Hip Hop Herald 02.01.12: Cory Gunz Busted, Slaughterhouse's Release Date, Ras Kass Leaves HRSMN, More
Posted by Bill Wannop on 02.01.2012
News and thoughts about Lil Wayne's upcoming album releases, Cory Gunz getting caught with a weapon, Slaughterhouse setting a date for their Shady Records debut, Ras Kass leaving the HRSMN group and more!
Welcome one and all to the Hip Hop Herald. The column will deal with anything related to hip hop whether it be underground, mainstream, or the new-age pop infused rap (you know the stuff Timberlake and Timbaland make). We will cover news, opinions, release dates as well as feature some music and of course videos.
Be for we start, be sure to check out some of our exclusive interviews as well as follow me on Twitter.
Music Intro
No music intro this week, instead we are going to jump right into the news.
News
Cory Gunz Facing Gun Charge
In probably the worst bit of irony since C-Murder got convicted of second degree murder, rapper Cory Gunz has been arrested for gun possession in the Bronx New York. A police officer found the gun in Gunz backpack, and with the strict gun penalties in New York, Gunz could be facing some years behind bars. Cory father, Peter Gunz, spoke about the situation.
"The details are still sketchy, but I can confirm that he was arrested with a firearm yesterday in the Bronx," Gunz told MTV News. "They caught him around 2 p.m. in the afternoon with a loaded gun in his knapsack."It was definitely an illegal search," Peter added.Gunz was unable to disclose full details on the incident just yet, but he explained the events leading up to his son's arrest. "I spoke to the arresting officer, and so far, what I'm hearing from him is that they got a phone call at the station saying they should 'look out,' " Gunz said. "According to [the officer], they didn't know he was Cory Gunz. They just saw a bunch of kids following him around."What I will say is that the officer that arrested Cory actually happened to be a cool dude," Gunz continued. "After arresting Cory, sitting down with him and talking, he felt bad about the situation."
"The details are still sketchy, but I can confirm that he was arrested with a firearm yesterday in the Bronx," explained Peter. "They caught him around 2 p.m. in the afternoon with a loaded gun in his knapsack.
"It was definitely an illegal search," he added.
"What I will say is that the officer that arrested Cory actually happened to be a cool dude," explained Peter. "After arresting Cory, sitting down with him and talking, he felt bad about the situation."
Those were actually some funny quotes from Peter, mainly the fact that the officer was a ‘cool dude' and actually felt bad about the situation. I highly doubt that is true, as I also doubt that the search was illegal. In any event, not many people really care too much for Cory Gunz in terms of music so this situation could actually do him some good in terms of getting some press, if he can avoid jail time.
Ras Kass Leaves HRSMN
In somewhat of a shocking move, Ras Kass has recently announced that he is parting ways from the super group known as the HRSMN. The group consists of Killah Priest, Canibus and Kurupt and has been prepping the release of their first official album, which was supposed to drop at the end of last year.
In a video announcement, Ras explained his departure from the group, stating that the situation got "a little too complicated and out of hand" and "some things I don't agree with." He did not elaborate on the particulars of his leaving the quartet, but said that it's "not worth the drama that's constantly popping up."
This comes as a surprise because the group really never had any indication of there being any friction between any of the members. I think that this basically boils down to money and potentially creative control over the album. Creating a collaborative album is difficult in that at the end of the day someone has to have final say and basically be the decision maker on important issues from distribution to finances as well as picking beats and direction of the overall album.
While Canibus is a great lyricist he has shown time and again that he is unpredictable and very combustible. He does not appear to be the easiest guy to work with, which may as well have led to Ras Kass leaving.
There has been no word on the future of the group or whether they will get a new member to replace Rass.
Slaughterhouse Announces Shady Debut Album
On the other side of the rap supergroup coin, Slaughterhouse has officially announced that their debut album on Shady records will be released on May 15th and will be titled, Welcome To Our House. The album will be executive produced by Eminem.
This is another prime example of how Eminem is a genius in terms of marketing new acts. While Slaughterhouse has always been an underground favorite, many people, myself included were not sure how they would adapt to being on Shady Records. However Eminem did the smart thing and did some collbas as well as got Slaughterhouse in the BET Cyphers it get them instant buzz. The release of the album is currently planned to capitalize on this buzz. This is one album that I am looking forward to this summer!
Release Dates & Album Updates Albums of the Year (already released)
Del The Funky Homosapien
There has been some new album news slowly getting released to start off 2012, with the first coming from Oakland, California emcee/producer Del The Funky Homosapien, who is re-releasing his solo debut album I Wish My Brother George Was Here March 13. The 1991 Elektra Records release from the Hieroglyphics co-founder (t/k/a Del Tha Funkee Homosapien) will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a bonus poster of its cover art.
Too Short
Too Short has released the tracklisting to his upcoming album No Trespassing, which releases Feb. 28 and can be seen below:
1. What The Fuck
2. Got Her Like
3. Playa Fo Life
4. Trying To Come Up featuring C.O.
5. Crush Cologne featuring Rico Tha Kidd; DJ Upgrade
6. The Magazine featuring Chase Hattan
7. I Got Caught featuring Martin Luther
8. I'm A Stop featuring 50 Cent
9. Hog Ridin' featuring Richie Rich
10. Porno Bitch
11. Shut Up Nancy featuring Kokane
12. Boss featuring Silk-E
13. Hey featuring Silk-E
14. Money On The Floor featuring E-40
15. Double Header featuring Wallpaper
16. Respect The Pimpin' featuring Snoop Dogg
17. Ba Boom Cha
Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne has stated that his follow up to last years I Am Not A Human Being will be released this summer. As well as planning the release of the sequel to Like Father Like Son with Birdman, Wayne also plans on releasing the sequel to Rebirth before the end of the year. With so many releases Wayne needs to be concerned with oversaturating the market.
The rest of the dates can be seen below (new updates are underlined, while anticipated releases are highlighted in RED)
February 14
M-Phazes & DJ Rhettmatic of Beat Junkies - Phazed Out
Sean Born - Behind the Scale
Various Artists (John Legend, The Roots, Wyclef, etc.) - Soundtrack For a Revolution
February 28
Obie Trice – Bottoms Up
Mad Child – Dope Sick
Planet Asia – Black Belt Theatre
E-40 - The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil
Ja Rule - Pain Is Love 2
Copywrite - God Save The King
Kid Cudi – W Z R D
Too Short – No Trespassing
March 13
B.o.B. – Strange Clouds Del - I Wish My Brother George Was Here
March 27
Apollo Brown & O.C. - Trophies
DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles - The Kolexion
Gift Of Gab (Blackalicious) - Logical Progression ¡MAYDAY! - Take Me to Your Leader
April 3
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
May 15 Slaughterhouse – Welcome to Our House
Pushed Back
Chino XL – RICANstruction
Swizz Beatz - Haute Living [2012]
Fabolous – Loso's Way 2 [2012]
Big K.R.I.T. - Live From the Underground [January 2012]
Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don't [2012]
Other Recent Announcements
DPG – Alumni [Early 2012]
T.I. – Trouble Man [March 2012]
Chris Brown – Fortune [March 2012]
Asher Roth – Is This Too Orange [March 2012]
Masta Ace & Doom – MADOOM [2012]
Kool G Rap & Necro – The Godfathers [2012]
DJ Khaled – Kiss The Ring [2012]
