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iCON THE MIC KING'S NEW MIXTAPE. DON'T SLEEP ON THIS, HE'S LIKE ME, PART OF THE THIRD RENAISSANCE WAVE OF HIP HOP:
http://215hiphop.com/jukebox/iCON%20the%20Mic%20King%20-%20Reintroduction.mp3
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ATMOSPHERE: PAINT IT GOLD EPISODE UNO:
MAKE LEMONADE, BITCHES!
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RITA IS A G:
Huh?
That has been the reaction from many after watching Kanye West's latest video, for "Flashing Lights," which premiered last week and has been generating plenty of buzz online since.
In the clip, which Spike Jonze co-directed, a sexy temptress drives to the Nevada desert, pulls over her car, drops her fur coat to the ground and sets it on fire. She walks back to her vehicle (in not much clothing), pops the trunk — and there, viewers are stunned to find a bound-and-gagged 'Ye. The female lead then caresses West's face, reaches for a shovel and, out of view, begins to violently pummel the boastful rapper. The video abruptly cuts to black with only the words "Flashing Lights" written across the screen.
It's not exactly the good life.
There's no dialogue. There's no performance shot. The clip is just shy of three minutes (no, it's not a preview for an extended version coming later). And, according to what West said at a Grammy afterparty, "Every piece of the video is me, what I represent now," he said.
It's the "Sopranos" finale all over again: What does it mean? What happened? Wait, that's it?
"It's so funny," Rita G, the clip's star, told MTV News about the clip. "This video will go over a lot of people's heads — and it's supposed to. I think it's great that it does. Because Kanye is just on another level; he's ahead of his time, in a sense. So all the third-graders who come home from school and want to watch videos and snap their fingers and all that, they're probably gonna think, 'That video is wack, but that chick got a fat a--.' And that's fine. But people in higher positions, they're gonna see something different. They're gonna get it, people who are thinkers."
Rita G, a Playboy model from Houston, admits that she almost didn't get it herself.
The finished version of "Flashing Lights" was actually the third attempt for Kanye, she said. West apparently wasn't satisfied with the first two versions. He wanted the clip to be more about fashion, sex and life, she said.
"He told his boy, 'Yo, I need you to call this girl called Rita G,' " the Playmate said, laughing. "I happen to know he's been a fan of mine for a while, because he mentioned something about me in an interview he did for Playboy quite some time back."
Once Kanye had his woman, Rita flew to the set and was caught off guard by how bare-bones the operation was. She said at her fitting, she saw only West and two female wardrobe stylists. West picked her outfit and accessories, and told her what he wanted.
Then when it came time to shoot, things changed ... again. "It actually kept changing all the way until the day I came to where the car was, and the director was like, 'Oh, nobody told you the new idea?' " she said.
The shoot lasted under four hours, and Rita said she was surprised how excited West and his camp were with the footage afterward.
"I didn't know exactly how they were gonna piece it together or how the final edit was gonna look, but all I know is Kanye was very happy, him and a whole group of other men, like, grown-ass men, standing outside in the freezing cold with five levels of clothes on shivering, me naked," G recalled. "They stood out there for, like, half an hour just watching the monitor. I'm like, 'What else is there to see? It's only three minutes.' They kept watching it over and over and over. He was so happy."
For Rita, the post-video experience has been a whirlwind. Although she's successful in her own right, the response she has received since the video debuted has been enjoyable, she said.
"I have on a wig, I have on sunglasses," she said. "And not everybody knows every inch of my body, to be like, 'Oh, that's Rita G. But a lot of people, in message boards, apparently, they were like, 'It's gotta be Rita G!' "
The starlet has even glanced at online comments from viewers trying to grasp what exactly the video is about: A lover scorned? A mistress betrayed? A zealous fan seeking fame?
The answer is left to each person's imagination, she explained.
"I just think it's great to have a cliffhanger," she said. "It's great when the mother goose doesn't have to chew the food up for you and then feed it to you. Use your mother----ing mind. It's abstract. It's whatever you want it to be."
~~~
RAP IS STILL OUTTA CONTROL:
Lil Wayne-Hot Boys Reunion In New Orleans Canceled After Shooting Outside Venue
Police have no suspects or motive; victims' injuries are reportedly not life-theatening.
By Shaheem Reid
NEW ORLEANS — The Hot Boys reunion at the club Dream here on Sunday night — featuring Lil Wayne, B.G., Juvenile and Mannie Fresh — was over before it could even get started: Two 24-year-old women and a 26-year-old man were shot outside the venue by an unknown gunman at around 12:57 a.m. on Monday (February 18).
According to police, the victims were standing on the sidewalk and began running when they heard gunshots. The three were quickly taken to a local hospital, where their injuries were said to be not life-threatening; the venue was closed and the event canceled.
Contacted on Tuesday (February 19), a representative for local police said they still have no suspects or motive in the shooting.
None of the MCs had arrived at the venue by the time of the shooting. MTV News caught up with Wayne not long after the incident. He seemed optimistic that the Hot Boys reunion could be rescheduled, saying that it's "only a phone call away."
The reunion was planned to be a cap on this year's NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans; it would have been the first time in several years that the group had performed. Mannie Fresh was scheduled to take the place of original member Turk, who is currently incarcerated, and a number of MCs — including Rick Ross, Baby and DJ Khaled, along with a host of NBA players — were expected to attend.
"It was going to be a big, historic moment," B.G. told MTV News. "I was just saying that everybody was cool during the All-Star weekend, then they start shooting. Why'd they have to shoot up on our night? Guess that's Chopper City for ya."
~~~
YOUNG GURU ON HOW JAY-Z MADE 'REASONABLE BLUEPRINT':
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JIMMY IOVINE SPEAKS... AND IT'S NOT THAT IMPRESSIVE:
Have you ever wondered what it's like in the executive suites of the major labels? The fast thinking that goes on there, the lightning-quick decisions that get made, the sheer mental power that's exhibited every time one of the handsomely paid people at the top opens their mouth? Well, get ready to get disappointed! The above video is a 20-minute interview with Interscope/Geffen/A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine, and throughout, the bigwig not only looks like he needs some extra coffee, he accuses ungrateful artists of wanting to emulate Shaggy and calls will.i.am a "genius." For those of you who would rather watch outtakes of the Gene Simmons sex tape than slog through the whole thing, I've compiled a few highlights after the jump!
On how the record industry has failed
"This business has never had a relationship with its customer."
On stoking hopefuls' needs
"It's not hard to get a record deal. The heat has to come with it. It has to be really, really good ... or someone has to believe it's really, really good."
On the present-day nature of the business
"The reason why music is in trouble on the Internet is 'cause it's the best app, 'cause it flows through that thing like water."
On the future of the business
"Whatever it is, there'll be someone to organize it and put it together, and it'll be called a record company."
On staying current with his label's priorities
"Four million people watched Soulja Boy." (NB: The official "Crank That" video currently has 32 million-plus views.)
On who should take the blame when an album flops
"The hardest thing for any artist to do is look in the mirror and say [the reason for the album flopping] was me.... Everybody wants to be Shaggy and say, 'It wasn't me.' .... 'My album was great, it wasn't me, it was that building.'"
On why albums do flop
"A lot of times, the music's stupid."
On the soul-crushing sameness of present-day rock radio
"If you put on alternative radio, the guitars sound exactly the same ... a lot of people blame the record companies for that, but it's not the record companies. It's got to do with the lack of imagination that we're going through right now in certain areas of music, and kids think they're supposed to copy things on television, or on the Internet."
On that note, the current musicians who Iovine thinks are geniuses
Pharrell, Timbaland, Dr. Dre, Akon, and the "still not on the Billboard 200 despite everyone else getting a Grammy bump" will.i.am. (So wait, is it always the music that's stupid, then?)
http://idolator.com/358681/a-music+industry-captain-drops-some-science-for-the-masses
~~~
PEACE TO ALASKA!
Yakballz: Futuristic Sox
By: Tim Baker
I remember the first time I heard the Yak Ballz song ‘Flossin’ on the now defunct Stretch and Bobbito show and being thoroughly impressed by the combination of flow, style, voice, and humor that the kid Yak possessed. I was instantly won over as a fan. Years went by and quality singles dropped followed by the album My Claim on Eastern Conference. After that it seemed as though Yak stepped away from the scene for a little bit. I used to see him at shows here and there hanging out back stage with the rest of the crew but he seemed to be laying in the cut, perhaps waiting for the perfect time to drop his masterpiece. Well that time has come with the release of his new album Scifentology II, an impressive work showing a lot of growth as an artist and a person. I sat down with Yak to discuss his new record, plans for the future and to shoot the shit. Enjoy.
Philaflava: For those readers who are unfamiliar with you please introduce yourself
Yak Ballz: My name is Yak Ballz and I sleep on my stomach.
PF: With regards to the new album, tell us what we can expect, what’s different from past releases. Also who you worked with on it?
Yak: You can expect a lot of the unexpected. I'm too advanced for my past releases. They are inferior to Scifentology II. If anyone wants to know who I worked with they need to buy it. That’s my new sales pitch. You into it?
PF: I dig it. I recently saw that you are playing the paid dues festival for the first time this spring, you did the tour over the summer with cage, to give the paid dues fans a taste of what you can do. Do you have any special plans for the show to give them the full Yak experience?
Yak: Playing the Paid Dues Festival is a huge opportunity for me so I plan to come out and make the other acts and people who don't know who I am say "who the fuck is that dude?"
PF: What are your plans for touring the record?
Yak: Getting on tour these days is pretty difficult and expensive. I’m doing everything I can to hit the road. I’m also trying my best to find a booking agent but in the meantime I’ve been finding and setting up my own shows all over. It’s truly a struggle.
PF: Now that we got that basic shit out of the way I figure since we know each other we can make this interview a little more interesting and let people know what one Yak Ballz is all about. So let’s just jump into something near and dear to both of our hearts, Lost. Did you see the first episode of season four and what are your thoughts? Sub-question, why the hell did you plan your album release party on the same day as the long awaited season premiere?
Yak: Of course I saw it! I thought it was a set-up episode. Everyone said it was amazing. I thought it was pretty good. I'm always expecting something insane to pop off immediately but I know better. It's like they give you a couple Pringles and expect them to hold you over until the next week. I am going to watch it again now that I think about it. It was cool to find out about the "Oceanic 6" and now with the new flash forwards it makes it more interesting and adds a new dynamic that we only were introduced to in the last episode of Season 3. I spoke to EL and he was like "dude Charlie might be alive." F.Y.I to all of those people who might be thinking the same, Charlie is dead and Hurley has lost his mind. So are you saying the reason you didn't come to my release show is because you stayed home to watch Lost? I figured you out Timmy. I didn't schedule it the same day on purpose but I'm glad it was a packed house regardless.
P.S I bought and watched the episode on iTunes the next day.
PF: Yeah, sorry about that but after seeing it I had to get my full nerd on and watch it again online and talk about it with other nerds. But this isn’t about me and something that may or may not of happened this is about you and it’s my understanding that you, Chan and Melski saw Cloverfield and the overall impression was mehh? What’s up with that?
Yak: It was definitely entertaining and had me on the edge of my seat for the majority of the movie but it's becoming clearer that Hollywood is taking certain appeals from other blockbusters and mashing them into one. It's like a race to make the perfect blockbuster using ideas from ones that came out less than 5 years before it. I didn't think it was bad but I might be over movies about big monsters destroying cities. Not to mention our interpretations of monsters and aliens are so funny. It's always a rendition of the same dude. Speaking of JJ Abrams I was saying the monster in Cloverfield is what is behind the smoke machine monster-ish thing in Lost that was introduced and never to be seen again until the blockbuster movie.
PF: Let’s move on too some other shit. Now I don’t know if this is true or not but it was always my understanding that you were dubbed Yak Ballz by Bobbito Garcia, from the legendary Stretch and Bobbito show, when you worked at his store Footwork? Is any of this true? If so what was it like working there and being part of that whole scene?
Yak: Yes it's true. I interned for Bobbito which lead me to working at Bobbito's Footwork in NY when I was a teenager in high school. It was an awesome place to work because I loved coming into the city especially the downtown Greenwich Village area. If you aren't from New York, it's not so clear that the city is a separate place altogether from the boroughs surrounding it. I grew up in Flushing Queens which was a much different atmosphere than downtown so to have had the chance to make the trip there was a pleasure for me. Footwork was the most true to life Hip Hop/Urban store I've ever seen in my life. I absolutely loved being down in that basement and listening an assortment of vinyl that I had right at my fingertips. We had a Nike account and Nike sent us exclusive kicks like dunks, humarras, and air max 95's way before it became super popular to become a "sneaker head" in NY. Aside from Union, it was one of the first real hip hop boutiques in NY that carried independent T-Shirt lines like 10 Deep and Staple when these companies started out. That experience molded me to be the artist I am today and taught me the most I ever learned about Hip Hop culture in the truest form. Looking back I know I was a part of something very special.
PF: so back when you were working with Bob and Footwork you dropped a few singles than you dropped Freak show with Jux, after that you disappeared from the scene for a minute, what was going on during that time?
Yak: I was going to college during that time but I still managed to put out some vinyl and do features on different projects. I didn't quite know where I fit in as independent hip hop was breaking up into several sub-genres with respect to up-and-coming labels branding themselves with certain musical styles. I was an undergrad from Queens writing songs in my dorm room. I was creatively active but I didn't know where I belonged because I didn't want to be categorized as a backpack rapper, nerd rap or underground even though people pegged me as those things. I hated all those terms but and even then I had the confidence in myself to hold off from jumping into a label situation that was going to target one audience and alienate another.
PF: How do you think things have changed since then and where do you see yourself fitting in now?
Yak: People don’t buy records anymore. As little as 7 years ago people were still buying records and attending shows. These days, selling a ton of records and having a successful turnout is a lot less likely. I decided I was sick of it all. I wanted to spread my wings, be myself, and do what I like whether people shit on me for it or not. So I did and I have no regrets. I actually don’t even want to fit in because that would make me the same as people who do. I’m not them. They smell bad.
PF: I understand you used to write and roll with a crew call TCK, tell us about your experience as a writer and what the crew was all about. Also is this where you met Ewok?
Yak: Graf played and still plays a significant part in my life. The state of the economy is affecting my life more now than graffiti does. No one will ever experience what I felt in NY when I was growing up again. They can't relate to jumping into bus windows or walking Broadway with 30 Northface jackets, long bill brims, and air max 95's beaming. Obama for President if I had to choose. I met Ewok through TCK and Kel 5MH. He thinks I never believe him.
PF: You mention the economy and Obama, obviously the country is kinda fucked after 8 years of Bush/Cheney and people seem to be clamoring for a change. You have the unique perspective of someone who has traveled the country and have seen how people are all across the land. Do you feel that this desire for change is real or just lip service?
Yak: I think it’s very real and if McCain gets elected it doesn’t seem like much is going to change. We need change. I need people to make more so they will spend more so I can make a living. I’m sure that goes for you, and millions of people. I went to Newark to scoop Tame One recently and I couldn’t get over the amount of Obama posters and signs all over the place. Have you ever seen the Shepard Fairey print that says “progress”? I’m all for it.
PF: Ok on another note, you and I have done a few tours together (The EL-P ISWYD Tour and Paid Dues Tour) any fun stories you want to share with the readers about life on those tours? Any good pranks etc?
Yak: I remember one night the tour bus got infested with about a thousand crickets crawling everywhere. Someone left a window open and I guess they just all climbed in the bus or they got the code and let themselves in like Govone said. It was nuts. Wind and Breeze was running around manic with a flip flop in his hand smashing crickets all over the place. EL was just sitting on the couch saying it was a sign from God while everyone else was trying to kill them all. It was a hilarious scene.
PF: I am still under the belief that the guys in SSS had something to do with it; luckily it was towards the very end of the tour. But guilty or not it did set of a chain reaction of pranks, care to comment on these events?
Yak: This set off Dibbs unleashing crickets in our dressing room, which lead to us shaving our armpit and chest hairs and using honey to paste it on door handles.
PF: Yeah that was fucking disgusting. Any final comments you would like to leave the readers with?
Yak: When all else fails, tell the tale. History books are always written by the winners. Buy my album Scifentology II so I can buy new futuristic sox.
For More Information on Yakballz please visit these sites:
http://www.myspace.com/yakballz
http://www.youtube.com/yakballztv
www.philaflava.com
~~~
EMINEM FINALLY IS GOING TO EXPLAIN HIMSELF:
Eminem may not be joining the WWE, but he does plan to publish his memoirs. Em is currently working on the memoirs "The Way I Am," which will include journal notes, hand-drawn art and lyric sketches as well as a narrative and introduction written by himself.
The memoirs will be published by Orion Books and are scheduled to hit stores October 16.
"Everyone has their own take on Eminem. Because of where he is from, people think they know where he is at, what kind of person he really is," Said Ian Preece, of Orion. "This book cuts through all that and gets to the source. It has an edge. It'll be one of the books of the year."
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ATMOSPHERE'S NEW SHIT: FUCKING AWESOMENESS
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ODB FOREVER THEN FOR INFINITY:
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I GOTTA LINK UP WITH THE HOMIE:
WWW.IDOLATOR.COM
South by So Real
Matt Sonzala: Every day he's hustlin'
Journalist, blogger, promoter, radio host, and all-around hustler Matt Sonzala was reppin' the Houston hip-hop scene way before anyone outside the 281 area code knew the names Paul Wall and Mike Jones. Sonzala has been booking hip-hop artists for South by Southwest for several years but was recently hired on full-time. More than 150 hip-hop acts take the stage in Austin from March 12 to 16, and whether they are living legends or local unknowns, Sonzala is the man responsible for getting them on schedule. Bump & Hustle caught up with him last week to talk about the fest's hip-hop lineup.
Bump & Hustle: What are you most excited about this year?
Matt Sonzala: David Banner and Killer Mike doing a panel together at the Carver Center on Saturday [March 15]. Before they go on, I’m showing a film called Slingshot Hip Hop, a documentary about hip-hop in Palestine, and another movie called I Love Hip Hop in Morocco. After that there’s going to be a performance by World Trade, which is Bavu Blakes and Element 7D. Also, having Bun B and the whole UGK family is very exciting.
B&H: You’re screening those two international documentaries, and it looks like there are quite a few international hip-hop artists this year. I’m looking forward to seeing Marcelo D2 from Brazil.
MS: It sucks a little for me because those guys are all coming in as part of world-music shows. I want to see Tumi from South Africa and Marcelo D2. I saw Marcelo perform in Amsterdam with Planet Hemp in ’96, and I’ve followed his music for a long time. He’s a Brazilian hip-hop legend and Tumi is a South African hip-hop legend. I used to play both of them on my international show on KPFT in Houston. Honestly, I wanted to make a whole international hip-hop showcase, but a lot of people wouldn’t go.
B&H: Do you get to see all the artists you want to see?
MS: Almost none. I usually get stuck in a venue wherever the biggest rappers are, and I have to make sure everything goes on time. I’m usually running back and forth between venues.
B&H: Tell me a little bit about the Pimp C tribute. What’s going to go down for that?
MS: Basically, Pimp C had his UGK Records, a loose collective of artists from Port Arthur and the South: Vicious from the X-Mob, Hezeleo, Big Bubb, XVII, Bido, T.O.E, Bankroll Jonez, MDDL FNGZ. These were all people who were down with Pimp C, and I mean genuinely down with him. They’re all going to come together in one place at one time and really give it up for Pimp C.
B&H: And what about the rest of the Houston scene? Are they going to be represented?
MS: Not so much this year. Chingo Bling is coming as well as Rob G. We’ve got newcomers coming through like Karina Nistal; she mixes Latin hip-hop beats with reggaeton. She’s wild. Also: Z-Ro, Devin the Dude, and Lil J Da Mex Connect. I’m focusing on the next generation and some new shit. If Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, or Paul Wall wants to come, I want them and love them, but to me, South by Southwest is still about new music and promoting what’s coming up, not just about riding the wave of what’s already there. There’s no denying that when we first brought Bun B, Chamillionaire, and Paul Wall on a show with Dizzee Rascal five years ago [at SXSW], every writer in the house was there. They actually got to touch these dudes and meet these dudes. When all the media started coming down on Houston that’s where they all met. They got to see this next wave of stuff and that’s my goal, to keep it fresh. We need big names to get people to actually come out, but I’m trying to mix it up.
B&H: So what do you think South by Southwest can do for young local artists, somebody like a Zeale 32?
MS: Zeale needs to hustle up some press people to come out and see him, hustle up the industry to make sure they actually come to the show. That goes for anybody – the whole music industry is here, and it’s how you work it. Most of these rappers don’t work it at all. They come out and get onstage thinking they’re going to blow up and get a record deal, but they didn’t make one phone call before the show. They didn’t send one e-mail, they didn’t make a flyer, they didn’t go to the Convention Center. You need to get out there, because everybody is here, and what if you make 10 good contacts in those four days? You could make 100 contacts and make a whole new path for yourself because the music business is 100 percent about who you know. And that’s the beauty of South by Southwest – everybody can meet right here.
B&H: Is Ice Cube going to be performing, or is he just doing a panel?
MS: Ice Cube is actually doing the main stage on Lady Bird Lake with Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Idle Warship, and Strong Arm Steady. He’s also doing an interview at the Convention Center.
B&H: The name that jumped out at me is Camp Lo. Uptown Saturday Night is one of my favorite hip-hop albums of all time, but I haven’t heard anything from them in almost 10 years. Did you reach out to them, or did they reach out to you.
MS: They reached out to me through a friend of mine. They were talking about how they wanted to play South by Southwest because they’re revamping their thing for next year. They were one of the first groups to come into the fold. I was like, "Hell yeah, let’s do it." They’ve got a new album coming out next year.
B&H: I'm from the Kansas City area - Lawrence, actually - so I was pleased to see KC is well represented with Mac Lethal, Tech N9ne, Kutt Calhoun, and some others.
MS: Yeah, all those dudes. Tech N9ne's coming down because he's got new stuff coming out this year, and he's got a tour with Paul Wall right after South by Southwest. I told him, "Bring your artists; bring your label." If they're gonna come to see you, we'll put those other artists on right before you and get them some exposure, too. So he's bringing his whole Strange Music family, and I put Mac Lethal on that same show because he requested to be on there with them. Kansas City's got a crazy rap scene that's underexposed.
B&H: Any other artists flying under the radar that you’re particularly excited about?
MS: I’m a friend and fan of Gerald G and Chalie Boy, so I love seeing them. Locally, I think Ryno, Slim Gutta, and Southbound are awesome. Also, Drojo from Corpus Christi. This dude Lars Vaular from Norway; he takes a down South sound and approach to the music and raps in Norwegian. It’s really dope. Dizzee Rascal is bringing the Newham Generals and Jammer. I’ve been wanting to do a grime showcase for the last four years, but it never happens. We’ve had Lady Sovereign, Lethal Bizzle, Plan B, and Dizzee Rascal before, but Newham Generals and Jammer are on some real deep shit, so I’m really excited for that.
Some notable hip-hop artists at SXSW 2008: Ice Cube, Talib Kweli, El-P, Jean Grae, Grayskul, Lifesavas, Saul Williams, David Banner, Pigeon John, Devin the Dude, Chingo Bling, Zeale 32, Murs, Phranchyze, Bavu Blakes, Tech N9ne, Mac Lethal, Bun B, Ohmega Watts, Aloe Blacc, Lyrics Born, Camp Lo, Gerald G, Living Legends, Marcelo D2, Kutt Calhoun, Public Offenders, J-Rocc, A-Alikes, Tee Double, Cunninlynguists, DJ Rapid Ric, King Britt, N.E.R.D, PPT, DJ Chicken George, C-Rayz Walz, and Kosha Dillz.
~~~
LET'S END WITH THIS:
http://www.myspace.com/peterock
THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL FIND A PREVIEW TO HIS NEW ALBUM... HEARD THE NEW SONG WITH REDMAN, BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE VERSE BY REGGIE NOBLE ON IT!!! :(
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yeah, so I'm writing my life thesis masterpiece, while juggling a few side projects, and learning how to be a better lover, and earning money from my music and dreams, while becoming a better businessman.
peace to Tyrone and all the people who read this! I want to make a nicer website, this was good for its time, but it's time to upgrade myself like Beyonce says, LOL
yeah, so Diane's sick but I'm healing her and I want to see Gracie and Lara and I'm doing more work than ever and Treesap lent me her camera and I'm about to DETOX MY BODY once this weed is gone and I'm happy but BUSY all the time now. That's what it is. It only took 15 years :)
some kinda smart guy said "Better Late Than Never Made", LOL
Mindbender loves you!
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