This is huge for New York City and hopefully big for hip-hop as a whole… Red’s been signed to Akon’s Konvict for quite some time, and recently Diddy got in on the action. All three were in Atlanta over the weekend at the Core DJs retreat, where they debuted the remix.
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“The new mixtape is on the way. This new mixtape is gonna be so tough. It’s hosted by Diddy; it’s gonna be crazy. Something special. You gonna have freestyles on there, original records on there you never heard… Every record on here is brand new. Everything was designed totally for this tape.”
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Red is hoping to drop his album later this year as well. Between his street album and the official label release, he’s worked with Ross, Jada, OJ Da Juiceman, Fabolous, Maino, T-Pain, G-Unit and, of course, Akon.

“The album, I definitely gotta take care of the streets,” said Red, a veteran in the rap game. “My core, they’ve been riding with me for however long, but my core wants to see me take it to the next level. I wanna deliver those next-level records to make sure we stay in the penthouse, not the lobby. I think they wanna see that growth. You spoon-feed them, you don’t wanna jump all the way out the there. They might be a little afraid of that. I try to find a nice medium.”

via MTV News

Previously: Red Cafe ft. Jadakiss, Fabolous, Rick Ross, Diddy & OJ Da Juiceman – Hottest In The Hood (Remix)

Previously: Double Barrel Tuesdays #6: Marco Polo & Torae Interview Masta Ace

The Foreign Exchange also known as Nicolay and Phonte of Little Brother alongside an amazing band and singers (Darien Brockington/Yahzarah) – joined forces to rock an intimate LIVE show at the Double Door Inn in Charlotte, NC for MySpace friends. The line gathered as early as 5pm as users were treated to a FREE 99 Coke Bottle upon entry to help cope with the heat. The band performed mostly new songs from their sophomore album “Leave It All Behind” but they did include a few songs off their first album “Connected” such as “Sincere” and “Come Around.” By far- one of the most talented groups we have showcased and looked “Beyond the Sound” with…. For more information please visit myspace.com/theforeignexch ange. Filmed by Randy Nangpi Edited by Mike Purugganan of No Surrender Fight Wear Photography by Almquist

MED& DJ Rhettmatic – Stones Throw Podcast 45: Bang Ya Head II. 10 new tracks and assorted guest shots from MED. Expect a new 12-inch from MED in May. Thanks to DJ Rhettmatic on this one.

Also, check out The Beat Junkies on Twitter: @BEATJUNKIES.

Hit the jump for the track list + download/feed link.

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This is beyond retarded, especially since “I Feel Like Dying” is not even on the album.

Lil Wayne is suing the producer of a song he performed that allegedly sampled another singer’s work without permission.

A lawsuit filed last year against Lil Wayne accuses him of copyright infringement, saying he failed to secure permission to sample folk singer Karma-Ann Swanepoel’s song “Once” on his track “I Feel Like Dying.”

A lawsuit filed last week by the rapper’s lawyers says Rebel Rock Productions Inc., of Coconut Creek, Fla., produced “I Feel Like Dying” and was responsible for obtaining any necessary licensing agreements.

Rebel Rock hasn’t responded to Lil Wayne’s claims and doesn’t have a lawyer named in court records. A telephone number listed for the company has been disconnected.

Last month, a federal magistrate ordered rapper Lil Wayne to turn over financial records for his Grammy-winning album, “Tha Carter III,” to Urband & Lazar Music Publishing, which published “Once.”

“I Feel Like Dying” isn’t a track on “Tha Carter III,” but a lawyer for Urband & Lazar argues that Lil Wayne promoted the album by singing that song in concert and allowing fans to download it for free on his Web site.

via MTV News & AP

Miss Info writes:

Lol, its an oddball combination. Gucci Mane, Juelz Santana and Big Boi, all together at a mansion out in Stone Mountain, Georgia…but hey, it could work. The three spent the day with hired help for the videoshoot of Gucci’s “She Got a Friend” track, which they’re all on. And somehow by the looks of the scenery, I’m guessing its not a remake of a James Taylor easy listening classic. But stranger things have happened.

(props to the homie Harlemworld for the exclusive on-set photos)

unrelated/related: do you think Juelz tightened up when he saw Big Boi’s t-shirt?

Back On My Bullshit in stores May 19th. Full video tomorrow night.

Cameos from Idris Elba, David Banner, Raekwon, Xzibit, & Tyrese.

The GZA collides with band The Black Lips for a little collaboration.

One of the defining moments of this year’s SXSW was the pair of surprise collaborations between Atlanta garage rock rabble-rousers The Black Lips and Wu Tang impresario GZA. This first took place off the beaten path at The Compound for Dickies Battle of the Bands, inspiring the unlikely pair to enter into a whole new chamber together. Soon thereafter, rumblings shot down 6th Street that the unlikely collabo might occur again at The Vice Records Showcase later that night at Emo’s. Sure enough, immediately after the band took the stage, GZA emerged to a roomful of cheers and slack jaws. The following week, the web was atwitter with reports from both events and a grainy MTV video documented a piece of the experience.

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Talks about his side group with Graph Noble & Res: Idle Warship.

LA duo Bleu Collar have been doing a weekly Bleu Collar Wednesdays series that I haven’t been keeping up with, but I fucks with this. Here they go over Portishead’s “Machine Gun” for the fuck of it. Directed by Amanjah and sponsored by BLVCK SCVLE clothing.