Kanye West Debuts "New Slaves"

The General — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:37:00 +0000

Rapper Projects Himself Onto 66 Buildings
1:00PM ET May 18th, 2013
Contributor : Martin James
A Rocky Williform Company

Last night (May 17th), rapper Kanye West debuted the first single from his upcoming album. In typical 'Ye fashion, the unveiling was dramatic and unique--the rapper projected his face onto the side of 66 buildings around the world and rapped along to his new track, called "New Slaves."

Kanye's official website included official locations for the screenings, which popped up everywhere from Toronto to London.

"What you want a Bentley, fur coat, a diamond chain/ All you blacks want all the same things," Kanye rhymes in the song, which tackles materialism and racial stereotypes, while comparing "rich n***a problems" to slavery.

He gave fans a heads-up prior to the projections being shown.

"NEW SONG AND VISUAL FROM MY NEW ALBUM BEING PROJECTED TONIGHT ACROSS THE GLOBE ON 66 BUILDINGS, LOCATIONS," Kanye tweeted May 17th.

Busta Rhymes Says Rappers Are Afraid

The General — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:39:00 +0000

''You Might Get Your A** Whooped On Your Own F**king Record''
8:00PM ET May 17th, 2013
Contributor : Martin James
A Rocky Williform Company

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Busta Rhymes spoke about the significance guest spots have had on the hip hop industry. The superstar rapper shared his opinion as to why such towering figures like Nas, Eminem and Jay-Z don't feature on as many artists' work as other stars.

"There's one of two reasons to me why the same people appear on every song: one reason is either they're just the hottest dudes, and the other reason is..." he said before pausing. "It's interesting to me that Eminem isn't on a lot of people's sh*t. It's interesting to me that Nas isn't on a lot of people's sh*t. It's interesting to me that Jay-Z isn't on a lot of people's sh*t. A lot of the very dangerously lyrical motherf*ckers. I think there's a fear factor that plays a role, because sometimes you really don't know if you're going to be happy with what you asked for - especially if you might get your a** whooped on your own f*cking record!"

Busta was also asked when he realized features were becoming more and more important.

"A long time ago, especially for the artists that can't carry a record on their own," Busta answered. "And since the era of developing artists has died with record companies over 10 years ago, a lot of dudes had to come out here and figure out how to get hot on their own. A lot of the times, the novelty of a name that's popping in the market is the easiest way. So the feature became more important than the record a long time ago. It's unfortunate, but I think there's a change happening: A lot of the new dudes aren't doing it. They started to realize chasing down a hot motherf*cker was a sh*t-ton of work, cause when a hot motherf*cker think he's hot, they become divas real quick."

Machine Gun Kelly Calls Diddy’s Life "Crazy"

The General — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:34:00 +0000

''That Muthaf**ka Is Not Normal''
8:00PM ET May 17th, 2013
Contributor : Chris G.
A Rocky Williform Company

Bad Boy Records rapper Machine Gun Kelly spoke about labelhead Sean "Diddy" Combs and his lifestyle. In a recent interview, MGK spoke about Diddy's history in the industry and shared his perception of how the mogul's day-to-day life must feel.

â€œReal talk, he earned his stripes,â€� MGK told Jenesis magazine. â€œThatâ€™s why he got where heâ€™s at. I canâ€™t even say thatâ€¦That mothafucka put in a lot of work with Andre Harrell. All that shit before he had his label.â€�

The Ohio native was asked what he would make Diddy do for a day if he had the chance to switch roles with his boss.

â€œIâ€™d have Diddy in a mosh pit man. Iâ€™d have Diddy come kick it at our house,â€� MGK revealed. â€œWith none of his people. None of his people, just him. Just come kick it at the crib and make him feel like a normal person again. You know what Iâ€™m saying? That mothaf**ka is not normal. You kicking it around him is likeâ€”his whole life is like itâ€™s crazy to look at it. Cause I make sure I keep my normality all the time. That mothaf**ka is like a walking corporation. Itâ€™s nuts. I know you canâ€™t enjoy that.â€�

Juicy J Talks Three 6 Mafia Reunion

The General — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:13:00 +0000

''If They Cut A Check For $15-16 Mil''
5:00PM ET May 17th, 2013
Contributor : Martin James
A Rocky Williform Company

Juicy J is focused on his solo career, but the longtime Three 6 Mafia leader said that he wouldn't be opposed to reuniting with his old group, under the right circumstances. J said in an interview that he would reform Three 6 for the right price.

"If they cut a check for $15-$16 mil," Juicy told "RapFix Live." "It's really up to Columbia Records, man. I feel like Columbia Records put that group on the shelf so it's their call when they wanna bring back the Three 6 Mafia."

"The contracts are still signed," J added. "The group is still signed with Columbia so it's really up to the label."

Beyonce Second Pregnancy Confirmed

The General — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:09:00 +0000

Superstar Is Expecting Another Child
5:00PM ET May 17th, 2013
Contributor : Chris G.
A Rocky Williform Company

Despite her camp attempting to diffuse pregnancy rumors earlier this week, it looks as though Beyonce Knowles is, in fact, expecting her second child with husband Jay-Z. Multiple sources confirmed to E! News that the superstar is pregnant, though the couple remained famously quiet about the speculation.

Rumors began to surface after Beyonce was spotted on a red carpet wearing a modified Givenchy dress that looked design to hide her belly.

Then she canceled a show in Belgium this week, though her reps claimed it was for dehydration.

No word yet on how far along she is in her pregnancy.

Bone Thugs Say AIDS Hurts Eazy E’s Legacy

The General — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:12:00 +0000

''So Many Look At That Differently''
2:00PM ET May 17th, 2013
Contributor : Martin James
A Rocky Williform Company

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony don't believe that their late mentor, gangsta rap icon Eazy E, gets the credit he deserves in the hip-hop community. And according to Bone, he doesn't get the props of a 2Pac or a Notorious B.I.G. because he died from AIDS.

"Some people seem like they are afraid to commemorate him due to how he died," Bizzy Bone told TMZ. "But Bone never once has -- nor will stop -- commemorating him."

"They died being known as gangsta heroes," Krayzie said. "Eazy died from a disease ... so many look at that differently."

Bone Thugs will pay tribute to Eazy at this year's Rock the Bells festival.

Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Widow Slams Digital Show

The General — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:08:00 +0000

''I Am Disappointed...''
2:00PM ET May 17th, 2013
Contributor : Chris G.
A Rocky Williform Company

Icelene Jones, the widow of late Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard, does not approve of her husband's likeness being used in an upcoming Wu show at Rock the Bells this summer. Representing the state of ODB, born Russell Jones, Icelene has filed a cease-and-desist order against the festival.

"I am disappointed that Rock the Bells would not contact me directly about the use of my husband's image," she said via statement. "I am looking forward to talking to Wu-Tang about this matter and coming up with a positive solution in order to bring my husband's image to the stage once again."

Jones made it clear that she's the sole controller of her husband's estate, so no one can use his likeness or his music without her permission.

Kendrick Lamar Was Inspired By Jay-Z

The General — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:41:00 +0000

''That Was My Moment...''
6:00AM ET May 17th, 2013
Contributor : Stephen Willis
A Rocky Williform Company

Kendrick Lamar explained in a recent interview with Get Schooled just how much it meant for him to land Jay-Z on the remix for his single "B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe." For K. Dot it was affirmation of his reputation.

"It was one of them feelings where, you know, you finally reached that moment to where you're actually respected," Lamar said. "Jay-Z don't have to [be on] nobody's track, so for him to actually hop on a record of mine just shows the level of respect he has for me as an artist. And as a true artist, that's what you want. You have all the money in the world and the awards, and accolades and stuff, you always want that respect. For him to do that, it's just one of them things. I felt like, 'OK, I finally accomplished what I sought out to do the moment I turned 13, and that's be respected by people I respect."

Kendrick said Jay's appearance inspired him to step his game up.

"I felt like I had to try to at least come some type of correct because that was my moment," he says. "All them years of rapping and writing raps didn't mean nothing if I couldn't live up to that moment."

50 Cent’s Cousin Says Rapper Starts Beefs

The General — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:36:00 +0000

''I Deal With That Sh*t''
6:00AM ET May 17th, 2013
Contributor : Martin James
A Rocky Williform Company

50 Cent revealed in a recent interview that he's not a fan of his cousin Continental Five or the rapper's music because he feels Continental is emulating 50's former lifestyle without having actually lived through the same experiences. Continental Five spoke about 50 Cent in an interview with Forbez DVD.

â€œWhatever stories you hear about this n***a, I deal with it on an everyday basis," Continental explained. "I deal with that sh*t. So, when heâ€™s gone and doing the rap sh*t and heâ€™s starting the beef and heâ€™s igniting all that, Iâ€™m still hereâ€¦Iâ€™ve been paranoid. I donâ€™t be out like that becauseâ€”Iâ€™m worried about if a n***a would try to do it. None of the beef that Iâ€™m gripped up for or be running around with is not mines. Iâ€™m not outside starting trouble. This is somebody elseâ€™s problems I inherited.â€�

â€œSo, to a n***a listening, nobodyâ€™s trying to be a gangster. I want to get the f**k away from this. Iâ€™m trying to do my thing,â€� said Continental. â€œSo, when you see me rapping itâ€™s not me rapping about trying to portray something. No n***a, this whatâ€™s gonâ€™ get me to get the fuck out the situation because Iâ€™m still in that situation. So, while youâ€™re in your bulletproof and you good and you somewhere else, the reality is I still gotta deal with the sh*t that comes with your issues.â€�

MCA of the Beastie Boys To Be Honored

The General — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:31:00 +0000

Fallen Rapper To Receive Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival Tribute
6:00AM ET May 17th, 2013
Contributor : Chris G.
A Rocky Williform Company

The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival will pay tribute to late Beastie Boy Adam "MCA" Yauch. Brooklyn Bodega, who produce the event, made the announcement this week that MCA will be honored for his contributions to hip hop culture.

Wes Jackson released a statement addressing how the tribute came to be.

"We reached out to Ad Rock right after MCA passed [in 2012] and asked if there was anything we could do to help celebrate the life of his brother," Jackson explained. "It was so soon that we were hesitant to even reach out. We wanted to give them space and time. We did speak to Cey Adams [longtime Beastie Boyss collaborator and friend] and tried to put something together but the timing wasn't right. We couldn't go another year without taking time out to honor what MCA did for our culture and our music."

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