He ended up bringing home the gold in 4 of them, including Best Mixtape Artist, Best Mixtape ("Lace Up"), Best Male Artist and Best Live Performance. In the fifth category, Single of the Year, his "Cleveland" (featuring Dubo), finished as runner up to Ray Jr's "Sloppy."
In an interview with Campus Times, Janelle Monae was asked how long she would continue to release music under the alter ego concept featured on "Metropolis" and "The ArchAndroid."
"Well, there are only two people that know, and that's 'The' and 'Future,'" she said. "I don't know why I just said that [laughs]. But yeah, I'll let you know as soon as I know. As of now, I'm just writing music and not even placing a date on it. I’m just writing the music for what I feel needs to be said at the moment."
The song is released under the abbreviated MGK, and not Machine Gun Kelly, which makes you wonder if that will be his official stage name, so to speak, and the name that his music will be released under moving forward.
In an interview with Beats by Dr Dre's Beats TV, Machine Gun Kelly talks about the meaning of "lace up," why DMX would be the perfect artist for him to do a collaboration album with and how Bone Thugs-N-Harmony recently gave him the stamp of approval.
In the clip below, Diddy says that you should refer to the original Ciroc flavor as "Blue Dot," and talks about the upcoming peach flavor. Big Tigger and Jermaine Dupri make appearances.
Cassie is featured on the new single from Japan's DJ Komori, "Sound of Love." According to his official website, it was released on Wednesday on iTunes Japan and can be purchased now.
According to the staff blog linked to from DJ Komori's website, the song has hit #1 on the iTunes Japan R&B charts.
Those of us not in Japan may be out of luck, for the moment.
At the end of the music video for Red Cafe's "The Realest", there is a title and a date. "The Shakedown" and "2/14/2012." This could be the title and slated release date for his upcoming debut album. Watch below, at the 3:23 mark.
Last week, Red Cafe released the visual for "The Realest" featuring Lloyd Banks and Fabolous. The song was featured on his mixtape, "Above the Cloudz" (free download). Watch below.
Actor Oliver Vaquer has released "Warning of Warcraft," a clip that sees the lyrics of The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Warning" being read aloud as the spoken word for a story revolving around characters from the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) "World of Warcraft." Watch below.
He brought out Red Cafe for the Cardiak produced "Y'All Don't Hear Me Tho." You can check out a couple of clips below. First, a long clip with some footage of Red Cafe backstage, care of ItsBizkit and a closer, song only video shot by William L. McKinney.
Earlier this month, in an interview with Metro NYJanelle Monae discussed her upcoming album, giving a typically cryptic answer when asked about a release date. She also covered the topic of guest artists and how she doesn't believe in "working with people because of their celebrity status."
Diddy's son Justin Combs, a cornerback from Iona Prep, has been receiving offers from various colleges and, recently, he appeared on CBS Sports' "Lemming Report" with his dad to discuss the process and his future. Watch below.
Cassie's upcoming single, "King of Hearts," is "definitely" coming by the end of October, according to the single. But, a seemingly unfinished snippet of the record appeared online earlier this month. Given that most of the readily visible copies appear to have been removed by Bad Boy, or a related party, this looks to be an unauthorized leak.
If all goes well, we'll hear the real thing soon enough.
On September 5, iTunes released a celebrity playlist for Tyra Banks. Among the 12 songs is The Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance/Stay With Me (Remix)."
"I know all the lyrics to this song," she says. "It's good for the car or your iPod on the way to the photo shoot. Gets you pumped up and ready to SMIZE for the camera."
DX: Did y’all reconnect to record this new song? Did y’all chop it up at all?
Noble: I had started choppin’ it up with Cease like years ago. He had just so happened to call somebody that I was standing next to, and I got on the phone with him. And the initial phone call, it was pretty much … drama. We was at each other neck like, “We ever see each other it’s gonna be a problem.” But, in the process of the conversation, both of us being grown men, we actually started talking. His intentions was pure; mine was pure. And, we just basically stayed in contact over the years like, “It is what it is. We ever see each other it won’t be no gunplay and it won’t be no drama, and we’ll shake hands as Black men.” You know, we lost the greatest rapper of all time, and he feel the same way as far as Big. … So just as grown men, in moving on and trying to make the best decisions for us and our families and the people who follow us, we just decided it’s time to let the world know that we actually put this to [an end]. I really get tired of muthaf***** mentioning them two legends in the same breath and either disrespecting one or the other. The ‘Pac fans to this day will still go hard on the Big fans and vice versa. So, I just think it’s time for the Hip Hop community and the people who support and love both of them dudes [to] let that go and honor them for both of [their accomplishments]. And besides great rappers and artists, they was two intelligent black men that died too early. … So we just trying to be leaders and do the right thing.
E.D.I.: A lot of our fans [are] like, “Well, how can y’all do a song with Cease? He had said ‘Pac ain’t get shot five times.” Or, he was saying this and that. And I really feel like, during the heat of battle all kind of s*** gets said. Y’all heard “Hit ‘Em Up,” you heard what we said on it. Cease had to say what he had to say. But as far as right now, in 2011, we on that burying the hatchet s***, and so should y’all.
Dawn Richard talked to both The Boombox and Rap-Up.com earlier this month about her upcoming solo debut.
Richard said that, as far as producers, she has been working with Harmony, Mateo, Polow Da Don's "camp," Cook Classics, the Fisticuffs and more. At the time of the interview, she had not yet brought any music to Diddy.
"He hasn't heard anything yet and I kind of wanted it that way," he said. "I've learned a lot from him and presentation is everything. I want to make sure he understands when I step to him that I'm stepping because I'm ready and not just because I have an idea of something."
In May, Machine Gun Kelly headlined 8 Fest in Athens, OH. Earlier this month, they released a documentary, featuring behind the scenes footage taken before, during and after MGK's set. Watch below.
In an interview with AllHipHop.com, Machine Gun Kelly named a new collaborator for his upcoming debut album: veteran rapper Bun B. He also chats about signing with Bad Boy, his favorite rappers right now and more.
AllHipHop.com: I saw in another interview that you did recently, when speaking on Bad Boy, you said, “it didn’t make sense, that’s why it made perfect sense.” Can you elaborate a little on that quote?
Machine Gun Kelly: Well, when you look at it from the outside, you might say that Puff and MGK have nothing in common, their lifestyles are totally different, their actions are different, their music is different, you know, all that type of stuff. But on the inside, that was the one person that didn’t want to change the grassroots movement that we had, the “organicness” of what we worked so hard to build with each fan. That was the one person out of the multiple that we were in talks with, that was like “yo, keep this how it is. Let’s not change this.” It doesn’t make sense to people. It makes sense to me, and so, it’s just a weird f****** combo. We’re so underground and anti-formity, it just seems like it’s a weird combo, which just makes it beautiful.
According to Machine Gun Kelly's manager, Ashleigh, the rapper will be featured on the remix to Ray Jr's "Sloppy," which will debut tonight during DJ Steph Floss' show on Cleveland's Z 107.9 radio station. You can listen online on their website.
The pair previously collaborated on "I Know" from MGK's "Lace Up" mixtape.
Dirty Money has been nominated in the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards, in the "Best World Stage" category. You can vote online now Other nominees in the category include Arcade Fire, the Black Eyed Peas, Enrique Iglesias, Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Ozzy Osbourne, Snoop Dogg and Thirty Seconds to Mars.
In the clip below, Machine Gun Kelly shares a touching moment with a fan, in a wheel chair, inspired by MGK's journey. It closes with a message from the rapper, reflecting on the meaning of his fans.
Just now, while co-hosting on BET's "106 & Park", Cassie was able to nail down the timeline a little more specifically. She said that the single would "definitely" be out by the end of October.
Is it hard at all for you to show vulnerability in your music? Because you do that a lot. Is there ever a hesitation?
Not at all. Well, now, because I see people try to take advantage of it—to take advantage of the vulnerability and think that they can say and do whatever to you because they know you so well—which is my goal, but I see it taken advantage of a lot. That’s the price you pay I guess. I’m sure that’s why people like X and them fight all those demons. But that’s what makes the greats great.
Diddy's former assistant (and some time stylist) O'Neal McKnight just dropped the visual for his latest single, "Crazy," which was produced by Junior Sanchez. The music video was directed by Sarah McColgan with promotional support from Ciroc.
It features cameos from Andre Harrell (McKnight's cousin), comedian J.B. Smooth and DJ Cassidy. Watch below.
Ciroc provides some backing for Wale's "That Way" featuring Jeremih and Rick Ross. The song is off of Maybach Music Group's "Self Made Vol. 1" album. Watch the music video below.
Bad Boy Records has an incredible library of music videos in their history, including some of the more memorable clips of the mid to late 1990s.
But, they have been exceptionally slow in getting these videos online, on YouTube, VEVO or elsewhere, leaving often lower quality clips posted on unofficial channels, or a limited number of clips available on sites like MTV.com, as the only way for fans to relive those moments. Beyond simply not offering fans a high quality experience, this slowness has also led to lost revenue - money left on the table.
In dealing with the company over the 5 and a half years I've run Bad Boy Blog, I have come to understand the somewhat shortsighted nature of some of the people at the top. For those individuals, it's about the here and now. The current album they are promoting and the artists they want (you) to talk about right now. As a fan, that has given a substantial amount of money to Bad Boy, this is frustrating.
However, it appears that they are finally ready to open up - at least on the music videos - and they are starting with The Notorious B.I.G., launching the NotoriousBIG YouTube channel with most of the rapper's videos (only "Sky's the Limit," "Dead Wrong" and "Notorious B.I.G. (Remix)" and appear to be missing).
Bad Boy has launched an official Twitter profile for The Notorious B.I.G., located on the service at @NotoriousBIG. You can expect to find quoted lyrics and stories mentioning the late rapper.
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.
Ciroc has released a pair of new promos: "Summer Social Responsibility" and "Labor Day Spot 2011." They are similar to the ones released in June, but with new audio. The "Summer Social Responsibility" clip may be the same as the clip of the same name released in June, but as they removed that one, I have no point of reference.
In July, Complex reported that Diddy would appear on the opening track to Pusha T's upcoming EP, "Fear of God: Let Us Pray." According to Alex Chapman of New York Magazine, Diddy will provide ad-libs on the record. Chapman asked Pusha T about the collaboration.
So I noticed Diddy is screaming during the intro of Fear of God. How’d that happen?
There has never been anything in the world better to me than Diddy when he’s screaming over the top of a track, like in ’95 — that whole Bad Boy mixtape era. I wanted to have that feel for the mixtape. I didn’t want to lose the street edge of it. That polish isn’t always good to me.
Women's Wear Daily reports that Zac Posen has decided to present his main collection at New York Fashion Week this year, after two consecutive showings in Paris. His show will be at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall on September 11.
"Paris is wonderful but it just feels like the right time to show in New York," he said.
Melena Ryzik of The New York Times' Art Beat has a piece dedicated to the appreciation of Tony Montana, a character portrayed by actor Al Pacino in the movie "Scarface." Red Cafe is quoted.
The style and catchphrases of Mr. Pacino’s Tony Montana proved irresistible. “I appreciated that Tony was loyal to family, very ambitious and wasn’t taking” dirt “from anyone,” the young Brooklyn rapper Red Café said, using an earthier term. “Yet, he still remained suave and confident at all times.”
It was “a world for the fly and flashy,” he added approvingly in an e-mail. “Where money buys you a seat above the law.”
In an interview with BET's Ronke Idowu Reeves, actor Michael Clarke Duncan revealed that he was supposed serve as a bodyguard for The Notorious B.I.G. on the night that the rapper was fatally shot. But, he switched with someone else.
And is it true you were supposed to be the Notorious B.I.G.’s bodyguard the night he was shot and killed?
Yes and I remember it like it was yesterday. A co-worker friend of mine called because he was supposed to guard Babyface that night but he liked being in that [hip hop] limelight and I didn’t. He asked to switch so I went to pick up Babyface, he went to pick up Notorious B.I.G. and the rest is history. I woke up the next morning to the news and I called my friend and he said everything happened so quick and so fast. So every year when that day [the anniversary of Biggie’s death] comes around I think about two things, a young brother lost his life for nothing— it was senseless and stupid and that was the last day I worked security. I quit that day turned in my stuff and said I’m not willing to put my life on the line for somebody, because as a security guard or bodyguard that’s what you’re supposed to do.
Spike Lee is the executive producer of the new Michael A. Pinckney hip-hop horror film, "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You," a reference to The Notorious B.I.G. song of the same name.
According to AllHipHop.com, the movie stars James McDaniel, Michael K. Williams, Michael Mosley and Nashawn Kearse and features appearances from Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane and Ed Lover.
"It's going to be R&B, I'm going back into progressive R&B," she said. "It's gonna be hard though, it's gonna knock. It's gonna have that same urgency as 'Last Train To Paris' but a little bit more R&B and less hip-hop. Less influenced on rap and more influenced on soul music."
defend.ht reports that, at the end of August, the new Halogen TV series "Noble Exchange" premiered.
According to the show's website, the series "follows rising celebrities who are challenged to work with local mentors in some of Latin America and the Caribbean's most beautiful and dangerous places. Can a five-day journey help them see the world differently and use their fame for good?"
The profile of Richard follows her on her trip to Haiti, following the devastation of the earthquake that hit that region, as she reconnects with her ancestry. Watch the full episode below.
Crain's New York Business reported, at the end of August, that Bad Boy Worldwide had hired Love Whelchel III as Chief Human Resource Officer.
Prior to taking this role, Whelchel was the Chief Talent Officer at the New York offices of marketing and communications company Y&R or Young & Rubicam.
Good Charlotte's Benji Madden told Rolling Stone that Machine Gun Kelly will appear on their upcoming mixtape, "Before The Fame: The Madden Brothers," which will be released on October 1.
"There's only one original Rager," he wrote. "And thats me. I started this 'rage' s***. The lifestyle, the term, the whole new meaning and definition of the word. Understand and be clear, I AM THE RAGER, I AM FOREVER. When you hear ANYONE talking 'bout 'rage' or 'raging,' know where that s*** originated. Guess I'ma have to do some trademarkin'. ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES. WE LIVE THIS S***!"
Various outlets picked this up, along with what seemed to be a vague response from MGK, and reported that the two rappers were beefing over the term. KarenCivil.com spoke with MGK about the issue.
"There's no issue on my end, man," MGK said. "I'm just talking about a [inaudible] f****** word. Like it shows me I'm doing something. It actually shows me other motherf****** aren't doing something. If you got time to sit there and be mad about a motherf***** using a word that everyone uses. You can come to my shows and see who wakes people the f*** up. It's me and that's what raging is. Raging is being yourself and turning all that negative energy into a positive party and that's what I do."
Aasim has released the final chapter of his "Money Pit" trilogy, "Money Pit 3: The Benediction," for free download, care of his Facebook page.
The track listing matches the one we reported on last week, that was shared by former Bad Boy A&R Daniel "Skid" Mitchell. Check it out, plus the artwork for the mixtape, below.
1. "The Notorious Intro"
2. "The Message"
3. "Ghetto Black Music"
4. "I Don't Know"
5. "Fell in Love" featuring Anthony Hamilton
6. "DMX Interlude"
7. "Southside Dreamin'"
8. "Comin from Where I'm From" featuring Anthony Hamilton
9. "I Wanna Be With U" featuring Anthony Hamilton
10. "Walk On By"
11. "Never"
12. "Fly Together" featuring Ryan Leslie and The Notorious B.I.G.
"All new young, aspiring artists and producers: we in rebuild mode, baby," he said. "Our journey has just begun. Get at us! We're signing new artists. We got a truck load of new money. We got a lot of wisdom."
Going into the weekend, Bad Boy has released a surprise mixtape titled "The Preview," which showcases music Machine Gun Kelly, Cassie and Red Cafe.
It features previously unreleased songs, including Cassie's "Radio" (featuring Fabolous) and "Make You a Believer" (featuring Jadakiss) and Machine Gun Kelly's "Warning Shot" featuring Livvi Franc. Interludes and ad-libs from Diddy complete the project, which was co-hosted by the Bad Boy CEO and DJ Prostyle.
Bad Boy, with no currently announced release dates, has not put out an album since December 14, when Dirty Money's "Last Train to Paris" was released. "The Preview" is a vehicle to make people aware of what is coming next, and that the label is ready to release some new music.
"We are the legendary Bad Boy empire," Diddy says on the album's intro. "S*** we've done, has never been done before. I pray it'll be done again 'cause I ain't a hater. I would love for somebody to feel the motherf****** success that we felt. But, it's rare to have longevity in this hip-hop game. So, I have an announcement: I'm back, I'm refocused and the journey has begun. We haven't gotten all the way on our 'pop s***' s*** yet, 'cause we got some work to do."
The official trailer for "The Realest," the latest visual from Red Cafe's "Above the Cloudz" EP, has been released. The song features Fabolous and Lloyd Banks. Watch below.
On Twitter, Diddy revealed that "Wild Boy," the new mix show club single from Machine Gun Kelly, would be released at midnight on Friday, September 2. The song, which will feature Waka Flocka Flame, was previewed in MGK's flash mob clip.
