In an exclusive interview with VladTV, producer extraordinaire Alchemist speaks on Battle Rap, why Eminem is above it when it comes to a competitor, and the genre's huge breakout into the mainstream.
The producer says he's glad that Battle Rap has a bigger platform, because it shines light on lyrical artists and also encourages them to step up their skill-set. As for dream battles, Alchemist is down to see Queens rapper Mr. Cheeks battle Smack Battle favorite Un Kasa. He explained how Eminem is above the genre, and he's highly doubtful that anyone can see him in a rap battle.
The producer says the future of Battle Rap is questionable since it quickly switches up. He believes that with so many lyrical styles, many would be left behind in the future. He also says he salutes many of the genre's artists because of the time, effort, and skill they exude.
The word “STRIPES”, may have derived from the military, denoting one’s enlisted rank according to his or her particular rank or position... But this, STRYPEZ refers to one local Georgia native who shed light on his southern hip-hop style and underlying persona through music. Brandon Lee, from (Hinesville, Georgia), STRYPEZ, [pronounced “Stripes”], has a firm grasp on the different levels of creativity it takes when putting together impressive works of musical art. His southern rap style was influenced by contrasting forms of Crunk and Bounce music; artist also cites Outkast and Lil Jon as additional sources of his inspiration.
Strypez is currently in the studio working on his mixtape; Take Flyght: FIRST IN FLYGHT, which is set to drop in Fall 2015. His first release off his upcoming project titled “Colorado” has been released virally and has gained grounds with both mainstream and underground audiences. On another track off the mixtape, he teams up with hip-hop artist “Stuey Rock” for a club banger. Stretching the boundaries of hip-hop, Strypez has put together a compelling group of producers and artists to comprise this anticipated project. Between constant admiration and his gain of widespread popularity the rapper is definitely on his way to stardom.
The up and coming artist was initially introduced to the music scene back in 2004 when he performed at an annual event called “Summer Slam” in Midway, Georgia, alongside another local artist. His talents where noticed by A&R, Odom “DaTrappa” Dingle, who worked for A1 Recording formerly known as Rocky Road Records located in Atlanta, Georgia. After a couple years of shadowing Atlanta’s hip-hop scene Strypez went on to release his first debut mixtape “Obey the Game”, hosted by DJ J3 in 2007. In 2008, he toured with hip- hop recording artist, Rocko, during his "Self Made" album release under Island Def Jam.
Success for Strypez is to be measured by the obstacles from which he has overcome. The energetic rapper is definitely building up a reputation as an artist to keep your dial tuned in anticipation for what drops next. With only a few months closing in fast for his projected release of “Take Flyght” the mixtape he is definitely in the driver seat with nothing but wide open road ahead.
CLEVELAND (Associated Press) — The streets returned to calm Sunday after police arrested dozens of demonstrators overnight when protests grew increasingly aggressive in the wake of a patrolman's acquittal in the deaths of two unarmed black suspects.
In total, 71 people were arrested, including several who turned their anger toward bystanders in downtown Cleveland, Police Chief Calvin Williams said. Someone picked up a restaurant sign and hit a patron in the head, and other protesters used pepper spray on passers-by and restaurant patrons sitting at outdoor cafes.
But Mayor Frank Jackson thanked the vast majority of protesters who remained peaceful and respectful as they voiced their frustration with Saturday's verdict.
Officer Michael Brelo, 31, faces administrative charges while remaining suspended without pay after he was found not guilty on two counts of voluntary manslaughter, but he no longer faces the prospect of prison. The anxious city now awaits a decision on criminal charges against a white officer in the fatal shooting of a black 12-year-old boy with a pellet gun.
Brelo and 12 other officers fired 137 shots at a car with Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams inside it on Nov. 29, 2012. The shooting occurred at the end of a 22-mile chase involving more than 100 Cleveland police officers and 60 cruisers after Russell's Chevy Malibu backfired while speeding past police headquarters. During the chase, an officer reported that he thought he'd seen Williams with a gun. At the end, police mistook police gunfire for shots from Russell's car.
Malissa Williams (left) and Timothy Russell
Brelo fired 49 of those shots that night, but it was the final 15 fired into the windshield while he stood on the hood of Russell's car that led to his indictment and a four-week trial. He faced up to 22 years in prison if convicted on both counts.
The shooting helped prompt an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice that concluded Cleveland police had engaged in a pattern and practice of excessive use of force and violations of people's civil rights.
Jackson said protesters were encouraged to continue expressing their opinions as long as they stayed peaceful. Williams said police only moved in Saturday when things got violent and people refused to disperse.
"We want to make sure that people understand we're going to help you in this process but if things turn violent, as we stated in the beginning, we will take action to preserve safety in the city," Williams said.
The protests erupted as authorities work to complete an investigation into the Tamir Rice shooting, the findings of which will be given to the prosecutor's office to decide whether to pursue criminal charges
.
Alicia Kirkman, 47, of Cleveland, said she joined the march in honor of her son, killed in a police shooting eight years ago.
"I'm just so mad we never get justice from any of the police killings," said Kirkman, who said she settled with the city after her son's death but no charges were filed.
The judge said in his ruling that he wouldn't "sacrifice" Brelo to the wave of anti-police sentiment that has swept across the nation in the wake of other police in-custody deaths. While protests in cities like Baltimore, New York City and Ferguson, Missouri, have erupted into violence, the demonstrations in Cleveland didn't escalate.
The judge's decision to acquit Brelo focused on which shots killed Russell, 43, and Williams, 30, two homeless drug addicts with a long history of mental illness. Four of the 23 gunshot wounds to Russell and seven of Williams' 24 wounds were believed to have been fatal. Judge John P. O'Donnell said in his 35-page verdict that while testimony showed Brelo fired some of the fatal shots, other officers fired kill shots as well.
A grand jury charged five police supervisors with misdemeanor dereliction of duty for failing to control the chase. All five have pleaded not guilty and no trial date has been set.
Prosecutors had argued that when Brelo stood on the hood of the Malibu that he meant to kill Russell and Williams instead of containing a threat to his and other officers' lives. O'Donnell ruled that even the last 15 shots were justified based on Brelo's belief that someone inside the car had fired at police at the beginning, middle and end of the chase.
Michael Brelo
"Officer Brelo risked his life on that night," Brelo's lead attorney, Patrick D'Angelo, said after the verdict.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty said he respected O'Donnell's decision, and added that the case would prevent police violence.
In addition to the Tamir Rice case, the county prosecutor's office is looking into the death of a black woman who died in police custody while lying face first on the ground in handcuffs. The family of Tanisha Anderson, 37, has sued the city of Cleveland and the two police officers who subdued her. They say she panicked Nov. 12 when officers put her in the back of a patrol car after they'd responded to a call about Anderson having a mental health crisis.
Russell's sister, Michelle, said Brelo would ultimately face justice, despite the judge's decision. The city of Cleveland has paid the families of Russell and Williams a total of $3 million to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit.
"He's not going to dodge this just because he was acquitted," Michelle Russell said. "God will have the final say."
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Associated Press writers Andrew Welsh-Huggins, John Seewer in Toledo and John Coyne contributed to this report.
A$AP Rocky will release his new At.Long.Last.A$AP on June 2nd. One of the most anticipated songs is his collaboration with Schoolboy Q. Take a listen to "Electric Body" up top.
The wait is FINALLY over! Now you can listen to and download your FREE copy of Billy Lyve's new hit mixtape,"5658 The Prelude"! "5658 The Prelude", produced by Rube Rice and Imahj Beatz, is a throwback to the 90's hip hop sound with chopped samples and boom bap drums! Get your copy TODAY at http://www.audiomack.com/album/imahj/5658-the-prelude?key=billylyve5658! If you like it, SHOUT IT OUT! Use #5658ThePrelude in your comments!
Find out more about Wisdom Court Entertainment's Billy Lyve and stay connected! Use these links:
(Fredericksburg.com) Fredericksburg police released three videos Friday of an incident that resulted in the resignation of Officer Shaun Jurgens.
Jurgens used his Taser and his pepper spray May 4 on a man who was sitting behind the wheel of his car and appeared to be ignoring police orders.
David Brian Washington, 34, had attracted police attention initially with erratic driving that included striking one car, running over a sign and driving on the wrong side of U.S. 1, police said.
Following a review of the incident, city police administrators determined that Jurgens used excessive force against Washington, who it turned out was having a stroke. He was treated at Mary Washington Hospital and is recovering in a rehabilitation facility.
Washington was charged with driving on a revoked license, two counts of hit-and-run and reckless driving.
Jurgens resigned, but insisted that he did nothing wrong. In a statement he provided to The Free Lance–Star, Jurgens explained the reasons for his actions and invited the Police Department to release the videos.
The reasons he cited included concern for the safety of his fellow officers and the surrounding public.
Jurgens maintained he acted appropriately, especially considering that the suspect would not show his hands and had already exhibited reckless behavior.
The city’s police use-of-force policy prohibits the use of Tasers or pepper spray on someone behind the wheel of a car. It also prohibits the use of a Taser on suspects who are “passively resisting.”
The released videos came from the body cameras of three officers involved in the apprehension of Washington: Jurgens, Cpl. Matt Deschenes and Sgt. Crystal Hill.
The videos show Deschenes and Hill with their guns drawn as Washington sat in a stopped car at the intersection of Cowan Boulevard and Powhatan Street.
Jurgens showed up a short time later. After repeated warnings for Washington to show his hands and get out of the car, Jurgens fired the Taser.
“Get out of the car or I’m going to [expletive] smoke you,” Jurgens said at one point.
The Taser seemed to have no effect on Washington, and a large amount of pepper sprayed was unleashed into the car.
The officers got Washington out after that and emotions calmed considerably.
The most excitable moment after Washington was in custody was when Hill screamed, “Oh my God. Stop it, stop it” as the car—which apparently was still in gear—backed over Washington’s shoe.
Washington could be heard moaning repeatedly, complaining about his eyes and saying he was feeling sick. He told police he’d been feeling poorly for about a week.
The officers comforted Washington outside the car, telling him that help was on the way and that he would feel better soon.
The May 4 incident began when police got a call about an out-of-control driver who struck another vehicle while driving south in the northbound lanes of U.S. 1 near the University of Mary Washington pedestrian bridge.
The Hyundai Washington was driving had already run into a median and knocked down a sign, police said.
The car had stopped on Cowan Boulevard when police arrived and the events that led to Jurgens’ May 14 resignation unfolded.
Fat Trel calls on Fetty Wap for his latest track titled "I Need You." The song was produced by AllSteezy. Trel's next project, Georgetown, is coming out soon. Check it out up top.
Jim Jones of The Diplomats teams up with Red Cafe for a new song entitled "Squad A Hittaz." Check it out up top and give us your feedback on it in the comment section below.
New surprise Memorial Day weekend mixtape from YOUNG JEEZY "Gangsta Party" a Gangsta Grillz Presentation hosted by DJ Drama and powered by DatPiff. The mixtape includes features from Shy Glizzy, Young Dolph, 2 Chainz, Kevin Gates & more.
FabolousandDJ Cluecompile theirFriday Night Freestyleseries with several new ones for a mixtape. It featiresJadakiss, N.O.R.E., Paul Cain, Joe BuddenandStack Bundles.
Take a listen and download up top
Follow Fabolous on Twitter and Instagram @MyFabolous Life
T.I. hops on the remix to Jenna's "Classic Man." This can be found on DJ MLK’s mixtape GoodNight Don’t Exist in ATL 7. Take a listen to the track above and let us know what you think in the comment section below.
The ever-entertaining Charlamagne tha God weighed in on Nicki Minaj being with Meek Mill and the rumor that Safaree ghostwrote some of her lyrics during a recent sit-down with VladTV.
When the topic of Meek and Nicki allegedly getting engaged came up, Charlamagne says it would make complete sense, as young rappers these days are seeing the success that comes to married power couples like Jay Z/Beyonce and Swizz Beatz/Alicia Keys, and he's experienced it himself as well.
"I've read a lot of studies that say married men are more successful, and I can honestly say, that since I've done those vows, my trajectory has done this," remarks Charlamagne while moving his hand in an uphill motion.
Moving on, Charlamagne gives his take on the rumors that Nicki Minaj has employed ghostwriters on some of her work -- specifically her ex boo Safaree. "Yo man, I think Nicki's a boss, and I think she takes pride in her work - as she should - she takes pride in her art, and I mean, if you were actually writing your own rhymes, you wouldn't want nobody taking credit for that either," the radio host observes.
Check out the clip to hear more from Charlamagne, including his theory on why the greatest female emcees of all time aren't necessarily the most popular.
Ghostface Killah addressed comments that Action Bronson sounds a lot like him, and the Wu-Tang emcee admitted that there have been times when even he's confused Bronsolino's voice with his own. He shared that he even spoke to Bronson about the situation, and the "Mr. Wonderful" emcee was insistent that he wasn't trying to sound like anyone but himself.
Speaking more on the situation, Ghostface says that "nobody can be me," and he's not looking at the comparisons as a competition.
For Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, entering the high-end audio market hasn't been easy but the competitive rapper recently secured a strategic partnership that may give his headphone venture the solid footing needed to take on rivals.
The rapper purchased fashion headphone company Kono Audio to launch his own consumer electronics company in late 2011, one that would be named SMS Audio. SMS, which stands for studio-mastered sound, was off to a rough start after 50 had to settle a hefty $16 million lawsuit in late 2014 for a deal gone sour with Sleek Audio, and continued to face stiff competition from a market glutted with celebrity-endorsed headphones. Thanks to the success of Beats by Dre, the personas of everyone from Bob Marley to Lady Gaga have been used to forge this new market of headphones that often cost $300 or more.
While SMS counts celebrities like music producer Timbaland and NBA star Carmelo Anthony as celebrity investors, the headphone manufacturer would need much more than star power to compete, especially after Apple purchased Beats by Dre last year for $3 billion. Beats commands a 27% market share of the headphones market, according to CNN. Also, the report cites market research from the NPD Group that shows it controls more than half of the market for “luxury” headphones.
To counter, SMS partnered with Intel in December 2014 to develop sports-and fitness-related headphones. More recently, 50 Cent is taking a different tack to distinguish his company. Just this March it inked a multi-year partnership with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars. In this quick video, 50 Cent chats about the surprising deal and how his startup teamed with a major corporation.
In episode number eight of Urban Daily's#NoFilter series they sit down for hilarious conversations regarding the woman found naked in Chris Brown's bed, with Jordin Sparks, Jack Thriller, Rae Holliday, Von DeCarlo and more.
New Music From Chicago Unsigned Hype R&b songwriter & singer Elliot Foster [Feat.Joe G] Stay In tune with Elliot & follow via IG: @Elliott_TheSinger Twitter: @Inspirationboi
Flavor Flavran into some trouble in Las Vegas on Thursday, May 21.
TMZ reports that the 56-year old Public Enemy rapper, real name, William Drayton Jr., was pulled over the by Nevada Highway Patrol for going going 73 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Cops ran his information through the system and found out he was driving on a suspended license. Flavor had previously has his license suspended 16 times previously.
He was hit with a total of 6 citations.
-- DUI -- Possession of marijuana -- Open container -- Speeding -- Bogus registration -- Driving with a suspended license
BALTIMORE (Associated Press) — A grand jury's decision to indict all six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, who died of injuries suffered in police custody, allows the state's attorney to press ahead with the most serious charges despite criticism she was part of an "overzealous prosecution."
The indictments announced Thursday were similar to the charges Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced three weeks ago. The most serious charge for each officer, ranging from second-degree "depraved heart" murder to assault, stood, though some of the lesser alleged offenses had changed.
Attorneys for the officers have said in court documents they are the victims of an "overzealous prosecution" riddled with personal and political conflicts of interest. At a minimum, they said, Mosby should be replaced with an independent prosecutor because she had a personal interest in calming unrest in the city that followed Gray's death and because her husband is a city councilman who represents the areas most affected by upheaval.
Gray suffered a critical spinal injury April 12 after police handcuffed, shackled and placed him head-first into a van, Mosby has said. His pleas for medical attention were repeatedly ignored.
His death a week later spawned protests that on two occasions gave way to violence and looting. In the wake of the riots, Democratic Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake implemented a curfew and Republican Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency.
Freddie Gray
Mosby said prosecutors presented evidence to the grand jury for the past two weeks. Some of the charges were changed based on new information, but she didn't say what that was. She also did not take questions.
"As is often the case, during an ongoing investigation, charges can and should be revised based upon the evidence," Mosby said.
Two officers, Edward Nero and Garrett Miller, were indicted on second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office for "failure to perform a duty regarding the safety of a prisoner" and for an illegal arrest, Mosby said. The indictments do not include the false-imprisonment charge both officers initially faced.
Officer Caesar Goodson Jr.
Officer William Porter
Lt. Brian Rice
Sgt. Alicia White
Officer Edward Nero
Officer Garret Miller
"I'm very glad that the grand jury chose not to indict officer Nero on false imprisonment and one count of second-degree assault. I'm quite confident he will be acquitted of the remaining charges at trial," Nero's defense attorney, Marc Zayon, said.
Caesar Goodson, who drove the van, faces manslaughter and a second-degree "depraved heart" murder charge, as well as misconduct in office and second-degree assault. Sgt. Alicia White, Lt. Brian Rice and Officer William Porter are each charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office. Those officers also face reckless-endangerment charges.
Ivan Bates, an attorney for White, said he is "looking forward to seeing Ms. Mosby in court and proving that Sgt. Alicia White is innocent."
Nero, Miller and Rice are white; Goodson, Porter and White are black.
Gray's death became a symbol of what protesters say is a pattern of police brutality against African-Americans in Baltimore. Following Gray's death, the Justice Department announced a civil rights investigation of the Baltimore Police Department to search for discriminatory policing practices and examine allegations that officers too often use excessive force and make unconstitutional searches and arrests.
Gray was arrested in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of West Baltimore. According to court documents, he made eye contact with a police officer and took off running. He was apprehended two blocks away and arrested for possession of a knife that Miller wrote in charging documents is illegal under a city ordinance. Mosby said the arrest was unlawful because the knife is legal under state law.
None of the officers secured Gray's seatbelt in the van, a violation of police policy. Soon after he was placed in the van, Goodson made a second stop during which Gray was secured in leg irons because he was "irate," police said.
After a ride that included two more stops, including one to pick up a second passenger, the van arrived at the Western District police station. By that time, Gray was non-responsive.
The Rev. Cortly "C.D." Witherspoon, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Baltimore chapter, said he was surprised by the indictments.
"The track record of this city and state's attorney's office and even the grand jury in Baltimore is not to indict in these type cases," he said.
In the neighborhood where Gray was arrested, the news was received Thursday evening more with a shrug than a cheer.
"We ain't worried about the indictment. We want a conviction," said Michael Banks, 44.
Lisa Logan, an HIV-awareness advocate, said she's glad the case is proceeding. But she doesn't understand why the van driver faces more serious charges than the officers who put Gray in the van.
"Something occurred, some law was broken, so justice is being done," Logan said. "But how and who and how it all broke down, we'll have to wait and see."
Equal-justice advocate Noche Diaz, who said he moved to Baltimore from New York to join the protests, called the indictment "only a first step."
"The only thing that got the charges in the first place was when people rose up and then more people around the country stood up," he said. "There's going to be a need to continue and renew that fight."
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Associated Press writer David Dishneau contributed to this report.
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