Beanie Sigel Defends Rick Ross' Correctional Officer Past

The Broad Street Bully sympathizes with the Bawse's previous line of work.

Despite the premium Hip Hop fans claim to place on the genuine, backlash against Rick Ross for lying about being a correctional officer has largely died down.

Still, Beanie Sigel, who has quite a rap sheet, defended the Miami rapper - with a caveat.

"I just don't think he should have lied about it," said Beans in an interview with Forbez DVD. "He should have just kept it real. He had a j-o-b. He was gigging," said Sigel, echoing sentiments Kool G. Rap conveyed to HipHopDX earlier this year.

"He probably took that job to be in a position where as though he had people in there that he could look out for. My mom was a correctional officer. When I went to jail, there was niggas who had the will. Life. Never coming home..."

HipHopDX

Waka Flocka Flame Says He is Quitting Rap

Waka Flocka Flame Says He is Quitting Rap. "Rather work at Wal-Mart"

Clayton Hill Confesses To Being An Accessory To The Murder Of The Notorious B.I.G

Former Nation of Islam member, and currently incarcerated federal felon, Clayton Hill has confessed to his role as an accessory after the fact to the murder of The Notorious B.I.G.
After first contacting HipHopDX on June 8th, Hill disclosed to DX that in October of 2010 he met with Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy DePodesta and two agents with the F.B.I.’s Domestic Terrorism Unit and revealed that in May of 1997, while acting under orders as an official with Muhammad Mosque #15 in Atlanta, Georgia, he took possession of a semi-automatic handgun from a fellow N.O.I. member from Los Angeles, California who introduced himself as Dawoud Muhammad.

“[Dawoud Muhammad] stated to me that he was on the run for the murder [of The Notorious B.I.G.],” Hill wrote to HipHopDX via the CorrLinks email system for federal inmates. “He disclosed that he was the shooter of The Notorious B.I.G. because he (Dawoud) was a former Blood gang member and was paid to do so.”

In his forthcoming e-book, Diary of an Ex-Terrorist, Clayton quotes Dawoud bragging to him of that payment, “And I made twenty-five ‘g’s’ off that.”

Hill, who is currently residing in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago (inmate #61829019), convicted of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Identity Theft, examined pictures of both the long-suspected gunman and mastermind in the Notorious B.I.G. shooting, Amir Muhammad and David Mack, that were included in a magazine upon HipHopDX’s request.

“I have looked at the pics in the mag,” Hill wrote, “and although I cannot say conclusively and with absolute certainty because that was 14 years ago, Amir Muhammad looks like the person who used the name Dawoud.”

“A member from L.A. wouldn’t know a member from Atlanta so you wouldn’t completely trust them,” explained Hill when queried by HipHopDX as to why Amir would adopt the false name Dawoud while dealing with fellow members of the Nation of Islam. “Also, consider that the N.O.I. is a paramilitary organization and all members do as instructed so if he or I were told by someone to give a false name as precaution then he would and it would be accepted without question.”

According to Hill, he was initially contacted in mid-May 1997 by Minister Tony Muhammad, the Western Regional Minister of the N.O.I., and asked to pick up someone from the Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Atlanta. This unnamed person was coming from Los Angeles headed through Atlanta.

Before ending his alleged call with Tony Muhammad, Clayton claims that he explained to the minister that he needed regional approval before proceeding with his request. Per Hill, a couple of hours later he was contacted by Brother Melvin Muhammad, the Account Executive based at the Chicago headquarters of the Nation assigned to the office of the Supreme Captain of the Southern Region, Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad, with instructions from the “Supreme” in reference to the earlier call from “Brother Tony in L.A.”

According to Clayton, Melvin Muhammad reiterated Tony Muhammad’s previous request. And after picking up the man he had been introduced to as “Dawoud,” Hill procured the weapon he claims he was instructed to retrieve. Writing in his book Clayton explained, “I told [Dawoud Muhammad] I had instructions to collect some property from him. He must have been given the same instructions because he didn’t hesitate or show any signs of doubt as he bent over and removed a trash liner out of a waste can and handed it to me to hold open. He reached into the duffle bag he brought with him and pulled out a semi-automatic hand gun that could have been a .9 millimeter or a .40 caliber wrapped in a white undershirt. Carefully he placed it into the trash bag making sure his hands never touched any of the exposed parts of the gun.”

After allegedly receiving his final instructions from Melvin Muhammad, Clayton claims he was instructed to take the “property” to Louisville, Kentucky. In Louisville, Hill delivered the gun to Emile Muhammad, the personal driver of Minister Louis Farrakhan. Emile Muhammad then allegedly transported the gun to its final destination within the headquarters of the Nation of Islam.

“Somebody in Chicago wanted that weapon,” Hill replied when asked by HipHopDX why a murder weapon would not be immediately disposed of and instead be taken on a cross-country trip from Los Angeles to Atlanta to Louisville to the N.O.I.’s HQ. “Who wanted it? I can’t say for sure but whoever wanted it had to be high ranking.”
Clayton does not believe that “high ranking” official within the Nation of Islam was its highest ranking member.

“I doubt if Minister Farrakhan knew anything,” wrote Hill. “He would have been insulated from that.”

HipHopDX has been unable to locate any previously published reports putting forth the theory that the Nation of Islam attempted to conceal the fact that a member of the N.O.I. had just murdered the then most popular rapper in the world by hiding the murder weapon used in that crime.

HipHopDX has additionally been unable to establish if Amir Muhammad was in Atlanta in May of 1997, or if he ever fled from his reported residence in Los Angeles at any time during that year. It has however been previously established by former lead detective in the Notorious B.I.G. murder investigation, Russell Poole, that Amir was in L.A. visiting the father of his godchildren, David Mack, seven months after Clayton Hill’s alleged run-in with the murderer of Biggie Smalls, in December of 1997, while Mack sat in jail after being arrested for robbing a South Central branch of Bank of America of $722,000.

Clayton Hill left the Nation of Islam in 2000, and only came clean a decade later about the illegal activities he engaged in during and after his time with the N.O.I. to spare his wife a possible lengthy prison term for her alleged involvement in Clayton’s most recent criminal activity.

Writing in the prologue to his book Hill explained, “Four years ago, in 2006 I created a scheme to file false tax returns on debit cards and withdraw the proceeds from ATM’s all over the city. I filed 122 tax returns and according to the government I netted a little over three hundred thousand dollars. The government went after my wife to get at me and she was three floors below me [in the M.C.C.] on the twelfth floor and had been incarcerated as long as I had. Because we had a two-year old daughter who was being passed from family friend to family friend I made the decision to proffer against myself so Tamara, my wife, could get a reduced sentence and get back to our daughter.”

Tamara was eventually sentenced to time served after being released on a signature bond, without objection from the prosecution, just one week after Clayton’s meeting with the government.

“My proffers protect me from anything I say,” he noted to DX, “but you have to realize that anyone [in the N.O.I.] who confirms anything can be charged as an accessory after the fact.”

A credible source close to Clayton’s case, who requested to remain anonymous for this report, confirmed with HipHopDX that the meeting he claims to have had with Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy DePodesta and the F.B.I. in October did in fact take place, with Hill revealing the same information to the government that he shared with DX.

While his wife received credit for this disclosure, Hill himself did not receive a sentence reduction for his revelations regarding the cover-up of the murder of The Notorious B.I.G. A criminal defense attorney specializing in federal cases advised HipHopDX that this likely occurred because Clayton’s criminal history would preclude his usefulness under cross-examination in any future trials, making Hill an ineffective witness for the government.

Clayton’s inability to definitively identify the man he knew as Dawoud likely further frustrated the government and led to a lack of credit for his revelations.
“I reviewed pics with the F.B.I. and could not conclusively identify the person they showed me,” Clayton explained. “But the face did look familiar. It has been 14 years.”
Even with the failed I.D. and lack of credit for his confessions, Hill remains adamant that his statements to the government were the primary catalyst for the F.B.I.’s revelation to CNN in January that their now 14-year-old investigation into the murder of The Notorious B.I.G. had been “reinvigorated.”

Missy Elliott Clarifies Reports Regarding Her Grave's Disease Diagnosis

Missy Elliott has been quiet on the music front over the past few years due to her struggle with Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes overactivity in the thyroid gland. Speaking with People, the “Work It” rapstress revealed that she was diagnosed with the disease in 2008, and that the symptoms affected her so quickly that she lost control of her nervous system.

“I was (driving and) trying to put my foot on the brake, but my leg was jumping. I couldn't keep the brake down and almost crashed,” she said. “I couldn't write because my nervous system was so bad - I couldn't even use a pen.”

The Portsmouth, Virginia native suffered from several symptoms including hair loss and mood swings, inevitably turning to radiation to calm the disease. “I'm 30 pounds lighter because I've been exercising,” she continued. “My thyroid is functioning, so I haven't had to take medication in about nine months. (But) you live with it for the rest of your life."

Elliott will discuss her struggle with the disease as well as her sexual abuse as a child in an upcoming episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music,” airing on June 29th.

[June 23]

UPDATE: Missy has released a statement declaring yesterday's reports as over-exaggerated and not entirely accurate.

“There have been some inaccuracies reported in regards to my diagnosis with Grave’s Disease, so I wanted to clear things up. I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease about three years ago but it really hasn’t slowed me down at all. I rocked my performance on VH1 Hip Hop Honors’ tribute to Timbaland last year. I’ve written and produced a bunch of Grammy-nominated, #1 hits for artists like Keyshia Cole, Monica and Jasmine Sullivan. I toured the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. And on top of all that, I’m working on my new album. I feel great. Under my doctor’s supervision, I’ve been off medication for about a year and I’m completely managing the condition through diet and exercise.”

Common Inks Deal with Warner Bros

According to a exclusive article from XXL, sources close to the Chi Town legend report that he has officially inked a deal to release his next album The Dreamer, The Believer with Warner Bros. There is no indiciation whether Common as signed a joint deal between Warner and 'Ye's label or whether he has officially left G.O.O.D. Music.

Since singing to Mr. West's imprint in 2004, Common has released three albums. His label debut Be led him to new career heights, garnering him four Grammy nominations and selling over 800,000 copies.

Earlier this week, Common released an EP titled The Pursuit with his newly founded super-group Cocaine 80s. The group also consists of fellow Chicago Hip Hop mainstay and lontime collaborator No I.D., Steve Wyreman, Rob Kinelski, Kevin Randolph, James Fauntleroy and Makeba, among others.

Bing Decodes Jay Z

Bings Case Study on the Jay Z Decoded Campaign they Ran.

Lupe Fiasco Discusses Obama 'Terrorist' Comment On 'The O'Reilly Factor'

Around two weeks ago, Lupe Fiasco made headlines following a CBS News Interview in which he called President Obama -- and the U.S. government -- the "biggest terrorist" in the world.

After the news spread, political pundit Bill O'Reilly commented on the Chicago rapper's statements, calling him "a pinhead", via his Fox News show "The O'Reilly Factor". But, he's since given Lupe a chance to explain himself, inviting the rapper on his show to discuss and further explain his comments.

What do you think of Lupe's comments?

Jimmy Henchman Apprehended In New York For Running National Drug Ring

Notorious hip-hop executive Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond, who has been on the run since mid-May, was picked up in New York on Tuesday morning (June 21) by federal agents who claim he is the head of a national cocaine distribution ring.

The hip-hop impresario has made national headlines over the past month for not only his legal problems, as well as rumors that he set up Tupac in 1994.

In mid-May Rosemond was accused and indicted for his alleged involvement in a national drug-trafficking ring, which distributed cocaine in large quantities from New York to Los Angeles, and back.

A warrant was issued for his arrest.

Although Rosemond denied the claims, brushing them off as "unconstitutional," and revealed plans to turn himself in, he's been on the run ever since. But, authorities finally caught up with him.

Rosemond, known within hip-hop circles as Jimmy Henchman, was picked up after a foot chase near Park Avenue and 21st St., a federal official told the L.A. Weekly. He had been hiding out at the W Hotel, blocks away from where he was apprehended.

A federal affidavit, supporting his arrest warrant, alleges Rosemond conspired to distribute at least five kilos of cocaine. Federal agents believe he shipped cocaine from L.A. to New York, via FedEx and UPS, and then sent mustard-covered cash -- to throw contraband-sniffing canines off -- back to L.A. ... and have been doing so since 2008.

Rosemond was due in federal court in New York this afternoon to face charges.

In addition to the federal indictment, he was also named as the man behind the infamous Quad Studios shooting of Tupac Shakur in 1994, which would go on to spark the highly publicized east/west rap war between Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records.

Former Rosemond associate Dexter Isaac, who is currently serving life in prison, confessed to being the shooter that evening in hip-hop history, which left Tupac shot five times. Isaac claims Rosemond paid him $2,500 to rob the rapper.

His lawyer responded a day later, calling the incarcerated man's claims a "flat-out lie."

Dmx With Maybach Music Group?

X is scheduled to be released from prison in less than a month. In the excerpt from his interview with VIBE earlier this week, he says, Rick Ross has reached out to him about joining Maybach Music Group.

VIBE: You got major labels interested?
Yeah. Actually, Rick Ross’ peoples wrote me a letter while I was in here.

What!
Yeah like ‘Yo we got a home for you. We’ll pick you up in a limo. Just come to Miami. Just come, we got you.’

Oh wow, have you thought about that?
I’m thinking about it. It was a good feeling. I respect him as an artist, and I would like to work with him. But he got the whole Illuminati thing going on. I got fans who write me like ‘I’m glad you’re not a part of that.’ And I don’t know what it’s really about entirely. So it might be like a good thing.

That’s crazy man. Because I don’t know if you heard but right now Rick Ross is on fire. Maybach Music Group signed up a whole bunch of people. Wale, Pill–and they’re really doing it man. That would be a crazy power move if you guys joined up.
Yeah. I have respect for him and he expressed interest that he wanted to work with me while I was out. So I definitely want do a song with him, but I don’t know about the record label thing. I would have to see what his camp is like and feel people out. I’m not the average artist.

RapRadar

L.E.P. BOGUS BOYS 'NOW OR NEVA' PROMO TOUR DATES/INFO ( @LEPBOGUSBOYS )

InfaRed Music Group and The Mixx Magazine Invite All To L.E.P. Bogus
Boys First Promotional Tour

***


Chicago's own L.E.P. Bogus Boys Count and Moonie, will be hitting the
road across country to perform in various cities to promote their
highly anticipated EP, "Now or Neva."


"Now or Neva," due to drop at the end of August, features Handlin' My
Bizness with Gucci Mane and the unreleased collaboration with Rick
Ross, Kush and Leather, plus more groundbreaking tracks from the duo.
The EP will feature production from J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Chase N
Cashe, Roc & Mayne, Tha Bizness, Hit Boy, Honorable C-Note and more...


The success of their latest mixtape, Don't Feed Da Killaz Volume III,
hosted by DJ Drama, has paved the way for L.E.P. to now expand in new
markets and reach out to their growing fan base.



The tour begins July 29th, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky and will end
in Atlanta, Georgia with a tour-closing listening party at The New Era
Cap Company on August 7th.




Below lists tour dates as currently scheduled:


7/29 - Louisville, KY
7/30 - Lexington, KY
8/1 - Columbia, SC
8/3 - Brooklyn, NY
8/4 - Hartford, CT & Boston, Ma
8/5 - Philadelphia, PA
8/6-8/8 - Atlanta, GA


(open tour and post tour dates are still available for booking and media runs)
Interested parties (i.e. artists, promoters, sponsors and/or media
outlets) near the scheduled tour areas, please see contact information
below.


The L.E.P. Bogus Boys appreciates all support from the media, both
online and broadcast. Thank you to everyone who expresses interest
with participating in the tour and the L.E.P. team looks forward to
working with you in the near future.

For booking and features, please contact:
Lorin Patrick
C: 773-738-9985
E: Lorin_Patrick@Yahoo.com

For all media / press inquiries, please contact:
Nakia McIntyre
C: 859-913-0521
E: Kia@TheMixxMagazine.com


""Now or Neva..."

www.LepBogusBoys.com

Tupac's 1994 Shooter That started The Eastcoast Westcoast Beef Says Jimmy Henchman Paid Him

A convicted felon has stepped forward to claim he was behind the 1994 robbery and shooting of Tupac Shakur that fueled the bloody rivalry many blame for the rapper's murder two years later.

Dexter Isaac, now serving a life sentence for murder, told AllHipHop.com that he robbed Shakur outside the Quad Studio in Manhattan in November 1994 on the orders of hip hop management mogul James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond.

He said Rosemond, the CEO of Czar Entertainment who manages Mike Tyson and Sean Kingston, paid him $2,500 "plus all the jewelry" except for one diamond ring Rosemond allegedly wanted for his girlfriend.

Rosemond turned himself in last month after a fugitive warrant was issued for his arrest in relation to federal cocaine distribution charges.

He has denied any wrongdoing and released a statement saying Isaac was a government information.

Attempts to reach Rosemond Wednesday were not successful.

Isaac, 46, said he's coming forward now because he's mad at Rosemond's claim and because he believes the statute of limitations on the crime has passed.

"I want to apologize to (Shakur's) family and for the mistake I did for that sucker," Isaac told AllHipHop in a letter sent from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. "I am trying to clean it up to give (Shakur's and Biggie's) mothers some closure."

The 1994 robbery at the midtown recording studio landed Shakur at a Manhattan hospital with five gunshot wounds.

Shakur accused rival rapper Christopher "Notorious B.I.G" Wallace of involvement in the robbery and took revenge by saying he slept with Biggie's wife Faith Evans.

Biggie answered back in his songs.

Shakur was later shot four times on a Las Vegas street in September 1996 and died six days later in an unsolved murder.

One year later Biggie was killed by an unknown gunman in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2011/06/15/2011-06-15_i_shot_tupac_kapur_in_1994_robbery_on_orders_of_rap_manager_claims_convicted_mur.html#ixzz1POEduFxl

Cuban Link & Tony Sunshine Disapprove Of Joell Ortiz's "Big Pun's Back”

Pun's associates echo his widow's sentiments that the Slaughterhouse member should have approached recording the song differently.

After Big Pun’s widow Liza Rios blasted Joell Ortiz for recording “Big Pun’s Back,” Pun associates Cuban Link and Tony Sunshine are echoing her sentiments. Though they acknowledge that Ortiz’s heart was in the right place, they agree with Rios that he may have gone about it the wrong way.

“Come on man. Like I said before, only a few are chosen to touch certain things. At the end of the day, I don’t feel that man was chosen to do that. He didn’t go through the right ways to touch that. That’s all,” said Cuban. “There’s no problems where there’s going to be some extra shit. As far as like, it doesn’t sit right with me. But at the end of the day, it is what it is, music. Pun was bigger than just our brother, so we get a little tight when niggas do certain things. At the end of the day, they showing love, I know they’re showing love. But I know the business, too. I know niggas use that business shit sometimes to bring it back on themselves and put themselves on a higher level. I need to talk to the brother, because I was always a fan of his shit, too, because he got some fire.”

Tony echoed his sentiments, agreeing that it was done out of love but approached incorrectly.

“I think Cuban summed it up. As far as being a lyricist, I think Pun was - not because he was our brother and not because he opened doors and avenues for us, I think he was just super natural on the mic,” he said. “He was just ahead of his time and he’s just beyond. One of the best ever to touch the mic, and I don’t think anybody could touch the mic like he did. I mean, the dude is super incredible. I think he’s talented and like Cuban said, I’m glad somebody’s trying to keep his name alive and rep his name, but there are just certain things you don’t do. You’ve got to come to the table of the family of that man before you do certain things.”

T.I's Letter to his Fans

What up world? Been a minute. I’d like to thank you all for the thousands of letters, cards, books, pictures and words of encouragement. I’m truly grateful. I’m sure you already know I’m nearing the end of this chapter of my life, and looking forward to taking all of the things I’ve learned with me while leaving all the rest of the “BS” behind. I’ve been tuned in somewhat to what’s been happening out there. I can’t even begin to tell y’all how much being on the outside looking in, having to witness all that’s going on (and not going on) in the game affects me. Not being able to do what I love especially. It’s like a whole other sentence within itself. But I really do appreciate all the love, respect, shout outs and salutations during this very difficult period in my life. Everybody from da homies Weezy, Killa Mike, R. Rozay my lil bruh B.o.B, Terrence J (106 & Park) and my “durty” Nelly. Regardless of whether the gestures were the greatest or the smallest, they still meant the world to me. REAL TALK. The separation from my art has definitely sparked an inferno of inspiration that will soon be felt by all. As a matter of fact, to show my appreciation to those that have been in support of me and granted the requests of TEAM T.I. I’ll be releasing a record in the near future (couple of weeks tops) to hold y’all over til I get back in action. During this time of seclusion I have developed a mind full of thoughts, ideas, plans and strategies of change to incorporate into my professional endeavors, as well as my personal lifestyle. But none of them is as strong as my determination to conquer my own imperfections and my will to WIN NO MATTER WHAT!!!

I love, respect and appreciate all those who have stood beside me and I have accepted those you didn’t. But one things for sure and two for certain. As long as the Most High blesses me with the ability to live and breathe….My campaign will continue!!! Stronger, smarter, bigger and better than ever. For those that doubt that…See me when they free me.

Love King

Trapmuzikcom

Shawty Lo Signs to G-Unit, Drops Mixtape to Celebrate

Shawty Lo joins the G-Unit family and drops a new mixtape to celebrate.

In the wake of crunk music falling off most Hip Hop listeners' radars, former D4L frontman Shawty Lo proved to be one of the few to survive his genre's demise with his hit 2008 single "Dey Know." Now, Shawty Lo is taking his talents up north by signing to 50 Cent's G-Unit imprint.

According to AllHipHop, who spoke to Shawty Lo earlier this day, the ATL rapper is excited about his new label situation. He said it's a thrill to have someone as on top of his business as 50 Cent in his corner.

"It's like a new beginning and all I needed was someone behind me," he explained. "50 [Cent] is a marketing genius and I got my new thing. D4L and G-Unit...we going to be working the south and the rest of the world if need be...my new situation with G-Unit was just solidified and I got off the phone with 50 yesterday, I just signed a really large deal."

In order to celebrate his move to the Unit, Shawty Lo decided to unleash his latest mixtape B.H.F. (Bankhead Forever), hosted by DJ Greg Street. Shawty Lo broke some of the tape's collaborations and said that he will have an album hitting stores soon.

"This is a special project for me," he said. "I worked real hard on making this one of the best mixtapes I've put out to date...This is like something before the album...[The song] 'Haters' got 50, [Tony] Yayo and Roscoe Dash, my single 'Pocahontas' has Twista and Wale, 'I Know', I got Future on there, the whole mixtape jammin’. If I’m working on a song, it may be on a mixtape, but it could for a album."

Shawty Lo isn't the only artist working with 50 Cent as of late. DJ Whoo Kid recently confirmed that MTV's "The Jersey Shore" star DJ Paulie D is somehow involved with 50's G Note subsidiary.

HipHopDX

Capone and Noreaga better Known as C-N-N has Separated

N.O.R.E. takes to his Twitter account to reveal that he and Capone are going their separate ways.

C-N-N’s Capone and Noreaga are calling it quits. N.O.R.E. recently revealed on his Twitter account that he and his partner-in-rhyme are hanging up the mic to focus on their respective solo careers.

“I'm not making another war report album or another N.O.R.E ALBUM IMMA MAKE THE 1st S.U.P.E.R.T.H.U.G album cause that what's good for now,” he tweeted. “CNN was a great group. [...] Time has changed I must move on. [...] Doesn’t it hurt to watch a boxer still box when he’s heart isn’t in it that’s what the group feels like right now.”

C-N-N most recently dropped their final album The War Report 2: Report the War last year. The album stalled upon release, debuting at No. 98 on the Billboard 200 and selling 4,700 copies in its first week.

Artist That Got Dropped and Flourished

New Orleans emcee Curren$y may also be on his official third time around as he was a part of No Limit and Cash Money before hooking up with Dame Dash.
It's rare that a rapper can leave a label as popping as Young Money and maintain his notoriety but Curren$y actually increased his. With mixtapes distributed by Def Jam and now a label deal with Warner Bros. Records it doesn't seem to matter where Spitta ends up because his fans follow.



Cory Gunz may be on his third or fourth run as the member of the roster of a label but the one time darling of Def Jam just couldn't make a marriage with the house that Russell built.Now the Son of a Gun is working with Nick Cannon and is signed to arguably the hottest crew in the streets, Young Money. Hopefully Wayne can find the solution to pushing the former XXL Freshman to the world.



Whether Wale got dropped from Interscope or he left is not important. What matters is the fact that Rick Ross and Maybach Music picked him up and are giving him creative control and a new budget. Attention Deficit was a solid debut that featured Lady Gaga and Marsha Ambrosius, it will be interesting to see where his MMG LP will go now that he doesn't have to answer to "the machine."




Named as New York's most important rapper by the New York Times, Lloyd Banks didn't allow a departure from Interscope Records slow down his work ethic or his buzz. Even though Hunger For More sold two million copies on Interscope and his latest releases haven't lived up those numbers, Lloyd is still getting radio spins and has fans across the globe checking for him now that he is on EMI.

"It's refreshing to see the EMI staff excited about my project, they have the passion and energy I haven't seen in while," said Banks.

In an ironic twist, Joell Ortiz was once on Aftermath Records signed by Dr. Dre himself. But the familiar Aftermath stall went down and Mr. Ortiz found refuge from the powerhouse label. The saving grace of Slim Shady placed Joell back under the umbrella recently since he is also a part of the already successful spitting society known as Slaughterhouse. Welcome back to Aftermath.




Joe Budden seemed like the poster child for talented rappers that couldn't get a break in the industry even though his debut on Def Jam received a gold plaque. He finally parted ways with the major in 2007.

“I'm just happy we were finally able to cut all ties. I feel like I have all the talent in the world, but for some reason was never able to showcase it there.” Joe continued, “I'm looking forward to whatever God has in store for me, and Joe Budden fans should know – today is a beautiful day.

The president of the label at the time commented, “If you just want to throw an album out there then next week, [fine]… [Then] you're recording [songs] about how we didn't support it. We could do that,” Jay-Z said. “We could do that tomorrow. I don't think that what he wants. I don't think that's what he needs. Maybe…I don't know.”

Eminem's interest in the hip-hop group Slaughterhouse provided an opportunity for the Jersey rap vet to reach the masses as he is now an official member of the Shady roster.




Pusha T was one half of the rap duo Clipse that he formed with his older brother, Malice. They had a brief stint on Elektra and a solid album on Arista before landing on Jive records through Pharrell Williams' Star Trak label. Though the Clipse second album, Hell Hath No Fury received a XXL in XXL magazine, the sales didn't match their gold debut and the shelving began. Now Pusha T is solo and is preparing to drop a full-length disc on Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music label. G.O.O.D move for the Virginia spitter.



Wiz Khalifa mustered up enough buzz in his hometown of Pittsburgh to get interest from Warner Brothers Records.

Rostrum Records President, Benjy Grinberg, said after the split between his artist and Warner, “We feel that this ‘divorce' is the best thing for both parties at this juncture and we appreciate the leniency Warner has shown with our release. We are excited to be independent again.”

Some sold out tours and less than two years later, Wiz inked a deal with Atlantic Records, scooped up Kanye's ex and got some hardware with chart-topping singles.

HipHopWired

Wiz Khalifa Denies Beef With Waka Flocka

Wiz Khalifa and Waka Flocka Beef?

Rapper Wiz Khalifa is quickly putting an end to rumors the he has beef with ATL rapper Waka Flocka. According to reports, Wiz and Waka exchanged words during Hot 97's Summer Jam yesterday in New York. However, the "Black & Yellow" rap star took to Twitter to dead the rumors.

"Me And Waka Don't Have Beef. I Fux Wit That Lil Ugly N*gga," Wiz tweeted.

Khalifa and Flocka can be seen side by side in the recently released French Montanta "Choppa Down (Remix)" video, so it's not like there was any bad blood between the rappers prior to Summer Jam. Hopefully this is the last we'll hear of this rumored beef.

Don Cannons Interview With Hip Hop Wired (@DonCannon )

Don Cannon Interview

At one time, Philly DJs Don Cannon, Drama and Sense were the centerpieces of an Atlanta-based DJ crew that redefined the Hip-Hop DJ.

During the mid-2000's, the collective known as The Aphilliates were dominating all aspects of DJing, from mixtapes to radio to the club scene.

But somewhere along their rise to power things went South.

In January of 2007, Cannon and Drama were arrested for bootlegging CDs, in a raid that shook up the mixtape circuit.

Nearly two years later, Cannon left the Aphilliates, choosing to do build his own brand, his way.
In Part 1 of our interview with the Philly producer/DJ, Cannon explains what happened between himself and his former DJ crew, talks about his reconciliation with DJ Drama, and speaks on the 2007 raided that changed the mixtape game forever.

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