Zellars explained. “I been asked for information. They picked some of the guys up, but it didn’t do nothing to help me. I just gave it [information] because they asked me.”   After testifying on 4 separate occasions, Alfamega was able to receive 18 months shaved off his sentence. T.I., who was facing federal charges as the result of his bodyguard’s testimony against him, acted swiftly in severing all personal and business ties with Alfamega live on Atlanta’s 107.9, effectively shelving his debut I Am Alfamega.   “Even though all our artists and employees are asked by us to be honest and open about their past history, at no time did Alfa disclose to me or Grand Hustle what has now appeared in the media,” T.I. read on air. “He essentially deceived us by failing to fully disclose the truth about his past, and there is no place in our organization for dishonest and misleading behavior. As I have always said, you must take responsibility for your own actions. We at Grand Hustle can not support or condone the blaming of others for our own mistakes. I hope and pray to God, bless his savings plans, but I don’t foresee me or my company playing a role in his personal or professional business.”   Adding to Alfamega’s woes in 2009 was his arrest on felony gun charges and attempted escape. The rapper tried to flee a routine traffic stop after authorities located a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic weapon in his SUV. Zellars was pepper sprayed, hit with a police baton, and broke his ankle after jumping 25-30 feet off a garage wall. The injury was enough to be mentioned in the police report that the rapper’s bone was protruding, resulting in a specialized cast. After being released on bail, Alfamega launched a PR campaign to clear his name and rejoin Grand Hustle.   His manager Decks gave an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com. While not directly addressing the informant accusation, he requested compassion and understanding from the fans.   “I just feel like people should have more compassion for what Alfa is going through as a human being first and foremost. At this point, Alfa has been a victim of police brutality and social injustice,” explained Decks to AllHipHop.com. “Music is an expression of life and I think that he’ll get his just due as far expelling the feelings that he’s having right now through music. But right now, it’s something that he has to endure, unfortunately. And it’s involving a lot of pain. So you can imagine being in excruciating pain on a day to day basis: the last thing on your mind, or anybody else’s, would be music. I think Alfa, at the end of the day when all the facts come out, he’s gonna be on his feet. Alfa’s a fighter. That I know about him.”   In July, Alfamega attempted reconciliation on his own, first through an “Open Letter to T.I.”   “I’m coming at you as a man who is disappointed that he was publicly exiled by a friend. You’ve often said that you’re a man of your words but hommie; you are not being true to your words,” Alfmega wrote. “Instead, you’re tryin to play me like I’m a pawn in your own personal game of chess…At one time, a lot of dudes were questioning how you got that year and a day so the word in the streets was that you were a snitch. I went off in those same streets for you.”   T.I. did not respond, leading to Alfamega becoming more confrontational on the mixtape track “Round 1,” which the rapper later denied was a T.I. diss.   “Committing treason/Get more than a 100 lashes,” Alfamega rapped. “Drop your ass like Jay did Dame Dash’s/Let me cool down before I below a head gasket/Slappin’ this b**h, put a n***a in a casket/One phone cool do a n***omething tragic/Make your wife a widow and your son a bastard.”   To date, T.I. has not addressed Alfamega’s open letter or spoken with his former protégé. Earlier this week, the Atlanta star was released to a halfway house after being imprisoned for seven months on a federal weapons conviction. Alfamega remains without a label home following his Grand Hustle dismissal. His proposed debut I Am Alfamega has been shelved indefinitely.

    Scott Storch is quietly making his return, yet shunning opportunity to exploit himself. In returning to the scene, the producer is re-considering the media (canceling reality shows), steering clear of w###### himself out (Twitter) and even reflects on the loves of his life (Lil’ Kim). Through it all, “The Piano Man” is ready to do it again, with a more composed, humble boastfulness, where deeds speak louder than words.  Click here for Part 1, where Scott discusses ending beef with Timbaland, working with Shyne and battling an addiction to cocaine. AllHipHop.com: Timbaland recently said that he’s abandoned Hip-Hop and that he’s no longer interested in the music as a genre. What are your feelings on Hip-Hop these days?   Scott Storch: I love Hip-Hop. I love all music. In terms of its place in the market. Its not, you know, technically as strong and other [forms] of music. I shouldn’t even say that. It’s not as strong as it was at one point, dominating like everything. I still there there’s gems and plenty of ill Hip-Hop records to make.  Living proof is Jay-Z.     AllHipHop.com: Yeah, Jay-Z and Raekwon. They pretty much have things on lock, you know, for the album.   Scott Storch: That realness of the album. The Hip-Hop experience.   AllHipHop.com: You’ve worked with a lot of pop acts in the past. I don’t know who came first, you or Tim, but you had Brooke Hogan and Paris Hilton. Do you plan to go forward with those other types of artists going forward?   Scott Storch: I’m going to be more selective about what I’m working on. In the world of pop, I did a whole album for Christina Aguilera, I mean, seven songs. Things like that, I would definitely attach myself to.   AllHipHop.com: I have to ask you about this too, especially with Brooke. Was there any “exchange” – a** for beats (also known as f***ing for tracks)? Any non-monetary exchange for music?   Scott Storch: No, not at all. You know what it was? I worked with her solely on one thing: her father asked me to do it. I was cool with The Hulk [Hogan]. You know? I did him a solid. It kind of backfired on me, but, you know…that’s the only reason that I did it.   AllHipHop.com: You and Christina seemed really close, but she really aired you out on a song. Do you guys feel like you will be able to repair that relationship again?   Scott Storch: I’m not sure. I would love to work with her in the future. But  you know, things happen…people change…we’ll see where that goes. Again, that move, her making that song was like the Timbaland and myself feud. It wasn’t necessary.   AllHipHop.com: I asked a lot of people about you on my twitter and a lot of people wanted to know what was up with you and Lil’ Kim. Were you in love…? Are you able to answer those questions?   Scott Storch: I love her to this day. She’s a wonderful girl. She has had a not-so-easy life. And she’s dealt with the same things that the media puts everybody through and I have feelings for her as a person and we dated. We were cool and that’s all that was. I consider her a friend and somebody I care about for the rest of my life. AllHipHop.com: You just mentioned the media. I can only imagine, but what is it like to be under such a microscope?   Scott Storch: It sucks and 90% of the stuff that comes out about me isn’t true. Like I was sitting around my boy’s crib one day and watching a movie, and flipping channels and I’m seeing on TV that I’m arrested and I’m in jail. I sitting there watching this s**t like, “What are they talking about?” Just dumb s**t like that. And look at Chris Brown and what he’s gone through – not that was he did was right – but still, its the media. And Tiger Woods. Anybody. People they just want to have an opinion these days. I think its too much information, too accessible to people. People should really care more about your art form or your craft. Everybody’s gonna be sorry when they turn on the TV and they are watching golf and they’re not going to be able to see Tiger.  They ran him out of [golf] and now he’s going gonna want to [play]. Now, you’re going to have to suffer for a year. Its the fault of the media.   AllHipHop.com: Its crazy sometimes, because certain low-brown media almost force you to cover things you wouldn’t normally cover, due to a new demand for it. Its a Catch 22, very monkey see, monkey do. What’s your view on Twitter? Are you into that?   Scott Storch: I’m not really into it, but its kinda strange. Maybe people should try to do stuff instead of talking about what other people are doing. I don’t know. And Twitter…would you want people to know what you are doing all the time? I don’t. All these Facebooks and Twitters, there are 10 Scott Storchs on there and none of them are me. To this day, 90% of the interviews that I read, it says that I’m from Canada. I’ve never been to Canada in my life.   AllHipHop.com: Oh yeah? I read that too.   Scott Storch: I’m from New York. I was born in Long Island. I’ve never been to no Canada.   AllHipHop.com: (Laughs) Wow.   Scott Storch: It’s annoying when you read fake s**t about yourself, you know?     AllHipHop.com: That’s like “a fact,” because if you read certain credible sites its listed as suck.   Scott Storch: Its f**kin’ weird, man.   AllHipHop.com: That’s the internet. It’s still very Wild, Wild West. It probably will be for a long time.   Scott Storch: From a production standpoint, what equipment […]