It's 2015 and the problems between the police and the urban community seem to be getting worse and the divide between the haves and the have nots has widened.
In a 1994 interview Tupac Shakur talked about the problems plaguing society and what motivated him to make hard hitting music.
If you didn't know this interview was over two decades old you would think it was a present day activist giving you a glimpse into a world of hopelessness many find themselves living in.
"You have to be logical," Tupac said. "If I know in this hotel room they have food every day. And I'm knocking on the door every day to eat. And they open the door and let me see the party. Let me see them throwing salami...throwing food around, but they're telling me there's no food in here.
Every day, I'm standing outside trying to sing my way in. 'We are hungry please let us in.' After about a week that song's 'gon change to, "We hungry, we need some food.' After two or three weeks it's like, 'Gimme some food or we're breaking down the door!' After a year you're just like, 'I'm picking the lock coming through the door blasting,' Pac continued. "It's like you're hungry, you done reached your level, you don't want anymore. We asked ten years ago. We was asking with the [Black] Panthers. We was asking with the civil rights movement. Those people that were asking are now all dead and in jail. Now what do you think we're gonna do? And we shouldn't be angry? And My raps that I'm rapping to my community shouldn't be filled with rage? They shouldn't be filled with the same atrocities that they gave to me? And the media don't talk about it, so in my raps I have to talk about it."
Nelly is switching up gears on his fans. The 40-year old is crossing over to country music for his eighth album, according to his manager, J. Erving of Atom Factory.
"He's a free agent on the label side now, and is working on a country-based "Heartland" EP, which should be really interesting," said J. Erving told Billboard. "He may be one of the first hip-hop artists to jump into that space in an authentic way with Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw, so we think he has an opportunity to grow that base even more."
You looking forward to hearing a country album from Nelly?
Cleveland, Ohio native, Smoove Gotti, has made the fact that his grind is relentless very well-known in the recent months. With over 10 videos that have gone viral over the internet & a Vevo account that has raked in over 100,000+ views, it's safe to say that his work ethic is that of what makes Ohio artists so unqiuely special.
Gotti's latest release, "No Money," featuring legendary emcees, 8Ball & MJG, aims to restore the classic feel back into this Hip-Hop music. He picked up 2 heavily impacting contributors towards the culture to emphasize the need for this type of vintage music to be felt yet again.
His new video, "Faded," further reiterates Smoove Gotti's restoration of definitive feeling into the art of Hip-Hop. Peep as he takes you through a series of organic clips & as he lets you into a bit of his lifestyle & tells you what it's like to truly be "Faded".
Also, take a spin at his latest mixtape offering, "My DNA Level C"here.
BALTIMORE (Associated Press) — Rioters plunged part of Baltimore into chaos Monday, torching a pharmacy, setting police cars ablaze and throwing bricks at officers hours after thousands mourned the man who died from a severe spinal injury he suffered in police custody.
The governor declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard to restore order. A weeklong, daily curfew was imposed beginning Tuesday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the mayor said. At least 15 officers were hurt, and some two dozen people were arrested. Two officers remained hospitalized, police said.
Officers wearing helmets and wielding shields occasionally used pepper spray to keep the rioters back. For the most part, though, they relied on line formations to keep protesters at bay.
Monday's riot was the latest flare-up over the mysterious death of Freddie Gray, whose fatal encounter with officers came amid the national debate over police use of force, especially when black suspects are involved. Gray was African-American. Police have declined to specify the races of the six officers involved in his arrest, all of whom have been suspended with pay while they are under investigation.
Freddie Gray
Emergency officials were constantly thwarted as they tried to restore calm. Firefighters trying to put out a blaze at a CVS store were hindered by someone who sliced holes in a hose connected to a fire hydrant, spraying water all over the street and nearby buildings.
The smell of burned rubber wafted in the air in one neighborhood where youths were looting a liquor store. Police stood still nearby as people drank looted alcohol. Glass and trash littered the streets, and small fires were scattered about. One person from a church tried to shout something from a megaphone as two cars burned.
"Too many people have spent generations building up this city for it to be destroyed by thugs, who in a very senseless way, are trying to tear down what so many have fought for, tearing down businesses, tearing down and destroying property, things that we know will impact our community for years," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, a lifelong resident of the city.
Gray's family was shocked by the violence and was lying low; instead, they hoped to organize a peace march later in the week, said family attorney Billy Murphy. He said they did not know the riot was going to happen and urged calm.
"They don't want this movement nationally to be marred by violence," he said. "It makes no sense."
Police urged parents to locate their children and bring them home. Many of those on the streets appeared to be African-American youths, wearing backpacks and khaki pants that are a part of many public school uniforms.
The riot broke out just as high school let out, and at a key city bus depot for student commuters around Mondawmin Mall, a shopping area northwest of downtown Baltimore. It shifted about a mile away later to the heart of an older shopping district and near where Gray first encountered police. Both commercial areas are in African-American neighborhoods.
Later in the day, people began looting clothing and other items from stores at the mall, which became unprotected as police moved away from the area. About three dozen officers returned, trying to arrest looters but driving many away by firing pellet guns and rubber bullets.
Downtown Baltimore, the Inner Harbor tourist attractions and the city's baseball and football stadiums are nearly 4 miles away. While the violence had not yet reached City Hall and the Camden Yards area, the Orioles canceled Monday's game for safety precautions.
Many who had never met Gray gathered earlier in the day in a Baltimore church to bid him farewell and press for more accountability among law enforcement.
The 2,500-capacity New Shiloh Baptist church was filled with mourners. But even the funeral could not ease mounting tensions.
Police said in a news release sent while the funeral was underway that the department had received a "credible threat" that three notoriously violent gangs are now working together to "take out" law enforcement officers.
A small group of mourners started lining up about two hours ahead of Monday's funeral. Placed atop Gray's body was a white pillow with a screened picture of him. A projector aimed at two screens on the walls showed the words "Black Lives Matter & All Lives Matter."
The service lasted nearly two hours, with dignitaries in attendance including former Maryland representative and NAACP leader Kweisi Mfume and current Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes.
Erica Garner, 24, the daughter of Eric Garner, attended Gray's funeral. She said she came after seeing video of Gray's arrest, which she said reminded her of her father's shouts that he could not breathe when he was being arrested on a New York City street. Garner died during the confrontation.
"It's like there is no accountability, no justice," she said. "It's like we're back in the '50s, back in the Martin Luther King days. When is our day to be free going to come?"
With the Rev. Jesse Jackson sitting behind him, the Rev. Jamal Bryant gave a rousing and spirited eulogy for Freddie Gray, a message that received a standing ovation from the crowded church.
Bryant said Gray's death would spur further protests, and he urged those in the audience to join.
"Freddie's death is not in vain," Bryant said. "After this day, we're going to keep on marching. After this day, we're going to keep demanding justice."
Gray was arrested after making eye contact with officers and then running away, police said. He was held down, handcuffed and loaded into a van without a seat belt. Leg cuffs were put on him when he became irate inside.
He asked for medical help several times even before being put in the van, but paramedics were not called until after a 30-minute ride. Police have acknowledged he should have received medical attention on the spot where he was arrested, but they have not said how his spine was injured.
___
Associated Press writers Juliet Linderman and Jeff Horwitz contributed to this report.
After publicly professing her love for estranged husband Wiz Khalifa a couple of weeks ago and stating that she wanted to put their marriage back together, Amber Rose, appears to have already moved on with Machine Gun Kelly.
According toTMZ, MGK was at baggage claim today to meet Rose when she arrived. The Cleveland rapper grabbed a handful of Amber's buttocks, helped her with her luggage and the two walked away hand-in-hand.
The timing is strange because MGK and Wiz a hit single together entitled "Mind of a Stoner," which has racked up over 51 million YouTube views since being released last February.
Somehow I have the feeling Wiz is somewhere smoking a joint not giving a damn.
Future Hendrix is a man on his grind heavy as of late. He's been providing new visuals at a rapid pace. Today he gives FADER the green light to premiere his latest entitled "Trap Niggas." Peep it below.
Boozie Badazz stopped by The Breakfast Club to chop it up.
He discussed why he moved from Baton Rouge to Atlanta, Plies getting body slammed, freezing his sperm to assure he'll have twins, Webbie getting baptized, his seven kids, being on The Barter 6, getting IG hookups from the females, influencing East Coast artists like Bobby Shmurda, being an inspiration to the hood, Touchdown 2 Cause Hell and more.
After a long delay Raekwon finally delivers his Fly International Luxurious Art album. The project will be released on Tuesday, April 28, but you can stream the entire thing up top.
Features include French Montana, Ghostface Killah, 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg, Melanie Fiona, Rick Ross, Estelle and Liz Rodriguez.
1. Intro (Prod. by Jerry Wonda) 2. 4 In the Morning Ft. Ghostface Killah ( Prod. by Scram Jones) 3. I Got Money Ft. A$ap Rocky ( Prod. by S1 aka Symbolic One) 4. Wall to Wall Ft. French Montana & Busta Rhymes (Prod. by She da God, co-prod Snaz) 5. Heated Nights (Prod. by Frank G) 6. F.I.L.A. World Ft. 2 Chainz (Prod. by Scram Jones) 7. 1,2 1,2 Ft. Snoop Dogg ( Prod. by Scoop Deville) 8. Live to die (Prod. by S1 aka Symbolic One) 9. Soundboy Kill it Ft. Melanie Fiona & Assassin (Prod. by Jerry Wonda) 10. Revory (Wraith) Ft. Rick Ro$$, Ghostface KIllah (Prod by Bluerocks) 11. All About You Ft. Estelle ( Prod. by Jerry Wonda) 12. Nautilus (Prod. by Scram Jones) 13. Worst Enemy Ft. Liz Rodriguez ( Prod. by Matt Burnett)
Mariah Carey is preparing to release a greatest hits album entitled #1 to Infinity on May 18 via Epic Records. Here's a new song off of it the pop diva calls "Infinity." Check out the lyric video below.
Baltimore emcee King Los links up with Taylor Gang recording artist Ty Dolla $ign for a new entitled "Can't Fade Us." Super producer DJ Mustard provides the instrumental. Listen to the track up top.
Safaree Samuels continues to cultivate a fanbase as SB Stunts, and recently the New York Native chopped it up with VladTV; in this clip from his exclusive interview the "Burner" rapper spoke on the perceived animosity brewing between Lil Wayne and Birdman.
SB, who has experienced the ending of his personal and professional relationship with Young Money artist Nicki Minaj, weighed on the debate, adding, "I don't know, in 2014 I don't know what was in the air, but everybody that was together for a really long time -- it was like -- this is the year that we're going to split it all up. Like, everybody; I don't know what the hell was going on."
As the dialogue delves deeper into the possible outcomes for the Cash Money empire, Safaree, who concedes that he not privy to the contractual obligations of the label's artists, offers that even if the current artists want to jump ship if Weezy leaves, ultimately they will have to stay and fulfill their contracts.
Check out the full clip to get all the details on what Safaree has to say on the current Cash Money crisis, why he thinks Baby is a genius, and where Baby's legacy ranks in the halls of Hip-Hop.
In this Interview with Montreality, RAKIM speaks about :
- His upcoming album (0:24) - J. COLE (1:01) - KENDRICK LAMAR / To Pimp A Butterfly (1:50) - Love for the New Generation (2:48) - Feeling sharp as ever (4:11) - Who HIP HOP belongs to (4:56) - The biggest lie in the world (6:14) - His message to the youth (7:53)
Many people believe that tattooing the name of a lover usually signals the relationship won't last.
Tyga doesn't seem to be the least bit worried because he's put Kylie Jenner's name in permanent ink on his arm.
TMZ reports that sources close to the rapper revealed that he did it to prove to Kylie that she's the only one for him, despite the fact that his baby's mother Blac Chyna leaking texts of Tyga begging to get back with her.
Chyna claims the back and forth texts have been going on for months, but she has no interest in a reconciliation.
KATHMANDU, Nepal (Associated Press) — Sleeping in the streets and shell-shocked, Nepalese cremated the dead and dug through rubble for the missing Sunday, a day after a massive Himalayan earthquake killed more than 2,200 people. Aftershocks tormented them, making buildings sway and sending panicked Kathmandu residents running into the streets.
The cawing of crows mixed with terrified screams as the worst of the aftershocks — magnitude 6.7 — pummeled the capital city. It came as planeloads of supplies, doctors and relief workers from neighboring countries began arriving in this poor Himalayan nation. No deaths or injuries were reported from the early Sunday afternoon quake, but it took an emotional toll.
"The aftershocks keep coming ... so people don't know what to expect," said Sanjay Karki, Nepal country head for global aid agency Mercy Corps. "All the open spaces in Kathmandu are packed with people who are camping outdoors. When the aftershocks come you cannot imagine the fear. You can hear women and children crying."
Saturday's magnitude 7.8 earthquake spread horror from Kathmandu to small villages and to the slopes of Mount Everest, triggering an avalanche that buried part of the base camp packed with foreign climbers preparing to make their summit attempts. At least 17 people died there and 61 were injured.
The earthquake centered outside Kathmandu, the capital, was the worst to hit the South Asian nation in over 80 years. It destroyed swaths of the oldest neighborhoods of Kathmandu, and was strong enough to be felt all across parts of India, Bangladesh, China's region of Tibet and Pakistan.
By Sunday afternoon, authorities said at least 2,169 people had died in Nepal alone, with 61 more deaths in India and a few in other neighboring countries. At least 721 of them died in Kathmandu alone, and the number of injured nationwide was upward of 5,000. With search and rescue efforts far from over, it was unclear how much the death toll would rise.
But outside of the oldest neighborhoods, many in Kathmandu were surprised by how few modern structures — the city is largely a collection of small, poorly constructed brick apartment buildings — collapsed in the quake. While aid workers cautioned that many buildings could have sustained serious structural damage, it was also clear that the death toll would have been far higher had more buildings caved in.
Aid workers also warned that the situation could be far worse near the epicenter. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered near Lamjung, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Kathmandu, in the Gorkha district.
Roads to that area were blocked by landslides, hindering rescue teams, said chief district official Prakash Subedi. Teams were trekking through mountain trails to reach remote villages, and helicopters would also be deployed, he said by telephone.
Local aid worker Matt Darvas said in a statement issued by his group, World Vision, that he heard that many remote mountain villages near the epicenter may have been completely buried by rock falls.
The villages "are literally perched on the sides of large mountain faces and are made from simple stone and rock construction," Darvas said. "Many of these villages are only accessible by 4WD and then foot, with some villages hours and even entire days' walks away from main roads at the best of times."
Nepal's worst recorded earthquake in 1934 measured 8.0 and all but destroyed the cities of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan.
With people fearing more quakes, tens of thousands of Nepalese spent Saturday night outside under chilly skies, or in cars and public buses. They were jolted awake by strong aftershocks early Sunday.
"There were at least three big quakes at night and early morning. How can we feel safe? This is never-ending and everyone is scared and worried," said Kathmandu resident Sundar Sah. "I hardly got much sleep. I was waking up every few hours and glad that I was alive."
As day broke, rescuers aided by international teams set out to dig through rubble of buildings — concrete slabs, bricks, iron beams, wood — to look for survivors.
In the Kalanki neighborhood of Kathmandu, police rescuers finally extricated a man lying under a dead body, both of them buried beneath a pile of concrete slabs and iron beams. Before his rescue, his family members stood nearby, crying and praying. Police said the man's legs and hips were totally crushed.
Hundreds of people in Kalanki gathered around the collapsed Lumbini Guest House, once a three-story budget hotel and restaurant frequented by Nepalese. They watched with fear and anticipation as a single backhoe dug into the rubble.
Police officer RP Dhamala, who was coordinating the rescue efforts, said they had already pulled out 12 people alive and six dead. He said rescuers were still searching for about 20 people believed to be trapped, but had heard no cries, taps or noises for a while.
Most areas were without power and water. The United Nations said hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley were overcrowded, and running out of emergency supplies and space to store corpses.
Plumes of smoke, meanwhile, rose above the capital as friends, relatives and others gathered by the river to quickly cremate loved ones' remains.
Most shops in Kathmandu were shut; only fruit vendors and pharmacies seemed to be doing business.
"More people are coming now," fruit seller Shyam Jaiswal said. "They cannot cook so they need to buy something they can eat raw."
Jaiswal said stocks were running out, and more shipments were not expected for at least a week, but added, "We are not raising prices. That would be illegal, immoral profit."
The quake will likely put a huge strain on the resources of this impoverished country best known for Everest, the highest mountain in the world. The economy of Nepal, a nation of 27.8 million people, relies heavily on tourism, principally trekking and Himalayan mountain climbing.
With Kathmandu airport reopened, the first aid flights began delivering aid supplies. The first to respond were Nepal's neighbors — India, China and Pakistan, all of which have been jockeying for influence over the landlocked nation. Nepal remains closest to India, with which it shares deep political, cultural and religious ties.
India suffered its own losses from the quake, with at least 61 people killed there and dozens injured. Sunday's aftershock was also widely felt in the country, and local news reports said metro trains in New Delhi and Kolkata were briefly shut down when the shaking started.
Other countries sending support Sunday included the United Arab Emirates, Germany and France.
After the chaos of Saturday — when little organized rescue and relief was seen — there was more order on Sunday as rescue teams fanned out across the city.
Workers were sending out tents and relief goods in trucks and helicopters and setting up shelters, said disaster management official Rameshwar Dangal. Mukesh Kafle, the head of the Nepal Electricity Authority, said power was restored to main government offices, the airport and hospitals.
Among the destroyed buildings in Kathmandu was the nine-story Dharahara Tower, a Kathmandu landmark built by Nepal's royal rulers as a watchtower in the 1800s and a UNESCO-recognized historical monument. It was reduced to rubble and there were reports of people trapped underneath.
The Kathmandu Valley is listed as a World Heritage site. The Buddhist stupas, public squares and Hindu temples are some of the most well-known sites in Kathmandu, and now some of the most deeply mourned.
Nepali journalist and author Shiwani Neupane tweeted: "The sadness is sinking in. We have lost our temples, our history, the places we grew up."
___
Associated Press writers Muneeza Naqvi and Tim Sullivan in New Delhi contributed to this report.
}