Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Lil Wayne Tops Two Million Sold, Back In Billboard Top 5
Lil Wayne is not only the self-proclaimed “rapper eater,” but it looks like the Cash Money star is also the “charts eater,” too.
Weezy shot back into the Billboard 200 Top Five as he pushed past the two million sold mark with Tha Carter III.
The rapper pushed close to 79,000 copies of his album.
Meanwhile, Nas remains in the top ten after selling 41,000 copies of his untitled opus. The Queens rapper has sold 291,000 copies of his latest LP since its release.
50 Cent and G-Unit continue to struggle with their latest, T.O.S. The crew album falls to number 38 on the charts after another declining weeks worth of sales. Overall the project has sold almost 185,000 copies after five weeks.—
Dr. Dre To Push Liquor To Promote Detox
Dr. Dre will introduce Aftermath Cognac as a part of an integrated marketing plan to promote the producer’s next album, Detox.
According to Billboard Biz, Geffen A&M Records (the parent company to Dre’s Aftermath) previously inked a joint venture deal with Drinks America to produce alcoholic beverages.
The cognac is scheduled to launch within the next 60 days, Billboard reports based on Drinks Americas documents that were made public. The same documents state the beverage is part of a marketing plan for Dr. Dre’s long-in-the-works album, Detox. In a recent interview with USA Today, Dre said the LP will be released by the end of 2008.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Lil Jon Free From TVT Deal, Inks New Deal
The King of Crunk has dropped his lawsuit against TVT Records and transfered his recording services over to The Orchard, a digital distribution company.
Lil Jon announced the deal today to media in a press release.
“I walked into The Orchard and came away with the sweet taste of freedom!” he explained. “Others talk, The Orchard does. I expect to do great things with them, and look forward to my future.”
The Orchard is set to re-issue all of the producer’s past albums, which the company acquired as a part of its acquisition of TVT when the record label filed bankruptcy.
Lil Jon will also serve as a musical liaison with the company; the Crunk Juice CEO will lend his A&R experience to The Orchard.
Jon is free from his contractual obligations arraigned under his TVT deal, however, any future projects, such as albums, would be released under The Orchard banner. Lil Jon is still at work on his next LP, Crunk Rock.
Lil Jon announced the deal today to media in a press release.
“I walked into The Orchard and came away with the sweet taste of freedom!” he explained. “Others talk, The Orchard does. I expect to do great things with them, and look forward to my future.”
The Orchard is set to re-issue all of the producer’s past albums, which the company acquired as a part of its acquisition of TVT when the record label filed bankruptcy.
Lil Jon will also serve as a musical liaison with the company; the Crunk Juice CEO will lend his A&R experience to The Orchard.
Jon is free from his contractual obligations arraigned under his TVT deal, however, any future projects, such as albums, would be released under The Orchard banner. Lil Jon is still at work on his next LP, Crunk Rock.
Akon: “All Rick Ross Has To Do Is Keep Focusing On Music.”
Hip-hop crooner Akon has some experience dealing with TheSmokingGun.com. The singer was busted by the site when they revealed ‘Kon’s car theft past wasn’t as vast as he led many to believe. Still, Akon has thrived and is in the midst of working with Michael Jackson.
So who better to offer Rick Ross advice?
‘Kon told MTV News that Ross–who was busted after he repeatedly denied his part as a correctional officer - should just focus on music. And that this moment will soon pass.
“It’ll only affect Ross if Ross allows it to affect him,” Akon explained. “Had I gone out and entertained the article [on me], it would have blew the article out of proportion. Wherever they got their facts or information from, let that be what it is. YOu got your story out, thank you very much. I bow to it and keep it moving. Now, if you wanna entertain it, then you’re gonna open up more worms you probably don’t want opened up. So all Ross has to do it focus on his music.”
When pictures surfaced online citing Ross as a correctional officer in Miami, he vehemently denied the allegation. TheSmokingGun.com, however, revealed Ross’ records with Miami’s Department of Corrections. Since the story, Ross has maintained his stance that his street cred is in tact; he hasn’t addressed his time as a law enforcer.
So who better to offer Rick Ross advice?
‘Kon told MTV News that Ross–who was busted after he repeatedly denied his part as a correctional officer - should just focus on music. And that this moment will soon pass.
“It’ll only affect Ross if Ross allows it to affect him,” Akon explained. “Had I gone out and entertained the article [on me], it would have blew the article out of proportion. Wherever they got their facts or information from, let that be what it is. YOu got your story out, thank you very much. I bow to it and keep it moving. Now, if you wanna entertain it, then you’re gonna open up more worms you probably don’t want opened up. So all Ross has to do it focus on his music.”
When pictures surfaced online citing Ross as a correctional officer in Miami, he vehemently denied the allegation. TheSmokingGun.com, however, revealed Ross’ records with Miami’s Department of Corrections. Since the story, Ross has maintained his stance that his street cred is in tact; he hasn’t addressed his time as a law enforcer.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Remy Ma Retains Don King/DMX Lawyer For Appeals Case
Incarcerated rapper Remy Ma has retained new legal representation. The Bronx-bred artist is now being represented by William Murphy, Jr., who will handle Remy’s appeals case. The rapper was convicted in March of this year of shooting her friend Makeda Barnes-Joseph during an verbal altercation that escalated into violence.
In May, a New York judge sentensed Remy ma to eight years in prison on a number of counts, including assault and weapons charges.
She’s hoping her new prominent lawyer can reverse her conviction.
“With the addition of Mr. Murphy…I now believe I have assembled a team that will have the might and expertise to tell my side of the story. I am confident that after hearing everything my side will prevail. Mr. Murphy comes highly recommended and I am pleased that he has agreed to lead my defense team.”
In the past, Murphy has represented Don King and DMX. Previously, Remy Ma was represented first by Scott Leemon then Ivan S. Fisher
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Weezy Set To Top Two Million in Sales
Lil Wayne lands at number five on the Billboard 200 after moving just over 85,000 copies of Tha Carter III, moving him withing striking distance of the two million mark overall.The Cash Money star’s has now sold 1,997, 218 copies of his latest album.
Nas, who last week came in at number one on the charts, is holding onto the number eight slot with his untitled project. The New York lyricist pushed 63,000 copies of hist latest.
Plies continues to do well on the charts, his sophomore LP, Definition of Real, is almost Gold certified, at 417,983 copies sold.
G-Unit’s project, T.O.S., at number 34 on the charts; after four weeks on the charts with 173,250 copies sold. Last week, 50 Cent and company moved almost 14, 000 copies of the group’s sophomore album.
DipSet member Hell Rell also debuted on the charts at number 131 with over 5,000 copies sold of his album Black Mask, Black Gloves
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Young Jeezy Sets Date For The Recession; Tour Dates
Young Jeezy announced today he’ll release his new album, The Recession, September 2nd via his CTE label through Def Jam Records.
The Atlanta rapper is riding high off his hit single, “Put On,” featuring Kanye West. The song entered the top 5 on urban radio and the video made its premiere recently.
Jeezy is also set to kick of a promotional tour, beginning August 10 in Houston, Texas. The rapper will be in town for the Ozone Awards, where’s he nominated for several awards, including Best Rap Artist.
In addition to his promo run, the Atlanta trap star will also provide brand new content on his Web site, USDA2day.com, every Tuesday beginning today until the release of his album.
Young Jeezy is currently on the cover of the September issue of XXL Magazine. Tour dates are as follows:
DATE CITY VENUE
Aug. 10 Houston, TX Arena Theatre
Aug. 12 Dallas, TX House of Blues
Aug. 13 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
Aug. 15 Detroit, MI Plan
Aug. 18 Chicago, IL House of Blues
Aug. 22 Washington, DC Norva
Aug. 23 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
Aug. 26 New York, NY Blender Theatre
Aug. 29 Jacksonville, FL Plush
Aug. 30 Tampa, FL Jannus Landing
Sept. 2 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Lil Wayne Sued Over Rolling Stones Sample On Carter III Song
Lil Wayne has been sued by a musical publishing company that owns the rights to a Rolling Stone song the rapper allegedly used for his song “Play With Fire,” from his recent album, Tha Carter III.
The company, Abkco Music Inc, is accusing Wayne of copyright infringement and unfair competition. Universal Music Group, along with the song’s collaborators, are also included in the lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court.
Orginally, the Wayne track sampled the song, however, the producer of the song, Streetrunner, re-did the beat since the sample was not cleared.
Wayne’s lyrics, on the other hand, still reference the Rolling Stone song. The suit also cites the “explicit, sexist and offensive language” of Wayne’s version. Abkco said Wayne’s version could lead the public to believe the company and the Rolling Stones “approved of and authorized the new version.”
Lil Wayne, nor Universal Records, has commented on the lawsuit as of press time
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Confessions of a Woman Scorned
Well here it is. The much talked about XXL Mag interview with Foxy Brown’s tearful confession about Jay-Z the Camel:
“A lot of things have happened over the years between Jay and I,” she says of the man who signed her to a multimillion-dollar deal at Def Jam in 2005, nine years after their classic duet “Ain’t No Nigga” gave him his first radio hit.
“But there’s an unbreakable bond that will never die. 50 wanted me to be part of his team so bad. He was like, ‘Look, I’ll do it with Jay, half and half.’ And, of course, Jay said no. At one point, 50 asked, ‘Why do you have so much loyalty to this Nigga?’ Jay and I have history. There are things that he could have done better, as far as his loyalty to me, and I’m sure I’ve made mistakes that he felt he could’ve prevented.” Foxy chokes up. “When I lost my hearing, Jay gave me the respect to go heal myself. He stuck with me along the way. But there are times when I just really needed him, and it wasn’t even about Foxy Brown and Jay-Z. It was just like, ‘I need you to help me save my life,’ and he just wasn’t there.”
The tears are streaming down her cheeks. “I would never denounce him in public. That’s just how I feel. But I’ve been incarcerated for eight months, and Jay’s been everywhere, and he hasn’t mentioned one thing about, ‘Tell her I love her. Tell her to be strong.’ That broke my heart more than anything. When they sent me to jail, I just knew he would be there-everyone came. But he never showed up… My mother always says, Jay also said this, in the tru life freestyle ‘Inga, when a person shows you who they are, believe them. Been showing me all through the years and you just don’t wanna believe it.’”
Pull out the violins, here she goes with the heavy dramatics. Who can blame Hovvy for kickin her nutty ass to the curb?
When The Checks Stop Coming In
As we mentioned earlier this week, Scott Storch is in deep. Not only has he been in hiding, but now his ass is about to be homeless:
Music producer Scott Storch is facing foreclosure on his $10 million Florida mansion, according to reports.
The Lean Back beatmaker is being chased by SunTrust Bank executives for outstanding payments on the home. According to the Palm Beach Post, Storch has failed to make monthly payments on the home for nearly a year.
The paper alleges in addition to the bank, an electric company and security system are after Storch and have put a lien on the house in an effort to settle outstanding payments. Storch was recently alleged to have fallen two years behind on property taxes amounting to $511,839 for the Miami Beach mansion.
His situation is all jacked up. Hopefully ole Scottie can hold on to at least one of his rides so he can have a place to sleep at night. SMH.
T.I. Partners With Hip-Hop Caucus For Voter Registration Drive
T.I. and the Hip-Hop Caucus have partnered to form a voter registration initiative targeted at young adults, aged 18 to 29.
The “Get Out The Vote” pact was announced today and next week the campaign will kick off with Tip and the organization holding a press conference in Washington D.C.
The campaign slogan and t-shirts will be revealed at the event, to be held the morning of July 28 at the 9:30 Club.
T.I. will be the major spokesman, but will be joined by other celebrities and key figures. PSAs, online marketing, and photos by famed hip-hop lensman Jonathan Mannion will be used.
During the last presidential election, Diddy launched the “Vote or Die” campaign, which registered a number of first time voters. The Russell Simmons founded Hip-Hop Action Summit Network has also been responsible for securing a number of young people to vote. Simmons official resigned form his board position of HHSAN (a non-partisan group) after officially endorsing Illinois Senator Barack Obama during the Democratic primary.
Nas Knocks Lil Wayne Off Top, Lands Atop Billboard Charts
Titled or not, Nas’ 9th LP, Untitled lands atop the Billboard charts this week. The set sold 187, 078 copies according to Nielsen’s Soundscan, moving enough units to push Lil Wayne off the No. 1 spot.
But don’t expect Escobar to rest on his laurels. The Queens lyricist is keeping busy with a protest against Fox News in NYC today and an appearance on Comedy Central’s hit show, The Colbert Report, later today.
Meanwhile, Weezy is a step closer to double platinum status. Per Nielsen, Tha Carter III scanned 105, 590 CDs this week- bringing its grant total to 1, 912, 052 after six weeks on the charts. David Banner’s Greatest Story Ever Told barely missed the Top 10, nabbing the No.11 spot with 51,902.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Peedi Crakk Signs With Amalgam Digital
After five years, North Philly rapper Peedi Crakk has parted ways with Roc-A-Fella Records in favor of booming independent, Amalgam Digital. The tech-savvy company responsible for launching hip hop's first genre specific digital retail store attracted Peedi with their innovative business model and creatively fostering environment. Peedi Crakk joins a roster made up of both commercially successful artists and underground hip hop icons, including Grammy-nominee Joe Budden, Kurious, Tash (of Tha Alkaholiks), and the Juggaknots. His highly anticipated debut album Camel Face Hunting Season, will be released in September 2008.
A founding member of State Property, alongside Beanie Sigel, Freeway, and Young Gunz, Peedi Crakk has earned respect for his lyrical talent and rhythmic flow. "The Prince of State Property" created buzz with his single "One for Peedi" which was featured on the Paid in Full soundtrack. He has also made a name for himself by collaborating with the likes of Twista, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Ne-Yo on the singer's hit "Stay". He has showcased his versatility as a featured artist on two albums from Grammy award winners, The Roots, including his recent feature on their single "Get Busy." Additionally, Peedi will be featured in the upcoming film Next Day Air, directed by Benny Boom.
When asked about his new relationship with Amalgam Digital, Peedi made the following statement:
"Yup. I’m back! And I feel unstoppable. My flow is advanced and as an artist, I'm getting better, especially without the claws of Roc-A-Fella digging at my back. I’ve been a free agent for the past 3 months and now signing with the Amalgam Digital label for my first project I feel even more unstoppable. They are providing exactly what Peedi always needed... proper promotion and distribution. BANG! It's Camel Face Hunting Season"
"Camel Face Hunting Season" will hit retail stores and digital outlets in September 2008. The first single entitled "More Towels," features production by Vinny Idol. AmalgamDigital.com will offer exclusive bonus tracks when the album is downloaded from the website.
Peep the Peedi Video Below...
Rick Ross Correction Officer Rumor Confirmed!
Rick Ross denied being a corrections officer in his past, but TheSmokingGun.com uncovered documents that verified claims that the Miami rapper was in fact a law officer.
Pictures surfaced online of Ross in a officer’s uniform, but in a video interview he denied the authenticity of the image. Ross said it was his head, however, the uniformed body was doctored and attached to his face.
“If this shit was real, don’t you think they would have more specifics, like dates and everything,” Ross responded.
TheSmokingGun.com revealed plenty of specifics. They reported yesterday that a man with the same social security number as Ross was employed as a prison guard in Florida from December 1995 until June 1997. Ross, real name William Leonard Roberts, earned a salary of almost $23,000 when he graduated from the DOC training academy and earned almost $26,000 when he left. He was allegedly 19-years-old at the time.
A department of corrections spokesperson supplied the document-digging Website with the information.
Ross has not commented on the report as of press time.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Nas To Join MoveOn.org For Fox News Protest In NYC
"Untitled" is the ninth album by New York rapper Nas, which was released in July 15, 2008 in the U.S
Nas will join political groups MoveOn.org and ColorOfChange.org tomorrow (July 23) in New York to protest Fox News and the cable channel’s coverage of black Americans, including presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
The Queens rapper has been outspoken against the network and their star anchor Bill O’Reilly in the past. When Nas was scheduled to perform at Virginia Tech to honor students who lost their lives during an outburst by a student, O’Reilly lambasted the school’s administration. The conservative host referenced vile Nas’ lyrics out of context and demanded the rapper not be allowed to perform on the basis of his work. O’Reilly invited members of the hip-hop community to debate the merits of Nas’ work, however, he barely allowed them to speak.
The network has also been critical of Nas during the promotion of his most recent album, which was slated to be titled Nigger before the rapper dropped the name.
Nas penned a song “Sly Fox” on his Untitled album aimed at his detractors at the network and now he will take to the streets to protest Fox News.
“FOX poisons the country with racist propaganda and tries to call it news,” Nas said in a statement.
Nas, along with MoveOn.org and ColorofChange.org, are set to deliver a petition signed with over 600,000 names calling for the “racist smears” on air against Obama and other black Americans to end. In the past few months, pundits on the network have referred to Obama’s wife as his “baby mama” and inadvertently called the Democratic Presidential Nominee Osamba, instead of his given surname.
Nas will join political groups MoveOn.org and ColorOfChange.org tomorrow (July 23) in New York to protest Fox News and the cable channel’s coverage of black Americans, including presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
The Queens rapper has been outspoken against the network and their star anchor Bill O’Reilly in the past. When Nas was scheduled to perform at Virginia Tech to honor students who lost their lives during an outburst by a student, O’Reilly lambasted the school’s administration. The conservative host referenced vile Nas’ lyrics out of context and demanded the rapper not be allowed to perform on the basis of his work. O’Reilly invited members of the hip-hop community to debate the merits of Nas’ work, however, he barely allowed them to speak.
The network has also been critical of Nas during the promotion of his most recent album, which was slated to be titled Nigger before the rapper dropped the name.
Nas penned a song “Sly Fox” on his Untitled album aimed at his detractors at the network and now he will take to the streets to protest Fox News.
“FOX poisons the country with racist propaganda and tries to call it news,” Nas said in a statement.
Nas, along with MoveOn.org and ColorofChange.org, are set to deliver a petition signed with over 600,000 names calling for the “racist smears” on air against Obama and other black Americans to end. In the past few months, pundits on the network have referred to Obama’s wife as his “baby mama” and inadvertently called the Democratic Presidential Nominee Osamba, instead of his given surname.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Diddy to Premier New Series on VH1
Diddy will premier a new reality television program on VH1 next month titled "I Want to Work for Diddy." The program will feature thirteen contestants competing against each other in a series of challenges to become the next Fonzworth Bentley. According to VH1, the challenges will be based on the real-life experiences of Diddy's previous assistants.
The series is set to premier Monday, August 4th at 9PM EST.
Once a top producer, Storch's musical empire falls
Just a few years ago, Scott Storch was one of the top producers in pop music, living in a $10.5 million mansion on an exclusive Miami island, driving a phalanx of luxury cars and dating the likes of Paris Hilton and Lil Kim.
Nowadays, Scott Storch, 34, is missing in action. He owes over $500,000 in real estate taxes and had a warrant out for his arrest when he failed to show up in court in a child-support case last month. He has not had a top 10 hit in three years. He still has his waterfront marble mansion, but his lawyer, Guy Spiegelman, says Storch is attempting to refinance it after a "catastrophic occurrence this year" resulting from "mismanagement." Storch no longer works with his old manager or publicist. He hasn't talked to either of his children in months.
Replete with tragic details and bad behavior, the ballad of Scott Storch may be the swan song of the bling era, a riches-to-rags tale of excess, poor decisions and a hobbled music industry.
Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, and raised in South Florida and the Philadelphia area, Storch is a high-school dropout from a broken, middle-class family who turned serious musician chops and intense ambition into a high-flying career. Vanessa Bellido met him when they were both in high school and he was a talented keyboardist.
"He always knew what he wanted to be," she says. "He would play the piano unbelievably. He was like, 'I'm going to make it, I'm going to make it.' Even at 15 he was an old soul. Real smart, real different."
While still a teen, Storch was a founding member of the Roots. He produced their breakthrough single "You Got Me," which helped Philly's acclaimed live hip-hop band win a Grammy, and gave the sandy-haired Jewish producer serious hip-hop credentials. Deciding he preferred studios to touring, Storch moved to Los Angeles to work with Dr. Dre. There his keyboard loops helped form the basis of such hits as "Still D.R.E." He produced seven tracks on Christina Aguilera's "Stripped" album, including "Can't Hold Us Down," which featured Lil Kim.
Storch decided to return to his Florida roots to, as he has said, build his empire. Beginning in 2003, the hits rolled in: Beyonce's "Naughty Girl," Terror Squad's "Lean Back," 50 Cent's "Candy Shop," and Chris Brown's "Run It."
Storch had the quintessential producer's talent for coaxing career-making performances out of both veteran and new artists.
"When we created that 'Baby Boy' record, Sean had only worked with Jamaican producers," says Atlantic Records chairman and CEO Craig Kallman, referring to the 2003 single by Sean Paul and Beyonce that Storch produced and that helped to make Paul an American recording star. "Scott was able to adapt himself to the sound of Jamaica but also to contemporary R&B and hip-hop. He was able to straddle both lines."
And yet there are similarities in many of Storch's records: sinuous keyboard riffs that reveal Storch's interest in Middle Eastern melodies coupled with thumping, staccato beats. In 2004, everyone wanted the Storch sound, and he reportedly commanded $100,000 per beat. An extensive Rolling Stone profile called him "hip-hop's Liberace" and said he had earned $70 million.
"The people who have always been on top of the production game - Timbaland, Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch - they all had their own sound," says the Miami-based producer Infamous, whose own recent work on the Lil Wayne and Jay-Z track "Mr. Carter" has made him the producer of the moment. "When their one record took off, everybody wanted a record that sounded like that."
Fame brought added responsibilities: In 2004, Storch reunited with the child he had fathered 12 years earlier with Bellido. He moved Bellido and their son Steven to South Florida: Bellido calls it "one of the happiest times in our lives."
Three years later, the producer began paying for another son, the now 2-year-old Jalen Daniel. Bellido and Jason Setchen, the lawyer for Jalen's mother, Dalene Jennifer Daniel, both say Storch was inconsistent but not a deadbeat dad. "Once able to get his attention, he stepped up to the plate and did the right thing across the board," says Setchen.
Other producers were as hot as Storch in 2003 to 2005. But dating movie stars and heiresses, and conspicuously consuming, Storch flaunted his multimillionaire status like a hip-hop Gatsby. Many say the fame went to his head. He had a public flare-up with Aguilera over the cost of a private jet to fly him out to produce her '06 album "Back to Basics." He also traded insults with fellow hitmaker Timbaland, who called Storch "just the piano man" in one track.
Storch's career had some serious stumbles: He was supposed to help his then-girlfriend Paris Hilton become a music star, but he said his songs for her were deemed too sexual and not released as singles. He signed reality TV show star Brooke Hogan to his Storch Music Company label and produced eight of 12 tracks on her album "Undiscovered," but the record flopped.
Storch has continued to work with top-name artists, including producing tracks on recent albums by Mariah Carey and Fat Joe. But he has not been able to crack Billboard's Top 10 since 2005.
Storch has paid neither his 2006 nor 2007 real estate taxes. At the start of this year, he stopped paying child support for both his kids and fell into several months of arrears before being sued by both mothers in separate cases.
It's unclear just why Storch fell so far so fast. (The producer did not return repeated requests for an interview.) "There was some mismanagement and some other errors. He got jammed," Spiegelman, his lawyer in the child support cases, says. "I don't think he's going down, I just think he's having difficulty. It's a cash flow problem."
But both outside observers and people who know Storch see other factors at play besides mismanagement. When Storch has been sighted recently in public, he has looked gaunt and unhealthy. The producer was a flamboyant smoker of marijuana; in 2004, he was fined for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
"If he's got managers and accountants and various investors looking out for his interests, it would be hard not to notice that money wasn't coming through," says Debbi Gibbs, president of Just Managing, a company that manages producers.
Career-wise, Storch may be a victim of his own success. The public is known to grow tired of the same old sound. "Most producers outside of a small number who focus on trying to be hit makers try to focus on new creative collaboration with whatever artists they're working on," says Gibbs. "That's when that magic happens and hits you didn't see coming come. Anyone who tries to create a hit formula is doomed to very short term success given the fast pace of musical taste."
But Storch built his name on numbers as much as on skills. He may not have adapted to the changing economy and the downsized music industry.
"Costs have come down because it's an absolute necessity. We're certainly not able to spend beyond what our budgets are for making records," said Kallman. "If a producer's out of our price range, we've gotta move to another producer. There's always new people." The executive says Storch has not produced any recent Atlantic tracks but that they have "been talking."
Storch seems also not to have saved for a rainy day - a fatal mistake in pop music. "There's no 401k plan in the music industry," says Infamous. "You can't be stupid and just throw your money away."
Those who have worked with Storch and those who have only heard his music think he can have a comeback. Infamous theorizes Storch may be purposely cooling things down in order to come out strong with something new: "Scott is definitely talented enough to say all right, it's time for a new Scott. His track record alone speaks volumes."
The producer has left a trail of debt and bad feelings behind him. The big spender developed a reputation for arrogance; many see his failure to care for his offspring, while still tooling around in a Ferrari, as particularly reprehensible. Yet the people who have personal reasons to hate the player don't.
"Scott's not a bad person," says Bellido. "I know he loves his son. He's been irresponsible."
Storch hasn't shown up for his court cases, but his lawyer has said he will meet his financial obligations. He paid the money he owed Daniel and the arrest warrant was vacated. "I'd like to see him do the right thing so we can move on," Setchen says.
Bellido sees Storch's lifelong materialism as his Shakespearean flaw. His identity is so wrapped up in his riches, she fears, that he is ashamed to appear publicly and clean up his mess.
"I think he's embarrassed," Bellido says. "I don't think he's going to be right until he has his money."
T.I.’s Album Pushed Back ‘Til September, Works With Fall Out Boy
T.I.’s upcoming album, Paper Trail, has been delayed until September, MTV News is reporting. The Atlanta rapper’s LP is now set to be released September 9. His latest single, “Whatever You Like,” was recently leaked online an now Tip is supposedly going to collaborate with Fall Out Boy for his project. Said F.O.B.’s Pete Wentz: “[It’s like] something from The Nightmare Before Christmas. After hearing about the chance to do a collaboration with someone like T.I. we thought, ‘How amazing would it be to send him something with strings and a Danny Elfman-like intro that Patrick [Stump] came up with? Lyrically you can take it as [being about] a friend, a lover, or even a fan.”
Paul Wall the hustler....
Paul Wall is a hustler, for sure. The Texas rapper, already a partner in a jewelry store and proprietor of his grill company, is now launching a tattoo detox business. The product is believed to help combat heavy metals in tattoo ink and cleanse the blood. The rapper’s father is said to be behind the idea.
The rise and fall of Scott Storch. Friends and industry insiders weigh in on the one-time multi-platinum producer’s career. And his current state of legal affairs.
Judge OK’s 50 Cent To Visit Son, Baby Mother Says She Doesn’t Trust Him
A Long Island judge granted 50 Cent visitation rights to his son next month after the rapper and the child’s mother attended a court hearing today.
The G-Unit head is allowed to see his son unrestricted from August 3-12. According to TMZ, 50 had to submit to a drug test in order to receive visitation. The rapper passed the drug test.
Fif told reporters gathered outside the courtoom after the hearing that “It went pretty good.”
He recently told MTV News he missed his son, Marquis, 11, and that not being able to see him was the toughest challenge of his life.
“In the summertime, for the first two years I was successful, my son has traveled with us on those tours,” 50 explained. “He was on the Rock the Mic Tour, he was on the Anger Management Tour. This summer, when he’s free, it’s, like, no communication. It’s tough.”
Tompkins told reporters she didn’t trust the rapper as she exited. “Not at all,” she said. “Not in any way. I don’t.”
Previously, Tompkins filed a temporary restraining order against Fif that called for him to stay away from her in public, forfeit any firearms he may have, and pick up his son curbside.
The two have engaged in a public feud over custody of their child and the battle escalated following a fire that burned down the house Tompkins lived in that was owned by the rapper.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Ace Hood Separates Teeny Bop Rappers From Grown Men, Justifies “Cash Flow”
Ace Hood isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel here. This past year alone, artists like Lil Wayne and Hurricane Chris have released titles like “Got Money” and “Get Money,” respectively. When time came to select the first single off his debut album, Gutta, due in stores September 23, Ace opted for “Cash Flow,” yet another single celebrating money.
“I just felt like it was relevant at that point and time,” Ace told XXLMag.com. “That was just my whole thought process. Why not? I feel like it’s gonna be the biggest money street record just cause it’s so catchy and even if you ain’t got somebody’s money you gon come see them regardless.”
Now 20-years old, Ace was only 19 when he recorded most of Gutta’s material. Money aside, Ace’s content leans towards grown man business rather than issues closer to his age bracket. But what makes a teenage artist spit one way or the other?
“I mean depending on how real it is,” Ace explained. “I feel as an artist, you gotta be believable. That’s why they leaning towards me because, I’m giving it to them raw and uncut and I’m young.”
“A lot of the OGs respect me cause they’re like, ‘oh, he’s a young cat, but he’s giving it to you real,” he continued. “It’s real rap. I mean, the other dudes…they do their thing with their music, I just gotta give it to them raw, you feel me?”
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