Released in 1995, Mobb Deep's 'The Infamous' album has stood the test of time and is widely considered a hip hop classic.
As part of Reebok'sRock The Bells: Classic Albums by Classic Artists campaign, Prodigy sat down with them to discuss the making of the album.
P revealed that in the beginning both he and Havoc produced beats for the group. It wasn't until Hav got so advanced behind the boards that P decided to fall back and just concentrate on his lyrics.
Most of the samples used on the album came from old jazz records that were given to P by his jazz musician grandfather Budd Johnson.
'The Infamous' is definitely an album that is a must have for fans of hip hop.
Despite leaking several days early 'Tha Carter IV' is doing big early numbers for retailers.
Billboard is reporting that Lil Wayne's latest album could move between 700,000-850,000 by the end of it's 1st week. Those numbers would make 'C4' second to only Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' for debut week numbers in 2011.
A teaser clip of Kim Kardashian's new music video "Jam (Turn It Up)" has surfaced.
The 54 second, Hype Williams directed clip is heavy on sex appeal, with plenty of shots of Kim's best assets. The video will probably get lots of views for that reason alone.
The track which was produced by The-Dream, made it's debut back in March.
What do you think of the visuals and Kim's possible singing career?
If you're looking for a story about redemption and triumph, look no further than Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
Just over two years ago the 31-year old Vick was being released from a Federal Prison in Kansas after serving 18 months for his role in a dogfighting ring.
Widely viewed as one of the most hated men in sports at the time, Vick signed a two year contract with the Eagles in August 2009, looking to restart his NFL career and hasn't looked back since.
Last year Vick led the Eagles to the NFC East title, was the starting quarterback in the Pro Bowl and was the AP Comeback Player of the Year. Vick has also worked tirelessly off the field to improve his image by working with the humane society.
Yesterday he was rewarded with a new six-year contract with the Eagles worth $100 million -- $40 million of that being guaranteed.
"I'm very happy we were able to reach an agreement with Michael on this long-term contract," Eagles coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "It's a product of all the hard work Michael has done to better himself over the last couple of years, both on and off the field. I'm very proud that he has been able to achieve success again in this league, but he'll be the first one to tell you that there is a lot of work yet to be done by him and this team as a whole. And there's no doubt in my mind that he will continue on that path."
Congrats to Vick for showing that hard work really does pay off.
Pusha T is feeling himself in his latest video featuring Kevin Cossom.
This Tha Bizness produced track originally appeared on Pusha's 'Fear Of God' mixtape. It will also appear on his upcoming EP 'Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray' due out September 27.
T.I. will be released from Forrest City Correctional Facility in Georgia on Wednesday according to various reports.
The 30-year old rapper had been locked up since November 1, 2010 after violating his probation by possessing ecstasy, testing positive for opiates and association with a convicted felon. All of which resulted from a traffic stop on September 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, where police found ecstacy of T.I. and his wife Tiny.
Tip will have to report to a halfway house for one month before his sentence is fully served.
While in prison the Grand Hustle boss has stayed in touch with his fans via his website Trapmuzik.com. His last message posted on August 16, 2011 let them know he will be looking for a fresh start when he touches down.
Next time you hear from me I’ll be back out there with you. Doing for those who can’t do for themselves and speaking for those whose voices are never heard. When I touch down, I’m going all the way back to square one, like I’m fresh in the game and never sold a record. Back on some I’M SERIOUS, TRAP MUZIK shit… But until then RESPECT to all who deserve it. I’ll be back at you in a minute.
July 19, 2011. New York City. Reebok's Reethym of Lite Event.
It was a night that'll go down in the history books. Swizz Beatz and Reebok Classics threw a slamming party at NYC's Espace for Reethym of Lite, the global campaign fusing music, dance, art and style, head up by Swizz. It was his first-ever event collaboration since taking the reins as Classics Global Curator.
The night brought out hip-hop heavyweights P Diddy, Pharrell, Clive Davis, Busta Rhymes and Alicia Keys, and apexed with an explosive performance by Swizz featuring Lloyd Banks. The packed venue was decked out in Reebok's innovative line of products: the Kamikaze in a dozen colorways, the Reebok Lite collection, and the Pump were all on display.
The Reethym of Lite Campaign was product of collaboration between Reebok Classics and Swizz beginning back in February 2011. Along with the newly-appointed Reebok Classics Asia Curator, Verbal, the Tokyo-based rapper of M-Flo and Teriyaki Boyz fame, Swizz powerfully reminded the world of his creative partnership with Reebok. "The sky's not the limit, it's just the view," he prophesized. You could feel the earth shaking as Swizz MC'd on his tracks 'International Party' and 'Reebok Back'—the crowd blew up, the Reethym of Lite became reality.
Forever transcending his own talent, Swizz proves that tomorrow's classic is today's risk-taker. He pulled off an iconic performance and epic launch party, showing the world what the future of Reebok Classics will look like. No doubt, the world is liking how it looks.
Today the long awaited album 'Tha Carter IV' finally hit store shelves. The album is expected to do big first week numbers. Whether those numbers come anywhere near Weezy's platinum out of the gate success of his 'Tha Carter III' album is anybody's guess.
One thing is for certain, this album doesn't have the same buzz as 'Tha Carter III.' And some of the early reviews have not been kind to the man that many people considered to be the best rapper alive at one point.
None of that bothers Young Money President Mack Maine.
In an interview with XXL, Maine said that YMCB isn't worried about first week sales. Instead they are focused on working the album over the long haul.
“People have gotten away from working a record," Mack says. "[Record execs say] 'you better do good your first week. If your first week numbers are not good, we gonna move onto another artist.' With Nicki, we’re on our seventh or eighth video on Pink Friday... we working!”
The label plans on using the same approach with Wayne's new album.
“[Wayne] actually told us if he don’t do those same numbers again as C3 don’t be mad,” Mack admitted. “I told Nicki—she was kinda nervous about her first-week sales—I said, ‘First week sales don’t matter.’ I’d rather my final sales matter. I know albums from Juvenile 400 Degreez to Beiber’s first album sold 20, or 30,000 the first-week and went onto sell 2 million one album then 6 million on another album. I saw Gaga did the 99 cent thing [and] then [her] second-week it did like 175,000. Congratulation as it relates to her. With Wayne, I don’t want him to sell a million the first-week, [and] then drop to 100,000 the next week then 50,00 the following week. I’d rather sell ten times platinum total."
DJ Pauly D is a very happy man at the moment. His career behind the turntables has led to a slot as an opening act for Britney Spears' current Femme Fatale tour. He has a reported three album deal with 50 Cent's G-Note Records, and he's working on his own spin-off of the reality show 'Jersey Shore.'
Billboard caught up with the man of the hour at last night's VMAs to chop it up about everything on his very full plate.
"The [Britney Spears] tour has been amazing. It's been the best thing that I've ever done honestly, and we really are killing it," Pauly said. "It was me, then it was Nicki [Minaj]. Nicki's not on it no more, so she'll be picking up Joe Jonas. It's really a good time."
Pauly also spoke on his upcoming album with G-Unit boss 50 Cent.
"I'm focusing on music. That's my my passion. I'm working with 50 Cent now. I'm gonna do an album with him," Pauly says. "It's going to be a little bit of everything. It's almost like DJ Khaled and kind of David Guetta but my own DJ Pauly D style."
Last night's MTV Video Music Awards might go down in history as the most memorable ever.
There were great performances, Beyonce's huge announcement that she was pregnant, and Officer Ricky's red carpet confrontation with Kreayshawn.
Not to be overlooked in all the hoopla was Odd Future's Tyler, The Creator winning 'Best New Artist' for his "Yonkers" video.
While talking to reporters after the show about nabbing his first moonman, Tyler was asked to elaborate on his Bruno Mars diss in "Yonkers" when he raps: "And stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn esophagus/And won't stop until the cops come in."
"I still hate that dude's f*cking music," Tyler said of Mars, who performed an Amy Winehouse tribute on the award show. "He put on a good performance, but I still hate his music. Thanks guys... assh*les."
Tyler, The Creator tells reporters he hates Bruno Mars music
Tyler, The Creator accepts 'Best New Artist' award
01 Tonight
02 I’m In The Streetz
03 I Forgive You
04 Can I Live 4real
05 Durty Pop
06 Neva Stop Me (Remix)
07 Take A Picture BasedGod
08 Bitch F_ck With Me
09 Gotta Question
10 Heard Her Cry
11 30 Year BasedGod
12 Im 2 Real
Kreayshawn found herself face to face with Officer Ricky on the red carpet of the VMAs just a couple of weeks after a video surfaced of her and V-Nasty dissing the obese rapper.
The two camps faced off as Kreayshawn's bodyguard Stretch, stood between her and Ross. Meanwhile, a Ross goon stepped to Stretch and there appeared to be a moment when punches might be thrown.
"Oh my God, VMA wildness! Nobody likes Kreayshawn, but we all have fun out here," the White Girl Mob member said while holding a mic. "Things are getting a little too serious though. I'm hella irritated right now."
Eventually MTV security separated the camps and led Kreayshawn and her bodyguard away.
As if her day wasn't going bad enough, Kreayshawn's twitter was also hacked yesterday and nude pictures of the East Oakland rapper leaked onto the internet.
"My twitter got hacked today by some anti-hollywood extremists," she wrote on her Tumblr page. "They sent out wack ass tweets and promoted their odd message of anti-jew stuff and deleted my twitter.. Oh and they leaked out private photos of me while I was underage. Real nice guys! Spreading child-prono thats cute. VMA’s was insane on top of that. Can I sh*t man?"
With less than a month to go before it's release, J. Cole has released the tracklist for his highly anticipated debut album 'Cole World: The Sideline Story.'
Looks like Cole finally got the verse he was waiting for from his Roc Nation boss Jay-Z. Other features include Missy Elliot, Drake, and Trey Songz.
Album's in stores September 27. Peep the tracklist below.
1. “Intro”
2. “Dollar and a Dream III”
3. “Can’t Get Enough” feat. Trey Songz
4. “Lights Please”
5. “Interlude”
6. “Mr. Nice Watch” feat. Jay-Z
7. “Cole World”
8. “In the Morning” feat. Drake
9. “Lost Ones”
10. “Nobody’s Perfect” feat. Missy Elliott
11. “Never Told” (prod. by No I.D.)
12. “Rise and Shine”
13. “God’s Gift”
14. “Breakdown”
15. “Cheer Up”
Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Adele all won multiple Moon Men at the MTV 2011 Video Music Awards. Perry’s “Firework” won for Video of the Year, and she also took home a trophy with Kanye West for Best Collaboration for their sci-fi fantasia “E.T.” Perry harkened back to a previous VMAs show in her acceptance speech when she told her co-winner, “Now this is the time when you want to interrupt me, Kanye!” Lady Gaga — who spent the entire night dressed as her male alter ego, Jo Calderone — won Best Female and Best Video with a Message. And Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” meanwhile, took home multiple behind-the-scenes awards for editing, art direction, and cinematography.
Other winners included Britney Spears (who also took home the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award), Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Foo Fighters, and Tyler, The Creator.
Check out a full list below:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Katy Perry, “Firework”
BEST FEMALE VIDEO Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”
BEST NEW ARTIST Tyler, The Creator, “Yonkers”
BEST MALE VIDEO Justin Bieber, “U Smile”
BEST COLLABORATION Katy Perry featuring Kanye West, “E.T.”
BEST HIP-HOP VIDEO Nicki Minaj, “Super Bass”
BEST ROCK VIDEO Foo Fighters, “Walk”
BEST POP VIDEO Britney Spears, “Till the World Ends”
BEST VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY Beyoncé, “Run the World (Girls)”
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Katy Perry featuring Kanye West, “E.T.”
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