Posted 8/16/11 6:29 pm EST by MTV News in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
Last week, following the premiere of Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Otis" video, many viewers walked away from the screen asking the same question: "Who was the little guy in the back in the suit and shades pushing the chopped-up Maybach?" Some laughed after suggesting it was Kanye's right-hand man and G.O.O.D. Music executive Don C, but after a good stare it was confirmed the individual stunting alongside 'Ye was none other than actor Aziz Ansari. Read More...
Posted 8/15/11 5:13 pm EST by D.L. Chandler in Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
Dallas rap veteran D.O.C. made waves in the news recently after a revealing interview with local publication the Dallas Observer detailed the former Ruthless Records rapper’s long climb to rehabilitate his throat injury as a result of a car crash many years ago. D.O.C. also piqued interest from fans speaking of his work alongside producer Dr. Dre on the long-awaited Detox release. Read More...
Posted 8/13/11 3:22 pm EST by D.L. Chandler in Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
Growing up before America’s eyes, former television child star and pop singer Miley Cyrus – now 18 – has been shedding her old image a layer at a time by way of a series of incidents that blazed through the press. No instance was more random than when the daughter of country music star Billy Ray Cyrus tweeted about her love of southern rap mainstay Gucci Mane.
“Don't mind me just showin off muahhh grill with @gucci1017at the urrrport!” tweeted Miley back in April in regards to Gucci Mane’s Source cover. After a few tweets dedicated to Gucci, Cyrus also mentioned a hopeful collaboration between her rocker brother Trace and Mr. Zone 6. “You know what would be my summer jam??? @tracecyrus and @gucci1017 on a track together! HAYYY!” Miley added. Read More...
Posted 8/12/11 11:13 pm EST by D.L. Chandler in Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
Watch the Throne and its unconventional rollout continues to defy the entire recording industry’s usual traditions. After Monday's digital-only release and the drop of physical copies in retail outlets today (August 12), Kanye West and Jay-Z proved they have even more tricks up their sleeve with yet another big event attached to their joint album. In the heart of New York City and the trendy section of SoHo, MTV News got first dibs on getting a look at a “pop-up store” erected in order to sell copies of WTT. Read More...
Posted 8/12/11 3:28 pm EST by D.L. Chandler in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
Former lonely stoner Kid Cudi has been a busy man of late with his vocal imprint and assistance present on Watch The Throne, although stars Kanye West and Jay-Z maintain much of the spotlight. However, the multi-faceted Cudi is now set to take center stage with a new song “No One Believes Me” which will be featured on the remake of 80s cult classic film “Fright Night” starting Colin Ferrell, Anton Yelchin and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. MTV News caught up with the “man on the moon” as he talked on the set of the upcoming video for the new track. Read More...
Posted 8/12/11 7:03 am EST by MTV News in Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
By Jonathan Goldner
You can't watch Jay-Z & Kanye West's "Otis" video without noticing two things. First, that it is beautifully shot by director Spike Jonze. Second, Jay and 'Ye really look like they're having fun!
For two of hip-hop's heaviest hitters, this is genuinely new and different. There's no tough guy mean-mugging in "Otis." It's good times in the sunshine doing doughnuts in a tricked-out Maybach full of pretty women. And what's not to like about that?
After watching and enjoying the video several times, we were stuck by these five key moments that left indelible images on our minds.
1) The very first shot, showing only Kanye & Jay's tools of destruction. It's a dark, foreboding image that suggests the deconstruction of one of hip-hop's traditional symbols of swag, the Maybach.
2) It turns out that the ride isn't being torn apart, it's just being remixed. Behold the hip-hop Batmobile, with it's doors, hood and grill all repositioned where the trunk used to be and a fire-breathing tailpipe. Biff! Bam! It's the pimpmobile!
Posted 8/10/11 1:29 pm EST by D.L. Chandler in Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
R&B crooner Chris Brown is set to take his tour on the road in North America beginning the road gig overseas in Australia back in April of this year. After dropping his fourth studio F.A.M.E., Brown has supported the album with the brief global excursion and several spot date performances such as the “Today Show.” This 28-city tour will kick off with our neighbors to the north in Toronto and then shooting down south to Buffalo, NY to continue the stateside leg of his jaunt.
Breezy will have some friends along for the ride with sultry singer Kelly Rowland, Florida product T-Pain and his “Snapbacks Back” partner in rhyme Tyga all joining him on his cross-country trek. Before the tour stars in September, Chris Brown will get a warm up round in during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards on August 28 as one of the featured performers. After his Toronto and Buffalo dates, Breezy and crew will visit New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and Detroit in succession. Read More...
Posted 8/9/11 8:47 pm EST by D.L. Chandler in Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
Watch The Throne, indeed. After dropping the hyped album alongside fellow rich buddy Kanye West, Jay-Z lords over all in Hip Hop after being named the top spot earner on business magazine Forbes “Hip Hop Cash Kings” list.
Born Shawn Carter, the Brooklyn native tallied $37 million making this the fourth time in five years Hov has claimed the crown of cash king. Right behind Jay is Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was just short of the top spot by raking in a cool $35 million. Kanye West came in at a respectable but still distant third with $16 million. Read More...
Posted 8/7/11 4:50 pm EST by D.L. Chandler in Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
One half of legendary rap duo Outkast Big Boi was arrested earlier today in Miami on drug charges, media outlets are saying. According to Miami-Dade County Jail’s web site, the longtime rapper was caught and charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. The drugs were listed as MDMA powder, ecstasy pills and Viagra.
Further reports state that the artist born Antwan Patton was apprehended by customs and border patrol canines as he was exiting a cruise line. He was booked and processed this afternoon according to media reports. A quick look at Big Boi’s Twitter page revealed that the rapper was on vacation between Puerto Rico and Grand Turk Island over the past few days. It appears that Big Boi’s trip back home to the states was marred by this recent infraction. Read More...
Posted 8/5/11 8:17 pm EST by D.L. Chandler in Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are
Although sultry rap vixen Nicki Minaj most certainly ramps up her sexy image in her songs and appearance, the Young Money starlet had an accidental incident happen today. While performing in Central Park in New York as part of early riser talk program Good Morning America and their Summer Concert Series, Minaj suffered a bit of wardrobe malfunction that exposed part of her breast during the live broadcast. Read More...
