Mehka – Hip Hop Enquirer Magazine, LLC

Blunt Rap: Where Is Hip-Hop In The Cannabis Industry (Video)

Mehka — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 11:00:50 +0000

via hippyhai

I feel blessed to say I’m a child of hip-hop. Not to date myself, but I’ve seen hip-hop grow up in front of my own eyes. From the days when the likes of my father would frown their face at first at the sound of what they would call, “the rap music,” to watching them bob their heads to lyrics and rhythms that gave them new energy. Yes, I was born to Rudolph and Rose King, but I can proudly say that hip-hop was my third parent.

As most know, rap became the biggest part of the hip-hop culture. The MC had the power to move the crowd. What the MC told the crowd to do, they did. Rappers began to move the crowd to the point where major brands would look past Hollywood A-list stars and employee the MC’s to push their product. Now the likes of Coca-Cola and Armani look for MC’s to give their brand some extra life. Most importantly, an MC could make something considered wrong seem so right.

One of those things that MC’s made seem all so right was cannabis. The forbidden plant, cannabis or marijuana as most would call it has been banned from the U.S. since 1937, but let’s be real, people been consuming it. Our societies weird little secret. That weird little secret became and out in the front, wide open thing in the world of hip-hop. Smoking weed that rappers do is smoke.

Over time, the MC began to move the crowd more towards the recreational use of cannabis. As hip-hop grew the early 90’s gave birth to a slew of artists who had no problem speaking out loud about their recreational cannabis use. Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg and Redman we’re just a few of the emcees who we’re going platinum, selling out shows and becoming brand representatives all while smoking up the club.

During this same time, rumbles we’re getting louder about cannabis and what’s really all that bad about it. A hallucinate, cannabis aside from a high that you can get from smoking has long been known to contain medical uses. Support to legalize cannabis has been on the rise.

As hip-hop got bigger, the MC became more powerful. The rappers who once would chase labels for deals and have to take whatever a brand would want to offer them to endorse them, have switched the tables on the world. Elements of hip-hop, primarily rap, can be found in your everyday life. Hip-hop has helped elect a President!

The power that those who hold strong to the mic have is unprecedented. With a simple line, a rapper can decide whether something is good or bad.

Yet that full power of that ability hasn’t really been shown yet. That could change soon. Societies little secret isn’t that much of a big deal anymore. It’s not just hippies who are rolling up joints. Everyone from politicians to housewives admitted to sparking up on the regular. Some would consume cannabis as a means for relaxation, others use it to relieve pain, stop nausea or help some very vivid and realistic dreams stop happening.

People have begun to look past the stigma that was placed on the plant and began to see it for what it could be. After Colorado did the unthinkable. Making recreational cannabis use and buy legal, the state brought in new tourists who came to use recreationally and medically. A new economy was created one that generated $1 Billion dollars in the first year.

“Straight cash like homie” like Randy Moss and cannabis supporter would say. One billion in one year off cannabis. Safe to say, some people realized that things needed to change.

More states began to jump on the cannabis bandwagon. Today we’re a country that’s basically divided. 24 out of 50 states have either brought in medical, recreational or both. We haven’t had a country split down the middle like this over what is considered illegal and not illegal was the Civil War.

In the middle of this war for the future of cannabis is hip-hop. When the legalize movement needed big names to help push the conversation, it was hip-hop they reached out to. Before you knew it, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa and others inadvertently became the face of a new this movement.

via Thizzler

The deal hasn’t been one-sided in any way. Rappers can lend their powerful voice to cause that can really impact the world we all live in and in return they get extra bookings and endorsement checks. Sounds like a win/win right? Not really.

Quiet as it’s kept, very few rappers are actually invested in the cannabis industry. Some might lend their name to a brand or a strain, but outside of their name, they reap a small percent for what they actually bring in. Many do play a major role in both worlds. Cypress Hill front-man B-Real, Berner, Kurupt and of course, Snoop and Wiz are definitely a few that are taking in their fair share for what their names adorn.

[vimeo 178118747 w=640 h=360]

The Color Green: Cash, Color and Cannabis (Extended teaser) from TheColorGreenMovie on Vimeo.

As we look towards a new election cycle, aside from a Presidential race, many states are next up to decide where they’re going to go when it comes to cannabis. It’s about time for more rappers to make a decision too. Are you going to be player, or an owner in this game? Tidal, Apple Music show that artists are more than ever realizing the power of owning their work and not just becoming a share-cropper for a label.

Mentioning Raw papers and Backwoods in your rhymes, hosting the opening of dispensaries and headlining festivals can’t be the end of the story. Today’s rapper needs to edutain their audience in this new industry. From investing in technology and cultivation, rappers could make a bigger impact on the cannabis industry and the communities many of these artists grew up in. Even bigger than their music could do. Just speaking about the possibilities in the industry could lead many young kids who resemble themselves might want to learn how they can turn green into green.

It’s time for the M.C. to move the crowd again. This time, just tell them to follow the smell and they’ll see for themselves.

Music Review: Meek Mill “Dreams Worth More Than Money”

Mehka — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:42:41 +0000

Meek Mill satisfied all his fans requests by finally releasing his sophomore album, Dreams Worth More Than Money.

The album was originally set for release earlier this year, but a brief stint behind bars over a parole violation pushed back those efforts. Nevertheless, Meek seemed to have used the time he spent in the prison bing (segregated housing unit) to reflect on life. When he was released, he was equipped with a new relationship and new perspective on life. What we didn’t know is what he would sound like.

Often, fans will get the impression that jail is like grad school for rappers. That’s not the case. Jail did nothing for the development of Shyne or Lil Boosie when it came to skills. It did even less for album sales.

Meek did serve up some appetizers for fans (Monster, B-Boy) while he waited to get the final word on his album.

Would we get the same level of quality that we heard on those tracks on a full disc? After giving DWMTM a listen, the answer is yes.

The album kicks off with the triumphant, “Lord Knows”. Tory Lanez steps from behind the boards to help Meek set off the album properly. From there, Meek takes over, dropping poignant lines about his move from the streets to the boardroom.

“Classic” featuring Swizz Beatz gives Meek the lane to show off the lyrical prowess that we have grown familiar with since his Flamerz mixtapes. Backed by eerie piano keys and an erratic drum pattern provided by Bangledesh, Meek spits over 2 minutes. Swizz chimes in with a few bars himself, but “Classic” is more of a platform for Meek to show that he can still spit it with the best of them.

Since it was announced that he was in fact dating fellow rap star Nicki Minaj, fans have been waiting for a collaboration from the two. After appearing twice on her Pink Print album, Nicki returns the favor for her boo. Minaj appears on two tracks on the album. Nicki links with Chris Brown for “All Eyes On Me” and later she shows up on “Bad For Me”.

HIs collaborations with his new girlfriend will certainly open him up to new fans, its tracks like “The Trillest”, “I Got The Juice,” and “Ambitionz” that will be what diehard fans of Meek would want to hear.

The best track on the album would be his collaboration with Drake, “R.I.C.O.” The two take turns dropping rewind worthy lines for listeners.

The difference between DWMTM and Meek’s first album is growth in the subject matter. You can tell that Meek has been hanging out more with Jay Z. He’s gone past the typical trap raps and club tunes. While he’s not as introspective like say Nas or even Jay for that matter, Meek definitely tries to take his listeners with him as he makes a move from young man from West Philly battle rapper to a man of the world who aspires to run companies and take care of his families family.

From top to bottom, DWMTM is a solid album. Producers like Metro Boomin, Soutside, Syke Sense, Boi-1-da and more give his album a little more depth sonically that some of his earlier projects.

Like Big Sean, Meek took the bet to expand his sound, subject matter and style and won big. DWMTM will provide sweet dreams for everyone over at Atlantic and Maybach Music.

No Coverage: What Urban Media Has In Common With CNN And Fox

Mehka — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:30:46 +0000

Since the vicious shooting of 9 people at a bible study in Charleston, South Carolina, 7 churches have been burned. All 7 of those churches were primarily African-American. To be fair, 2 of the churches were said to have been struck by lighting. Although, those two were accidental, that still leaves 5 other African-American places of worship burned to the ground by Lord knows who.

That total jumped to 7 last night when Mount Zion AME in Greeleyville South Carolina was burned down.In 10 years, this is the second time a church had been burned, the last time was in 1995.

The crime was attributed to a local Ku Klux Klan chapter. Two people went to jail over the incident, one of them is still imprisoned to this day.You would think this would be a big story on news outlets across the country, but that hasn’t been the case.

To put this in context, black churches are burning to the ground and have received less coverage than the CVS that was burning during the Baltimore riots, or the infamous Quik Trip gas station in Ferguson, Missouri.

As another group of Black Christians begin to regroup and get their lives and their faith back in order, the outrage is slowly start to pour out from the media. Yet, most major black outlets have been as silent as our mainstream contemporaries. It dawned on me this morning as I scrolled through my Twitter timeline and spotted some people discussing the lack of coverage about the church burnings on major outlets like CNN and FOX News.

“7 churches burn and not a word from CNN or FOX?”

“They can cover a riot, but 7 churches burn and nothing #Foxnews #CNN”

The Hustle: Rod McCoy Breaks Down Audible Hustle And The Sweat Shop (Video)

Mehka — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:08:30 +0000

When it comes to the music game, we’re definitely in a new world. Gone are the days when multiple albums go gold and platinum. Artists and labels today’s are dreaming up new ways to not only sell music, but interact with fans. No idea is being turned down anymore.

That’s great for indie imprints like Audible Hustle. The Atlanta-based indie label knows they can’t go head-to-head with Def Jam due to resources, so thinking of other ways to build a fan base and introduce their music to new fans is important.

Founder of Audible Hustle, Rod McCoy thinks he’s found a great way to boast the visibility of his label and give a lane to other indie acts.

McCoy sat down with HHE to speak about his label, his music and what, “The Sweat Shop” will mean for indie music in the city.

HHE: Explain to us how you got into music.

Rod McCoy: I got into music initially through church where I played the drums and also led the children’s choir from time to time. I got into rapping one day after basketball practice while in the military though. One of my teammates had an open verse on a track – I hopped on it and that was it! I also wrote poetry and short stories in my youth which made the transition fairly easy once I started to fuck with the raps.

HHE: What is it that made you want to pursue music as a career?

Rod McCoy: Listening to the constant barrage of garbage that’s played on the radio today is what convinced me that I could make music. I wanna make it a career. If I could make $35,000/yr off music, that’d be a great start! Although it’s substantially less than I make now, it would make me happy because I’d be doing exactly what I think about and dream about every day.

HHE: When did Audible Hustle come about?

Rod McCoy: Audible Hustle kicked off early in 2010 shortly after I started rapping. Initially starting with fellow Air Force veterans, the brand began to virtually expand thanks to supporters on social media. What started off as a clique has grown into a legitimate indie start-up label and it’s totally due to the dedication, drive and camaraderie that we’ve built over the past 5 years.

HHE: What are some of the advantages to running your one label? What are the drawbacks?

Rod McCoy: The advantages of running the label is the control that we have over our craft and product. There’s no one outside the camp that we must gain approval from. We can go in whatever direction we choose for everything we do – from digital design, to audio engineer(s), to performance opportunities, etc. Now, with that being said, there’s definitely some disadvantages as one would expect. The biggest of which would be the lack of financial support. To progress and get anywhere in the industry, it takes money! Money for promotion, money for engineering, money for public relations, money for instrumentals, blah, blah, blah. Another “disadvantage” would be the fact there you have to learn everything from scratch. There’s no one holding your hand telling you what steps to take in order to accomplish your goals. I really think the lack of guidance evolves into a huge advantage in the long run though.

HHE: When looking for an artist to join Audible Hustle, what do you look for?

Rod McCoy: When going through the initial recruitment phase I looked for artists that took pride in their lyrics first and foremost but another important factor was the initiative that I saw within the artists before approaching them. Nobody likes to baby sit and doing this grind, I have zero intent on micro managing another grown man. I paid close attention to the way the music from these artists made me feel too.

HHE: When we met you spoke to me about an idea you had called, “The Sweat Shop”. Break down your idea for the event.

Rod McCoy: The Sweat Shop will serve as the introduction of Audible Hustle to the city of Atlanta. We’re bringing in indie artists from Alabama, Florida, Oregon, and Vermont to perform alongside emerging indies from the Atlanta. We reached out to artists who we see and know are out here working on the indie grind. The foresight of all of us, in the same venue working our asses off is what inspired “The Sweat Shop”.

HHE: Who are some of the acts that will be rocking out with you that night?

Rod McCoy: We got Michael Aristotle rocking with us – one of the dopest in Atlanta according to Complex Mag; The Winning Team who has multiple dope artists and represent the golden age of southern music; Phresh Ali – this nigga reminds me of Big Boi for some reason. Either way, dude goes in with his performances! Jazzmine Janis, a fellow Alabama native and possibly one of the dopest indie singers I’ve heard on any level and my guy Big Lo who spits lyrics almost effortlessly over boom bap production, similar to some Wu-Tang shit. We have a few other dope acts as well. Whatever you need we gone have it there at The Music Room on June 27th.

HHE: I heard that there are special “gifts” for those who attend the event.

Rod McCoy: If they show up before 7PM they can expect free baked goods! In regards to the atmosphere and such – expect chill vibes, expect good story-telling, expect peace, expect love, expect being introduced to many artist who genuinely love hip-hop and the freedom of expression, expect the best free event of the summer!

Check out The Sweatshop June 27th at The Music Room

What’s The Word? Dylann Roof Is A Terrorist. Now, Lets All Say It Together #CharlestonShooting

Mehka — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 19:32:15 +0000

It’s days like this that I wonder why anyone would really choose to be Black.

I woke up this morning still on a high. The previous night, I had the time of my life. I partied it up with close friends of mine to music I grew up listening to. It was really a great night. It was supposed to be a great morning, until I turned on the news.

Let me rewind some. The news of an attack on the oldest African-American church in the South, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church had broken before I even left the house. My mind wasn’t ready to process whatever was going on right then. All I could think about was having a good time with some good friends. That good time bubble burst immediately when I heard what happened.

A gunman walked into a church during a bible study. This man, later identified as 21-year-old Dylan Roof from Lexington South Carolina, sat for an hour as church parishioners congregated in the name of the Lord. Maybe that was the best place for them to be at the time. By 9 p.m., Roof unleashed hell on the church. When it was all said and done, 9 people laid dead.

All 9 people matter, before anyone attempts to comment about my next statement. One person in particular deserves more than what he’s getting.

South Carolina senator Clenenta Pickney was shot and killed last night. The Pastor left behind 2 children and a flock of followers who came in every Sunday to hear him speak the word of the Lord. As fellow members of the community and pastors from other churches came to pray with members of Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, one thing seemed to get lost in translation.

https://youtu.be/igopIdC6lJo

Emanuel African Method Episcopal Church is a monument in its own right. The oldest church south of Baltimore, they can count Denmark Vessey as one its founders.

The shooter was being refereed to as a “lone gunman”. Before he was even identified, it was mentioned that he was “mentally ill.”

What wasn’t mentioned was that he was a terrorist. The dictionary definition of the word states, “The use of violence or the threat of violence, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political goals”

Mr. Roof was said to have announced that he was “here to kill Black people” before he unloaded his weapon.

He mentioned the rape of White women and stolen land before he made his escape. The reporters covering the story had no problem calling the attack a hate crime. They didn’t mix words when it came to that. So why not call Dylan Roof what he is, a terrorist? He made a premeditated attack on a church that included the assassination of a State Senator. All those elements should add up to terror. Yet that’s not how it’s being presented.

It’s about time for us to call the media to the principles office. Too many times over the last 4-years, we’ve heard accounts of Black teens (ages 15-17) being referred to as adults. We heard the word “thug” being attached to anyone who protested against police brutality. A man who walks into a church and purposely kills 9 people after announcing why he did it can’t be called a terrorist by anyone.

Lets put this in perspective. Before Boston bomber suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was apprehended, the word terrorist was attached to his name immediately. And I can see why. He planted bombs set to detonate close to the finish line of one of the most historic sporting events in our country, in one of our nations most historic cities. They had to give him a tag that would let people know that there was an attack on our home front. There was a terror attack on our soil!

Yet, a mass shooting takes place in the most historic African-American church in the South, in one of the most historic cities in the South and the word terrorist can’t be heard or found anywhere. Why is that? I mean, if Senator Lindsey Graham had been killed, do you think Dylan Roof would be a “lone gunman?” No! Members of all parties would call a spade a spade. Roof would’ve been a terrorist. Before we explore his mental health history, we’d be discussing his affiliations would rogue organizations. The press would’ve found his family, friends and anyone who agreed with his stance to explain why he would commit a terrorist.

Yet from CNN to Fox News to MSNBC. No mention of the word.

Lets be understood. This was a terrorist act, committed by a citizen of our country on a public official. Bottom line! He should be considered a terrorist. His affiliations should be examined. His social media should be monitored. This should be happening. But as far as I can see, it’s not.

What part does race have to do with this? A lot. Lets not be naive. Again, if this was Lindsey Graham, tanks would be deployed because a terrorist is on the loose.

And it’s worth mentioning that this terror act took place in the city where a police officer has been charged with the death of an unarmed Walter Scott. A death that he would’ve got away with it not filmed by a passer-by. It’s also worth noting that Senator Pickney was an advocate of placing cameras on police officers as a way to police the police.

I pray for the families of all those who lost their lives at the hand of this terrorist. I pray for the media as well. I pray that they stop playing a game of, “He’s a thug, he’s a terrorist, he’s a loner” depending on the color of the person involved. It’s not conspiracy theory when it comes to how the national media (CNN, Fox, LA Times, etc) plays this. They’re playing towards their viewers responses and not toward what you know is right.

Something that mainstream media could try would be going back to being unbias. People in general has shifted away from looking to mainstream news as their source for what’s going. The bias many feel they see from station to station is a reason many will turn the channel at the sight of a news reporter.

Part of not looking bias, is treating people as even as possible. So that means, If Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is a terrorist, then so is Dylan Roof.

Roof was captured by North Carolina police earlier today. He was still not called a terrorist. Chances are, he never will be either. Our sources state that he was brought into custody without even a scratch on his body. Those teenagers at that Texas pool party didn’t fare too well though.

You Can’t Sit Here: Rachel Dolezal And Her Search To Find A Table

Mehka — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 22:38:50 +0000

Gather round everybody, I want to tell you guys a story. Growing up, I was a pretty decent basketball player. I was so decent, that in my sophomore year of high school, I was moved to a prestigious boarding school to play ball and better my grades. The move to the boarding school from my public school was hard. I was used to hanging out with my friends. I’ve known these people for about 15-years at that time and they were all I knew at the time. The school I was now attending was majority White.

In fact, I was just 1 of 7 Black people in the entire school.I learned early in my life about how people with similar feelings and traits will group together. Most of the 7 would hang out together. We were all for the most part from the inner city and being in this new environment was new to us. We clicked with those who we felt were like us.I learned the hard way how that kind of kindred spirit would bother some when some White kids told the school principal that they had a problem with some of my Black friends sitting together during lunch. They believed that we were being in actuality, racist by not integrating with the rest of the students. He was genuinely angry about that. I felt the way that our headmaster dealt with it, not only help me understand how people think, but it’s helping me understand to a degree a situation that’s going on in the world today.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37iNx5YYR_Y]

My principal at the time sat down with myself and some of the White kids who had the issue and told us all point-blank, “People sit with who they’re comfortable with. Deal with it.”

That story kicked me in the ass years later when I heard the story of Rachel Dolezal. Dolezal the one-time head of the Spokane Washington branch of the NAACP was yanked out the closet by her parents who let the world know that the woman who many believed to be an African-American woman was in fact a White woman.

This news shook up the organization and people in general who couldn’t understand how she could have such thinking. The general assumption was, “How can you just assimilate into another race like that?”

That’s when I thought back to that moment in the lunch room.

Growing up as an African-American man in America, I’ve always knew what I was. When filling out applications, I was sure what box to check. It was never a question in my life what color or what race I was because it showed on my skin. I don’t live the issues that Rachel does. Listening to her interview with Matt Lauer this morning, you don’t hear a woman who seems to be bent on deception. You hear a woman who honestly feel like her vision of herself didn’t register with what others saw. She honestly saw herself as a Black woman.

She never spoke about the moment when she realized that she was in reality, a Black woman. She did mention that she remembers being a girl and coloring characters brown as opposed to using pink or another color. It would seem like she’s been feeling a dissociation between herself and her White parents even then. How she really got to the moment of honesty where she felt that the skin she was in was wrong is still unknown. What we do know is that she really believes this. Almost like George Costanza on Seinfeld, this isn’t a lie because she believes it. There’s no doubt in her mind that she is a Black woman. The doubt lingers in everybody else.

And that is where the problem lies. The real issue here isn’t her perceived deception of the NAACP. That’s something she and the organization has to deal with. The key point that makes her story interesting is her belief that she is in fact a Black woman. We all know there have been stories about Black people who spent their lives passing as White. I’m suer many of us have seen the movie, “Imitation Of Life.” What those Black also did was live in fear of being caught. They were doing it because it was easier than being constantly discriminated against. They chose to separate themselves from their families and friends all in a hope to assimilate into a society that said everything about you was wrong. That’s not why she did this. Apparently, this was all a choice of hers.

The disclosure of Dolezal’s parents that Rachel is really White and her own arguments that she is really Black brings up a new set of questions that I feel many in the world and certainly many of coming up in this new generation will certainly feel. The more we blend races and cultures, the less people feel aligned with just one.

Take Raven Symone for instance. The former Cosby show star and current co-host of ABC’s The View has come to her defense for a good reason. Symone doesn’t consider herself as a Black woman either. Matter of fact, she doesn’t consider herself anything other than a person. I’m sure hearing about Dolezal’s issues made her feel comfortable. No matter what you feel about what this woman believes is her truth, she’s not alone. She might be the first to have to deal with the backlash of deciding to abandon you’re the race or culture you were born into for an adopted one, but she’s not alone. Every friend who we consider Black because they listen to rap music or they walk or talk a certain way, they might be feeling how she feels. Like the people who they should line up with, doesn’t.

There’s an ambiguity going on right now amongst a lot of people where they not only don’t want to be put in a box, but are going out their way to break out of that box. While Rachel wasn’t trying to be the face of a new generation, she inadvertently did just that. Her open defiance when it comes to what she will be considered will serve as a landmark moment for many who like her feel like they don’t fit the box that many want her to check.

Where she goes from here is unknown. Her career with the NAACP is over since she resigned last week from her post. Her grassroots efforts will certainly be looked at skeptically by many as she continues her “mission”. What she will do is serve as a pioneer for people who feel like just her, like it or not.

Look forward to hearing more racial and cultural confusion as the years go by. As we move forward, put this in the back of your mind. People sit with who they’re comfortable with. While Rachel will have to deal with the issues that will ultimately come from her decision about her life. What we do know is that, there is a table in the lunchroom that are full of people who think and feel just like her. They will welcome her in with open arms because they get it. She sided with who she felt comfortable with no matter how uncomfortable others will feel.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VRSAVDlpDI]

For this reason, I too have a confession; I am BLACK!

Road Warriors: Cool Amerika Talks Their New Mixtape, Touring And More

Mehka — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 16:57:17 +0000

This past Monday night, many media types packed Aroma Lounge in Atlanta to hear some new music from two of the ATL’s best new voices.

In order to become an act to watch in Atlanta, Bally and Stunt a.k.a Cool Amerika had to take a few road trips. Just a glance at their Instagram account, the two have hit every major event to promote their music and perform tracks of their mixtapes. The formula worked.

After making the road their home for close to two years, the two have come back to Atlanta with a hit song, new mixtape and a lot of expectations.

After playing cuts from their 17-track mixtape, No Taxes 2, HHE had the chance to speak with the two about how they met, hitting the road as hard and their new mixtape and more.

HHE: How did you guys clique up to become a group?

Cool Amerika Stunt: Since day one. I’ve known him since 8th grade. He was a grade ahead of me, but we were always together running the streets.

HHE: What made you two get in the music game?

Cool Amerika Bally Baby: We’ve been doing this really since high school. Budda had been doing production since then. We were recording on the computer then, Windows XP (laughs)

HHE: If anyone looks on your Instagram the first thing you’ll notice is that you’re out-of-town a lot. New Orleans, Houston. Speak to us about that grind. What keeps you on the road like that?

Cool Amerika Stunt: We have a strong label that keeps us on the road. Everybody believes in us over here so we do what we have to do to get to the top.

HHE: Right now, you have a hit with “Make Sum Shake”.

Cool Amerika Bally Baby: Really, we sat on that song for about a year. We had to get it right you know. I brought it my bro Stunt and he went crazy on it. We debuted it last year at SXSW and the reaction was crazy so we just pushed it. Since then, mix shows picked up, it’s made it in rotation.

HHE: Now you got No Taxes 2. Speak about the mixtape for those who won’t get to hear it until later.

Cool Amerika Bally Baby: No Taxes 2, the movie. The mixtape game ain’t how it used to be. We had to give our fans something more like a movie. We got one producer mainly, Buddha Bless, he produced the whole thing basically except one song that Zaytoven did.

HHE: You don’t see many acts working with just one producer anymore. How did you guys meet Buddha and get to have him produce your entire mixtape.

Cool Amerika Stunt: It’s always been like that since day one.

Cool Amerika Bally Baby: Me and Buddha sat in a hotel for about a month just cooking up. We got that grind together and it works.

HHE: What will we remember Cool Amerika for when it’s all said and done.

Cool Amerika Bally Baby: We were individuals. We set trends. We the new revolution.

Featuring guest spots from Rocko, Offset and more, cop their new mixtape here

Rapper Nas Launches Hip-Hop Festival In Australia

Mehka — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:12:51 +0000

Nas took a big step in his career this week when it was announced that he will be launching a music festival in Australia. The inaugural 2013 Australian Movement Festival will begin its four-date trek April 26 at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, then heads on to Melbourne (April 27 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl), Brisbane (April 28 at the Riverstage) and wraps-up April 30 at Perth’s Red Hill Auditorium.

Nas has already confirmed he will again be involved in an artistic and programming capacity for the 2014 and 2015 events. Other names mentioned that will be performing along with Nasir that weekend will be 2 Chainz, Chiddy Bang, Joey Bada$$, Angel Haze, Spit Syndicate (Melb, Bris and Perth) and Thundamentals (Sydney only).

Hip Hop Enquirer Magazine|Follow us on twitter @hiphopenquirer

Queen Latifah And Netflix Announce Mulit-Year Agreement

Mehka — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:52:28 +0000

Queen Latifah and her Flavor Unit Entertainment company announced that a deal has been worked out with online media provider Netflix which is classified as a ‘first look deal’ whereby any films that are being produced by Flavor Unit if selected, will show exclusively on Netflix’s subscription services after a short theatrical release.

Founded by Latifah and her business partner Shakim Compere in the mid 90’s, Flavor Unit has been responsible for hip-hop acts like Outkast and Naughty By Nature. They jumped into films with their release of “The Cookout” in 2004. Flavor Unit Entertainment has gone on to produce “Beauty Shop,” “Just Wright,” and “Steel Magnolias.”

Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer of Netlfix said in a press release, “We are delighted to work with Queen Latifah to be the exclusive destination for what are sure to be relevant, entertaining movies. Queen Latifah has a long track record of creating hits and Flavor Unit Entertainment is a fresh and exciting voice in the industry.”

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Snoop Lion Ft. Angela Hunte “Here Comes The King” (Video Inside)

Mehka — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 15:40:24 +0000

Snoop Lion

Snoop Lion is in full effect! His documentary, “Reincarnated,” has met critical success, now the album of the same name will be dropping soon. Snoop shoots a video for the second single off the album, “Reincarnated.” Check out “Here Comes The King,” ft Angela Hunte

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HHE Looks Back At The Career of The Late J Dilla (Video Inside)

Mehka — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:42:29 +0000

HHE Looks Back At The Career of The Late J Dilla (Video Inside)

Today marks the day that legendary producer J Dilla came into this world. Since he broke into the national spotlight as part of Slum Village, the Detroit native has inspired many with his life. While many may not be familiar with his name, I’m sure that you are aware of some of his work.

Music was in him from birth. His mother Maureen Yancey was a former opera singer spoke about Dilla’s early love of music in an interview with NPR

“Dilla’s interest in music started at age 2,” his mother says. “Dilla carried 45s on his arm and turntables to the park every day, to spin records — and this was in downtown Detroit.”

That early love of music and passion to learn and know as much about it as possible is what eventually would go on to make him great. Dilla provided the soundtrack for Common’s first certified hit record, “The Light,” laying the groundwork for Common to go from being a underground fan favorite to a Gold selling artist. He worked with Q-Tip after Tip ventured out on his own after a split with A Tribe Called Quest. The result was the high-speed, strings and frantic drum pattern on the classic “Breathe & Stop.” As much success he had with emcees, he wasn’t just locked into doing hip-hop. As part of the ?uestlove founded production crew, The Soulquarians, Dilla was able to contribute his talents to Erykah Badu. He would go on to produce several tracks her sonically stellar Lp “Mama’s Gun.” His work included the hit, “Didn’t Cha Know.” He would go on to become a frequent collaborator for Common and The Roots. Producers like Kanye West and Pharrell openly speak about Jay Dilla’s influence. It was said that before he passed he was working on his own album, one where he just rapped. That project never got the chance to see the light of day.

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Working so hard and being so productive over the years can blind people to problems, especially health issues . While many were watching Dilla churn out hit after hit, he was suffering on the inside. Dilla was diagnosed with lupus. He would pass away February 10th 2006, 3 days after his birthday. While he may never be as big of a household name as say Pharrell or Kanye West, two producers who he influenced, his legacy will live on.

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Eww!: Rapper AP.9 Claims To Have Had Unprotected Sex With Ice T’s Wife Coco

Mehka — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:42:11 +0000

Eww!: Rapper AP.9 Claims To Have Had Unprotected Sex With Ice T’s Wife Coco

Ice T and wife Coco

This is the story that will not stop. It was reported late last year that rapper AP.9 and wife of hip-hop legend Ice-T, Coco allegedly had an affair while the 2 were in Las Vegas.

The tryst allegedly happened in Nevada while Coco was performing in the Las Vegas act peep-show. In a new interview with Star magazine the rapper admits that he and Coco did have relations that weekend. He didn’t stop there though.

In the interview, A.P.9 said, “I first met Coco at Surrender nightclub in Las Vegas. She invited me back to her table; I had a couple of drinks; we exchanged numbers. I could tell we had a physical attraction.”

He would continue saying, “She asked me, ‘What are you doing after the club?’ I said, ‘I’m probably just going to get a room and stay right here.’ She said, ‘Well, I’m going with you.”

The most explosive allegations made by A.P.9 in the interview was that Coco and he had sex. “We had sex,” said A.P.9. “I don’t know who made the first move. It wasn’t making love; it was just sex.” The most damaging claim in the interview was when he said, “We had sex unprotected. I really hope she isn’t pregnant!”

After AP.9 posted pics of him and Coco snuggling in December, Ice-T tweeted, “Don’t get it twisted… I’m not happy about this s**t. Coco’s in Vegas. She has given me her explanation of the pics on the net from her first weeks out there with some dude.”

Ap9 did say that he hoped that Coco and Ice-T can get past the cheating scandal. “I got respect for Ice, and I’m not mad at her. But don’t lie about me. Everyone is looking at me like I’m the bad guy. I don’t have a reason to lie. But she has a reason to lie. She’s the one who’s married.”

We don’t know how much truth is to this story since all we have is a “rapper” that is garnering a lot of attention for taking a photo with another man’s wife. Would Ap.9 pass a polygraph? Something tells us this won’t be the last time we hear from AP.9 as the saga continues.

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Standing By Her Man! Chris Brown Shows Up To Court with Girlfriend Rihanna

Mehka — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:09:02 +0000

As you all know, Chris Brown can’t stay out of the public eye or out of trouble. First, lets start with trouble. Today, the R&B star found himself back in court. Prosecutors in Los Angeles believe that Chris pulled the wool over the eyes of the Virginia Court system by getting Virginia officials to say he completed service at a day care center that he never actually performed.

According to TMZ Today in court, the judge said he needed more time to review all of the evidence presented by the D.A.., and ordered that Brown meet with his probation officer within 48 hours to discuss the situation. The judge says he wants to hear from the probation officer after the meeting. The next court date for Brown is April 5. After court, Brown’s lawyer, famed attorney Mark Geragos spoke about Brown and the drama that he’s been going through with the court system “I have never had a client who has been tortured like Chris Brown has.”

Here’s where Breezy lands back into the public eye. Brown left the courtroom with longtime on again, off again girlfriend/friend, Rihanna. The troubled pair left the courtroom today arm in arm in the midst of cameras and paparazzi. The status of their relationship right now is uncertain. What is certain is that Chris Brown and drama are and will be long-term friends, even if Rihanna wasn’t in the picture.

SOURCE: TMZ

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Jay-Z And Will Smith Team Up To Bring Angela Davis Documentary To Theaters

Mehka — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:29:42 +0000

The theatrical rights to the documentary, Free Angela and All Political Prisoners, have been acquired by Codeblack Films. The film about Angela Davis premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2012 to rave reviews. Coming along for the ride as executive producers for Free Angela are Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment.

Written and directed by Shola Lynch, Free Angela tells the journey of how the young college professor, who was member of the Communist Party and an associate of the Black Panther Party, landed on the FBI’s ten most wanted list and became one of America’s most renowned revolutionaries. The film, which will be presented by BET Networks , will be released exclusively in select AMC theatres in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Oakland, Philadelphia and Atlanta on April 5, 2013.

“We knew that this film was important and would not only shed a spotlight on history, but provide a flashlight for our future,” said Jeff Clanagan, CEO of Codeblack Enterprises in a statement. “Angela Davis is a staple in history and continues to cross generational and cultural lines in her plight to fight for the freedom of all people.”

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Lost One: Happy Birthday Trayvon Martin (Video Inside)

Mehka — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:10:58 +0000

Today would’ve been the 18^th birthday of Trayvon Martin . Normally, this would be just another day on the calendar for the average person. His birthday might’ve been something you would’ve known only if it popped up on your Facebook timeline as “today is Trayvon’s birthday.” Even then, there’s a chance you would’ve just ignored it. It’s hard to ignore February 5th any more. This is a day that few would forget.

While this day is simply the born date of Trayvon Martin, it became a day to remember last year, after Trayvon was gunned down in the small city of Sandford, Florida as he walked from the store to his father’s house after picking up a bag of skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea. He was wearing a hoodie and supposedly looked “suspicious”. He would be killed that night by an overzealous “neighborhood watchman”.

The assailant, George Zimmerman would go on to be charged in the shooting death of the teen. The story of how he got shot and why, would go on to cause a media firestorm that would divide the country sharply down the middle as Zimmerman plead not guilty for reasons of self-defense. The city’s

lack of concern for what happened to Trayvon and how the police seemed to handle Zimmerman, would cause protestors from all across the globe to call attention to the murder and support basic human rights. The country itself looked like a scene from a 1950’s news loop with White people and African-American’s wondering when the other would get proper justice. February 26th 2012 was a sad day.

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Out of that sadness, we take time today to remember the good. Trayvon’s death that day would mean that his birthday, today, would always be something to remember. It’s a day when you look back and think about how lucky you have been over your own life. It’s a day when you hug your children, nieces and nephews a little closer. It’s a day when you pray for a family that you have no real connection too other than the fact that their son looked a lot like someone you may have known at one point in your life.

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February 5th is still just another day on the calendar, but because of what happened last February, it now means so much more. Today, George Zimmerman went back to court, where he and his defense team asked the judge to delay the trial. His request was denied. If you ask his parents, I’m sure they couldn’t have thought of a better gift to give their son today. Happy birthday Trayvon Martin.

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“I’m White”: Did Jen The Pen Go Too Far Or Was She Just Stating The Obvious?

Mehka — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:42:58 +0000

Last night on Love And Hip Hop New York , a heated conversation between former radio personalities, Jen the Pen and Raqi Thunda turned racial when Jen screamed, “I’m White, I’ll get it done,” to Raqi after the two decided to abort plans for a joint radio show. The social media world was in an uproar after Jen dropped the “W” word, but are we overreacting?

If you watched the show, especially that segment, you would’ve heard Raqi mention frequently that Jen was going to be the “White girl” who balanced her out. She was going to be the “White girl” who could say what she wanted on the show. Raqi said “White girl” so much that it made her teeth whiter. She made it clear from the jump that the only reason that she was interested in doing anything with Jen was because her reputation in radio was better than hers and that she was White. So why are we shocked that after being told how great she was for being White, that this White girl would in turn remind Raqi about the privilege of having White skin.

I think if anything, hearing somebody say out loud, ““I’m White, I’ll get it done” like Jen did was a shock to a nation who’s used to hearing it the other way around. We’d cheer if you heard an African-American, Latino, Asian woman announce that “I’m (fill in the blank), I’ll get it done.” Something like that would’ve been a trending topic, followed by a bunch of congratulatory tweets from random people. It was hearing “I’m White, I’ll get it done,” from a White girl who made everybody cringe.

Not coming to her defense, but I am going to offer an objective opinion. Minorities need to get tough. At the end of the day, she didn’t say anything derogatory or disrespectful to any other race. Matter of fact, I don’t think she said anything that was even out of line or not true. She stated the obvious. She stated something that my basketball coach told me years ago. That a White man can grow his beard out to look like Paul Bunyan and have tattoos covering his neck, but all he’d have to do it shave his beard and put on a smile and he’d get a job before I did. It’s a fact of life and like most facts of life, we don’t like to hear it out loud. But just because we don’t want to know the truth, doesn’t stop it from being true. I don’t think Jen was out-of-pocket with what she said, I think that we as people need to understand her sentiments and move on.

What are your thoughts on Jen’s comment? Out of pocket? Or stating the facts? Leave a comment and let us know. Check out more moments from Episode 5 here.

Love & Hip Hop
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Love & Hip Hop, Love and Hip Hop 3

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Rare Footage Of LL Cool J Circa 1985 Surfaces Online (Video Inside)

Mehka — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:31:42 +0000

In 1985, hip hop was a genre that most people still didn’t take seriously. What many saw as just a bunch of kids rap singing and break-dancing, later became a full-blown culture that couldn’t be ignored. Eventually hip hop would go on to unite the world in rhyme. A man in a small town in Maine saw the potential of hip hop very early in the game. After the suicides of several local teens, a resident of the area where the teens took their livers, Mike Starr decided to do something to lift the spirits of the community. While most people would’ve thought that a prayer circle might do, Starr went a totally different route. He rented out space at nearby Colby College and then he placed a call to LL Cool J.

Reaching out to Def Jam, Starr booked LL and Dj Cut Creator to come rock the party for $500 dollars. While the culture was moving fast at the time, it still didn’t hit Maine as of yet. LL spent most of the time he had on stage, explaining what rap was to the audience. All in all, it was a good time for all and a sign that hip hop could reach people you would’ve never thought. When the video was put online after living for 30 years on a VHS tape, LL Cool J saw it and responded on twitter with, “the memories.”

Watch LL’s complete set right here.

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Boondocks Creator Looks To Kickstarter To Fund His Feature Film (Video Inside)

Mehka — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:35:12 +0000

Everyone has been hoping to see a movie version of the hit animated series, “The Boondocks”. Well, now you can help the show’s creator, Aaron McGruder, make that dream come true. McGruder has taken to Kickstarter to raise money to get a Boondocks feature film started.

According to the Grio , Aaron McGruder has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for a feature film based on one of the television show’s most controversial characters, Uncle Ruckus.

Uncle Ruckus is a variation on the folk-telling, sychophantic Uncle Remus character by Joel Chandler Harris.

“If you do know who Uncle Ruckus is, you either really love him or really hate him. But if you’ve made it this far, you probably love him like we do. This is your movie,” said McGruder. McGruder says he’s crowd-funding the film because Sony Pictures, which produces the Boondocks will not be involved.

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Change In The Game Documentary Asks Hip-Hop Fans Some Important Questions

Mehka — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:00:06 +0000

Being a hip-hop fan can be difficult. The culture that grew from the Bronx and spread around the world has grown to the point where it can mean, look and present itself as something different to everybody, depending on who you are speaking to at the moment.

Hip-Hop legend, Nas caused a firestorm when he named his album, “Hip-Hop Is Dead,” creating a rift in the hip-hop world with many asking, “What is really hip-hop?” The answer to that question has never really been defined. This past October, director Will Feagins attempted to address that issue through his film, “Change In The Game.”

The 30 minute documentary debuted during the inaugural A3C Hip-Hop Film Festival and has since gone on to win several awards, posed that question to several high-profile independent artists in the city of Atlanta. Change in the Game discusses some of the changes that have affected how Hip-Hop is created and received as well as factors that influenced those changes such as, technology, commercial success and the relationship between the artists new and old.

The discussion went further this past weekend when the film held a public viewing at the Auburn Library in Atlanta. A panel featuring some of the subjects of the film where some those same topics along with more were discussed with an audience.

After the showing and the panel, HHE had a chance to speak with Will about this film. How the film changed his own opinion of hip-hop and what he has planned next.

Hip Hop Enquirer.com: Will, how did you get into filmmaking?

Will Feagins: I’m originally from Pittsburgh, but now I’m in Atlanta. I went to the Art Institute a longtime ago where I studied music video production. So I got into filmmaking doing music videos. That’s kinda what sparked my interest and it went from there.

Hip Hop Enquirer: How did “Changing The Game” come about?

Will Feagins: “Change In The Game” about because I was commissioned to put together a film for the A3C Hip-Hop Film festival in October 2012. That’s where the film’s idea originally came from. Part of it was personal as most projects that people put together are. Me being an older fan of hip-hop, and witnessing the different changes I’ve seen and I how I feel about the changes.

Hip Hop Enquirer: Since completing film, has your opinion about hip-hop changed any?

Will Feagins: My opinion hasn’t really changed. If what’s being presented to the masses isn’t what you prefer, that doesn’t mean that the stuff that you prefer isn’t there anymore. You just have to search it out.

Hip Hop Enquirer: Have you thought about extending the film any or doing a sequel to the project?

Will Feagins: I haven’t decided about extending it yet. There are other ideas I have about short documentaries about hip-hop where we can continue the discussion. I’m thinking about doing a film specifically about the age issue in hip-hop. At some point 30 is too old? When you get to be 40 in American society, you’re starting to be written off. So I want to do something that ties all that together as well.

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Woman Wages War On NBC And Iron Mike Tyson (Video Inside)

Mehka — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 18:09:58 +0000

Mike Tyson finds himself in the eye of controversy again. The one-time heavyweight champion of the world, suffered a blow personally and professionally when he was charged and convicted of the rape of Desiree Washington in 1991. He was released from prison in March of 1995 and went on to resume his boxing career, but he was never the same fighter he was when he was in his early years.

Tyson did go on to resurrect his image in the public eye through appearances on television shows like the Jimmy Kimmel show and by appearing in films like the Hangover series. But once you’re painted a rapist, you are always that in some peoples’ eyes. Recently he found someone who still saw him as a rapist, and this person doesn’t want to see any parts of him on their TV screen.

Mike Tyson with Oprah Winfrey

Marcie Kaveney of Fort Myers, FL has gotten over 15000 people to sign her online petition to have NBC and “Law & Order: SVU” remove Tyson from an upcoming episode of the show. In the petition she said to network executives:

“We are requesting that you re-consider your decision to have Mike Tyson on Law and Order: SVU or to pull the episode. While we understand Mr. Tyson has served his time; it seems as though the only person who will benefit from his guest appearance will be him. There are many sexual assault survivors as well as others who consider your decision to be in poor judgement. Mr. Tyson has never publicly apologized to his victim nor has he admitted his crime. In fact, he has publicly ridiculed his victim. Your show has been a great comfort for so many and is one of the few media outlets that discourages victim-blaming. We would like for the show to continue to have that same integrity.”

Comments from those who supported the petition echoed Kaveney’s sentiments. Jessica Bruns commented that,

“By casting Mike Tyson, a wife-beater, convicted rapist and known misogynist, they are not only spitting in the faces of the thousands of victims who entrust SVU to shed light on their stories, but also discrediting the voluminous support given them by such survivors and advocates over the last 14 years.”

The popularity of the petition got even more of a push when Whoopi Goldberg spoke about it on The View.

It doesn’t seem like the petition has made much of an impact over at NBC though as they have not removed Mike Tyson from his upcoming role on the show. A recent announcement by NBC has the network actually moving the episode featuring Tyson up from it’s February 13th original air-date to February 6th. Will you be watching?

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Breaking News: 14 Year-Old Student Injured In Shooting At Atlanta Middle School

Mehka — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:42:53 +0000

According to CNN, a 14 year-old student was shot and wounded today in Atlanta by a fellow classmate at Price Middle School. The victim was shot in the head and rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital where reports claim that his injuries are not life-threatening and that he was also alert and conscious after being rushed to the hospital.

According to Atlanta Police Spokesperson, Carlos Campos, the shooting was not random, and it appears that the two students knew each other and exchanged words before the shooter opened fire. Sandra Armour, a cousin of the victim’s mother, said at the hospital that there was no gang connection involved in the altercation. “(The victim) is a good kid,” Armour said.

The school was placed on lockdown until 4:45 pm. The 14 year-old student who is believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, released this statement shortly after the incident took place:

Gun violence in and around our schools is simply unconscionable and must end. Too many young people are being harmed, and too many families are suffering from unimaginable and unnecessary grief. I pray that the student who was shot today at Price Middle School in southwest Atlanta recovers quickly and can return home to family and friends. A suspect has been taken into custody. I would also like the students, faculty and families of the Price Middle School community to know that they have the full support of the City of Atlanta as they heal from today’s terrible incident. The city’s Employee Assistance Program counselors are already at the school providing guidance for students, faculty and family members.

HHE will continue to keep you updated on any new developments in the story.

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Snoop Dogg Grows Into Snoop Lion In Front Of Our Eyes In “Reincarnated”

Mehka — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:51:07 +0000

For more than 20 years now, the hip hop world has known the name Snoop Dogg. The former Death Row prisoner and No Limit soldier has entertained us with his songs about weed smoking, gang banging and partying like a rap star for years. So it came as a shock to many when in late 2012, he decided that he was no longer going to be called Snoop Dogg and that he was going to take up the new moniker of Snoop Lion. It wasn’t just the changing of his name though. He was also changing his music and his life for the better.

Snoop Lion was a new version of Snoop Dogg, one that fully embraced a Rastafarian lifestyle. This change included going from rap to reggae. To fully explain why he chose to make the move from gangster rap to peaceful reggae, he made, “Reincarnated” a film and album that walks people through his transformation as an artist and a man.

Last night I was able to screen the film version of “Reincarnated,” at the Plaza Theater in Atlanta Georgia. The crowd was filled with fellow journalists, bloggers and others who came to see a longtime fan favorite bring us into his new world.

The film begins with Snoop packing his bags and leaving California for a 30 day trip to Jamaica where he will hook up with Diplo and Major Lazer to work on his new album, “Reincarnated”. He brings along his cousin and longtime partner in rhyme, Daz, for the journey which includes trips to visit reggae legend Bunny Wailer, and a trek through the violent area of Tivolo Gardens in West Kingston. While filming, Snoop discusses the moment he decided that he could no longer rap nor live the same way that he had previously.

Some of the best moments of the film have nothing to do with Snoop recording in the studio and have more to do with his actual visits to various parts of Jamaica. While at the home of Bunny Wailer, Snoop finds himself learning from the feet of the 63 year old legend about what it really means to be a Rasta and why smoking weed is an important part of the culture, not just something to do. After Bunny shares his wisdom with Snoop, Snoop shares some good Cali bud with Wailer while he’s at the house.

Another great moment happened when he travels to Trenchtown, the home of Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and many more reggae legends. It was here that he walked the same steps that Bob did as a young man coming up and learned about the history of reggae and Bob’s overall influence to the people in the area. Staying true to his own roots, Snoop brings the cameras to the violent area of Tivoli Gardens. The area, once ruled by drug lord and international kingpin, Dudus, was now under the control of the Jamaican army. While in the area, Snoop linked up with a local artist named Cutty Corn who eventually ends up recording a song with Snoop that might make the final cut of “Reincarnated”. Snoop was embraced by the underprivileged in the area at every turn. He also took time to visit the Alpha school, a school for out of control boys and young men who were left in the streets to fend for themselves. It was at this school that the genre called Ska is said to been created. While at the school, Snoop did a freestyle while some of the kids played music.

In the film, Snoop opens up like he’s never had before, touching on topics like his time with Death Row, the influence that Master P and his time at No Limit had on his development as an artist, his friendship with Tupac, his rocky relationship with his wife, and how the death of his longtime friend Nate Dogg impacted him as a man.

Notable figures like Damien Marley and Minister Louis Farrakhan also make appearances in the film to speak about their interaction with Snoop Dogg and their opinion of his change to Snoop Lion.

After viewing “Reincarnated,” you will walk away feeling like you’ve seen a man who you, like myself, may have grown up listening to, becoming a new man. Snoop comes across as a man who has fully accepted his past, for good and bad, and used those lessons to become a new person. “Reincarnated,” is a great chapter in the long book of the person that we knew as Snoop Dogg. It’ll be great to see what the rest of Snoop’s book has in store for him.

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AdAge Names Hip Hop Marketing Guru Steve Stoute ‘Executive Of The Year’

Mehka — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:33:14 +0000

Steve Stoute with HHE’s President Dennis Byron

From books to music, Steve Stoute has accomplished a lot in his time in the music industry. The one-time music executive has held positions at Interscope and Sony over his 10+ years in the industry. His ear for music and eye for talent helped shape the careers of Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, Will Smith, Mariah Carey and more. Then Stoute was named Executive Of The Year by Advertising Age magazine.

In 2008, he partnered with Jay-Z to form Translation Advertising, an advertising company that specializes in advertising to the multicultural market. The company has blended hip hop with companies such as McDonald’s, Budweiser, Burger King and more.

The accomplishment is huge for Stoute as he was once more known for being “the guy that Diddy attacked with a champagne bottle” than for his Advertising/Marketing ingenuity. Now Stoute is getting all of the recognition he deserves, and for the right reasons.

Watch an interview Stoute recently did with Media Bistro, where he speaks about working with Jay-Z, explaining the Black market to Fortune 500 companies and more.

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Exclusive Interview: Freeway Ricky Chimes In On The Ricky Rozay Shooting Incident

Mehka — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:01:05 +0000

Early yesterday morning, news broke across the world that rapper Rick Ross was shot at while driving through Florida after coming home from a birthday party. The rapper survived, but his car, a Rolls Royce was severely damaged when it crashed into an apartment complex. Late last night, Freeway Ricky spoke to Hip Hop Enquirer about what happened to Rick Ross, how he felt Ross could make whatever situations that are surrounding him go away and what advice he would give to him if he could.

Ross, nor his company, Maybach Music Group or its parent company Warner Brothers have released a statement about what happened as of yet, but the streets have certainly been talking and speculating about the circumstances. It’s known that Ross has had his problems with the Gangster Disciples, a nationwide gang based out of Chicago over what seems to be an issue over a broken promise to attend community events put on by the GD’z. The group organized several factions of the gang across the country to make online videos threatening Ross and promoters who were booking his shows that Ross was not allowed in certain parts of the country.

If the Gangster Disciples had anything to do with what happened yesterday to Ross is yet to be known. The local police department handling the shooting have not released any leads or suspects in the shooting. One person who has had issues with Ross in the past seems to feel whatever Ross is going through, he brought it on himself. Freeway Ricky Ross, the legendary drug kingpin and the man from whom Ross took his name has been vocal when it comes to Ross and how Ross isn’t living what he speaks in his rhymes.

HipHopenquirer.com: I know you heard about what happened last night to Ross. When you heard the news, how did it affect you?

Freeway Ricky: Well, the good thing is that he is ok. It’s always sad to see anybody get hurt. Luckily he got away this time.

Hiphopenquirer.com: Do you feel like his issues with the Gangster Disciples were at the heart of what happened?

Freeway Ricky: I don’t know if it’s the GD’z. Whoever it is, when you’re living life a certain way, or you’re living in a certain environment and you don’t understand that environment that you’re in and you do something that violates the rules, and then sooner or later it comes back to get you. In the ghetto you have to live out a certain set or rules. In the hood, they don’t go to court and sue you. They usually take it up with their fists or with guns or knives. It’s a different environment that he’s in now.

Hiphopenquirer.com: How do you feel that Ross could solve this problem?

Freeway Ricky: Basically, what he should do is start playing straight and start playing by the rules. When I was coming up, we had rules. We did business on a handshake. If you violated those rules, that could cost you your life. And he has to understand that, this stuff is a lot more serious than what it looks like or what people rap about on records. Hopefully he takes whatever it is that he has to take care or pay whoever it is that he owes. I get a lot of people who call me saying that he owes them this or he said that. He did a documentary about guys in Miami, kingpins or something and those guys didn’t like it. I got mail from guys in the penitentiary asking how they could stop him from putting their names basically in music or in films.

Hiphopenquirer.com: If you could give any advice to Rick Ross right now, what would it be?

Freeway Ricky: I think I could. But he won’t listen to me. I’ve been trying to advise him since the first day we spoke on the phone. I tried to give the kid advice. I guess he thinks I got these gray hairs just from being old. He doesn’t understand that I maneuvered out of these streets and had more money than most of them have now. And I had real money, real paper money. Not make believe money where you waiting on the 3^rd quarter to get a check. I got my check every single day. I had people carry mine in duffel bags, I know about having money and living in the ghetto and being around killers. I think I can definitely help him out of that situation, but is he willing to take that advice. I don’t think so, at least not from me.

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Did The Grammy’s Block Lil B From Performing? (Video Inside)

Mehka — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:00:28 +0000

When you combine the fact that his lyrics make no sense and he gives his albums names like, “I’m Gay (I’m Happy)”, you can understand why Lil B the Based God can be hard to digest if you’re an average music fan. He has his fans, thousands of them to be exact, but he does have his haters. He can add the Grammy committee to that latter group.

Lil B was a part of a list of hopefuls set to perform at the 2013 Grammy Awards as a part of a contest called “Gig of a Lifetime,” but it appears he may be banned from doing so. Some noise was made over Lil B’s inclusion in the competition, and his name was removed from the contest this week.

Lil B took to Facebook to thank his loyal fans for their votes, saying “Thanks to every task force officer or b**tch mob task force or police who protect Lil B music and patrol based world daily to make sure there is no hate and protect Lil B music thank you.” Guess the world wasn’t really ready to be Based. If you haven’t had the chance to hear Lil B the Based God, then check him out.”

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Questlove Announces 6th Annual Roots Picnic Lineup featuring Trinidad James, Robert Glasper Joey Bada$$ and More(Video Inside)

Mehka — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:07:36 +0000

Every year around June, The Roots give back to the city of brotherly love like only they could. ?uestlove recently made the official announcement via Twitter that the line-up for the 6th Annual Roots Picnic is locked in. So for those who will make the trek to Philly on June 1st, you’ll get the chance to see indie favorites like Macklemore and Joey Badass all the way to jazz acts like Robert Glasper. Even hip hop’s current flavor of the moment, Trinidad Jame,s gets a chance to hit the stage and rock out. Check out the flyer and stay posted to HipHopEnquirer.com for more updates. If you’ve never been to the picnic, check out the trailer from their 3rd yea below

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Anyextee Goes The Extra Mile For His Film at Sundance Festival (Video Inside)

Mehka — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:47:14 +0000

Last week, Hollywood insiders and wannabe insiders crowded the small town of Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival. Many films and filmmakers got their big breaks, not in Hollywood, but right here in Park City where the indie film is king.

Over the last few years hip hop has had monumental moments at the legendary festival. Last year, Ice T-‘s “Art of Rap,” drew critical acclaim, while Michael Rapaport’s documentary about A Tribe Called Quest, “Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest” also garnered high marks from the powers that be. This year, Next, CEO of Amalgam Digital took hip hop to a new level at Sundance. His film, “Egypt Through The Glass Shop” was his first big step into directing and producing a film. The movie takes a look into the revolution that took place in Egypt 2 years ago, and more importantly, how that revolution changed people in the country.

Hip Hop Enquirer spoke with Next about his new film, the accomplishment of having a movie shown at Sundance and what it was like to ride a camel through Park City Utah. Check out the video below.

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HHHE: So What made you want to step out of the music business and jump into film?

Next: I don’t think of it in terms of stepping out of music but instead expanding on that existing platform, by venturing into the film. I’ve been in the music industry for over fifteen years, in many facets, and deeply rooted in the Hip Hop culture even longer. But by expanding into the world of film it allows me to be an artist again. I can channel my energy and express myself creatively as opposed to sitting behind the desk dealing solely with executive duties. Aside from that personal benefit, I wanted to create more value for the artists I represent. By breaking into the film industry, I can create new avenues from within and utilize that to open doors previously unopened for the artists I represent. They are my true inspiration.

HHE: What is “Egypt Through The Glass Shop” about? What made you want to tackle this subject?

Next: The film follows the journey of the young entrepreneur and talented glass blower who set up a shop in Cairo and teaches the Egyptian people new techniques by providing an update to the original method of glass blowing. Before long, he finds himself trapped in the country during the civil unrest that sparked the Arab Spring. While a block away from Tahrir square, he gets hit with tear gas. His business partner suffers aN almost fatal wound to the head from a rock thrown by an Egyptian police officer and the shop quickly falls into disarray. The glass blower finds himself displaced from the enterprise. A year later, he returns to reclaim his life’s work and I help him reestablish his glass business in Egypt.

HHE: What made you want to jump on such a controversial topic?

Next: I wanted to tackle this subject because I believe it resonates with a lot of young people and talented artists who get into business and face obstacles. It’s a first-hand account from the front lines and captures the first punch thrown by the Egyptian Government onto its own people – unarmed civilians during a peaceful protest. That’s not something we get to experience from main stream media. It’s compelling, it’s visceral, and it’s a story of triumph! The film is not just an alternative look at the revolution of a nation in turmoil that provided crucial inspiration for the Occupy movement here in the States, but the revolution of an entire cultural art form – being glass blowing, which originate from those parts of the world.

HHE: What is your Sundance experience like so far?

Next: This is my first time attending the Sundance Film Festival. It’s a learning experience. I learned not to ride my camel into town while promoting the film. It doesn’t fair well and may just make the front page of the Salt Lake City Tribune and Fox News 13 but Sundance is supposed to be about breaking away from the mainstream, breaking away from the establishment, Sundance is about American independence, and you couldn’t have American independence without revolution – and this is a movie about revolution.

HHE: I saw the video! Speak to me about riding the camel and your run-in with the local police.

Next: Sundance isn’t supposed to be an institution about people with money, fame and notoriety. It’s supposed to be about providing a platform to discover and highlight the creative, the avant garde, the fringe, next level filmmakers. I was artfully demonstrating that with my Egyptian revolution-themed promotional campaign by riding into town on a camel. I didn’t expect to be pulled over, issued a citation, kicked out of the festival, and escorted out of Park City by the police. I didn’t hurt anyone or do anything of destructive nature. I did however, take notice a lot of smiles, laughter, and an overall sense of excitement from the festival goers who applauded my groundbreaking approach to promoting the film. Perhaps, I pissed some people off too but it was innovative and embodied the spirit of independence. After all, isn’t that what Sundance is all about?

HHE: What’s next for you as a filmmaker?

Next: Part of attending this Sundance Film Festival was to celebrate the launch of my new film production company “Unusual Accomplishment” and we are premiering the trailer for the NEXT film that I’m releasing entitled “Harvest Season: a HIGHER level of consciousness”, which puts a strong focus on horticulture, Jamaica, and the Northern California grower scene, as well as the legal, political, historic and spiritual aspects of the Cannabis plant. We also explore its medical properties and the plants processed oil being a cure for cancer. Essentially, it’s an all-encompassing on weed. In addition to the educational motif it will feature clever cinematography and an original sound score syncopated to the film’s visual rhythms. From there I’m taking the master audio track and exporting to 180 gram vinyl record and recorded back in to give it a real audiophile experience. Amalgam Digital artist Dutch Rebelle has a video coming for her track “N.A.S. (Not A Stoner)” that I’m directing to support the film. I have several other film projects I’m working on as well, all at various stages including my third film, the story of the Annunaki taken directly from ancient Sumerian texts.

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HHE: What’s next for Amalgam Digital?

Next: Amalgam Digital first launched as Hip Hop’s first genre specific digital store + record label platform but as the industry changed, we began to change with. The company has been morphing into more of an artist development management company and using its label brand, relationships, and resources to benefit the artists we manage. We have the #ADGang movement rapidly picking up steam and moving in a conscious direction. Chuuwee is prepping his debut album “3^rd Coastin” where he begins to introduce his new sub-genre, what he calls “revolutionary trap music”. Dutch Rebelle will break out with her debut album “Vodou” which is all about energy, and aims to crush the negative stereotypes of the word, incorporates themes from the Haitian Revolution, and picks up where Wyclef’s “Carnival” left off sonically. We also recently brought Dillon Cooper into the fold, who is a multi-talented emcee that also plays guitar and piano. He is about to release his debut mixtape “Cozmik” on Amalgam Digital. Providing a platform and getting them on the road for a national tour and meshing it with the film screenings to create an immersing experience. That’s the direction Amalgam is headed in. We will also be launching a brand new interactive website in the near future.

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Chief Keef Sued For Child Support By A 6th Grader (SMDH)

Mehka — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:00:48 +0000

Keith Cozart better known to the rap world as Chief Keef can’t catch a break! First his debut album, “Finally Rich” debuted to a disappointing 55k copies sold, then a judge violates his probation sending him back to jail for 60 days. What could happen next? Well, a middle school student in Illinois has the answer to that.

A A female student in Illinois is suing Keef over allegations the seventeen-year-old fathered a child with her two years ago and has yet to pay child support.

The girl, who is currently attending middle school in the Chicago area, claims Keef is the father of her two-year-old son, and that she and Keef were together when the rapper was fifteen. The age of the girl has not been released, but being a middle school student tells us the girl could have been in sixth grade or at most eighth grade at the time of the pregnancy.

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It is considered a misdemeanor in the state of Illinois for two people under the age of seventeen to have sex, even if they are in a consensual relationship. When both parties are between nine and seventeen-years-old, the older person commits a crime referred to by law as “criminal sexual abuse.” Punishment for such a crime can result in up a year of jail time and being required to register as a sex offender, but many sources are saying that likely will not be the case this time around. The girl’s parents have to choose to go after Keef, and at this time there is no information suggesting that to be the case.

The girl is reportedly seeking an undisclosed amount of child support, including health insurance and other medical expenses. No official statements have been released by either side.

This should give Keef something to think about while he finishes up his jail sentence. Speaking of his jail sentence, check out what really happened to Keef that day.

Lupe Fiasco Tests The First Amendment at Concert and Gets the Boot

Mehka — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:53:39 +0000

Last night (January 20) Chicago native and hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco did what Lupe Fiasco does: cause controversy. At the StartUp RockOn Inauguration concert, Lupe got on stage and went in on some major figures in news talk radio and the President himself, Barack Obama.

“Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist. Gaza strip getting bombed, Obama didn’t say shit. That’s why I aint vote for him, next one neither.”

Those are definitely some harsh words. Since Lupe burst onto the rap scene, he’s been known for his penchant to question all authority. So it should be no shock to those who have ever listened to Lupe that he would take this opportunity to further push his agenda. But was last night the right time to do it?

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I watched many people online this morning ask that same question amongst themselves. Many people sided with Lupe and his right to speak.

Marketing executive, Bart Schmidt, held true that Lupe had the right to speak his mind, when and wherever he feels.

“It was a sad turn of events,” said Schmidt. “Agree or not, Lupe Fiasco is entitled to his opinion.”

Phillip Bailey echoed the same sentiments. “If Bush were President, Lupe fans would call him “revolutionary” but rapping about American force under Obama makes him a “hater”?

Jasen Minus, a student from Massachusetts agreed. “It’s America,” said Jasen “He has a right to perform his music. Whoever booked him had no idea who he was obviously. He’s been openly critical of any American president. Not just Barack Obama.”

There were others like news website, hypervocal.com that felt Lupe was out of pocket last night. “Disappointed that an artist took opportunity to use an event celebrating innovation/startups to make a political statement,” they tweeted late last night after the news of Lupe getting thrown off stage hit the world.

Regardless of how you feel, Lupe did what Americans have done since 1776. Speak out against what he felt was a wrong that was not being addressed. Whether you agree with him or not, is the reason why we have the 1^st amendment. The organizers of StartUp, RockOn released a statement addressing Lupe Fiasco’s forced exit last night.

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Mac Miller and Lord Finesse Reach A Settlement (Video Inside)

Mehka — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 14:01:19 +0000

Recently Rostrum Records star, Mac Miller, and legendary producer, Lord Finesse, came to a settlement over the $10 Million dollar copyright infringement suit filed by Lord Finesse.

Mac Miller used a sample of the Lord Finesse 1995 song “Hip 2 Da Game” for his song “Kool Aid and Frozen Pizza”. The track that Mac used was for his own free mixtape, K.I.D.S. Many felt that since the track was used for a free mixtape, then Lord Finesse really has nothing to sue about, but that’s not what a judge decided.

This isn’t the first or the most recognizable time that something like this has happened. Prior to the release of Lupe Fiaco’s Food & Liquor 2, Lupe found himself in a war of words with famed producer Pete Rock, over the use of Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s classic record “T.R.O.Y.”. The two eventually settled their differences offline.

So what does this do for the mixtape scene? Should this make artists weary when it comes to grabbing an instrumental to use for a mixtape? Producer/Engineer d.C, who has provided music for everyone from Amalgam Digital artist, Chuuwee, to commercials for Mini Cooper and TV shows like Love & Hip Hop sees the announcement as a win and lose for both artists and producers.

“I think on one hand it’s a shame that Hip Hop has adopted music industry standards and started suing people for improper use for one’s music. Hip-Hop is deeply rooted in lifting and “borrowing” other’s work to create something new and different from it. Think about this, if Mac Miller ended up being a nobody, Lord Finesse probably wouldn’t have sued him. It’s like all sample clearance lawsuits, they only go after the people they know they can make money on” said d.C

The settlement for d.C and other producers means that they will also get some of the shine that they truly deserve.”On the other hand, I think it’s a good step for producers. A lot of producers are getting taken advantage of by artists especially when it comes to the business of mixtapes. Artists are propelling their careers and producers see little to no benefit from helping them.”

Hip-Hop is the only genre of music where major label/while known/established artists give albums away for free. Just because an artist chooses to give their music away for free doesn’t mean the producer has to be forced to do so as well. This case shows that lawsuits can be won even if no money was made on a song. The value of a copyright is more than just a monetary value. I don’t think it will change how artists use beats because this is such a rare case. If it empowers more producers to sue artists then we’ll see a shift in the way artists use beats for mixtapes” continued d.C.

If more producers make a fuss about this, then the people who will be hurt most will be the artists. Especially those still in the underground. Local Atlanta underground stand-out, Phene spoke openly when asked about the news of the settlement.

“I can understand Lord Finesse wanting to get his just due, but 10 million dollars was over the top,” said Phene. Phene has rocked the A3C stages this past year and is already booked to perform at SXSW in March, made his name off his many mixtapes. So when asked if this would alter his process or others when it comes to picking what track to use for a mixtape his answer went straight to the point. “I feel like if more producers did what he did, it would shut down a lot of rappers and up-coming producers. As far as for me, I just won’t use any Lord Finesse tracks”.

With the way artists dig into digital crates everyday to pull out instrumentals for mixtape use, it’s going to be very interesting to see if suing for sampling becomes a trend.

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