Hip Hop News Round Up! (09/07/12 - 11/07/12)

THEM



THEM is the collaborative project of Columbia, SC-based Figaro the Kid and ATL-based TCHNCLR (aka Dandy Warhol); both bedroom producer/rappers. Together they make "queer electronic/rap". You may not be sure if in this instance queer means homosexual or if it just means weird (it means both), but either way, this is some club shit you can get down to. Synths bounce around thudding bass and outrageous claps on the more hype tracks, while even the toned down tracks come across as explosive and never stop thudding. Figaro and Dandy tear the tracks up when rapping, proving being gay does not mean being soft, and when they take a break on the mic you'll find the duo sampling the likes of Ciara, Khia, Azealia Banks and more. They (meaning THEM) just released their first mixtape last week, so beat those Monday blues by pretending it's Friday and wildin' out in the office.

If the mixtape doesn't show up, go to the source to listen!


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This group is made up of one of ONTD's very own; nevermademe so make sure you check 'em out and show some love!

Hip-Hop Icon Lord Finesse Suing Mac Miller, Rostrum Records and DatPiff For $10 Million

Hip-Hop icon, producer and founder of the D.I.T.C. rap crew Lord Finesse is suing Mac Miller for $10 million for reportedly using the beat to his 1995 song “Hip 2 the Game,” which the producer claims essentially launched the 20-year old Pittsburgh native’s career.

According to reports, the $10 million suit, which alleges “copyright infringement, unfair competition, unjust enrichment, interference, deceptive trade practices, and a number of related state law claims, was filed in a New York federal court on Monday (July 9) against Mac.

The rapper has seen immense success since the release of his first mixtape, K.I.D.S., hit the internet in 2010.

The suit states that the case is “about a teenage rapper – Mac Miller -copying the music from a song written, produced and performed by Lord Finesse, a Hip-Hop legend, changing the title and then distributing it under his own name in order to launch his music career.”

Finesses’ “Hip 2 the Game” was the same beat used on Mac’s “Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza” from K.I.D.S. which was the song that’s mostly credited as initially getting Mac attention as an artist when he first hit the scene.

Robert “Lord Finesse” Hall has also sued DatPiff.com, the website which initially made the mixtape available for download upon its release as well as the independent label of Rostrum Records which signed Mac Miller in 2010.

As of the time the suit was filed, the music video for Mac’s “Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza” had been viewed over 24 million times on YouTube while his K.I.D.S. mixtape has been downloaded over half a million times since its release.

Finesse is stating that Mac, whose real name is Malcolm McCormick, has “profited from the unauthorized use of the song.” The recently filed lawsuit cites a New York Times article from November of 2011 where Mac explained how the alleged infringement is “part of a strategy to build a fan base.”

According to the Times article, “A new generation of rappers is actively trying to build a new business model in which releasing oodles of free material online builds a fan base that paves the way for revenue streams: touring, merchandise, even something as old-fashioned as a record deal.

Finesse, who is being represented by Brian Levenson and Matthew Schwartz of Schwartz & Ponterio, has publicly stated that he filed the lawsuit against Mac, DatPiff.com and Rostrum Records after all three parties “refused to respond to a cease and desist letter that was issued earlier this month.

More information will be released as the story develops.

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UH OH...does he have a case ONTD lawyers?

STREAM: Aesop Rock’s New Album “Skelethon” Via Rhymesayers Entertainment

San Francisco-based MC Aesop Rock‘s first album in five years, Skelethon, was officially released today (July 10) on Rhymesayers Entertainment, and made available to both fans and listeners in a preview format exclusively on YouTube.

Aesop Rock was hailed as “Indie Rap’s wordiest wordsmith” by Rolling Stone, and his Skelethon, which was officially announced at the end of March, acts as the follow-up to his 2007 None Shall Pass album.

The new, 15-track album features guest appearances from the likes of Kimya Dawson, Allyson Baker of Dirty Ghosts, Hanni El Khatib, Nicky Fleming-Yaryan, Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz, and the Grimace Federation.



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Meek Mill Debates Philadelphia Pastor Who Called for “Amen” Boycott

Meek Mill and Rev. Jomo K. Johnson attempted to hash out their differences live on air earlier today (July 11) on Philadelphia’s Hot 107.9.

Meek called into The Q Deezy Show to address Johnson and his calls for a boycott of the Maybach Music Group rapper for his song “Amen.”

As previously reported, earlier this week, Johnson told the Philadelphia Daily News, “As a hip-hop fan, I want to encourage every rap fan in Philadelphia who is a believer in Jesus Christ, to boycott Meek Mill until he acknowledges this blatant disrespect. And being resident of North Philadelphia and pastor, I revoke Meek’s ‘hood pass’ until this happens.”

Right as the on air conversation between the two began, Meek voiced his concerns. “This looking like you trying to get famous, or you need some attention, because you could have came to me and said anything you wanted to say,” he said. “I mighta helped you. If you needed money for your church, I mighta woulda gave you that money. I mighta even remixed the song with Kirk Franklin. Anything you wanted to do. You went about it like you looking for attention and fame.”

Johnson retorted, “My plea to you is to turn from sin, turn from blasphemy, turn from unrighteousness, that you’re purporting in your music—turn to Jesus Christ and receive eternal life. It doesn’t matter how much money you get, without Jesus Christ you will be lost eternally.” The Pastor said he had once served four years in jail, for aggravated assault on an officer, and God changed his life.

“I got an even lighter charge than aggravated assault, so your record is worse than mine, basically,” the rapper responded.

“I’m not here to judge you. The way I’m looking at it: you want to be famous, or you want some money.” He referenced work in the community, like giving out coats to kids, which he showed in his “Faded Too Long” video, and asked the Pastor, “Where was you at?”

“I’ve spent 25 stacks to move in the hood while you’re not there,” Johnson responded. “I’m on Germantown and Somerset doing ministry where you’re not, Mr. Mill.”

A little later, he played on the rapper’s name. “You may be Meek, [but] I’m not!” (WEAK) he said. “And if you disrespect our God, then we have a right to proclaim that.”

The Warner Bros. signee soon referenced his own belief in God, as well as that his grandmother is 80-years-old, an avid churchgoer, and hasn’t had the same negative feelings towards her grandson’s music that the Pastor was voicing. “You can’t judge me!” he shouted.

“I recognize that you are a talented artist, but you are using your gifts for a wrong purpose,” the Pastor opined. He accused the music of promoting rape, theft, and Black on Black crime, among other things.

“I’m watching over these kids,” Meek promised. “I be in the streets everyday.” He then called upon violent movies, as well as Eminem’s history of violent lyrics, and asked, “Why you talkin’ to me?” before quickly answering his own question: “You look like you want attention.”

“For your own soul, you need to confess this to God,” Johnson urged, saying that he initially reached out to Meek five months ago, though he got no response. “God loves you, but he hates your sin.”

Meek attempted to turn the table. “Let’s do the statistics on rappers and pastors with rape. Zero percent rappers ever came to the light of raping a child. (100% sure that's not true) Pastors, it’s no match. What you talkin’ about? Is you protesting Eddie Long?”

Johnson quickly took the discussion to a new level. “Have you ever raped a woman before?” he asked. “Because if you haven’t, then you’re lying; your music is a lie.”

“You sound like a psycho right now, dog,” Meek came back. “You trying to take another Black man down for you to get some credibility.”

As tempers continued to flair, the conversation soon fizzled, and host Q Deezy said he hoped he would be able to speak with the two in an off-air setting to settle their differences.

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LOL at this mess. Team No One but IA with Meek that the pastor is doing this for attention. What a dumbass.

E-40 F/ BIG SEAN – ‘IN THIS THANG BREH (REMIX)’



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Game, 40 Glocc Call Cosmic Kev To Discuss Latest Skirmish

Rappers Game and 40 Glocc called into Philadelphia radio station Power 99FM tonight (July 10), to discuss their recent altercation.

The two rappers were featured on Cosmic Kev’s “Celebrity Tuesdays” segment of his long-running, popular, nightly radio show.

Game checked in from France, where he offered up his opinion on the altercation, which took place during a mansion party in the Hollywood Hills over the weekend.

“This is the guy who ran up on Weezy [Lil Wayne] with 40 guys pulling out guns, you know? This is the guy who ran up on Plies at Jamie Foxx’s video shoot with 40 guys you know? This is the same guy with five or 10 guys with him at the pool party, I don’t know,” Game said. “They all disappeared, he ended up by himself. That’s how it happens when you’re rolling with suckers.”

Game denied reports that he was at the party with dozens of gang members, and stated that 40 Glocc had more people in his entourage than he did.

Game described the altercation for Cosmic Kev.

“He’s walking down the driveway and he’s looking behind himself, trying to see if anybody’s coming because he’s terrified,” Game said.

Game claimed the rapper attempted to flee and tripped running while running downhill.

“I gave him a left to the rib cage, a right to the rib cage and then he hit this wooden piece, I guess somebody was cementing their driveway,” Game said. “He hit that with his face. He got up, I punched him [again] and knocked him down.”

Game explained that during the altercation, he managed to unlock his iPhone himself, pull up his video recorder and videotape a portion of the incident.

Game said that after his camera stop rolling, he left the scene, but a member of his entourage also assaulted 40 Glocc, which was also videotaped and will be released shortly as “the directors cut.”

40 Glocc called in shortly after Game’s interview and discussed his side of the altercation.

“I got jumped three, four times. I say three, cause the other one was him trying to pistol whip me and him missing,” 40 Glocc told Cosmic Kev. “Any footage you see of me with my hat off, it’s all edited. All of it started with guns drawn on me from the back. I had to dip and run and they had to chase me down with the pistols.”

40 Glocc claimed that Game pulled his pistol and put it to his head during the altercation, but that footage was edited to make it look like 40 Glocc was simply running away.

“At the car, I was already jumped. I wasn’t just jumped once, I was jumped three times. The whole thing started when they ran behind me with the guns, they chased me with down with the guns,” 40 Glocc said.

40 Glocc said a possible resolution to his issue with Game was a one-on-one fist fight, live in front of the cameras.

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This is all extremely ratchet and embarassing. Both of them need to go home and have an extended seat. The Game is a mess.

No Malice ft. ft Eric David “June” [Video]

No Malice continues to mount his comeback to music as he returns with this new video for his song “June,” featuring Eric David…



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Update: Mac Miller Responds to Lord Finesse’s $10 Million Lawsuit

Moments after the Wednesday (July 11) news broke about Digging in The Crates founder and producer Lord Finesse suing Mac Miller and Rostrum Records for $10 million for sampling his “Hip 2 Da Game,” Mac took to his Twitter to respond.

Mac took to his Twitter to respond.

“I’m supposed to be on hush, but lemme speak on this real quick,” Mac started tweeting Wednesday, before providing five bullet points, defending his reasoning for sampling the cut.

“1. I made that record and video as nothing more than an 18 year old kid who wanted to rhyme and pay homage, no other intentions,” Mac added. “2. Finesse and I spoke on the phone for an hour after he heard the record and cleared the air. 3. We even planned to work on music together. 3. All I wanted to do is shed light on a generation that inspired me. 4. When I heard there was a problem, I reached out to him to try and solve it. No response. 5. Finesse never cleared the Oscar Peterson sample on the original record. I did nothing wrong. We spoke on the phone had a good conversation, he was cool with the record. It’s all love tho. I ain’t even mad at dude. He still a legend.”

Mac closed out, stating: “Lord Finesse, thank you for what u did for hip hop. Thank you for bringing my favorite rapper into the game. I should just drop some new music.”

Finesse responded via his own Twitter, saying: “This case is about the overall picture..If you’re just looking at “one” point..It’s about so much more #look deeper..”

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idk if I believe he's all innocent but Mac's response is really classy


Video: Pusha T & Kanye West – New God Flow (Unofficial)



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Hip-Hop Rumors: Did Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” Give Bad Legal Advice That Continues To Hem People Up?

Rap mogul Jay-Z’s song “99 Problems” was released in 2003, but it still remains a mainstay in our iPods and on the radio. There’s just one problem, though. Jigga is giving us some bad legal advice in the track. According to Law Professor Caleb Mason from Southwestern Law School, Jigga’s line in the song, “Well, my glove compartment is locked/ so is the trunk in the back/And I know my rights/ so you gon’ need a warrant for that,” is inaccurate.

Check out what the professor says below:

“Based on the number of my students who arrived at law school believing that if you lock your trunk and glove compartment, the police will need a warrant to search them, I surmise that it’s even more widespread among the lay public. But it’s completely, 100% wrong.“

The law professor sets the record straight and give some great advice if you ever catch yourself in a situation where the police want to search your vehicle:

“The lesson for perps is threefold: (1) don’t consent, (2) know the reasonable suspicion boilerplate and don’t provide it, and (3) make a record of the encounter any way you can, including your behavior, appearance, and demeanor before and during the stop, the officer’s stated motive for the stop, all of your responses to questioning, whether or not you were placed under arrest, and the exact amount of time you were held on the side of the road. And finally, most importantly, for both sides–when in doubt, talk to a lawyer. My door’s always open to players on both sides of this game. Call me.”
There you have it!

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This is bullshit. 1: If you're getting legal advice from rap lyrics you're a moron 2: How does the lawyer know this is a result of Jay Z's song? A lot of people don't know their rights in situations like this. 3: I need to find better rap blogs


Sir Michael Rocks – Now You Do

Samples Lana Del Rey's 'Video Games'



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Idk why I thought this would be better than it was...

Beanie Sigel Faces Up to Three Years in Prison For Failure to File Taxes, Sentencing Tomorrow

After pleading guilty earlier this year for a failure to file federal income-tax returns from 2003-2005, Beanie Sigel will be sentenced tomorrow morning (July 12) at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, XXLMag.com has learned. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that federal prosecutors are seeking the maximum allowable sentence, which is three years in prison.

Sigel, real name Dwight Grant, earned in excess of $1 million in net income from 2003 through 2005 and owed the IRS approximately $348,077 in taxes during that time period, but didn’t pay anything.

Tomorrow, he’ll learn his legal fate.

“It’s difficult to predict the outcome in cases like this,” Sigel’s attorney Fortunato N. Perri, Jr. told XXLMag.com. “The sentencing judge is going to evaluate all the factors, including his background. Hopefully, the court will recognize that this is not a crime of violence.”

Perri adds that “incarceration is an option.”

Although it’s non-related to this case, it doesn’t help any that Sigel’s priors include being accused of attempted murder (charges he beat in an acquittal in 2005).

In relation to this case, Beans was originally supposed to be sentenced back in April. However, Perri told the court that his client had not provided the financial information a probation officer requested or permitted a home visit by the officer. That pushed the sentencing back to July 12, tomorrow.

Just last month, Scarface re-confirmed plans of he and Beans working on and releasing their proposed joint album.

“I think the name of the album’s gon be The First 48,” ‘Face told XXLMag.com. “We gon do a double album. First 48, Second 48. Beanie came up with that shit. It’s dope. The minute that everything is a go, we gon put our lives on camera and we gon record the first one in 48 hours.”

Check back with XXLMag.com tomorrow to learn the results of Beanie Sigel’s sentencing.

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Welp

1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) ft. Big K.R.I.T. – Lights Down



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BEHIND THE VIDEO: RICK ROSS – ‘HOLD ME BACK’

The song will appear on his upcoming album God Forgives, I Don’t. “When I wrote this record, I was writing it in the mind of a ni**a who may not have nothing,” said Rozay. “He could have started in the red, but that don’t determine where ni**a end up.”

He explained why he chose the NOLA as the backdrop for the video. “When I think about some of the people that had it the hardest in these recent years, it’s New Orleans,” he said. “Before I finished the record, I was like, ‘I need to shoot this video in New Orleans ’cause these some of the strongest people ’cause they won’t stop and they still representing, they still climbing.’”



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There's a lot of shirtless people that shouldn't be shirtless here...

Charlamagne Tha God Almost Jumped By 5 Men!

Power 105.1 radio personality Charlamagne Tha God has been on the wrong side of right these last few weeks. First he was going back and forth with HOT 97′s FunkMaster Flex, then he almost got into a physical altercation with rapper Busta Rhymes, and now a video has surfaced of him getting hit in the head and then almost jumped by five men!

Video of the altercation was posted on WorldStarHipHop, and it shows Charlamagne getting hit in the head after refusing to give the guy a “drop” for their DVD. Charlamagne was caught on camera running away from the unknown assailants after he saw that he was outnumbered. You can catch the video here.
Charlamagne addressed the situation during his donkey of the day segment today. Check out his response and explanation for him running below:



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People really go to fights equipped with cameras now? My people....:/


Fredo Santana Ft. Chief Keef & Lil Reese “My Lil Niggas” [Video]



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Where are these children's parents?

Soulja Boy Says 50 Cent is Helping to Make The Juice Movie Remake Happen

Last year, the Internet went nuts reading reports about Soulja Boy starring in the remake of the 1992 cult-classic film, Juice, and playing the role of “Bishop,” the same character the late and legendary Tupac Shakur portrayed in the original.

Over a year later, the 21-year-old MC says he’s taking his time to make sure that he not only gets the right script, but also the ideal scenario for filming and distribution. Well, he may be one step closer to finding the latter. Soulja recently revealed to XXLMag.com that a certain rap mogul and very close friend of his is helping him make sure that the Juice remake happens—none other than 50 Cent.

“With the ‘Juice’ movie… 50 Cent, that’s my big bro,” Soulja told XXLMag.com. “He got a movie deal that gave him millions to come up with content. Me and him are going over the Juice movie now. That’s still coming.”

Fifty’s deal that Soulja Boy is referring to stems from 2010, when the G-Unit general’s Cheetah Vision film company landed $200 million in funding, although Soulja didn’t delve into ’Fif’s exact involvement with remaking Juice.

Although Soulja Boy was only two-years-old when Juice was released, the “Crank That” and “Turn My Swag On” rapper thoroughly understands its significance, especially Tupac’s masterful portrayal of the devious and twisted Bishop.

That’s why he says he understands that the remake has to be done right.

“I know that’s a big thing, I know,” he added. “You can’t just jump right into a movie like that and rush it. It’s a delicate thing, I know. But I got y’all.”

As XXLMag.com previously reported, Soulja Boy acted in his first film, Officer Down, which also includes James Wood, David Boreanaz and Stephen Dorff, and is slated to be released this year.

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I'm not even mad, this mistake is obviously going straight to DVD if it ever happens


L.E.P. Bogus Boys – Don’t Happen That Often



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Mysonne Calls Frank Ocean A “Coward”

While industry heavyweights like Beyonce and Russell Simmonds are praising Frank Ocean for revealing his bisexuality, New York rapper Mysonne took to his Twitter account to do the complete opposite. Mysonne feels deceived by Ocean, and accuses the singer of using his announcement for publicity. Check out what Mysonne tweeted below:

“i think these n*ggas is cowards that looking for exposure and buzzes, so they wait til albums drop to tell you there true Sexuality,’ he tweeted July 10.

“Never mind that youve built a career off of obvious deceit and false hood, but people say its ok cuz he can sing. What happen to integrity?”

“What happened to judging a man by his character. There are no more boundaries or rules and this is why Suckas can Rule!”

“the fact that he’s gay means nothing to me and had he been real and i still liked his music i would support him, But fake sh*t is fake sh*t!”

Wow, those are pretty strong comments. Is there more than meets the eye here? Why do you think Mysonne is so upset? Do you agree with him?

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idk who this guy is but he needs an open-handed slap to the face. Frank does not owe anyone anything. People that also need a slap: those dumbasses that say they can't 'relate' to Frank Ocean's music anymore yet listen to people rapping about cars they could never hope to afford


NEW MUSIC: K. MICHELLE – ‘0 FU**S GIVEN’ [MIXTAPE]

K. Michelle doesn’t hold back on her mixtape 0 Fucks Given. The outspoken songstress, who appears on VH1’s “Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta,” bares her heart and much more on the 24 tracks and skits, with remixes to Kirko Bangz’ “Drank in My Cup,” Meek Mill’s “Amen,” Miguel’s “Adorn,” and Frank Ocean’s “Acura Integurl.” Download/stream below.



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Video: Reks – Bang Bang (Trailer)

Reks REBELutionary is out July 24th. Grab an mp3 of the track “Unlearn” below.





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Run-D.M.C. Announces First Performance At The Fun Fun Fun Fest This November

Today (July 10), Hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. confirmed their first appearance together in over 10 years.

AllHipHop.com broke the news about the group’s reuniting last week.

Organizers for the Fun Fun Fun Fest have confirmed that Run-D.M.C. will hit the stage during the annual festival, which takes place from November 2 – four in Austin Texas.

The performance marks Run-D.M.C.’s first official appearance together, since disbanding after the death of jam Master Jay in 2002.

Both Run and D.M.C. will headline the main stage of the Fun Fun Fun Fest.

“We couldn’t be more excited. Run-D.M.C. is one of our favorite bands, and one of the most influential groups of all-time – that we never thought that we would get to see play live, much less play in Austin at our festival,” Fun Fun Fun Fest producer James Moody told AllHipHop.com in a statement.

“This is as big as it gets and we are so proud to be working with them,” Moody added.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Jam Master Jay’s JMJ Foundation for Music, which is dedicated to providing access to the arts.

Other artists performing during the Fun Fun Fun Fest include Rakim, Danny Brown, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Starfucker, Atlas Sound and others.

For more information on the Fun Fun Fun Fest go to funfunfunfest.com

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So the reunion is legit!


VIDEO: LOLA MONROE – ‘EXODUS 23:1 (REMIX)’



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It's alright


Das Racist & Talib Kweli – The Actual



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I like it

Hello Girls (Meagan Good Group) “Beep Beep” Music Video: Guest Starring Pooch Hall [Video]



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