Monday, June 15, 2015
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
Police Have Killed Nearly 400 People In The Past Five Months, Nationwide
Sadly, police shooting are on a roll this year. According to a recent report by The Washington Post, a total of 385 people have been killed by law enforcement shootings so far this year, before even hitting the halfway mark of 2015. This averages out to about two killings a day, doubling the amount of police shootings recorded by the federal government in the past ten years.
Utilizing numerous points of data, including police reports, interviews, and local news reports, newspaper rounded up statistics based strictly on death by police shootings. Though a nearly half-and-half split between white victims and victims of color, a striking striking two-thirds of unarmed victims were black or Hispanic. “Overall, blacks were killed at three times the rate of whites,” the report reads, with regards to census breakdowns of populations where the shooting took place.
SEE ALSO: Justice League NYC Treks From New York To D.C. To Shed Light On Police Brutality
The majority of victims were recorded between the ages of 25 and 34, with only three officers being charged out of the nearly 400 killings, including the assailants of Walter Scott and Eric Harris. A quarter of the victims were logged as mentally ill, such as Anthony Hill, who was killed during a bipolar episode in Georgia. Former police chief and president of the Washington, D.C. Police Foundation noted that a necessary step in changing the trend is
“These shootings are grossly underreported,” he said. “We are never going to reduce the number of police shootings if we don’t begin to accurately track this information.”
Utilizing numerous points of data, including police reports, interviews, and local news reports, newspaper rounded up statistics based strictly on death by police shootings. Though a nearly half-and-half split between white victims and victims of color, a striking striking two-thirds of unarmed victims were black or Hispanic. “Overall, blacks were killed at three times the rate of whites,” the report reads, with regards to census breakdowns of populations where the shooting took place.
SEE ALSO: Justice League NYC Treks From New York To D.C. To Shed Light On Police Brutality
The majority of victims were recorded between the ages of 25 and 34, with only three officers being charged out of the nearly 400 killings, including the assailants of Walter Scott and Eric Harris. A quarter of the victims were logged as mentally ill, such as Anthony Hill, who was killed during a bipolar episode in Georgia. Former police chief and president of the Washington, D.C. Police Foundation noted that a necessary step in changing the trend is
“These shootings are grossly underreported,” he said. “We are never going to reduce the number of police shootings if we don’t begin to accurately track this information.”
Ja Rule: TVT Records Turned Down Jay Z, DMX, Dr. Dre and More
http://www.vladtv.com - Ja Rule opened up to VladTV about his first record deal with TVT when he was rolling with the Cash Money Click, and the Queens rapper believed the label could have been the biggest in the industry. He revealed that Dr. Dre shopped his "Chronic" album to the label, but CEO Steve Gottlieb turned the legendary rapper/producer down, along with Snoop Dogg, DMX, Jay Z, and more.
During the sit-down Ja Rule also spoke about how Irv Gotti's quick thinking got him signed with Def Jam, but he admitted that it was a tough decision since CEO Lyor Cohen didn't want to sign his Cash Money Click partners.
Ja explained that he was also put in a bind with Def Jam after he had trouble getting out of his TVT contract, which you can hear more about in the above clip.
Lil Durk on Chris Brown & French Montana Collab Not Making Album
http://www.vladtv.com - "We worked together in the studio," reveals Lil Durk to VladTV, as he spoke about creating alongside Jermih on their hit collab, "Like Me." Even though it required writing multiple verses before he got the proper one to fit, the "Chiraq" rapper believed it would be a hit, because it catered to the females who were used to seeing a more "turnt up" side from him as an artist.
Durk goes on to explain why he believes most people are unaware that Jeremih is also from Chicago. Although "Like Me" is doing well as the lead single for Durk's debut album, 'Remember My Name,' he thought that "Get That Money" which features Chris Brown and French Montana would be the track that would introduce him to the masses.
Later, Lil Durk explained "Get That Money" didn't make the album due to clearance issues. "They said they could clear it, but it would take longer, and I said, 'I can't wait on nobody else.'" During the time-frame that Lil Durk needed the album to be properly cleared, Chris Brown was on tour and was not able to secure the clearance. A reflective Lil Durk then offered that he harbors no ill will towards Brown saying, "I still rock with him though."
Watch the full clip to ensure that you get all the details.
#BeVocalSpeakUp: Demi Lovato Launches Mental Health Campaign
After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder circa 2010, singer/actress Demi Lovato announced a joint campaign with a slew of mental-health organizations called “Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health.” The initiative arrives just in time for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.
“Bipolar disorder is part of my life, but it doesn’t define me,” Lovato wrote on Instagram. “For those struggling with #mentalhealth issues, it’s so important to speak up for yourself and learn how to live well. That’s why I teamed up with key advocacy groups and Sunovion to launch #BeVocalSpeakUp”
Since being diagnosed, Lovato has been raising awareness about mental health issues via a treatment scholarship program in honor of her late father, Patrick.
“My father had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as well, and I watched him live a very unfortunate life because of the lack of access to treatment,” Lovato tells PEOPLE. “I just think mental illness is something people need to learn more about and the stigma needs to be taken away.”
Her father died in 2013 after years of suffering from both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
“Bipolar disorder is part of my life, but it doesn’t define me,” Lovato wrote on Instagram. “For those struggling with #mentalhealth issues, it’s so important to speak up for yourself and learn how to live well. That’s why I teamed up with key advocacy groups and Sunovion to launch #BeVocalSpeakUp”
Since being diagnosed, Lovato has been raising awareness about mental health issues via a treatment scholarship program in honor of her late father, Patrick.
“My father had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as well, and I watched him live a very unfortunate life because of the lack of access to treatment,” Lovato tells PEOPLE. “I just think mental illness is something people need to learn more about and the stigma needs to be taken away.”
Her father died in 2013 after years of suffering from both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Lisa Evers, Chinx’s Wife And More Discuss Hip Hop And Gun Violence
Every Sunday morning, Radio Personality /News Reporter, Lisa Evers goes live on HOT 97 to discuss worldly issues that revolve around the hip hop/urban community. This past weekend, Lisa’s topic of discussion was hip-hop and gun violence due to the recent murder of Coke Boy rapper Lionel “Chinx” Pickens that occurred on May. 17, 2015.
Guests of the show included Janelli Pickens, the wife turned widow of Chinx, Driicky Graham who was a friend and label mate to Chinx, Rob Markman from MTV News, Derick Parker an EX NYPD hip hop task force officer, and Shanduke Mc Phatter an anti-violence activist.
Together the group discussed details of the murder, the recent arrest from French Montana’s video shoot, as well as what everyone hopes to attain from the community and law enforcement in regards to the gruesome murder of the Queens rapper Chinx.
Guests of the show included Janelli Pickens, the wife turned widow of Chinx, Driicky Graham who was a friend and label mate to Chinx, Rob Markman from MTV News, Derick Parker an EX NYPD hip hop task force officer, and Shanduke Mc Phatter an anti-violence activist.
Together the group discussed details of the murder, the recent arrest from French Montana’s video shoot, as well as what everyone hopes to attain from the community and law enforcement in regards to the gruesome murder of the Queens rapper Chinx.
Did Meek Mill And Nicki Minaj Break Up?
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Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill's IGs strongly indicate that they are no longer an item.
The Instagram accounts of Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj strongly indicate that the rap power couple has split. Nothing is confirmed but it's not looking good for ol' Meek.
Just recently we were wondering if they were engaged. So much for that. It's possible that they were considering it, that their love was so passionate that it flamed out that much harder.
Assuming they did indeed break up, Nicki seems to be taking it infinitely better than Meek. She posted a couple of radiant pics both quoting Beyonce's timeless breakup song "Best I Never Had" in the caption. "Thank god I dodged a bullet!!" she writes.
Meanwhile Meek posted a pic of him sitting in his Maybach looking reflective and downtrodden and nothing of his usual impetuous self. "Even bosses got feelings ya kno?" he writes.
It's alright Meek... I'm sure you'll be just fine.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Drake Shows Chicago Rappers Love During Jungle Tour Stop
Drake has been making plenty of noise during he and Future’s short Jungle Tour which consists of six-dates (four in the US and two in Canada). Last night, the show made a stop at the United Center in Chicago where the energy was again live. Drake, who always seems plugged in with each city’s underground movement, shouted out a number Chi-raq MCs before doing a brief cover of Chief Keef’s “Faneto.” The crowd was definitely hype and feeling the hometown love.
Not everyone has been feeling Drake’s presence in their city, though. Houston rapper Sauce Walka recently called out the T Dot rapper saying his Houston Appreciation Week is a sham labeling Drizzy as a culture vulture. Drake later responded to the taunts during his last show in H-town, telling the crowd. “I don’t give a fuck what any nigga ever says about me. This is a place that I love with all my heart. I’m trying to give you more than I ever took from you,” Drake told the crowd while performing. “Fuck what them niggas talking about.”
Aubrey and Ciara’s child’s father have three more stops left on their Jungle Tour. Check out the remaining dates, below.
May 31: Montreal, Bell Centre
June 2: Toronto, Air Canada Centre
June 5: New York, Governor’s Ball
-XXL
Not everyone has been feeling Drake’s presence in their city, though. Houston rapper Sauce Walka recently called out the T Dot rapper saying his Houston Appreciation Week is a sham labeling Drizzy as a culture vulture. Drake later responded to the taunts during his last show in H-town, telling the crowd. “I don’t give a fuck what any nigga ever says about me. This is a place that I love with all my heart. I’m trying to give you more than I ever took from you,” Drake told the crowd while performing. “Fuck what them niggas talking about.”
Aubrey and Ciara’s child’s father have three more stops left on their Jungle Tour. Check out the remaining dates, below.
May 31: Montreal, Bell Centre
June 2: Toronto, Air Canada Centre
June 5: New York, Governor’s Ball
-XXL
Action Bronson Removed From NXNE Main Stage Following Petitions
The people have spoken. And organizers have taken action. Following a petition to ban Action Bronson from performing at the NXNE Festival in Toronto, he has been removed from the list of performers on the main stage.
As previously reported, a few days ago a T. Dot woman started a petition to bar Bam Bam from the festival, citing his lyrics. “The content of his music glorifies raping and murdering women,” she posted. “It is completely inappropriate that an artist like this be hosted at a venue owned and operated by the City of Toronto, as part of a festival which is funded by various levels of government. It demonstrates that NXNE, the City of Toronto, and Vans Footwear turn a blind eye to rape culture and violence against women. He should not be given a voice through the support of any of the aforementioned groups.” As of today, her petition has been signed nearly 40,000 times.
The uproar over the Queens rapper’s performance has been enough for organizers to pull the plug on his set. They broke the news to fans in an open letter, which you can read in-part, below, saying they still hope to get Bronson to perform, just not on the main stage.
“A significant number of Torontonians have indicated their desire to have Action Bronson not perform at the Square. As annual guests in this space we feel we must accede to the strong wishes of the community and honour their input. As a result, we will not be presenting Action Bronson at Yonge-Dundas Square but, hopefully we will still be presenting Action Bronson as part of Northby. We remain fundamentally committed to presenting this artist on a Toronto stage. We are not moving the Action show because we believe in censoring him or any other artists. In fact, we find the limiting of artistic expression distasteful. When artistic expression is limited, freedom and the evolution of ideas is often the casualty.”
Bronson is finishing up on the first leg of his Mr. Wonderful Tour. Check out his remaining tour dates, below.
May 31 – Houston, TX – House of Blues: http://hoblu.es/2nK
Jun 01 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues: http://hoblu.es/2nL
Sep 10 – Dublin, Ireland – Academy
Sep 11 – Isle Of Wright, UK – Bestival
Sep 13 – London, UK – The Roundhouse
Sep 15 – Glasgow, UK – 02 ABC
Sep 16 – Manchester, UK – The Ritz
Sep 18 – Birmingham, UK – Institute
Sep 19 – Bristol, UK – 02 Academy 1
Sep 21 – Paris, France – Trianon
Sep 23 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Melkweg
Sep 25 – Cologne, Germany – Essigfabrik
Sep 26 – Munich, Germany – Muffathalle
Sep 27 – Brussels, Belgium – AB Hall
Sep 30 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio
Oct 2 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Medis
Oct 3 – Oslow, Norway – Rockefeller
Related: Ghostface Killah Says He’s Mistaken Action Bronson’s Voice For His Own
XXL Magazine
As previously reported, a few days ago a T. Dot woman started a petition to bar Bam Bam from the festival, citing his lyrics. “The content of his music glorifies raping and murdering women,” she posted. “It is completely inappropriate that an artist like this be hosted at a venue owned and operated by the City of Toronto, as part of a festival which is funded by various levels of government. It demonstrates that NXNE, the City of Toronto, and Vans Footwear turn a blind eye to rape culture and violence against women. He should not be given a voice through the support of any of the aforementioned groups.” As of today, her petition has been signed nearly 40,000 times.
The uproar over the Queens rapper’s performance has been enough for organizers to pull the plug on his set. They broke the news to fans in an open letter, which you can read in-part, below, saying they still hope to get Bronson to perform, just not on the main stage.
“A significant number of Torontonians have indicated their desire to have Action Bronson not perform at the Square. As annual guests in this space we feel we must accede to the strong wishes of the community and honour their input. As a result, we will not be presenting Action Bronson at Yonge-Dundas Square but, hopefully we will still be presenting Action Bronson as part of Northby. We remain fundamentally committed to presenting this artist on a Toronto stage. We are not moving the Action show because we believe in censoring him or any other artists. In fact, we find the limiting of artistic expression distasteful. When artistic expression is limited, freedom and the evolution of ideas is often the casualty.”
Bronson is finishing up on the first leg of his Mr. Wonderful Tour. Check out his remaining tour dates, below.
May 31 – Houston, TX – House of Blues: http://hoblu.es/2nK
Jun 01 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues: http://hoblu.es/2nL
Sep 10 – Dublin, Ireland – Academy
Sep 11 – Isle Of Wright, UK – Bestival
Sep 13 – London, UK – The Roundhouse
Sep 15 – Glasgow, UK – 02 ABC
Sep 16 – Manchester, UK – The Ritz
Sep 18 – Birmingham, UK – Institute
Sep 19 – Bristol, UK – 02 Academy 1
Sep 21 – Paris, France – Trianon
Sep 23 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Melkweg
Sep 25 – Cologne, Germany – Essigfabrik
Sep 26 – Munich, Germany – Muffathalle
Sep 27 – Brussels, Belgium – AB Hall
Sep 30 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio
Oct 2 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Medis
Oct 3 – Oslow, Norway – Rockefeller
Related: Ghostface Killah Says He’s Mistaken Action Bronson’s Voice For His Own
XXL Magazine
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Suge Knight Is Seeking a Dismissal of His Murder Charges
Earlier this year, Suge Knight, famous as the head of Death Row Records and for being one of the rap world’s most ruthless henchmen, was charged with murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run. The charges come in connection to a January incident that took place at a hamburger stand in Compton; one of the victims, a man named Terry Carter, died from his injuries, while the other, Cle “Bones” Sloan, survived. According to The Associated Press, Knight’s lawyers moved today (May 29) to have his charges dismissed on the basis that Sloan has refused to identify Knight as the driver of a red truck that ran down the two men. ”There is nowhere in this transcript that Mr. Sloan ever identifies Marion Knight, the defendant, as a murderer,” writes Matt Fletcher, an attorney for Knight. ”There is nowhere in the entire transcript that Mr. Sloan even identifies Marion Knight as a driver of the red truck in question; the red truck that hit the victims.”
The motion will not be resolved in short order, however. Knight has now hired Thomas Mesereau, the attorney who successfully defended Michael Jackson on child molestation charges, to represent him. A Los Angeles judge has pushed the motion from today until July 7, in order to give Mesereau time to further familiarize himself with the case and to file additional documents, should he deem them necessary. Knight has pleaded not guilty.
XXL Magazine
The motion will not be resolved in short order, however. Knight has now hired Thomas Mesereau, the attorney who successfully defended Michael Jackson on child molestation charges, to represent him. A Los Angeles judge has pushed the motion from today until July 7, in order to give Mesereau time to further familiarize himself with the case and to file additional documents, should he deem them necessary. Knight has pleaded not guilty.
XXL Magazine
Joe Budden Is Wanted by Police After Missing Court Date
Joe Budden is a wanted man. The Slaughterhouse MC missed a court date on Thursday (May 28) to face charges of grand larceny and robbery stemming from an alleged incident with his former girlfriend last August. Now the authorities are on the lookout for the Jersey rapper, according to TMZ.
This is the second time a warrant has been placed on Budden’s head regarding this strange incident which allegedly went down last summer. As previously reported, last August, Joe was accused of getting into a physical altercation with his girlfriend outside of a New York City restaurant. He was allegedly angered over some photos she took with another guy and accused by the woman of hitting her numerous times and slamming her head into a car dashboard, causing her several severe injuries.
Two days later, the New York Police Department issued a warrant for Budden on charges of robbery of a cell phone in the same incident. Joe later issued a statement addressing and denying the allegations and turned himself in a few days later. The Jersey MC was charged with robbery and grand larceny and released on $10,000 bond.
Budden was set to have his day in court Thursday. But it looks like another chapter to this sad saga will be added before it comes to a conclusion.
XXL Magazine
Mariah Carey’s Las Vegas Show Is as Bad as Everyone Says It Is
Not since 2001, when she bewildered an audience of pimply pre-teens on TRL, has Mariah Carey’s career been in such a troubled state. Back then, when AOL’s Instant Messenger was the digital communication tool of choice, it was easy for Mariah’s team to do damage control and ensure her antics didn’t make it past the MTV studios. However, now, in the age of social media, her every move—from her marriage and split from ex-husband Nick Cannon to her inability to regain her footing on the charts to the ending of her relationship with former manager and producer Jermaine Dupri—is instantly picked apart. She’s considered a legend who has stumbled and hasn’t been able to pick herself up fast enough to keep pace with the rapidly changing musical landscape. It’s not completely surprising, then, that Carey is the latest superstar to take Las Vegas residency.
Vegas residencies are usually considered last-ditch efforts. The idea is that most artists take them up to collect a few more dollars during the twilight of their careers, but Celine Dion flipped this distinction 10 years ago when she agreed to an unprecedented four-year stint. Now everyone from Boyz II Men to J.Lo have used them to give themselves a second wind. Britney Spears, whose career has seen better days, recently offered a fresh and alternative take with a residency that coincided with the release of her eighth album Britney Jean. The success artists like Dion and Spears saw with their concert series helped change the perception that Vegas is a retirement home for washed up pop stars.
Unfortunately, Carey’s show, “Mariah #1 to Infinity,” which is scheduled to run for the next two years, is doing little to dispel that view. To say it’s been getting negative reviews would be putting it kindly. One reviewer went so far as to compare the show to a car crash.
However, the negative reviews of the first few shows at Caesar’s Palace didn’t seem to phase those who attended the sold-out show over Memorial Day Weekend. The audience was filled with people wearing Mariah Carey jerseys, custom shirts, and even stuffed lambs, a reference to the nickname she gives her fans. The crowd was comprised mostly of thirty-somethings who were incredibly turnt up. One woman was had to be carried out for being drunk and throwing up all over aisle K. Her husband stayed, of course. He wasn’t going to miss this for the world.
HER SUPERHUMAN ABILITY TO CRACK THE SOUND BARRIER WITH AMAZING VOCAL REGISTERS AND PITCH WAS GONE—HER TRADEMARK VOICE REDUCED TO A RASP.
The performances were elaborate and big budget. As the show’s title may suggest, Mariah pledged to perform all 18 (!) of her No. 1 hits in chronological order. It kicked off with 1990’s “Vision of Love.” The stage’s butterfly wing motif slid open to a visage of Mariah wearing an awful wig meant to bring back memories of her younger self. It was pretty rough. Her superhuman ability to crack the sound barrier with amazing vocal registers and pitch was gone—her trademark voice reduced to a rasp. She would overcompensate for this many times during the night by bleating out “woo woo” or “no no” in different ranges.
Backup singer and longtime collaborator,Trey Lorenz, was on hand for the show. Each time he appeared, equipped with a hilariously wide smile, he seemed to be licking his chops at the opportunity to body Mariah on stage. Their duet for Michael Jackson’s “I’ll Be There” was nearly a debacle, as Mariah sounded dull next to him. The stock footage of a young Michael Jackson didn’t do her any favors, either.
In what would become a common theme throughout the night, the audience would brace itself when it came time for Mariah to hit one of her signature notes. When she made them, everyone cheered as if she had announced that she was going to work with Jermaine Dupri again, but when she whiffed them the crowd returned to their seats in silence, as if to say “well, at least she tried.”
Things got worse, if not stranger, as the show went on. Shirtless men and children dressed in suits danced around her during upbeat performances, but Mariah barely acknowledged their existence beyond a smile that indicated that they had hit their marks onstage. A bald guy would occasionally appear to walk her off the stage, which acted as a strange transition between outfit and song changes.
The one thing this show did right was put the breadth of Mariah’s back catalog on full display. It’s nothing for her to dust off her old hits and still put on a show, awkwardness on stage be damned. The videos for songs like “Dream Lover,” “Fantasy,” and “Honey” were recreated onstage complete with prop-heavy set pieces (Mariah on a makeshift Sea-Doo! Mariah on a Convertible! Mariah laying on a bed!). Her trademark cockiness also appeared: Before she performed “We Belong Together,” she told the crowd, “They called this my comeback single, but I don’t know where I went. I’ve always been here.” Queen.
Mariah running through her hits in chronological order didn’t allow for a true sense of rhythm to settle within the show. The only connective tissue being nothing more than statistical classifications. Mariah’s mid early 90’s to late 2000’s number ones range from slow pop ballads to upbeat anthems that made the audience stand and sit every three minutes. By the time the show ended with her soulless new single “Infinity” (which isn’t close to hitting number one), it left many scratching their heads for a better conclusion. Artists such as Cee Lo Green and Britney Spears used their residencies to rekindle the flame for their loyal fans, putting twists on their old hits and interacting with the fans enough to make the ticket price seem worth it. Mariah couldn’t seem to hit that medium at any point during her show. With a little Vegas magic and cleverness, Mariah could have compensated for her lacking vocal talent. But not even her stage tricks could turn a mediocre show into a great one.
Mariah’s Las Vegas show wasn’t game changing by any means, but that doesn’t mean it was a complete failure. She’s still an accomplished singer, one of the best of this generation, but a hodge podge of her number one hits won’t make anyone but the die-hards rethink their stance on her. At this point in her career, she’s at least earned the right to make a few mistakes. But will she find the formula to win again, even with a pool of talented young singers trying to knock her off the throne? Well, she’s done it before.
Vegas residencies are usually considered last-ditch efforts. The idea is that most artists take them up to collect a few more dollars during the twilight of their careers, but Celine Dion flipped this distinction 10 years ago when she agreed to an unprecedented four-year stint. Now everyone from Boyz II Men to J.Lo have used them to give themselves a second wind. Britney Spears, whose career has seen better days, recently offered a fresh and alternative take with a residency that coincided with the release of her eighth album Britney Jean. The success artists like Dion and Spears saw with their concert series helped change the perception that Vegas is a retirement home for washed up pop stars.
Unfortunately, Carey’s show, “Mariah #1 to Infinity,” which is scheduled to run for the next two years, is doing little to dispel that view. To say it’s been getting negative reviews would be putting it kindly. One reviewer went so far as to compare the show to a car crash.
However, the negative reviews of the first few shows at Caesar’s Palace didn’t seem to phase those who attended the sold-out show over Memorial Day Weekend. The audience was filled with people wearing Mariah Carey jerseys, custom shirts, and even stuffed lambs, a reference to the nickname she gives her fans. The crowd was comprised mostly of thirty-somethings who were incredibly turnt up. One woman was had to be carried out for being drunk and throwing up all over aisle K. Her husband stayed, of course. He wasn’t going to miss this for the world.
HER SUPERHUMAN ABILITY TO CRACK THE SOUND BARRIER WITH AMAZING VOCAL REGISTERS AND PITCH WAS GONE—HER TRADEMARK VOICE REDUCED TO A RASP.
The performances were elaborate and big budget. As the show’s title may suggest, Mariah pledged to perform all 18 (!) of her No. 1 hits in chronological order. It kicked off with 1990’s “Vision of Love.” The stage’s butterfly wing motif slid open to a visage of Mariah wearing an awful wig meant to bring back memories of her younger self. It was pretty rough. Her superhuman ability to crack the sound barrier with amazing vocal registers and pitch was gone—her trademark voice reduced to a rasp. She would overcompensate for this many times during the night by bleating out “woo woo” or “no no” in different ranges.
Backup singer and longtime collaborator,Trey Lorenz, was on hand for the show. Each time he appeared, equipped with a hilariously wide smile, he seemed to be licking his chops at the opportunity to body Mariah on stage. Their duet for Michael Jackson’s “I’ll Be There” was nearly a debacle, as Mariah sounded dull next to him. The stock footage of a young Michael Jackson didn’t do her any favors, either.
In what would become a common theme throughout the night, the audience would brace itself when it came time for Mariah to hit one of her signature notes. When she made them, everyone cheered as if she had announced that she was going to work with Jermaine Dupri again, but when she whiffed them the crowd returned to their seats in silence, as if to say “well, at least she tried.”
Things got worse, if not stranger, as the show went on. Shirtless men and children dressed in suits danced around her during upbeat performances, but Mariah barely acknowledged their existence beyond a smile that indicated that they had hit their marks onstage. A bald guy would occasionally appear to walk her off the stage, which acted as a strange transition between outfit and song changes.
The one thing this show did right was put the breadth of Mariah’s back catalog on full display. It’s nothing for her to dust off her old hits and still put on a show, awkwardness on stage be damned. The videos for songs like “Dream Lover,” “Fantasy,” and “Honey” were recreated onstage complete with prop-heavy set pieces (Mariah on a makeshift Sea-Doo! Mariah on a Convertible! Mariah laying on a bed!). Her trademark cockiness also appeared: Before she performed “We Belong Together,” she told the crowd, “They called this my comeback single, but I don’t know where I went. I’ve always been here.” Queen.
Mariah running through her hits in chronological order didn’t allow for a true sense of rhythm to settle within the show. The only connective tissue being nothing more than statistical classifications. Mariah’s mid early 90’s to late 2000’s number ones range from slow pop ballads to upbeat anthems that made the audience stand and sit every three minutes. By the time the show ended with her soulless new single “Infinity” (which isn’t close to hitting number one), it left many scratching their heads for a better conclusion. Artists such as Cee Lo Green and Britney Spears used their residencies to rekindle the flame for their loyal fans, putting twists on their old hits and interacting with the fans enough to make the ticket price seem worth it. Mariah couldn’t seem to hit that medium at any point during her show. With a little Vegas magic and cleverness, Mariah could have compensated for her lacking vocal talent. But not even her stage tricks could turn a mediocre show into a great one.
Mariah’s Las Vegas show wasn’t game changing by any means, but that doesn’t mean it was a complete failure. She’s still an accomplished singer, one of the best of this generation, but a hodge podge of her number one hits won’t make anyone but the die-hards rethink their stance on her. At this point in her career, she’s at least earned the right to make a few mistakes. But will she find the formula to win again, even with a pool of talented young singers trying to knock her off the throne? Well, she’s done it before.
Charlamagne Tha God Says Young Thug Is Setting Himself Up For Failure
Charlamagne Tha God thinks Young Thug should stop acting like Wayne, and also Rich Homie Quan should really stop doing that dance he be doing.
On a recent episode of VladTV, Vlad and Power 105.1 radio host Charlamagne Tha God engaged in a civil but heated debate on the merits of Young Thug's music, with Vlad advocating for Barter VI and Charlamagne refusing to listen to it.
"I have no desire to hear it," said Tha God. "I have nothing against Young Thug. [I] don’t know the young man. I’m just not interested in his music. I don’t know what the fuck he’s saying. It’s just not for me. I’m 34 years old, I like rappers that I can actually understand [and] rappers that can articulate very well. The shit he’s on, I ain’t on it."
'Magne then shared some words of advice for Thugger: quit acting like Wayne.
“You’re playing yourself," he said. "You’re setting yourself up for failure, Young Thug, and I'mma tell you why. Be the best Young Thug you can be because people fuck with Young Thug. People like Young Thug... whatever fan base you do have, keep capitalizing off of that and keep being the best Young Thug you can be. You can’t be that young man Lil Wayne.
"He's no Lil Wayne... Listen, it's just not in him. Lil Wayne's a legend. We gotta start giving Wayne the respect he deserves... Carter is Lil Wayne's last name, it's an iconic series, and you just jump out there and say, 'Hey, I'm gonna call my album Tha Carter 6,' that's just corny to me."
When asked by Vlad about Rich Gang, Char'mander said he actually prefers the stylings of Rich Homie Quan to those of Thug.
"I like Rich Homie Quan better than Young Thug,” he said. “I think Rich Homie Quan is actually dope. I like Rich Homie Quan. I hate that dance he be doing. I don’t know what the fuck is going on with that dance."
Check out the whole interview below.
On a recent episode of VladTV, Vlad and Power 105.1 radio host Charlamagne Tha God engaged in a civil but heated debate on the merits of Young Thug's music, with Vlad advocating for Barter VI and Charlamagne refusing to listen to it.
"I have no desire to hear it," said Tha God. "I have nothing against Young Thug. [I] don’t know the young man. I’m just not interested in his music. I don’t know what the fuck he’s saying. It’s just not for me. I’m 34 years old, I like rappers that I can actually understand [and] rappers that can articulate very well. The shit he’s on, I ain’t on it."
'Magne then shared some words of advice for Thugger: quit acting like Wayne.
“You’re playing yourself," he said. "You’re setting yourself up for failure, Young Thug, and I'mma tell you why. Be the best Young Thug you can be because people fuck with Young Thug. People like Young Thug... whatever fan base you do have, keep capitalizing off of that and keep being the best Young Thug you can be. You can’t be that young man Lil Wayne.
"He's no Lil Wayne... Listen, it's just not in him. Lil Wayne's a legend. We gotta start giving Wayne the respect he deserves... Carter is Lil Wayne's last name, it's an iconic series, and you just jump out there and say, 'Hey, I'm gonna call my album Tha Carter 6,' that's just corny to me."
When asked by Vlad about Rich Gang, Char'mander said he actually prefers the stylings of Rich Homie Quan to those of Thug.
"I like Rich Homie Quan better than Young Thug,” he said. “I think Rich Homie Quan is actually dope. I like Rich Homie Quan. I hate that dance he be doing. I don’t know what the fuck is going on with that dance."
Check out the whole interview below.
Review: Boosie Badazz Flaunts His Growing Pains On ‘Touchdown 2 Cause Hell’
Lil’ Boosie is the voice of the streets. Hailing from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Boosie has brought mainstream hip-hop to the ‘hood with more explicit bars and a lot less thugs-in-their-feelings. For instance, Boosie’s tracks “I Feel Ya” and “I’m Wit Ya” from his Life After Deathrow mixtape, are like motion pictures that wax the black youth experience. And if you’ve witnessed or been part of an argument about Boosie’s mic skills, then you’ve heard a version of the statement, “Boosie is one of the realest in the rap game.”
SEE ALSO: Watch Part 1 Of The Boosie Badazz Documentary
Since his 2000 debut, Youngest of da Camp, Boosie has consistently set the streets aflame by delivering tales of pain, hustle and triumphs of an underdog. On Tuesday (May 26), the Trill Entertainment artist released his sixth studio album, Touchdown 2 Cause Hell, with the same, signature fiery realness his other projects have carried. However, there’s a small change in Boosie’s realness—it’s matured. As it should have after serving a five-year prison bid in Louisiana’s infamous Angola State Penitentiary. On this LP, Boosie transforms from a braggadocious, codeine-sipping gangster to a humble, Mary Jane-loving man.
Before the rapper born Torrence Hatch dives into his newfound sense of balance, the former McKinley High School basketball star aggressively unloads rounds of fire to remind everyone of his struggle and the street morals he stands by, as heard on Touchdown 2 Cause Hell’s hard-hitting opener, “Intro – Get’em Boosie.” The excitement of Track 1 is almost reminiscent of the promising freestyle he spit after being released from prison almost a year ago. On both flows, fans witness a youthful Badazz and his renewed hunger for rap glory.
After bodying the intro, Boosie waxes his coming-of-age story. The 5-foot-6, brolic MC has always been proficient in delivering sharp, telescopic views of everyday #thuglife. He drops that same biting flow on “Window Of My Eyes,” and the Jeezy and Akelee-assisted “Mercy On My Soul.” On the former, Badazz delves into the throbbing torment of serving a prison sentence over a dark thunderstorm backdrop produced by Kenoe, with zero signs of boasting. “Mercy On My Soul” reeks of woe and anguish—listeners will definitely feel Boosie’s pain. He and Jeezy then shed their egos and send a prayer up to their maker while seeking forgiveness.
The middle sequence of TD2CH finds Boosie taking shots at radio and club singles alongside big-name features like Chris Brown (“She Don’t Love Me”), T.I. (“Spoil You”), and the hater-proof record “All I Know” with crooner PJ. Each of the aforementioned gets an A for their contributions while Boosie strictly sticks to the G Code. Boosie then brings the nostalgia by linking with partner-in-rhyme, Webbie, for “On That Level” and “Hip Hop Hooray,” recreating that early 2000s feel with the same sweet ratchet music the duo delivered with Webbie & Lil Boosie: Pimp C Presents Ghetto Stories and Gangsta Musik, respectively. The grown man biz on TD2CH continues with the potent “How She Got Her Name,” a gripping story about women—he calls his subjects Dirty Diana —who become lost in the allure of the street lifestyle.
SEE ALSO: Boosie Badazz, Keyshia Cole and J. Cole Wonder About ‘Black Heaven’
Fittingly, Badazz ends the album with the tear-jerking—and probably one of his most emotional songs to date next to 2009’s “Pain”—with the selfless cut “I’m Sorry,” where he apologizes for his prison bid to his seven kids, brothers, mother and fans. Criticisms are few for a rapper trying to do right. Some of Boosie’s day-one fans may comment that his music isn’t as immature or raw as it once was. However, Touchdown 2 Cause Hell shows that even the baddest spitters are destined for growth. Even ‘Pac once said: “I guess change is good for any of us.”
SEE ALSO: Watch Part 1 Of The Boosie Badazz Documentary
Since his 2000 debut, Youngest of da Camp, Boosie has consistently set the streets aflame by delivering tales of pain, hustle and triumphs of an underdog. On Tuesday (May 26), the Trill Entertainment artist released his sixth studio album, Touchdown 2 Cause Hell, with the same, signature fiery realness his other projects have carried. However, there’s a small change in Boosie’s realness—it’s matured. As it should have after serving a five-year prison bid in Louisiana’s infamous Angola State Penitentiary. On this LP, Boosie transforms from a braggadocious, codeine-sipping gangster to a humble, Mary Jane-loving man.
Before the rapper born Torrence Hatch dives into his newfound sense of balance, the former McKinley High School basketball star aggressively unloads rounds of fire to remind everyone of his struggle and the street morals he stands by, as heard on Touchdown 2 Cause Hell’s hard-hitting opener, “Intro – Get’em Boosie.” The excitement of Track 1 is almost reminiscent of the promising freestyle he spit after being released from prison almost a year ago. On both flows, fans witness a youthful Badazz and his renewed hunger for rap glory.
After bodying the intro, Boosie waxes his coming-of-age story. The 5-foot-6, brolic MC has always been proficient in delivering sharp, telescopic views of everyday #thuglife. He drops that same biting flow on “Window Of My Eyes,” and the Jeezy and Akelee-assisted “Mercy On My Soul.” On the former, Badazz delves into the throbbing torment of serving a prison sentence over a dark thunderstorm backdrop produced by Kenoe, with zero signs of boasting. “Mercy On My Soul” reeks of woe and anguish—listeners will definitely feel Boosie’s pain. He and Jeezy then shed their egos and send a prayer up to their maker while seeking forgiveness.
The middle sequence of TD2CH finds Boosie taking shots at radio and club singles alongside big-name features like Chris Brown (“She Don’t Love Me”), T.I. (“Spoil You”), and the hater-proof record “All I Know” with crooner PJ. Each of the aforementioned gets an A for their contributions while Boosie strictly sticks to the G Code. Boosie then brings the nostalgia by linking with partner-in-rhyme, Webbie, for “On That Level” and “Hip Hop Hooray,” recreating that early 2000s feel with the same sweet ratchet music the duo delivered with Webbie & Lil Boosie: Pimp C Presents Ghetto Stories and Gangsta Musik, respectively. The grown man biz on TD2CH continues with the potent “How She Got Her Name,” a gripping story about women—he calls his subjects Dirty Diana —who become lost in the allure of the street lifestyle.
SEE ALSO: Boosie Badazz, Keyshia Cole and J. Cole Wonder About ‘Black Heaven’
Fittingly, Badazz ends the album with the tear-jerking—and probably one of his most emotional songs to date next to 2009’s “Pain”—with the selfless cut “I’m Sorry,” where he apologizes for his prison bid to his seven kids, brothers, mother and fans. Criticisms are few for a rapper trying to do right. Some of Boosie’s day-one fans may comment that his music isn’t as immature or raw as it once was. However, Touchdown 2 Cause Hell shows that even the baddest spitters are destined for growth. Even ‘Pac once said: “I guess change is good for any of us.”
A$AP Yams Cause of Death: Accidental Overdose
A$AP Mob founder died of acute mixed drug intoxication, including opiates and benzodiazepine
SIDEBAR
ASAP Mob A$AP Mob Founder A$AP Yams Dead at 26 »
Yams was found unresponsive in his Brooklyn apartment on the morning of January 18th and rushed to nearby Woodhull Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The 26-year-old was open about his struggles with drug addiction in recent years, and he entered a rehab facility in July 2014 to help kick his habit. But Yams stumbled on his road to recovery, and the last tweet he sent out, just two days before he died, was "Bodeine Brazy," a nod to one of his drugs of choice.
"You will be missed, bro," A$AP Ferg wrote on Instagram following news of Yams' passing. "We done touched a lot of ground together, landed on a lot of different soil. You will always be loved, and your spirit will live on!" At the South by Southwest festival, A$AP Rocky, the Mob's most prominent member, revealed that the late Rodriguez would be listed alongside Danger Mouse as an executive producer on the rapper's upcoming album.
At this year's Sundance Film Festival, days following Yams' death, A$AP Rocky cut a performance short after two songs because he was still mourning his friend and collaborator. "I was fucked up then," Rocky told Billboard. "I'm getting back into things. I'm not fully there but shit takes time."
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/asap-yams-cause-of-death-accidental-overdose-20150320#ixzz3bclrRYrv
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/asap-yams-cause-of-death-accidental-overdose-20150320#ixzz3bclg1esp
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook
Friday, May 29, 2015
Jeremih’s New Album Drops July 17
Though he has proven himself to be one of the industry’s most reliable hitmakers, Jeremih’s third studio album has seemingly been mired in purgatory. Now, all that is changing. According to his label, Def Jam, the Chicago crooner’s Late Nights: The Album will hit shelves on July 17, just in time to heat up radio waves during the Midwest summer’s dog days. The album will feature “Don’t Tell ‘Em,” his inescapable YG-featuring, DJ Mustard-produced hit from last year, as well as recent singles “Planes” and “Tonight Belongs to U.” (The former sports a contribution from J. Cole, the latter from Flo-Rida.) Late Nights will be rounded out by appearances from Trey Songz and Fabolous (“Got Damn”), Juicy J (“Can’t Go No Mo”) and French Montana and Johnny Cinco (“She No Good”).
Jeremih burst onto the scene in 2009 with his debut single, “Birthday Sex.” His self-titled debut album rose to #6 on Billboard, topping the R&B chart in the process. The following year, he dropped the follow-up All About You, which was anchored by the singles “I Like” and “Down on Me,” which featured rappers Ludacris and 50 Cent, respectively. That album did not fare as well commercially, which became a contributing factor in sidelining Jeremih for the next five years.
XXL Magazine
Jeremih burst onto the scene in 2009 with his debut single, “Birthday Sex.” His self-titled debut album rose to #6 on Billboard, topping the R&B chart in the process. The following year, he dropped the follow-up All About You, which was anchored by the singles “I Like” and “Down on Me,” which featured rappers Ludacris and 50 Cent, respectively. That album did not fare as well commercially, which became a contributing factor in sidelining Jeremih for the next five years.
XXL Magazine
Turk Subpoenas Universal in Lawsuit Against Cash Money
Turk is not going to go away quietly. After winning a default motion against Cash Money Records earlier in May, the former Hot Boy is pressing on with his lawsuit, which seeks more than $1 million in unpaid royalties from his former label. According to AllHipHop, the “It’s In Me” rapper’s legal team has included in the suit subpoenas for the accounting records of Universal Music Group and its publishing arm. Neither Universal nor Turk have commented on the matter; the parties are scheduled to next appear in court in July.
As part of the Hot Boys, Turk appeared on all three of the quartet’s albums: Get It How U Live!, Guerrilla Warfare and Let Em Burn, which was released after he, B.G. and Juvenile had left Cash Money. The label also pressed his solo debut, 2001′s excellent Young & Thuggin’, which was certified Gold by the RIAA. Turk was also featured on many of the label’s flagship releases, including Juvenile’s Solja Rags, 400 Degreez and Tha G-Code, B.G.’s Chopper City in the Ghetto and It’s All On U volumes 1 and 2 and Lil Wayne’s Tha Block is Hot, among others. Turk was released from prison in 2012 after serving most of a 10-year sentence stemming from the 2004 shooting of a Memphis police officer.
XXL Magazine
As part of the Hot Boys, Turk appeared on all three of the quartet’s albums: Get It How U Live!, Guerrilla Warfare and Let Em Burn, which was released after he, B.G. and Juvenile had left Cash Money. The label also pressed his solo debut, 2001′s excellent Young & Thuggin’, which was certified Gold by the RIAA. Turk was also featured on many of the label’s flagship releases, including Juvenile’s Solja Rags, 400 Degreez and Tha G-Code, B.G.’s Chopper City in the Ghetto and It’s All On U volumes 1 and 2 and Lil Wayne’s Tha Block is Hot, among others. Turk was released from prison in 2012 after serving most of a 10-year sentence stemming from the 2004 shooting of a Memphis police officer.
XXL Magazine
Report: Freddie Gray's Neck was broken in the VAN, not during arrest
Baltimore ABC affiliate WJLA reports that an investigation has found that Freddie Gray sustained his fatal injury while he was in the back of that police van, and not during his arrest.
According to an unnamed source, the medical examiner found that the fatal injury happened when Gray slammed into the back of the van, breaking his neck. An injury on Gray's head reportedly matches a bolt inside the van.
Exactly how Gray was slammed around in the back of that van is unclear. Doctors have previously said that it would take a force similar to a car crash to do that kind of damage to Gray's spine.
Meanwhile, Donta Allen, the other prisoner who was in the police van with Gray, is calling B.S. on the story told in a leaked Baltimore police report that refers to him. Allen broke his silence by granting an interview to CBS Baltimore to "set the record straight."
The police report that was published in the Washington Post said that Allen told police Gray was intentionally trying to injure himself in the back of the van, but while Allen says he did hear "a little banging," he claims he didn't say anything about Gray trying to seriously hurt himself. The men were separated by a metal partition.
“They trying to make it seem like I told them that, I made it like Freddie Gray did that to himself,” Allen said. “Why the f--k would he do that to himself?”
Courtesy of Complex
According to an unnamed source, the medical examiner found that the fatal injury happened when Gray slammed into the back of the van, breaking his neck. An injury on Gray's head reportedly matches a bolt inside the van.
Exactly how Gray was slammed around in the back of that van is unclear. Doctors have previously said that it would take a force similar to a car crash to do that kind of damage to Gray's spine.
Meanwhile, Donta Allen, the other prisoner who was in the police van with Gray, is calling B.S. on the story told in a leaked Baltimore police report that refers to him. Allen broke his silence by granting an interview to CBS Baltimore to "set the record straight."
The police report that was published in the Washington Post said that Allen told police Gray was intentionally trying to injure himself in the back of the van, but while Allen says he did hear "a little banging," he claims he didn't say anything about Gray trying to seriously hurt himself. The men were separated by a metal partition.
“They trying to make it seem like I told them that, I made it like Freddie Gray did that to himself,” Allen said. “Why the f--k would he do that to himself?”
Courtesy of Complex
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Ghostface Killah: I've Confused Action Bronson's Voice w/ My Own
http://www.vladtv.com - Ghostface Killah addressed comments that Action Bronson sounds a lot like him, and the Wu-Tang emcee admitted that there have been times when even he's confused Bronsolino's voice with his own. He shared that he even spoke to Bronson about the situation, and the "Mr. Wonderful" emcee was insistent that he wasn't trying to sound like anyone but himself.
Speaking more on the situation, Ghostface says that "nobody can be me," and he's not looking at the comparisons as a competition.
Check out more of what he had to say in the above clip.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Gio Dee | Mind Yo Business
STREAM THE MIXTAPE HERE: https://soundcloud.com/iamgiodee/sets...
DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE HERE: http://www.datpiff.com/Gio-Dee-TOTB2-...
Instagram/Twitter - @IAmGioDee
SoundCloud.Com/IAmGioDee
https://www.facebook.com/GioDee617
www.IAmGioDee.com
Cam Meekins Talks 1993 Vol. 2, Lamp City Records, Favorite Places To Eat in Boston & More
http://www.HITPmusic.com: Fresh off the release of 1993 Vol. 2, Cam Meekins talks to Lindsey Gamble of HITPmusic.com in an exclusive interview about his new album, being completely independent, entrepreneurship, expanding the Lamp City brand, favorite places to eat in Boston, and much more at Mass Apparel in Allston, MA.
Follow Lindsey Gamble via @LindseyGamble_
Follow Cam Meekins via @CamMeekins
Follow HITPmusic via @HITPmusic
Follow Mass Apparel via @MassAprlStore
Shot by @ItsNickyU of @MassAprlStore
Edited by @LindseyGamble
Russ | Goodbye
Russ is an artist, producer, and someone who literally does everything you hear in his songs. He's based for the moment out of Atlanta, although he does not claim anywhere having moved around a lot. He has dropped 11 albums all produced, engineered, mixed & mastered by himself over the course of his short, but prolific 4 year journey so far. He's done shows all over the world, including sold out shows in Toronto & Belgium. Also, he was featured on MTV's Rapfix "Get In The Game" segment in the summer of 2013. All of his content is available on his co-owned labels site diemon.com for free or for purchase. He has had a soundcloud for less than 7 months and already amassed 4400 followers and almost a million plays total. His top video is "Goodbye" at 230,000 views so far and has been receiving attention from some major labels. Included is a link to his soundcloud, 4 videos, and his website where you can get everything.
https://soundcloud.com/russ
Goodbye (Official Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA0fXQDKyho
We Should All Burn Together (Official Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFjoLK4h3tA
Gypsy (Official Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09gKwROL7f4
Comin Thru (Official Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrArALKdr-M
http://www.diemon.com/filter/russ
Social Media
Twitter @russdiemon
Instagram @russdiemon
Facebook Facebook.com/russtheone
Cam Meekins | Daughters
With a flow as smooth as the pros, a shocking level of creative intelligence, maturity beyond his years and confident swag that will catch anyone's attention, Cam Meekins is the definition of there's more than meets the eye. Taking his nice and neat look for granted would be a mistake. Cam strings together lyrics that surpass his young adult peers and could challenge any of his superiors. More than just a hip hop artist, Cam is a learned musician, songwriter and visionary in control of his own destiny.
https://soundcloud.com/kingmindentertainmentgroup/cam-meekins-daughters
Born in Newton, Massachusetts and raised in Wellesley, Cam was touched with the music bug at a very young age. Raised in a family of music lovers and musicians, Cam's natural talent began to shine through at age 5 when he received a drum kit from his parents for Christmas. By the time he was 10 years old, Cam had taught himself how to play the guitar, piano and drums. In middle school, Cam used his talents to make beats, ultimately producing records for various local artists. "I made a lot of hip hop beats, but a lot of acoustic stuff back then too, like Dave Matthews Band, Sublime and Dispatch. And on the hip hop side, my influences were Kanye West, Jay-Z, Biggie– all the East Coast stuff."
As a 15-year-old high school student, Cam suffered a near death experience that would mark a life changing turning point. While vacationing on a Caribbean island with friends, Cam was involved in a jet-ski accident, almost bleeding to death before doctors could save him. During the next two months of recovery, Cam had a lot of time to figure out what was most important to him in life and music became a priority, a goal and a way of life.
Breathing renewed momentum into his music career , Cam began working with Matty Trump, a well-known producer in Boston who helped launch careers of other notable artists in the area. The duo wrote and recorded their first song together Just Like You in about two hours during their initial meeting. Their working relationship grew and Cam released his first mixtape dubbed 1993 in the spring of 2011. The 13-song project took the underground hip hop scene by storm, prompting major record labels to take notice of this young, high school kid with a flow beyond his years. "Music was the only way for me to express myself in terms of girls, my experiences and relationships," noted Cam.
In 2012, Cam signed to Giant Records /Atlantic Records as their first hip hop artist, catapulting his career to the next level. With two new singles Cut Me Off and The Receipt off of his upcoming mixtape , produced by Cam and to be released in May, his creative videos have generated thousands of views on YouTube, increasing his devoted fan base every day. "If you build brick by brick, it's so much more powerful. My fans converting other fans is all I can ask for," said Cam.
Dedicated to staying true to himself, Cam takes his image very seriously, using his business knowledge to keep his product organic, creatively stimulating and available to his fans. With an ultimate wish of being known and respected as a musician, with a connected fan base that will allow him be as creative as he ever imagined, there's no stopping Cam Meekins. The world is at his fingertips– eagerly waiting for him to press play.
https://soundcloud.com/kingmindentertainmentgroup/cam-meekins-daughters
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