[News] J. Cole Addresses Abandoning Basketball Metaphor On "Born Sinner"

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Roman Cooper

posted April 13, 2013 10:15:00 AM CDT | 14 comments

J. Cole explains that it was "just time for something new" with his newest album's title.

For the past six years, J. Cole has used basketball as a metaphor for his efforts to break into the Rap game.

No longer, however, as the Roc Nation emcee's Born Sinner album signals the first project since 2007's The Come Up to draw the comparison between the Rap and basketball.

"It was just time for something new. I wouldn't have minded doing it again but I felt that I closed that story," explained Cole to MTV. "That metaphor and that storyline had really ended. Metaphorically I was just a kid working to get on this basketball team, got cut — that was The Come Up, then The Warm Up was like, alright I made the team, I'm on the team, now what? I'm not in the game, I'll just ride the end of the bench. Then Friday Night Lights was like 'come on man, you're still not gonna put me in the game? What I gotta do? Here, I'm gonna kill it in practice.' "

Cole explained that his studio debut concluded the story. "Sideline Story was like, 'Wow, I really am starting now,' and I feel like I ended that chapter when it's all said and done. Plus, this new theme is really more reflective of where I'm at and where I've been at for the past two years, so it was just perfect to move on."

Still, J. Cole didn't want to create any misconceptions about his next project. "It's not necessarily a church theme and it's not really about church," he explained. "I like my album themes to be metaphors because it gives me the freedom to speak about something else that's going on in my life, so the Born Sinner thing is not about church, it's not even about religion. It's using that as canvas to get other messages across and that's what the album will be."

Watch the interview below:

RELATED: J. Cole "Born Sinner" Release Date

View the original article here

[News] Protest Group UltraViolet Praises Reebok For Dropping Rick Ross

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Jake Paine

posted April 12, 2013 11:07:00 AM CDT | 29 comments

The group that led protests last week outside of a Reebok store in Manhattan applauds the brand for yesterday's decision to sever ties with Rick Ross.

Last week womens rights group UltraViolet led protests outside a New York City Reebok store against the brand's endorsement of Rick Ross. The group cited lyrics in Ross' verse on the Rocko song "U.O.E.N.O." that they believed, implied rape. Following the protests, Ross apologized for the perceived lyrics on Twitter. However, protesters continued to seek Reebok let go of the Def Jam/Maybach Music Group star.

Yesterday, those requests were met in late afternoon, when Reebok formally announced that they had parted ways with Rick Ross, citing that he did not align with the "values of the brand." They also expressed disappointment with the rapper's apology, stating, "We are very disappointed [that Rick Ross] has yet to display an understanding of the seriousness of this issue.”

In the hours following the news, UltraViolet reacted, as reported by VIBE.com, praising the shoemaker and apparel brand. “We are thrilled to hear that Reebok is joining the fight against rape culture and dropping Rick Ross," said UltraViolet co-founder Nita Chaudhary.

"This is a huge victory for women, for the 526 survivors of rape who were brave enough to publicly confront rape culture, and for the nearly 100,000 UltraViolet members who have poured their hearts and time into this campaign," Chaudhary continued. "This sends a strong message that rapping about drugging and raping an unconscious woman is not only morally wrong, but has real consequences." She closed in saying, "Thank you Reebok for taking a stand."

Already, two of Rick Ross Rap peers have criticized Reebok for the same decision, in Earl Sweatshirt and Slim Thug.

RELATED: Rick Ross Dropped By Reebok, Over Perceived Rape Lyric

View the original article here

[News] Gucci Mane's Bond Set For $75,000

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Jake Paine

posted April 12, 2013 09:52:00 AM CDT | 104 comments

UPDATE #2: Gucci Mane hopes to post bond this week, but he will have to be transferred due to an unrelated probation in a nearby county.

Reports yesterday (March 27) confirmed that rapper Gucci Mane was in police custody after evading an arrest warrant for several days. The Warner Bros. Records star was charged with two counts of assault, after allegedly attacking an autograph-seeker with a bottle. That man happened to be a United States Army soldier, and showed authorities the wounds he claims were inflicted by the rapper with a troubled legal history.

In a hearing later yesterday, Gucci Mane was denied bond, meaning that the 1017 Brick Squad rapper will remain in what is believed to be Fulton County Jail.

“Mr. Davis has a history, we’re not going to skirt that issue,” Gucci’s lawyer Drew Findling told press outside of the courthouse, as reported by AllHipHop.com. “That history made it difficult for him to get bond today.” Gucci's attorney did however note that there aren't confirmed witnesses of the alleged attack, which happened in a Atlanta club less than a week ago.

At present, Gucci Mane will remain incarcerated until his April 10 court date.

(March 28)

UPDATE: Yesterday (April 10), Gucci Mane was indicted one one count of aggravated assault in the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. The Atlanta Constitution-Journal photographed the indictment, which includes the photo below:

(April 10)

UPDATE #2: Following being denied bond last month upon his initial hearing, Gucci Mane's bond was set at $75,000 earlier this week. Fox Atlanta adds that Gucci's attorney Drew Findling told reporters that the longtime Warner Bros. Records rapper plans to post bond in Fulton County, before he will be transferred to nearby DeKalb County. There, Gucci Mane has probation for an unrelated misdemeanor charge.

RELATED: Gucci Mane In Jail Following Assault Charge

View the original article here

[News] Drake Disses Chris Brown, Says He's Not Thinking About Rihanna

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Roman Cooper

posted April 13, 2013 09:30:00 AM CDT | 68 comments

Drake says Chris Brown's "insecurities" are the reason Drizzy's better than Breezy.

First bottle-based ballistics ensued, then diss tracks were recorded. Now, the Chris Brown and Drake Beef has moved to another format: the radio interview.

Speaking on East Village Radio, Drake addressed Chris Brown, brushing the singer aside. “I make better music than him. I am more popping than him."

Drake all but confirmed that he had some form of relationship with Rihanna at one point, adding fuel to the speculation that the singer was the reason for the feud between the two men. "At one point the woman he loves fell into my lap. I did what a real nigga would do. I treated her with respect."

“His insecurities are the reason I make better music than him,” added Drizzy.

Drake explained that fans shouldn't even be interested in a beef between the two. "It's not me and Kendrick, it's not me and Hov. You're not gonna get anything out of it. I don't want to hear that man rap. No one wants to hear me rap against him. I really do this shit. You're not even going to get anything out of it."

Listen to the interview below (spotted at MissInfo):

RELATED: Chris Brown's Bodyguard Sues Drake & W.i.P. Nightclub After Injuries

View the original article here

[News] DJ Premier recalls friendship with Tupac & Jay - Z and his work ethic

by Andres Vasquez

Posted April 13, 2013 02:30:00 PM CDT | 8 comments

DJ Premier of Gang Starr says he has thrown wild parties with Tupac before fame and described Jay - z as a hard worker.

DJ Premier recently explained how connected Hip Hop artists can be. In an interview with experienced A & R Jeff Sledge to Al Lindstrom, Prime Minister described his friendship with Tupac and his observations on the ethics of the work of Jay - Z.

"We knew before cap it has spread", explained the producer of Gang Starr. "We knew that him when he was going through his drama and we stayed very close friends."

"We were really there, in their home, throw wild parties." Until Pac even dropped [1992] "Trapped", we were hanging out with cap like that, "he added.

The Prime Minister also recalled an experience where Tupac used the crowd to protest when it has not received payment for a show. According to the Prime Minister, Pac continued saying stage, "Yo, they ain't got my mothafuckin' money and I want y ' All to tear this place right now!"

The Prime Minister also shared memories of watching Jay - Z in the studio. He recalled seeing Jay go with too short session to "A week Ago" at a session with him to 1,000001 million issues "(Remix)," running back and forth between shots. ""

"Its success is well deserved," the Prime Minister said in the interview. "He busts his ass. ''

More talk of the Prime Minister with the sledge is available below.

DJ Premier has worked with Jay - Z on the aforementioned song, but he also produced other songs for Hova including "Of Evils," "Friend or foe" and "So Ghetto."

In 2010, Greg Nice spoke Jake Paine of HipHopDX a collaboration between Tupac and DJ Premier.

'Yes,' he says, confirming their collaboration. "And [DJ Premier] liked [Tupac] too well. '' To the point where it's all he talks about. »

Related:DJ Premier talks sample James Brown, first records of Jay - Z with Nardwuar

View the original article here

[News] A$AP Rocky Planning To Impromptly Release An Instrumental Project

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Jake Paine

posted April 12, 2013 03:08:00 PM CDT | 14 comments

Mac Miller and Tyler, The Creator aren't the only new-guard stars moving into production. A$AP Rocky says he's planning a sneak attack instrumental project.

Harlem, New York emcee A$AP Rocky worked with the likes of Hit-Boy, Clams Casino and Dangermouse on his studio debut, Long.Live.A$AP. In a new interview however, Rocky revealed that he has plans to produce more music. The RCA/Polo Grounds Records sensation

“I am working on an instrumental album right now. I am doing all my own beats. It’s going to be interesting to see how people react [to] my production now," A$AP Rocky told the Bay Area's Neesa in a new video. "I am going to put it out—not even gonna announce it. Just drop it."

With that promise, fans will not know a release date. Long.Live.A$AP is currently on the Top 200 of the charts.

Other emcees currently moving into production include Mac Miller and Tyler, The Creator.

RELATED: A$AP Rocky Responds To Tyler, The Creator's Criticism Of "F**kin' Problems"

View the original article here

[News] Chuck D Speaks On The Goal Of His Distribution Company, SPITdigital

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Danielle Harling

posted April 12, 2013 01:15:00 PM CDT | 8 comments

After studying The Orchard and TuneCore, Chuck D is helping artists "be their own label" with his digital distribution company, SPITdigital.

Public Enemy emcee Chuck D may hail from the ‘80s era of Hip Hop, but the rapper is one of few artists from that decade who have gone on to both accept and embrace the digital music movement. During an interview with TheRealHip-Hop.com, Chuck D went on to speak on SPITdigital, the digital distribution company he created years ago.

“SPITdigital is where the plan is to create artists to have a DIY plan to be their own label,” Chuck D revealed. “I started out at the top of the century in the digital movement helping aggregators form and develop such as the Orchard in 2004 and TuneCore in 2007…But we had to actually get clearances with the number one digital distributor of music in the world, iTunes, which is 93% of the market place. So we kept delivering SPITdigital for two years and it had certain glitches in the system. We finally got accepted in April of 2012 after many go-overs and redesigns.”

Among the projects released through SPITdigital was Public Enemy’s last two projects, Most Of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear On No Stamp and The Evil Empire Of Everything. Both albums were released within months of one another and according to Chuck D, the short gap between the release of projects was primarily done to make a statement with SPITdigital.

“To make a statement with what we are with SPITdigital. To say that it was an impossibility to do something like that in the analog days and it was an impossibility to do it even as of two years ago. We wanted to make this digital distribution statement,” said the rapper. “For the longest time the biggest thing that they used to talk about was having our own distribution—it became this thing. When we finally got our distribution and we were unable to recognize it as such this is what I called my wake up call like look, you screamed for your own distribution for so long become your own label and get with a digital distributor where you can go directly into the fold. It’s a slow argument because people are still stuck in some of the last century.”

Chuck D will soon tour the country with other Hip Hop icons including LL Cool J and Ice Cube as part of the “Kings Of The Mic” tour.

Read the full, two-part TheRealHip-Hop.com Chuck D interview.

RELATED: LL Cool J Explains Creating "Kings Of The Mic Tour" With Public Enemy, Ice Cube & De La Soul

View the original article here