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There's been a bit of confusion about what 50 Cent's next album, Black Magic, might sound like. After initially saying the record was inspired by dance beats he heard at a nightclub in Europe, 50 explained that the disc will still be hip-hop, but with a twist.
Fans might get a chance to hear what he's talking about starting May 28, when 50 will launch The Invitation Tour at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. The monthlong, 19-date outing will take him across the country to mid-size theaters before winding up with a June 25 show at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Though some people got it twisted when he initially said he was inspired by more uptempo dance music on the disc, which doesn't have a release date yet, 50 quickly clarified what he meant.
"I got a joint that I did that was real uptempo," 50 told British DJ Tim Westwood back in March. "It's a different type of vibe. It's still 50 Cent. It's official. If you heard the record, you'd feel different. My Black Magic album, I've been listening to different types of music. I just wanna create something that's outta the box. I'm using different song formats. I'll write a rap song in the sequence of a different kind of record. A traditional hip-hop record may have three 16-bar verses. To write it in a different formant instead of the way a traditional rap record is written, to experiment with different things, it's still hip-hop music. It's still 50 Cent content; it's just written in a different way."
The dates for The Invitation Tour are:
5/28 - Cleveland, OH @ Wolstein Center
5/29 - Detroit, MI @ Chene Park Riverfront Amphitheater
5/30 - Chicago, IL @ UIC Pavilion
6/1 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
6/3 - San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre
6/4 - Los Angeles @ Club Nokia at L.A. Live
6/6 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms
6/7 - Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theater
6/10 - Kansas City, KS @ Midland Theatre
6/11 - Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
6/12 - Houston, TX @ Arena Theater
6/15 - Miami, FL @ The Fillmore
6/17 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
6/18 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
6/19 - Raleigh, NC @ Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
6/22 -New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
6/23 - Wallingford, CT @ Chevrolet Theater
6/24 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues
6/25 - Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
Source: MTV
Video After The Jump
I think it's safe to say we've all seen or at least heard of the television show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?".
TV producers might get the idea to put on a similar show for toddlers after seeing this amazing two year old geography wiz.
Ask this little girl to show you any city, state or country on a map and she can with ease. Not only that, she can also tell you their capitals and identify their flags.
As you can see in the video, her parents are very proud and they should be.
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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
When it comes to Akon and controversy over comparisons to Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera is not interested. In fact, Aguilera says "That, in particular, is not even worth wasting the breath to comment on."
As previously reported, Akon attacked Aguilera, effectively calling her "insecure" and essentially copy-catting Lady Gaga on her new single, "Not Myself Tonight".
While Aguilera did not address Akon by name, she told The Bert Show "It just comes with the territory" on a broadcast Tuesday, April 20.
"I've been around for over a decade and I think my work speaks for itself," she went on to say.
As for going after Akon further, Aguilera says she would have years ago but will not waste time at this point in her career.
"I probably would have engaged, and been a little upset. It's not even worth the time anymore, there's a bigger picture out there. There's too much good to be pent up with someone else's negativity."
Christina Aguilera's forthcoming album, "Bionic," is due in stores June 8.
Source: SingersRoom
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Former Shady/Aftermath artist loves just about everything in Los Angeles, except for the gentlemen's club.
The Atlanta native explains why the City Of Angels can't compete with his hometown when it comes to strip clubs.
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Videos After The Jump
No one questioned Guru's claim that he was "one of the best yet." The Boston native had one of the most distinctive voices in hip-hop history. You didn't even need a whole bar to know that Gifted Universal Rhymes Unlimited was on the mic. Backed by beats from the almighty DJ Premier, Guru supplied glorious vocals on battle raps, intricate life stories and candid street commentary. The 43-year-old MC died on Monday due to complications from cancer. And despite the fact that the Gang Starr duo were estranged for the last several years, their legacy is concrete — one of the richest in hip-hop history. Here at MTV News, the hip-hop team listed our choices for 10 essential Gang Starr songs.
1. "Dwyck," featuring Nice and Smooth: The party record from 1994's Hard to Earn is timeless. We love the simplistic rhymes from the trio, like, "Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is," and Primo's beat is a signature hip-hop treat.
2. "Take It Personal": The phone rings on the beat; the song (from 1992's Daily Operation) is off the hook. With imposing precision, Guru pulls the curtain back and sees a backstabber for the scoundrel he is. "I can see through you, 'cause I'm the Guru/ What you gonna do when I start to step to you."
3. "Mass Appeal": No crossover. Gang Starr always kept artistic integrity, and on this Hard to Earn track, Guru admonishes the poseurs with lines like, "You're a son like Elroy/ And you'd be happy as hell to get a record deal/ Maybe your soul you sell for the mass appeal."
4. "Just to Get a Rep": "Stick up kids just out to tax." In this song on 1991's Step in the Arena, Guru's words take us to the frontlines, where misguided youths think that the way of the gun is the road to respect.
5. "Suckas Need Bodyguard": The aggression is turned up as Guru puts the heat on chumps in this Hard to Earn song. "My rhymes are a cargo, and yours are just a quarter ounce." The chorus pretty much gets the group's point across: "Fake MCs, they always act hard, but won't walk the streets without their bodyguards."
6. "Ex-Girl to the Next Girl": One of Guru's greatest gifts on the mic was his clarity in thought and articulation. His stories would unfold almost right in front of your eyes. Here, he shows some vulnerability as he navigates the relationship waters but finds triumph in the end. The track (from Daily Operation) gave an early indication of where he would later go with his heralded Jazzmatazz series.
7. "Royalty," featuring K-Ci and JoJo: After a four-year break between albums, the two underground kings returned with two-thirds of the legendary R&B group Jodeci for this inspirational track (on 1998's Moment of Truth) about striving for greatness. Guru even shouts out our very own Sway and his partner King Tech.
8. "Words I Manifest": Vintage, early Gang Starr. The duo came out of the gate promoting knowledge of self and establishing their roles in hip-hop. "I got tenacity, because I have to be/ The brother who must live and give with much insight/ Foresight to ignite, excite and delight."
9. "You Know My Steez": Gang Starr talk about their lauded musical modus operandi, an authentic representation of the essence of hip-hop.
10. "The ? Remainz": "This is a battle rhyme in case you haven't noticed/ You get replaced, you get demoted." The belligerence is beautiful in this 1994 track, as Guru and Primo once again answer the bell and silence any questions as to whether they've earned the title of hip-hop ownerz.
Five Essential Records From the Jazzmatazz Series:
"Loungin' " with Donald Byrd
"Trust Me" with N'Dea Davenport
"Keep Ur Worries" with Angie Stone
"Le Bien, le Mal" with MC Solaar
"Plenty," featuring Erykah Badu
Source: MTV
Gang Starr "Suckas Need Bodyguards"
Gang Starr "Take It Personal"
Gang Starr "Just To Get A Rep"
Gang Starr "Ex Girl To The Next Girl"
Gang Starr "Dwyck" ft Nice and Smooth
Gang Starr "Royalty"
Gang Starr "Mass Appeal"
Gang Starr "Words I Manifest"
Gang Starr "You Know My Steez"
Gang Starr "The ? Remainz"
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(AllHipHop News) VH1’s “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” will return for a seventh time this June with a tribute to Southern Hip-Hop music.
Rappers Jermaine Dupri, J. Prince of Rap-A-Lot Records, 2Live Crew and Luther “Luke” Campbell will be honored during the ceremonies, which will tape June 3rd.
All three men have established ground breaking Hip-Hop labels, which have sold tens of millions of records over the years.
Jermaine Dupri founded Atlanta’s So So Def imprint in 1993, J-Prince launched Rap-A-Lot in 1986 and Luke Campbell started Luke Skyywalker Records in 1985.
Both J Prince and Campbell helped break down the barriers of censorship in Hip-Hop music during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.
Campbell’s case involving his usage of Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” went all the way to the Supreme Court, where the rapper won a victory, when a judge ruled a parody of a record can qualify as “fair use.”
“I am happy for my fans, they have sent the people that run the VH1 Hip Hop Honors show emails for years now, asking why a person that started his own record label and went to the Supreme Court can’t get honored, so I am happy for them,” Campbell told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive statement.
Others being recognized for their contributions to Hip-Hop during the evening include Master P. who founded the groundbreaking No Limit Records imprint, as well as Atlanta production team Organized Noise.
While Luke was happy about being honored, the outspoken rapper was a bit upset that his recognition comes so late into the annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors franchise.
“We are the outcasts on that day, the outcasts will get their five minutes. I am sure the show will be about the others,” Campbell told AllHipHop.com. “My fans are the only reason I am doing this. I said f**k this after they did Too Short before me.”
VH1's Hip Hop Honors airs June 7th at 9:00 PM ET.
Source: AllHipHop
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The scumbag who robbed Kal Penn at gunpoint in D.C. yesterday picked the wrong guy to mess with -- law enforcement sources tell TMZ the Secret Service is now on the case.
Turns out, the bad guy didn't just take Penn's wallet, the perp also made off with Kal's two cell phones -- one of which belongs to the U.S. government.
Penn is currently a member of President Barack Obama's staff -- serving as the Associate Director in the office of Public Engagement -- and since the crook took Kal's government issued cell, the Secret Service is now joining with the D.C. Metro Police Department to hunt for the bad guy.
Sources tell us Penn contacted White House communications, who stopped service on the stolen phone ASAP and issued him a new cell. We're told "no information was compromised because no official numbers were in the phone.
Source: TMZ
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SPRINGDALE, Ohio -- A Florida man police say wore an elaborate mask to rob several banks and businesses in the Tri-State over the past month is behind bars on a $3 million bond.
Conrad Zdzierak, 30, was arraigned Thursday morning on six counts of aggravated robbery in Hamilton County court.
Acting on a tip, officers from several departments served a search warrant at the Extended Stay America Hotel at 320 Glensprings Drive in Springdale Wednesday afternoon where they arrested Zdzierak.
Officers discovered a red dye pack from a bank had exploded inside a vehicle that belongs to Zdzierak.
Police then tried to enter Zdzierak's room, but were encountered by a dog that bit one of the officers, prompting one of them to fire their gun.
Once inside, officers discovered evidence, including a Hollywood-style mask linking Zdzierak to six robberies.
"The suspect seen in the surveillance photographs and that we were looking for, we believed to be an African American male. The suspect was actually a male, white, who was wearing an elaborate disguise," said Lieutenant Michael Mathis with the Springdale Police Department.
Springdale police says they have never seen such an elaborate mask.
Police say Zdzierak committed five of the robberies last Friday, April 9.
Investigators say Zdzierak would hand a note to an employee indicating he had a gun and demanded cash.
According to police, Zdzierak has been living in the Springdale hotel for the last year.
The robberies Zdzierak is charged with are:
- March 5 - Chaco Bank, 1143 Smiley, Forest Park, Ohio
- April 9 - Key Bank, 8457 Winton Road, Springfield Township, Ohio
- April 9 - Fifth Third Bank, 10595 Springfield Pike, Woodlawn, Ohio
- April 9 - Key Bank, 11355 Princeton Pike, Springdale, Ohio
- April 9 - CVS Pharmacy, 11601 Springfield Pike, Springdale, Ohio
- April 9 - Franklin Savings, 1100 West Kemper Road, Forest Park, Ohio
Source: WCPO
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One of the all-time greatest wordsmiths in hip-hop history, Gang Starr's Keith Elam — a.k.a. Guru, for "Gifted Universal Rhymes Unlimited" — died Monday. And while Guru and his partner in Gang Starr, DJ Premier, never enjoyed huge pop success, their impact in hip-hop both collectively and individually is immeasurable.
When word spread on Tuesday (April 20) about Guru's death, his peers and fans took to the Internet to pay tribute.
"420 gonna be in honor of the big homie Guru ... respect the foundation ... Light one up for the legend," Snoop Dogg tweeted.
The Roots' ?uestlove tweeted, "In my 10 greatest voices in hip hop, Guru was easily top 5 ... Smooth. velvet. will be missed. RIP Guru ... Back when we first took getting into the industry seriously, Gang Starr's Daily Operation LP got us thru 1992."
"1 of our hip-hop soldiers was lost 2day," Fabolous tweeted. "Tho he in the physical has passed, his spirit & music will live forever #RIPGuru #ForeverYoung."
"R.I.P. Guru," DJ Kay Slay wrote. "Real dude and lyricist. My condolences to the family and friends."
"A hip-hop legend. RIP," Nicki Minaj wrote.
The Young Money MC's sentiments were echoed by two other rap stars from Queens, New York: G-Unit's Tony Yayo and A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip.
"Damn just woke up and heard Guru passed away. R.I.P. to a 'Legend,' " Yayo tweeted.
Perhaps most heartfelt of all, Q-Tip wrote: "From Allah we come to Allah we return. R.I.P. Keith GURU. A great man, poet, and I'm proud to say friend ... 23 yrs. Damn!"
Sway Remembers Guru
Gang Starr "Take It Personal"
Gang Starr ft Total "Discipline"
Gang Starr "Moment Of Truth"
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Audio After The Jump
On a tremendously tough day for Gang Starr fans, the death of the duo's MC, Guru (real name: Keith Elam) from cancer was announced by his associate Solar early Tuesday (April 20), and included a long "farewell" letter that Solar said was written by Guru in the weeks before his death. The tone of the letter was harsh toward DJ Premier, Guru's former partner in Gang Starr.
When it comes to music and fashion, Grace Jones has seen and done it all. The Jamaican born singer, actress and model didn't follow any trends when her music was at it's peak in the 80's and 90's.
Instead she set them, creating her own sense of fashion and style. So excuse her for not being at all impressed by Lady Gaga.
Jones was asked about Gaga in a recent interview with The Guardian. She wasn't very kind to the world's current "it" girl.
Grace accuses Gaga of being unoriginal and a copycat.
"Well, you know, I've seen some things she's worn that I've worn, and that does kind of p*ss me off."
Gaga asked to work with Jones recently and was turned down.
"I'd just prefer to work with someone who is more original and someone who is not copying me, actually."
When asked if Lady Gaga was talented, Ms Jones didn't mince words.
"I wouldn't go to see her."
Ouch.............
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Within moments of publishing the news that former Gang Starr MC Guru had died at age 43 after a long battle with cancer, dozens of reactions began flooding in paying tribute to the pioneering MC.
"RIP my dude. You were the realest performer I have ever had the pleasure to meet," wrote fan Cody James.
Russell said, "One of the slickest rhyme-sayers has moved on," predicting that although he has passed, the classic Guru songs will "forever bang in somebody's CD player or iPod."
Reader Alex went further, saying a bit of hip-hop died on the day Guru passed, praising him for the fact that his unique jazz/hip-hop sound stretched from New York to the West Coast, while Julio said Guru and Premier were a huge influence on him and his love of hip-hop, calling Guru a pioneer and a rap "demi-god."
A number also lamented that Guru and his former partner in Gang Starr, DJ Premier, seemingly could not overcome their differences before the rapper's death, alluding to the strong language Guru used in a letter reportedly written by him before his death.
In the letter, Premier is not even referred to by name, but expresses the wish that Guru's "ex-DJ" not have anything to do with "my name likeness, events, tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ."
In addition to showering praise on the MC (born Keith Elam), a number of commenters expressed their concern that the posthumous letter from Guru's partner, Solar, supplied by a PR firm handling press inquiries about the rapper's health, was suspect.
"The Guru 'farewell' letter reeks of fakeness," wrote Rob, who said he found it hard to believe that Guru was so bitter in death that he would go out of his way to diss his longtime music compatriot Premier. A spokesperson for the PR company that distributed the letter said it was submitted by Solar and approved by Guru and Solar.
"No real fan of Gang Starr is going to believe this letter!," said Louis. "It sounds like something that was written between Solar and his lawyers while Guru laid in bed unable to write or speak. It sounds more to me like a letter bragging about Solar than about Guru's personal legacy. How can you not want Premier to be involved in the death of Guru?"
In the end, though, they were mostly just sad that the world had lost such a gifted lyricist.
"When the world loses an artist, a hero, an icon, a pioneer, we as humans can't help but look back at what this person has done to personally touch our lives," said Marz. "Such a moment has come with the passing of one of the greatest MCs in the world of hip-hop. A man who didn't conform, didn't sell out, didn't lose sight of the big picture. Integrity is the word that comes to mind. Through his words he showed me that to be down you didn't have to set your morals or common sense aside. ... Thank you Guru, for being one of the greatest street professors to so many who attended the school of hard knocks."
Video After The Jump
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL IS JOINING FORCES WITH THE TRUE ENTERTAINMENT LEGEND MICHAEL JACKSON.
The magic of Cirque du Soleil and the genius of the King of Pop will be combined in the creation, development, and production of Michael Jackson projects based on the music and songs of Michael Jackson.
An arena-touring show is expected to debut in late Fall 2011 and a Las Vegas permanent show is expected to open in late 2012.
Special lifestyle projects, including a nightclub to open with the Las Vegas show, will also be developed.
For more information visit the Cirque du Soleil official website
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A lot of people have taken notice of Rosa Acosta's new short haircut. Many speculated she was following the fashion trend set by Amber Rose. However according to her, the short cut was out of necessity..
The video vixen confessed to Bossip that her hair has been falling out for over ten years and her scalp needs treatment to fix the problem.
“I didn’t have to ask permission from anyone to cut my hair. However, due the overwhelming response I felt it was only right to address my condition. I love hair, most women do. There is certain femininity in the hair but it doesn’t stop there, it’s about your mannerisms the way you talk, the way you walk they way you carry your self. People have demanded an answer about why I cut my hair while insinuating that as if it was going to destroy me in some way. The truth is I cut my hair because my hair is falling out and has been for over a decade and I needed to began my treatments again, “says Rosa
Rosa obviously isn't an insecure person feeling the need to wear a wig out in public during this difficult time.
“I encourage other people out there with a hair loss problem to accept your reality and make the most of it. For what I do, I feel like I’m a bad bitch and I don’t need hair to make me. When I want to wear the hair I will. But for now, the most important thing for me to do is go through my treatments to make my scalp healthy which will intern give me a healthy head of hair.”
Best of luck Rosa, you're still a dime.
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While promoting her Oscar-winning turn in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," Mo'Nique admitted that she had been molested by her older brother, Gerald Imes, when she was a child.
On Monday (April 19), Imes sat down on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to talk about the incident and apologize to his superstar sister.
"I'm here today to first acknowledge that I've been in denial for 37 years. ... I did assault and inappropriately touch my sister in manners that were uncomfortable for her," Imes said on the show. "And for that, I apologize and I'm humbly sorry that those actions had taken place."
Imes admitted that the abuse of his younger sister stemmed from his issues with drugs and alcohol. "The drugs weren't an excuse. They just allowed me and afforded me the opportunity to do the things that were in the back of my mind as a kid that I always wanted to do," he said. "Most of the time, the abuse that I did with my sister took place while she was asleep [or] the appearance that she was asleep.
"I hid my own molestation and pain and guilt and shame, because I thought it was my fault that these things happened to me," he continued. "So I internalized that, and I hid behind the drugs and alcohol and then that spiraling thing in my mind, as a child, I wanted to express my sexuality, so I took it out on my sister."
For many decades, Imes didn't own up to his actions. "The hardest part for me was even to admit to her I did something wrong," he said. "I downplayed it by saying, 'If you think I did it ... .' There's no more 'if you think' — I did it. I did it. I'm not proud of it. Mo'Nique, I'm sorry. I can only hope that by coming forth today that somewhere along the line with the apology that, yes, hopefully somewhere, somehow as siblings we can come back together.
"I'm doing this to apologize to my sister, to hopefully bring back some family unity," he added. "I'm doing this to publicly acknowledge. Now let's bring our family back together."
Imes, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for molesting another person, said he also apologized to the other victim. As for Mo'Nique publicly addressing the abuse, he said, "I'm proud that she was able to finally get to a place that she could relinquish her pain. When she made the comment that I was the individual contributing to her role, I had to look at her and say, 'I really understand her pain.'
Source: MTV
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After a nearly two-month hospitalization, legendary rapper Guru (best known as the frontman for Gangstarr) died Monday morning (April 19), after a long battle with cancer, reports DJPremierBlog.com.
He was just 43 years old.
Solar, Guru's business partner and sidekick in recent years, told the Yo!Raps (who's PR company had been coordinating press for Guru since his hospitalization) that the 43-year-old rapper had been suffering from a "malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed".
He had tried to keep the cancer diagnosis private, but in early March, news leaked that Guru had been admitted to the hospital, suffered a heart attack, and was recovering from a mystery illness. Previous reports said he suffered from Anoxia, effects from a lengthy history of asthma and lung problems, but these new findings reveal a much worst condition.
"The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time -- my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," Solar said in a statement. "Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it, but tragically, this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius.
"For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can't tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter (read below) while he was in the hospital for the fans," the producer continued. "I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place."
According to Yo! Raps, Guru penned this letter to fans, explaining his illness while in the hospital with terminal cancer. Read it below in its entirety:
"I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options. I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.
My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody's feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.
I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life."
Guru (real name: Keith Elam) rose to fame in the 80s as the frontman to the legendary rap duo, Gangstarr, also consisting of DJ Premier. The group released the classic single, "Words I Manifest," which was followed by their critically acclaimed debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, in 1989. The group went on to release six official albums through 2003, before they split and went their separate ways.
Guru went on to found 7 Grand Records, partnering with producer Solar, and embarked on a solo career.
Since falling ill, there's been a lot of controversy over news of his hospitalization. Family members of Guru publicly claimed that Solar had taken over control of the rapper's decision making and had even barred them from visiting. The only official statements being released from the veteran rapper were relayed through his longtime partner Solar, which raised eyebrows from former Guru collaborators and friends. Solar, however, publicly denied claims of any malicious intentions and was only following the rapper's instructions.
Unfortunately, Guru never got well enough to clear things up himself.
On Monday (April 19) when Guru passed away, so did a piece of hip-hop. He'll forever go down in history as one of the best MCs to ever do it. Rest in peace GURU!
Source: BallerStatus
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Gang Starr "Moment Of Truth"
Video After The Jump
Jennifer Lopez is out on talk show circuit promoting her new movie 'The Backup Plan' which opens this Friday.
She chatted with David Letterman about the film and her 2 year old twins.
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Videos After The Jump
Cypress Hill may have taken a break from the game from a few years, but they never really left.
The California collective is back with a brand new album titled 'Rise Up'
They hit the stage on The Jimmy Kimmel Show to perform the title track from the new LP with an assist from guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine.
They aslo performed the classic joint "Insane In The Brain".
'Rise Up' is in stores today.
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Cypress Hill "Rise Up" featuring Tom Morello
Cypress Hill "Insane In The Brain"
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