Hip Hop Reporter

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Hip Hop Reporter on Hold

I've decided to put the Hip Hop Reporter blog on hold. However, it stands as one example of the news services available via ProHipHop. Please write Clyde Smith for more information:
clyde(at)prohiphop(dot)com

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Missy's Movie Music

Missy Elliott is trying new things and putting together the music for the upcoming movie Stick It.

Elliott is working with Mike Simpson of the Dust Brothers to score Stick It which will include Missy's single We Run This.

Stick It stars Jeff Bridges and Missy Peregrym and is set for an April release.

Source: Elliott 'Sticking' With Soundtrack Work.

Memphis Bleek Clothes

Memphis Bleek has his own clothing line going as part owner of I.M.I.

His involvement with the line is giving Bleek a chance to develop a business for himself.

But Memphis Bleek has been quick to make it clear that he's not trying to rival Jay-Z, who checked out the situation and gave him some business advice.

Source: Jay-Z's Most Loyal Soldier, Memphis Bleek, Finally Has His Own Desk.

Detroit Rap Bowl

The Rap Bowl is yet another hip hop related event announced for Super Bowl weekend in Detroit.

The party will feature a number of rap superstars including Young Jeezy, Disturbing tha Peace with Ludacris, Juvenile, Juelz Santana of Dipset and Twista.

Rap Bowl kicks off at Detroit's Palace of Auburn Hills on Friday, February 3, 2006, at 7 p.m.

Source: Young Jeezy, Disturbing tha Peace With Ludacris, Juvenile, Juelz Santana of Dipset and Twista to Perform at The Rap Bowl.

Monday, January 30, 2006

The Coup With Crew

The Coup's next album, Pick a Bigger Weapon, has a unique crew of artists on board.

Slated for an April 22nd release, Pick a Bigger Weapon includes guest spots from Talib Kweli and Black Thought.

However the most unique artist involved, at least for a rap album, is Jello Biafra of punk rock fame.

Source: The Coup Loads Up With Kweli, Biafra.

Cassidy Plans Ahead

Though set back by his recent conviction, Cassidy is already making plans for his release.

He's told Swizz Beatz that he wants 200 beats waiting for him when he gets out.

Cassidy wants to hear new beats everywhere he goes so he can fully share what's been on his mind during his recent legal troubles.

Source: Swizz Beatz Says He's Eager To Lay Down Beats With Cassidy.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Nas Gets Imprint

Nas is finally speaking about his deal with Def Jam and it includes his own imprint.

Not only will Nas's first Def Jam album appear on his new imprint The Jones Experience, but it will also allow him to sign and develop artists.

So far, Nas says he plans to focus on hip hop, though other genres may well be included.

Source: Nas Launching Own Imprint With Def Jam.

Top Singles

Beyoncé's Check on It featuring Slim Thug takes the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart from Nelly's Grillz featuring Paul Wall and Ali & Gipp that now occupies the no. 2 spot.

Juelz Santana's There It Go! (The Whistle Song) is at no. 7 while D4L's Laffy Taffy drops to no. 10.

Bubba Sparxxx' Ms. New Booty featuring Ying Yang Twins and Mr. ColliPark debuts at no. 87 and Matisyahu's King Without a Crown enters at no. 98.

Source: Beyoncé, Slim Thug Battle Their Way To No. 1.

Bubba's Back

With a new single in the Hot 100, Bubba Sparxxx is preparing for the release of his third album The Charm.

The Charm is being released by Big Boi's Purple Ribbon imprint in April.

Producers and guest artists for the album include Timbaland, Organized Noize, Ying Yang Twins and Mr. Collipark.

Source: Sparxxx Hopes Third Album's 'The Charm'.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Film Questions Rap

What do you do if you think rap music is just too full of bad attitudes and bling worship?

If you're a director like Byron Hurt you make a documentary and show it at the Sundance Film Festival.

Beyond Beats & Rhymes will also be shown on PBS this spring and may be coming someday to a theater near you.

Source: Director Rips Hip-Hop Sexism, Homophobia In New Documentary.

Prefuse 73's Busy

DJ Prefuse 73 is releasing a new album Security Screenings on February 7th.

Other projects include a film soundtrack and production work for famous hip hop artists that currently remain unnamed.

Prefuse 73 is also touring the UK this spring.

Source: Prefuse Plots Tour, Multiple Projects.

Pimp C Returns

With T.I. and Bun B's help, Pimp C is hard at work on coming back from his time behind bars.

Pimp C is regularly recording collabs and making plans for a solo album to be released later this year.

But he's also working on a Houston hip hop magazine called Lava that will further expand the development of Southern rap.

Source: Pimp C Readies Return.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Kanye as Jesus?

Though Kanye West's gotten a lot of press for his wild statements, one of his earliest hits as an mc was Jesus Walks, a song that raised the issue of discussing religion in pop music.

Now Kanye may have gone a bit far by appearing on the front cover of Rolling Stone with a crown of thorns.

Let's just hope he doesn't name his next album, Kanye Walks.

Source: Brash rapper West on Rolling Stone cover as Jesus.

Foxx/Blige Battle

Another flip at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart as Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable switches places again with Mary J. Blige's The Breakthrough to retake the no. 1 position.

Eminem's Curtain Call returns to the no. 3 spot after slipping a bit last week while Notorious B.I.G.'s Duets drops to no. 8 after rising a bit last week.

Too Short's Pimpin' Inc. made it into the chart with a debut at no. 80.

Source: Foxx Back On Top Of The Billboard 200.

Indie Rap Fest

Inspired by being on the Vans Warped Tour, rapper Murs is planning a festival for indie hip hop acts.

The festival will be called Paid Dues and will take place March 11th in San Bernardino, California with such acts as Aesop Rock, Living Legends and Chingo Bling.

Guerilla Union will handle many of the details having previously organized Cypress Hill's Smoke Out and Rock the Bells Festival with plans to organize a Wu-Tang Festival of the 36 Chambers in the fall.

Source: Indie Rappers Set For Paid Dues Festival.