Posts belonging to Category 'News'

VIBE recently caught up with Yelawolf and got the inside scoop as to how his signing with Shady Records came to fruition. The Alabama native had the following to say:

“Keeping quiet was the hardest shit in the world, honestly. I was just so excited for a while. And everyone from my team who did know was really responsible about not letting it out. But I met with Eminem about four to five months ago in Detroit. Paul and Em flew me and my manager out to just kick it and get acquainted. From that meeting, I had no idea it would turn into this situation. I remember Paul was asking me about the meth problem in Alabama and I told him that I wrote ‘Pop The Trunk’ based off that issue. Next thing I know, Em starts rapping some of my lines from the song. I can’t even describe how that felt, I actually got super nervous. Em’s a real hip-hop fan, he knows about everything that’s going on.“

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After eight weeks on the shelves, Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy has officially sold over a million copies and become certified platinum! Diamonds aren’t the only thing that are forever!

As a state fiercely divided by the color combinations Mase & Blue (University of Michigan) and Green & White (Michigan State University), perhaps Michigan’s third most popular color pairing this weekend—known by many in my neck of the woods as Wiz Weekend—will be “Black And Yellow”, as we welcome Pittsburgh representer Wiz Khalifa for a weekend packed with performances booked by my brother Jason Rogalewski! Closing out the sure-to-be-hectic weekend, the Taylor Gang general will be hitting the Kalamazoo State Theatre’s stage for a show that—to the displeasure of many fans eager to see the tatted phenomenom perform live—sold out in just nine hours! Reportedly, fans in the area became concerned about Wiz’s health condition in response to a rumor—falsely stating that he suffered a heart attack—was posted on Facebook. As the lead promoter for the show, I do vividly remember scrolling through the official Event Page I created and deleting a similar—if not this exact—ridiculous comment. Joe Walker of the Kalamazoo Gazette recently got on the horn with Wiz Khalifa to get to the bottom of this rumor and discuss the upcoming event. Below, is an excerpt from the article:

KALAMAZOO — Avid fans of Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa received a scare when a Facebook post hinted the up-and-coming artist suffered a heart attack.

Tabbed as one of the top artists to watch in 2011 by MTV and Entertainment Weekly, Khalifa’s strong fan base — built largly on social networking and independently released tracks and albums — took notice. It turned out to be a member of the rapper’s camp messing around online, but it showed his popularity.

“I don’t know what that was. People think I’m going to have a heart attack?! No man … I’m not having no heart attack.” Khalifa said during a phone interview from Los Angeles. “I’m 23-years old — all I do is smoke and eat turkey burgers.”

With this social-networking-reported health condition confirmed as vapor, Khalifa’s fans can expect him to blow into Kalamazoo and get their hearts racing as scheduled. He will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the State Theatre. The show sold out in nine hours, according the box office.

“I’m excited,” Khalifa said. “I don’t like to tell what I’m going to do before I do it. It’s the surprise factor — nobody really knows what to expect. And when they come it totally blows them away.”

And the expectation of a packed house blows Khalifa away, too.

“It’s hard not to get excited when you sell out,” he said. “We’ve had a whole sold out tour. It goes with the flow.”

Khalifa is no stranger to West Michigan, he said. He may show no signs of cardiac arrest, but Khalifa remains susceptible to the common cold. He won’t abandon his current warm climate without being prepared to face Old Man Winter.

“I just moved out to L.A. and kinda forgot it was winter already,” he said. “Scarfs will be in the building!”

His supporters will be in there as well, and Wiz Khalifa definitely has no plans to leave his Midwest fans with feelings of abandonment.

“Since early in my career I’ve been able to tour up here, that’s where I built most of my fan base and been able to have amazing shows,” he said. “You guys just really support real music up here, and just get behind the music and show love. So I show love back.“ – MLive / WizKhalifa.com

According to Amaya, Eminem—who shared last year’s Grammy stage with Lil Wayne, Drake, and Travis Barker—is scheduled to return to the Grammy’s as a performer during this year’s ceremony! Marshall leads all nominees with 10 nods — including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards air live from the Staples Center in L.A. on February 13th at 8 pm EST on CBS!

BRRR! Gucci Mane is backing up his case of mental incompetency with cold hard facts! Days after being released from a mental health facility, La Flare visited Tenth Street Tattoo in Atlanta and got a new facial illustrated by shop owner Shane Willoughby. Two more scoops after the jump . . .

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Eminem covers the March issue of XXL, but he’s not alone. Sharing the spotlight with Marshall, are Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf — officially the newest additions to Shady Records after months of speculation. Below, are a couple excerpts from the article, which hits newsstands February 8th:

Eminem on signing Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf:
“Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse, it’s kinda phase two of Shady,” says Eminem. “It’s the new generation of Shady Records and as we’re trying to rebuild our label, it’s exciting for hip-hop and with all of these forces coming together and with what everybody’s capable of on the mic, it’s gonna be fun.”

Yelawolf on signing to Shady Records:
“Considering where I’m from and the shit I’ve been through, it’s hard to put into words what partnering with Shady means to me, my team at Ghet-O-Vision, and my state of Alabama. I can tell you that when you’re willing to give your life up to see a dream through, the reward is great. And now that I’ve become an apprentice to one of the greatest artists in the world, my potential reaches beyond anything I ever imagined. Let’s kill this shit.“

Via Rap Radar

Pittsburgh representer Mac Miller recently graced the grounds of the Windy City for the first time while on his Most Dope Tour and—in the process—sat down with ImFlashy to discuss a yet-to-be-released collaboration with Chiddy Bang, his most recently added tattoo, his experience with extremely potent weed during a tour stop in Toronto, industry co-signs, and more!

G.O.O.D. Music representer Big Sean recently swung by the HardKnockTV studios and provided an in-depth description of his first encounter with Kanye West, how their relationship evolved through the years — ultimately leading to a contract, as well as the adversities he endured during this time and overcame in pursuit of his dream.

While Big Sean was touring Florida last month, he sat down with FeedOffRap and discussed his ability to sell out shows nationwide despite the absence of radio impact, his Finally Famous movement, his desires to collaborate with fellow Detroit native Eminem and rising sensation Kendrick Lamar, his forthcoming debut album, the influencial capabilities of music, elements of fashion, maintaining exceptional quality, and more!

While on set of the video shoot for his “Black And Yellow” G-Mix, Wiz Khalifa praised Stargate—the production team responsible for the track’s infectious instrumental—once again! The Taylor Gang general’s collaborative efforts with said producers can most recently be discovered in “Stoned”.

A little birdie landed on the shoulder of Andrew from FSD and revealed that the first single from Watch The Throne—the upcoming joint album from Kanye West and Jay-Z—is titled “H.A.M.” and scheduled to be released January 11th! He was also informed that the project—itself—is currently slated for a March release!

Game has officially announced his upcoming mixtape, Purp & Patron, and unveiled the cover artwork. Once again, he enlists DJ Skee for hosting duties. I’d offer a toast, but there’s still no telling when The R.E.D. Album will finally be served.

After just six short weeks, Nicki Minaj’s debut album, Pink Friday, has officially sold over a million copies and become certified platinum! We salute you, Barbie!

Toronto-based producer T-Minus is off to a successful start in 2011, having already produced T.I.’s “Poppin’ Bottles”—the Drake-assisted No Mercy cut—as well as Nicki Minaj’s current Drake-assisted single, “Moment 4 Life”. Looking forward, he’s expected to land production placement on Drizzy’s forthcoming album, Take Care, and Lil Wayne’s upcoming album, Tha Carter IV! Complex recently caught up with the 22-year-old and discussed his current involvement with these projects:

On Producing For Take Care:
“The new songs were a mix of [rapping and singing]. He actually just did a record in the studio with 40, and man it sounded crazy. It was more of a R&B record, and T-Pain was on it as well, but man, when that finished product comes out it’s going to be nuts. Right now, there’s no true direction [for Take Care]. I couldn’t tell you whether it’s going to be a lot of singing, or a lot of rapping, or a little of both. Right now it’s still fresh. I think he’s probably going to drop like in the fall, possibly October. But I’m not too sure.”

On Producing For Tha Carter IV:
“Me and Drake had this record that we were going to put on Take Care, but 40 put this crazy mix on it and just made the beat bang—and after Wayne heard the mix that 40 did he was just like, ‘Wow, I’ve got to use this for my album.’ So yeah, I’m on the Tha Carter IV. The record is called ‘Maybe She Will.’ Things could change, but so far, it’s Wayne, and they got a verse from Ross, and they got Drake on the hook. I never even heard Wayne’s verse. I briefly met Wayne a few weeks ago, when I was in New York, and it was really short, like a few seconds meeting him. It was a session that we were having for Wayne and Drake. Boi-1da was there, too. But Wayne’s project, they’re trying to wrap it up really soon. He’s got a bunch of songs ready for the album. He’s just got to get a few more done, and then they’re going to push it out.“

On January 13th, Mac Miller kicks off the West Coast leg of his Incredibly Dope Tour! 29 shows are currently listed on the bill, with more dates to be added. I’d like to extend a special thanks to Artie Pitt for shooting over the press release! Hit the jump to find out when the dopeness lands in your city . . .

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