The Hip-Hop Herald 11.12.09: A Milli On Security

Posted by Patrick Robinson on 11.12.2009

This week, Dame Dash talks about the Beanie Sigel and Jay-Z feud, 50 Cent's annual security budget, DMX's replacement in the Martinez fight and Katt Williams posts the best mugshot of the year!

I installed Windows 7 this week on the laptop I bought in Singapore last month and I have to say, it's REALLY good. I got it under an upgrade scheme so it only cost me $45 with postage and handling included and despite taking close to 5 hours to get everything sorted, it was definitely worth it. I'll reiterate what virtually everyone has been saying about it: it's Windows Vista, except it actually works. Now I didn't have Vista long enough to encounter problems really, but the laptop was kind of slow to start. It's much faster with Windows 7 now so if anyone is considering going for it, I highly recommend it.

The News

Dame Dash Speaks On Beanie Sigel/Jay-Z



After Dash's name popped up during the Beanie Sigel/Jay-Z back and forth last week, he weighed in this week with his thoughts on the matter.

"Him and the licensee who licensed Roc-A-Wear went behind my back and obtained the license to the company that was licensing PRO-Keds and stopped making the State Property PRO-Keds," said Sigel regarding Dash on Philadelphia radio station Power 99. "It was all geared towards Roc-A-Wear."

In a brief interview with MTV, Dash declined to discuss any specifics regarding Sigel. He did, however, express his regret at the situation.

"I love Jay, I love Beans — what's the reason for beef?" said Dash. "That's stupid. What's the reason for beef? People die, people don't feel good — I want people to laugh. What's up, y'all?"

Dame also revealed his initial reaction to Sigel's accusations on the radio. "I was surprised. I was hurt for him, more or less, because I know that ain't him," explained Dash. "But I don't want to speak on that. Whatever [Beanie's] going through where he's got to do that…I could understand where he may look at things and feel that way. I can see that. He's probably got a lot of people around him and nobody to really tell him what's going on. It was a different environment for Roc-A-Fella back then. I feel bad for those cats. I love those cats. I hate that they struggle. I hate it. I hate to see anybody struggle. I don't embrace that. I'm not one of those dudes that get happy when I hear something bad about somebody I had a bond with. I really loved those dudes. You see Ski down there, I knew Ski for 20 years. That's my man. Sometimes people have different agendas for why they don't wanna be my friend. But at the end of the day, I'm always there for them."

The argument that someone is surrounded by a lot of people who are either putting ideas into someone's head or in this case, aren't able to tell them what's going on, whatever that means, seems to be the reasoning behind beef this year. It's almost as if everyone is trying their best to point fingers without actually pointing any at the person in question, rather the people they surround themselves with. Sure, it's a possible scenario, but I doubt every beef is caused because of someone's "people's" not doing right by them.

In other somewhat Dame Dash related news, Mos Def, Jay Electronica and Curren$y have joined forces, meeting coincidently at Dame Dash's new music facility DD172.

"I never met [Jay Electronica] until I stepped foot in this building. He came here to meet Mos. And Mos, I had only known him for 24 hours prior to that. But genuine people could recognize [each other], it was like, 'Let's go," Curren$y told MTV.com.

Verifying the groups' name as Center Edge Territory, Curren$y added, "Mos came up with that, I can't take credit for that."

The group has reportedly recorded six records together thus far for the album. While they are planning to release it independently, there is no set date on when the project will surface.

That's an extremely interesting blend of styles there. Curren$y, for those who might not know, was with Master P on No Limit until 2005, when he moved to Young Money Entertainment, but left there in 2007. He's currently signed to Amalgam Digital (which I think will be the next decade's version of E1 (Koch) personally) and released quite a few mixtapes last year.

Most people know Jay Electronica by now, and everyone should know Mos so the three of them together could produce some really interesting music I think.

Fun With Tracklistings!

Quite a few got released this week, I'll go through them as normal, but not like the 50 Cent one although reading the Chris Brown tracklisting, and it was extremely tempting…



Planned for December release on Sony, Chris Brown's third official album, Graffiti features plenty of rap assists, from the likes of Lil Wayne, Swizz Beatz, Plies and Game. All of these artists, Brown has previously worked with.

1. I Can Transform Ya Ft. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz

Has anyone seen the video for this yet? I caught it today briefly on MTV and…he looks like a thug. Not the kind of "Legitimately Scary Dude" thug like Suge Knight, but the "posted up on a corner or e-thugging" kind of thug. It's no wonder he's not getting much sympathy over the Rihanna incident.

2. Sing Like Me
3. Crawl
4. So Cold
5. What I Do Ft. Plies

Is beat Rihanna. Ok, ok, I won't do it.

6. Famous Girl
7. Take My Time Ft. Tank

You can seriously see how hard it is for me to resist giving this the Before I Self Destruct work over like I did the other week with titles like this.

8. I.Y.A.
9. Pass Out Ft. Eva Simmons

Still not helping. What's I.Y.A. stand for anyway? Guess I'll have to listen to the album to find out!!!! Yay.

10. Wait Ft. Trey Songz & Game
11. Lucky Me
12. Fallin' Down
13. I'll Go

Well, I imagine it will be much like the previous album, there doesn't appear to be anything particularly interesting and even the features are kind of bland. Still, I'm wondering how much he'll sell given the reception he's receiving on tour at the moment.



Snoop Dogg's first album since parting ways with IGA (Interscope, Geffen, A&M) is December's Malice In Wonderland. The release, coming through the Snoop's newly-formed partnership with EMI/Priority Records is due December 8th.

Some of the producers attached to Malice In Wonderland so far are Tricky Stewart, Danja, Lil Jon, and many more.

Snoop described the creative process in a statement, revealing that the mood of the album changed as recording progressed. "When I started to put together this record I had a lot of malice in my heart—just focusing on making hardcore gangsta music," he explains. "My mood lightened and I wanted to make some music that just felt good…to me and to the ladies."

This kind of sounds like Ghost's album – hip-hop with an R&B flavor to it.

But the music won't just be geared towards the women, as Snoop promises to have something in store for the kids. "I love to see the little homies bringing new energy to the game," Snoop says, specifically regarding the "jerkin" phenomenon, for which he provides an anthem for with the song "I Wanna Rock." "They from the same streets that I'm from, so it's just natural."

Uh…arg nothing about that last quote is particularly pleasing.

Listed below are the confirmed tracks for Malice In Wonderland.

1. I Wanna Rock
2. 2 Minute Warning

If this is perhaps a 2 minute rapid fire delivery rap by Snoop, the album might not be all bad in the end.

3. 1800
4. Different Languages Ft. Jazmine Sullivan

This could be a good track. I think Jazmine Sullivan's voice will compliment Snoop's quite well and I'm taking a guess that the concept of the track will be ‘languages of love' or something like that.

5. Gangsta Luv Ft. The-Dream

Eh, Dream has been a bit hit or miss this year on other people's work to be honest. The title of the track isn't exactly inspiring either.

6. Pronto Ft. Soulja Boy

Why or why does Snoop want to do a track with Soulja Boy? Have we gone round the hate cycle in that we're now at the stage where people are going to come out and say "hell, I liked him the whole time" and give him more mainstream exposure? Can we go back to the "everyone hates him regardless" stage? It's more fun that way.

7. That's Tha Homie
8. Upside Down Ft. Problem & Nipsey Hussle
9. Secrets Ft. Kokane
10. Pimpin Ain't EZ Ft. R. Kelly

Ugh it wouldn't have been so bad if it was "Easy" but yeah…not expecting much from R. Kelly either.

11. Luv Drunk Ft. The-Dream

So is Dream only doing tracks with the word "Luv" in them now? At least this one sounds like a more party orientated track which probably won't take itself too seriously.

12. Special Ft. Brandy & Pharrell

Yeah still not that keen on Pharrell hooks or verses really. Unless he's rapping, but even then he only brings a hot verse say once every five appearances.

Anyway, if this is the final listing, this will be Snoop's shortest release ever, bucking the trend he's followed since Tha Doggfather of having 19+ track albums.

Blues-Rock band The Black Keys have teamed up with former Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Dame Dash to create BlakRoc. A side project for the band, the November 27th (Black Friday) release sees the Akron, Ohio natives collaborate with hip-hop stars, many of whom remain associates of Dash, on Splash Records.

Confirmed guests include Mos Def, RZA, Raekwon, M.O.P. and Pharoahe Monch. An appearance from Ol' Dirty Bastard was alluded to appear on the lead-single "Coochie," though alternate versions have already released without a verse from him.

The tracklisting below is official, though guests remain unconfirmed:

1. Coochie Ft. Ludacris & Ol' Dirty Bastard

This track screams rowdy, outrageous sex track and it should be pretty funny if they can get some decent production behind it.

2. On The Vista Ft. Mos Def

Windows Vista? Ha! I have computers on the brain.

3. Hard Times Ft. NOE
4. Dollaz & Sense Ft. Pharoahe Monch & RZA

This track definitely looks promising. RZA has been doing some excellent work behind the boards this year and has stepped his mic game up significantly too, and Pharoahe Monch is Pharoahe Monch so there's no doubt there.

5. Why Can't I Forget Him Ft. Nicole Wray
6. Stay Off The F*%$#n' Flowers Ft. Raekwon

You know what would be funny? If this was like, a 4 minute track rapped in a completely directionless style like ODB with Raekwon pretending to be an 80yr old man telling kids to get off his lawn and flowers.

7. Ain't Nothing Like You Ft. Jim Jones & Mos Def

Now THIS is a weird guest combination. Can Jim "I can't stop adlibbing anymore" Jones and Mos Def coexist on a track together?

Someone is probably going to tell me they've already done a track together. I would have checked iTunes but it refuses to work at the moment.

8. Hope You're Happy Ft. Billy Danze (of M.O.P.), Nicole Wray & Q-Tip
9. Tellin' Me Things Ft. RZA
10. What You Do To Me Ft. Billy Danze, Jim Jones & Nicole Wray

This is a weird album. It's like Wu-Tang meets M.O.P. meets Jim Jones and Nicole Wray (a.k.a. ex-Dipset affiliates) with Pharoahe F'n Monch thrown in to satisfy those who like me, pretty much crave anything new from him.

11. Done Did It Ft. Nicole Wray & NOE

I'm expecting a strong album out of this one. The tracklisting and guest combinations look really fascinating and it's a nice short album too. There's nothing I can't stand more than an album with say 10 dope tracks, but then another 9 terrible ones littered throughout disrupting the flow.



Since his departure from Shady records label, Obie Trice announced today that he'll soon be returning to hip-hop, on December 15, by way of Special Reserve.

The album will come by way of Mossappeal Music, the imprint of producer MoSS, who works alongside DJ Premier at Headcourterz Studio in Manhattan. He is the first producer signed to Premier's Works Of Mart production company. MoSS is recognized for his work with Black Moon, Ghostface Killah, and introducing the masses to Eternia.

Considered a street album, Special Reserve falls in line with the drinking themes of 2003s Cheers and 2006s Second Round's On Me.

The confirmed tracklisting is below:

1. Welcome
2. Got Hungry

The original title was "Got Hungry (Been Outta Work)"

Ah seriously though, I'm glad Obie's making a comeback. I was pretty disappointed when he left Shady Records, but to each their own.

3. You've Been Slain
4. On & On
5. I Am
6. 4 Stories
7. Roughnecks Ft. Duece Wonder
8. Cool Cat
9. What You Want
10. Jack My Dick
11. Bonus Track: Dope, Jobs, Homeless

Hmm, nice and short, limited guests (for now), though it remains to be seen if anything actually ends up being worthwhile. Obie was getting a fair amount of help on his first two albums from Eminem, Cheers in particular as Em was getting a credit on almost every track in some way or another.

As I said earlier, I'm glad he's making a comeback, I've seen him perform live (he opened for 50 Cent back when he came to Sydney) and he's quite a performer, he really gives it his all, as he does with his albums I feel. Plus he's managed to toe the line between humorous tracks and those with more substance to them well.

50 Cent's Annual Security Budget


Gotta protect the necessities in life, like Tony Yayo's XBOX and Lloyd Banks' collection of potato chips that look like past Presidents

50 Cent recently revealed to entertainment news reporters at WENN his pricy $1.6 million annual budget for security. The multi-platinum selling artist who is also one of the richest hip-hop performers in the world, sees the expenses as an investment for his life.

"My home is surrounded by cameras. I need surveillance not only to look out for me but also to protect me. You get all these crazy lawsuits, and I need cameras to check on things," he told WENN.

50 has installed a home surveillance close circuit TV kit throughout his Farmington, Connecticut estate which holds a price tag of about $20,000 a week.

Aaron Cohen, a high-profile security expert told CNN that one of the highest expenses that a celebrity will have annually is security services. From 24 hour surveillance, traveling and children, the cost of security increases. Also, with success come paparazzi and possible stalkers which can also increase the cost.

"It is at least a $20,000 retainer in order to boost security and add a proactive investigation to stop a stalker," Cohen said. "You will also spend that if you are the kind of celebrity who is constantly dogged by paparazzi," he continued.

Would you want to stalk 50 Cent? Personally, I'd want to stalk someone more interesting like Dr. Dre and see if I can't convince him to release Detox before I die.

For 50, whose net worth has been reported somewhere near $440 million, beating out Jay-Z in 2008 with an earnings of $150 million in one year according to Forbes, the high price for security is warranted. 50 is expected to see even more profit with the recent debut of his book, The 50th Law which peaked at the number four spot on the New York Times Best Seller list, as well as the much delayed studio album, Before I Self Destruct, Fifty's fourth and final project under Interscope Records, which is slated for release on November 10.

Personally, I think 50 treads on far too many toes and has a justifiable reason to be paranoid. What's to say a crazy Rick Ross fan won't try and brick 50 on the way out of his driveway? Or worse, a rabid Fat Joe rocks up with a stale Subway sub in one hand, and a copy of his latest album in the other.

DMX Backing Out Of Fight



According to several reports, DMX backed out of a boxing match with musician/fighter Eric Martinez that would have taken place later this year.

A sourced revealed to AllHipHop.com that "DMX pulled out of the fight because his safety could not be guaranteed" and "that the rapper backed out because Thunder Promotions refused his request to ‘fix' the fight."

The match would have taken place at Alabama Pride on December 12 before the headlining fight between Butterbean and Tank Abbott. Reports also indicate that the sponsors of the event, Thunder Promotions, might possibly take legal action against DMX and that they are currently in search of another rapper to replace him.

Just last month DMX revealed to Washington's 106.7FM The Fan that he will not train for the fight explaining that, "I'ma just walk in as is. It wouldn't be fair if I trained."

DMX has yet to respond to the reports of him backing out of the fight.

Thunder Promotions has reported they have enlisted one-time chart topping emcee Coolio to replace him. After allegations that DMX wanted the outcome of the fight fixed so he would win, Thunder Promotions tells TMZ "Coolio has been much easier to deal with and "he is going to take this seriously."

The Coolio versus Martinez bout will still take place December 12 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Alabama as part of Thunder Promotions' "Alabama Pride" event. In addition to his acting work, Martinez currently serves as CEO of Powerhouse Entertainment. After releasing a string of commercially successful singles in the 90's, including 1995's best-selling "Gangsta's Paradise," Coolio hasn't had a Billboard top 200 single in over a decade. His latest album, Still Hear was released in 2008 on Super Cool Records.

Is this the most random thing you've read this week for anyone else? I have to say that Coolio is one of the strangest choices for an event like this. Get Flavor Flav, he loves reality TV and this would have been a rush for him. Also, Martinez would probably go easy on him because face it, you can't exactly beat up Flavor Flav and feel good about it knowing how much he looks like a raisin. Would you willingly beat up dried fruit? I thought not.

Rebirth Gets A Release Date



Lil Wayne's Rebirth, now has a Dec. 15 release date, according to Universal Music Group's website.

As previously reported, the album will be packaged as a double-disc, in conjunction with Young Money's We Are Young Money.

The album was originally slated for an April 7 release. Two singles, "Prom Queen" and "Hot Revolver," were released for the album, and both charted in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Having learned to play the guitar in recent years, Wayne will play his new favorite instrument on most of the album's tracks. Guest features include Fall Out Boy, Lenny Kravitz, Travis Barker and Drake.

With Lil Wayne facing time in prison and B.G.'s legal woes, Cash Money CEO Birdman is facing some tribulations. While letting fans know more details about the Hot Boys' reunion album, Birdman added insight on the group members and their current issues.

During a recent interview, he spoke on his feelings about "being without child" and B.G.'s financial status.

"We got a hell of a plan and hell of a strategy," he noted. "I promise you, you'll think [Lil Wayne] never left the streets. It ain't much about the music at this point with my son, like f*** the music. We got to go through something family wise that the fans and nobody else will ever have to go through. This is the first time I will ever be without my child that means the world to me. This is where Blood stick together."

There's a joke involving conjugal visits in there somewhere.

Birdman also noted that B.G.'s current contract with Atlantic, which is co-promoting his forthcoming release Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood, may not be the best for B.G.'s life.

"I just talked to him. If you know B.G., he's still in that jungle where it prescribes to carry tools [guns], or you can be the next n**** with a tag on your toe," he said before adding more.

"Atlantic, release the lil n**** so we can try to get him so money. See, they don't know how he's living. I know how he's living, so I was trying to say y'all let him go, let me take him, I'ma get him some money, I'ma bring him with me, he can come to Miami and be a part of everything we got. But they don't know the significance of a n****'s lifestyle. They just think the n**** is a business. He already hurting, y'all ain't doing nothing for a n****. I got love for him. I'll bring him in and give him a life and a lifestyle, but now he's heading for another life and another lifestyle."

Well Birdman IS all about the money and not about the music after all. Whether or not you'll get any money without significant involvement from one ‘Lil Wayne' is undetermined though.

In relation to other members of Cash Money's past, Baby noted that his work relationships with Turk and Juvenile are getting better.

"Me and [Juvenile] spoke bout a couple of months a go for really the first time. Me and him talked and really honesty, I ain't tripping and I don't think they are tripping. N****s done got older and are trying to figure out ways to feed their families."

Birdman hinted at a Hot Boyz reunion album:

"They recorded a whole album and we are looking to put it out for the summer time."

Katt Williams Posts Bail


Words cannot describe the awesomeness of this mugshot

Katt Williams kept it light at his bond hearing on Monday November 10, telling the judge he could have his $200,000 Bentley if it would get him out of jail quicker.
Coweta County Magistrate Judge Joseph Wyatt settled for a $41,150 bail for the actor and TV personality, charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal trespassing.

Williams was arrested Sunday night November 9 after the an employee at the Coweta estate where the comedian is staying called 911 to report a break-in at a guesthouse located on the property.

The caller said Williams stole jewelry and other personal items, though Coweta County Sheriff Mike Yeager said authorities have not located the missing merchandise.

"This was a misunderstanding between me and two stupid detectives," said Williams as he emerged from the Coweta jail Monday night. He was mobbed by about 50 excited fans before departing in a van filled with friends and associates.

In court Judge Wyatt agreed this was no "typical" burglary. Williams said he was staying at producer Barry Hankerson's Coweta estate, located in the 3400 block of Smokey Road, while in town filming a movie about President Barack Obama.

"I was in the middle of a birthday party" when arrested, Williams told the judge. "I'm one of the most honorable people in my profession," said the father of eight children, seven of whom were adopted.

This whole situation seems really strange because if he HAD stolen the jewelry, you would assume he would have it on him at the time of arrest. Otherwise, it really just looks like a case of "oh we've arrested this guy before, may as well do it again" you know.

Anyway, I hope the best for him and that he's doing alright. He had a lot of things troubling him this time last year if anyone remembers so I hope this isn't a rebound from something and it really is just a misunderstanding.

DMX's Tax Records

DMX's $1.5 million tax debt records have emerged, detailing each payment the rapper currently owes including both state and federal taxes.

According to the records revealed by The Detroit News, DMX's tax issues go back as far as 2005:

*The IRS filed a $370,460 lien against the rapper and his wife on Sept. 20, 2005, in New York.

* The New York State Tax Commission filed a $44,357 tax warrant against the rapper and his wife on March 6, 2006, in New York.

* The state of New York filed an $8,343 tax warrant against the rapper and his wife on Feb. 15, 2007, in the New York County Clerk's office.

*The IRS filed a $663,554 lien against DMX on Sept. 10, 2007, in the Maricopa County (Ariz.) Recorder's office. According to the lien, he owes income taxes from 2002, 2003 and 2005.

*The IRS filed a $442,869 lien against DMX and his wife on Jan. 2 in the New York City Register's office.

I always find it somewhat amusing that rappers aren't caught earlier in regards to tax issues. It's not as if you couldn't jump onto the internet and find out what they're up to such as where they are going to be touring, or if they are in the studio working on their next album. Instead, the debts pile up as they have now, and you're left with an enormous lump sum that will probably take a while to be paid back.

Lil Boosie Doing Jail Time



Lil Boosie has been sentenced to four years in prison for violating the terms of his probation. Boosie was to serve two-years of a ten-year suspended sentence and was placed on active supervised probation for his third offense on a marijuana possession charge.

The sentence was the result of an October 22, 2008 arrest that uncovered drugs and a gun in Baton Rogue. When Boosie was sentenced in September, Judge Chip Moore warned the rapper to stay out of trouble and to keep away from felons, guns and trouble in general.

At a sentencing hearing on November 9, Judge Moore doubled the original two-year sentence to four years, because Boosie's house arrest ankle bracelet indicated that he had violated the terms of his release several times. As a result, Lil Boosie was sent straight to prison to begin serving his prison sentence.

Boosie had appeared at the 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta where he spoke about his original two-year prison sentence.

"It's just a minor setback," Lil Boosie said. "I am not even a convicted felon and they are giving me time."

Upon release, Lil Boosie must complete at least two years of supervised probation in order to have the gun charge dropped from his record.

At least we won't have to endure any prison phone freestyles because seriously, can you imagine that voice over a grainy phone? No thanks. Shyne's verses were bad enough, let alone someone who sounds like he's jacked up on helium.

Sales Figures

The Blueprint 3 sold 38,000 copies this week for a total of 1,238,000. Tech N9ne's K.O.D. sold 10,000 copies giving his latest album a total of 40,000. Relapse is slowly losing steam with 8,600 copies sold this week giving Eminem a total of 1,506,000.

Custom Cars & Cycles sold another 5,200 copies giving Triple C's a total of 17,000 sold so far. Lil Boosie's Superbad: The Return Of Boosie Bad Azz sold another 4,000 copies this week bringing the total for his latest up to 103,000. Finally, Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II sold 2,800 copies, giving him a total of 132,000.

The Signoff

Once again, it's that time to say goodbye until Saturday! Enjoy the rest of the week; don't work too hard because I know I won't be hahaha