THE EDITOR'S BOX
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
MIXTAPE UPDATE: PUSHA-T SIGNS SOLO DEAL WITH DEF JAM
While we all pretty much knew the deal from the jump, Pusha finally confirms that he’s signed a solo deal with Def Jam Recordings. And while we still have no info on the yet-to-be-titled debut, Fear Of God 2: Let Us Pray EP is still slated for a September 27th release.
Solidifying my first solo venture, G.O.O.D Music/DefJam is my home. That machine with my creativity is gonna make for satisfied hip hop fan.
SUPER PRODUCER NO I.D. IS NOW THE NEW VP OF DEF JAM RECORDS
Def Jam has added Grammy award-winning Hip-Hop producer NO I.D. to the roster of executives at the iconic label and brand.
He will now serve as the Vice President, a revelation that was announced at the MTV Video Music Awards last night.
The producer has been instrumental in the careers of Common, Kanye West, Big Sean, J. Cole and others.
"Def Jam is a cultural staple," No I.D. said to Billboard magazine. "It's not just a label, it's part of the culture that I came up in and that I've been involved with for 20 years. It's very important that the next generation of executives grab it by the horns and keep it on track as it grows."
Reebok Classics Presents: Prequel to a Classic with Swizz Beatz
July 19, 2011. New York City. Reebok's Reethym of Lite Event.
It was a night that'll go down in the history books. Swizz Beatz and Reebok Classics threw a slamming party at NYC's Espace for Reethym of Lite, the global campaign fusing music, dance, art and style, head up by Swizz. It was his first-ever event collaboration since taking the reins as Classics Global Curator.
The night brought out hip-hop heavyweights P Diddy, Pharrell, Clive Davis, Busta Rhymes and Alicia Keys, and apexed with an explosive performance by Swizz featuring Lloyd Banks. The packed venue was decked out in Reebok's innovative line of products: the Kamikaze in a dozen colorways, the Reebok Lite collection, and the Pump were all on display.
The Reethym of Lite Campaign was product of collaboration between Reebok Classics and Swizz beginning back in February 2011. Along with the newly-appointed Reebok Classics Asia Curator, Verbal, the Tokyo-based rapper of M-Flo and Teriyaki Boyz fame, Swizz powerfully reminded the world of his creative partnership with Reebok. "The sky's not the limit, it's just the view," he prophesized. You could feel the earth shaking as Swizz MC'd on his tracks 'International Party' and 'Reebok Back'—the crowd blew up, the Reethym of Lite became reality.
Forever transcending his own talent, Swizz proves that tomorrow's classic is today's risk-taker. He pulled off an iconic performance and epic launch party, showing the world what the future of Reebok Classics will look like. No doubt, the world is liking how it looks.
GTV SPORTS: The $100 Million Dollar Man: Mike Vick Signs Huge Contract Extension W/Philadelphia Eagles [Video]
If you're searching for a story about redemption and triumph, look no further than Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
Just over two years ago the 31-year old Vick was being released from a Federal Prison in Kansasafter serving 18 months for his role in a dogfighting ring.
Widely viewed as one of the most hated men in sports at the time, Vick signed a two year contract with the Eagles in August 2009, looking to restart his NFL career and hasn't looked back since.
Last year Vick led the Eagles to the NFC East title, was the starting quarterback in the Pro Bowl and was the AP Comeback Player of the Year. Vick has also worked tirelessly off the field to improve his image by working with the humane society.
Yesterday he was rewarded with a new six-year contract by the Eagles worth $100 million -- $40 million of that being guaranteed.
Just over two years ago the 31-year old Vick was being released from a Federal Prison in Kansasafter serving 18 months for his role in a dogfighting ring.
Widely viewed as one of the most hated men in sports at the time, Vick signed a two year contract with the Eagles in August 2009, looking to restart his NFL career and hasn't looked back since.
Last year Vick led the Eagles to the NFC East title, was the starting quarterback in the Pro Bowl and was the AP Comeback Player of the Year. Vick has also worked tirelessly off the field to improve his image by working with the humane society.
Yesterday he was rewarded with a new six-year contract by the Eagles worth $100 million -- $40 million of that being guaranteed.
"I'm very happy we were able to reach an agreement with Michael on this long-term contract," Eagles coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "It's a product of all the hard work Michael has done to better himself over the last couple of years, both on and off the field. I'm very proud that he has been able to achieve success again in this league, but he'll be the first one to tell you that there is a lot of work yet to be done by him and this team as a whole. And there's no doubt in my mind that he will continue on that path."
Props to Vick for showing that hard work really does pay off.
Information from ESPN was used in this report.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
WTF: LIL WAYNE ROCKIN LADIES PANTS FOR THE VMA'S
More than a few people wondered what kind of pants Lil Wayne was wearing during his VMA performance Sunday. Turns out they were women's jeggings.
The leggings are made by Tripp NYC, who confirm of their Facebook page that Weezy was rocking their leopard print pants, which retail for $44.
What do you think of Wayne's wardrobe choice?
The leggings are made by Tripp NYC, who confirm of their Facebook page that Weezy was rocking their leopard print pants, which retail for $44.
What do you think of Wayne's wardrobe choice?
THIS JUST IN: T.I.'s Lawyer Says Rapper Not Getting Released From Prison Wednesday
Contrary to reports that hit the internet yesterday, T.I. will not be getting released from prison tomorrow his lawyer has confirmed.
“The Bureau of Prisons they won’t give you the information [of his release] until the very last minute,” Tip's lawyer Jonathan Leonard told XXL today. “The Bureau of Prisons makes all the decisions once [someone goes] into the federal system then the federal prisons is the governing body as to when he’s released, the judge has no control over it. And you don’t have any real contact with them, they don’t communicate with you and they don’t tell you when exactly he’s gonna be released.”
Tip's release will still be coming soon. He began serving an 11-month sentence November 1, 2010, for violating his federal probation on drug related charges.
“The Bureau of Prisons they won’t give you the information [of his release] until the very last minute,” Tip's lawyer Jonathan Leonard told XXL today. “The Bureau of Prisons makes all the decisions once [someone goes] into the federal system then the federal prisons is the governing body as to when he’s released, the judge has no control over it. And you don’t have any real contact with them, they don’t communicate with you and they don’t tell you when exactly he’s gonna be released.”
Tip's release will still be coming soon. He began serving an 11-month sentence November 1, 2010, for violating his federal probation on drug related charges.
FBI COMPOSITE OF JAY Z & BEYONCE SON...
Dr. D’Lynn Waldron has worked as a consultant for the FBI and has just released a new digital image showing how she thinks the Bey-Z’s little one with look if he’s a boy. He’d be so cute!! Check out the pic after the jump.
JAY Z KANYE WEST "WTT" SALES 400,000+ CD'S THE 1ST WEEK
Thanks to a three-day iTunes exclusive that launched last Monday (August 8-10), the pair also reportedly broke the record for the biggest iTunes debut ever, selling almost 290,000 digital copies, enough to beat out former record-holder Coldplay's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends,which sold 282,000 copies in 2008. According to Billboard,with 321,000 total downloads,Throne is second only to Born This Way (662,000)
for the biggest digital week ever.
The album might have sold more, but some experts said its staggered release — following the iTunes exclusive, it was available to all digital and physical sellers on Friday, giving fans only two days to snatch it up before SoundScan's tracking week ended on Sunday — may have curtailed its first-week sales potential.
Either way, it's a huge score for both rappers, earning Jay his 12th #1 album and Kanye his fifth.There are a few other debuts in the top 10, but they pale in comparison to the Throne numbers. Country singer Luke Bryan's Tailgates & Tanlinescomes in at #2 (145,000), the Now 39 compilation is just behind at #3 (110,000) and rapper Ace Hood hits #8 with Blood Sweat & Tears (26,000).
The rest of the top 10: Adele's 21 (#4, 73,000), Eric Church's Chief (#5, 37,000), Jason Aldean's My Kinda Party (#6, 36,000), Beyoncé's 4 (#7, 27,000), Jackie Evancho's Dream With Me (#9, 26,000) and Kidz Bop Kids' Kidz Bop 20 (#10, 25,000).
In a parallel to its shock poor performance at the box office, the soundtrack to "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" hit the charts at a tepid #16 on soft sales of 20,000. And maybe it was their well-received set at Lollapalooza, but VMA-nominated new wave revivalists Foster the People's debut, Torches, is up 23 percent and six spots to #14 as sales picked up to 21,000.
Jay and 'Ye rule the roost, but another rap double team, Gucci Mane andWaka Flocka Flame, make a little less noise down at #21 with their joint album, 1017 Bricksquad Presents: Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka Flame — Ferrari Boyz (17,000). Down at #49, Eminem's Bad Meets Evil cohort,Royce Da 5'9, sold 16,000 copies of his fifth solo album,Success Is Certain, which features cameos from Eminem, Joe Budden and Travis Barker. See what car expert Myles Kovacs estimates the Maybach's work cost.
You already know where Throne came in on the iTunes album charts, but just behind the #1 digital album was Bryan, Adele, NOW, Foster the People, singer/songwriter Mat Kearney's Young Love, Mumford & Sons'Sigh No More, the resurgent Hands All Over from Maroon 5, Church, and the Eminem and Royce collabo album Hell: The Sequel.
In an unexpected coup, Maroon 5's collaboration with Christina Aguilera, "Moves Like Jagger," shoots to #1 on the iTunes singles chart, while the summer's #1 jam, "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO, drops to #5. It was a good week for Foster's breakthrough hit, "Pumped Up Kicks," which soars up to #2, followed by Drake's "Headlines," Bad Meets Evil's "Lighters," Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" at #6, then Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," Hot Chelle Rae's "Tonight Tonight," Lil Wayne's "How to Love" and Britney Spears' "I Wanna Go."
Next week will be the longevity test for Throne, which will have a full seven days of sales to work from and very little competition from new releases.
GTV NEWS: New mexico state police having sex caught on tape
"KOB Eyewitness News 4 has obtained surveillance pictures of a State Police officer having sex with a woman on the hood of a car in broad daylight. State Police aren't saying anything about the photos, but KOB Eyewitness News 4 is pressing for answers. Two weeks ago KOB reported a story about an officer caught on camera having sex while in full uniform, an act shown on security camera at the Santa Fe Canyon Ranch. KOB has blurred out the woman's image, but you can see it's during daylight hours and the officer is still wearing his utility belt. The Santa Fe Sheriff's office released the pictures to KOB after we filed a public records request. They say they also gave them to State Police over a week ago. We got reaction from people who saw the photos. "It's an inappropriate use of time," said Cate Campbell of Albuquerque. "Inappropriate use of our tax money, I mean we pay these guys," added Jacob Powers. Albert Loma said if charged and found guilty, the officer should be fired. "With that kind of judgment you don't want him carrying a weapon," said Loma. "I think it's an embarrassment to the state patrol, they should be ashamed."" - KOB
GTV NEWS: Kzoo drug leaders surrounded by feds
A convicted drug dealer, seen in a YouTube video with another man arrested Thursday for allegedly being one of the biggest drug dealers in Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Friday.
Marjuan Fleming, also known as "Grand Dad" or "My Rich Cuz" is seen in the video flashing money and bragging it came from the Kalamazoo drug trade.
Both he and Devon Smith are seen in a YouTube video, "The Ecstasy Line Promo," that was mentioned in federal documents. Smith was arrested by the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team, court documents revealed.
Friday, Fleming was sentenced after a trial in US federal court in Grand Rapids. He was convicted of distribution of crack cocaine and posession with intent to distribute.
In a memo to the court, the U.S. Attorney wrote "it appears Marjuan Fleming is prolific at two things; selling drugs and making welfare babies."
In that same memo, he wrote "society needs to be protected from Marjuan Fleming...The chance of his committing another crime is so high as to be virtually guranteed."
Devon Smith and his cousin, Richard Smith - also known as "Choo Choo" - were indicted about a week ago for drug trafficking. They're also suspected money launderers, according to court documents.
Law enforcement agencies had been watching the two men since 1995. With their undercover informants and intelligence reports over the 16-year span, they're charging the men with distributing more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, according to the indictment.
Devon Smith is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshal, awaiting his arraignment August 31.
According to court records, Richard Smith, also named on that seven count indictment, is not in custody.
Monday, August 29, 2011
CAN U FUCKERS READ: COMPLEX MAGAZINE: Freddie Gibbs Talks About Lil B, Drake, Wale & Big Sean
And what about Big Sean? He’s got a lane.
Yeah…he’s got a lane… These niggas don’t know what they want to be. If it was the most popping shit to be the most gangsta nigga—like it was back in the day—I guarantee them niggas would be on some hard shit. I guarantee they’d be twisting their fingers up. They already be trying to do it! It’ll be the element of niggas they be around and then they get on that brolic shit. Drake be throwing gang signs and shit, I be seeing whatever the fuck he’s throwing up. I don’t know. He go to the wrong place and he’ll be fucked up.
Yeah…he’s got a lane… These niggas don’t know what they want to be. If it was the most popping shit to be the most gangsta nigga—like it was back in the day—I guarantee them niggas would be on some hard shit. I guarantee they’d be twisting their fingers up. They already be trying to do it! It’ll be the element of niggas they be around and then they get on that brolic shit. Drake be throwing gang signs and shit, I be seeing whatever the fuck he’s throwing up. I don’t know. He go to the wrong place and he’ll be fucked up.
It’s just the nature of the times. It’s cool to be that corny motherfucker wearing the little jeans now, I guess. Girls like that. It’s cool to be the pretty boy. I don’t even know what these niggas is. I can’t even pinpoint them. I just be like, “What are you, my nigga? What’s your story?” I don’t like rap that doesn’t have a story behind it.
Like, you was just working at K-Mart and started rapping or something like that? It’s the backspin behind shit. How can I get to know you as a person by listening to your music? And what am I getting? What experience are you bringing me outside of a nigga rapping about fucking some bitches and you being hot? I just saw a Yung Berg video where he keeps being like, “Don’t make me do it.” I’m like, “Don’t make you do what? Get your chain took again?”
Anyone can make music now, that’s the thing. The floodgates is open for that shit. And when you get into that level, the quality goes down. A lot of these schmucks just rap on good ass beats. They pick a hot ass beat and it’s outta here because the DJ likes that beat. He’s gonna play that beat because people like that beat. But the motherfucker on the song is a dick.
You think that’s true of a lot of hip-hop?
Most of it.
Most of it.
When we started this interview you were talking about Maybach Music, do you think that’s true for them?
I think they make cool shit, that’s, they stay in they…whatever. I don’t really pay attention to them man, I’m too focused on CTE so I don’t know. But I know individualy all of them dudes…I don’t know. I don’t listen to Wale. Pill’s solid. Ross makes solid records. I don’t know Meek Mill too much, but I definitely don’t listen to Wale’s shit.
I think they make cool shit, that’s, they stay in they…whatever. I don’t really pay attention to them man, I’m too focused on CTE so I don’t know. But I know individualy all of them dudes…I don’t know. I don’t listen to Wale. Pill’s solid. Ross makes solid records. I don’t know Meek Mill too much, but I definitely don’t listen to Wale’s shit.
Why not?
Cause it ain’t my shit.
Cause it ain’t my shit.
Well Wale’s definitely someone I’d compare to a Big Sean-kind of guy.
What kind of guy is that? See, you can’t even fucking pinpoint it. You can’t even put these niggas in a box and label it. All of these niggas. Big Sean, Wale. You just said “Big Sean is like a Wale kind of guy.” What is that? Fucking weirdos, right?
What kind of guy is that? See, you can’t even fucking pinpoint it. You can’t even put these niggas in a box and label it. All of these niggas. Big Sean, Wale. You just said “Big Sean is like a Wale kind of guy.” What is that? Fucking weirdos, right?
No, the weirdos would be like Lil B. That’s Swag Rap.
That’s some buttfuck rap. That’s a whole issue. I’m saying, you can’t even put these niggas [like Wale and Big Sean] in a category. You don’t know what the fuck they are. I’m a gangsta rapper. That shit is just like if you had a box in here of shit you didn’t want, it was just miscellaneous shit, that’s where you’d throw them niggas. It’s a box of lost and found shit.
That’s some buttfuck rap. That’s a whole issue. I’m saying, you can’t even put these niggas [like Wale and Big Sean] in a category. You don’t know what the fuck they are. I’m a gangsta rapper. That shit is just like if you had a box in here of shit you didn’t want, it was just miscellaneous shit, that’s where you’d throw them niggas. It’s a box of lost and found shit.
Well yeah, I guess they’re more alternative hip-hop.
What the fuck is alternative hip-hop? When did that shit get made up? Watch, next year that’s going to be a category at the Grammys. Alternative hip-hop. What the fuck is that?
What the fuck is alternative hip-hop? When did that shit get made up? Watch, next year that’s going to be a category at the Grammys. Alternative hip-hop. What the fuck is that?
Well it’s not gangsta rap.
See, that’s the thing though, not all rap’s gotta be gangsta rap. De La Soul wasn’t gangsta rap. But that shit is classic. A Tribe Called Quest wasn’t gangsta rap, but that shit is classic.
See, that’s the thing though, not all rap’s gotta be gangsta rap. De La Soul wasn’t gangsta rap. But that shit is classic. A Tribe Called Quest wasn’t gangsta rap, but that shit is classic.
But that’s Native Tongues, though. That had a genre.
Right, what’s this new niggas’ genre?
Right, what’s this new niggas’ genre?
I’m sure there’s an actual name for this genre, I just can’t think of it off the top.
I don’t know man, I just make real rap. Put me in my own box, just don’t put me in a box with them niggas.
I don’t know man, I just make real rap. Put me in my own box, just don’t put me in a box with them niggas.
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