I guess Sean Penn wasn’t happy about Wyclef’s response to his earlier comments. So he took to Huffington Post about it. You can read it here.
Drake’s Letter To Aaliyah
Spotted on Rap Radar:
Dear Dana,
I’ve never lost a parent, a friend, or a lover but I will never forget this day for the rest of my life. I remember getting the news that you had passed and it connected with my heart like a clean shot from Muhammad Ali. I was crushed. Not only was I one of your biggest fans but I was truly in love with you. I loved the way you carried yourself, the way you dressed, the confidence with which you addressed passion and relationships in your music. I said to myself that even if we never met, I wanted a woman in my life just like you. I am pained that we will never get to connect now that music ended up being my career path. But you should know, we all listen to you everyday and we remain inspired and moved by all that you’ve given the world. I hope I make the right life choices so I can end up in heaven where I know you rest your head. I’ll continue to make music in your honor until the day we finally meet. Dinner’s on me!
Love you always and forever,
Drake
Sidebar: I can’t quite believe it’s been 9 years ago.
Wiz Khalifa Speaks On Declining Rick Ross Deal
From VIBE:
“When I woke up and went to Twitter I saw a bunch of people talking about it and was like ‘What the hell?’ So I went on the blogs and saw his . Then Ross ended up calling me [the same day] to say it himself. I would’ve kept doing what I was doing till I found something huge [outside of Maybach Music]. I’m all about standing behind my own brand instead of putting myself up under somebody else’s. [Success] might take a little bit longer and take more work, but in the end it pays off because I can stand right up there with my peers and have respect.â€
You can’t even really hate on the man turning down Drake and Ross… to stand as a competitor rather than an underling of sorts earns him more respect in my book, as well as theirs, I can only imagine.
R.Kelly – Fireworks
Snipped and tagged. Check out the tracklisting for Epic after the jump, which it turns out is a collection of his best inspirational hits with five new songs. Also one of three releases he plans to put out, this one dropping 9/21.
Download: R.Kelly – Fireworks
1. Heal It (Prelude)
2. Sign of a Victory
3. I Believe
4. World’s Greatest
5. Victory
6. Peace
7. Turn Back The Hands Of Time
8. Fireworks
9. Spirit
10. I’m Your Angel
11. Can You Feel It
12. I Believe I Can Fly
Soulja Boy’s Album Pushed Back
While I doubt that this had anything to do with it, Soulja Boy’s upcoming The DeAndre Way (or Dre, not sure what’s it’s called at this point) has been pushed back to 11/2. Just reporting the news, folks. Moving along…
Timbaland Joins Fantasia–Possibly
I’ll just let you read it…this came from TMZ:
Timbaland was on the phone earlier in the day with his brother-in-law … deeply upset about something. We’re told one of the things that was eating at him was a theft at his Malibu residence a day before. Someone had stolen a crazy expensive Jacob & Co. watch — valued at $2 million — and Timbaland suspected it might have been someone he trusted.
Timbaland left his home yesterday and began driving. Family members couldn’t locate him, became extremely worried and called the Sheriff’s Department.
“These are the breaks…”
Update: Timbaland clears up the rumors with Ryan Seacrest (of all people):
Download: Timbaland – Ryan Seacrest Interview
Soulja Boy Denies Coke Allegations
Well, as late as it took me to post this video of Kat Stacks trying to out Soulja Boy’s cocaine abuse, he sends a simple but solid response:
Time will tell I guess.
Complex: Black Milk – Album Of The Year Preview
Done by Complex, who were fortunate enough to attend the listening session for the album.
For the last 12 months, it’s been a roller-coaster ride for Detroit native Black Milk. There have been ups (getting love for his critically-acclaimed album, Tronic), and plenty of downs (Baatin and his aunt passing away, his manager Hex having a stroke, and his label, Fat Beats, recently announcing it will close its last two retail locations, although they’ll still maintain an online and label presence). For anyone worried about Black’s mindstate, though, naming his latest opus Album Of The Year should be ample reassurance that the rapper/producer is channeling his emotions into making good music. His self-produced fourth album drops on September 14th, but during a listening session in NYC, he gave us an early glimpse of what’s to come.
Gucci Mane – The Appeal: Georgia’s Most Wanted (Album Cover)
That’s it. Just thought you might have wanted to check it out. There’s also footage of the photoshoot.
Rocko Speaks On His Break-Up With Monica
He tweeted this some two hours ago:
I’m gonna address this one time and one time only..
@Monicamylife and I are life partners.. We have 2 beautiful kids together and I have the utmost respect for her. But just to set the record str8 her and I broke up October 09.. That’s almost a year ago.. Why all of this is still being discussed I have no idea.. I am very happy that Monica has found someone else in which she can be happy with. But I felt the need to address this issue after being informed that my name was mentioned today in a blog in a negative manner. Just to set the record str8 I am a stand up dude. I have morals and live by certain principles and codes. I would not stand for my name to be associated with any of this he say she say immaturity.
Moving forward I would appreciate if the media respect my privacy and not mention my name when referring to Monica’s present or future personal relationships…
I don’t have the time nor luxury to be concerned with other peoples lives right now I’m too focused on my own!
I’d like to apologize to my twitter fam for the neglect. I’ve been overwhelmed shooting my debut film thru my new A1 film company and finishing up my sophomore album †1 of 1″ both scheduled for a jan. 2011 release.
With that being said I wish everyone the best as I continue to strive to be better !
Stay tuned for a big announcement coming from me soon!!!
In All Sincerity,
Rocko
DJ Khaled Speaks On Cash Money Deal
You can check out the full story at VIBE but here’s an excerpt:
“Birdman always loved my work and passion. We’ve known each other for years, and he’s always told me when you fulfill your contract with E1 you always got a home over here,” Khaled explained. “I was going to sign myself, but I called Birdman and he said ‘let’s get the deal done in an hour.’ He just wanted to make it happen.â€
Also, Derick G was on hand to capture pics from the yacht celebration (as you can see from the above photo). Definitely check out his site for plenty of those pics, and you can see a few of them after the jump.
“What’s your life like…?”
Cee-Lo Speaks With Entertainment Weekly
You can read that article here. He also responded 50 Cent remixing the song ‘Fuck You’ in said interview:
“It’s a pleasant surprise, I must say,†the singer tells the Music Mix via phone from London. “I think it’s totally surpassed just about everyone’s expectations. We had a clue — I mean, it’s a very noticeable song — but this has been extraordinary.â€
He’s also recorded a profanity-free radio edit to help the song’s chances of getting on the air. “It’s called ‘Forget You,’†he says. “It’s pretty close to the original, but not as effective. But it’s politically correct.†And while he had no part in creating 50 Cent’s witty remix, Cee Lo is a fan. “It was flattering that he would take the liberty of joining in so quickly,†he says. “I thought it was really cool.â€
Lil’ Boosie – Incarcerated (Tracklisting)
3. “Betrayed†(featuring Webbie; produced by B.J.)
4. “Chill Out†(produced by B.J.)
5. “Bank Roll (Part 2)†(featuring Webbie and Big Head; produced by B.J.)
6. “How We Do It†(Featuring Webbie and Lil Trill; produced by B.J.)
7. “Cartoon†(featuring Shell and Mouse on Tha Track; produced by Mouse on Tha Track)
8. “Thugged Out†(featuring Foxx; produced by B.J.)
9. “Better Not Fight†(featuring Foxx, Webbie and Lil Trill; produced by David West)
10. “What I Learned From the Streets†(featuring Shell; produced by B.J.)
11. “Calling Me†(produced by B.J.)
12. “Do It Again†(featuring Lil’ Phat and K.T.; produced by B.J.)
13. “Long Journey†(featuring Webbie; produced by B.J.)
14. “The Rain†(featuring Lil Trill; produced by B.J.)
TalkOfDC.com: "The Top 5 Rappers In [DC]?"
You can read the article here…the list is credible enough, although I can imagine that it will still invoke a negative response or two.
Fantasia Notes
Just a few interesting points…this is all beginning to look like nothing more than publicity (or perhaps, since it happened, they might as well spin it for press and exposure):
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Fantasia will address her recent suicide attempt on an upcoming episode of VH1′s Behind The Music, which airs tomorrow (the same day that her album drops)…apparently she is admitting that it was in fact a suicide attempt: I didn’t have any fight in me. I didn’t care about anything. I just wanted out. At that moment, I wanted out. I wanted it to be over with – all of it, all of that [expletive]. I just sat in the closet and looked at the mirror and took all the pills in the bottle. I wanted to go to sleep and just be at peace. I knew exactly what I was doing. You can’t accidentally take a whole bottle of pills.â€
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She also speaks on Antwaun Cook: “When I met him, he was separated … wasn’t living in his home. He didn’t want to be back with his wife – that is what I was told,†Barrino says. “I remember waking up in the hospital [and thinking], ‘It didn’t work, I’m still here in this hellhole. Still here with all this drama going on.’ My nurse Melanie was a blessing into my life because she didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear,†she says. “She told me what I needed to hear. And she looked at me and said, ‘You gotta get up, and you’ve gotta get out of here, ’cause you haven’t fulfilled your destiny.’ I realized how people end up in the grave. Because that one moment [snaps her fingers] of just breaking or feeling like I can’t, I can’t go on, it’s too heavy. That was somewhere I don’t ever want to go again.â€
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Radar Online is reporting that Antwaun’s wife has been approached by Oprah to come on her show.
Jay-Z Heading On Five City Tour With U2…
…that those of you without a passport or some money for a fat plane ticket won’t be able to see. Rejoice!
From Billboard:
Live Nation Australia’s hugely anticipated first assignment will feature the biggest band in the world and the No. 1 hip-hop artist on the planet, Billboard.biz can reveal.
The promoter giant’s newly formed Australian affiliate is behind the upcoming U2 360 tour, which will take a detour down under in November. Rapper Jay-Z will join the party as a special guest.
U2’s 360 tour will pull in to Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium on Nov. 25, then move on to open-air venues in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and conclude Dec. 18 at Perth’s Subiaco Oval, marking the first time the Irish group has played the Western Australian capital since the “Popmart” tour in 1998.
The Australasian dates announced today are produced by Live Nation Global Touring in association with Michael Coppel Presents (MCP) and Live Nation Australia.
In all five cities, tickets will be available from $39.90 ($35.70). Billboard.biz can report that roughly 45% of all tickets will priced under $100 ($89). Tickets go on sale Sept. 3, while U2.com subscribers can snap-up tickets ahead of the public on-sale.
Live Nation Australia opened for business on July 1. Based in Melbourne, the company is headed-up by two experienced hands in company veteran Luke Hede and former MCP executive Roger Field.
The Foriegn Exchange – Authenticity (Artwork & Tracklisting)
10/12. Press release and tracklisting after the jump.
“Authenticity†is the 3rd full-length from indie-soul duo The Foreign Exchange.
Picking up where their 2008 Grammy-nominated “Leave It All Behind†set left off, “Authenticity†is the group’s most diverse work to date, with a tight, 11-track song cycle spanning the duo’s trademark brand of lush electronic soul, to stripped down acoustic pieces that recall the heyday of 70′s singer-songwriter driven folk.
Lead single “Maybe She’ll Dream Of Me†is a playful, synth-driven hip-hop groove featuring a rapped verse from Phonte that evokes the band’s “Connected†era, while the epic opener “The Last Fall†finds some of the band’s most cynical lyrics to date (“Love is at worst an excuse/at best it’s a truce…â€) over a frenzied Nicolay production jammed with layers of strings, guitars, and dense choral harmonies.
“I think every band reaches that point when they come into their own and find a sound that is distinctively theirs,†says Phonte in reference to the album’s title. “The title refers to me and Nic’s journey to find our own unique space within this vast musical landscape. The biggest challenge as a musician is to find that ‘thing’ that makes you who you are. But I think we’re getting there, and we’re finding our way more and more with each record.â€
Featuring guest appearances from longtime contributors YahZarah, Darien Brockington, Zo! and Median, and also relative newcomers Chantae Cann and Jesse Boykins III, “Authenticity†hits stores 10/12 on +FE Music.
1. The Last Fall
2. Authenticity
3. Eyes To The Sky
4. All Roads
5. Fight For Love
6. Maybe She’ll Dream Of Me
7. Don’t Wait f. Darien Brockington
8. Make Me A Fool f. Jesse Boykins III & Median
9. Everything Must Go
10. Laughing At Your Plans f. Chantae Cann
11. This City Ain’t The Same Without You f. YahZarah
Justice Department Seeks Ebonics Experts
This is actually pretty funny…and yes, that’s the actual heading to this article. From The Smoking Gun:
The Department of Justice is seeking to hire linguists fluent in Ebonics to help monitor, translate, and transcribe the secretly recorded conversations of subjects of narcotics investigations, according to federal records.
A maximum of nine Ebonics experts will work with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta field division, where the linguists, after obtaining a “DEA Sensitive†security clearance, will help investigators decipher the results of “telephonic monitoring of court ordered nonconsensual intercepts, consensual listening devices, and other mediaâ€
The DEA’s need for full-time linguists specializing in Ebonics is detailed in bid documents related to the agency’s mid-May issuance of a request for proposal (RFP) covering the provision of as many as 2100 linguists for the drug agency’s various field offices. Answers to the proposal were due from contractors on July 29.
In contract documents, which are excerpted here, Ebonics is listed among 114 languages for which prospective contractors must be able to provide linguists. The 114 languages are divided between “common languages†and “exotic languages.†Ebonics is listed as a “common language†spoken solely in the United States.
Ebonics has widely been described as a nonstandard variant of English spoken largely by African Americans. John R. Rickford, a Stanford University professor of linguistics, has described it as “Black English†and noted that “Ebonics pronunciation includes features like the omission of the final consonant in words like ‘past’ (pas’ ) and ‘hand’ (han’), the pronunciation of the th in ‘bath’ as t (bat) or f (baf), and the pronunciation of the vowel in words like ‘my’ and ‘ride’ as a long ah (mah, rahd).â€
Detractors reject the notion that Ebonics is a dialect, instead considering it a bastardization of the English language.
The Department of Justice RFP does not, of course, address questions of vernacular, dialect, or linguistic merit. It simply sought proposals covering the award of separate linguist contracts for seven DEA regions. The agency spends about $70 million annually on linguistic service programs, according to contract records.
In addition to the nine Ebonics experts, the DEA’s Atlanta office also requires linguists for eight other languages, including Spanish (144 linguists needed); Vietnamese (12); Korean (9); Farsi (9); and Jamaican patois (4). The Atlanta field division, one of the DEA’s busiest, is the only office seeking linguists well-versed in Ebonics. Overall, the “majority of DEA’s language requirements will be for Spanish originating in Central and South America and the Caribbean,†according to one contract document.
The Department of Justice RFP includes a detailed description of the crucial role a linguist can play in narcotics investigations. They are responsible for listening to “oral intercepts in English and foreign languages,†from which they provide verbal and typed summaries. “Subsequently, all pertinent calls identified by the supervising law enforcement officer will be transcribed verbatim in the required federal or state format,†the RFP notes.
Additionally, while “technology plays a major role in the DEA’s efforts, much of its success is increasingly dependent upon rapid and meticulous understanding of foreign languages used in conversations by speakers of languages other than English and in the translation, transcription and preparation of written documents.â€