THREE 6 MAFIA GUEST STAR ON “NUMB3RS,” ON FRIDAY, MAY 9

Juicy J and DJ Paul from the Academy Award-Winning rap group Three 6 Mafia guest star, in NUMB3RS, on Friday, May 9 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

 

In the episode, Don (Rob Morrow) and the FBI investigate the murder of a rap star and uncovers a conspiracy of embezzlement and bribery which may be connected to his death. Juicy J and DJ Paul will perform “Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body),” the first single from their new album “Last 2 Walk” which comes out on June 24.

 

Three 6 Mafia are artists and producers DJ Paul and Juicy J from Memphis, Tenn.  Over the past decade they shaped the face of Southern Hip Hop with hits like “Tear Da Club Up,” “Sippin’ On,” “Ridin Spinners,” “Stay Fly, Poppin My Collar” and their new single “Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body).”

 

Three 6 Mafia left an indelible mark in music when they became the first rap group in history to perform at the Academy Awards and win an Oscar for Best Original Song from the motion picture “Hustle & Flow.”  Three 6 Mafia have collectively sold close to 10 million physical and digital assets.  

 

“LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” EARNS RIAA GOLD

“LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL,” the chart-topping second album from 1st & 15th/Atlantic recording artist Lupe Fiasco, has been certified gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000.  The critically acclaimed album – which features the hit singles, “Superstar (Feat. Matthew Santos)” and “Hip-Hop Saved My Life (Feat. Nikki Jean)” –debuted on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” chart at #1 upon its December 2007 release, and remained in the peak position for nine weeks.

In February, the Chicago-based MC earned his first-ever Grammy Award, bringing home the “Best Urban/Alternative Performance” trophy for last year’s smash, “Daydreamin’ (Feat. Jill Scott).”  The track is now being featured in AT&T’s national “Celebrate Spring” ad campaign.

“Superstar (Feat. Matthew Santos),” the first single/video from “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL,” is without doubt one of 2008’s foremost hits, maintaining its top 20 status on this week’s Billboard “Hot 100.”  The track is also a top 10 sensation on the “Hot Rap Tracks” ranking, while still standing strong on a variety of other charts, including “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs” and “Hot Digital Songs.”  What’s more, “Superstar” continues to score at radio, where it remains a top 20 favorite on both the CHR/Top 40 and Rhythmic airplay charts.  The track is also drawing significant play at Urban outlets nationwide.  The “Superstar” companion video – directed by the great Hype Williams – remains a hugely popular clip at all music video outlets, including MTV, BET, Fuse, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, MTV TR3S, VH1 Soul, the N, and MUN2.

“Hip-Hop Saved My Life (Feat. Nikki Jean),” the album’s latest single/video, is slated to impact at multi-format radio outlets across the country in late May.  It has already been added into rotation at the biggest hip-hop radio station in the country, New York’s Hot 97.  The track’s companion video – directed by Dr. Teeth (T.I., Paul Wall, Mike Jones) – is already in play across the MTV spectrum, including MTV2, MTV Jams, MTV Hits, mtvU, and FUSE.  The clip, which features a cameo appearance from rap icon Bun B, is now in “Up To The RC” rotation at BET, where Lupe recently made a stellar live appearance as part of the network’s annual Spring Bling coverage.  “Hip-Hop Saved My Live” is also a top 10 success at BETJ.

In addition to his recent performance on BET, Lupe has made a variety of high-profile TV appearances in recent months, performing live on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman, CBS’ Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly, NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno, PBS’ Tavis Smiley, MTV’s TRL, and the syndicated Ellen DeGeneres Show. 

Surely one of hip-hop’s most electrifying and active live performers, Lupe is currently on a major North American tour, supporting his longtime friend and associate Kanye West on his blockbuster “Glow In The Dark Tour.”  The trek is now lighting up arenas across the continent, with dates continuing through a June 13th finale at Cincinnati’s US Bank Arena (see attached itinerary).  That very same day will see Lupe playing an additional set in Manchester, Tennessee at the Bonnaroo Music festival.

Full details of all upcoming shows can be found at Lupe’s official MySpace page, www.myspace.com/lupefiasco.  Lupe maintains a vibrant online presence, including his own LupeFiasco.com (recently updated with a wide range of interactive features such as “THE COOLest” video game).  Also, Lupe’s very own YouTube channel – located at www.youtube.com/lupefiasco – has logged millions of plays, with videos including “Superstar,” “Paris, Tokyo,” and the banging street anthem, “Dumb It Down.”

* * * * *

Lupe Fiasco has quickly established himself as among the most compelling and creative artists of the era, offering a rare combination of complex, thought-provoking lyricism coupled with sure-fire beats.  “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” sees the critically acclaimed rapper following up on 2006’s breakthrough, Grammy-nominated debut, “LUPE FIASCO’S FOOD & LIQUOR,” by kicking and pushing against the boundaries of modern hip-hip.  Loosely structured as a multi-character concept album detailing the “damaging influences” and “corrupt allure” of post-millennial Urban America, the set features such special guests as the one-and-only Snoop Dogg, with diverse and inventive production from Soundtrakk, UNKLE, Chris & Drop, and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump.

The MC first made himself known with his featured appearance on Kanye West’s hit single, “Touch The Sky,” followed by the anthemic hit single, “Kick, Push.”  As a result, “LUPE FIASCO’S FOOD & LIQUOR” debuted on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” chart at #1 upon its September 2006 release, while also entering the Billboard 200 at #8.

The 25-year-old rapper soon proved to be the year’s biggest hip-hop breakthrough, garnering a trio of 2006 Grammy Award nominations, including “Best Rap Album,” “Best Rap Song,” and “Best Rap Solo Performance.”  Other honors include his being named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists To Watch 2006” as well as GQ’s 2006 “Breakout Man of the Year, “not to mention an array of nominations from the BET Hip Hop Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, the mtvU Woodie Awards, and the Soul Train Music Awards.

“LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” drew instant critical acclaim upon its December release, coming in at #10 on Entertainment Weekly’s “The Best” list for 2007 – no mean feat considering the album was released with just two weeks left in the year.  The album “recalls (Kanye) West’s pop versatility and positive flair,” EW declared, adding “Fiasco seems ready to join his former mentors in the big leagues.”  The New York Times was equally effusive, calling “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” “one of the year’s best hip-hop albums.”  USA Today awarded the album four stars, praising it as “a 19-track gem that showcases (Fiasco’s) intricate wordplay on everything from the rap industry and celebrity life to gun-toting youth and sexual violence.”

Online outlets were also quick to commend the collection, with Pitchfork giving it an 8.1 rating, declaring it “sprawling, grandiose.”  “Lupe Fiasco is undoubtedly one of ‘The Coolest’ rappers to come along in the last ten years,” noted RapReviews.com in a 10-out-of-10 rave.  HipHopDX.com rated “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” 4.5-out-of-5 Xs, pointing out that the set “proves that ‘FOOD & LIQUOR’ was no accident and it’s quite possible that the best has yet to come.”  “Lupe demonstrates an innate virtuosity in his brainy approach to an often over simplified craft,” hailed AllHipHop.com in its 8-out-of-10 starred review, while Yo! Raps awarded the album 5-out-of-5 stars, explaining that it “has pushed the genre of hip hop music into a place where no emcee or artist will be able to lead hip hop into for awhile.”

Among Lupe’s biggest fans are hip-hop’s best and brightest stars, including Jay-Z, who told Blender that, “I love Lupe.  He’s a genius writer.”  What’s more, the legendary Rakim – without question one of rap’s all-time greatest talents  – recently named Lupe as his favorite current MC, explaining that “there’s still a lot of artists and a lot of songs out there that’s good for you and still sound like that real hip-hop.  The positive rap doesn’t get as much coverage as the negative rap, but people (like Lupe Fiasco) are trying to get back around to the lyrical stuff.”

For more information, please visit www.myspace.com/lupefiasco, www.lupefiasco.com and http://lupefiasco.imeem.com.

 

(TOUR ITINERARY ATTACHED)

 

LUPE FIASCO

ON TOUR 2008

All Dates w/Kanye West’s “Glow In The Dark Tour” Except *

April

25    Las Vegas, NV               Red Rocks Casino Resort

26    Albuquerque, NM         Journal Pavilion

27    Denver, CO                    Pepsi Arena

29    Oklahoma City, OK      Ford Center Arena

30    Austin, TX                      Frank Irwin Center

May

1     Dallas, TX                        Superpages.com Center

2     Houston, TX                    Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

3     New Orleans, LA            House of Blues *

4     Atlanta, GA                     The Arena @ Gwinnett Center

5     Tampa, FL                      Ford Amphitheatre

6     Miami, FL                       American Airlines Arena

8     Charlotte, NC                 Time Warner Cable Arena

9     Raleigh, NC                    Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion

10   Washington, DC             Nissan Pavilion

11    Virginia Beach, VA        Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

13    New York, NY               Madison Square Garden

13    New York, NY               S.O.B.s *

15    Boston, MA                    Tweeter Center

16    Hartford, CT                  New England Dodge Music Center

17    Philadelphia, PA            Susquehanna Bank Center

18    Scranton, PA                  Toyota Pavilion

20    Montreal, QC                 Bell Centre

21    Toronto, ON                  Molson Amphitheatre

22    Detroit, MI                     Palace of Auburn Hills

23    Chicago, IL                    United Center

24    Chicago, IL                    United Center

24    Fargo, ND                      Fargodome

26    Manitoba, AB                MTS Centre

27    Saskatoon, AB               Credit Union Centre

29    Edmonton, AB               Rexall Place 

30    Calgary, AB                   Pengrowth Saddledome

June

2      Vancouver, BC               GM Palace

3      Portland, OR                  Rose Garden Arena

5      Reno, NV                        Reno Events Center

6      San Jose, CA                   HP Pavilion

7      Los Angeles, CA            Staples Center

8      Glendale, AZ                  Jobing.com Arena

9      Salt Lake City, UT        E Center

11    Minneapolis, MN          Target Center

12    Moline, IL                       i wireless Center

13    Manchester, TN             Bonnaroo Music Festival *

13    Cincinnati, OH              US Bank Arena

# # #

Yellow Rebel speaks to Big Noyd

April 2008

Yellow Rebel: For those that don’t know, explain how long you been in the game and how long you been down with Mobb?

Big Noyd: Ah man, it’s been at least 8 strong years as of right now. I been down with the Mobb since day one, since Juvenile Hell days, you know to the Infamous records—“Right Back At You”,  “Give Up the Goods”, and all that. We been putting it down for a real minute right now. You know it’s the ‘R-A-double P-E-R N-O-Y-D, n—-s can’t f—k with me’.  You already know, nah mean?

YR: Now when you first heard about this situation with P getting locked up and with the cops and all that, how did you react?

BN: I mean it hurts. You wouldn’t even want to see your own worst enemy in a position like that. So to see my own brother to have to go through it, it really hurts. I’m the type to think like we’re going to try and make something positive out of a negative situation. I think like he’ll get his health together, pick up the pen and pad and write some books. Actually P wrote Murda Muzik the movie. So hopefully he comes up with some more scripts. You know, he’s a real smart dude. Like I said, we’re going to try and take a negative situation and turn it into something positive, so when he get home we gon’ be on top of the world.

YR: So when he gets back, what are y’all gonna do?

BN: I mean first thing we going to do is let him get with wifey. Let him see the kids and everybody. But once he head to the studio it’s back to work. ‘Cause we realizing now, like I said we been in the game for 8 strong years already, as far as me as a solo artist, and right now our fun is being  in the studio and working at this point. We came up drinking Henny, and drinking Seagrams Gin, Notty Head straight to the head. We didn’t look at it as the records and everything we produced was going to make it this big. We did it because we loved it. So now the love is still here, so my thing is working is our fun. So we going to get right back to work and that’s going to be the fun part.

YR: So how important was it for P to make HNIC 2, in your persepctive?

BN: I mean in my perspective, I remember when he first came up with the idea to do HNIC, the first part. P’s the type of dude that’s real intelligent. He’s not just one of these rappers that takes verses and puts them to a beat and a hook and that’s a song. Whenever he delivers something, it got meaning behind it.  So for him to make HNIC 2 it’s really important, like he said with the HNIC coming from his grandmother and all that. It separates him from the things he do with Mobb Deep. The things he do with Mobb Deep is still real and its still relevant, but these are his own personal demons, and his own personal good feelings, and his own personal thoughts about stuff that goes on in this world that we have no control over. All you control is your own destiny. So this is him laying it down, what he believes in. So it’s really important.

YR: From what I got out of the reading, Prodigy is in jail because he would not partake in what the police wanted him to do. How important is that type of loyalty?

BN: That’s the number one rule. Especially living the street life that we do. That’s the number one rule; there’s no telling. No matter what. You gotta take it like man. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. My thing is it’s sad that the people that’s put here to protect us is the ones putting us into situations like that. And people don’t even realize that it makes you even more of an animal. Because it’s like who do you trust now? This person’s supposed to be protecting me and this person that’s trying to take my life, or my freedom away.  So it makes people more of an animal, but that’s where it gotta come from. You gotta have your own mind and maintain and don’t let people like that, that are evil, bring you down. You gotta use that—if you can get through situations like that, ain’t nothing else in the world you can’t get through.

FIREBRAND EMCEE NYOIL PREPS LONG AWAITED JULY 8th RELEASE OF DEBUT ALBUM “HOOD TREASON;” CAUSES A FRENZY WITH HIS RECENT NAS COMMENTS

FIREBRAND EMCEE NYOIL PREPS LONG AWAITED JULY 8th RELEASE OF DEBUT ALBUM “HOOD TREASON;” CAUSES A FRENZY WITH HIS RECENT NAS COMMENTS

To date, very little has been officially disclosed regarding Staten Island, NY’s outspoken and enigmatic emcee known as “NYOIL.” Many, however, are familiar with him through the incendiary viral video phenomenon, “Y’all Should All Get Lynched,” the controversial track featuring photos of A-list hip-hop luminaries Three 6 Mafia, Jim Jones, The Game, 50 Cent & more juxtaposed with stark images of slavery and lynchings, that was banned from YouTube within its first 48 hours of posting.

Now, amidst great anticipation, NYOil’s debut release, “Hood Treason,” will finally see its wide release on July 8th, 2008 courtesy of renowned indie Babygrande Records in conjunction with Petroleum Empire Music Group.

A multitalented emcee and spoken word artist, photographer, graffiti artist, dancer, composer, video director and editor, NYOil is truly a unique, multi-dimensional talent amidst a hip-hop landscape often criticized for its formulaic musical and at times demeaning lyrical content.

With the exception of the likes of an Immortal Technique, no other contemporary emcee offers such compelling, scathing and insightful commentary as to the sad state of hip-hop music and culture.

Most recently, NYOil generated a firestorm of controversy, professing industry superstar Nas’ historical and cultural ignorance in light of the announcement of the title of his latest album, “Ni&^er.”

See NYOil’s incendiary remarks as widely reported by a multitude of
sites:
nahright.com/news/index.php?s=NYOil
nyoil1.ning.com

Both a divisive and unifying figure, NY Oil speaks unabashedly about the deplorable state of commercial hip-hop music and culture on his debut release, “Hood Treason,” which will enjoy its inaugural wide release on July 8th after a recently limited self-release by the artist himself.

WATCH THE CONTROVERSIAL VIDEO FOR “Y’ALL SHOULD ALL GET LYNCHED” NOW!

www.hiphopcrack.com/crackTv.hhc?videoId=307

For further information, please visit:
www.crackspace.com/nyoil
nyoil1.ning.com
www.babygrande.com

Amanda Diva — “Window’s Over Harlem”

Prodigy Single Hits Billboard Top 100 Sales Chart at #1

Forthe first time ever and in the same week that the long awaited solo album H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 from Prodigy was released, the first single “The Life,” reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Single Sales Chart.  This is a first for Prodigy, one half of the platinum-selling duo Mobb Deep, who has made several appearances as part of the duo on the Hot 100 Singles Sales Chart, but never on his own.  The single rose above Janet Jackson, High School Musical 2, Nine Inch Nails and Bizzy Bone to secure the #1 spot.

Prodigy, one half of the platinum-selling duo Mobb Deep said “Thanks everybody for their support and for the love!  This album is really powerful.  There’s a lot of deep songs on there that’s gonna really mean something to the world. It’s not your everyday rap album; I’m not your everyday rapper.  This album is special.”  Arie Deutsch president of Voxonic Music, adds “Prodigy’s entire album is a masterpiece and we’re excited that ‘The Life’ has broadened his reach beyond underground hip-hop heads.  The fans have spoken and this is just the beginning!“ 

The new album H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 returns “P” to the more edgy real life street tales that have been Mobb Deep’s signature for nearly a decade. Produced by The Alchemist and Havoc, the album is released on Voxonic Music in association with AAO/Reality.

H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 was released on April 22, 2008 and is in stores and online everywhere.  For more information on Prodigy or to download photos go to www.hnic2.com or www.4sightmedia.com.

 

 

photo credit: Chad Griffith

1st Annual T.H.U.G Awards to take place in Atlanta Georgia May 15

In recognition of the most talented trendsetters in urban entertainment, The Source and Down magazines in conjunction with DIVAdend Entertainment proudly present its inaugural T.H.U.G. (True to His/ Her Urban Genius) Awards in Atlanta, Ga. on May 15, 2008 at the Rialto Theatre ( 80 Forsyth St).

 

Paying tribute to artists, record label executives and industry playmakers with a comedic celebrity roast, T.H.U.G Awards highlights the achievements of those who rose above their impoverished surroundings to impact the world of music and entertainment. Among honorees for the star-studded event are Grand Hustle co-CEO Jason Geter, Hip-Hop fly jock Greg Street, Rap-A-Lot Records CEO James Prince, fashion entrepreneur Gino Green, Brian “Birdman’ Williams, Swishahouse Records CEO Michael “5000″ Watts with Keyshia Cole receiving the TOP T.H.U.G Award honor for her inspiration to young urban girls.   

 

In true roast fashion, the event will be hosted by side-splitting funnyman Damon Williams. One the hottest rising comedians in the nation, Williams has been featured on BET LIVE, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, The Tom Joyner Skyshow on TV ONE and HBO’s P Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy. He has appeared frequently on BET’s Comicview since 1994 and recently been featured on Def Comedy Jam 08 and The Funny Spot 08.  Damon will be joined by comedian Griffy 2k.     
 

“It is imperative that we honor those who impact our communities positively,” explains event producer ChiQ Simms. “What better way to honor our peers than with the gift of laughter, fun and having a good time?”  Organizers have planned a red carpet reception from 5 – 7 that will include hot pre show performances.  The awards will begin promptly at 7:30 and is being filmed for future television broadcast.     The star studded after party celebration will take place immediately following at Uptown Restaurant & Lounge ( 201 Courtland Ave, Atlanta Georgia.) 

K’naan – “Strugglin’”

I’m slowly drifting in the arms of trouble / then trouble holds me / and nothing else’s close to me more than pain

The Song:   “Strugglin” is the second single from K’naan’s album The Dusty Foot Philosopher Deluxe Edition. Unlike the vibrant and percussive first single “Soobax”, this song gently soaks into your speakers like a mellow lullaby. Backed by a band usually fit for a singer-songwriter, not a hip-hop artist, the song incorporates soft guitars, drums and bass that set a quiet, pensive mood. Showing his poetic and introspective side, the song discusses how pain and struggling are the circumstances K’naan came to know intimately while growing up in Somalia. In an especially thoughtful lyric K’naan rhymes, “I’m slowly drifting in the arms of trouble / then trouble holds me / and nothing else’s close to me more than pain / unfortunately like a self fulfilling prophecy / I’m supposed to be strugglin’.”   The Background:   K’naan, an award-winning singer and musician, was born in Somalia, a country that has not had a functioning government since 1991. K’naan’s family moved to Harlem after catching the last domestic flight out of Somalia and eventually settled in Ontario, Canada. Using his ability to blend Western and African influences, K’naan’s music is a fusion of world music and hip-hop that borrows from the protest songs of Bob Marley, the hip-hop lyricism of Mos Def, and the storytelling traditions of Somalia. Despite the violence K’naan has experienced, his lyrics address the possibilities for positive change and peace. His album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher Deluxe Edition, will be released for the first time in the U.S. by the Bay Area-based record label, Interdependent Media on June 24, 2008.   2006 Winner Juno Award Winner- Best Rap Album*   2006 Polaris Music Prize Nominee 2007**   BBC Radio 3 Winner- Best New Artist, World Music   *The Juno Awards are the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards   **The Polaris Music Prize is a music award annually given to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label Streams: “Strugglin’” http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-Strugglin.mp3 http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-Strugglin.asx   “Soobax” http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-Soobax.mp3 http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-Soobax.asx   Photo Montage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rkdoZLtTso

Fokis and Joell Ortiz create Pandemonium in NYC

Fokis brings Joell Ortiz on board New single from LES rapper

What happens when two of New York’s finest come together to charge a track with punchline after punchline equating to more than just a hot beat and a catchy hook? You get Pandemonium. This is the first single off the up and coming album from the multi-faceted entity commonly known to fans and family as Fokis. His album Road to the Riches which also sees him assisted by artists such as Deemi and Joe Buddens was inspired by a challenge that the MC set himself last year. The challenge has been documented on an internet Reality TV show of the same name. The track a guaranteed classic encompasses the sentiments Fokis has about the music industry and also allows fans a little insight as to why he set himself a target of securing a label situation within a twelve month time frame. “Like everything in the game today, taking a chance is necessary,” he shares. “I took a chance by setting myself a time frame, but I know the outcome will work in my favor.” Fokis similar to his co-hort on this project is a rapper for the people. “It was a great working with Joell Ortiz, he is very talented and one of my favorite new artists of today.  I had the pleasure of working with Joell Ortiz a few years ago as an engineer, recording one of his songs. Now I got to work with him as a rapper on my new single and that feels great.” Fokis identifies with the struggles, the obstacles people face in their every day lives and by being able to as the record says do the same thing over and over again as the sun comes up. There is nothing fabricated about this lyrical assassin, he speaks as he sees it and by maintaining his role as a ‘peoples rapper’ he is that personality who has the ability to restore  faith into Hip-Hop. To download Pandemonium feat Joell Ortiz please click on the links below Explicit http://www.sendspace.com/file/n8ql9g Radio Edit http://www.sendspace.com/file/urcgl0 Fokis will be performing live next Tuesday at “Snitch NYC” at “Fresh Out the Box Tuesdays”