50 Cent Talks Cam'ron, Nas, Dre, M.O.P.
In part 2 of XXL Mag’s 50 Cent feature, the G Unit Boss discusses the intelligence of certain MCs even going as far as claiming Nas lost his audience. Below are a few excerpts.
“He was almost weirder than me ’cause we would go to breakfast and he’d be there reading a book. Conceptually, I think that’s what made him drift away from what his initial audience enjoys from him and why he’s not hot right now.” Said Fif of Nas, “he’s feeding you too much information in the music and they don’t actually want it. He’s like a teacher.”
He then moved onto the never-ending Cam’ron beef which has toned down a bit since Cam’s altercation with rapper Tru Life. The beef, which ignited during a Hot 97 interview with 50 Cent, also caused turmoil within the Dipset Camp.
“My initial intention when we started that conversation wasn’t to cause an altercation. But after an altercation is caused, I have no intentions of resolving it. I don’t believe you can resolve a situation with someone you didn’t initiate. If they caused it, there’s nothing you can do on your end. You didn’t actually ask for it so it’s there. And you make it—you pound away at him with the consistency of releasing quality material ’til his ass is dust. He’s gone and everybody that surrounds him gets it in the end, too. This is why I tell him Jim Jones should be the boss of Dipset and now you see Jim Jones say he’s not fuckin’ with Cam.”
When asked about Cam’s career as it stands, 50 explained why no major label is willing to sign Cam Ron.
“Cam had Columbia [Records] spend marketing dollars on him when he was with Untertainment. He had Def Jam spend marketing dollars when he was on Roc-A-Fella. Now he’s in a graveyard. The majors have no interest in spending money on him because they know the marketing dollars that’s spent is going to be in vain. [But] Jimmy’s done something that’s significant—he came out of the graveyard. His career started on Koch, which means he can go do his deal with the majors [and] he can go do a publishing deal. The kinda money he gon’ receive in those positions based on the success of his last project is gonna make, when he says, “ballin’,” real.”
Moving on to M.O.P, 50 confirmed rumors that he once offered them $1,000 for every pound that they lost during their stay at his Connecticut Mansion.
“M.O.P., they just ain’t after the same thing. They are a great group. They got music I’d love to put out. I’m just not going to bet on a horse that got three legs in this climate. It won’t win a race.”
Fif also spoke of the weirdness between him and Dre after The Game was removed from G Unit.
“I’m not even sure he knows. He might read this and be surprised that I said it. But Dre didn’t voice his opinion knowing I gave Game everything that made him what he is. And that didn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter that [Dre] gave me “In Da Club.” He brought something creatively to the table that helped spawn my entire career and I respect him for it. On a higher level, Em for me is like next to my grandmother. He did things for me when I couldn’t do them myself. I needed him at that point and he actually came through for me.”
D’Angelo Nabbed, Faces More Charges in Virginia Court
It’s been seven years since R&B singer and Richmond native D’Angelo, aka Michael Eugene Archer, has released an album. The extended hiatus has left fans wondering what happened to the artist who won two Grammys, thrilled audiences worldwide with his rippled physique and led soul music back to its roots.
They aren’t the only ones who’ve been looking for D’Angelo.
Chesterfield County police arrested Archer at the county courthouse in February on charges stemming from a 2005 car accident in Powhatan County. The singer was in court for failing to appear for an earlier child-support petition, which was dismissed.
Archer now faces charges of driving with a suspended license, driving under the influence and reckless driving. He’s scheduled to appear in court Aug. 10.
The accident occurred on Route 711 near Route 288 two weeks after Archer was given a suspended sentence in Chesterfield Circuit Court for cocaine possession, driving under the influence and marijuana possession.
D’Angelo was ejected from his Hummer after it went off the road, struck a fence and overturned. He suffered contusions and bruised ribs, while the other person in the vehicle, Lynn Sellers, sustained minor injuries. A state police investigation concluded that D’Angelo, whose driver’s license was suspended at the time of the accident, was driving the vehicle.
“Mr. Archer was out of the state when the warrant was obtained, so the trooper notified the attorney,” says Corinne Geller, spokeswoman for the Virginia State Police. “The responsibility was on Mr. Archer to turn himself in.”
With his recording career on hold, the only notable appearances the singer has made in recent years have been in the courtroom. So where has D’Angelo been since his last known docket date of Sept. 12, 2005?
“He seems to be doing very well,” says his attorney, Ned Mikula. “I know that he’s working on his music.”
While he hasn’t completed an album of his own, D’Angelo did appear on Snoop Dogg’s “Blue Carpet Treatment” last year, singing the chorus to the Dr. Dre.-produced “Imagine.” A new song featuring D’Angelo’s vocals, “Really Love,” was leaked to an Australian radio station in April.
Mikula says the singer hopes to have new music ready for a fall release. Once tentatively titled “James River,” it would be his first album since the highly acclaimed recording “Voodoo” was released in 2000.
But the singer’s comeback could be cut short if he’s convicted of charges relating to the accident. He may also be forced to serve the three-year suspended jail sentence he received in 2005, stemming from a traffic stop in Chesterfield County.
Jim Jones addresses Cam'ron, would work with 50 and Nas
Dipset Capo Jim Jones has been quiet since putting label founder Cam’ron on punishment earlier this year while speaking to Hot 97’s radio personality Miss Info as Jones put it back then.
Jimmy has recently opened up to MTV.com and explained his rift with Cam’ron, claiming it might not be all good, but it’s all about loyalty.
“Shouts to Cameron,” Jones said Tuesday — using the MC’s full name — from the set of Yung Berg’s “Sexy Lady” remix video. “We going through our little differences and things like that. When you come up in this game, loyal to a flaw, you look to certain people to always take care of you above and beyond, because you’d do the same thing for them. And, of course, there’s a lot of money at stake here. And no matter what anyone tells you, when money comes into play, people do change in certain ways and things like that. Because we didn’t grow up with this type of money we playing with now, so it’s only [normal] that you’re gonna change in some aspect. But for us, loyalty is everything, and when you break that code of honor a little bit, it tends to make the water rough.
“I opted to go back to the dock and start building my own boat,” Jones continued. “So I could go out and fish for myself, you know what I mean? There’s still a fleet of Diplomat boats and when the time comes we’ll all get on it and we’ll go out and fish again. But right now, I’m my own fisherman.”
It looked as if Jim was trying to put all rumors to end that him and Cam’ron were not having problems, by him appearing in the, “We Fly High” video. Jones told MTV News at the time the concept of the video was to squash any rumors that he and Cam had a problem with each other. But on the accompanying album by Jones, last year’s Hustler’s P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment), Cam only appears on one song; same for the Diplomats’ recent compilation, More Than Music, Vol. 2.
“There was a little disruption going on in there, but it’s still Diplomats by all means,” Jones said.
“That’s what that’s all about, it ain’t got to do with nothing else,” he continued. “It’s about two brothers feuding, and brothers do feud, you can’t take that [away]. I know brothers that go through it tremendously, even scrap. You know the media always look for something to pick on. The Diplomats been running for a hell of a long time. We going on 11 years right now, and yes, I know if you seen me and Cam, wherever you seen Cam, you seen Jim Jones and things like that. But like I said, everybody gets older and sometimes best friends do grow apart as the time goes on, but you never know what could happen. We might just pop up together and slap fire out of one of you. So don’t ever forget that. What I can do, what me and Cam could do, toward each other, you punks can’t do. So if one of you punks get out of line, I’m still gonna handle you. You understand me? Don’t get the family business twisted. You will get handled, hardbody.”
On what has been one of the most difficult years for Jimmy, with his beef with Cam, and losing a friend and artist Stack Bundles, he flirts with the idea that he would work with 50 Cent and one time rival Nas. The same can not be said about rapper Jay Z, has he states the bridge has been burned between the two.
“I would love to do a song with Fif,” Jones revealed. “I told people I’m a businessman. At the end of the day, you never say never because you don’t make your decisions, God does. I know there’s a lot of grudges, I know there’s a lot of gripes out there.
“There’s probably one person I wouldn’t do a song with, and that’s probably Jay[-Z]. I really ain’t got no taste for that right there. That’s not my side of the fence and that’s not my speed. ... [However, if other MCs] you want to lock it, holler at me. We could lock in together, we could do a song dissing each other, we could do a song that’s getting money, we could do whatever. I’m with it. You can bring your crew, I can bring my crew, we’ll lock in the studio. That goes for 50, that goes for Nas, that goes for anybody.”
USHER VS. USHER’S FAN SITE
Sources are telling the New York Daily News that Usher is trying to shut down his top fan site Usherforever.com because of its editor’s attacks on his fiancé, Tameka Foster.
He's had his lawyer send her papers," a source tells the newspaper.
The site’s editor, Erika Jackson, has been open about her negative feelings about Foster, whom many Usher fans blame for the singer’s decision to fire his own mother as his manager.
In May, Usher parted ways with longtime publicist Simone Smalls, and recently his other longtime rep, Chris Chambers, left the team. Chambers is said to have disapproved of the "open letter" Usher wrote to fans last week.
"It's disturbing that the media and bloggers (under the guise as
'fans') continuously speculate on the personal aspects of my life," he wrote.
Usherforever.com posted a scathing response to that letter, originally from Rolling Stone, which called the move "petty."
Laugh Factory owner says Dave Chappelle forgot to hydrate during stand up performance.
A failure to drink enough water during a stand up routine in San Francisco is the cause of Dave Chappelle’s recent trip to the emergency room, where he was treated for exhaustion and dehydration, a reports E! Online.
"He stayed up and did a show [at the Punch Line Comedy Club]…and at the time he did it, he did not get enough water to drink and had a little bit of dehydration," Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada told the network. "I spoke to him and he's okay."
Chappelle spent 12 hours in the ER receiving food and fluids as rumors began circulating that he was actually in rehab. Both his publicist and Masada have denied those reports, or that drugs were the cause of his trauma.
"He's so thin, and he gets so creative he forgets to eat and drink," Masada said. "I love Dave. I've known him since he was 15 years old. His biggest problem is he gets in a creative mode and forgets to eat. He's on the stage for six or seven hours. Everybody would have a bottle of water and he'll have nothing."
Eve Goes To Court Early, Meets Probation Requirements In DUI Case
Eve has reportedly completed the conditions of her probation after making an early court appearance in connection with a DUI charge.
Eve was arrested for driving under the influence after crashing her Maserati on Hollywood Boulevard back in April. She plead no contest to the charge.
According to KNBC, the rapper/actress, who was originally scheduled to appear in court today (July 20) made an early Monday (July 16) appearance and successfully met all of the conditions of her probation.
As previously reported, Eve (born Eve Jihan Jeffers) was ordered by a judge to wear an alcohol monitoring device attached to her ankle for 45 days, and pay $1,400 in fines and penalties after her lawyer entered a plea of no contest at a June 28 court appearance.
During the hearing, the judge once again reminded Jeffers of the conditions of her probation, as she will be required to show proof that she has completed her alcohol education program by December 28 of this year.
The Philly-bred MC was also sentenced to 36 months probation by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard Kemalyam at the same hearing. Eve was also required to enroll in a first-offender alcohol education program for three months and attend 10 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings as well.
Humane Society Blames DMX, Jay-Z and Hip-Hop For Promoting Dog Fighting
Recently, NFL player Michael Vick, quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly participating in a dog-fighting ring. Surprisingly, John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society, drew a connection between Vick’s case and hip-hop.
“The growth in dog fighting has been largely fueled by some elements in the popular culture, specifically some rap videos,” Goodwin told O’Reilly. “For example, there is a rapper named DMX. He has a CD named Grand Champ. There is a big pit-bull on the cover and the booklet that comes with the CD describes a champion as a three time winner of dogfights. There is Jay-Z, who had a music video called “99 Problems.” The unedited version had scenes of him handling a dog in a dog fighting pit.”
Polow Takes Control Of Janet Jackson's Sound
Producer Polow Da Don, who recently launched his own label Zone 4, spoke exclusively with SOHH about music he is producing for Janet Jackson's forthcoming CD on Island Def Jam.
"Music is different from the last time she was 'it,'" Polow said. "I want to put her in the clubs because that's where the kids register what's a hit. We can have the radio hits all day with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Jermaine [Dupri]... a lot of people can do that for her. But my particular focus is going to be like... the club." [Watch Polow Interview Here]
Polow has produced recent pop hits, including Ciara's "Promise," Fergie's "Glamorous," and Nicole Scherzinger's new single "Whatever You Like" featuring T.I.
As previously reported, Jackson recently left Virgin and signed with Island Def Jam where her boyfriend, Dupri is now president of Island Urban.
Despite speculation that Jackson's new project will hit shelves by year's end, an official release date has yet to be confirmed.
Red Café Teams With DJ Envy For New Album
Brooklyn rapper Red Café is teaming with Hot 97/Serius Radio personality DJ Envy for a new album on KOCH Records this fall entitled The Co-Op.
1. “Intro”
2. “Dolla Bill” featuring JD & Fabolous
3. “Things You Do” featuring Nina Sky
4. “Buck Buck” featuring Sheek Louch
5. “G Move” featuring Uncle Murda and Styles P
6. “What It Do” featuring Remy Ma
7. “Ghetto Children” featuring Mr. Easy
8. “Jeep Shit” featuring Fabolous and Paul Wall
9. “We Really Do This” featuring MIMS and Currency
10. “I Know” featuring Fabolous
11. “Murderer”
KANYE TO HOST FUNDRAISER IN CHICAGO
Kanye West is scheduled to host a benefit concert for his charitable foundation on Aug. 24 at Chicago's House of Blues.
The artist will play tracks from his forthcoming Def Jam album “Graduation” and preview staging for his fall Glow in the Dark tour, reports Billboard. The bill will also include surprise celebrity guests.
Before the event, West is scheduled to meet with 200 local students during soundcheck.
Partial proceeds are to benefit the Loops Dreams Teacher Training Institute in Chicago, which supports the incorporation of hip-hop into Chicago Public Schools curriculum.
This summer, newcomer Sean Kingston is dominating radio airwaves with his single "Beautiful Girls." In this exclusive the Jamaican boy wonder chops it up about overcoming his personal struggles, writing his own music, and bringing a positive vibe to his new album.
Born in Miami and raised in Jamaica, Kingston is the grandson of Bob Marley-producer Jack Ruby and nephew of Buju Banton.
"He told me, 'you gotta be humble at all times, stay focused, you have to believe in your craft,'" Kingston said about Banton. "He told me a lot of stuff that really makes sense and at the end of the day I learned a lot from him and he inspired me a lot."
Musical lineage aside, Sean says ihe's traveled a rocky road to reach his current level of success.
"I went off to boot camp when I was young, my mom got locked up when I was 14 -- she's still locked up now,' Kingston shared. "I was homeless at one point. I've been through a lot of stuff, I think it's only right to talk about it to my fans and let them know what my struggle was like."
Executive produced by J.R. Rotem, who signed Sean to his BelugaHeights label after discovering the talented teen on MySpace, Kingston's album is entirely self-penned-- and positive.
"Overall I would say it's a feel good album. I make feel good music. But I'm not talking about my rims on my car or typical things," Sean said "It's an international crossover, universal type album. I think it's a classic, it's got everything on there, from reggae to pop, to R&B. All of my stuff comes from me, comes from the heart. It's authentic, I make great music and I write all my own stuff."
While the album finds Kingston rapping and singing across multiple genres of music, Sean made sure to keep the project free of profanity.
"I feel like with what's going on in hip-hop, people don't need to be cursing -- especially coming from a 17-year-old. I don't need to curse in my music to make it any better," he explained. "I'm trying to touch every fan base, and make everyone connect with me as an artist, I want people to know this artist is real, he writes all his own stuff, he does really good music, he doesn't have no negative stuff about him."
In addition to his upcoming album and new single, "Me Love," which drops this week, Sean is also releasing a new mixtape Good Talk Volume 2, which he co-hosts with DJ Khaled.
"I wanted to do the mixtape to get the streets involved, get everybody knowing my name and people to start talking," Sean said. "I don't see myself as a mixtape artist, but I think mixtapes help people's buzz get bigger. If you got a hot mixtape, you have people saying I can't wait for the album. I'm just trying to get that going. It's hosted by DJ Khaled, he's a good friend of mine from Miami, it came out crazy."
Sean Kingston's self-titled debut hits stores July 31 via Beluga Heights/Epic Recordings.
Babyface Returns With New Album This September
Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds has completed his 11th album, PLAYLIST, which will arrive in stores September 18th as the first album on the newly re-launched Mercury Records.
PLAYLIST will be Babyface’s first album devoted (mostly) to cover versions of some of his favorite songs, among them James Taylor’s “Fire & Rain,” Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” Dan Fogelberg’s “Longer,” Jim Croce's "Time In A Bottle," Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight," and many others. The album will also include original material.
Babyface’s albums and singles include: Lovers By Babyface (1987); Tender Lover (1989, double-platinum), a #1 R&B album in Billboard for 11 weeks, including the #1 R&B singles “It’s No Crime” and “Tender Love,” “Whip Appeal” (#2), and “My Kinda Girl” (#3); For the Cool In You (1993, triple-platinum), on the R&B album chart for 87 weeks, with the top 10 R&B singles “For the Cool In You,” “Never Keeping Secrets,” “And Our Feelings,” and “When Can I See You”; The Day (1996, double-platinum), with the top 5 R&B/pop crossover hits “This Is For the Lover In You” (platinum) and “Every Time I Close My Eyes” (gold); MTV Unplugged NYC 1997 (gold); Christmas With Babyface (1998); Face2Face (2001); and Grown & Sexy (2005).
In July 1999, Babyface became the largest single personal donor to VH1’s “Save the Music” campaign when he donated $60,000 to the campaign in his home state of Indiana, to help improve the quality of music education in public schools by restoring and supporting music programs and raising public awareness. That same month in Indianapolis, the Governor of Indiana renamed a 23-mile stretch of Interstate 65 “Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds Highway,” the first time that a living African-American has been bestowed an honor of such magnitude.
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