Baby Explains Picture Kissing Lil’ Wayne

October 30th, 2006 | By Administrator

It might be the most interesting kiss ever in Hip-Hop.

Bryan “Baby” Williams, Cash Money Records executive, addressed a picture circulating of him kissing label mate Lil’ Wayne on the lips as he promoted a new CD by the duo.

In an interview with Q93, a Clear Channel station in New Orleans, the mogul and entertainer explained the familial relationship he and Wayne have that yields such public displays of affection.

“Before I had a child, Wayne and all of them were my children, you heard me? Wayne to me is my son – my first-born son – and that’s what it do for me,” Baby said in an interview with mid-day jock Uptown Angela. “That’s my life, that’s my love and that’s my thing. That’s my lil’ son. I love him to death.” Br In the image, which is clearly years old, the pair is embracing as several friends and Cash Money artists look on.

Singer TQ is seen in the picture and he left the label in the summer of 2004.

Baby and Wayne have never tried to hide their father/son love for each other and Wayne often refers to himself as Birdman Jr.

In 2004, Lil’ Wayne explained the depth of this relationship to Baby and why he looks to him as his father.

Wayne told AllHipHop.com, “The day my real father died-the exact day-like the day we got the call, ‘Like ok, he’s in the hospital.” Then we got the call back like, ‘Okay, he died’, Baby came and picked me up like an hour after that, and I was in the passenger seat of his car and I was crying and he looked at me and was like, “N*gga, what you cryin’ for? You act like you lost your father”. And from that day on I never lost my father.”

Gillie The Kid, a former Cash Money artist turned staunch rival, took credit for releasing the picture.

Baby, in a general sense, addressed those that attempt to question the way he expresses himself.

“Haters – that’s just life. I don’t even trip off that. I go to the bank in morning. I can go buy whatever I feel like. So, I don’t even set trip off that,” Baby responded. “Can’t nobody live my life, but me and I don’t try to live nobody else’s life.”

His affection extends to his biological son as well.

“My lil’ son – Lil Bryan gets the same love from me. That’s my thing. That’s what I do for my child. I give him my heart, my life and I’ll pump blood for him. I’ll issue some blood for him too-believe that.

Baby and Wayne’s love for each other extends into their professional careers.

The pair’s first collaborative album, Like Father, Like Son, hits stores on Halloween Day (Tuesday Oct. 31).

VH1 Greenlights Irv Gotti, ego trip’s ‘White Rapper’ Reality Series

October 30th, 2006 | By Administrator

VH1 has greenlighted a variety of new reality series, including ego trip’s White Rapper Show and a show starring the Inc.’s CEO Irv “Gotti” Lorenzo.

The Irv Gotti Project was one of six new series that the network announced today (Oct. 30). The show will focus on Irv Gotti’s comeback in the entertainment industry after being acquitted of federal money laundering charges.

The series will also document Gotti’s life as a husband and father and is being executive-produced by Mark Cronin and Cris Abrego, the duo behind the franchises Flavor of Love, Surreal Life and others.

Also greenlighted was ego trip’s White Rapper Show, which will feature 10 contestants who battle and compete in various Hip-Hop-oriented challenges designed to test their knowledge of Hip-Hop culture.

White Rapper is set in the South Bronx and is hosted by Michael “MC Serch” Berrin (3rd Bass) and producing veteran Prince Paul.

“The breadth of this slate of music-based series illustrates, once again, that VH1 is the only place for adults to go to see the kinds of music and storytelling that speaks only to them,” said Brian Graden, president of entertainment at MTV Networks Music Group.

Other series approved for airing include Rags to Riches, Man Band, the Untitled Whitestarr Project and Bridging the Gap.

The latter is a half-hour music series that features two established artists collaborating for the first time with a well-known producer. The first episode features Eve and Queen Latifah.

8 Ball & MJG Launch Labels, Produce & Star In New Movie

October 27th, 2006 | By Administrator

Bad Boy artists 8 Ball & MJG celebrated the launch of their new respective labels 8 Ways Entertainment and MJG Muzik on Wednesday (Oct. 25) in their hometown of Memphis, Tenn.

A variety of industry tastemakers and DJ’s attended the invite-only event, held at Memphis Botanic Garden.

The first release from 8 Ways will be the Navarre distributed compilation titled Light up the Bomb, which features rappers signed to the new imprint, while MJG will release Da Volunteers’ debut effort What’s Yo Favorite Color via MJG, which is distributed by Select-O-Hits.

“We both have our separate situations because we both have different projects we are working on,” 8 Ball told AllHipHop.com. “But its all love. Some of MJG’s artists are featured on my compilation and some of mine are on his project. We are businessmen.”

Various rappers from Memphis were present to support 8Ball & MJG’s latest business venture.

“Like me, their legends,” said Al Kapone. “I’m always supporting the M-Town. That’s what it’s about. It’s not about the beefin’ and all that. It’s all about the unity and I’m glad to be here.”

In related news, 8Ball & MJG are gearing up for their silver screen debut in a self-produced as-yet-untitled comedy that starts filming next year.

“It’s like Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke, ” MJG revealed. “It’s us in a lot of ways. Life has been one big adventure. In the movie, we’re always getting into something because we’re high. We’re definitely some ‘stoners.’”

The flick will be directed by Christian Strickland ( Clean Up Men ).

8 Ball’s Light up the Bomb compilation and Da Volunteers’ What’s Yo Favorite Color will be released on Oct. 31.

8 Ball & MJG are also putting the finishing touches on their upcoming Bad Boy album, Ridin’ High.

Jermaine Dupri Issues Statement On Leaving Virgin Records

October 24th, 2006 | By Administrator

Jermaine Dupri has officially vacated his position as President of Urban Music at Virgin Records, after underwhelming sales of Janet Jackson’s comeback album 20 Y.O.

Contrary to published reports, Dupri, who announced the position in January 2005, voluntarily left the position.

“Since there are so many rumors running rampant about my position at Virgin Records, I feel that it is necessary to set the record straight,” Dupri said in a statement. “I was not forced out of the company, I made a decision that it was in my best interest to leave.”

According to sales figures, Jackson’s CD has sold just under 500,000 copies in the United States.

Sales of 20 Y.O. dropped almost 80% the second week and by the third week, the album sold just under 50,000 copies.

Sources told AllHipHop.com that while Dupri has vacated his post at Virgin, the label’s parent company EMI may provide him with a label deal that includes his own in-house staff.

Judge Objects to Promotion of New C-Murder Album

October 24th, 2006 | By Administrator

C-Murder’s talent on the mic will have to speak for itself, according to the judge presiding over the rapper’s second-degree murder case.

Louisiana’s Times-Picayune reports that C-Murder (born Corey Miller) can take pictures to promote his upcoming album as long as it’s done at the location where he is currently under house arrest.

“I don’t have a problem with the photographs,” said 24th Judicial District Court Judge Martha Sassone, who also ruled Monday (Oct. 23) that Miller’s attorney Ron Rakosky must be present during the photo shoot and know in advance the name of the photographer’s name.

Rakosky cited money for Miller’s legal defense and the renovation of his grandmother’s New Orleans home as the reason why the rapper should be allowed to promote the untitled album.

In addition, Miller needs the money from the release to help support his three children, he said.

“All that has a substantial cost,” said Rakosky, who felt that a denial of the request “would handicap his ability to make funds.”

Roskosky’s plea did not sit well with assistant District Attorney Roger Jordan, who argued that Sassone set Miller’s bail in March only so he could help prepare his defense.

Despite her approval of the photo shoot, Sassone reminded both lawyers of the gag order surrounding the case as she rejected requests from Miller and his publicist.

“There’ll be no interviews, no music videos,” she ruled. “I guess the music will have to speak for itself. Capitol Records will have to find another way to advertise it.”

The order is the latest chapter in the continuing saga surrounding Miller, who is accused of killing 16-year-old Steve Thomas on Jan. 12, 2002, at a now-closed club in Harvey.

Although the 35-year-old rapper was convicted of second degree murder, he was awarded a new trial in March after the state Supreme Court affirmed an earlier ruling by Sassone tossing out the conviction.

The decision was rendered after Sassone discovered that prosecutors withheld criminal background information on their witnesses from Miller’s defense attorneys.

As a result, Miller’s bail was set at $500,000.

The rapper was later ordered to serve house arrest as a condition of the bond.

A gag order was also put in place to keep pretrial publicity to a minimum.

Miller will be on house arrest until Feb. 26, the date of his trial.

During Monday’s hearing, Jordan further noted the irony of Miller’s promotion request, which comes as he seeks a change of venue for his trial because of the pretrial publicity.

To honor the request “would be so improper” in the eyes of Thomas’ family and the community, Jordan stated.

In addition to the photo shoot, Sassone granted Miller some time to play with his children in his back yard.

The entertainer’s house arrest permits him to remain inside his home, according to the Times-Picayune.

Lil’ Wayne Banned From Morgan State For Money Tossing Incident

October 21st, 2006 | By Administrator

Lil’ Wayne has been barred from performing at Morgan State University and may face criminal charges, after a homecoming concert went awry when the rapper’s entourage threw money into the crowd.

The sold-out concert took place at Hill Field House during the university’s homecoming concert on Thursday (Oct. 19), which also featured Busta Rhymes.

During Lil’ Wayne’s performance, members of his entourage tossed $20, $10, $5 and $1 bills into the crowd of mostly college students. In the rush to retrieve the cash, two women sustained leg injuries and another woman fainted.

All were treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

“We’re evaluating it from a public safety standpoint and a criminal standpoint,” Morgan State University Police Chief Adrian Wiggins told the Baltimore Sun.

Morgan State University Spokesman Clinton R. Coleman compared the rapper’s actions to “standing in a crowded movie theater and shouting fire.”

“It is something we regret that he did,” Coleman said. “We regret the injuries that were caused. And we’re happy that most of the people in the crowd acted responsibly.”

Young Dro Plots First Major Tour

October 13th, 2006 | By Administrator

Atlanta rapper Young Dro will soon be shoulder-leaning around the country, as he plots his first major tour in support of his Atlantic Records debut Best Thang Smokin’.

The colorful rapper is set to hit the road this fall for a major U.S. tour with labelmate T.I.

The arena trek will kick off Oct. 27 in Hampton, Va., and will stop in various major markets, including Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, and St. Louis, with additional dates to be added later.

Fueled by the success of his first single “Shoulder Lean,” Young Dro has notched over 1.5 million ringtone sales, and his latest single, “Rubberband Banks,” sits atop national playlists as the No. 1 most added track last week.

Best Thang Smokin’ topped Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and landed at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart, moving over 104,000 units in its first week of release.

Dro and T.I. recently performed “Shoulder Lean” and “Rubberband Banks” on Showtime at the Apollo for the show that will later this fall.

T.I. Nominated For Eight BET Hip-Hop Awards

October 13th, 2006 | By Administrator

Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris, Katt Williams and Young Jeezy appeared at the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce yesterday (Oct. 12) to announce the nominations for the first-ever BET Hip-Hop Awards show.

Atlanta rapper T.I. led all nominees with eight nods, including Video of the Year, Hip-Hop Track of the Year, Hip-Hop MVP of the Year, Lyricist of the Year, Best Live Performance, Best Collaboration, Hip-Hop CD of the Year and Hip-Hop Hustler of the Year categories.

Busta Rhymes received six nominations, Chamillionaire received five, Yung Joc and Lupe Fiasco were nominated in four categories, Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne and Young Jeezy were nominated three times each, while Common, Rick Ross, Nelly and Cham each were nominated twice.

Hosted by comedian Katt Williams, the BET Hip-Hop Awards show will join the network’s already successful ceremonies, the BET Awards and the BET Comedy Awards.

Williams, known for his role as “Money Mike” in the hit movie Friday After Next, also has a hit HBO stand-up comedy special The Pimp Chronicles, Part 1.

Williams says he was the logical choice to host the awards.

“Well, you know, I’m a great believer that enthusiasm is always the most important ingredient,” Williams said. “So you want to have somebody hosting a Hip-Hop show that actually loves Hip-Hop and has for as long as they can remember. So in that respect, there’s not a lot of weight on my shoulders. It’s really a joy, because I’m going to be excited every second that I’m onstage. And the audience needs to see that sort of thing, not ‘I’m qualified to be here and that’s why I’m here.’ But really, I’m so excited to be doing this.”

The BET Awards has also establish special recognition for contributions in the areas of beat production, lyricism, dance, and film/visual art, as well as a new international category, Best UK Hip-Hop Artist.

UK Hip-Hop acts Dizzee Rascal, Sway, Plan B, Kano and Blak Twang were each nominated in the Best UK Hip-Hop Artist category.

“We are extremely excited to be producing our first BET Hip-Hop Awards and look forward to a show that reflects the genre with the respect, acknowledgment and show production value it’s due,” said Stephen Hill, Executive Vice President of Entertainment, Music Programming and Talent for BET Networks. “This show is very much about where Hip-Hop culture is right now, but we will honor the original 4 elements of Hip-Hop and show their connection to today’s beats, rhymes and life.”

The inaugural BET Hip-Hop Awards will be taped at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on Nov. 12.

The show will premiere on Nov. 15 at 9 p.m. on BET.

The following is a complete list of the 2006 BET Hip-Hop AWARDS nominees and categories:
(more…)

Big Boi Creates Big Kidz Foundation, Aligns With Russell Athletics

October 12th, 2006 | By Administrator

Outkast’s Big Boi is finding good fortune through his alliance with Russell Athletic.

The company, which outfits more than 500 men’s and women’s athletic teams on 49 HBCU campuses and provides more than over $350,000 in scholarship money each year, has partnered with Big Boi in support of his Big Kidz Foundation, a philanthropic project created to help children make lifestyle advances through film and music.

Russell Athletic and its e-commerce web site, buyhbcu.com, recently sponsored the Foundation’s signature event Strut, a fashion show and charity auction.

Strut is just one of two events featuring the resources of the two entities.

Russell Athletic’s HBCU division recently announced that it will work with the company to create a one-of-a-kind football uniform that will debut Nov. 25 at this year’s Bayou Classic.

“The Bayou Classic is one of the most well-known rivalries in HBCU football,” said Big Boi, who called his partnership with Russell Athletic “a great opportunity to promote HBCU athletics in order to generate the publicity they deserve.”

Considered one of the most distinguished sporting events, the Bayou Classic attracts more than 70,000 fans who take in the annual face off between SWAC rivals Grambling State University and Southern University.

Grambling will sport the Big Boi-inspired jerseys for the game.

The Russell Athletic jerseys from both teams will be on display at the Classic and at buyhbcu.com.

This year’s game, which will be televised on NBC Sports, marks the return of the Classic to New Orleans’ Louisiana Superdome after being relocated in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina.

“We expect the Bayou Classic to be one of the biggest HBCU events of the year. The fans are excited, the teams and bands are ready, and most importantly, New Orleans will be full of energy for the game,” said Torarie Durden, Russell Athletic director of HBCU programs. “This makes it the perfect time to debut Russell Athletic’s partnership with Big Boi and his inspired jersey design for HBCU schools.”

In addition to the game, fans will have a chance to experience the Russell Athletic Everyday Performance tour.

Interactive elements such as a basketball goal, football toss, and chin-up competition will be featured, as well as the distribution of Russell Athletic premium items.

A tour vehicle will highlight the history of Russell Athletic and recent innovations in HBCU products.

The Big Boi-inspired jerseys will also take center stage as part of a month-long promotion by Academy Sports and Outdoors.

The promotion, which begins in early November, will take place in up to 10 Louisiana stores and allow customers a chance to win numerous gifts including the grand prize, an autographed Big Boi jersey.

Yung Joc Preparing ‘The Jocumentary’

October 12th, 2006 | By Administrator

Block Entertainment/Bad Boy lyricist Yung Joc has teamed with the Raw Report to give viewers an inside look at his life in the new DVD, The Jocumentary, scheduled to arrive in stores on Nov. 14.

Produced by the Raw Report, the new documentary follows an uncensored Joc in his travels and contains interviews and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.

The DVD boasts guest appearances by Sean ?Diddy? Combs, Jim Jones, Kevin Liles, Rick Ross and Paul Wall among others.

“People only hear the hit records but I wanted them to know what it takes to get there,? Yung Joc said. “From the video shoots to the performances, now the fans can see firsthand how it really goes down.”

“Now the world can see up close the drive that Diddy and I first saw in Joc,” added Russell “Block” Spencer, CEO of Block Entertainment. “It’s one thing to watch a music video, but the Raw Report shows the uncut truth like nobody else.”

Viewers will also be able to access current and future episodes of the Raw Report DVD Magazine through MixCast?s online video portal or download it through MixCast’s video on demand service.

In June, Yung Joc?s debut album New Joc City landed at number one on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Album Chart with 149,000 units sold, as well as number three on the Billboard Top 200.

To view the latest clips from The Jocumentary, log onto www.mixcast.tv.