Rap Music Discussion

[Kairi]

Get ready for the second coming of Drake. Young Money’s all-star is gearing up to release the first singles from his sophomore album Take Care next month.

The Canadian artist has been giving away tracks including the viral sensation “Marvin’s Room” via his blog, but something official is expected to arrive in July. “I got the singles dropping in like a week, a week and a half, two weeks,” he told FADER TV on Tuesday night. “It’s gonna be a blast.”

Drizzy previously announced an October 24 release date for the album, which falls on his 25th birthday. “I’m excited for people to hear the evolution of the music,” he said. “I know what it’s like to drive around Toronto and think about life, so I just make music for those kids.”

On the follow-up to his 2010 debut Thank Me Later, he’s once again drawing inspiration from his real life experiences. “I only really know how to do one thing. I don’t know how to make generic songs about the struggle or things that aren’t about me. I just make songs about my life ’cause if you want me to be honest with you, that’s the best way I know how, the things that I’ve experienced and the things I’ve lived.”

Featured guests on Take Care include Canadian singer The Weeknd (“He’s on the album a bunch”), who will perform at the OVO Festival in Toronto, along with Rick Ross, on July 31.

 

[Kairi]

New Music: Kreayshawn – ‘Rich Whores’

http://www.rap-up.com/2011/06/23/new-music-kreayshawn-rich-whores/

 

[Kairi]

Sean Kingston is back home following a jet ski accident that left him badly injured.

Three weeks after crashing his water vehicle into a small bridge in Miami over Memorial Day weekend, the “Beautiful Girls” singer has been discharged from Jackson Memorial Hospital, his rep confirmed to MTV News.

The 21-year-old star returned to Twitter earlier this week to update fans on his condition and share the first photo since the accident. “Feeling alot better! GOD IS GREAT! Thanks for all the prayers and support! Love you ALL!” he wrote.

Kingston reportedly suffered a broken jaw, fractured wrist, and water in his lungs, but is expected to make a full recovery.

 

[Kairi]

[video=youtube;xs-4Jriltps]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs-4Jriltps&feature=player_embedded[/video]

 

[Kairi]

Snoop Dogg to be Named BMI Icon at Annual BMI Urban Awards | News | BMI.com

Event Honoring Top Hip-Hop, Soul & R&B Songwriters to be Held Aug. 26 in Los Angeles

Snoop Dogg will be saluted as a BMI Icon at the BMI Urban Awards, slated for Friday, August 26 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant will share hosting duties with Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, as the entertainment community gathers to celebrate the most-performed urban songs, songwriters and producers of the previous year.

The evening will include an all-star musical tribute to Snoop Dogg, as well as the presentation of the Urban Songwriter, Song, Producer and Publisher of the Year crystals.

BMI Icons are selected because of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” As a BMI Icon, Snoop Dogg will join ranks that include George Clinton, The Jacksons, James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Bee Gees, Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana, to name a few.

As Snoop Dogg approaches his 20th year in the entertainment industry, he remains a visionary mc with sharp instinct and velvet delivery. Since his culture-shaking 1992 debut, Doggystyle, his sound has engrossed listeners—those who recognize their own lives in his songs, and others simply drawn to Snoop Dogg’s authenticity. He is a fiercely imaginative songwriter, capable of cutting rhymes and wry wordplay. Twelve BMI Awards spanning urban and pop point to his prominent role in hip-hop’s seduction of the mainstream. Songs including “Next Episode,” “Gin and Juice,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Beautiful,” “Sexual Eruption,” “Nuthin' But a "G" Thang,” and so many more created the soundtrack of a generation. He has been honored by the American Music Awards, Source Awards, BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and many others, and has also garnered innumerable Grammy nominations. He has also appeared in countless films and TV series, including Training Day, Old School, Starsky & Hutch, Brüno, Futurama, Weeds, and more, which, when coupled with his music, ensure that Snoop Dogg will be forever ingrained in pop culture’s collective consciousness.
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[Kairi]

Google Names Nicki Minaj 5th Most Popular Woman on the Web


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Nicki jumped all the way to #5 on Google’s Most Popular Women on the Web, despite having not been on the list at all last year. That’s what happens, though, when you become the first artist ever to have seven songs on the Billboard Top 100.

 

[Kairi]

Lil’ Kim Boycotts BET Awards

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While the rest of the world may be amping up for Urban music’s biggest night, there’s definitely one who will not be. Lil Kim tweeted a special message to her followers yesterday:

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Rap’s self-proclaimed Queen Bee is in the middle of a heavy promo tour for her latest Paypal chart blockbuster ‘Black Friday’.

 

[Kairi]

Dr. Dre emerged from the studio to honor fellow mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award at ASCAP’s 24th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills on Friday (June 24). A buff Dre, who received the same award last year, spoke about Diddy’s influence following videotaped messages from Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, Janelle Monáe, Dirty Money’s Dawn and Kalenna, and more.
“I had a chance to experience his hustle myself and believe me it’s no joke. I’ve been inspired, I’ve been motivated by this man’s hustle,” said the West Coast icon, who collaborated with Diddy on a line of Beats headphones.
Puff returned the love. “I’m extra, extra happy right now. I truly, truly appreciate this,” he told his peers. “I don’t know if ya’ll know my favorite producer in the world ’cause we in a room of producers and writers. … Dr. Dre my whole life has just been my favorite producer.”
Catch more from the music impresarios’ speeches below.

[video=youtube;NBaSKJgaV4w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBaSKJgaV4w&feature=player_embedded[/video]

 

[Kairi]

Drake made a surprise appearance to salute his friends and collaborators Boi-1da and Noah “40” Shebib at ASCAP’s 24th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills on Friday (June 24). The Canadian producers, who helmed the bulk of the Young Money rapper’s debut Thank Me Later, were the Songwriters of the Year recipients.
“I was blessed over the course of my life to meet two individuals. One of them is Boi-1da and the other one is 40. Together we took our experiences in a city called Toronto and we turned them into music,” said Drizzy. “I just want to let you know that I love you both and I’m super proud of you, and I’m honored to honor you this evening.”
A nervous Boi-1da stepped to the mic to accept his award. “I also want to thank my brother Drake. Like he said, we came a long way. It’s a beautiful thing to just watch him grow into the artist that I already knew he was going to be,” said the humbled hitmaker, who is working on Drake’s sophomore album Take Care.

[video=youtube;DJVPd4CbTMc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJVPd4CbTMc&feature=player_embedded[/video]

 

[Kairi]

So So Def is back in the building. Da Brat releases her first new body of work since her prison stint with her mixtape Life After Death. The 11-track freebie includes remixes to Miguel’s “Sure Thing,” Kelly’s Rowland’s “Motivation,” and Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now,” plus the Jermaine Dupri-produced originals “Get It Get It” with Jadakiss and “Dumb Stupid Crazy” with Twista. Welcome Brat back by listening below.

Download: Da Brat – Life After Death
Life After Death Tracklisting
1. “Intro – Life After Death”
2. “It’s Brat (Tupac Back Remix)”
3. “West Side”
4. “Get It Get It” feat. Jadakiss and Brandon Hines
5. “Racks (Remix)”
6. “Sure Thing (Remix)”
7. “Second Chance”
8. “Fab 5 Freddy”
9. “Dumb Stupid Crazy” feat. Twista
10. “Motivation (Remix)”
11. “Look at Me Now (Remix)”

http://www.rap-up.com/2011/06/25/new-music-da-brat-life-after-death-mixtape/#more-89009

 

[Kairi]

Missy Elliott: Graves’ Disease Hasn’t Slowed Me Down


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Earlier this week, People revealed that Missy Elliott had been privately battling Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune illness that affects the thyroid. Her condition became so bad that the “Supa Dupa Fly” rapper, 39, couldn’t write or drive a car. She suffered severe mood swings, dizzy spells, lumps in her throat, bulging eyes, and hair loss, and had been undergoing radiation and taking medication.
Some of her supporters have been concerned for her health. But in a new statement Missy reassures them that she is fine and has not been slowed down by the debilitating disease. In fact, she’s still working on her new album and producing for other artists. She will also be profiled on a new episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music,” airing June 29.
“I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease about three years ago, but it really hasn’t slowed me down at all,” explained Missy. Read her statement below.

“There have been some inaccuracies reported in regards to my diagnosis with Graves’ Disease, so I wanted to clear things up. I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease about three years ago, but it really hasn’t slowed me down at all. I rocked my performance on ‘VH1 Hip Hop Honors” tribute to Timbaland last year. I’ve written and produced a bunch of Grammy-nominated, #1 hits for artists like Keyshia Cole, Monica, and Jazmine Sullivan. I toured the U.K., Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. And on top of all that, I’m working on my new album. I feel great. Under my doctor’s supervision, I’ve been off medication for about a year and I’m completely managing the condition through diet and exercise.”
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[Kairi]

[video=youtube;ti06rLVfLqE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti06rLVfLqE[/video]

 

[Kairi]

Miguel opened the 24th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards with a “Sure Thing.” The R&B crooner wowed the VIP crowd including Diddy, Dr. Dre, and Drake with his hit single, bringing out Pusha T to perform the remix live for the first time. Next up, he’s planning to shoot a double video for “Quickie” and “Girls Like You” off his debut All I Want Is You.

[video=youtube;xiQtukM3Sn4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiQtukM3Sn4&feature=player_embedded[/video]

 

[Kairi]

Before meeting up with T-Pain backstage, Kreayshawn hit the “New at Two” outdoor stage at Power 106’s Powerhouse 2011 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. “Where the bad bitches at?” asked the East Oakland rapper, who performed her single “Gucci Gucci” while wearing a red “Bucci” tank top and heart-shaped glasses. Watch her performance and if you like what you hear, listen to her new song “Rich Whores.”

[video=youtube;PhphNWrNW18]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PhphNWrNW18[/video]

 

[Kairi]

It was all about Sean “Diddy” Combs at the 24th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills on Friday (June 24). The Bad Boy mogul was surrounded by his peers inside the International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton as he was presented with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award by Dr. Dre.
The hip-hop and R&B community including Miguel, LeToya Luckett, Melody Thornton, DJ Drama, Boi-1da, Drumma Boy, Rob Knox, Mary Mary, and fellow Dirty Money members Dawn and Kalenna gathered to pay homage to the man of the hour and share their thoughts on his career and impact on music. Hear what they had to say.

[video=youtube;j3eBFTs3xdk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3eBFTs3xdk&feature=player_embedded[/video]