In this episode of People’s Party, Talib Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with rapper, writer, and true curator of the culture -- Jadakiss. This comprehensive discussion kicks off with talk of Jada and Talib's shared birth year of '75, and their witnessing of hop-hop's biggest points of evolution at the perfect age, both having grown up in its epicenter of New York City. They also discuss Talib's appreciation of The Lox for showing him love at the beginning of his career, while he struggled for mainstream success. They reflect on Jada's growing up in Yonkers, and the emcees that inspired him most during those early years. The trio also explores what went into the makings of some of the classic recordings Jadakiss was involved with like "All About The Benjamins," "24 Hours To Live," "We'll Always Love Big Poppa," as well as albums such as "The Last Kiss," "Kiss Tha Game Goodbye," "Top 5 Dead or Alive," "Freddy vs. Jason," and his latest project "Ignatius" -- dedicated to his close friend and business partner Ice Pick Jay, who recently passed. Jada describes the challenges he had while recording that album, at times fighting back tears.
As the convo continues, the trio discusses the infamous Ruff Ryder studio sessions and the high level of competitive energy that kept everyone at the top of their respective games. They also touch on The Lox's strong family-like foundation that kept them close throughout the years, and Jada is asked about his short-lived beefs with 50 Cent and Beanie Sigel, as well as how they got squashed.
Deep into the episode, Jadakiss, Kweli, and Jasmin discuss Jada's close friendship with Notorious B.I.G. and his role as one of the few, true custodians of Biggie's legacy. Jada also gives insight into the "Free The Lox Campaign," the creation of D-Block Records, linking up with Gang Starr on "Rite Where You Stand", and his Grammy-nominated record "Why." Talib goes on to name his top 5 Jadakiss verses -- while urging the People's Party audience to do the same -- and Jada gives the whole truth on the story circulating about Mike Tyson supposedly stealing his seat at the recent Biggie tribute in Atlantic City.
2:56 -- Jada and Talib discuss the privilege they share, both being born in 1975, growing up in NY, being fully immersed in hop hop, and seeing first hand it's evolution from humble beginnings, throughout the golden age and beyond.
5:19 -- Talib thanks Jada and The Lox for the respect they expressed when first meeting Kweli at the height of their fame and when his career had plenty of underground acclaim but not the same air play that the Lox and so may others enjoyed at the time.
7:41 -- Jada talks about coming up in Yonkers and the frustration he felt about his hometown often being overlooked, not getting the same recognition as other New York locals.
11:57 -- Talib points to Jada's signature flow, and asks who were his biggest influences on him coming up. Jada responds with paying homage to greats like Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Biggie, and more. He also gives due credit to his Mom for exposing him to hip hop at such a young age.
16:18 -- Jada speaks on the classic "24 Hours To Live", who came up for the concept for the song and how it all came together.
18:02 -- Jasmin asks Jadakiss about "All About The Benjamins," specifically who wrote Puff Daddy's verse on the hit. The convo turns to writing verses and how Kweli once did some writing for Diddy as well. They also discuss Kanye's rhyme about The Lox and Jadakiss says he always wondered if Mase wrote that verse for Kanye.
22:59 -- Jada describes what the Ruff Ryder studio sessions were like, and the competitive energy during those recordings that brought out the best in everyone. He also digs into the history of Ruff Ryders, how it was founded, and it's transformation into such an iconic movement.
25:51 -- Jada reflects on The Lox crew's lasting foundation, averting petty disagreements that would potentially fragment the strong bond that they were able to maintain over so many years.
28:06 -- Talib asks Jada about "The Last Kiss", and it felt to get so much industry support for that album.
29:31 -- Jada is asked about the mystique he carries as a legitimate voice of the streets, while avoiding jail time his whole life, and Talib asks him if that credibility comes from the realistic storytelling in his raps or his younger days hustling on the streets of Yonkers.
32:05 -- Jasmin asks Jada if he turned down any projects because he thought it might tarnish his reputation.
33:27 -- Talib Kweli and Jada look back at Jada's short-lived beef with 50 Cent, including his classic diss track "Checkmate," with Talib asking how it all got squashed. They then move on to discuss Jada's signature laugh, its origins, and how it's stuck around.
35:26 -- Jada frames the concept for his album "Top 5 Dead or Alive", and responds to people giving him credit for the phrase. Talib also recounts a quote from him stating that if you have a ghostwriter you can't be in the Top 5 conversation.
42:16 -- Talib asks Jada how important were New York mix-tapes to his ascension to the top 5 status. Jada also speaks on his battle rap mix-tape days with Beanie Sigel, and details how the beef was squashed.
45:36 -- Talib discusses the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. with Jada, including the relationship they developed recording "Last Day" for "Life After Death." Jada then goes into the part he played in getting Lil' Cease and Lil' Kim back together before the Junior M.A.F.I.A. reunion, and Talib touches on how Jada is one of the few custodians of Big's legacy.
50:08 -- Jada reflects on the recording of the song "We'll Always Love Big Poppa", the idea for the song inspired during the funeral planning for Biggie. He also expresses how deeply heartbroken he was in the wake of Biggie's passing.
54:26 -- Talib asks Jada about what led up to "Free The Lox Campaign", and what transpired during that epic show.
58:36 -- Jada speaks on the creation of D-Block Records, the term was coined as a result of all the tension during the recording of Jada's album "Kiss Tha Game Goodbye". Talib also brings up J-Dilla's sampling of Jada's laugh on one of the last recordings before his passed, and they also discuss Jada's prominent feature on the Gang Starr classic "Rite Where You Stand".
1:02:43 -- Jada and Talib discuss their close mutual friendships with Styles P, and Talib asks how their back and forth rapping style started. The also speak on Sheek Louch's notable ability to keep evolving as an emcee after so many years.
1:07:56 -- Jada talks about his "Freddy vs. Jason" collaboration with Fabolous, and Jasmin asks Jada how the "SoRaspy" brand came about.
1:10:24 -- Jada gives detail on his latest project "Ignatius", and it's dedication to his close friend and business partner Ice Pick, who recently passed. He talks about how difficult it was getting through the making of that album as he would fight back tears during studio sessions. They go on to discuss the misconception of vulnerability being a sign of weakness.
1:15:28 -- Jada is asked about his recent collaborations with Pusha T, made possible by Ice Pick. Talib also asks Jada about his take on people blaming the youth for the violent conditions of the hood.
1:18:49 -- Jada talks about what inspired his thought provoking, Grammy nominated song "Why". He also notes his satisfaction when that song got the attention of Bill O'Reilly.
1:21:04 -- Talib calls out his top 5 Jadakiss verses of all time and asks the People's Party audience to weigh in on their favorites in the comment section.
1:23:45 -- Jada tells the whole truth about the story of Mike Tyson supposedly crashing the Biggie tribute in Atlantic city, stealing Jada's seat.
Sassy Savage is a force to be reckoned with. The woman behind the moniker "Sassy Savage" was born Domonique Lashae Smith on January 2nd 1988, in Jackson, Mississippi. She is the daughter of Brenda Bass and Michelangelo Smith. She came from a musically inclined family--both her parents & grandfather were artists, which would later influence her rhyming style and life philosophy. Her first published work came when she was in the third grade at Seminole Elementary of Florida, while living with a relative. Sassy soon realized she she had a special skill-set when it came to writing, and quickly began to write rhymes for numerous other artists, including her father.
Recording artist Sassy Savage aims to be one of the most influential rap artists of her time. She made her break into the hip-hop culture with her 2019 single entitled “Berserk”. Soon after, she found herself making waves in the hip-hop music scene. The Mississippi native has continued to rise capturing the attention of numerous fans around the globe. Her cadence, unique sound, & personality are among the slew of reasons as to why she is becoming a popular artist within the hip hop & rap culture.
In 2019, independent artist, Sassy Savage, joined forces with DJ Team Broke 100, Andre Lenoir, of Behind The City Lines who announced a joint distribution deal with That Rabbit/Sony Orchard leading to her rise to stardom. Sassy’s success has begun to catapult, but she remains humble in her willingness to stay true to her creativity, truth, & simply the essence of who she is as an artist.
Social media: IG: 1SassySavage Facebook: Domos Delicious Topics YouTube: Sassy Savage
Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus ... TMZ has confirmed.
Sources tell us that the incarcerated former movie mogul has, indeed, been confirmed as one of two inmates at the Wende Correctional Facility in New York to have the viral infection. He was moved to the prison recently after being taken to Rikers Island following his rape and sexual assault conviction earlier this month.
It's unclear when exactly Weinstein might've contracted the virus, but we're told he's been in isolation since he was taken to Rikers a few weeks back. Our sources also say he hasn't had contact with his family or lawyers since the diagnosis.
The reality -- Weinstein is among the most at risk for serious symptoms.
Weinstein has looked incredibly frail of late, making appearances in court with the help of a walker and aides. He's also been hospitalized in New York a couple different times over the past month or so -- complaining of chest pains and receiving cardiac treatment.
Weinstein might just be the tip of the iceberg in NYC and NY State prisons -- at least 19 inmates in NYC prisons and 12 employees have coronavirus, the NYC Dept. of Corrections announced Saturday. It's unclear what might be happening at a state-wide level.
A rep for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision -- which currently has custody and supervises Weinstein -- tells TMZ ... "With each confirmed case, DOCCS worked with the Department of Health to identify any potentially exposed individuals in order to provide notifications and to stop the spread of the virus."
It's a pretty stunning sight ... boxes and boxes of items -- allegedly untold rolls of toilet paper and paper towels -- carted out of a Dollar Tree, as an ANGRY customer gives the woman a piece of her mind.
It went down in Florida, and the images are amazing. The video starts mid-confrontation. The woman shooting the video says she was just flipped off by the woman carrying the boxes. She repeatedly calls the lady out, accusing her of possibly trying to profit off the items.
The lady carrying the boxes eventually snaps and flips the other woman off. And then, the woman confronting her took a guess ... asking the woman if she was a Trump supporter, and boy, did she bite.
Kamaru Usman tells TMZ Sports ... he was all set to fight Jorge Masvidal in July -- until the coronavirus killed those plans. But he's still ready to hand out another ass-whooping, stat!
So, while the UFC tries to line up the next fight for the UFC welterweight champ -- he's talking mad trash to Masvidal, Colby Covington and of course ... Conor McGregor.
First ... Masvidal.
"Honestly, if I'm being honest, do I believe that he deserves the fight next? No, I don't think that he deserves the fight. But at the same time, he's got the hype right now."
"He seriously thinks he's a superstar. He's talking about how I'm the most famous fighter, I'm more famous than Conor and this and that. You are drinking your own Kool-Aid right now. He forgets that literally less than a year ago or two years ago he was just 'Journeyman George.'"
"Now you lost some weight, did a little Spanish reality show and came back and now he thinks he's just Jacques Cousteau or something. My man, relax!"
Next ... Colby.
Remember, Kamaru beat Colby's ass back at UFC 245 in December. Covington wants a rematch.
"Colby I'll be more than happy to put another cannon to your face. Easy as that."
And Conor?
"I'd be crazy if I said I didn't want that fight because Conor is one of those guys that's transcended the sport."
"And of course, I think people would love to see me go in there and spank him any way that I want. So, that's a fight that I always want."
"So, if Conor's feeling froggy that fight could happen anytime. So, that's a wild card right there, that could happen any time. If he's feeling froggy, if he wakes up on the right side of the bed and is like 'You know what? I want to get my ass beat today!' ... that fight could happen any time."
Idris Elba's wife just told Oprah she tested positive for the coronavirus, and it raises the issue that people are talking about from The White House to Hollywood -- how are these tests being distributed?
Sabrina Dhowre told Oprah she's been by Idris' side the whole time, and that's not going to change. She said it's a wife's instinct to be with her husband when he's down, and that's just what she did.
Sabrina says she doesn't have any symptoms ... nevertheless, she got the test.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading infectious disease specialist on The White House Coronavirus Task Force, urged people as late as Saturday not to get tested if they are asymptomatic.
It's unclear how celebrities and professional athletes are getting hold of these tests, but clearly they are.
Dhowre told O, "we're asymptomatic" ... meaning Idris, who's also positive, is not showing symptoms as well. As we reported, he also got tested.
In this clip from People's Party, Talib Kweli discusses the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. with Jadakiss, including the relationship they developed recording "Last Day" for "Life After Death." Jadakiss recalls how The Lox would always pick Biggie's brain for wisdom and life lessons, like the passion to always be working and never taking days off, and seeing all the nostalgic moments during the "Life After Death" sessions. Jadakiss then goes into the part he played in getting Lil' Cease and Lil' Kim back together before the Junior M.A.F.I.A. reunion. Finally, Talib touches on how Jadakiss is one of the custodians of Big's legacy. Full episode arrives on Monday 3/23 at 9AMet/6AMpt.
No one's gonna call the coronavirus pandemic good news -- but folks in the legal marijuana biz will at least say there's a silver, or green, lining for them.
THC Design, one of the largest cannabis suppliers in the game, tells TMZ ... they saw a 300% increase in sales this week -- a spike they attribute completely to the outbreak.
THC Design supplies 275 dispensaries and 20 delivery service platforms in Cali, so yeah ... they're in high demand.
Despite the huge consumer demand, THC Design says it's not hiring new employees ... at least not yet. Sorry to burst your bubble, recently-unemployed stoners.
As for its current workforce, THC Design tells us it's taking extra steps to keep the workplace safe -- the main facility in Downtown L.A. has a new sterilization procedure for all employees entering the building.
Among the new safety procedures -- handwashing with isopropyl alcohol to completely sterilize, separating the workforce and allowing office staff to work from home, scrapping communal lunches, and making everyone enter from the same entrance to make sure they're sanitized.
Which reminds us ... wash your hands AND your bongs, too!!! Oh, if Dr. Fauci would only say that at the next White House briefing.
Queens native, Grafh & Fred the Godson link up to create "Can't Stop The Rain" Freestyle . When these two lyrical monsters team up, there's sure to be bars on top of bars. Both of their rhyme schemes are just different. Hip hop fans will love it.
If you haven't checked it out already, Grafh & DJ Green Lantern - The Oracle III . Available on all streaming platforms.