Sep 18, 2007

IHH Daily Update 9*18*07

50 Cent Accuses Def Jam of Rigging Sales

50 Cent has reportedly accused Def Jam Records of manipulating Kanye West's album sales.

According to New York's Daily News, 50 (born Curtis Jackson) made the accusations during an interview with British based magazine Uncut.

"He's never had a fraction of the sales 50 Cent has," Fif said. "They could have only one scan and have it count four times. West's entire career hasn't sold half what I sold on my first album.

Both rappers' released their third solo albums last week. As of Friday, Nielsen's SoundScan figures showed that West's Graduation had shifted 600,000 discs while 50's Curtis had reportedly sold 430,000 copies. Over the weekend, several music industry trade publications like Billboard and Hits have estimated West's projected sales around 800,000 copies, with 50 selling in the range of 600,000.

Billboard's Geoff Mayfield countered 50's claims saying that there is a slim chance that Def Jam would have doctored the sales figures.

"The people who built SoundScan put safeguards in place to track sales that don't look kosher," Mayfield explained.

Representatives for 50 Cent and Kanye West did not return calls when contacted. Ironically, both artists are tied to the same corporation, Universal Group, which owns Def Jam and Interscope.


Nas To O'Reilly: "I’m an American psycho"

American political commentator Bill O’Reilly continues to attack the hip hop genre from the artist, the artist lifestyle, and the subject matter they discuss on their albums.

Giving his opinion on rappers such as Ludacris and Snoop Dogg, Mr. O’Reilly decided to give his two cents on one of the Hip Hop’s finest—Nas.

During a recent airing of his Fox News show, “The O’Reilly Factor,” the commentator blasted Nas’ free concert for the students of Virginia Tech as an “abomination” and “atrocity.” O’Reilly referred to Nas — or “Nazz,” as the TV host pronounced it — as a “gangsta rapper” and said his lyrics are as “violent as they come,” citing songs such as “Shoot ‘Em Up,” “One Mic,” Ether” and “Made U Look” as his musical history of violence. (The show also displayed some of Nas’ concert footage and videos, plus the scene where Jay-Z gets shot in the video for “99 Problems.”) O’Reilly called Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger “a villain” for allowing Nas to perform.

According to MTV News, Nas scoffed at Bill O’Reilly’s claim, labeling his comments “racist.”

“He doesn’t understand the younger generation. He deals with the past,” Nas continued. “The people he represents are Republican, older, a generation that has nothing to do with the reality of what’s happening now with my generation. ... He’s not really on my radar. People like him are supposed to be taught and people like me are supposed to let niggas like him know. I don’t take him serious. His show is all about getting ratings or whatever. I wouldn’t honor anything Bill O’Reilly has to say. It just shows you what bloodsuckers do: They abuse something like the Virginia Tech [tragedy] for show ratings. You can’t talk to a person like that.”Nas maintained that some of his harsher lyrics are no more rigid than the reality that inspired them.

University officials responded to the comments by saying the announcement of the concert has been getting overwhelmingly positive feedback and that the lineup would not be changed. Despite the controversy, Nas says he was asked by the school to perform and there are many people who would be disappointed if he did not come.

After the concert, which went without any major incident, Nas told reporters he would go on the O’Reilly show to discuss the comments he made.

“Whenever he wants a debate, I’ll go through it. I know Bill O’Reilly’s test scores. I know what he did, what he’s trying to be … I’m a psycho. I’m an American psycho. [Addressing O’Reilly:] “Come to Queensbridge, [record your show] out there. Come to Jamaica, Queens [New York]. Do a show in Red Hook [Brooklyn, New York].” ... I ain’t got no time to talk to a uncivilized savage. This man will go through all kinds of extremes for publicity. I will tell him I’m an American psycho, I’m his worst nightmare. “They Shootin’ ” is just the beginning.”

“I don’t downplay nothing, that’s who I am. When he wants to come holla at me, be ready for Hannibal Lecter. He don’t deserve an intelligent explanation. I’ll bite his nose off! He wants to talk to me like a animal? I will be — but only to him. With everybody else I’ll be a gentleman, including his wife. That’s right — I’m crazy. That’s how we should be to him. He isn’t here to help us, and we don’t need his help.

If Arnold Schwarzenegger comes to VA Tech, he’s gonna come dressed like the Terminator? [O’Reilly] would never say that about Arnold Schwarzenegger. But he’ll say that to me because he’s ignorant.”


Damon Dash Brings Infamous Harlem Drug Lord, Nicky Barnes, To The Big Screen

Damon Dash has partnered with Magnolia Films to bring the true life story of notorious drug kingpin Nicky Barnes to the big screen with Mr.Untouchable

The documentary, which will be released in theatres on October 19, traces the rise and fall of the infamous Harlem drug lord during the heroin epidemic of the 1970's. The film's name derives from the headline "Mister Untouchable" that accompanied Barnes' photo when he appeared on the cover of The New York Times Magazine in 1977, followed by the sub-text that read "This is Nicky Barnes. New York police say he's the biggest drug dealer in Harlem. But can they prove it?"

The movie, directed by Marc Levin (Whiteboyz, Brooklyn Babylon, Slam), features music by DJ Hi Tek. The flick also offers commentary from Barnes, his ex-wife, Thelma Grant, former members of his crime organization, "The Council," reporters, attorneys and officers from various law enforcement agencies who worked to convict Barnes.

Mr. Untouchable opens in theatres on October 19


Diddy Responds To MTV Over Banned Unforgivable Fragrance Commercial

As previously reported, a new TV commercial for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ popular fragrance, Unforgivable, has been deemed too hot for the airwaves by MTV executives.

According to the New York Post, the cable network has asked Diddy to make some edits that would allow them to air the spot, but so far the Bad Boy boss refuses to make the changes. The commercial features Diddy and model Jessica Gomez getting hot and heavy in a hotel room and stairwell.

In the scenes, Diddy is shown pulling up Gomez’s skirt and putting his hands under her dress. Another shot features a woman holding Gomez’s breast and pulling down her underwear. In 2006, Diddy faced a similar backlash over a print ad for Unforgivable that pictured him lying in bed with two women.

Now that MTV has refused to air the spot, Diddy is releasing the commercial on the Internet in protest. “I feel strongly that this movie needs to be viewed and judged by the public rather than by executives,” Diddy says. “Some people may be uncomfortable with the sensuality and sexual content, but it is important for them to make that decision personally. Since we launched the Sean John brand 10-years-ago, we have taken chances and done many non-traditional things. This three minute movie is no different; it will revolutionize the way people view fragrances forever.”

Former Da Band Member, Dylan, Inks New Deal; Preps Solo Debut

Last time we heard from Da Band's Dylan, he was getting kicked out of the group on MTV's "Making The Band 2" back in 2004, and it looked it it was over for the rapper/reggae artist.

Now, it's three years later, and after continuing to push his music, he announced earlier this August, that he has inked a record deal with Uprising Records.

"After a small bidding war and weighing out some labels, and others not having faith, I have officially signed with Uprising Records," Dylan DilinJah wrote on his official Myspace page.

Although Uprising is more known for releasing albums from rock artists over the years, Dylan says he is happy with his choice -- because of the freedom he has there.

"They have been a rock label for years and even helped 'bus' Fall Out Boy the first time out," he explained. "I have plenty control, respect and freedom here, as well as the money being right and feeling like a priority."

As far as his highly publicized falling out with Diddy, Dylan acts as if there is no hard feelings and even thanks him for the opportunity he gave him, as well as MTV.

"I remember P. Diddy's last words on the last season of 'Making The Band 2' regarding me.... he said 'It's on Dylan now... Dylan is in the driver seat now.. whatever he wants to do... it will be on him.' I'm on my own. And I thank you Diddy," Dylan wrote on his blog. "Thank you MTV, thank you to the family at Uprising Records."

"This is day 1 of my real solo career, so let's move forward," he continued.

Dylan is currently in Los Angeles putting the finishing touches on his solo debut, tentatively titled No Regrets, which currently has no official date of release.

But, a release titled Reborn, which is a mixtape hosted Tasha Rozez, may hit the streets by the end of September.


Marc Ecko Buys Barry Bonds 756th Home Run Ball

Hip-Hop mogul Marc Ecko (ECKO Clothing, Complex Magazine) bought Barry Bonds 756th home run ball last Saturday (Sept. 15) for $752,467 at Sotheby's/SCP auctions.

Starting today, fans can go www.vote756.com and choose to give the ball to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, permanently brand the ball with an asterisk before sending it to Cooperstown or put the ball on a rocket ship and launch it into space.

"We all have opinions about this ball," Ecko said. "Some feel it is a piece of history that belongs in the Hall of Fame. Others believe it is the embodiment of a cheating culture - not just in baseball, but in professional sports generally."

Bonds broke Hank Aaron's home record of 755 on August 7 in San Francisco.

"I bought this baseball to democratize the debate over what to do with it and allow the public to decide," Ecko explained.

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