Yes, Jay Z is Now Gettin N*ggaz Fired

The people at Media Outrage did an interview with an insider at 100.3 The Beat to see if Jigga really did have a role in getting Charlamagne Tha God Fired over his interview with Beanie Sigal.  Here’s what they had to say:

 

MO: Was Charlamagne fired because of his interview with Beanie Sigel?

Person: Yes, I am %100 sure that he was let go because of his interview with Beanie Sigel.

MO: So you’re not speculating like the rest of us right now?

Person: No

MO: Why would they do that though, knowing that that interview brought high ratings?

Person: You have to understand as I’m very sure that he already does, the station has to maintain an amicable relationship with Jay-Z and his camp because this man is the biggest rapper in the game right now. Infact, he’s not really even a rapper anymore. He’s a business. So you can’t risk ruining a relationship like that just to draw ratings. A radio personality can always be replaced and with the proper set-up, put in a position to succeed. It’s better for the station to replace that person than ruin a relationship with someone who has been on top of the game for years now.

MO: So you are saying that you are really %100 sure that Charlamagne was fired because of his interview with Beanie Sigel?

Person: Yes. I can’t really go into the particulars but that’s what I was told. Is it foul? Yes. This is the business that we are in though.

MO: Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us.

Hip Hop Wired – 11/7/09

LL Cool J's “NCIS: Los Angeles” Heading To Syndication After Only 7 Weeks On The Air

NEWS

» By MICHAEL ICEBLUE HARRIS   Nov 7 2009, 9:07 Am

LL Cool J is showing no signs of slowing down after more than 20 years in the game. The Queens MC is about to receive some major paper from his moonlighting gig away from the mic. His new television series “NCIS: Los Angeles” has just been sold into syndication after only seven weeks on the air.

CBS TV Distribution has licensed the show to USA for roughly $1.9 million per episode. It will start airing weekly in the fall of 2011.

“NCIS: Los Angeles” is a spin-off from the popular

Comments 0 Tags def jam, ll cool j, rock & roll hall of fame,“NCIS: Los Angeles”

Dr. Boyce Watkins Editorial: Black Men Continue To Get Pimped By The NCAA

FEATURES, NEWS

» By Dr. Boyce Watkins   Nov 7 2009, 8:06 Am

The revolution has been televised.

I always knew it would be, since African American athletes have always been center stage in the NCAA's multi-billion dollar money machine. Millions of Americans go mad during the month of March to see "Tyrone G. Anyhood," the latest corporate product being lined up on the Great American assembly line of mass exploitation and academic fraud.

The NCAA has profited handsomely from the Black community's commitment to producing and delivering hoop dreams that put young Black men on the court during the hours they should be spending in a book. We perform death-defying athletic circus acts for the amusement of America, while

Comments 1 Tags boyce watkins, Ed O'Bannon, NCAA

Ludacris On Hand To Pay Tribute To Soul Legend Otis Redding

NEWS

» By JORDAN C. ALSTON   Nov 7 2009, 6:35 Am

Feelings and memories of a better time were aplenty at the Wooddruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday as some of this era's most bright and promising talent paid tribute to a man that left an indelible mark on the world with his music.

Artists such as Anthony Hamilton, Estelle, and Grammy-winning rapper, Atlanta's Ludacris, were on hand to give respect to soul music titan Otis Redding.

Estelle sang Redding's classic,

Comments 1 Tags Anthony Hamilton, atlanta, ludacris,music, Otis, otis redding, Redding, Soul, the rolling stones

Mos Def To Join Jay Electronica & Curren$y To Form Trio

NEWS

» By Jason Weintraub   Nov 7 2009, 6:11 Am

If you are a Hip-Hop fan who tends to care more about lyrics and meanings to tracks than the catchy hooks and repetitive beats, then do we have news for you!

Mos Def, Jay Electronica, and Curren$y are all teaming together to make a much needed “Hip-Hop” album that will give the game something it has been missing for awhile.

According to Curren$y, the three, all by complete coincidence, met up at Dame Dash's new music facility

Comments 0 Tags damon dash, jay electronica, lil wayne,mos def, rapper currensy

Wyclef To Receive RFK Center For Justice & Human Rights' Ripple Of Hope Award

NEWS

» By Moguldom   Nov 6 2009, 16:09 Pm

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights today announced that Wyclef Jean and Bono will receive the organization's 2009 Ripple of Hope Award. The award, which will be presented at the Center's annual dinner on November 18th, recognizes the bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues.

"As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from

Comments 0 Tags bono, The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, U2, Wyclef Jean

Bone Thugs Speak On Flesh's Incarceration & Eazy-E's Death

NEWS

» By MICHAEL ICEBLUE HARRIS   Nov 6 2009, 14:53 Pm

"It's both, it's a place where you can rehabilitate but it's also a warehouse. Because mind you, that place is there for a reason. You got real live monsters that deserve to be there that committed crimes that are absolutely heinous. They are never gonna see the light of day and they are there forever and for a reason."

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is gearing to release their long awaited unified front, Uni5:  The World's Enemy, which will be dropping on December 22^nd.  Speaking with Hip-Hop Wired, Krayzie spoke on the conception of their latest album saying,

“Flesh was locked up for ten years, he just came home.  As everybody knows Bizzy Bone was away from us for a while. Flesh came home and we just felt the need…it was going to happen regardless. We felt the need to come back together and give the world that Bone magic that we brought to the world years earlier. It was like a must. The whole concept of the album, Uni5:  The World's Enemy… the unifying came from us being back unified and the world enemy concept came from we always felt like we was

Comments 0 Tags Bone Thugs N Harmony, eazy-e, flesh n bone, ruthless records

50 Cent Still Considering Signing Beanie Sigel, Promotes New Fragrance

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 12:44 Pm

“You can't sign a deal in a conversation — it's a process. We'll see what happens."

50 Cent, the man whose name has become synonymous with controversy in the weeks leading up to his official release of Before I Self Destruct, is speaking out on his alleged contractual agreement with Jay-Z's latest enemy, Beanie Sigel.

As previously reported , Fif and Beanie caused mass speculation of a possible new G-Unit alliance after appearing on a Philadelphia radio show.

Now 50's

Comments 1 Tags "before i self destruct, 50 cent, beanie sigel, g-unit, jay-z, Power By 50, thisis50

DMX To Pull Out Of MMA Fight?

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 11:59 Am

DMX made headlines in September after announcing that he was willing to allow bodily harm to be inflicted on him by the hands of a mixed martial arts fighter. Now reports are circulating that he came to his senses and pulled out of the scheduled beat down.

As previously reported, he was scheduled to take on Eric Martinez on December 12 in Jefferson, Alabama. He even caused promotional melee about the upcoming production by stating that he wouldn't train for the event. Instead, he had the bright idea to

Comments 0 Tags dmx, DMX Cancels MMA Fight, Eric Martinez, mixed martial arts, MMA Fight

Ludacris Donates Coats For Charity

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 11:17 Am

The always philanthropic and always present in the Atlanta community, Ludacris, strikes again with his charitable ways.

September brought an onslaught of tumultuous flood waters that left parts of metro Atlanta devastated. Offering to aid his ailing city, Luda stepped up through his Ludacris Foundation to donate

Comments 2 Tags Atlanta Floods, Clarkdale Elementary,LudaCares, ludacris, Ludacris Founation

Ying Yang Twins Release Greatest Hits Album

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 10:17 Am

The Ying Yang Twins, Atlanta's hyper hood brotherly duo, helped usher crunk to the musical forefront and gave the world music to dance to. Now just shy of four years out of the limelight, the dynamic duo of Kaine and D-Rock is bringing their trademark shake anthems back to listener's ears through a collection of their greatest hits. Titled

Comments 0 Tags Champs Is Here, deep entertainment,mannie fresh, ying yang twins, Ying Yang Twins Greatest Hits

Young Jeezy Added To Blueprint III Tour

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 10:01 Am

As Jay-Z begins to wrap up his ‘North American College Tour' with Roc Nation affiliate Wale and his signee, J.Cole, he's still prepping for his highly anticipated Blue Print III tour. The man, who apparently never sleeps, will trek across the country again to bring fans cuts from his #1 album. Jigga won't be alone however and has announced plans to bring his “Real As It Gets”, collaborator Young Jeezy

Comments 0 Tags Blueprint 3 Tour, J. Cole, jay-z, North American College Tour, roc nation, wale, young jeezy

Hip Hop Wired Talks about Heather Ellis and the Rally

» By MICHAEL ICEBLUE HARRIS   Nov 5 2009, 11:31 Am

Dr. Boyce Watkins will be spear heading a rally on November 16th in Kennett, Missouri in support of Heather Ellis. Ellis, a young college student is facing up to 15 years in prison after an altercation at a local Walmart that started from cutting the line.

After the dust settled, Heather was arrested and charged with trespassing, disturbing the peace, and two felony counts of assaulting a police officer. These charges have delayed her education and cost her potential employment opportunities.

When Heather refused to sign a plea deal

Charlamagne Tha God Gets a Pink Slip

Radio personality, Charlamagne Tha God, was fired from his post at Philadelphia radio station 100.3 The Beat this week, following an interview with Beanie Sigel where he explained his recent Jay-Z diss track.

Charlamagne revealed the termination via Twitter (@CThaGod) on Monday (November 2) morning.

While he says the station said they wanted to "move in a different direction," many speculate whether Jay-Z may have had a hand in the matter.

"I just got fired from 100.3 The Beat in Philly. Salute to Philly I hope you all enjoyed me the past six months," Charlamagne wrote.

Click to read.

Dr Boyce Money: Nas in Serious Trouble with the IRS

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, AOL Black Voices 

Hip Hop Wired is reporting that the rapper Nas is having some serious financial problems. In addition to owing his wife Kelis $44,000 per month in child support, it turns out that the artist also owes the federal government another $2.5 million in taxes. Here are quick thoughts about Nas, love and money:

1) Nas has a complicated life. His decision to marry the "love of his life" is going to cost him for the rest of his life. The rapper's tax situation could be due to irresponsibility (as appears to be the case with Method Man and Nicolas Cage), or it could simply be a matter of using write-offs that were not allowed by the IRS. We can't assume that Nas' tax trouble automatically makes him into a horrible citizen.

Click to read.

News: Bill Cosby dropping a CD

Many times we don't want to listen to old heads when we know what they say is right. Bill Cosby has been holding a mirror to Black America over the last few years and rightfully so as teenage pregnancy, high school drop out rates and murders like that of Derrion Albert seem to become normal.

Now stepping into the music genre again, the famed comedian and Black activist plans to rekindle Hip-Hop's socially conscious flame on “Bill Cosby Presents the Cosnarati: State of Emergency,” an album of music with messages reflecting today's most critical issues affecting young people.

Created to engage listeners and lead them to take action, the CD's empowering and dialogue-provoking themes will be spread throughout the Internet via the comedian/actor/author's extensive social media network and an interactive new web site, billcosby.com, designed to build a grassroots campaign of activist-led house parties and town halls.

Click here to read more.

--
Posted By LadyBaby to Your Black Gossip: The Official Source of Black Celebrity Gossip at 10/14/2009 07:25:00 AM

Roxanne Shauntay Speaks Up and Out about her PhD situation

According to EUR Web:

A rep for Shante explained that Cornell’s Web site had posted a picture of the artist and listed her name as “Dr. Shante,” when in fact, she “didn’t receive the years of education to constitute a PhD. She did not falsely promote herself as a PhD, but rather she continued what the college started in how they basically said she was a doctor.”

On Thursday, Shante sent us the following statement responding to the controversy:

I would like to thank my long time fans and supporters for your continued support. I am humbled and grateful to all of you for that.

Without going into all of the details as of right now, I would like to apologize that this story regarding my post recording career has caused such a ruckus. The entire story will be revealed at a later time.

Throughout my career and life, I have been faced with many challenges, both professionally and personally. Like all of you, I am human, and may have not made the correct decision all the time. And, like anyone else, I would like to think that my entire life or career is not judged by one error or mistake.

It is very easy to criticize someone and I have left myself open to criticism. That is fair.

There are plenty of people that will attest that I have done a lot for them. It seems though, that negativity gets more attention than positivity.

All I can say to that, is before you level any further criticism and cynicism, walk in my shoes. I am making this statement to apologize to the people that truly care about me for any angst that this situation has caused, and to thank them for their continued support. I am proud of what I have been able to do for so many others, and would like to let those persons know that I will continue to be there for them no matter what.

I am proud that during my twenty plus years as a pioneer in the Hip-Hop industry to have opened doors for those who came after me.

I will have no further statement in regards to this matter at this time

Please contact my management at Spydo Music xxx-xxx-xxxx or my publicist Belinda Foster at xxxx for any further inquiry.

Regards,

Roxanne Shante

The Latest from Hip Hop Wired – 10/12/09

Tony Yayo's Man Killed, Cops Look 2007 Assault For Clues

NEWS

» by Madam Toussaint   Oct 11 2009, 11:26 am

2 years ago Tony Yayo caught charges for the assault of a 14 year old child. The kid was James Rosemond, the son of Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond, the head of Czar Entertainment. Czar Entertainment repped Game at the time G-Unit who had beef with G-Unit.

Yayo's man and employee Lowell Fletcher, a.k.a. Lodi Mack, allegedly flashed a gun at the kid then ended up taking the rap. Fletcher, who was also

Comments 0 Tags Bloods, g-unit, Lodi Mack, Lowell Fletcher, the game, tony yayo, twitter

DJ Don Cannon Drops Mixtape Konsole Kingz & Xbox 360

NEWS

» by moguldom   Oct 10 2009, 14:08 pm

Konsole Kingz (KKZ) has teamed up with mega-producer Don Cannon to release a new mixtape inspired by their mutual adoration for the love of sports games. Released on I - Tunes today, this new age mixtape features production from Don Cannon and exclusive tracks from Wale, Cool Kids, Pac Div and Currency.

Ludacris, Slim Thug, Freeway and Bonecrusher also make appearances as well. Solid relationships with the top gaming

Comments 0 Tags cool kids, dj don cannon, dj drama, konsole kingz, ludacris, pac div, the Aphilliates, wale

Everlast To Give Career Retrospective Performance

NEWS

» by moguldom   Oct 10 2009, 14:00 pm

On October 17th, 2009 Whitey Ford, aka Everlast, will hold a special career retrospective performance at The Key Club in Hollywood, CA. The performance will look back at Everlast's musical career over the past two decades and feature the versatile singer/songwriter/rapper performing tracks from all of his recorded works.

Everlast has been a fixture within the rap and rock communities for over 20 years now. From his early

Comments 0 Tags dj quik, everlast, house of pain, rapper everlast, the rhyme syndicate, whitey ford, whitey ford sings the blues

Shyne Claims Diddy Lied About "Alleged" Conversation

NEWS

» by MICHAEL ICEBLUE HARRIS   Oct 10 2009, 11:50 am

Somebody's lying… Former Bad Boy Recording artist Shyne has denied speaking with his former boss Sean Combs. Diddy had claimed that he spoke with his Shyne several weeks ago and that it was blessing that he was finally coming home. He also claimed that “Shyne was in good spirits and couldn't wait to get home and heat the whole scene up.”

Well Shyne has stated other wise in a press release from his attorney Oscar Michelen. The statement read:

“My client wants to make it very clear that no such conversation between Mr. Combs and he ever occurred. I want it known that this supposed

Comments 0 Tags club new york shooting, diddy, jennifer lopez, sean "puffy" combs, shyne

Horrocore Rapper Esham Readies Halloween Release

NEWS

» by moguldom   Oct 10 2009, 8:53 am

Hip-Hop horrocore Detroit rap veteran Esham will be returning to engrave his name on this year's Halloween season with a new hour long creep show experience, Hellaween: Pure Horror. Dropping on CD and digital download on October 13 through Aknu Media, the new album features 17 tracks juxtaposed with gore-laden sound effects and a host of classic horror villains hell bent on terrorizing audiences worldwide. Esham stated,

"The vision was to manifest a project framed around the psyche of these characters while loosely paying homage to the

Comments 0 Tags D12, detroit rappers, eminem, esham, Insane Clown Posse, Kid Rock, Twiztid

Roscoe Dash Clears The Air About Travis Porter

NEWS

» by DANIELLE CANADA   Oct 9 2009, 14:18 pm

The young Atlanta rap scene is getting ‘turnt up' by controversy. A song booming on the underground scene titled “All The Way Turnt Up” caused a rift between the eastside Atlanta group, Travis Porter and upcoming ATL artist, Roscoe Dash. Both Dash and Porter claim that the song belongs to them. In order to clear the air, young Roscoe took to the internet to defend his artistic integrity and

Comments 0 Tags All The Way Turnt Up, atlanta, beef, Eastside Atlanta, greg street, Roscoe, Roscoe Dash, soulja boy, Travis Porter, V-103

Preview of Kanye's New Book Hits The Net

NEWS

» by DANIELLE CANADA   Oct 9 2009, 12:15 pm

Although his latest tour was cancelled, Kanye West's 2008 ‘Glow In The Dark' tour was a huge success. The national tour raked in millions in sales and featured Ye working alongside Rihanna, N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco. Now Ye's preparing to release a new book cataloging

Hip Hop News: A Rapper Who Takes His Job Waayyyy too Seriously

Elizabeth McCutchen and a friend were walking to book club two weeks ago in quaint Farmville, Virginia, when they strolled by a home on First Avenue. "Something smells dead," her friend said.

Richard Samuel McCroskey has been arrested in connection with the killings of four people in Virginia.

They were thinking animal. A dog, a cat, something like that. They never imagined they were smelling the remains of massacred humans. It was Thursday, September 17. But another 24 hours would pass before police made the gruesome discovery.

Richard Samuel McCroskey III -- a 20-year-old rapper in the underground genre of "Horrorcore" who sang of chopping people into pieces -- has been arrested in connection with the slayings. The crime scene was so horrifying police would not even describe it, saying only that the victims died of blunt force trauma.

The victims were Mark Niederbrock, 50, the beloved pastor at Walker's Presbyterian Church; his 16-year-old daughter, Emma Niederbrock; Melanie Wells, Emma's 18-year-old friend from West Virginia; and Niederbrock's estranged wife, Debra Kelley, 53, a professor at Longwood University.

McCroskey has been charged only in the killing of Mark Niederbrock. Police and the prosecutor's office did not return repeated phone calls from CNN. But in late September, authorities said more charges are pending.

Click to read.

Visit Your Black World for the latest in Black News!

The latest from Hip Hop Wired – 10/5/09

Snoop Dogg Announces Wonderland Tour And Causes Airport Scare

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Oct 5 2009, 7:41 Am

Priority records new president has been in the news a lot lately. It seems like he just can't help it. This time he's going back to school. Before you get all upset he's not doing a reality show like Flavor Flav will about going back to school.

Instead Snoop will be heading out on his “Wonderland High School” tour starting October 27 in Baltimore, Maryland to promote his 10th studio album Malice N Wonderland.

The West Coast vet will perform his classics along with new material from Malice N Wonderland, due out December 8. Snoop will be hitting the road with Method Man, Redman, and Devin the Dude.

In other Snoop news The Doggfather was stopped at an airport in Beirut for

Comments 0 Tags beyonce, flavor flav, jewelry, justin timberlake, malice n wonderland, snoop dogg, Tour

Rick Ross Named #5 Hottest MC In The Game, Falls Off Stage

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Oct 5 2009, 7:40 Am

It's not that Rick Ross found out he was the #5 Hottest MC in the game and then fell off stage but nevertheless both events did happen. We have proof below the jump.

MTV has put out another "controversial" list of the Top Ten Hottest MCs in the Game. As in 2007 and 2008 the MTV Brain Trust has set to anger anti Weezy-ites and anti Jeezy-ites all over again.

Rick Ross was judged on rhyme skill, flow and how those things are implemented musically as the main factors.

Comments 0 Tags 50 cent, fabolous, gucci mane, joe buddens, kanye west, lil wayne, MTV, rick ross, young jeezy

Lil Wanye Tapped By Rock Band Weezer For New Album

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Oct 4 2009, 13:32 Pm

Lil Wayne has collaborated with everyone from Baby toChris Breezy to Babyface (cause Wayne can't stay away from guys named Baby) and just when you think there's no one else to work with, Lil Wayne links up with rock band Weezer.

Weezy and Weezer teamed up for "Can't Stop Partying," a track off their new album, Raditude due out Oct. 27. I guess music makes the bourgeoisie and the rebels come together and so does partying.

Comments 0 Tags baby/ birdman, Babyface, chris brown,Weezer

Maino Earns First Platinum With "All the Above", Joined 50 Cent at "ThisIs50 Fest"

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Oct 4 2009, 12:49 Pm

Hustle Hard Entertainment/Atlantic recording artist Maino's "All The Above" featuring T-Pain has just been certified platinum by the RIAA.

Upon its release in June "All The Above" scored the highest first week single sales for a new rap artist since Flo Rida's "Low." The single went on to become one of the summer's heaviest rotation hits on Hip-Hop radio.

Comments 0 Tags 50 cent, d-block, dj scream, dj whoo kid,g-unit, jim jones, kid cudi, Maino, Mike Posner, wale

MC Hammer Uses Twitter With Cash4Gold To Raise Money For Provide Disaster Victims

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Oct 4 2009, 12:01 Pm

Three-time grammy winner MC Hammer and leading mail-in buyer of precious metals including gold, silver and platinum from the general public, Cash4Gold, have teamed up to raise money for hunger relief organization Feed The Children in the wake of not just recent widespread flooding across Georgia, but also devastating natural disasters in the Philippines, American Samoa and Indonesia.

Comments 0 Tags American Samoa, Cash4Gold, Feed The Children, georgia, Indonesia, mc hammer, Philippines, twitter

Houston's Own DJ Screw, Big Moe, HAWK, and Pimp C Honored in New DVD

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Oct 4 2009, 11:33 Am

Houston, Texas's Hip Hop music scene was heavily influenced by DJ Screw, Big Moe, HAWK, and Pimp C and now the four will be honored in a Mixtape DVD Series by Pitch Control TV.

The Volume 3 of the Mixtape DVD Series includes video tributes and special moments with the artists before they passed. The director wanted the focus to be on the special moments more than the beef so this edition includes almost 2 hours of exclusive material -- interviews, concerts, music videos and behind the scenes

Comments 0 Tags Big Moe, DJ Screw, DVD, HAWK, pimp-c, t-pain, Trae tha Truth, ugk

Def Jam To Release 25th Anniversary CD Box Set

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Oct 4 2009, 10:55 Am

As you may have figured out after news of the VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009 Def Jam Tribute,KRS-One's blackout on the red carpet and Redman's Adidas collabo that Def Jam is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.

Finally, with all the Def Jam projects floating around the legendary label will release what it is known for- music. On October 6th Def Jam will release a deluxe 5-CD crate called DEF JAM 25 ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION. 

Comments 0 Tags adidas, Bill Adler, def jam, jay-z, Jonathan Mannion, kanye west, krs-one, ll cool j, Ne-Yo, Public Enemy 3rd Bass to Ludacris, redman, rick ross, rihanna, Slick Rick, the roots, VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009, young jeezy, Young Jeezy’s

Wyclef Partners With Timberland For Humanitarian Projects

NEWS

» By Moguldom   Oct 3 2009, 13:23 Pm

The Timberland Company today announced a partnership with globally renowned Grammy Award-winning musician, humanitarian, and Goodwill Ambassador to Haiti, Wyclef Jean. Wyclef is one of six Earthkeeper Heroes within the company's 2009 Earthkeepers program, which aims to catalyze a movement of environmental and social activists.

A first for both Wyclef Jean and Timberland, this innovative partnership will fuse music, product, digital and social media, service events and

Comments 0 Tags the fugees, timberland, Wyclef Jean, Yele Haiti

Souls Of Mischief Reemerge With Montezuma's Revenge Release & World Tour

NEWS

» By Moguldom   Oct 3 2009, 13:22 Pm

In anticipation of the November 10th release of their newest Prince Paul-produced effort,Montezuma's Revenge, Oakland, California Hip-Hop crew Souls Of Mischief are gearing up to set out on the "Montezuma's Revenge World Tour '09." The tour will consist of 35 dates over one and a half months throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. They will perform for

Comments 0 Tags Hiero Imperium, hieroglyphics crew,Montezuma's Revenge, Souls Of Mischief

Dr. Boyce Watkins speaks on the “Sippin Syrup” Drink Being Sold in Stores

by Dr Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

AOL Black Voices 

You've probably heard the phrase "sippin syrup," used in reference to the act of mixing cough syrup, codeine, and soda together to create a relaxed feeling within the person who consumes the beverage. The "drank" has become quite popular, particularly in the south, as rappers have done their jobs of giving free promotion to an illegal product that has managed to make teenagers even less productive than many of them already are.
It was only a matter of time before corporate America stepped in to make money off the trend. Meet the new drink on store shelves: Sippin Syrup. The drink doesn't use any illegal products, but produces the same "lean" effect that many young people seek from the cough syrup product on the street. Harmless enough, right? Not so fast.
Officers in the Houston area are concerned that the product sold on store shelves is nothing more than a gateway to an incredibly dangerous and addictive drug. The snazzy ad campaign fully leverages the power of the brand of "purple stuff" being sold on the streets already. Teenagers who can't get the real stuff would likely be enticed by the substitute until the door is open for the actual product.

Click to read more.

 

If the above link does not work, please click here to see Dr Boyce articles on AOL Black Voices

They Still mad and sh*t?

The original mad rappers, Onyx, are back, and they're not happy about Damon Dash's 'Blak Roc' collaboration album with The Black Keys. In a recent interview on Angela Yee and Leah Rose's Lip Service radio show on Shade 45, the baldhead rappers discussedyelled about Dash's project, which features notable MC's likeLudacris, Jim Jones, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch and more.
"N----s is biting the whole f---in' movement," explained a ticked off Fredro Starr. "The 'Black Rock' s---, we been rocking with that. Now I'm hearing other n----s coming out with it...I ain't sayin' no f---in' names. You know what it is man, holla at me n----, 100 mad n----s with guns n----, stop playing games with me!"

read more click here

Dr. Boyce Watkins Asks if BET Stepped Over the Line with “Skank Robbers”

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World, Syracuse University 

During the BET Awards, Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx did a skit called "Skank Robbers," which you can watch below. Some have argued that the video goes over the top, producing stereotypical images of black women to the point of being offensive. Referring to them as "skanks" was enough to draw the ire of many African Americans, but there was also a point in the video in which the narrator says, "From the producers of 'Planet of the Apes'."

This video leads to the following questions as it pertains to BET:1) Who's making the decisions? I'd love to see what thought process goes into deciding to make R. Kelly your keynote performer right after he is accused of creating child pornography, or having Lil Wayne sing about wanting to have sex with every girl in the world while underage girls are dancing on stage. I don't hate BET, and I've done a great deal of work with them in the past, but I would like very much for them to explain to the public exactly how they operate.

 

Click to read more.

If this link doesn’t work, then please click here.

Hip Hop Wired – 9/24/09

Currensy Opens Up the "Jet Files"

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Sep 24 2009, 12:58 pm

A long time ago, more like a couple of years, before Lil Wayne had a circus of artists that were Young Money, the rapper had a front man that had the potential to move with the self-proclaimed “best rapper alive.”

New Orleans rapper Currensy is making his presence felt outside of the mixtapes as he has partnered up with Amalgam Digital to release Jet Files which is dropping October 6.  The digital release will serve as the prelude to bigger things as he will

Comments 0 Tags amalgam digital, currensy, digital release, files, lil wayne, the grand scheme of things, young money

Big Boi Debuts New Song

NEWS

» by DANIELLE CANADA   Sep 24 2009, 12:39 pm

Sir Lucious Leftfoot a.k.a. the son of Chico Dusty but better known as Big Boi, gave fans a taste of what they've been missing with a new song. The ATL legend went live on Ustream late Wednesday night with Atlien from Straight From The A in the infamous Stankonia recording studios. His fellow Dungeon Family affiliate,

Comments 0 Tags big boi, Chico Dusty, Debut, For Your Sorrows, Sir Lucious Leftfoot, Stankonia

Eve Says Ruff Ryder Reunion ‘Could' Happen

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Sep 24 2009, 12:33 pm

“Those are my dogs and will forever be my dogs.”

Before the Roc had everybody throwing their diamonds in the air and before the Diplomats were holding down the New York scene, the Ruff Ryders were it. A strong army built with DMX, Swizz Beatz, L.O.X., Eve and others, this was a team that dominated in all aspects during the late 90s.

Unexpectedly, the group disbanded as everyone went out to do their own thing and DMX found himself

Comments 0 Tags dmx, eve, flirt, hip hop honors, ruff ryders reunion, the last kiss, who's real

Common Says the Era of ‘Bling Bling' is Over

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Sep 24 2009, 11:56 am

When the president was simply known as Senator Barack Obama running for office, all hands were on deck as it pertained to the overall support that he was receiving.  It fully showed in the landslide results of the election against McCain as most in the Black community raised their arms to say “My President is Black.”

Since then, there have been mixed reviews in relation to actions that have been made by the president since entering the White House.  Whatever the case may be, he has left lasting impressions on certain people in the urban community as they have all strived to become more than they once were now that they are aware of the fact that a Black man has the ability

Comments 0 Tags atanta, barack obama, common, common to perform at Hennessey Artistry Series, evolution in hip hop

Diddy Sued Over 'Unforgiveable'

NEWS

» by DANIELLE CANADA   Sep 24 2009, 11:50 am

In the midst of promoting his new super-group, Dirty Money, Diddy, is facing yet another legal issue. As previously reported he was facing a copyright infringement lawsuit from a singer accusing the mogul of stealing his song, “I'm Just Getting Started” for a song titled “Just Getting Started” by Day 26. While that court case is still pending, Diddy's finding himself the center of a lawsuit scandal concerning his signature cologne.

Comments 0 Tags diddy, law suit, Tom Patti, Unforgiveable

Another Leak from Dr. Dre

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Sep 24 2009, 10:52 am

No, this time it's not another track from the urban legend that is Detox.  Along with “working” on the upcoming “album” Dre has been busy getting his business right outside of the music.   

Partnering up with Hewlett-Packard, the engine running behind Aftermath Records will

Black News: The Queen’s New “Commercial”

 

Your Black World 

 

Queen Latifah does a commercial for Excedrin…sort of.   We think it’s Saturday Night Live.

Click here to watch!

Kanye Takes Time Off

Fame Kills Tour Starring Kanye West & Lady Gaga

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Sep 20 2009, 15:14 Pm

After speaking the truth at theVMAs in Taylor-Swift-gate and his unfavorable descriptions byPresident Obama and Bill O'Reilly, Kanye West announced that he would take some time off.

The joke won't die though. On September 19th Jimmy Kimmel bumrushed rock band The Killers live show Kanye style and gave a shout-out to Beyonce.

Ah but there will be no rest for the weary because Ye's tour dates with Lady Gaga have been officially announced. How can he

Comments 0 Tags kanye west, lady gaga, mtv video music awards, taylor swift

Busta Rhymes Announces Sudden Death of DJ Roc Raida

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Sep 20 2009, 15:13 Pm

Anthony "DJ Roc Raida" Williams, has reportedly died on September 19. The announcement came from Busta Rhymes via Twitter.

"I am sorry 2 say that on this day at 2:05 Sept 19th we lost another incredible life...Dj Roc Raida died 2day my personal Dj is gone... I just wanna thank everyone 4 ur love and support and ur prayers...We will never let ur name die Roc...We love u and will 4ever miss u...RIP." ~Busta Rhymes' Twitter

The Legendary Grand Master Roc Raida was a member of the New York-based crew the X-Men who later became known as the X-ecutioners. Champions of furthering the turntablist movement, the X-Ecutioners made

Comments 0 Tags busta rhymes, DJ Roc Raida, DJ Roc Raida Passes, X-ecutioners

Charles Hamilton Dropped From Interscope Records

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Sep 20 2009, 15:12 Pm

Rap newcomer Charles Hamilton has been reportedly dropped from Interscope Records. Never heard of him? Well, it seems the young Harlem native's career may have imploded. Despite getting signed to Interscope through Pharrell's Star Trak imprint, so called hipster rapper C Ham has gotten into one fiasco after another. No word on why Interscope Records may have dropped him, but it might have something to do with this...

Fail: Blaming fellow Interscope artist and blogger Soulja Boy Tell Emfor lack of hipster rap

Comments 0 Tags charles hamilton, charles hamilton dropped from interscope records

Del The Funky Homosapien Hit By Drunk Driver

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Sep 20 2009, 15:11 Pm

Although statewide driving under the influence accidents are reportedly down in Colorado, Oakland, and California, rapper Del Tha Funky Homosapien was recently injured in a drunk driving accident en route to Denver on September 18th, 2009.

Del The Funky Homosapien and his crew members were reportedly rear ended by a drunk driver in an Escalade.

Del was said to be sleeping at the time of

Comments 0 Tags del the funky homosapien, hieroglyphics crew, ice cube

M1 Of dead prez Speaks On What He's Seen “From The Ghetto To Gaza”

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Sep 19 2009, 12:07 Pm

M1, one half of the rap group dead prez, will be on a speaking tour from September 23 through the 29th. The tour is entitled “From The Ghetto To Gaza.” The rapper is set to hit up East and West Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Sonoma, San Jose and Santa Cruz with seven events in seven days.

In “From The Ghetto To Gaza,” M1 will speak on his recent world tour where he touched down in Scandinavia, Cairo and Gaza. In Gaza M1 made

Comments 0 Tags cynthia mckinney, dead prez, M1, New York City Council Member Charles Barron, stic.man

Queen Latifah Is Looking For The Next Hot Female Rapper

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Sep 19 2009, 11:46 Am

Queen Latifah wants to see you make your best diva face. The rapper/actress has teamed up with Cover Girl to launch the “Ignite Your Persona Competition.” The winner could get the opportunity to perform as an opening act during Queen Latifah's tour.

Whether you're a hustler, diva, showstopper, lady or vixen, the Queen wants you to submit a one-minute video performance showcasing one of those personas that fits you best. Along with a

Comments 0 Tags cover girl, queen latifah

Hip Hop Subway Series This Weekend

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Sep 19 2009, 10:20 Am

On Sunday, September 20th New York City will be the host to the “Hip Hop Subway Series.” The event will feature the city's best Hip-Hop talent from emcees, singers, musicians, break dancers and others. All the talent will be underground, literally!

The event takes place underground at the back of Brooklyn bound A Train platform at the Times Square 42nd Street subway.

The organizers promise endless cipher, impromptu

Comments 0 Tags break dancing, grafitti, Hip Hop Subway Series

Celebrate Women's Contribution To Hip Hop At The B-Girl Be Block Party

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Sep 19 2009, 9:15 Am

Ever wonder where all the women in Hip Hop have gone? Intermedia Arts has too but they've decided to be proactive and celebrate the contributions of B-Girls to Hip-Hop in the meantime. Part of the celebration is the “B-Girl Be Block Party” to be held on September 19th in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The fourth annual all-day festival at Intermedia Arts brings

Comments 0 Tags Intermedia Arts, McNally Smith College of Music, “B-Girl Be Block Party”

Snoop Dogg To Connect With Soulja Boy For "Malice N Wonderland"

NEWS

» By Madam Toussaint   Sep 18 2009, 15:47 Pm

More details are emerging about Snoop's upcoming releaseMalice N Wonderland. Priority Records new chairman has tapped the talents of The Dream, Tricky Stewart, R. Kelly, Lil Jon, Gucci Mane, Brandy, Pharrell and his new best friend Soulja Boy. On "Different Languages," the song dedicated to his wife Shante, Snoop shows his softer

Comments 0 Tags jazmone sullivan, malice n wonderland, R. Kelly, snoop dogg, soulja boy, the dream

Dr Boyce Watkins and Rev Al Sharpton Speak on Kanye, Serena

by Dr Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University, Your Black World 

 

Were there any racial implications to the recent outbursts by Serena Williams and Kanye West? Yes, there were. In my latest conversation with Rev. Al Sharpton, we break down these interesting events, all of which occurred during the past week. We can agree, however, that there are certainly things more important than worrying about Serena Williams and Kanye West. But these situations, in light of the backdrop of Obama's comments about Kanye, might provide true teachable moments regarding America's tattered racial history.As I've written before, Serena and Kanye have a lot in common, but nothing in common, all at the same time. Serena's actions were justifiable, given the intensity of the situation and the fact that the line judge made the wrong call. At the same time, most of us can agree that Serena went over the line by threatening to "shove the ball down the f**ing throat" of the line judge because of her mistake. Yes, Serena, you are from the hood. But you don't need to take it back to the hood to make your point to a U.S. Open line judge.

Click to read.

DMX Has no respect for Jay Z?

"DMX says "I f*cks with him and had respect for him -- until he became the president of Def Jam and I ain't gonna say too much more about it, but you know what it is. There's a difference between doing wrong and being wrong. There's a difference between doing wrong and 'being' wrong, at one point you were 'being' wrong. N*ggas can't do it like we could, n*ggas couldn't do it like we could. N*ggas weren't able to -- we're artists. Jay is a talented motherf*cker. Don't misunderstand me. He is talented but he has no heart behind it. There's no soul behind it. It's motivated by money...But I still maintain the respect, because our birthday is in the same month and you know, we have history. But I lost it when he became president of Def Jam, that's why I left Def Jam.”

" [DMX Talks About Jay-Z - Watch Here]

The President Allegedly Calls Kanye West a “Jackass”

Are you serious?  Newsweek and other media outlets are reporting that during an off the record remark to an ABC reporter, Obama called Kanye West a Jackass for his attacks on Taylor Swift. 

Well, was he lying?  I think the world is getting tired of Kanye West.

Dr Boyce on Kanye West and Serena Williams

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

When Kanye West stood on NBC four years ago and said "George Bush doesn't care about black people," I applauded. When he acted a fool on stage after not receiving some award he deserved, I laughed. When he came out with that really weird CD after dealing with personal crises involving the loss of his mother and break up with his fiance, I sincerely felt for him (but never bought the album).
But after Kanye's stunt last night on the MTV Video Music Awards, I wanted to slap him. Damn brother, that was just pathetic. When Beyonce told you she liked men with big egos, you surely put that theory to the test.

Kanye West's decision to bum rush the stage and yank the mike out of the hand of Taylor Swift, a 19-year old woman winning her first award has finally certified him as the jackass that everyone thought he might be. I have been a big supporter of West, and I still support him to a point. He brings some degree of intelligence to hip hopthat the industry has needed for a long time. But the truth is that his actions last night were rooted in extreme selfishness and horribly arrogant behavior. Not good for Kanye, nor anyone else.
This must have been "The weekend the black folks went wild," because Serena Williams had an equally problematic outburst at the US Open. After a very bad call by one of the judges, Serena felt the need to offer to shove the ball down the "f*cking throat" of the woman for making her mistake. OK sistuh-girl, does the judge really need to have the ball shoved down her throat?

 

Click to read.

Opinion: Kanye West’s Pathetic Behavior

It is our opinion at YBG that you should no longer feel obligated to ride the Kanye West emotional roller coaster, as this brother has obviously lost his damn mind.  First, the rapper makes a non-rap album that seems stupid, with a bunch of crazy songs that show that he is not in his right mind.  Second, there is the craziness of that ridiculous relationship with Amber Rose.  Last night was the kicker:  his assault of Taylor Swift’s moment on stage. 

We’re not Taylor Swift fans, but if she won the damn award Kanye, leave her alone.  You would be livid if Garth Brooks went up on the stage and took your sh*t.  Just kill it Ye and get that therapy you been needin.  It’s starting to get on our nerves.

Your Black News: Hip Hop Wired – 9/14/09

Lil Wayne Is A Father...Again

NEWS

» By MToussaint   Sep 13 2009, 13:33 Pm

It has been confirmed that Lil Wayne welcomed a child into the world this week. Actress Lauren London's PR people stated the child was born Wednesday, September 9th and it's a healthy baby boy. As if being born on 09-09-09 wasn't special enough, this is London's first child and Lil Wayne's third. The name of Baby Carter

Comments 0 Tags lauren london, lil wayne, movie ATL, the carter 3

LL Cool J Releases Theme Song For “NCIS: Los Angeles”

NEWS

» By Moguldom   Sep 12 2009, 10:56 Am

LL Cool J has released his latest single “NCIS: No Crew Is Superior.” The track is inspired by his new television show “NCIS: Los Angeles” which will premiere on Tuesday, September 22 at 9 p.m. on CBS.

“NCIS: Los Angeles” is about the high-stakes world of the Office of Special Projects (OSP), a division of NCIS that is charged with apprehending dangerous and elusive criminals that

Comments 0 Tags cbs, def jam, james todd smith, ll cool j,“NCIS: No Crew Is Superior”, “NCIS: Los Angeles”

Lil Jon Preps Crunk Rock With Soulja Boy, R. Kelly and Akon

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Sep 12 2009, 9:44 Am

Just when you thought crunk was dead, it looks like it might just be back. Lil Jon, the originator and arguably the leader of the south's crunk movement, is stepping back on the scene. Sans his silently dynamic partners in crime, The Eastside Boys, Jon is rolling solo for the first time and releasingCrunk Rock. The new album is set to pack a punch with features from R. Kelly, Akon and the south's current

Comments 0 Tags lil jom/ crunk rock, lil jon, lil jon "give it all u got", R. Kelly, soulja boy

Jay-Z & Will Smith Give Support To African Musical

NEWS

» By JORDAN C. ALSTON   Sep 12 2009, 9:43 Am

In a weird show of solidarity, two media titans and unlikely partners in rhyme or business have chosen to combine their numerous resources again in an effort to bring a little known but lauded musical to life. Former Crack rapper Sean Jay-Z Carter and clean, “Kiddy” rapper Will Smith, are both throwing their Herculean financial strength behind Fela, a play which documents the life and struggles of world renowned musician and activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

At the cost of $11 million dollars, the Broadway musical is

Sneak Peek of Grammy Nominated Lil Wayne on Katie Couric Show

Watch CBS Videos
Online

Soulja Boy Thanks Slave Masters for His Ice

Rapper Vigalantee Releases Emmett Till Song

R Kelly Gets Attacked by Black Leaders

R. Kelly has been laying low since his acquittal of child pornography charges, but at least one community group has not forgotten about the allegations that brought him before a judge and jury.

The Daily Swarm reports that a group of 19 male professors, writers and activists in the African-American community – including New York congressional candidate Kevin Powell – are calling themselves “Black Men Against the Exploitation of Black Women” and are urging people to “make a personal pledge to never support R. Kelly again in any form or fashion unless he publicly apologizes for his behavior and gets help for his long-standing sexual conduct in his private life and in his music.”

Meanwhile, there are rumblings that R. Kelly is trying to leave his longtime label Jive and sign with Universal’s Interscope…

Click for more

Black College Students Attack Fox News Racism

Hip Hop v. America: Cousin Jeff, Boyce Watkins on CNN

Cousin Jeff from Hip Hop v. America and Dr. Boyce Watkins appear on CNN to talk about whether or not college athletes should be paid.

Hip Hop V. America: Lauren London and Dr Boyce Watkins

By Dr. Boyce Watkins
www.BoyceWatkins.net



OK Lauren, we need to talk. Yep, I’m talking to Ms. Lauren London, the beautiful young woman who starred in the movie ATL with TI, my favorite rapper. Besides our favorite artist, you and I have something else in common: Menace II Society was one of my favorite films. The movie came out when I was finishing college and I consider it one of the greatest films of all time. In fact, the Hughes brothers, who made the film, are among the best film makers in the business.

With that said, I noticed that in a recent interview with King Magazine, you mentioned that you really like thugs. Not just thuggish thugs, but hard-core, pee-in-ya-mama’s coffee cup, “I don’t give a *&^%” type thugs. I was intrigued by your comments:

“I love guys who are street. I won’t even give soft guys a chance. Menace II Society is my shit! Caine was like my first crush. Actually, O-Dog was my true dream guy. I was in love with him, from that opening scene where he pops the convenience-store worker. He had me from that gunshot [laughs]. He was ’hood, and I loved that.”
When I heard these words, I thought “Wow, this girl needs to have a few more relationships to realize how concerned we should be about these comments.”
OK Lauren, I don’t think you are crazy, stupid or a bad person. Fantasies are natural, and we all have some. I dream about a sexy woman with a PhD feeding me honey barbeque wings in big furry bunny slippers (don’t ask about the bunny slippers, that’s personal). But there is a difference between what you want, and what you NEED, and that is part of growing up.

You mentioned that Caine, the star gangster in Menace II Society, was not hard enough. You actually went for O-Dog, his over-the-top homeboy. O-Dog is likely one of the most maniacal, murderous and treacherous characters to ever grace the screen of a movie theatre. He was the kind of guy who would shoot first and ask questions later, or maybe just shoot first because you asked him a question. Tupac was originally slated for this role, likely because he did such a good job playing the lunatic “Bishop” in “Juice” another great film made a few years earlier. Like O-Dog, Bishop was known for being one thing….. “crazier than a m*therfu*ker” (excuse my French, but sometimes English can’t capture the essence of just how crazy a m*therfu*ker truly is).

As a college professor, I’ve seen other young women have similar fantasies. I recall hearing a young Black Pentecostal Apostolic graduate student mention how she “loves thugs so much….they are just so FORBIDDEN!” Years later, after several abusive, meaningless relationships, a few venereal diseases and about 6 restraining orders, she actually sees the virtue of giving nice guys a chance.

I respect the street and I know a lot of good brothers from the street. But even the good brothers from the street don’t consider men like O-Dog from Menace II Society to be great catches. In fact, they go the other way when O-Dog comes into the room. Many brothers could understand Caine, the conflicted young man choosing between good and evil. But if there was a devil and angel on Caine’s shoulder, O-Dog was the devil. Men like O-Dog almost always end up dead or in prison, and your mama always tells you not to go their house.

You see Lauren, men like O-Dog are not the guys who love you, respect you or remain faithful to you. They are the guys who show you a good time and then stalk you, kill you and kill your dog when the relationship is over. They are the men whose girlfriends are killed in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting. They are the men who don’t give a damn about themselves, so they sure as hell can’t give a damn about you. That is not the place to go for love, fun and certainly not for a meaningful relationship. It doesn’t mean you can’t have a little thug in your life, or a little street. But you always want to have a man with a little common sense, a little self-love and a little commitment to his future. That is what I hope you will share with other young women reading your article in King Magazine.

You, Beyonce and other women who sing Thug Righteous Fairytales are not the only ones who make this mistake. Far too many men go chasing the most beautiful, booty-licious woman they can find, leaving the nice girl behind. They then realize, the hard way, that the nice woman is the one who will be there for you and that beauty goes much deeper than the skin. Lauren, you are pretty enough to surely get any guy you want, but you must also realize that there is strength in kindness. A man who loves you and treats you with respect is just as strong as a thug who shoots men in the grocery store. You don’t want O-Dog, you want the man courageous and caring enough to PROTECT you from O-Dog. That’s the secret.

I had a friend in college who also liked dangerous men. After spending over a decade married to a man in the penitentiary, I am willing to bet that her perspective has changed. I hope you don’t have to experience a lifetime of pain to realize that O-Dog is not Prince Charming. The same thing goes for the women looking up to you.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and author of “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College”. He does regular work in national media, including CNN, ESPN, CBS and NBC. For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.net.

Hip Hop v America: Boyce Watkins, Nas Goes Hard on Fox News

Dr. Boyce Watkins uses the new Nas Song about Fox News to explain why Fox News is deceptive and racist. They also seem to want to blame hip hop for all their problems.

Hating on Soulja Boy: Not the Way to Go

by Dr. Boyce Watkins
www.BoyceWatkins.com

I see all the hatin that's been going on with Soulja Boy lately. I wrote an article on the topic earlier, since I saw some of the artists I grew up on getting real mad at the brother. I don't blame the brothers for getting upset on this, since Soulja Boy is definitely something different. I can't do the dances, and I don't want to do them. In fact, I would rather you cut off my testicles and feed them to the family dog.

But with that said, I have to hate on myself just a little bit. I grew up hard on West Coast music that we love so much: Ice -T, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, NWA, Spice 1 and Tupac. Is that really what we want our kids listening to? Let's be honest: the music we were bumping to in the 90s was some dangerous sh*t! Brothers got shot on every record, and being in the hip hop game was flat out crazy.

So, if I have a choice between teenagers dancing to punk-ass songs that sound like they were made on an ice cream truck vs. rapping about peeling each other's caps, I would rather our kids be safe and happy. To the OGs in the game: let it go. Times change. At the same time, we have to give the west coast more respect and start letting them have more spins nation-wide. West coast rap has always been, in the words of Ice-T, "The bastard child of hip hop". Well, Cinderella needs to go to the ball too, since the west coast rap game has some serious ballers.

As for Soulja Boy, let that young brother make his money, he was broker than the Ten Commandments last year and now he can provide for his family. Let the kids dance instead of kill each other, we don't want them ending up like Biggie and Pac.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About College". He does regular appearances in national media, including BET, CNN, ESPN and CBS. For more information, please visit http://www.boycewatkins.net/.

Soulja Boy, Kanye v. Ice T: Black Scholar Boyce Watkins Talks Hip Hop

Soulja Boy’s music?….not that great to me. But then again, it expresses a type of greatness that I probably can’t comprehend. It’s as if I am an expert in German and Soulja Boy did an Edgar Allen Poe in Chinese. If you go to Youtube and check out the hottest artists in America, you might see that a video has 3 million views, maybe 7 or 8 million if they are really hot. Soulja Boy? Try 30 million.

So Ice-T, you might think Soulja Boy’s music is garbage, but there’s a whole generation of brothers, sisters, white kids, Asians, Africans, Latinos and even Martians who disagree with you.
I speak on a lot of hip hop beefs when I appear on BET, CNN and The Wendy Williams Experience. That is also when I got a chance to witness Ice-T behind the scenes. I respect Ice-T. The man’s game is nuclear war-like and I even looked up to him when his musical career was colder than icecream in an Eskimo’s ass. But never once, even at the peak of his career, has he ever done anything hotter than what Soulja Boy did with his Superman joint. Soulja Boy did more with his “15 minutes” than a lot of artists do with 15 albums.

With that said, Soulja Boy has a lot to prove. First, he has to prove that he can actually write some lyrics that make a lick of damn sense. I don’t exactly sense lyrical brilliance in Soulja Boy’s music. He also has to prove that he has staying power. If I’m still listening to Soulja Boy when he’s a crusty old man dissing some 18 year old artist, then I’ll know he was onto something.

Ice-T, in his “apology” for telling Soulja Boy to “eat a d*ck”, issued the heaviest pimp-timidation I’ve ever seen dropped from one black man to another. Now I know why he was a successful pimp, and I seriously thought he was gonna back hand Soulja Boy through the camera. Ice T (who I actually believe to be a genius) played politics with Soulja Boy, reminding him that by coming at Ice-T, he was also coming at all of hip hop and all of the west coast. I can’t disagree with that, since Ice T’s roots run deep. This brother was dropping records before Soulja Boy was Semen Boy, Embryo Boy or Aluminum lunch box Boy.

But Soulja Boy can come back at Ice T with this: “Grand Daddy OG, you got the whole west coast sewn up, but I got every 18 year old in the world dancing to my song. When you’re rollin on 24s in your wheelchair, they’ll still be reflecting on how they were bumpin to my song on prom night.” Soulja Boy is a lock for the “Greatest Hits of the New Millenium” soundtracks being sold on paid TV programs at 3 o’clock in the morning in the year 2032. My man had a classic with that song, there is no denying that.

It was not my impression that Soulja Boy started the beef, and that is the dividing line. It can be hurtful when you are young in the game, trying to get your respect and an old cat just broadsides you like that. Kobe went through it when he joined the Lakers, which was Shaquille O’neal’s team. Tiger Woods went through it when white men didn’t believe a black man could dominate professional golf. I applaud Kanye West for coming to Soulja Boy’s defense. Kanye made it plain: This is not 1996 anymore. Tupac and Biggie are gone, gangsta rap has turned into something else, and many college sophomores were born during the same year as the tv show, “Yo MTV Raps”. I grew up on Ice T’s music, and I remember 1996. I listened to Tupac every morning before class, and NWA got me through college. So, I respect the west coast, I respect Ice T and I respect hip hop. But there comes a time when the old school has to add another wing of the building and make room for the new school. Soulja Boy is a respected member of the new school, whether we like it or not. Don’t player hate, collaborate and respect this man’s achievements.

Traditions in hip hop are like pillars of a building. On one hand, they give you stability and a strong foundation. On the other hand, they can be rigid constraints that demote progress within the institution. The more I listen to old school rappers complaining about young entrants, I stop hearing rappers, and start hearing “grumpy old mufukaz”. Instead of offering Soulja Boy a meal he would probably refuse (“eat a ….”), maybe Ice T could have invited the man into the studio. Ice T, your game is strong, Soulja Boy can learn from that. He can also learn a lot from the genius that kept you from getting pimped by this rap game, we know how those contracts work. Soulja Boy doesn’t want your game to die, he wants it to multiply. But if you come off as an old hater, your legacy will blow away like dust in the minds of the next generation. In other words, don’t become a lyrical Bill Cosby…..haterology won’t go as far as constructive critiques when you’re dealing with a fellow soldier.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of "What if George Bush were a Black Man?" He does regular commentary in national media, including CNN, BET, ESPN and CBS. For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com.

Video: Dr. Boyce Watkins talks about Ice T, Soulja Boy and Kanye West

Nappy Headed Hoe Don Imus Insults Black Men - Dr. Boyce Watkins

I received a call today from a producer at WVON in Chicago. My good friend Roland Martin (the black dude on CNN) and I are going to discuss Don Imus tomorrow morning at 8 am. I like WVON, it's literally my favorite station in America. There is a great deal of tradition there.

I was involved with the first removal of Don Imus from the air, as I worked with Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton on the phone to talk about ways to get him off the air. I mentioned that if African Americans engage in a unified effort to challenge his corporate sponsors, we can bring him down. That is what Jesse and Al did, and it worked. As a Finance Professor, I always look to the money first. That is the most critical element of power in a capitalist democracy.

You can imagine how disappointed I was to see Don Imus back on the air so soon. I admit that when I saw Imus appear on Al Sharpton's show, I really believed he was truly sorry for what he did. For him to repeat his actions is simply baffling, and I wonder out loud Rev. Jackson and Rev Sharpton feel the same way.

I recorded some of my thoughts on Don Imus below. The fact that this man can do what he did the first time, get back on the air and repeat the same stunt one year later is yet another reminder of just how little respect African Americans get in white media. No, it's not mainstream media, because mainstream media should reflect viewpoints from all perspectives. The truth of the matter is that most media is owned by people who are not black, so people like Imus and Bill O'Reilly can get away with this stuff without being forced to engage in any form of respect or responsibility. The ownership structure of American media is an artifact of 400 years of slavery and economic exclusion of African Americans. Our grandparents never had the chance to own CNN, FOX or NBC and they also did not have a chance to own the corporations that financially support these media outlets. African American wealth was stolen from us and now lies, in part, in the hands of companies that support racism on the airwaves.

So, the networks continue to insult black people and there are no consequences. Personally, I am getting tired of this crap. What is most ironic is that no matter what anyone says about black people on the air (lynching Michelle Obama, killing Barack Obama, calling Mrs. Obama a Baby's mama, calling Barack a terrorist, or calling black women Nappy headed hoes), someone is always there from the right wing willing to rationalize this behavior. It reminds me of a relative I had with a drinking problem. No matter how much you pointed out his weakness, he always had an explanation. America's addiction to racism is a lot like the addictions of my uncle.

It's actually kind of pathetic.

The video is below:

Dr. Boyce Watkins Rapping on Camera

I'm not a serious rapper. I have too much respect for the brothers who have real skills out here. But I love hip hop and I consider it to be one of the most creative, intelligent and provocative forms of self-expression in American history.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to bust a rhyme or two. For the haterologists out there, just remember: this is my first time!!!!

Either way, enjoy this:

Dr Boyce apologizes to Tupac and Method Man

Dr. Boyce Watkins speaks on his conversation with Method Man about the late Tupac Shakur.