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| Song: Uppercut |
| Artist: Tupac ft Outlawz |
| Album: Loyal to the Game |
| Producer: Eminem |
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| Roc-A-Fella donates $25,000 to Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation |
| Posted by on Sunday, November 30 2003 |
 Last Thuesday, Jay-Z performed live on Madison Square Garden in New York for over two and a half hours. He was joined by a few friends of his like Beyoncé Knowles, Foxy Brown, Mary J. Blige, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot and R. Kelly.
"I put together a special evening for y'all," Jigga said. "Tonight is a charity night. We're still gonna have a lot of fun."
After a brief tribute to Tupac, Aaliyah, Big L, Big Pun, Jam Master Jay and The Notorious B.I.G., Jigga and Roc-A-Fella CEO Damon Dash brought out Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.'s mothers, Afeni Shakur and Voletta Wallace. They handed over a check worthy of $25,000 to each of their sons' foundations.
Click on the image to the left for a larger view.
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| Kurupt says if Tupac was alive 50 Cent, DMX, Ja Rule, Jay-Z wouldn't be here |
| Posted by on Sunday, November 30 2003 |
On Friday November 28th, Kurupt was interviewed on Death Row Records' new Internet radio show, Death Row Radio.
Kurupt spoke on various topics, including his relationship with Tupac. He said that Tupac, who was two years older than him, was like a big brother to him. He also spoke about the feud between Tupac and Snoop Dogg, which escalated on the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.
Kurupt was upset over him being removed from Tupac's posthumous material, like "Still Ballin'" from Better Dayz for example. Kurupt was originally featured on the song, but he was removed from it and replaced with Trick Daddy.
Despite the fact that Kurupt's relationship with Ja Rule and Jay-Z is all gravy, he didn't hesistate to tell the truth about how they wouldn't anywhere near where they are if Tupac was still alive.
"If Pac was alive right now, there wouldn't be a lot of rappers out right now," Kurupt said. "I think Jigga would have some problems right now, I think DMX would have problems right now, I know for a fact Ja Rule would have problems right now, I think 50 Cent would have been eliminated."
Make sure to check out the interview, which is available for listening on Death Row Records' official website, DeathRowRecords.net.
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| Tupac: Resurrection ships Gold |
| Posted by on Sunday, November 30 2003 |
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In its second week on the charts, the soundtrack for Tupac: Resurrection sold 180,000 copies and fell down from the second to the seventh position on The Billboard 200. Combined with last week's sales, the soundtrack has so far sold 610,000 copies, which means it has shipped only two weeks after its release.
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| Fredro Starr to record 50 Cent dis with Ja Rule |
| Posted by on Saturday, November 29 2003 |
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According to Inspecta Heck, Onyx’s producer, Fredro Starr and Ja Rule are in talks to do a track together dissing 50 Cent. Fredro had previously appeared in The Source magazine commenting that he felt 50 Cent had been disrespecting Onyx and not showing them love even though they were the ones to give him his first major break.
Fredro also commented on the situation at the Vibe Awards saying that “[50 Cent] basically started shit with me, started a scuffle, and a bodyguard broke us up. He's a punk. He's disrespectful to Jam Master Jay ever since he passed. Fuck him. I'm doin shit with some ex G-Unit members now. 50 ain’t shit"
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Source: FoeFoe
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| Tupac "Shakurspeare" |
| Posted by on Friday, November 28 2003 |
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In the Baltimore School For The Arts, Tupac (under the alias MC New York), Dana "Slick D" Smith, Darrin Keith Bastfield and Gerard "DJ Plain Terror" Young, started the rap group known as Born Busy. Bastfield, who wrote the book Back In The Day: My Life And Times With Tupac Shakur (which was released by the publishers One World/Ballantine a divison of Randomhouse). Is now currently in the process of working on a project entitled "Shakurspeare." The project is a painting of an original concept, which Tupac posed for in 1988. Bastfield has plans to sell the limited editon paintings and donate portions of the proceeds to "Art Imitates Life" Foundation a program designed to nurture kids in the arts. "Shakurspeare is basically my vision of Pac after he shared with me his love for Shakespeare and his desire to be a Shakespearean actor," Bastfield told HitEmUp.com. "Pac posed for me after I made a joke about him being dressed like Shakespeare, and after doing a sketch of him, I told him that I would call the painting Shakurspeare. This is to commemorate the seventh anniversary of his death." "I want people to see a different image of Pac that they will never see," Bastfield continued. "Whatever you felt from reading the book, I aim for viewers to feel something close when they see Shakurspeare. There are places that words can't go or touch, but art has no limitations on its possibilities to touch the soul. I aim to touch people's souls the way Pac touched mine." The painting will also feature an unpublished Tupac lyric from a song titled "Who The Hell Are You" written in Tupac's very own handwriting The painting will be sold on the website www.Shakurspeare.com. Bastfield will also be posting eight snippets of Tupac's earliest recordings. "I feel that people should hear them, because Pac says some interesting things on the recordings," Bastfield said. A new paperback version of the book Back In The Day: My Life And Times With Tupac Shakur was published earlier on September 2003 by DaCapo Press. ShakurSpeare should go live on December the 13th
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| Souljah Slim rest in peace |
| Posted by on Thursday, November 27 2003 |
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On Wednesday night, former No Limit Records rapper Souljah Slim, real name James Tapp, was shot dead. He was only 25-year-old and had just begun working on a collaboration album together with Chopper City Records rapper B.G. formerly of the Hot Boys. StreetHop would like to send out our deepest condolences to Souljah Slim's family, fans and friends.
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| Ronnie King thugs it up with Big Syke and The Offspring |
| Posted by Jon on Thursday, November 27 2003 |
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In an unexpected move, Ronnie King, the respected producer and keyboard player who is heard on dozens of hit records, including some of the late Tupac Shakur’s biggest tracks, and who is also heard on the new Offspring single, "Hit It," has instigated his first move in response to his quickly developing Punks-N-Thugs movement. King announced today that Rapper Big Syke from Tupac Shakur’s first rap group, Thug Life, and from his group hte Outlaw Immortalz, will be rapping on a hiphop remix of The Offspring’s new single, "Hit It." Says King, "The Offspring is totally behind this. They support this one hundred percent."
King says the combination of the Offspring with Big Syke on the remake will be a double threat, with the mixing up of the two musical camps.
Syke has recorded collaborations with other artists, with the best known result being "How Long Will They Mourn Me," a track featuring Syke and Tupac Shakur, which appeared on Thug Life Vol. 1. The song later appeared on Shakur’s posthumous Greatest Hits disc. Big Syke was part of the Outlaw Immortalz when they first surfaced on Shakur’s multi-platinum selling album, All Eyez On Me.
The original version of the song "Hit It" is exploding at radio and on national charts. It is the first single from the Offspring’s new album, Splinter.
King maintains that Pac had expressed to him on numerous occasions that he wanted to record a duo with Alanis Morrisette. Shakur’s life, of course, would end before there was a chance for that to happen. "It’s all music," says King. "If you can’t deal with it, get over it."
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| Benzino's former white protégé speaks on his use of the n-word and Eminem |
| Posted by on Wednesday, November 26 2003 |
 Reported by SOHH.com:
While Ray Benzino has called Eminem rap's Hitler, Elvis and a "culture stealer," the Boston veteran and Source co-founder had ironically signed a white emcee to his Surrender label in the late 90s called The Bawston Strangla. After being mysteriously dropped in 1999, The Strangla re-emerges to speak on the recent Eminem controversy and Benzino's hypocrisy.
"I think he made a mistake, I think he was young. To me that's what it sounded like. It sounded like he was probably 16 or 17 years old his girlfriend broke up with him and he was heated. But at the same time, you don`t go putting stuff down if you don`t mean it like that," The Strangla told SOHH.com via phone regarding the Eminem audiotape at the center of racial controversy.
Last week, Benzino presented the media with two audio clips from an audiotape which included lyrics which The Source magazine has called racist. As a white rapper of Irish decent, The Bawston Strangla, believes the statements could be detrimental to the fragile racial accord in America.
"Hip-Hop has helped white people and black people come closer than ever. And this is something that could put another fence up and make the water a little bit hotter for everybody. It`s inexcusable. You can`t go around disrespecting black women like that and he`s got to have a viable or good enough explanation for what the hell he was saying."
Brendon aka The Bawston Strangla was once signed to Benzino and Hangmen 3's Surrender Records. Interestingly, The Strangla claims that Benzino attempted to shape his image into a persona that strangely resembles Eminem`s earlier days.
"I don`t want to say that he said you have to say this, but basically he came to me and he was like this is the image I`m looking for on this song. I`m looking for a white kid from South Boston, who is Irish, who's extremely pissed off, got a drug problem, doesn't like authority figures and doesn't like Black people. My inital reaction was I can't say that because I live in the most cultured part of Boston," The Strangla revealed. "I was under the impression that it was being used for a movie and they were looking to portray a crazy white kid. At that time, I was young, I was new to getting a record deal so you kind of just want to do what the boss says."
With the blessing of his black friends, the Boston emcee eventually said the "N" word in a song called "Shamrocks & Glocks." Consequently, things went downhill from there.
"If you listen to that song, everything else I ever recorded is the exact opposite of that song. I can`t justify myself for doing it. I was wrong for doing it," The Strangla said in regard to his use of the dreaded racial slur.
Ironically, the Bawston Strangla got dropped from Surrender Records right around the time Slim blew up. According to the Strangla, Benzino felt it would be near impossible to promote another white rapper while Eminem was making so much noise -- prompting Zino to put the Strangla on hold before eventually dropping him. Shortly after, rumors that The Strangla was dropped from Surrender for spitting the "N" word began circulating around Boston."
I heard a lot of stories... that [Benzino] gave me the beat and then I wrote the song and recorded somewhere else. That`s not true... [Benzino] was there when it was recorded," The Strangla told Sohh.com. "As far as me being dropped because of using the N bomb. That's false."
Meanwhile, Brendon offers his take on the apparent vendetta Benzino has against Eminem. The word on the streets in Boston is that Zino went to show love to Em at an awarda show, only to be shunned by Slim who was pissed the Source didn`t give him 5 mics.
"It became one of those things where [Benzino] just kept trying to lyrically beat him, battle him and it wasn`t working out so he just went for the next best thing," The Strangla revealed. "It was kind of hypocritical because dog turned around and do the same thing to Eminem that he did to me."
Despite it all, Brendon is moving on, preparing a new LP for a March 2004 release on Commonwealth Records.
"I have no hard feelings towards [Benzino] because of the song. It`s like anything else... if you get divorced from a woman you`re not going to get remarried to her. I wouldn`t go back to Surrender and I wouldn`t go back with dog [Benzino]."
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| G-Unit storms the charts |
| Posted by on Wednesday, November 26 2003 |
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G-Unit's album Beg For Mercy has made a nice climb on the Billboard charts moving over 327,000 copies in it's second week and first full week since the album was released on a Friday to bring their total to 704,000 getting past Jay-Z and his The Black Album for this week which moved 280,000 copies to bring his total to 750,000. 2pac's Resurrection soundtrack moved an addditional 180,000 copies.
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| Juvenile is back on Cash Money with new LP coming out |
| Posted by on Wednesday, November 26 2003 |
After leaving and starting his own record label, Juvenile is once again back with Cash Money Records. They've squashed their beef and got another LP coming up, with Mannie Fresh behind the boards. The title of Juvenile's seventh LP is Juve The Great and is due out December 23rd 2003. The tracklist is as follows:
01. Intro
02. From Da Porch
03. Jump 2 It
04. The Smoking Gun
05. In My Life
06. On The Avenue
07. A Letter From Tha Pen
08. Nightlife09. Who Dat Iz? (skit)
10. Chrome Wheels
11. Juve The Great
12. I'm The One
13. Kids On The Corner
14. Assume The Position
15. Outro
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| Eminem releases a new dis track; announces possible release date for new album |
| Posted by on Tuesday, November 25 2003 |
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We have just uploaded a new dis track by Eminem called "Monkey See Monkey Do" to our StreetTapes section on the right side panel of the site. The track is an obvious dis to Ja Rule and Murder Inc, but Eminem proclaims that "we aint just talking to one person" and challenges anyone to dis his camp that "wants to bring it."
While Eminem also says in the song that he wishes someone of Nas’ or Jay Z’s caliber would diss him for a challenge, its interesting to note that he is yet to reply to artists who have dissed him such as Royce 5’9, Hussein Fatal, Yukmouth and others.
While no names are mentioned directly on the track, Em states that "come April" he will mention names; suggesting his next album may be released April 2004.
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| The Leaders of the New South are Crunk And Disorderly |
| Posted by on Monday, November 24 2003 |
TVT Records is set to release the compilation Leaders Of The New South: Crunk And Disorderly on December 9th, 2003. As the name suggests the compilation features mostly Down South artists such as David Banner, Killer Mike, Lil' Flip, Lil Jon & The Easy Side Boyz, Paster Troy, Young Buck and others. The tracklisting is below:
01. It's Christmas Time (Jingle Bells) - Performed by David Banner
02. Guess Who's Comin To Town - Performed by Bone Crusher
03. Ho! Ho! - Performed by Ying Yang Twins
04. Nan Notha' - Performed by Three 6 Mafia and Frayser Boy
05. I'm Outside - Performed by Pastor Troy and DSBG
06. Christmas Grind - Performed by Killer Mike
07. Turn It Up - Performed by T.I.
08. All Pro - Performed by Young Bloodz
09. Throw Up Yo' Hood - Performed by Lil' Flip
10. What They Want - Performed by Chyna Whyte
11. That's Nasty - Performed by Pitbull, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Fat Joe and Lil Scrappy
12. Throw It Up - Performed by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz and Young Buck (of G-Unit)
13. B Boy Stance - Performed by Konkret and Big Boi (of Outkast)
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| Jon Peters participates in 411 discussion on Tupac |
| Posted by Jon on Monday, November 24 2003 |
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411mania.com recently held a discussion on Tupac, which was part nine of a 10-part series on the impact and influence of Tupac Shakur.
The discussion asked questions about Tupac which were answered by staff members of 411 and myself.
Click here to read the discussion.
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| Rolling Stone leaves Tupac out of their top 500 albums of all time |
| Posted by on Monday, November 24 2003 |
 This month, Rolling Stone magazine released a special collectors issue featuring the 500 greatest albums of all time - in their opinion, that is.
While all of Eminem and The Notorious B.I.G.'s albums are listed, none of Tupac's are anywhere to be found on the list. Classics like Me Against The World, All Eyez On Me and The 7 Day Theory were left out. The following rap albums were featured on the list:
048. Public Enemy It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
120. Run-DMC Raising Hell
133. The Notorious B.I.G. Ready To Die
137. Dr. Dre The Chronic
144. N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton
156. Beastie Boys Paul's Boutique
217. Beastie Boys Licensed To Ill
227. Eric B. and Rakim Paid In Full
240. Run-DMC Run-DMC
248. Jay-Z Reasonable Doubt
273. Eminem The Slim Shady LP
302. Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP
312. Lauryn Hill The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
317. Eminem The Eminem Show
346. De La Soul 3 Feet High And Rising
359. Outkast Stankonia
377. TLC CrazySexyCool
386. Wu-Tang Clan Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers
400. Nas Illmatic
459. EPMD Strictly Business
464. Jay-Z The Blueprint
477. The Fugees The Score
478. LL Cool J Radio
483. The Notorious B.I.G. Life After Death
497. Public Enemy Yo! Bum Rush The Show
Feel free to e-mail Rolling Stone your thoughts about this at letters@rollingstone.com.
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| Fatal on Ashanti's new single |
| Posted by on Monday, November 24 2003 |
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Fatal is featured on Ashanti's new single, the remix for "Rain On Me." The single also features guest appearances from The Inc. label mates Charlie Baltimore and Ja Rule. The video for the single was shot in Queens, New York on November 12th 2003 and was directed by The Inc. CEO Irv Gotti. Expect the video to hit BET and MTV soon.
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| Cover for Nutt-So's Fastlane Legacy |
| Posted by on Monday, November 24 2003 |
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Located to the right, is the cover for Nutt-So upcoming third solo album, Fastlane Legacy, courtesy of WCRydaz.com. Like earlier reported, the album will be released in a joint venture between his own record label, Nutty's Playhouse, and Outlaw Recordz. It features guest apperances from AMW; Big Syke, B-Legit, MOBB C.I.N., NTO, Outlawz and Spice 1.
Nutt-So is also in the process of recording a double CD for the soundtrack for the documentary Welcome To Oakland. He will also appear in Apartment 3's upcoming DVD magazine, which contains all access and behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
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| Akon readies troubled debut LP |
| Posted by on Monday, November 24 2003 |
Universal Records is scheduled to release Akon's debut LP, Trouble, on December 16th 2003. It features the singles "Bonanza" and "Locked Up." The tracklist is as follows:
01. Locked Up
02. Trouble Nobody
03. Show Out
04. Gangsta
05. Ghetto
06. Put Of Gold
07. Bonanza (Belly Dancer)
08. Lonely
09. When The Time's Right
10. Journey
11. Don't Let Up
12. Easy Road
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| JT The Bigga Figga and Xzibit in the studio, working on album together |
| Posted by on Monday, November 24 2003 |
JT The Bigga Figga and Xzibit have recently been in the studio working on a collaboration album together. The album is titled Who Grind Like Us? and will be released by Get Low Recordz on December 14th 2003.
The album is executive produced by JT The Bigga Figga, who's also handling most of the production on the album. It features guest appearances from Baby, Brotha Lynch Hung, Freeway, G-Unit, Keak Da Sneak, Lil' Flip, Messy Marv, Mitchy Slick, Snoop Dogg and Yukmouth.
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| Raekwon gives you The Lex Diamond Story |
| Posted by on Sunday, November 23 2003 |
Raekwon is back with his third solo LP, The Lex Diamond Story, due out December 16th 2003. The tracklist is as follows:
01. The Lex Diamond Story (intro)
02. Pit Bull Fights
03. Hitman's Salary (skit)
04. King Of Kings
05. Missing Watch
06. All Over Again
07. Clientele Kidd - featuring Fat Joe and Ghostface Killah
08. Smith Bros.
09. Skit
10. Robbery - featuring Ice Water
11. Fuck You
12. Pablow
13. Muskateer Of Pig Alley - featuring Inspectah Deck and Masta Killa
14. Ice Cream Pt. 2 - featuring Cappa Don and Method Man
15. The Hood - featuring Tiffany Villareal
16. Weed
17. Wild Chimps
18. Planet Of The Apes - featuring Capone and Sheek Louch
19. Wild In The Club - featuring Ice Water
20. The Lex Diamond Story (outro, bonus track)
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| Xzibit forms new group, releases DVD |
| Posted by on Sunday, November 23 2003 |
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Xzibit has teamed up with Krondon, Mitchy Slick and Phil Da Agony to form the group Strong Arm Steady. You'll be able to purchase the group's official mixtape soon along with a DVD, which they're releasing through Fortress Entertainment.
The DVD contains all new material and cameos from 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Cypress Hill, G-Unit, Ice-T, Talib Kweli, WC and others. The release date is March 2nd 2004.
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| The Bravehearts drop debut LP |
| Posted by on Sunday, November 23 2003 |
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Columbia Records is scheduled to release the Braveheart's debut LP, Bravehearted, on December 16th 2003. The duo consisting of Jungle and Wiz is known for their works with Queensbridge rapper Nas, who's on half of the songs on the LP including the first single "Quick To Back Down." The single also features Lil' Jon. The tracklist is as follows:
01. Quick To Back Down - featuring Lil' Jon and Nas
02. Situation - featuring Nas
03. Sensation
04. B Train
05. Bravehearted - featuring Nas
06. Twiligt - featuring Nas
07. Scared Money
08. I Wanna
09. Realize
10. Bust My Guns - featuring Nas
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| Busta Rhymes DVD coming in March |
| Posted by on Sunday, November 23 2003 |
Busta Rhymes is in the process of putting down the final touches on his DVD, set to be released on March 23rd 2004. It features the first high definition hip-hop live solo show. Busta performs his greatest hits in a 60 minute long concert shot in Phoenix last month.
The DVD also contains exclusive all access and behind-the-sceenes footage with Busta from the Roc The Mic tour together with 50 Cent and Jay-Z. Encoded in a True 5.1 mix and DTS sound, the DVD is said to give you the ultimate Busta Rhymes experience.
Fortress Entertainment is the company behind the DVD. Previously, they've produced documentaries like DJ Quik's Visualism, Kurupt's G-TV, Outlawz's Worldwide, Tha Liks' X.O. The Movie Experience, WC's Bandana Swangin': All That Glitters Ain't Gold and Xzibit's Restless Xposed.
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| Jay-Z takes Tupac & Biggie honour award |
| Posted by on Sunday, November 23 2003 |
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Taken from Launch.com's summary of the Vibe Awards: "...Jay-Z also took home one of the night's special honors--the TuBig Award, presented in memory of murdered rap legends Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls."
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Source: launch.com
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| Nikki Giovanni talks about Tupac |
| Posted by on Sunday, November 23 2003 |
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During Friday's lecture, Giovanni talked about Tupac Shakur and the "Thug Life" tattoo on her left arm in memory of the rap artist, who was gunned down in Las Vegas on Sept. 7th, 1996, and died six days later.
Shakur had numerous tattoos, including one saying "THUG LIFE" on his stomach.
Giovanni said her tattoo - which she got on the third day after Shakur died - is an expression of public mourning. Shakur was 25 years old when he died, Giovanni said, noting her only son, Thomas Watson Giovanni, was 27 at the time.
"Losing Tupac was a great loss, and it depressed me," Giovanni said.
Shakur didn't deserve the harsh criticism he received, Giovanni believes. Anyone who listens to his albums - with their hearts and their ears - will see his love, she said, and feel his warmth. "He was such a lovely young man."
Shakur's mother, Afeni, has released songs, poems and other materials from her son after his death. "She's keeping her son alive by doing that," Giovanni said. "[He] is still with us, and he'll always be with us as long as we remember."
Giovanni did not personally know Shakur or his mother.
Giovanni dedicated a compilation of poems, named "Love Poems," to Shakur and wrote a poem called "All Eyez On U" for the hip-hop star. One of Shakur's albums was titled All Eyez On Me.
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Source: Zwire.com
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| Benzino urged white rapper to use the N-word |
| Posted by on Saturday, November 22 2003 |
According to AftermathMusic.com Benzino recorded the track "Shamrocks N Glocks" together with white rapper Bawston Strangla. Apparently Bawston Strangla does not only use the word 'nigga' in his rhyme, Benzino urged him to use it. This was told to AftermathMusic.com after they got into contact with Bawston Strangla.
The connection between the two is detailed on Bawston Strangla's website. To view it click here. While this doesn't excuse Eminem's actions, it does put Benzino's righteous indignation in a different light. More on this as/if the story develops.
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| Skatterman and Snug Brim are Urban Legendz |
| Posted by on Saturday, November 22 2003 |
Kansas City artists Skatterman and Snug Brim, now known as SS, are set to release their album Urban Legendz on February 24th, 2004 on Strange Music.
Tech N9ne fans may recognize the two from tracks like "Gunz Will Bust", off of Absolute Power, on which they were featured under their old name Yung Gunz and "F.T.I.", off of Anghellic: Reparation. They were also recently featured on the BEEF soundtrack on the tracks "Murder By #'s", which will be found on Urban Legendz as well, and "When The Rain Drops".
The album's first single will be "Block Party". The tracklisting is below:
01. Say Whatcha Say
02. Block Party
03. Heart & Soul
04. Car Wash
05. Crazy
06. Murder By #’s
07. Lap Dance
08. U Not Mafioso
09. Pakman
10. Life In The Game
11. Tired (Skit)
12. Tired
13. If U Want
14. Between The 2 Of Us
15. Kansas City
16. Shut it Down
If you wish to join the Official Online Team for exclusive news, pictures, contests and other stuff click here.
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| Memphis Bleek is M.A.D.E. |
| Posted by on Saturday, November 22 2003 |
Roc-A-Fella Records is scheduled to release Memphis Bleek's third LP, M.A.D.E., on December 16th 2003. It features the singles "Need Me In Your Life" featuring Nate Dogg and "'Round Here" featuring T.I. and Trick Daddy. The tracklist is as follows:
01. Need Me In Your Life - featuring Nate Dogg
02. Intro
03. Hood Musik - featuring M.O.P.
04. Everything Is A Go - featuring Jay-Z
05. Hypnotic - featuring Beanie Sigel and Jay-Z
06. Just Blaze, Bleek & Free - featuring Freeway
07. 'Round Here - featuring T.I. and Trick Daddy
08. War
09. PYT 2 (I Wanna Luv U) - featuring Donnel Jones
10. We Ballin' - featuring Proof and Young Chris
11. Can't Stop It - featuring Calico and Proof
12. My Life - featuring Latif
13. Understand Me Still - featuring Rell
14. Do It All Again - featuring Geda, Lil' Cease and Rell
15. Get Off My - featuring Clinton Sparks
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| Russel Simmons takes Eminem in defence |
| Posted by on Saturday, November 22 2003 |
Def Jam Music Group founder Russel Simmons recently released a statement through the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network regarding The Source's revealing of Eminem's racist freestyles from back in the day.
"These lyrics are disgusting," Simmons said. "But the oneness of hip-hop culture has transformed many young people in trailer parks around the country away from their parents' old mindset of white supremacy."
"We believe Eminem's apology is sincere and forthright," Simmons continued. "He continues not only to be an icon of hip-hop, but also has evolved into a good soldier, who gives back money, time and energy to the community, encouraging this generation of youth to reach their highest aspirations."
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| Hijacker tried to take hostages to "See Tupac Shakur" |
| Posted by on Saturday, November 22 2003 |
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Some Miami high school students were left shaken -- but unhurt -- after a scare on their school bus Tuesday morning. Police say a man hijacked the bus with 38 students on board and ordered the driver to take him to a stadium. Police say the unarmed man said he wanted to save the kids from terrorists, and also said he wanted to be taken to meet late rapper Tupac Shakur to get his autograph. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Jovanta Frazier, was arrested without incident and the high schoolers were escorted back to school. Police said the man boarded at a bus stop and demanded to be taken to a stadium. He rode with the students for about 50 blocks as they waved out the windows to draw attention. An assistant principal from another high school eventually pulled in front of the bus and talked to the hijacker. Police said the suspect is facing 39 counts of false imprisonment, one count per student and one more for the bus driver.
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Source: Wesh.com
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| P. Diddy case dropped |
| Posted by on Saturday, November 22 2003 |
 A $25 million lawsuit against P Diddy which surfaced last month has been dropped by a New York court.
Former Bad Boy Records President Kirk Burrows accused the rap mogul of racketeering and alleged his indirect involvement in a number of killings, including that of rap legend Tupac Shakur.
However, Judge Jed Rakoff threw the case out citing a "limitless number of deficiencies" in Burrows' allegations.
"It would take me far more time than any judge has to describe all the deficiencies in this complaint," he said.
Last month the New York Times published a number of the claims against P Diddy including allegations that he hired Crip gang member Orlando Anderson to kill Tupac Shakur in 1996.
It has also emerged that Burrows claimed former P Diddy bodyguard, Anthony Jones, was the gunman that killed 'Big Jake' Robles, a known LA gang member and associate of infamous Bad Boy Records adversary Suge Knight. P Diddy has spoken openly about the killing of Robles which he witnessed side-by-side with Suge Knight himself.
The star told Vibe magazine that Knight accused him of having some involvement in the shooting as they stood at the scene of the crime.
In a further twist the gunman, Anthony Jones, was shot and killed in what was described as an argument about a woman that took place outside an Atlanta nightclub last week.P Diddy was amongst the mourners that attended 38-year-old Jones' funeral.
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Source: DotMusic.com
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| Big Rab, Kamikaze, and Maxamilli are "through the fire" |
| Posted by on Friday, November 21 2003 |
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Kamikaze and Maxamilli, a 16 year old phenom, along with Big Rab, recently hit the studio to record for their upcoming project. Fans can check out their first track "Through the Fire" exclusively in our StreetTape section. Fans can expect to hear more from Maxamilli, who at just 16 has been rapping for years and has developed a unique style. Many Tupac and Outlawz fans will be familiar with Kamikaze and Big Rab, a.k.a. Bill Blast, who are currently working on various mixtape and album projects from Miami to Los Angeles. Streethop.com will continue to update on Big Rab and company while bringing fans exclusive audio updates.
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| Ghostface drops heat for the homeless |
| Posted by on Thursday, November 20 2003 |
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Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah will hand out 1,000 sleeping bags to homeless people in New York City next week, in an effort to help needy people.
Ghost, along with Ross Fredmand and Duke Wu, owners of the re-launched Troop apparel company will join the "One Thousand Sleeping Bags Partnership," to help address the growing problem.
Ghostface, who appears in the company's apparel advertisements, will personally handout the bags and will initiate a "Hat and Glove" drive.
Fans of the rapper are being asked to bring gently worn hats and gloves to the event in exchange for an autographed photo of the rapper.
"We've been donating clothing as an annual Troop tradition, but this year we wanted to do something special," Ross Fredman said. "All my life I've seen homeless in the parks struggling through the cold winter months. Struggling just to stay alive through the night. These sleeping bags are something that would make an immediate difference in people's lives. [They could] potentially save lives."
According to statistics, the number of homeless people in New York City are at higher levels than ever, surpassing the Great Depression.
The event takes Monday, November 24 from 11am-12:15 pm at 227 Bowery, in Manhattan.
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Source: InvincibleTrump, AllHipHop.com
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| Silent readies debut LP, Silent Night |
| Posted by on Thursday, November 20 2003 |
Thump Records is scheduled to release Silent's debut LP, Silent Night, on November 25th 2003. The tracklist is as follows:
01. Intro
02. Ambition - featuring Scrappy Loco
03. Got Beef With HPG - featuring Mr. Capone-E and Mr. Criminal
04. Silent Nights
05. How Deep Is Your Hood? - featuring Lucky
06. Hop Skip
07. If It Came Down To It
08. Always Miss You
09. Pain
10. Die Tonight
11. Haters
12. One Night Sceme
13. I Was A Fool
14. Hoochies - featuring Lucky
15. Area Codes
16. West Side
17. I'll Always Be Down With You
18. Shout Outs
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| Lil' Jon & The Eastside Boyz releasing EP and DVD |
| Posted by on Thursday, November 20 2003 |
TVT Records is scheduled to release an EP by Lil' Jon & The Eastside Boyz titled Part II on November 25th 2003. The EP contains five remixes and two new songs. It also contains a bonus DVD featuring videos and behind-the-scenes footage. The tracklist is as follows:
01. Get Low (Reggae remix) - featuring Busta Rhymes, Elephant Man and Ying Yang Twins
02. Get Low (Merengue remix) - featuring Pitbull
03. Get Your Weight Up - featuring 8-Ball and and T.L.
04. Throw It Up (remix) - featuring Pastor Boy and Young Buck
05. Put Yo Hood Up (remix) - featuring Chyna Whyte, Jadakiss, Petey Pablo and Roy Jones, Jr.
06. What They Want - featuring Chyna Whyte and Ying Yang Twins
07. Dirty Dancin' - featuring Oobie
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| 50 Cent calls Ja Rule's conversation with Farrakhan a promotional stunt |
| Posted by on Thursday, November 20 2003 |
50 Cent recently responded to Ja Rule's interview with Minister Louis Farrakhan of Nation Of Islam in late October 2003. He claims that Ja Rule's attempt to make peace with him was a publicity stunt to make Ja's latest release, Blood In My Eye, sell.
"I feel [Ja's interview with Farrakhan] was a promotional stunt," 50 told MTV News. "When I sat there and I was watching it, in the middle of it, the break comes and here comes a commercial for his album. His album actually came out seven hours later."
"If you pick up his album [Blood In My Eye], it's about 10 references [to me] on 10 of the songs," 50 continued. "I can't see you putting that out and you feeling the same way you say you felt with Minister Farrakhan."
While he says a heart-to-heart conversation between himself and Ja won't ever happen, 50 said that he'd love to sit down with Farrakhan, but when Murder Inc. Records and Nation Of Islam reached out to him the meeting between Ja Rule and Farrakhan was already in progress. Murder Inc. was already in Chicago at the time and 50 believes he wasn't meant to be there until after the fact.
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| Tupac: Resurrection comes in second place on the charts |
| Posted by on Thursday, November 20 2003 |
Today, the soundtrack for Tupac: Resurrection debuted on the second position on The Billboard 200. The soundtrack sold over 430,000 copies in its first week and only Jay-Z's latest LP, The Black Album, outsold it and therefore beat Tupac for the number one spot on the charts.
The first single of the soundtrack, "Runnin' (Dying To Live)" featuring The Notorious B.I.G., has already been on the charts for several weeks. Today, it reached its highest position so far on The Billboard Hot 100; it rose from the 27th to the 26th position after seven weeks.
The single remained on the ninth position on the Hot Rap Tracks and fell from the 13th to the 14th position on The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks after eight weeks.
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| Suge Knight's autobiography delayed |
| Posted by on Thursday, November 20 2003 |
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Initially scheduled for this year, Suge Knight's Riverhead Books autobiography has been pushed back to next year. The creative process underwent complications when Knight was incarcerated for assaulting a nightclub valet last July.
Riverhead's co-editor feels positive about the book's chances to see an early 2004 release. "We had extremely limited visitation privileges and no phone privileges," Julie Grau, the book's co-editor told Billboard.com. "It really sort of stopped us cold in the eleventh hour of the production. But he has been moved to a different facility and we're now able to have more access to him. The whole machinery is starting up again, and now, of course, there is more for him to write about."
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Source: Carl Chery
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| Jay-Z shows interest in purchasing the New York Nets |
| Posted by on Thursday, November 20 2003 |
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Jay-Z is fulfilling his promise to explore other ventures after his retirement from music this month. The rap mogul, whose Black Album debuted at #1 this week, is rumored to be in the market to buy the New Jersey Nets.
ESPN reports that Jay-Z has retained the New York City investment banking firm of Andrew, Alexander, Wise and Co. to explore the possibility of making a bid to purchase the New Jersey Nets.
The Yankee Nets holding company put it up for auction in September and is now receiving bids - the highest so far is from New York developer Bruce Ratner at $275 million. Jay-Z's camp has declined comment.
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Source: SOHH.com
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| Australia: Get ready for Urban Hitz |
| Posted by on Thursday, November 20 2003 |
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Australia has a new Hip-Hop and R&B publication supporting the urban scene Down Under. This Monday will see the launch of Urban Hitz in the form of a special poster book.
The posters will features some of today’s hottest international urban acts including 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Eminem and Nelly and more. The magazine will also feature coverage of Australian local talent, including Maya Jupiter, Jeremy Gregory, Camielle and J-Wess.
The posterbook is a launching pad for a future national urban magazine encompassing all aspects of urban culture, including music, fashion, technology, socio-politics, sports and major events.
The reality is that the existence of such a magazine is dependant on the sales of this poster issue. So if you would like a locally produced publication aimed at the Australian Urban fans, make sure to head down to your local news agent next week and pick up Urban Hitz as a form of support - not to mention the great posters.
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| Eminem reacts to the release of his racist remarks |
| Posted by on Wednesday, November 19 2003 |
Eminem found himself on the defensive Tuesday (November 18) after The Source magazine owners Ray Benzino and Dave Mays held a press conference to play a recording of the MC delivering racial slurs.
On the first of two tracks purportedly recorded in 1993, an audibly young Slim Shady raps, "All the girls I like to bone have big butts/ No they don't, 'cause I don't like that nigger shit/ I'm just here to make a bigger hit."
The second track featured Eminem rapping about a black girlfriend he broke up with. "Blacks and whites, they sometimes mix/ But black girls only want your money, 'cause they're dumb chicks," he rhymes. Later in the freestyle Em raps, "Never date a black girl, because blacks only want your money/ And that shit ain't funny."
The first track was only a few lines long, but the second track went on for several minutes with Em — seemingly rhyming off the top of his head — repeatedly saying he did not like black girls and that they were only out to get money. Both tracks sounded amateurish.
"Don't make this right now a double standard," Benzino said at the press conference. "We gotta treat this the same way you treat Mike Tyson, like you treat Kobe Bryant, like you treat R. Kelly, like you treat O.J. Simpson."
Eminem responded by insisting he isn't racist and explaining that the recording was made when he was young, foolish and angry.
"Ray Benzino, Dave Mays and The Source have had a vendetta against me, Shady Records and our artists for a long time," Eminem said in a statement. "The tape they played today was something I made out of anger, stupidity and frustration when I was a teenager. I'd just broken up with my girlfriend, who was African-American, and I reacted like the angry, stupid kid I was. I hope people will take it for the foolishness that it was, not for what somebody is trying to make it into today."
Eminem, 50 Cent and the rest of the Shady/Aftermath team have had a long-running feud with The Source, fueled by Benzino's accusations that the media operate on a double standard when it comes to the multiplatinum white MC and that an artist of color could never get away with saying some of the things Em says in his music After their comments, Benzino and Mays refused to entertain questions about the tape and its origins. They did say they plan to include a CD of the Eminem recordings in February's issue, and they promised another press conference concerning Eminem will be held in the future, when they'll answer questions and have civic leaders and members of the hip-hop community on hand.
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Source: MTV News
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| Esham mentions Tupac on new CD |
| Posted by on Tuesday, November 18 2003 |
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Esham mentions Tupac on a track called "No More Dyin'" from his new album, which comes out today, titled Repentance. Esham raps; "Is it 9-1-1 or 9/11? 2Pac can you tell me if theres thugs in heaven?"
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Source: ThaSkitzoInMe@aol.com
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| The Source releases proof of Eminem being racist? |
| Posted by on Tuesday, November 18 2003 |
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The Source has been actively hyping and promoting supposed proof that Eminem is a racist. Reportedly they were able to possess an audio of Eminem making racist remarks towards Black people in a rap recorded in 1993. The audio was released today and the great mystery now at hand is whether or not this is a sound-a-like hired by The Source, or if it is really Eminem, who oddly enough sounds older on the audio than he did in 1995.
In the fued between Shady/Aftermath vs. Ray Benzino and David Mays, it has been quite obvious who's names have been tarnished. Is this audio an honest view on Eminem's racism or merely a laughable attempt to regain some credibility, by ironically trying to destroy the other's? Check out TheSource.com to decide for yourself. It may be a legit audio that will damage Eminem's credibility and even his career, or it may just be good for a laugh.
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| Mailing Address - Support New Child |
| Posted by Jon on Tuesday, November 18 2003 |
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As we reported prior, New Child is currently serving time at Rikers Island. You can show support by writing New Child at: WALLACE LYNCH # 2410309603
E.M.T.C 12 Upper
10-10 Hazen St.
E. Elmhurst N.Y
11370
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| KRS-One is D.I.G.I.T.A.L. |
| Posted by on Tuesday, November 18 2003 |
Rap legend KRS-One is set to release his new album D.I.G.I.T.A.L. on November 25th, 2003. The track "As You Already Know" features Big Pun and seems to be previously unreleased. Other guests include Kool G. Rap, Shock-G, MAD LION, Truck Turner and others. The tracklisting is below:
01. Intro - You Know What's Up!
02. For Example
03. Tell The Devil Ha!
04. Love Is On The Run - featuring Courtney Terry
05. Free Mumia - featuring Channel Live
06. Ah Yeah!
07. Bring It To The Cypher - featuring Truck Turner
08. As You Already Know - featuring Truck Turner, Big Pun and Kool G. Rap
09. A Freestyle Song - featuring Common
10. Article (Remix) - featuring Mad Lion, Whitey Don and Shelly Thunder
11. Music For The 90's - (Kid Capri Remix) - featuring G. Simone
12. Let It Flow (Get You In The Mood) - featuring Courtney Terry
13. Remember? - featuring A. Franklin
14. No Wack DJs
15. We Don't Care Anymore
16. Bring It To The Cypher - featuring Shock-G
17. Hip Hop Vs. Rap
18. Outro-I'll Be Back
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