“Freaknik was the greatest Black gathering in America,” Lil Jon says in the trailer for the upcoming doc, Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told. The film looks at the history of the long-running Atlanta street party known as Freaknik, with commentary from 21 Savage, Killer Mike, Jermaine Dupri, Uncle Luke, and many others. The full documentary will premiere on Hulu on March 21.
“We said, ‘Let’s plan a picnic during spring break,'” Amadi Boon, one of the event’s co-founders, says in the trailer. “Let’s call it ‘Freaknik,...
“We said, ‘Let’s plan a picnic during spring break,'” Amadi Boon, one of the event’s co-founders, says in the trailer. “Let’s call it ‘Freaknik,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Hulu has announced the premiere dates for limited series Under the Bridge and the two docs The Contestant and the film Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told.
Under the Bridge is a limited series with eight episodes that’s based on Rebecca Godfrey’s book about the 1997 true story of fourteen-year old Reena Virk who went to join friends at a party and never returned home. The Hulu limited series that stars Lily Gladstone, Archie Panjabi and Riley Keough premieres April 17.
The series was adapted for screen by Quinn Shephard and is executive produced by Samir Mehta, Liz Tigelaar and Stacey Silverman (Best Day Ever), Shephard, Godfrey and Tara Duncan. Keough will executive produce with Gina Gammell (Felix Culpa). Geeta Patel will direct the pilot and EP the episode. The series is produced by ABC Signature.
Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told bows March 21 on Hulu in the U.S.
Under the Bridge is a limited series with eight episodes that’s based on Rebecca Godfrey’s book about the 1997 true story of fourteen-year old Reena Virk who went to join friends at a party and never returned home. The Hulu limited series that stars Lily Gladstone, Archie Panjabi and Riley Keough premieres April 17.
The series was adapted for screen by Quinn Shephard and is executive produced by Samir Mehta, Liz Tigelaar and Stacey Silverman (Best Day Ever), Shephard, Godfrey and Tara Duncan. Keough will executive produce with Gina Gammell (Felix Culpa). Geeta Patel will direct the pilot and EP the episode. The series is produced by ABC Signature.
Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told bows March 21 on Hulu in the U.S.
- 2/9/2024
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2023 BET Awards honored the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with dozens of performances that played like a musical family reunion as pioneers of the genre blazed the stage during a hostless but party-filled show held during the writers strike.
The Sugarhill Gang, Big Daddy Kane, Mc Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Erick Sermon and Keith Murray performed Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, celebrating rap music and honoring its roots as well as its domination in pop culture.
Ja Rule, Red Man, E-40, Master P, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Styles P, T.I., Fabolous, Trick Daddy, Trina, Uncle Luke and Skillz hit the stage, helping the four-hour-show flow during the writers strike, which several presenters acknowledged before giving out awards, including Grammy-winning singer Muni Long.
“Let’s take a moment to acknowledge and stand in solidarity with the artists who make us laugh, cry and, most important, think — our Writers Guild of America family.
The Sugarhill Gang, Big Daddy Kane, Mc Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Erick Sermon and Keith Murray performed Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, celebrating rap music and honoring its roots as well as its domination in pop culture.
Ja Rule, Red Man, E-40, Master P, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Styles P, T.I., Fabolous, Trick Daddy, Trina, Uncle Luke and Skillz hit the stage, helping the four-hour-show flow during the writers strike, which several presenters acknowledged before giving out awards, including Grammy-winning singer Muni Long.
“Let’s take a moment to acknowledge and stand in solidarity with the artists who make us laugh, cry and, most important, think — our Writers Guild of America family.
- 6/26/2023
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2023 BET Awards just gave hip-hop the ultimate tribute in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, culture's biggest night honored the genre's milestone birthday (Aug. 11) with an evening of performances from an unprecedented lineup of hip-hop icons and current stars.
The Sugarhill Gang, Mc Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, Warren G, Yo-Yo, Tyga, E-40, Trick Daddy, Trina, Uncle Luke, Chief Keef, Ying Yang Twins, Jeezy, T.I., and Master P hit the stage to rap some of their biggest hits. Kane led a brief Biz Markie tribute in honor of the late hip-hop icon. Meanwhile, hip-hop pioneer Busta Rhymes delivered an epic medley performance in honor of him receiving this year's lifetime achievement award, featuring artists like M.O.P., Coi Leray, Bia, and Scar Lip.
Other acts like Erick Sermon, Keith Murray, 69 Boyz, Redman, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Fabolous, Styles P, Ja Rule, Kid 'N Play,...
The Sugarhill Gang, Mc Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, Warren G, Yo-Yo, Tyga, E-40, Trick Daddy, Trina, Uncle Luke, Chief Keef, Ying Yang Twins, Jeezy, T.I., and Master P hit the stage to rap some of their biggest hits. Kane led a brief Biz Markie tribute in honor of the late hip-hop icon. Meanwhile, hip-hop pioneer Busta Rhymes delivered an epic medley performance in honor of him receiving this year's lifetime achievement award, featuring artists like M.O.P., Coi Leray, Bia, and Scar Lip.
Other acts like Erick Sermon, Keith Murray, 69 Boyz, Redman, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Fabolous, Styles P, Ja Rule, Kid 'N Play,...
- 6/26/2023
- by Njera Perkins
- Popsugar.com
Shaquille O’Neal is returning to rap.
The NBA legend who released four hip-hop albums in the ‘90s will drop a new single called “King Talk” on May 2 in celebration of the NBA Playoffs. It is a collaboration with Ghanian-American rapper Blackway.
O’Neal first teased the song on Feb. 7 on his Twitter, Instagram and TikTok in an animation video that celebrated LeBron James passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
The 51-year-old entertainer had success in the ‘90s with music, including the platinum-selling album Shaq Diesel, released in 1993. It featured the gold-selling singles “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock)” and “(I Know I Got) Skillz” — which both cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart — as well as collaborations with late A Tribe Called Quest rapper Phife Dawg, Def Jef and Fu-Schnickens. Some of the tracks were produced by Epmd’s Erick Sermon and Tribe’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
The NBA legend who released four hip-hop albums in the ‘90s will drop a new single called “King Talk” on May 2 in celebration of the NBA Playoffs. It is a collaboration with Ghanian-American rapper Blackway.
O’Neal first teased the song on Feb. 7 on his Twitter, Instagram and TikTok in an animation video that celebrated LeBron James passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
The 51-year-old entertainer had success in the ‘90s with music, including the platinum-selling album Shaq Diesel, released in 1993. It featured the gold-selling singles “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock)” and “(I Know I Got) Skillz” — which both cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart — as well as collaborations with late A Tribe Called Quest rapper Phife Dawg, Def Jef and Fu-Schnickens. Some of the tracks were produced by Epmd’s Erick Sermon and Tribe’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
- 4/28/2023
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
David Jude Jolicoeur, known widely as Trugoy the Dove and one of the founding members of the Long Island hip hop trio De La Soul, has died. He was 54.
His representative Tony Ferguson confirmed the reports Sunday. No other information was immediately available.
In recent years, Jolicoeur, had said he was battling congestive heart failure, living with a LifeVest machine affixed to his person. De La Soul was part of the hip-hop tribute at the Grammy Awards last week, but Trugoy was not onstage with his fellow bandmates.
Tributes poured in on social media shortly after the news broke Sunday.
Read More: De La Soul’s Music Will Finally Be Available For Streaming In March 2023
“Dave! It was a honor to share so many stages with you,” wrote rapper Big Daddy Kane on Instagram.
Rapper Erick Sermon posted on Instagram that “This one hurts. From Long Island from one of...
His representative Tony Ferguson confirmed the reports Sunday. No other information was immediately available.
In recent years, Jolicoeur, had said he was battling congestive heart failure, living with a LifeVest machine affixed to his person. De La Soul was part of the hip-hop tribute at the Grammy Awards last week, but Trugoy was not onstage with his fellow bandmates.
Tributes poured in on social media shortly after the news broke Sunday.
Read More: De La Soul’s Music Will Finally Be Available For Streaming In March 2023
“Dave! It was a honor to share so many stages with you,” wrote rapper Big Daddy Kane on Instagram.
Rapper Erick Sermon posted on Instagram that “This one hurts. From Long Island from one of...
- 2/13/2023
- by Alex Nino Gheciu
- ET Canada
David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, one-third of the iconic rap triumvirate De La Soul, has died, Rolling Stone has confirmed. The news was first reported by AllHipHop. He was 54. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Trugoy, who had recently been going by the name Dave, and was also known as Plug Two, had been open about his bout with congestive heart failure in recent years. In De La Soul’s 208 “Royalty Capes” video, Trugoy candidly spoke about how his ailing health kept him from performing.
“I’m ready...
Trugoy, who had recently been going by the name Dave, and was also known as Plug Two, had been open about his bout with congestive heart failure in recent years. In De La Soul’s 208 “Royalty Capes” video, Trugoy candidly spoke about how his ailing health kept him from performing.
“I’m ready...
- 2/12/2023
- by Andre Gee
- Rollingstone.com
American rapper Hurricane G, born Gloria Rodríguez, has passed away at age 52.
The musician, who was of Puerto Rican descent, died on Sunday, Epmd’s Erick Sermon confirmed.
Sermon, who shares daughter Lexus with Rodríguez, wrote, “My heart is hardened today. One of my good friends…. my oldest daughters mother passed away today #Hurricanegloria was also a legend in her own right in the Hiphop community.
“One of the first puertorican female rappers She rapped with me. @redmangilla she paved the way @keithmurray @diddy she was in all the Hiphop magazines with all the top females at the time.. #stretchandbobito loved a song that she did called ‘Milky’.
“She will be missed all around the world. I can’t believe this. Pray for us. Beautiful blessings. She was a beautiful person a wonderful mother as real as they come. We love u G” Sermon concluded.
View this post on Instagram...
The musician, who was of Puerto Rican descent, died on Sunday, Epmd’s Erick Sermon confirmed.
Sermon, who shares daughter Lexus with Rodríguez, wrote, “My heart is hardened today. One of my good friends…. my oldest daughters mother passed away today #Hurricanegloria was also a legend in her own right in the Hiphop community.
“One of the first puertorican female rappers She rapped with me. @redmangilla she paved the way @keithmurray @diddy she was in all the Hiphop magazines with all the top females at the time.. #stretchandbobito loved a song that she did called ‘Milky’.
“She will be missed all around the world. I can’t believe this. Pray for us. Beautiful blessings. She was a beautiful person a wonderful mother as real as they come. We love u G” Sermon concluded.
View this post on Instagram...
- 11/7/2022
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Dmx was a larger-than-life force in rap music at the turn of the millennium. The Yonkers, New York, rapper, who died April 9th at age 50 after being hospitalized with a heart attack days earlier, burst onto the scene in the Nineties with one of the most distinctive voices on the radio — a commanding presence on the mic, from his earliest guest appearances to the five straight multi-platinum albums he released starting in 1998. Effortlessly balancing raw charisma with hit-making savvy, X had a major impact on the sound and direction of an era in hip-hop,...
- 4/9/2021
- by Jayson Buford, Christian Hoard, Jeff Ihaza, Elias Leight, Mosi Reeves, Rob Sheffield and Simon Vozick-Levinson
- Rollingstone.com
Buffalo rapper Conway the Machine and Method Man have released a new video for their track, “Lemon,” which will appear on Conway’s upcoming album, From King to a God, out September 11th via Griselda Records/Drumwork/Empire.
Directed by Langston Sessoms, the “Lemon” clip is the perfect no-frills visual to accompany the track, placing emphasis on Conway and Method Man’s verses. As Conway told Complex of the clip, “I just wanted to give the streets and my diehard fans that nostalgic grimy shit they love me for. Meth...
Directed by Langston Sessoms, the “Lemon” clip is the perfect no-frills visual to accompany the track, placing emphasis on Conway and Method Man’s verses. As Conway told Complex of the clip, “I just wanted to give the streets and my diehard fans that nostalgic grimy shit they love me for. Meth...
- 9/8/2020
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
If you graduated high school in 1999, like this TV editor, “Da Rockwilder” by Method Man and Redman was likely one of the songs on your senior year soundtrack. The Rockwilder-produced track would also probably be the shortest song on that burned CD.
“Da Rockwilder,” which features one verse by each of the emcees and doesn’t even have a chorus, clocks in at a lightning-fast two minutes and 16 seconds. With Method Man (real name Cliff Smith) captive on Zoom to discuss his role in upcoming “Power” spinoff, “Ghost,” I asked the rapper/actor why the single was barely the length of pop songs in the 1950s.
His answer was even shorter than the song off of the “Blackout!” album, which went platinum in 2000 — and that stopwatch-watching included his redirecting plug for “Power Book II.”
Also Read: Method Man Is a (Very) High-Priced Lawyer in Trailer for Starz's 'Power Book II: Ghost...
“Da Rockwilder,” which features one verse by each of the emcees and doesn’t even have a chorus, clocks in at a lightning-fast two minutes and 16 seconds. With Method Man (real name Cliff Smith) captive on Zoom to discuss his role in upcoming “Power” spinoff, “Ghost,” I asked the rapper/actor why the single was barely the length of pop songs in the 1950s.
His answer was even shorter than the song off of the “Blackout!” album, which went platinum in 2000 — and that stopwatch-watching included his redirecting plug for “Power Book II.”
Also Read: Method Man Is a (Very) High-Priced Lawyer in Trailer for Starz's 'Power Book II: Ghost...
- 8/17/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
30 years later, 1988 still stands as rap’s greatest year. The lyrical molotovs of ‘Nation of Millions’ and ‘Straight Outta Compton, the post-modern (and pre-lawsuit) free-for-all of sampling, the national spotlight of a new show called ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ and much more. To celebrate 30 years, Rolling Stone’s Best of ’88 explores the 10 greatest songs from those explosive 12 months. See our previous entries on Rob Base and D.J. E-z Rock and Epmd.
In the four years leading up to 1988, multi-platinum, arena-rocking, Rolling Stone cover stars Run-dmc were the uncontested Kings of Rock,...
In the four years leading up to 1988, multi-platinum, arena-rocking, Rolling Stone cover stars Run-dmc were the uncontested Kings of Rock,...
- 10/15/2018
- by Christopher R. Weingarten
- Rollingstone.com
30 years later, 1988 still stands as rap’s greatest year. The lyrical molotovs of ‘Nation of Millions’ and ‘Straight Out of Compton,’ the post-modern (and pre-lawsuit) free-for-all of sampling, the national spotlight of a new show called Yo! MTV Raps and much more. To celebrate 30 years, Rolling Stone’s Best of ’88 explores the 10 greatest songs from those explosive 12 months.
In 1988, as New York rattled and popcorned with tense, funky drums sampled from James Brown records, two kids from Brentwood, Long Island stumbled across a smoother groove, giving East Coast rap more bounce.
In 1988, as New York rattled and popcorned with tense, funky drums sampled from James Brown records, two kids from Brentwood, Long Island stumbled across a smoother groove, giving East Coast rap more bounce.
- 8/26/2018
- by Christopher R. Weingarten
- Rollingstone.com
Craig Mack knew he was dying, at least for several months, from congestive heart failure ... according to his close friend, Erick Sermon. The '90s Mc broke the news Tuesday -- hours after Craig passed away in South Carolina -- telling us the "Flava in Ya Ear" rapper had only 25% of his heart working in his final months. As we reported, the coroner would only say Craig had died of natural causes ... so, Sermon, shed...
- 3/13/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
[[tmz:video id="0_wt9dby60"]] Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin loves him some Le'Veon Bell -- but he ain't listening to the Rb's rap music. Bell -- aka "Juice" -- has kinda blown up in the rap world over the past year ... getting some real traction from his Skip Bayless diss track and the secret song he recorded with Snoop Dogg. But Tomlin tells TMZ Sports he hasn't listened to a single second -- not because he's anti-Juice...
- 6/19/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema is showing a film festival dedicated to the movies of Man From U.N.C.L.E. stars Robert Vaughn and David McCallum. Tonight and tomorrow, there is a double feature of Vaughn's "The Venetian Affair" (in Ib Tech!) and McCallum's "Sol Madrid". On Friday and Saturday, there will be an U.N.C.L.E. double feature of "The Spy With My Face" and "One Spy Too Many"-- all in glorious 35mm. Click here for details. ...
- 8/12/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Message to any transgender rappers -- do Not follow Bruce Jenner's lead, 'cause hip-hop culture's not ready for that kinda thing ... at least according to hip-hop legend Erick Sermon. We got Sermon -- one half of rap pioneers Epmd -- in NYC, and when we asked if hip-hop would welcome a transgender performer at this point ... he went on a rant. Sermon said, "They're taking the culture too far. It's just too far to be going.
- 4/29/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Capturing the laughter, energy and mayhem from comedy superstar Kevin Hart’s 2012 global concert tour, Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD UltraViolet), DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Video on Demand, Digital HD and Pay-Per-View October 15 from Summit Entertainment, a Lionsgate company, Codeblack Films and Hartbeat Productions. Filmed live in New York City at two sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden, the film captures Hart’s hysterically funny live performance as he explains his unique view on the world in laugh-out-loud detail.Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain has generated more than $32 million in domestic theatrical ticket sales to date, and earned over $10 million dollars opening weekend, becoming the 4th top-grossing stand-up film of all time.
Kevin Hart (TV’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” Think Like A Man) is center stage again in this follow-up to the successful 2011 theatrical release Kevin Hart: Laugh At My Pain...
Kevin Hart (TV’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” Think Like A Man) is center stage again in this follow-up to the successful 2011 theatrical release Kevin Hart: Laugh At My Pain...
- 9/30/2013
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
New Orleans — R&B crooner Maxwell's sweet falsetto closed out Friday night's Essence Festival concert series in the Superdome that also featured performances by Brandy, LL Cool J and Jill Scott.
As the opening strands of "Sumthin, Sumthin," wafted through the arena, applause from the crowd swelled when Maxwell took the stage in a light-colored suit and tie.
His return performance to the festival's main stage included his hits "Lifetime," "This Woman's Work," "Simply Beautiful," and his latest duet with singer Alicia Keys, "Fire We Make."
In an interview before his set, Maxwell told The Associated Press that he's known Keys since she was 15. "She signed with Columbia (Records) alongside of me," he recalled. "We've always stayed in touch throughout the years and she called about a song to ask me if I'd like to do it with her. I told her, `Anything you want.' She's one of the classiest people I've ever met.
As the opening strands of "Sumthin, Sumthin," wafted through the arena, applause from the crowd swelled when Maxwell took the stage in a light-colored suit and tie.
His return performance to the festival's main stage included his hits "Lifetime," "This Woman's Work," "Simply Beautiful," and his latest duet with singer Alicia Keys, "Fire We Make."
In an interview before his set, Maxwell told The Associated Press that he's known Keys since she was 15. "She signed with Columbia (Records) alongside of me," he recalled. "We've always stayed in touch throughout the years and she called about a song to ask me if I'd like to do it with her. I told her, `Anything you want.' She's one of the classiest people I've ever met.
- 7/6/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
R.A. the Rugged Man
R.A. The Rugged Man is a Hip Hop artist from Long Island NY. He has worked with Mc’s such as The Notorious B.I.G., Mobb Deep, Chuck D of Public Enemy, Jedi Mind Tricks, Tech N9ne, Hopsin, Talib Kweli, Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, Killah Priest, and producersTrackmasters, Erick Sermon, DJ Quik, Buckwild, Alchemist, and Ayatollah. He was featured on all three of Rawkus’s Soundbombing albums, as well as the platinum-selling WWF Aggression album, performing the theme song for Chris Jericho. The Notorious B.I.G. was once quoted as saying, “I thought I was the illest,” when referring to R.A.
In 2004 he released the album Die, ”Rugged Man, Die” on Brooklyn based label Nature Sounds. The October 2006 issue of The Source featured R.A.’s verse on “Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story” as its “Hip-Hop Quotable” of the month...
R.A. The Rugged Man is a Hip Hop artist from Long Island NY. He has worked with Mc’s such as The Notorious B.I.G., Mobb Deep, Chuck D of Public Enemy, Jedi Mind Tricks, Tech N9ne, Hopsin, Talib Kweli, Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, Killah Priest, and producersTrackmasters, Erick Sermon, DJ Quik, Buckwild, Alchemist, and Ayatollah. He was featured on all three of Rawkus’s Soundbombing albums, as well as the platinum-selling WWF Aggression album, performing the theme song for Chris Jericho. The Notorious B.I.G. was once quoted as saying, “I thought I was the illest,” when referring to R.A.
In 2004 he released the album Die, ”Rugged Man, Die” on Brooklyn based label Nature Sounds. The October 2006 issue of The Source featured R.A.’s verse on “Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story” as its “Hip-Hop Quotable” of the month...
- 5/12/2013
- by Scott Ronan
- Obsessed with Film
'Go out there and check yourself, it don't matter which age you are,' 42-year-old Epmd rap vet tells 'Sway in the Morning.'
By Rob Markman
Erick Sermon
Photo: FilmMagic
Rap veteran Erick Sermon is on the road to recovery after suffering a mild heart attack last week, he tells MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway.
The Epmd rapper/producer called into Shade 45's "Sway in the Morning" radio show on Tuesday (November 15) and described to listeners how things unfolded. After recording a track last Wednesday, the Green-Eyed Bandit was relaxing when he started to feel discomfort.
"I sat on the sofa and I got two sharp pains on my left-hand side," Sermon, 42, told Sway from the hospital where he has been recovering for the past five days.
The platinum producer didn't think much of the pain, though, and instead of seeking help, just shifted to a better position...
By Rob Markman
Erick Sermon
Photo: FilmMagic
Rap veteran Erick Sermon is on the road to recovery after suffering a mild heart attack last week, he tells MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway.
The Epmd rapper/producer called into Shade 45's "Sway in the Morning" radio show on Tuesday (November 15) and described to listeners how things unfolded. After recording a track last Wednesday, the Green-Eyed Bandit was relaxing when he started to feel discomfort.
"I sat on the sofa and I got two sharp pains on my left-hand side," Sermon, 42, told Sway from the hospital where he has been recovering for the past five days.
The platinum producer didn't think much of the pain, though, and instead of seeking help, just shifted to a better position...
- 11/15/2011
- MTV Music News
As one of hip-hop's most influential and prolific MCs, Nasir Jones (born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones) has always defined the genre more than it has defined him. Seventeen years since his classic 1994 debut opus, "Illmatic," the reclusive Queensbridge, New York, native is gearing up to release his latest offering, "Life Is Good," before the end of 2011.
In a recent interview with The Huffington Post, Nas (as he is widely known) opened up on an array of topics, including his latest philanthropic efforts -- as part of Unicef's "Month of Giving" and their support of children in Somalia, as well as details on his new album, fatherhood and marriage advice, among other things.
Can you speak on your involvement with Unicef's "Month of Giving" and what inspired you to reach out to them?
I'm all about what they're all about, I'm happy to work with reputable people. I reached out...
In a recent interview with The Huffington Post, Nas (as he is widely known) opened up on an array of topics, including his latest philanthropic efforts -- as part of Unicef's "Month of Giving" and their support of children in Somalia, as well as details on his new album, fatherhood and marriage advice, among other things.
Can you speak on your involvement with Unicef's "Month of Giving" and what inspired you to reach out to them?
I'm all about what they're all about, I'm happy to work with reputable people. I reached out...
- 8/24/2011
- by Brennan Williams
- Huffington Post
Second Sight Films have announced the UK DVD debut of the Tupac Shakur starring cult gangster thriller Juice, which comes to DVD in the UK for first time ever in October.
Rap legend Tupac Shakur stars in cult gangster thriller Juice, a tale of four friends determined to make some money on the harsh streets of Harlem. Directed by Ernest R Dickerson, Juice has an outstanding soundtrack featuring hip-hop heroes Eric B and Rakim, Epmd, Big Daddy Kane and many more.
I’m looking forward to seeing Juice again – I remember loving this film on its original release, in fact I still have the soundtrack on cassette buried in a box somewhere! Juice hits DVD on October 3rd 2011.
Rap legend Tupac Shakur stars in cult gangster thriller Juice, a tale of four friends determined to make some money on the harsh streets of Harlem. Directed by Ernest R Dickerson, Juice has an outstanding soundtrack featuring hip-hop heroes Eric B and Rakim, Epmd, Big Daddy Kane and many more.
I’m looking forward to seeing Juice again – I remember loving this film on its original release, in fact I still have the soundtrack on cassette buried in a box somewhere! Juice hits DVD on October 3rd 2011.
- 8/9/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Trailblazing the way for more rap documentaries just as A Tribe Called Quest did for its genre’s musical potential, Beats Rhymes & Life is a passion project by first-time director Michael Rapaport that goes deep into how important the quartet was during the ’90s. As heard in both underground and mainstream rap acts today, the influence of the group (who included members Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White) is still prominent.
I sat down with first-time director Rapaport and Atcq member Phife Dawg to discuss the group’s influence on modern culture, the small existence of rap documentaries, the excitement of rap music in the ’80s, and more.
Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest opens in Chicago on July 15.
There’s a lot of talk in this documentary about respect and influence. Is that an important component to musical history? Are financial numbers equal,...
I sat down with first-time director Rapaport and Atcq member Phife Dawg to discuss the group’s influence on modern culture, the small existence of rap documentaries, the excitement of rap music in the ’80s, and more.
Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest opens in Chicago on July 15.
There’s a lot of talk in this documentary about respect and influence. Is that an important component to musical history? Are financial numbers equal,...
- 7/14/2011
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
'How many groups got documentaries — hip-hop — being done about themselves?' Phife Dawg asks.
By Rebecca Thomas, with additional reporting by Sway Calloway
Phife Dawg
Photo: Jmtv News
The hardest part about being in a group is "constantly considering someone else — even before yourself," Q-Tip says in one scene from the documentary "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest."
In 1990, four friends from a Caribbean-flavored, middle-class hamlet in Queens, New York, became the focus of a bidding war that landed them a (then-whopping) $350,000 major-label deal. All in their late teens at the time, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi would go on to become one of the most groundbreaking groups in the history of hip-hop — and eventually one of the most divided.
That tragic division was apparent on Wednesday, when the 5-foot Assassin himself, Phife, made a solo visit to MTV News' "RapFix Live,...
By Rebecca Thomas, with additional reporting by Sway Calloway
Phife Dawg
Photo: Jmtv News
The hardest part about being in a group is "constantly considering someone else — even before yourself," Q-Tip says in one scene from the documentary "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest."
In 1990, four friends from a Caribbean-flavored, middle-class hamlet in Queens, New York, became the focus of a bidding war that landed them a (then-whopping) $350,000 major-label deal. All in their late teens at the time, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi would go on to become one of the most groundbreaking groups in the history of hip-hop — and eventually one of the most divided.
That tragic division was apparent on Wednesday, when the 5-foot Assassin himself, Phife, made a solo visit to MTV News' "RapFix Live,...
- 4/28/2011
- MTV Music News
Redman has made a career out of not fixing what isn’t broken; he’s never been the type to chase trends or stray too far outside his comfort zone. Even his pop-culture references are older than some of his peers’, so on his latest, Reggie, it’s a little jarring hearing Auto-Tune on the chorus of “Full Nelson” and “Lemme Get 2.” Redman has made other changes as well. Mentor, Def Squad affiliate, and longtime producer Erick Sermon is nowhere to be found, and the meat-and-potatoes funk of Redman’s early albums has been replaced by waves of icy ...
- 12/14/2010
- avclub.com
By Jeremy Kaplan
In the modern music landscape, it's extremely difficult to make an impact with a whole album. With the rise of digital downloads and customizable playlists on iPods, an artist's music is far more likely to be absorbed via a series of singles or on a compilation than as an entire album. In hip-hop, it's even more difficult, as the emphasis is so often put on the killer single or the tracks grouped together on a mixtape. Creating a truly classic hip-hop album is hard, and crafting a sequel to an album like that should be impossible. However, there are a handful of artists — namely Dr. Dre, Raekwon and Capone-n-Noreaga — who have managed to pull off such an incredible feat.
Dr. Dre's 1992 solo debut The Chronic introduced the world to G-Funk. Seven years later, Dre expanded on the same sound with 2001 (also known as The Chronic 2001), a...
In the modern music landscape, it's extremely difficult to make an impact with a whole album. With the rise of digital downloads and customizable playlists on iPods, an artist's music is far more likely to be absorbed via a series of singles or on a compilation than as an entire album. In hip-hop, it's even more difficult, as the emphasis is so often put on the killer single or the tracks grouped together on a mixtape. Creating a truly classic hip-hop album is hard, and crafting a sequel to an album like that should be impossible. However, there are a handful of artists — namely Dr. Dre, Raekwon and Capone-n-Noreaga — who have managed to pull off such an incredible feat.
Dr. Dre's 1992 solo debut The Chronic introduced the world to G-Funk. Seven years later, Dre expanded on the same sound with 2001 (also known as The Chronic 2001), a...
- 7/15/2010
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
'This is a way for me to reach out to people,' he tells Mixtape Daily about his talent competition.
By Shaheem Reid
Ty Fyffe
Photo: Courtesy of Ty Fyffe
Behind the Beats: Ty Fyffe
Queens native Ty Fyffe has them all from The G-Unit to Michael Jackson.
"It was a life-changing experience," he said about visiting Michael Jackson at the King of Pop's home. At the time in the early '90s, Fife was under the tutelage of Teddy Riley and living in Virginia.
"Ted was working with Mike heavy after the success of Dangerous," Fyffe added. "He took me and one of his boys down to Neverland. Mike was working on the 'Addams Family Values' soundtrack. It was crazy that I went to the joint. We was in his movie theater."
After Riley, Fyffe went on to learn from Erick Sermon.
"That was my second half of learning production,...
By Shaheem Reid
Ty Fyffe
Photo: Courtesy of Ty Fyffe
Behind the Beats: Ty Fyffe
Queens native Ty Fyffe has them all from The G-Unit to Michael Jackson.
"It was a life-changing experience," he said about visiting Michael Jackson at the King of Pop's home. At the time in the early '90s, Fife was under the tutelage of Teddy Riley and living in Virginia.
"Ted was working with Mike heavy after the success of Dangerous," Fyffe added. "He took me and one of his boys down to Neverland. Mike was working on the 'Addams Family Values' soundtrack. It was crazy that I went to the joint. We was in his movie theater."
After Riley, Fyffe went on to learn from Erick Sermon.
"That was my second half of learning production,...
- 3/19/2010
- MTV Music News
In 1992, we were in the tail end of the golden age of hip-hop. Dr. Dre had just released The Chronic, and G Funk was on the rise, but for fans of the east coast sound, there was still Eric B & Rakim. So as a nod to the good old days, today's Scenes (Songs) We Love is all about Eric B & Rakim's Know the Ledge from the 92 crime flick, Juice. The 90's timepiece was directed by cinematographer Ernest R. Dickerson (The Wire and long-time cinematographer for Spike Lee) and centered on four friends in Harlem: Bishop (Tupac Shakur), Q (Omar Epps), Raheem (Khalil Kain) and Steel (Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins) as they wrestled with the usual urban tropes about making it out of the 'ghetto'.
Music was a big part of the film, and if you are of a certain age, the songs in this movie will seem like the best...
Music was a big part of the film, and if you are of a certain age, the songs in this movie will seem like the best...
- 2/3/2010
- by Jessica Barnes
- Cinematical
Last night's annual "VH1 Hip-Hop Honors" show tipped its pimp hat to Def Jam Records, perhaps the most influential hip-hop company in history. When Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons launched Def Jam from Rubin's Nyu dorm room 25 years ago, they surely could not have anticipated that they would nurture some of the greatest talent the hip-hop world has ever seen, from LL Cool J and Public Enemy to Ludacris and Young Jeezy.
In addition to more than two decades of killer music, artists on the Def Jam label have also focused on having a keen visual sense. As a result, some of the clips the label has put out over the years have become cornerstones of the video genre. From the punk-rock simplicity of the Beastie Boys' "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)" and LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out" to the grimy...
In addition to more than two decades of killer music, artists on the Def Jam label have also focused on having a keen visual sense. As a result, some of the clips the label has put out over the years have become cornerstones of the video genre. From the punk-rock simplicity of the Beastie Boys' "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)" and LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out" to the grimy...
- 10/14/2009
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
Stars perform tracks by LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and other acts from the legendary imprint.
Eminem performs at the VH1's "Hip Hop Honors"
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images
Brooklyn, New York — Usually when hip-hop heads new and old gather to celebrate someone being recognized as a "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" inductee, it's a pioneering act like LL Cool J, Rakim or Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
However, on Tuesday night (October 13), during the telecast of the sixth-annual production, the Tracy Morgan-hosted event broke new ground, honoring an entire record label.
And it was only right that the label was Def Jam, the most influential rap imprint in history. The 25-year-old label was founded by Rick Rubin and cultivated by the likes of Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen and so many other prominent figures in hip-hop. LL Cool J was the face of the label for so many years,...
Eminem performs at the VH1's "Hip Hop Honors"
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images
Brooklyn, New York — Usually when hip-hop heads new and old gather to celebrate someone being recognized as a "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" inductee, it's a pioneering act like LL Cool J, Rakim or Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
However, on Tuesday night (October 13), during the telecast of the sixth-annual production, the Tracy Morgan-hosted event broke new ground, honoring an entire record label.
And it was only right that the label was Def Jam, the most influential rap imprint in history. The 25-year-old label was founded by Rick Rubin and cultivated by the likes of Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen and so many other prominent figures in hip-hop. LL Cool J was the face of the label for so many years,...
- 10/13/2009
- MTV Music News
LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, other label greats are honored at annual event, which airs on VH1 October 13.
By Shaheem Reid
Eminem on stage at the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Brooklyn, New York — For five years, VH1's "Hip Hop Honors" has paid homage to legendary hip-hop figures, from Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur to Big Daddy Kane. For their sixth show, which taped Wednesday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (and airs on VH1 on October 13), the event's organizers dedicated the entire program to a record label, the trailblazing house for hip-hop and R&B, Def Jam.
It's only right that the first Def Jam artist to be honored was the label's foundation and face for so many years, LL Cool J.
The Roots started it off with "Rock the Bells." Black Thought ripped the first verse of the record, then gave...
By Shaheem Reid
Eminem on stage at the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Brooklyn, New York — For five years, VH1's "Hip Hop Honors" has paid homage to legendary hip-hop figures, from Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur to Big Daddy Kane. For their sixth show, which taped Wednesday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (and airs on VH1 on October 13), the event's organizers dedicated the entire program to a record label, the trailblazing house for hip-hop and R&B, Def Jam.
It's only right that the first Def Jam artist to be honored was the label's foundation and face for so many years, LL Cool J.
The Roots started it off with "Rock the Bells." Black Thought ripped the first verse of the record, then gave...
- 9/24/2009
- MTV Music News
Like Paramore's Hayley Williams, we're big Ufc fans around the Newsroom, so it has come as a great shock and disappointment to everybody at MTV News that former Ufc champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson has decided to retire from fighting. After 37 career fights, Jackson has decided to focus on other opportunities, which includes his role as B.A. Baracus — originally made famous by Mr. T — in the upcoming "A-Team" movie. He has chosen to step away from the Ufc at a rather inopportune time, as he is currently one of the coaches (along with rival Rashad Evans) on the just-started season of "The Ultimate Fighter." Not surprisingly, he has drawn the ire of Evans and Ufc President Dana White.
The fight world will miss Rampage, as he is one of the best promos in the business and has been involved in some of the most fun, entertaining fights in the history...
The fight world will miss Rampage, as he is one of the best promos in the business and has been involved in some of the most fun, entertaining fights in the history...
- 9/23/2009
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
More than a decade after the first Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, the Chef has a reason to celebrate.
Littles and Raekwon at his <i>Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II</i> album-release party
Photo: Jerritt Clark/ Getty Images
New York — Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon the Chef will be forever lauded, not just because of his lyrical exploits on proper Wu-Tang Clan LPs, but because his solo debut, 1995's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is one of the greatest rap albums ever.
But nostalgia can only take you so far; you have to live in the here and now eventually. Over a decade later, Raekwon finds himself a relevant Mc again after cooking up that great product once more. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II was released on Tuesday, and some have already certified the album as a classic. With RZA sharing production with J. Dilla, Dr. Dre and others, and the Chef opening up the recording session to Beanie Sigel,...
Littles and Raekwon at his <i>Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II</i> album-release party
Photo: Jerritt Clark/ Getty Images
New York — Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon the Chef will be forever lauded, not just because of his lyrical exploits on proper Wu-Tang Clan LPs, but because his solo debut, 1995's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is one of the greatest rap albums ever.
But nostalgia can only take you so far; you have to live in the here and now eventually. Over a decade later, Raekwon finds himself a relevant Mc again after cooking up that great product once more. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II was released on Tuesday, and some have already certified the album as a classic. With RZA sharing production with J. Dilla, Dr. Dre and others, and the Chef opening up the recording session to Beanie Sigel,...
- 9/9/2009
- MTV Music News
In his lively feature documentary debut, "Rhyme & Reason," producer-director Peter Spirer (nominated for an Academy Award in 1994 for his short "Blood Ties: The Life and Work of Sally Mann") investigates and chronicles the hip-hop culture and its close relative, rap music.
Fast and informative, the crowd-pleasing Miramax release features plenty of tunes and stars, including a few brief moments with the late Tupac Shakur. While the language is often raw and there's a limit to the film's appeal, "Rhyme & Reason" will draw good crowds in select theaters and go on to heavy rotation as a video rental.
The distinction between hip-hop and rap is made clear early on. The former is a lifestyle encompassing clothes, language, graffiti and rap music. "Rap is something being done; hip-hop is something being lived," sums up KRS-ONE.
It's a situation that recalls many popular cultural movements of the past, and Spirer ambitiously probes the wide world of hip-hop with a historical perspective that leads to some genuine insight from the many artists interviewed.
From members of the Wu-Tang Clan to Ice-T, there is plenty of tough talk about life in the big-city slums, where rap moved "from project to project." In its early days in the South Bronx, the streetwise poetry with a pounding rhythm was a personal or group expression.
The "scratching" of records was eventually introduced, and DJs in clubs and at parties became part of the hip-hop scene. Break-dancing and elaborate graffiti painting were energetic responses to the urban environment, while rap became the means to express one's mind.
Over time, rap has become a $3 billion-a-year industry but has been plagued by scandals, tragedies and its wide perception as "gangster" music. The film addresses these and more issues -- such as the rivalry between East Coast and West Coast rappers -- but no definitive conclusions are reached.
For hip-hop fans, however, there are many highlights. Newer acts such as Nas, the Pharcyde and Busta Rhymes are included along with such veterans as Dr. Dre, Biz Markie and Salt-N-Pepa.
From these interviewees and many others, Spirer and crew have created a cultural portrait that argues persuasively, in the words of Speech (formerly of Arrested Development), that hip-hop music is "a voice for oppressed people who, in many ways, don't have any other voice."
RHYME & REASON
Miramax Films
A City Block and Asian Pictures production
A film by Peter Spirer
Director Peter Spirer
Producers Charles X. Block, Peter Spirer,
Daniel Sollinger
Executive producer Helena Echegoyen
Music supervisors Happy Walters,
Andrew Shack
Editors Andy Robertson, David Wilson
Music Benedikt Brydern
Color/stereo
With: Ice-T, the Pharcyde, Salt-N-Pepa, Chuck D, Erick Sermon, Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Heavy D, Grand Master Caz
Running time -- 89 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Fast and informative, the crowd-pleasing Miramax release features plenty of tunes and stars, including a few brief moments with the late Tupac Shakur. While the language is often raw and there's a limit to the film's appeal, "Rhyme & Reason" will draw good crowds in select theaters and go on to heavy rotation as a video rental.
The distinction between hip-hop and rap is made clear early on. The former is a lifestyle encompassing clothes, language, graffiti and rap music. "Rap is something being done; hip-hop is something being lived," sums up KRS-ONE.
It's a situation that recalls many popular cultural movements of the past, and Spirer ambitiously probes the wide world of hip-hop with a historical perspective that leads to some genuine insight from the many artists interviewed.
From members of the Wu-Tang Clan to Ice-T, there is plenty of tough talk about life in the big-city slums, where rap moved "from project to project." In its early days in the South Bronx, the streetwise poetry with a pounding rhythm was a personal or group expression.
The "scratching" of records was eventually introduced, and DJs in clubs and at parties became part of the hip-hop scene. Break-dancing and elaborate graffiti painting were energetic responses to the urban environment, while rap became the means to express one's mind.
Over time, rap has become a $3 billion-a-year industry but has been plagued by scandals, tragedies and its wide perception as "gangster" music. The film addresses these and more issues -- such as the rivalry between East Coast and West Coast rappers -- but no definitive conclusions are reached.
For hip-hop fans, however, there are many highlights. Newer acts such as Nas, the Pharcyde and Busta Rhymes are included along with such veterans as Dr. Dre, Biz Markie and Salt-N-Pepa.
From these interviewees and many others, Spirer and crew have created a cultural portrait that argues persuasively, in the words of Speech (formerly of Arrested Development), that hip-hop music is "a voice for oppressed people who, in many ways, don't have any other voice."
RHYME & REASON
Miramax Films
A City Block and Asian Pictures production
A film by Peter Spirer
Director Peter Spirer
Producers Charles X. Block, Peter Spirer,
Daniel Sollinger
Executive producer Helena Echegoyen
Music supervisors Happy Walters,
Andrew Shack
Editors Andy Robertson, David Wilson
Music Benedikt Brydern
Color/stereo
With: Ice-T, the Pharcyde, Salt-N-Pepa, Chuck D, Erick Sermon, Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Heavy D, Grand Master Caz
Running time -- 89 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
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