Nah Right

Damn, MTV just because Black Rob hasn’t had a real hit since Woah doesn’t mean a story like this  doesn’t deserve it’s own news item. I found this buried in the middle of yesterdays For The Record report on MTV.com:

Bad Boy Records rapper Black Rob (born Robert Ross) was sentenced to up to seven years in jail for grand larceny Thursday (March 30) in New York. Rob was picked up on a fugitive warrant February 24 after skipping out on an agreement to turn himself in January 24 to begin serving a two-to-six-year sentence on the charges. A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney’s office said the rapper was given the maximum sentence on the charge due to his flight. He will begin serving immediately…

I know it says ‘up to’ 7 years and he probably won’t do a day over 3 if he’s lucky, but that wouldn’t have made for nearly as sensational a headline now would it? Let this be a lesson to any up and coming rappers thinking about signing with P.Diddy: On Bad Boy you can drop two albums and blow up with a huge radio record, and still end up breaking into hotel rooms for loose change.    

I usually leave this kind of news to those of us who are properly trained to handle such hot topics, but Russell being the legendary hip hop figure that he is, I figured I’d give it a shot. Rumors have been circulating about this breakup for a minute, and it was recently reported that old Rush had taken up with some model chick who in my opinion, has nothing on Kimora (even though I can’t stand her golddiggin’ ass.) And of course there have been rumblings for some time now that Baby of Cash Money was smashing that on the low (Kimora, not Russell you sickos..no brokeback.)

One-Time Rivals Marley Marl And KRS-One Record Album 

Did Busta Lay Out Dave Mays? (Update: AHH has a confirmation and audio from none other than Daves partner Ray Ray)

A new Tupac Video

Michigan Husband On Strike, On His Roof (Video)

Vote of Die: 1965 Voting Rights Provisions to Expire  

I’m not really sure why this is a big enough deal that it warrants a press conference and news story, since the event has taken place in New York the last two years that they’ve held it. Of course it makes sense that they would have something like this here because let’s be realistic, where else are you gonna do it, Atlanta? Ha ha, yeah right.

NEW YORK — A six-day celebration of hip-hop culture, held in the birthplace of the musical genre, was set for October in conjunction with the 3rd annual VH1 Hip-Hop Honors show, network and city officials announced Thursday.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, or "Mike B," as he tagged himself for the day announced the festivities while flanked by two hip-hop legends, entrepreneur Russell Simmons and artist and actor Ice-T.

Bloomberg said it’s important for the city to honor musical traditions.

"That means celebrating an art form that has expressed the realities of city life," Bloomberg said after welcoming visitors to his "crib," City Hall. "As hip-hop has evolved and new artists have emerged, its lessons have continued to be valuable for us."

Ok the ‘Mike B’ moniker and referring to City Hall as his ‘crib’ were both uncalled for, but I’ll give it to Bloomy, he really makes it hard to continue to hate his guts. If me and him didn’t have beef for life over his ridiculous smoking ban, I might be inclined to say that he’s becoming somewhat tolerable.

Sidenote: Why is Ice-T always at these things? I know he’s a legend and all but can’t they mix things up a little with a different old man rapper? I’m sure Kool Moe Dee could’ve made it, I imagine he has plenty of time on his hands these days.

Jim Jones up in his office looking extra dusty, talking about Jay, Mase, Loon, and Lil Cease. Jimmy (pronounced Yimmee) isn’t nearly as entertaining as Cam during interviews, but he’s still good for a chuckle every now and then.

T.I. to move 500,000 his first week? (Reg. Required)

City of L.A. to give Voletta Wallace the loot 

As Life Returns to New Orleans, So Does Crime  

Man Gets 30 Years in Plot to Kill Bush 

I really tried to like this. I gave it like 4 listens, but no go. I know it’s a single meant for the masses but so was Grindin’ and this ain’t no Grindin’. Pharrell spitting bars is so unnecessary…every verse outta this guy is like a goddamn Bape/Ice Cream promo. Pusha and Malice’s verses are on point as usual, but the beat and the chorus just aren’t for me. 

The Clipse - Me Too 

From AHH Rumors:

DAVE MAYS ATTACKED?

THIS IS A RUMOR. I don’t know if this is true, but people are sure talking about it. I heard that Dave Mays was at Club Opium in Miami and was approached by a certain “affiliated” rapper (who IS NOT 50 Cent). Apparently, Mays said something about this rapper on the radio and the rapper wasn’t pleased at the words said. Rumor has it, the security got out of control as the words flew and somebody struck the former Source mogul. And after that, “Yada, Yada, Yada!” I heard there were a number of rappers at that particular club and nobody was able to help. Whew, I wonder what Zino is going to do/say about this one! If memory serves me correct, Dave abides by the codes of the streets – no cops! Should this be true, we may never know! I DO hope this is false, but are cats wilding now that Dave no longer runs The Source?

• Busta Goes Bleep In Miami

• Houston, you got a problem…crack!

• Howard U’s Intellectuals Discuss Creating ‘Hip-Hop’ Minor At Symposium

• Rappers find gigs in Vegas a real gamble

• Hiker Returns Purse With $1M in Jewels

I never heard of this That Diesel DVD series in my life but they flooded Youtube with a bunch of freestyle and interview footage yesterday so they’re alright with me. Above is part two of a Joe Buddens interview and a freestyle. Below is a link to part 1 and a freestyle from Joel Ortiz who by the way is the goddamn truth, although this particular freestyle isn’t the best stuff I’ve heard from him by any means.

Joe Buddens Interview Part 1 

Joel Ortiz Freestyle 

Look at this pic of Jay, Nas, and Bleek at the Def Jam offices from the upcoming issue of XXL. Damn, that was uncalled for…

Look at this nigga Jay frontin tryin to take my shine
I didn’t say this verbally, just had some shit on my mind
Plus I’m puffin like an ounce, more than I used to puff
Takin advice from these niggaz but they ain’t used to stuff
They had me thinkin, "Shit, I’m the one that moved the stuff
while he drive around town in brand new Coupe’s and stuff"
Swear to God, they had me practically hatin his guts
As he approached I spoke, "Jigga whattup?" - M.Bleek