….at least that’s what we think. These pictures (in Manhattan, NYC) have also spawned rumors of a more-than-friends relationship between the two. I suppose time will tell on all counts.
@Hoodzee Feat. @NathanBlueberry – Just Like That (Video)
Check out the latest visual from Hoodzee featuring Nathan Blueberry, taken from the recently released Room Sessions. I love the production on this record.
U-God – UKHH Interview
Storm caught up with U-God recently while on the Wu-Tang 20th Anniversary tour, to talk about everything Wu and everything U…
Chi Raq (Documentary)
Courtesy of Protein TV:
Protein is very proud to present Chi Raq, a film by London-born photographer/filmmaker Will Robson- Scott.
The first in a series of exclusive commissions for Protein TV, Chi Raq is an intimate video portrait of life in South and West Chicago.For the past decade, Chicago has been enduring a violence epidemic, with a death toll in the thousands and casualties mirroring the losses experienced by the US army in Iraq war over the same period. Allowing its subjects to take centre stage and tell their stories in their own words, Robson-Scottʼs film is unflinchingly honest in its depiction of life on the streets of one of the most dangerous cities in America.
Commissioned for Protein TV, Chi Raq is a powerful work that allows its subjects to take centre stage and tell their stories in their own words. With contributions from gang members – both ex- and current – to unfortunate residents caught in the crossfire, survivors mourning lost loved ones and community leaders desperately trying to quell the violence, Will’s film presents the diverse human face of a neighbourhood drowning in gang warfare.
Fantasia & Missy Elliott Perform On ‘106 & Park’
Fantasia & Missy Elliott shut down the stage with a live rendition of the former’s hit ‘Without Me’.
Stubborn Heart (@stubbornheartuk) – Penetrate (Video)
Luca Santucci and Ben Fitzgerald (aka Stubborn Heart) have liberated an excellent visual for the eerie Soulful electronic number ‘Penetrate’. Directed by Emile Rafael.
TWITTER BEEF: Wale Vs. David Otunga
For whatever reason, Jennifer Hudson’s significant other decided to diss Wale, who pretty much shut it down in response (above). Why does it feel as if Wale really does receive the most hate in this culture right now?
UPDATE: Wale Speaks On Being Named In Kendrick Lamar’s Verse
UPDATE: I missed this, but Wale gave a more weighted opinion in Rolling Out Magazine:
Kendrick is a phenomenal rapper. It was a great verse from Kendrick. But I think people are taking it the wrong way. He said my name and a few other names and also said he was the best rapper. I say that I’m the best rapper in every song I’m on, I just don’t call out names. He just did it a different way.
It just hasn’t happened that way in a long time. Those type of records usually come from the bitter rapper who has had his time pass. Since it hasn’t been done by anyone in their prime, it felt shocking. Kendrick gave you a good verse and just named rappers while doing it. Every rapper brags in their own way. He took the position of, ‘whoever is standing in my way, I’m going to do something to you.’
I thank him for mentioning me in that category. I may have felt a certain way if he didn’t mention me. He mentioned the rapper [Drake] who is going to sell the most records this year, and he mentioned the rapper who has sold the most records thus far in 2013. I think I’m in good company.
But I always feel that I’m the best rapper. There are a lot of rappers who have done it for a long time who will tell you that I’m their favorite rapper. In this day and age, the hate is 10 times louder than the love. If someone says, ‘F– you’ it’s a scream. But if they say, ‘You’re the greatest’ it’s a whisper.”
****************************************
Looks like Wale is pretty cool about the whole thing (why wouldn’t he be). From TMZ:
Wale isn’t trippin one bit over Kendrick Lamar’s new lyrics of mass destruction — despite being personally called out in KL’s rhymes — telling TMZ, he’d be offended if Kendrick DIDN’T threaten his ass.
Wale was out at LAX Wednesday when we asked about the backhanded shoutout, and he told us, “I’d’ve been offended if my name wasn’t in that sh*t.”
As for the best rapper on the planet … Wale still thinks it’s himself.
Kyodai (@KyodaiMusic) – What U Give
Check out the latest from Kyodai, courtesy of Room With A View.
Kyodai is a brand new project that means “brothers” in Japanese and that’s a good clue for guessing who`s behind these two heads, the producers are known under a variety of different names! a duo that gained respect from musical heavy weights like Masters At Work, Jimpster, Gilles Peterson, Rainer Trüby, and they regularly release under a variety of different names for labels such as Compost, Odori, Om, Lovemonk………
Kyodai have had a strong run of releases since their debut here on Freerange Records last year. Their “Mi Rumba EP” must have impressed a lot of people as they went on to release a follow up EP for Mad Mats blossoming Local Talk label with “Breaking EP”, supported by top names, until reaching the top list of the Gilles Peterson’s “An All Winners Show”, and also have an EP due on Pokerflat called “Never Know”. Kerri Chandler dug it enough to include on his RA podcast and it was also picked up for the Cielo Compilation on Nervous, resulting in many requests for remixes and productions that are already due to be released this fall.
Jamie George (@JamieGeorgeUK) – Take Me There
Produced by Shenoda and brought courtesy of Rinse FM.
@Kwes. – 36 (Video)
Taken from the upcoming album ‘ilp.’, released October 14th (15th in North America) on Warp Records.
UPDATE: Lady Gaga Goes Nude (Again) For V Magazine
UPDATE: We now have a couple more covers from Lady Gaga’s V Magazine shoot below.
****************************************
We showed a bit in a previous post, but now we get yet another (classy) nude photo as a prep for Lady Gaga’s upcoming feature in V Magazine. Issue coming soon, I suppose.
Ben Affleck Will Reportedly Be The Next Batman
Yea, not really a culture-relevant topic, but still…from CBS News:
Warner Bros. announced Thursday that the 41-year-old actor-director will star as a new incarnation of the Dark Knight in a film bringing Batman and Superman together.
The studio said Affleck will star opposite 30-year-old Henry Cavill, who will reprise his role as Superman from “Man of Steel.” The movie will also feature “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White and Diane Lane as Martha Kent.
The big-screen DC Comics superhero mash-up was first revealed by director Zack Snyder at last month’s Comic-Con International in San Diego.
Snyder, who will direct the sequel written by “Man of Steel” screenwriter David S. Goyer, said in a statement that Affleck will provide an “interesting counter-balance” to Cavill’s Clark Kent.
“(Affleck) has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne,” said Snyder. “I can’t wait to work with him.”
Production on the as-yet-untitled film is expected to begin in 2014 for release July 17, 2015.
Big Sean – Necole Bitchie Interview
Big Sean sat down with Necole Bitchie and spoke on a number of topics ranging from his old girl (and his new girl) to shedding a tear in Detroit.
FILM TRAILER: Black Nativity (Starring Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Luke James, Nas & More)
You can get a synopsis of this film below, which hits theatres November 27th.
In a contemporary adaptation of Langston Hughes’ celebrated play, the holiday musical drama BLACK NATIVITY follows Langston (Jacob Latimore), a street-wise teen from Baltimore raised by a single mother, as he journeys to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives Reverend Cornell and Aretha Cobbs (Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett). Unwilling to live by the imposing Reverend Cobbs’ rules, a frustrated Langston is determined to return home to his mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson). Langston embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey and along with new friends, and a little divine intervention, he discovers the true meaning of faith, healing, and family.
LMAO: Kendrick Lamar’s Sign Language Interpreter
This was during his performance of ‘Fuckin Problems’ at Lollapalooza. She probably made his already dope performance that much more entertaining with a stage presence of her own.
K. Michelle Brings Her ‘Rebellious Soul’ To 106 & Park
K. Michelle drops her debut album, “Rebellious Soul,” talks about being a Music Matters artist and more on 106.
ARTWORK/TRACKLISTING: Janelle Monae – The Electric Lady (UPDATE)
UPDATE: Check out the video below of what looks like an alternate cover (tracklisting is still below). Dope, either way.
****************************************
The Electric Lady drops September 10th and boasts features from Prince, Erykah Badu, Solange, Miguel and more. I genuinely hope this woman’s album sells….tracklist below.
Disc 1
01 Suite IV Electric Overture
02 Givin Em What They Love f. Prince
03 Q.U.E.E.N. f. Erykah Badu
04 Electric Lady f. Solange
05 Good Morning Midnight (Interlude)
06 PrimeTime f. Miguel
07 We Were Rock & Roll
08 The Chrome Shoppe (Interlude)
09 Dance Apocalyptic
10 Look Into My Eyes
Disc 2
01 Suite V Electric Overture
02 It’s Code
03 Ghetto Woman
04 Our Favorite Fugitive (Interlude)
05 Victory
06 Can’t Live Without Your Love
07 Sally Ride
08 Dorothy Dandridge Eyes f. Esperanza Spalding
09 What An Experience
Phoenix Feat. R. Kelly – Trying To Be Cool (Remix)
Following the pairing during this year’s Coachella, R. Kelly has decided to jump on a remix of Phoenix’s ‘Trying To Be Cool’. You can check out the track below.
Wiz Khalifa Brings Baby Bash On Stage In Cincinnati
From Hip-Hop Blog:
On the heels of Amber posting Instagram pics of she and little Sebastian frolicking in a pool, Wiz Khalifa brought his wife and “Baby Bash” onstage during a recent performance.
“Sebastian & I are Cincinnati bound to see Daddy’s last show of his tour,” Amber tweeted earlier in the day. “We’re so excited!”
The family was on full display that night in Cincy, where Wiz closed out his “Under the Influence” tour. Khalifa decided to bring out all of his crew–and included his family in the fun.
Gucci Mane Shares Topless Pic Of Keyshia Ka’oir
Vlad reports:
Most of the photos Gucci Mane has been posting to Instagram lately have been of his girl, Keyshia Ka’oir. The “Nuthin on Ya” rapper’s latest pic of his boo is her chilling topless in the indoor pool of a Vegas penthouse, which he captioned “Damn my baby bad!! In da penthouse acting up #MrsGuwopinVEGAS she had me taking these pics.”
You can check out the pic right here.
SNEAK PEEK: Minajesty By Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj’s new fragrance Minajesty will arrive in department stores September 15….and below is what you’ll be recieving:
