The Hip-Hop Herald 02.05.09

Posted by Patrick Robinson on 02.05.2009

The 50 Cent/Rick Ross beef heats up this week, both Diddy and Rakim are pointing fingers, plans on Kanye West's next project and Cam'Ron comes out of hiding!

Answer: To drive myself insane.

Question: Why am I listening to Shawty Lo again?

Oh it's too hot at the moment to debate the finer points of WHY exactly, so I'm going to bang this one out rapid-fire style before the heat puts me to sleep.

One good thing did come out of that accident that killed my Internet last week. My ISP discovered they hadn't wired it quite correctly, hence why it was dropping every five minutes or so some days. GOOD TO KNOW NOW! /sarcasm

The News

Top Story

Rick Ross vs. 50 Cent



In one of those moments that makes you worry about being a hip-hop fan, the Rick Ross / 50 Cent beef is currently soaring to new heights of stupidity.

On Monday night, the rappers took to the airwaves of Hot 97 to toss increasingly ugly barbs at each other. 50 Cent appeared on Funkmaster Flex's show and boasted that Ross won't be able to recover "from what I've already done".

Over the weekend, 50 launched a full-on assault on Ross through his Web site, ThisIs50.com. He mocked Ross' alleged previous employment as a correction officer calling the rapper "Officer Ricky", and flew the mother of one of Ross' children to New York. In a video clip on the site, 50 is seen interviewing the mother, Tia Kemp, and later taking her shopping for a fur coat and Gucci shoes.

50 appears to be energized by the conflict with Ross, especially since his attempts to bait Lil Wayne have been met with little response. After hearing "Officer Ricky", Ross warned 50 that he had 48 hours to come up with a new diss response. 50 then prepped multiple video clips that aired on his site before he headed off to South America for a G-Unit show. Meanwhile, Rick Ross relaxed in Tampa at a House of Hennessy Event during Super Bowl weekend.

Flex admonished 50 for stepping over the line when he insulted Ross' mother, but the rapper responded that Ross crossed the threshold first with comments about his child's mother. Throughout their brief conflict, the rappers' mothers, children and former girlfriends have all been in the line of verbal fire.

The original song in question is "Mafia Music" by Rick Ross, where he uses the line:

"I love to pay ya bills, can't wait to pay ya rent / Curtis Jackson baby mama, I ain't looking for a cent / Burn the house down / You gotta buy another / Don't forget the gas can, jealous, stupid muthafucker."

50's real name is Curtis Jackson if you've somehow managed to avoid 50 Cent thus far in your life.

Anyway, I'm not really sure WHY 50 is getting so worked up about Ross talking about his child's mother, when he was putting her down after supposedly burning his house to the ground. It's that ridiculous mentality that I can talk shit about someone, but you can't. I mean, why would you do it in the first place? Regardless, it just comes off as a bit hypocritical, which seems to be a tag attached to Curtis these days.

50 went on to ask Flex, "How do you set those parameters?", and then issued a vague threat in the guise of information he may have about Ross and female rapper Jackie-O, but promised to save that allegation for later. 50 claimed that Ross' label home, Def Jam, is already asking the Miami rapper to cease his beef with 50, as he'd predicted earlier. 50, for his part, when asked what was next, predicted "total havoc".

Because what the rap game REALLY needs, instead of looking for creative ways to make music, or actually promote your OWN music without feeling the need to drag other's names in, is another 2Pac – Biggie situation. Not saying these two are on their level, but it's only a matter of time until shit hits the fan.

During the Celebrity Drama updates on Flex's show Monday night, Miss Info reported that she talked to Ross over the weekend and he apparently was well aware Kemp was traveling to New York to see 50 Cent.

Ross said: "Would I stand between her making money with him? No". Miss Info also reported that Kemp will be publishing a book, with assistance from 50, called "Tia's Diary: Deeper Than Rap", which is scheduled to be released the same day as Ross' upcoming album, also titled Deeper Than Rap.

Anyone else sick of these ‘tell-all' books, which come out about once a month from various sources?

"There have been plenty of lines being stretched and crossed in hip-hop beef history", Miss Info told MTV News on Tuesday about the 50 / Ross feud, which follows on the heels of an ugly battle been Joe Budden and Saigon. "Women long ago stopped being sacred, kids are the lowest blow, and the point of no return".

During Ross' talk with Miss Info, he called 50 "a parody of hip-hop" and said the Queens artist doesn't count in the South, where he said they call him "Curly", in reference to his antics.

" 'Mafia Music' ended his career" Ross finished, adding that the G-Unit rapper hasn't appeared on the Billboard charts "in so long".

Well…"Get Up" peaked at Number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100, so I suppose that isn't TOO bad, but not up to his usual standards no. Looks like he may do even WORSE than the singles from Curtis did, as the first one, "Straight To The Bank" peaked at Number 32.

50 Cent Turns To Dietary Supplements

In more news, 50 Cent has plans to diversify his multi-million dollar portfolio with a new dietary supplement. In 2007, 50 first spoke of the possible business venture, stating his interest at that time stemmed from an upcoming role as a boxer in the Nicholas Cage film The Dance.

This year, 50 finally feels the market is ready for such a product, "Right now, I'm interested in dietary supplements. I'll be coming up with something very soon."

Although he disclosed that the project is close to completion, 50 cryptically declined to elaborate on further details. "I can't tell you what it would be called. I'd be blowing the big launch party!"

I have the feeling he's still trying to work out the marketing. After the fiasco with the Vitamin Water a couple of weeks back, I would not be surprised in the least if he's trying to avoid another lawsuit.

50 admitted that after the success of Get Rich or Die Tryin', he became more concerned with brand development than musical output.

That became incredibly obvious as the effort he put into his music rapidly declined, and hence the quality did too.

"When [my career] blew up, I developed the Diddy syndrome. As soon as you develop the Diddy syndrome, you put a little more grease in your hair, and soon enough, you're selling cologne."

HA!

Rakim Points The Finger

Rakim has attributed the lack of balance and possible death on Hip-Hop to his hometown of New York. Rakim made the proclamation about New York in an interview with Jenny Boom Boom of Hot 93.7 in Connecticut.

"There is a certain realm of Hip-Hop [that is missing] and you might have to blame that on New York", Rakim said. "New York is responsible for bringing that raw, that real gritty Hip-Hop, because we originated it."

I mean, when you're churning out ‘artists' like Ron Browz, then yes, you definitely have a problem.

He said there was hope, if the region got back to the staple sound that hit its zenith in the 80's and 90's.

"New York and the East Coast, we gotta represent and do our part. And it's OK for everybody else to do what they do. Then it will be a balance and everybody'll be happy."

See, this is what people aren't realizing. Every region has it's own sound and flavor and the reason for that is as Rakim says, BALANCE. Unfortunately, there are artists from all regions making music that's just remarkably mediocre, and THAT is what is killing hip-hop right now.

Nevertheless, the pioneering rap artist remained optimistic about the future for the genre.

"I'm feeling good [and] optimistic and I'm hoping people understand that power that Hip-Hop got. I hope everybody understands the time we in right now, and I hope everybody wanna make some good music and keep Hip-Hop alive."

Rakim was hard pressed to pinpoint a savior to return rap to the Golden Era, but he said that it could happen through a unified movement.

How about YOU Ra? What about that Seventh Seal album we were promised? Gah…

Details On Final UGK Album



Almost 2 years after his sudden death, Pimp C will receive a musical send-off via the release of UGK's final studio album. Entitled UGK 4 Life, Bun B is crafting the LP as a work that culminates not only UGK's 20 plus year history, but also the life of Chad Butler, known to fans worldwide as Pimp C.

"The new UGK album 4 Life is the final studio album from my late great brother Chad Butler a.k.a. Pimp C and myself," Bun said in a statement. "It is my sincere hope that it's a fitting bookend to the legacy of UGK and to the life and times of Pimp C."

UGK first appeared on the national scene with the 1988 EP The Southern Way.

The duo went on to have one of the most consistent careers in Hip-Hop with five well received albums: Too Hard to Swallow, Super Tight, Ridin' Dirty (Gold), Dirty Money, and Underground Kingz (Gold). Their last album was the group's first #1 LP, courtesy of the Grammy-nominated, Outkast collaboration "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)."

According to Bun, the new album will be a fusion of the signature UGK sound they've cultivated over the last 2 decades.

"UGK 4 Life is an album for the people. For all those people who have been with us from the beginning to those we've gained along the way, family, and friends, the street cats and the squares, the supporters as well as the detractors."

Jive Records plans for UGK 4 Life to be released in Spring 2009.

DMX Receives Jail Time

DMX appeared in a Phoenix courtroom on January 30, where he was sentenced to 90 days in prison. X is currently in the Maricopa, Arizona jail, appeared before a Maricopa, County judge in black and white pin stripes, looking noticeably heavier.

The judge sentenced DMX to three months in prison, after Maricopa County sheriff's deputies raided his Cave Creek, Arizona home last year on suspicion of animal abuse. Investigators found several malnourished dogs, as well as the charred remains of three others. Also recovered were guns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.

He was also accused of felony theft, after he gave a fake name and social security numbers to workers treating him at a Scottsdale clinic last April. As expected, several charges against the rapper were dropped in exchange for his plea of guilty.

The rapper must also serve 18 months supervised probation. The sentencing marks the end of almost a full year of warrants, raids and multiple arrests. He was eventually apprehended December 9 in the Miami mansion of Scott Storch.

Since his incarceration, DMX has been reading the bible each day and is planning a religious themed television show to teach children a positive message.

I hope DMX can get his life together. Even if he doesn't make a return rap, it would be sad to see someone who had such a successful career fall by the wayside due to various issues.

Kanye West Planning To Write



Kanye West will bring highlights from his Glow in the Dark tour to bookshelves via an upcoming book. West is teaming up with New York publisher Rizzoli to release Kanye West: Glow in the Dark.

"Kanye West has turned his talents as pop artist to books," Charlies Miers, VP and publisher at Rizzoli said via a written statement. "With a CD that includes 'Star Wars'-like symphonics from the show as well as interview with Spike Jonze, it is not only a memento of one of the most successful musical performances of the year, it is an experience all its own."

Aside from leaked videos from various news sources, bloggers and West himself, the book will provide a behind the scenes look at the tour. During the tour, fans were banned from bringing cameras to capture images from West's Star Wars-inspired sets.

"This is the only and official record of one of the most highly anticipated tours of the year," adds Miers. "Including a USB drive of previously unreleased music, the book is both a memento of the tour and an object conceived by the artist himself—entirely collectible on its own."

The book will be released in September, and is set to retail for $50. West has previously co-authored Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar with his late mother, Dr. Donda West, and Thank You and You're Welcome with J. Sakiya Sandifer.

Diddy Blames The DJs

In a recent interview with MTV, Diddy explains why hip-hop could have been better if the DJ hadn't fallen off.

"People have figured out the formula when they make records for radio, and DJs ain't DJs no more. DJs don't break records no more. DJs don't play album cuts. DJs play what is going to move the crowd. DJs, they don't expose you to the newness. That was the DJs' thing. Hip-hop is in a recession also. It's not dead, it's definitely way better than where it was at, as far as with 'Ye, T.I. and with Jeezy. There's so much great stuff out there, the responsibility has to come with the DJs."

He has a point funnily enough, and after I was ready to jump on him for making some stupid comment like Lil Wayne did. Anyway, Diddy is right because DJs at clubs are more likely to play promo tracks these days or the unofficial remixes/blends that you can find on the mixtapes on the net free. Why would an upcoming artist put their all into an album, when they know the material on the mixtapes is probably going to get played first?

He's not totally correct though, as there is a good deal of responsibility on the artist to actually GET AN ALBUM OUT and then promote the hell out of that album. I mean, the label can only do so much, what happened to standing on a street corner and promoting not only the album, but also yourself as a person?

Also, given Diddy's experience with sampling, he really should aim at revitalizing the genre himself, instead of his other business ventures first before pointing fingers.

In other news, Diddy is currently working on his latest album that he promises will have an unexpected and experimental sound.

"Right now, I'm working on my record, and it'll be out in the end of summer. It's feeling good. It's different. I'm creating a new sound. It doesn't sound like anybody else's stuff out there. With that comes a risk. I'm excited about the risk. I do have a beef a little bit with the game right now. I think hip-hop has lost its risk-taking quality. Everybody goes to the comfort zone. It doesn't have that risk anymore. You're not like, 'What is that?' when you hear that record anymore."

Yet another surprisingly good point from Diddy, what's he been drinking? The ringtone game is so high up right now because artists are falling into that complacency that a Top 10 hit is fine and you don't need to try anything else. Once artists try something different, the result isn't always what we expect (808s…), but sometimes you get an enjoyable album out of it (Universal Mind Control).

Brother Ali To Drop EP

In an age where independent labels are beginning to flourish, Rhymesayers Entertainment has quietly created a breeding ground full of artists who consistently satisfy their fan base. Brother Ali, whose 2007 album The Undisputed Truth gained critical acclaim, has subsequently been an integral part of Rhymesayers' steady rise.

Though his 2008 work included sparse collaborations with Wale and Jake One and Freeway, Ali is set to release an EP next month, entitled The Truth Is Here.

With nine tracks on tap and featuring a previously unreleased record with label mate Slug ("The Believer"), The Truth Is Here will serve as the precursor to Brother Ali's fourth studio album, due out fall of this year. Packaged with the EP will also be a DVD filled with interviews, music videos, and a full-length live performance from his The Undisputed Truth tour.
The Truth Is Here EP is scheduled for release on March 10.

The Undisputed Truth was probably the best album on my New Year's Resolution project I did last year, so I'll definitely try and get around to listening to them this year instead of putting them off until 2010.

Cam'Ron Talks To XXL


Well…I did promise no more appearances in The 37th Chamber, not here

After a hiatus of about two years, Cam'Ron is making his way back to hip-hop with a new video and the cover of XXL magazine.

On February 2, the video for Cam'Ron's recession friendly track "I Hate My Job" was posted on blogs and websites across the net sparking even more chatter about his return. In the video Cam'Ron raps, "Ayo I'm looking for a job / Ain't nobody hiring / Then I asked the boss / When y'all doing firing / You I'm admiring / Nice job, family man, car and looking in these Want ads tiring / Shoulda been a fireman."

That ‘fireman' line I think is Cam's usual rhyming for the sake of rhyming bit.

Cam'Ron will also be featured as the cover story for an upcoming issue of XXL magazine:

"…So I understand what the fans are saying. And it's kinda messed up. But what you gotta realize is that things can always be fixed behind the scenes. But once a problem gets public, it's kind of unfixable."

In the interview Cam'Ron speaks on his hiatus, The Diplomats, and the fallout between himself and Jim Jones and Juelz Santana:

"The two things that you could say it was is: They come to my house and try to start a fake beef between me and [Jim]. And they kinda like siding with 50 [Cent] when me and him is in the dead middle of beefing or whatever."

Didn't that beef kind of squash itself because nobody cared after the first few jabs were traded? I can't really remember it ever coming to an actual end.

Cam'Ron's hiatus came shortly after a highly criticized appearance on 60 Minutes in which the rapper spoke on his infamous "Stop Snitching" campaign. If you remember that bit where he mentioned he wouldn't turn a serial killer in to the police if he lived next door to him, you'll also remember WHY it was a highly criticized appearance. Worst. Statement. Ever.

Crime Pays, Cam'Ron's sixth album, is expected to be released on April 21.

Sales Figures

It's slow times for the sales as no new releases are really in sight just yet.

Beyonce came in at Number 3 with 51,500 copies sold, giving her a total of 1,736,800. Kanye isn't too far behind with 33,200 sold and a total now of 1,257,300.

Jamie Foxx and Keyshia Cole are still playing leapfrog, with Intuition beating out A Different Me by about 800 copies with totals now of 541,500 and 632,500 respectively.

Meanwhile, Akon is still struggling to find the success of his previous albums, with Freedom still yet to go Gold, with sales of 21,700 this week bringing his total to 443,700.

Plies is still hanging around with Da REAList selling just under 12,000 copies this week with a total now of 241,400. Given his previous effort sold roughly 250,000 in it's FIRST WEEK, you could make a case for quality over quantity with Plies.

Scarface cracked the 100,000 mark, selling 3,500 copies of Emeritus and to round out this weeks figures, Dedication 3 sold 3,400 copies and Katt Williams' audio part of his DVD release, It's Pimpin' Pimpin' sold 3,100 copies.

Before We Go…

Not sure if I want to go out today…it's too hot and there's a dry hot breeze blowing. Eh, I'll flip a coin.

Catch you next week!