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David Banner Talks Big K.R.I.T. Collaboration

Posted 12/9/10 9:22 pm EST by in RapFix Live

By Hillary Crosley, with reporting by Sway Calloway

On Thursday (December 9), Mississippi native David Banner stopped by our office with North Carolina producer 9th Wonder for "RapFix Live" to discuss their upcoming collaborative LP Death of a Pop Star. The album hits shelves on December 21 and Banner also talked a bit about one of his fellow Mississippi MC-producers.

"Just so ya'll know, K.R.I.T. was in the studio when I was mixing Death of a Popstar," David Banner said, before discussing when, and if, he would record with the up-and-coming artist. "Me and K.R.I.T. have sent a couple records back and forth to each other, but the thing that I wanted Krit to do was to really stand on his own. "

Big K.R.I.T., a native of Meridian, Mississippi, released the breakout K.R.I.T. Wuz Here mixtape earlier this year that garnered the attention of the music industry. Within months, the young MC was signed to Def Jam and traveling the country on the Smoker's Club Tour with Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa and Smoke DZA. Now K.R.I.T. is prepping his follow-up mixtape Return of Forever as well as his as-yet-untitled debut album. Naturally, our "RapFix Live" fans wanted to know why the two Mississippi artists hadn't collaborated yet and Banner said there was a method to his movements — or lack thereof. Read More...

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Watch David Banner, 9th Wonder And T.I. On 'RapFix Live' Now!

Posted 12/9/10 4:03 pm EST by in RapFix Live

It's time for "RapFix Live" and we've got rapper-producer-actor David Banner and producer 9th Wonder here! The show will stream live here on RapFix as well as MTV.com at 4 p.m. ET and we want your questions for the gentleman!

Today's chat with MTV News' own Sway will cover the duo's upcoming mixtape Death of a Pop Star, hitting fans hot hands on December 21. The LP features production from the former Little Brother star and rhymes from Banner; Ludacris and Estelle also lend their talents to the project.

The Mississippi native, born Lavell Crump, who produced songs like Lil Wayne's "La La" and T.I.'s breakout hit "Rubberband Man," spoke to MTV earlier this year about the collaboration. Read More...

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Rick Ross' 'B.M.F.' Is MTV's #4 Song Of The Year: A RapFix Salute

Posted 12/9/10 12:33 pm EST by in Music News

In May, Rick Ross breezed back into our lives with The Albert Anastasia EP: The Prequel to Teflon Don and "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)." The ode to street legends Big Meech and Larry Hoover checks in at #4 on MTV News' Top Songs of 2010 list.

Earlier this year, I was still riding high from Ross' "Maybauch Music" remixes, crafted by the talented Justice League and their love for musician Dexter Wansel. I was also enjoying the Bawse's personal touches on pop singles like Rihanna's "Rude Boy" — Ricky will throw a verse on anything and that's why I love him.

As the weather warmed and people began to take to the streets, it was almost impossible to escape the MC's "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)."

From Brooklyn, N.Y.'s Fulton Avenue, San Francisco's hills, Miami's South Beach and Atlanta's club scene, Ross' hit was literally everywhere. Subway riders even accosted fellow passengers with the cut, from headphones turned up much too loud, of course. But what took the cake? Two friends of mine married this year and as the coupled walked into their reception ... Ross' "B.M.F." blared through the venue's speakers. No, I'm not joking. Why didn't you think of that, right? Read More...

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Cee-Lo's 'F--- You' Is MTV's #5 2010 Song Of The Year: RapFix Claps

Posted 12/8/10 7:03 pm EST by in Music News

There's nothing I enjoy more than a good curse word in an R&B song. Amy Winehouse? Yes. Keyshia Cole? Absolutely. Cee-Lo? F--- yeah! This is why I'm happy to announce the #5 choice on MTV News' Top 25 Songs of 2010: Cee-Lo Green's "F--- You."

Though many pop fans were introduced to Green through his Gnarls Barkley success, RapFix readers most likely remember him from his Goodie Mob days and his verse on Outkast's "Git Up Git Out" back in the 1990s. If you don't remember what we're talking about, we won't "hold that against you though." Most recently, rap fans have watched the MC-singer transform into an official pop star — unfortunately fans began referring to him as Gnarls Barkley, rather than his singular artist moniker.

"I think that there were very genuine and general concerns with building the brand of Cee Lo Green,” the Atlanta lyricist told MTV News. “Because Gnarls Barkley didn’t do that, it built the Gnarls Barkley brand. I’ve even seen a few Twitter messages saying, 'Why did Gnarls Barkley change his name to Cee Lo Green?' But you know, understandably, there’s that kind of disconnect. So in terms of executive decisions, it was about starting from scratch and making sure that the brand we launched was seen in the right light, finally." Read More...

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David Banner, 9th Wonder And T.I. To Appear On 'RapFix Live'

Posted 12/8/10 5:34 pm EST by in RapFix Live

On Thursday (December 9), David Banner and 9th Wonder will stop by "RapFix Live" and viewers will get also get an exclusive look at T.I. at 4 p.m. here on RapFix and MTV.com.

Banner is gearing up to release his first collaborative project with 9th Wonder, entitled Death of a Pop Star, on December 21. The LP features production from the former Little Brother star and rhymes from Banner; Ludacris and Estelle also lend their talents to the project.

The Mississippi native, born Lavell Crump, who produced songs like Lil Wayne's "La La" and T.I.'s breakout hit "Rubberband Man," spoke to MTV earlier this year about the collaboration.

"It's like we playing basketball overseas for the USA and we win the gold," Banner said about their upcoming project. "That's how I'm feeling. I'm coming right off of that and going into my next album." Read More...

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Happy Birthday Nicki Minaj!

Posted 12/8/10 7:00 am EST by in Birthdays

Soccer moms still may need to organize a pep rally —  get it? — but RapFix is ringing in Nicki Minaj's birthday with (virtual) gifts from her fans.

We asked the Barbz and KenBarbz (not Barbies, we learned this yesterday courtesy of @Ranoey, Thanks ma'am!) via @MTVRapFix what they'd like to give Ms. Minaj for her birthday and here are a few of the best responses.

"We'd go visit her grandmother's grave. I don't know if she's been there lately but with all her recent success it would be good to go there," said @TeamMinajPink. "Maybe a lifetime supply of cranberries and almonds? Lol."

"The only idea I have in mind would be to give her a 'Regeey Bear,' a teddy dressed nicely, looking like he could be Regis," said Ranoey. Read More...

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Drake's 'Fancy' Makes #7 On Top 2010 Songs: RapFix Waves

Posted 12/7/10 7:15 pm EST by in Music News

2010 has definitely been the year of Aubrey Graham, better known as Drake.

Not only did the MC have an affair (or not) with Rihanna, he collaborated on the pop star's "What's My Name" hit, and rhymed alongside Lil Wayne, Bun B, Jay-Z, Diddy, Nicki Minaj and J.Cole. He embarked on his first solo tour, Lights Dreams and Nightmares, where he was able to perform the now famous catch phrase and complementing hand motion associated with MTV News' #7 Song of the Year, "Fancy."

Despite the track's amazingly catchy hook — "Oh you fancy huh? Nails done hair done everything did," Swizz Beatz spits — rap fans, mostly men of course, initially panned the track. But then, like the rise of the Toronto MC's "Find Your Love" up the Billboard charts, people gave the song another chance and began waving — the "Fancy" wave that is.

It's OK, we've all done it. Maybe the phrase slipped it into conversation when the appropriately comical moment arose.

"I've got to go meet Rick Ross to pick out some pinky rings."

"Oh, you fancy huh?"

"Actually ... yes." Read More...

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T.I.'s Arrest 'Changed' The Course Of No Mercy

Posted 12/7/10 1:58 pm EST by in Music News

Few MCs can release seven albums and remain relevant — enter T.I.

Despite the rapper's penchant for trouble, Tip's been able to maintain a presence since 2001, when his barely noticed debut I'm Serious made way for his breakout follow-up LPsTrap Muzik, Urban Legend, King, T.I. vs. Tip and Paper Trail.

RapFix spoke to Tip's manager and Grand Hustle label partner Jason Geter on the eve of the Bankhead rapper's No Mercy album release, which hit shelves on Tuesday (December 7).

"This album was very unorthodox," said Geter. "We were recording in Los Angeles and that whole arrest thing happened in the process of making the album, so a lot of the songs began one way but then the album began to change and a lot of other songs came about."

No doubt tracks like the Chris Brown-assisted "Get Back Up" came as T.I. realized that he was heading back to jail. The MC is currently serving an 11-month sentence for violating his probation and this stint follows the MC's previous year away for his 2007 felony gun possession charge. Promoting an album is an exercise in itself, but the process is complicated when the artist isn't available for interviews or appearances. Read More...

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DJ Khaled Says He'll 'Get On That Grammy Stage'

Posted 12/7/10 12:27 pm EST by in Music News

By Hillary Crosley, with reporting by Sway Calloway

On December 2, the 2011 Grammy nominations were announced in Los Angeles and while some MCs like Eminem rejoiced, others in hip-hop like DJ Khaled felt a bit left out.

"I feel like everyone that is on the list definitely deserves it," said DJ Khaled. "Because of their hits and big records and they're big artists. But I also feel that Rick Ross should be on there, I feel myself should be on there.

" 'All I Do Is Win' was one of those records that were world recognized, just like 'B.M.F.' was huge," Khaled explained. "It's nothing to be mad about, it's just going to make me work harder to be on that list. It's actually inspiring to see a list to try to be there or try to beat that goal." Read More...

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T.I. Is 'Trapped In A Vicious Circle' On 'No Mercy'

Posted 12/6/10 1:30 pm EST by in Music News

This week is bittersweet for T.I. As the MC sits in jail, his seventh album No Mercy hits shelves on Tuesday (December 7) and the video for the title track also premiered on Monday (December 6).

"Trapped in a vicious circle/ Jesus' youngest disciple/ Tell the judge if he throwed the book at me/ Make it the bible," he raps at the outset of the song. After later comparing himself to late rapper Tupac Shakur — who also released an album while incarcerated — and noting how much fans missed the star once he was gone, T.I. adds, "Hindsight 20/20/ Future not as clear/ But I'm a rider til I die."

Incarceration during the promotion of an album isn't new for Tip — bothTrap Muzik and King found the MC in similar situations — but this 11-month prison stint follows the MC's previous year away for his 2007 felony gun possession charge.

Many fans were frustrated at his newest conviction because the consequences not only put the MC away, but forced fans to miss their favorite MC ... again, and defend him ... again. But the always diplomatic T.I. spoke to his fans directly about this very topic via his TrapMuzik.com site. Read More...

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