Hip-Hop News: Beastie Boys & Nas Demand Respect

According to NY Magazine, The Beastie Boys’ set at Bonnaroo this weekend didn’t exactly blow us away, but we’d still like to pass along a highlight so good it’s worth braving shaky fan footage for: the B-Boys premiering a new song featuring Nas — possibly titled “Too Many M.C.s” or “Let It Out” — with a live appearance from Mr. Nasir Jones himself. It’s not so much the performance that’s getting us geeked as just the fact that this song exists; as any Beasties fanatic worth his salt can tell you, this is only the second time in the crew’s career they’ve solicited verses from a prominent guest rapper. (The first was Q-Tip, on Ill Communication standout “Get It Together.”)

One could argue this is just happenstance — rap groups in general aren’t too big on guest verses, seeing as there is only so much mike time to pass around for actual members. But we’ve always seen the B-Boys’ isolationist policy as a sly nod to the fact that — for reasons including their instrumental work, their genre experiments, and the color of their skin — they’ve never really been evaluated solely the merits of their skills as emcees: They’ve always been considered more of a critically acclaimed, one-off hip-hop curio rather than a collection of funny, highly skilled individual rappers. In case you haven’t been able to guess by now, we think that’s a bad thing. And the fact that they’ve recorded a song whose chorus includes the phrase “too many rappers and still not enough emcees” and features the implicit approval of one of the greatest rappers of all time leads us to believe they’re finally calling out for credit where credit is due. Heartwarming. (The clip below unfortunately just has a verse from Nas and Mike D, but we’re sure a leaked studio version can’t be that far behind.)

Check out the video of their performance below…

Special Props to NY Magazine/YouTube

Hip-Hop News: Eminem Talks New D12 Album

After a several year-long hiatus, Eminem has finally returned to satiate the thirst of his deprived fans with not one, but two albums—Relapse, which is in stores now, and Relapse 2 which is slated for release in late 2009.

His latest appearance was on BET’s Rap City with Big Tigger reposted by Rap Radar, where not only did he discuss his drug addictions and his multiple relapses, but he also confirmed that D12 will be releasing a third studio album:  “…as far as the future of D12, we’re gonna be back in the studio soon.” He said that he felt his music now is the same as it would have been if Proof had still been around, because, “…I think that this is what Proof always wanted, you know, [for] me to go crazy again.”

With the murder of Proof, Eminem lost his original hype man, mentor and best friend but these days, you see fellow D12 member, Mr. Porter (formerly known as Kon Artis) on stage providing ad libs and hyping the crowd up in his place. Although he’s been focusing more on honing his skills as a producer than a lyricist, Mr. Porter shows that he hasn’t fallen off during the Rap City freestyle segment towards the end of the show along with Em and Tigger.

Despite many trials and tribulations faced by the “three-headed monster” (Eminem’s relapses, Dr. Dre’s loss of his son and G-Unit woes), Em says that he feels that they are still the most powerful dynasty in all of Hip Hop. This will certainly be tested very soon, as the world is expecting Relapse 2, Detox and Before I Self Destruct to drop within the year.

Although Eminem mainly talks about his multiple drug relapses that have occurred, his album Relapse is actually a double entender for his first drug relapse as well as the relapse of the Slim Shady persona, who is prominent throughout many of the tracks on the album. Relapse 2, due out later this year, is expected to follow the same concept.

Special Props to HipHopDX for the info via email

Music News: Raheem DeVaughn’s Free Mixtape

Self-proclaimed R&B hippie Neo-Soul Rock Star, Raheem DeVaughn, released his newest album on Monday (today), The Art of Noise. Taking inspiration from Barack Obama‘s inaugural message of reaching out during tough economic times, DeVaughn‘s mixtape is available free for download [here].

“These are difficult times we are living in and everyone is affected, directly or indirectly,” DeVaughn said in a statement. “We all know someone that has lost a job, a house, or simply struggling just to make ends meet. If we all do a little, no one has to do a lot.”

Although the 15 track mix CD project will be released through his newly launched record label, 368 Music Group, DeVaughn has expressed his belief that the entertainment industry has a responsibility to give something back to the fans.

“This current climate that we live in, affects me too. If my fans lose their jobs and their homes, and can’t put food on the table, they definitely cannot buy my music. They should not have to make that choice. Many of my fans tell me that they love me and I’ve always said that I love them back. This is my way of showing them that love. I want to show love to my fans by giving them the Raheem DeVaughn music that they want.”

Having already released two albums under Jive Records, DeVaughn has been recognized for his smooth, soulful sound, and strong conscious messages, earning him two Grammy nominations and critical acclaim.

The Art of Noise is a prelude to his third album, The Love and War of MasterPeace, due out later this year.

Special Props to HipHopDX for the info via email

Hip-Hop News: Sticky Fingaz Clarifies Shooting Accident

Onyx member and actor Sticky Fingaz reached out to HipHopDX Monday to clarify reports by website TMZ.com, on a gun-related accident.

Reports from Sticky‘s Major Independents production company confirmed a “firearm mishap” while shooting the rapper’s directorial debut, A Day In The Life, bearing the tagline “one bullet leads to another.” Spokesman for the company told HipHopDX, “Last week when Sticky was showing off his baby Desert Eagle to a friend named Luce, the gun accidentally went off and shot Luce in the leg. The bullet shattered a bone in Luce‘s shin and he had to have surgery. He’s doing fine now, but the bullet is still lodged in his leg and he’s going back this week for a second opinion. No charges were filed and the two are still friends.”

Sticky Fingaz added to HipHopDX, “This incident was unfortunate , but could have been much worse.  I’m just happy Luce is recovering and in good condition.”

Aside from directing A Day In The Life, Sticky also wrote and stars in the film which will be released July 7th by Major Independents and Lionsgate Films. It’s the first movie to be told entirely in rap and stars Omar Epps, Mekhi Phifer, Fredro Starr, Ray J, Michael Rapaport, Bokeem Woodbine, Faizon Love, Malinda Williams and host of others.

The soundtrack is out August 18th from Tommy Boy Records featuring music from the film and four all new songs from Sticky and Onyx.  Look out for Onyx‘s The Black Rock Tour of the US and Canada starting July 9th.

Special Props to HipHopDX for the info via email

Dear Diary: Remy Ma’s Letter From Prison to her fans

Incarcerated rapper Remy Ma recently took the time to write a letter to her fans from prison.

Remy, a former member of the Terror Squad, was sentenced to eight years in prison over one year ago. The rapper was convicted of assualt, weapons possession and attempted coercion after an altercation that left Makeda Barnes Joseph shot.

Here is the letter, according to GlobalGrind.com:

“I always find myself thinking about what I was doing a year ago, two years ago, five years ago today. I never remember exactly where till I find myself imagining where I would be today. I rarely listen to the radio because it’s sort of depressing. Not being able to record is stressful not because I’m a rapper but because that was my way of venting and expressing myself. So I write a lot! So much that now I have a callous on my finger from holding a pen. I guess I got used to texting my rhymes!

I get a lot of fan mail and everyone asks me how I’m doing? I say fine, the way I see it I never imagined making it this far with my sanity. Not being able to go somewhere when you want, see your family when you want (on many occasions when you need to), can’t use the phone, take a shower, wear clothes, or even eat when you want – super aggravating. Whenever, which is almost everyday I get visits, a lot of kids ask for autographs. It’s something that I used to do almost everyday but now it actually feels weird, I really feel like an inmate. And as much as I hate to admit it, I really am an inmate. I mean, it kind of grows on you when certain people go out of there way to make you feel like that.

They have this program called YAP (Youth Assistance Program) they keep asking me to join. It’s a program that brings inner city kids to the prison to show them what it’s like to be incarcerated. I hear that every group asks about me but I’m a little hesitant to join. They think it will give the kids a reality check that this can happen to anyone. I however feel that it’ll be more of the kids wanting to see Remy Ma the rapper and because of that they won’t get that I’m actually in jail. So I’m still contemplating. If I figure out a way for them to actually get it, that this is really not a place you would ever want to be whether for 8 years, 8 months, or 8 minutes then I’ll do it.

Everyone in prison isn’t innocent but everyone in prison isn’t guilty. So whether you end up here on purpose or by accident, the pain you’re feeling is still the same.  And I can quote a lot “gangsters” by saying that “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy…”

Forever Innocent,
Rem“

Special Props to HipHopDX for the info via email

Touring It Up: Lil Wayne Teams up with Drake – Young Jeezy – Souljah Boy for America’s Most Wanted Tour

Four of Hip Hop’s most popular artists will share the stage this summer for a tour that is primed to sell out nationwide.

Headlined by New Orleans emcee Lil Wayne and joined by Young Jeezy , Drake and Soulja Boy , the four rappers will embark on the Young Money Presents: America’s Most Wanted Music Festival. With 21 confirmed dates thus far, the tour will begin in Scranton, Pennsylvania on July 27th and move throughout the country until their last show in Dallas, Texas on August 23rd.

This will be Weezy’s second headlining tour in 2009 as earlier this year he hit the road with R&B crooner T-Pain for the I Am Music Tour.

Tickets for the America’s Most Wanted Music Festival will be available on June 20th through Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

Below is the tentative tour schedule:
July 27th        Scranton, PA @ Toyota Pavilion
July 29th        Saratoga, NY @ Performing Arts Center
July 30th        Pittsburgh, PA @ Post Gazette Pavilion
July 31st        Philadelphia, PA @ Susquehanna Bank Center
August 1st     Wantagh, NY @ Jones Beach
August 2nd     Virginia Beach, VA @Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
August 4th      Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheater
August 5th      Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
August 6th      Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Pavilion
August 7th      Bristow, VA @ Nissan Pavilion
August 8th      Raleigh, NC @ Walnut Creek Amphitheater
August 9th      Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood
August 12th    Phoenix, AZ @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
August 13th    Los Angeles, CA @ TBD
August 14th    Irvine, CA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
August 15th    Oakland, CA @ Sleep Train at Concorde
August 17th    Vancouver, BC @ GM Place
August 18th    Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
August 20th    Denver, CO @ Fiddlers Green Amphitheater
August 22nd   Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 23rd    Dallas, TX @ Superpages.com Center.

Special Props to HipHopDX for the info via email