Jay-Z On Referencing Biggie's Rhymes

Jay-Z detractors have long tried to use the fact that he uses famous lines from the late Notorious B.I.G. in several of his rhymes as reason to dismiss his abilities. But Jay says those critics miss the point--he's paying homage to a hip hop legend.[video here]

“There was a vow in that song about Big. So doing that was my way of always keeping him fresh and keeping his music fresh on everyone's mind,” he said. “So I'm inspired by music and I'm a fan and a historian. I study music and different emotions and things like that. So, if I'm inspired by it, I just use it. It's not a crutch for me. I can write a song without using anyone’s lyric at all.”

“That sums the whole thing up. Be comfortable with yourself and your ability. You don’t have that insecurity when people say, ‘Oh he stealing homeboy’s lyrics, he can’t write a rap.’ We can sit down next to anybody and write two verses. They could write and I could sit up there and come with a verse and we can see who comes up with a better verse any day.”

Lil Wayne Explains "How To Love"

Lil Wayne recently revealed his creative approach to his single "How To Love." The guitar-driven song is unusual for most mainstream Weezy singles--Rebirth notwithstanding--and he knows fans may have been surprised by it. But for Wayne, it's all about pushing himself creativity and challenging hip hop's typical conventions. [video here]

"I can tell you that I’ve never had a single like it, and it’s an amazing song. It’s an amazing song.[...]When I listen to it I get goose bumps and I feel like the song is gonna take me somewhere that I’ve never been musically.”

“You know that if you come to a Lil Wayne show two years from now, you already know that ‘I’m gonna get rap — some of the best rap — I’m gonna get some guitar, I’m gonna get some singin’, I’m gonna get some dancin’, I’m gonna get some old-school music, and I’m goin’ to a show tonight,’" he added. "And I think that’s where this song is directing me to.[...]I am a musician, and a few years back, I noticed that I wasn’t just a rapper. And Inoticed that I didn’t want to do this just to rap. I do want to go down as one of the greatest rappers of all time, but I also want to go down as one of the greatest musicians of all time."

“When you think about it, Tupac is just known as a great rapper; Biggie is just known as a great rapper, Jay-Z — just known as a great rapper," continued Wayne. "I want to be known as that rapper that turned it all the way up and became the face of the music. When they make a billboard and put whoever they gonna put up there to define the word ‘music,’ I wanna be there.”

Faith & Her Ex Speak On Their Split

Singer Faith Evans, former wife of the late Notorious B.I.G., is divorcing her husband/manager of 14 years Todd Russaw. The estranged couple issued a statement regarding the split, but offered few details aside from the basic 'we want to do what's best for the kids' type of declarations.

“The dissolution of a marriage is a difficult time in anyone’s life," the statement read. "However, after a great deal of thought and careful consideration, we have come to the decision to end our marriage together. We will both remain committed to parenting our children and will also continue to support each other’s professional endeavors. We consider this a private matter and we will not make any further statement regarding the matter. We would appreciate the press respecting the privacy of our family, particularly our children, as we attempt to handle our situation with respect and dignity.”

Good Videos! Anyone??? By Steph

Good Videos! Good Videos! Come out! Come out! Where ever you are!!!!!!!!!

When is the last time you’ve seen a hip hop  video that was so good you wanted to watch it over and over again?  (I am going to exclude Kayne &  Jay-Z). Crickets…I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a video that I was blown away by.  I understand that budgets for videos have dramatically decreased but why can’t people still find creative ways to make good videos.  I blame both artist as well as directors.   Artist because they keep accepting these same video treatments that those directors throw at them.  Directors because they are suppose to be the visual architects who make the song come to life and hopefully make people like the song even more.   These videos just aren’t doing that for me.  Ok, honestly the last video that I liked was Lil Wayne’s video for  “6’7” because of the Inception concept but even that video I didn’t have a desire to watch over and over. 

I was completely disappointed by  Ace Hood’s “Hustle Hard” both the original and the remix video.  It was such a hard song that it needed a strong visual to commitment it but that did not happen.  The remix video even more because that was the more popular version of the song.  They took so long to release the video and honestly they shouldn’t have released one at all because the finished product was terrible!  I think I could have directed a better video then that.  All the director did was literally take everything that was said in the video, threw some beautiful  girls in workout outfits sprinkle in a few rappers and put in front of a green screen.  Really?!!!!  And it looked cheap! (in pray it didn’t cost any money lol) Every video can’t be money, cars, hoes and the hood!  Give me something different.  Even if I may not understand the complete concept I will appreciate the fact that something different was tried.  

I really wonder if some artist watch their videos and think to themselves “This video is some bulls*it did I really pay for this?!!!” because I know that what I think when I watch most of them.   Now don’t get me wrong some of the videos are cool but I don’t have the desire to watch them over and over again, which to me defeats the purpose of making a video at all.  I laugh everytime I see these behind the scenes or sneak peeks at the videos because in the end they leave a lot to be desired  and set the public up to be disapointed by the finished product. Will I never again see a “Victory” type video???    I know that records aren’t selling like they use to but I need labels to open these video budgets up; and artist and directors  have to use some originality and spend the money wisely.   I want  to be left in awe when I finish watching a video, is that too much to ask?!!!

Written By https://twitter.com/#!/thinmint215

Rick Ross Was Inspired By Diddy

Rick Ross revealed that his inspiration for launching his own Maybach Music Group was seeing hip hop moguls like Diddy and Cash Money's Brian "Baby" Williams. Following their template, Ross has begun building his own stable of artists, ranging from rapper Wale to soul singer Teedra Moses.

"Building Maybach Music Group, building this empire, of course I was inspired by some of the earlier movements and earlier dudes that came along such as Cash Money [and] Bad Boy Records. To me, when I really think about the greatest era of hip-hop, that was the greatest eras of hip-hop; when I turned on the TV and saw Big, Mase, Junior Mafia, and the Lox. That was the most exciting era of hip-hop. I looked at the No Limit era and saw that camaraderie that they had, that unity, that brotherhood that they shared. I think it spilled over from [their] music," Rick Ross says.

Am I Too Old for this Generation of Hip Hop?

Am I Too Old for this Generation of Hip Hop?

Say I’m a dog but I don’t even bark/Got em biting this swag like a shark - YC

“Racks on Racks” by YC is ruining my life!  Its one of the worst songs I have heard played on the radio in a while.  What disturbs me even more is the fact that I dance to it when I hear it in the club; as much as I try not its like I really can’t help myself. That fact alone says something about it but what?  That it’s actually a good song that I like deep down or it’s just catchy? I pick the latter.  From YG to Travis Porter to Lil B I can’t relate to their music.  So am I just too old to appreciate today’s young hip hop generation?

In the past few years hip hop has definitely shifted and I can’t say that I like the way its going.  Songs that I believe would have never seen the light of day before are now radio hits.  Did they really play a song called “You’re a Jerk” and showcased a video that had young MEN in the video dancing with jeans on as tight as mine?!!! BBM confused face!  This cant be life or at least hip hop life…

I subjected myself to listen to ONE Lil B song…I can never get that 2 minutes and 42 seconds of my life back!  It was terrible there was nothing good about it, not the lyrics, the beat or the artist. He wasn’t even on beat.  I can however appreciate the hustle of Lil B.  Even though, I believe that people who enjoy his music snort coke and are likely to commit a crime while high on said drug.  He did it has way.  No major label backing, no million dollar budget, just him, his team and the music he loves.  Which is what hip hop is is all about but I can’t appreciate anything about his music. Maybe I’m just spoiled.  I came up on Big, Pac, Jay, Nas and Snoop.  Classic records back then were coming out back to back.  Today if we get just a good record we’re extra excited.  Like “Yo did he hear that new (insert artist here) record?!!! Its really good, u need it!” Its like we take whatever we can get nowadays.  

I was talking to my homie Rap the other day and he said “You would think that this generation of rap would be great because they are artistic and free but instead they are just reckless, rebellious and crazy with it.”  I think he’s right! I understand that diversity is needed in all genres of music but come on, how much of THIS do we really need?!!!  You guys can’t really think this stuff is good.  Catchy? YES! Danceable? Kinda! Good? NOOOO!  And I believe you need all of those elements to make a hit/good song.  OK! OK! OK! We can let one or two bad song thru as a hit every once in a while but WHO IN THE HELL LEFT THE GATE OPEN?!!!

By Steph https://twitter.com/thinmint215

Gwyneth Paltrow On Biggie Vs. 2Pac

Hip hop superstar Jay-Z was recently interviewed by his buddy, actress Gwyneth Paltrow for a magazine. Well, Hov returned the favor and asked Gwyn some music-related questions. Running down a list of classic musical rivals, Jay-Z asked Paltrow for her take on several of the biggest names in music in a rapid-fire "Who's better" Q&A.

Q:Miles or Coltrane?
GP: Miles
The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?
GP: Beatles
Patsy Cline or Billie Holiday?
GP: Billie H 
Biggie or Pac?
GP: Biggie by miles
Michael or Prince?
GP: Prince!

Biggie Revelation Sparks Controversy

A personal recollection may have shed new light on the personality of one of hip hop's most famous legends; and may have resurrected long-standing questions regarding homophobia in hip hop culture. dream hampton's Twitter revelation about a conversation she had with the late, great Notorious B.I.G. has sparked a small firestorm among fans.

"One of my fave pics of Biggie; He's on Fulton & his longtime BFF, Mann [pictured], who is openly gay, looks on," dream tweeted. "I remember when we were in L.A., a cpl weeks before he died, & Big [told] me 'Yo, the ni**a Mann brought his boyfriend on the Ave.!" I asked...Big "How'd you take that?" Big said: "That's my ni**a. Whatever."

The post has made the rounds and, as expected, has sparked a variety of responses from fans. Everything from support for Biggie's alleged open-mindedness to gay-bashing to accusations of Illuminati ties.

"So what Big had a gay friend- who cares?" posted one reader. "ANY NI99A WITH GAY FRIENDS IS SUSPECT WHERE IM FROM!" added another, only for retorts to be fired. "Who the f**k cares who the f**k Biggie was friends with?" read one angry post.

The news comes on the heels of the highly-publicized arrest of Hot 97 DJ (and former Biggie manager) Mister Cee. Cee was busted for lewd conduct with a transvestite in New York City two days ago.

But dream was quick to remind the public that this was not an attempt to do anything other than share a little-known story about her fallen friend. "Not trying to hold Biggie up as some model example who wasn't homophobic (or even a "public misogynist"), just remembering sh*t as it was..."

source

Biggie Murder Case Details Exposed

New documents regarding the Notorious B.I.G.'s murder case have surfaced, revealing that the rapper was killed by a very rare and very specific form of ammunition. It also reveals that several on and off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officers assisted the shooter in escaping in a variety of ways.

The documents also allege that Death Row Records was involved in a cocaine operation.

The officers, many of whom were later found to have gang ties, helped cover-up the murder by not following through on witness reports and by not documenting witness statements properly. Reportedly, at least ten witnesses were available to provide information, but none would talk to the police--only the F.B.I. The F.B.I. also has footage of the actual shooting.

Biggie was shot with Gecko 9mm armor-piercing ammunition, which is made in Germany and hard to come by in the United States.

The LAPD never conducted ballistic tests and officers were allegedly involved in thwarting the investigation.

Big Sean Appreciates Lil Kim's Praises She's Definitely A Legend In My Eyes

After learning that Lil Kim endorsed him in a recent interview, G.O.O.D. Music's Big Sean voiced his appreciation and his desire to work with the Queen Bee.

"Word? D*mn, she said that? Sh*t. That's crazy. Nobody ever told me that," Sean said in an interview. "She's definitely a legend in my eyes. I came up on the Bad Boy era with Biggie and Ma$e and her. I would definitely love to work with her and she's the sh*t, man. That's crazy. I'm speechless, for real...I'm really listening to a lot of older stuff too like Notorious B.I.G., that whole Bad Boy sh*t and 'Pac...That's so f*cking dope, that Lil' Kim sh*t. You've got to get me her contact so I can call her."

Last month, Kim mentioned Sean and Wiz Khalifa as two artists she was currently into.

"I'm really loving Wiz Khalifa. I like him a lot. I think he's a dope artist," Kim told Rap Up. "And also another up-and-coming artist, his name is Big Sean. I think he's hot."

Ace Hood Defends Big Talk ''I'm That Next Big Boy In the Game''

Rapper Ace Hood is defending an earlier statement comparing himself to New York Yankees superstar Derek Jeter. Hood believes his star is on the rise and that any similarities between himself and world champion baseball players will soon be more obvious to the general public.

"I'm just saying I'm that young boy. I'm that next big boy in the game," Ace said. "I'm soon to be that franchise name, that household name. When you mention Ace Hood, you see hundreds of thousands of fans who are supporting him and he's packing out concerts and stadiums. We're going to slowly and surely work our way towards that. I'm just letting them know that in due time, I will be that big, household name that y'all always planned for me to be."

Lil Kim Talks Biggie & 2Pac

Hip hop conspiracy theorists have been trying to turn the deaths of 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. into some kind of Area 51, 'Who shot JFK?'-style CIA cover-up and it looks like Lil Kim is one of them. Kim recently claimed in an interview that she thought Pac and Biggie were 'too powerful' and the government just had to stop it.

"I will say this though, I will say that I always felt like Biggie and Tupac's deaths were bigger than how they tried to make it out to believe it to be," Kim explained in an interview. "It's bigger than [former Death Row Records owner] Suge Knight being involved. I think it was even over his head. Them two were very powerful guys. They both could have ran for mayor just like Arnold Schwarzenegger and probably [have] won. You know, I think the government was looking at it like, 'We could not have these two hood dudes with this much power running for mayor and something like that and winning.' They would have lost control, I think. I think it was way deeper than what people would like it to be."

Please.

Rap fans need to stop acting like Pac and Big were Martin and Malcolm. And Arnold Schwarzenegger became the governor, Kim, not the mayor.