Last weekend, Benzino released "Caezar," a new mixtape with appearances from Waka Flocka Flame, Ray J, Lloyd, Stevie J. and more. The set also features production from Mario Winans. You can download it at DatPiff and listen below.
According to Benzino's website, his new mixtape "Caezar" will feature production from Mario Winans. It will be released at midnight on September 11 on benzino.net.
According to a press release, Mario Winans will be among those honored at the BMI Awards on August 26.
They will be honoring all songwriters who had a song reach #1 on the Billboard R&B, Hip-Hop and Rap charts. "Can't Be Friends" by Trey Songz, which Winans co-wrote and produced, hit #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
YouKnowIGotSoul has an interview with Mario Winans. In it, he discusses his upcoming third album, "My Purpose," the making of Diddy's "Thought You Said" and Tamia's "Mr. Cool," working with Diddy in the studio and more.
YKIGS: What about “Thought You Said” by Brandy and Diddy?
MW: Oh man that song. That track is a very special track to me. I was working on it in New York and it had kind of had a techno different type of feel to it. Brandy came in and it was a perfect fit for her. That was pretty much it, that song moved on really good. She’s phenomenal in the way she came in with her vocals and how unique the lyrics were to the record and she just nailed it.
"I had been living a little differently than what my purpose is and that is really just to humbly serve others, to pray for others and to really be a good person and live the way I believe," he said. "From that, I was inspired to title my album that because those changes were going on in my life while I was working on the album."
On Twitter, Mario Winans revealed that he will release a new album this year, titled "My Purpose."
I asked him if he knew what label it would be released on and if he was still signed to Bad Boy. He simply answered "Atlantic." I have followed up to find out if this means that he's signed directly to Atlantic now instead of through Bad Boy or if it is Bad Boy/Atlantic.
Before the Chicago Bulls were eliminated from the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, Bulls player Carlos Boozer released a rap record, "Winning Streak (I'm Not Losin')" featuring Mario Winans and Twista, presented by Begr8er, which was founded by Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, who previously spent some time with BAd Boy and was featured on "Making the Band," and Katrina Campins. The song was produced by Winans and Lawrence.
You can listen to some of it in the clip below, care of Campins' Twitter profile, and buy the song on iTunes now.
The last few months have been a little crazy and, as such, we have been focusing on high level stories - or stories that happened to cross my desk - here at Bad Boy Blog. At the same time, being a comprehensive source, I at least wanted to summarize some of the stories that fell through the cracks during this time. Check out some of them below.
New York Post: Mother of Mario Winans' Son Claims Lack of Child Support
In January, the New York Post ran a story quoting Janel Bennett, the mother of Mario Winans son, Jordan. She claims that Winans is four months behind on child support, which is set at $4,500 a month.
"He pays $10,000 a month for a house in New Jersey and says he's broke," Bennett said. "I was homeless. I had to stay with friends in Chicago. He's not broke, he just had a hit song with Drake."
The Post also spoke with Winans, who said that he would wire Bennett $14,000 over the weekend.
"I take pride in my children," he said. It is what it is I always make sure they are taken care of."
Former Bad Boy singer Carl Thomas has signed a deal with Verve Music Group, according to a report by Singersroom. The article mentions that Mario Winans will produce for the as yet untitled album to follow.
