Stalley Speaks On The State Of Ohio Finally Being Recognized In Hip Hop

Stalley says producers aren't being very "innovative” with their music, comments on artists being signed vs. independent.

While Midwest Hip Hop has usually been associated with the likes of Chicago and Detroit a number of Ohio rappers are beginning to put the state of Ohio on the map when it comes to music. Among them is Ohio rapper Stalley who spoke on Ohio finally getting the shine it deserves in a recent interview.
“We are Midwest rap…Ohio has a lot of talent.

We’ve had a lot of talent, but now we’re starting to get the recognition with guys like myself and Cudi, Chip Tha Ripper, Machine Gun Kelly, and artists like that coming out,” Stalley explained in an interview with 90.5 KSJS. “We finally getting enough voices out there to bring attention to the state. But we’ve always been there. We’ve always been talented and had talented artists there.”
As a newly signed artist, he signed to Maybach Music Group in April, Stalley also spoke on artists who choose to sign to a label and those who choose to remain independent.

“I mean I’m not sure if it’s better either way,” said Stalley when asked if it’s better being signed to a label. “I just think that it depends on the artists and the situation. Some people don’t need a major label or don’t even want a major label. Some people don’t need it and they still use it as a tool to gain more recognition or help with exposure…It just depends on where you wanna go with your career. What you trying to make out of it. And if you fit better.”

When asked if there’s any producers he’d like to work with in the near future Stalley explained that there aren’t many producers who are bringing something new to the table but did state that he’s a fan of Boi Wonda, Swizz Beatz, T-Minus, and more.

“It’s not really a lot of producers that I think are being innovative at this time. Everything kinda sounds copied, cut and copied, or whatever you wanna say. But I mean there’s a few,” Stalley explained. “I’m a fan of Kanye. I like 40, T-Minus, Boi Wonda. I think they got some dope sounds. I mean you got Swizz Beatz. There’s a lot of dope producers, but there’s also a lot of bad ones so I guess it depends on who I would vibe with.”

by Danielle Harling

Birdman Refutes That He Purchased Copies To Boost Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV" Sales

Baby explains that it would be "hustling backwards" to buy extra albums to bolster first week sales.

Yesterday, it was announced that Lil Wayne had sold 964,000 copies of his latest, Tha Carter IV, in its first week. But some cried foul, speculating that the label purchased extra albums to try to push the album past the million sales mark.

During an interview with MTV News, Birdman refuted the rumors, claiming that buying extra copies of the LP is opposite of what the label stands for.

"Nah, man, that really don't make no sense. Why would we do that?" he said. "I press and distribute 'em. Ain't no need for me to buy 'em. That's hustling backwards; we ain't in it for that. I ain't ever been a part of that type of scheme to be buyin' records. We don't do that, homey. We be working too hard to be — that don't go with what we do. We truly what we do. We're real about what we do, we work hard every day at it, and we work for the people.

That's what we do music for: for people. And we appreciate the love they give us back. But no such thing as me buying no CDs. I wouldn't even play it like that."
Baby did explain that the label makes about $10 per album sale, which would tally up direct revenue from the album to almost $10 million.

by Steven J. Horowitz

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J. Cole Talks Upcoming Album

J. Cole discusses his long-awaited Roc Nation debut.

J. Cole's debut album has been in the making for years, and it doesn't appear he's ready to commit to a release date.

"I know my fans are frustrated with me, because I won't give a date," said Cole in an interview with pressofatlanticcity.com.

"I only gave a date one time in my career last year, and I smacked myself in the face because it was so unrealistic. Now I say it's coming soon, and it's really true, because we're in the final stages right now."

"I think of my own expectations and my pressure on myself," he added, while describing his album as "heavy" and "emotional." "I don't worry about what the world wants me to do. I'm worrying about meeting my expectations."

Cole also described his relationship with Jay-Z, which fell in line with previous accounts that Hov allows his artists to make their own way. "He's definitely a mentor," said Cole. "I just appreciate the fact that he lets me learn and grow on my own. When I need information, I can come to him."

by Slava Kuperstein

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Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg Event Rumored To Take Place On Memorial Weekend

The Good Doctor and The Doggfather may be reuniting for a Memorial Weekend event but details are still unclear as to how this reunion will shape up.

Reports have surfaced about a possible reunion between Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg in the form of a Memorial Day Weekend event in Miami, Florida. According to top Hip Hop blog, You Heard That New, this will be a "massive event" but no official details have been released and little is known about the plans.

The two first linked up when Dr. Dre signed Snoop Dogg out of Long Beach, California. The two have since been linked based on their partnership in the early 90's, a bond that allowed them to create Snoop's 1993 debut, Doggystyle and other memorable cuts since. However, they have not collaborated consistently in years. 

While many supporters will be pleased to hear of this rumor, it wouldn't be the first time plans for a Dre/Snoop reunion failed to come to fruition. Snoop once announced that he and Dr. Dre would team up for Break Up to Make Up, an album that never came to be. Most recently however, the rapper/producer duo reunited for "Kush," the first track released for Dr. Dre's highly anticipated Detox album.

For more on this event, stay tuned to HipHopDX.

by Andres Vasquez

Kanye West To Perform At Museum Of Modern Art's "Party In The Garden"

After enlisting help from George Kondo and Marco Brambilla, Kanye West ventures further into the art world by assisting the New York Museum Of Modern Art.

On Tuesday, May 10, Kanye West will lend his support to the art world by performing at the Museum of Modern Art’s Party In The Garden. The annual gala benefits the Museum’s general operating fund and supports educational programs as well as the care, study, and exhibition of the collection. This year’s event will honor Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, Mimi Haas, Jill Kraus, and Sharon Percy Rockefeller.

No stranger to the art world, West has previously enlisted painter George Kondo to create the controversial artwork for his latest album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The multiple editions of the album’s artwork has since been used by Parisian design team M/M for a collection of scarves. Similarly, West collaborated with Marco Brambilla for what he described as a “moving potrait” of his “Power” video. Brambilla and his design team incorporated elements of Neo-Classical iconography and cutting-edge design technology.

More information about the Party in the Garden is available at the official Museum of Modern Art website.
by Rashad Phillips

Unreleased Recordings From 2Pac, Nas, DJ Quik, Ice Cube Part Of Lawhouse Records' Return

Producer Laylaw is opening up the vaults to uncover some recordings by Hip Hop's biggest names.

California producer Laylaw was one of the architects of the G-Funk sound. His work with Dr. Dre has appeared on releases for Ruthless Records, Death Row Records, and Aftermath Entertainment. Laylaw also served as advisor to Eazy E during his days with groundbreaking gangsta- rap group N.W.A. After that the producer created music with the late 2Pac, their association starting with the rapper’s sophomore album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.

Knowing all the connections Laylaw has made with historic members of the Hip Hop community it is unsurprising but, exciting nonetheless, that his vaults would be crammed with unreleased gems. Now, with his Lawhouse Records imprint, the producer plans to release some of those lost gems. First up is the triple disc, box-set “Lawhouse Greatest Hitz.” That album will feature both released and unreleased music from Ice Cube, 2Pac, DJ Quik, E-40, Above The Law, Eazy-E, MC Ren, Nas, Flo-Rida, Pharcyde, Luniz, Michel’le, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, among others.

Laylaw is also planning on exposing some new talent to the world with Lawhouse Records. His most prominent signing is South Central, Los Angeles rapper Chuck Crazy, who recently released his first single, “L.A. Waves.”

by Kevin S. Gary

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FBI Names Eazy-E And 2Pac As Extortion Targets In Unsealed File

A week after releasing their Notorious B.I.G. files, the FBI releases a 2Pac file including accounts of ties to organized crime allegations and a closed Jewish Defense League extortion investigation.

The N.W.A. family tree looms large, and you can easily connect the dots between many of today’s emcees and Eazy-E, MC Ren, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and even DJ Yella. But a recently unsealed FBI document links both Eazy-E and Tupac Shakur to an alleged extortion attempt by the Jewish Defense League. As with many redacted government documents, many key names were omitted.

“On September 11, 1996 [omitted] reported that JDL, and others yet unidentified have been extorting money from various rap music stars via death threats,” the report states. “The scheme involves [omitted] and other subjects making telephonic death threats to the rap star. Subjects then intercede by contacting the victim and offering protection for a ‘fee’. Source reported that ERIC WRIGHT, also known as EAZY-E, who owned RUTHLESS RECORDS, Woodland Hills, California, was a victim of this extortion scheme prior to dying from AIDS. [Omitted] had also reportedly targeted TUPAC SHAKUR prior to his recent murder in Las Vegas, Nevada.”

This is not the first time there has been a connection between Ruthless and the JDL. Ruthless co-founder Jerry Heller said he enlisted help from the organization when he and Eazy-E were allegedly physically threatened into releasing artists from the label. Heller also mentioned the connection in his memoir, Ruthless.

“Eric Wright had a questing, restless mind,” Heller wrote. “He was always surprising me. ‘I want to do a movie about the JDL,’ he told me shortly before his death. He always had a hundred ideas going at once. He was obsessed with the Jewish Defense League and their motto, 'Never again.' 'Man, I can't get that out of my head,' he said. ‘Never again.’ That's dope.’”
In may of 1999, the FBI closed a two-and-a-half-year investigation on the JDL, citing an inability to corroborate the source information that spawned the probe. The FBI document also links Shakur and other unidentified victims to a separate extortion attempt by “a known organized crime figure,” whose name is omitted from the public version of the report.

“On October 17, 1996, a preliminary inquiry was initiated at Los Angeles Field Office to corroborate source information that [omitted], a known organized crime figure, along with a group of unidentified individuals were utilizing death threats in the furtherance of extortion attempts targeted towards two former prominent rap musicians from the Los Angeles area and other victims yet unidentified,” the report reads.

The full report, which is now public record, is available at the FBI website.

by Rashad Phillips

Wiz Khalifa Sets Dates For Rolling Papers World Tour

Rappers Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean to perform in close to 30 U.S. cities as part of the Rolling Papers World Tour.

With a successful debut album now behind him Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa is yet again ready to hit the road. This week tour dates and cities were announced for the rapper’s Rolling Papers World Tour which will take place this summer.
Joining Wiz on his tour will be fellow rapper and G.O.O.D. Music signee Big Sean and Taylor Gang rapper Chevy Woods.

The Rolling Papers World Tour will kick off in Maryland Heights, Missouri on June 12 and hit about 30 cities before concluding in Canandaigua, New York on August 3. Though it’s titled a “world tour,” so far no cities outside of the U.S. have been added.

The announcement of the tour dates comes just days after the release of Rolling Papers, Wiz’s first studio album. Following its March 29^th release Rolling Papers has gone on to sell over 200,000 copies.
Tickets for the tour will be available for purchase to the general public beginning on Wednesday, April 20. Tour dates for the Rolling Papers World Tour is as follows:

June 12 - Maryland Heights, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
June 13 - Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion at Riverbend
June 15 - West Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
June 18 - Broomfield, CO @ 1st Bank Center
June 21 - Stateline, NV @ Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa
June 22 - San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
June 23 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
June 25 - Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center
June 27 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
June 28 - Mesa, AZ -- Mesa Amphitheatre
June 29 - Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheatre
June 30 - Albuquerque, NM @ Albuquerque Convention Center
July 2 - Gran Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Place
July 3 - Cedar Park, TX @ Cedar Park Center
July 6 - Houston, TX @ Reliant Arena
July 7 - New Orleans, LA @ Lakefront Arena
July 10 - Cleveland, OH @ The Warner Cable Amphitheatre @ Tower City
July 15 - Boca Raton, FL @ Sunset Cove Amphitheatre
July 18 - North Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
July 20 - Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre
July 21 - Greensboro, NC @ White Oak Amphitheatre
July 22 - Portsmouth, VA @ Ntelos Wireless Pavilion
July 23 - Charlottesville, VA @ Ntelos Wireless Pavilion
July 24 - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 27 - Gilford, NH @ Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion
July 30 - Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion
August 3 - Canandaigua, NY @ Marvin Sands PAC

by Danielle Harling

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Free 3D Glasses For Upcoming IPads and IPhones

Mobile gadgets like Apple's iPad and iPhone could offer glasses-free 3D courtesy of a new, developing technology created by researchers in France.

Known as Head-Coupled Perspective, the technology uses the front-facing camera on a mobile device to create a glasses-free monocular 3D display. By tracking the position of the user's head, the projected 3D image can change its perspective and offer greater interaction. Even further, the technology doesn't rely on the accelerometer built into the iPhone and iPad, so it could conceivably work for other types of mobile devices.

The researchers behind this budding technology are Professor Laurence Nigay and Ph.D. student Jeremie Francone in the Engineering Human-Computer Interaction research group at the Grenoble Informatics Laboratory in France.

In an e-mail to CNET, Francone explained how the technology works.

"Our technique uses the front-facing camera of the device to detect and track the face of the user," Francone said. "This way, it is possible to know 'how' the user looks at the display: does he look from the front, or from the right? Is the display close or far from the user's face? Knowing such information enables us to adapt the display accordingly, giving the user the illusion that he looks at a small window instead of a 2D flat screen."

Francone said that such a technique is not new and has in fact been studied over the past 15 years as part of the research into virtual environments. But what is new is adapting the technology for mobile devices. The researchers feel that mobile devices are well suited to the technology because they allow for greater interaction and take advantage of the user's ability to move.

The team started working on the project in January. The iPad version was quickly adapted from the iPhone version, which was then adapted to the iPad 2 with only a few changes, according to Francone.

How far away is this technology from the marketplace? Francone said that it works on current mobile devices with no other equipment required. So it could hit the marketplace without delay. But there are limitations due to the limited view of the built-in camera in which the perspective is unable to adjust if the user moves out of the shot.

Overall, though, the user tests performed so far have yielded "very encouraging results," Francone added.

by Lance Whitney

Alicia Keys Releases 10th Anniversary Edition Of "Songs In A Minor"

The multiple Grammy-winning "Songs In A Minor" gets the deluxe treatment.

Few artists hit a grand slam their first time at bat but that is exactly what Alicia Keys did when she released her debut album, Songs In A Minor, in 2001. That record went on to sell over 12 million copies and earn its creator five Grammy awards. So it is not surprising that Keys would want to celebrate that album’s tenth anniversary.

To do so she will be releasing to distinctive editions of the record, a two-disc Deluxe Edition and a three-disc Collector’s Edition. Both will feature unreleased tracks, alternate versions (including the “A Woman’s Worth” Remix which features a guest verse from Nas), new liner notes, and other bonus material. The Collector’s Edition will feature a documentary about the making of Songs In A Minor on its third disc.

Keys is also planning a one-night-only solo performance on June 30^th  at the Beacon Theater in New York City which will see her play her debut in full as well as other tracks from throughout her career. Tickets for that show will go on sale May 6^th. For more information about the show and the two special editions of Songs In A Minor visit the singer’s website, www.aliciakeys.com.

by Kevin S. Gary

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Air Jordan 2011 Tech Grey/Black-Orion Blue-Chlorine Pictures

This particular pair is slapped together using Tech Grey and Chlorine Blue throughout the upper,  White on the midsole, Black on the inner lining and Orion Blue on the tongue and translucent outsole.

A nice summery look to go along with the Air Jordan 7 Retro “Orion Blue”.

No official release details have been announced at this time, so stay tuned to Sneaker Obsession for further updates.

Freddie Gibbs Explains Signing With Young Jeezy

UPDATE: In an exclusive interview with DJ Smallz, Freddie Gibbs says the decision to sign with Young Jeezy was based on a gut feeling, and the clock is ticking on a collaboration.

Last week it was reported that Freddie Gibbs was in talks with Young Jeezy to sign to Jeezy's Corporate Thugz Entertainment.
Saturday (April 9), the announcement was confirmed in Chicago, as Freddie Gibbs surprised his fans during his show by bringing out Jeezy. In an exclusive interview with DJ Smallz, Gibbs explained his rationale for signing with Jeezy’s Corporate Thugz Entertainment label.

“It’s always good to work with people that you respect,” Gibbs said. “I bump Jeezy and I think that he carved his own lane in the game, and that’s what I’m trying to do. What better way to elevate myself to the next level than doing it with somebody that I admire and respect? The situation with CTE—with Jeezy and Kinky B—it felt correct.

CTE’s lone major label project, Young Jeezy Presents U.S.D.A.: "Cold Summer:" The Authorized Mixtape was released in 2007 on CTE/Def Jam. But Jeezy has always had a strong touring presence due to his seemingly endless string of mixtape releases. Gibbs was courted by several other major labels, but he says the right opportunity never presented itself until now.

“Like I said, this was a long process for myself,” Gibbs added. “I just made the right decision and went with a gut feeling instead of just going off of impulse or signing with somebody because they’re hot. I ain’t wanna be a dick rider. I see a lot of that in the game, and I just wanted to do things my way.”

Mixtape was released in 2007 on CTE/Def Jam. But Jeezy has always had a strong touring presence due to his seemingly endless string of mixtape releases. Gibbs was courted by several other major labels, but he says the right opportunity never presented itself until now.

by Slava Kuperstein

Lil Wayne Rep Denies European Tour Reports

A rep for Weezy's "I Am Still Music Tour" says that the rapper has not applied for a visa to enter the U.K.

Reports recently hit the internet that Lil Wayne was denied a visa to tour in Europe because of his criminal record. According to a rep for Wayne's "I Am Still Music Tour," the rapper has yet to even file an application for a visa.

"No visa was ever filed, nor were there any tour dates announced or  tickets sold," said the rep to MTV News. "Lil Wayne is  currently headlining his 'I Am Still Music Tour' across the U.S. and  Canada with plans to extend the tour through North America this summer.  We hope to bring the 'I Am Still Music Tour' to the U.K. in the later half  of the year."

Currently, the tour is set to end May 1 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. His opening act, Nicki Minaj, is in talks to join Britney Spears' upcoming tour.

Snoop Dogg notably had difficulty getting admitted into the U.K., but was finally granted entry last year.
by Slava Kuperstein

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Wiz Khalifa Explains Singing And Using Harmonies In Rhymes

With the number-two album in the country, Wiz Khalifa breaks down how singing became part of his style.

When Nielsen SoundScan released its weekly sales report, Wiz Khalifa found himself trailing Britney Spears by only 80,000 units for the country’s top-selling album. Even with some lukewarm reviews, Wiz pulled in a mix of loyalists and new fans with his melodic mix of rhyming and singing on Rolling Papers. To hear Wiz tell it, this was a style he stumbled on accidentally.

“While rapping on instrumentals, there would be a lot of different types of beats,” Wiz told the Associated Press. “I might pick an R&B beat, and there would be points in the beat where the singing part would sound good. But I didn’t have anybody to sing it. So I would really hit those notes, and when it really started sounding good I blended it into my style a little bit and it just took over. It was like, ‘This is what I’ma do. I’m gonna make my own little style of singing and harmonizing and run with it.’”

Wiz said he dabbled with some singing on Show And Prove, but in the absence of live instrumentation, he just pulled melodies from the beats he had access to and benefited from being able to craft a catchy hook. Of course, it never hurts when your lead single becomes the anthem for an NFL team with Super Bowl aspirations.

“It really surprised me because I thought the song was going to be more regional than anything,” Wiz said of his number-one hit, “Black And Yellow.” In addition to being adopted by his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, the song spent 22 weeks on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 singles chart. “It just took off and grew legs on it’s own. The melody of it kind of stuck.”

by Rashad Phillips

Lil Wayne Cancels European Tour

A denial of his visa application by the UK means Lil Wayne's "I Am Still Music" tour won't hit Europe anytime soon.

In America, Lil Wayne was welcomed back from an eight-month prison stay with parties, as some fans even camped outside Rikers Island awaiting his release. Former President, Bill Clinton was even one of Wayne’s well-wishers. In the United Kingdom bureaucrats at the UK Border Agency met the multiplatinum rapper with rejection as he filed a visa application to bring his top-grossing “I Am Still Music” tour to Europe.

Wayne was expected to perform in a series of European dates, but the Border Agency rejected his application based on his criminal history. In addition to the prison stint, Wayne has drug charges that date back to 2007. The drug charges presumably wouldn’t be an issue, since Wayne is under a probationary order that prevents him from drinking alchohol or taking illegal drugs without returning to prison.

There is a precedent for similar visa denials. Snoop Dogg was banned from the UK after an incident at London’s Heathrow Airport. In 2008, Busta Rhymes was similarly denied entry into the UK due to a weapons possession charged that was then unresolved in the states.

by Omar Burgess

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Devin the Dude and The Fresh Brew Tour

Exclusive: The reincarnation of Da Odd Squad is back with a new album, and tour.

Veteran emcee and producer Devin The Dude has announced his latest project with his Coughee Brothaz squad. Through Justin Melo and Jonathan Hay, spokesmen for Devin, HipHopDX has learned that the group's Fresh Brew album will release digitally on April 19, with physical distribution on May 17. The follow-up to 2007's Waitin' Our Turn project will be distributed via Tennessee's Select-O-Hits.

Additionally, the Coughee Brothaz, largely compromised of Odd Squad members, will be touring with Devin on the Fresh Brew Tour.

The dates are as follows:

-Apr-20       Houston, TX                        Warehouse Live                                             
-Apr-22         New Orleans, LA              Parish @ House Of Blues                        
-Apr-23         Atlanta, GA                     The Loft                                   
-Apr-25        Carrboro, NC                    Cats Cradle                                           
-Apr-26        Wash DC                          Rock & Roll Hotel                           
-Apr-27       Brooklyn, NY                      Knitting Factory             
-Apr-28        Cambridge, MA                The Western Front   
-Apr-29         Buffalo, NY                       Broadway Joe's
-Apr-30         Toranto, ON                     Wrong Bar            
-May-01       Detroit, MI                         The Shelter                         
-May-02      Cleveland Heights, OH        Grog Shop                    
-May-03       Chicago, IL                       Reggies Rock Club                       
-May-04      St. Paul, MN                       Turf Club             
-May-05       Madison, WI                     The MajesticTheatre                                           
-May-07       Denver, CO                       Bluebird Theatre       
-May-08       Boulder, CO                      Fox Theatre                                            
-May-10       Aspen, CO                         Belly Up Aspen                                                 
-May-12       Albuquerque, NM                Launchpad
-May-13        Tucson, AZ                       Rialto Theatre                             
-May-14        Flagstaff, AZ                     The Green Room                 
-May-16      Salt Lake City, UT               Urban Lounge            
-May-18       Seattle, WA                       The Crocodile Cafe                     
-May-19      Portland, OR                        Hawthorne Theatre      
-May-20       Santa Clara, CA                  The Avalon                                      
-May-21       Oakland, CA                      The New Parish                            
-May-22       West Hollywood, CA          Roxy Theatre                         
-May-24       Tempe, AZ                         Club Red                                                 
-May-27        Dallas, TX                         Granada Theatre                   
-May-28        Austin, TX                         Emos    

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Webbie Arrested In Tennessee On Drug Charges

Webbie was arrested this week on a drug charge after being stopped by police while possessing 2 ounces of marijuana and over $13,000.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana emcee Webbie was arrested on Monday on charges of drug possession and tampering with evidence after being pulled over on a routine stop. Tennessee Highway Patrol officers arrested the rapper who was in a rental car and found 2 ounces of marijuana and over $13,000 in a cardboard box. Officers also say that Webbie threw marijuana out of the car window, according to Gainesville.com's news report.

Webbie was not the only person affected here. Another passenger was arrested on a gun charge after police found a loaded revolver and the driver was found to be operating the vehicle on a suspended license.

According to the Examiner, Lil Webbie was accompanied by Derric Watson, who was the driver and Michael Abbott, who had the revolver.

MHC will keep you updated as further details emerge. 

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Jim Jones Reveals Details On New Dipset Release



Diplomats Capo let's fans know that their 4th of July will be sound tracked by the Harlem crew.

Jim Jones just dropped his latest album this week but he’s already looking forward to a future project. Yesterday, he revealed to Vibe that his recently reunited crew, the Diplomats, is planning to release its first set of new material since their regrouping.

The project is an EP entitled Independence Day and it’s set to see release on July 4^th, of course. Jones states that record will see contributions from himself, Cam’ron, Juelz Santana, and Freekey Zekey. The Harlem emcee told Vibe that this time around the Dips are treating each other a little differently, saying, “The difference is the respect level that’s there amongst of all us. Feels good.”

Jones’ aforementioned new solo release, Capo, is his fifth overall. It features contributions from Game, Raekwon, Wyclef, and his Dipset partner Cam’ron.

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Loud Tour Features Rihanna, Cee-Lo & J. Cole

Roc Nation's J. Cole will get plenty of exposure this summer opening for Rihanna.

North Carolina's J. Cole will join fellow Roc Nation representative and R&B star Rihanna on this summer's Loud Tour. They will be joined by emcee/crooner Cee-Lo Green as they trek across North America for 28 shows in less than two months.

J. Cole was expected to release his debut album this spring but there has been no word of a release date yet.

June 4 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
June 6 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre*
June 7  Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
June 8  Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place *
June 10  Montreal, QC Bell Centre
June 11 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
June 14 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills*
June 15 Chicago, IL United Center*
June 16 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
June 18 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
June 19 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
June 21 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddeldome
June 22 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
June 24 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
June 25 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena*
June 28 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
June 29 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
June 30 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
July 4 Albuquerque, NM Hard Rock Casino Presents: The Pavilion
July 8 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
July 9 Houston, TX Toyota Center
July 12 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre
July 14 Fort Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center
July 16 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
July 19 Uniondale, NJ Nassau Coliseum
July 21 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
July 23 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
July 24 Boston, MA TD Garden

Lil Wayne Talks Alcohol-Free Probation, Early Retirement

Having been denied any drugs or alcohol, Lil Wayne explains life after prison and his hope to retire in seven years at age 35.

Part of Lil Wayne’s post-prison probation calls for a provision that prohibits him from consuming or drinking “any substances containing alcohol” for three years. It’s a change for Wayne, who has been seen for years carrying a pair of Styrofoam cups filled with what is usually a mix of codeine and promethazine. While Wayne joked with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez that his court-enforced sobriety leaves him with little use for his sunglasses, he said it was more difficult to adjust to other things behind bars.

“The hardest part about it was just coming from the life we live…coming from having a chauffer, masseuse, this that and the third. That’s why it’s different for everybody that goes,” Wayne said.   

During Wayne’s nine-month stay on Rikers Island, his Young Money artists Drake and Nicki Minaj enjoyed continued success. He explained that their accomplishments were expected, and hoped for continued success as part of a larger plan for himself.”

“People think when you say work hard it’s just, ‘Okay let me put two extra hours in.’” Wayne added. “No, this is my life. That’s why retiring at 35 would be a life lived, because this music thing is my life. I want their singles to be hotter than mine. That’s why Nicki comes out after me. It’s all part of a plan.”

{Video} Porcelain Black ft. Lil Wayne "This Is What Rock N Roll Looks Like"

{Video} Chip Tha Ripper "The Entrance"

Chip Tha Ripper - The Entrance from illRoots.com on Vimeo.

Snoop Dogg Honors 213 Bandmate Nate Dogg With Memorial Tattoo

After the shocking news of Nate Dogg's death two weeks ago, the Doggfather honors his bandmate and 25-plus year friend with some arm ink.

Long Beach, California emcee Snoop Dogg revealed that he has mourned the loss of longtime friend, 213 bandmate Nate Dogg with an arm tattoo, pictured to the right. Last week, Nate (born Nathaniel Hale) died after a series of strokes in the last three years.

Along with a tribute concert a week ago today in Austin, Texas' South By Southwest, Snoop Dogg has already publicly and financially supported the Nate Dogg Foundation, to aid the singer's family.
Below the tattoo portrait of Nate is text that reads, "All Doggs Go To Heaven."

Although Snoop and Nate reportedly met as classmates in 1986, it was in the early 1990s that Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg began a group called 213. The trio worked together through to Snoop's signing with Death Row Records, where Nate would also sign later in the decade. Throughout the years the members of 213 worked on each other's projects, and in 2004, released The Hard Way on TVT Records.

Nate Dogg's funeral in Los Angeles, California.

{Video} Max B "Blowin My High"

Ev B Drops First Single Off "All Work No Play"

CNB member Ev B drops his first single off his mixtape "All Work No Play" called Cloud Power. Check it out and download it here . We are still awaiting the official release date for the mixtape which has been moved from March 25th to TBA.

{Video} Big Sean & Wiz Khalifa- Gang Bang (Live Performance)

Nike Air Griffey Max II – Midnight Navy/White-Chlorine Blue

Nike will be releasing the Nike Air Griffey Max II in this new Seattle Mariners-inspired colorup featuring a combination of Midnight Navy/White-Chlorine Blue.

These colors is set to be available for the Air Griffey Max II by May 28th, 2011.

Turk Planning to Start Label Upon Prison Release



The Hot Boys' Turk is planning to start a new record label upon his release from prison.

Even though he's been incarcerated for the past decade, Hot Boys member Turk is already planning his comeback upon release. Sources close to the former Cash Money rapper told AllHipHop.com that he is planning to start a new label after his bid in the bing is through.

"Turk will be released very soon and he has his own label, YNT," said a representative for Turk. "He does look forward to a Hot Boy Reunion but there is no truth in rumors of him signing at this time. For updates on Turk's projects, fans may visit his official twitter page www.twitter.com/freehotboyturk."

Turk is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for shooting a Memphis S.W.A.T. team member in 2004. DX will keep you updated about news of Turk's release.

Curren$y Talks Warner Bros Deal, Upcoming Movie

Curren$y talked to Complex about his Warner Brothers record deal and upcoming movie project.

Complex recently caught up with one of Hip Hop's biggest budding stars Curren$y to discuss his numerous upcoming projects, including his Covert Coupe EP with the Alchemist and his fifth album Muscle Car Chronicles, due out May 5. During the interview, Curren$y discussed his record deal with Warner Brothers. He said that while he was at first hesitant to sign with a major label, he is confident in Warners's vision for his music.

"They reached out just based on what I had been doing independently," said Spitta. "I think I proved to a few companies that I was going to be a machine regardless, whether I aligned myself with a machine or not, I was going to become a machine. The companies that did step to the table, I never thought I’d be able to maintain my independence and my underground soul of how I do my shit. Just talking to Warner Brothers, they let me know they only wanted to deal with me based on what I had already done. So they would only want me to keep doing that."

Curren$y also spoke about his relationship with his current label BlueRoc's CEO Damon Dash. Although he said that Dame wasn't involved in securing his latest contract, the two are still on good terms.

"[Dame Dash wasn’t involved with this deal], but that’s my homie," he said. "We got dealings on this Muscle Car Chronicles, but as far as the Warner deal, that was all me and my manager’s doing. But BlueRoc’s success is not contingent on if I’m still there. Nothing happens to my old label. They’re fine, they doing what they doing."

Spitta also spoke about his foray into film with his upcoming flick Muscle Car Chronicles. Inspired by his impending album of the same name, the film follows the story of a home burglarizing birthday clown on the road to musical stardom. Although Curren$y made his film debut in 2005 with Master P's Still Bout It, he says working on this latest project was a new experience.

"We also got the movie, Muscle Car Chronicles," he explained. "It’s a short film, the playing time might be a little over 30 minutes. Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah [of Channel Zero]—they shot a version of ‘Jesus Walks’ with Kanye and they’re partners with Dame on Creative Control—they directed and wrote the movie. [They heard the album] and just started scribbling the script. They had the movie [planned out], so when I got there they were like, ‘Let’s do this. We could pull it off in three days.’ So once they told me it would only take three days, I was like fuck it. Let’s see if we can do it.

"The movie is a cornucopia of cinematography inspired by Muscle Car Chronicles. In the movie, my name is Melvin and it’s me and this chick driving around in a Winnebago and dressing up as birthday clowns. We come to kid’s houses and do one-two steps with the balloons and shit, but we also burglarize the homes. But that money is to fund my musical takeover. I was in some Master P movies before. I was in Still Bout It counting money and talking like a gangster. But I’m still new to movies."

To Mac Miller's "On And On And Beyond" EP

Rostrum Records' one-two punch on March 29 is sizing up, as two DXnexts deliver product in Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa.

On March 29, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania emcee Mac Miller will release an EP called On And On And Beyond. The six-track work comes from Rostrum Records, home to two DXnext alumni in Miller and Wiz Khalifa, who will release Rolling Papers the same day.

The tracklisting for On And On And Beyond is as follows:

1. Put It On
2. Live Free
3. On And On
4. Life Ain’t Easy
5. In The Air
6. Another Night

{Video} Big K.R.I.T.- Nardwuar Interview

{Video} Jay Sean f. Lil Wayne "Hit The Lights"

HTC Arrive (Sprint)

The good: The HTC Arrive features a durable design with a responsive QWERTY keyboard and a tilting screen. It's the first Windows Phone 7 device to ship with Microsoft's cut-and-paste feature.

The bad: The HTC Arrive's heavy and bulky body will weigh some people down, and it requires some pressure to slide open the keyboard. Its camera could be better, and we were hoping for 4G WiMax support.


The bottom line: The HTC Arrive, Sprint's first Windows 7 phone, is a solid effort that largely delivers, although it will disappoint those looking for a 4G smartphone.

  

Read more on this phone here