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Snoop Dogg, Warren G To Remember Nate Dogg At SXSW Showcase

Posted 3/19/11 8:07 pm EST by in Uncategorized

In Austin, Texas at the SXSW Music festival, a gathering of west coast greats and young up and comers will honor the life of G-Funk crooner Nathaniel “Nate Dogg” Hale who passed away March 15.

At the 222 Venue at 8pm CST, Snoop Dogg and Warren G will eulogize their fallen 213 comrade musically at the “Respect The West” showcase alongside young talents and three fourths of the Black Hippy crew Kendrick Lamar, Schoollboy Q and Jay Rock, underground vets Planet Asia and Psycho Realm’s Sick Jacken among other notables.

Donations will also be collected for the Nate Dogg Memorial Fund at the showcase, which was put together by Stampede Management and The Cashmere Agency and sponsored jointly by XBOX Kinect, PRO-Keds, Skullcandy and Looxcie.

Nate Dogg was a fixture in west coast hip hop for many years, crafting memorable hooks for fellow Dogg Pound crew members Daz Dillinger and Kurupt and legendary producer Dr. Dre with his distinctive tenor and baritone vocals. The singer passed away due to complications surrounding a stroke which reports say led to heart failure. Read More...

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Nicki Minaj May Hit The Big Screen Soon

Posted 3/19/11 7:19 pm EST by in Uncategorized

Maximizing her career opportunities while she has the spotlight trained on her, Young Money diva Nicki Minaj is reportedly soon to grace the big screen in a role in an upcoming film.

Although the star has yet to confirm the reports, the rapper is a desired actress to play the lead role of main character Erica Payne for author Michele A. Fletcher’s film adaptation of her bestselling novel Charge It To The Game, gossip blog Bossip reported. Fletcher also placed singer Keri Hilson and rapper Eve, who has acting chops with a short-lived sitcom under her belt under consideration.

In an odd twist of fate, Fletcher would even consider current Minaj rival Lil Kim in the role and there is some history there. Fletcher has said in previous reports that she was friendly with Lil Kim and members of Kim’s Junior M.A.F.I.A. while growing up in Brooklyn. Read More...

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MTV 'RapFix Live' Remembers Nate Dogg

Posted 3/17/11 11:41 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, RapFix Live, Uncategorized

Near the end of today’s (March 17) Cash Money Records edition of RapFix, where Sway gave viewers of a preview of the new show “Deep Cover,” the RapFix and MTV News crew put together a fitting tribute in the memory of the prolific and soulful G-Funk crooner Nathaniel “Nate Dogg” Hale. Hale passed away March 15 at 41 years of age.

Sway began the tribute by giving viewers a crash course on just how impactful Nate Dogg’s distinctive tenor and baritone voice was to the world of hip hop. “When it came to west coast rap, he’s one of the pioneers,” said Sway. “He’s somebody who’s vocal tone was unmatched. The way he sang choruses, arguably he very well may be the best chorus singer there is in the business.”

In a montage of clips following Sway’s heartfelt intro into the tribute segment, the clip begins with the YO! MTV Raps alum Fab Five Freddy speaking with the Dogg Pound who turns his focus on the singer. In a speaking voice as smooth as his many memorable hooks, Nate Dogg explained to Freddy the arc of his career and how he meshed so well in such a rap-focused crew. “It’s something different what we’re doing but it’s the truth that we saying, “shared Nate. “If you can relate, it’s always gonna be if it’s the truth.”

The tribute ended with one of Nate Dogg’s most memorable performances with fellow 213 crew member Warren G and the hit single “Regulate.” Nate Dogg’s familiar soulfulness sounds just as fresh as did then, truly marking just how much of a void his death leaves in not only the world of hip hop but music period.

Rest In Peace, Nate Dogg. You will be truly missed.

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Backstage With Odd Future At The mtvU Woodies

Posted 3/17/11 9:03 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, Uncategorized

You can call Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All many things (actually, DO NOT call them horrorcore, but nervous and anxious doesn’t initially come to mind.)

But that’s exactly what Tyler the Creator, Hodgy Beats and other members of the crew were before hitting the stage at the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards in Austin, TX last night.

MTV News cameras were backstage and trained on the LA based crew to document their visit to the South by Southwest festival and caught them working out their nerves just before performing.

“I’m nervous like…Zoey Kravitz just hugged me and sh--,” said Tyler, the Creator to the camera. Read More...

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Erin Go Hard: Ireland’s Biggest Hip-Hop Stars

Posted 3/17/11 12:48 pm EST by in Uncategorized

By Travis Helwig

It’s St Patrick’s Day and in America we usually celebrate by drinking green beer and vomiting into public trashcans. To help you get an early start on the festivities, we compiled a list of Ireland’s biggest hip hop artists for all your mid-week partying. While these rappers have yet to make an impact here in the States, give a listen to this group of Irish artists currently on their grind.

Read More...

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9th Wonder And Jean Grae Talk 'Base For Your Face'

Posted 3/14/11 7:25 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, Uncategorized

By Erika Ramirez

You can’t escape the Based God. Why would you want to?

Last week, Lil B surprised many by the features on his 9th Wonder produced track, “Base For Your Face”, which were Jean Grae and Little Brother. Since Lil B is known to work with artists as Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em and rap about pop culture’s favorites, like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, the collaboration with hip-hop favorites was a curve ball to many, but received positively. Read More...

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Q-Tip Says 'Pray For Japan'

Posted 3/13/11 3:50 pm EST by in Uncategorized


By Paul Cantor

In light of the recent earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan, Hip-Hop has paused for reflection. Rapper Q-Tip, in particular, has been rather supportive of the relief efforts. Today (March 13th), around noon, Tip began a series of tweets simply by stating, “Pray for Japan.”

Tip’s group, A Tribe Called Quest, has performed in Japan, most recently this past August, when they played the "Summer Sonic Festival," alongside Jay-Z and Nickelback, among others. “Japan is a beautiful place,” Q-Tip continued on his Twitter feed. “Every time I’ve been [there] I’ve had the best time. The people are amazing and the land is perfect. #prayforjapan.” Then he closed his statements, writing: “Their food, culture, their appreciation of the world— Nagoya, Osaka, Toyohashi— these are a few of my favorite things about Japan.” Read More...

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Diddy, Chris Brown, More Hip-Hop Artists React To Japan Disaster

Posted 3/11/11 7:04 pm EST by in Uncategorized

Mother Nature is no joke.

This morning (March 11) an 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Northeast of Japan. Devastation caused by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks was coupled by a tsunami it caused that hit the coast shortly thereafter, leaving entire towns submerged in water and more destruction in its path.

So far hundreds of people have already been declared dead, with thousands more injured.

The United States is keeping Japan in its prayers (President Barack O’Bama has pledged aid) and the hip-hop nation also took to Twitter to voice their support. Read More...

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Made U Look: Lil Wayne And Magic Johnson

Posted 3/11/11 2:26 pm EST by in Uncategorized

NBA Hall of Fame legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson visited the Miami Heat’s American Airlines arena last night (March 10) to watch the star-studded team take on his famed Los Angeles Lakers squad. The basketball analyst also happened to meet up with another young star outside of the realm of sports.

Continuing with RapFix’s "Made U Look" series, where we feature stars and entertainers in their element enjoying the trappings of celebrity, this latest photo from Magic Johnson’s Twitter page shows the baller having an official meet and greet with one of hop hop’s brightest stars. Magic attended the game along with Young Money honcho Lil Wayne.

Magic took to his Twitter account and tweeted about meeting the star rapper. “Got to meet Lil Wayne @liltunechi at the game last night!” posted an excited Magic. Read More...

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Nicki Minaj Remains Silent On New Album, Looks To Bury Competition

Posted 3/11/11 12:17 pm EST by in Uncategorized

Nicki Minaj has already sworn off doing collaborations for the next two years – making one lone exception for Britney Spears. But with all of the free time, could it mean that fans should expect a new project this year from the Young Money diva?

Nicki’s wildly successful Pink Friday is still burning up the charts and with her upcoming video for “Super Bass” ready to drop, salivating fans may have more reason to cheer after the starlet dropped hints that she may be back in the booth.

Speaking with MTV News on the set of the “Super Bass” video, the fashionable beauty vaguely spoke on the possibility. “I can’t confirm or deny if there’s another album in the works,” shared Nicki. “All I can say is that what is in the works will be epic.” Read More...

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