Future ft. Drake - Sh!t (Remix) http://t.co/krWfFLejF5"
— DJ Steph Floss (@djstephfloss) December 14, 2013
A DJ’s dream…looks like Steph Floss has his hands on the latest collaboration between Drake and Future. Can’t wait to hear the final product.
Also, news reports are stating that King Bey’s new album from out of nowhere will probably debut at #1 on next week’s Billboard charts after selling 80,000 units in the first few hours of the album’s release (and 430,000 units the first day, putting her at #1 on iTunes in 100 countries. From the same Billboard article as this:
When Beyonce’s fifth album arrived surreptitiously Friday morning at midnight, it was without the aid of an advanced single, marketing campaign, radio airplay or TV performances. But now that it’s out and setting iTunes ablaze with a weeklong, album-only exclusive, which of the album’s 14 tracks will get the single treatment?
Starting next week, it will be two – the Pharrell Williams-produced “Blow” at Top 40, and the Jay Z-assisted “Drunk In Love” at R&B/Hip Hop, according to multiple sources who confirmed plans to Billboard. “XO,” a rousing ballad penned by Ryan Tedder and The-Dream, will follow later in 2014 as the second single at Top 40. Not that the new album is about one song – even to radio programmers, many of whom started playing “Beyonce” in its entirety on Friday.
The multi-million dollar question. From Billboard:
So how did Beyonce keep the project so secret? Lots of code names, for starters, and a shifting deadline that wasn’t finalized until a week ago. As Beyonce stated in a video announcing the album on her Facebook page, the plan all along was to release everything all at once – 14 songs and 17 videos – as a surprise. “I miss that immersive experience,” she says, of watching music videos like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” as a family, as a mass event. “Now people only listen to a few seconds of a song on the iPods and they don’t really invest in the whole experience. It’s all about the single, and the hype. It’s so much that gets between the music and the art and the fans. I felt like, I don’t want anybody to get the message, when my record is coming out. I just want this to come out when it’s ready and from me to my fans.”
According to multiple executives involved with the project who spoke with Billboard under condition of anonymity, the album really started to take shape in its current form in late October, as Beyonce started narrowing down songs that fit the more minimalist approach. Previously previewed songs “Grown Woman” (featured in a Pepsi commercial) and “Standing On The Sun” (featured in an H&M spot) were soon removed from the track list, though “Grown Woman” is featured as a bonus video-only cut. Beyonce was still working on the vocals and production until the week of Thanksgiving, before producers started being notified of their final cuts.
Then late last week, final meetings were held with Columbia, Parkwood (Beyonce’s management company) and iTunes to finalize plans for the album, which was code-named “Lily” to avoid leaks. Another final meeting announcing the album to employees and producers was held at Columbia yesterday, Dec. 12. Only the most senior executives at iTunes, the album’s exclusive distributor until a planned physical release on Dec. 21, were clued in on the plans.
Streaming services will start having access to the album next week, but one service – Songza – already started promoting the album on Friday. Under the same guidelines that radio follows, Songza was able to purchase a copy of “Beyonce” off iTunes and upload it to its airwaves just like a Hot 97 or a KISS-FM could on Friday. By Friday afternoon, Songza had started pushing out a “Beyonce”-themed playlist called XO (http://songza.com/listen/xo-beyonce-songza) and began integrating the album’s tracks into its pop and R&B playlists.
Elias Roman, CEO of Songza, credits the early access to “Beyonce” to “The beauty of the internet radio license,” which is unlike DMCA-compliant services like Rdio, Spotify or MOG. “If this would have leaked there was no way we would be able to play it, neither would Z100,” he says. “As long as we legally acquire the content, we can play it to our users.”
As for promo plans, Beyonce is in the midst of wrapping up the U.S. leg of her Mrs. Carter Tour, which plays Chicago tonight (Dec. 13) and comes to New York’s Barclays Center next Thursday (Dec. 19.) Though plans were still being finalized, a screening event featuring a theatrical presentation of the 14 videos was being prepared.
Kid Ink’s major label debut album is set to drop January 7th. You can check out the tracklisting below.
01 Hello World
02 The Movement
03 Show Me f. Chris Brown
04 Iz U Down f. Tyga
05 We Just Came to Party f. August Alsina
06 Main Chick f. Chris Brown
07 No Option f. King Los
08 Murda f. Pusha T
09 Rollin’
10 Tattoo Of My Name
11 No Miracles f. Elle Varner & MGK
12 I Don’t Care f. Maejor Ali
13 More Than A King
14 Star Player
15 My System
16 Money and the Power
17 Bad Ass f. Meek Mill & Wale
18 Bossin’ Up f. A$AP Ferg & French Montana
Pretty self-explanatory: The Game decided to show tribute to Nelson Mandela (much like he’s done with other celebrities and leaders) by getting a tattoo.
“The finished “Nelson Mandela” lookin out of the prison bars by @NikkoHurtado done on my side. 7 hour sitting…. Few more hours to tie in the tats around it & we solid.#NelsonMandela #RIP #Legend #Leader#Freedom #Peace #Equality #Tattoos#SouthAfrica”
From BBC, where you can read more on the story:
Uruguay has become the first country in the world to make it legal to grow, sell and consume marijuana.
After nearly 12 hours of debate, senators gave the government-sponsored bill their historic final approval.
The law allowing registered Uruguayans over 18 to buy up to 40g (1,4oz) of the drug a month is not expected to come into force before April.
The government hopes it will help tackle drug cartels, but critics say it will expose more people to drugs.
Dozens of supporters of the bill proposed by the left-wing President Jose Mujica gathered outside the Congress in Montevideo to follow the vote.
Presenting the bill to fellow senators, Roberto Conde said it was an unavoidable response to reality, given that the “war” against drugs had failed.
“We have the duty as the state to give a specific answer to an open territory, small and non-producing,” Mr Conde said, adding that Uruguay’s borders were used by cartels to smuggle drugs into neighbouring countries.
But many senators also spoke out against the bill, before it was passed by 16 votes to 13 on Tuesday.
The opposition member Alfredo Solari said Uruguay should not “experiment” on its people.
“This project envisages a social engineering experiment and respects none of the ethic safeguards of experimentation on human beings, and these are important in the case of a substance like marijuana, which causes damage to human beings,” Senator Solari told Reuters news agency.
So Rick Ross is basically calling this upcoming single one of the greatest we’ll ever hear. Seeing as how both emcees haven’t been rapping like their usual dope selves….I’ll just have to reserve judgement until I hear it.
VIBE Reports:
Things turned deadly at a recent rap show in Vallejo, Calif. Friday (Dec. 6), after a woman was shot dead and a second victim was injured, police say.
According to the Vallejo Times-Herald, a gunfight broke out in Vallejo Park, cutting a show headlined by rapper and Love & Hip Hop star Lil Scrappy short.
The gunfire allegedly started at 11.53pm in the parking lot at Dan Foley Park, where officials found the 34-year-old woman unresponsive. The unidentified woman was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. Police also found a second injured woman in the parking lot, who was treated and later released from hospital.
Both women were said to have attended the Scrappy concert held at the park’s main meeting hall and were caught in the crossfire reportedly involving multiple shooters. A police statement confirms that the two women were “not believed to be the intended targets”.
The Atlanta MC’s camp released a statement to Mara the Hip Hop Socialite regarding the shooting.
“It is disgusting what happened Friday night at the Dan Foley Park concert…On behalf of Lil Scrappy, we at Chinga Chang Records will be assisting with costs related to the shooting. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim who lost her life to such a senseless and heinous crime and hope for immediate justice to these terrorists.”
No arrests have been made regarding the shooting.
A few days ago, Wale called Complex Magazine because he was upset about not making their top 50 albums of 2013 list. During the three minute phone call, he claims that staff members are holding a personal bias and threatens that he will come up there and “start knocking n****s out”. Listen to the call above.
Chicago Tribune Reports:
Firefighters this afternoon were on the scene of an explosion at a chemical plant on the border between Alsip and Blue Island that resulted in at least two people being injured.
The explosion was at Blue Island Phenol LLC, 3350 W. 131st St., in Alsip, an employee of the plant said. Black smoke billowed from part of the plant as several fire crews poured water on the blaze from a safe distance using at least four different hoses.
Two people were injured and transported to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. All other employees are accounted for.
Roads were closed in the area, and after starting about 11:30 a.m., the fire was still burning about 1:25 p.m.
Earlier information that the plant is located in Blue Island was incorrect. Although the ZIP Code for the property is a Blue Island ZIP Code, resulting in it being listed as in Blue Island on web maps and other directories, it is within the corporate limits of Alsip.
ESPN Reports:
El Segundo police said in a statement Thursday that Eddie J. Monterroso has been charged with felony grand theft and burglary. He’s accused of taking the rings and gift cards valued at nearly $20,000.
The statement says detectives began investigating the theft Dec. 5 and arrested Monterroso outside the practice facility Tuesday.
Police say they searched Monterroso’s Inglewood home and found the rings from the Lakers’ 2009 and 2010 championship seasons. Police could not say to whom the rings belonged.
Monterroso has not entered a plea, and police didn’t know if he has an attorney. A phone message left at a possible home number was not immediately returned.
#OXYMORON UPDATE! http://t.co/fjukfW0m0Y #OXYMORON #TDE
— dangeroo kipawaa TDE (@dangerookipawaa) December 11, 2013
Finally! From BET:
ScHoolboy Q has officially locked in a date for his Oxymoron debut. After several delays, the TDE rapper announced Feb. 25, 2014 as the release date in a new video featuring his daughter Joy.
In the clip, Q talks on a phone while his daughter plays nearby. “Put the d–n album out,” he says. “They don’t want another motherf—in’ interview, bruh. These n—as want the date!”
Before he finishes the conversation Joy interrupts to show her dad the sign she made, which reads: “Oxymoron Feb. 25.”
Q previously announced a January release date via his verse on label mate Isaiah Rashad’s “Shot You Down (Remix)” where he rhymes, “A n—- just tryin’ to get paid / I’m tired of answering questions why Oxymoron delayed / See, I was thinking November, but January is sweet.”
Congrats to Los Angeles outfit OverDoz. on their recent move forward (which also houses A$AP Mob). From Polo Grounds President Bryan Leach:
“OverDoz. and their team are fearless, creative and represent everything that’s bright about where rap music is headed.”
I believe that this is the official remix to B.o.B’s ‘Ready’ single (being that they’re both aligned with Grand Hustle). Underground Luxury drops December 17th.
Forbes magazine recently released their list of top paid female musicians and Madonna came out as the top earning woman in music. In fact, she was actually the top earning musician or celebrity of any stripe, regardless of gender. According to Forbes magazine she raises her income through merchandise sales of her “Truth or Dare” fragrance and her “Material Girl” clothing line, but the majority of her millions came from her MDNA Tour, which grossed $305 million. Check out who else made the list.
FORBES TOP-EARNING WOMEN IN MUSIC 2013:
1. Madonna ($125 million)
2. Lady Gaga ($80 million)
3. Taylor Swift ($55 million)
4. Beyoncé ($53 million)
5. Jennifer Lopez ($45 million)
6. Rihanna ($43 million)
7. Katy Perry ($39 million)
8. Pink ($32 million)
9. Carrie Underwood ($31 million)
On Tuesday U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. sentenced Ronald Walker to 10 years in federal prison. Ronald Walker was accused of a drug conspiracy with VH1 celebrity Mendeecees Harris and his brother Tyrus Harris, who are both still awaiting Trial.
Democrat & Chronicle Reports:
Walker was ordered to forfeit assets totaling $2.5 million to the United States, which represented the amount of proceeds from the drug trafficking conspiracy.
A news release from the United State’s Attorney’s office reports that between 2005 and August 2012, Walker was part of a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin between New York City and Rochester.
Walker arranged for the distribution of cocaine and heroin while he was in New York City through others to individuals who were transferring the drugs to Rochester and distributing them. Walker pleaded guilty in August to trafficking cocaine and heroin.
In addition, Walker laundered drug proceeds by placing at least $911,000 in cash in safe deposit boxes opened by other people to conceal the proceeds. Authorities seized the cash in August 2012, as well as approximately $615,000 in cash from two residences connected to the defendant.
Walker agreed to forfeit all of that cash, as well as a 2012 Range Rover, some jewelry and two properties located in Corona, New York, and Union City, Georgia.
Also accused of involvement in the conspiracy are Mendeecees Harris, who has played a prominent role in a popular VH1 show, and his brother, Tyrus Harris.
The two are still awaiting trial.
The case against Mendeecees Harris has occasionally been a topic on the show, Love & Hip Hop, which features Harris and his girlfriend, Yandy Smith.
Ty Dolla $ign plans to releases his Beach House EP at the top of the year on January 21st. The project will come with 7 tracks and features from Wiz Khalifa, Jay Rock, Fredo Santana, Trey Songz, French Montana, B.O.B., Casey Veggies, Twista and more. Tracklisting below.
01. Work f. Casey Veggies, Twista & Nate Howard
02. Paranoid f. B.o.B
03. Paranoid (Remix) f. Trey Songz, French Montana & DJ Mustard
04. Or Nah f. Wiz Khalifa & DJ Mustard
05. Familiar f. Fredo Santana
06. Wood & Leather (Whenever) f. Big TC & Pops
07. Never Be The Same f. Jay Rock
Yesterday we brought you a story about Lil Wayne’s ex-wife Toya Wright being arrested late Tuesday night in Georgia. Today, the reality star confirmed the arrest and spoke about her experience.
SOHH Reports:
Lil Wayne’s baby mama/ex-wife Toya Wright was arrested Tuesday in Georgia … TMZ has learned. The details surrounding the arrest are sketchy at best — with one law enforcement official telling us Wright was pulled over in College Park, GA yesterday … and during the stop, the cop noticed a warrant out for her arrest. We’re told … the warrant was issued after Wright failed to appear at a recent court date — though it’s unclear why she was supposed to be in court to begin with. Toya was hauled to a nearby station, where she was booked and posed for an “Are you frickin’ serious?” mug shot. Toya, who starred in the reality show “Tiny and Toya,” was eventually released from jail Wednesday morning at 1:30 AM on a $290 bond. (TMZ)
Toya also confirmed the arrest and jail visit went down via an Instagram post on Wednesday (December 11).
“Wow!!! It’s true I was jailed due to a old ticket that I thought I had taken care of but it was not. I try my best to take care of that sort of thing quickly but some how the ticket slipped through the cracks. I spent a day in jail and I must say that this experience was one of the most devastating of my life. I wouldn’t wish jail time for my worse enemy.” (Toya Wright’s Instagram)
The reality television star promised to better her ways and described the incident as a learning experience.
“Everyone that gets locked up isn’t a danger to the community. Many people are in jail are just like me for a ticket that was either forgotten or thought to be taken care of. But the way most are treated is inhumane. I never thought in a million years that the kind of things I’ve witnessed went on. The situation was so bad that I don’t even want to leave out the house. After my ordeal I am seriously contemplating being an advocate of better treatment for prisoners. Please believe I’m working on my lightening up my lead foot and if I do mess up and get another ticket, that day it will be taken care of. @tmz” (Toya Wright’s Instagram)
CNN Reports:
An uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been executed for trying to overthrow the government, the Korean Central News Agency reported early Friday.
“Traitor Jang Song Thaek Executed” blared the headline posted by the state-run news agency about the man who, until recently, had been regarded as the nation’s second-most powerful figure.
The story said that a special military tribunal had been held Thursday against the “traitor for all ages,” who was accused of having attempted to overthrow the state “by all sorts of intrigues and despicable methods.”
It added, “All the crimes committed by the accused were proved in the course of hearing and were admitted by him.”
Once his guilt was established, Jang was immediately executed, it said.
The KCNA report described Jang as “despicable human scum” and “worse than a dog,” and said he had betrayed his party and leader.
“This is a stunning development,” Marcus Noland, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told CNN on Thursday. “I’ve been following North Korea for 20 years and I do not remember them ever publicly announcing the execution of a senior leader. You hear rumors about it, but this theatrical arrest earlier in the week and now this execution are unprecedented.”
He added, “The regime, I think, is trying to intimidate anyone that might have independent ideas or harbor any ambitions.”
For full story log onto www.cnn.com
Reports Vlad TV:
Chief Keef recently called out Atlanta trio Migos over an alleged “sneak diss” on a track they released entitled “Brokanese.” To say the least, Chief Keef wasn’t happy about that. Shortly thereafter Migos went on to release “Jealousy,” a track perceived to be a direct diss against Keef and his affiliates in Glo Gang. This didn’t sit too well with Keef who subsequently issued a warning to the Atlanta trio. “Warning Diss Records Lead to A lot More,” he wrote.
Chief Keef then went on to post a meme to his Instagram featuring Lion King’s Mufasa telling Simba to never go to the dark, shadowy place, which is Chicago, IL. “Shootin at everybody black white, Mexican People!” the caption on the photo read.
Migos are set to perform in Chicago on Dec. 21. No word as of yet whether Chief Keef (who is currently in rehab) or his Glo Gang will be in attendance.
TMZ reports:
George Zimmerman’s just won a big round in the “She-loves-me-she-loves-me-not” game — his ex-girlfriend wants him back so badly, she’s recanted her claim of domestic violence and the case has been dropped.
Zimmerman was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery … after GF Samantha Schiebe claimed he pulled a shotgun on her and pushed her out of their house.
But Samantha has had a change of heart … she wants George back, and the State Attorney for Seminole County says Samantha now says she lied about the encounter and refuses to cooperate … hence, there’s no way to successfully prosecute him.
But there’s still something blocking these lovebirds from reuniting — a restraining order, which Samantha’s lawyer is now trying to get lifted.
Bottom line … because she’s fickle, George is out of a pickle.
TMZ Reports:
Toya Wright says her stint in jail was one of the worst experiences of her entire life … claiming she’s emotionally scarred … even though she spent less than 24 hours behind bars.
As we previously reported, Wright — Lil Wayne’s ex-wife/baby mama — was locked up in Georgia yesterday after cops discovered a warrant out for her arrest during a routine traffic stop.
Toya tells us the whole thing stemmed from a speeding ticket that “slipped through the cracks.”
But Toya, who appeared on the reality show “Tiny and Toya” — is adamant she will never go back to jail because she’s so traumatized by the things she saw on the inside.
Toya wouldn’t get into specifics … but says her fellow inmates were treated “inhumanely.”
“I wouldn’t wish jail time for my worst enemy,” Toya says … adding, “What I witnessed was so bad that I don’t even want to leave the house right now.”
Toya says she’s even considering turning the experience into a positive by working as an “advocate of better treatment for prisoners.”
As for the speeding ticket, Toya says, “Please believe I’m working on lightening up my lead foot.”
ESPN Reports:
Kirk Cousins will replace Robert Griffin III at quarterback Sunday when the Washington Redskins face the Atlanta Falcons.
Griffin told reporters Wednesday that Mike Shanahan has informed him that he will be shut down for the remainder of the season as the coach “wanted to make sure I got to the offseason free from injury.”
Griffin said he wouldn’t let the benching “break my spirit” and he vowed to be supportive of Cousins.
“I promise y’all I’ll be there for him every step of the way,” he said.
Cousins, meanwhile, said that although he was starting now, he still considered the Redskins as Griffin’s team.
“Robert is the franchise quarterback here.This is his team,” he said. “My job is to help this team get a win.”
Cousins took the first-team snaps and Grossman worked with the No. 2 offense in the portion of Wednesday’s practice open to the media.
Shanahan raised the possibility Monday of benching Griffin for the last three regular-season games, citing 24 sacks in the past five games and the desire to keep him healthy for the offseason. Griffin’s offseason work prior to this season was compromised by the major knee injury he suffered in the team’s playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks in January.
A team source on Tuesday said owner Dan Snyder would not intervene if Shanahan decided to make a switch at quarterback.
Cousins was the second quarterback the Redskins took in the 2012 draft, going to Washington in the fourth round after the team took Griffin No. 2 overall. He appeared in three games last season, leading the Redskins to a victory over the Baltimore Ravens after Griffin left with an injury and starting the next week against the Cleveland Browns, another victory. He finished the season with 466 yards on 33-of-48 passing with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Please get RID of this CLOWN interpreter,please! pic.twitter.com/ziAZ4KBFNZ
— Bruno Peter Druchen (@BrunoDruchen) December 10, 2013
From USA Today:
The sign language interpreter used at Tuesday’s memorial service for Nelson Mandela, and whose image was broadcast around the world as he shared a stage with world leaders including President Obama, was being called a “fake” by the Deaf Federation of South Africa.
The Associated Press also reported the allegation Wednesday, saying that three sign language experts who watched the broadcast said the man was not signing in South African or American sign languages.
“It was horrible, an absolute circus, really really bad,” Nicole Du Toit, an official sign language interpreter, told the AP. “Only he can understand those gestures.”
South Africa’s government said it is preparing a statement.
Collins Chabane, one of South Africa’s two presidency ministers, said the government is continuing to investigate the matter.