Jae Millz has been in the game for almost a decade but still has yet to see a solo album drop. As early as 17, he made a name for himself on the underground battle scene.  Diddy was the first mogul to take note, which  lead to MTV’s Making the Band. His success was far from secure. Millz eventually saw his career return to ground zero, recording tracks on his laptop in his mother’s Harlem apartment. But fate smiled upon him when he secured Lil Wayne for a feature and he then found himself a member of Weezy’s Young Money crew. These days, Millz continues the upward path, but finds himself hitting turbulence again. Wayne is in Rikers Island and he’s raised the ire of most of the top tier talents in Hip-Hop’s freshman class. Will Millz make his way through it all? He gives his side of things and also  offers and update on Lil Wayne. AllHipHop.com checks in with Jae to discuss Young Money, his recent controversies that have him all over the blogs and what it is that has kept him so resilient after so many doors have shut on him over the years. AllHipHop.com: Recently you’ve been the subject of a lot of controversy over your comments on the XXL Freshmen cover.  You stated that you barely knew any of the artists featured and that you knew others that were way more worthy of the spot. When you did the original interview expressing your opinion, did you think all the controversy would follow? Jae Millz: Actually when I did that interview, I wasn’t thinking about controversy, I wasn’t thinking about what anybody else was going to say. I kind of just was talking off of anger at the time. I might have said some stuff that I shouldn’t have said but at the end of the day that’s my opinion, that’s how I felt and I stand beside it. But i wasn’t thinking of controversy or what anyone else was going to think, I wasn’t trying to start anything. It was just my opinion at the time when I first saw the cover. AllHipHop.com: A couple of the artists that were on the cover took it really personal, with Nipsey Hu$$le taking to his Twitter saying you’re washed up, and Pill saying you can’t come to Atlanta. What do you have to say about that? Jae Millz: As far as the people who took it personal…I don’t know exactly who took it personal or whatever. I can’t really say who took it personal because at the end of the day, Pill is the only person who said some slick sh*t out his mouth. I mean Nipsey, I saw what he said, I saw what Wiz Khalifa said, I heard what J. Cole said…but at the end of the day, they’re voicing their opinion. If Nipsey HU$$le feels I been in the game for too long and I’m washed or whatever, that’s Nipsey’s opinion. At the end of the day, Nipsey is one of the few people on the cover that I felt I knew.  I know J. Cole, I know Wiz Khalifa, I know OJ the Juiceman and I know Jay Rock. I don’t really know too many of the other people. I wasn’t trying to be personal about it, but that’s just my opinion. I still said I wish them the best and all of that but I was just stating my opinion at that time. So when I heard Nipsey’s reply to what I said, I wasn’t really thinking about it as a diss….that’s really his opinion. Like I listen to Nipsey Hu$$le’s music. I wasn’t going to stop listening to his music because he said whatever he said about my opinion. That’s how he feels, life goes on.  As far as the Pill n*gga, he said some street sh*t and he took it to that level so you know street sh*t stay there, I’ma just leave it at that.“As soon as Wayne gets home, The Carter IV is dropping. It’s already finished; he finished it before he went in so as soon as he gets out he’s dropping that and we hitting the road.”-Jae Millz AllHipHop.com: You were actually supposed to come out at the XXL concert. Why didn’t you make it? Did you think any confrontation would occur if you went? Jae Millz: Actually it was Cam’Ron’s idea for me to come out at the XXL concert. Once he got the word that they wanted him to host it and then he spoke to whoever he spoke to that said he could bring Vado out, he told Vado it would be a good idea to bring me out to do whatever songs we got and for me to close the show with Lemonade. In all honesty I wasn’t really thinking about no type of confrontation or none of that. I didn’t really think it would be that serious. I knew people were probably going to be salty about my comments, but I was going to see everybody that night so I would have let everybody know what it was like let them know it wasn’t personal. When a person hears that straight from your mouth they can respect it. But when you let the media get into it and websites quote this and quote that, it turns into something so much bigger and everybody always going to try to make a small situation larger. But I mean I wasn’t thinking about running into no problems. I was just going there to hold my homie Vado down and show everybody else the same support. But on the way there I got arrested on some bullsh*t. I was on my way to the Highline Ballroom and I was driving without my license on me. Cops pulled me over in Jersey as I was leaving my crib and I had just changed all my clothes in a rush, and I left all my stuff in […]

Back in 1995 Mack 10 was introduced to us through Ice Cube with his slamming’ self-titled LP which included stand-out cuts like “Foe Life”, “On Them Thangs” and “Westside Slaughterhouse.” Then in 1996 he joined his mentor Ice Cube and fellow West Coast rapper WC to form the lethal trio known as Westside Connection which shook up the rap world with their Bow Down LP as sides were drawn in the East & West Coast war. After things cooled down between the Coasts, Mack 10 released his solo albums Based On A True Story and The Recipe with continued success. 2000’s Paper Route  LP was met with more criticism than previous releases and soon after Mack 10 departed from Priority Records and went in to business with the New Orleans based Cash Money Records. With the release of the Bang Or Ball, Mack 10 was back on the winning path as hits included production by the likes of Mannie Fresh and Dr. Dre. In 2003, Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10 decided to put the band back together and once again The Westside Connection was on the loose with their Terrorist Threats album. Unfortunately that would be the last time the Connect-Gang would release an LP together as Mack 10 and Ice Cube had a falling out over personal and family business. Since then, Mack 10 has put together a string of independent releases through his Hoo-Bangin’ Records label and things have been relatively quite between the two former friends over the past few years until recently. To promote his upcoming album I Am The West and to connect with fans, Ice Cube has been blogging on his own site and in recent posts has directed a few comments towards Mack 10 and quite possibly to his protege’ Glasses Malone who is  putting out his debut album through Mack’s label and Cash Money Records. As the West starts to rumble with tremors,  AllHipHop.com caught up with Inglewood rapper to get his take on the recent comments of his former friend and to talk about his upcoming Money Music album with Glasses Malone.             AllHipHop.com: I’m just going to get right to it. Your former friend and mentor Ice Cube has mentioned you several times in his personal blog. One of those statements said that in order to work with him again you would have to kiss the ring. How did you feel when you heard about that statement?   Mack 10: I laughed. I see that he’s taking his comedy to the next level now.   AllHipHop.com: You weren’t mad in any way?   Mack 10: The thing about it is that Ice Cube knows that I’m not a sucker. I had to laugh about it. Now he’s a comedian doing stand-up comedy. I said to myself, “He must have an album coming out or something. I know that the Mack & Malone album is dropping on July 13th (laughs).   AllHipHop.com: That’s the same day that Ice Cube is dropping his I Am The West album.    Mack 10: (Laughs) Oh, he’s got one coming out on July 13th too? The Mack & Malone will be in stores on that day. It’s called Money Music on Hoo-Bangin’ Records. Tell that dude to quit playing and come get this money. What’s he trippin’ on (laughs)?   AllHipHop.com: There’s been some stories around the internet about your falling out with Ice Cube. Some have said it’s personal and regarding family. What’s the real story?   Mack 10: Basically, I didn’t do anything to him and he didn’t do anything to me. We had an argument and I guess it was taken the wrong way because his wife was present. If she wasn’t there, we would probably still be doing records. His brother-in-law was disrespectful in a certain way. I don’t know what kind of dude he is now, but back then he was disrespectful. It was brought to Cube about 3 or 4 times before the bullsh*t happened. If I bring something to you 3 or 4 times and you don’t do anything about it – I mean just because a kid is your kid doesn’t mean he has the right to go spitting about anybody. The argument and the brother-in-law wasn’t worth throwing away The Westside Connection over in my opinion. When I heard the “kiss the ring” comment I just had to laugh because that’s comedy. That’s where I’m at with it. I don’t know what he’s tripping off of.   AllHipHop.com: After that argument all communication between you two ceased?   Mack 10: Just like that. It was over his disrespectful brother-in-law and I guess that’s what he meant when he said that I crossed the line or the family line. I didn’t cross any line. He (the brother-in-law) got in to it with several of my people. To keep it real with you, I don’t know what dude is tripping off of. Whatever happened that night it wasn’t worth The Westside Connection not doing anymore records together.   AllHipHop.com: Do you miss being in Westside Connection?   Mack 10: I think I miss what The Westside Connection meant to the Coast. I don’t have time to feel all that about it but I miss what we meant to the West. I don’t have no problem getting money. WC doesn’t have any problems I’m sure.   AllHipHop.com: You and W.C are still cool? This hasn’t affected your friendship?   Mack 10: We’ve got a couple of shows coming up.   AllHipHop.com: I heard the show on April 17th at the West Hollywood Key Club got cancelled.   Mack 10: We’ve got some out of town shows coming up. I’m not really tripping off The Westside Connection. I don’t even know why my name came out of Ice Cube’s mouth. I was very surprised at that.   AllHipHop.com: Do you think that a diss song from Ice Cube might be coming your way?   Mack 10: I ain’t […]

Editor’s Note: Lil Wayne wrote a letter to his fans from jail in Rikers Island. Love. Live. Life. Proceed. Progress. That’s who I am and who I’ll always be. You see, we’re all living on borrowed time, so I’m not worried about this situation. Life happens quick. The more time you spend contemplating what you should have done…you lose valuable time planning what you can and will do. Trying to tear down the past prohibits you from building up your future. So for my time here, my physical will be confined to the yard. My love and my spirit, however, know no boundaries. I’m in good spirits man, for real. My kids race through my mind all day. They know they were created with love, so love is how their life will be defined. I just hope my love and adoration for them provides a temporary bandage on a wound I unknowingly inflicted on them. Real soon, you can catch me blogging for ESPN again thank you espn for not letting my passion for sports perish. I work out a lot because it helps pass the time. I read the Bible everyday. Jail didn’t make me find God, He’s always been there. They can lock me up, but my spirit and my love can never be confined to prison walls. But this isn’t all about me, you are the reason for this letter. It’s because of you Rebirth went gold when critics aborted it. It’s because of you Young Money is and will always be a movement. If the weight of the world is on your shoulders, I beg of you, place it on mine. That’s the least I could do for you, after all you have sacrificed for me. If I could, I’d write each one of you back. Because of this, my team and I have created a website where you can view my letters. Each week I’ll answer as many questions as I possibly can. Mia Edwards (Southern California) – I wish you nothing but the best for you. Earning your Masters in Library and Information Science is beautiful. I’ll keep you in mind whenever I decide to do an autobiography on my life. Kelly Holloman (Brooklyn) – I still remember your letter. You have a great spirit. Thank you for the words and being a real fan. I love you. Nurris Terrero (New York) – Your letter was so thoughtful and sincere. The way you worded everything left me in awe. Please send suggestions on books I should read. I look forward to checking them out. For real, this will be the best way we can communicate for the coming months. The same way yall miss me, I miss yall, only 100 times more. To those who hate. Hate is only a form love that hasn’t found a way to express itself logically. Keep sending the letters and I promise keep responding. Thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU. No matter what they do to erase me, my love for you will always be permanent. Remember that. Take care. God bless. Give me the patience that I need To keep my piece of mind, And with life’s cares, I hope, Dear God, Some happiness to find. Give me the courage to face life`s trials and not to from troubles run. let me keep this thought in mind. “Thy Will,” not “Mine,” be done. – “Pray”

Def Jam Recording artist, Bone, may be standing on the outside of the Freshman class of 2010, but could very well step out to be “John Wall (of Kentucky Wildcat fame)” when the year is over. The Atlanta, Texas (yes, I said Texas) native, Fort Worth resident appeared on the industry radar this past October, and got signed to a single deal with Def Jam for a song he recorded only a month before called “HomeGurl”. Six months later, the early success of ‘HomeGurl’ upgraded Bone’s Def Jam situation to an album contract. And the recently released remix of the record has been graced by Texas lyrical legend, Bun B. Bone is currently attending Prairie View University. And this is where Hip-Hop elder statesmen would be proud. Bone is currently taking a Hip-Hop course, learning the in and outs of the industry as well as its history. Bone was granted a break between classes to talk with AllHipHop.com about his early success and double life as rapper/college student. AllHipHop.com: While we got some time between your classes, talk about some of your early influences in Hip-Hop. Bone: When I was very young, it was listening to LL Cool J that made me want to rap. I can remember watching the ‘Around the Way Girl’ video with my mom. She was a huge fan of LL. When I was old enough to choose what I listened to, I listened to UGK. I remember hearing ‘Pocket Full of Stones’ a lot. ‘Do What You Wanna Do’ by Devin da Dude was a favorite of mine. At age 12, I was blessed to listen to Eminem, and he has been my favorite rapper since. More so than Em’, I must say Scarface. And I can’t leave out artists like Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Slim Thugg, Chalie Boy, etc. These were the artists that showed me how to grind and how to get my music heard. And I’m not just saying but I’ve been reading AllHipHop.com ever since I started reading news online. So your site is an influence too. AllHipHop.com: We appreciate that a lot! Ok, so talk about your college life and whether it connects to your music career or not. Bone: Well I’m sitting in my professor’s office, shout out to Dr. Jones. I met Dr. Jones back in 2006. His favorite rapper is Rakim. And he swears up and down that Rakim is the best emcee ever. I’m enrolled in his Hip-Hop class this semester. Dr. Jones’ expertise in History and his background in Hip-Hop has opened up my small world to the larger picture. Hip-Hop is a culture. I believe that there isn’t a wrong way to be Hip-Hop. I believe that Texas is as much Hip-Hop as New York and California is as much Hip-Hop as Georgia is. Hip-Hop is universal. And as far as tying Hip-Hop in with my major (Psychology), in many ways it is one in the same. But I just want people to know that you can do both, music and school. You don’t have to drop one for another. You can work twice as hard at both. AllHipHop.com: Let me be honest with you. I never knew there was an Atlanta, Texas. Can you do a pitch for your hometown real quick? Bone: Atlanta, Texas is all about Football and Track & Field. We’ve won State Championships in both. I was on the 2004 State Championship Football team. It’s a very athletic community. The population is 5,000 people. As far as Hip-Hop goes, there isn’t any history there. So for me to come from Atlanta, Texas and to be signed to Def Jam is a blessing. I’m so proud to have been born and raised there. But I will tell you, there weren’t any places for me to record in town. I didn’t record my first record until I was 15 years old. I’ve wanted to rap since I was 4. AllHipHop.com: Now that you have your album deal in place, what are you looking forward to this year? Bone: I got a lot of songs ready that we are going through right now. We have a title for the album. Tricky Stewart will be lending his Grammy winning expertise to the album. I got my first mixtape coming out. We’re just working hard, pushing everything to the max. I am also working on getting this degree at the same time. So it’s a lot of work, but it’s the best work.     Will “Deshair™” Foskey is a Senior Journalist/blogger, born and raised in New Jersey with a New Yorkers mentality. You can follow him on Twitter @Deshair    

For most people, being incarcerated is a set back. For Archie Bang, it was the perfect time to reposition himself and to gain a clear perspective of his future plans in the rap game.  After coming of the Anger Management project, Archie recently dropped Nothin’ To Lose with DJ Whoo-Kid, and is currently gunning for a major label deal. With a new song featuring Nipsey Hussle, and projects coming up with several other New York artists, Archie is seeking long term success after being caught in the New York Correctional system for several years.  Now after having received over 2 million hits on his newest video on several hip hop websites, Archie Bang is looking forward to a positive year and getting out there to the masses.  The buzz is stong, the music is authentic, take a look and see what Archie got coming up for the listeners! AllHipHop.com: What’s Up Archie? What you got going on right now man?Archie Bang: Aww Man, right now I’m just grinding, working on trying to promote this mixtape I dropped on March 9th.  It’s been getting a lot of reception.AllHipHop.com: And that’s with DJ Whoo-Kid, right?Archie Bang: Yeah, with Whoo-Kid.AllHipHop.com: Okay, so tell the readers about this DJ Whoo-Kid mixtape, cause I know I been looking forward to hearing it.Archie Bang: Well, right now it’s online. It’s online on here and there, every mixtape; ITunes; Amazon Music, it’s everywhere. So, I pretty much worked on building a network, and a relationship with the whole Shadyville Family, and eventually made it up to Whoo-Kid. He heard the material, and wanted to jump on the project. He co-signed it, and we made it happen!AllHipHop.com: Right. So, tell us a little about where you’re from, and how you came about in the rap game?Archie Bang: I’m from Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York born and raised, but I spent a lot of time down in Miami, Florida. I used to get into a lot of trouble here in Brooklyn, so they sent me down to Miami. I’m pretty much familiar with both sides, and it reflects in my music. You know, it’s a hood, just like any other hood across the country.AllHipHop.com: I heard New York has been getting crazy there lately; what happen to Baby G [R.I.P] is sad to here. Did you know him personally?Archie Bang: Yeah, I know. Nah, I didn’t know him personally. But, you know, anytime something like that happens, it’s a bad situation. Especially when somebody catches a raw deal. But, this is the environment that a lot of us are in. It’s just up to us to avoid certain situations, and stay on the up-and-up, and remain positive.AllHipHop.com: Rest In Peace, Baby Gee. Our condolences go out to his family.Archie Bang: Definitely, Man.AllHipHop.com: Now, there’s a video on the net right now featuring Nipsey Hussle, Jealousy. Tell us about that Jealousy joint, man.Archie Bang: When I was working on the mixtape, it wasn’t too many artists that I had access to.  But when I can home, I built a relationship and rapport with Nipsey, cause I was feeling his music and what he was doing. You know, the grind, the hustle, and the whole movement that he had going. So, we pretty much collaborated on the Jealousy record, and made that happen. Once he got to New York, doling his promotional run, he came out and supported, and we shot the video. And it came out crazy!AllHipHop.com: Yeah, the video looks hot, Archie. I seen some shots from it, and I’m definitely liking what that was all about.  Now, we talked a little about the mixtape, but tell us, what do you have lined up as far as albums?Archie Bang: Okay, the DJ Whoo-Kid mixtape is called 2010: Nothin’ To Lose. It’s all original material. So, it’s pretty much an album. 12 tracks, 2 interludes which are an intro and an outro, all done by none other than Whoo-Kid himself. At the same time, after I’m finish promoting this one, I have another one [mixtape] dropping with [DJ] Big Mike and The Empire. So, that’s what I’m working on now. I’ve been recording a few songs for that one. On the same note, been working on a few singles for the radio, that way by the summer, I can have ‘em spinning in rotation.AllHipHop.com: That’s what’s up! That’s really how it goes. So, Looking at your career thus far, that Anger Management was a smash and everybody was feeling it. Talk more in detail about that.Archie Bang: Well, the Anger Management was like…Okay, I came home in February of 2009. I did a little stretch. So, when I came home, Anger Management was all of the best material that I had accumulated at that time, and I put it together in that project. And DJ Messiah jumped on it and did the hosting for me. It came out crazy, and classic material. All the writing that I was doing while I was locked up was the Anger Management project. Thus, the name, ya feel me?AllHipHop.com: You mentioned that you did a stretch. Can you talk about how it changed your life and your career?Archie Bang: Yeah. That, boy…(pausing), pretty much opens your eyes. It lets you know whose with you, and who really wasn’t with you to begin with. So, you got to make the best of it.  So, what I did was, got my mind right, and just prepared myself for what I was gonna come home to. Which is pretty much all of what I am doing now. So, I used it[the jail time] as a planning process on have to put everything into perspective and calculate my next move. So, that’s what I used my time for.AllHipHop.com: Where exactly were you ?Archie Bang:  (Laughing) I did the whole tour of Upstate New York Correctional Facilities. Sing-Sing, Quentin, The Boxes, the 5 Points, and the Super-Max’s. I did a whole tour up there.AllHipHop.com: WOW! So, the grit in the […]

Leave it to Miami’s own Trina to christen herself a “Million Dollar Girl” in the midst of a recession. Talk about nerve. No surprise, since the sassy rap diva has been a firecracker since she emerged on the rap scene in 1999 with rapper Trick Daddy.  Since her “Nann” days, Trina has managed to gain a loyal fan base and remain relevant for over ten years, which is no easy feat in the ever-fickle music industry. Four albums later, the Slip-n-Slide Records princess readies her fifth release Amazin’ (May 4th) as well as her newest roles as a VH1 reality TV star and cosmetics mogul. Here Trina speaks to AllHipHop.com about Lady Gaga, working with Diddy and why 2010 (so far) has been her best year ever! AllHipHop.com: Between your single Million Dollar Girl’s success, cross-promotion of Ciroc and your appearance on Luda’s “My Chick Bad” remix, 2010 has started off nice for you. Tell us about your new album Amazin’, your Vh1 reality show and your fragrance, cosmetic and sunglasses lines. Trina: My album Amazin’ (in stores May 4th) is my baby. Monica is on the album twice. I worked with Lyfe Jennings, Keri Hilson, Diddy, Nicki Minaj, Lady Saw, Flo-Rida, Ross and Lil Wayne. My cosmetics line is lip wear and eyelashes and it’s a fun thing because I’m a girly girl. It [Amazin’ Cosmetics] wasn’t always in the works, [but] when the offer presented itself, I jumped at the opportunity. The cosmetic line drops in May. It’s affordable and aimed at anyone who loves Trina and wants to be a part of what I’m about. My fragrance, Diamond Princess, was already in the works but I recently re-did the scent and packaging. The sunglasses collection was the last thing presented to me. I thought, “I love wearing shades, so why not?” So I saw them and glammed them up! Both the sunglasses and fragrance will drop fall 2010. Also, my reality show, The Baddest Chick, debuts on Vh1 very soon. It’s not your typical reality show; it shows me working with my business ventures and my artists [Pretty Money] plus my family. Family is so important to me, regardless of material success. AllHipHop.com: Your track record is as follows: 10 years in the game, loyal fan base, have worked with Diddy & Missy Elliot and you cross-promote Ciroc liquor, your reality show and product lines. But do you ever still feel like fans and critics still don’t give you your full props? Trina: Sometimes, but it’s part of the territory.  Even with the opportunities and projects that come my way you still have some people who are unsure. For those that are supportive of my journey I’m so appreciative for that. Maybe those that aren’t sold will eventually jump on the bandwagon. I’m so happy with who I am. I’m living my dream and I’m content with who I am. I’m confident and believe that my fans that have supported me all this time, they see the growth and the woman I’ve become. So many things have come my way that may have never come five years ago. But five years ago I probably wouldn’t have been ready to be in control, be a CEO of a company and represent these opportunities as well as I can. Sometimes, I think, ‘this can be so political’ but it is what it is. I’m so blessed and thankful for everything. I’m happy to be in a position to have a fifth album. AllHipHop.com: Who are your Top 5 Rappers Dead or Alive? Trina: Jay-Z, Wayne, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross and Biggie. I love Biggie; I grew up on Biggie. I got into Versace because of him. (Laughs) AllHipHop.com: 2008”s Still Da Baddest debuted #1 on Billboard Rap’s chart but was your lowest-selling album, despite being critically-acclaimed. Based on that, is your game plan different for your new album Amazin’?     Trina: This album challenges me, where I’m singing, there’s live instrumentation, different things. People don’t realize that when you’re on a label, they control most of the project. This time I had creative control of the album and this brought out the best in me. Amazin’ is a little different but I’m still Trina the person and that never changes. You just grow. I’m not the same person I was five years ago or ten years ago because I’ve experienced different things. Amazin’ is diverse. Those that have grown with me will understand how I’ve grown on this album. It’s easy to craft a hip-hop record in the studio but not as easy to do a cross-over record or a record where you challenge yourself. I told the producers, ‘I don’t want you to send me a record you think is ‘for Trina. I want to you to send me a record that you think I would never do.’ Everybody wants to do the “Pull Over”, the “Naan” and those records were fun but I’m at a different phase of my life. I turned down so many records because they were the same records from ten years ago that were still stuck in the ‘Trina Zone.’ With Amazin’ I worked with producers that understood my growth and wanted to see me in a different, esteemed light. I did the “Million Dollar Girl” record with Keri Hilson in mind but never imagined Diddy on the record. I gave it to Keri [Hilson] and somehow Diddy heard it. He loved it! I came back from overseas and heard the finished record and Diddy’s vocals were on there. I was excited. Diddy is the most amazing person I have ever collaborated with. He was calm, respectful and the video was a dream come true. People don’t understand how hard you work and how much you have to prove yourself. I’m talking about Amazin’ so much, but it’s just how I feel! I’m happy with the end result. AllHipHop.com: How did your Lady Gaga record come about? Is that a new direction you’re headed […]

  Let us get this clear. We know this recap is late, but there are some things that must be established. The AllHipHop Team that went to SXSW was there for hard work and some fun. All things considered, we left physically spent, but mentally exhilarated. We saw the underground, we saw best sellers, we saw the future of Hip-Hop and then some. We didn’t see it all though, because its just about impossible to “see” it all.  There is just too much going on. To be honest, it took some time to fully recover from SXSW,  but here we are. Late, but present. – Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur This recap was based on the first hand experiences of Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, Grouchy Greg Watkins, Jake Crates, Diane “Shabazz” Varnie, and Sigmund’s Dope. WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, 2010 – DAY 1 – OGPR & ALLHIPHOP present: Paul Wall & Chamillionaire Reunion Show – “The Best in Texas” Show JIGSAW: I was definitely excited to be a part of this – the kick off day of SXSW. I personally interviewed Paul & Cham to get their point of view about the reunion. The show was so ill, but I couldn’t get a good spot in the midst of chaos. Definitely had some great, behind the scenes conversations.GROUCHY GREG: Landed in one piece, got to my hotel room and relaxed for about an hour. Then me and Jigsaw headed out to the Best in Texas show. When we arrived, we were greeted with a packed venue and a full backstage area. I went out to the crowd and peeped some great performances. Trae the Truth’s crew took over the entire stage. It was magic being lucky enough to stand on the stage and watch Paul Wall and Chamillionaire reunite and perform. Afterwards, we went to their tour bus and kicked it for about an hour. It was great conversation and Paul and Cham are some cool dudes. JAKE CRATES: We arrived at the hotel and realized that the official SXSW bracelets are essential to getting into any event during SXSW so we scramble to call Matt (Director of all the Hip-Hop events) to find out if we can get some bracelets but the registration area is closed.  Nas and Damian Marley are putting on a show at this point, which I heard about ALLLLL week. Upset I missed that because I heard they had a live band and Nas killed it! That night we went to the Best in Texas showcase which featured Fat Pimp, Dorrough, Chalie Boy, Trae the Truth, Troublesum, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire and many others.  Mike 5000 Watts was in the building too, it was truly a classic moment in Texas hip hop history. The highlight of the show was definitely Paul Wall and Chamillionaire getting back together to do a show.  The show was off the chain.  They performed each of their classics and even gave the crowd a little bit of what they have coming up.  The duo is officially back together and on tour and they are going to be putting out tons of product over the next year.  Definitely look forward to a possible collaborative album if they can work out some of the details with respect to their labels. THURSDAY MARCH 18, 2010 – DAY 2 – Digiwaxx Event, Klub Krucial JAKE CRATES: Thursday was just as good as Day 1 (if that is even possible).  By this point we got our bracelets and we were planning on hitting every venue we could, but it seemed like SXSW tried to schedule the most hyped events at the same time so that they spaced out the crowds as much as possible.  It’s kind of cool because that way everyone’s music got heard, and it worked out because most artists performed at several different events throughout the week. The Digiwaxx event on Thursday was slammin’.  Mickey Factz, Esso, Shannell, and Fashawn definitely put on good shows and Alchemist and Oh No were the building to put on a performance towards the end.  I can definitely say that the Mickey Factz performance was my favorite.  He had mad energy, had no hypeman, his beats were completely different than most artists and you could tell he puts 100% of his energy into the shows! When the show was closing out, we saw Rhymefest, and he kicked AllHipHop an exclusive freestyle for the ages.  Steve Raze and I were definitely lucky to witness that live!  That’s just a sign of how the whole week was; seems like Hip-Hop royalty were just popping up out of nowhere and there was more content than anyone could have imagined prior to the shows. JIGSAW: I was a bit upset that I missed Shannell, but I got a flick. She was really cool, especially for somebody down with Lil’ Wayne. I was also very impressed, by Mickey Factz. GROUCHY GREG: I have to give props to CL from Digiwaxx. Both of his events were smooth and run very professional. The DJ’s kept the party rocking and there was even some B-Boying’ going on in the crowd at one point. Mickey Factz’s performance was impressive. The Alchemist came on stage and ripped it. Not only is he a legendary producer, but the cat can spit and hold his own on stage as well. At one point during the week, we ran into each other and he had two arms full of records. He let me go through them. Pretty tight right.  JAKE CRATES: At night we hit Klub Krucial at the HiphopDX event, which featured Pill, The Jacka, Mistah FAB, The Pack, Cool Nuts, Killa Mike, and Freeway and YelaWolf also made appearances; definitely a classic show of up and coming artists that will be making a bunch of noise in 2010 and 2011.  MistaH FAB shut it down for all the Bay Area fans that came out and even gave a shout out to AllHipHop.com in an exclusive freestyle for the crowd at the […]

 Sitting in a moderately crowded martini bar in South Orange, New Jersey, Rah Digga joyfully sips her Jolly Rancher martini. As she enjoys her cocktail, she begins making casual conversation with a couple of women sitting a few bar stools down. She looks relaxed. She exudes a calming aura that makes those near ash though they have known her for years. The New Jersey native appears to be a regular customer who frequents, not one of the greatest female emcees to ever touch the mic. When it comes to females in Hip-Hop, there are a very select few who can hold their own trying to survive in a male dominated industry. The majority of people expect females to be soft, exude sex appeal, brag about the designer labels they wear and how much money they are getting. Not Rah Digga. But then again, Rah Digga isn’t your average female emcee. Ten years ago, Rah Digga came on the scene with a mission to prove that she could out rhyme even the best emcee, male or female. She made it clear that she wasn’t just about the party records. In fact, her true love for Hip-Hop consisted of her murdering the beat and penning rhymes that can make the hottest emcee double back into the studio to re-write verses. It has been 10 years since Rah Digga dropped, but Dirty Harriet is back from the underground railroad of rap. “If you like the old Rah Digga, you’re gonna love the new Rah Digga!” Digga says. Continue. AllHipHop.com: You’ve been away for quite a while. A lot people might be thinking what does Rah Digga have left to contribute to Hip Hop? Rah Digga: Rah Digga is Hip Hop! One thing about me, from day one, I’ve always presented myself as someone who loves rhyming and who is an emcee first and foremost. I didn’t come to the game because of how I looked or how I dressed or how I did anything else except for how I rhymed. I think it’s just something that’s in me. It wasn’t something that was put together by a label. It wasn’t something somebody else invented. This is something I’ve been doing all my life. So whenever I’m allowed to do me, you’re always gonna get the best female emcee that ever did it. “I just got tired of rapping for a buzz. It was getting corny to me. I had a second album getting ready to come out and then it didn’t. And then we got dropped from J Records.” -Rah Digga AllHipHop.com: What makes Rah Digga so raw? Rah Digga: I’m real blunt with the truth. I’m one of those people who’s been studying Hip Hop practically from its own inception. I studied people like Rakim. I really learned to rhyme during a time when rhyming was raw. Rhyming was serious. Of course, there was always the different lanes and the different scope of artist. Some bring out the comical aspect, some bring out the colorful aspect, and then there’s some that are just raw. In the times of Mc Lyte and battling, that’s just what they did. And that’s when I learned how to rhyme and it’s always been something that’s stuck with me. I’m just a serious person. When I think of rhyming, I’m being analytical, I’m being philosophical. This is not just something I’m doing to make people sing along. You can pick the album apart for the rest of your life. I have lines with double and triple meanings and that’s what I consider fun when I’m rhyming. So, it comes off raw and serious. I’m such an educated person, so you’re not gonna get elementary rhymes. AllHipHop.com: Did you go to college? Rah Digga: Yes, I did. I did two years at NJIT (The New Jersey Institute of Technology). I was a wiz in Physics and Calculus. Math and Science were my strongest subjects. It was the lyrical stuff that ended making me pick up a career in it. Writing verses is almost mathematic for me. (Laughs) AllHipHop.com: What caused the split between you and Flipmode? Rah Digga: Personally, I just got tired of rapping for a buzz. It was getting corny to me. I had a second album getting ready to come out and then it didn’t. And then we got dropped from J [Records]. And then we spent like two years just being hot in the streets and doing mix tapes. So it just became real corny to me. So I stopped. I bought property in PA. I did the whole nature thing and just chilled. AllHipHop.com: Do you think being on Flipmode overshadowed your raw talent? Rah Digga: I don’t think they overshadowed me. I think I stood out being in Flipmode. Naturally, Busta was the captain of the ship. The label pretty much let us have our way but when they got serious about making their quota, they would sometimes push Flipmode to the side. Like, “Oh, we gotta do a Busta Rhymes album”. So a lot of times it was just circumstances out of our control. But that’s what happens sometimes when you’re signed to a label under a big artist. (Story continues after picture) AllHipHop.com: How did leaving Flipmode affect you? Rah Digga: It didn’t really affect me in any way. Especially with it being something that I wanted to do. It was just getting to the point where I felt it I needed to be honest with Busta and let him know I didn’t feel like doing this anymore. AllHipHop.com: Are there any other producers on the album? Rah Digga: This album right here, Nottz is the only producer on the album and I’ma tell you why. I ended up going down there and getting a couple of beats and then I started learning about a label they were forming called Raw Koncept. And he’s putting out his own album that he produced. AllHipHop.com: He’s an artist too? Rah Digga: He’s […]

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After years of delay as an artist on Aftermath/Interscope Records, Atlanta rapper Stat Quo is finally on the verge of releasing his highly anticipated album Statlanta.  The album, which is slated for May 4th, will be released on Sha Money XL’s Dream Big Ventures, through digital distributor, The Orchard.In this exclusive interview, Stat Quo remained tight lipped on the details about the album, but he did disclose the release will feature 12 tracks.  Stat has released the first single off the album titled “Success (Back To You),” which also has an accompanying video. Take a look at what Stat had to say about his upcoming work with Dre on the Detox album, his relationship with Eminem currently and his plans for performing at SXW this week. AllHipHop.com:  What’s up man? Where you located?Stat Quo: I’m in Cali now man. Cali-for-niaAllHipHop.com:  So what you go got going on out there?Stat Quo: Just finished up my album and then working on the Detox with Dr. DreAllHipHop.com:  Oh, so you still doing a lot of work with Dre and Eminem?Stat Quo: Yea with Dre, but I guess if you work with Dre you work with Em so, its kind of like they’re two peas in a pod right there, but I mainly been working with Dre.AllHipHop.com:   So we all have seen the Success (Back to You) video, can you tell me a little bit about that video and how the song came together?Stat Quo: You know Sha hooked me up with the beat and then I heard the chorus and thought about it. When you hear the song you might think that I am talking about a woman, but I am talking about my relationship with success. In the video, you know in my records, I write stories to them, so it was kind of easy to put a video to it.You know the video takes three aspects of my life, which a lot of people can relate to.  One of them I am working a corporate job, waiting for a train, freezing my but off trying to get a train and trying to get to work early.  You got a situation where I am on the corner selling CDs, and doing what I love. Then you have another situation where I am trying to graduate school and trying to get my degree.AllHipHop.com:   Definitely people are feeling that, sounds like it’s going to be a pretty successful album. Is that going to be on the STATLANTA album?Stat Quo: Yea man, it’s the first single off of the album. I guess a lot of people don’t think that it is a traditional single because its not geared towards the radio.  But I just wanted to make good music and not be concerned about BDF and all that other bulls**t.I just want to make music and songs that I like and can relate to, and hopefully some people that grew up like me will feel what I got going on.AllHipHop.com:   That seems like the best thing to do, more longevity in that style some would say.  So you mentioned you worked a corporate job and you also received your degree from the University of Florida.  Right? Can you tell me how that has affected you or how it has helped you?Stat Quo:  Graduated in business and economics, I just you know, sometimes when you are in artist mode, that’s all you think about, but it allowed myself to step out of being that artist, like “Wait a minute.” It allowed me to see my situation for what it was when it came down to me not ever actually putting out an album with Shady/Aftermath.I had to look at the business side of that and realize that at those companies hundreds, lets say even thousands of people’s jobs are dependent on the songs that come out with Dre and Eminem and 50’s sales.  I can realize why it was so pertinent at that point in time.  I see why it was so important to get those records out at this point, but back then I didn’t see that.AllHipHop.com:   So that experience obviously had a big impact on your career.  Can you talk about that working with Em and Dre and how that’s changed things for you?Stat Quo: Its dope, its dope working with them, its dope still working with them.  I learned so much from both them about how to be a better MC and a better person and I continue to learn from both of them.  I’m not going to sit on the phone and act like me an Em sit on the phone and talk all the time. It’s been a while. But at the end of the day I still got love for him. That’s never going to change.  When it comes to Dre you know he is the end all be all as far as my mentor. He’s held me down and continues to hold me down.AllHipHop.com:   Can you tell us a little bit about what it’s like working on the Detox Album?Stat Quo: Man being on this record, I just feel so important, you know what I’m saying?  Because this album is just so important for hip hop. I just feel blessed to actually have the opportunity to be in the place to work on it  The s**t is going to be a classic man straight up from beginning to end man, and they gonna like it, you gonna like it, the world’s gonna like it.AllHipHop.com:  Can you tell me about what the listeners can expect from Statlanta, or any features or any other information about the album as far as production?Stat Quo:  For this album man, I’m not telling anyone anything about who’s on it or anything because I feel like a lot artists tell who is on the album and then it takes away from the mystery away. So I would rather just wait. Like you know what? Just wait you and get the album and then see what’s […]

 In Part 2 of AHH’s Waka Flocka interview, we talk about beef,lyrics and this feelings on getting shot.   AllHipHop.com: I asked people on twitter to ask Waka some questions. Some people wanted to know if you care about the “Real Hip-Hop.”   Waka Flocka: Come on bro, like, who don’t care about that? I ain’t saying nothing about that. I said I don’t need no lyrics. Lyrics ain’t getting me paid. It ain’t. That ain’t got me paid. I’m just speaking how I feel. So what a person thinking they lyrical, half the people that we’re talking about, talking bad on me ain’t lyrical. That was just a part of that era. If you don’t know the era you don’t know music. But people be quoting from that era like they lived through that era. Them folk born in the 80’s man. Folks in the 80’s was 20-something years old, you wasn’t even 5 years old, how the hell you know what was going on right there and then.   They talk about “pick up a such-and-such album, pick up this album,” and if I get to rapping like that, what somebody going to do with my CD? Fling that s**t out the window. Them folk don’t want to hear that man. Hip-Hop is for development. It just ain’t for standing still, going back and remaking old songs. That ain’t cool, remaking folk’s songs. I honestly don’t think that’s cool. I might quote a person because that quote went hard, but people trying to say who’s “lyrical”, it ain’t lyrical man.  AllHipHop.com: You would lose your fan base anyways if you did that.   Waka Flocka: Yeah, in my opinion, they wouldn’t respect me for that. They would probably be like “You ain’t even on that, why you trying to prove a point to people that don’t even know you.” I don’t care about what all they got going on with their lyrics. You can have that…[people] like “Aye, you got simple rap.” Yeah it’s got me straight. Put your words in the club, you got about 1,000 words in one verse, nobody wants to hear that man. They drunk, they in the zone, or they mad. I just come get your party crunk, that’s it and dip. I ain’t come to let you sit in the car, listen to my whole cd, and make you go through emotional problems, Come on, I ain’t even into all that. AllHipHop.com: What’s up with you and Brisco? Right after you got shot, he just made this song that was like raw. It was so raw. I don’t know where it stems from really.   Waka Flocka: I didn’t think it was raw.   AllHipHop.com: You didn’t?   Waka Flocka: Hell nah, it wasn’t all that. But I felt like he got emotional. This n####, I ain’t even know nothing about him. The only thing I heard from him was a Lil’ Wayne song but, I ain’t finna to diss that man. That’s on him. That’s how he feel, that’s how he got emotional, it is what it is. I ain’t even going to worry about that man.   AllHipHop.com: So you don’t have any other beefs?   Waka Flocka: I don’t even eat red meat so beef isn’t even my category. Give me some fish, and some chicken.   AllHipHop.com: How do you feel like the internet played a part in your success?   Waka Flocka: That’s where I did my promotion. My first mixtape, I ain’t even press no copies of my mixtape. I was just straight on the internet. I was paying people to blast. I ain’t even let my folks know I dropped a mixtape, I did all that on my own. I ain’t go to no studio because I was really underground. I really did it for fun…and it popped so I’m going to run with it.   AllHipHop.com: Well, some dudes, I don’t know if they had any involvement in your shooting, but they were on the internet posting up with your chain.   Waka Flocka: Yeah man, that’s crazy ain’t it?   AllHipHop.com: Yeah, that’s wild.   Waka Flocka: I like that, it was good promotion too. They made me rich though, I didn’t know how they look…a bird or a dog could have shot me. I ain’t even see his face.  AllHipHop.com: What you mean a bird or a dog?   Waka Flocka: Like a animal, I thought a animal just flew down [imitates a gun with his hand and makes the sound of it being shot]. Ain’t no human did it. Who knows? That might not be them that might be them.  AllHipHop.com: You don’t care?  Waka Flocka: Hell no!  AllHipHop.com: Why not?   Waka Flocka: For what?  AllHipHop.com: Because people assaulted you.   Waka Flocka: He ain’t assaulted me man, he ain’t even know he shot me.   AllHipHop.com: He didn’t?  Waka Flocka: Hell nah, he was running. He did just like this [imitates a gun with his hand, points it in front of him while looking behind him], blaow!   AllHipHop.com: I thought you said they were trying to take your life.   Waka Flocka: Yeah, but he was scared. I was in the driver seat, he put a gun right here [points to left side of his head]. “So wassup I’m trying to kill you” I’m like, “S### you ain’t gotta kill me you can have this, [starts taking off rings on his fingers] this cheap ass jewelry.” I mean it ain’t cheap, but hey, this s###’s priceless. So I take my chain off, I’m stepping out of the car, he backed up. I’m like, “S### I mind as well go, fight this n####, take it from him, and show him what to do with it.”   But, once I grabbed it, he reacted quick. While I was in a punch…[lifts up his arm as if punching and then points to his arm right below his shoulder as if he was being […]

After the shooting, but before the black eye. After the arrest. After the comments about lyrics, but before he was fodder for TMZ. I sat down with Waka Flocka Flames. I wanted to meet this person. This is the one that everybody had been talking about, even though I personally had not heard much of his music at that time. My friend’s daughters from Alabama had heard it though. Credit them for making me more interested in this guy. Now my boy’s daughters are clamoring to intern for me because they want to meet Waka too. Interesting, this Waka Flocka Flame guy is. He’s got haters like a tenured, rich rapper, but the adoration of a segment of Hip-Hop that’s not so interested in lyrical prowess. Through it all, Waka seems content in the idea that hate trumps indifference any day. AllHipHop.com: Well, first of all, good to meet you.   Waka Flocka: Good to meet you too, likewise.   AllHipHop.com: You’re definitely a big talk-of-the-town type of individual these days. First of all, the whole shooting thing put you on everybody’s radar beyond the underground scene. Can you talk about your progress beyond that? How you’ve come to this point, being so popular.   Waka Flocka: I don’t even know. I just stayed in my mind, went hard, and s**t popped.   AllHipHop.com: How would you describe your style of music?   Waka Flocka: Hmm, different…Yeah, it’s different.   AllHipHop.com: What’s your creative process? What do you put into it, as far as what you put down on paper, and eventually what gets to the people?  Waka Flocka: I really just go off how I feel.  However I feel, that’s how I go. I never ever just create the concept. It’s hard to create the concept and run with it, because you keep your mind boxed in. So I really just, go with the flow.   AllHipHop.com: How’d you get down with Gucci?   Waka Flocka: Through the management. My manager, that’s my Momma, my real Momma. So I had met him. I got down cause I hung with him, felt him out, he’s a good person. So why not rock with him?   AllHipHop.com: Okay, so you weren’t like friends from back in the day or nothing like that?  Waka Flocka: Nah.   AllHipHop.com: Okay so how long have you and Gucci known each other?   Waka Flocka: It’s been some years, probably about 5 years.   AllHipHop.com: Do you guys bounce off each other creatively? Are you in the studio together?   Waka Flocka: Gucci bounce off Gucci. I don’t know how he makes that music. Homie can probably make about 12 songs in a day, and still want to go out and party. It’s in him. I don’t know what I feed off. I, sometimes, gotta be in the mood to rap. I’m never in the mood to rap everyday. I might be in the mood the next day to do some business. I’m more like a brainiac person. That’s why I be thinking about what I do.   AllHipHop.com: You think too much?   Waka Flocka: Yeah, sometimes I over-think stuff.   AllHipHop.com: You catch a lot of flack, how do you feel about that?  Waka Flocka: I like it.   AllHipHop.com: You do?   Waka Flocka: I love it, if there ain’t none [no hate] you ain’t doing good. I don’t want folk patting me on my back, because it’ll make me feel comfortable mentally, and I don’t want to feel comfortable.  I want to feel like I’m disowned. Somehow they gotta love me. So the haters, they gotta catch up, I hope they catch up.   AllHipHop.com: It’s funny because when I was with my best friend from Alabama, his daughters were talking about you the whole time. What’s interesting is that they’re teenagers, so I was getting a whole different perspective on your movement, and how people feel in general aside from a hate standpoint.   Waka Flocka: See, I really rap for folk from my generation, because when people come out young, they always come out with the girly stuff, or the flashy “I’m rich” type stuff. Why ain’t nobody talking about the aggressive stuff? Folks aggressive where I’m at, but we hungry. I tried to go get the jobs, that don’t work. Them folks ain’t hiring…they ain’t doing nothing. They talking about some cutting taxes, give some job money! So I rap aggressive. AllHipHop.com: Is it true that you’re really from New York?   Waka Flocka: Yeah, I’m from Queens, Northside.   AllHipHop.com: How long were you here?   Waka Flocka: Until like fifth grade.   AllHipHop.com: And you moved? Your mom moved you down there?   Waka Flocka: Nah, I was getting into too much [trouble] in New York. I was moving too fast. They told me just move to Georgia to play basketball.   AllHipHop.com: Did you excel in that?   Waka Flocka: Yeah, I just went down there to play basketball and that ended.   AllHipHop.com: How’s having your Mom as your manager?  Waka Flocka: That’s like my sister anyways. When I grew up she was like my Momma, my sister and my Daddy. So it’s just natural.   AllHipHop.com: Okay, okay, alright. Everybody wants to know how you got your name from the people I talked to. Waka Flocka: My boy Gucci he said “Wacka Flacka Fling” like “Aye bruh these joints threw their shooters up”…some crazy s**t like that. And everybody probably thought he was saying “Wacka Flacka Flame,” so s** t I just went with it.   AllHipHop.com: Do you feel like your style of rap, and what you rap about were a result of your conditions and your economic conditions?   Waka Flocka: Yeah, that’s how I feel. Like a person who is just sick and tired of just going through the hell they’re going through. I use music to relieve my anger, so I don’t physically contact a person. I’m always mad at somebody, because folk […]

Would Lloyd Banks kill somebody for 50 Cent?  Strange question unless you know the adamantium-clad loyalty that Banks holds for his mentor. Then, the question is not so easy to answer. One thing is certain, Banks will ride in that G-Unit car, whether it is about to self-destruct or careen down a road to vast riches. That’s just the kind of man he is. Fortunately, Banks remains a viable artist who isn’t reliant on his friend for the quality of his music these days. Look no further than “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley,” his street smash with Juelz Santana riding shotgun. In the Manhattan offices of G-Unit, Banks is cool as a spring day in Alaska. The workers are abuzz and Tony Yayo is in the back somewhere conducting his own interview. There’s a genuine excitement for where the brand is headed. Oddly, Banks – not 50  – is the main generate of the electricity this time around. Perhaps he’s ready to hop in the drivers seat for a spell. AllHipHop.com: So first of all your new joint, “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley,” has everybody excited about G-Unit again and, I mean not again, but you know what I’m saying.  Lloyd Banks: Again. It’s okay to say it. [chuckles] AllHipHop.com: Okay, so none of the Cam’ron /50 Cent beef stuff ever came into the picture with you and Juelz collaborating on that song?  Lloyd Banks: Nah, mainly because, and people should know this by now, I’m the most loyal cat that’s around. I’m a rare breed. 50 definitely had knowledge of what was going on. He was one of the ones saying, “S**t you better go and do that, make that happen.” Because even his situation with Cam’ron, who am I to say how serious it is? To me that was music. That’s rap, that’s being competitive and, they came in the game around the same time so, I’m pretty sure there’s a respect there. That’s what the game is built around, the competition; positive or negative, but, we past all that. We’re here to take the torch, bring it to another level. It’s good for New York City Hip-Hop. It’s Good for Hip-Hop period. You know, for other reasons to look in and see New York artists working together. So, this is the first time they heard us, it won’t be the last time they hear us. AllHipHop.com: New York City needs that unity. First of all, I’ve got to honestly ask you, do you feel like G-Unit contributed to some of the dissension, because I know Fabolous had said that at one point.  Lloyd Banks: Well, our contribution was more success. I think the hate came from the amount of success that we achieved. You know, throughout them years, we were so intact with each other [we] just wanted to make everybody from our situation successful first. We had a big crew. Like when Death Row came you wasn’t really hearing Snoop on nobody else’s record. You was hearing them on records with Daz, Kurrupt, Nate Dogg, Tupac, Danny Boy, whoever was down with Death Row. They had a wide circle; female artists and everything.  That’s kind of how G-Unit was. So it was like, I’m was a record with Prodigy, or I’m doing a record with M.O.P. So, not to say we never wanted it to work, we had so much talent within our own circle. We was kind of focused on G-Unit, and I feel like that kind of created an aura like we didn’t want to work with other people. And it wasn’t that, it’s just me as a solo artist today I still feel like I haven’t achieved the success that I’m going to.  “A lot of artists are sitting there when you first get signed to major label and the massage you like you can’t live without them. It’s a beautiful feeling to be independent and to be able to make money directly though iTunes or ringtones.” -Lloyd Banks AllHipHop.com: It’s important to note too, as far as your personal growth, there’s a lot of artists that are really talented, you know Memphis Bleek, I just talked to him a few days ago. Lloyd Banks: Shout out to Bleek.  AllHipHop.com: Yeah, definitely, and they have these larger than life personalities, you know Jay and 50 both cast a big shadow, but that doesn’t take away from the talent that you have as well.  Lloyd Banks: Yeah it definitely doesn’t, and at the same time you’ve got to know who you are as an artist. First off, 50 was the one that told me I was going to be a solo artist. At that point man I was just happy to be out of South Jamaica, Queens and doing something. I would have been good with it just being a group thing, and he presented me with the option to be a solo artist directly following the success of Beg For Mercy, the first G-Unit album. So, it could be a shadow to a certain extent to the naked eye, but at the same time I’ve been prepped, more than the average artist gets the opportunity to be.  Which also I feel might have, shied some artists away from me, feeling like I’m Richie Rich.  Like I’m one of the artists that’s going to be good, well off regardless if he’s successful or not, and that’s not the case. I think time is everything. When Get Rich or Die Tryin’ came out 50 was my age now.  That’s just how I look at things. I was fortunate enough to be around somebody like that and watch his Get Rich or Die Tryin’, watch his Massacre, watch him break records, how to conduct yourself in the public, how to do the proper interviews and not say stupid things and, what’s a good show, opposed to what’s a okay show. Being on 50 city tours with Eminem. All that came from me being around that situation, so I […]

“You can bull crap with music if you want to,” jokes Omillio Sparks, quoting former boss Beanie Sigel. Former Roc artist, State Property Member, and now under Tsunami Group management, Omillio Sparks is back on the scene with a new stance. The crew is now scattered about, Sparks is betting on himself to win his with cinematic aspirations and music on deck. AllHipHop.com: So, where have you been?  Omillio Sparks: I’ve been working…just been in the lab. Just working goin’ hard, about to push the mixtape. I’m putting my team back in order….I have a new team around me Tsunami Group. So just getting some situations in order. We just working!  AllHipHop.com: Tell me about the mixtape and the album I’m a Grown Man Walking.  Omillio Sparks:  We gonna drop the Mixtape first, Omillio Sparks Volume 1, that’s crazy! Got some features with Bird Gang, of course State Property..That’s a given they on there, Franky D. But the Grown Man Walking album is stupid! We got Jim Jones on that one. I been in New York bustin’ moves so…..I’m resurfacing! AllHipHop.com: Why did you choose that title? Omillio Sparks: It is what it is. Time went by, I matured, I grew, I’m on my grown man. I’m on my business, I’m just real focused right now. You can hear the maturity in the music. I’m still on my grind, I’m still me, but you can hear the change. AllHipHop.com: Outside of the artist that you mentioned, who do you want to collaborate with? Omillio Sparks: I still got some features from Wayne. It’s a record I got with Jadakiss. So I got a couple of features. We just got to put the album together to see what’s gonna make it, and what’s not. AllHipHop.com: Future collaborations? Omillio Sparks: Definitely! I want to work with Jeezy. It’s some new artist coming out of Philly that I’m working with. It’s a lot of other artist out there I want to work with, but I’d rather reach out and make it happen before I start talking about it. AllHipHop.com: Everyone knows you for your songwriting for hits, especially for “I Just Wanna Love You”. Are you still doing that nowadays, or are you just focused on yourself? Omillio Sparks: Right now I’m just focused on what I gotta do, but definitely that’s on the table. Writing is definitely on the table because that’s what I do. I’m definitely gonna write some music for other artist, that’s in the future. AllHipHop.com: Before you got into the business, what was your inspiration for music? Omillio Sparks: I was always around other artist. The would always tell me “Come to the studio, you talented.” I didn’t realize how much impact I had on people with some of the songs I had, so I just went hard. We started putting out music Independently, and I saw the responses I was getting. So I went hard for about 2 ½ years, one thing led to another, and I was in NY having a meeting with Jay and we were signed to Roc-A-Fella. You can bullcrap with music if you want to, but I take it serious! AllHipHop.com: What makes you an original artist? Omillio Sparks: I think it’s my voice and my style of rap. I separate myself from the rest because I do me. I don’t limit myself, I just make music. I don’t stay in one zone, and I’m not one dimensional. Some people are scared to jump out the box; I’m just making music.  AllHipHop.com: You are under Tsunami Group now? How did that happen, and why did you choose that route?  Omillio Sparks: I went to New York, and somebody knew CJ. They took me to see her and when I sat down with CJ we just talked and it had to happen. The chemistry was there, and I say within a month we were making noise. AllHipHop.com: You have a few films under your belt, any more in the future? Omillio Sparks: Movies and TV; we got that all lined up. That’s longevity there so I’m not stopping there, like you said it’s under my belt now so it don’t make sense to stop. It makes sense to keep moving forward, and that what I’m doing. Music is my first love, I gotta do that! That’s a no-brainer! I have a film coming up called “48 hours Till Dark” staring DMX and Fredro Starr. AllHipHop.com: What’s the synopsis of the film? Omillio Sparks: DMX has his own team, Fredro has his, and I have mine. We all get tipped off about the same spot. Its sort of has a “Trespass” theme, but it’s different. I know it’s gonna be crazy on set with them! AllHipHop.com: How hard, or easy is it for you transitioning from rapping into acting mode? Omillio Sparks: It’s not hard at all, it’s like remembering your script, is remembering your verses. It’s just getting into character, knowing your character, and making it come alive on screen. It’s a challenge…..but I like it, I love acting. AllHipHop.com: I’m sure you get irritated by people asking you about Jay, Dame , and Beans, but how did the breakup of the Roc affect you personally? Omillio Sparks: I was more disappointed, like WOW we were making history. It really wasn’t a bad thing for me because I was free. I was out of my contract. I was able to move like I wanted to move without being obligated to a company. But it was a disappointment because it was like a family. I was around a bunch of them dudes, we spent a lot of years together, so we grew to love each other. Then it all ended…that was crazy. It’s over so you move forward, you can’t dwell on it. AllHipHop.com:  You still keep in contact with everybody?  Omillio Sparks: Of course I keep in contact with everyone from State Property. I talk to Dame. I even saw Jay afterwards and […]

AllHipHop caught up with French Montana and Bun B in a sprawling condo on the set of the new French song “Bad Habits.” This is the first collaboration for the pair, but its not likely to be the last. AllHipHop.com: So first of all can you tell us, tell Allhiphop.com and all the people watching how you guys got together? It seems like an unlikely pair.   Bun B: Nah, we got a common friend, Akon. Akon is a friend of mine recorded on the last UGK album. Of course he’s signed to Konvict Music. I happened to be in Miami when ‘Kon and Pitbull was shooting the video “Shut it Down,” and of course French was in the building, we just chopped it up. We had mutual respect. I had seen him doing his thing by himself, doing his thing with Max [B]. You know me, I was doing my thing with UGK. He was like, “We need to f**k around.” I have a list of cats that’s pre-approved, that can get a 16 [bar verse], and French was one of them. It was just a matter of time before we ended up in the same room. He hit me up, I just happened to be in the lab when he hit me, working on a new mixtape. He’s like “I got the joint,” and I said “Send it over.” Then I sent it right back. He ain’t see that coming because whether I happened to be in the lab or not, I was feeling it. I sent it back and the rest is history. We in New York shooting the video.  French Montana: Yeah, real talk.  AllHipHop.com: So French how’s it feel to work with the legendary Bun B?  French Montana: It’s a privilege man, it’s an honor. This is somebody. When I was in the trap listening to the King of the Trap.   AllHipHop.com: Yeah, No Doubt.   French Montana: This is someone you always looked up too. Rapper was the big homie man. Ain’t too much you can say man. The big homie, it is what it is. It’s just out of respect  AllHipHop.com: We’re trying to get Bun to run for the Senate.  All laugh French Montana: A lot of dudes like Bun supposed to be doing what Bun is doing man. This is a perfect example that probably makes some of them like, “Yo, know what? I need to stop being bougie and really look out for those who deserve it.” Not everybody, but those who paved the way, those who’re doing real things.  AllHipHop.com: We’re on the video set here, and we want to know, the concept of the video, the name of it, and what we’re going to see in a few weeks or months when it comes out. Can you speak on that?  French Montana: The video is Bad Habits. Everybody got bad habits; drinking, smoking, whatever it is you do. You try to stop them but they keep coming back.   Bun B: Keep trying to put this glass down, but I keep picking that yac up. [takes a sip out of a glass]  French Montana: See what I’m saying? It keeps coming back. Once he heard it he liked the concept he just jumped on it. It’s a ill concept because everybody’s got that.   AllHipHop.com: So what are ya’ll putting on a heist or what? (02:26)  Bun B: Nah, the way I can see we just letting people ride the wave. So we showing them how we’re balling in the penthouse as you can see right now, 50th floor, and we’re going to show them the big cars.  French Montana: Top of New York.   Bun B: Like I said, we just showing how we ride the wave right now. I like the wave, I’m with that.   French Montana: [Laughs]  French Montana & Bun B – Behind The Scenes Of “Bad Habits” video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player AllHipHop.com: For people that don’t know, we’re in the Trump Tower right now. Looking over the whole city of New York.   Bun B: We’re not just in a hotel in downtown, we’re in the Trump Tower. This that 10 million dollar view right here.   French Montana: I’m talking about glass steps, you might think you’re falling. Walking on water baby!   Bun B: Walking the wave.   AllHipHop.com: Speaking of wave, Max B, at least I believe, he popularized that phrase. I could be wrong.   French Montana: Yeah.  Bun B: Absolutely.   AllHipHop.com: Could you give us a update on what’s going on with Max B?  French Montana: Oh he good. His spirit is high. He in there hanging in the pill looking straight. You know the judge just gave him a date. He about to give him a date to go back to court, so keep prayers up, that’s all you can do. They try to sabotage rappers. You know it is what it is man. Free Max B!   Bun B: Free Max B!  AllHipHop.com: How you feel about that? It seems like every other day, T.I. goes in, somebody else comes out. Gucci goes in, Wayne’s going in…Do you really feel like somebody is really targeting rappers now?  Bun B: We definitely on the radar, and we’ve been trying to tell cats for a long time that we was on the radar. Now people are really seeing it, that they’re really watching our every move. And what they want, they really want to catch us with big drugs and, really want to catch us merking somebody.  But, if they can lay us up a year behind some trumped up little charges, a little weed or, something like that, then they are going to take what they can get.   French Montana: Stop showing all them guns online.   Bun B: Real talk. They know we’re making an impact, they know we really talk to the streets, and they got a message that they trying to send that they don’t want us in the middle of. I’m a street dude, so […]

Roscoe Dash is one of several upcoming rappers in Atlanta that have had the club scene on smash over the past year. Now artists like the three-man trio Travis Porter, Waka Flocka Flames, Alley Boy and Roscoe Dash are leading a new generation of Atlanta rappers with a brand new sound. Roscoe Dash began simply as “Jay Johnson,” battling other rappers as a student in middle school. He dropped his first mixtape in 2007, collaborated with other rising artists and gave away copies of his mixtapes to get his fan base up. Read up on Roscoe Dash, his issues with Travis Porter and the story behind his massive hit record “All The Way Turnt Up,” which now features Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em. AllHipHop.com: Whats good man? Roscoe Dash: Out here in Atlanta, we just got back from New York, doing the Rip the Runway with BET. It was crazy, it was a very different experience, I’ve never done anything like that befor so it was a big moment for me. AllHipHop.com: Yea man you are having a lot of success right now. A big time for your music right now man Roscoe Dash: Yea man I just am trying to do something different right now. Have you heard the “Show Out” record yet? Yea that one is doing real well in Atlanta right now, that’s #2 on the radio now and we are going to shoot a video for that at the end of the month.. The “All the Way Turnt Up!” is #8 on the countdown right now. We are working on a few mixtapes right now. The first one is called “Can’t The Lambo” that will be out the 15th of March. Then we have another one coming out with Wacka coming out later on this month, maybe at the beginning of next month. AllHipHop.com: You said the mixtape is called “Cant Catch the Lambo”? You already pushing a Lambo now? Roscoe Dash: Yea, you know Polo is looking out so and I’m gonna be soft up for the summer AllHipHop.com: Talk about MMI and explain what you got on deck for the fans in the next year. Who are some of the artists that you have lined up? I know you already have plans for them. Roscoe Dash: Me and MMI just launched a new website called www.mmitakeover.com. You know its just a way for the fans to keep up with everyone in the MMI family. That’s me, KE, LA the Boomman, Nico, Calio, the list goes on, but we really just want to make it something more and bigger than just an indie label. You know what I’m saying?” We linked up with DJ Cut Throat, who runs the “I Love My Plug” movement. That’s who’s doing the “Can’t Catch the Lambo”, and we are going to do a collaboration mixtape with Waka Flocka and I believe DJ Holiday. So that will be out next month. We really are just trying to flood the streets with music before the album comes out. We got a could of viral videos that we are putting out. Build up some anticipation until the album comes up. We just want to keep people in the loop with what’s going on. AllHipHop.com: “All The Way Turnt Up” is getting played just about everywhere in the country at this point, but when you look up the song on the internet, it appears there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the song. Travis Porter and his crew were seen performing the song without you. I know you have talked a lot about that but can you comment on that and explain your relationship with Travis Porter at this point? Roscoe Dash: Basically, I did the song by myself way back in January last year. I thought the song was going to be really epic, it was going to be something that was really big, so I wanted to sit on it and make or release it when everything else was on the decline. Waka Flocka had the “Oh Lets Do It,” Yung LA was out with the Futuristic movement as well as J Money and the whole Shoppe Boys movement, I just wanted to catch it when everything was coming down. In the midst of me doing all of that, I ended up linking up with Travis Porter and let him on my song because of my cousin “YT,” he was on the end of the version with Travis Porter, he was an investor in their group. So, we were going to the club one day and I let one of the members of the group, which is Strap, he heard the song and he wanted to get on it. I though it would be a good move for me, since they had a bigger brand than me and even if people didn’t know the members of the group or anything about the group they knew the name. So I let him get on the song and they ended up releasing it on their mixtape, which is called “Im a Differenter 2”. They released it August 1st of 2009 and it was released as a Travis Porter ft Atl and YT. So they put my name on there before I changed my name to Roscoe. Basically it got pushed on YouTube as a Travis Poter record and once things hit Youtube they posted over and over and over again, and eventually I just got dropped and it was just Travis Porter – “All the Way Turnt Up”. They never told people, ‘this not our song. This is Roscoe’s song.’ It was my song and they were featured on it. They went around doing shows and telling people they did the song and never told people that I was the one that made the song, and telling people that I just did the hook for the song or whatever the case may be and taking money and everything else and a lot of […]

Xzibit has been a staple in on the West coast Hip-Hop’s landscape since he hit the scene even though he was born in Detroit, and lived for a time in New Mexico. Since his 1996 debut At the Speed of Life X to the Z has been speeding along with 40 Dayz and 40 Nightz, the platinum-selling Restless, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and his last album, 2006’s Full Circle. Nevertheless, with all of his Hip-Hop accolades, he’s most widely recognized around the world as Mr. Pimp My Ride. While there aren’t many that want to see X’s return to reality TV, his core fans are certainly clamoring over his return to rhyme. MMX is the new album and he’s also plucked a new management team, Stampede Management. AllHipHop recently crashed a video shoot, produced by Skee.TV and breakout director, Matt Alonzo, for his upcoming videos, “Hurt Locker” and “Phenom” to see what the new decade brings Xzibit. AllHipHop.com: It’s been eight years since I last interviewed you. You were about to release Man Vs. Machine. I was re-reading our interview and your head was in a place of determination like you had something to prove and I got a glimpse of that with the scene you just shot. Tell me what’s your state of mind going into this latest project. Xzibit: My state of mind right now as far as the determination, that’s still the same. I think as long as I’m breathing I’m always gonna have the same drive and as long as I can physically keep up with my drive I think I’ll be in good shape. But my life has taken a few different turns since 2002 and you know a lot of things have happened that were unexpected, you know? The movies, television was something that I never thought about it was different time back then but music is the best way I can communicate and I feel like if I can make all of them work than more power to me. AllHipHop.com: I admit although I’m not mad at you as an emcee I think I like you as an actor because I’m usually surprised when I see you in a role, you play some different characters? Xzibit: Yeah, I like to keep ‘em guessing. I’ think one of the best things to ever happen to me and my career was underestimation. You give me enough lee-way and I take a mile not an inch. But I like when people don’t expect me to do things because when I do it, its looked at on the value of my performance and that’s all I want to be judged on. AllHipHop.com: You had already kinda established your self as a rapper and then MTV comes along with “Pimp My Ride,” how did that change the game for you? Xzibit: I mean it was so unexpected, no body knew “Pimp My Ride” was gonna do what it did. I’m still amazed by the demographic that show reached, in how many countries and how many people identify with that show. AllHipHop.com: I think we both know Hip-Hop can be pretty critical, do you think doing that show took some of your Hip-Hop cred away?Xzibit: To a degree, but I believe that different people are held to different standards and I appreciate that. I come from a street based introduction to the game and that’s how I carry myself. This is where I come from but because I come from an urban or whatever environment you want to say is street, doesn’t mean I can’t translate it to being a human being and be able to articulate myself. And be a common man and be able to identify with the masses, so it doesn’t matter to me when people say, “Oh he’s not this because he’s not doing that,” ya know? I don’t know anybody on this earth who doesn’t want to change or do better. AllHipHop.com: Can you really be a “common man” and be a public figure? Xzibit: Yes you can, because I’ve been through real life scenarios. I’ve been humbled greatly from a time where I thought everything was great and on top of the world when really I was [actually] neglecting and not taking care of what was really supposed to be important. So a lot of things have changed around and made me grow up as a man, as a father and that’s what its all about. Knowing who I am. AllHipHop.com: So what is your new music telling us about who you are right now? Xzibit: Right now it just feels good to be making music period, the energy from that initial start off is what your hearing now but the album is consistent with my other albums in that I always give a lot of myself and its very personal. Very insightful [but] it’s not just a bunch of party records although it has that energy to it. I know I have to be competitive. The album is called MMX which is the Roman numeral for 2010 and it’s a very timely album for me because its been a couple years since I’ve put out a studio album. AllHipHop.com: Its not an easy transition going from the old way of doing things to the new landscape of Hip-Hop especially when you take a break from it, do you find its tougher to find your footing? Xzibit: No I think its great because it gives the power back to the artist, the middle man is essentially cut out of the way and I like that. I like the power being put back in the hands of the artist, now its up to us to be more active our careers and take advantage of all the free publicity and media and take advantage of the way people spread music. AllHipHop.com: What have been some of your biggest lessons along your journey? Xzibit: Wow. That life is short. AllHipHop.com: Absolutely, I was sorry to hear […]

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One of the oldest, most played out statements to proclaim that you want that ol’ New York rap back.  Back? First of all, so-called New York rap never left, but it appears to have been driven underground like Morlocks in the city sewers.  However, in the mid-90’s the subterranean dwellers arose and took over the city with powerful voices, music and an agenda that inspired a generation. Perhaps, this is what people want back. The soldiers. In 1997, Capone-N-Noreaga released a seminal, revered opus called The War Report. The album was and still is beloved by the streets and cherished by Hip-Hop aficionados for the grit, the fearlessness and the musicality of Capone, Noreaga, as well as the legions of others that helped craft the classic. (Shout out to Tragedy, who is locked down at press time.) Now, they are joining forces to recreate that magic with The War Report II, the sequel. Capone-N-Noreaga return loaded with a full clip that includes Raekwon, Nas and others to convene to deliver the 2010 war report this summer. So yes, that New York rap is back…guns blazing. AllHipHop.com: How did you guys come to sign to Raekwon’s label? Noreaga: I want everybody to be clear. Its not that we signed as artists. The deal is structured, (Thug) Militainment / Ice Water, through EMI. We’re business partners, as opposed to artists. I don’t want people to get it confused. AllHipHop.com: How does that work? Noreaga: We’re 50/50 partners. We figured lets merge so for this particular project, Militainment / Ice Water merger. AllHipHop.com: For this project only? Noreaga: Yeah. AllHipHop.com: How did it come about?                         Noreaga: Just in conversations. We figured why not? We were always cool and they had success in what they did. Me personally, I don’t really understand this independent game. I haven’t had much success independent that I had with a major. With a major, it’s a lazy form of success, because you don’t actually get to learn anything. When I got to learn it, I didn’t get to apply what I learned. This is my chance to learn it through people that have just had success. AllHipHop.com: Now you did some things with Koch right? Noreaga: No, I never did any business…(points to Capone…) Capone: I did a joint with Koch. AllHipHop.com: How did that work for you, the indie side? Capone: It was like he had just said: I didn’t know too much. I was just open off the number splits. I didn’t know that when you have your independent situation, you have to have your own money too. That’s real important, to have your own money and your own team. Noreaga: The best way to explain independence is…have you ever moved (homes) from place to place? AllHipHop.com: Yeah. Noreaga: Have you ever moved without hiring movers? AllHipHop.com: (laughs) Yeah. Noreaga: That’s what being independent is. If you’ve ever moved with movers, you were mad relaxed that day. “Don’t forget that lamp! Put the pillows with the couch! I want the whole bed set to be there…” You were relaxed. Independent is moving with no movers. You gotta call your boy with the truck, with the hatchback, make sure he’s on time. And nobody’s on time to help another n***a move. He’s taking his time…you gotta do everything on your own. So you know, you break a few lamps the first time…you misplace a headboard. So, now…its lets move together now. “I f**ked up. R.Kelly done peed on b***hes…forgive me! (all laugh) I’m a jump out of the window kind of n***a! F**k it, lets just jump! “ – Noreaga AllHipHop.com: Musically, you guys have been done it all from hardcore Hip-Hop to more popish rap to Reggaeton. What are we going to get here? Capone: Musically, it’s back to the essence with this one. Back to ’95 era…9-7 and all that. We just trying to touch that gritty essence of what made Capone-N-Noreaga, what got us here talking to you talking about we’re doing another War Report. To have loyal fans and have people that respect our music. We don’t have 10 albums in the game…we don’t have five albums… One album made it seem like we have this huge discography…(to Nore) there goes that word again. Noreaga: Distogafay (tries to say discography)…I can’t say that s**t. Capone: But that’s what we want to give the people back…the same thing they gave us. Noreaga: That’s one of the proudest moments of doing this album. This is clearly what the fans want. This is what they request. The best part about it is this is for the fans. Capone: And the best part about it…that’s really real good is I’m here to do the whole album. (both applause) Noreaga: But Trag is locked up. (Tragedy, their mentor who was instrumental on the first album.) Capone: But we got Rae though. Its pieces just getting changed around. Its just time…evolution. AllHipHop.com: The War Report is a classic album for anybody that knows Hip-Hop. Can you spreak on what it means now, a decade later? “We want the stab and shoot crowd back. It’s too clean now. Nobody gets stabbed in the club…no shots…no fights…”– Capone Noreaga: You know, the funniet s**t and this is me speaking for myself. Until I started to do the War Report II, I really couldn’t listen to War Report 1 in its entirety. AllHipHop.com: Why? Noreaga: Because it brung pain, yo. I was speaking to EZ ElPee, who did “Blood Money,” he said the most ingenious s**t. He said, “Everything y’all did in y’all life was wrong so it made the music right.” Everything in our life was wrong. AllHipHop.com: Raekwon proved the possibilities with Only Built 4 Cuban Links II, but how do you all feel you will be accepted in this new era? Noreaga: You have to grow with your fan base. We can’t be 18 no more. Our fans have jobs…our fans have kids. Capone: We can make […]