Presenting Faith Newman, One Of The Architects of “Illmatic†(Video)
April 24, 2019
We certainly felt that this was a classic in the making…
Wow. An actual A&R. You see kids ‘A&R’ stands for ‘Artist & Repertoire’… a term from a bygone era of the music business when there were folks (called A&R) whose jobs were to find talent, make them commercially viable (e.g. transform raw talent into something that makes cash registers ring), and act as liaison between the label and the artist all the while. Make no mistake, A&Rs work for the music label. So, while Faith was likely enamored with Nas’ talent from the jump, she had to see DOLLAR SIGNS when she thought of his potential back in the day. She had to BELIEVE in Nas as someone who the Hip-Hop world would willing to spend money – for labels to develop as an artist and marketable ‘product’ AND for fans to buy music and tickets.
How much did she believe in Nas, even BEFORE “Illmatic” was made? Well, she went to Queensbridge to get him back in the day. And… um… you can bet she ‘stood out’ when she did. Moreover, she put herself out there and took on high risk based on her belief in the future G.O.D.M.C.
And here she is, 25 years later, talking about how glad she was that she did.
Faith Newman signed Nas to Columbia Records in the fall of 1991, but even she couldn’t predict the heights he’d be taken to after the release of “Illmatic.” Heights that “probably none of us could imagine.”
– Mass Appeal
Indeed. But the streets knew, especially the bootleggers. Turns out Faith has spoken on that before… at length (see link here).
EARLIER POST: THE MASSIVE BOOTLEGGING OF NAS’ CLASSIC “ILLMATIC” ALBUM
Posted in Business, Hip-Hop, History, Interview, Producers, Series, Videos | 
Tags: Architects of Illmatic, Faith Newman, Mass Appeal, The Architects of Illmatic | 
No Comments »
Tee Grizzley – “Fire In The Booth†(Video)
April 24, 2019
Well. will you look at this: Tee Grizzley hopped the pond to hit up Charlie Sloth’s studio and bless the booth with bars! First timer alert! Even though Tee is known for doing his thing in the States, this is his first freestyle for Sloth.
– @ojones1
Time Travel Flick “See You Yesterday” Comes To Netflix (Trailer)
April 24, 2019
So this is how Spike Lee does sci-fi. Compelling concept: Time travel flicks often involve the main character(s) going back in time to right a wrong… but a police killing… that’s gonna hit home for us. Yep, Netflix’s latest Spike Lee joint might be its latest hit!
High school best friends and science prodigies C.J. and Sebastian spend every spare minute working on their latest homemade invention: backpacks that enable time travel. But when C.J.’s older brother Calvin dies after an encounter with police officers, the young duo decide to put their unfinished tech to use in a desperate bid to save Calvin. From director Stefon Bristol and producer Spike Lee comes “See You Yesterday,” a sci-fi adventure grounded in familial love, cultural divides, and the universal urge to change the wrongs of the past.
– Netflix
Posted in Film, Science Fiction (Sci-Fi), Trailer, Videos | Tags: Netflix, See You Yesterday, Spike Lee | No Comments »
3D Na’Tee | Middle Child T.Mix | Monday Morning Exercise #031 (Video)
April 24, 2019
Na’Tee snapped on another one! This time it’s over a popular J. Cole track. I don’t wild out on commentary about how sexy Na’Tee is nowadays, not because she is any less beautiful, but because the flow is so choice!
But let’s be clear: 3D Na’Tee is sexy AF!!!!
– @ojones1
Posted in Hip-Hop, Performance, Series, Videos | Tags: 3D NaTee, 3DNaTee, J. Cole, MIDDLE CHILD, Middle Child T.Mix, MME, MME31, Monday Morning Exercise, Natee, T-Mix | No Comments »
Will Smith Plays A Dual Role In “Gemini Man,” Coming To Theaters This Fall (Trailer)
April 24, 2019
So kind of like that movie “Looper”… Will Smith vs. younger Will Smith in this sci-fi action drama.
Watch the new trailer from visionary director Ang Lee, starring Will Smith. “Gemini Man” is in theatres October 11th, 2019.
– Paramount Pictures
Ang Lee? “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” Ang Lee? Well, the production quality should be top-notch. Just hoping the storytelling doesn’t get too ‘lofty’ (which was the knock on his version of “Hulk”). Looks like some good watching given the trailer.
Posted in Action, Film, Science Fiction (Sci-Fi), Trailer, Videos | Tags: Ang Lee, Gemini Man, Paramount Pictures, Will Smith | No Comments »
Sammy Smylez – “Say I Do” (Prod. By P.S. Beats) [Video]
April 23, 2019
Sammy Smylez is back! This time he is dolo on this “Say I Do” track, but not in life. Warning: This might tug at your heartstrings; almost enough to make you wish cuffing season was a little bit longer.
Almost… Ha!
But seriously, this is a really sweet vid I think you’ll enjoy.
– @ojones1
Posted in R&B, Videos | Tags: MaKayla Mariea Stone, P.S. Beats, Sammie Gay, Sammy Smylez | No Comments »
Tone Beatz x Lex Boogie From The Bronx – “Old Habits Die Hard” (EP)
April 23, 2019
“Old Habits Die Hard”… that’s it. That’s what Tone Beatz & Lex Boogie From The Bronx are trying to tell you. Trying to show you. Know what? They are not trying; they’ve succeeded. Check it out!
The fact is that it is HARD to stop doing things that I have been doing for such a long time. The longer you do something, the more ingrained it becomes, and the harder it is to change especially if you love it.
Over the years Tone Beats and I, Lex Boogie From The Bronx have come accustomed to making beats and creating songs, and at this point, it is just part of who we are (Hip-Hop).
“Old Habits Die Hard†is a short 5-song ep we are presenting. The project is an example of what we do have been doing and how we vibe. We have recorded several songs over the years for our upcoming release titled 10456 and wanted to give a glimpse of what’s to come with this EP. The later project represents where I’m from but the perspective presented on this EP is an excerpt or some insight on where I am.
The 5 songs were recorded over the course of 2 weeks, and a trip to Augusta to visit Tone, all while maintaining my day to day, handling my responsibilities as a man and living this ART life.
Hit the jump for bonus video content!
TONE BEATZ X LEX BOOGIE FROM THE BRONX – OLD HABITS DIE HARD (EP)
Posted in EP, Hip-Hop, Music, Videos | Tags: Dirty Drum Academy, Lex Boogie, Lex Boogie From The Bronx, Old Habits Die Hard, Sergio Valente, The Dirty Drum Academy, Tone Beatz | No Comments »
Killz Tha Beast – “The Jungle” (Video)
April 23, 2019
Now THAT’S how you take back to boom bap, you mickey-fickeys! Killz is indeed Tha Beast spitting fire and lighting up all the trees (that would have been a good line for 420, HA!) in “The Jungle”… the concrete jungle.
Erick Sermon Is Always About Business! Watch Him Speak On His Latest (Video)
April 23, 2019
Good stuff, Sway. Erick [and Parrish] Making Dollars since way back. But how? And how is business today? Somehow, you know it’s gotta be good for Erick Onasis (remember that name?).
Erick Sermon Talks Business: His New Streaming Company, Sampling Company & New Album
– Sway’s Universe
Posted in Business, Hip-Hop, Interview, Radio, Series, Videos | Tags: Sway, Sway Calloway, Sway In The Morning, Sway In The Morning Show, Sway's Universe | No Comments »
Michael Franzese Speaks On Everything From Joining The Mafia To Michael Jordan’s Gambling (Video)
April 23, 2019
Talk it, rap about it… gangsters and mafiosos… Well, here’s Vlad getting one to open up, on camera, in real life! And what he speaks on (and sort of ‘pleads the 5th’ on) is craaaazy! And we have ALL the interview clips released thus far. Start with Part 1 above and keep going after the jump. And keep an eye out for more on the ‘Tube: Vlad keeps dishing out these plates because he knows we’ll keep eating them up!
Posted in Celebrity, Cover Story, Interview, Series, Videos | Tags: DJ Vlad, DLVlad, mafia, Michael Franzese, Vlad, Vlad TV, VladTV | No Comments »
Comedy: Jaé The Fade Will Do What His Ex-Girlfriends Could Not (Video)
April 23, 2019
Oh, Jae! I want you to know: This OJ (me) loves you to death (waiting for snarky ‘Simpson’ jokes to stop). So hilarious AND soooo SEXY!
Get your game up, ladies. Pushups, chin-ups (heh), all that… Get FOCUSED! Get confident. Let that confidence ooze (heh-heh) all over. Who’s gonna suck the d!ck? YOU are, Honeyz. You are!
Treat it like the fight of your life. Make him rise (heh-heh-heh) to meet your ‘challenge’… and use both hands *wink*
(Ending was kinda corny. But when dude got his mind blown… heh, heh, heh, heeeeh… Guess he could not keep it to himself.)
MORE JAE THE FADE ON INSTAGRAM | ON JAYFORCE.COM
– @ojones1
Posted in Comedy, Honeyz, Relationships, Videos | Tags: I Don't Nut Off Head, Jae The Fade, June H. Shelton | No Comments »
Presenting Pete Rock, One Of The Architects of “Illmatic†(Video)
April 23, 2019
We all prayed that this would do well for him… We didn’t know… until it just hit people.
Pete Rock HAD to be part of “Illmatic” (because Hip-Hop history could NOT have unfolded any other way)! And fascinating to learn that Nas had to PUSH Pete to get vocals out of him for the project. Whose world is this? OURS! A Wonderfule Wide World Of Hip-Hop.
…paying homage to “The Architects of Illmatic” with exclusive interviews featuring photographers, producers, writers and members of Nas’ inner circle, including Pete Rock, the subject of today’s clip and the producer of one of the LP’s “signature” songs, “The World Is Yours.” The legendary producer remembers back to when he first heard the lyrics of the classic record. “Your heart just… you just feel it for him. This guy is ahead of his time.” Welcome to #IllmaticXXV Week.
– Mass Appeal
Posted in Hip-Hop, History, Interview, Producers, Series, Videos | Tags: Architects of Illmatic, Mass Appeal, Pete Rock, The Architects of Illmatic | No Comments »
Charlton Palmer Speaks On Being “CP The Artist†& Not Being Put In A Box On Odell’s Roundtable (Video)
April 22, 2019
Knowledge and confidence in self. VERY important! Watch as CP draws a parallel between his lane in the art world and the rap game. Dude has been ‘Kanye-ing the game’ for some time now. Another dope interview from the homie Odell.
Charlton Palmer aka CP The Artist is a self-taught artist who refuses to be locked down by a particular style or medium. A native of NJ who has made Atlanta his home now knows firsthand what it’s like to try and get your name out in a new city. He talks about how he balances working his craft while also having to be his own publicist and anything else it calls for to run his business. It’s a great discussion on staying creative and also what he has coming up in the near future. So check his work out at cptheartist.com and let he and I know what you got from the discussion!
– ArtByOdell
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Art, Exclusives, Interview, Podcast, Series, Videos | Tags: ArtByOdell, Charlton Palmer, CP the Artist, Odell Simmons, Odells RoundTable | No Comments »
When They See “When They See Us” People Will Really Understand The ‘Central Park Five’ Story (Trailer)
April 22, 2019
“When They See Us” was conceptualized and co-written by Ava DuVernay for Netflix and it is coming to take hearts and minds and twist them… to make us feel everything the falsely accused (and eventually exonerated) Central Park Five.
Just LOOK at who is attached. The exec producers (Oprah Winfrey, Robert De Niro) all the through to casting (Michael K. Williams, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman, Niecy Nash, Blair Underwood)… they will draw MILLIONS of viewers! We must learn. ALL of us.
Based on a true story that gripped the country, “When They See Us” will chronicle the notorious case of five teenagers of color, labeled the Central Park Five, who were convicted of a rape they did not commit. The four-part limited series will focus on the five teenagers from Harlem — Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise. Beginning in the spring of 1989, when the teenagers were first questioned about the incident, the series will span 25 years, highlighting their exoneration in 2002 and the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014.
“When They See Us” premieres May 31 only on Netflix.
– Netflix
Posted in Cover Story, EVENTS, History, Series, Trailer, Videos, Youth | Tags: Adepero Oduye, Antron McCray, Asante Blackk, Aunjanue Ellis, Aurora Perrineau, Ava DuVernay, Blair Underwood, Caleel Harris, Chris Chalk, Christopher Jackson, Dascha Polanco, Ethan Herisse, falsely accused, Famke Janssen, Felicity Huffman, Freddy Miyares, Harlem, Jharrel Jerome, John Leguizamo, Joshua Jackson, Jovan Adepo, Justin Cunningham, Kevin Richardson, Korey Wise, Kylie Bunbury, Marquis Rodriguez, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Michael K. Williams, Netflix, New York, Niecy Nash, Omar Dorsey, Raymond Santana, Storm Reid, Vera Farmiga, When They See Us, William Sadler, Yusef Salaam | No Comments »
Common x The Sesame Street Muppets – “Respect” (Give It, Live It) [Video]
April 22, 2019
Give it, live it, #RESPECT. @common #RespectBringsUsTogether pic.twitter.com/250yrWXLYM
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) April 18, 2019
Usually only get Sesame Street infused with Hip-Hop when YouTubers take it upon themselves to do their own mashups. But this is cool. Push down that urge to judge it as corny and get the message and where it is aimed: Children (and parents) need this plain & simple direct messaging on RESPECT.
Messaging and respect. That’s as Hip-Hop as it gets, folks. Kudos to Common and all the Muppets on the Street for representing good values.
These ‘Adidas Originals’ Featuring Donald Glover & Mo’Nique Are Hilarious (Video)
April 22, 2019
Yeah, and Mo’Nique is taking shots on Donald all through these! Check out the entire series of shorts strung together in one clip, all of them, with ‘Avocado’ on top, embedded above.
(Donald’s probably right though: The viscosity on a good plate of grits is amazing. HA!)
Posted in Comedy, Series, Videos | Tags: adidas Originals, Avocado, Donald Glover, Donald Glover Presents, Dusty, Mo'Nique, Polenta, Timber | No Comments »
Latest Look: ‘Fast & Furious’ Presents “Hobbs & Shaw” (Trailer)
April 22, 2019
The cars, the speed, the guns, the gritty witty banter… sure. Throw all that in there. But The Rock going back home, to round up the homies, to lead a Haka and an epic old school beat-the-hell-outta-everybody gang-on-gang fight???? &%$! YEAH!!!
Man, that “Hobbs & Shaw” movie is gonna take the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise in a whole other outrageous, hilarious, who-in-the-hell-left-the-gate-open direction. Lots of buttered popcorn and sodas will be sold when this hits screens!
Idris’ character looks like he is giving them hell. Haaaa!
Laughs And Lovely Ladies Throughout The Latest “CT’s Fun Facts” (Video)
April 22, 2019
FUN FACT: Clayton Thomas lined up some of the sweetest Eye Candy we’ve ever seen for this hilarious clip! That is definitely a new wave I am loving in the YouTube comedy sketch pool… Hilarity dripping with gorgeous Honeyz!
MORE TANJAREEN THOMAS ON INSTAGRAM
MORE HAILE ALEXIS JONES ON INSTAGRAM
MORE CAMMI BRIGHT ON INSTAGRAM
MORE JENNY BABAS ON INSTAGRAM
– @ojones1
Posted in Comedy, Honeyz, Videos | Tags: CAMMI BRIGHT, Clayton Thomas, CT's Fun Facts, HAILE ALEXIS JONES, Jenny Babas, TANJAREEN THOMAS | No Comments »
4-IZE – “In My Hood†(Freestyle) [Video]
April 22, 2019
YEESSSS! Hahahaaa! The reason for the excitement and exultation… a new 4-IZE freestyle for all o’ y’all heads out there.
(Damn, that 50 beat is vicious! Only an emcee the caliber of 4-IZE could do justice on it. JUSTICE!)
– @ojones1
Posted in Hip-Hop, Performance, Videos | Tags: 4-Ize, Freestyle, In My Hood, Tony Hayes III | No Comments »
DJ Tiger – “Professor Ortiz” (Joell Ortiz x Large Professor Mashup Album)
April 19, 2019
Relentless! Banger after banger! And right when your neck is about to crack from all the nodding… it’s over. Twenty-five minutes of a perfect blend of Hip-Hop talents, blended by the talented DJ Tiger.
#Djaytiger blends #JoellOrtiz acapellas over some of Large Professor’s raw underground beats to create a 25-minute mashup of boom-bap treats for your ears! Guest features include #JoeBudden #NipseyHussle (RiP!) #BigNoyd of #MobbDeep #NeekTheExotic & #RocknessMonsta of #HeltahSkeltah
DJ TIGER – PROFESSOR ORTIZ (JOELL ORTIZ X LARGE PROFESSOR MASHUP ALBUM)
– @ojones1
Posted in Album, Hip-Hop, Music | Tags: DJ Tiger, Djay Tiger, Djaytiger presents Joell Ortiz and Large Professor, Joell Ortiz, Large Professor, Professor Ortiz | No Comments »
