Archive for the ‘Hip Hop Photos’ Category

Christian Hip Hop Group wants to take its Message to the Streets

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Lexington,Ky

Group 1 Crew wants to make music you can take to a party.

“We wanted to give Christian kids a record they can be proud of,” says Manwell Reyes, one-third of the Christian hip-hop trio that is playing Questapalooza for the second straight year. “They know it’s God. Everything we write is God. But at the same time, we want them to have the full confidence that they can play it in front of their friends and know that it’s legit. They don’t have to worry about anyone saying, ‘That sounds dated,’ or ‘That sounds whack.’”

As purveyors of urban music, Group 1 is something of a rarity in Christian pop music, a genre still mostly composed of adult contemporary music and rock acts.

Reyes says he thinks urban music gets a bad rap in the Christian market from gatekeepers such as church leaders and record company executives who can’t separate the style from negative images of sex and violence associated with mainstream hip-hop.

“Go to any church kid and look at their iPod, and I guarantee that some urban pop or hip-hop is going to be there,” says Reyes, whose bandmates are Blanca Reyes (no relation) and Pablo Villatoro. “Secular urban music is what’s prominent today. … The church is the only place that doesn’t acknowledge that it is.”

Reyes says it is a problem if the Christian market is not producing music that the kids want to hear.

Group 1 Crew has done fairly well in the Christian market. The act’s last album, Ordinary Dreamers, was named rap/hip-hop album of the year at the 2008 Dove Awards, Christian music’s top honors.

With the band’s new album, Outta Space Love, due Sept. 21, Reyes says the group is taking aim at the mainstream market.

“We’ve always felt called to the mainstream,” says Reyes, who promises that Sunday’s Questapalooza audience will hear quite a bit of the new album. “We feel like our music is for more than just the church. We feel like we should outreach to a mainstream world where other music really isn’t the best for kids to hear.

“Let’s not be content with just packing churches. Let’s go save some souls and grab some kids out of hell.”

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Young Buck taking 50 Cent to Judge Judy

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Young Buck is planning to sue 50 Cent to get released from his contract with G-Unit Records.

His lawyer Lynda Jones sent a statement to Nashville’s The City Page saying that Buck, whose real name is David Darnell Brown, intends to pay off his bankruptcy and sue 50 Cent .

“Mr. Brown intends to reorganize his debts and pay off the IRS in a timely manner through Chapter 13. We hope to secure the return of his personal property quickly. He will also be filing a lawsuit in the next 30-60 days against his former manager, G Unit label and Mr. Curtis Jackson.

“There are a few procedural hurdles we need to address in handling these matters, but they will ironed out shortly. I will be associating attorneys Amy Everhart and Jennifer Lawson for the litigation. Both have excellent experience.”

Young Buck has been trying to get off the label and release a new album since 2007.

In a filing with Nashville’s U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Young Buck cited as a $5 million contingent his claim against Bruce Seckendorf, G Unit Inc., Curtis Jackson III and Michael Clervoix.

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Ruff Ryders launch new Indy Label

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Ruff Ryders has relaunched its recording business as Ruff Ryders Indy and will officially launch its new roster of artists currently on the label.

The principles in the new label are CEO/President Joaquin “Waah” Dean, Director of Operations Dedra Tate and Directors of Marketing, Tenisha Rae and Alimah Samsid-Deen.

According to representatives from Double XXposure PR, the company that officially represents Ruff Ryders Indy, the label will be distributed by Fontana/Universal, with a focus on mentoring new and independent labels.

Ruff Ryders Indy will provide marketing, street promotion, radio promotion and product management, in addition to educational programs offered to label CEO’s to help build their brands.

As one of the founders of Ruff Ryders in 1988, Joaquin Dean helped introduce artists like DMX, Eve, Swizz Beatz, The Lox, Drag-On and others into pop culture, selling over 20 millions of records in the process.

Ruff Ryders Indy’s roster consists of Drag-On, Mook, Shella, Flashy and Lil Joaquin.

This week, the label will conduct a press day to reveal more details about their roster and the new label’s plans for the future.

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50 Cent lets Young Buck out of his Contract

Monday, August 30th, 2010

G-Unit member Young Buck has reportedly been released from contractual obligations to G-Unit Records according to inside sources.

While an official confirmation has yet to surface, reports have begun circulating online.

A source just told us that 50 Cent has let Young Buck out of his contract with G-Unit. In April 2008 50 Cent announced on Hot 97 that Young Buck was kicked out the group, but was still contractually signed to G-Unit. Since that time, Buck has been unable to release any commercial music. Buck is currently working his new single “My Campaign”, produced by Drumma Boy. It will be interesting what he does with his new position. If he can get singles reacting on the radio, he get into a good position.

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Meet the Street king of Tweet

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

CLICK BANNER

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Queen Latifah to do Movie with Dolly Parton

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Actress/rapper/Lesbian Queen Latifah will team with country singer/actress Dolly Parton for a new film titled Joyful Noise.

The movie, which is a gospel-choir feature, centers around two women who are forced to work together to save a small town gospel choir after budget cuts threatens their future.

Latifah will play a mother who takes over the choir after the untimely death of the original director, while Parton plays the widow of the deceased director.

The role will be the first major appearance in film for Dolly Parton since 1992′s flick Straight Talk.

Queen Latifah was recently seen on the big screen alongside rapper/actor Common in the basketball flick, Just Wright. Queen Latifah was also caught embracing with her girlfriend on a boat and the photos were circulated across the web.

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Fat Beats record stores to close

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Real DJs who use real vinyl will mourn over this. Fake button pushing DJs, and the New Serato DJs might understand, but its a sad day to lose all the record stores.

Hip-hop fans with an affinity for wax are mourning the end of an era – the closing of Fat Beats record stores.

The intimate West Village shop, one of the last in the city that specializes in selling hip-hop vinyl, is closing its doors, the company announced Wednesday.

“The business is down. The rent is up,” said store manager Eric (DJ Eclipse) Winn, 40. “We’ve slowly lost all of the retail end of the company. … Between the Internet and Serato [a digital DJ program] that’s what hurt the vinyl sales.”

Inside the store, known as “The Last Stop for Hip-Hop,” customers were devastated.

“Damn, I didn’t know,” said DJ Kase, 29, of Jersey City, a longtime customer at the Sixth Ave. store.

“The Internet messed it all up. This was like a cornerstone for hip-hop. This is where you get your [stuff],” he said.

He recalled when he saw Outkast inside the store and picked up Raekwon’s album “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…”

“It’s something about putting your hands on wax and digging through records. It’s something the Internet can’t do for you,” the deejay said. “I have a true love for vinyls.”

Jorge Berrios, 34, of South Ozone Park, Queens, spent $13 on three vinyls – “Player’s Anthem” by Junior M.A.F.I.A., “Candy Rain” by Soul for Real and Zhigge’s “Rakin’ in the Dough.”

“You have no idea how sad I am,” Berrios told the store owner. “It’s almost like my second home.”

The store was a haven for rap fans, and a top promotional stop for artists. The Fugees, Common and Kool G Rap were among the artists whose autographed photos covered the walls.

Veteran hip-hop producer DJ Spinna was deeply saddened by the closing of the store that boosted his career.

“It was definitely a landmark for the underground movement of the ’90s,” he said. “Young people who’ve never touched wax probably don’t know what the closing of a store like this means.”

In past years, once popular music stores like Tower Records, HMV and the Virgin Megastore have also been shuttered.

“It just means that we’re heading to a place where music won’t exist in a physical form anymore,” the producer said.

The final day for the New York store, which first opened on W. Ninth St. in 1994, will be Sept. 4. The Los Angeles store will close on Sept. 18.

“We’re losing stores that sell vinyl because of downloads and stuff like that,” said veteran DJ Clark Kent. “It’s a shame that deejays lose this place.”

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Lil Waynes writes letter #5 to his fans

Monday, August 16th, 2010

What’s poppin?!

Me, I’m good, figured I’d update my glorious fans again. Better sooner than later right? I’ll try to do this more frequently.

Well ain’t nothing going on in here but the time, which seems like it’s taking forever. I’m trying to make the most out of every second tho, mentally. There’s some pretty cool people in here. Even though this isn’t a cool place to be. I’ve learned plenty already and the best lesson is to not come back. Last night, I kicked ass in UNO! Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. Just thought I’d let y’all know. Gotta stay hydrated. Though it’s hot, I still work out. Now don’t be expecting me to look like Hercules when I get out, but I should be a little bulky. I guess. Anyways, please remember to always check for your name in the “thank yous”. I’m always reading letters and responding. Off the subject but her Chris, I think you should team up with Kobe! Go Lakers! Hey Lindsey, glad it’s over doll. I should have written her huh? Young Money, you’re the best I ever had. Look out for Nino 3, and I Am Not A Human Being. Coming soon. Mother, I love you. Nae, you’re my angel. Lil Tunechi Jr., you’re the man. Lil Kam, you’re the best heartbreaker. Lil Neal, you’re the littler meatball.

I love you all!

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Young Buck says Dr Dre and Eminem dont Speak to Him

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Young Buck has discussed his relationship with Dr. Dre and revealed past failed attempts to get a hold of the Doc.

Despite being associated with Dre during his days as a G-Unit member, Buck said he has not gotten in touch with him for over three years.

“Dr. Dre is an individual who I wish I heard from at some point in time because his voice in my situation would means a lot. He don’t have to on my side or [50 Cent's] side, but just say something, bro. I even told Game to say ‘what’s up’ to Dre for me, but I haven’t heard anything..I haven’t received an email or spoken to Dre in three years…I haven’t heard from Dr. Dre or Eminem… not to say my situation is any part of their business but at a point in time I was sitting in front of these dudes. And I’m not looking for them to take sides or anything, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what is being done to me from their artist.”

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Juvenile gets Probation over weed Charge

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Juvenile was sentenced to six months of probation after he pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana last week.

According to police, Juvenile was arrested in February of 2009, after neighbors called the police to complain about the smell of smoke emanating from the house in Arabi.

Juvenile, born Terius Gray, was at the residence utilizing a home recording studio when police knocked on the door to investigate the neighbors’ claim.

A search of the house turned up a small amount of marijuana in the kitchen, which Juvenile admitted was his.

Both Juvenile, 34 and music producer Leroy Edwards, 42, were charged with marijuana possession.

In addition to the six months of probation, Juvenile was fined $250 and must also pay court costs.

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